Group Launches "Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda" to Reclaim Public Control over Public Assets and Destructive Outsourcing
"The "Taxpayer Empowerment Agenda," which can be viewed on the ITPI website, is a set of legislative proposals that Cohen says are "rooted in basic American good government values and traditions:" accountability, transparency, shared prosperity, and competition."
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Snowballing Scandal Prompts Calls For Resignation Of Virginia's McDonnell
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Texas Democrats To Tap Power Of An Informed Electorate
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Pro-choice Women Should Take On Republican Govs | Common Dreams
Pro-choice Women Should Take On Republican Govs | Common Dreams
"After losing the Presidential election in 2012 thanks to the biggest gender gap in history, Republicans are redoubling their "war on women" program in 2013."
"After losing the Presidential election in 2012 thanks to the biggest gender gap in history, Republicans are redoubling their "war on women" program in 2013."
Sen. Warren: Why Is Sallie Mae Ripping Off Students?
Sen. Warren: Why Is Sallie Mae Ripping Off Students?
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren is surely the turd in the punchbowl of what passes for Congressional oversight. While so many others sit quietly and meekly, bowing to the desires of K Street and Wall Street, Warren is determined to speak up for those of us who can't afford our own lobbyist."
"Sen. Elizabeth Warren is surely the turd in the punchbowl of what passes for Congressional oversight. While so many others sit quietly and meekly, bowing to the desires of K Street and Wall Street, Warren is determined to speak up for those of us who can't afford our own lobbyist."
Texas GOP Unleashes Political Quackery on Women's Reproductive Rights | Common Dreams
Texas GOP Unleashes Political Quackery on Women's Reproductive Rights | Common Dreams
" In a June poll, 63 percent of registered Texas voters said we already have plenty of anti-abortion laws on the books, and nearly three-fourths of the people (including six out of 10 Republicans) say such personal medical decisions should be made by women and their doctors, not by political quacks masquerading as Talibanic moral arbitrators. And 81 percent say the legislature should focus on basic economic issues wracking the majority of Texans."
" In a June poll, 63 percent of registered Texas voters said we already have plenty of anti-abortion laws on the books, and nearly three-fourths of the people (including six out of 10 Republicans) say such personal medical decisions should be made by women and their doctors, not by political quacks masquerading as Talibanic moral arbitrators. And 81 percent say the legislature should focus on basic economic issues wracking the majority of Texans."
North Carolina ’trying to pull a Texas’ on reproductive rights
North Carolina ’trying to pull a Texas’ on reproductive rights
"If GOP officials in the state were proud of their work, and were confident they were doing the right and popular thing, they wouldn't have to conduct their business this way."
"If GOP officials in the state were proud of their work, and were confident they were doing the right and popular thing, they wouldn't have to conduct their business this way."
Ohio Anti-Abortion Provisions Even More Extreme Than Previously Believed
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/03/ohio-anti-abortion-provisions-even-more-extreme-than-previously-believed/
"Now, women’s reproductive rights and decisions are no longer their own. They have been hijacked by the anti-women conservatives of the Republican Party."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/03/ohio-anti-abortion-provisions-even-more-extreme-than-previously-believed/#ixzz2XyzGkthy
"Now, women’s reproductive rights and decisions are no longer their own. They have been hijacked by the anti-women conservatives of the Republican Party."
Read more: http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/07/03/ohio-anti-abortion-provisions-even-more-extreme-than-previously-believed/#ixzz2XyzGkthy
GOP Embraces Mythic 'Missing White Voter' Theory
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Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Sequestration Slashes Benefits For The Long-Term Unemployed
Sequestration Slashes Benefits For The Long-Term Unemployed: The long-term unemployed, those who have been out of work for 27 weeks or more, are seeing a big reduction in unemployment benefits thanks to sequestration, according to a new report from the National Employment Law Project (NELP). Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits, which help workers after they exhaust state-level programs around 26 weeks, [...]/p
REPORT: Corporations Pay Lower Tax Rates Than The Middle Class
REPORT: Corporations Pay Lower Tax Rates Than The Middle Class: Large, profitable U.S. corporations actually paid just a 12.6 percent effective tax rate in 2010. That’s barely a third of the 35 percent corporate rate on the books, and it’s actually lower than the median effective tax rate for middle-class Americans. The number comes from a Government Accountability Office (GAO) study intended to clarify the [...]/p
The Republican Party Has Become Toxic to High Information Voters
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/02/republican-party-toxic-high-information-voters.html
"The toxicity of the GOP message to educated voters is most evident in races where Republican candidates espouse extremist positions and where they pander to religious fundamentalists, xenophobes, or to anti-intellectualism."
"The toxicity of the GOP message to educated voters is most evident in races where Republican candidates espouse extremist positions and where they pander to religious fundamentalists, xenophobes, or to anti-intellectualism."
Ohio Gov. John Kasich Helps GOP Sneak New Anti-Abortion Laws Into State Budget
Ohio Gov. John Kasich Helps GOP Sneak New Anti-Abortion Laws Into State Budget
"Ohio Republicans, with the help of their Gov. John Kasich avoided the type of public backlash we've been seeing in Texas over anti-abortion restrictions that are being jammed through both states' legislatures. Rather than allow a public debate, Kasich and his allies decided it was better to do things on the sly and let their constituents find out what they've done once it's too late."
"Ohio Republicans, with the help of their Gov. John Kasich avoided the type of public backlash we've been seeing in Texas over anti-abortion restrictions that are being jammed through both states' legislatures. Rather than allow a public debate, Kasich and his allies decided it was better to do things on the sly and let their constituents find out what they've done once it's too late."
Historically Lazy Congress Only Manages to Pass 15 Legislative Items in 6 Months
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/02/historically-lazy-congress-manages-pass-15-legislative-items-6-months.html
"Perhaps this historic failure is a function of Republicans cutting down the total work days for the House to just 126 days. Yes, we have a part-time House of Representatives, and if they worked in the private sector, this would make them ineligible for health insurance, pensions, paid days off, etc."
"Perhaps this historic failure is a function of Republicans cutting down the total work days for the House to just 126 days. Yes, we have a part-time House of Representatives, and if they worked in the private sector, this would make them ineligible for health insurance, pensions, paid days off, etc."
Southern States Are Pushing Themselves Deeper Into Poverty By Voting Republican
www.politicususa.com/2013/07/02/southern-states-pushing-deeper-poverty-voting-republican.html
"The data show that despite improvements in education and health nationally, Republicans have accomplished their goal of seriously setting back progress when it comes to the economic well-being of children in Republican-controlled Southern states. It is bad enough that the richest nation on Earth comes in at number 2 in the world with over 23% of its children living in extreme poverty, but the numbers are worse in the bottom five states that, not coincidently, are controlled by Republicans on a path to increase poverty and keep their poorest and youngest residents hungry, homeless, and in ill-health."
"The data show that despite improvements in education and health nationally, Republicans have accomplished their goal of seriously setting back progress when it comes to the economic well-being of children in Republican-controlled Southern states. It is bad enough that the richest nation on Earth comes in at number 2 in the world with over 23% of its children living in extreme poverty, but the numbers are worse in the bottom five states that, not coincidently, are controlled by Republicans on a path to increase poverty and keep their poorest and youngest residents hungry, homeless, and in ill-health."
Joe Conason: Investigate Darrell Issa! - Truthdig
Joe Conason: Investigate Darrell Issa! - Truthdig
"Among the many reasons that Americans hold the House of Representatives in low repute—at historically abysmal levels, in fact—is the blatantly partisan and ideological misconduct of so many committee chairs. Without any evident embarrassment these mighty politicians deny science, defy mathematics and dismiss every fact that contradicts their prejudices. But bad as these chairs tend to be, none is quite as flamboyantly awful as Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the Government Oversight Committee, a special investigative panel whose latest effort to conjure scandal from nothingness at the Internal Revenue Service would provoke his removal by a responsible leadership."
"Among the many reasons that Americans hold the House of Representatives in low repute—at historically abysmal levels, in fact—is the blatantly partisan and ideological misconduct of so many committee chairs. Without any evident embarrassment these mighty politicians deny science, defy mathematics and dismiss every fact that contradicts their prejudices. But bad as these chairs tend to be, none is quite as flamboyantly awful as Rep. Darrell Issa, chairman of the Government Oversight Committee, a special investigative panel whose latest effort to conjure scandal from nothingness at the Internal Revenue Service would provoke his removal by a responsible leadership."
North Carolina Prepares To Suppress Black Voters, Now That The Voting Rights Act Lost Its Teeth
North Carolina Prepares To Suppress Black Voters, Now That The Voting Rights Act Lost Its Teeth: Just days after the U.S. Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, North Carolina is moving forward with a host of bills to roll back voting rights. Republican lawmakers are accelerating a new agenda to eliminate early voting, Sunday voting hours, and same-day registration provisions. GOP leaders also vowed to move quickly to pass a [...]/p
How The 1% Is Stealing The Nation's Private Education Budget
How The 1% Is Stealing The Nation's Private Education Budget
"the demolition of public education is not a byproduct of a declining economy -- it's something the elite have wanted to do for a long time"
"the demolition of public education is not a byproduct of a declining economy -- it's something the elite have wanted to do for a long time"
As Of Today, California No Longer Has A White Majority
As Of Today, California No Longer Has A White Majority: The number of Latinos will match the number of white non-Hispanic population for the first time in California this month, according to the California Department of Finance. The same study also found that Latinos will become a plurality in 2014, overtaking the white non-Hispanic population. The demographic milestone, marked by a press conference at the [...]/p
OB-GYNs Denounce Texas’ Proposed Abortion Restrictions For Setting A ‘Dangerous Precedent’
OB-GYNs Denounce Texas’ Proposed Abortion Restrictions For Setting A ‘Dangerous Precedent’: The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a national group of women’s health experts, has come out against the harsh abortion restrictions that Texas lawmakers are attempting to force through a second special session. In a new statement, the coalition of OB-GYNs warns that the Texas bills are “over-reaching” and “set a dangerous precedent” [...]/p
Professor from Right-Wing Evangelical University Touts Benefits of Domestic Drones to National Sheriff's Conference | Alternet
Professor from Right-Wing Evangelical University Touts Benefits of Domestic Drones to National Sheriff's Conference | Alternet
"Prof. John Marselus of Liberty University focuses on drones "to prepare Champions for Christ in all areas of aviation"."
"Prof. John Marselus of Liberty University focuses on drones "to prepare Champions for Christ in all areas of aviation"."
Virginia Is Quietly Endorsing Right-Wing ‘Crisis Pregnancy Centers’ That Mislead Women
Virginia Is Quietly Endorsing Right-Wing ‘Crisis Pregnancy Centers’ That Mislead Women: Virginia’s health department is telling women to visit right-wing “crisis pregnancy centers” (CPCs) before they’re able to get an abortion, according to a new investigation from NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. Since CPCs are essentially front groups for the anti-choice movement — with a long history of using medical misinformation to persuade women to change their minds [...]/p
Wendy Davis vs. Texas GOP, Take 2
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What Future Protests Can Learn From Moral Mondays
What Future Protests Can Learn From Moral Mondays: Today, thousands of North Carolinians will convene on Raleigh for the ninth Moral Monday protest of 2013. The demonstration, led by the North Carolina NAACP and faith leaders from across the state, draws attention to the wide array of conservative legislation advanced by the Republican-held legislature, including attacks on abortion rights, the poor, and voting [...]/p
GOP Sneak Tactic Gives Ohio New Anti-Abortion Laws With New Budget
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Republican Obstruction Of Budget Process Hits 100th Day
Republican Obstruction Of Budget Process Hits 100th Day: Monday marks 100 days since the Senate passed a budget amid bipartisan praise of the open process. But initial Republican eagerness to work on a budget has given way to the obstructionism that’s defined the Senate minority under Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Over the past hundred days, Republicans have blocked 15 separate attempts to [...]/p
As Ohio Restricts Women's Health, Texas Continues To Fight
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Why Have Student Loans At All? Let's Get the Burdens of Debt off College Students' Backs -- And Make Wall St. Pick Up the Tab | Alternet
Why Have Student Loans At All? Let's Get the Burdens of Debt off College Students' Backs -- And Make Wall St. Pick Up the Tab | Alternet
"Anyone with a heartbeat knows that Wall Street took down the economy, killed millions of jobs and hasn't had to pay a penny for the damage it caused. In fact we are paying them for crashing the economy in the form of trillions in bailouts and low interest loans.
"Anyone with a heartbeat knows that Wall Street took down the economy, killed millions of jobs and hasn't had to pay a penny for the damage it caused. In fact we are paying them for crashing the economy in the form of trillions in bailouts and low interest loans.
Well, maybe it's time for Wall Street to contribute, rather than siphoning off our wealth. How about a sales tax on all transfers of stocks, bonds, and derivatives in order to fund tuition-free higher education?"
Monday, July 1, 2013
In One Month, Florida Will Privatize Prison Health Care, Lay Off Nearly 2,000 Employees
In One Month, Florida Will Privatize Prison Health Care, Lay Off Nearly 2,000 Employees: After a prolonged battle, Florida has set a date for when its prison health care system will be privatized, booting nearly 2,000 state employees out of their jobs. On August 1 of this year, Corizon Inc. — a Tennessee-based company with a sordid history of abuse — will become the major provider of health care [...]/p
Giving Birth In The U.S. Costs More Than Anywhere Else In The World
Giving Birth In The U.S. Costs More Than Anywhere Else In The World: Giving birth in U.S. hospitals is prohibitively expensive compared to all other industrialized nations, according to a new analysis published in the New York Times. But those high costs don’t correspond with improved health outcomes for either mother or child; nor do they represent easier access to prenatal and maternity care services. Maternity care prices [...]/p
Five Ways The Supreme Court Gave The Shaft To Workers
Five Ways The Supreme Court Gave The Shaft To Workers: Last week, a bare majority of the Supreme Court did something this Court rarely does — it made life markedly better for millions of Americans by striking down the unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act. This decision, however, should not overshadow the blow the Court’s conservatives dealt to the franchise by striking down a key prong [...]/p
6 Truly Unbelievable Ways Ohio Has Just Eviscerated Women's Rights | Alternet
6 Truly Unbelievable Ways Ohio Has Just Eviscerated Women's Rights | Alternet
"The bill is in line with the extreme measures the GOP has been pushing around the country and that caught national attention in Texas. Here are 6 of the worst anti-reproductive rights provisions contained in the Ohio state budget."
"The bill is in line with the extreme measures the GOP has been pushing around the country and that caught national attention in Texas. Here are 6 of the worst anti-reproductive rights provisions contained in the Ohio state budget."
Virginia Outsources Taxpayer Refund System, Private Companies Profit
Virginia Outsources Taxpayer Refund System, Private Companies Profit: In 2012, Virginia’s Republican-controlled legislature enacted a budget provision that effectively forced the state’s tax department to outsource its refund system to a debit card company, claiming it would save the government hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. But the state’s deal with Xerox to replace tax refund checks with Comerica-issued debit card has meant [...]/p
Texas Women’s Health Advocates Gear Up For Another Fight: ‘A Fuse Has Been Lit In Austin’
Texas Women’s Health Advocates Gear Up For Another Fight: ‘A Fuse Has Been Lit In Austin’: Texas’ second special session kicks off on Monday, and activists on the ground are ready for another battle. After thousands of protesters and state Sen. Wendy Davis (D-TX) successfully blocked a package of abortion restrictions from coming to a vote last week, Gov. Rick Perry (R) almost immediately called another extra lawmaking session. The governor [...]/p
Surrounded By Men, Ohio Governor Signs Stringent Abortion Restrictions Into Law
Surrounded By Men, Ohio Governor Signs Stringent Abortion Restrictions Into Law: Flanked by a group of other male officials, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) signed a contentious two-year budget bill into law on Sunday evening. The governor vetoed 22 amendments to HB 59 before approving it, but he left intact several provisions that will severely limit women’s reproductive access. The new budget, which takes effect on [...]/p
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