Posted inLetters

R. Turcotte: Power rests with the people

The gullibility of American society has reached its apex. Kowtowed by unprecedented apathy and beguiling liberalism, the nation forfeited its vigilance as congressional scoundrels forged deceitful policies under the very noses of a dozing populace. With paralyzing debasement, Americans embraced dubious commentaries from media dullards and hypocritical bureaucrats, effectively justifying covert conspiracies. The prospect that […]

Posted inNation / World, sj-web

Congress likely to give shutdown workers back pay

WASHINGTON (AP) — A partial government shutdown enters its fifth day, with Congress convening for a session that promises no progress in breaking the impasse but will at least offer back pay to furloughed federal workers. The GOP House is scheduled Saturday to vote on legislation backed by the White House and congressional Democrats that […]

advertisement
Posted inNation / World, sj-web

Shutdown Update: Obama calls for meeting with Congress

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama summoned congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday as a partial government shutdown entered a second day with little sign of a breakthrough to get hundreds of thousands of people back to work. Some on Capitol Hill ominously suggested the impasse might last for weeks, but a few Republicans […]

Posted inNation / World, sj-web

Lawmakers still get a check, even in shutdown mode

WASHINGTON (AP) — There’s at least one constant in a government shutdown: The 532 members of Congress continue to be paid — at a cost of $10,583.85 per hour to taxpayers. Lawmakers get their pay even as hundreds of congressional staffers are sent home, packs of tourists are turned away at the Capitol, and constituent […]

Posted inNation / World, sj-web

No word on how long government shutdown will last

WASHINGTON — Congress plunged the nation into a partial government shutdown Tuesday as a long-running dispute over President Barack Obama’s health care law stalled a temporary funding bill, forcing about 800,000 federal workers off the job and suspending most non-essential federal programs and services. With the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate at a stalemate, it […]

Posted inNation / World, sj-web

House passes bill to fund government but not ACA

WASHINGTON — The GOP-controlled House voted Friday to cripple President Barack Obama’s health care law as part of a risky ploy that threatens a government shutdown in a week and a half. U.S. Reps. Chellie Pingree and Mike Michaud, both Maine Democrats, voted against the bill. The fight is coming on a stopgap funding measure […]

Posted inNation / World, sj-web

Advocates turn to Obama for action on immigration

WASHINGTON (AP) — With immigration legislation stalled in Congress, advocates are intensifying pressure on the Obama administration to act unilaterally to stop deportations or grant legal status to some of the 11 million people now living in the U.S. illegally. Activists are stepping up acts of civil disobedience like one last month in Phoenix, where […]

Posted inLocal & State, sj-web

Raye files for 2nd Congressional District bid

AUGUSTA — Former Maine Senate President Kevin Raye has filed his paperwork for his bid to fill the 2nd Congressional District Seat. Raye, a Republican, said in a release on Thursday that it’s crucial that the party nominate a candidate who will appeal broadly to Maine residents and has the “ability to hit the ground […]

Posted inNation / World, sj-web

Syria conflict: Obama acknowledges challenges

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) — Beset by divisions at home and abroad, President Barack Obama candidly acknowledged deep challenges Friday in pursuing support for a military strike against Syria from international allies and the U.S. Congress. He refused to say whether he might act on his own, a step that could have major implications for […]