Lee Stranahan Filmmaker, Writer, Photographer Posted January 29, 2009 | 09:58 PM (EST) While President Obama properly called out Wall Street this week for the special sort of greed that allowed billions of dollars in bonuses while the walls of capitalism crumbled around them, there’s another sort of contemptuous, destructive greed going on right under [...]
Archive for January, 2009
30 Jan
Where’s Obama the Populist?
Barack Obama campaigned as a champion of the little guy — and kicked off his presidency on decidedly populist notes. The marquee event of inauguration night was a “neighborhood ball” open to everyday Americans. The next morning, the president and first lady welcomed people off the street into their new home for an open house. [...]
30 Jan
The Stimulus Debate That Matters
By E. J. Dionne Jr. Friday, January 30, 2009 The Washington Post President Obama’s visit with House and Senate Republicans this week was useful for setting a new tone and offering a refreshing break from the Bush administration’s habit of consulting almost no one. But it was a sideshow to the main battle over how [...]
29 Jan
The Return To Bushonomics
thinkprogress.org ECONOMY The Return To Bushonomics Yesterday, in a 244-to-188 vote, the House approved an $819 billion economic recovery plan written by House Democrats and supported by President Obama. Despite Obama’s aggressive outreach efforts, the entire Republican caucus, along with 11 Democrats, voted against the plan. Afraid of crossing Obama’s high approval ratings, conservatives are claiming [...]
29 Jan
Senate Likely to Pass Bill on Kids’ Health Insurance
SCHIP Could Cover 11 Million Children Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) said, “This bill will make a real difference in the lives of children.” (Gerald Herbert – AP) By Ceci Connolly Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, January 29, 2009 The Senate is expected to approve a bill today that provides health insurance to about 11 [...]
29 Jan
The Financial Crisis Is Driving Hordes of Americans to Suicide
By Nick Turse, Tomdispatch.com. Posted January 29, 2009. Pushed past their breaking points, people are robbing banks to pay the rent, setting homes on fire — even taking their own lives. The body count is still rising. For months on end, marked by bankruptcies, foreclosures, evictions, and layoffs, the economic meltdown has taken a heavy [...]
29 Jan
DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE BILL TO LET MEDICARE NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES
By Emily P. Walker, Washington Correspondent, MedPage Today Published: January 28, 2009 WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 — House Democrats have introduced a bill to establish a government-controlled prescription drug plan to compete with private plans that provide Medicare prescription drug coverage. A key element in the bill would permit the HHS secretary to directly negotiate drug prices [...]
28 Jan
Aides Say Obama’s Afghan Aims Elevate War
NYTimes.com Published: January 27, 2009 WASHINGTON — President Obama intends to adopt a tougher line toward Hamid Karzai, the Afghan president, as part of a new American approach to Afghanistan that will put more emphasis on waging war than on development, senior administration officials said Tuesday. Danfung Dennis for The New York Times American soldiers [...]
28 Jan
Recovery and Reinvestment 101
Center for American Progress Recovery and Reinvestment 101 SOURCE: AP/J. Scott Applewhite The Capitol is illuminated as Congress works late on an economic stimulus package. January 28, 2009 Download this brief (pdf) 1. What caused the current recession? 2. Is recession only a problem in the United States? 3. What is the most important issue [...]
28 Jan
Employers cut 14,100 more jobs
Labor hits keep on coming as several large companies push workforce reductions. By Ben Rooney and Kenneth Musante, CNNMoney.com staff writers Last Updated: January 28, 2009 How will the economic stimulus package help your job situation? NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The job market took another savage beating Wednesday after several companies announced cost cutting plans [...]
28 Jan
House passes $819 billion stimulus bill
Obama lobbied for the bill aggressively, but it garnered no Republican support. Senate likely to take up its version next week. By David Goldman, CNNMoney.com staff writer Last Updated: January 28, 2009 NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — The House passed an $819 billion economic stimulus package Wednesday on a party-line vote, despite President Obama’s efforts to [...]
28 Jan
Why House Republicans Aren’t Worth Listening To
Posted by Christopher Hayes, The Nation at 4:28 PM on January 27, 2009. Whenever John Boehner shows up on your TV, change the channel. This has, all things considered, been a pretty great week for the republic: executive orders increasing government transparency, banning torture, and beginning the process of closing Guantanamo. Obama’s also given a [...]
