Senator Whitehouse: Why I voted for the debt ceiling deal

By Senator Sheldon Whitehouse

At a time when our country is feeling the real effects of unemployment, struggling to pay mortgages and every day bills - it is unconscionable that anyone would play politics to make these problems worse.
 
But that was exactly the difficult situation that was unfolding in DC with the debt ceiling crisis.  Too many people were using the catastrophic threat of a government default to their advantage. 

Here’s what the real impact of defaulting on our financial obligations would have meant for Rhode Islanders:

 

Charlestown re-takes the lead in NIMBY race

The Providence Journal reported yesterday ("One North Kingstown turbine back on track") that the town of North Kingstown has restored the building permit to one of the two commercial wind turbine projects that has driven No. Kingstown almost as crazy as Charlestown.

Yesterday, the permit for the North Kingstown Green turbine was reissued after Wind Energy Development LLC provided the town with more information about the new turbine, a revised site plan, and new information regarding noise levels. Samantha Turner reports in today’s North Kingstown Patch that construction can start up again on the 389-foot turbine which will sit, literally, in developer Mark DePasquale’s yard.

Meanwhile, back in Charlestown, we have a new draft of our anti-wind ordinance, fresh out of the Planning Commission.

A Right-Wing Jobs Program for America

To apply, just go directly to jail.


By Jim Hightower

Attention jobless Americans! If you're among the millions of long-term unemployed people searching in vain for a job, here's a hot tip: they're hiring in Wisconsin.

Good time to review storm preparations

There's a good chance that the first full-fledged Atlantic hurricane of the season will form on Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service. They are projecting that to happen Monday morning while it is off the coast of North Carolina.

Right now, Emily is south of Haiti/Dominican Republic and is expected to tear through that island and then eastern Cuba.

Rhode Island's most trusted meteorologist John Ghiorse notes the storm must pass over the rugged island mountains that sometimes disrupt tropical storms, but if it makes passage, it will probably pick up strength as it heads for Florida and then on up the Atlantic coast.

Things To Do in Charlestown - August 3 through 9

Eat lots of seafood!

Take a walk to work it off!

Eat lots of seafood again!

See fireworks in Ninigret Park!


Read on for our recommendations for the next week.

Bachmann, Palin outraged by debt ceiling "terrorist" remark

Potential Republican Presidential candidates Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin reacted with outrage at remarks labeling Tea Party Republican members of Congress as "terrorists" for holding the nation hostage to their demands during the just-concluded debate over the debt ceiling.

For a moment, I thought they were both Progressive Charlestown readers, reacting to my comments that the shameful capitulation to the Tea Party hostage-taking as proof our country is negotiating with terrorists.

Help Yourself To Free Locally Grown Produce

The USDA's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program gives eligible RI residents $15 in free vouchers to use at local farmers markets. Could this be the incentive you need to visit a farmers market for the first time? Or expand your kitchen repertoire?

Shredding the Safety Net

As long as the poor remain invisible and voiceless, homelessness and hunger will continue to grow.

By William A. Collins

There's widespread poverty in America today, though it's sometimes hard to see how bad it is.

Foraging for food in your back yard

$1.49/lb. at Stop & Shop. Free in your yard.

The debt ceiling crisis has been averted, or should I say postponed, really—although not in a way that progressives are particularly happy about. But supposing the government had defaulted and you were counting on your social security check or food stamps to buy groceries. What would you eat?

Well, you can always go out in your back yard and pick some dandelion greens.

Debt Ceiling Deal

Once again, we have shown that we will negotiate with terrorists. We will let phony patriots bring this country to the brink of ruin - and not only let them get away with it, but reward them with what they want. And it looks like we'll let them do it again in a few months.

Makes you proud to be an American, doesn't it?

Author: Will Collette

The death of a community

Today, Central Falls' state-appointed receivor, Judge Bob Flanders, announced the city will file for bankruptcy. Through the bankruptcy process, the city will break its contracts and covenants with past, present and future city workers.

Flanders is the third receivor to run the city since the state took over the city 14 months ago. He and his two predecessors have already charged the now officially bankrupt city $570,000 for their services - which essentially consist of driving the hearse.

The first receivor, attorney John Savage, collected $250,000 for his stint. The second receivor, Judge Mark Pfieffer collected just under $200,000. Judge Flanders has already been paid $120,000 and is due to collect $130,000 under the terms of his contract.

NOTE to bankruptcy court - if you're going to void municipal contracts, make Judge Flanders' $130,000 sweetheart deal first on the list.

OMG PD

The OMG PD column at South Kingston Patch.com is chock full of stories that will make you chuckle this week. Here is an example.

Let’s hope the insurance company doesn’t read this

A 19-year-old Wakefield man went for a joy ride – with officer in pursuit – after he passed a patrolman doing 29 miles per hour above the speed limit.

Working harder or working smarter?

Paul Gavarni, Le Flâneur, 1842

The Industrial Revolution brought us all sorts of labor-saving devices that allowed people to produce products in far greater quantities than they ever could by hand. And with modern information technology, anyone can instantly send a message across the country by e-mail that would have taken weeks to arrive by pony express.

And yet how many people do you know who still have time to answer their phone or e-mail?

Voting Rights, Part 2

On Sunday July 31, the Westerly Sun ran an editorial (behind its odious paywall) entitled “If you pay taxes, you have rights.”

The editorial cited a recent meeting DEM held with Misquamicut residents about the mandates of the state’s Cesspool Act. Cesspools and any failing septic system must be replaced with new DEM-approved denitrification systems. These properties could also comply if the Westerly sewer system is extended into the area – something Westerly voters would have to approve.

Taxes are due today

Charlestown property tax owners need to pay their First quarter installment on their home, business and car taxes today.

As regular Progressive Charlestown readers know, Tom Ferrio and I have covered town taxes in depth for several months, even providing readers with our famous Progressive Charlestown Magic Tax Calculator that turned out to be dead-on accurate.

For those of us who moved to Charlestown from other places, we found Charlestown’s taxes to be a bargain. That’s even after figuring in paying for services the town doesn't provide like waste disposal, water, sewage, etc. 

But from Progressive Charlestown’s standpoint, even though Charlestown taxes are comparatively low, they are not necessarily fair.