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February 6, 2013
4 Secretive Ways Wall Street Extorts You | Alternet
4 Secretive Ways Wall Street Extorts You | Alternet
"While our political elites warn us about becoming the next Greece (do we get the tasty retsina, good weather and nice beaches too?), the real "tax and spend" game is taking place on Wall Street, hidden from view. In fact, Wall Street is essentially exerting a hidden tax on us day in and day out -- but we don't even notice or get anything back in return."
"While our political elites warn us about becoming the next Greece (do we get the tasty retsina, good weather and nice beaches too?), the real "tax and spend" game is taking place on Wall Street, hidden from view. In fact, Wall Street is essentially exerting a hidden tax on us day in and day out -- but we don't even notice or get anything back in return."
Thanks To Congressional Incompetence, Saturday Mail Delivery Is History
Thanks To Congressional Incompetence, Saturday Mail Delivery Is History: Under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, Congress has for years forced the USPS to pre-fund 75 years’ worth of pensions for its employees, a requirement not made of any other public or private institution. That means that the Postal Service is footing the bill for employees it hasn’t even hired yet.
The USPS doesn’t actually receive money from the government, but still needs Congressional approval to make any changes to its structure. An analysis in July showed that the USPS, without its pension requirement, would have a $1.5 billion surplus.
Lake Michigan Water Level at All Time Low | Common Dreams
Lake Michigan Water Level at All Time Low | Common Dreams
"Ongoing drought and above average temperatures have pushed the water level in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, considered a single body of water, to an all time low, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced on Tuesday."
"Ongoing drought and above average temperatures have pushed the water level in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, considered a single body of water, to an all time low, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced on Tuesday."
February 5, 2013
Pennsylvania GOP Has Plan B For 2016 Electoral Vote Hijack
Pennsylvania GOP Has Plan B For 2016 Electoral Vote Hijack
"Undaunted by rejection of their first effort to hijack 2016, Pennsylvania Republicans soldier on with a new scheme for awarding unearned electoral votes to Republican candidates and weakening their state's influence on Federal elections."
"Undaunted by rejection of their first effort to hijack 2016, Pennsylvania Republicans soldier on with a new scheme for awarding unearned electoral votes to Republican candidates and weakening their state's influence on Federal elections."
NRA Endorsement Actually A Curse For Candidates, Poll Finds
NRA Endorsement Actually A Curse For Candidates, Poll Finds: Endorsements from the National Rifle Association might be doing political candidates more harm than good, according to a new poll from Public Policy Polling. In a national survey, 39 percent of voters said that they are less likely to vote for a politician whose candidacy has garnered NRA backing. Only 26 percent believe they’re more [...]/p
‘Don’t Say Gay’ Sponsor Compares Homosexuality To Injecting Heroin
‘Don’t Say Gay’ Sponsor Compares Homosexuality To Injecting Heroin: Tennessee state Sen. Stacey Campfield (R) is making the press rounds to stump for the new and worsened version of his odious “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which prohibits teachers in grades K-8 from acknowledging the existence of homosexuality and also requires school officials to out gay students to their families. He has already made it [...]/p
GOP Senators Obstructing The Consumer Protection Bureau Receive Loads Of Wall Street Donations
GOP Senators Obstructing The Consumer Protection Bureau Receive Loads Of Wall Street Donations: 43 Republican senators signed a letter last week saying that they would obstruct any nominee to run the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, regardless of qualifications, unless the CFPB is weakened. Republicans are essentially attempting to nullify a federal law via obstruction; Congress passed and President Obama signed a bill creating a CFPB, but the GOP [...]/p
Was General David Petraeus Targeted for Take-down by the Military? | Alternet
Was General David Petraeus Targeted for Take-down by the Military? | Alternet
"Was the ambitious General David Petraeus targeted for take-down by competing interests in the US military/intelligence hierarchy—years before his abrupt downfall last year in an adultery scandal?"
"Was the ambitious General David Petraeus targeted for take-down by competing interests in the US military/intelligence hierarchy—years before his abrupt downfall last year in an adultery scandal?"
8 Reasons Why Cantor’s Rebranded GOP Looks Just Like The Old GOP
8 Reasons Why Cantor’s Rebranded GOP Looks Just Like The Old GOP: On Tuesday afternoon, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) delivered a speech that sought to “rebrand” the GOP as a party that can advance legislation that would improve the lives of the “most vulnerable” Americans. “Our solutions will be based on the conservative principles of self reliance, faith in the individual, trust in the family, [...]/p
Exposed: Whole Foods' and the Biggest Organic Foods Distributor's Troubled Relationships with Workers
Exposed: Whole Foods' and the Biggest Organic Foods Distributor's Troubled Relationships with Workers
"The company recently fired its underpaid and overworked unionized workers at its Auburn, Washington, distribution center for going on strike, and illegally hired non-union replacement workers."
"The company recently fired its underpaid and overworked unionized workers at its Auburn, Washington, distribution center for going on strike, and illegally hired non-union replacement workers."
Corporate Lobby Tells Businesses To Shift Cases To GOP-Friendly Court
Corporate Lobby Tells Businesses To Shift Cases To GOP-Friendly Court: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is capitalizing on the radical federal appeals court decision that held unconstitutional several of President Obama’s recess appointments to help businesses skirt workers’ rights in as many cases as possible. In a memo to its members, the nation’s top corporate lobbying shop urged businesses seeking to challenge rulings against them by the National Labor [...]/p
The UK is showing us why austerity is dangerous, but are we paying attention? | Economic Policy Institute
The UK is showing us why austerity is dangerous, but are we paying attention? | Economic Policy Institute
"The lesson here is two-fold. First, near-term deficit reduction can significantly harm economic growth. And second, as this approach drags on the economy, it will also exacerbate the deficit and debt. In other words, the U.K. austerity approach—which is intended to reduce the debt and boost the economy—actually does the opposite."
"The lesson here is two-fold. First, near-term deficit reduction can significantly harm economic growth. And second, as this approach drags on the economy, it will also exacerbate the deficit and debt. In other words, the U.K. austerity approach—which is intended to reduce the debt and boost the economy—actually does the opposite."
Blacks, Hispanics Waited Almost Twice As Long To Vote As Whites In 2012
Blacks, Hispanics Waited Almost Twice As Long To Vote As Whites In 2012: During the November 2012 election, Black and Hispanic voters waited nearly twice as long to vote as whites, according to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology analysis. New York Times graphs summarizing the analysis show that white voters waited an average of 12.7 minutes, while Black and Hispanic voters waited an average of 20.2 minutes: Long lines in several [...]/p
Republicans Return With a New Scheme to Rig the Electoral College | Common Dreams
Republicans Return With a New Scheme to Rig the Electoral College | Common Dreams
"Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus has been blunt about his determination to rig the Electoral College. So it should come as no surprise that, even after his partisan minions were "named and shamed" into distancing themselves from an initial strategy for gaming presidential politics, keyRepublicans have returned with another plan to make it possible for a GOP loser to "win" the 2016 presidential race."
"Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus has been blunt about his determination to rig the Electoral College. So it should come as no surprise that, even after his partisan minions were "named and shamed" into distancing themselves from an initial strategy for gaming presidential politics, keyRepublicans have returned with another plan to make it possible for a GOP loser to "win" the 2016 presidential race."
U.S. Prison Population Seeing 'Unprecedented Increase' | Common Dreams
U.S. Prison Population Seeing 'Unprecedented Increase' | Common Dreams
"The research wing of the U.S. Congress is warning that three decades of “historically unprecedented” build-up in the number of prisoners incarcerated in the United States have led to a level of overcrowding that is now “taking a toll on the infrastructure” of the federal prison system."
"The research wing of the U.S. Congress is warning that three decades of “historically unprecedented” build-up in the number of prisoners incarcerated in the United States have led to a level of overcrowding that is now “taking a toll on the infrastructure” of the federal prison system."
On The 20th Anniversary Of The Family Medical Leave Act, Meet The Republican Men Who Voted Against It
On The 20th Anniversary Of The Family Medical Leave Act, Meet The Republican Men Who Voted Against It: Twenty years ago today, President Bill Clinton signed the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The law, which passed with bipartisan support, gave workers new job protections in the event of a pregnancy or family medical emergency, mandating 12 weeks of unpaid leave. And while FMLA has failed to cover all workers — only employers [...]/p
2 Years in Jail for Sitting on a Milk Crate? The Shocking Ways America Punishes Poor People Living on the Street (Hard Times, USA) | Alternet
2 Years in Jail for Sitting on a Milk Crate? The Shocking Ways America Punishes Poor People Living on the Street (Hard Times, USA) | Alternet
"Laws all over the country are designed solely to target the homeless, a glaring example of the criminalization of poverty in America. There are better solutions."
"Laws all over the country are designed solely to target the homeless, a glaring example of the criminalization of poverty in America. There are better solutions."
February 4, 2013
Eight Senators Vote To Block Violence Against Women Act
Eight Senators Vote To Block Violence Against Women Act: Eight Senators on Monday voted not to consider the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, a bill that protects victims of domestic violence. The Senators who voted against moving to debate on the bill were: Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mike Lee (R-UT), Tim Scott (R-SC), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Rand Paul (R-KY), [...]/p
Who Needs to Win to Win?
Who Needs to Win to Win?
"In the immediate aftermath of last November’s election, the Republican Party, snapped suddenly out of the self-delusion of imminent victory promulgated by the Karl Roves and Dick Morrises of their party, came face-to-face with grim reality: Most of America hated them. And the Americans who didn’t hate them were dying off at a disconcerting pace. Something, nearly everybody both inside and outside the party agreed, would have to be done to rehabilitate the party brand. These were the choices: change, or continue to lose.
"In the immediate aftermath of last November’s election, the Republican Party, snapped suddenly out of the self-delusion of imminent victory promulgated by the Karl Roves and Dick Morrises of their party, came face-to-face with grim reality: Most of America hated them. And the Americans who didn’t hate them were dying off at a disconcerting pace. Something, nearly everybody both inside and outside the party agreed, would have to be done to rehabilitate the party brand. These were the choices: change, or continue to lose.
Since the New Year, though, a third possibility has emerged. What if Republicans don’t compromise with public opinion, but also don’t lose?
A glimpse of such a future came slowly into view in the weeks following the election, when Republican legislators in Virginia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Ohio floated, with varying levels of commitment, a plan to rig the Electoral College."
Breaking the Chains of Debt Peonage | Common Dreams
Breaking the Chains of Debt Peonage | Common Dreams
"The only way to break this fear and passivity is to organize workers to break the cycle of mounting debt. And the first step to achieving independence from debt—the primary form of political control by the corporate state—is to raise the minimum wage. There are other solutions—forgiving mortgage and student debt, instituting universal health care, establishing a nationwide jobs program to rebuild the country’s Third World infrastructure, and green energy—but none of this will happen until we are able to mount a sustained mass movement that discredits the corporate state. This mass movement will arise, as Nader says, when we mobilize around the minimum wage."
"The only way to break this fear and passivity is to organize workers to break the cycle of mounting debt. And the first step to achieving independence from debt—the primary form of political control by the corporate state—is to raise the minimum wage. There are other solutions—forgiving mortgage and student debt, instituting universal health care, establishing a nationwide jobs program to rebuild the country’s Third World infrastructure, and green energy—but none of this will happen until we are able to mount a sustained mass movement that discredits the corporate state. This mass movement will arise, as Nader says, when we mobilize around the minimum wage."
The NRA Enemies List: AARP to YMCA to Britney Spears to Hallmark Cards | Common Dreams
The NRA Enemies List: AARP to YMCA to Britney Spears to Hallmark Cards | Common Dreams
"Among them: The American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Nurses Association, American Firearms Association (say what?), Consumer Federation of America, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, U.S. Catholic Conference, YMCA, Tony Bennett, N Sync, The Temptations, Geraldo, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Levi Strauss, Kansas City Chiefs, Time Warner, etc etc. Man, the NRA's world must be getting some lonesome. Scary."
"Among them: The American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Nurses Association, American Firearms Association (say what?), Consumer Federation of America, National Association of Chain Drug Stores, U.S. Catholic Conference, YMCA, Tony Bennett, N Sync, The Temptations, Geraldo, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Levi Strauss, Kansas City Chiefs, Time Warner, etc etc. Man, the NRA's world must be getting some lonesome. Scary."
Study: Republican Gerrymandering Cost Democrats 1.7 Million Votes In Just 7 States
Study: Republican Gerrymandering Cost Democrats 1.7 Million Votes In Just 7 States: Republicans so effectively gerrymandered congressional maps before the 2012 election that Democratic House candidates would need to win the national popular vote by over 7 points in order to win back the House. Last November, the American people preferred Democratic House candidates to Republican House candidates by almost 1.4 million votes, [...]/p
Wisconsin's "Shameful" Gerrymander of 2012
Wisconsin's "Shameful" Gerrymander of 2012
"The GOP's partisan redistricting process has come under renewed scrutiny in recent months, with gerrymandered maps helping Republicans hold Congress despite receiving fewer votes than Democrats, and state legislators discussing plans to rig the presidential election by awarding electoral votes according to those contorted boundaries. But out of all the states re-drawing Congressional boundaries along partisan lines after the 2010 elections, Wisconsin's gerrymandering may have been the most egregious."
"The GOP's partisan redistricting process has come under renewed scrutiny in recent months, with gerrymandered maps helping Republicans hold Congress despite receiving fewer votes than Democrats, and state legislators discussing plans to rig the presidential election by awarding electoral votes according to those contorted boundaries. But out of all the states re-drawing Congressional boundaries along partisan lines after the 2010 elections, Wisconsin's gerrymandering may have been the most egregious."
Pennsylvania Republicans To Introduce New Election-Rigging Plan
Pennsylvania Republicans To Introduce New Election-Rigging Plan: Last month, Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus called up “states that have been consistently blue that are fully controlled red” to rig future presidential elections by changing the way electoral votes are allocated. Under Priebus’ proposal, blue states such as Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania would stop awarding electoral votes to the winner of the [...]/p
February 3, 2013
Paul Krugman Destroys GOP’s Talking Points On Government Jobs
Paul Krugman Destroys GOP’s Talking Points On Government Jobs: On Sunday, economist Paul Krugman hit back against GOP claims that public sector employment has increased under Obama, and that such jobs consist mainly of wasteful bureaucrats and somehow count less economically than private sector ones. Back in September it was tea party Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) toeing that line, and this morning it was [...]/p
AL Teacher Rants About Michelle Obama's 'Big Butt' and 'Queers'
AL Teacher Rants About Michelle Obama's 'Big Butt' and 'Queers'
"When the tea party gained prominence, my husband scoffed at my insistence that they were propelled by racism. But the more he saw of them, the harder it became for him to deny. All of the things that existed when George W. Bush was president suddenly became tyranny when an African American man occupied the White House."
"When the tea party gained prominence, my husband scoffed at my insistence that they were propelled by racism. But the more he saw of them, the harder it became for him to deny. All of the things that existed when George W. Bush was president suddenly became tyranny when an African American man occupied the White House."
How the Public Can Win the New Financial War | Alternet
How the Public Can Win the New Financial War | Alternet
"Wall Street lobbyists blame unemployment and the loss of industrial competitiveness on government spending and budget deficits – especially on social programs – and labor’s demand to share in the economy’s rising productivity. The myth (perhaps we should call it junk economics) is that (1) governments should not run deficits (at least, not by printing their own money), because (2) public money creation and high taxes (at lest on the wealthy) cause prices to rise. The cure for economic malaise (which they themselves have caused), is said to be less public spending, along with more tax cuts for the wealthy, who euphemize themselves as “job creators.” Demanding budget surpluses, bank lobbyists promise that banks can provide the economy with enough purchasing power to grow. Then, when this ends in crisis, they insist that austerity can squeeze out enough income to enable private-sector debts to be paid.
"Wall Street lobbyists blame unemployment and the loss of industrial competitiveness on government spending and budget deficits – especially on social programs – and labor’s demand to share in the economy’s rising productivity. The myth (perhaps we should call it junk economics) is that (1) governments should not run deficits (at least, not by printing their own money), because (2) public money creation and high taxes (at lest on the wealthy) cause prices to rise. The cure for economic malaise (which they themselves have caused), is said to be less public spending, along with more tax cuts for the wealthy, who euphemize themselves as “job creators.” Demanding budget surpluses, bank lobbyists promise that banks can provide the economy with enough purchasing power to grow. Then, when this ends in crisis, they insist that austerity can squeeze out enough income to enable private-sector debts to be paid.
The reality is that when banks load the economy down with debt, this leaves less to spend on domestic goods and services while driving up housing prices (and hence the cost of living) with reckless credit creation on looser lending terms."
February 2, 2013
Seattle Coffee Chain Charging 'Sick Leave Surcharge' Of 1.5%
Seattle Coffee Chain Charging 'Sick Leave Surcharge' Of 1.5%
"this shameful little tale of passive-aggressive douchebaggery: A coffee chain owner whoannounces a "surcharge" to cover the city's new mandatory sick pay law -- instead of quietly raising his prices:"
"this shameful little tale of passive-aggressive douchebaggery: A coffee chain owner whoannounces a "surcharge" to cover the city's new mandatory sick pay law -- instead of quietly raising his prices:"
Obama Administration’s New Birth Control Rules Already Gaining Support Among Catholic Leaders
Obama Administration’s New Birth Control Rules Already Gaining Support Among Catholic Leaders: On Friday, the Obama Administration announced updated regulations for its birth control rule that requires employer-based insurance plans to offer contraceptive services without a co-pay. The new rules address concerns from both Catholic groups and women’s health organizations — clarifying that women who work for religious employers will still be able to access no-cost birth [...]/p
February 1, 2013
GOP Lawmaker Behind Abortion Ban: ‘We’re Not Going To Allow Minorities To Run Roughshod’
GOP Lawmaker Behind Abortion Ban: ‘We’re Not Going To Allow Minorities To Run Roughshod’: On Wednesday, the Arkansas Senate approved an unconstitutional bill to ban abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy. As The Nation’s Lee Fang noted Friday, this is part of a larger strategy by chief sponsor Sen. Jason Rapert (R) to remake America as a arch-conservative country. Rapert explained his long-term goals in a [...]/p
43 GOP Senators Threaten Obstruction Unless Consumer Protection Bureau Is Weakened
43 GOP Senators Threaten Obstruction Unless Consumer Protection Bureau Is Weakened: When the Dodd-Frank financial reform law first passed, Senate Republicans refused to confirm a director for the newly-created Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. They promised to block any nominee — regardless of that nominee’s qualifications for the job — unless the Bureau was weakened and made subservient to the same bank regulators who failed to prevent [...]/p
Scott Brown Is Out!
Scott Brown Is Out!
"We've added Ed Markey to our Blue America page so please donate if you can. He's a real progressive and we need more of them in Congress."
"We've added Ed Markey to our Blue America page so please donate if you can. He's a real progressive and we need more of them in Congress."
Rebuking Austerity, Americans Say: Strengthen Social Security | Common Dreams
Rebuking Austerity, Americans Say: Strengthen Social Security | Common Dreams
"While recent proposals from lawmakers and corporate CEO 'extremists' have put Social Security benefits on the chopping block, Americans are coming out in strong support of the vital program. They are saying: Preserve it. Fund it. Strengthen it. Raise our taxes for it."
"While recent proposals from lawmakers and corporate CEO 'extremists' have put Social Security benefits on the chopping block, Americans are coming out in strong support of the vital program. They are saying: Preserve it. Fund it. Strengthen it. Raise our taxes for it."
'Just the Beginning': US Drought Kills Hundreds of Thousands of Trees | Common Dreams
'Just the Beginning': US Drought Kills Hundreds of Thousands of Trees | Common Dreams
"The historic drought of 2012, which continues to ravage over half of the contiguous US, has a new legacy: the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the Midwest."
"The historic drought of 2012, which continues to ravage over half of the contiguous US, has a new legacy: the death of hundreds of thousands of trees across the Midwest."
Manmade Carbon Pollution Has Already Put Us On Track For 69 Feet Of Sea Level Rise
Manmade Carbon Pollution Has Already Put Us On Track For 69 Feet Of Sea Level Rise: The bad news is that we’re all but certain to end up with a coastline at least this flooded (20 meters or 69 feet): The “good” news is that this might take 1000 to 2000 years (or longer), and the choices we make now can affect the rate of rise and whether we blow past [...]/p
Five Possibilities for the Next Great Progressive Push | Common Dreams
Five Possibilities for the Next Great Progressive Push | Common Dreams
"Obama’s second inaugural address opened some hope of a brighter progressive future, yet virtually all the critical economic and distributional issues were off the table—and the pain is likely to continue. Paradoxically, the failings of traditional politics—and the anger that is already building up—suggest strategic possibilities that focus on critical institutions, along with opportunities for the step by step “evolutionary reconstruction” of basic ownership of the economy at different levels."
"Obama’s second inaugural address opened some hope of a brighter progressive future, yet virtually all the critical economic and distributional issues were off the table—and the pain is likely to continue. Paradoxically, the failings of traditional politics—and the anger that is already building up—suggest strategic possibilities that focus on critical institutions, along with opportunities for the step by step “evolutionary reconstruction” of basic ownership of the economy at different levels."
The 25 Most Vile Statements by Fox News' Newest Pundit | Alternet
The 25 Most Vile Statements by Fox News' Newest Pundit | Alternet
"As Erick Erickson leaves CNN for Fox News, let's take a look at why the station will love its newest employee."
"As Erick Erickson leaves CNN for Fox News, let's take a look at why the station will love its newest employee."
Exxon, Chevron Made $71 Billion Profit In 2012 As Consumers Paid Record Gas Prices
Exxon, Chevron Made $71 Billion Profit In 2012 As Consumers Paid Record Gas Prices: While 2012 might not be a banner year for Big Oil profits, it wasn’t a bad one either. With just BP left to announce 2012 earnings, Big Oil earned well over $100 billion in profits last year, while the companies benefit from continued taxpayer subsidies. Average gas prices also hit a record high last year, [...]/p
Exposed: How Whole Foods and the Biggest Organic Foods Distributor Are Screwing Workers | Alternet
Exposed: How Whole Foods and the Biggest Organic Foods Distributor Are Screwing Workers | Alternet
"Whole Foods is under investigation for 45 violations of federal labor law."
"Whole Foods is under investigation for 45 violations of federal labor law."
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