The Progressive Latino

Transportation Bill Headed For Another Shutdown Showdown

WASHINGTON -- Senate leaders pleaded Wednesday for the House to pass a transportation bill before funding for thousands of projects across the country run out of money in three days.

The Senate has already passed a two-year, $109 billion bill, but the House has been stuck trying to move anything, first failing to come up with the five-year plan that its leaders initially favored and then failing repeatedly this week to pass stop-gap extensions.

"We are moving towards a very dangerous moment here, and I believe we are already in danger," said Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.).

via www.huffingtonpost.com

With all the talk over Health Care this one has been under the radar but now about to expload!!! Here we go again with the Right wing pushing toward another shutdown. The Senate passed in a truely bipartisan vote a tw-year transportation bill that now the Republican House won't support due to the ultra-ring and Tea party playing the same old games. Voice your concern! TPL

Eva Longoria: 'The Economy Is The Number One Issue Latinos Are Concerned About' (VIDEO)

When Eva Longoria stopped by CNN’s “Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien” this morning, O’Brien asked the “Desperate Housewives” star, who is a co-chair for Obama’s re-election campaign, if the President's record on immigration will be a problem heading into the November election.

In the interview, O’Brien quoted a recent TIME Magazine article in which Univision News Anchor Jorge Ramos criticized the President’s record on the contentious issue.

“He didn’t keep his word,” Ramos said in the article. “Besides that, the Obama Administration is responsible for the separation of thousands of families with children who are U.S. citizens.”

via www.huffingtonpost.com

No one even Eva Longoria doubts that immigration is important but she drives home the point that the Number 1 issue for Latinos is the economy. Latinos whether U.S. citizens or undocumented immigrants are effected disproportionately during hard economic times. Latinos need jobs. TPL asks your thoughts?

The Ring-wing 2013 budget proposal

The Ring wing keeps catering to the 1%.   According to Forbes, the  tax cuts in Paul Ryan’s 2013 budget plan would result in huge benefits for high-income people and very modest—or no-benefits for low income working households, according to a new analysis by the Tax Policy Center.  Think Progress provides very good details on the Ryan plan and how his own constituents are now against him. The Ryan plan gets "62 percentof its budget cuts from programs that benefit low-income Americans and would boot millions off of food stamps. In addition, Medicare, Medicaid, Pell Grants, and job training programs would face cuts, all while millionares recieve a tax break."  Even "The Donald" commented that the GOP plan was a big mistake in being proposed now.  That they would be better of waiting until after the election.  Oh really!  So if the plan is so good why wait?   Check this all out Latinos!!  if you think the right wing will help you become better of - think agains!!  TPL

Gabriel Lerner: Semana Latina: Hispanics Invested In Everything American

The events unfolding this week and announced for the next one remind us once again that Latinos in the United States are an intrinsic part of the population, and as such, are as interested and invested as every other American in the state of our union. When unemployment and foreclosure numbers rise, Latinos suffer; when the economy's numbers improve they rejoice. And when civil rights cases jump to the front pages, they listen with rapt attention as the issue is always close to home.

The killing of young African-American Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer, George Zimmerman, has ignited a wave of protests. The epicenter of the uproar is in Sanford, Florida, but indignation and protest over what happened to Martin has spread far and wide across the country, dominating local and national news conversations.

Although Zimmerman, according to his own father Robert, is Latino, the protests are not directed toward the Hispanic community, but, instead, against local police handling of the case. However, later in the week, as the debate turned national, additional uproar was ignited by Hispanic, Fox News commentator Geraldo Rivera who tweeted "His hoodie killed Trayvon Martin as surely as George Zimmerman." Akin to blaming a sexual assault victim for what she was wearing, one had to wonder if Rivera actually believes what he says.

via www.huffingtonpost.com

This is a somber reminder by Gabriel Lerner, Huffintngton Post that many aspects of American life impact Latinos. When it comes to crime, education, economy - we are all impacted, many times disproportionally than other segments of society. This Monday the Supreme Court will hear arguements on the Affordable Care Act. Stay tuned! TPL

12 Reasons to Support Health Care - Stand Up for Health Care

Our new health care law will have a profound impact on the health and economic well-being of American families, businesses, and the economy. Below are some of the key provisions of the new legislation. Click on each icon to read more!

via www.standupforhealthcare.org

TPL will have more to say about President Obama's Affordable Health Care. This site - Stand Up for Health Care provides very easy to understand description of the Affordable Health Care Act. Latinos stand to benefit. The "mandate" has become a major distraction which the Supreme Court will address starting Monday. TPL

Rubio for VP!!

Jeb Bush came out in favor of Marco Rubio for Vice President. Given his lack of experience and relative youth it appears likely that the only real reason is to secure Latino votes. Are we stupid?
If anything he may get the Cuban vote but Cubans are just a small fraction of the Latino voter block. The great majority of Latinos are Mexican, and they don't care for or trust Rubio. Again, Republicans demonstrate their ignorance, and their lack of true interest or concern for Latinos other than just getting their votes. So you know, just some of his positions: he opposes President Obama's stimulus package; voted for the Ryan Budget, which kills Medicare. Is against
President Obama's Health Care law. He also voted against funding stem cell research and would require ultrasounds before performing abortions. Finally he opposes the Dream Act!! So ask yourself - does he truly stand for Latinos - NO! Don't just believe TPL - do your homework and check what he has said and how he votes.  [pis source: CBS)

Republican War on Women

The Republican War on Women has been made quite clear over the past few weeks with the issue of contraception being masqueraded by the Right-wing as a religious freedom issue. Make no mistake Latinas - they are out to control your right to chose and use contraceptives. Limbaugh thinks you are a slut and a prostitute for wanting to use contraceptives. Meanwhile President Obama has been on your side on this issue. See the War on Women AD. With regards to Latino views on contraception, according to Latino Decisions, "Regardless of nativity, the vast majority of Latinos and and Latinas strongly agree women should earn equal pay and have easy access to contraception." TPL

Romney, Santorum make Fools of themselves in Puerto Rico!

Do they understand Latinos? Clearly no and that means that they do not care. They are seeking the vote in Puerto Rico which has 22 delegates. Santorum who apparently does not know Puerto Ricans are US citizens by birth and have to take English during school insults the residents by telling them they have to learn English to become a state. Romney (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/16/mitt-romney-sotomayor-puerto-rico_n_1354232.html?ref=topbar) tries to get the upper hand with a double-whammy by criticizing Santorum for voting for Supreme Court Judge Sotomayor and then stating that he would not have voted to confirm her. Justice Sotomayor is Puerto Rican and a hero in Puerto Rico for her accomplishment. You can't make this up. These guys want to be president?

Rush's Lame Apology! Republicans are Cowards!

Lots going down and hopefully Rush will go all the way down. Ms Fluke dismisses the lame apology (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/sandra-fluke-addresses-ru_n_1321357.html). George Will, Republican ICON said Republicans want war with Iran but are scared of Limbaugh (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfmX03cQDZ8&feature=player_embedded). Also, Young Turks, Cenk states that one of the "backers behind Limbaugh broadcaster Clear Channel is none other than Bain Capital. See: http://bit.ly/xLxhl6. Many Latinos are Catholics but if your wife, girlfriend, sister or daughter choses to use the pill then in Rush's view they are sluts and a prostitutes!!! Contact your Congressman to call for Rush's firing!!! TPL

Fire Limbaugh!!!!! And where are the Republican Leaders on this?

You must have heard - Limbaugh calls a Law School student to testified before Congress a slut, a
prostitute!!!! This is despicable and is not justified as "exercise of free speech" but its abuse - nothing more than hate speech from an egomaniac gone off the deep end!!! He must be fired and you - Progressive Latino should contact your Congressman and demand they take action!!! See: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/03/limbaugh-loses-advertisers-after-calling-woman-a-slut.php?ref=fpnewsfeed. Must see this: Rush Limbaugh 'Slut' Attack On Georgetown Student Sandra Fluke - The Young Turks host Cenk Uygur breaks it down at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJXkOgMW3tY&feature=player_detailpage.
We keep seeing one Republican after another attacks on immigration, welfare, health, preferring the auto industry fail and now attacking one for desiring contraceptives!!! BTY if you did not hear, Rush Limbaugh got caught with Viagra - yes Viagra - and the hypocrite attacks a student for wanting contraceptives!!!! He was detained when caught with Viagra returning from a vacation
in the Dominican Republic. Being the hypocrite he had the Viagra, labeled to the his doctor rather than him. See: http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-201_162-1753947.html

TPL.