http://www.southernstudies.org/2014/11/institute-index-tallying-up-returns-on-corporation.html
"A report released this week by the Sunlight Foundation calculated what 200 of America's most politically active corporations invested in federal lobbying and campaign contributions over six years -- and the value of what they got in return: $760 in federal support and contracts for every $1 spent."
Saturday, November 29, 2014
How Wal-Mart stole Christmas — and hijacked American politics
How Wal-Mart stole Christmas — and hijacked American politics
"Wal-Mart in particular is known for its status as a corporate-welfare queen; one study estimates that one 300-person Supercenter costs taxpayers $904,542 to $1,744,590. Another estimates that Wal-Mart and the Walton family pull in $7.8 billion a year in tax breaks and subsidies. Meanwhile, a brand-new report from Americans for Tax Fairness finds that Wal-Mart also avoids taxes on more than $21 billion in offshore profits. In its most recent annual report, Wal-Mart openly admits that changes to government food stamp programs may hurt its financial performance. Hundreds of thousands of Wal-Mart workers make near-poverty wages."
"Wal-Mart in particular is known for its status as a corporate-welfare queen; one study estimates that one 300-person Supercenter costs taxpayers $904,542 to $1,744,590. Another estimates that Wal-Mart and the Walton family pull in $7.8 billion a year in tax breaks and subsidies. Meanwhile, a brand-new report from Americans for Tax Fairness finds that Wal-Mart also avoids taxes on more than $21 billion in offshore profits. In its most recent annual report, Wal-Mart openly admits that changes to government food stamp programs may hurt its financial performance. Hundreds of thousands of Wal-Mart workers make near-poverty wages."
Alan Grayson Warns Corporate Republicans A New Political Movement Is Coming To Take Them Down
http://www.politicususa.com/2014/11/29/alan-grayson-warns-corporate-republicans-political-movement-coming.html
"When the people who have been held down do stand up, it is going to be Republicans and the Koch pro-corporate agenda that will feel their wrath."
"When the people who have been held down do stand up, it is going to be Republicans and the Koch pro-corporate agenda that will feel their wrath."
This week in the war on workers: San Francisco's Retail Worker Bill of Rights should be a model
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/29/1347646/-This-week-in-the-war-on-workers-San-Francisco-s-Retail-Worker-Bill-of-Rights-should-be-a-model
"San Francisco has passed a Retail Workers Bill of Rights that will bring much-needed changes to retail labor practices"
"San Francisco has passed a Retail Workers Bill of Rights that will bring much-needed changes to retail labor practices"
Fox Pundits Opine Over The 'War On Walmart' In The Wake Of Black Friday Protests
Fox Pundits Opine Over The 'War On Walmart' In The Wake Of Black Friday Protests
"The yappers on Fox use the Black Friday Walmart protests as another excuse to participate in one of their favorite activities -- union bashing, and making excuses for Walmart's poverty wages."
"The yappers on Fox use the Black Friday Walmart protests as another excuse to participate in one of their favorite activities -- union bashing, and making excuses for Walmart's poverty wages."
Privateers Make a Water Grab
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/27692-privateers-make-a-water-grab
"This well documented report reads like a crime novel. For example, "In East Cleveland, Ohio, a consultant bribed the former mayor's office in order to secure a no-bid contract for CH2M HILL to run the city's water system. The contract eventually paid out $3.9 million to the corporation for services that the city had been providing for less than half of that amount. The former mayor and the consultant have been convicted of racketeering, and the city sued the corporation for $14 million for breach of contract."
This report on global water privatization shows why infrastructure privatization is not just an important topic, but, perhaps, the most important issue of our time."
"This well documented report reads like a crime novel. For example, "In East Cleveland, Ohio, a consultant bribed the former mayor's office in order to secure a no-bid contract for CH2M HILL to run the city's water system. The contract eventually paid out $3.9 million to the corporation for services that the city had been providing for less than half of that amount. The former mayor and the consultant have been convicted of racketeering, and the city sued the corporation for $14 million for breach of contract."
This report on global water privatization shows why infrastructure privatization is not just an important topic, but, perhaps, the most important issue of our time."
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Congress Poised To Eliminate Key Tax Breaks For Middle Class, Provide Permanent Tax Breaks For Corporations
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/11/25/3596971/congress-to-end-tax-breaks-for-middle-class-provide-permanent-relief-to-large-corporations/
"Under the terms of the $444 billion agreement, lawmakers would phase out all tax breaks for clean energy and wind energy but would maintain fossil fuel subsidies."
"Under the terms of the $444 billion agreement, lawmakers would phase out all tax breaks for clean energy and wind energy but would maintain fossil fuel subsidies."
PERRspectives: Paul Ryan's Triple Scam on Tax Reform
PERRspectives: Paul Ryan's Triple Scam on Tax Reform
"His plans to privatize Social Security, shelved due to their consistent unpopularity, will be back on the front burner. Ryan's ploy to ration Medicare by replacing the guaranteed system of government insurance for the elderly with an under-funded voucher scheme that will dramatically shift healthcare costs to seniors will return as well. Despite having repeatedly warned America about "takers" and lazy men "in our inner cities" who are turning "the safety net into a hammock," Chairman Ryan is recasting himself as an anti-poverty crusader. And above all, Paul Ryan wants to use his move from the Budget to the Ways and Means Committee to advance his dream of tax reform that "lowers rates and broadens the base."
But to realize his dream, Congressman Paul Ryan is perpetrating the greatest public policy con game since Arthur Laffer first sketched his laughable curve. Faced with the inescapable historical truth that tax cuts don't pay for themselves but instead have only increased the national debt and income inequality, Ryan turned to a three-part fraud to deceive the American press and the American people. Call it Paul Ryan's triple scam"
"His plans to privatize Social Security, shelved due to their consistent unpopularity, will be back on the front burner. Ryan's ploy to ration Medicare by replacing the guaranteed system of government insurance for the elderly with an under-funded voucher scheme that will dramatically shift healthcare costs to seniors will return as well. Despite having repeatedly warned America about "takers" and lazy men "in our inner cities" who are turning "the safety net into a hammock," Chairman Ryan is recasting himself as an anti-poverty crusader. And above all, Paul Ryan wants to use his move from the Budget to the Ways and Means Committee to advance his dream of tax reform that "lowers rates and broadens the base."
But to realize his dream, Congressman Paul Ryan is perpetrating the greatest public policy con game since Arthur Laffer first sketched his laughable curve. Faced with the inescapable historical truth that tax cuts don't pay for themselves but instead have only increased the national debt and income inequality, Ryan turned to a three-part fraud to deceive the American press and the American people. Call it Paul Ryan's triple scam"
'Let them eat cake': The GOP and its attacks on the middle class
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/23/1345709/--Let-them-eat-cake-The-GOP-and-its-attacks-on-the-middle-class
"We have had our own "Let them eat cake" moments in America. During the gilded age Cornelius Vanderbilt stated, "What do I care about the law? Ain’t I got the power?" His son, William Vanderbilt, once said, "The public be damned!" when he heard of criticism of his railroad monopoly. This is the same man who was poorly treated by his father until he cheated the Army on the price of hay during the Civil War. What a fine family they were.
Jay Gould, another robber baron, once said about striking railroad workers, "I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half." Republicans of today are obvious disciples of Mr. Gould. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and his "divide and conquer" statements, Mitt Romney with his comments about the 47 percent being dependent on government, Rep. Paul Ryan blaming poverty on lazy inner city men, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie being tired of minimum wage talk, and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson stating, "I think it’s unrealistic, for public-sector employees to believe that they are immune from modifications to their pay and benefit packages."
These men, doing the work of the robber barons of today—the Koch brothers being the most well know of them—are out of touch with the American middle class."
"We have had our own "Let them eat cake" moments in America. During the gilded age Cornelius Vanderbilt stated, "What do I care about the law? Ain’t I got the power?" His son, William Vanderbilt, once said, "The public be damned!" when he heard of criticism of his railroad monopoly. This is the same man who was poorly treated by his father until he cheated the Army on the price of hay during the Civil War. What a fine family they were.
Jay Gould, another robber baron, once said about striking railroad workers, "I can hire one half of the working class to kill the other half." Republicans of today are obvious disciples of Mr. Gould. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and his "divide and conquer" statements, Mitt Romney with his comments about the 47 percent being dependent on government, Rep. Paul Ryan blaming poverty on lazy inner city men, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie being tired of minimum wage talk, and Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson stating, "I think it’s unrealistic, for public-sector employees to believe that they are immune from modifications to their pay and benefit packages."
These men, doing the work of the robber barons of today—the Koch brothers being the most well know of them—are out of touch with the American middle class."
Monday, November 24, 2014
Paul Ryan's Flabbergasting Hypocrisy
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/paul-ryans-flabbergasting-hypocrisy
"Aware no doubt of how President Obama’s announcement this week on immigration reform would dominate both the media and the public’s attention, Republicans in the House, led by Rep. Paul Ryan, have been working to make sure the next head of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) — which acts as Congress’s honest broker when it comes to scoring fiscal policy — is not a nonpartisan technocrat, as has usually been the case, but rather a loyal member of the conservative movement."
"Aware no doubt of how President Obama’s announcement this week on immigration reform would dominate both the media and the public’s attention, Republicans in the House, led by Rep. Paul Ryan, have been working to make sure the next head of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) — which acts as Congress’s honest broker when it comes to scoring fiscal policy — is not a nonpartisan technocrat, as has usually been the case, but rather a loyal member of the conservative movement."
Seven Candidates for Corporate Rip-Off of the Year
Seven Candidates for Corporate Rip-Off of the Year
"2. Paying Their Employees With Our Tax Money
Walmart made $19 billion in U.S. profits last year, and the four Walton siblings together made about $29 billion from their personal investments. That's about $33,000 per U.S. employee in profits and family stock gains. Yet they pay their 1.4 million American employees so little that the average Walmart worker depends on about $4,000 per year in taxpayer assistance, for food stamps and other safety net programs."
"2. Paying Their Employees With Our Tax Money
Walmart made $19 billion in U.S. profits last year, and the four Walton siblings together made about $29 billion from their personal investments. That's about $33,000 per U.S. employee in profits and family stock gains. Yet they pay their 1.4 million American employees so little that the average Walmart worker depends on about $4,000 per year in taxpayer assistance, for food stamps and other safety net programs."
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Where To Shop To Support Workers This Black Friday
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/11/21/3595568/thanksgiving-guide/
"While 12 brands have decided to open their doors on Thanksgiving Day, requiring millions of workers to miss out on time with friends and family, 18 others have decided to stay closed."
"While 12 brands have decided to open their doors on Thanksgiving Day, requiring millions of workers to miss out on time with friends and family, 18 others have decided to stay closed."
We Need to Act Now to Save the Post Office
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/27554-we-need-to-act-now-to-save-the-post-office#
"On December 20, 2006, right before lawmakers left for the holidays, Republicans in Congress forced through a bill that required the Postal Service to put into a savings account enough money to pay for all of its retired workers' health benefits 75 years into the future. In other words, the Post Office is saving money right now to pay for the health benefits of people who haven't yet even been born!
This is something so massively stupid and destructive that no other business or government agency on earth has ever had to do it or even considered doing it, and it's why the Post Office has been in the red every year since the law was passed in 2006."
"On December 20, 2006, right before lawmakers left for the holidays, Republicans in Congress forced through a bill that required the Postal Service to put into a savings account enough money to pay for all of its retired workers' health benefits 75 years into the future. In other words, the Post Office is saving money right now to pay for the health benefits of people who haven't yet even been born!
This is something so massively stupid and destructive that no other business or government agency on earth has ever had to do it or even considered doing it, and it's why the Post Office has been in the red every year since the law was passed in 2006."
Major Figure In Chris Christie's NJ Pension Scandal Resigns
Major Figure In Chris Christie's NJ Pension Scandal Resigns
"I find it bizarre that members of the corporate media still treat him as a viable candidate for president -- I think he'll be lucky to get away without an indictment!"
"I find it bizarre that members of the corporate media still treat him as a viable candidate for president -- I think he'll be lucky to get away without an indictment!"
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Elizabeth Warren Crushes Republicans For Their Absurd Economic Policies
Elizabeth Warren Crushes Republicans For Their Absurd Economic Policies
"she’s exactly right. We’ve been force-fed trickle-down economics since the early-80′s and it hasn’t worked. The rich are richer than they’ve ever been while the poor and middle class continue to fall further and further behind. After eight years of George W. Bush cutting taxes and deregulating Wall Street, our economy finally hit a breaking point and damn near collapsed. And those are the same failed policies the Republican party wants to return us to. Tax breaks for the rich, less regulation on Wall Street and a guaranteed path to another massive economic breakdown."
"she’s exactly right. We’ve been force-fed trickle-down economics since the early-80′s and it hasn’t worked. The rich are richer than they’ve ever been while the poor and middle class continue to fall further and further behind. After eight years of George W. Bush cutting taxes and deregulating Wall Street, our economy finally hit a breaking point and damn near collapsed. And those are the same failed policies the Republican party wants to return us to. Tax breaks for the rich, less regulation on Wall Street and a guaranteed path to another massive economic breakdown."
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
PERRspectives: Republicans Use Gruber as Cover for Their Deadly Obamacare Lies
PERRspectives: Republicans Use Gruber as Cover for Their Deadly Obamacare Lies
"perhaps the greatest campaign of political deception in modern American history, one that continues to misinform people about Obamacare while needlessly leaving millions without health insurance in the very states where GOP control is strongest.
All along, Republicans greatest fear hasn't been that the Affordable Care Act would fail, but that it would succeed."
"perhaps the greatest campaign of political deception in modern American history, one that continues to misinform people about Obamacare while needlessly leaving millions without health insurance in the very states where GOP control is strongest.
All along, Republicans greatest fear hasn't been that the Affordable Care Act would fail, but that it would succeed."
Ted Cruz Responds to Al Franken, Continues to Prove He Has No Idea What Net Neutrality Means (Video)
Ted Cruz Responds to Al Franken, Continues to Prove He Has No Idea What Net Neutrality Means (Video)
"What President Obama is proposing is a measure to keep the internet exactly how it has always been. That’s it. He wants to reclassify it as a utility so that these greedy internet service providers like Verizon and Comcast can’t screw over businesses and consumers by charging websites fees so that their content will be delivered to the consumer at the speed for which they’re already paying."
"What President Obama is proposing is a measure to keep the internet exactly how it has always been. That’s it. He wants to reclassify it as a utility so that these greedy internet service providers like Verizon and Comcast can’t screw over businesses and consumers by charging websites fees so that their content will be delivered to the consumer at the speed for which they’re already paying."
Erick Erickson’s shutdown fantasy: Have GOP hurt people, then lie about it!
Erick Erickson’s shutdown fantasy: Have GOP hurt people, then lie about it!
"Erick Erickson is explicitly advocating that the Republican Party deliberately cause people real pain, and then lie about it for political benefit."
"Erick Erickson is explicitly advocating that the Republican Party deliberately cause people real pain, and then lie about it for political benefit."
Republicans' New Plan To Rig 2016 Electoral College
Republicans' New Plan To Rig 2016 Electoral College
"As usual, if they can't win outright, they'll just cheat with tactics like voter suppression, outright disenfranchisement, and more. The "more" also means resurrecting the zombie electoral college apportionment that would randomly add electors to Republican candidates in a losing state while not giving Democrats any in states they lose."
"As usual, if they can't win outright, they'll just cheat with tactics like voter suppression, outright disenfranchisement, and more. The "more" also means resurrecting the zombie electoral college apportionment that would randomly add electors to Republican candidates in a losing state while not giving Democrats any in states they lose."
What to Do About Record Low Voter Turnout? Call a Holiday! | The Nation
What to Do About Record Low Voter Turnout? Call a Holiday! | The Nation
"How about making Election Day a holiday? That’s hardly a radical idea. Countries around the world schedule elections on weekends or recognize weekdays when elections are held as a holiday. Louisiana usually votes on Saturdays. And roughly a dozen states and jurisdictions give some recognition to Election Day as a holiday. So why not take the idea national?
That’s what Senator Sanders is proposing. Even before November 4, the independent from Vermont argued that, as part of a broader effort to generate the largest possible turnout, “Election Day should be a national holiday so that everyone has the opportunity to vote"."
"How about making Election Day a holiday? That’s hardly a radical idea. Countries around the world schedule elections on weekends or recognize weekdays when elections are held as a holiday. Louisiana usually votes on Saturdays. And roughly a dozen states and jurisdictions give some recognition to Election Day as a holiday. So why not take the idea national?
That’s what Senator Sanders is proposing. Even before November 4, the independent from Vermont argued that, as part of a broader effort to generate the largest possible turnout, “Election Day should be a national holiday so that everyone has the opportunity to vote"."
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Paul Krugman has good news — and the GOP doesn’t want you to hear it
Paul Krugman has good news — and the GOP doesn’t want you to hear it
"Take the Energy Department’s renewable energy loan program. Chances are that if you’ve heard of it, it’s because you’ve read about the failure of Solyndra, a renewable energy company whose failure cost the government more than half a billion dollars. Republicans pounced on Solyndra’s collapse to deride federal subsidies and crony capitalism, but they were mysteriously silent last week when the Energy Department reported that its renewable energy program has actually turned a $5 billion profit overall."
"Take the Energy Department’s renewable energy loan program. Chances are that if you’ve heard of it, it’s because you’ve read about the failure of Solyndra, a renewable energy company whose failure cost the government more than half a billion dollars. Republicans pounced on Solyndra’s collapse to deride federal subsidies and crony capitalism, but they were mysteriously silent last week when the Energy Department reported that its renewable energy program has actually turned a $5 billion profit overall."
The Republican Party is Driven by Two of the Most Destructive Forces in Human History
The Republican Party is Driven by Two of the Most Destructive Forces in Human History
"The Republican party’s economic beliefs are entirely predicated on the belief that 98 percent of Americans will be better off by making the top 2 percent richer. Even now one of the biggest right-wing attacks used against President Obama is wage stagnation. But they’re apparently too ignorant to understand that when they complain about stagnant wages, while taxes are low and the rich are doing better than ever, they’re actually admitting that trickle-down economics doesn’t work. When you get right down to it, the two biggest driving forces behind the Republican party are greed and religion. And those just happen to be two of the most destructive things human beings have endured throughout our history."
"The Republican party’s economic beliefs are entirely predicated on the belief that 98 percent of Americans will be better off by making the top 2 percent richer. Even now one of the biggest right-wing attacks used against President Obama is wage stagnation. But they’re apparently too ignorant to understand that when they complain about stagnant wages, while taxes are low and the rich are doing better than ever, they’re actually admitting that trickle-down economics doesn’t work. When you get right down to it, the two biggest driving forces behind the Republican party are greed and religion. And those just happen to be two of the most destructive things human beings have endured throughout our history."
An Embattled ALEC, Buoyed by Election Results, Lays Blueprint for 2015
An Embattled ALEC, Buoyed by Election Results, Lays Blueprint for 2015
"ALEC has long pushed bills like the “Living Wage Preemption Act" to block city, county, or local governments from enacting progressive economic initiatives like a higher minimum wage. In light of the renewed grassroots push for fair wage laws, this bill to crush a local government's ability to increase wages in their community will likely be a top ALEC priority in 2015."
"ALEC has long pushed bills like the “Living Wage Preemption Act" to block city, county, or local governments from enacting progressive economic initiatives like a higher minimum wage. In light of the renewed grassroots push for fair wage laws, this bill to crush a local government's ability to increase wages in their community will likely be a top ALEC priority in 2015."
When Mega Corporations Get Mega Tax Breaks, We All Pay | The Nation
When Mega Corporations Get Mega Tax Breaks, We All Pay | The Nation
"if seven giant corporations—Boeing, Chevron, Citigroup, Ford, General Motors, JPMorgan Chase, and Verizon—had paid the statutory corporate tax rate of 35 percent, they would have owed $25.9 billion. Instead, the seven companies received a combined $1.9 billion in tax refunds"
"if seven giant corporations—Boeing, Chevron, Citigroup, Ford, General Motors, JPMorgan Chase, and Verizon—had paid the statutory corporate tax rate of 35 percent, they would have owed $25.9 billion. Instead, the seven companies received a combined $1.9 billion in tax refunds"
Drug Warrior Mitch McConnell Tied To Millions In Cocaine
Drug Warrior Mitch McConnell Tied To Millions In Cocaine
"Requests for comment to the McConnell team about the Ping May cocaine incident have gone unanswered.
McConnell has positioned himself over the years as a tough on drugs politician. In 1996, McConnell was the sole sponsor of the Enhanced Marijuana Penalties Act, a bill to increase the mandatory minimum sentencing for those caught with certain amounts of marijuana. A press release noted that his bill would make “penalties for selling marijuana comparable to those for selling heroin and cocaine.”
In recent weeks, McConnell has touted his role in calling for more federal money to be used for drug enforcement."
"Requests for comment to the McConnell team about the Ping May cocaine incident have gone unanswered.
McConnell has positioned himself over the years as a tough on drugs politician. In 1996, McConnell was the sole sponsor of the Enhanced Marijuana Penalties Act, a bill to increase the mandatory minimum sentencing for those caught with certain amounts of marijuana. A press release noted that his bill would make “penalties for selling marijuana comparable to those for selling heroin and cocaine.”
In recent weeks, McConnell has touted his role in calling for more federal money to be used for drug enforcement."
The Disturbing Hypocrisy Among Many Senior Citizens When it Comes to Social Security and Medicare
The Disturbing Hypocrisy Among Many Senior Citizens When it Comes to Social Security and Medicare
"there’s a huge hypocrisy when it comes to the tens of millions of senior citizens who often vote for Republicans who also heavily rely on these programs to survive. The truth of the matter is, Republicans would love to get rid of both Social Security and Medicare. In fact, they’re frequently trying to do just that."
"there’s a huge hypocrisy when it comes to the tens of millions of senior citizens who often vote for Republicans who also heavily rely on these programs to survive. The truth of the matter is, Republicans would love to get rid of both Social Security and Medicare. In fact, they’re frequently trying to do just that."
Americans Must Stop Allowing Themselves to be Distracted by Republican Propaganda
Americans Must Stop Allowing Themselves to be Distracted by Republican Propaganda
"The fiscally conservative party – that hasn’t had a president from their party balance the budget in nearly 60 years."
"The fiscally conservative party – that hasn’t had a president from their party balance the budget in nearly 60 years."
Ted Cruz Can’t Stop Lying About Net Neutrality. And Here’s a Whopper.
Ted Cruz Can’t Stop Lying About Net Neutrality. And Here’s a Whopper.
"Over the weekend, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) continued his crusade against net neutrality, but this time with Carrot Top style props to illustrate his gargantuan lies about the subject."
"Over the weekend, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) continued his crusade against net neutrality, but this time with Carrot Top style props to illustrate his gargantuan lies about the subject."
Unions Are Among the Very Few Interest Groups that Represent the Middle Class
https://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/labor/news/2014/11/14/101163/unions-are-among-the-very-few-interest-groups-that-represent-the-middle-class-2/
"Buried deep inside Princeton University political scientist Martin Gilens’ research highlighting the excessive influence the rich have on modern U.S. politics, there is a hidden gem exploring which interest groups best represent the priorities of the middle class. Gilens found that, while most powerful interest groups advocate for policies that predominately benefit their narrowly defined members, relatively few focus on policies that the middle class supports. According to Gilens, most of these middle-class oriented groups are unions"
"Buried deep inside Princeton University political scientist Martin Gilens’ research highlighting the excessive influence the rich have on modern U.S. politics, there is a hidden gem exploring which interest groups best represent the priorities of the middle class. Gilens found that, while most powerful interest groups advocate for policies that predominately benefit their narrowly defined members, relatively few focus on policies that the middle class supports. According to Gilens, most of these middle-class oriented groups are unions"
Bobby Jindal's Sneaky, Smarmy Lie To Chuck Todd About Medicaid Expansion
Bobby Jindal's Sneaky, Smarmy Lie To Chuck Todd About Medicaid Expansion
"Because he refused to expand Medicaid, hospitals are closing emergency rooms around the state. Worse yet, that charity hospital system is being privatized, which means hospitals will not get the benefit of federal dollars to defray the costs of treating the poor.
In other words, that claim of Jindal's that people will leave private insurance is a straight-up lie because all he needed to have done was present a plan simillar to the one his cohorts in Arkansas and Pennsylvania did to allow private carriers to cover Medicaid-eligible residents of Louisiana."
"Because he refused to expand Medicaid, hospitals are closing emergency rooms around the state. Worse yet, that charity hospital system is being privatized, which means hospitals will not get the benefit of federal dollars to defray the costs of treating the poor.
In other words, that claim of Jindal's that people will leave private insurance is a straight-up lie because all he needed to have done was present a plan simillar to the one his cohorts in Arkansas and Pennsylvania did to allow private carriers to cover Medicaid-eligible residents of Louisiana."
Compassionate Conservatism Version 2016
Compassionate Conservatism Version 2016
"George Bush not only made the term "compassionate conservatism" a common phrase but also showed what a joke it is."
"George Bush not only made the term "compassionate conservatism" a common phrase but also showed what a joke it is."
Twitter Accounts Used By GOPers To Evade Campaign Coordination Laws
Twitter Accounts Used By GOPers To Evade Campaign Coordination Laws
"Man, we really need to get all this money out of campaigns! The Twitter accounts were deleted as soon as CNN contacted the NRCC and asked about them. Nothing to hide there, right, boys?"
"Man, we really need to get all this money out of campaigns! The Twitter accounts were deleted as soon as CNN contacted the NRCC and asked about them. Nothing to hide there, right, boys?"
Monday, November 17, 2014
Chris Christie To Bring Michigan’s Fascist Emergency Manager Law To New Jersey (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/11/14/chris-christie-brings-emergency-manager-to-atlantic-city/
"On November 12, 2014, New Jersey governor Chris Christie announced his intention to bring Michigan-style emergency management laws to the state. Much like Michigan governor Rick Snyder did when imposing the law on residents of that state, Christie is using the excuse of a “financial emergency” in Atlantic City as justification for eliminating democracy and disenfranchising thousands of citizens."
"On November 12, 2014, New Jersey governor Chris Christie announced his intention to bring Michigan-style emergency management laws to the state. Much like Michigan governor Rick Snyder did when imposing the law on residents of that state, Christie is using the excuse of a “financial emergency” in Atlantic City as justification for eliminating democracy and disenfranchising thousands of citizens."
The Real Winner of the Midterms: Wall Street
http://inthesetimes.com/article/17360/the_real_winner_of_the_midterms_wall_street
"The election results affirmed that Wall Street firms' massive campaign contributions were money well spent: More public pension money will now likely be entrusted to the financial services industry."
"The election results affirmed that Wall Street firms' massive campaign contributions were money well spent: More public pension money will now likely be entrusted to the financial services industry."
Friday, November 14, 2014
Elizabeth Warren: Corporations Are Taking Over the Courts with the GOP’s Help
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/elizabeth-warren-corporations-are-taking-over-courts-gops-help
"The same corporate interests who have taken over control of Congress are now gaining control of U.S. courts, warned Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)."
"The same corporate interests who have taken over control of Congress are now gaining control of U.S. courts, warned Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)."
AT&T: Nice internet you got there, it'd be a shame if anything happened to it…
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/12/1344385/-AT-T-Nice-internet-you-got-there-it-d-be-a-shame-if-anything-happened-nbsp-to-nbsp-it
"AT&T, though, is just flexing their muscles now, to prove to the FCC and Chairman Wheeler that they will be massive ass***** over net neutrality, and they'll do it by screwing over their customers. The company's willingness to do so should be ample justification for the FCC to do the right thing and reclassify internet access."
"AT&T, though, is just flexing their muscles now, to prove to the FCC and Chairman Wheeler that they will be massive ass***** over net neutrality, and they'll do it by screwing over their customers. The company's willingness to do so should be ample justification for the FCC to do the right thing and reclassify internet access."
Freedomworks Spokesperson Attacks Net Neutrality, Has No Idea What It Means
Freedomworks Spokesperson Attacks Net Neutrality, Has No Idea What It Means
"Republicans have also strongly denounced Net Neutrality, just in case you thought FreedumbWorks was somehow alone. And given the fallout from earlier this month, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the year that we buried Net Neutrality. Great job, America. Your choice continues to impress me."
"Republicans have also strongly denounced Net Neutrality, just in case you thought FreedumbWorks was somehow alone. And given the fallout from earlier this month, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the year that we buried Net Neutrality. Great job, America. Your choice continues to impress me."
Five Conservatives Who Don't Understand Net Neutrality…But Are Definitely Against It! | Right Wing Watch
Five Conservatives Who Don't Understand Net Neutrality…But Are Definitely Against It! | Right Wing Watch
"something many of them did not seem to understand. But luckily, many conservative politicians and pundits have an easy way of deciding where to stand on an issue: if Obama is for it, it will destroy America and they are against it!"
"something many of them did not seem to understand. But luckily, many conservative politicians and pundits have an easy way of deciding where to stand on an issue: if Obama is for it, it will destroy America and they are against it!"
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Elizabeth Warren Gets Senate Leadership Post
Elizabeth Warren Gets Senate Leadership Post
"Warren's new role, which was created specifically for her, will be strategic policy adviser to the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee."
"Warren's new role, which was created specifically for her, will be strategic policy adviser to the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee."
AT&T Holds Broadband Expansion Hostage Over Obama's Call For Net Neutrality
AT&T Holds Broadband Expansion Hostage Over Obama's Call For Net Neutrality
"Here's a memo for FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, too. You will not and you cannot please everybody. You will either go down in history as the regulator who killed the Internet or the one who saved it. Make a decision. The right decision."
"Here's a memo for FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, too. You will not and you cannot please everybody. You will either go down in history as the regulator who killed the Internet or the one who saved it. Make a decision. The right decision."
Tea Party Group Releases Ad So Ridiculous You’d Think It Was Rejected from ‘The Onion’ (Video)
Tea Party Group Releases Ad So Ridiculous You’d Think It Was Rejected from ‘The Onion’ (Video)
"And if these disgusting, bottom-feeding vile propagandists get their way, the Internet will be destroyed. Ending net neutrality takes the control out of your hands and puts it in the hands of companies like Comcast, and whatever big corporations decide to pay those companies for premium access to deliver their sites at faster speeds while throttling the competition that can’t afford to do so."
"And if these disgusting, bottom-feeding vile propagandists get their way, the Internet will be destroyed. Ending net neutrality takes the control out of your hands and puts it in the hands of companies like Comcast, and whatever big corporations decide to pay those companies for premium access to deliver their sites at faster speeds while throttling the competition that can’t afford to do so."
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Get ready for Ryancare, America! Why GOP’s all set to end Medicare as we know it
Get ready for Ryancare, America! Why GOP’s all set to end Medicare as we know it
"GOP Congressional leaders are promising to act immediately on their budget-slashing ideas when 2015 begins. High on their list, according to the New York Times, is implementing Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to “overhaul” Medicare by replacing it with “premium support” vouchers designed to privatize the system over the coming decades. They will also form a commission to examine “options” for Social Security, which Ryan has also long favored privatizing."
"GOP Congressional leaders are promising to act immediately on their budget-slashing ideas when 2015 begins. High on their list, according to the New York Times, is implementing Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan to “overhaul” Medicare by replacing it with “premium support” vouchers designed to privatize the system over the coming decades. They will also form a commission to examine “options” for Social Security, which Ryan has also long favored privatizing."
The Humiliating Statistic From This Year’s Elections That Republicans Don’t Want to Talk About
The Humiliating Statistic From This Year’s Elections That Republicans Don’t Want to Talk About
"How bad was it? Well, we just experienced the worst voter turnout in this country since 1942. You know, right in the middle of WWII."
"How bad was it? Well, we just experienced the worst voter turnout in this country since 1942. You know, right in the middle of WWII."
Hightower: Why Corporations Are Doing Everything They Can to Destroy Net Neutrality
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/hightower-why-corporations-are-doing-everything-they-can-destroy-net-neutrality
"The biggest loser though, would be the Internet itself, which would be made to surrender its determinedly democratic ethic to the plutocratic rule of corporate profiteers."
"The biggest loser though, would be the Internet itself, which would be made to surrender its determinedly democratic ethic to the plutocratic rule of corporate profiteers."
The President Might Have Just Saved the Internet
The President Might Have Just Saved the Internet
"We still need to keep the pressure on the FCC unless and until Wheeler follows the president's lead and crafts strong rules under Title II. (A statement Wheeler put out in response to the president indicates the FCC may take more time to write new rules, which could push an expected December vote into early 2015.) Until the full Commission passes real Net Neutrality protections, we can't let up.
And we need to get ready for a backlash. Because powerful companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon will attack the president's move. They will unleash their legions of high-priced lobbyists and misinformation-spreading flacks. These companies aren't used to losing in Washington."
"We still need to keep the pressure on the FCC unless and until Wheeler follows the president's lead and crafts strong rules under Title II. (A statement Wheeler put out in response to the president indicates the FCC may take more time to write new rules, which could push an expected December vote into early 2015.) Until the full Commission passes real Net Neutrality protections, we can't let up.
And we need to get ready for a backlash. Because powerful companies like AT&T, Comcast and Verizon will attack the president's move. They will unleash their legions of high-priced lobbyists and misinformation-spreading flacks. These companies aren't used to losing in Washington."
The Horrors of an Ayn Rand World: Why We Must Fight for America's Soul
http://www.alternet.org/books/horrors-ayn-rand-world-why-we-must-fight-americas-soul
"All laws protecting consumers would be erased from the statute books.
Mass transit would grind to a halt in the big cities as municipal subsidies come to an end.
Corporations would no longer be enslaved by antitrust laws, so monopolies and globe-spanning, price-fixing cartels would flourish. The number of publicly held corporations would be reduced to a manageable, noncompetitive few. Big Pharma would manufacture drugs without adequate testing for safety and efficacy—deterred only by concern for their reputation, as described by Greenspan in 1963. Except that with competition reduced by mergers and legal price-fixing, the market would be a feeble substitute for even the FDA.
Securities laws and stock market regulations would be eliminated.
Corporations would operate in secret if they so desired, or with only selective, cursory disclosures to their investors and customers. Only outright fraud would be prosecuted; otherwise the public— a concept no longer recognized as valid— would be on its own.
Insider trading, now legal, would become the norm. Wall Street now would truly be a sucker’s game. “Let the buyer beware” would replace the fifty state regulators and the SEC."
"All laws protecting consumers would be erased from the statute books.
Mass transit would grind to a halt in the big cities as municipal subsidies come to an end.
Corporations would no longer be enslaved by antitrust laws, so monopolies and globe-spanning, price-fixing cartels would flourish. The number of publicly held corporations would be reduced to a manageable, noncompetitive few. Big Pharma would manufacture drugs without adequate testing for safety and efficacy—deterred only by concern for their reputation, as described by Greenspan in 1963. Except that with competition reduced by mergers and legal price-fixing, the market would be a feeble substitute for even the FDA.
Securities laws and stock market regulations would be eliminated.
Corporations would operate in secret if they so desired, or with only selective, cursory disclosures to their investors and customers. Only outright fraud would be prosecuted; otherwise the public— a concept no longer recognized as valid— would be on its own.
Insider trading, now legal, would become the norm. Wall Street now would truly be a sucker’s game. “Let the buyer beware” would replace the fifty state regulators and the SEC."
Rig the vote! The right resurrects a shady plan to skew 2016 in the GOP’s favor
Rig the vote! The right resurrects a shady plan to skew 2016 in the GOP’s favor
"Republicans and conservatives are looking to the future and trying to figure out how they can repeat this year’s success in the 2016 presidential race. It’s going to require some big ideas and some bold thinking. First out of the box is National Review’s Jim Geraghty, who believes it’s time for Republicans to seriously consider a plan to straight-up rig the Electoral College in such a way that it makes it impossible for the GOP to lose"
"Republicans and conservatives are looking to the future and trying to figure out how they can repeat this year’s success in the 2016 presidential race. It’s going to require some big ideas and some bold thinking. First out of the box is National Review’s Jim Geraghty, who believes it’s time for Republicans to seriously consider a plan to straight-up rig the Electoral College in such a way that it makes it impossible for the GOP to lose"
Ted Cruz gets even more annoying: Why he wants to make the Internet worse
Ted Cruz gets even more annoying: Why he wants to make the Internet worse
"Cruz is claiming to stand up for free-market principles against big-government, but he’s actually poisoning a conversation about increasing competition among broadband providers that most conservatives would probably like to have."
"Cruz is claiming to stand up for free-market principles against big-government, but he’s actually poisoning a conversation about increasing competition among broadband providers that most conservatives would probably like to have."
Ted Cruz Completely Embarrasses Himself After Making Asinine Comment About Net Neutrality
Ted Cruz Completely Embarrasses Himself After Making Asinine Comment About Net Neutrality
"But what Cruz is really doing is trying to use the hatred conservatives have for “Obamacare” to channel that toward net neutrality, because I can pretty much guarantee that the vast majority of people who read that tweet and agree with it have no damn clue what net neutrality is."
"But what Cruz is really doing is trying to use the hatred conservatives have for “Obamacare” to channel that toward net neutrality, because I can pretty much guarantee that the vast majority of people who read that tweet and agree with it have no damn clue what net neutrality is."
Koch Party Wins Big, Planet in Peril
Koch Party Wins Big, Planet in Peril
"The Koch's Americans for Prosperity, a nonprofit dark money group that does not disclose its donors, is reported to have spent some $77 million on competitive Senate and House races, says a spokesman. The Koch's new Freedom Partners Action Fund, a super PAC that discloses some of its donors, spent some $25 million. Not all Koch candidates won their races, but the Koch were ranked big winners in the Sunlight Foundations post-election "return on investment" analysis.
This $100 million does not count all the Koch-tied groups, their personal contributions or all contributions of the Koch network of funders which may top the $300 million Washington Post estimate. As a point of comparison, the DNC and the RNC combined spent $300 million this election cycle."
"The Koch's Americans for Prosperity, a nonprofit dark money group that does not disclose its donors, is reported to have spent some $77 million on competitive Senate and House races, says a spokesman. The Koch's new Freedom Partners Action Fund, a super PAC that discloses some of its donors, spent some $25 million. Not all Koch candidates won their races, but the Koch were ranked big winners in the Sunlight Foundations post-election "return on investment" analysis.
This $100 million does not count all the Koch-tied groups, their personal contributions or all contributions of the Koch network of funders which may top the $300 million Washington Post estimate. As a point of comparison, the DNC and the RNC combined spent $300 million this election cycle."
A Tale Of Two Countries: The Haves and the Leftovers
A Tale Of Two Countries: The Haves and the Leftovers
"Observe any post-election geographical map of the United States whether it is in a presidential election year or a midterm election and close to 90% of the country is red. Red states dictate the direction our country takes like it or not.
But, they fall short in representing anything close to 90% of the population. Add the combined total population of a dozen red states and they barely equal the size of one city in a blue state like California or New York.
Why does this matter? Because each state receives two U.S. Senators you will always see an imbalance in how citizens are represented in our congress. Also, red state voters, even those with low populations, vote in Republican House members almost by default regardless of that politician's qualifications or lack thereof."
"Observe any post-election geographical map of the United States whether it is in a presidential election year or a midterm election and close to 90% of the country is red. Red states dictate the direction our country takes like it or not.
But, they fall short in representing anything close to 90% of the population. Add the combined total population of a dozen red states and they barely equal the size of one city in a blue state like California or New York.
Why does this matter? Because each state receives two U.S. Senators you will always see an imbalance in how citizens are represented in our congress. Also, red state voters, even those with low populations, vote in Republican House members almost by default regardless of that politician's qualifications or lack thereof."
Who Won in 2014 Election? Those Who Received the Most Campaign Money
Who Won in 2014 Election? Those Who Received the Most Campaign Money
"big money contributors, including corporations, are influencing the outcome of elections more than ever before - often with their anonymity intact."
"big money contributors, including corporations, are influencing the outcome of elections more than ever before - often with their anonymity intact."
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