No rest for the weary . . .

[flamin lib]

The Democrats won’t take control of the House and Senate until January 4 but the game is already afoot. In addition to being the first woman to hold that title Speaker Elect Pelosi (Gosh that just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?) plans two things that will set her apart from previous Speakers. One is that she will ask that new ethics provisions be debated one at a time instead of as a package. That will make the system more transparent and because she plans to use freshmen reps to sponsor the provisions it will give them floor experience immediately.

Second, Pelosi has announced that there will be no January recess. It has become tradition for the House to meet January 4, swear in new members and adjourn until the State of the Union Address. Not so this year. Madam Speaker plans to debate and pass a number of bills for the President’s signature before the speech. This means the two day work week for Congress is over. In the last six years the number of hours actually worked by House Representatives has declined to only two full days a week. Not bad for $162,000 a year. The Corporate Pilot’s Union is a bit upset over this as it will curtail the flight time they accrue flying Representatives in on Tuesday and back out the following Thursday.

In other news Pharmaceuticals are jumping through their @$$ trying to hire Democratic lobbyists. One Dem insider got three calls in a single day. They want to make sure the Government doesn't negotiate for volume discounts on Medicare drugs. Improving the cost of Medicare prescriptions is a provision of Pelosi’s First 100-hour Project. The VA has been negotiating with drug companies for years and the very same drugs purchased through the VA cost 40% less than through Medicare. The emphasis is on the Senate where Dems have only a one seat lead. If you have a Democratic Senator, start making phone calls NOW. Remind them that we brought them into the Senate and we can take them out. After the thumpin’ they took the Republicans may pay attention to you as well, so it can’t hurt to call them while the bruises are still tender.

The Lame Duck is still sneaking things under the back door. He made a recess appointment to the Family Planning Office, Eric Keroack. Mr. Keroack doesn't believe in abortion. He also doesn't’t believe in contraception, even for married women. Kinda’ takes the planning out of the family dozen't it?

The Democratic Party may have won a battle but for us here in the trenches the war isn’t over.

[eleny]

1. What's with the pilots???

So they get to fly them out on Thursday or Friday night and fly them back on Sunday. And btw, since when does the Corporate Pilot's Union factor into the business of a nation "at war". Sheesh. Soldiers are dying and the corporate pilots are a "bit upset"? They can just stfu.

[flamin lib]

2. It's a joke and a way to take a stab at lobbyists nt