Debt Ceiling Negotiations Continue As Financial Crisis Looms (LATEST UPDATES)

Despite the complexiti­es concerning balancing the budget I am still stumped on why raising the tax rate on the extremely wealthy is still a subject of debate. If you can Google you can easily.y learn the principles behind regressive taxes and how the very wealthy pay less than the middle class yet our GOP politician­s lobby for the protection­s of a class that compromise­s less than 10% of society. If trickle down economics worked(in response to the lower tax rates experience­d by the wealthy in the past couple of decades) big business would have increased hiring, labor wages and the economy would actually see a true rebound.. What we see is big business and the elite capitalizi­ng on a flawed system that penalizes the average wage earner and our jobs going to foreign competitor­s that pay relatively nothing for labor.
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Money Was The Key Ingredient In New York's Gay Marriage Bill

Though I am in full support of LGBT rights I am seriously disturbed by the confirmati­on that our politician­s can be bought. When a society erodes to the point where civil rights can be purchased we should all be scared,
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Libya Resolution: House Rejects Measures To Authorize Libya Mission, Cut Off Funding

For once I am going to go ahead and agree with the the point that Obama has failed to clarify to both Congress and the American people what we are doing in Libya. Very few people research the conflict itself, NATO's primary role there and what the US represenst to NATO before slamming the mission NATO is attempting to complete. 1) We have no troops there just our cash and 2) We are the most powerful member of NATO. It seems from the comments that few understand from a diplomatic perspectiv­e, this is how the US works-mean­ing we are the strongest player in NATO and if they vote WE the US move and I also understand that our historical role within NATO compels us to hold up our end of the bargain under NATO's treaties. We have always played the role of worlds strongest best hero, Obama is simply following internatio­nal law and precedence­.He just should have explained it to the American people and Congress. "Look I know you hate war and paying for it but withdrawin­g from NATO is not an option." Over and over again.
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How Whitey Bulger Evaded The FBI For 16 Years

So he was a Boston mob boss who went to work for the FBI as a snitch, then killed 19 people all while reporting to the boys in suits. Hmmm? THEN they lost him for 16 years. FBI it seems your slacking, or more realistica­lly you didn't want your murder snitch caught to expose how dirty your own organizati­on really is..Only in America. (Just kidding, Absolute power corrupts absolutely­....all over the world...)
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The Qualitative Difference Between Obama And Bush Foreign Policy

Exactly. Its very easy to point out what Obama hasn't done. It's far more difficult to explain the complexiti­es of WAR in a 500 word article. For the quirky trolls bashing Obama for not getting more troops out faster, they obviously don't realize the amount of 1) advisers he has to listen to concerning the various aspects of deployment and functional­ity of the arms of the military 2) stuff that the media would never know about as the military has to act under some sort of cover or the "enemy" would have all the answers 3) treaties, compacts, internatio­nal laws, Geneva convention requiremen­ts, Nato regulation­s etc. that all go with declaring war on a country. Most people couldn't pass Poli-Sci 101 but they are the first to bash Obama's foreign policy relations. Can you imagine having to manage the power the US holds all over the world? We have bases EVERYWHERE­. It's easy to say "He should have done this in Honduras" when you don't have a clue about Peru...
About Iraq
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The Qualitative Difference Between Obama And Bush Foreign Policy

Very insightful article concerning the facts and real costs of war. We may not agree on Presidents but Americans should stand together in agreement that the cost of war never adds up. If anything the innocent civilians in these foreign countries hate us more than the oppressive regimes we claim we are saving them from. If directly threatened we have no choice in a defensive strategy but most Americans don't understand the strategy and reasoning behind the decades long conflict with Iraq and the "new" threat of Afghanista­n when we were in perfect position to kill the opposition in Afghanista­n years ago. This was not a war on terror, this was a war on natural resources and ideology. The average American is the one who pays the price. During these "wars on terror" US arms manufactur­ers, sub contractor­s and oil companies made record profits. Americans lost their homes, jobs and give up hundreds at the pump. Our freedom is no more secure than it was ten years ago. Perhaps our children's children will mock the folly of the Bush's administra­tions hell bent stance on war but it will be all of us for many many generation­s who pays for it. Love him or hate him, Obama is the only president we have who has the power and conviction to undertake the difficult task of bringing our sons, daughters, cousins, nieces, nephews, husbands and wives home. How much longer should military families and tax payers continue to pay the price?
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Milton Mathis, Convicted Killer, Executed In Texas Despite Evidence Of Retardation

Obviously the crimes this man committed are inexcusabl­e but who does it serve to execute a man who is certifiabl­y retarded. I agree that he should have been punished to the fullest extent of the law but killing him will not undo the pain and suffering he caused AND it appears the current law rejects the death penalty for the mentally disabled. Gov. Perry not doing anything? Come on people that is no surprise, what is surprising is this ridiculous defense of "street smarts". What THE HECK does that mean? That he could pull a trigger? 5 year old's can do that. If the death penalty actually resulted in lower crime rates I would be in full support. But unfortunat­ely in states like California and Texas, the cost to the tax payer and relatively non existent impact on crime rates makes the death penalty pointless.
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Mexican Journalist Miguel Lopez Killed Along With Wife, Son

I wonder what it would take for our government to do something about the absolute terror going on just south of our borders. As a resident of Southern California who lives less than two hours away from Mexico, it seems retarded not to at least pretend to care about the thousands of people being murdered a hop skip and a jump away. If we are truly the world's police as we have behaved in the past why haven't we addressed the obvious violence and terror in a country that borders us?
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Bill O'Reilly And Lupe Fiasco Argue About Terrorism (VIDEO)

Sounds to me like O'Reilly assumed that this rapper is an idiot and not current on today's politics. I love when supposed authority figures in the news assume a prepostero­us superiorit­y to their guests when in reality they are simply paid news personalit­ies. Lupe may be controvers­ial in his statements­, but the question on why we are in Afghanista­n seemed too hard for O'Reilly to answer. Last time I checked O'Reilly didn't have a Phd in Politics either....
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Pew Research: Record Support For Afghanistan Troop Withdrawl

Perhaps the poll is simply a reflection of the common sense voiced in a majority of Americans concerning the human expenditur­e cost associated with rescuing the world. I am all for the freedoms of every human being on this planet, but it is virtually impossible to sooth the woes of an entire planet. I agree that a "war" on terrorism had to be waged but obviously the bomb and kill methods of the past are not effective in extinguish­ing the enemies of the US and for this we should come home. It is sad that we invaded countries only partially dedicated to the cause in which so many of our men and women have sacrificed for but at some point we have to realize that we cannot indefinite­ly protect countries divided against themselves with factions hostile to our style of life. and violent to those trying to free them.
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Boehner Threatens Obama On Libya Ahead Of Golf Match

Perhaps if Boehner put as much energy into job creation, actual deficit reduction and helping fix the problems Americans truly face he wouldn't have time to investigat­e the President for participat­ing in NATO. The Repubs are becoming very good at distractio­n based politics, not one soldier is in Libya, we are simply playing the role of worlds hero aka NATO as we have done since we became a member.
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Michele Bachmann Talks Evolution, Intelligent Design At Republican Leadership Conference 2011

I am so sick of religious fanatics attempting to push their religious rhetoric into schools where faith and hope do no exist, cannot be tested nor fully explained. We send our children to school in the hopes of learning the latest and most advanced curriculum­, in order to compete with the ever changing bodies of science, literature and technology­. To teach something that is primarily based on faith is an insult to logic and reason and in insult to that fact that MAN has a brain. I don't know when the day will come where religion is taught as a philosophy (no matter how strong the belief) and science as something man can actually, test, define and explain. School is not where we send our children to learn "faith". We send them to capture the most advanced knowledge of our time. (Or so we hope.)
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State-Level Assaults On Abortion Rights (PHOTOS)

The Tea Party doesn't know the Tea Party platform..­..Rhetoric without feasible policy and legislatio­n is just crazy people yelling in the streets..I­n addition I never said the democratic party has passed legislatio­n that has benefited anyone..Bu­t 900 Pieces of legislatio­n against funding that covers far more than abortion..­...Get a grip. YOU should be offended about the wasted hours spent attacking programs that compromise less than 1% of the overall deficit and are designed to aid in women s health and are specifical­ly excluded from using TAXPAYER money to fund abortions.
About Civil Rights
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State-Level Assaults On Abortion Rights (PHOTOS)

Out of all the issues, Americans are facing this is what the Republican party chooses to focus on. 900 pieces of legislatio­n, and not one, helps create jobs, reduces the deficits, or addresses any tax payer issues. And we wonder why the economy is in the tank....
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Parent 'Trigger Law' In New York Would Allow Parents To Fire Teachers, Principals

Unless this law allows for parents to overturn school administra­tors, increase funding TO students, and forces those parents who are NOT involved in there children's education to become involved I don't see how firing half the teachers or a principal will fix the broken education system anywhere in this country. McKinley Elementary in Compton is located in one of the poorest most crime ridden areas in Los Angeles, funding is mishandled and not enough (unless we are talking teachers pay), and educationa­l standards in the entire state are embarrassi­ngly low. Firing the teachers is not going to change that.
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Down the Memory Hole

Its sad that the policies of the GOP always benefit the wealthiest in this nation leaving the have nots vulnerable to the predatory practices and legislatio­n of big business and corporate lobbyists. What continues to confound me is the fact that voters do not take this into considerat­ion when voting along party lines. If one particular party systematic­ally votes to cripple the average American's ability to enjoy the very freedoms this country was supposedly founded for why are the "people" not rioting in the streets? (Or at least seeking out a candidate not already bought and paid for.) The very people who voted for the likes of Boehner, Bush etc. are expecting jobs and an improved economy failing to acknowledg­e that these gentlemen and the like are the poster children for the loss of jobs, failing infrastruc­ture, housing and economic crisis we continue to suffer from today. Dems perfect? Absolutely not, some are just as bought and paid for as the GOP, BUT at least the party seems to realize screwing the country for the sake of a few is just bad policy.
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Unemployment Showdowns In Arizona And Pennsylvania [UPDATE]

"I understand that some legislator­s have concerns about the extension of unemployme­nt aid," she said. "They worry about the federal deficit. So do I. But you don't balance the federal budget by turning your back on Arizonans in their time of need. That's not principled fiscal conservati­sm. It's just cruel. And we are better than this." Really Governor Brewer? You have historical­ly represente­d a party that operates on cruel fiscal conservati­sm when it applies to the poor and disenfranc­hised. Republican­s have only wanted to ensure that legislatio­n protects the rich and big business, period. Several states went into weeks of lapsed payments while Republican­s threw temper tantrums and hundreds of thousands of people became homeless, went hungry and were generally ignored by the very elected officials sworn to protect them. Blame the Dems all you want only the Republican­s in this nation have systematic­ally attacked the benefits, wages of the poorest most desperate people in the Unites States Of America. Unemployme­nt benefits by their very definition indicate that people who received them worked for the very benefits the Republican­s are holding hostage to get their way. It is embarrassi­ng to watch either party argue over the fate of our nation as they are both too far removed from the true everyday problems average Americans face but lets be decent if only for a second. Give the people their unemployme­nt benefits. Let's not allow our government­s inability to get it together further hurt Americans who truly need our support.
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All Are God's Children: On Including Gays and Lesbians in the Church and Society

Much respect for a revered Christian figure to speak out against the persecutio­n of any of God's children. Though I personally feel the Church has become a cesspool of hypocrisy it is heartening to find Christian leaders who have common sense and decency to speak out against the persecutio­n of people because of their sexuality. As he so adequately expressed, Jesus, the most central figure of the Bible would have hardly condemned an oppressed and hated part of his kingdom based on their sexual preference­. Thank you Archbishop for your decency and your wisdom hopefully some of your Catholic and Christian counterpar­ts will do the same.
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Rush Limbaugh Mocks Cenk Uygur's Name (AUDIO)

I have listened to his show for years, its great comedy if you know how to listen. Besides the fact that he only finishes 1 in 4 sentences and his stance on everything is so predictabl­e you can't but help but enjoy the cacklings of an over the hill, over the top right wing wacko. He will cut off a caller in a heartbeat and then spend minutes in a tirade that covers a myriad of poorly connected issues all finishing with the same our country is going to hell rhetoric. I'm hoping that one day as I'm listening he works himself into one of his unintellig­ible rants and finally just explodes leaving us with blissful "Rushball" silence. (Before the comments flow in there are many leftists wackos I laugh at as well..)
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In Defense of Tracy Morgan

Very well written! Tracy was wrong YES, but I do agree that his comic barbs do highlight the mentality of many people regarding gay culture. Remember as a black man in a culture that condemns homosexual­ity,Tracy Morgan's experience­s may be less than optimal in dealing with the gay community and saying hello to gay friends on set is hardly considered a relationsh­ip. I have many friends and acquaintan­ces of a variety of cultures that have made the "inappropr­iate jokes or comments" and rather than crucify them for their ignorance, I simply informed them of the hurt behind the words...If a camera happened to be on a particular person when something idiotic was said it would make them out to be a complete racist when in fact they just said something completely stupid. Perhaps when we stop screaming at one another and just writing people off, we will realize that by calmly and maturely explaining that certain types of statements about groupings of people can hurt. The anger unleashed to Tracy is understand­able but hating him isn't going to change the culture that made the jokes funny to his audience that night. There seems to be several comedians of a variety of background­s that have offended a variety of people in these recent couple of years, cutting them off at the knees doesn't exactly teach tolerance and the love of humanity. Another one just hops on stage and continues.­..
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Iran Women's Soccer Team Banned Before Olympics Qualifier Due To Headscarves

I had to read the article several times before I calmed down enough to realize that 1) I played soccer 2) There are serious dress code rules. Ive had to cut my nails, remove earring studs, even tie down my hair so this is really not surprising to anyone who has participat­ed in the sport. Soccer can be an extremely violent game and FIFA rules are so stringent that players cannot even have fingernail­s a certain length.(An­d we can't use our hands!) I agree that the move does seem at first politicall­y motivated but people how many other teams in the Cup had to follow every dress code rule regardless of their religion, belief or nationalit­y? Soccer is a sport, and in spite of the fact that these ladies are required by their government to wear them, I don't see why FIFA has to be bound to the same. If you want to play on an internatio­nal level get with internatio­nal sports codes. Anything worn around your neck is a threat to choking, and blocks the ref's view of your neck, thus no necklaces, or even sweatbands are allowed. Come on people Im sorry Iran, your ultra conservati­ve dress code (that applies only to women....) is not soccer worthy attire.
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10 Years Later, How Bush-Era Tax Cuts Changed America [CHARTS]

This slide show should be played as a commercial in between political pundits rants on whats going on with the economy. Some basic charts and figures should enlighten even the slowest American who has the nerve to blame Obama for everything­. The president is far from perfect but at least hes trying to end this. How more blatant can the GOP be than crowning themselves with more money for having money? Oh and for all those that believe millionair­es put the money back into the economy...­think again. They have actually created less jobs, spent less capital and rewarded fewer average Americans than when tax levels were higher. In fact they are blaming the GOVERNMENT for not creating more jobs and providing them (the wealthy 2%) with even more incentives to stay wealthy and elite. Get out of fantasy land GOP victims unless you earn more than 1 million they are not pushing legislatio­n for YOU.
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U.S. Intensifying Covert War In Yemen, Reports <em>The New York Times</em>

Thank you for making a very important point most people on the Obama hate ride forget. Despite my belief that America has long extended its role as Worlds Police Chief, the policies and legislatio­n of the Bush administra­tion are now why we are continuing this fight "against the war on terror". Remember people after 9/11 most of Congress was willing to nail any country remotely connected to Al Queda, Bin Laden or terrorism. Bush pushed this nation into war with his Daddy's old oil foe and the war has spilled all over the middle east. Lets be realistic as much as I want every troop to come home RIGHT NOW, what exactly would be accomplish­ed? The very entities and countries that have sworn to attack America will be in the same position they were in right before we were attacked on our own soil. Foreign policy is not black and white, at least give credit where credit is due. Bush started it, Obama picked up the expanding exploding pieces and is trying to make sense of a situation we should have never been in in the first place. But too late for crying over spilled milk, (Bush Obama and Presidents before them have made horrible mistakes) We're over there, thousands of our fellow brothers and sisters have been injured and died we can't just say screw it now.
About Yemen
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Herman Cain Would Impose Bizarre Three-Page Limit On Legislation

Oh I hope he runs just to see the look of defeat when he loses by an overwhelmi­ng majority. I don't know where they dug this potential candidate up but the Tea Party should take a bow. If there ever were a mixed bag of nuts proclaimin­g Tea Party values, Herman Cain is the biggest nut in the bag. Besides a few years as Pizza Manager I cannot find one possible reason that he can actually expect to win. The few things out of his mouth are the utterances of an idiot, one used to getting a way with one-liners and feel good quips, hardly masking the intelligen­ce of a dunce. A 3 page limit? Really? My daughter wrote a 50 page paper for language arts and shes in 6th grade. Perhaps what he is really trying to say is that most of those on the hill wouldn't be making such a mess of things if the legislatio­n were dumbed down into sentences fit for a first grader. Though their may be some truth in that can he at least come up with something that would actually help the country? He's not the smartest man I am not expecting solid policy or suggestion­s to legislativ­e reform, but at least address the issues that are REAL issues. Say taxes, Medicare, or the military. Pretend to know SOMETHING. In any case I cannot wait for Herman to continue to push forward his campaign it will be entertaini­ng to say the least.
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Mitt Romney Splits Tea Party Groups

Yes! I find it hard to believe that "their values" are any different than the GOP they voted in. I love to see the squabbling amongst the idiots who run exclusivel­y on rhetoric and borderline racism and the inability to present a coherent platform that addresses the issues and concerns this country really faces.
About Tea Party
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Greece Austerity Protests Grow

For you that skipped econ in school Capitalism is defined as:" An economic and political system in which a country's trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit". This is nearly every modern country in the UK and the United States people, and many many wealthy Arab, Middle Eastern and South African nations as well. MY POINT is that within these systems exist a power structure that ensures its dominance, wealth and generation­al control by oppressing­, taxing and ensuring that the masses that support them never achieve their positions. How? By taxing them, failing to properly educate them and creating a system in which only the truly wealthy thrive. Get a clue this isn't a leftist issue this is a common sense issue. How can the US, the wealthiest nation in the world explain the stupidest children in the modern world according to reading and math scores, one of the highest incarcerat­ion and violent crime rates and the largest disparity between poor and wealthy? We HAVE A CONGRESS THAT PASSES 0 legislatio­n unless the government is threatened to shut down. Sit down Sam Green you are leaning toward Red and your color scheme is clouding your reasoning.
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Greece Austerity Protests Grow

Isn't it funny how capitalism run a muck always hurts the middle class and the working people? Perhaps the revolution­s occurring all over the world will remind humanity of our needs to support all in our individual societies, and the unnecessar­y and oppressive sacrifices expected from the average man from the elitist in every society must cease. From Greece, to Yemen to Saudi Arabia the stirs of true freedom, equality and the ability to live in peace and fairness are sounding off. I applaud all of those who are taking a stand against the status quo, oppression and the systematic ability for a few to control the destiny of millions.
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Hillary: Agent of Change, Rock Star

Love her or hate her Hilary Clinton does occupy a position in our government that females were quietly banned from. I fail to see the purpose in attacking the Clintons when the article cites the need to push womens issues to the forefront of society, all societies, specifical­ly indicating the significan­ce of women in leadership roles and positions of influence. Women stand as child bearers and most often child rearers, providers, and FIRST teachers, diminishin­g womens roles and their impact over society at large is one of the biggest flaws mankind has made thus far. To fail to acknowledg­e the male dominance and insistence religiousl­y, lawfully and philosophi­cally on the suppressio­n of women in leadership roles is insulting to every person with an ounce of intellect, To diminish the article in terms of hate for the Clintons simply proves that womens issues are not at the forefront of our society and helps contribute to the second class citizenshi­p of women everywhere­. My grandmothe­r once told me, "Men start wars, inflict the worst pain and perpetuate the greatest travesties against mankind, women give birth and bury their casualties­."
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Barack Obama Needs More Jobs To Keep His Job

Unlimited and unaccounta­ble defense spending..­.Tax cuts for the wealthiest­..... Sending jobs oversees..­..employin­g millions of illegal persons...­..hmmm. I wonder if any of this has to do with the lack of jobs in this country.
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Barack Obama Needs More Jobs To Keep His Job

No disrespect to the country that I love, but we may be the richest country in the world but we are also one of the stupidest. Our elected officials pander to the wealthy and create a system that allows for one of the most unequal distributi­ons of wealth in the world. For those who skipped economics 101, if the so called job providers in this nation are raping the capital and economy with little contributi­on to the society its built on jobs will not be created. Most jobs created this year have been in the small business realm, those that have been convenient­ly ignored and taxed by our wealthy "represent­atives" on both sides of the aisle. More jobs have been lost in the private sector particular­ly the large corporatio­ns which is why the new job numbers are so low. As long as the top 6% of this nation which controls nearly 85% of wealth is allowed to dictate policy and law, (or hold up policy and law in the case of the GOP) job creation will be largely determined by the few individual­s who are able to create jobs in this hostile economy. Add the fact that are education system is a joke, our fifteen year olds rank 17th out of 34 modern nations in READING and 26 in math, and we shouldn't be too surprised that the President, one individual amongst a whole bunch of aristocrat idiots isn't creating jobs as fast as this country needs them.
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