Senator Sanders Sponsors New Estate Tax Bill

The Responsible Estate Tax Act "would raise $318 billion over the next decade by establishing a graduated inheritance tax on estates over $3.5 million retroactive to this year." To read more, go to Estate Tax Act.

The Worst Man-made Catastrophe in Modern History

It is fair to say that the explosion of the BP oil rig in the Gulf region, the loss of eleven men's lives, the ineptness of BP (and the refusal of its CEO -- who seems to be only concerned with BP's bottom line -- to completely understand the havoc the continuous gushing of oil has wrought), the outdated technology -- and the list could go on -- are the major concerns of everyone from the politicians to the media to the average person on the street.

Some on the right has compared this Administration's response to the crises as equalling that of the Bush Administration's handling of the Hurricane Kathrina disaster. It may be that more could have been done from the beginning, but a lot has been done.

Here is a chronological rundown of events from beginning until it's resolved (updated daily).

Organizing for America Sponsors Labor Day Rally
September 7, 2009

Since June, OFA has held organizing meetings, an educational forum, phone banks, town halls and more. Some of us are already involved in this effort. But if you are not, we all hope that you will join us. Our work and that of OFA and OFA-MA becomes even more crucial as Congress returned to Washington for one of the most important debates of our time.

The Rally
Boston was selected as one of only five cities in the country where large rallies in support of health-care reform was held on Labor Day. We have all seen that even here in Massachusetts, the voices of health-care reform supporters have often been drownded out by the shouts of those who insist on spreading lies.

On Monday, September 7, on the Common in Boston, we had a chance to make it clear that supporters of health care reform far outnumber those who oppose it.

Details about the Rally:

Location: The Gazebo on Boston Common between the Boylston and Park Street T stops

Time: 11:00 AM -1:00 PM

Agenda:

Tribute to Senator Kennedy;

A policy expert will speak about the importance of health care reform;

A couple of people will give their personal health care stories; and

A send-off for the members of Congress in attendance, in which we will deliver to them thousands of declarations in support of health care reform. (To this end, please download the declaration form and collect as many names as you can between now and then. These will be collected at the rally, so that they can be delivered to members of Congress.)

There was also musical entertainment; and the rally ended with a march from the Common to Copley Square. For pictures and videos, please click here.


The President's Health Care Reform
On February 24, 2009, the President said the following regarding health-care reform: "I suffer no illusions that this will be an easy process. It will be hard. But I also know that nearly a century after Teddy Roosevelt first called for reform, the cost of our health care has weighed down our economy and the conscience of our nation long enough. So let there be no doubt: health care reform cannot wait, it must not wait, and it will not wait another year."

President Obama is committed to working with Congress to pass comprehensive health reform in his first year in order to control rising health care costs, guarantee choice of doctor, and assure high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans.

Comprehensive health care reform can no longer wait. Rapidly escalating health care costs are crushing family, business, and government budgets. Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have doubled in the last 9 years, a rate 3 times faster than cumulative wage increases. This forces families to sit around the kitchen table to make impossible choices between paying rent or paying health premiums. Given all that we spend on health care, American families should not be presented with that choice. The United States spent approximately $2.2 trillion on health care in 2007, or $7,421 per person – nearly twice the average of other developed nations. Americans spend more on health care than on housing or food. If rapid health cost growth persists, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that by 2025, one out of every four dollars in our national economy will be tied up in the health system. This growing burden will limit other investments and priorities that are needed to grow our economy. Rising health care costs also affect our economic competitiveness in the global economy, as American companies compete against companies in other countries that have dramatically lower health care costs.

The President has vowed that the health reform process will be different in his Administration – an open, inclusive, and transparent process where all ideas are encouraged and all parties work together to find a solution to the health care crisis. Working together with members of Congress, doctors and hospitals, businesses and unions, and other key health care stakeholders, the President is committed to making sure we finally enact comprehensive health care reform.

The Administration believes that comprehensive health reform should:

1. Reduce long-term growth of health care costs for businesses and government
2. Protect families from bankruptcy or debt because of health care costs
3. Guarantee choice of doctors and health plans
4. Invest in prevention and wellness
5. Improve patient safety and quality of care
6. Assure affordable, quality health coverage for all Americans
7. Maintain coverage when you change or lose your job
8. End barriers to coverage for people with pre-existing medical conditions

Please visit www.HealthReform.gov to learn more about the President’s commitment to enacting comprehensive health care reform this year.

Information provided by the White House. ■

For additional information, please click here.