by David Safier For the first time since last spring or early summer, I feel the wind at the Democrats' backs, both in the state and in the country. The same wind is blowing sand and spray in the Republicans' faces. Advertisement Will the Democrats use the wind to set sail in the right policy … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) said recently that, just as Republicans were unanimous in opposing the public plan in the health care debate, so too are they united against an independent consumer financial protection agency, or CFPA — a proposal championed by Elizabeth Warren, head of the TARP oversight panel. Plan for Consumer Protection … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The disturbing pattern of authoritarianism from our Southern Arizona Republican legislators continues unabated (see Update re: Southern Arizona legislator questionnaires in the Daily Star, Cigarettes for the poor: No. Religious schools for the rich: Yes,Rep. David Stevens: a throwback to the 19th Century, Frank Antenori has an anger management problem, Cheryl Cage: … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Congressman Raul Grijalva have both sent out notices that U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be celebrating the one-year anniversary of the passage of the stimulus plan at downtown's historic train depot at 10 a.m. this Thursday with a big announcement about a project in Tucson. They will … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: Today marks the first anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) says the stimulus package worked. See " Estimated Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on Employment and Economic Output as of September 2009, CBO." The Council of Economic Advisers also released … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The latest Farley Report from Rep. Steve Farley (D-LD28): Let's imagine for a moment the scene in the underground bunker here at the Capitol where the far-right wingers who control this place are plotting their next moves. They haven't balanced the budget yet. Times are still really hard. People are really getting … Read more

Posted by AzBlueMeanie: The Senate filibuster is a Senate created rule. It appears nowhere in the U.S. Constitution. It is undemocratic in both principle and practice. Republicans are now using the filibuster indiscriminately to require 60 votes on practically every piece of legislation or nominee confirmation. This strategy of total obstuction has rendered the Senate … Read more