Congress

Requiem for the Bailout Storyline

Norman Solomon | Posted 10.13.2008 | Media

Read More: James K. Galbraith, Robert Reich, Wall Street Crisis, McClatchy Newspapers, Economy, David Brooks, New York Times, Institute for Policy Studies, $700 Billion Bailout, Congress, News Media, Economic Stimulus, Center for Economic and Policy Research, President Bush, Dow, Dean Baker, Media News
Norman Solomon

Recent events should not be allowed to obscure the reality that the news media played a pivotal role in stampeding the country into a bailout that was unwise and unjust.

Read Post

What's Special About Wall Street

Jonathan Neil Schneider | Posted 10.11.2008 | Politics

Read More: Corruption, Documentaries, Congress, Pork, Bailout, Mr. Schneider Goes to Washington, Video, Campaign Finance Reform, Campaign Finance, Politics News
Jonathan Neil Schneider

With the election fast approaching and this issue still not getting the attention it warrants, I decided to screen Mr. Schneider Goes to Washington in its entirety for free.

Read Post

Economic Crisis Boosts Democrats In Congressional Races

AP | JULIE HIRSCHFELD DAVIS | Posted 10.11.2008 | Politics

Read More: Democrats, Congress, Congressinal Races, House Democrats, 2008 Election, Politics News

WASHINGTON — The financial turmoil that has devastated the stock market is also battering Republicans in congressional races, giving Democrats a...

Read Whole Story

Friday Talking Points [51] -- Some Positivity

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.10.2008 | Politics

Read More: Debate, Abuse, Demagogue, Green, Fisa, Mccain, Campaign, CAFE Standards, Sarah Palin, Gambling, Pissed Off, 2008, Midotw, Nancy Pelosi, Student Loan, Rockefeller, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Health Care, Energy, Jay Rockefeller, Democrat, Congress, Joe Biden, 08, Stimulus, Barack Obama, Biden, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Education, Demagoguery, Anger, Mddotw, College, Wiretapping, Warrantless, Troopergate, GI Bill, Mudslinging, Mother's Day, Mud, Obama, Democratic, Shocked, Waxman, Republican, Pelosi, Casablanca, Minimum Wage, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, 2008 Campaign, Report, Keating Five, John McCain, Keating, Mental Health, Angry, Medicaid, 2008 Elections, Henry Waxman, Alternative, 2008 Election, Crowd, 08 Campaign, Wall Street, Mother, Fat Cat, Palin, 2008 Presidential Race, Charles Keating, Wiretap, Telecommunications, Medicare, Head Start, Rocky IV, Fitzmas, Politics News
Chris Weigant

While we're all waiting for someone to leak the Palin Troopergate Report (which is reminiscent of waiting for "Fitzmas" during the whole Scooter Libby...

Read Post

Keeping the Internet Free For a New Generation of Speakers

Leslie Harris | Posted 10.09.2008 | Media

Read More: Pornography, Internet, Policy Making, Empowerment, Child Protection, Laws, Microsoft, Free Speech, Congress, Technology, Policy, Child Safety, President, Legislation, Cdt, Media News
Leslie Harris

The next president should set out to make the Internet's very own Bill of Rights and promote strategies that empower Internet users to make their own choices for their families about content controls.

Read Post

Should Henry "The Fox" Paulson Guard the Hen House?

Medea Benjamin | Posted 10.09.2008 | Business

Read More: Codepink, Congress, Bailout, Economy, Medea Benjamin, Henry Paulson, Wall Street Crisis, Business News
Medea Benjamin

The people's ire of the Wall Street bailout almost derailed Paulson's entire plan. But the bankers prevailed. It has, however, not calmed the markets and shouldn't mute the public outcry.

Read Post

"An Ungovernable Majority"

Andrew Sargus Klein | Posted 10.09.2008 | Politics

Read More: House, Politics, Senate, Congress, Bailout, 2008 Campaign, Majority, Democrats, Legislation, Republicans, Obama Healthcare, Senate Majority, Tom Delay, Congressional Filibuster, Filibuster, Bailout Bill, Barack Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Nancy Pelosi, Politics News
Andrew Sargus Klein

"While the Democrats have been ascendant in recent years, they have entered into a Faustian bargain. They're gaining seats, but in doing so they've made compromises."

Read Post

GOP Faces Tough Battles In Senate And Congressional Races

Huffington Post | Katharine Zaleski | Posted 10.09.2008 | Politics

Read More: House of Representatives, Senate, Congress, Mitch McConnell, Economic Crisis, Economy, Financial Crisis, Barack Obama Senate Races, Elizabeth Dole Senate, Politics News

Two major reports out today detail the deep trouble Republicans are facing in Senate and House races. Democrats now seriously believe they could clinc...

Read Whole Story

The Banking Scandal: Repeating the Same Mistakes and Expecting Different Results

Reese Schonfeld | Posted 10.08.2008 | Business

Read More: Bailout, Economy, Congress, Regulation, Regulators, Insure Bank Deposits, President, Office of Management and Budget, Main Street, Fdic, Savings and Loan, Jimmy Carter, Omb, Insurance, 250, 000, Assets, Banking Scandal, 700 Billion, Business News
Reese Schonfeld

The President and Congress have finally allowed us to allocate $700 billion to a policy, about whose success they are, at least reasonably, doubtful. They should enact new regulations.

Read Post

Republican's View: Not McCain's Night

Christopher Ingram | Posted 10.08.2008 | Politics

Read More: George Bush, 411 Communications, Al Gore, Democrat, Congress, Debate, John McCain, Treasury Secretary, Chris Ingram, Nbc, Town Hall, Barack Obama, Election, Econony, Joe Sixpack, Television, Communications Style, Freddie Mac, Wall Street, Tom Brokaw, Ceo, Republican, Banks, Bill Cliton, Real People, ABC News, Irreverent View, Politics News
Christopher Ingram

Simply put, McCain left his "A" game at the office. In failing to land the needed body-blow, Obama gets the win. And while Obama's was a technical win, he did not perform poorly.

Read Post

The Bailout Bill Passes Congress, President Signs the Legislation, and the World Is Saved. Not.

Patrick Takahashi | Posted 10.07.2008 | Green

Read More: Metastable Oil Prices and Stock Markets, Simple Solutions, Economy, Tokyo Stock Exchanges, Congress, World-Wide, Mccain, Obama, Paris, German, Republican, Europe Recession, Nymex, Dow Jones, Bailout, Free Market, China, Green News
Patrick Takahashi

We saw it when Reagan became president in the early '80s and a decade ago when the price of oil (in real dollars) hit an all-time low. Here we go, back to the past again. That's why it's ominous.

Read Post

Barney Frank Brings Life Support to Wall Street

Aubrey Sarvis | Posted 10.07.2008 | Business

Read More: Wall Street Crisis, November Election, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Henry Paulson, $700 Billion Bailout, Harry Reid, Congress, Ben Bernanke, Business News
Aubrey Sarvis

Despite the bailout, the European and Asian markets are in what the Financial Times describes as a "global sell-off" but which less conservative media are describing as a "bailout panic."

Read Post

AIG Congressional Hearing: "They Were Getting Manicures... While American People Were Footing The Bill"

Huffington Post | Dave Burdick | Posted 10.07.2008 | Business

Read More: Elijah Cummings, Congressional Hearing, Aig, Congress, AIG Manicures, Bailout, Finance, AIG Massages, Economy, AIG Bailout, AIG Facials, Aig Executive Retreat, Aig Congressional Hearing, Business News

Today, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform explores the causes and effects of the AIG bailout. THE AIG LUXURY RETREAT At one point, Rep...

Read Whole Story

The Upside of Economic Apocalypse

Michael B. Laskoff | Posted 10.07.2008 | Politics

Read More: Iraq War, House of Representatives, Senate, John MCain, Bailout, Afghanistan, Economy, Subprime Mortgage Crisis, Barack Obama, Economic Bubble, Congress, Wall Street Crash, George W. Bush, Financial Crisis Optimism, Electorate, Voter Turnout, 2008 Presidential Race, Financial Crisis, Real Estate Bubble, Great Depression, Politics News
Michael B. Laskoff

I wouldn't wish the current economic situation on ourselves. But we're here, and I can find real cause for optimism in an electorate that suddenly understands what we're up against as a country.

Read Post

Veteran Report Card 2008: Who in Washington Really Support Our Troops and Vets? We'll Tell You

Paul Rieckhoff | Posted 10.07.2008 | Politics

Read More: Scorecard, Congress, Troops, Support the Troops, Iava, Pelosi, Obama, Ratings, Reid, Report Card, Mccain, Biden, Veterans, Politics News
Paul Rieckhoff

Every politician in America wants you to believe they "support the troops." But actions speak louder than words.

Read Post

Senator Obama: "I'm proud to join Health Care for America Now."

Jason Rosenbaum | Posted 10.06.2008 | Politics

Read More: Congress, Health Care for America Now, Health Care, Barack Obama, Politics News
Jason Rosenbaum

Via Politico: Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) has signed on to the progressive Health Care for America Now campaign's principles - a move that bolsters the...

Read Post

McCain Angry With Himself?

Paul Jenkins | Posted 10.05.2008 | Politics

Read More: John McCain, Karl Rove, Alaska, Financial Bailout, Terrorism, Economy, George W. Bush, Colorado, Congress, Democratic Party, Che Guevara, Sarah Palin, Barack Obama, Wall Street, Maine, Todd Palin, Georgia, Alaska Independence Party, Republican Party, Indiana, Politics News
Paul Jenkins

The raw anger displayed by McCain is so over the top that he cannot seriously be targeting it at anyone but himself, and perhaps the Republican Party he has grown to hate.

Read Post

What if They Gave a Bailout and Nobody Noticed?

Howard Schweber | Posted 10.05.2008 | Business

Read More: U.S. Economy, Congress, Bailout, Economy, Wall Street Bailout, Wall Street Crisis, Government Bailout, Business News
Howard Schweber

There is one class of workers who should feel immediately reassured by the bailout. I am talking, of course, about the nice folks on Wall Street who did so much to create this scenario.

Read Post

Take a Dose of Battle in Seattle to Relieve Washington Fatigue

Leo W. Gerard | Posted 10.05.2008 | Politics

Read More: Ronal Reagan, Fair Trade, Gop, Trickle Down, Economy, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Free Trade, Congress, Global Corporations, Battle in Seattle, Stuart Townsend, Bailout Bill, Mark Engler, World Trade Organization, Wall Street, Doha Round, Foreign Policy in Focus, Nancy Pelosi, Deregulation, Privatization, Republicans, Wto, Politics News
Leo W. Gerard

Under the right set of circumstances -- like impending balloting on their re-election -- Congressmen do respond to public outcry.

Read Post

Good News At Last -- Congress Renews Clean Energy Tax Credits

Clint Wilder | Posted 10.04.2008 | Green

Read More: Wind Power, Wave Power, Geothermal Energy, Clean Energy, Congress, Clean Energy Production Tax Credits, Solar Power, Green Energy, Green News
Clint Wilder

Even one year gives the industry critical breathing room, with the strong possibility of a much longer extension next year from a new Congress and administration.

Read Post

Friday Talking Points [50] -- Can I Call You Joe?

Chris Weigant | Posted 10.04.2008 | Politics

Read More: Vice President, Debate, Troops, Gwen Ifill, Impeachment, Ifill, Cheney, Middle Class, Maverick, Iraq, Obama, Mccain, Biden Palin Debate, Campaign, Withdrawal, Sarah Palin, Bush, Deregulator, Vice Presidential Debate, Bush Doctrine, 2008, Midotw, Most Disappointing Democrat of the Week, 2008 Campaign, Most Impressive Democrat of the Week, Health Care, Global Warming, Taxes, Bill Clinton, John McCain, McCain Doesn't Get It, War, Timeline, 2008 Elections, Congress, Joe Biden, 08, Bridge to Nowhere, Democrats, 2008 Election, Investigation, Barack Obama, Biden, Election, 08 Election, Elections, Choked Up, 08 Campaign, Mddotw, Tax, Palin, 2008 Presidential Race, Deregulation, Vice Presidential, Debates, Independent Prosecutor, Spain, Special Prosecutor, 110th Congress, Politics News
Chris Weigant

I refuse to get too wrapped up in the question of who "won" the debate. In general, unless one candidate obviously self-destructs, this question is answered subjectively and personally. That's not to say I didn't think Biden did better. I did.

Read Post

Where Have All The Leaders Gone?

Roger Fransecky | Posted 10.03.2008 | Business

Read More: The War Within, Markets, Peggy Noonan, Oval Office, Economy, Mccain, Obama, Congress, Murder on the Orient Express, Bush, Bob Woodward, Tom Friedman, Soccor Mom, Bailout, Wall Street, Jack Welch, Sarah Palin, Patriotic Grace, Business News
Roger Fransecky

How do we re-engage the millions of Americans who want to believe in hope and horizons again?

Read Post

The Whole World Is Watching--And It's Not Pretty

Larry Gellman | Posted 10.03.2008 | Business

Read More: John McCain, Wall Street Bailout, Congress, Wall Street Crisis, Government Bailout, Bailout, Economy, Obama, Biden Palin Debate, Hong Kong, George W. Bush, Sarah Palin Katie Couric, John Mccain Suspends Campaign, 2008 Election, Bush Economy, John McCain Economic Policy, Katie Couric, Sarah Palin, Congressional Oversight, Business News
Larry Gellman

From halfway around the world, it all seems simple. The question is if we are going to keep blaming Washington, Wall Street, mortgage lenders--everybody but ourselves--for our problems.

Read Post

Bailout Bill Gives Tax Break to Wooden Arrow Manufacturers While Small Business Get the Shaft

Lloyd Chapman | Posted 10.02.2008 | Business

Read More: Congress, Small Business Administration, Wall Street Crisis, Bail Out, Middle Class Economy, Wooden Arrows, Business News
Lloyd Chapman

If anyone was concerned that President Bush, Treasury Secretary Paulson and Congress were not up to the task of passing a serious economic recovery bi...

Read Post

Why I Stopped Running for Congress... After Three Months

Larry Platt | Posted 10.02.2008 | Politics

Read More: Congress, Running for Office, Politics News
Larry Platt

According to my would-be opponent, Jim Gerlach, "I see myself as a cultural anthropologist who goes into black culture to explain it to the white intelligentsia."

Read Post