William “Buddy” Carter

William “Buddy” Carter is retiring after 47 years as a butler at the White House and the Blair House. Barack and I are so grateful to have had his warmth, charm, and dignity by our side for eight of those years. Congratulations, Buddy! pic.twitter.com/MZPox5F1a1

— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) May 28, 2021

John Dingell: Great American

President Obama talks with Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., along with members of his family, in the Oval Office, June 13. Rep. Dingell is the longest-serving Member in the history of the United States Congress (Photo by Pete Souza)

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White House: Statement from the President on the Retirement of John Dingell

Serving nearly six decades in the House of Representatives, John Dingell has earned the distinction of being both the longest-serving Member of Congress in U.S. history and one of the most influential legislators of all time.  After serving his country in the Army during World War II, John was first elected to Congress in 1955 – representing the people of southeastern Michigan in a seat previously held by his father.  In Washington, John risked his seat to support the Civil Rights Act of 1964, fought to pass Medicare in 1965, and penned legislation like the Clean Air Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act that have kept millions of Americans healthy and preserved our natural beauty for future generations.

But of all John’s accomplishments, perhaps the most remarkable has been his tireless fight to guarantee quality, affordable health care for every American.  Decades after his father first introduced a bill for comprehensive health reform, John continued to introduce health care legislation at the beginning of every session.  And as an original author of the Affordable Care Act, he helped give millions of families the peace of mind of knowing they won’t lose everything if they get sick.  Today, the people of Michigan – and the American people – are better off because of John Dingell’s service to this country, and Michelle and I wish him, his wife Debbie, and their family the very best.

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U.S. Representative John Dingell (D-MI) at the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. (You see the distinguished bald man way in the back on the far right wearing glasses? John Dingell is the man next to him. He’s wearing Ray Ban style glasses.)

Americans Deserve A Secure Retirement

President Barack Obama speaks after a tour of the U.S. Steel Irvin Plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania

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This is how you win the day

#MadeInAmerica: go.wh.gov/gcJsaH, http://t.co/tk7sara6TH

—
The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 29, 2014

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Here are the details of President Obama's 'MyRA' plan to make sure workers without a pension aren't left behind. usatoday.com/story/news/201…

—
Nerdy Wonka (@NerdyWonka) January 29, 2014

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President Barack Obama signs a memorandum instructing the U.S. Treasury Department to create a new retirement account system after touring the U.S. Steel Irvin Plant in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania

President Barack Obama holds up a memorandum instructing the U.S. Treasury Department to create a new retirement account system

Ah, Mr Morse

Remember this from last month?

I work for The Villages, a large retirement community in Central Florida, and one of the top 20 privately held corporations in the state. My employer records annual sales of over $1 billion dollars, and the company’s CEO, H. Gary Morse, is a multi-millionaire (possibly even a billionaire).

In contrast, the company’s employees are underpaid and have no benefits. I haven’t had a raise in six years. I am a part-time hourly employee, which means no paid vacation and no paid sick leave. This year, thanks to cuts in my hours, I’m on track to gross less than $10,000.

…. I checked my mail box and found a letter from my employer.

To our entire Villages Team:

The Villages is a great example of the “American Dream” come true. Together, we have created jobs, established businesses, founded an award-winning school and set the standard for enjoyable, affordable retirement living.

Only in America could such a community be created … but that America will soon disappear if we don’t change the leadership in Washington, D.C.

Read the full post here

Today:

LA Times: …. Paul Ryan’s initial campaign visit to Florida was to The Villages, a hotbed of Republican retirees. Residents were encouraged to arrive in their golf carts for the outdoor rally Saturday.

Hundreds of supporters jammed one of the development’s “town squares,” where free entertainment and boozy dances each night have helped this community of 60,000 seniors earn a somewhat double-edged reputation as Disney World for the Cialis set.

Open-air bars at the event began pouring before 8 a.m. Happy-hour pricing was in effect: $2.75 for a 14-ounce margarita. However, a Chick-fil-A stand did a brisker business.

The privately held, and tightly controlled, retirement complex is a regular campaign stop for GOP presidential candidates…..

Romney counts billionaire H. Gary Morse, who built The Villages on more than 30 square miles of central Florida farmland, among his campaign’s biggest donors. A co-chairman of Romney’s Florida finance committee, Morse, family members and their corporation have already given more than $1 million to the Romney campaign and the “super PAC” supporting him….

More here

Scum of the earth.

he’s a sell-out! he’s a traitor! he’s cutting social security!

Oh, wait

Professional Leftie

Washington Post: Obama won’t endorse raising retirement age or reducing Social Security benefits

President Obama has decided not to endorse his deficit commission’s recommendation to raise the retirement age, and otherwise reduce Social Security benefits, in Tuesday’s State of the Union address, cheering liberals and drawing a stark line between the White House and key Republicans in Congress.

Over the weekend, the White House informed Democratic lawmakers and advocates for seniors that Obama will emphasize the need to reduce record deficits in the speech, but that he will not call for reducing spending on Social Security – the single largest federal program – as part of that effort.

Full article here

green day

First Lady Michelle Obama greets volunteers as she arrives to volunteer at a service project for the Vinson Hall Retirement Community in McClean, Virginia

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a fond farewell

President Barack Obama hugs retiring White House butler James Ramsey, as First Lady Michelle Obama looks on, in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, Jan. 25, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)