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Wednesday, September 18, 2013
'Secessionist' Movements Underscore the Far Right's Hatred of Democracy
'Secessionist' Movements Underscore the Far Right's Hatred of Democracy
"This is the reaction we've come to know and expect from people on the hardnosed edges of the American right: At the end of the day, they don't really believe in democracy. They don't believe in putting up with other citizens who believe differently, who pray differently, who dress and wear their hair and their clothes differently and eat differently and most of all who think differently from them."
"This is the reaction we've come to know and expect from people on the hardnosed edges of the American right: At the end of the day, they don't really believe in democracy. They don't believe in putting up with other citizens who believe differently, who pray differently, who dress and wear their hair and their clothes differently and eat differently and most of all who think differently from them."
Meet The Top Republican Vote Suppressor Who Wants To Be The Next Governor of Colorado
Meet The Top Republican Vote Suppressor Who Wants To Be The Next Governor of Colorado:
"In his announcement, Gessler promised deregulation of corporations, mocked renewable energy standards, and cited a group of secessionists who want to form their own state with fewer regulations on the oil and gas industries as a reason he should be governor."
"In his announcement, Gessler promised deregulation of corporations, mocked renewable energy standards, and cited a group of secessionists who want to form their own state with fewer regulations on the oil and gas industries as a reason he should be governor."
Cuccinelli Closely Linked To Party Chairman Who Made Anti-Semitic Joke At His Rally
Cuccinelli Closely Linked To Party Chairman Who Made Anti-Semitic Joke At His Rally: Ken Cuccinelli's campaign struggled to respond when a prominent Republican district chairman kicked off a campaign rally with an anti-Semitic joke.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
3 Charts That Show The GOP’s Budget Demands Keep Getting More Extreme
3 Charts That Show The GOP’s Budget Demands Keep Getting More Extreme: Republicans keep moving the goalposts and demanding more austerity.
Ted Cruz’s nightmare: Obamacare helps people!
Ted Cruz’s nightmare: Obamacare helps people!
"A new report shows most uninsured Americans will pay premiums of under $100 a month -- so Cruz says repeal it"
"A new report shows most uninsured Americans will pay premiums of under $100 a month -- so Cruz says repeal it"
GOP brass plays party for fools
GOP brass plays party for fools
"It seems like whenever the GOP’s trust problem with conservatives hits a new nadir, party leaders decide the best way to fix it is by trying to dupe them."
"It seems like whenever the GOP’s trust problem with conservatives hits a new nadir, party leaders decide the best way to fix it is by trying to dupe them."
The Myth of the “Free Market” and How to Make the Economy Work for Us | Common Dreams
The Myth of the “Free Market” and How to Make the Economy Work for Us | Common Dreams
"In reality, the “free market” is a bunch of rules about (1) what can be owned and traded (the genome? slaves? nuclear materials? babies? votes?); (2) on what terms (equal access to the internet? the right to organize unions? corporate monopolies? the length of patent protections? ); (3) under what conditions (poisonous drugs? unsafe foods? deceptive Ponzi schemes? uninsured derivatives? dangerous workplaces?) (4) what’s private and what’s public (police? roads? clean air and clean water? healthcare? good schools? parks and playgrounds?); (5) how to pay for what (taxes, user fees, individual pricing?). And so on.
These rules don’t exist in nature; they are human creations. Governments don’t “intrude” on free markets; governments organize and maintain them. Markets aren’t “free” of rules; the rules define them."
"In reality, the “free market” is a bunch of rules about (1) what can be owned and traded (the genome? slaves? nuclear materials? babies? votes?); (2) on what terms (equal access to the internet? the right to organize unions? corporate monopolies? the length of patent protections? ); (3) under what conditions (poisonous drugs? unsafe foods? deceptive Ponzi schemes? uninsured derivatives? dangerous workplaces?) (4) what’s private and what’s public (police? roads? clean air and clean water? healthcare? good schools? parks and playgrounds?); (5) how to pay for what (taxes, user fees, individual pricing?). And so on.
These rules don’t exist in nature; they are human creations. Governments don’t “intrude” on free markets; governments organize and maintain them. Markets aren’t “free” of rules; the rules define them."
Obamacare Will Give Americans Cheaper Health Coverage Options If They’re Laid Off From Work
Obamacare Will Give Americans Cheaper Health Coverage Options If They’re Laid Off From Work: In order to continue their old insurance plans, workers who get laid off have to pay huge premiums that tend to eat up most of their unemployment benefits. Under Obamacare, they'll have cheaper options.
Anniversary Present for Wall Street Banks: A Financial Speculation Tax | Common Dreams
Anniversary Present for Wall Street Banks: A Financial Speculation Tax | Common Dreams
"As we mark the fifth anniversary of the Wall Street bailouts, it is clear that little has changed in the way they do business. They are still engaging in the same sorts of market manipulation and tax gaming as they did before the crisis."
"As we mark the fifth anniversary of the Wall Street bailouts, it is clear that little has changed in the way they do business. They are still engaging in the same sorts of market manipulation and tax gaming as they did before the crisis."
Under Obamacare, Millions Of Americans Will Pay Less Than $100 Per Month For Health Insurance
Under Obamacare, Millions Of Americans Will Pay Less Than $100 Per Month For Health Insurance: According to a new report from the Obama administration, more than half of the Americans who are currently uninsured will be able to access health coverage under Obamacare for less than $100 each month.
Monday, September 16, 2013
We've Got a Billionaire Bailout Society—And the 99% May Never Recover From It In Our Lifetimes | Alternet
We've Got a Billionaire Bailout Society—And the 99% May Never Recover From It In Our Lifetimes | Alternet
"The top 1 percent live in another economic universe of high finance that sucks the wealth from the rest of us. In their world, banks (owned by and for the top 1%) are able to grow larger and larger so there is no chance they will be allowed to fail, even after these same banks took down the economy. (In 1965 they had assets equal to 17% percent of the U.S. economy. Today it's more than 65% percent.)"
"The top 1 percent live in another economic universe of high finance that sucks the wealth from the rest of us. In their world, banks (owned by and for the top 1%) are able to grow larger and larger so there is no chance they will be allowed to fail, even after these same banks took down the economy. (In 1965 they had assets equal to 17% percent of the U.S. economy. Today it's more than 65% percent.)"
Six Reasons Another Financial Crisis Is Inevitable | Common Dreams
Six Reasons Another Financial Crisis Is Inevitable | Common Dreams
"Five years after the fall of Lehman Brothers and the worst financial crisis since 1929, one thing seems certain: another meltdown of the financial system seems inevitable. Why? Because we still haven't fixed many of the problems that led to the last crisis."
"Five years after the fall of Lehman Brothers and the worst financial crisis since 1929, one thing seems certain: another meltdown of the financial system seems inevitable. Why? Because we still haven't fixed many of the problems that led to the last crisis."
Sunday, September 15, 2013
7 Totally Crazy Statements by Right-Wing Lunatics From This Week | Alternet
7 Totally Crazy Statements by Right-Wing Lunatics From This Week | Alternet
"What a week: Ted Cruz wishes America had 100 more senators like Jesse Helms."
"What a week: Ted Cruz wishes America had 100 more senators like Jesse Helms."
Saturday, September 14, 2013
The Old Extreme GOP vs. the New Extreme GOP: Whoever Wins, We Lose
The Old Extreme GOP vs. the New Extreme GOP: Whoever Wins, We Lose
"They're back - and they're more extreme than ever. GOP House leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor are still pushing economic ideas disproved a century ago, peddling deep spending cuts that would inflict more misery on the already-beleaguered majority.
"They're back - and they're more extreme than ever. GOP House leaders John Boehner and Eric Cantor are still pushing economic ideas disproved a century ago, peddling deep spending cuts that would inflict more misery on the already-beleaguered majority.
But that's not enough for the even more extreme right, for the politicians named Cruz and Paul and Lee, for the groups with names like "FreedomWorks" and "Club for Growth," and for the moneyed interests who fund them all.
The new Republican right is a tangled nest of snakes. Legislators and observers reach into it at their own risk.
However beyond the pale these new forces may seem, remember: The fact that their enemies are extreme doesn't mean that Boehner and Cantor aren't."
GOP War On Women Yields Gender Gap In VA Race
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US Conservatives Smitten With Virile Putin
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Fiscal Challenge Too Big For Weak GOP Leaders
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How the 1 Percent Suckered the Tea Party Crowd into Doing Their Bidding | Alternet
How the 1 Percent Suckered the Tea Party Crowd into Doing Their Bidding | Alternet
"Rich people’s movements have a permanent place in the American political bestiary. As long as one of our great political parties is programmatically allied with the radical rich, it is safe to predict that rich people’s movements will continue to influence public policy in ways that preserve—and perhaps even increase—the extremes of inequality in America."
"Rich people’s movements have a permanent place in the American political bestiary. As long as one of our great political parties is programmatically allied with the radical rich, it is safe to predict that rich people’s movements will continue to influence public policy in ways that preserve—and perhaps even increase—the extremes of inequality in America."
Schultz: Reaganomics Failed - It's Time For Liberal Politics
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Rick Scott Tries To Block Obamacare Implementation
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God Sends Bachmann Mixed Signals
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Friday, September 13, 2013
Wisconsin Attorney General Seeks to Vitiate Open Records Law to Protect ALEC’s National Treasurer
Wisconsin Attorney General Seeks to Vitiate Open Records Law to Protect ALEC’s National Treasurer
"Van Hollen’s department asserted in court filings that Wisconsin Senator -- and American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) national treasurer -- Leah Vukmir cannot be served with a court order demanding that she comply with her legal responsibilities under the open records law.
This novel legal argument reverses the policy and practice of prior Attorneys General and would make any state legislator immune from enforcement of the state open records law and any other civil matter."
"Van Hollen’s department asserted in court filings that Wisconsin Senator -- and American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) national treasurer -- Leah Vukmir cannot be served with a court order demanding that she comply with her legal responsibilities under the open records law.
This novel legal argument reverses the policy and practice of prior Attorneys General and would make any state legislator immune from enforcement of the state open records law and any other civil matter."
GOP’s Ted Cruz Says Senate Would Be Better If It Were Full Of Crazy, Unrepentant Racists (VIDEO)
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/09/13/ted-cruz-wants-more-racists-in-senate/
"Cruz praised Jesse Helms, a Southern senator famously known for his bigotry against homosexuals and his racism towards the African-American community. As Senator from North Carolina, Helms filibustered a bill in 1983 making Martin Luther King’s birthday a federal holiday, claimed that gay people were “weak, morally sick wretches,” opposed voting rights for black people, and tried to force the first African-American female Senator to cry by singing ‘Dixie’ in her face in an elevator among many other things.
Despite this, Cruz thinks “we need 100 more like Jesse Helms in the US Senate.”
The Texas Republican apparently idolized Helms when he was growing up, claiming that he donated money to the hateful senator when he was only 10-years-old because he believed “it wasn’t right” when his opponents attacked him for being a racist."
"Cruz praised Jesse Helms, a Southern senator famously known for his bigotry against homosexuals and his racism towards the African-American community. As Senator from North Carolina, Helms filibustered a bill in 1983 making Martin Luther King’s birthday a federal holiday, claimed that gay people were “weak, morally sick wretches,” opposed voting rights for black people, and tried to force the first African-American female Senator to cry by singing ‘Dixie’ in her face in an elevator among many other things.
Despite this, Cruz thinks “we need 100 more like Jesse Helms in the US Senate.”
The Texas Republican apparently idolized Helms when he was growing up, claiming that he donated money to the hateful senator when he was only 10-years-old because he believed “it wasn’t right” when his opponents attacked him for being a racist."
How a Koch Brothers 'Business League' Spent $236 Million to Frame the Debate | Common Dreams
How a Koch Brothers 'Business League' Spent $236 Million to Frame the Debate | Common Dreams
"This week, it has been revealed that Charles and David Koch and their wealthy partners funded an, until now, “secret bank” that made “grants” of $236 million during the 2012 election cycle to maintain the right-wing political infrastructure that advances their economic interests. And by all accounts, they’re just getting started."
"This week, it has been revealed that Charles and David Koch and their wealthy partners funded an, until now, “secret bank” that made “grants” of $236 million during the 2012 election cycle to maintain the right-wing political infrastructure that advances their economic interests. And by all accounts, they’re just getting started."
Tea Party Idiots Gleefully Anticipate Government Shutdown In Two Weeks
www.addictinginfo.org/2013/09/12/house-gop-is-forcing-a-government-shutdown/
"I feel it’s important to point out exactly what it is the GOP is trying to do here. This is America. We elect representatives and our president. They, in turn, appoint justices to the Supreme Court. The Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch are the three parts that comprise our government. Obamacare was passed by both houses of Congress over Republican opposition. It was signed into law by the president over Republican opposition. It was ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court over Republican opposition. It has passed every legislative and legal hurdle. The GOP lost this fight and lost it decisively.
Yet, here we are, poised on the brink of economic disaster because Republicans are essentially sore losers of the worst kind. Unable to defeat Obamacare by normal means they have literally resorted to extortion to overturn legislation they couldn’t stop from passing. When do you suppose the “liberal” media will make this point clear to the American public?"
"I feel it’s important to point out exactly what it is the GOP is trying to do here. This is America. We elect representatives and our president. They, in turn, appoint justices to the Supreme Court. The Executive Branch, the Legislative Branch and the Judicial Branch are the three parts that comprise our government. Obamacare was passed by both houses of Congress over Republican opposition. It was signed into law by the president over Republican opposition. It was ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court over Republican opposition. It has passed every legislative and legal hurdle. The GOP lost this fight and lost it decisively.
Yet, here we are, poised on the brink of economic disaster because Republicans are essentially sore losers of the worst kind. Unable to defeat Obamacare by normal means they have literally resorted to extortion to overturn legislation they couldn’t stop from passing. When do you suppose the “liberal” media will make this point clear to the American public?"
Signaling Distress, Ken Cuccinelli Shakes Up Gubernatorial Campaign Staff
www.politicususa.com/2013/09/13/signaling-distress-ken-cuccinelli-shakes-gubernatorial-campaign-staff.html
"The trailing extremist Ken Cuccinelli (R-VA) is officially sending out distress signals as he shakes up his campaign staff in the final push of his campaign."
"The trailing extremist Ken Cuccinelli (R-VA) is officially sending out distress signals as he shakes up his campaign staff in the final push of his campaign."
Schlafly: Strip Funding from Courts, Schools, Colleges, Child Protective Services, Social Safety Net, Feminists And Democrats | Right Wing Watch
Schlafly: Strip Funding from Courts, Schools, Colleges, Child Protective Services, Social Safety Net, Feminists And Democrats | Right Wing Watch
"In a column this week entitled “America’s War Against Traditional Marriage Endangers Our Democracy,” Schlafly goes after child protection services, day care, divorce courts and domestic violence protections – all of which she sees as threats to the family and our democracy-- and issues a call to “shame and cut off taxpayers’ money from the groups that killed the American family,” groups that she goes on to list: “Feminists, judges, legislators, public school teachers and administrators, so-called child protection agencies, professors, psychologists, college courses, government handouts and Democratic politicians who want big-government spending in order to win votes"."
"In a column this week entitled “America’s War Against Traditional Marriage Endangers Our Democracy,” Schlafly goes after child protection services, day care, divorce courts and domestic violence protections – all of which she sees as threats to the family and our democracy-- and issues a call to “shame and cut off taxpayers’ money from the groups that killed the American family,” groups that she goes on to list: “Feminists, judges, legislators, public school teachers and administrators, so-called child protection agencies, professors, psychologists, college courses, government handouts and Democratic politicians who want big-government spending in order to win votes"."
The GOP's Selective Listening Problem
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Deficit Falls To Lowest Level Since 2008, Discrediting Argument For More Cuts
Deficit Falls To Lowest Level Since 2008, Discrediting Argument For More Cuts:
"The falling deficits and lowered debt-to-GDP projections give the country room to enact targeted spending measures that would kick the economy into the sort of higher gear it needs to bring unemployment back down to pre-recession levels."
"The falling deficits and lowered debt-to-GDP projections give the country room to enact targeted spending measures that would kick the economy into the sort of higher gear it needs to bring unemployment back down to pre-recession levels."
Cruz Alarms With Praise Of Racist Jesse Helms
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GOP's White Vote Strategy Likely To Backfire
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Secret Koch Fund Decries ‘Corporate Welfare’ And Stimulus But Funds Their Top Defender
Secret Koch Fund Decries ‘Corporate Welfare’ And Stimulus But Funds Their Top Defender: A tax-exempt group claims to fight runaway stimulus spending and "corporate welfare" but gave millions to the Chamber of Commerce, perhaps the top backer of those programs.
Very Controversial Former Senator Lauded By Ted Cruz
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Secret Quarter-Billion-Dollar Koch Brothers Political Operation Revealed | Alternet
Secret Quarter-Billion-Dollar Koch Brothers Political Operation Revealed | Alternet
"The top 1 percent has an investment in destroying middle-class America."
"The top 1 percent has an investment in destroying middle-class America."
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Why Are We Just Finding Out About The Koch Bank?
Why Are We Just Finding Out About The Koch Bank?
"The lesson from this is that if we have to put up with this kind of money flowing into our elections, thesources of that money should be disclosed in real time without the benefit of bogus nonprofit shields."
"The lesson from this is that if we have to put up with this kind of money flowing into our elections, thesources of that money should be disclosed in real time without the benefit of bogus nonprofit shields."
11 Questions You Should Ask Libertarians to See if They're Hypocrites | Alternet
11 Questions You Should Ask Libertarians to See if They're Hypocrites | Alternet
"the libertarian movement has seen a strong resurgence in recent years, and there’s a simple reason for that: money, and the personal interests of some people who have a lot of it. Once relegated to drug-fueled college-dorm bull sessions, political libertarianism suddenly had pretensions of legitimacy. This revival is Koch-fueled, not coke-fueled, and exists only because in political debate, as in so many other walks of life, cash is king.
"the libertarian movement has seen a strong resurgence in recent years, and there’s a simple reason for that: money, and the personal interests of some people who have a lot of it. Once relegated to drug-fueled college-dorm bull sessions, political libertarianism suddenly had pretensions of legitimacy. This revival is Koch-fueled, not coke-fueled, and exists only because in political debate, as in so many other walks of life, cash is king.
The Koch brothers are principal funders of the Reason Foundation and Reason magazine."
How Big Money Bought North Carolina for Extremists | Right Wing Watch
How Big Money Bought North Carolina for Extremists | Right Wing Watch
"In the years since Citizens United, North Carolina has provided a clear example of what happens when a small number of corporate interests, allied with a far-right base, are allowed unbridled influence over elections. Since 2010, one North Carolina multimillionaire has marshaled the funds for a Republican takeover of the statehouse and governor’s mansion, leading to a slew of far-right legislation cutting benefits for working people, lowering teacher salaries, denying Medicaid coverage to half a million low-income people, defunding public education, eliminating protections against racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, gutting gun violence prevention efforts, attacking religious freedom and threatening women’s reproductive rights – all while cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy."
"In the years since Citizens United, North Carolina has provided a clear example of what happens when a small number of corporate interests, allied with a far-right base, are allowed unbridled influence over elections. Since 2010, one North Carolina multimillionaire has marshaled the funds for a Republican takeover of the statehouse and governor’s mansion, leading to a slew of far-right legislation cutting benefits for working people, lowering teacher salaries, denying Medicaid coverage to half a million low-income people, defunding public education, eliminating protections against racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, gutting gun violence prevention efforts, attacking religious freedom and threatening women’s reproductive rights – all while cutting taxes for corporations and the wealthy."
White Nationalist Group Upset It’s Not Getting Credit for Inventing GOP ‘Whites-Only’ Strategy | Right Wing Watch
White Nationalist Group Upset It’s Not Getting Credit for Inventing GOP ‘Whites-Only’ Strategy | Right Wing Watch
"As leaders of the Republican Party debate whether their party can remain viable without expanding its appeal among black and Latino voters, the white nationalist group that first outlined a GOP “whites-only” strategy for presidential victories wants credit for its idea."
"As leaders of the Republican Party debate whether their party can remain viable without expanding its appeal among black and Latino voters, the white nationalist group that first outlined a GOP “whites-only” strategy for presidential victories wants credit for its idea."
'Rosetta Stone' of the Right: Koch Bros. Financial Cabal Exposed | Common Dreams
'Rosetta Stone' of the Right: Koch Bros. Financial Cabal Exposed | Common Dreams
"A Politico exclusive published Thursday reveals for the first time that a highly secretive Virginia-based group serves as "the Koch brothers' secret bank," spending $250 million in 2012 alone "to shape political and policy debate nationwide"."
"A Politico exclusive published Thursday reveals for the first time that a highly secretive Virginia-based group serves as "the Koch brothers' secret bank," spending $250 million in 2012 alone "to shape political and policy debate nationwide"."
How Ted Cruz Is Keeping Jesse Helms’ Legacy Alive
How Ted Cruz Is Keeping Jesse Helms’ Legacy Alive: Helms, the longest serving senator from North Carolina, is renowned for speaking out against civil rights, voting rights, gay rights, and abortion -- causes that Cruz himself has embraced in his short senate tenure.
Health Care Reform:Health Insurance & Affordable Care Act
www.webmd.com/health-insurance/default.htm
GOP-led misinformation campaigns have left millions of Americans confused about health reform. The largest health website in the country wants to help change that.
GOP-led misinformation campaigns have left millions of Americans confused about health reform. The largest health website in the country wants to help change that.
Deep-Woods Lunatics Have High Hopes for Idaho Hideaway
Deep-Woods Lunatics Have High Hopes for Idaho Hideaway
"Notably, these cultural separatists were given a big shot in the arm by Glenn Beck not too long ago. This should not come as a surprise, really, since Beck has a long record of endorsing and empowering various kinds of far-right extremism -- particularly the notion of such cultural separatism and eliminationism directed at liberals -- as well as inspiring various acts of extremist violence. There's a reason we call him the "fearmonger in chief"."
"Notably, these cultural separatists were given a big shot in the arm by Glenn Beck not too long ago. This should not come as a surprise, really, since Beck has a long record of endorsing and empowering various kinds of far-right extremism -- particularly the notion of such cultural separatism and eliminationism directed at liberals -- as well as inspiring various acts of extremist violence. There's a reason we call him the "fearmonger in chief"."
Watch Daughter Of John Birchers Explain Why Tea Party Idiocy Is No Laughing Matter
www.occupydemocrats.com/watch-daughter-of-john-birchers-explain-why-tea-party-idiocy-is-no-laughing-matter-2/
"While it’s easy to laughingly dismiss Tea Party fools with their silly hats and misspelled signs, this knowledgeable daughter of some of the founding members of the John Birch Society knows that their mega astro-turf movement is dangerous, growing, well-funded, powerful, and to blame for Washington’s corporatist gridlock."
"While it’s easy to laughingly dismiss Tea Party fools with their silly hats and misspelled signs, this knowledgeable daughter of some of the founding members of the John Birch Society knows that their mega astro-turf movement is dangerous, growing, well-funded, powerful, and to blame for Washington’s corporatist gridlock."
Execution Delayed For Florida Fundraiser
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