Why the current Congress isn’t working for the people — and how Democrats can change that. Do you miss “Schoolhouse Rock”? Me, too. And there’s no question that many members of the current U.S. House of Representatives, particularly Republicans, could benefit from a re-run, a refresher course on how legislating is actually supposed to work. During the Netroots Nation conference […]

Named an Emerging District in the DCCC’s Red to Blue program, MI-11 could be a winner for Democrats. On Monday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced the first 35 districts in its Red to Blue program. These candidates — which include Jerry Cannon (MI-01) and Pam Byrnes (MI-07) — have earned a spot on Red to Blue by surpassing […]

If you want to position yourself as an alternative to Tea Party zealot Rep. Kerry Bentivolio, maybe associating with Donald Trump isn’t the best idea. We’re judged by the company we keep, and Republican Congressional candidate David Trott is making his allegiances known. The latest report from the Federal Election Commission (FEC) shows plenty of contributions to Trott for Congress, […]

The Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 11th Congressional District stands to give Republicans a run for their money. In news from the Bobby McKenzie campaign, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has placed McKenzie on its Jumpstart program, according to MIRS. The DCCC began the Jumpstart program (PDF) this year to give what it considers “top-tier” candidates early financial, communications, operational […]

That’s what you’re trying to force millions of Americans to do. I’ll bet you’re not willing to do the same. I’m angry. Plenty of Americans are. Because we’re sick and tired of being held hostage by last-minute threats and brinksmanship that risks the health of millions of citizens and the strength of our economy. But Republican members of Congress who […]

Did you know Members of Congress aren’t required to live in their districts? If you’ve read any of the Gospels or see any of the two fine Broadway musicals about Jesus, you’ve noticed the sort of folk Jesus associates with: outcasts. Prostitutes, tax collectors. Saul who became St. Paul persecuted the disciples before he became one of the most important […]

It’s because they ARE millionaires. Here’s a tribute to the Michigan millionaires against the millionaires tax, put out by The Agenda Project’s Patriotic Millionaires: Here is their powerful national ad: 48 percent of Congress members are millionaires while only 1 percent of all Americans are millionaires 55 members of Congress have an average wealth of $10 million and 8 members […]

With all this talk about deficit reduction these day from both sides of the Congressional aisle, I was interested to learn this morning that there is actually a mechanism for members of Congress to return part of their salary ($174,000 per year for non-leadership positions) to be used toward reducing the deficit. Sure, it would be a token effort; symbolic, […]