Jobs – Correct The Record

INSIDE THE GOP ECHO CHAMBER: ALEC SAYS “JUMP,” REPUBLICANS ASK “HOW HIGH?”

correctrecordk — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 23:26:00 +0000

This week, Scott Walker, Ted Cruz and Mike Huckabee will speak at the annual meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a controversial lobbying organization funded by the Koch brothers and other corporate interests.

Walker, Cruz and Huckabee will likely sound like they’re all reading from the same script of bad ideas – sadly, that’s exactly what’s happening. For years, ALEC has proposed the policies that make up the GOP’s failed economic agenda, including opposition to minimum wage increases and reductions in government assistance – one bad idea after another.

While failed economic policies bounce around the GOP’s echo chamber, Hillary Clinton has struck a powerful chord with the American people with her innovative vision of a growth and fairness economy that works for everyone. Walker, Cruz and Huckabee may curry favor with ALEC, but the organization’s policies are not right for our country and the American people expect an economy that lifts people up instead of bringing them down.

Scott Walker:

On minimum wage increases, Walker said:
- The minimum wage is a “lame” idea.
- He doesn’t think the minimum wage “serves a purpose.”
- Raising the minimum wage is a “political grandstanding stunt.”

Walker said that cutting “entitlement programs” like Social Security and Medicare is “something that has to be done.”
Walker pushed for a “sweeping overhaul” of regulations that would make it harder for out-of-work Wisconsinites to obtain unemployment benefits.
Walker signed legislation restricting the collective bargaining rights of both public sector and private sector unions.
Walker repealed a Wisconsin law allowing victims of pay discrimination to seek damages in state courts.

Ted Cruz:

Cruz opposed raising the minimum wage, saying that it would negatively affect young people, Hispanics, and African Americans.
Cruz voted against the Paycheck Fairness Act:
- Not once…
- Not twice…
- But three times.

Mike Huckabee:

Huckabee did not support raising the minimum wage, saying “proposals to raise the minimum wage in several states will not bring prosperity and independence to entry-level workers.” And not raising the minimum wage does what exactly?
When it comes to collective bargaining, Huckabee:
- Supported scaling back the right of public employees to collectively bargain.
- Campaigned in favor of John Kasich’s failed initiative to strip Ohio’s public employees of their collective bargaining rights.

Hillary Clinton vs. Rand Paul on the Issues

correctrecordk — Sun, 12 Apr 2015 05:12:02 +0000

Issue	Rand Paul	Hillary Clinton
LGBT Rights	Rand Paul said that he doesn’t “really believe” in gay rights. “Sen. Rand Paul said he doesn’t buy into the concept of gay rights because they are defined by a gay person’s lifestyle. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever used the word gay rights, because I don’t really believe in rights based on your behavior,’ the Kentucky Republican told reporters in a videotaped interview that has received little attention since it was recorded in 2013. But it’s unclear how far — and to whom — Paul extends the argument that rights cannot be defined by behavior.” [Buzzfeed, 3/31/15]	Hillary Clinton declared that “gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights” to the international community. According to Sec. Clinton’s remarks in recognition of International Human Rights Day in Geneva, Switzerland, “I want to thank Director General Tokayev and Ms. Wyden along with other ministers, ambassadors, excellencies, and UN partners. This weekend, we will celebrate Human Rights Day, the anniversary of one of the great accomplishments of the last century. […] This recognition did not occur all at once. It evolved over time. And as it did, we understood that we were honoring rights that people always had, rather than creating new or special rights for them. Like being a woman, like being a racial, religious, tribal, or ethnic minority, being LGBT does not make you less human. And that is why gay rights are human rights, and human rights are gay rights.” [Remarks in Recognition of International Human Rights Day, state.gov, 12/6/11]
Race and Civil Rights	Rand Paul believed that “good defenders of the First Amendment” should “tolerate” racial discrimination. “INTERVIEWER: But under your philosophy, it would be okay for Dr. King not to be served at the counter at Woolworths? PAUL: I would not go to that Woolworths, and I would stand up in my community and say that it is abhorrent, um, but, the hard part—and this is the hard part about believing in freedom—is, if you believe in the First Amendment, for example—you have too, for example, most good defenders of the First Amendment will believe in abhorrent groups standing up and saying awful things. . . . It’s the same way with other behaviors. In a free society, we will tolerate boorish people, who have abhorrent behavior.” [ThinkProgress, 5/19/10]	Hillary Clinton: “For anyone to assert that race is not a problem in America is to deny the reality in front of our very eyes.” “In the first presidential debate designed to focus on minority issues, the Democratic contenders aggressively sought to outmuscle one another on the topics of race and poverty and derided yesterday’s Supreme Court decision banning most affirmative action in public schools… ‘You can look at this stage and see an African American, a Latino, a woman contesting for the presidency of the United States,’ Clinton said. ‘But there is so much left to be done, and for anyone to assert that race is not a problem in America is to deny the reality in front of our very eyes.’” [Washington Post, 6/29/07]
Minimum Wage	Rand Paul opposes increasing the minimum wage. “Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio oppose the president’s plan to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 from the $7.25 it’s at now. But should the federal government set a minimum wage at all? […] The line drew big applause but didn’t answer the question—which Karl tried to call him on. So should there be any minimum wage? Paul said, ‘Minimum wage is only harmful when it’s above the market wage.’” [Bloomberg, 1/26/15]	Hillary Clinton cosponsored the Fair Minimum Wage Act five times in the Senate. Hillary Clinton sponsored the Fair Minimum Wage Act five times in the Senate. Although she opposed the Iraq funding bill it was folded into, Clinton cosponsored the original version of the Fair Minimum Wage Act that increased the minimum wage for the first time in ten years, from $5.85 to $7.25 an hour. [S. 277, 2/7/01; S. 20, 1/7/03; S. 2370, 4/20/04; S. 1062, 5/18/05; S. 2, 1/4/07]
Climate Change	Rand Paul claimed that the science behind climate change was “not conclusive.” “Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said in a recent interview that the science behind climate change is ‘not conclusive,’ calling people who tie extreme weather to a changing climate ignorant.” [The Hill, 4/23/14]	Hillary Clinton called climate change the “most consequential, urgent, sweeping collection of challenges we face as a nation and world.” “Climate change is the ‘most consequential, urgent, sweeping collection of challenges we face as a nation and world,’ Clinton said at the National Clean Energy Summit 7.0 in Nevada. ‘The data is unforgiving no matter what the deniers try to assert.’” [The Hill, 9/4/14]
Iran Letter	Rand Paul was one of 47 GOP senators that signed an open letter to Iranian leadership attacking a potential nuclear deal with Iran. “The letter, signed by 47 GOP senators including Paul, warned that without congressional approval, any deal between President Obama and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, could be easily reversed. ‘The next president could revoke such an executive agreement with the stroke of a pen,’ they wrote, ‘and future Congresses could modify the terms of the agreement at any time.’” [CBS News, 3/16/15]	Hillary Clinton slammed Republican Senators for undermining American leadership by sending an open letter to Iran’s leaders. In a tweet, Hillary Clinton wrote, “GOP letter to Iranian clerics undermines American leadership. No one considering running for commander-in-chief should be signing on.” [3/11/15, 3:11 p.m. EDT]
Medicare	Rand Paul introduced legislation “that would end traditional Medicare.” “A group of Senate Republicans has introduced legislation that would end traditional Medicare and sign seniors up for the same private healthcare plans received by members of Congress. The ‘Congressional Health Care for Seniors Act’ would allow seniors to choose from the array of plans currently offered to the four million federal employees and their dependents in the Federal Employee Health Benefit program, starting in 2014. It would also gradually increase the eligibility age for Medicare from 65 to 70 over a 20-year period. The bill was introduced Thursday by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). South Carolina Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint are co-sponsors, along with Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).” [The Hill, 3/15/12]	Hillary Clinton believed that Medicare was “part of a fair deal that our country has established between working and retired Americans.” “Those of us who support Medicare believe it is part of a fair deal that our country has established between working and retired Americans. Now this Administration and the Republican Leadership want to abandon this tradition. They want to get rid of Medicare instead of making it stronger.” [Senator Clinton press release, 3/13/03 (via archive.org)]
Medicare Eligibility	Rand Paul supported raising the Medicare eligibility age to 70. “In addition to letting Medicare seniors join the same excellent health care plan enjoyed by Members of Congress and federal employees, Dr. Paul proposes raising the Medicare retirement age from 65 to 70, very gradually, over a generation.” [FreedomWorks, 3/15/12]	Hillary Clinton supported allowing Americans aged 50 to 65 to “buy into Medicare.” “We also need to allow people between 50 and 65 to buy into Medicare. Many of them retire early or many of them lose their health insurance and they’re left waiting until they can be eligible for Medicare.” [Senator Clinton speech at the Economic Club of Chicago, 4/11/06 (via archive.org)]
Employee Non-Discrimination Act	Rand Paul voted against the Employee Non-Discrimination Act. In November 2013, Paul voted against the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, legislation that would prohibit employers from “engaging in employment discrimination on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.” [S. 815, 4/25/13]	Hillary Clinton repeatedly cosponsored the Employment Non-Discrimination Act to prevent employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. In the Senate, Hillary Clinton was an original cosponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2002 and 2003 to prevent employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Hillary Clinton has said it is “inconceivable to me that people who work hard and do a good job every day can still be fired because of who they love. It’s unfair, it’s un-American, and I will put a stop to it once and for all.” [S.1284, 7/31/01; S.1705, 10/2/03; Human Rights Campaign 2008 Presidential Questionnaire]
Same-Sex Marriage	Rand Paul lamented the “moral crisis that allows people to think that there would be some sort of other marriage” in addition to “traditional” marriage. “At a prayer breakfast in Washington, D.C. on Thursday morning, Rand Paul practiced pandering. The senator from Kentucky will announce that he is running for president in less than two weeks, and it seems the pressure to be all things to all people is resulting in the breakdown of his political brand, with the latest example being his newly articulated position on marriage. He conceded to the evangelical crowd, which included Dr. Jerry Johnson, CEO of the National Religious Broadcasters, that there is a ‘moral crisis in our country’ and more specifically, ‘a moral crisis that allows people to think that there would be some sort of other marriage’ in addition to heterosexual, or ‘traditional,’ marriage.” [Daily Beast, 3/28/15]	Hillary Clinton: “I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples.” Secretary Hillary Clinton: “LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones, and they are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage. That’s why I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law.” [Human Rights Campaign, 3/18/13]
Violence Against Women Act	Rand Paul voted against reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. “Why it matters: Ryan is one of three current members of Congress frequently mentioned as a potential 2016 presidential candidate. The other two — Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) — both voted against reauthorizing VAWA, citing a preference that such decisions be made locally.” [Washington Post, 2/28/13; Senate roll call vote 19, 2/12/13]	Hillary Clinton cosponsored the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. “Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today hailed the unanimous approval by the US Senate of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization. VAWA expired on Saturday, October 1st and the reauthorization bill will now ensure that the critical programs authorized by VAWA continue. Senator Clinton was a co-sponsor of the bill, S. 1197. ‘The Violence Against Women Act focuses resources and attention on some of the most vulnerable women in our society — women who too often suffer in silence,’ said Senator Clinton. ‘I am so pleased that by passing this bill, the Senate finally reaffirmed its commitment to helping prevent and cope with domestic abuse.’” [Senator Clinton press release, 10/5/05; S. 1197, 6/8/05]
Abortion and “Personhood”	Rand Paul sponsored an anti-abortion “personhood” bill that could outlaw forms of emergency contraceptives. “Paul, a likely Republican presidential candidate, sponsored an anti-abortion bill in 2013 that defines life as beginning at fertilization. Democrats say the so-called ‘Personhood’ measure would outlaw Plan B and other emergency contraceptives.” [CNN, 9/30/14; S. 583, 3/14/13]	Hillary Clinton derided “personhood” legislation as efforts to “outlaw common forms of birth control and ban abortions even in cases of rape or incest.” “Clinton also hit hard on raising the minimum wage, saying it’s a ‘pro-family’ issue — and offered a full-throated defense of legal abortion. ‘Women’s rights are the canary in the mine. If you don’t protect women’s rights here at home and around the world, everybody’s rights are lost,’ she said. ‘You have to ask yourself, do you want a senator who will always defend a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions and won’t ever shame or judge a woman for decisions that are complex and deeply personal, or do you want a senator who will push so-called ‘personhood’ laws that would outlaw common forms of birth control and ban abortions even in cases of rape or incest?’” [The Hill, 10/25/14]
Unemployment Insurance	Rand Paul opposed extending unemployment insurance for out-of-work Americans. “Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said Sunday he opposes extending unemployment benefits for workers, arguing that it would be a ‘disservice’ to jobless individuals. ‘I do support unemployment benefits for the 26 weeks that they’re paid for. If you extend it beyond that, you do a disservice to these workers,’ he said in an interview on ‘Fox News Sunday.’” [Huffington Post, 12/8/13; Senate roll call vote 24, 2/6/14]	Hillary Clinton continuously fought to extend unemployment insurance for U.S. workers. Hillary Clinton repeatedly supported legislative efforts to extend unemployment assistance for out-of-work Americans throughout her Senate career. [S. 3009, 9/26/02; S. 225, 1/28/03;S. 1708, 10/2/03; S. 2006, 1/20/04; S. 2544, 1/22/08; S. 3507, 9/17/08]
Planned Parenthood	Rand Paul voted to defund Planned Parenthood. “Rand Paul has previously voted to defund Planned Parenthood and said he would “stop the flow of tax dollars to groups who perform or advocate for abortion.” Marco Rubio joined Paul in the vote to defund the health provider, and has made no secret of his plans to further restrict access.” [Salon, 2/27/15; Senate roll call vote 60, 4/14/11]	Hillary Clinton believed that the “overarching mission of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America…is as relevant in our world now as it was 100 years ago.” “It was a great privilege when I was told that I would receive this award,” said U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in accepting the award. “It’s part of a movement which is about economic and political progress for all women and girls. It’s about making sure that every woman and girl everywhere has the opportunity she deserves to fulfill her potential, the potential as a mother, worker and human being. The overarching mission of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the cause of reproductive freedom that you continue to advance today is as relevant in our world now as it was 100 years ago. So, I thank you.” [Planned Parenthood news release, 5/14/14]
Social Security	Rand Paul called Social Security “a Ponzi scheme” and supported efforts to privatize the program. “In the late 1990s, Paul — then a simple ophthalmologist and president of Kentucky Taxpayers United — appeared on several episodes ‘Kentucky Tonight,’ a roundtable-style show on public television. He talked about the elderly dying at the hands of Medicare rationing; the need to privatize Social Security, which he called ‘a Ponzi scheme;’ and the rights of the government to invest in racist companies.” [Talking Points Memo, 7/12/10]	Hillary Clinton: “When I am president, privatizing Social Security will certainly not be even discussed.” “I don’t think there’s any doubt that we’ve got to fight and finally bury the idea of privatizing Social Security. It is one of those bad ideas that deserve to be totally buried. When I am president, privatizing Social Security will certainly not be even discussed. I reject the view of President Bush and others who have given large tax cuts to the wealthiest, failed to crack down on offshore tax dodgers, and handed out no-bid contracts to companies like Halliburton, and then insisted that we needed to cut benefits to middle-class retirees.” [Senator Clinton speech on Retirement Security, 10/9/07 (via archive.org)]
Social Security Retirement Age	Rand Paul sought to raise the Social Security retirement age. “During my time in Congress, I have worked on proposals that would fully fix the shortfall in the Social Security program through a gradual increase in the age of full retirement and by means testing yearly earnings, while preserving those benefits for near and current retirees. These changes would only apply to younger Americans who have time to plan for the future.” [Office of Senator Rand Paul, accessed 11/19/14]	Hillary Clinton: “Raising the retirement age isn’t the answer” to preserving Social Security. “Let me start with calling for a renewed national commitment to Social Security, this is the most successful domestic program in the history of the United States. And you don’t have to worry, when I’m president, privatization is off the table, because it does not answer anything. From my perspective cutting benefits is not the answer, raising the retirement age isn’t the answer, we need to get back to the fiscal responsibilities that we had in the 1990s where we weren’t raiding the social security trust fund anymore. When my husband left office, we had a secure Social Security system until 2055, and now all of the sudden the Bush administration took us back into deficits we lost 14 years off the solvency of the Social Security trust fund in the last six and a half years.” [NBC News, 9/4/07]
Gun Control	Rand Paul opposed any legislation enacting new restrictions in gun ownership. According to a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, signed by Sens. Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ted Cruz, “The Second Amendment to the Constitution protects citizens’ right to self-defense. It speaks to history’s lesson that government cannot in in all places at all times, and history’s warning about the oppression of a government that tries. We will oppose the motion to proceed to any legislation that will serve as a vehicle for any additional gun restrictions.” [United States Senate Letter – Signed by Sen. Rand Paul, 3/22/13]	Hillary Clinton voted to extend the Assault Weapons ban and cosponsored legislation to require background checks at gun shows. Sen. Clinton voted for a ten-year extension of the ban on assault weapons. Senator Clinton cosponsored legislation requiring background checks for firearms purchases at gun shows and from unlicensed dealers. “Senator Clinton is an original co-sponsor of legislation introduced by Senator Jack Reed, to require criminal background checks on individuals who purchase firearms at gun shows from unlicensed dealers. Currently, unlicensed dealers at gun shows are able to skirt the background checks that are required of licensed gun dealers under the Brady Law. This law — which requires licensed gun dealers to conduct background checks of potential purchasers in order to prevent felons, fugitives and stalkers from buying firearms — has resulted in approximately 536,000 criminals or other prohibited purchasers being denied access to firearms.” [Senator Clinton press release, 4/24/01 (via archive.org); S. 767, 4/24/01; Senate roll call vote 24, 3/2/04]
Universal Health Insurance Coverage	Rand Paul compared the “right to health care” to slavery. “A hearing of the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging looked at emergency room use and took an odd turn Wednesday when Sen. Rand Paul compared the ‘right to health care’ to slavery. ‘With regard to the idea whether or not you have a right to health care you have to realize what that implies. I am a physician. You have a right to come to my house and conscript me. It means you believe in slavery. You are going to enslave not only me but the janitor at my hospital, the person who cleans my office, the assistants, the nurses. … You are basically saying you believe in slavery,’ said Paul (R-Ky.), who is an ophthalmologist.” [Politico, 5/11/11]	Hillary Clinton was “committed to providing quality affordable health care for every American.” “I remain committed to providing quality affordable health care for every American. Now, some people might say, well, Senator, didn’t you try that before, you know, back in 1993 and 1994? And I did. I worked at my husband’s request to try to see if we could do what was necessary to create a system that everybody could be part of. And we were not successful, and we made a bunch of mistakes, and I’ve learned from all of that. And I have the scars to show what we went through.” [Senator Clinton campaign Let the Conversation Begin webcast, 1/22/07 (via archive.org)]
Net Neutrality	Rand Paul opposes net neutrality. “No Republican presidential contender has done more at this stage to woo Silicon Valley and the tech community than Rand Paul has. […] But besides his party label, there’s one problem with Paul’s message when it comes to winning over this traditionally Democratic-leaning community – he opposes net neutrality.” [NBC News, 4/6/15]	Hillary Clinton cosponsored legislation to protect net neutrality. Hillary Clinton repeatedly cosponsored the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, legislation that she stated would “ensure that open, unimpaired and unencumbered Internet access for both its users and content providers is preserved.” In a statement released announcing her support of the 2006 version of the bill, Hillary Clinton affirmed that efforts “to fundamentally alter the inherently democratic structure of the Internet must be rejected.” [S. 2917, 5/19/06; S. 215, 1/9/07]
Foreign Policy	Rand Paul promoted “an isolationist foreign policy that some in his own party have criticized.” “At each event, Paul shared his vision for the country, which includes an isolationist foreign policy that some in his own party have criticized. Paul says government’s reach needs to be scaled back domestically as well, and was quick to slam President Barack Obama on the country’s current hot topic — immigration.” [NBC News, 8/5/14]	Hillary Clinton supported a foreign policy of “reaching out to both friends and adversaries, to bolster old alliances and to forge new ones.” “Smart power requires reaching out to both friends and adversaries, to bolster old alliances and to forge new ones. That means strengthening the alliances that have stood the test of time— especially with our NATO partners and our allies in Asia. Our alliance with Japan is a cornerstone of American policy in Asia, essential to maintaining peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, and based on shared values and mutual interests. We also have crucial economic and security partnerships with South Korea, Australia, and other friends in ASEAN. We will build on our economic and political partnership with India, the world’s most populous democracy and a nation with growing influence in the world.” [Nomination Hearing to be Secretary of State, state.gov, 1/13/09]
Foreign Aid	Rand Paul proposed a budget to cut all United States foreign aid. “I go to a tea party, and you know what they say to me? ‘It’s not enough. It’s not enough. Where’s the other trillion you need?’ Paul said. He’s offered his own budget plan that would cut spending by $500 billion this year, including an end to all foreign aid and a dramatic reduction to the U.S. Department of Education’s budget.” [Politico, 2/4/11]	Hillary Clinton: “Americans should take pride” in our contributions to international development, “which have not only helped humanity but have also helped our nation project our values and strengthen our leadership in the world.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “In the international development business, it’s easy to get frustrated and fatalistic. But step back and look at the sweep of history, and you realize just how remarkable our country’s contributions have been. Just in my lifetime the United States has helped eradicate smallpox and reduce polio and malaria. We helped save millions of lives through immunizations, life-saving treatment for AIDS, and oral rehydration therapy that greatly reduced the deaths of infants and children. We helped educate millions of young people and provided significant support to once impoverished countries that have flourished and become generous donors themselves, such as South Korea. Americans should take pride in these achievements, which have not only helped humanity but have also helped our nation project our values and strengthen our leadership in the world.” [Hard Choices, pg. 544, 2014]
Aid to Israel	Rand Paul said he would support ending all foreign aid to Israel. According to a transcript of an interview with Rand Paul on CNN, “PAUL: Well, I think what you have to do is you have to look. When you send foreign aid, you actually quite a bit to Israel’s enemies, Islamic nations around Israel get quite a bit of foreign aid, too. BLITZER: Egypt gets almost the same amount? PAUL: Almost the same amount so really you have to ask yourself, are we funding an arms race on both sides? I have a lot of sympathy and respect for Israel as a democratic nation, as a, you know, a fountain of piece and a fountain of democracy within the Middle East. But at the same time, I don’t think funding both sides of the arm race, particularly when we have to borrow the money from China to send it to someone else. We just can’t do it anymore. The debt is all consuming and it threatens our well being as a country. BLITZER: All right, so just to be precise, end all foreign aid including the foreign aid to Israel as well. Is that right? PAUL: Yes.” [CNN, 1/26/11]	Upon taking office, Hillary Clinton and Pres. Obama immediately “got to work expanding security cooperation and investing in key joint defense projects” in Israel, “including Iron Dome.” In her book Hard Choices, Secretary Clinton wrote, “For years, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, the United States had been committed to helping Israel maintain a ‘qualitative military edge’ over every competitor in the region. President Obama and I wanted to take it to the next level. Right away, we got to work expanding security cooperation and investing in key joint defense projects, including Iron Dome, a short-range missile defense system to help protect Israeli cities and homes from rockets.” [Hard Choices, pg. 306, 2014]
Card Check/EFCA	Rand Paul opposed Card Check legislation. “After spending an estimated $1 BILLION to re-elect Barack Obama and maintain control of the U.S. Senate, the union bosses expect PAYBACK. And they’re wasting no time demanding passage of the Card Check Forced Unionism Bill as payback. If ‘Card Check’ passes, it will strip workers of the secret ballot so union thugs can intimidate workers one-on-one — or three-on-one — into signing so-called ‘union authorization cards.’ That’s why it’s vital you sign the petition below DEMANDING your Congressman and Senators OPPOSE Big Labor’s Card Check Forced Unionism Bill.” [National Right to Work Committee – Letter from Sen. Rand Paul, accessed 9/25/14]	Hillary Clinton pledged to “be the president who signs the Employee Free Choice Act” and cosponsored the Employee Free Choice Act of 2007. “Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today joined thousands of workers in calling for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. The bill, cosponsored by Senator Clinton, will strengthen workers’ right to organize. […] The Employee Free Choice Act would level the playing field between workers and employers by: Permitting workers to form a union through ‘majority sign-up,’ a process in which workers present signed authorization cards as demonstration of their choice to belong to a union; Requiring mediation and arbitration to help employers and employees reach a first contract in a reasonable period of time; and Strengthening penalties against employers who violate the labor laws.” [Democratic presidential debate, 8/7/07; Senator Clinton campaign press release, 6/19/07 (via archive.org); S.1041, 3/29/07]
Hobby Lobby	Rand Paul said that the hobby lobby decision was “in favor of religious freedom” and that it meant “all Americans can stay true to their faith without fear of big government intervention or punishment.” According to a press release from the office of Senator Rand Paul, “‘Today, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of religious freedom by taking a stand with Hobby Lobby. Religious liberty will remain intact and all Americans can stay true to their faith without fear of big government intervention or punishment,’ Sen. Paul said. ‘Our nation was founded on the principle of freedom, and with this decision, America will continue to serve as a safe haven for those looking to exercise religious liberty.’” [Press Release, Office of Senator Rand Paul, 6/30/14 (via archive.org)]	Hillary Clinton said the Hobby Lobby decision was “troubling.” “Hard-working women will pay the price for today’s two troubling #SCOTUS decisions — in wages, health care & dignity.” [6/30/14, 6:34 p.m. EDT]
Loretta Lynch	Rand Paul opposes Loretta Lynch’s nomination for Attorney General. “Sen. Rand Paul is opposing Loretta Lynch’s nomination for attorney general, saying her support for President Barack Obama’s immigration actions ‘rides roughshod on our Constitutional rights.’ The Kentucky Republican becomes the second of his party’s 2016 presidential contenders to publicly oppose Lynch’s confirmation as Eric Holder’s replacement as head of the Justice Department, joining Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.” [CNN, 2/5/15]	Sec. Clinton called Loretta Lynch a “great nominee” and condemned the blocking of her confirmation vote. “Partisan tensions rose in the days after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told CNN he would not schedule a vote for Lynch until an otherwise bipartisan human trafficking bill — stalled over an abortion provision opposed by most Democrats — passes the chamber. […] Even likely Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton weighed in, saying in a pair of tweets: ‘Congressional trifecta against women today: 1) Blocking great nominee, 1st African American woman AG, for longer than any AG in 30 years……2) Playing politics with trafficking victims… 3) Threatening women’s health & rights.’” [CNN, 3/17/15]

Hillary Clinton: Fighting for America’s Workers

correctrecordk — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 19:04:43 +0000

“This is the country where if you work hard, you can make it. And each generation is supposed to have it a little better than the one before.” – Hillary Clinton, 10/23/14

Opposing outsourcing.

Hillary Clinton called for eliminating “any tax break that promotes or rewards outsourcing,” and she suggested a plan to close those loopholes in the U.S. tax code. She also proposed a new tax credit called the Insourcing Markets Tax Credit to boost investment in communities across America hurt by international trade and technology. Hillary voted in support of legislation that discouraged outsourcing in the private sector, and she also voted to restrict federal agencies from outsourcing work.

Giving workers family and sick leave.

Hillary Clinton proposed a $1 billion per year innovation fund to encourage states to develop family leave and paid leave policies and repeatedly cosponsored legislation to provide seven paid sick days a year to American workers. President Obama called for similar actions in his 2015 State of the Union Address, noting that he would be “taking new action to help states adopt paid leave laws of their own” and calling on Congress to “Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to earn seven days of paid sick leave.” Hillary also called for providing paid parental leave to all federal employees, an action President Obama has taken steps on with a recent Presidential Memorandum.

Spurring advanced manufacturing jobs.

Hillary Clinton introduced bills to bring new manufacturing technology to small and medium-sized businesses. She called for doubling the funding for Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, public-private partnerships that help manufacturers, and proposed expanding them to focus on renewable energy. Hillary worked across the aisle to challenge the Bush Administration’s cuts to these partnerships and she also cofounded the bipartisan Senate Manufacturing Caucus.

Standing against unfair Chinese trade practices.

Hillary Clinton voted in support of authorizing action on Chinese imports if the Chinese government did not reform its currency practices. She also urged the U.S. International Trade Commission to crack down on Chinese metals sold in the U.S. at unfairly low prices, noting that if industrial companies “do not receive appropriate relief from the impact of unfair foreign trade practices, the situations for these companies, and for working men and women, will only grow worse.”

Expanding job training opportunities for workers.

Hillary Clinton has praised the idea of a “national skills corporation” to focus American efforts on job training, and in 2007 she called for doubling the funding for job training programs for workers displaced by international competition. Hillary also introduced bills to create “Regional Skills Alliances” to bring together local businesses, governments educational institutions and labor organizations to collaborate on new programs to train workers for modern technology jobs.

Protecting worker compensation.

Hillary Clinton cosponsored legislation to expand protections for worker’s pensions and cosponsored bills to protect overtime pay for working Americans. Fighting alongside her Senate colleagues against the Bush Administration’s efforts to cut overtime pay for millions of workers, she said on the Senate floor, “I have yet to hear a compelling reason that some workers currently eligible for overtime should lose that eligibility.” Hillary also cosponsored legislation to strengthen the law requiring employers to give workers advance notice before mass layoffs are announced.

Fighting for steel and mine workers.

Hillary Clinton cosponsored legislation to strengthen safety protections for coal miners and she proposed expanding the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)’s power to penalize companies that violate mine safety laws. Hillary also cosponsored bills to secure health care coverage for laid off and retired steelworkers. Describing the 2002 legislation, Senator Rockefeller (D-W.V.) said it would provide “desperately needed medical care to retirees whose companies have been forced out of business by imports.”

Helping Americans save for the future.

In 2007 Hillary Clinton proposed giving all workers the opportunity to easily save for the future in portable “American Retirement Accounts.” Workers would be able to keep this retirement account with them if they changed jobs and the plan would allow workers to save up to $5,000 a year on a tax-deferred basis. Workers could choose how they want to invest the savings and they would be able to tap into the savings penalty-free for major life investments like college, buying a home, and retirement. The Washington Post editorial board noted that Hillary’s plan was “the boldest of the campaign to address this troubling situation.”

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Hillary Clinton: Women’s Economic Empowerment

correctrecordk — Tue, 26 Aug 2014 17:35:59 +0000

Sec. Clinton championed women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and investment in women’s economic potential.

As Hillary Clinton states in Hard Choices, creating opportunity for women and girls throughout the world “directly supports everyone’s security and prosperity, and should be part of our diplomacy and development work.” As Secretary of State, she followed through on a lifetime of championing women’s causes by expanding women’s economic prospects, initiating programs dedicated to entrepreneurship around the world. Through international partnerships, Sec. Clinton elevated women’s political and economic prospects and raised women’s issues “at all international economic forums.”

Elevated Political and Economic Empowerment for Women and Girls

Sec. Clinton worked “to raise women’s issues at all international economic forums.”

According to an op-ed by former Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer in the Christian Science Monitor, “Clinton worked to raise women’s issues at all international economic forums – from APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) to the G20 to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). She launched regional networking and training programs for women entrepreneurs and formed many robust public-private partnerships to promote women’s economic empowerment.” [Melanne Verveer, Christian Science Monitor, 3/8/13]

Sec. Clinton told delegates of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Women and the Economy Summit that empowering women meant a stronger, more stable world economy.

According to San Jose Mercury News, “Empowering women means a stronger, more stable world economy, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday to the largest diplomatic gathering in the Bay Area since the United Nations charter was signed here in 1945. And although the past half-century has seen tremendous progress, there’s still much to be done to ensure women have the opportunity, information, resources and legal rights they need for economic success, Clinton told delegates to the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Women and the Economy Summit.” [San Jose Mercury News, 9/16/11]

Sec. Clinton: “The United States is committed to advancing opportunities for women as entrepreneurs and business leaders.”

According to video remarks at an event for the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Sec. Clinton said, “Businesses owned by women make considerable contributions to national economies. But too often, their growth is limited by unfair barriers. The United States is committed to advancing opportunities for women as entrepreneurs and business leaders. We view it as both a moral and strategic imperative for the 21st century. That’s why we are helping women entrepreneurs with business training and mentoring; and support policies that improve women’s access to finance, technology, and networks.” [Remarks at OECD Event on Women’s Entrepreneurship, state.gov, 11/1/11]

Created Programs to Achieve Greater Empowerment for Women

Sec. Clinton launched the Equal Futures Partnership to fight for women’s political and economic empowerment.

According to a White House fact sheet on the Equal Futures Partnership, “A growing body of evidence shows that women’s political and economic empowerment are critical to fostering international peace and security, growing vibrant market economies, and supporting open and accountable governance. Recognizing that no country can realize its potential if half its population cannot reach theirs, President Obama issued a challenge before the United Nations General Assembly in September 2011 to break down barriers to women’s political and economic empowerment. […] In response to this challenge, on September 24, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched the Equal Futures Partnership on behalf of the United States along with 12 other founding members (Australia, Benin, Bangladesh, Denmark, Finland, Indonesia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Peru, Senegal, and Tunisia; as well as the European Union).” [“Fact Sheet: The Equal Futures Partnership to Expand Women’s Political and Economic Participation,” whitehouse.gov, 9/24/12]

Under Sec. Clinton, the Asian-Pacific partners of APEC agreed to the “San Francisco Declaration,” an agreement to take concrete actions to realize the full economic potential of women.

In 2011, Secretary Clinton brought together representatives from APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) nations to agree to the “San Francisco Declaration.” The Declaration stated, “We, APEC ministers and senior government officials, along with private sector leaders, met in San Francisco, California, September 16, 2011 for the High Level Policy Dialogue on Women and the Economy, under the Chairmanship of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. […] In 2011 and beyond, APEC economies will take concrete actions to realize the full potential of women, integrate them more fully into APEC economies, harness their talents, remove barriers that restrict women’s full economic participation, and maximize their contributions towards economic growth.” In 2012, Sec. Clinton traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia, where she “led the U.S. Delegation to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Women and the Economy Forum (WEF). During this event, participants focused on leadership and skills and capacity building, two main areas of the San Francisco Declaration on decreasing barriers to women’s economic participation, as they relate to innovation, STEM, entrepreneurship, and healthy lifestyles.” [APEC.org, 9/16/11; state.gov, 6/30/12]

Sec. Clinton’s Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society project brought activists in the Middle East and North Africa together to discuss “how to further women’s political and economic engagement.”

According to a press release from the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, “Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer arrived on a four-day visit to Jordan today. While in Amman, Ambassador Verveer will host a regional convening of the Working Group on Women’s Empowerment. Under Secretary Clinton’s Strategic Dialogue with Civil Society, the Working Group brings together activists from across the Middle East and North Africa to discuss how to further women’s political and economic engagement in the region.” [U.S. Embassy Jordan, 6/24/12]

Promoted Women’s Entrepreneurship around the World

Sec. Clinton launched WEAmericas to help women in Latin America and the Caribbean start and grow small businesses.

According to a State Department fact sheet on WEAmericas, “Recognizing that investing in women is not only the right thing, but also the smart thing, President Obama announced and Secretary Clinton launched the Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Americas (WEAmericas) initiative at the Summit of the Americas in April 2012. WEAmericas leverages public-private partnerships to increase women’s economic participation in Latin America and the Caribbean by reducing barriers women often confront in starting and growing SMEs: access to training and networks, access to markets, and access to finance.” [“Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Americas (WEAmericas),” state.gov, 10/12/12]

Sec. Clinton’s State Department created the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program to “provide women with the tools and skills” to implement the African Growth and Opportunity Act.

According to a State Department report on women’s and girls’ issues, “In conjunction with the 2010 AGOA Ministerial (African Growth and Opportunity Act), the Department created the African Women’s Entrepreneurship Program to provide women with the tools and skills they need to more successfully implement AGOA and its benefits for building businesses and markets. The Department secured $200,000 from Exxon-Mobil to fund follow-up entrepreneurship training to support building businesses.” [“Sidebar on Women’s and Girls’ Issues,” state.gov, 11/15/10]

Under Sec. Clinton’s leadership, the Invest for the Future program focused on improving women’s entrepreneurship and economic situations across Southern and Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

According to the Invest for the Future website, “The Invest for the Future program was initiated by the US Department of State under the leadership of Secretary of State, [Hillary] Clinton and Global Ambassador-at-large for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer. IFTF was conceptualized to focus on improving the economic situation for women across Southern and Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Through a series of events it brought together women entrepreneurs, educators, policy-makers, and civil society leaders to foster development and overcome barriers to fully realize the promise of gender equality and ‘smart economics’, as investing in women profits all of society.” [Invest for the Future, accessed 2/4/14]

Sec. Clinton founded the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council with American University and the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America “to promote economic opportunities for women in Pakistan.”

In her remarks at the Equal Futures Partnership launch, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, “I’m pleased to announce that the State Department and American University, along with the Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs of North America and our counterparts in Pakistan, are founding the U.S.-Pakistan Women’s Council to promote economic opportunities for women in Pakistan. The Council will connect businesses, universities, and individual donors in both the United States and Pakistan. And I’m very pleased that Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States is here with us today.” [Remarks at the Equal Futures Partnership Launch, state.gov, 9/24/12]

Sec. Clinton held a conference for women entrepreneurs through the Pathways to Prosperity program.

According to her remarks at the Pathways to Prosperity Women Entrepreneurs Conference, Sec. Clinton said, “Part of what we are trying to do here in the State Department with all of you is to make the case that empowering women is a key to progress and prosperity and peace. Bringing together the mentors and the entrepreneurs is one way of creating even more support for all of you in business to be able to spread the benefits of women taking leadership roles. I’ve heard about some of the work that you are doing in your own lives, and I am very touched by the courage and the commitment that so many of you have already shown.” [Remarks at the Pathways to Prosperity Women Entrepreneurs Conference, state.gov, 10/9/09]

Hillary Clinton: Protecting The Environment

correctrecordk — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 14:58:23 +0000

“For this generation of Americans, climate change is our Space Race. It is our home-front mobilization during World War II and it is our response to the Great Depression. According to studies, the negative economic consequences of climate change will affect every part of our country, virtually every sector of our economy, and strain our local governments, cost jobs, and extract a horrific human toll.”

Hillary Clinton remarks, Council on Foreign Relations, 11/5/07

Secretary of State

Secretary Clinton appointed the first Special Envoy on climate change.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton named the first State Department Special Envoy on climate change. The appointment sent “an unequivocal message that the United States will be energetic, focused, strategic and serious” in addressing climate change. The Special Envoy would be “a lead participant” in the development of climate and clean energy policy.

Secretary Clinton launched the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas.

In 2010, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton launched the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) to fill “a critical niche” on climate and energy issues. Over the following two years, the United States and other governments “cooperated on 40 ongoing and completed ECPA initiatives.” These initiatives addressed sustainable energy in the Caribbean; energy security in Central America; advancing sustainable biomass energy; working with the Peace Corps to advance renewable energy; having American scientists consult with governments on energy programs and education; and promoting use of shale gas. Both the State Department and USAID partnered with countries and organizations like NASA to address energy and environmental concerns.

Secretary Clinton promoted the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves to reduce pollution and improve health.

Secretary Clinton announced the creation of the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves, a “public-private partnership… that will work toward the goal of 100 million homes adopting new clean stoves and fuels by 2020.” Smoke from dirty cookstoves “contains greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane” and contributes to climate change. Secretary Clinton wanted to reduce the millions of deaths each year from breathing “black carbon soot” coming from dirty cookstoves, cars, and the burning of waste. The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves helped slow down environmental degradation from “cutting down of trees and using charcoal for fuel for cooking.”

Secretary Clinton launched 11 EcoPartnerships with China.

Under Secretary Clinton, the State Department had 11 EcoPartnership agreements with China. The partnerships shared best practices on “preventing air pollution, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, protecting water resources, developing technology for electric vehicles, increasing energy efficiency, and safeguarding natural habitats.” Through the EcoPartnerships, American state, local, and private sector organizations developed “mutually beneficial” solutions to promote energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in both countries.

Senate

Senator Clinton fought to preserve America’s natural heritage and environmental quality for the next generation.

Hillary Clinton worked with her fellow Senators to protect and preserve some of America’s greatest natural treasures. Clinton joined with Chuck Schumer on legislation calling for the study and potential creation of a national heritage area surrounding Niagara Falls. Following the 2005 release of the study, the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area was officially designated in 2008. Clinton also worked with Carl Levin to safeguard wildlife and promote sound water management in the Great Lakes region.

Senator Clinton helped start clean energy job-training and promoted energy efficiency in federal buildings.

Hillary Clinton worked with Democrats and Republicans alike to promote energy efficient federal buildings and create job-training programs in clean energy. Clinton joined with Bernie Sanders to create job-training programs in solar panel manufacturing and other energy-efficient industries. Clinton also worked with Jim Inhofe (a noted climate change skeptic) to expand the use of geothermal energy in federal buildings.

Senator Clinton stood up to polluters and fought to promote cleaner energy.

Hillary Clinton twice introduced bills to eliminate tax breaks for oil companies and prioritize investment in cleaner energy. She cosponsored multiple pieces of cap-and-trade legislation. She also signed onto legislation to reduce the worst air pollutants from power plants.

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The Truth About the Stimulus

correctrecordk — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 08:02:03 +0000

The RNC launched an attack today against Joe Biden for his oversight of the $787 billion economic stimulus package that helped the U.S. recover from its worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The Republicans are once again trying to rewrite history and define the entire stimulus package as wasteful and ineffective. The RNC has obviously forgotten how the stimulus package guided our nation out of an economic disaster. Let’s remind them:

The Stimulus “prevented 5.3 million people from slipping below the poverty line. It also improved nearly 42,000 miles of roads, repaired over 2,700 bridges, funded 12,220 transit vehicles, improved more than 3,000 water projects and provided tax cuts to 160 million American workers.” [Swampland, TIME, 2/17/14]

Economic experts support the idea that “the U.S. unemployment rate was lower at the end of 2010 than it would have been without the stimulus bill.” [IGM Forum,2/15/12]

The Stimulus increased U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)* “by roughly 2 to 2.5 percentage points from late 2009 through mid-2011, keeping us out of a double-dip recession. It added about 6 million ‘job years’ (a full-time job for a full year) through the end of 2012.” [Swampland, TIME, 2/17/14] *GDP is used to gauge the health of a country’s economy by measuring the total dollar value of all goods and services produced in a country over a specific period of time.

“The Congressional Budget Office, in a report released last year, said the law as of 2012 likely raised real GDP by between 0.1% and 0.8%, lowered the jobless rate between 0.1 and 0.6 percentage points, and boosted the number of employed people by between 200,000 and 1.1 million.” [Wall Street Journal, 2/17/14]

American Bridge first ‘16 hit: Scott Walker

correctrecordk — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 02:08:04 +0000

From Politico:

The off-shoot of the Democratic-leaning research shop American Bridge is launching its first effort against a potential GOP 2016 presidential target Monday — taking aim at Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker over his pledge for jobs creation by 2015.

The move from Correct the Record, the offshoot led by Hillary Clinton 2008 strategist Burns Strider and stocked with donors and staffers who have Clintonland ties, puts the target squarely on Walker, who is seen as a potentially strong 2016 presidential contender, but who has a tough re-election battle next year to get through first.

Governor Scott Walker’s Record On Jobs: Broken Promises

correctrecordk — Mon, 25 Nov 2013 20:16:56 +0000

50 Million Burgers, 1.7 Million Dental Appointments Monthly –

What it would take for Scott Walker to fulfill his promise of 250,000 new jobs?

As the deadline draws near, Governor and Republican Presidential hopeful Scott Walker’s pledge of 250,000 new Wisconsin jobs created by 2015 appears to be a greater and greater failure of his already controversial tenure in the State’s top job. As Walker attacks other Presidential hopefuls, will he take responsibility for his own failures?

The most recent state jobs report, issued Thursday, reveals that Walker is roughly one-third of the way to fulfilling his primary campaign pledge of 250,000 jobs being created in Wisconsin during his four-year term that ends in 2015. Estimates suggest that 97,000 jobs have been added since he took office, leaving over 150,000 jobs to be created in the 14 remaining months in his term. To do this, Wisconsin would have to average around 11,000 new jobs a month, every month, if the Republican Governor is to keep his word.

SOME PERSPECTIVE ON GOVERNOR WALKER’S FAILING JOBS PLEDGE

The numbers are astounding of what it would take for Governor Walker to keep his word, assuming a 40-hour work week and that he was pledging 250,000 cumulative jobs created.

4 million patient visits. If nurse practitioners see about 20 patients a day, the people of Wisconsin would need to schedule 4 million more patient visits each month than the month before in order to create enough new Nurse Practitioner jobs to fulfill Scott Walker’s promise.

That’s a lot of bad colds, Governor Walke.

7 million new checking accounts. Assuming it takes about 15 minutes to open a checking account at a bank, Wisconsinites would have to open an additional 7 million checking accounts every month, cumulatively, for the rest of Scott Walker’s term in order to create enough bank teller jobs to fulfill Scott Walker’s promise.

That’s a lot of debit cards, Governor Walker.

1.7 million visits to the dental hygienist. If your Dental Hygienist cleans eight sets of teeth every day (one set an hour), it would require 1.7 million more dental hygiene appointments than the month prior, every month, for the rest of Scott Walker’s term in order to create enough dental hygiene jobs to fulfill Scott Walker’s promise.

That’s a lot of mouths to be cleaned, Governor Walker.

Over 50 million Big Macs. Assuming it takes just under two minutes to prepare a Big Mac to be served, the good people of Wisconsin would have to order 58 million more Big Macs than they did the month before, every month, for the rest of Governor Walker’s term in order to create enough fry cook jobs to fulfill Scott Walker’s promise.

That’s a lot of dieting to do, Governor Walker.

To make good on Scott Walker’s jobs pledge, it means each of these examples would have to build on the previous month’s increases. The numbers are striking, Governor Walker’s record on jobs is nothing more than broken promises.