Senator Reid knows the value of hard work, independence, and opportunity. Today he holds the highest position, second only to the Vice President, in the Senate, that of the Majority Leader.

From small town to Washington, Reid’s story is quite the ride. Parade Magazine, a well known, often read insert in Sunday newspapers across the country, stated Reid was “one of a handful of leaders in Washington with ‘integrity and guts’”.

Well respected, on both sides of the aisle, Reid has a solid reputation of consensus building and is a skillful legislator. Senate Judiciary Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is quoted as saying, “We all respect Senator Reid. He is one of the moderate voices around here who tries to get things to work.” High praise from “the other side of the aisle”.

Former GOP Leader Trent Lott acknowledged that Senator Reid is “out there finding a solution”. Lott continued, “I enjoy working with him very much.”

Praised for his ability to both speak pointedly and eloquently, Reid also is famous for his talent to listen, a skill not often seen on the Senate floor.

Under current economic conditions, Senator Reid understands deeply the needs of Nevada. Keeping people in their homes in a state with one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country is a battle Reid takes personally. He isn’t afraid to stand up for what weakens Nevada’s economy. Reducing health care costs, and working to create thousands of good-paying jobs with an emphasize on renewable energy have been but two aspects to his agenda to better Nevada.

On a personal note, Senator Reid is an “avid sportsman” and thus champions Nevada’s great outdoors. Reid created Great Basin National Park, Nevada’s only national park. In addition, he “created the Lake Tahoe Summit, which brings leaders of all political stripes together to preserve Lake Tahoe’s clarity.” Additionally, Reid can add working hard “to preserve Nevada’s outdoors by developing Nevada’s solar, wind, and geothermal energy industries” to his impressive resume.

Unlike his current counterpart, 2010 mid-term election GOP Sharron Angle, who is staking her bid to claim the seat in the Senate in November, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is doing all he can from a senatorial position to help Nevada. In contrast, his opponent Sharron Angle, is famously known for her statement that Nevadans are lazy, implying that unemployment extensions, in a state with more than 14% officially on the books as unemployed, enjoy living in poverty wondering where they will get the rent money and food for their children.

Angle would have everyone believes there are jobs galore in Nevada, but no one wants to work, that they actually enjoy living on the dole.

Reid, thankfully, knows how to work. He works tirelessly often arriving first at the Capitol and is well known as being the last to leave.

The “proud grandfather of 16 grandchildren” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid understands the current conditions of the country and the need to put it on the fastest road to recovery. With 16 grandchildren, one can rest assured that yes indeed Senator Reid is well aware of “down the road” and “future generations”. He also is highly aware that without immediate attention to today, tomorrow may never come.

T. Cahill – Editor/Journalist WorldNewsVine

The Obama Administrations decision to invest in the nation’s auto industry has paid off in a big way. Bucking opponents to his plan, Obama forged forward with the investment in American car companies pulling both GM and Chrysler Motors Corporation out of bankruptcy and turning a profit.

The auto industry has added 55,000 jobs, the strongest growth in over 10 years, and for the first time since 2004 all three major automakers are turning a profit.

Turning to the nations Small Business sector, the President remarked, “That isn’t right. And I’m calling on the Republican leaders in the Senate to stop holding America’s small businesses hostage to politics, and allow an up-or-down vote on this small business jobs bill.”

In an attempt to provide a leg-up to small businesses in the nation, Senate Republicans continue to block attempts by the Democratic Leadership to provide, “[sic] additional tax breaks and badly-needed lending assistance to America’s small business owners so they can grow and hire.”

The heart of the nations economy is small business, with efforts being stymied regarding assistance, small business are not able to provide the growth, and funding for new hires in order to stimulate the economy.

The Small Business Jobs Act is a bill that has support of groups such as, the Chamber of Commerce, and the National Federation of Independent Business. Both Democrats and Repbulicans authored the provisions in the bill; however, Republican Leaders in the Senate continue to use parliamentary procedures to block any forward movement on the bill.

Regarding the Republican Leadership’s refusal to provide aid to Main Street, and maintain their focus on Wall Street, the President had this to say, “At a time when America is just starting to move forward again, we can’t afford the do-nothing policies and partisan maneuvering that will only take us backward.”

In his closing statement, the President had the highest praise for American workers in the auto industry that played a major role in the resurrection, of both a failing industry, and an icon of American Industrialism.

With thirty-seven Senate seats up for grabs, this November election will be one of the most important elections in modern times. While the Democratic Leadership mourned the passing of Senator Kennedy (D-MA), and Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV), the Senate also lost their mandate allowing the GOP to obstruct forward progress with backwards thinking.

WorldNewsVine will be closely following the campaign trail of both, the Democratic and Republican Parties.  The balance of power has shifted, equally over the last 50 years in the Senate with this year’s elections being crucial to maintaining economic stability, and growth.

One of the key races this election will be Connecticut. With the retirement of Senator Chris Dodd, the Senate seat is up for grabs. Election reports have the Democratic candidate, Attorney General Richard Blumenthal tossing his hat into the ring, with a double-digit lead.

Blumenthal is a very popular candidate that has been fighting hard for the people of his state for over twenty-five years.

On the Republican Side, Linda McMahon, Peter Schiff, and Rob Simmons are in a tight primary race. Simmons, a pro-Bush non-conformist, is a strong supporter of Bush era economic policies, setting up his state, and the nation for more confrontation regarding the nation’s recovery.

Schiff, along with former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment Linda McMahon are pouring millions of their own monies into their campaigns. Nearly $50 million dollars is available to the McMahon campaign to which, they have already dumped millions into television advertisements.

Schiff, an executive with connections to conservative, Ron Paul has kept up his end of the campaign moving forward on monies spent out of his own pocket.

Meanwhile, a majority of the Republican candidates are running on a repeal of the new Health Care bill, passed this March and signed into law by President Obama. It would appear that the Senate Republican committee cannot come up with any new strategies aimed at moving the nation’s economy forward, simply pointing fingers and playing scare tactics with hopes of winning the support of the uninformed.

In other Senate news, the GOP successfully filibustered attempts to give the elections back to the majority and out of the hands of special interest groups whose interests, are not with the majority. Senate Republicans blocked cloture on the Disclosure Act, designed to prevent secret groups of wealthy corporate executives, and foreign entities from funneling unchecked campaign funds into national elections aimed at smearing all candidates that are not acting in the Republican Party’s best interest.

A bill such as the Disclosure Act would certainly impede the Republican Party’s ability to strengthen their grip on America’s working class. The bill would also, block the Republican Party from providing further free meal tickets to the nation’s top three percent earners in the form of tax cuts, bailouts, and along with ending further mandates to strengthen the Foreign Tax Credit that sent millions of American jobs overseas over the past 10 years.

Follow these stories, and more on WorldNewsVine as the nation heads towards an election year, which could permanently fix or break this nation’s economy.

Flushing, NY (July 30) – The New York Mets lost their fourth straight game to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  The Diamondbacks just swept them in Arizona on the last road trip and the Mets were looking for revenge at home tonight. 

The Mets continue their losing streak to the Diamondbacks as they lost 9-6.  Mike Pelfrey started for the Mets and once again struggled giving up four earned runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.  Pelfrey walked two and struck out four. 

Raul Valdez got a blown save and a loss; he gave up four runs on four hits without retiring a batter.  Manny Acosta pitched 1 1/3 innings striking out all four batters that he faced and Elmer Dessens pitched a perfect inning.  Pedro Feliciano gave up a hit in his inning and struck out two.

The Mets offense once again was not a problem, Jose Reyes had three hits, and Angel Pagan had a hit and an RBI.  David Wright had a great game with three hits and five RBI.  The Mets and Diamondbacks each put up a three spot in the first inning. 

The Diamondbacks took a 4-3 lead in the third inning and the Mets answered back with two runs to take a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the third.  Arizona scored five runs in the sixth inning and never looked back, the Mets would add a run in the seventh but that was all they would get, and the final would be 9-6.

Pelfrey after the first inning settled down and retired nine of the final 10 batters he faced with 118 pitches he seemed to be in a groove when Jerry Manuel pulled him for Valdez who promptly gave up four runs.  It did not appear to be a great move and Manuel really looks bad after the fact.  Wright had two home runs in the game. 

The Phillies with new acquisition Roy Oswalt lost to the Nationals but the Mets squandered their chance to gain some ground.  The Mets will try to win the second game of the series tomorrow afternoon.

St. Petersburg, FL (July 30) – The New York Yankees were defeated by the Tampa Bay Rays by the score of 3-2.  It was a pitcher’s duel and two big swings produced all the runs.  Nick Swisher of the Yankees hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Matt Joyce hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning. 

Phil Hughes made the start for the Yankees and was cruising through the first five innings.  He had first and third two outs in the sixth inning and threw a high fastball that Joyce got on top of and hit it out for what was the game winning home run.  Hughes threw a great curveball right before that but decided to go back to the fastball.  Hughes pitched six innings giving up three runs on four hits with two walks and six strikeouts.  Joba Chamberlain pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts.

The offense was provided by Swisher who hit a two-run home run.  Robinson Cano had two hits and Derek Jeter had a hit.  Alex Rodriguez was 0-4 today and appeared to be frustrated, he argued with the umpire a couple of times.  The Yankees after striking early just could not get anything going against Wade Davis who pitched seven innings giving up the two runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts.  Joaquin Benoit pitched a perfect eighth inning and Rafael Soriano pitched a perfect ninth inning for the save.  The Rays are now just one game behind the Yankees for first place in the AL East.

The Yankees will send Javier Vazquez to the mound tomorrow against Matt Garza who is coming off of a no-hitter while attempting to hold onto first place.  The Rays with a win will move into a tie and have a chance at sweeping their divisional foes on Sunday.  The Yankees were active off the field on Friday acquiring veteran slugger Lance Berkman from the Astros. 

The deal will not be official until tomorrow because he is a 10-5 player and could veto the trade but it is happening.  The names I have heard going to the Astros are Mark Melancon and Johnny Paredes.

Phil Hughes looked better then he has in a long time, which is a good sign.  He will be having bad dreams about that one pitch he made to Joyce but he really pitched a good game.  I think Rodriguez is getting to the point where he needs to get that 600th home run out of the way and go on with the season.  He has been hitting and driving in runs but tonight the intensity of the game seemed to affect him.  It will be interesting to see tomorrow with Garza who is a fastball pitcher and will challenge him.  

Washington, D.C. (Jul 30) – With Congress set to begin work in their home states during Summer Recess, it seems very unlikely Senate Republicans will allow any further assistance in the form of legislation to move off the Senate floor. The likelihood of further assistance to the nation’s long-term unemployed be considered or passed in terms of unemployment extensions prior to the break appears impossible.

The House is currently working on several bills including the Closing Tax Loopholes Act that will end the flood of American jobs from being sent offshore, and plants moved overseas. The bill would eliminate provisions such as the, Foreign Tax Credit that was designed to prevent double taxation of income earned aboard however, corporate America discovered it’s wide advantages, essentially schemes that shifted the burden of taxation back onto the taxpayer.

The abuse allowed companies to offshore jobs therefore; operate with little to no tax liabilities. In essence, it became such an abused system; large corporations found they could save billions in tax dollars by simply closing plants on U.S. soil and move operations to foreign entities. In order to put an end of these abuses, the Obama Administration plans on cracking down on corporations that split tax credits from the income from foreign tax, allowing them to take advantage of the foreign tax credit to reduce their U.S. taxes even though the foreign income remains overseas.

Republicans have been fighting hard to keep these Bush era tax incentives in place in fact, are seeking to expand these types of loopholes therefore encouraging large corporations to shut down operations here in the United States and shift manufacturing facilities, call centers, and other American jobs overseas.

Closing this type of Tax Loophole would offset the budget by at least $11.6 billion dollars of taxpayer’s monies, and hopefully create millions of jobs lost to this type of abuse over the last ten years.

Another important provision of the bill, yet another provision the Republican Party strongly objects to is, curtailing The Gift Rule Loophole. This provisions is designed to limit the type of tax that allows rich families to pass on wealth while cutting their estate and gift taxes. Closing this loophole would save at least $5.3 billion dollars otherwise passed on to America’s lower and middle classes in the form of tax increases.

Another important tax loophole rescinded would be the, Crude Tall Oil credit that allowed paper mills to claim a biodiesel tax credit for burning a byproduct known as, “crude tall oil,” essentially a waste by-product of paper manufacturing. The bill would limit the tax credit to those fuels that are not highly corrosive, or those fuels that can burned in cars, or home heating applications.

This bill is 100 percent paid for thusly, satisfying the Republican Party’s claims that all bills must be paid for under the PayGo rule re-enacted early this year. The PayGo act was originally a measure introduced by President Clinton to keep the Republican majority in Congress in check. Eliminating Republicans from pouring on pork projects and tax breaks for their wealthy campaign donors and friends. PayGo was quickly rescinded during the Bush administration sending the nation into a downward, almost irreversible economic spiral.

Robert Grone – WorldNewsVine

I have been unemployed since Mar. 2009 and have been unable to find a job. What they don’t tell me is my age at 58 is the reason that I do not get hired. Most jobs that I have applied for,( like many Americans) I am over qualified for and still I do not get the job. I should be in Tier IV of unemployment benefits, but because I did not make the cutoff date, I have no more benefits. Capital One Auto Finance just got off the phone with me and stated that they are going to repo the car due to non-payment. Once this happens, then how am I to hunt for a job? I hear that Australia has low unemployment and jobs for anyone that can get there. But unfortunately I don’t have the funds to do that. I am now at the end of my rope (as many of us are) and looking down at a very long drop.

It’s time that the American people are taken care of first. I am a veteran and was all for the war in Afghanistan to stop AL-Qaeda from having training camps. I supported this because the lives that had been taken on 9/11 called for some military action. Like most Americans I raised and flew the Flag to show our unity and pride for this country. One war would be the only one that our military could handle at one time. More than one theater of operation would stretch the military to the limits and close to the breaking point, where we are today. We are now in two wars with no real end in sight for either. To pull our troops out now would be a slap in the face of those that have given the total sacrifice by dying in these wars. It now has been 9 years and how much more in lives and money do we have to pour out?  Do we continue to forget history and what Vietnam taught us? We are reliving the past and should have learned from our mistakes in that operation. We are now stuck between two wars that are costing us dearly in Fathers, Sons, and Daughters that we will never be able to replace. We need to get out, bring our troops back home and safe and use the money we are spending for that to get the United States back on her feet.

The Senate states that we need to cut spending and they have looked high and low, cutting many programs to decrease the deficit. Most of these cuts have been focused on the middle and poor class Americans. They have done everything to find extra money but one, by looking to themselves. We need to tell Congress that they work for us, each and every American and that all useless bills need to end. Bills should stand alone, no added items that someone wants to get passed buried within hundreds of words so that no one would notice. This also includes pork-bellies that are for only one state. Why do we send money overseas to countries that hate us and have stated over and over again, this will never change? They have been fighting each other for hundreds of years and that will never change.

The way to stop the economic downfall, and for this country to get back on its feet, is to have the House and Senate members take a pay cut. We need to limit the number of terms that they can hold office to two terms (we have term limits on the President of two terms, why not the House and Senate)? Once they leave office they should not receive stipend for the rest of their lives (American citizens do not get this, so why should they)? Make them pay for their health insurance as we all have to do now. Maybe they would see what it’s like to live from paycheck to paycheck. These cuts would save the taxpayers of America millions of dollars. They should have to stay in session if there are any unresolved issues or bills, like the unemployment issue that is still hurting many lives.

 President Obama stated we need a change and he is right on that issue. Both the House and Senate need to be changed, all need to be sent home and do whatever they do when they are not in Congress or in Washington! They need to remember and understand that they work for the people, each and every one, and not only to line their pockets from the rich.

Let’s take our country and government back, controlled by the people as is stated in the first lines of the Constitution of The United States “We the People” and not “We the Government”.

Angle indicated early on in her campaigning, and continues to attest to the fact that, she would not have voted in favor of extending unemployment extension benefits. In a state with an unemployment rate of over 14 percent, such a position against unemployment extensions indicates Angle is a woman out of touch with reality. Or, even worse, unmindful and uncaring as to the suffering of Nevada’s unemployed constituents.

The GOP, Angle’s party, also appears to have difficulties accepting several of Angle’s unorthodox positions as well. In addition, Angle’s opponent, current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid agrees that Angle is “too extreme for Nevada”.

Apparently, Angle believes only “tough love” will bring Nevada and the country back in line. This sentiment may be popular with the Tea Party crowd and certain libertarians, however, one should be careful of what wishes for since many who identify with Angle’s views either are or could easily find themselves on the unemployment line.

Conditions in Nevada are not improving and projections are bleak. Forecasts for turning the state around have been based on a revitalization of the country as a whole. Until that happens, Nevada, a state that depends heavily on tourism, will remain at the bottom of the heap.

John L. Smith stated in his vastly popular column in the Review Journal on July 28, 2010, “As it stands, tough love from Angle would mean tough luck for thousands of Nevadans who don’t have the luxury of theorizing about their survival in the real world”.

Albany, NY (July 29) – As reported last week by WENY-TV News, Senator Schumer stated there is legislation in the works for those that have exhausted all their unemployment benefits, the ‘99ers’.

President Obama last Thursday evening signed into law, the H.R. 4213 Emergency Unemployment Extension Act however; this provided no relief for those that have exhausted all their benefits. With 15 million Americans seeking employment and only an estimated 3 million jobs available, it is clear legislation should be enacted with the attempts, to bring assistance to millions of unemployed Americans suffering through this depression.

Senator Schumer’s statement during the interview sounded a promise of hope, “[sic] there are a number of people who have maxed out, they’ve been looking and looking for work but haven’t found it, and there is a separate act that would extend those benefits to them. Extending this was really important. There are some people who go beyond the 99 weeks and we’re gonna try to do that next.”

However, to date this piece of legislation has not come to fruition and has become very elusive. With attempts to contact the Senator’s Press Secretary have producing no results; millions are simply being left out in the cold.

In May, Issa Decker’s 99er’s petition was delivered to Senator Reid’s office for purposes of validating the document as well as, the hopes of persuading members of Congress to concern the bill.

The results of the petition, and attempts at contacting Issa Decker as a follow-up have also been elusive.

It would seem very unlikely that any legislation would be enacted considering the Republican Party’s continued commitment to their wealthy campaign donors, and inability to connect with America’s workforce.

Inquiries to various press contacts in the Senate have and at this time, no one seems to have a solid answer. Sources have stated that at this time, the issue has not been really addressed; WorldNewsVine is still awaiting a committed response from Senator Schumer’s office.

Cleveland, OH (July 28) – The New York Yankees will take on the Cleveland Indians tonight trying to win three out of four and take the series before heading to Tampa for a first place showdown.  The Yankees are currently 1 1/2 games ahead of the Rays who won their game earlier today.  The Yankees will send Dustin Moseley to the mound making his first start of the season.  Here are the lineups and some news and notes for tonight’s game.

Yankees Lineup:Jeter(SS), Granderson(CF), Teixeira(1B), Rodriguez(3B), Cano(2B), Swisher(DH), Gardner(LF), Cervelli(C), Curtis(RF)

Indians Lineup:Crowe(CF), Cabrera(SS), Choo(RF), Santana(C), Kearns(LF), LaPorta(1B), Nix(3B), Duncan(DH), Valbuena(2B)

Moseley had the same kind of hip surgery that A-rod had last season.  Moseley is with the Yankees because they were willing to be patient with him, they said if you aren’t 100% we will work with you.  He has an oppurtunity now, he isn’t guaranteed more than tonight’s start but he said he just rolls with it.  In the past 16 games Curtis Granderson has started to turn around his season.  He is batting 339 with three doubles, three home runs, six RBI and 12 runs.  Most of the power he has shown has come in the last eight games.  He has three homers and two doubles in the last eight games. 

A.J. Burnett was really good last night and said “It’s the most I have felt like A.J. in a long long time.  That is probably because I was able to throw a curveball for a strike.”  That is the key for Burnett, when his curveball is working everything seems to work out well.  After not winning in June Burnett is 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA through five starts in July.  That is counting the terrible start he had last weekend when he cut his hand in frustration. 

Joe Girardi said he went to Joba Chamberlain in the seventh because he only wants Sergio Mitre to start innings.  He said that is what he is used too.  Brett Gardner had his 30th multi-hit game of the season last  night.  The Yankees have five hitters with 30 or more multi-hit games this season and are the only team in the majors with that many.  The Yankees are 12-3 in their last 15 road games.  Derek Jeter was the only starter without a hit last night. 

The Yankees own the best record by a defending champion since the 1968 Cardinals.  It is the best record after 100 games for the Yankees since 1998.  The Yankees are 21-11 in series finales this year.  They have won each of their last 10 such games.  The Yankees have six shutouts this season and five have come on the road.  They own the most shutouts on the road this season in the AL.  They are trailing only Colorado who have eight and are tied with Cincinatti and Florida.  Burnett has held opponents scoreless in six starts this season which is the most such starts by a AL pitcher this season.  He ties five others for most in the majors.