7.4 million students

In a little more than a week, the interest rates on federal student loans are scheduled to double. Today, at 1:40 PM ET, President Obama will call on Congress to take action. Watch his remarks live at WhiteHouse.gov/live.

Then, at 2:30 PM ET, Mark Zuckerman, Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council, will be on Twitter to answer your questions about student loan interest rates and college affordability.

Ask your questions now and during the event with the hashtag #WHChat and follow the Q&A Live through @WHLive.

Stand Up for Your Constitutional Rights!

Dear friend of liberty,

The House will begin debating H.R. 3523, the "Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act" (CISPA) today, and a vote on final passage is expected tomorrow.

We already have to be careful enough about our privacy on the Internet, but CISPA is the next great threat to further expand the government's control over what we say and do online.

Unlike the fight against SOPA and PIPA, however, the cavalry isn't coming to back us up.

This time, Internet giants like Facebook and Twitter are all openly supporting CISPA.

Please take a moment to contact Rep. David Dreier by phone at (202) 225-2305 and by email to urge a "NO" vote on H.R. 3523 and any other similar legislation!

As Matt Hawes wrote to you on Saturday, we've seen the power the liberty movement can have when it speaks out with a unified voice.

And since my last email, I've already heard firsthand about our members sending a high volume of calls to Congress on CISPA.

But we need to turn up the pressure as high as we can get it if we're going to win this fight.

So please, take five minutes of your time to contact Rep. David Dreier by phone at (202) 225-2305 and by email to urge a "NO" vote on H.R. 3523.

Our privacy is on the line.

In Liberty,

Tim Shoemaker

Director of Legislation

Green Party: We Respond to the State of the Union, Social Networking​, and More!

Thank you for staying connected with the Green Party. Here is our monthly newsletter for February. 

 

Watch Our State of the Union Response

Last week the Green Party held a live streamed response to President Obama's State of the Union Address. Presidential contenders Jill Stein and Kent Mesplay were on hand to lay out their Green visions for the nation. You can check out those videos and other speeches, workshops, and interviews here at our Livestream channel.

 

Green Candidates Need You

The Green Party is running candidates for local, state, and federal offices in 2012. These candidates are working to promote Green values in your community and on school boards, city councils, in state legislatures and in Congress.

 

You can find candidates in your area with our online elections database. You can search by state to find out who is running in your area. As always, Green candidates do not accept contributions from corporations or political action committees (PACs), so your financial support and volunteer efforts are key to getting our candidates seen, heard, and elected.

 

Check out our elections database now. If you are running for office or thinking of running for office, and want to know how to get into our database, please let us know (office@gp.org).

 

Follow Us on Facebook, Twitter, and Now Google+

You can stay connected with the Green Party and other Green Party supporters on Facebook or Twitter ( @GPUS ). Now you can join our circle on Google+. Make your support of the Green Party part of your social life by sharing Green news with your friends!

Source: e-letter from the Green Party

In Case You Missed It: Michele Bachmann’s (Really) Tough Week

#TweetFail, Iran tidbit, curious VP picks, ‘borrowing without asking,’ and missed SarbOx vote hinder clean execution – especially in Iowa

 

ANKENY, Iowa – Campaigning for our nation’s highest office is difficult, and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) is experiencing a really tough week that isn’t even over yet.

 

On Tuesday, Bachmann’s Iowa campaign chairman Tweeted an under-140-character mini-gaffe, writing that there were moving trucks outside pizza baron Herman Cain’s Iowa headquarters, assumedly for a quick exodus from the first-in-nation voting state.  The offending Tweet even included a photo of the trucks.  The trouble is, the trucks were delivering thousands of campaign signs, requiring Bachmann’s Iowa campaign manager to apologize.

 

On Wednesday while in Iowa, Bachmann told supporters that if elected President she would close the U.S. Embassy in Iran as a gesture of her firm stance against the nation.  The only problem is, the U.S. hasn’t had an embassy in Iran since 1980, the year when Blondie’s hit single “Call Me” filled the airwaves, Mt. St. Helens erupted, and Ted Turner launched CNN.

 

Also Wednesday, Bachmann floated some names of those who might have the high honor of serving as her Vice President, should she be elected.  Names include such stalwarts as her strategic competitor Rick Santorum, and U.S. Senators Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Marco Rubio (R-FL).  The list also includes real estate developer and reality TV host Donald Trump.  Uh-oh.  Is this the same Donald Trump that left the Republican Party of Iowa holding the bag by backing out of the party’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner?

 

On Thursday, Bachmann’s name came up yet again.  This time it was for pilfering a list of homeschool family emails from the well-regarded Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE), and using that list to send two communiques to this “niche” market.  The misuse of the email list was traced to a NICHE board member who is a paid Bachmann staffer, necessitating a multi-pronged email response to members from NICHE President Justin LaVan.  The email included the requisite apology to members, an assurance of corrective measures, and an interesting list of FEC compliance actions including giving other campaigns an equal opportunity to use this listserv for the same purpose.

 

Lastly, again on Thursday, Bachmann made what smaller and newer publicly traded business owners might call a fatal error in missing a key vote on the House Financial Services Committee.  Congressman Paul adjusted his New Hampshire campaign schedule to vote for a SarbOx compliance exemption for businesses of this kind.  Yet, Bachmann missed the committee vote and therefore she delayed a step toward regulatory relief for businesses already burdened with the kind of overregulation that prevents hiring, even during these trying economic times.

 

“Campaigning for the presidency is challenging and this fact is one of the reasons why my admiration for Ron Paul grows with every stop along the campaign trail.  On behalf of the whole Iowa campaign team, I’d like to wish Rep. Bachmann a future schedule free of hiccups,” said Ron Paul 2012 Iowa Chairman Drew Ivers.

We the People Takes the Next Step

Yesterday one of President Obama's top education advisors, Roberto Rodriguez, issued the first response to a petition created through We the People.

We the People was launched to bring the voices of Americans around the country into our government and we're thrilled to see so many Americans engaging members of the Obama Administration in a constructive dialogue on such an enormous scale. Stay updated on the latest petition responses and other news by following @WeThePeople [and @PublishPolitics] on Twitter.

Engage with the White House Online

The Office of Public Engagement (OPE) is proud to launch a new one-stop-shop for all the ways you can engage with the White House online. Check it out at WhiteHouse.gov/Engage.

When describing OPE, President Obama said, “Our commitment to openness means more than simply informing the American people about how decisions are made. It means recognizing that government does not have all the answers, and that public officials need to draw on what citizens know.” Our hope is that WhiteHouse.gov/Engage will make your communication with the administration easier than ever!

 

WhiteHouse.gov/Engage is your best resource to learn about the many opportunities to available to inform the work of the President.

 

We have highlighted new and on-going programs, including:

·         American Jobs Act

·         Champions of Change

·         Let’s Move

·         We The People

·         Immigration Roundtables

·         Joining Forces

 

We updated the latest news and videos section and the community pages with constituency specific information. We invite you to get to know our team.

 

The most exciting part of the new website is the tools available to help you get more involved. We want to hear from you and encourage all of you to join the conversation by:

·         Nominating people doing extraordinary things in their community to be a Champion of Change;

·         Hosting roundtables and conference calls;

·         Finding out more about Let’s Move and the Presidential Citizens Medal;

·         Applying to become a White House fellow or Intern;

·         Joining us for White House Office Hours, Open for Questions, and Advise the Advisor events.

 

Our virtual doors are always open and you can contact us via email, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jon Carson

Director of the Office of Public Engagement

P.S. – The White House just launched a new page about the Administration's efforts to help the economy. Be sure to check it out at WhiteHouse.gov/Economy.

"No games. No politics. No delays."

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden greet participants in the Roosevelt Room of the White House before a statement on the American Jobs Act in the Rose Garden, Sept. 12, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Yesterday, President Obama was joined by teachers, veterans, small business owners, construction workers and first responders, as he sent the American Jobs Act to Congress and urged them to pass it right away.

This is a bill that will put people back to work all across the country. This is the bill that will help our economy in a moment of national crisis. This is a bill that is based on ideas from both Democrats and Republicans. And this is the bill that Congress needs to pass. No games. No politics. No delays. I’m sending this bill to Congress today, and they ought to pass it immediately.

David Plouffe, Senior Advisor to the President, will answer your questions about the American Jobs Act today at 5 p.m. EDT during White House "Office Hours" - use the hashtag #WHChat on Twitter to ask a question and follow along at @WHLive.  Be sure to also follow Political Spectrum Publishing on Twitter at @PublishPolitics.

Tune into the Green Party National Meeting this Weekend

The National Committee of the Green Party of the United States is holding its annual meeting this weekend in Alfred, New York. The Green Party of New York State is also holding its latest Green Fest - a celebration of green culture, politics, and sustainability. If you are in the area, you can register on-site for Green Fest starting Friday, August 5.

If you can't make it in person, you can watch it live! We will be streaming much of the program online - just click here to see the discussion and participate in live chat. Streams will also be archived so you can check back later and see what you missed.  

It is not enough to oppose toxic drilling, the false hope of perpetual economic growth, and injustice - we need alternatives. The most difficult questions of sustainability are not about technology; they are about implementing our values. At the NY Green Fest and Green Party Annual National meeting we will explore the politics that enable us to live in a sustainable world. You can participate in this exploration wherever you are through our live streaming video and chat!

We have 18 great workshops scheduled to be streamed live. Check out the schedule here (scroll down). You can RSVP for the live streaming sessions and get email reminders to tune in. The program begins Friday at 9am.

If you like what you hear and see, please consider supporting the Green Party of the United States by making a contribution which will help us expand our programming and make more national and local events available for viewing live. And thank you for helping increase the visibility of the Green Party in your community.

Support the Green Party!

Contribute today. A Greener future is within our reach. Your donation today can help us bring the vision we share a little closer to reality.

You can sustain the Green Party by making a monthly contribution here.

Spread our message by joining us on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you!

New Campaign Items Added to Ron Paul Store

Dear Zach,

Before we tell you about the new items available at the Ron Paul Online Store, we here at Ron Paul 2012 wanted to issue our most heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make yesterday's "Ready, Ames, Fire" Money Bomb a massive success.

Because of your generosity, we raised over $600,000, breaking our goal of $500,000! Your support will allow us to expand our first-class campaign in Iowa, air and produce more ads, and help get people to the Iowa Straw Poll on August 13th. With Ron Paul's poll numbers on the rise, there's never been a better time to show your support with these new items from the Ron Paul Online Store!

First up is the Ron Paul "Father of the Tea Party" T-Shirt.

As you know, on December 16th, 2007 - the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party - Dr. Paul's grassroots supporters effectively launched the Tea Party movement with a massive fundraising "money bomb" for Congressman Paul's campaign.

This money bomb raised six million dollars, shocking the political establishment and its pals in the media.

As the movement has grown, Ron Paul has been called the "Father of the Tea Party," and you can help us spread the word on his consistency and leadership with this black shirt with red and white lettering.

Get your "Father of the Tea Party" T-Shirt today!  But that's not all.

As you may have heard, Ron Paul recently introduced legislation to exempt tips from any income or employment taxes.

So it's time to let waiters, waitresses, and others in the hospitality industry know about Ron Paul's work to give them back more of their hard-earned money!

That's why the Ron Paul Online Store is releasing the new Tax Free Tips cards.

Just leave these Tax Free Tips cards with your tip when you're eating out to ensure your waiter or waitress learn about Dr. Paul!

Visit the Ron Paul Online Store today and stock up on what you need to help Dr. Paul Restore America Now.

For Liberty,

The Ron Paul 2012

Campaign Team

P.S.  Ron Paul's poll numbers are on the rise, and you can help us further build his momentum with our official Ron Paul 2012 gear.  Please visit our Online Store and get t-shirts, issue cards, and more to spread the message TODAY!

And follow Ron Paul 2012 on social media at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and the Ron Paul 2012 RSS feed.

Twitter Town Hall, Independen​ce Day, and More

President Barack Obama tweets a question during the Twitter Town Hall in the East Room of the White House, July 6, 2011. Twitter co-founder and Executive Chairman Jack Dorsey, who served as the town hall moderator, is pictured at left. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Welcome to the Council on Women and Girls Weekly Highlights! In celebration of Independence Day, the First Family joined more than 1,200 military heroes and their families for a barbeque, a special USO show featuring Train and Amos Lee, and a viewing of the fireworks over the National Mall.

This week, President Obama answered a series of questions on jobs and the economy at the first-ever Twitter Town Hall at the White House. The President stated that progress has been made, and though we still need to work through some real differences, that even greater progress is within reach.

If you have friends or family who would like to join our Council on Women and Girls efforts, please have them click here.

West Wing Week: "Ready to Tweet"

Welcome to West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, President Obama celebrated Independence day with military families on the South Lawn, hosted a Twitter Town Hall on the economy and jobs and continued to work with leaders from both houses of Congress to find a balanced approach to reducing our long-term deficit.  

Watch the video:

@WhiteHouse: President Obama Greets his Tweeps

President Barack Obama tweets a question during the Twitter Town Hall in the East Room of the White House, July 6, 2011. Twitter co-founder and Executive Chairman Jack Dorsey, who served as the town hall moderator, is pictured at left. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Yesterday President Obama participated in the first ever Twitter Town Hall at the White House. He answered a variety of questions from across America, many relating the economy, jobs, and ideas for reducing the deficit.

Watch the President send his first live tweet as well as footage of the entire Twitter Town Hall from the WhiteHouse.gov.

What would you #AskObama?

Tomorrow's event has the White House all a-Twitter.

At 2pm EDT, President Obama will participate in the first Twitter town hall at the White House to discuss the economy and jobs with Americans across the country. The entire event will be streamed live at WhiteHouse.gov/live.

Right now, thousands of people are talking about the event and asking questions on Twitter, using the #AskObama hashtag. Take a moment to join the conversation and ask your own question.

Don’t forget: @ 2pm EDT tomorrow, head over to WhiteHouse.gov/live to watch President Obama and this exciting event.

P.S. If you are on Twitter and can't make the town hall tomorrow, take a moment to "follow" @WhiteHouse (and @PublishPolitics). It's a great way to stay current with what's happening in the Obama Administration. And if you'd like to contact the White House, but don't use Twitter, you can always use the form at WhiteHouse.gov/Contact.

AskObama at the First Ever Twitter @Townhall at the White House

The White House is all a-Twitter about an exciting event that's happening next week. On Wednesday, July 6th at 2pm ET, President Obama will answer your questions in the first ever Twitter Town Hall at the White House, and you're invited. Tweet your questions about jobs and the economy using the hashtag #AskObama.

Learn more and get involved at WhiteHouse.gov.

Regarding the Congressman’s Twitter Scandle

By Zach Foster

Uproar continues to ensue as leftists and rightists point fingers and draw conspiracy theories regarding the lewd photo sent from Congressman Anthony Weiner’s (D-NY) twitter account.  What the political party puppets have to say is irrelevant.  The only way to come to a logical conclusion is to look at all the facts with an open mind.

FACT:  A lewd picture was sent to someone via the Congressman’s twitter account

FACT:  The Congressman adamantly denies ever sending any lewd pictures via twitter.  He speculates that he might have been hacked.

FACT:  The Congressman has notified his attorney and hired internet techs to “get to the bottom” of this, and is refusing to comment any further

FACT:  Hacking is a felony, yet the Congressman has yet to notify police in order for an investigation to be carried out.  He adamantly denies sending lewd pictures on twitter, but he will neither confirm nor deny questions as to whether there are any lewd pictures of him on his computer

Now it is time to speculate and try to form a conclusion based on what is known.  Given that many politicians, beyond their base of opposition party antagonists, have a few individuals that feel a person mission or quest to destroy them, it is very likely that the Congressman’s twitter account was hacked, and possibly his computer and files as well.  It is reasonable to believe that he did not send that lewd photo, and is not guilty of that accusation.

However, two details are hovering heavily over his head.  One is that he has called his lawyer for legal advice and hired a web team to try to solve the alleged hack, but has not called the police even though he is allegedly the victim of an obvious felony.  The other is that he will neither confirm nor deny the question of him having lewd pictures of himself on his computer.

Silence in the face of a direct question, especially one that will either vindicate or condemn a reputation in question, almost always leads to incrimination.  Though he has neither confirmed nor denied it, his silence leads the public to believe that he does have lewd pictures of himself on his computer, and possibly of other people as well.  These are the stepping stone to yet another sex scandal on Capitol Hill.  Whether it will simply be a matter of the Congressman having porn on his computer (which isn’t a big deal in the long run), or whether the Congressman has been exchanging his own lewd pictures for those of others and using the internet to meet people for anonymous sex, the public has yet to find out.

The reasons so much energy is being devoted to scrutinizing someone’s private life (beyond partisan bickering) are that Congressman Weiner is a public figure, his past is rife with financial scandals, as well as the conclusion of a sex scandal would be highly morally incriminating given that he is married.  This won’t be the first or the last time married members of Congress are caught screwing around.

The facts have been analyzed, conclusions have been drawn, and this author will write no more on the matter.