Fixing Our Facebook Problem. U.S. REPRESENTATIVE DAVID CICILLINE.

Dear David,

Social Security and Medicare are benefits that Rhode Island seniors have earned after a lifetime of hard work. Finding a long-term solution for Social Security and Medicare should be a bipartisan issue. Unfortunately, President Trump and the Republicans who control Congress are more interested in cutting taxes for the wealthiest Americans and corporate special interests. And this past week we learned just how much their billionaires-first tax cuts are jeopardizing the future of Social Security and Medicare – the Medicare trust fund is now expected to be depleted by 2026, and the Social Security Trust Fund will run dry by 2034. That’s unacceptable.

I’ve introduced the Social Security 2100 Act (H.R.1902) with Congressman John Larson (CT-01) to ensure Social Security’s financial longevity by requiring millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share. This bill also cuts taxes for more than 10 million Social Security recipients, increases benefits for retirees, and protects against inflation by offering a better cost-of-living-adjustment each year.

When we take back the majority, Democrats will get to work strengthening Social Security and Medicare so they can continue to ensure a secure retirement for millions of Americans.

Senior Resources Fair

As your Congressman, I’m committed to ensuring that our seniors can access the finest resources and services that are available at the local, state and federal levels. Rhode Island seniors deserve the best, and that’s why I hope you will join me at my Woonsocket Senior Resources Fair to be held:                               
 

Monday, June 18th
5:00pm-7:00pm

Woonsocket Senior Center
84 Social Street
Woonsocket, RI 02895 

Seniors, adults with disabilities, and caregivers are all invited to learn about important resources available from the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs, the Social Security Administration, Rhode Island Housing, and more than 40 other participating organizations.

More information is available on my Facebook page here .

Overcoming Republican Obstruction

Rhode Islanders and an overwhelming majority of Americans want Congress to work together to solve problems. Right now, we are attempting to use a procedural rule to force action on two important issues:
 

• Protections for the DREAMers – young people who were brought to America by their parents and know no country other than this one;
• And preserving Net Neutrality so the internet remains free and open for everyone.

Rather than solve these problems, Republican leaders in Congress have done everything they can to avoid bringing solutions to the floor. They’re more interested in protecting President Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda and in defending the huge telecom companies that bankroll their campaigns.

That’s why I signed two discharge petitions in recent days to force Republican leaders to bring legislation to the floor that will protect the DREAMers and preserve Net Neutrality. I will continue pushing on these important priorities in the weeks ahead so that the will of the people becomes the law of the land in America.

Fixing Our Facebook Problem

Over the last few weeks, we’ve all learned a great deal about how Facebook has put user privacy and security at risk. Cambridge Analytica – a foreign political consulting firm – harvested the personal information of approximately 87 million Facebook users to create Steve Bannon’s psychological warfare tool. Facebook gave 60 mobile device makers direct access to people’s data without their permission—including Chinese companies that have been identified by our Intelligence Community as posing serious security risks.

We have reached a tipping point. Facebook’s multi-million dollar apology campaign is no substitute for meaningful efforts to protect user rights and strengthen consumer protections. I spoke earlier this week at New America, a non-partisan think tank, about how we can fix these problems by giving users greater control over their personal data. Click here to watch my remarks right now.

C-Span

On Wednesday, I joined C-SPAN’s Washington Journal to discuss the issues facing our country, outline what Democrats are doing to deliver A Better Deal for the American people, and take questions live from viewers. In case you missed it, you can click the image below to watch my interview:
 

 

Remembering Bobby Kennedy

One of my political heroes, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, was assassinated 50 years ago this week. During his final campaign, as he sought the presidency, Senator Kennedy stood up against injustice, fought to end our involvement in the Vietnam War, and spoke up for millions of working Americans who felt like they didn’t have a voice in Washington.

Senator Kennedy’s example continues to speak to us today, especially as millions of Americans feel like our ideals are under attack from the folks who control Washington. I was honored to pay my respects to him at Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday, and to see his widow Ethel, their children, and grandchildren (including my colleague, Congressman Joe Kennedy III, below). All of us have a responsibility to stand up and speak out against injustice in the same way Senator Kennedy did, and I will continue working to do my part in the days and weeks to come.
 

  As always, if you or someone you know has any questions or concerns, please call my office at 729-5600 or send me an email at David.Cicilline@mail.house.gov. You can also click here to follow my work on Twitter.

Warm Regards,

David Cicilline
Member of Congress  

The ignition of the fight for respect and equality. STEVE SEVIGNY, MD.

Dear David,

June is PRIDE month. Like science, it doesn't require the President's belief or acknowledgment to be true.

 

Here in Florida, during PRIDE Month we also recognize the shooting at Pulse on June 12, 2016, that took 49 loved ones. Early next week, survivors and loved ones will mark another year since that terrible night in Orlando. Those that survived may never forget the terror.

 

In the two years since, that community has rallied to support each other. Meanwhile, state and national leaders have been mostly deaf to their pleas. There has been no sweeping reform to prevent similar tragedies. And those events have continued to happen. The students of Margory Stoneman Douglas certainly know that far too well.

 

We've seen an increase in overt homophobic rhetoric from political leaders. Those who seek to discriminate against the LGBTQ community have been emboldened further by court rulings. The outspoken hatred that had been on the decline since the days of Don't Ask Don't Tell has shifted to a steep increase, not just in our streets, but from the halls of power across this nation.

 

During this PRIDE month, my ask of you is that you reject the Make America Hate Again infection, and practice more kindness. Express more love. Share more joy.

 

If we want an America that reflects our values, we have to actively engage in making that happen in our communities. Speak up when you encounter hatred and bigotry. Be mindful of where you spend your dollars. Support those that share our values.

 

We must also remember that Stonewall was a riot, an uprising, the ignition of the fight for respect and equality that continues today.

 

Powered by love, I believe we will win the fight for equality and justice.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Steve

Call for Submissions: Young Philosophers Lecture Series at the Prindle Institute for Ethics.

Submission deadline: August 6, 2018

The DePauw University Philosophy department and the Prindle Institute for Ethics invite 3–4 early-career philosophers to give a campus talk on November 13, 2018. Each talk should be an introductory-style presentation geared toward an audience with no background in philosophy. The invited philosophers will also workshop a research paper with the other selected speakers, submission referees from institutions outside of DePauw, and DePauw philosophy faculty. Additionally, each philosopher will film a 2-5 minute video on a topic to be determined.

We’re currently accepting submissions for Fall 2018. You only need to submit your research paper. If your paper is selected, we’ll contact you for more information concerning your introductory talk and video.

Submission Guidelines

Submit your papers via this form. If the form isn’t working, contact Lana Hall (lanahall@depauw.edu).

In your submission, include the following:

• Research paper (3,000–4,000 words) – MS Word or PDF
• Abstract of research paper (max 250 words) – MS Word or PDF
• Make sure everything is suitable for ANONYMOUS REVIEW. Don’t include any identifying information in your paper or your abstracts.

Direct all questions or comments to Andrew Cullison (andycullison@depauw.edu) or Lana Hall (lanahall@depauw.edu).

What Is a Young Philosopher?

Your age is irrelevant to whether or not you are a young philosopher. By “young philosopher,” we mean someone who has received their Ph.D. in philosophy within the last 6 years. We will also consider submissions from exceptional graduate students who reasonably expect to defend by the spring or summer at the end of the academic year.

Honorarium and Travel

Selected participants will be given a small travel stipend and honorarium.

My daughter. CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE KEN HARBAUGH.

David,

My daughter was born with a pre-existing condition.

My family has been without health care. As a parent, it is gut-wrenching to think you cannot provide your children with the care they need. No parent should ever have to feel that way.

Last night, the Administration failed to defend the ACA. This dangerous and unprecedented action threatens health care protections for people with pre-existing conditions.

As usual, Bob Gibbs had nothing to say.

Our own governor, John Kasich, has begged Congress to protect health care for Ohioans.

Instead, Bob Gibbs has voted time and again to take away people’s coverage when they need it most.

It’s time to stop playing politics with people’s lives. It’s time for Bob Gibbs to stop hurting Ohio families.

As Americans, we should talk about health care. Costs are too high. Coverage is too complicated. But that conversation should be about providing families with access to affordable care, and not, as Bob Gibbs would have it, TAKING THAT COVERAGE AWAY.

It’s time to put country over party and fight for a long-term, bipartisan solution to health care.

In service,

Ken