August 7, 2014

The Sovereign Citizen's Threat

Elizabeth Warren Celebrates Reaching 1,000,000 Facebook Fans By Firing Up Democrats

www.politicususa.com/2014/08/04/elizabeth-warren-celebrates-reaching-1000000-facebook-fans-motivating-base.html
"We don’t think of these things until we run into a personal problem, but Warren’s baby, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is there to help protect consumers from the predatory policies of some banks. While there is much work to be done still, the CFPB forced banks to give back $4 billion dollars. It’s a start"

Fired Up Democrats Unveil A List Of Bills They Will Pass If They Take Back The House

www.politicususa.com/2014/08/06/democrats-promise-list-legislation-pass-100-days-house-dem-majority.html
"Republicans have made it very easy for Democrats to use the GOP’s record against them in the 2014 midterm elections."

Rewrite: Wall St. on inequality

North Carolina's Billionaire Budget Warden Art Pope Quits

North Carolina's Billionaire Budget Warden Art Pope Quits

"It doesn't look seemly for a billionaire to buy elections while still serving as the budget warden of a state, so Art Pope submitted his resignation just in time to spend some serious bucks buying himself a Senator and more extremists for the North Carolina state legislature."

Papantonio: The Republican Party Has Betrayed Lincoln

Alabama Republican Says Democrats Waging “War on Whites”

Rand Paul's Pattern Of Reaganesque Deceit And Denial

Rand Paul's Pattern Of Reaganesque Deceit And Denial

"The latest incident with Rand Paul and immigration activists is just one in a long pattern of lies cleaned up with abject denial."

Rand Paul employs Reagan fact-denying tactic

Mike Huckabee Says President Obama Can Be Impeached Once Republicans Win The Senate

www.politicususa.com/2014/08/06/mike-huckabee-president-obama-impeached-republicans-win-senate.html
"With each day, Republicans are getting bolder. They are starting not even to try to hide their real plan if they win control of the Senate."

GOP targets the NLRB

Explosive New Research Confirms That The Economy Grows More Under Democratic Presidents

www.politicususa.com/2014/08/06/explosive-research-confirms-economy-grows-democratic-presidents.html
"New research by two Harvard economists proves that Democratic presidents do a better job of growing the economy than Republicans."

Rand Paul goes after Hillary Clinton

Alison Lundergan Grimes Slams Mitch McConnell In Speech Highlighting War On Women (VIDEO)

www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/06/alison-lundergan-grimes-slams-mitch-mcconnell-in-speech-highlighting-war-on-women-video/
"Republicans constantly claim to be the party of “family values” but they ignore and obstruct closing the pay gap between men and women that would actually help families. Women voted overwhelming for Democrats in 2012. The 18 point gender gap is just one of the reasons why President Obama beat Mitt Romney that year."

August 6, 2014

Lobbyist Helps Interview Staff For Top Conservative Lawmaker

Mitch McConnell Loves Women Insists Mrs McConnell (Except He Doesn't)

Corporate Victory Will 'Screw' Local Farmers as Amendment Passes in Missouri

Corporate Victory Will 'Screw' Local Farmers as Amendment Passes in Missouri

"ALEC-modeled constitutional amendment protects industrial farmers' right to pollute"

Rand Paul Flees Real Life Immigrants, Steve King Doesn’t, Then It Gets Ugly

McDonnell trial spins into soap opera

Ann Romney enters McDonnell soap opera

‘War On Whites’ Threatens Whites, Says White Racist Lying Politician

Wingnut scams the troops: How Tea Party quack uses fake charities to get rich

Wingnut scams the troops: How Tea Party quack uses fake charities to get rich

"Meet Sal Russo, the man accused of running a faux veterans charity and Tea Party PAC -- to shadily pocket millions"

Conservative group accused of US troop aid scam

Sucker! Tea Party Tied ‘Charity’ Just Swindling The Ill Informed

www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/06/charity-sucker/
"This meant that money given to the so-called charity for care packages was instead being used to promote Tea Party candidates as well as to fatten Mr. Russo’s wallet."

White House cleared on Benghazi. Now what?

Tax dodger Running for Governor in Illinois

Tax dodger Running for Governor in Illinois

"Rauner's story shows what's behind all that union-bashing and belt-tightening for the poor and middle class--rightwing billionaires like Rauner push these policies, even as they play by an entirely different set of rules, dodging taxes, pulling strings, and get special treatment most people could never afford."

Sen. Rand Paul has some explaining to do

The Republican Party’s immigration issue

Mitch McConnell touts support for Violence Against Women Act—which he's voted against repeatedly

www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/06/1319424/-Mitch-McConnell-touts-support-for-Violence-Against-Women-Act-which-he-s-voted-against-repeatedly
"He did not sponsor the legislation in 1993, when it finally did advance to the floor—and then he voted against it!
More recently, when it came time to re-authorize the act last year, McConnell voted against doing so, even though it passed by a lopsided 78-22 margin. That means McConnell wanted to make sure he was on record as opposing the bill, probably because he feared a GOP primary challenge.
But now that it suits him to pretend like he's a champion of women, that's exactly what he's doing."

Rep claims ‘war on whites’ being waged

Every Republican must answer: Has Barack Obama really been waging a 'war on whites'?

www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/04/1319221/-Every-Republican-must-answer-Has-Barack-Obama-really-been-waging-a-war-on-whites
"Mo Brooks is a hateful demagogue of the lowest order. That we know. What we don't know is this: Are there any Republicans out there willing to stand up and reject his hate?"

Florida redistricting draws ire from judge

Don't Believe the Haters—The Truth About the U.S. Post Office

www.alternet.org/labor/dont-believe-haters-truth-about-us-post-office
"Late in 2006, the lame duck Republican Congress rammed into law a cockamamie requirement that the Postal Service must pre-fund the retiree health benefits of everyone it employs or expects to employ for the next 75 years. Hello? That includes workers who're not even born yet! No other business in America is required to pre-fund such benefits for even one year. To add to Congress' cockamamie-ness, the service is being forced to put up all of that money within just 10 years -- which has been costing USPS more than $5 billion a year. That artificial burden accounts for 100 percent of the so-called "losses" the media keep reporting. 
It's like tying an anvil around someone's neck, throwing the person out of a boat, and saying, "Swim to shore, sucker"."

Dangerous toxins contaminate Toledo’s tap water

Twitter Hilariously Smacks Down Bigoted GOP Rep's #WarOnWhites Assertions

Twitter Hilariously Smacks Down Bigoted GOP Rep's #WarOnWhites Assertions

"Rather than own up to his ignorance, Brooks defended his statement that white people have it tough because of President Obama."

Republicans run away from the issues

The States With The Highest Uninsurance Rates Are All Led By Republicans

www.thinkprogress.org/health/2014/08/06/3468071/obamacare-red-blue-divide/
"The 10 states with the highest percentage of uninsured adult residents all have one thing in common: They’re led by Republican governors or legislatures."

Fighting for voting rights in OH and WI

August 5, 2014

Sen. Rand Paul Claims He Had Another Interview And Wasn't Really Running From DREAMer

Sen. Rand Paul Claims He Had Another Interview And Wasn't Really Running From DREAMer

"Sorry Sen. Paul, but you're going to have to come up with a better excuse than this one for why you turned tail and ran when you were obviously still in the middle of finishing a meal as soon as you heard the word DREAMer from your unwelcome guest Erika Andiola's mouth."

The “War On Whites” And The GOP’s Very Serious Problem With Racism

www.forwardprogressives.com/the-war-on-whites-and-the-gops-very-serious-problem-with-racism/
"This is the very real problem that the GOP finds itself facing right now. If they were to pivot to Hispanic voters, they would anger their current base of support which right now is comprised primarily of white, often older people. If the GOP stays the current course, they will soon be relegated to being a regional party, only representing mostly rural areas scattered across the southern parts of the country."

20 Conservative Media Figures Who Helped Shady "Pro-Troop" Charity Raise Money

www.mediamatters.org/blog/2014/08/05/20-conservative-media-figures-who-helped-shady/200320
"Numerous conservative radio, cable news, and Internet media stars provided testimonials and other support to Move America Forward, a purported "pro-troop" charity that funneled money to the GOP consultants who run it."

‘Pro-troop’ conservative charity mainly exists to funnel money to Tea Party Express founder

www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/08/05/pro-troop-conservative-charity-mainly-exists-to-funnel-money-to-tea-party-express-founder/
"A conservative charity group that claimed to be sending care packages to U.S. Marines in Afghanistan has been exposed as a fraudulent operation dedicated to pumping millions of dollars into the accounts of a Tea Party loyalist and his political consulting groups."

Scott Walker Is Reeling As Wisconsin Governor’s Race Is a Dead Heat

www.politicususa.com/2014/08/04/scott-walker-reeling-wisconsin-governors-race-dead-heat.html
"Walker has taken a prosperous state and thrown it in the dumpster in the name of right-wing ideology. Scott Walker wants to run for president in 2016, but if Democrats have their way he is soon going to be an unemployed former governor and the poster child for the failure of the Koch agenda."

There’s No ‘War on Whites’ | The Nation

There’s No ‘War on Whites’ | The Nation

"There's an obvious ridiculousness to Congressman Mo Brooks's comment about there being a "war on whites" that isn't worth examining."

House Intelligence Committee: No administration wrongdoing in Benghazi

www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/04/1318989/-House-Intelligence-Committee-No-administration-wrongdoing-in-nbsp-Benghazi#
"However, the $3.3 million special committee created by House leadership is still proceeding with its first public hearing scheduled next month. The hearing, Rep. Trey Gowdy has said, will focus on "changes the State Department has made to better protect diplomats." Gowdy has also said that "the committee’s investigation would be an objective search for facts, not a partisan attempt to smear Democrats ahead of the 2014 mid-term elections and the 2016 presidential race." With the conclusions reached by his colleagues' investigation, there won't be much to find. With all this news, Darrell Issa must be gnashing his teeth and rending his garments."

Steve King relishes new leadership role, hints at impeachment

www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/04/1319116/-Steve-King-relishes-new-leadership-role-hints-at-nbsp-impeachment
"This is what House Speaker John Boehner gets for allowing Rep. Steve King to lead, on anything."

Rand Paul’s stunning cowardice: Wants to be president but fears a DREAMer

Rand Paul’s stunning cowardice: Wants to be president but fears a DREAMer

"While low-rent congressman Steve King debated a DREAMer, Paul dropped his burger and ran."

Karl Rove May Yet Face The Music Over Crossroads GPS Campaign Activities

Karl Rove May Yet Face The Music Over Crossroads GPS Campaign Activities

"Public Citizen and ProtectOurElections.org are taking aim at the FEC for dropping the ball on Rove's failure to disclose donors."

Rand Paul Flees While Steve King Belittles DREAMers on Immigration (Video)

www.forwardprogressives.com/rand-paul-flees-steve-king-belittles-dreamers-confronted-immigration/
"this video has it all.  Rand Paul running away like a coward, some blatant bigotry (and borderline racism) by King, the ignorant conservative in the background shouting “Go home!,” and even the complete disrespect of someone who died fighting for this country."

Pro-Troop Charity Misleads Donors While Lining Political Consultants' Pockets

Pro-Troop Charity Misleads Donors While Lining Political Consultants' Pockets

"The charity was launched in part by Sal Russo, one of the most prominent figures in the Tea Party movement."

GOP’s “toxic” laundering scheme: How echoes of Jack Abramoff are emerging

GOP’s “toxic” laundering scheme: How echoes of Jack Abramoff are emerging

"If there’s one thing Republicans have learned over the years it’s to never let legalities stand in the way of a good fundraising scam. And one of their best cons ever was Jack Abramoff and Ralph Reed’s brilliant scheme to con millions from Indian tribes to run a supposedly religious based anti-gambling campaign against the tribes rivals in order to gain exclusive gambling rights. And even better was the revelation that they were ripping off their own Christian clients as well."

House Intelligence Committee's Benghazi Report Concludes No Wrongdoing By Obama Administration

House Intelligence Committee's Benghazi Report Concludes No Wrongdoing By Obama Administration

"This should put an end to the Republican conspiracy theories on Benghazi, but we know it won't."

Republicans Okay Tax Breaks To Companies Who Abandon America

Fox Pundits Attack NLRB For Ruling Stopping Corporations Shielding Themselves From Lawsuits

Fox Pundits Attack NLRB For Ruling Stopping Corporations Shielding Themselves From Lawsuits

"If there's one thing you can count on, it's the pundits over at Faux "news" complaining heavily any time there's a ruling that favors workers over large corporations and businesses."

Alison Lundergan-Grimes Unleashes Epic Smackdown Right To Mitch McConnell's Face

Alison Lundergan-Grimes Unleashes Epic Smackdown Right To Mitch McConnell's Face

"The look on his face...is easily worth the ticket price!"

Grimes wins a big endorsement

McDonnell Trial A Shocking Case For Virginia

www.nationalmemo.com/mcdonnell-trial-shocking-case-virginia/
"Evidence shows Williams gave a $50,000 loan to the McDonnells, paid $15,000 for catering at the wedding of one of their daughters, took Maureen McDonnell on a $19,000 shopping spree at Oscar de la Renta and Bergdorf Goodman in Manhattan and bought the governor an engraved $6,500 Rolex at a jewelry shop in Malibu."

Witness: Maureen McDonnell Pitched Company's 'MS Cure' To Ann Romney

www.talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/maureen-mcdonnell-ann-romney-anatabloc
"Phil Cox, who ran former Gov. Bob McDonnell’s (R) political action committee, testified in court Monday that the governor's wife, Maureen, tried to promote the dietary supplement Anatabloc to both Mitt and Ann Romney the same day her husband endorsed Mitt Romney for the Republican nomination for President.
The Washington Post reported on the testimony as part of the ongoing federal corruption trial against the McDonnells."

Trial evidence now part of McDonnell legacy

Abortion rights activists see significant victory in court ruling

Wingnuts run the GOP now: Tea Party haters got everything they wanted on immigration

Wingnuts run the GOP now: Tea Party haters got everything they wanted on immigration

"GOP goes nativist: "It's like I ordered it off the menu," says far-right Rep. Steve King of new immigration bill."

Report: Sovereign citizen movement top terrorist threat

Sovereign Citizens Now Considered Top Terrorist Threat In United States

Sovereign Citizens Now Considered Top Terrorist Threat In United States

"A consortium of law enforcement intelligence agencies has ranked various terrorist threats in terms of the perception of those that pose the greatest current national security risks. Sovereign citizens topped the list, shifting from Islamic extremists in prior years."

Wisconsin lawmaker exposes ALEC’s agenda

Toledo water ban lifted, but is it safe?

The Really Scary Thing About Those Jaw-Dropping Siberian Craters

www.thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/01/3466466/siberian-craters-permafrost-climate-change/
"Russian scientists sent to the site are now providing first-hand data showing that unusually high concentrations of methane of up to 9.6 percent were present at the bottom of the first large crater shortly after it was discovered on July 16."

Climate change implicated in Siberian craters

Attempted Cover-Up Of Georgia Republican Governor’s Corruption Costs Taxpayers Millions

www.addictinginfo.org/2014/08/03/attempted-cover-up-of-georgia-republican-governors-corruption-costs-taxpayers-millions/
"Sadly, the corruption in Nathan Deal administration is not at all unique among GOP governors."

Obama accused of a ‘war on whites’

Why EPA Suddenly Doesn’t Have Anyone Running The Office That Protects Our Waterways

www.thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/08/01/3466785/epa-water-kopocis-delayed/
"Starting Friday, there is no one in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water.
As E&E News reports, the office has actually gone without a confirmed head since February 2011. In the interim, Assistant Administrator Nancy Stoner has served as acting head. But on Friday, she hit the legal limit on how long an unconfirmed leader can hold an office. The Obama Administration’s nominee to head the office is Ken Kopocis — a former Capitol Hill staffer personally respected by both sides — and has been in limbo for 1,148 days and counting."

No bipartisan border bill before recess

August 4, 2014

As Congress Adjourns, GOP Declares 'Omission Accomplished'

As Congress Adjourns, GOP Declares 'Omission Accomplished'

"Congress has adjourned for summer recess after a session that can safely be described as “historic,” both for its historic lack of accomplishment and the historically low regard in which it is now held by the public.
But let’s be clear: This shameful record is not an example of “government failure.” It is a demonstration of what happens when people who are opposed to government, for reasons of both ideology and self-interest, are given positions of power within it and do not face a sufficiently eloquent and well-organized opposition.
Doing nothing is not a bug for Republicans in Congress. It is a feature."

A Reminder to Republicans of Just How Bad Things Were Under George W. Bush

www.forwardprogressives.com/reminder-republicans-just-bad-things-george-w-bush/
"Where are we at today?
Well: Unemployment is down to 6.2%.
We’ve seen the best year of job gains since 1999.
Stocks have hit record highs.
53 straight months of private sector job growth.
We’ve created 9.9 million jobs during that span.
We haven’t started any wars.
The rate of uninsured Americans fell to its lowest level since Gallup starting tracking the number in 2008. Down almost 5 percent in just the last year alone.
Deficits have been cut in half.
Among many other things.
So, when conservatives say that we’re much worse off now than when President Obama took office, they’re either blatantly altering history to suit their talking points – or they have absolutely no damn idea what it is that they’re talking about."

August 3, 2014

Busting the seven great myths of poverty

www.dailykos.com/story/2014/08/03/1317417/-Busting-the-seven-great-myths-of-poverty
"Every one of these arguments that are used to belittle and ostracize the poor can be disproved with minimal research."

The raging contradiction at the heart of the conservative “reform” movement

The raging contradiction at the heart of the conservative “reform” movement

"Republicans are desperate for a facelift, but their new effort to appear compassionate collapses under scrutiny"

Ayn Rand’s libertarian “Groundhog Day”: Billionaire greed, deregulation and the myth that markets aren’t free enough

Ayn Rand’s libertarian “Groundhog Day”: Billionaire greed, deregulation and the myth that markets aren’t free enough

"I am sure that the next few corporate scandals and financial crises will be just as shocking and unforeseen as were their predecessors. Of course, we have no way of knowing what those particular disasters will be until the day they crush our 401(k) accounts or ring the Fed’s bailout bell. But we can predict their broad outlines, thanks to the template provided by Enron.
The primary component of the modern scandal is deregulation, either by law or by the de facto dumbing down or hacking back of the supervisory offices of government."

Shockingly sleazy GOP governors: “Knaves, scoundrels, extremists and panderers”

Shockingly sleazy GOP governors: “Knaves, scoundrels, extremists and panderers”

"The entire current crop of GOP governors is a passel of knaves, scoundrels, extremists and panderers, whose monumental collective failures aren’t even a blip on the D.C. media’s radar screen—though they should be. Because out in the states, their failures are killing people—literally by the thousands when it comes to denying Medicaid expansion (over 13,000 in eight Southern states this year)—and may even contribute to killing the GOP’s chances of a strong showing in Congressional elections come November."

August 2, 2014

Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Now Supported by Half of Senate Members

Amendment to Overturn Citizens United Now Supported by Half of Senate Members

"As US elections have become increasingly determined by the unlimited political spending of shadowy organizations financed by the rich, participatory democracy has further deteriorated."

Cognitive Dissonance And The Conservative Hatred Of President Obama

www.forwardprogressives.com/cognitive-dissonance-and-the-conservative-hatred-of-president-obama/
"At some point, the right-wing conservative hatred of the president will end up destroying the GOP as it drags the party ever further to edge of irrelevancy. The only things keeping it from happening right now are some gerrymandered districts and liberal apathy toward voting, especially in midterm elections. If you want to put an end to the obstruction, you need to vote."

August 1, 2014

Least popular and least productive Congress

July shows economic growth

Ridiculous comments mixed with inaction

Rep. Gutierrez Ablaze: Only Cowards Scapegoat Kids After Hours On A Friday Night (Video)

Rep. Gutierrez Ablaze: Only Cowards Scapegoat Kids After Hours On A Friday Night (Video)

"Rep. Luis Gutierrez ripped the Republicans for their symbolic effort to pretend they did something about the crisis at the border. It's a sight to behold."

Rep. Mo Brooks: Deport DREAMers, Deport Them All!

Rep. Mo Brooks: Deport DREAMers, Deport Them All!

"Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Bigot) showed his true colors on an appearance on Chris Hayes' show during the House vote on their newest border bills."

Rep. Steve King Praises GOP Border Bill: 'Like I Ordered It Off The Menu"

Rep. Steve King Praises GOP Border Bill: 'Like I Ordered It Off The Menu"

"The newest version of the GOP border bill is tailor-made for bigots like Rep. Steve King."

Obama Slams House Republicans For Trying To Pass Extreme Border Bill That’s Going Nowhere

www.politicususa.com/2014/08/01/obama-slams-house-republicans-pass-extreme-border-bill.html
"President Obama called House Republicans out on their fraud. He was right. House Republicans have no interest in solving problems. In fact, they aren’t interested in even pretending like they are solving problems. Boehner and company are interesting in passing a bill just so that they can go home and tell people that they did something.
It doesn’t matter that what they will pass will never become law. House Republicans are all about playing to talk radio and Fox News. For these House Republicans, image matters more than substance."

John Boehner Screws The Republican Party With Harebrained Scheme to Deport 500,000 Kids

www.politicususa.com/2014/08/01/john-boehner-screws-republican-party-harebrained-scheme-deport-500000-kids.html
"House Republicans still haven’t passed a bill to deal with the border crisis but they will be voting on a plan that would deport 500,000 children who have been living in the United States for most their lives."

Filthy Despicable Racism Is The Real Reason Why Republicans Are Suing President Obama

www.politicususa.com/2014/08/01/filthy-despicable-racism-real-reason-republicans-suing-president-obama.html
"Republicans have made a mockery of governance for well-over five years, and it is all due to their racial animus toward Barack Obama they disguise with words like tyrant, executive overreach, dictator, and imperial president. However, according to the definition of tyrant, it is Republicans in Congress who have spent over five years attempting to wield ultimate control over everything, rule according to their own advantage rather than the people they were elected to serve, use extremely cruel tactics against their own constituents, and rule according to massively oppressive character. And what drives their tyranny against their fellow countrymen besides hatred of the people is their racially driven animus toward an African American in the White House. Now because they have failed to discredit and destroy Barack Obama’s Presidency they are taking him to court for the Confederate crime of being the President of the United States while being Black; not because he is a tyrant but because they are filthy despicable racists."

What Happened When an Extremist, Christian Fundamentalist Got to Run a Whole State

www.alternet.org/what-happened-when-extremist-christian-fundamentalist-got-run-whole-state
"If America wants to see what the country will look like if the Brownback wing of the GOP manages to get its way nationally, they only need to look at Sam Brownback's Kansas—a disaster on every level."

Elizabeth Warren Grills Banker Over Cruel Student Loan Policies (Video)

Elizabeth Warren Grills Banker Over Cruel Student Loan Policies (Video)

"Senator Elizabeth Warren pushed on a banker testifying before the Senate Banking Committee about student loans Thursday. She wasn't gentle."

Walmart Ice Cream Sandwich Doesn’t Melt After 12 Hours In The Sun (VIDEO)

www.addictinginfo.org/2014/07/31/watch-walmart-ice-cream-sandwich-doesnt-melt-after-12-hours-in-the-sun/
"If you want to know who does manufacture Great Value products and where they come from, you’re out of luck. The company’s labeling system doesn’t provide the location of the manufacturer."