I don't understand. We've taken care of all the important people and...

[DuaneBidoux]

companies. Why aren't things going better? In three or four big brush strokes we've removed loads of cash from the hands of working folks and placed it in the hands of a few wealthy. What's wrong? Shouldn't everything be going better if we take care of the really important people?

New Bankruptcy law passes: pulling out a safety net and forcing new multitudes into the equivalent of indentured servitude. Credit card companies such as Bank of America double minimum payment dues, crunching even further families already strapped for cash because of $2.5 a gallon gas. States cut aid to families in need (and Walmart is surprised their sales fall? Jesus what fucking morons). Job growth remains anemic and what there is is in low paying segments of the economy. Health insurance premiums and costs soar, even as incomes at best stagnate for the middle and working class. So let's "fix" social security?

Here is the question: Do Democrats have a visionary like FDR to be there when the Republicans have finally helped the country drive over the cliff? We'd better think of this and have someone--because I'm beginning to get the distinct feeling the time is almost here. Who is charismatic, progressive, no usable baggage by the Rethuglicans that can unite and lead the country toward a new and progressive future once the Republican bulls have finished their work in the American "china shop?"

[Fridays Child]

1. I miss Paul Wellstone.

But I am thankful for Howard Dean who just may be the man to restore this country.

[blogbear]

4. I'm thankful for Howard Dean too!

[MissWaverly]

2. Gentleman, we've hit an iceburg

the Captain says not to worry and that free drinks will be served on the forward deck. The band will play well known hymns.

[Horse with no Name]

3. I still like Lloyd Doggett--a REAL Texan

I wish folks would grasp him.:shrug: He embraces women's rights, he is smart, embraces the environment, fiscally responsible record in Congress...on and on.
I think it will take a Southern candidate to win this election.

http://www.house.gov/doggett/


Biography of Lloyd Doggett

Born, raised, and educated in Austin, Texas
B.B.A. in business, first in his class, The University of Texas at Austin, 1967;
President of University of Texas Student Body
Law Degree, Juris Doctor with Honors, University of Texas, 1970; Associate Editor, Texas Law Review
President, Texas Consumers Association

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SERVICE
Elected to Congress from Texas, November 1994
Member, House Committee on Ways and Means, Health Subcommittee, and Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee
Co-founder, House Information Technology Roundtable
Member, Congressional Task Force on Tobacco and Health
Ranked for past 6 years as a top deficit hawk by the non-partisan Concord Coalition for his commitment to ensuring fiscal responsibility and maintaining a balanced federal budget
Consistently ranked as a top treasury guardian by the independent government watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense, with #1 ranking among House Members in 2002 and 2003
"Elected Public Official of the Year" by the CenTex Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (2004)
"Public Interest Champion" by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (2003)
"Best Elected Official" award by the Austin Chronicle’s annual reader survey (2004). This is the second year in a row Rep. Doggett has received a "Best of Austin" award.
"Friend of the National Parks" by the National Parks Conservation Association for 3 consecutive Congressional sessions (1996-2002)
"Friend of the Earth Award" from Friends of the Earth (2002)
"Award of Appreciation for Outstanding Achievement" from the Sierra Club of Austin for "consistent and tireless dedication to the preservation of the environment" (2000)
Recognized by SafePlace for 20 years of commitment to reducing domestic violence (1997)
Freshman All-Star "by a landslide" in Washingtonian magazine's 1996 Congressional rankings

JUDICIAL SERVICE
Justice, Texas Supreme Court, 1989-1994
Chair, Supreme Court Task Force on Judicial Ethics, 1992-1994
Outstanding Judge in Texas, Mexican-American Bar of Texas, 1993
Adjunct Professor, University of Texas School of Law, 1989-1994
James Madison Award, Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, 1990
First Amendment Award, National Society of Professional Journalists, 1990

TEXAS SENATE SERVICE
Started serving in the Texas State Senate, 1973, at age 26 and served until 1985
Senate author of 124 state laws, and Senate sponsor of 63 House bills enacted into law, including
- Texas Commission on Human Rights to prohibit discrimination in employment;
- Outlawing "Cop Killer" bullets and strengthening Crime Victim Compensation Fund;
- Generic Drug Law to allow the purchase of less expensive "generic drugs";
- Standards for Medicare supplemental insurance policies; and
- Texas Sunset Act, requiring periodic review to modify or abolish ineffective state laws and bureaucracies
Outstanding Young Texan, named by Texas Jaycees
Arthur B. Witty Award for outstanding achievement in human rights, Austin NAACP
Honored by Austin Rape Crisis Center (now SafePlace), Planned Parenthood of Austin; Austin chapter, American Institute of Architects; Austin Council on Alcoholism; and Disabled American Veterans
PERSONAL
Married in 1969 to Libby Belk Doggett, Ph.D., Executive Director, Pre-K-Now (current); Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University Center , Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development (current); Director of HeadsUp! Reading, National Head Start Association (2000-2002); Special Assistant, U.S. Department of Education (1996-2000); Executive Director of The Arc of Texas (1990-1995)
Two daughters -- Lisa, husband Don & Cathy. Lisa and Don are physicians; Cathy is a teacher
Member of the First United Methodist Church

Edited to add:
Doggett Tops Thriftiest List
Budget watchdog group says Austin Democrat has earned a top score for a series of 2003 votes designed to cut federal spending
By Chuck Lindell
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Thursday, July 1, 2004

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, has earned a budget watchdog group's top score for a series of 2003 votes designed to cut federal spending, Taxpayers for Common Sense Action said.

"Most lawmakers have never met a special-interest project they didn't like," said Jill Lancelot, president of the nonpartisan group. "However, Congressman Doggett voted consistently with the taxpayer to cut wasteful spending and rein in out-of-control federal spending."

The group's annual scorecard, which rates House members on 20 votes, rewarded 74 with the title "treasury guardian." The top rating of 85 percent was shared by Doggett and Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash.