Saturday, August 30, 2014
Looks Like Burger King’s Subjects Are Royally Pissed Off
Looks Like Burger King’s Subjects Are Royally Pissed Off
"Unfortunately for Burger King, which intends to renounce its American status for tax purposes, neither history nor public opinion is on its side."
"Unfortunately for Burger King, which intends to renounce its American status for tax purposes, neither history nor public opinion is on its side."
Friday, August 29, 2014
Seven Disturbing Quotes From the Koch Summit Speeches
Seven Disturbing Quotes From the Koch Summit Speeches
"It's no secret that McConnell has relied on the Koch brothers (Charles and David) in the past. The "important work" McConnell refers to is their use of dark money groups to further their political and economic interests."
"It's no secret that McConnell has relied on the Koch brothers (Charles and David) in the past. The "important work" McConnell refers to is their use of dark money groups to further their political and economic interests."
Thursday, August 28, 2014
How a Mining Company Paid to Play in Walker’s Wis.
How a Mining Company Paid to Play in Walker’s Wis.
"Documents released last Friday afternoon from the John Doe investigation into potentially illegal campaign activities by the Scott Walker campaign during the recalls of 2011-2012 contained hard evidence of what many Wisconsinites have long suspected: that corporations whose sights are set on extracting resources for private gain are paying big bucks to rewrite our laws in their favor."
"Documents released last Friday afternoon from the John Doe investigation into potentially illegal campaign activities by the Scott Walker campaign during the recalls of 2011-2012 contained hard evidence of what many Wisconsinites have long suspected: that corporations whose sights are set on extracting resources for private gain are paying big bucks to rewrite our laws in their favor."
Koch-Sucking Republican Governors Association Caught On Video Heaping Praise On Evil Koch Brothers!
Koch-Sucking Republican Governors Association Caught On Video Heaping Praise On Evil Koch Brothers!
"What do the Koch brothers get for their campaign funding and lavish hospitality? Anything they want. And now, GOP governors are up for sale."
"What do the Koch brothers get for their campaign funding and lavish hospitality? Anything they want. And now, GOP governors are up for sale."
Microsoft’s $29.6 billion scam: Tech giant leads the way in tax-avoiding innovation
Microsoft’s $29.6 billion scam: Tech giant leads the way in tax-avoiding innovation
"More and more companies who enjoy huge benefits operating in the U.S. are trying to weasel their way out of taxes"
"More and more companies who enjoy huge benefits operating in the U.S. are trying to weasel their way out of taxes"
Secret audio nails Scott Walker! A humiliating suck-up to the Koch brothers
Secret audio nails Scott Walker! A humiliating suck-up to the Koch brothers
"it may finally backfire in Wisconsin, as voters realize their governor is a wholly owned Koch subsidiary."
"it may finally backfire in Wisconsin, as voters realize their governor is a wholly owned Koch subsidiary."
Caught on Tape: What Mitch McConnell Complained About to a Roomful of Billionaires
Caught on Tape: What Mitch McConnell Complained About to a Roomful of Billionaires
"Senate Republicans, led by McConnell, successfully filibustered a bill to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, a widely popular measure that would increase wages for at least 16.5 million Americans. Earlier in the year, McConnell also led a filibuster of a three-month extension of unemployment insurance to some 1.7 million Americans."
"Senate Republicans, led by McConnell, successfully filibustered a bill to increase the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, a widely popular measure that would increase wages for at least 16.5 million Americans. Earlier in the year, McConnell also led a filibuster of a three-month extension of unemployment insurance to some 1.7 million Americans."
Wednesday, August 27, 2014
McConnell Promises Billionaire Donors He Won’t Waste Time On ‘Gosh Darn’ Minimum Wage Increases
www.thinkprogress.org/election/2014/08/27/3476193/mitch-mcconnell-audio-minimum-wage/
"At a Koch Brothers-hosted secret strategy conference of right-wing millionaire and billionaire political activists in June, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) promised that if his party wins control of the United States Senate this November, the Senate will not waste time on things like increasing the minimum wage for people making only about $15,000 annually. Instead, audio of his remarks obtained by The Nation reveals, his Senate will focus on repealing Wall Street reforms, environmental protections, and affordable healthcare."
"At a Koch Brothers-hosted secret strategy conference of right-wing millionaire and billionaire political activists in June, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) promised that if his party wins control of the United States Senate this November, the Senate will not waste time on things like increasing the minimum wage for people making only about $15,000 annually. Instead, audio of his remarks obtained by The Nation reveals, his Senate will focus on repealing Wall Street reforms, environmental protections, and affordable healthcare."
Secret audio nails Mitch! Endangered McConnell busted humiliating himself on tape
Secret audio nails Mitch! Endangered McConnell busted humiliating himself on tape
"This year Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell chose to spend Father’s Day with two GOP political sugar-daddies, Charles and David Koch, at their annual retreat, this time at the lovely St. Regis Monarch Bay resort in Orange County, Calif. As befit the day, McConnell brought the love: “I want to start by thanking you, Charles and David, for the important work you’re doing. I don’t know where we’d be without you"."
"This year Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell chose to spend Father’s Day with two GOP political sugar-daddies, Charles and David Koch, at their annual retreat, this time at the lovely St. Regis Monarch Bay resort in Orange County, Calif. As befit the day, McConnell brought the love: “I want to start by thanking you, Charles and David, for the important work you’re doing. I don’t know where we’d be without you"."
Caught on Tape: What Mitch McConnell Complained About to a Roomful of Billionaires (Exclusive) | The Nation
Caught on Tape: What Mitch McConnell Complained About to a Roomful of Billionaires (Exclusive) | The Nation
"The main thrust of McConnell’s remarks to the Koch conference were about his pet issue, campaign finance, which he regards as a matter of free speech."
"The main thrust of McConnell’s remarks to the Koch conference were about his pet issue, campaign finance, which he regards as a matter of free speech."
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
How Shadow Banking and Extreme Wealth Inequality Threaten Us
www.alternet.org/economy/how-shadow-banking-and-extreme-wealth-inequality-threaten-us
"The need for significant systemic change is now a mathematical fact. Corruption, greed and economic inequality have reached a peak tipping point."
"The need for significant systemic change is now a mathematical fact. Corruption, greed and economic inequality have reached a peak tipping point."
6 numbers that tell you everything you need to know about America’s busted priorities
6 numbers that tell you everything you need to know about America’s busted priorities
"The super-rich feel they deserve all the tax breaks and the accumulation of wealth from the productivity of others."
"The super-rich feel they deserve all the tax breaks and the accumulation of wealth from the productivity of others."
Monday, August 25, 2014
Gov. Christie Shifted Pension Cash To High Risk Funds, Cost Taxpayers $3.8 Billion
Gov. Christie Shifted Pension Cash To High Risk Funds, Cost Taxpayers $3.8 Billion
"Chris Christie has built up support for his presidential run by setting up an arrangement where Wall Street bankers could skim large fees off the top of pension funds, and then turned around and blamed state retirees for the shortfall. This kind of expensive nonsense is what we always get when voters are naive enough to put Republicans in charge"
"Chris Christie has built up support for his presidential run by setting up an arrangement where Wall Street bankers could skim large fees off the top of pension funds, and then turned around and blamed state retirees for the shortfall. This kind of expensive nonsense is what we always get when voters are naive enough to put Republicans in charge"
Saturday, August 23, 2014
How the Ultra-Rich .01% Have Sucked Up Even More of America's Wealth Than You Think
www.alternet.org/economy/how-ultra-rich-01-have-sucked-even-more-americas-wealth-you-think
"The fact that the majority of households are losing so much wealth in a time of record-breaking overall wealth demonstrates how systemically corrupt the economy has become. To begin to grasp the scale of corruption, let’s analyze how much wealth has been consolidated within the economic top 1% of the population."
"The fact that the majority of households are losing so much wealth in a time of record-breaking overall wealth demonstrates how systemically corrupt the economy has become. To begin to grasp the scale of corruption, let’s analyze how much wealth has been consolidated within the economic top 1% of the population."
The 1 percent’s devious new scheme: How CEOs are getting rich at your expense
The 1 percent’s devious new scheme: How CEOs are getting rich at your expense
"Everyone from Warren Buffett to Robert Reich is talking about a favorite Wall Street trick called stock buybacks. But what are they and what do they mean to you?"
"Everyone from Warren Buffett to Robert Reich is talking about a favorite Wall Street trick called stock buybacks. But what are they and what do they mean to you?"
Thursday, August 21, 2014
How the Largest Worker Owned Co-op in the US Lifts People Out of Poverty
How the Largest Worker Owned Co-op in the US Lifts People Out of Poverty
"Cooperatives are businesses owned and controlled by their members on the basis of one member, one vote. Given enough time, worker-owned cooperatives tend to increase wages and improve working conditions, and advocates say a local co-op generally stays where it’s founded and acts as a leadership-building force."
"Cooperatives are businesses owned and controlled by their members on the basis of one member, one vote. Given enough time, worker-owned cooperatives tend to increase wages and improve working conditions, and advocates say a local co-op generally stays where it’s founded and acts as a leadership-building force."
The Growing GOP Push To Shut Down The Government Again
www.thinkprogress.org/election/2014/08/21/3474287/senate-candidate-reiterates-support-for-shutting-down-the-government/
"Nationally, the shutdown and the uncertainty over whether lawmakers would vote to raise the country’s debt ceiling reduced economic output by 0.25 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 and cost about 120,000 private sector jobs in the first two weeks of October."
"Nationally, the shutdown and the uncertainty over whether lawmakers would vote to raise the country’s debt ceiling reduced economic output by 0.25 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013 and cost about 120,000 private sector jobs in the first two weeks of October."
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Bobby Jindal Has Perfectly Demonstrated How Trickle-Down Economics Is A Scam
www.forwardprogressives.com/bobby-jindal-has-perfectly-demonstrated-how-trickle-down-economics-is-scam/
"Last year, Governor Jindal made the remark that President Obama could learn something from Louisiana as part of a speech he made ahead of President Obama’s trip to New Orleans. Perhaps he’s right, we can all learn something from Louisiana and Bobby Jindal – and that is trickle-down economics is nothing more than a massive scam. "
"Last year, Governor Jindal made the remark that President Obama could learn something from Louisiana as part of a speech he made ahead of President Obama’s trip to New Orleans. Perhaps he’s right, we can all learn something from Louisiana and Bobby Jindal – and that is trickle-down economics is nothing more than a massive scam. "
Sunday, August 17, 2014
How the New Monopoly Capitalism Will Crush You to Smithereens
www.alternet.org/economy/how-new-monopoly-capitalism-will-crush-you-smithereens
"Something wicked has crept into American society, something that many hoped was left back in the dustbins of the 19th century. We’re talking about monopoly, the ogre that screams capitalism run amok. Monopolies, or near-monopolies, as are most common in America, rise up through a lack of competition. When one or a handful of players dominate the marketplace, get ready for higher prices, low-quality products, and crap wages for you and me."
"Something wicked has crept into American society, something that many hoped was left back in the dustbins of the 19th century. We’re talking about monopoly, the ogre that screams capitalism run amok. Monopolies, or near-monopolies, as are most common in America, rise up through a lack of competition. When one or a handful of players dominate the marketplace, get ready for higher prices, low-quality products, and crap wages for you and me."
Saturday, August 16, 2014
Jimmy John's With a Side of Wage Theft?
Jimmy John's With a Side of Wage Theft?
"Former Jimmy John's workers last week filed a class action lawsuit in federal court charging that the sandwich chain famed for "dirt cheap" prices is stealing workers' wages as a matter of nation-wide policy."
"Former Jimmy John's workers last week filed a class action lawsuit in federal court charging that the sandwich chain famed for "dirt cheap" prices is stealing workers' wages as a matter of nation-wide policy."
Friday, August 15, 2014
Rick Perry Indicted For Abuse Of Power
Rick Perry Indicted For Abuse Of Power
"It doesn't pay to threaten public corruption investigators with defunding when you're a public official, as Rick Perry has now discovered"
"It doesn't pay to threaten public corruption investigators with defunding when you're a public official, as Rick Perry has now discovered"
Christie's Campaign Team Was In Close Contact With Pension Board
Christie's Campaign Team Was In Close Contact With Pension Board
"It raises the prospect of action from the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is tasked with enforcing pay-to-play laws."
"It raises the prospect of action from the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is tasked with enforcing pay-to-play laws."
GOP lawsuit: Wall Street has a Constitutional right to corrupt politicians
GOP lawsuit: Wall Street has a Constitutional right to corrupt politicians
"Wall Street is one of the biggest sources of funding for presidential campaigns, and many of the Republican Party’s potential 2016 contenders are governors, from Chris Christie of New Jersey and Rick Perry of Texas to Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Scott Walker of Wisconsin. And so, last week, the GOP filed a federal lawsuit aimed at overturning the pay-to-play law that bars those governors from raising campaign money from Wall Street executives who manage their states’ pension funds."
"Wall Street is one of the biggest sources of funding for presidential campaigns, and many of the Republican Party’s potential 2016 contenders are governors, from Chris Christie of New Jersey and Rick Perry of Texas to Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Scott Walker of Wisconsin. And so, last week, the GOP filed a federal lawsuit aimed at overturning the pay-to-play law that bars those governors from raising campaign money from Wall Street executives who manage their states’ pension funds."
GOP Seeks to Further Weaken Campaign Finance Laws
GOP Seeks to Further Weaken Campaign Finance Laws
"Republican lawmakers hoping to rake in more campaign cash from Wall Street are challenging a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule that limits the amount of money financiers can give to governors and state officials."
"Republican lawmakers hoping to rake in more campaign cash from Wall Street are challenging a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule that limits the amount of money financiers can give to governors and state officials."
Monday, August 11, 2014
Profits Outpace Job Growth Five To One At Largest U.S. Corporations
www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/08/11/3469654/profits-outstrip-job-growth-five-to-one-at-largest-us-corporations/
"Profits have grown five times faster than jobs at America’s largest publicly-traded companies over the past dozen years, according to a new analysis by Reuters."
"Profits have grown five times faster than jobs at America’s largest publicly-traded companies over the past dozen years, according to a new analysis by Reuters."
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Democracy or Oligarchy? By Sen. Bernie Sanders
Democracy or Oligarchy?
"when the Supreme Court says that corporations are people, that writing checks from a company’s bank account is constitutionally protected speech, and that attempts by the federal government and states to impose reasonable restrictions on campaign funding are unconstitutional, then it is time to pass a constitutional amendment to address that absurdity."
"when the Supreme Court says that corporations are people, that writing checks from a company’s bank account is constitutionally protected speech, and that attempts by the federal government and states to impose reasonable restrictions on campaign funding are unconstitutional, then it is time to pass a constitutional amendment to address that absurdity."
Three Charts To Email To Your Right-Wing Brother-In-Law (Updated)
Three Charts To Email To Your Right-Wing Brother-In-Law (Updated)
"The numbers in these two charts come from Budget of the United States Government: Historical Tables Fiscal Year 2015. They are just the amounts that the government spent and borrowed, period, Anyone can go look them up. People who claim that Obama "tripled the deficit" or increased it or anything of the sort are either misled or are trying to mislead. President Obama inherited a budget deficit of $1.4 trillion from President Bush's last budget year and annual budget deficits have gone down dramatically since."
"The numbers in these two charts come from Budget of the United States Government: Historical Tables Fiscal Year 2015. They are just the amounts that the government spent and borrowed, period, Anyone can go look them up. People who claim that Obama "tripled the deficit" or increased it or anything of the sort are either misled or are trying to mislead. President Obama inherited a budget deficit of $1.4 trillion from President Bush's last budget year and annual budget deficits have gone down dramatically since."
Another Win For Elizabeth Warren -- And For Us!
Another Win For Elizabeth Warren -- And For Us!
"Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) got her way on Tuesday when the Federal Reserve rejected the living will plans for most Wall Street banks"
"Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) got her way on Tuesday when the Federal Reserve rejected the living will plans for most Wall Street banks"
Fox's Charles Payne Says Walgreens CEO 'Destroyed Capitalism' By Staying In The U.S.
Fox's Charles Payne Says Walgreens CEO 'Destroyed Capitalism' By Staying In The U.S.
"Given his track record, no one should be surprised that Fox's so-called "business analyst" Charles Payne would say this about the news that Walgreens won't leave the U.S. to avoid paying their taxes"
"Given his track record, no one should be surprised that Fox's so-called "business analyst" Charles Payne would say this about the news that Walgreens won't leave the U.S. to avoid paying their taxes"
Thursday, August 7, 2014
North Carolina's Billionaire Budget Warden Art Pope Quits
North Carolina's Billionaire Budget Warden Art Pope Quits
"It doesn't look seemly for a billionaire to buy elections while still serving as the budget warden of a state, so Art Pope submitted his resignation just in time to spend some serious bucks buying himself a Senator and more extremists for the North Carolina state legislature."
"It doesn't look seemly for a billionaire to buy elections while still serving as the budget warden of a state, so Art Pope submitted his resignation just in time to spend some serious bucks buying himself a Senator and more extremists for the North Carolina state legislature."
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Corporate Victory Will 'Screw' Local Farmers as Amendment Passes in Missouri
Corporate Victory Will 'Screw' Local Farmers as Amendment Passes in Missouri
"ALEC-modeled constitutional amendment protects industrial farmers' right to pollute"
"ALEC-modeled constitutional amendment protects industrial farmers' right to pollute"
Don't Believe the Haters—The Truth About the U.S. Post Office
www.alternet.org/labor/dont-believe-haters-truth-about-us-post-office
"Late in 2006, the lame duck Republican Congress rammed into law a cockamamie requirement that the Postal Service must pre-fund the retiree health benefits of everyone it employs or expects to employ for the next 75 years. Hello? That includes workers who're not even born yet! No other business in America is required to pre-fund such benefits for even one year. To add to Congress' cockamamie-ness, the service is being forced to put up all of that money within just 10 years -- which has been costing USPS more than $5 billion a year. That artificial burden accounts for 100 percent of the so-called "losses" the media keep reporting.
It's like tying an anvil around someone's neck, throwing the person out of a boat, and saying, "Swim to shore, sucker"."
"Late in 2006, the lame duck Republican Congress rammed into law a cockamamie requirement that the Postal Service must pre-fund the retiree health benefits of everyone it employs or expects to employ for the next 75 years. Hello? That includes workers who're not even born yet! No other business in America is required to pre-fund such benefits for even one year. To add to Congress' cockamamie-ness, the service is being forced to put up all of that money within just 10 years -- which has been costing USPS more than $5 billion a year. That artificial burden accounts for 100 percent of the so-called "losses" the media keep reporting.
It's like tying an anvil around someone's neck, throwing the person out of a boat, and saying, "Swim to shore, sucker"."
Tax dodger Running for Governor in Illinois
Tax dodger Running for Governor in Illinois
"Rauner's story shows what's behind all that union-bashing and belt-tightening for the poor and middle class--rightwing billionaires like Rauner push these policies, even as they play by an entirely different set of rules, dodging taxes, pulling strings, and get special treatment most people could never afford."
"Rauner's story shows what's behind all that union-bashing and belt-tightening for the poor and middle class--rightwing billionaires like Rauner push these policies, even as they play by an entirely different set of rules, dodging taxes, pulling strings, and get special treatment most people could never afford."
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Fox Pundits Attack NLRB For Ruling Stopping Corporations Shielding Themselves From Lawsuits
Fox Pundits Attack NLRB For Ruling Stopping Corporations Shielding Themselves From Lawsuits
"If there's one thing you can count on, it's the pundits over at Faux "news" complaining heavily any time there's a ruling that favors workers over large corporations and businesses."
"If there's one thing you can count on, it's the pundits over at Faux "news" complaining heavily any time there's a ruling that favors workers over large corporations and businesses."
Monday, August 4, 2014
A Reminder to Republicans of Just How Bad Things Were Under George W. Bush
www.forwardprogressives.com/reminder-republicans-just-bad-things-george-w-bush/
Where are we at today?
Well: Unemployment is down to 6.2%.
We’ve seen the best year of job gains since 1999.
Stocks have hit record highs.
53 straight months of private sector job growth.
We’ve created 9.9 million jobs during that span.
We haven’t started any wars.
The rate of uninsured Americans fell to its lowest level since Gallup starting tracking the number in 2008. Down almost 5 percent in just the last year alone.
Deficits have been cut in half.
Among many other things.
So, when conservatives say that we’re much worse off now than when President Obama took office, they’re either blatantly altering history to suit their talking points – or they have absolutely no damn idea what it is that they’re talking about."
Where are we at today?
Well: Unemployment is down to 6.2%.
We’ve seen the best year of job gains since 1999.
Stocks have hit record highs.
53 straight months of private sector job growth.
We’ve created 9.9 million jobs during that span.
We haven’t started any wars.
The rate of uninsured Americans fell to its lowest level since Gallup starting tracking the number in 2008. Down almost 5 percent in just the last year alone.
Deficits have been cut in half.
Among many other things.
So, when conservatives say that we’re much worse off now than when President Obama took office, they’re either blatantly altering history to suit their talking points – or they have absolutely no damn idea what it is that they’re talking about."
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Ayn Rand’s libertarian “Groundhog Day”: Billionaire greed, deregulation and the myth that markets aren’t free enough
Ayn Rand’s libertarian “Groundhog Day”: Billionaire greed, deregulation and the myth that markets aren’t free enough
"I am sure that the next few corporate scandals and financial crises will be just as shocking and unforeseen as were their predecessors. Of course, we have no way of knowing what those particular disasters will be until the day they crush our 401(k) accounts or ring the Fed’s bailout bell. But we can predict their broad outlines, thanks to the template provided by Enron.
The primary component of the modern scandal is deregulation, either by law or by the de facto dumbing down or hacking back of the supervisory offices of government."
"I am sure that the next few corporate scandals and financial crises will be just as shocking and unforeseen as were their predecessors. Of course, we have no way of knowing what those particular disasters will be until the day they crush our 401(k) accounts or ring the Fed’s bailout bell. But we can predict their broad outlines, thanks to the template provided by Enron.
The primary component of the modern scandal is deregulation, either by law or by the de facto dumbing down or hacking back of the supervisory offices of government."
Saturday, August 2, 2014
Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Now Supported by Half of Senate Members
Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Now Supported by Half of Senate Members
"As US elections have become increasingly determined by the unlimited political spending of shadowy organizations financed by the rich, participatory democracy has further deteriorated."
"As US elections have become increasingly determined by the unlimited political spending of shadowy organizations financed by the rich, participatory democracy has further deteriorated."
Friday, August 1, 2014
Elizabeth Warren Grills Banker Over Cruel Student Loan Policies (Video)
Elizabeth Warren Grills Banker Over Cruel Student Loan Policies (Video)
"Senator Elizabeth Warren pushed on a banker testifying before the Senate Banking Committee about student loans Thursday. She wasn't gentle."
"Senator Elizabeth Warren pushed on a banker testifying before the Senate Banking Committee about student loans Thursday. She wasn't gentle."
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