WASHINGTON -- House Republicans voted on Friday to strip federal funding from Planned Parenthood, cutting money for contraceptives, HIV tests, cancer screenings and reproductive health services as part of an attempt to weaken the abortion provider. Planned Parenthood does not currently spend federal money on abortion services.
The vote, which passed, 240 to 185, came after an emotional, late-night speech by Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), who revealed on the House floor that she had had an abortion. Speier criticized Republicans for vilifying Planned Parenthood and abortion-rights supporters.

Source:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/18/planned-parenthood-fundin_n_825258.html

Planned Parenthood provides healthcare services such as birth control, abortions, pregnancy, and advice on general health care, women’s health, STDs, body image, relationship.

NASCAR’s (National Association of Stock Car Racing) national website provides info on cars, drivers, schedules, award standing, and shows cars driving left turns.

The House has voted to let the Pentagon continue using taxpayer dollars to sponsor NASCAR race teams.

By a 281-148 vote, lawmakers rejected an effort by Minnesota Democratic Rep. Betty McCollum that would have ended the practice. McCollum aides said the Army is spending $7 million on a sponsorship this year, and the Air Force and National Guard are spending additional money.

McCollum said the military spends the funds to place decals on race cars and for a few driver appearances. The armed forces hope the sponsorships will help them attract recruits.

The Navy and Marine Corps dropped their NASCAR sponsorships in recent years, saying they didn’t know whether they worked.

Most Democrats backed McCollum’s effort, while Republicans voted overwhelmingly against ending the practice.

Doesn’t this make you proud.

House votes to deny Obama healthcare law funds

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted on Friday to choke off cash to fund President Barack Obama's healthcare reform law, stepping up a fight with Democrats over budget cuts and deficits.
The House's move against the 2010 healthcare law -- one of Obama's main legislative victories -- is certain to be rejected by the Democratic-led Senate, but it has raised tensions over federal spending that could lead to a government shutdown.
On largely party-line votes, the House approved several amendments to deny funds to federal agencies to implement the healthcare overhaul, which Republicans deride as a costly government intrusion into the marketplace.
Republicans say the healthcare reform burdens doctors, insurers and employers with unnecessary costs and bureaucracy as the country is slowly recovering from a recession. The law is aimed at ensuring more Americans get medical insurance and provide consumer protections in the healthcare industry.

Observe the trick here – many, if not most doctors, insurers, and employers … Happen to make plenty of money.
The forty million uninsured Americans who would eventually be able to get health insurance … well, they don’t make much money, or enough noise.

Oh the best part of this – it is a joke, right????? The House voted to keep the cash in the loop for NASCAR advertisements. OO RAH!!!

VFW Will Defeat Bachmann Plan

Posted at 08:25 AM on Monday, January 31, 2011 by Commander Post 3103

WASHINGTON, D.C., January 28, 2011 — America's oldest and largest major combat veterans' organization announced it will do everything within its power to defeat a plan introduced by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) to cut $4.5 billion from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"No way, no how, will we let this proposal get any traction in Congress," said Richard L. Eubank, the national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries.

On her website, the three-term congresswoman lists more than $400 billion in suggestions to cut federal spending.  The VA suggestion would cap increases to VA healthcare spending, and reduce disability compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments — in other words, an offset.  She says her plan is intended to generate discussion.

"The only discussion the VFW wants is to tell the congresswoman that her plan is totally out of step with America's commitment to our veterans," said Eubank, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Eugene, Ore.

What gives???

What is happening? What I see …

Conservatives, one a clergy, working to get citizens to sign petitions to repeal Health Care reform, which will preclude access to health care insurance by 40 some million Americans.

Tea Party … Why would Americans, unless they are owners of companies … oppose Collective bargaining rights …check out what the Governor of Wisconsin wants to do?

Social upheavals around the Arab world … for people’s rights

Former Vice President praised his friend Hosni Mubarak - What did he, or we, think of the 20 to 60 Billion dollars Mubarak’s family “acquired” during his rule?

Do we now endorse repressive governments?

Is it, will it be, will we see - Class warfare? Do we still believe in “Of the people, by the People, For the People? 

Income distribution in US polulation - Source: Wikipedia

This graph shows the percentage of the population per income groups $10,000 increments apart, originally produced in the office of Tony Chesta, a study at N.Y.U. and then dispersed to various organizations. Two right columns are separated by increments of $50,000.

The currently defined “poverty: income level is

Source:  http://www.burkedevinc.com/pdf/Disposable%20Income%20Profile.pdf

2010 Households by Disposable Income (Burke County, NC)

Number Percent

Total 34,827                                      100.0%

<$15,000 5,618                                16.1%

$15,000 - $24,999 5,068                 14.6%

$25,000 - $34,999 6,162                 17.7%

$35,000 - $49,999 8,112                 23.3%

$50,000 - $74,999 7,083                 20.3%

$75,000 - $99,999 1,529                 4.4%

$100,000 - $149,999 861                2.5%

$150,000 - $199,999 182                0.5%

$200,000+ 212                                 0.6%

Median Disposable Income $35,671

Average Disposable Income $42,077

Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census Population and Housing. Esri forecasts for 2010 and 2015.

For those with too much time on their hands, my birth certificate can be found in the Vital Records of Maine, as one can with other states, including Hawaii.

The percentage of Americans who pay no income taxes … an issue vocalized at Tea Party gatherings –

Undocumented workers, those who are here illegally, plus those self-righteous Americans who work “Sub Rosa”, off the clock, under the table, for cash – to ensure they pay no taxes and yet impose a burden on those of us in the middle (center) who do pay taxes.

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