Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Friday, May 9, 2014
Obama, the feckless tyrant
article: But the condemnation continues, unrestrained by consistency. The conservative commentariat has turned on a dime from talk of “King Obama” to worry about the “price of weakness” and the president’s missing “backbone.”
A month ago, the Heritage Foundation president, former senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), called Obama a “playground bully” and an “imperial president.” Now DeMint accuses him of making “weak statements” that will “only invite aggression.”
Six weeks ago, Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a Senate candidate, posted a photo of Obama on Facebook with the messages “Stop the imperial president” and “Stop the Obama power grab.” Now Cotton has issued a statement accusing the president of “trembling inaction.”
Grabbing power with trembling inaction? Only the most diffident of despots could pull that off.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-obama-the-feckless-tyrant/2014/03/03/73470bdc-a320-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html
A month ago, the Heritage Foundation president, former senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), called Obama a “playground bully” and an “imperial president.” Now DeMint accuses him of making “weak statements” that will “only invite aggression.”
Six weeks ago, Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), a Senate candidate, posted a photo of Obama on Facebook with the messages “Stop the imperial president” and “Stop the Obama power grab.” Now Cotton has issued a statement accusing the president of “trembling inaction.”
Grabbing power with trembling inaction? Only the most diffident of despots could pull that off.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-obama-the-feckless-tyrant/2014/03/03/73470bdc-a320-11e3-84d4-e59b1709222c_story.html
Ronald Reagan’s Benghazi
There were more than enough opportunities to lay blame for the horrific losses at high U.S. officials’ feet. But unlike today’s Congress, congressmen did not talk of impeaching Ronald Reagan, who was then President, nor were any subpoenas sent to cabinet members. This was true even though then, as now, the opposition party controlled the majority in the House. Tip O’Neill, the Democratic Speaker of the House, was no pushover. He, like today’s opposition leaders in the House, demanded an investigation—but a real one, and only one. Instead of playing it for political points, a House committee undertook a serious investigation into what went wrong at the barracks in Beirut. Two months later, it issued a report finding “very serious errors in judgment” by officers on the ground, as well as responsibility up through the military chain of command, and called for better security measures against terrorism in U.S. government installations throughout the world.
In other words, Congress actually undertook a useful investigation and made helpful recommendations. The report’s findings, by the way, were bipartisan. (The Pentagon, too, launched an investigation, issuing a report that was widely accepted by both parties.)
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2014/05/ronald-reagans-benghazi.html
In other words, Congress actually undertook a useful investigation and made helpful recommendations. The report’s findings, by the way, were bipartisan. (The Pentagon, too, launched an investigation, issuing a report that was widely accepted by both parties.)
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/comment/2014/05/ronald-reagans-benghazi.html
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
Under the Influence | Boston Review
Under the Influence | Boston Review
Democracy requires that all citizens—rich and poor alike—have influence over the policies their government adopts. Of course, it would be unreasonable to expect everyone to have equal sway. Citizens differ not only in economic resources but also in time, knowledge, and interest in social and political affairs. Still, when influence becomes too skewed toward the affluent, when political power becomes too concentrated in the hands of a few, democracy itself is threatened.
Democracy requires that all citizens—rich and poor alike—have influence over the policies their government adopts. Of course, it would be unreasonable to expect everyone to have equal sway. Citizens differ not only in economic resources but also in time, knowledge, and interest in social and political affairs. Still, when influence becomes too skewed toward the affluent, when political power becomes too concentrated in the hands of a few, democracy itself is threatened.
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Monday, March 17, 2014
Friday, March 14, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Misconceptions and Realities About Who Pays Taxes — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Most of the people who pay neither federal income tax nor payroll taxes are low-income people who are elderly, unable to work due to a serious disability, or students, most of whom subsequently become taxpayers. (In years like the last few, this group also includes a significant number of people who have been unemployed the entire year and cannot find work.)
Moreover, low-income households as a group do, in fact, pay federal taxes. Congressional Budget Office data show that the poorest fifth of households paid an average of 4.0 percent of their incomes in federal taxes in 2007, the latest year for which these data are available — not an insignificant amount given how modest these households’ incomes are; the poorest fifth of households had average income of $18,400 in 2007.[6] The next-to-the bottom fifth — those with incomes between $20,500 and $34,300 in 2007 — paid an average of 10.6 percent of their incomes in federal taxes.
Moreover, even these figures greatly understatelow-income households’ totaltax burden because these households also pay substantial state and local taxes. Data from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy show that the poorest fifth of households paid a stunning 12.3 percent of their incomes in state and local taxes in 2011.[7]
When all federal, state, and local taxes are taken into account, the bottom fifth of households pays about 16 percent of their incomes in taxes, on average. The second-poorest fifth pays about 21 percent
Misconceptions and Realities About Who Pays Taxes — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Misconceptions and Realities About Who Pays Taxes — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Missy StuffDog does a Oscar Selfie
Missy StuffDog does a Oscar Selfie: Missy StuffDog does a Oscar Selfie
Monday, March 3, 2014
A plea for Medicaid coverage for our suffering citizens: Letter
We believe the Legislature should prevail upon Gov. Bobby Jindal to reconsider his decision not to expand Medicaid and ask him to reverse the changes made to the program Jan. 1, 2014. We ask that everyone at or below the federal poverty level who has diabetes, hypertension and heart or respiratory disease receive medications to control these diseases.
This will improve the quality of their lives and minimize the costs of treating the future preventable complications. The state and the city of New Orleans did a remarkable job of opening community health clinics in New Orleans after Katrina. What sense does it make for some of our patients to come to the clinics, receive high quality care, and leave without the means to treat their medical problems?
Jennifer Avegno, M.D.
Clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine Interim LSU Hospital New Orleans
Joseph Kanter, M.D.
Chief resident, emergency department, Interim LSU Hospital
New Orleans
Elmore Rigamer, M.D.
Medical director of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans
New Orleans
http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2014/03/a_plea_for_medicaid_coverage_f.html
http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2014/01/medicaid_expansion_kicks_off_b.html
Thursday, January 30, 2014
Band of Blockers--Jon Stewart The Daily Show
Band of Blockers: Republicans respond to the State of the Union speech with premium, grade-A bulls**t.
A Reality Check on Executive Orders and the ‘Dictator Obama’ Myth
A Reality Check on Executive Orders and the ‘Dictator Obama’ Myth
OBAMA: December 23, 2013. Obama signed an order titled, “Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay.”
BUSH: December 18, 2008. Bush also signed an order titled, “Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay.”
OBAMA: September 20, 2013. Obama signed an order titled, “Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees.”
BUSH: September 28, 2007. Bush signed an order titled, “Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees.”
OBAMA: June 25, 2013. Obama signed an order titled, “Establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans.”
BUSH: January 22, 2008. Bush signed an order titled, “Establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy.”
OBAMA: December 7, 2012. Obama signed an order titled, “Establishing the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force.”
BUSH: November 1, 2005. Bush signed an order titled, “Creation of the Gulf Coast Recovery and Rebuilding Council.”
OBAMA: October 26, 2012. Obama signed an order titled, “Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council.”
BUSH: October 8, 2001. Bush signed an order titled, “Establishing Office of Homeland Security.”
OBAMA: May 21, 2013. Obama signed an order titled, “Providing an Order of Succession within the Department of Agriculture.”
BUSH: January 9, 2009. Bush signed an order titled, “Amending the Order of Succession Within the Department of Agriculture.”
OBAMA: December 23, 2013. Obama signed an order titled, “Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay.”
BUSH: December 18, 2008. Bush also signed an order titled, “Adjustments of Certain Rates of Pay.”
OBAMA: September 20, 2013. Obama signed an order titled, “Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees.”
BUSH: September 28, 2007. Bush signed an order titled, “Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees.”
OBAMA: June 25, 2013. Obama signed an order titled, “Establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans.”
BUSH: January 22, 2008. Bush signed an order titled, “Establishing the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy.”
OBAMA: December 7, 2012. Obama signed an order titled, “Establishing the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force.”
BUSH: November 1, 2005. Bush signed an order titled, “Creation of the Gulf Coast Recovery and Rebuilding Council.”
OBAMA: October 26, 2012. Obama signed an order titled, “Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council.”
BUSH: October 8, 2001. Bush signed an order titled, “Establishing Office of Homeland Security.”
OBAMA: May 21, 2013. Obama signed an order titled, “Providing an Order of Succession within the Department of Agriculture.”
BUSH: January 9, 2009. Bush signed an order titled, “Amending the Order of Succession Within the Department of Agriculture.”
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Friday, December 13, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Monday, November 25, 2013
Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Most of Those Outraged by Obamacare Enjoy Big Taxpayer Subsidies Themselves | Connecting the Dots, What Matters Today | BillMoyers.com
Most of Those Outraged by Obamacare Enjoy Big Taxpayer Subsidies Themselves | Connecting the Dots, What Matters Today | BillMoyers.com
Article The other side of the mythology – that the “takers” don’t pay taxes – is equally as divorced from reality. It’s based on the fact that around 40 percent of the population pays no federal income taxes in a given year, largely as a result of Republican policies like the child tax credit. But the claim is the height of cherry-picking data because the federal income tax represents only around a quarter of the taxes paid in this country. When one includes all taxes, those in the bottom fifth of American households forked over around 16 percent of their incomes in taxes, and the next fifth paid 21 percent of theirs, according to CBPP. And many of those tax dollars ultimately subsidize the lifestyles of those who fancy themselves to be self-made “makers.”
It’s also the case that, contrary to the belief that people who don’t pay federal income taxes are a discrete group of Americans, most families don’t pay them for a year or two when their incomes fall below the threshold, but do pay those taxes in other years. Almost one in five people who don’t pay federal income taxes are students who will, one hopes, earn enough to pay federal income taxes when they graduate. Another fifth are seniors who paid those taxes before retirement.
It’s perverse to condemn all of these people as shiftless moochers, but that’s the foundational myth that supports most mainstream conservative thinking about government programs these days.
So here’s something to keep in mind when you hear someone grousing about being forced to help pay for health insurance for what they see as “the undeserving poor”: in all likelihood, that person has enjoyed subsidized college tuition or health insurance or home ownership or retirement plans– or any of a dozen other hidden government benefits in our submerged welfare state — and the idea of one group of Americans subsidizing another didn’t seem to be a cause of outrage then.
Article The other side of the mythology – that the “takers” don’t pay taxes – is equally as divorced from reality. It’s based on the fact that around 40 percent of the population pays no federal income taxes in a given year, largely as a result of Republican policies like the child tax credit. But the claim is the height of cherry-picking data because the federal income tax represents only around a quarter of the taxes paid in this country. When one includes all taxes, those in the bottom fifth of American households forked over around 16 percent of their incomes in taxes, and the next fifth paid 21 percent of theirs, according to CBPP. And many of those tax dollars ultimately subsidize the lifestyles of those who fancy themselves to be self-made “makers.”
It’s also the case that, contrary to the belief that people who don’t pay federal income taxes are a discrete group of Americans, most families don’t pay them for a year or two when their incomes fall below the threshold, but do pay those taxes in other years. Almost one in five people who don’t pay federal income taxes are students who will, one hopes, earn enough to pay federal income taxes when they graduate. Another fifth are seniors who paid those taxes before retirement.
It’s perverse to condemn all of these people as shiftless moochers, but that’s the foundational myth that supports most mainstream conservative thinking about government programs these days.
So here’s something to keep in mind when you hear someone grousing about being forced to help pay for health insurance for what they see as “the undeserving poor”: in all likelihood, that person has enjoyed subsidized college tuition or health insurance or home ownership or retirement plans– or any of a dozen other hidden government benefits in our submerged welfare state — and the idea of one group of Americans subsidizing another didn’t seem to be a cause of outrage then.
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Friday, September 20, 2013
Our insanity over guns claims more victims - Leonard Pitts Jr. - MiamiHerald.com
Our insanity over guns claims more victims - Leonard Pitts Jr. - MiamiHerald.com
Is America crazy? Last week, the Des Moines Register reported that the state of Iowa issues gun carry permits to blind people. And people began debating this on grounds of constitutionality and equal access as if the very idea were not absurd on its face. Is America crazy?
Look at those people fleeing the Navy Yard, look at the Senate on lockdown, look at the blind man packing. Ask yourself: Does that look like sanity to you? ~ Leonard Pitts Jr.
Is America crazy? Last week, the Des Moines Register reported that the state of Iowa issues gun carry permits to blind people. And people began debating this on grounds of constitutionality and equal access as if the very idea were not absurd on its face. Is America crazy?
Look at those people fleeing the Navy Yard, look at the Senate on lockdown, look at the blind man packing. Ask yourself: Does that look like sanity to you? ~ Leonard Pitts Jr.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Behind the Curtain: Eve of Destruction - POLITICO.com
Whit Ayres of North Star Opinion Research, who has been drilling down on this issue for the conservative public-opinion group Resurgent Republic, said: “Shutting down the government is the one way that Republicans can turn Obamacare from a political advantage to a political disadvantage in 2014.”
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/behind-the-curtain-eve-of-destruction-95594.html#ixzz2cRI78lsz
Behind the Curtain: Eve of Destruction - POLITICO.com
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2013/08/behind-the-curtain-eve-of-destruction-95594.html#ixzz2cRI78lsz
Behind the Curtain: Eve of Destruction - POLITICO.com
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Lexington: Lessons from the desert | The Economist
Article;Like so many Republican Hispanic politicians, they must perform a balancing act, appeasing the party’s law-and-order base without offending their fellow Hispanics. Ms Martinez has mastered the art of sounding tough on illegal immigration rather than immigrants, says Matt Barreto of Latino Decisions, a polling firm. She urges more border security, for example, while celebrating the achievements of immigrants and lambasting Republican colleagues who think deportation is the answer to everything.
None of this, however, will help Republicans win the White House so long as they insist on keeping 11m Latinos in the shadows. As Senator John McCain puts it, passing immigration reform would not in itself win many Latino votes, but it would put Republicans “on the playing field where we can compete”.
Lexington: Lessons from the desert | The Economist
Saturday, July 20, 2013
Project America: Crime: Prison Population: Prison Population by Race
Project America:
Crime:
Prison Population:
Prison Population by Race
For decades black males have been locked behind bars by the hundreds of thousands, arrested in disproportionate numbers. In fact, black males have experienced the highest rate of imprisonment—6.5 times that of white males and 2.5 that of Hispanic males—of the three major races in the United States. Black males also face execution at rates far greater than those for the general population—approximately 4.5 times more than that of white prisoners and 17.5 times that of Hispanics. In a study of routine traffic stops, racial differences were seen not in stops—blacks and Hispanics were stopped just as often as whites—but overwhelmingly in searches, as blacks and Hispanics were searched nearly 3 times their white counterparts.
Crime:
Prison Population:
Prison Population by Race
For decades black males have been locked behind bars by the hundreds of thousands, arrested in disproportionate numbers. In fact, black males have experienced the highest rate of imprisonment—6.5 times that of white males and 2.5 that of Hispanic males—of the three major races in the United States. Black males also face execution at rates far greater than those for the general population—approximately 4.5 times more than that of white prisoners and 17.5 times that of Hispanics. In a study of routine traffic stops, racial differences were seen not in stops—blacks and Hispanics were stopped just as often as whites—but overwhelmingly in searches, as blacks and Hispanics were searched nearly 3 times their white counterparts.
Monday, July 15, 2013
Friday, July 12, 2013
Party of No/GOP
Party of No
Some House Republicans worry openly that giving undocumented aliens a path to citizenship will eventually add millions of Democratic voters to the rolls. But they should be more concerned about the millions of Latino citizens who are unregistered or do not bother to vote. Democrats are making a concerted play for these people. Republicans are telling them they'd like to deport their relatives and friends.
Most House Republicans have nothing to worry about for the time being; their districts are safe. But the GOP's fortunes in national contests -- and eventually in statewide races as well -- will be increasingly dim. Maybe they'll wake up when Texas begins to change from red to blue.
In the meantime, it's sad to see a once-great political party carry on as if whistling past the graveyard were a plan.
Some House Republicans worry openly that giving undocumented aliens a path to citizenship will eventually add millions of Democratic voters to the rolls. But they should be more concerned about the millions of Latino citizens who are unregistered or do not bother to vote. Democrats are making a concerted play for these people. Republicans are telling them they'd like to deport their relatives and friends.
Most House Republicans have nothing to worry about for the time being; their districts are safe. But the GOP's fortunes in national contests -- and eventually in statewide races as well -- will be increasingly dim. Maybe they'll wake up when Texas begins to change from red to blue.
In the meantime, it's sad to see a once-great political party carry on as if whistling past the graveyard were a plan.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
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