Elizabeth Warren: Give Students Same Loan Rate as Big Banks
"Senator Warren Introduces the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act, her first piece of stand-alone legislation, on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. The bill would enable students who are eligible for federally subsidized Stafford loans to borrow at the same rate the big banks get through the Federal Reserve discount window."
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Meet The Most Important Consumer Rights Bill That You’ve Probably Never Heard Of
Meet The Most Important Consumer Rights Bill That You’ve Probably Never Heard Of: pIn 1925, Congress enacted what they thought was a modest law enabling sophisticated businesses to agree to resolve their disputes through private arbitration. Decades later, the Supreme Court transformed it into something completely different — enabling corporations to force workers and consumers into signing away their right to appear in a real court, and shunting [...]/p
Kentucky Will Expand Medicaid Under Obamacare, Cutting Its Uninsured Population By More Than Half
Kentucky Will Expand Medicaid Under Obamacare, Cutting Its Uninsured Population By More Than Half: Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear (D) announced on Thursday that he would accept federal money to expand his state’s Medicaid program under Obamacare. That brings the total number of states participating in the optional expansion up to either 22 or 18 (plus the District of Columbia) — depending on the actions of some state legislatures that [...]/p
How School Privatizers Buy State-Level Elections | Common Dreams
How School Privatizers Buy State-Level Elections | Common Dreams
"A fundamental struggle for democracy is going on behind the scenes in statehouses around the country, as a handful of wealthy individuals and foundations pour money into efforts to privatize the public schools."
"A fundamental struggle for democracy is going on behind the scenes in statehouses around the country, as a handful of wealthy individuals and foundations pour money into efforts to privatize the public schools."
REPORT: Republican Senate Nominee Claimed $281,500 Tax Deduction Under What IRS Called A ‘Tax Scam’
REPORT: Republican Senate Nominee Claimed $281,500 Tax Deduction Under What IRS Called A ‘Tax Scam’: Gabriel Gomez, the Republican nominee to fill John Kerry’s open Senate seat in Massachusetts, claimed a $281,500 deduction on his income taxes for promising not to alter the appearance of his historic home. While he identified this “easement” as a donation to a controversial Washington, DC-based organization, he was reportedly already prevented from making any [...]/p
Formerly Fringe, Conspiracy Theorists Find Voice In Congressional GOP
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7 Weirdest Conspiracy Theories Now Taken Seriously by GOP | Alternet
7 Weirdest Conspiracy Theories Now Taken Seriously by GOP | Alternet
"Right-wing fear peddlers are now advising elected representatives to initiate investigations and draft bills addressing non-existent threats."
"Right-wing fear peddlers are now advising elected representatives to initiate investigations and draft bills addressing non-existent threats."
Immigration Debate Exposes Racist Influence Within GOP
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WATCH Elizabeth Warren: Students Should Get ‘Same Deal’ On Interest Rates As Big Banks | Alternet
WATCH Elizabeth Warren: Students Should Get ‘Same Deal’ On Interest Rates As Big Banks | Alternet
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduced her first bill in the Senate today, the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act, which would prevent Stafford loan interest rates from doubling this summer by dropping rates for one year from 3.4 percent to 0.75 percent, the rate at which the government loans money to big banks through the Federal Reserve discount window. If Congress fails to act by July 1 this year, interest rates on Stafford loans reserved for undergraduates will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent."
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduced her first bill in the Senate today, the Bank on Students Loan Fairness Act, which would prevent Stafford loan interest rates from doubling this summer by dropping rates for one year from 3.4 percent to 0.75 percent, the rate at which the government loans money to big banks through the Federal Reserve discount window. If Congress fails to act by July 1 this year, interest rates on Stafford loans reserved for undergraduates will double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent."
Elizabeth Warren Introduces Bill To Give Students Same Rates As Big Banks
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How Your Tax Dollars Fund Bad, Low-Wage Jobs and Help Fuel Inequality | Alternet
How Your Tax Dollars Fund Bad, Low-Wage Jobs and Help Fuel Inequality | Alternet
"The vacuous, cheerful expression of the Walmart smiley face has long been associated with the paradoxically dark reality of low-wage work. With the recent fast-food worker walkouts in New York, the golden arches may go down, too, in the annals of class-war symbology. But a report released Wednesday by the public policy organization Demos, reveals that there is one employer responsible for creating more low-wage jobs than Walmart and McDonald’s combined: Us."
"The vacuous, cheerful expression of the Walmart smiley face has long been associated with the paradoxically dark reality of low-wage work. With the recent fast-food worker walkouts in New York, the golden arches may go down, too, in the annals of class-war symbology. But a report released Wednesday by the public policy organization Demos, reveals that there is one employer responsible for creating more low-wage jobs than Walmart and McDonald’s combined: Us."
Michigan School District Shuts Down; Every Teacher Is Laid Off
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Red Flags And Missed Warning Signs In Cleveland Case
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Red Flags In Cleveland, Violence In America
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Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Congress: Still Corporate. Still Criminal. Still Captured.
Congress: Still Corporate. Still Criminal. Still Captured.
"Here is the complete list of the Financial Services Committee members. The official twitter for the Republicans on the Committee is @FinancialCmte, and the twitter for the Democrats is @FSCDems. Wall Street still runs things, but it is worth letting our captured Congressmembers know that we are fully aware that Wall Street also owns them."
"Here is the complete list of the Financial Services Committee members. The official twitter for the Republicans on the Committee is @FinancialCmte, and the twitter for the Democrats is @FSCDems. Wall Street still runs things, but it is worth letting our captured Congressmembers know that we are fully aware that Wall Street also owns them."
Patent Filing Claims Solar Energy ‘Breakthrough’ | Common Dreams
Patent Filing Claims Solar Energy ‘Breakthrough’ | Common Dreams
"In a U.S. patent application, a little-known Maryland inventor claims a stunning solar energy breakthrough that promises to end the planet’s reliance on fossil fuels at a fraction of the current cost – a transformation that also could blunt global warming."
"In a U.S. patent application, a little-known Maryland inventor claims a stunning solar energy breakthrough that promises to end the planet’s reliance on fossil fuels at a fraction of the current cost – a transformation that also could blunt global warming."
Over Half The Slowdown Of Health Care Costs Could Be Permanent, Saving The U.S. Over $700 Billion
Over Half The Slowdown Of Health Care Costs Could Be Permanent, Saving The U.S. Over $700 Billion: One of the most important ongoing stories in the realm of budgets and health care economics is the remarkable drop in how much health care costs are projected to grow over the next decade. Back in March, David Cutler and Nikhil Sahni released some preliminary work arguing that, thanks to this slowdown, projections of government [...]/p
Our Elections Really Are Rigged—by Gerrymandering and Districting Abuses | The Nation
Our Elections Really Are Rigged—by Gerrymandering and Districting Abuses | The Nation
"Partisan redistricting—not just classic gerrymandering but a variety of structural factors—assures that the vast majority of congressional districts in the vast majority of states produce predictable results. Even if the candidate of the dominant party is flawed, even if a challenger has financial advantages, FairVote executive director Rob Richie reminds us that “partisanship is the dominant factor in determining election outcomes"."
"Partisan redistricting—not just classic gerrymandering but a variety of structural factors—assures that the vast majority of congressional districts in the vast majority of states produce predictable results. Even if the candidate of the dominant party is flawed, even if a challenger has financial advantages, FairVote executive director Rob Richie reminds us that “partisanship is the dominant factor in determining election outcomes"."
Major Anti-Immigrant Organizations Have Ties To Racist Pseudoscience
Major Anti-Immigrant Organizations Have Ties To Racist Pseudoscience: The newest study meant to discredit immigration reform was revealed on Wednesday to be co-authored by a man who believes that Latinos have inherently lower IQs and therefore should not be allowed to be United States citizens. Eugenics — the idea that a race of people is somehow genetically inferior to another — has been [...]/p
PERRspectives: New House GOP Debt Ceiling Blackmail Demand? No Deficit Reduction!
PERRspectives: New House GOP Debt Ceiling Blackmail Demand? No Deficit Reduction!
"The latest GOP extortion couldn't come at a worse time. After all, the federal budget sequester which began in March is already slowing economic growth and costing American jobs. Meanwhile, the CBO and analysts like Goldman Sachs have forecast that Uncle Sam's rapidly shrinking annual budget deficits will soon put U.S. national debt levels on a sustainable path. (That reality even prompted House Speaker John Boehner and Budget Committee Chairman to admit that "we have no immediate debt crisis.") Now, two years after the GOP's first debt limit blackmail hammered consumer confidence and job growth, Republicans are preparing a new ransom note."
"The latest GOP extortion couldn't come at a worse time. After all, the federal budget sequester which began in March is already slowing economic growth and costing American jobs. Meanwhile, the CBO and analysts like Goldman Sachs have forecast that Uncle Sam's rapidly shrinking annual budget deficits will soon put U.S. national debt levels on a sustainable path. (That reality even prompted House Speaker John Boehner and Budget Committee Chairman to admit that "we have no immediate debt crisis.") Now, two years after the GOP's first debt limit blackmail hammered consumer confidence and job growth, Republicans are preparing a new ransom note."
Seven Times Senate Republicans Demanded The Budget Process They Are Now Obstructing
Seven Times Senate Republicans Demanded The Budget Process They Are Now Obstructing: Senate Democrats passed a budget for the first time in four years earlier this year, a move that would seemingly please the Republicans who spent the last four years reminding everyone of the fact that the Senate hadn’t done so. But now, with the House and Senate sitting on differing budget proposals, Senate Republicans have [...]/p
Indispensable Guide: Where to Shop to Avoid Buying from Businesses that Endanger Workers | Alternet
Indispensable Guide: Where to Shop to Avoid Buying from Businesses that Endanger Workers | Alternet
"responsible shoppers want to avoid supporting companies that don't care about their employees. Here's how."
"responsible shoppers want to avoid supporting companies that don't care about their employees. Here's how."
Starved of Democracy and the Fight Against Corporate 'Foodopoly' | Common Dreams
Starved of Democracy and the Fight Against Corporate 'Foodopoly' | Common Dreams
"We, the people, must reclaim our democracy. We must reestablish strong antitrust laws to begin the work of fixing our broken, corporate-controlled food system. Our food system should work for consumers and farmers, not big agricultural, processing, retail, and chemical conglomerates."
"We, the people, must reclaim our democracy. We must reestablish strong antitrust laws to begin the work of fixing our broken, corporate-controlled food system. Our food system should work for consumers and farmers, not big agricultural, processing, retail, and chemical conglomerates."
Hollow Bee Hives May Threaten Our Lives Too | Common Dreams
Hollow Bee Hives May Threaten Our Lives Too | Common Dreams
"You may think that your most significant interaction with bees is trying not to get stung. But, in fact, you have bees to thank for nearly one-third of all food crops: almonds, apples, peaches, honey, and watermelons, to name a few. If our bees are in trouble, then we’re in trouble too."
"You may think that your most significant interaction with bees is trying not to get stung. But, in fact, you have bees to thank for nearly one-third of all food crops: almonds, apples, peaches, honey, and watermelons, to name a few. If our bees are in trouble, then we’re in trouble too."
On Top Of Sea Ice Death Spiral, Ocean Acidification Poised To Radically Alter Arctic
On Top Of Sea Ice Death Spiral, Ocean Acidification Poised To Radically Alter Arctic: The Arctic is the fastest changing place on earth. The most obvious and important change is the staggering loss of sea ice (see “CryoSat-2 Confirms Sea Ice Volume Has Collapsed“). In addition, “the Arctic marine waters are experiencing widespread and rapid ocean acidification,” a new study finds. This first-ever Arctic Ocean Acidification Assessment, commissioned by the Arctic Council’s Arctic Monitoring and Assessment [...]/p
"Issue Ad" Charade by American Federation for Children Uncovered in Wisconsin
"Issue Ad" Charade by American Federation for Children Uncovered in Wisconsin
"Dark money nonprofits spent hundreds of millions in the 2012 elections, but reported only a fraction of that thanks to an "issue advocacy" loophole that requires only limited disclosure for ads that don't explicitly urge viewers to vote for or against a candidate. Federal and state elections officials have rarely probed whether a group's so-called "issue ads" are really intended to influence elections -- but in Wisconsin, a politically-active nonprofit exposed its issue ad charade on its own."
"Dark money nonprofits spent hundreds of millions in the 2012 elections, but reported only a fraction of that thanks to an "issue advocacy" loophole that requires only limited disclosure for ads that don't explicitly urge viewers to vote for or against a candidate. Federal and state elections officials have rarely probed whether a group's so-called "issue ads" are really intended to influence elections -- but in Wisconsin, a politically-active nonprofit exposed its issue ad charade on its own."
It’s Official: $1 Invested In EPA Yields $10 In Benefits
It’s Official: $1 Invested In EPA Yields $10 In Benefits: By Gernot Wagner via EDF The Office of Management and Budget is nerd heaven: a bunch of people getting their professional kicks from analyzing federal regulation. This bean counting may sound painfully lacking in glamour, but it’s incredibly important. OMB’s annual report to Congress on the benefits and costs of all major rules adopted by [...]/p
New Government Data On Hospital Services Proves That Americans’ Medical Bills Are Completely Random
New Government Data On Hospital Services Proves That Americans’ Medical Bills Are Completely Random: The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released highly-anticipated data on Wednesday that outlines what hospitals across America charge for common inpatient medical services. The takeaway from the new numbers? There is no rhyme or reason to what different hospitals charge for the same procedures across geographic regions (or even within the same region), [...]/p
Politifact, Repeat Offender Against Fact
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Politifact Sullies Fact Checking Again With Inexplicable Rating
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Disaster Capitalism Strikes as Hedge Funds Circle Near-Bankrupt Municipalities Like Vultures | Common Dreams
Disaster Capitalism Strikes as Hedge Funds Circle Near-Bankrupt Municipalities Like Vultures | Common Dreams
"In Detroit, a once bustling city at the center of the US economy, the hedge fund vultures are circling.
But first, a moment of background, employing Naomi Klein's contemporary classic The Shock Doctrine, which tells the story of how purveyors of aggressive capitalism take advantage of crises and public vulnerability in order to push through neoliberal policies and profit-motivated financial arrangements."
"In Detroit, a once bustling city at the center of the US economy, the hedge fund vultures are circling.
But first, a moment of background, employing Naomi Klein's contemporary classic The Shock Doctrine, which tells the story of how purveyors of aggressive capitalism take advantage of crises and public vulnerability in order to push through neoliberal policies and profit-motivated financial arrangements."
Right-Wing Media Myths about Benghazi | Alternet
Right-Wing Media Myths about Benghazi | Alternet
"Fox and others just keep dredging up lies about embassy attack in time for today's hearings."
"Fox and others just keep dredging up lies about embassy attack in time for today's hearings."
Sexual Assault In The Military Jumps In 2012
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How The Military Fails Miserably To Address Sexual Assault
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Corporate Cowards Divert Shareholder Funds into “Dark Money” | Common Dreams
Corporate Cowards Divert Shareholder Funds into “Dark Money” | Common Dreams
"Why do corporations need a middleman? Because the ads are so partisan and vicious that they would appall and anger millions of customers, employees and shareholders of the corporation. So, rather than besmirch their own names, the corporate powers have meekly retreated behind the skirt of Republican political outfits like the Chamber."
"Why do corporations need a middleman? Because the ads are so partisan and vicious that they would appall and anger millions of customers, employees and shareholders of the corporation. So, rather than besmirch their own names, the corporate powers have meekly retreated behind the skirt of Republican political outfits like the Chamber."
10 Reasons Austerity Is a Crock | Alternet
10 Reasons Austerity Is a Crock | Alternet
"When we allow our economy to operate below full employment (as now), we are sacrificing trillions of dollars in lost output and income each year. We can never go back and recover it. It is gone forever. You’ve seen the debt clock? Here’s the lost output clock."
"When we allow our economy to operate below full employment (as now), we are sacrificing trillions of dollars in lost output and income each year. We can never go back and recover it. It is gone forever. You’ve seen the debt clock? Here’s the lost output clock."
Military Sex Assault Revelations Spur Calls For Accountability
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Tuesday, May 7, 2013
America's No Worker's Paradise: In 49 of 50 States, You Can Be Fired For Any Reason | Alternet
America's No Worker's Paradise: In 49 of 50 States, You Can Be Fired For Any Reason | Alternet
"Outside of Montana, you can be fired for the color of your shirt, or even for refusing to fetch your boss a cup of coffee."
"Outside of Montana, you can be fired for the color of your shirt, or even for refusing to fetch your boss a cup of coffee."
Adultery, Lying OK With SC Voters, Sanford Elected
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Mark Sanford Wins South Carolina Special Election
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Ho Hum. Another Right-Wing Terrorist, Another Media Yawn
Ho Hum. Another Right-Wing Terrorist, Another Media Yawn
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Monday that it had arrested a Minnesota man for plotting a “localized terror attack"."
"The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced on Monday that it had arrested a Minnesota man for plotting a “localized terror attack"."
Now They Want to Take Away the 8-Hour Day and 40-Hour Week
Now They Want to Take Away the 8-Hour Day and 40-Hour Week
"Republicans are trying to pass an "alternative" to overtime pay. This is really about taking away the eight-hour workday and 40-hour workweek. Will weekends be next? What about an "alternative" to paying workers at all?
"Republicans are trying to pass an "alternative" to overtime pay. This is really about taking away the eight-hour workday and 40-hour workweek. Will weekends be next? What about an "alternative" to paying workers at all?
House Republicans are pushing a bill that takes away extra pay for overtime, substituting "comp" time instead."
Republican Court Says Employers Have A Constitutional Right To Keep Workers Ignorant Of Their Rights
Republican Court Says Employers Have A Constitutional Right To Keep Workers Ignorant Of Their Rights: Warning labels and notices are a common feature of American life. Federal law requires most groceries to display detailed information about their ingredients, calorie content, and other nutritional facts. Federal fuel economy labels inform car buyers how quickly their new vehicle will burn through gas. Surgeon general warnings inform smokers of the dangers presented by [...]/p
On Day Stock Market Sets New Record, Conservative Group Floats Impeaching Obama For ‘Wrecking The Stock Market’
On Day Stock Market Sets New Record, Conservative Group Floats Impeaching Obama For ‘Wrecking The Stock Market’: Today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average closed at 15,056, an all-time record. For one conservative group, this can only mean one thing: it’s time to impeach President Obama. That was the message Capitol Hill Daily, a conservative publication based out of Baltimore, sent to Citizen United’s listserv today. They accused President Obama of “wreck[ing] the [...]/p
Republican Senate Nominee Funded Primarily By Wealthy Investors
Republican Senate Nominee Funded Primarily By Wealthy Investors: Gabriel Gomez, the Republican nominee to fill John Kerry’s open Senate seat in Massachusetts, often invokes his background in the private sector as a private equity investor. Perhaps as a result, his campaign has raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from other venture capitalists, investors, and bankers — people likely to [...]/p
How Sequestration Is Devastating Programs That Aid Senior Citizens
How Sequestration Is Devastating Programs That Aid Senior Citizens: Last week, ThinkProgress spoke to directors of Meals on Wheels programs across the country, and they detailed how sequestration is cutting meal delivery and on-site meal services to needy seniors who may now have to go hungry. Since then, stories about sequestration’s harmful cuts to seniors have continued to pour in from across the country. [...]/p
Moody’s Playing Dangerous Games With Public Pension Funds
Moody’s Playing Dangerous Games With Public Pension Funds
"The bond-rating agency Moody's made itself famous for giving subprime mortgage backed securities triple-A ratings at the peak of the housing bubble. This made it easy for investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to sell these securities all around the world. And it allowed the housing bubble to grow ever bigger and more dangerous. And we know where that has left us.
"The bond-rating agency Moody's made itself famous for giving subprime mortgage backed securities triple-A ratings at the peak of the housing bubble. This made it easy for investment banks like Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley to sell these securities all around the world. And it allowed the housing bubble to grow ever bigger and more dangerous. And we know where that has left us.
Well, Moody's is back."
The New York Time's Bill Keller and Mindlessness over Syria | Common Dreams
The New York Time's Bill Keller and Mindlessness over Syria | Common Dreams
"Twenty-four hours ago, we posted Amb. Robert Hunter’s analysis of the Syria question and his appeal to Obama to “keep his nerve (backed by the US military leadership) and continue resisting attempts to drag the US even more deeply into Syria.” He prefaced his essay with a quotation from the British political TV series, “Yes, Prime Minister;” to wit: “It’s safer to be heartless than mindless. History is the triumph of the heartless over the mindless"."
"Twenty-four hours ago, we posted Amb. Robert Hunter’s analysis of the Syria question and his appeal to Obama to “keep his nerve (backed by the US military leadership) and continue resisting attempts to drag the US even more deeply into Syria.” He prefaced his essay with a quotation from the British political TV series, “Yes, Prime Minister;” to wit: “It’s safer to be heartless than mindless. History is the triumph of the heartless over the mindless"."
STUDY: In Supreme Court’s Past 65 Years, George W. Bush’s Two Appointees Most Likely To Side With Business Interests
STUDY: In Supreme Court’s Past 65 Years, George W. Bush’s Two Appointees Most Likely To Side With Business Interests: In recent years, several reports and studies have observed the evident skew in favor of business of the U.S. Supreme Court led by Chief Justice John G. Roberts. Thus far, this term has proved to be no exception, with a 6-1 win rate by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Last month, three professors who are [...]/p
Why ‘Flexibility’ Is An Unworkable Solution For Sequestration Budget Cuts
Why ‘Flexibility’ Is An Unworkable Solution For Sequestration Budget Cuts: In response to the outcry from business travelers, the airline industry, and others affected by growing flight delays, Congress stepped in last week to provide the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with “flexibility” to move funding around within the agency to avert scheduled furloughs of air-traffic controllers necessitated by the automatic budget cuts known as sequestration. [...]/p
REPORT: The U.S Has The Highest First-Day Infant Death Rate In The Industrialized World
REPORT: The U.S Has The Highest First-Day Infant Death Rate In The Industrialized World: Each year, about one million infants around the world die on the same day they’re born. That figure includes about 11,300 U.S. babies — the highest first-day infant mortality rate of any other country in the industrialized world, according to a new report from Save the Children. In fact, the United States’ rate of first-day [...]/p
Sequester Cuts to Emergency Unemployment Insurance Compensation will likely cost around 30,000 jobs | Economic Policy Institute
Sequester Cuts to Emergency Unemployment Insurance Compensation will likely cost around 30,000 jobs | Economic Policy Institute
"These cuts cause damage in two ways. Most obviously, they mean that unemployment insurance benefits now provide a weaker lifeline to the long-term unemployed and their families, despite the fact that job opportunities have improved very little since the unemployment rate peaked near the end of 2009. Less well understood is the fact that cutting unemployment insurance benefits will reduce spending in the economy and thereby cost jobs."
"These cuts cause damage in two ways. Most obviously, they mean that unemployment insurance benefits now provide a weaker lifeline to the long-term unemployed and their families, despite the fact that job opportunities have improved very little since the unemployment rate peaked near the end of 2009. Less well understood is the fact that cutting unemployment insurance benefits will reduce spending in the economy and thereby cost jobs."
ALEC's Latest "Transparency" Move: Asserting Immunity From Freedom of Information Laws
ALEC's Latest "Transparency" Move: Asserting Immunity From Freedom of Information Laws
"ALEC legislators cannot have it both ways. They cannot use public money to attend ALEC meetings -- as the Republican-led South Dakota legislature recently approved -- or claim that accepting corporate-funded flights and hotel rooms for ALEC travel are part of their legitimate work responsibilities, then conspire with ALEC to hide documents and information from their constituents that should be accessible under freedom of information laws."
"ALEC legislators cannot have it both ways. They cannot use public money to attend ALEC meetings -- as the Republican-led South Dakota legislature recently approved -- or claim that accepting corporate-funded flights and hotel rooms for ALEC travel are part of their legitimate work responsibilities, then conspire with ALEC to hide documents and information from their constituents that should be accessible under freedom of information laws."
Budget Austerity Proved a Joke, But the US and Europe Won't Change Course | Common Dreams
Budget Austerity Proved a Joke, But the US and Europe Won't Change Course | Common Dreams
"It appears that the Reinhart-Rogoff battles over their faulty data about government debt have flamed out. Even the inventors of the 90% debt cliff are now anxious to portray themselves of cautious supporters of expansionary fiscal policy. This should mean that sober policy types everywhere can turn to the immediate problem of reducing unemployment with more expansionary fiscal policy.
Unfortunately, this does not appear likely to happen. Even though the case against fiscal policy has been blown to smithereens, there is little impulse in the United States or Europe to change course."
"It appears that the Reinhart-Rogoff battles over their faulty data about government debt have flamed out. Even the inventors of the 90% debt cliff are now anxious to portray themselves of cautious supporters of expansionary fiscal policy. This should mean that sober policy types everywhere can turn to the immediate problem of reducing unemployment with more expansionary fiscal policy.
Unfortunately, this does not appear likely to happen. Even though the case against fiscal policy has been blown to smithereens, there is little impulse in the United States or Europe to change course."
Growing Pressure To Join The War
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Your Retirement for a Bottle of Champagne: How Wall Street Fraudsters Ripped You Off, Again | Alternet
Your Retirement for a Bottle of Champagne: How Wall Street Fraudsters Ripped You Off, Again | Alternet
"To recap: Bank hustlers manipulated the world’s most important set of benchmark interest rates and thereby impacted the prices of upward of $500 trillion worth of financial instruments. The LIBOR scam devastated state and municipal budgets, squeezed pension yields and ripped off bank shareholders. In a case of jaw-dropping fraud, greedy traders rigged up the benchmark so that they could cash in on bets on derivatives, while banks submitted fake numbers to make themselves look financially healthier. One Barclays official was fond of fudging numbers in exchange for champagne. “Dude…I owe you big time!” gushed a trader in an email to Barclays’ Mr. Fix-It. “Come over one day after work and I'm opening a bottle of Bollinger."
"To recap: Bank hustlers manipulated the world’s most important set of benchmark interest rates and thereby impacted the prices of upward of $500 trillion worth of financial instruments. The LIBOR scam devastated state and municipal budgets, squeezed pension yields and ripped off bank shareholders. In a case of jaw-dropping fraud, greedy traders rigged up the benchmark so that they could cash in on bets on derivatives, while banks submitted fake numbers to make themselves look financially healthier. One Barclays official was fond of fudging numbers in exchange for champagne. “Dude…I owe you big time!” gushed a trader in an email to Barclays’ Mr. Fix-It. “Come over one day after work and I'm opening a bottle of Bollinger."
That’s right. A bottle of bubbly for a scam that screwed your grandma on her retirement savings."
Banks Sued For Flagrant Violations
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Why It's Going Cost a Lot of Money to Cut Meals on Wheels' Budget—Sequester Takes America Further Down the Hole | Alternet
Why It's Going Cost a Lot of Money to Cut Meals on Wheels' Budget—Sequester Takes America Further Down the Hole | Alternet
"Cutting Meals On Wheels doesn’t save the government a dime, it costs $489 million a year. Cutting IRS obviously increases the deficit because it lowers tax revenue. Other cuts also increase spending. All obviously hurt the economy. Tell me again, what’s the justification for this? Repeal this foolish and unjustified sequester."
"Cutting Meals On Wheels doesn’t save the government a dime, it costs $489 million a year. Cutting IRS obviously increases the deficit because it lowers tax revenue. Other cuts also increase spending. All obviously hurt the economy. Tell me again, what’s the justification for this? Repeal this foolish and unjustified sequester."
Monday, May 6, 2013
GOP War On Student Voting Violates Clear, Established Law
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US Hawks Ignore Realities Of War In Syria
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Green On-The-Go: A Portable Solar-Powered Electrical Outlet
Green On-The-Go: A Portable Solar-Powered Electrical Outlet: Mother Nature Network just flagged a fun diversion in the solar technology world: the Window Socket. It’s a portable solar charger, roughly the size of a hockey puck, which uses a suction cup to attach to any available window. It also has a standard electrical plug — though right now it’s only the European standard [...]/p
Who’s Murdering Small Business in America?
Who’s Murdering Small Business in America?
"So, Conservatives can try to blame Obama, smokestack regulations, and Obamacare for the death of small business in America all they want, but anybody who knows history knows otherwise.
"So, Conservatives can try to blame Obama, smokestack regulations, and Obamacare for the death of small business in America all they want, but anybody who knows history knows otherwise.
Reaganomics killed small business."
House GOP Prepares Fast-Track for Keystone XL | Common Dreams
House GOP Prepares Fast-Track for Keystone XL | Common Dreams
"This month, the Republican-dominated House of Representatives will vote on, and likely approve, a measure that bypasses White House approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, fast-tracking construction of the controversial project."
"This month, the Republican-dominated House of Representatives will vote on, and likely approve, a measure that bypasses White House approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline, fast-tracking construction of the controversial project."
Texas House Approves 12 Firearms Bills To Put More Guns In Classrooms And Defy Federal Law
Texas House Approves 12 Firearms Bills To Put More Guns In Classrooms And Defy Federal Law: On Saturday, as Texas hosted the National Rifle Association’s annual convention, the Texas House passed 12 gun bills to make it even easier to obtain and possess firearms in the state. The onslaught of legislation contains provisions to allow college students to carry handguns in class and to block any theoretical federal bans on assault [...]/p
Neither Admit Nor Deny: Big Business Allowed To Pay Millions to Avoid Jail | Common Dreams
Neither Admit Nor Deny: Big Business Allowed To Pay Millions to Avoid Jail | Common Dreams
"Record fines adding up to $36 billion have been paid out in the last 12 years by multinational corporations to the U.S. government to settle charges of corruption and fraud. But are they getting away with a slap on the wrist to avoid prosecution for major crimes?"
"Record fines adding up to $36 billion have been paid out in the last 12 years by multinational corporations to the U.S. government to settle charges of corruption and fraud. But are they getting away with a slap on the wrist to avoid prosecution for major crimes?"
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