By Alexander Zaitchik, AlterNetPosted on December 1, 2008, Printed on February 2, 2009 http://www.alternet.org/story/109230/
 

Another dismal jobs report shows that the recession is deepening and confirms the need for a substantial and well-targeted economic recovery package.  The assistance for unemployed workers described below should be a key component of that package.

from Connecticut Citizen Action Group

A report issued on the same day the government released its latest unemployment data shows most laid-off people are likely to lose their health coverage. The average national premium costs for family COBRA coverage consume almost 84 percent of average unemployment benefits. COBRA — Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act — gives workers and their families the right to continue health benefits following job loss by paying the full cost of insurance.

- Danbury News Times, CT June 30, 2008.
http://www.newstimes.com/ci_9740195

"Essential liberty and defending America from those who would do her harm are not mutually exclusive goals," Holland said. "Congress needs to hear that message. And it will -- thanks to the leadership of senators Dodd and Feingold and the tens of thousands of everyday citizens who believe that we should take our Constitution seriously."

http://www.connpost.com/localnews/ci_9724752

- Connecticut Post, CT June 27, 2008.

"When and if FISA does come back to the Senate floor, I will offer my amendment to strip the retroactive immunity provision out of the bill. I implore my colleagues to support the rule of law and join me in voting against retroactive immunity," Dodd said.

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/332407

- The Nation. June 25, 2008.

"U.S. Senators Russ Feingold, D-Wisconsin, and Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut, will take steps to filibuster a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) reform proposal that provides retroactive immunity to telecommunications corporations that violate the privacy rights of customers by sharing information with illegal spying programs."

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/293161

- The Capital Times. June 25, 2008.

"Feingold and Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd -- both longtime critics of the immunity provision -- indicated they would take steps to block the bill after members of groups such as TrueMajority.org on Tuesday urged senators to use all procedural strategies available to them to stall the rapid progress of Bush administration-backed legislation that would bar consumer lawsuits against telephone companies that are guilty of spying on Americans."

http://www.kcra.com/news/16658792/detail.html

- KCRA-TV KCRA.com. June 19, 2008.

"Protestors said Thursday they want the California Public Employees Retirement System to divest from the war in Iraq. "We feel now that this is immoral, unpatriotic and treasonous," Karen Bernal from TrueMajority.org said."

http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/05/iraq_bill_in_hou...

- Baltimore Sun/Chicago Tribune. The Swamp Blog. May 8, 2008.

"Iraq Campaign 2008, a coalition that includes MoveOn.org Political Action, SEIU, Americans United for Change, USAction, Win Without War, Council for a Livable World and TrueMajority.org, is urging lawmakers to vote against war funding and for the timetable and the domestic spending."

http://theboard.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/23/condoleezza-rice-teflon-no-...

- The New York Times Editorial Board. April 23, 2008

"With reports recently by ABC News and Associated Press that Ms. Rice, as national security adviser, chaired White House meetings during which top officials selected specific torture techniques, several liberal groups have launched a campaign to force her out as secretary of state."