No new tale to tell.

Did you know the FISA Amendments Act, which enshrines Mr. Bush's warrantless wiretapping scheme into law, expires at the end of this year? The House has already passed a bill extending it for five years, with no reforms (thanks, small-government Tea Party House Reps!), but the Senate hasn't held hearings on it, hasn't considered amendments on it, and won't say when they'll vote on it. Think they just forgot? Of course you didn't. The Electronic Freedom Foundation helps you tell the Senate to let the FISA Amendments Act expire, especially if they're not even going to debate it. I feel compelled to add that I get a little sick and tired of hearing about how we need a balance between safety and liberty. The law already provides that balance; it's called a warrant.

Meanwhile, Mr. Obama has offered massive Social Security benefit cuts as part of a year-end budget "deal." The specific change is the dreaded "chained CPI" adjustment, where Social Security would calculate benefit increases using a measure of inflation that supposedly measures how people react to price changes. If you're living on a fixed income with fixed medical expenses (and very likely a fixed diet), guess how you'll "react"? Maybe Mr. Boehner will nix the deal because it cuts the Pentagon budget by $10 billion a year, which may be at least $10 billion too much for his taste. But I say don't cut deals with people who want to cut your throat, let alone the throats of the American people. USAction and the Campaign for America's Future help you tell our government two words: "no deal."

Comments

[Evelyn Brewer]

NO DEAL, NO DEAL, NO MORE LIES, NO DEAL, NO MORE CAMPAIGN PROMISES BROKEN, NO MORE LIES. WHY DON'T WE FIRE THEM ALL. IT'S OUR MONEY THEY KEEP WASTING. PARTY ON GREEDY BASTARDS. Same people holding us all hostage.

[Paul Lista]

Take Social Security OFF THE TABLE.
Take Medicare and Medicaid OFF THE TABLE.

Put Congress and Senate salaries ON THE TABLE.
Put Congress and Senate Benefits ON THE TABLE.

This Congress has done less than any other congress ever. Remember this when it's time to vote and let's get rid of this bunch of do-nothing losers once and for all.