They want to pay for TPP deal by stealing from Medicare

Republicans want to pay for an assistance program for workers whose jobs are lost through TPP by… taking the money out of Medicare! Nice! Michael Hiltzik of the L.A. Times explains: Medicare means many things to many people. To seniors, it’s a program providing good, low-cost healthcare at a stage in life when it’s most needed.… Continue reading “They want to pay for TPP deal by stealing from Medicare”

Former trade adviser: Elizabeth Warren is right to be concerned

Michael Wessel is a former Obama campaign trade adviser who says, yes, Elizabeth Warren is right to be worried about the TPP. He cites the unprecedented secrecy of the Obama administration which makes it impossible for him to share his criticisms. Via Politico: “You need to tell me what’s wrong with this trade agreement, not one… Continue reading “Former trade adviser: Elizabeth Warren is right to be concerned”

Wolf is so confused

I just love when the cable TV bobbleheads hear something other than bullshit talking points. Go, Bernie!

To prepare Americans for middle class jobs, Sanders said that he had “introduced legislation that would make public college tuition free.”

“Where’s the money going to come from?” Blitzer wondered.

“A tax on Wall Street speculation, and that’s exactly where it should come from,” Sanders insisted.

“What does that mean, a tax on Wall Street speculation?” Blitzer pressed.

The Democratic candidate noted that people were “becoming phenomenally wealthy” by speculating on derivatives “and every other type of esoteric instrument that they can.”

“What we’re going to impose is what exists in dozens of countries around the world, a very modest tax on the transference of large amounts of stock,” Sanders said.

“Is that going to pay for tuition?” Blitzer asked, trying to wrap his head around the plan.

“More than that,” Sanders replied. “This is a very effective and progressive way to raise money. The estimate is, it could bring in as much as $300 billion a year.”

“Is Hillary Clinton committed to this cause as are you?” the CNN host said.

“Wolf, you’re going to have to ask Hillary,” Sanders advised. “I don’t work for her, I don’t know. I’ve just introduced legislation. I don’t know where Hillary Clinton is coming on this. I believe we’ve got to draw in Germany, Scandinavia, many other countries around the world and say, ‘If you have the ability, regardless of your income, you’re going to be able to go to college tuition free.’”

But Blitzer still seemed a little confused by the idea: “So you want to raise taxes?”

“On the very wealthiest people in this country, absolutely,” Sanders shot back.

It’s a landslide for Jim Kenney

jimkenneyvictory

I’m way past the time when I allow myself to fall in love with candidates. But I admit to feeling a wee bit hopeful about what Jim Kenney can do for my beloved Philadelphia. Via the New York Times:

Jim Kenney, a former Philadelphia city councilman who has cast himself as a progressive in the mold of Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York, handily defeated five other candidates to win the Democratic nomination for mayor Tuesday, which makes him the overwhelming favorite to be mayor when national Democrats gather in the city in 2016 to pick their nominee for president.

An hour after the polls closed, The Associated Press said Mr. Kenney was the winner.

He addressed his supporters shortly after 10 p.m., after his leading opponents had conceded. “We are not done,” he said. “There’s another election in November.”

In this heavily Democratic city, the winner of the primary is almost certain to prevail in the November general election to replace Mayor Michael A. Nutter, who cannot seek re-election after two terms. Mr. Kenney, 57, was already sounding like a victor before people went to the polls.

“Together with an open mind and an open heart, we can do really great things in this city,” Mr. Kenney told his supporters Friday at a rally at a downtown apartment building that markets itself as an “urban L.B.G.T.-friendly senior apartment community.” He was endorsed by Mr. de Blasio on Monday.
Continue reading “It’s a landslide for Jim Kenney”

Law and disorder in Philadelphia

https://youtu.be/tei_Jv80ibQ

This is a BBC documentary about Philadelphia’s high rate of violent crime. So mixed emotions: I don’t trust cops, as I’ve said before. But I don’t hate them — at least, not all of them, and not all the time. But look how they react to the suggestion that they might be hassling good guys: “Good guys went back into their house when we told them to.” Very black and white.

If you’ve never lived in a big city, you should watch this.