<i>Third World America</i>: Why I Wrote the Book and What We Need to Do to Save America's Middle Class

I sent this to a number of progressive groups a few minutes ago. Perhaps we can spread the idea to get everyone united behind keeping the GOP out of power then pushing for more "corrections" in Congress --------------------



"At this time I believe that your first priority needs to be to temporarily set aside your bigger objectives and focus on keeping Democrats in power.



We are both aware that if Republicans take over Government in November, your issues will get little attention and less respect than is presently the case.



If your goals are to achieve progress in your area of interest you need progressive people in power. While it may be true that the current Congress has not done as much as it could have, tossing them out will result in diminished chances in the coming couple of years.



I do not suggest you target for support any specific candidate, however, you must target the GOP for defeat as a matter of preserving your own best interest. You will also secure some friends on the left for your efforts which I am sure will be good for your objectives when they return to office.



To that end I suggest you suspend your campaigns on behalf of your own pet projects and focus on getting the word out to as many voters as possible. Urge them to vote Democrat to save any chance that your greater goals have a chance to live."
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Homeless and Empty Homes -- an American Travesty

Part of the problem not addressed is the banks who foreclose on houses then evict paying tenants, sometimes making them homeless as well. I recently received a violation notice on a property that was taken back by the bank. Seems the city still thought I owned it. The place is a mess, trash, weeds as tall as the fence etc. The tenants who lived there were evicted by the bank rather than the bank collecting rent. These people were good tenants, had jobs paid their rent and kept the property in excellent condition. Now the bank is sitting on a vandal target that is deteriorating without an occupant.



Since these properties become a blight and enforcement problem for cities because banks won't respond to code violations etc. Cities need to respond by placing liens on these properties and require the banks to either rent them or to allow the cities to use them to provide shelter for homeless families until the properties are sold. If a homeless families fortunes reverse they should get first dibs on becoming permanent tenants.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Boehner, Pence: Raising Social Security Retirement Age An Option

Boehner lies...as usual.



Social Security is on good footing and can sustain through the tough economy and still pay full benefits until at least 2037. Politicians cannot raid OUR surplus which is part of what ticks Republicans off. Boehner and his ilk would prefer to find a way to hand the current $2.3Trillion dollars over to one of their private insurance buddies where it no longer has any government protections. Remember how these banks and insurance companies wiped out billions in private retirement accounts prior to 2009 and caused our recession? Do you really think it would be a good idea to put our only safe nest egg into their basket?



SS does not contribute to our deficit because it is self-funded through it's own separate tax paid into from workers and employers.



It is not an "entitlement", a word republicans love to throw out there as a bad thing. It is an insurance policy citizens pay premiums into then collect when they retire.



http://www.joethevoter.org/busted-social-security-myths.html
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Obama Muslim Myth on the Rise

This is a right wing smoke screen they use to hide what they are really up to...the conversion of our nation into a corporate entity that is no longer responsible to the citizens, but to a select few at the top who already hold 98% of our total wealth. These people long ago bought and paid for the GOP and have them doing their dirty work. They are experts at using hate, fear, bigotry and hysteria to turn one American against another for political gain.



What is the sickest part of their plot to create a "corporatist" America is that they have been so successful in manipulating religion and so-called Christians to join in with this bigotry and hate. I guess those are the "Christians" who decided to change the spelling of their deity from GOD to GOP.



But why are the more main stream Christian organizations remaining so quit while all of this takes place?
About Barack Obama
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Scammed: What Shirley Sherrod and Social Security Have in Common

More SS fakery.



Some things people need to know.



Republicans would love to repeal or drastically cut Social Security claiming it is bankrupt. But here are some facts you need to know.



* Primarily financed by a 12.5% payroll tax split between the wage earner and the employer.

* Pays monthly benefits to about 53 million Americans.

* For 25 years has been taking in more that it pays out and now has a reserve of $2.5 Trillion Dollars.

* During the current recession SS has had to draw on those reserves due to high unemployment.

* The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the reserve fund and payroll taxes will cover full payment of benefits for another 33 years. ( Plenty of time to restore the economy if conservatives stop blocking provisions to do so. )



From my own article here: http://joethevoter.org/decoded-secret-gop-agenda.html
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Drill, Gamble, Loot, Starve: The Chamber of Commerce, the GOP, and the Politics of Plunder

Is there any wonder who the Republicans work for any longer? My own bit of satire here with some graphics I hope you will spread. http://www.gopofficialoil.com My logo here appeared in the opening credits of the Keith Olbermann show last week ! Whoopee !
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

BP, The GOP's Official Oil Company

BP, The GOP's Official Oil Company