Thursday, May 31, 2012
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Harriman drops out of 12th District race | harriman, district, democratic - The Telegraph
Harriman drops out of 12th District race | harriman, district, democratic - The Telegraph
click link above
from article
Read more: http://www.thetelegraph.com/articles/harriman-70841-district-democratic.html#ixzz1wJXtdfXG
click link above
from article
The Telegraph
Brad Harriman, the Democratic nominee in Illinois' 12th Congressional District, announced Tuesday he is withdrawing from the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello for health reasons.
Harriman, of O'Fallon, said his decision followed a consultation with his doctor regarding the need to address a non-life-threatening neurological condition.
"Today, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I am ending my campaign after consultation with my doctor," Harriman said in a prepared statement. "I know in my heart that this decision is in the best interest of the voters of Southern Illinois, who deserve a candidate that can withstand the pace that this race will require.
Harriman, of O'Fallon, said his decision followed a consultation with his doctor regarding the need to address a non-life-threatening neurological condition.
"Today, it is with a heavy heart that I must announce that I am ending my campaign after consultation with my doctor," Harriman said in a prepared statement. "I know in my heart that this decision is in the best interest of the voters of Southern Illinois, who deserve a candidate that can withstand the pace that this race will require.
Read more: http://www.thetelegraph.com/articles/harriman-70841-district-democratic.html#ixzz1wJXtdfXG
Massacre at Republic Steel
Massacre at Republic Steel
click link above. note: 75th anniversary was last saturday in chicago
from article
As several more objects flew toward the police line, an officer in the rear rank of police drew his revolver without orders and shot into the air. Suddenly, policemen in the front ranks drew their revolvers and fired point blank into the retreating marchers. Approximately 200 shots rang out. Within 15 seconds the shooting had ended, but the violence was not over.
The entire police line now moved forward wielding billy clubs against any in the their path. Marchers who had dropped to the ground to avoid the bullets were struck repeatedly by policemen. Even women suffered from these indiscriminate beatings. The film clearly shows Lupe Marshall, a social worker from Chicago's Hull House, being prodded and arrested.
This period of beatings lasted for several minutes after which indiscriminate arrests were made. Patrol wagons designed for eiqht prisoners were filled with as many as sixteen, the seriously wounded thrown in without any attempt to treat or dress their wounds. The treatment of the wounded was characterized as callous indifference by the Senate Committee, which declared that "wounded prisoners of war might have expected greater solicitude." Patrol wagons with wounded took roundabout routes to hospitals.
Four marchers had been fatally shot and six others were mortally wounded. Thirty others had suffered gunshot wounds. Twenty-eight required hospitalization for lacerations and contusions, and about thirty others received some sort of emergency medical treatment. The gunshot wounds of the dead were all back or side wounds, only four were classified as frontal wounds. Police injuries were comparatively minor. Thirty-five policemen reported injuries with no gunshot wounds and only three policemen requiring overnight hospital care.
Reactions to the Massacre occurred immediately following the event. Sympathetic
click link above. note: 75th anniversary was last saturday in chicago
from article
As several more objects flew toward the police line, an officer in the rear rank of police drew his revolver without orders and shot into the air. Suddenly, policemen in the front ranks drew their revolvers and fired point blank into the retreating marchers. Approximately 200 shots rang out. Within 15 seconds the shooting had ended, but the violence was not over.
The entire police line now moved forward wielding billy clubs against any in the their path. Marchers who had dropped to the ground to avoid the bullets were struck repeatedly by policemen. Even women suffered from these indiscriminate beatings. The film clearly shows Lupe Marshall, a social worker from Chicago's Hull House, being prodded and arrested.
This period of beatings lasted for several minutes after which indiscriminate arrests were made. Patrol wagons designed for eiqht prisoners were filled with as many as sixteen, the seriously wounded thrown in without any attempt to treat or dress their wounds. The treatment of the wounded was characterized as callous indifference by the Senate Committee, which declared that "wounded prisoners of war might have expected greater solicitude." Patrol wagons with wounded took roundabout routes to hospitals.
Four marchers had been fatally shot and six others were mortally wounded. Thirty others had suffered gunshot wounds. Twenty-eight required hospitalization for lacerations and contusions, and about thirty others received some sort of emergency medical treatment. The gunshot wounds of the dead were all back or side wounds, only four were classified as frontal wounds. Police injuries were comparatively minor. Thirty-five policemen reported injuries with no gunshot wounds and only three policemen requiring overnight hospital care.
Reactions to the Massacre occurred immediately following the event. Sympathetic
Monday, May 28, 2012
'Yes Scotland' wants divorce from UK, seeks a million for support
if this get on ballot I can see some fools trying to get such a thing here. In Missouri, some are still fighting the civil war.
Oh, nein! Price at the pump puts Germany on road to Athens?
I suspect this a common concern around the world. St. Louis prices are down this week
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Occupy St. Louis Now Older & More Diverse
my observations: retiree groups like soar and ara are getting more into the action. a lot of injustice out there
Friday, May 25, 2012
Ten dead, a hundred injured in bloodstained Chicago field » peoplesworld
Ten dead, a hundred injured in bloodstained Chicago field » peoplesworld
click link for story. am going to chicago today with granite city soar folks for rally and speeches
snip
Today, 75 years later, the fight for workers' rights is still front and center. After occupying the state capital in Madison, Wisconsin last year workers may be on the verge next week of recalling a right-wing Republican Governor who pushed through a law to destroy the collective bargaining rights the families were demanding back then in 1937. There is no question on whose side Wisconsin's Gov. Scott Walker would have been had he been alive in 1937.
While Memorial Day is traditionally thought of as a day to remember our fallen soldiers, many in the labor movement would like to include fallen workers on that list. American history, they say, has also involved warfare between those who want to expand wealth and democracy and those who want to restrict both to a privileged few.
This incredible day in American history will be remembered on May 26th, 2012 at Chicago's George Washington High School, 3535 E. 114TH St., right where the massacre occurred, with a panel discussion at 10 a.m. and a "still fighting back rally" at 1:30 p.m., featuring Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America.
click link for story. am going to chicago today with granite city soar folks for rally and speeches
snip
Today, 75 years later, the fight for workers' rights is still front and center. After occupying the state capital in Madison, Wisconsin last year workers may be on the verge next week of recalling a right-wing Republican Governor who pushed through a law to destroy the collective bargaining rights the families were demanding back then in 1937. There is no question on whose side Wisconsin's Gov. Scott Walker would have been had he been alive in 1937.
While Memorial Day is traditionally thought of as a day to remember our fallen soldiers, many in the labor movement would like to include fallen workers on that list. American history, they say, has also involved warfare between those who want to expand wealth and democracy and those who want to restrict both to a privileged few.
This incredible day in American history will be remembered on May 26th, 2012 at Chicago's George Washington High School, 3535 E. 114TH St., right where the massacre occurred, with a panel discussion at 10 a.m. and a "still fighting back rally" at 1:30 p.m., featuring Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers of America.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Editorial: Legislature won't find success until voters clean it up
Editorial: Legislature won't find success until voters clean it up
click link for story
some more on the do nothing bunch in Jefferson city.
click link for story
some more on the do nothing bunch in Jefferson city.
Legislature leaves some unfinished business
Legislature leaves some unfinished business
click link above for story on do nothing Missouri folks in Jefferson city
click link above for story on do nothing Missouri folks in Jefferson city
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Timing is bad for a minimum wage increase
Timing is bad for a minimum wage increase
click link
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guy is moron read for yourself this fool opposes cost of living for minimum wage
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from article
If a minimum-wage initiative makes it on the November ballot, Missourians will have to choose between economics and emotion.
Emotion tells them that a higher minimum wage improves the lot of downtrodden workers. The late Sen. Edward Kennedy called it “one of the best anti-poverty programs we have.”
Economics tells us that Kennedy was wrong. When you raise the price of something, whether it's umbrellas or unskilled labor, people buy less of it. When employers see a higher hourly wage, they figuring out ways to use fewer hours of labor. That's bound to hurt, not help, low-income workers.
Missouri Jobs with Justice, though, seems to think poor workers are immune to the laws of supply and demand. It's among the backers of an ballot initiative that seeks to raise Missouri's minimum wage by $1 an hour to $8.25. The petition was submitted this week, and the Secretary of State's office is checking to see if it has enough valid signatures.
David Neumark, a leading expert on the economics of the minimum wage, says that while some workers will be happy to get raises, others will be laid off, have their hours reduced, or simply be unable to find jobs.
click link
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guy is moron read for yourself this fool opposes cost of living for minimum wage
------
from article
If a minimum-wage initiative makes it on the November ballot, Missourians will have to choose between economics and emotion.
Emotion tells them that a higher minimum wage improves the lot of downtrodden workers. The late Sen. Edward Kennedy called it “one of the best anti-poverty programs we have.”
Economics tells us that Kennedy was wrong. When you raise the price of something, whether it's umbrellas or unskilled labor, people buy less of it. When employers see a higher hourly wage, they figuring out ways to use fewer hours of labor. That's bound to hurt, not help, low-income workers.
Missouri Jobs with Justice, though, seems to think poor workers are immune to the laws of supply and demand. It's among the backers of an ballot initiative that seeks to raise Missouri's minimum wage by $1 an hour to $8.25. The petition was submitted this week, and the Secretary of State's office is checking to see if it has enough valid signatures.
David Neumark, a leading expert on the economics of the minimum wage, says that while some workers will be happy to get raises, others will be laid off, have their hours reduced, or simply be unable to find jobs.
Editorial: Missouri Speaker's legacy: It's El Rushbo's House now
Editorial: Missouri Speaker's legacy: It's El Rushbo's House now
click link above
snip
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On Monday, when the latest speaker of the House, Republican Steve Tilley of Perryville, closed the House chambers to the public while inducting talk-radio personality Rush Limbaugh into the same hall that contains a bust of Mr. Twain, a quotation from Mr. Twain's autobiography came to mind:
"To lodge all power in one party and keep it there is to insure bad government and the sure and gradual deterioration of the public morals."
Mr. Tilley presides over a decidedly partisan House controlled by enough Republicans to render Democrats superfluous. The results have been devastating. Bills that many people in Mr. Tilley's party not long ago would have considered fringe proposals are passing handily. Democrats' and moderates' proposals are safely tucked away in the speaker's desk, never to see the light of day.
That Mr. Tilley would sell his soul to Mr. Limbaugh, and offer a place in the Capitol rotunda for his likeness is hardly surprising. In fact, it's oddly appropriate; history will record that under Mr. Tilley's watch, the discourse in the House has not been too different from the sort of bile that is a regular feature of Mr. Limbaugh's show. Still, no House member has yet publicly called a woman a 'slut," as Mr. Limbaugh did in March.
click link above
snip
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On Monday, when the latest speaker of the House, Republican Steve Tilley of Perryville, closed the House chambers to the public while inducting talk-radio personality Rush Limbaugh into the same hall that contains a bust of Mr. Twain, a quotation from Mr. Twain's autobiography came to mind:
"To lodge all power in one party and keep it there is to insure bad government and the sure and gradual deterioration of the public morals."
Mr. Tilley presides over a decidedly partisan House controlled by enough Republicans to render Democrats superfluous. The results have been devastating. Bills that many people in Mr. Tilley's party not long ago would have considered fringe proposals are passing handily. Democrats' and moderates' proposals are safely tucked away in the speaker's desk, never to see the light of day.
That Mr. Tilley would sell his soul to Mr. Limbaugh, and offer a place in the Capitol rotunda for his likeness is hardly surprising. In fact, it's oddly appropriate; history will record that under Mr. Tilley's watch, the discourse in the House has not been too different from the sort of bile that is a regular feature of Mr. Limbaugh's show. Still, no House member has yet publicly called a woman a 'slut," as Mr. Limbaugh did in March.
World's nations moving toward universal health care
World's nations moving toward universal health care
click link above
WASHINGTON • Even as Americans debate whether President Barack Obama's health care law and its promise of guaranteed health coverage should be scrapped, many far less affluent nations are moving in the opposite direction — to provide medical insurance to all citizens.
China, after years of underfunding health care, is on track to complete a three-year, $124 billion initiative projected to cover more than 90 percent of the nation's residents.
Mexico, which a decade ago covered less than half its population, just completed an eight-year drive for universal coverage that has dramatically expanded Mexicans' access to life-saving treatments for diseases such as leukemia and breast cancer.
click link above
WASHINGTON • Even as Americans debate whether President Barack Obama's health care law and its promise of guaranteed health coverage should be scrapped, many far less affluent nations are moving in the opposite direction — to provide medical insurance to all citizens.
China, after years of underfunding health care, is on track to complete a three-year, $124 billion initiative projected to cover more than 90 percent of the nation's residents.
Mexico, which a decade ago covered less than half its population, just completed an eight-year drive for universal coverage that has dramatically expanded Mexicans' access to life-saving treatments for diseases such as leukemia and breast cancer.
Guest commentary: Medical students embrace Medicare for all
Guest commentary: Medical students embrace Medicare for all
click link
snip
Medical students learn that as practicing doctors they'll be dealing with dozens of different insurance schemes, each with its own rules, paperwork and bureaucratic headaches.
As physicians-in-training, they encounter patients who have delayed surgery until they qualified for Medicare at age 65 — often with more difficult and sometimes fatal complications as a result. They meet grandmothers who have had to decide between paying for medications for their hypertension and paying the rent.
They see patients with employer-sponsored health insurance get sick, lose their job, lose their insurance and declare bankruptcy. In fact, medical expenses are the most common cause of bankruptcy.
Like everyone else, medical students are shocked when they see these inequities and inefficiencies. They believe your wealth should not determine your health and that poor health should not be able to destroy your wealth. And, of course, they're right.
I recently had a chance to discuss these issues with students at both of the major medical schools in town. Just last month the new St. Louis chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program brought in Dr. Garrett Adams, PNHP's national president, and Dr. Carol Paris, a single-payer advocate from Maryland, to speak with students at those schools.
click link
snip
Medical students learn that as practicing doctors they'll be dealing with dozens of different insurance schemes, each with its own rules, paperwork and bureaucratic headaches.
As physicians-in-training, they encounter patients who have delayed surgery until they qualified for Medicare at age 65 — often with more difficult and sometimes fatal complications as a result. They meet grandmothers who have had to decide between paying for medications for their hypertension and paying the rent.
They see patients with employer-sponsored health insurance get sick, lose their job, lose their insurance and declare bankruptcy. In fact, medical expenses are the most common cause of bankruptcy.
Like everyone else, medical students are shocked when they see these inequities and inefficiencies. They believe your wealth should not determine your health and that poor health should not be able to destroy your wealth. And, of course, they're right.
I recently had a chance to discuss these issues with students at both of the major medical schools in town. Just last month the new St. Louis chapter of Physicians for a National Health Program brought in Dr. Garrett Adams, PNHP's national president, and Dr. Carol Paris, a single-payer advocate from Maryland, to speak with students at those schools.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Editorial: Health care fraud is a big, and sleazy, business.
Editorial: Health care fraud is a big, and sleazy, business.
click link
from article
The indictments underpinning last week's operation by multiple federal, state and local agencies allege some $450 million in false Medicare billings, more than any other single enforcement action to date.
In addition to handling the arrests, more than 500 agents of a special Medicare Fraud Strike Force also suspended the Medicare participation rights of 52 health care providers and executed an additional 20 search warrants connected with other ongoing investigations.
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click link
from article
The indictments underpinning last week's operation by multiple federal, state and local agencies allege some $450 million in false Medicare billings, more than any other single enforcement action to date.
In addition to handling the arrests, more than 500 agents of a special Medicare Fraud Strike Force also suspended the Medicare participation rights of 52 health care providers and executed an additional 20 search warrants connected with other ongoing investigations.
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Monday, May 7, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Statement of Robert Greenstein on the 2012 Social Security Trustees' Report — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Statement of Robert Greenstein on the 2012 Social Security Trustees' Report — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
click link
snip
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As some commentators have noted, Social Security’s annual tax revenue has slipped below the benefits it pays each year. That was long expected to happen in the latter half of this decade, but the weak economy has taken a toll on Social Security, as on many other parts of the budget. That imbalance, however, does not jeopardize Social Security benefits (and ought not to worry recipients), because Social Security can draw on its trust fund — which now stands at nearly $2.7 trillion and will keep growing until 2020 — to enable it to continue paying full benefits for some years to come.
Likewise, program participants need not worry about the payroll-tax holiday in 2011 and 2012 that temporarily reduced payroll-tax rates for the program by two percentage points, because the Treasury is compensating the trust funds for the resulting revenue loss (estimated at slightly over $200 billion for the two years’ holiday). In short, the program is strong enough to withstand the economic downturn.
click link
snip
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Health Reform, Economic Downturn, Payroll Tax Holiday Have Affected Program
The 2010 trustees’ report showed a small but significant improvement in Social Security’s finances due to that year’s health reform law, which the actuaries expect will shift some employee compensation from (nontaxable) fringe benefits to (taxable) wages. That’s no longer new but is worth reiterating. Repealing health reform would not only leave many millions of people uninsured and abandon various cost-saving measures in Medicare, but also harm Social Security’s financial outlook.As some commentators have noted, Social Security’s annual tax revenue has slipped below the benefits it pays each year. That was long expected to happen in the latter half of this decade, but the weak economy has taken a toll on Social Security, as on many other parts of the budget. That imbalance, however, does not jeopardize Social Security benefits (and ought not to worry recipients), because Social Security can draw on its trust fund — which now stands at nearly $2.7 trillion and will keep growing until 2020 — to enable it to continue paying full benefits for some years to come.
Likewise, program participants need not worry about the payroll-tax holiday in 2011 and 2012 that temporarily reduced payroll-tax rates for the program by two percentage points, because the Treasury is compensating the trust funds for the resulting revenue loss (estimated at slightly over $200 billion for the two years’ holiday). In short, the program is strong enough to withstand the economic downturn.
Medicare Is Not “Bankrupt” — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Medicare Is Not “Bankrupt” — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
click link
from article
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The 2024 date does not applyto Medicare coverage for physician and outpatient costs or to the Medicare prescription drug benefit; these parts of Medicare do not face insolvency and cannot run short of funds. These parts of Medicare are financed through the program’s Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) trust fund, which consists of two separate accounts — one for Medicare Part B, which pays for physician and other outpatient health services, and one for Part D, which pays for outpatient prescription drugs. Premiums for Part B and Part D are set each year at levels that cover about 25 percent of costs; general revenues pay the remaining 75 percent of costs.[2] The trustees’ report does not project that these parts of Medicare will become insolvent at any point — because they can’t. The SMI trust fund always has sufficient financing to cover Part B and Part D costs, because the beneficiary premiums and general revenue contributions are specifically set at levels to assure this is the case. SMI cannot go “bankrupt.”
Nonetheless, Medicare faces serious financing challenges in order to make the Hospital Insurance trust fund solvent over the long term and to reduce unsustainable federal budget deficits that are driven in part by Medicare’s rising costs. Major reforms in health care payment and delivery will be essential throughout the U.S. health care system, and Medicare will need to play an important role in leading the way to those reforms. A first step, however, should be to “do not harm” — that is, not make Medicare’s financing challenges even greater. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would do exactly that.
click link
from article
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The 2024 date does not applyto Medicare coverage for physician and outpatient costs or to the Medicare prescription drug benefit; these parts of Medicare do not face insolvency and cannot run short of funds. These parts of Medicare are financed through the program’s Supplementary Medical Insurance (SMI) trust fund, which consists of two separate accounts — one for Medicare Part B, which pays for physician and other outpatient health services, and one for Part D, which pays for outpatient prescription drugs. Premiums for Part B and Part D are set each year at levels that cover about 25 percent of costs; general revenues pay the remaining 75 percent of costs.[2] The trustees’ report does not project that these parts of Medicare will become insolvent at any point — because they can’t. The SMI trust fund always has sufficient financing to cover Part B and Part D costs, because the beneficiary premiums and general revenue contributions are specifically set at levels to assure this is the case. SMI cannot go “bankrupt.”
Nonetheless, Medicare faces serious financing challenges in order to make the Hospital Insurance trust fund solvent over the long term and to reduce unsustainable federal budget deficits that are driven in part by Medicare’s rising costs. Major reforms in health care payment and delivery will be essential throughout the U.S. health care system, and Medicare will need to play an important role in leading the way to those reforms. A first step, however, should be to “do not harm” — that is, not make Medicare’s financing challenges even greater. Repealing the Affordable Care Act would do exactly that.
varied May day events St. Louis occupy
- 8:00am until 11:45pm
- Saint Louis, MO
- 8AM
Meet at Kiener Plaza.
- March to City Hall.
9AM
Peabody Coal Breakfast
- http://on.fb.me/HM0Iua
- Peabody Opera House
- 1400 Market St. 63103
10:30AM
Peabody Coal Action & Rally
- http://on.fb.me/HM0Iua
12:00PM
Guerilla Gardening Sunflower Day & BBQ
- http://on.fb.me/K1smEK
2PM
Tower Grove Park
- General get together + entertainment?
5:30PM
Green Party Dinner ($10/plate)
- http://bit.ly/IC7iEN
- Black Bear Bakery
- 2639 Cherokee Street 63118
8PM
May Day Orchestra Concert
- Black Bear Bakery
Guerilla Gardening Dance Party w/ Zagk Gibbons
- http://on.fb.me/K1smEK
- 3958 Miami
Misc:
- Marches either leaving from Tower Grove Park, Black Bear Bakery, or both.
ara convention saint louis
You've Earned a Say: The St. Louis County Conversation on May 19
PLEASE join us on Saturday, May 19th at the AARP Missouri You've Earned a Say Conversation about strengthening health and retirement security. This event is for AARP members and the public; the event is free and complimentary refreshments will be served.
This is an opportunity to make sure that our message of strengthening Social Security and Medicare is heard at this event.
There are serious potential threats to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid in 2012. For more information, a flyer is attached or you may go to www.retiredamericans.org, click on issues, go to the February issue Whats at Stake for Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid in 2012.
When: Saturday, Mary 19, 2012
Registration begins at 9:30 am
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Where: Des Peres Cine 14
12701 Manchester Rd., Des Peres, MO
To register to attend the You've Earned a Say event in Des Peres, register online at http://aarp.cvent.com/d/tcqp6s/4W.
For more information please call: Judith @ 314.799.6690
People around world mark International Workers' day
some activities in St. Louis today and thru the week