PERRspectives: Romney's "Vision" Blind to Economic History
"Romney would deliver a massive tax cut windfall for the rich, paying for it by gutting the social safety net each pretends to protect. He would end Medicare as we know it with a premium support gambit that would dramatically shift health care costs to America's seniors. While increasing defense spending, the GOP White House hopeful would repeal the Affordable Care and leave at least 30 million people without insurance. And despite his pledge to end many tax loopholes and deductions to fund their gilded-class giveaway, Mitt Romney doesn't have the courage to say which ones. As a result, Mitt "Cut, Cap and Balance" Romneywould actually add trillions more in red ink to the national debt."
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Why Is Mitt Romney So Incredibly Weird? | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
Why Is Mitt Romney So Incredibly Weird? | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
"He seems incapable of natural conversation and frequently uncomfortable in his own skin."
"He seems incapable of natural conversation and frequently uncomfortable in his own skin."
Using ALEC Playbook, Bobby Jindal Radically Reshapes Public Education | | AlterNet
Using ALEC Playbook, Bobby Jindal Radically Reshapes Public Education | | AlterNet
"Jindal’s agenda and the strategy to move it come right from the playbook of conservative advocacy group ALEC, in an effort to revive Jindal’s national political profile."
"Jindal’s agenda and the strategy to move it come right from the playbook of conservative advocacy group ALEC, in an effort to revive Jindal’s national political profile."
Monday, April 23, 2012
Utah Tea Party Adds A Fifth Tenther Extremist To The 2012 U.S. Senate Election
Utah Tea Party Adds A Fifth Tenther Extremist To The 2012 U.S. Senate Election: Most Republicans are smart enough not to openly admit that they think America’s social safety net is unconstitutional, even if they do misunderstand our founding document to prohibit Medicare or Medicaid or Social Security. Instead, the Republican leadership normally placates the most radical parts of their base with vague rhetoric about respecting the Tenth Amendment, [...]/p
Thursday, April 19, 2012
CHART: 17 Years After Oklahoma City Bombing, Right-Wing Extremism Is Significant Domestic Terror Threat
CHART: 17 Years After Oklahoma City Bombing, Right-Wing Extremism Is Significant Domestic Terror Threat: By Ken Sofer and CAP National Security team intern Molly Bernstein Seventeen years ago today, Timothy McVeigh and co-conspirator Terry Nichols detonated 4,800 pounds of homemade explosives under the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building’s daycare center in downtown Oklahoma City. The explosion resulted in 168 dead, 680 injured and over $652 million in damage. The [...]/p
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Freedom from a Dead-End Life: True Liberty Means Defeating the Right-Wing's Nightmare Vision for America | Economy | AlterNet
Freedom from a Dead-End Life: True Liberty Means Defeating the Right-Wing's Nightmare Vision for America | Economy | AlterNet
"It’s the freedom for companies to screw their workers, pollute, and otherwise operate free of any meaningful regulations to protect the public interest."
"It’s the freedom for companies to screw their workers, pollute, and otherwise operate free of any meaningful regulations to protect the public interest."
Monday, April 16, 2012
A Tax Day without The Tea Party | Common Dreams
A Tax Day without The Tea Party | Common Dreams
"Over the past several years, few annual occasions have been more symbolic of the direction of political discussion in our country than Tax Day. This year, the IRS due date bears witness to the impact of the Occupy movement in American politics."
"Over the past several years, few annual occasions have been more symbolic of the direction of political discussion in our country than Tax Day. This year, the IRS due date bears witness to the impact of the Occupy movement in American politics."
Thursday, April 12, 2012
When Libertarians Stand for Medieval Control Instead of Freedom | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
When Libertarians Stand for Medieval Control Instead of Freedom | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
"Debates on birth control in the US show how modern conservatism is just a neoliberal gloss on medieval domination."
"Debates on birth control in the US show how modern conservatism is just a neoliberal gloss on medieval domination."
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Top 10 Koch Facts | AlterNet
Top 10 Koch Facts | AlterNet
"Everyone seems to be investigating Charles and David Koch lately, with exposés of their corrupt political behavior popping up in places like the New Yorker,AlterNet, ThinkProgress, and Brave New Foundation’s film Koch Brothers Exposed."
"Everyone seems to be investigating Charles and David Koch lately, with exposés of their corrupt political behavior popping up in places like the New Yorker,AlterNet, ThinkProgress, and Brave New Foundation’s film Koch Brothers Exposed."
Paul Ryan Cites Catholic Social Teaching To Defend Budget That Ignores It
Paul Ryan Cites Catholic Social Teaching To Defend Budget That Ignores It: When House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released his latest “Path to Prosperity” budget last month, it was immediately admonished as an “immoral disaster” that “robs the poor” by Catholic religious leaders. That echoed the backlash Ryan received last year, but it hasn’t stopped him from attempting to use Catholic social teaching to support [...]/p
Monday, April 9, 2012
The Science of Fox News: Why Its Viewers are the Most Misinformed | Media | AlterNet
The Science of Fox News: Why Its Viewers are the Most Misinformed | Media | AlterNet
"The surveys also find that those who watch Fox are more likely to be misinformed, their views of reality skewed in a right-wing direction. In some cases, the studies even show that watching more Fox makes the misinformation problem worse."
"The surveys also find that those who watch Fox are more likely to be misinformed, their views of reality skewed in a right-wing direction. In some cases, the studies even show that watching more Fox makes the misinformation problem worse."
Saturday, April 7, 2012
What Obama's Willingness to Deal with the Tea Party Right Means for Progressive Politics | News & Politics | AlterNet
What Obama's Willingness to Deal with the Tea Party Right Means for Progressive Politics | News & Politics | AlterNet
"Obama was willing to make substantial cuts to the crown jewels of liberalism--Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid--in order to get a deficit-reduction deal with Republicans."
"Obama was willing to make substantial cuts to the crown jewels of liberalism--Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid--in order to get a deficit-reduction deal with Republicans."
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Deciphering Right-Wing Code: What Conservatives Are Really Saying When They Seem to Spew Nonsense | Visions | AlterNet
Deciphering Right-Wing Code: What Conservatives Are Really Saying When They Seem to Spew Nonsense | Visions | AlterNet
"Whether the proposals will be to revoke their charters, close campuses, or sell off their facilities to for-profit colleges, you can bet that ALEC already has the bills in the can, and will be introducing them in state legislatures presently."
"Whether the proposals will be to revoke their charters, close campuses, or sell off their facilities to for-profit colleges, you can bet that ALEC already has the bills in the can, and will be introducing them in state legislatures presently."
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Tea Party Introduces ‘Wacky’ And ‘Ludicrous’ Conspiracy Bill To Shut Down Arizona Energy Efficiency Programs
Tea Party Introduces ‘Wacky’ And ‘Ludicrous’ Conspiracy Bill To Shut Down Arizona Energy Efficiency Programs: Citing conspiracy theories about “a one-world order,” the Arizona Tea Party is attempting to slip a bill through the legislature that could strip programs designed to help residents in the state become more energy efficient. The bill’s sponsor, Arizona State Senator Judy Burges, says her goal is to wipe out any environmental program administered or [...]/p
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Proposed Arizona Law Defies Constitution, Outlaws Being ‘Lewd’ And Annoying On The Internet
Proposed Arizona Law Defies Constitution, Outlaws Being ‘Lewd’ And Annoying On The Internet: A bill passed by the Arizona legislature and now sitting on the desk of Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R) would make it illegal to be annoying on the internet — at least in ways that are deemed “lewd” or “profane.” H.B 2549 has solicited outrage from free speech groups and Arizona bloggers alike, who rightly [...]/p
Monday, April 2, 2012
Five Preposterous, Persistent Conservative Myths | Common Dreams
Five Preposterous, Persistent Conservative Myths | Common Dreams
"With the mainstream media in the hands of the mostly conservative wealthy, it's difficult for average Americans to learn the truth about critical issues. The following five conservative claims are examples of mythical beliefs that fall apart in the presence of inconvenient facts:"
"With the mainstream media in the hands of the mostly conservative wealthy, it's difficult for average Americans to learn the truth about critical issues. The following five conservative claims are examples of mythical beliefs that fall apart in the presence of inconvenient facts:"
Republicans' Medicare plan finding few takers
Republicans' Medicare plan finding few takers
"The Republican Medicare plan, which does indeed end Medicare as we know it (just a little bit slower than the Paul Ryan budget they adopted last year) isn't finding much support outside the party"
"The Republican Medicare plan, which does indeed end Medicare as we know it (just a little bit slower than the Paul Ryan budget they adopted last year) isn't finding much support outside the party"
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Senate Republicans Stand with Big Oil, Filibuster for Corporate America | AlterNet
Senate Republicans Stand with Big Oil, Filibuster for Corporate America | AlterNet
"The American taxpayer is subsidizing those billions Big Oil is raking in, while we pay more and more at the pump every week. At least we know now, definitively, which side the Republicans are on."
"The American taxpayer is subsidizing those billions Big Oil is raking in, while we pay more and more at the pump every week. At least we know now, definitively, which side the Republicans are on."
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
3 Shady Things the Koch Brothers Have Been Up To That the Media Ignore | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
3 Shady Things the Koch Brothers Have Been Up To That the Media Ignore | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
"To the corporate media, the machinations of the 1 percent's most infamous poster boys might look like old news. But for regular Americans, it's a fight for their lives."
The wealthy funders of the Tea Party.
"To the corporate media, the machinations of the 1 percent's most infamous poster boys might look like old news. But for regular Americans, it's a fight for their lives."
The wealthy funders of the Tea Party.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
The Horrors of an Ayn Rand World: Why We Must Fight for America's Soul | News & Politics | AlterNet
The Horrors of an Ayn Rand World: Why We Must Fight for America's Soul | News & Politics | AlterNet
"An Objectivist America would be a dark age of unhindered free enterprise, far more primitive and Darwinian than anything seen before."
"An Objectivist America would be a dark age of unhindered free enterprise, far more primitive and Darwinian than anything seen before."
Republican Party Is Rotted and Collapsing from Within -- And We Can Thank Super PACs for Exposing It | | AlterNet
Republican Party Is Rotted and Collapsing from Within -- And We Can Thank Super PACs for Exposing It | | AlterNet
"Super PACs are an affront to the democratic process, but they are hastening the Republican Party's fall."
"Super PACs are an affront to the democratic process, but they are hastening the Republican Party's fall."
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Paul Ryan Rorschach Test
The Paul Ryan Rorschach Test
"House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan did a great public service when he released his budget last week. By throwing a piece of total garbage on the table and pretending it was a real budget plan, he allowed us to see who in Washington is serious about the budget and who just says things that will push their agenda."
"House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan did a great public service when he released his budget last week. By throwing a piece of total garbage on the table and pretending it was a real budget plan, he allowed us to see who in Washington is serious about the budget and who just says things that will push their agenda."
Pennsylvania GOP Senate Candidate Favors Privatizing Social Security, Ending Disability Payments
Pennsylvania GOP Senate Candidate Favors Privatizing Social Security, Ending Disability Payments: HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania Senate candidate Sam Rohrer (R), an 18-year veteran of the state legislature, has already made a name for himself during this campaign as one of the GOP’s most radical candidates. He thinks federal highways are unconstitutional, doesn’t understand the budget process, and has compared driver’s license requirements to slavery. Rohrer also [...]/p
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Ohio Governor’s Budget Could Force Local Town To Privatize Fire And EMS Services
Ohio Governor’s Budget Could Force Local Town To Privatize Fire And EMS Services: pBudget cuts proposed last year by Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) forced cities and towns across Ohio to layoff public safety officials and close fire stations. This year, cuts in Kasich’s budget are again causing ripple effects in the area of public safety — this time by forcing one town near Cincinnati to choose between [...]/p
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Sarah Palin's legacy is Mitt Romney's problem
Sarah Palin's legacy is Mitt Romney's problem
"When Samuel J. Wurzlebacher, AKA "Joe the Plumber," won a Republican nomination for Congress, Sarah Palin's transformation of the Republican electoral base was complete. What has happened to the GOP, much to the consternation of the elite party establishment, is that it has become a party of paranoid conspiracy freaks, religious kooks, bigots, the marginally insane, and amateur grifters like Joe the Plumber."
"When Samuel J. Wurzlebacher, AKA "Joe the Plumber," won a Republican nomination for Congress, Sarah Palin's transformation of the Republican electoral base was complete. What has happened to the GOP, much to the consternation of the elite party establishment, is that it has become a party of paranoid conspiracy freaks, religious kooks, bigots, the marginally insane, and amateur grifters like Joe the Plumber."
San Diego Tea Party Activist Charged In Brutal Sexual Assault
San Diego Tea Party Activist Charged In Brutal Sexual Assault
"The Tea Party says he took a leave in January, although his website still identifies him as the organization's PR rep:"
"The Tea Party says he took a leave in January, although his website still identifies him as the organization's PR rep:"
San Diego Tea Party Activist Charged In Brutal Sexual Assault
San Diego Tea Party Activist Charged In Brutal Sexual Assault
"The Tea Party says he took a leave in January, although his website still identifies him as the organization's PR rep:"
"The Tea Party says he took a leave in January, although his website still identifies him as the organization's PR rep:"
Friday, March 16, 2012
How Ayn Rand's Bizarre Philosophy Made the New Right so Toxic | | AlterNet
How Ayn Rand's Bizarre Philosophy Made the New Right so Toxic | | AlterNet
"Rand's psychopathic ideas made billionaires feel like victims and turned millions of followers into their doormats."
"Ignoring Rand's evangelical atheism, the Tea Party movement has taken her to its heart. No rally of theirs is complete without placards reading "Who is John Galt?" and "Rand was right". Rand, Weiss argues, provides the unifying ideology which has "distilled vague anger and unhappiness into a sense of purpose". She is energetically promoted by the broadcasters Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Rick Santelli. She is the guiding spirit of the Republicans in Congress."
"Rand's psychopathic ideas made billionaires feel like victims and turned millions of followers into their doormats."
"Ignoring Rand's evangelical atheism, the Tea Party movement has taken her to its heart. No rally of theirs is complete without placards reading "Who is John Galt?" and "Rand was right". Rand, Weiss argues, provides the unifying ideology which has "distilled vague anger and unhappiness into a sense of purpose". She is energetically promoted by the broadcasters Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Rick Santelli. She is the guiding spirit of the Republicans in Congress."
Barely Literate? How Christian Fundamentalist Homeschooling Hurts Kids | Education | AlterNet
Barely Literate? How Christian Fundamentalist Homeschooling Hurts Kids | Education | AlterNet
"The Religious Right touts homeschooling as the "responsible" educational choice. But what about the kids whose parents opt-out of the system -- and out of educating them, as well?"
"The Religious Right touts homeschooling as the "responsible" educational choice. But what about the kids whose parents opt-out of the system -- and out of educating them, as well?"
Gallup survey: Republicans have the Mitt Romney blues
Gallup survey: Republicans have the Mitt Romney blues
"It's not like Republicans were terribly enthusiastic for John McCain, so these numbers are really not good for Mitt Romney."
"It's not like Republicans were terribly enthusiastic for John McCain, so these numbers are really not good for Mitt Romney."
Monday, March 12, 2012
Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal and Koch-Fueled Cato Agree: “It’s Not Obama’s Fault That Crude Oil Prices Have Increased”
Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal and Koch-Fueled Cato Agree: “It’s Not Obama’s Fault That Crude Oil Prices Have Increased”: pWall Street Journal: “U.S. gasoline prices, like prices throughout the advanced economies, are determined by global market forces. It is hard to see how Mr. Obama’s policies can be blamed.” Cato Institute: “Is President Obama responsible for spiraling price of gasoline? Republicans say yes, but the facts say no.” How obvious is it that oil [...]/p
Friday, March 9, 2012
The Self-Destruction Of Limbaugh, Murdoch and Beck
The Self-Destruction Of Limbaugh, Murdoch and Beck
"This week's sudden unraveling of Rush Limbaugh's radio standing as the untouchable king of conservative media strangely mirrors deep difficulties recently faced by Rupert Murdoch and Glenn Beck, two other far-right press titans."
"This week's sudden unraveling of Rush Limbaugh's radio standing as the untouchable king of conservative media strangely mirrors deep difficulties recently faced by Rupert Murdoch and Glenn Beck, two other far-right press titans."
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Rightwing Hate Groups in US on the Rise: Report | Common Dreams
Rightwing Hate Groups in US on the Rise: Report | Common Dreams
"Fueled by superheated fears generated by economic dislocation, a proliferation of demonizing conspiracy theories, and the reality of an African-American president in Barack Obama, radical hates groups and antigovernment groups grew explosively in 2011, according to a new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center."
"Fueled by superheated fears generated by economic dislocation, a proliferation of demonizing conspiracy theories, and the reality of an African-American president in Barack Obama, radical hates groups and antigovernment groups grew explosively in 2011, according to a new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center."
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tea Party Paranoia Shouldn’t Be Ignored | Common Dreams
Tea Party Paranoia Shouldn’t Be Ignored | Common Dreams
"These tea party activists have been mobilizing around the country to fight everything from expanding public transportation to preserving open space, insisting that it’s all a part of a United Nations-led conspiracy to deny property rights and herd citizens toward our cities."
"These tea party activists have been mobilizing around the country to fight everything from expanding public transportation to preserving open space, insisting that it’s all a part of a United Nations-led conspiracy to deny property rights and herd citizens toward our cities."
Saturday, March 3, 2012
How a Racist Email Reveals the Grand Old Party Has Become a Petty Affair | Common Dreams
How a Racist Email Reveals the Grand Old Party Has Become a Petty Affair | Common Dreams
" His response illuminates the tragic story of today’s Republican Party: It stands for nothing. The formerly Grand Old Party has devolved into a small, petty affair defined by a thoughtless defense of greed, the cynical deployment of xenophobia and a blind hatred of Barack Obama."
" His response illuminates the tragic story of today’s Republican Party: It stands for nothing. The formerly Grand Old Party has devolved into a small, petty affair defined by a thoughtless defense of greed, the cynical deployment of xenophobia and a blind hatred of Barack Obama."
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Right-Wing Racism: Past, Present—and Future | The Nation
Right-Wing Racism: Past, Present—and Future | The Nation
"t has become a depressing ritual of American politics that when one is confronted with evidence of one’s racism, the proper response is to insist that while old-fashioned Bull Connor–style racism has disappeared, liberals and journalists—and rarely is any distinction made here—remain obsessed with this now-imaginary phenomenon as a means of persecuting conservatives for telling it like it is."
"t has become a depressing ritual of American politics that when one is confronted with evidence of one’s racism, the proper response is to insist that while old-fashioned Bull Connor–style racism has disappeared, liberals and journalists—and rarely is any distinction made here—remain obsessed with this now-imaginary phenomenon as a means of persecuting conservatives for telling it like it is."
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Ayn Rand Worshippers Should Face Facts: Blue States Are the Providers, Red State Are the Parasites | Visions | AlterNet
Ayn Rand Worshippers Should Face Facts: Blue States Are the Providers, Red State Are the Parasites | Visions | AlterNet
"There's only one way to demonstrate who America's producers and parasites really are. It's time to go Galt."
"There's only one way to demonstrate who America's producers and parasites really are. It's time to go Galt."
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Ayn Rand: the Tea Party’s Miscast Matriarch » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
Ayn Rand: the Tea Party’s Miscast Matriarch » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names
"Rand, and her supporters, including Alan Greenspan, viewed altruism as evil: altruism is evil, selfishness is good. And tens of millions of dollars of corporate money is backing that philosophy today in America, no doubt to give obscenely paid CEOs a sip of Rand’s guilt-free narcissism while stoking the fires for more deregulation of a country just crawling back from the crippling effects of deregulation. This is the mindless irrationality of Rand’s brand of rationality."
"Rand, and her supporters, including Alan Greenspan, viewed altruism as evil: altruism is evil, selfishness is good. And tens of millions of dollars of corporate money is backing that philosophy today in America, no doubt to give obscenely paid CEOs a sip of Rand’s guilt-free narcissism while stoking the fires for more deregulation of a country just crawling back from the crippling effects of deregulation. This is the mindless irrationality of Rand’s brand of rationality."
Sunday, February 26, 2012
How Koch Became An Oil Speculation Powerhouse
How Koch Became An Oil Speculation Powerhouse: pIn April, ThinkProgress caused a stir when we uncovered a series of Koch Industries corporate documents revealing the company’s role as an oil speculator. Like many oil companies, Koch uses legitimate hedging products to create price stability. However, the documents reveal that Koch is also participating in the unregulated derivatives markets as a financial player, [...]/p
"Koch’s Tea Party front groups and lobbyists fight financial reforms designed to reign in the unregulated energy market. While Americans for Prosperity, as well as other Koch fronts, decry the Wall Street reform bill debated in Congress, Koch lobbied to water-down provisions of the bill related to derivatives."
"Koch’s Tea Party front groups and lobbyists fight financial reforms designed to reign in the unregulated energy market. While Americans for Prosperity, as well as other Koch fronts, decry the Wall Street reform bill debated in Congress, Koch lobbied to water-down provisions of the bill related to derivatives."
Friday, February 24, 2012
Mitt Romney: Cut Medicare, Social Security benefits for seniors
Mitt Romney: Cut Medicare, Social Security benefits for seniors
"Except for his plan to mess with Social Security and Medicare. He got much more concrete, and as has been in vogue among Republicans, wants to take away benefits. He's going Ryan-lite on Medicare (the Ryan-Wyden plan), with the addition of raising the eligibility age, and both raising the retirement age for Social Security and means testing it."
"Except for his plan to mess with Social Security and Medicare. He got much more concrete, and as has been in vogue among Republicans, wants to take away benefits. He's going Ryan-lite on Medicare (the Ryan-Wyden plan), with the addition of raising the eligibility age, and both raising the retirement age for Social Security and means testing it."
GOP Rep. Dave Camp Disappointed That Obama’s Tax Reform Doesn’t Protect Offshore Tax Havens
GOP Rep. Dave Camp Disappointed That Obama’s Tax Reform Doesn’t Protect Offshore Tax Havens: pThe broad corporate tax reform plan released by the Obama administration this week included a provision for a minimum tax on corporate profits earned overseas, a rule aimed at preventing corporations from taking advantage of offshore tax havens like Bermuda and the Cayman Islands. The U.S. loses billions of dollars a year in tax revenue [...]/p
A Compendium of The Goofiest Things That Rick Santorum Has Said So Far... | Common Dreams
A Compendium of The Goofiest Things That Rick Santorum Has Said So Far... | Common Dreams
"That exclusivity might present a problem for him at the polls. If you add up all of the non-Christians, the 99% of woman who use contraceptives, the blacks, the browns, the poor, the recent immigrants, the gays, the tree huggers-- all of the assorted Americans who Rick Santorum does not approve of-- that is one heck of a lot of folks who likely wouldn’t vote for him, even if Rush Limbaugh’s man succeeds in winning the Republican presidential nomination in August."
"That exclusivity might present a problem for him at the polls. If you add up all of the non-Christians, the 99% of woman who use contraceptives, the blacks, the browns, the poor, the recent immigrants, the gays, the tree huggers-- all of the assorted Americans who Rick Santorum does not approve of-- that is one heck of a lot of folks who likely wouldn’t vote for him, even if Rush Limbaugh’s man succeeds in winning the Republican presidential nomination in August."
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Insurance CEO Praises Affordable Care Act: ‘It Has Been A Pretty Good Thing’
Insurance CEO Praises Affordable Care Act: ‘It Has Been A Pretty Good Thing’: pAetna CEO, Chairman and President Mark Bertolini praised the Affordable Care Act during the HIMSS12 Conference in Las Vegas this week, arguing that while the new law and its regulations have “pulled [the insurance industry] through the crucible” and “reshaped” the health care market, “For most of what has already been implemented, it has been [...]/p
Catholic Nuns File Brief Supporting Affordable Care Act
Catholic Nuns File Brief Supporting Affordable Care Act: pAs further proof that conservative efforts to paint President Obama as the enemy of religion are a red herring, nearly two dozen leading Catholic nuns filed a brief in the Supreme Court last week supporting the president’s signature legislative accomplishment. The Catholic sisters who joined the brief include the leaders of many prominent religious orders [...]/p
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Paul Ryan Berates Tim Geithner For Not Embracing GOP’s Medicare Privatization Scheme
Paul Ryan Berates Tim Geithner For Not Embracing GOP’s Medicare Privatization Scheme: pIf President Obama’s newly-proposed budget were to be enacted, it’s long-run projections show U.S. debt stabilizing as a percentage of GDP until approximately 2030, after which it begins to rise again indefinitely. Last Thursday, House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) decided to take Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner to task over those numbers: RYAN: Leaders [...]/p
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Recently Outed Conservative Sheriff Supports Marriage Equality
Recently Outed Conservative Sheriff Supports Marriage Equality: pConservative Arizona sheriff Paul Babeu has gained a lot of prominence as a proponent of the state’s anti-immigration policy, a staunch supporter of Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), a Congressional candidate, and the volunteer co-chair of Mitt Romney’s Arizona campaign, but he now finds himself mired in a scandal with a jilted lover. In a case [...]/p
Rick Santorum’s Plans For America | Truthout
Rick Santorum’s Plans For America | Truthout
If we let him and his followers get their way, the result will be ever greater divisiveness and decline at home, and war abroad. That is a choice for the rest of us.
If we let him and his followers get their way, the result will be ever greater divisiveness and decline at home, and war abroad. That is a choice for the rest of us.
A Fearful GOP | Truthout
A Fearful GOP | Truthout
The issue, for Republicans, is not just that Santorum would lose in November. It's that he could be a drag on House and Senate candidates as well. Imagine, say, Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., trying to explain to his constituents why someone who doesn't fully understand women's participation in the workforce should be president.
The issue, for Republicans, is not just that Santorum would lose in November. It's that he could be a drag on House and Senate candidates as well. Imagine, say, Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., trying to explain to his constituents why someone who doesn't fully understand women's participation in the workforce should be president.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
You don't own me
You don't own me
Republicans seem to have mistaken "wage slavery" for ... that other kind of slavery. They must have, because anyone who understood that workers are employees, and not property, would recognize that workers have rights. Not just some rights, not a neatly restricted little subset of rights, but the same rights as the people who employ them.
Republicans seem to have mistaken "wage slavery" for ... that other kind of slavery. They must have, because anyone who understood that workers are employees, and not property, would recognize that workers have rights. Not just some rights, not a neatly restricted little subset of rights, but the same rights as the people who employ them.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Santorum Excommunicates 45 Million Christians: Mainline Protestants Are ‘Gone From The World Of Christianity’
Santorum Excommunicates 45 Million Christians: Mainline Protestants Are ‘Gone From The World Of Christianity’: pIn a 2008 speech at Ave Maria University, Rick Santorum, a devout Catholic, warned about the dangers of “the NBA” and “rock concerts,” but also said that while Protestants founded America, mainline Protestantism is in such “shambles” that “it is gone from the world of Christianity as I see it”: We all know that this [...]/p
PERRspectives: Death of a GOP Talking Point on Tax Cuts
PERRspectives: Death of a GOP Talking Point on Tax Cuts
The Bush tax cuts not only didn't pay for themselves, they weren't paid for anywhere else in the federal budget. They were and continue to be the biggest drain on the U.S. Treasury, whose tax collections as percentage of the American economy hit a 60-year low in 2010.
The Bush tax cuts not only didn't pay for themselves, they weren't paid for anywhere else in the federal budget. They were and continue to be the biggest drain on the U.S. Treasury, whose tax collections as percentage of the American economy hit a 60-year low in 2010.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Kansas Man With Truck Covered In Anti-Immigrant Stickers Arrested At State Capitol With Explosives
Kansas Man With Truck Covered In Anti-Immigrant Stickers Arrested At State Capitol With Explosives: pYesterday, police arrested an unidentified man at the Kansas Capitol after discovering several homemade bombs in his truck close to the Kansas Capitol. The truck had stickers on its back window saying, “Welcome to America. Now speak English’’ and “Does my American flag offend you? Call 1-800-LEAVE THE USA.’’ This arrest came on the same [...]/p
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Wis. Senate Passes Wetlands Deregulation in Midnight Session | The Progressive
Wis. Senate Passes Wetlands Deregulation in Midnight Session | The Progressive
Trying hurry before those recall elections! Classic example of the corrupt, Koch purchased actions that brought about the recall effort. Not a good idea to anger people who enjoy outdoor sports in a state like Wisconsin.
Trying hurry before those recall elections! Classic example of the corrupt, Koch purchased actions that brought about the recall effort. Not a good idea to anger people who enjoy outdoor sports in a state like Wisconsin.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Republicans undiscover fire
Republicans undiscover fire
The lies go beyond instantly dismissible claims like President Obama being the "food stamp president" (why you have to go back one whole administration to discover that more people joined the food stamp ranks under Bush than Obama, but then the Republicans don't seem to remember Bush in any case). The blatant lies extend through every aspect of the Republican platform, such as it is. The simple reason is that the Republicans have no ideas left, at least no ideas that have not been tested and proven to be failures again, and again, and again. The truth is that the Republicans have nothing to offer. Not even anything that looks like a governing philosophy. Conservatism has moved out of the ranks of political theories and simply become a cult; one that requires that certain phrases be mouthed, that certain hatreds be nourished, and that purity be maintained regardless of cost.
The lies go beyond instantly dismissible claims like President Obama being the "food stamp president" (why you have to go back one whole administration to discover that more people joined the food stamp ranks under Bush than Obama, but then the Republicans don't seem to remember Bush in any case). The blatant lies extend through every aspect of the Republican platform, such as it is. The simple reason is that the Republicans have no ideas left, at least no ideas that have not been tested and proven to be failures again, and again, and again. The truth is that the Republicans have nothing to offer. Not even anything that looks like a governing philosophy. Conservatism has moved out of the ranks of political theories and simply become a cult; one that requires that certain phrases be mouthed, that certain hatreds be nourished, and that purity be maintained regardless of cost.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Appeals Court Rejects Tea Party Leader Dick Armey’s Attempt To Reject Medicare
Appeals Court Rejects Tea Party Leader Dick Armey’s Attempt To Reject Medicare: pIn what may be the most bizarre lawsuit to emerge from a Tea Party devoted to bizarre legal theories, former House Majority Leader Dick Armey sued the federal government seeking a declaration that he is not eligible for Medicare, even though he is, well, eligible for Medicare. Yesterday, in an opinion by conservative George W. [...]/p
Monday, February 6, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
PERRspectives: Republicans Double-Down on 'Obama Made the Economy Worse' Lie
PERRspectives: Republicans Double-Down on 'Obama Made the Economy Worse' Lie
As the record clearly shows, it was President Bush who left the U.S. economy in much worse shape than he found it. And no matter how many times Republicans pretend that Barack Obama "made the economy worse," their lie will not become any more true.
As the record clearly shows, it was President Bush who left the U.S. economy in much worse shape than he found it. And no matter how many times Republicans pretend that Barack Obama "made the economy worse," their lie will not become any more true.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
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