Friday, July 17, 2015
Mayor Insults ‘Gorilla Face’ Michelle Obama, Won’t Resign Because ‘That’s Admitting I’m Racist’ (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/15/mayor-insults-gorilla-face-michelle-obama-wont-resign-because-thats-admitting-im-racist-video/
"A mayor in Washington State has refused to resign after he shared a racist post on Facebook comparing President Obama and the First Lady to gorillas and monkeys. His reason for not stepping down? Doing so would be like admitting he’s racist."
"A mayor in Washington State has refused to resign after he shared a racist post on Facebook comparing President Obama and the First Lady to gorillas and monkeys. His reason for not stepping down? Doing so would be like admitting he’s racist."
Dimwitted Florida Republican Suggests Donald Trump Could Be a Clinton Plant to Hurt GOP
Dimwitted Florida Republican Suggests Donald Trump Could Be a Clinton Plant to Hurt GOP
"So, in reality, all Rep. Curbelo did was admit that there’s a huge contingent of conservative voters who are racists and bigots."
"So, in reality, all Rep. Curbelo did was admit that there’s a huge contingent of conservative voters who are racists and bigots."
Food Disaster: Republicans Stomp on GMO Labeling @alternet
Food Disaster: Republicans Stomp on GMO Labeling @alternet
"With no debate and only a voice vote, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture today (July 14, 2015) passed out of committee H.R. 1599, a bill to preempt states’ rights to label GMOs."
"With no debate and only a voice vote, the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture today (July 14, 2015) passed out of committee H.R. 1599, a bill to preempt states’ rights to label GMOs."
Hurtful Lindsey Graham Proposal Targets Military Retirees
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/07/hurtful-lindsey-graham-proposal-targets-military-retirees/
"Conservatives love starting wars, but they have never cared about supporting the troops – all the way back to turning down Gen. George Washington’s request for food and blankets for his winter encampment at Valley Forge. Most recently, Republicans came under attack from veterans groups this March for killing a bill that would have expanded federal healthcare and education programs for veterans.
Never one to sit on the sidelines, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is jumping in with both feet this week, saying military retirees will eventually have to pay more for their health care."
"Conservatives love starting wars, but they have never cared about supporting the troops – all the way back to turning down Gen. George Washington’s request for food and blankets for his winter encampment at Valley Forge. Most recently, Republicans came under attack from veterans groups this March for killing a bill that would have expanded federal healthcare and education programs for veterans.
Never one to sit on the sidelines, Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is jumping in with both feet this week, saying military retirees will eventually have to pay more for their health care."
GOP Begins To Panic
GOP Begins To Panic
"If the electorate changes in line with census estimates, the slice of college-educated whites will grow by 1 point, to 37 percent of all voters, while the portion of whites without degrees will shrink 3 points, to just 33 percent of the total.
In other words, the GOP doesn't just have a growing problem with nonwhites; it has a shrinkage problem as well, as conservative white seniors are supplanted by college-educated millennials with different cultural attitudes"
"If the electorate changes in line with census estimates, the slice of college-educated whites will grow by 1 point, to 37 percent of all voters, while the portion of whites without degrees will shrink 3 points, to just 33 percent of the total.
In other words, the GOP doesn't just have a growing problem with nonwhites; it has a shrinkage problem as well, as conservative white seniors are supplanted by college-educated millennials with different cultural attitudes"
Florida Republican: Donald Trump is a Democratic plot to make GOP look stupid
Florida Republican: Donald Trump is a Democratic plot to make GOP look stupid
"A spokesman for Florida’s Democratic Party dismissed Curbelo’s comments as absurd and urged him to “take off his tinfoil hat"."
"A spokesman for Florida’s Democratic Party dismissed Curbelo’s comments as absurd and urged him to “take off his tinfoil hat"."
Texas Governor Vetos Mental Health Bill At Urging Of Scientologists Who Don’t Believe Mental Illness Exists
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/14/texas-governor-vetos-mental-health-bill-at-urging-of-scientologists-who-dont-believe-mental-illness-exists/
"Under Abbott’s short tenure, Texas has become a state defined by oxymorons. A public school system run by a homeschooler. A government kowtowed by anti-government zealots. And now a medical community led by an anti-medicine religious group."
"Under Abbott’s short tenure, Texas has become a state defined by oxymorons. A public school system run by a homeschooler. A government kowtowed by anti-government zealots. And now a medical community led by an anti-medicine religious group."
Ted Cruz Is Really Excited About Pluto. So Why Does He Want to Cripple NASA?
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/pluto-nasa-ted-cruz-new-horizons
"NASA is also one of the main purveyors of the satellite observations of Earth that are a basic necessity for many fields of Earth science."
"NASA is also one of the main purveyors of the satellite observations of Earth that are a basic necessity for many fields of Earth science."
Thursday, July 16, 2015
35 Mind-Blowing Facts About Inequality @alternet
35 Mind-Blowing Facts About Inequality @alternet
"the rise of Ronald Reagan’s conservative revolution at home, accelerated the long and painful contraction of the middle class. Cuts in corporate taxes, stagnant worker wage growth, the right-wing war on unions, and corporate outsourcing of work overseas greased the wheels of the middle-class decline and the upper-class elevation. Cuts in taxes on the wealthy, under the guise of trickle-down economics, have resulted in lower government revenue and cuts to all kinds of services. All of which has led to today, an era of national and international inequality unparalleled since the days of the Roaring '20s."
"the rise of Ronald Reagan’s conservative revolution at home, accelerated the long and painful contraction of the middle class. Cuts in corporate taxes, stagnant worker wage growth, the right-wing war on unions, and corporate outsourcing of work overseas greased the wheels of the middle-class decline and the upper-class elevation. Cuts in taxes on the wealthy, under the guise of trickle-down economics, have resulted in lower government revenue and cuts to all kinds of services. All of which has led to today, an era of national and international inequality unparalleled since the days of the Roaring '20s."
Scott Walker's latest anti-worker move will risk shoddy construction but won't save money
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/14/1402247/-Scott-Walker-s-latest-anti-worker-move-will-risk-shoddy-construction-but-won-t-save-money
"One of the anti-worker pieces of the budget Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed over the weekend partially repeals the state's longstanding prevailing wage law. Prevailing wage laws set a floor on what construction workers on publicly funded projects can earn, according to typical local wage levels. But repealing them doesn't just hurt workers—it hurts the communities that end up with shoddy work and it hurts high-road business owners who value their skilled workers. Oh, and it doesn't save money"
"One of the anti-worker pieces of the budget Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed over the weekend partially repeals the state's longstanding prevailing wage law. Prevailing wage laws set a floor on what construction workers on publicly funded projects can earn, according to typical local wage levels. But repealing them doesn't just hurt workers—it hurts the communities that end up with shoddy work and it hurts high-road business owners who value their skilled workers. Oh, and it doesn't save money"
Tea Party Utopia: Scott Walker’s Wisconsin #1 In Household Income Decline
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/tea-party-utopia-scott-walkers-wisconsin-1-in-household-income-decline/
"Walker has been very proud of his “successes” in ramming through a Koch Brother-approved agenda that crushed unions and public bargaining, efforts to privatize public schools, give millions in tax breaks to the rich and to huge corporations. They may be well and pleased with his efforts, but it has dealt grievous wounds to the state’s middle class and the working families of Wisconsin. He has ruined job creation in Wisconsin, falling far short of his campaign pledge to create 250,000 in his first term- barely achieving 129,000 while the liberal high-tax policies of neighboring Minnesota have made them the #1 state in the country for doing business."
"Walker has been very proud of his “successes” in ramming through a Koch Brother-approved agenda that crushed unions and public bargaining, efforts to privatize public schools, give millions in tax breaks to the rich and to huge corporations. They may be well and pleased with his efforts, but it has dealt grievous wounds to the state’s middle class and the working families of Wisconsin. He has ruined job creation in Wisconsin, falling far short of his campaign pledge to create 250,000 in his first term- barely achieving 129,000 while the liberal high-tax policies of neighboring Minnesota have made them the #1 state in the country for doing business."
Wisconsin Residents Sue State Over Unconstitutional Republican Gerrymandering
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/wisconsin-residents-sue-state-over-unconstitutional-republican-gerrymandering/
"The plaintiffs presented two pieces of evidence to the federal court to prove that the new map heavily favors Republicans. The first piece the is actual votes from the 2012 election. In 2012, Republicans overwhelmingly won the state Assembly elections even though more Democrats– 1.4 million versus 1.2 million–voted. Republicans walked away with 60 seats compared to Democrats’ 39 seats. It was a landslide that never would have happened if the map was not so heavily tilted in the GOP’s favor."
"The plaintiffs presented two pieces of evidence to the federal court to prove that the new map heavily favors Republicans. The first piece the is actual votes from the 2012 election. In 2012, Republicans overwhelmingly won the state Assembly elections even though more Democrats– 1.4 million versus 1.2 million–voted. Republicans walked away with 60 seats compared to Democrats’ 39 seats. It was a landslide that never would have happened if the map was not so heavily tilted in the GOP’s favor."
The Right-Wing Dog Whistle Buried In Scott Walker’s Announcement Speech
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/07/14/3680245/scott-walker-radical-libertarianism/
"He also appears to align himself with more modern constitutional theorists who wish to reinstate long-discredited Supreme Court cases that would eliminate much of the legal framework protecting workers from exploitation."
"He also appears to align himself with more modern constitutional theorists who wish to reinstate long-discredited Supreme Court cases that would eliminate much of the legal framework protecting workers from exploitation."
The Disappearance of John Doe
The Disappearance of John Doe
"the Wisconsin Supreme Court is likely to quash an investigation--run by a veteran Republican prosecutor--into allegations that Walker's team broke campaign finance laws during the 2012 recall elections by working in concert with dark money groups.
The prosecutor has asked two justices with ties to these same groups to recuse themselves from the case, but they have refused. And the court will rule behind closed doors, having eschewed oral arguments or even a full accounting of the case."
"the Wisconsin Supreme Court is likely to quash an investigation--run by a veteran Republican prosecutor--into allegations that Walker's team broke campaign finance laws during the 2012 recall elections by working in concert with dark money groups.
The prosecutor has asked two justices with ties to these same groups to recuse themselves from the case, but they have refused. And the court will rule behind closed doors, having eschewed oral arguments or even a full accounting of the case."
Scott Walker makes Mitt Romney look like FDR: The Kohl’s shopper is even more callous toward the poor
Scott Walker makes Mitt Romney look like FDR: The Kohl’s shopper is even more callous toward the poor
"Calling the minimum wage a “lame idea,” Walker and the 2016 GOP field position themselves well to Romney's right"
"Calling the minimum wage a “lame idea,” Walker and the 2016 GOP field position themselves well to Romney's right"
Ted Cruz at Secret Koch-Backed Fracking Lobby Group Meeting
Ted Cruz at Secret Koch-Backed Fracking Lobby Group Meeting
"Members of the forty year old Western Energy Alliance include massive fracking corporations like Devon Energy, Encana, Whiting, and Halliburton, as well as Koch Exploration Company, the fracking arm of the Charles and David Koch’s sprawling energy business."
"Members of the forty year old Western Energy Alliance include massive fracking corporations like Devon Energy, Encana, Whiting, and Halliburton, as well as Koch Exploration Company, the fracking arm of the Charles and David Koch’s sprawling energy business."
Lindsey Graham: Retired Veterans Must Pay More For Their Healthcare
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/lindsey-graham-retired-veterans-must-pay-more-for-their-healthcare/
"It’s just another glaring example of how the Republican Party’s effusive praise for our veterans is nothing but empty words. They send them to fight and die to achieve their political ambitions, but have no regard for their well-being once they’ve served their purpose- exactly like the way they treat their own constituents. The US has the biggest defense spending budget in the world, given to a Pentagon that has lost $9 trillion over the past twenty five years, but somehow we can’t find enough money to take care of the people who put their lives and limbs at risk to defend our nation and her interests."
"It’s just another glaring example of how the Republican Party’s effusive praise for our veterans is nothing but empty words. They send them to fight and die to achieve their political ambitions, but have no regard for their well-being once they’ve served their purpose- exactly like the way they treat their own constituents. The US has the biggest defense spending budget in the world, given to a Pentagon that has lost $9 trillion over the past twenty five years, but somehow we can’t find enough money to take care of the people who put their lives and limbs at risk to defend our nation and her interests."
Paul Krugman Explains One of Jeb Bush and the GOP's Favorite Lies About Non-Rich People @alternet
Paul Krugman Explains One of Jeb Bush and the GOP's Favorite Lies About Non-Rich People @alternet
"Bush has previously expressed his admiration for the work of Charles Murray, the racist so-called thinker behind the 1994 book "The Bell Curve"."
"Bush has previously expressed his admiration for the work of Charles Murray, the racist so-called thinker behind the 1994 book "The Bell Curve"."
The overwhelming idiocy of America’s obsession with “gaffes”
The overwhelming idiocy of America’s obsession with “gaffes”
"most of what gets called “gaffes” are not at all gaffes. They’re expressions of beliefs and political and ideological positions that turn out to be intensely unpopular or offensive to a segment of the population, and the press, usually so careful in our language, tosses them in the same linguistic barrel as when Palin said “refudiate” or when President George W. Bush talked about “how hard it is to put food on your family.”
Take last week, when Jeb Bush offered that Americans need to work longer hours. The proposal was immediately attacked by Democrats, and Bush was forced to address the comments later that same day after the swift and substantial backlash. Bush’s rush to clarify his unpopular comments was reported on seemingly uniformly as an effort to mend his “gaffe,” as though he simply misspoke or exhibited the sort of clumsy speech his brother is known for. Major political news outlets assigned the word “gaffe” to Bush’s proposal–Politico, the Boston Herald, Business Insider, The Hill, and Vox, among others.
Bush was presenting his solution to the anemic recovery after the financial crisis of 2007-08. Bush’s remedy includes Americans working longer hours, a point he reiterated in his clarification. The word “gaffe” seems to have been so widely assigned to the initial comments simply because they offended wage-working Americans and became an early weapon for Democrats against the GOP front-runner. But it’s not a gaffe if it’s a repeated belief. And it’s not a gaffe just because a well-considered belief turns out to be an unpopular way to view Americans from someone in a position of wealthy political aristocracy."
"most of what gets called “gaffes” are not at all gaffes. They’re expressions of beliefs and political and ideological positions that turn out to be intensely unpopular or offensive to a segment of the population, and the press, usually so careful in our language, tosses them in the same linguistic barrel as when Palin said “refudiate” or when President George W. Bush talked about “how hard it is to put food on your family.”
Take last week, when Jeb Bush offered that Americans need to work longer hours. The proposal was immediately attacked by Democrats, and Bush was forced to address the comments later that same day after the swift and substantial backlash. Bush’s rush to clarify his unpopular comments was reported on seemingly uniformly as an effort to mend his “gaffe,” as though he simply misspoke or exhibited the sort of clumsy speech his brother is known for. Major political news outlets assigned the word “gaffe” to Bush’s proposal–Politico, the Boston Herald, Business Insider, The Hill, and Vox, among others.
Bush was presenting his solution to the anemic recovery after the financial crisis of 2007-08. Bush’s remedy includes Americans working longer hours, a point he reiterated in his clarification. The word “gaffe” seems to have been so widely assigned to the initial comments simply because they offended wage-working Americans and became an early weapon for Democrats against the GOP front-runner. But it’s not a gaffe if it’s a repeated belief. And it’s not a gaffe just because a well-considered belief turns out to be an unpopular way to view Americans from someone in a position of wealthy political aristocracy."
Jeb Bush Is Promoting The Koch-Republican Job-Killing Economic Agenda
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/13/jeb-bush-promoting-koch-republican-job-killing-economic-agenda.html
"Their agenda is solely destroying long-standing labor protections put in place by the New Deal. Republicans have lusted to abolish New Deal worker protections since their inception with a simple goal of creating a slave-labor workforce and increase wealth for their corporate masters."
"Their agenda is solely destroying long-standing labor protections put in place by the New Deal. Republicans have lusted to abolish New Deal worker protections since their inception with a simple goal of creating a slave-labor workforce and increase wealth for their corporate masters."
Famous Economist DESTROYS Jeb Bush For ‘Work Longer Hours’ Comment – Here’s Why
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/13/famous-economist-destroys-jeb-bush-for-work-longer-hours-comment-heres-why/
"Krugman says that Jeb Bush subscribes to ideas put forth in a book called, “Coming Apart,” which talks about rising income inequality and a lack of good jobs, as being consequences of straying from traditional values. The author of that book, Charles Murray (a complete idiot), believes that government programs enable this decline in values, because “men no longer need to work to survive.”
In other words, Murray thinks, at least insofar as that statement goes, that people really should live to work, rather than work to live. This is the mentality that Krugman says Jeb labors under, which is where his remark that Americans just need to work longer hours, so they can bring more home to their families, comes from.
Krugman isn’t the only person of prominence to rip Jeb Bush for this. Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, also did it. He flat-out said he didn’t think much of Jeb’s comments. He also said that 80 percent of working men are working more than 40 hours a week, along with 66 percent of women and he reminded everyone that Jeb does not support raising the minimum wage, pay equality, or more stringent overtime laws that would open up time and a half pay for millions more workers."
"Krugman says that Jeb Bush subscribes to ideas put forth in a book called, “Coming Apart,” which talks about rising income inequality and a lack of good jobs, as being consequences of straying from traditional values. The author of that book, Charles Murray (a complete idiot), believes that government programs enable this decline in values, because “men no longer need to work to survive.”
In other words, Murray thinks, at least insofar as that statement goes, that people really should live to work, rather than work to live. This is the mentality that Krugman says Jeb labors under, which is where his remark that Americans just need to work longer hours, so they can bring more home to their families, comes from.
Krugman isn’t the only person of prominence to rip Jeb Bush for this. Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, also did it. He flat-out said he didn’t think much of Jeb’s comments. He also said that 80 percent of working men are working more than 40 hours a week, along with 66 percent of women and he reminded everyone that Jeb does not support raising the minimum wage, pay equality, or more stringent overtime laws that would open up time and a half pay for millions more workers."
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Jeb Bush Is Clueless About Working Americans @alternet
Jeb Bush Is Clueless About Working Americans @alternet
"Jeb! and his GOP buddies should blame those actually at fault: the nation’s highly profitable corporations that cheat America’s highly productive workers. Corporations need to rise to the occasion and hire workers at decent wages. Corporations must reward workers for their increased productivity by paying them time and a half when they work longer hours.
It’s the GOP that’s in a rut. It’s a mental ditch from which they fling mud on workers endlessly while shielding corporations and the rich, like Jeb!, from responsibility. Jeb! can go ahead and crack his whip. But he should make sure wage-stealing corporations and the idle rich are at the other end."
"Jeb! and his GOP buddies should blame those actually at fault: the nation’s highly profitable corporations that cheat America’s highly productive workers. Corporations need to rise to the occasion and hire workers at decent wages. Corporations must reward workers for their increased productivity by paying them time and a half when they work longer hours.
It’s the GOP that’s in a rut. It’s a mental ditch from which they fling mud on workers endlessly while shielding corporations and the rich, like Jeb!, from responsibility. Jeb! can go ahead and crack his whip. But he should make sure wage-stealing corporations and the idle rich are at the other end."
Wisconsin’s Construction Industry Is In For A Rough Ride — And So Are Its Taxpayers
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/07/14/3680019/wisconsin-prevailing-wage-repeal-scott-walker/
"About 24 hours before announcing his official White House candidacy, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) made life a lot harder for people who sweat for a living."
"About 24 hours before announcing his official White House candidacy, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) made life a lot harder for people who sweat for a living."
You Could Almost See The Koch Lips Moving As Scott Walker Announced His Run For President
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/13/koch-lips-moving-scott-walker-announced-run-president.html
"No matter how much he tried, Scott Walker sounded like a college dropout governor from Wisconsin. Walker will be a force in the Republican primary because he knows how deliver the ideological talking points that conservatives crave, but Donald Trump has set a high bar. Trump is willing to give Republican voters what they want in a way that Walker isn’t.
Scott Walker claimed to be a new leader, but his plan for the future is straight out of centuries past.
Walker promised to fight and win for Americans, but by Americans he clearly meant the wealthy billionaires.
The name Scott Walker will be on the ballot, but it is the Koch brothers agenda that he is running on."
"No matter how much he tried, Scott Walker sounded like a college dropout governor from Wisconsin. Walker will be a force in the Republican primary because he knows how deliver the ideological talking points that conservatives crave, but Donald Trump has set a high bar. Trump is willing to give Republican voters what they want in a way that Walker isn’t.
Scott Walker claimed to be a new leader, but his plan for the future is straight out of centuries past.
Walker promised to fight and win for Americans, but by Americans he clearly meant the wealthy billionaires.
The name Scott Walker will be on the ballot, but it is the Koch brothers agenda that he is running on."
GOP Iowan: 'Walker is making Romney look like a model of consistency'
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/13/1401798/-GOP-Iowan-Walker-is-making-Romney-look-like-a-model-of-consistency#
"The thing to remember about Shifty Walker is that he's not faking being a dyed-in-the-wool social and economic conservative. That is his natural habitat. He's just done a good job of moderating his demeanor in elections. In fact, he's currently prepping to sign into law in Wisconsin a 20-week abortion ban that has no exceptions for rape or incest. Meanwhile, during his 2014 re-election campaign in the state, he claimed to support leaving "the final decision to a woman and her doctor." There should have been a giant "I am lying" asterisk next to that statement."
"The thing to remember about Shifty Walker is that he's not faking being a dyed-in-the-wool social and economic conservative. That is his natural habitat. He's just done a good job of moderating his demeanor in elections. In fact, he's currently prepping to sign into law in Wisconsin a 20-week abortion ban that has no exceptions for rape or incest. Meanwhile, during his 2014 re-election campaign in the state, he claimed to support leaving "the final decision to a woman and her doctor." There should have been a giant "I am lying" asterisk next to that statement."
Infographic: Scott Walker’s Economy
https://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/general/news/2015/07/09/117137/infographic-scott-walkers-economy/
"he’s stood on the side of the wealthy few instead of middle-class families. He gave tax breaks that disproportionally favored the top 1 percent but cut $56 million in tax credits for working families. At the same time, he opposed raising the minimum wage and waged an attack on unions, passing right-to-work legislation in Wisconsin. And it’s middle-class families in Wisconsin bearing the brunt of his actions."
"he’s stood on the side of the wealthy few instead of middle-class families. He gave tax breaks that disproportionally favored the top 1 percent but cut $56 million in tax credits for working families. At the same time, he opposed raising the minimum wage and waged an attack on unions, passing right-to-work legislation in Wisconsin. And it’s middle-class families in Wisconsin bearing the brunt of his actions."
Scott Walker’s Wisconsin Struggles While Next Door, Democratic Run Minnesota Thrives
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/07/13/scott-walkers-wisconsin-struggles-while-next-door-democratic-run-minnesota-thrives/
"In Wisconsin, Walker has mercilessly cut the state budget. He slashed education spending, shifted healthcare and pension costs onto state employees, eliminated tax credits for low income workers and cut taxes for the rich, claiming it would stimulate the economy. The result has been weak job growth and Wisconsin ranks last in personal income growth among midwest states since Walker took office.
When Mark Dayton became Minnesota’s governor in 2011, he set about to reverse many of the policies of his Republican predecessor, Tim Pawlenty. Dayton and Minnesota Democrats raised taxes on people making over $250,000 and they also raised corporate taxes. Dayton and his allies raised the state’s minimum wage and indexed future increases to inflation. They managed to balance the budget while increasing spending on public education.
Minnesota has a huge budget surplus and thanks to increases in personal and corporate income, the state is reporting higher tax collections than expected. Minnesota also expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and set up their own state insurance exchange. Now Minnesota has some of the lowest insurance premiums in the country. Wisconsin refused to participate in the ACA and their rate of uninsured is double that of Wisconsin. Plus, Walker removed many people from Badgercare, the state’s popular health insurance program for children and families.
Now, Scott Walker wants to be president. Here’s a suggestion, Scott: If you want to stand any chance at all, avoid the slogan “He’ll Do For America What He Did For Wisconsin"."
"In Wisconsin, Walker has mercilessly cut the state budget. He slashed education spending, shifted healthcare and pension costs onto state employees, eliminated tax credits for low income workers and cut taxes for the rich, claiming it would stimulate the economy. The result has been weak job growth and Wisconsin ranks last in personal income growth among midwest states since Walker took office.
When Mark Dayton became Minnesota’s governor in 2011, he set about to reverse many of the policies of his Republican predecessor, Tim Pawlenty. Dayton and Minnesota Democrats raised taxes on people making over $250,000 and they also raised corporate taxes. Dayton and his allies raised the state’s minimum wage and indexed future increases to inflation. They managed to balance the budget while increasing spending on public education.
Minnesota has a huge budget surplus and thanks to increases in personal and corporate income, the state is reporting higher tax collections than expected. Minnesota also expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act and set up their own state insurance exchange. Now Minnesota has some of the lowest insurance premiums in the country. Wisconsin refused to participate in the ACA and their rate of uninsured is double that of Wisconsin. Plus, Walker removed many people from Badgercare, the state’s popular health insurance program for children and families.
Now, Scott Walker wants to be president. Here’s a suggestion, Scott: If you want to stand any chance at all, avoid the slogan “He’ll Do For America What He Did For Wisconsin"."
Walker Adviser Admits: Start Conservative, Be 'Moderate Later On'
Walker Adviser Admits: Start Conservative, Be 'Moderate Later On'
"This of course is redolent of Mitt Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom's famous "Etch-a-Sketch" comment from 2012"
"This of course is redolent of Mitt Romney adviser Eric Fehrnstrom's famous "Etch-a-Sketch" comment from 2012"
Scott Walker Wants To Run The Country. Here Is How He Ran Wisconsin.
http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/07/13/3614885/scott-walker-wants-run-country-ran-wisconsin/
"several studies have shown that the governor’s economic agenda — slashing property and corporate taxes, restricting collective bargaining and keeping wages low — has left the state in a precarious position. Data from the Pew Charitable Trusts predicts that Wisconsin will end this fiscal year with less money in reserve than any other state in the country. Walker’s 2011 tax cuts, which largely benefited wealthy landowners and factory owners, will cost the state at least $275 million in additional lost tax revenue over the next two years — twice as much as originally predicted."
"several studies have shown that the governor’s economic agenda — slashing property and corporate taxes, restricting collective bargaining and keeping wages low — has left the state in a precarious position. Data from the Pew Charitable Trusts predicts that Wisconsin will end this fiscal year with less money in reserve than any other state in the country. Walker’s 2011 tax cuts, which largely benefited wealthy landowners and factory owners, will cost the state at least $275 million in additional lost tax revenue over the next two years — twice as much as originally predicted."
Scott Walker Campaigns Against Unions, Wages and Weekends
http://www.thenation.com/article/scott-walker-campaigns-against-unions-wages-and-weekends/
"The state budget that Walker signed on Sunday as Wisconsin’s governor includes a provision that eliminates a historic guarantee that factory and retail employees “must get at least 24 consecutive hours of rest for every seven-day stretch” of work.
That does not sound very worker-friendly. And that’s cool by Walker.
The Wisconsin governor is running for the presidency as the guy who cracked down on workers and their unions — and who delivered for corporations and their CEOs — and the budget he just signed offers a signal of just how far he and his allies are willing to go.
Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled legislature dutifully delivered a budget to Walker before his announcement. But the document was so fundamentally flawed that a dozen Republicans in the state Assembly and Senate joined Democrats in opposing it.
The Republicans did not say much about why they were voting “no,” although the prospect of having to defend cuts to higher education, funding schemes that threaten rural schools, blows to programs that care for the elderly and the disabled and fiscally-irresponsible borrowing undoubtedly weighed on the eleven Republican representatives and one Republican senator who refused to support the budget. So too, surely, did concerns about having to explain a budget that rips up prevailing wage, living-wage and workplace protections for workers who have already taken hard hits."
"The state budget that Walker signed on Sunday as Wisconsin’s governor includes a provision that eliminates a historic guarantee that factory and retail employees “must get at least 24 consecutive hours of rest for every seven-day stretch” of work.
That does not sound very worker-friendly. And that’s cool by Walker.
The Wisconsin governor is running for the presidency as the guy who cracked down on workers and their unions — and who delivered for corporations and their CEOs — and the budget he just signed offers a signal of just how far he and his allies are willing to go.
Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled legislature dutifully delivered a budget to Walker before his announcement. But the document was so fundamentally flawed that a dozen Republicans in the state Assembly and Senate joined Democrats in opposing it.
The Republicans did not say much about why they were voting “no,” although the prospect of having to defend cuts to higher education, funding schemes that threaten rural schools, blows to programs that care for the elderly and the disabled and fiscally-irresponsible borrowing undoubtedly weighed on the eleven Republican representatives and one Republican senator who refused to support the budget. So too, surely, did concerns about having to explain a budget that rips up prevailing wage, living-wage and workplace protections for workers who have already taken hard hits."
4 Horrifying Things Scott Walker Did in Wisconsin That He Could Impose on All of America @alternet
4 Horrifying Things Scott Walker Did in Wisconsin That He Could Impose on All of America @alternet
"Walker has used the power of his office to impose his vision of a “Wis-issippi” with low wages, minimal corporate taxes, widespread crony capitalism, and a depleted public sector."
"Walker has used the power of his office to impose his vision of a “Wis-issippi” with low wages, minimal corporate taxes, widespread crony capitalism, and a depleted public sector."
Scott Walker Begins His 2016 Run for the White House
Scott Walker Begins His 2016 Run for the White House
"On the campaign trail, Walker has boasted of a long series of legislative "reforms," failing to mention that almost all of them have their roots in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). At ALEC, lobbyists and politicians vote behind closed doors on 'model bills' that benefit the corporate bottom line, such as the perennially-popular "Minimum Wage Repeal Act"."
"On the campaign trail, Walker has boasted of a long series of legislative "reforms," failing to mention that almost all of them have their roots in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). At ALEC, lobbyists and politicians vote behind closed doors on 'model bills' that benefit the corporate bottom line, such as the perennially-popular "Minimum Wage Repeal Act"."
Scott Walker's Selective Memory
Scott Walker's Selective Memory
"Unable to tout his record on job creation, a healthy business environment, lower taxes or much of anything else, Walker decided to make sh*t up, like how he "stood his ground" and was "unintimidated" by his own constituents and the workers of Wisconsin. Walker also bragged about winning the recall election (look for this to be a common theme from him).
Of course, by standing his ground, he means scurrying around in the tunnels below the state Capitol, like the rat he is"
"Unable to tout his record on job creation, a healthy business environment, lower taxes or much of anything else, Walker decided to make sh*t up, like how he "stood his ground" and was "unintimidated" by his own constituents and the workers of Wisconsin. Walker also bragged about winning the recall election (look for this to be a common theme from him).
Of course, by standing his ground, he means scurrying around in the tunnels below the state Capitol, like the rat he is"
George Will Is The Canary In American Democracy’s Coal Mine
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/07/13/3679558/george-will-canary-american-democracys-coal-mine/
"The Declaration of Independence proclaims that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” In his latest column, conservative writer George Will boldly rejects this founding principle."
"The Declaration of Independence proclaims that governments derive “their just powers from the consent of the governed.” In his latest column, conservative writer George Will boldly rejects this founding principle."
Residents Fight Back Against Pittsburgh's Privatized Water Authority
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31830-residents-fight-back-against-pittsburgh-s-privatized-water-authority
"Residents in Pittsburgh have seen their water bills climb as high as 600 percent, and after the city began shutting off water-bill delinquent homes, some filed a class-action lawsuit. In the process they discovered the private water corporation that's really pulling the strings."
"Residents in Pittsburgh have seen their water bills climb as high as 600 percent, and after the city began shutting off water-bill delinquent homes, some filed a class-action lawsuit. In the process they discovered the private water corporation that's really pulling the strings."
Fox News Host Loses His Mind On Gay Rights, Declares Official ‘Jesus chicken’ (Video)
Fox News Host Loses His Mind On Gay Rights, Declares Official ‘Jesus chicken’ (Video)
"Again, nobody cares what these people believe. That’s the funny thing about all of this – they seem to really think that the rest of us spend every waking moment of our lives concerned about the nonsense they believe. The only thing the rest of us want is for these people to stop trying to force their views on other people. If someone doesn’t agree with same-sex marriage - great - nobody is forcing that person to marry someone of the same sex."
"Again, nobody cares what these people believe. That’s the funny thing about all of this – they seem to really think that the rest of us spend every waking moment of our lives concerned about the nonsense they believe. The only thing the rest of us want is for these people to stop trying to force their views on other people. If someone doesn’t agree with same-sex marriage - great - nobody is forcing that person to marry someone of the same sex."
Ted Cruz loses his wingnut welfare: How the New York Times smacked down a decades-old conservative racket
Ted Cruz loses his wingnut welfare: How the New York Times smacked down a decades-old conservative racket
"There has been a controversy for many, many years over the conservative movement’s manipulation of the New York Times’ bestseller list to create the impression of massive popularity of their wingnutty ideas among the public. This is not to say that right-wingers don’t ever legitimately sell books. They do, of course. But all you have to do is look at the sheer number of these books that are published to see that something else is going on. It is called “wing nut welfare"."
"There has been a controversy for many, many years over the conservative movement’s manipulation of the New York Times’ bestseller list to create the impression of massive popularity of their wingnutty ideas among the public. This is not to say that right-wingers don’t ever legitimately sell books. They do, of course. But all you have to do is look at the sheer number of these books that are published to see that something else is going on. It is called “wing nut welfare"."
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Bradley Foundation's Grebe Named Walker's Campaign Chair
Bradley Foundation's Grebe Named Walker's Campaign Chair
"the Bradley Foundation laundered money through another right wing foundation in order to put up a lot of racist billboards aimed at suppressing the vote during Walker's first election and the recall.
The media also failed to mention that Walker and Grebe's relation is so symbiotic that Walker appointed Grebe's son to the University of Wisconsin's Board of Regents.
Regardless of the corporate media's failings, this does confirm what we already known...that Walker is completely beholden to his dark money benefactors like the Bradley Foundation and just like Grebe, the Money Badger, he doesn't give a damn about the people."
"the Bradley Foundation laundered money through another right wing foundation in order to put up a lot of racist billboards aimed at suppressing the vote during Walker's first election and the recall.
The media also failed to mention that Walker and Grebe's relation is so symbiotic that Walker appointed Grebe's son to the University of Wisconsin's Board of Regents.
Regardless of the corporate media's failings, this does confirm what we already known...that Walker is completely beholden to his dark money benefactors like the Bradley Foundation and just like Grebe, the Money Badger, he doesn't give a damn about the people."
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Help Save Our Public Postal Service
Help Save Our Public Postal Service
"First, in 2006 Congress required the USPS to come up with $5.5 billion per year to pre-fund 75 years of retiree costs. The Postal Service has to set aside money now for employees who are not even born yet. Even with this in the way, they also require the Postal Service to at least break even. But unlike businesses, they hamstring what the USPS is allowed to offer the public – because it would have major advantages over private businesses."
"First, in 2006 Congress required the USPS to come up with $5.5 billion per year to pre-fund 75 years of retiree costs. The Postal Service has to set aside money now for employees who are not even born yet. Even with this in the way, they also require the Postal Service to at least break even. But unlike businesses, they hamstring what the USPS is allowed to offer the public – because it would have major advantages over private businesses."
Four Ways ALEC Tried to Ruin Your State This Year
Four Ways ALEC Tried to Ruin Your State This Year
"ALEC's legislative playbook for 2015 focused on blocking action on climate change, thwarting local democracy, attacking labor unions, and further privatizing public education in the U.S"
"ALEC's legislative playbook for 2015 focused on blocking action on climate change, thwarting local democracy, attacking labor unions, and further privatizing public education in the U.S"
A Federal Court Just Dealt The First Big Blow To Citizens United Decision
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/a-federal-court-just-dealt-the-first-big-blow-to-citizens-united-decision/
"Wealthy Republican donors like the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson have used the cover provided by these regulations to buy off politicians’ support towards their nefarious ends, and have in the process shifted the entire tone of the Republican Party towards a more divisive, extremist, and rightist position. Unsurprisingly, the Republican politicians now in the pocket of these big donors have without irony rushed to cheer the supposedly democratizing influence of unlimited corporate money in politics."
"Wealthy Republican donors like the Koch Brothers and Sheldon Adelson have used the cover provided by these regulations to buy off politicians’ support towards their nefarious ends, and have in the process shifted the entire tone of the Republican Party towards a more divisive, extremist, and rightist position. Unsurprisingly, the Republican politicians now in the pocket of these big donors have without irony rushed to cheer the supposedly democratizing influence of unlimited corporate money in politics."
LA County Supervisor Hires Phony Corporate-Backed 'Research' Firm to Kill the Minimum Wage Plan
LA County Supervisor Hires Phony Corporate-Backed 'Research' Firm to Kill the Minimum Wage Plan
"It has been the subject of widely-publicized investigations and exposes by the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, USA Today, CBS' 60 Minutes, CNN, the Center for Media and Democracy, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and many other organizations.
Moreover, there's no need for a new study. In late June, the LA County Economic Development Corporation presented the Board of Supervisors with its own 72-page report that included a thorough survey of a thousand employers within the county as well as a review of three separate studies sponsored by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (conducted by Beacon Economics), the City of Los Angeles (conducted by UC-Berkeley economists), and the LA County Federation of Labor (conducted by the LA Economic Roundtable). Antonovich's move to hire EPI is simply a ploy to delay and debunk a vote on the minimum wage."
"It has been the subject of widely-publicized investigations and exposes by the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, USA Today, CBS' 60 Minutes, CNN, the Center for Media and Democracy, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, and many other organizations.
Moreover, there's no need for a new study. In late June, the LA County Economic Development Corporation presented the Board of Supervisors with its own 72-page report that included a thorough survey of a thousand employers within the county as well as a review of three separate studies sponsored by the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (conducted by Beacon Economics), the City of Los Angeles (conducted by UC-Berkeley economists), and the LA County Federation of Labor (conducted by the LA Economic Roundtable). Antonovich's move to hire EPI is simply a ploy to delay and debunk a vote on the minimum wage."
George W. Bush charged $100,000 to speak at charity for veterans wounded in his wars
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/09/1400822/-George-W-Bush-charged-100-000-to-speak-at-charity-for-veterans-wounded-in-his-wars
"These people are wounded veterans because George W. Bush liked to start wars. And they need charity help because George W. Bush and his party did not like to adequately fund care for returning veterans. And now this charity is all grateful that he lowered his speaking fee to a mere $100,000 to raise some more money to help provide reasonable lives for these people who would not have lost their limbs or suffered other severe injuries if not for his war-starting habit.
This is so many kinds of f'ed up. This is like a perfect loop of Bush toxicity."
"These people are wounded veterans because George W. Bush liked to start wars. And they need charity help because George W. Bush and his party did not like to adequately fund care for returning veterans. And now this charity is all grateful that he lowered his speaking fee to a mere $100,000 to raise some more money to help provide reasonable lives for these people who would not have lost their limbs or suffered other severe injuries if not for his war-starting habit.
This is so many kinds of f'ed up. This is like a perfect loop of Bush toxicity."
Voter Rights Win Big as Florida Court Rules Against GOP Gerrymandering
Voter Rights Win Big as Florida Court Rules Against GOP Gerrymandering
"The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the state legislature's redistricting plans ahead of next year's U.S. presidential election are tainted by "unconstitutional intent to favor the Republican Party and its incumbents" and ordered new congressional districts to be redrawn within 100 days."
"The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the state legislature's redistricting plans ahead of next year's U.S. presidential election are tainted by "unconstitutional intent to favor the Republican Party and its incumbents" and ordered new congressional districts to be redrawn within 100 days."
Lindsey Graham: Trump Is Going To Kill The Party
Lindsey Graham: Trump Is Going To Kill The Party
"Senator Graham: "Here's the problem with the Republican Party nationally. We're getting 27% of the Hispanic vote, we're getting less than 10% of the African American vote and about 25-26% of the Asian vote."
"Senator Graham: "Here's the problem with the Republican Party nationally. We're getting 27% of the Hispanic vote, we're getting less than 10% of the African American vote and about 25-26% of the Asian vote."
Donald Trump is not helping the Republican 'demographic death spiral'
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/10/1401075/-Donald-Trump-is-not-helping-the-Republican-demographic-death-spiral
"Republicans can't afford to piss off Trump's many supporters, but the party's leaders really would have preferred to keep those voters happy with messages sent through dog whistles, not foghorns."
"Republicans can't afford to piss off Trump's many supporters, but the party's leaders really would have preferred to keep those voters happy with messages sent through dog whistles, not foghorns."
Now Some Conservatives are Actually Trying to Claim Donald Trump is Really a Liberal
Now Some Conservatives are Actually Trying to Claim Donald Trump is Really a Liberal
"in a desperate attempt to hide the bigotry, racism and ignorance that fuels a lot of the Republican party – some conservatives are now trying to claim that Donald Trump really isn’t a Republican, but rather a Democrat."
"in a desperate attempt to hide the bigotry, racism and ignorance that fuels a lot of the Republican party – some conservatives are now trying to claim that Donald Trump really isn’t a Republican, but rather a Democrat."
Donald Trump is the clown in charge: Sorry, GOP — you created him, now he’s the face of your party
Donald Trump is the clown in charge: Sorry, GOP — you created him, now he’s the face of your party
"Priebus reached out to Trump (quietly, of course) to urge him to “tone it down” a bit. Priebus and Republican financiers, the authors of the piece note, are concerned that Trump’s blend of bigotry and bombast “will set back the party’s efforts to rehabilitate its image and broaden its reach"."
"Priebus reached out to Trump (quietly, of course) to urge him to “tone it down” a bit. Priebus and Republican financiers, the authors of the piece note, are concerned that Trump’s blend of bigotry and bombast “will set back the party’s efforts to rehabilitate its image and broaden its reach"."
Congressional Spending Bill Is an Extreme Attack on Public Lands and Wildlife @alternet
Congressional Spending Bill Is an Extreme Attack on Public Lands and Wildlife @alternet
"More than 25 anti-environmental riders have been inserted into the 2016 House Interior and Environment appropriations bill."
"More than 25 anti-environmental riders have been inserted into the 2016 House Interior and Environment appropriations bill."
Exxon Knew of Climate Change in 1981, Email Says — But It Funded Deniers for 27 More Years @alternet
Exxon Knew of Climate Change in 1981, Email Says — But It Funded Deniers for 27 More Years @alternet
"Exxon said on Wednesday that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups."
"Exxon said on Wednesday that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups."
Oil Company Exxon Knew About The Scientific Reality Of Climate Change In 1981
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/07/10/3678684/original-sin-denial-exxon-climate-change-1981/
"the Global Climate Coalition (GCC), an anti-action lobbying group backed by fossil fuel industries, ignored its own climate scientists during the 1990s while spreading disinformation about global warming. An internal report stating that the human causes of global warming “cannot be denied” was ignored by GCC leaders."
"the Global Climate Coalition (GCC), an anti-action lobbying group backed by fossil fuel industries, ignored its own climate scientists during the 1990s while spreading disinformation about global warming. An internal report stating that the human causes of global warming “cannot be denied” was ignored by GCC leaders."
Caught Red-Handed – Exxon Has Been Funding Climate Change Denial For 30+ Years
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/07/exxon-knew-human-caused-climate-change-was-real-in-1981/
"In a replay of the tobacco industry’s decades long stance that cigarettes posed no health risks, Exxon has been exposed for knowing since at least 1981 that the rapid climate change we are experiencing is caused by human activity. Despite having that knowledge, ExxonMobil, the largest oil company in the world, spent millions of dollars over the next 27 years promoting climate denial and misinformation."
"In a replay of the tobacco industry’s decades long stance that cigarettes posed no health risks, Exxon has been exposed for knowing since at least 1981 that the rapid climate change we are experiencing is caused by human activity. Despite having that knowledge, ExxonMobil, the largest oil company in the world, spent millions of dollars over the next 27 years promoting climate denial and misinformation."
Here's Why All the Bees Are Dying
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/climate-change-killing-bumblebees
"For about a decade, they've been dying off at an unprecedented rate—up to 30 percent per year, with a total loss of domesticated honeybee hives in the United States worth an estimated $2 billion."
"For about a decade, they've been dying off at an unprecedented rate—up to 30 percent per year, with a total loss of domesticated honeybee hives in the United States worth an estimated $2 billion."
Exxon Knew About Global Warming More Than 30 Years Ago
http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/07/exxon-climate-change-email
"Exxon said on Wednesday that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups."
"Exxon said on Wednesday that it now acknowledges the risk of climate change and does not fund climate change denial groups."
Big Oil Knew. Big Oil Lied. And Planet Earth Got Fried.
Big Oil Knew. Big Oil Lied. And Planet Earth Got Fried.
"as early as 1981—nearly seven years before NASA scientist James Hansen made his famous testimony before Congress about the dangers of human-caused global warming—internal discussions about the reality of the threat were already occurring inside the corporate offices of ExxonMobil and others."
"as early as 1981—nearly seven years before NASA scientist James Hansen made his famous testimony before Congress about the dangers of human-caused global warming—internal discussions about the reality of the threat were already occurring inside the corporate offices of ExxonMobil and others."
Bernie Sanders Delivers A Knockout Punch To Jeb Bush
http://samuel-warde.com/2015/07/bernie-sanders-demolishes-jeb-bush/
Sander’s official campaign website, Bernie 2106, goes on to explain
"Americans are working longer hours than anyone else in the industrialized world. Productivity increases won’t change that. For roughly thirty years, workers’ wages kept pace with productivity. That ended in roughly 1980, when conservatives took power and began implementing policies designed to ensure that the wealthiest among us kept the income created by productivity gains for themselves."
Sander’s official campaign website, Bernie 2106, goes on to explain
"Americans are working longer hours than anyone else in the industrialized world. Productivity increases won’t change that. For roughly thirty years, workers’ wages kept pace with productivity. That ended in roughly 1980, when conservatives took power and began implementing policies designed to ensure that the wealthiest among us kept the income created by productivity gains for themselves."
Walker Does The Transparency Two-Faced Two Step
Walker Does The Transparency Two-Faced Two Step
"In the dark of the night, just before the long Independence Day weekend, Wisconsin Republicans tried to slip in a budget amendment that included the gutting of open records laws.
When the news broke, Walker feigned to be surprised and upset, vowing to make sure that the provision was eliminated or at least changed. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that Walker was part of the cabal that hatched the plan to wipe out government transparency. He even tried to rationalize his involvement in the scheming"
"In the dark of the night, just before the long Independence Day weekend, Wisconsin Republicans tried to slip in a budget amendment that included the gutting of open records laws.
When the news broke, Walker feigned to be surprised and upset, vowing to make sure that the provision was eliminated or at least changed. Shortly thereafter, it was revealed that Walker was part of the cabal that hatched the plan to wipe out government transparency. He even tried to rationalize his involvement in the scheming"
In A Sneaky Move, Scott Walker and Wisconsin GOP Take Away Workers’ Right To Weekends Off
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/08/sneaky-move-scott-walker-wisconsin-gop-workers-weekends.html
"In a move designed to turn the clock in Wisconsin back to the 19th Century, Scott Walker and Republicans in the state legislature have included a provision in the budget that takes away a worker’s right to the weekend off.
Wisconsin Republicans used the 4th of July holiday weekend to sneak provisions into the state budget that destroy open records laws, eliminate the state’s definition of a living wage, and make the activities of the legislature secret."
"In a move designed to turn the clock in Wisconsin back to the 19th Century, Scott Walker and Republicans in the state legislature have included a provision in the budget that takes away a worker’s right to the weekend off.
Wisconsin Republicans used the 4th of July holiday weekend to sneak provisions into the state budget that destroy open records laws, eliminate the state’s definition of a living wage, and make the activities of the legislature secret."
New report finds sick American state democracies
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/07/08/1400171/-New-report-finds-sick-American-state-democracies
"In analyzing accessibility of the ballot, this report identifies two key findings: first, the highest ranking states in this category have significantly higher voter turnout—on average, almost four percentage points higher than the lowest ranking states; second, that states previously covered by Voting Rights Act preclearance requirements perform poorly in this category—none of the nine states that were covered in total by preclearance requirements receives a grade higher than a D+ in this accessibility of the ballot measures."
"In analyzing accessibility of the ballot, this report identifies two key findings: first, the highest ranking states in this category have significantly higher voter turnout—on average, almost four percentage points higher than the lowest ranking states; second, that states previously covered by Voting Rights Act preclearance requirements perform poorly in this category—none of the nine states that were covered in total by preclearance requirements receives a grade higher than a D+ in this accessibility of the ballot measures."
How Gilded Ages End
How Gilded Ages End
"As daunting as the political challenges were at the time, the Gilded Age came to an end with the reforms of the Progressive era and the New Deal."
"As daunting as the political challenges were at the time, the Gilded Age came to an end with the reforms of the Progressive era and the New Deal."
Scott Walker’s double-dealing exposed: How one of the right’s worst talking heads just embarrassed him
Scott Walker’s double-dealing exposed: How one of the right’s worst talking heads just embarrassed him
"There are few people in politics who are quite as hilarious as Stephen Moore. Formerly the Heritage Foundation’s chief economist (he’s now a “Distinguished Visiting Fellow” for the group) Moore has achieved greater notoriety as one of the worst pundits alive. The man is constantly, flagrantly wrong. He’s been blacklisted by a major newspaper for making too many embarrassing errors in his columns. He’s a climate change denier who draws his arguments against environmentalism from sci-fi monkey movies. He’s written anti-Obamacare Op-Eds that are literally 0 percent accurate. As an economic thinker he’s been no more successful – he has a string of bad predictions under his belt and a tenuous grasp of the field he’s supposedly an expert in.
But Moore is fortunate to work in conservative politics, where one can make a lucrative career out of being constantly wrong so long as you remain ideologically consistent."
"There are few people in politics who are quite as hilarious as Stephen Moore. Formerly the Heritage Foundation’s chief economist (he’s now a “Distinguished Visiting Fellow” for the group) Moore has achieved greater notoriety as one of the worst pundits alive. The man is constantly, flagrantly wrong. He’s been blacklisted by a major newspaper for making too many embarrassing errors in his columns. He’s a climate change denier who draws his arguments against environmentalism from sci-fi monkey movies. He’s written anti-Obamacare Op-Eds that are literally 0 percent accurate. As an economic thinker he’s been no more successful – he has a string of bad predictions under his belt and a tenuous grasp of the field he’s supposedly an expert in.
But Moore is fortunate to work in conservative politics, where one can make a lucrative career out of being constantly wrong so long as you remain ideologically consistent."
Conservative oligarchs declare war on democracy: Their brazen new ploy reveals their true motives
Conservative oligarchs declare war on democracy: Their brazen new ploy reveals their true motives
"it’s a consequence of Citizens United and the other rulings like it, which have made these unfathomably privileged men and women even more powerful.
Simply put, Republican donors have, with good reason, begun to see the party as nothing more than a vehicle for their legislative ambitions. But since the GOP is so ideologically uniform to begin with, the battle to establish complete control of the party hasn’t been waged along policy lines. It’s been about politics. And since the party’s candidates have pledge to do what these donors want already, there’s a clear logic to the latter’s request that they don’t let their personal ambitions muck everything up. In essence, they’re trying to make the GOP primary more efficient — or at least as efficient as is feasible until they figure out how to entirely remove voters from the process."
"it’s a consequence of Citizens United and the other rulings like it, which have made these unfathomably privileged men and women even more powerful.
Simply put, Republican donors have, with good reason, begun to see the party as nothing more than a vehicle for their legislative ambitions. But since the GOP is so ideologically uniform to begin with, the battle to establish complete control of the party hasn’t been waged along policy lines. It’s been about politics. And since the party’s candidates have pledge to do what these donors want already, there’s a clear logic to the latter’s request that they don’t let their personal ambitions muck everything up. In essence, they’re trying to make the GOP primary more efficient — or at least as efficient as is feasible until they figure out how to entirely remove voters from the process."
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