I’m running late this morning. Will update my news roundup later on this afternoon.
I love the Shuttle. I’m sad that we couldn’t figure out a way to update it and keep it going.
From TP:
Michele Bachmann became the first presidential candidate to sign a pledge created by THE FAMiLY LEADER, an influential social-conservative group in Iowa. By signing the pledge Bachmann “vows” to “uphold the institution of marriage as only between one man and one woman” by committing herself to 14 specifics steps. The ninth step calls for the banning of “all forms” of pornography. The pledge also states that homosexuality is both a choice and a health risk. You can read all the details of the pledge here.
The Labor Department reports that employers added only 18,000 jobs last month, the fewest monthly total in the past nine months. “Hiring has slowed sharply in the past two months. The economy added an average of 215,000 jobs per month in the previous three months.” The unemployment rate rose to 9.2 percent; 14.1 million people are unemployed.
In an op-ed published in the Jakarta Globe, Brookings Institution researchers Laurence Chandy and Geoffrey Gertz note that 70 million people annually are escaping global poverty, a gain that has been little-noticed. The researchers note, however, that most of these gains are being experienced in China and emerging economies, not in countries in the African or Latin American continents.
As President Obama presses to reduce the deficit by closing tax loopholes, “a small but powerful group” of jet manufacturers and users are fighting to protect their corporate jet tax breaks. These industry officials have contributed millions to lawmakers from both parties over the years, and have launched an effective counterattack to Democrats’ attempt to use it as a symbol of a tax system skewed toward helping the rich.
A bipartisan group of senators announced Thursday that they have reached an agreement to end ethanol subsidies. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and John Thune’s (R-SD) plan would take effect at the end of July, saving $2 billion over the rest of the year. The group wants to attach the plan to the debt-reduction package that is currently being negotiated.
Treasury officials are discussing ways in which they could avoid default if Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling, even as Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner says there are no contingency plans if the limit is not raised. Among the options they are studying is whether the government candelay or prioritize payments and if the Constitution allows Treasury to continue to issue debt without raising the limit.
The White House will propose new steps on gun safety in the next several weeks, six months after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ). The proposal is “not expected to involve legislation” or take on banning assault weapons, but “could include executive action to strengthen the background check system.”
“The map of Africa will be redrawn” tomorrow when southern Sudan becomes an independent nation after years of civil war that culminated in a U.S.-backed peace treaty and independence referendum. Many questions remain — including how to fully demarcate the border and divide oil revenue — but U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice called it “a remarkable [moment]nonetheless.”
Yesterday evening, Texas put to death a Mexican man despite pleas from the White House to stop the execution — a potential violation of international law. The Supreme Court denied a stay of execution, after defense lawyers argued Humberto Leal was denied help from his home country that could have helped him avoid the death penalty. In his last minutes, Leal apologized for raping a killing a teenage girl in 1994, and said “Viva Mexico!”
Leaders of the House Congressional Progressive Caucus yesterday sent a letter to President Obama demanding that there be no cuts to Social Security or Medicare in a debt ceiling deal. The lawmakers also called for tax increases on the very rich. “Tax breaks benefiting the very richest Americans should be eliminated as part of this deal,” they wrote.
We aren’t Greece and we never will be. As I say it, Greece has two problems. One is overspending. As I showed a couple of days ago, our problem is not overspending. Secondly, Greece has very little industry. What do they make? What do they provide?
We need 11 million jobs. We need them now. President Obama stated, “we still have a long way to go and a lot of work to do.”
The final launch of the shuttle program went off without a hitch. I’m deeply saddened that we are closing this down.
“U.S. Hiring Slows to Near Stand-Still”
Thank you, President Obama and friends.
Yes lets thank all the millionaires and billionaires for which there are more than ever for investing in the american people. Where are the jobs. My company sold 3.5 million and had a 1.5 million profit and only paid 16,000 in corporate taxes. I do believe the corporations are over taxed. Don’t you think so too? We did our part by hiring 15 new employees at 20 per hour with full benefits. How about yours?
You know what is interesting is the fact that IF the republicans were serious about jobs then they would write some kind of job bill. You know the kind they say the democrats didn’t do for infrastructure improvements. Watch how they double talk. They want to boot Obama and then will come out and say well it takes time. The auto companies are hiring big time. I guess BBrooks630 would prefer that they close shop too. How many millions of jobs would that have been?
They still like to throw in how bad loans to the car makers was despite getting paid back and them creating jobs. Ideology trumps reality for them.
🙂
At least you are consistent.
WE have seen a more for the top mentally in Washington for the last 30 years. We need to turn that around.
The estimate is about 5 million would have been lost if the auto industry wasn’t saved.
You so right.
Thanks for your comments.
Margaret, I wish I had a company to be working for that was hiring.
Yes, corporate taxes are a folly because they are simply passed through to the consumer in the form of price increases.
The “greedy” millionaires and billionaires are not hiring because of the uncertainty created by Obama and Company, especially with regards to the Obamacare insanity.
And there is no need for a stupid “jobs bill.” Since when does Congress create jobs? That is not their function. The American economy will create its own jobs far better than the government will. Always has; always will. The reason they aren’t now is because of the aforementioned uncertainty, govt. mandates, govt intervention, govt meddling. If Obama and his minions would shut up, get out of the way, and America will create jobs. We don’t the R’s to be doing anything either.
And with regards to the car companies, the government did not need to step in and take over Government Motors: GM made its own mess, and needed to extricate itself from it. It’s not the government’s job to prop up industry. Ford managed just fine on its own. The government is not in the business of creating jobs.
Can’t even admit when something worked. Ideology trumping reality.
Who said that Congress couldn’t and shouldn’t create jobs? Isn’t Congress charged with regulation and overseeing interstate commerce? Or what about to “promote the general Welfare”?? Jobs are clearly promoting the general welfare. There is uncertainty because the GOP is playing with the debt ceiling. There isn’t any other uncertainty.
So, Bud, are you saying that you are willing to make the recession worse by allowing the auto companies to go out of business. Over 3 million Americans have jobs because of the investment in the auto industry. http://www.epi.org/publications/entry/pm134/ This is an investment in Americans. Our government invested in us and it worked. You are pissed because the government intervention worked. Well, get over it. Doing nothing isn’t an option. How did the Reagan revolution happen? Don’t think that it wasn’t will out its own government intervention. The government lowered interest rates which made cash easier to lean and businesses burrowed and expanded.
Businesses aren’t hiring because they want their quarter to quarter numbers to look good. Hiring today doesn’t give you a return on your investment today. This is why Wall Street and big business is holding on to money. It is all about the stock price.
Admitting that the stimulus created millions of jobs and stopped our slide into a depression isn’t in the Republican DNA. If they admit what we all know then they admit that government can make a positive impact on the economy. They would admit that government has a role in our lives besides the military and you know they will never ever admit that. They would rather admit that Reagan was a terrible president. 🙂
Bud, what are your personal plans for creating a job this year? How are you going to go about it? I’m curious, and though we usually disagree I will happily replicate the personal plan that works for you. I’m not going to use the word “stupid” no matter what you do.
In fact, those that run the big companies are raking in huge profits right now- and not hiring. Many large corporations are holding large cash reserves. Shareholders are happy, as a wealthy upper management. As it turns out, the American economy isn’t creating jobs at the rate we need. I heard there was this housing crash thing might have had something to do with it. Perhaps unregulated financial markets had a little bit to do with that, but don’t quote me. The Republicans left a huge pile of dog feces to our President, and have worked tirelessly to obstruct progress. This helps make the President look less effective, but guess at what expense? All of us- not just the Left, Bud. All of us. By the way, who pays for your healthcare?