Friday, August 10, 2012
Ohio Limits Early Voting Hours In Democratic Counties, Expands In Republican Counties
Ohio Limits Early Voting Hours In Democratic Counties, Expands In Republican Counties: Ohio has introduced a new tactic in their broader attempts to make it even harder for Democratic voters to get to the polls this year. Early voting stations in Ohio’s heavily Democratic counties will only be open between 8 am and 5 pm, while Republican counties have expanded their hours to allow voting on nights [...]/p
Huntsman Sr. denies he's Reid's source, then calls on Romney to release taxes
Huntsman Sr. denies he's Reid's source, then calls on Romney to release taxes
“Mr. Romney ought to square with the American people and release his taxes like any other candidate,” Huntsman said. “I’ve supported Mitt all along. I wish him well. But I do think he should release his income taxes.”
“Mr. Romney ought to square with the American people and release his taxes like any other candidate,” Huntsman said. “I’ve supported Mitt all along. I wish him well. But I do think he should release his income taxes.”
LIBOR Rate-Fixing Scandal Sets Off Investigations, Lawsuits Against Big Banks
Cities around the country, from Baltimore to Oakland, are taking legal action against the banks responsible for suppressing the London interbank offered rate, Libor. And some 75% of major cities involved in libor-tied interest-rate swaps stand to reclaim taxpayer losses in addition to libor-backed mortgage holders who lost money on the rate's manipulation.
U.S. Told Banks To Make Contingency Plans For Collapse - 'And This Time, We Really Mean It'
U.S. Told Banks To Make Contingency Plans For Collapse - 'And This Time, We Really Mean It'
"They're assuming, of course, that the banks actually believe them. If I were in charge of a big bank, what reason would I have to believe that the U.S. government isn't going to come to my rescue if I bet the house again - and lose?"
"They're assuming, of course, that the banks actually believe them. If I were in charge of a big bank, what reason would I have to believe that the U.S. government isn't going to come to my rescue if I bet the house again - and lose?"
GOP war on voting curbs access in Ohio Democratic counties
Ohio has introduced a new tactic in their broader attempts to make it even harder for Democratic voters to get to the polls this year. Early voting stations in Ohio’s heavily Democratic counties will only be open between 8 am and 5 pm, while Republican counties have expanded their hours to allow voting on nights and weekends.
How New Homeowner Protections Will Cut Down On Improper Foreclosures
How New Homeowner Protections Will Cut Down On Improper Foreclosures: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is proposing new transparency and accountability rules for banks that handle mortgages, with the aim of cutting down on the number of avoidable or improper foreclosures. Some of the proposed rules deal directly with how mortgage services deal with their non-delinquent clients. But along with those, CFPB is proposing [...]/p
RNC chair: 63 percent of voters are 'ridiculous'
RNC chair: 63 percent of voters are 'ridiculous'
"Seriously, it's one thing to disagree with a majority. There is no guaranteed wisdom of the crowds. But when you're the chair of a major political party, you shouldn't go around calling the concerns of 63 percent of Americans "ridiculous." And if 63 percent of the public wants to talk about something, you don't shut the door on it. You man up and deal with it."
"Seriously, it's one thing to disagree with a majority. There is no guaranteed wisdom of the crowds. But when you're the chair of a major political party, you shouldn't go around calling the concerns of 63 percent of Americans "ridiculous." And if 63 percent of the public wants to talk about something, you don't shut the door on it. You man up and deal with it."
Blocking the vote in Ohio
"Republicans in Ohio are limiting early voting for Democratic-leaning areas, but expanding them for Republican-leaning areas."
Why the Right Has New Legal Ammunition in Its Quest to End Medicare, Social Security and Our Entire Social Safety Net | Alternet
Why the Right Has New Legal Ammunition in Its Quest to End Medicare, Social Security and Our Entire Social Safety Net | Alternet
"If you think the right wing would have been content with killing the healthcare reform law that is the centerpiece of President Obama's agenda, think again. With a new strategy in hand, they're coming for it all: Medicaid, Social Security and welfare programs -- in addition to the Affordable Care Act.
"If you think the right wing would have been content with killing the healthcare reform law that is the centerpiece of President Obama's agenda, think again. With a new strategy in hand, they're coming for it all: Medicaid, Social Security and welfare programs -- in addition to the Affordable Care Act.
Conservatives may have been dealt a momentary set-back when the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act in June, but there's every reason to think they plan to use that decision to launch even more legal attacks not just on the healthcare reform law, but on the entire social safety net -- and plenty of reason to worry they'll succeed."
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Romney supporters finally support Romney ... but nobody else does
Romney supporters finally support Romney ... but nobody else does
"Sixty-four percent of all Americans, and 68% of independents, think Romney favors the rich over the middle class. And 63% of the public thinks Romney should release more tax returns than he has already made public, a figure which rises to 67% among independents."
"Sixty-four percent of all Americans, and 68% of independents, think Romney favors the rich over the middle class. And 63% of the public thinks Romney should release more tax returns than he has already made public, a figure which rises to 67% among independents."
Corporate Reformer Bain Capital Much Like Terrible Corporate Education Reformers | Alternet
Corporate Reformer Bain Capital Much Like Terrible Corporate Education Reformers | Alternet
"Bain Capital has received a lot of negative press lately from President Barack Obama's reelection campaign as it's the corporation once run by current Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
"Bain Capital has received a lot of negative press lately from President Barack Obama's reelection campaign as it's the corporation once run by current Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
As it turns out Romney made a killing from his time as CEO of Bain, but he was far from a job creator. Through his workthousands of people lost their jobs. The corporation uses a "Corporate Reform" model that looks a lot like the current model being used by billionaire-backed Astroturf groups claiming it will fix schools.
Bain's a private equity firm that specialized in "leveraged buyouts"."
Franciscan Friars Join Nuns’ Call On Romney To Spend Day With The Poor
Franciscan Friars Join Nuns’ Call On Romney To Spend Day With The Poor: Yesterday, a group of Catholic nuns called on Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney to spend a day with them to learn about the plight of America’s poorest citizens. Now, another religious group has made a similar call. The Franciscan Action Network, a group of Franciscan friars and sisters, released a statement Wednesday asking Romney and [...]/p
Study: Taxpayer-Financed Basketball Arenas Don’t Spur Local Economic Growth
Study: Taxpayer-Financed Basketball Arenas Don’t Spur Local Economic Growth: States and cities across the United States have used generous taxpayer subsidies to build new sports facilities. But as ThinkProgress has noted, those deals often fail to live up to the economic promises cities make in order to get taxpayers to sign off on the funding. Instead, cities are often left in debt, even as [...]/p
NYPD to Launch Expansive Citywide Surveillance System, For a Profit | Common Dreams
NYPD to Launch Expansive Citywide Surveillance System, For a Profit | Common Dreams
"The NYPD launched a new citywide surveillance system on Wednesday that officials saywill "revolutionize law enforcement", and will be sold across the country for a profit."
"The NYPD launched a new citywide surveillance system on Wednesday that officials saywill "revolutionize law enforcement", and will be sold across the country for a profit."
PERRspectives: Romney-Ryan Plan IS the Ticket for Republicans
PERRspectives: Romney-Ryan Plan IS the Ticket for Republicans
"Both Ryan and Romney would deliver a massive tax cut windfall for the rich, a multi-trillion giveaway offset only in part by gutting the social safety net each pretends to protect. Romney-Ryan ends Medicare as we know it with a "premium support" gambit that would dramatically shift health care costs to America's seniors. Their shared call for repealing the Affordable Care Act could leave up to 48 million more people without health insurance. Even as their draconian austerity budgets would increase unemployment beginning in 2013, both men would nevertheless ratchet up defense spending. And despite their mutual pledges to end many tax loopholes and deductions to fund their gilded-class giveaway, neither Paul Ryan nor Mitt Romney has the courage to say which ones. As a result, these supposed deficit hawks would actually add trillions more in red ink to the national debt."
"Both Ryan and Romney would deliver a massive tax cut windfall for the rich, a multi-trillion giveaway offset only in part by gutting the social safety net each pretends to protect. Romney-Ryan ends Medicare as we know it with a "premium support" gambit that would dramatically shift health care costs to America's seniors. Their shared call for repealing the Affordable Care Act could leave up to 48 million more people without health insurance. Even as their draconian austerity budgets would increase unemployment beginning in 2013, both men would nevertheless ratchet up defense spending. And despite their mutual pledges to end many tax loopholes and deductions to fund their gilded-class giveaway, neither Paul Ryan nor Mitt Romney has the courage to say which ones. As a result, these supposed deficit hawks would actually add trillions more in red ink to the national debt."
Time to REBEL! 5 Ways We Can Break the Big Banks' Death Grip on the Economy | Alternet
Time to REBEL! 5 Ways We Can Break the Big Banks' Death Grip on the Economy | Alternet
"Wall Street’s incredible greed and arrogance may have finally handed us the tools and leverage we need."
"Wall Street’s incredible greed and arrogance may have finally handed us the tools and leverage we need."
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Families of Bain Capital's original investors had ties with El Salvador's infamous death squads
Families of Bain Capital's original investors had ties with El Salvador's infamous death squads
"When Mitt Romney decided to take up the offer to launch Bain Capital in 1983, he initially found financing difficult to come by. And so, after some initial misgivings were conveniently overcome, he flew to Miami to meet with some Salvadorans. And he returned with pledges of $9 million, 40 percent of Bain's start-up capital. Thus did the Bain buccaneer lay the foundation for his fortune."
"When Mitt Romney decided to take up the offer to launch Bain Capital in 1983, he initially found financing difficult to come by. And so, after some initial misgivings were conveniently overcome, he flew to Miami to meet with some Salvadorans. And he returned with pledges of $9 million, 40 percent of Bain's start-up capital. Thus did the Bain buccaneer lay the foundation for his fortune."
Romney’s Incredible Extremes: Positions So Radical, They're Hard to Believe | Common Dreams
Romney’s Incredible Extremes: Positions So Radical, They're Hard to Believe | Common Dreams
"Mitt Romney’s tax and spending plans are so irresponsible, so cruel, so extreme that they are literally incredible. Voters may find it hard to believe anyone would support such things, so they are likely to discount even factual descriptions as partisan distortion."
"Mitt Romney’s tax and spending plans are so irresponsible, so cruel, so extreme that they are literally incredible. Voters may find it hard to believe anyone would support such things, so they are likely to discount even factual descriptions as partisan distortion."
After Announcing Record Earnings, Disney CEO Claims Corporate Taxes Are Hurting U.S. Companies
After Announcing Record Earnings, Disney CEO Claims Corporate Taxes Are Hurting U.S. Companies: The Walt Disney Corporation today announced its highest quarterly earnings ever today, due to higher prices at its theme parks and the success of several cable channels it owns, including ESPN. This comes after the company made $7.3 billion in profits last year. But Disney’s CEO, Bob Iger, still appeared on Fox Business today to [...]/p
The GOP's Kamikaze Candidate
The GOP's Kamikaze Candidate
"In their desperation to oust President Obama, Republicans have selected the worst presidential candidate in recent memory."
"In their desperation to oust President Obama, Republicans have selected the worst presidential candidate in recent memory."
The Way Things Work at the Central Bankers’ Club » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
The Way Things Work at the Central Bankers’ Club » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
"The case of the rigged Libor turns out to be the scandal that just keeps on giving. It reveals a great deal about the behavior of the Federal Reserve Board and central banks more generally."
"The case of the rigged Libor turns out to be the scandal that just keeps on giving. It reveals a great deal about the behavior of the Federal Reserve Board and central banks more generally."
The Deep Back Story of Liborgate » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
The Deep Back Story of Liborgate » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
"In the last four years costly interest rate swaps have become a focus of community activists and public sector unions who have watched as literally hundreds of millions, perhaps billions have been drained from the public sector. Until recently activists trying to address this crisis have been pressuring elected officials and banks, using the logic that it was the Federal Reserve’s reduction of rates that caused most swaps to turn toxic. However, because Libor is the key rate with which the majority of interest rate swap payments are calculated today, the Libor scandal has reinvigorated and transformed the moral and legal arguments that can be used by local governments seeking exits from toxic swaps. Any manipulation of Libor rates since 2007 means that swap counterparty payments linked to hundreds of trillions in public debts have been distorted, potentially to the detriment of the public, all of this on top of the already unjust depression of rates caused by the Fed. Even the stolid Financial Times has made note of this, saying that local governments burned by swaps and seeking an exit “have a point,” and that “A groundswell of such resistance should worry other banks"."
"In the last four years costly interest rate swaps have become a focus of community activists and public sector unions who have watched as literally hundreds of millions, perhaps billions have been drained from the public sector. Until recently activists trying to address this crisis have been pressuring elected officials and banks, using the logic that it was the Federal Reserve’s reduction of rates that caused most swaps to turn toxic. However, because Libor is the key rate with which the majority of interest rate swap payments are calculated today, the Libor scandal has reinvigorated and transformed the moral and legal arguments that can be used by local governments seeking exits from toxic swaps. Any manipulation of Libor rates since 2007 means that swap counterparty payments linked to hundreds of trillions in public debts have been distorted, potentially to the detriment of the public, all of this on top of the already unjust depression of rates caused by the Fed. Even the stolid Financial Times has made note of this, saying that local governments burned by swaps and seeking an exit “have a point,” and that “A groundswell of such resistance should worry other banks"."
Never Forget Who Profits Most in $2 Billion Presidential Campaign | Common Dreams
Never Forget Who Profits Most in $2 Billion Presidential Campaign | Common Dreams
"What does all this money, in the most well-funded presidential race ever, buy?"
"What does all this money, in the most well-funded presidential race ever, buy?"
Morgan Stanley Settles Price-Fixing Scandal That Cost Consumers $300 Million For Just $4.8 Million
Morgan Stanley Settles Price-Fixing Scandal That Cost Consumers $300 Million For Just $4.8 Million: Morgan Stanley will pay $4.8 million and admit no wrongdoing as part of a settlement with the federal government over allegations that it helped KeySpan, an electricity generating company, fix prices against New York consumers. A federal judge “begrudgingly” approved the deal Tuesday, overruling claims from consumer advocacy groups that the government was letting Morgan [...]/p
Blood Money: Romney Started Bain Capital With Money From Families Tied To Death Squads | Common Dreams
Blood Money: Romney Started Bain Capital With Money From Families Tied To Death Squads | Common Dreams
"When Romney struggled to raise funds from other traditional sources, he and his partners started thinking outside the box. Bain executive Harry Strachan suggested that Romney meet with a group of Central American oligarchs who were looking for new investment vehicles as turmoil engulfed their region."
"When Romney struggled to raise funds from other traditional sources, he and his partners started thinking outside the box. Bain executive Harry Strachan suggested that Romney meet with a group of Central American oligarchs who were looking for new investment vehicles as turmoil engulfed their region."
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Occupy Wall St.: Year One
"On Sep. 17, 2011 Occupy Wall Street started a revolution. One year later, join us for three days of education, training, and protest in New York City."
House Financial Services Chairman Asks Banks To Design ‘Alternatives’ To Wall Street Reform Restrictions
House Financial Services Chairman Asks Banks To Design ‘Alternatives’ To Wall Street Reform Restrictions: House Financial Services Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) — who said that, in his view, Washington’s role is “to serve the banks” — has put out a call to the financial industry to suggest “legislative alternatives” to the Volcker Rule, which is aimed at reining in banks’ risky trading: A top Republican lawmaker on Tuesday asked [...]/p
US Conservatives Pile on the Excuses
US Conservatives Pile on the Excuses
"And as many others have pointed out, what does it say about the Romney campaign that to run against a sitting president, one with a three-and-a-half-year track record, they have to lie about what he said to find a point of attack?"
"And as many others have pointed out, what does it say about the Romney campaign that to run against a sitting president, one with a three-and-a-half-year track record, they have to lie about what he said to find a point of attack?"
Welcome To The Era of Super PACs
"Unlike previous presidential elections, this year's election isn't only about which candidate has the most money in their war chests. This year it's all about which candidate has the most Super PACs pouring money into advertising on their behalf. And so far, these massive PACs have poured tens of millions of dollars to get their guy elected. Mike Papantonio talks about how money will be the determining factor in this year's election with Andy Kroll, correspondent for Mother Jones magazine."
Federal Reserve Penalizes MetLife $3.2 Million For Foreclosure Abuses
Federal Reserve Penalizes MetLife $3.2 Million For Foreclosure Abuses: The Federal Reserve will impose a $3.2 million penalty on MetLife Inc. for failing to prevent foreclosure abuses by the bank it oversees, the Associated Press reports. MetLife Bank was among the mortgage lenders cited by the Federal Reserve last year for improperly foreclosing on homeowners, and the penalty is similar to those included in [...]/p
America’s 10 Largest Corporations Paid 9 Percent Average Tax Rate Last Year
America’s 10 Largest Corporations Paid 9 Percent Average Tax Rate Last Year: America’s 10 most profitable corporations paid an average corporate income tax rate of just 9 percent in 2011, according to a study from financial site NerdWallet reported by the Huffington Post. The 10 companies include Wall Street banks like Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase, oil companies like ExxonMobil and Chevron, and tech companies like [...]/p
Biotechnology Firm Amgen Becomes The 31st Company To Dump ALEC
Biotechnology Firm Amgen Becomes The 31st Company To Dump ALEC: Amgen, a biotechnology firm with approximately 17,000 employees, joined 30 other companies today that have broken ties with the right-wing American Legislative Exchange Council. ALEC provides “model” legislation, often drafted by industry lobbyists, to state lawmakers with the intention of having those model bills be enacted into law. Although ALEC recently eliminated a task force [...]/p
Fighting GMO Labeling in California is Food Lobby’s 'Highest Priority' | Common Dreams
Fighting GMO Labeling in California is Food Lobby’s 'Highest Priority' | Common Dreams
"In case you had any doubt that California’s Prop 37—which would require labeling of food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs)—is a significant threat to industry, a top food lobby has now made it perfectly clear."
"In case you had any doubt that California’s Prop 37—which would require labeling of food containing genetically modified organisms (GMOs)—is a significant threat to industry, a top food lobby has now made it perfectly clear."
CHART: The Explosion Of High Frequency Trading Makes The Case For A Transactions Tax
CHART: The Explosion Of High Frequency Trading Makes The Case For A Transactions Tax: This chart from the markets research firm Nanex shows the absolute explosion in high-frequency trading that has occurred over the last few years. This sort of trading, employed by large global firms like Goldman Sachs, allows for the churning up of quick profits, but with little economic benefit: As Reuters’ Felix Salmon noted, “The stock [...]/p
Monday, August 6, 2012
Private Prisons Cost Arizona $3.5 Million More Per Year Than State-Run Prisons
Private Prisons Cost Arizona $3.5 Million More Per Year Than State-Run Prisons: Private prisons, touted as a cost-efficient alternative to state-run penitentiaries, are not living up to their promises in at least one state. A new study of Arizona’s private prisons finds that the state is actually losing money — $3.5 million a year — by turning their inmates over to for-profit corporations. According to the Tucson [...]/p
Senate Bill Continues Tax Breaks For NASCAR, Rum, And Offshoring Profits
Senate Bill Continues Tax Breaks For NASCAR, Rum, And Offshoring Profits: Last week, in what Reuters called “a rare show of bipartisan unity,” the Senate Finance Committee approved a package of so-called tax extenders by a 19-5 vote. The extenders package contains a variety of expiring tax provisions that are regularly renewed. The senators on the committee were slapping themselves on the back for achieving some [...]/p
Is Michigan Tea Party Candidate Clark Durant's Genesis Foundation Legit?
Is Michigan Tea Party Candidate Clark Durant's Genesis Foundation Legit?
"Durant is bathed in all sorts of hero gel for setting up charter schools in urban Detroit, but closer examination of the records reveals a brilliant illustration of everything that's wrong with charters and why candidates like Durant have a vested interest in being elected to the United States Congress. With people like Durant in office, billionaires don't even have to pay lobbyists. They just elect one of their buddies whose strings they've already been pulling for years, and just like that, their will be done."
"Durant is bathed in all sorts of hero gel for setting up charter schools in urban Detroit, but closer examination of the records reveals a brilliant illustration of everything that's wrong with charters and why candidates like Durant have a vested interest in being elected to the United States Congress. With people like Durant in office, billionaires don't even have to pay lobbyists. They just elect one of their buddies whose strings they've already been pulling for years, and just like that, their will be done."
George Will: Corporations Have A Constitutional Right To Exploit Workers — Unless They Play Football
George Will: Corporations Have A Constitutional Right To Exploit Workers — Unless They Play Football: In a column last week, conservative pundit and global warming denier made an uncharacteristic display of compassion for professional football players, explaining how the changing nature of the sport endangers players’ long term health: Football is bigger than ever, in several senses. Bear Bryant’s 1966 undefeated Alabama team had only 19 players who weighed more [...]/p
Is Citi Engaging in Criminal Abuses of Active Duty Servicemen on Their Student Loans? | Alternet
Is Citi Engaging in Criminal Abuses of Active Duty Servicemen on Their Student Loans? | Alternet
"Given all the varieties of bank-perpetrated mortgage fraud that have come to light in recent years, one that got comparatively little attention were abuses under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. SCRA shields active duty servicemen, who cannot be the target of civil until their tour of duty has been completed. That means, among other thing, bankruptcies, foreclosures and even divorces are put on hold. Recent amendments include capping the interest rate on most types of debt at 6%.
"Given all the varieties of bank-perpetrated mortgage fraud that have come to light in recent years, one that got comparatively little attention were abuses under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. SCRA shields active duty servicemen, who cannot be the target of civil until their tour of duty has been completed. That means, among other thing, bankruptcies, foreclosures and even divorces are put on hold. Recent amendments include capping the interest rate on most types of debt at 6%.
Despite the clear provisions of the law, mortgage services were found to be violating on a widespread basis, both by failing to reduce interest charges to 6% and on foreclosing on military personnel who were deployed."
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Obama v. Romney: Two Radically Different Visions Of America's Future | Alternet
Obama v. Romney: Two Radically Different Visions Of America's Future | Alternet
"The future of our nation is at stake. We must openly and regularly talk about the function of the public. And we must repeat the fact that the public constitutes the people working together to better their lives. The public is and has always been, requisite for our freedom, our success and our humanity as a nation. Every candidate for office and every patriotic American should be saying this out loud, over and over. The role of the public is the central issue in this election. It is the issue that will determine our future."
"The future of our nation is at stake. We must openly and regularly talk about the function of the public. And we must repeat the fact that the public constitutes the people working together to better their lives. The public is and has always been, requisite for our freedom, our success and our humanity as a nation. Every candidate for office and every patriotic American should be saying this out loud, over and over. The role of the public is the central issue in this election. It is the issue that will determine our future."
Swing voters want their Social Security, Medicare and good government
Swing voters want their Social Security, Medicare and good government
"A new survey of American suburban and swing voters by Hofstra University's National Center for Suburban Studies demonstrates just how mainstream the progressive vision for the country on the role of government really is. On issues of income inequality, the social contract, government regulation of industry for health and safety of the public, these swing voters demonstrate that, while they don't like these concepts in the abstract, they support the specific programs at issue, and want to keep them strong."
"A new survey of American suburban and swing voters by Hofstra University's National Center for Suburban Studies demonstrates just how mainstream the progressive vision for the country on the role of government really is. On issues of income inequality, the social contract, government regulation of industry for health and safety of the public, these swing voters demonstrate that, while they don't like these concepts in the abstract, they support the specific programs at issue, and want to keep them strong."
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Congress Fiddles While the Post Office Burns | Common Dreams
Congress Fiddles While the Post Office Burns | Common Dreams
"Americans have heard a lot in recent days about the “default” by the United States Postal Service. And the way that much of the media covered the story would lead those who have not followed the wrangling over the USPS’s future to imagine there’s a problem with the post office."
"Americans have heard a lot in recent days about the “default” by the United States Postal Service. And the way that much of the media covered the story would lead those who have not followed the wrangling over the USPS’s future to imagine there’s a problem with the post office."
Mathematics Impossible: Economists, Analysts Pile On Romney's Bogus Tax Plan | Common Dreams
Mathematics Impossible: Economists, Analysts Pile On Romney's Bogus Tax Plan | Common Dreams
"The Tax Policy Center, after assessing Mitt Romney's tax reform proposal this week, saidflatly that the plan "would provide large tax cuts to high-income households, and increase the tax burdens on middle- and/or lower-income taxpayers"."
"The Tax Policy Center, after assessing Mitt Romney's tax reform proposal this week, saidflatly that the plan "would provide large tax cuts to high-income households, and increase the tax burdens on middle- and/or lower-income taxpayers"."
You've Got Mail -- Or Not: Why a Job-Killing Congressional Attack May Close Your Local Post Office | Alternet
You've Got Mail -- Or Not: Why a Job-Killing Congressional Attack May Close Your Local Post Office | Alternet
"The U.S. Postal Service is a 200-year-old institution that directly provides jobs for half a million people and many times that number in industries that depend upon it. The Postal Service receives not a penny of taxpayer money, and even made a tidy profit in the first quarter of this year. Yet this trusted federal agency is under siege from a phony "fiscal crisis" created by Congress in an unjustified attack on workers and much-need services. It's no surprise that those seeking to further privatize universal public services and weaken labor unions are leading the charge .
"The U.S. Postal Service is a 200-year-old institution that directly provides jobs for half a million people and many times that number in industries that depend upon it. The Postal Service receives not a penny of taxpayer money, and even made a tidy profit in the first quarter of this year. Yet this trusted federal agency is under siege from a phony "fiscal crisis" created by Congress in an unjustified attack on workers and much-need services. It's no surprise that those seeking to further privatize universal public services and weaken labor unions are leading the charge .
It's time to set the record straight."
How Mitt Romney Got Rich Destroying American Jobs and Promoting Sweatshop Capitalism | Alternet
How Mitt Romney Got Rich Destroying American Jobs and Promoting Sweatshop Capitalism | Alternet
"Republicans claim that Mitt Romney's entrepreneurial activities at Bain Capital have been good for Americans. The truth is that Romney has spent his career offshoring and outsourcing American production processes -- and associated jobs -- to countries like China where human labor is valued in the market at a very low wage rate.
"Republicans claim that Mitt Romney's entrepreneurial activities at Bain Capital have been good for Americans. The truth is that Romney has spent his career offshoring and outsourcing American production processes -- and associated jobs -- to countries like China where human labor is valued in the market at a very low wage rate.
Mitt Romney’s tenure as Bain’s CEO has long linked him to offshoring and outsourcing. Even today, although he is no longer in that position, Romney still makes a nice profit on undertakings done long after he left the day-to-day management of the firm."
Friday, August 3, 2012
Big Business Tries To Stop Florida Paid Sick Days Initiative Before It Even Reaches Ballot
Big Business Tries To Stop Florida Paid Sick Days Initiative Before It Even Reaches Ballot: Residents of Orange County, Florida, are trying to get an initiative on the November ballot that would require all businesses with more than 15 employees to provide paid sick days to their workers. Predictably, big businesses are joining forces and working hard to stop it. More signatures are still needed before the Earned Sick Time [...]/p
Veterans’ Unemployment Falls To Lowest Level In More Than Three Years
Veterans’ Unemployment Falls To Lowest Level In More Than Three Years: Even as the national unemployment rate ticked up ever so slightly in July, the unemployment rate for veterans fell to its lowest level in more than three years, dropping to 6.9 percent. That figure is the lowest monthly unemployment rate for all veterans since before President Obama took office. The Obama administration has championed legislation [...]/p
A Democratic Country Should Put Public Education Before Corporate Profits
A Democratic Country Should Put Public Education Before Corporate Profits
"The headlines this summer are full of gloom and doom about the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.
"The headlines this summer are full of gloom and doom about the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.
Schools are closing. Teachers are being laid off. State and local governments are cutting like crazy and Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin has released a report warning about the looming sequestration of the federal education budget.
It shouldn't be like this."
How the For-Profit Education Business Is a Complete Taxpayer Rip-Off | Alternet
How the For-Profit Education Business Is a Complete Taxpayer Rip-Off | Alternet
"ou’ve got to love congressional understatement. Sen. Tom Harkin released a massive report lacerating the for-profit college sector on Monday — the freshest, most comprehensive look yet at how career schools are abusing both American taxpayers and students. The report includes individual breakdowns of the numbers at 30 of the biggest for-profit schools, including Corinthian, which was the subject of a Salon feature two months ago."
"ou’ve got to love congressional understatement. Sen. Tom Harkin released a massive report lacerating the for-profit college sector on Monday — the freshest, most comprehensive look yet at how career schools are abusing both American taxpayers and students. The report includes individual breakdowns of the numbers at 30 of the biggest for-profit schools, including Corinthian, which was the subject of a Salon feature two months ago."
Romney’s Economic Plan Would Kill 360,000 Jobs In 2013 Alone
Romney’s Economic Plan Would Kill 360,000 Jobs In 2013 Alone: The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced today that 163,000 jobs were created in the U.S. last month, but that the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 8.3 percent. Mitt Romney, of course, seized on the latter data point, calling it “a hammer blow to middle-class families.” “Yesterday, I launched my Plan for a Stronger Middle-Class [...]/p
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Romney's tax plan? He pays less. You pay more.
"Mitt Romney is fighting for guys like Donald Trump and himself, and he'll screw you over in a heartbeat—and his tax plan is a perfect example of that."
Economist: There’s A ‘Wide Consensus Among Economists’ That America Needs To Raise Taxes To Reduce Deficit
Economist: There’s A ‘Wide Consensus Among Economists’ That America Needs To Raise Taxes To Reduce Deficit: There is broad economic consensus among economists that the United States will eventually have to raise taxes to pay down the federal debt, economist Betsey Stevenson said in an interview with ThinkProgress. Raising taxes needed to be a part of the equation — along with spending cuts — to pay down the debt if America [...]/p
'Dark Money' Groups Exceed Super PAC Spending, Secrecy | Common Dreams
'Dark Money' Groups Exceed Super PAC Spending, Secrecy | Common Dreams
"The top five outside spending groups on presidential election ads have reported less than 1% of their spending to the Federal Election Commission, according to a new report by national research and advocacy organizations DÄ“mos and US PIRG. Multiple types of outside spending groups are playing an even larger and more secretive role in the 2012 election cycle than previously thought or estimated."
"The top five outside spending groups on presidential election ads have reported less than 1% of their spending to the Federal Election Commission, according to a new report by national research and advocacy organizations DÄ“mos and US PIRG. Multiple types of outside spending groups are playing an even larger and more secretive role in the 2012 election cycle than previously thought or estimated."
Romney taps former Fannie Mae lobbyist and BP spokeswoman to lead his Bain rehab effort
Romney taps former Fannie Mae lobbyist and BP spokeswoman to lead his Bain rehab effort
"You can file this under yet another thing that only Mitt Romney could dream of doing"
"You can file this under yet another thing that only Mitt Romney could dream of doing"
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
It's official: House Republicans just voted to block your tax cut to protect the rich
It's official: House Republicans just voted to block your tax cut to protect the rich
"By a vote of 170-257, Republicans rejected the Democrats' plan to extend tax cuts to the middle class because, of course, the Democrats' bill didn't also extend tax cuts to the top two percent on their income above $250,000."
"By a vote of 170-257, Republicans rejected the Democrats' plan to extend tax cuts to the middle class because, of course, the Democrats' bill didn't also extend tax cuts to the top two percent on their income above $250,000."
Class warfare? Nah. Mitt Romney's plan raises taxes on everybody else so the top 5% can lower theirs
Class warfare? Nah. Mitt Romney's plan raises taxes on everybody else so the top 5% can lower theirs
"Best case result, according to the TPC: Americans making half a million to a million dollars a year would average a $17,000 tax cut. For middle-class families with children making less than $200,000 a year, the average tax would increase by $2041 a year. The rich, natch, would make out like bandits, millionaires getting an $87,000 tax cut, those making more getting even more out of the deal."
"Best case result, according to the TPC: Americans making half a million to a million dollars a year would average a $17,000 tax cut. For middle-class families with children making less than $200,000 a year, the average tax would increase by $2041 a year. The rich, natch, would make out like bandits, millionaires getting an $87,000 tax cut, those making more getting even more out of the deal."
Does Mitt Romney Think the Red States Are Culturally Inferior?
Does Mitt Romney Think the Red States Are Culturally Inferior?
"Of the top 10 states (and including DC) in per capita GDP, only two -- Alaska and Wyoming -- are Republican. And Alaska is heavily subsidized by the federal government."
"Of the top 10 states (and including DC) in per capita GDP, only two -- Alaska and Wyoming -- are Republican. And Alaska is heavily subsidized by the federal government."
U.S. poverty rates higher, safety net weaker than in peer countries | Economic Policy Institute
U.S. poverty rates higher, safety net weaker than in peer countries | Economic Policy Institute
"Poverty rates in the United States increased over the 2000s, a trend exacerbated by the Great Recession and its aftermath."
"Poverty rates in the United States increased over the 2000s, a trend exacerbated by the Great Recession and its aftermath."
Why Our Phones and Internet Are Being Threatened by a Big Telecomm Privatization Scheme | Alternet
Why Our Phones and Internet Are Being Threatened by a Big Telecomm Privatization Scheme | Alternet
"Consumers stand to lose big-time if the FFC and its corporate friends get their way."
"Consumers stand to lose big-time if the FFC and its corporate friends get their way."
6 Things You Should Know About the $21 Trillion the World's Richest People Are Hiding In Tax Shelters | Alternet
6 Things You Should Know About the $21 Trillion the World's Richest People Are Hiding In Tax Shelters | Alternet
"$21 trillion. That's how much the world's richest people are hiding in offshore tax havens worldwide. Or it may be more, as much as $32 trillion—the real amount is, of course, almost impossible to track."
"$21 trillion. That's how much the world's richest people are hiding in offshore tax havens worldwide. Or it may be more, as much as $32 trillion—the real amount is, of course, almost impossible to track."
The Libertarian Con: Favorite 'Rebel' Ideology of the Ruling Class | Alternet
The Libertarian Con: Favorite 'Rebel' Ideology of the Ruling Class | Alternet
"Calling yourself a libertarian today is a lot like wearing a mullet back in the 1980s. It sends a clear signal: business up front, party in the back. You know, those guys who call themselves “socially liberal but fiscally conservative.” Yeah. It’s for them.
"Calling yourself a libertarian today is a lot like wearing a mullet back in the 1980s. It sends a clear signal: business up front, party in the back. You know, those guys who call themselves “socially liberal but fiscally conservative.” Yeah. It’s for them.
Today, the ruling class knows that they’ve lost the culture wars. And unlike with our parents, they can’t count on weeping eagles and the stars ‘n bars to get us to fall in line. So libertarianism is a last-ditch effort to ensure a succession to their throne. Their hope is that the kids will nod along as wealthy elites spread austerity regimes across the world."
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