Monthly Archives: July 2011

(Community Matters) According to the Ft. Worth Star Telegram

(Community Matters) from Dr. Joseph P. A. Villecas and NewsTaco.com

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(Community Matters)

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(Community Matters) 552,462 Americans (no corps or PACs) made an average contribution of $69.00; 98% of all donations were for $250 or less. Together we donated $86 million between Apr – June toward President Barack Obama’s reelection

(Community Matters) Congrats to Mike Maples Jr, #17 on the Forbes list

(Community Matters) John Cornyn: 51% of Amer Households Pay No Income Tax: devil in the details: 2009 a high, doesn’t include other taxes including payroll, state, sales, etc, and the top breaks go to top earners. Yes, top 20% earners pay more than proportional share of taxes, & yes top earners enjoying lowest tax burden since 50’s. Nevertheless, this speaks to our seriously broken tax system. All of us have a responsibility to pull our weight – breaks for hard times notwithstanding.

(Community Matters) Kauffman Foundation Jobs Study: Starting Smaller; Staying Smaller: America’s Slow Leak in Job Creation.

The United States appears
to be suffering from a long-term leak in job creation
that pre-dates the recession and has the potential
to persist for an unknown time. The heart of the
problem is a pullback by newly created businesses,
the economy’s most critical source of job creation,
which are generating substantially fewer jobs than
one would expect based on past experience.

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(Community Matters) this morning’s column in the Austin American Statesman – I’d reframe it: Opportunity for Doggett. An opportunity to add another solid, young, up & coming Democrat to the Texas delegation and a real chance for Congr. Lloyd Dogget & Travis County Democrats to battle with Republicans and keep CD-25. Joaquin’s is not a race against Congr. Lloyd Doggett.  It’s a race about Joaquin’s vision for the infrastructure of opportunity and about the next generation of political leaders with whom we will turn Texas blue.

(Community Matters) This needs to be fixed – Paul Krugman

(Community Matters) I am sensitive to the right of religions to discern their beliefs. And, I think this sensitivity has boundaries when an order is granted a public tax exemption by a body founded on separation of church and state. The Catholic Church is stepping right on the line if not over it. Promotion of their discriminatory dogma in the political arena begs questions of sanctity and tax exemption.

Brooklyn Bishop Bans Politicians Who Supported NY Gay Marriage

hat tip: JMG

(Community Matters) Defies understanding – why would Blake and TOMS support Focus on the Family, which the Southern Poverty Law Center designated a hate group.

update: TOMS & Blake have just released a statement apologizing for the mistake to speak at Focus on the Family and disavowing any partnership with the hate group. Blake further confirmed their strong support for human rights and equality  STMT HERE

update II:  Cataclysmic screw up.  Blake should now answer questions about his familiarity with and/or personal support for Focus on the Family. It’s important in deciding whether or not to continue supporting TOMS

(Community Matters) Mike Allen’s Playbook previews the list: Austin’s Jack Martin #22 (Global chairman & CEO, HIll & Knowlton)

1. Leslie Dach , EVP, corporate affairs and government relations, Walmart … 2. Richard Edelman, president and CEO, Edelman … 3. Harris Diamond , CEO, Weber Shandwick; CEO, IPG Constituency Management Group … 4. Sally Susman, EVP, policy, external affairs and communications, Pfizer … 5. Gary Sheffer, VP, corporate comms and public affairs, GE … 6. Ken Cohen, VP of government and public affairs, ExxonMobil … 7. Chris Hassall, Global external relations officer, Procter & Gamble … 8. Bill Margaritis, SVP, global communications and investor relations, FedEx … 9. Elliot Schrage, VP of global communications … 10. Jon Iwata, VP, marketing and communications, IBM …

Congratulations to Jack. Since I was just on the telephone w/ Patsy yesterday, I know they’re currently enjoying the gorgeous weather of beautiful Colorado.