Karl Rove's Dark Money Gets IRS Non-Profit Status
"Crossroads had been the most active of the nonprofits that are funneling cash into politics — often called dark money because the original source of the funds may be kept secret if the organizations have social welfare as their primary purpose. During the 2012 cycle, Crossroads reported spending almost twice as much on political ads as the next most-active nonprofit, Americans for Prosperity, which is backed by conservative billionaire brothers Charles and David Koch."
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Ordinary Americans Fought Big Money and Won in 2015
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/02/13037/ordinary-americans-fought-big-money-and-won-2015
"Americans believe in democracy—and they're ready to reclaim it from the wealthy special interests that have grown ever-more dominant since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision. The overwhelming majority of Americans agree that money has too much influence over elections, and that the system for financing political campaigns needs a radical overhaul. Over 90 percent of Iowa caucus voters—in both parties—recently told pollsters they are unsatisfied or "mad as hell" about the role of money in politics."
"Americans believe in democracy—and they're ready to reclaim it from the wealthy special interests that have grown ever-more dominant since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision. The overwhelming majority of Americans agree that money has too much influence over elections, and that the system for financing political campaigns needs a radical overhaul. Over 90 percent of Iowa caucus voters—in both parties—recently told pollsters they are unsatisfied or "mad as hell" about the role of money in politics."
The ExxonMobil Climate Scandal Reveals the Deadly Evil of Corporatism
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/05/exxon-climate-scandal-reveals-deadly-evil-corporatism.html
"The Republican Party and its voter drones are always advocating for corporations, as though corporatism is the answer to federalism, as though corporations run by people we don’t get to vote for is a healthier choice for Americans than a government we do. To understand how very wrong this is, you need only to look at the ExxonMobil climate scandal. Like the tobacco companies of a generation ago, ExxonMobil knew all about the dangers of fossil fuels – and sold them anyway. Now the oil giant is being investigated by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has followed suit. Others may join them. And the fossil fuel industry is outraged. Corporate America is outraged. How dare anyone call their practices into question!"
"The Republican Party and its voter drones are always advocating for corporations, as though corporatism is the answer to federalism, as though corporations run by people we don’t get to vote for is a healthier choice for Americans than a government we do. To understand how very wrong this is, you need only to look at the ExxonMobil climate scandal. Like the tobacco companies of a generation ago, ExxonMobil knew all about the dangers of fossil fuels – and sold them anyway. Now the oil giant is being investigated by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris has followed suit. Others may join them. And the fossil fuel industry is outraged. Corporate America is outraged. How dare anyone call their practices into question!"
Elizabeth Warren Exposes The Corporate Legal System That Is Above The Law
Elizabeth Warren Exposes The Corporate Legal System That Is Above The Law
"Elizabeth Warren gave a rousing speech about the two legal systems are ruining our nation. One for you and me and the other for corporate lawbreakers."
"Elizabeth Warren gave a rousing speech about the two legal systems are ruining our nation. One for you and me and the other for corporate lawbreakers."
Firefighters union slams Ted Cruz as 'the worst kind of politician' over Iowa victory speech
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/4/1479775/-Firefighters-union-slams-Ted-Cruz-as-the-worst-kind-of-politician-over-Iowa-victory-speech
"Cruz opposed reauthorizing a law that provides health care for 9/11 first responders. You know, the people who rushed into the burning World Trade Center and then sifted through its still-smoking wreckage. It’s not hard to see why firefighters would be a tad annoyed to hear Cruz telling a national audience how he’d be their champion."
"Cruz opposed reauthorizing a law that provides health care for 9/11 first responders. You know, the people who rushed into the burning World Trade Center and then sifted through its still-smoking wreckage. It’s not hard to see why firefighters would be a tad annoyed to hear Cruz telling a national audience how he’d be their champion."
Seth Meyers rumbles with Martin Shkreli, levels Big Pharma
Seth Meyers rumbles with Martin Shkreli, levels Big Pharma
"On Tuesday’s “Late Night,” Seth Meyers took a closer look at the “so-called ‘bad boy’ of pharma,” Martin Shkreli."
"On Tuesday’s “Late Night,” Seth Meyers took a closer look at the “so-called ‘bad boy’ of pharma,” Martin Shkreli."
Despicable ‘Pharma Bro’ smirks his way through congressional grilling on drug price gouging
Despicable ‘Pharma Bro’ smirks his way through congressional grilling on drug price gouging
"Shkreli became widely hated when he raised the price of a life-saving drug used to fight infection in cancer and AIDS patients by 5,000 percent. He was arrested in December on federal securities fraud charges."
"Shkreli became widely hated when he raised the price of a life-saving drug used to fight infection in cancer and AIDS patients by 5,000 percent. He was arrested in December on federal securities fraud charges."
How to prevent another Flint: Move gubernatorial elections to presidential years
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/3/1479244/-How-to-prevent-another-Flint-Move-gubernatorial-elections-to-presidential-years
"State Republicans, led by Gov. Rick Snyder, have long used their power to usurp local government authority by appointing unelected emergency managers in solidly Democratic cities, including Flint. Their aggressive gerrymandering has insulated their legislative majorities from public disapproval, even though the GOP habitually loses the statewide popular vote. Together, these measures have subverted the democratic process in Michigan. However, there is a way to break the Republican stranglehold on state government and align Michigan’s policies more closely with its citizens’ wishes: Move gubernatorial and state elections from midterms to presidential years. Republicans benefit heavily when elections don’t coincide with the presidential cycle because voters who skip midterms tend to disproportionately lean Democratic. Sixty-five percent of eligible Michigan voters turned out in 2012, but without a presidential race on the ballot, turnout plummeted to just 43 percent in 2014. Snyder won a second term that year by just a 4 percent margin; with presidential turnout, he could very well have lost. It seems even likelier that he never would have won in the first place had Michigan elected its governor in 2008 and 2012, when Democrats easily won the state for president—as they have every year from 1992 on."
"State Republicans, led by Gov. Rick Snyder, have long used their power to usurp local government authority by appointing unelected emergency managers in solidly Democratic cities, including Flint. Their aggressive gerrymandering has insulated their legislative majorities from public disapproval, even though the GOP habitually loses the statewide popular vote. Together, these measures have subverted the democratic process in Michigan. However, there is a way to break the Republican stranglehold on state government and align Michigan’s policies more closely with its citizens’ wishes: Move gubernatorial and state elections from midterms to presidential years. Republicans benefit heavily when elections don’t coincide with the presidential cycle because voters who skip midterms tend to disproportionately lean Democratic. Sixty-five percent of eligible Michigan voters turned out in 2012, but without a presidential race on the ballot, turnout plummeted to just 43 percent in 2014. Snyder won a second term that year by just a 4 percent margin; with presidential turnout, he could very well have lost. It seems even likelier that he never would have won in the first place had Michigan elected its governor in 2008 and 2012, when Democrats easily won the state for president—as they have every year from 1992 on."
The GOP's Flint disaster: Will they help fix the mess made by a 'fiscally responsible' GOP governor?
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/2/3/1479353/-The-GOP-s-Flint-disaster-Will-they-help-fix-the-mess-made-by-a-fiscally-responsible-GOP-governor#read-more
"Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder committed one of the worst sins imaginable for a public servant: He poisoned his own people. Why? To pinch a penny. Now he's got to turn to his GOP-led state government and the Republican Congress to help foot the $767 million bill to fix Flint's water infrastructure. It seems government's always the problem until you've got a problem—even if you engineered that problem yourself."
"Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder committed one of the worst sins imaginable for a public servant: He poisoned his own people. Why? To pinch a penny. Now he's got to turn to his GOP-led state government and the Republican Congress to help foot the $767 million bill to fix Flint's water infrastructure. It seems government's always the problem until you've got a problem—even if you engineered that problem yourself."
Monday, February 8, 2016
How Dark Money Stays Dark: The Koch Brothers, Sheldon Adelson and the Right's Destructive Racket @alternet
How Dark Money Stays Dark: The Koch Brothers, Sheldon Adelson and the Right's Destructive Racket @alternet:
"Internal memos reveal the slimy tactics political donors use to hide their campaign contributions from the public."
"Internal memos reveal the slimy tactics political donors use to hide their campaign contributions from the public."
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
GOP Candidate's REAL 'Repeal And Replace' Is With Medicare
GOP Candidate's REAL 'Repeal And Replace' Is With Medicare
"It's clear from the Republican candidates statements and websites that replacing Medicare with a plan that forces senior citizens to buy health insurance continues to be Republican gospel. Please note that every candidate uses the canard that current retirees are unaffected by their proposals. (Unless they have 55 year old kids, who are screwed.) And none of the candidates address the specific impact on seniors of repealing Obamacare - covered wellness visits, closing the donut hole, etc. So yes, we are dealing with patent dishonesty as usual."
"It's clear from the Republican candidates statements and websites that replacing Medicare with a plan that forces senior citizens to buy health insurance continues to be Republican gospel. Please note that every candidate uses the canard that current retirees are unaffected by their proposals. (Unless they have 55 year old kids, who are screwed.) And none of the candidates address the specific impact on seniors of repealing Obamacare - covered wellness visits, closing the donut hole, etc. So yes, we are dealing with patent dishonesty as usual."
Koch-Fueled Playbook Against West Virginia Working Families Exposed
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/34679-koch-fueled-playbook-against-west-virginia-working-families-exposed
"the Kochs and the operations they help finance to remake state law to fit their hostile view of workers' rights to collectively bargain or to secure measures like prevailing wage. Welcome to the murky world of ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council), the State Policy Network (SPN), and David Koch's Americans for Prosperity (AFP) - all of which are financially aided by the Kochs' riches along with funding from some of their fellow billionaire travelers. (SPN, which directs funding to its affiliates, has received funding from Koch-controlled philanthropy and also from secretive donor vehicles connected to the Kochs. SPN has recently stepped into a more prominent role in coordinating the defense of attacks on workers' rights, as with their efforts working with other Koch operatives around the Supreme Court's hearing in the Friedrichs case.) RTW is backed by that Koch-fueled alliance, groups that front for the interests of corporations and CEOs like the Kochs, whose legislative agenda helps the rich get richer despite their recent PR coup on "addressing" poverty. How are the groups pushing that legislative agenda? Through Right to Work (RTW) and Prevailing Wage Repeal bills. These are just two of parts of the ALEC agenda, bills that drives down wages of Americans who work for a living."
"the Kochs and the operations they help finance to remake state law to fit their hostile view of workers' rights to collectively bargain or to secure measures like prevailing wage. Welcome to the murky world of ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council), the State Policy Network (SPN), and David Koch's Americans for Prosperity (AFP) - all of which are financially aided by the Kochs' riches along with funding from some of their fellow billionaire travelers. (SPN, which directs funding to its affiliates, has received funding from Koch-controlled philanthropy and also from secretive donor vehicles connected to the Kochs. SPN has recently stepped into a more prominent role in coordinating the defense of attacks on workers' rights, as with their efforts working with other Koch operatives around the Supreme Court's hearing in the Friedrichs case.) RTW is backed by that Koch-fueled alliance, groups that front for the interests of corporations and CEOs like the Kochs, whose legislative agenda helps the rich get richer despite their recent PR coup on "addressing" poverty. How are the groups pushing that legislative agenda? Through Right to Work (RTW) and Prevailing Wage Repeal bills. These are just two of parts of the ALEC agenda, bills that drives down wages of Americans who work for a living."
“Right-to-Work” States Still Have Lower Wages
“Right-to-Work” States Still Have Lower Wages:
"Wages in 'right-to-work' (RTW) states are 3.1 percent lower than those in non-RTW states, after controlling for a full complement of individual demographic and socioeconomic factors as well as state macroeconomic indicators. This translates into RTW being associated with $1,558 lower annual wages for a typical full-time, full-year worker."
"Wages in 'right-to-work' (RTW) states are 3.1 percent lower than those in non-RTW states, after controlling for a full complement of individual demographic and socioeconomic factors as well as state macroeconomic indicators. This translates into RTW being associated with $1,558 lower annual wages for a typical full-time, full-year worker."
Michigan GOP Gov. Rick Snyder Values Big Business More Than Children’s Lives
http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/18803/michigan_gop_governor_demands_bailout_following_his_own_negligence
"Michigan didn’t have to poison Flint’s children. That was a values choice. And Republican Gov. Rick Snyder values big business more than little children. Immediately after Snyder got elected, he gave his corporate buddies a big fat tax break and raised taxes on individuals, including poor people and pensioners. An analysis by the Detroit Free Press in 2014 showed individuals were forking over a total of $900 million more a year. By contrast, businesses paid $1.7 billion less annually after Snyder cut their tax bills. If corporations had paid their fair share in taxes over the five years that Snyder has been in charge, Michigan would have an additional $8.5 billion to help struggling cities like Flint afford clean water and struggling school districts like Detroit afford decent education. But giving businesses a tax break was more important to GOP businessman Snyder."
"Michigan didn’t have to poison Flint’s children. That was a values choice. And Republican Gov. Rick Snyder values big business more than little children. Immediately after Snyder got elected, he gave his corporate buddies a big fat tax break and raised taxes on individuals, including poor people and pensioners. An analysis by the Detroit Free Press in 2014 showed individuals were forking over a total of $900 million more a year. By contrast, businesses paid $1.7 billion less annually after Snyder cut their tax bills. If corporations had paid their fair share in taxes over the five years that Snyder has been in charge, Michigan would have an additional $8.5 billion to help struggling cities like Flint afford clean water and struggling school districts like Detroit afford decent education. But giving businesses a tax break was more important to GOP businessman Snyder."
McConnell Lets Slip Republicans Plan On Doing Nothing In 2016 And The Reason Is Infuriating
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/02/02/mcconnell-lets-slip-republicans-plan-on-doing-nothing-in-2016-and-the-reason-is-infuriating/
"For years Republican politicians have been held hostage by a radical fringe of their base that says any bipartisan cooperation means you aren’t a “true” conservative. Just passing a bill to give more support to veterans is considered a “betrayal” to the party if it means working with Democrats. You accomplish exclusively conservative goals or you don’t accomplish anything at all. McConnell, with all the backbone of a snail, isn’t taking any chances. He’ll wait out the election and hope that voters focus on how his party never once compromised with “the enemy,” and not, say, on the fact that they hadn’t done their jobs for 12 months. How does he plan to cover his tracks? It’s shameless – but kind of clever. McConnell plans to intentionally slow down and string out the dozen annual appropriations bills. Those can be addressed individually and, if time is properly squandered, can go on pretty much indefinitely. By the end of the year, with 12 appropriations bills in hand, he can brag about having done something. Just not very much. When we think about how the election cycle brings out the worst in politicians, we typically picture the attack ads, the rat race, the pettiness. There’s another side: The craven attempt to cling onto jobs by a group of people who demonstrably do not deserve them. It means in this crucial year, when the United States faces a ton of major challenges, Americans will be treated to nothing – and all because a few politicians are worried what their most toxic supporters would think if they actually bothered show up to work."
"For years Republican politicians have been held hostage by a radical fringe of their base that says any bipartisan cooperation means you aren’t a “true” conservative. Just passing a bill to give more support to veterans is considered a “betrayal” to the party if it means working with Democrats. You accomplish exclusively conservative goals or you don’t accomplish anything at all. McConnell, with all the backbone of a snail, isn’t taking any chances. He’ll wait out the election and hope that voters focus on how his party never once compromised with “the enemy,” and not, say, on the fact that they hadn’t done their jobs for 12 months. How does he plan to cover his tracks? It’s shameless – but kind of clever. McConnell plans to intentionally slow down and string out the dozen annual appropriations bills. Those can be addressed individually and, if time is properly squandered, can go on pretty much indefinitely. By the end of the year, with 12 appropriations bills in hand, he can brag about having done something. Just not very much. When we think about how the election cycle brings out the worst in politicians, we typically picture the attack ads, the rat race, the pettiness. There’s another side: The craven attempt to cling onto jobs by a group of people who demonstrably do not deserve them. It means in this crucial year, when the United States faces a ton of major challenges, Americans will be treated to nothing – and all because a few politicians are worried what their most toxic supporters would think if they actually bothered show up to work."
Elizabeth Warren Shames Republicans For Trying to Shield Corporate Criminals
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/02/03/elizabeth-warren-shames-republicans-shield-corporate-criminals.html
"Post Bush Great Recession and subsequent taxpayer funded Big Bank bailouts, it’s disturbing that Republicans feel their priority should be ensuring less accountability for the powerful corporations and bankers that use our taxpayer-funded infrastructure in order to make huge profits and then get a socialized bailout from the little people when their risks don’t turn out well."
"Post Bush Great Recession and subsequent taxpayer funded Big Bank bailouts, it’s disturbing that Republicans feel their priority should be ensuring less accountability for the powerful corporations and bankers that use our taxpayer-funded infrastructure in order to make huge profits and then get a socialized bailout from the little people when their risks don’t turn out well."
The Myth Of Marco Rubio As The ‘Moderate’ Candidate
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/02/02/3745336/rubio-not-moderate/
"Rubio is not much different and in some ways is more radical than the two Republican frontrunners."
"Rubio is not much different and in some ways is more radical than the two Republican frontrunners."
Marco Rubio can’t save the Republican Party: Why people are giving him way too much credit after Iowa
Marco Rubio can’t save the Republican Party: Why people are giving him way too much credit after Iowa
"Rubio is so far to the right and the party is so hostile to racial and ethnic minorities that they cannot win a national election."
"Rubio is so far to the right and the party is so hostile to racial and ethnic minorities that they cannot win a national election."
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Infographic: How Private Prison Companies Rake In Profits From Our Criminal Legal System
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/34578-how-private-prison-companies-rake-in-profits-from-our-criminal-legal-system
"While the usual suspects - Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and GEO Group - operate prisons, numerous companies with similar track records provide services like health care, food provision and prisoner transport. Companies like Corizon, Aramark, JPay and GTL have histories of providing low-quality services, harming not only prisoners, but communities and taxpayers as well. We already know that the industry routinely cuts corners to make more profit, resulting in prison violence, lawsuits, accidental releases and high staff turnover."
"While the usual suspects - Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and GEO Group - operate prisons, numerous companies with similar track records provide services like health care, food provision and prisoner transport. Companies like Corizon, Aramark, JPay and GTL have histories of providing low-quality services, harming not only prisoners, but communities and taxpayers as well. We already know that the industry routinely cuts corners to make more profit, resulting in prison violence, lawsuits, accidental releases and high staff turnover."
Fox News' Chris Wallace Crushes Ted Cruz on His Lies About the Economy Under Obama (Video)
Fox News' Chris Wallace Crushes Ted Cruz on His Lies About the Economy Under Obama (Video)
"Again, this is what Cruz does. He constantly tries to argue that reality isn’t reality and facts aren’t facts. And whenever he’s called out on his lies, he either attacks the person calling him out or the source being used to debunk whatever nonsense he’s trying to push. Ted Cruz is nothing but a propagandist and a con artist who built his entire career on lies, and I’m glad Chris Wallace called him out on one of them directly to his face."
"Again, this is what Cruz does. He constantly tries to argue that reality isn’t reality and facts aren’t facts. And whenever he’s called out on his lies, he either attacks the person calling him out or the source being used to debunk whatever nonsense he’s trying to push. Ted Cruz is nothing but a propagandist and a con artist who built his entire career on lies, and I’m glad Chris Wallace called him out on one of them directly to his face."
Why Ted Cruz Is Unfit to Be President
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/34653-why-ted-cruz-is-unfit-to-be-president
"This is one of the biggest stories of the 2016 race for president, but the really disturbing thing is that the media almost completely ignore it. Turn on CNN or any of the other major networks and you're more likely to hear about poll numbers than the fact that the potential Republican nominee for president has been endorsed by a guy who thinks Hitler was sent by God. It's almost like the media think it's acceptable that someone running for president likes to pal around with Christian extremists and theocrats. Well, it’s not acceptable; it's a direct threat to our democracy, which is why it's time for the media to start taking Cruz and his extremist endorsements seriously. Based on everything we've seen up to this point, we have every reason to believe that a Ted Cruz presidency could mean the start of a Saudi Arabia-style theocracy right here in the US. The media should function as the fourth estate and wake the American people up to this before it's too late."
"This is one of the biggest stories of the 2016 race for president, but the really disturbing thing is that the media almost completely ignore it. Turn on CNN or any of the other major networks and you're more likely to hear about poll numbers than the fact that the potential Republican nominee for president has been endorsed by a guy who thinks Hitler was sent by God. It's almost like the media think it's acceptable that someone running for president likes to pal around with Christian extremists and theocrats. Well, it’s not acceptable; it's a direct threat to our democracy, which is why it's time for the media to start taking Cruz and his extremist endorsements seriously. Based on everything we've seen up to this point, we have every reason to believe that a Ted Cruz presidency could mean the start of a Saudi Arabia-style theocracy right here in the US. The media should function as the fourth estate and wake the American people up to this before it's too late."
Ben Carson: Ted Cruz Used 'Dirty Tricks' To Hurt His Campaign: UPDATED
Ben Carson: Ted Cruz Used 'Dirty Tricks' To Hurt His Campaign: UPDATED
"I doubt Cruz just saying "sorry," will cut it for the Carson camp. The damage is already done."
"I doubt Cruz just saying "sorry," will cut it for the Carson camp. The damage is already done."
Ted Cruz’s radical supporters: He won Iowa on the back of the scariest Bible-thumpers in the business
Ted Cruz’s radical supporters: He won Iowa on the back of the scariest Bible-thumpers in the business
"Cruz also enjoys the support of David Barton, a powerful crank who rose in the ranks of the religious right by feeding the masses totally false but pleasing stories about American history, designed to create the illusion that our country was basically formed as a theocracy. Barton’s willingness to lie and deceive on behalf of this claim is truly breath-taking
"Cruz also enjoys the support of David Barton, a powerful crank who rose in the ranks of the religious right by feeding the masses totally false but pleasing stories about American history, designed to create the illusion that our country was basically formed as a theocracy. Barton’s willingness to lie and deceive on behalf of this claim is truly breath-taking
Monday, February 1, 2016
Voters Furious After Ted Cruz Threatens Them With Fake “Voting Violation” Mail
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/voters-furious-after-ted-cruz-threatens-them-with-fake-voting-violation-mail/
"Religious extremist and Tea Party zealot Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) already deplorable presidential campaign has just hit a new low. Up to this point, he has made outright lies, shameless pandering, opportunistic flip-flopping and hypocrisy the main strategies in order to sell a vision of apocalyptic doom and fear that has very little relation to reality. But apparently that hasn’t been enough for Mr. Cruz, who is so scared of his rivals that he has resorted to threatening voters with the mailing equivalent of Internet pop-up ads. The Iowan Secretary of State, Paul Pate, furiously slammed Cruz today for his dirty scheme: “Today I was shown a piece of literature from the Cruz for President campaign that misrepresents the role of my office, and worse, misrepresents Iowa election law.” The Cruz campaign has been mailing voters fake citations that inform the recipient and their neighbors that they have committed a “voting violation” and have poor “voting scores,” which vaguely imply that some sort of punishment is in store if they do not attend the caucus"
"Religious extremist and Tea Party zealot Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) already deplorable presidential campaign has just hit a new low. Up to this point, he has made outright lies, shameless pandering, opportunistic flip-flopping and hypocrisy the main strategies in order to sell a vision of apocalyptic doom and fear that has very little relation to reality. But apparently that hasn’t been enough for Mr. Cruz, who is so scared of his rivals that he has resorted to threatening voters with the mailing equivalent of Internet pop-up ads. The Iowan Secretary of State, Paul Pate, furiously slammed Cruz today for his dirty scheme: “Today I was shown a piece of literature from the Cruz for President campaign that misrepresents the role of my office, and worse, misrepresents Iowa election law.” The Cruz campaign has been mailing voters fake citations that inform the recipient and their neighbors that they have committed a “voting violation” and have poor “voting scores,” which vaguely imply that some sort of punishment is in store if they do not attend the caucus"
Winning the fight against gerrymandering in the South
http://www.southernstudies.org/2016/01/winning-the-fight-against-gerrymandering-in-the-so.html
"After the wave of Tea Party victories across the nation turned more state legislatures red in 2010, Republican lawmakers redistricted their states to the party's benefit. In some cases, Democratic voters — often African-American — were packed into a small number of districts, diluting their political power. Not long ago, Shelby County, Alabama successfully challenged the section of the Voting Rights Act that required certain states and counties with a history of racial voting discrimination to submit any proposed election law changes — including new voting district maps — to the federal government for approval. The U.S. Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder enabled states, most of them in the South, to change voting districts without federal consent. Since then, voting rights activists have challenged the new gerrymandered district maps in court — and they're winning. In this year's primary, voters in Florida and likely in Virginia will cast ballots from districts redrawn to be less partisan and more fair. Meanwhile, legal battles continue over voting maps in Alabama and North Carolina after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered lower courts to reexamine districts there. At the same time, efforts are underway in some states to reform the redistricting process to make it less partisan. Here is a rundown of the latest developments across the region"
"After the wave of Tea Party victories across the nation turned more state legislatures red in 2010, Republican lawmakers redistricted their states to the party's benefit. In some cases, Democratic voters — often African-American — were packed into a small number of districts, diluting their political power. Not long ago, Shelby County, Alabama successfully challenged the section of the Voting Rights Act that required certain states and counties with a history of racial voting discrimination to submit any proposed election law changes — including new voting district maps — to the federal government for approval. The U.S. Supreme Court's 2013 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder enabled states, most of them in the South, to change voting districts without federal consent. Since then, voting rights activists have challenged the new gerrymandered district maps in court — and they're winning. In this year's primary, voters in Florida and likely in Virginia will cast ballots from districts redrawn to be less partisan and more fair. Meanwhile, legal battles continue over voting maps in Alabama and North Carolina after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered lower courts to reexamine districts there. At the same time, efforts are underway in some states to reform the redistricting process to make it less partisan. Here is a rundown of the latest developments across the region"
‘Black’ GOP Super PAC Is Secretly All-White
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/01/29/black-gop-super-pac-is-secretly-all-white/
"A group of extremely wealthy white men are pretending to be black in order to help elect right-wing Republicans. The “Black Americans for a Better Future” Super PAC sounds like a political pressure group operated by African-Americans interested in politics, but documents filed with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) show that all the money behind the group comes from white men."
"A group of extremely wealthy white men are pretending to be black in order to help elect right-wing Republicans. The “Black Americans for a Better Future” Super PAC sounds like a political pressure group operated by African-Americans interested in politics, but documents filed with the Federal Elections Commission (FEC) show that all the money behind the group comes from white men."
Ted Cruz fact checked by Fox News for Obamacare whopper: “There’s certainly no question that more people have jobs and more people have health insurance”
Ted Cruz fact checked by Fox News for Obamacare whopper: “There’s certainly no question that more people have jobs and more people have health insurance”
"The Texas senator and Tea Party hero repeated long debunked falsehoods about President Obama’s signature healthcare law"
"The Texas senator and Tea Party hero repeated long debunked falsehoods about President Obama’s signature healthcare law"
Fox Host Shreds Ted Cruz over Obamacare Falsehoods: 'More People Have Jobs and Health Insurance' @alternet
Fox Host Shreds Ted Cruz over Obamacare Falsehoods: 'More People Have Jobs and Health Insurance' @alternet:
"Cruz, however, argued that the fact checkers were wrong because they were biased."
"Cruz, however, argued that the fact checkers were wrong because they were biased."
How to defeat the Koch brothers: Here’s what it could take to end their right-wing stranglehold
How to defeat the Koch brothers: Here’s what it could take to end their right-wing stranglehold
"In 2015, the Koch brothers revealed a spending goal of $889 million for their network, nearly 81 times more than Stone, and far more than the $657 million that the Republican Party spent in 2012."
"In 2015, the Koch brothers revealed a spending goal of $889 million for their network, nearly 81 times more than Stone, and far more than the $657 million that the Republican Party spent in 2012."
Sunday, January 31, 2016
Cruz’s Desperate Last Minute Attempt To Win Iowa Is So Vile State Officials Just NAILED Him For It
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/01/30/cruzs-desperate-last-minute-attempt-to-win-iowa-is-so-vile-state-officials-just-nailed-him-for-it/
"In the closing days before the Iowa caucus, the very first primary of the 2016 election, Ted Cruz is having a bit of a panic moment. Having enjoyed high polls in Iowa for months, his disastrous last debate performance and general unlikability have him falling fast. In his desperation to win, his campaign decided to try to lie and shame voters into showing up for him – and absolutely NOBODY is happy about it. This week, Iowans began waking up to find a scary looking note in their mail. On yellow paper made to look like a ticket, the letter reads “VOTING VIOLATION” and creepily names the homeowner and their neighbors. The instructions are even more pathetic."
"In the closing days before the Iowa caucus, the very first primary of the 2016 election, Ted Cruz is having a bit of a panic moment. Having enjoyed high polls in Iowa for months, his disastrous last debate performance and general unlikability have him falling fast. In his desperation to win, his campaign decided to try to lie and shame voters into showing up for him – and absolutely NOBODY is happy about it. This week, Iowans began waking up to find a scary looking note in their mail. On yellow paper made to look like a ticket, the letter reads “VOTING VIOLATION” and creepily names the homeowner and their neighbors. The instructions are even more pathetic."
Koch Brothers Bring their Billionaires Pals Together to Plot How to Corrupt the System Even More... If That is Possible @alternet
Koch Brothers Bring their Billionaires Pals Together to Plot How to Corrupt the System Even More... If That is Possible @alternet:
"Billionaire Republican backers host retreat with other super-rich conservatives as secret donations are forecast to break records in the 2016 election."
"Billionaire Republican backers host retreat with other super-rich conservatives as secret donations are forecast to break records in the 2016 election."
Saturday, January 30, 2016
WATCH: Bernie Sanders Comforts Sobbing Iowa Woman Struggling to Live on Minimum Wage @alternet
WATCH: Bernie Sanders Comforts Sobbing Iowa Woman Struggling to Live on Minimum Wage @alternet:
"At an Iowa event, Sanders asked audience members to speak out about what it was like to live on less than $12,000 a year."
"At an Iowa event, Sanders asked audience members to speak out about what it was like to live on less than $12,000 a year."
AIG says if the government won't let them screw over retirees, they won't play
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/1/27/1475833/-AIG-says-if-the-government-won-t-let-them-screw-over-retirees-they-won-t-play
"The latest massive offense the Obama administration has done to Wall Street is to come up with a rule telling financial services companies that their first duty is to their clients. That's such an offensive requirement, Republicans in Congress have even been trying to derail it. Because nothing should stand in the way of profits for Wall Street, including the nest eggs of senior citizens. To prove how awful the whole idea is, American International Group Inc. (AIG) decided they had to sell off, admitting that if they can't screw old people out of money, then why bother?"
"The latest massive offense the Obama administration has done to Wall Street is to come up with a rule telling financial services companies that their first duty is to their clients. That's such an offensive requirement, Republicans in Congress have even been trying to derail it. Because nothing should stand in the way of profits for Wall Street, including the nest eggs of senior citizens. To prove how awful the whole idea is, American International Group Inc. (AIG) decided they had to sell off, admitting that if they can't screw old people out of money, then why bother?"
Obama Just Made It Easier To Uncover Cases Of Pay Discrimination
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/01/29/3744264/obama-gender-wage-gap-reporting/
"Friday marks seven years since President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law, the first bill he signed, aimed at helping women combat the gender wage gap by giving them more time to bring lawsuits. But in that time, the gender wage gap — which means that American women working full-time, year round make 79 percent of what men make, a gap that’s much larger for women of color — has only narrowed by two cents, not a statistically significant change. So to mark the anniversary, Obama will announce executive action on Friday to institute a new requirement that companies with 100 or more employees report what workers are paid broken down by gender, race, and ethnicity to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)."
"Friday marks seven years since President Obama signed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act into law, the first bill he signed, aimed at helping women combat the gender wage gap by giving them more time to bring lawsuits. But in that time, the gender wage gap — which means that American women working full-time, year round make 79 percent of what men make, a gap that’s much larger for women of color — has only narrowed by two cents, not a statistically significant change. So to mark the anniversary, Obama will announce executive action on Friday to institute a new requirement that companies with 100 or more employees report what workers are paid broken down by gender, race, and ethnicity to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)."
With Wages Still Unequal, Obama Issues Mandate to Combat Pay Gap
With Wages Still Unequal, Obama Issues Mandate to Combat Pay Gap
"Despite laws on the books, the median woman in America working full-time throughout the year is still paid just 79 cents for every dollar earned by a man."
"Despite laws on the books, the median woman in America working full-time throughout the year is still paid just 79 cents for every dollar earned by a man."
Flint, Michigan and Democracy
Flint, Michigan and Democracy
"Michigan voters rejected the emergency manager system in a 2012 referendum. Yet it still emerged with dictatorial powers over the lives of people living in Detroit, Flint, Pontiac and Benton Harbor. The Republican governor and the legislature made an end run around the will of the people that was expressed so clearly at the ballot box. They simply ignored what the voters wanted and passed emergency management legislation anyway."
"Michigan voters rejected the emergency manager system in a 2012 referendum. Yet it still emerged with dictatorial powers over the lives of people living in Detroit, Flint, Pontiac and Benton Harbor. The Republican governor and the legislature made an end run around the will of the people that was expressed so clearly at the ballot box. They simply ignored what the voters wanted and passed emergency management legislation anyway."
Bernie Sanders Vows to Crack Down on Greedy Corporate Tax Dodgers
Bernie Sanders Vows to Crack Down on Greedy Corporate Tax Dodgers
"Singling out what he dubs the "top 10 corporate tax dodgers," Bernie Sanders on Friday pledged to close loopholes that let huge corporations avoid paying their fair share in taxes. The list (pdf) includes General Electric, Boeing, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Merck, and notes that several of the companies' CEOs, even as they sit on massive retirement savings, want to raise the eligibility age for—and make significant cuts to—social safety net programs like Medicare and Social Security."
"Singling out what he dubs the "top 10 corporate tax dodgers," Bernie Sanders on Friday pledged to close loopholes that let huge corporations avoid paying their fair share in taxes. The list (pdf) includes General Electric, Boeing, Bank of America, Citigroup, and Merck, and notes that several of the companies' CEOs, even as they sit on massive retirement savings, want to raise the eligibility age for—and make significant cuts to—social safety net programs like Medicare and Social Security."
The 5 Worst Fracking Moments of 2015 @alternet
The 5 Worst Fracking Moments of 2015 @alternet:
"Once again, in 2015 the oil and gas industry showed us the ludicrous lengths they will go to in order to frack more communities."
"Once again, in 2015 the oil and gas industry showed us the ludicrous lengths they will go to in order to frack more communities."
Can't Hide From Reality: Florida Mayors Request Climate Change Meeting With Senator Marco Rubio @alternet
Can't Hide From Reality: Florida Mayors Request Climate Change Meeting With Senator Marco Rubio @alternet:
"Fifteen South Florida mayors released a letter Tuesday that was sent to Senator Marco Rubio requesting a meeting with the presidential candidate to talk about the climate change risk facing the state’s communities."
"Fifteen South Florida mayors released a letter Tuesday that was sent to Senator Marco Rubio requesting a meeting with the presidential candidate to talk about the climate change risk facing the state’s communities."
Study: Most Large Herbivores Now Face Extinction @alternet
Study: Most Large Herbivores Now Face Extinction @alternet:
"These include well-known species such as elephants, hippos and all species of rhino."
"These include well-known species such as elephants, hippos and all species of rhino."
Incredible Infographic Shows How We Have Ruined Our Oceans — and Ourselves as a Result @alternet
Incredible Infographic Shows How We Have Ruined Our Oceans — and Ourselves as a Result @alternet:
"From plastic trash and discarded fishing gear to oil spills and pesticide runoff, human beings have treated the oceans as a vast dumping ground."
"From plastic trash and discarded fishing gear to oil spills and pesticide runoff, human beings have treated the oceans as a vast dumping ground."
Tests Reveal A New Problem With Treating Flint’s Lead-Tainted Water
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2016/01/30/3744566/flint-water-lead-exceeds-filters/
"Results of recently-tested water samples, released Friday out of Flint, Michigan, show levels of lead so high in some locations that government-issued filtration systems are unable to effectively treat the water. Water problems began in Flint as early as April 2014, when state-appointed emergency managers made the decision to switch the city’s water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River."
"Results of recently-tested water samples, released Friday out of Flint, Michigan, show levels of lead so high in some locations that government-issued filtration systems are unable to effectively treat the water. Water problems began in Flint as early as April 2014, when state-appointed emergency managers made the decision to switch the city’s water supply from Detroit’s system to the Flint River."
State Rep. Praises KKK, Wants New Holiday To Honor Confederacy
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2016/01/29/3744297/state-rep-defends-ku-klux-klan-says-it-was-not-so-much-a-racist-thing/
"So far this year, State Rep. Tommy Benton (R) has co-sponsored two bills to preserve the Confederate’s legacy."
"So far this year, State Rep. Tommy Benton (R) has co-sponsored two bills to preserve the Confederate’s legacy."
Too Late: GOP Congress Tries To Distance Itself From Planned Parenthood Videos?
Too Late: GOP Congress Tries To Distance Itself From Planned Parenthood Videos?
"investigations in 12 states were launched into allegations that Planned Parenthood executives had sold body parts, a felony under federal law. None of those investigations found any wrongdoing on the organization's part."
"investigations in 12 states were launched into allegations that Planned Parenthood executives had sold body parts, a felony under federal law. None of those investigations found any wrongdoing on the organization's part."
Ted Cruz’s campaign chair furiously scrubs bio after newspaper questions his combat claims
Ted Cruz’s campaign chair furiously scrubs bio after newspaper questions his combat claims
"State Rep. Graham Hunt (R-Orting), who was elected in 2014 to the legislative seat to which he was appointed the year before, listed three medals on his official and campaign biographies that a military personnel center has no record of him receiving, reported The Seattle Times."
"State Rep. Graham Hunt (R-Orting), who was elected in 2014 to the legislative seat to which he was appointed the year before, listed three medals on his official and campaign biographies that a military personnel center has no record of him receiving, reported The Seattle Times."
This Hitler-loving, gay-hating Oregon judge is so unethical that he might be a criminal, state panel finds
This Hitler-loving, gay-hating Oregon judge is so unethical that he might be a criminal, state panel finds
"Day also made national news after including a portrait of Hitler in a “Hall of Heroes” gallery he set up at the Marion County Courthouse."
"Day also made national news after including a portrait of Hitler in a “Hall of Heroes” gallery he set up at the Marion County Courthouse."
'This Is It': Glenn Beck Heading Back To Iowa To Campaign For Cruz In An Effort To Stop Trump
'This Is It': Glenn Beck Heading Back To Iowa To Campaign For Cruz In An Effort To Stop Trump:
"warning that if Cruz cannot stop Trump in Iowa, Trump will steamroll to the GOP nomination and it'll spell the end of America."
"warning that if Cruz cannot stop Trump in Iowa, Trump will steamroll to the GOP nomination and it'll spell the end of America."
Donald Trump is wrecking the conservative movement: How the billionaire is exposing its most toxic secret
Donald Trump is wrecking the conservative movement: How the billionaire is exposing its most toxic secret
"The mystery is why all these smart conservatives didn’t see this coming. They unleashed this beast a long time ago with the hate radio and the media propaganda and the ruthless politics. It was only a matter of time before it turned on them."
"The mystery is why all these smart conservatives didn’t see this coming. They unleashed this beast a long time ago with the hate radio and the media propaganda and the ruthless politics. It was only a matter of time before it turned on them."
As The GOP Crumbles Republicans Blame Sarah Palin For Their Demise
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/01/27/gop-crumbles-republicans-blame-sarah-palin-demise.html
"Republicans must sell hate to people who don’t know they are being manipulated, or no one but the 2% will vote for them. This is why they picked Sarah Palin. So to blame Sarah Palin, whose hatred they used when it worked in their favor, is the height of hypocrisy.
"Republicans must sell hate to people who don’t know they are being manipulated, or no one but the 2% will vote for them. This is why they picked Sarah Palin. So to blame Sarah Palin, whose hatred they used when it worked in their favor, is the height of hypocrisy.
Anne Frank’s Stepsister: Donald Trump Is The New Hitler
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/anne-franks-stepsister-donald-trump-is-the-new-hitler/
"He is openly supported by neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups, and uses his Twitter account to retweet and cirulate their ideas."
"He is openly supported by neo-Nazis and white supremacist groups, and uses his Twitter account to retweet and cirulate their ideas."
"The Guy Scares Me": Holocaust Survivors Warn About The Danger Of Trump's Right-Wing Media Approved Rhetoric
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/01/28/the-guy-scares-me-holocaust-survivors-warn-abou/208241
"On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Holocaust survivors warned about the demagoguery and rhetoric espoused by Donald Trump that they say echoes back to Nazi Germany -- the same rhetoric which has been sanctioned by right-wing media and praised by white nationalist media as "wonderful"."
"On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Holocaust survivors warned about the demagoguery and rhetoric espoused by Donald Trump that they say echoes back to Nazi Germany -- the same rhetoric which has been sanctioned by right-wing media and praised by white nationalist media as "wonderful"."
Anne Frank's Stepsister: Trump 'Is Acting Like Hitler': Holocaust Survivors Warn of Historical Parallels @alternet
Anne Frank's Stepsister: Trump 'Is Acting Like Hitler': Holocaust Survivors Warn of Historical Parallels @alternet:
"The most direct answer to Munzer’s question can be found in the words of Trump’s followers themselves, who aren’t so much buying into hate as they are enthusiastically supporting the guy boosting the hate and racism they already feel."
"The most direct answer to Munzer’s question can be found in the words of Trump’s followers themselves, who aren’t so much buying into hate as they are enthusiastically supporting the guy boosting the hate and racism they already feel."
Since Donald Trump Began Attacking Megyn Kelly's Debate Role, Fox News Has Given Him Nearly $1 Million In Free Airtime
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/01/28/since-donald-trump-began-attacking-megyn-kellys/208242
"Since Donald Trump began attacking Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly's participation in the network's January 28 GOP presidential primary debate, Fox has given him nearly 40 minutes of free airtime, amounting to about $1 million."
"Since Donald Trump began attacking Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly's participation in the network's January 28 GOP presidential primary debate, Fox has given him nearly 40 minutes of free airtime, amounting to about $1 million."
Republican insiders frantically try to pin the blame for the rise of Trump
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/1/27/1475884/-Republican-insiders-frantically-try-to-pin-the-blame-for-the-rise-of-Trump
"the blame lies with those in the party who encouraged more and more radical rhetoric from their leaders, priming the base for ever-more radical ideas and a hatred of the mere idea of government."
"the blame lies with those in the party who encouraged more and more radical rhetoric from their leaders, priming the base for ever-more radical ideas and a hatred of the mere idea of government."
Republicans Are Destroying Each Other: Fox Blasts Trump For Being Afraid Of Megyn Kelly
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/01/26/republicans-destroying-fox-news-blasts-trump-afraid-megyn-kelling.html
"Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch are desperate to get a Republican back in the White House. They view Trump as a loser who can’t win the White House. It has been clear for the last few months that Fox News has been throwing nothing but positive coverage at Marco Rubio. The bosses at Fox are pushing Rubio and would love to get rid of Trump."
"Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch are desperate to get a Republican back in the White House. They view Trump as a loser who can’t win the White House. It has been clear for the last few months that Fox News has been throwing nothing but positive coverage at Marco Rubio. The bosses at Fox are pushing Rubio and would love to get rid of Trump."
Donald Trump exposes the Big Lie at Fox News: It’s hate and resentment the network’s shilling, not conservatism
Donald Trump exposes the Big Lie at Fox News: It’s hate and resentment the network’s shilling, not conservatism
"The crowning irony here is that both the GOP and Fox News have spent the past four decades laying the groundwork for Trump’s rise. They have sought to create an electorate that is ill informed and disenfranchised, angry and impotent, susceptible to propaganda, and disengaged from the practical effects and moral necessity of governance. They have reaped remarkable political and monetary rewards for the wealthiest Americans by urging the poor and middle class to vote based on indignation rather than their own interests. Trump is the logical byproduct of this sustained campaign: an isotopic nihilist who could care less about conservatism, who feeds off the adulation of the enraged, self-victimizing masses bred by the conservative movement. If the Tea Party was the beginning of this revolution — the ascent of overt and angry know-nothingism in the guise of conservatism—then Trump marks its apotheosis. He is the unyielding authoritarian redeemer that conservative dittoheads have been awaiting for years."
"The crowning irony here is that both the GOP and Fox News have spent the past four decades laying the groundwork for Trump’s rise. They have sought to create an electorate that is ill informed and disenfranchised, angry and impotent, susceptible to propaganda, and disengaged from the practical effects and moral necessity of governance. They have reaped remarkable political and monetary rewards for the wealthiest Americans by urging the poor and middle class to vote based on indignation rather than their own interests. Trump is the logical byproduct of this sustained campaign: an isotopic nihilist who could care less about conservatism, who feeds off the adulation of the enraged, self-victimizing masses bred by the conservative movement. If the Tea Party was the beginning of this revolution — the ascent of overt and angry know-nothingism in the guise of conservatism—then Trump marks its apotheosis. He is the unyielding authoritarian redeemer that conservative dittoheads have been awaiting for years."
Trump Throws Temper Tantrum, Announces He's 'Most Likely' Not Doing Fox News Debate (Video)
Trump Throws Temper Tantrum, Announces He's 'Most Likely' Not Doing Fox News Debate (Video)
"Donald Trump isn’t an adult – he’s a spoiled infant. He’s an egotistical blowhard who lashes out whenever his ego gets bruised. History is going to look back on the 2016 election and hang its head at the fact that this blithering idiot managed to become a legitimate presidential candidate and very likely the nominee of one of our nation’s two largest political parties."
"Donald Trump isn’t an adult – he’s a spoiled infant. He’s an egotistical blowhard who lashes out whenever his ego gets bruised. History is going to look back on the 2016 election and hang its head at the fact that this blithering idiot managed to become a legitimate presidential candidate and very likely the nominee of one of our nation’s two largest political parties."
Top Veterans Group To Trump: Keep Your Money, Stop Exploiting Us For Political Gain
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/top-veterans-group-to-trump-keep-your-money-stop-exploiting-us-for-political-gain/
"If the Republican Party really valued our veterans, maybe they wouldn’t have cut $1.4 billion in veterans funds from the budget – and wouldn’t need to rely on handouts from opportunistic hypocrites like Donald Trump."
"If the Republican Party really valued our veterans, maybe they wouldn’t have cut $1.4 billion in veterans funds from the budget – and wouldn’t need to rely on handouts from opportunistic hypocrites like Donald Trump."
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