Roger Wicker "representation that reflects the values of Mississippi"

In an AP release today on the Musgrove - Wicker race for Trent Lott's vacated Senate seat, Roger Wicker made one very interesting statement.

"When it's all said and done, Mississippians will look at 13 years of mainstream conservative Republican representation that reflects the values of Mississippi."

What are these "mainstream conservative Republican values"? Let's take a look at a few of Roger Wicker's votes and see if they "reflect the values of Mississippi" .

Oct 31, 2007 - HR1025 Wicker voted against assistance to workers who lose their jobs due to the effect of globalization.

Wicker is from Tupelo. There is no area in Mississippi harder hit by the effects of globalization than the surrounding area of Tupelo. Just ten years ago, Tupelo was the shining industrial star of Mississippi with its burgeoning upholstered furniture industry. There were furniture manufacturers ranging from gigantic (Action Industries) to mom and pop outfits littered throughout the 40 mile radius of Tupelo. The supporting industries such as fabrics were also well represented in northeast Mississippi.

Fast forward to today and you see shuttered factories and closed shops growing in number by the week. Many Mississippians have seen their jobs replaced by the cheap labor of Mexico or China. Corporations have chosen to relocate overseas at a fraction of the labor cost, and minus pesky things like employee benefits, minimum wage or fair wage laws, and American safety standards.

Jan 10, 2007 - HR018 Wicker voted against increasing minimum wage to $7.25.

It goes without saying that Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the union. According to research done in 2006, 155,000 Mississippians would benefit from even a modest rise in the minimum wage. Minimum wage laws had not been updated in TEN years prior to this legislation. Those on the dirty end of the stick saw their wages frozen in time for a decade. These jobs likely also have no benefits and leave the employee helplessly stuck well below the poverty line.

Oct. 27, 2007 - HR1009 Wicker voted against adding 2 to 4 million children to SCHIP eligibility

SCHIP provides health care to poor children. Roger Wicker voted against making sure an additional two to four million poor American children had access to health care. I don't know how many of those poor children reside in Mississippi, but I am sure it is a disproportionately large number in comparison to the rest of the U.S.

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These votes do not reflect what I call Mississippi values. In the Mississippi I know we love our neighbor just as we were taught in Sunday school. Voting against a minimum wage hike after ten years of stagnation, voting against temporary benefits for those losing their jobs due to our changing trade laws, and voting against access to health care for children who have no say in their socioeconomic condition does not reflect the values of my Mississippi.

An Awkward and Interesting Race To Come?

From a Sun Herald article I learn that:

Musgrove and Wicker are longtime friends and shared an apartment in Jackson when they served together in the state Senate.

I'm curious as to how this might effect the tone of a Musgrove vs. Wicker race.

Are their bonds still so strong that they would stay away from the low blow?

Will both use surrogates and independent expenditures to do their attacks to avoid looking like they are attacking a friend?

Or will all be fair in love war and (add) politics?


If Musgrove or the DSCC decide that attacking Wicker is a good idea (and it is) Will Bardwell suggests some attacks:

SCHIP: Wicker opposed expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program earlier this year in an effort to deny extension of government-funded health care to 9 million uninsured children. Nearly 50 Republicans supported the bill in the House of Representatives despite the White House's opposition, but Wicker wasn't one of them. Undoubtedly, he'd defend the vote as an exercise in fiscal conservatism, but weighed against the health of 9 million children, that argument could sound hollow -- particularly in a cash-strapped state like Mississippi.

Big Oil: Way back in January, Wicker opposed a Democratic-led bill to repeal tax breaks for U.S. oil companies and fund renewable energy programs. Wicker also has accepted nearly $330,000 from energy companies over his congressional career. Wicker's not the only one, but that only goes to paint him into the just-another-Washington-insider corner. I can't think of any good answer that Wicker could muster.

Iraq: Mississippi is as conservative a state as there is, but Wicker's voting history on the Iraq war might still provide Musgrove some traction. Back in June, a poll showed that more than 40 percent of Republicans favored some form of troop withdrawal from the region, but Wicker has been as steady a rubber stamp for the White House as any member of Congress; as far as I can tell, Wicker has voted to approve all $482 billion for Iraq war funding. That's a big number to have hanging around one's neck for such an unpopular (and continuing) engagement. Even in deep-red Mississippi, this issue can play with moderate-to-mildly conservative voters that usually vote Republican.

Minimum wage: Wicker opposed the narrowly successful effort to raise the minimum wage to $7.25. That vote could be used to hurt Wicker among rural, blue-collar voters that hurt Musgrove in 2003.

College loans: Mississippi has plenty of education problems on its own without Wicker's opposition to a bipartisan effort to cut the interest rates on federally subsidized student loans in half. More than 120 Republican congressmen supported the College Student Relief Act, but Wicker wasn't one of them. Musgrove would do well to make him explain why.

I do hope that whomever we Democrats choose can take the fight with proper financing to the Mississippi and National Republican machines.

Update: Wicker gave Barbour $10,000 in 2003 in his race against Musgrove so I doubt that friendship is still as strong.

Bush Still Doesn't Care About Our Children

The President did it again - he vetoed the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) bill again! But at least he was ashamed this time - he did it behind closed doors and sent a little note to Congress. What a macho man!

This is a bill supported by practically all Democrats and a goodly number of Republicans - and almost everybody else in the country. Although enough Senators supported the bill to override a veto, the House cannot quite get the two thirds vote required. What a shame! One third of the House is preventing the children of America from getting health care. I hope they're proud of themselves - and I hope a bunch of them get defeated in their next election. Don't they know politicians are supposed to love babies?

Guess which state has the highest uninsured rate? Guess which Governor doesn't support SCHIP? Guess which Senators voted against SCHIP? Guess which Congressmen don't care about their state's children?

Mississippi is the poorest state in the union and has the most children without access to health care. Do our elected officials care? Most do not. Governor Barbour is in the minority of Governors not supporting the SCHIP legislation. Senators Cochran and Lott followed in lockstep with their uncaring President and voted against our children.

Two men who are mentioned most frequently as being appointed as US Senator - Congressmen Wicker and Pickering - consistently voted against Mississippi children. Thank goodness for Congressmen Taylor and Thompson.

Why do Mississippians keep voting for politicians who vote against their best interests?

SCHIP Needed For Working Families

The Clarion Ledger:
Republicans have been coming up with a lot of reasons to supposedly oppose the State Children's Health Insurance Program. The Clarion Ledger takes one of those excuses on.

Bush supporters are lining up behind the "sound byte" that it would provide health insurance for families with incomes up to $80,000 in some states which poorer states like Mississippi might find unpalatable.

But, it costs more to live in urban areas. Homes that cost $200,000 in Mississippi can cost $1 million in places like San Francisco. To try to equate the costs with a family of four in a rural area is comparing apples and oranges, and those who do it know it.

The fact is, CHIP is aimed at providing health insurance for the "working poor," those who are not on welfare and work, but are not offered it through their employers and earn too little to be able to afford it.

It's ridiculous that President Bush will keep vetoing children's healthcare, but that is what he continues to do.

Thank You Congressman Taylor!!!!!!!

Call Congressman Gene Taylor at 1-800-861-5343 and thank him for voting to support the children of Mississippi.

Congressman Taylor had previously voted against the extension of SCHIP and against the veto override - one of only two Democrats to do so. A coalition of citizens worked hard to turn around his vote, and we were successful! Democrats made some changes in the bill to take care of all reasonable objections and brought the bill back for a vote yesterday. This time Congressman Taylor voted in favor. Please take time to thank him for this crucial vote that must have been difficult for him.

Here's some information about the Mississippi SCHIP program from the Clarion Ledger:

In Mississippi, only children from families who earn no more than 200 percent of federal poverty level - or no more than $41,300 a year - qualify for the plan.

But other states have more generous qualifications, registering children from higher-income families and pregnant women under the program.

The program is run on a cost-sharing basis, with the federal government picking up most of the tab, depending on a state's income levels.

In Mississippi, the federal government pays for 83 percent of the cost of insuring a child under CHIP.

At least 20 states - including Mississippi - would soon run out of money to administer the program if it is not reauthorized on or before Nov. 16.

Of course, our two Republican Congressman (Pickering and Wicker) voted against children again. But no one even bothered lobbying them. They don't know how to think for themselves and always support the President no matter what - even when it hurts Mississippians.

Call Gene Taylor; Mississippi's Kids Are Worth It

Call 1-800-861-5343 to let Congressman Gene Taylor know how disappointed we are in him for not supporting the S-Chip Program that would have provided insurance for the many Children in America that are currently without health insurance.

One Year Of Health OR One More Week In Iraq

Advocates Call for Congressman Taylor to Stand with Mississippi Children

A Press Release from the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program

For more information, contact Roy Mitchell 601.353.0845

Gulfport, MS – Congressman Gene Taylor (4th District) can help over 100,000 uninsured children in Mississippi obtain health coverage by voting to override President Bush's veto of the CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2007. Advocates will join with the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program at the Turkey Creek Head Start Community Center— 14175 Rippy Road in Gulfport, MS on Wednesday, Oct 17 at 1:00 p.m.—to encourage Congressman Taylor to align himself on the side of Mississippi families by voting to expand SCHIP.

"We want to let Representative Gene Taylor (4th District) know that our children's health is no longer up for debate," declared Roy Mitchell, Program Director for the Mississippi Health Advocacy Program. "The time is now to provide coverage for the over 100,000 uninsured children in our state."

The U.S. House of Representatives will attempt to override the President's veto on Thursday, October 18. While the legislation passed in September with a bipartisan majority, its passage was 24 votes short of the two/thirds necessary to override the veto. Every vote counts, so it is crucial that we continue to demand Taylor's support! Congressman Bennie Thompson was the only member of Mississippi's Congressional delegation to vote for the legislation, which has vast support in both parties.

In defending his vote against children's healthcare, Taylor claimed that he was looking out for "the least of us." The truth is, the insurance provided for in the bill – financed by a federal cigarette tax increase—would disproportionately benefit lower income households since it is targeted at children with incomes below 200% FPL.

The cigarette tax increase would not only fund children's health insurance but it would also prevent thousands of Mississippi children from becoming smokers—saving the state millions in future healthcare costs.

"Low-income families with children who obtain coverage under SCHIP would gain much more than they lose, even if one or more family members smoke," said Mitchell.

While Congress debates the legislation, the healthcare situation in America and Mississippi continues to get worse. There are over 9 million uninsured children in the country and over 100,000 of them reside in Mississippi. Counter to many of the myths circulated about the uninsured, in most cases the faces of the uninsured are the faces of hardworking individuals and their children. A report issued by Families USA found that four out of five of the uninsured (79.3%) were in working families.

The CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2007 would expand coverage to another 3.8 million children. Our congressional leadership should not choose flawed ideology over our children's health and future.

Please do your part to help the children of Mississippi!

Congressman Taylor to Be Targeted with Ads

Catholics United will launch a radio advertising campaign targeting ten members of Congress whose opposition to the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) have compromised their pro-life voting records, and Congressman Taylor (D-MS) is one of them.

The ads, which feature a mother urging her Congressional Representative to support SCHIP, will primarily air on Christian and talk radio stations from Monday Oct. 15 to Wednesday, Oct. 17 as Congress approaches a critical Oct. 18 vote to override President Bush's veto of bipartisan SCHIP legislation.

Let's hope Congressman Taylor reconsiders.

Click here for more information.

UPDATE: Click here to see the Press Release from Catholics United and listen to the ad.

Ralley For Childen's Healthcare In Jackson

From a press release:

Make Your Voice Heard!!

On October 3, 2007, President Bush vetoed The Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (CHIPRA) of 2007. The overwhelming bipartisan support of this bill, demonstrated by 265 members of the House of Representatives and a veto-proof majority in the Senate (67-29), was dismissed with a stroke of the President's pen.

On October 18, 2007, the United States House of Representatives will vote to override President Bush's veto of CHIPRA. Why is the vote important?
ü There are more than 9 million uninsured children in this country.
ü There are more than 100,000 uninsured children in Mississippi.
Our children are suffering!!
Representatives Gene Taylor (4th District), Chip Pickering (3rd District), and Roger Wicker (1st District) voted against the Children's Health Insurance Program. Mississippi's Congressmen need to hear from you!!

Join the Children's Defense Fund, parents and advocates for a press conference on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. in front of the Eastland Federal Courthouse, 245 East Capitol Street, Jackson, MS. The purpose of this press conference is to encourage Mississippi's Congressional delegation to stop our children's suffering and vote to override the President veto of CHIPRA.

Ask Congressman Taylor to Please Support Our Children

SCHIP is a joint federal state program to provide health insurance for the uninsured children of working parents who are too poor to purchase private coverage but not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid. It’s been around since 1997 and is a proven success. (See Issue Brief by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.)

The bipartisan bill to continue and expand SCHIP passed Congress, but was unfortunately vetoed by President Bush. A impressive coalition is now working furiously to override that veto. Unfortunately Mississippi’s two Senators voted against SCHIP. Fortunately, we don’t need them, because the bill passed the Senate by a veto proof majority (67).

The battle for the override is in the House of Representatives. All of Mississippi’s Representatives, except Benny Thompson, voted against SCHIP. Personally, I think Representatives Pickering and Wicker are hopeless cases. They’re going to follow President Bush and Governor Barbour, no matter what the effects on Mississippians. Congressman Taylor is another story. He votes for his constituents. We must educate him about the needs of the children of Mississippi.

Mississippi ranks last in so many health categories. We have the largest percentage of children in poverty, and we rank the highest in infant mortality. We can’t change this overnight, but we can, at the very least, provide health coverage for our children. The Mississippi Health Advocacy Program is coordinating the SCHIP campaign in Mississippi. Go to their website for Action Alert, Talking Points, and Myths & Facts.

According to news reports, some Mississippi Members of Congress felt like our state was being shortchanged by the formula. However, this was corrected in the final bipartisan bill passed by Congress. This is likely just a smokescreen put up by the Barbour administration, who opposes the bill because it includes an increase in cigarette taxes. After all, his former lobbying firm represents the Tobacco Industry (and he may still be benefiting), and his nephews’ lobbying firm in Jackson also represents tobacco interests. The Governor who threw 60,000 Mississippi seniors off Medicaid isn’t going to be overly concerned about 100,000 uninsured Mississippi children.

However, Congressman Taylor will be concerned. Please contact him and ask him to please vote to override the President’s veto of the SCHIP bill. Click here to email him or to find his local phone numbers.

UPDATE: Hattiesburg American urges override. This should help.

Welcome Special Guest Writer Casey Ann

I have asked Casey Ann who writes the Natchez Mississippi blog to cover SCHIP and the negotiations and override vote. I'm unfortunately behind on national news because I've been almost singularly focused on the state level. Casey Ann will provided needed perspective on this issue.

Be sure to check out her blog at http://natchezms.blogspot.com/

Former Governor Musgrove Speaks Out On Children's Healthcare

Former Governors Ronnie Musgrove (D-MS) and Christine Todd Whitman (R-NJ) speak out on reauthorizing the State Children's Health Insurance Program in The Washington Times:

As governors, we made children's health insurance a priority in our states. Congress must now do likewise by reauthorizing and expanding the successful State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). This important state-federal partnership was born of bipartisan cooperation 10 years ago and has delivered quality, cost-effective care to millions of children since then and improved the health of our nation's youth.
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States continue leading the way. Since January 2006, the District of Columbia and 29 states have acted or are acting to strengthen children's coverage. By providing routine and preventive care for children, states can prevent minor and controllable health problems from becoming lifelong health burdens.
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Now is the time for Congress to act. Delays could undermine state efforts and a SCHIP reauthorization bill that falls short of the mark could unravel them. States are close to finishing the job for our children, but they need strong partnership and swift action from Congress to succeed.