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Today, the voters in Wisconsin Recall Election districts decide whether or nor to recall State Senators who have supported the policies that affect the lives of 98% of the working people in the State.

Let’s hope We The People of Wisconsin today send a message to Governor Scott Walker that the powerful, special interest monetary support of candidates that push Walker’s agenda of legislating for the most wealthy individuals and corporations no longer will be accepted.

Let the people of Wisconsin set the tone for the rest of the country that this strategy of “fiscal reform” on the backs of the majority of working people will no longer be tolerated.

The magical mystery tour of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker continues.

This week Walker appointed a lobbyist’s (who donated $120,000 to Walker’s election campaign last year) 27 year old son to a job paying $81,500 a year in Wisconsin’s Department of Environmental Protection Agency.

The lobbyist’s son has no environmental agency experience, is a college drop out, and has two DUI’s on his record.  Hey we all make mistakes – we’re not throwing stones at this guy.

Walker can pay this guy $81,500 but will not pay an educator with a masters degree $50,000 to teach our children.

Come on Governor Walker, you owe the people of Wisconsin more respect than this.  Maybe if you paid teachers instead of lobbyists their sons might become teachers.

Where are our priorities? That is our question.

So many States are cutting budgets on the backs of our educational system – cutting teachers, programs and support.

Yet we spend $200 Million+ sending missiles into Libya. Where are our priorities?

President Obama said last night our strength abroad is based upon our strength at home. How can we be strong at home when we compromise the education of our children? Where are our priorities?

We keep throwing money at big companies, the most wealthy people in this country and wars. Where are our priorities?

Here is Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders list of some ways to address budget deficits by getting everyone to pay their fair share:

“Sanders compiled a list of some of the 10 worst corporate income tax avoiders.

1. Exxon Mobil made $19 billion in profits in 2009.  Exxon not only paid no federal income taxes, it actually received a $156 million rebate from the IRS, according to its SEC filings.

2. Bank of America received a $1.9 billion tax refund from the IRS last year, although it made $4.4 billion in profits and received a bailout from the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department of nearly $1 trillion.

3. Over the past five years, while General Electric made $26 billion in profits in the United States, it received a $4.1 billion refund from the IRS.

4. Chevron received a $19 million refund from the IRS last year after it made $10 billion in profits in 2009.

5. Boeing, which received a $30 billion contract from the Pentagon to build 179 airborne tankers, got a $124 million refund from the IRS last year.

6. Valero Energy, the 25th largest company in America with $68 billion in sales last year received a $157 million tax refund check from the IRS and, over the past three years, it received a $134 million tax break from the oil and gas manufacturing tax deduction.

7. Goldman Sachs in 2008 only paid 1.1 percent of its income in taxes even though it earned a profit of $2.3 billion and received an almost $800 billion from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury Department.

8. Citigroup last year made more than $4 billion in profits but paid no federal income taxes. It received a $2.5 trillion bailout from the Federal Reserve and U.S. Treasury.

9. Conoco Phillips, the fifth largest oil company in the United States, made $16 billion in profits from 2007 through 2009, but received $451 million in tax breaks through the oil and gas manufacturing deduction.

10.  Over the past five years, Carnival Cruise Lines made more than $11 billion in profits, but its federal income tax rate during those years was just 1.1 percent.

Sanders has called for closing corporate tax loopholes and eliminating tax breaks for oil and gas companies. He also introduced legislation to impose a 5.4 percent surtax on millionaires that would yield up to $50 billion a year. The senator has said that spending cuts must be paired with new revenue so the federal budget is not balanced solely on the backs of working families.”

One last time – Where are our priorities?

History began being made yesterday at about 4:00 PM Central time when Governor Scott Walker,  Scott Fitzgerald and their Senate administration peeled off the collective bargaining rights of Wisconsin workers into a separate bill; took a vote (18-1); and adjourned the session over the objection of State Senator Peter Barca.

Barca was reading the State law that required a 24 hours notice for a bill vote applicable to non critical legislation. Walker and his cronies gave the people of Wisconsin and their legislators a two (2) hour notice.

The people of Wisconsin began swarming the Capitol building within minutes of the final vote. Beginning today, the John Deere tractors and combines will be rolling into Madison to object to Walker’s moves. Saturday, Michael Moore will headline a rally of an estimated 150,000 people to object to Walker’s tactics. Today, beginning at 2:00PM high school and college students will be walking out of their classes to protest Walker and the Senate’s move.  They have been out in full force via Twitter and Facebook inviting local media to their schools to witness the walk outs.

This weekend will go down in history when “We the People” stand up to the 400 most wealthy people (50% of the income of this country) and their Wisconsin puppets and let their voices be heard.

Our message to the people of Wisconsin: Recall every one of those 18 State Senators as soon as law allows. Then in January send Walker back to the Koch brothers. Stand firm you 14 State of Wisconsin filibusters – we’re supporting you.

Even though Democracy does not matter to Governor Walker and his administration – it does matter to the people of Wisconsin! Watch and see. Please, no violence or destructive behavior. We know your emotions are high but let’s show Walker we’re different.

Last Saturday we were part of the estimated 100,000 people that are standing up for their rights and opposing the influence of special interests on our legislative process. In the snow and cold we were all there.

This was a rewarding and emotional experience as people with tears in their eyes thanked us for our support.

We have been watching with great interest the activities going on in Madison, Wisconsin and other cities in the Midwest.

The swell of support for the working people is echoed with our resounding “we’re mad as Hell and we’re not going to take this anymore”. This is way bigger than teachers and municipal employees giving up (once again) more of their earnings to pension funds and healthcare. This is about the American people standing up for our founding fathers vision that we be fairly and equitably represented.

We empathize with the workers wanting to maintain the right to sit down and work out a resolution. We understand the budget issues each and every one of us has had since the financial meltdown of 2008.  However, to place the burden on the backs of individual working people is not only unwarranted but totally misguided.

Let’s sit back and objectively analyze why we’re at a cross roads in our country’s history.

1. It all started when the Glass-Steagall Act (separated commercial and investment banking) was repealed (1999). This enabled the Wall Street banks to raid the stock market (running down the value of our pensions over 50%) to place bets on collateralized debt obligations (CDO’s) and derivatives – they lost those bets. Then in an attempt to “double down” on their bad bets they crashed our financial system in 2008. WE the taxpayers had to bail them out to avert another depression. All so these folks can continue to receive their $20.8 Billion bonuses (2010).

2. These moves have led to a concentration of wealth in this country and a 10%+ unemployment rate. Companies do not want to add jobs to preserve their capital (one of the largest corporate cash holdings in the history of our country) and these economic woes continue to have rippling effects on every one of us.

3. Many of the contracts now being “reworked” with workers were negotiated in good faith and based upon tax revenues of a growing economy (municipalities, individuals & companies – those companies that actually pay taxes unlike Exxon Mobil that made $8 Billion in the 4th quarter of 2010 and did not pay one cent of Federal tax). Those tax revenues have been greatly reduced on the Federal, State and local levels over the past three years.

4. The tax breaks for the most wealthy people of this country were initiated and have been recently extended. Another huge drain on the revenue side of the income statements.

Now comes along Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin saying the workers have to give to fix this financial mess. Mr. Walker was heavily subsidized in the 2010 election campaign by the Koch Brothers who have coal, gas and energy holdings. They have deep pockets (estimated $43 Billion in net worth)  and want control of Wisconsin’s electricity market (a little known provision of the bill being challenged in  Wisconsin that allows if it is in the best interest of the State, Wisconsin can privatize the electricity business) . Why? Electricity prices keep rising and will continue to rise as demand increases. The Koch brothers will make billions more. This was all exposed this past Wednesday when Walker was “punked” by a call that he thought was David Koch. Interestingly, the Koch brothers have set up a lobbying firm in Madison this week. Surprise – surprise.

Don’t tell us budget woes must be fixed on the backs of 98% of the American people! Tell us you will stop catering to the most wealthy people and companies in this country and their influence (lobbyists) on our legislative process.  Tell us you will spend our money to create good paying jobs. Tell us you will spend our money to educate our Children so we can compete in the global economy. Tell us you will spend our money to clean up our environment with clean, renewable energy – not coal Mr. Koch.

Tell US that democracy is still we the people and not we the privileged few that have the most money and influence!

What is going on in Wisconsin and other States is way bigger than a budget or a contract – it’s about preserving the right of every citizen in this country to still have a voice.

This is not about being in a union (we are not members of a union) it’s about US. We will be in Madison, Wisconsin tomorrow. We will support the people. It’s about US.

Thank you Governor Walker – you have given WE the people the stimulus to stand up for our rights.

Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont once again exhibits he is the Senator for all of this United States and it’s people, not just Vermont.

Sanders Calls Republican Budget Cuts Hypocritical

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement today on negotiations to keep the government running past March 4:

“At a time when this nation already has the most unequal distribution of income at any time since 1928, and after Republicans just passed huge tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires, it is hypocritical that they now want to balance the budget by cutting desperately-needed programs for hard-working Americans. Democrats must fight back and say no to continued attacks on working families.”

Contact: Michael Briggs or Will Wiquist (202) 224-5141

We recently wrote Illinois Senator Dick Durbin urging his support of legislation to address our energy policy by supporting clean energy generation with renewable energy technologies while reducing the environmental impact and climate disruption caused by the burning of fossil fuels. The added benefit is creating clean energy jobs.

Below is Senator Durbin’s response – we appreciate Senator Durbin’s support!

As the financial reform legislation makes it’s way to President Obama’s desk for his signature, the position for head  of financial Consumer Protection  is available.

Vermont Senator, Senator Bernie Sanders has endorsed Elizabeth Warren for this position (see below). As usual, Senator Bernie Sanders is once again right on with our views on how things in Washington should operate in the best interest of the We The People.

We have followed Ms. Warren’s work. Ms. Warren is bright, articulate and has a refreshing “tell it as she sees it” way of doing things. Let’s just hope the ways of Washington don’t change Ms. Warren – we don’t think it will.

Sanders Urges President to Name Elizabeth

Warren to Head Consumer Protection Agency

WASHINGTON, July 20 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) urged President Obama to pick Elizabeth Warren to be the first director of a new consumer protection bureau.

Obama on Wednesday plans to sign into law a bill overhauling financial regulations that would create the new Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection.

In a letter sent to the White House on Monday, Sanders wrote that “at a time when doubts about Wall Street and its practices run very deep … American consumers need a federal government that is looking after their best interests.”

Sanders acknowledged that some senators may oppose Warren. “Good!” he wrote. “It will allow for a serious debate as to the role that government should play in protecting the American people against the outrageous behavior we have seen on Wall Street.”

For a copy of the letter, click here.

Media Contact: Michael Briggs or Will Wiquist (202) 224-5141

As we come into this weekend to celebrate Independence Day let’s all think about what so many individuals did to give us the freedoms we all enjoy.

Let us also use this occasion to think (and act) about what we all need to do in order to move us towards Energy Independence by implementing clean, renewable energy and lessen our dependence on our fossil fuel addiction. This is a freedom that can not be taken for granted.

The gulf coast oil spill should be teaching every one of us that our current energy strategy is not sustainable – just ask all the folks in the gulf coast as they sit and watch their Independence continue to erode.

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July.

Today Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders sent Senator Harry Reid a letter that basically says we are spending too much of our tax dollars on the same, dirty old energy sources and we need to fund clean, renewable generation like wind energy and solar energy. Below is Senator Sanders’ letter.

This comes as General Electric released the results of a consumer survey (by  StrategyOne) that exhibits the constituency (yes we the people) of our Congress supports a new energy strategy and economy.

1. 95% of consumers want to save money on energy
2. 90% of consumers want increased control over their energy costs
3. 88% of consumers want to make a difference for their children and grandchildren
4. 86% of consumers want power outages reduced
5. 85% of consumers have concerns on the effects of energy generation on the environment.

Duh, look at the gulf after 60+ days of oil contamination.

Members of Congress, tell us where is the disconnect? Are you listening to what the people want? Or are you listening to the lobbyists lining your pockets?

Senator Sanders Sets Out Energy Policy Principles

Calls Current Proposals ‘By No Means Strong Enough’

WASHINGTON, June 22 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today laid out core principles that he said should be part of any comprehensive energy legislation, and he bluntly concluded in a letter to the Senate leader that it “makes no sense at all” to promote coal and nuclear power over cleaner, safer energy sources.

“I am concerned that the current legislative proposals we are examining are by no means strong enough in terms of energy efficiency and sustainable energy,” Sanders wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.).

Any legislation responding to the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster, Sanders said, should move the United States away from fossil fuels and toward energy independence. The chairman of the Senate green jobs subcommittee also said a strong U.S. energy policy would cut greenhouse gas emissions while creating millions of good-paying jobs.

Sanders singled out for criticism a weakness in the Kerry-Lieberman proposal to provide more than $100 billion for nuclear and coal, far more than their plan would invest in energy efficiency and sustainable energy sources. “If we are serious about combating global warming, moving to energy independence and creating millions of jobs in the future, we must transform our energy system away from fossil fuels” Sanders said. “At the very least, any serious energy bill must include funding for energy efficiency and sustainable energy that is on a par with the amounts provided for nuclear and coal.”

Sanders developed and sent to Reid a proposal that would ensure that the energy bill has a significant sustainable energy investment of tens of billions of dollars over a 10-year period. The three principles that Sanders told Reid must be a part of any legislation include:

• A strong energy efficiency and renewable energy provision. Sanders would invest at least 10 percent of the resources from global warming legislation in efficient and renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass. An investment of $8 billion to $13 billion a year, he said, would create as many as 2 million new jobs.

• A ban on new offshore drilling. Congress should reinstate a moratorium in effect for decades and ban drilling off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts as well as Florida’s gulf coast. In addition, Congress should demand dramatically improved fuel-economy standards. While better gas mileage could save the equivalent of $1.43 a gallon by 2030, wide-open drilling would produce only enough additional petroleum to bring prices down by 3-cents a gallon.

• A strong renewable electricity standard. Renewable energy standards, also known as renewable portfolio standards, require that a certain percentage of total energy needs be generated from renewable sources. The United States should set a national standard requiring 25 percent renewable power by 2025. “This provision alone could create hundreds of thousands of new jobs while helping to meet our greenhouse gas reduction goals,” Sanders said.

Media Contact: Michael Briggs or Will Wiquist (202) 224-5141