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November 6 2012 - Bigotry Will Be On The Ballot In Maryland

The Maryland Marriage Alliance (MMA) has succeeded where George Wallace, Lester Maddox, David Duke and his KKK and others have also succeeded - they are on the ballot.


Their petitions have been certified so that their efforts to reverse legal, civil marriage in Maryland will be voted on November 6 2012.


No doubt, the MMA has benefitted and stoked public clamor, after the Maryland legislature passed civil marriage equality earlier this year.


No doubt either, that the MMA does not represent the majority of voters or of the citizens of Maryland.


According to polls, Marylanders support civil rights for all citizens, Marylanders support civil marriage equality. Marylanders support granting all citizens access to the courthouse, where marriage licenses may be obtained.


What is the fuss all about?


The fuss is about prejudice - and about un-reported sources of money spent to undermine the civil rights of thousands of Maryland citizens.


MMA spend an unstated amount of money to recruit, train and put to work some 4,000 "volunteers" to gather signatures.


Where were many signatures gathered? At churches. Shamefully, at churches.


Why are some church members willing to sign petitions? Peer pressure? Perhaps. But also misinformation and zero debate.


Was there discussion before congregants were asked to sign? Nope. 


Were there opportunities at these churches for civil rights champions to raise questions? Nope.


Instead of debate and discussion, the entire anti-civil rights effort was moved out of the civil arena and put it in the religious arena. Why? 


Bigotry does not want to be subjected to scrutiny. Don't ask any questions - just sign the petition. 


Who is hurt by granting civil marriage rights to all Marylanders? Never mind; just sign the petition.


Why not encourage matrimonial stability? Never mind; just sign the petition.


Why undermine the economic prospects of committed couples? Never mind; just sign the petition.


Between now and November 6, we in Maryland will be treated to a renewed, well-financed and organized campaign to deprive some Marylanders of the same right to marry as all citizens ought to enjoy.


David Duke and the KKK would be proud of that other secret, anti-civil rights organization - the Maryland Marriage Alliance (MMA). 

SOURCES:

REUTERS

BALTIMORE SUN - Same-sex marriage petition certified

Maryland Marriage Alliance Anti-Gay Stance Shames Maryland

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE - Extending Middle Class Tax Cuts for 98% of Americans and 97% of Small Businesses

Today the President called on Congress to extend the middle class tax cuts for the 98 percent of Americans making less than $250,000 for another year. In fact, the President’s proposal extends tax cuts for 97 percent of all small business owners in America.  If Congress fails to act, a typical middle-class family of four will see its taxes go up by $2,200, and America’s small business owners would take a big hit. The President refuses to let that happen. 

This should be one of those rare moments where everyone in Washington can agree. Independent experts, economists, and folks on both side of the aisle agree that we should extend tax cuts for middle class families. But so far, Congress hasn’t been able to extend middle class tax cuts because Republicans in Washington refuse to ask the wealthy and big corporations to pay their fair share. In fact, on every issue – from reducing the deficit in a balanced way to paying for investments in education – Republican insistence on cutting taxes for millionaires and billionaires has been the major cause of gridlock in Washington. 

So, we look forward to a debate on tax cuts for the wealthy, but right now Congress should act to give middle class families the certainty and security of knowing their taxes won’t go up in six months.As the President said, if Congress passes a bill extending the tax cuts for the middle class, he’ll sign it tomorrow. It’s time for Congress to get to work.Unfortunately, Republicans continue to push their tired, false claims to distort and distract the American people.  We’ve already heard some folks opposing this proposal -- claiming we’re trying to tax “job creators.”  The fact is, the people who create most new jobs in America are America’s small business owners.  The President has cut taxes for small business owners 18 times. Even using an overly broad definition of who is a small business owner (a definition that includes passive investors and highly compensated lawyers and hedge fund managers), today’s proposal will extend all of the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for 97 percent of all small business owners. If Republicans in Congress want to act to help small businesses across the country, they should vote for the proposals the President proposed that the Senate is considering this week that include new incentives to help our nation’s small businesses grow and hire and strengthen our economy. 

Countering Claims That The President’s Tax Proposals Would Hit Small Business

• First, even under the GOP’s own flawed definition of small business, approximately 97% of taxpayers with small business income would be completely unaffected by the President’s plan: According to estimates by Tax Policy Center, about 97% of taxpayers reporting business income would not be impacted by the President’s tax proposals -- which only affect those earning over $250,000.  This has been confirmed by the independent Congressional Research Service, which concluded that “only a small fraction of businesses will be affected [by allowing the temporary income tax cuts to expire for people earning over $250,000 a year], around 2% to 3%.” 
• Second, what Congressional Republicans Define as “Small Businesses” Include Millionaires and Billionaires, Law Partners, Hedge Fund Managers, and Passive Investors. Congressional Republicans define as small businesses any individual who receives “small business income”. Under this definition:
  • Over half of the 400 Highest Earners in the United States Would Be “Small Businesses”: According to IRS data, in 2009, among the 400 taxpayers with the highest adjusted gross income – group that averages over $200 million each in taxable income – at least 237 would have qualified as “small businesses” under this definition.
  • Hedge Fund Managers and Law Firm Partners are “Small Businesses”: It counts any type of partnership income, proprietor income, or S corporation income as “small business” income. That includes:
    • income received by partners in law firms – each and every one of whom would be considered a “small business” under this definition
    • income received by partners in hedge funds – each and every one of whom would be considered a “small business” under this definition
    • passive income on investments
    • income from renting out a property like a vacation home.
  • This is why, last time Republican Congressional Leaders tried this argument they couldn’t produce one so called “small business job creator.” Last fall, when the GOP was blocking measures of the American Jobs Act that could have supported over a million additional jobs; they argued that asking millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share would hurt “small business job creators.”  But after pressed by independent media outlets such as National Public Radio, Republicans in Congress and their wealthy allies could not produce a single millionaire job creator for NPR to interview.
• Third, in contrast to the President’s small business proposals, which would encourage and directly reward new hiring and investment, the GOP’s so called “small business” tax proposal could actually discouragefirms from creating jobs or making new investments this year, while giving away tens of billions of dollars to millionaires and billionaires. The legislation sponsored by Majority Leader Cantor and passed by the House of Representatives provides across-the-board tax cuts (a 20 percent deduction) on qualified “small business” income for firms with fewer than 500 workers – including well-compensated hedge fund managers and law firm partners, and even to companies that are actively laying off workers or cutting wages.
  • In some cases this proposal actually encourages postponing new hires and investments. Because new employees and expenses are deducted from this year’s taxable income, for some companies the decision to expand payrolls and invest in their businesses can actually translate into their receiving asmaller tax benefit under the Republican’s proposal.
  • In addition, the benefits are dramatically skewed - half of the $46 billion cost goes to those making more than $1 million, translating into an average tax cut of $45,000 for those millionaires.
  • The biggest beneficiaries are not small businesses making investments and creating jobs, but rather the very wealthiest Americans - like law partners and investment managers, the so called “small business job creators” Republicans in Congress claim would be hurt by the President’s position.
• President Obama, building on a record of the 18 small business tax cuts he already has signed into law, has a plan to help 2 million actual small businesses hire workers and make new investments. The President has called on Congress to pass legislation that gives a 10 percent income tax credit for firms that create new jobs or increase wages in 2012 and that extends 100 percent expensing in 2012 for all businesses.
  • Encourage an additional $200 billion to $300 billion in new wages and jobs this year with a Small Business Jobs and Wages Tax Credit:
    • Credit for New Wages:  The plan would provide firms with a 10 percent income tax credit for new wages added in 2012. This would encourage both new hiring and providing raises to existing workers. The credit would be limited to $500,000 per firm in order to focus the benefit on actual small businesses. 
    • Focused on Middle Class Workers: Because the credit is based on the Social Security wage base, companies would receive no credit for increasing wages above $110,100. Unlike the House Republican proposal, the President’s proposal ensures that companies that offer raises only to already well-paid executives would be ineligible for the tax relief. 
    • Directly tied to new hires and pay increases:  Because the credit is tied to increases in payroll, the benefit is only available only to companies that make new hires or offer employee pay-raises – directly encouraging growth and jumpstarting hiring. This stands in contrast to proposals put forward by Congressional Republicans that would cut taxes of hedge fund managers, law partners and many of the wealthiest Americans regardless of whether they employed or hired a single worker.
    • Helps 2 million Small Businesses: This credit would help nearly 2 million actual small businesses with employees.
    • More than $20 billion in tax relief to encourage an additional $200 to $300 million in new wages and jobs: The President’s plan will provide more than $20 billion in direct tax relief targeted to small businesses in 2012 and 2013, according to a score from the independent, non-partisan Joint Committee on Taxation. This $20 billion in direct tax relief could encourage an additional $200 billion to $300 billion in new wages and jobs this year. 
• Support business investment this year with 100 percent expensing for 2012:  The President is proposing an extension of the 100 percent expensing provision that he signed into law in December 2010, which rewards firms for making investments by allowing them to deduct the full value of those investments through 2012. Extending 100 percent expensing for an additional year would put an additional $50 billion in the hands of businesses in 2012 and 2013. Most of this relief would be recouped by the Treasury as businesses regain their strength.
  • What Others Have Said About Expensing:
    • The National Federation of Independent Business called expensing a “big victory” for small business: “Bottom line – just about every small business can write-off the full amount of investments they want to make in 2010 and 2011.” (December 2010).

In a 2010 letter signed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, more than 80 business groups – representing industries from aerospace and wireless to builders, contractors, and retail stores – wrote that “bringing back bonus depreciation will encourage companies of all sizes to invest in newer, more efficient, and more environmentally-friendly equipment, which will help large and small businesses alike.”  

 Amy Brundage is the Deputy Press Secretary for the Economy.

Related Topics: Economy, Taxes

FOR MORE INFORMATION:


Extending Middle Class Tax Cuts for 98% of Americans and 97% of Small Businesses | The White House

Presbyterian Church (USA) MOVES CLOSER TO MARRIAGE EQUALITY

JULY 12 UPDATE: For the state of Marriage Equality rules in other denominations, visit this NCR ARTICLE.



STATEMENT/RELEASE FROM "MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS" 

Presbyterian Church (USA) Discusses Marriage;  Misses Historic Opportunity

Saturday, July 07 2012 @ 09:42 AM  July 6, 2012 More Light Presbyterians Media Release Media contacts: Antony Hebblethwaite, antony@mlp.org, 720-519-3831           Presbyterian Church (USA) Discusses Marriage; Misses Historic Opportunity Pittsburgh, PA – Today, the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) discussed two different ways to expand the 2 million member denomination’s understanding of marriage to include committed same-sex couples. While neither option ultimately collected the majority of votes needed to begin the ratification process, this discussion marked another step towards making the Presbyterian Church (USA) a truly inclusive church. “While it is disappointing that the Church missed this historic opportunity to move toward full inclusion, the fact that so many Presbyterians from around the country called for the Church to recognize love between committed same-gender couples was awe-inspiring to see.” said Michael J. Adee, Executive Director, More Light Presbyterians. “We have more work to do to show those who oppose full inclusion how truly wonderful the gifts that committed, married same-sex couples bring to our church. We’re inspired by the progress we’ve made together and are just as committed to continuing this work, together.” The Civil Union and Marriage Committee recommended overture 13-04 to amend W-4.9001, the Directory of Worship to change the characterization of marriage from a "man and a woman" to “two persons.” The Directory of Worship is part of the Book of Order, the PCUSA's Constitution. This is the first time an overture like this has been debated by a Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly. The second overture would have issued an authoritative interpretation that would permit ministers residing in states where marriage between same-sex couples is already legal to preside at same-sex wedding ceremonies. This overture would have clarified a confusing limbo that many Presbyterian ministers find themselves in as more and more states recognize same-sex marriage. Rev. Heidi Peterson, pastor, Central Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Missouri and Co-Moderator, More Light Presbyterians said: “As a Presbyterian minister, my job is to provide pastoral care to the real people I serve in my congregation and in my community. Today, our church missed an opportunity to not only take a bold step towards love, but to also clarify confusion that ministers across the country are facing as more and more states expand their recognition of marriage to include same-sex couples. While we didn’t take this step forward today, I have faith that the Presbyterian Church (USA) will one day soon stand on the side of love.” This progress on marriage equality follows on the heels of a 2011 amendment to open ordination in the church to include gay and lesbian candidates. ### More Light Presbyterians is a national network of Presbyterians working for the full participation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA).

General Assembly Committee Approves Marriage Equality Amendment

Wednesday, July 04 2012 @ 11:20 AM  More Light Presbyterians Media Release Media Contact: Michael J. Adee, Executive Director, 505.577.0086, michael@mlp.org General Assembly Committee Approves Marriage Equality Amendment Pittsburgh, PA: A historic moment happened last night in the Civil Union and Marriage Committee at the 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The General Assembly Committee approved a marriage equality overture. The Civil Union and Marriage Committee passed overture 13-04 to amend W-4.9001, the Directory of Worship to change the definition of marriage from a "man and a woman" to "two persons" by 28 to 24. The Directory of Worship is part of our Book of Order, the PCUSA's Constitution. The committee also passed legislation calling on the PCUSA to study the meaning of Christian marriage . "We give thanks to God for the thoughtful discussion and prayerful discernment that led to this historic decision. This is the first big step toward marriage equality in the life, ministry and witness of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Surely as the prophet Isaiah said, 'God is doing a new thing in our midst.' As a gay man baptized, confirmed and ordained in this Church, this moment recognizing same gender loving people in both church and society feels like we are stepping on holy ground." said Michael J. Adee, Executive Director, More Light Presbyterians. The next step for this marriage equality amendment is for it to be presented by the Civil Union and Marriage Committee to the entire Assembly. Discussion and voting on this amendment will be announced on the General Assembly Docket once all committee work is completed today. The important attempt to resolve the pastoral crisis now for Presbyterian ministers serving in states where same-sex marriage is legal failed in committee by the narrow margin of 24 to 26. Overture 13-05 would have called for an Authoritative Interpretation which would have allowed Presbyterians ministers to perform same-sex marriages in states where they are legal. "As a Presbyterian minister, I look forward to the day when I can offer pastoral care to all persons within the congregation I serve and in my community. Counseling and supporting couples in matters of love, commitment, faithfulness and marriage is a significant part of pastoral care. This is true for the same gender loving couples God sends my way along with heterosexual couples. My deep hope and prayer is that the Presbyterian Church (USA) will be on the right side of history and keep standing on the side of love," said Rev. Heidi Peterson, pastor, Central Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Missouri and Co-Moderator, More Light Presbyterians. SOURCE: MLP General Assembly Legislative Summary, July 3 For More Information, visit the MORE LIGHT PRESBYTERIANS website

Sen. Ben Cardin: Time for Congress to Repeal DOMA

I met my wife, Myrna, in grade school. We've been married for 47 years. We've built our lives together -- sharing everything, like any loving couple.

And, rightfully, the federal government recognizes and respects that. But what if it didn't? What if a group of extreme ideologues decided that our love didn't count?

It is time for Congress to make sure this doesn't happen and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, DOMA.

I am fighting for marriage equality in the U.S. Senate. But I need your help right now. We need to demonstrate what we already know: The vast majority of Americans support equal rights for all loving and committed couples.

Help me send that message to extremists in Washington by signing my petition to repeal DOMA.

Discrimination cannot be tolerated. It degrades us as a nation and as a society. That is why we must pass the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would repeal DOMA and allow loving and committed same-sex couples to enjoy the same benefits my wife and I do.

I am dedicated to this goal and will do everything in my power to get this bill passed. But we need to show opponents of equality that we have a strong, overwhelming coalition willing to stand up for our values.

If you join me today and sign our petition, we can do just that.

Please sign our petition to support equality for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation.

Together, we can end this hurtful and discriminatory policy.

Thank you for joining me in this effort.

Senator Benjamin Cardin

Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski - Let's Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (P.L. 104-199)

Thank you for getting in touch with me to express your support for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (P.L. 104-199).

I am a co-sponsor of legislation to repeal key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act. I believe all Americans are entitled to equal protection under the law and all of our citizens deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

The Respect for Marriage Act, S.598, will allow couples who have a legal marriage in a state to have the same federal protections as every other married couple. This includes the right to receive spousal benefits under Social Security; to file joint federal tax returns and to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act when a spouse falls seriously ill. The bill maintains the ability of every state to determine the legality of same-sex marriage.

The bill does not infringe on the right of any state to decide whether same-sex marriage will be legal within its borders. Nor does it require that members of religious organizations, whose tradition or theology opposes same-sex marriage, to perform or recognize such a marriage.

This legislation ensures that all Americans are equal under law. This is a fundamental American principle. All Americans who have the right to marry should also have equal access to the benefits of marriage.

Again, I appreciate your contacting me on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

ECONOMIC SABOTAGE EXPLAINED

From THINK PROGRESS - ECONOMIC SABOTAGE EXPLAINED 

Today’s monthly employment report brought the disappointing news that the economy created 84,000 private sector jobs in June, with the unemployment rate remaining at 8.2 percent. Let’s take a closer at how we got here and why we’re not moving forward more quickly.

As the election nears, we’re reminded of when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) outlined the GOP’s number one goal:


The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.

Not creating an economy that works for everyone. Not putting Americans back to work. The GOP’s top — and almost singular — goal is to defeat the president, even if that meant more and longer suffering for millions of Americans in the process.

And true to form, House Republicans aren’t responding to today’s jobs news by announcing plans to pass to jobs legislation. Instead, they’re planning on just wasting more time next week on yet another vote to repeal Obamacare. This obsession with taking away health care from millions of Americans has not ever and will not now create one job. By contrast, the health care sector’s 13,000 new jobs was one of the bright spots in this month’s jobs report.

And it’s not just that Republicans and their failed policies wrecked the economy and now they’re just trying to wait out the clock until November. ThinkProgress’ Jeff Spross outlines five ways the GOP has sabotaged job growth:

1. Filibustering the American Jobs Act. Last October, Senate Republicans killeda jobs billproposed by President Obama that would have pumped $447 billion into the economy. Multiple economic analysts predicted the bill would add around two million jobs and hailed it as defense against a double-dip recession. The Congressional Budget Office also scored it as a net deficit reducer over ten years, and the American public supported the bill.

2. Stonewalling monetary stimulus. The Federal Reserve can do enormous good for a depressed economy through more aggressive monetary stimulus, and by tolerating a temporarily higher level of inflation. But with everything from Ron Paul’s anti-inflationary crusade to Rick Perry threatening to lynch Chairman Ben Bernanke, Republicans have browbeaten the Fed into not going down this path. Most damagingly, the GOP repeatedly held up President Obama’s nominations to the Federal Reserve Board during the critical months of the recession, leaving the board without the institutional clout it needed to help the economy.

3. Threatening a debt default. Even though the country didn’t actually hit its debt ceiling last summer, the Republican threat to default on the United States’ outstanding obligations was sufficient to spook financial markets anddo real damage to the economy.

4. Cutting discretionary spending in the debt ceiling deal. The deal the GOP extracted as the price for avoiding default imposed around $900 billion in cuts over ten years. It included $30.5 billion in discretionary cuts in 2012 alone, costing the country 0.3 percent in economic growth and 323,000 jobs, according to estimates from the Economic Policy Institute. Starting in 2013, the deal will trigger another $1.2 trillion in cuts over ten years.

5. Cutting discretionary spending in the budget deal. While not as cataclysmic as the debt ceiling brinksmanship, Republicans also threatened a shutdown of the government in early 2011 if cuts were not made to that year’s budget. The deal they struck with the White House cut $38 billion from food stamps, health, education, law enforcement, and low-income programs among others, whilesparing defense almost entirely.

And when it comes to Mitt Romney, economists agree that his plans will actually make things worse and could cause another recession.

SOURCE:  

THINK PROGRESS - ECONOMIC SABOTAGE EXPLAINED