Democrats Plan End to Outsourcing Subsidy

Democrats Plan End to Outsourcing Subsidy

Committed to fair trade -but cognizant of jobs loss - a plan by Vermont Representative Sanders (D) would end the current Federal subsidy of grants and contracts to employers who lay-off and export service jobs overseas. Current US Federal grants and contracts would be unavailable in eligibility to corporations which lay-off a greater number -percentage- of domestic workers than their foreign workforces. The restriction would slow the 'jobs offshoring' but not bar it -by eliminating the Federal business grants or contracts incentive to offshore-employ. story via the North Adams, Ma Transcript has Cong. John Olver (D) (Mass-1) endorsement. - referenced from Google e-mail ws alert.

Iraqi Constitution - Addendum

Iraqi Constitution - Addendum

Iraq's Constitution reverses the old order's individual status before the state in matters involving a criminal charge. Like the United States, and as adopted by Russia - for greater individual freedom - the individual is presumed innocent when charged by the state with criminal acts. - The state must legally, properly, conclusively prove an accused guilty by fair trial - the individual doesn't begin by proving his innocence - one is presumed innocent at the start of any criminal process through trial Rights to remain silent or refuse testimony about oneself in criminal process and right to counsel are also guaranteed. Iraq's constitution has transitional elements for the new governemnt; and may be amended by large super majority - ie 3/4 of the Assembly etc - processes. A side note as to religion and the Iraqi state: Concerns as to religious power would be addressed by private -non-secular management of religions. Ordinarily, where they conflict or individual and collective needs and rights must be balanced -the citizens would address the matters through the secular courts. As an example -a religious exclusion from residence or social matriculation; religious taxation issues etc. State courts will otherwise not govern religious matters -and religious forums nor figures of religious authority shall not govern nor adjudicate secular matters.

Iraq Transitional Constitution Signed - Sumamry

Iraq Transitional Constitution Signed - Sumamry

Iraqis joined in their interim national council have signed and published and promulgated their new interim constitution. It shall be the basic governing law for Iraq with that nation's sovereignty restored effective June 30 2004. It contains an enumerated Bill of Rights to protect basic individual freedoms; a specific divison of government powers; guarantees the Federation of Iraq and mobility within to the Arabic and Kurdish nations, also declaring two equal official state languages -Kurdish and Arabic; establishes Islam as the state religion - unequivocally - but by state authority guarantees the religious practices and freedom of beliefs of non-Islamic people. Further -the new constitution guarantees civilian direction of the military; outlaws military units other than national military active or reserve units -save where permitted by Federal Iraqi law; bars, like America, serving military personnel from seeking or holding civilan office. Bathist party members of rank -Division leader or higher - are forbidden from participating in office holding or elective office seeking - save where a specific indivdual exception is given. Religious freedom is guaranteed with other freedoms of belief; conscience; and thought. Homes, properties, individuals are protected against arbitrary arrest, search, or seizure; neutrally determined judicial warrants are required for searches; privacy intrusions arrests. No arrests may be made for political or religious purpose. Iraq's executive power is composed of its Presidency Council - which now appointed, will be elected. The National Assembly bears the legislative power; and a Supreme Court and lesser created law courts and existing courts recognized and joined by law to the judicial structure, shall comprise the independent judicial power. By division - each power of government shall be independent and mutually contributive and interdependent in the Iraqi government - and no official may hold an office or elected position in more than one branch of government. Certain internal territorial issues are tabled -deferred until reviewwed by the newly established government and until a full reviewable national census is taken. Provisions for recognizing citizenship are established - including verifiication of citizenship claims. No sex, race, or ethnic discrimination or exclusionary differentation by law is permitted with constitution. Socialism as conceived in an Islamic state - whereby necessary benefits of life are afforded by society to every citizen are constitutionally guaranteed. Basically these would be: food; shelter; education; health care; livelihood (insofar as possible). So too, is granted the guarantee of private property in ability to own and convey securely with compensation when takings occur for public necessity. Elections, to the fullest, are to be held no later than July 2005; and as early as December 2004. Taxes are not set or imposed except by law under this constitution. The document, effective as law June 30, 2004; re-establishes full Iraqi national soverignty. Links below for the text of the Constituion at the Coalition Provisional Authority website in English, Arabic; and Kurdish: Iraq Coalition Provisonal Authority http://www.cpa-iraq.org/government/TAL.html - Full Text here

Kerry's VEEP Choice

Kerry's VEEP Choice

Kerry's VEEP choice will be confirmed at the Convention n Boston. Meanwhile, he loses a paired nationally appealing partner to co-campaign. Each and any of the Democratic Party contenders may be considered in 'ticket balancing' -- east-west, north-south, or cross-ethnic. President Bush can and will soon unleash adn un-muzzle his White House partner and his campaign dogs in the person of Vice President Chaney. Perhaps the old observation that Vice President Gore, while running as Vice President, never lost an electionc can help. Plussing mentions for a Kerry running mate now include Edwards - for the obvious youth, campaignability, and South appeal; and former New Mexican Governor Bill Richardson - who was Clinton's Energy Secretary; and is Hispanic the state splitting alternative to GWB's Spanish America appeal. But speed in a decision now, without party splitting and affronting the convention, makes the best use of Kerry's remaining 8 months to November.