HERE NOW – THE NEWS

How Koch Industries Makes Billions Corrupting Government
Lee Fang, Think Progress
The Koch’s Tea Party libertarianism is actually a thin veneer for the company’s long-running history of manipulating the market to pad Koch profits.
http://www.alternet.org/story/150106/how_koch_industries_makes_billions_corrupting_government?akid=6595.9992.FN0iCN&rd=1&t=2

Facebook Will Share Users’ Phone Number, Email and Address with Third Parties
Sarah Seltzer, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/rss/1/510280/facebook_will_share_users%27_phone_number%2C_email_and_address_with_third_parties?akid=6595.9992.FN0iCN&rd=1&t=5

QUOTE OF THE DAY … “Imagine throwing a football with no intention of where you want it to go. Even the best pro quarterbacks would fail with such a handicap. Be clear on your life goals. And visualize hitting your target today.” – Yehuda Berg

Why Don’t Teachers Get the Respect They Deserve?
Ed Schultz, AlterNet & MSNBC
http://www.alternet.org/story/150115/why_don%27t_teachers_get_the_respect_they_deserve_republicans_would_rather_destroy_schools_than_raise_taxes_on_millionaires?akid=6595.9992.FN0iCN&rd=1&t=18

Wisconsin Democrats Launch Recall Effort Against GOP Senators
Sam Stein, Huffpost Reporting
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/02/wisconsin-democrats-recall-effort_n_830395.html

Clarence Thomas Faces Call for His Disbarment in Missouri Supreme Court
Roger Shuler, AlterNet
http://www.alternet.org/newsandviews/article/511275/clarence_thomas_faces_call_for_his_disbarment_in_missouri_supreme_court/#paragraph3

Progressive Dems Issue Open Letter to Cuomo -- OPEN LETTER TO NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATS

February 28, 2011

Dear Fellow Democrats:

We are writing to express concerns about the direction of our party and our state.

As we all know, New York faces serious fiscal problems. We all understand that difficult decisions must be made. As loyal Democrats, we believe that protecting children, seniors, working families and our communities must always be a priority. But the truth in Albany right now is that some of Governor Cuomo's budget policies are neither balanced nor well conceived:

The Governor would make deep cuts in education funding, by abandoning the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case - the hard-won victory that is supposed to ensure fairness in the distribution of school aid and give all children a sound basic education. And furthermore, the Governor would slash health care spending, eliminating prescription drug coverage for two thirds of our seniors through the EPIC program, a program which so many seniors rely on.

At the same time the Governor is taking these and other drastic actions, he wants to give the richest three percent of New Yorkers a massive tax break by allowing the expiration of the "Millionaire's Tax", a tax that would generate $5 billion annually. According to the Governor, this is what it means to be a "new Democrat." According to the Governor, this is the path to becoming "the most progressive state in the nation."

If this is what it means to be a New Democrat, and if this is what it means to be progressive then something is very wrong. We cannot be silent on this matter - not when the Tea Party, the Conservative Party, Republicans and a group of wealthy Wall Street executives are cheering the Governor's policies.

Of course, as we want the new Governor to succeed, we also recognize our duty and obligation to remember what our party has always stood for: fiscal responsibility, fairness, compassion and vision. We have a duty and responsibility to speak out now. To us, the answer is simple. Were it not for the proposed tax break for millionaires - worth $5 billion annually – our fiscal problems would be much less severe. We would still need to reduce spending, but we could lessen the severity of the cuts this year and even more so next year.

We ask that you join us in urging Governor Cuomo and our state lawmakers to extend the existing millionaire's tax as a way of avoiding drastic cuts to schools and health facilities. It is imperative that we protect children and seniors, not millionaires.

Very truly yours,

Robert Jackson, New York City Council Member

Catherine Fahey, 7th Ward, Albany Common Council

Fernando Cabrera, New York City Council Member

Lea Webb, Binghamton City Councilwoman

Margaret Chin, New York City Council Member

Jennifer Fuentes, Alderwoman, 5th Ward, Kingston Common Council

Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York City Council Member

Brad Lander, New York City Council Member

Carrie Andrews, Monroe County Legislator, 21st District (City of Rochester)

Dominick Calsolaro, 1st Ward, Albany Common Council

Connie L. Coker, Deputy Majority Leader, Rockland County Legislature

Edward Collins, Binghamton City Council, District 7

Richard Conti, President Pro Tempore, Council Member, 6th Ward,
Albany Common Council

Henry Conyers, Deputy Mayor of the Village of Hempstead

Inez E. Dickens, New York City Council Member

David Donaldson, Ulster County Legislator

Mathieu Eugene, New York City Council Member

Julissa Ferreras, New York City Council Member

Helen D. Foster, New York City Council Member

Pamela Goddard, Danby Town Clerk

Leah Golby, 10th Ward, Albany Common Council

John Hutchings, Broome County Legislature, District 5

Letitia James, New York City Council Member

Anton Konev, 11th Ward, Albany Common Council

Charles Kramer, Binghamton City Council President, District 6

Willie Joe Lightfoot, Monroe County Legislator, 27th District (City of Rochester)

Carolyn McLaughlin, Council President, Albany Common Council

Darlene Mealy, New York City Council Member

Michael O'Brien, 12th Ward, Albany Common Council

Annabel Palma, New York City Council Member

Martha Robertson, Chair, Tompkins County Legislature

Tony Rosario, Trustee of the Village of Hempstead

Deborah L. Rose, New York City Council Member

James Sano, 9th Ward, Albany Common Council

Larry Seabrook, New York City Council Member

Barbara Smith, 5th Ward, Albany. Common Council

Demone Smith, Buffalo Common Council

Joel Tyner, Dutchess County Legislator

Robert Weslar, Binghamton City Council
Majority Leader, District 1

Shirley Whitlock, Alderwoman, 4th Ward, Kingston Common Council

Jumaane D. Williams, New York City Councilman

Susan Zimet, Ulster County Legislator