Pat O'Malley
Pat O'Malley has been a progressive public policy advocate since 1982. She is now a freelance writer, civics and government instructor, and consultant for nonprofit organizations working toward social justice.
Pat uses current events as the platform to clarify the history, rationale, policies, and procedures surrounding government operations. She doesn't report the news. She explains it.
You can contact Pat at www.patomalley-consulting.com.
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Pat uses current events as the platform to clarify the history, rationale, policies, and procedures surrounding government operations. She doesn't report the news. She explains it.
You can contact Pat at www.patomalley-consulting.com.
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Displaying Results 1 - 75 (of 75) for Yahoo! Voices
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It’s Easy to Find Government InformationUSA.gov links every individual government site into a single place. Reach every federal, state, local, and tribal government site in seconds. No one wants all of that information, but every piece is important to someone. Here’s how to find it.
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Mitt Romney on Food Stamps?I dared Mitt Romney to prove to us all just how easy "the poor people" have it by living on a welfare and food stamp budget for a month. Send him a message. Let's see how much pressure we can bring. It sure will be fun watching him squirm out of it.
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What’s a Filibuster?Last week, President Obama asked the Senate to change its filibuster rules. Filibusters aren’t in the Constitution, but they are constitutional. Both parties’ senators use them to prevent a vote on a bill. That’s why Congress can’t get anything done.
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State of the Union Address is Tradition, Not LawOur Constitution requires the president to report to Congress occasionally on how the nation is doing. But the “State of the Union” ceremony is tradition, not law. Obama will deliver 2012 State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 24.
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Presidential Czars and the U.S. ConstitutionThe last 17 presidents have appointed special advisers. The media call them “czars”. No, that’s not their real title. Yes, they are constitutional. The Republicans think you’re stupid.
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Executive Orders and the U.S. ConstitutionMany conservatives claim that Obama’s Executive Orders are unconstitutional. Once again, the goofballs exploit civic and political illiteracy to spread their lies. Why didn’t they have that problem with Republican presidents’ Executive Orders?
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Know Your Bill of RightsAs Americans, we expect our government to honor our rights. Unfortunately, our schools do a poor job of preparing students to be responsible citizens. Most Americans are confused about exactly what rights we have, and have never read the Bill of Rights.
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Why We Need More LobbyistsIt’s fashionable to gripe about lobbying as somehow evil, corrupt, and “un-American”. Actually, there is nothing more American than a good, old-fashioned lobbyist. Sure, some of them are swine. But we do not need fewer lobbyists. We need more of them.
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Tales Exaggerate Congressional Pay and PensionsMany Americans believe that members of Congress take home truckloads of money, don’t participate in Social Security, and get full pay for their lifetimes after serving only a single term in Congress. Sorry, folks, it just isn’t true.
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What is the Constitution Anyway?Republicans claim to love the Constitution, but are often wrong about what it says. Schools teach it poorly, if at all. Now too many Americans have no idea how our government works. But that doesn’t stop them all from hollering at each other.
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Thanksgiving, the U.S. Constitution, and American IgnoranceThursday is Thanksgiving Day, but the first federal Thanksgiving Day Proclamation wasn’t about Pilgrims, or a difficult winter, or a civil war. It was about the United States Constitution. And this is a good time to read it.
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Bachmann, Cain Would Defy U.S. Law Prohibiting TortureMichele Bachmann and Herman Cain support waterboarding, even though US law forbids it. Torture is illegal, no matter how many people say otherwise. Why is it that those who claim to love the Constitution eversomuch can’t be bothered to READ IT?
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What’s a SuperCommittee and Why Should I Care?The SuperCommittee’s task is to create a plan to reduce the deficit by Nov. 23. Without SERIOUS public pressure, we’ll get more tax cuts for millionaires, higher taxes on real people, and cuts in services that we all depend on. We need to make some noise.
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Why We All Need to Vote on TuesdayThe election is Tuesday. I know, we’re all fed up with politicians. But in these times, it’s more crucial than ever to choose our representatives carefully. Government decisions favor the rich because rich people vote more than poor people do. SO VOTE. -
Library Referendum Supports Pittsburgh Communities and JOBSThe Nov. 8 referendum asks Pgh. voters for a 1/4-mill property tax rise to aid Carnegie Library. CLP delivers more than $75 of benefits for every person in Allegheny County and pioneered many services. It’s always there for us. We need to support it.
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Occupy Pittsburgh. This is Your Movement3,500 people demonstrated peacefully in Pittsburgh Saturday for the worldwide Occupy movement. The world’s massive problems require a massive movement. This is just the beginning. The whole world is watching. If you want peace, work for justice. Join us.
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We’re Waiting for YOU, Mr. PresidentIn Pittsburgh, Obama asked us to lobby Congress to support his Jobs Act, but it must work both ways. We must fight for our families. Obama must stop surrendering to the Republicans’ childish demands. Tax cuts don’t create jobs. Work creates jobs.
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Obama to Visit Pittsburgh for American Jobs ActI'll be covering President Obama's event at IBEW Local 5, Pittsburgh, tomorrow for his American Jobs Act. Stay tuned for the story.
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TV’s Latest Trend Offends All of UsWomen worked hard to build our “place” in the world. We made progress, until now. Mad Men, Pan Am, and The Playboy Club drag us backward to the juvenile behaviors of their period. This junk was bad enough 50 years ago. It’s worse now. Teach your children.
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Voter Registration Deadline is Tuesday, October 11Local elections don’t carry nearly as much drama as federal and state contests, but are no less important. Be sure you’re registered to vote by October 11. Learn where and how here.
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Pittsburgh Unity Fair Offers Help for All Working FamiliesUnemployment is a community problem. Are you out of work, facing a lay-off, or under-employed? Do you know someone who is? The Pennsylvania Wants to Work! Resource, Jobs and Unity Fair can connect you with information, help, and support.
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President Obama’s American Jobs ActCongress is now sitting on President Obama’s American Jobs Act. It emphasizes infrastructure improvements and tax cuts. Given the politics, it will not move quickly. Congress just isn’t interested because it affects your life, not theirs.
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More on Brentwood Police CorruptionThere are two Brentwood Police cars sitting in the street in front of my house right now. Lights off, motors running, cops inside the cars. Been there about 15 minutes
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Republicans Want to Steal Your VoteLyndon Johnson said voting is: ". . . the basic right without which all others are meaningless." He signed the Voting Rights Act as president in 1965. Today, the Republican Party and other Koch brothers stooges want to strip you of your right to vote.
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Join Your Friends and Neighbors in the Labor Day ParadeMonday September 5, Labor Day parade, downtown. Gather 8:30. Parade 10:00. Unions honor all workers-union and nonunion-especially now when corporate and political thugs attack U.S. workers like never before. Watch Out America! They're Coming For You Next. -
Why Congress Can't Get Anything DoneAmerica needs serious adults, working together, to solve our problems. Most members of Congress care more about pleasing their big bucks corporate campaign donors than in doing the job that we hired them to do. Corporations don't vote. Real people vote.
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Who Should Provide Social Services?Who would gut social services just when we need them the most? During the debt 'Å"negotiations', republithugs demanded social service cuts. President Neville Chamberlain appeased them AGAIN. Should government or private agencies provide those services?
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Brentwood Officials Are Still Covering Up Police CrimesBrentwood cops are out of control. Borough council lets them get away with it. Terroristic threats, harassment, intimidation, and conspiracy when they think there are no witnesses. Brentwood needs to control its cops before someone gets killed. AGAIN.
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Get Your Message to Your LegislatorsHow many of those irritating "Make Congress do what we want. Sign our petition today"emails did you get today? They're a popular community organizing tool, but they're the least effective way to get your representatives' attention. Find out the best way.
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Reimagining Capitalism: From the Ground UpCapitalists are bullies. Pure capitalism is a massive failure. Most Americans can't define capitalism, but think that our Constitution requires it because our schools yield politically and economically illiterate citizens. We can create a new capitalism.
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Jobs in Pittsburgh: Speak Your Mind at Two EventsCorporations collect $billions$ in tax cuts but refuse to create jobs. Join your neighbors at two important events. Community Meeting with UPMC Officials, July 12, 6:30. Community Jobs Rally and Town Hall with Members of Congress, July 18, 5:00 and 6:30.
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Read the Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of Independence was more a process than a moment in history. This act of treason against an empire sparked the Revolutionary War and, eventually, the United States of America. It is not, and has never been, a law, but it is worth reading.
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Infrastructure Spending Stimulates the Entire EconomyEvery business that has ever sold anything to a construction company or a construction worker has benefitted from stimulus spending. The stimulus bill could have worked better if Republicans hadn't hijacked one third of it for their own tax cuts.
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How to Become President of the United StatesAmerica's next presidential election will be Nov 6, 2012, more than 16 months from now. The candidates and the media have already begun the journey and it promises to be a great show. It's a long and grueling process with many things happening at once.
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America's Liberal Roots, Shunning, and Other Random ThoughtsEnjoy two dozen nuggets of remarkable insight, analysis, and wisdom about politics and life.
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We Are All Welfare RecipientsThe republithugs love to squawk that they adore the Constitution and chastise, belittle, and whine about "welfare recipients". They won't admit, even to themselves, that we are all welfare recipients and that every "welfare program" is constitutional.
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Who Should Pay Taxes?At its barest minimum, government has expenses. So government needs money. Government gets its money from taxes. Tax cuts do not create jobs. We all must contribute to the society that we enjoy. Everyone should pay taxes. It's part of being a grownup.
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American Education: We Need Higher StandardsOur schools turn out financially, economically, politically, and socially illiterate citizens. This stuff doesn't happen by accident. The last thing any fascist wants is an educated workforce. We must require more from our kids and from public education.
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Labor Unions: Myths and FactsThe republithugs blame labor unions for every problem we face. It's just another pathetic stunt to divide, conquer, and destroy the American middle class. Labor unions benefit every working person in America, whether they belong to a union or not.
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Welfare in America: Myths and FactsWe can debate whether to provide welfare benefits at all, but we must open that discussion with the truth, not with rumors or lies or distortions. Some even want to punish anyone who dares to ask for help. Why are so many people so proud of being so mean?
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Vote Tuesday in Pennsylvania Municipal Primary ElectionTuesday's PA primary election covers county and local offices. Local elections are critical because the Republicans' demands for federal and state governments to abandon their responsibilities force the local governments to try to make up the difference.
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Unemployment Compensation: Myths and FactsThe GOP is still setting Americans against each other by lying about unemployment benefits and unemployed people. Don't fall for it. Here's the truth. Tell your legislators to support working families who pay taxes, not the corporations that don't.
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Rally for a Responsible Budget was a Huge SuccessNearly 7,000 Pennsylvanians from throughout the state and dozens of groups rallied in Harrisburg with a single message. We demand a responsible budget. All corporations must pay taxes. We lobbied our legislators. Now we all must keep up the pressure. -
You Can Participate in Forming Government RegulationsCorporations want to eliminate all government regulations, yet they don't hesitate to use and exploit every benefit that our civilized society can offer them. Regulations don't just happen. There is a process and you can influence it.
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Pennsylvania Needs a Responsible BudgetCorbett's budget plan cuts one billion dollars from all public schools and universities. No school is safe. All local wage and property taxes will rise. Join us in Harrisburg on May 3 to stand up for your family. All are welcome. Free buses are available.
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Mourn for the Dead. Fight for the LivingEach year, dangerous conditions kill thousands of workers on the job. The AFL-CIO observes April 28 as a day to "mourn for the dead, fight for the living." Labor unions and workers in nearly 100 countries observe the day. Join us at an event in your town.
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Let's Criminalize PovertyI love recessions. They're just so darned entertaining. First, politicians try to deflect attention away from their fiscal failures by turning Americans against each other. Then the great American middle class gets an education.
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Public Demonstrations Do Bring ChangeMost Americans have a baffling fear of demonstrations, but they're completely safe. No significant social, economic, or political change has happened anywhere in the world without protest and demonstration. History is made by those who show up. Join us!
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Beware the Politics of DistractionFor 30 years, those on the political right have focused more on scaring you than informing you. Now they're blaming their bad economic decisions on labor unions and public employees. They don't believe any of this stuff. They want you to believe it.
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Pittsburgh Says: "THIS is WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE!"The GOP attack on Americans began in Wisconsin nearly two months ago. More than 20 states have joined the assault. On Monday, nearly 1,000 people marched through downtown Pittsburgh in solidarity with the national "We Are One" campaign. Join us.
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How a Federal Government Shutdown Affects YouNews reports have been chattering about a possible government shutdown since September. The demodupes and republithugs have been posturing and saber-rattling and making a lot of noise, but none of them bother to explain what that means for the public.
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Stand in Solidarity with Working People on April 4Elected republithugs are violating the law, flaunting court orders, and ignoring public will to drag us all back to the days of sweatshops and robber barons. Are you going to let them get away with it? Join us on Monday for a nationwide series of events.
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Pittsburgh Unity Fair Offers Help for All Working FamiliesUnemployment isn't just a personal problem, it's a community problem. Are you out of work, facing a lay-off, or under-employed? The Pennsylvania Wants to Work! Resource, Jobs and Unity Fair can connect you with information, help, and support.
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What the Triangle Factory Fire Did for UsRepublithugs want to repeal safety rules made after 146 people died in 1911 Triangle factory fire. When lawmakers vote to relax business regulations, they vote to endanger your life. Are you willing to die so that your company CEO can have more money? -
If You Don't Stand for Something, You'll Fall for AnythingAs our government eagerly plans its third theatre of military operations in the Libyan no-fly zone, the Republithugs' attack on the middle class keeps rolling along. So, show us what you stand for. -
If You Don't Stand for Something, You'll Fall for AnythingAs our government eagerly plans its third theatre of military operations in the Libyan no-fly zone, the Republithugs' attack on the middle class keeps rolling along. So, show us what you stand for.
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Working America's Unemployment Lifeline Serves YouAmerica's middle class has been under assault for thirty years now, and there is no end in sight. Working America's Unemployment LIfeline offers free services and a voice to the unemployed.
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Two Critical Actions on TuesdayProtect your job and your transportation to get to work. Join your neighbors for two rallies in Downtaon Pittsburgh. Tuesday, March 15.
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Pennsylvania's Corbett Continues GOP Attack on the Middle ClassWho benefits from destroying everything that sustains the middle class? The last thing any Republican wants is an educated workforce. This stuff doesn't happen by accident.
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Pennsylvania's Corbett Continues GOP Attack on the Middle ClassWho benefits from destroying everything that sustains the middle class? The last thing any Republican wants is an educated workforce. This stuff doesn't happen by accident.
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Watch Out, America. They're Coming for You NextIf the public employee unions do fall, the private employee unions are next. And then it's your turn.
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Walk to End Poverty for AllOn the first weekend in spring, get out and shake off that winter sluggishness. Take a good, brisk walk. Bring your friends. Make a difference.
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Pittsburgh Joins the Fight to Save the Middle ClassScott Walker is a liar. This fight is not about budgets. This is not about overpaid and underworked teachers, or firefighters, or public employees. This is a deliberate, organized attack on every working person in America. -
Pittsburgh Joins the Fight to Save the Middle ClassScott Walker is a liar. This fight is not about budgets. This is not about overpaid and underworked teachers, or firefighters, or public employees. This is a deliberate, organized attack on every working person in America.
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The Federal Budget Process Never EndsOn Monday, President Obama sent his budget resolution to Congress. It includes a 33% cut in last year's deficit. Congress and the president will hash out the details over the coming months.
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Meet Your Federal BureaucracyThe executive branch executes the laws and manages the nation's daily business, under the president's direction. Each cabinet department specializes in one area of national affairs.
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Discover What's Not in the ConstitutionWhile the Constitution does limit the government's power, the power that it allows is quite broad. Yet people are often surprised to learn what's not in the Constitution.
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Government 101: Take the PlungeMany people hold some peculiar notions about our history, the Constitution, and the government. "We the people" can't begin to solve our problems until we understand the governing process. It's a big subject. Here's some help.
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Tradition, More Than Law, Surrounds State of the Union AddressOur Constitution requires the president report to Congress on the state of the union "from time to time". The pomp and ceremony of the great assembly is all tradition. This year, you have a chance to participate.
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We Need to Begin Teaching Civics AgainIf "we the people" are going to control our government, then "we the people" need to know its structure, how it's supposed to work, and how it actually does work. If we can do that, then all of our lives will improve.
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We Are All SocialistsMany Americans believe that the Constitution requires capitalism, that socialism is evil, and that they don't need "the government". Find out why they're wrong.
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The Second Amendment, Mental Illness, and Other Observations on the Tucson TragedyThe Tucson Tragedy on Saturday brought out the best and worst in America and Americans. Two factors led to the event - our lack of a proper mental health care system and our obsolete second amendment.
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The 112th Congress Opens for BusinessFind out just what a "congress" is, what happens when a new one opens, and where the old one went. See why the Republicans' snarky new rules are a good idea.
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Homelessness Increases Again as Providers Observe Homeless Persons Memorial DayHomelessness increases in the U.S. as advocates honor those who died.
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Obama Appeases Republicans AgainRepublicans compare Obama to Hitler, but he more resembles Neville Chamberlain. Here's how to win the tax cut battle in Congress.
