Saturday, August 27, 2011
5 Reasons Progressives Should Treat Ron Paul with Extreme Caution -- 'Cuddly' Libertarian Has Some Very Dark Politics | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
5 Reasons Progressives Should Treat Ron Paul with Extreme Caution -- 'Cuddly' Libertarian Has Some Very Dark Politics | Tea Party and the Right | AlterNet
There are few things as maddening in a maddening political season as the warm and fuzzy feelings some progressives evince for Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, the Republican presidential candidate. "The anti-war Republican," people say, as if that's good enough.
But Ron Paul is much, much more than that. He's the anti-Civil-Rights-Act Republican. He's an anti-reproductive-rights Republican. He's a gay-demonizing Republican. He's an anti-public education Republican and an anti-Social Security Republican. He's the John Birch Society's favorite Read More Here
There are few things as maddening in a maddening political season as the warm and fuzzy feelings some progressives evince for Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, the Republican presidential candidate. "The anti-war Republican," people say, as if that's good enough.
But Ron Paul is much, much more than that. He's the anti-Civil-Rights-Act Republican. He's an anti-reproductive-rights Republican. He's a gay-demonizing Republican. He's an anti-public education Republican and an anti-Social Security Republican. He's the John Birch Society's favorite Read More Here
Friday, August 26, 2011
Why Rick Perry Would Put the World on a Fast Track to Total Meltdown | Environment | AlterNet
Why Rick Perry Would Put the World on a Fast Track to Total Meltdown | Environment | AlterNet
From calling the BP disaster an "act of god" to responding to his state's drought with prayer, Perry's anti-environmental resume is extensive.
Burned trees, charred wildlife, destroyed homes — Texas has endured more than 16,000 wildfires since January, which have consumed over 3 million acres of land. With little rain, the state has become a tinderbox. Bloomberg reports that drought in Texas has resulted in $5.2 billion of agricultural losses ... and still counting. The state climatologist pegged the drought as the “worst single-year dry spell in 116 years,” according to the San Antonio Express-News. The town of Robert Lee in West Texas has seen its water supply dwindle to 1 percent and West Kemp is out of water. Read More Here.
From calling the BP disaster an "act of god" to responding to his state's drought with prayer, Perry's anti-environmental resume is extensive.
Group sues over Ohio prison privatization plan - Forbes.com
Group sues over Ohio prison privatization plan - Forbes.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A liberal policy group that previously sued over Gov. John Kasich's privatization of Ohio's economic development functions has filed a similar lawsuit challenging privatization of five state prisons. Read More Here
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A liberal policy group that previously sued over Gov. John Kasich's privatization of Ohio's economic development functions has filed a similar lawsuit challenging privatization of five state prisons. Read More Here
Ohio needs to stop privatization--Motivated In Ohio
Yesterday, I received a tweet which suggested Ohio should have a ballot initiative which would prohibit elected, or non elected officials, from privatizing Ohio's public assets without approval of the electorate. I have thought about this idea and I believe it is vital for Ohio.
There are several reasons this is vital for Ohio. First, we should not seek short term gain by the selling of, or long-term leasing of, our long-term profitable assets. This is exactly the case in the privatization of the state liquor stores. These stores are profitable and our short-term gain is offset by the long-term agreement.
Second, Ohio's prisons are going to be sold to for-profit corrections companies. Considering what has happened to our neighbor, Wilkes Barre, PA., and the fact that Governor Kasich has already picked Gary Mohr, who worked at CCA as his director of the Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, privatization is probably not the best way to go. CCA is one of the companies who is interested in purchasing Ohio's prisons. and, since the private prison industry is paid by capacity, the opportunity for corruption is great.
Third, the Turnpike lease will net less money for the state than the lease Indiana got for an older and shorter road.
Fourth, the Lottery is another of Ohio's money makers. While this in not privatized in the current budget, it is most likely being considered.
With Ohio being sold off in pieces, I think it's time for a ballot initiative that prohibits non-elected or elected officials from selling off, or leasing for more than 2 years or the end of the gubernatorial term whichever is less, Ohio's public properties.
[Thanks to Cletis for editing my random thoughts into a coherent piece.]
[Thanks to Cletis for editing my random thoughts into a coherent piece.]
This Labor Day We Need Protest Marches Rather than Parades | Common Dreams
Not only are 25 million unemployed or underemployed, but American companies continue to cut wages and benefits. The median wage is still dropping, adjusted for inflation. High unemployment has given employers extra bargaining leverage to wring out wage concessions. Read More Here
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Let's get America Working, and We can do it--Motivated In Ohio.
Do you want America to go back to work? Of course you do, (or else you need more help than is found in this humble blog). Does it seem impossible in the current economic climate? It isn't. I will take a big commitment, though.
In the next few months, if we all band together, we can make massive changes. How? Just buy American made products. There are a few things you will not be able to buy, such as coffee makers, computer and televisions. Shopping will not be fun. Looking for the made in the U.S.A. label takes longer. Some of the items cost more. We are in this ship together, and if we don't stop buying foreign made "stuff", the economy will not get better. Think of it as an investment in America.
If you agree pass this on.
In the next few months, if we all band together, we can make massive changes. How? Just buy American made products. There are a few things you will not be able to buy, such as coffee makers, computer and televisions. Shopping will not be fun. Looking for the made in the U.S.A. label takes longer. Some of the items cost more. We are in this ship together, and if we don't stop buying foreign made "stuff", the economy will not get better. Think of it as an investment in America.
If you agree pass this on.
Rep. Chabot’s Conspiracy Theory: ThinkProgress Organized Town Hall Protest
Free Market Policies Failed [repost] | OhioDaily
Free Market Policies Failed [repost] | OhioDaily
What we’ve seen over the past few years is an utter failing of free market policies. The colossal bank failures that brought down the global economy and put the world into a recession were a hundred-percent due to free market politics gone wrong. Trying to blame Republicans or Democrats for the meltdown is worthless - - it’s the policies that failed. Read More Here
h/t Adrienne.
How the Right has Stolen Everything From Ordinary People--Motivated in Ohio
I was at Think Progress this morning. I read how Marco Rubio said that Medicare and Social Security made the average person lazy and dependent. I am old enough to remember when average workers in the United States got pensions as part of their income. As a safety net, Social Security was there for people whose company had no pension or circumstance made it impossible to live on the pension.
The government then made incentives for 401K's to be the new retirement plan, making sure that Wall Street got their cut of the retirement of the average worker. Wall Street then turned into a casino, and gambled with everyone's retirement. The people who haven't had to cash in their 401K to live, are worried that it may not be there when they retire. The Republicans want to vilify Social Security, and Medicare. I have heard this over and over. That is the first step to ending it. They have outsourced good jobs, they have called Americans who are unemployed because of their actions, lazy. They have made an economy where a million people, apply for 60,000 jobs at McDonald's. And the last vestige of hope for the Elderly, Medicare and Social Security, they are attacking.
What is next? Will we end up in a world like Logan's Run, where everyone over a certain age is put to death? Will we just make sure that elderly people are so poor that they commit suicide or starve to death? If this is not evil, I do not know what is.
The government then made incentives for 401K's to be the new retirement plan, making sure that Wall Street got their cut of the retirement of the average worker. Wall Street then turned into a casino, and gambled with everyone's retirement. The people who haven't had to cash in their 401K to live, are worried that it may not be there when they retire. The Republicans want to vilify Social Security, and Medicare. I have heard this over and over. That is the first step to ending it. They have outsourced good jobs, they have called Americans who are unemployed because of their actions, lazy. They have made an economy where a million people, apply for 60,000 jobs at McDonald's. And the last vestige of hope for the Elderly, Medicare and Social Security, they are attacking.
What is next? Will we end up in a world like Logan's Run, where everyone over a certain age is put to death? Will we just make sure that elderly people are so poor that they commit suicide or starve to death? If this is not evil, I do not know what is.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Dan Bimrose: Is John Kasich Hearing Whispers?
Dan Bimrose: Is John Kasich Hearing Whispers?
Ohio Republican Governor John Kasich enjoys a 36 percent approval rating. The only other governor with a lower approval rating is Republican Rick Scott of Florida.
Although I do not live in Ohio, I live close enough that my news is Ohio's news. I get to see a great deal, too much really, on John Kasich. Read More Here
Ohio Republican Governor John Kasich enjoys a 36 percent approval rating. The only other governor with a lower approval rating is Republican Rick Scott of Florida.
Although I do not live in Ohio, I live close enough that my news is Ohio's news. I get to see a great deal, too much really, on John Kasich. Read More Here
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
The Fed Audit - Newsroom: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (Vermont)
The Fed Audit - Newsroom: U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (Vermont)
The first top-to-bottom audit of the Federal Reserve uncovered eye-popping new details about how the U.S. provided a whopping $16 trillion in secret loans to bail out American and foreign banks and businesses during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. An amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders to the Wall Street reform law passed one year ago this week directed the Government Accountability Office to conduct the study. "As a result of this audit, we now know that the Federal Reserve provided more than $16 trillion in total financial assistance to some of the largest financial institutions and corporations in the United States and throughout the world," said Sanders. "This is a clear case of socialism for the rich and rugged, you're-on-your-own individualism for everyone else." Read More Here
The first top-to-bottom audit of the Federal Reserve uncovered eye-popping new details about how the U.S. provided a whopping $16 trillion in secret loans to bail out American and foreign banks and businesses during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. An amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders to the Wall Street reform law passed one year ago this week directed the Government Accountability Office to conduct the study. "As a result of this audit, we now know that the Federal Reserve provided more than $16 trillion in total financial assistance to some of the largest financial institutions and corporations in the United States and throughout the world," said Sanders. "This is a clear case of socialism for the rich and rugged, you're-on-your-own individualism for everyone else." Read More Here
Never mind HB 194, GOP moves to suppress vote | OhioDaily
Never mind HB 194, GOP moves to suppress vote | OhioDaily
HB 194 was passed by Republicans in the legislature to restrict opportunities to vote and expand technicalities on which a ballot could be discounted. It's a voter suppression bill, plain and simple.
One of the things it does is forbids boards of election from mailing out applications for absentee ballots, something that voters in Cuyahoga County have gotten used to and have come to expect over the last five or so years. It's something voters will be waiting for. And HB 194 won't allow it, meaning that many voters in Ohio's most heavily Democratic county will miss the chance to vote conveniently as they did in 2008 — especially when combined with the shrunken early voting period. Gee, it's almost like someone was hoping Democrats wouldn't vote. Read More Here
HB 194 was passed by Republicans in the legislature to restrict opportunities to vote and expand technicalities on which a ballot could be discounted. It's a voter suppression bill, plain and simple.
One of the things it does is forbids boards of election from mailing out applications for absentee ballots, something that voters in Cuyahoga County have gotten used to and have come to expect over the last five or so years. It's something voters will be waiting for. And HB 194 won't allow it, meaning that many voters in Ohio's most heavily Democratic county will miss the chance to vote conveniently as they did in 2008 — especially when combined with the shrunken early voting period. Gee, it's almost like someone was hoping Democrats wouldn't vote. Read More Here
h/t Adrienne
Capital City FOP endorses 13 Democrats, 3 Republicans
Capital City FOP endorses 13 Democrats, 3 Republicans
The Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9 represents 28 law-enforcement agencies in Franklin County.
Last year they endorsed 19 Republicans and 6 Democrats. Read More Here
The Fraternal Order of Police Capital City Lodge No. 9 represents 28 law-enforcement agencies in Franklin County.
Last year they endorsed 19 Republicans and 6 Democrats. Read More Here
h/t Adrienne
Monday, August 22, 2011
Facing Deadline, Kasich Refuses Millions In Unemployment Funds Because Expanding Benefits ‘Makes No Sense’
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Why Perry Hates Those Regulators: They're Bad For (His) Business | National Memo | Breaking News, Smart Politics
Why Perry Hates Those Regulators: They're Bad For (His) Business | National Memo | Breaking News, Smart Politics
Like so many Republican officials of the Tea Party persuasion, Rick Perry despises the Environmental Protection Agency – a feeling he has expressed repeatedly in speeches, lawsuits, legislation and even a book titled Fed Up! Perhaps that is only natural for the governor of Texas, a “dirty energy” state where the protection of air, water, and human health rank well below the defense of oil company profits for most politicians. Read More Here
Like so many Republican officials of the Tea Party persuasion, Rick Perry despises the Environmental Protection Agency – a feeling he has expressed repeatedly in speeches, lawsuits, legislation and even a book titled Fed Up! Perhaps that is only natural for the governor of Texas, a “dirty energy” state where the protection of air, water, and human health rank well below the defense of oil company profits for most politicians. Read More Here
Are the Koch brothers afraid of the facts? « SpeakEasy
Are the Koch brothers afraid of the facts? « SpeakEasy
Charles and David Koch responded to our video, “Why do the Koch Brothers want to end public education?” Friday night. They didn’t like our video it seems.
Our film was about the big-money and high-stakes school board election in Wake County, North Carolina. We were able to connect the dots and demonstrate how Koch brothers’ wealth benefitted the forces of Jim Crow and candidates who employed “forced bussing” and “neighborhood schools” rhetoric made infamous by George Wallace. That was the video’s thesis and it’s backed up by the facts, the historical record, and the many public statements on the subject by the Koch brothers’ groups. Read More Here
Charles and David Koch responded to our video, “Why do the Koch Brothers want to end public education?” Friday night. They didn’t like our video it seems.
Our film was about the big-money and high-stakes school board election in Wake County, North Carolina. We were able to connect the dots and demonstrate how Koch brothers’ wealth benefitted the forces of Jim Crow and candidates who employed “forced bussing” and “neighborhood schools” rhetoric made infamous by George Wallace. That was the video’s thesis and it’s backed up by the facts, the historical record, and the many public statements on the subject by the Koch brothers’ groups. Read More Here
Taxing The Wealthy--Class Warfare?
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