Twitter

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

RedEye on Congress Critter Terri Sewell

How much does first term Congress Critter Terri Sewell not give a damn?
Tomorrow 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: How much does Rep. Terri Sewell just not give a damn? Her fundraiser tomorrow is in the office of the insurance lobby. Not at a restaurant. Not at the Democratic Club. Not at Tortilla Coast. Not even at the Tune Inn. Come by for a "meet and greet" at AHIP's offices and bring a big check. [AHIP's office, 601 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 500].


Although it's Ick to hold a fundraiser in the office of an insurance lobby it's OK because;
she also has similar events scheduled at other health-related events - AMA, bone marrow, etc.... well... I remember candidate Obama talking about health care reform during the campaign and promising to listen to all sides.....


It's also not worthy of front page discussion at the Cat Den because although it is tone deaf to hold anything at the AHIP office there is no there there.

The announcement for the event in DC calls it a "Meet and Greet." Lest the cynical among you say, "Oh, that's just a euphemism" for fundraiser, there was a fundraiser for Congresswoman Sewell in Birmingham last week. The invitation for that one said "For a Fundraising Reception" and included "Please make checks payable to ..." at the bottom. Nothing of that sort is on the invitation for this event.

It seems a bit tone deaf to hold anything at the AHIP office, but a member of Rep. Sewell's staff said it's in no way an endorsement of that group's political position, simply outreach. They expect to meet people from the AMA, the National Marrow Donor Program, AARP, etc. -- groups that are important to people from the 7th.


I may be cynical but I'm not stoopid. Everyone knows what a meet and greet IS. Especially one held in the offices of the Insurance Lobby. I don't care what President Obama say's about "listening to all sides." What is Terri Sewell doing for the people she was elected to represent? Remember them?
Today, Alabama's Black Belt includes some of the poorest counties in the United States. Along with high rates of poverty, the area is typified by declining populations, a primarily agricultural landscape with low-density settlement, high unemployment, poor access to education and medical care, substandard housing and high rates of crime.


And you say what gradyw said is misleading?;
you can call it a meet and greet, pow wow, chat hour, etc but the intent is to pick up checks from fat cat lobbyists



According to Sewell's website a Chinese owned Copper Tube Manufacturing Plant will create about 200 jobs in Thomasville,AL.
“I appreciate Congresswoman Sewell’s support and I am very happy to be here in Alabama,” said Li Changjie, Chairman of Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group, Inc.

“Congresswoman Sewell has been really great,” said Raymond Cheng, CEO of SoZo Group, Ltd, an investment advisory company which matches investors with businesses and causes. “Everyone I have worked with on this project is really committed to helping this community.”

The plant is expected to be built on a 40-acre site in a city industrial park south of Thomasville High School.

Golden Dragon is based in Xinxiang, a city of 5.5 million people in China's second-most populous province, Founded in 1987, the company indicates that it generates more than $2 billion a year in sales and makes more than 15 percent of all copper tube used in air conditioning and refrigeration worldwide.


Sewell held a meeting with Seniors to discuss Social Security, Medicare and ironically the Affordable Health Care Act.
A major subject of discussion was the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act, commonly known as health insurance reform, which was signed into law last year. Several provisions of the law that directly benefit seniors are already are in effect, with full implementation to come in stages over the next three years.

Under a provision of the law that went into effect Jan. 1, the more than 40 million seniors enrolled in Medicare receive free preventive care, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, as well as an annual wellness visit without copayments, coinsurance or deductibles.

Also beginning Jan. 1, seniors who fall into the Medicare prescription “donut hole” began receiving a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs. There are growing discounts in future years until the donut hole is completely eliminated in 2020.

And health insurance companies now are required to spend at least 80 percent to 85 percent of consumers’ premium dollars on medical care and quality improvement, instead of on profits and overhead.


More photo ops in designer suits and designer pumps,announcements of grants and the release of a Guide to Grants. If you want to know how she votes she walks you through the process instead of telling you what bills she's sponsored or co-sponsored or how she voted on bills in Congress.

The far left column labeled "Roll" will give you the number of the roll call vote. Moving to the column on the right, you see the date the vote was cast. The "Question" tells you if the vote was on final passage, on an amendment, or as otherwise noted. The "Result" is the outcome: P=passed, F=failed, and A=the amendment was agreed to. The next column tells you the title/description of the measure. All votes are posted in reverse chronological order (most recent at the top).


See what I mean?

What happened to; "It's an historic election because it's about you, not about me" Congresswoman Sewell?

Terri Sewell is working hard to make history as the first African-American woman elected to Congress from Alabama, but her constant theme in a packed town hall meeting at Birmingham's West End Library Thursday evening was that this election is about representing the people of Alabama's 7th district above all else.

She stressed the need for job creation and economic development in the district, touted her experience, leadership and good character and pledged to be an honest, effective voice on behalf of the 7th congressional district.


200 manufacturing jobs is a start but the residents of the 7th district need more than that. That's why the location of your *ahem* meet and greet is on the outrage meter of progressive/liberal democrats.

No comments: