Fascism

Georgia congressman complains: ‘I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year’

"A Georgia Republican congressman was caught complaining about what he described as a low salary in a closed-door meeting with fellow party members concerning the Affordable Care Act. During a discussion concerning a possible exemption for lawmakers and staff members from taking part in the state health exchanges mandated by the new law, Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-GA) reportedly lamented that aides can become lobbyists 'and make 500,000 a year. Meanwhile I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year.' USA Today reported that Gingrey’s net worth is estimated to be between $3 million and $7.6 million, while the median household income in Georgia is $49,736." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGeorgia congressman complains: ‘I’m stuck here making $172,000 a year’

US farmers challenging Monsanto patent claims appeal to Supreme Court

"Seventy-three US farmers, seed companies, and public advocacy groups appealed their case against Monsanto Co. to the Supreme Court on Thursday. The case seeks to challenge Monsanto’s aggressive claims on patents of genetically-engineered seeds and aims to bar the chemical and biotech company from suing anyone whose field is contaminated by such seeds. Monsanto has in the past sued over 100 farmers for patent infringement and won cases against farmers who were found to have used seeds without paying the company royalties." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingUS farmers challenging Monsanto patent claims appeal to Supreme Court

Public school students being tracked continually

"Because of her religious beliefs, Andrea Hernandez was expelled – yes, expelled from John Jay High School in January 2013! Next week: Victory! Andrea Hernandez has been readmitted to that school and, because she would not abandon her American right to religious freedom, that school district has stopped using the RFID badges tracking program. I will delightedly show you how all this happened, setting a legal precedent that other American students wielding the Constitution may follow. In view of John Whitehead’s continuous teaching of what the Constitution actually says, I wish he were running for president in 2016." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingPublic school students being tracked continually

Virginia City Hides Data Showing Increased Red Light Camera Injuries

"After holding out for more than three years, officials in Virginia Beach, Virginia finally released accident data that raise serious questions about whether the use of red light cameras has improved traffic safety in the city. The number of injury accidents went down 12 percent throughout the city. At the twelve intersections where red light camera tickets are issued, however, injury accidents went up 5 percent over the same period. After finally releasing the information, city officials dismissed the relevance of the climbing injury rate. As of January, the cameras had issued 199,463 citations worth $10 million. $7.3 million worth of tickets have been issued solely to vehicles making rolling right turns on red." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingVirginia City Hides Data Showing Increased Red Light Camera Injuries

Florida Police Jail Man For Petitioning Against Red Light Cameras

"'As I was approaching him, I read 'BAN CAMS' on the sign he was wearing,' Officer Campbell wrote. 'He was holding a large stack of papers... I asked him if he had a permit to protest the red light cameras, and he said no.' At this point, Officer Campbell asked for Schmidter's identification. Since he was not driving, the man explained he was not carrying any. The officer then asked for his name and date of birth. Schmidter declined to do so unless the officer could show him what law he had violated. Officer Campbell said he did not have to do that. After asking one more time he grabbed Schmidter's wrist, handcuffed him, and placed him under arrest." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFlorida Police Jail Man For Petitioning Against Red Light Cameras

Is It Time to Feel Sorry for the President and other Obamacare Supporters?

"It must not be fun having to explain to people that their private financial and medical information will now be in the hands of some of the least competent people in America. Or imagine what it must be like when some of your biggest allies start complaining about the law. Such as union bosses. Or government bureaucrats. And what about stories about cost overruns. And how about all the bad news about limited choice in the infamous Obamacare exchanges. Or rising insurance costs. Our privacy will be compromised, our choices will be limited, our costs will increase, and the government will squander more of our money. All for a law that even left-wing groups are learning to despise." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingIs It Time to Feel Sorry for the President and other Obamacare Supporters?

White House leans on industry for bottled water push

"First Lady Michelle Obama is launching her new Drink Up initiative at an event Thursday in Watertown, Wisconsin. According to the White House, the American Beverage Association and International Bottled Water Association are both promoting the effort. The two associations are the major lobbying forces inside the Beltway for both the bottled water and beverage association. According to the visitor's logs, one of the American Beverage Association's lobbyists, Susan Neely, visited the White House several times. The American Beverage Association is a lobbying heavyweight that has spent $680,000 so far in 2013. The bottled water association has spent $60,000 so far in 2013." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House leans on industry for bottled water push

The CFR: The Go-To Organization for Government Tools Ready to Cash In

"Mervyn King, former governor and chief economist for the Bank of England, joins the Council on Foreign Relations this month as a distinguished visiting fellow. 'We are excited and honored to have someone of Mervyn King's experience and stature join us here at the Council on Foreign Relations,' said CFR President Richard N. Haass. 'Governor King strengthens our ability to assess financial balance and practical problems.' King is the second former central bank governor to recently join CFR. Stanley Fischer, former governor for the Bank of Israel and a former senior official with the IMF and the World Bank, also became a distinguished fellow earlier this month." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe CFR: The Go-To Organization for Government Tools Ready to Cash In

Government consumer credit card data-mining program challenged

"Consumer Financial Protection Bureau officials are seeking to monitor four out of every five U.S. consumer credit card transactions this year — up to 42 billion transactions – through a controversial data-mining program, according to documents obtained by the Washington Examiner. In addition, CFPB officials hope to monitor up to 95 percent of all mortgage transactions, according to the planning document. CFPB Director Richard Cordray defended the data-mining practice and said his agency is monitoring credit card usage at 110 banks, including Morgan Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, Discover and American Express." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingGovernment consumer credit card data-mining program challenged