Thursday, January 15, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
The 80-Year Conservative War On Social Security Is Back For More
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/conservative-war-on-social-security-history
"Conservatives finally made their play for privatizing Social Security during the second Bush administration.
George W. Bush told conservatives in the midst of the 2000 campaign that Republicans "have to find a way to allow people to invest a percentage of their payroll tax in the capital markets" -- a new incarnation of the individual accounts or privatization concept.
But the GOP was getting sharper with its rhetoric. The libertarian Cato Institute renamed its existing Project on Social Security Privatization to the Project on Social Security Choice in 2002. The overall effect of the Bush-era proposals was the same, turning a guaranteed benefit into something else entirely, but they had figured out what they thought were better ways to talk about it.
"BANISH PRIVATIZATION FROM YOUR LEXICON," read a memo that Republican pollster Frank Luntz gave Bush during the 2004 campaign. But while Bush made Social Security a top priority at the onset of his second term and undertook a national tour to discuss the issue, those who support the traditional program rallied against it."
"Conservatives finally made their play for privatizing Social Security during the second Bush administration.
George W. Bush told conservatives in the midst of the 2000 campaign that Republicans "have to find a way to allow people to invest a percentage of their payroll tax in the capital markets" -- a new incarnation of the individual accounts or privatization concept.
But the GOP was getting sharper with its rhetoric. The libertarian Cato Institute renamed its existing Project on Social Security Privatization to the Project on Social Security Choice in 2002. The overall effect of the Bush-era proposals was the same, turning a guaranteed benefit into something else entirely, but they had figured out what they thought were better ways to talk about it.
"BANISH PRIVATIZATION FROM YOUR LEXICON," read a memo that Republican pollster Frank Luntz gave Bush during the 2004 campaign. But while Bush made Social Security a top priority at the onset of his second term and undertook a national tour to discuss the issue, those who support the traditional program rallied against it."
Republican Committee Chair Ron Johnson Says That A Single Working Mother Should ‘Find Someone To Support Her’ (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/01/14/more-republican-sexism/
"What some Republicans don’t seem understand is that most single mothers do not receive welfare."
"What some Republicans don’t seem understand is that most single mothers do not receive welfare."
The March for Life is a march against birth control. Will the GOP get behind it?
The March for Life is a march against birth control. Will the GOP get behind it?
"Americans are pretty clear about birth control: They like it. They use it. A Kaiser Health Tracking Poll released last year found the public supports the birth control requirement in the new healthcare law by a 2-to-1 margin. And according to another report from Guttmacher, more than 99 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 who have ever had sex have used at least one contraceptive method, and that number holds for sexually experienced Catholic and Protestant women, too.
And the GOP kind of gets this, that an overwhelming number of people in this country like being able to have sex without having babies. Which is why you saw Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner and others do all manner of gymnastics to blunt their anti-choice records with campaign talk about over-the-counter birth control. (That particular priority, by the way, is nowhere on the Republican agenda for the new Congress.)"
"Americans are pretty clear about birth control: They like it. They use it. A Kaiser Health Tracking Poll released last year found the public supports the birth control requirement in the new healthcare law by a 2-to-1 margin. And according to another report from Guttmacher, more than 99 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44 who have ever had sex have used at least one contraceptive method, and that number holds for sexually experienced Catholic and Protestant women, too.
And the GOP kind of gets this, that an overwhelming number of people in this country like being able to have sex without having babies. Which is why you saw Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner and others do all manner of gymnastics to blunt their anti-choice records with campaign talk about over-the-counter birth control. (That particular priority, by the way, is nowhere on the Republican agenda for the new Congress.)"
The House Is Set to Pass a GOP Bill Wiping Out Wall Street Reforms
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/01/dodd-frank-bill-house-gop-hr-37
"The bill, introduced by Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), is called the Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act, but its name obscures what it would actually do. The legislation is a compilation of deregulatory bills that failed to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate in the last Congress. It would alter nearly a dozen provisions of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law, loosening regulation of Wall Street banks."
"The bill, introduced by Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), is called the Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act, but its name obscures what it would actually do. The legislation is a compilation of deregulatory bills that failed to pass the Democrat-controlled Senate in the last Congress. It would alter nearly a dozen provisions of the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial reform law, loosening regulation of Wall Street banks."
House Republicans poised to gut Wall Street reforms
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/13/1357502/-House-Republicans-poised-to-gut-Wall-Street-reforms
"And just to make sure that all of this happens out of the glare of the public eye, this bill would weaken the transparency rules that Dodd-Frank imposed on publicly traded companies. It would exempt the majority of them from the rules about what has to be included in their financial statements filed with the SEC. That includes allowing some to omit historical data showing their past financial performance."
"And just to make sure that all of this happens out of the glare of the public eye, this bill would weaken the transparency rules that Dodd-Frank imposed on publicly traded companies. It would exempt the majority of them from the rules about what has to be included in their financial statements filed with the SEC. That includes allowing some to omit historical data showing their past financial performance."
Of the 21 GOP-led House committees, only one is headed by a woman … and it sucks
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/12/1357257/-Of-the-21-GOP-led-House-Committees-only-one-is-headed-by-a-woman-and-it-sucks
"Perhaps the lack of GOP leadership roles for women has to do with the fact that just 22 of 246 House Republicans are female, whereas 65 of 188 House Democrats are female. Overall, a record 107 women are serving in the 114th Congress, 79 Democrats and 28 Republicans."
"Perhaps the lack of GOP leadership roles for women has to do with the fact that just 22 of 246 House Republicans are female, whereas 65 of 188 House Democrats are female. Overall, a record 107 women are serving in the 114th Congress, 79 Democrats and 28 Republicans."
Texas GOP Bill Takes Salaries And Pensions Away From State Employees Who Obey Federal Same-Sex Marriage Rulings
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/01/09/texas-gop-bill-takes-salaries-and-pensions-away-from-state-employees-who-obey-federal-same-sex-marriage-rulings/
"If Texas Republicans pass this bill, the federal government should respond by stripping Texas of the more than $80 billion of federal cash it gets every year. Then we can all watch as Texas Republicans scramble to repeal it and take pleasure in watching them beg for the money their constituents lost because of their incompetent desire to whine about federal laws and court rulings out of some misguided effort to re-fight the Civil War."
"If Texas Republicans pass this bill, the federal government should respond by stripping Texas of the more than $80 billion of federal cash it gets every year. Then we can all watch as Texas Republicans scramble to repeal it and take pleasure in watching them beg for the money their constituents lost because of their incompetent desire to whine about federal laws and court rulings out of some misguided effort to re-fight the Civil War."
With Wall Street Holding the Strings, Republican-Controlled Congress Moves to Deregulate Big Banks
With Wall Street Holding the Strings, Republican-Controlled Congress Moves to Deregulate Big Banks
"Just weeks after taking over both houses of Congress, the Republican party is already aggressively moving to weaken legislation aimed at reining in big banks and protecting the public."
"Just weeks after taking over both houses of Congress, the Republican party is already aggressively moving to weaken legislation aimed at reining in big banks and protecting the public."
Obamacare had strong enrollments through January 1
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/09/1356665/-Obamacare-had-strong-enrollments-through-January-nbsp-1
"Obamacare enrollment for plans beginning January 1 has ended, but the exchanges remain open until February 15 for people who don't have coverage through their employers. But the January 1 deadline ended strong, with the government reporting nearly 6.6 million enrollments."
"Obamacare enrollment for plans beginning January 1 has ended, but the exchanges remain open until February 15 for people who don't have coverage through their employers. But the January 1 deadline ended strong, with the government reporting nearly 6.6 million enrollments."
Free Community College is a Big Deal. Debt-Free College Would Be Transformative.
http://www.demos.org/blog/1/9/15/free-community-college-big-deal-debt-free-college-would-be-transformative
"It wasn’t until the mid-1990s in which borrowing for college became the norm. Before that, low tuition and high state investment meant that students could afford college via part-time work or modest savings. But decades of neglect in our public institutions has led to a moment in which students borrow $30 billion each year to attend public colleges and universities.
Making public higher education a public good again isn’t going to happen overnight, and the idea of free tuition for the 45 percent of American students who attend community college is a nice start. Making public college debt-free again could be transformative."
"It wasn’t until the mid-1990s in which borrowing for college became the norm. Before that, low tuition and high state investment meant that students could afford college via part-time work or modest savings. But decades of neglect in our public institutions has led to a moment in which students borrow $30 billion each year to attend public colleges and universities.
Making public higher education a public good again isn’t going to happen overnight, and the idea of free tuition for the 45 percent of American students who attend community college is a nice start. Making public college debt-free again could be transformative."
Tuesday, January 13, 2015
Ted Cruz Takes Space And Marco Rubio Takes Earth: How The Senate Flip Could Undermine Science
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/13/3610709/ted-cruz-marco-rubio-climate-research/
"The reversal of the U.S. Senate’s majority party is falling into place, and there is reason for concern over how new committee chairs will influence the agencies they oversee. Right now two big reasons are garnering the most attention: Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) will chair the subcommittee that oversees NASA, and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will chair to the subcommittee that oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. Both have gone on record denying human-caused climate change."
"The reversal of the U.S. Senate’s majority party is falling into place, and there is reason for concern over how new committee chairs will influence the agencies they oversee. Right now two big reasons are garnering the most attention: Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) will chair the subcommittee that oversees NASA, and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will chair to the subcommittee that oversees the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA. Both have gone on record denying human-caused climate change."
Republicans Appoint Scientifically Illiterate Ted Cruz To Oversee NASA
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/01/12/republicans-appoint-scientifically-illiterate-ted-cruz-to-oversee-nasa/
"when it came to who would oversee the nation’s science programs, the GOP wasted no time in appointing one of their own who not only doesn’t agree with most current scientific discoveries, but has actively tried to defund science research in the past."
"when it came to who would oversee the nation’s science programs, the GOP wasted no time in appointing one of their own who not only doesn’t agree with most current scientific discoveries, but has actively tried to defund science research in the past."
Bad News for Texas: Thanks to Republican Leadership, the State’s Headed for Trouble
Bad News for Texas: Thanks to Republican Leadership, the State’s Headed for Trouble
"What Texas needs to do is take a good long look at what the tax cut-loving tea partiers did in Kansas, because that’s exactly where the state is headed under Republican leadership that doesn’t have a booming oil industry to fall back on. Because at the end of the day, political rhetoric and propaganda won’t create jobs. You have to have a plan, and that’s something Republicans don’t have."The truth is, Republicans don’t have a “job creating ideology.”
"What Texas needs to do is take a good long look at what the tax cut-loving tea partiers did in Kansas, because that’s exactly where the state is headed under Republican leadership that doesn’t have a booming oil industry to fall back on. Because at the end of the day, political rhetoric and propaganda won’t create jobs. You have to have a plan, and that’s something Republicans don’t have."The truth is, Republicans don’t have a “job creating ideology.”
Chris Christie’s Jersey nightmare: Why his state hasn’t touched the economic recovery
Chris Christie’s Jersey nightmare: Why his state hasn’t touched the economic recovery
"Twenty-first century New Jersey is a state so disconnected from the national narrative of “recovery” it might as well be its own country. The fact that the major media has ignored this story for so long is a tribute to Governor Christie’s prowess as a great entertainer. Not since the arrival of the Great Pandas from China has the major media been so distracted by sideshow antics."
"Twenty-first century New Jersey is a state so disconnected from the national narrative of “recovery” it might as well be its own country. The fact that the major media has ignored this story for so long is a tribute to Governor Christie’s prowess as a great entertainer. Not since the arrival of the Great Pandas from China has the major media been so distracted by sideshow antics."
Fox News Whines That The 1% Might Have To Pay Their Fair Share
Fox News Whines That The 1% Might Have To Pay Their Fair Share
"Haven't we heard enough from these fake news people that the Ryan Plan works for national prosperity? Facts are facts and we know a higher tax rate, which is unbelievably lower than Republican icon, Dwight Eisenhower's rates, works perfectly. Imagine if this Koch-Congress wanted to really heal the economy and create millions of infrastructure-repairing jobs? Of course they don't, so until we change the rules of Gerrymandering, the Democrats will have to settle for Executive Orders. You can rest assured, the GOP-TV people can be sufficiently outraged over the tyrannical, lawless, Socialist Kenyan Muslim President for the next two years."
"Haven't we heard enough from these fake news people that the Ryan Plan works for national prosperity? Facts are facts and we know a higher tax rate, which is unbelievably lower than Republican icon, Dwight Eisenhower's rates, works perfectly. Imagine if this Koch-Congress wanted to really heal the economy and create millions of infrastructure-repairing jobs? Of course they don't, so until we change the rules of Gerrymandering, the Democrats will have to settle for Executive Orders. You can rest assured, the GOP-TV people can be sufficiently outraged over the tyrannical, lawless, Socialist Kenyan Muslim President for the next two years."
House GOP Will Mark The Anniversary Of Roe v. Wade By Voting On National Abortion Ban
http://thinkprogress.org/health/2015/01/13/3611027/house-gop-abortion-vote/
"Next week, on the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country, House Republicans will mark the occasion by voting on — and, in all likelihood, advancing — a national abortion ban."
"Next week, on the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country, House Republicans will mark the occasion by voting on — and, in all likelihood, advancing — a national abortion ban."
WI Republicans Poised To Pass Education Privatization Bill
WI Republicans Poised To Pass Education Privatization Bill
"The Republicans have already passed legislation forcing the Milwaukee Public Schools to sell off school buildings to religious institutions and private voucher schools. This new bill only helps expediting the selling off of these buildings.
Ironically, the Republicans are claiming that this forced privatization is needed for accountability. The only accountability the Republicans are really worried about is being accountable to the big money special interests that bankroll their campaigns."
"The Republicans have already passed legislation forcing the Milwaukee Public Schools to sell off school buildings to religious institutions and private voucher schools. This new bill only helps expediting the selling off of these buildings.
Ironically, the Republicans are claiming that this forced privatization is needed for accountability. The only accountability the Republicans are really worried about is being accountable to the big money special interests that bankroll their campaigns."
To Pay For His Failed Experiment With Trickle-Down Economics, Kansas Governor Could Raid The School Budget
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/01/13/3610739/kansas-brownback-budget-crisis-preview/
"None of this means the diehard conservative will reverse course or even make small concessions to critics who have warned for years that his trickle-down tax cuts would harm the Kansas economy"
"None of this means the diehard conservative will reverse course or even make small concessions to critics who have warned for years that his trickle-down tax cuts would harm the Kansas economy"
From awful to calamitous: Sam Brownback’s second term is off to a terrible start
From awful to calamitous: Sam Brownback’s second term is off to a terrible start
"In the meantime, the governor confronts a budget crisis of his own making — and an economic climate that is prompting many Kansans to abandon the Sunflower State. Amid the havoc he wreaked on the state, Kansas ranked seventh in the nation last year among states residents left. Pitching his tax cuts two years ago, however, the governor predicted a very different situation."
"In the meantime, the governor confronts a budget crisis of his own making — and an economic climate that is prompting many Kansans to abandon the Sunflower State. Amid the havoc he wreaked on the state, Kansas ranked seventh in the nation last year among states residents left. Pitching his tax cuts two years ago, however, the governor predicted a very different situation."
John Boehner Votes to Create 35 Jobs! It’s a Jobgasm!
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/01/10/john-boehner-votes-create-35-jobs-jobgasm.html
"You can no longer say House Republicans are opposed to job creation. Set aside for a moment President Obama’s creation of millions of jobs. John Boehner just led the vote to create 35 whole jobs! That’s right. Not 20. Not even 25. But 35.
Get out of the way of progress, Mr. President!
Of course, President Obama just finished up the best job creation year for a president since Bill Clinton in 1999 by creating 2.5 million jobs in 2014. The Republicans, on the other hand, have done everything possible for SIX YEARS to prevent the creation of even a single job.
But John Boehner is bragging on those 35 permanent positions resulting from a dangerous oil pipeline that will enrich Canadian oil companies who will then sell the oil overseas."
"You can no longer say House Republicans are opposed to job creation. Set aside for a moment President Obama’s creation of millions of jobs. John Boehner just led the vote to create 35 whole jobs! That’s right. Not 20. Not even 25. But 35.
Get out of the way of progress, Mr. President!
Of course, President Obama just finished up the best job creation year for a president since Bill Clinton in 1999 by creating 2.5 million jobs in 2014. The Republicans, on the other hand, have done everything possible for SIX YEARS to prevent the creation of even a single job.
But John Boehner is bragging on those 35 permanent positions resulting from a dangerous oil pipeline that will enrich Canadian oil companies who will then sell the oil overseas."
Carly Fiorina Is Suddenly Concerned About Income Inequality
Carly Fiorina Is Suddenly Concerned About Income Inequality
"As CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Fiorina was responsible for thousands of layoffs, outsourcing jobs overseas, and gutting the shared prosperity that Silicon Valley used to pride itself on. She declared that her only mistake at HP was not firing even more people than she did.
Worse yet, everything she did while there actually led to the destruction of the HP brand, one of the oldest and most respected in the industry. Watch for Fiorina to claim her executive ability is her best qualifier for the Presidency. She'll tell everyone she cares about average Americans but truly, she only cares about whatever the US Chamber of Commerce and her pals over at Koch Industries care about, and her own words confirm that.
Republicans are going to keep pretending they care about income inequality and populist issues because they understand how important those are to regular voters. But actions speak far louder than words, and fundamental Republican policies make that inequality worse and harder for working people."
"As CEO of Hewlett-Packard, Fiorina was responsible for thousands of layoffs, outsourcing jobs overseas, and gutting the shared prosperity that Silicon Valley used to pride itself on. She declared that her only mistake at HP was not firing even more people than she did.
Worse yet, everything she did while there actually led to the destruction of the HP brand, one of the oldest and most respected in the industry. Watch for Fiorina to claim her executive ability is her best qualifier for the Presidency. She'll tell everyone she cares about average Americans but truly, she only cares about whatever the US Chamber of Commerce and her pals over at Koch Industries care about, and her own words confirm that.
Republicans are going to keep pretending they care about income inequality and populist issues because they understand how important those are to regular voters. But actions speak far louder than words, and fundamental Republican policies make that inequality worse and harder for working people."
The First Four Things Republicans Are Trying to Change May Scare You
http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/28467-the-first-four-things-republicans-are-trying-to-change-may-scare-you
"4. Stripping Existing Wall Street Regulations
Taking a bunch of previously DOA financial bills that went nowhere when Democrats were in power, the Republicans created one big super-bill that their friends in the banking industry were no doubt proud to see moved forward. The bill would make it easier for corporations to commit fraud (and get away with it), allow executives to not have to disclose certain pertinent pieces of information to the public or investigators, and get rid of several established and important regulations that supposedly put a "burden" on business.
The Republicans tried to push the legislation through swiftly while the normal House rules were suspended, but fortunately lacked the 2/3 majority necessary to pass the legislation during this time thanks to opposition from most House Democrats. Still, that won't likely stop Republicans from taking similar steps under circumstances where only a simple majority is necessary."
"4. Stripping Existing Wall Street Regulations
Taking a bunch of previously DOA financial bills that went nowhere when Democrats were in power, the Republicans created one big super-bill that their friends in the banking industry were no doubt proud to see moved forward. The bill would make it easier for corporations to commit fraud (and get away with it), allow executives to not have to disclose certain pertinent pieces of information to the public or investigators, and get rid of several established and important regulations that supposedly put a "burden" on business.
The Republicans tried to push the legislation through swiftly while the normal House rules were suspended, but fortunately lacked the 2/3 majority necessary to pass the legislation during this time thanks to opposition from most House Democrats. Still, that won't likely stop Republicans from taking similar steps under circumstances where only a simple majority is necessary."
John Boehner Screws Over The American People By Blocking A $2,000 Middle Class Tax Cut
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/01/12/john-boehner-screws-american-people-blocking-2000-middle-class-tax-cut.html
"By the People’s House, Speaker Boehner means the Koch brothers, corporations, or other special interests. If Republicans were serious about governing, they would seize the opportunity to pass a middle-class tax cut that Democrats would support and the president would sign. Instead, Republicans are using their power in Congress to harm the middle class while claiming to be carrying out the will of the people."
"By the People’s House, Speaker Boehner means the Koch brothers, corporations, or other special interests. If Republicans were serious about governing, they would seize the opportunity to pass a middle-class tax cut that Democrats would support and the president would sign. Instead, Republicans are using their power in Congress to harm the middle class while claiming to be carrying out the will of the people."
Elizabeth Warren's Economic Agenda
Elizabeth Warren's Economic Agenda
"Elizabeth Warren's plan would bring us back to the economy of the post-New Deal years, an economy that was both fairer and far more prosperous for most people."
"Elizabeth Warren's plan would bring us back to the economy of the post-New Deal years, an economy that was both fairer and far more prosperous for most people."
GOP Is Bringing Two More Years Of War Against Disabled Americans, Women, The Elderly, The Poor, And Math
GOP Is Bringing Two More Years Of War Against Disabled Americans, Women, The Elderly, The Poor, And Math
"Welcome to 2015; the 114th Congress is gearing up for the new year, and with it, brand new assaults women, the elderly, the disabled, math, science, history, and reality in general."
"Welcome to 2015; the 114th Congress is gearing up for the new year, and with it, brand new assaults women, the elderly, the disabled, math, science, history, and reality in general."
The Anti-Science Climate Denier Caucus: 114th Congress Edition
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2015/01/08/3608427/climate-denier-caucus-114th-congress/
"The members of the 114th Congress who have publicly misrepresented the science behind global warming have accepted their fair share of contributions from the fossil fuel industry. The 39 climate deniers in the Senate have taken $28,152,466 in donations from the coal, oil and gas industries, while the 61 Senators who haven’t denied the science have taken $11,033,447 in career contributions, according to the CAP Action analysis. On average, Senate deniers took $721,858 from fossil fuel interests while other Senators took $180,876."
"The members of the 114th Congress who have publicly misrepresented the science behind global warming have accepted their fair share of contributions from the fossil fuel industry. The 39 climate deniers in the Senate have taken $28,152,466 in donations from the coal, oil and gas industries, while the 61 Senators who haven’t denied the science have taken $11,033,447 in career contributions, according to the CAP Action analysis. On average, Senate deniers took $721,858 from fossil fuel interests while other Senators took $180,876."
Paul Krugman Eviscerates Crazy Voodoo Economics of New GOP-led Congress | Alternet
Paul Krugman Eviscerates Crazy Voodoo Economics of New GOP-led Congress | Alternet
"It's a little funny, and a lot scary, because underlying this and other Republican talking points are ideologies that simply do not respond to an overwhelming volume of contrary, real-world evidence. How on earth can you reason with, let alone work with these people, who'd rather resort to conspiracy theories than acknowledge reality?"
"It's a little funny, and a lot scary, because underlying this and other Republican talking points are ideologies that simply do not respond to an overwhelming volume of contrary, real-world evidence. How on earth can you reason with, let alone work with these people, who'd rather resort to conspiracy theories than acknowledge reality?"
PERRspectives: 14 Things I Learned in 2014
PERRspectives: 14 Things I Learned in 2014
"The "Red State Model" is dead. In 2013, Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore praised "the Red State path to prosperity." Slashing regulations, encouraging full-throttle energy exploration and, most of all, cutting taxes, they insisted, was the "Red State Model" for economic success. Their poster child was Sam Brownback, the Kansas Governor whose "Midwest renaissance rooted in the Reagan model" by early 2014 had Yahoo News describing him as "the possible GOP presidential contender no one's talking about." Alas, it didn't turn out that way. Tax-cutting Republicans governors like Chris Christie (R-NJ) and Brownback are instead facing catastrophic revenue shortfalls and imposing draconian cuts to public services, all while lagging America's overall economic performance."
"The "Red State Model" is dead. In 2013, Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore praised "the Red State path to prosperity." Slashing regulations, encouraging full-throttle energy exploration and, most of all, cutting taxes, they insisted, was the "Red State Model" for economic success. Their poster child was Sam Brownback, the Kansas Governor whose "Midwest renaissance rooted in the Reagan model" by early 2014 had Yahoo News describing him as "the possible GOP presidential contender no one's talking about." Alas, it didn't turn out that way. Tax-cutting Republicans governors like Chris Christie (R-NJ) and Brownback are instead facing catastrophic revenue shortfalls and imposing draconian cuts to public services, all while lagging America's overall economic performance."
Thanks To Obamacare, Uninsured Rates Hit Record Lows – Again
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/01/07/thanks-to-obamacare-uninsured-rates-hit-record-lows-again/
"Obamacare has accomplished (and will still accomplish) exactly what it was designed to do. I’m waiting for the Republican apology for all the wasted time on frivolous repeal attempts and mass lying to the American public."
"Obamacare has accomplished (and will still accomplish) exactly what it was designed to do. I’m waiting for the Republican apology for all the wasted time on frivolous repeal attempts and mass lying to the American public."
Scott Walker Completely Destroys GOP Obamacare Challenge
Scott Walker Completely Destroys GOP Obamacare Challenge
"He's no fan of the Affordable Care Act; indeed, he's a Kochhead and therefore wants to kill it and all those newly insured people with it.
Nevertheless, he has managed to destroy the central argument going before the United States Supreme Court intended to gut Obamacare."
"He's no fan of the Affordable Care Act; indeed, he's a Kochhead and therefore wants to kill it and all those newly insured people with it.
Nevertheless, he has managed to destroy the central argument going before the United States Supreme Court intended to gut Obamacare."
The Changing Face of America’s Electorate
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/report/2015/01/06/101605/the-changing-face-of-americas-electorate/
"Demographic changes are occurring at such rapid rates that, in some states, regaining 2004 levels of support simply will not be enough for the Republican presidential candidate to win them back in 2016. In other words, as voters of color become a larger share of the electorate, winning a state in 2016 will necessitate a higher level of support among voters of color than in past elections."
"Demographic changes are occurring at such rapid rates that, in some states, regaining 2004 levels of support simply will not be enough for the Republican presidential candidate to win them back in 2016. In other words, as voters of color become a larger share of the electorate, winning a state in 2016 will necessitate a higher level of support among voters of color than in past elections."
Monday, January 12, 2015
Media Ignore Supreme Court Case On Campaign Finance In Judicial Elections
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/01/07/media-ignore-supreme-court-case-on-campaign-fin/202044
"Major network newscasts have given almost no coverage to an upcoming Supreme Court case that will decide whether judicial candidates can personally solicit campaign donations -- despite the risk of corruption."
"Major network newscasts have given almost no coverage to an upcoming Supreme Court case that will decide whether judicial candidates can personally solicit campaign donations -- despite the risk of corruption."
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell Given 2 Years In Prison
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell Given 2 Years In Prison
"A federal judge has sentenced former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to two years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for 11 convictions on public corruption charges."
"A federal judge has sentenced former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to two years in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for 11 convictions on public corruption charges."
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