Jeb Bush declares war on American labor: “People should work longer hours”
"Recent research indicates that U.S. productivity has increased steadily since the 1940s. Through the 1950s and 1960s, hourly compensation rose along with productivity, but in the 1970s this connection severed. Since then, a disproportionate share of earnings has gone to shareholders and upper management rather than to ordinary workers. Instead of having already overworked Americans remain at work longer, a more sensible solution to the country’s economic woes would be to ensure that productivity growth translates into higher wages and to make sure there is continued investments in research and development that lead to innovations. Such investments require vision and risk-taking, but simply squeezing workers harder is not a viable alternative."
September 5, 2015
The Rise of Donald Trump Has Cemented the GOP’s Legacy as the Party of Stupid
The Rise of Donald Trump Has Cemented the GOP’s Legacy as the Party of Stupid
"I love it when I hear Republicans try to find excuses as to why Trump has become such a right-wing favorite. They’ll say things like “he’s just telling it how it is” or “he’s just tapping into an anger that many Americans have felt.”
Bullsh*t.
Trump has become a right-wing hero because he’s just saying whatever the hell it is he thinks Republicans want to hear. He doesn’t care if most of what he’s saying is complete nonsense, because he knows conservatives couldn’t care less about facts or truth – they just want someone who tells them what they want to hear. He’s pandering to racism, bigotry and ignorance. If you can do that effectively (which he has) conservatives will love you."
"I love it when I hear Republicans try to find excuses as to why Trump has become such a right-wing favorite. They’ll say things like “he’s just telling it how it is” or “he’s just tapping into an anger that many Americans have felt.”
Bullsh*t.
Trump has become a right-wing hero because he’s just saying whatever the hell it is he thinks Republicans want to hear. He doesn’t care if most of what he’s saying is complete nonsense, because he knows conservatives couldn’t care less about facts or truth – they just want someone who tells them what they want to hear. He’s pandering to racism, bigotry and ignorance. If you can do that effectively (which he has) conservatives will love you."
Group behind Planned Parenthood attacks has close ties to extremists
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/31/1417154/-Group-behind-Planned-Parenthood-attacks-has-close-ties-to-extremists#
"The group behind the falsified videos attacking Planned Parenthood calls itself a "group of citizen journalists," but is of course not actually journalists. What the so-called Center for Medical Progress really is is a group of committed anti-abortion activists with close ties to "some of the country's hardest-line anti-abortion extremists," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center."
"The group behind the falsified videos attacking Planned Parenthood calls itself a "group of citizen journalists," but is of course not actually journalists. What the so-called Center for Medical Progress really is is a group of committed anti-abortion activists with close ties to "some of the country's hardest-line anti-abortion extremists," according to the Southern Poverty Law Center."
First prominent Republican politician to endorse Trump is arguably the most racist
First prominent Republican politician to endorse Trump is arguably the most racist
"The endorsement was fitting, because Sessions has been known as one of Congress’ biggest bigots."
"The endorsement was fitting, because Sessions has been known as one of Congress’ biggest bigots."
Jeb Bush Blatantly Lies About Planned Parenthood in Desperate Attempt to Save His Campaign
Jeb Bush Blatantly Lies About Planned Parenthood in Desperate Attempt to Save His Campaign
"As Jeb Bush’s campaign continues to sink, expect his rhetoric to only get worse and more ridiculous. Because as we’ve seen with Donald Trump’s popularity, conservative voters don’t want to hear the truth – they just want to support the most entertaining clown at the circus."
"As Jeb Bush’s campaign continues to sink, expect his rhetoric to only get worse and more ridiculous. Because as we’ve seen with Donald Trump’s popularity, conservative voters don’t want to hear the truth – they just want to support the most entertaining clown at the circus."
Cruz Sends Sermon to Thousands of Pastors in Violation of Fed. Law: How Many Will Read it at Church
Cruz Sends Sermon to Thousands of Pastors in Violation of Fed. Law: How Many Will Read it at Church
"Mindless babble from a mindless conservative, right? Except for the fact that pastors preaching Cruz’s sermon is violating the terms of its 501(c)3 nonprofit status. Churches and religious groups are not permitted to practice politics, this is what provides them with their tax-exempt status."
"Mindless babble from a mindless conservative, right? Except for the fact that pastors preaching Cruz’s sermon is violating the terms of its 501(c)3 nonprofit status. Churches and religious groups are not permitted to practice politics, this is what provides them with their tax-exempt status."
Ted Cruz Reaches New Low, Uses Tombstones Of Dead Soldiers to Fearmonger About Religious Freedom
Ted Cruz Reaches New Low, Uses Tombstones Of Dead Soldiers to Fearmonger About Religious Freedom
"You see, this is just what Ted Cruz does. He knowingly spreads misinformation and lies because he’s well aware that conservatives are ignorant enough to believe it and get scared."
"You see, this is just what Ted Cruz does. He knowingly spreads misinformation and lies because he’s well aware that conservatives are ignorant enough to believe it and get scared."
Evangelical Pastor Claims Giving Him Your Hard-Earned Money Can Cure Brain Tumors (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/08/28/evangelical-pastor-claims-giving-him-your-hard-earned-money-can-cure-brain-tumors-video/
"It becomes another thing entirely, though, when someone uses their position to steal money from people on false pretenses. Parsley, by all accounts, has used the church over the years for tremendous financial gain. He flies’s around in a personal jet and makes untold amounts of money on the backs of his many followers. Somehow, people still buy this propaganda. It should be illegal."
"It becomes another thing entirely, though, when someone uses their position to steal money from people on false pretenses. Parsley, by all accounts, has used the church over the years for tremendous financial gain. He flies’s around in a personal jet and makes untold amounts of money on the backs of his many followers. Somehow, people still buy this propaganda. It should be illegal."
Before Concert Foo Fighters Troll Demonstrators of the Famous Hate Group Westboro Baptist Church
Before Concert Foo Fighters Troll Demonstrators of the Famous Hate Group Westboro Baptist Church
"Before a concert in Kansas City, the Foo Fighters Rick Rolled protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church. The band cruised by in a pickup truck, blasting Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give Up” much to the enjoyment of the public. This is brilliant."
"Before a concert in Kansas City, the Foo Fighters Rick Rolled protesters from the Westboro Baptist Church. The band cruised by in a pickup truck, blasting Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give Up” much to the enjoyment of the public. This is brilliant."
August 20, 2015
Because Of GOP Budget Cuts, We Can Thank Canada For Putting Out California Wildfires (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/08/18/because-of-gop-budget-cuts-we-can-thank-canada-for-putting-out-california-wildfires-video/
"Equipment to put out fires isn’t something that helps giant corporations, big pharma, energy companies or massive campaign donors, therefore the GOP has decided there’s just no need for it in our budget. They’ve gutted so much funding that the Canadians have had to help put out wildfires in California, sending CL-415 water bombers to aid in the effort."
"Equipment to put out fires isn’t something that helps giant corporations, big pharma, energy companies or massive campaign donors, therefore the GOP has decided there’s just no need for it in our budget. They’ve gutted so much funding that the Canadians have had to help put out wildfires in California, sending CL-415 water bombers to aid in the effort."
Scott Walker Steals from Taxpayers and the Poor to Give Billionaire Basketball Team Owners a New Arena @alternet
Scott Walker Steals from Taxpayers and the Poor to Give Billionaire Basketball Team Owners a New Arena @alternet
"$250 million cut from state university, $250 million given to Milwaukee Bucks."
"$250 million cut from state university, $250 million given to Milwaukee Bucks."
Why Surprising Numbers of Republicans Have Been Voting for Bernie Sanders in Vermont @alternet
Why Surprising Numbers of Republicans Have Been Voting for Bernie Sanders in Vermont @alternet
"While Americans disagree on social issues like gay marriage and abortion, they're actually pretty unified on the bread and butter economic issues that Bernie has made the core of his campaign."
"While Americans disagree on social issues like gay marriage and abortion, they're actually pretty unified on the bread and butter economic issues that Bernie has made the core of his campaign."
Bernie Sanders Urges Unions To Stand Up And Use Their Power To Crush The Koch Brothers
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/18/bernie-sanders-urges-unions-stand-power-crush-koch-brothers.html
"Ordinary Americans can’t beat the Koch brothers in a dollar for dollar battle, but they can out vote the billionaires. The Kochs and other right-wing billionaires were routed in 2012 because regular Americans went to the polls and voted."
"Ordinary Americans can’t beat the Koch brothers in a dollar for dollar battle, but they can out vote the billionaires. The Kochs and other right-wing billionaires were routed in 2012 because regular Americans went to the polls and voted."
Bernie Sanders Proposes To Boost Worker-Ownership Of Companies
Bernie Sanders Proposes To Boost Worker-Ownership Of Companies
"Worker co-ops are businesses owned and operated by the people who work at the company. Instead of squeezing and draining the company, workers, customers and surrounding communities to provide an increasing return for investors, worker-owned companies have an incentive to be responsible, obviously to pay good wages, to respect surrounding communities and the environment (where the workers/owners live) and to make the business a viable long-term operation."
"Worker co-ops are businesses owned and operated by the people who work at the company. Instead of squeezing and draining the company, workers, customers and surrounding communities to provide an increasing return for investors, worker-owned companies have an incentive to be responsible, obviously to pay good wages, to respect surrounding communities and the environment (where the workers/owners live) and to make the business a viable long-term operation."
Fox News’ inner struggle with climate misinformation
Fox News’ inner struggle with climate misinformation
"Research has shown that Fox News is a major driving force behind climate denial , decreasing viewer trust in scientists and the existence of global warming. In 2013, only 28% of Fox News’ climate science segments were accurate , although that was an improvement over its 7% accuracy in 2012."
"Research has shown that Fox News is a major driving force behind climate denial , decreasing viewer trust in scientists and the existence of global warming. In 2013, only 28% of Fox News’ climate science segments were accurate , although that was an improvement over its 7% accuracy in 2012."
Barnstorming Iowa and 'Berning Up' the Internet as Sanders Surge Continues
Barnstorming Iowa and 'Berning Up' the Internet as Sanders Surge Continues
"In addition to well-attended weekend rallies in Iowa and record-breaking rallies in cities nationwide in recent weeks, the Sanders campaign last month reported that more the 100,000 people participated in an online "house party" forum hosted by his supporters in private homes and public spaces in every state."
"In addition to well-attended weekend rallies in Iowa and record-breaking rallies in cities nationwide in recent weeks, the Sanders campaign last month reported that more the 100,000 people participated in an online "house party" forum hosted by his supporters in private homes and public spaces in every state."
Republicans Can't Face the Truth About Iraq
Republicans Can't Face the Truth About Iraq
"Gov. Jeb Bush repeated one of the biggest falsehoods of our time during the recent presidential candidate debate: “we were misled (into the Iraq War) by faulty intelligence.”
US intelligence was not “misled.” It was ordered by the real, de facto president, Dick Cheney, to provide excuses for a war of aggression against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.
PM Tony Blair, forced British intelligence services to “sex up” reports that Iraq had nuclear weapons; he purged the government and the venerable broadcaster BBC of journalists who failed to amplify Blair’s lies. Bush and Blair reportedly discussed painting a US Air Force plane in UN colors and getting it to buzz Iraqi anti-aircraft sites in hope the Iraqis would fire on it. Bush told Blair that after conquering Iraq, he intended to invade Iran, Syria, Libya and Pakistan."
"Gov. Jeb Bush repeated one of the biggest falsehoods of our time during the recent presidential candidate debate: “we were misled (into the Iraq War) by faulty intelligence.”
US intelligence was not “misled.” It was ordered by the real, de facto president, Dick Cheney, to provide excuses for a war of aggression against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.
PM Tony Blair, forced British intelligence services to “sex up” reports that Iraq had nuclear weapons; he purged the government and the venerable broadcaster BBC of journalists who failed to amplify Blair’s lies. Bush and Blair reportedly discussed painting a US Air Force plane in UN colors and getting it to buzz Iraqi anti-aircraft sites in hope the Iraqis would fire on it. Bush told Blair that after conquering Iraq, he intended to invade Iran, Syria, Libya and Pakistan."
Paul Krugman: The Republican 2016 Candidates Are Competing to Be America's Top Servant of the 1% @alternet
Paul Krugman: The Republican 2016 Candidates Are Competing to Be America's Top Servant of the 1% @alternet
"that desire by almost the entire Republican field of potential presidential nominees to gut politically popular programs like Social Security is evidence that the party has essentially been sold to a select group of wealthy bidders.
Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, and Ted Cruz have all announced retrograde plans similar in scope and intent to George W. Bush’s attempt to privatize Social Security, not because it’s politically expedient — most pollsters believe these positions will hurt them in the general election — but because they’ll never make it through the primaries without the support of 130 families who fund the majority of Republican campaigns."
"that desire by almost the entire Republican field of potential presidential nominees to gut politically popular programs like Social Security is evidence that the party has essentially been sold to a select group of wealthy bidders.
Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, and Ted Cruz have all announced retrograde plans similar in scope and intent to George W. Bush’s attempt to privatize Social Security, not because it’s politically expedient — most pollsters believe these positions will hurt them in the general election — but because they’ll never make it through the primaries without the support of 130 families who fund the majority of Republican campaigns."
Bernie Sanders: The Kochs & the Billionaires ‘Hate My Guts, And I WELCOME Their Hatred’
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/bernie-sanders-the-kochs-the-billionaires-hate-my-guts-and-i-welcome-their-hatred/
"Bernie Sanders has been preaching a message of economic justice and electoral accountability for decades, and he has so far been the only candidate to openly call out the billionaire class- especially David and Charles Koch, the fossil fuel barons whose political funding network has more than 75 organizations working around the clock to turn America in a Ayn Randian dystopia."
"Bernie Sanders has been preaching a message of economic justice and electoral accountability for decades, and he has so far been the only candidate to openly call out the billionaire class- especially David and Charles Koch, the fossil fuel barons whose political funding network has more than 75 organizations working around the clock to turn America in a Ayn Randian dystopia."
How Dick Cheney Kicked off an Era of Cancer Clusters and Eco-Disasters from Fracking @alternet
How Dick Cheney Kicked off an Era of Cancer Clusters and Eco-Disasters from Fracking @alternet
"The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which holds the Halliburton Loophole, exempts oil and gas firms from environmental protection laws."
"The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which holds the Halliburton Loophole, exempts oil and gas firms from environmental protection laws."
John Kasich Doesn’t Belong Anywhere Near the U.S. Department Of Education
John Kasich Doesn’t Belong Anywhere Near the U.S. Department Of Education
"Under Kasich, Ohio charter schools have become a national embarrassment."
"Under Kasich, Ohio charter schools have become a national embarrassment."
It’s Time For Liberal Christians To Reclaim Christianity From Conservatives Who’ve Distorted the Faith
It’s Time For Liberal Christians To Reclaim Christianity From Conservatives Who’ve Distorted the Faith
"the right-wing takeover (and distortion) of Christianity has done nothing but drive people away from the faith in record numbers."
"the right-wing takeover (and distortion) of Christianity has done nothing but drive people away from the faith in record numbers."
Jeb Bush Keeps Forgetting
Jeb Bush Keeps Forgetting
"It is only by the grace of God and the collective clout of the Washington establishment that Jeb doesn't have to talk to his brother and his brother's regent through bulletproof glass on visitor's day at Fort Lewis, and that Paul Wolfowitz hasn't been black-bagged and hauled off to the Hague.
So the idea that Jeb(!) can construct a paragraph which dismisses his professional and familial relationships with traitors and war criminals as a "parlor game" -- in front of teevee cameras and not just cheering wingnuts at CPAC -- and not realize how deep in the sh*t he just stepped is more evidence that maybe Dubya was the smart one after all."
"It is only by the grace of God and the collective clout of the Washington establishment that Jeb doesn't have to talk to his brother and his brother's regent through bulletproof glass on visitor's day at Fort Lewis, and that Paul Wolfowitz hasn't been black-bagged and hauled off to the Hague.
So the idea that Jeb(!) can construct a paragraph which dismisses his professional and familial relationships with traitors and war criminals as a "parlor game" -- in front of teevee cameras and not just cheering wingnuts at CPAC -- and not realize how deep in the sh*t he just stepped is more evidence that maybe Dubya was the smart one after all."
Oliver Starts Church: "Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption": Pressures IRS to Stop Tax Exemption for Televangelist
Oliver Starts Church: "Our Lady of Perpetual Exemption": Pressures IRS to Stop Tax Exemption for Televangelist
"Televangelists preach the “prosperity gospel,” which means that God intended for everyone to be rich, as long as they give lots of money to the church. By giving money, these preachers say God will return the payment many times over and even cure their diseases. This is a bunch of hogwash that allows televangelists like Creflo Dollar to take advantage of vulnerable people.
False preachers have used this tactic to become multi-millionaires while taking advantage of poor people’s desperation. What’s worse, these coerced donations are tax free. The tax code written for churches is purposely vague. Any person who wants to start a church can enjoy tax free donations, regardless of their belief."
"Televangelists preach the “prosperity gospel,” which means that God intended for everyone to be rich, as long as they give lots of money to the church. By giving money, these preachers say God will return the payment many times over and even cure their diseases. This is a bunch of hogwash that allows televangelists like Creflo Dollar to take advantage of vulnerable people.
False preachers have used this tactic to become multi-millionaires while taking advantage of poor people’s desperation. What’s worse, these coerced donations are tax free. The tax code written for churches is purposely vague. Any person who wants to start a church can enjoy tax free donations, regardless of their belief."
WorldNetDaily Defends Pastor Who Defrauded Seniors In Life Insurance Scam | Right Wing Watch
WorldNetDaily Defends Pastor Who Defrauded Seniors In Life Insurance Scam | Right Wing Watch
"Jim Stanley, the Missouri pastor who recently pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges after swindling elderly investors with a life insurance scam, has found a friend in the right-wing website WorldNetDaily."
"Jim Stanley, the Missouri pastor who recently pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges after swindling elderly investors with a life insurance scam, has found a friend in the right-wing website WorldNetDaily."
The Duggars Are History After Josh Duggar Admits To Cheating On His Wife
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/20/duggars-history-josh-duggar-admits-cheating-wife.html
"Jim Bob Duggar is desperate to get back on television. Duggar was still pitching new show ideas in order get his celebrity back. “Conservative family values” were their reality television gimmick, but everything that the Duggars put on the screen was a lie.
It is not a surprise that a man who molested his sisters would also cheat on his wife. Josh Duggar is one example of the vein of hypocrisy in the Republican family values movement. Josh Duggar and his family oppose same-sex marriage, yet he can’t honor his own marriage vows.
The Duggars are finished. Any hope that TLC once had of putting them back on the air after the molestation scandal blows over, which it never will, is gone."
"Jim Bob Duggar is desperate to get back on television. Duggar was still pitching new show ideas in order get his celebrity back. “Conservative family values” were their reality television gimmick, but everything that the Duggars put on the screen was a lie.
It is not a surprise that a man who molested his sisters would also cheat on his wife. Josh Duggar is one example of the vein of hypocrisy in the Republican family values movement. Josh Duggar and his family oppose same-sex marriage, yet he can’t honor his own marriage vows.
The Duggars are finished. Any hope that TLC once had of putting them back on the air after the molestation scandal blows over, which it never will, is gone."
You'll Never Guess Who Had A Paid Account On An Adultery Website
You'll Never Guess Who Had A Paid Account On An Adultery Website
"The Ashley Madison hack has netted its first victim -- Josh Duggar."
"The Ashley Madison hack has netted its first victim -- Josh Duggar."
Anti-LGBT pro-creationist rich guy eyes Montana governorship
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/20/1413530/-Anti-LGBT-pro-creationist-rich-guy-eyes-Montana-governorship
"And why, pray tell, does a creationist museum need or want a T. rex or Acrocanthosaurus exhibit? Because this is one of those creationist museums that posits—nay, asserts outright—that The Flintstones Were Real."
"And why, pray tell, does a creationist museum need or want a T. rex or Acrocanthosaurus exhibit? Because this is one of those creationist museums that posits—nay, asserts outright—that The Flintstones Were Real."
Mike Huckabee Embarasses Himself In Jerusalem
Mike Huckabee Embarasses Himself In Jerusalem
"Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee delivered a confused and garbled press conference in Jerusalem during a brief campaign stop"
"Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee delivered a confused and garbled press conference in Jerusalem during a brief campaign stop"
RNC endorses anti-LGBT discrimination under guise of 'religious liberty'
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/18/1413314/-RNC-endorses-anti-LGBT-discrimination-under-guise-of-religious-liberty
"Much was made of the fact that the Republican National Committee "quietly" shelved two anti-gay platform resolutions earlier this month, likely because they were just too overt.
Now we get a real taste of the new and improved RNC—wrapping anti-LGBT discrimination in the cloak of "religious liberty"."
"Much was made of the fact that the Republican National Committee "quietly" shelved two anti-gay platform resolutions earlier this month, likely because they were just too overt.
Now we get a real taste of the new and improved RNC—wrapping anti-LGBT discrimination in the cloak of "religious liberty"."
Facepalm Alert – Fake Historian David Barton Says Declaration Of Independence Came Directly From Bible (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/08/11/facepalm-alert-fake-historian-david-barton-says-declaration-of-independence-came-directly-from-bible-video/
"David Barton is so keen to spin the Founding Fathers and their documents to serve the evangelical conservative cause that he is now simply lying."
"David Barton is so keen to spin the Founding Fathers and their documents to serve the evangelical conservative cause that he is now simply lying."
The Appalling Evil of the Religious Right and All its Works
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/18/appalling-evil-religious-works.html
"They want our country. They want, like the creepy old men of Duck Dynasty, to marry our 15-year-old daughters, to rape our 10-year-old daughters and force them to give birth to their rapist’s children. They want to probe the vaginas of our wives and sisters and daughters, and they want you to pay them for doing it.
Then they’ll teach our kids that a bunch of Bronze Age patriarchs who didn’t know where the sun went at night, know more science than actual scientists, that once you get pregnant, what you eat can change the sex of your fetus, and that God is causing global warming to punish us not because they molest their daughters, but because same sex couples want to get married.
There are no words in the English language suitable to describe the appalling things they say and do. I won’t even try here. If you look at the worst the Old Testament has to offer in intolerance, you will see just a tithe of the horrors being offered by our own Religious Right.
They are utterly, unrepentantly evil."
"They want our country. They want, like the creepy old men of Duck Dynasty, to marry our 15-year-old daughters, to rape our 10-year-old daughters and force them to give birth to their rapist’s children. They want to probe the vaginas of our wives and sisters and daughters, and they want you to pay them for doing it.
Then they’ll teach our kids that a bunch of Bronze Age patriarchs who didn’t know where the sun went at night, know more science than actual scientists, that once you get pregnant, what you eat can change the sex of your fetus, and that God is causing global warming to punish us not because they molest their daughters, but because same sex couples want to get married.
There are no words in the English language suitable to describe the appalling things they say and do. I won’t even try here. If you look at the worst the Old Testament has to offer in intolerance, you will see just a tithe of the horrors being offered by our own Religious Right.
They are utterly, unrepentantly evil."
Michigan State Rep Todd Courser takes to Facebook to Jesus-splain away his disgusting actions
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/17/1412848/-Michigan-State-Rep-Todd-Courser-takes-to-Facebook-to-Jesus-splain-away-his-disgusting-actions
"Michigan tea-party lawmaker Todd Courser recently tried to cover up an affair with fellow representative Cindy Gamrat by attempting to solicit one of his aides to distribute an email that fictitiously claimed the lawmaker had a gay fling with a male prostitute. Hoping to "innoculate the herd" before the real scandal of his affair came to light, the scheme blew up in his face like Wile E. Coyote handling Acme dynamite in a Road Runner cartoon.
Rather than resign, tuck his tail between his legs and keep his mouth shut, Courser took to Facebook over the weekend. In a lengthy, rambling and largely incoherent screed he attempted to garner sympathy while explaining away his actions without really owning them."
"Michigan tea-party lawmaker Todd Courser recently tried to cover up an affair with fellow representative Cindy Gamrat by attempting to solicit one of his aides to distribute an email that fictitiously claimed the lawmaker had a gay fling with a male prostitute. Hoping to "innoculate the herd" before the real scandal of his affair came to light, the scheme blew up in his face like Wile E. Coyote handling Acme dynamite in a Road Runner cartoon.
Rather than resign, tuck his tail between his legs and keep his mouth shut, Courser took to Facebook over the weekend. In a lengthy, rambling and largely incoherent screed he attempted to garner sympathy while explaining away his actions without really owning them."
John Oliver opens a can of whoop-ass on ‘prosperity gospel’ Christian TV preachers — and it’s beautiful
John Oliver opens a can of whoop-ass on ‘prosperity gospel’ Christian TV preachers — and it’s beautiful
"Describing the call for funds “predatory,” Oliver shared a clip of evangelist Mike Murdock encouraging followers with burdensome credit card debt to use those same cards to send him $1,000 with the promise that, in doing so, God will step in to make that debt disappear."
"Describing the call for funds “predatory,” Oliver shared a clip of evangelist Mike Murdock encouraging followers with burdensome credit card debt to use those same cards to send him $1,000 with the promise that, in doing so, God will step in to make that debt disappear."
Facebook trolls rain holy hell on Michigan Tea Partier’s 1,900-word Bible-thumping excuse for affair
Facebook trolls rain holy hell on Michigan Tea Partier’s 1,900-word Bible-thumping excuse for affair
"Having tried blaming the “Lansing mafia” and unnamed blackmailers for exposing his adulterous affair with a fellow lawmaker, Michigan Tea Party Republican Todd Courser turned to Facebook over the weekend to write a rambling Bible-quoting post invoking Jesus and Original Sin — and his commenters weren’t having it.
State Rep. Courser is under investigation for possible misuse of his office after attempting to get a top aide to distribute an email smear saying the lawmaker had a gay fling with a male prostitute behind a nightclub. Courser’s plan was to use the anonymous smear to “inoculate the herd” — voters and his followers — before word got out that he was having an affair with fellow social conservative lawmaker, Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R), a mother of three."
"Having tried blaming the “Lansing mafia” and unnamed blackmailers for exposing his adulterous affair with a fellow lawmaker, Michigan Tea Party Republican Todd Courser turned to Facebook over the weekend to write a rambling Bible-quoting post invoking Jesus and Original Sin — and his commenters weren’t having it.
State Rep. Courser is under investigation for possible misuse of his office after attempting to get a top aide to distribute an email smear saying the lawmaker had a gay fling with a male prostitute behind a nightclub. Courser’s plan was to use the anonymous smear to “inoculate the herd” — voters and his followers — before word got out that he was having an affair with fellow social conservative lawmaker, Rep. Cindy Gamrat (R), a mother of three."
Republicans want 10-year-old girls to give birth to ‘rape’ babies — here’s what the Bible says about that
Republicans want 10-year-old girls to give birth to ‘rape’ babies — here’s what the Bible says about that
"In the lead-up to the 2012 election, Christians of many stripes scrambled to distance themselves, their religion, or their God from offensive Republican comments about rape. The comments swelled to fill a four column “Rape Advisory Chart.” Some of the most damning were explicitly driven by religious belief. Consider Indiana candidate Richard Mourdock, who said, “I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.” Mourdock echoed Rick Santorum: “the right approach is to accept this horribly created — in the sense of rape — but nevertheless a gift in a very broken way, the gift of human life, and accept what God has given to you.” Then there were thinly veiled attempts by Christian conservatives to rationalize their religiously-driven opposition to abortion. In this category we have Todd Akin’s statement that a woman’s body can prevent pregnancy in “legitimate rape” and John Koster’s comment that “incest is so rare, I mean it’s so rare"."
"In the lead-up to the 2012 election, Christians of many stripes scrambled to distance themselves, their religion, or their God from offensive Republican comments about rape. The comments swelled to fill a four column “Rape Advisory Chart.” Some of the most damning were explicitly driven by religious belief. Consider Indiana candidate Richard Mourdock, who said, “I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.” Mourdock echoed Rick Santorum: “the right approach is to accept this horribly created — in the sense of rape — but nevertheless a gift in a very broken way, the gift of human life, and accept what God has given to you.” Then there were thinly veiled attempts by Christian conservatives to rationalize their religiously-driven opposition to abortion. In this category we have Todd Akin’s statement that a woman’s body can prevent pregnancy in “legitimate rape” and John Koster’s comment that “incest is so rare, I mean it’s so rare"."
Mike Huckabee says he supports Paraguay's denial of abortion for raped 11-year-old girl
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/17/1412828/-Mike-Huckabee-says-he-supports-Paraguay-s-denial-of-abortion-for-raped-11-year-old-girl
"Huckabee was at one point in his career considered serious presidential material; we should thank our stars that this time around there are a dozen other equally extreme-in-their-own-ways candidates to split the vote and make him an also-ran."
"Huckabee was at one point in his career considered serious presidential material; we should thank our stars that this time around there are a dozen other equally extreme-in-their-own-ways candidates to split the vote and make him an also-ran."
John Oliver Tackles Terrifying Televangelists, Brilliantly Exposes the Scam of Tax-Exempt Churches (Video)
John Oliver Tackles Terrifying Televangelists, Brilliantly Exposes the Scam of Tax-Exempt Churches (Video)
"It is a magnificently scathing takedown of the entire nature of these very for-profit “non-profit churches” and how they’re exploiting our tax system to get rich because for some reason there are still millions of people who are sheepish enough to continue giving these frauds money."
"It is a magnificently scathing takedown of the entire nature of these very for-profit “non-profit churches” and how they’re exploiting our tax system to get rich because for some reason there are still millions of people who are sheepish enough to continue giving these frauds money."
John Oliver exposes the disturbing world of Christian televangelists: “This is about the churches that exploit people’s faith for monetary gain”
John Oliver exposes the disturbing world of Christian televangelists: “This is about the churches that exploit people’s faith for monetary gain”
"John Oliver took on the fraudulent behind-the-scenes (and occasionally, not so behind-the-scenes) practices of America’s megachurches — specifically, those that have exploited people’s faith for monetary gain with the promise that “donations will result in wealth coming back to you.” It’s called “The Prosperity Gospel,” and is built on the idea that every donation a congregant gives its pastor is a “seed” that will one day be harvested. “Wealth is a sign of God’s favor,” after all."
"John Oliver took on the fraudulent behind-the-scenes (and occasionally, not so behind-the-scenes) practices of America’s megachurches — specifically, those that have exploited people’s faith for monetary gain with the promise that “donations will result in wealth coming back to you.” It’s called “The Prosperity Gospel,” and is built on the idea that every donation a congregant gives its pastor is a “seed” that will one day be harvested. “Wealth is a sign of God’s favor,” after all."
Mike Huckabee Has Milked Almost $3 Million From Christian Organizations in the Past Two Years @alternet
Mike Huckabee Has Milked Almost $3 Million From Christian Organizations in the Past Two Years @alternet
"Not all of Huckabee's paid gigs were for right-wing Christian organizations. Some were with the right's other religion, Big Money."
"Not all of Huckabee's paid gigs were for right-wing Christian organizations. Some were with the right's other religion, Big Money."
Jeb!'s super PAC preps to drop $10M on ads to improve his image
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/17/1412795/-Jeb-s-super-PAC-preps-to-drop-10M-on-ads-to-improve-his-image
"Jeb!'s flush super PAC is finally going to start burnishing his image by dropping $10 million in ads on early voting states. He's gonna need it—he's pretty much failed to take control of this race or distinguish himself on anything other than gaffes about Iraq."
"Jeb!'s flush super PAC is finally going to start burnishing his image by dropping $10 million in ads on early voting states. He's gonna need it—he's pretty much failed to take control of this race or distinguish himself on anything other than gaffes about Iraq."
Criminal Rick Scott Just Stole $1.3 Million From Taxpayers And Got Away With It
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/criminal-rick-scott-just-stole-1-3-million-from-taxpayers-and-got-away-with-it/
"When the people of the state of Florida elected Governor Rick Scott in 2010, they literally elected a criminal. A criminal who was never sent to jail for overseeing the largest case of Medicare fraud in the nation’s history. His company, Columbia/ HCA Healthcare Corporation, was fined $1.7 billion for overbilling Medicare patients. In spite of this, Rick Scott was never arrested and Republicans in the state of Florida elected him not once, but twice, to govern the Sunshine State. So, it should come as no surprise, that Governor Scott is up to his old tricks and is getting away with stealing from taxpayers AGAIN."
"When the people of the state of Florida elected Governor Rick Scott in 2010, they literally elected a criminal. A criminal who was never sent to jail for overseeing the largest case of Medicare fraud in the nation’s history. His company, Columbia/ HCA Healthcare Corporation, was fined $1.7 billion for overbilling Medicare patients. In spite of this, Rick Scott was never arrested and Republicans in the state of Florida elected him not once, but twice, to govern the Sunshine State. So, it should come as no surprise, that Governor Scott is up to his old tricks and is getting away with stealing from taxpayers AGAIN."
August 15, 2015
Trickle-Down Economics Must Die, Long Live Grow-Up Economics
https://medium.com/basic-income/trickle-down-economics-must-die-long-live-grow-up-economics-5b8334a0db76
"Every extra dollar going into the pockets of low-wage workers, standard economic multiplier models tell us, adds about $1.21 to the national economy. Every extra dollar going into the pockets of a high-income American, by contrast, only adds about 39 cents to the GDP. These pennies add up considerably on $26.7 billion in earnings. If the $26.7 billion Wall Streeters pulled in on bonuses in 2013 had gone to minimum wage workers instead, our GDP would have grown by about $32.3 billion, over triple the $10.4 billion boost expected from the Wall Street bonuses." (Reposted)
"Every extra dollar going into the pockets of low-wage workers, standard economic multiplier models tell us, adds about $1.21 to the national economy. Every extra dollar going into the pockets of a high-income American, by contrast, only adds about 39 cents to the GDP. These pennies add up considerably on $26.7 billion in earnings. If the $26.7 billion Wall Streeters pulled in on bonuses in 2013 had gone to minimum wage workers instead, our GDP would have grown by about $32.3 billion, over triple the $10.4 billion boost expected from the Wall Street bonuses." (Reposted)
CBO to Bernie Sanders: Ending sequester could create 1.4 million jobs
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/12/1411368/-CBO-to-Bernie-Sanders-Ending-sequester-could-create-1-4-million-jobs
"Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) just gave Democratic Leader Harry Reid an extremely useful gift: he asked the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the effects of ending the sequester"
"Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) just gave Democratic Leader Harry Reid an extremely useful gift: he asked the Congressional Budget Office to estimate the effects of ending the sequester"
Charles Koch Equates Himself With Martin Luther King, Jr.
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/08/charles-koch-equates-himself-with-martin-luther-king-jr/
"Charles Koch is talking about things like regulations that keep polluters in check. He’s talking about completely eliminating unions and, thus, the right of workers to have a say in how they will be compensated and treated on the job. He’s talking about selling the American people on the idea that corporations are people, just like you and me. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a few million in my back pocket to buy me influence in Washington. Nor am I acquainted with anyone who does. Koch, and those like him, like to conflate the power of what’s left of the American union movement as having the same clout as Koch Industries, or Citibank, or Exxon. If you are among those who believe that nonsense to be true, just ask yourself: Do you really think that the 185,000 member National Nurses United Union that just endorsed Bernie Sanders has anywhere near the money and influence that the Koch brothers billions can exert on lawmakers in Washington? Do you really believe that union could cough up $889 million on advocacy issues like the Kochs are planning to do in the upcoming election?"
"Charles Koch is talking about things like regulations that keep polluters in check. He’s talking about completely eliminating unions and, thus, the right of workers to have a say in how they will be compensated and treated on the job. He’s talking about selling the American people on the idea that corporations are people, just like you and me. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a few million in my back pocket to buy me influence in Washington. Nor am I acquainted with anyone who does. Koch, and those like him, like to conflate the power of what’s left of the American union movement as having the same clout as Koch Industries, or Citibank, or Exxon. If you are among those who believe that nonsense to be true, just ask yourself: Do you really think that the 185,000 member National Nurses United Union that just endorsed Bernie Sanders has anywhere near the money and influence that the Koch brothers billions can exert on lawmakers in Washington? Do you really believe that union could cough up $889 million on advocacy issues like the Kochs are planning to do in the upcoming election?"
PERRspectives: Wage Theft. Dishonest Franchises. Papa John's.
PERRspectives: Wage Theft. Dishonest Franchises. Papa John's.
"That Papa John's and its franchisees are in trouble for pumping up profits at employees' expense is unsurprising. Like a fish, the rot starts with the head."
"That Papa John's and its franchisees are in trouble for pumping up profits at employees' expense is unsurprising. Like a fish, the rot starts with the head."
Ten Years Later, the “Halliburton Loophole” and America’s Dirty Fracking Boom
Ten Years Later, the “Halliburton Loophole” and America’s Dirty Fracking Boom
"For this we can thank the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the law that holds the Halliburton Loophole. Named after Dick Cheney and the notorious corporation he led before becoming vice president, the law (championed by Cheney and disgraced Enron founder Kenneth Lay, among others) explicitly exempted fracking operations from key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. These exemptions from one of America’s most fundamental environmental protection laws provided the oil and gas industry the immunity it required to develop a highly polluting process on a grand national scale."
"For this we can thank the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the law that holds the Halliburton Loophole. Named after Dick Cheney and the notorious corporation he led before becoming vice president, the law (championed by Cheney and disgraced Enron founder Kenneth Lay, among others) explicitly exempted fracking operations from key provisions of the Safe Drinking Water Act. These exemptions from one of America’s most fundamental environmental protection laws provided the oil and gas industry the immunity it required to develop a highly polluting process on a grand national scale."
Jeb’s foreign policy con: Giving new life to discredited neocon fantasies
Jeb’s foreign policy con: Giving new life to discredited neocon fantasies
"Jeb Bush has a plan to reshape the Middle East with a whole new series of quagmires and bloody disasters"
"Jeb Bush has a plan to reshape the Middle East with a whole new series of quagmires and bloody disasters"
Jeb Bush Is Rewriting The Iraq War To Cover Up His Brother’s War Crimes
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/jeb-bush-is-rewriting-the-iraq-war-to-cover-up-his-brothers-war-crimes-2/
"He has then embarked on a misinformation campaign to rewrite the narrative and gloss over his brother’s war crimes that were committed during the Iraq War- the countless civilians that lost their lives to American contractors, the widespread use of torture and abuse of prisoners of war, the American soldiers that were knowingly sent into contaminated and toxic sites."
"He has then embarked on a misinformation campaign to rewrite the narrative and gloss over his brother’s war crimes that were committed during the Iraq War- the countless civilians that lost their lives to American contractors, the widespread use of torture and abuse of prisoners of war, the American soldiers that were knowingly sent into contaminated and toxic sites."
36 Retired U.S. Generals Reject GOP’s Call For War, Heap Praise On Iran Deal
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/36-retired-u-s-generals-reject-gops-call-for-war-heap-praise-on-iran-deal/
"Combine the support of retired generals with that of a group of international scientists, and the Obama Administration appears to be on the right track to getting the leverage it needs in dealing with Iran."
"Combine the support of retired generals with that of a group of international scientists, and the Obama Administration appears to be on the right track to getting the leverage it needs in dealing with Iran."
Watch: Top Army General Drops Truth Bomb On Jeb Bush’s Iraq Lies
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-top-army-general-drops-truth-bomb-on-jeb-bushs-iraq-lies/
"At his official retirement ceremony, he states that “I remind everybody that us leaving at the end of 2011 was negotiated in 2008 by the Bush administration"."
"At his official retirement ceremony, he states that “I remind everybody that us leaving at the end of 2011 was negotiated in 2008 by the Bush administration"."
PERRspectives: Sorry, Jeb: Your Brother Lost Iraq--Twice
PERRspectives: Sorry, Jeb: Your Brother Lost Iraq--Twice
"The men and women of the American military learned the hard way that Bush, Kristol and McCain were tragically wrong. And in 2006, months before the "Surge" that brought 30,000 more U.S. troops into the country, President Bush made that Faustian bargain that sowed the seeds for the Islamic State to sweep through northwest Iraq in 2014. As his commander General David Petraeus described it, in the summer of 2006 the United States put the Sunni insurgency on its payroll and promised Sunni tribal leaders a role in the Iraq government. But when Dubya tapped Shiite strongman Nouri al-Maliki as his man in Baghdad, it was only a matter of time until that promise was broken."
"The men and women of the American military learned the hard way that Bush, Kristol and McCain were tragically wrong. And in 2006, months before the "Surge" that brought 30,000 more U.S. troops into the country, President Bush made that Faustian bargain that sowed the seeds for the Islamic State to sweep through northwest Iraq in 2014. As his commander General David Petraeus described it, in the summer of 2006 the United States put the Sunni insurgency on its payroll and promised Sunni tribal leaders a role in the Iraq government. But when Dubya tapped Shiite strongman Nouri al-Maliki as his man in Baghdad, it was only a matter of time until that promise was broken."
Bernie's Recipe for Beating Hillary: Sanders Drawing Historic Crowds in Dem Primary History @alternet
Bernie's Recipe for Beating Hillary: Sanders Drawing Historic Crowds in Dem Primary History @alternet
"His ability to mobilize voters at these political rallies is historic, with the only other Democrat in recent memory who was able to match or exceed these crowd sizes being Barack Obama."
"His ability to mobilize voters at these political rallies is historic, with the only other Democrat in recent memory who was able to match or exceed these crowd sizes being Barack Obama."
New Gallup Poll Proves Just How Terrible Republicans are at Doing Their Job
New Gallup Poll Proves Just How Terrible Republicans are at Doing Their Job
"it seems Americans have noticed that Republicans have been completely incompetent at running Congress. Currently, only 14 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing."
"it seems Americans have noticed that Republicans have been completely incompetent at running Congress. Currently, only 14 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing."
Why the Nation’s Nurses are Supporting Bernie Sanders for President
Why the Nation’s Nurses are Supporting Bernie Sanders for President
"The more than 100,000 people who have jammed into arenas in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Madison, and other cities should be a wake up call for anyone still on the sidelines in the critical 2016 election campaign."
"The more than 100,000 people who have jammed into arenas in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Phoenix, Houston, Dallas, New Orleans, Madison, and other cities should be a wake up call for anyone still on the sidelines in the critical 2016 election campaign."
President Obama Writes A Powerful Letter Defending Voting Rights Act
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/12/president-obama-writes-powerful-letter-editor-defending-voting-rights-act.html
"The Voting Rights Act became a law 50 years ago, but unfortunately the battle to uphold the spirit and the letter of that law rages on today."
"The Voting Rights Act became a law 50 years ago, but unfortunately the battle to uphold the spirit and the letter of that law rages on today."
Protecting Democracy in an Era of Voter Suppression
Protecting Democracy in an Era of Voter Suppression
"the absence of Section 5’s protection has created a severe disadvantage for voters challenging state’s vote denial measures."
"the absence of Section 5’s protection has created a severe disadvantage for voters challenging state’s vote denial measures."
Congress Pits its 14 Percent Approval Against Obama’s 46 Percent
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/12/congress-approval-against-obamas.html
"Congress just isn’t interested in accomplishing anything, that their sole purpose is to prevent President Obama from doing anything.
The only thing we agree on, apparently, is, as Rasmussen puts it, “Voters think most members of Congress do a lousy job and probably have sold their vote for cash or to a contributor.” Since most members of Congress are Republicans, this has the virtue of actually being true.
Surprise, surprise, Republicans. Ya’ll jumped for joy at Citizens United. What did you think the result would be? Your legislators laughing at corporations handing them fistfuls of cash? Those who haven’t reaped the financial benefits never will, but you’ve let yourself be convinced that making the rich richer and the poor poorer is a good economic plan. You’ll never figure out why it’s not, and the only surprise now is that you’re surprised at all, and can’t put 2 and 2 together.
But that’s okay. Your voucher programs will make sure your kids can’t either, and that’s just the way all those rich folks passing cash around want it."
"Congress just isn’t interested in accomplishing anything, that their sole purpose is to prevent President Obama from doing anything.
The only thing we agree on, apparently, is, as Rasmussen puts it, “Voters think most members of Congress do a lousy job and probably have sold their vote for cash or to a contributor.” Since most members of Congress are Republicans, this has the virtue of actually being true.
Surprise, surprise, Republicans. Ya’ll jumped for joy at Citizens United. What did you think the result would be? Your legislators laughing at corporations handing them fistfuls of cash? Those who haven’t reaped the financial benefits never will, but you’ve let yourself be convinced that making the rich richer and the poor poorer is a good economic plan. You’ll never figure out why it’s not, and the only surprise now is that you’re surprised at all, and can’t put 2 and 2 together.
But that’s okay. Your voucher programs will make sure your kids can’t either, and that’s just the way all those rich folks passing cash around want it."
Republicans Panic As Bernie Sanders Files Bill To Make Election Day A National Holiday
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/republicans-panic-as-bernie-sanders-files-bill-to-make-election-day-a-national-holiday/
"Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the presidential candidate who has been drawing mega crowds- 70,000 over three days- aims to change that. He has introduced a bill in Congress to make Election Day a national holiday, giving Americans from all walks of life time to go to the polls and cast their ballots. He has also introduced a bill which would automatically register 18-year-olds to vote unless they specifically request not to, and a bill to return financing of presidential campaigns to public funds."
"Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), the presidential candidate who has been drawing mega crowds- 70,000 over three days- aims to change that. He has introduced a bill in Congress to make Election Day a national holiday, giving Americans from all walks of life time to go to the polls and cast their ballots. He has also introduced a bill which would automatically register 18-year-olds to vote unless they specifically request not to, and a bill to return financing of presidential campaigns to public funds."
Social Security at 80: Defending a Program Which Has Defended All of Us
Social Security at 80: Defending a Program Which Has Defended All of Us
"from the moment of Social Security's enactment onward, ideological opponents, backed by wealthy donors, railed against Social Security. But they were vastly outnumbered. Indeed, President Dwight Eisenhower, in a private letter to his brother, wrote, "There is a tiny splinter group...that believes you can [abolish Social Security.]...Their number is negligible and they are stupid."
The tiny splinter group tried to end Social Security in the 1930s and failed. They tried in the 1940's and failed. The 1950's and failed. The 1960's and again failed. So they changed their tactics. They started asserting that Social Security was a wonderful program but unaffordable and would bankrupt the country, crowding out spending for children and other important national priorities.
Though they have not been successful so far in actually cutting Social Security's cash benefits, they have stripped away an intangible benefit. As Social Security's name suggests, it is intended to provide security, peace of mind that if wages are lost, Social Security will always be there to partly replace those earnings. Eisenhower's small splinter group has effectively convinced too many Americans that Social Security is in danger of disappearing. That successful crusade to undermine confidence in the future has stripped away that peace of mind. But the reality is that it would take an act of Congress to end Social Security.
As the richest country in the world at the wealthiest moment in its history, the United States can afford a greatly expanded Social Security, while also greatly increasing spending on children, infrastructure, and other pressing needs. The issue is one of values and priorities. The choice is ours."
"from the moment of Social Security's enactment onward, ideological opponents, backed by wealthy donors, railed against Social Security. But they were vastly outnumbered. Indeed, President Dwight Eisenhower, in a private letter to his brother, wrote, "There is a tiny splinter group...that believes you can [abolish Social Security.]...Their number is negligible and they are stupid."
The tiny splinter group tried to end Social Security in the 1930s and failed. They tried in the 1940's and failed. The 1950's and failed. The 1960's and again failed. So they changed their tactics. They started asserting that Social Security was a wonderful program but unaffordable and would bankrupt the country, crowding out spending for children and other important national priorities.
Though they have not been successful so far in actually cutting Social Security's cash benefits, they have stripped away an intangible benefit. As Social Security's name suggests, it is intended to provide security, peace of mind that if wages are lost, Social Security will always be there to partly replace those earnings. Eisenhower's small splinter group has effectively convinced too many Americans that Social Security is in danger of disappearing. That successful crusade to undermine confidence in the future has stripped away that peace of mind. But the reality is that it would take an act of Congress to end Social Security.
As the richest country in the world at the wealthiest moment in its history, the United States can afford a greatly expanded Social Security, while also greatly increasing spending on children, infrastructure, and other pressing needs. The issue is one of values and priorities. The choice is ours."
Republicans' big plan for 2017: Privatizing Medicare
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/11/1410991/-Republicans-big-plan-for-2017-Privatizing-Medicare#
"according to the most recent polling on it, done last month by the Kaiser Family Foundation just 26 percent of voters support the idea of vouchers. It's universally hated. Only 31 percent of Republicans support it! And guess who votes? People who love their Medicare the way it is."
"according to the most recent polling on it, done last month by the Kaiser Family Foundation just 26 percent of voters support the idea of vouchers. It's universally hated. Only 31 percent of Republicans support it! And guess who votes? People who love their Medicare the way it is."
August 14, 2015
Trickle-Down Economics Must Die, Long Live Grow-Up Economics
https://medium.com/basic-income/trickle-down-economics-must-die-long-live-grow-up-economics-5b8334a0db76
"Every extra dollar going into the pockets of low-wage workers, standard economic multiplier models tell us, adds about $1.21 to the national economy. Every extra dollar going into the pockets of a high-income American, by contrast, only adds about 39 cents to the GDP. These pennies add up considerably on $26.7 billion in earnings. If the $26.7 billion Wall Streeters pulled in on bonuses in 2013 had gone to minimum wage workers instead, our GDP would have grown by about $32.3 billion, over triple the $10.4 billion boost expected from the Wall Street bonuses."
"Every extra dollar going into the pockets of low-wage workers, standard economic multiplier models tell us, adds about $1.21 to the national economy. Every extra dollar going into the pockets of a high-income American, by contrast, only adds about 39 cents to the GDP. These pennies add up considerably on $26.7 billion in earnings. If the $26.7 billion Wall Streeters pulled in on bonuses in 2013 had gone to minimum wage workers instead, our GDP would have grown by about $32.3 billion, over triple the $10.4 billion boost expected from the Wall Street bonuses."
80 Years Later, Republicans Are Still Fighting Social Security
80 Years Later, Republicans Are Still Fighting Social Security
"To campaign against Social Security is to court political suicide. (It certainly didn’t help Alf Landon; he was trounced.) It therefore becomes imperative to convince voters instead that the program is unreliable. That’s the Republican strategy.
Elements of the strategy include:
Insist that the program’s $2.8 trillion trust fund isn’t real, that it consists of “only IOUs” – a description that could just as easily be applied to the Treasury bonds held by billionaires and Wall Street banks, or any other legally executed instrument of debt.
Exaggerate minor imbalances between the retirement and disability funds – funds which many experts believe should have been merged long ago – in order to convince voters that one or both of them is “running out of money,” despite its $2.8 trillion size. This gamesmanship extracts a very real human cost.)
Repeatedly describe Social Security as “going broke,” despite its massive cash flow. Exaggerate relatively minor future shortfalls, without mentioning that they could easily be fixed – and benefits expanded – if millionaires and billionaires were willing to pay into the program at the same rates as middle-class Americans.
Starve Social Security’s administrative budget, even though that budget comes out of Social Security funds and not general revenues, just as millions of baby boomers claim retirement benefits for the first time. Use any resulting delays or difficulties to claim that “government isn’t as efficient as the private sector,” despite the fact that Social Security is run much more cost-effectively than any private corporation in the same general line of business.
The Social Security Act was signed on August 14, 1935. Eighty years later, that’s a heck of a way to wish it a happy birthday.
Why do they do it? Part of the objection is clearly ideological. They don’t want to admit that there are some things that government simply does better than the private sector. That helps explain the overheated rhetoric from the Fox set. To that extent, at least, Social Security’s detractors are sincere (if wrongheaded)."
"To campaign against Social Security is to court political suicide. (It certainly didn’t help Alf Landon; he was trounced.) It therefore becomes imperative to convince voters instead that the program is unreliable. That’s the Republican strategy.
Elements of the strategy include:
Insist that the program’s $2.8 trillion trust fund isn’t real, that it consists of “only IOUs” – a description that could just as easily be applied to the Treasury bonds held by billionaires and Wall Street banks, or any other legally executed instrument of debt.
Exaggerate minor imbalances between the retirement and disability funds – funds which many experts believe should have been merged long ago – in order to convince voters that one or both of them is “running out of money,” despite its $2.8 trillion size. This gamesmanship extracts a very real human cost.)
Repeatedly describe Social Security as “going broke,” despite its massive cash flow. Exaggerate relatively minor future shortfalls, without mentioning that they could easily be fixed – and benefits expanded – if millionaires and billionaires were willing to pay into the program at the same rates as middle-class Americans.
Starve Social Security’s administrative budget, even though that budget comes out of Social Security funds and not general revenues, just as millions of baby boomers claim retirement benefits for the first time. Use any resulting delays or difficulties to claim that “government isn’t as efficient as the private sector,” despite the fact that Social Security is run much more cost-effectively than any private corporation in the same general line of business.
The Social Security Act was signed on August 14, 1935. Eighty years later, that’s a heck of a way to wish it a happy birthday.
Why do they do it? Part of the objection is clearly ideological. They don’t want to admit that there are some things that government simply does better than the private sector. That helps explain the overheated rhetoric from the Fox set. To that extent, at least, Social Security’s detractors are sincere (if wrongheaded)."
Social Security Still Strong at 80
Social Security Still Strong at 80
"Despite such a strong record, Social Security is under attack from profiteers and their political allies who claim it will not be around when people retire and is in need of drastic reform. A myth, says the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) since “Social Security is fully funded through 2033. Even if nothing is done to shore up the system, Social Security can continue to pay three-fourths of promised benefits after the trust fund runs out. Though this would be far from ideal, it’s certainly no reason to preemptively cut benefits.” A decrease in Social Security benefits would leave over half of elderly Americans in poverty, hitting African Americans, Latinos and women the hardest.
Because Social Security is such a large public sector program, with almost $3 trillion in reserves, Wall Street has long wanted to get its hands on it. Various proposals to privatize or partially privatize the program would allow investment firms to run up fees for every transaction, profiting off of retirees and making the program vulnerable to economic crashes."
"Despite such a strong record, Social Security is under attack from profiteers and their political allies who claim it will not be around when people retire and is in need of drastic reform. A myth, says the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) since “Social Security is fully funded through 2033. Even if nothing is done to shore up the system, Social Security can continue to pay three-fourths of promised benefits after the trust fund runs out. Though this would be far from ideal, it’s certainly no reason to preemptively cut benefits.” A decrease in Social Security benefits would leave over half of elderly Americans in poverty, hitting African Americans, Latinos and women the hardest.
Because Social Security is such a large public sector program, with almost $3 trillion in reserves, Wall Street has long wanted to get its hands on it. Various proposals to privatize or partially privatize the program would allow investment firms to run up fees for every transaction, profiting off of retirees and making the program vulnerable to economic crashes."
August 12, 2015
Game of Groans: How focus on Trump Taunts Hides GOP War on Middle Class, Workers
Game of Groans: How focus on Trump Taunts Hides GOP War on Middle Class, Workers
"Last Thursday we had 10 rich white males on a debate stage seeking to represent the billionaire class (some 536 individuals in US, who have more wealth than the bottom half of the US population).
US billionaires are getting richer at a time when wages for working and middle class people have not kept pace with increases in productivity. Working and middle class Americans, unlike the stock market (80% of which is owned by the top 20% of the population), have never recovered from the bust of 2008. And no, it was not caused by ordinary people trying to live above their means. It was caused by bankers who were venal and corrupt and stole enormous sums from the public.
So what did the would-be representatives of the super-wealthy want? They wanted to take away health care from tens of millions of Americans. Why would you want to do that? Having to contribute to health care for the US public is an inconvenience to the business classes, many of whom don’t want Obamacare.
They want to take away your medicaid and social security. Again, this step is in the interest of the super-wealthy who don’t want the government to run such large entitlement programs for fear that Washington will end up taxing them for the operation. (In fact, social security would be healthier if the wealthy had to pay into it according to full income; at the moment, there is a cut-off for payments, which saves the billionaires a lot of money.)
So folks this is an amazing tableau. We had 10 persons up there who openly announce that they want to ruin the lives of the majority of Americans."
"Last Thursday we had 10 rich white males on a debate stage seeking to represent the billionaire class (some 536 individuals in US, who have more wealth than the bottom half of the US population).
US billionaires are getting richer at a time when wages for working and middle class people have not kept pace with increases in productivity. Working and middle class Americans, unlike the stock market (80% of which is owned by the top 20% of the population), have never recovered from the bust of 2008. And no, it was not caused by ordinary people trying to live above their means. It was caused by bankers who were venal and corrupt and stole enormous sums from the public.
So what did the would-be representatives of the super-wealthy want? They wanted to take away health care from tens of millions of Americans. Why would you want to do that? Having to contribute to health care for the US public is an inconvenience to the business classes, many of whom don’t want Obamacare.
They want to take away your medicaid and social security. Again, this step is in the interest of the super-wealthy who don’t want the government to run such large entitlement programs for fear that Washington will end up taxing them for the operation. (In fact, social security would be healthier if the wealthy had to pay into it according to full income; at the moment, there is a cut-off for payments, which saves the billionaires a lot of money.)
So folks this is an amazing tableau. We had 10 persons up there who openly announce that they want to ruin the lives of the majority of Americans."
The 1 percent’s sinister inequality lie: How cold-blooded billionaires are pretending to care about the American dream
The 1 percent’s sinister inequality lie: How cold-blooded billionaires are pretending to care about the American dream
"They cannot talk about it because they have no plan to raise wages. They have a plan to lower taxes and Americans are finally seeing through that trickle-down promise. They also hope to roll back regulations, particularly Dodd-Frank and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which will undoubtedly have their rich benefactors breathing easier but won’t do anything for the millions of people they are trying to persuade that they really, really care about them.
That’s the problem with Charles Koch’s great plan: it’s not new. Republicans have been selling free-market, low tax, no regulation snake oil for everything that ails you for many years. A whole lot of Americans bought it and it made them sick. After the last decade they are not likely to fall for it again even if it’s rolled out with a snappy marketing campaign in a brand new package. The new Koch tastes just like the old Koch. And that’s not a good thing."
"They cannot talk about it because they have no plan to raise wages. They have a plan to lower taxes and Americans are finally seeing through that trickle-down promise. They also hope to roll back regulations, particularly Dodd-Frank and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau which will undoubtedly have their rich benefactors breathing easier but won’t do anything for the millions of people they are trying to persuade that they really, really care about them.
That’s the problem with Charles Koch’s great plan: it’s not new. Republicans have been selling free-market, low tax, no regulation snake oil for everything that ails you for many years. A whole lot of Americans bought it and it made them sick. After the last decade they are not likely to fall for it again even if it’s rolled out with a snappy marketing campaign in a brand new package. The new Koch tastes just like the old Koch. And that’s not a good thing."
Jeb’s Iraq revisionism: His idiot brother wrecked the place, but it’s all Obama’s fault
Jeb’s Iraq revisionism: His idiot brother wrecked the place, but it’s all Obama’s fault
"by rewriting a bit of history and retroactively shifting a few goalposts, he can once again preach the virtues of the Bush Doctrine"
"by rewriting a bit of history and retroactively shifting a few goalposts, he can once again preach the virtues of the Bush Doctrine"
29 Top U.S. Scientists Wholeheartedly Endorse Iran Nuclear Deal
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/09/1410127/-29-Top-U-S-Scientists-Wholeheartedly-Endorse-Iran-Nuclear-Deal
"It won't be easy for the neocons to rebut 30 of the world's foremost experts on nuclear weapons and arms control."
"It won't be easy for the neocons to rebut 30 of the world's foremost experts on nuclear weapons and arms control."
Retired generals and admirals voice support for Iran nuclear deal
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/08/11/1411067/-Retired-generals-and-admirals-voice-support-for-Iran-nuclear-deal
"First it was the scientists, now it's retired military members—three dozen retired generals and admirals—who are voicing strong support for the Iran nuclear deal."
"First it was the scientists, now it's retired military members—three dozen retired generals and admirals—who are voicing strong support for the Iran nuclear deal."
Netanyahu Busted Covering Up Intelligence That Disagrees With His Opposition To Obama Iran Deal
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/08/10/netanyahu-busted-covering-intelligence-disagrees-opposition-obama-iran-deal.html
"Netanyahu’s behavior sounds very similar to that of the Bush administration before the United States invaded Iraq. At the time, the administration officials pushing for war in Iraq ignored, suppressed, or discredited any intelligence that disagreed with the Bush/Cheney assessment of Iraq as a fast and easy war to win.
The result was a mismanaged disaster of a war in Iraq that neither the American or the Iraqi people have yet to recover fully from. Netanyahu is trying to woo Senate Democrats into opposing the deal. Israeli intelligence reports that disagree with his opposition to the deal would be fatal to his plan of getting enough votes in the Senate to kill the deal."
"Netanyahu’s behavior sounds very similar to that of the Bush administration before the United States invaded Iraq. At the time, the administration officials pushing for war in Iraq ignored, suppressed, or discredited any intelligence that disagreed with the Bush/Cheney assessment of Iraq as a fast and easy war to win.
The result was a mismanaged disaster of a war in Iraq that neither the American or the Iraqi people have yet to recover fully from. Netanyahu is trying to woo Senate Democrats into opposing the deal. Israeli intelligence reports that disagree with his opposition to the deal would be fatal to his plan of getting enough votes in the Senate to kill the deal."
Obama Triumphs: Nobel-Laureate U.S. Scientists Applaud Iran Nuclear Deal
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/obama-triumphs-nobel-laureate-u-s-scientists-applaud-iran-nuclear-deal/
"A group of twenty-nine U.S. scientists have spoken out with high praise for the Iranian nuclear deal- including five Nobel laureates- calling it “stringent” and “innovative.” As Congressional Republicans with no knowledge of Middle Eastern politics or nuclear science denounce the deal with a virulent, ignorant fury, it is very comforting to see some people who actually know what they’re talking about give their opinion on the deal."
"A group of twenty-nine U.S. scientists have spoken out with high praise for the Iranian nuclear deal- including five Nobel laureates- calling it “stringent” and “innovative.” As Congressional Republicans with no knowledge of Middle Eastern politics or nuclear science denounce the deal with a virulent, ignorant fury, it is very comforting to see some people who actually know what they’re talking about give their opinion on the deal."
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