http://www.occupydemocrats.com/american-medical-association-obamacare-is-a-huge-success-gop-is-wrong/
"The Journal of the American Medical Association has just released a report declaring the Affordable Care Act a rousing success, especially for minorities without healthcare."
Friday, July 31, 2015
50 Years Later, Medicare And Medicaid Are A Smashing Success
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/07/30/3686092/medicare-medicaid-50/
"50 years after their creation, Medicaid and Medicare are very popular programs, ranked by Americans as the most important in the country."
"50 years after their creation, Medicaid and Medicare are very popular programs, ranked by Americans as the most important in the country."
Bernie Sanders: We Need Medicare for All, Not Cutbacks That Will Kill Our Seniors @alternet
Bernie Sanders: We Need Medicare for All, Not Cutbacks That Will Kill Our Seniors @alternet
"The coalition of nurses and other health care professionals have organized a day of actions including lobbying legislators in Washington to encourage expanding Medicare for all. Other cities including Boston, Detroit, El Paso, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oakland, Portland, Maine, St. Paul, and Lakewood, Ohio will be holding rallies, town hall meetings, parties, picnics and barbecues where nurses and other health care workers can celebrate the success of Medicare and talk about ways to expand the program to cover more people."
"The coalition of nurses and other health care professionals have organized a day of actions including lobbying legislators in Washington to encourage expanding Medicare for all. Other cities including Boston, Detroit, El Paso, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oakland, Portland, Maine, St. Paul, and Lakewood, Ohio will be holding rallies, town hall meetings, parties, picnics and barbecues where nurses and other health care workers can celebrate the success of Medicare and talk about ways to expand the program to cover more people."
Bernie Sanders Draws Army of 100,000 Volunteers to First Nationwide Organizing Event @alternet
Bernie Sanders Draws Army of 100,000 Volunteers to First Nationwide Organizing Event @alternet
"The Sanders campaign has long organized itself around the principle that organizing people is the only way to take on organized money. With the massive crowds the candidate is drawing at every stop and the enormous volunteer base they have gathered, it looks like they will get a chance to test their theory."
"The Sanders campaign has long organized itself around the principle that organizing people is the only way to take on organized money. With the massive crowds the candidate is drawing at every stop and the enormous volunteer base they have gathered, it looks like they will get a chance to test their theory."
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Happy 50th birthday, Medicare!
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/30/1407284/-Happy-50th-birthday-Medicare
"Turning Medicare into a voucher program is basically ending it. Republicans know that, the American people know that, which is why the proposal is hugely unpopular."
"Turning Medicare into a voucher program is basically ending it. Republicans know that, the American people know that, which is why the proposal is hugely unpopular."
Sanders Makes History With 2016 Cycle's Biggest Campaign Event Yet
Sanders Makes History With 2016 Cycle's Biggest Campaign Event Yet
"Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders addressed an estimated 100,000 supporters at more than 3,500 house parties in all 50 states on Wednesday night, at what is being called the largest campaign event of the 2016 election cycle thus far."
"Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders addressed an estimated 100,000 supporters at more than 3,500 house parties in all 50 states on Wednesday night, at what is being called the largest campaign event of the 2016 election cycle thus far."
Bernie Electrifies Crowds In Louisiana With Climate Change Message
Bernie Electrifies Crowds In Louisiana With Climate Change Message
"After speaking about the importance of doing away with Citizens United, Sanders credited Pope Francis for doing a good job highlighting the need for action on climate change."
"After speaking about the importance of doing away with Citizens United, Sanders credited Pope Francis for doing a good job highlighting the need for action on climate change."
Get Ready for Scott Walker… and the Ruthless Politics of Walkerism
http://www.thenation.com/article/get-ready-for-scott-walkerand-the-ruthless-politics-of-walkerism/
"Walker’s allies have also poured money into election campaigns for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where a conservative majority has steadily upheld the governor’s most controversial moves—including those weakening the political hand of the state’s once-powerful labor unions. Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, a stickler for judicial independence, refused to dance to Walker’s tune, so his legislative allies crafted a constitutional amendment rewriting the rules for choosing the chief justice; his corporate allies funded a campaign to enact it; and Abrahamson was removed from her powerful office in April. Two months later, when the court shut down an inquiry into alleged wrongdoing during the governor’s recall election—and, in so doing, effectively trashed the state’s remaining campaign-finance laws—Justice Abrahamson warned that the decision would usher in an era of “anything goes” politics. That was just fine by Walker, who immediately moved to shut down the state agency that enforced election and ethics rules.
This is the record that Scott Walker will not discuss on the 2016 campaign trail, where he is positioning himself as the party’s most palatable conservative."
"Walker’s allies have also poured money into election campaigns for the Wisconsin Supreme Court, where a conservative majority has steadily upheld the governor’s most controversial moves—including those weakening the political hand of the state’s once-powerful labor unions. Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, a stickler for judicial independence, refused to dance to Walker’s tune, so his legislative allies crafted a constitutional amendment rewriting the rules for choosing the chief justice; his corporate allies funded a campaign to enact it; and Abrahamson was removed from her powerful office in April. Two months later, when the court shut down an inquiry into alleged wrongdoing during the governor’s recall election—and, in so doing, effectively trashed the state’s remaining campaign-finance laws—Justice Abrahamson warned that the decision would usher in an era of “anything goes” politics. That was just fine by Walker, who immediately moved to shut down the state agency that enforced election and ethics rules.
This is the record that Scott Walker will not discuss on the 2016 campaign trail, where he is positioning himself as the party’s most palatable conservative."
This Map Shows Where People Are More Likely To Die Young–Sorry, Republicans (IMAGES)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/29/this-map-shows-where-people-are-more-likely-to-die-young-sorry-republicans-images/
"According to the National Institute of Health, if the universe re-purposes your energy before age 75, you have died prematurely. If you have died prematurely, chances of you having lived in a red state are much higher than if you had lived where people rely less on religion and more on science.
Science, which is frowned upon through most of the south and in the more rural states, assists people who believe in it with information about things like preventable deaths from heart disease, cancer, stroke and more.
Red states, particularly in the South, have a much higher rate of premature death than the progressive states of the Northeast, the heavily unionized states of the midwest and the exceedingly liberal “left coast” of California. According to the CDC, a massive portion of the premature death in the South would be preventable with adequate education, health care and personal responsibility.
Oh, the irony."
"According to the National Institute of Health, if the universe re-purposes your energy before age 75, you have died prematurely. If you have died prematurely, chances of you having lived in a red state are much higher than if you had lived where people rely less on religion and more on science.
Science, which is frowned upon through most of the south and in the more rural states, assists people who believe in it with information about things like preventable deaths from heart disease, cancer, stroke and more.
Red states, particularly in the South, have a much higher rate of premature death than the progressive states of the Northeast, the heavily unionized states of the midwest and the exceedingly liberal “left coast” of California. According to the CDC, a massive portion of the premature death in the South would be preventable with adequate education, health care and personal responsibility.
Oh, the irony."
How the 2000 Election in Florida Led to a New Wave of Voter Disenfranchisement
http://www.thenation.com/article/how-the-2000-election-in-florida-led-to-a-new-wave-of-voter-disenfranchisement/
"The 2000 election in Florida forever changed American politics and kicked off a new wave of GOP-led voter disenfranchisement efforts."
"The 2000 election in Florida forever changed American politics and kicked off a new wave of GOP-led voter disenfranchisement efforts."
How Corrupt Lawyer Ted Cruz Helped George W. Bush Steal The 2000 Election
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/how-corrupt-lawyer-ted-cruz-helped-george-w-bush-steal-the-2000-election/
"Jeb Bush’s role in the criminal misuse of the governor’s powers is well known by this point. What is less known is the role of another 2016 GOP candidate. The legal team whose machinations put George W. in the White House was put together by none other then Ted Cruz.
Cruz had formerly clerked for Chief Justice Willam H. Rehnquist, and one of his first calls was to John Roberts, the man who is now in his tenth year as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Cruz told the New York Times that “We started to assemble a team of the best lawyers and in particular the best Supreme Court lawyers in the country, and John’s name naturally came near the top of the list.” Roberts had also previously clerked for Rehnquist and was known to be a voracious opponent of voter’s rights."
"Jeb Bush’s role in the criminal misuse of the governor’s powers is well known by this point. What is less known is the role of another 2016 GOP candidate. The legal team whose machinations put George W. in the White House was put together by none other then Ted Cruz.
Cruz had formerly clerked for Chief Justice Willam H. Rehnquist, and one of his first calls was to John Roberts, the man who is now in his tenth year as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Cruz told the New York Times that “We started to assemble a team of the best lawyers and in particular the best Supreme Court lawyers in the country, and John’s name naturally came near the top of the list.” Roberts had also previously clerked for Rehnquist and was known to be a voracious opponent of voter’s rights."
Minimum Wage Tracker
http://www.epi.org/minimum-wage-tracker/#/min_wage/Massachusetts
"In the absence of action at the national level, many states and localities have raised their own minimum wages. Explore the map to see how these rapidly changing laws differ across the country"
"In the absence of action at the national level, many states and localities have raised their own minimum wages. Explore the map to see how these rapidly changing laws differ across the country"
How the American South Drives the Low-Wage Economy
How the American South Drives the Low-Wage Economy
"the Southern labor system (with low pay and no unions) is wending its way north."
"the Southern labor system (with low pay and no unions) is wending its way north."
The Koch Brothers & Rubio Launch Plot To Wreck & Privatize Vets’ Healthcare
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/the-koch-brothers-rubio-launch-plot-to-wreck-privatize-vets-healthcare-3/
"Behind the movement to pass these bills is a group called Concerned Veterans of America (CVA), who are funded by- you guessed it- Charles and David Koch, America’s oligarchs. While pretending to represent veterans interests, they in fact are just another part of the Kochtopus, the network of groups like Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and the American Legislative Council (ALEC) or the other seventy-plus groups that are worming their devious tentacles into American politics."
"Behind the movement to pass these bills is a group called Concerned Veterans of America (CVA), who are funded by- you guessed it- Charles and David Koch, America’s oligarchs. While pretending to represent veterans interests, they in fact are just another part of the Kochtopus, the network of groups like Americans for Prosperity (AFP) and the American Legislative Council (ALEC) or the other seventy-plus groups that are worming their devious tentacles into American politics."
Obamacare, more health insurance and more health care
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/28/1406555/-Obamacare-more-health-insurance-and-more-health-care
"Obamacare improved key health-care measurements for millions of Americans, reversing a troubling trend, a new study strongly suggests. The study found marked gains in the number of people with insurance—as other research has repeatedly confirmed—as well as improved access to doctors and medications, affordable health care and good health status after implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
But the research published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association also noted that the the gains in health coverage and access to care for low-income adults were particularly striking in states that expanded their Medicaid programs under the ACA to include more poor people."
"Obamacare improved key health-care measurements for millions of Americans, reversing a troubling trend, a new study strongly suggests. The study found marked gains in the number of people with insurance—as other research has repeatedly confirmed—as well as improved access to doctors and medications, affordable health care and good health status after implementation of the Affordable Care Act.
But the research published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association also noted that the the gains in health coverage and access to care for low-income adults were particularly striking in states that expanded their Medicaid programs under the ACA to include more poor people."
How Big Corporations Cheat Public Education
How Big Corporations Cheat Public Education
"All of our technology, securities trading, medicine, infrastructure, and national security have their roots in public research and development. The majority (57 percent) of basic research, the essential startup work for products that don't yet yield profits, is paid for by our tax dollars.
But big business apparently views its tax responsibility as a burden to be avoided at the expense of the rest of us."
"All of our technology, securities trading, medicine, infrastructure, and national security have their roots in public research and development. The majority (57 percent) of basic research, the essential startup work for products that don't yet yield profits, is paid for by our tax dollars.
But big business apparently views its tax responsibility as a burden to be avoided at the expense of the rest of us."
Paul Krugman Decimates Jeb Bush's Medicare Delusion @alternet
Paul Krugman Decimates Jeb Bush's Medicare Delusion @alternet
"Jeb Bush's declaration that he wants to "figure out a way to phase out" Medicare last week—and his campaign's immediate lame back-pedaling— came as no big surprise to Paul Krugman."
"Jeb Bush's declaration that he wants to "figure out a way to phase out" Medicare last week—and his campaign's immediate lame back-pedaling— came as no big surprise to Paul Krugman."
Obama Vows To Veto Any Republican Bill That Repeals Wall Street Reform
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/25/obama-vows-veto-republican-bill-repeals-wall-street-reform.html
"If Republicans want to challenge Obama and Congressional liberals on this issue, they are going to run into a brick wall."
"If Republicans want to challenge Obama and Congressional liberals on this issue, they are going to run into a brick wall."
Bought And Paid For: Wisconsin Supreme Court Saves Scott Walker From Corruption Charges
Bought And Paid For: Wisconsin Supreme Court Saves Scott Walker From Corruption Charges
"Walker was being investigated for breaking campaign finance laws and corruption during his 2012 recall election. It was alleged that he coordinated with various conservative groups – which is against the law. Well, he won’t have to worry about that anymore because the case was thrown out by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a 4-2 decision, with all evidence ordered to be returned and destroyed. To top it off, the four justices who ruled to throw out the case against Walker all received campaign funds from the groups Walker was alleged to have conspired with illegally."
"Walker was being investigated for breaking campaign finance laws and corruption during his 2012 recall election. It was alleged that he coordinated with various conservative groups – which is against the law. Well, he won’t have to worry about that anymore because the case was thrown out by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in a 4-2 decision, with all evidence ordered to be returned and destroyed. To top it off, the four justices who ruled to throw out the case against Walker all received campaign funds from the groups Walker was alleged to have conspired with illegally."
Trump: I Would ‘Love’ to Have Sarah Palin In My Cabinet, ‘She’s A Special Person’
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/trump-i-would-love-to-have-sarah-palin-in-my-cabinet-shes-a-special-person/
"Palin has managed to make a cool mint out of exploiting America’s only limitless resource: ignorance. Her most recent scandal has been getting caught skimming from her own SuperPAC, SarahPac, and treating it like her personal bank account. But none of these massive ethical lapses mean anything to Donald Trump, who himself is being sued for defrauding thousands of people with his “Trump University” scam.
Appearing on the “The Palin Update,” a show dedicated to all things Palin (like she needs even more unnecessary attention), Trump actually called Palin a “tough and smart” leader who bravely stood up to “disgusting lies.” For those of use with real functioning brain cells, we know that Sarah is neither tough (she quit her elected post as Alaska Governor) nor smart (just YouTube search any of her speeches). Furthermore, we know that it was that vile woman who perpetuated every lie in the book, particularly about President Obama and Roy Ayers."
"Palin has managed to make a cool mint out of exploiting America’s only limitless resource: ignorance. Her most recent scandal has been getting caught skimming from her own SuperPAC, SarahPac, and treating it like her personal bank account. But none of these massive ethical lapses mean anything to Donald Trump, who himself is being sued for defrauding thousands of people with his “Trump University” scam.
Appearing on the “The Palin Update,” a show dedicated to all things Palin (like she needs even more unnecessary attention), Trump actually called Palin a “tough and smart” leader who bravely stood up to “disgusting lies.” For those of use with real functioning brain cells, we know that Sarah is neither tough (she quit her elected post as Alaska Governor) nor smart (just YouTube search any of her speeches). Furthermore, we know that it was that vile woman who perpetuated every lie in the book, particularly about President Obama and Roy Ayers."
Sarah Palin In A Trump Administration? Apparently So.
Sarah Palin In A Trump Administration? Apparently So.
"Isn't she out grifting to fill her PAC with more grifty bucks to maintain her lavish lifestyle?"
"Isn't she out grifting to fill her PAC with more grifty bucks to maintain her lavish lifestyle?"
Donald Trump Promises To Put Sarah Palin In His Cabinet If He Is Elected President
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/28/donald-trump-promises-put-sarah-palin-cabinet-elected-president.html
"There are only two things that Sarah Palin has ever been good at, and they are failing and quitting. If America did not have enough of a reason to vote against Donald Trump, the idea of Palin serving in a presidential cabinet should be enough to scare voters away in droves.
The Trump circus is an out of control joke that has now added Sarah Palin as a featured clown. It is impossible to imagine Donald Trump’s cabinet because this man is never going to be elected president. It is natural that two phonies who have been playing Republicans for years with empty bluster and cartoonish behavior would team up to suck all of the oxygen out of the 2016 campaign.
Just when voters thought that the Republican primary could get less intelligent, Sarah Palin and Donald Trump have teamed up form the ultimate dumb Republican dream team."
"There are only two things that Sarah Palin has ever been good at, and they are failing and quitting. If America did not have enough of a reason to vote against Donald Trump, the idea of Palin serving in a presidential cabinet should be enough to scare voters away in droves.
The Trump circus is an out of control joke that has now added Sarah Palin as a featured clown. It is impossible to imagine Donald Trump’s cabinet because this man is never going to be elected president. It is natural that two phonies who have been playing Republicans for years with empty bluster and cartoonish behavior would team up to suck all of the oxygen out of the 2016 campaign.
Just when voters thought that the Republican primary could get less intelligent, Sarah Palin and Donald Trump have teamed up form the ultimate dumb Republican dream team."
House Republicans Invite Architect Of The Financial Crisis Over For Advice
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/07/28/3684707/phil-gramm-peter-wallison-dodd-frank-hearing/
"Gramm brings a history of interfering with America’s regulators to Capitol Hill just as lawmakers are trying to use the budget process to tear down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) independence and remake it in the image of other regulators that are more subject to legislator influence. The attack on CFPB structures is just the latest in a long string of maneuvers to sabotage Dodd-Frank reform."
"Gramm brings a history of interfering with America’s regulators to Capitol Hill just as lawmakers are trying to use the budget process to tear down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) independence and remake it in the image of other regulators that are more subject to legislator influence. The attack on CFPB structures is just the latest in a long string of maneuvers to sabotage Dodd-Frank reform."
IRS Surrenders To The Koch Brothers’ Dark Money, Gives Up On Regulating PACs
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/irs-surrenders-to-the-koch-brothers-dark-money-gives-up-on-regulating-pacs/
"His announcement comes on the heels of another decision earlier this year in which the commissioner said he would allow the political organizations who have disguised themselves as nonprofit “social welfare” groups to keep their tax exempt status as long as they only spend up to 49 percent of their revenue on political activity.
The IRS has been under attack from the GOP ever since they began investigating just where the Tea Party groups came from, and where the war-chests that toppled mainstream Republicans from their seats and began rapidly radicalizing American politics. The GOP erupted in self-righteous fury, accusing the IRS of bias and that conservative ‘nonprofits’ were being unfairly targeted by the I.R.S. Even though it was quickly discovered the left-leaning groups were given the same scrutiny that Tea Party groups were given, but that didn’t stop the hysterical cries of victimization and government overreach that fulfilled their purpose- to draw attention away from the puppet masters- the Koch Brothers. Since then, the GOP has been steadily cutting away funding from the I.R.S, hindering them from fulfilling their most basic functions.
Now, they are backing down from the Kochs and their dirty dollars once again. It is absolutely infuriating that Koskinen is not going to crack down on these groups, especially when you find out just how much money they are illegally spending on political activities."
"His announcement comes on the heels of another decision earlier this year in which the commissioner said he would allow the political organizations who have disguised themselves as nonprofit “social welfare” groups to keep their tax exempt status as long as they only spend up to 49 percent of their revenue on political activity.
The IRS has been under attack from the GOP ever since they began investigating just where the Tea Party groups came from, and where the war-chests that toppled mainstream Republicans from their seats and began rapidly radicalizing American politics. The GOP erupted in self-righteous fury, accusing the IRS of bias and that conservative ‘nonprofits’ were being unfairly targeted by the I.R.S. Even though it was quickly discovered the left-leaning groups were given the same scrutiny that Tea Party groups were given, but that didn’t stop the hysterical cries of victimization and government overreach that fulfilled their purpose- to draw attention away from the puppet masters- the Koch Brothers. Since then, the GOP has been steadily cutting away funding from the I.R.S, hindering them from fulfilling their most basic functions.
Now, they are backing down from the Kochs and their dirty dollars once again. It is absolutely infuriating that Koskinen is not going to crack down on these groups, especially when you find out just how much money they are illegally spending on political activities."
Former US Ambassadors To Israel Just Wrote A Letter Supporting The President On Iran
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/27/former-us-ambassadors-to-israel-just-wrote-a-letter-supporting-the-president-on-iran/
"However, one group of individuals who actually sides with the president and his deal with Iran, are several former U.S. ambassadors to Israel. Yes, the same Israel Republicans like to use in their fear-mongering game."
"However, one group of individuals who actually sides with the president and his deal with Iran, are several former U.S. ambassadors to Israel. Yes, the same Israel Republicans like to use in their fear-mongering game."
PERRspectives: For Mike Huckabee, Everything is the Holocaust
PERRspectives: For Mike Huckabee, Everything is the Holocaust
"While Mike Huckabee and his Republican fellow travelers are comparing Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler, surveys show that most American Jews, like the American people overall, support the Iran nuclear deal. And with their cheapening of the greatest conflagration ever visited upon any people in history, Mike Huckabee and his right-wing ilk are helping ensure that Jewish voters remain Democratic."
"While Mike Huckabee and his Republican fellow travelers are comparing Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler, surveys show that most American Jews, like the American people overall, support the Iran nuclear deal. And with their cheapening of the greatest conflagration ever visited upon any people in history, Mike Huckabee and his right-wing ilk are helping ensure that Jewish voters remain Democratic."
WHAT? Chuck – It’s Not My Job To Ask Questions – Todd Is Getting A Show On MSNBC
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/23/what-chuck-its-not-my-job-to-ask-questions-todd-is-getting-a-show-on-msnbc/
"Todd is a mouthpiece for corporate media and conservatives."
"Todd is a mouthpiece for corporate media and conservatives."
Bernie Sanders Blasts MSNBC and Comcast For Canceling Ed Schultz
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/23/bernie-sanders-blasts-msnbc-comcast-canceling-ed-schultz.html
"The decision to replace Schultz’s voice with that of NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd made MSNBC’s new direction obvious.
They don’t get much more corporate than Chuck Todd." This is what happens when republicans run all the corporate channels. They can't have working class people learning about things like Citizens United. That would threaten all the profits they will earn via Super Pacs.
"The decision to replace Schultz’s voice with that of NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd made MSNBC’s new direction obvious.
They don’t get much more corporate than Chuck Todd." This is what happens when republicans run all the corporate channels. They can't have working class people learning about things like Citizens United. That would threaten all the profits they will earn via Super Pacs.
Chuck Todd Must Be Stopped Before He Destroys America
http://www.breitbartunmasked.com/2015/07/28/chuck-todd-must-be-stopped-before-he-destroys-america/
"In the latest sign of this disturbing Toddian trend towards fake, right wing-friendly news, this past Sunday’s Meet The Press saw a panel discuss the completely-discredited David Daleiden smear videos of Planned Parenthood as if they represent a factual reality of some kind rather than a fraud being perpetrated on the news-consuming public. Daleiden made sure that Republicans saw the videos early so they could be unified in their response, so of course Todd made sure to mention that unity of purpose as a sign of strength instead of foul play — and wondered aloud whether Planned Parenthood is doomed on this fallacious basis. Who cares if the evidence is a series of bald-faced lies? Only the drama is a subject worthy of discussion! Never mind the immense damage to American public health that would ensue if millions of low-income women lost access to prenatal care, pap smears, and contraception as the result of proven fabrications. Poor women dying of preventable causes aren’t an appropriate use of air time on Very Serious Programs, but fake videos are. See how that works?
Sadly, we are still frighteningly close to experiencing Nigerian yellowcake uranium and aluminum tubes all over again. When mainstream news has been fully Drudgified and Breitbartized, who will need lying White House neocons to start a war anymore? When vaccine deniers can drive the news cycle, is there any hope left for us? Hillary email nontroversies, Benghazi conspiracies, and a laundry-list of Bigfoot-style political sham issues stand to dominate yet another critical election cycle, blocking out honest discussion of important issues that have actual, real, not-imaginary impact on American lives. It has been six years since Deleiden’s rapetastic friend James O’Keefe destroyed the most important anti-poverty organization in the country with a similarly-contrived set of videos and a pre-arranged rapid Republican response, but our mainstream media organizations seem little better at screening out this smoke, and no more willing to fight these false fires, than they were back then.
Why is Daleiden treated like a rock star at the Koch brothers’ bill mill get-together? Because the right doesn’t care whether his videos are fake or not, and they know it won’t matter to Chuck Todd, either."
"In the latest sign of this disturbing Toddian trend towards fake, right wing-friendly news, this past Sunday’s Meet The Press saw a panel discuss the completely-discredited David Daleiden smear videos of Planned Parenthood as if they represent a factual reality of some kind rather than a fraud being perpetrated on the news-consuming public. Daleiden made sure that Republicans saw the videos early so they could be unified in their response, so of course Todd made sure to mention that unity of purpose as a sign of strength instead of foul play — and wondered aloud whether Planned Parenthood is doomed on this fallacious basis. Who cares if the evidence is a series of bald-faced lies? Only the drama is a subject worthy of discussion! Never mind the immense damage to American public health that would ensue if millions of low-income women lost access to prenatal care, pap smears, and contraception as the result of proven fabrications. Poor women dying of preventable causes aren’t an appropriate use of air time on Very Serious Programs, but fake videos are. See how that works?
Sadly, we are still frighteningly close to experiencing Nigerian yellowcake uranium and aluminum tubes all over again. When mainstream news has been fully Drudgified and Breitbartized, who will need lying White House neocons to start a war anymore? When vaccine deniers can drive the news cycle, is there any hope left for us? Hillary email nontroversies, Benghazi conspiracies, and a laundry-list of Bigfoot-style political sham issues stand to dominate yet another critical election cycle, blocking out honest discussion of important issues that have actual, real, not-imaginary impact on American lives. It has been six years since Deleiden’s rapetastic friend James O’Keefe destroyed the most important anti-poverty organization in the country with a similarly-contrived set of videos and a pre-arranged rapid Republican response, but our mainstream media organizations seem little better at screening out this smoke, and no more willing to fight these false fires, than they were back then.
Why is Daleiden treated like a rock star at the Koch brothers’ bill mill get-together? Because the right doesn’t care whether his videos are fake or not, and they know it won’t matter to Chuck Todd, either."
Veteran Editors And Journalists Rip NY Times' "Ready-Fire-Aim" Approach On Clinton Emails
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/07/28/veteran-editors-and-journalists-rip-ny-times-re/204637
"Veteran newspaper editors and other longtime journalists are harshly criticizing how The New York Times has handled its recent botched story related to Hillary Clinton's emails, calling out the paper for failing to take responsibility for its errors and for being slow to offer corrections for its mistakes sparked by anonymous sourcing."
"Veteran newspaper editors and other longtime journalists are harshly criticizing how The New York Times has handled its recent botched story related to Hillary Clinton's emails, calling out the paper for failing to take responsibility for its errors and for being slow to offer corrections for its mistakes sparked by anonymous sourcing."
Veteran Republicans Say Right-Wing Media Is "A Big Problem For The Party" In New Harvard Report
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/07/28/veteran-republicans-say-right-wing-media-is-a-b/204634
"The conservative media's influence on the Republican Party has become a key story during the 2016 presidential primary season. Fox News has an unprecedented media role in the process, as it is hosting the first Republican debate and using polling to cap the number of debate participants at 10. Candidates competing to get into the debates are now frequently appearing on the network's airwaves, and their allies are spending big money on advertising to reach Fox's conservative audience."
"The conservative media's influence on the Republican Party has become a key story during the 2016 presidential primary season. Fox News has an unprecedented media role in the process, as it is hosting the first Republican debate and using polling to cap the number of debate participants at 10. Candidates competing to get into the debates are now frequently appearing on the network's airwaves, and their allies are spending big money on advertising to reach Fox's conservative audience."
Paying the debate tax: Fox News’ debate caps are costing candidates big time — in both money and dignity
Paying the debate tax: Fox News’ debate caps are costing candidates big time — in both money and dignity
"What did they get by instituting these caps? Not just constant appearances from the candidates themselves in their desperate quests for exposure, but now feedback in the form of actual money, too."
"What did they get by instituting these caps? Not just constant appearances from the candidates themselves in their desperate quests for exposure, but now feedback in the form of actual money, too."
Mike Huckabee & Glenn Beck are right-wing con artists: How conservative icons are stoking fear & getting filthy rich
Mike Huckabee & Glenn Beck are right-wing con artists: How conservative icons are stoking fear & getting filthy rich
"The American conservative movement seems to be more about making money than influencing society. But is it really surprising that a movement which embraces fear, nationalism, and credulity is full of con-artists? The conservative extremist is a perfect candidate for being ripped off, with all of his or her distraught emotions being commodified. Whether it be paranoia of the government or nostalgia for classic American culture, when someone is full of such emotional zeal, it is easy to open up their wallets, and what better place for it to happen than the consumption crazed United States of America."
"The American conservative movement seems to be more about making money than influencing society. But is it really surprising that a movement which embraces fear, nationalism, and credulity is full of con-artists? The conservative extremist is a perfect candidate for being ripped off, with all of his or her distraught emotions being commodified. Whether it be paranoia of the government or nostalgia for classic American culture, when someone is full of such emotional zeal, it is easy to open up their wallets, and what better place for it to happen than the consumption crazed United States of America."
Mike Huckabee’s “Oven Door” Comments Condemned by Jewish Groups
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/27/mike-huckabees-oven-door-condemned-jewish-groups.html
"just another example of Republican extremism run amok, of a complete, Palinesque disregard for facts or feelings."
"just another example of Republican extremism run amok, of a complete, Palinesque disregard for facts or feelings."
Fox So-Called "News" Is "GOP TV" in the 21st Century
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/32046-fox-so-called-news-is-gop-tv-in-the-21st-century
"It's time to stop calling the Fox cable TV network a "news" network and start calling it what it is: a propaganda network for billionaires like Rupert Murdoch who own the Republican Party.
And, it's Roger Ailes' dream of "GOP TV" come to life.
Even though the network has long called itself a source of "Fair and Balanced News," the reality is that the network produces content that is anything but fair or balanced. And it's certainly not news.
Because much of the content that Fox puts out is propaganda for the Republican party and the billionaires that own the party."
"It's time to stop calling the Fox cable TV network a "news" network and start calling it what it is: a propaganda network for billionaires like Rupert Murdoch who own the Republican Party.
And, it's Roger Ailes' dream of "GOP TV" come to life.
Even though the network has long called itself a source of "Fair and Balanced News," the reality is that the network produces content that is anything but fair or balanced. And it's certainly not news.
Because much of the content that Fox puts out is propaganda for the Republican party and the billionaires that own the party."
Monday, July 27, 2015
10 Brutal Ways the American Safety Net Is Being Shredded @alternet
10 Brutal Ways the American Safety Net Is Being Shredded @alternet
"Republicans have been going after social security with a vengeance. The privatization of social security was proposed by President George W. Bush in 2004, and far-right Republicans, the Tea Party and wingnut lobbying groups like the Club for Growth have been doubling down on the idea of privatizing social security. GOP presidential hopeful Jeb Bush called for social security privatization at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire in June, and he also favors raising the social security retirement age to 69 or 70, which would be especially bad for blue-collar workers who have spent decades in physically demanding jobs."
"Republicans have been going after social security with a vengeance. The privatization of social security was proposed by President George W. Bush in 2004, and far-right Republicans, the Tea Party and wingnut lobbying groups like the Club for Growth have been doubling down on the idea of privatizing social security. GOP presidential hopeful Jeb Bush called for social security privatization at a town hall meeting in New Hampshire in June, and he also favors raising the social security retirement age to 69 or 70, which would be especially bad for blue-collar workers who have spent decades in physically demanding jobs."
Scott Walker Is the Belle of the ALEC Ball
Scott Walker Is the Belle of the ALEC Ball
"ALEC and Governor Walker are similar not just in the policies they push, but in their process and focus. ALEC's process and policy agenda doesn’t come from the people and doesn't benefit actual people. At ALEC, it's about circumventing those people so ALEC corporate members can maximize their profits by privatizing what is public."
"ALEC and Governor Walker are similar not just in the policies they push, but in their process and focus. ALEC's process and policy agenda doesn’t come from the people and doesn't benefit actual people. At ALEC, it's about circumventing those people so ALEC corporate members can maximize their profits by privatizing what is public."
Right-Wing ALEC Now Says School Vouchers Are for Kids in Suburbia, Not the Poor @alternet
Right-Wing ALEC Now Says School Vouchers Are for Kids in Suburbia, Not the Poor @alternet
"School vouchers were never about helping poor, at-risk or minority students. But selling them as social mobility tickets was a useful fiction that for some twenty-five years helped rightwing ideologues and corporate backers gain bipartisan support for an ideological scheme designed to privatize public schools."
"School vouchers were never about helping poor, at-risk or minority students. But selling them as social mobility tickets was a useful fiction that for some twenty-five years helped rightwing ideologues and corporate backers gain bipartisan support for an ideological scheme designed to privatize public schools."
ALEC Conference Funding Dominated by Big Polluters
ALEC Conference Funding Dominated by Big Polluters
"At the top of the agenda, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker spoke to ALEC delegates over breakfast on Thursday. Walker is now campaigning on a promise to destroy the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if elected President in 2016, a plan which was earlier debated by ALEC at its December 2014 conference and is in line with ALEC’s long-term legislative agenda."
"At the top of the agenda, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker spoke to ALEC delegates over breakfast on Thursday. Walker is now campaigning on a promise to destroy the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) if elected President in 2016, a plan which was earlier debated by ALEC at its December 2014 conference and is in line with ALEC’s long-term legislative agenda."
Under a Shroud of Secrecy and Security, ALEC Conference Gets Underway
Under a Shroud of Secrecy and Security, ALEC Conference Gets Underway
"ALEC is a three-legged stool consisting of state legislators, corporations and right wing think tanks that come together to push pro-corporation policies to maximize corporate profits, drive down workers’ wages and privatize everything."
"ALEC is a three-legged stool consisting of state legislators, corporations and right wing think tanks that come together to push pro-corporation policies to maximize corporate profits, drive down workers’ wages and privatize everything."
How Walker Turned 'Job Creation' Into a Goodie Bag for Campaign Donors
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/cafe/how-scott-walker-turned-job-creation-into-a-goodie-bag-for-campaign-donors
"From the iPhones, to a subsequent $11,000 expense for iPads, to millions in unmonitored loans, WEDC’s expenses were never congruent with its mission and the promised jobs never seemed to appear.
But more importantly, WEDC didn’t seem to care whether the jobs materialized or not. One underwriter said that “it was almost like they couldn't say ‘no’ to anybody.”
All of which raises an obvious question: if this agency isn’t creating jobs, what is it actually for?
Well, the list of recipients of WEDC grants and its generous taxpayer-funded forgivable loans is populated with Walker campaign donors."
"From the iPhones, to a subsequent $11,000 expense for iPads, to millions in unmonitored loans, WEDC’s expenses were never congruent with its mission and the promised jobs never seemed to appear.
But more importantly, WEDC didn’t seem to care whether the jobs materialized or not. One underwriter said that “it was almost like they couldn't say ‘no’ to anybody.”
All of which raises an obvious question: if this agency isn’t creating jobs, what is it actually for?
Well, the list of recipients of WEDC grants and its generous taxpayer-funded forgivable loans is populated with Walker campaign donors."
Rick Perry Loses As Court Rules That He Must Face Felony Abuse Of Power Charge
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/24/rick-perry-loses-court-rules-face-felony-abuse-power-charges.html
"Rick Perry has gone nowhere in the Republican presidential polls, but after losing another appeal, it is clear that the former governor has a better chance of living in prison than in the White House."
"Rick Perry has gone nowhere in the Republican presidential polls, but after losing another appeal, it is clear that the former governor has a better chance of living in prison than in the White House."
Jeb Bush And Scott Walker Campaign To Impress the Koch Brothers, Not the People
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/24/bush-walker-campaign-impress-koch-brothers-people.html
"the lure of nearly a billion dollars in campaign donations to put a Republican in the White House drives them to openly oppose the will of the people. It is not that Republicans opposing the people, or working against them, is anything new, but to openly campaign on serving the billionaire cabal is nearly as brazen as campaigning to abolish Medicare and eliminate agencies tasked to keep the election process fair and democratic."
"the lure of nearly a billion dollars in campaign donations to put a Republican in the White House drives them to openly oppose the will of the people. It is not that Republicans opposing the people, or working against them, is anything new, but to openly campaign on serving the billionaire cabal is nearly as brazen as campaigning to abolish Medicare and eliminate agencies tasked to keep the election process fair and democratic."
Jeb Bush Wants Us To Work More, Have No Benefits And No Medicare When We Retire
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/23/jeb-bush-wants-us-to-work-more-have-no-benefits-and-no-medicare-when-we-retire/
"Unfortunately, poor Republicans are too dumb to realize that they’d be voting against their own interests if they choose any of these guys."
"Unfortunately, poor Republicans are too dumb to realize that they’d be voting against their own interests if they choose any of these guys."
Mike Huckabee & Glenn Beck are right-wing con artists: How conservative icons are stoking fear & getting filthy rich
Mike Huckabee & Glenn Beck are right-wing con artists: How conservative icons are stoking fear & getting filthy rich
"The American conservative movement seems to be more about making money than influencing society. But is it really surprising that a movement which embraces fear, nationalism, and credulity is full of con-artists? The conservative extremist is a perfect candidate for being ripped off, with all of his or her distraught emotions being commodified. Whether it be paranoia of the government or nostalgia for classic American culture, when someone is full of such emotional zeal, it is easy to open up their wallets, and what better place for it to happen than the consumption crazed United States of America."
"The American conservative movement seems to be more about making money than influencing society. But is it really surprising that a movement which embraces fear, nationalism, and credulity is full of con-artists? The conservative extremist is a perfect candidate for being ripped off, with all of his or her distraught emotions being commodified. Whether it be paranoia of the government or nostalgia for classic American culture, when someone is full of such emotional zeal, it is easy to open up their wallets, and what better place for it to happen than the consumption crazed United States of America."
Meet Scientology’s favorite GOP governor: Why Greg Abbott is more dangerous than George W. Bush & Rick Perry
Meet Scientology’s favorite GOP governor: Why Greg Abbott is more dangerous than George W. Bush & Rick Perry
"Given what we know now, it’s only a matter of time before this heretofore unknown first term governor ends up locked in a doomsday bunker with Alex Jones, a lifetime supply of tinfoil, and videos of every Ron Paul floor speech playing on endless loop. Eerily, leaders like Abbott are becoming increasingly commonplace on the Republican side, so much so that Abbott and others are coming damn close to taking over the mainstream of the party — especially when coupled with the reality that Donald Trump is 14 points ahead of the second place candidate for the GOP presidential nomination. The Republicans are spiraling out of control, and there’s no end in sight."
"Given what we know now, it’s only a matter of time before this heretofore unknown first term governor ends up locked in a doomsday bunker with Alex Jones, a lifetime supply of tinfoil, and videos of every Ron Paul floor speech playing on endless loop. Eerily, leaders like Abbott are becoming increasingly commonplace on the Republican side, so much so that Abbott and others are coming damn close to taking over the mainstream of the party — especially when coupled with the reality that Donald Trump is 14 points ahead of the second place candidate for the GOP presidential nomination. The Republicans are spiraling out of control, and there’s no end in sight."
Deceptively Edited Videos And How The Media Keeps Playing The Same Game
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/07/23/deceptively-edited-videos-and-how-the-media-kee/204553
"The activists release a series of videos in an effort to build a big takedown story, and the press usually plays along. Meanwhile, activists coordinate with right-wing media players and members of Congress to generate simultaneous outrage over the clips.
The problem for the activists, and the problem for journalists who excitedly treat the clips as news, is that the videos invariably turn out to be doctored, filled with deceptive edits, and missing context in an effort to manufacture scandal."
"The activists release a series of videos in an effort to build a big takedown story, and the press usually plays along. Meanwhile, activists coordinate with right-wing media players and members of Congress to generate simultaneous outrage over the clips.
The problem for the activists, and the problem for journalists who excitedly treat the clips as news, is that the videos invariably turn out to be doctored, filled with deceptive edits, and missing context in an effort to manufacture scandal."
The Vast, Hidden Community Of Racial Hatred In America
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/07/23/3683234/vast-hidden-community-racial-hatred-america/
"Christian Identity refers to a swath of American religious sects that consider white Europeans, rather than the Jewish people, the true descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. According to the Anti-Defamation League, “many of the major conspiracies and violent acts by right-wing extremists in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s can be attributed in whole or in part to adherents of Christian Identity, including shooting sprees, bombings and bomb plots, and armed robberies. Christian Identity mingled with neo-Nazis, through groups such as Aryan Nations; it appealed to many racist skinheads; and it took root in a number of Klan groups, some of which became exclusively Christian Identity in nature.”
It was this ideology that reportedly stirred Larry McQuilliams, who was shot and killed by police last year after firing more than 100 rounds into the downtown Austin area and attempting to burn down the Mexican Consulate. McQuilliams was allegedly inspired by the book Vigilantes of Christendom, a notorious tract which claims that anyone who acts with violence against “race mixers,” homosexuals and abortionists is automatically drafted into the secretive and elite Phineas Priesthood."
"Christian Identity refers to a swath of American religious sects that consider white Europeans, rather than the Jewish people, the true descendants of the lost tribes of Israel. According to the Anti-Defamation League, “many of the major conspiracies and violent acts by right-wing extremists in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s can be attributed in whole or in part to adherents of Christian Identity, including shooting sprees, bombings and bomb plots, and armed robberies. Christian Identity mingled with neo-Nazis, through groups such as Aryan Nations; it appealed to many racist skinheads; and it took root in a number of Klan groups, some of which became exclusively Christian Identity in nature.”
It was this ideology that reportedly stirred Larry McQuilliams, who was shot and killed by police last year after firing more than 100 rounds into the downtown Austin area and attempting to burn down the Mexican Consulate. McQuilliams was allegedly inspired by the book Vigilantes of Christendom, a notorious tract which claims that anyone who acts with violence against “race mixers,” homosexuals and abortionists is automatically drafted into the secretive and elite Phineas Priesthood."
Tom Cotton blocks judges that might be hostile to contributors at his old law firm
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/21/1404329/-Tom-Cotton-blocks-judges-that-might-be-hostile-to-contributors-at-his-old-law-nbsp-firm
"In blocking the five new appointments, who have now been waiting 15 months for a vote, Cotton said that the court's workload just didn't justify having all sixteen seats filled. The chief judge of the court, Patricia E. Campbell-Smith, disagrees. He wrote to the Senate pleading for these appointments because "current judges face unrelenting deadlines for cases unique to that court—some of which involve national defense and national security—and the cases are complex and time-consuming." So no surprise that Cotton is full of it.
No surprise, either, that he learned so quickly how to maximize obstruction and do it on behalf of benefactors. The GOP must be holding special training sessions on that for incoming senators."
"In blocking the five new appointments, who have now been waiting 15 months for a vote, Cotton said that the court's workload just didn't justify having all sixteen seats filled. The chief judge of the court, Patricia E. Campbell-Smith, disagrees. He wrote to the Senate pleading for these appointments because "current judges face unrelenting deadlines for cases unique to that court—some of which involve national defense and national security—and the cases are complex and time-consuming." So no surprise that Cotton is full of it.
No surprise, either, that he learned so quickly how to maximize obstruction and do it on behalf of benefactors. The GOP must be holding special training sessions on that for incoming senators."
Another State Fails The Drug Test
Another State Fails The Drug Test
"it's cost taxpayers millions of dollars while doing little more than further stigmatizing poverty and marginalizing the poor.
The results are thin: According to USA Today, Arizona tested more than 87,000 welfare recipients in the three years after the program began. The total number of drug cheats caught was exactly one — a single positive result, which saved the state precisely $560."
"it's cost taxpayers millions of dollars while doing little more than further stigmatizing poverty and marginalizing the poor.
The results are thin: According to USA Today, Arizona tested more than 87,000 welfare recipients in the three years after the program began. The total number of drug cheats caught was exactly one — a single positive result, which saved the state precisely $560."
Meet ALEC’s Little Brother, ACCE
http://www.thenation.com/article/meet-alecs-little-brother-acce/
"So how has the American Legislative Exchange Council, a powerful lobby serving right-wing interests at the state level, responded to this resurgence of local democracy? With a systematic effort to destroy it.
ALEC task force director Cara Sullivan recently explained to a room full of local officials that when it comes to citizen movements supporting job creation and higher wages, “perhaps the biggest threat comes from the local level.”
Thankfully, she added, ALEC has a solution: “ALEC has passed…state legislation that preempts the polities from within the state from raising the minimum wage higher than the state level.” In other words, if living-wage campaigns succeed at the city or county level, state legislators should intervene, repeal, and ban any such advances."
"So how has the American Legislative Exchange Council, a powerful lobby serving right-wing interests at the state level, responded to this resurgence of local democracy? With a systematic effort to destroy it.
ALEC task force director Cara Sullivan recently explained to a room full of local officials that when it comes to citizen movements supporting job creation and higher wages, “perhaps the biggest threat comes from the local level.”
Thankfully, she added, ALEC has a solution: “ALEC has passed…state legislation that preempts the polities from within the state from raising the minimum wage higher than the state level.” In other words, if living-wage campaigns succeed at the city or county level, state legislators should intervene, repeal, and ban any such advances."
Elizabeth Warren Lets Primerica Prez Have It At Retirement Hearing
Elizabeth Warren Lets Primerica Prez Have It At Retirement Hearing
"On Tuesday, Senate Republicans invited Primerica President Peter Schneider to testify against proposed regulations that would protect retirement savings from sketchy financial schemes — and it didn’t take long before he wished they hadn’t."
"On Tuesday, Senate Republicans invited Primerica President Peter Schneider to testify against proposed regulations that would protect retirement savings from sketchy financial schemes — and it didn’t take long before he wished they hadn’t."
Democrats Drill Republicans By Hitting Them In The Koch With Supreme Court Ethics Bill
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/23/democrats-introduce-supreme-court-ethics-bill-kochs-pass.html
"Slaughter was referring to Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas Koch-funded attendance at a highly-secret Koch brother strategy meeting and corporate fundraiser with Citizens United plaintiffs prior to hearing and ruling that corporations are exempt from campaign finance laws according to their 1st Amendment right of free speech. She also noted that Clarence Thomas deliberately concealed hundreds-of-thousands of dollars paid to his wife by the “anti-Obamacare” conservative Heritage Foundation to lobby against the Affordable Care Act; even while the Supreme Court was taking up the Constitutionality of the healthcare insurance reform law."
"Slaughter was referring to Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas Koch-funded attendance at a highly-secret Koch brother strategy meeting and corporate fundraiser with Citizens United plaintiffs prior to hearing and ruling that corporations are exempt from campaign finance laws according to their 1st Amendment right of free speech. She also noted that Clarence Thomas deliberately concealed hundreds-of-thousands of dollars paid to his wife by the “anti-Obamacare” conservative Heritage Foundation to lobby against the Affordable Care Act; even while the Supreme Court was taking up the Constitutionality of the healthcare insurance reform law."
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Jeb Bush Wants You To Work Harder, But He Doesn’t Want You To Have ‘Benefits And Stuff’ (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/23/jeb-bush-wants-you-to-work-harder-but-he-doesnt-want-you-to-have-benefits-and-stuff-video/
"Perhaps we should appreciate Jeb’s honesty. At least with him, we know that he doesn’t give a flying fig about American workers, or for that matter, the American people. Bush has had almost no donations from private people, yet he’s miles away from the pack in fundraising, largely because of his Super PAC, which has raised a whopping $103 million, much of which is coming from the same people who supported his brother. I guess there’s something refreshing about a candidate who puts his priorities right on the table, but if you think we have an oligarchy now, watch out for Bush III."
"Perhaps we should appreciate Jeb’s honesty. At least with him, we know that he doesn’t give a flying fig about American workers, or for that matter, the American people. Bush has had almost no donations from private people, yet he’s miles away from the pack in fundraising, largely because of his Super PAC, which has raised a whopping $103 million, much of which is coming from the same people who supported his brother. I guess there’s something refreshing about a candidate who puts his priorities right on the table, but if you think we have an oligarchy now, watch out for Bush III."
Jeb Bush Quietly Suggests ‘Phasing Out’ Medicare
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/07/23/3683804/jeb-bush-medicare/
"Bush was speaking at event sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, a right-wing group backed by the billionaire Koch Brothers that has doggedly advocated against fully implementing the Affordable Care Act.
In his comments, Bush referenced Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) politically contentious plan to radically restructure the Medicare program — which independent analysts predicted would more than double health costs for the average 65-year-old"
"Bush was speaking at event sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, a right-wing group backed by the billionaire Koch Brothers that has doggedly advocated against fully implementing the Affordable Care Act.
In his comments, Bush referenced Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) politically contentious plan to radically restructure the Medicare program — which independent analysts predicted would more than double health costs for the average 65-year-old"
Democrats win as Social Security cuts removed from Senate highway bill
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/23/1405016/-Democrats-win-as-Social-Security-cuts-removed-from-Senate-highway-nbsp-bill
"Two provisions to cut Social Security benefits in the proposed highway bill caused Democrats in both the Senate and House to revolt. Democrats have succeeded in getting both of those provisions removed, but now Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is facing a serious challenge in getting the bill past his own party, in both chambers of Congress."
"Two provisions to cut Social Security benefits in the proposed highway bill caused Democrats in both the Senate and House to revolt. Democrats have succeeded in getting both of those provisions removed, but now Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is facing a serious challenge in getting the bill past his own party, in both chambers of Congress."
We Need To Phase Out Medicare, Says Jeb Bush at Koch Brothers Sponsored Event
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/23/phase-medicare-jeb-bush-koch-brothers-sponsored-event.html
"what passes as a winning argument in a room full of Koch brothers’ GOP lackeys and what passes as a winning argument with the American people are two very different things."
"what passes as a winning argument in a room full of Koch brothers’ GOP lackeys and what passes as a winning argument with the American people are two very different things."
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
Elizabeth Warren humiliates executive invited by Senate Republicans to defend opposition to financial regulations
Elizabeth Warren humiliates executive invited by Senate Republicans to defend opposition to financial regulations
"He never directly answered her very direct question, even though she asked a version of it three times."
"He never directly answered her very direct question, even though she asked a version of it three times."
Watch: Warren Rips A Finance Crook For Stealing Billions From Retiring Workers
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-warren-rips-a-finance-crook-for-stealing-billions-from-retiring-workers/
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) shames and embarrasses the president of Primerica, Peter Schneider, for the predatory and exploitative practices his company uses to pillage the retirement funds of thousands of American seniors."
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass) shames and embarrasses the president of Primerica, Peter Schneider, for the predatory and exploitative practices his company uses to pillage the retirement funds of thousands of American seniors."
Many Successes in Just a Few Years: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Turns 5
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/housing/news/2015/07/21/117803/many-successes-in-just-a-few-years-the-consumer-financial-protection-bureau-turns-5/
"The CFPB is the only financial regulator solely dedicated to protecting consumers, and as of July 2015, it has helped return more than $10.1 billion to more than 17 million consumers tricked by deceptive financial practices. For years, critics have argued that the agency is too powerful. But the CFPB’s track record of leveling the playing field between consumers and the financial services industry has proven that the agency is worthy of longevity."
"The CFPB is the only financial regulator solely dedicated to protecting consumers, and as of July 2015, it has helped return more than $10.1 billion to more than 17 million consumers tricked by deceptive financial practices. For years, critics have argued that the agency is too powerful. But the CFPB’s track record of leveling the playing field between consumers and the financial services industry has proven that the agency is worthy of longevity."
Social Security Has Enough Money To Expand Benefits Now, Trustee's Report Shows @alternet
Social Security Has Enough Money To Expand Benefits Now, Trustee's Report Shows @alternet
"Social Security is projected to run a surplus again this year. And next year. And the year after that. And the year after that. These annual surpluses simply add to its large and growing accumulated surplus.
Over the next 5 years, Social Security has sufficient funds to pay every penny of benefits and every penny of associated administrative costs. That is true for the next 10 years. And also the next 15 years. Over the next 25 years, Social Security is projecting a modest shortfall of just .51 percent of GDP. Over the next 50 years, the projection is just 0.8 of GDP. And over the next 75 years, the shortfall is projected to be just 0.96 percent of GDP. Let's put those percentages in perspective. Military spending after the 9/11 terrorist attack increased 1.1 percent, of GDP. Spending on public education nationwide went up 2.8 percent of GDP between 1950 and 1975, when the baby boom generation showed up as school children.
The fact is that, as the richest nation in the world at the richest point in our history, not only can we afford the current levels of Social Security protections, we can afford to greatly expand Social Security."
"Social Security is projected to run a surplus again this year. And next year. And the year after that. And the year after that. These annual surpluses simply add to its large and growing accumulated surplus.
Over the next 5 years, Social Security has sufficient funds to pay every penny of benefits and every penny of associated administrative costs. That is true for the next 10 years. And also the next 15 years. Over the next 25 years, Social Security is projecting a modest shortfall of just .51 percent of GDP. Over the next 50 years, the projection is just 0.8 of GDP. And over the next 75 years, the shortfall is projected to be just 0.96 percent of GDP. Let's put those percentages in perspective. Military spending after the 9/11 terrorist attack increased 1.1 percent, of GDP. Spending on public education nationwide went up 2.8 percent of GDP between 1950 and 1975, when the baby boom generation showed up as school children.
The fact is that, as the richest nation in the world at the richest point in our history, not only can we afford the current levels of Social Security protections, we can afford to greatly expand Social Security."
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Citibank To Refund $700 Million For Illegal Credit Card Practices
Citibank To Refund $700 Million For Illegal Credit Card Practices
"Citibank has agreed to refund an estimated $700 million to about 8.8 million credit card customers for deceptive marketing, billing and other illegal practices, federal regulators said Tuesday.
In addition to the refunds, Citibank was fined a total of $70 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates national banks."
"Citibank has agreed to refund an estimated $700 million to about 8.8 million credit card customers for deceptive marketing, billing and other illegal practices, federal regulators said Tuesday.
In addition to the refunds, Citibank was fined a total of $70 million by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, which regulates national banks."
Obama Administration Announces New Rules Protecting Military Families From Predatory Lenders
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/07/21/3683030/pentagon-payday-loan-revamp-finalized/
"Multiple studies between 2007 and 2014 revealed the vast negative consequences of this ongoing financial exploitation for members of the armed services. Late last year, Pentagon officials proposed revised rules that would eliminate the loopholes relating to the time, value, and style of loans made to soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and their families. But Congress responded with that rarest of things in American politics: public opposition to an idea that would benefit men and women in uniform."
"Multiple studies between 2007 and 2014 revealed the vast negative consequences of this ongoing financial exploitation for members of the armed services. Late last year, Pentagon officials proposed revised rules that would eliminate the loopholes relating to the time, value, and style of loans made to soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and their families. But Congress responded with that rarest of things in American politics: public opposition to an idea that would benefit men and women in uniform."
Consumer bureau celebrates 5th birthday with big fines for Citibank
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/21/1404306/-Consumer-bureau-celebrates-5th-birthday-with-big-fines-for-Citibank
"the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a first-of-its-kind consumer watchdog, which has created strong safeguards for Americans taking out mortgages, paying student loans, using credit cards, and dealing with debt collectors. The Bureau’s enforcement activities have also returned more than $10.1 billion to more than 17 million consumers. Building on that record, the Department of Labor recently proposed new rules to crack down on conflicts of interest in retirement advice, requiring retirement advisers to put their clients’ best interests first."
"the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a first-of-its-kind consumer watchdog, which has created strong safeguards for Americans taking out mortgages, paying student loans, using credit cards, and dealing with debt collectors. The Bureau’s enforcement activities have also returned more than $10.1 billion to more than 17 million consumers. Building on that record, the Department of Labor recently proposed new rules to crack down on conflicts of interest in retirement advice, requiring retirement advisers to put their clients’ best interests first."
Bernie Sanders Brings The Fight For 15 To Washington
Bernie Sanders Brings The Fight For 15 To Washington
"The Fight For 15 is heading to Washington. On Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), co-chairs of the 70-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, will unveil legislation that would set the federal minimum wage at $15 an hour--a figure that’s more than double the current rate of $7.25."
"The Fight For 15 is heading to Washington. On Wednesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), co-chairs of the 70-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, will unveil legislation that would set the federal minimum wage at $15 an hour--a figure that’s more than double the current rate of $7.25."
Candidates Push For Support At Iowa Hall Of Fame Dinner
Candidates Push For Support At Iowa Hall Of Fame Dinner
"You could watch all four Democratic candidates fire up the faithful at this Iowa dinner Friday night. If you've never heard them speak, here's your chance."
"You could watch all four Democratic candidates fire up the faithful at this Iowa dinner Friday night. If you've never heard them speak, here's your chance."
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