Don’t take shortcuts with safety. Jennifer Boysko Chair of Run Everywhere.

David,

The next time you read about safety concerns derailing a billion-dollar infrastructure project like the Silver Line, thank a Republican.

Hundreds of precast concrete slabs for new Silver Line stations have major defects. According to a recently unsealed whistleblower lawsuit, the manufacturer knew about the flaws and may have falsified data to cover them up.

This is what happens when you award millions of dollars to contractors solely because they're the “low bidder” — which is how the contractors on Silver Line Phase 2 were selected. Instead, by using Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) or Best Value Contracting, the Commonwealth can develop a trained and skilled Virginia workforce that doesn’t cut corners.

Also thanks to that lack of PLAs, Phase II of the Silver Line -- one of the country’s largest infrastructure projects -- was 13 months behind schedule when the defects came to light.

This costly double boondoggle was completely avoidable. But Virginia’s Republican leadership prefers shady backroom deals to transparent public agreements.

Virginia can’t afford business as usual.

Thanks as always for your support,

Jennifer Boysko
Finance Chair, Virginia Democratic House Caucus
Chair of Run Everywhere

CONSUMER GUIDE TO AVOIDING SCAMS AND SCOUNDRELS. GOING ON A DIET? YOU CAN LOSE MORE THAN JUST WEIGHT. PT 1.

No doubt, most all of us have worried about those extra pounds that add unwanted dimensions to our bodies. This seems especially true the older we get.  However, to often people are unwilling to put in the Time, Effort or Discipline it takes to trim down, and add muscle to replace fat.  That is a dilemma the Con- Man has been willing to exploit for generations.  As has happened throughout the years, a new group of aging adults is falling for the same type of Hocus- Pocus their Parents and Grandparents fell for. 

Unfortunately, sometimes we see things as they could be, and ignore what they actually are.

First lets look at some common Terminology you may encounter.

Dietitian vs Nutritionist-  A Dietitian is a Licensed, Board Certified and Formally Educated Individual Legally recognized as an expert in their field.  A Nutritionist is required to have no specific education or training.  This does not mean that a Nutritionist is completely unqualified to advise you, just be diligent and check Background and Accreditation.

Cleansing Diets -  You can dress it up any way you want, but these diets are just another form of FASTING. Eliminating or Drastically cutting back the intake of Foods, and replacing them with Water, Special "Drinks", Pills etc are Decades old Lures that differ only in the Names of the Products and Diet Plans being offered for sale.

Naturopathy-  Lies in the category of Alternative Medicine. It is not based on evidence that passes scrutiny using the Scientific Method, and seems to rely only on Faith and Belief.  Any assertions made by those practicing Naturopathy have no basis in reality, because they have not been accurately tested and studied under proper clinical conditions.

"All Natural" or "Organic"-  If you find a claim that is emphasizing either of these two terms as a reason for success, don't buy in.  They are Buzzwords that have nothing to do with weight loss, and are used for Marketing purposes.

Look for PT 2.

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