“The State Department has decided that the Keystone XL pipeline would not serve the national interest of the United States,” the President said today. “I agree with that decision. Shipping dirtier crude oil into our country would not increase America’s energy security.”
Thank you, President Obama!
Today my son Dylan turns 29 years old, and is starting a new chapter of his life today. He and his wife Samantha Sue, along with their kids, McKenzie and Carson, are on their way to Sioux Center, Iowa. Dylan starts his new job as sous chef at Dordt College on Monday. I am extremely proud of my son and his career path, and his wonderful, beautiful family. They mean the world to me. I wish them the best of everything as they begin their new adventure in life. I love you all! SEE YOU SOON.
As Congress stumbles into yet another budget/debt limit conference committee round of discussions, it appears that the losers along the way remain those at the bottom of the economic heap. On November 1st, all those receiving food stamps took a cut, with the specter of further cuts coming with the next round of budget talks. Seniors and disabled people face another anemic cost of living adjustment with further cuts being called for by the GOP in Social Security and Medicare. Meanwhile, the government shutdown didn’t cost Wall Street and the wealthy much of anything. The question arises as to why, despite the election results of a year ago and various polls showing popular disdain for GOP tactics in previous budget talks and the government shutdown, Democrats and Progressives always appear to be on the defensive in these discussions?
Talk constantly turns to some imaginary need to cut the programs that…
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BREAKING: President Obama issues Executive Order changing the term "Lame Duck" into "Untethered Badass." pic.twitter.com/18X6QjaqS9
— Daniel Beerthuis (@DanielBeerthuis) December 18, 2014
On Friday, June 26, The Supreme Court of the United States affirmed what the majority of Americans support and believe: that the freedom to marry who you love is the right of every American, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. This is a giant step forward in ensuring that we are all created equal and we all deserve the same rights.
However, the ruling does nothing to protect those in the LGBT community from getting fired from their jobs or being denied housing because of who they love or marry. When making a lifelong commitment with our partner, we can share the joy and happiness of our marriage with our friends and family, but at the same time we also face the possibility of losing our job or being evicted from the place we call home.
That’s just not right.
On June 15, 2011 the Holland City Council, in a 5-4 decision, voted not to add “sexual orientation and gender identity” to the city’s human relations and fair housing ordinances and the equal employment opportunity policy. This came even after a year-long Human Relations Commission study that recommended the change to the ordinance.
In the four years since that vote, many hearts and minds have changed. The overwhelming support and success of Holland Area Pride 2015 showed that Holland is an open, welcoming, and diverse community. The time has come to take the next step and join the more than 30 municipalities in Michigan that already treat their LGBT residents as equals.
Now is the time to show our city, our state, and the country that Holland, Michigan is open, caring, and welcoming to everyone in our community, no matter who they are or who they love.
Holland City Council, it’s time for a vote.
Politically Activated 
