Daily Archives: April 17, 2017

Cornwall’s Liberal Democrats lead the doorstep fightback | Politics … – The Guardian

Posted: April 17, 2017 at 1:17 pm

First-time Liberal Democrat council candidate Adrian Parsons canvassing in Lewannick, Cornwall. Photograph: Jim Wileman for the Guardian

The canvassing team meets promptly in a village hall car park on the edge of Bodmin Moor. A plan of action is hatched and the activists some fresh-faced, others battle-hardened sweep through the village of Lewannick speedily and efficiently.

I didnt think Id like this bit, having to knock on peoples doors, says the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Altarnun ward, Adrian Parsons. But you meet so many people and you learn so much. Most people want to talk. And the majority seem to be positive about our messages. Im enjoying this.

Parsons, a 42-year-old dairy and sheep farmer, is one of a new generation of Lib Dem activists helping to forge what increasingly seems to be a strong revival in the partys fortunes in Cornwall. Next month, he is hoping to wrest this ward from the Tories as the Lib Dems attempt to gain a majority on Cornwall council. Ive always been Liberal Democrat, but I decided to get more involved because Id become frustrated at how things were going, at how some people are really struggling.

Thanks to its nonconformist tradition (a cottage where John Wesley used to stay lies within Altarnun), Liberalism has long been a major force in the far south-west of Britain. In recent decades, Lib Dem MPs and councillors have been returned time and again.

People who voted for Brexit are also saying theyll vote for us in May. I think just about everyone is up for grabs

But then came the crash. At the last Cornwall council elections in 2013, the Lib Dems were beaten into second place by the independents. At the general election two years later, the party was routed by the Conservatives, who won all six Cornish seats. Respected, long-serving MPs were booted out.

More misery was to follow for Europe-friendly Cornish Lib Dems when the UK voted to leave the EU. Though Cornwall has benefited from millions of pounds of European funding over the years, its people voted conclusively in favour of Brexit.

But the tide appears to be turning.

The Lib Dems have won a succession of council byelections in Cornwall and are now once again the biggest group on the council with 43 members, governing in coalition with the independents.

Lib Dem loyalists are buoyed both by the national partys resurgence and by a report in the New Statesman claiming that Lynton Crosby, who helped the Tories into government in 2015, has warned the prime minister, Theresa May, that if she called a snap general election she would lose all the Lib Dem seats her party gained in Cornwall.

The Lib Dems are fielding candidates in all 123 Cornwall seats at next months council election, 31 of them new members. People like Dulcie Tudor, a single mum and former journalist standing in Threemilestone and Gloweth in Truro, are standing for the first time.

Tudor said she decided to put herself forward because she was unimpressed by the level of debate at County Hall and felt that not all the independents were pulling their weight. She believes she can help. Tudor said local issues were what she was being asked about on the doorstep: a dispute over a play park, the infrastructure around a new sports stadium.

Lib Dem policies for Cornwall include building 1,000 council houses by 2020 (Cornwall is both a holiday hotspot and a place of social deprivation with locals pushed out by second-home owners), introducing the living wage for anyone who delivers a contract for the council and protecting adult social care.

There is no mention of the Brexit in the leaflets being handed out in Lewannick though the Lib Dems position as the pro-Europe party is playing well nationally.

I do think we are the party that gives people the chance to talk about Brexit, said Tudor. People who voted for Brexit are also saying theyll vote for us in May. In these febrile political times, it is clear that age-old allegiances are breaking down. I think just about everyone is up for grabs, Tudor said.

Experienced campaigners are on hand to guide the likes of Tudor and Parsons. The Lib Dem peer Baroness Jolly, the partys defence spokeswoman, was knocking on doors with Parsons. The Lib Dems have long been seen as an anti-establishment party, she said. That became a hard sell when the party governed in coalition with David Camerons Tories. But I think were getting that back quickly.

The door-knocking is backed by technology. The Lib Dems are using a canvassing app called MiniVAN, which was used by Barack Obama. They are also pleased with the return on the money they have invested on boosting Facebook posts. But face-to-face contact is still the Lib Dems bread and butter.

Naturally, not all voters are on board. Dave Edwards, who was walking his dog Lulu in Lewannick when he was intercepted by Parsons, said he still felt let down by former Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg over tuition fees. He lied, simple as that. I cant forgive that.

Outside the Archer Arms pub, an older woman told Parsons that she had always backed the Tories, but would think about voting Lib Dem because she was upset that improvements to the local GP surgery had not come to fruition. The Lib Dems are strong on such super-local issues.

The Tories are doing their best not to allow the Lib Dems free rein here. They claim more than 20,000 jobs have been created in Cornwall since 2010 and propose to slash the number of councillors to save money. They have also criticised the Lib Dem/independent coalition for putting Truro forward as a European Capital for Culture, despite Brexit.

They do mention the B word in their leaflets, pledging that their councillors will work with the their MPs to make Brexit a success for Cornwall.

Independent John Pollard, the current council leader, does not seem overly concerned by a Lib Dem surge. The Lib Dems are certainly working very hard. Theyre fielding 123 candidates. Theyve won most of the byelections. I think people need to look carefully at the strength of all the parties arguments, but always vote for the person who you think will represent your area best. That can be an independent. Theres always a place for independents in Cornwall.

Back in Altarnun, Dan Rogerson, who lost his North Cornwall seat to the Tories in 2015, was also banging on doors with Parsons. He is not happy that he lost his job, but he believes the losses have led to a sense of renewal.

The party finds itself with fewer policy experts, researchers and press officers, said Rogerson. It means weve had to rely more on our volunteers. Weve had to find out what our grassroots members can do, what skills they have and its been refreshing. Its like a plant that you cut back hard to make the shoots stronger.

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Cornwall's Liberal Democrats lead the doorstep fightback | Politics ... - The Guardian

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Liberal way of thinking is lunacy – Evening Observer

Posted: at 1:17 pm

Lets continue discussing this Liberal way of thinking. I just hope that it isnt too late to bring this country back to the way this country should be. Common sense: love this country, love this way of life, defend our way of life.

Always remember what our forefathers had said when they entered this country. They said coming to this country is a privilege and not a right. Its too bad that the illegals have entered this country and refuse to obtain the privilege of being a citizen of this country.

So why do the Democrats and their supporters continue to try to protect these illegal aliens who refuse to obtain citizenship? Why doesnt the Democratic party try to assist them to obtain that citizenship, but instead protects them in sanctuary cities paid for by the United States taxpayers, who are fed up with this way of thinking?

This country is fed up with those politicians who make excuses for these illegals. Now the ultra left radical Liberals want a bridge across our borders to allow all those illegals to enter, even if their intentions are not for the betterment of this country. I hope and pray the Liberal brainless individuals are not attacked by these no good terrorists.

The ultra Liberal news media refer to President Trump as Mr. Trump, not respecting his position as our president. There as some Democrats that make remarks that President Trump cannot speak fluently like Obama. Big difference Obama did nothing but talk. President Trump in the few weeks he has been in office and even before that has done more for this country than Obama did in the last eight years. People dont want to admit that, especially the ultra Liberals.

My big question of the day is why did the Democrats in Washington allow the illegals to accept the same privileges such as welfare, drivers licenses? Who the hell is responsible for this lunacy?

God bless America and hopefully things will get better.

Richard Makuch is a Dunkirk resident

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Organizers Of Pro-Trump Rally In Liberal Berkeley Were ‘Proud Boys’ – CBS San Francisco Bay Area

Posted: at 1:17 pm


CBS San Francisco Bay Area
Organizers Of Pro-Trump Rally In Liberal Berkeley Were 'Proud Boys'
CBS San Francisco Bay Area
BERKELEY (CBS SF) A pro-Trump group known as the Proud Boys sponsored the protest that descended into bloody violence at Berkeley's Civic Center Park on Saturday. They say they have a right to bring their views to liberal Berkeley. According to the ...
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Funding Deadline Tests GOP Strategy – Roll Call

Posted: at 1:17 pm

When Republicans kicked the fiscal 2017 spending deadline into April last December, House Speaker Paul D. Ryan saidtheyd rather negotiate with incoming GOP President Donald Trump than the outgoing Democratic one.

But now, congressional Republicans are talking about largely ignoring requests from the White House as they negotiate with Democrats over a spending bill to take the government off autopilot for the remaining five months of the fiscal year.

This dynamic demonstratesthe state of the GOP in Washington: a partystruggling to figure out how to use their unified governmentto implement the policy ideas they pitched during the campaign.

Infighting has long plagued the party, particularly in the House where Republicans haveheld the majority since 2011. But that has amplified now that they find themselves in a governing position, with control of Congress and the White House.

The continuing resolution that has maintained government funding is set to expire April 28. Both chambers of Congress are currently out for the Easter recess, scheduled to return just days before the funding deadline April 24 for the Senate, April 25 for the House. That leaves little time for intraparty squabbles or across-the-aisle horse trading over whatever bill congressional leaders produce.

Political and policy differences between conservative and moderate factions that prevented House Republicans from moving forward with legislation to partially repeal and replace and the 2010 health care law one of their top campaign promises could also cause strife over the government funding bill.

Its a giant problem because anything Republicans in the House really want has to go through eight Democratic senators, said Joshua Huder, senior fellow at Georgetown Universitys Government Affairs Institute, referring to Democratic support needed to get over the Senates 60-vote procedural threshold.

Theres absolutely no way to get this across the finish line, short of a massive compromise, Huder said.

Compromise is exactly what Republicans avoided by kicking the can down the road in December. But the dynamic has not changed. As Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell noted on April 7, spending bills cannot be done by one party alone.

So the question remains whetherRepublicans will look to pick a fight on the spending bill to secure some of their policy priorities. If they keep the government open but dont secure any new big ticket items in the process, can they still claim victory?

Basedon the Republicans own vision of holding majorities in Congress and the White House, doing nothing would be abject failure, said David Lublin, a government professor at American University.

If you pass a budget that essentially extends the current situation, that would be a big win for Democrats because thats not what the Republicans wanted, he said.

Republicans could ask for a number of things to be included in the government fundingbill, but Democratsare unlikely to accept many of them.

Among the issues that could throw a wrench into bipartisan negotiations: increases in defense spending that arent offset by other cuts nor matched byincreases for domestic programs, funding for Trumps border wall proposal, and provisions prohibiting funds for so-called sanctuary cities or Planned Parenthood.

For the majority, decisions remainpending.

All items are under negotiation and are not finalized, said Jennifer Hing, spokeswoman for the House Appropriations majority. We expect [to] have legislation ready prior to the deadline.

Matthew Dennis, the panels minority spokesman, said Democrats are negotiating in good faith over a measure that can pass both the House and Senate.

It seems likely that, like previous years, Democratic votes will be needed to enact appropriations law, so we continue to draw a hard line against poison pill riders like border wall construction, sanctuary cities, and Planned Parenthood, he said.

Top congressional leaders seem to understand where the land mines lie.

For example, Ryansaidthe GOP would prefer to defund Planned Parenthood through the budget reconciliation process and said the majority of the funding for Trumps border wall wont be needed until after fiscal 2017.

But two wild cards are at play: Trump and the House Freedom Caucus, said Sarah Binder, a senior fellow at the liberal-leaning Brookings Institution.

Trump will need to decide whether he wants to use the spending bill as an opportunity to draw attention to his priorities, particularly on funding the border wall, she said.

The unknown here is not just his ability to propose, but will he get the idea that he could wield a veto? Binder said. While presidents rarely issue veto threats when their party controls Congress, Trump has not shown an understanding or appreciation for normal legislative practices, she said.

Mick Mulvaney, the Office of Management and Budget director, has signaled that the president plans to use his veto authority as leverage. Elections have consequences and the president needs to see his priorities funded if hes going to be signing off on spending bills,he told Charlotte radio station WBT on April 9.

The Freedom Caucus is the second wild card: Agroup of roughly three dozen hard-line conservatives thatsought and failed to use prior spending debates to extract policy concessions when President Barack Obama was in office.

Is this the stand they want to take or [do] they want to save their fire for other battles coming down the pipe? Binder said.

Freedom Caucus Chairman Mark Meadows has said the group would likely show greater flexibility than they have in past government funding negotiations, but its unclear how far that flexibility will go.

If the caucus does not draw a hard line over issues such asPlanned Parenthood and sanctuary cities in the upcoming spending bill, that would not impact their leverage in future negotiations, Binder said.

If theyre worried about their reputation of caving, I think their standing up for [health care] repeal put that to rest, she said.

Democrats, too, may have some requests. Theyve already signaled an interest inappropriating money for the so-called cost sharing subsidies that are part of the 2010 health care law.

The subsidies, a government payment to helpinsurers meet the laws mandates for reducing out-of-pocket costs, had been paid for by the Obama administration. House Republicans sued the former administration over the constitutionality of the subsidies, arguing that they legally should be appropriated by Congress.

With control of the White House now, Republicans have to decide whether the administration or Congress should continue the payments, the absence of which could cause insurers to pull out of health insurance marketplaces.Trump told The Wall Street Journallast week that he hasnt decided whether to fund the subsidies.

Obamacare is dead next month if it doesnt get that money, the president said. I havent made my viewpoint clear yet. What I think should happen and will happen is the Democrats will start calling me and negotiating.

In response to Trumps threat,Democrats have suggested that Congress should appropriate money for the subsidies.

That would be a good way for them to use their influence with their votes, Binder said.

House Republicans could even tout thatas a win given the position they took in their lawsuit. A federal judge ruled in the GOPs favor last year, but the decision is under appeal.

As far as other potential wins in the spending bill, the GOP is unlikely to get anything big.

If they tried some very small things they might be able to do it, but Trump is not about small, said Lublin, of American University. ... Trump not getting everything he immediately wants doesnt make him a loser, except maybe in his own terms.

Republicans shouldnt need to extract policy wins from the spending bill, Georgetowns Huder said. They should be able to enact policy by advancing individual legislation, and any push for policy riders could speak to alack of confidence in using regular order, he said.

In all honesty its a little bit of a desperate move, Huder said. Because youre trying to do something that you really should be able to do by yourself.

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How to win the endgame of financial independence – MoneySense – MoneySense

Posted: at 1:16 pm

SpeedReader

Book: Building wealth and being happy: a practical guide to financial independenceAuthor: Graeme Falco Publisher: Graeme Falco 2016 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXRXM1APrice: $11.99, Kindle $3.99

WHO ITS FOR: People who want to get rich slowly over many years and retire early

MORE SPECIFICALLY: Those who want to know how to achieve financial independent but also how to find happinessapart from the dollar amount in our investment accounts.

DOES IT BUST ANY MYTHS?:Yes, that there are legitimate reasons to have a home country bias in your portfoliofavourable tax treatment for domestic stocks being one of them. And while there is no clear right answer to this asset allocation question, Canadian investors can reasonably defend an allocation made up of anywhere from 4% to 30% Canadian equity.

DOES IT TOUCH ON ANY OTHER INVESTMENT THEMES?: Of course, the booktalks about ETFs, stocks, asset allocation as well as taxes for someone setting themselves the goal of generating passive income for early retirement. It also talks about real estate investing and bond investing, with an eye on how these productsand strategies can help you reachearly retirement. Its good for primer beginner and intermediate investors.

SURELY YOU CANT REACH FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE BEFORE RETIREMENT?:Yes you can, and with a little planning, many people do.

WHY WE LIKE IT:It clearly shows how even though youre saving for financial independence, it doesnt mean you have to be a miserable penny pincher during the accumulation years to become financially independent at a reasonable age.

WHATS SURPRISING?:That financial independence doesnt have to coincide with retirement. Financial independence is achieved when income from passive sources (stocks, rental income, bank interest, etc.) exceeds ones expensesand that can be at any age.

ACTION ITEM:The saving and waiting part of financial independence is long, so learn to enjoy it

KEY TAKEAWAY:All too often people think that achieving financially independence will allow them to become the person they are really meant to be. But just as buying physical objects cant make you happy in the long run, a big pile of investments cant give you self-esteem or satisfaction from life. So remember to live in the present.

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Calculating Your "Magic Number" -A Fool’s Errand – Forbes

Posted: at 1:16 pm


Forbes
Calculating Your "Magic Number" -A Fool's Errand
Forbes
As a career financial planner, who has sat through countless initial client meetings, I always expect that at some point the discussion will turn to a request for assistance in calculating the magic number, that will guarantee financial independence.

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Farmers market on the move – Fort Worth Star Telegram

Posted: at 1:15 pm

Farmers market on the move
Fort Worth Star Telegram
... former New Beginnings Church, 203 Smith St. With construction planned on the Pond Branch linear trail for that site, the market needed to find a new home. The Wesley Mission Center, which is also planning a move to the Dollar General/Utopia Fitness ...

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NYC Will Transform 30 Blocks into a Pedestrian Utopia For Earth Day – Good News Network

Posted: at 1:15 pm

Home USA NYC Will Transform 30 Blocks into a Pedestrian Utopia For Earth Day

On April 22nd between the hours of 10AM and 4PM, New York City will be celebrating Earth Day by closing downover 30 blocks to cars, buses, and transportation.

Instead of the noise and pollution, peoplewill be able to amble throughthe core of the Big Apple onany street between Union Square and Times Square onpedestrian walkways lined with activities.

WATCH:This Pup Gives Hugs to Stressed Out New Yorkers on the Street

City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez said: Were showing New Yorkers the potential of a car-free Broadway and what open streets can look and feel like. Reducing car usage in our city can transform so much. It can help us to take advantage of space currently used for parking lots and gas stations; it can reduce traffic fatalities and injuries; it can make our city healthier and more breathable; and it can bring a newfound sense of calm to our bustling metropolis.

Weve seen countries around the world take this initiative to great heights and New York should be no different. If were going to craft a sustainable future for our city and our planet, cars will not be the answer and Earth Day is the best opportunity to make this point clear.

Promotethe Fun: Click To Share OR, Republish Reprint (Photo by Tubafil, CC)

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A ‘Carousel’ Revival Promises Stars, Onstage and Off – New York Times

Posted: at 1:15 pm


New York Times
A 'Carousel' Revival Promises Stars, Onstage and Off
New York Times
The revival, scheduled to open on March 23 in an unspecified theater, is to be directed by Jack O'Brien, a three-time Tony winner (for Hairspray, Henry IV and The Coast of Utopia) who is now directing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on ...
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Baths | Oceania

Posted: at 1:14 pm

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