As we all know during the Primary wars there was one issue that Clinton supporters held out as the big difference and one of the prime reasons they supported Hillary over Obama - Health Care. It was also one the few issues where there was some real distinction.

I always felt that once the primary was over and Obama and Clinton started to work together their plans would get closer. Well, it seems I wasn't all that wrong.

As some of you may know Hillary held on on line chat recently with her supporters and the Health care issue was raised. The following is the question and the response.

Following the ins and outs of American health insurance policies can be tricky, we all have encountered the cryptic phrase "preexisting condition." The way that the insurance industry words it makes it seem like Americans are scheming to cash in on their health woes from insurance companies, but in fact this policy is causing a devastating trend in our country: Americans with chronic conditions being kicked off, refused by, or reaching the benefit limits of their health coverage.

The reality is that many uninsured Americans used to be insured, and couldn't receive further coverage due to their conditions. That means that many people who are in the most need for health care aren't receiving any. Nearly a quarter of these people reported that they hadn't been to a doctor in more than a year, and said that if they need medical care they will go to the emergency room.

Our friends at the American News Project have posted a video on the usage of tax shelters by the super-rich.  "Super-Rich Tax Cheats" shines a spotlight on the $1.5 trillion currently estimated to be hidden off-shore from the IRS by the very wealthiest of Americans.

Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) estimates the resulting lost tax revenue at approximately $100 billion.  The video puts this number into context by showing what the government spends on other programs.  This is more than the federal government spends on education and training ($89.9 billion).  It's triple what is spent on the environment and natural resources ($33.1 billion) and almost five times more than what we spend on temporary assistance for needy families, or TANF ($20.9). Besides looking simply at people clearly breaking the law, the video also has a short segment with Warren Buffet, one of the world's wealthiest men, arguing for tax fairness.  This is key if our nation is to be stronger and we are to truly come together as a community.

You can watch the video at the Huffington Post.

Cross-posted at Project Vote's blog, Voting Matters

Weekly Voting Rights News Update

By Erin Ferns and Nathan Henderson-James

We spend a lot of time in these news updates showing how charges of voter fraud are used to discredit voter participation efforts and prime the pump for voter suppression efforts, such as the passage of voter ID bills, pushing for proof of citizenship, engaging in draconian voter purge efforts, and imposing sever restrictions on voter registration drives. We have also spent a lot of time carefully delineating the politics behind these efforts, starting with our March 2007 report The Politics Of Voter Fraud and continuing on in these diaries to name but two venues.

Dear Friend,

Tuesday, Jonathan sent out an urgent video message from me.   (If you missed it - you can still watch it here). (ed. NewHampster suggests everyone watch)

I explained to you the biggest challenge facing our campaign.  We are fighting on two fronts:  facing down John Sununu's $3 million cash on hand advantage and the right-wing groups that are dumping tons of money into attack ads against Jeanne Shaheen.   This has led to a $500,000 gap in our campaign budget.  

Many have already taken action and contributed.

Thank you.

If you have not yet - now is the time.  The full weight of Sununu's war chest and the right-wing attack groups will fall in the next few weeks.

If we want a new direction in Washington, then we need a new Senator.

Robby Mook
Campaign Manager
Jeanne Shaheen for Senate

The McCain Campaign, along with the RNC, hot off the heels of their "tire gage" campaign, opened a new line of attack on Democratic presumptive nominee Barack Obama, mocking him openly for Obama's suggestion that the, "Earth is round."

The campaign, which rewards contributers with an accurate FLAT representation of the Earth, as well as a bumper sticker saying "Next You're Going To Tell Us The Earth Revolves Around The Sun, Senator Obama!", will kick off tomorrow, when Senator McCain will sail to the end of the planet and throw Paris Hilton into the abyss.

"When voters see that hottie being devoured by the End Of the World Dragons," RNC Chairman Mike Duncan smiled, "THEN they'll know who is ready to be President on day one!"

Chris Smith says that he wants to run on his record in Congress. Unfortunately, there are parts of his record that voters may find less than appealing, namely his vote against clean water.

In 2005, Chris Smith voted against $342 Million in clean water funding. The votes were against restoring funding to the Clean Water Fund. The fund, established under the Clean Water Act, assists local communities with their water processing infrastructure to prevent sewage and waste from contaminating bodies of water. Communities nationwide face more than $300 billion in backlogged requirements to upgrade and repair clean up water systems. There are over 29,000 impaired rivers, lakes and steams nationwide. (2005 Votes # 198 and Vote #194; 2005 Statement by Rep. David Obey, 109th Congressional Record, pg. H.3642, 5/19/05; EPA, National Section and New Jersey Section 303(d) List, link here.)

The problem hits especially hard in New Jersey where 675 streams, creeks and rivers, 161 lakes and 134 other bodies of water need monitoring to ensure contamination is prevented. These waters are considered impaired and at risk.

Why did Chris Smith vote against restoring funding?

He certainly cannot use the Federal budget as an excuse, he voted to give himself a pay-raise nine times since 1999. (CRS: Salaries of Members of Congress Updated January 8, 2008; 1999 Vote #300; 2000 Vote #419; 2001 House Vote #267; 2002 House Vote #322; 2003 House Vote #463; 2004 House Vote #451; 2005 House Vote #327; 2006 vote #261; 2007 Vote #580)

"While Chris Smith was busy raising his own salary he was also voting against clean water protection for New Jersey. Voters deserve and explanation." said Josh Zeitz campaign manager Steve D'Amico.

If you'd like to volunteer, please contact ian_at_joshzeitz_dot_com. Please visit Josh's website to learn more about why we need to elect Josh to Congress.

As if we didn't already know that this site was crawling with McTrolls.

By Paul Farhi
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 7, 2008; C01

Spread John McCain's official talking points around the Web -- and you could win valuable prizes!
That, in essence, is the McCain campaign's pitch to supporters to join its new online effort, one that combines the features of "AstroTurf" campaigning with the sort of customer-loyalty programs offered by airlines, hotel chains, restaurants and the occasional daily newspaper.
On McCain's Web site, visitors are invited to "Spread the Word" about the presumptive Republican nominee by sending campaign-supplied comments to blogs and Web sites under the visitor's screen name. The site offers sample comments ("John McCain has a comprehensive economic plan . . .") and a list of dozens of suggested destinations, conveniently broken down into "conservative," "liberal," "moderate" and "other" categories. Just cut and paste.