www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/31/1317833/-Connecticut-gubernatorial-candidate-to-factory-workers-It-s-your-fault-this-factory-is-closing
"And suddenly, without explanation, OpenGate Financial announced the mill would be closing. But, why? Because OpenGate Financial decided to sell all of the equipment to the largest competitor, thereby shrinking the competition. If this all sounds familiar, it is because these are exactly the type of stomach-churning tactics used by Bain Capital and the Mitt Romney's of the world."
Thursday, July 31, 2014
ALEC Offshoot Takes Aim at Local Government
ALEC Offshoot Takes Aim at Local Government
"The creation of ACCE comes as national corporate and ideological interests increasingly try to exert influence over municipal government. For example, over the past year, David Koch's Americans for Prosperity has spent money on the mayoral race in Coralville, Iowa, the Board of Supervisors election in Iron County, Wisconsin, and school board elections in Douglas County, Colorado and Kenosha, Wisconsin."
"The creation of ACCE comes as national corporate and ideological interests increasingly try to exert influence over municipal government. For example, over the past year, David Koch's Americans for Prosperity has spent money on the mayoral race in Coralville, Iowa, the Board of Supervisors election in Iron County, Wisconsin, and school board elections in Douglas County, Colorado and Kenosha, Wisconsin."
Executive Order Protects Workers and Supports Law-Abiding Contractors
www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/labor/news/2014/07/31/94923/executive-order-protects-workers-and-supports-law-abiding-contractors/
"Today President Barack Obama will sign an executive order to crack down on contractors that don’t comply with workplace laws. The order—based on successful best practices from both the public and private sectors—will help protect the more than one in five Americans who are employed by companies with federal contracts, prevent the waste of taxpayer dollars, and allow law-abiding companies to compete on a fair playing field for government contracts."
"Today President Barack Obama will sign an executive order to crack down on contractors that don’t comply with workplace laws. The order—based on successful best practices from both the public and private sectors—will help protect the more than one in five Americans who are employed by companies with federal contracts, prevent the waste of taxpayer dollars, and allow law-abiding companies to compete on a fair playing field for government contracts."
Obama to sign executive order requiring federal contractors to obey labor laws
www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/31/1318015/-Obama-to-sign-executive-order-requiring-federal-contractors-to-obey-labor-laws
"the new executive order will require companies seeking federal contracts of $500,000 or more to disclose their recent violations of a host of labor laws, including minimum wage and overtime, civil rights, safety and health, and other protections. "The most egregious violations," and especially repeat offenders, will then be taken into consideration in awarding contracts."
"the new executive order will require companies seeking federal contracts of $500,000 or more to disclose their recent violations of a host of labor laws, including minimum wage and overtime, civil rights, safety and health, and other protections. "The most egregious violations," and especially repeat offenders, will then be taken into consideration in awarding contracts."
Koch-backed seniors group low-balling election spending?
www.publicintegrity.org/2014/07/30/15163/koch-backed-seniors-group-low-balling-election-spending
"The 60 Plus Association — a nonprofit senior citizen advocacy group funded largely by billionaire businessmen Charles and David Koch’s conservative political network — appears to have vastly understated its level of election spending on federal tax filings, a Center for Public Integrity review of documents indicates."
"The 60 Plus Association — a nonprofit senior citizen advocacy group funded largely by billionaire businessmen Charles and David Koch’s conservative political network — appears to have vastly understated its level of election spending on federal tax filings, a Center for Public Integrity review of documents indicates."
FreedomWorks Has Millions Of Reasons To Repeal The ACA
FreedomWorks Has Millions Of Reasons To Repeal The ACA
"Hey, Justice Scalia, I'm sure glad money in politics doesn't corrupt people. Oh, wait.
Andy Kroll at Mother Jones has a report on leaked documents showing the cozy relationship between Freedomworks and the owners of Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
Freedomworks, as you might recall, bills themselves as a small donor 'grassroots' organization. They're anything but that."
"Hey, Justice Scalia, I'm sure glad money in politics doesn't corrupt people. Oh, wait.
Andy Kroll at Mother Jones has a report on leaked documents showing the cozy relationship between Freedomworks and the owners of Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
Freedomworks, as you might recall, bills themselves as a small donor 'grassroots' organization. They're anything but that."
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Want to kick Rep. Steve King out of office? Help us elect Jim Mowrer
www.dailykos.com/story/2014/07/29/1317586/-Want-to-kick-Rep-Steve-King-out-of-office-Help-us-elect-Jim-Mowrer
"Iowa would be doing a service to the entire nation to replace King with Jim Mowrer, an Iraq war veteran who returned to work at the Pentagon after his active service in the National Guard. He's an award-winning civil servant, in fact, having received the "Outstanding Civilian Service Award," the third-highest honor a civilian can get for helping increase the efficiency of the Army. Now that's an achievement."
"Iowa would be doing a service to the entire nation to replace King with Jim Mowrer, an Iraq war veteran who returned to work at the Pentagon after his active service in the National Guard. He's an award-winning civil servant, in fact, having received the "Outstanding Civilian Service Award," the third-highest honor a civilian can get for helping increase the efficiency of the Army. Now that's an achievement."
ALEC Agenda: Gutting Medicaid, Privatizing Schools, Exports
ALEC Agenda: Gutting Medicaid, Privatizing Schools, Exports
"At this largest of its three annual national conferences, state legislators from across the country will meet with corporate and special interest lobbyists behind closed doors to vote on "model" legislation to change state laws."
"At this largest of its three annual national conferences, state legislators from across the country will meet with corporate and special interest lobbyists behind closed doors to vote on "model" legislation to change state laws."
Lender That Preyed Upon 17,000 Military Men And Women Must Forgive Debts, Quit Business
www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/07/30/3465713/cfpb-military-debt-collectors-settlement/
"A predatory lender that targeted American sailors, soldiers, airmen, and Marines will forgive $92 million in debts thanks to a joint investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and 13 state attorneys general. The company and its founders are banned for life from consumer lending of all kinds."
"A predatory lender that targeted American sailors, soldiers, airmen, and Marines will forgive $92 million in debts thanks to a joint investigation by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and 13 state attorneys general. The company and its founders are banned for life from consumer lending of all kinds."
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Here's What Happened to One State After its Republican Governor Implemented an Extreme Tax Cutting "Experiment"
www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/heres-what-happened-one-state-after-its-republican-governor-implemented-extreme
"Today, the fruits of Brownback's experiment include a state budget deficit of nearly $340 million this year; a decision by Moody's to lower the rating on Kansas bonds; a growing gap in education funding at every level, from kindergarten through college; a ruinous reduction in state and local workforces across the state; and a future that promises even larger deficits and service cutbacks to come."
"Today, the fruits of Brownback's experiment include a state budget deficit of nearly $340 million this year; a decision by Moody's to lower the rating on Kansas bonds; a growing gap in education funding at every level, from kindergarten through college; a ruinous reduction in state and local workforces across the state; and a future that promises even larger deficits and service cutbacks to come."
Saturday, July 26, 2014
The Ryan Budget in Sheep’s Clothing?
www.americanprogress.org/issues/poverty/news/2014/07/24/94460/the-ryan-budget-in-sheeps-clothing/
"For the past four years, Rep. Ryan has set forth budgets that get approximately two-thirds of their cuts from programs that help low- and moderate-income families. His most recent iteration, released in April 2014, would turn Medicare into a voucher, cause more than 40 million people to lose their health care coverage, kick up to 10 million people off of nutrition assistance, and starve the part of the budget that funds education, child care, the Head Start program, worker training, and housing. These savings would go toward financing new tax cuts primarily for millionaires and large corporations."
"For the past four years, Rep. Ryan has set forth budgets that get approximately two-thirds of their cuts from programs that help low- and moderate-income families. His most recent iteration, released in April 2014, would turn Medicare into a voucher, cause more than 40 million people to lose their health care coverage, kick up to 10 million people off of nutrition assistance, and starve the part of the budget that funds education, child care, the Head Start program, worker training, and housing. These savings would go toward financing new tax cuts primarily for millionaires and large corporations."
Friday, July 25, 2014
Paul Ryan’s Faux Populism Isn’t Going to End Poverty or Reduce Inequality | The Nation
Paul Ryan’s Faux Populism Isn’t Going to End Poverty or Reduce Inequality | The Nation
"He is rebranding himself.
He has downloaded some populist rhetoric to go with his “kinder, gentler” talk about poverty.
But Paul Ryan’s populism is not the real thing. It’s the Koch-tested, Koch-approved version."
"He is rebranding himself.
He has downloaded some populist rhetoric to go with his “kinder, gentler” talk about poverty.
But Paul Ryan’s populism is not the real thing. It’s the Koch-tested, Koch-approved version."
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Ugly Right-Wing Underbelly of the Libertarian Cause on Display at Silicon Valley Conference
www.alternet.org/election-2014/ugly-right-wing-underbelly-libertarian-cause-display-silicon-valley-conference?page=0%2C0
"Start with the “two libertarianisms, the hick fascism version owned by the Koch brothers, essentially rebranding Joe McCarthy with a pot leaf and a ponytail; and Silicon Valley’s emerging brand of optimistic, half-understood libertarianism, part hippie cybernetics, part hot-tub-Hayek,” he writes, referring to Friedrich Hayek, the Austrian economist worshipped by Libertarians. But there’s more."
"Start with the “two libertarianisms, the hick fascism version owned by the Koch brothers, essentially rebranding Joe McCarthy with a pot leaf and a ponytail; and Silicon Valley’s emerging brand of optimistic, half-understood libertarianism, part hippie cybernetics, part hot-tub-Hayek,” he writes, referring to Friedrich Hayek, the Austrian economist worshipped by Libertarians. But there’s more."
Meet the New GOP Prototype for Enriching Local Elites While Enacting Christian Right Dogma
www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/meet-new-gop-prototype-enriching-local-elites-while-enacting-christian-right-dogma?page=0%2C0
"Today, Kansas is in fiscal ruin. The Wall Street Journal reported that tax revenues fell by $685 million in the first 11 months of the fiscal year, putting Kansas on track to blow through its $700 million reserve fund by the middle of next year. With 40 percent of state revenue traditionally coming from those taxes and no specific plan to make up the shortfall, Moody’s Investor Service recently downgraded the state’s debt rating."
"Today, Kansas is in fiscal ruin. The Wall Street Journal reported that tax revenues fell by $685 million in the first 11 months of the fiscal year, putting Kansas on track to blow through its $700 million reserve fund by the middle of next year. With 40 percent of state revenue traditionally coming from those taxes and no specific plan to make up the shortfall, Moody’s Investor Service recently downgraded the state’s debt rating."
Clueless Rich Kids on the Rise: How Millennial Aristocrats Will Destroy Our Future
www.alternet.org/clueless-rich-kids-rise-how-millennial-aristocrats-will-destroy-our-future
"Today's wealthy are far more likely to have inherited their fortunes. Here's why that's going to doom our politics."
"Today's wealthy are far more likely to have inherited their fortunes. Here's why that's going to doom our politics."
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
California Voters Afforded Opportunity This November to Weigh-In on 'Corporate Personhood'
California Voters Afforded Opportunity This November to Weigh-In on 'Corporate Personhood'
"The measure not only calls upon Congress to "propose an amendment...to the United States Constitution" to overturn the infamous Citizens United decision and its progeny, but "to make clear that the rights protected by the United States Constitution are the rights of natural persons only"."
"The measure not only calls upon Congress to "propose an amendment...to the United States Constitution" to overturn the infamous Citizens United decision and its progeny, but "to make clear that the rights protected by the United States Constitution are the rights of natural persons only"."
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Legalized Bribery Has Allowed Sheldon Adelson to Buy and Sell Politicians
Legalized Bribery Has Allowed Sheldon Adelson to Buy and Sell Politicians
"Shelley Adelson dumping $100 million into our democracy and Wall Street executives having a change of heart and trying to buy up seats in the Senate are just two examples of the rampant bribery that's taken over American politics, which is considered both immoral and illegal in virtually every other developed country in the world."
"Shelley Adelson dumping $100 million into our democracy and Wall Street executives having a change of heart and trying to buy up seats in the Senate are just two examples of the rampant bribery that's taken over American politics, which is considered both immoral and illegal in virtually every other developed country in the world."
Backed by Big Telecom, GOP Takes Aim at Net Neutrality and Community Broadband
Backed by Big Telecom, GOP Takes Aim at Net Neutrality and Community Broadband
"Why are members of Congress trying to derail popular efforts at the FCC to establish meaningful net neutrality rules? The answer is easy: just follow the money."
"Why are members of Congress trying to derail popular efforts at the FCC to establish meaningful net neutrality rules? The answer is easy: just follow the money."
PERRspectives: The Pro-Tax Evasion, Pro-Deficits GOP Strikes Again
PERRspectives: The Pro-Tax Evasion, Pro-Deficits GOP Strikes Again
"By severely limiting the ability of the IRS to audit, identify and prosecute tax cheats, Republicans will once again cost the United States Treasury billions more in lost revenue. And if you feel like you've seen this movie before, that's because you have."
"By severely limiting the ability of the IRS to audit, identify and prosecute tax cheats, Republicans will once again cost the United States Treasury billions more in lost revenue. And if you feel like you've seen this movie before, that's because you have."
Monday, July 21, 2014
Sen. Elizabeth Warren Tells Netroots: 'Push Back And Fight Hard'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren Tells Netroots: 'Push Back And Fight Hard'
"Fighting back against a rigged system was the theme of Elizabeth Warren's rousing speech to Netroots Nation."
"Fighting back against a rigged system was the theme of Elizabeth Warren's rousing speech to Netroots Nation."
Koch Political Universe Vaster than Previously Known
Koch Political Universe Vaster than Previously Known
"In January, the Washington Post and Center for Responsive Politics followed the $400 million money trail flowing from two Koch-connected funding vehicles, the 501(c)(6) Freedom Partners and 501(c)(4) Center to Protect Patient Rights (now called "American Encore"), to other politically active nonprofits, like David Koch's Americans for Prosperity and the American Future Fund. Many of the recipients of that funding spent money influencing elections, only a fraction of which was reported to the Federal Elections Commission."
"In January, the Washington Post and Center for Responsive Politics followed the $400 million money trail flowing from two Koch-connected funding vehicles, the 501(c)(6) Freedom Partners and 501(c)(4) Center to Protect Patient Rights (now called "American Encore"), to other politically active nonprofits, like David Koch's Americans for Prosperity and the American Future Fund. Many of the recipients of that funding spent money influencing elections, only a fraction of which was reported to the Federal Elections Commission."
Friday, July 18, 2014
Progressive Values Are America's Values, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Tells Netroots Nation In Keynote Speech
www.alternet.org/activism/progressive-values-are-americas-values-sen-elizabeth-warren-tells-netroots-nation-keynote
"We believe that Wall Street needs stronger rules and tougher enforcement and we are willing to fight for it. We are willing to fight for it. We believe in science… and we are willing to fight for it. We believe that the Internet shouldn’t be rigged to benefit big corporations… and we will fight for it. We believe that no one should work fulltime and still live in poverty… and we are willing to fight for it. We will fight for it. Let me add to that we believe that fast food workers deserve a livable wage and when they take to picket lines we are proud to fight along side of them."
"We believe that Wall Street needs stronger rules and tougher enforcement and we are willing to fight for it. We are willing to fight for it. We believe in science… and we are willing to fight for it. We believe that the Internet shouldn’t be rigged to benefit big corporations… and we will fight for it. We believe that no one should work fulltime and still live in poverty… and we are willing to fight for it. We will fight for it. Let me add to that we believe that fast food workers deserve a livable wage and when they take to picket lines we are proud to fight along side of them."
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Why Big Business Loves Desperate Workers | Common Dreams
Why Big Business Loves Desperate Workers | Common Dreams
"This is why business and their elected allies fight efforts to expand food stamps or unemployment insurance or TANF. A desperate worker is a cheap and compliant worker."
"This is why business and their elected allies fight efforts to expand food stamps or unemployment insurance or TANF. A desperate worker is a cheap and compliant worker."
Austerity Economics Is Walking US Prosperity Off a Cliff | Common Dreams
Austerity Economics Is Walking US Prosperity Off a Cliff | Common Dreams
"The 'economics of austerity'—which includes the continued Republican argument that government spending is a drain on both employment figures and economic growth and must be constantly curtailed—is killing the prospect of improved U.S. prosperity."
"The 'economics of austerity'—which includes the continued Republican argument that government spending is a drain on both employment figures and economic growth and must be constantly curtailed—is killing the prospect of improved U.S. prosperity."
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Bernie Sanders Sends Shudders Up Koch Spines By Explaining Why Republicans Attack The IRS
www.politicususa.com/2014/07/15/bernie-sanders-sends-shudders-koch-spines-explaining-republicans-attack-irs.html
"The GOP is extremely dependent on large donors for their funding. They don’t have the small donor base that fuels the Democratic Party. This is why Republicans are pushing for more unlimited contributions in politics. More unlimited contributions mean more direct spending by billionaires to buy their candidates, and when a billionaire owns a member of Congress, that member no longer works for the American people.
The Republican majority in the House is an example of a billionaire owned legislative body."
"The GOP is extremely dependent on large donors for their funding. They don’t have the small donor base that fuels the Democratic Party. This is why Republicans are pushing for more unlimited contributions in politics. More unlimited contributions mean more direct spending by billionaires to buy their candidates, and when a billionaire owns a member of Congress, that member no longer works for the American people.
The Republican majority in the House is an example of a billionaire owned legislative body."
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Exclusive: After Subpoenas in Walker Criminal Probe, WI GOP Sought to Quietly Change Law
Exclusive: After Subpoenas in Walker Criminal Probe, WI GOP Sought to Quietly Change Law
"New documents indicate that just weeks after the first subpoenas were issued in Wisconsin's "John Doe" criminal campaign finance probe in October 2013, senate Republicans had begun working to change state law to legalize the activities under investigation."
"New documents indicate that just weeks after the first subpoenas were issued in Wisconsin's "John Doe" criminal campaign finance probe in October 2013, senate Republicans had begun working to change state law to legalize the activities under investigation."
CNBC Host Lets Rick Santelli Have It: 'No Piece Of Advice You've Given That's Worked'
CNBC Host Lets Rick Santelli Have It: 'No Piece Of Advice You've Given That's Worked'
"A CNBC host tore into Rick Santelli by embarrassing him with his own record of always being wrong."
"A CNBC host tore into Rick Santelli by embarrassing him with his own record of always being wrong."
Monday, July 14, 2014
Senate Tackles Citizens United As 2014 Spending Hits Record Highs
Senate Tackles Citizens United As 2014 Spending Hits Record Highs
"Sixteen states, more than 500 communities, two million Americans, and now the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, are on-the-record in support of amending the constitution to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings in Citizens United v. FEC and related cases and to restore the power of people in elections."
"Sixteen states, more than 500 communities, two million Americans, and now the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, are on-the-record in support of amending the constitution to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court's rulings in Citizens United v. FEC and related cases and to restore the power of people in elections."
Republicans confuse “Atlas Shrugged” for the Bible
Republicans confuse “Atlas Shrugged” for the Bible
"The decline of the mainstream church has allowed the Christian Right to misuse the Gospel to champion unfettered capitalism. For Republicans, “prosperity theology” has replaced the Beatitudes. In this Ayn Randian philosophy, God rewards the faithful with material wealth. The flip side of this theology is that to be poor means you are of little faith, and, ipso facto, must be a sinner."
"The decline of the mainstream church has allowed the Christian Right to misuse the Gospel to champion unfettered capitalism. For Republicans, “prosperity theology” has replaced the Beatitudes. In this Ayn Randian philosophy, God rewards the faithful with material wealth. The flip side of this theology is that to be poor means you are of little faith, and, ipso facto, must be a sinner."
Saturday, July 12, 2014
Senate Judiciary Committee Backs Amendment to Overturn ‘Citizens United’ | Common Dreams
Senate Judiciary Committee Backs Amendment to Overturn ‘Citizens United’ | Common Dreams
"Constitutional amendments are often proposed but rarely advanced to the stage of serious debate. What moves any meaningful amendment from mere paperwork to serious consideration is the popular will of the great mass of Americans. And the popular will of the great mass of Americans have been abundantly clear since the United States Supreme Court struck down barriers to corporate control of democracy with its 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling."
"Constitutional amendments are often proposed but rarely advanced to the stage of serious debate. What moves any meaningful amendment from mere paperwork to serious consideration is the popular will of the great mass of Americans. And the popular will of the great mass of Americans have been abundantly clear since the United States Supreme Court struck down barriers to corporate control of democracy with its 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission ruling."
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Where Does $2 Trillion in Subsidies for the Wealthiest Hide in Plain Sight?
Where Does $2 Trillion in Subsidies for the Wealthiest Hide in Plain Sight?
"Defenders of tax breaks for investment income argue that these subsidies encourage savings and grow the economy, but over the past 60 years there has been no obvious relationship between economic growth and the top capital gains tax rate. Our economic problems are rooted in a lack of aggregate demand, but tax subsidies for investment income reduce demand even further for two reasons. First, they encourage investors to hold onto their wealth and consume less. Second, these subsidies increase economic inequality by primarily benefiting the rich, who tend to consume a much smaller share of their income than poor or middle-class individuals."
"Defenders of tax breaks for investment income argue that these subsidies encourage savings and grow the economy, but over the past 60 years there has been no obvious relationship between economic growth and the top capital gains tax rate. Our economic problems are rooted in a lack of aggregate demand, but tax subsidies for investment income reduce demand even further for two reasons. First, they encourage investors to hold onto their wealth and consume less. Second, these subsidies increase economic inequality by primarily benefiting the rich, who tend to consume a much smaller share of their income than poor or middle-class individuals."
Like His Dad, Charles Koch Was a Bircher
Like His Dad, Charles Koch Was a Bircher
"Charles Koch was an active member of the controversial right-wing John Birch Society during its active campaigns against the civil rights movement."
"Charles Koch was an active member of the controversial right-wing John Birch Society during its active campaigns against the civil rights movement."
Koch Exposed
www.kochexposed.org/
"the billionaire industrialists and the power and influence of the Koch cadre and Koch cash."
"the billionaire industrialists and the power and influence of the Koch cadre and Koch cash."
PERRspectives: Say Goodbye to Bush's '52 Months of Job Growth' GOP Talking Point
PERRspectives: Say Goodbye to Bush's '52 Months of Job Growth' GOP Talking Point
"With word that the U.S. economy added a robust 288,000 jobs in June, the Obama White House noted that the private sector has added 9.7 million jobs over 52 straight months of job growth."
"With word that the U.S. economy added a robust 288,000 jobs in June, the Obama White House noted that the private sector has added 9.7 million jobs over 52 straight months of job growth."
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Republicans Blocking Medicaid Expansion In Tennessee Destroyed This Couple's Life
Republicans Blocking Medicaid Expansion In Tennessee Destroyed This Couple's Life
"Red states refusing the Medicaid expansion are doing it out of spite, but their victims are actual real people. Here is one of their stories."
"Red states refusing the Medicaid expansion are doing it out of spite, but their victims are actual real people. Here is one of their stories."
Arsonists Posing as Firemen: How GOP Sabotages Government for Fun and Profit | Common Dreams
Arsonists Posing as Firemen: How GOP Sabotages Government for Fun and Profit | Common Dreams
"Across the board, Republicans have been sabotaging government by a variety of measures, then pointing to the resulting – and inevitable – governmental failures to reinforce their Ayn Rand fantasy of government as inept and the private sector as the solution to all our problems."
"Across the board, Republicans have been sabotaging government by a variety of measures, then pointing to the resulting – and inevitable – governmental failures to reinforce their Ayn Rand fantasy of government as inept and the private sector as the solution to all our problems."
Did You Know That Antonin Scalia's Son Is Sabotaging Wall Street Reform?
www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/07/eugene-scalia-court-antonin-financial-reform-dodd-frank
"He's not just Scalia's son. Eugene Scalia is quietly freeing Wall Street from the rules meant to keep it from crashing the economy again."
"He's not just Scalia's son. Eugene Scalia is quietly freeing Wall Street from the rules meant to keep it from crashing the economy again."
Monday, July 7, 2014
Members of Congress Declare 'Immunity' from Insider Trading Probe | Common Dreams
Members of Congress Declare 'Immunity' from Insider Trading Probe | Common Dreams
"The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee is refusing to cooperate with an insider trading investigation, saying its employees are “absolutely immune” from having to comply with subpoenas from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)."
"The U.S. House Ways and Means Committee is refusing to cooperate with an insider trading investigation, saying its employees are “absolutely immune” from having to comply with subpoenas from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)."
Corporations 'Citizens'? Then Act Like It | Common Dreams
Corporations 'Citizens'? Then Act Like It | Common Dreams
"Walgreens is also a beneficiary of huge amounts of taxpayer dollars. It's estimated that nearly a quarter of its $72 billion in sales last year came from Medicaid and Medicare."
"Walgreens is also a beneficiary of huge amounts of taxpayer dollars. It's estimated that nearly a quarter of its $72 billion in sales last year came from Medicaid and Medicare."
Sunday, July 6, 2014
The god that sucked: How the Tea Party right just makes the 1 percent richer
The god that sucked: How the Tea Party right just makes the 1 percent richer
"Business won on welfare, taxes, regulation, then sat silent as the crazies took over the GOP. Now we're all screwed"
"Business won on welfare, taxes, regulation, then sat silent as the crazies took over the GOP. Now we're all screwed"
Ronald Reagan stuck it to millennials: A college debt history lesson no one tells
Ronald Reagan stuck it to millennials: A college debt history lesson no one tells
"During Reagan’s two terms as president, dedicated funding for outright grants-in-aid decreased, federal guidelines pushed individual loans, and private bill collectors were brought in to ensure that the hardest kind of debt to escape was whatever you took on for your education."
"During Reagan’s two terms as president, dedicated funding for outright grants-in-aid decreased, federal guidelines pushed individual loans, and private bill collectors were brought in to ensure that the hardest kind of debt to escape was whatever you took on for your education."
American CEOs: In a Class All by Themselves
American CEOs: In a Class All by Themselves
"The gap in corporate executive pay between U.S. firms and their foreign rivals has been the dirty little semi-secret of corporate compensation for some time now, ever since U.S. CEO pay first started soaring in the 1980s."
"The gap in corporate executive pay between U.S. firms and their foreign rivals has been the dirty little semi-secret of corporate compensation for some time now, ever since U.S. CEO pay first started soaring in the 1980s."
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Warning: Corporate Interests Are Not Public Interests | Common Dreams
Warning: Corporate Interests Are Not Public Interests | Common Dreams
"Corporate profit is the foundation of this ideology. Beneath the lies of the corporatocracy is directionless profit-making that is oblivious to—if not contemptuous of—common sense and the public’s best interests."
"Corporate profit is the foundation of this ideology. Beneath the lies of the corporatocracy is directionless profit-making that is oblivious to—if not contemptuous of—common sense and the public’s best interests."
6 Rabidly Right-Wing Republican Governors Who Might Get the Boot
www.alternet.org/election-2014/6-rabidly-right-wing-republican-governors-who-might-get-boot
"The endangered Republicans include party leaders on a litany of issues that have come to define the modern GOP as being more driven by anti-government ideology and corporate giveaways than helping the middle- and working classes. The governors are known for cutting corporate taxes, public-sector union-busting, defunding education, gutting social safety nets, not expanding Medicaid for the poor under Obamacare, loosening gun laws and stripping voting rights. Many have used their office to reward their allies and bully opponents. In response, pollsters are saying they are in 2014’s closest races."
"The endangered Republicans include party leaders on a litany of issues that have come to define the modern GOP as being more driven by anti-government ideology and corporate giveaways than helping the middle- and working classes. The governors are known for cutting corporate taxes, public-sector union-busting, defunding education, gutting social safety nets, not expanding Medicaid for the poor under Obamacare, loosening gun laws and stripping voting rights. Many have used their office to reward their allies and bully opponents. In response, pollsters are saying they are in 2014’s closest races."
Dying for Dollars: The Corporatization of Hospice Care
www.alternet.org/books/dying-dollars-corporatization-hospice-care
"A wave of mergers, acquisitions, and investments made hospice another Wall Street commodity to be traded, with one goal: maximizing returns."
"A wave of mergers, acquisitions, and investments made hospice another Wall Street commodity to be traded, with one goal: maximizing returns."
The next great financial crash: How our corporate overlords are setting us up to fail (again)
The next great financial crash: How our corporate overlords are setting us up to fail (again)
"While profits soar, wages continue to stagnate and anti-tax zealots gut the safety net — a recipe for disaster"
"While profits soar, wages continue to stagnate and anti-tax zealots gut the safety net — a recipe for disaster"
This is not a democracy: How the Supreme Court allowed the 1 percent control
This is not a democracy: How the Supreme Court allowed the 1 percent control
"When the Supreme Court decided money is speech, it unleashed an equality-destroying monster"
"When the Supreme Court decided money is speech, it unleashed an equality-destroying monster"
Friday, July 4, 2014
On This Fourth of July, Meet Your Unpatriotic Corporations | The Nation
On This Fourth of July, Meet Your Unpatriotic Corporations | The Nation
"this July 4, American corporations—including one drugstore chain, in one recent example—are using tax loopholes to act in the most unpatriotic of ways."
"this July 4, American corporations—including one drugstore chain, in one recent example—are using tax loopholes to act in the most unpatriotic of ways."
A Stampede to Amend the Constitution and Get Big Money Out of Politics
A Stampede to Amend the Constitution and Get Big Money Out of Politics
"Wealthy special interests use lobbying and campaign contributions to buy access and influence in the halls of Congress and they use that access to advance their own self-interest."
"Wealthy special interests use lobbying and campaign contributions to buy access and influence in the halls of Congress and they use that access to advance their own self-interest."
Samuel Alito, the Supreme Court's Most Pro-Corporate Member Makes Good on Right-wing Investments in Him
www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/samuel-alito-supreme-courts-most-pro-corporate-member-makes-good-right-wing
"Samuel Alito is the single most pro-corporate Justice on the most pro-business Court since the New Deal."
"Samuel Alito is the single most pro-corporate Justice on the most pro-business Court since the New Deal."
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Why We Might Be on the Verge of Another Financial Crash
www.alternet.org/economy/why-we-might-be-verge-another-financial-crash
"The denial of fundamental economic principles is setting the world up for another Great Crash.
Although wages have been flat or declining since the West started following Thatchernomics and Reaganomics in the late '70s and early 1980s, the stock market has risen to all-time highs. Billions—hundreds of billions—have been made by individuals on Wall Street."
"The denial of fundamental economic principles is setting the world up for another Great Crash.
Although wages have been flat or declining since the West started following Thatchernomics and Reaganomics in the late '70s and early 1980s, the stock market has risen to all-time highs. Billions—hundreds of billions—have been made by individuals on Wall Street."
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
House Ethics Committee Now Hides Congressional Trip Disclosures
House Ethics Committee Now Hides Congressional Trip Disclosures
"It's going to be a little more difficult to ferret out which members of Congress are lavished with all-expenses-paid trips around the world after the House has quietly stripped away the requirement that such privately sponsored travel be included on lawmakers' annual financial-disclosure forms."
"It's going to be a little more difficult to ferret out which members of Congress are lavished with all-expenses-paid trips around the world after the House has quietly stripped away the requirement that such privately sponsored travel be included on lawmakers' annual financial-disclosure forms."
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