by Richard Long | Dec 11, 2013 | Budget Talks, Retirement Security
There was one small victory that progressives could claim from the otherwise troubling congressional budget deal that was announced Tuesday: Social Security and Medicare were left untouched. Credit goes to progressives who made calls, signed petitions and showed up at...
by Digby | Dec 11, 2013 | Budget Talks, Conservatism, Economy, The Jobs Challenge
So it looks like Capitol Hill may get to have a holiday this year: The deal, which was negotiated over the past few weeks by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Senate Budget Committee Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-Wash.), would set spending for the...
by Robert Borosage | Dec 11, 2013 | Budget Talks, Economy
The Beltway breathed a huge sigh of relief with the announcement of the budget deal cobbled together by Senator Patty Murray and Rep. Paul Ryan. It is the deal, not the substance, that is being applauded. If it overcomes opposition from a hostile right and largely...
by Dave Johnson | Dec 10, 2013 | Budget Talks, Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits run out at the end of December for 1.3 million long-term unemployed. President Obama's Saturday address called for an extension of the benefits, but apparently some Congressional Democrats don't think this is worth taking a stand that risks...
by Terrance Heath | Dec 6, 2013 | Budget Talks, Conservatism, Economy, Minimum Wage
Despite the excitement over the latest jobs report, it’s too soon to celebrate. Millions of Americans are still struggling with long-term unemployment and hunger. Now is not the time to abandon them. Democrats, in particular, shouldn’t be fooled. A good-but-not-great...
by Digby | Dec 2, 2013 | Budget Talks, Conservatism, Economy, Financial Reform
In the post below, David asks an interesting question: Trickle-down economics is a known and proven failure. The experience of record stock market highs, record corporate profits, low effective tax rates and record income inequality in the context of a stagnant...
