Joe Biden refreshes our memory about Republicans.
Tracks
People arrested at Occupy Wall Street’s first anniversary on Sept. 17: 160
Journalists arrested: about a dozenBankers, CEOS arrested for the financial collapse of 2008 through a series of ponzi schemes, sub-prime lending, illegal trading, etc. etc.: 0
I don’t believe the “0” part…but I agree with the sentiment.
Dangling working-class dummies shock Las Vegas commuters
August 8, 2012
A mannequin hanging from a Las Vegas billboard emblazoned with “Dying For Work” had motorists lighting up 911 switchboards at the crack of dawn this morning — drivers were convinced they were seeing a real person swinging from the rope.
Another billboard in the Las Vegas area read ”Hope You’re Happy Wall St.,” with a second mannequin hanging from the edge.
No one has claimed responsibility for the creepy hangmen, though the website for Occupy Las Vegas applauds the displays, and accuses Nevada lawmakers of slashing social aid programs in the down economy.“People saying it’s in bad taste are living sheltered lives,” says Sebring Frehner, an Occupy supporter. They ”don’t pay attention to what affects the working class.”
Obama pushes small-dollar donors
“If we don’t step it up, we’re in trouble,” the Obama campaign pleaded in a fundraising email Monday that emphasized the threat of “billionaires and super PACs” that are seeking to defeat the president.
The email message also included the graphic above that name-checked casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who, along with his family, has donated more than $30 million to Republican super PACs so far this election cycle.
GOP-aligned super PACs and nonprofits and Republican party committees have buoyed Mitt Romney’s own presidential bid. Party committees have higher contribution limits than candidates’ campaigns and super PACs and nonprofits have no contribution limits at all.
Thanks to these higher contribution limits, Romney and his Romney Victory Fund — which benefits his campaign and several Republican party groups — has now outraised the president and his joint fundraising operation for three months in a row.
In contrast, President Barack Obama has long sought to mobilize grassroots donors.
According to campaign finance filings with the Federal Election Commission, about 60% of the money that Obama has raised has come in chucks of $200 or less. And about three-fourths of the money Obama has raised has come from people giving less than $1,000.
Romney’s campaign has only relied on donations of $200 or less for about 20 percent of its funding. And more than half of the money Romney has raised has come from people giving at least $2,000, FEC records show.
Federal law prohibits individuals from donating more than $5,000 to either Romney or Obama — that’s $2,500 a piece for their primary and general election funds.
(Source: opensecretsdc)
Here’s the TED Talk by Hanauer You’re Not Supposed to See
h/t to UpworthyAlso see the slides
Nick Hanauer on Corporate Profits
Author’s note: Historically, no movement for change that originated from below succeeded without at least some allies at the top. Ever, ever, ever. This is true across the board of history. Think about it. Recount in your mind historical events such as I am speaking about it, and see if what I am saying is not so.
I think they (the wealthy) actually have an insufficient influence. Those who have enjoyed the benefits of our system more than ever now owe a duty to protect the system that has created the greatest nation on this planet. And so I hope that other individuals who have really enjoyed growing up in a country that believes in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – and economic freedom is part of the pursuit of happiness – (I hope they realize) they have a duty now to step up and protect that. Not for themselves, but for their kids and for their grandchildren and for the person down the street that they don’t even know …
Ken Griffin, a hedge fund billionaire who is one of the 400 richest people in America, argued that the ultrawealthy in this country don’t have enough influence over politics.
He also complained that this is a “very sad moment in [his] lifetime,” citing the now-familiar Republican charge that the Obama administration has “embraced class warfare.”
(via anticapitalist)
(Source: thinkprogress.org)
When a rich woman wants to stay home with her kids, she's lauded, and parenting is called one of the hardest jobs you can do. When a poor woman wants to stay home with her kids, she needs to learn the "dignity of work." A rich, white woman who stays at home is a good mother. A poor, black woman who stays at home is welfare queen.
(Source: eamcintyre)
