Speaker John Boehner gave an economic speech Thursday to the Economic Club of DC called “Liberating America’s Economy.” It contained the usual claptrap about too much government spending and too many taxes on the job creators, etc…Government regulations are also a big target for conservatives to attack because they say it hinders the free market system and in turn kills job creation. They do love certain federal regulations like the blocking of importation of cheaper drugs to America so Big Pharma can keep their monopoly, but I digress. Boehner seized on the number 219 in his speech to attack the Executive Branch for implementing rules which will cost America $100 million, two hundred and nineteen times. Get it? “At this moment, the Executive Branch has 219 new rules in the works that will cost our economy at least $100 million. “That means under the current Washington agenda, our economy is poised to take a hit from the government of at least $100 million — 219 times. “I think it’s reasonable to ask: is it wise to be doing all of this right now? “The current regulatory burden coming out of Washington far exceeds the federal government’s constitutional mandate. And it’s hurting job creation in our country at a time when we can’t afford it. —- “As I mentioned earlier, there are 219 major regulatory actions in the works by the federal bureaucracy right now. We know seven of them will each have an economic impact of $1 billion or more. “The biggest is an EPA rule that could have an impact of as much as $90 billion. “The president acted wisely by halting the implementation of this rule. I would urge the White House to build on it by disclosing to the American people the cost estimates for the remaining 212 ‘economically significant’ rules it has planned. When will Republicans stop using information they gleam about the economy from former Bushie’s? Anyway, the numbers he used like “219″ was a complete falsehood and the Washington Post has the Pinocchio’s to prove it. The federal government is required to identify regulations that could have an economic impact of more than $100 million, but people frequently misunderstand what that means. It does not necessarily mean $100 million in costs; in fact, it can also mean more than a $100 million in benefits. The Congressional Research Service earlier this year made this clear when it examined the 100 major regulatory rules issued in 2010. The report — which is actually posted on the speaker’s Web site — found that 37 of the 100 rules were deemed “major” because they involved the transfer of federal funds to recipients (such as grants, food stamps, or crop payments). In most cases, this meant more money in people’s pockets, not costs to businesses. (There were another nine rules that decreased transfer payments.) Six of the rules were labeled major because they triggered economic activity by consumers; these all had to do with hunting seasons and bag limits for certain types of migratory birds. Four other rules established new fees (such as increased costs for passports) to fund government operations; others were considered “major” for a variety of reasons. Finally, 39 of the 100 rules were expected to have either $100 million in annual compliance costs, $100 million in annual benefits, or both. In some cases, the ranges were so large that it was difficult to conclude whether the result was a positive or negative benefit. But in 14 cases, the lowest estimate of the benefits exceeded the highest estimate of the costs. Oh, and about the Bushie: So where did the number of “219” come from? It appears to have started with an opinion column in Politico by Susan E. Dudley, the director of the George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center and a top regulatory official in the George W. Bush administration. Dudley derived the list from the White House budget office’s agenda of upcoming regulation , and she graciously walked us through OMB’s Web site to find all 219 rules.
Continue reading …Folkenflack: NPR Media Reporter Offers Puffy Profile of Al Sharpton, MSNBC’s ‘Strong Ratings’
September 17, 2011 No Comment
Can you imagine National Public Radio putting together a story on Glenn Beck featuring only Glenn Beck and his promoters? No? Then try this: On Friday night’s All Things Considered, NPR media reporter David Folkenflik aired a puffy profile of new MSNBC host Al Sharpton featuring only Sharpton, a clip of Obama, and his new boss, MSNBC president Phil Griffin, promoting “a new chapter…a new Sharpton.” The race-baiter and white-hater moments – like the Tawana Brawley hoax and the Crown Heights riots – were glossed over briefly, as Folkenflik claimed MSNBC’s increasingly radical left-wing lineup has won “strong ratings”…compared to what? Bret Baier is cleaning Sharpton’s clock nightly. Take Thursday , for example: among the prized demographic of viewers aged 25-54, Baier drew 366,000 viewers, Sharpton just 93,000 (roughly a four-to-one drubbing). Among all viewers, Baier had about 1.679 million viewers, Sharpton only 565,000 (almost three to one). NPR may think of itself as the place where people “reason together” (so wrote Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep), but stories like this promote a channel that denounces the Tea Party as terrorists and called President Bush every name for evil they would imagine. NPR anchor Melissa Block began by saying “Al Sharpton made his name more for casting heat than light,” but then the unofficial advertising kicked in: DAVID FOLKENFLIK: So the question that I get everywhere is: What were they thinking? So, Phil, what were you thinking? PHIL GRIFFIN: I get that from time to time, as well. FOLKENFLIK: Phil is Phil Griffin, president of MSNBC. GRIFFIN: I'm a big fan of the Reverend Sharpton. I've known him quite a bit. he's smart. He's entertaining. He's experienced. He's thoughtful. He's provocative, all the things I think that MSNBC is. FOLKENFLIK: MSNBC won strong ratings by tilting sharply to the left at night, and Sharpton is its newest gamble. He told me he wanted the TV job badly because conservatives now dominate cable television and talk radio. AL SHARPTON: And they've been able, with that domination, to push a certain kind of political thought that I think is contrary to a lot of the things that I have fought for and continue to fight for all my life. FOLKENFLIK: Some black journalists questioned the choice, but that's died down and Sharpton says he wants a hearing for racial justice and the plight of the working and middle class on TV. SHARPTON: You can do that with a bullhorn on the corner at Washington Square Park, but that's not going to compete with a Rush Limbaugh or a Sean Hannity or a Bill O'Reilly. You can't bring mid-20th century techniques to a 21st century fight and expect that you're going to win. Folkenflik admitted Sharpton’s race-baiting past may “repel” viewers, but of course, he finds an unrepentant Sharpton. He recounts Brawley’s story was found to be without proof, but Sharpton still claims to believe what no else does. FOLKENFLIK: He said he simply disagrees with the grand jury that investigated Brawley's case, much like a friend of his disagrees with the verdict in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Sharpton told me he has few regrets. SHARPTON: Maybe some of the theatrics could have been handled different, but the basic point of me standing up behind someone I believe — if I regret that, then I would have to regret any case that a jury didn't find to be true. Folkenflik also avoided a complete puff piece by noting the obvious: Sharpton can be a tongue-tied mess: FOLKENFLIK: Sharpton's not yet silky smooth on the air, at moments evoking Ron Burgundy more than Tom Brokaw. SHARPTON: Tonight, Alex, the truth was a real casualty last night. FOLKENFLIK: But as Sharpton as quick to note, he's a talker, not an anchor, and his trademark one-liners are starting to surface once again. SHARPTON: And I think the DNC should take the Social Security line of Mr. Perry and the attack on Social Security and the Ponzi scheme and put out bumper stickers saying, 'It's not about Obama, it's about your Mama,' and we'll win. FOLKENFLIK: MSNBC's Griffin says he wasn't hiring the Al Sharpton of the Tawana Brawley or Crown Heights controversies. It's a new chapter, he says, for a new Sharpton. This kind of story is especially jaw-dropping considering that Folkenflik's primary obsession of the last few months has been chasing Rupert Murdoch around the British phone-hacking scandal. Visitors to NPR.org can often click on “Lean Forward” ads on the website. But they also run as “news” on NPR's air.
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The 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is still rolling, but as the throngs of eager German motor enthusiasts fill the halls we’re grabbing our passports and fleeing back to the States. This year’s show had more EVs and infotainment-stuffed cars than ever before and, if what we saw here is any indication, the car of the future will have at least one smartphone or tablet built in there somewhere — maybe two . Enjoy the gallery below of random pictures from the show floor as we kick back in coach and try to catch up on some sleep. And, if you need even more coverage, head on over to our good friends at Autoblog . As usual they obsessively covered the show . Gallery: Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 wrap-up Continue reading Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 wrap-up Frankfurt Motor Show 2011 wrap-up originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 15:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …The science behind washing laundry exclusively in cold water has come a long way in recent years, but consumers just aren’t buying it—literally. The New York Times notes that sales of cold-water detergents are languishing, even though they generally measure up to their hot-water counterparts and save on money,…
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Type: Toy Title: Thor Hero Action Figure See all customer reviews Product Description: The mighty Thor has protected the divine realm of Asgard since the beginning of time. With his powerful hammer in hand, and his fellow warriors by his side, he is an invincible barrier between the city and its enemies.Even the very toughest opponents are no match for you and your Thor figure! When villains rear their ugly heads, engage them in handtohand combat with your heroic fighter. His mighty muscles are only a hint of his massive strength. With that kind of power, youre sure to win this fight! Features: Thor Hero Action Figure See the details
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Ron Artest name change reaction, Metta world peace Kim Kardashian Conspiracy + Ron Artest Name Change Shannyn Sossamon Talks About Ron Artest Name Change jsessenhausen says: Ron Artest name change to Metta World Peace officially completed – but can’t buy the jersey with “World Peace” yet due to the damn lockout
Continue reading …Maybe some interesting child-support cases in the offing? An Alabama pharmaceuticals company messed up the order of its birth-control pills and has issued a recall, reports ABC News . It includes this not-so-welcome warning: “As a result of this packaging error, the daily regimen for these oral contraceptives may be incorrect…
Continue reading …The gun-control debate faces a California test: A bill on Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk would make it illegal for residents to openly carry a gun. If Brown signs it, California would be the first state since 1987 to ban the practice, notes the Los Angeles Times . Brown is a gun…
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Witnesses describe the terrifying scene as a plane crashed into the stands at an air show in Reno Friday. (Sept. 17)
Continue reading …Last July Chris Donovan, Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, wrote a powerful guest post at DWT, It’s long past time to start rebuilding America . At the time, we pointed out why Chris is the kind of leader progressives long for. He’s not just good on the issues, he understands the mechanisms of power that create public policy. He’s not the kind of progressive that sits around being right and not getting anything done. That’s why he holds the top position in the Connecticut legislature, and that’s why the Connecticut legislature has been taking such cutting-edge positions on issue after issue at a time when reactionaries like Scott Walker, Rick Scott, Rick Snyder, Rick Perry, Chris Christie, John Kasich, Tom Corbett, Paul LePage, Bob McDonnell, etc. are dragging their states backwards. Chris is running for the U.S. House seat in the western and central part of the state (CT-5) being given up by Senate-bound Chris Murphy. It looks like his opponent will be a crazed teabagger, Mark Greenberg, a firm believer in ending Social Security and Medicare so corporate taxes can be further cut and the estate tax on multimillionaires can be eliminated. He’s wrong on every single issue– from the environment and women’s Choice to gun control and national security. But, like I said, Chris is not just right on every issue; he’s been a leader on every issue. He led the successful fights in the Connecticut House to pass 12 minimum wage increases, implement the strongest campaign finance reform legislation in the country, allow all Connecticut students to pay instate tuition rates through the CT DREAM Act, create the first statewide paid sick leave legislation in the country, ensure marriage equality, end discrimination based on sexual preference and gender identity, decriminalize marijuana, and implement a municipal pooling of health care and prescription coverage that will save both the state and its cities and towns money– the first step on the path to a public option for Connecticut. Dream candidate? Absolutely– and Blue America’s latest endorsed candidate– and very much worth helping elect to Congress ! Like every candidate Blue America has endorsed this year, Chris has told us that jobs is the single most important issue voters in his district are concerned about. If you listen closely, though, Chris isn’t using Republican Party/Inside-the-Beltway framing to discuss it. He’s very much an advocate for public sector jobs and for the government playing a vital role in the general welfare of the nation. “Our private industries and small businesses need customers,” he told me yesterday, “at the same time that our towns and cities need teachers, nurses, and public safety workers. Instead of calling for more jobs to be cut, Republicans and pundits in Washington and Hartford should join progressive Democrats in investing in quality jobs with strong benefits that benefit our communities. We need more teachers, more firefighters, more construction workers, and more nurses. The Republicans in the House claimed to be running on a jobs agenda in 2010– more than 240 days and zero jobs bills later, it’s time for them to honor their promises.” Above is a video of Chris announcing his campaign last week. He went right to protecting Social Security and Medicare from ravenous Republican class war fanatics. “When I hear that the Inside-the-Beltway crowd is talking about cutting Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, I am outraged. These programs make America what it is, a country that cares– about our seniors, about our children, about our people. That’s what I’m going to fight for in Congress– to protect our future, to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, and to make sure they are around to protect our grandparents and our grandchildren.” Chris will be joining us for a live q&a session in the comments section below today at 2pm (ET). I hope you’ll come over and meet him and hear what he has to say. And, if you can, please consider giving him a hand in the only district in New England Republicans are targeting for a blue to red switch. You can contribute to his campaign here .
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