APA History Month: Asian Pacific Americans Have A Great Deal At Stake in Education Debates

Shame on me, I haven't written anything for Asian Pacific Heritage Month (May), and the month is almost over.

Figures a post about APA culture would start with a guilt trip, eh? ;)

I'd like to argue that education is a "stealth" APA issue. It is both a particular obsession within our community and a key concern in the wider community as well. Public education in particular is often one of the first democratic institutions immigrant and American-born APAs are exposed to, and is a powerful acculturating force. At best, it really can be a means to economic and social upward mobility and exposure to a truly diverse society. At worst, it can be an alienating and lonely experience magnifying stratification by race, class, language, and gender/sexual identity.

Memorial Day Greetings from Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden and Friends

Michelle Obama met with the leaders of a fabled land this week.

No, I'm not talking about the Queen of England and the members of Parliament.

Mrs. Obama -- and Dr. Jill Biden -- had an important appointment on Sesame Street, where they cut three public service announcements in honor of one of their favorite causes -- honoring and supporting military families. Here's a taste of how it went: 

Here's one of the finished PSA's:

HHS to Review Health Care Regulations

This morning Deputy Secretary Bill Corr released a statement announcing the Department's plan to retrospectively review existing health care regulations. Regulatory review is about as much fun as filing taxes while undergoing a root canal... an unmedicated root canal. But the Administration's willingness to undertake such a painstaking process is yet another sign of their commitment to providing all Americans with healthcare that is economical, efficient, and, most importantly, effective.

Regulations are the flesh on the bones of law. After Congress passes a law, executive branch agencies are left to formalize specific requirements. For example, the health reform law talked about creating accountable care organizations but the small details were announced late this spring by HHS. How much detail? Try 429 pages of proposed regulations to clearly outline the plethora of requirements for such organizations.

Of particular interest to me is the interplay between Medicare (which typically covers older adults and some persons with disabilities) and Medicaid (which typically covers low-income children and their parents and people in institutional-level care, such as nursing homes). As our population ages, we'll have more people eligible for   Medicare and Medicaid. In theory, whatever isn't covered by Medicare should be paid by Medicaid. In reality, these programs don't always play nicely since what Medicare covers differs from what is covered by Medicaid.

Even more complicated and increasingly common are people who have private insurance or military benefits and are eligible for Medicaid. Trying to coordinate benefits between private insurers, especially those not covered by the complex ERISA rules, and Medicaid is becoming a time suck for states.

The attention to telemedicine is interesting too. Historically, Medicaid and Medicare refused to pay non face-to-face services. In the last few years that has changed and some states are using telemedicine to overcome health care shortages -- an area that is also under exploration as it has been three decades since we first defined "shortage area."

I think it is excellent that the administration is undertaking this project in light of so many regulations to come: final regulations for ACOs, regulations on the basic benefit package, etc. Attention today will prevent confusion and lawsuits later.

DOJ Gives Go-Ahead For Charges Against John Edwards

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

 

I've never been a big John Edwards supporter, but this news from the DOJ highlights the flaws in our campaign finance system more than it does the flaws in John Edwards' character. 

Via MSNBC:

NBC News has learned, from sources close to the investigation, that the Justice Department has given the green light for criminal charges to be filed against former U.S. senator John Edwards for alleged campaign finance law violations arising from the cover-up of an extra-marital affair.

One source with knowledge of the case says that while prosecutors are moving toward an indictment, it is still possible that a plea agreement could be reached.

However, NBC News has been told that prosecutors are insisting that Edwards plead to a felony, which friends doubt he will do.

Here's the problem with this, as I see it. Yes, Edwards was wrong to have an affair and (allegedly) spend campaign funds to cover it up by putting Rielle Hunter on the payroll and hide her from journalists. That is certainly wrong, no question.

But what about the donors? This is the major flaw in our campaign finance system. Wealthy donors remain completely protected, even when they are giving funds with full knowledge that they will be used in ways that are against campaign finance laws.

Federal authorities have been investigating whether Edwards illegally spent 2008 campaign money to hide his relationship with videographer Rielle Hunter, and whether some $1 million, provided by wealthy donors to keep her hidden, amounts to illegal contributions.

In Edwards' case, it would embarrass those donors directly connected with the Rielle Hunter coverup. But what about secret donors to other campaign committees who are able to fly under the radar while financing efforts to undermine Medicare, or defeat candidates by inventing lies and scandal about them, or to use their leverage to smear good and decent people like Elizabeth Warren? Those donors go uninvestigated and unscathed.

The Edwards news will play as a big media scandal for as long as the news cycle permits. John Edwards will likely cut a deal of some sort and move on with his life. Life will go on, and big donors will continue to pull the strings of campaigns on both sides of the aisle in ways that impact our lives in far bigger ways than the coverup of an affair ever will. 

The evil isn't Edwards' affair or the coverup. The evil is the gushing river of money flowing through our political landscape, flooding and destroying along the way.

This Week's MOMochat: EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock Tells Us How to Fight Back and Win the GOP's War On Women

We had no doubt that the 112th Congress would be rough after the "shellacking" we received in the 2010 mid-term elections. But the furious pace of anti-woman legislation being enacted at all levels of government has been shocking, even to the most experienced political observers.

While it's tempting to sit back and say "I told you so" to all who cast their votes for GOP candidates who promised to fix the economy (but instead have focused their energy on defunding Planned Parenthood)... or the progressives who stayed away from the polls out of frustration that the Democrats were not able to turn back 30 years of trickle-down policies in the President's first two years...

...that's not constructive. We can fix this mess, by electing more pro-choice women into office and this week's guest on MOMocrats MOMochat will tell us how. 

EMILY'S List President Stephanie Schriock is a veteran political strategist, fundraiser and campaign manager. Her resume includes stints as the national finance director for Howard Dean’s 2004 presidential campaign (which marked the beginning of the modern era of Internet fundraising), manager for Jon Tester's successful Senate bid against Conrad Burns in Montana, and campaign manager for Al Franken's epic Minnesota Senate race (and the recount that followed).

Schriock's position and background give her unique insights into how women relate to politics -- the obstacles the prevent us from participating and how we can overcome those and make our voices heard.

At the time of the 2010 midterms, she pointed out that the Republican sweep had little to do with their social agenda and everything to do with women sitting the election out:

"Let's make sure we don't learn the wrong lessons when we analyze their actions in 2010. These women did not stay home or vote Republican because they agree with Republican priorities. And the idea of a Palin presidency sends them running for the Democratic hills. Despite the hype, women voters did not become Mama Grizzlies in 2010."

Do you have a question for Stephanie? Leave them here in comments and we'll relay them for you.

We Interrupt the Conversation to Do a Little Campaigning On Our Own Behalf

I know. It's tacky to nominate yourself for a Top 25 list. It's even tackier to pander to your readers for votes. 

Nobody ever accused me of being classy. (I'm only speaking for myself here; I can tell you that the other MOMocrats are very refined, elegant women. Well, most of them.)

But when I noticed that some of our favorite bloggers (including some of our own contributors) were on Circle of Moms' list of Top 25 Political Moms, I hightailed over there to vote for them. And then I noticed that some of my least favorite bloggers were on their list, too.

OK, so those women happen to be Conservatives. Shoot me.

Scratch that. They're likely to be gun owners.

But you can understand why I'd want to see MOMocrats in that list... especially if we end up crowding out one of the Conservo-blogs.

I'm petty like that. 

I feel a little dirty - but not dirty enough to abstain from pandering to our readers and asking you to give us your "thumbs up." 

And while you're there, if you could also give a shout out to these individual MOMocrats and associates:

PunditMom

Queen of Spain

State of Discontent

Using My Words

K12 News Network

Lawyer Mama

Heartfeldt

Viva La Feminista

Writes Like She Talks

Moms Rising

THANK YOU.

Barack Obama, of the Moneygall O'bamas

 

I have a special place in my heart for Ireland. My two youngest kids were champion Irish dancers and both visited Ireland to compete in the World Championships. The people of Ireland are generous, happy, and above all, they treasure family. So when they discovered that President Obama has Irish roots, they invited him to visit his ancestral town of Moneygall before giving a great speech to thousands in Dublin.

I've clipped part of the intro leading into his rim shot opener:

"My name is Barack Obama of the Moneygall Obamas. I've come home to find the apostrophe that we lost somewhere along the way."

At the end of his speech, he invoked the ever-familiar "Yes We Can" slogan, while holding Ireland up as an example of a country who has managed to arrive at peace through negotiation. He also reminded me of the candidate Obama in 2008 as he talked about defeating cynicism and naysayers to move ahead.

It was a goodwill speech, and there was much good will, which is a nice reminder of why we elected him. 

Down to the Wire in NY 26: Help Kathy Hochul Keep Her Lead Over Corwin

Over at our MOMocrats MOMochat radio show, we've had some fun talking about the special election to replace disgraced GOP Representative Chris Lee. (You remember: He was the dude who got in trouble for soliciting dates on Craig's List. Yes, he was married and campaigned on "family values.")

At the time, those in the know thought Lee's seat would be a shoo-in for another Republican. After all, this district is considered the most conservative one in the state. The Republicans were quick to nominate their candidate for the seat: Jane Corwin, who is already known to the voters as their representative in the state Assembly. She had a four-week head start on her Democratic opponent, Erie County Clerk Kathy Hochul.

And then a funny thing happened -- not "ha ha, funny" but political kismet: Paul Ryan unveiled his "Path to Prosperity" (which Cynematic more correctly describes as the "Road to Ruin"), which would gut Medicare and Medicaid and place seniors squarely at the mercy of the insurance market. Republican Corwin supports the plan...

...and suddenly, the Democratic candidate is in striking distance of picking up the seat in NY 26.

It appears that most Americans like Medicare just the way it is... a fact Republicans seemed to understand two years ago, during the health care debate, when they misled older voters into thinking that the Affordable Care Act was a sneak attack on the program.

One of the aspects of this campaign that had us chuckling on the radio show is this satirical site, which came into being because Corwin's people were not as thorough as they should have been when snapping up domains for the candidate. (Social Media 101: Just because you got a .com for your campaign site doesn't mean you don't also need to own .org, .edu, .info and .tv, too.)

Hochul is one of the candidates backed by EMILY's List, the PAC devoted to promoting the election of  pro-choice Democratic women to all levels of government. And right now, the group is recruiting grassroots supporters to phone bank with Get Out the Vote calls to Democrats in NY 26.

From their website: "Even just an hour of your time will make the difference for Kathy, and we'll provide you with all the information you'll need to make calls to mobilize targeted voters."

Sign up here.

EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock will be our guest on Wednesday's edition of MOMocrats MOMochat.

It's Time For Conservatives To Get Over Themselves

Hey, conservatives, take a good hard look. And yeah, that means you too, Sarah Palin, you queen of xenophobic fevered fantasies. See that guy in the video? He's not a thug. He's a poet. A black poet. Get used to it and get over yourselves. I have had enough of the ginned-up nonsensical "be afraid of the black guy" meme. I don't want to hear Donald Trump decry accusations of racism with his stupid, idiotic claims that "a black guy won The Apprentice" a couple of seasons back and I don't want to hear Sean Hannity quake in his little itty-bitty boots over the very idea that there's a black poet in the White House who Fox News liked before they didn't.

Poor Newt Gingrich. He Just Wants to Be Loved.

Newt Gingrich will never be the President of the United States.

I sound pretty sure of that, don't I? Do I know something the other pundits don't? Do I have some nugget of inside information that's tipped me off to a secret Gingrich ruse?

Sort of. The secret is this -- Newt Gingrich is Newt Gingrich.

Infamous as an ethics violating Speaker of the House, notorious for the way he conducts himself in marriage and hypocritical in trying to bring down Bill Clinton for marital indiscretions even as he was in the middle of his own affair with the woman who is now his third wife.