Trump Tells BillO He 'Will See About Overturning' Roe v Wade
"Donald Trump is planning on appointing five Supreme Court Justices."
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Hindu nationalists and 5 other wacky groups that have endorsed Donald Trump
Hindu nationalists and 5 other wacky groups that have endorsed Donald Trump
"The presumptive Republican nominee has won support from a group of misogynists who advocate for the legalization for rape"
"The presumptive Republican nominee has won support from a group of misogynists who advocate for the legalization for rape"
Trump's Dirty Trickster: The Staggeringly Shady Dealings of Political Operative Roger Stone @alternet
Trump's Dirty Trickster: The Staggeringly Shady Dealings of Political Operative Roger Stone @alternet:
"Stone has always been primarily interested in power and access, and his love of the GOP dates back to the Goldwater campaign in 1964, which he worked for when he was all of about 12. At age 19, Stone secured a position working for another one of his role models, Richard Nixon. He joined the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (affectionately dubbed C.R.E.E.P. by Nixon’s opponents) where he got his first taste of backhanded politics. Reportedly using the pseudonym Jason Rainier, Stone donated money to Paul McClosky, who was challenging Nixon for the Republican nomination. Signing the funds under the guise of the Young Socialist Alliance, Stone leaked a receipt of the check to the press, effectively labeling McClosky a secret socialist and derailing the challenger’s chance of landing the Republican nomination. Nixon was coronated as the party nominee at the Republican National Convention later that year. Stone’s admiration of Nixon is well documented. “The reason I’m a Nixonite is because of his indestructibility and resilience,” Stone has said. “He never quit. His whole career was all built around his personal resentment of élitism.” The political insider even has a tattoo of Nixon’s face on his back."
"Stone has always been primarily interested in power and access, and his love of the GOP dates back to the Goldwater campaign in 1964, which he worked for when he was all of about 12. At age 19, Stone secured a position working for another one of his role models, Richard Nixon. He joined the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (affectionately dubbed C.R.E.E.P. by Nixon’s opponents) where he got his first taste of backhanded politics. Reportedly using the pseudonym Jason Rainier, Stone donated money to Paul McClosky, who was challenging Nixon for the Republican nomination. Signing the funds under the guise of the Young Socialist Alliance, Stone leaked a receipt of the check to the press, effectively labeling McClosky a secret socialist and derailing the challenger’s chance of landing the Republican nomination. Nixon was coronated as the party nominee at the Republican National Convention later that year. Stone’s admiration of Nixon is well documented. “The reason I’m a Nixonite is because of his indestructibility and resilience,” Stone has said. “He never quit. His whole career was all built around his personal resentment of élitism.” The political insider even has a tattoo of Nixon’s face on his back."
McDonald's, the Corporate Welfare Moocher
McDonald's, the Corporate Welfare Moocher
"the Times noted another interesting and crucial point, one that is seldom discussed: Namely, the issue of what is often called corporate welfare. While the conservative right is content to shame poor mothers for receiving federal assistance, rarely do they dare call, say, General Electric or Walmart "welfare queens," despite the fact that they receive enormous direct and indirect taxpayer subsidies year after year. This is true for McDonald's, as well: The Times observes, "Through it all, taxpayers continue to pick up the difference between what fast-food workers earn and what they need to survive. An estimated $1.2 billion a year in taxpayer dollars goes toward public aid to help people who work at McDonald’s." What is highlighted here is a kind of indirect subsidy McDonald's enjoys because of its refusal to pay workers a livable wage. Why raise the wages of these workers or provide them with benefits, the argument goes, if the taxpayer is there to provide "the difference between what fast-food workers earn and what they need to survive"? And why reward workers of little stature when you can reward influential executives and fat-cats instead?"
"the Times noted another interesting and crucial point, one that is seldom discussed: Namely, the issue of what is often called corporate welfare. While the conservative right is content to shame poor mothers for receiving federal assistance, rarely do they dare call, say, General Electric or Walmart "welfare queens," despite the fact that they receive enormous direct and indirect taxpayer subsidies year after year. This is true for McDonald's, as well: The Times observes, "Through it all, taxpayers continue to pick up the difference between what fast-food workers earn and what they need to survive. An estimated $1.2 billion a year in taxpayer dollars goes toward public aid to help people who work at McDonald’s." What is highlighted here is a kind of indirect subsidy McDonald's enjoys because of its refusal to pay workers a livable wage. Why raise the wages of these workers or provide them with benefits, the argument goes, if the taxpayer is there to provide "the difference between what fast-food workers earn and what they need to survive"? And why reward workers of little stature when you can reward influential executives and fat-cats instead?"
Chris Christie Vetoes Equal Pay Bill, Calling It ‘Business Unfriendly’
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/03/3774752/christie-veto-equal-pay/
"New Jersey’s lawmakers want to require employers to pay women the same as men for essentially the same work. But Gov. Chris Christie (R) thinks they went too far. The bill that passed both chambers of the state’s legislature would have banned employers from paying women less for “substantially similar” work as men, and would only have allowed differing pay rates between genders if employers could prove it was based on something besides sex, such as education, experience, or performance. The similarity of the work would have been determined based on the required responsibilities, effort, and skills for jobs across all of an employer’s operations."
"New Jersey’s lawmakers want to require employers to pay women the same as men for essentially the same work. But Gov. Chris Christie (R) thinks they went too far. The bill that passed both chambers of the state’s legislature would have banned employers from paying women less for “substantially similar” work as men, and would only have allowed differing pay rates between genders if employers could prove it was based on something besides sex, such as education, experience, or performance. The similarity of the work would have been determined based on the required responsibilities, effort, and skills for jobs across all of an employer’s operations."
Donald Trump is the nominee from hell: The early numbers are in, and they spell disaster for the GOP
Donald Trump is the nominee from hell: The early numbers are in, and they spell disaster for the GOP
"The latest RAND presidential election survey was just released and it shows a startling shift as Trump has become the presumptive nominee: Our previous survey results suggested that as of early January, 46.7 percent of voters would vote for a Democrat and 43.1 percent would vote for a Republican in the upcoming presidential election. These results suggested a greater vote for the Democratic candidate. In March, our results indicate that 53.0 percent of voters will vote for a Democrat, and 37.9 percent will vote for a Republican in the upcoming presidential election, suggesting that the Democratic candidates are pulling ahead of the Republicans in the national vote."
"The latest RAND presidential election survey was just released and it shows a startling shift as Trump has become the presumptive nominee: Our previous survey results suggested that as of early January, 46.7 percent of voters would vote for a Democrat and 43.1 percent would vote for a Republican in the upcoming presidential election. These results suggested a greater vote for the Democratic candidate. In March, our results indicate that 53.0 percent of voters will vote for a Democrat, and 37.9 percent will vote for a Republican in the upcoming presidential election, suggesting that the Democratic candidates are pulling ahead of the Republicans in the national vote."
A Plutocrat Warns Plutocrats: The Pitchforks Are Coming (Video)
http://samuel-warde.com/2016/05/78135-plutocrat-warns-other-plutocrats/
"It’s refreshing to hear a man who literally wallows in wealth say things like “We plutocrats need to get this trickle down economics thing behind us.” It’s heartening to hear a man of his level of wealth stand behind a $15 minimum wage. “I know that most people think that the $15 minimum wage is this insane, risky economic experiment. We disagree. We believe that the $15 minimum wage in Seattle is actually the continuation of a logical economic policy. It is allowing our city to kick your city’s ass.” And “… the fundamental law of capitalism is, when workers have more money, businesses have more customers and need more workers"."
"It’s refreshing to hear a man who literally wallows in wealth say things like “We plutocrats need to get this trickle down economics thing behind us.” It’s heartening to hear a man of his level of wealth stand behind a $15 minimum wage. “I know that most people think that the $15 minimum wage is this insane, risky economic experiment. We disagree. We believe that the $15 minimum wage in Seattle is actually the continuation of a logical economic policy. It is allowing our city to kick your city’s ass.” And “… the fundamental law of capitalism is, when workers have more money, businesses have more customers and need more workers"."
Robert Reich: The rich simply can’t lose in our rigged economy
Robert Reich: The rich simply can’t lose in our rigged economy
"They’re typical of the no-lose system in which America’s corporate and financial elite now operate. But the rest of America works in a different system. Theirs is cutthroat hyper-capitalism – in which wages are shrinking, median household income continues to drop, workers are fired without warning, two-thirds are living paycheck to paycheck, and employees are being classified as “independent contractors” without any labor protections at all. Why is there no-lose socialism for the rich and cutthroat hyper-capitalism for everyone else? Because the rules of the game – including labor laws, pension laws, corporate laws, and tax laws – have been crafted by those at the top, and the lawyers and lobbyists who work for them."
"They’re typical of the no-lose system in which America’s corporate and financial elite now operate. But the rest of America works in a different system. Theirs is cutthroat hyper-capitalism – in which wages are shrinking, median household income continues to drop, workers are fired without warning, two-thirds are living paycheck to paycheck, and employees are being classified as “independent contractors” without any labor protections at all. Why is there no-lose socialism for the rich and cutthroat hyper-capitalism for everyone else? Because the rules of the game – including labor laws, pension laws, corporate laws, and tax laws – have been crafted by those at the top, and the lawyers and lobbyists who work for them."
Mitch McConnell’s Senate majority is just this pathetic: How he’s giving Paul Ryan a run for his money
Mitch McConnell’s Senate majority is just this pathetic: How he’s giving Paul Ryan a run for his money
"McConnell has chosen the route of continued obstruction combined with a light workload that allows candidates to spend more time in their home states campaigning for re-election to jobs that they are, by all observable evidence, already not doing. It’s probably the worst of all possible strategies if he has any hope of keeping his Senate majority. But then, he was much more effective a leader when his party was in the minority and could more legitimately argue that its job was to do absolutely nothing."
"McConnell has chosen the route of continued obstruction combined with a light workload that allows candidates to spend more time in their home states campaigning for re-election to jobs that they are, by all observable evidence, already not doing. It’s probably the worst of all possible strategies if he has any hope of keeping his Senate majority. But then, he was much more effective a leader when his party was in the minority and could more legitimately argue that its job was to do absolutely nothing."
FOX News Tried to Delete Their Fans’ Racism Towards Malia Obama, But We Got Screenshots
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/02/fox-news-tried-delete-fans-racism-towards-malia-obama-got-screenshots/
"things instantly descended into a conservative internet hellhole of racism. In fact, things got so bad in the comments section that Fox News actually disabled commenting for the article and deleted the previous comments, every single one of which was racist in the most vile sense of the word."
"things instantly descended into a conservative internet hellhole of racism. In fact, things got so bad in the comments section that Fox News actually disabled commenting for the article and deleted the previous comments, every single one of which was racist in the most vile sense of the word."
How Many Senators Is Mitch McConnell Willing To Sacrifice?
How Many Senators Is Mitch McConnell Willing To Sacrifice?:
"This is just one in a string of states in which Republican obstruction is tanking the poll numbers of GOP senators. Incumbents in New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania all find themselves in electoral hot water. Even Arizona’s John McCain is now in a tight reelection contest and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has seen a 29-point drop in net approval ratings in his home state. This polling collapse is driven by a miscalculation by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his leadership team. They believed independent voters would see their blockade of Merrick Garland’s Supreme Court appointment as standard ideological bickering and at worst declare “a pox on both your houses.” In this case, though, voters recognize that the dysfunction they despise in Washington is the fault of Senate Republicans serving the whims of the extremes of their party. With Donald Trump now the likely Republican nominee, senators up for reelection are painted into an even tighter box."
"This is just one in a string of states in which Republican obstruction is tanking the poll numbers of GOP senators. Incumbents in New Hampshire, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania all find themselves in electoral hot water. Even Arizona’s John McCain is now in a tight reelection contest and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley has seen a 29-point drop in net approval ratings in his home state. This polling collapse is driven by a miscalculation by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and his leadership team. They believed independent voters would see their blockade of Merrick Garland’s Supreme Court appointment as standard ideological bickering and at worst declare “a pox on both your houses.” In this case, though, voters recognize that the dysfunction they despise in Washington is the fault of Senate Republicans serving the whims of the extremes of their party. With Donald Trump now the likely Republican nominee, senators up for reelection are painted into an even tighter box."
Latinos and Democrats hide in safe houses as right-wing sheriff uses mob rule to take over Texas town
Latinos and Democrats hide in safe houses as right-wing sheriff uses mob rule to take over Texas town
"A so-called “constitutional” sheriff is accused of intimidating Democrats and Latinos in her Texas county — which has been thrown into political turmoil since her 2012 election. Sheriff Pamela Elliott has created an atmosphere of paranoia in Edwards County that causes her opponents to gather fearfully in “safe houses” to air their complaints, reported Alex Hannaford for the Texas Observer. Elliott is a member of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), a right-wing coalition that encourages members to disobey laws they don’t think are constitutional. She put out a “standby order for volunteers” during the 2014 standoff at Bundy ranch, which was supported by CSPOA co-founder Richard Mack — a former Arizona sheriff who suggested the anti-government militants use women and children as human shields during the armed confrontation with federal agents over unpaid grazing fees."
"A so-called “constitutional” sheriff is accused of intimidating Democrats and Latinos in her Texas county — which has been thrown into political turmoil since her 2012 election. Sheriff Pamela Elliott has created an atmosphere of paranoia in Edwards County that causes her opponents to gather fearfully in “safe houses” to air their complaints, reported Alex Hannaford for the Texas Observer. Elliott is a member of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA), a right-wing coalition that encourages members to disobey laws they don’t think are constitutional. She put out a “standby order for volunteers” during the 2014 standoff at Bundy ranch, which was supported by CSPOA co-founder Richard Mack — a former Arizona sheriff who suggested the anti-government militants use women and children as human shields during the armed confrontation with federal agents over unpaid grazing fees."
Need a Fix of Tanta-Rants? Andrea Tantaros’ 8 Stupidest Moments
Need a Fix of Tanta-Rants? Andrea Tantaros’ 8 Stupidest Moments:
"Whatever the reason, Fox News is certainly missing an element of entertainment in the form of daily doses of Tanta-rants, so to pacify your need for an IQ drop, we’ve compiled a list of some of the dumbest things Andrea Tantaros has ever said (which was only difficult because there was a ton of material to choose from). Enjoy the stupidity!"
"Whatever the reason, Fox News is certainly missing an element of entertainment in the form of daily doses of Tanta-rants, so to pacify your need for an IQ drop, we’ve compiled a list of some of the dumbest things Andrea Tantaros has ever said (which was only difficult because there was a ton of material to choose from). Enjoy the stupidity!"
Ted Cruz: Rupert Murdoch And Roger Ailes "Have Turned Fox News Into The Donald Trump Network"
http://mediamatters.org/video/2016/05/03/ted-cruz-rupert-murdoch-and-roger-ailes-have-turned-fox-news-donald-trump-network/210192
"Cruz: "Rupert Murdoch Is Used To Picking World Leaders In Australia ... And We're Seeing It Here At Home"."
"Cruz: "Rupert Murdoch Is Used To Picking World Leaders In Australia ... And We're Seeing It Here At Home"."
Money For Nothing: Senate Republicans Get Paid But Work The Fewest Days In 60 Years
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/02/money-nothing-senate-republicans-paid-work-fewest-days-60-years.html
"One has to go back to 1956 to find a Senate that was in session for fewer days than the current Senate is on pace for. The Senate will only be in session for 124 days."
"One has to go back to 1956 to find a Senate that was in session for fewer days than the current Senate is on pace for. The Senate will only be in session for 124 days."
Sam Brownback Gutted Kansas: How America’s Worst Governor and an Ultra-Conservative Ideology Wrecked an Entire State @alternet
Sam Brownback Gutted Kansas: How America’s Worst Governor and an Ultra-Conservative Ideology Wrecked an Entire State @alternet:
"Despite all of the evidence against the governor and ultraconservative legislators clinging to a free market utopia, despite being put on a credit watch by Standard and Poor’s, despite many previous ultraconservative legislative allies now jumping ship as the fall elections approach, the governor is standing by the tax cuts. And he continues to receive support (and likely pressure) from the Kansas Policy Institute, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and other similar groups as they persist in whipping up a sandstorm of misinformation and spin."
"Despite all of the evidence against the governor and ultraconservative legislators clinging to a free market utopia, despite being put on a credit watch by Standard and Poor’s, despite many previous ultraconservative legislative allies now jumping ship as the fall elections approach, the governor is standing by the tax cuts. And he continues to receive support (and likely pressure) from the Kansas Policy Institute, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and other similar groups as they persist in whipping up a sandstorm of misinformation and spin."
House Republicans Have A Temper Tantrum Over Rule That Bans Financial Advisers From Scamming Retirees
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/04/29/3773960/republicans-fiduciary-rule/
"The Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized rules that require financial advisers who help people make investments for retirement to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own. But House Republicans aren’t letting the rule go into effect without a fight."
"The Department of Labor (DOL) has finalized rules that require financial advisers who help people make investments for retirement to put their clients’ interests ahead of their own. But House Republicans aren’t letting the rule go into effect without a fight."
Paul Ryan Versus The Cancer Patient
Paul Ryan Versus The Cancer Patient
"Because starving grandma isn't enough to get him attention, he now wants to stop the part of Obamacare that allows people with preexisting conditions to also have affordable health care insurance."
"Because starving grandma isn't enough to get him attention, he now wants to stop the part of Obamacare that allows people with preexisting conditions to also have affordable health care insurance."
Inside the right-wing lie factory: Secrets of a Koch-funded propaganda machine more insidious than Fox News
Inside the right-wing lie factory: Secrets of a Koch-funded propaganda machine more insidious than Fox News
"Today, Franklin Center reports make the national news circuit through the Fox News Channel, the Washington Examiner, and The Daily Caller and hit the front page of the Drudge Report consistently."
"Today, Franklin Center reports make the national news circuit through the Fox News Channel, the Washington Examiner, and The Daily Caller and hit the front page of the Drudge Report consistently."
Cruz Super PAC Head Promotes 'Biblical' Slavery for Non-Christians @alternet
Cruz Super PAC Head Promotes 'Biblical' Slavery for Non-Christians @alternet:
"while the Citizens United Supreme Court decision has allowed a flood of secret campaign money to subvert the electoral process—dominionism also subverts democracy by teaching conservative evangelicals to participate in the electoral and political process in a manner that's fundamentally dishonest, by using stealth and deception to "infiltrate" America's political system."
"while the Citizens United Supreme Court decision has allowed a flood of secret campaign money to subvert the electoral process—dominionism also subverts democracy by teaching conservative evangelicals to participate in the electoral and political process in a manner that's fundamentally dishonest, by using stealth and deception to "infiltrate" America's political system."
America is no model state: U.S. elections rank worst among Western democracies
America is no model state: U.S. elections rank worst among Western democracies
"the role of money in American campaigns has become progressively deregulated in recent decades, thanks in part to the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, while election costs have spiraled."
"the role of money in American campaigns has become progressively deregulated in recent decades, thanks in part to the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, while election costs have spiraled."
Lie big, lie often, never back down: Donald Trump, Fox News and the real reason why right-wing lies stick
Lie big, lie often, never back down: Donald Trump, Fox News and the real reason why right-wing lies stick
"By loudly and unapologetically lying to a friendly audience of partisans in the media, at think tanks, on Capitol Hill, and to the public at large, Donald Trump has created bedlam within the Republican party"
"By loudly and unapologetically lying to a friendly audience of partisans in the media, at think tanks, on Capitol Hill, and to the public at large, Donald Trump has created bedlam within the Republican party"
David Duke Hopes To Get Donald Trump To Embrace Full-Blown Anti-Semitism
David Duke Hopes To Get Donald Trump To Embrace Full-Blown Anti-Semitism:
"Yesterday, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke and his fellow white nationalist Kevin MacDonald chatted on Duke’s radio program about how Donald Trump is taking on, in Duke’s words, the “Jewish supremacists who control our country.” MacDonald was particularly thrilled that he meets more and more young people at events hosted by groups like the National Policy Institute who “totally get” the “Jewish issues” and “the importance of sustaining white America"."
"Yesterday, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke and his fellow white nationalist Kevin MacDonald chatted on Duke’s radio program about how Donald Trump is taking on, in Duke’s words, the “Jewish supremacists who control our country.” MacDonald was particularly thrilled that he meets more and more young people at events hosted by groups like the National Policy Institute who “totally get” the “Jewish issues” and “the importance of sustaining white America"."
Trump's New Finance Chair Led a Bank That Made Millions Off Taxpayer Bailouts
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/05/trumps-new-top-money-man-led-bank-profited-bailouts
"when it came time to pick the top money man for his campaign, he turned to a hedge-funder best known for running a bank that made billions off taxpayer bailouts and, by one account, cost the federal government $13 billion."
"when it came time to pick the top money man for his campaign, he turned to a hedge-funder best known for running a bank that made billions off taxpayer bailouts and, by one account, cost the federal government $13 billion."
John McCain: With Trump At The Top Of The Ticket, I'm In Trouble
John McCain: With Trump At The Top Of The Ticket, I'm In Trouble
"Sen. McCain is blowing off Trump's rise as no big deal for his campaign, but when nobody is looking, he's very nervous"
"Sen. McCain is blowing off Trump's rise as no big deal for his campaign, but when nobody is looking, he's very nervous"
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
3 Oligarchs-Turned-GOP Governors Who Are Laying Ruin to Their States @alternet
3 Oligarchs-Turned-GOP Governors Who Are Laying Ruin to Their States @alternet:
"If any state was justified in describing itself as a major Obamacare success story, it was Kentucky; that is, before Republican Matt Bevin was sworn in as governor. Kentucky, under Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, was the home of Kynect, a state-operated Obamacare exchange that resulted in 500,000 Kentucky residents gaining health insurance, including many poor people with preexisting conditions. But Bevin, a rabid Tea Party ideologue who defeated Democrat Jack Conway in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race in 2015, campaigned on dismantling Kynect, and he has been making good on his promise, causing considerable misery to people like Louisville mother Emily Pickett (who, on February 29, found out Medicaid coverage for her two small children had been cut off). Bevin, according to Cara Stewart, a legal aid attorney with the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, has brought about a “dramatic reduction in accessibility” to health care in his state. But the suffering of America’s poor is not a concern to Bevin any more than it is to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner or Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Bevin, Rauner and Scott epitomize a toxic breed of far-right Republican ideologues: greedy, enamored of corporate power and only too happy to attack the poor at every turn while their considerable fortunes continue to grow. Scott, Rauner and Bevin were all worth millions when they took office. But being ultra-rich was not enough for them; like true oligarchs, they craved more money and more power. And while Rauner and Scott’s states have suffered, their own bottom lines certainly haven’t."
"If any state was justified in describing itself as a major Obamacare success story, it was Kentucky; that is, before Republican Matt Bevin was sworn in as governor. Kentucky, under Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, was the home of Kynect, a state-operated Obamacare exchange that resulted in 500,000 Kentucky residents gaining health insurance, including many poor people with preexisting conditions. But Bevin, a rabid Tea Party ideologue who defeated Democrat Jack Conway in Kentucky’s gubernatorial race in 2015, campaigned on dismantling Kynect, and he has been making good on his promise, causing considerable misery to people like Louisville mother Emily Pickett (who, on February 29, found out Medicaid coverage for her two small children had been cut off). Bevin, according to Cara Stewart, a legal aid attorney with the Kentucky Equal Justice Center, has brought about a “dramatic reduction in accessibility” to health care in his state. But the suffering of America’s poor is not a concern to Bevin any more than it is to Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner or Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Bevin, Rauner and Scott epitomize a toxic breed of far-right Republican ideologues: greedy, enamored of corporate power and only too happy to attack the poor at every turn while their considerable fortunes continue to grow. Scott, Rauner and Bevin were all worth millions when they took office. But being ultra-rich was not enough for them; like true oligarchs, they craved more money and more power. And while Rauner and Scott’s states have suffered, their own bottom lines certainly haven’t."
Exultant Extremists Hail The Ascension Of ‘Emperor Trump’ As GOP Nominee
Exultant Extremists Hail The Ascension Of ‘Emperor Trump’ As GOP Nominee
"The Internet was buzzing this week with the celebratory boasts of a broad range of right-wing extremists, from the ranks of neo-Nazi haters, Klansmen and other white supremacists, to the hunkered-down conspiracy-spinning paranoids of the antigovernment movement – all of them cheering on their new hero, Donald Trump, after he secured the Republican nomination for the 2016 election this week."
"The Internet was buzzing this week with the celebratory boasts of a broad range of right-wing extremists, from the ranks of neo-Nazi haters, Klansmen and other white supremacists, to the hunkered-down conspiracy-spinning paranoids of the antigovernment movement – all of them cheering on their new hero, Donald Trump, after he secured the Republican nomination for the 2016 election this week."
This Is Astounding
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/this-is-astounding
"To be clear, this will never happen. But the fact that Trump is proposing it shows that when it comes to macro-economics and global economics Trump is a huge ignoramus who shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the US Treasury. It's an amazing suggestion. Not just stupid but something suggested by someone who simply knows nothing about how the economy works."
"To be clear, this will never happen. But the fact that Trump is proposing it shows that when it comes to macro-economics and global economics Trump is a huge ignoramus who shouldn't be allowed anywhere near the US Treasury. It's an amazing suggestion. Not just stupid but something suggested by someone who simply knows nothing about how the economy works."
The GOP Said They Needed To Woo Latino Voters To Win. Then They Nominated Trump For President.
http://thinkprogress.org/immigration/2016/05/04/3775173/trump-latinos-gop/
"The Republican Party will need as much as 40 percent of the Latino vote in some states to win the presidency. Republican presidential candidates may need anywhere between 42 and 47 percent of the Latino vote, especially in key battleground states like Virginia, Ohio, New Mexico, Florida, Nevada, and Colorado, the polling group Latino Decisions found. It’s highly unlikely Trump will be able to get the party there. He already has trouble winning over women and people of color. But particularly for Latinos, many have already said they were spurred to vote because of Trump’s anti-immigrant comments."
"The Republican Party will need as much as 40 percent of the Latino vote in some states to win the presidency. Republican presidential candidates may need anywhere between 42 and 47 percent of the Latino vote, especially in key battleground states like Virginia, Ohio, New Mexico, Florida, Nevada, and Colorado, the polling group Latino Decisions found. It’s highly unlikely Trump will be able to get the party there. He already has trouble winning over women and people of color. But particularly for Latinos, many have already said they were spurred to vote because of Trump’s anti-immigrant comments."
Donald Trump will not be president: History, polling data and demographics all point to a single result
Donald Trump will not be president: History, polling data and demographics all point to a single result
"To win the presidency, a candidate needs 270 electoral votes. In 2012, Barack Obama defeated Mitt Romney by the comfortable margin of 332 to 206 electoral votes. In the popular vote Obama beat Romney by 51 to 47 percent, a difference of about five million votes. Obama’s victory reflected the long-term trend in which Democrats have won the popular vote in five out of the last six presidential elections. Donald Trump thinks he can reverse that trend by appealing to angry white voters, but the 2012 results show why that won’t work. Lost in the uproar over Trump’s divisive appeals is the fact that Republicans already win whites by huge margins. For example, in 2012 Romney carried white voters by 20 points, and yet he still lost. The reason was that Obama won the support of minority voters by even bigger margins. He carried 93 percent of African-American voters, 71 percent of Latino voters and 73 percent of Asian voters. The electorate’s demographics will be even more unfavorable for the GOP in 2016."
"To win the presidency, a candidate needs 270 electoral votes. In 2012, Barack Obama defeated Mitt Romney by the comfortable margin of 332 to 206 electoral votes. In the popular vote Obama beat Romney by 51 to 47 percent, a difference of about five million votes. Obama’s victory reflected the long-term trend in which Democrats have won the popular vote in five out of the last six presidential elections. Donald Trump thinks he can reverse that trend by appealing to angry white voters, but the 2012 results show why that won’t work. Lost in the uproar over Trump’s divisive appeals is the fact that Republicans already win whites by huge margins. For example, in 2012 Romney carried white voters by 20 points, and yet he still lost. The reason was that Obama won the support of minority voters by even bigger margins. He carried 93 percent of African-American voters, 71 percent of Latino voters and 73 percent of Asian voters. The electorate’s demographics will be even more unfavorable for the GOP in 2016."
Trump's Word Salad About Punishing Women For Abortion Will Instantly Make You Dumber
Trump's Word Salad About Punishing Women For Abortion Will Instantly Make You Dumber
"Donald Trump's explanation on Wednesday about why he said women deserved to be punished for abortion was so incomprehensible that it probably left most viewers with less of an understanding about what he actually meant."
"Donald Trump's explanation on Wednesday about why he said women deserved to be punished for abortion was so incomprehensible that it probably left most viewers with less of an understanding about what he actually meant."
It's Time We Start Discussing the Real Issue with Donald Trump That's Too Often Ignored
It's Time We Start Discussing the Real Issue with Donald Trump That's Too Often Ignored
"Not only is basically everything Trump says a lie – even most of his go-to talking points – but he’s utterly clueless about how our government works."
"Not only is basically everything Trump says a lie – even most of his go-to talking points – but he’s utterly clueless about how our government works."
David Duke Hails Donald Trump For Thwarting The 'Jewish Supremacists Who Control Our Country'
David Duke Hails Donald Trump For Thwarting The 'Jewish Supremacists Who Control Our Country':
"Duke urged listeners to “make sure that Trump understands that we expect him to follow through on these things and we expect him to be our White Knight, our advocate and our person"."
"Duke urged listeners to “make sure that Trump understands that we expect him to follow through on these things and we expect him to be our White Knight, our advocate and our person"."
'King Of Debt' Trump Suggests He'd Default On National Debt
'King Of Debt' Trump Suggests He'd Default On National Debt
"Combine Trump's fecklessness on this question with the screaming masses of uneducated Tea Partiers who were ready to default on the national debt over the Affordable Care Act, tax cuts, and whether a Democrat said something mean to them. Does it take much to imagine a President Trump blowing up the entire global economy right alongside our own country? Not so much. He is a dangerous, feckless, man who has no business being within 10 miles of the White House, much less inside it."
"Combine Trump's fecklessness on this question with the screaming masses of uneducated Tea Partiers who were ready to default on the national debt over the Affordable Care Act, tax cuts, and whether a Democrat said something mean to them. Does it take much to imagine a President Trump blowing up the entire global economy right alongside our own country? Not so much. He is a dangerous, feckless, man who has no business being within 10 miles of the White House, much less inside it."
Donald Trump Is Just Asking The Question: How The GOP Presidential Candidate Spreads His Conspiracy Theories
Donald Trump Is Just Asking The Question: How The GOP Presidential Candidate Spreads His Conspiracy Theories:
"A favorite tool of Republican politicians and far-right pundits like Glenn Beck, Alex Jones, Michael Savage, Bryan Fischer and others is to float wild conspiracy theories with the qualifier that they are “just asking the question.” Take the outlet WorldNetDaily, which regularly runs stories with headlines like, “Is This A ‘Demon’ Racing In Front Of Obama?,” “Will Obama Build A Death Star Next?” and “‘Manchurian President’ Ushering In Islamic Caliphate?” At Fox News, anchors often push personal theories by prefacing their remarks with the line, “some people say,” in order not to take any responsibility for their outlandish claims. Fox host Andrea Tantaros, for example, said of Obama last month, “Some people are asking the question, is he covering for ISIS?” Donald Trump has taken to using the same lines in order to defend his own conspiracy theories."
"A favorite tool of Republican politicians and far-right pundits like Glenn Beck, Alex Jones, Michael Savage, Bryan Fischer and others is to float wild conspiracy theories with the qualifier that they are “just asking the question.” Take the outlet WorldNetDaily, which regularly runs stories with headlines like, “Is This A ‘Demon’ Racing In Front Of Obama?,” “Will Obama Build A Death Star Next?” and “‘Manchurian President’ Ushering In Islamic Caliphate?” At Fox News, anchors often push personal theories by prefacing their remarks with the line, “some people say,” in order not to take any responsibility for their outlandish claims. Fox host Andrea Tantaros, for example, said of Obama last month, “Some people are asking the question, is he covering for ISIS?” Donald Trump has taken to using the same lines in order to defend his own conspiracy theories."
Paul Ryan: Let's Bring Back Pre-Existing Conditions
Paul Ryan: Let's Bring Back Pre-Existing Conditions
"Paul Ryan is not working for his constituents, and neither are many of his cohorts in Congress. They are working to increase the profit margins of health insurance companies, period. Speaker Ryan wants to remove the provision of the president's signature health care legislation that prevents insurance companies from denying care to those with pre-existing conditions."
"Paul Ryan is not working for his constituents, and neither are many of his cohorts in Congress. They are working to increase the profit margins of health insurance companies, period. Speaker Ryan wants to remove the provision of the president's signature health care legislation that prevents insurance companies from denying care to those with pre-existing conditions."
President Trump Promises Debt, Default And Depression
President Trump Promises Debt, Default And Depression
"To put it another way, putting Donald Trump in the White House wouldn't "Make America Great Again." It would create a self-fulfilling economic cataclysm so horrific that Americans could only dream of a "major recession" under President Trump."
"To put it another way, putting Donald Trump in the White House wouldn't "Make America Great Again." It would create a self-fulfilling economic cataclysm so horrific that Americans could only dream of a "major recession" under President Trump."
Donald Trump’s bankruptcy dodge: This is how lawyers and regulators helped him fudge solvency and avoid collapse
Donald Trump’s bankruptcy dodge: This is how lawyers and regulators helped him fudge solvency and avoid collapse
"Today Trump shrugs off the four bankruptcies, saying it’s a standard business tactic to restructure debt. But back in 1990 he was as afraid of that word as he is today of taking another tough question from Hugh Hewitt or Megyn Kelly. And but for government saving Trump by taking his side against his bankers, his business would have been tied up in years of litigation and we almost certainly would not be imagining the prospect of Donald Trump living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Because Trump would have been sunk beneath a sea of red ink."
"Today Trump shrugs off the four bankruptcies, saying it’s a standard business tactic to restructure debt. But back in 1990 he was as afraid of that word as he is today of taking another tough question from Hugh Hewitt or Megyn Kelly. And but for government saving Trump by taking his side against his bankers, his business would have been tied up in years of litigation and we almost certainly would not be imagining the prospect of Donald Trump living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Because Trump would have been sunk beneath a sea of red ink."
Trump Makes Pals With European Politicians Who Flirt With Fascism @alternet
Trump Makes Pals With European Politicians Who Flirt With Fascism @alternet:
"With Trump likely to seize the Republican nomination, his endorsements from far-right groups in both Europe and the United States (Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke) will alienate him with voters in the general election."
"With Trump likely to seize the Republican nomination, his endorsements from far-right groups in both Europe and the United States (Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke) will alienate him with voters in the general election."
Longest-Serving GOP Speaker In History Is A Liar And Serial Child Molester, Federal Judge Says
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/04/27/3773192/judge-calls-hastert-liar-serial-molester/
"Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert was sentenced in federal court today to 15 months in prison and a $250,000 fine, in addition to two years of supervised release, on the condition that he get treatment as a sex offender."
"Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert was sentenced in federal court today to 15 months in prison and a $250,000 fine, in addition to two years of supervised release, on the condition that he get treatment as a sex offender."
Racist Trump Supporter Arrested For Threats Against Obama Had Pipe Bombs, Weapons
Racist Trump Supporter Arrested For Threats Against Obama Had Pipe Bombs, Weapons
"A racist, fed-hating Trump supporter was arrested by the FBI and charged in connection with threats he made on social media threatening President Obama. At the time of his arrest, John Martin Roos had several pipe bombs, an assault-style weapon, and a stockpile of various other weapons."
"A racist, fed-hating Trump supporter was arrested by the FBI and charged in connection with threats he made on social media threatening President Obama. At the time of his arrest, John Martin Roos had several pipe bombs, an assault-style weapon, and a stockpile of various other weapons."
Republicans rush to defend Dennis Hastert, plead court for leniency in alleged pedophile hush money case
Republicans rush to defend Dennis Hastert, plead court for leniency in alleged pedophile hush money case
"In addition to DeLay, Hastert’s former Republican colleagues Reps. Thomas Ewing, David Dreier, Porter Goss and John Doolittle also petitioned the court on his behalf."
"In addition to DeLay, Hastert’s former Republican colleagues Reps. Thomas Ewing, David Dreier, Porter Goss and John Doolittle also petitioned the court on his behalf."
They dumbed down conservatism: How extreme right-wing market fundamentalism captured the GOP — and endangered the environment
They dumbed down conservatism: How extreme right-wing market fundamentalism captured the GOP — and endangered the environment
"These three major planks of what many call “market fundamentalism” share the same essential flaw: they take old conservative ideas and dumb them down by stripping them of all subtlety and nuance, in the process perverting their meaning to something completely at odds with the traditions of principled conservatism."
"These three major planks of what many call “market fundamentalism” share the same essential flaw: they take old conservative ideas and dumb them down by stripping them of all subtlety and nuance, in the process perverting their meaning to something completely at odds with the traditions of principled conservatism."
A Comprehensive Guide To Trump Ally Roger Stone, A Racist, Sexist, Conspiracy Theorist
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/09/comprehensive-guide-trump-ally-roger-stone-racist-sexist-conspiracy-theorist/210303
"Stone has a decades-long history of political dirty tricks, and he regularly spouts violent, racist, and sexist rhetoric"
"Stone has a decades-long history of political dirty tricks, and he regularly spouts violent, racist, and sexist rhetoric"
Trump's Team: The Bigoted, Unhinged Conspiracy Theorists Benefiting From Donald Trump's Campaign
Trump's Team: The Bigoted, Unhinged Conspiracy Theorists Benefiting From Donald Trump's Campaign:
"Donald Trump’s obsession with conspiracy theories didn’t emerge from a vacuum. Before the GOP presidential frontrunner started winning the backing of Republican leaders, he assembled a team of ardent right-wing conspiracy theorists whose bigoted and bizarre beliefs once put them decidedly on the fringe of American politics."
"Donald Trump’s obsession with conspiracy theories didn’t emerge from a vacuum. Before the GOP presidential frontrunner started winning the backing of Republican leaders, he assembled a team of ardent right-wing conspiracy theorists whose bigoted and bizarre beliefs once put them decidedly on the fringe of American politics."
Kochs' Americans for Prosperity, Club for Growth, Shell out to Rescue Ron Johnson
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/04/13086/kochs-americans-prosperity-club-growth-wi-shell-save-ron-johnson
"With an empty seat at the U.S. Supreme Court and public pressure mounting to overturn the Court's Citizens United decision, which open the door to unlimited spending by nominally "independent" Super PACs and dark money nonprofits, the stakes could not be higher for the Kochs and their cronies who have worked for decades to undermine disclosure rules and limits on political spending."
"With an empty seat at the U.S. Supreme Court and public pressure mounting to overturn the Court's Citizens United decision, which open the door to unlimited spending by nominally "independent" Super PACs and dark money nonprofits, the stakes could not be higher for the Kochs and their cronies who have worked for decades to undermine disclosure rules and limits on political spending."
A Citizen’s Guide to Combating Election Propaganda: Debunking Minimum Wage Myths @alternet
A Citizen’s Guide to Combating Election Propaganda: Debunking Minimum Wage Myths @alternet:
"Fortunately, much research has been done in recent years suggesting that the standard reactionary arguments against the minimum wage are either exaggerated or wholly inaccurate."
"Fortunately, much research has been done in recent years suggesting that the standard reactionary arguments against the minimum wage are either exaggerated or wholly inaccurate."
Conservatives Were Stunningly Wrong About Obamacare, New Report Finds
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/04/18/conservatives-were-stunningly-wrong-about-obamacare-new-report-finds/209966
"A New York Times analysis found “historic increases” in those covered by the Affordable Care Act, destroying right-wing media predictions about health care reform including that it would “topple the stock market” and enslave Americans. The Times analysis is just one of many pieces of research that have highlighted the successes of the Affordable Care Act."
"A New York Times analysis found “historic increases” in those covered by the Affordable Care Act, destroying right-wing media predictions about health care reform including that it would “topple the stock market” and enslave Americans. The Times analysis is just one of many pieces of research that have highlighted the successes of the Affordable Care Act."
PERRspectives: 10 Things the GOP Doesn't Want You to Know for Tax Day
PERRspectives: 10 Things the GOP Doesn't Want You to Know for Tax Day
"The history of the Reagan and Bush years belie Arthur Laffer's supply-side fantasy."
"The history of the Reagan and Bush years belie Arthur Laffer's supply-side fantasy."
Wealthy Americans created the conditions that gave rise to 2016’s rage-filled campaigns
Wealthy Americans created the conditions that gave rise to 2016’s rage-filled campaigns
"Republicans routinely condemn such rhetoric as the reckless promotion of “class warfare” by irresponsible populists, but the reality is class conflict is a two-way street.."
"Republicans routinely condemn such rhetoric as the reckless promotion of “class warfare” by irresponsible populists, but the reality is class conflict is a two-way street.."
Trump’s Adviser Lobbied For Pakistani Group That Killed 7 CIA Officers In Afghanistan Attack
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/04/18/trumps-adviser-lobbied-pakistani-group-killed-7-cia-officers-afghanistan-attack/
"Their clients included the Kashmiri American Council, a US-based “nonprofit” purportedly advocating for peace in the contested area between India and Pakistan but was actually a front for the notorious Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the military’s secret service and spy agency that created the Taliban and al-Qaeda during the 1980s and is deeply connected to them still to this day – even as their Western “allies” spend billions of dollars and thousands of lives fighting the group on the ground."
"Their clients included the Kashmiri American Council, a US-based “nonprofit” purportedly advocating for peace in the contested area between India and Pakistan but was actually a front for the notorious Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the military’s secret service and spy agency that created the Taliban and al-Qaeda during the 1980s and is deeply connected to them still to this day – even as their Western “allies” spend billions of dollars and thousands of lives fighting the group on the ground."
FDIC, Fed Rulings Could See Five "Too-Big-to-Fail" Wall Street Firms Broken Up by 2018
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35620-fdic-fed-rulings-could-see-five-too-big-to-fail-wall-street-firms-broken-up-by-2018
"When Dodd-Frank financial reform was passed in 2010, Congress created an inter-agency body called the Federal Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) and gave it the power to declare certain banks, investment firms and insurance companies "SIFI" -- systemically-important financial institutions. The law concurrently forced outfits slapped with the SIFI-label to formulate living wills; to minimize the possibility of 2008-style market failure and publicly-funded bailouts, in the event of financial instability. "Each plan ... must describe the company's strategy for rapid and orderly resolution under bankruptcy in the event of material financial distress or failure of the company," the Fed noted Wednesday. The eight banks whose living wills were assessed on Monday are the only SIFIs based in the United States. The Fed and FDIC are still assessing plans being written by four foreign SIFIs: Barclays PLC, Credit Suisse Group, Deutsche Bank AG, and UBS."
"When Dodd-Frank financial reform was passed in 2010, Congress created an inter-agency body called the Federal Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) and gave it the power to declare certain banks, investment firms and insurance companies "SIFI" -- systemically-important financial institutions. The law concurrently forced outfits slapped with the SIFI-label to formulate living wills; to minimize the possibility of 2008-style market failure and publicly-funded bailouts, in the event of financial instability. "Each plan ... must describe the company's strategy for rapid and orderly resolution under bankruptcy in the event of material financial distress or failure of the company," the Fed noted Wednesday. The eight banks whose living wills were assessed on Monday are the only SIFIs based in the United States. The Fed and FDIC are still assessing plans being written by four foreign SIFIs: Barclays PLC, Credit Suisse Group, Deutsche Bank AG, and UBS."
Dear Republicans: Like it or Not, George W. Bush is the Reason Your Party is Destroying Itself
Dear Republicans: Like it or Not, George W. Bush is the Reason Your Party is Destroying Itself
"The moment Bush left office, the GOP instantly embraced the tea party “movement” as a way to try to repair its image from the damage the previous eight years had done. It was their way to try to “reinvent” themselves as a “true conservative party for the people.” Though the tea party was never a “new” movement. The only thing the tea party has ever been is a voice for the racists, the bigots and the crazies who’ve been slowly gaining control over the GOP for decades. With the emergence of the tea party, these bottom-feeders finally had a voice in Washington. And because Republicans were so desperate to do anything to cleanse themselves of the horrible eight years of George W. Bush, they blindly embraced the very monster that was always destined to destroy them."
"The moment Bush left office, the GOP instantly embraced the tea party “movement” as a way to try to repair its image from the damage the previous eight years had done. It was their way to try to “reinvent” themselves as a “true conservative party for the people.” Though the tea party was never a “new” movement. The only thing the tea party has ever been is a voice for the racists, the bigots and the crazies who’ve been slowly gaining control over the GOP for decades. With the emergence of the tea party, these bottom-feeders finally had a voice in Washington. And because Republicans were so desperate to do anything to cleanse themselves of the horrible eight years of George W. Bush, they blindly embraced the very monster that was always destined to destroy them."
Trump Effect: Here are 9 utterly depressing stories teachers tell about Trump’s horrible effect on kids
Trump Effect: Here are 9 utterly depressing stories teachers tell about Trump’s horrible effect on kids
"At the same time, “Teachers have noted an increase in bullying, harassment and intimidation of students whose races, religions or nationalities have been the verbal targets of candidates on the campaign trail"."
"At the same time, “Teachers have noted an increase in bullying, harassment and intimidation of students whose races, religions or nationalities have been the verbal targets of candidates on the campaign trail"."
Tennessee tourism parody ad hilariously exposes the absurdity of state’s new anti-gay stance
Tennessee tourism parody ad hilariously exposes the absurdity of state’s new anti-gay stance
"It’s one of a number of anti-gay bills that have been sweeping the South recently, in states including North Carolina and Mississippi."
"It’s one of a number of anti-gay bills that have been sweeping the South recently, in states including North Carolina and Mississippi."
The South’s new re-segregation plan: The Koch brothers, ALEC and the sneaky scheme to undo Brown v Board of Education
The South’s new re-segregation plan: The Koch brothers, ALEC and the sneaky scheme to undo Brown v Board of Education
"Other states, such as Ohio, Nevada, Indiana, Louisiana, Florida and Maryland, have endorsed voucher plans (which are never called vouchers but some euphemism, like “opportunity scholarships.) The irony is that their state constitutions explicitly prohibits the diversion of public school funds to religious schools, yet legislators proclaim their fealty to constitutional principles even as they pass laws to send public money to religious schools. Vouchers for children with disabilities is the camel’s nose under the tent, to get the movement started. It is a measure supported by ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council), the Koch-funded advocacy group for privatization and deregulation. The rise of vouchers is not a response to popular demand. Vouchers have been put to voters in several states, and every time they have been soundly defeated, even in red state Utah. The revival of the voucher movement is nothing more than ideology and politics taking charge of schooling. School choice is not the “civil rights issue of our time,” as its proponents claim; it is the predictable way to roll back civil rights in our time. After 25 years of experimentation with charters and vouchers, we know that they do not get better results than public schools unless they choose their students and kick out the ones who don’t have high test scores and don’t adhere to strict requirements for obedience. Charters and vouchers drain money from public schools, which still educate the vast majority of children. Once school choice gets rooted in a state, the subject consumes all the energy of legislators. It is as if the 90 percent who attend real public schools became invisible. Despite the absence of any advantages and the presence of scandals, frauds, and discrimination, more and more states are falling victim to the false promise of “school choice"."
"Other states, such as Ohio, Nevada, Indiana, Louisiana, Florida and Maryland, have endorsed voucher plans (which are never called vouchers but some euphemism, like “opportunity scholarships.) The irony is that their state constitutions explicitly prohibits the diversion of public school funds to religious schools, yet legislators proclaim their fealty to constitutional principles even as they pass laws to send public money to religious schools. Vouchers for children with disabilities is the camel’s nose under the tent, to get the movement started. It is a measure supported by ALEC (the American Legislative Exchange Council), the Koch-funded advocacy group for privatization and deregulation. The rise of vouchers is not a response to popular demand. Vouchers have been put to voters in several states, and every time they have been soundly defeated, even in red state Utah. The revival of the voucher movement is nothing more than ideology and politics taking charge of schooling. School choice is not the “civil rights issue of our time,” as its proponents claim; it is the predictable way to roll back civil rights in our time. After 25 years of experimentation with charters and vouchers, we know that they do not get better results than public schools unless they choose their students and kick out the ones who don’t have high test scores and don’t adhere to strict requirements for obedience. Charters and vouchers drain money from public schools, which still educate the vast majority of children. Once school choice gets rooted in a state, the subject consumes all the energy of legislators. It is as if the 90 percent who attend real public schools became invisible. Despite the absence of any advantages and the presence of scandals, frauds, and discrimination, more and more states are falling victim to the false promise of “school choice"."
The Secret Origins of the Tea Party
http://time.com/secret-origins-of-the-tea-party/
"They proposed an unholy alliance—Philip Morris money commingled with Koch money to create anti-tax front groups in a handful of states that would battle any tax that moved. It would make no difference what kind of tax—the front groups could battle cigarette excise taxes in the Northeast and refined-oil fees at the coasts. Any tax, for any purpose, was bad—and these front groups would tackle them all, with Philip Morris and the Kochs behind them."
"They proposed an unholy alliance—Philip Morris money commingled with Koch money to create anti-tax front groups in a handful of states that would battle any tax that moved. It would make no difference what kind of tax—the front groups could battle cigarette excise taxes in the Northeast and refined-oil fees at the coasts. Any tax, for any purpose, was bad—and these front groups would tackle them all, with Philip Morris and the Kochs behind them."
Sam Brownback declares war on Kansas: This is how extremists gut a state — and democracy
Sam Brownback declares war on Kansas: This is how extremists gut a state — and democracy
"Gov. Sam Brownback’s march to zero income taxes, combined with legislation designed to weaken public services and wrest control away from local government, are hollowing out the very aspects of government these committees focus on. Public education certainly seems targeted to be greatly supplemented by, if not outright replaced by, private education. We see this in other states as well. For some time now, model legislation from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Americans For Prosperity (AFP) and other libertarian / ultraconservative organizations has been used as the template for bills in states with varying levels of ultraconservative control. Such templates have been developed on everything from taxation and fiscal policy, to energy and the environment, to health and human services. Looking just at education, in 2015 there were 172 measures introduced in 42 states based on ALEC model legislation, according to the Center for Media and Democracy. The general goal being to “… transform public education from a public and accountable institution that serves the public into one that serves private, for-profit interests.” With public education commonly comprising a significant portion of state budgets, this dovetails nicely with ultraconservative legislation focused on drastically shrinking government and reducing taxes. In Kansas, one of the latest bills taking inspiration from such model legislation is HB 2741, intended to provide the state with a new public school funding formula. The Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) provides a good summary of the bill here. The need for a new formula began during the 2014-2015 legislative session with the repeal of the previous school funding formula and implementation of the temporary two-year block grant funding mechanism, intended to fill the gap while the legislature works on a new formula. I should note that the block grant has also effectively reduced the dollars available to school districts for day to day operations."
"Gov. Sam Brownback’s march to zero income taxes, combined with legislation designed to weaken public services and wrest control away from local government, are hollowing out the very aspects of government these committees focus on. Public education certainly seems targeted to be greatly supplemented by, if not outright replaced by, private education. We see this in other states as well. For some time now, model legislation from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), Americans For Prosperity (AFP) and other libertarian / ultraconservative organizations has been used as the template for bills in states with varying levels of ultraconservative control. Such templates have been developed on everything from taxation and fiscal policy, to energy and the environment, to health and human services. Looking just at education, in 2015 there were 172 measures introduced in 42 states based on ALEC model legislation, according to the Center for Media and Democracy. The general goal being to “… transform public education from a public and accountable institution that serves the public into one that serves private, for-profit interests.” With public education commonly comprising a significant portion of state budgets, this dovetails nicely with ultraconservative legislation focused on drastically shrinking government and reducing taxes. In Kansas, one of the latest bills taking inspiration from such model legislation is HB 2741, intended to provide the state with a new public school funding formula. The Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) provides a good summary of the bill here. The need for a new formula began during the 2014-2015 legislative session with the repeal of the previous school funding formula and implementation of the temporary two-year block grant funding mechanism, intended to fill the gap while the legislature works on a new formula. I should note that the block grant has also effectively reduced the dollars available to school districts for day to day operations."
Feds Charge Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton With Fraud
Feds Charge Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton With Fraud
"The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday charged Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton with civil securities fraud for promoting a North Texas tech firm, adding to the first-term Republican's growing legal woes."
"The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Monday charged Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton with civil securities fraud for promoting a North Texas tech firm, adding to the first-term Republican's growing legal woes."
Kentucky’s Governor Dramatically Cut Education Funding. Now He’s Getting Sued.
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/04/12/3768423/kentucky-attorney-general-budget-cuts/
"This spring, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) bypassed the state legislature to unilaterally cut $41 million in education funding. Now, he’s getting hit with a lawsuit."
"This spring, Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) bypassed the state legislature to unilaterally cut $41 million in education funding. Now, he’s getting hit with a lawsuit."
How Private Prison Companies Use Big Tax Breaks and Low Wages to Maximize Profit
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35564-how-private-prison-companies-use-big-tax-breaks-and-low-wages-to-maximize-profit
"Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and GEO Group avoided a combined $113 million in federal income taxes in 2015 alone, according to an analysis of federal financial filings by the racial and economic justice group Enlace. The prison business is booming despite efforts to reduce the nation's prison population, which has exploded in recent decades and forced the government to contract with private prison companies to meet demand. Last year, CCA reported $222 million in net profits, and GEO Group reported $139 million. CCA and GEO Group have enjoyed increased profits per prisoner housed in their facilities since 2012, when both companies began converting themselves into special real estate trusts that are exempt from the federal corporate income tax, at least in the eyes of the IRS."
"Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and GEO Group avoided a combined $113 million in federal income taxes in 2015 alone, according to an analysis of federal financial filings by the racial and economic justice group Enlace. The prison business is booming despite efforts to reduce the nation's prison population, which has exploded in recent decades and forced the government to contract with private prison companies to meet demand. Last year, CCA reported $222 million in net profits, and GEO Group reported $139 million. CCA and GEO Group have enjoyed increased profits per prisoner housed in their facilities since 2012, when both companies began converting themselves into special real estate trusts that are exempt from the federal corporate income tax, at least in the eyes of the IRS."
Tammy Duckworth thinks your financial adviser should be looking out for you. Mark Kirk does not.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/4/7/1512067/-Tammy-Duckworth-believes-your-financial-adviser-should-be-looking-out-for-you-Mark-Kirk-does-not
"On Wednesday, President Obama announced a remarkably simple and remarkable great new federal rule that simply says retirement financial advisers have to follow a fiduciary standard, which means they have to be guided by what's in their clients' best interests. Which is pretty much how it always should have been, right? But it hasn't until now. Which is pretty unbelievable, but it's Wall Street, so there you go. Now that it is a rule, a lot of Republicans don't like it, and one of those Republicans is Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL). But you know who really, really likes it? Rep. Tammy Duckworth, and she's perfectly willing to make an issue out of it."
"On Wednesday, President Obama announced a remarkably simple and remarkable great new federal rule that simply says retirement financial advisers have to follow a fiduciary standard, which means they have to be guided by what's in their clients' best interests. Which is pretty much how it always should have been, right? But it hasn't until now. Which is pretty unbelievable, but it's Wall Street, so there you go. Now that it is a rule, a lot of Republicans don't like it, and one of those Republicans is Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL). But you know who really, really likes it? Rep. Tammy Duckworth, and she's perfectly willing to make an issue out of it."
Watch: Elizabeth Warren Pulls No Punches Calling GOP out on 2008 Crash @alternet
Watch: Elizabeth Warren Pulls No Punches Calling GOP out on 2008 Crash @alternet:
"She wondered why Republicans chose Chanin as their witness, saying, “of all the people who might be called on to advise Congress about how to weigh the costs and benefits of consumer regulations, I am surprised that my Republican colleagues would choose a witness who might have one of the worst track records in history on this issue"."
"She wondered why Republicans chose Chanin as their witness, saying, “of all the people who might be called on to advise Congress about how to weigh the costs and benefits of consumer regulations, I am surprised that my Republican colleagues would choose a witness who might have one of the worst track records in history on this issue"."
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