Gov. Matt Bevin Wins Grinch Award For Rolling Back Minimum Wage
"Eliminating the minimum wage is a Koch dream from way back, and now Governor Bevin is on the road to fulfilling that."
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Friday, December 25, 2015
Mic Drop: Bernie Sanders Tears The Corporate Media Apart For Endless Trump Coverage (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/12/24/jf-mic-drop-bernie-sanders-tears-the-corporate-media-apart-for-endless-trump-coverage-video/
"Even though Sanders has more supporters than Trump, the corporate media covers every single “bombastic” remark the candidate makes"
"Even though Sanders has more supporters than Trump, the corporate media covers every single “bombastic” remark the candidate makes"
State by State Increases in Number of Insured Americans, Thanks to Obamacare @alternet
State by State Increases in Number of Insured Americans, Thanks to Obamacare @alternet
"Republicans should stop their posturing and concede that the ACA is a success."
"Republicans should stop their posturing and concede that the ACA is a success."
Happy Holidays, Super PACs: FEC Removes Yet Another Block Against Dark Money
Happy Holidays, Super PACs: FEC Removes Yet Another Block Against Dark Money
"Little-noticed rule allows candidates to solicit money for super PACs as long as it's done in a small meeting"
"Little-noticed rule allows candidates to solicit money for super PACs as long as it's done in a small meeting"
Bernie Sanders Confronts CNN And Get Them To Admit Their Pro-Trump Bias
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/12/24/bernie-sanders-confronts-cnn-admit-pro-trump-bias.html
"The big bias that Cuomo revealed was the media’s pandering to Republicans. Cuomo tried to justify all of the coverage of Trump because he is number one in the Republican polls. His point ignored the reality that Democrats outnumber Republicans in the United States. According to Gallup, 46% of the country identifies itself as Democratic, and 41% identify themselves as Republicans. Democrats have won five of the last six popular votes. If being number one in the polls really does matter, Hillary Clinton should be getting Trump level coverage, because she has higher national polling than the billionaire. Bernie Sanders should be second in coverage to Clinton because his support is higher than every Republican candidate. Sanders was correct. The Trump coverage isn’t about Trump at all. The tilt in coverage is based on several pro-Republican biases that exist in the media."
"The big bias that Cuomo revealed was the media’s pandering to Republicans. Cuomo tried to justify all of the coverage of Trump because he is number one in the Republican polls. His point ignored the reality that Democrats outnumber Republicans in the United States. According to Gallup, 46% of the country identifies itself as Democratic, and 41% identify themselves as Republicans. Democrats have won five of the last six popular votes. If being number one in the polls really does matter, Hillary Clinton should be getting Trump level coverage, because she has higher national polling than the billionaire. Bernie Sanders should be second in coverage to Clinton because his support is higher than every Republican candidate. Sanders was correct. The Trump coverage isn’t about Trump at all. The tilt in coverage is based on several pro-Republican biases that exist in the media."
Thursday, December 24, 2015
Bernie Sanders Just Made Presidential Campaign Contribution History
Bernie Sanders Just Made Presidential Campaign Contribution History
"The Bernie Sanders campaign announced Sunday that it "reached a major milestone in grassroots financial support" during the third Democratic presidential debate. A statement posted on its website says the campaign has now received over 2.3 million contributions. That means Sanders now holds the record for highest number of contributions for a White House bid, breaking the record held by President Barack Obama in 2011. The statement adds that "grassroots supporters flooded" the campaign site during the debate, with the average contribution amount being below $25."
"The Bernie Sanders campaign announced Sunday that it "reached a major milestone in grassroots financial support" during the third Democratic presidential debate. A statement posted on its website says the campaign has now received over 2.3 million contributions. That means Sanders now holds the record for highest number of contributions for a White House bid, breaking the record held by President Barack Obama in 2011. The statement adds that "grassroots supporters flooded" the campaign site during the debate, with the average contribution amount being below $25."
Bernie Sanders Sets New Fundraising Record As Network News Blackout Can’t Stop Him
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/12/20/bernie-sanders-sets-fundraising-record-network-news-blackout-stop.html
"His campaign has now received more contributions than any other candidate at this point in any White House bid. President Barack Obama was the record holder. Through Dec. 31, 2011, his re-election campaign reported 2,209,636 donations. The Sanders campaign crossed that mark during the debate as grassroots supporters flooded the BernieSanders.com website. The average contribution for the night to the Sanders campaign was below $25."
"His campaign has now received more contributions than any other candidate at this point in any White House bid. President Barack Obama was the record holder. Through Dec. 31, 2011, his re-election campaign reported 2,209,636 donations. The Sanders campaign crossed that mark during the debate as grassroots supporters flooded the BernieSanders.com website. The average contribution for the night to the Sanders campaign was below $25."
The double devolution of the GOP and the U.S. media
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/12/13/1458777/-The-double-devolution-of-the-GOP-and-the-U-S-media
"The hate machine that Donald Trump embodies isn’t an aberration, but the natural culmination of the intertwined, downward spirals of the conservative movement and its U.S. media enablers. After all, the GOP long ago entered an era of “post-fact” politics in which morality tales and stories of good and evil replaced facts and science as the basis for winning elections and setting public policy. And as it turns out, the Republicans’ largely successful descent into degeneracy was only made possible by the concurrent decline of American journalism. Having abandoned the search for objective truth as its mission, most of the U.S. media are now solely in the entertainment business. In this new environment, all issues are framed as having two—and only two—sides, with the loudest voice in the “debate” being declared the winner."
"The hate machine that Donald Trump embodies isn’t an aberration, but the natural culmination of the intertwined, downward spirals of the conservative movement and its U.S. media enablers. After all, the GOP long ago entered an era of “post-fact” politics in which morality tales and stories of good and evil replaced facts and science as the basis for winning elections and setting public policy. And as it turns out, the Republicans’ largely successful descent into degeneracy was only made possible by the concurrent decline of American journalism. Having abandoned the search for objective truth as its mission, most of the U.S. media are now solely in the entertainment business. In this new environment, all issues are framed as having two—and only two—sides, with the loudest voice in the “debate” being declared the winner."
Ted Cruz Blasted by Fact-Checking Site for Making Ridiculous Claim About the First Amendment
Ted Cruz Blasted by Fact-Checking Site for Making Ridiculous Claim About the First Amendment
"Well, non-partisan fact-checking site Politifact blasted Cruz for a recent statement he made where he accused Democrats of trying to repeal the “freedom of speech” protections given to us in the First Amendment. “The Democrats in the Senate last year introduced a constitutional amendment to repeal the free speech protections of the First Amendment,” Cruz said. Before going forward, I would like to point out that this is one of those statements that only an idiot would believe without actually fact-checking it for themselves. To hear something this radical without questioning the validity of it only proves that those who believed Cruz when he said it are absolutely brainwashed. Of course, it’s not at all true. Politifact cited scholars who said Cruz “ignored critical facts” for the sake of blatantly misrepresenting what this amendment actually would have done. What Ted Cruz is referring to is an amendment Democrats supported to help get money out of politics by allowing states (you know, the whole states’ rights thing) to set their own reasonable limitations on campaign finance laws. Though as many of you might know, because Republicans want more money in politics (which is comically hypocritical considering these are the folks who whine about “big government” and how corrupt it is) they’ve taken up the ludicrous notion that money is “free speech.” Even though it’s fairly obvious that our Founding Fathers did not mean for “freedom of speech” to include the right for the richest among us to buy elections. Freedom of speech is the right for people to say basically anything without the fear or prosecution – it has nothing to do with money."
"Well, non-partisan fact-checking site Politifact blasted Cruz for a recent statement he made where he accused Democrats of trying to repeal the “freedom of speech” protections given to us in the First Amendment. “The Democrats in the Senate last year introduced a constitutional amendment to repeal the free speech protections of the First Amendment,” Cruz said. Before going forward, I would like to point out that this is one of those statements that only an idiot would believe without actually fact-checking it for themselves. To hear something this radical without questioning the validity of it only proves that those who believed Cruz when he said it are absolutely brainwashed. Of course, it’s not at all true. Politifact cited scholars who said Cruz “ignored critical facts” for the sake of blatantly misrepresenting what this amendment actually would have done. What Ted Cruz is referring to is an amendment Democrats supported to help get money out of politics by allowing states (you know, the whole states’ rights thing) to set their own reasonable limitations on campaign finance laws. Though as many of you might know, because Republicans want more money in politics (which is comically hypocritical considering these are the folks who whine about “big government” and how corrupt it is) they’ve taken up the ludicrous notion that money is “free speech.” Even though it’s fairly obvious that our Founding Fathers did not mean for “freedom of speech” to include the right for the richest among us to buy elections. Freedom of speech is the right for people to say basically anything without the fear or prosecution – it has nothing to do with money."
Fox News’ new war on truth: This is why Donald Trump and GOP field get away with lies
Fox News’ new war on truth: This is why Donald Trump and GOP field get away with lies
"So how is a racist liar like Trump still a thing? And why is Carson still in the race? He even made the loony claim that the Egyptian pyramids were used to store grain! But rather than end his political career Carson’s pyramid claim might have actually helped him. What’s going on? The answer is due, in part, to the mainstream news media and the increased power of Fox News. The folks that support Trump and Carson largely get their news from Fox News– the network that uses the trademark “fair and balanced” to hawk lies and fear. Fox News has been shown to be a major agent of disinformation. Politfact explains that they lie about 60 percent of the time. Only 10 percent of the Fox News claims they rated were true. This is why their viewers score so badly on tests of their knowledge with one study suggesting that people who watched no news of any kind scored higher on aptitude of current events than Fox News viewers. But that’s not all of it. Fox News viewers don’t only suffer from a network that lies; they are also victims of the increasing politicization of truth. It is no longer the case that we have commonly accepted truths from which we derive our political beliefs. Now every truth is itself ideological. Truths are not drawn from evidence and fact; they are culled from deep belief systems."
"So how is a racist liar like Trump still a thing? And why is Carson still in the race? He even made the loony claim that the Egyptian pyramids were used to store grain! But rather than end his political career Carson’s pyramid claim might have actually helped him. What’s going on? The answer is due, in part, to the mainstream news media and the increased power of Fox News. The folks that support Trump and Carson largely get their news from Fox News– the network that uses the trademark “fair and balanced” to hawk lies and fear. Fox News has been shown to be a major agent of disinformation. Politfact explains that they lie about 60 percent of the time. Only 10 percent of the Fox News claims they rated were true. This is why their viewers score so badly on tests of their knowledge with one study suggesting that people who watched no news of any kind scored higher on aptitude of current events than Fox News viewers. But that’s not all of it. Fox News viewers don’t only suffer from a network that lies; they are also victims of the increasing politicization of truth. It is no longer the case that we have commonly accepted truths from which we derive our political beliefs. Now every truth is itself ideological. Truths are not drawn from evidence and fact; they are culled from deep belief systems."
Michigan Repubs pass last-minute bill creating longer voting lines — to stifle turnout
Michigan Repubs pass last-minute bill creating longer voting lines — to stifle turnout
"Another bill passed by the GOP-dominated legislature will allow more money from outside political groups into local and state elections."
"Another bill passed by the GOP-dominated legislature will allow more money from outside political groups into local and state elections."
No Science Here: Big Oil Has Turned The House Into Their Private Lobbying Agency
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/no-science-here-big-oil-has-turned-the-house-into-their-private-lobbying-agency/
"It is an absolute travesty that such idiots have been allowed to take over a government committee overseeing what is perhaps the most dangerous issue of our time and run it like a joke, and yet that is exactly what a dangerous combination of unfettered corporate purchasing of lawmakers and delusional conservative anti-intellectualism have produced"
"It is an absolute travesty that such idiots have been allowed to take over a government committee overseeing what is perhaps the most dangerous issue of our time and run it like a joke, and yet that is exactly what a dangerous combination of unfettered corporate purchasing of lawmakers and delusional conservative anti-intellectualism have produced"
"The King Of Whoppers": Fact Checkers Call Out Donald Trump's Year Of "Campaign Misstatements" And Lies
http://mediamatters.org/research/2015/12/22/the-king-of-whoppers-fact-checkers-call-out-don/207656
"Fact checkers ended 2015 by calling out Donald Trump's endless "political falsehoods," noting that the GOP presidential frontrunner "stands out not only for the sheer number of his factually false claims, but also for his brazen refusals to admit error when proven wrong"."
"Fact checkers ended 2015 by calling out Donald Trump's endless "political falsehoods," noting that the GOP presidential frontrunner "stands out not only for the sheer number of his factually false claims, but also for his brazen refusals to admit error when proven wrong"."
Donald Trump's Birtherism and Appeal to White Power Are a Road to Fascism
Donald Trump's Birtherism and Appeal to White Power Are a Road to Fascism
"That is why it is entirely understandable that white power proponents are finding a home in the frenzied, bilious Trump mobs."
"That is why it is entirely understandable that white power proponents are finding a home in the frenzied, bilious Trump mobs."
Donald Trump Told So Many Lies Fact Checkers Couldn’t Pick Just One for Lie of the Year
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/12/21/donald-trump-tells-lies-misstatements-win-lie-year-award.html
"Yes, PolitiFact has chosen the “many campaign misstatements” of Donald Trump as the Lie of the Year because they could not settle on which of his lies was the biggest."
"Yes, PolitiFact has chosen the “many campaign misstatements” of Donald Trump as the Lie of the Year because they could not settle on which of his lies was the biggest."
Prosecutors Set to Appeal Scott Walker "John Doe" Case to U.S. Supreme Court
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/12/13006/JohnDoe_SupremeCourt_Walker
"In July, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a decision rewriting the state's limits on money in politics and ending the "John Doe" investigation into Walker's campaign coordinating with dark money groups. Yet some justices faced serious conflicts-of-interest in the case, since the same groups that coordinated with Walker's campaign were among the majority's biggest financial supporters, spending $10 million to elect the court's majority. Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the justices likely should not have heard the case at all. The Special Prosecutor leading the probe, Francis Schmitz, asked two justices to recuse but they refused to do so. Schmitz vowed to appeal, yet earlier this month the Court took the extraordinary step of firing him, rescinding his appointment as Special Prosecutor and hindering any potential appeal. "My career in the military and as a federal prosecutor fighting violent criminals and terrorists did not fully prepare me for the tactics employed by these special interest groups," Schmitz said in a statement. That might have been the end of the story. But Friday's motion suggests that Walker and his allies haven't beaten back the John Doe just yet."
"In July, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued a decision rewriting the state's limits on money in politics and ending the "John Doe" investigation into Walker's campaign coordinating with dark money groups. Yet some justices faced serious conflicts-of-interest in the case, since the same groups that coordinated with Walker's campaign were among the majority's biggest financial supporters, spending $10 million to elect the court's majority. Under U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the justices likely should not have heard the case at all. The Special Prosecutor leading the probe, Francis Schmitz, asked two justices to recuse but they refused to do so. Schmitz vowed to appeal, yet earlier this month the Court took the extraordinary step of firing him, rescinding his appointment as Special Prosecutor and hindering any potential appeal. "My career in the military and as a federal prosecutor fighting violent criminals and terrorists did not fully prepare me for the tactics employed by these special interest groups," Schmitz said in a statement. That might have been the end of the story. But Friday's motion suggests that Walker and his allies haven't beaten back the John Doe just yet."
Mitch McConnell Just Made It Virtually Impossible to Police Dark Money in 2016
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/12/mitch-mcconnell-budget-bill-campaign-finance
"Provisions slipped into the budget bill kneecapped campaign finance enforcement and transparency."
"Provisions slipped into the budget bill kneecapped campaign finance enforcement and transparency."
Billionaire Americans give out free turkeys so that poor people will shut up already
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/19/1460159/-Billionaire-Americans-give-out-free-turkeys-so-that-poor-people-will-shut-up-already
"the Koch brothers are stepping up their public relations efforts. Americans for Prosperity, the pro-corporate, anti-tax, anti-regulation political organization planning to spend nearly $1 billion dollars to shape the outcome of the 2016 presidential elections, will be dropping a few million on the little people in order to convince them that everything is on the up-and-up."
"the Koch brothers are stepping up their public relations efforts. Americans for Prosperity, the pro-corporate, anti-tax, anti-regulation political organization planning to spend nearly $1 billion dollars to shape the outcome of the 2016 presidential elections, will be dropping a few million on the little people in order to convince them that everything is on the up-and-up."
PERRspectives: Sorry, GOP: Senate Obamacare 'Repeal' Does Not Reduce Deficits
PERRspectives: Sorry, GOP: Senate Obamacare 'Repeal' Does Not Reduce Deficits
"repealing Obamacare increases Uncle Sam's deficits. Unless, that is, you change what the meaning of "repeal" is. Which is precisely the shell game Republicans are playing now. And just like "death panels" and a "government takeover of health care" (Politifact's Lie of the Year for 2009 and 2010, respectively), the Senate's partial Obamacare repeal is just another of the GOP's killer lies on health care."
"repealing Obamacare increases Uncle Sam's deficits. Unless, that is, you change what the meaning of "repeal" is. Which is precisely the shell game Republicans are playing now. And just like "death panels" and a "government takeover of health care" (Politifact's Lie of the Year for 2009 and 2010, respectively), the Senate's partial Obamacare repeal is just another of the GOP's killer lies on health care."
9 Heinous Items Sneaked Into the Budget Bill Congress Doesn’t Want You to See
http://usuncut.com/politics/9-heinous-items-sneaked-into-budget-bill/
"8. Wall Street deregulation In addition to all of the new provisions in this year’s budget bill, one of the worst riders from the 2014 “cromnibus” bill that deregulated derivatives trading on Wall Street will remain in effect. The deregulation bill reverses portions of the Dodd-Frank financial reform act of 2010, and allows big banks to get away with the same high-risk gambling on complex financial instruments that caused the 2008 financial crisis. Wall Street lobbyists actually wrote most of the language in the bill that was snuck into last year’s budget bill."
"8. Wall Street deregulation In addition to all of the new provisions in this year’s budget bill, one of the worst riders from the 2014 “cromnibus” bill that deregulated derivatives trading on Wall Street will remain in effect. The deregulation bill reverses portions of the Dodd-Frank financial reform act of 2010, and allows big banks to get away with the same high-risk gambling on complex financial instruments that caused the 2008 financial crisis. Wall Street lobbyists actually wrote most of the language in the bill that was snuck into last year’s budget bill."
Corporate Sellout Marco Rubio Wants Internet Access Only For The Rich
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/corporate-sellout-marco-rubio-wants-internet-access-only-for-the-rich/
"Recently, many municipalities, such as have begun providing their citizens with broadband access at much faster speeds and much cheaper prices than the major private telecom companies, such as AT&T. Chattanooga, TN, for example, has implemented a municipal broadband network that provides data at one gegabit per second – 50 times faster than the average AT&T customer – for as little as $70 per month. Despite the overwhelming benefits to American citizens that such public broadband networks provide, telecom conglomerates such as Comcast and AT&T have used the tremendous influence that their money buys to force state legislatures into passing laws banning public broadband networks for no conceivable reason. Last week, Marco Rubio joined the massive big-business campaign against Americans’ right to Internet access by signing a letter to the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) urging them to block municipalities from enacting public broadband networks, which, to their credit, the FCC has been reluctant to do."
"Recently, many municipalities, such as have begun providing their citizens with broadband access at much faster speeds and much cheaper prices than the major private telecom companies, such as AT&T. Chattanooga, TN, for example, has implemented a municipal broadband network that provides data at one gegabit per second – 50 times faster than the average AT&T customer – for as little as $70 per month. Despite the overwhelming benefits to American citizens that such public broadband networks provide, telecom conglomerates such as Comcast and AT&T have used the tremendous influence that their money buys to force state legislatures into passing laws banning public broadband networks for no conceivable reason. Last week, Marco Rubio joined the massive big-business campaign against Americans’ right to Internet access by signing a letter to the Federal Communications Committee (FCC) urging them to block municipalities from enacting public broadband networks, which, to their credit, the FCC has been reluctant to do."
Victory: Stewart Defeats McConnell, Gets 9/11 First Responder Funds
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/victory-stewart-defeats-mcconnell-gets-911-first-responder-funds/
"Stewart’s campaign has specifically targeted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for obstructing the the renewal of 9/11 first responder healthcare funds for petty and selfish political reasons. Stewart appeared on the Daily Show appearance specifically to call out McConnell for his hypocritical refusal to reauthorize the James Zadroga Act while having passed an identical bill for coal workers in the state of Kentucky (“It’s bullsh*t”). McConnell refused to include the funding with last month’s highway bill, despite support from 66 Senators and 250 House members, in order to use it as a bargaining chip in order to lift the ban on oil exports and please his masters in the fossil fuel industry. It was a despicable act of political maneuvering that only a Republican could stomach. It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Stewart’s efforts have proven successful."
"Stewart’s campaign has specifically targeted Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) for obstructing the the renewal of 9/11 first responder healthcare funds for petty and selfish political reasons. Stewart appeared on the Daily Show appearance specifically to call out McConnell for his hypocritical refusal to reauthorize the James Zadroga Act while having passed an identical bill for coal workers in the state of Kentucky (“It’s bullsh*t”). McConnell refused to include the funding with last month’s highway bill, despite support from 66 Senators and 250 House members, in order to use it as a bargaining chip in order to lift the ban on oil exports and please his masters in the fossil fuel industry. It was a despicable act of political maneuvering that only a Republican could stomach. It is with great pleasure that we can announce that Stewart’s efforts have proven successful."
Jon Stewart Successfully Shames Republicans Into Extending 9/11 First Responders Bill
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/12/17/jon-stewart-successfully-shames-republicans-into-extending-911-first-responders-bill/
"After all of the public shaming, Republicans apparently could no longer afford to be dragging their feet on this issue that most Americans support."
"After all of the public shaming, Republicans apparently could no longer afford to be dragging their feet on this issue that most Americans support."
Friday, December 18, 2015
A Conservative Estimate of ‘The Wal-Mart Effect': Wal-Mart’s growing trade deficit with China has displaced more than 400,000 U.S. jobs
A Conservative Estimate of ‘The Wal-Mart Effect': Wal-Mart’s growing trade deficit with China has displaced more than 400,000 U.S. jobs
"The growing goods trade deficit with China displaced 3.2 million U.S. jobs in the United States between 2001 and 2013, and it has been a prime contributor to the crisis in manufacturing employment over the past 15 years. Due to its own growing trade deficit with China, Wal-Mart alone was responsible for the loss of more than 400,000 U.S. jobs, 13.2 percent of total U.S. jobs lost in this period. The current unbalanced U.S.-China trade relationship is bad for both countries, and Wal-Mart has played a major role in creating that imbalance."
"The growing goods trade deficit with China displaced 3.2 million U.S. jobs in the United States between 2001 and 2013, and it has been a prime contributor to the crisis in manufacturing employment over the past 15 years. Due to its own growing trade deficit with China, Wal-Mart alone was responsible for the loss of more than 400,000 U.S. jobs, 13.2 percent of total U.S. jobs lost in this period. The current unbalanced U.S.-China trade relationship is bad for both countries, and Wal-Mart has played a major role in creating that imbalance."
The truth about GOP tax plans: The real reason why they’re so ridiculous
The truth about GOP tax plans: The real reason why they’re so ridiculous
"Republican donors are dramatically out of line with the general population."
"Republican donors are dramatically out of line with the general population."
Donald Trump supporter wants to burn a black man alive: “Light the motherf**ker on fire”
Donald Trump supporter wants to burn a black man alive: “Light the motherf**ker on fire”
"This is not the first time that either actual physical violence or violent rhetoric has been used at Donald Trump rallies."
"This is not the first time that either actual physical violence or violent rhetoric has been used at Donald Trump rallies."
Senator Bernie Sanders Is Having A Very Good Day
Senator Bernie Sanders Is Having A Very Good Day
"With an historic donor number now reaching two million separate contributions and a very substantial endorsement from the Communications Workers of America, Senator Bernie Sanders is having a memorable day on the campaign trail."
"With an historic donor number now reaching two million separate contributions and a very substantial endorsement from the Communications Workers of America, Senator Bernie Sanders is having a memorable day on the campaign trail."
Bernie Sanders Makes History And Sets A New Record By Surpassing 2 Million Donations
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/12/17/bernie-sanders-history-sets-record-surpassing-2-million-donations.html
"The average donation is $20, and more than 800,000 donors have donated for a second or third time. Only 1.7% of Sanders donors have maxed out and hit the contribution limit. Most impressively, Sanders trails only President Obama 2.2 million donations by the end of 2011 for the overall record."
"The average donation is $20, and more than 800,000 donors have donated for a second or third time. Only 1.7% of Sanders donors have maxed out and hit the contribution limit. Most impressively, Sanders trails only President Obama 2.2 million donations by the end of 2011 for the overall record."
Communities of color hate Republicans more than ever, and GOP seems psyched about that!
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/16/1460788/-Communities-of-color-hate-Republicans-more-than-ever-and-GOP-seems-psyched-about-that
"Clinton leads Rubio 69-18 and Cruz 72-17 among Latinos. This is a GOP-wide rejection. So is Reince Priebus’ Republican party “far better” with communities of color than in 2012? Well, only if the GOP’s goal is to far better alienate non-white demographics. And given the rhetoric from pretty much all Republicans, that’s the only plausible explanation. So good job, guys! Mission accomplished."
"Clinton leads Rubio 69-18 and Cruz 72-17 among Latinos. This is a GOP-wide rejection. So is Reince Priebus’ Republican party “far better” with communities of color than in 2012? Well, only if the GOP’s goal is to far better alienate non-white demographics. And given the rhetoric from pretty much all Republicans, that’s the only plausible explanation. So good job, guys! Mission accomplished."
McConnell's holiday wish: A GOP presidential nominee who could 'carry purple states' ... Ha!
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/15/1460499/-McConnell-s-holiday-wish-A-GOP-presidential-nominee-who-could-carry-purple-states-Ha
"How about we check in with Gallup on where your current field stands, Mitch: Donald Trump: -27 Jeb Bush: -14 Chris Christie: -5 Ted Cruz: -3 Marco Rubio: +5 Ben Carson: +6 Among those candidates, it's worth noting that The Donald and Jeb! are also the most well known candidates, with 91 percent of voters being familiar with Trump to Jeb!'s 78 percent familiarity rating. The lesser known candidates like Rubio and Cruz, who both sit at 61 percent familiarity, almost surely benefit from being, well, lesser known. For context, Hillary Clinton is the best-known candidate in the field at 94 percent and she has a -4 favorability rating. Bernie Sanders is known to 66 percent of respondents and he's at +2 on favorables."
"How about we check in with Gallup on where your current field stands, Mitch: Donald Trump: -27 Jeb Bush: -14 Chris Christie: -5 Ted Cruz: -3 Marco Rubio: +5 Ben Carson: +6 Among those candidates, it's worth noting that The Donald and Jeb! are also the most well known candidates, with 91 percent of voters being familiar with Trump to Jeb!'s 78 percent familiarity rating. The lesser known candidates like Rubio and Cruz, who both sit at 61 percent familiarity, almost surely benefit from being, well, lesser known. For context, Hillary Clinton is the best-known candidate in the field at 94 percent and she has a -4 favorability rating. Bernie Sanders is known to 66 percent of respondents and he's at +2 on favorables."
Reince Priebus: GOP Has Been Fantastic Reaching Out To Minorities In 2016
Reince Priebus: GOP Has Been Fantastic Reaching Out To Minorities In 2016
"he actually praised his own performance and organization by declaring how wonderful the GOP has been in reaching out to minority communities around the country. Much better than 2012! I-kid-you-not."
"he actually praised his own performance and organization by declaring how wonderful the GOP has been in reaching out to minority communities around the country. Much better than 2012! I-kid-you-not."
Can you spot the differences between fact-checking a GOP debate and whack-a-mole?
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/16/1460764/-Can-you-spot-the-differences-between-whack-a-mole-and-fact-checking-a-GOP-debate
"There is, of course, much more. Because it was a Republican debate lasting more than two hours, featuring the likes of Trump, Fiorina, Cruz, Ben Carson, and Marco Rubio, and telling the truth is not a strong suit there."
"There is, of course, much more. Because it was a Republican debate lasting more than two hours, featuring the likes of Trump, Fiorina, Cruz, Ben Carson, and Marco Rubio, and telling the truth is not a strong suit there."
The GOP debate fear cauldron: According to the Republican candidates, you’re going to die
The GOP debate fear cauldron: According to the Republican candidates, you’re going to die
"All in all it was a grim, bleak, and frightful debate that saw several leading candidates try to stoke heightened public anxiety over terrorism. There were no acknowledgements that acts of terrorism are exceptionally rare, with just “45 Americans killed in jihadist terrorist attacks” since 9/11. (More Americans have died as a result of homegrown right-wing terrorism, but that threat didn’t earn a single mention at the debate, even though one such attack took place just days before San Bernardino.)
"All in all it was a grim, bleak, and frightful debate that saw several leading candidates try to stoke heightened public anxiety over terrorism. There were no acknowledgements that acts of terrorism are exceptionally rare, with just “45 Americans killed in jihadist terrorist attacks” since 9/11. (More Americans have died as a result of homegrown right-wing terrorism, but that threat didn’t earn a single mention at the debate, even though one such attack took place just days before San Bernardino.)
From 'White Power' To Nazi Salutes: How Toxic Can Trump Rallies Get?
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/timeline-trump-rally-protests-violence
"Racist and bigoted language has become commonplace at the rallies, both from Trump supporters and the candidate himself. But so has violence and degradation against protesters who dare to disagree with the GOP’s heir apparent. The toxicity seemed to peak Monday night in Las Vegas, where Trump supporters reportedly yelled a Nazi salute and called for a protester to be set on fire."
"Racist and bigoted language has become commonplace at the rallies, both from Trump supporters and the candidate himself. But so has violence and degradation against protesters who dare to disagree with the GOP’s heir apparent. The toxicity seemed to peak Monday night in Las Vegas, where Trump supporters reportedly yelled a Nazi salute and called for a protester to be set on fire."
Republicans, where the hell is your outrage?! Despite horrific rally video, GOP leaders won’t stand up against hate and behavior of Donald Trump’s supporters
Republicans, where the hell is your outrage?! Despite horrific rally video, GOP leaders won’t stand up against hate and behavior of Donald Trump’s supporters
"Republicans have trafficked for decades in sowing white resentment for political gain, of course, but until now, Republican leaders had instituted some checks to keep the racism from getting too overt or violent. But now that practice seems to have disappeared."
"Republicans have trafficked for decades in sowing white resentment for political gain, of course, but until now, Republican leaders had instituted some checks to keep the racism from getting too overt or violent. But now that practice seems to have disappeared."
Wash. Post Editorial Board Slams GOP's Embrace Of "Bigotry, Hatred and Magical Thinking"
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/12/17/wash-post-editorial-board-slams-gops-embrace-of/207573
"Fear-mongering and raw xenophobia were once the hallmarks of fringe candidates."
"Fear-mongering and raw xenophobia were once the hallmarks of fringe candidates."
10 Biggest Lies and Distortions From the GOP Debate @alternet
10 Biggest Lies and Distortions From the GOP Debate @alternet
"Another GOP debate, another steaming pile of half-truths, lies and pseudo-facts. The Republican Party seems to be almost entirely post-truth at this point, and if you call them out, you're the liberal media! It's a brilliant racket and one that led us to the current state of affairs where facts aren't just dispensable, but a political liability."
"Another GOP debate, another steaming pile of half-truths, lies and pseudo-facts. The Republican Party seems to be almost entirely post-truth at this point, and if you call them out, you're the liberal media! It's a brilliant racket and one that led us to the current state of affairs where facts aren't just dispensable, but a political liability."
The Internet, scare tactics and big fat juicy lies: Here are the top 10 bullsh*t moments of the GOP debate
The Internet, scare tactics and big fat juicy lies: Here are the top 10 bullsh*t moments of the GOP debate
"here are the top ten loads of crap or bizarre insanity and the truth you’ll need at the water cooler"
"here are the top ten loads of crap or bizarre insanity and the truth you’ll need at the water cooler"
Summarizing the 5th Republican Debate: An Absurd Sideshow of Propaganda and Dangerous Ideas
Summarizing the 5th Republican Debate: An Absurd Sideshow of Propaganda and Dangerous Ideas
"it’s the same worn out rhetoric Republicans have been using since the 80’s. The same ideas that have proven time and time again to be absolute failures."
"it’s the same worn out rhetoric Republicans have been using since the 80’s. The same ideas that have proven time and time again to be absolute failures."
49 Things You Would Have Sworn A Presidential Candidate Would Never Say. Then You Lived Through 2015
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/12/15/3732161/49-things-republican-presidential-candidates-actually-said-in-2015/
"But in the Republican primary during 2015, the spectacle subsumed the campaign."
"But in the Republican primary during 2015, the spectacle subsumed the campaign."
The GOP poverty PR push: Selling the same old pro-rich policies, but now with free turkeys
The GOP poverty PR push: Selling the same old pro-rich policies, but now with free turkeys
"It was a coordinated effort intended to convey one simple message: the Republican Party cares about the poor. Sending that message became a necessity in the aftermath of Mitt Romney’s defeat at the hands of Barack Obama. Romney lost that election in part because he was a living caricature of a comically out-of-touch plutocrat, and in part because the policies he backed were obviously and inarguably designed to favor the rich. The problem facing Republicans is that those policies – wild tax cuts for the wealthy, massive cuts to social welfare programs – form the backbone of the party’s economic agenda and couldn’t just be jettisoned. So they had to set about changing their image while holding on to the same basic ideas that sunk Mitt “47 Percent” Romney. That’s where Americans for Prosperity, the Koch brothers’ primary outlet for political activism, comes in. Last year, the organization resolved to set about revamping the image of conservatives and Republicans as a party concerned primarily with the wealthy."
"It was a coordinated effort intended to convey one simple message: the Republican Party cares about the poor. Sending that message became a necessity in the aftermath of Mitt Romney’s defeat at the hands of Barack Obama. Romney lost that election in part because he was a living caricature of a comically out-of-touch plutocrat, and in part because the policies he backed were obviously and inarguably designed to favor the rich. The problem facing Republicans is that those policies – wild tax cuts for the wealthy, massive cuts to social welfare programs – form the backbone of the party’s economic agenda and couldn’t just be jettisoned. So they had to set about changing their image while holding on to the same basic ideas that sunk Mitt “47 Percent” Romney. That’s where Americans for Prosperity, the Koch brothers’ primary outlet for political activism, comes in. Last year, the organization resolved to set about revamping the image of conservatives and Republicans as a party concerned primarily with the wealthy."
The GOP can’t believe this is really happening: The 7 biggest establishment freakouts in the wake of Trump’s fascist turn
The GOP can’t believe this is really happening: The 7 biggest establishment freakouts in the wake of Trump’s fascist turn
"The Republican Party, failing to recognize or acknowledge that it might have any part in creating and enabling the rise of the Trump monster, is showing signs of the kind of full-scale freakout that often accompanies extreme forms of denial."
"The Republican Party, failing to recognize or acknowledge that it might have any part in creating and enabling the rise of the Trump monster, is showing signs of the kind of full-scale freakout that often accompanies extreme forms of denial."
Trump Can’t Win in 2016, So Let’s Leave Him to Destroy the Republican Party
http://thedailybanter.com/2015/12/trump-cant-win-in-2016-so-lets-leave-him-to-destroy-the-republican-party/
"John McCain and Mitt Romney spent the primaries in their respective campaigns trying to be as crazy as possible in order to win over the lunatic fringe of Republican voters, then fell flat in the general when the center abandoned them in droves. Post George W. Bush, crazy works only in the short term. As a long term strategy, it is a complete disaster — a fact not lost on the GOP establishment that hoped Jeb Bush would be able to save what is left of their parties White House prospects. While a bewildering number of polls continue to show Trump’s meteoric rise, as Nate Silver wrote recently, they don’t really mean much until the few weeks preceding the primaries — where history shows Trump might be in for a nasty surprise when voters are confronted with the real prospect of Trump being the Republican nominee. Silver puts Trump’s chance at winning the Republican nomination at “higher than 0 but (considerably) less than 20 percent.” So Trump may not even get past the Republican primaries, let alone get to take on Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. And if that happens, you heard it here first: he’ll get annihilated by a unified Democratic party that will work day and night to siphon away every Republican moderate in the country. Donald Trump poses a threat to one particular set of interests in America: the conservative establishment. He is essentially destroying the party from the inside by humiliating the other candidates, refusing to take orders from above, and turning the party into an international laughing stock. Forget Sarah Palin, Hermain Cain, or Michele Bachmann, Trump is the real deal and he’s laying waste to everything around him. Donald Trump is the disease the Republican party created, and unfortunately for them, they forgot to inoculate themselves first."
"John McCain and Mitt Romney spent the primaries in their respective campaigns trying to be as crazy as possible in order to win over the lunatic fringe of Republican voters, then fell flat in the general when the center abandoned them in droves. Post George W. Bush, crazy works only in the short term. As a long term strategy, it is a complete disaster — a fact not lost on the GOP establishment that hoped Jeb Bush would be able to save what is left of their parties White House prospects. While a bewildering number of polls continue to show Trump’s meteoric rise, as Nate Silver wrote recently, they don’t really mean much until the few weeks preceding the primaries — where history shows Trump might be in for a nasty surprise when voters are confronted with the real prospect of Trump being the Republican nominee. Silver puts Trump’s chance at winning the Republican nomination at “higher than 0 but (considerably) less than 20 percent.” So Trump may not even get past the Republican primaries, let alone get to take on Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders. And if that happens, you heard it here first: he’ll get annihilated by a unified Democratic party that will work day and night to siphon away every Republican moderate in the country. Donald Trump poses a threat to one particular set of interests in America: the conservative establishment. He is essentially destroying the party from the inside by humiliating the other candidates, refusing to take orders from above, and turning the party into an international laughing stock. Forget Sarah Palin, Hermain Cain, or Michele Bachmann, Trump is the real deal and he’s laying waste to everything around him. Donald Trump is the disease the Republican party created, and unfortunately for them, they forgot to inoculate themselves first."
Study: Mandatory Voting Would Destroy The Republican Party
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/study-mandatory-voting-would-destroy-the-republican-party/
"If our democracy had full participation and our politicians had to respond to all American voters and not just a wealthy few, the power of the Kochs and the other oligarchs would be shattered and broken- and with them, the Republican Party."
"If our democracy had full participation and our politicians had to respond to all American voters and not just a wealthy few, the power of the Kochs and the other oligarchs would be shattered and broken- and with them, the Republican Party."
10 Reasons Why Ted Cruz is the Most Dangerous (and Craziest) Republican Candidate
10 Reasons Why Ted Cruz is the Most Dangerous (and Craziest) Republican Candidate
"Essentially, Cruz is everything that’s deplorable about Trump along with being possibly the biggest religious radical of the whole bunch."
"Essentially, Cruz is everything that’s deplorable about Trump along with being possibly the biggest religious radical of the whole bunch."
Las Vegas Trump Rally Brings Shouts Of 'Seig Heil' -- And Worse
Las Vegas Trump Rally Brings Shouts Of 'Seig Heil' -- And Worse
"This is what they come for, the blatant hate-mongering, the White-supremacy and the chance to show your racism in an open forum. This is what we've come to expect from a Trump rally. And at this one in particular, last night at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas, where the choicest cuts of Trump Prime Beef showed up to give us a taste of their brand of government dreams: 1933 Nazi Germany. It gets worse. As the man is dragged out, we can hear a protester proudly shouting 'Sieg Heil!' three times in succession."
"This is what they come for, the blatant hate-mongering, the White-supremacy and the chance to show your racism in an open forum. This is what we've come to expect from a Trump rally. And at this one in particular, last night at the Westgate Hotel in Las Vegas, where the choicest cuts of Trump Prime Beef showed up to give us a taste of their brand of government dreams: 1933 Nazi Germany. It gets worse. As the man is dragged out, we can hear a protester proudly shouting 'Sieg Heil!' three times in succession."
Infographic: The Judicial Vacancy Crisis by the Numbers
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/civil-liberties/news/2015/12/08/126434/infographic-the-judicial-vacancy-crisis-by-the-numbers/
"The Senate is waging a war of attrition on judicial confirmations. Since the beginning of 2015, the number of judicial vacancies has increased substantially and the number of judicial vacancy emergencies has more than doubled. President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees wait more than 40 percent longer for confirmation than President George W. Bush’s nominees. It is no wonder that the number of civil cases pending in the federal courts continues to grow, and more Americans are waiting for their day in court."
"The Senate is waging a war of attrition on judicial confirmations. Since the beginning of 2015, the number of judicial vacancies has increased substantially and the number of judicial vacancy emergencies has more than doubled. President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees wait more than 40 percent longer for confirmation than President George W. Bush’s nominees. It is no wonder that the number of civil cases pending in the federal courts continues to grow, and more Americans are waiting for their day in court."
Donald Trump Frantically Trying To Scrub Mob Ties From Internet (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/12/11/donald-trump-frantically-trying-to-scrub-mob-ties-from-internet-video/
"Sater pleaded guilty in 1998 to one count of racketeering for his role in a $40 million stock fraud scheme involving the Genovese and Bonanno crime families, according to court records. Prosecutors called the operation a pump-and-dump scheme, in which insiders manipulate the price of obscure stocks and then sell them to hapless investors at inflated prices."
"Sater pleaded guilty in 1998 to one count of racketeering for his role in a $40 million stock fraud scheme involving the Genovese and Bonanno crime families, according to court records. Prosecutors called the operation a pump-and-dump scheme, in which insiders manipulate the price of obscure stocks and then sell them to hapless investors at inflated prices."
Saturday, December 12, 2015
What the GOP Is Putting Under Corporate America's Tree
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/33998-what-the-gop-is-putting-under-corporate-america-s-tree
"Congress seems to operate under a different set of rules when it considers legislation that directly helps American families. Extended unemployment assistance was allowed to expire two years ago. And last year, nutrition assistance for hungry kids was cut."
"Congress seems to operate under a different set of rules when it considers legislation that directly helps American families. Extended unemployment assistance was allowed to expire two years ago. And last year, nutrition assistance for hungry kids was cut."
SAVE Act Calls For One-Time Payment To Make Up For No COLA
SAVE Act Calls For One-Time Payment To Make Up For No COLA
"Today, United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai'i), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation to boost Social Security and other critical benefits for seniors, veterans and other Americans following last month's announcement that there will be a zero cost-of-living adjustment in 2016."
"Today, United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai'i), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) introduced legislation to boost Social Security and other critical benefits for seniors, veterans and other Americans following last month's announcement that there will be a zero cost-of-living adjustment in 2016."
Here Comes The Next Big Attack On The Incomes Of Ordinary Americans
Here Comes The Next Big Attack On The Incomes Of Ordinary Americans
"The case will be argued in January. If the court rules in favor of the corporate CEOs, it will turbo-charge their efforts to divert an even greater portion of the country's income into higher pay and bigger bonuses for them and billionaire investors like the Koch's. It's really quite astonishing when you take a step back and think about it. The CEO and billionaire class has already been so successful in changing the economic rules that they have managed to siphon off virtually all of America's economic growth over the last 15 years. But that just isn't enough. Their greed seems insatiable."
"The case will be argued in January. If the court rules in favor of the corporate CEOs, it will turbo-charge their efforts to divert an even greater portion of the country's income into higher pay and bigger bonuses for them and billionaire investors like the Koch's. It's really quite astonishing when you take a step back and think about it. The CEO and billionaire class has already been so successful in changing the economic rules that they have managed to siphon off virtually all of America's economic growth over the last 15 years. But that just isn't enough. Their greed seems insatiable."
Sipping Champagne on the Titanic: Twenty Billionaires Own More Than the Bottom Half of Americans
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/33956-sipping-champagne-on-the-titanic-twenty-billionaires-own-more-than-the-bottom-half-of-americans
"The Institute for Policy Studies report contains some grave warnings about the dangers of extreme wealth concentration."
"The Institute for Policy Studies report contains some grave warnings about the dangers of extreme wealth concentration."
Robert Reich: America is now a full-scale oligarchy
Robert Reich: America is now a full-scale oligarchy
"These people are, after all, are living in their own separate society, and they want to elect people who will represent them, not the rest of us."
"These people are, after all, are living in their own separate society, and they want to elect people who will represent them, not the rest of us."
Readers Choose Bernie Sanders as Hands-Down Favorite for TIME 'Person of the Year'
Readers Choose Bernie Sanders as Hands-Down Favorite for TIME 'Person of the Year'
"Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders retained a previously established lead and became the hands-down winner of the readers' choice for TIME's "Person of the Year," the magazine announced on Monday, beating out all his political rivals in the U.S. as well as notable individiuals from around the world by receiving nearly twice the support of the runner-up."
"Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders retained a previously established lead and became the hands-down winner of the readers' choice for TIME's "Person of the Year," the magazine announced on Monday, beating out all his political rivals in the U.S. as well as notable individiuals from around the world by receiving nearly twice the support of the runner-up."
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Watch Arizona's NBC 12 And The Center For Media And Democracy Expose ALEC's Corporate Influence On State Laws
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/12/09/watch-arizonas-nbc-12-and-the-center-for-media/207379
"Phoenix Arizona's NBC affiliate KPNX hosted the Center for Media and Democracy's Executive Director Lisa Graves on the December 6 episode of Sunday Square Off to expose the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) effort to push corporate backed model legislation in state legislatures."
"Phoenix Arizona's NBC affiliate KPNX hosted the Center for Media and Democracy's Executive Director Lisa Graves on the December 6 episode of Sunday Square Off to expose the American Legislative Exchange Council's (ALEC) effort to push corporate backed model legislation in state legislatures."
Koch-Funded Special Interest Groups and Utilities Bankrolling ALEC Meeting
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/12/12989/koch-funded-special-interest-groups-and-utilities-bankrolling-alec-meeting
"Koch-funded groups and utilities are bankrolling ALEC's closed-door winter meeting and parties for state legislators that are underway in Scottsdale, Arizona, at a luxury resort and spa. The three-day gathering is bringing together lobbyists and legislators to plan their 2016 bill agenda for the upcoming legislative session."
"Koch-funded groups and utilities are bankrolling ALEC's closed-door winter meeting and parties for state legislators that are underway in Scottsdale, Arizona, at a luxury resort and spa. The three-day gathering is bringing together lobbyists and legislators to plan their 2016 bill agenda for the upcoming legislative session."
Women’s Economic Agenda: Creating an Economy That Works for Everyone
http://www.epi.org/womens-agenda/
"Closing the wage gap is essential to helping women achieve economic security."
"Closing the wage gap is essential to helping women achieve economic security."
WATCH: Jon Stewart Returns to Daily Show to Shame Pols Over 9/11 First Responders Bill @alternet
WATCH: Jon Stewart Returns to Daily Show to Shame Pols Over 9/11 First Responders Bill @alternet
"Stewart spent the majority of the second half of the segment going after McConnell, who he said “is the key to getting this done, and so far he has been an enormous obstacle, unwilling to move the bill forward for purely political reasons.” Later Stewart added, "Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky doesn't give a sh*t about anything but politics. The first responders were told the Zadroga Act would be included – they were told this last week – would be included in the transport bill passed last week. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky pulled it out of the transportation bill last week when he didn't get concessions about loosening oil export regulations."
"Stewart spent the majority of the second half of the segment going after McConnell, who he said “is the key to getting this done, and so far he has been an enormous obstacle, unwilling to move the bill forward for purely political reasons.” Later Stewart added, "Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky doesn't give a sh*t about anything but politics. The first responders were told the Zadroga Act would be included – they were told this last week – would be included in the transport bill passed last week. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky pulled it out of the transportation bill last week when he didn't get concessions about loosening oil export regulations."
Jon Stewart’s triumphant return: The former “Daily Show” host shames Congress with powerful message
Jon Stewart’s triumphant return: The former “Daily Show” host shames Congress with powerful message
"Stewart is launching #WorstResponders to get Mitch McConnell and the Senate to do the right thing. VIDEO"
"Stewart is launching #WorstResponders to get Mitch McConnell and the Senate to do the right thing. VIDEO"
White supremacist leaders thank Donald Trump for dragging their racism into the mainstream
White supremacist leaders thank Donald Trump for dragging their racism into the mainstream
"Donald Trump hasn’t just been popular with the Republican party as a presidential candidate. He’s also served as a recruiting tool for white supremacists"
"Donald Trump hasn’t just been popular with the Republican party as a presidential candidate. He’s also served as a recruiting tool for white supremacists"
European business network does what the GOP doesn’t have the guts to do — bans Donald Trump
European business network does what the GOP doesn’t have the guts to do — bans Donald Trump
"200,000 United Kingdom citizens have also signed a petition that Trump be barred from entering Britain’s shores. Any petition exceeding 100,000 signatures is automatically taken into consideration for debate in Parliament, according to the BBC."
"200,000 United Kingdom citizens have also signed a petition that Trump be barred from entering Britain’s shores. Any petition exceeding 100,000 signatures is automatically taken into consideration for debate in Parliament, according to the BBC."
British Parliament Set To Ban Trump After 211,000 Sign Petition Demanding It
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/british-parliament-set-to-ban-trump-after-211000-sign-petition-demanding-it/
"The petition needed 10,000 signatures in order for the government to respond, and 100,000 signatures for a Parliamentary debate. As of this writing, more than 211,000 people have signed it — with more than thirty being added every second."
"The petition needed 10,000 signatures in order for the government to respond, and 100,000 signatures for a Parliamentary debate. As of this writing, more than 211,000 people have signed it — with more than thirty being added every second."
GOP in panic mode: Will Mitt Romney try to save the day, or must RNC steal nomination from Trump?
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/9/1458497/-GOP-in-panic-mode-Will-Mitt-Romney-try-to-save-the-day-or-must-RNC-steal-nomination-from-Trump
"Ultimately, Trump just filled a market need created by GOP rhetoric and extremism. They all built a party of crazies, happy to ride the crazy train to congressional and state-level majorities—but the inmates took over the asylum. The only question now is what to do: Whether it’s resurrecting the corpse of Romney’s candidacy, or outright stealing the nomination from Trump. Either way, it won’t be pretty. But we are far beyond the point of pretty."
"Ultimately, Trump just filled a market need created by GOP rhetoric and extremism. They all built a party of crazies, happy to ride the crazy train to congressional and state-level majorities—but the inmates took over the asylum. The only question now is what to do: Whether it’s resurrecting the corpse of Romney’s candidacy, or outright stealing the nomination from Trump. Either way, it won’t be pretty. But we are far beyond the point of pretty."
House Republican leaders fear a 'devastating' Trump nomination. Poor babies.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/12/9/1458431/-House-Republican-leaders-fear-a-devastating-Trump-nomination-Poor-babies
"Donald Trump keeps terrifying establishment Republicans, and they keep running to reporters to explain how very upset they are that their party’s presidential leader is for some odd reason a flaming bigot. It’s not good for the general election, you see, and they have downballot races to worry about"
"Donald Trump keeps terrifying establishment Republicans, and they keep running to reporters to explain how very upset they are that their party’s presidential leader is for some odd reason a flaming bigot. It’s not good for the general election, you see, and they have downballot races to worry about"
Hey Paul Ryan, Here's Proof That Donald Trump Represents Exactly What Your Party Stands For
Hey Paul Ryan, Here's Proof That Donald Trump Represents Exactly What Your Party Stands For
"Since announcing his candidacy, Donald Trump has led the field of GOP presidential candidates running a campaign based on bigotry, racism, sexism, disrespecting veterans, bullying reporters and mocking a writer with disabilities – and conservative voters have loved him for it."
"Since announcing his candidacy, Donald Trump has led the field of GOP presidential candidates running a campaign based on bigotry, racism, sexism, disrespecting veterans, bullying reporters and mocking a writer with disabilities – and conservative voters have loved him for it."
Donald Trump is lying through his teeth: This is why the political press is so enraging
Donald Trump is lying through his teeth: This is why the political press is so enraging
"It’s clear that Trump’s taking advantage of press etiquette and its firm reluctance to call him what he is, a congenital liar"
"It’s clear that Trump’s taking advantage of press etiquette and its firm reluctance to call him what he is, a congenital liar"
The Breitbartian Candidate
http://www.breitbartunmasked.com/2015/12/08/the-breitbartian-candidate/
"Trump clearly enjoys the ardent enthusiasm of what used to be considered a lunatic fringe, but is now the conservative Republican base. Over the last few weeks, plentiful commentary has examined whether Trump should be considered a fascist, or whether it’s more correct to define him as a proto-fascist, yet almost all of these writers have left the maddening crowd at his rallies, and the media channels which enable him, unexamined in any detail. It’s as if we tried studying Mussolini without ever looking at his arditi goon squads or his party newspapers. Fascist propaganda masquerades as news to inflame the passions and shape the selection bias of people who desperately want a simple answer to their complex problems; fascism makes a fetish of violence, and in both areas Trump presents as a classical fascist."
"Trump clearly enjoys the ardent enthusiasm of what used to be considered a lunatic fringe, but is now the conservative Republican base. Over the last few weeks, plentiful commentary has examined whether Trump should be considered a fascist, or whether it’s more correct to define him as a proto-fascist, yet almost all of these writers have left the maddening crowd at his rallies, and the media channels which enable him, unexamined in any detail. It’s as if we tried studying Mussolini without ever looking at his arditi goon squads or his party newspapers. Fascist propaganda masquerades as news to inflame the passions and shape the selection bias of people who desperately want a simple answer to their complex problems; fascism makes a fetish of violence, and in both areas Trump presents as a classical fascist."
UPDATED: White Nationalist Media Back Trump's Anti-Muslim Plan: "Great," "So Wonderful," "Heil Donald Trump"
http://mediamatters.org/research/2015/12/08/white-nationalist-media-back-trumps-anti-muslim/207323
"Neo-Nazi Vanguard News Network: "Trump Is Beginning To Sound Like A White Nationalist."."
"Neo-Nazi Vanguard News Network: "Trump Is Beginning To Sound Like A White Nationalist."."
Dear Media: You're The Daddy, And He Looks Just Like You!
Dear Media: You're The Daddy, And He Looks Just Like You!
"Hey, cable TV bobbleheads: What Trump says isn't new. It's just that he says it so much more unabashedly, unashamed. The Republican party didn't just suddenly become the party of extremism, of dangerous ideas. You watched as they became smaller, purer, crazier. Your response? "Hey, we'd better target that demographic!" You guys own that. Your careerist asses went along with that corporate agenda -- I'd guess with very little meaningful pushback. Did it never occur to you that chasing "stories" and "scandals" fabricated by Fox News and affiliated extremist groups would have consequences?"
"Hey, cable TV bobbleheads: What Trump says isn't new. It's just that he says it so much more unabashedly, unashamed. The Republican party didn't just suddenly become the party of extremism, of dangerous ideas. You watched as they became smaller, purer, crazier. Your response? "Hey, we'd better target that demographic!" You guys own that. Your careerist asses went along with that corporate agenda -- I'd guess with very little meaningful pushback. Did it never occur to you that chasing "stories" and "scandals" fabricated by Fox News and affiliated extremist groups would have consequences?"
Heil Trump! The Times of Israel uses a telling photograph of the Donald to highlight “the nativist racism inherent in his latest remarks”
Heil Trump! The Times of Israel uses a telling photograph of the Donald to highlight “the nativist racism inherent in his latest remarks”
"and tonight the ADL released a statement saying that “in the Jewish community, we know all too well what can happen when a particular religious group is singled out for stereotyping and scapegoating. We also know that this country must not give into fear by turning its back on its fundamental values, even at a time of great crisis.” The director of the American Jewish Committee, David Harris, was even more blunt in his assessment, saying that “as Jews who are now observing Hanukkah, a holiday that celebrates a small religious minority’s right to live unmolested, we are deeply disturbed by the nativist racism inherent in the candidate’s latest remarks. You don’t need to go back to the Hanukkah story to see the horrific results of religious persecution; religious stereotyping of this sort has been tried often, inevitably with disastrous results"."
"and tonight the ADL released a statement saying that “in the Jewish community, we know all too well what can happen when a particular religious group is singled out for stereotyping and scapegoating. We also know that this country must not give into fear by turning its back on its fundamental values, even at a time of great crisis.” The director of the American Jewish Committee, David Harris, was even more blunt in his assessment, saying that “as Jews who are now observing Hanukkah, a holiday that celebrates a small religious minority’s right to live unmolested, we are deeply disturbed by the nativist racism inherent in the candidate’s latest remarks. You don’t need to go back to the Hanukkah story to see the horrific results of religious persecution; religious stereotyping of this sort has been tried often, inevitably with disastrous results"."
New Poll Proves How Damaging Donald Trump Is To The GOP
New Poll Proves How Damaging Donald Trump Is To The GOP
"The constant parade of bizarre and offensive actions by Donald Trump are indeed hurting the Republican Party. Even though he is extremely popular with primary voters, he’s pulled the GOP into the realm of openly celebrating ignorance, fear and hatred. He doesn’t offer any reasonable solutions to anything, just bombastic speeches that contain no substance, and are aimed at the lowest common denominator. If Trump got his way, come 2017, we’d officially be the land of the conspiracy theorists and home of the cowards."
"The constant parade of bizarre and offensive actions by Donald Trump are indeed hurting the Republican Party. Even though he is extremely popular with primary voters, he’s pulled the GOP into the realm of openly celebrating ignorance, fear and hatred. He doesn’t offer any reasonable solutions to anything, just bombastic speeches that contain no substance, and are aimed at the lowest common denominator. If Trump got his way, come 2017, we’d officially be the land of the conspiracy theorists and home of the cowards."
Sunday, December 6, 2015
In "Extraordinary" Move, WI Supreme Court Fires Scott Walker Prosecutor to Stave-Off SCOTUS Review
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/12/12986/Walker-JohnDoe-WisconsinSupremeCourt
"On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court's majority contorted itself to find a new way to protect both Scott Walker and the Court's biggest supporters--not to mention itself--following its decision in July rewriting the state's limits on money in politics and ending the "John Doe" investigation into Walker's campaign coordinating with dark money groups. Wednesday's ruling was supposed to be a straightforward decision on a motion to reconsider, in light of additional evidence that Walker and his allies had violated the campaign finance laws that the Court upheld in July. The Court denied that motion, but then (in a lengthy unsigned opinion) went further, rewriting its July decision to fire the Republican Special Prosecutor who had led the investigation, Francis Schmitz, making it harder for him to challenge the justices' conflicts-of-interest by appealing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Those conflicts arise from the fact that the same groups that coordinated with Walker's campaign were among the majority's biggest financial supporters, raising concerns under U.S. Supreme Court precedent about whether the justices should have heard the case at all."
"On Wednesday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court's majority contorted itself to find a new way to protect both Scott Walker and the Court's biggest supporters--not to mention itself--following its decision in July rewriting the state's limits on money in politics and ending the "John Doe" investigation into Walker's campaign coordinating with dark money groups. Wednesday's ruling was supposed to be a straightforward decision on a motion to reconsider, in light of additional evidence that Walker and his allies had violated the campaign finance laws that the Court upheld in July. The Court denied that motion, but then (in a lengthy unsigned opinion) went further, rewriting its July decision to fire the Republican Special Prosecutor who had led the investigation, Francis Schmitz, making it harder for him to challenge the justices' conflicts-of-interest by appealing the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. Those conflicts arise from the fact that the same groups that coordinated with Walker's campaign were among the majority's biggest financial supporters, raising concerns under U.S. Supreme Court precedent about whether the justices should have heard the case at all."
Pro-Democracy Group Warns of Secret Right-Wing Push to Rewrite Constitution
Pro-Democracy Group Warns of Secret Right-Wing Push to Rewrite Constitution
"With pro-corporate, right-wing lobby groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Citizens for Self-Governance—not to mention a number of 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls—pushing for such a convention, those who care about everything from environmental regulation to same-sex marriage to fair taxation have reason to be wary."
"With pro-corporate, right-wing lobby groups like the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and Citizens for Self-Governance—not to mention a number of 2016 Republican presidential hopefuls—pushing for such a convention, those who care about everything from environmental regulation to same-sex marriage to fair taxation have reason to be wary."
How the Clinton and Sanders Infrastructure Plans Measure Up
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/33895-how-the-clinton-and-sanders-infrastructure-plans-measure-up
"With Republicans opposed to any investment in America's infrastructure, the proposals are measures of political positions, not measures of what the country should be able to do."
"With Republicans opposed to any investment in America's infrastructure, the proposals are measures of political positions, not measures of what the country should be able to do."
The incredible cowardice of the 1 percent: Why wealthy GOP donors are so afraid of Donald Trump
The incredible cowardice of the 1 percent: Why wealthy GOP donors are so afraid of Donald Trump
"Many leading Republican officials, strategists and donors now say they fear that Mr. Trump’s nomination would lead to an electoral wipeout, a sweeping defeat that could undo some of the gains Republicans have made in recent congressional, state and local elections … Some of the highest-ranking Republicans in Congress and some of the party’s wealthiest and most generous donors have balked at trying to take down Mr. Trump because they fear a public feud with the insult-spewing media figure."
"Many leading Republican officials, strategists and donors now say they fear that Mr. Trump’s nomination would lead to an electoral wipeout, a sweeping defeat that could undo some of the gains Republicans have made in recent congressional, state and local elections … Some of the highest-ranking Republicans in Congress and some of the party’s wealthiest and most generous donors have balked at trying to take down Mr. Trump because they fear a public feud with the insult-spewing media figure."
Sanders Only Candidate To Get On Texas Ballot By Petition, Doesn’t Pay A Cent
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/sanders-only-candidate-to-get-on-texas-ballot-by-petition-doesnt-pay-a-cent/
"Senator Sanders has drawn the largest crowds of supporters thus far in the race for the White House and his popularity doesn’t seem to be leveling off."
"Senator Sanders has drawn the largest crowds of supporters thus far in the race for the White House and his popularity doesn’t seem to be leveling off."
Twenty Wealthiest Americans Now Own More Than 50 Percent of US Population
Twenty Wealthiest Americans Now Own More Than 50 Percent of US Population
"given the vast ability of the richest Americans to influence elections through campaign contributions - which was exponentially augmented by the Supreme Court Citizens United decision - the majority of elected officials in Congress appear even more determined to keep the redistribution of income flowing in only one direction: up."
"given the vast ability of the richest Americans to influence elections through campaign contributions - which was exponentially augmented by the Supreme Court Citizens United decision - the majority of elected officials in Congress appear even more determined to keep the redistribution of income flowing in only one direction: up."
Latest Poll: Sanders Handily Trounces All Top Republicans—Yeah, Including Trump @alternet
Latest Poll: Sanders Handily Trounces All Top Republicans—Yeah, Including Trump @alternet
"In many cases, those numbers are even higher than Hillary Clinton's, who nonetheless maintains a sizable lead against Sanders."
"In many cases, those numbers are even higher than Hillary Clinton's, who nonetheless maintains a sizable lead against Sanders."
Divestment Surges as Endowments Worth $3.4 Trillion Pull Funds From Fossil Fuels
Divestment Surges as Endowments Worth $3.4 Trillion Pull Funds From Fossil Fuels
"The "writing is on the wall" for the fossil fuel sector as more than 500 cities, banks, universities, and museums across the globe, representing over $3.4 trillion in total assets, have now pledged to pull their funds from polluting industries."
"The "writing is on the wall" for the fossil fuel sector as more than 500 cities, banks, universities, and museums across the globe, representing over $3.4 trillion in total assets, have now pledged to pull their funds from polluting industries."
Robert Reich Lists and Smashes Paul Ryan's 7 Terrible Ideas (VIDEO) @alternet
Robert Reich Lists and Smashes Paul Ryan's 7 Terrible Ideas (VIDEO) @alternet
"Ryan clings to dumb ideas that are also cropping up among Republican presidential candidates."
"Ryan clings to dumb ideas that are also cropping up among Republican presidential candidates."
Republicans Are Failing Horribly At Attracting Minority Voters
Republicans Are Failing Horribly At Attracting Minority Voters
"As long as the Republican Party continues to treat minorities like idiots and attempts to appeal to them with politicians who insult them, their slide toward irrelevance will continue. The smartest thing Bobby Jindal ever did was to tell the GOP to “stop being the stupid party,” but he couldn’t even take his own advice."
"As long as the Republican Party continues to treat minorities like idiots and attempts to appeal to them with politicians who insult them, their slide toward irrelevance will continue. The smartest thing Bobby Jindal ever did was to tell the GOP to “stop being the stupid party,” but he couldn’t even take his own advice."
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Dredging up the swamp: The 2016 GOP race is shining a light on scummy right-wing politics
Dredging up the swamp: The 2016 GOP race is shining a light on scummy right-wing politics
"The large Republican field contains a number of candidates who have direct links to people who populate the eccentric and scummy underbelly of conservative and libertarian politics. As these candidates have risen in the polls, intense press scrutiny has helped draw the extremists and hucksters in their orbits out of the shadows."
"The large Republican field contains a number of candidates who have direct links to people who populate the eccentric and scummy underbelly of conservative and libertarian politics. As these candidates have risen in the polls, intense press scrutiny has helped draw the extremists and hucksters in their orbits out of the shadows."
How This Company—and Mike Huckabee—Cashed In by Scaring Conservatives
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/09/agora-huckabee-conservative-bible-cures
"Last year, a man named Brian Chambers announced a world-changing advance: An international research organization called the Health Sciences Institute had found an incredible cure for cancer hidden in the Book of Matthew. For just $74, you, too, could discover the secret. That was the breathless pitch emailed to hundreds of thousands of Huckabee's followers in January, beneath a "special message" from the Republican presidential candidate trumpeting "important information." Upon closer inspection, the divine remedy—eating fewer carbs—was never recommended by St. Matthew. Chambers is not a doctor, and the studies on starvation diets he cited make no mention of "cures." The Health Sciences Institute is part of a company called NewMarket Health, which is just one asset of a Baltimore-based publishing empire named Agora Inc. Agora's subsidiaries and affiliates publish more than 40 newsletters and sell more than 300 books on a range of topics, including biblical health tips, natural-healing supplements, and "insider" investment advice—a mix of ideas the company considers the intellectual equivalent of the marketplace of ancient Athens. To find new readers for its ever-expanding catalog of publications, Agora's subsidiaries have tapped into a network of conservative heavyweights, including Huckabee, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich, who sell access to their massive email lists to advertise Agora's products."
"Last year, a man named Brian Chambers announced a world-changing advance: An international research organization called the Health Sciences Institute had found an incredible cure for cancer hidden in the Book of Matthew. For just $74, you, too, could discover the secret. That was the breathless pitch emailed to hundreds of thousands of Huckabee's followers in January, beneath a "special message" from the Republican presidential candidate trumpeting "important information." Upon closer inspection, the divine remedy—eating fewer carbs—was never recommended by St. Matthew. Chambers is not a doctor, and the studies on starvation diets he cited make no mention of "cures." The Health Sciences Institute is part of a company called NewMarket Health, which is just one asset of a Baltimore-based publishing empire named Agora Inc. Agora's subsidiaries and affiliates publish more than 40 newsletters and sell more than 300 books on a range of topics, including biblical health tips, natural-healing supplements, and "insider" investment advice—a mix of ideas the company considers the intellectual equivalent of the marketplace of ancient Athens. To find new readers for its ever-expanding catalog of publications, Agora's subsidiaries have tapped into a network of conservative heavyweights, including Huckabee, Ron Paul, and Newt Gingrich, who sell access to their massive email lists to advertise Agora's products."
The GOP Is on the Eve of Destruction | Alternet
The GOP Is on the Eve of Destruction | Alternet
"For reasons hard to fathom, the Republicans seem to have made up their minds: they will divide, degrade and secede from the Union. They will do so with bullying, lies and manipulation, a willingness to say anything, no matter how daft or wrong. They will do so by spending unheard of sums to buy elections with the happy assistance of big business and wealthy patrons for whom the joys of gross income inequality are a comfortable fact of life. By gerrymandering and denying the vote to as many of the poor, the elderly, struggling low-paid workers, and people of color as they can. And by appealing to the basest impulses of human nature: anger, fear and bigotry."
"For reasons hard to fathom, the Republicans seem to have made up their minds: they will divide, degrade and secede from the Union. They will do so with bullying, lies and manipulation, a willingness to say anything, no matter how daft or wrong. They will do so by spending unheard of sums to buy elections with the happy assistance of big business and wealthy patrons for whom the joys of gross income inequality are a comfortable fact of life. By gerrymandering and denying the vote to as many of the poor, the elderly, struggling low-paid workers, and people of color as they can. And by appealing to the basest impulses of human nature: anger, fear and bigotry."
Friday, December 4, 2015
Stewart: McConnell Should Be Ashamed Of Himself For Blocking 9/11 First Responders Bill
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/stewart-mcconnell-should-be-ashamed-of-himself-for-blocking-911-first-responders-bill/
"The Republican Party talks a good game about supporting our troops, police officers, and first responders, but when it comes time to actually put their money where their mouth is, they fail every single time."
"The Republican Party talks a good game about supporting our troops, police officers, and first responders, but when it comes time to actually put their money where their mouth is, they fail every single time."
Our Ayn Randian dystopia: Here’s the secret five-step plan to privatize everything
Our Ayn Randian dystopia: Here’s the secret five-step plan to privatize everything
"Law enforcement, education, health care, water management, government itself — all have been or are being privatized. People with money get the best of each service. At the heart of privatization is a disdain for government and a distrust of society, and a mindless individualism that leaves little room for cooperation. Adherents of privatization demand ‘freedom’ unless they need the government to intervene on their behalf."
"Law enforcement, education, health care, water management, government itself — all have been or are being privatized. People with money get the best of each service. At the heart of privatization is a disdain for government and a distrust of society, and a mindless individualism that leaves little room for cooperation. Adherents of privatization demand ‘freedom’ unless they need the government to intervene on their behalf."
Republicans Celebrate Christmas By Voting To Take Healthcare Away From 17 Million Americans
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/12/03/republicans-celebrate-christmas-voting-healthcare-17-million-americans.html
"The fact that Senate Republicans chose to hold this vote during the holiday season spoke volumes about their priorities. Tonight’s vote was an advertisement for how Republicans intend to harm working people if they take back the White House."
"The fact that Senate Republicans chose to hold this vote during the holiday season spoke volumes about their priorities. Tonight’s vote was an advertisement for how Republicans intend to harm working people if they take back the White House."
The GOP’s “Hunger Games” economics: These proposals would hasten the middle class’s descent into dystopia
The GOP’s “Hunger Games” economics: These proposals would hasten the middle class’s descent into dystopia
"Despite the prominence of tax cuts in the policies of the top six Republican candidates, even the venerable Brookings Institution found that they have a minimal effect on economic growth. In addition, when you consider all the promised corporate cuts, you should know that corporations already don’t contribute much. According to Citizens for Tax Justice, between 2008 and 2012, 26 of the 288 Fortune 500 firms (consistently profitable in those years) managed to pay nothing, nada, zero in federal income tax. The 288 firms collectively paid an effective federal income tax rate of 19.4%, and a third of them paid an effective rate of less than 10%. Five companies — Wells Fargo, AT&T, IBM, General Electric, and Verizon — also bagged over $77 billion of the $364 billion in tax breaks doled out in those years. Extra jobs didn’t follow. Think of this crew as the real winners of the American Hunger Games in this period. For 2014, for instance, Goldman Sachs avoided forking over federal income taxes on almost half of its $6.8 billion in U.S. profits, paying an effective tax rate of 18.6%. Between 2010 and 2012, due to tax breaks associated with executive pay, Fortune 500 companies saved an extra $27 billion in federal and state taxes. That’s a lot of dosh to use for Super PAC support. In 2012, the Democrats blasted candidate Mitt Romney’s tax plan as a giveaway to the rich. This time around, our six tributes-cum-candidates are taking no such chances. They’re making sure to throw crumbs to the middle and working classes, even as they offer more caviar to the wealthy and corporations. Depending on the candidate and plan, the overall loss of national revenue will range from an estimated $1.6 trillion (even factoring in growth that may never happen) to $12 trillion, but will be a stunning amount."
"Despite the prominence of tax cuts in the policies of the top six Republican candidates, even the venerable Brookings Institution found that they have a minimal effect on economic growth. In addition, when you consider all the promised corporate cuts, you should know that corporations already don’t contribute much. According to Citizens for Tax Justice, between 2008 and 2012, 26 of the 288 Fortune 500 firms (consistently profitable in those years) managed to pay nothing, nada, zero in federal income tax. The 288 firms collectively paid an effective federal income tax rate of 19.4%, and a third of them paid an effective rate of less than 10%. Five companies — Wells Fargo, AT&T, IBM, General Electric, and Verizon — also bagged over $77 billion of the $364 billion in tax breaks doled out in those years. Extra jobs didn’t follow. Think of this crew as the real winners of the American Hunger Games in this period. For 2014, for instance, Goldman Sachs avoided forking over federal income taxes on almost half of its $6.8 billion in U.S. profits, paying an effective tax rate of 18.6%. Between 2010 and 2012, due to tax breaks associated with executive pay, Fortune 500 companies saved an extra $27 billion in federal and state taxes. That’s a lot of dosh to use for Super PAC support. In 2012, the Democrats blasted candidate Mitt Romney’s tax plan as a giveaway to the rich. This time around, our six tributes-cum-candidates are taking no such chances. They’re making sure to throw crumbs to the middle and working classes, even as they offer more caviar to the wealthy and corporations. Depending on the candidate and plan, the overall loss of national revenue will range from an estimated $1.6 trillion (even factoring in growth that may never happen) to $12 trillion, but will be a stunning amount."
Trey Gowdy Is About To Learn The Wages Of His Crimes And Misdemeanors
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/12/trey-gowdy-to-learn-the-wages-of-sin/
"The House Select Committee on Benghazi, led by Republican Trey Gowdy, has all but exploded in the wake of recent revelations. The CIA revealed in October that Trey Gowdy altered documents in an attempt to frame Hillary and in November Maj. Bradley Podliska, a former investigator on the Benghazi committee staff, has filed a lawsuit against Gowdy seeking damages for defamation."
"The House Select Committee on Benghazi, led by Republican Trey Gowdy, has all but exploded in the wake of recent revelations. The CIA revealed in October that Trey Gowdy altered documents in an attempt to frame Hillary and in November Maj. Bradley Podliska, a former investigator on the Benghazi committee staff, has filed a lawsuit against Gowdy seeking damages for defamation."
The GOP’s insidious Christmas list: How congressional Republicans are planning to screw the country this holiday season
The GOP’s insidious Christmas list: How congressional Republicans are planning to screw the country this holiday season
"Hundreds of riders already embedded in Hosue spending bills take aim at financial, environmental, health care, campaign finance and labor rules."
"Hundreds of riders already embedded in Hosue spending bills take aim at financial, environmental, health care, campaign finance and labor rules."
Donald Trump's Timeline Of Insanity Since Announcing His Candidacy Is Hideous
Donald Trump's Timeline Of Insanity Since Announcing His Candidacy Is Hideous
"Donald Trump’s depravity has been fairly well documented. Without a doubt he’s been the most vile mainstream candidate American politics has seen in quite some time, if not ever."
"Donald Trump’s depravity has been fairly well documented. Without a doubt he’s been the most vile mainstream candidate American politics has seen in quite some time, if not ever."
Donald Trump Race Shocker: Polls Prove His Success Really Is Based on Racists @alternet
Donald Trump Race Shocker: Polls Prove His Success Really Is Based on Racists @alternet
"A new Washington Post-ABC News poll proves what gut instinct was already telling you: The Donald Trump campaign’s success is built on the backs of racists"
"A new Washington Post-ABC News poll proves what gut instinct was already telling you: The Donald Trump campaign’s success is built on the backs of racists"
The Republican Party Is Now America's Largest Hate Group @alternet
The Republican Party Is Now America's Largest Hate Group @alternet
"Led by Donald Trump, the GOP has abandoned its traditional dogwhistles in favor of a more overt approach to racism."
"Led by Donald Trump, the GOP has abandoned its traditional dogwhistles in favor of a more overt approach to racism."
The Tea Party Is Slowly Dying, But It's Being Replaced By Fascism
The Tea Party Is Slowly Dying, But It's Being Replaced By Fascism
"The fact that the Tea Party is declining in popularity but the GOP continues to tack ever further to the right-wing fringe should be very troubling, not just for the Republican Party, but for our country as a whole. Considering that out of the top presidential contenders, only Ted Cruz seems to have the full support of the Tea Party and sits in fourth place, this shows the GOP has moved to the right of the Tea Party in a very short period of time. Part of the blame can certainly be placed on the conservative media. For a period of time, the Tea Party was considered revolutionary and websites like TPNN.com flourished. Eventually, simply spreading conspiracy stories about gun confiscation and Obamacare death panels wasn’t enough. This explains why Donald Trump has such a “yuuuuugge” lead in GOP polls; he’s willing to say the things that many Tea Party leaders would have considered just a bit too much, and voters are eating it up. The Republican Party is lurching away from the Tea Party and toward a frightening marriage of religious fanaticism and fascism. Based on history, this cannot end well, at all."
"The fact that the Tea Party is declining in popularity but the GOP continues to tack ever further to the right-wing fringe should be very troubling, not just for the Republican Party, but for our country as a whole. Considering that out of the top presidential contenders, only Ted Cruz seems to have the full support of the Tea Party and sits in fourth place, this shows the GOP has moved to the right of the Tea Party in a very short period of time. Part of the blame can certainly be placed on the conservative media. For a period of time, the Tea Party was considered revolutionary and websites like TPNN.com flourished. Eventually, simply spreading conspiracy stories about gun confiscation and Obamacare death panels wasn’t enough. This explains why Donald Trump has such a “yuuuuugge” lead in GOP polls; he’s willing to say the things that many Tea Party leaders would have considered just a bit too much, and voters are eating it up. The Republican Party is lurching away from the Tea Party and toward a frightening marriage of religious fanaticism and fascism. Based on history, this cannot end well, at all."
GOP’s hell-bent on tearing us apart: A decades-long strategy to win by divisiveness now leads to President Donald Trump
GOP’s hell-bent on tearing us apart: A decades-long strategy to win by divisiveness now leads to President Donald Trump
"The election of Democratic President Barack Obama in 2008 sent Movement Conservatives into full-blown ideological war. A biracial man who believed that the government should play a role in the economy and in social welfare had taken over the government. They howled that he was a socialist and a communist; that he was a Muslim; that he wasn’t even an American. They dehumanized him, circulating images and jokes that represented the president as a monkey. The realities of the economy, society, foreign affairs, legislation—all fell by the wayside. In a world where a black-and-white narrative has replaced a national vision based on principles, one tribe is good and one is evil. Today’s Republican contenders for the presidential nomination are taking this Manichean narrative to the next level. Their worldview is utterly divorced from reality, but it offers a clear vision: Embattled Christian Americans stand against a horde that is attacking God and free enterprise. There is no room here for nuance or facts."
"The election of Democratic President Barack Obama in 2008 sent Movement Conservatives into full-blown ideological war. A biracial man who believed that the government should play a role in the economy and in social welfare had taken over the government. They howled that he was a socialist and a communist; that he was a Muslim; that he wasn’t even an American. They dehumanized him, circulating images and jokes that represented the president as a monkey. The realities of the economy, society, foreign affairs, legislation—all fell by the wayside. In a world where a black-and-white narrative has replaced a national vision based on principles, one tribe is good and one is evil. Today’s Republican contenders for the presidential nomination are taking this Manichean narrative to the next level. Their worldview is utterly divorced from reality, but it offers a clear vision: Embattled Christian Americans stand against a horde that is attacking God and free enterprise. There is no room here for nuance or facts."
Sen. Mike Lee Pretends Republicans Care About Americans Living In Poverty
Sen. Mike Lee Pretends Republicans Care About Americans Living In Poverty
"Someone needs to remind him that his party would leave them out starving in the cold."
"Someone needs to remind him that his party would leave them out starving in the cold."
This is the entire GOP plan: Credibility destroyed after Bush debacle, their only strategy is to scare us
This is the entire GOP plan: Credibility destroyed after Bush debacle, their only strategy is to scare us
"The party of security tanked the economy and unleashed Middle East disaster. Now they have nothing but fear itself"
"The party of security tanked the economy and unleashed Middle East disaster. Now they have nothing but fear itself"
McConnell: Eliminate Campaign Funding Limits Or Face Shutdown
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/mcconnell-eliminate-campaign-funding-limits-or-face-shutdown-2/
"As the Senate prepares a massive “must-pass” $1.15 trillion funding bill, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and his callously corrupt cronies are trying to sneak in a couple provisions that would” eliminate caps on the amount of cash that parties may spend in coordination with their candidates"
"As the Senate prepares a massive “must-pass” $1.15 trillion funding bill, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and his callously corrupt cronies are trying to sneak in a couple provisions that would” eliminate caps on the amount of cash that parties may spend in coordination with their candidates"
Dear Mainstream Media: Stop Being Cowards and Start Being Honest About Donald Trump
Dear Mainstream Media: Stop Being Cowards and Start Being Honest About Donald Trump
"The reason why Trump has ascended to the top is because he’s pandering to the bigotry, racism and ignorance that runs rampant among many conservatives – especially those who align with the tea party."
"The reason why Trump has ascended to the top is because he’s pandering to the bigotry, racism and ignorance that runs rampant among many conservatives – especially those who align with the tea party."
Thursday, November 26, 2015
5 Things To Tell Your Republican Relatives At Thanksgiving Dinner
5 Things To Tell Your Republican Relatives At Thanksgiving Dinner
"5. The deficit is too low - and Republicans want it to be way higher. If you love cutting the deficit, Barack Obama must be your hero. Spending that exceeds revenues we take in as a nation is now lower than it has been since 2007. Given that we're still recovering from the Bush Recession and our infrastructure is tragically decaying, we should be borrowing at record low rates to rebuild roads and bridges while investing in high-speed trains and other prudent, necessary expenditures. Republicans won't do that now, however, because they know it would boost the economy. But the GOP candidates for president have proven they could not care less about fiscal discipline by proposing tax breaks mostly for the rich that are "basically insane"."
"5. The deficit is too low - and Republicans want it to be way higher. If you love cutting the deficit, Barack Obama must be your hero. Spending that exceeds revenues we take in as a nation is now lower than it has been since 2007. Given that we're still recovering from the Bush Recession and our infrastructure is tragically decaying, we should be borrowing at record low rates to rebuild roads and bridges while investing in high-speed trains and other prudent, necessary expenditures. Republicans won't do that now, however, because they know it would boost the economy. But the GOP candidates for president have proven they could not care less about fiscal discipline by proposing tax breaks mostly for the rich that are "basically insane"."
Here are 10 Reasons Why I'm Thankful Barack Obama is Our Nation's President
Here are 10 Reasons Why I'm Thankful Barack Obama is Our Nation's President
"5. Despite all of the problems he faced entering office following the catastrophic Bush presidency, he’s still managed to reduce our deficits by over $1 trillion since he was elected. It’s the largest deficit reduction since WWII."
"5. Despite all of the problems he faced entering office following the catastrophic Bush presidency, he’s still managed to reduce our deficits by over $1 trillion since he was elected. It’s the largest deficit reduction since WWII."
If Republican Family Members Insist on Dinner Table Politics, Here are 10 Facts to Shut Them Up
If Republican Family Members Insist on Dinner Table Politics, Here are 10 Facts to Shut Them Up
"1. President Obama has presided over the longest streak of private-sector job growth in American history."
"1. President Obama has presided over the longest streak of private-sector job growth in American history."
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Elizabeth Warren's Warning About The Coming Corporate Tax Giveaway
Elizabeth Warren's Warning About The Coming Corporate Tax Giveaway
"Warren began by describing how lobbyists and corporate CEOs are swarming Congress and saturating the media with a pitch that says corporations are paying too much in taxes, that this is forcing corporations to flee abroad and the solution is to slash corporate tax rates. This story of overtaxation is told and retold. Warren says there is just one problem with this: "It’s not true." Actually, on average corporations only pay 20 percent of their income in taxes. Some pay zero. Boeing, GE, and Verizon paid nothing in 5 years while reporting $80 billion in combined profits."
"Warren began by describing how lobbyists and corporate CEOs are swarming Congress and saturating the media with a pitch that says corporations are paying too much in taxes, that this is forcing corporations to flee abroad and the solution is to slash corporate tax rates. This story of overtaxation is told and retold. Warren says there is just one problem with this: "It’s not true." Actually, on average corporations only pay 20 percent of their income in taxes. Some pay zero. Boeing, GE, and Verizon paid nothing in 5 years while reporting $80 billion in combined profits."
Kansas Republicans trying to eradicate judicial power
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/11/20/1452632/-Kansas-Republicans-trying-to-eradicate-judicial-power
"In other words, the Republicans: Passed a bill that said the Supreme Court couldn't appoint district judges. Passed a budget that would DEFUND the entire Kansas court system if the courts struck down the first bill. Now claim that the judiciary should not have the right to determine the legality of the bill or budget. And this is all because the legislature wants to intimidate and retaliate against the court because they had the nerve to insist on sufficient funding for education. The audacity, intimidation, and complete disregard of American constitutional values aside, this move is pathetically political. Just a few years ago, the Republican legislature gave power to the (currently Republican) governor to choose appellate court judges. So naturally, Schmidt says that neither the Supreme Court nor the District Court should be able to hear the case. It can only be the Kansas Court of Appeals. Shocking. The attorneys opposing the judicial administration bill find no merit in Schmidt's call for recusal. In a brief last week, they stated, "centuries of precedent make clear that it is the province and duty of this Court to decide cases that involve the scope of the Court’s authority, jurisdiction, and duties vis-Ã -vis the other branches of government." How can Kansas Republicans call themselves the party of small government and then attempt to give themselves essentially unlimited power? Why is the party so self-righteously tethered to values constantly working to destroy American values? Like, say, foundational elements of American government like checks and balances? Unbelievable what the Republicans are willing to sacrifice to make sure children don't get an education."
"In other words, the Republicans: Passed a bill that said the Supreme Court couldn't appoint district judges. Passed a budget that would DEFUND the entire Kansas court system if the courts struck down the first bill. Now claim that the judiciary should not have the right to determine the legality of the bill or budget. And this is all because the legislature wants to intimidate and retaliate against the court because they had the nerve to insist on sufficient funding for education. The audacity, intimidation, and complete disregard of American constitutional values aside, this move is pathetically political. Just a few years ago, the Republican legislature gave power to the (currently Republican) governor to choose appellate court judges. So naturally, Schmidt says that neither the Supreme Court nor the District Court should be able to hear the case. It can only be the Kansas Court of Appeals. Shocking. The attorneys opposing the judicial administration bill find no merit in Schmidt's call for recusal. In a brief last week, they stated, "centuries of precedent make clear that it is the province and duty of this Court to decide cases that involve the scope of the Court’s authority, jurisdiction, and duties vis-Ã -vis the other branches of government." How can Kansas Republicans call themselves the party of small government and then attempt to give themselves essentially unlimited power? Why is the party so self-righteously tethered to values constantly working to destroy American values? Like, say, foundational elements of American government like checks and balances? Unbelievable what the Republicans are willing to sacrifice to make sure children don't get an education."
America Has Become A Tyranny of the Few - But We Can Fight It
America Has Become A Tyranny of the Few - But We Can Fight It
"We’re in the thick of the second post-Citizens United presidential campaign, and it’s already clear that allowing unlimited funds to influence political elections was a terrible idea. Half of the funds supporting presidential candidates from both parties comes from a mere 158 families — a miniscule percentage of America’s 120 million households — as documented by a recent New York Times investigation. Largely white, older, male, and Republican, they are also unrepresentative of what our multicultural society looks like. As a result of this narrow group of donors controlling what’s on the political agenda, America has a fundamentally undemocratic system in which working class people and people of color are left on the margins, silenced in a political debate, they can’t gain access to — because they don’t have millions to share. America has become a tyranny of the few, and Americans are fed up with the broken system. Last week, voters in Maine elected to increase funding from $2 million to $3 million for the Clean Elections Fund, which provides government grants to candidates who agree to limit their spending and private fundraising. It might be a long time before Citizens United is overturned. In the interim, it’s important that other states introduce similar legislation challenging existing financing models."
"We’re in the thick of the second post-Citizens United presidential campaign, and it’s already clear that allowing unlimited funds to influence political elections was a terrible idea. Half of the funds supporting presidential candidates from both parties comes from a mere 158 families — a miniscule percentage of America’s 120 million households — as documented by a recent New York Times investigation. Largely white, older, male, and Republican, they are also unrepresentative of what our multicultural society looks like. As a result of this narrow group of donors controlling what’s on the political agenda, America has a fundamentally undemocratic system in which working class people and people of color are left on the margins, silenced in a political debate, they can’t gain access to — because they don’t have millions to share. America has become a tyranny of the few, and Americans are fed up with the broken system. Last week, voters in Maine elected to increase funding from $2 million to $3 million for the Clean Elections Fund, which provides government grants to candidates who agree to limit their spending and private fundraising. It might be a long time before Citizens United is overturned. In the interim, it’s important that other states introduce similar legislation challenging existing financing models."
U.S. Economy Increasingly Dominated by Monopolies as 2015 Corporate Mergers Continue @alternet
U.S. Economy Increasingly Dominated by Monopolies as 2015 Corporate Mergers Continue @alternet
"There’s more evidence that corporate America is becoming ever more monopolistic and that’s not good for small businesses or consumers."
"There’s more evidence that corporate America is becoming ever more monopolistic and that’s not good for small businesses or consumers."
I'm Ashamed Republicans Represent My Country
I'm Ashamed Republicans Represent My Country
"Then again, these are the same folks who thought Jade Helm was a plot by the Obama administration to seize guns. Sadly, these sorts of ridiculous conspiracy theories have become the norm among many Republicans. This is also the party that has Donald Trump and Ben Carson as its two leading presidential candidates: a 69-year-old infant who throws hissy fits on Twitter almost daily and a former brain surgeon who thinks the pyramids in Egypt were grain storages and clearly doesn’t know anything about the Middle East. Nowadays the Republican party is nothing more than our country’s largest hate group. Not only is hate-filled rhetoric allowed, but it’s encouraged. Hell, Trump’s “plan” is to get elected president then proceed to deport 12 million immigrants to who knows where. Apparently Trump believes every illegal immigrant in the U.S. is from Mexico as that’s the only nation he typically references. Despite the fact that this “plan” is completely unrealistic and flat-out inhumane, it’s embraced by the majority of conservatives. And let’s not forget about Trump’s latest suggestion that Muslims might need to be tagged and registered into a database to be tracked. You know, sort of like the Nazis did to the Jews before WWII. We have the Syrian refugee crisis where these so-called “Christians” are blatantly fear-mongering to their ignorant base – something that might actually be funny if it wasn’t for the fact that these scumbags are playing politics with the lives of thousands of desperate people fleeing almost certain death. Because that’s what this anti-refugee nonsense is – Republicans playing politics. They know we’ve allowed over 80k Iraqi refugees into the country since 2007, and several thousand from Syria already, but that doesn’t stop them from irrationally fear-mongering all for the sake of trying to galvanize the hate and ignorance that drives their party."
"Then again, these are the same folks who thought Jade Helm was a plot by the Obama administration to seize guns. Sadly, these sorts of ridiculous conspiracy theories have become the norm among many Republicans. This is also the party that has Donald Trump and Ben Carson as its two leading presidential candidates: a 69-year-old infant who throws hissy fits on Twitter almost daily and a former brain surgeon who thinks the pyramids in Egypt were grain storages and clearly doesn’t know anything about the Middle East. Nowadays the Republican party is nothing more than our country’s largest hate group. Not only is hate-filled rhetoric allowed, but it’s encouraged. Hell, Trump’s “plan” is to get elected president then proceed to deport 12 million immigrants to who knows where. Apparently Trump believes every illegal immigrant in the U.S. is from Mexico as that’s the only nation he typically references. Despite the fact that this “plan” is completely unrealistic and flat-out inhumane, it’s embraced by the majority of conservatives. And let’s not forget about Trump’s latest suggestion that Muslims might need to be tagged and registered into a database to be tracked. You know, sort of like the Nazis did to the Jews before WWII. We have the Syrian refugee crisis where these so-called “Christians” are blatantly fear-mongering to their ignorant base – something that might actually be funny if it wasn’t for the fact that these scumbags are playing politics with the lives of thousands of desperate people fleeing almost certain death. Because that’s what this anti-refugee nonsense is – Republicans playing politics. They know we’ve allowed over 80k Iraqi refugees into the country since 2007, and several thousand from Syria already, but that doesn’t stop them from irrationally fear-mongering all for the sake of trying to galvanize the hate and ignorance that drives their party."
The GOP’s mind-bending guide to government: What happens when you let carnival barkers run the free world
The GOP’s mind-bending guide to government: What happens when you let carnival barkers run the free world
"Since the ascendancy of Donald Trump and, to a lesser though not insignificant extent, Dr. Ben Carson, Republican policies continue to have roots in a xenophobic, nearsighted and regressive worldview, but more than anything else, they’re genuinely screwy. There are myriad reasons why it’s happened, ranging from Obama Derangement Syndrome to cynical pandering to badly uninformed, kneejerk yokels who don’t know any better. Or both."
"Since the ascendancy of Donald Trump and, to a lesser though not insignificant extent, Dr. Ben Carson, Republican policies continue to have roots in a xenophobic, nearsighted and regressive worldview, but more than anything else, they’re genuinely screwy. There are myriad reasons why it’s happened, ranging from Obama Derangement Syndrome to cynical pandering to badly uninformed, kneejerk yokels who don’t know any better. Or both."
Why are media outlets downplaying Trump's lying and demagoguery?
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/11/23/1453504/-Why-are-media-outlets-downplaying-Trump-s-lying-and-demagoguery
"On Saturday, a Black Lives Matter protester who interrupted a Donald Trump rally in Birmingham, Alabama, was assaulted by a group of Trump supporters and then forcefully escorted out while Trump egged the situation on. Multiple parties, including CNN’s Jeremy Diamond and attendee Cort Gatliff, released video of the assault, which shows a group of people tackling and kicking Mercutio Southall Jr., a local activist. According to Gatliff, “I saw a couple other people jump in and try to get their hit in. I was worried that since he was on the ground, he was going to get destroyed or something. Once it became clear that it was a protester and that there was some kind of brawl going on, Trump said ‘get him the hell out of here,’ or something similar and everyone started cheering for Trump. And then he started comparing how he was handling the situation versus how Bernie Sanders handled it. Trump was definitely stoking the fire, I thought.” This video and Gatliff’s recount of the story detail one thing and one thing only, a gang assault of a black protester, one which Trump not only endorsed but encouraged. So why then did several outlets such as CBS News and The Wrap refer to the event as a “clash” or “brawl,” or in Daily Mail’s case focus on the removal of the protester? These headlines and several others of the event downplay the truly disturbing nature of what actually happened at the rally and its aftermath. A candidate encouraged, and according to the Washington Post, still encourages the use of violence against peaceful protesters."
"On Saturday, a Black Lives Matter protester who interrupted a Donald Trump rally in Birmingham, Alabama, was assaulted by a group of Trump supporters and then forcefully escorted out while Trump egged the situation on. Multiple parties, including CNN’s Jeremy Diamond and attendee Cort Gatliff, released video of the assault, which shows a group of people tackling and kicking Mercutio Southall Jr., a local activist. According to Gatliff, “I saw a couple other people jump in and try to get their hit in. I was worried that since he was on the ground, he was going to get destroyed or something. Once it became clear that it was a protester and that there was some kind of brawl going on, Trump said ‘get him the hell out of here,’ or something similar and everyone started cheering for Trump. And then he started comparing how he was handling the situation versus how Bernie Sanders handled it. Trump was definitely stoking the fire, I thought.” This video and Gatliff’s recount of the story detail one thing and one thing only, a gang assault of a black protester, one which Trump not only endorsed but encouraged. So why then did several outlets such as CBS News and The Wrap refer to the event as a “clash” or “brawl,” or in Daily Mail’s case focus on the removal of the protester? These headlines and several others of the event downplay the truly disturbing nature of what actually happened at the rally and its aftermath. A candidate encouraged, and according to the Washington Post, still encourages the use of violence against peaceful protesters."
That racist Trump tweet about blacks killing whites isn’t just false — it’s neo-Nazi propaganda
That racist Trump tweet about blacks killing whites isn’t just false — it’s neo-Nazi propaganda
"The account’s avatar is a modified swastika used as the symbol of the neo-Nazi German Faith Movement, and the account profile expresses admiration for Adolf Hitler: “A detester of any kind of sick perverted dildo waving marxism and liberalism,we Should have listened to the Austrian chap with the little moustache.” The image was posted on the conservative Sexy Patriot account shortly before Trump shared it. There’s no indication Trump was aware the graphic seems to have originated with a neo-Nazi, but a quick Google search should have revealed the statistics as inaccurate — and its racist suggestions are plainly obvious. Trump supporters beat up a Black Lives Matter protester Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama, and the GOP candidate said afterward that the man was “so obnoxious and so loud” that “maybe he should have been roughed up"."
"The account’s avatar is a modified swastika used as the symbol of the neo-Nazi German Faith Movement, and the account profile expresses admiration for Adolf Hitler: “A detester of any kind of sick perverted dildo waving marxism and liberalism,we Should have listened to the Austrian chap with the little moustache.” The image was posted on the conservative Sexy Patriot account shortly before Trump shared it. There’s no indication Trump was aware the graphic seems to have originated with a neo-Nazi, but a quick Google search should have revealed the statistics as inaccurate — and its racist suggestions are plainly obvious. Trump supporters beat up a Black Lives Matter protester Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama, and the GOP candidate said afterward that the man was “so obnoxious and so loud” that “maybe he should have been roughed up"."
The poisonous fear of Donald Trump: A recent history of the most politically destructive emotion
The poisonous fear of Donald Trump: A recent history of the most politically destructive emotion
"Ultimately, this is what fascism was (is) all about: manufacturing and spreading fear."
"Ultimately, this is what fascism was (is) all about: manufacturing and spreading fear."
The Sad Truth of Our Politics: It's Basically Turned into a Competition Among Oligarchs to Own Everything @alternet
The Sad Truth of Our Politics: It's Basically Turned into a Competition Among Oligarchs to Own Everything @alternet
"Wallace noted, American fascists would have to lie to the people in order to gain power. And, because they were in bed with the nation's largest corporations - who could gain control of newspapers and broadcast media—they could promote their lies with ease. “The American fascists are most easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of truth and fact,” Wallace wrote. “Their newspapers and propaganda carefully cultivate every fissure of disunity, every crack in the common front against fascism. They use every opportunity to impugn democracy.” In his strongest indictment of the tide of fascism, the vice-president of the United States saw rising in America, he added: “They claim to be super-patriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. They demand free enterprise, but are the spokesmen for monopoly and vested interest. Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjection" (Reposted)
"Wallace noted, American fascists would have to lie to the people in order to gain power. And, because they were in bed with the nation's largest corporations - who could gain control of newspapers and broadcast media—they could promote their lies with ease. “The American fascists are most easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of truth and fact,” Wallace wrote. “Their newspapers and propaganda carefully cultivate every fissure of disunity, every crack in the common front against fascism. They use every opportunity to impugn democracy.” In his strongest indictment of the tide of fascism, the vice-president of the United States saw rising in America, he added: “They claim to be super-patriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. They demand free enterprise, but are the spokesmen for monopoly and vested interest. Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjection" (Reposted)
Donald Trump’s Racist Retweets Are Literally Neo-Nazi Propaganda
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/donald-trumps-racist-retweets-are-literally-neo-nazi-propaganda/
"It’s unsurprising that Trump would resort to Nazi propaganda to appease his base. The billionaire, who keeps a book of Adolf Hitler’s speeches in his bedside dresser, is quite popular with white supremacists, who he explained are “very receptive” to his message after a supporter yelled “white power” at a rally. In the past"
"It’s unsurprising that Trump would resort to Nazi propaganda to appease his base. The billionaire, who keeps a book of Adolf Hitler’s speeches in his bedside dresser, is quite popular with white supremacists, who he explained are “very receptive” to his message after a supporter yelled “white power” at a rally. In the past"
Donald Trump: My Fans Were Right To Beat Up Black Protester
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2015/11/22/3724879/donald-trump-black-lives-matter-protester-beating/
"The protester, a black man, reportedly started chanting Black Lives Matter at a rally in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday. In a video captured by CNN reporter Jeremy Diamond, rally attendees swarm around the man, kicking and punching him as he curls up on the ground."
"The protester, a black man, reportedly started chanting Black Lives Matter at a rally in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday. In a video captured by CNN reporter Jeremy Diamond, rally attendees swarm around the man, kicking and punching him as he curls up on the ground."
Trump’s Lying, Racist ‘Black On White Crime’ Tweet Is Actually Neo-Nazi Propaganda (IMAGES)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/11/23/trumps-lying-racist-black-on-white-crime-tweet-is-actually-neo-nazi-propaganda-images/
"that graphic came from a twitter account belonging to the neo-Nazi group the German Faith Movement."
"that graphic came from a twitter account belonging to the neo-Nazi group the German Faith Movement."
Paul Krugman Gets It Right: Republicans Are Panicked, Stupid And Cruel
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/11/22/krugman-nails-republicans-panicked-stupid-cruel.html
"There is a major election coming up and with nothing to run on Republicans are reverting to what they know works best; frightening Americans who are too cognitively challenged to know they are being manipulated yet again. It is not a testament to Republicans’ expertise at reading the people, just a revelation that a fair portion of the population is stupid enough to fall for the exact same fear tactics"
"There is a major election coming up and with nothing to run on Republicans are reverting to what they know works best; frightening Americans who are too cognitively challenged to know they are being manipulated yet again. It is not a testament to Republicans’ expertise at reading the people, just a revelation that a fair portion of the population is stupid enough to fall for the exact same fear tactics"
Jewish Group Slams Donald Trump For Spreading Untrue 9/11 Conspiracy Theory
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/11/22/jewish-group-slams-donald-trump-spreading-untrue-911-conspiracy-theory.html
"Donald Trump is trying to get himself elected president by appealing to the worst impulses in American society. It is telling that a racist, fact-challenged bigot is leading the Republican presidential polls. Trump’s standing atop the GOP speaks volumes about who the former Party of Lincoln are and what they have truly become."
"Donald Trump is trying to get himself elected president by appealing to the worst impulses in American society. It is telling that a racist, fact-challenged bigot is leading the Republican presidential polls. Trump’s standing atop the GOP speaks volumes about who the former Party of Lincoln are and what they have truly become."
Donald Trump tweets fake statistics, real racism
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/11/23/1453418/-Donald-Trump-tweets-fake-statistics-real-racism
"According to Trump, a Black Lives Matter protester who was assaulted by a group of Trump’s supporters at a Saturday campaign event basically had it coming (“maybe he should have been roughed up”), and then there was this charming and outlandishly inaccurate racist tweet"
"According to Trump, a Black Lives Matter protester who was assaulted by a group of Trump’s supporters at a Saturday campaign event basically had it coming (“maybe he should have been roughed up”), and then there was this charming and outlandishly inaccurate racist tweet"
Republicans Have Made Their Move Toward A Full-On Embrace Of Fascism
Republicans Have Made Their Move Toward A Full-On Embrace Of Fascism
"Bigotry, Racism and Prejudice are often used to unify their followers: This is a strategic tactic which does happen to be taken straight from Nazi Germany. At that time they used the Jewish people as a scapegoat for nearly all of their nation’s problems. When you use propaganda, exploit fear, push hate and repeat it over and over and over – it’s very possible to get large groups of people to act completely irrationally and against their own interests. Right now we’ve seen Trump rise to the top of the GOP presidential pack by mostly lying, pushing ridiculous propaganda and using racism and bigotry against Mexicans and Muslims to prey on the fears of some and unify his support. No matter what you show his followers to prove how unrealistic it is to build a wall, or deport 12 million people – or even point out stats showing that it’s nearly impossible for a terrorist to come to the United States via our refugee program – it doesn’t have the slightest impact on what they think. Right now in this country the Republican party has made racism, bigotry and prejudice acceptable mainstream political positions once again. Sadly, none of their supporters seem to believe that they’re racist, bigoted or prejudiced. That’s called indoctrination."
"Bigotry, Racism and Prejudice are often used to unify their followers: This is a strategic tactic which does happen to be taken straight from Nazi Germany. At that time they used the Jewish people as a scapegoat for nearly all of their nation’s problems. When you use propaganda, exploit fear, push hate and repeat it over and over and over – it’s very possible to get large groups of people to act completely irrationally and against their own interests. Right now we’ve seen Trump rise to the top of the GOP presidential pack by mostly lying, pushing ridiculous propaganda and using racism and bigotry against Mexicans and Muslims to prey on the fears of some and unify his support. No matter what you show his followers to prove how unrealistic it is to build a wall, or deport 12 million people – or even point out stats showing that it’s nearly impossible for a terrorist to come to the United States via our refugee program – it doesn’t have the slightest impact on what they think. Right now in this country the Republican party has made racism, bigotry and prejudice acceptable mainstream political positions once again. Sadly, none of their supporters seem to believe that they’re racist, bigoted or prejudiced. That’s called indoctrination."
Donald Trump’s white fascist brigade: His rallies are now a safe space for racism
Donald Trump’s white fascist brigade: His rallies are now a safe space for racism
"The rise of the Tea Party, the GOP’s extreme rightward shift, vicious and ugly racially driven animus and conspiracy theories towards Barack Obama, the efforts to destroy the gains of the civil rights movement, and now the Know-Nothing-like xenophobia and prejudice against non-white immigrants and Syrian refugees are current events as an example of the Republican Party’s white supremacist orientation and brand."
"The rise of the Tea Party, the GOP’s extreme rightward shift, vicious and ugly racially driven animus and conspiracy theories towards Barack Obama, the efforts to destroy the gains of the civil rights movement, and now the Know-Nothing-like xenophobia and prejudice against non-white immigrants and Syrian refugees are current events as an example of the Republican Party’s white supremacist orientation and brand."
Jeb Bush adviser just comes out and says it: Donald Trump looks like a fascist
Jeb Bush adviser just comes out and says it: Donald Trump looks like a fascist
"His campaign was also quick to go after Trump’s comments, with one national security adviser calling Trump’s suggestion fascist"
"His campaign was also quick to go after Trump’s comments, with one national security adviser calling Trump’s suggestion fascist"
The Republican Party: America's Largest Hate Group
The Republican Party: America's Largest Hate Group
"The truth is, the Republican party has become a machine fueled by hatred, driven by fear-mongering and propped up by those who exploit this ignorance within our society for political gain. They’ve built their coalition of voters by embracing some of the worst aspects of our society."
"The truth is, the Republican party has become a machine fueled by hatred, driven by fear-mongering and propped up by those who exploit this ignorance within our society for political gain. They’ve built their coalition of voters by embracing some of the worst aspects of our society."
Saturday, November 21, 2015
PERRspectives: The Republicans' Dynamic Deception for 2016
PERRspectives: The Republicans' Dynamic Deception for 2016
"Unfortunately, that conservative claim--that tax cuts spur so much new economic activity that government revenue is at least as much as it would otherwise have been--has been repeatedly, thoroughly and demonstrably debunked ever since Arthur Laffer's Curve was first sketched on a cocktail napkin 40 years ago. So, Republicans have turned to a new term--"dynamic scoring"--to both magically erase the oceans of red ink their tax plans would necessarily produce and happily avoid having to explain the painful, draconian and politically unpopular spending cuts needed to offset the hemorrhaging from the U.S. Treasury. The inevitable result, now as under Presidents Reagan and Bush, will be a mushrooming national debt and, at a time of record high income inequality, a massive tax cut windfall for the wealthy."
"Unfortunately, that conservative claim--that tax cuts spur so much new economic activity that government revenue is at least as much as it would otherwise have been--has been repeatedly, thoroughly and demonstrably debunked ever since Arthur Laffer's Curve was first sketched on a cocktail napkin 40 years ago. So, Republicans have turned to a new term--"dynamic scoring"--to both magically erase the oceans of red ink their tax plans would necessarily produce and happily avoid having to explain the painful, draconian and politically unpopular spending cuts needed to offset the hemorrhaging from the U.S. Treasury. The inevitable result, now as under Presidents Reagan and Bush, will be a mushrooming national debt and, at a time of record high income inequality, a massive tax cut windfall for the wealthy."
Paul Krugman: The GOP Candidates' Crackpot, Ayn Rand-Inspired Economic Theories @alternet
Paul Krugman: The GOP Candidates' Crackpot, Ayn Rand-Inspired Economic Theories @alternet
"Republican economics is as impervious to evidence and reason as Republican science."
"Republican economics is as impervious to evidence and reason as Republican science."
So The Koch Boys Even Have Their Own Intelligence Operation
So The Koch Boys Even Have Their Own Intelligence Operation
"The Kochs are a couple of daddy's boys who have been thoroughly molded to follow in the paranoid Bircher footsteps of their late father Fred, and focus on using their wealth to spread the extremist ideology of dear dead Dad."
"The Kochs are a couple of daddy's boys who have been thoroughly molded to follow in the paranoid Bircher footsteps of their late father Fred, and focus on using their wealth to spread the extremist ideology of dear dead Dad."
Take a Wild Guess About Why Koch Brothers Got So Interested in 'Criminal Justice' Reform @alternet
Take a Wild Guess About Why Koch Brothers Got So Interested in 'Criminal Justice' Reform @alternet
"House Republicans are ensuring that corporate America also will get what it wants: tougher legal hurdles for prosecutors to go after white-collar crimes."
"House Republicans are ensuring that corporate America also will get what it wants: tougher legal hurdles for prosecutors to go after white-collar crimes."
10 Ridiculous Republican Facts That Are So Absurd They Seem Like They're Made Up
10 Ridiculous Republican Facts That Are So Absurd They Seem Like They're Made Up
"the GOP has officially become a really long, unfunny Saturday Night Live skit. The fact that there are literally millions of people who think Trump would be a good president is a testament to the idiocy that drives millions of conservatives. But the truth is, while Donald Trump’s name might be one of the most talked about, this level of lunacy is found all throughout the Republican party."
"the GOP has officially become a really long, unfunny Saturday Night Live skit. The fact that there are literally millions of people who think Trump would be a good president is a testament to the idiocy that drives millions of conservatives. But the truth is, while Donald Trump’s name might be one of the most talked about, this level of lunacy is found all throughout the Republican party."
Republicans Demand America’s 1920s Government Be Put Back In Place
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/11/16/republicans-demand-americas-1920s-government-place.html
"Apparently they want a government like that of the 1920s when the rich were given free rein to economically rape the people and send the world into another, more intense economic crash. A crash, by the way, that increased the wealth of the very richest industrialists beyond their wildest dream; not unlike today when the wealthiest Americans have taken the lion’s share of wealth in the current recovery. The Republican base wants a dictatorial president willing to challenge the Constitution and pledge that the system of government created by the Founders, the system with legislative checks and balances and regulations, is abolished and replaced with a theocratic libertarian “no government"."
"Apparently they want a government like that of the 1920s when the rich were given free rein to economically rape the people and send the world into another, more intense economic crash. A crash, by the way, that increased the wealth of the very richest industrialists beyond their wildest dream; not unlike today when the wealthiest Americans have taken the lion’s share of wealth in the current recovery. The Republican base wants a dictatorial president willing to challenge the Constitution and pledge that the system of government created by the Founders, the system with legislative checks and balances and regulations, is abolished and replaced with a theocratic libertarian “no government"."
The GOP Has Become the Party of Adults Who Act Like Children
The GOP Has Become the Party of Adults Who Act Like Children
"It’s a joke how simplistic and immature the GOP has become. From the days of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Eisenhower leading the party, to Donald Trump and Ben Carson being the overwhelming frontrunners for their presidential nomination. Things have gotten so bad for Republicans that apparently some within the party have recently been begging Mitt Romney to run – that’s how desperate some of these folks have become. No matter how hard I try, I still can’t understand how tens of millions of people actually take these fools seriously. The bottom line is, when Americans go to the polls next year it really has become a choice between wanting adults to run this country properly, or wanting spoiled immature children to run it into the ground."
"It’s a joke how simplistic and immature the GOP has become. From the days of Lincoln, Roosevelt and Eisenhower leading the party, to Donald Trump and Ben Carson being the overwhelming frontrunners for their presidential nomination. Things have gotten so bad for Republicans that apparently some within the party have recently been begging Mitt Romney to run – that’s how desperate some of these folks have become. No matter how hard I try, I still can’t understand how tens of millions of people actually take these fools seriously. The bottom line is, when Americans go to the polls next year it really has become a choice between wanting adults to run this country properly, or wanting spoiled immature children to run it into the ground."
We Kicked the Koch Brothers' A**: How Denver Parents Beat Back Big Money, Charter Schools and Right-Wing Lies @alternet
We Kicked the Koch Brothers' A**: How Denver Parents Beat Back Big Money, Charter Schools and Right-Wing Lies @alternet
"Both news stories told of a national program bearing down on the school district, with “money pouring in from Americans for Prosperity, the national organization founded by the Koch brothers,” in an effort to impose an agenda from outside the community that included a new history curriculum, new restrictions on teachers’ job security, and more privately-operated charter schools. Students, teachers and parents were openly revolting against the school board, staging school walkouts, holding boisterous protest rallies and waging a petition campaign to demand an election to recall the school board majority. The national outlets consistently got the story of the election wrong, adopting a talking point from a libertarian think tank that the contest was a “proxy war” between the Koch Brothers and “teachers’ unions,” when, in fact, the recall effort was mostly led by parents."
"Both news stories told of a national program bearing down on the school district, with “money pouring in from Americans for Prosperity, the national organization founded by the Koch brothers,” in an effort to impose an agenda from outside the community that included a new history curriculum, new restrictions on teachers’ job security, and more privately-operated charter schools. Students, teachers and parents were openly revolting against the school board, staging school walkouts, holding boisterous protest rallies and waging a petition campaign to demand an election to recall the school board majority. The national outlets consistently got the story of the election wrong, adopting a talking point from a libertarian think tank that the contest was a “proxy war” between the Koch Brothers and “teachers’ unions,” when, in fact, the recall effort was mostly led by parents."
Five Ways Marco Rubio Is 'Not Much Different' From Ted Cruz
Five Ways Marco Rubio Is 'Not Much Different' From Ted Cruz
"Ted Cruz and the mainstream media are on the same mission. They want you to believe that Marco Rubio is moderate. In reality, he just puts a pretty face on the worst the GOP has to offer."
"Ted Cruz and the mainstream media are on the same mission. They want you to believe that Marco Rubio is moderate. In reality, he just puts a pretty face on the worst the GOP has to offer."
Friday, November 13, 2015
The secret history of GOP mythmaking: How the Republican Party abandoned facts in favor of propaganda
The secret history of GOP mythmaking: How the Republican Party abandoned facts in favor of propaganda
"Directed at the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, Carly Fiorina, Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo asked the following: “In seven years under President Obama, the U.S. has added an average of 107,000 jobs a month. Under President Clinton, the economy added about 240,000 jobs a month. Under George W. Bush, it was only 13,000 a month. If you win the nomination, you’ll probably be facing a Democrat named Clinton. How are you going to respond to the claim that Democratic presidents are better at creating jobs than Republicans?” Since the Reagan years, the notion that Republicans are somehow more fiscally responsible and better at creating jobs and economic growth than Democrats has proven to be as stubborn a myth as the idea that the founding fathers were Christian zealots like Ben Carson and Ted Cruz. (They certainly were not.) The economy is an extremely complicated subject, and there are countless variables that go into how it performs, but since the Second World War, the data is quite clear: The economy performs significantly better when a Democrat is president."
"Directed at the former CEO of Hewlett Packard, Carly Fiorina, Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo asked the following: “In seven years under President Obama, the U.S. has added an average of 107,000 jobs a month. Under President Clinton, the economy added about 240,000 jobs a month. Under George W. Bush, it was only 13,000 a month. If you win the nomination, you’ll probably be facing a Democrat named Clinton. How are you going to respond to the claim that Democratic presidents are better at creating jobs than Republicans?” Since the Reagan years, the notion that Republicans are somehow more fiscally responsible and better at creating jobs and economic growth than Democrats has proven to be as stubborn a myth as the idea that the founding fathers were Christian zealots like Ben Carson and Ted Cruz. (They certainly were not.) The economy is an extremely complicated subject, and there are countless variables that go into how it performs, but since the Second World War, the data is quite clear: The economy performs significantly better when a Democrat is president."
PERRspectives: The 800 Pound Donkey in the GOP Debates
PERRspectives: The 800 Pound Donkey in the GOP Debates
"To their credit, the Fox Business moderators tried to recognize the 800-pound donkey in the room. As Gerard Baker of the Wall Street Journal asked Carly Fiorina: Now, in seven years under President Obama, the U.S. has added an average of 107,000 jobs a month. Under President Clinton, the economy added about 240,000 jobs a month. Under George W. Bush, it was only 13,000 a month. If you win the nomination, you'll probably be facing a Democrat named Clinton. How are you going to respond to the claim that Democratic presidents are better at creating jobs than Republicans? Fiorina didn't answer the question, because she couldn't. No matter how many unicorns the Republicans try to deploy, there's no escaping the demonstrably superior economic performance of Democratic presidents."
"To their credit, the Fox Business moderators tried to recognize the 800-pound donkey in the room. As Gerard Baker of the Wall Street Journal asked Carly Fiorina: Now, in seven years under President Obama, the U.S. has added an average of 107,000 jobs a month. Under President Clinton, the economy added about 240,000 jobs a month. Under George W. Bush, it was only 13,000 a month. If you win the nomination, you'll probably be facing a Democrat named Clinton. How are you going to respond to the claim that Democratic presidents are better at creating jobs than Republicans? Fiorina didn't answer the question, because she couldn't. No matter how many unicorns the Republicans try to deploy, there's no escaping the demonstrably superior economic performance of Democratic presidents."
Art Laffer Praises The Supply-Side Fantasy Of The 2016 GOP Field
Art Laffer Praises The Supply-Side Fantasy Of The 2016 GOP Field
"Unfortunately for Arthur Laffer, we have ample economic data that shows the complete opposite effect of what these right-wing tax-haters want to impose on the MAJORITY of Americans. Tell the poor that they have the chance to be rich by lowering taxes on the rich, because some day, the money will trickle down right into their bank accounts. Except, it won't."
"Unfortunately for Arthur Laffer, we have ample economic data that shows the complete opposite effect of what these right-wing tax-haters want to impose on the MAJORITY of Americans. Tell the poor that they have the chance to be rich by lowering taxes on the rich, because some day, the money will trickle down right into their bank accounts. Except, it won't."
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