Citizen Murdoch—No Longer Untouchable
by Katrina vanden Heuvel
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. has taken out full-page ads in Britain reading, “We are sorry.” “Sorry” is as good an adjective as any to describe the Murdoch media empire.
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Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Paul Krugman -The Wrong Perversity
Ryan Avent is upset, rightly, at the way that Obama keeps invoking the confidence fairy, in effect buying in to the doctrine of expansionary austerity — even as a growing body of research grinds what little plausibility the doctrine had into dust.
Yet perverse things do happen; it’s just that we’re focusing on the wrong perversity.
As Brad DeLong argues, there’s a very good case to be made that we’re currently living under conditions in which fiscal contraction actually worsens the long-run deficit. Why? The argument runs like this:
1. Fiscal contraction reduces output in the short run; this immediately means that part of the initial gain in terms of a lower deficit is offset by reduced revenue and higher safety-net spending. These effects are especially large when you’re in a liquidity trap, so monetary policy can’t fight the fiscal contraction.
2. Reductions in short-run output and employment take a toll on long-run growth, too: capital investment is depressed, workers lose their skills, and so on. This in turn reduces future revenues.
3. Meanwhile, with real interest rates very low — actually negative on 5-year bonds — the cost of borrowing now in terms of future debt burden is also very low.
So there is no plausible argument on behalf of the claim that fiscal contraction expands output; there is, on the other hand, a very plausible argument to the effect that fiscal contraction doesn’t even help the fiscal situation.
So guess which perversity is considered a suitable position for Serious People, and which isn’t?
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Ryan Avent is upset, rightly, at the way that Obama keeps invoking the confidence fairy, in effect buying in to the doctrine of expansionary austerity — even as a growing body of research grinds what little plausibility the doctrine had into dust.
Yet perverse things do happen; it’s just that we’re focusing on the wrong perversity.
As Brad DeLong argues, there’s a very good case to be made that we’re currently living under conditions in which fiscal contraction actually worsens the long-run deficit. Why? The argument runs like this:
1. Fiscal contraction reduces output in the short run; this immediately means that part of the initial gain in terms of a lower deficit is offset by reduced revenue and higher safety-net spending. These effects are especially large when you’re in a liquidity trap, so monetary policy can’t fight the fiscal contraction.
2. Reductions in short-run output and employment take a toll on long-run growth, too: capital investment is depressed, workers lose their skills, and so on. This in turn reduces future revenues.
3. Meanwhile, with real interest rates very low — actually negative on 5-year bonds — the cost of borrowing now in terms of future debt burden is also very low.
So there is no plausible argument on behalf of the claim that fiscal contraction expands output; there is, on the other hand, a very plausible argument to the effect that fiscal contraction doesn’t even help the fiscal situation.
So guess which perversity is considered a suitable position for Serious People, and which isn’t?
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Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Debt Political Theater Diverts Attention While Americans' Wealth Is Stolen
by Rep. Dennis Kucinich
U.S. Representative from Ohio's 10th District
The rancorous debate over the debt belies a fundamental truth of our economy -- that it is run for the few at the expense of the many.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
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Murdoch Empire in More Hot WaterThe media mogul printed the final edition of 'News of the World' Sunday, but shocking revelations continue to emerge.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Monday, July 04, 2011
What Our Declaration Really Said
By E.J. Dionne, Jr. —
Our nation confronts a challenge this Fourth of July that we face but rarely: We are at odds over the meaning of our history and why, to quote our Declaration of Independence, “governments are instituted.”
$4 Trillion for War—and Counting
By Joe Conason —
Anyone paying attention to the costs of U.S. military action in Iraq and Afghanistan must have known that the president badly underestimated those numbers on June 22, when he told the nation that we have spent “a trillion dollars.”
Shining the Spotlight on the Corporate Pay Gap
By David Sirota —
As the deficit has exploded, incriminating facts have leaked out showing that many corporations pay more to their executives than they pay in taxes (and many firms pay no corporate income tax at all).
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By E.J. Dionne, Jr. —
Our nation confronts a challenge this Fourth of July that we face but rarely: We are at odds over the meaning of our history and why, to quote our Declaration of Independence, “governments are instituted.”
$4 Trillion for War—and Counting
By Joe Conason —
Anyone paying attention to the costs of U.S. military action in Iraq and Afghanistan must have known that the president badly underestimated those numbers on June 22, when he told the nation that we have spent “a trillion dollars.”
Shining the Spotlight on the Corporate Pay Gap
By David Sirota —
As the deficit has exploded, incriminating facts have leaked out showing that many corporations pay more to their executives than they pay in taxes (and many firms pay no corporate income tax at all).
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Saturday, July 02, 2011
Defending the Supremely Powerful
By E.J. Dionne, Jr. —
The United States Supreme Court now sees its central task as comforting the already comfortable and afflicting those already afflicted.
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By E.J. Dionne, Jr. —
The United States Supreme Court now sees its central task as comforting the already comfortable and afflicting those already afflicted.
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Friday, July 01, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
John Dean Knows How to Get Rid of Clarence Thomas
For good reason, there has been serious hand-wringing over what to do about the ethical lapses of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. There is clear precedent for how to deal with the justice. Thomas could be forced off the bench.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Republican NY State Senator Roy McDonald's Awesome Defense Of Gay Marriage; Bloomberg Visits Albany www.huffingtonpost.com
Republican New York State Senator Roy McDonald is one of the few Republicans who's said he will vote to legalize gay marriage in New York.
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Republican New York State Senator Roy McDonald is one of the few Republicans who's said he will vote to legalize gay marriage in New York.
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Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Prosser Allegedly Chokes Female Justice www.politicususa.com
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Prosser, has allegedly choked his colleague Justice Ann Walsh Bradley during discussions surrounding the union-busting bill last week.
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Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Prosser, has allegedly choked his colleague Justice Ann Walsh Bradley during discussions surrounding the union-busting bill last week.
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Thursday, June 23, 2011
Eric Cantor's debt ceiling hissy fit
The House majority leader picks up his marbles and repeats his mantra: No tax hikes, or we shoot the hostage
by Andrew Leonard
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The House majority leader picks up his marbles and repeats his mantra: No tax hikes, or we shoot the hostage
by Andrew Leonard
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Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Justice Clarence Thomas Should Resign For His Egregious Conflicts of Interest and Unethical Behavior
By Susie Madrak Has this country become so corrupt that our elected officials and the media will simply look the other way while Clarence Thomas makes a mockery of judicial impartiality?
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Jon Stewart: 'You're Insane'The conversation turns heated fast when the 'Daily Show' comedian faces off with Fox News host Chris Wallace.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Nation of Weiners
There is a culture gap in this country, between people who are happy to enjoy what’s left of their privacy and people who just don’t think about it.
There is a culture gap in this country, between people who are happy to enjoy what’s left of their privacy and people who just don’t think about it.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Weiner resigns: our political system in a nutshell
The Congressman is forced out of office. Bush and Cheney - torture, illegal eavesdropping, Iraq -- were not
by Glenn Greenwald
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The Congressman is forced out of office. Bush and Cheney - torture, illegal eavesdropping, Iraq -- were not
by Glenn Greenwald
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Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Not one of the candidates for the GOP presidential nomination who debated Monday night rose to a point of seriousness in addressing the nation’s grievous problems. Instead, they ever so playfully thumbed their collective noses at any possible meaningful government reaction to the mess that we are in.
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Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Obama Welcomed to Puerto Rico President Obama’s visit to Puerto Rico focused on political implications, not groundbreaking policies.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Thoughts On Voodoo
by John Krugman
With Tim Pawlenty — who was supposed to be a sensible Republican — going all-in for high voodoo, I thought it’s worth pointing out that at the moment there’s a pretty good case that there is a kind of Laffer curve in which more is less and less is more. Namely, there’s a good case that fiscal stimulus right now would actually improve the long-run fiscal situation, while fiscal austerity makes it worse.
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by John Krugman
With Tim Pawlenty — who was supposed to be a sensible Republican — going all-in for high voodoo, I thought it’s worth pointing out that at the moment there’s a pretty good case that there is a kind of Laffer curve in which more is less and less is more. Namely, there’s a good case that fiscal stimulus right now would actually improve the long-run fiscal situation, while fiscal austerity makes it worse.
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Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Wednesday, June 08, 2011
Tuesday, June 07, 2011
GOP running fake Democrats in Wisconsin recall elections The Raw Story www.rawstory.com
The Republican Party of Wisconsin admitted Monday that they planned to run candidates as Democrats in this summer's recall elections.
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The Republican Party of Wisconsin admitted Monday that they planned to run candidates as Democrats in this summer's recall elections.
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Pain at the Gas Pumps? Blame the Kochs.
by karoli
It seems that not only does Koch Industries avail itself of the profit-taking available by speculating on oil prices, but they were the authors of the whole damn scam.
by karoli
It seems that not only does Koch Industries avail itself of the profit-taking available by speculating on oil prices, but they were the authors of the whole damn scam.
Sunday, June 05, 2011
The Problem of Republican Idiots
The liars and lunatics serve as a smoke screen for the conservative war on the poor and the middle class.
by Eric Alterman
The liars and lunatics serve as a smoke screen for the conservative war on the poor and the middle class.
by Eric Alterman
Playing With Default
By Joe Conason —
The current puppet play in Congress—where Republicans sponsored a bill to raise the nation’s debt ceiling only because they wanted to vote it down—would be funny, if only they weren’t risking economic disaster.
By Joe Conason —
The current puppet play in Congress—where Republicans sponsored a bill to raise the nation’s debt ceiling only because they wanted to vote it down—would be funny, if only they weren’t risking economic disaster.
Kristof: Our Fantasy Nation?
With Tea Party conservatives and many Republicans balking at raising the debt ceiling, let me offer them an example of a nation that lives up to their ideals.
With Tea Party conservatives and many Republicans balking at raising the debt ceiling, let me offer them an example of a nation that lives up to their ideals.
Friday, June 03, 2011
Thursday, June 02, 2011
Sarah Palin Slams THE DREAM ACT At Ellis Island
By Andrea Nill Sanchez
Today, Sarah Palin visited Ellis Island and the “Statute” of Liberty as part of her One Nation tour.
By Andrea Nill Sanchez
Today, Sarah Palin visited Ellis Island and the “Statute” of Liberty as part of her One Nation tour.
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
How Can Paul Ryan Be Called 'Courageous'?
by Katrina vanden Heuvel
Our country has adopted a distorted definition of political courage, one that rewards those, like Paul Ryan, who claim to be making hard choices—when in truth they've taken an easy path.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Is Sarah Palin Pulling a Donald Trump?by Michael D. Shear
The announcement by the former governor of Alaska on Thursday that she will begin a slick, campaign-style bus tour this weekend immediately set off a frenzy of media and political speculation about her intentions for the 2012 presidential race.
The Fight-Back in Wisconsin
Judge Throws Out Walker’s Anti-Union Law
Protesters Crash Gov. Walker’s Voter ID Signing Party
Harnessing the Energy
Walker’s War Not Just Against the Middle Class
Progressives Rally in Northern Wisconsin
Rightwing assault continues in Wisconsin’s Capitol
Wisconsin Republicans Ram Through Voter ID Bill
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Judge Throws Out Walker’s Anti-Union Law
Protesters Crash Gov. Walker’s Voter ID Signing Party
Harnessing the Energy
Walker’s War Not Just Against the Middle Class
Progressives Rally in Northern Wisconsin
Rightwing assault continues in Wisconsin’s Capitol
Wisconsin Republicans Ram Through Voter ID Bill
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Buyers' Remorse Over New GOP Governorsby Marge Omero
Voters across the country have buyers' remorse about the Republicans they elected to office.
By Joe Conason —
Still spinning in the vortex of the May 24 tornado in New York’s 26th Congressional District, Republican leaders insist that Democrat Kathy Hochul’s upset victory on their party’s turf was meaningless.
Still spinning in the vortex of the May 24 tornado in New York’s 26th Congressional District, Republican leaders insist that Democrat Kathy Hochul’s upset victory on their party’s turf was meaningless.
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Saturday, May 28, 2011
America's Real Radicals: The 40 Senators Who Voted Against Medicare
by RJ Eskow
On Wednesday forty radicals in the United States Senate took an extremist position by voting to end Medicare.
That simple sentence will be challenged by a lot of political and media people. They'll say I don't understand the popular mood, and that I'm applying my own values to Wednesday's vote. But I can prove this statement is true, using only a dictionary and some polling data. They'll even say they didn't vote to end Medicare! But that can be proved, too.
by RJ Eskow
On Wednesday forty radicals in the United States Senate took an extremist position by voting to end Medicare.
That simple sentence will be challenged by a lot of political and media people. They'll say I don't understand the popular mood, and that I'm applying my own values to Wednesday's vote. But I can prove this statement is true, using only a dictionary and some polling data. They'll even say they didn't vote to end Medicare! But that can be proved, too.
Friday, May 27, 2011
If I Take Down Fox News, Is All Forgiven?
David Brock has spent the last decade apologizing to liberals for his role in creating the vast right-wing conspiracy. Now he’s trying something more ambitious and hoping it gains him the respect he craves from the White House.
By Jason Zengerle
David Brock has spent the last decade apologizing to liberals for his role in creating the vast right-wing conspiracy. Now he’s trying something more ambitious and hoping it gains him the respect he craves from the White House.
By Jason Zengerle
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Some Weeks Are Like That, Even for Republicans by Harold Meyerson
In a second blow for Republicans, a judge in Wisconsin today threw out Scott Walker's anti-union law.
Friends Without Benefits by Matthew Yglesias
The U.S. is Israel's BFF, but the feeling isn't mutual.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Obama Gets Real on Israel by Daniel Levy
President Obama gave the United States some credibility on the Middle East yesterday, but that doesn't mean his speech was perfect.
President Obama gave the United States some credibility on the Middle East yesterday, but that doesn't mean his speech was perfect.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Elephant In The Green Room
The circus Roger Ailes created at Fox News made his network $900 million last year. But it may have lost him something more important: the next election.
By Gabriel Sherman
The circus Roger Ailes created at Fox News made his network $900 million last year. But it may have lost him something more important: the next election.
By Gabriel Sherman
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Newt Gingrich will never be president
How many racially divisive images and issues can he throw at us in just one week? Keep watching . by Joan Walsh
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Newt Gingrich and "the food stamp president"
He didn't call Obama a "strapping young buck," but his slur is coded racism (and not very Catholic) just the same
by Joan Walsh
He didn't call Obama a "strapping young buck," but his slur is coded racism (and not very Catholic) just the same
by Joan Walsh
Saturday, May 14, 2011
The Return of the Real McCain
By Joe Conason —
John McCain has returned to his senses, just in time to refute the sinister attempt by his fellow Republicans to justify torture as the instrument of Osama bin Laden’s demise.
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By Joe Conason —
John McCain has returned to his senses, just in time to refute the sinister attempt by his fellow Republicans to justify torture as the instrument of Osama bin Laden’s demise.
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Rand Paul: Public Health Care Just Like Slavery
With an absolutely straight face, Rand Paul in this exchange compares public health care to slavery. He says that if everyone has a right to health care, that means that people can come to his office – Rand is a doctor, after all – and “conscript” him to provide service.
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With an absolutely straight face, Rand Paul in this exchange compares public health care to slavery. He says that if everyone has a right to health care, that means that people can come to his office – Rand is a doctor, after all – and “conscript” him to provide service.
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Friday, May 13, 2011
Why the GOP Can't Get Rid of Its Clowns
GOP presidential candidates have turned the party into a three ring circus. The would-be candidates that have snatched the most media ink and public attention typified the clown lunacy that GOP regulars shudder at.
GOP presidential candidates have turned the party into a three ring circus. The would-be candidates that have snatched the most media ink and public attention typified the clown lunacy that GOP regulars shudder at.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The GOP Checks Into Jonestown
by Andrew Reinbach
I've never met a conservative who knows what to say when I explain the reality of their premise; they just beg for time to consider.
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by Andrew Reinbach
I've never met a conservative who knows what to say when I explain the reality of their premise; they just beg for time to consider.
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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Editorial: The Rejected WindfallAfter Gov. Rick Scott of Florida thoughtlessly rejected $2.4 billion in federal aid for a high-speed rail line, he claimed last month that he was doing a huge favor for the national Treasury, which he expected would give away the money in tax cuts. That was nonsense, of course.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Friday, May 06, 2011
Why Ron Paul’s Racist Newsletters Matter Ron Paul is back in the hunt for the Presidency. Many see him as an appealing candidate, one who opposes the wars, wants drugs legalized and fiscal responsibility.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Debt Ceiling Folly
By E.J. Dionne, Jr. —
Starting this week, the talk in our nation’s capital will be dominated by whether or not Congress should raise the debt ceiling—as if we have any choice but to pay off our obligations.
A Monster of Our Own Creation
By Robert Scheer —
When bin Laden turned against us, he morphed into a figure of evil incarnate, and now three decades after we first decided to use him and other imported Muslim zealots for our Cold War purposes, we feel cleansed by his death of any responsibility for his carnage.
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By E.J. Dionne, Jr. —
Starting this week, the talk in our nation’s capital will be dominated by whether or not Congress should raise the debt ceiling—as if we have any choice but to pay off our obligations.
A Monster of Our Own Creation
By Robert Scheer —
When bin Laden turned against us, he morphed into a figure of evil incarnate, and now three decades after we first decided to use him and other imported Muslim zealots for our Cold War purposes, we feel cleansed by his death of any responsibility for his carnage.
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Wilkerson: 'Let Me Waterboard Donald Rumsfeld and Then We'll See if He Says It's Torture or Not' Wilkerson reminded me a little bit of Jesse Ventura when he said this a couple of years ago about Dick Cheney -- Jesse Ventura: You Give Me a Water Board, Dick Cheney and One Hour, and I'll Have Him Confess to the Sharon Tate Murders.
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