The decider has vetoed legislation that would have expanded the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) by $35 billion dollars, effectively denying 4 million children from moderate-income families health care benefits. There are currently 6.6 million children who are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid that are covered by the program.
The legislation would have reversed rules passed in August by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Eight states are suing the Bush Administration over the new rules. Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ), said the "Bush administration has gone beyond its regulatory rights." President Bush defended the veto, explaining that "the policies of the government ought to be, help people find private insurance, not federal coverage." read more »
The Florida state Democratic Party is determined to "make it count" with a primary election on January 29th. Except that the Democratic National Committee has already stripped the state of its 210 delegates to the convention for not setting the date later. With no delegates at the convention, nobody will be present to nominate the state's choice for president. read more »
The US military is now targeting heaps of flawed contracts in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. Of the total contracts currently being audited or under investigation, $6 billion worth of deals are suspected of criminal misconduct. Over half involve procurement fraud- when a company overcharges, misrepresents, or does not deliver equipment or services. read more »
Habeas corpus is so... 1215. Who really needs the right to challenge indefinite detention by the government in court? The senate rejected a measure to restore this right, a core part of western law dating from the Magna Carta, to individuals designated as enemy combatants. Co-sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), the bill was supported by six Republicans. read more »
Not only was Senator David Vitter (R-LA) in the DC Madam's phone book, a prostitute now claims to have done business with him in Louisiana in 1999. Her name is Wendy Ellis, and her allegations have surfaced thanks to the help of publisher Larry Flynt. She is the latest witness in Flynt's campaign to expose hypocrisy in the US government and force the resignation of disgraced public servants. read more »
Everything must go. The Watergate Hotel is selling everything to prepare for renovations. Monica Lewinsky slept here. Ten bucks to get in and see rooms 214 and 314, where Nixon's goons slept before they burgled a nearby office. While you're there you can pick up some cheap flatware or an ugly desk. read more »
American democracy is in crisis today. At the US senate, Cups Coffee Shop’s coffee machine is busted.
A sign on the door reads, “Due to machine failure, all brewed coffees (regular, decaf, flavored) and hot teas are unavailable. Please try a cappuccino, latte, americano or any other espresso drinks. Sorry for the inconvenience. Cups.” read more »
In 2003, President Bush required all executive branch offices to report data to the National Archives on how much information they have classified or declassified. The Vice President's office claims it is exempt from the requirement because it is not an "entity within the executive branch" and refuses to comply. read more »
The Smithsonian Institution is the largest museum system in the world. Its former president, Lawrence M. Small, may be one of the largest pricks in the world. He resigned in disgrace this March after revelations he wasted or stole over $2 million in taxpayer money. Details of the inspector general's report indicate a staggering level of arrogance and abuse during his six-year tenure. read more »
Karl Rove and throngs of other White House staff members may have illegally sent official mail using their Republican National Committee e-mail accounts. While the White House normally archives its email, these messages were deleted by the RNC automatically after 30 days. This is a violation of the Presidential Records Act of 1978, which requires White House officials to save read more »
