Politics

I know with absolute certainty that the recent Heritage study is nothing more than a flawed and distorted propaganda piece meant to kill immigration reform. The Heritage study is trying to address a macroeconomic question using a microeconomic model. Their methodology assumes that the immigrant population lives in some kind of isolated bubble, separate from our economy. That is a ridiculous premise. Immigrants bring vitality and productivity to our workforce that impacts every aspect of our economy.

Read more...

Americans love animals. More than half of all American families own pets, and we overwhelmingly believe in protecting animals from cruelty and suffering.

Despite reforms to tighten prohibitions against animal fighting, a glaring federal law loophole remains: Attendance at an animal fight must be made a federal crime. 

In the last election cycle, candidates and their campaigns spent approximately $8 billion to secure their offices. Because I live in Virginia and I contribute to the campaigns of Republicans and Democrats, I was under siege by candidates, their surrogates, their parties, their PACS and issue organizations to donate $3.00 or $5.00 or $197.00, and to do it before some silly deadline imposed on me by the caller. 

The reality remains: Congress has a 9 percent approval rating, but yet we returned to office 85 percent of those seeking office.

If any good news came from Friday’s revelation that the IRS targeted conservative groups during the nonprofit application process, it was this: liberals can no longer call the Tea Party crazy.

Whether it’s sequestration, the budget crisis or the debt ceiling debate, America continues to kick the can down the road on problems large and small. Most Americans have reached the point where they just roll their eyes when they hear about the latest dysfunction out of Washington.
 
But it’s time to pay attention because Washington’s dysfunction is making America dysfunctional.
 
Economists such as Stanford’s Nicholas Bloom have recently traced the link between policy uncertainty and the reluctance of businesses to make long-term commitments. This means that people aren’t hiring and workers aren’t working as a direct consequence of our elected leaders’ inability to work together.

With spring in full bloom, the ground isn’t the only thing beginning to thaw. Finally, more than two years after Citizens United unleashed a torrent of spending in federal elections, the rigid partisan stalemate on disclosure appears to be softening.
 
Last week, Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) unveiled the Follow the Money Act, which would beef up disclosure of outside spending. Before that, the Texas Senate, a body with a 19-12 Republican majority, passed similar legislation by a 23-6 vote. The bill now moves to the Assembly after a Senate committee approved it unanimously.

American democracy is badly broken. Less than half the eligible population bothers to vote. The outcomes of most legislative “contests” are rigged by partisan gerrymandering. The super-rich own the electoral process lock, stock and barrel.  

Do you experience a creeping sense of dread when a letter arrives in the mail from a government agency or before you sign an official government form? Do you find yourself asking, "what does this mean?" or "what happens if I'm mistaken?"

You are not alone. Confusing language is frustrating. But beyond our frustration are real consequences if we misunderstand government documents and regulations. Confusing language leads to mistakes that have dramatic consequences for our health, our safety, and our financial security. Think what might happen if we don't understand changes in our mortgages, or if we're confused by Medicare prescription drug information, or if we don't have  enough income taxes withheld from our paycheck.

This week the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hear from Assistant Attorney General Thomas Perez, the President’s nominee to serve as secretary of Labor. Having been in his position, I know he’s probably busy preparing his opening remarks and doing his homework to learn as much as possible about the new job for which he’s about to undergo a very public interview.
 
In 2003 and 2004 I was fortunate to work with Tom on my Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Professions and found him to be an engaging, thoughtful individual dedicated to public service and able to work with all.