Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Nuns On The Bus Tour Stops In New York To Protest ‘Devastating Romney-Ryan Budget’
Nuns On The Bus Tour Stops In New York To Protest ‘Devastating Romney-Ryan Budget’: The Nuns On A Bus tour that made stops at 10 congressional offices in nine states in July is back on the road protesting the House Republican budget’s damaging cuts to programs that benefit the poor and middle class. The tour, comprised this time of a different set of faith leaders and community action groups, [...]/p
FDR Exposes the Origins of the Romney/Ryan "Big Lie"
"It seems that right-wingers - we call them Republicans here in the US - haven't changed their strategies much at all over the years - that Romney and Ryan are following an old, old pattern. According to Godwin's Law - the first person to use a Hitler comparison in an argument - loses. Well...call me a loser - and call President Franklin Roosevelt a loser too - because in 1944 - while running for re-election - Roosevelt compared the Republican's political strategy that year to Hitler's. Now don't expect President Obama to compare Republicans to Hitler like Roosevelt did. He shouldn't. But he should call out the liars - and use the actual word "liar" in doing so. Because if he doesn't - then the propaganda machine on the Right won't stop - and he could be left wondering, on November 7th, how he lost an election when the Republican and Rove and Koch Brothers attack ads were all filled with lies - big, big lies. Consider it a warning, Mr. President. Oh, and one more thing - in that same speech that Roosevelt called out Republicans for using Hitler's techniques - he also called them out for suppressing the vote - which just so happens to be the Republican strategy today too - right alongside lying. The more things change - the more they stay the same"
Fees, Fines, and Debt: How Governments and Companies are Jailing Poor People to Make a Buck
Fees, Fines, and Debt: How Governments and Companies are Jailing Poor People to Make a Buck This week’s St. Louis Patch dispatch reported this story: Wakita Shaw’s troubles started with a $425 payday loan, the kind of high-interest, short-term debt that seldom [...]/p
Truthout Interviews Chris Hedges About Why Revolt Is All We Have Left
Truthout Interviews Chris Hedges About Why Revolt Is All We Have Left
Chris Hedges, a former New York Times reporter, has become perhaps the foremost media scribe and most prolific advocate of a need for revolutionary change in our current institutional oppression and control of the government by the oligarchical and political elite. Hedges writes with a reporter's detail, a prophet's eloquence and a compelling sense of urgency. This is evident in his latest book, which visits the "sacrifice zones" of America. Get the just-released "Days of Destruction Days of Revolt"
Chris Hedges, a former New York Times reporter, has become perhaps the foremost media scribe and most prolific advocate of a need for revolutionary change in our current institutional oppression and control of the government by the oligarchical and political elite. Hedges writes with a reporter's detail, a prophet's eloquence and a compelling sense of urgency. This is evident in his latest book, which visits the "sacrifice zones" of America. Get the just-released "Days of Destruction Days of Revolt"
Real Remedies for the Foreclosure Crisis Exist: The Game-Changing Implications of Bain v. MERS
Real Remedies for the Foreclosure Crisis Exist: The Game-Changing Implications of Bain v. MERS
"Two landmark developments on August 16 give momentum to the growing interest of cities and counties in addressing the mortgage mess using eminent domain"
"Two landmark developments on August 16 give momentum to the growing interest of cities and counties in addressing the mortgage mess using eminent domain"
GOP Approves ‘Most Conservative Platform In Modern History’
GOP Approves ‘Most Conservative Platform In Modern History’: A week from the 2012 Republican National Convention, Republican committee members spent Tuesday articulating and affirming the principles they stand for in a draft of the official party platform. Led by Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) and featuring other Tea Party stars like Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), the committee [...]/p
Paul Ryan's 'Path to Prosperity' Is Really a Bad Trip on the Road to Economic Ruin | Alternet
Paul Ryan's 'Path to Prosperity' Is Really a Bad Trip on the Road to Economic Ruin | Alternet
"Vice-presidential hopeful Paul Ryan has a giant liability for someone hailed for his economic vision: He knows next to nothing about the facts of economic history."
"Vice-presidential hopeful Paul Ryan has a giant liability for someone hailed for his economic vision: He knows next to nothing about the facts of economic history."
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
240 Million Americans to Lose Protections From Coal Pollution | Common Dreams
240 Million Americans to Lose Protections From Coal Pollution | Common Dreams
"Up to 240 million Americans will now lose protections against dangerous smog and soot pollution, following a decision by a US appeals court on Tuesday. In a 2-1 decision the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit overturned the Environmental Protection Agency's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which would have reduced harmful emissions from coal-burning power plants and saved the lives of up to 34,000 people per year."
"Up to 240 million Americans will now lose protections against dangerous smog and soot pollution, following a decision by a US appeals court on Tuesday. In a 2-1 decision the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit overturned the Environmental Protection Agency's Cross-State Air Pollution Rule, which would have reduced harmful emissions from coal-burning power plants and saved the lives of up to 34,000 people per year."
How To Succeed in Business Without Adding Value - In These Times
How To Succeed in Business Without Adding Value - In These Times
"All this means that even when a private equity firm “succeeds” (usually after buying an above-average business), much of their gains are reaped simply by transferring large amounts of wealth to themselves. The losers are usually the companies they acquire, their investor partners, taxpayers, government agencies and workers–ultimately, the entire economy."
"All this means that even when a private equity firm “succeeds” (usually after buying an above-average business), much of their gains are reaped simply by transferring large amounts of wealth to themselves. The losers are usually the companies they acquire, their investor partners, taxpayers, government agencies and workers–ultimately, the entire economy."
STUDY: Massachusetts Minimum Wage Legislation Would Give 580,000 Workers A Raise
STUDY: Massachusetts Minimum Wage Legislation Would Give 580,000 Workers A Raise: A century ago, Massachusetts became the first state in the country to pass a minimum wage law. Now, the state legislature is considering legislation to increase its minimum wage — currently at $8.00 an hour, $0.75 above the federal minimum — to $10.00 an hour. If the legislation becomes law, it will give more than [...]/p
PA Can Use Your Help In Getting The Word Out On Voter ID
PA Can Use Your Help In Getting The Word Out On Voter ID
"Since July, Penn Action supporters have been working hard in Bucks County to reach out to citizens most likely to be at risk of lacking the government-issued photo ID they'll need to vote in November. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we'll be reaching out across the state to do the same. We'd love to have you join us in this important effort."
"Since July, Penn Action supporters have been working hard in Bucks County to reach out to citizens most likely to be at risk of lacking the government-issued photo ID they'll need to vote in November. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we'll be reaching out across the state to do the same. We'd love to have you join us in this important effort."
Poll: 64 Percent Of New Yorkers Think Police Favor Whites
Poll: 64 Percent Of New Yorkers Think Police Favor Whites: The New York Police Department’s controversial stop-and-frisk initiative may not be getting guns off the street or reducing crime, but it is certainly making an impact on public opinion. A new poll by the New York Times found that a significant majority of New Yorkers think police favor whites over blacks. The sentiment is especially [...]/p
Does 'Ryan' Rhyme With 'Suppression'? | Common Dreams
Does 'Ryan' Rhyme With 'Suppression'? | Common Dreams
"Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen, a partisan Republican closely aligned with Governor Scott Waker and U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson, has asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reinstate a rigid Voter ID law before the November election."
"Wisconsin Attorney General JB Van Hollen, a partisan Republican closely aligned with Governor Scott Waker and U.S. Senate candidate Tommy Thompson, has asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reinstate a rigid Voter ID law before the November election."
Monsanto, DuPont Spend Millions to Defeat California Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Initiative
Monsanto, DuPont Spend Millions to Defeat California Genetically Engineered Food Labeling Initiative
"With biotech giant Monsanto leading the way, big agribusiness firms and food manufacturers have vastly outspent organic food and alternative health firms in an effort to defeat California's Proposition 37 ballot initiative that would require special labels on foods made with genetically engineered (GE) organisms."
"With biotech giant Monsanto leading the way, big agribusiness firms and food manufacturers have vastly outspent organic food and alternative health firms in an effort to defeat California's Proposition 37 ballot initiative that would require special labels on foods made with genetically engineered (GE) organisms."
Apple Becomes Most Valuable Public Company Ever A Year After Dodging $2.4 Billion In Taxes
Apple Becomes Most Valuable Public Company Ever A Year After Dodging $2.4 Billion In Taxes: Before the stock market opened Monday, Apple was already the world’s most profitable tech company and it was already bigger than the entire American retail market on its own. By the time the market closed yesterday, the company had another feather to add to its cap: it is now the most valuable publicly-traded company ever, [...]/p
Monday, August 20, 2012
What You Need To Know About ALEC | Alternet
What You Need To Know About ALEC | Alternet
"This outburst of anti-public school, anti-teacher legislation is no accident. It is the work of a shadowy group called the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC. Founded in 1973, ALEC is an organization of nearly 2,000 conservative state legislators. Its hallmark is promotion of privatization and corporate interests in every sphere, not only education, but healthcare, the environment, the economy, voting laws, public safety, etc. It drafts model legislation that conservative legislators take back to their states and introduce as their own "reform" ideas. ALEC is the guiding force behind state-level efforts to privatize public education and to turn teachers into at-will employees who may be fired for any reason. The ALEC agenda is today the "reform" agenda for education."
"This outburst of anti-public school, anti-teacher legislation is no accident. It is the work of a shadowy group called the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC. Founded in 1973, ALEC is an organization of nearly 2,000 conservative state legislators. Its hallmark is promotion of privatization and corporate interests in every sphere, not only education, but healthcare, the environment, the economy, voting laws, public safety, etc. It drafts model legislation that conservative legislators take back to their states and introduce as their own "reform" ideas. ALEC is the guiding force behind state-level efforts to privatize public education and to turn teachers into at-will employees who may be fired for any reason. The ALEC agenda is today the "reform" agenda for education."
What Is ALEC? Dragging the Secretive Conservative Organization Out of the Shadows | Alternet
What Is ALEC? Dragging the Secretive Conservative Organization Out of the Shadows | Alternet
"Most people are unaware of the existence or reach of this shadowy organization. The members of ALEC would rather you remain ignorant of their purposes. In fact, these folks are so uncomfortable with anyone knowing about them that a University of Wisconsin history professor is being hammered by the Republican Party of that state for suggesting in an entry on his blog that in order to better understand the actions in various states with new Republican governors whose radical legislative proposals are remarkably similar, it might be worthwhile paying attention to theAmerican Legislative Exchange Council(ALEC)."
"Most people are unaware of the existence or reach of this shadowy organization. The members of ALEC would rather you remain ignorant of their purposes. In fact, these folks are so uncomfortable with anyone knowing about them that a University of Wisconsin history professor is being hammered by the Republican Party of that state for suggesting in an entry on his blog that in order to better understand the actions in various states with new Republican governors whose radical legislative proposals are remarkably similar, it might be worthwhile paying attention to theAmerican Legislative Exchange Council(ALEC)."
Inside ALEC's Powerful, Right-Wing Indoctrination Machine | Alternet
Inside ALEC's Powerful, Right-Wing Indoctrination Machine | Alternet
"The ultimate return sought by ALEC is nothing less than the rollback of the state and the establishment of unfettered corporate rule."
"The ultimate return sought by ALEC is nothing less than the rollback of the state and the establishment of unfettered corporate rule."
On the Road to Ryan and Ruin : Information Clearing House: ICH
On the Road to Ryan and Ruin : Information Clearing House: ICH
"Following this ideology, a Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan presidency would most likely increase the pace of deregulation and destroy what is left of the country’s safety nets. It would ultimately devastate the middle class, greatly increase the ranks of the poor and unemployed, do away with union rights, and reserve prosperity for the upper class alone. All of this will be done in the name of the liberty. And, it will be guided by an ideological paradigm that has already been historically proven to be disastrous."
"Following this ideology, a Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan presidency would most likely increase the pace of deregulation and destroy what is left of the country’s safety nets. It would ultimately devastate the middle class, greatly increase the ranks of the poor and unemployed, do away with union rights, and reserve prosperity for the upper class alone. All of this will be done in the name of the liberty. And, it will be guided by an ideological paradigm that has already been historically proven to be disastrous."
The New Robber Barons: How Taxpayers Subsidise CEOs' Multimillion Salaries | Common Dreams
The New Robber Barons: How Taxpayers Subsidise CEOs' Multimillion Salaries | Common Dreams
"The report proves the case made by thousands of protesters who took to the streets last September as part of the Occupy movement, and that of investors who stormed annual meetings this year as part of the "Shareholder Spring" to reclaim enterprises from many overpaid CEOs."
"The report proves the case made by thousands of protesters who took to the streets last September as part of the Occupy movement, and that of investors who stormed annual meetings this year as part of the "Shareholder Spring" to reclaim enterprises from many overpaid CEOs."
Budget Cuts Hobble Legal Services For The Poor
Budget Cuts Hobble Legal Services For The Poor: Last year, Congress cut tens of millions of dollars from the national Legal Services Corporation’s budget, which provides legal representation to low income Americans. Those cuts are now being felt: At a time of rising demand, LSC has been dealing with funding cuts. Federal government funding for LSC dropped 17 percent to $348 million this [...]/p
Uncle Sam Needs YOU for a Bailout: 6 Reasons Another Big Banking Crisis Is Coming Our Way | Alternet
Uncle Sam Needs YOU for a Bailout: 6 Reasons Another Big Banking Crisis Is Coming Our Way | Alternet
"Rampant financial crime and poor regulation can only mean another blowup, and guess who will be holding the bag?"
"Rampant financial crime and poor regulation can only mean another blowup, and guess who will be holding the bag?"
Romney’s False Welfare Attacks Ignore His Own Plans To Gut Programs For The Poor
Romney’s False Welfare Attacks Ignore His Own Plans To Gut Programs For The Poor: To distract the public from their plans to funnel additional tax cuts to the wealthiest one percent, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan — the GOP’s presidential ticket — are engaging in one of the oldest and [...]/p
On Poverty: What Bush Tax Cuts, Two Wars and An Unfettered Wall Street Have Given The Rest of Us | Common Dreams
On Poverty: What Bush Tax Cuts, Two Wars and An Unfettered Wall Street Have Given The Rest of Us | Common Dreams
"Charts of the Day: Telling visuals on record high income disparity and number of Americans - 66 million and counting - at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Shameful."
"Charts of the Day: Telling visuals on record high income disparity and number of Americans - 66 million and counting - at or below 125% of the federal poverty level. Shameful."
Sen. McCain Admits Government Spending Plays Major Role In Helping Economy, Creating Jobs
Sen. McCain Admits Government Spending Plays Major Role In Helping Economy, Creating Jobs: GREAT FALLS, Montana — Government spending plays a key role in creating jobs and helping the economy. If that sentence sounds uncontroversial, it should. And yet, the GOP has argued since the day Barack Obama took office that government spending neither creates jobs nor helps the economy. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) inadvertently undercut the GOP [...]/p
With Romney-Ryan, GOP Becomes Grand Old Private-Equity Party | Common Dreams
With Romney-Ryan, GOP Becomes Grand Old Private-Equity Party | Common Dreams
"he ticket Republicans will nominate in Tampa next week is uniquely connected to the "vulture capitalist" constituency, and uniquely committed to protecting the interests of today's robber-baron class."
"he ticket Republicans will nominate in Tampa next week is uniquely connected to the "vulture capitalist" constituency, and uniquely committed to protecting the interests of today's robber-baron class."
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Bain Capital's Link To OpSec Smears
Bain Capital's Link To OpSec Smears
"You knew there had to be one. When you've got the worst candidate on the planet running for President, there's only one thing left to do. Pull out the corporate mudslingers and start tossing it all over the place."
"You knew there had to be one. When you've got the worst candidate on the planet running for President, there's only one thing left to do. Pull out the corporate mudslingers and start tossing it all over the place."
"We Have No Choice But to Step Up": Youth Activists Come Together to Build a Movement for Student Power | Alternet
"We Have No Choice But to Step Up": Youth Activists Come Together to Build a Movement for Student Power | Alternet
"Student organizers from around the country (and the world) gathered in Columbus to help build a unified, strong student movement, learn from one another, and take action."
"Student organizers from around the country (and the world) gathered in Columbus to help build a unified, strong student movement, learn from one another, and take action."
Romney's Campaign Strategy: Lie, Lie, and Lie Some More -- Can Democracy Survive with 0% Media Accountability? | Alternet
Romney's Campaign Strategy: Lie, Lie, and Lie Some More -- Can Democracy Survive with 0% Media Accountability? | Alternet
"The Romney campaign has turned to a strategy of swamping the public with flat-out, blatant lies, one after another, again and again, endlessly and lavishly repeated. They do this because they are making a calculation that it will work! So what is going on? And can democracy survive this assault?"
"The Romney campaign has turned to a strategy of swamping the public with flat-out, blatant lies, one after another, again and again, endlessly and lavishly repeated. They do this because they are making a calculation that it will work! So what is going on? And can democracy survive this assault?"
Why Romney's Panicked Campaign May Pander Even Harder to the Far Right | Alternet
Why Romney's Panicked Campaign May Pander Even Harder to the Far Right | Alternet
"Mitt Romney, a corporate takeover executive in the private sector, is now in full political makeover mode as he campaigns for president, starting with his attention-deflecting choice of radical U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate.
"Mitt Romney, a corporate takeover executive in the private sector, is now in full political makeover mode as he campaigns for president, starting with his attention-deflecting choice of radical U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan as his running mate.
Washington insiders recognize the symptoms of a panicked campaign and see that the attempted makeover is not complete—and won’t be until the Republican National Convention adjourns and the fall campaign begins. And so we are seeing seemingly bizarre musings from known GOP ideologues trying to fill in Romney’s blank pages."
How raising the federal minimum wage would help working families and give the economy a boost | Economic Policy Institute
How raising the federal minimum wage would help working families and give the economy a boost | Economic Policy Institute
"The multiple positive effects that would result from a higher minimum wage are clear: It would boost the earnings of working families hardest hit by the Great Recession, spur economic growth, and create about 100,000 net new jobs. In an economic climate in which wage increases for the most vulnerable workers are scarce, raising the minimum wage to $9.80 by July 1, 2014, is an opportunity that America’s working families cannot afford to lose."
"The multiple positive effects that would result from a higher minimum wage are clear: It would boost the earnings of working families hardest hit by the Great Recession, spur economic growth, and create about 100,000 net new jobs. In an economic climate in which wage increases for the most vulnerable workers are scarce, raising the minimum wage to $9.80 by July 1, 2014, is an opportunity that America’s working families cannot afford to lose."
Report: Romney May Have Violated Ethics Laws Through Company Linked to Paul Ryan's Brother | Alternet
Report: Romney May Have Violated Ethics Laws Through Company Linked to Paul Ryan's Brother | Alternet
"On Friday, the Telegraph reported that, as governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney may have violated state ethics laws when his administration maintained a “lucrative” contract with a company in which he had a financial stake."
"On Friday, the Telegraph reported that, as governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney may have violated state ethics laws when his administration maintained a “lucrative” contract with a company in which he had a financial stake."
Friday, August 17, 2012
Republican Party Officially Embraces ‘Garbage’ Agenda 21 Conspiracy Theories As Its National Platform
Republican Party Officially Embraces ‘Garbage’ Agenda 21 Conspiracy Theories As Its National Platform: If you want to understand just how extreme and conspiratorial many in the “mainstream” Republican party have become, look no further than a resolution on Agenda 21 passed quietly in January. Agenda 21 is a completely non-binding international framework for sustainability passed in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit. The framework, which sets out very [...]/p
Romney and Ryan Both Supported Privatization of Social Security
Romney and Ryan Both Supported Privatization of Social Security
"Almost from the moment it was announced, the Republicans' Romney-Ryan ticket began already drawing fire for both men's plans for the "voucherization of Medicare." As it turns out, there's another reason Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan should worry America's seniors and the millions more soon to join them. Both supported President Bush's aborted scheme to privatize Social Security, only to run away from their past positions after its staggering unpopularity and the 2008 meltdown of the U.S. financial system revealed that Republican path to be political suicide."
"Almost from the moment it was announced, the Republicans' Romney-Ryan ticket began already drawing fire for both men's plans for the "voucherization of Medicare." As it turns out, there's another reason Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan should worry America's seniors and the millions more soon to join them. Both supported President Bush's aborted scheme to privatize Social Security, only to run away from their past positions after its staggering unpopularity and the 2008 meltdown of the U.S. financial system revealed that Republican path to be political suicide."
Taxpayer-Funded Breaks For Top CEOs Could Pay For 211,000 Elementary School Teachers
Taxpayer-Funded Breaks For Top CEOs Could Pay For 211,000 Elementary School Teachers: A new report from the Institute for Policy Studies notes that tax breaks enjoyed by 26 of the most highly-compensated chief executive officers in the U.S. could have instead been spent to hire an estimated 211,000 elementary school teachers. According to the report, four direct tax subsidies that corporations take advantage of to boost executive [...]/p
Paul Ryan Heckled At Town Hall: ‘Why Did You Lie About Accepting Stimulus Funds?’
Paul Ryan Heckled At Town Hall: ‘Why Did You Lie About Accepting Stimulus Funds?’: At a Virginia town hall Friday, a man interrupted vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan and asked him why he denied securing more than $20 million in stimulus funds for a local energy efficiency organization. He yelled, “Why did you lie about accepting stimulus funds.” Laughing off the question, Ryan simply moved on where he left [...]/p
Paul Ryan blames Obama for GM plant closed in 2008 under Bush
Paul Ryan blames Obama for GM plant closed in 2008 under Bush
"GM stopped production at its Janesville, Wisconsin production facility in 2008, when George W. Bush was still president, but according to Paul Ryan the person to blame is President Obama."
"GM stopped production at its Janesville, Wisconsin production facility in 2008, when George W. Bush was still president, but according to Paul Ryan the person to blame is President Obama."
The Paul Ryan Insider Trading Story Won’t Die Because It’s Legitimate | Alternet
The Paul Ryan Insider Trading Story Won’t Die Because It’s Legitimate | Alternet
"In the case of Paul Ryan, we are now talking about a person who has the potential to become president of the United States. His actions deserve the closest scrutiny."
"In the case of Paul Ryan, we are now talking about a person who has the potential to become president of the United States. His actions deserve the closest scrutiny."
Corporations Can't Pledge Allegiance | Common Dreams
Corporations Can't Pledge Allegiance | Common Dreams
"Outcries against the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, extending corporations' 1st Amendment rights, point to many advantages giving corporations the edge over natural persons: "Limited liability" protects company owners from personal responsibility for business debts; and corporations are virtually immortal -- a big advantage. Mostly, though, critics point out the obvious: that a corporation's resources -- Exxon Mobil earns $1,300 per second -- typically dwarf those of ordinary mortals.
"Outcries against the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision, extending corporations' 1st Amendment rights, point to many advantages giving corporations the edge over natural persons: "Limited liability" protects company owners from personal responsibility for business debts; and corporations are virtually immortal -- a big advantage. Mostly, though, critics point out the obvious: that a corporation's resources -- Exxon Mobil earns $1,300 per second -- typically dwarf those of ordinary mortals.
But whatever one's stand on "free speech rights" for corporations, what seems inarguable is that once the Court -- notably in its 1976 Buckley v. Valeo decision -- began conflating spending and speech corporations and the wealthiest among us have been the big winners. Their vast resources enable them to morph into ear-shattering bullhorns drowning out regular citizens."
Here’s to the Houston Janitors | Common Dreams
Here’s to the Houston Janitors | Common Dreams
"Last week, more than 3,200 janitors in Houston called an end to their five-week strike."
"Last week, more than 3,200 janitors in Houston called an end to their five-week strike."
Analysis: Paul Ryan Voted to Add $6.8 Trillion to the Federal Debt
Analysis: Paul Ryan Voted to Add $6.8 Trillion to the Federal Debt: Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan has gained an undeserved reputation as a “fiscal hawk,” touting his “Path to Prosperity” budget as a responsible plan to rein in what he describes as a “path to debt and decline.” But Ryan’s [...]/p
5 Ways Privatization Is Ruining America | Alternet
5 Ways Privatization Is Ruining America | Alternet
"A grand delusion has been planted in the minds of Americans, that privately run systems are more efficient and less costly than those in the public sector. Most of the evidence points the other way. Private initiatives generally produce mediocre or substandard results while experiencing the usual travails of unregulated capitalism -- higher prices, limited services, and lower wages for all but a few 'entrepreneurs.'
"A grand delusion has been planted in the minds of Americans, that privately run systems are more efficient and less costly than those in the public sector. Most of the evidence points the other way. Private initiatives generally produce mediocre or substandard results while experiencing the usual travails of unregulated capitalism -- higher prices, limited services, and lower wages for all but a few 'entrepreneurs.'
With perverse irony, the corruption and incompetence of private industry has actually furthered the cause of privatization, as the collapse of the financial markets has deprived state and local governments of necessary public funding, leading to an even greater call for private development."
Ryan’s Budget: Right in Your Face, America! | Common Dreams
Ryan’s Budget: Right in Your Face, America! | Common Dreams
"The Ryan budget plan is a Koch brothers’ dream and the American peoples’ nightmare. It leads with a lie – namely to control deficit spending by continuing it for at least 30 more years before his concoction of big tax cuts for the rich, further increases in the already bloated defense budget, and savage cuts in public services for the people, somehow balance the budget around mid-century."
"The Ryan budget plan is a Koch brothers’ dream and the American peoples’ nightmare. It leads with a lie – namely to control deficit spending by continuing it for at least 30 more years before his concoction of big tax cuts for the rich, further increases in the already bloated defense budget, and savage cuts in public services for the people, somehow balance the budget around mid-century."
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Bank Of America Fails To Hold Up Its End Of Foreclosure Fraud Settlement
Bank Of America Fails To Hold Up Its End Of Foreclosure Fraud Settlement: When it comes to getting borrowers through foreclosure prevention programs, Bank of America has lagged the other large mortgage servicers in the country for years. Initially, the bank blamed its borrowers for the lack of success, before eventually acknowledging that its mortgage modification processes are wholly inadequate. According to a report today in Bloomberg News, [...]/p
Report: US Tax Dollars Funding Exhorbitant CEO Pay | Common Dreams
Report: US Tax Dollars Funding Exhorbitant CEO Pay | Common Dreams
"While austerity hits everyday Americans, seemingly scarce tax dollars are being squeezed from their pockets to fund exorbitant CEO pay, according to a report released Thursday from the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)."
"While austerity hits everyday Americans, seemingly scarce tax dollars are being squeezed from their pockets to fund exorbitant CEO pay, according to a report released Thursday from the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)."
After Documents Show Paul Ryan Secured $20 Million In Stimulus Grants, He Claims ‘I Never Asked For Stimulus’
After Documents Show Paul Ryan Secured $20 Million In Stimulus Grants, He Claims ‘I Never Asked For Stimulus’: On Tuesday, the Boston Globe and Associated Press reported on documents showing that GOP Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan had secured more than $20 million in stimulus funds for a local energy efficiency organization. According to the reports, the documents showed that Ryan also brought in $5.4 million for local bus services. His requests came [...]/p
U.S.-Funded War in El Salvador Casts Shadow over Romney/Ryan Campaign
U.S.-Funded War in El Salvador Casts Shadow over Romney/Ryan Campaign
"Amidst reports that Mitt Romney launched Bain Capital with funds from investors tied to 1980s Salvadoran death squads, his new running mate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) is getting foreign policy briefings from a man who actively covered-up some of the worst atrocities committed by those same death squads. The GOP's vice-presidential candidate also earned his political stripes working under neoconservative Republicans who funneled billions in U.S. aid to those military hitmen. Though the war in El Salvador was just one chapter in history, Romney and Ryan's relationship with that war may provide a snapshot into their worldview."
"Amidst reports that Mitt Romney launched Bain Capital with funds from investors tied to 1980s Salvadoran death squads, his new running mate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) is getting foreign policy briefings from a man who actively covered-up some of the worst atrocities committed by those same death squads. The GOP's vice-presidential candidate also earned his political stripes working under neoconservative Republicans who funneled billions in U.S. aid to those military hitmen. Though the war in El Salvador was just one chapter in history, Romney and Ryan's relationship with that war may provide a snapshot into their worldview."
Koch Brothers' Moonshine
Koch Brothers' Moonshine
"Question: If you mix a cocktail of "black liquor," biofuels, diesel and a generous splash of tax subsidies -- then have it shaken vigorously by a U.S. senator and served in a golden goblet by corporate lobbyists -- what do you call it? Answer: Koch Brothers Moonshine."
"Question: If you mix a cocktail of "black liquor," biofuels, diesel and a generous splash of tax subsidies -- then have it shaken vigorously by a U.S. senator and served in a golden goblet by corporate lobbyists -- what do you call it? Answer: Koch Brothers Moonshine."
Chris Hedges on political movements and power
"How you get the people in power to be frightened of you?...That's just where we want people in power to be." - Chris Hedges
Chris Hedges, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist & author of "Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt", speaks about political movements, power structures, and corporate capitalism at The Culture Project.
Video of the Day: Romney: 'I Never Paid Less Than 13%' in Taxes - The Atlantic
Video of the Day: Romney: 'I Never Paid Less Than 13%' in Taxes - The Atlantic
"So Romney pays a lower effective tax rate than 60 percent of Americans, and those who pay lower are the poorest 40 percent of the population. And that shows Romney's trouble, and why his answer is a bit disingenuous. For example: Mitt Romney mentioned in that very statement that he wants to stop Iran from becoming nuclear, and he wants to expand the defense budget, and that requires money. Meanwhile, Romney has voiced support for reforms proposed by his running mate Paul Ryan that would reduce federal spending on entitlements. Federal revenues matter to those things. While the amount Romney is paying to the IRS every year isn't the difference between solvency and not, it's not hard to see why people care about what wealthy people like him are paying."
"So Romney pays a lower effective tax rate than 60 percent of Americans, and those who pay lower are the poorest 40 percent of the population. And that shows Romney's trouble, and why his answer is a bit disingenuous. For example: Mitt Romney mentioned in that very statement that he wants to stop Iran from becoming nuclear, and he wants to expand the defense budget, and that requires money. Meanwhile, Romney has voiced support for reforms proposed by his running mate Paul Ryan that would reduce federal spending on entitlements. Federal revenues matter to those things. While the amount Romney is paying to the IRS every year isn't the difference between solvency and not, it's not hard to see why people care about what wealthy people like him are paying."
Seven Tax Return Questions Mitt Romney Left Unanswered Today
Seven Tax Return Questions Mitt Romney Left Unanswered Today: Mitt Romney said today on the campaign trail that he never paid less than a 13 percent tax rate, adding that continued calls for him to release his tax returns are “small-minded.” “I did go back and look at my taxes, and over the past 10 years I never paid less than 13 percent,” he [...]/p
Romney Campaign Calls Police On Sensata Worker Delivering Letter
Romney Campaign Calls Police On Sensata Worker Delivering Letter
"I realize there's a lot of people out there who will vote for Mitt Romney just to get Barack Obama out of office, but I hope they'll stop and ask themselves whether they really want a guy as President who thinks people exist for only one reason: Profitability. This is what drives Romney in business, and it's what will drive him in office. We're just chattel; the corporations are king."
"I realize there's a lot of people out there who will vote for Mitt Romney just to get Barack Obama out of office, but I hope they'll stop and ask themselves whether they really want a guy as President who thinks people exist for only one reason: Profitability. This is what drives Romney in business, and it's what will drive him in office. We're just chattel; the corporations are king."
Romney Still Reaps Huge Profits From Bain's Vulture Capitalism
Romney Still Reaps Huge Profits From Bain's Vulture Capitalism
"The wealthiest man ever to secure a major party nomination for the presidency is crying foul because President Obama’s campaign has dared to explain how Romney made his money.
"The wealthiest man ever to secure a major party nomination for the presidency is crying foul because President Obama’s campaign has dared to explain how Romney made his money.
Romney was a robber baron. And he continues to profit—to the tune of $230 million and counting—from the “vulture capitalism” his Republican primary opponents decried."
77 Years After FDR Signs Social Security, VP Pick Paul Ryan Pushes Dismantling the Social Safety Net
77 Years After FDR Signs Social Security, VP Pick Paul Ryan Pushes Dismantling the Social Safety Net
Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney’s newly picked running mate, Paul Ryan, is on the forefront of efforts to dismantle Social Security by putting seniors’ savings into risky Wall Street investments. Over the years, Ryan has not only pushed for privatizing Social Security, but also dismantling Medicare and slashing funding for Medicaid. In the Republican response to President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union address, Ryan defended cutbacks on social spending. "We’re in a moment where if government’s growth is left unchecked and unchallenged, America’s best century will be considered our past century," Ryan said. "This is a future in which we will transform our social safety net into a hammock, which lulls able-bodied people into lives of complacency and dependency." For more, we speak with two experts on Social Security: independent journalist Eric Laursen, author of the book "The People’s Pension: The Struggle to Defend Social Security Since Reagan," and Heather McGhee, vice president of policy and outreach at the progressive policy group Demos and co-author of a chapter on retirement insecurity in the book "Inequality Matters: The Growing Economic Divide in America and its Poisonous Consequences."
Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney’s newly picked running mate, Paul Ryan, is on the forefront of efforts to dismantle Social Security by putting seniors’ savings into risky Wall Street investments. Over the years, Ryan has not only pushed for privatizing Social Security, but also dismantling Medicare and slashing funding for Medicaid. In the Republican response to President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union address, Ryan defended cutbacks on social spending. "We’re in a moment where if government’s growth is left unchecked and unchallenged, America’s best century will be considered our past century," Ryan said. "This is a future in which we will transform our social safety net into a hammock, which lulls able-bodied people into lives of complacency and dependency." For more, we speak with two experts on Social Security: independent journalist Eric Laursen, author of the book "The People’s Pension: The Struggle to Defend Social Security Since Reagan," and Heather McGhee, vice president of policy and outreach at the progressive policy group Demos and co-author of a chapter on retirement insecurity in the book "Inequality Matters: The Growing Economic Divide in America and its Poisonous Consequences."
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Paul Ryan’s Darwinian Plan for America | The Progressive
Paul Ryan’s Darwinian Plan for America | The Progressive
"It’s a simple message: lower taxes for the rich and less of safety net for the poor, the elderly, and the unemployed will put us on a “path to prosperity.” We tried Ryan’s prescription for tax cuts for the rich during the Bush years, to disastrous effect."
"It’s a simple message: lower taxes for the rich and less of safety net for the poor, the elderly, and the unemployed will put us on a “path to prosperity.” We tried Ryan’s prescription for tax cuts for the rich during the Bush years, to disastrous effect."
Ann Romney Not So Sympathetic When Talking About Taxes - Politics - The Atlantic Wire
Ann Romney Not So Sympathetic When Talking About Taxes - Politics - The Atlantic Wire
"But if you look at the stills of the interview, Ann Romney doesn't look all that sympathetic. She looks angry and points her finger while saying, "We have been very transparent to what's legally required of us, but the more we release, the more we get attacked, the more we get questioned, the more we get pushed"."
"But if you look at the stills of the interview, Ann Romney doesn't look all that sympathetic. She looks angry and points her finger while saying, "We have been very transparent to what's legally required of us, but the more we release, the more we get attacked, the more we get questioned, the more we get pushed"."
CHART: Treasury Loses Billions Of Dollars Due To Tax Deductions For Executive Bonuses
CHART: Treasury Loses Billions Of Dollars Due To Tax Deductions For Executive Bonuses: According to a new report by Temple University accounting professor Steven Balsam, the federal government lost $30.4 billion between 2007 and 2010 thanks to corporations taking tax deductions for executive compensation, including nearly $17 billion for “performance based” bonuses. This revenue loss has occurred despite efforts to limit the tax deductibility of executive pay, as [...]/p
Biden: 'I guarantee you there will be no changes in Social Security'
Biden: 'I guarantee you there will be no changes in Social Security'
"That's a really nice reminder of what Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will be doing their damnedest to not talk about at all. Already, Paul Ryan has avoided discussing his plans for Social Security, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have them. His 2010 budget proposal included privatizing the program, allowing workers to divert as much as 40 percent of their payroll taxes into private investments, a slow walk plan that would divert money away from the Social Security Trust Fund and weaken it. That idea, which Romney has endorsed since at least 2007, was unpopular enough that Ryan didn't include it in his latest budget. But he didinclude measures that would fast-track Social Security cuts in the future.
"That's a really nice reminder of what Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will be doing their damnedest to not talk about at all. Already, Paul Ryan has avoided discussing his plans for Social Security, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have them. His 2010 budget proposal included privatizing the program, allowing workers to divert as much as 40 percent of their payroll taxes into private investments, a slow walk plan that would divert money away from the Social Security Trust Fund and weaken it. That idea, which Romney has endorsed since at least 2007, was unpopular enough that Ryan didn't include it in his latest budget. But he didinclude measures that would fast-track Social Security cuts in the future.
But that doesn't mean Ryan's abandoned his Social Security privatization scheme, something he's been pushing for years. In fact, in 2004, he had a privatization bill that was so extreme, the Bush administration called it "irresponsible." Just ponder that for a moment. The only president to propose Social Security privatization in the history of the program rejected Paul Ryan's idea as irresponsible."
Romney Would Eliminate Funding For Amtrak Despite Record-High Ridership
Romney Would Eliminate Funding For Amtrak Despite Record-High Ridership: During an interview with Fortune magazine that was published today, Mitt Romney said that he would eliminate federal funding for Amtrak as one of his cuts aimed at balancing the budget: So first there are programs I would eliminate. Obamacare being one of them but also various subsidy programs — the Amtrak subsidy, the PBS [...]/p
How raising the federal minimum wage would help working families and give the economy a boost | Economic Policy Institute
How raising the federal minimum wage would help working families and give the economy a boost | Economic Policy Institute
"Raising the minimum wage would help workers still reeling from the effects of the recession. The resulting impact on the overall economy would be demonstrably positive, as minimum-wage workers would spend their new earnings immediately, generating a positive impact on GDP and related modest employment growth."
"Raising the minimum wage would help workers still reeling from the effects of the recession. The resulting impact on the overall economy would be demonstrably positive, as minimum-wage workers would spend their new earnings immediately, generating a positive impact on GDP and related modest employment growth."
Paul Ryan's Randian Views
Videos show he's a True Believer & devotee of Ayn and her philosophy of the privileged rich. Rachel also shows how Ryan's Plan would shift $4.6Trillion more to the rich in the next 10 years.
Why Paul Ryan’s Constitution Has A Lot More In Common With Ayn Rand Than With The Founding Fathers
Why Paul Ryan’s Constitution Has A Lot More In Common With Ayn Rand Than With The Founding Fathers: Last September, GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan spoke at the Hillsdale College’s Kirby Center, a Washington, D.C. arm of the conservative institution that was founded under the leadership of Supreme Court spouse Virginia Thomas. The speech was delivered in commemoration of Constitution Day, and it provides a fairly substantial window into how he understands [...]/p
Paul Ryan: Bankrolled by the Banksters, the Privatizers, and the Kochs
Paul Ryan: Bankrolled by the Banksters, the Privatizers, and the Kochs
"While most developed nations have found a way to pay for health care for all their citizens, the United States is only able to provide low-cost, comprehensive health care coverage for seniors. With a new study out showing that half of Americans die with no financial assets, Medicare is literally a life saver for millions of seniors and their children who often cannot afford to take care of their elderly parents without the government's help.
"While most developed nations have found a way to pay for health care for all their citizens, the United States is only able to provide low-cost, comprehensive health care coverage for seniors. With a new study out showing that half of Americans die with no financial assets, Medicare is literally a life saver for millions of seniors and their children who often cannot afford to take care of their elderly parents without the government's help.
Ryan's proposed 2013 budget would replace this system with one that provides a government voucher to force families to purchase insurance on the private market. If the insurance company decides it can't or won't cover all your needs, tough luck."
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