Category: Uncategorized
May 16, 2013 at 4:36 pmCategory:Uncategorized
The following picture from the good folks at Together NC tells provides the main information you need to know about the right’s move to shift North Carolina’s tax code away from income taxes and toward sales taxes:
May 16, 2013 at 2:43 pmCategory:Uncategorized
From the annals of ”we have seen the future,” Mother Jones schools us on what’s happened in Florida under two years of Tea Party control:
In just one year, Scott and his conservative allies slashed state spending by $4 billion even as they cut corporate taxes. They’ve rejected billions in federal funds in one of the states hardest hit by the recession. They’ve axed everything from health care and public transportation initiatives to mosquito control and water supply programs.
The results are not pretty.
May 16, 2013 at 2:36 pmCategory:Uncategorized
No, the above headline is not a typo or even a logical stretch. There is actually a close relationship between the two subjects. Here’s why:
Although all the facts have yet to come to light, the recent scandal in Washington related to the wrongful targeting of conservative groups by Internal Revenue Service officials appears to be just that: a scandal. Every American should be outraged anytime the people in power abuse the system to target any group or individual because of their beliefs. It is an offensive assault on core constitutional rights anytime such an event occurs. President Obama needs to get to the bottom of this ASAP and punish all who are responsible.
Unfortunately, such occurrences are not new in the United States. They occurred when the George W. Bush administration wrongfully targeted liberal groups (click here and here to read about some examples) AND they occur every time politicians in power draw absurdly gerrymandered political maps to punish their opponents and deny voters the opportunity to participate in real elections. Read More…
May 16, 2013 at 10:33 amCategory:Uncategorized
How low have things sunk in the Raleigh policy debate? This low: A front group for corporations and greedy billionaires is bringing a has-been Washington lobbyist to town to promote higher taxes on poor and middle class North Carolinians and some are calling it a “tax reform” event.
Grover Norquist is about ”reforming” tax policy in the same way that Rush Limbaugh is about ”reforming” American political discourse. Norquist is a well-funded bully who has done much to ruin the well-being of the Republic. His most infamous quote — that he wants to shrink government down to the size at which it can be “drowned in the bathtub” bespeaks the hatred and violent underpinnings of his noxious, greed-is-good “philosophy.”
Norquist will confirm the dishonesty and hypocrisy that lies at the heart of his work today when Read More…
May 15, 2013 at 9:17 pmCategory:Uncategorized
The NC Senate approved legislation Wednesday that lifts a cap on terminal groins, allowing for these small jetties to be built at all the inlets along North Carolina’s coast.
Supporters say the hardened structures are effective at controlling erosion. But critics have long argued while terminal groins may protect one area, they cause further damage to other properties down the coastline.
Orange County Senator Ellie Kinnaird argued that she was greatly concerned about the push to strip away environmental protections:
“They are now allowing the terminal groins in the 14 inlets, and there are practically no restrictions,” explained Kinnaird. “So, what we are doing essentially is turning our beautiful North Carolina beaches into New Jersey. Do really want to look like New Jersey? Or do we want to keep our beaches what they have been for all of these years – a wonderful sweep of clean beach.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown suggested it was time to let those who live at the beach year-round take care of the coast:
“I try not to get up here in meddle in your stuff…but it sure seems like everyone wants to get involved in the coast,” said Brown.
The N.C. Coastal Federation has also voiced reservations about the legislation which weakens safeguards put in place in a 2011 bill.
Senate Bill 151 passed third reading (36-11) and now moves to the House. To hear a portion of Wednesday’s debate, click below:
