Rally for Medicare For All...

Rally for Medicare For All... the Green Party is getting behind the healthcare-now.org protest for nationalized health care.

In a news release, the Greens supported a, "national Day of Action for Single-Payer national health care (Medicare For All) on Saturday, May 30."

The greens claim, "Single-Payer has been barred from the public debate, because of the influence of insurance, HMO, and pharmaceutical lobbies, through campaign contributions, 'astroturf' (false grassroots) operations, and dishonest advertising."

Greens say the protest must be held to get national attention.

SOURCE:
http://gp.org/press/pr-national.php?ID=212
http://www.healthcare-now.org/campaigns/may-30th-day-of-action
http://www.healthcare-now.org

Whigs go from 1800's to on-line...

Whigs go from 1800's to on-line... The Modern Whig party announced in an e-mail Wednesday they are now holding meetings on-line because their party is growing so much.

Their first on-line meeting will be May 19th.

The e-mail says, "Sunday political newspaper columnists continue to rave about the potential viability of this organization." Whigs point to growth from, "Many of these members are disenchanted Republicans and moderate Democrats who value common sense, rational solutions ahead of ideology and partisanship."

SOURCE:
E-mail
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/842858242

Are Bars, Doctors & Lawyers now credit companies?

Are Bars, Doctors & Lawyers now credit companies?

Waving the Red Flag on "The Red Flag"... The Florida Modern Whigs were tweeting out their concerns of the New Red Flag Requirement from the FTC.  It's a program to "detect, prevent, and mitigate" identity theft.

The FTC says the Red Flags Rules only apply: to “financial institutions” and “creditors” with “covered accounts.”

But, what does that mean?  The Whig Tweets claim: "A bar runs a tab for their regulars; however with the FTC Red Flag Law, the Bar is required to collect photo ID as they are now a credit co." and tweets warn of "if you sign a pledge card 4 a non-profit or charity, they are required to obtain your photo ID and keep it on file."

Analysis from Business Management Daily says small and mid-sized business think this new rule to protect credit fraud does not apply to them, but they could find-out with "audits, fines and class action suits."

The Wisconsin Law Journal points out doctors and lawyers could also be forced to live up to these new rules.

So if you qualify for this rule, what do you have to do?

*Develop a written program that identifies and detects the red flags of identity theft.

*Describe appropriate responses that prevent and mitigate identity theft.

*The program must be managed by the Board of Directors or senior employees. 

SOURCE:

http://twitter.com/FloridaWhig

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/alerts/alt050.shtm

http://www.businessmanagementdaily.com/articles/17265/1/The-Red-Flag-rules-Looming-deadline-for-businesses/Page1.html#

http://www.wislawjournal.com/article.cfm/2009/05/11/FTC-delays-enforcing-identity-theft-red-flag-rule

"Stress Test" the bank's bank...

"Stress Test" the bank's bank... that's the word from some Libertarian leaders.

In a story posted on "The Center for Libertarian Press Information" Libertarians are calling on an audit of the Federal Reserve.

They're backing Congressman Ron Paul's HR1207 calling for a public audit of the Fed.

What would we find?

SOURCE:

http://clipr.info/?p=35

http://www.thomas.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.1207:

Texas now getting ready for indys...

Texas now getting ready for indys... thanks to Texas House Bill 1193.  On Tuesday the bill was placed on the placed on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar.  The bill, which passed committee about one month ago, now is rolling along.

The bill is good for both major and minor parties.  The bill keeps the most rules in place, but the big change is allowing filing for Presidential Candidates up until one day after a party's convention.

This was a big concern in the 2008 election.  The old rules said a candidate had to file 70 days before the general election.  With conventions moving later on the calendar a number of parties were in the danger zone of not qualifying for the Texas ballot (and all of those electoral votes).

There was even a lawsuit involving Bob Barr (Lib).

SOURCES:

Representative Kelly Hancock - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist91/hancock.php

Representative John E. Davis - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist129/davis.php

Representative Dan Flynn - http://www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist2/flynn.php

Texas House - http://www.legis.state.tx.us/billlookup/Actions.aspx?LegSess=81R&Bill=HB1193&Sort=A

DallasNews.com "Libertarian Bob Barr sues to have McCain, Obama cast off Texas' ballot" - http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/state/stories/DN-barr_19pol.ART.State.Edition1.268aa61.html

Constitution & Reform Parties see opportunity...

Constitution & Reform Parties see opportunity... for gain new supporters from unhappy Republicans.  On 5/07/09 the Constitution Party said they are trying to "Romance" unhappy Republicans.  They point to a Rasmussen Poll showing nearly 70% of Republican voters say their own party members in Congress are out of touch.

The Constitution Party National Committee Chairman Jim Clymer said, ""We are seeing an unprecedented shift in party allegiance as those who’ve been disappointed time and again leave the ranks of the Republican Party".  He also said, "(Republican leaders) waved a red flag in front of those of us bullish on liberty. The reason the Republicans lost the White House in 2008 is not because their candidate was too conservative, but because he wasn’t conservative enough." 

The Reform Party also sees the chances to gain voters from both disenchanted Republicans and Democrats.  Their May Newsletter reads, "this financial crisis is the result of years of opportunistic business practices that span both Republican and Democratic administrations.  Unfortunately, both parties turned a blind eye". 

ANALYSIS: What is the plan for both of these parties?  They need to reach-out with a positive message.  The message of anger can get attention, but a positive message is what is needed to gain loyal followers.

http://www.constitutionparty.com/news.php?aid=949

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics2/69_of_gop_voters_say_republicans_in_congress_out_of_touch_with_the_party_base

http://www.rpusa.info/

West Virgina a place for indys...

West Virgina a place for indys... The Libertarian party and bloggers are praising West Virgina Governor Joe Manchin for making it easier for third parties to make it onto the West Virgina ballots.

The Governor signed a bill to make the filing date later and demand fewer signatures to get on the ballot.

SOURCES:
http://www.lp.org/blogs/donny-ferguson/lp-lobbying-pays-off-wv-gov-signs-ballot-access-reform
http://www.legis.state.wv.us/bill_status/Bills_history.cfm?input=2981&year=2009&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill