Brian Miller: Hostage-takers and the Obama-GOP tax package

AFP

As millions of unemployed Americans struggle to make ends meet amidst an economy still in shambles, a note is quietly slid under the door: “Give us $800 billion in tax breaks or your unemployment benefits are history!” In a classic made-for-television cop drama, this is the part where the heroic police captain would emphatically declare,…

A move on moment from House Dems

AFP

“Just say no! Just say no!” Seriously? That’s the best House Democrats can do these days – is mirror House Republicans? Any semblance of sanity on the Dem side is now officially history, which means, for all intents and purposes, there isn’t any semblance of sanity in D.C. anymore. Not that there was much even…

Webb: Tax deal will reinvigorate U.S. economy

Chris Graham

U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., is on board with the bipartisan effort being led by President Obama to reach consensus on a two-year extenion of Bush-era tax cuts and an extension of benefits to the long-term unemployed. “The framework agreement for tax cuts and extended unemployment insurance shows great promise in reinvigorating our economy and…

Tom Perriello: Middle-class tax cuts

AFP

Last week, Congress completed several pieces of overdue legislation to provide economic relief for the middle class and the unemployed, approve adequate reimbursements for doctors under Medicare, and to censure a senior legislator following an ethics investigation. In the weeks remaining in the 111th Congress, we have an opportunity and obligation to complete meaningful work…

Ride With Pride director honored for work

AFP

Debbie Winters, director of Ride With Pride, received the Pete Geisen Humanitarian Award at Ride With Pride’s annual dinner on Thursday, Dec. 2, held at Memorial Baptist Church in Staunton. The Pete Gesen Award, given by the Shenandoah Valley Disability Employment Awareness Committee, is given to individuals who champion the cause of equal opportunity and…

Linda Meric: Memo to Congress-extend programs that help us

AFP

Dear Member of Congress: You’ve got a lot to consider in this month. You’re scheduled to debate international treaties and internet censorship. There’s talk of military affairs and revamping federal agencies. But this should be at the top of your agenda:  extending benefits for unemployed workers and making sure struggling parents can continue to make…