Friday News Roundup - Domestic
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-12-14/friday-news-roundup-domestic
Fiscal cliff negotiations appear stuck in neutral. The Fed ties interest rates to jobless numbers. And the Michigan governor signs a “right to work” law. Diane and a panel of guests discuss the week's top domestic stories.
Guests
Susan Page
Washington bureau chief for USA Today.
Ron Elving
senior Washington editor for NPR.
Karen Tumulty
national political reporter at The Washington Post.
Friday News Roundup Video
After Michigan passed an anti-union measure Thursday amid protests and criticism, the panel looked at what right-to-work laws actually mean and what's next for the nation's organized labor movement.

Comments
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Bad news for the democrat party, the party of "pro choice", or in reality, forced choice.
After the failure of a greedy union power grab in Michigan, Michigan voters led by a republican governor turned the table on the unions and made job opportunities for all Michiganders much more likely.
November 6, 2012, 58% of Michiganders apposed creating a state constitutional amendment to enshrine collective bargaining powers into the state constitution, 42% supported it.
51% of Michiganders back the installation of a "right to work law", only 41% appose it.
As labor union thugs try and punch and kick their way into our paychecks and lives in general, it would be a good time to bring up the false narrative of the party of "pro choice". Apparently the party of pro choice is totally apposed to any choice for working people to decide for themselves if they want to participate in labor unions through forced union dues. Apparently the party of pro choice is totally apposed to parents deciding where they want to send their children to school because of the teacher unions grip on local legislatures that appose most voucher system and or school choice proposals.
The democrat party/union money laundering scheme has yet to sink into the consciousness of most Americans at this point. As things worsen because of union dominance in the public sector, it is just a matter of time.
This bodes well for the 2014 mid terms. Americans are usually behind the learning curve on most issues, main stream media that is in the pocket of liberal ideology is obviously not helping. As federal government growth, spending and the taxes to pay for it comes into focus, it should be apparent to most the magnitude of the mistake that was made on November 6, 2012 in reelecting Barack Obama.
The workers payday share of our nations GDP (gross domestic product) is down to 43.5%. The lowest since records began. With T-Party/Republicans who State after State are enacting the "Right to Work For Less" law Americans are hurting,more and more. Indiana enacted this law earlier this year. The average worker wage went from $12.65 to $11.50 in less than 1 year. These lower wages will enable more workers to qualify for food stamps.WHOOPIE.
Isn`t getting screwed wonderful? The United States ranks 184th out of 184 modern Capitalist countries in paid time off,vacation days. Down from #1 prior to Reagan`s war on organized labor. Screwing workers is great sport for the 1%er`s and the T-Party/Republicans, the puppet masters own.
The "New Deal" of FDR and strong labor unions gave Americans a vibrant middle class. The "Raw Deal" of today`s T-Party/Republican has put a target on the backs of every American worker. When will they get YOU !!!!
It’s time for GOP to grow up.
Anyone who enters congressional service making any pledge to anything but to constitution and American people is clearly not a leader.
Dems and President have already provided 1.6 trillion in spending cuts. It’s time for revenue increases if anyone is interested in paying down debt, decreasing deficit.
The “temporary” Bush cuts for upper incomes has already cost the country trillions. There should be no bargain concerning Bush cuts for the wealthy. They end, then talks about some kind of bargaining that would include closing loopholes.
30+ years of “feeding the rich” and deregulation have not served the vast majority of Americans well.
If there was anything to supply- side trickle down economics we would be in economic heaven right now- We tried that- didn't work. GOP wants to keep running the country into the same brick wall.
Time to chart a different course.
THX, "forced choice?" How about the fact that (1) there was NO form of public discourse, input, or debate on the issue before it was was voted into law? Even Obamacare allowed townhall meetings! OR, how about (2) how about the fact that the Republicans crafted the law in such a way as to prevent it from being overturned by popular referendum? Sounds like more selective thinking on your part, at the expense of the facts. I thought the Republican Party was the party of "less government regulation" and "less intrusion? My bad...that's only when it comes to social issues!
http://beyond-the-political-spectrum.blogspot.com/
Susan Rice withdraws her name from nomination for the post of Secretary of State. Republican talking heads & leaders are doing the same thing with Rice & Benghazi that the Muslim radicals/leaders were doing with that stupid internet film about Islam...whipping up a self-serving frenzy meant to divert from real issues (yes, 4 Americans were killed, but it's STILL less than the thousands killed from the false pretense of war with Iraq).
http://beyond-the-political-spectrum.blogspot.com/
Drew Kelly wrote: 'Dems and President have already provided 1.6 trillion in spending cuts"
I know Obama wants 1.6 trillion in tax increases on top of new Obamacare taxes.
What cuts are you talking about? some fake cuts in future growth? even those numbers are not that big, explain?
Beyond The-Spectrum wrote: "Sounds like more selective thinking on your part, at the expense of the facts'
What is not "factual" in statement.
You Libs are hilarious, the only time most of you will ever be in a Detroit built car is when you are dead in a hearse. But you pretend to bleed for the unions.
We currently have two Chrysler products bought new, a Dodge Ram and a Jeep Liberty. You know, the cars put together by lunch time intoxicators.
"lunch time intoxicators?" THX, please stop with the stereotyping. Not everyone who doesn't agree with you is a "liberal" (such small thing on your part to embrace a "liberal vs. conservative" dichotomy). "
Beyond The-Spectrum wrote: "Even Obamacare allowed townhall meetings"
That was a total sham, it was rammed through with ZERO republican support, and where were the promised televised debates over the legislation.
Nancy Pelosi “But we have to pass the [health care] bill so that you can find out what’s in it....”
"America shares the fate of all the great empires of the past"--J. Rufus Fears, late classics professor at the University of Oklahoma.
Clifford wrote: "The "New Deal" of FDR and strong labor unions gave Americans a vibrant middle class.
Maybe we can carpet bomb Europe and Asia and put them flat on their backs for a decade or two to simulate post WW2 economies. Then when we have an industrial boom, the unions can again take credit for it.
Beyond The-Spectrum wrote:
"I thought the Republican Party was the party of "less government regulation" and "less intrusion? "
Correct, and thanks for pointing it out. Forcing individuals who want to work for a company to join a union exists only because of the regulation that enforces it. "Right to work" represents quiticential "less intrusion". It means that the marketplace, not union thugs controls.
By the way, why do you feel the need to hawk your blog with every post. Hint: Nobody cares, and besides that, it violates the Code of Conduct and is annoying to other posters.
"Don't spam, don't solicit. Spammers are never welcome. Ditto any sort of soliciting or commercial activity. We have a block tool for a reason."
"By the way, why do you feel the need to hawk your blog with every post"
It's probably a virus.
Didn't he used to call it something else?
Beyond The-Spectrum wrote:
"Susan Rice withdraws her name from nomination for the post of Secretary of State. Republican talking heads & leaders are doing the same thing with Rice & Benghazi that the Muslim radicals/leaders were doing with that stupid internet film about Islam...whipping up a self-serving frenzy meant to divert from real issues (yes, 4 Americans were killed, but it's STILL less than the thousands killed from the false pretense of war with Iraq)."
Let's bring "Beyond" into the 21st century, shall we?
1) Attacks in Benghazi had NOTHING to do with the film. Quit bringing it up. An example of "the big lie". Lie often enough and you might get enough fools to believe.
2) Rice stepped aside at the behest of the Administration. They don't want Benghazi in the spotlight again, and more than that, they don't want her to have to answer questions before the Senate. She knows enough not to lie, and telling the truth would not just be embarrassing to the Administration but would likely uncover criminal negligence at the highest levels. That's all this is about.
3) Iraq? Your guys voted for it too, and the WMDs? They may now have been found in Syria. It is a FACT that Iraq had WMDs - they were used on the Kurds, so there's no disputing that Iraq had them at some point. It's just a matter of what happened to them.
Will D.R. bring this up????
December 11, 2012
Sixteen Democratic senators who voted for the Affordable Care Act are asking that one of its fundraising mechanisms, a 2.3 percent tax on medical devices scheduled to take effect January 1, be delayed. Echoing arguments made by Republicans against Obamacare, the Democratic senators say the levy will cost jobs — in a statement Monday, Sen. Al Franken called it a “job-killing tax” — and also impair American competitiveness in the medical device field.
The senators, who made the request in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, are Franken, Richard Durbin, Charles Schumer, Patty Murray, John Kerry, Kirsten Gillibrand, Amy Klobuchar, Joseph Lieberman, Ben Nelson, Robert Casey, Debbie Stabenow, Barbara Mikulski, Kay Hagan, Herb Kohl, Jeanne Shaheen, and Richard Blumenthal. All voted for Obamacare.
Two other Democrats, senators-elect Joe Donnelly and Elizabeth Warren, also signed the letter. Donnelly voted for Obamacare as a member of the House. Warren was not in Congress at the time.
It's laughable that John McCain the Senate's angry old man and the worst sore loser ever would call Rice not too bright. He graduated second to last in his class and thought it would be a good idea to have world acclaimed genius Sarah Palin to be a heartbeat away from being President. Rice was a Rhodes Scholar and has risen to the top of every endeavor, a very accomplished woman. Now, who are you going to trust?
Democrats,please do not nominate John Kerry. This is a Fox News and Rush Limbaugh trap.. They will "Swift Boat" him again and even more viciously. Remember,Sec. Rice did nothing wrong,and look what the NeoCons did to her. Kerry testified to Congress at the stupidity of the Vietnam War. Those anti war words to war lovers, are like garlic to a vampire,and gets them fired up and angry.
I find it frustrating that the top 4 security picks in the administration may be white males in order to appease the Republican party. I fear politics will never emerge from the good 'ol boy network.
And now Michigan officially joins the race to the bottom
http://www.politicususa.com/oops-michigan-republicans-passed-work-law-un...
Did the MI legislators goof up by not reading the ALEC model bill they put forward, making the new RTW law non-implementable?
Interesting that they never bothered to read the corporate sponsored verbiage before slamming it thru in a few days.
Drew Kelly wrote:
"It’s time for GOP to grow up."
Makes one want to skip the rest of your post. Petty.
"Anyone who enters congressional service making any pledge to anything but to constitution and American people is clearly not a leader."
The program discussing Grover Norquist was last week. The pledge these Congresspersons made WAS to the American people. The fact that you don't like the conents, doesn't make it not legitimate.
"Dems and President have already provided 1.6 trillion in spending cuts. It’s time for revenue increases if anyone is interested in paying down debt, decreasing deficit."
Fantasy. A recent poll I saw said that more than 60% believe that revenue increases will be spent - not applied to the debt. only 20% thought they would pay down the debt. Track record shows that the 60% are right.
"The “temporary” Bush cuts for upper incomes has already cost the country trillions."
Cost the COUNTRY?! Who's money is it, Drew?!
Part 2:
"30+ years of “feeding the rich” and deregulation have not served the vast majority of Americans well. If there was anything to supply- side trickle down economics we would be in economic heaven right now- We tried that- didn't work. GOP wants to keep running the country into the same brick wall. Time to chart a different course."
You should tell that to the President. '"50+ years of Demcratic tax and spend and increasing regulation have not served the vast majority of Americans well. If there was anything to Keynesian trickle down from the Federal Government economics we would be in economic heaven right now- We tried that the last four years - didn't work. DEMs wants to keep running the country into the same brick wall.'
FACT: Following the Bush tax cuts, UE did not shift for a variety of reasons - mostly because it was already low. But, REVENUES TO THE GOVERNMENT INCREASED. But we can't out-revenue the Administration and their spending. And it's for damn sure no tax increase will make up for it. The simple statement of Boehner is right - we don't have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.
THX1138 wrote:
First off it's "opposed" not "apposed". Please update your spell check.
Second
"November 6, 2012, 58% of Michiganders apposed creating a state constitutional amendment to enshrine collective bargaining powers into the state constitution, 42% supported it."
We opposed it because it was an amendment of the Constitution, not because we opposed collective bargaining rights. Gov Snyder was right to say it was a bad move.
Third:
51% of Michiganders back the installation of a "right to work law", only 41% appose it.
You have a reference for this? The polls I have seen here are nowhere near these numbers.
support for the Heritage Foundation idea that was the free market response to HillaryCare? You loved it before you hated it.
Concerning the Fiscal Cliff, I agree with the recent NYT article that we are not in a debt crisis, rather, a political crises. I say, lets embrace the cliff, have the cuts and taxes, take the short recession, start really paying our way, and end this charade. These rates worked for the 90's, they can work for us. Return to Glass Stigel act, filibuster reform (and update the AMT threshold, and we are set!
Funny how the right wing can slap the "liberal" label onto something they don't like and get uninformed people to vote against their own self interests. Right to work states $5000+ lower annual wages, higher uninsured, less per child educational spending, higher food stamp rates, etc., etc., etc. It's no wonder Americans are constantly ranked lower and lower on ratings vs the rest of the world.
THX1138 wrote:
Beyond The-Spectrum wrote: "Even Obamacare allowed townhall meetings"
That was a total sham, it was rammed through with ZERO republican support, and where were the promised televised debates over the legislation.
I think the point was that at least there was public discussion on the bill, there was NONE, ZIP, ZERO, NADA public discussion on the bill. There was ZERO, ZIP, NADA opportunity for John Q. Public to voice their opinion on the proposed bill. It was brought up Thursday at 11:00 am, 3 bills passed by 4:00pm. Reconciliation on Monday, sign on Tuesday. NO chance for public input for or against any of the bills.
As a Michigander I applaud the state legislature and Governor Synder for finally doing something in this state that is supported by the vast majority instead of being bullied by the 17.5% share Unions. Detroit metro area no longer dictates the direction for the rest of the state. I still support giving Detroit to Canada(Tongue in cheek) though, just to be safe.
"I say, lets embrace the cliff, have the cuts and taxes"
You and me both, planetirving. But I'll bet we have different reasons for embracing the cliff. Republicans should embrace it because the President is bluffing. Why they would compromise one bit is just bizzare to me. Grab his hand a la Thelma and Louise and head on over. You foresee a "short recession". I don't. I think it will be prolonged (most ordinary people think we've never really gotten out, though technically growth is very, very slow) and THE PRESIDENT DOESN'T WANT THAT AS HIS LEGACY. His narcissism is what is being missed by the GOP.
"You have a reference for this?"
Mitchell poll: Michigan voters favor right-to-work, 51-41
Steve Mitchell/ The Michigan View.com
East Lansing— As legislators this week sparred over right-to-work legislation in a post-election "lame-duck" session, a new Mitchell Poll shows that a majority (51 percent) of Michigan voters support a Right-to-Work Law. Only 41 percent of the voters oppose it, while 8 percent are undecided.
From The Michigan View: http://www.michiganview.com/article/20121206/MIVIEW/212060509/Mitchell-p...