Daily Democratic Wire 12-5-2009

George Wenschhof

Today, in his weekly address to the nation, President Barack Obama discusses the efforts being undertaken to create jobs - WhiteHouse.gov has the video here.

It is past time the federal government funds public service employment programs to be administered by each state with funding levels received based on the number of unemployed within that state. These programs have been proven in the past to be effective in putting people back to work immediately and in areas which will benefit the public as a whole.

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Will recent revelation from Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) have any negative effect? - information the Senator, who chairs the senate finance committee, nominated his girlfriend for a U.S. attorney position last March has been reported by the NY Times. Melodee Hanes was a former staffer who resigned from her position when she became romantically involved with the Senator. She was one of three names submitted by Baucus to the President for the U.S. attorney position, but later withdrew her name from consideration. The NY times has more here.

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Class Act survives Republican move in Senate to remove it from health care legislation - this is a provision the late senator Ted Kennedy had fought to be included and it barely survived inclusion with a 51-47 vote. Known as the Community living Assistance Services and Support Act, it provides funds to allow seniors and the disabled stay in their homes and avoid going to nursing homes. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Sunday morning talk shows to concentrate on recent Obama Afghanistan speech - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and General David Petraeus will appear on several of the morning shows. Politico.com has more here.

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