What town matches my politics?

*BOG GROUP* A Hard Day's Work Deserves a Fair Day's Pay

It's been a good few days for America.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the Affordable Care Act. It is here to stay.

And, Democrats and Republicans in Congress paved the way for the United States to rewrite the rules of global trade to benefit American workers and American businesses.

On Friday, the Court recognized the Constitutional guarantee of marriage equality. With that ruling, our union became a little more perfect -- a place where more people are treated equally, no matter who they are or who they love.

These steps build upon America's steady progress in recent years. Out of the depths of recession, we've emerged ready to write our own future. Our businesses have created 12.6 million new jobs over the past 63 months -- the longest streak on record. More than 16 million Americans have gained health insurance. More kids are graduating from high school and college than ever before.

But more work lies ahead, if we are to succeed in making sure this recovery reaches all hardworking Americans and their families.

We've got to keep expanding access to affordable health care. Right now, 22 states haven't expanded Medicaid -- even though, under the ACA, they can. We'll keep encouraging those governors to do the right thing for their constituents. And we're making sure people know all the ways that they can benefit from the ACA. Wednesday, I'll go to Tennessee to meet Americans whose lives have been changed by this law, and to talk about how, instead of refighting settled battles of the past, we can move forward together.

We've got to keep making sure hard work is rewarded. Right now, too many Americans are working long days for less pay than they deserve. That's partly because we've failed to update overtime regulations for years -- and an exemption meant for highly paid, white collar employees now leaves out workers making as little as $23,660 a year -- no matter how many hours they work.

This week, I'll head to Wisconsin to discuss my plan to extend overtime protections to nearly 5 million workers in 2016, covering all salaried workers making up to about $50,400 next year. That's good for workers who want fair pay, and it's good for business owners who are already paying their employees what they deserve -- since those who are doing right by their employees are undercut by competitors who aren't.

That's how America should do business. In this country, a hard day's work deserves a fair day's pay. That's at the heart of what it means to be middle class in America.

As president, my top priority is to strengthen the middle class, expand opportunity and grow the economy. That's why I believe in middle-class economics -- the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. It's driven me from day one. It's fueled our American comeback. And it's at the heart of the fundamental choice our country faces today.

Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do exceptionally well? Or will we push for an economy where every American who works hard can contribute to and benefit from our success?

Will we invest in programs that would help educate our children, maintain our roads and bridges, and train our workers for the high-paying jobs of the future? Or will we cut these programs, and decide to give more to the wealthiest Americans instead?

To me, the answer is clear. Let's invest in America's future. Let's commit to an economy that rewards hard work, generates rising incomes, and allows everyone to share in the prosperity of a growing America. Let's reverse harmful cuts to vital programs, and instead make the critical investments we need to grow our economy and strengthen the middle class.

That's what I'll be talking about this week -- this choice, and these priorities.

America is at its best when we look out for one another. We soar when we strive to do better for one another. That's what I'm focused on and that's what I'll fight for every day for the next 18 months.

Let's get to work.

*BOG GROUP* On Trade, Here's What the President Signed Into Law

When facts matter...which is always.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2015/06/29/trade-here-s-what-president-signed-law

VictoryLand set to reopen after court ruling

"You could be a winner, too!"

Maybe "Black Lives Matter" even in Alabama?

After Macon County and Tuskegee lost 2,000 jobs at VictoryLand initiated 2 administrations ago by ex-Gov. "Bingo Bob" Riley (R) who had no problem closing VictoryLand during the Great Recession - while leaving alone the three Indian casinos that operated electronic bingo machines in the exact same way - a ruling finally came out today:

House Sends Trade Adjustment Assistance to President’s Desk

Obama campaigned for single payer? I don't remember it that way.

It was (is?) a pretty consistent right-wing meme to matter-of-factly associate Obama's campaign position (and present intention) to implement single-payer universal government-controlled health care.

One of the reasons so many supported Hillary in that 2008 primary, she proposed a more comprehensive health care plan, but it was still not universal single-payer, but mandated private insurance. Remember?

June 29, 2009 FactCheck.org

In other statements, Obama has spoken favorably of single-payer in concept, but always adding qualifiers:

In February 2004, about a month before the primary election in the U.S. Senate race, the Associated Press reported the stance of all the candidates on universal health care. "Obama says he supports the idea of universal health care but does not think a single-payer government system is feasible. He says the government should be the health care provider of last resort for the uninsured." In a rundown of all the candidates' positions, the Associated Press summarized Obama's position as "Support, but 'probably not at this stage,' a single-payer government system."

In his book The Audacity of Hope, published in October 2006 when he was a U.S. senator, Obama described single-payer as the hope of the left, while those on the right wanted a market-based approach. "It's time we broke this impasse by acknowledging a few simple truths," Obama wrote, suggesting a system much like the one he supports today.

In April 2007, a few months after he declared his candidacy for presidency, the Chicago Tribune reported, "Obama has pledged that, if elected, all Americans would have health-care coverage by the end of his first term. He has said he is reluctant to switch to a 'single-payer' national health insurance system because of the difficulty in making a quick transition from the employer-based private system."

At his town halls as president, he routinely answers questions about single-payer by saying he would favor it if he were starting a system "from scratch." But he consistently adds that's not the goal of the current reform. "For us to transition completely from an employer-based system of private insurance to a single-payer system could be hugely disruptive, and my attitude has been that we should be able to find a way to create a uniquely American solution to this problem that controls costs but preserves the innovation that is introduced in part with a free-market system," Obama said in Annandale, Va., on July 1, 2009.

You say you want a revolution?

Don't you know it's gonna be all right?

*BOG GROUP* Senate Gives Obama Huge Win On Trade

Bipartisan legislation (60-37)! 13 Senate Democrats took a stand for America's future and voted to authorize our Democratic president to negotiate trade agreements following Congressional rules and guidelines.

*Hillary Group!* Hillary Clinton Dominates 2016 Democratic Field, Leads GOP Rivals

*Hillary Group* What We Care About - WSJ/NBC News Poll

Tired of "dynasty, inevitability, coronation, Clinton fatigue" meme 'out there'?

Well, here is what our fellow Americans think, from newest poll!