Saturday, June 30, 2012
Florida Insurers To Rebate $113 Million To Policyholders
Florida Insurers To Rebate $113 Million To Policyholders: Thanks to the health care law, Floridians who obtained health insurance without employer assistance will receive rebates between $143 and $949 in August, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The law requires insurers to spend 80 percent of their premiums on medical costs, and refund the difference to policyholders if they fail to meet the [...]/p
12.8 Million Receive Insurance Rebates As A Result Of Obamacare
12.8 Million Receive Insurance Rebates As A Result Of Obamacare: 12.8 million Americans will receive $1.1 billion in rebates from insurers that have not met minimum spending guidelines in Obamacare, the administration announced Thursday morning. The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to spend 80 to 85 percent of premium dollars on health care services or issue rebates to policy holders. The average rebate is valued [...]/p
Corporate Profits at All-Time High; Wages at All-Time Low: Can We Call it Class War Yet? | | AlterNet
Corporate Profits at All-Time High; Wages at All-Time Low: Can We Call it Class War Yet? | | AlterNet
"The middle class is being hollowed out; increasingly, there are the super-super-rich, and there are the rest of us."
"The middle class is being hollowed out; increasingly, there are the super-super-rich, and there are the rest of us."
Friday, June 29, 2012
Conservative Southern Values Revived: How a Brutal Strain of American Aristocrats Have Come to Rule America | Visions | AlterNet
Conservative Southern Values Revived: How a Brutal Strain of American Aristocrats Have Come to Rule America | Visions | AlterNet
"The rich are different now because the elites who spent four centuries sucking the South dry and turning it into an economic and political backwater have now vanquished the more forward-thinking, democratic Northern elites. Their attitudes towards freedom, authority, community, government, and the social contract aren't just confined to the country clubs of the Gulf Coast; they can now be found on the ground from Hollywood and Silicon Valley to Wall Street. And because of that quiet coup, the entire US is now turning into the global equivalent of a Deep South state."
"The rich are different now because the elites who spent four centuries sucking the South dry and turning it into an economic and political backwater have now vanquished the more forward-thinking, democratic Northern elites. Their attitudes towards freedom, authority, community, government, and the social contract aren't just confined to the country clubs of the Gulf Coast; they can now be found on the ground from Hollywood and Silicon Valley to Wall Street. And because of that quiet coup, the entire US is now turning into the global equivalent of a Deep South state."
Adults only, please: Five things the Romney campaign believes are presidential
Adults only, please: Five things the Romney campaign believes are presidential
"Staking your entire presidential campaign on repealing the very same health care reform policy that you signed into law when governor."
"Staking your entire presidential campaign on repealing the very same health care reform policy that you signed into law when governor."
Mississippi Tea Party Chairman Calls For Open Rebellion Against Federal Government After Obamacare Ruling
Mississippi Tea Party Chairman Calls For Open Rebellion Against Federal Government After Obamacare Ruling: Of all the right-wing meltdowns following yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court to uphold the individual mandate in the Affordable Care Act, this statement put out by the chairman of the Mississippi Tea Party may take the cake: When a gang of criminals subvert legitimate government offices and seize all power to themselves without the [...]/p
New Tea Party Theory: Kindergarten Leads To Higher Crime Rates
New Tea Party Theory: Kindergarten Leads To Higher Crime Rates
"Please, Rep. Kingsbury, don't let facts get in the way of your fantasies. Here's a fact: Children who attend kindergarten, especially a kindergarten class with small class size and experienced teachers, do better in life, are more likely to go to college, and more likely to earn decent wages."
"Please, Rep. Kingsbury, don't let facts get in the way of your fantasies. Here's a fact: Children who attend kindergarten, especially a kindergarten class with small class size and experienced teachers, do better in life, are more likely to go to college, and more likely to earn decent wages."
Health care ruling a victory for problem-solving policy
Rachel Maddow points out the role of the Affordable Care Act in solving the problem of America's terrible health care system
Four Reasons Why The Court’s Decision To Uphold Obamacare Is Good News For The Economy
Four Reasons Why The Court’s Decision To Uphold Obamacare Is Good News For The Economy: The Supreme Court today upheld the Affordable Care Act, the health care reform law signed by President Obama in 2010, ruling 5-4 that the law was constitutional. Chief Justice John Roberts joined Justices Sonya Sotomayor, Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Elena Kagan on the opinion. The individual mandate, the requirement that all Americans purchase [...]/p
Why The Individual Mandate Is Not A ‘Massive Tax Hike’ On The Middle Class
Why The Individual Mandate Is Not A ‘Massive Tax Hike’ On The Middle Class: The Supreme Court ruled today that the Affordable Care Act, the comprehensive health care reform package signed by President Obama in 2010, is constitutional. The Court upheld the law’s most controversial provision, the individual mandate, ruling that it is constitutional under the government’s authority to levy and collect taxes. Republicans have falsely claimed the mandate [...]/p
Why Obamacare Is A Tax Cut For Millions Of Americans
Why Obamacare Is A Tax Cut For Millions Of Americans: Following the Supreme Court’s ruling yesterday that Obamacare, the 2010 health care law, is constitutional under Congress’ ability to tax, Republicans have launched a full court press calling the individual mandate a “massive tax hike.” But as ThinkProgress noted yesterday, there is no massive tax hike: few people will ever pay the penalty, and those [...]/p
Taxes Are The New Death Panels: Exposing The Latest Lie About Obamacare
Taxes Are The New Death Panels: Exposing The Latest Lie About Obamacare: Republicans are responding to the Supreme Court’s ruling upholding the individual mandate by constructing a new “death panels”-like lie. The law, they argue, imposes a burdensome tax on millions of middle class families who will have to pay a penalty for not purchasing health care coverage by 2014. The line originates in the majority’s decision, [...]/p
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Medicare for all
Medicare for all
"The Republican majority of the Supreme Court is very likely to overturn the Affordable Care Act tomorrow, fully embracing the "let 'em die" attitude that has become the Republican rallying cry."
"The Republican majority of the Supreme Court is very likely to overturn the Affordable Care Act tomorrow, fully embracing the "let 'em die" attitude that has become the Republican rallying cry."
The American People Are Angry
"In a must see 25 minute speech, Senator Bernie Sanders took to the Senate floor and challenged Congress to break free of its billionaire masters and work for the American people." Copy and paste link to view article: http://www.politicususa.com/bernie-sanders-storms-senate-floor-challenges-congress-koch-whores.html
The Libertarian Mind: Behold The New Normal
The Libertarian Mind: Behold The New Normal
"This is what a sociopath looks like. In the 19th century, the same principle was expressed when Dickens wrote "Let them die, and decrease the surplus population." Yes, people still believe this, especially those who also claim to be Christians."
"This is what a sociopath looks like. In the 19th century, the same principle was expressed when Dickens wrote "Let them die, and decrease the surplus population." Yes, people still believe this, especially those who also claim to be Christians."
Montana can't keep corporate money out of it's elections...
The Supreme Court reaffirmed their Citizens United decision - saying Montana can't keep corporate money out of it's elections. Where does the fight go to get money out of politics stands after this latest blow?
Who is Bankrolling the Fight Against "Obamacare?" | Common Dreams
Who is Bankrolling the Fight Against "Obamacare?" | Common Dreams
"The lead plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the National Federation for Independent Business (NFIB), is a highly partisan front group masquerading as the "nation's leading small business association," critics say. The nation's highest court is expected to rule on the federal health care law Thursday."
"The lead plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the National Federation for Independent Business (NFIB), is a highly partisan front group masquerading as the "nation's leading small business association," critics say. The nation's highest court is expected to rule on the federal health care law Thursday."
Arizona Senate Candidate Rep. Jeff Flake Lobbied To Preserve South Africa’s Apartheid Government
Arizona Senate Candidate Rep. Jeff Flake Lobbied To Preserve South Africa’s Apartheid Government: In 1987, Rep. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) — then a lobbyist for a Namibian uranium mine — testified before the Utah State Senate in support of a resolution backing the apartheid government in South Africa. Flake, a sixth-term GOP congressman and current Arizona senate candidate, opposed sanctions on the segregationist Botha government — largely to support [...]/p
Monday, June 25, 2012
5 Reasons America Is Not -- And Has Never Been -- a Christian Nation | Belief | AlterNet
5 Reasons America Is Not -- And Has Never Been -- a Christian Nation | Belief | AlterNet
"The myth that America is a "Christian nation" is not only untrue, but promotes the pernicious idea that non-Christians are second-class citizens."
"The myth that America is a "Christian nation" is not only untrue, but promotes the pernicious idea that non-Christians are second-class citizens."
Saturday, June 23, 2012
PERRspectives: Mitt Romney's Golden Showers
PERRspectives: Mitt Romney's Golden Showers
"And so it goes. If Mitt Romney wins and gets his way in the White House, the very richest Americans will get much, much richer. And it will fall to every other taxpayer in America to replace the billions of dollars of revenue emptied from the Treasury. As Home Depot co-founder Kenneth Langone, who opened his cash spigots for Mitt Romney after Chris Christie decided to pass on a White House bid, explained it during an April lecture at Brandeis University:
"And so it goes. If Mitt Romney wins and gets his way in the White House, the very richest Americans will get much, much richer. And it will fall to every other taxpayer in America to replace the billions of dollars of revenue emptied from the Treasury. As Home Depot co-founder Kenneth Langone, who opened his cash spigots for Mitt Romney after Chris Christie decided to pass on a White House bid, explained it during an April lecture at Brandeis University:
"My notion about giving back is simple: I'm more of a beneficiary of my charity than the recipients of my charity. The more you give back, you think to yourself, 'Hey, maybe the world is a better place because I'm here.'"
If you have any questions about Langone's version of the view that "it's better to give than to receive," you can ask him yourself this weekend. You'll find him in Park City, Utah with Mitt Romney."
Latest GOP Election Law Violation: Keep Fat Cat Donors' Names Secret | | AlterNet
Latest GOP Election Law Violation: Keep Fat Cat Donors' Names Secret | | AlterNet
"In the Senate this week, 10 Republicans led by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch signed a letter attacking the Internal Revenue Service—which McConnell called the “speech police”—for seeking information about conservative political groups that were incorporated as nonprofit charities but which instead have been primarily engaged in partisan electioneering."
"In the Senate this week, 10 Republicans led by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch signed a letter attacking the Internal Revenue Service—which McConnell called the “speech police”—for seeking information about conservative political groups that were incorporated as nonprofit charities but which instead have been primarily engaged in partisan electioneering."
Friday, June 22, 2012
The Wild Conspiracy Theory Driving The Fast And Furious Investigation
The Wild Conspiracy Theory Driving The Fast And Furious Investigation: Here is theory that some Congressional Republicans believe: The Obama Administration intentionally handed over automatic weapons to Mexican drug cartels, who they knew would commit violent acts, because they wanted to scare Americans into supporting stricter gun laws. That supposed series of events has now led Congress to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt. [...]/p
REPORT: Most Anti-Environment House Of Representatives In History Voted 109 Times To Enrich Big Oil
REPORT: Most Anti-Environment House Of Representatives In History Voted 109 Times To Enrich Big Oil: The House of Representatives holds the title of the most anti-environment House in congressional history. Led by Republicans, the House has voted against the environment 247 times in the last 18 months, averaging one anti-environmental vote for every day the House has been in session. The newest report, released by Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Ed [...]/p
VIDEO: Fox's Gas Price Predictions Fall Flat
VIDEO: Fox's Gas Price Predictions Fall Flat
"n its relentless coverage of rising gas prices, Fox News made some outrageous predictions of $5, $6, $7 and even $8 a gallon gasoline by summer. But these predictions have proven to be nothing more than wishful thinking by a network that hoped to use high prices at the pump as a campaign issue against President Obama."
"n its relentless coverage of rising gas prices, Fox News made some outrageous predictions of $5, $6, $7 and even $8 a gallon gasoline by summer. But these predictions have proven to be nothing more than wishful thinking by a network that hoped to use high prices at the pump as a campaign issue against President Obama."
Romney Doesn’t Dispute He Helped Send Jobs Overseas, Tells Press To Call It ‘Offshoring’ Not ‘Outsourcing’
Romney Doesn’t Dispute He Helped Send Jobs Overseas, Tells Press To Call It ‘Offshoring’ Not ‘Outsourcing’: The Washington Post reported today that Bain Capital, the private equity firm Mitt Romney headed for 15 years, invested extensively in companies that moved jobs overseas to low-wage countries like China. The practice contradicts the rhetoric of candidate Romney, who since announcing his presidential ambitions, has criticized government policies that have led to jobs, particularly [...]/p
GOP Congressman Says Ryan’s Medicare Plan Would Hurt Seniors
GOP Congressman Says Ryan’s Medicare Plan Would Hurt Seniors: House Republicans approved a budget in April that would drive up Medicare costs for seniors, and Mitt Romney has embraced the plan crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI). But not all in the party are in agreement. Ten Republicans voted against Ryan’s budget in April, and now, Rep. David McKinley (R-WV) is campaigning on his [...]/p
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Insurers will have to pay out $1.1 billion in rebates if Obamacare survives the Supreme Court
Insurers will have to pay out $1.1 billion in rebates if Obamacare survives the Supreme Court
"If there's any silver lining to this, it's that for one year, insurance companies generally didmeet the demands of the law. Before the provision was enacted, health care system experts expected that rebates owed would be over $2 billion. Which means the law did what it was supposed to: make insurers spend more on covering actual health care."
"If there's any silver lining to this, it's that for one year, insurance companies generally didmeet the demands of the law. Before the provision was enacted, health care system experts expected that rebates owed would be over $2 billion. Which means the law did what it was supposed to: make insurers spend more on covering actual health care."
From “ Racist,“ To “ Dick,“ To Heckling: How The Press Treats Obama
From “ Racist,“ To “ Dick,“ To Heckling: How The Press Treats Obama
"You probably can't even count the number of insults and smears that have been hurled at Obama by the GOP press, although Sally Kohn recently did a nice job of highlight some of the more vile broadsides:"
"You probably can't even count the number of insults and smears that have been hurled at Obama by the GOP press, although Sally Kohn recently did a nice job of highlight some of the more vile broadsides:"
Republicans Holding Nearly 3 Million Transportation Jobs Hostage For 6,000 Temporary Oil Jobs
Republicans Holding Nearly 3 Million Transportation Jobs Hostage For 6,000 Temporary Oil Jobs: With as many as 2.9 million new and existing jobs on the line, House Republicans are refusing to pass a transportation reauthorization bill, even after the Senate’s version of the bill overwhelmingly passed through the upper chamber in a 74-22 bipartisan vote. The deadline for new transportation funding is June 30, and if the calendar [...]/p
12.8 Million Receive Insurance Rebates As A Result Of Obamacare
12.8 Million Receive Insurance Rebates As A Result Of Obamacare: 12.8 million Americans will receive $1.1 billion in rebates from insurers that have not met minimum spending guidelines in Obamacare, the administration announced Thursday morning. The Affordable Care Act requires insurers to spend 80 to 85 percent of premium dollars on health care services or issue rebates to policy holders. The average rebate is valued [...]/p
Romney To Republican Governor: Discussing The Economic Recovery Will Hurt My Election Chances
Romney To Republican Governor: Discussing The Economic Recovery Will Hurt My Election Chances: Republican governors in states across the country have been touting their states’ economic growth, pointing to falling unemployment rates and continued signs of economic recovery. Gov. Terry Branstad (R-IA) has expressed frustration that Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney is using his state as an example of the nation’s economic woes. However, since positive economic messages [...]/p
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Republicans want the middle class to pay for tax cuts for the rich
Republicans want the middle class to pay for tax cuts for the rich
"Remember, this is just the tax side of the Ryan plan. The devastating cuts to everything fromPell Grants to Medicaid and Medicare would put even bigger burdens on low-income and middle-class America."
"Remember, this is just the tax side of the Ryan plan. The devastating cuts to everything fromPell Grants to Medicaid and Medicare would put even bigger burdens on low-income and middle-class America."
PHOTOS: Catholic Nuns Protest Budget Cuts Outside GOP Rep. Paul Ryan’s Wisconsin Office
PHOTOS: Catholic Nuns Protest Budget Cuts Outside GOP Rep. Paul Ryan’s Wisconsin Office: The Nuns On A Bus Tour, a protest against spending cuts mandated by the House GOP budget, stopped yesterday outside the district offices of Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the budget’s author. The stop, the second of 10 that the nine-state tour will make, followed an event at Rep. Steve King’s (R) Iowa office on Monday. [...]/p
New CIA Docs Show Bush Ignored Seven Different Warnings About Imminent Attacks
New CIA Docs Show Bush Ignored Seven Different Warnings About Imminent Attacks
"Seven different times, Bush was informed of imminent strikes by Bin Laden, and he simply ignored them? I guess they were so determined to go to war, they wanted any excuse they could get:"
"Seven different times, Bush was informed of imminent strikes by Bin Laden, and he simply ignored them? I guess they were so determined to go to war, they wanted any excuse they could get:"
The Ungodly Constitution: How the Founders Ensured America Would Not Be a Christian Nation | Belief | AlterNet
The Ungodly Constitution: How the Founders Ensured America Would Not Be a Christian Nation | Belief | AlterNet
"Was the United States founded as a Christian nation, meaning that the framers of the Constitution established a government whose laws would not only reflect but also enforce the rules of a particular brand of Christianity? No, period."
"Was the United States founded as a Christian nation, meaning that the framers of the Constitution established a government whose laws would not only reflect but also enforce the rules of a particular brand of Christianity? No, period."
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Limbaugh and Right Wing Media Brethren Go After Obama With Racism--Again! | AlterNet
Limbaugh and Right Wing Media Brethren Go After Obama With Racism--Again! | AlterNet
"As the election season heats up, so does the racism, hardly even veiled, from the extreme edges of the Right Wing--aimed squarely at President Obama."
"As the election season heats up, so does the racism, hardly even veiled, from the extreme edges of the Right Wing--aimed squarely at President Obama."
The Loch Ness Monster Is Real; The KKK Is Good: The Shocking Content of Publicly Paid for Christian School Textbooks | Education | AlterNet
The Loch Ness Monster Is Real; The KKK Is Good: The Shocking Content of Publicly Paid for Christian School Textbooks | Education | AlterNet
"Like the ACE curriculum, A Beka and Bob Jones textbooks promote Young-Earth creationism, are heavily laden with political bias, and at times verge on racism. As shown in the following video, among the dubious, factually incorrect, politically tendentious, and racially and culturally insensitive claims in A Beka Book and Bob Jones University Press textbooks are the following:
- Only ten percent of Africans can read or write, because Christian mission schools have been shut down by communists.
- "the [Ku Klux] Klan in some areas of the country tried to be a means of reform, fighting the decline in morality and using the symbol of the cross... In some communities it achieved a certain respectability as it worked with politicians."
- "God used the 'Trail of Tears' to bring many Indians to Christ."
- It "cannot be shown scientifically that that man-made pollutants will one day drastically reduce the depth of the atmosphere's ozone layer."
- "God has provided certain 'checks and balances' in creation to prevent many of the global upsets that have been predicted by environmentalists."
- the Great Depression was exaggerated by propagandists, including John Steinbeck, to advance a socialist agenda.
- "Unions have always been plagued by socialists and anarchists who use laborers to destroy the free-enterprise system that hardworking Americans have created."
- Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential win was due to an imaginary economic crisis created by the media."
"Like the ACE curriculum, A Beka and Bob Jones textbooks promote Young-Earth creationism, are heavily laden with political bias, and at times verge on racism. As shown in the following video, among the dubious, factually incorrect, politically tendentious, and racially and culturally insensitive claims in A Beka Book and Bob Jones University Press textbooks are the following:
- Only ten percent of Africans can read or write, because Christian mission schools have been shut down by communists.
- "the [Ku Klux] Klan in some areas of the country tried to be a means of reform, fighting the decline in morality and using the symbol of the cross... In some communities it achieved a certain respectability as it worked with politicians."
- "God used the 'Trail of Tears' to bring many Indians to Christ."
- It "cannot be shown scientifically that that man-made pollutants will one day drastically reduce the depth of the atmosphere's ozone layer."
- "God has provided certain 'checks and balances' in creation to prevent many of the global upsets that have been predicted by environmentalists."
- the Great Depression was exaggerated by propagandists, including John Steinbeck, to advance a socialist agenda.
- "Unions have always been plagued by socialists and anarchists who use laborers to destroy the free-enterprise system that hardworking Americans have created."
- Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential win was due to an imaginary economic crisis created by the media."
Monday, June 18, 2012
Dark Ages Redux: American Politics and the End of the Enlightenment | Common Dreams
Dark Ages Redux: American Politics and the End of the Enlightenment | Common Dreams
"We are witnessing an epochal shift in our socio-political world. We are de-evolving, hurtling headlong into a past that was defined by serfs and lords; by necromancy and superstition; by policies based on fiat, not facts."
"We are witnessing an epochal shift in our socio-political world. We are de-evolving, hurtling headlong into a past that was defined by serfs and lords; by necromancy and superstition; by policies based on fiat, not facts."
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaign on the freedom of living without Medicare
Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan campaign on the freedom of living without Medicare
"Yes, we want to be free from Medicare, and that's what Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will deliver to us, if Romney's elected. That'll be true either with Ryan on the ticket with him, or continuing as the House budget leader. Ryan's and Romney's moral compass points to as much suffering for as many of the undeserving as they can ladle out, starting with ending Medicare."
"Yes, we want to be free from Medicare, and that's what Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will deliver to us, if Romney's elected. That'll be true either with Ryan on the ticket with him, or continuing as the House budget leader. Ryan's and Romney's moral compass points to as much suffering for as many of the undeserving as they can ladle out, starting with ending Medicare."
Republicans Love Big Government (So Long as It Serves Big Business) | Common Dreams
Republicans Love Big Government (So Long as It Serves Big Business) | Common Dreams
"...for conservatives the goal is not ensuring a decent standard of living for the bulk of the population. Rather the goal is ensuring that money is redistributed upward. And, of course, the conservatives are smart enough not to own up to their use of the government."
"...for conservatives the goal is not ensuring a decent standard of living for the bulk of the population. Rather the goal is ensuring that money is redistributed upward. And, of course, the conservatives are smart enough not to own up to their use of the government."
Birthers Erect ‘Obama Outhouse’ At Montana GOP Convention
Birthers Erect ‘Obama Outhouse’ At Montana GOP Convention: A shotgun, an outhouse, and a birth certificate stamped “bullshit” all made appearances at Montana’s GOP convention over the weekend. At Saturday’s convention in Missoula, Montana, a few convention-goers set up outside with an outhouse labeled “Obama’s Presidential Library.” But that wasn’t the most outrageous part. According to the Missoulian, the outhouse was also decorated [...]/p
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The Truth About Religion in America: The Founders Loathed Superstition and We Were Never a Christian Nation | Belief | AlterNet
The Truth About Religion in America: The Founders Loathed Superstition and We Were Never a Christian Nation | Belief | AlterNet
"The claim that America was founded as a Christian nation -- a favorite of Right-wing Christians -- is just not true."
"The claim that America was founded as a Christian nation -- a favorite of Right-wing Christians -- is just not true."
Friday, June 15, 2012
Tea Party Sen. Jim DeMint Wants JPMorgan CEO to 'Guide' Congress on Banking Regulation
Tea Party Sen. Jim DeMint Wants JPMorgan CEO to 'Guide' Congress on Banking Regulation
"Dimon announced in May that his firm had lost $2 billion gambling on derivatives, but only days later, experts said the losses had surged to at least $3 billion."
"Dimon announced in May that his firm had lost $2 billion gambling on derivatives, but only days later, experts said the losses had surged to at least $3 billion."
PERRspectives: Romney's Big Lie on the Economy Now Bigger than Ever
PERRspectives: Romney's Big Lie on the Economy Now Bigger than Ever
"Barack Obama entered office in 2009 as the Bush recession was in full swing. GDP had plummeted by a shocking 8.9 percent the previous quarter. 820,000 jobs were lost in January 2009 alone; all told 2.2 million evaporated in the three months before Obama's stimulus was passed in February. (That might explain why even three years after he left office, Americans still blame George W. Bush for the economic calamity he bequeathed to Barack Obama.) Now, even with the difficult recovery, the U.S. has produced 27 months of private sector job gains and a return to economic growth. And despite Romney's charge that President Obama's are "the most anti-investment, anti-business, anti-jobs series of polices in modern American history," the Dow Jones has jumped by 56 percent since January 20, 2009. Corporate profits are at record highs even as firms' tax burden continues to drop."
"Barack Obama entered office in 2009 as the Bush recession was in full swing. GDP had plummeted by a shocking 8.9 percent the previous quarter. 820,000 jobs were lost in January 2009 alone; all told 2.2 million evaporated in the three months before Obama's stimulus was passed in February. (That might explain why even three years after he left office, Americans still blame George W. Bush for the economic calamity he bequeathed to Barack Obama.) Now, even with the difficult recovery, the U.S. has produced 27 months of private sector job gains and a return to economic growth. And despite Romney's charge that President Obama's are "the most anti-investment, anti-business, anti-jobs series of polices in modern American history," the Dow Jones has jumped by 56 percent since January 20, 2009. Corporate profits are at record highs even as firms' tax burden continues to drop."
Thursday, June 14, 2012
5 Reasons Americans Are Right To Blame Bush For The Economy
5 Reasons Americans Are Right To Blame Bush For The Economy: Sixty-eight percent of Americans — including 49 percent of Republicans — say President George W. Bush is responsible for the state of today’s economy, a new Gallup poll finds. Indeed, the country is still reeling from Bush’s disastrous economic stewardship. His irresponsible tax cuts and deregulatory policies have contributed significantly to the slow recovery and [...]/p
Tea Party Sen. Jim DeMint Wants JPMorgan CEO to 'Guide' Congress on Banking Regulation
Tea Party Sen. Jim DeMint Wants JPMorgan CEO to 'Guide' Congress on Banking Regulation
"Tea party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) on Wednesday asked JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who recently announced that his company had lost at least $2 billion in the derivative market, to "guide" Congress in creating friendly banking regulations."
"Tea party favorite Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) on Wednesday asked JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who recently announced that his company had lost at least $2 billion in the derivative market, to "guide" Congress in creating friendly banking regulations."
Architect of Anti-Health Care Lawsuit Admits To His Broader Agenda — No National Child Labor Laws, No Minimum Wage
Architect of Anti-Health Care Lawsuit Admits To His Broader Agenda — No National Child Labor Laws, No Minimum Wage: The framers of our Constitution met in 1787 because the weak national governance adopted by the Articles of Confederation utterly failed. Their goal, in their own words, was to ensure that the federal government had the power to “legislate in all cases for the general interests of the Union, and also in those to which [...]/p
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
New York to Repeat Chicago’s Parking Privatization Catastrophe | Common Dreams
New York to Repeat Chicago’s Parking Privatization Catastrophe | Common Dreams
"Readers of my last book, Griftopia, might recall a chapter about the city of Chicago leasing 75 years of its parking meter revenue to a coterie of private investors, some of them from the Middle East. The end result was and is a political obscenity: Native Chicagoans are now completely at the mercy of private interests when it comes to parking rates, collections, even holidays. When elected officials in Illinois can’t shut off the parking meters on Abe Lincoln’s birthday because a bunch of sheiks in Dubai don’t want the revenue stream turned off even for a day, you know something has gone seriously sideways in the national body politic."
"Readers of my last book, Griftopia, might recall a chapter about the city of Chicago leasing 75 years of its parking meter revenue to a coterie of private investors, some of them from the Middle East. The end result was and is a political obscenity: Native Chicagoans are now completely at the mercy of private interests when it comes to parking rates, collections, even holidays. When elected officials in Illinois can’t shut off the parking meters on Abe Lincoln’s birthday because a bunch of sheiks in Dubai don’t want the revenue stream turned off even for a day, you know something has gone seriously sideways in the national body politic."
How Wall Street Hustles America's Cities and States Out of Billions | Economy | AlterNet
How Wall Street Hustles America's Cities and States Out of Billions | Economy | AlterNet
"We all know that America’s cities and towns are in the throes of a deep financial crisis. And are told, over and over, what’s supposedly behind it: unreasonable demands by grasping state and municipal workers for pay and pensions. The diagnosis is a grotesque cartoon. Many of the biggest budget busters are on Wall Street, not Main Street."
"We all know that America’s cities and towns are in the throes of a deep financial crisis. And are told, over and over, what’s supposedly behind it: unreasonable demands by grasping state and municipal workers for pay and pensions. The diagnosis is a grotesque cartoon. Many of the biggest budget busters are on Wall Street, not Main Street."
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The 10 Worst GOP Governors: What Horrors Did They Unleash in 2012? | | AlterNet
The 10 Worst GOP Governors: What Horrors Did They Unleash in 2012? | | AlterNet
"Across the country, Republican governors, many of them elected in the Tea Party wave of 2010, have undermined women's health, crushed workers' right to negotiate collectively, made it tougher to vote and imposed ideologically informed slash-and-burn policies on their populations, often with little attention from the mainstream media. Last summer, we reported on 10 of the worst GOP governors and what they were up to. Where are they now? Culling voter rolls, beating up on unions, trying to sneakily ban abortion—but also, in some cases, having their power checked by a determined opposition and being forced to concede some defeats. And in a couple of cases, they're under investigation. Here's our 2012 list of the worst GOP governors."
"Across the country, Republican governors, many of them elected in the Tea Party wave of 2010, have undermined women's health, crushed workers' right to negotiate collectively, made it tougher to vote and imposed ideologically informed slash-and-burn policies on their populations, often with little attention from the mainstream media. Last summer, we reported on 10 of the worst GOP governors and what they were up to. Where are they now? Culling voter rolls, beating up on unions, trying to sneakily ban abortion—but also, in some cases, having their power checked by a determined opposition and being forced to concede some defeats. And in a couple of cases, they're under investigation. Here's our 2012 list of the worst GOP governors."
Saturday, June 9, 2012
The Main Problem With Jobs Growth Is Lack Of Demand, Not Taxes
The Main Problem With Jobs Growth Is Lack Of Demand, Not Taxes
"In fact, economic experts say that a lack of demand for goods and services is the main factor dragging down jobs growth, and several recent surveys of small business owners show that lack of demand is their main concern."
"In fact, economic experts say that a lack of demand for goods and services is the main factor dragging down jobs growth, and several recent surveys of small business owners show that lack of demand is their main concern."
Friday, June 8, 2012
Florida’s Tea Party Government Picks Voter Purge Fight With Justice Department | | AlterNet
Florida’s Tea Party Government Picks Voter Purge Fight With Justice Department | | AlterNet
"The Tea Party Republican-run state of Florida is picking a nasty political fight with the U.S. Department of Justice over what it claims are federal obstructions to removing what it alleges may be up to 180,000 non-citizens on the state’s voter rolls."
"The Tea Party Republican-run state of Florida is picking a nasty political fight with the U.S. Department of Justice over what it claims are federal obstructions to removing what it alleges may be up to 180,000 non-citizens on the state’s voter rolls."
Friday, June 1, 2012
Will Brewing Corruption Scandals in Ohio Have an Impact on November's Election? | | AlterNet
Will Brewing Corruption Scandals in Ohio Have an Impact on November's Election? | | AlterNet
"Investigations by the FBI into campaign donations and strong-arm tactics in Ohio's Republican Party implicate big-name politicians, like anti-union Governor John Kasich."
"Investigations by the FBI into campaign donations and strong-arm tactics in Ohio's Republican Party implicate big-name politicians, like anti-union Governor John Kasich."
Shameless: Florida's Tea Party Governor Trying to Strip Voting Rights from Thousands | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
Shameless: Florida's Tea Party Governor Trying to Strip Voting Rights from Thousands | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
"even county election supervisors from Scott’s own party are saying the businessman-turned-governor’s latest gambit—claiming there are as many as 182,000 non-citizens among the state’s 11.2 million registered voters and having his appointed Secretary of State send out an initial list of 2,600 names to be purged—has crossed a line in the Florida sand, topping previous voter suppression efforts, and may violate two federal voting right laws."
"even county election supervisors from Scott’s own party are saying the businessman-turned-governor’s latest gambit—claiming there are as many as 182,000 non-citizens among the state’s 11.2 million registered voters and having his appointed Secretary of State send out an initial list of 2,600 names to be purged—has crossed a line in the Florida sand, topping previous voter suppression efforts, and may violate two federal voting right laws."
Thursday, May 31, 2012
White Supremacist With Ties To Neo-Nazi Groups Elected To Pennsylvania County GOP Committee
White Supremacist With Ties To Neo-Nazi Groups Elected To Pennsylvania County GOP Committee: Republicans in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania have elected Steve Smith, a lifelong white supremacist with close ties to neo-Nazi groups and groups like Aryan Nations, to the county’s GOP Committee. The elections, which took place in late April, were certified by the committee two weeks ago, and Smith notified supporters of his victory last week by [...]/p
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
New Jersey Governor Is Latest To Divert Foreclosure Settlement Aid Away From Needy Homeowners
New Jersey Governor Is Latest To Divert Foreclosure Settlement Aid Away From Needy Homeowners: Several states across the country, from Vermont to Wisconsin to California, have been taking some of the money they received from the foreclosure fraud settlement signed with the nation’s biggest banks and diverting it away from its intended purpose of providing relief to desperate homeowners. According to ProPublica, the total amount of money taken from [...]/p
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Documents Show That Scott Walker Lied to Congress
Documents Show That Scott Walker Lied to Congress
"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker testified before Congress that he started drafting the notorious Act 10 that stripped collective bargaining rights from most state employees in December, after Democrats in the state legislature attempted to pass pro-union contracts in a lame duck session after he won the election. But documents obtained by WTDY News in Wisconsin show that the Act was actually being worked on in November, just weeks after Walker was elected. Walker tried to tell Congress that he was just reacting to aggressive moves by Democrats, when, in reality, he planned to go after the rights of working families, it seems, from the very beginning."
"Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker testified before Congress that he started drafting the notorious Act 10 that stripped collective bargaining rights from most state employees in December, after Democrats in the state legislature attempted to pass pro-union contracts in a lame duck session after he won the election. But documents obtained by WTDY News in Wisconsin show that the Act was actually being worked on in November, just weeks after Walker was elected. Walker tried to tell Congress that he was just reacting to aggressive moves by Democrats, when, in reality, he planned to go after the rights of working families, it seems, from the very beginning."
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
After Slashing Funds For Health And Education, Ohio Prepares To Cut Taxes For Banks
After Slashing Funds For Health And Education, Ohio Prepares To Cut Taxes For Banks: During the Great Recession, Ohio has cut its budget to ribbons, reducing funds for health services, higher education, and K-12 education. The budget cuts are so severe that some towns might officially cease to exist (due to disincorporation). However, it seems that Gov. John Kasich (R-OH) and the Republican legislature feel that the state has [...]/p
Sheriff Joe Arpaio Admits Using Taxpayer Funds To Pursue Birther Conspiracy Probe: ‘So What?’
Sheriff Joe Arpaio Admits Using Taxpayer Funds To Pursue Birther Conspiracy Probe: ‘So What?’: In the year since President Obama released his long-form birth certificate, tax payers are partly-funding Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s investigation into whether or not the president was truly born in the United States. The Arizona Republic and the Honolulu Star-Advertiser report that two men identifying themselves as Michael Zullo and Brian Mackiewcz arrived at the [...]/p
Monday, May 21, 2012
Conservatives Are Hitting Rock Bottom | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
Conservatives Are Hitting Rock Bottom | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
"Today, American conservatism has degenerated into an intellectually and morally bankrupt ideology. It offers nothing more than bumper-sticker slogans that pander to the prejudices and ignorance of the lowest common denominator in order to enrich and empower an oligarchic elite. Angry, cruel and sneering, it is exemplified by the carnival barkers on talk radio and Fox News. High in volume, but devoid of substance, it has no long-term future because it lacks credible solutions to the range of very real problems American society is facing."
"Today, American conservatism has degenerated into an intellectually and morally bankrupt ideology. It offers nothing more than bumper-sticker slogans that pander to the prejudices and ignorance of the lowest common denominator in order to enrich and empower an oligarchic elite. Angry, cruel and sneering, it is exemplified by the carnival barkers on talk radio and Fox News. High in volume, but devoid of substance, it has no long-term future because it lacks credible solutions to the range of very real problems American society is facing."
FBI to Investigate Ohio Gov. John Kasich for Alleged Bribery.
FBI to Investigate Ohio Gov. John Kasich for Alleged Bribery.
"Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegations that he accepted bribes and used political appointments to reward or punish those that helped or hurt his allies. Kasich has never been thought of as particularly ethical, but these allegations are beyond what we've seen in the past:"
"Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for allegations that he accepted bribes and used political appointments to reward or punish those that helped or hurt his allies. Kasich has never been thought of as particularly ethical, but these allegations are beyond what we've seen in the past:"
HOW BANKS BOUGHT THE TEA PARTY: Cash Transforms Populist Insurgents To Reliable Vote For Financial Industry
HOW BANKS BOUGHT THE TEA PARTY: Cash Transforms Populist Insurgents To Reliable Vote For Financial Industry: The 15 freshmen Republican representatives in the House Tea Party Caucus each ran in 2010 on a populist anti-Wall Street message, highlighting their opposition to bank bailouts like the 2008 Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) and criticizing Washington for enabling the banking sector as it became “Too Big to Fail.” After winning, all fifteen received [...]/p
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Private-sector jobs grew far more under Democratic than Republican presidents, 1961-2012
Private-sector jobs grew far more under Democratic than Republican presidents, 1961-2012
"chart showing that between 1961 and 2012, the United States added 42 million private-sector jobs under Democratic presidents and 23.9 million private-sector jobs under Republican presidents, despite Republicans holding the presidency for 28 years during that period compared with 23 years for Democrats"
"chart showing that between 1961 and 2012, the United States added 42 million private-sector jobs under Democratic presidents and 23.9 million private-sector jobs under Republican presidents, despite Republicans holding the presidency for 28 years during that period compared with 23 years for Democrats"
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Surprise Senate Candidate Deb Fischer: Destroy The Constitution Or I’ll Destroy The Economy
Surprise Senate Candidate Deb Fischer: Destroy The Constitution Or I’ll Destroy The Economy: Yesterday, Nebraska GOP primary voters nominated dark horse candidate and state Sen. Deb Fischer as their candidate for an open U.S. Senate race this November. In choosing Fischer the Nebraska GOP aligns itself with a candidate who recently called for a very high stakes game of chicken — flirting with economic catastrophe in order to [...]/p
Friday, May 11, 2012
Insurers Will Pay $1.3 Billion In Rebates To 16 Million Consumers Because Of Obamacare
Insurers Will Pay $1.3 Billion In Rebates To 16 Million Consumers Because Of Obamacare: Thanks to a provision of the Affordable Care Act, 16 million consumers and businesses are expected to receive about $1.3 billion in rebates from health insurance companies, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The medical loss ratio rule requires insurers to spend at least 80 to 85 percent of premiums on patient care; if not, [...]/p
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Health Insurers Owe Millions In Rebates To Floridians Thanks To Obamacare Regulations
Health Insurers Owe Millions In Rebates To Floridians Thanks To Obamacare Regulations: Health insurance companies owe tens of millions to Florida policy holders after they failed to meet an Affordable Care Act provision that limits the amount of premium dollars that insurers can spend on overhead. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation report, Floridians could receive up to $149 million in rebates this summer, even though political [...]/p
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sen. Claire McCaskill Getting Beefed Up Security After Tea Party Activist Declares ‘We Have To Kill The Claire Bear’
Sen. Claire McCaskill Getting Beefed Up Security After Tea Party Activist Declares ‘We Have To Kill The Claire Bear’: Police are assigning extra security to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO) after a Tea Party activist declared at a rally last week, “We have to kill the Claire Bear ladies and gentlemen.” The rally was hosted by the group Tea Party Express, which is endorsing McCaskill challenger Sarah Steelman (R), who was in attendance at the [...]/p
Monday, May 7, 2012
Paul Ryan Challenged By Town Hall Constituents Over Previous Praise Of Ayn Rand
Paul Ryan Challenged By Town Hall Constituents Over Previous Praise Of Ayn Rand: JANESVILLE, Wisconsin — Last month, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) disavowed his one-time political muse, Ayn Rand, because of her “atheist philosophy.” Some of his constituents, however, aren’t buying it. Ryan praised Rand’s ideas at length during a 2005 gathering in her honor and declared that “the reason I got involved in public service, by and [...]/p
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Bush SCOTUS Runner-Up Warns Conservative Lawyers Away From The ‘Tea Party Constitution’
Bush SCOTUS Runner-Up Warns Conservative Lawyers Away From The ‘Tea Party Constitution’: Fourth Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, one of President George W. Bush’s five finalists for the Supreme Court seat that eventually went to Chief Justice Roberts, has emerged as one of the most outspoken conservative opponents of efforts to toss out the nearly 200 years of precedent establishing that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional. [...]/p
Friday, May 4, 2012
AZ House Candidate Jesse Kelly Etch A Sketches Earlier Plans To Privatize, Phase Out Entitlements
AZ House Candidate Jesse Kelly Etch A Sketches Earlier Plans To Privatize, Phase Out Entitlements: With the June 12 special election to fill the Arizona House seat left open by the resignation of Rep. Gabby Giffords (D) fast approaching, the Republican nominee Jesse Kelly has just launched a new attack ad against his Democratic opponent Ron Barber. In the ad and a newly revised section of his campaign website, Kelly [...]/p
CHART: Under Obama, Economy Has Recovered All Private Sector Jobs Lost During Bush Recession
CHART: Under Obama, Economy Has Recovered All Private Sector Jobs Lost During Bush Recession: Our guest blogger is Michael Linden, the Director of Tax and Budget Policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund. As of April, there are now more private sector jobs in the United States than there were in January 2009, when President Obama took office. You read that right. We have now replaced all [...]/p
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Why Is the Conservative Brain More Fearful? The Alternate Reality Right-Wingers Inhabit Is Terrifying | Media | AlterNet
Why Is the Conservative Brain More Fearful? The Alternate Reality Right-Wingers Inhabit Is Terrifying | Media | AlterNet
"Research suggests that conservatives are, on average, more susceptible to fear than those who identify themselves as liberals."
"Research suggests that conservatives are, on average, more susceptible to fear than those who identify themselves as liberals."
House GOP Would Slash Billions in Benefits for Low-Income Disabled Kids
House GOP Would Slash Billions in Benefits for Low-Income Disabled Kids: Our guest blogger is Rebecca Vallas from the SSI Coalition for Children and Families. House Republicans recently proposed billions of dollars in cuts to Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a critical income support for kids with severe disabilities who live in households with very low-income and assets. While the proposed cuts amount to just one 1/100th [...]/p
Why Republicans Love Citizens United, In One Chart
Why Republicans Love Citizens United, In One Chart: The following chart from the Center for Responsive Politics represents outside spending by non-candidate and party groups seeking to influence elections in every election cycle going back to 1990. As it demonstrates, such spending was on the rise even before the Supreme Court opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate influence on elections in the Citizens [...]/p
Why Republicans Love Citizens United, In One Chart
Why Republicans Love Citizens United, In One Chart: The following chart from the Center for Responsive Politics represents outside spending by non-candidate and party groups seeking to influence elections in every election cycle going back to 1990. As it demonstrates, such spending was on the rise even before the Supreme Court opened the floodgates to unlimited corporate influence on elections in the Citizens [...]/p
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tea Partiers Who Opposed Bank Bailout Take Campaign Donations From Bailed-Out Banks
Tea Partiers Who Opposed Bank Bailout Take Campaign Donations From Bailed-Out Banks: Tea Party-backed candidates swept into Washington in 2010 on a wave of opposition to bank bailouts. Now that they’re in Washington, however, their campaigns are drowning in campaign cash provided by the very banks that benefited from the Troubled Asset Relief Program. The 10 freshmen Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee who have Tea [...]/p
AZ Lawmakers Lash Out At Imaginary United Nations Conspiracy With Assault On All Poverty & Environmental Laws
AZ Lawmakers Lash Out At Imaginary United Nations Conspiracy With Assault On All Poverty & Environmental Laws: Earlier this year, Texas U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz touted a bizarre conspiracy theory claiming that George Soros secretly partnered with the United Nations to eliminate the game of golf. Seriously, we aren’t making this up. Unfortunately, this fantasy isn’t limited to just one unusually radical candidate for elected office. Rather, the Arizona House is [...]/p
Thursday, April 26, 2012
PERRspectives: Romney's "Vision" Blind to Economic History
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."
"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."
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