Want to Cut Food Stamp Spending? Raise the Minimum Wage
"If minimum wage workers receives a raise, and that increase ripples up through the ever-growing low-wage end of our economy, the need for government assistance will decrease and therefore so will the spending on the programs. The right way to cut spending on assistance for Americans is to decrease the need for that assistance, not decrease assistance for those in need."
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
CA Assembly GOP Puts Up Fake California Health Exchange Site
CA Assembly GOP Puts Up Fake California Health Exchange Site
"What we have here are elected officials intentionally trying to make California's health exchange fail, and using taxpayer dollars to misinform taxpayers, using the standard fear and loathing tactics as their linchpin."
"What we have here are elected officials intentionally trying to make California's health exchange fail, and using taxpayer dollars to misinform taxpayers, using the standard fear and loathing tactics as their linchpin."
DonorsTrust—the Right's Dark-Money ATM—Pumps Out Record $96 Million
www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/12/donors-trust-franklin-center-alec-mercatus-center-dark-money
"Wealthy conservatives use DonorsTrust as a surefire way to invest their money, fingerprint-free, with the assurance it will end up in the right hands."
"Wealthy conservatives use DonorsTrust as a surefire way to invest their money, fingerprint-free, with the assurance it will end up in the right hands."
Hobby Lobby's Religion Doesn't Stop It From Buying Cheap Chinese Goods
Hobby Lobby's Religion Doesn't Stop It From Buying Cheap Chinese Goods
"Hobby Lobby's "religious values" don't extend to objecting to "family planning" and forced abortions in China."
"Hobby Lobby's "religious values" don't extend to objecting to "family planning" and forced abortions in China."
How Fast Food Giants Use Loopholes to Avoid taxes, Pay Execs Giant Pay, and the Workers Peanuts | Alternet
How Fast Food Giants Use Loopholes to Avoid taxes, Pay Execs Giant Pay, and the Workers Peanuts | Alternet
"The fast food industry is notorious for handing out lean paychecks to their burger flippers and fat ones to their CEOs. What’s less well-known is that taxpayers are actually subsidizing fast food incomes at both the bottom — and top — of the industry."
"The fast food industry is notorious for handing out lean paychecks to their burger flippers and fat ones to their CEOs. What’s less well-known is that taxpayers are actually subsidizing fast food incomes at both the bottom — and top — of the industry."
The Fake Obamacare Site That Is Trying To Trick Californians
www.thinkprogress.org/health/2013/12/03/3012281/california-republicans-trick-voters-fake-obamacare-site/
"Despite the GOP’s effort to dissuade Californians from purchasing coverage, however, nearly 80,000 people signed up for health insurance in the state’s new exchange as of late November, with approximately 2,7000 people enrolling daily.
A disclaimer on the site — which is situated next to a link to the Assembly Republican Caucus — notes that “The California State Assembly does not warrant or make any representations as to the quality, content, accuracy, or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links and other items contained on this server or any other server.” Indeed."
"Despite the GOP’s effort to dissuade Californians from purchasing coverage, however, nearly 80,000 people signed up for health insurance in the state’s new exchange as of late November, with approximately 2,7000 people enrolling daily.
A disclaimer on the site — which is situated next to a link to the Assembly Republican Caucus — notes that “The California State Assembly does not warrant or make any representations as to the quality, content, accuracy, or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links and other items contained on this server or any other server.” Indeed."
Oh Hell, 16, 12, 8 — Put Those Worthless Kids to Work!
Oh Hell, 16, 12, 8 — Put Those Worthless Kids to Work!
"Republicans are determined to undo every labor reform we’ve had in this country since sweatshops burned to the ground. And trust me, they don’t mean having their own kids work. They mean your kids."
"Republicans are determined to undo every labor reform we’ve had in this country since sweatshops burned to the ground. And trust me, they don’t mean having their own kids work. They mean your kids."
Judge OK's Detroit Bankruptcy, Puts Public Pensions Under the Axe | Common Dreams
Judge OK's Detroit Bankruptcy, Puts Public Pensions Under the Axe | Common Dreams
"U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes ruled Tuesday that the city of Detroit is eligible for bankruptcy after a long court battle between city appointed 'emergency manager' Kevyn Orr and union and labor activists who say the decision paves the way for workers' pensions to be cut."
"U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Steven Rhodes ruled Tuesday that the city of Detroit is eligible for bankruptcy after a long court battle between city appointed 'emergency manager' Kevyn Orr and union and labor activists who say the decision paves the way for workers' pensions to be cut."
California Ballot Initiative Would Rig Next Presidential Election For Republicans
www.thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/12/03/3007311/gop-plan-rig-electoral-college-republicans-rears-head-california-2/
"The trick behind this proposal is that if would only change the law in California, while leaving red states free to award all of their electors to the Republican"
"The trick behind this proposal is that if would only change the law in California, while leaving red states free to award all of their electors to the Republican"
#PensionTheft: Public Workers Under Attack in Illinois | Common Dreams
#PensionTheft: Public Workers Under Attack in Illinois | Common Dreams
"A critical vote for past, current, and future public workers is set to take place in the Illinois General Assembly today and if Governor Pat Quinn gets his way and deep cuts are made to the pension and retirement rules, critics worry that similar efforts to strip workers of their earned retirement benefits will be replicated nationwide."
"A critical vote for past, current, and future public workers is set to take place in the Illinois General Assembly today and if Governor Pat Quinn gets his way and deep cuts are made to the pension and retirement rules, critics worry that similar efforts to strip workers of their earned retirement benefits will be replicated nationwide."
PERRspectives: GOP: Founding Fathers Created Defect-Free Constitution, Ended Scourge of Slavery
PERRspectives: GOP: Founding Fathers Created Defect-Free Constitution, Ended Scourge of Slavery
"The Republican National Committee's proclamation honoringRosa Park's "role in ending racism" is continuing to receive the scorn and derision it richly deserves. As it turns out, the GOP's attempt to literally whitewash American history is hardly its first."
"The Republican National Committee's proclamation honoringRosa Park's "role in ending racism" is continuing to receive the scorn and derision it richly deserves. As it turns out, the GOP's attempt to literally whitewash American history is hardly its first."
Global Elites Getting Nervous About Skyrocketing Inequality (But Won't Spare a Nickel to Fix It) | Alternet
Global Elites Getting Nervous About Skyrocketing Inequality (But Won't Spare a Nickel to Fix It) | Alternet
"Global elites are getting a bit antsy these days.
"Global elites are getting a bit antsy these days.
A new study by the World Economic Forum based on a survey of 1,592 leaders from academia, business, government, and the non-profit world suggests that all is not cheery at the top. It seems that elites believe that the second biggest problem facing Planet Earth in 2014 is widening income disparities (unrest in the Middle East and North Africa is their top worry). When it comes to economic issues, elites and ordinary folks are often at odds, but according to a recent Pew survey, they converge on identifying the gap between rich and poor as a major flaw in the system."
Monday, December 2, 2013
ALEC’s Extreme Legislative Agenda for 2014
ALEC’s Extreme Legislative Agenda for 2014
"On ALEC's agenda for 2014 are the following priorities and bills (which will become official ALEC "models" once passed by the task forces -- with corporate lobbyists voting as equals alongside state legislators -- and approved by the board of directors)"
"On ALEC's agenda for 2014 are the following priorities and bills (which will become official ALEC "models" once passed by the task forces -- with corporate lobbyists voting as equals alongside state legislators -- and approved by the board of directors)"
Coca-Cola's Conspiracy Against Tap Water | The Progressive
Coca-Cola's Conspiracy Against Tap Water | The Progressive
"Coca-Cola is running a stealth advertising campaign.
Stealth? Why would a corporation as ad-dependent as Coke spend big bucks on advertising that it doesn't want consumers to notice? Shhhh – because the campaign is a surreptitious ploy to enlist restaurants in a marketing conspiracy that targets you, your children, and – of course – your wallet."
"Coca-Cola is running a stealth advertising campaign.
Stealth? Why would a corporation as ad-dependent as Coke spend big bucks on advertising that it doesn't want consumers to notice? Shhhh – because the campaign is a surreptitious ploy to enlist restaurants in a marketing conspiracy that targets you, your children, and – of course – your wallet."
Leak Forces Shut Down of Fukushima Water Decontamination Unit | Common Dreams
Leak Forces Shut Down of Fukushima Water Decontamination Unit | Common Dreams
"One of the "crucial" units to decontaminate toxic wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear power plant was shut off Sunday after a leak of hydrochloric acid was found."
"One of the "crucial" units to decontaminate toxic wastewater at the Fukushima nuclear power plant was shut off Sunday after a leak of hydrochloric acid was found."
Thanks for killing the planet, boomers!
Thanks for killing the planet, boomers!
"Unfortunately, the world as we know it is ending, and no one can reasonably hope to avoid the constellation of catastrophic, ecological and social disasters that are all but certain to manifest, exacerbating one another’s horrific, deadly consequences. And yet our politicians can’t be bothered to care, a substantial portion of Americans aren’t convinced that it’s even happening (despite overwhelming, unimpeachable evidence to the contrary), and the enormity of the issue is downplayed basically everywhere outside the bounds of the largely-ghettoized “environmental/green reporting,” uniformly marginalized and dismissed by the mainstream press."
"Unfortunately, the world as we know it is ending, and no one can reasonably hope to avoid the constellation of catastrophic, ecological and social disasters that are all but certain to manifest, exacerbating one another’s horrific, deadly consequences. And yet our politicians can’t be bothered to care, a substantial portion of Americans aren’t convinced that it’s even happening (despite overwhelming, unimpeachable evidence to the contrary), and the enormity of the issue is downplayed basically everywhere outside the bounds of the largely-ghettoized “environmental/green reporting,” uniformly marginalized and dismissed by the mainstream press."
Right-wing garbage debunked: No, regulation doesn’t kill jobs
Right-wing garbage debunked: No, regulation doesn’t kill jobs
"The right loves to warn that regulations will harm "job creators." A new report explains why that's nonsense"
"The right loves to warn that regulations will harm "job creators." A new report explains why that's nonsense"
Republicans’ self-hatred swells: The GOP vs. its own base
Republicans’ self-hatred swells: The GOP vs. its own base
"Rick Santorum is unhappy that older people, who tend to vote Republican, are getting insurance via the ACA"
"Rick Santorum is unhappy that older people, who tend to vote Republican, are getting insurance via the ACA"
Will women revolt in 2014 or let others control their interests?
www.dailykos.com/story/2013/12/01/1259065/-Will-women-revolt-in-2014-or-let-others-control-their-interests
"The reality is that women make up a larger portion of the voting electorate. The rights of women are under attack for financial, patriarchal and ideological reasons. Will women really allow a failed website rollout to have them elect those that would re-impose restrictions they have fought for over many decades? Are women really ready to entrust their freedoms to those intent on relegating them back to male dominion?
My wife and the cancer survivor did not have a real choice in losing something dear to them. All women that vote, however, have the right and ability to vote their economic interests, their bodily control interests and their equal access interests. Will women follow the path of many oppressed groups and either vote against their interests or not participate in the election process at all? Or will women revolt in 2014 to rid Washington of all those opposing their interests? The results of the 2014 election will affect women’s rights for decades to come."
"The reality is that women make up a larger portion of the voting electorate. The rights of women are under attack for financial, patriarchal and ideological reasons. Will women really allow a failed website rollout to have them elect those that would re-impose restrictions they have fought for over many decades? Are women really ready to entrust their freedoms to those intent on relegating them back to male dominion?
My wife and the cancer survivor did not have a real choice in losing something dear to them. All women that vote, however, have the right and ability to vote their economic interests, their bodily control interests and their equal access interests. Will women follow the path of many oppressed groups and either vote against their interests or not participate in the election process at all? Or will women revolt in 2014 to rid Washington of all those opposing their interests? The results of the 2014 election will affect women’s rights for decades to come."
Despite Popular Demand, SEC Will Not Make Corporate Transparency A Priority For 2014
www.thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/12/02/3007731/sec-disclosure-omission/
"Unlike last year’s, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s list of regulatory priorities for 2014 does not include consideration of how to ensure public companies provide investors with transparency about their corporate political spending. This comes despite hundreds of thousands of Americans encouraging the agency to do so."
"Unlike last year’s, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s list of regulatory priorities for 2014 does not include consideration of how to ensure public companies provide investors with transparency about their corporate political spending. This comes despite hundreds of thousands of Americans encouraging the agency to do so."
Training for Success: A Policy to Expand Apprenticeships in the United States
www.americanprogress.org/issues/labor/report/2013/12/02/79991/training-for-success-a-policy-to-expand-apprenticeships-in-the-united-states/
"By expanding apprenticeships in the United States, policymakers can create pathways to well-paying middle-class jobs for young Americans, while helping businesses meet the need for skilled workers."
"By expanding apprenticeships in the United States, policymakers can create pathways to well-paying middle-class jobs for young Americans, while helping businesses meet the need for skilled workers."
Conservative Claims About Minimum Wage Put To The Test After Town Increases It To $15
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/11/27/seatac-minimum-wage-raised-15/
"The residents of SeaTac, WA — a little hamlet of 27,667 people — are under attack by the Koch Brothers and affiliated right-wing groups, after the results of their last election. The reason why? The town dared to raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour."
"The residents of SeaTac, WA — a little hamlet of 27,667 people — are under attack by the Koch Brothers and affiliated right-wing groups, after the results of their last election. The reason why? The town dared to raise its minimum wage to $15 per hour."
Kevin Madden: Minimum Wage Hike Denies 'Opportunity' for 'Bottom Rung of the Economic Ladder'
Kevin Madden: Minimum Wage Hike Denies 'Opportunity' for 'Bottom Rung of the Economic Ladder'
"CNN contributor Kevin Madden, a former advisor and spokesperson for Mitt Romney (R), said on Sunday that Congress should not raise the minimum wage because it would deny people the "opportunity to grab that bottom rung of the economic ladder"."
"CNN contributor Kevin Madden, a former advisor and spokesperson for Mitt Romney (R), said on Sunday that Congress should not raise the minimum wage because it would deny people the "opportunity to grab that bottom rung of the economic ladder"."
GOP Credits Rosa Parks For ‘Ending Racism’
www.thinkprogress.org/justice/2013/12/01/3007041/gop-credits-rosa-parks-ending-racism/
"Racism, of course, hasn’t ended and may have actually increased since the election of President Obama in 2008."
"Racism, of course, hasn’t ended and may have actually increased since the election of President Obama in 2008."
Fast Food Strikes Will Hit 100 Cities On Thursday
www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/12/02/3007431/fast-food-strikes-100-cities/
"Fast food workers will stage a one-day strike against their employers in 100 cities on Thursday, activists told the New York Times’s Steven Greenhouse. Strikes will take place for the first time in some cities, such as Charleston, SC; Providence, RI; and Pittsburgh, PA.
They’ll also stage protests in an additional 100 cities, activists say."
"Fast food workers will stage a one-day strike against their employers in 100 cities on Thursday, activists told the New York Times’s Steven Greenhouse. Strikes will take place for the first time in some cities, such as Charleston, SC; Providence, RI; and Pittsburgh, PA.
They’ll also stage protests in an additional 100 cities, activists say."
Francis Fallout: The Right Rushes To Defend Capitalism
Francis Fallout: The Right Rushes To Defend Capitalism
"Francis' message threatens economic hucksters and unreconstructed Cold Warriors. It exposes the men behind the curtain. And they're not kindly, well-meaning old men who are just poor wizards. Last week they were more transparently venal than usual."
"Francis' message threatens economic hucksters and unreconstructed Cold Warriors. It exposes the men behind the curtain. And they're not kindly, well-meaning old men who are just poor wizards. Last week they were more transparently venal than usual."
Ted Cruz Begins Sad Backtrack on the Importance of ACA Website as Site’s Issues Fade
www.forwardprogressives.com/ted-cruz-begins-sad-backtrack-on-the-importance-of-aca-website-as-sites-issues-fade/
"You had to know that this was coming. After weeks and weeks of right-wing propaganda pointing to the failures of the Affordable Care Act website as the proof that “Obamacare” is a failure, now that it’s pretty much fixed and working, we’re going to start seeing Republicans minimize the importance of the functionality of the website. Which is exactly what Ted Cruz’s sentiments were with his tweet where he said that a “Faulty website is but 1 symptom of Obamacare. In other words, “Damn, now that the website is working I won’t be able to use it to attack “Obamacare” so I need to downplay the importance of it.”
It’s just sad."
"You had to know that this was coming. After weeks and weeks of right-wing propaganda pointing to the failures of the Affordable Care Act website as the proof that “Obamacare” is a failure, now that it’s pretty much fixed and working, we’re going to start seeing Republicans minimize the importance of the functionality of the website. Which is exactly what Ted Cruz’s sentiments were with his tweet where he said that a “Faulty website is but 1 symptom of Obamacare. In other words, “Damn, now that the website is working I won’t be able to use it to attack “Obamacare” so I need to downplay the importance of it.”
It’s just sad."
Rick Santorum Insists That He Has The Right To Force His Religious Views Upon Women (VIDEO)
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/12/01/rick-santorum-insists-that-he-has-the-right-to-force-his-religious-views-upon-women-video/
"In the wake of his massive failure as a movie-maker, Rick Santorum has returned to the political realm to argue that religious rights trump women’s health."
"In the wake of his massive failure as a movie-maker, Rick Santorum has returned to the political realm to argue that religious rights trump women’s health."
6 Signs Our Culture Is Sick With Greed | Alternet
6 Signs Our Culture Is Sick With Greed | Alternet
"The love of money for money’s sake is the social disease of our time. We see it all around us: in the celebration of ill-gotten stock gains, public admiration for the heads of criminal banks, the words of Kanye West, in the commercialization of charity and even spirituality."
"The love of money for money’s sake is the social disease of our time. We see it all around us: in the celebration of ill-gotten stock gains, public admiration for the heads of criminal banks, the words of Kanye West, in the commercialization of charity and even spirituality."
Where The Minimum Wage Would Be If It Kept Pace With The Earnings Of The 1%
www.thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/12/01/3007011/minimum-wage-percent-leave-workers/
"If the minimum wage had grown at the same rate as the earnings of the top one percent of Americans the federal wage floor would be more than triple the current hourly minimum of $7.25. Instead, the minimum wage has been lower than a poverty wage ever since 1982."
"If the minimum wage had grown at the same rate as the earnings of the top one percent of Americans the federal wage floor would be more than triple the current hourly minimum of $7.25. Instead, the minimum wage has been lower than a poverty wage ever since 1982."
TEPCO Downplays Huge Risks Involved in Removing Fukushima Fuel Rods
TEPCO Downplays Huge Risks Involved in Removing Fukushima Fuel Rods
"Arnie Gunderson: Agencies overseeing cleanup like the IAEA are biased towards defending and promoting nuclear power."
"Arnie Gunderson: Agencies overseeing cleanup like the IAEA are biased towards defending and promoting nuclear power."
8 Miraculous Medical Marijuana Survival Stories | Alternet
8 Miraculous Medical Marijuana Survival Stories | Alternet
"If there weren’t already enough good reasons to legalize pot, the discovery that marijuana may have the medical potential to cure people from debilitating illnesses, as the following inspirational stories suggest, may prove to be the most convincing argument yet."
"If there weren’t already enough good reasons to legalize pot, the discovery that marijuana may have the medical potential to cure people from debilitating illnesses, as the following inspirational stories suggest, may prove to be the most convincing argument yet."
Sorry, Neoliberals: Inequality Is Driven by Greed, Not Technology | Alternet
Sorry, Neoliberals: Inequality Is Driven by Greed, Not Technology | Alternet
"A new study shows low wages are really caused by low minimum wage, weakened unions and the effects of globalization."
"A new study shows low wages are really caused by low minimum wage, weakened unions and the effects of globalization."
Five Ways We're Being Violated by Big Business | Common Dreams
Five Ways We're Being Violated by Big Business | Common Dreams
"We already pay dearly for energy, medicine, banking, and telecommunications services. But a little research reveals that we're paying more—much more—in a variety of ways that our business-friendly mainstream media won't talk about."
"We already pay dearly for energy, medicine, banking, and telecommunications services. But a little research reveals that we're paying more—much more—in a variety of ways that our business-friendly mainstream media won't talk about."
Noam Chomsky: America Hates Its Poor | Alternet
Noam Chomsky: America Hates Its Poor | Alternet
"Linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky on our country's brutal class warfare -- and why it's ultimately so one-sided."
"Linguist and philosopher Noam Chomsky on our country's brutal class warfare -- and why it's ultimately so one-sided."
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Santorum Complains That 'Sicker, Older' People are Getting Insurance
Santorum Complains That 'Sicker, Older' People are Getting Insurance
"I don't know who Rick Santorum is trying to appeal to with this fearmongering on CNN's State of the Union this Saturday, but it seems to me he's taking aim straight at the GOP's base with his complaints about people over sixty now being able to get health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act."
"I don't know who Rick Santorum is trying to appeal to with this fearmongering on CNN's State of the Union this Saturday, but it seems to me he's taking aim straight at the GOP's base with his complaints about people over sixty now being able to get health insurance due to the Affordable Care Act."
10 Outrages and Crazy Statements by Right-Wingers This Week: Pope Provokes Free-Market Freakout | Alternet
10 Outrages and Crazy Statements by Right-Wingers This Week: Pope Provokes Free-Market Freakout | Alternet
"Before the Thanksgiving floats, there was the usual parade of right-wing nuts this week, many of whom became apoplectic after Pope Francis’ much-publicized Joy of the Gospel document, which critiqued unfettered capitalism and insinuated that thoroughly discredited trickle-down economics is naïve and just plain wrong."
"Before the Thanksgiving floats, there was the usual parade of right-wing nuts this week, many of whom became apoplectic after Pope Francis’ much-publicized Joy of the Gospel document, which critiqued unfettered capitalism and insinuated that thoroughly discredited trickle-down economics is naïve and just plain wrong."
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