McDonnell Ups the Pension Ante

MoonHowler

Governor McDonnell has just upped the ante with the VRS, the Virginia pension fund.  He gets off on the wrong foot by saying that the pension fund has been problematic for years and years.  That simply is not true according to reports over the years from outside sources and independent audits.  VRS has only come under fire in recent years, specifically after the crash of 2008.    McDonnell’s attempts to paint the plan as compromised and unsustainable are purely political. 

McDonnell has outlined his plan which will affect nearly 90,000 state employees, according to the Washington Post:

RICHMOND – Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) proposed Thursday that 87,000 state employees begin making annual 5 percent contributions – the first in nearly three decades – to the state’s retirement fund as a way to shore up the commonwealth’s pension system.

Virginia is one of only four states where government workers make no annual contributions to their retirement fund, the result of a 27-year-old deal in which the state agreed to pick up employee costs in lieu of a pay raise in 1983.

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Shep Smith Agrees with Stewart, Blasts Congress

MoonHowler

Last night on The Daily Show, Jon Stewart called on Fox News to address what needs to be done for the  9/11 responders who have a myriad of life-threatening diseases all caused by  the  environmental hazards of 9/11.  Many are sick, have lost their health insurance, jobs, etc.  The Zadroga Bill for 9/11 First Responders was to help with this situation. 

Shep Smith of Fox News can always be counted on to stand up for what’s right, regardless of what political party is pushing what.  Both Shep and Chris Wallace blasted Congress for their inaction yesterday:

 

 

 For those without sound, from Mediaite:

Shep begins his rant:

How do they sleep at night after this vote on Ground Zero first responders from 9/11? Are they going to get that done, or are we going to leave these American heroes out there to twist in the wind?

Smith and Wallace never named names Friday afternoon, but did rip the “political” failure. Smith continued to skewer:

“Who’s going to hold these people’s feet to the fire? We’re able to put a 52 story building so far down there at Ground Zero, we’re able to pay for tax cuts for billionaires who don’t need them and it’s not going to stimulate the economy. But we can’t give health care to Ground Zero first responders who ran right into the fire? Went down there to save people? Do people know what this city was like that day? People were walking over bridges they were covered in ash they were running for their lives they were crying their family members were dead. And these people ran to Ground Zero to save people’s lives. And we’re not going to even give them medicine for the illnesses they got down there? It’s disgusting, it’s a national disgrace, it’s a shame and everybody who voted against should have to stand up and account for himself or herself.

It really was high theater. I wanted to get up and high-five both Smith and Wallace for saying what needed to be said.

Jon Stewart is Deadly Serious: Meet the first responders

MoonHowler

Thursday night was the last Daily Show of the year and Jon Stewart was serious–not so funny about something he believes deeply in.  Jon Stewart started off in his usual manner but things took a serious note as he discussed the James Zadroga Bill for 9/11 First Responders.  Stewart punctuated the problem with a panel of 4 who suffer serious, life-threatening  illnesses because of their efforts  in the 9/11 clean up. 

First the background of what has happened with the Zadroga Bill to provide health care costs and compensation  to 9/11 first responders:

 

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
Worst Responders
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook

Things take an even more serious turn as Jon Stewart interviews 4 critically ill NYC first responders:

Stewart turns to Fox News. He credited them with giving 9/11 recognition its due diligence. He bashes the 3 major networks for their non-coverage of the Zagroda Bill. He lets the Senate have it with both barrels.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c
9/11 First Responders React to the Senate Filibuster
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog</a> The Daily Show on Facebook

Al Jazeera  has covered this issue sympathetically. Stewart feels that it is an outrage that the American networks have not given full coverage to something due American heroes. 

This is the only thread for right now.  I ask you to listen to both videos.  You probably don’t watch Al Jazeera.  These heroes need us to back them.  Get their story from the horses’ mouths.

More info