Weekly Roundup, December 12-18, 2011

By Blueberry T

We were all happy and proud to see that Patrick’s post on the Citigroup Plutonomy Memo received so much attention, becoming the most-viewed Politicalgates post and setting Twitter afire – kudos to K&P! The Citigroup Plutonomy Memos: Two bombshell docum...10 Dec 2011 - 27,406 Pageviews

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Helping a Child in Need

Our week started with an unusual request from Kathleen to consider helping out an Alaskan child and her family. Jenay is a beautiful little two-year old who has leukemia. Please do whatever you can to help her and her family through this challenge; they could use your prayers and any support that you could provide.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Joe Walsh, Up Close and Personal

Don’t you love having boots on the ground? KAO and IML infiltrated a Town Hall by Congressman Joe Walsh. In case you can’t place him, he is the one with family values that include not paying child support while apparently having plenty of money to burn in other ways -- AKA Deadbeat Dad. He is also the a**hole whose public scene yelling at one of his constituents went viral last month. Walsh later came up with some idiotic excuse for his inexcusable behavior (something along the lines of “…I was hungry”). Walsh, it seems, is another charming, charismatic, narcissistic Republican who practices the opposite of what he preaches. But, at least he seemed to learn something from the viral video episode, as he now preaches politeness and civility even when we disagree…that’s real progress! KAO and IML did us proud, speaking up at the meeting and directly challenging the Tea Party orthodoxy – great job!!

Friday, December 16, 2011

You’ve Been Trumped

As if plaguing the United States with his massive ego and trail of failed businesses isn’t enough, Donald Trump is now wreaking havoc in Scotland, where he is building a golf course in a pristine, ecologically important and sensitive area. Trump, in his typical blowhard, bullying fashion, is forcing his project down the throats of the Scots, some of whom are seeing their wells and water supplies cut off while witnessing beautiful wildlands being bulldozed. The much-touted economic benefits of the project were apparently vastly overstated and much of the project has been stopped due to the poor economy, thus negating the argument that led to its approval in the first place. Another interesting point is the way in which local police are again being used to do the dirty work for corporate interests. The post highlights an excellent film on the Trump project; the film will hopefully make more people aware that Donald Trump seems to leave a trail of damage and failure wherever he goes.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

The Fallacy of Reaganomics

click for cartoon credit

Nomad takes a look at the fallacy of Reaganomics, against the current reality that some of its core principles are in the ascendancy again. Trickle-down economics; Supply-side economics; the wealthy are the job creators: different words for the same philosophy that has been discredited repeatedly, even by people like David Stockman, Reagan’s budget director whose job was to implement Reaganomics. Stockman quickly realized that the Reagan Administration’s economic policies would not succeed, given the huge increase in defense spending and resistance to cuts in other areas. He was lambasted at the time for being too frank about “trickle-down economics” in interviews with The Atlantic, which wrote: “...the supply-side theory was not a new economic theory at all but only new language and argument to conceal a hoary old Republican doctrine: give the tax cuts to the top brackets, the wealthiest individuals and largest enterprises, and let the good effects ‘trickle down’ through the economy to reach everyone else.”

Some Comments and Links:

Mrsgunka: The 1% could do so much good this time of year by donating to help this country and get more write-offs also, too. Yes Sarah, I'm talking about you. You wanted to help Alaska, this innocent child is one of yours…

JulaUSA: On 60 Minutes Obama just had a great quote when asked about the GOP competition and how some Dems are frustrated with him -- "Don't judge me against the Almighty. Judge me against the alternative."

SLQ (in response to lack of interest in another Palin “reality” show): Northern Overexposure.

ProChoiceGrandma (expressing what many of us feel): I am so frustrated with our Dem leadership. The Occupy Wall Street movement had finally brought national media attention to the plight of the 99% at the hands of the 1%, and the Democratic leaders should have used that momentum to demand and stand firm on the provision to tax the millionaires & billionaires to pay for the payroll tax extension for the middle class. LET the Republicans shut down the federal government - it would be entirely on THEIR backs, and millions of Americans would be outraged into action. And they would remember come November. Oh but wait, the big bad Republicans stomped their feet and said "absolutely not!" So what did our Dems do? They practically apologized for having the temerity to ever suggest a tax on the 1%, and immediately backed away. Then, the Dems asked in their most pitiful Oliver Twist voice: "Please sir, may we have the payroll tax extension?" …The Republicans are successful at once again attaching a completely unrelated piece of shit legislation like the Keystone pipeline to bully the Dems into submission. In two months, will the OWS momentum have faded, especially considering the cold weather? I think that is what the Rethugs are counting on. Then they will try again to extend the Bush tax cuts or make them permanent, holding us hostage once again.

Louiecypher is back!

‘twas the night before chistmas and all though the house
a bill was a steering but a bit of a louse,
a pipeline in the bill was placed with care
In hope that subsides would soon be there.
The banks were all snug in their beds
with hopes of derivatives dancing in their heads.
Right wing radio thundered their crap
Smoked two bowls took a nap
then the pundits arose such a clatter,
Newt leading the poles what does it matter,
Away to fox news I flew like a flash,
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen Cain
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects sane
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny Reaganeer's,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be, "poor suck dick".
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted,
and called them by name!
"Now Perry! now, Bachman! now,Hunstman and Santorum On, Cain On, Newt,
oh, this shit is boring
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!"

Zane1: Walker has raised 5.1 million to beat back recall...much of it raised in the last month. He seems to be a Koch Brother from yet another mother.

Juicyfruityy: Twas the week b4 Christmas; & all across the state People were signing petitions To recall Walker b4 it's too late

Hope for America had an excellent LONG list of Donald Trump’s many business failures, and also linked to this from Rolling Stone.

Linda1961 linked to “33 quotes about conservatives that liberals should know.” Congrats to Linda for her outstanding performance on the civics quiz as well!

NomadicView posted this excellent video on Bradley Manning.

Sunnyjane found this, on ACA provision that will impose a 3.8% tax on income above $250K/year (including unearned income) beginning in 2013. Who knew?