Government

DACA Time

Submitted by ub on

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as #DACA was an American immigration policy that allowed some individuals who entered the country as minors and had either entered or remained in the country illegally, to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and to be eligible for a work permit.

Washington DC Follies

Submitted by ub on

You must be delusional if you really believe this is going to be a very happy new year. And it points all the way to King Lear, written by Shakespeare about a descent into madness after bequeathing to his kids based on their flattery of him, and thereby bringing tragic consequences for all. A man who prefers to use fear, but masters something more near and dear... GOLF?

Do Your Job

Submitted by ub on

The President signed an infamous GOP tax bill into law, which as it turns out is the only legislative achievement of his first year in office.

In a new Brookings Podcast, economist and tax expert Adam Looney speaks about who wins and who loses under the new tax code. Winners and losers in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act http://brook.gs/2p9GRBA

For a shorter take, listen to Richard Reeves weigh in on why the bill is pure politics, and simply a boon to corporations and the wealthy. Republican tax bill is a boon to the rich http://brook.gs/2p7xRwS

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Submitted by ub on

Back in the good old days during this season, the US ratified the Thirteenth Amendment, forever abolishing slavery in the United States. Now, American taxpayers have become slaves to big business after special interests wrote and made sure their "Yuge" tax bill was approved by our so-called representatives, which apparently never read it first.

The move has been called the art of a steal by Trump's hometown newspaper, but it can also be called robbing the hood, the engine, or just plain carjacking. Republicans in Congress delivered their epic overhaul of tax laws, bringing "Bigly" cuts for business, and tiny ones for middle-class Americans. No public hearings and no time for our independent government experts to analyze it.

Did fraudsters out in full swing and ready to steal our holiday cheer and we allowed them to get away with it? Those who swore to work in our best interest have allowed steep tax cuts for businesses and for the wealthy. There were no public hearings held on this tax bill as it stands. The US is about to pass the $1.5 trillion tax bill, and send it to the President's signature by Christmas.

Shame on @SpeakerRyan @HouseGOP, @SenateMajLdr @SenateGOP and on @POTUS and @realDonaldTrump
who refuses to show us his returns. What are you hiding? DoYouPay? #ShowMeTheMoney. #TRUMPTAXES

This tax bill is a win for donors, corporations, and the one percent. Its a win for corporations and a loss for the average American and will be a loss for you next year.

"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little." President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Does Congress know what they are doing? The US House will have to vote once again on a sweeping tax overhaul after a late-afternoon glitch delayed the plan. US Senate parliamentarian ruled that three provisions in the bill did not comply with strict budget rules and would have to be taken out. Though Senators approved the bill Wednesday morning, now the House fixes the mistake, the GOP $1.5 Trillion bill is a permanent 40% tax cut for corporations, and smaller businesses will also see their tax burden shrink significantly. But what about the rest of US? A sweeping tax plan whose promises face widespread doubts https://apnews.com/fd184b6b1cbf499b954b2916df99db58

Liberty and Justice for All

Submitted by ub on

When I arrived legally in this great country from Cuba with my family, I learned many American phrases. One, my parents taught me was "I know nothing about politics" and as I grew up and learned how to speak English, I watched my folks work hard to realize the American dream.

We left everything behind in our Caribbean island paradise known as the Pearl of the Antilles, following Fidel Castro's rise with his Russian based authoritarian regime, who many didn't recognize until it was too late.

Bill of Rights

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BILL OF RIGHTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (1791)

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights.

Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power. The Virginia Declaration of Rights, written by George Mason, strongly influenced Madison.

CSI USA

Submitted by ub on

The United States of America must conduct an investigation and consider canceling special interest influence and donations. These culprits are spreading cancer and endangering our government by increasingly infiltrating our political system of government.

Special interests are the predatory animals which are devouring our democracy. Some of these toxic groups direct public policy and increasingly play a destructive part in the development of political and social systems. Special interests are demeaning and patronizing. They've gone wild and are now dangerous and out of control.

CVSAetna

Submitted by ub on

CVS pharmacy and Health Insurance, Aetna, two industry giants have agreed to a $69B engagement. If this romantic evolution is consummated in marriage and is ultimately approved, Americans will surely feel the pinch.

CVS Health, Aetna agree to $69B merger https://upi.com/6688840t

If CVS Buys Aetna, America's Pharmacy Choices Narrow https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucejapsen/2017/12/03/if-cvs-buys-aetna-a…

GOP Voodoo Economics

Submitted by ub on

The GOP has pissed on us, oh sorry, has passed a bill overhauling the federal tax code in wee hours this morning, following a series of last-minute handwritten changes, without any public hearings, or advice from the experts and relying on lobbyists who work for special interests. Fifty-one senators voted for the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," with just one Republican, Bob Corker of Tenn, who voted against it. No Democrats supported this legislative disaster. This bill is political Russian roulette, which may cut social security and Medicare.

The bill differs significantly from the version the House passed on Nov. 16. of the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" by a vote of 227 to 205. Thirteen Republicans voted against the legislation, most of them from high-tax states likely to be negatively impacted by its provisions. No Democrats supported it.

The House and Senate's bills will now go to conference to be reconciled into a single piece of legislation for the President's signature. If a version of the overhaul does become law, it would be wrong, oh sorry, rewrite of the federal tax code for the first time since 1986, allowing the rich to get richer and hurting the middle class.

Here we go again. The Republican's proposed tax cuts sound and smells too much like my old boss' George H.W. Bush cliché, Voodoo Economics, that cutting tax rates will increase revenues. How many rich people in America are avoiding paying taxes and will balk at the opportunity to hire or offer salary increases? Get real people, it's a trickle down lie.

Damn The Voters

Submitted by ub on

Today on Capitol Hill is all about Damn The Voters, full speed ahead. Tax breaks for the rich or for the middle class are the question of the day? This is the first cut for corporations for corporations.

GOP leaders are expected to vote on their tax bill despite heavy opposition. Members on both sides of the isle leaders have voiced concern over the measure claiming it benefits corporations and high-earners. Republican US Senator Ron Johnson has said he's against the Senate Republican tax plan as its written.

Also, this tax legislation could slash production of affordable housing across the USA at a time when supply is near historic lows, according to those who know.