Fox Brings on Clinton Conspiracy Theorist to Attack Hillary for Waging a 'War on Women'
"I hate to break it to them, but if they think segments like this one are going to work with persuading women that Hillary is the one who really has it out for them and not Republicans who want to restrict reproductive rights, access to health care and who are against equal pay and for economic policies that do more damage to women than men, you'd better come up something better than this. I've got my issues with Hillary Clinton, but not because I think she's anti-woman. That's just ridiculous."
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
PERRspectives: Georgia Republicans are Killing Hospitals--and People
PERRspectives: Georgia Republicans are Killing Hospitals--and People
"By now, millions of Americans--most of them in red states-- are growing familiar with the "coverage gap." Thanks to their rejection of the Affordable Care Act's expansion of Medicaid in states they control, GOP leaders are leaving at least five million people in an insurance "dead zone," earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to obtain federal subsidies to purchase coverage on their. As a recent Harvard study suggests, that Republican dead zonewill a very real body count, with as many as 17,000 people forecast to needlessly die each year for lack of health insurance.
"By now, millions of Americans--most of them in red states-- are growing familiar with the "coverage gap." Thanks to their rejection of the Affordable Care Act's expansion of Medicaid in states they control, GOP leaders are leaving at least five million people in an insurance "dead zone," earning too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to obtain federal subsidies to purchase coverage on their. As a recent Harvard study suggests, that Republican dead zonewill a very real body count, with as many as 17,000 people forecast to needlessly die each year for lack of health insurance.
But GOP obstruction won't just kill people in places like Texas, Mississippi and many more. As the case of Georgia shows--where over 600,000 residents will fall into the coverage gap and as many as 1,175 will die this year--Republican policy is killing hospitals, too."
10 Charts Show a New Gilded Age for the One Percent
10 Charts Show a New Gilded Age for the One Percent
"Of course, America's super rich don't want to go back to some mythical Golden Age. As the numbers show, this is their Golden Age. And as the obscenely wealthy pull away from the merely wealthy, Tom Perkins, Sam Zell, Ken Langone and their exclusive club know they've never had it so good."
"Of course, America's super rich don't want to go back to some mythical Golden Age. As the numbers show, this is their Golden Age. And as the obscenely wealthy pull away from the merely wealthy, Tom Perkins, Sam Zell, Ken Langone and their exclusive club know they've never had it so good."
Filthy rich but secretly terrified: Inside the One Percent’s sore-winner backlash
Filthy rich but secretly terrified: Inside the One Percent’s sore-winner backlash
"Why are the super-rich whining so much? They rigged the game for themselves, but are terrified of being discovered"
"Why are the super-rich whining so much? They rigged the game for themselves, but are terrified of being discovered"
Corporate Cronyism: The Secret to Overpaid CEOs
Corporate Cronyism: The Secret to Overpaid CEOs
"It's hardly a secret that the heads of major corporations in the United States get mind bending paychecks. While high pay may be understandable when a top executive turns around a failing company or vastly expands a company's revenue and profit, but CEOs can get paychecks in the tens or hundreds of millions even when they did nothing especially notable."
"It's hardly a secret that the heads of major corporations in the United States get mind bending paychecks. While high pay may be understandable when a top executive turns around a failing company or vastly expands a company's revenue and profit, but CEOs can get paychecks in the tens or hundreds of millions even when they did nothing especially notable."
Nixon still runs the GOP: How the white South dominates the party
Nixon still runs the GOP: How the white South dominates the party
"If the Republican Party changed the South politically, less discussed is the question of how the South has influenced the GOP. The Southern transformation of the Republican Party has shaped its persona in fundamental ways."
"If the Republican Party changed the South politically, less discussed is the question of how the South has influenced the GOP. The Southern transformation of the Republican Party has shaped its persona in fundamental ways."
Monday, February 17, 2014
PERRspectives: CBO Destroyed GOP Lies about Obama Stimulus Program
PERRspectives: CBO Destroyed GOP Lies about Obama Stimulus Program
"As their recent disinformation campaign over mythical Obamacare job losses shows, Republicans love the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Except when they hate the CBO, which is most of the time. After all, GOP leaders are using the fifth anniversary of the $787 billion Obama economic stimulus program to mark it is a failure despite the fact that the CBO--and most other analysts--long ago declared it a success."
"As their recent disinformation campaign over mythical Obamacare job losses shows, Republicans love the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Except when they hate the CBO, which is most of the time. After all, GOP leaders are using the fifth anniversary of the $787 billion Obama economic stimulus program to mark it is a failure despite the fact that the CBO--and most other analysts--long ago declared it a success."
The Christie scandal everyone overlooked: A $12 million self-motivated political scheme
The Christie scandal everyone overlooked: A $12 million self-motivated political scheme
"Yes, "Bridgegate" is bad. But a selfish, sleazy special election decision last year also cost the state. Here's how"
"Yes, "Bridgegate" is bad. But a selfish, sleazy special election decision last year also cost the state. Here's how"
Radiation Puts New Mexico Nuclear Waste Site in 'Shutdown Mode'
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/radiation-puts-new-mexico-nuclear-waste-site-shutdown-mode-n31946
"A nuclear waste storage site below New Mexico's desert is "in shutdown mode" after excessive radiation levels were detected, Department of Energy officials said Sunday."
"A nuclear waste storage site below New Mexico's desert is "in shutdown mode" after excessive radiation levels were detected, Department of Energy officials said Sunday."
Toxic Chemicals Linked to 'Global, Silent Pandemic' Striking Children Worldwide | Common Dreams
Toxic Chemicals Linked to 'Global, Silent Pandemic' Striking Children Worldwide | Common Dreams
"Toxic chemicals including some pesticides and solvents may be behind the increasing number of cases of neurodevelopmental disabilities—including autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder—among children, researchers warn."
"Toxic chemicals including some pesticides and solvents may be behind the increasing number of cases of neurodevelopmental disabilities—including autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder—among children, researchers warn."
Suspected Radiation Leak in Military's Nuclear Dumping Ground | Common Dreams
Suspected Radiation Leak in Military's Nuclear Dumping Ground | Common Dreams
"Over the weekend, abnormally high levels of radioactive particles were found underground at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad in southeastern New Mexico, where radioactive waste, including from nuclear weapons production, is dumped deep beneath the earth's surface and stored in salt formations."
"Over the weekend, abnormally high levels of radioactive particles were found underground at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad in southeastern New Mexico, where radioactive waste, including from nuclear weapons production, is dumped deep beneath the earth's surface and stored in salt formations."
A Reading Guide on the Billionaire Koch Brothers
A Reading Guide on the Billionaire Koch Brothers
"how the brothers’ political views “dovetail with [their] corporate interests"."
"how the brothers’ political views “dovetail with [their] corporate interests"."
Fox Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of Stimulus by Spreading GOP Zombie Lies on Recovery
Fox Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of Stimulus by Spreading GOP Zombie Lies on Recovery
"It's been five years since the passage of the stimulus package that saved millions of jobs when our economy was in a free fall, but that hasn't stopped Faux "news" and the Republicans from continuing to spread the zombie lie that the Recovery Act supposedly didn't work."
"It's been five years since the passage of the stimulus package that saved millions of jobs when our economy was in a free fall, but that hasn't stopped Faux "news" and the Republicans from continuing to spread the zombie lie that the Recovery Act supposedly didn't work."
The 4 Most Profound Ways Privatization Perverts Education
www.alternet.org/education/4-most-profound-ways-privatization-perverts-education
"Profit-seeking in the banking and health care industries has victimized Americans. Now it's beginning to happen in education, with our children as the products."
"Profit-seeking in the banking and health care industries has victimized Americans. Now it's beginning to happen in education, with our children as the products."
Last Call: Joni Mitchell Contest Ends Today
Last Call: Joni Mitchell Contest Ends Today
"The Koch brothers are already spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in Orlando to try to defeat Grayson with their regular complain of smears and lies."
"The Koch brothers are already spending hundreds of thousands of dollars in Orlando to try to defeat Grayson with their regular complain of smears and lies."
Republicans Slam Stimulus On Fifth Anniversary — But Most Took Credit For It Back Home
www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/02/17/3298561/hypocrites/
"over half of the GOP caucus praised the effects of the stimulus or took credit for the federal dollars in their home districts and states — despite repeatedly voting against it in Washington D.C."
"over half of the GOP caucus praised the effects of the stimulus or took credit for the federal dollars in their home districts and states — despite repeatedly voting against it in Washington D.C."
Cheers for the Recovery Act on its 5th Birthday, Jeers for the Anti-Recovery Act We’ve (Implicitly) Passed in the Past Three Years
Cheers for the Recovery Act on its 5th Birthday, Jeers for the Anti-Recovery Act We’ve (Implicitly) Passed in the Past Three Years
"Today marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, or simply the Recovery Act). Passed after a six-month stretch during which the economy lost an average of 750,000 jobs each month, ARRA was the single biggest contributor to stopping the economic freefall that followed the bursting of the housing bubble. To be clear, the assessment that the ARRA contributed significantly to ending the Great Recession is not a contested opinion among macroeconomists, or at least not among those macroeconomists whose paycheck depends on correctly predicting what will impact economic activity."
"Today marks the fifth anniversary of the signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, or simply the Recovery Act). Passed after a six-month stretch during which the economy lost an average of 750,000 jobs each month, ARRA was the single biggest contributor to stopping the economic freefall that followed the bursting of the housing bubble. To be clear, the assessment that the ARRA contributed significantly to ending the Great Recession is not a contested opinion among macroeconomists, or at least not among those macroeconomists whose paycheck depends on correctly predicting what will impact economic activity."
Sunday, February 16, 2014
David Brooks Finally Admits That There is No 'Tea Party'
David Brooks Finally Admits That There is No 'Tea Party'
"David Brooks finally admits something we've known for years... that the "tea party" is just the Republican base that's always been with us."
"David Brooks finally admits something we've known for years... that the "tea party" is just the Republican base that's always been with us."
Human wall of students around Missouri stadium block Westboro from protesting gay player
Human wall of students around Missouri stadium block Westboro from protesting gay player
"Hundreds of students formed a human wall around the basketball stadium at the University of Missouri on Saturday because the Westboro Baptist Church had pledged to protest gay football player Michael Sam."
"Hundreds of students formed a human wall around the basketball stadium at the University of Missouri on Saturday because the Westboro Baptist Church had pledged to protest gay football player Michael Sam."
7 Deranged Comments from America's Far-Right This Week—Ted Cruz's Achy Breaky Heart Edition
www.alternet.org/tea-party-and-right/7-deranged-comments-americas-far-right-week-ted-cruzs-achy-breaky-heart-edition
"Plus, Tom Perkins thinks more wealth should mean more votes."
"Plus, Tom Perkins thinks more wealth should mean more votes."
25% Of Americans Don't Know The Earth Revolves Around The Sun
25% Of Americans Don't Know The Earth Revolves Around The Sun
"We always discuss how a dumbed down America usually votes against its own interests when it comes to employment, but now we have the evidence that they're even dumber then we thought."
"We always discuss how a dumbed down America usually votes against its own interests when it comes to employment, but now we have the evidence that they're even dumber then we thought."
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Ohio’s New Abortion Ban Forces Women To Continue Doomed Pregnancies Against Their Doctors’ Wishes
www.thinkprogress.org/health/2014/02/11/3277111/ohio-abortion-doctors-ban/
"Thanks to harsh new abortion restrictions in place in Ohio, doctors are warning that they can’t provide the best care for their patients — and sometimes, women are being forced to carry nonviable fetuses to term against the recommendations of medical professionals."
"Thanks to harsh new abortion restrictions in place in Ohio, doctors are warning that they can’t provide the best care for their patients — and sometimes, women are being forced to carry nonviable fetuses to term against the recommendations of medical professionals."
A Portrait of Time Warner's Active Role in ALEC
A Portrait of Time Warner's Active Role in ALEC
"How is this possible? How could tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and lobbying expenditures for the benefit of Ohio lawmakers have completely disappeared from public sight?
The answer is a pretty straightforward one: Ohio law contains numerous disclosure exemptions for items of worth (be they cash, meals, or plane tickets) received by lawmakers in conjunction with events held by certain legislative membership organizations."
"How is this possible? How could tens, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and lobbying expenditures for the benefit of Ohio lawmakers have completely disappeared from public sight?
The answer is a pretty straightforward one: Ohio law contains numerous disclosure exemptions for items of worth (be they cash, meals, or plane tickets) received by lawmakers in conjunction with events held by certain legislative membership organizations."
Tennesee Preacher Refuses to Marry Whites and Blacks Because Communism (Video)
Tennesee Preacher Refuses to Marry Whites and Blacks Because Communism (Video)
"Driving his point home, Brother Donny explains the real problem with the mixing of races: that’s right–Communism.
“Communism, has infiltrated our message. Not through Stalin, not through Mussolini, but through mixed marriages,” he claims."
"Driving his point home, Brother Donny explains the real problem with the mixing of races: that’s right–Communism.
“Communism, has infiltrated our message. Not through Stalin, not through Mussolini, but through mixed marriages,” he claims."
South Dakota Is Considering One Of The Harshest Abortion Bans In The Nation
www.thinkprogress.org/health/2014/02/13/3287541/south-dakota-harsh-abortion-ban/
"If it becomes law, it will be the second harshest ban in the nation — right behind the state’s neighbor, North Dakota, which passed a six-week abortion ban last year that’s currently blocked from taking effect."
"If it becomes law, it will be the second harshest ban in the nation — right behind the state’s neighbor, North Dakota, which passed a six-week abortion ban last year that’s currently blocked from taking effect."
Ted Cruz’s imperialist fantasy: Why his latest anti-Obama epithet is so dangerous
Ted Cruz’s imperialist fantasy: Why his latest anti-Obama epithet is so dangerous
"When Cruz says we're living under an "imperial presidency," his ignorance and hypocrisy are staggering. Here's why"
"When Cruz says we're living under an "imperial presidency," his ignorance and hypocrisy are staggering. Here's why"
World’s Largest Solar Thermal Plant Uses As Much Water As Two Holes On Nearby Golf Course
www.thinkprogress.org/climate/2014/02/13/3289361/worlds-largest-solar-plant/
"With California struggling through one of the worst droughts on record, and Ivanpah already being located in a high desert climate, water conservation has been a major focus. Solar thermal plants use solar mirrors to heat water in boilers that in turn produce steam to turn the electricity generating turbines, are more water intensive than more common solar photovoltaic panels."
"With California struggling through one of the worst droughts on record, and Ivanpah already being located in a high desert climate, water conservation has been a major focus. Solar thermal plants use solar mirrors to heat water in boilers that in turn produce steam to turn the electricity generating turbines, are more water intensive than more common solar photovoltaic panels."
GMOs Are Killing the Bees, Butterflies, Birds and... ? | Common Dreams
GMOs Are Killing the Bees, Butterflies, Birds and... ? | Common Dreams
"When the honeybees started dying en masse, the alarm bells went off. Bees are critical to food production. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than a quarter of America’s diet relies on pollination by honeybees.
No bees, no food. Or at least, no apples, cherries, onions, celery, cabbage, and a long listof others, including almonds and blueberries which, according to the American Beekeeping Federation, are 90-percent dependent on bees for pollination."
"When the honeybees started dying en masse, the alarm bells went off. Bees are critical to food production. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), more than a quarter of America’s diet relies on pollination by honeybees.
No bees, no food. Or at least, no apples, cherries, onions, celery, cabbage, and a long listof others, including almonds and blueberries which, according to the American Beekeeping Federation, are 90-percent dependent on bees for pollination."
Friday, February 14, 2014
GOP Wrong about Obamacare Again: How the Law Changed Life with Epilepsy
www.alternet.org/personal-health/gop-wrong-about-obamacare-again-how-law-changed-life-epilepsy
"I’ll never love having epilepsy, but I’ve found that serving others who share my condition – many of whom fight a much harder battle than I have – is an avenue to meaning. The Affordable Care Act, for all the gaps it may still leave open, will nonetheless benefit people with epilepsy tremendously, as will all continued efforts at improving and expanding our national healthcare services – something we would all do well to advocate, out of justice, and out of love."
"I’ll never love having epilepsy, but I’ve found that serving others who share my condition – many of whom fight a much harder battle than I have – is an avenue to meaning. The Affordable Care Act, for all the gaps it may still leave open, will nonetheless benefit people with epilepsy tremendously, as will all continued efforts at improving and expanding our national healthcare services – something we would all do well to advocate, out of justice, and out of love."
Kansas's Radical Attack on Gays and Lesbians
Kansas's Radical Attack on Gays and Lesbians
"Not only does the state's proposed law allow private businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples; it permits state employees to deny them basic services."
"Not only does the state's proposed law allow private businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples; it permits state employees to deny them basic services."
Louisiana Obamacare Attack Ads Use Actors To Tell Made-Up Horror Stories
Louisiana Obamacare Attack Ads Use Actors To Tell Made-Up Horror Stories
"I guess the real people they tried to use in other ads got tired of having their stories debunked by actual real reporters, so now AfP is running ads with actors and fake stories. How ethical of them!"
"I guess the real people they tried to use in other ads got tired of having their stories debunked by actual real reporters, so now AfP is running ads with actors and fake stories. How ethical of them!"
Get Out The Vote: Let’s Make Election Day A National Holiday (VIDEO)
www.addictinginfo.org/2014/02/14/election-day-national-holiday-petition/
"That’s right people: We vote when we vote because our ancestors had to travel on horseback after picking their crops but before church and winter. Why is it still this way? Because for some reason, Congress sees a day in the middle of the week, when lower and middle class people have to work, as a completely legitimate day to ask them to vote."
"That’s right people: We vote when we vote because our ancestors had to travel on horseback after picking their crops but before church and winter. Why is it still this way? Because for some reason, Congress sees a day in the middle of the week, when lower and middle class people have to work, as a completely legitimate day to ask them to vote."
Koch Brothers Hire Paid Actors To Star In Attack Ad Claiming Obamacare Hurts Louisiana Residents
www.thinkprogress.org/health/2014/02/14/3293291/koch-brothers-paid-actors-louisiana/
"Indeed, it’s a not new tactic. The Koch-backed organization, which has poured millions into a misinformation campaign against health reform over the past several months, also hired a paid actress from Maryland to star in an anti-Obamacare ad targeted at Alaska residents."
"Indeed, it’s a not new tactic. The Koch-backed organization, which has poured millions into a misinformation campaign against health reform over the past several months, also hired a paid actress from Maryland to star in an anti-Obamacare ad targeted at Alaska residents."
Lawmakers Threaten Workers Over Union Vote Their Bosses Welcome
www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/02/14/3293801/volkswagen-vote-tennessee-threaten/
"Watson’s threats and Corker’s cajoling come even though Volkswagen has welcomed the United Auto Workers into its Chattanooga factory and sought to bring German labor organizing ideas to Tennessee. The German company is accustomed to working with worker groups in its facilities in Europe and is seeking to establish the same kind of positive rapport with its labor force in the American south"
"Watson’s threats and Corker’s cajoling come even though Volkswagen has welcomed the United Auto Workers into its Chattanooga factory and sought to bring German labor organizing ideas to Tennessee. The German company is accustomed to working with worker groups in its facilities in Europe and is seeking to establish the same kind of positive rapport with its labor force in the American south"
Fox Enters Tennessee Labor Fight With Anti-Worker Binge
www.mediamatters.org/blog/2014/02/13/fox-enters-tennessee-labor-fight-with-anti-work/198047
"All Volkswagen plants currently have union representation besides Chattanooga and two plants in China. And the German company has praised the benefits such organization has brought to its other plants -- As The Washington Post wrote, "the company even sees its culture of worker codetermination as a 'competitive advantage,'" according to Volkswagen's global works council leader, Bernard Osterloh. As UC Berkley's Harley Shaiken has explained, this competitive advantage has already helped boost Volkswagen's bottom line -- the company "has led all major automakers in raising shareholder value" over the last three years and was "virtually tied for second place in global auto production in 2012"."
"All Volkswagen plants currently have union representation besides Chattanooga and two plants in China. And the German company has praised the benefits such organization has brought to its other plants -- As The Washington Post wrote, "the company even sees its culture of worker codetermination as a 'competitive advantage,'" according to Volkswagen's global works council leader, Bernard Osterloh. As UC Berkley's Harley Shaiken has explained, this competitive advantage has already helped boost Volkswagen's bottom line -- the company "has led all major automakers in raising shareholder value" over the last three years and was "virtually tied for second place in global auto production in 2012"."
INSTITUTE INDEX: Just how cozy are Gov. McCrory and Duke Energy?
www.southernstudies.org/2014/02/institute-index-just-how-cozy-are-gov-mccrory-and-.html
"Given Duke Energy's 2012 operating revenues of $19.6 billion, the fine's dollar equivalent for a person earning a $60,000 salary: $.30"
"Given Duke Energy's 2012 operating revenues of $19.6 billion, the fine's dollar equivalent for a person earning a $60,000 salary: $.30"
Authorities: Ohio Republican ripped off investors to fund campaign and friend’s church
www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/13/authorities-ohio-republican-ripped-off-investors-to-fund-campaign-and-friends-church/
"An Ohio Republican already facing more than 100 years in prison on 16 felony charges was slapped Thursday with 53 additional counts."
"An Ohio Republican already facing more than 100 years in prison on 16 felony charges was slapped Thursday with 53 additional counts."
PERRspectives: The 1 Percenters are Right: Let's Go Back to the Good Old Days
PERRspectives: The 1 Percenters are Right: Let's Go Back to the Good Old Days
"But the Dow Jones hasn't just doubled since Obama entered the White House. There's no shortage of studies to show that stock market returns are higher under Democratic leadership. As Slate in 2002 and the New York Times in 2003 found, "It's not even close. The stock market does far better under Democrats." And as Bloomberg News documented two years ago, Barack Obama has been no exception"
"But the Dow Jones hasn't just doubled since Obama entered the White House. There's no shortage of studies to show that stock market returns are higher under Democratic leadership. As Slate in 2002 and the New York Times in 2003 found, "It's not even close. The stock market does far better under Democrats." And as Bloomberg News documented two years ago, Barack Obama has been no exception"
Brent Bozell Always Attacks Lazy Media, Gets Outed With Ghostwritten Columns
Brent Bozell Always Attacks Lazy Media, Gets Outed With Ghostwritten Columns
"Brent Bozell, head of the conservative Media Research Center, who always chides lazy journalists, gets caught being the truly lazy and hypocritical one: He never wrote his own syndicated columns."
"Brent Bozell, head of the conservative Media Research Center, who always chides lazy journalists, gets caught being the truly lazy and hypocritical one: He never wrote his own syndicated columns."
Gun-Toting Life Promoting Montana Republican Jailed For Child Abuse
Gun-Toting Life Promoting Montana Republican Jailed For Child Abuse
"There is a special cave in the darkest pit of hell for people like this. I don't care who you are, you do not beat up little kids. Period. This is just more evidence that the whole "value life" line these guys spew is cynical and empty. This guy is unworthy to hold any office other than maybe Chairman of Prison Toilet Cleanup."
"There is a special cave in the darkest pit of hell for people like this. I don't care who you are, you do not beat up little kids. Period. This is just more evidence that the whole "value life" line these guys spew is cynical and empty. This guy is unworthy to hold any office other than maybe Chairman of Prison Toilet Cleanup."
Why Are GOP Politicians and Anti-Union Groups Interfering With the VW Vote?
Why Are GOP Politicians and Anti-Union Groups Interfering With the VW Vote?
"Finally, the most notable feature of the VW campaign has been the unprecedented campaign of intimidation by shadowy anti-union organizations. Right-wing activists, including Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers, are furious that VW management has not attempted to pressure workers to vote "no." So they have stepped into the breach. Ludicrously misnamed organizations such as the Workplace Fairness Institute, Worker Freedom Institute and Center for Worker Freedom have attempted to transform the union election into a sleazy political campaign: They have suggested that UAW-represented auto companies are bankrupt, when in fact they are thriving, with Ford posting record profits; they have told workers that unionization would "imperil the fate of their employer," when in fact VW would be delighted to have a cooperative relationship with unionized workers within the plant; and they have spread ludicrous right-wing fantasies, such as the union "wants your guns." No other democratic country has organizations such as these - peddling outright falsehoods - that are dedicated to undermining workers' right to choose a union."
"Finally, the most notable feature of the VW campaign has been the unprecedented campaign of intimidation by shadowy anti-union organizations. Right-wing activists, including Grover Norquist and the Koch brothers, are furious that VW management has not attempted to pressure workers to vote "no." So they have stepped into the breach. Ludicrously misnamed organizations such as the Workplace Fairness Institute, Worker Freedom Institute and Center for Worker Freedom have attempted to transform the union election into a sleazy political campaign: They have suggested that UAW-represented auto companies are bankrupt, when in fact they are thriving, with Ford posting record profits; they have told workers that unionization would "imperil the fate of their employer," when in fact VW would be delighted to have a cooperative relationship with unionized workers within the plant; and they have spread ludicrous right-wing fantasies, such as the union "wants your guns." No other democratic country has organizations such as these - peddling outright falsehoods - that are dedicated to undermining workers' right to choose a union."
David Cay Johnston Takes Apart Chris Christie's False Meme on 'Income Equality'
David Cay Johnston Takes Apart Chris Christie's False Meme on 'Income Equality'
"Everyday Americans who haven't had their brains fried by right-wing hate talk or Faux "news" have known for some time that trickle-down doesn't work and that the game has been rigged for the rich and against the average working person who is just trying to get by for a very long time now."
"Everyday Americans who haven't had their brains fried by right-wing hate talk or Faux "news" have known for some time that trickle-down doesn't work and that the game has been rigged for the rich and against the average working person who is just trying to get by for a very long time now."
Kansas Republicans Violate The Constitution By Passing Anti-Gay Segregation Law
www.politicususa.com/2014/02/14/kansas-republicans-violate-constitution-passing-anti-gay-segregation-law.html
"Christian lawmakers give government employees the right to deny services to gays in the name of “religious liberty,” and every government employee will receive explicit permission to discriminate against gays including any Kansas government worker. For example, if a gay person calls the police because they are being assaulted, an officer can refuse to help them if interacting with gays violates their religious principles. State hospitals can prevent gays from entering and deny them treatment with impunity, and gays will be barred from public parks, public pools, or any institution operating under the aegis of Kansas state theocracy; including the public school system.
The theocrats supporting the religious law claim it only applies gay couples, as if that makes the edict acceptable, but the text of the bill is absent any principles limiting it to gay couples, or straight people, whose very existence Christians feel violates their religious liberty."
"Christian lawmakers give government employees the right to deny services to gays in the name of “religious liberty,” and every government employee will receive explicit permission to discriminate against gays including any Kansas government worker. For example, if a gay person calls the police because they are being assaulted, an officer can refuse to help them if interacting with gays violates their religious principles. State hospitals can prevent gays from entering and deny them treatment with impunity, and gays will be barred from public parks, public pools, or any institution operating under the aegis of Kansas state theocracy; including the public school system.
The theocrats supporting the religious law claim it only applies gay couples, as if that makes the edict acceptable, but the text of the bill is absent any principles limiting it to gay couples, or straight people, whose very existence Christians feel violates their religious liberty."
Banks Throw Hissy Fit After Elizabeth Warren Endorses Idea to Allow Post Office to Offer Financial Services
www.alternet.org/economy/banks-throw-hissy-fit-after-elizabeth-warren-endorses-idea-allow-post-office-offer-financial
"The plan? The post office would offer services designed to appeal to America’s unbanked and under-banked — the more than 50 million adults who either have no checking or savings account, or use high-cost, predatory services like payday loans to supplement traditional banking needs.
This sounds like a win-win. Americans — particularly low-income Americans — clearly need greater access to low-cost financial services. At the same time, many financial institutions have been complaining for years that providing banking services to low-income Americans is costing them money. So much so that they can barely bring themselves to open bank branches in anything less than well-heeled neighborhoods."
"The plan? The post office would offer services designed to appeal to America’s unbanked and under-banked — the more than 50 million adults who either have no checking or savings account, or use high-cost, predatory services like payday loans to supplement traditional banking needs.
This sounds like a win-win. Americans — particularly low-income Americans — clearly need greater access to low-cost financial services. At the same time, many financial institutions have been complaining for years that providing banking services to low-income Americans is costing them money. So much so that they can barely bring themselves to open bank branches in anything less than well-heeled neighborhoods."
Can Right-Wingers and Plutocrats Be Stopped from Destroying Social Security?
www.alternet.org/economy/can-right-wingers-and-plutocrats-be-stopped-destroying-social-security?page=0%2C0
"There's momentum in the fight to strengthen, instead of gut, social security."
"There's momentum in the fight to strengthen, instead of gut, social security."
What Won't This Private Prison Corporation Do To Turn a Profit? | Common Dreams
What Won't This Private Prison Corporation Do To Turn a Profit? | Common Dreams
"Corrections Corporation of America exposed for fraudulently billing state taxpayers for thousands of staff hours"
"Corrections Corporation of America exposed for fraudulently billing state taxpayers for thousands of staff hours"
How the Christian Right and Tea Party Make the GOP Unhinged
www.alternet.org/belief/how-christian-right-and-tea-party-make-gop-unhinged
"It seems stupid, but if you think about it, what other choice do they have? As the McMorris Rodgers speech indicated, there’s a dearth of ideas outside of waging war on women in the current Republican Party. Right now, Republicans are primarily defined by what they’re against and they don’t seem to be for much of anything: Against minimum wage rises, against healthcare reform, against government interventions to improve the economy, against everything Obama does no matter what ( including taking pictures of his dog), against food stamps, against against against. They may occasionally make gestures toward the hint of an idea that they might want to replace the policies they’re against with some other policies, but no one really believes this. House Republicans spend more time passing pointless repeal bills of the ACA than they do passing bills that do anything at all."
"It seems stupid, but if you think about it, what other choice do they have? As the McMorris Rodgers speech indicated, there’s a dearth of ideas outside of waging war on women in the current Republican Party. Right now, Republicans are primarily defined by what they’re against and they don’t seem to be for much of anything: Against minimum wage rises, against healthcare reform, against government interventions to improve the economy, against everything Obama does no matter what ( including taking pictures of his dog), against food stamps, against against against. They may occasionally make gestures toward the hint of an idea that they might want to replace the policies they’re against with some other policies, but no one really believes this. House Republicans spend more time passing pointless repeal bills of the ACA than they do passing bills that do anything at all."
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Kansas House passes sweeping bill allowing anti-gay discrimination in government, businesses
www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/13/1277364/-Kansas-House-passes-sweeping-bill-allowing-anti-gay-discrimination-in-government-businesses
"And now we're in the stage where conservative-led states try and top each other for the most outrageous pro-discrimination laws of all.
[T]he sweep of Kansas’ statute is breathtaking. Any government employee is given explicit permission todiscriminate against gay couples—not just county clerks and DMV employees, but literally anyone who works for the state of Kansas. If a gay couple calls the police, an officer may refuse to help them if interacting with a gay couple violates his religious principles. State hospitals can turn away gay couples at the door and deny them treatment with impunity. Gay couples can be banned from public parks, public pools, anything that operates under the aegis of the Kansas state government."
"And now we're in the stage where conservative-led states try and top each other for the most outrageous pro-discrimination laws of all.
[T]he sweep of Kansas’ statute is breathtaking. Any government employee is given explicit permission todiscriminate against gay couples—not just county clerks and DMV employees, but literally anyone who works for the state of Kansas. If a gay couple calls the police, an officer may refuse to help them if interacting with a gay couple violates his religious principles. State hospitals can turn away gay couples at the door and deny them treatment with impunity. Gay couples can be banned from public parks, public pools, anything that operates under the aegis of the Kansas state government."
Robert Reich on Why America Has Forgotten Its Three Biggest Economic Lessons
www.alternet.org/economy/robert-reich-why-america-has-forgotten-its-three-biggest-economic-lessons
"What happened?
For starters, too many of us bought the snake oil of “supply-side” economics, which said big corporations and the wealthy are the job creators – and if we cut their taxes the benefits will trickle down to everyone else. Of course, nothing trickled down."
"What happened?
For starters, too many of us bought the snake oil of “supply-side” economics, which said big corporations and the wealthy are the job creators – and if we cut their taxes the benefits will trickle down to everyone else. Of course, nothing trickled down."
Illinois Governor Wants To Make Sure Workers Can Take A Day Off When They Get Sick
www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2014/02/13/3290191/illinois-paid-sick-leave/
"The United States is unique among many of its developed peers for its lack of a national law that guarantees all workers the right to earn paid sick leave. Just one state, Connecticut, has passed such legislation, although Illinois isn’t the only one to consider joining its ranks: California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington are also considering laws."
"The United States is unique among many of its developed peers for its lack of a national law that guarantees all workers the right to earn paid sick leave. Just one state, Connecticut, has passed such legislation, although Illinois isn’t the only one to consider joining its ranks: California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington are also considering laws."
Comcast's Takeover of Time Warner Is a Horrible Deal for Consumers
www.alternet.org/corporate-accountability-and-workplace/comcasts-takeover-time-warner-horrible-deal-consumers
"Nice try. Regulators and competition authorities are supposed to consider the public interest when looking at such deals. In no way does the public interest benefit from this one."
"Nice try. Regulators and competition authorities are supposed to consider the public interest when looking at such deals. In no way does the public interest benefit from this one."
Securities Fraud Investigation Nabs Ohio Republican Along With A 'Secretive' Church
Securities Fraud Investigation Nabs Ohio Republican Along With A 'Secretive' Church
"Ohio state representative, Peter Beck (R-54) was just indicted on 53 counts. He already is facing 16 felony counts from an indictment last July."
"Ohio state representative, Peter Beck (R-54) was just indicted on 53 counts. He already is facing 16 felony counts from an indictment last July."
Time to End the Cheney/Halliburton Loophole
Time to End the Cheney/Halliburton Loophole
"Let me explain: Back in 2005. President - excuse me Vice President - Cheney was hard at work doing what he did best: using his power as the second most powerful man in the country to protect his cronies in the oil business.
His former employer, Halliburton, wanted to get more involved in the emerging American fracking industry, but it faced a potential major roadblock in the form of a 1974 law called the Safe Water Drinking Act.
That act, signed into law by Republican President Gerald Ford, requires the Environmental Protection Agency to keep toxic chemicals from getting into Americans’ drinking water.
Cheney didn’t care about public safety but he did care about Halliburton’s bottom-line - after all, he was a big Halliburton stockholder when he became vice president - and so he joined the lobbying efforts to get Congress to carve out an exemption for fracking in the Safe Water Drinking Act.
Thanks to that carve-out - let’s call it the “Halliburton loophole” - the EPA can’t regulate fracking poisons even when they get into our water supply."
"Let me explain: Back in 2005. President - excuse me Vice President - Cheney was hard at work doing what he did best: using his power as the second most powerful man in the country to protect his cronies in the oil business.
His former employer, Halliburton, wanted to get more involved in the emerging American fracking industry, but it faced a potential major roadblock in the form of a 1974 law called the Safe Water Drinking Act.
That act, signed into law by Republican President Gerald Ford, requires the Environmental Protection Agency to keep toxic chemicals from getting into Americans’ drinking water.
Cheney didn’t care about public safety but he did care about Halliburton’s bottom-line - after all, he was a big Halliburton stockholder when he became vice president - and so he joined the lobbying efforts to get Congress to carve out an exemption for fracking in the Safe Water Drinking Act.
Thanks to that carve-out - let’s call it the “Halliburton loophole” - the EPA can’t regulate fracking poisons even when they get into our water supply."
Tens of thousands in North Carolina vow 'not now, not ever'
www.southernstudies.org/2014/02/tens-of-thousands-in-north-carolina-vow-not-now-no.html
"Tens of thousands of marchers took to the streets of Raleigh, North Carolina, Saturday to show their opposition to the extreme right-wing agenda that has gripped the state since the Tea Party gained control of the legislature and governor's office."
"Tens of thousands of marchers took to the streets of Raleigh, North Carolina, Saturday to show their opposition to the extreme right-wing agenda that has gripped the state since the Tea Party gained control of the legislature and governor's office."
Koch brothers breaking all spending records to defeat Democrat Kay Hagan
www.dailykos.com/story/2014/02/12/1277040/-Koch-brothers-breaking-all-spending-records-to-defeat-Democrat-Kay-Hagan
"The Koch brothers are so intent on buying the Senate, they'll spend anything to make it happen. Right now, they are focusing primarily on one race: Democrat Kay Hagan's Senate seat in North Carolina. It's a twofer for them: in attacking Hagan, they're boosting one of their reliable lackeys in state House Speaker Thom Tillis."
"The Koch brothers are so intent on buying the Senate, they'll spend anything to make it happen. Right now, they are focusing primarily on one race: Democrat Kay Hagan's Senate seat in North Carolina. It's a twofer for them: in attacking Hagan, they're boosting one of their reliable lackeys in state House Speaker Thom Tillis."
6 Financial Monsters That Have Only Gotten Bigger After Destroying the Economy
www.alternet.org/economy/6-financial-monsters-have-only-gotten-bigger-after-destroying-economy
"Too-big-to-fail banks that should have been reined in back in 2008 continue to pose a major threat to the economy."
"Too-big-to-fail banks that should have been reined in back in 2008 continue to pose a major threat to the economy."
William Rivers Pitt | The Poisoner's Reckoning
William Rivers Pitt | The Poisoner's Reckoning
"What you may already know: Freedom Industries, a coal-industry surrogate in West Virginia, dumped poison into the water supply known as the Elk River, waited 24 hours to tell anyone about it, waited even longer to mention that they had also dumped a second poison into the water supply, and then declared bankruptcy so as to make themselves judgment-proof in civil court against the hundreds of thousands of people who couldn't eat or work or bathe or cook for weeks...and this was all before the stuff they dumped into the river evaporated into formaldehyde, which it does, so everyone who couldn't eat or bathe or cook for weeks was suddenly eating and cooking and bathing in a whole different poison, this one being a known carcinogen...but they're bankrupt now, so screw you and your tumors."
"What you may already know: Freedom Industries, a coal-industry surrogate in West Virginia, dumped poison into the water supply known as the Elk River, waited 24 hours to tell anyone about it, waited even longer to mention that they had also dumped a second poison into the water supply, and then declared bankruptcy so as to make themselves judgment-proof in civil court against the hundreds of thousands of people who couldn't eat or work or bathe or cook for weeks...and this was all before the stuff they dumped into the river evaporated into formaldehyde, which it does, so everyone who couldn't eat or bathe or cook for weeks was suddenly eating and cooking and bathing in a whole different poison, this one being a known carcinogen...but they're bankrupt now, so screw you and your tumors."
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