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The Moderate Voice

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Scoring the Tea Party on Starving the Poor

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If watchers saw “The Hunger Games” as fantasy, Washington politicians are working hard to turn it into a reality show. Tom Colicchio, head judge of TV’s “Top Chef,” notes that “if Congress manages to cut $20 to $40 billion” from food stamps, “there’s no way charity can make that up. All the fund-raisers in the world are not going to get back to that number. Are we O.K. with … [Read more...] about Scoring the Tea Party on Starving the Poor

McCain Writes For Wrong Pravda

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The response editorial of John McCain was not published where most think it was. Pravda, the large Russian newspaper, declined to publish the Senator’s editorial written in response to Vladimir Putin’s NYT editorial. Instead, McCain’s editorial was posted at Pravda.ru, a website not affiliated with the newspaper. This from the CNN report. "The Pravda McCain had … [Read more...] about McCain Writes For Wrong Pravda

As Expected, McCain Blasts Putin

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About a week ago, Russian president Vladimir Putin had the audacity to write an op-ed in the New York Times lecturing America and Americans on international law, democracy, law and order, morality, human rights, humaneness and Godliness. A couple of days later, Senator John McCain was able to convince the editors of Putin’s own newspaper, Pravda, to publish his … [Read more...] about As Expected, McCain Blasts Putin

The shutdown’s real goal

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WASHINGTON -- The coming battles over budgets, the debt ceiling, a government shutdown and Obamacare are not elements of a large political game. They involve a fundamental showdown over the role of government in stemming rising inequality and making our country a fairer and more decent place. Anyone who doesn't see this should be forgiven. The stakes in this battle are … [Read more...] about The shutdown’s real goal

Sen. McCain Accuses Vladimir Putin of Rigging Elections, Punishing Dissent

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Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) penned an op-ed in Russia's Pravda that slammed Vladimir Putin as ruling just for himself and being a friend to dictators. McCain accused Putin of rigging elections and getting rid of organizations that "defend your right to self-governance." You will recall that Putin had no qualms about the imprisonment of punk rock band Pussy Riot, for speaking out … [Read more...] about Sen. McCain Accuses Vladimir Putin of Rigging Elections, Punishing Dissent

Chuck Todd, Ventriloquist’s Puppet?

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Talking Points Memo points out Chuck Todd saying it's all about the messaging when it comes to the Affordable Care Act. The reason that people dislike the ACA is because the Republicans have successfully pushed their message and the White House hasn't. There is no mention of the dominance of conservative media like Limbaugh, Hannity, Savage and Fox News and how they … [Read more...] about Chuck Todd, Ventriloquist’s Puppet?

Is Obama calling in the political Cavalry?

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Is Obama calling in the political Cavalry? It sounds that way. There has always been an incredible disconnect with the vigor, energy, combativeness and seeming determination of a candidate Barack Obama. But once in office he seems to operate in a lower-key style and it can't be all attributed to him believing in the often-constructive practice of compromise. And now it seems … [Read more...] about Is Obama calling in the political Cavalry?

Dear Doctor (Guest Voice)

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Dear Doctor by Peter W. Johnson To Dr. [Name Omitted] RE: Uncensored and thoughtful compassion Dear Doctor, As you know, I have had my share of disappointments about the way certain health facilities are run, and how I was treated by them. But I have no desire to name names, or to get any individuals in trouble. My intents for writing this letter are to voice my … [Read more...] about Dear Doctor (Guest Voice)

Republicans all in: government shutdown by Repubicans virtually certain

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It's going to happen. You can bet on it. Republicans now seem all in -- despite some pesky noises from they-must-be-RINO websites such as the Wall Street Journal and the National Review about the dangers -- to set the stage for a government shut down. And don't be surprised if it then gets worse and House Republicans engineer a default on the debt ceiling as well: House … [Read more...] about Republicans all in: government shutdown by Repubicans virtually certain

White House getting ready for Republican-engineered shut down

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The White House is now preparing for a Republican-engineered government shut down that conservatives feel can force the government to defund Obamacare -- you know, that law passed by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court: The White House told federal agencies on Tuesday to prepare for a government shutdown. President Obama's budget director Sylvia Matthews Burwell … [Read more...] about White House getting ready for Republican-engineered shut down

Time To Dump Both The Democratic And Republican Parties

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In the 1990s Bill Clinton bought into Robert Rubins' brand of Goldman Sachs economics, and wedded the Democratic Party to Wall Street. Barack Obama carried on this Wall Street-super-friendly brand of economic policy-making. Here's the results: The Tea Party came into existence and to a horrifying extent has shaped national priorities. It has done this by tapping into … [Read more...] about Time To Dump Both The Democratic And Republican Parties

How it Happened: Updates on the Devastating New Jersey Boardwalk Fire

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Unless you haven't turned on your television and computer for the past week, you've probably heard about the fire that ravaged a large part of the boardwalk in Seaside Park, New Jersey. This fire, which started around 2 p.m. in the afternoon of September 12, destroyed most of Seaside Park’s commercial boardwalk before firefighters were able to put it out. Initially, some people … [Read more...] about How it Happened: Updates on the Devastating New Jersey Boardwalk Fire

Dilma Postpones Her U.S. State Visit; Saves Face for Both Sides (Folha, Brazil)

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Brazil President Dilma Rousseff has taken a dramatic step in protest of NSA spying against her country, canceling a coveted state visit to the United States pending a more thorough explanation and apologies. This editorial from Brazil's Folha calls the step 'reasonable and innocuous' - and a way to avoid the embarrassment of having more revelations of espionage emerge while … [Read more...] about Dilma Postpones Her U.S. State Visit; Saves Face for Both Sides (Folha, Brazil)

New 2016 Poll: Hillary and Two Dark Horses

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A new CNN poll is fascinating for what it reveals—-and doesn’t. No surprise that Hillary Clinton is favored by a whopping 65 percent of Democrats with Joe Biden way back at 10. Expectedly too, Republicans are in a gaggle with Chris Christie (17), Paul Ryan (16), Rand Paul (13), Jeb Bush (10) and Marco Rubio (9). At this point, name recognition counts heavily, but just below … [Read more...] about New 2016 Poll: Hillary and Two Dark Horses

This time it hits home

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WASHINGTON -- Washington was under siege on Monday, with SWAT teams racing through the streets and military helicopters circling overhead. Not immediately threatened, however, was the complacency that allows our elected officials to argue endlessly about the threats we face rather than work together to lessen them. "We are confronting yet another mass shooting," … [Read more...] about This time it hits home

Voters’ Message: Consequences for Sex Scandals

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So much for voters being poised to show that they don't care about sex scandals anymore. Forget about former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford's surprise May election to the House of Representatives despite the sex scandal stemming from his lie about hiking on the "Appalachian trail" rather than being in Latin America visiting his girlfriend. This year voters made … [Read more...] about Voters’ Message: Consequences for Sex Scandals

Boehner close to defining moment: will risk government shutdown over Obamacare

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It sounds as if House Speaker John Boehner and the Republican Party are within centimers of a move that will forever define it in the eyes of those who are not far right conservatives, Rush Limbaugh fans, members of the Tea Party, or writers for conservative weblogs: according to Talking Points Memo Boehner may in effect go along with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and set things in … [Read more...] about Boehner close to defining moment: will risk government shutdown over Obamacare