Saturday, April 16, 2011

U.S. Ranks Dead Last In Overall Social Spending

http://www.politicususa.com/en/u-s-ranks-dead-last-in-overall-social-spending


April 16, 2011
By Ray Medeiros

The United States currently ranks thirty-fourth(34th) out of the thirty-four(34) members of the OECD in regards to spending on social programs, DEAD LAST.


For the list of countries in the OECD:
http://www.oecd.org/pages/0,3417,en_36734052_36761800_1_1_1_1_1,00.html

ONE MINUTE VIDEO |WISCONSIN STYLE PROTESTING - Tea Party Rally Madison April 16th

YouTube - Sarah Palin | Tea Party Rally Madison April 16th



Posted on Defend Wisconsin Facebook Page

The Wisconsin week in review | Defend Wisconsin

The Wisconsin week in review | Defend Wisconsin

The People of Benton Harbor Can Kiss Benton Harbor Goodbye


The People of Benton Harbor Can Kiss Benton Harbor Goodbye

Posted on Defend Wisconsin facebook by | Wisconsin for collective bargaining
The people of Benton Harbor can kiss the city, fire and police departments goodbye.
The People of Benton Harbor Can Kiss Benton Harbor Goodbye

By George Moon

"The take over of Benton Harbor by the state of Michigan is almost final. The people of Benton Harbor can kiss the city, fire and police departments goodbye. They are also trying to change the name of the city to Harbor Shores. We must stand up and fight like the Egyptian people did!

Benton Harbor is being run by an emergency financial manager. Michigan has seven emergency financial managers. The new state government stated that there will be more financial managers and that Act # 72 will need modification, possibly giving the State more control. Under Act #72 the governor can declare a financial emergency in local government, and appoint emergency financial managers. In Highland Park Michigan, the emergency financial managers turned the city into a corporate wasteland. Citizens lost their voice and elected officials were silenced"
Read Full Article

Defend Wisconsin

Defend Wisconsin

Citizen Journalism when the truth matters | PolitiScoop

Citizen Journalism when the truth matters | PolitiScoop

Committee to Recall Kapanke | Government Accountability Board

Committee to Recall Kapanke | Government Accountability Board

Tea Party Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Adopts Soviet-style Authoritarian Powers Over Michigan Cities | BuzzFlash.org

Tea Party Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Adopts Soviet-style Authoritarian Powers Over Michigan Cities | BuzzFlash.org

Walker road plan driving him crazy - JSOnline

Walker road plan driving him crazy - JSOnline

Financial martial law and other current issues | Wisconsin Public Radio | Joy Cardin

Wisconsin Public Radio - Joy Cardin

For Program On: Friday, April 15, 2011 at 8:00 AM
After eight, it’s The Week in Review with Joy Cardin and her guests. They’ll take a look at the President’s budget proposal and the Republican response. Plus, the latest in Wisconsin news. Guests:
- Ed Garvey, Senior Partner, Law firm of Garvey, McNeil, and Associates. Publisher, www.FightingBob.com
- Steve Prestegard, publisher and editor of the late Marketplace Magazine and author, Presteblog. http://presteblog.blogspot.com/
Listen here | Wisconsin Public Radio - Joy Cardin

Gov. Scott Walker Reportedly Planning Financial Martial Law In Wisconsin - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes

Gov. Scott Walker Reportedly Planning Financial Martial Law In Wisconsin - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes

Posted on Facebook by | Defend Wisconsin

"According to the reports, should a locality’s financial position come up short, the Walker legislation would empower the governor to insert a financial manager of his choosing into local government with the ability to cancel union contracts, push aside duly elected local government officials and school board members and take control of Wisconsin cities and towns whenever he sees fit to do so.

Following the lead of Michigan GOP Governor Rick Snyder, Walker is said to be preparing a plan that would allow him to force local governments to submit to a financial stress test with an eye towards permitting the governor to take over municipalities that fail to meet with Walker’s approval."


"Yes, this has really happened right here in the United States of America."


"Walker’s plans give further credence to the notion that the efforts of the GOP governors with Republican majorities in their state legislative bodies are part of a coordinated plan to enforce a right-wing agenda designed to not only destroy state, county and municipal employee unions, but to take control of local governments by replacing elected officials with appointees, both corporate and individual, of the state’s highest executive officer.
More on this as it becomes available."
"Full Article Here - Rick Ungar - The Policy Page - Forbes

Walker backers at Wisconsin Capitol: 'Let's have a tea party!' - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Walker backers at Wisconsin Capitol: 'Let's have a tea party!' - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Palin to GOP: 'Fight Like a Girl' - Google News

Palin to GOP: 'Fight Like a Girl' - Google News

The Associated Press | Sarah Palin in Madison | Only Hundreds show up

The Associated Press: Palin: Wisconsin doing the right thing with unions

Posted on Twitter | ThinkProgress


After 80K plus showed up in Madison to support workers rights, "hundreds" come out for Sarah Palin http://thkpr.gs/fGtPtu

OHIO | Democrats Back Bill To Allow Recall Of Ohio Governor | NBC 4i

Democrats Back Bill To Allow Recall Of Ohio Governor | NBC 4i

OHIO | Opponents' SB 5 Repeal Effort Takes Step Forward | NBC 4i

Opponents' SB 5 Repeal Effort Takes Step Forward | NBC 4i

Raw Replay | TV you need to see, brought to you by RawStory.com

Raw Replay | TV you need to see, brought to you by RawStory.com

Cantor: Birther Trump isn’t a ‘serious’ candidate  | Raw Replay

Cantor: Birther Trump isn’t a ‘serious’ candidate  | Raw Replay

Colbert invokes Citizens United to create a SuperPAC | Raw Replay

Colbert invokes Citizens United to create a SuperPAC | Raw Replay

Rep. Weiner: There is no ‘bill fairy,’ GOP budget plan won’t work | Raw Replay

Rep. Weiner: There is no ‘bill fairy,’ GOP budget plan won’t work | Raw Replay

Posted on Facebook by |US Uncut-Michigan


We like Weiner ;)
Rep. Weiner: There is no ‘bill fairy,’ GOP budget plan won’t work | Raw Replay
www.rawstory.com
Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) appeared on The Rachel Maddow Show Friday night to talk about the House budget vote, which no Democrats supported. A big problem with the Republicans’ budget plan, he said, was that it shifts burdens from the federal budget to local budgets — meaning, it’s still taxpayer . Full Article Here| Raw Replay

Cognitive Dissidence: Cog Dis Excusive: Video of Sarah Palin Preparing to Appear in Madison

Cognitive Dissidence: Cog Dis Excusive: Video of Sarah Palin Preparing to Appear in Madison

Posted on Twitter | Chris Liebenthal Cog_Dis
A new blog post: Cog Dis Excusive: Video of Sarah Palin Preparing to Appear in Madison http://bit.ly/h9BpUp

Obama: GOP tried to "sneak" agenda into budget - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

Obama: GOP tried to "sneak" agenda into budget - Political Hotsheet - CBS News

Paul Ryan, Mark Warner on Face the Nation Sunday - Face The Nation - CBS News

Paul Ryan, Mark Warner on Face the Nation Sunday - Face The Nation - CBS News

Labor crowd surrounds Palin's Tea Party rally - CBS News

Labor crowd surrounds Palin's Tea Party rally - CBS News

Posted on Facebook | Defend Wisconsin

"Hundreds of pro-union labor supporters are surrounding smaller groups of conservative Tea Party members attending a rally featuring former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin."

Budget Deals Deep Cuts to Obama Administration's Transparency Sites | Truthout

Budget Deals Deep Cuts to Obama Administration's Transparency Sites | Truthout

Finding Budget Solutions, Not Scapegoats: Lessons From an Oregon Victory | Truthout

Finding Budget Solutions, Not Scapegoats: Lessons From an Oregon Victory | Truthout

Opposition to Paying for Capitalism's Crime: A Global Movement (Video) | Truthout

Opposition to Paying for Capitalism's Crime: A Global Movement (Video) | Truthout

What I Wish Jill Biden Would Talk About With Respect to America's Community Colleges | Truthout

What I Wish Jill Biden Would Talk About With Respect to America's Community Colleges | Truthout

Posted on Twitter | AndrewKroll


Care about middle class & education? Read this! What I Wish Jill Biden Would Talk About on America's Community Colleges. Full Article Here | Truthout

Wisconsin's Billionaires Make a Sacrifice?

Wisconsin's Billionaires Make a Sacrifice?

Posted on Twitter | USuncutMN

Wisconsin's Billionaires Make a Sacrifice?

PAUL JAY, SENIOR EDITOR, TRNN: Welcome to The Real News Network. I'm Paul Jay. Something has to give, say people backing Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker. And that something just has to be the wages and collective bargaining rights of public sector workers.

Early in this epic battle, Wisconsin's Journal Sentinel's editorial board wrote, on February 12, "Walker is right to do this. He must insist that state workers pay a bigger share of their benefits. And he's right to take steps to compel them to do so. . . . Walker must fill a gaping budget hole of $137 million for the fiscal year that ends June 30 and a much larger imbalance in the next two-year budget. Something has to give."

The hole by 2013 is expected to be around $3.6 billion, so a few more things are going to have to give if Governor Walker's going to crack that nut. But, hey, everyone's going to make a sacrifice, right? So says the Wisconsin Club for Growth. They're the outfit that says, "our leaders must stand up to the tax and spend mentality in Madison and work tirelessly to cut taxes and unleash the power of the free-market." The Club for Growth should be called the "Club for Greed"--that's what Mike Huckabee told The New Yorker magazine in 2007.

Here's a television ad they ran to support Governor Walker.
Full Text and Video Here

About The CCPA | Making It Count —

Making It Count —

Posted on Twitter | NaomiAKlein
Best place for smart progressive Canadian election analysis http://bit.ly/hCiY2j #elxn41

About The CCPA

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is an independent, non-partisan research institute concerned with issues of social, economic and environmental justice. Founded in 1980, the CCPA is one of Canada’s leading progressive voices in public policy debates.

Making It Count is the CCPA’s 2011 federal election blog, designed to bring you expert analysis and commentary on the issues that will—or should—define the election. Staff and research associates from the CCPA will weigh in on everything from the economy and federal finances to the social and environmental challenges facing our country.

The views expressed on this blog are those of the individual contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the CCPA.

Daniel Hemming: Washington trip reveals Walker's maneuvers

Daniel Hemming: Washington trip reveals Walker's maneuvers

Posted on Twitter | Wis. State Journal


From your letters: Daniel Hemming: Washington trip reveals Walker's maneuvers

Daily Kos: Midday open thread

Daily Kos: Midday open thread

Posted on Twitter | dailykos

Midday open thread

ThinkProgress » Progressive Lawmakers Warn A ‘Significant Portion’ Of Gas Prices Is Due To Speculation, Call For Crack Down

ThinkProgress » Progressive Lawmakers Warn A ‘Significant Portion’ Of Gas Prices Is Due To Speculation, Call For Crack Down

Posted On Twitter | thinkprogress

Progressive lawmakers say gas prices are being driven up by rampant speculation, call for a crackdown http://thkpr.gs/eOG4zvFull Article Here | ThinkProgress

Read Downtown Rallies Live Blog - Madison News Story - WISC Madison

Read Downtown Rallies Live Blog - Madison News Story - WISC Madison

The Plot To Seize The White House - Full Text

The Plot To Seize The White House - Full Text

Posted on Facebook by: Richard T. Rapscallion Jr.


The Tea Party does not fall far from the John Birch Tree. Notoriously ant-FDR & New Deal ...they will stop at nothing.
http://www.wanttoknow.info/plottoseizethewhitehouse
www.wanttoknow.info

Chris Hedges: Obama Defies Core Values of Liberal Tradition | The Nation

Chris Hedges: Obama Defies Core Values of Liberal Tradition | The Nation

Twitter Post: jgksf
Report on NYC protest of Obama budget by @Chris_Hedges via @thenation http://bit.ly/g0o0vr

LIVE NOW | CBS News, Ustream.TV: TEA PARTY RALLY | MADISON, WISCONSIN

CBS News, Ustream.TV: TEA PARTY RALLY

Saturday April 16 | 12:30 Central time | Here is the live link to the rally with Sarah Palin in Madison going on Now...

ThinkProgress » Pawlenty Dodges Question About Paul Ryan’s Medicare Cuts

ThinkProgress » Pawlenty Dodges Question About Paul Ryan’s Medicare Cuts

Daily Kos: Republicans run public deficits because that increases private wealth.

Daily Kos: Republicans run public deficits because that increases private wealth.

Daily Kos: Senators Graham, Paul and Lee present two bad ideas to 'fix' Social Security

Daily Kos: Senators Graham, Paul and Lee present two bad ideas to 'fix' Social Security

Tweet Post | dailykos
Senators Graham, Paul and Lee present two bad ideas to 'fix' Social Security http://bit.ly/idyaL0

ThinkProgress » VIDEO: Rick Santorum Says He Has ‘Nothing To Do’ With His Own Campaign Slogan

ThinkProgress » VIDEO: Rick Santorum Says He Has ‘Nothing To Do’ With His Own Campaign Slogan

ThinkProgress » ‘Pro-Life’ Alaska GOP Kills Health Bill To Insure Thousands Of Low-Income Women And Children

ThinkProgress » ‘Pro-Life’ Alaska GOP Kills Health Bill To Insure Thousands Of Low-Income Women And Children

Twitter Post | thinkprogress
'Pro-life' Alaska GOP kills bill that would have insured thousands of low-income women + children http://thkpr.gs/ehZPQM

"According to Davis, the program expansion “might” fund 22 abortions. But that hypothetical number was enough for 9 Republicans and 1 Democrat to block coverage for over 1,000 Alaskan women and children. “Six Senators who voted for the measure last year voted against it today.” Only one Republican — state Sen. Lesil McGuire — supported the measure, stating “that the Senate cannot turn its back on pregnant women who need help.”"

Obama address was surprise attack, GOP lawmakers say - The Washington Post

Obama address was surprise attack, GOP lawmakers say - The Washington Post | By Lori Montgomery, Friday, April 15, 8:17 AM


Posted on Twitter: The Washington Post | washingtonpost

Obama address was surprise attack, GOP lawmakers say http://wapo.st/gmFJ9A

"The three Republican congressmen saw it as a rare ray of sunshine in Washington’s stormy budget battle: an invitation from the White House to hear President Obama lay out his ideas for taming the national debt.

They expected a peace offering, a gesture of goodwill aimed at smoothing a path toward compromise. But soon after taking their seats at George Washington University on Wednesday, they found themselves under fire for plotting “a fundamentally different America” from the one most Americans know and love." Full Article Here | The Washington Post

Photo | Madison Tea party Rally

yfrog Photo : http://yfrog.com/h627574181j Shared by katierosenberg

Posted on Twitter by:katierosenberg

This guy is trying to argue his case for Gov. Walker to the protesters...it's not going over well. http://yfrog.com/h627574181j

Goldman Sachs Ripped Off And Misled Clients, Senate Report Says

Goldman Sachs Ripped Off And Misled Clients, Senate Report Says

Facebook Post by: US Uncut-Michigan

"Last year's financial reform law includes a section authored by Levin that tries to clean up the markets by prohibiting firms from betting against securities they sell to their clients. Levin pointed to Goldman's activities as a primary reason for why he wanted that in the new law"~article
Goldman Sachs Ripped Off And Misled Clients, Senate Report Says
www.huffingtonpost.com
Goldman Sachs, the nation's fifth-largest bank by assets, systematically misled clients, sold them financial instruments it knew was junk, bet against them and profited off of their losses, according to a Senate report released this week. The report, the product of a two-year investigation, paints... Full Article Here

Tea Party Jesus: Koch's Americans For Prosperity Sidles Up to Religious Right for 2012 Campaign | News & Politics | AlterNet

Tea Party Jesus: Koch's Americans For Prosperity Sidles Up to Religious Right for 2012 Campaign | News & Politics | AlterNet

Facebook Post by: US Uncut-Michigan
Theocracy, Anyone? They'd have their own version of the Salem Witch Trials up and running in No Time!
Reasonable Folk, this is why we must all band together, and Stand UP! AND VOTE!! EVERY ELECTION!
Tea Party Jesus: Koch's Americans For Prosperity Sidles Up to Religious Right for 2012 Campaign | Ne
www.alternet.org
David Koch's key operative, Tim Phillips, is moving to merge the religious right with the Tea Party movement -- just in time for the presidential race. Full Article Here| AlterNet

Emily's Post: Walker's contribution problem, Kitzinger speaks up - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Emily's Post: Walker's contribution problem, Kitzinger speaks up - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Dueling protests, Sarah Palin to join first outdoor Dane County Farmers' Market of the season - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Dueling protests, Sarah Palin to join first outdoor Dane County Farmers' Market of the season - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Lin Weeks on Thursday 04/14/2011 10:43 pm

Real estate agents split from Wisconsin Realtors Association over Scott Walker - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Real estate agents split from Wisconsin Realtors Association over Scott Walker - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Bill Lueders on Thursday 04/14/2011

Rep. Kelda Roys accuses GAB of partisanship - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Rep. Kelda Roys accuses GAB of partisanship - Isthmus | The Daily Page
Jack Craver on Monday 04/11/2011 7:16 pm,

Emily's Post: Mr. Walker goes to Washington (and bombs) - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Emily's Post: Mr. Walker goes to Washington (and bombs) - Isthmus | The Daily Page

Obama's 'Shared Sacrifice' Hits the Poor and Middle-Class Hardest | The Nation

Obama's 'Shared Sacrifice' Hits the Poor and Middle-Class Hardest | The Nation

Ariz. Legislature approves bill requiring presidential candidates to prove their citizenship - The Washington Post

Ariz. Legislature approves bill requiring presidential candidates to prove their citizenship - The Washington Post

How Socialists Built America | The Nation

How Socialists Built America | The Nation

This Tax Day, 'Farms' Owned by the Rich Provide Massive Tax Shelter | The Nation

This Tax Day, 'Farms' Owned by the Rich Provide Massive Tax Shelter | The Nation

U.S. education secretary criticizes Walker on teachers unions - JSOnline

U.S. education secretary criticizes Walker on teachers unions - JSOnline

Massachusetts, pioneer of universal health care, now may try new approach to costs - The Washington Post

Massachusetts, pioneer of universal health care, now may try new approach to costs - The Washington Post
Facebook Post by: Join the Coffee Party Movement
“We did access first,” said state Senate President Therese Murray (D). “Now we have to figure out how we afford that.”
Massachusetts, pioneer of universal health care, now may try new approach to costs
www.washingtonpost.com
First state to move toward universal health insurance now may become a pioneer in cost control.

Rand Appalling: New 'Atlas Shrugged' Movie Booed Off Planet | The Nation

Rand Appalling: New 'Atlas Shrugged' Movie Booed Off Planet | The Nation

Facebook post by: Americans Against the Tea Party

"BOOED OFF THE PLANET" -HAHAHAHAHAHA. (mad)
Rand Appalling: New 'Atlas Shrugged' Movie Booed Off Planet | The Nation
www.thenation.com
It takes a lot to get a 0% at the mass market critics' consensus site Rotten Tomatoes. Pick an awful movie you can think of and it probably managed a 5% or maybe even a 25%. Somehow, Atlas Shrugged, Part I (yes! more to look forward to!), which opens Friday, has at this writing achieved the rare Read Full Article Here | The Nation

Link to Americans against the Tea PartyLink to Americans against the Tea Party | this is not the article link

Uncertain about future benefits, many veteran teachers are retiring early - JSOnline

Uncertain about future benefits, many veteran teachers are retiring early - JSOnline
Posted on Facebook by: JSOnline - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Uncertain about future benefits, many veteran teachers are retiring early - JSOnline
www.jsonline.com
Although their pensions are beyond the reach of lawmakers and local officials, many teachers fear that they soon could lose early retirement benefits such as health insurance that helps support them until they are eligible for Medicare.

Report confirms Walker budget would cut tax aid for poor, decrease overall taxes

MARY SPICUZZA | mspicuzza@madison.com | 608-252-6122 madison.com | Posted: Saturday, April 16, 2011 7:30 am

Posted on Facebook by: Defend Wisconsin

‎"Low and middle income people would lose tax credits worth about $49.4 million over two years, the new Legislative Fiscal Bureau report said. Those affected most by Walker's proposal would include low-income families who qualify for the earned income tax credit program, and low-income homeowners who receive tax rebates under the homestead tax credit."
Report confirms Walker budget would cut tax aid for poor, decrease overall taxes
Read Full Article | Wisconsin State Journal

Robert Bobb plans to use new powers to modify union contracts | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Robert Bobb plans to use new powers to modify union contracts | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Posted on Michigan Stands up For Democracy Facebook page by:Jonny Cache

Robert Bobb warns — "I plan to use my new powers to modify union contracts"

“I fully intend to use the authority that was granted,” Bobb said, referring to a new law that gives emergency managers the authority to modify — or terminate — collective bargaining agreements. It was the first time Bobb had publicly indicated he intends to use the expanded authority.Robert Bobb, the emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools, put teachers on notice Thursday that he plans to use his expanded powers under a new state law to modify their contracts.

His statement came as the district announced Thursday it is sending layoff notices to all 5,466 members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers and non-renewal notices to 248 administrators. DPS has issued massive layoff notices before, but not to every teacher."
Full Article Here| Detroit Free Press | freep.com

Daily Kos: UPDATED - And so it begins. Emergency Financial Mgr. fires entire government of Benton Harbor, MI.

Daily Kos: UPDATED - And so it begins. Emergency Financial Mgr. fires entire government of Benton Harbor, MI.

"As you probably know, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder recently signed legislation passed by the Republican-dominated House and Senate that gives State-appointed Emergency Financial Managers (EFMs) historically broad and sweeping powers. These new powers allow the EFM to cancel or modify contracts (including with unions) and even to fire the municipality's government.

Today, for the first time, an EFM did just that. According to a press release from the Michigan AFL-CIO, Joseph L. Harris, EFM for Benton Harbor, Michigan issued "an order prohibiting all action by all city boards, commissions, authorities and other entities, except as authorized by the emergency manager." Full Article Here | Daily Kos

Fighting Bob - GarveyBlog - They have plans! Do they ever!

Fighting Bob - GarveyBlog - They have plans! Do they ever!
April 14, 2011

"Remember when we chuckled at the Michigan Governor Snyder, who wanted the Michigan legislature to approve his plan to permit him to declare "Financial Martial Law" in cities and other governmental bodies having tough economic times? The law would permit the governor to replace city councils, school boards and other governmental positions. Eminent domain on steroids. I laughed and suggested a bumper sticker in the U.P. of, "Your Governor is worse than ours!"

Well, that was then, now we know another one of Walker's little secrets. We have discovered that Wisconsin's governor has the same twisted idea for Wisconsin..."Full Article Here | Fighting Bob - GarveyBlog