Corporate Profits at All-Time High; Wages at All-Time Low: Can We Call it Class War Yet? | | AlterNet
"The middle class is being hollowed out; increasingly, there are the super-super-rich, and there are the rest of us."
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Analysis: 98.4% of voters on Rick Scott's first purge list are eligible voters
Analysis: 98.4% of voters on Rick Scott's first purge list are eligible voters
"The statistics that we've seen from the first round of Republican Gov. Rick Scott's Florida voter purge are pretty disturbing."
"The statistics that we've seen from the first round of Republican Gov. Rick Scott's Florida voter purge are pretty disturbing."
Conservative Southern Values Revived: How a Brutal Strain of American Aristocrats Have Come to Rule America | Visions | AlterNet
Conservative Southern Values Revived: How a Brutal Strain of American Aristocrats Have Come to Rule America | Visions | AlterNet
"The rich are different now because the elites who spent four centuries sucking the South dry and turning it into an economic and political backwater have now vanquished the more forward-thinking, democratic Northern elites. Their attitudes towards freedom, authority, community, government, and the social contract aren't just confined to the country clubs of the Gulf Coast; they can now be found on the ground from Hollywood and Silicon Valley to Wall Street. And because of that quiet coup, the entire US is now turning into the global equivalent of a Deep South state."
"The rich are different now because the elites who spent four centuries sucking the South dry and turning it into an economic and political backwater have now vanquished the more forward-thinking, democratic Northern elites. Their attitudes towards freedom, authority, community, government, and the social contract aren't just confined to the country clubs of the Gulf Coast; they can now be found on the ground from Hollywood and Silicon Valley to Wall Street. And because of that quiet coup, the entire US is now turning into the global equivalent of a Deep South state."
CHART: Mortgage Debt Is Holding Back The Economic Recovery
CHART: Mortgage Debt Is Holding Back The Economic Recovery: In a new report, Roosevelt Institute Senior Fellow Mike Konczal looks at several theories that attempt to explain the relationship between the weak housing market and the sluggish economy, and comes to the conclusion that mortgage debt (and not some structural factor) is one of the major factors holding back the recovery: – The most [...]/p
Obama Threatens To Veto Bill That Defunds Wall Street Reform
Obama Threatens To Veto Bill That Defunds Wall Street Reform: House Republicans, after failing to prevent the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law from passing Congress, have attempted to undermine it by refusing to give Wall Street regulators adequate funds to do their jobs. Both the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are short of the funding they require, and House Republicans [...]/p
Adults only, please: Five things the Romney campaign believes are presidential
Adults only, please: Five things the Romney campaign believes are presidential
"Staking your entire presidential campaign on repealing the very same health care reform policy that you signed into law when governor."
"Staking your entire presidential campaign on repealing the very same health care reform policy that you signed into law when governor."
Rhode Island Enacts Nation's First 'Homeless Bill of Rights' | Common Dreams
Rhode Island Enacts Nation's First 'Homeless Bill of Rights' | Common Dreams
"Rhode Island made history on June 21 by becoming the first state in the country to enact a "Homeless Bill of Rights"."
"Rhode Island made history on June 21 by becoming the first state in the country to enact a "Homeless Bill of Rights"."
Taxes Are The New Death Panels: Exposing The Latest Lie About Obamacare
Taxes Are The New Death Panels: Exposing The Latest Lie About Obamacare: Republicans are responding to the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the individual mandate by constructing a new “death panels”-like lie. The law, they argue, imposes a burdensome tax on millions of middle class families who will have to pay a penalty for not purchasing health care coverage by 2014. The line originates in the majority’s decision, [...]/p
Health care ruling a victory for problem-solving policy
Rachel Maddow points out the role of the Affordable Care Act in solving the problem of America's terrible health care system
Supreme Court Leaves Romney in the Cold | Common Dreams
Supreme Court Leaves Romney in the Cold | Common Dreams
"Mitt Romney is an idiot or, even worse, is pretending to be one. His tantrum of a response on Thursday to the Supreme Court’s health care decision was pure playground: As president I will own the ball, and the game will be played by rules that leave me a winner."
"Mitt Romney is an idiot or, even worse, is pretending to be one. His tantrum of a response on Thursday to the Supreme Court’s health care decision was pure playground: As president I will own the ball, and the game will be played by rules that leave me a winner."
Why Obamacare Is A Tax Cut For Millions Of Americans
Why Obamacare Is A Tax Cut For Millions Of Americans: Following the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday that Obamacare, the 2010 health care law, is constitutional under Congress’ ability to tax, Republicans have launched a full court press calling the individual mandate a “massive tax hike.” But as ThinkProgress noted yesterday, there is no massive tax hike: few people will ever pay the penalty, and those [...]/p
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Supreme Court Finds Frivolous Lawsuit to Be Frivolous; Upholds “Obamacare” | News & Politics | AlterNet
Supreme Court Finds Frivolous Lawsuit to Be Frivolous; Upholds “Obamacare” | News & Politics | AlterNet
"The Supreme Court made conservative heads explode and lots of legal experts look clueless today when Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's moderate wing to uphold ObamaCare in its entirety – with a few twists (most legal observers had predicted that if Roberts upholds, Justice Anthony Kennedy would as well, but Kennedy voted to strike down the entire law). It was a historic win for Congressional Democrats and the Obama administration."
"The Supreme Court made conservative heads explode and lots of legal experts look clueless today when Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court's moderate wing to uphold ObamaCare in its entirety – with a few twists (most legal observers had predicted that if Roberts upholds, Justice Anthony Kennedy would as well, but Kennedy voted to strike down the entire law). It was a historic win for Congressional Democrats and the Obama administration."
Four Reasons Why The Court’s Decision To Uphold Obamacare Is Good News For The Economy
Four Reasons Why The Court’s Decision To Uphold Obamacare Is Good News For The Economy: The Supreme Court today upheld the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law signed by President Obama in 2010, ruling 5-4 that the law was constitutional. Chief Justice John Roberts joined Justices Sonya Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Elena Kagan on the opinion. The individual mandate, the requirement that all Americans purchase [...]/p
Loss From Risky JP Morgan Trade Could Reach $9 Billion
Loss From Risky JP Morgan Trade Could Reach $9 Billion: The risky trading at mega-bank JP Morgan Chase that came to light last month — first reported as causing a $2 billion loss — could end up costing the bank up to $9 billion, according to internal reports. JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon was called to testify before Congress this month about the bank’s risky [...]/p
A Supreme Court for the 1 Percent | Common Dreams
A Supreme Court for the 1 Percent | Common Dreams
"he Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision had already given corporations the right to spend freely on behalf of candidates, causes and parties. But that ruling, as dark as it was, left some loopholes. Labor unions, while dramatically less well funded than corporations, still had significant leeway to spend on campaigns. Reformers also hoped that state and local governments would be able to enact limits on corporate campaign overreach."
"he Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision had already given corporations the right to spend freely on behalf of candidates, causes and parties. But that ruling, as dark as it was, left some loopholes. Labor unions, while dramatically less well funded than corporations, still had significant leeway to spend on campaigns. Reformers also hoped that state and local governments would be able to enact limits on corporate campaign overreach."
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Medicare for all
Medicare for all
"The Republican majority of the Supreme Court is very likely to overturn the Affordable Care Act tomorrow, fully embracing the "let 'em die" attitude that has become the Republican rallying cry."
"The Republican majority of the Supreme Court is very likely to overturn the Affordable Care Act tomorrow, fully embracing the "let 'em die" attitude that has become the Republican rallying cry."
The American People Are Angry
"In a must see 25 minute speech, Senator Bernie Sanders took to the Senate floor and challenged Congress to break free of its billionaire masters and work for the American people." Copy and [aste link to view article: http://www.politicususa.com/bernie-sanders-storms-senate-floor-challenges-congress-koch-whores.html
New York Attorney General Investigating US Chamber of Commerce, Other NonProfits For Laundering Contributions
New York Attorney General Investigating US Chamber of Commerce, Other NonProfits For Laundering Contributions
"This is huge, major, awesome news. Finally, finally, finally someone is investigatingmoney-laundering nonprofit organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who recently admitted to funneling secret multi-million dollar contributions from AHIP to astroturf organizations in order to stoke hate for the Affordable Care Act."
"This is huge, major, awesome news. Finally, finally, finally someone is investigating
Who is Bankrolling the Fight Against "Obamacare?" | Common Dreams
Who is Bankrolling the Fight Against "Obamacare?" | Common Dreams
"The lead plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the National Federation for Independent Business (NFIB), is a highly partisan front group masquerading as the "nation's leading small business association," critics say. The nation's highest court is expected to rule on the federal health care law Thursday."
"The lead plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the National Federation for Independent Business (NFIB), is a highly partisan front group masquerading as the "nation's leading small business association," critics say. The nation's highest court is expected to rule on the federal health care law Thursday."
Companies Fight New Regulation That Would Force Them To Disclose Pay Ratio Between CEO And Workers
Companies Fight New Regulation That Would Force Them To Disclose Pay Ratio Between CEO And Workers: Big companies and interest groups that represent them are resisting a piece of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act that is meant to help rein in executive compensation, even as pay for chief executives skyrockets and is increasingly untethered from company performance. The rule, a draft of which is set to be issued at the [...]/p
In Ohio, the People Push Back on Fracking | Common Dreams
In Ohio, the People Push Back on Fracking | Common Dreams
"Last week nearly 1,000 people took over the Ohio Statehouse. Joined by others from neighboring states, they came together to protest the destructive gas drilling method called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." After rallying and marching to the Capitol building, hundreds poured in—without a permit—to hold a "People's Assembly" to decide how they, the people, could end the practice in their state."
"Last week nearly 1,000 people took over the Ohio Statehouse. Joined by others from neighboring states, they came together to protest the destructive gas drilling method called hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking." After rallying and marching to the Capitol building, hundreds poured in—without a permit—to hold a "People's Assembly" to decide how they, the people, could end the practice in their state."
After the 99% Spring: What Comes Next
After the 99% Spring: What Comes Next
"As a still-recent addition to the organizing scene, The New Bottom Line is hardly more than a year old. Yet, in its short life, the network has been at the fore of several high-profile campaigns - including Move Your Money and the 99% Power protests."
"As a still-recent addition to the organizing scene, The New Bottom Line is hardly more than a year old. Yet, in its short life, the network has been at the fore of several high-profile campaigns - including Move Your Money and the 99% Power protests."
Fox News' Karl Rove Problem In A Nutshell
Fox News' Karl Rove Problem In A Nutshell
"It's becoming increasingly clear that Fox News' employment of a "political analyst" who doubles as an adviser to a GOP super PAC is a major ethical problem."
"It's becoming increasingly clear that Fox News' employment of a "political analyst" who doubles as an adviser to a GOP super PAC is a major ethical problem."
Class War at the Supreme Court | Common Dreams
Class War at the Supreme Court | Common Dreams
"On the eve of the Supreme Court’s much anticipated ruling on Obamacare, here is a simple test for detecting the politics behind a decision: When reading the rulings, look for the double standards and answers to questions not posed by the cases themselves. By those measures, the Supreme Court’s record in the past week fairly reeks of the justices’ politics."
"On the eve of the Supreme Court’s much anticipated ruling on Obamacare, here is a simple test for detecting the politics behind a decision: When reading the rulings, look for the double standards and answers to questions not posed by the cases themselves. By those measures, the Supreme Court’s record in the past week fairly reeks of the justices’ politics."
The Supreme Court and Citizens United
While discussing Citizens United, Bernie Sanders got on the topic of Mitt Romney and with visible disgust slammed the Republican nominee for his Koch clone ways. This is more than Bernie Sanders sounding the alarm about what is happening to our electoral system. Sen. Sanders connected the dots. Mitt Romney and Citizens United are one and the same. Romney is the human embodiment of Citizens United. If the conservative billionaires can get him elected it will set up a long line of future corporate presidential candidates, because Citizens United will have allowed them to buy the presidency.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Americans still blame Bush for economy
Americans still blame Bush for economy
"Nonetheless, these numbers demonstrate the enormous flaw in Romney's strategy of simply trash-talking the economy, because no matter how much trash he talks, Obama isn't the one who is getting the blame. Of course, given that Romney's economic plan is basically Bush's on steroids—and given the fact that Americans blame Bush for our economic challenges—maybe Mitt Romney really doesn't have a better choice."
"Nonetheless, these numbers demonstrate the enormous flaw in Romney's strategy of simply trash-talking the economy, because no matter how much trash he talks, Obama isn't the one who is getting the blame. Of course, given that Romney's economic plan is basically Bush's on steroids—and given the fact that Americans blame Bush for our economic challenges—maybe Mitt Romney really doesn't have a better choice."
Predatory For-Profit Colleges Are Sucking Up A Disproportionate Amount Of Aid For Military Veterans
Predatory For-Profit Colleges Are Sucking Up A Disproportionate Amount Of Aid For Military Veterans: As ThinkProgress has documented, predatory for-profit colleges survive mainly due to the federal government, which provides about 90 percent of many schools’ revenue through the various streams of federal aid used by their students. Those students are also much more likely to default on their loans; students who attended for-profit colleges account for nearly 50 [...]/p
Fighting The Right Wing Voter Suppression Tricks
The GOP came up with a plan shortly after the 2008 elections -- they figured out that if they could just keep 1% of voters from reaching the polls in just nine states in 2012, then they could take back the White House. And they're doing everything they can to make that a reality. Florida governor Rick Scott is already locked in a legal battle over voter purging with the Justice Department, and numerous states across the country are working on other efforts to prevent minorities, the elderly, and college students from reaching the polls this November.
How Right-Wingers on the Supreme Court Sold Our Democracy Down the River -- Again | | AlterNet
How Right-Wingers on the Supreme Court Sold Our Democracy Down the River -- Again | | AlterNet
"When the gavel fell in the U.S. Supreme Court’s chamber after the justices overturned Montana’s century-old ban on corporate electioneering on Monday, it drove another nail into the coffin of American democracy."
"When the gavel fell in the U.S. Supreme Court’s chamber after the justices overturned Montana’s century-old ban on corporate electioneering on Monday, it drove another nail into the coffin of American democracy."
Monday, June 25, 2012
STUDY: The Societal Cost Of A Growing Financial Industry
STUDY: The Societal Cost Of A Growing Financial Industry: When an aspiring rocket scientist abandons ship to join a hedge fund, how much does it actually cost society? In its annual report, the Bank of International Settlements points to a recent study that attempts to measure the societal cost of a growing financial sector. The study found that the financial industry — which continues [...]/p
Court to Super PACs: Full Speed Ahead
Court to Super PACs: Full Speed Ahead
"As we head over the Niagara falls of campaign cash that 2012 has become, the five captains of the ship have declined this chance to change course. That was always the most likely result; but it nonetheless represents a missed opportunity for this Court to make law within a context of actual facts—facts that its majority did not find necessary in Citizens United and did not consider worthy of discussion today."
"As we head over the Niagara falls of campaign cash that 2012 has become, the five captains of the ship have declined this chance to change course. That was always the most likely result; but it nonetheless represents a missed opportunity for this Court to make law within a context of actual facts—facts that its majority did not find necessary in Citizens United and did not consider worthy of discussion today."
Pennsylvania Republican: Voter ID Laws Are ‘Gonna Allow Governor Romney To Win’
Pennsylvania Republican: Voter ID Laws Are ‘Gonna Allow Governor Romney To Win’: This weekend, Pennsylvania Republican House Leader Mike Turzai (R-PA) finally admitted what so many have speculated: Voter identification efforts are meant to suppress Democratic votes in this year’s election. At the Republican State Committee meeting, Turzai took the stage and let slip the truth about why Republicans are so insistent on voter identification efforts — [...]/p
Postal Service Activists Begin Hunger Strike To Protest Closures And Layoffs Caused By Congress
Postal Service Activists Begin Hunger Strike To Protest Closures And Layoffs Caused By Congress: Ten current and former employees of the United States Postal Service (USPS) today launched a multi-day hunger strike to protest branch closures and layoffs that are supposedly meant to address the service’s shortfalls. At the center of the protest is a law passed by Congress that is responsible for the Postal Service’s ongoing budget problems. [...]/p
Bank CEO Pay Grew By 12 Percent Last Year, While Worker Wages Near All-Time Lows
Bank CEO Pay Grew By 12 Percent Last Year, While Worker Wages Near All-Time Lows: According to an analysis by the pay research group Equilar, compensation for top bank CEOs grew by nearly 12 percent last year. The Financial Times noted that these increases occurred “despite widespread falls in profits and share prices“: Top US and European bankers, including JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon and Citigroup’s Vikram Pandit, have enjoyed double-digit [...]/p
Koch Brothers Hope to Raise Even More Funds at Secretive Right-Wing Gathering | Common Dreams
Koch Brothers Hope to Raise Even More Funds at Secretive Right-Wing Gathering | Common Dreams
"Charles and David Koch, the secretive oil barons who are attempting to sway the 2012 presidential contest by injecting vast sums of private cash into the electoral process, have moved one step closer to achieving their goal by staging a gathering of right-wing donors in San Diego."
"Charles and David Koch, the secretive oil barons who are attempting to sway the 2012 presidential contest by injecting vast sums of private cash into the electoral process, have moved one step closer to achieving their goal by staging a gathering of right-wing donors in San Diego."
The Robin Hood Tax: A Powerful Antidote to Austerity | Common Dreams
The Robin Hood Tax: A Powerful Antidote to Austerity | Common Dreams
"Last week, nurses rallied, bank staff marched, conservatives coalesced and finance professionals petitioned—all in support of a global tax on Wall Street speculation. You wouldn’t know it from the headlines (Financial Times: “Push for EU-wide ‘Robin Hood Tax’ ends”), but by week’s end, that elusive goal was closer than ever."
"Last week, nurses rallied, bank staff marched, conservatives coalesced and finance professionals petitioned—all in support of a global tax on Wall Street speculation. You wouldn’t know it from the headlines (Financial Times: “Push for EU-wide ‘Robin Hood Tax’ ends”), but by week’s end, that elusive goal was closer than ever."
Supreme Court Extends Power of Corporations to Buy Elections | Common Dreams
Supreme Court Extends Power of Corporations to Buy Elections | Common Dreams
"The U.S. Supreme Court may still retain some familiarity with the Constitution when it comes to deciding the nuances of cases involving immigration policy and lifetime incarceration. But when it comes to handing off control of American democracy to corporations, the court continue to reject the intents of the founders and more than a century of case law to assure that CEOs are in charge."
"The U.S. Supreme Court may still retain some familiarity with the Constitution when it comes to deciding the nuances of cases involving immigration policy and lifetime incarceration. But when it comes to handing off control of American democracy to corporations, the court continue to reject the intents of the founders and more than a century of case law to assure that CEOs are in charge."
Supreme Court Upholds Citizens United; Tightens Corporate Stranglehold on Campaign Finance | Common Dreams
Supreme Court Upholds Citizens United; Tightens Corporate Stranglehold on Campaign Finance | Common Dreams
"In a 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court has struck down (pdf) Montana's 100 year old law that banned direct corporate political campaign spending in state and local elections. The court reversed a lower court ruling, but did so without allowing full briefing or argument in the case."
"In a 5-4 decision, the US Supreme Court has struck down (pdf) Montana's 100 year old law that banned direct corporate political campaign spending in state and local elections. The court reversed a lower court ruling, but did so without allowing full briefing or argument in the case."
Sunday, June 24, 2012
House Republicans Try to Create a World Fit for Criminals | News & Politics | AlterNet
House Republicans Try to Create a World Fit for Criminals | News & Politics | AlterNet
"Why are politicians getting away with deliberately creating a system in which elite white-collar crime can flourish?"
"Why are politicians getting away with deliberately creating a system in which elite white-collar crime can flourish?"
How Top Law Professors Are Working To Expand Corporations’ Constitutional 'Rights' | | AlterNet
How Top Law Professors Are Working To Expand Corporations’ Constitutional 'Rights' | | AlterNet
"Corporate America is hijacking the First Amendment. "
"Corporate America is hijacking the First Amendment. "
10 Things You Would Miss About Obamacare
10 Things You Would Miss About Obamacare: The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act this week and could potentially strike down part or the whole of ‘Obamacare.’ Below are 10 things you will miss about the law if the justices invalidate it: 1) Access to health insurance for 30 million Americans and lower premiums. [...]/p
PERRspectives: Romney "Sick at Heart" Over Bain Job Losses
PERRspectives: Romney "Sick at Heart" Over Bain Job Losses
"If Mitt Romney becomes the 45th President of the United States, it will be the American people who would become sick at heart. While Paul Krugman predicted "I think Ireland is America's future if Romney is president," his fellow Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz warned, "The Romney plan is going to slow down the economy, worsen the jobs deficit and significantly increase the likelihood of a recession." Or as Mark Hopkins of Moody Analytics summed it up:
"If Mitt Romney becomes the 45th President of the United States, it will be the American people who would become sick at heart. While Paul Krugman predicted "I think Ireland is America's future if Romney is president," his fellow Nobel Prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz warned, "The Romney plan is going to slow down the economy, worsen the jobs deficit and significantly increase the likelihood of a recession." Or as Mark Hopkins of Moody Analytics summed it up:
"On net, all of these policies would do more harm in the short term. If we implemented all of his policies, it would push us deeper into recession and make the recovery slower."
To put it another way, if Romney wins, America loses. Of course, that sickening result is one Mitt Romney knows all too well."
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Romney’s Bain Profited Even As The Companies It Invested In Went Bankrupt, Analysis Reveals
Romney’s Bain Profited Even As The Companies It Invested In Went Bankrupt, Analysis Reveals: Mitt Romney has argued that his business experience as head of Bain Capital from 1984 to 1999 will help him turnaround the economy, reduce the debt and place the nation on a sustainable economic footing. In fact, Romney’s years in the private sector are the centerpiece of his presidential campaign and a way for the [...]/p
Serious People Do Not Use Wealth of People Under Age 35 as a Measure of Their Well-Being | Common Dreams
Serious People Do Not Use Wealth of People Under Age 35 as a Measure of Their Well-Being | Common Dreams
"here is a well-funded effort in this country to try to distract the public's attention from the massive upward redistribution of income over the last three decades by trying to claim that the issue is one of generational conflict rather than class conflict. Billionaire investment banker Peter Peterson is the most well-known funder of this effort, having kicked in a billion dollars of his own money for the cause."
"here is a well-funded effort in this country to try to distract the public's attention from the massive upward redistribution of income over the last three decades by trying to claim that the issue is one of generational conflict rather than class conflict. Billionaire investment banker Peter Peterson is the most well-known funder of this effort, having kicked in a billion dollars of his own money for the cause."
PERRspectives: Mitt Romney's Golden Showers
PERRspectives: Mitt Romney's Golden Showers
"And so it goes. If Mitt Romney wins and gets his way in the White House, the very richest Americans will get much, much richer. And it will fall to every other taxpayer in America to replace the billions of dollars of revenue emptied from the Treasury. As Home Depot co-founder Kenneth Langone, who opened his cash spigots for Mitt Romney after Chris Christie decided to pass on a White House bid, explained it during an April lecture at Brandeis University:
"And so it goes. If Mitt Romney wins and gets his way in the White House, the very richest Americans will get much, much richer. And it will fall to every other taxpayer in America to replace the billions of dollars of revenue emptied from the Treasury. As Home Depot co-founder Kenneth Langone, who opened his cash spigots for Mitt Romney after Chris Christie decided to pass on a White House bid, explained it during an April lecture at Brandeis University:
"My notion about giving back is simple: I'm more of a beneficiary of my charity than the recipients of my charity. The more you give back, you think to yourself, 'Hey, maybe the world is a better place because I'm here.'"
If you have any questions about Langone's version of the view that "it's better to give than to receive," you can ask him yourself this weekend. You'll find him in Park City, Utah with Mitt Romney."
Latest GOP Election Law Violation: Keep Fat Cat Donors' Names Secret | | AlterNet
Latest GOP Election Law Violation: Keep Fat Cat Donors' Names Secret | | AlterNet
"In the Senate this week, 10 Republicans led by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch signed a letter attacking the Internal Revenue Service—which McConnell called the “speech police”—for seeking information about conservative political groups that were incorporated as nonprofit charities but which instead have been primarily engaged in partisan electioneering."
"In the Senate this week, 10 Republicans led by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch signed a letter attacking the Internal Revenue Service—which McConnell called the “speech police”—for seeking information about conservative political groups that were incorporated as nonprofit charities but which instead have been primarily engaged in partisan electioneering."
Friday, June 22, 2012
Financial Executives Call For A Financial Transactions Tax
Financial Executives Call For A Financial Transactions Tax: In an open letter to G20 and European leaders, 52 experts in the financial industry, including seven former executives from Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan, urged the world’s leaders to pass a financial transactions tax (a small tax on stock trades). The letter states that “these taxes will rebalance financial markets away from a short-term [...]/p
Corporate Profits Are At An All-Time High
Corporate Profits Are At An All-Time High: The Business Insider notes that, at the same time that corporate profits are at an all-time high as a percentage of the economy, wages are at an all-time low. Last year, corporations made a record $824 billion, which didn’t stop conservatives from continually claiming that President Obama is anti-business./p
REPORT: Most Anti-Environment House Of Representatives In History Voted 109 Times To Enrich Big Oil
REPORT: Most Anti-Environment House Of Representatives In History Voted 109 Times To Enrich Big Oil: The House of Representatives holds the title of the most anti-environment House in congressional history. Led by Republicans, the House has voted against the environment 247 times in the last 18 months, averaging one anti-environmental vote for every day the House has been in session. The newest report, released by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed [...]/p
What About Some Corporate Patriotism! | Common Dreams
What About Some Corporate Patriotism! | Common Dreams
"After all, General Electric, DuPont, Citigroup, Pfizer and others demand that they be treated as “persons” under our Constitution and our laws. And, they expect unfiltered loyalty from American workers even to the point of blocking the organization of unions so workers can band together for collective bargaining.
"After all, General Electric, DuPont, Citigroup, Pfizer and others demand that they be treated as “persons” under our Constitution and our laws. And, they expect unfiltered loyalty from American workers even to the point of blocking the organization of unions so workers can band together for collective bargaining.
Moreover, many of these corporations expect to be bailed out by American taxpayers when they are in trouble, and they regularly receive a covey of direct and indirect government subsidies, giveaways and complex handouts."
Mitt Romney's Bain invested in companies that specialize in moving jobs overseas
Mitt Romney's Bain invested in companies that specialize in moving jobs overseas
"Bain was doing its job here: Bain's job was to maximize investor profit, not to create jobs or give a single damn about American workers. And while Romney is campaigning as a job creator, this is his actual record. It's also how he'd govern. The Romney-endorsed Ryan Republican budget would create incentives for companies to move investments overseas. This is not an incidental part of Mitt Romney's record. It's who he is."
"Bain was doing its job here: Bain's job was to maximize investor profit, not to create jobs or give a single damn about American workers. And while Romney is campaigning as a job creator, this is his actual record. It's also how he'd govern. The Romney-endorsed Ryan Republican budget would create incentives for companies to move investments overseas. This is not an incidental part of Mitt Romney's record. It's who he is."
Romney Doesn’t Dispute He Helped Send Jobs Overseas, Tells Press To Call It ‘Offshoring’ Not ‘Outsourcing’
Romney Doesn’t Dispute He Helped Send Jobs Overseas, Tells Press To Call It ‘Offshoring’ Not ‘Outsourcing’: The Washington Post reported today that Bain Capital, the private equity firm Mitt Romney headed for 15 years, invested extensively in companies that moved jobs overseas to low-wage countries like China. The practice contradicts the rhetoric of candidate Romney, who since announcing his presidential ambitions, has criticized government policies that have led to jobs, particularly [...]/p
Austerity-Crazed Republicans, Big Banks Are Killing Public Transportation | Common Dreams
Austerity-Crazed Republicans, Big Banks Are Killing Public Transportation | Common Dreams
"Yet, Republican-led austerity is pushing public transit, like most everything public, into severe fiscal and physical crisis. All at the very moment when we want and need it the most. Nationwide, 80% of mass transit systems either did move to boost fares and cut services or considered doing so in 2010, according to the most recent report from the American Public Transportation Association."
"Yet, Republican-led austerity is pushing public transit, like most everything public, into severe fiscal and physical crisis. All at the very moment when we want and need it the most. Nationwide, 80% of mass transit systems either did move to boost fares and cut services or considered doing so in 2010, according to the most recent report from the American Public Transportation Association."
With New Burden on Unions, Court Tips the Balance Toward Corporations | Common Dreams
With New Burden on Unions, Court Tips the Balance Toward Corporations | Common Dreams
"The most politically partisan—and politically activist—Supreme Court in modern American history has already assumed that, when it comes to electioneering, corporations have pretty much the same rights as human beings. Indeed, the High Court’s Citizens United ruling has given corporations unprecedented flexibility to act on their own behalf to influence election campaigns and results."
"The most politically partisan—and politically activist—Supreme Court in modern American history has already assumed that, when it comes to electioneering, corporations have pretty much the same rights as human beings. Indeed, the High Court’s Citizens United ruling has given corporations unprecedented flexibility to act on their own behalf to influence election campaigns and results."
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Insurers will have to pay out $1.1 billion in rebates if Obamacare survives the Supreme Court
Insurers will have to pay out $1.1 billion in rebates if Obamacare survives the Supreme Court
"If there's any silver lining to this, it's that for one year, insurance companies generally didmeet the demands of the law. Before the provision was enacted, health care system experts expected that rebates owed would be over $2 billion. Which means the law did what it was supposed to: make insurers spend more on covering actual health care."
"If there's any silver lining to this, it's that for one year, insurance companies generally didmeet the demands of the law. Before the provision was enacted, health care system experts expected that rebates owed would be over $2 billion. Which means the law did what it was supposed to: make insurers spend more on covering actual health care."
CHARTS: How Austerity Is Hurting State Economies
CHARTS: How Austerity Is Hurting State Economies: The effect of austerity in Europe has been decidedly detrimental, stifling growth and needlessly prolonging economic pain for the continent’s residents. And in America, many states are doing the exact same thing, slashing spending and laying off workers in an attempt to cope with collapsed revenue. As Center for American Progress economist Adam Hersh found, [...]/p
Latest Supreme Court Decision Another Conservative Attack on Unions
Latest Supreme Court Decision Another Conservative Attack on Unions: A Supreme Court’s ruling today, in the Knox v. SEIU case, makes it much harder for unions to carry out their activities, leaving workers in an even more tenuous position in the wake of Citizens United. California law allows SEIU Local 1000 to represent nonunion members in contract negotiations, along with union workers. In exchange, [...]/p
Members Who Supported Massive Giveaway To Big Oil Have Received $38.6 Million From The Industry
Members Who Supported Massive Giveaway To Big Oil Have Received $38.6 Million From The Industry: The House of Representatives, which already holds the title of the most anti-environment House ever, today added another mark to the list — the Domestic Energy Production Act, H.R. 4480. The act is specifically designed to increase oil and gas development, with measures that block safeguards from smog and pollution and mandate drilling on public [...]/p
Republican Congressman’s Advice For Mitt Romney: Start Bragging About Your Wealth
Republican Congressman’s Advice For Mitt Romney: Start Bragging About Your Wealth: Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) has some advice for Mitt Romney as he campaigns for the presidency: start bragging about your wealth. During a town hall meeting in Elmhurst this past weekend, Walsh told constituents that because making money is a good thing, Romney’s key to success is to tout his wealth. He advised Romney to [...]/p
The World's 99% Knows Capitalism Is Failing and Believes That Change Is Possible
The World's 99% Knows Capitalism Is Failing and Believes That Change Is Possible
"The gap between what our economic and political systems are supposed to do - what we were told they did do - and what they actually do became too large to be ignored. Governments around the world were not addressing key economic problems, including that of persistent unemployment; and as universal values of fairness became sacrificed to the greed of a few, in spite of rhetoric to the contrary, the feeling of unfairness became a feeling of betrayal."
"The gap between what our economic and political systems are supposed to do - what we were told they did do - and what they actually do became too large to be ignored. Governments around the world were not addressing key economic problems, including that of persistent unemployment; and as universal values of fairness became sacrificed to the greed of a few, in spite of rhetoric to the contrary, the feeling of unfairness became a feeling of betrayal."
12.8 Million Receive Insurance Rebates As A Result Of Obamacare
12.8 Million Receive Insurance Rebates As A Result Of Obamacare: 12.8 million Americans will receive $1.1 billion in rebates from insurers that have not met minimum spending guidelines in Obamacare, the administration announced Thursday morning. The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to spend 80 to 85 percent of premium dollars on health care services or issue rebates to policy holders. The average rebate is valued [...]/p
Romney To Republican Governor: Discussing The Economic Recovery Will Hurt My Election Chances
Romney To Republican Governor: Discussing The Economic Recovery Will Hurt My Election Chances: Republican governors in states across the country have been touting their states’ economic growth, pointing to falling unemployment rates and continued signs of economic recovery. Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) has expressed frustration that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is using his state as an example of the nation’s economic woes. However, since positive economic messages [...]/p
What Happens When Public Universities Are Run by Robber Barons | | AlterNet
What Happens When Public Universities Are Run by Robber Barons | | AlterNet
"The reason folks such as Dragas and Kiernan get to call the shots at major universities is that they write huge, tax-deductable checks to them. They buy influence and we subsidize their purchases. So too often an institution that is supposed to set its priorities based on the needs of a state or the needs of the planet instead alters its profile and curriculum to reflect the whims of the wealthy."
"The reason folks such as Dragas and Kiernan get to call the shots at major universities is that they write huge, tax-deductable checks to them. They buy influence and we subsidize their purchases. So too often an institution that is supposed to set its priorities based on the needs of a state or the needs of the planet instead alters its profile and curriculum to reflect the whims of the wealthy."
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Democratic Rep. DeFazio: Financial Transactions Tax ‘Would Be Beneficial’ For American Economy
Democratic Rep. DeFazio: Financial Transactions Tax ‘Would Be Beneficial’ For American Economy: WASHINGTON, D.C. — A tax on high-frequency financial transactions would be good for American markets and the economy despite what its naysayers claim, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) said yesterday at the Take Back The American Dream Conference. DeFazio, who along with Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) introduced legislation that would institute a financial transactions tax, told [...]/p
The Waffling and Half-Truths of Jamie Dimon | AlterNet
The Waffling and Half-Truths of Jamie Dimon | AlterNet
"Yesterday’s excruciating House Financial Services Committee hearing featuring financial regulators and Wall Street wonder boy Jamie Dimon may have been, as Kevin Roose wrote, “a lot less brownnose-y” than last week’s Senate meeting, but there was still plenty of praise and back-patting from the other side of the dais, and many of the more contentious and important issues were obscured by the meeting’s concision (congressional members were afforded a mere five minutes each, after all)."
"Yesterday’s excruciating House Financial Services Committee hearing featuring financial regulators and Wall Street wonder boy Jamie Dimon may have been, as Kevin Roose wrote, “a lot less brownnose-y” than last week’s Senate meeting, but there was still plenty of praise and back-patting from the other side of the dais, and many of the more contentious and important issues were obscured by the meeting’s concision (congressional members were afforded a mere five minutes each, after all)."
Dimon in the Rough: How Wall Street Aims to Keep U.S. Regulators Out of Its Global Betting Parlor | Common Dreams
Dimon in the Rough: How Wall Street Aims to Keep U.S. Regulators Out of Its Global Betting Parlor | Common Dreams
"Wall Street can’t have it both ways – too big to fail, and also able to make wild bets anywhere around the world.
"Wall Street can’t have it both ways – too big to fail, and also able to make wild bets anywhere around the world.
If Wall Street banks demand a free rein overseas, the least we should demand is they be broken up here."
Five Things To Know About The Republican Witchhunt Against Attorney General Holder
Five Things To Know About The Republican Witchhunt Against Attorney General Holder: In 2006, during the presidency of George W. Bush, the Justice Department launched the first of a series of misguided “gunrunning” schemes that eventually led to the death of federal Agent Brian Terry. Rather than look to ways to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, however, House Oversight Chair Darrell Issa’s (R-CA) spent his [...]/p
Janitor Confronts Jamie Dimon: 'Why Do You Deny The People Cleaning Your Buildings A Living Wage?'
Janitor Confronts Jamie Dimon: 'Why Do You Deny The People Cleaning Your Buildings A Living Wage?'
"The contrast of Jamie Dimon – one the richest men in the United States and the 12th highest paid CEO in the country – and the janitors who clean his building – many make as little as $10,000 a year— poignantly illustrates both what's wrong with the economy and the growing gap between the wealthiest 1% and the rest of us.A Houston janitor would have to work more than 2,500 years in order to earn JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon earned last year."
"The contrast of Jamie Dimon – one the richest men in the United States and the 12th highest paid CEO in the country – and the janitors who clean his building – many make as little as $10,000 a year— poignantly illustrates both what's wrong with the economy and the growing gap between the wealthiest 1% and the rest of us.A Houston janitor would have to work more than 2,500 years in order to earn JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon earned last year."
Walmart's Forced Labor: We Feel Like We Are Slaves | Common Dreams
Walmart's Forced Labor: We Feel Like We Are Slaves | Common Dreams
"How does Walmart keep its prices so low? The so-called guest workers from Mexico who peel crawfish at a Louisiana seafood supplier for Wal-Mart know: They are locked inside the plant, forced to work 24-hour shifts, cursed and threatened with beatings by shovel if they fail to make their quota, and endure constant surveillance at their nearby trailers from a boss who warns them, "You don’t want to know me as an enemy"."
"How does Walmart keep its prices so low? The so-called guest workers from Mexico who peel crawfish at a Louisiana seafood supplier for Wal-Mart know: They are locked inside the plant, forced to work 24-hour shifts, cursed and threatened with beatings by shovel if they fail to make their quota, and endure constant surveillance at their nearby trailers from a boss who warns them, "You don’t want to know me as an enemy"."
Republicans want the middle class to pay for tax cuts for the rich
Republicans want the middle class to pay for tax cuts for the rich
"Remember, this is just the tax side of the Ryan plan. The devastating cuts to everything fromPell Grants to Medicaid and Medicare would put even bigger burdens on low-income and middle-class America."
"Remember, this is just the tax side of the Ryan plan. The devastating cuts to everything fromPell Grants to Medicaid and Medicare would put even bigger burdens on low-income and middle-class America."
Fate of 2012 Election Falling Into the Hands of the Tuned-Out Youth Vote | | AlterNet
Fate of 2012 Election Falling Into the Hands of the Tuned-Out Youth Vote | | AlterNet
"Hey, 20-somethings, occupiers and unemployed college graduates—did you know that the fate of the 2012 presidential election rests in your hands?"
"Hey, 20-somethings, occupiers and unemployed college graduates—did you know that the fate of the 2012 presidential election rests in your hands?"
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Wage Gap Between C.E.O.s and Workers Continues to Grow | AlterNet
Wage Gap Between C.E.O.s and Workers Continues to Grow | AlterNet
"The New York Times reported yesterday on a new study, which revealed that the U.S.’s top 200 C.E.O.s made an average of $14.5 million in 2011 — an average pay raise of 5 percent. The study also found that, for the first time, more than one C.E.O. — two — had nine-figure paydays.
"The New York Times reported yesterday on a new study, which revealed that the U.S.’s top 200 C.E.O.s made an average of $14.5 million in 2011 — an average pay raise of 5 percent. The study also found that, for the first time, more than one C.E.O. — two — had nine-figure paydays.
Meanwhile, the average worker in the United States saw a pay increase of only2.8 percent. C.E.O. salary has increased 127 times faster over the last thirty years than worker salary. To put this in perspective, the average Fortune 500 chief executive is paid 380 times more than the average worker."
Exclusive: Romney Family Investment Group Partnered With Alleged Perpetrators Of $8 Billion Ponzi Scheme
Exclusive: Romney Family Investment Group Partnered With Alleged Perpetrators Of $8 Billion Ponzi Scheme: Mitt Romney, his son Tagg, and Romney’s chief fundraiser, Spencer Zwick, have extensive financial and political ties to three men who allegedly participated in an $8.5 billion Ponzi scheme. A few months after the Ponzi scheme collapsed, a firm financed by Mitt Romney and run by his son and chief fundraiser partnered with the three [...]/p
GOP Financial Services Chairman Admits Wall Street Watchdog Is Underfunded, As Republicans Cut Its Budget
GOP Financial Services Chairman Admits Wall Street Watchdog Is Underfunded, As Republicans Cut Its Budget: House Republicans on the Appropriations Committee today voted to cut funding for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the regulator charged with overseeing Wall Street derivatives and commodities trading. The Obama administration has asked for $300 million for the agency for fiscal year 2013, but the GOP only approved $180 million, which is less than the [...]/p
Exclusive: Interview With Chris Hayes
Exclusive: Interview With Chris Hayes
"Truthout is pleased to offer this exclusive interview with Chris Hayes about his new book. To those who thought corporate television (albeit progressive) might cause Hayes to pull his punches, this book is refreshingly honest, thoughtful and offers a new paradigm to look at our current social and political landscape.'
"Truthout is pleased to offer this exclusive interview with Chris Hayes about his new book. To those who thought corporate television (albeit progressive) might cause Hayes to pull his punches, this book is refreshingly honest, thoughtful and offers a new paradigm to look at our current social and political landscape.'
Beyond the Politics of the Big Lie: The Education Deficit and the New Authoritarianism
Beyond the Politics of the Big Lie: The Education Deficit and the New Authoritarianism
"The American public is suffering from an education deficit. By this I mean it exhibits a growing inability to think critically, question authority, be reflective, weigh evidence, discriminate between reasoned arguments and opinions, listen across differences and engage the mutually informing relationship between private problems and broader public issues. This growing political and cultural illiteracy is not merely a problem of the individual, one that points to simple ignorance. It is a collective and social problem that goes to the heart of the increasing attack on democratic public spheres and supportive public institutions that promote analytical capacities, thoughtful exchange and a willingness to view knowledge as a resource for informed modes of individual and social agency."
"The American public is suffering from an education deficit. By this I mean it exhibits a growing inability to think critically, question authority, be reflective, weigh evidence, discriminate between reasoned arguments and opinions, listen across differences and engage the mutually informing relationship between private problems and broader public issues. This growing political and cultural illiteracy is not merely a problem of the individual, one that points to simple ignorance. It is a collective and social problem that goes to the heart of the increasing attack on democratic public spheres and supportive public institutions that promote analytical capacities, thoughtful exchange and a willingness to view knowledge as a resource for informed modes of individual and social agency."
If You See Something... | Common Dreams
If You See Something... | Common Dreams
"In the wake of this week-end's huge, silent march to protest New York's rampant stop-and-frisk policy, a compilation video of police brutality aimed at encouraging bystanders to film - even when at some peril - police abuses in the name of accountability."
"In the wake of this week-end's huge, silent march to protest New York's rampant stop-and-frisk policy, a compilation video of police brutality aimed at encouraging bystanders to film - even when at some peril - police abuses in the name of accountability."
Low-Wage Nation: Poverty and Inequality Are Threatening Our Democracy | Common Dreams
Low-Wage Nation: Poverty and Inequality Are Threatening Our Democracy | Common Dreams
"Nationwide, the percentage of kids covered by these benefits has declined to 27 percent from 68 percent before President Bill Clinton and the GOP-controlled Congress "reformed" the welfare system. As a result, we have 6 million people whose only income is from food stamps. Food stamps provide an income of a third of the poverty line — about $6,000 for a family of three. This is the most urgent problem we face."
"Nationwide, the percentage of kids covered by these benefits has declined to 27 percent from 68 percent before President Bill Clinton and the GOP-controlled Congress "reformed" the welfare system. As a result, we have 6 million people whose only income is from food stamps. Food stamps provide an income of a third of the poverty line — about $6,000 for a family of three. This is the most urgent problem we face."
Scott Brown fails to shut the widow up
Scott Brown fails to shut the widow up
"he issued a list of ridiculous conditions for accepting that debate, including demanding that Ted Kennedy's wife, Vicki, not endorse in the race."
"he issued a list of ridiculous conditions for accepting that debate, including demanding that Ted Kennedy's wife, Vicki, not endorse in the race."
Blue Dog Artur Davis Refuses to Go Away Quietly
Blue Dog Artur Davis Refuses to Go Away Quietly
"I'm not quite sure what's more disgusting about this interview -- former Blue Dog Artur Davis pretending that there is anything besides some self-serving motivation and making sure he gets some more face time on cable television with his proclamation that he's now officially a Republican, or Wolf Blitzer for allowing him to come on and pretend he was ever anything other than a corporate shill that most of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party would have welcomed leaving a long time ago."
"I'm not quite sure what's more disgusting about this interview -- former Blue Dog Artur Davis pretending that there is anything besides some self-serving motivation and making sure he gets some more face time on cable television with his proclamation that he's now officially a Republican, or Wolf Blitzer for allowing him to come on and pretend he was ever anything other than a corporate shill that most of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party would have welcomed leaving a long time ago."
'Shock Doctrine' in Action: Vital Freshwater Resources Under Attack by Privatization Capitalists | Water | AlterNet
'Shock Doctrine' in Action: Vital Freshwater Resources Under Attack by Privatization Capitalists | Water | AlterNet
"I don't consider this an environmentalist point of view; I'm just a human who is scared shitless of the future," says the director of the new film "Patagonia Rising."
"I don't consider this an environmentalist point of view; I'm just a human who is scared shitless of the future," says the director of the new film "Patagonia Rising."
Millionaire GOP Funder Wants To Be Able To Give Unlimited Money Directly To Mitt Romney
Millionaire GOP Funder Wants To Be Able To Give Unlimited Money Directly To Mitt Romney: WASHINGTON — Foster Friess, the millionaire who funded outside groups supporting Rick Santorum’s presidential bid and is now helping to bankroll Romney’s Super PAC, thinks that he and other super wealthy donors should be able to give unlimited amounts of money directly to the candidate of their choice without any restrictions. At the Faith & [...]/p
Republicans Attempt To Raid Food Stamps: Would Reduce Average Monthly Benefit By $90
Republicans Attempt To Raid Food Stamps: Would Reduce Average Monthly Benefit By $90: Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL) is advancing an amendment to the 2012 farm bill that will cut more than $4 billion from the food stamp program and could take $90 out of the average benefit just as millions of lower-income families are struggling to make ends meet in a difficult economy. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid [...]/p
Can MSNBC Really 'Lean Forward' With S.E. Cupp as Host?
Can MSNBC Really 'Lean Forward' With S.E. Cupp as Host? MSNBC has decided to hire the dishonest and disgusting S. E. Cupp. They are not FOX News or CNN. (now TNN=Tea Party News Network) Why would MSNBC hire someone who works for Glenn Beck and Tucker Carlson? To hire this hate filled liar takes MSNBC back not "Forward". Here is a link to MSNBC. Tell them that this Glenn Beck hack has zero credibility and should stick to sleazy channels like FOX and CNN. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10285339/
How Mitt Romney Uses The Phrase ‘Share Of The Tax Burden’ To Hide His Giant Tax Cut For The Rich
How Mitt Romney Uses The Phrase ‘Share Of The Tax Burden’ To Hide His Giant Tax Cut For The Rich: Our guest blogger is Michael Linden, Director for Tax and Budget Policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is trying to deceive you, and it looks like he’s getting away with it. He’s outlined a tax plan that would deliver massive tax cuts to the rich, but [...]/p
At UVA, Billionaire Donors Plot Corporate Takeover
At UVA, Billionaire Donors Plot Corporate Takeover
"As state funds for universities grow scarce, universities are forced to turn to private donors for help, which opens the door for those private donors to assume control of university leadership."
"As state funds for universities grow scarce, universities are forced to turn to private donors for help, which opens the door for those private donors to assume control of university leadership."
Monday, June 18, 2012
Occupy Activists Arrested December 17 Found Guilty of Trespass; One Going to Rikers | AlterNet
Occupy Activists Arrested December 17 Found Guilty of Trespass; One Going to Rikers | AlterNet
"(As many pointed out, not a single banker has been arrested since the beginning of the economic crisis.)"
"(As many pointed out, not a single banker has been arrested since the beginning of the economic crisis.)"
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaign on the freedom of living without Medicare
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaign on the freedom of living without Medicare
"Yes, we want to be free from Medicare, and that's what Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will deliver to us, if Romney's elected. That'll be true either with Ryan on the ticket with him, or continuing as the House budget leader. Ryan's and Romney's moral compass points to as much suffering for as many of the undeserving as they can ladle out, starting with ending Medicare."
"Yes, we want to be free from Medicare, and that's what Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will deliver to us, if Romney's elected. That'll be true either with Ryan on the ticket with him, or continuing as the House budget leader. Ryan's and Romney's moral compass points to as much suffering for as many of the undeserving as they can ladle out, starting with ending Medicare."
Republicans Love Big Government (So Long as It Serves Big Business) | Common Dreams
Republicans Love Big Government (So Long as It Serves Big Business) | Common Dreams
"...for conservatives the goal is not ensuring a decent standard of living for the bulk of the population. Rather the goal is ensuring that money is redistributed upward. And, of course, the conservatives are smart enough not to own up to their use of the government."
"...for conservatives the goal is not ensuring a decent standard of living for the bulk of the population. Rather the goal is ensuring that money is redistributed upward. And, of course, the conservatives are smart enough not to own up to their use of the government."
Ohio Has Thrown 40,000 Children Off Key Social Safety Net Program Since 2011
Ohio Has Thrown 40,000 Children Off Key Social Safety Net Program Since 2011: The Nation’s Greg Kaufman reports that “since January 2011, Ohio has thrown nearly 70,000 people — including 40,000 children — off of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance program, called Ohio Works First (OWF).” This amounts to nearly 25 percent of the state’s caseload, and is more that the total TANF roll [...]/p
National Campaign to Tax Wall St. Kicks Off in 15 Cities Tomorrow -- Join In! | AlterNet
National Campaign to Tax Wall St. Kicks Off in 15 Cities Tomorrow -- Join In! | AlterNet
"Americans will rally in 15 cities across the country at noon tomorrow to kickoff a national campaign to establish a Wall Street tax that would generate billions for the public good. This Financial Transaction Tax, called the "Robin Hood Tax," is a levy of less than half of a percent on trades in derivatives, stocks, bonds and foreign currencies. According to the campaign, economists estimate that $350 billion could be raised each year for health care, jobs, education, infrastructure and various other needs, which may help rejuvenate the economy. The campaign states that it is pushing for “a tax for the people"."
"Americans will rally in 15 cities across the country at noon tomorrow to kickoff a national campaign to establish a Wall Street tax that would generate billions for the public good. This Financial Transaction Tax, called the "Robin Hood Tax," is a levy of less than half of a percent on trades in derivatives, stocks, bonds and foreign currencies. According to the campaign, economists estimate that $350 billion could be raised each year for health care, jobs, education, infrastructure and various other needs, which may help rejuvenate the economy. The campaign states that it is pushing for “a tax for the people"."
Michigan Group Submits More Than Double the Signatures to Protect Collective Bargaining Rights
Michigan Group Submits More Than Double the Signatures to Protect Collective Bargaining Rights
"The "Protect Our Jobs" coalition in Michigan submitted 684,286 petitions to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot protecting the collective bargaining rights of the state's working families -- more than twice the number of signatures required."
"The "Protect Our Jobs" coalition in Michigan submitted 684,286 petitions to get a constitutional amendment on the ballot protecting the collective bargaining rights of the state's working families -- more than twice the number of signatures required."
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