Always on the Wrong Side of History: A Look at Many of the Constitutional Rights Conservatives Have Opposed
"But I must make one point very clear – when I say “conservatives,” I mean conservatives. Republicans haven’t always been conservatives. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1950′s and 60′s when the Republican party decided to embrace the South’s blatant racism, hoping to lure white voters to their side, that the GOP become the “party of Southern conservatives.” Because, as we all know, conservatives love to point out that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves and he was a Republican. That’s true, but he wasn’t a conservative. It’s as if conservatives willfully ignore the fact that the states which fought with the South during the Civil War are also the states that opposed integration, voting rights and the Civil Rights Act – and now almost every single one of them is strongly Republican."
Friday, June 19, 2015
How Right-Wing Media May Have Already Scared The GOP Away From 2016 Latino Outreach Efforts
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2015/06/18/how-right-wing-media-may-have-already-scared-th/204047
"Only one Republican presidential candidate reportedly made an appearance at the 32nd annual National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) convention, despite Republican National Committee and several GOP presidential hopefuls committing to reach out to Hispanic Americans. The snub comes after years of right-wing media's demonizing Hispanics and urging the GOP to take extreme positions on immigration."
"Only one Republican presidential candidate reportedly made an appearance at the 32nd annual National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) convention, despite Republican National Committee and several GOP presidential hopefuls committing to reach out to Hispanic Americans. The snub comes after years of right-wing media's demonizing Hispanics and urging the GOP to take extreme positions on immigration."
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Charleston Church Shooting Strikes Close To Home For President Obama (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/18/charleston-church-shooting-strikes-close-to-home-for-president-obama-video/
"Today marked the 14th time in just six and a half years that president Obama has addressed the nation on the heels of a mass shooting."
"Today marked the 14th time in just six and a half years that president Obama has addressed the nation on the heels of a mass shooting."
Alabama Cop’s White Supremacy Speech Caught On Camera (VIDEO)
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/18/josh-doggrell-white-supremacy-speech-caught-on-camera-video/
"During a League of the South convention, Doggrell took to the podium to express how good it was to be among people that “think like we do.” He also told members that he’s working on getting more people to come around to “our way of thinking.” He then went on to address the audience, made up of white, southern racists"
"During a League of the South convention, Doggrell took to the podium to express how good it was to be among people that “think like we do.” He also told members that he’s working on getting more people to come around to “our way of thinking.” He then went on to address the audience, made up of white, southern racists"
Why Conservatives Can't Stop Saying Insanely Dumb Things About Rape | Alternet
Why Conservatives Can't Stop Saying Insanely Dumb Things About Rape | Alternet
"While it’s never fun to hear pundits and politicians treat rape with a shrug of the shoulders, Scott Walker-style, we should all be ultimately grateful that Republicans just can’t leave this issue alone. Every time a conservative opens his mouth to talk about rape, he reminds the voters that the conservative ideology about sex and consent is radically opposed to where the rest of the country is headed. Better, after all, that we know where we stand than to elect them unwittingly and allow them to these backwards ideas into law."
"While it’s never fun to hear pundits and politicians treat rape with a shrug of the shoulders, Scott Walker-style, we should all be ultimately grateful that Republicans just can’t leave this issue alone. Every time a conservative opens his mouth to talk about rape, he reminds the voters that the conservative ideology about sex and consent is radically opposed to where the rest of the country is headed. Better, after all, that we know where we stand than to elect them unwittingly and allow them to these backwards ideas into law."
Charleston Suspect Dylann Roof's Idolization Of Rhodesia And South Africa Is Rooted In Right-Wing History | Alternet
Charleston Suspect Dylann Roof's Idolization Of Rhodesia And South Africa Is Rooted In Right-Wing History | Alternet
"But most of the American right today will never admit that this is the history it leaves behind: one of naked support for white supremacy and glamorizing of regimes and systems that systematically disenfranchised darker people."
"But most of the American right today will never admit that this is the history it leaves behind: one of naked support for white supremacy and glamorizing of regimes and systems that systematically disenfranchised darker people."
Focus On Islamic Extremism Leaves Radical Right Overlooked
http://thinkprogress.org/world/2015/06/18/3671603/focus-islamic-extremism-leaves-radical-right-overlooked/
"Similar incidents that have captured the nation’s eye and attracted this much media attention in recent history have concerned homegrown Islamic extremists. Meanwhile, relevant studies and polls have consistently shown that domestic attacks by right-wing radicals are a graver concern to law enforcement and have led to more deaths than the threat of “homegrown jihadists” in the dates following 9/11."
"Similar incidents that have captured the nation’s eye and attracted this much media attention in recent history have concerned homegrown Islamic extremists. Meanwhile, relevant studies and polls have consistently shown that domestic attacks by right-wing radicals are a graver concern to law enforcement and have led to more deaths than the threat of “homegrown jihadists” in the dates following 9/11."
Putting The Charleston Church Shooting In The Context Of History
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/06/18/3671290/tragic-history-of-violence-against-churches/
"Last night, in a horrific act of hateful violence, a white gunman shot and killed at least nine people at the historically black Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The incident, which is being investigated as a hate crime, immediately sparked outrage, with many wondering aloud how someone could commit such an act — especially in a church, were the victims were attending a Bible study.
But while Wednesday’s shooting is appalling, it’s not the first time Emanuel A.M.E. has endured violence. The historically progressive church, which was founded in 1791, was burned to the ground in 1822 by white supremacists for its connection to an attempted slave revolt.
In fact, the assault on prayerful worshippers in Charleston is part of a long, bloody history of houses of worship being attacked for their beliefs, their progressive activism, or simply for who they are. There are too many incidents to list all of them in a single post, but we’ve listed a few — both recent and historical — below."
"Last night, in a horrific act of hateful violence, a white gunman shot and killed at least nine people at the historically black Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina. The incident, which is being investigated as a hate crime, immediately sparked outrage, with many wondering aloud how someone could commit such an act — especially in a church, were the victims were attending a Bible study.
But while Wednesday’s shooting is appalling, it’s not the first time Emanuel A.M.E. has endured violence. The historically progressive church, which was founded in 1791, was burned to the ground in 1822 by white supremacists for its connection to an attempted slave revolt.
In fact, the assault on prayerful worshippers in Charleston is part of a long, bloody history of houses of worship being attacked for their beliefs, their progressive activism, or simply for who they are. There are too many incidents to list all of them in a single post, but we’ve listed a few — both recent and historical — below."
From Fox News to Lindsey Graham: The racist murderer targeted 'Christians', not black Americans
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/18/1394450/-From-Fox-News-to-Lindsey-Graham-The-racist-murderer-targeted-Christians-not-black-Americans
"To go even farther, and claim that their murder was not even about them, it was about your group, and how their murders prove how your group has been victimized. At least have the withered decency to acknowledge that the openly racist murderer was a racist murderer—that the man who said he was there to kill black Americans was, indeed, there to kill his victims for being black Americans. Do not give bullsh*t statements about your sympathies for the community when you aren't willing to even name the "community" being targeted."
"To go even farther, and claim that their murder was not even about them, it was about your group, and how their murders prove how your group has been victimized. At least have the withered decency to acknowledge that the openly racist murderer was a racist murderer—that the man who said he was there to kill black Americans was, indeed, there to kill his victims for being black Americans. Do not give bullsh*t statements about your sympathies for the community when you aren't willing to even name the "community" being targeted."
An Outraged And Disgusted Bernie Sanders Urges His Supporters To Donate To Emanuel AME Church
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/18/outraged-disgusted-bernie-sanders-urges-supporters-donate-emanuel-ame-church.html
"Sanders also urged his supporters to donate to the Emanuel AME Church, which you can do here. Sen. Sanders has over 200,000 donors, so if every donor would give the church one dollar that would mean more than $200,000 to help them in their time of grief."
"Sanders also urged his supporters to donate to the Emanuel AME Church, which you can do here. Sen. Sanders has over 200,000 donors, so if every donor would give the church one dollar that would mean more than $200,000 to help them in their time of grief."
Corporate Media And The Dangerous Right-Wing Elephant In The Room
Corporate Media And The Dangerous Right-Wing Elephant In The Room
"All you media types need to grow up and start talking about the big, fat, racist, violent, right-wing elephant in the room. You have special protection under the Constitution for a reason: You're supposed to be the watchdogs of the Republic. Do your frickin' jobs for a change.
You provide no context for right-wing garbage. You rarely talk back, or call a lie a lie. You treat crazy people as if they're sane, and worthy of support.
No wonder no one respects you. Your idea of "courage" is criticizing somebody's hairdo on the red carpet."
"All you media types need to grow up and start talking about the big, fat, racist, violent, right-wing elephant in the room. You have special protection under the Constitution for a reason: You're supposed to be the watchdogs of the Republic. Do your frickin' jobs for a change.
You provide no context for right-wing garbage. You rarely talk back, or call a lie a lie. You treat crazy people as if they're sane, and worthy of support.
No wonder no one respects you. Your idea of "courage" is criticizing somebody's hairdo on the red carpet."
Conservatives Ignore Racism And Spin Church Shooting As A War On Christianity
http://www.politicususa.com/2015/06/18/conservatives-ignore-racism-spin-church-shooting-war-christianity.html
"Conservatives are so busy trying to deny racism exists, and so determined to cast themselves as victims of religious persecution that they are unable to confront the ugly truth even when it stares them in the face."
"Conservatives are so busy trying to deny racism exists, and so determined to cast themselves as victims of religious persecution that they are unable to confront the ugly truth even when it stares them in the face."
The New York Times Warned Us
The New York Times Warned Us
"In contrast, right-wing extremists averaged 337 attacks per year in the decade after 9/11, causing a total of 254 fatalities, according to a study by Arie Perliger, a professor at the United States Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center. The toll has increased since the study was released in 2012."
"In contrast, right-wing extremists averaged 337 attacks per year in the decade after 9/11, causing a total of 254 fatalities, according to a study by Arie Perliger, a professor at the United States Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center. The toll has increased since the study was released in 2012."
A Tax System that Targets Workers
A Tax System that Targets Workers
"Where’s all this leading? In Arizona, the legislature has just yet again taken a meat cleaver to the state higher education budget, cutting $100 million — on top of a nearly 50 percent cut higher ed suffered in the aftermath of the financial crash. In Kansas, with Governor Brownback aggressively eviscerating the state income tax, funding cutbacks are forcing some local school districts to shut their school years down early. Other localities across the nation — think Ferguson, Missouri, for instance — are making up for the funding that used to come from tax revenues by doubling down on traffic fines and other penalties that fall largely on the poor and lower middle class."
"Where’s all this leading? In Arizona, the legislature has just yet again taken a meat cleaver to the state higher education budget, cutting $100 million — on top of a nearly 50 percent cut higher ed suffered in the aftermath of the financial crash. In Kansas, with Governor Brownback aggressively eviscerating the state income tax, funding cutbacks are forcing some local school districts to shut their school years down early. Other localities across the nation — think Ferguson, Missouri, for instance — are making up for the funding that used to come from tax revenues by doubling down on traffic fines and other penalties that fall largely on the poor and lower middle class."
White House race has already sparked $1 million in negative ads
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2015/06/11/17470/white-house-race-has-already-sparked-1-million-negative-ads
"To date, nearly all of the negativity has been directed at Democratic Party frontrunner Hillary Clinton, who announced her candidacy in mid-April.
This month alone, Clinton has been attacked by the Republican National Committee and a host of other conservative groups, including the Stop Hillary PAC and the Citizens United Super PAC."
"To date, nearly all of the negativity has been directed at Democratic Party frontrunner Hillary Clinton, who announced her candidacy in mid-April.
This month alone, Clinton has been attacked by the Republican National Committee and a host of other conservative groups, including the Stop Hillary PAC and the Citizens United Super PAC."
BUSTED: Donald Trump caught hiring extras for campaign launch at $50 a head
BUSTED: Donald Trump caught hiring extras for campaign launch at $50 a head
"the company, Extra Mile Casting, contacted background actors via email on June 12 seeking people to appear at Trump’s campaign launch and cheer for him, offering a rate of $50 in cash for less than three hours of work."
"the company, Extra Mile Casting, contacted background actors via email on June 12 seeking people to appear at Trump’s campaign launch and cheer for him, offering a rate of $50 in cash for less than three hours of work."
Donald Trump is about to prove what a joke the Republican Primary is
Donald Trump is about to prove what a joke the Republican Primary is
"With Trump officially joining the race, he vindicates the increasingly obvious analysis that the Republican Party, at the presidential level at least, is little more than a shell corporation for opportunists and careerists who aren’t interested in governing or even winning. The addition of Trump is the would-be final brick in the effort to turn the GOP’s nominating process into a dysfunctional and menacingly ugly reality show competition in which the contestants each scramble to be the most flagrant panderer to the Tea Party base and, subsequently, augment their Q-scores within the lucrative conservative entertainment complex. That’s the real prize, and Trump, above all the others, is aiming to scoop up as much of that as he can. He won’t win the nomination, but that’s not his goal, nor is it the goal of most of the field."
"With Trump officially joining the race, he vindicates the increasingly obvious analysis that the Republican Party, at the presidential level at least, is little more than a shell corporation for opportunists and careerists who aren’t interested in governing or even winning. The addition of Trump is the would-be final brick in the effort to turn the GOP’s nominating process into a dysfunctional and menacingly ugly reality show competition in which the contestants each scramble to be the most flagrant panderer to the Tea Party base and, subsequently, augment their Q-scores within the lucrative conservative entertainment complex. That’s the real prize, and Trump, above all the others, is aiming to scoop up as much of that as he can. He won’t win the nomination, but that’s not his goal, nor is it the goal of most of the field."
Republicans’ raging civil war: GOP can’t decide how best to take away your healthcare
Republicans’ raging civil war: GOP can’t decide how best to take away your healthcare
"Republican politicians are in the awkward position of rooting for the subsidies to be killed but also seeking to avoid the blowback that would come from effectively kicking millions of people off their insurance."
"Republican politicians are in the awkward position of rooting for the subsidies to be killed but also seeking to avoid the blowback that would come from effectively kicking millions of people off their insurance."
Supreme Court ruling against Obamacare could cause economic shockwaves
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/18/1392245/-Supreme-Court-ruling-against-Obamacare-could-cause-economic-nbsp-shockwaves
"The hospital sector alone gained more than 100,000 jobs in the last year. The repercussions of what more than six million people losing health insurance will be big. Very big. The repercussions of what Republicans would do in response would be even worse."
"The hospital sector alone gained more than 100,000 jobs in the last year. The repercussions of what more than six million people losing health insurance will be big. Very big. The repercussions of what Republicans would do in response would be even worse."
The Manipulative Way Obamacare Opponents Made Their Lawsuit Look Legitimate
http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2015/06/17/3670566/manipulative-way-obamacare-opponents-made-lawsuit-look-legitimate/
"A leading Republican attorney made a surprising admission at a legal conference this weekend, revealing a key element of the strategy he and many of his fellow Republican lawyers have used in order to lend credibility to lawsuits challenging Obama administration policies. The law’s supporters have long suspected the lawyers who challenged the Affordable Care Act of intentionally maneuvering to bring the case before a very conservative judge who was inclined to support their agenda. One of those lawyers helped feed those suspicions last Friday."
"A leading Republican attorney made a surprising admission at a legal conference this weekend, revealing a key element of the strategy he and many of his fellow Republican lawyers have used in order to lend credibility to lawsuits challenging Obama administration policies. The law’s supporters have long suspected the lawyers who challenged the Affordable Care Act of intentionally maneuvering to bring the case before a very conservative judge who was inclined to support their agenda. One of those lawyers helped feed those suspicions last Friday."
Infographic: How Many Women Are Benefiting from the Affordable Care Act?
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/women/news/2015/06/15/85389/infographic-how-many-women-are-benefiting-from-the-affordable-care-act/
"This infographic is a compilation of data from multiple sources to highlight how women are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act."
"This infographic is a compilation of data from multiple sources to highlight how women are benefiting from the Affordable Care Act."
Survey: Uninsured rate nears single digits for first time
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/06/16/1393695/-Survey-Uninsured-rate-nears-single-digits-for-first-time
"All the surveys conclude, though, that Obamacare has quickly succeeded in dramatically reducing the uninsured rate to the lowest levels on record. That's a well-documented success that only the most craven Republicans can deny, which they will because they are Republicans. But that denial is setting them up for some serious hurt if the Supreme Court rules their way in a few weeks and strips premium subsidies away from millions of people. Because, despite all their assurances that they've got a secret plan ready to go, it's obvious that their only plan right now is praying that the Supreme Court doesn't hand this mess to them. Because they got nothin'."
"All the surveys conclude, though, that Obamacare has quickly succeeded in dramatically reducing the uninsured rate to the lowest levels on record. That's a well-documented success that only the most craven Republicans can deny, which they will because they are Republicans. But that denial is setting them up for some serious hurt if the Supreme Court rules their way in a few weeks and strips premium subsidies away from millions of people. Because, despite all their assurances that they've got a secret plan ready to go, it's obvious that their only plan right now is praying that the Supreme Court doesn't hand this mess to them. Because they got nothin'."
Paul Ryan’s Disastrous Obamacare Interview Shows Republican Ideology is Officially Bankrupt
http://thedailybanter.com/2015/06/paul-ryans-disastrous-obamacare-interview-shows-republican-ideology-is-officially-bankrupt/
"Ryan’s inability to put forward literally anything that resembles a serious plan for the country’s health care system is indicative of a much wider problem the GOP will have to grapple with if it wants a shot in 2016. The truth is, the Republicans don’t actually have any serious ideas about anything. When your entire political philosophy has been built on the premise that free markets solve everything, you’ve pretty much absolved yourself of having to think about anything ever again. Sure, you can criticize those in power actually engaging in policy, pointing out problems, inconsistencies etc, etc, but you never have to offer anything up yourself. This works well in opposition, but tends to fall apart when applied – as did the country when free market militants took over from 2000-2008.
While impossible to predict the nature of the 2016 Presidential election, we can be sure it won’t be a battle of ideas. Because one side categorically doesn’t have any."
"Ryan’s inability to put forward literally anything that resembles a serious plan for the country’s health care system is indicative of a much wider problem the GOP will have to grapple with if it wants a shot in 2016. The truth is, the Republicans don’t actually have any serious ideas about anything. When your entire political philosophy has been built on the premise that free markets solve everything, you’ve pretty much absolved yourself of having to think about anything ever again. Sure, you can criticize those in power actually engaging in policy, pointing out problems, inconsistencies etc, etc, but you never have to offer anything up yourself. This works well in opposition, but tends to fall apart when applied – as did the country when free market militants took over from 2000-2008.
While impossible to predict the nature of the 2016 Presidential election, we can be sure it won’t be a battle of ideas. Because one side categorically doesn’t have any."
Watch: Chris Hayes Beats Down Ex-Senator's ACA Lies With Facts
Watch: Chris Hayes Beats Down Ex-Senator's ACA Lies With Facts
"Former Senator and Governor Judd Gregg was the guest. The topic was the Affordable Care Act, and Judd Gregg was serving up the usual nonsensical talking points in a particularly vitriolic way. From his claim that the ACA was a mess that helped no one, to his mockery of Hayes' claim that the ACA has gotten health coverage to millions, Gregg was mean, nasty, and rude.
Hayes was having none of it, and he used that good old fashioned fallback to debunk Gregg: Facts, with a touch of math for good measure.
Gregg scoffed at Hayes' use of the word "plummeted" to describe the uninsured rate in this country. But in fact, it has plummeted.
I was taken aback by the nastiness and disrespect Gregg showed Chris Hayes, but Hayes persisted in simply using facts and math to contradict his claims.
Watch it, because a transcript won't do it justice.
Aside to Chris Hayes: This is one that your colleagues (particularly Chuck Todd), should study to understand how to use facts to stop these talking points dead in their tracks. It's what we expect from our so-called liberal media, and you delivered.
The other thing you'll notice is that Gregg never answered the question."
"Former Senator and Governor Judd Gregg was the guest. The topic was the Affordable Care Act, and Judd Gregg was serving up the usual nonsensical talking points in a particularly vitriolic way. From his claim that the ACA was a mess that helped no one, to his mockery of Hayes' claim that the ACA has gotten health coverage to millions, Gregg was mean, nasty, and rude.
Hayes was having none of it, and he used that good old fashioned fallback to debunk Gregg: Facts, with a touch of math for good measure.
Gregg scoffed at Hayes' use of the word "plummeted" to describe the uninsured rate in this country. But in fact, it has plummeted.
I was taken aback by the nastiness and disrespect Gregg showed Chris Hayes, but Hayes persisted in simply using facts and math to contradict his claims.
Watch it, because a transcript won't do it justice.
Aside to Chris Hayes: This is one that your colleagues (particularly Chuck Todd), should study to understand how to use facts to stop these talking points dead in their tracks. It's what we expect from our so-called liberal media, and you delivered.
The other thing you'll notice is that Gregg never answered the question."
After Tax Cuts For Rich Wreck Budget, Kansas GOP Raises Taxes On Working Families
http://www.occupydemocrats.com/after-tax-cuts-for-rich-wreck-budget-kansas-gop-raises-taxes-on-working-families/
"Despite all of this, Brownback and Kansas Republicans are unrepentant for this gross mismanagement of state funding. The rest of the Republican Party clearly hasn’t learned anything from this experiment either, as legislators in Maine, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin are all pushing for their own versions of Brownback’s cuts. The trickle-down Reaganomics that are embedded in the Republican DNA have been proven to be a failure time and time again, but the conservative political machine refuses to stop funneling money to wealthy Americans while leaving everyday working families with empty pockets."
"Despite all of this, Brownback and Kansas Republicans are unrepentant for this gross mismanagement of state funding. The rest of the Republican Party clearly hasn’t learned anything from this experiment either, as legislators in Maine, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin are all pushing for their own versions of Brownback’s cuts. The trickle-down Reaganomics that are embedded in the Republican DNA have been proven to be a failure time and time again, but the conservative political machine refuses to stop funneling money to wealthy Americans while leaving everyday working families with empty pockets."
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
After Cutting Taxes On The Rich, Kansas Will Raise Taxes On The Poor To Pay For It
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2015/06/16/3669801/kansas-sales-tax-hike-budget-deal/
"Kansas lawmakers concluded the longest legislative session in state history Friday night by approving a slate of regressive tax hikes that will balance the state’s budget by targeting low-income workers and their families."
"Kansas lawmakers concluded the longest legislative session in state history Friday night by approving a slate of regressive tax hikes that will balance the state’s budget by targeting low-income workers and their families."
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback Cries During Meeting About State Budget He Destroyed
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/06/13/kansas-governor-sam-brownback-cries-during-meeting-about-state-budget-he-destroyed/
"Kansas Governor Sam Brownback (R) “got emotional” during a private meeting with Kansas House Republicans because learning that there are no good options once you almost singlehandedly tank your state’s economy on a quixotic quest to prove conservative economic theories work is a very bitter pill to swallow."
"Kansas Governor Sam Brownback (R) “got emotional” during a private meeting with Kansas House Republicans because learning that there are no good options once you almost singlehandedly tank your state’s economy on a quixotic quest to prove conservative economic theories work is a very bitter pill to swallow."
Walker's Wisconsin, a "Laboratory for Oligarchs"
Walker's Wisconsin, a "Laboratory for Oligarchs"
"Study after study has documented that misnamed "right to work" laws are associated with significantly lower wages for workers and undermine their skills and safety training. Walker promises more of the same in Wisconsin as the repeal of prevailing wage is being considered in the state legislature."
"Study after study has documented that misnamed "right to work" laws are associated with significantly lower wages for workers and undermine their skills and safety training. Walker promises more of the same in Wisconsin as the repeal of prevailing wage is being considered in the state legislature."
After Denying Health Insurance To 800k Poor, Florida Lawmakers Want To Reward Themselves With Cheap Insurance
After Denying Health Insurance To 800k Poor, Florida Lawmakers Want To Reward Themselves With Cheap Insurance
"It’s no wonder Scott has done just about everything he can to disenfranchise voters who tend to vote for Democrats in the state to ensure Republicans keep as much power as possible. Though it still blows my mind the people of Florida elected this crook to a second term. It’s not just that he’s sleazy, he’s flat-out incompetent as well. But if you’ve ever wanted a clear-cut example of what politicians really think of poor people, look no further than this. It’s pathetic that after years of denying nearly 1 million poor Floridians access to health insurance, many state lawmakers would approve ridiculously low premiums for themselves."
"It’s no wonder Scott has done just about everything he can to disenfranchise voters who tend to vote for Democrats in the state to ensure Republicans keep as much power as possible. Though it still blows my mind the people of Florida elected this crook to a second term. It’s not just that he’s sleazy, he’s flat-out incompetent as well. But if you’ve ever wanted a clear-cut example of what politicians really think of poor people, look no further than this. It’s pathetic that after years of denying nearly 1 million poor Floridians access to health insurance, many state lawmakers would approve ridiculously low premiums for themselves."
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Scott Walker's Shady Deals Win Him Campaign Cash From Billionaires
Scott Walker's Shady Deals Win Him Campaign Cash From Billionaires
"Mentioned in passing in the Times piece is Mark Block, the dirty political operative who built the Wisconsin chapter of the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a group integral to Walker’s good fortune. If you want to take the measure of the Wisconsin governor as he prepares a run for the Republican presidential nomination, Block’s contribution to Walker’s stardom is instructive.
When Block was tasked with building a new AFP chapter in the Dairy State, he did so with the expressed goal of challenging the teachers unions. As I reported for AlterNet in 2011, Block told participants in a February 2010 Sheboygan Tea Party rally (video) that he wouldn't be satisfied until membership in the Wisconsin AFP chapter equaled the membership of the state teachers union, the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
During the time that Block was building one of AFP’s most important chapters, he was also implicated in a voter-caging scheme in Milwaukee that targeted university students and residents of African-American neighborhoods for ballot challenges during the 2010 election, the one that landed Scott Walker, then the executive of Milwaukee County, the governor’s mansion. Also implicated in the scheme was Reince Priebus, then chairman of the state Republican Party, who was rewarded with the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.
At first, Block denied using the auspices of Americans for Prosperity to mail out the 500 letters to targeted voters that would be used as the means to challenge their votes. But when Tim Dake, leader of the Tea Party group Grandsons of Liberty that was involved in the activist part of the scheme, pointed the finger at Koch’s man in Wisconsin, Block relented and admitted his and AFP’s involvement."
"Mentioned in passing in the Times piece is Mark Block, the dirty political operative who built the Wisconsin chapter of the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a group integral to Walker’s good fortune. If you want to take the measure of the Wisconsin governor as he prepares a run for the Republican presidential nomination, Block’s contribution to Walker’s stardom is instructive.
When Block was tasked with building a new AFP chapter in the Dairy State, he did so with the expressed goal of challenging the teachers unions. As I reported for AlterNet in 2011, Block told participants in a February 2010 Sheboygan Tea Party rally (video) that he wouldn't be satisfied until membership in the Wisconsin AFP chapter equaled the membership of the state teachers union, the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
During the time that Block was building one of AFP’s most important chapters, he was also implicated in a voter-caging scheme in Milwaukee that targeted university students and residents of African-American neighborhoods for ballot challenges during the 2010 election, the one that landed Scott Walker, then the executive of Milwaukee County, the governor’s mansion. Also implicated in the scheme was Reince Priebus, then chairman of the state Republican Party, who was rewarded with the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee.
At first, Block denied using the auspices of Americans for Prosperity to mail out the 500 letters to targeted voters that would be used as the means to challenge their votes. But when Tim Dake, leader of the Tea Party group Grandsons of Liberty that was involved in the activist part of the scheme, pointed the finger at Koch’s man in Wisconsin, Block relented and admitted his and AFP’s involvement."
GOP lawmaker offers what may be the dumbest argument for voter suppression yet
GOP lawmaker offers what may be the dumbest argument for voter suppression yet
"Olsen has voted against the use of mail-in ballots and same-day voter registration, two initiatives meant to increase voter participation in California."
"Olsen has voted against the use of mail-in ballots and same-day voter registration, two initiatives meant to increase voter participation in California."
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