Subject: Top 10
From: "Guy Cecil" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 2011 09:34:58 -0500 (EST)

R.Hunter,

2011 is almost over, and that means everyone's making Top 10 lists. I decided to get in on the action too. Here's my compilation of the 10 Worst Republican Actions of 2011.
 
Which do you think is the worst? Click here to vote:
http://www.dscc.org/2011worst
 
•	Bring Back "Pre-Existing Conditions": Health care reform is one of President Obama's signature achievements. No longer can children born with health conditions be denied insurance. No longer can insurance companies deny care for "pre-existing conditions." About 2.5 million young adults who lacked health insurance now are covered by their families' plans. So what did Republicans do? Try to repeal "Obamacare" and put control back in the hands of insurance companies.
https://dscc.org/protecthcr
 
•	Kick Grandma Off Medicare & Give Her a Coupon: Republicans all lined up in favor of Republican Rep. Paul Ryan's extreme budget plan earlier this year that would kill Medicare as we know it and turn it into a voucher program. Thank goodness the Democratic Senate was there to stop them and keep our promise to seniors. 
 
•	Hand Over Cash to Corporations and the Wealthy: Another part of Paul Ryan's plan: Give huge tax cuts to corporations and the wealthy. While the middle class struggles to get ahead, Republicans tried to make things worse by reducing taxes on the wealthiest – and sticking everyone else with the bill.
 
•	Rip Away Workers' Rights: When Republicans won the governorships in Wisconsin and Ohio, among other states, one of the first things they did was go after public workers, including taking away the rights of teachers and prison guards to bargain for better pay and benefits. Bad move. They clearly overstepped their bounds, and voters will remember at the ballot box in 2012.  
 
•	Prevent You From Voting: Republicans this year decided that when it comes to elections, if you can't beat, then cheat. From Florida to Wisconsin to Ohio, Republicans passed laws that will have the effect of suppressing Democratic turnout in these crucial swing states. The Brennan Center for Justice estimates that more than 5 million voters will be affected by these laws – a number higher than the margin of victory in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. Senate Democrats are holding hearings on the Florida laws in January.
 
•	Declare War on Women: It was bad enough that Republicans tried to eliminate funding for Planned Parenthood and other family planning programs. Then they tried to change federal law to redefine rape and to allow hospitals to deny lifesaving care for pregnant women. So much for the Republican promise to have a "laser focus" on jobs. The Republican War on Women is alive and well.
 
•	Shove Gay Soldiers Back Into the Closet: It was a huge victory for civil rights and basic human dignity when President Obama signed the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell into law. Finally, all Americans could serve openly in the military. Or not. This year, Republicans tried to bring back the policy, and some Republican presidential candidates have said reinstituting discrimination is one of their top policy priorities.
 
•	Launch Assaults on Sesame Street and Lake Wobegon: I don't know what Republicans have against Big Bird and Garrison Keillor, but they will do almost anything to shut off their microphones. In fact, earlier this year, Republicans vowed to shut down the federal government if NPR and PBS weren't defunded. Luckily, Senate Democrats were there to stop the nonsense, and "Sesame Street" and "A Prairie Home Companion" were given a reprieve – for now.
 
•	Let Consumers Fend For Themselves: One of the most important reforms passed by Democrats in decades was the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to prevent big banks from ripping off their customers with dangerous financial products – some of the same products that contributed to the Great Recession. But Republicans hate anything that puts customers ahead of corporations. So they've fought the bureau – and people chosen to lead it – tooth and nail.
 
•	Increase Taxes for Middle Class Families And last but certainly not least, this week House Republicans refused to support tax relief for the middle class, even as they demand it for billionaires and huge corporations. If your taxes go up next year, you'll have nobody but Republicans to blame.
 
These policies and positions are simply awful -- so awful, in fact, that I couldn't choose the worst. That's your job. Click here, vote, and tell us what you think is the No. 1 Worst Republican Actions of 2011. The Democratic Senate has been the firewall stopping most of these measures dead in their tracks. With only a four seat majority, it's never been more important to protect the Senate.
http://www.dscc.org/2011worst
 
From all of us here at the DSCC, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a great – and blue! – 2012.
 
Guy Cecil
Executive Director, DSCC
 
P.S. Dec. 31 doesn't just mark the end of the year – it's also a key FEC fundraising deadline. We need a show of strength heading into 2012. Can you help with a gift of $5 or $10 today? 10 Senate races are tossups, and Republicans only need to flip 4 to take the Senate. If they do, you can expect these Top 10 Worst Things Republicans Tried to become the Top 10 Worst Things Republicans Accomplished. And we certainly don't want that. Thank you!
https://dscc.org/give?donate_page_KEY=13114&amount=x

Paid for by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee,
http://www.dscc.org, and not authorized by any candidate or
candidate's committee.

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Paid for by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee,
http://www.dscc.org, and not authorized by any candidate or
candidate's committee.

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