http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/09/california-tightens-lid-dark-money-groups
"California regulators took another step last week to crack down on secretive money in state elections. And for that, we have the Koch brothers to thank.
Politically active nonprofits have become a preferred way for deep-pocketed donors to influence elections without revealing their identities. As nonprofits, these groups are under no obligation to disclose where their money comes from. But as the amount of dark money entering elections has soared, federal regulators have largely taken a pass on adding new disclosure requirements. California regulators, on the other hand, have gone straight at the issue, and in the wake of a 2012 scandal involving several groups from the network of political organizations run by the Koch brothers, they have aggressively fought to keep dark money groups out of state elections.
On Thursday, state regulators added another layer of security, closing a loophole that might have allowed out-of-state groups and donors to secretly buy influence in California elections. If there was any wiggle room for dark money groups to operate in California, it's likely gone now.
California's dark-money crackdown stems from an investigation sparked in the run-up to the 2012 election, in which regulators uncovered a plot by a Virginia-based dark-money group called Americans for Job Security to funnel more than $24 million from secret donors through a series of intermediary groups to be spent on two state ballot initiatives: one to raise taxes and the other to ban labor unions from making political donations. According to the investigation, AJS routed the money to an Arizona dark-money group called the Center to Protect Patient's Rights, which then passed it on to two more groups, including one called Americans for Responsible Leadership. Those groups, in turn, channeled the money to at least two California-based groups that spent it on campaigns to defeat the tax increase proposal and to support the ban on donations from unions.
The CPPR, which was actually just a post office box in Arizona, became known as the ATM for a sprawling network of politically active groups tied to libertarian brothers Charles and David Koch."
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
The Republican Insurgency Against the Judicial Branch
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/32895-the-republican-insurgency-against-the-judicial-branch
"What's really going on here is another example of the "Caucus Room Conspiracy," the plot Republicans hatched on the day President Obama took office to prevent him, our nation's first Black President, from building up any legacy what-so-ever.
On January 20, 2009, the night when the Obamas were dancing at inaugural balls and most Americans were out celebrating the end of the Bush years, a group of powerful Republicans was planning the end of Obama presidency before it even got going.
At the Caucus Room restaurant in Washington, DC, GOP leaders drew up a plan to intentionally sabotage President Obama at every point possible.
On the guest list for this "invitation only" meeting were Republican Senators like Jim DeMint, Jon Kyl, Tom Coburn, John Ensign and Bob Corker.
Also in attendance were Congressmen Paul Ryan, Pete Sessions, Jeb Hensarling, Pete Hoekstra, Dan Lungren, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy.
The whole thing was orchestrated by Republican propaganda mastermind Frank Luntz and over the course of four hours, this group of the most powerful conservative lawmakers in the country committed to a plan of action.
They promised each other that they would filibuster and obstruct any and all legislation supported by the new president, Barack Obama."
"What's really going on here is another example of the "Caucus Room Conspiracy," the plot Republicans hatched on the day President Obama took office to prevent him, our nation's first Black President, from building up any legacy what-so-ever.
On January 20, 2009, the night when the Obamas were dancing at inaugural balls and most Americans were out celebrating the end of the Bush years, a group of powerful Republicans was planning the end of Obama presidency before it even got going.
At the Caucus Room restaurant in Washington, DC, GOP leaders drew up a plan to intentionally sabotage President Obama at every point possible.
On the guest list for this "invitation only" meeting were Republican Senators like Jim DeMint, Jon Kyl, Tom Coburn, John Ensign and Bob Corker.
Also in attendance were Congressmen Paul Ryan, Pete Sessions, Jeb Hensarling, Pete Hoekstra, Dan Lungren, Eric Cantor and Kevin McCarthy.
The whole thing was orchestrated by Republican propaganda mastermind Frank Luntz and over the course of four hours, this group of the most powerful conservative lawmakers in the country committed to a plan of action.
They promised each other that they would filibuster and obstruct any and all legislation supported by the new president, Barack Obama."
Pope Francis Reminds Us that Our Economic Systems Should Reflect our Moral Values
Pope Francis Reminds Us that Our Economic Systems Should Reflect our Moral Values
"While many have lauded Pope Francis for consistently discussing economic inequality and poverty, some on the right have been less enthusiastic. In response to the pope’s encyclical on poverty and the environment, Jeb Bush, for example, remarked, “I don’t get economic policy from my bishops or my cardinal or my pope. I think religion ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting in the political realm.”
Bush’s dismissal of the pope’s positions on economic issues not only contradicts his earlier claims about the relationship between religion and politics, but also ignores the history of his own church."
"While many have lauded Pope Francis for consistently discussing economic inequality and poverty, some on the right have been less enthusiastic. In response to the pope’s encyclical on poverty and the environment, Jeb Bush, for example, remarked, “I don’t get economic policy from my bishops or my cardinal or my pope. I think religion ought to be about making us better as people and less about things that end up getting in the political realm.”
Bush’s dismissal of the pope’s positions on economic issues not only contradicts his earlier claims about the relationship between religion and politics, but also ignores the history of his own church."
President Obama Makes History With Record-Setting Economic Turn-Around (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/09/18/president-obama-makes-history-with-record-setting-economic-turn-around-video/
"President Obama’s economy had already smashed existing records in the area of private-sector jobs creation, dragging the country back from the job-gushing economy left to us by former Republican President George W. Bush.
A year later, President Obama continues to shatter previous records for economic performance.
The US has now seen 66 straight months of job creation, the longest streak ever recorded. Over that time period, American businesses have added 13.1 million jobs to the economy. As we approach the holiday season, a time of year when jobs are routinely added to the economy, that record streak is certain to continue.
During the first year of the George W. Bush economic crash more than $13 trillion dollars in household wealth evaporated. Nearly 20 percent of the country’s total wealth was swallowed up, a figure which was five times higher than losses during the first year of the Great Depression.
From a historical perspective, the kind of devastating losses that gripped the United States following the Bush presidency had never been seen before, not even in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, when the country was in the darkest days of the Great Depression. From the same perspective, no president had ever before been charged with the task of engineering a financial recovery of the magnitude that was needed to stop our country’s financial bleeding, and return the economy to a place of productivity and economic growth.
Seven years after the economic crash of 1929, household wealth remained at 30 percent below pre-depression levels. Yet in spite of the fact that the first year of the GWB recession hit Americans five times harder than the Great Depression, today total household wealth is 30 percent above what it was in 2008.
Another record set by former republican president George W. Bush, during the first year of the Great Recession housing prices plummeted faster and farther than they had fallen during the first year of the Great Depression. Today property values, a major component to U.S. household wealth, are back to pre-recession levels and the housing market is flourishing again. 65 percent of U.S. housing markets reported an 8-year sales high in July of 2014. Construction-related jobs are also making a strong comeback, as the housing market continues to stabilize.
Again the quick recovery of the U.S. housing market following the 2008 economic disaster is another of President Obama’s historic achievements. Home foreclosures are now at a 15 year low, whereas in 2008, home foreclosures spiked by a record-setting 81 percent over the previous year, and rose by 225 percent between 2006 and 2008, as George W. Bush was leaving office."
"President Obama’s economy had already smashed existing records in the area of private-sector jobs creation, dragging the country back from the job-gushing economy left to us by former Republican President George W. Bush.
A year later, President Obama continues to shatter previous records for economic performance.
The US has now seen 66 straight months of job creation, the longest streak ever recorded. Over that time period, American businesses have added 13.1 million jobs to the economy. As we approach the holiday season, a time of year when jobs are routinely added to the economy, that record streak is certain to continue.
During the first year of the George W. Bush economic crash more than $13 trillion dollars in household wealth evaporated. Nearly 20 percent of the country’s total wealth was swallowed up, a figure which was five times higher than losses during the first year of the Great Depression.
From a historical perspective, the kind of devastating losses that gripped the United States following the Bush presidency had never been seen before, not even in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, when the country was in the darkest days of the Great Depression. From the same perspective, no president had ever before been charged with the task of engineering a financial recovery of the magnitude that was needed to stop our country’s financial bleeding, and return the economy to a place of productivity and economic growth.
Seven years after the economic crash of 1929, household wealth remained at 30 percent below pre-depression levels. Yet in spite of the fact that the first year of the GWB recession hit Americans five times harder than the Great Depression, today total household wealth is 30 percent above what it was in 2008.
Another record set by former republican president George W. Bush, during the first year of the Great Recession housing prices plummeted faster and farther than they had fallen during the first year of the Great Depression. Today property values, a major component to U.S. household wealth, are back to pre-recession levels and the housing market is flourishing again. 65 percent of U.S. housing markets reported an 8-year sales high in July of 2014. Construction-related jobs are also making a strong comeback, as the housing market continues to stabilize.
Again the quick recovery of the U.S. housing market following the 2008 economic disaster is another of President Obama’s historic achievements. Home foreclosures are now at a 15 year low, whereas in 2008, home foreclosures spiked by a record-setting 81 percent over the previous year, and rose by 225 percent between 2006 and 2008, as George W. Bush was leaving office."
'Justice Is Not For Sale': Sanders Leads Charge Against For-Profit Prisons
'Justice Is Not For Sale': Sanders Leads Charge Against For-Profit Prisons
"The bill is designed to counteract the lobbying efforts of corporations that benefit financially from mass incarceration."
"The bill is designed to counteract the lobbying efforts of corporations that benefit financially from mass incarceration."
Noam Chomsky: Why the Republican 'Radical Insurgency' Is So Panicked About the Iran Nuclear Deal @alternet
Noam Chomsky: Why the Republican 'Radical Insurgency' Is So Panicked About the Iran Nuclear Deal @alternet
"It is important to bear in mind that the Republicans have long abandoned the pretence of functioning as a normal parliamentary party. Rather, they have become a “radical insurgency” that scarcely seeks to participate in normal parliamentary politics, as observed by the respected conservative political commentator Norman Ornstein of the right-wing American Enterprise Institute. Since Ronald Reagan, the leadership has plunged so far into the pockets of the very rich and the corporate sector that they can attract votes only by mobilising sectors of the population that have not previously been an organised political force, among them extremist evangelical Christians, now probably the majority of Republican voters; remnants of the former slave-holding States; nativists who are terrified that “they” are taking our white Christian Anglo-Saxon country away from us; and others who turn the Republican primaries into spectacles remote from the mainstream of modern society—though not the mainstream of the most powerful country in world history."
"It is important to bear in mind that the Republicans have long abandoned the pretence of functioning as a normal parliamentary party. Rather, they have become a “radical insurgency” that scarcely seeks to participate in normal parliamentary politics, as observed by the respected conservative political commentator Norman Ornstein of the right-wing American Enterprise Institute. Since Ronald Reagan, the leadership has plunged so far into the pockets of the very rich and the corporate sector that they can attract votes only by mobilising sectors of the population that have not previously been an organised political force, among them extremist evangelical Christians, now probably the majority of Republican voters; remnants of the former slave-holding States; nativists who are terrified that “they” are taking our white Christian Anglo-Saxon country away from us; and others who turn the Republican primaries into spectacles remote from the mainstream of modern society—though not the mainstream of the most powerful country in world history."
Democrat Files Bill To Take Away Pay From All Congressmen Who Shut Down Government
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/democrat-files-bill-to-take-away-pay-from-all-congressmen-who-shut-down-government-4/
"Nolan introduced a similar bill during the last shutdown, and donates his shutdown pay to charities in his district. His actions send a strong message to the rest of Congress. The constant re-fighting of political battles and the brinkmanship that the Republican-led Congress has established as business as usual is a huge embarrassment to our country and a dire indictment of our political system. Congress’s 15% approval rating is evidence enough. There are huge issues facing our nation, but the right-wing insists on wasting our time on social issues that the majority of Americans aren’t concerned about. It’s far beyond time our legislators began behaving like rational adults and actually sit down to govern."
"Nolan introduced a similar bill during the last shutdown, and donates his shutdown pay to charities in his district. His actions send a strong message to the rest of Congress. The constant re-fighting of political battles and the brinkmanship that the Republican-led Congress has established as business as usual is a huge embarrassment to our country and a dire indictment of our political system. Congress’s 15% approval rating is evidence enough. There are huge issues facing our nation, but the right-wing insists on wasting our time on social issues that the majority of Americans aren’t concerned about. It’s far beyond time our legislators began behaving like rational adults and actually sit down to govern."
Democrat Introduces Bill Aimed At Stripping Congress Of Their Paycheck If The Government Shuts Down
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/09/19/democrat-introduces-bill-aimed-at-stripping-congress-of-their-paycheck-if-the-government-shuts-down/
"If Ted Cruz and Republicans think they can take America hostage in order to get what they want and not face any consequences or backlash, they are sorely mistaken."
"If Ted Cruz and Republicans think they can take America hostage in order to get what they want and not face any consequences or backlash, they are sorely mistaken."
Can independent state judiciaries survive the onslaught of Republican rule?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/19/1421272/-Can-independent-state-judiciaries-survive-the-onslaught-of-Republican-rule
"What the Kansas legislature actually did pass, and Brownback signed into law, is […] a measure to defund all Kansas courts if any state judge overturns a 2014 law removing the state Supreme Court's authority to select 31 chief district judges. Could the message be any clearer? "Decide a legal case the exact way we want, or we'll put you out of business." This month, after a judge struck down the judicial-appointment law for violating the separation of powers, the court-defunding law is now facing a constitutional challenge in court.
In Wisconsin, legislators pushed through a ballot initiative this year on a party line vote to amend the state constitution, laying the foundation for replacing a liberal, longtime chief justice in the middle of an elected term of office, with a conservative one.
And that’s exactly what happened. The court’s conservative majority voted quickly, by email, for the change in leaders. This consolidated political clout on a court that has subsequently quashed a campaign finance probe, with several special interest groups under investigation.
Finally, in North Carolina, legislators passed a bill changing the way elected Supreme Court justices go about seeking a new term. They will have an option to run in retention (up-or-down) rather than contested races. Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, signed the bill into law and it takes effect next year."
"What the Kansas legislature actually did pass, and Brownback signed into law, is […] a measure to defund all Kansas courts if any state judge overturns a 2014 law removing the state Supreme Court's authority to select 31 chief district judges. Could the message be any clearer? "Decide a legal case the exact way we want, or we'll put you out of business." This month, after a judge struck down the judicial-appointment law for violating the separation of powers, the court-defunding law is now facing a constitutional challenge in court.
In Wisconsin, legislators pushed through a ballot initiative this year on a party line vote to amend the state constitution, laying the foundation for replacing a liberal, longtime chief justice in the middle of an elected term of office, with a conservative one.
And that’s exactly what happened. The court’s conservative majority voted quickly, by email, for the change in leaders. This consolidated political clout on a court that has subsequently quashed a campaign finance probe, with several special interest groups under investigation.
Finally, in North Carolina, legislators passed a bill changing the way elected Supreme Court justices go about seeking a new term. They will have an option to run in retention (up-or-down) rather than contested races. Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, signed the bill into law and it takes effect next year."
Walker's Partisans Poised to Raze Nonpartisan Government Accountability Board
Walker's Partisans Poised to Raze Nonpartisan Government Accountability Board
"Stung by the campaign finance probe into potentially illegal coordination between Governor Scott Walker and independent campaign finance groups, the Wisconsin GOP is on the warpath. Governor Walker called for “dismantling” of the Government Accountability Board (GAB), the nonpartisan, independent agency that oversees Wisconsin elections, campaign finance and ethics laws.
So now the GOP-controlled legislature is getting down to business."
"Stung by the campaign finance probe into potentially illegal coordination between Governor Scott Walker and independent campaign finance groups, the Wisconsin GOP is on the warpath. Governor Walker called for “dismantling” of the Government Accountability Board (GAB), the nonpartisan, independent agency that oversees Wisconsin elections, campaign finance and ethics laws.
So now the GOP-controlled legislature is getting down to business."
California Just Outlawed Undisclosed ‘Dark Money’ Donations To Political Campaigns
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/california-just-outlawed-undisclosed-dark-money-donations-to-political-campaigns/
"We are all familiar with the infamous 2010 Supreme Court Citizens United decision, in which the Court ruled that it was a violation of the First Amendment for the government to prohibit political expenditures by a nonprofit corporation. The decision unleashed a torrent of dark money into our politics, threatening the integrity of our democracy and giving the wealthy an unprecedented level of influence over our elections.
One of the biggest results of that decision was the rise of political action committees (PACs) and their larger counterparts (Super PAC) – a vehicle by which nonprofit groups contribute ‘dark money’ to ballot measures and candidates in California. Dark money is money whose source needn’t be disclosed – until yesterday – at least in California."
"We are all familiar with the infamous 2010 Supreme Court Citizens United decision, in which the Court ruled that it was a violation of the First Amendment for the government to prohibit political expenditures by a nonprofit corporation. The decision unleashed a torrent of dark money into our politics, threatening the integrity of our democracy and giving the wealthy an unprecedented level of influence over our elections.
One of the biggest results of that decision was the rise of political action committees (PACs) and their larger counterparts (Super PAC) – a vehicle by which nonprofit groups contribute ‘dark money’ to ballot measures and candidates in California. Dark money is money whose source needn’t be disclosed – until yesterday – at least in California."
California Bans Undisclosed Dark Money
California Bans Undisclosed Dark Money
"Right now we have no disclosure and unlimited money. If we can't limit donations, we should understand who is paying for all that speech, and there's nothing in the Citizens United decision that stands in the way of that."
"Right now we have no disclosure and unlimited money. If we can't limit donations, we should understand who is paying for all that speech, and there's nothing in the Citizens United decision that stands in the way of that."
Tea Party Senator: $7/Hour Is Too Much For You, But $700,000/Year Is Barely Enough For Me
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/tea-party-senator-7hour-is-too-much-for-you-but-700000year-is-barely-enough-for-me/
"Johnson is just another plutocrat working to keep the working class perpetually downtrodden and exploitable and to continue funneling America’s wealth to the top."
"Johnson is just another plutocrat working to keep the working class perpetually downtrodden and exploitable and to continue funneling America’s wealth to the top."
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
The GOP’s bullsh*t campaign: Why they’re drowning the country in an ocean of lies
The GOP’s bullsh*t campaign: Why they’re drowning the country in an ocean of lies
"Republicans are spending so much of their time misleading and lying to the public. How will the media keep up?"
"Republicans are spending so much of their time misleading and lying to the public. How will the media keep up?"
The GOP debate’s terrifying alternate reality: Inside the political delusions of a party on the edge
The GOP debate’s terrifying alternate reality: Inside the political delusions of a party on the edge
"Last night’s Republican debate was a theater and master class in lies. Joseph Goebbels would be proud as the 2016 Republican candidates channeled his Principles of Propaganda and their directives that:
16. Propaganda to the home front must create an optimum anxiety level.
18. Propaganda must facilitate the displacement of aggression by specifying the targets for hatred
The reality is this: Social security will not be bankrupt in 7 to 8 years. George Bush did not keep America “safe” as he presided over the worst terrorist attacks in the country’s history. The Iraqi government demanded that the United States leave after years of a disastrous war—Obama did not choose to “abandon” the country of Iraq. Global warming is a fact. And “Benghazi” has been investigated repeatedly. There is only malfeasance and “treason” in the minds of the right-wing faithful and their media. Christians are not “under assault” in America."
"Last night’s Republican debate was a theater and master class in lies. Joseph Goebbels would be proud as the 2016 Republican candidates channeled his Principles of Propaganda and their directives that:
16. Propaganda to the home front must create an optimum anxiety level.
18. Propaganda must facilitate the displacement of aggression by specifying the targets for hatred
The reality is this: Social security will not be bankrupt in 7 to 8 years. George Bush did not keep America “safe” as he presided over the worst terrorist attacks in the country’s history. The Iraqi government demanded that the United States leave after years of a disastrous war—Obama did not choose to “abandon” the country of Iraq. Global warming is a fact. And “Benghazi” has been investigated repeatedly. There is only malfeasance and “treason” in the minds of the right-wing faithful and their media. Christians are not “under assault” in America."
Stop calling it a “debate”: CNN’s GOP circus was a postmodern spectacle
Stop calling it a “debate”: CNN’s GOP circus was a postmodern spectacle
"even if CNN were interested in something a bit more high-minded, the ideological conformity of the Republican Party is so rigid, and the conservative movement’s obsession with white identity politics is so entrenched, the network wouldn’t have much to work with. The hollowing-out of democracy wrought by inequality and polarization has reduced our politics into a shell — bright, glittering, and empty."
"even if CNN were interested in something a bit more high-minded, the ideological conformity of the Republican Party is so rigid, and the conservative movement’s obsession with white identity politics is so entrenched, the network wouldn’t have much to work with. The hollowing-out of democracy wrought by inequality and polarization has reduced our politics into a shell — bright, glittering, and empty."
It’s Time to Tell the Truth: The GOP Presidential Primary is an Embarrassment to the United States
It’s Time to Tell the Truth: The GOP Presidential Primary is an Embarrassment to the United States
"It’s a sad state of affairs when you look at a group of Republican candidates and Jeb Bush is probably the most moderate of the bunch."
"It’s a sad state of affairs when you look at a group of Republican candidates and Jeb Bush is probably the most moderate of the bunch."
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Robert Reich: Americans Obsess Over the Sex Lives of Strangers While CEOs Rob the Country Blind @alternet
Robert Reich: Americans Obsess Over the Sex Lives of Strangers While CEOs Rob the Country Blind @alternet
"Glass-Steagall must be resurrected. Big banks have to be broken up.
CEO pay must be bridled. Pay in excess of $1 million shouldn’t be deductible from corporate income taxes. Corporations with high ratios of executive pay to typical workers should face higher tax rates than those with lower ratios."
"Glass-Steagall must be resurrected. Big banks have to be broken up.
CEO pay must be bridled. Pay in excess of $1 million shouldn’t be deductible from corporate income taxes. Corporations with high ratios of executive pay to typical workers should face higher tax rates than those with lower ratios."
Take That Billionaires: The Average Donation to Bernie Sanders’ Campaign Is a Soul-Saving $30 @alternet
Take That Billionaires: The Average Donation to Bernie Sanders’ Campaign Is a Soul-Saving $30 @alternet
"Start with the “Billionaire 400,” a clique of the elite organized by the conniving Koch brothers. These ultra-rich right-wingers gather each winter in some warm weather resort for a secretive, invitation-only retreat.
There, they plot strategies and pledge money for electing politicos who support their vision of corporate rule in America. For the 2016 elections, their network has already committed nearly a billion dollars to impose its vision of plutocracy over our democratic ideals — more than double the combined amount the Republican and Democratic parties spent in 2012.
Then there are the secretive SuperPACs that are sacking up tens of millions of dollars to back various presidential candidates. Again, a mere 400 corporations and rich families — each writing checks for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars — have put up nearly half of all the money in these electioneering committees.
But now, here comes the antidote to this corruption of our politics by fat cats. Instead of being financed by 400 billionaires bent on their special interests, Bernie Sanders’ White House bid has raised its $15 million from 400,000 ordinary Americans. In fact, the average donation to the Vermont senator is a heartwarming, soul-saving $33.51!
"Start with the “Billionaire 400,” a clique of the elite organized by the conniving Koch brothers. These ultra-rich right-wingers gather each winter in some warm weather resort for a secretive, invitation-only retreat.
There, they plot strategies and pledge money for electing politicos who support their vision of corporate rule in America. For the 2016 elections, their network has already committed nearly a billion dollars to impose its vision of plutocracy over our democratic ideals — more than double the combined amount the Republican and Democratic parties spent in 2012.
Then there are the secretive SuperPACs that are sacking up tens of millions of dollars to back various presidential candidates. Again, a mere 400 corporations and rich families — each writing checks for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars — have put up nearly half of all the money in these electioneering committees.
But now, here comes the antidote to this corruption of our politics by fat cats. Instead of being financed by 400 billionaires bent on their special interests, Bernie Sanders’ White House bid has raised its $15 million from 400,000 ordinary Americans. In fact, the average donation to the Vermont senator is a heartwarming, soul-saving $33.51!
Screw U: The GOP’s War on College Students @alternet
Screw U: The GOP’s War on College Students @alternet
"As nutty as the current slate of GOP nominees may seem, it would be a mistake to ignore the very real threat of their higher education policy. Across the board, in a variety of ways, the GOP lineup is on the hunt for higher education as we know it."
"As nutty as the current slate of GOP nominees may seem, it would be a mistake to ignore the very real threat of their higher education policy. Across the board, in a variety of ways, the GOP lineup is on the hunt for higher education as we know it."
5 Examples Proving Republicans Have Become the Party of Crazy
5 Examples Proving Republicans Have Become the Party of Crazy
"when you really look at it, it’s not just stupidity that’s running rampant through the GOP; crazy has fully cemented itself as a driving force within the Republican party as well."
"when you really look at it, it’s not just stupidity that’s running rampant through the GOP; crazy has fully cemented itself as a driving force within the Republican party as well."
The 5 Craziest Conservative Claims About President Obama
The 5 Craziest Conservative Claims About President Obama
"literally none of their outlandish fear-mongering has been based in reality."
"literally none of their outlandish fear-mongering has been based in reality."
The Fearsome Four: The Leading Governors Seeking 2016 GOP Nomination Are All Dismal Right-Wingers @alternet
The Fearsome Four: The Leading Governors Seeking 2016 GOP Nomination Are All Dismal Right-Wingers @alternet
"The four have worked from nearly identical playbooks in pursuing a similar extremist agenda, unashamedly serving the top 1 percent and other so-called job creators, while grinding down the rights, wages and living conditions facing poor and working families. Their record provides a clear flash-forward into the future of America, should any of them be elected president in 2016.
This shared agenda of the Fearsome Foursome has common roots in the model legislation and strategies launched by the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council, which has been propelled to national importance with funding from the multi-billionaire Koch brothers."
"The four have worked from nearly identical playbooks in pursuing a similar extremist agenda, unashamedly serving the top 1 percent and other so-called job creators, while grinding down the rights, wages and living conditions facing poor and working families. Their record provides a clear flash-forward into the future of America, should any of them be elected president in 2016.
This shared agenda of the Fearsome Foursome has common roots in the model legislation and strategies launched by the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council, which has been propelled to national importance with funding from the multi-billionaire Koch brothers."
Jeb Bush Crashes And Burns Immediately After Announcing Plan To Cut Taxes For The Rich
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/09/jeb-bush-doubles-failed-trickle-unpaid-tax-cuts-rich.html
"Bush has unveiled his tax plan and it’s basically the same old same old Republican Trickle Down promise, replete with tax cuts for the rich and corporations"
"Bush has unveiled his tax plan and it’s basically the same old same old Republican Trickle Down promise, replete with tax cuts for the rich and corporations"
Meet The Trickle-Down Conservatives Behind Jeb Bush’s Tax Plan
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/09/09/3699564/jeb-bushs-economic-advisers/
"But these men aren’t just any trickle-down economists. They’re all high-profile proponents of Reaganomics — they all actually advised Reagan while he was in the White House."
"But these men aren’t just any trickle-down economists. They’re all high-profile proponents of Reaganomics — they all actually advised Reagan while he was in the White House."
The terrifying reason Donald Trump is winning: The infantilized conservative base wants rage, not ideas
The terrifying reason Donald Trump is winning: The infantilized conservative base wants rage, not ideas
"Trump’s success (and Jeb’s decline) shows how easy it is to openly infantilize the conservative base. You don’t need ideas to win over Republicans anymore; you simply have to reflect their paranoia and frustration, with as much bombast and superficiality as possible."
"Trump’s success (and Jeb’s decline) shows how easy it is to openly infantilize the conservative base. You don’t need ideas to win over Republicans anymore; you simply have to reflect their paranoia and frustration, with as much bombast and superficiality as possible."
Watch the 1991 Documentary Donald Trump Didn’t Want Anyone to See @alternet
Watch the 1991 Documentary Donald Trump Didn’t Want Anyone to See @alternet
"the film was never aired because Trump managed to prevent its circulation."
"the film was never aired because Trump managed to prevent its circulation."
How Jeb Bush's Florida Plan for School 'Choice' Created an Industry of Corruption and Chaos @alternet
How Jeb Bush's Florida Plan for School 'Choice' Created an Industry of Corruption and Chaos @alternet
"Aided by influencers like the Waltons and others, Jeb Bush put South Florida squarely at the forefront of the charter school bonanza. And the rise of the charters as big business in Florida brought with it new and special forms of financial corruption."
"Aided by influencers like the Waltons and others, Jeb Bush put South Florida squarely at the forefront of the charter school bonanza. And the rise of the charters as big business in Florida brought with it new and special forms of financial corruption."
Monday, September 7, 2015
Let the Toilers Assemble
Let the Toilers Assemble
"In light of this long weekend of beach and barbecue time, a moment to give thanks to the long struggle of a labor movement, born in heartfelt resistance, that won it for us. Read, listen and remember those fighting, then and now, for "a glimpse of something you're not allowed to see." Also check out Bernie on a picket line. Because "this is what I do"."
"In light of this long weekend of beach and barbecue time, a moment to give thanks to the long struggle of a labor movement, born in heartfelt resistance, that won it for us. Read, listen and remember those fighting, then and now, for "a glimpse of something you're not allowed to see." Also check out Bernie on a picket line. Because "this is what I do"."
Why the DOL's New Overtime Rule is Such a Big Deal
Why the DOL's New Overtime Rule is Such a Big Deal
"This summer, the Department of Labor announced sweeping changes to federal overtime rules that would dramatically impact the lives of working Americans. The new rules raise the income level at which workers can automatically qualify for overtime eligibility for the first time in decades, effectively giving around five million workers a raise while strengthening overtime protection for another ten million, according to the White House. This week, the Department of Labor ends its public comment period on the proposed changes, with enforcement set to begin early next year."
"This summer, the Department of Labor announced sweeping changes to federal overtime rules that would dramatically impact the lives of working Americans. The new rules raise the income level at which workers can automatically qualify for overtime eligibility for the first time in decades, effectively giving around five million workers a raise while strengthening overtime protection for another ten million, according to the White House. This week, the Department of Labor ends its public comment period on the proposed changes, with enforcement set to begin early next year."
The best way to support low-wage workers: Save their tax credits
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/07/1417844/-The-best-way-to-support-low-wage-workers-Save-their-tax-credits
"As many as 19 million low-wage workers could lose what's been called "one of the most successful labor market innovations in U.S. history." The income these credits bring "leads to better maternal and infant health, improved school performance, higher college enrollment, and increased work effort and earnings in adulthood." That's a lot of bang for some federal bucks.
But key provisions are expiring in 2017, and Senate Republicans have already staked out ground suggesting they'll be ready to gut them. At H&R Block's behest, they've put policy riders into a key spending bill that would make filing for these tax credits difficult and expensive. Because that's what Republicans do."
"As many as 19 million low-wage workers could lose what's been called "one of the most successful labor market innovations in U.S. history." The income these credits bring "leads to better maternal and infant health, improved school performance, higher college enrollment, and increased work effort and earnings in adulthood." That's a lot of bang for some federal bucks.
But key provisions are expiring in 2017, and Senate Republicans have already staked out ground suggesting they'll be ready to gut them. At H&R Block's behest, they've put policy riders into a key spending bill that would make filing for these tax credits difficult and expensive. Because that's what Republicans do."
Bernie Sanders Has President Obama’s Back On Paid Sick Leave Executive Order
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/07/bernie-sanders-applauds-pres-obama-ordering-paid-sick-leave-fed-workers.html
"Workers of the country should be asking Congressional Republicans what is so wrong with allowing people to have a few days of paid sick leave. Why is this something they criticize, when they spent fewer days at work last year than President Obama spent on vacation in his entire presidency and in the Senate, had nearly as many days off in a year as President Obama has taken in his entire two terms of office."
"Workers of the country should be asking Congressional Republicans what is so wrong with allowing people to have a few days of paid sick leave. Why is this something they criticize, when they spent fewer days at work last year than President Obama spent on vacation in his entire presidency and in the Senate, had nearly as many days off in a year as President Obama has taken in his entire two terms of office."
President Obama Fights For the American Workers Republicans Hate
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/07/president-obama-fights-american-workers-republicans-hate-passionately.html
"Republicans hate American workers and hold them in contempt for expecting to be paid for their work, especially one sector predominated by professional women.
It is really simple to comprehend why Republicans detest public school teachers; it hardly makes any sense, but they are reasons unique to conservatives. For one thing, public school teachers enjoy union representation and maybe the only thing Republicans hate more than women, minorities, paying wages, or the New Deal’s workplace protections are unions."
"Republicans hate American workers and hold them in contempt for expecting to be paid for their work, especially one sector predominated by professional women.
It is really simple to comprehend why Republicans detest public school teachers; it hardly makes any sense, but they are reasons unique to conservatives. For one thing, public school teachers enjoy union representation and maybe the only thing Republicans hate more than women, minorities, paying wages, or the New Deal’s workplace protections are unions."
10 times GOP candidates gave labor a giant middle finger
10 times GOP candidates gave labor a giant middle finger
"On this Labor Day holiday, American workers who already get the least paid vacation time of any developed nation in the world and who are taking the fewest days off in four decades, must suffer through (or are treated to) the Republican presidential circus of the 2016 campaign, featuring more than a dozen presidential hopefuls who have demonstrated tone-deafness or outright disdain toward labor."
"On this Labor Day holiday, American workers who already get the least paid vacation time of any developed nation in the world and who are taking the fewest days off in four decades, must suffer through (or are treated to) the Republican presidential circus of the 2016 campaign, featuring more than a dozen presidential hopefuls who have demonstrated tone-deafness or outright disdain toward labor."
Why Union Members Are Better Off
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/09/07/3698487/unions-women-people-of-color/
"The benefits aren’t limited to salaries, either. Workers in unions are much more likely to get employer benefits like pensions and health care. And this is also particularly true for women and people of color. About three-quarters of unionized women have a pension, compared to 42 percent of non-union female workers, and more than three-quarters have health insurance coverage through work versus about half of non-unionized women. Unionized black and Hispanic workers are between 27 and 30 percent more likely to have those benefits."
"The benefits aren’t limited to salaries, either. Workers in unions are much more likely to get employer benefits like pensions and health care. And this is also particularly true for women and people of color. About three-quarters of unionized women have a pension, compared to 42 percent of non-union female workers, and more than three-quarters have health insurance coverage through work versus about half of non-unionized women. Unionized black and Hispanic workers are between 27 and 30 percent more likely to have those benefits."
Obama orders paid sick leave for workers at federal contractors
http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/la-na-obama-paid-sick-leave-20150906-story.html
"The U.S. is the only industrialized nation without a federal family-leave law that guarantees workers can receive pay while taking time to care for themselves and loved ones. Some states have paid-leave laws. Current federal law mandates that companies provide leave, but does not require that it be paid."
"The U.S. is the only industrialized nation without a federal family-leave law that guarantees workers can receive pay while taking time to care for themselves and loved ones. Some states have paid-leave laws. Current federal law mandates that companies provide leave, but does not require that it be paid."
President Obama Celebrates Labor Day By Giving Paid Sick Leave To 300,000 American Workers
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/09/07/president-obama-celebrates-labor-day-by-giving-paid-sick-leave-to-300000-american-workers/
"The order will help 300,000 American workers at a time when the United States continues to rank dead last behind the rest of the developed world in paid sick leave requirements. That’s putting it kindly, since the United States is the ONLY developed nation without a paid sick leave policy."
"The order will help 300,000 American workers at a time when the United States continues to rank dead last behind the rest of the developed world in paid sick leave requirements. That’s putting it kindly, since the United States is the ONLY developed nation without a paid sick leave policy."
36 Reasons To Celebrate Unions This Labor Day Weekend
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/09/36-reasons-celebrate-unions-labor-day-weekend/
"With the vilification of unions so strident on the right, it might be a good time to remind them (and ourselves) of the things we enjoy due to the union movement."
"With the vilification of unions so strident on the right, it might be a good time to remind them (and ourselves) of the things we enjoy due to the union movement."
Want to shrink the wage gap? Unions are one powerful solution
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/09/07/1416597/-Want-to-shrink-the-wage-gap-Unions-are-one-powerful-solution#
"Women represented by a union are also more likely to get health insurance and a pension. The overall effect is that unions are helping to lift women into financial security and move workplaces toward equality, just as they helped create the middle class during the 20th century. It's one more thing to think about as we continue to watch Republicans attack unions and everything they stand for."
"Women represented by a union are also more likely to get health insurance and a pension. The overall effect is that unions are helping to lift women into financial security and move workplaces toward equality, just as they helped create the middle class during the 20th century. It's one more thing to think about as we continue to watch Republicans attack unions and everything they stand for."
Scott Walker Is Trying to Save His Failing Campaign by Bashing Unions
http://www.thenation.com/article/at-the-labor-day-pivot-a-tanking-scott-walker-doubles-down-on-union-bashing/
"Attacking unions never yields the benefits that the attackers claim are just around the corner. That’s because the first Republican president was right when he told Congress that “Labor is prior to and independent of capital.”
Some truths are self-evident. And Abraham Lincoln stated one of them: “Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration"."
"Attacking unions never yields the benefits that the attackers claim are just around the corner. That’s because the first Republican president was right when he told Congress that “Labor is prior to and independent of capital.”
Some truths are self-evident. And Abraham Lincoln stated one of them: “Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration"."
Watch: Sanders Rips Trump For ‘Using Racism’ To Blame Immigrants Instead Of Wall Street
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-sanders-rips-trump-for-using-racism-to-blame-immigrants-instead-of-wall-street/
"Democratic presidential candidate and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders takes aim at his rival across the aisle and calls out Donald Trump for his ham-fisted attempts to blame America’s economic problems on immigrants, when really it was wealthy tycoons like Trump who crippled the world’s economy with their high-risk gambling."
"Democratic presidential candidate and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders takes aim at his rival across the aisle and calls out Donald Trump for his ham-fisted attempts to blame America’s economic problems on immigrants, when really it was wealthy tycoons like Trump who crippled the world’s economy with their high-risk gambling."
Labor Unions: The Folks Who Gave You the Weekend
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/32674-labor-unions-the-folks-who-gave-you-the-weekend
"The celebration of Labor Day is a good time to remember the role that labor unions have played in raising living standards and improving the quality of life for working people in the United States. While most people recognize that unions have been beneficial for their members - raising pay, improving work conditions and increasing job security - there is little appreciation of role of labor unions in promoting benefits and work rules that protect all workers.
Unions were crucial in the passage of just about all the benefits and rules that we take for granted today, starting with the weekend. The 40-hour workweek became the standard in the 1937 with the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This bill, which also put in place a federal minimum wage, required a premium of 50 percent of pay for any hours that an employer required in excess of 40 hours a week. Unions had pressed for similar rules for decades, but it took the power of a militant labor movement, coupled with a sympathetic president and Congress to finally make the 40 hour workweek a standard across the country.
This was also the year that the Social Security system was created. Again, the leadership of President Roosevelt was essential, but the Social Security would not have come into existence without the support of the labor movement. There was a similar story with the passage of the Medicare Act three decades later. The leadership of President Johnson was important, but there is no way the bill would have passed Congress without the pressure coming from organized labor.
These two programs provide a layer security that is absolutely essential to anyone who is not rich. More than 70 percent of retirees rely on Social Security for more than half of their income. Very few seniors would be able to afford health care in their last years if it were not for Medicare and its sister program Medicaid."
"The celebration of Labor Day is a good time to remember the role that labor unions have played in raising living standards and improving the quality of life for working people in the United States. While most people recognize that unions have been beneficial for their members - raising pay, improving work conditions and increasing job security - there is little appreciation of role of labor unions in promoting benefits and work rules that protect all workers.
Unions were crucial in the passage of just about all the benefits and rules that we take for granted today, starting with the weekend. The 40-hour workweek became the standard in the 1937 with the passage of the Fair Labor Standards Act. This bill, which also put in place a federal minimum wage, required a premium of 50 percent of pay for any hours that an employer required in excess of 40 hours a week. Unions had pressed for similar rules for decades, but it took the power of a militant labor movement, coupled with a sympathetic president and Congress to finally make the 40 hour workweek a standard across the country.
This was also the year that the Social Security system was created. Again, the leadership of President Roosevelt was essential, but the Social Security would not have come into existence without the support of the labor movement. There was a similar story with the passage of the Medicare Act three decades later. The leadership of President Johnson was important, but there is no way the bill would have passed Congress without the pressure coming from organized labor.
These two programs provide a layer security that is absolutely essential to anyone who is not rich. More than 70 percent of retirees rely on Social Security for more than half of their income. Very few seniors would be able to afford health care in their last years if it were not for Medicare and its sister program Medicaid."
Obama Slams Republican Lies On Labor Day, “They Don’t Let Facts Or Evidence Get In The Way.”
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/07/obama-slams-republican-lies-labor-day-they-facts-evidence-way.html
"President Obama called out Republicans for being wrong about every single prediction of doom that they have offered, being tied to an ideology that makes the economy worse, not caring about facts and reality, and pretending to care about the middle-class and workers when they are doing things that hurt the middle-class and workers."
"President Obama called out Republicans for being wrong about every single prediction of doom that they have offered, being tied to an ideology that makes the economy worse, not caring about facts and reality, and pretending to care about the middle-class and workers when they are doing things that hurt the middle-class and workers."
7 Union Heroes To Remember This Labor Day
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/09/07/3698935/7-union-heros-to-remember-this-labor-day/
"These noteworthy people left behind a legacy that we enjoy today, from the end of child labor to the more humane treatment of farm workers."
"These noteworthy people left behind a legacy that we enjoy today, from the end of child labor to the more humane treatment of farm workers."
Scott Walker Just Doesn't Get Labor Day
Scott Walker Just Doesn't Get Labor Day
"Yeah, nothing honors the American worker like selling cheap crap made in China to promote a guy who has devastated his state's middle class."
"Yeah, nothing honors the American worker like selling cheap crap made in China to promote a guy who has devastated his state's middle class."
How The GOP’s Top 5 Presidential Candidates Really Feel About American Workers
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/09/06/how-the-gops-top-5-presidential-candidates-really-feel-about-american-workers/
"This Labor Day, it’s important to remember that, without workers, without labor, most companies wouldn’t exist. Companies depend on their workers to get business done. Small business owners actually seem to realize this, as many of them pay their employees well and provide benefits, even without federal laws. Big, highly profitable corporations, however, have forgotten that they’re built on their workers. The GOP has clearly forgotten that, too."
"This Labor Day, it’s important to remember that, without workers, without labor, most companies wouldn’t exist. Companies depend on their workers to get business done. Small business owners actually seem to realize this, as many of them pay their employees well and provide benefits, even without federal laws. Big, highly profitable corporations, however, have forgotten that they’re built on their workers. The GOP has clearly forgotten that, too."
Get The Facts on President Obama’s Labor Day Executive Actions to Protect Workers
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/09/07/facts-president-obamas-executive-actions-protect-workers.html
"The President will be giving a speech in Boston at the Greater Boston Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast to highlight his Administration’s continued efforts to expand the labor force, support greater workplace flexibilities, and strengthen the middle class."
"The President will be giving a speech in Boston at the Greater Boston Labor Council Labor Day Breakfast to highlight his Administration’s continued efforts to expand the labor force, support greater workplace flexibilities, and strengthen the middle class."
The media vs. the American worker: How the 1 percent hijacked the business of news
The media vs. the American worker: How the 1 percent hijacked the business of news
"they tend to subscribe to the notion that what very rich chief executives think is best for the economic structure of the United States is, by definition, the only point of view worth listening to."
"they tend to subscribe to the notion that what very rich chief executives think is best for the economic structure of the United States is, by definition, the only point of view worth listening to."
The rebellious spirit of the first Labor Day is spreading anew
The rebellious spirit of the first Labor Day is spreading anew
"America’s grassroots have come alive with organizing campaigns to reverse the rampant inequities and abuses being perpetuated by the plutocratic powers"
"America’s grassroots have come alive with organizing campaigns to reverse the rampant inequities and abuses being perpetuated by the plutocratic powers"
The Fight for 15 Is Creating a Fighting Labor Movement for the 21st Century
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/18365/to_understand_the_power_of_fight_for_15_look_to_mcdonalds
"Wage theft is another travesty in the fast-food industry. Managers are under intense pressure to squeeze workers and cut costs while getting ever more productivity out of them. Almost 90 percent of fast-food workers report wage theft. Sixty percent of fast-food workers report being required to perform tasks before clocking in or after clocking out. Forty-six percent have not been paid for all hours worked or all tasks performed. Wage theft results from of a lack of power and collective organization among workers—employers steal wages when they think employees are powerless to do something about it."
"Wage theft is another travesty in the fast-food industry. Managers are under intense pressure to squeeze workers and cut costs while getting ever more productivity out of them. Almost 90 percent of fast-food workers report wage theft. Sixty percent of fast-food workers report being required to perform tasks before clocking in or after clocking out. Forty-six percent have not been paid for all hours worked or all tasks performed. Wage theft results from of a lack of power and collective organization among workers—employers steal wages when they think employees are powerless to do something about it."
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Understanding the Historic Divergence Between Productivity and a Typical Worker’s Pay: Why It Matters and Why It’s Real
Understanding the Historic Divergence Between Productivity and a Typical Worker’s Pay: Why It Matters and Why It’s Real
"The entirety of the gap between productivity and hourly pay growth is income accruing somewhere in the economy besides the paychecks of typical workers. Mostly, this “somewhere” has been in the pockets of extraordinarily highly paid managers and owners of capital."
"The entirety of the gap between productivity and hourly pay growth is income accruing somewhere in the economy besides the paychecks of typical workers. Mostly, this “somewhere” has been in the pockets of extraordinarily highly paid managers and owners of capital."
PERRspectives: Unicornomics
PERRspectives: Unicornomics
"Unveiling the Congressional Budget Office's latest long term forecast this week, new CBO Director Keith Hall made an unremarkable statement. "The evidence," Hall explained, "is that tax cuts do not pay for themselves." For the overwhelming majority of economists or just about anyone with a passing familiarity with the U.S. budget since Ronald Reagan first took the oath of office in 1981, Hall's inescapable conclusion is about as close to a self-evident truth as his profession can offer.
But for Republicans and their conservative water carriers, Hall's remark came as an unpleasant surprise indeed. After all, Congressional Republicans chose Hall over incumbent Douglas Elmendorf precisely to implement "dynamic scoring" models which would show their tax-cutting schemes wouldn't hemorrhage red ink (or at least as much), thanks to amped-up economic growth the cuts themselves would magically produce. Worse still, virtually every one of the 2016 GOP presidential candidates is counting on Arthur Laffer's 40 year-old myth and other fictions to produce economic growth no one's seen, tax revenue that has never materialized and balanced budgets that simply cannot come to pass.
Call it Unicornomics."
"Unveiling the Congressional Budget Office's latest long term forecast this week, new CBO Director Keith Hall made an unremarkable statement. "The evidence," Hall explained, "is that tax cuts do not pay for themselves." For the overwhelming majority of economists or just about anyone with a passing familiarity with the U.S. budget since Ronald Reagan first took the oath of office in 1981, Hall's inescapable conclusion is about as close to a self-evident truth as his profession can offer.
But for Republicans and their conservative water carriers, Hall's remark came as an unpleasant surprise indeed. After all, Congressional Republicans chose Hall over incumbent Douglas Elmendorf precisely to implement "dynamic scoring" models which would show their tax-cutting schemes wouldn't hemorrhage red ink (or at least as much), thanks to amped-up economic growth the cuts themselves would magically produce. Worse still, virtually every one of the 2016 GOP presidential candidates is counting on Arthur Laffer's 40 year-old myth and other fictions to produce economic growth no one's seen, tax revenue that has never materialized and balanced budgets that simply cannot come to pass.
Call it Unicornomics."
A New Way American Cities Can Free Themselves of Wall Street’s Control @alternet
A New Way American Cities Can Free Themselves of Wall Street’s Control @alternet
"This is the mentality that led Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibbi to call Goldman Sachs “a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money.”
It’s not just Goldman. All of municipal finance has become an extractive industry, pumping billions away from the communities that need them most. Morality is an externality that financial firms seldom concern themselves with. The financial sector’s fee-based business model is designed to maximize profits, not to protect taxpayers.
Banks may not have a moral compass, but their business contracts with our state and local governments can and should. After all, our cities, states and school districts are not simply fodder for Wall Street’s insatiable greed. Our elected leaders have a duty to protect us from predatory financial practices. Cities and states can force banks to charge drastically lower fees, do away with arbitrary fee structures and eliminate onerous terms that divert billions of dollars away from the most vulnerable members of our society into bonus checks for our nation’s wealthiest few.
Governors in states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois are waging war on collective bargaining and telling taxpayers that empowering publicsector unions robs state coffers, but the real drain on public treasuries is the billions in fees paid to banks every year. And unlike money that goes into workers’ pockets, most of these fees are not recycled back into the local economy but sent to offshore tax havens or invested in complex financial schemes. The irony is that collective bargaining is one of the most effective tools available to public officials who truly want to do right by taxpayers—and cast off Wall Street’s tentacles."
"This is the mentality that led Rolling Stone’s Matt Taibbi to call Goldman Sachs “a great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity, relentlessly jamming its blood funnel into anything that smells like money.”
It’s not just Goldman. All of municipal finance has become an extractive industry, pumping billions away from the communities that need them most. Morality is an externality that financial firms seldom concern themselves with. The financial sector’s fee-based business model is designed to maximize profits, not to protect taxpayers.
Banks may not have a moral compass, but their business contracts with our state and local governments can and should. After all, our cities, states and school districts are not simply fodder for Wall Street’s insatiable greed. Our elected leaders have a duty to protect us from predatory financial practices. Cities and states can force banks to charge drastically lower fees, do away with arbitrary fee structures and eliminate onerous terms that divert billions of dollars away from the most vulnerable members of our society into bonus checks for our nation’s wealthiest few.
Governors in states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois are waging war on collective bargaining and telling taxpayers that empowering publicsector unions robs state coffers, but the real drain on public treasuries is the billions in fees paid to banks every year. And unlike money that goes into workers’ pockets, most of these fees are not recycled back into the local economy but sent to offshore tax havens or invested in complex financial schemes. The irony is that collective bargaining is one of the most effective tools available to public officials who truly want to do right by taxpayers—and cast off Wall Street’s tentacles."
Prescription Drug Prices Are Out Of Control. Bernie Sanders Has A Plan.
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/09/03/3697990/sanders-prescription/
"The U.S. has some of the highest prescription drug prices and spending in the world, with much higher average yearly spending compared with Europeans or Canadians."
"The U.S. has some of the highest prescription drug prices and spending in the world, with much higher average yearly spending compared with Europeans or Canadians."
Sanders Vows To End Pres. Bush’s ‘Prescription Drug Heist’
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/sanders-vows-to-end-pres-bushs-prescription-drug-heist/
"President Bush catered to a billion dollar industry and made sure that elderly Americans on Medicare had no choice but to pay insanely high drug prices; none of the Republican presidential candidates will address this issue, because they don’t care about vulnerable Americans who do not pad their bank accounts."
"President Bush catered to a billion dollar industry and made sure that elderly Americans on Medicare had no choice but to pay insanely high drug prices; none of the Republican presidential candidates will address this issue, because they don’t care about vulnerable Americans who do not pad their bank accounts."
America’s silent-but-deadly billionaires: How our tight-lipped overlords are waging stealth campaigns against the middle class
America’s silent-but-deadly billionaires: How our tight-lipped overlords are waging stealth campaigns against the middle class
"The United States also needs a robust public financing system, which would allow for more small donor democracy. According to Brian Schaffner, the average small donation (under $200) in 2012 was $85, meaning that to equal the $889 million the Koch Brothers plan to spend, it would take 10.5 million small donors."
"The United States also needs a robust public financing system, which would allow for more small donor democracy. According to Brian Schaffner, the average small donation (under $200) in 2012 was $85, meaning that to equal the $889 million the Koch Brothers plan to spend, it would take 10.5 million small donors."
Ted Cruz Thinks Employers Should Be Allowed To Deny Their Employees Paid Family Leave
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/09/02/3697995/ted-cruz-family-leave/
"These programs don’t end up costing businesses, and in fact in the states that have set them up, employers are supportive. In California, the vast majority report that paid leave has had either a positive impact or none at all on profitability, employee performance, and productivity, and it’s also helped reduce turnover. The majority in New Jersey say it hasn’t hurt their finances and has come with some of the same benefits."
"These programs don’t end up costing businesses, and in fact in the states that have set them up, employers are supportive. In California, the vast majority report that paid leave has had either a positive impact or none at all on profitability, employee performance, and productivity, and it’s also helped reduce turnover. The majority in New Jersey say it hasn’t hurt their finances and has come with some of the same benefits."
Governors Have Collected Millions In Presidential Campaign Contributions From State Contractors
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/08/27/3695683/republican-governors-state-contractors/
"The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that campaigns and super PACs supporting Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) together have raised at least $2.5 million in donations from companies with state contracts or taxpayer subsidies in their states."
"The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that campaigns and super PACs supporting Christie, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) together have raised at least $2.5 million in donations from companies with state contracts or taxpayer subsidies in their states."
5 Quotes From Teddy Roosevelt That Exemplify What It Means To Be A Progressive
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/08/31/3694934/teddy-roosevelt-progressive-environmentalsim-patriot/
"Yes, the famous Republican President Teddy Roosevelt would be what modern conservatives typically label a socialist tree-hugger."
"Yes, the famous Republican President Teddy Roosevelt would be what modern conservatives typically label a socialist tree-hugger."
Conservatives Are Waiting For Their Shot At Dismantling The New Deal
Conservatives Are Waiting For Their Shot At Dismantling The New Deal
"If one of these justices retires under a Republican president, who then appoints a Lochnerian to fill the vacancy, it will change the Court profoundly. If more than one of them steps down, the Court will become unrecognizable."
"If one of these justices retires under a Republican president, who then appoints a Lochnerian to fill the vacancy, it will change the Court profoundly. If more than one of them steps down, the Court will become unrecognizable."
Our Roads and Bridges are Crumbling, Yet GOP Wants to Build Walls Blocking Mexico and Canada
Our Roads and Bridges are Crumbling, Yet GOP Wants to Build Walls Blocking Mexico and Canada
"The American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated that the United States will require approximately $1.7 trillion worth of repairs to infrastructure by the year 2020.
That’s not going to happen if the GOP gets its way and we’re wasting our time and money on a bunch of walls we don’t need."
"The American Society of Civil Engineers has estimated that the United States will require approximately $1.7 trillion worth of repairs to infrastructure by the year 2020.
That’s not going to happen if the GOP gets its way and we’re wasting our time and money on a bunch of walls we don’t need."
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Paranoid history of the GOP: How conspiracy theories poisoned the Republican Party
Paranoid history of the GOP: How conspiracy theories poisoned the Republican Party
"conspiracism is virtually all the GOP has left"
"conspiracism is virtually all the GOP has left"
PERRspectives: Economists Warn of GOP Threat to U.S. Economy
PERRspectives: Economists Warn of GOP Threat to U.S. Economy
"it's not the instability of Chinese stock prices, the devaluation of its currency, the Eurozone's Greek tragedy or even a premature Fed interest rate hike that has WSJ's economists so concerned. Instead, the fear is that the GOP-controlled Congress will once again precipitate a fiscal crisis this fall."
"it's not the instability of Chinese stock prices, the devaluation of its currency, the Eurozone's Greek tragedy or even a premature Fed interest rate hike that has WSJ's economists so concerned. Instead, the fear is that the GOP-controlled Congress will once again precipitate a fiscal crisis this fall."
4 Charts That Prove Just How Successful President Obama Has Been
4 Charts That Prove Just How Successful President Obama Has Been
"With Republicans, it really is more like cult-like propaganda than normal, every day political rhetoric. It’s become so bad that indisputable facts have suddenly become “opinions” simply because they don’t want to believe in them."
"With Republicans, it really is more like cult-like propaganda than normal, every day political rhetoric. It’s become so bad that indisputable facts have suddenly become “opinions” simply because they don’t want to believe in them."
'Big Moment' for California as Assembly Votes to Divest From Dirty Coal
'Big Moment' for California as Assembly Votes to Divest From Dirty Coal
"In a significant victory for the fossil fuel divestment movement, the California Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill requiring the state's two pension systems, CalPERS and CalSTRS, to release their holdings from coal investments."
"In a significant victory for the fossil fuel divestment movement, the California Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill requiring the state's two pension systems, CalPERS and CalSTRS, to release their holdings from coal investments."
On Taking Climate Action, Even Wall Street Asks: 'Why Would You Not?'
On Taking Climate Action, Even Wall Street Asks: 'Why Would You Not?'
"Fortunately, the report finds that taking action to cut carbon pollution and slow global warming by investing in energy efficiency and renewable power generation would result in a positive return on investment, ultimately saving trillions of dollars."
"Fortunately, the report finds that taking action to cut carbon pollution and slow global warming by investing in energy efficiency and renewable power generation would result in a positive return on investment, ultimately saving trillions of dollars."
Report: Extravagant CEO Pay Packages Are Fostering Planet's Destruction
Report: Extravagant CEO Pay Packages Are Fostering Planet's Destruction
"the complex cycle in which corporate bosses are given "enormous personal financial incentive" to promote the development of fossil fuels, which in turn allows them to donate ever-increasing funds to lobbyists and lawmakers who promote climate denial policies."
"the complex cycle in which corporate bosses are given "enormous personal financial incentive" to promote the development of fossil fuels, which in turn allows them to donate ever-increasing funds to lobbyists and lawmakers who promote climate denial policies."
Jeb Bush Made Millions Giving Investors Billions Of Florida Pension Funds To Lose
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/30/jeb-bush-millions-giving-investors-billions-florida-pension-funds-lose.html
"According to a comprehensive International Business Times analysis of Florida government documents, and a list of George W. Bush’s bundlers compiled by Public Citizen, there were no less than 11 firms that received the Jeb Bush pension investments because they were qualified as “Pioneers.” Further analysis of data from the Florida Division of Elections and Political Moneyline determined how much money executives from those firms donated directly to Jeb Bush’s campaigns, George W. Bush’s campaigns, the Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Florida between 1998 and 2006 while Jeb Bush was in charge.
For example, Lehman Brothers, already recipients of Florida pension largesse courtesy of Jeb Bush donated $499,000 to Bush campaigns and received $175 million in pension money from Bush. Also included in the eleven investment firms was the largest private equity firm in the world, the Carlyle Group, where Bush daddy George H. W. Bush served as senior adviser from 1998 to 2003 during the time all these “Pioneer” transactions were occurring. The Carlyle Group received $275 million of Florida public employees’ pension savings for donating $69,000 to keep George W. Bush in the White House. As one pundit noted, the special relationship between Jeb and giant financial institutions really means that the “quid pro quo was a double windfall for the Bush clan,” and contributed to monumental pension losses for Florida public employees."
"According to a comprehensive International Business Times analysis of Florida government documents, and a list of George W. Bush’s bundlers compiled by Public Citizen, there were no less than 11 firms that received the Jeb Bush pension investments because they were qualified as “Pioneers.” Further analysis of data from the Florida Division of Elections and Political Moneyline determined how much money executives from those firms donated directly to Jeb Bush’s campaigns, George W. Bush’s campaigns, the Republican National Committee and the Republican Party of Florida between 1998 and 2006 while Jeb Bush was in charge.
For example, Lehman Brothers, already recipients of Florida pension largesse courtesy of Jeb Bush donated $499,000 to Bush campaigns and received $175 million in pension money from Bush. Also included in the eleven investment firms was the largest private equity firm in the world, the Carlyle Group, where Bush daddy George H. W. Bush served as senior adviser from 1998 to 2003 during the time all these “Pioneer” transactions were occurring. The Carlyle Group received $275 million of Florida public employees’ pension savings for donating $69,000 to keep George W. Bush in the White House. As one pundit noted, the special relationship between Jeb and giant financial institutions really means that the “quid pro quo was a double windfall for the Bush clan,” and contributed to monumental pension losses for Florida public employees."
Walker Keeps Telling Tales Out Of School
Walker Keeps Telling Tales Out Of School
"On Sunday, Walker appeared with Chuckles the Toad on Meet the Press. Since Chuckles was letting him get away with saying about anything, Walker laid it on thick regarding his record on education in Wisconsin."
"On Sunday, Walker appeared with Chuckles the Toad on Meet the Press. Since Chuckles was letting him get away with saying about anything, Walker laid it on thick regarding his record on education in Wisconsin."
New report examines Kochs' role in Hurricane Katrina damage and slow recovery
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/28/1416301/-New-report-examines-Kochs-role-in-Hurricane-Katrina-damage-and-slow-recovery
"the Kochs' "PR machine" is in full gear, with the Kochs sponsoring all kinds of 10th anniversary events, "using their positive PR effort to distract from their business practices and response ten years ago," once again using "Hurricane Katrina to their own benefit"."
"the Kochs' "PR machine" is in full gear, with the Kochs sponsoring all kinds of 10th anniversary events, "using their positive PR effort to distract from their business practices and response ten years ago," once again using "Hurricane Katrina to their own benefit"."
How Jeb! helped his corporate buddies profit off Katrina
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/28/1416355/-How-Jeb-helped-his-corporate-buddies-profit-off-Katrina
"Jeb!'s role in a federally funded post-Katrina boondoggle inspired by high-dollar donors close to his campaign and the GOP."
"Jeb!'s role in a federally funded post-Katrina boondoggle inspired by high-dollar donors close to his campaign and the GOP."
Bombshell Report Reveals That The Kochs Profited From The Misery Of Katrina Victims
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/28/report-documents-kochs-compounded-profited-hurricane-katrina.html
"The Koch brothers see opportunity in natural disasters. In some cases, their actions can intensify the disaster’s impact, but more importantly, after the catastrophe unfolds they can exploit the tragedy to make more money. The Koch brothers are “disaster capitalists” who see in other people’s suffering an opportunity to further enrich themselves."
"The Koch brothers see opportunity in natural disasters. In some cases, their actions can intensify the disaster’s impact, but more importantly, after the catastrophe unfolds they can exploit the tragedy to make more money. The Koch brothers are “disaster capitalists” who see in other people’s suffering an opportunity to further enrich themselves."
7 Inconvenient Truths for Trump About Immigration @alternet
7 Inconvenient Truths for Trump About Immigration @alternet
"Trump and his followers don’t want their rage disrupted or redirected to the real causes of economic insecurity: how America’s capitalist system, exemplified by selfish strivers like Trump, has made a growing schism of have-nots and haves. Instead, it’s easier to falsely blame some of the most powerless people in America—undocumented immigrants—by fingering a fake threat, undocumented Mexicans, and a fake remedy, a bigger wall."
"Trump and his followers don’t want their rage disrupted or redirected to the real causes of economic insecurity: how America’s capitalist system, exemplified by selfish strivers like Trump, has made a growing schism of have-nots and haves. Instead, it’s easier to falsely blame some of the most powerless people in America—undocumented immigrants—by fingering a fake threat, undocumented Mexicans, and a fake remedy, a bigger wall."
Jeb Bush declares war on American labor: “People should work longer hours”
Jeb Bush declares war on American labor: “People should work longer hours”
"Recent research indicates that U.S. productivity has increased steadily since the 1940s. Through the 1950s and 1960s, hourly compensation rose along with productivity, but in the 1970s this connection severed. Since then, a disproportionate share of earnings has gone to shareholders and upper management rather than to ordinary workers. Instead of having already overworked Americans remain at work longer, a more sensible solution to the country’s economic woes would be to ensure that productivity growth translates into higher wages and to make sure there is continued investments in research and development that lead to innovations. Such investments require vision and risk-taking, but simply squeezing workers harder is not a viable alternative."
"Recent research indicates that U.S. productivity has increased steadily since the 1940s. Through the 1950s and 1960s, hourly compensation rose along with productivity, but in the 1970s this connection severed. Since then, a disproportionate share of earnings has gone to shareholders and upper management rather than to ordinary workers. Instead of having already overworked Americans remain at work longer, a more sensible solution to the country’s economic woes would be to ensure that productivity growth translates into higher wages and to make sure there is continued investments in research and development that lead to innovations. Such investments require vision and risk-taking, but simply squeezing workers harder is not a viable alternative."
The Rise of Donald Trump Has Cemented the GOP’s Legacy as the Party of Stupid
The Rise of Donald Trump Has Cemented the GOP’s Legacy as the Party of Stupid
"I love it when I hear Republicans try to find excuses as to why Trump has become such a right-wing favorite. They’ll say things like “he’s just telling it how it is” or “he’s just tapping into an anger that many Americans have felt.”
Bullsh*t.
Trump has become a right-wing hero because he’s just saying whatever the hell it is he thinks Republicans want to hear. He doesn’t care if most of what he’s saying is complete nonsense, because he knows conservatives couldn’t care less about facts or truth – they just want someone who tells them what they want to hear. He’s pandering to racism, bigotry and ignorance. If you can do that effectively (which he has) conservatives will love you."
"I love it when I hear Republicans try to find excuses as to why Trump has become such a right-wing favorite. They’ll say things like “he’s just telling it how it is” or “he’s just tapping into an anger that many Americans have felt.”
Bullsh*t.
Trump has become a right-wing hero because he’s just saying whatever the hell it is he thinks Republicans want to hear. He doesn’t care if most of what he’s saying is complete nonsense, because he knows conservatives couldn’t care less about facts or truth – they just want someone who tells them what they want to hear. He’s pandering to racism, bigotry and ignorance. If you can do that effectively (which he has) conservatives will love you."
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