Bill O’Reilly & Josh Duggar’s shame is America’s shame: How abusive and violent men get away with it
"Bill O’Reilly is alleged to have choked his wife and dragged her down a set of stairs. He also sexually harassed a former producer at his network and allegedly threatened retaliation when she complained. He is still a marquee name at Fox News. Josh Duggar sexually abused at least five underage girls, and his abuse was known to his family and his church. Until this week, he was the head of the political arm of the Family Research Council, cozying up with Republican presidential hopefuls."
Friday, May 22, 2015
The Family Research Council’s Strange Statement On Josh Duggar’s Child Molestation Confession
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/05/22/3661999/frc-josh-duggar/
"For the past few years, Josh Duggar, eldest son of the 19 in the Duggar clan, has been the face of the Family Research Council (FRC) at rallies against LGBT equality across the country. As executive director of FRC Action, the organization’s political arm, he helped fundraise for the organization, hobnob with Republican presidential contenders, and promote its anti-LGBT talking points"
"For the past few years, Josh Duggar, eldest son of the 19 in the Duggar clan, has been the face of the Family Research Council (FRC) at rallies against LGBT equality across the country. As executive director of FRC Action, the organization’s political arm, he helped fundraise for the organization, hobnob with Republican presidential contenders, and promote its anti-LGBT talking points"
Bill O’Reilly will never pay: Why domestic abuse allegations won’t faze Fox News
Bill O’Reilly will never pay: Why domestic abuse allegations won’t faze Fox News
"But why would Ailes care about any of that? His audience probably doesn’t care. Fox’s over-65, predominantly male viewers probably see both sexual harassment and domestic violence as issues hyped by feminazis and the liberal news media.
Ailes’s entire news operation is built on a central fiction – and the fiction is that it’s a news organization at all. So why would it be a problem if it’s fronted by a family values hypocrite who’s actually a serial abuser of women?"
"But why would Ailes care about any of that? His audience probably doesn’t care. Fox’s over-65, predominantly male viewers probably see both sexual harassment and domestic violence as issues hyped by feminazis and the liberal news media.
Ailes’s entire news operation is built on a central fiction – and the fiction is that it’s a news organization at all. So why would it be a problem if it’s fronted by a family values hypocrite who’s actually a serial abuser of women?"
Bill O’Reilly’s Daughter Testifies He Dragged Her Mom Down A Staircase By The Neck (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/05/18/bill-oreillys-daughter-testifies-he-dragged-her-mom-down-a-staircase-by-the-neck-video/
"O’Reilly may suddenly have much bigger problems than his serial lying issues."
"O’Reilly may suddenly have much bigger problems than his serial lying issues."
Josh Duggar quits anti-LGBT religious group as demand grows for family’s TLC show cancellation
Josh Duggar quits anti-LGBT religious group as demand grows for family’s TLC show cancellation
"Reality star and conservative activist Josh Duggar has resigned from his position at the Family Research Council amid allegations that he molested underage girls as a teenager"
"Reality star and conservative activist Josh Duggar has resigned from his position at the Family Research Council amid allegations that he molested underage girls as a teenager"
Meet the Christian right’s new doomsday prophet — and his insane, apocalyptic “blood moon” theory
Meet the Christian right’s new doomsday prophet — and his insane, apocalyptic “blood moon” theory
"In 2015, there is a United States congressman who believes that the so-called blood moon prophecy determines the fate of the Middle East and, because of some more prophecy, the fate of the world, of all of us. In 2015. Common Era.
“Blood moons,” which is a gussied-up way of naming your garden-variety lunar eclipse, “have preceded world-changing, shaking-type events,” says Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia, a man constitutionally permitted to vote in one of the world’s most powerful legislative bodies. Legislation, accords, Security Council Resolutions, military aid packages — why consider this mere terrestrial ephemera when you can just go out into your backyard and consult the moon?
While the prophecy may seem fringe — like something a hooded Nostradamus type from the Dark Ages would wheeze in dim and flickering firelight — it’s gaining surprising traction in conservative media, and is being adopted as legitimate by prominent figures, including Hice in Congress and the Family Research Council, the powerful social conservative lobbying group in Washington. Mega-pastor John Hagee, the leading purveyor of blood moon prophecy talk, is powerful in Washington, able to command the attendance of influential conservative politicians to his events."
"In 2015, there is a United States congressman who believes that the so-called blood moon prophecy determines the fate of the Middle East and, because of some more prophecy, the fate of the world, of all of us. In 2015. Common Era.
“Blood moons,” which is a gussied-up way of naming your garden-variety lunar eclipse, “have preceded world-changing, shaking-type events,” says Rep. Jody Hice of Georgia, a man constitutionally permitted to vote in one of the world’s most powerful legislative bodies. Legislation, accords, Security Council Resolutions, military aid packages — why consider this mere terrestrial ephemera when you can just go out into your backyard and consult the moon?
While the prophecy may seem fringe — like something a hooded Nostradamus type from the Dark Ages would wheeze in dim and flickering firelight — it’s gaining surprising traction in conservative media, and is being adopted as legitimate by prominent figures, including Hice in Congress and the Family Research Council, the powerful social conservative lobbying group in Washington. Mega-pastor John Hagee, the leading purveyor of blood moon prophecy talk, is powerful in Washington, able to command the attendance of influential conservative politicians to his events."
Bobby Jindal doubles down on Mike Pence's antigay strategies for success
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/20/1386324/--Bobby-Jindal-doubles-down-on-Mike-Pence-s-antigay-strategies-for-success
"When only 4.6 percent of your state thinks you're doing an "excellent job," you can pretty much do anything, which is exactly what GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal is doing."
"When only 4.6 percent of your state thinks you're doing an "excellent job," you can pretty much do anything, which is exactly what GOP Gov. Bobby Jindal is doing."
Host Of Rubio Fundraiser Was Foreign Agent For Dictator Who Endorses Gay Beheadings
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/05/19/3660502/marco-rubio-lobbyist-gay-beheading/
"One of the lobbyists co-hosting the event (and helping to raise money for Rubio) is BGR Group principal Jennifer Lukawski. She recently served as the registered foreign agent for a western African regime known for its human rights abuses, including repeated threats to behead gay people."
"One of the lobbyists co-hosting the event (and helping to raise money for Rubio) is BGR Group principal Jennifer Lukawski. She recently served as the registered foreign agent for a western African regime known for its human rights abuses, including repeated threats to behead gay people."
Study: Lawmakers Assume Voters Are Way More Conservative Than They Are
Study: Lawmakers Assume Voters Are Way More Conservative Than They Are
"On three issues — universal healthcare, same-sex marriage, and welfare — lawmakers' assumptions about what their constituents believed were "15-20 percent more conservative, on average," than the actual base of public support for such issues."
"On three issues — universal healthcare, same-sex marriage, and welfare — lawmakers' assumptions about what their constituents believed were "15-20 percent more conservative, on average," than the actual base of public support for such issues."
The Republican Party Is Literally Dying Off Before Our Eyes
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/05/18/the-republican-party-is-literally-dying-off-before-our-eyes/
"And it isn’t just age.
Republicans aren’t just really old, they’re also really white. America is diversifying, but you wouldn’t know it by attending the 2016 Republican National Convention. The Grand Old Party has become the textbook definition of putting all your eggs in one basket. If they lose the only real demographic they appeal to – older white conservatives – they have nobody else that wants anything to do with them."
"And it isn’t just age.
Republicans aren’t just really old, they’re also really white. America is diversifying, but you wouldn’t know it by attending the 2016 Republican National Convention. The Grand Old Party has become the textbook definition of putting all your eggs in one basket. If they lose the only real demographic they appeal to – older white conservatives – they have nobody else that wants anything to do with them."
Everyone, Even Republican Voters, Think GOP Leaders In Congress Are Doing A Lousy Job
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/21/everyone-republican-voters-gop-leaders-congress-lousy-job.html
"A Pew Research Poll released on May 21, 2015, finds that Americans are unhappy with the Republican leadership in Congress. 72 percent of Americans disapprove of the job the current GOP leadership in Congress is doing, to just 22 percent who approve of their job performance."
"A Pew Research Poll released on May 21, 2015, finds that Americans are unhappy with the Republican leadership in Congress. 72 percent of Americans disapprove of the job the current GOP leadership in Congress is doing, to just 22 percent who approve of their job performance."
New Study Finds That Fox News Is Brainwashing Viewers And Hurting The Republican Party
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/19/study-finds-fox-news-brainwashing-viewers-hurting-republican-party.html
"Bartlett described what the founding of Fox News first meant to conservatives, and how it shifted into an act of self-brain washing, “Like someone dying of thirst in the desert, conservatives drank heavily from the Fox waters. Soon, it became the dominant -and in many cases, virtually the only – major news source for millions of Americans. This has had profound political implications that are only starting to be appreciated. Indeed, it can almost be called self-brainwashing – many conservatives now refuse to even listen to any news or opinion not vetted through Fox, and to believe whatever appears on it as the gospel truth.”
Mr. Bartlett documented Fox News’ extreme rightward shift after 9/11 and how the network went from tilting conservative to flat out misinformation and propaganda."
"Bartlett described what the founding of Fox News first meant to conservatives, and how it shifted into an act of self-brain washing, “Like someone dying of thirst in the desert, conservatives drank heavily from the Fox waters. Soon, it became the dominant -and in many cases, virtually the only – major news source for millions of Americans. This has had profound political implications that are only starting to be appreciated. Indeed, it can almost be called self-brainwashing – many conservatives now refuse to even listen to any news or opinion not vetted through Fox, and to believe whatever appears on it as the gospel truth.”
Mr. Bartlett documented Fox News’ extreme rightward shift after 9/11 and how the network went from tilting conservative to flat out misinformation and propaganda."
Just Like Fox News, The Republican Party Is Literally Dying Off
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/18/fox-news-republican-party-literally-dying.html
"McGraw found that Millennials are becoming a solidly Democratic voting bloc, and younger voters outnumber Baby Boomers. The net result is that if Republicans don’t attract a larger percentage younger voters, they could be looking at a deficit of 2.5 million votes on Election Day 2016. The Republican base is older white rural voters, and these voters pass on; they aren’t being replaced in the party with young voters.
If this trend were to continue over the long-term, the Republican Party would shrink.
For years, Fox News’ ratings with younger viewers have been plummeting. Fox News is the top cable news network in a declining genre because they have cornered the market on white, mostly male, Republican viewers at or over 65 years old. Fox News has lost 30% of their younger viewers. Fox News’ median audience has shrunk to 1.1 million. As their older viewers have died off, Fox News has been unable to replace them with younger viewers. Fox’s big move to combat this was to move Sean Hannity’s angry Republican senior center hour to 10 PM and give Megyn Kelly the timeslot after Bill O’Reilly. It hasn’t worked.
Fox News has already found out what the Republican Party is going to learn. Throwing a younger face on the same old ideas of opposing gay marriage, immigration reform, climate change, and making college less affordable while promoting income inequality is not going to fool younger voters.
The ideas matter. If Fox News and the Republican Party don’t get a clue, both will go extinct."
"McGraw found that Millennials are becoming a solidly Democratic voting bloc, and younger voters outnumber Baby Boomers. The net result is that if Republicans don’t attract a larger percentage younger voters, they could be looking at a deficit of 2.5 million votes on Election Day 2016. The Republican base is older white rural voters, and these voters pass on; they aren’t being replaced in the party with young voters.
If this trend were to continue over the long-term, the Republican Party would shrink.
For years, Fox News’ ratings with younger viewers have been plummeting. Fox News is the top cable news network in a declining genre because they have cornered the market on white, mostly male, Republican viewers at or over 65 years old. Fox News has lost 30% of their younger viewers. Fox News’ median audience has shrunk to 1.1 million. As their older viewers have died off, Fox News has been unable to replace them with younger viewers. Fox’s big move to combat this was to move Sean Hannity’s angry Republican senior center hour to 10 PM and give Megyn Kelly the timeslot after Bill O’Reilly. It hasn’t worked.
Fox News has already found out what the Republican Party is going to learn. Throwing a younger face on the same old ideas of opposing gay marriage, immigration reform, climate change, and making college less affordable while promoting income inequality is not going to fool younger voters.
The ideas matter. If Fox News and the Republican Party don’t get a clue, both will go extinct."
2015 Is Crushing It For Hottest Year On Record
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/22/3662117/2015-hottest-year-record-so-far/
"Last week NASA reported that this has been the Earth’s hottest January-April on record. This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that finding with its latest monthly report on global temperatures.
Separately, NOAA released its monthly report on “Global Ocean Heat.” It makes clear that the ocean’s heat content down to 2000 meters (1.24 miles) has been soaring this century — and nearly gone off the charts this year"
"Last week NASA reported that this has been the Earth’s hottest January-April on record. This week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed that finding with its latest monthly report on global temperatures.
Separately, NOAA released its monthly report on “Global Ocean Heat.” It makes clear that the ocean’s heat content down to 2000 meters (1.24 miles) has been soaring this century — and nearly gone off the charts this year"
Report: Fossil Fuels Receive $5.3 Trillion A Year In Subsidies Worldwide
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/22/3662148/we-pay-what-for-fossil-fuels/
"The world pays $5.3 trillion a year in hidden costs to keep burning fossil fuels, according to a new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is in addition to the $492 billion in direct subsidies offered by governments around the world — write-offs and write-downs and land-use loopholes."
"The world pays $5.3 trillion a year in hidden costs to keep burning fossil fuels, according to a new report from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is in addition to the $492 billion in direct subsidies offered by governments around the world — write-offs and write-downs and land-use loopholes."
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Broad-Based Wage Growth Is a Key Tool in the Fight Against Poverty | Economic Policy Institute
Broad-Based Wage Growth Is a Key Tool in the Fight Against Poverty | Economic Policy Institute
"That the poverty rate has remained stubbornly elevated over the last three-and-a-half decades is simply a symptom of an increasingly unequal economy, marked by nearly stagnant hourly wages for the vast majority of the American workforce. The elevated poverty rates we have seen since the 1980s are not the sad outcome of inevitable and irreversible changes in the economy, but of policy choices that have weakened the position of low- and moderate-wage workers while putting more leverage in the hands of those with the most economic power."
"That the poverty rate has remained stubbornly elevated over the last three-and-a-half decades is simply a symptom of an increasingly unequal economy, marked by nearly stagnant hourly wages for the vast majority of the American workforce. The elevated poverty rates we have seen since the 1980s are not the sad outcome of inevitable and irreversible changes in the economy, but of policy choices that have weakened the position of low- and moderate-wage workers while putting more leverage in the hands of those with the most economic power."
So a Lobbyist and an ALEC Legislator Walk into a Bar . . . Caught on Tape by NBC
So a Lobbyist and an ALEC Legislator Walk into a Bar . . . Caught on Tape by NBC
"A lobbyist and a legislator got caught on tape explaining how corporations subsidize lawmakers' resort trips through the American Legislative Exchange Counsel (ALEC), the controversial corporate bill mill."
"A lobbyist and a legislator got caught on tape explaining how corporations subsidize lawmakers' resort trips through the American Legislative Exchange Counsel (ALEC), the controversial corporate bill mill."
George W. Bush's CIA Briefer: Bush and Cheney Falsely Presented WMD Intelligence to Public
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/05/michael-morell-bush-cheney-iraq-war
"There's the indictment, issued by the intelligence officer who briefed Bush and Cheney: The Bush White House made a "false presentation" on "some aspects" of the case for war."
"There's the indictment, issued by the intelligence officer who briefed Bush and Cheney: The Bush White House made a "false presentation" on "some aspects" of the case for war."
Ex-CIA briefer: Bush administration presented false 'intelligence' to the nation
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/21/1386314/-Ex-CIA-briefer-Bush-administration-presented-false-intelligence-to-the-nation
"In the much-needed pile-on lambasting the most recent round of Iraq War whitewashing, Ex-CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell appeared on the TV to say that yes, the Bush administration lied to the public about the intelligence presented to them. He was the one briefing the White House on that intelligence at the time, and so he is among the most very qualified people on earth to make that assertion."
"In the much-needed pile-on lambasting the most recent round of Iraq War whitewashing, Ex-CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell appeared on the TV to say that yes, the Bush administration lied to the public about the intelligence presented to them. He was the one briefing the White House on that intelligence at the time, and so he is among the most very qualified people on earth to make that assertion."
Bernie Sanders: “Too Big To Fail Banks Are Too Big To Exist”
Bernie Sanders: “Too Big To Fail Banks Are Too Big To Exist”
"after six big banks just admitted to manipulating lending and foreign exchange rates, he wants the largest of the financial institutions to be broken up."
"after six big banks just admitted to manipulating lending and foreign exchange rates, he wants the largest of the financial institutions to be broken up."
Washington State Is In A Drought ‘Unlike Any We’ve Ever Experienced’
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/18/3659911/washington-drought-emergency-declared/
"Sectors that rely heavily on melting snowpack, like agriculture and wildlife, are expected to be hit hardest by the drought, with the Washington Department of Agriculture anticipating $1.2 billion in crop losses this year.
Statewide, snowpack levels are currently 16 percent of normal, ten percent lower than the last time a statewide drought emergency was declared in 2005. Of 98 snow sites measured at the beginning of the month by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 66 were snow free — 11 of them for the first time in history. Along with record low snowpack, the NRCS found that 17 of 34 long-term measuring sites recorded their earliest peak on record, occurring on average 48 days earlier than normal."
"Sectors that rely heavily on melting snowpack, like agriculture and wildlife, are expected to be hit hardest by the drought, with the Washington Department of Agriculture anticipating $1.2 billion in crop losses this year.
Statewide, snowpack levels are currently 16 percent of normal, ten percent lower than the last time a statewide drought emergency was declared in 2005. Of 98 snow sites measured at the beginning of the month by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), 66 were snow free — 11 of them for the first time in history. Along with record low snowpack, the NRCS found that 17 of 34 long-term measuring sites recorded their earliest peak on record, occurring on average 48 days earlier than normal."
Fox Attacks Obama For Calling Climate Change An Immediate National Security Threat
http://mediamatters.org/research/2015/05/20/fox-attacks-obama-for-calling-climate-change-an/203722
"But Military Professionals Agree That Climate Change Poses A Significant National Security Threat
Center For Naval Analyses (CNA): Climate Change Poses "Severe Risks [To] Our National Security." In May 2014, the Center for Naval Analyses published a report titled National Security and the Accelerating Risk Of Climate Change. The report detailed the effects of global climate change on national and international security"
"But Military Professionals Agree That Climate Change Poses A Significant National Security Threat
Center For Naval Analyses (CNA): Climate Change Poses "Severe Risks [To] Our National Security." In May 2014, the Center for Naval Analyses published a report titled National Security and the Accelerating Risk Of Climate Change. The report detailed the effects of global climate change on national and international security"
4 Reasons Climate Change Affects National Security | Alternet
4 Reasons Climate Change Affects National Security | Alternet
"The report argues that climate change will affect the various missions of the Department of Defense, including overseas disaster and humanitarian relief, Arctic response and instability within and between foreign nations."
"The report argues that climate change will affect the various missions of the Department of Defense, including overseas disaster and humanitarian relief, Arctic response and instability within and between foreign nations."
Texas Governor Signs Bill That Makes Local Fracking Bans Illegal
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/19/3660369/texas-prohibits-local-fracking-bans/
"On Monday, Texas governor Greg Abbott signed legislation that prohibits cities across Texas from banning hydraulic fracturing from their home turf. In what was a major agenda item for Texas lawmakers this session, towns like Denton, Texas — which passed the state’s first local fracking ban last November — will no longer be able to exercise local control over the oil and gas industry when it comes to nearby extraction."
"On Monday, Texas governor Greg Abbott signed legislation that prohibits cities across Texas from banning hydraulic fracturing from their home turf. In what was a major agenda item for Texas lawmakers this session, towns like Denton, Texas — which passed the state’s first local fracking ban last November — will no longer be able to exercise local control over the oil and gas industry when it comes to nearby extraction."
By Banning Fracking Bans, Texas Picks Gas Drillers over Local Democracy
By Banning Fracking Bans, Texas Picks Gas Drillers over Local Democracy
"In what environmental campaigners and the people of the small town of Denton, Texas are calling a clear example of fossil fuel interests trumping the will of local residents, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed HB 40 into law thereby undermining a local ordinance, approved overwhelmingly by voters during last year's election, which banned fracking in the community."
"In what environmental campaigners and the people of the small town of Denton, Texas are calling a clear example of fossil fuel interests trumping the will of local residents, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed HB 40 into law thereby undermining a local ordinance, approved overwhelmingly by voters during last year's election, which banned fracking in the community."
Governments Giving Fossil Fuel Companies $10 Million a Minute: IMF
Governments Giving Fossil Fuel Companies $10 Million a Minute: IMF
"Energy companies receive $5.3 trillion a year in funding from governments worldwide"
"Energy companies receive $5.3 trillion a year in funding from governments worldwide"
Oil Billionaire Demands University of Oklahoma Fire Scientists for Exposing Fracking Risks
Oil Billionaire Demands University of Oklahoma Fire Scientists for Exposing Fracking Risks
"In today’s world we’re literally at a point where scientific experts are under attack because the facts they’re finding via the scientific process by which scientific facts are determined aren’t exactly revelations that big oil wants the public to know about. Especially when it comes to fracking."
"In today’s world we’re literally at a point where scientific experts are under attack because the facts they’re finding via the scientific process by which scientific facts are determined aren’t exactly revelations that big oil wants the public to know about. Especially when it comes to fracking."
Robert Reich: 10 Ideas to Save the Economy #4: Bust Up Wall Street | Alternet
Robert Reich: 10 Ideas to Save the Economy #4: Bust Up Wall Street | Alternet
"When the Wall Street bubble burst in 2008 because of excessive risk-taking, millions of working Americans lost their jobs, health insurance, savings, and homes.
But The Street is back to many of its old tricks. And its lobbyists are busily rolling back the Dodd-Frank Act, intended to prevent another crash.
The biggest Wall Street banks are also much larger. In 1990, the five biggest banks had 10 percent of all of the nation's banking assets. Now, they have 44 percent - more than they had at the time of the 2008 crash."
"When the Wall Street bubble burst in 2008 because of excessive risk-taking, millions of working Americans lost their jobs, health insurance, savings, and homes.
But The Street is back to many of its old tricks. And its lobbyists are busily rolling back the Dodd-Frank Act, intended to prevent another crash.
The biggest Wall Street banks are also much larger. In 1990, the five biggest banks had 10 percent of all of the nation's banking assets. Now, they have 44 percent - more than they had at the time of the 2008 crash."
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
How the System Favors Corporations Who Break the Rules Over the Working-Class | Alternet
How the System Favors Corporations Who Break the Rules Over the Working-Class | Alternet
"They’ll laugh all the way to the, well, to the bank. Just like oil companies snicker as they grab government subsidies [welfare] even though they’re among the most profitable corporations in the world. Just like hedge fund operators chuckle while luxuriating in their special, super-low tax rate.
Over the past 35 years, the rules have been written to facilitate trickle-up economics. The theory was that in a financial structure that guaranteed the rich received all income gains in the economy, millionaires and billionaires might let a couple of nickels slip out of their bulging pockets for workers to try to catch.
Unfortunately for workers, Brooks Brothers suits have really deep pockets. Almost nothing fell out of those pouches for workers. Their wages stagnated for decades while the rules facilitated the pinstriped boys getting richer and richer.
Last year, the pay gap between CEOs and typical workers widened to 373-to-1. That means for every $1 a worker earned, the CEO took $373. In just 7 minutes of slurping coffee or gazing out his penthouse office window, the typical CEO was handed more money than the average worker earned for 40 hours of labor.
Those numbers were very different before the dawn of trickle up. In 1965, the CEO-to-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1. For every $1 a worker earned, the CEO got $20. And still, corporations made profits! And lots of people wanted to be CEOs! It was a time when the economic rules enabled workers to receive a larger share of the wealth that their labor helped create.
After trickle up, CEO compensation skyrocketed while worker pay languished. From 1978 to 2013, CEO compensation increased 937 percent, while the typical worker’s pay rose 10.2 percent. That trend continued last year, when CEO pay jumped up 16 percent while worker wages inched up 2.9 percent, which is hardly at all considering the 2.1 percent inflation rate."
"They’ll laugh all the way to the, well, to the bank. Just like oil companies snicker as they grab government subsidies [welfare] even though they’re among the most profitable corporations in the world. Just like hedge fund operators chuckle while luxuriating in their special, super-low tax rate.
Over the past 35 years, the rules have been written to facilitate trickle-up economics. The theory was that in a financial structure that guaranteed the rich received all income gains in the economy, millionaires and billionaires might let a couple of nickels slip out of their bulging pockets for workers to try to catch.
Unfortunately for workers, Brooks Brothers suits have really deep pockets. Almost nothing fell out of those pouches for workers. Their wages stagnated for decades while the rules facilitated the pinstriped boys getting richer and richer.
Last year, the pay gap between CEOs and typical workers widened to 373-to-1. That means for every $1 a worker earned, the CEO took $373. In just 7 minutes of slurping coffee or gazing out his penthouse office window, the typical CEO was handed more money than the average worker earned for 40 hours of labor.
Those numbers were very different before the dawn of trickle up. In 1965, the CEO-to-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1. For every $1 a worker earned, the CEO got $20. And still, corporations made profits! And lots of people wanted to be CEOs! It was a time when the economic rules enabled workers to receive a larger share of the wealth that their labor helped create.
After trickle up, CEO compensation skyrocketed while worker pay languished. From 1978 to 2013, CEO compensation increased 937 percent, while the typical worker’s pay rose 10.2 percent. That trend continued last year, when CEO pay jumped up 16 percent while worker wages inched up 2.9 percent, which is hardly at all considering the 2.1 percent inflation rate."
The Value of Effective Government
https://consortiumnews.com/2015/05/18/the-value-of-effective-government/
"In the United States these trends are exacerbated by two other factors. One is growing economic inequality, with an expanding divide between the large numbers who must rely on the commons, including public schools and mass transportation, and a smaller number who have other options.
The increased concentration of wealth at the very top makes the private jet option a reality and not just a theoretical discussion point. And in a post-Citizens United world, the opportunities for the very wealthy to manipulate political perceptions in a way that blurs the meaning of the divide is greater than ever.
The other exacerbating factor is the prevalence in the United States of the ideologically driven belief that anything government does is ipso facto bad and that what the private sector does is by contrast good. This attitude ignores how, although markets do many things very well, there are many other important things that by their very nature markets cannot do well.
It also ignores the fact that the private sector does not equate with free markets and that sometimes more, not less, governmental involvement is necessary to have a truly competitive free market (antitrust enforcement being an obvious but by no means the only example)."
"In the United States these trends are exacerbated by two other factors. One is growing economic inequality, with an expanding divide between the large numbers who must rely on the commons, including public schools and mass transportation, and a smaller number who have other options.
The increased concentration of wealth at the very top makes the private jet option a reality and not just a theoretical discussion point. And in a post-Citizens United world, the opportunities for the very wealthy to manipulate political perceptions in a way that blurs the meaning of the divide is greater than ever.
The other exacerbating factor is the prevalence in the United States of the ideologically driven belief that anything government does is ipso facto bad and that what the private sector does is by contrast good. This attitude ignores how, although markets do many things very well, there are many other important things that by their very nature markets cannot do well.
It also ignores the fact that the private sector does not equate with free markets and that sometimes more, not less, governmental involvement is necessary to have a truly competitive free market (antitrust enforcement being an obvious but by no means the only example)."
America First — The United States Of Koch Brothers, And Why It’s Wrong For America
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2015/05/19/america-first-koch-brothers/
"The Supreme Court decision in 2010 to allow unfettered amounts of dark money into our political process has enabled the Koch Brothers to be like a “kid in a candy store.” It has allowed the Kochs and other billionaires like them to set up they’re own political mechanism separate from the political parties. They [Koch Brothers] started providing massive sums of money directly to a candidate of their choice and creating their media campaigns to sway public opinion toward their views.
In the 2014 election cycle, “Americans For Prosperity,” a Koch Brothers political front group, aired more than 17,000 broadcast TV ads, compared with only 2,100 aired by Republican Party groups. What this reveals to us is the overall influence these brothers had in the 2014 Mid-Term Election. Under Citizens United, the Koch Brothers, Super-Pacs, and Corporations can lie because they are not held to any standard. They can bold-faced lie on a television ad without any recompense."
"The Supreme Court decision in 2010 to allow unfettered amounts of dark money into our political process has enabled the Koch Brothers to be like a “kid in a candy store.” It has allowed the Kochs and other billionaires like them to set up they’re own political mechanism separate from the political parties. They [Koch Brothers] started providing massive sums of money directly to a candidate of their choice and creating their media campaigns to sway public opinion toward their views.
In the 2014 election cycle, “Americans For Prosperity,” a Koch Brothers political front group, aired more than 17,000 broadcast TV ads, compared with only 2,100 aired by Republican Party groups. What this reveals to us is the overall influence these brothers had in the 2014 Mid-Term Election. Under Citizens United, the Koch Brothers, Super-Pacs, and Corporations can lie because they are not held to any standard. They can bold-faced lie on a television ad without any recompense."
Obamacare is great for family values
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/19/1385923/-Obamacare-is-great-for-family-values
"Based on these findings it appears that Obamacare has allowed many young parents the opportunity to work at part-time jobs so that they could spend more time with their kids. Back in the old days we might have thought this was an outcome that family-values conservatives would have welcomed."
"Based on these findings it appears that Obamacare has allowed many young parents the opportunity to work at part-time jobs so that they could spend more time with their kids. Back in the old days we might have thought this was an outcome that family-values conservatives would have welcomed."
Democrat Busts Republican Scheme to Screw With Medicare To Benefit Corporations
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/19/democrat-calls-republican-plan-put-halt-existing-medicare-plan.html
"During a Health Subcommittee Hearing on Competition in Medicare, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) busted Republicans for trying to elimate competition in a Medicare program to raise prices on consumers to benefit corporations."
"During a Health Subcommittee Hearing on Competition in Medicare, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) busted Republicans for trying to elimate competition in a Medicare program to raise prices on consumers to benefit corporations."
Myth Busting: Medicaid and Low-Income Pool Facts
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/healthcare/report/2015/05/14/113047/myth-busting-medicaid-and-low-income-pool-facts/
"Lawmakers in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Kansas continue to play politics with their citizens’ health care by demanding federal funding for the low-income pool while refusing to expand Medicaid."
"Lawmakers in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Kansas continue to play politics with their citizens’ health care by demanding federal funding for the low-income pool while refusing to expand Medicaid."
Another Huge Obama Win: 12 Million Have Chosen Private Policies Through Obamacare Exchanges
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/20/huge-obama-win-12-million-chosen-private-policies-obamacare-exchanges.html
"Another day, another Republican fail. Suddenly Republicans aren’t calling it Obamacare so much. But it was Obamacare when they slammed it and it is Obamacare now that they have been thoroughly proven wrong as they trolled the free market solution to our healthcare crisis."
"Another day, another Republican fail. Suddenly Republicans aren’t calling it Obamacare so much. But it was Obamacare when they slammed it and it is Obamacare now that they have been thoroughly proven wrong as they trolled the free market solution to our healthcare crisis."
Scott Walker Lets Billionaire Donors Know the Outrageous Sum It'll Take to Buy Him Off | Alternet
Scott Walker Lets Billionaire Donors Know the Outrageous Sum It'll Take to Buy Him Off | Alternet
"Big money's take over of our democracy has never been more blatant.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has put a pricetag on how much it will cost to join his inner circle, where you can meet with the 2016 GOP presidential candidate and have “dedicated staff contact” to ensure that your agenda will heard and noted.
On Monday, while Walker was making the rounds on Capitol Hill in Washington, his super PAC—the latest campaign finance loophole-contorting tactic—was handing out formal printed invitations to join at the $1 million, $500,000 and $250,000 level that described just what political investors would get for their money.
The million-dollar ticket, making one “an executive board member,” would gain entrance to “Bi-Annual Retreats (Summer 2015 & Date TBA), MEMBERS ONLY briefings, Weekly Email Updates, Bi-Monthly MEMBERS ONLY Conference Calls, Dedicated Staff Time, 2 Private Dinners with VIP Special Guest(s), Inclusion in all public/regional fundraising events,” and an “Exclusive Executive Board Pin.”
The bottom of the invitation said it was “Paid for by Unintimidated PAC, Inc.,” which was followed by “Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee” and had the PAC’s website, UnintimidatedPAC.com. The $500,000 donors get one private dinner with the candidate and the $250,000 donors get none."
"Big money's take over of our democracy has never been more blatant.
Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has put a pricetag on how much it will cost to join his inner circle, where you can meet with the 2016 GOP presidential candidate and have “dedicated staff contact” to ensure that your agenda will heard and noted.
On Monday, while Walker was making the rounds on Capitol Hill in Washington, his super PAC—the latest campaign finance loophole-contorting tactic—was handing out formal printed invitations to join at the $1 million, $500,000 and $250,000 level that described just what political investors would get for their money.
The million-dollar ticket, making one “an executive board member,” would gain entrance to “Bi-Annual Retreats (Summer 2015 & Date TBA), MEMBERS ONLY briefings, Weekly Email Updates, Bi-Monthly MEMBERS ONLY Conference Calls, Dedicated Staff Time, 2 Private Dinners with VIP Special Guest(s), Inclusion in all public/regional fundraising events,” and an “Exclusive Executive Board Pin.”
The bottom of the invitation said it was “Paid for by Unintimidated PAC, Inc.,” which was followed by “Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee” and had the PAC’s website, UnintimidatedPAC.com. The $500,000 donors get one private dinner with the candidate and the $250,000 donors get none."
Kansas’ Governor Destroyed The State Budget With Massive Tax Cuts And Now Kansans Are Paying The Price
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/05/19/3660279/kansas-extra-session-tax-cuts-repeal/
"The same tax cuts that provide too little return to free up a full year’s salary and benefits for a business owner also help deprive the state of resources it needs to make the idea of living and working in Kansas seem appealing to anyone. “You can make the environment worse for the gazelles if your tax cuts end up hurting the local schools, or the universities that help supply the workforce these companies need, or your local quality of life in general,” Leachman said.
Kansas’ public schools are almost criminally underfunded. Judges have ruled repeatedly in recent years that the state was providing such low levels of funding that school budgets were unconstitutional, and Brownback has responded by shuffling money around the system in ways that still produce overall cuts in per-pupil funding."
"The same tax cuts that provide too little return to free up a full year’s salary and benefits for a business owner also help deprive the state of resources it needs to make the idea of living and working in Kansas seem appealing to anyone. “You can make the environment worse for the gazelles if your tax cuts end up hurting the local schools, or the universities that help supply the workforce these companies need, or your local quality of life in general,” Leachman said.
Kansas’ public schools are almost criminally underfunded. Judges have ruled repeatedly in recent years that the state was providing such low levels of funding that school budgets were unconstitutional, and Brownback has responded by shuffling money around the system in ways that still produce overall cuts in per-pupil funding."
Kansas Legislature Threatens To Defund State Judiciary
Kansas Legislature Threatens To Defund State Judiciary
"Now that the Kochs have bought themselves the Kansas statehouse and governor's office, they're out for the state courts."
"Now that the Kochs have bought themselves the Kansas statehouse and governor's office, they're out for the state courts."
Bernie Sanders Wants Wall Street To Pay For Higher Education
Bernie Sanders Wants Wall Street To Pay For Higher Education
"when you consider the fact that Ted Cruz’s wife’s employer Goldman Sachs makes billions in profits annually and we bailed out the financial sector for $230 billion to avoid a complete economic collapse, it’s not unreasonable for them to invest in the future of America’s higher education."
"when you consider the fact that Ted Cruz’s wife’s employer Goldman Sachs makes billions in profits annually and we bailed out the financial sector for $230 billion to avoid a complete economic collapse, it’s not unreasonable for them to invest in the future of America’s higher education."
The Koch Brothers’ guide to 2016: How to win $1 billion for your Republican candidacy
The Koch Brothers’ guide to 2016: How to win $1 billion for your Republican candidacy
"This is exactly how Fred Koch and the John Birch Society operated in the sixties, calling everyone who they disagreed with a Communist operative. It seems character assassination is a Kochian tradition."
"This is exactly how Fred Koch and the John Birch Society operated in the sixties, calling everyone who they disagreed with a Communist operative. It seems character assassination is a Kochian tradition."
Pope Francis Makes Tea Party Heads Explode—Why Louie Gohmert and Steve King Have It in for the Pontiff | Alternet
Pope Francis Makes Tea Party Heads Explode—Why Louie Gohmert and Steve King Have It in for the Pontiff | Alternet
"It’s fascinating to see these members trying to impose constraints on what’s acceptable for the Holy See to say in his address to Congress."
"It’s fascinating to see these members trying to impose constraints on what’s acceptable for the Holy See to say in his address to Congress."
How Ridiculous is Fox News? Take a Look at This Mind-Boggling List of Absurdity
How Ridiculous is Fox News? Take a Look at This Mind-Boggling List of Absurdity
"Like a few weeks ago when Andrea Tantaros said that healthy school lunches were “causing mental problems.” To say something like that isn’t wrong, ignorant or misguided – it’s just stupid. Here’s a good one: Back in March, Bill O’Reilly tried to claim that Fox News isn’t conservative. To be able to say that with a straight face proves he’s perfected the art of lying to millions of people. Or what about that time the idea was pushed that schools making up “snow days” were really part of a much larger plot against Christianity and religion. No, seriously, that happened. We can’t ignore the time when Outnumbered co-host Kennedy Montgomery proclaimed that we should do away with public education because it just teaches “meaningless liberal crap.” Who remembers when Tucker Carlson proclaimed that Christianity ended slavery, or the time when John Stossel said that we don’t need FEMA because Walmart will come and save us whenever catastrophic disasters strike? Sadly, it gets worse. Not too long ago, Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy said that the massively popular children’s movie Frozen was actually a secret plot to emasculate men. Sadly, that’s not a joke."
"Like a few weeks ago when Andrea Tantaros said that healthy school lunches were “causing mental problems.” To say something like that isn’t wrong, ignorant or misguided – it’s just stupid. Here’s a good one: Back in March, Bill O’Reilly tried to claim that Fox News isn’t conservative. To be able to say that with a straight face proves he’s perfected the art of lying to millions of people. Or what about that time the idea was pushed that schools making up “snow days” were really part of a much larger plot against Christianity and religion. No, seriously, that happened. We can’t ignore the time when Outnumbered co-host Kennedy Montgomery proclaimed that we should do away with public education because it just teaches “meaningless liberal crap.” Who remembers when Tucker Carlson proclaimed that Christianity ended slavery, or the time when John Stossel said that we don’t need FEMA because Walmart will come and save us whenever catastrophic disasters strike? Sadly, it gets worse. Not too long ago, Fox & Friends co-host Steve Doocy said that the massively popular children’s movie Frozen was actually a secret plot to emasculate men. Sadly, that’s not a joke."
Bernie Sanders Turns The Tables On The Republican Plan To Cut Financial Aid For Students
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/17/bernie-sanders-turns-tables-republican-plan-cut-financial-aid-students.html
"Republicans are trying to make higher education less affordable. Their goal is to give people one less avenue for economic advancement. Sanders was correct. If the United States hopes to regain its status as the land of opportunity, a key piece to the puzzle is affordable higher education."
"Republicans are trying to make higher education less affordable. Their goal is to give people one less avenue for economic advancement. Sanders was correct. If the United States hopes to regain its status as the land of opportunity, a key piece to the puzzle is affordable higher education."
New Jersey Newspaper Pops Chris Christie’s Bubble Of Delusion That People Love Him (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/05/20/new-jersey-newspaper-pops-chris-christies-bubble-of-delusion-that-people-love-him-video/
"On Monday, Christie appeared on Fox News for an interview with Megyn Kelly, who asked him why he thinks he can win the presidency when 65 percent of his own constituents think he would be a terrible commander-in-chief.
Christie, a Republican, answered the question by claiming that New Jersey voters just love him too much to see him leave the state for the White House."
"On Monday, Christie appeared on Fox News for an interview with Megyn Kelly, who asked him why he thinks he can win the presidency when 65 percent of his own constituents think he would be a terrible commander-in-chief.
Christie, a Republican, answered the question by claiming that New Jersey voters just love him too much to see him leave the state for the White House."
Chris Christie Embarrasses Himself on Fox News Trying to Defend His Presidential Chances (Video)
Chris Christie Embarrasses Himself on Fox News Trying to Defend His Presidential Chances (Video)
"Christie embarrassed himself while trying to defend his presidential chances against a poll that showed 65 percent of New Jersey residents don’t think he’d make a good president."
"Christie embarrassed himself while trying to defend his presidential chances against a poll that showed 65 percent of New Jersey residents don’t think he’d make a good president."
The Truth: These Republican Candidates Are Just Too Stupid To Be President
The Truth: These Republican Candidates Are Just Too Stupid To Be President
"Sure, there are the far-right clowns like Sen. Ted Cruz or Mike Huckabee who seem to remind people of their absurdity practically every time they open their mouth, but there’s also candidates like Sen. Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush who have recently proven that they can’t even handle interviews on Fox News without making themselves look completely foolish. As a Republican, if you can’t handle Fox News interviews, you’re absolutely screwed."
"Sure, there are the far-right clowns like Sen. Ted Cruz or Mike Huckabee who seem to remind people of their absurdity practically every time they open their mouth, but there’s also candidates like Sen. Marco Rubio and Jeb Bush who have recently proven that they can’t even handle interviews on Fox News without making themselves look completely foolish. As a Republican, if you can’t handle Fox News interviews, you’re absolutely screwed."
The GOP’s despicable scheme to play dumb on Iraq: A history lesson for Rubio & Jeb
The GOP’s despicable scheme to play dumb on Iraq: A history lesson for Rubio & Jeb
"In fact, in one of the most famous examples of government propaganda of that era, Dick Cheney’s henchman Scooter Libby planted the “aluminum tubes” story in the New York Times, and then Cheney boldly went on “Meet the Press” to quote the article as if he’d just read it in the paper that morning over bacon and eggs. Again, they knew these tubes were not being used for nuclear weapons. Condi Rice’s office had dismissed the claims more than a year before. But it was this claim that led to the doomsaying about smoking guns and mushroom clouds which John Dickerson doesn’t seem to remember was utter nonsense.
The upshot of all this is that the GOP is working overtime to fit the Iraq debacle into their preferred narrative once and for all so they can move on and start ginning up the next military adventure. And the media, which has never fully accepted its responsibility in making that war possible, is either suffering from a severe memory lapse or sees it in its self-interest to help them do it.
The problem is that the American people do not seem inclined to go along. They, at least, have some memory of the epic disaster of the Iraq War and are not eager to repeat it. As of last year, 75 percent of Americans (including 63 percent of Republicans) believe that war was not worth it. That’s up from 66 percent in 2008. The last thing they want to hear is a bunch of excuses about how the Bush administration made a big boo-boo on account of bad information. Whether or not they know all the details, they do know that even George W. Bush isn’t that incompetent."
"In fact, in one of the most famous examples of government propaganda of that era, Dick Cheney’s henchman Scooter Libby planted the “aluminum tubes” story in the New York Times, and then Cheney boldly went on “Meet the Press” to quote the article as if he’d just read it in the paper that morning over bacon and eggs. Again, they knew these tubes were not being used for nuclear weapons. Condi Rice’s office had dismissed the claims more than a year before. But it was this claim that led to the doomsaying about smoking guns and mushroom clouds which John Dickerson doesn’t seem to remember was utter nonsense.
The upshot of all this is that the GOP is working overtime to fit the Iraq debacle into their preferred narrative once and for all so they can move on and start ginning up the next military adventure. And the media, which has never fully accepted its responsibility in making that war possible, is either suffering from a severe memory lapse or sees it in its self-interest to help them do it.
The problem is that the American people do not seem inclined to go along. They, at least, have some memory of the epic disaster of the Iraq War and are not eager to repeat it. As of last year, 75 percent of Americans (including 63 percent of Republicans) believe that war was not worth it. That’s up from 66 percent in 2008. The last thing they want to hear is a bunch of excuses about how the Bush administration made a big boo-boo on account of bad information. Whether or not they know all the details, they do know that even George W. Bush isn’t that incompetent."
The Dwight Eisenhower lesson America forgot
The Dwight Eisenhower lesson America forgot
"Five-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower took pains in his farewell address in 1961 to remind us of it again. How did we as a people come to forget it? WTF, America?"
"Five-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower took pains in his farewell address in 1961 to remind us of it again. How did we as a people come to forget it? WTF, America?"
6 instances where Jeb Bush definitively supported the war in Iraq
6 instances where Jeb Bush definitively supported the war in Iraq
"on the question of the biggest foreign policy blunder in a generation—a war of choice in Iraq—Jeb Bush clearly stands with his ex-president brother who decided to invade. That’s been his stance for years. The 2016 campaign trail doesn’t change it."
"on the question of the biggest foreign policy blunder in a generation—a war of choice in Iraq—Jeb Bush clearly stands with his ex-president brother who decided to invade. That’s been his stance for years. The 2016 campaign trail doesn’t change it."
Wall Street Is Corrupting Everything – Even University Commencements
http://wallstreetonparade.com/2015/05/wall-street-is-corrupting-everything-even-university-commencements/
"On April 28, Martin Lipton, Chairman of NYU, and its President, John Sexton, announced that hedge fund billionaire John Paulson would receive the “Albert Gallatin Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Society” at NYU’s 183rd Commencement ceremony, slated for next Wednesday. Albert Gallatin was one of the founders of NYU and a former Treasury Secretary under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Gallatin is buried in Trinity churchyard at the corner of Wall Street and Broadway – and he’s likely rolling over in his grave at the idea of having his name appended to John Paulson.
John Paulson is the founder and head of Paulson & Co., infamously known on Wall Street as the firm that conspired with Goldman Sachs to create Abacus 2007-AC1 – an investment Paulson & Co. assisted in designing to collapse in value. On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought charges against Goldman Sachs and one of its young vice presidents, Fabrice Tourre, for “defrauding investors” in the sale and marketing of Abacus. Paulson & Co. slipped through the net because it didn’t sell or market the product – it simply shorted it based on its inside information that it was designed to fail.
According to the SEC’s lawsuit, Paulson paid Goldman Sachs approximately $15 million for structuring Abacus. The deal closed on April 26, 2007. Nine months later says the SEC, “99 percent of the portfolio had been downgraded.” The SEC adds: “As a result, investors in the ABACUS 2007-AC1 CDO lost over $1 billion. Paulson’s opposite CDS positions yielded a profit of approximately $1 billion for Paulson"."
"On April 28, Martin Lipton, Chairman of NYU, and its President, John Sexton, announced that hedge fund billionaire John Paulson would receive the “Albert Gallatin Medal for Outstanding Contributions to Society” at NYU’s 183rd Commencement ceremony, slated for next Wednesday. Albert Gallatin was one of the founders of NYU and a former Treasury Secretary under Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. Gallatin is buried in Trinity churchyard at the corner of Wall Street and Broadway – and he’s likely rolling over in his grave at the idea of having his name appended to John Paulson.
John Paulson is the founder and head of Paulson & Co., infamously known on Wall Street as the firm that conspired with Goldman Sachs to create Abacus 2007-AC1 – an investment Paulson & Co. assisted in designing to collapse in value. On April 16, 2010, the SEC brought charges against Goldman Sachs and one of its young vice presidents, Fabrice Tourre, for “defrauding investors” in the sale and marketing of Abacus. Paulson & Co. slipped through the net because it didn’t sell or market the product – it simply shorted it based on its inside information that it was designed to fail.
According to the SEC’s lawsuit, Paulson paid Goldman Sachs approximately $15 million for structuring Abacus. The deal closed on April 26, 2007. Nine months later says the SEC, “99 percent of the portfolio had been downgraded.” The SEC adds: “As a result, investors in the ABACUS 2007-AC1 CDO lost over $1 billion. Paulson’s opposite CDS positions yielded a profit of approximately $1 billion for Paulson"."
Watch: Elizabeth Warren Lists the Six Changes Needed to Bring Back the Middle Class
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-elizabeth-warren-lists-the-six-changes-needed-to-bring-back-the-middle-class/
"Warren denounces Republican trickle-down economics for “cutting the heart out of the middle class”, and then delves into famed economist Joseph Stiglitz’s list of the six changes that our country needs to make in order to uplift the middle class and achieve shared prosperity for our nation, not just for those living at the top."
"Warren denounces Republican trickle-down economics for “cutting the heart out of the middle class”, and then delves into famed economist Joseph Stiglitz’s list of the six changes that our country needs to make in order to uplift the middle class and achieve shared prosperity for our nation, not just for those living at the top."
Where's The Media's Ebola Mea Culpa?
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/05/14/wheres-the-medias-ebola-mea-culpa/203649
"The recent look-away coverage from Ebola shouldn't come as a surprise. The American media lost complete interest in the story right after Republicans lost interest in the story, which is to say right after last November's midterm elections, when they brandished Ebola as a partisan weapon."
"The recent look-away coverage from Ebola shouldn't come as a surprise. The American media lost complete interest in the story right after Republicans lost interest in the story, which is to say right after last November's midterm elections, when they brandished Ebola as a partisan weapon."
Russ Feingold Announces He's Running For The Senate In 2016
Russ Feingold Announces He's Running For The Senate In 2016
"there are several factors working in Feingold's favor this time around: Democratic turnout tends to spike in presidential election years, and recent polls have underscored that Johnson is one of the most vulnerable sitting GOP senators."
"there are several factors working in Feingold's favor this time around: Democratic turnout tends to spike in presidential election years, and recent polls have underscored that Johnson is one of the most vulnerable sitting GOP senators."
Sunday, May 17, 2015
37 ways to un-rig the U.S. economy so it no longer favors the rich
37 ways to un-rig the U.S. economy so it no longer favors the rich
"Skyrocketing incomes for the 1 percent and stagnating wages for everyone else are not independent phenomena, but rather two symptoms of an impaired economy that rewards gaming the system more than it does hard work and investment"
"Skyrocketing incomes for the 1 percent and stagnating wages for everyone else are not independent phenomena, but rather two symptoms of an impaired economy that rewards gaming the system more than it does hard work and investment"
How gerrymandering cost Democrats the House in 2012: Part 1: An interactive look at alternative maps
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/05/13/1382504/-How-gerrymandering-cost-Democrats-the-House-in-2012-Part-1-An-interactive-look-at-alternative-maps
"In November 2012, the American electorate voted to give Democrats unified control of government. President Obama won re-election with a majority of the vote, Senate Democrats increased their seat count, and Democratic candidates for the House won the popular vote. However, because of the way in which districts are drawn, Republicans easily maintained control of the House."
"In November 2012, the American electorate voted to give Democrats unified control of government. President Obama won re-election with a majority of the vote, Senate Democrats increased their seat count, and Democratic candidates for the House won the popular vote. However, because of the way in which districts are drawn, Republicans easily maintained control of the House."
Hillary Clinton Says She’ll Only Appoint SCOTUS Justices Who Will Overturn Citizens United
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/15/hillary-clinton-appoint-scotus-justices-overturn-citizens-united.html
"With Clinton and Sanders both insisting that they would only appoint Supreme Court nominees who oppose the Citizens United ruling, the Democratic Party has signaled its intent to fight to reduce the influence of big money in American politics."
"With Clinton and Sanders both insisting that they would only appoint Supreme Court nominees who oppose the Citizens United ruling, the Democratic Party has signaled its intent to fight to reduce the influence of big money in American politics."
Watch: Elizabeth Warren Lists the Six Changes Needed to Bring Back the Middle Class
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-elizabeth-warren-lists-the-six-changes-needed-to-bring-back-the-middle-class/
"Warren denounces Republican trickle-down economics for “cutting the heart out of the middle class”, and then delves into famed economist Joseph Stiglitz’s list of the six changes that our country needs to make in order to uplift the middle class and achieve shared prosperity for our nation, not just for those living at the top."
"Warren denounces Republican trickle-down economics for “cutting the heart out of the middle class”, and then delves into famed economist Joseph Stiglitz’s list of the six changes that our country needs to make in order to uplift the middle class and achieve shared prosperity for our nation, not just for those living at the top."
6 instances where Jeb Bush definitively supported the war in Iraq
6 instances where Jeb Bush definitively supported the war in Iraq
"Let’s go through a half-dozen statements that Jeb Bush has made, showing this foreign policy compass has long supported that war even if it’s an inconvenient truth in 2016."
"Let’s go through a half-dozen statements that Jeb Bush has made, showing this foreign policy compass has long supported that war even if it’s an inconvenient truth in 2016."
The Phony ‘Bad Intel’ Defense on Iraq
https://consortiumnews.com/2015/05/15/the-phony-bad-intel-defense-on-iraq/
"Unable to get honest intelligence analysts to go along with the carefully nurtured “noble lie” that Iraq played a role in 9/11, or even that operational ties existed between Iraq and al-Qaeda, the administration ordered up a separate but related genre of faux intelligence – WMD. This PR offensive was something of a challenge, for in the months before 9/11, Condoleezza Rice and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell had insisted publicly that Saddam Hussein posed no security threat. You don’t remember?
On Feb. 24, 2001, Powell had said, “Saddam Hussein has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbors.”
And just six weeks before 9/11, Condoleezza Rice told CNN: “let’s remember that his [Saddam’s] country is divided, in effect. He does not control the northern part of his country. We are able to keep his arms from him. His military forces have not been rebuilt.” Obligingly, the compliant U.S. media pressed the delete button on those telling statements."
"Unable to get honest intelligence analysts to go along with the carefully nurtured “noble lie” that Iraq played a role in 9/11, or even that operational ties existed between Iraq and al-Qaeda, the administration ordered up a separate but related genre of faux intelligence – WMD. This PR offensive was something of a challenge, for in the months before 9/11, Condoleezza Rice and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell had insisted publicly that Saddam Hussein posed no security threat. You don’t remember?
On Feb. 24, 2001, Powell had said, “Saddam Hussein has not developed any significant capability with respect to weapons of mass destruction. He is unable to project conventional power against his neighbors.”
And just six weeks before 9/11, Condoleezza Rice told CNN: “let’s remember that his [Saddam’s] country is divided, in effect. He does not control the northern part of his country. We are able to keep his arms from him. His military forces have not been rebuilt.” Obligingly, the compliant U.S. media pressed the delete button on those telling statements."
Pope Francis: Powerful People Don't Want Peace Because They Profit from War
Pope Francis: Powerful People Don't Want Peace Because They Profit from War
"While speaking at the Vatican yesterday, Pope Francis condemned both the arms industry and those who profit off war, the Catholic Herald reported."
"While speaking at the Vatican yesterday, Pope Francis condemned both the arms industry and those who profit off war, the Catholic Herald reported."
PERRspectives: Marco Rubio Regurgitates Romney's Foreign Policy Sound Bites
PERRspectives: Marco Rubio Regurgitates Romney's Foreign Policy Sound Bites
"For his part, Iran-Contra architect and Iraq war cheerleader Elliott Abrams seemed very satisfied with Rubio's speech. Of course, he isn't just advising Senator Rubio now; in 2012 he performed the same task for Governor Romney. Lanhee Chen, a senior fellow at Stanford's conservative Hoover Institution, loved it, calling "Rubio's robust foreign policy vision is 'a great fit for the policy and political environment we are in right now.'"
And the one we were in 2012, when she worked for Mitt Romney."
"For his part, Iran-Contra architect and Iraq war cheerleader Elliott Abrams seemed very satisfied with Rubio's speech. Of course, he isn't just advising Senator Rubio now; in 2012 he performed the same task for Governor Romney. Lanhee Chen, a senior fellow at Stanford's conservative Hoover Institution, loved it, calling "Rubio's robust foreign policy vision is 'a great fit for the policy and political environment we are in right now.'"
And the one we were in 2012, when she worked for Mitt Romney."
Marco Rubio's 'Doctrine': Lies, War, And More War
Marco Rubio's 'Doctrine': Lies, War, And More War
"Marco Rubio has released "The Rubio Doctrine," which outlines his approach to foreign policy and which also will disqualify him from the White House for ignorance if not warmongering."
"Marco Rubio has released "The Rubio Doctrine," which outlines his approach to foreign policy and which also will disqualify him from the White House for ignorance if not warmongering."
Extreme Bill Would Override All Local Employment Laws, Including LGBT Protections
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/05/13/3658201/michigan-death-star-employment-bill/
"Not only does it have implications for any local ordinance that controls minimum wage, benefits, sick leave, union organizing and strikes, wage disputes, apprenticeship programs, and “ban the box” policies (blocking employers from asking about felony convictions), but it would also override the LGBT protections that exist in 38 Michigan municipalities."
"Not only does it have implications for any local ordinance that controls minimum wage, benefits, sick leave, union organizing and strikes, wage disputes, apprenticeship programs, and “ban the box” policies (blocking employers from asking about felony convictions), but it would also override the LGBT protections that exist in 38 Michigan municipalities."
How The Koch Brothers Aim To Create A Fascist Dystopia Through The Republican Party
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/how-the-koch-brothers-aim-to-create-a-fascist-dystopia-through-the-republican-party/
"In essence, the Kochs want to privatize every aspect of our nation so that the rich can sell each slice to the consumer piecemeal, leaving the American people entirely at the mercy of the oligarchs who control the corporations that would end up owning our entire nation. The environment is nothing but a commodity to sold and traded, extracted of all possible value and abandoned when it is no longer profitable, no matter the damage done or the damaging effects on public health.
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s because these are the policies of the modern Republican Party. Slash taxes, deregulate all industries, reduce the power of the federal government, disempower women and minorities, privatize public schools and institutions, is all a collective harbinger of what Koch America would look like in its early stages."
"In essence, the Kochs want to privatize every aspect of our nation so that the rich can sell each slice to the consumer piecemeal, leaving the American people entirely at the mercy of the oligarchs who control the corporations that would end up owning our entire nation. The environment is nothing but a commodity to sold and traded, extracted of all possible value and abandoned when it is no longer profitable, no matter the damage done or the damaging effects on public health.
If any of this sounds familiar, it’s because these are the policies of the modern Republican Party. Slash taxes, deregulate all industries, reduce the power of the federal government, disempower women and minorities, privatize public schools and institutions, is all a collective harbinger of what Koch America would look like in its early stages."
Taxpayer Subsidies for Fossil Fuels on a Warming Planet in One Word: 'Absurd'
Taxpayer Subsidies for Fossil Fuels on a Warming Planet in One Word: 'Absurd'
"Last month, along with Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Sanders introduced a bicameral bill in Congress that would effectively put an end to large-scale subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. Called the End Polluter Welfare Act, the measure would end tax breaks for fossil-fuel industries, recoup taxpayer-owed royalties for fossil-fuel related practices on public lands and waters, and prioritize federally-supported research for clean energy projects. Further, the measures would also prevent companies from escaping liability for spills or deducting clean-up costs from their taxes."
"Last month, along with Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Sanders introduced a bicameral bill in Congress that would effectively put an end to large-scale subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. Called the End Polluter Welfare Act, the measure would end tax breaks for fossil-fuel industries, recoup taxpayer-owed royalties for fossil-fuel related practices on public lands and waters, and prioritize federally-supported research for clean energy projects. Further, the measures would also prevent companies from escaping liability for spills or deducting clean-up costs from their taxes."
Koch Brothers Claim Another State in War on Renewables
http://ecowatch.com/2015/05/16/koch-brothers-war-on-renewables/?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=db4a3ecd78-Top_News_5_16_2015&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-db4a3ecd78-85986361
"Throughout the last two decades state after state has passed renewable energy standards, often with big bipartisan majorities, as investment in technologies like wind and solar held great promise for economic growth and job creation in addition to cutting greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and decreasing air pollution.
But in the last few years, pressed by fossil fuel businesses such as Koch Industries and advocacy groups funded by the Koch brothers, including Americans for Prosperity and the American Legislative Exchange Counsel (ALEC), bills have been introduced in state after state to repeal these standards. And in a few states, such as Ohio and West Virginia, they’ve succeeded."
"Throughout the last two decades state after state has passed renewable energy standards, often with big bipartisan majorities, as investment in technologies like wind and solar held great promise for economic growth and job creation in addition to cutting greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change and decreasing air pollution.
But in the last few years, pressed by fossil fuel businesses such as Koch Industries and advocacy groups funded by the Koch brothers, including Americans for Prosperity and the American Legislative Exchange Counsel (ALEC), bills have been introduced in state after state to repeal these standards. And in a few states, such as Ohio and West Virginia, they’ve succeeded."
Carbon Pollution’s Harm To Sea Life Coming Faster Than Expected
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/05/12/3657571/carbon-pollution-sea-life/
"as carbon dioxide is absorbed in water it causes chemical reactions that reduce “saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate [CaCO3] minerals,” which “are the building blocks for the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms,” as NOAA explains. In the parts of the ocean teeming with life, the seawater has an overabundance (supersaturation) of these calcium carbonate minerals used by so-called “calcifying organisms,” which include corals and algae and mollusks and some plankton.
As the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide, more and more places are becoming undersaturated with these minerals, thereby threatening calcifying organisms. Besides a decline in calcification, the World Meteorological Organization explained in 2014, “Other impacts of acidification on marine biota include reduced survival, development and growth rates, as well as changes in physiological functions and reduced biodiversity"."
"as carbon dioxide is absorbed in water it causes chemical reactions that reduce “saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate [CaCO3] minerals,” which “are the building blocks for the skeletons and shells of many marine organisms,” as NOAA explains. In the parts of the ocean teeming with life, the seawater has an overabundance (supersaturation) of these calcium carbonate minerals used by so-called “calcifying organisms,” which include corals and algae and mollusks and some plankton.
As the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide, more and more places are becoming undersaturated with these minerals, thereby threatening calcifying organisms. Besides a decline in calcification, the World Meteorological Organization explained in 2014, “Other impacts of acidification on marine biota include reduced survival, development and growth rates, as well as changes in physiological functions and reduced biodiversity"."
Fox's Stephen Moore Preemptively Debunked On Clean Energy By Video Affixed To His Column
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/05/12/foxs-stephen-moore-preemptively-debunked-on-cle/203626
"Moore has a long history of misinforming on energy and the environment, along with a whole host of other issues."
"Moore has a long history of misinforming on energy and the environment, along with a whole host of other issues."
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