December 09, 2008

The economy needs at least a $900 billion boost over the next two years, according to a detailed economic recovery plan (ourfuture.org/mainstreetrecovery) released today by more than a hundred economists and dozens of labor and public interest leaders who represent more than 20 million Americans. Full release

Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today that Congressman Chris Van Hollen of Maryland will serve in an expanded leadership role as Assistant to the Speaker focusing on policy issues and incumbent retention. Van Hollen will also serve a second term as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). The 2008 election cycle was the first time in the history of that a party that won a majority in a wave election went on to win another wave election. Full release

A WorldPublicOpinion.org study of 25 nations worldwide has found a remarkable degree of consensus in support of the principles enunciated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which will celebrate its 60th anniversary on December 10. But there are certain limits -- when presented difficult conditions, such as potential for political instability, publics in a few nations back away from unequivocal support for some rights, though most publics do not. Full release

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) today released the Current Crime Trends Survey, revealing evidence that crimes against retailers are trending upward in correlation with the down economy. The survey examines the observations from 52 of the largest and fastest growing retailers in the US, ranging from grocery, drugstore, and mass merchant to specialty apparel, electronics and appliances, and fabric and craft retail. Focusing on the time period associated with the current economic downturn, the survey seeks to identify corresponding trends in unlawful activity. Full release

Illinois Gov.Rod R. Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff,John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges alleging that they and others are engaging in ongoing criminal activity: conspiring to obtain personal financial benefits for Blagojevich by leveraging his sole authority to appoint a United States Senator; threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical of Blagojevich; and to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions - both historically and now in a push before a new state ethics law takes effect January 1, 2009. Full release

The following is being issued by Norman Traverse, M.D., Editor, HealthMadeEasy.com: Recently there has been a frenzy of articles in the news media about a crisis in our healthcare delivery system. We are told there are 46 million people without health insurance.(1) Because of this believed "crisis" many are calling for immediate government intervention with a nationalized healthcare rescue plan passed within ninety days of President Obama's inauguration. Full release

Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Chairman Barney Frank of the House Financial Services Committee held a press availability in the Capitol late this afternoon on the aid package to the auto industry. Below are the Speaker's opening remarks: "Good afternoon, thank you for joining us. We are, as you know, in conversations about how we go forward with the package for the auto industry that produces, at the end of the day, and that means very soon, a viable plan for our country. It is an interest that is important to our economy, to our industrial base, the workforce concerns that are important to our country. We want to be able to review the performance of the auto companies as we go forward. In order to do that, it is important for us to pass legislation that will set criteria for restructuring and reorganization of that industry and the companies within it." Full release

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