Boehner Keeps Vow That House GOP Will Do No Work, Ever
"Wow, our House of Representatives is definitely on track to make history, and not in a good way. John Boehner assured reporters on Monday that the House of Representatives had absolutely no intention of dealing realistically with student loans or immigration reform."
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
No, Republicans, ‘Missing’ White Voters Won’t Save You
No, Republicans, ‘Missing’ White Voters Won’t Save You: As GOP House members continue their Kamikaze mission to scuttle the immigration reform bill, many political observers are wondering why. After all, isn’t it obvious that Republicans need more minority, particularly Hispanic support, and that therefore their self-interest should lead them to support a reasonable bill? Karl Rove thinks so. But lots and lots of [...]/p
Correcting The Record On IRS Coverage
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Governor: Pregnant Women, Breast Cancer Patients Are Free Health Care Moochers
Governor: Pregnant Women, Breast Cancer Patients Are Free Health Care Moochers: Pennsylvania Republicans have decided against expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, arguing that covering more low-income residents would cost the state too much money. But last week, Gov. Tom Corbett (R) went a step further, telling a local news station that poor residents who are already enrolled in the program, including pregnant women and [...]/p
Concept of "Limited Government" Is Right-Wing Bunk: Try to Find Anything Remotely Like It in the Constitution | Alternet
Concept of "Limited Government" Is Right-Wing Bunk: Try to Find Anything Remotely Like It in the Constitution | Alternet
"The Constitution was never intended to “provide limited government,” and furthermore it did not do so. The U.S. government possessed the same constitutional power at the moment of its inception as it did yesterday afternoon."
"The Constitution was never intended to “provide limited government,” and furthermore it did not do so. The U.S. government possessed the same constitutional power at the moment of its inception as it did yesterday afternoon."
Monday, July 8, 2013
Sequester Impact: 1 In 7 Seniors Struggle With Hunger
Sequester Impact: 1 In 7 Seniors Struggle With Hunger
"Patricia Hoeft, director of senior center nutrition, the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging (Missouri): “How do I decide which 300 seniors aren’t going to eat that day"?"
"Patricia Hoeft, director of senior center nutrition, the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging (Missouri): “How do I decide which 300 seniors aren’t going to eat that day"?"
Republicans Trying to Be as Unpopular as Humanly Possible | Alternet
Republicans Trying to Be as Unpopular as Humanly Possible | Alternet
"Privatizing Medicare and taking Paul Ryan's cues are recipe for being hated."
"Privatizing Medicare and taking Paul Ryan's cues are recipe for being hated."
Nine Things We Won’t Miss About Rick Perry
Nine Things We Won’t Miss About Rick Perry: With his announcement Monday that he will not seek an unprecedented fourth full term as Governor of Texas, Rick Perry (R) will retire from the office in January 2015. Sadly, he will leave behind a record of right-wing extremism that few could match. Here are ten of the worst moments from his 13 years as [...]/p
Why We Have a Do-Nothing Congress
Why We Have a Do-Nothing Congress
"The stunning inaction and backlog in the 113th Congress can be traced back to January 20, 2009."
"The stunning inaction and backlog in the 113th Congress can be traced back to January 20, 2009."
Watch: Josh Fox’s Gasland II Premiers Tonight | Alternet
Watch: Josh Fox’s Gasland II Premiers Tonight | Alternet
"Josh Fox’s Gasland II premieres tonight on HBO. The much anticipated anti-fracking documentary continues to highlight the toll hydraulic fracturing takes on the environment. While Gasland may have started the conversation about fracking, the sequel is all about the natural gas industry’s effort to shut that conversation down."
"Josh Fox’s Gasland II premieres tonight on HBO. The much anticipated anti-fracking documentary continues to highlight the toll hydraulic fracturing takes on the environment. While Gasland may have started the conversation about fracking, the sequel is all about the natural gas industry’s effort to shut that conversation down."
Study: A Minimum Wage Hike Would Stimulate The Economy
Study: A Minimum Wage Hike Would Stimulate The Economy: A federal minimum wage increase would likely benefit the U.S. economy, a new Chicago Fed Letter suggests. Daniel Aaronson and Eric French, economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, provided an estimate of the effects on aggregate household spending of the $9 minimum wage Obama proposed in his 2013 State of the Union Address. [...]/p
Bank of America Wants My Family Homeless -- You Wouldn't Believe the Dirty Tricks They've Used to Take Our Home | Alternet
Bank of America Wants My Family Homeless -- You Wouldn't Believe the Dirty Tricks They've Used to Take Our Home | Alternet
"Bank of America is doing everything it can to kick this family out of its home. Here’s why you could be next."
"Bank of America is doing everything it can to kick this family out of its home. Here’s why you could be next."
Republicans Seize Control Of FEC, Aim To Further Destroy Enforcement Of Campaign Finance Law
Republicans Seize Control Of FEC, Aim To Further Destroy Enforcement Of Campaign Finance Law: With the February resignation of Cynthia Bauerly (D) from the Federal Election Commission, Republicans have enjoyed a temporary three-to-two majority on the panel that oversees the nation’s campaign finance laws. And while Vice Chairman Donald F. McGahn II (R) is reportedly preparing to step down soon, he and the two other Republican commissioners want to [...]/p
Lawmakers Aim To Reduce College Debt Before Students Take Out Loans
Lawmakers Aim To Reduce College Debt Before Students Take Out Loans: Although an attempt to address student loans remains unresolved in Congress, politicians in Oregon and New Jersey are forging plans to prevent students from carrying crippling debt. In a 15-page report on ending childhood poverty released Monday, Newark mayor and U.S. Senate candidate Cory Booker (D) recommended the federal government help contribute to a college [...]/p
Koch Brothers To Pour Millions Into Obamacare Misinformation Campaign
Koch Brothers To Pour Millions Into Obamacare Misinformation Campaign: Americans for Prosperity — a conservative group funded by the Koch brothers — is spending millions on ads that aim to turn Americans against the Affordable Care Act, just as government officials prepare to enroll the uninsured in the law’s new health care exchanges beginning on October 1. The campaign will eschew attacks on President [...]/p
Stupid Linings Playbook: Boehner & Ryan Cook Up A Plan That Hands Dems the 2014 Election
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/07/boehner-ryan-cook-debt-ceiling-plan-hands-democrats-2014-election.html
"House Republicans may think they are safe, but how safe will they be if they vote to privatize Medicare and Social Security before their reelection campaigns kick off? If House Republicans stay on this course, they will also force Republican Senate candidates to say whether they support privatizing Medicare and Social Security."
"House Republicans may think they are safe, but how safe will they be if they vote to privatize Medicare and Social Security before their reelection campaigns kick off? If House Republicans stay on this course, they will also force Republican Senate candidates to say whether they support privatizing Medicare and Social Security."
Paul Ryan Reveals That Everything He Said About Medicare in 2012 Was A Total Lie
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/08/house-gop-threaten-hold-medicare-hostage-exchange-raising-debt-ceiling.html
"But while Ryan and the Republicans are saying that to you, their other hand is behind their back trying to give your Medicare to wealthy men like David Koch so he can raid the treasury that your tax dollars funded while denying you care. They call this “privatizing Medicare”. The media might want to pretend that privatizing Medicare doesn’t end it as we know it, but it would. Perhaps they are ignorant about the usual costs/results of privatization."
"But while Ryan and the Republicans are saying that to you, their other hand is behind their back trying to give your Medicare to wealthy men like David Koch so he can raid the treasury that your tax dollars funded while denying you care. They call this “privatizing Medicare”. The media might want to pretend that privatizing Medicare doesn’t end it as we know it, but it would. Perhaps they are ignorant about the usual costs/results of privatization."
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Pravda on the Potomac: Is Jonathan Karl a Journalist or PR Fluffer for GOP?
Pravda on the Potomac: Is Jonathan Karl a Journalist or PR Fluffer for GOP?
"It's not just that he's been shown to be a partisan hack for his Benghazi coverage, his regular contributions to the unabashedly conservative Weekly Standard, or his egregious use of Coulter as a source to interview politicians. Jonathan Karl is literally amole for the GOP embedded into ABC News"
"It's not just that he's been shown to be a partisan hack for his Benghazi coverage, his regular contributions to the unabashedly conservative Weekly Standard, or his egregious use of Coulter as a source to interview politicians. Jonathan Karl is literally amole for the GOP embedded into ABC News"
GOP May Hold Debt Ceiling Hostage To Enact Paul Ryan’s Budget
GOP May Hold Debt Ceiling Hostage To Enact Paul Ryan’s Budget: House Republicans will hold the national debt ceiling increase hostage until President Obama agrees to mandatory spending cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, the National Journal reports, and will seek to use the leverage of default to force Democrats to enact the policies in Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) budget. Since slashing discretionary spending to [...]/p
Saturday, July 6, 2013
The Real Threat to Our Future is Peak Water | Common Dreams
The Real Threat to Our Future is Peak Water | Common Dreams
"Peak oil has generated headlines in recent years, but the real threat to our future is peak water. There are substitutes for oil, but not for water. We can produce food without oil, but not without water."
"Peak oil has generated headlines in recent years, but the real threat to our future is peak water. There are substitutes for oil, but not for water. We can produce food without oil, but not without water."
Pacific Ocean Floor Is a Huge Underwater Garbage Dump
Pacific Ocean Floor Is a Huge Underwater Garbage Dump
"The horrific report was produced using over 18,000 hours of footage from deep sea remotely-operated vehicles, over a period of 22 years; cameras examined the ocean floor as deep as 13,000 feet and found human-made garbage everywhere.
"The horrific report was produced using over 18,000 hours of footage from deep sea remotely-operated vehicles, over a period of 22 years; cameras examined the ocean floor as deep as 13,000 feet and found human-made garbage everywhere.
The Pacific Ocean, which for many carries connotations of beauty and romance, is in fact a huge underwater garbage dump."
Students Face Lifetime of Debt | Democratic Strategist
Students Face Lifetime of Debt | Democratic Strategist
"On Monday, federally subsidized student loan rates doubled because Congress failed to pass a permanent solution to relieve our debt-stricken students (or even to extend the current rates until they could agree on a plan). There are very few policy issues more deserving of our representatives' attention."
"On Monday, federally subsidized student loan rates doubled because Congress failed to pass a permanent solution to relieve our debt-stricken students (or even to extend the current rates until they could agree on a plan). There are very few policy issues more deserving of our representatives' attention."
Congress Is Squandering the Opportunity of a Lifetime
Congress Is Squandering the Opportunity of a Lifetime
"The sad fact is that the GOP’s dysfunctions—its hyper-ideological approach to government, hostility to liberalism, and opposition to compromise—will keep the United States from capitalizing on one of the great opportunities of the last 20 years. Thanks to GOP-driven gridlock and Washington’s myopic focus on debt reduction, we have squandered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rebuild this country at pennies on the dollar, and bounce back from a long decade of mismanagement and neglect."
"The sad fact is that the GOP’s dysfunctions—its hyper-ideological approach to government, hostility to liberalism, and opposition to compromise—will keep the United States from capitalizing on one of the great opportunities of the last 20 years. Thanks to GOP-driven gridlock and Washington’s myopic focus on debt reduction, we have squandered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to rebuild this country at pennies on the dollar, and bounce back from a long decade of mismanagement and neglect."
Economists And Wall Street Cheer Good Jobs Report While GOP Whines That It’s Not Good Enough
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/05/economists-and-wall-street-cheer-good-jobs-report-while-gop-whines-that-its-not-good-enough/
"Any way you spin it, that’s good news (well… more on that in a second). But why is it “especially patriotic”? Because, at a time when that old black magic called partisan politics continues to flog the notion that Obama’s on the wrong track about this, that and everything, the less-debatable truth is that the American economy is getting better, something every American should cheer despite the distractions of conspiracy theories, ‘scandals,’ and GOP spin."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/05/economists-and-wall-street-cheer-good-jobs-report-while-gop-whines-that-its-not-good-enough/#ixzz2YG3BgWAY
"Any way you spin it, that’s good news (well… more on that in a second). But why is it “especially patriotic”? Because, at a time when that old black magic called partisan politics continues to flog the notion that Obama’s on the wrong track about this, that and everything, the less-debatable truth is that the American economy is getting better, something every American should cheer despite the distractions of conspiracy theories, ‘scandals,’ and GOP spin."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/05/economists-and-wall-street-cheer-good-jobs-report-while-gop-whines-that-its-not-good-enough/#ixzz2YG3BgWAY
Friday, July 5, 2013
CNBC Host Loses It: Climate Science Is A ‘Bona Fide Cult’
CNBC Host Loses It: Climate Science Is A ‘Bona Fide Cult’:
"CNBC has long-misrepresented climate change to its viewers, including Larry Kudlow and Rick Santelli."
"CNBC has long-misrepresented climate change to its viewers, including Larry Kudlow and Rick Santelli."
Thursday, July 4, 2013
How Can We Celebrate Independence Day When Democracy Is Dead In Michigan?
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/04/celebrate-independence-day-when-democracy-is-dead-in-michigan/
"Over the past two years Michigan’s Teaparty regime, under the leadership of Rick Snyder, has worked around the clock to undermine freedom, removing democracy from cities, towns and schools. It began with the takeover of Benton Harbor, where the state’s governor-dictator first removed all elected officials, placing a hand-picked emergency manager over the people of the city.Public property was seized and handed over to private corporations. An official spokesman was appointed to “represent the city” while the voices of citizens and their elected representatives were silenced."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/04/celebrate-independence-day-when-democracy-is-dead-in-michigan/#ixzz2Y8iIW3f1
"Over the past two years Michigan’s Teaparty regime, under the leadership of Rick Snyder, has worked around the clock to undermine freedom, removing democracy from cities, towns and schools. It began with the takeover of Benton Harbor, where the state’s governor-dictator first removed all elected officials, placing a hand-picked emergency manager over the people of the city.Public property was seized and handed over to private corporations. An official spokesman was appointed to “represent the city” while the voices of citizens and their elected representatives were silenced."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/04/celebrate-independence-day-when-democracy-is-dead-in-michigan/#ixzz2Y8iIW3f1
Despite Claims to the Contrary, Pepsi is Still Using Caramel Coloring Linked to Cancer | Alternet
Despite Claims to the Contrary, Pepsi is Still Using Caramel Coloring Linked to Cancer | Alternet
"The company said they removed the toxic chemical, but a watchdog group reports otherwise."
"The company said they removed the toxic chemical, but a watchdog group reports otherwise."
For July 4th: Remembering Why the Right Does Not Own the Stars and Stripes | Alternet
For July 4th: Remembering Why the Right Does Not Own the Stars and Stripes | Alternet
"The right-wingers of the Revolutionary era were Tories -- colonists who remained loyal to the British crown, fearful of change and, in their assistance to the occupying army of George III, the precise opposite of patriots. Only from the perspective of two centuries of ideological shift can the republican faith of the Founding Fathers be described as "conservative."
The Civil War, too, was a struggle between left and right, between patriots and ... well, in those days, the Confederate leaders were deemed traitors (an epithet now usually avoided out of a decent concern for Southern sensibilities). Academics will argue forever about that war's underlying economic and social causes, but it was the contemporary left that sought to abolish slavery and preserve the Union, while the right fought to preserve slavery and dissolve the Union. Today, reverence for the Confederacy remains the emotional province of extremely right-wing Southern politicians and intellectuals (as well as the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi skinheads, and not a few members of the tea party)."
"The right-wingers of the Revolutionary era were Tories -- colonists who remained loyal to the British crown, fearful of change and, in their assistance to the occupying army of George III, the precise opposite of patriots. Only from the perspective of two centuries of ideological shift can the republican faith of the Founding Fathers be described as "conservative."
The Civil War, too, was a struggle between left and right, between patriots and ... well, in those days, the Confederate leaders were deemed traitors (an epithet now usually avoided out of a decent concern for Southern sensibilities). Academics will argue forever about that war's underlying economic and social causes, but it was the contemporary left that sought to abolish slavery and preserve the Union, while the right fought to preserve slavery and dissolve the Union. Today, reverence for the Confederacy remains the emotional province of extremely right-wing Southern politicians and intellectuals (as well as the Ku Klux Klan and neo-Nazi skinheads, and not a few members of the tea party)."
Rhee's StudentsFirst is a Shining Example of NonProfit Abuse
Rhee's StudentsFirst is a Shining Example of NonProfit Abuse
"Instead, a nonprofit organization set out to buy politicians in order to privatize schools. This is the real scandal right here."
"Instead, a nonprofit organization set out to buy politicians in order to privatize schools. This is the real scandal right here."
NC GOP Onslaught On Elections Enabled By Dismantled Voting Rights Act
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Is the South Dragging the Rest of the Nation Down? | Alternet
Is the South Dragging the Rest of the Nation Down? | Alternet
"Why poor white Southerners keep voting for policies that screw them and how this hurts the rest of the nation."
"Why poor white Southerners keep voting for policies that screw them and how this hurts the rest of the nation."
Despicable Fee: Employers Charging You For Your Paycheck
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July 3 News: 2001-2010 Hottest Decade On Record, With ‘Unprecedented High-Impact Climate Extremes’, WMO Reports
July 3 News: 2001-2010 Hottest Decade On Record, With ‘Unprecedented High-Impact Climate Extremes’, WMO Reports: GENEVA 3 July 2013 – The world experienced unprecedented high-impact climate extremes during the 2001-2010 decade, which was the warmest since the start of modern measurements in 1850 and continued an extended period of pronounced global warming. More national temperature records were reported broken than in any previous decade, according to a new report by [...]/p
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
New California House Candidate Funded By Advocate For ‘Total Integration Of Biblical Law’
New California House Candidate Funded By Advocate For ‘Total Integration Of Biblical Law’: "Ahmanson served for decades on the board of this radical Christian Reconstructionist organization and heavily funded its efforts. The group’s late founder, Rousas John Rushdoony advocated for American laws to literally follow those in the Book of Leviticus, including death by stoning for gay and lesbian people and similar execution for adulterers, juvenile delinquents, non-believers, and most other Americans."
Democratic Run States Move Forward While Republican Controlled States Dither
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/03/democratic-run-states-move-republican-controlled-states-dither.html
"Looking at state governments around the United States, one lesson becomes clear. Put Democrats in charge and good things can happen. Give Republicans control of the machinery of government and they will dither or turn the clock backwards."
"Looking at state governments around the United States, one lesson becomes clear. Put Democrats in charge and good things can happen. Give Republicans control of the machinery of government and they will dither or turn the clock backwards."
Have an American-made, union-made Fourth of July
www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/03/1220707/-Have-an-American-made-union-made-Fourth-of-July
"If barbecuing or grilling is on your agenda for the Fourth of July, great news: You have a lot of American-made, union-made choices. Unlike many consumer goods where you really have to scrounge around to go union, barbecues offer a lot of choices, and the AFL-CIO has rounded up not just a list of meats and condiments, but of online resources for finding out what products are union made."
"If barbecuing or grilling is on your agenda for the Fourth of July, great news: You have a lot of American-made, union-made choices. Unlike many consumer goods where you really have to scrounge around to go union, barbecues offer a lot of choices, and the AFL-CIO has rounded up not just a list of meats and condiments, but of online resources for finding out what products are union made."
What Families Need to Get By: The 2013 Update of EPI’s Family Budget Calculator | Economic Policy Institute
What Families Need to Get By: The 2013 Update of EPI’s Family Budget Calculator | Economic Policy Institute
"The income level necessary for families to secure an adequate but modest living standard is an important economic yardstick."
"The income level necessary for families to secure an adequate but modest living standard is an important economic yardstick."
How Low Can the Republican Party Go? | Alternet
How Low Can the Republican Party Go? | Alternet
"Never before in American history have we seen a political party so completely dominated and controlled by its extremist wing; and never before have we seen a political party that brings together the attributes of nihilism, heartlessness, radicalism and naked partisanship quite like the modern GOP."
"Never before in American history have we seen a political party so completely dominated and controlled by its extremist wing; and never before have we seen a political party that brings together the attributes of nihilism, heartlessness, radicalism and naked partisanship quite like the modern GOP."
New California House Candidate Funded By Advocate For ‘Total Integration Of Biblical Law’
New California House Candidate Funded By Advocate For ‘Total Integration Of Biblical Law’
"Ahmanson served for decades on the board of this radical Christian Reconstructionist organization and heavily funded its efforts. The group’s late founder, Rousas John Rushdoony advocatedfor American laws to literally follow those in the Book of Leviticus, including death by stoning for gay and lesbian people and similar execution for adulterers, juvenile delinquents, non-believers, and most other Americans."
"Ahmanson served for decades on the board of this radical Christian Reconstructionist organization and heavily funded its efforts. The group’s late founder, Rousas John Rushdoony advocatedfor American laws to literally follow those in the Book of Leviticus, including death by stoning for gay and lesbian people and similar execution for adulterers, juvenile delinquents, non-believers, and most other Americans."
O'Donnell: Rewrite Laws Governing Car Sales
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Group Launches "Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda" to Reclaim Public Control over Public Assets and Destructive Outsourcing
Group Launches "Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda" to Reclaim Public Control over Public Assets and Destructive Outsourcing
"The "Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda," which can be viewed on the ITPI website, is a set of legislative proposals that Cohen says are "rooted in basic American good government values and traditions:" accountability, transparency, shared prosperity, and competition."
"The "Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda," which can be viewed on the ITPI website, is a set of legislative proposals that Cohen says are "rooted in basic American good government values and traditions:" accountability, transparency, shared prosperity, and competition."
Snowballing Scandal Prompts Calls For Resignation Of Virginia's McDonnell
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Texas Democrats To Tap Power Of An Informed Electorate
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Pro-choice Women Should Take On Republican Govs | Common Dreams
Pro-choice Women Should Take On Republican Govs | Common Dreams
"After losing the Presidential election in 2012 thanks to the biggest gender gap in history, Republicans are redoubling their "war on women" program in 2013."
"After losing the Presidential election in 2012 thanks to the biggest gender gap in history, Republicans are redoubling their "war on women" program in 2013."
Sen. Warren: Why Is Sallie Mae Ripping Off Students?
Sen. Warren: Why Is Sallie Mae Ripping Off Students?
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren is surely the turd in the punchbowl of what passes for Congressional oversight. While so many others sit quietly and meekly, bowing to the desires of K Street and Wall Street, Warren is determined to speak up for those of us who can't afford our own lobbyist."
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren is surely the turd in the punchbowl of what passes for Congressional oversight. While so many others sit quietly and meekly, bowing to the desires of K Street and Wall Street, Warren is determined to speak up for those of us who can't afford our own lobbyist."
Texas GOP Unleashes Political Quackery on Women's Reproductive Rights | Common Dreams
Texas GOP Unleashes Political Quackery on Women's Reproductive Rights | Common Dreams
" In a June poll, 63 percent of registered Texas voters said we already have plenty of anti-abortion laws on the books, and nearly three-fourths of the people (including six out of 10 Republicans) say such personal medical decisions should be made by women and their doctors, not by political quacks masquerading as Talibanic moral arbitrators. And 81 percent say the legislature should focus on basic economic issues wracking the majority of Texans."
" In a June poll, 63 percent of registered Texas voters said we already have plenty of anti-abortion laws on the books, and nearly three-fourths of the people (including six out of 10 Republicans) say such personal medical decisions should be made by women and their doctors, not by political quacks masquerading as Talibanic moral arbitrators. And 81 percent say the legislature should focus on basic economic issues wracking the majority of Texans."
GOP Embraces Mythic 'Missing White Voter' Theory
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Tuesday, July 2, 2013
REPORT: Corporations Pay Lower Tax Rates Than The Middle Class
REPORT: Corporations Pay Lower Tax Rates Than The Middle Class: Large, profitable U.S. corporations actually paid just a 12.6 percent effective tax rate in 2010. That’s barely a third of the 35 percent corporate rate on the books, and it’s actually lower than the median effective tax rate for middle-class Americans. The number comes from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study intended to clarify the [...]/p
The Republican Party Has Become Toxic to High Information Voters
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/02/republican-party-toxic-high-information-voters.html
"The toxicity of the GOP message to educated voters is most evident in races where Republican candidates espouse extremist positions and where they pander to religious fundamentalists, xenophobes, or to anti-intellectualism."
"The toxicity of the GOP message to educated voters is most evident in races where Republican candidates espouse extremist positions and where they pander to religious fundamentalists, xenophobes, or to anti-intellectualism."
Ohio Gov. John Kasich Helps GOP Sneak New Anti-Abortion Laws Into State Budget
Ohio Gov. John Kasich Helps GOP Sneak New Anti-Abortion Laws Into State Budget
"Ohio Republicans, with the help of their Gov. John Kasich avoided the type of public backlash we've been seeing in Texas over anti-abortion restrictions that are being jammed through both states' legislatures. Rather than allow a public debate, Kasich and his allies decided it was better to do things on the sly and let their constituents find out what they've done once it's too late."
"Ohio Republicans, with the help of their Gov. John Kasich avoided the type of public backlash we've been seeing in Texas over anti-abortion restrictions that are being jammed through both states' legislatures. Rather than allow a public debate, Kasich and his allies decided it was better to do things on the sly and let their constituents find out what they've done once it's too late."
Historically Lazy Congress Only Manages to Pass 15 Legislative Items in 6 Months
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/02/historically-lazy-congress-manages-pass-15-legislative-items-6-months.html
"Perhaps this historic failure is a function of Republicans cutting down the total work days for the House to just 126 days. Yes, we have a part-time House of Representatives, and if they worked in the private sector, this would make them ineligible for health insurance, pensions, paid days off, etc."
"Perhaps this historic failure is a function of Republicans cutting down the total work days for the House to just 126 days. Yes, we have a part-time House of Representatives, and if they worked in the private sector, this would make them ineligible for health insurance, pensions, paid days off, etc."
Southern States Are Pushing Themselves Deeper Into Poverty By Voting Republican
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/02/southern-states-pushing-deeper-poverty-voting-republican.html
"The data show that despite improvements in education and health nationally, Republicans have accomplished their goal of seriously setting back progress when it comes to the economic well-being of children in Republican-controlled Southern states. It is bad enough that the richest nation on Earth comes in at number 2 in the world with over 23% of its children living in extreme poverty, but the numbers are worse in the bottom five states that, not coincidently, are controlled by Republicans on a path to increase poverty and keep their poorest and youngest residents hungry, homeless, and in ill-health."
"The data show that despite improvements in education and health nationally, Republicans have accomplished their goal of seriously setting back progress when it comes to the economic well-being of children in Republican-controlled Southern states. It is bad enough that the richest nation on Earth comes in at number 2 in the world with over 23% of its children living in extreme poverty, but the numbers are worse in the bottom five states that, not coincidently, are controlled by Republicans on a path to increase poverty and keep their poorest and youngest residents hungry, homeless, and in ill-health."
Joe Conason: Investigate Darrell Issa! - Truthdig
Joe Conason: Investigate Darrell Issa! - Truthdig
"Among the many reasons that Americans hold the House of Representatives in low repute—at historically abysmal levels, in fact—is the blatantly partisan and ideological misconduct of so many committee chairs. Without any evident embarrassment these mighty politicians deny science, defy mathematics and dismiss every fact that contradicts their prejudices. But bad as these chairs tend to be, none is quite as flamboyantly awful as Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the Government Oversight Committee, a special investigative panel whose latest effort to conjure scandal from nothingness at the Internal Revenue Service would provoke his removal by a responsible leadership."
"Among the many reasons that Americans hold the House of Representatives in low repute—at historically abysmal levels, in fact—is the blatantly partisan and ideological misconduct of so many committee chairs. Without any evident embarrassment these mighty politicians deny science, defy mathematics and dismiss every fact that contradicts their prejudices. But bad as these chairs tend to be, none is quite as flamboyantly awful as Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the Government Oversight Committee, a special investigative panel whose latest effort to conjure scandal from nothingness at the Internal Revenue Service would provoke his removal by a responsible leadership."
North Carolina Prepares To Suppress Black Voters, Now That The Voting Rights Act Lost Its Teeth
North Carolina Prepares To Suppress Black Voters, Now That The Voting Rights Act Lost Its Teeth: Just days after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, North Carolina is moving forward with a host of bills to roll back voting rights. Republican lawmakers are accelerating a new agenda to eliminate early voting, Sunday voting hours, and same-day registration provisions. GOP leaders also vowed to move quickly to pass a [...]/p
How The 1% Is Stealing The Nation's Private Education Budget
How The 1% Is Stealing The Nation's Private Education Budget
"the demolition of public education is not a byproduct of a declining economy -- it's something the elite have wanted to do for a long time"
"the demolition of public education is not a byproduct of a declining economy -- it's something the elite have wanted to do for a long time"
As Of Today, California No Longer Has A White Majority
As Of Today, California No Longer Has A White Majority: The number of Latinos will match the number of white non-Hispanic population for the first time in California this month, according to the California Department of Finance. The same study also found that Latinos will become a plurality in 2014, overtaking the white non-Hispanic population. The demographic milestone, marked by a press conference at the [...]/p
Wendy Davis vs. Texas GOP, Take 2
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What Future Protests Can Learn From Moral Mondays
What Future Protests Can Learn From Moral Mondays: Today, thousands of North Carolinians will convene on Raleigh for the ninth Moral Monday protest of 2013. The demonstration, led by the North Carolina NAACP and faith leaders from across the state, draws attention to the wide array of conservative legislation advanced by the Republican-held legislature, including attacks on abortion rights, the poor, and voting [...]/p
GOP Sneak Tactic Gives Ohio New Anti-Abortion Laws With New Budget
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Republican Obstruction Of Budget Process Hits 100th Day
Republican Obstruction Of Budget Process Hits 100th Day: Monday marks 100 days since the Senate passed a budget amid bipartisan praise of the open process. But initial Republican eagerness to work on a budget has given way to the obstructionism that’s defined the Senate minority under Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Over the past hundred days, Republicans have blocked 15 separate attempts to [...]/p
Why Have Student Loans At All? Let's Get the Burdens of Debt off College Students' Backs -- And Make Wall St. Pick Up the Tab | Alternet
Why Have Student Loans At All? Let's Get the Burdens of Debt off College Students' Backs -- And Make Wall St. Pick Up the Tab | Alternet
"Anyone with a heartbeat knows that Wall Street took down the economy, killed millions of jobs and hasn't had to pay a penny for the damage it caused. In fact we are paying them for crashing the economy in the form of trillions in bailouts and low interest loans.
"Anyone with a heartbeat knows that Wall Street took down the economy, killed millions of jobs and hasn't had to pay a penny for the damage it caused. In fact we are paying them for crashing the economy in the form of trillions in bailouts and low interest loans.
Well, maybe it's time for Wall Street to contribute, rather than siphoning off our wealth. How about a sales tax on all transfers of stocks, bonds, and derivatives in order to fund tuition-free higher education?"
Monday, July 1, 2013
In One Month, Florida Will Privatize Prison Health Care, Lay Off Nearly 2,000 Employees
In One Month, Florida Will Privatize Prison Health Care, Lay Off Nearly 2,000 Employees: After a prolonged battle, Florida has set a date for when its prison health care system will be privatized, booting nearly 2,000 state employees out of their jobs. On August 1 of this year, Corizon Inc. — a Tennessee-based company with a sordid history of abuse — will become the major provider of health care [...]/p
Five Ways The Supreme Court Gave The Shaft To Workers
Five Ways The Supreme Court Gave The Shaft To Workers: Last week, a bare majority of the Supreme Court did something this Court rarely does — it made life markedly better for millions of Americans by striking down the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act. This decision, however, should not overshadow the blow the Court’s conservatives dealt to the franchise by striking down a key prong [...]/p
Virginia Outsources Taxpayer Refund System, Private Companies Profit
Virginia Outsources Taxpayer Refund System, Private Companies Profit: In 2012, Virginia’s Republican-controlled legislature enacted a budget provision that effectively forced the state’s tax department to outsource its refund system to a debit card company, claiming it would save the government hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. But the state’s deal with Xerox to replace tax refund checks with Comerica-issued debit card has meant [...]/p
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