End the Crisis in Gaza

By David Gibson and Dr. Janet Amighi,
7/20/14

While Israel claims it is under threat, its own actions and policies are actually the driving force of Palestinian resistance.  It is most extreme in Gaza.

Gaza is kept shut off by land, sea and air from the rest of the world and even from their relatives in the West Bank. They cannot export their products or import needed supplies to rebuild after each Israeli incursion or bombing. They are locked in an overcrowded prison with undrinkable water and worse and then condemned as terrorists if they protest.  Gaza is permanently under siege- who can live like that?

Now as Israel attacks, Gazans run terrorized in the streets or cower in their homes with nowhere to flee. (Warning leaflets dropped from the air have no use when there is no place to evacuate to.) They have no shelters, they cannot become refugees. They can’t even get ambulances through to collect the wounded and the many dead. Even on the beach a group of boys are not safe.  They are trapped victims of an unbelievable horror. No one comes to their aid.

What is the cause of this brutal attack?  Israel says it is self-defense, against rockets, against kidnappers, against tunnels.  Palestinian leaders in Gaza say they will not accept a ceasefire until the blockade is lifted, that they will not stop resisting until they can lead tolerable lives.

According to Nathan Thrall writing in the New York Times, the trigger of this most recent Israeli attack against Gaza was the Reconciliation Agreement under which Hamas agreed to turn over leadership of Gaza to President Abbas and his Fattah party and create a unity government.  The West at first supported this move, but Israel resisted and her allies fell into line. Thrall calls it, “Gaza and Israel: The Road to War, Paved by the West, (July 17, 2014).  He claims that Israel is trying to preserve the status quo- keeping control over Palestinian land, water, and lives.

The US is Israeli’s willing ally to the tune of 3 billion dollars a year in military aid, not because it is in our national interest, but because our politicians are afraid to confront right wing actions by the Israeli government.

The United States can help save both Israeli and Palestinian lives by demanding a lasting ceasefire, lifting the blockade on Gaza, ending U.S. military aid to Israel (or at least withholding such aid until a ceasefire begins and lasts for, say six months), hold all sides accountable for human rights violations, and engage with all Palestinian factions (including Hamas).

Peace, Shalom, and Salam to all

Please take action for peace in Palestine and Israel.

Call the White House comment line:

202.456.1111

Demand a ceasefire and suspension of U.S.  weapons and military aid to Israel.

To call your Member of Congress:

US Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121

To locate your Member on-line:
U.S. House of Representatives: www.house.gov
U.S. Senate: www.senate.gov

White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Demand a ceasefire and suspension of U.S. weapons and military aid to Israel.

Benghazi? Really?

What purpose was served by McCain’s, Graham’s, Johnson’s, and Paul’s interrogation of Hillary Clinton regarding when she knew that it was a terrorist attack in Benghazi?  Would the timing of this knowledge have changed the outcome?  No, it wouldn’t have.  Funding enough security forces could have possibly changed the outcome.  The Republicans in Congress refused to pay for more security and look what happened.  Instead of them pointing the finger at the real problem which is Republican budget cuts, they attacked Hillary Clinton.  Republicans can’t handle the truth.

And Rand Paul made a complete fool of himself.  Turkey???

Tell It Like It Is, Nancy

Let’s make this video viral.

Mitt Romney – Survival by Tax Payer Money

Mitt Romney likes to say that “he can do that” or “that he can fix that” or “he fixed that in the past”.  This is always in relationship to the budget deficit.  Yet, it was tax payers money that saved Bain Capital not Mitt Romney.  He won’t talk about that.

Rolling Stone has the complete article which can be read here.

Except:

In fact, government documents on the bailout obtained by Rolling Stone show that the legend crafted by Romney is basically a lie. The federal records, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, reveal that Romney’s initial rescue attempt at Bain & Company was actually a disaster – leaving the firm so financially strapped that it had “no value as a going concern.” Even worse, the federal bailout ultimately engineered by Romney screwed the FDIC – the bank insurance system backed by taxpayers – out of at least $10 million. And in an added insult, Romney rewarded top executives at Bain with hefty bonuses at the very moment that he was demanding his handout from the feds.

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-federal-bailout-that-saved-mitt-romney-20120829#ixzz2BGEstawA

Who Gave Mitt Romney Money

Mitt Romney’s campaign received $1 million from a single donor through a now defunct PAC, Restore Our Future.  Who is this mysterious donor?

• Al-Quaeda?
• Saudi Prince?
• Middle East Dictator?
• Columbian Drug Lord?
• Mexican Drug Lord?
• Chinese PM?
• Taliban?
• Klu Klux Klan?
• White Supremest Nazi?
• Sovereign Nation Member?

Who is this bigoted person that IS AFRAID TO HAVE THEIR NAME DISCLOSED?  I know one thing for sure.  This person is a COWARD.

It could be anyone of the above mentioned people.  Does Romney pal around with terrorists?

Republicans Privatize Social Security

Yes, in their own words, they will privatize Social Security.  This is what the voters of Pennsylvania voted for when they elected Toomey.  Yes, Tea Party members and Patriots, you will have to hand over your Social Security to the thieves on Wall Street and you can kiss your Medicare good-bye.  And you voted for this because there is a black man in the white house.  Sorry to say that racism is alive and well in the “guns and Jesus” parts of Pennsylvania.

One more thing, Tea Party members and Patriots, you better start bottling your water because once the gas drillers come into your neighborhood, your water will not be safe to drink.  This is what will happen because you voted for Republicans to control Harrisburg and they support the rights of the gas drillers and NOT your rights.  Fools.

Pat Toomey’s book

Let’s Hold Them Accountable

Now that the tea party and Republicans have taken back the House and control Harrisburg, let’s hold them accountable.

We want jobs, jobs, and more jobs.  We want jobs in Pennsylvania that employ Pennsylvanians.

Maloney promised to finally get rid of our property taxes.  We want no more property taxes. 

Toomey promised American jobs.  We want jobs in Pennsylvania and not jobs off shored to another country.

Gerlach promised jobs.  We want jobs in Pennsylvania and not jobs off shored to another country.

Corbett promised to not raise taxes.  We don’t want any more money taken out of our pay checks to bail out the State.

Republicans promised that they will reduce the deficit without touching our Social Security.  We will hold them to that.

Republicans promised to lower taxes for EVERYONE.  We will hold them to that.

They have two years to deliver:

• Jobs, jobs and more jobs
• No more property taxes
• Deficit reduction
• Lower taxes

We don’t want to dismantle the health care reform.  We want either single payer or public option health care to replace mandatory private insurance.

We don’t want to spend two years wasting tax payers money on frivolous investigations.  We want Congress to work on jobs and more jobs.

We don’t want our Social Security handed over to Wall Street.  We want the Government to honor their promise to our seniors and to not use Social Security to reduce the deficit.

We don’t want endless wars.  We want our troops home NOW.

We don’t want bank bailouts.  We want responsible bank and Wall Street regulations.

We don’t want to keep drilling deeper and deeper for oil and gas which destroys our environment.  We want renewable energy like wind power and solar power.

We don’t want to keep supporting big agriculture which sends us dangerous foods.  We want safe food, produced by local farms.

Two years… that’s all they have.

It Didn’t Take Long

… for the Republicans to break their “Pledge”.  When it came time to vote for the small business bill in the House, all but one Republican turned their backs on small businesses and voted “No” for tax breaks for small businesses.

You can trust that Republicans will always turn their backs on Main Street because Republicans are owned by Wall Street.

Strenthen Social Security

Social Security DID NOT create the deficit yet Republicans want to use our Social Security money to reduce the deficit.  The also want to “personalize” (same as privatize) Social Security by handing over our Social Security money to Wall Street.

As for the Democrats that are in sync with this Republican scheme, we are watching.

Jim Gerlach’s Latest Campaign Literature and the Flat Out Lies Within.

The Lit:

Creating Jobs Here, Creating Jobs Now

Jim Gerlach has always aggressively worked to put Pennsylvania back to work by helping businesses create jobs. His Package of job-creation bills would increase credit to businesses looking to expand, and extend much-needed tax relief so small businesses can hire more employees, purchase new equipment, and offer incentives for companies to expand here at home instead of shipping jobs overseas to countries like China.

The FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on S 181 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that redefines unlawful employment laws and counts each paycheck as an offense if a salary is ruled as discriminatory.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 4213 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to concur with Senate amendments and adopt additional amendments to a bill that extends unemployment insurance provisions and amends tax law in various ways to extend tax credits and deductions and to offset expenses.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2847 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: Vote to concur with Senate amendments and adopt additional amendments to a bill that appropriates funds, authorizes appropriations, issues new tax credits, and modifies existing tax credits for purposes related to employment, infrastructure, and transportation.

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 5522 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that requires the Secretary of Labor to set safety standards for combustible dusts.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 800 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that amends the National Labor Relations Act to eliminate a requirement for a vote to organize a labor union, outline a time frame for the bargaining process, and provide certain penalties for employers who attempt to influence the formation of a union.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is ANTI-BUSINESS and ANTI-WORKER.

The Lit:

Cutting Government Wast and Reduce Record Debt

Record spending in Washington will soon triple our national debt. That’s why Jim voted against the failed 2009 trillion dollar “stimulus” bill, against record new debt and against runaway spending. Jim will always stand up for taxpayers, families and seniors. Jim also supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 5982 which the govtrack.us synopsis of the bill is: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of certain information reporting requirements to corporations and to payments for property, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore, and for other purposes.”

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 4818 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that appropriates $821.9 billion in funding for various departments and programs for fiscal year 2005.”

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 5631 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to adopt a bill that appropriates $418.32 billion to the Department of Defense and related agencies.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is PRO TAX LOOPHOLE FOR THE RICH and PRO BIG SPENDING AND ADDING TO THE NATIONAL DEBT WITH “STIMULUS” WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS GEORGE W. BUSH.

The Lit:

Providing Tax Relief

Extend the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts which will help create jobs and stop the largest tax increase in American history from occurring in January 2011.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 4351 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that extends the alternative minimum tax credit and adjusts the repayment plan for nonqualified deferred compensation.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 4154 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that permanently sets the estate tax exclusion amount (the amount of an estate that is exempt from the estate tax) at the 2009 level of $3.5 million, permanently sets the maximum estate and gift tax rates at the 2009 level of 45 percent, and reinstates the statutory Pay-As-You-Go budget rule.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 5982 which the govtrack.us synopsis of the bill is: “To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the expansion of certain information reporting requirements to corporations and to payments for property, to eliminate loopholes which encourage companies to move operations offshore, and for other purposes.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is PRO TAX LOOPHOLE FOR THE RICH and ANTI TAX RELIEF FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS.

The Lit:

Stopping Illegal Immigration

Secure our borders once and for all, complete the border fence, and oppose amnesty which rewards law breakers and will bankrupt Social Security and destroy Medicare for seniors, and families.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 6095 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that grants state and local officials inherent authority to investigate, identify, apprehend, arrest, detain, or transfer undocumented immigrants to Federal custody as well as clarifies specific litigation issues.”

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 6061 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the construction of an additional 700 miles of double-layered fencing between the U.S and Mexico and grants the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to take necessary steps to stop unlawful entry of immigrants into the U.S.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is for securing our borders the WRONG way. When illegal immigrants come into this country it’s not to bankrupt it, it’s for a better opportunity, doing the jobs our people refuse to do. If we provide a way for them to get to the back of the line and pay back taxes, not only is it good for our economy, it will help to not bankrupt the Social Security Congressman Gerlach helps to raid (AKA the “310 million tit cow”) but help sustain it. As far as the destruction of Medicare, I’ll get to that.

The Lit:

Building Energy Independence

Jim has long supported an “all of the above” approach to developing our most efficient energy sources to break our dependence on foreign oil. Jim voted against “cap-and-tax” which would kill local jobs and will make energy rates skyrocket.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 6515 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that additionally facilitates drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and encourages oil companies to drill on already leased land in the United States.”

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 6 (Sponsored by his buddy Joe Barton) which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that would change the nation’s energy policies, regarding production, taxes, and operations.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 3534 which the govtrack.us synopsis of the bill is: “To provide greater efficiencies, transparency, returns, and accountability in the administration of Federal mineral and energy resources by consolidating administration of various Federal energy minerals management and leasing programs into one entity to be known as the Office of Federal Energy and Minerals Leasing of the Department of the Interior, and for other purposes.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is all for “DRILL BABY DRILL” while voting against transparency in how energy companies pillage the land. No where do you find a vote for alternative energy like Wind or Solar. When you get money from Joe Barton’s oil company buddies, why would you vote any other way?

The Lit:

Reforming Health Care

Jim voted against Medicare cuts and rationing of care that government-controlled health care will now put in place. Jim will continue to push for commonsense, market-based reforms that preserve quality of care, reduce health care costs, and keeps patients, families and doctors in control of decisions.

(Sorry, I barely got through that without throwing up)

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted YES on HR 4297 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that reduces federal spending by $56.1 billion over five years by decreasing the amount of funds spent on Medicaid, Medicare, agriculture, employee pensions, conservation, student loans, and other projects and retains a reduced tax rate on capital gains and dividends.“

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 3590 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that amends various statues related to health care and heath insurance coverage, including, but not limited to, the establishment of a Health Insurance Exchange Program, an individual mandate to purchase insurance, a prohibition on insurers denying or rescinding coverage based on a preexisting condition, a tax on “high cost employer-sponsored health care plans,” various mechanisms aimed at reducing Medicare spending, and an expansion of Medicaid eligibility.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 4872 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that issues various amendments to HR 3590, including, but not limited to, the following highlights.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is against health care for all people in this country. He doesn’t care that people are shut out due to “Pre-existing conditions”. He voted to first reduce spending on Medicare, then voted against eliminating the over-spending (by reducing spending by 1% in year 2014-15 for the hospitals that have high costs).

The Lit:

Protecting Our Enviroment

Jim has long been a champion for protecting open space and preserving farmland in our area. He founded the Land Conservation Caucus in Congress. Jim supports holding BP accountable for the damage done to the Gulf and the economy.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2996 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to adopt a conference report that extends temporary federal spending measures in order to fund the government through December 18, 2009 and appropriates $32.39 billion for the Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency, and related agencies for fiscal year 2009-2010.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2454 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that amends various statutes related to energy, including, but not limited to, establishing a cap and trade program to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 5351which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that extends renewable energy tax credits and increases taxes on oil companies.”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2776 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that makes changes in U.S. tax code regarding renewable and fossil fuels.”

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach is against incentives for promoting renewable energy. He’s against regulating greenhouse gas emissions, which cause global warming. He’s for conserving lands that we could in theory drill at some point! He’s for tax breaks for his Oil industry buddies, again, if they gave you campaign contributions, wouldn’t you do the same? (If you too, didn’t have a conscience?)

The Lit:

Endorsed by Veterans’ Vision and awarded an ‘A’ rating by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. Jim has always supported our veterans, our troops, and their families. Jim voted “yes” to improve veterans health care services, cost of living increases and supports a Veterans’ Bill of Rights.

THE FACTS:

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 2861 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that would appropriate $122.7 billion for the departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development.”

Jim Gerlach NO VOTED on HR 2642 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to adopt an amendment to HR 2642 that provides education funding for eligible members of the Armed Forces, extends unemployment compensation, establishes moratoria on certain actions regarding Medicaid, and appropriates funds for various domestic and international purposes. ”

Jim Gerlach voted NO on HR 3221 which project Smart Vote’s synopsis of the bill is: “Vote to pass a bill that increases mortgage grants, mortgage limitations, various property assistances to the homeless and veterans, and the line of credit for mortgages under Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “

The Conclusion: Jim Gerlach has no problem sending our men and women into war, but DOES have a problem supporting them when they get home. Whether it be Health Care, Housing, or Education Jim Gerlach has FAILED our veterans. Someone who hasn’t served in our armed forces certainly wouldn’t understand what Veterans and their families go through. All he understands are special interests and the money donated to his campaign by them!

And finally, from http://www.ontheissues.org:

• Rated 10% by NARAL, indicating a pro-life voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 70% by the NRLC, indicating a mixed record on abortion. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 56% by NAACP, indicating a mixed record on affirmative-action. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 97% by the US COC, indicating a pro-business voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 25% by the NEA, indicating anti-public education votes. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 33% by CAF, indicating a mixed record on energy independence. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 50% by the LCV, indicating a mixed record on environment. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 0% by APHA, indicating a anti-public health voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 22% by SANE, indicating a pro-military voting record. (Dec 2003) <NOTE: PRO-MILITARY NOT PRO VETERAN>
• Rated 0% by FAIR, indicating a voting record loosening immigration. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 83% by USBC, indicating a sealed-border stance. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 7% by the AFL-CIO, indicating an anti-union voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 18% by the AU, indicating opposition to church-state separation. (Dec 2006)
• Rated 0% by the ARA, indicating an anti-senior voting record. (Dec 2003)
• Rated 0% by the CTJ, indicating opposition to progressive taxation. (Dec 2006)