Contact The Congressional Black Caucus and The National Urban League NOW!
As noted below in the reprinted letter from The National Urban League, The Congressional Black Caucus is holding a hearing this Wednesday on “Jobs.” While we applaud the effort as highly commendable, anyone working for “jobs” and not working just as hard for HR3149 is simply out of touch with reality. Time and time again, we see discussions in Washington and elsewhere on “Jobs,” but what we’re NOT seeing is HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act included in that discussion. That simply has to change and it’s our job to make that happen! Whether Washington can actually spur or create jobs not funded by taxpayers is a tricky question and yet to be proven, but stopping the money game stalling HR3149 and passing the legislation can be done in an instant. Shouldn’t discrimination in the workplace be at or near the top of priorities list for both The Congressional Black Caucus and The National Urban League?
It’s up to YOU to make it a top priority by making your voice heard. The comfortable status quo in Washington and within the Congressional Black Caucus is the problem. “They” have a “hearing” so they can get on camera for you folks back home and NOTHING CHANGES! “They” may NOT be able to create even one single job, but “they” can sure as “hell” get HR3149 passed this week if they so desired. Stop kidding yourself and stop buying into the empty words for the cameras. Force Washington, The Congressional Black Caucus and The National Urban League to make passage of HR3149 PRIORITY ONE and part of any and all discussions on “Jobs.” Make them listen!
Congressional Black Caucus contact info.:
congressionalblackcaucus@mail.house.gov
jioni.palmer@mail.house.org
202.226.9776
Contact Info. for The National Urban League's "Jobs Surge" effort
mystory@iamempowered.com
Reprint of letter from The National Urban League on this Wednesday's "Jobs Discussion" at a Congressional Black Caucus Hearing
Out of Work But Not Out of Hope
Congressional Black Caucus Hearing
The National Urban League "Jobs Surge"
The Congressional Black Caucus has invited the National Urban League to join it in a national focus on jobs. Government must act now because many Americans can no longer wait while Washington drags its feet and offers up lukewarm solutions to burning crises. Unemployment among African Americans is 15.8% and 42% for African American teenagers as we approach the summer months. Washington must create new jobs now-- a Jobs Surge-- before conditions get even worse.
That is why I am calling upon you and millions of Americans across the nation to share your challenges and experiences during this Great Recession. Your voice must be heard in Washington even if you are not there in person. . . . Wednesday, March 17, 2010 on Capitol Hill, the Congressional Black Caucus is hosting a jobs hearing, and I want to share with them and the nation what you are experiencing. I need you to help me tell them just how bad things have gotten for communities.
You can send a personal message via email to mystory@iamempowered.com or post a video on our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/IAmEmpoweredVideo. It is your turn to tell how challenging the economy is for urban communities, the unemployed and their families, teenagers, and minority-owned businesses. This is your chance to have your say. I will present your personal testimony to the media and Members of Congress that morning. This opportunity might never come again for you to testify before Congress. Your voice will finally be heard! You are finally empowered!
I need your testimony by . . . Tuesday, March 16, 2010 by 12 PM (eastern) so that you can tell the House and Senate that you demand to be heard. I look forward to reading your messages and watching your videos.
I AM EMPOWERED!
Marc H. Morial
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Activity Request(s): Wednesday and Continuing Forward
Contact the House Financial Services Committee at 202.225.4247 and keep calling 24/7 until they get HR3149 out of their committee.
Use your real name (or if you wish dream one up every time you call, the enemy has money and lobbyists and we have "creativity") . . . BTW this is NOT a democratic exercise, “vote” loudly, “vote” often (express your opinion) as many times as possible as often as possible! Push the number out to all your friends, put it in discussions, blogs, etc. and make the number ring loudly and often.
Use this e-Mail Link below to FLOOD them with e-mails (repeat as often as possible until we advise we have a hearing scheduled):
http://financialservices.house.gov/contact.html
Messages to convey:
* This legislation has been stalled for almost a year now as millions of Americans are losing their homes, going hungry and are locked out of the workplace by the catch 22 of no job = bad credit and bad credit = no job. It's WRONG for your committee members to dine with the credit bureau lobbyists and the people suffer. You were elected to serve "the people" not lobbyists!
* We're well aware of the $104,727 that members of the committee took from the big three credit bureau PACs and the back room deal making that is taking place to try and kill the legislation.
Use your real name (or if you wish dream one up every time you call, the enemy has money and lobbyists and we have "creativity") . . . BTW this is NOT a democratic exercise, “vote” loudly, “vote” often (express your opinion) as many times as possible as often as possible! Push the number out to all your friends, put it in discussions, blogs, etc. and make the number ring loudly and often.
Use this e-Mail Link below to FLOOD them with e-mails (repeat as often as possible until we advise we have a hearing scheduled):
http://financialservices.house.gov/contact.html
Messages to convey:
* This legislation has been stalled for almost a year now as millions of Americans are losing their homes, going hungry and are locked out of the workplace by the catch 22 of no job = bad credit and bad credit = no job. It's WRONG for your committee members to dine with the credit bureau lobbyists and the people suffer. You were elected to serve "the people" not lobbyists!
* We're well aware of the $104,727 that members of the committee took from the big three credit bureau PACs and the back room deal making that is taking place to try and kill the legislation.
Activity Request(s): Tuesday and Continuing Forward
Contact YOUR Representative(s) on the House Committee on Financial Services and Continue the Contact At Least Weekly if Not More Often . . . no more stalling and delays!
1) See if YOUR Representative is on the Financial Services Committee, search by State and District (via the link below) and if you find them, e-mail and FAX them and call every telephone every number available, but first see # 2) below to uncover if YOUR "Representative" is one of our HR3149 "Dirty 27" list. One of the 38% of the 71 committee members that took the PAC money being handed out by the big three credit bureaus.
Use the link below to search and see if YOUR State Rep. is on the committee.
http://financialservices.house.gov/members.html
You’ll need to have your full 9 digit zip code handy. Use the following link to look it up if you don’t already know it.
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
2) We're calling the list below our HR3149 "Dirty 27" who accepted PAC money from the big three credit bureaus during the "2010 Cycle" as it's called in Washington.
Bachmann, Michele (R-MN) $4,000
Bachus, Spencer (R-AL) $7,000 - Committee Ranking Member
Bean, Melissa (D-IL) $10,500
Biggert, Judy (R-IL) $6,000
Campbell, John (R-CA) $8,227
Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV) $1,000
Childers, Travis W (D-MS) $2,000
Foster, Bill (D-IL) $4,000
Garrett, Scott (R-NJ) $2,000
Hensarling, Jeb (R-TX) $7,000
Himes, Jim (D-CT) $5,000
Jenkins, Lynn (R-KS) $3,000
Kanjorski, Paul E (D-PA) $4,000
Lee, Christopher J (R-NY) $1,000
Maloney, Carolyn B (D-NY) $2,500
McCarthy, Kevin (R-CA) $2,000
McCotter, Thad (R-MI) $4,000
McHenry, Patrick (R-NC) $1,000
Meeks, Gregory W (D-NY) $5,000
Moore, Dennis (D-KS) $3,000
Neugebauer, Randy (R-TX) $4,000
Paulsen, Erik (R-MN) $1,000
Peters, Gary (D-MI) $2,000
Posey, Bill (R-FL) $2,000
Price, Tom (R-GA) $5,000
Royce, Ed (R-CA) $7,500
Scott, David (D-GA) $1,000
If you find them on our HR3149 "Dirty 27" list above, your job and role within our group is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to our success. Don't minimize your importance to our cause. Please express the following by phone and by e-mail repeatedly as often as possible and encourage everyone you know in your voting district to do the same:
* Why did you accept $______ from the big three credit bureau PACs when you reasonably should have known that you could be sitting in judgment and ruling on legislation that could impact the big three credit bureaus? Doesn’t that create a conflict of interest? Doesn’t that border on corruption of our democracy?
* What was the money for? Does the money enable clear unbiased thinking? Does it better enable you to care about the "folks back home" that voted you into office? Rembemer us, your voters who who are now unemployed, having our homes forclosed upon and are locked out of the job market by workplace discrimination?
* As a voter in November, while millions of Americans are locked out of the workplace in a catch 22 of no job = bad credit and bad credit = no job, the fact that you’re accepting money from the big three credit bureaus that oppose HR3149 causes me great concern! I will share my concerns with everyone I can find in our district as well as the media and I’ll be watching so see just how hard and fast you work to get this stalled legislation out of your committee. What’s more, I’ll also be voting in November based largely upon passage of HR3149 and will encourage everyone I can find in our voting district to do the same. I think they deserve to know the truth about our democracy and how Washington works for us folks back home.
Last But NOT Least . . . Contact YOUR Local Media Outlets
We, your fellow group members, know we’re asking a lot already, but please go the extra mile to “turn the screw” and put some “icing on the cake” with some well placed media attention from the “folks back home.” You’re "Representative" is always sending out press releases and lauding what they’ve done for the “folks back home” so help them out!
Contact local talk radio, blogs, newspapers and TV and tell them about the money and what a good job YOUR "Representative" is doing for the “folks back home.” Don’t hold back, you’ll be glad you did and all of us in the group will owe you a huge debt to gratitude. Thanks in advance for all your hard work!
Don't forget to keep us posted on your activites . . . let us share in your "fun."
1) See if YOUR Representative is on the Financial Services Committee, search by State and District (via the link below) and if you find them, e-mail and FAX them and call every telephone every number available, but first see # 2) below to uncover if YOUR "Representative" is one of our HR3149 "Dirty 27" list. One of the 38% of the 71 committee members that took the PAC money being handed out by the big three credit bureaus.
Use the link below to search and see if YOUR State Rep. is on the committee.
http://financialservices.house.gov/members.html
You’ll need to have your full 9 digit zip code handy. Use the following link to look it up if you don’t already know it.
http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
2) We're calling the list below our HR3149 "Dirty 27" who accepted PAC money from the big three credit bureaus during the "2010 Cycle" as it's called in Washington.
Bachmann, Michele (R-MN) $4,000
Bachus, Spencer (R-AL) $7,000 - Committee Ranking Member
Bean, Melissa (D-IL) $10,500
Biggert, Judy (R-IL) $6,000
Campbell, John (R-CA) $8,227
Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV) $1,000
Childers, Travis W (D-MS) $2,000
Foster, Bill (D-IL) $4,000
Garrett, Scott (R-NJ) $2,000
Hensarling, Jeb (R-TX) $7,000
Himes, Jim (D-CT) $5,000
Jenkins, Lynn (R-KS) $3,000
Kanjorski, Paul E (D-PA) $4,000
Lee, Christopher J (R-NY) $1,000
Maloney, Carolyn B (D-NY) $2,500
McCarthy, Kevin (R-CA) $2,000
McCotter, Thad (R-MI) $4,000
McHenry, Patrick (R-NC) $1,000
Meeks, Gregory W (D-NY) $5,000
Moore, Dennis (D-KS) $3,000
Neugebauer, Randy (R-TX) $4,000
Paulsen, Erik (R-MN) $1,000
Peters, Gary (D-MI) $2,000
Posey, Bill (R-FL) $2,000
Price, Tom (R-GA) $5,000
Royce, Ed (R-CA) $7,500
Scott, David (D-GA) $1,000
If you find them on our HR3149 "Dirty 27" list above, your job and role within our group is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to our success. Don't minimize your importance to our cause. Please express the following by phone and by e-mail repeatedly as often as possible and encourage everyone you know in your voting district to do the same:
* Why did you accept $______ from the big three credit bureau PACs when you reasonably should have known that you could be sitting in judgment and ruling on legislation that could impact the big three credit bureaus? Doesn’t that create a conflict of interest? Doesn’t that border on corruption of our democracy?
* What was the money for? Does the money enable clear unbiased thinking? Does it better enable you to care about the "folks back home" that voted you into office? Rembemer us, your voters who who are now unemployed, having our homes forclosed upon and are locked out of the job market by workplace discrimination?
* As a voter in November, while millions of Americans are locked out of the workplace in a catch 22 of no job = bad credit and bad credit = no job, the fact that you’re accepting money from the big three credit bureaus that oppose HR3149 causes me great concern! I will share my concerns with everyone I can find in our district as well as the media and I’ll be watching so see just how hard and fast you work to get this stalled legislation out of your committee. What’s more, I’ll also be voting in November based largely upon passage of HR3149 and will encourage everyone I can find in our voting district to do the same. I think they deserve to know the truth about our democracy and how Washington works for us folks back home.
Last But NOT Least . . . Contact YOUR Local Media Outlets
We, your fellow group members, know we’re asking a lot already, but please go the extra mile to “turn the screw” and put some “icing on the cake” with some well placed media attention from the “folks back home.” You’re "Representative" is always sending out press releases and lauding what they’ve done for the “folks back home” so help them out!
Contact local talk radio, blogs, newspapers and TV and tell them about the money and what a good job YOUR "Representative" is doing for the “folks back home.” Don’t hold back, you’ll be glad you did and all of us in the group will owe you a huge debt to gratitude. Thanks in advance for all your hard work!
Don't forget to keep us posted on your activites . . . let us share in your "fun."
Activity Request: Starting Monday and Continuing Forward
Force Barney to Schedule a Hearing on HR3149 NOW!!!!!!!!!!
Call and write Barney Frank 24/7 Until We Get a Hearing and HR3149 is moved out of his House Commitee on Financial Services and brought to a vote in the House at-large! We got it confirmed from inside sources that he refuses to let it move forward or be scheduled for a hearing.
All Members use the following #s (202) 225-5931 to call him and (202) 225-0182 to FAX him. (For Members in Frank's district see additional info. below) They will ask you of course if you are a Barney Frank constituent (a.k.a. live in his district), if you are, of course answer “yes” and if you are NOT (and are NOT timid) say that you can’t get through on the number given for the Financial Services Committee, but are demanding that YOUR voice be heard nonetheless. [WE MUST GET BARNEY’S ATTENTION ANY WAY LEGALLY POSSIBLE!] Put this number on speed dial and call it repeatedly on a diaily basis until we advise that we have HR3149 out of committee.
Put Barney's number in discussions, on blogs, in comments to articles, etc. Anywhere you can get in and ask people to call and keep calling until he gets HR3149 out of his committee.
Specific Messages for Barney
1) Since he took a total of $25 K from TransUnion, Equifax and Experian (the big 3 credit bureaus making millions off selling YOUR personal credit report to employers) during the '08 political contributions cycle, we question his loyalty to “we the people” who are suffering by the millions in America due to the discrimination and invasion of privacy by employers who are forcing people to turn over their personal credit report just to be able to work.
2) We're also well aware of the $104,727 that members of his committee took from the big three credit bureau PACs and the back room deal making that is taking place to try and kill the legislation.
3) We now have boots on the ground in his district and are actively and passionately mobilizing to let his constituents know about the $25 K in PAC contributions he accepted from the big three credit bureaus and more importantly to let them know they have been completely forgotten when it comes to passage of H.R.3149: The Equal Employment for All Act.
NOTE TO ALL MEMBERS IN BARNEY’S DISTRICT: We need your help in a BIG WAY to mobilize voters and voices in his district. Our entire group is depending on YOU to Visit, Call and FAX his MA Offices:
NEWTON
29 Crafts Street
Newton, MA 02458
tel: (617) 332-3920 fax: (617) 332-2822
NEW BEDFORD
558 Pleasant Street #309
New Bedford, MA 02740
tel: (508) 999-6462 fax: (508) 999-6468
TAUNTON
The Jones Building
29 Broadway Suite 310
Taunton, MA 02780
tel: (508) 822-4796 fax: (508) 822-8186
If you reside in his district, please communicate with us. If you want to connect with fellow group members in Barney's district, shoot us a note and we'll connect you.
For Barney Frank Constituents (ONLY) use following e-mail link: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
You’ll need to have your full 9 digit zip code handy. Use the following link to look it up if you don’t already know it.http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
If you don't actually live in Barney's district but want to write him any way (BTW this is "highly discouraged" by members of Congress) here's how: Mapquest and USPS zip code finder . . . you'll figure it out ;-) and NO! you can't get arrested for it any more than members of the House Committee on Financial Services can be arrested for taking $104,727 from the big three credit bureaus and making back room deals to kill HR3149. Lobbyists for the big three credit bureaus can just drop by Barney's office, but YOU can't get access because YOU didn't contribute $25 K to his campaign or live in his district?
That's NOT democracy, that's the American elite and the lobbyists taking care of their own via money and corruption of democracy.
Call and write Barney Frank 24/7 Until We Get a Hearing and HR3149 is moved out of his House Commitee on Financial Services and brought to a vote in the House at-large! We got it confirmed from inside sources that he refuses to let it move forward or be scheduled for a hearing.
All Members use the following #s (202) 225-5931 to call him and (202) 225-0182 to FAX him. (For Members in Frank's district see additional info. below) They will ask you of course if you are a Barney Frank constituent (a.k.a. live in his district), if you are, of course answer “yes” and if you are NOT (and are NOT timid) say that you can’t get through on the number given for the Financial Services Committee, but are demanding that YOUR voice be heard nonetheless. [WE MUST GET BARNEY’S ATTENTION ANY WAY LEGALLY POSSIBLE!] Put this number on speed dial and call it repeatedly on a diaily basis until we advise that we have HR3149 out of committee.
Put Barney's number in discussions, on blogs, in comments to articles, etc. Anywhere you can get in and ask people to call and keep calling until he gets HR3149 out of his committee.
Specific Messages for Barney
1) Since he took a total of $25 K from TransUnion, Equifax and Experian (the big 3 credit bureaus making millions off selling YOUR personal credit report to employers) during the '08 political contributions cycle, we question his loyalty to “we the people” who are suffering by the millions in America due to the discrimination and invasion of privacy by employers who are forcing people to turn over their personal credit report just to be able to work.
2) We're also well aware of the $104,727 that members of his committee took from the big three credit bureau PACs and the back room deal making that is taking place to try and kill the legislation.
3) We now have boots on the ground in his district and are actively and passionately mobilizing to let his constituents know about the $25 K in PAC contributions he accepted from the big three credit bureaus and more importantly to let them know they have been completely forgotten when it comes to passage of H.R.3149: The Equal Employment for All Act.
NOTE TO ALL MEMBERS IN BARNEY’S DISTRICT: We need your help in a BIG WAY to mobilize voters and voices in his district. Our entire group is depending on YOU to Visit, Call and FAX his MA Offices:
NEWTON
29 Crafts Street
Newton, MA 02458
tel: (617) 332-3920 fax: (617) 332-2822
NEW BEDFORD
558 Pleasant Street #309
New Bedford, MA 02740
tel: (508) 999-6462 fax: (508) 999-6468
TAUNTON
The Jones Building
29 Broadway Suite 310
Taunton, MA 02780
tel: (508) 822-4796 fax: (508) 822-8186
If you reside in his district, please communicate with us. If you want to connect with fellow group members in Barney's district, shoot us a note and we'll connect you.
For Barney Frank Constituents (ONLY) use following e-mail link: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
You’ll need to have your full 9 digit zip code handy. Use the following link to look it up if you don’t already know it.http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
If you don't actually live in Barney's district but want to write him any way (BTW this is "highly discouraged" by members of Congress) here's how: Mapquest and USPS zip code finder . . . you'll figure it out ;-) and NO! you can't get arrested for it any more than members of the House Committee on Financial Services can be arrested for taking $104,727 from the big three credit bureaus and making back room deals to kill HR3149. Lobbyists for the big three credit bureaus can just drop by Barney's office, but YOU can't get access because YOU didn't contribute $25 K to his campaign or live in his district?
That's NOT democracy, that's the American elite and the lobbyists taking care of their own via money and corruption of democracy.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
House Committee on Financial Services Accepts $104,727 to Kill HR3149
HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act was introduced in July 2009 and for almost a year now, the legislation has sat idle as “the people” starve. This critical piece of legislation would make it illegal for employers to use a citizen’s personal credit report to hire and fire. After thousands and thousands of letters and phone calls to the House Committee on Financial Services, citizens are wondering why there has been no hearing scheduled or movement on the legislation. Committee members have been deploying all the typical politician stall tactics such as ‘the health care debate, the issue is being studied in depth’ and that takes time, etc. Since it’s already a law in Hawaii and Washington State and soon will be law in Oregon, citizens are scratching their heads thinking ‘this is NOT something complex that takes almost a year to figure out.’ Why is there still no movement or a hearing on the legislation scheduled? After all, members of Congress are elected to represent the “will of the people” and 90+ percent of “the people” want this legislation passed NOW! So what’s the hold up?
In a democracy “the people” rule, right? Surly money funneled via political PACs and lobbyists couldn’t be overriding “democracy by the people for the people” could it? Members of Congress are called “representatives” which means, we thought, they “represent” the “will of the people,” not the big three credit bureaus and corporations. At every turn, “we the people” are told to believe and participate in the “democratic process” to air our issues and grievances. We’ve been doing plenty of that “participation” thing, but just to be safe, we decided to do a little checking up on our “representatives” on the House Committee on Financial Services. We of course trust them 100% but thought we might should do some verifying just in case . . . so that’s what we did and here’s what we found.
Almost half (40+ %) of the members of the House Committee on Financial Services took money from either Experian, Equifax or Trans Union and some even took PAC money from all three during the most recent “2010 Cycle” as they call it in Washington. All total the members took $104,727 in PAC money from the big three. In 2008, Barney Frank, the Committee Chair took $25 K and in 2010 Spencer Baucus, Ranking Committee member, took $7 K but he pales in comparison to Melissa Bean who took $10+ K. For the entire list of “representatives” that sit on the committee taking PAC money from the big three credit bureaus opposed to passage of HR3149, visit: http://hr3149.blogspot.com/2010/03/democracy-and-money-why-hr3149-is.html
Now here is the question at hand, this democracy that we lowly citizens are supposed to support and believe in . . . does our vote and opinion ever count? And as for that “Cycle” thing as it’s called in Washington . . . would it be complete blasphemy to perhaps suggest that maybe, just maybe, “we the people” may be getting suckered just a little by that “Cycle” thing? We certainly wouldn’t suggest that PAC money is being used in any quid pro quo, pay-to-play, grease the palm arrangements with members of the committee. Nor would we be so bold as to suggest that wine-em-and-dine-em outings and backroom meetings are taking place to kill HR3149 from every coming to a vote. Activities such as all that would be called “corruption” and we wouldn’t dare call it that, because “we the people” know that this is “democracy” working as intended by our founding fathers. George Washington would be proud if still alive today! He and Barney Frank would be the best of friends for sure.
As lowly citizens most of us are not attorneys and members of the American elite like our members of Congress. We’re just dumb citizens who don’t understand the “legislative process” and how well it’s working for us. Isn’t this kinda like on those TV legal shows where people with their hands in the till are supposed to recuse themselves from serving in a judicial capacity or sitting in judgment? If you’re taking money from the big three credit bureaus who oppose passage of HR3149, how can you be unbiased and objective? It’s not possible even for a saint, much less a politician!
In Congress, however, it seems to work the other way around. The more members of the House Committee on Financial Services that have their hands are in the till, via credit bureau PACs, the smarter the money makes them . . . and the more inclined they are to look out for “the people.” It’s funny how different ethics and the law work for members of Congress, but seem to be the opposite for us lowly citizens out here in the real world. Nonetheless, we know you’re rich, important and went to law school and all this stuff is just way over our heads. So we’re just going to leave HR3149 in your very capable hands because we know you’re representing us and will do what’s best for your constituents and the American people. That’s why you’re admired, held in high esteem and are called leaders and “public servants” right? We know you would never serve yourself or cover for your elite corporate friends, but instead always have what is best for “the people” in mind.
It’s ok that you enabled Wall Street to steal us all blind and destroy the economy. It’s ok that you bailed them out with our tax money. After all, they’re your personal friends and we’re not. It’s ok that because of your friends’ greed that there are no jobs and as a result millions of Americans have had their personal credit reports destroyed. Why would we lowly citizens want or expect fairness, equality and a level playing field in the workplace? As a member of the American elite, everything is skewed and tilted in your direction and that’s the way it has always been in America and Washington. Why should we change anything at this late stage of the game? Isn’t the status quo and business as usual in Washington best for us all?
In closing, we citizens would just like to say “thanks” for all you’ve done for us . . . especially you members of the House Committee on Financial Services. You’ve taught us how democracy works, you’ve demonstrated your heartfelt concern for the American people starving, being foreclosed upon and yes, even committing suicide due to the catch 22 of no job = bad credit and bad credit = no job. Discrimination in the workplace is just fine as long as your elite friends at the big three credit bureaus can make a buck off the credit dead carcass of an American citizen.
As you pour yourself a cocktail from the top shelf of course, light that Cuban cigar and dine with the lobbyists from Trans Union, Experian and Equifax let not your conscience be troubled. “We the people” now understand that their money just helps you think better and more slowly. Now we fully understand “democracy” and will remember you this November . . .
Follow the Money and Uncover the Truth About “Democracy” and the Killing of HR3149
http://hr3149.blogspot.com/2010/03/democracy-and-money-why-hr3149-is.html
In a democracy “the people” rule, right? Surly money funneled via political PACs and lobbyists couldn’t be overriding “democracy by the people for the people” could it? Members of Congress are called “representatives” which means, we thought, they “represent” the “will of the people,” not the big three credit bureaus and corporations. At every turn, “we the people” are told to believe and participate in the “democratic process” to air our issues and grievances. We’ve been doing plenty of that “participation” thing, but just to be safe, we decided to do a little checking up on our “representatives” on the House Committee on Financial Services. We of course trust them 100% but thought we might should do some verifying just in case . . . so that’s what we did and here’s what we found.
Almost half (40+ %) of the members of the House Committee on Financial Services took money from either Experian, Equifax or Trans Union and some even took PAC money from all three during the most recent “2010 Cycle” as they call it in Washington. All total the members took $104,727 in PAC money from the big three. In 2008, Barney Frank, the Committee Chair took $25 K and in 2010 Spencer Baucus, Ranking Committee member, took $7 K but he pales in comparison to Melissa Bean who took $10+ K. For the entire list of “representatives” that sit on the committee taking PAC money from the big three credit bureaus opposed to passage of HR3149, visit: http://hr3149.blogspot.com/2010/03/democracy-and-money-why-hr3149-is.html
Now here is the question at hand, this democracy that we lowly citizens are supposed to support and believe in . . . does our vote and opinion ever count? And as for that “Cycle” thing as it’s called in Washington . . . would it be complete blasphemy to perhaps suggest that maybe, just maybe, “we the people” may be getting suckered just a little by that “Cycle” thing? We certainly wouldn’t suggest that PAC money is being used in any quid pro quo, pay-to-play, grease the palm arrangements with members of the committee. Nor would we be so bold as to suggest that wine-em-and-dine-em outings and backroom meetings are taking place to kill HR3149 from every coming to a vote. Activities such as all that would be called “corruption” and we wouldn’t dare call it that, because “we the people” know that this is “democracy” working as intended by our founding fathers. George Washington would be proud if still alive today! He and Barney Frank would be the best of friends for sure.
As lowly citizens most of us are not attorneys and members of the American elite like our members of Congress. We’re just dumb citizens who don’t understand the “legislative process” and how well it’s working for us. Isn’t this kinda like on those TV legal shows where people with their hands in the till are supposed to recuse themselves from serving in a judicial capacity or sitting in judgment? If you’re taking money from the big three credit bureaus who oppose passage of HR3149, how can you be unbiased and objective? It’s not possible even for a saint, much less a politician!
In Congress, however, it seems to work the other way around. The more members of the House Committee on Financial Services that have their hands are in the till, via credit bureau PACs, the smarter the money makes them . . . and the more inclined they are to look out for “the people.” It’s funny how different ethics and the law work for members of Congress, but seem to be the opposite for us lowly citizens out here in the real world. Nonetheless, we know you’re rich, important and went to law school and all this stuff is just way over our heads. So we’re just going to leave HR3149 in your very capable hands because we know you’re representing us and will do what’s best for your constituents and the American people. That’s why you’re admired, held in high esteem and are called leaders and “public servants” right? We know you would never serve yourself or cover for your elite corporate friends, but instead always have what is best for “the people” in mind.
It’s ok that you enabled Wall Street to steal us all blind and destroy the economy. It’s ok that you bailed them out with our tax money. After all, they’re your personal friends and we’re not. It’s ok that because of your friends’ greed that there are no jobs and as a result millions of Americans have had their personal credit reports destroyed. Why would we lowly citizens want or expect fairness, equality and a level playing field in the workplace? As a member of the American elite, everything is skewed and tilted in your direction and that’s the way it has always been in America and Washington. Why should we change anything at this late stage of the game? Isn’t the status quo and business as usual in Washington best for us all?
In closing, we citizens would just like to say “thanks” for all you’ve done for us . . . especially you members of the House Committee on Financial Services. You’ve taught us how democracy works, you’ve demonstrated your heartfelt concern for the American people starving, being foreclosed upon and yes, even committing suicide due to the catch 22 of no job = bad credit and bad credit = no job. Discrimination in the workplace is just fine as long as your elite friends at the big three credit bureaus can make a buck off the credit dead carcass of an American citizen.
As you pour yourself a cocktail from the top shelf of course, light that Cuban cigar and dine with the lobbyists from Trans Union, Experian and Equifax let not your conscience be troubled. “We the people” now understand that their money just helps you think better and more slowly. Now we fully understand “democracy” and will remember you this November . . .
Follow the Money and Uncover the Truth About “Democracy” and the Killing of HR3149
http://hr3149.blogspot.com/2010/03/democracy-and-money-why-hr3149-is.html
“Democracy” and Money: Why HR3149 is Stalled
HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act has been stalled in the House Committe on Financial Services since July 2009 with no hearing or action whatsoever. The following report details the money being funneled to committee members by the big three credit bureau PACs to explain why . . . it's called "Democracy"
House Committee on Financial Services: 71 Members Total
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpd?id=HSBA
"Democracy" Research Findings: Following the Money
2008 Cycle*
Barney Frank (D-MA) $30,000 - Committee Chair
* Barney Frank was the only member we researched for the 2008 cycle and these dollars are not included in the total dollar amount as reported for the 2010 Cycle below.
2010 Cycle
Total Amount Accepted by the Financial Services Committee: $104,727
House Committee on Financial Services: 71 Members Total
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/committee.xpd?id=HSBA
"Democracy" Research Findings: Following the Money
2008 Cycle*
Barney Frank (D-MA) $30,000 - Committee Chair
* Barney Frank was the only member we researched for the 2008 cycle and these dollars are not included in the total dollar amount as reported for the 2010 Cycle below.
2010 Cycle
Total Amount Accepted by the Financial Services Committee: $104,727
Almost half (40+ %) of the members of the House Committee on Financial Services accepted money from the Big Three Credit Bureau PACs in the 2010 Cycle Based on data released by the FEC on February 21, 2010
Committee Member Totals from all of the Big Three Credit Bureau PACs . . . can you find YOUR "Representative" . . .
Bachmann, Michele (R-MN) $4,000
Bachus, Spencer (R-AL) $7,000 - Committee Ranking Member
Bean, Melissa (D-IL) $10,500 - PH 202.225.3711
Biggert, Judy (R-IL) $6,000
Campbell, John (R-CA) $8,227 - PH 202.225.9177
Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV) $1,000
Childers, Travis W (D-MS) $2,000
Foster, Bill (D-IL) $4,000
Garrett, Scott (R-NJ) $2,000
Hensarling, Jeb (R-TX) $7,000
Himes, Jim (D-CT) $5,000
Jenkins, Lynn (R-KS) $3,000
Kanjorski, Paul E (D-PA) $4,000
Lee, Christopher J (R-NY) $1,000
Maloney, Carolyn B (D-NY) $2,500
McCarthy, Kevin (R-CA) $2,000
McCotter, Thad (R-MI) $4,000
McHenry, Patrick (R-NC) $1,000
Meeks, Gregory W (D-NY) $5,000
Moore, Dennis (D-KS) $3,000
Neugebauer, Randy (R-TX) $4,000
Paulsen, Erik (R-MN) $1,000
Peters, Gary (D-MI) $2,000
Posey, Bill (R-FL) $2,000
Price, Tom (R-GA) $5,000
Royce, Ed (R-CA) $7,500
Scott, David (D-GA) $1,000
Is your representative on the list above? To find out, proceed as follows:
1) Find Your 9 Digit Zip Code Before you begin, you’ll need your full 9 digit zip code. Simply go to the link below and plug in your address and it will provide your full 9 digit zip.http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
2) Contact YOUR member(s) the House of Representatives https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Simply click on the link above and follow the steps, select your state, enter your full 9 digit zip code, click “contact my representative,” answer the security question, plug in your personal information. If your representative is on the list above, ask them why they took the money? Ask them why they are stalling a hearing on HR3149? Ask them if the money they took is getting in the way of protecting the people during the worst economy since the Great Depression? Call them out and hold them accountable! Write them and call them at every opportunity you can find. Don't allow your reprsesentative to be bought by PAC money. They work for YOU!!!!!
In the event your representative is not on the list above, as them to support the legislation and to co-sponsor the bill now sitting stalled in the House Committee for Financial Services.
Act now to protect your right to privacy and equality in the workplace.
Equifax Breakout Figures
Bean, Melissa (D-IL) $1,000
Campbell, John (R-CA) $1,000
Childers, Travis W (D-MS) $1,000
Hensarling, Jeb (R-TX) $1,000
Kanjorski, Paul E (D-PA) $1,000
Meeks, Gregory W (D-NY) $1,000
Price, Tom (R-GA) $2,500
Scott, David (D-GA) $1,000
Trans Union Breakout Figures
Bachus, Spencer (R-AL) $2,000
Bean, Melissa (D-IL) $5,000
Biggert, Judy (R-IL) $1,000
Foster, Bill (D-IL) $1,500
Garrett, Scott (R-NJ) $1,000
Hensarling, Jeb (R-TX) $1,000
Jenkins, Lynn (R-KS) $1,000
Kanjorski, Paul E (D-PA) $2,000
Lee, Christopher J (R-NY) $1,000
McHenry, Patrick (R-NC) $1,000
Meeks, Gregory W (D-NY) $3,000
Moore, Dennis (D-KS) $2,000
Experian Breakout Figures
Bachmann, Michele (R-MN) $4,000
Bachus, Spencer (R-AL) $5,000
Bean, Melissa (D-IL) $4,500
Biggert, Judy (R-IL) $5,000
Campbell, John (R-CA) $7,227
Capito, Shelley Moore (R-WV) $1,000
Childers, Travis W (D-MS) $1,000
Foster, Bill (D-IL) $2,500
Garrett, Scott (R-NJ) $2,000
Hensarling, Jeb (R-TX) $5,000
Himes, Jim (D-CT) $5,000
Jenkins, Lynn (R-KS) $2,000
Kanjorski, Paul E (D-PA) $1,000
Maloney, Carolyn B (D-NY) $2,500
McCarthy, Kevin (R-CA) $2,000
McCotter, Thad (R-MI) $4,000
Meeks, Gregory W (D-NY) $1,000
Moore, Dennis (D-KS) $1,000
Neugebauer, Randy (R-TX) $4,000
Paulsen, Erik (R-MN) $1,000
Peters, Gary (D-MI) $2,000
Posey, Bill (R-FL) $2,000
Price, Tom (R-GA) $2,500
Royce, Ed (R-CA) $7,500
Sources:
Equifax:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00143867&cycle=2010
Trans Union:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00313700&cycle=2010
Experian:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00379768&cycle=2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Activity Requests: Wednesday
[Note: As always any sample messages, letters, etc. that we provide are just that, “samples.” The samples are just what we’re sending out from this end and you are strongly encouraged to use your own judgment, voice and perspectives. Our prose, tone and approach can always be improved upon and quite frankly a good mix of perspectives is better than blindly following our samples verbatim (we’re just expressing one opinion among well over a 1500 different member opinions). We don’t do messaging for the group (nor do we aspire to) or ever speak for the group, but instead merely facilitate our members’ ability to speak at once for more power and volume. If you’re a “professional communicator” or would like to help with recruiting, research, administration, etc. shoot us a note and we’ll be happy to get you involved. There is no lack of work to be done.]
Outreach to Workers’/Privacy/Misc. Rights Groups and Organizations
ACLU
http://www.aclu.org/general-feedback
Call them as well at: 212-549-2500
National Employment Law Center
nelp@nelp.org
MoveOn.org
http://pol.moveon.org/feedback/fb/form.html?tp=suggest
Democracy Now
http://www.democracynow.org/about/contact
PDA
tim@pdamerica.org
[Sample Letter to Workers’/Privacy/Misc. Rights Groups and Organizations]
Outreach to Workers’/Privacy/Misc. Rights Groups and Organizations
ACLU
http://www.aclu.org/general-feedback
Call them as well at: 212-549-2500
National Employment Law Center
nelp@nelp.org
MoveOn.org
http://pol.moveon.org/feedback/fb/form.html?tp=suggest
Democracy Now
http://www.democracynow.org/about/contact
PDA
tim@pdamerica.org
[Sample Letter to Workers’/Privacy/Misc. Rights Groups and Organizations]
SUBJECT: H.R.3149: The Equal Employment for All Act
While I may have missed something, your organization does not seem to be fully and publicly supporting passage of HR3149: The Equal Employment for All Act now sitting stalled in the House of Representatives. In short, the legislation would make it illegal for employers to access and use personal credit reports as criteria for hiring and firing. Most Americans don’t even know HR3149 even exists. What’s more, they don’t know about the corruption and backroom deal making taking place to keep the legislation stalled in the House of Representatives Financial Services Committee. Isn’t it your job and role within a democracy to support the people, expose corruption and see to it that Congress answers to the will of the American people?
Follow the money and expose the truth:
Equifax:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00143867&cycle=2010
Trans Union:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00313700&cycle=2010
Experian:
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00379768&cycle=2010
http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgot.php?cmte=C00379768&cycle=2010
I believe this employer discrimination practice and gross invasion of privacy - that cuts across the entire white and blue collar employment segments - constitutes the single most important workplace issue in America today. This is most especially true during this, the worst economy since the Great Depression! When you deny a well qualified human being the right to work in America – you violate the core principals of justice set down by our founding fathers and prevent millions and millions of Americans from affording food and shelter . . . the basic requirements to sustain life.
Without passage of H.R3149 there is simply no way out of the horrible cycle of no job = bad credit and bad credit = no job. Employers today are forcing almost half of “blue collar” job applicants and more than 80 percent of “white collar” job applicants to turn over their personal credit report. The credit reports are being used as the first cut in the screening and hiring process and believe it or not - the percentage of employers using this discriminatory practice is rising rapidly. This practice constitutes a modern day debtor’s prison where millions of Americans are relegated to a lifetime of under-employment at best with no hope whatsoever of ever working their way out debt or improving their credit report.
It’s un-American to brand someone for life and lock out a highly qualified worker from the workplace. Nonetheless, it’s happening right here in America and without your help, we cannot generate the number of citizen voices necessary to force passage of the legislation. The right to work is the most basic of all rights in America and without passage of HR3149 millions of your fellow Americans are simply locked out of the workplace or barred from ever changing jobs. It’s just WRONG and we need your help to bring the practice to an end.
Please support our democracy, the overwhelming will of the people and the rights of highly qualified American workers to compete on a level playing field during this horrible economic disaster.
Basics of the Legislation:
http://hr3149.blogspot.com/2009/11/basics-of-bill-now-pending-in-house.html
Platform for Passage:
http://hr3149.blogspot.com/2009/11/basis-of-platform-for-passage.html
[End Sample Letter]
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