MR. CARNEY:  Thanks for joining us on this quick trip to New York City.  You heard, obviously, the President today in his press conference with the Prime Minister.  So I hope that you found that helpful and useful, but I am here also to take your questions.  Anybody have anything?

Your editorial, “What can we really do?”, disappointed me for its pessimism. While many people who are discouraged by our political process and remain silent in resignation, that reaction is short-sighted and wrong.

“Creating a pathway to earned citizenship for the 11 million unauthorized immigrants in this country is essential. The way we treat our friends and neighbors who are undocumented – by creating a mechanism for them to earn citizenship and move out of the shadows – transcends the issue of immigration status. This is a matter of civil and human rights. It is about who we are as a nation. And it goes to the core of our treasured American principle of equal opportunity.” Eric Holder, Attorney General (4/24/2013)

During a visit in Oro Valley last week, Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Congressional District 1, talked about the first 100 days in Congress, and the continued struggles for Democrats and Republicans to agree on many of the important issues facing the nation.

After forming an exploratory committee to consider running for governor, Sen. Al Melvin, R-District 11, is confident that his bold ideas could lead him to the state’s top position in 2014.

Even though Dave Safier writes “Say yes to expanding Medicaid”. On the surface this expansion of Medicaid looks like a no-brainer to many. 200,000+ Arizonans become eligible for coverage; 90 percent of the cost is covered by the feds; the remaining 10% paid through a hospital tax, which is supported by the hospitals who will supposedly see a greatly reduced demand for free services.

This week we had another fake sequester caused cutback. This cut was to Medicare services. The cut is real enough- however, it is not the result of sequestration cuts. The U. S. Government has as much money in the budget today as it had three months ago. The sequester cuts only affect the amount of the increase the government wanted. 

After U.S. Senators voted against a bill that would have increased background check requirements, former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords wrote the following opinion piece for the New York Times on April 17.

 U.S. Rep. Ron Barber introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this week to force Congress to address waste and duplication in the federal government which is costing taxpayers billions of dollars annually.

What if a business planned a move to Arizona that would pour more than a billion dollars into our economy every year while creating 21,000 jobs? Now imagine those jobs would be spread around the state, including areas hardest hit by the economic downturn. And there’s this added bonus: the money would be spent on pollution-free activities, which would actually increase the health and welfare of Arizonans.

(NAPSI)—Those with an interest in events in North Africa may already be aware that the push toward democratic reforms in the region did not begin with what is known in the West as the Arab Spring.

(NAPSI)—Our economy is slowly rebounding from its collapse but it’s still far from healthy.

Rep. Adam Kwasman, R-District 11, said his number one priority is defeating Gov. Jan Brewer’s proposal to expand Medicaid in Arizona.

Some Republicans in the Arizona House of Representatives insist on wasting time on extremist legislation that promotes an ideological agenda focused on undermining the federal government instead of working on what matters most to Arizonans – creating jobs and improving education.

Earlier this week, the Arizona Senate passed a bill that would allow teachers, administrators, a custodian or cafeteria worker to be armed in some suburban schools to be armed.

Dave Safier certainly stirred a hornet’s nest with his essay defending the Democratic Party.  

The opinions against David Safier and the partisan column by Senator Al Melvin show how much work must be done to restore our State to a Democratic form of government, a Republic, a government of, by and for the majority of the people. That is what David Safier was celebrating.  I am at a loss to identify anything Senator Al Melvin has voted for to help Pima County residents.  He is proud to carry out the agenda of his Republican friends in Phoenix.  We voted for a tax increase to be used for education.  Melvin voted to put the money in the General Fund. When Melvin talks of schools, he is talking about private schools, which can be owned by individuals for a profit.  It they fail, the owner can keep all the school capital assets paid for by tax monies.  Melvin also voted to deny Pima County its share for the Regional Transportation Authority money and to allow the recall of the Rio Nuevo development funds. Using his “hit woman”, Terry Proud, Melvin so intimidated the Redistricting Board, that he assured his re-election by getting an 11 to 16 point advantage against other candidates for his job. 

Having read a previous Dave Safier article when he took a victory lap after the recent election, I hoped that possibly his trend for future articles would become less outrageous, and somewhat tempered after his obvious over the top giddiness had subsided.

At this challenging time of President Hugo Chavez’s passing, the United States reaffirms its support for the Venezuelan people and its interest in developing a constructive relationship with the Venezuelan government. As Venezuela begins a new chapter in its history, the United States remains committed to policies that promote democratic principles, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.

As the deadline passed for the nation’s across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration, the failure of Democrats and Republicans to strike a deal before March 1 now means $85 billion will be reduced from government programs and federal agencies over the next 10 months, the consequences of which could also be felt locally, though likely not immediately. 

Typically, liberal progressives rally away from facts and towards the use of standard sound-bytes to make their case. Why didn’t Mr. Safier include Jimmy Carter in all his applauds. Long gas lines, extreme interest rates and failed foreign policies, those were certainly bold plans.

Safier’s Explorer rant published Feb. 20, “Democrats create bold, visionary plans”, was party talking points wrapped in grand hyperbole. Dave confuses conservatives with Republicans and uses the terms interchangeably, even though they clearly are not equals. Liberals, both Democrat and Republican, have no trouble spending money that isn’t theirs. 

Just finished reading the Explorer “We Say” section by Thelma Grimes in 13 Feb 2013 edition concerning the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).  Thelma says: “Really, we shouldn’t even be discussing it had lawmakers done their jobs and passed it in 2011.”   Well, Thelma, they didn’t, so that means we shouldn’t discuss it now?  Pass laws without discussion?  She goes on to blame the Republicans.  As I understand it the Republican House passed a version in 2012, which the Democratic Senate refused to appoint conferees to work out any differences.  The Senate just passed their version this week.  The House may wish to “discuss” this bill - wow.  Additionally, Senator Hatch (R-UT), one of the original proponents of the law in 1994, voted against this version.  I wonder why?  Perhaps there is the concern that breaches of the law on tribal lands be tried in tribal courts.  Courts that may not be bound by all the Constitutional protections of due process.  This can all be worked out, but it is certainly worthy of “discussion”.  Thelma, it’s time move beyond your version of partisan politics.  It’s not helping.

Earlier today, after lengthy debate, the U.S. Houes of Representatives passed the Senate-passed version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).