www.politicususa.com/2013/06/30/america-seige-koch-brothers-replace-constitution.html
"The truth is that Republicans have panted to destroy New Deal protections for 80 years, but it was during the Reagan administration they began their siege in earnest and started transferring the nation’s wealth to plutocrats in the banking and financial industry."
Sunday, June 30, 2013
The Architect Of Trickle Down Economics Finally Put In His Place
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/30/the-architect-of-trickle-down-economics-finally-put-in-his-place/
"ever since Milton Friedman began pushing his ideas, companies, and our nation, have suffered. While in the short-term, it can look decent, over the longer period, only collapse is shown. If we do not halt this idea, and bury it alongside its creator, then we shall pass as a nation, great no more and just a faded memory."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/30/the-architect-of-trickle-down-economics-finally-put-in-his-place/#ixzz2XlIgv4P7
"ever since Milton Friedman began pushing his ideas, companies, and our nation, have suffered. While in the short-term, it can look decent, over the longer period, only collapse is shown. If we do not halt this idea, and bury it alongside its creator, then we shall pass as a nation, great no more and just a faded memory."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/30/the-architect-of-trickle-down-economics-finally-put-in-his-place/#ixzz2XlIgv4P7
Bank of America Schemes to Evade Settlement Rules and Pocket Cash - Truthdig
Bank of America Schemes to Evade Settlement Rules and Pocket Cash - Truthdig
"Documents leaked by a bank insider show the company sold servicing rights to more than half a million mortgages to loan servicing companies in order to make a quick profit and avoid settlement requirements, leaving homeowners in the lurch and with fewer protections to avoid foreclosure"
"Documents leaked by a bank insider show the company sold servicing rights to more than half a million mortgages to loan servicing companies in order to make a quick profit and avoid settlement requirements, leaving homeowners in the lurch and with fewer protections to avoid foreclosure"
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Thirteen Facts About America's Tax-Dodging Corporations
Thirteen Facts About America's Tax-Dodging Corporations
"Abusive offshore tax havens cost the US $150 billion in lost tax revenue every year (via FACT Coalition). That’s $1.5 trillion over the next ten years."
"Abusive offshore tax havens cost the US $150 billion in lost tax revenue every year (via FACT Coalition). That’s $1.5 trillion over the next ten years."
This week in the War on Workers: Screwing workers, raised to an art form
www.dailykos.com/story/2013/06/29/1219079/-This-week-in-the-War-on-Workers-Screwing-workers-raised-to-an-art-form
"It's breathtaking how systematically the most vulnerable workers in the country are being screwed."
"It's breathtaking how systematically the most vulnerable workers in the country are being screwed."
Corporate Profits Soar As Americans Struggle To Get By
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/29/corporate-profits-soar-as-americans-struggle-to-get-by/
"One thing Americans need to understand: corporations aren’t job creators. They are wealth usurpers. Corporations’ sole motive is to create profits; if they could do so without hiring a single person they would."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/29/corporate-profits-soar-as-americans-struggle-to-get-by/#ixzz2Xd4YxLYf
"One thing Americans need to understand: corporations aren’t job creators. They are wealth usurpers. Corporations’ sole motive is to create profits; if they could do so without hiring a single person they would."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/06/29/corporate-profits-soar-as-americans-struggle-to-get-by/#ixzz2Xd4YxLYf
Friday, June 28, 2013
Banking on the Public | Common Dreams
Banking on the Public | Common Dreams
"A handful of fans of rightwing populist Ron Paul mingled with Occupy Finance folks, grizzled leftists, and middle-class suburbanites whose eyes were opened to the dysfunction of the financial system as they or their neighbors were foreclosed upon."
"A handful of fans of rightwing populist Ron Paul mingled with Occupy Finance folks, grizzled leftists, and middle-class suburbanites whose eyes were opened to the dysfunction of the financial system as they or their neighbors were foreclosed upon."
The Last Mystery of the Financial Crisis
The Last Mystery of the Financial Crisis
"Another stunner from Matt Taibbi, and kudos to Rolling Stone for continuing to support his work. Just make sure to take your blood pressure medicine before you read it."
"Another stunner from Matt Taibbi, and kudos to Rolling Stone for continuing to support his work. Just make sure to take your blood pressure medicine before you read it."
San Diego Judge Puts Unprecedented Gag Order on Sidewalk Chalk Protestor Trial
San Diego Judge Puts Unprecedented Gag Order on Sidewalk Chalk Protestor Trial
"Let's remember that this is a case in which the SD city attorney's office (elected separately from the mayor, with an ambitious chief, Jan Goldsmith, who allegedgly takes campaign money from big banks) only chose to prosecute months and months after the alleged "crime": Olson scrawling anti-big bank messages in front of three SD Bank of America branches. He did this, according to Olson, with a specifically chosen water soluble chalk (as in easily removed with water or by rain) called "Creatology"."
"Let's remember that this is a case in which the SD city attorney's office (elected separately from the mayor, with an ambitious chief, Jan Goldsmith, who allegedgly takes campaign money from big banks) only chose to prosecute months and months after the alleged "crime": Olson scrawling anti-big bank messages in front of three SD Bank of America branches. He did this, according to Olson, with a specifically chosen water soluble chalk (as in easily removed with water or by rain) called "Creatology"."
North Carolina Becomes First State to Disqualify Itself for Federal Jobless Benefits
North Carolina Becomes First State to Disqualify Itself for Federal Jobless Benefits
"The wingnuts are really running wild in North Carolina. A new law taking effect over the weekend will cut unemployment benefits for new claims and disqualify the state from receiving federal funds for the long-term jobless."
"The wingnuts are really running wild in North Carolina. A new law taking effect over the weekend will cut unemployment benefits for new claims and disqualify the state from receiving federal funds for the long-term jobless."
In California, Even Workers Who Prove Wage Theft Don’t Get Their Money
In California, Even Workers Who Prove Wage Theft Don’t Get Their Money: Wage theft isn’t just rampant in America’s most populous state, according to a new report. It’s also nearly impossible for California workers to fight, because even those cheated employees who take the time and risk to pursue their legal rights and win a judgment from the state government rarely receive the pay they’re owed. Workers [...]/p
The Biggest Liberal Protest Of 2013 In 35 Photos & Video
The Biggest Liberal Protest Of 2013 In 35 Photos & Video: RALEIGH, North Carolina — To little national fanfare, the largest liberal protest of 2013 took place on Monday this week in North Carolina, with thousands in attendance and hundreds getting arrested. For weeks, faith leaders in the Tar Heel State have gathered every Monday to give voice to women, the poor, and other groups under [...]/p
Sen. Lamar Alexander Calls for Eliminating the Minimum Wage
Sen. Lamar Alexander Calls for Eliminating the Minimum Wage
"Republicans complain about welfare benefits for the poor, but they sure don't mind that corporate welfare one bit."
"Republicans complain about welfare benefits for the poor, but they sure don't mind that corporate welfare one bit."
North Carolina Republicans Drastically Cut Benefits For Job Seekers
North Carolina Republicans Drastically Cut Benefits For Job Seekers: Life gets tougher as of Sunday for over 400,000 out of work Tarheels as a set of unprecedented cuts to jobless benefits passed by North Carolina Republicans in February take effect. The bill didn’t just shorten the length of state-funded unemployment insurance, as several states have done. It also cut the level of weekly benefit [...]/p
How the Temp Workers Who Keep Huge Corporations Running Are Getting Crushed | Alternet
How the Temp Workers Who Keep Huge Corporations Running Are Getting Crushed | Alternet
"Workers wait on corners and in alleys for rickety vans to whisk them off to warehouses miles away—in the US."
"Workers wait on corners and in alleys for rickety vans to whisk them off to warehouses miles away—in the US."
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Inequality is worse than you think.
www.inequality.is/real
"A new project from the Economic Policy Institute will show you income inequality—what it means for working people, how it was created and how, together, we can fix it."
"A new project from the Economic Policy Institute will show you income inequality—what it means for working people, how it was created and how, together, we can fix it."
The Senate Passes Bernie Sanders’ Plan to Create 400,000 New Jobs
www.politicususa.com/2013/06/27/senate-passes-bernie-sanders-plan-create-400000-jobs.html
"In reality, there was little for Republicans to complain about in the Sanders plan. It is not a government mandate. Funding for the Youth Jobs Plan will come in the form of grants that will allow states and localities to create jobs or design their own job training programs. The irony is that a senator who the right mocks as communists/Marxist/socialist just got a jobs plan passed that puts states first."
"In reality, there was little for Republicans to complain about in the Sanders plan. It is not a government mandate. Funding for the Youth Jobs Plan will come in the form of grants that will allow states and localities to create jobs or design their own job training programs. The irony is that a senator who the right mocks as communists/Marxist/socialist just got a jobs plan passed that puts states first."
Bernie Sanders Gets Republican Leader To Admit He Wants To Abolish The Minimum Wage
www.politicususa.com/2013/06/27/bernie-sanders-republican-leader-admit-abolish-minimum-wage.html
"During a hearing on raising the minimum wage, Sen. Bernie Sanders got the ranking Republican on the committee to admit that he wants to abolish the minimum wage."
"During a hearing on raising the minimum wage, Sen. Bernie Sanders got the ranking Republican on the committee to admit that he wants to abolish the minimum wage."
'Democracy Has Been Stolen And We Have To Take It Back'
'Democracy Has Been Stolen And We Have To Take It Back'
"It is not right that anyone is able to just keep our government from operating, for any reason. It is time to end the filibuster. Visit Fix the Senate Now."
"It is not right that anyone is able to just keep our government from operating, for any reason. It is time to end the filibuster. Visit Fix the Senate Now."
Chicago Students Try to Speak to Board, Forcibly Removed From Meeting
Chicago Students Try to Speak to Board, Forcibly Removed From Meeting
"Keep in mind, the fall of Apartheid started with students. They are the untapped power in the fight to save public education.
"Keep in mind, the fall of Apartheid started with students. They are the untapped power in the fight to save public education.
To sign a petition supporting the students, click here."
How Congress Can Undo The Supreme Court’s Attack On Workers’ Rights
How Congress Can Undo The Supreme Court’s Attack On Workers’ Rights: On Tuesday, the Supreme Court handed down decisions in two little-watched cases: Vance v. Ball State University and University of Texas Southwestern Center v. Nassar. Both cases erected new hurdles for those who experience workplace harassment or discrimination. In the Vance case, the Court decided that when it comes to sexual harassment, someone is only [...]/p
Time To Move Away from the Reagan Revolution
Time To Move Away from the Reagan Revolution
"From devastating the economy, to gutting social welfare programs, and helping to send thousands of Americans to the streets, the Reagan Revolution was a complete disaster for this nation, no matter what Conservatives will try to tell you."
"From devastating the economy, to gutting social welfare programs, and helping to send thousands of Americans to the streets, the Reagan Revolution was a complete disaster for this nation, no matter what Conservatives will try to tell you."
For Bradley Foundation, Challenging Affirmative Action & Voting Rights is Part of Long-Term Crusade
For Bradley Foundation, Challenging Affirmative Action & Voting Rights is Part of Long-Term Crusade
"Which means the Bradley Foundation is not going anywhere anytime soon -- and battles over racial equity, voting rights, affirmative action and a range of other issues will continue to be funded and fought for years to come."
"Which means the Bradley Foundation is not going anywhere anytime soon -- and battles over racial equity, voting rights, affirmative action and a range of other issues will continue to be funded and fought for years to come."
SEC Takes Next Step In Getting Tougher On Big Banks
SEC Takes Next Step In Getting Tougher On Big Banks: As part of an attempt to start requiring admissions of guilt in some legal settlements with banks, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has drafted “a hit list” of likely candidates for the stricter enforcement effort. The Wall Street Journal reports that the list focuses on pending cases and exempts settlements that are already near [...]/p
New York Now Largest City With Paid Sick Days
New York Now Largest City With Paid Sick Days: In an early morning session on Thursday, the New York City Council voted to override a veto from Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I) on paid sick days legislation. The bill, which now becomes law, requires any company with more than 15 employees to provide five days of paid leave a year and any company with fewer [...]/p
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Three Of Every Four Americans Are Living Paycheck-To-Paycheck
Three Of Every Four Americans Are Living Paycheck-To-Paycheck: According to a new survey, more than three-quarters of Americans are living paycheck-to-paycheck in order to make ends meet. The study, conducted by Bankrate.com, found that 76 percent of citizens had less than six months’ worth of savings to their name. Half of Americans had less than three months emergency savings and more than a [...]/p
CEOs Made 273 Times What Workers Did In 2012
CEOs Made 273 Times What Workers Did In 2012: Wages have been stagnant or falling for American workers throughout the recovery, but their bosses’ pay has rebounded dramatically. Average CEO compensation hit $14.1 million in 2012, up more than a third from 2009, and the ratio of CEO pay to worker pay hit a staggering 272.9-to-1, according to new research from the Economic Policy [...]/p
Republican Senator Calls For Abolishing The Minimum Wage
Republican Senator Calls For Abolishing The Minimum Wage: On the 75th anniversary of the landmark bill that established a minimum wage, Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) called for abolishing it completely, the Huffington Post reports. At a Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee meeting to mark 75 years since the signing of the Federal Labor Standards Act, which set a minimum wage and mandated [...]/p
The Court, The Corporate Coup, And The Call To Struggle
The Court, The Corporate Coup, And The Call To Struggle
"Our democracy was under siege even before the Supreme Court's ruling on the Voting Rights Act. This decision caps the Court's clean sweep on behalf of the United States Chamber of Commerce and is part of a concerted effort to seize democracy on behalf of moneyed interests."
"Our democracy was under siege even before the Supreme Court's ruling on the Voting Rights Act. This decision caps the Court's clean sweep on behalf of the United States Chamber of Commerce and is part of a concerted effort to seize democracy on behalf of moneyed interests."
Sick? The GOP Wants You to Come to Work Anyway | Alternet
Sick? The GOP Wants You to Come to Work Anyway | Alternet
"Florida Governor Rick Scott is latest Republican to block paid sick leave."
"Florida Governor Rick Scott is latest Republican to block paid sick leave."
PERRspectives: John Roberts Completes 30 Year Mission to Kill Voting Rights Act
PERRspectives: John Roberts Completes 30 Year Mission to Kill Voting Rights Act
"To put it another way, the conservative majority on the Roberts' Court called a foul ball fair. Apparently, that's what Reagan staffer turned Chief Umpire John Roberts meant to do all along."
"To put it another way, the conservative majority on the Roberts' Court called a foul ball fair. Apparently, that's what Reagan staffer turned Chief Umpire John Roberts meant to do all along."
Killing The Voting Rights Act
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Listen: Irish Banksters Plot to Take the Public’s Money - Truthdig
Listen: Irish Banksters Plot to Take the Public’s Money - Truthdig
"The tapes, which come from the bank’s internal telephone system, show Anglo Irish senior manager John Bowe laughing and joking as he tells another senior manager, Peter Fitzgerald, how the bank was luring the Irish government into giving it billions of euros. Bowe was involved in negotiations with Ireland’s Central Bank at the time."
"The tapes, which come from the bank’s internal telephone system, show Anglo Irish senior manager John Bowe laughing and joking as he tells another senior manager, Peter Fitzgerald, how the bank was luring the Irish government into giving it billions of euros. Bowe was involved in negotiations with Ireland’s Central Bank at the time."
Two Hours After The Supreme Court Gutted The Voting Rights Act, Texas AG Suppresses Minority Voters
Two Hours After The Supreme Court Gutted The Voting Rights Act, Texas AG Suppresses Minority Voters: Just two hours after the Supreme Court reasoned that discrimination is not rampant enough in Southern states to warrant restrictions under the Voting Rights Act, Texas is already advancing a voter ID law and a redistricting map blocked last year for discriminating against black and Latino residents. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott issued a statement [...]/p
Ku Klux Kourt Kills King's Dream Law, Replaces Voting Rights Act With Katherine Harris Acts
Ku Klux Kourt Kills King's Dream Law, Replaces Voting Rights Act With Katherine Harris Acts
"The Jim Crow majority on the Supreme Court just took away the vote of millions of Hispanic and African-American voters by wiping away Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965."
"The Jim Crow majority on the Supreme Court just took away the vote of millions of Hispanic and African-American voters by wiping away Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965."
The Supreme Court's War on the Great Society
The Supreme Court's War on the Great Society
"The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) is arguably the most important and successful civil rights legislation passed by the United States Congress. Today, without remotely adequate justification, a bare majority of the Supreme Court cut the heart out of the centerpiece of the Great Society."
"The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) is arguably the most important and successful civil rights legislation passed by the United States Congress. Today, without remotely adequate justification, a bare majority of the Supreme Court cut the heart out of the centerpiece of the Great Society."
Supreme Court's Right-Wing Clique Guts the Voting Rights Act -- After Five Decades of Protecting Minorities, Suddenly, It's 'Unconstitutional' | Alternet
Supreme Court's Right-Wing Clique Guts the Voting Rights Act -- After Five Decades of Protecting Minorities, Suddenly, It's 'Unconstitutional' | Alternet
"The ruling means that the Department of Justice will no longer be able to stop many of the most abusive election practices seen in the 2012 presidential election cycle where Republicans sought to change voting rules to advantage their party. The DOJ used the law to reject racially biased congressional district lines in Texas, to reject Florida’s efforts to curtail early voting and voter registration drives, and to reject new and tougher voter ID laws in other states."
"The ruling means that the Department of Justice will no longer be able to stop many of the most abusive election practices seen in the 2012 presidential election cycle where Republicans sought to change voting rules to advantage their party. The DOJ used the law to reject racially biased congressional district lines in Texas, to reject Florida’s efforts to curtail early voting and voter registration drives, and to reject new and tougher voter ID laws in other states."
Congressional Progressive Caucus Launches Campaign To Expose ‘The Scandal Of Low Wages’
Congressional Progressive Caucus Launches Campaign To Expose ‘The Scandal Of Low Wages’: SAN JOSE, CA — As fast food workers strike across the country and hourly wages hit new lows, the Congressional Progressive Caucus launched the Raise Up America campaign, a multi-city tour to raise awareness of the crises facing low-wage workers. The campaign, helmed by Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), will advocate for increases to federal and [...]/p
What the Supreme Court Doesn’t Understand About the Voting Rights Act | The Nation
What the Supreme Court Doesn’t Understand About the Voting Rights Act | The Nation
"Today’s 5-4 decision by the Roberts Court gutting the VRA was the result of three factors, as I wrote in February: “a whiter, more Southern, more conservative GOP that has responded to demographic change by trying to suppress an increasingly diverse electorate; a twenty-five-year effort to gut the VRA by conservative intellectuals, who in recent years have received millions of dollars from top right-wing funders, including Charles Koch; and a reactionary Supreme Court that does not support remedies to racial discrimination"."
"Today’s 5-4 decision by the Roberts Court gutting the VRA was the result of three factors, as I wrote in February: “a whiter, more Southern, more conservative GOP that has responded to demographic change by trying to suppress an increasingly diverse electorate; a twenty-five-year effort to gut the VRA by conservative intellectuals, who in recent years have received millions of dollars from top right-wing funders, including Charles Koch; and a reactionary Supreme Court that does not support remedies to racial discrimination"."
Celebrating 75 Years of the Fair Labor Standards Act | Economic Policy Institute
Celebrating 75 Years of the Fair Labor Standards Act | Economic Policy Institute
"The Fair Labor Standards Act succeeded in improving labor standards and actual working conditions, a result that continues to better the daily lives of millions of working Americans."
"The Fair Labor Standards Act succeeded in improving labor standards and actual working conditions, a result that continues to better the daily lives of millions of working Americans."
75 Years Later, Home Care Workers Are Waiting To Get Minimum Wage And Overtime Protection
75 Years Later, Home Care Workers Are Waiting To Get Minimum Wage And Overtime Protection: June 25th marks 75 years since the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the New Deal. The law guaranteed workers a minimum wage and overtime pay. Yet a group of workers who embody a growing industry are still excluded from those protections: home care [...]/p
Conservatives Celebrate Gutting Of Voting Rights Act
Conservatives Celebrate Gutting Of Voting Rights Act: After the Supreme Court struck down a critical provision of the Voting Rights Act this morning, several prominent conservative groups and writers tap-danced on the historic civil rights legislation’s grave. Writing at National Review, a magazine that defended segregation and has more recently published pieces by white nationalists and “race realists,” John Fund suggested that [...]/p
Fired Walmart Workers Arrested in Protest at Yahoo Headquarters | Common Dreams
Fired Walmart Workers Arrested in Protest at Yahoo Headquarters | Common Dreams
"Five activists were arrested at Yahoo! headquarters Monday afternoon in a protest over the firing of eleven Walmart employees who this month went on strike. The planned civil disobedience action followed an hour-long demonstration in the Yahoo! lobby; about thirty workers and supporters gathered to demand a meeting with Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer, who joined Walmart’s board last year."
"Five activists were arrested at Yahoo! headquarters Monday afternoon in a protest over the firing of eleven Walmart employees who this month went on strike. The planned civil disobedience action followed an hour-long demonstration in the Yahoo! lobby; about thirty workers and supporters gathered to demand a meeting with Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer, who joined Walmart’s board last year."
Three Ways The Supreme Court Gutted Voting Rights Today
Three Ways The Supreme Court Gutted Voting Rights Today: The Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling striking down key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, for the moment at least, eliminated the requirement that jurisdictions with a history of discrimination pre-clear election and voting law changes to ensure they do not disenfranchise minority voters. While the remaining provisions will still ban outright racial discrimination, those states [...]/p
The Last Mystery of the Financial Crisis
www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-last-mystery-of-the-financial-crisis-20130619
"Thanks to a mountain of evidence gathered for a pair of major lawsuits by the San Diego-based law firm Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, documents that for the most part have never been seen by the general public, we now know that the nation's two top ratings companies, Moody's and S&P, have for many years been shameless tools for the banks, willing to give just about anything a high rating in exchange for cash."
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-last-mystery-of-the-financial-crisis-20130619#ixzz2XF49zpgO
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook
"Thanks to a mountain of evidence gathered for a pair of major lawsuits by the San Diego-based law firm Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd, documents that for the most part have never been seen by the general public, we now know that the nation's two top ratings companies, Moody's and S&P, have for many years been shameless tools for the banks, willing to give just about anything a high rating in exchange for cash."
Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-last-mystery-of-the-financial-crisis-20130619#ixzz2XF49zpgO
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook
Matt Taibbi's Blockbuster Cover Story Exposes Key Culprits in Financial Crash | Alternet
Matt Taibbi's Blockbuster Cover Story Exposes Key Culprits in Financial Crash | Alternet
"Despite the implosion of the U.S. economy due to the top grades these bad deals got, the system remains much the same."
"Despite the implosion of the U.S. economy due to the top grades these bad deals got, the system remains much the same."
Monday, June 24, 2013
SCOTUS Dances to US Chamber of Commerce Tune In Today's Decisions
SCOTUS Dances to US Chamber of Commerce Tune In Today's Decisions
"Today's opinions, however, can only be seen as a complete bow to the United States Chamber of Commerce, who was the beneficiary of 3 out of 4 of their decisions. The 4th, on affirmative action, was a punt back to the circuit court by all of the justices but Justice Ginsberg."
"Today's opinions, however, can only be seen as a complete bow to the United States Chamber of Commerce, who was the beneficiary of 3 out of 4 of their decisions. The 4th, on affirmative action, was a punt back to the circuit court by all of the justices but Justice Ginsberg."
Supreme Court Ruled In Favor Of America’s Top Corporate Lobbying Group In 13 of 16 Cases This Term
Supreme Court Ruled In Favor Of America’s Top Corporate Lobbying Group In 13 of 16 Cases This Term: Earlier today, the Supreme Court handed three big victories to big corporations seeking immunity from the law, and equally substantial defeats to American workers and consumers. In a pair of workplace civil rights decisions, the Court made it easier for many bosses to get away with sexual or racial harassment, and it eased the path [...]/p
Child Poverty Has Risen Even As Unemployment Falls
Child Poverty Has Risen Even As Unemployment Falls: Even as unemployment has gradually declined, the child poverty rate has been on the rise, according to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Between 2010 and 2011, the number of children living in poverty rose from 15.7 million to 16.4 million. The child poverty rate also rose from 19 to 23 percent [...]/p
A Congress Only CEOs Could Love | Common Dreams
A Congress Only CEOs Could Love | Common Dreams
"Only 10 percent of Americans now have confidence in Congress, Gallup has just informed us. No other major institution in American life today has this low an approval rating. In fact, adds Gallup, no major American institution has ever had an approval rating this low."
"Only 10 percent of Americans now have confidence in Congress, Gallup has just informed us. No other major institution in American life today has this low an approval rating. In fact, adds Gallup, no major American institution has ever had an approval rating this low."
Americans Support Job Creation To Fix Crumbling Infrastructure
Americans Support Job Creation To Fix Crumbling Infrastructure: Seventy-two percent of Americans say they support spending government money to put people to work on urgent infrastructure repairs, according to a new survey by Gallup. The same number say they would support a law that would spend government money to create 1 million new jobs. Over 90 percent of Democrats, about 70 percent of [...]/p
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Bill Moyers: The American Legislative Exchange Council Is Hard at Work Privatizing America, One Statehouse at a Time | Alternet
Bill Moyers: The American Legislative Exchange Council Is Hard at Work Privatizing America, One Statehouse at a Time | Alternet
"A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC — the American Legislative Exchange Council — presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge."
"A national consortium of state politicians and powerful corporations, ALEC — the American Legislative Exchange Council — presents itself as a “nonpartisan public-private partnership”. But behind that mantra lies a vast network of corporate lobbying and political action aimed to increase corporate profits at public expense without public knowledge."
Under GOP Plan, States Would Be Free To Take Money Away From Poorest Schools
Under GOP Plan, States Would Be Free To Take Money Away From Poorest Schools: Republicans are reintroducing a bill to allow states to redistribute federal education dollars currently targeted at the country’s poorest school districts. The A-PLUS Act, originally crafted by the arch-conservative Heritage Foundation, was first introduced in 2007, and Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT) have revived it for 2013. The measure represents the [...]/p
Ex-Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling’s Prison Sentence Reduced - Truthdig
Ex-Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling’s Prison Sentence Reduced - Truthdig
"As the former CEO of energy giant Enron, Jeffrey Skilling played a major role in what’s been called “one of the biggest corporate scandals ever.” But because of an agreement reached with federal prosecutors, he’ll get out of prison 10 years early."
"As the former CEO of energy giant Enron, Jeffrey Skilling played a major role in what’s been called “one of the biggest corporate scandals ever.” But because of an agreement reached with federal prosecutors, he’ll get out of prison 10 years early."
Minimum Wage Workers Should Get a Raise | Economic Policy Institute
Minimum Wage Workers Should Get a Raise | Economic Policy Institute
"Finally, it’s worth noting that if the minimum wage had kept up with productivity growth over the last 45 years, it would now be around $19 per hour. That sounds outrageously high; it’s higher than the median wage, which is currently around $16.30 per hour. But we should be clear about why a $19 minimum wage sounds outrageous – in particular, why it is higher than the median wage—it is because the median wage is so low."
"Finally, it’s worth noting that if the minimum wage had kept up with productivity growth over the last 45 years, it would now be around $19 per hour. That sounds outrageously high; it’s higher than the median wage, which is currently around $16.30 per hour. But we should be clear about why a $19 minimum wage sounds outrageous – in particular, why it is higher than the median wage—it is because the median wage is so low."
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Supreme Court Approves Use of Faux Arbitration to Eliminate Consumer Rights | Alternet
Supreme Court Approves Use of Faux Arbitration to Eliminate Consumer Rights | Alternet
"In the American Express case, the Court opens the the door for powerful companies to prevent consumers from challenging all types of illegal practices."
"In the American Express case, the Court opens the the door for powerful companies to prevent consumers from challenging all types of illegal practices."
Netroots Nation: Follow At Home Guide For Today
Netroots Nation: Follow At Home Guide For Today
"To follow the action on Twitter, follow @Netroots_Nation and search the #nn13 hashtag."
"To follow the action on Twitter, follow @Netroots_Nation and search the #nn13 hashtag."
Hey, Paul Ryan -- We All Depend on Government - Even You (and Your Mom)! | Common Dreams
Hey, Paul Ryan -- We All Depend on Government - Even You (and Your Mom)! | Common Dreams
"This is the Paul Ryan whose budget plan would have slashed funding for public education, roads, and public services that are the investments we need to lift people out of poverty and strengthen our economy. Now he's taking aim at the most vulnerable people in society -- food stamp recipients.
Ryan worships at the altar of novelist Ayn Rand, the philosopher of you're-on-your-own selfishness, whose books were required reading for his Congressional staffers."
"This is the Paul Ryan whose budget plan would have slashed funding for public education, roads, and public services that are the investments we need to lift people out of poverty and strengthen our economy. Now he's taking aim at the most vulnerable people in society -- food stamp recipients.
Ryan worships at the altar of novelist Ayn Rand, the philosopher of you're-on-your-own selfishness, whose books were required reading for his Congressional staffers."
Friday, June 21, 2013
McConnell: 'Absurd' to Ban Corporations From Having Same Rights as 'People'
McConnell: 'Absurd' to Ban Corporations From Having Same Rights as 'People'
"Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Friday said that he opposed a constitutional amendment to ban corporations from having the same rights as people because the idea was "absurd"."
"Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Friday said that he opposed a constitutional amendment to ban corporations from having the same rights as people because the idea was "absurd"."
Why Cities Should Use Public Banks Instead of Big Banks | Common Dreams
Why Cities Should Use Public Banks Instead of Big Banks | Common Dreams
"Matt Taibbi’s well-read Rolling Stone article, “The Scam Wall Street Learned from the Mafia,” details the struggle of municipalities, schools, and other public entities after big private banks induced them to gamble their public funds on the direction of the market -- often resulting in debts that far exceeded their budgets and the original cost estimates for the projects they were seeking to fund."
"Matt Taibbi’s well-read Rolling Stone article, “The Scam Wall Street Learned from the Mafia,” details the struggle of municipalities, schools, and other public entities after big private banks induced them to gamble their public funds on the direction of the market -- often resulting in debts that far exceeded their budgets and the original cost estimates for the projects they were seeking to fund."
Lochnerized: Corporations have Constitutional Rights. Unions? Not So Much | Common Dreams
Lochnerized: Corporations have Constitutional Rights. Unions? Not So Much | Common Dreams
"Corporate Personhood is a farce, a facade conceived to subvert the rights of real people, a fictional idea imagined to ignore democracy in the name of enriching plutocrats, and it’s a legal fiction that destroys what it means to be a human being. It must end now!"
"Corporate Personhood is a farce, a facade conceived to subvert the rights of real people, a fictional idea imagined to ignore democracy in the name of enriching plutocrats, and it’s a legal fiction that destroys what it means to be a human being. It must end now!"
How American Society Unravelled After Greedy Elites Robbed the Country Blind | Alternet
How American Society Unravelled After Greedy Elites Robbed the Country Blind | Alternet
"Thirty years ago, the old deal that held US society together started to unwind, with social cohesion sacrificed to greed."
"Thirty years ago, the old deal that held US society together started to unwind, with social cohesion sacrificed to greed."
Matt Taibbi Reveals Financial Crisis Smoking Gun
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High-Frequency Trading Actually Does More Harm Than Good
High-Frequency Trading Actually Does More Harm Than Good: Computerized financial trading that takes advantage of milliseconds of lag to capture profits isn’t actually good for markets, as high-frequency trading (HFT) proponents have long argued, according to wew work by University of Michigan economists. Instead, Quartz’s Simone Foxman writes, a common type of computerized HFT activity “harms the average investor” by skewing actually markets. [...]/p
Insurers To Rebate Consumers $500 Million As A Result Of Obamacare
Insurers To Rebate Consumers $500 Million As A Result Of Obamacare: This summer, over 8.5 million Americans will get back $500 million in rebates from insurance companies that charged them too much thanks to an Obamacare consumer protection that limits how much insurers can profit off of premiums, according to new government data. But the size of Americans’ rebate checks varies wildly by geographic region, highlighting [...]/p
How Wall Street Fraudsters Plunder Public Finances, And How to Fight Back | Alternet
How Wall Street Fraudsters Plunder Public Finances, And How to Fight Back | Alternet
"Let’s take a look at how bankers cooked up scams to drain the public coffers and why they continue to get away with it."
"Let’s take a look at how bankers cooked up scams to drain the public coffers and why they continue to get away with it."
Thursday, June 20, 2013
"Free Trade" Was Never Really About Trade | Common Dreams
"Free Trade" Was Never Really About Trade | Common Dreams
"If trade is good, then free trade must be better, right? So consider this old joke about "free trade."
"If trade is good, then free trade must be better, right? So consider this old joke about "free trade."
- It's not free.
- It's not trade.
Twenty years after NAFTA we can add that it doesn't work. It's bad for millions of workers, families and communities around the world."
Wealthy Capitalist Says Minimum Wage should be $15 Hour
Wealthy Capitalist Says Minimum Wage should be $15 Hour
"Some business people oppose an increase in the minimum wage as needless government interference in the workings of the market. In fact, a big increase would substantially reduce government intervention and dependency on public assistance programs."
"Some business people oppose an increase in the minimum wage as needless government interference in the workings of the market. In fact, a big increase would substantially reduce government intervention and dependency on public assistance programs."
Global Power Project: Identifying the Institutions of Control
Global Power Project: Identifying the Institutions of Control
"In this second part, I will attempt to identify some of the key, dominant institutions that have facilitated and have in turn been supported by the development of this oligarchic class. This is not a study of wealth, but a study of power."
"In this second part, I will attempt to identify some of the key, dominant institutions that have facilitated and have in turn been supported by the development of this oligarchic class. This is not a study of wealth, but a study of power."
Canada Bans the Mask: Unlawful Protesters Risk 10 Years in Prison - Truthdig
Canada Bans the Mask: Unlawful Protesters Risk 10 Years in Prison - Truthdig
"Masked protesters have become a common sight around the globe and Canada is so concerned about the phenomenon that parliament passed a bill that could, under certain circumstances, put disguised men and women away for a very long time."
"Masked protesters have become a common sight around the globe and Canada is so concerned about the phenomenon that parliament passed a bill that could, under certain circumstances, put disguised men and women away for a very long time."
Occupied Elementary: Community Sit-In Against School Shutdown | Common Dreams
Occupied Elementary: Community Sit-In Against School Shutdown | Common Dreams
"The widespread closures are backed by the political muscle of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel who says he is trying to save money for the city and consolidate schools he deems 'underutilized'. Chicago workers, students, parents, and community members charge that the closures will devastate Chicago workers and students and erode public education, disproportionately slamming poor people and people of color."
"The widespread closures are backed by the political muscle of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel who says he is trying to save money for the city and consolidate schools he deems 'underutilized'. Chicago workers, students, parents, and community members charge that the closures will devastate Chicago workers and students and erode public education, disproportionately slamming poor people and people of color."
Blue America Candidate Nick Ruiz (D-FL) Is Into The Cult
Blue America Candidate Nick Ruiz (D-FL) Is Into The Cult
"Nick is running against a lockstep conservative Republican, John Mica, in the Orlando district next door to Alan Grayson's. It's a winnable seat, although the DCCC seems less than interested in taking on the reactionary Mica. Romney only won the seat with 52% last November and Nick feels that if he has the financial support to get out his progressive message, people in central Florida are ready for real change. So, whether you want the Cult print or just want to help elect a fighting progressive, please consider making a contribution to Nick's campaign."
"Nick is running against a lockstep conservative Republican, John Mica, in the Orlando district next door to Alan Grayson's. It's a winnable seat, although the DCCC seems less than interested in taking on the reactionary Mica. Romney only won the seat with 52% last November and Nick feels that if he has the financial support to get out his progressive message, people in central Florida are ready for real change. So, whether you want the Cult print or just want to help elect a fighting progressive, please consider making a contribution to Nick's campaign."
Clear Evidence That Corporate America Wants the Govt. to Treat Protesters as 'Terrorists' | Alternet
Clear Evidence That Corporate America Wants the Govt. to Treat Protesters as 'Terrorists' | Alternet
"Corporations are trying to use the PATRIOT Act in ways that have nothing to do with Osama Bin Laden because the PATRIOT Act gives transnational corporations the power to snuff out the activism of all those who oppose them."
"Corporations are trying to use the PATRIOT Act in ways that have nothing to do with Osama Bin Laden because the PATRIOT Act gives transnational corporations the power to snuff out the activism of all those who oppose them."
Even Small Businesses Can’t Shake Mega-Corporations’ Chokehold On Access To The Courts
Even Small Businesses Can’t Shake Mega-Corporations’ Chokehold On Access To The Courts: In case it weren’t clear already, the U.S. Supreme Court hammered home Thursday morning that it will protect the rights of corporations to go to arbitration over the individuals’ access to the court system at any expense. In a 5-3 ruling with Justice Sonia Sotomayor recused, Justice Antonin Scalia eviscerated any opportunity small merchants have [...]/p
Day 1: Netroots Nation 2013 in San Jose CA
Day 1: Netroots Nation 2013 in San Jose CA
"If you've been depressed about the state of the nation, I guarantee you: Watching Netroots Nation will cheer you up. There's no other gathering like this, where progressives from all over the country meet to share successful strategies and tactics with everyone. There's nothing like it for breaking out of the Beltway Bubble."
"If you've been depressed about the state of the nation, I guarantee you: Watching Netroots Nation will cheer you up. There's no other gathering like this, where progressives from all over the country meet to share successful strategies and tactics with everyone. There's nothing like it for breaking out of the Beltway Bubble."
In Major Blow To Consumers, Supreme Court Protects Mega-Corporations From Liability
In Major Blow To Consumers, Supreme Court Protects Mega-Corporations From Liability: In case it weren’t clear already, the U.S. Supreme Court hammered home Thursday morning that it will protect the rights of corporations to go to arbitration over the individuals’ access to the court system at any expense. In a 5-3 ruling with Justice Sonia Sotomayor recused, Justice Antonin Scalia eviscerated almost any opportunity small merchants [...]/p
Health Care Plans Under Obamacare Will Cost Even Less Than Expected
Health Care Plans Under Obamacare Will Cost Even Less Than Expected: A new analysis of health care premiums proposed under the Affordable Care Act concludes that health plans will cost even less than originally expected. That’s likely because the insurance marketplaces will encourage more competition between insurers. Avalere Health looked at insurers’ proposed rates for Obamacare’s statewide insurance marketplaces in nine different states, and found that [...]/p
Millionaire Campaign Donor Could Singlehandedly Kill North Carolina’s Public Financing for Judicial Races
Millionaire Campaign Donor Could Singlehandedly Kill North Carolina’s Public Financing for Judicial Races: For nearly ten years, North Carolina’s judicial elections have been spared the multi-million-dollar slugfests that have swamped other states. Rather than relying on wealthy campaign contributors, appellate court candidates had access to public financing for their campaigns. A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling made the program’s “matching” funds unconstitutional, and the 2012 N.C. high court [...]/p
Republicans Continue Quest To Cut $2 Billion A Year From Food Stamp Program
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What Poverty Looks Like In America
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How The Treasury Department Funnels Taxpayer Dollars To A Texas Bank
How The Treasury Department Funnels Taxpayer Dollars To A Texas Bank: Treasury Department efforts to cut administrative costs by pushing recipients of federal benefits to sign up for prepaid debit cards have ended up shoveling millions of taxpayer dollars to a Texas bank. The Center for Public Integrity reported Wednesday that Comerica Bank has gotten more than $22 million in federal money as a result of [...]/p
Sen. Warren Opposes Obama's Nominee For Trade Representative
Sen. Warren Opposes Obama's Nominee For Trade Representative
"Freshman Sen. Elizabeth Warren picked a fight with the administration yesterday over Obama's nominee for trade representative, saying she will oppose Michael Froman because of his refusal to share information about details of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement."
"Freshman Sen. Elizabeth Warren picked a fight with the administration yesterday over Obama's nominee for trade representative, saying she will oppose Michael Froman because of his refusal to share information about details of the Trans Pacific Partnership agreement."
6 Unbelievable Ways the Big Banks Are Scamming You | Alternet
6 Unbelievable Ways the Big Banks Are Scamming You | Alternet
"Five years since the crash, the big banks continue to screw over their customers."
"Five years since the crash, the big banks continue to screw over their customers."
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
How Maryland Is Envisioning An Economic Future Beyond GDP
How Maryland Is Envisioning An Economic Future Beyond GDP: In a keynote address last Friday in Baltimore, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley broke down the reasons behind his administration’s decision to make Maryland the first state in the union to employ a Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), a quantitative assessment that integrates both the costs and the benefits of economic development into a monetary measure of [...]/p
Right-Wing Immigration Foes Get Burned by Reality | Alternet
Right-Wing Immigration Foes Get Burned by Reality | Alternet
"Right-wing opponents of immigration reform expected to get a potent weapon when they requested that the Congressional Budget Office score the reforms offered by the Senate “Gang of Eight.” But it turned out to be one of those 'be careful of what you wish for' moments, when CBO projected that the Senate bill would cut the dreaded federal deficit by $197 billion over the next ten years, and $700 billion more in the decade after that."
"Right-wing opponents of immigration reform expected to get a potent weapon when they requested that the Congressional Budget Office score the reforms offered by the Senate “Gang of Eight.” But it turned out to be one of those 'be careful of what you wish for' moments, when CBO projected that the Senate bill would cut the dreaded federal deficit by $197 billion over the next ten years, and $700 billion more in the decade after that."
Meet America’s Most Shameless Defender of the 1 Percent, Harvard Economist Greg Mankiw | Alternet
Meet America’s Most Shameless Defender of the 1 Percent, Harvard Economist Greg Mankiw | Alternet
"It’s not really news that America’s economics departments, particularly at elite institutions, are stuffed with people whose careers are founded on protecting monied interests. But it’s pretty rare when someone just comes straight out and announces the fact."
"It’s not really news that America’s economics departments, particularly at elite institutions, are stuffed with people whose careers are founded on protecting monied interests. But it’s pretty rare when someone just comes straight out and announces the fact."
US and Rest of G8 Won’t Follow UK on Corporate Transparency | Common Dreams
US and Rest of G8 Won’t Follow UK on Corporate Transparency | Common Dreams
"The United States is being singled out for criticism after the Group of Eight (G8) rich countries failed to adopt a plan pushed by British Prime Minister David Cameron to require the creation of public country-level registries with detailed information on corporate ownership and activity."
"The United States is being singled out for criticism after the Group of Eight (G8) rich countries failed to adopt a plan pushed by British Prime Minister David Cameron to require the creation of public country-level registries with detailed information on corporate ownership and activity."
Beltway Interest Group Cash Floods Major State Judicial Elections, Investigation Finds
Beltway Interest Group Cash Floods Major State Judicial Elections, Investigation Finds: As interest groups have funneled more and more secret spending into elections of all kinds, judicial races have been no exception. In states with competitive elections for judgeships, spending has increased exponentially, moving judicial candidates to campaign in ways that may threaten their neutrality and turn them into politicians. A new investigation by the Center [...]/p
Republicans Want To Cut $20 Billion From Food Stamps
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Big Lie: America Doesn't Have #1 Richest Middle-Class in the World...We're Ranked 27th! | Alternet
Big Lie: America Doesn't Have #1 Richest Middle-Class in the World...We're Ranked 27th! | Alternet
"America is the richest country on Earth. We have the most millionaires, the most billionaires and our wealthiest citizens have garnered more of the planet's riches than any other group in the world. We even have hedge fund managers who make in one hour as much as the average family makes in 21 years!
"America is the richest country on Earth. We have the most millionaires, the most billionaires and our wealthiest citizens have garnered more of the planet's riches than any other group in the world. We even have hedge fund managers who make in one hour as much as the average family makes in 21 years!
This opulence is supposed to trickle down to the rest of us, improving the lives of everyday Americans. At least that's what free-market cheerleaders repeatedly promise us. Unfortunately, it's a lie, one of the biggest ever perpetrated on the American people."
Bank Of America Employee: 'We Were Told To Lie'
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013
How Republicans Who Took Millions In Farm Subsidies Justify Cutting Food Stamps
How Republicans Who Took Millions In Farm Subsidies Justify Cutting Food Stamps: The House plans to vote this week on a farm bill that cuts nearly $21 billion from food stamps, and several members who support the cuts have benefited significantly from the various forms of farm subsidies provided by the same legislation. The ten Republicans in question have collected about $6.7 million in federal farm money [...]/p
Celebrate the Defeat of the Granny Bashers! Billionaire-backed Campaign Fails to Cut Social Security and Medicare | Alternet
Celebrate the Defeat of the Granny Bashers! Billionaire-backed Campaign Fails to Cut Social Security and Medicare | Alternet
"Just to remind everyone, the Campaign to Fix the Debt (CFD) is yet another Peter Peterson-inspired initiative that has as its main goal cutting and/or privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Peterson has used the billions of dollars he earned as a Wall Street investment banker and private equity fund manager to finance a whole slew of Washington-based outfits for this purpose over the last two decades."
"Just to remind everyone, the Campaign to Fix the Debt (CFD) is yet another Peter Peterson-inspired initiative that has as its main goal cutting and/or privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Peterson has used the billions of dollars he earned as a Wall Street investment banker and private equity fund manager to finance a whole slew of Washington-based outfits for this purpose over the last two decades."
Unelected Emergency Manager Preparing To Break Detroit’s Pension Promises
Unelected Emergency Manager Preparing To Break Detroit’s Pension Promises: Detroit’s unelected “emergency manager” wants to stiff the city’s pensioners while repaying the large financial firms that hold the city’s debts. Emergency manager Kevyn Orr unveiled the plan last Friday while announcing that the city is unable to pay its current debts. The proposal asserts that the funding gap for Detroit’s pension obligations is five [...]/p
The Terror Con | Common Dreams
The Terror Con | Common Dreams
"For defense contractors, the government officials who write them mega checks, and the hawks in the media who cheer them on, the name of the game is threat inflation. And no one has been better at it than the folks at Booz Allen Hamilton, the inventors of the new boondoggle called cyber warfare."
"For defense contractors, the government officials who write them mega checks, and the hawks in the media who cheer them on, the name of the game is threat inflation. And no one has been better at it than the folks at Booz Allen Hamilton, the inventors of the new boondoggle called cyber warfare."
Bank of America Whistle-blower Bombshell: “We Were Told to Lie” to Rip Off Borrowers | Alternet
Bank of America Whistle-blower Bombshell: “We Were Told to Lie” to Rip Off Borrowers | Alternet
"Bank of America’s mortgage servicing unit systematically lied to homeowners, fraudulently denied loan modifications, and paid their staff bonuses for deliberately pushing people into foreclosure"
"Bank of America’s mortgage servicing unit systematically lied to homeowners, fraudulently denied loan modifications, and paid their staff bonuses for deliberately pushing people into foreclosure"
Monday, June 17, 2013
ASPIRA Charter Schools Spend Big Bucks To Break Unions
ASPIRA Charter Schools Spend Big Bucks To Break Unions
"Philadelphia public schools are the victim of a weird and evil set of priorities. In this interview, Philadelphia Mayor Nutter attempts to explain why public schools are being closed due to state cuts at the same time the state has found $400 million to build yet another prison."
"Philadelphia public schools are the victim of a weird and evil set of priorities. In this interview, Philadelphia Mayor Nutter attempts to explain why public schools are being closed due to state cuts at the same time the state has found $400 million to build yet another prison."
9 Ways the Right’s Ayn Randian Experiment Screws Over the Young | Alternet
9 Ways the Right’s Ayn Randian Experiment Screws Over the Young | Alternet
"Their decades-long assault on our core social values is on the verge of consuming its first complete generation of Americans. Born at the dawn of the Reagan era, Millennials were the first to be fully subjected to this all-out attack on the idea that we take care of each other in this country, and they’ll pay for it from the cradle to the grave."
"Their decades-long assault on our core social values is on the verge of consuming its first complete generation of Americans. Born at the dawn of the Reagan era, Millennials were the first to be fully subjected to this all-out attack on the idea that we take care of each other in this country, and they’ll pay for it from the cradle to the grave."
America Feeds the Rich | Common Dreams
America Feeds the Rich | Common Dreams
"The Republican-sponsored proposal slashes food stamps for poor children and pads farm subsidies for wealthy agri-businessmen."
"The Republican-sponsored proposal slashes food stamps for poor children and pads farm subsidies for wealthy agri-businessmen."
Parents Go On Hunger Strike To Protest School Budget Cuts
Parents Go On Hunger Strike To Protest School Budget Cuts: A group of four parents and school employees kicked off a hunger strike on the steps of the governor’s office on Monday to protest Philadelphia’s recent decision to close dozens of underutilized schools and lay off some 19 percent of the workforce, including “all 127 assistant principals, 646 teachers and more than 1,200 aides.” The [...]/p
Baton Rouge’s New Plan For Its Homeless Population: Give Them One-Way Bus Tickets
Baton Rouge’s New Plan For Its Homeless Population: Give Them One-Way Bus Tickets: Baton Rouge has a new idea for how to treat its 800 homeless residents: give them a one-way ticket out of town. Late last week, the city’s Metro Council approved a measure to fund one-way bus tickets for homeless people. Officials originally named it the “Clean Sweep” program; after they realized that comparing homeless people [...]/p
Banishing the Poor, Unemployed and Working Class from the Mainstream Media Implies That They are Worthless
Banishing the Poor, Unemployed and Working Class from the Mainstream Media Implies That They are Worthless
"How often do you come across an article or a television news story that presents a poor person in a positive light? Or for that matter when do you read about or see a story on an unemployed individual or the challenges of a working class American whose salary is receding as the stock market soars?"
"How often do you come across an article or a television news story that presents a poor person in a positive light? Or for that matter when do you read about or see a story on an unemployed individual or the challenges of a working class American whose salary is receding as the stock market soars?"
Lawsuit: McDonald's Forced Workers To Take Debit Cards For Pay
Lawsuit: McDonald's Forced Workers To Take Debit Cards For Pay
"What kind of low-life bottom-feeders came up with this brilliant idea? I guess getting away with using these cards for government benefits just emboldened the bankers to push them for the working poor."
"What kind of low-life bottom-feeders came up with this brilliant idea? I guess getting away with using these cards for government benefits just emboldened the bankers to push them for the working poor."
STUDY: Imposing Limits On Welfare Benefits May Lead To Higher Death Rates
STUDY: Imposing Limits On Welfare Benefits May Lead To Higher Death Rates: Limiting welfare benefits to those who successfully manage to find a job within a set time period puts those low-income individuals at a slightly increased risk of dying sooner, according to a new study. The study’s authors suggest that the higher death rates may stem from the fact that the current welfare system does not [...]/p
Bank Of America Paid Foreclosure Bonuses While Lying To Homeowners
Bank Of America Paid Foreclosure Bonuses While Lying To Homeowners: One of the nation’s largest mortgage servicers intentionally, knowingly, and routinely falsifies paperwork and lies to homeowners in order to boot them from their homes, according to bank insiders. The latest of many civil suits over Bank of America’s handling of foreclosures and mortgage modifications has produced affidavits from six former employees alleging the bank [...]/p
Why Our Schools Are Broke: Five Years of Corporate State Tax Avoidance | Common Dreams
Why Our Schools Are Broke: Five Years of Corporate State Tax Avoidance | Common Dreams
"We hear a lot about corporations avoiding federal taxes. Less well known is their non-payment of state taxes, which along with local taxes make up 90% of U.S. education funding."
"We hear a lot about corporations avoiding federal taxes. Less well known is their non-payment of state taxes, which along with local taxes make up 90% of U.S. education funding."
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