Delaware Governor Vetoes Common Core Opt-Out Bill

DOVER, Del. (July 20, 2015) – Last week, a Delaware “Common Core opt-out bill” was vetoed by Gov. Jack Markell. Since the bill passed by veto-proof majorities in both houses, insiders suggest that an override is possible when the legislature reconvenes in January. Introduced by Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark) in March along with eight bipartisan cosponsors,…

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Hidden Time Bombs Behind Greece Bailout

"Just these top four derivatives players — B of A, Goldman, Citi and JPMorgan — control nearly $203.5 trillion, or 92% of all derivatives held in the U.S. banking system. And the largest 25 U.S. banks control 99.8%. All told, the thousands of other regional, mid-sized and small banks in this country control a meager one-fifth of one percent of the derivatives. This is an oligopoly unlike any other in the financial world — one that ties the fate of the U.S. economy to these firms’ stability far beyond anything ever witnessed in prior centuries. In contrast, Lehman Brothers was actually smaller by comparison — with 'only' $7.1 trillion in derivatives." Continue reading

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China Introduces $483 Billion Stock Support Program

"China has made 2.5 trillion yuan to 3 trillion yuan ($483 billion) of funding available for government agency China Securities Finance Corp. to support the stock market, people familiar with the matter said. The funding is to offer liquidity support to brokers and to purchase stocks and mutual funds. Chinese stocks rose the most in a week as the government gains ground in efforts to stabilize a stock market that plummeted in the past month after a debt-fueled boom. The money was available from the central bank’s relending facility; credit lines with commercial banks; borrowing by CSF in the interbank market; and bonds and short-term notes sold by CSF, the people said." Continue reading

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Two California Bills Taking on Spying by “Stingrays” Pass out of Committee

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (July 17, 2015) – Two California bills that would work together to help end the warrantless use of “stingrays” passed unanimously out of important Assembly committees this week. Passage into law would not only help protect privacy in California, but would also hinder part of the federal surveillance state. Sen. Mark Leno (D)…

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Federal Reserve Spies on France

"New documents from WikiLeaks show the National Security Agency spies on French companies as well as its government. That's not especially surprising. What is surprising is seeing the Federal Reserve Board on the list of 'supported elements' for whom the NSA spied. We've always known the Fed had its nose in every economic nook and cranny. Now, thanks to WikiLeaks, we have proof. You can view the secret document online. What you will see is a standing topic list, dating back to 2002, on which the NSA collects information for further analysis. NSA's 'customer' list includes not only the Fed but also the Commerce Department, Treasury Department and U.S. Trade Representative." Continue reading

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The Bank Branch: An Endangered Species?

"At Citigroup (C), we just learned that 15% have been eliminated in the past year. That leaves only 779 in North America. At Bank of America (BAC), 234 have gone the way of the dodo in the past several months. At JPMorgan Chase (JPM), 300 are being shuttered as we speak. I’m talking about one of the 21st century’s biggest endangered species: the bank branch. And chances are, you’re helping eliminate them almost every single day. When was the last time you deposited a check with an actual bank teller? Or even at an ATM? I can’t remember personally, and for a very simple reason. I bank with Chase, and the company’s smartphone app lets me do it right from my iPhone 6!" Continue reading

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Ron Paul: Greece Today, America Tomorrow?

"While most commentators have focused on Greece’s welfare state, much of Greece’s deficit was caused by excessive military spending. Greece’s military budget remains among the largest in the European Union. Despite all the handwringing over how the phony sequestration cuts have weakened America’s defenses, the United States military budget remains larger than the combined budgets of the world’s next 15 highest spending militaries. Little, if any, of the military budget is spent defending the American people from foreign threats. Instead, the American government wastes billions of dollars on an imperial foreign policy that makes Americans less safe." Continue reading

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US Senate Rejects Parental Choice in Education, but States and Individuals Choosing Anyway

LOS ANGELES (July 15, 2015) This week, the Federal Senate rejected a measure that would have protected school choice, but individuals and states are already taking actions without federal approval, and it will likely continue and grow in 2016. In a rare instance where a measure was put forward in the National Congress that would have…

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