jonymor

Minimum Wage

2013-12-08T16:44:00.002-08:00

jonymor

Sen. Dick Durbin surprised me by being as forgetful on minimum wage issues as his Republican counterpart. The minimum wage issue has never been bipartisan, it has always been the threat of closing something vital to our economy that precipitated the minimum wage being raised and it has never cost us jobs. Contrary to what Republicans want us to think, raising the minimum wage has ALWAYS stimulated the economy and had the effect of creating more jobs.

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2013-10-26T11:36:00.002-07:00

Jonymor • a second agoRemove

The Obama administration will be wasting a golden opportunity if they do not show that states like Mississippi and Tennessee are sabotaging the Affordable Care Plan by directing applicants to similar and nonworking plans. After wading through what seemed like hundreds of plans while doing a search on Mississippi.gov's web site and being misdirected, I googled Affordable Care/Obama Care and waded through several more sites before finally landing on the Affordable Care site. Once I got to the proper site, navigating was easy. There may be some changes needed, but the only problem that I encountered was the misdirection by Mississippi, Tennessee and others bent on sabotaging the Affordable Care Plan.

15 things everyone would know if there were a liberal media

2013-08-09T11:13:00.002-07:00

Prince Riebus (and apparently many others) still thinks there's a liberal media.

While I share Prince's frustration with the media, as a liberal, I'd like to go on record and state that the media isn't focusing on issues I care about. They seem to be far more focused on entertainment and making money.

Don't believe me?

If you know anyone who still believes in a "liberal media," here's 15 things everyone would know if there really were a "liberal media" (inspired by Jeff Bezos' purchase of The Washington Post):

1. Where the jobs went.

Outsourcing (or offshoring) is a bigger contributor to unemployment in the U.S. than laziness.

Since 2000, U.S. multinationals have cut 2.9 million jobs here while increasing employment overseas by 2.4 million. This is likely just the tip of the iceberg as multinational corporations account for only about 20% of the labor force.

When was the last time you saw a front-page headline about outsourcing?

Source: Wall Street Journal via Think Progress.

2. Upward wealth redistribution and/or inequality.

In 2010, 20% of the people held approximately 88% of the net worth in the U.S. The top 1% alone held 35% of all net worth.

The bottom 80% of people held only 12% of net worth in 2010. In 1983, the bottom 80% held 18% of net worth.

These statistics are not Democrat or Republican. They are widely available to reporters. Why aren't they discussed in the "liberal" media?

Source: Occupy Posters

3. ALEC.

If there was a corporate organization that drafted laws and then passed them on to legislators to implement, wouldn't you think the "liberal" media would report on them?

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is such an organization. Need legislation drafted? No need to go through a lobbyist to reach state legislatures anymore. Just contact ALEC. Among other things, ALEC is responsible for:

Stand Your Ground laws
Voter ID laws
Right to Work laws
Privatizing schools
Health savings account bills which benefit health care companies
Tobacco industry legislation

Many legislators don’t even change the proposals handed to them by this group of corporations. They simply take the corporate bills and bring them to the legislative floor.

This is the primary reason for so much similar bad legislation in different states.

Hello ... "liberal media" ... over here!!!

They're meeting in Chicago this weekend. Maybe the "liberal media" will send some reporters.

4. The number of people in prison.

Which country in the world has the most people in prison?

You might think it would be China (with 1+ billion people and a restrictive government) or former Soviets still imprisoned in Russia.

Wrong. The United States has the most people in prison by far of any country in the world. With 5% of the world’s population, we have 25% of the world’s prisoners – 2.3 million criminals. China with a population 4 times our size is second with 1.6 million people in prison.

In 1972, 350,000 Americans were in imprisoned. In 2010, this number had grown to 2.3 million. Yet from 1988 – 2008, crime rates have declined by 25%.

Isn't anyone in the liberal media interested in why so many people are in prison when crime has dropped? WTF "liberal media"?

Source: Wikipedia/Justice Policy Institute Report.

5. The number of black people in prison.

In 2009, non-Hispanic blacks, while only 13.6% of the population, accounted for 39.4% of the total prison and jail population.

In 2011, according to FBI statistics, whites accounted for 69.2% of arrests.

Numbers like these suggest a racial bias in our justice system.

To me, this is a much bigger story than any single incident like Travyon Martin. Or, at the very least, why didn't the "liberal media" ever mention this while covering the Martin story?

6. U.S. health care costs are the highest in the world.

The expenditure per person in the U.S. is $8,233. Norway is second with $5,388.
Total amount of GDP spent on health care is also the highest of any country in the world at 17.6 percent. The next closest country is the Netherlands at 12%.

As a liberal, I’d like to ask why the market isn’t bringing down costs. I’d think a "liberal" media might too.

7. Glass-Steagall.

Glass-Steagall separated risky financial investments from government backed deposits for 66 years.

The idea is simple. Banks were prohibited from using your federally insured savings to make risky investments.

Why is this a good idea?

Risky investments should be risky. If banks can use federally insured funds, there is no risk to them. If they win, they win. If they lose, we cover the cost.

Elizabeth Warren does a great job explaining this to the "liberal news" desk at CNBC:

8. Gerrymandering.

When was the last time you saw a front page headline about gerrymandering?

Before the 2010 election, conservatives launched a plan to win control of state legislatures before the census. The idea was to be in power when national congressional districts were redrawn in order to fix them so Republicans would win a majority of districts.

The Redistricting Majority Project was hugely successful. In 2012, Barack Obama was elected President by nearly 3.5 million votes. In Congressional races, Democrats drew nearly 1.4 million more votes than Republicans yet Republicans won control of the House 234 seats to 201 seats.

How is this possible?

By pumping $30 million into state races to win the legislatures, Republicans redrew state maps in states such as Arizona, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, Florida and Ohio to place all of the Democrats into just a few districts.
In this manner, Democrats win heavily in a couple districts and lose the rest.

In North Carolina, the statewide vote was 51 percent Democrat and 49 percent Republican yet 9 Republicans won and only 4 Democrats.

Where is your coverage of this vote stealing, "liberal media"? You're willing to cover voter ID laws, why can't you cover real vote stealing?

Source: Mother Jones.

9. The number of bills blocked by Republicans in Congress.

The filibuster has been used a record number of time since Obama was elected President. From 2008-2012, 375 bills weren’t even allowed to come to a vote in the Senate because Republicans threatened the filibuster.

In 2013, during the first 6 months, Congress has only passed 15 bills that were signed into law. This is 8 fewer than in the first 6 months of 2012 and 19 fewer than 2011.

Also, until the Senate recently threatened to reform the filibuster, the GOP had succeeded in holding up 79 of President Obama’s picks to the U.S. Circuit Court and Courts of Appeal. They’re blocking these appointments regardless of qualification.

Where's the coverage? Where are the reporters asking why nothing is getting done?

* crickets *

10. The Citizens' United Supreme Court decision

In a 2011 Hart poll, only 22% of those polled had actually heard of the Citizens’ Uniteddecision before taking the survey.

If 77% believe that corporations have more control over our political process than people, why isn't the liberal media talking more about the Citizens’ United decision?

11. Nixon’s Southern Strategy.

The Southern Strategy is a strategy for gaining political power by exploiting the greatest number of ethnic prejudices. Kevin Philips, Republican and Nixon campaign strategist, speaking about this strategy in a 1970 interview with the New York Times:

From now on, the Republicans are never going to get more than 10 to 20 percent of the Negro vote and they don't need any more than that...but Republicans would be shortsighted if they weakened enforcement of the Voting Rights Act. The more Negroes who register as Democrats in the South, the sooner the Negrophobe whites will quit the Democrats and become Republicans. That's where the votes are. Without that prodding from the blacks, the whites will backslide into their old comfortable arrangement with the local Democrats.

This strategy has been used since President Johnson and Democrats in Congress passed the Civil Rights Act to build the Republican party.

Examples of this strategy were evident as recently as 2008 and 2012 as Republicans took up their assault on Medicaid, Social Security, labor unions, and Obamacare – programs which, though they benefit more white seniors, retirees, women, and children, have been sold to many Americans as handouts to lazy, undeserving blacks and minorities.

Yet you never hear the "liberal media" (at least since the 1970 NY Times) talking about the use of this strategy. At least not like this:

"P (President) emphasized that you have to face the fact that the whole problem is really the blacks. The key is to devise a system that recognizes this while not appearing to." -H.R. Haldeman's diary, President Richard Nixon’s White House Chief of Staff

12. Tax cuts primarily benefit the wealthy.

A progressive tax program is designed to tax people very little as they are starting out and progressively increase their rates as they do better.

Republican plans seem designed to do exactly the opposite: shift the tax burden off of the wealthy and onto working people.

Take the repeal of the estate tax. In Ohio this was recently repealed by Republicans. The benefit is only realized by people with estates larger than $338,000 (as the first $338k was exempt) and realized most by people with even wealthier estates.

This also explains why Republicans want to shift the system from income taxes to consumption taxes. Consumption taxes are paid most by those at the bottom as basic consumption remains the same regardless of income.

It also explains why capital gain taxes are so low. Income through capital gains is only taxed at 20% (increased from 15% in 2012) instead of at the rate of other income (closer to 35%).

It also explains why Republicans were so willing to let the payroll tax cut expire. The payroll tax cut benefited people who were getting paid, not those issuing the paychecks. How much fight did you see to save this tax cut?

While tax cuts are sold to us as benefiting everyone, they really benefit a select few at the very top.

If everyone knew who tax cuts really benefit, would so many people vote for them?

13. What's happening to the bees?

40-50% of commercial U.S. bee hives were lost this year to colony collapse disorder.

This seems like an odd one to include, why is this important?

The Agriculture Department says a quarter of the American diet depends on pollination by honeybees.

Dating from 2006, colony collapse disorder is a relatively new problem. More "liberal media" coverage might push the urgency of the issue.

Instead here's a typical media story about bees: Thousands of Bees Attack Texas Couple, Kill Horses.

14. The impact of temporary workers on our economy.

The number of temporary workers has grown by more than 50 percent since the recession ended to nearly 2.7 million.

If freelancers, contract workers, and consultants are included, the number is nearly 17 million workers not directly employed by the companies who hire them. This equals 12 percent of the workforce.

What's the impact of a "just in time" workforce on workers and our economy? How about that for a story "liberal media"?

15. Media consolidation

Six corporations - Time Warner, Disney, News Corporation, Viacom, Comcast, and CBS -control roughly 90% of the media in the U.S.

These companies are in business to make a profit.

This is why you'll find plenty of advertisements in the media. Entertainment? Check. Sports? Definitely. Weather? Yep.

You'll also find plenty of "if it bleeds, it leads" stories designed to hook you in. Vendors, witnesses recall Venice hit-and-run horror. Fort Hood trial turns bizarre as shooter grills witnesses.

There's also plenty of political bickering: Democrats said this, Republicans said that. We let you decide (but we never weigh in with any facts or fact-checking).

What won't you hear? You won't hear the "liberal media" discuss the corporate media.

What to make of this

If the media were "liberal," it would serve the public interest and shine a light on issues like the ones above.

More people would also have a better understanding of global warming, peak oil, population growth, political lobbying, government's role in a functioning economy, how much we spend on the military, and countless other issues.

What you’re more likely to see in the media, however, are stories designed to get you to buy their paper, or watch their show, or listen to their radio station. If it bleeds, it leads. This is why the media is concerned with scandal, celebrities, gossip, and fear.

If anything, our news consists of paid advertisements and outlets too scared of offending anyone to publish much of substance. Investigative journalism is also expensive; entertainment is cheap.

The way this corporate media behaves may not be surprising. I apologize if you feel any of this is beating you over the head.

This Buzzfeed-style list wasn't intended to introduce this idea as new (others have done a much better job), but rather to highlight the sheer absurdity of a "liberal media" for an audience who may not see it.

One way to approach the topic is to simply ask: If we have a "liberal media," where are the liberal stories?

ORIGINALLY POSTED TO AKADJIAN ON WED AUG 07, 2013 AT 05:02 AM PDT.

ALSO REPUBLISHED BY IN SUPPORT OF LABOR AND UNIONS AND DAILY KOS.

Anti-smoking battle moves outdoors; bans increase

2013-08-08T12:04:00.000-07:00

jonymor

When I'm around people that smoke, I'm reminded of a cartoon drawing of a man with bad breath. the drawing shows foul particles coming out of the mans mouth to simulate odor. Even though this is a cartoon drawing the implication is very accurate. When someone blows smoke on you it's the same as spitting on you..It's unhygienic and disrespectful as well all the dangerous side effects of second hand smoke.

A 'Perfect Storm' Could Cause A Collapse In Oil Prices That Hits The Stock Market Too

2013-08-03T15:42:00.001-07:00

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Jonymor • 1 minute 59 seconds ago Remove
An increase in supply (Iran, Africa and the US along with OPEC countries increase to maintain their profit margin) along with a decrease in demand due to increased sales of Hybrid, Electric and Hydrogen fueled automobiles PAINTS A DARK FUTURE FOR OIL STOCKS.
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Obama to propose 'grand bargain' on corporate tax rate, infrastructure

2013-07-30T10:21:00.000-07:00

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Republicans are saying no to infrastructure funding hoping that we will cast more blame on Obama for the deficit knowing that previous infrastructure funding has had a 100% success rate in reducing the deficit and creating jobs. Obama's plan as outlined is better and cheaper than all the preceding infrastructure plans of previous administrations and offers other benefits like cutting the U.S. corporate tax rate and a much needed business tax overhaul. The Republican controlled house will oppose it simply because they think that voters are stupid.

Davis Chides Perry, Says She'll 'Fight With Every Fiber' to Stop Abortion Bill

2013-06-30T14:22:00.001-07:00

jonymor

Along with the privilege of being mother to humanity comes a burden that is often times overwhelming. Women are a special class of citizens that require special considerations that are often ignored by weak chauvinistic men or taken for granted by others. Along with that privilege comes the responsibility to protect the lives that have been created inside them. Women today have so many options in dealing with an unwanted pregnancy that killing a fetus is unnecessary, morally wrong and endangers the mother. I believe that women should be made whole if an unwanted pregnancy is a cause of financial loss, but I also believe that a woman that has an abortion should be prosecuted for murder just as a man would be if he was the cause of the death of the fetus.

The "N" word

2013-06-25T18:27:00.004-07:00

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That's Ciara"s take on the "N" word. For me, it's twice as offensive when a black person uses it towards another black person 'regardless of whether that person is an entertainer, or a "rapper." Other races have a legitimate excuse even though the excuse is unacceptable, they are prejudiced against black people. Black people's only excuse for using the "N" word is that they are ignorant. Besides being just plain ignorant, they are ignorant of our history and life as it is today. When they can not relate the "N" word to the young man that was tied behind a pickup truck and dragged until his body was dismembered, Emmett Till, and even Trayvon Martin to name just a few stand out cases, then they are not only ignorant, they have their heads in the sand. Entertainers and especially 'rappers' have a duty and a responsibility to black people because they have the ear of both the racist and the victims of racism. Paula Deen is a nobody, I would not legitimize her use of the "N" word with a comment.

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

2013-06-01T17:47:00.000-07:00

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Democracy supported by "big government" sustains a higher level of employment, our quality of life and maintains the freedoms that we enjoy. Democracy with "smaller government" leads to higher unemployment and a decline in quality of life, chaos, and possibly civil war. The proportionate growth of our government has allowed us to prosper and remain free, so to all those proponents of "smaller government," YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, abortion, and the future of gay marriage

2013-05-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

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I don't believe that because nature made women the bearers of babies, that included in the 10 months of suffering is the right to kill a fetus. I am of the opinion that killing a fetus is as immoral as killing an adult and should be punished as any murder would be.
The interpretation of Roe v. Wade by the courts made the killing of a fetus a privacy matter. My question is, can murder of a fetus be a 'privacy matter', if so, it should be extended to include all murder.

Amber Holcomb, The Stage is Yours

2013-05-03T18:32:00.003-07:00

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When Keith Urban challenged Amber by asking her what her interpretation of “My Funny Valentine” is, I feel that she grew as an artist and as a person. I really wish it had happened early on in the competition because in my opinion her growth in this, her last week propelled her to a tie with Candice Glover as this seasons American Idol.

Kenyan leader, charged by ICC, invited to Somalia meeting in London

2013-05-03T17:46:00.000-07:00

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Uhuru Kenyatta was a baby when the British were slaughtering the Masai in the streets of Mombasa. I hope that he will look back and see the need to protect all Kenyans and not let greed and ethnocentrism taint his administration. As a democratic country, Kenya will become the most powerful country in Africa and an example to all other African countries.
Ethnocentrism, the scourge of Africa, is the curse that has led to the ethnic cleansing of tribes (by their neighbor's and relatives) throughout Africa.

Africa can lift this curse with a strong compassionate and moral leader.

New database focuses on China's secretive aid to Africa

2013-05-01T15:55:00.000-07:00

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The big question is; why is American companies allowed to invest with our enemies and why do they avoid black countries? African countries have been begging for an alliance with the US for decades. Racism in the board rooms has allowed China to move in and benefit from African countries with natural resources that will enhance it's standing as a world power.

2013-04-24T13:59:00.000-07:00

Marijuana Majority: Americans Now Back Legalization: Op-Ed

2013-04-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

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Alcohol does more damage to the individual and to society than marijuana, so in my opinion, those that oppose the legalization of marijuana has their head in the sand. By decriminalizing marijuana you take away the profit incentives of drug smugglers and allow the creation of an industry that can bring in tax revenue.
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Republican Doomsday Plan: Cave on Taxes

2012-12-03T11:26:00.000-08:00

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What were Republicans thinking (or should I say not thinking) when they elected Boehner as Speaker of the House. Whether you love or hate Pelosi or her accomplishments, at least she got things done. The lady stands heads and shoulders above duh Boehner.

Brinksmanship on Obama Medicaid Expansion for Poor

2012-12-02T21:13:00.000-08:00

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"The state does not want to expand Medicaid and get stuck with the bill," is a cop out used by politicians to deny poor and indigent people medical care. It so far from the truth that only an idiot would believe it. The Medicaid expansion will create enough taxable jobs in medical fields to pay for itself and put a sizable amount of surplus money in states treasuries. It's a win win proposition for states.

Palestinians certain to win recognition as a state

2012-11-29T09:05:00.000-08:00

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The only thing that the Palestinians have gotten from the U.S. and Israel in the past 49 years is broken promises. When the entire U.N. steps up against the U.S. and Israel, it's time for the U.S. to reconsider it's allegiance to a criminal state.

Susan Rice Gains Little Ground With Skeptical Senators

2012-11-28T14:53:00.002-08:00

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I hope President Obama will use executive privilege and appoint Rice as the next secretary of state. All the reasons that Republicans use against Susan Rice make her the best qualified person to replace Clinton when she steps down. Susan Rice is a very strong and a very intelligent woman and Republicans feel intimidated by her.

Susan Rice battles critics over style, substance, perceptions

2012-11-24T20:35:00.000-08:00

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I am surprised at how silent women have on this issue. Rice is the most qualified person in consideration by the "media" and is bring raked over the coals because she is a woman. With a level playing field there wouldn't be a debate, she would be asked to fill the position based on qualifications and proven ability.

Mercedes Ener-G-Force concept imagines the SUV of 2025

2012-11-19T22:04:00.002-08:00

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I want it now! We have the tecnology, build it now.
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Republicans say Rice must testify on Benghazi statements

2012-11-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

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McCain's critisisim of Susan Rice is baseless and movtivated by the dumb decision of selecting Sarah Palin as his running mate. Susan Rice stands heads and shoulders above Sarah Palin and it's childish for McCain to make her the scapegoat for his alter ego.
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Romney faces scrutiny on aid in storm's wake

2012-10-31T11:27:00.000-07:00

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How many faces does Romney have? We have seen at least two faces of Romney in every crisis situation from Obama Care to the bail out and now Sandy.
Romney's actions show an obvious disregard for the American people in anticipation of personal financial gain. Count the crisis situations and multiply by two to see how many faces Romney has.
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Would Romney abolish FEMA? His campaign says no

2012-10-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

Do you believe that someone who flip-flops daily on issues can effectively lead our country? Do you believe that person will continue to flip to appease his constituency? Do you believe that the presidency will make that person more rational? Do you believe in fairy tales??? If you do, then vote for the Double R Brand "Romney and Ryan."
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Romney, Ryan Pitched FEMA Cuts

2012-10-29T18:17:00.000-07:00

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What Romney is saying only makes sense to idiots that believe in the false promise of smaller government. State governments in hurricane alley could not have survived on their own. Without FEMA, the disaster volunteers and agencies like the Red Cross working together, the states in hurricane alley would be unlivable. Even though Romney and Ryan have signed off on a death certificate for them, they will follow the Republican party like a chicken follows corn to the chopping block. They will not remember Katrina and will ignore Sandy to their detriment.
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jonymor

Minimum Wage

15 things everyone would know if there were a liberal media

ORIGINALLY POSTED TO AKADJIAN ON WED AUG 07, 2013 AT 05:02 AM PDT.

ALSO REPUBLISHED BY IN SUPPORT OF LABOR AND UNIONS AND DAILY KOS.

TAGS

Anti-smoking battle moves outdoors; bans increase

A 'Perfect Storm' Could Cause A Collapse In Oil Prices That Hits The Stock Market Too

Obama to propose 'grand bargain' on corporate tax rate, infrastructure

Davis Chides Perry, Says She'll 'Fight With Every Fiber' to Stop Abortion Bill

The "N" word

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, abortion, and the future of gay marriage

Amber Holcomb, The Stage is Yours

Kenyan leader, charged by ICC, invited to Somalia meeting in London

New database focuses on China's secretive aid to Africa

Marijuana Majority: Americans Now Back Legalization: Op-Ed

Republican Doomsday Plan: Cave on Taxes

Brinksmanship on Obama Medicaid Expansion for Poor

Palestinians certain to win recognition as a state

Susan Rice Gains Little Ground With Skeptical Senators

Susan Rice battles critics over style, substance, perceptions

Mercedes Ener-G-Force concept imagines the SUV of 2025

Republicans say Rice must testify on Benghazi statements

Romney faces scrutiny on aid in storm's wake

Would Romney abolish FEMA? His campaign says no

Romney, Ryan Pitched FEMA Cuts