Get Involved
-
Get Connected
Tag Archives: Dingell
a pocket handbook: obama and the auto industry
President Obama exits following his address on Monday.
Many of you have been going through tough times for longer than you care to remember. And I won’t pretend that the tough times are over. I can’t promise you there isn’t more difficulty to come. But what I can promise you is this: I will fight for you. You’re the reason I’m here today. I got my start fighting for working families in the shadows of a shuttered steel plant. I wake up every single day asking myself what can I do to give you and working people all across this country a fair shot at the American Dream. (March 30, 2009)
preface.
“Good, but not good enough.” President Obama emphasized this particular point in yesterday’s address that focused on the administration’s recommendations for the struggling U.S. auto industry. Recall in February, GM and Chrysler both offered to restructure their companies and provide the government with comprehensive plans to stay afloat. After thorough evaluation, Obama’s Auto Task Force decided that the the plans don’t go far enough in attacking the problems plaguing the auto companies and put a date on company restructuring.
The reactions to the administration’s have varied from agreement to resigned dissent. Unsurprisingly, the Michigan delegation, though voicing support for the plan, is deeply concerned with the possible repercussions of the recommendations on an already struggling state. Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) wrote only today, “I urge the Obama administration to review carefully the progress made by Chrysler and GM in 30 and 60 days, respectively, and give strong consideration to allowing more time for restructuring. The fate of these corporations and their cumulative impact on the national economy are too important to be subjected to an arbitrary deadline” (USA Today).
Is the deadline “arbitrary” and unjustified? There’s obviously multiple perspectives. Take a look at the actual plan and then make your own decision.
Posted in Barack Obama, Big Three, Blog, Congress, Detroit, Domestic Affairs
Tagged auto, auto task force, Barack Obama, Cars, Debbie Stabenow, Detroit, Dingell, Economy, flint, General Motors, gm chrysler, Jobs, levin, michigan, tim geithner
1 Comment
Dingell Slapped
Congressman Dingell – Eating the Financial World
Congressman John Dingell has put forth a proposal for a 95% tax on all bonuses paid by companies receiving federal bailout money. This comes in response to the outrage taht AIG has paid $165 million dollars in bonuses (a lot of these being “retention bonuses” meant to retain executives who had left AIG) to executives in the financial unit responsible for the bad loans that led to the financial collapse.
Congressman Dingell compared the renegotiation of financial executive contracts to those of the auto workers:
“If we can demand that decent people who wear hard hats and blue jeans must renegotiate their contracts, I see no reason those bad actors wearing neck ties and $1,000 suits should be protected from helping their country in this time of need.”
Interestingly, Dingell’s own household would be subject to this law since Debbie Dingell works for GM – a company that has taken a large amount of federal bailout money.
Kudos Mr. Dingell… This is why we need fighters like yourself in Congress.
Posted in Blog, Economy, John Dingell, Rants
Tagged aig, Dingell, executives, financial world, John Dingell, outrage, pissed
3 Comments
Mark Chou's Take: Viral Video
So, I am pretty sure I am going to take the Mini-Course on Viral Videos with the other dems. So, I was thinking about a good video to make. We are all well aware that Congress’ approval ratings are down. How do we get those numbers back up? Well, why not a viral video, eh? I say Congress gets together and does a rendition of “High School Musical’s” “We’re All in This Together.” It would unite the country like no other. So, Nancy Pelosi, what do you say? I could not think of anything better to get the country behind Congress than seeing you assume the role of Sharpay and John Dingell as Troy.  Don’t desperate times call for desperate measures? Give it a try.
Does anyone else have any other viral video ideas? Post them here!
Posted in Blog, John Dingell, Mark Chou's Take, Polls, Speaker Pelosi
Tagged Congress, Dingell, high school music, John Dingell, Mark Chou, Mark Chou's Take, nancy pelosi, pelosi, videos, viral, viral videos, we're all in this together, YouTube
2 Comments
BREAKING NEWS: Waxman beats Dingell in Caucus Vote
BREAKING NEWS:
In a 137-122 vote, Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA) beat Congressman John Dingell for the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce committee. While Dingell will be “chairman emeritus” and retain his capitol office suite, Waxman will now be able to effectively control what comes out of Energy and Commerce, the committee responsible for environmental, trade, and health care legislation, among other things.
Check out this Politico article for more information.
Posted in Blog, Congress, John Dingell
Tagged chair, chairmanship, change, climate, commerce, Dingell, Energy, environmentalist, global, Henry, John, warming, Waxman
8 Comments
Gas Tax
Those who support Henry Waxman in his bid to unseat John Dingell base their case on the contention – more or less – that the challenge of global climate change is so great that it ought to take precedence over economic worries. If so, it’s odd that they refuse to support Representative Dingell whose brave and unpopular stance for an increase in our fuel tax would more effectively limit our emissions than increased CAFE standards.
Posted in Blog, Detroit, Energy, Environment, Jobs, John Dingell
Tagged chairmanship, Dingell, energy and commerce committee, gas tax, green, greener, internecine fighting, Waxman
3 Comments
Regarding Dingell – Reality
“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”
~ Barry Goldwater – “Mr. Conservative” accepting the 1964 Republican Nomination.
The above quote was the rallying cry of conservatives in 1964. They lost that election because of their blind refusal to accept the reality of the historical and political climate of 64.Today, Josh wrote a piece in opposition to Chairman Dingell retaining his seat. I would like to propose a few counter-points to the concerns Josh brought to our attention. When reviewing the situation around Congressman Dingell it is important we take a dose of reality with our liberal skepticism.
First, it is absolutely false to represent Congressman Dingell as a Global Warming skeptic. Dingell is quoted as saying:
Get Involved – Protect John Dingell's Chairmanship!
The 2008 election may be over, but one of Michigan’s Congressman can benefit from just a little more activism. Rep. John Dingell’s (D-Michigan) Chairmanship of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is being challenged by Henry Waxman (D-California). Waxman’s challenge is likely to divide the Democratic Caucus at exactly the time when Democrats should be united around Barack Obama’s historic victory and the possibility of finally resolving some of the difficult challenges our nation faces.
Chairman Dingell’s continued leadership on the Committee is crucial to the state of Michigan. With President-Elect Obama and two new Democrats in our Congressional delegation, Michigan may finally have an opportunity at recovery and the removal of Dingell as Chair would be devasting to the potential for progress. As Dean of the House of Represenatives, John Dingell has the expertise, the knowledge, and the ability to help turn Michigan around.
So, while the election may be over, you can still do your part to protect one of Michigan’s Democratic Congressman – a huge asset to this state and this nation – by visiting the Michigan Democratic Party’s website and signing the petition (which will then send an email to Nancy Pelosi). Then make sure that you send it along to 5 friends when prompted.
http://www.michigandems.com/sendletter.php
You may also call Speaker Pelosi at (202) 225-0100 to encourage support for Chairman Dingell.
By flooding the Speaker’s office with calls and emails from Democrats, we can send a clear message that Chairman Dingell has the support of the American people – the same people who just delivered a clear mandate to Democrats in Washington.
Do Your Part – Get Involved!
Posted in Blog, Call to Arms, John Dingell
Tagged Activism, Chairman, committee, Dingell, Involved, Leadership, michigan, pelosi, Petition
2 Comments
Daily Dingell: Dingell Watch 2008 (UPDATED)
Your Daily Dingell for today!
Articles:
Detroit Free Press – John Dingell should retain his chairmanship
CQ Politics – Waxman Contributions to Freshman Class Could Determine Chairmanship
mLive – Does Michigan delegation bare the blame for Big 3′s woes?
Christian Science Monitor - Democrats Shuffle Hill Leadership
Jon Taplin’s Blog – Dinosaur Graveyard
forceChange – Detroit’s protector, Rep. Dingell, being challenged for his chairmanship
The Hill’s Briefing Room – Dingell: Waxman ‘Anti-Manufacturing, Left-Wing’ Democrat
Grist Mill – Dingell Jangle
UPDATE:
DailyKOS:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/11/22830/125/474/659569
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/10/222353/88/107/658919
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/12/144729/32/700/650198 – there’s a poll here too. Feel free to vote for Dingell!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/12/161017/41/592/653333
Ready, set, BLOG!
Daily Dingelldate *updated (x2)*
A quick rundown on Dingell-related blog posts and articles:
Posted in Blog, Blog Digest, Call to Arms, John Dingell
Tagged Dingell, Henry, Henry Waxman, John, John Dingell, Waxman
Leave a comment
Quick Dingelldate!
Ok, so maybe that didn’t work so well. It’s supposed to be Dingell and Update together. I don’t know, I’ll work on it.
Anyway… the Detroit News recently printed this article about why we should all support Dingell in his quest for retaining his chairmanship.
Everyone comment positively!! DO IT!
Posted in Blog, Call to Arms, John Dingell
Tagged Dingell, Henry, Henry Waxman, John, John Dingell, Waxman
2 Comments