Category: Politics

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job creation Politics unemployment rate

January Jobs Figure – 257,000 Jobs Added, Wages Jump to 6 Year High

More jobs added to the U.S economy in January, more people making more money.

U.S. employers added a vigorous 257,000 jobs in January, and wages jumped by the most in six years — evidence that the job market is accelerating closer to full health

The surprisingly robust report the government issued Friday also showed that hiring was far stronger in November and December than it had previously estimated. Employers added 414,000 jobs in November — the most in 17 years. Job growth in December was revised sharply up to 329,000 from 252,000.

Average hourly wages soared 12 cents in January to $24.75, the sharpest gain since 2008. Over the past 12 months, hourly pay, which has long been stagnant, has now risen 2.2 percent. That is ahead of inflation, which rose just 0.7 percent in 2014.

The unemployment rate last month rose to 5.7 percent from 5.6 percent. But that occurred for a good reason: More than 1 million Americans — the most since January 2000 — began looking for jobs, though not all of them found work, and their numbers swelled the number of people counted as unemployed. An influx of job hunters suggests that Americans have grown more confident about their prospects.

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Benjamin Netanyahu Israel Politics

Top Black Democrats will Skip Netanyahu’s Republican Speech

All Democrats in Congress should be preparing to skip this speech. Doing so has nothing to do with Israel or the relationship that country has with America, skipping the speech will however emphasize the blatant disrespect shown by Boehner and his Republican party, and the disrespect Netanyahu is showing apparently has for the American political process.

So far, only certain high ranking members of the Congressional Black Caucus plan to skip the speech.

Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.), the civil rights icon, and G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), the chairman of the CBC, said they won’t attend Benjamin Netanyahu’s March 3 speech before Congress to protest Speaker John Boehner’s (R-Ohio) decision to invite the prime minister without first consulting President Obama and Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill.

Butterfield said that move marked an “unprecedented overreach of the Speaker’s authority” that “goes beyond the traditions of his office.”

“It is baffling that Speaker Boehner, who incessantly proclaims executive overreach by the president, would buck long standing diplomatic protocol to extend such an invitation,” Butterfield said in a statement.

“His actions unnecessarily politicize our steadfast relationship with Israel, and potentially subvert U.S. foreign policy,” he added. “The United States is and will remain Israel’s strongest ally. However, I refuse to be a part of a political stunt aimed at undercutting President Obama.”

In an interview with the Associated Press, Lewis delivered a similar message.

“I think it’s an affront to the president and the State Department what the speaker did,” Lewis told the AP.

Both lawmakers emphasized that they are not organizing a formal boycott, but had made the personal decision to steer clear of the speech.

“The only thing I can control is my attendance,” Butterfield told the AP.

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Christianity Politics

Watch President Obama’s Full Speech at The Prayer Breakfast – Video

It has already started. On the right, the talk in the Republican and conservative arena is that President Obama never mentioned Islam, but criticized Christianity in his speech today. On one of these websites, the author wrote…

At none other than the National Prayer Breakfast, Obama once again attacked Christianity’s   perceived offences in the name of Christ and the Crusades of over a thousand years ago,  while specifically leaving out references to atrocities committed in the name of Muhammed and Islam…..

Of course, the website author nitpicked a 3 minutes section of the 24 minutes speech and presented that as the basis for their criticism. A false criticism that is, because the entire speech focused on ALL religions and how extremists hijack these religions for their own sick use.

So for those who wish to know the truth, I challenge you to listen to the full speech, instead of soundbites and nitpicking.

Do you accept the challenge?

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Politics

Advisor to GOP Congressman Quits After Comparing Black People to “Zoo Animals”

Gawker is reporting that Benjamin Cole, Aaron Schock’s senior adviser for policy and communications, resigned this afternoon after a series of racially-charged Facebook posts—including one in which he compares black people to zoo animals—were obtained and published by ThinkProgress.

In another since-deleted post, Cole writes that he “thinks they should build a mosque on the White House grounds,” in an apparent dig at Obama.

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Entertainment Featured Politics Texas

Jon Stewart Disects Showdown in Congress Between Florida Democrat and Texas Republican – Video

It was almost an all out war between the Florida Democratic congressman Alcee Hastings and the gentleman from Texas, Republican Michael Burgess. During a recent congressional meeting, Hastings directed an insult towards the state of Texas, prompting the Texas Representative to demand an apology.

The apology never came, in fact, Hastings doubled down, rather tripled down on his original insult. After showing the clip, Stewart wondered if America would be better off if the two states destroyed themselves in an all out war!

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Health Politics

Jon Stewart Slams Science Deniers on the Whole Vaccination Debate – Video

Yes, if there is a debate going on there are obviously those who are for and against something, and yes, in the case of vaccinating children against measles and the like, those for vaccination are usually liberals and those against it are usually Republicans and conservatives – you know, the science deniers.

Stewart however, managed to find a liberal in California who appear against the idea of vaccination. When asked if she had her kids vaccinated against measles – over 100 cases diagnosed since January 2015 – she thought for a while and then answered, “kinda.” Stewart of course, had some words for this woman.

But he also had something to say about the likes of Rand Paul and Chris Christie who both appeared in separate clips touting “personal freedom” as reasons not to vaccinate children. But it was the way Stewart ended the segment that left a lasting impression… at least on me.

In breaking down the reason to vaccinate, Jon Stewart likened America to an old farm house out in the middle of nowhere, and he compared measles as zombies trying to get into the house. The only way to keep these zombies out of the house was to board up the doors and windows. Everyone in the house was responsible for boarding up their area, but there was one lady from California who read somewhere that zombies will not come in, so she left here windows and doors unprotected.

Zombies, ah, measles made their way inside, infecting or eating all the survivors, just because one idiot failed to vaccinate! Get it?

Watch the video.

Categories
ObamaCare Politics Texas

In Red Red Texas, Almost 1 Million People Already Signed up for Obamacare

AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Republicans love to hate the man, but they love his Obamacare!

Federal officials announced Wednesday that 969,461 people in Texas have signed so far up for insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area, 277,015 consumers selected or were automatically enrolled in a 2015 plan, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

The sign-up deadline for this year’s coverage is Feb. 15.

Nearly 7.5 million consumers selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled through the HealthCare.gov platform as of Jan. 30, 2015.

Wednesday’s Weekly Enrollment Snapshot for the first time also includes people who selected a plan or were automatically re-enrolled within select Metropolitan Statistical Areas. This localized data provides another level of detail to better understand total plan selections within local communities ahead of the Feb. 15 deadline.

As of Jan. 30:

– 256,982 consumers in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan – 89,821 consumers in the San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan – 85,116 consumers in the Austin-Round Rock, TX local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan – 40,791 consumers in the El Paso, TX local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan – 26,17 consumers in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX local area selected or were automatically enrolled in a plan

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Barack Obama Politics

Longtime Obama Aide Dan Pfeiffer is Leaving The White House

He is the last man standing from the President’s 2008 presidential campaign and today, with the president’s statement, we can now say for sure that Senior Advisor Dan Pheiffer is leaving his job at the White House.

“Dan has been beside me on every step of this incredible journey, starting with those earliest days of the campaign in 2007,” the President said in a statement. “And through it all, he’s been smart, steady, tireless and true to the values we started with. Like everyone else in the White House, I’ve benefited from his political savvy and his advocacy for working people. He’s a good man and a good friend, and I’m going to miss having him just down the hall from me.”

The president continued: “Like everyone else in the White House, I’ve benefited from his political savvy and his advocacy for working people. He’s a good man and a good friend, and I’m going to miss having him just down the hall from me.”

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Benjamin Netanyahu Politics

Democrats Threatening to Boycott Netanyahu’s Republican Speech to Congress

And they should boycott! Benjamin Netanyahu is slowly becoming a polarizing figure in American politics, and that is not a good look for the Israeli prime minister. Republicans, through their continuous efforts to disrespect of the President Of The United States, have invited the foreign leader to address a joint session of Congress without notifying the White House, and through that careless action, they are succeeding on tearing apart an already fragile relationship between the United States and Israel

Dozens of House Democrats are threatening to boycott Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s March 3 speech before a joint session of Congress, Politico reported Tuesday, another sign of how the speech is exacerbating partisan tensions over Israel.

The news outlet cited lawmakers and aides. Democrats are perturbed about House Speaker John Boehner and Israeli ambassador Ron Dermer planning the speech, which will address international negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, without consulting the Obama administration.

“I just don’t know if it’s the proper response or not,” Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) told Politico of a boycott. “But I just think it’s a mistake and it might be a proper protest. But I haven’t made that definite decision.”

Vice President Joe Biden hasn’t committed to attending, according to Politico. He would ordinarily sit beside Boehner as president of the Senate during a joint session of Congress.

The White House has already said that President Obama will not meet with Netanyahu during his visit to Washington, D.C., citing the Israeli elections two weeks later. Secretary of State John Kerry also will not meet with the prime minister.

Categories
Politics

NYPD Cop Indicted for Stomping Subdued Suspect In The Head – Video

And he did stomped on the suspect’s hand for absolutely no reason whatsoever. The suspect was already subdued by other cops and then here comes the stomper with a badge and a gun, walks up to the man on the ground and kicked him in the head.

All in the name of protecting and serving I guess.

Officer Joel Edouard, 36, appeared in Brooklyn Supreme Court on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge and an official misconduct charge, according to NBC. The incident happened during an arrest in Brooklyn on July 23, last year, when police on patrol saw the suspect, Jahmiel Cuffee, allegedly rolling a joint outside a residential building, which he then threw away when he saw authorities.

In the amateur video caught by a bystander, you can hear Cuffee plead “help me!” as several cops hold him down. Edouard can be seen briefly pulling out a gun, then putting it back in his holster. He walks away, returns and appears to kick Cuffee in the head, prompting another cop to push him away and the crowd to gasp.

He was indicted today on a misdemeanor charge.

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Healthcare ObamaCare Politics

Watch Republicans Waste Taxpayers Money With Another Obamacare Repeal Vote – Video

They know nothing is going to come of this vote, yet Republicans in Congress apparently have nothing else to do than to vote for the millionth 56th time to repeal Obamacare. And yes, they are getting paid big bucks for doing things like this, a royal waste of millions of tax payer’s dollars!

Welcome to America Ted Cruz. Now you can run for president.

But I digress.

Video

Categories
immigration reform Immigration Reform Politics

Republican Logic – Repeal Immigration Reform or No Money for Homeland Security

Congressional Republicans are playing hardball with America’s security because they don’t want any immigration reform. And as far as they are concerned, the perfect way to hammer at immigration reform is to include repeal language in a funding bill for Homeland Security. Their stance is clear – if they can’t repeal the president’s immigration order, they will provide zero funds for America’s security.

Funding for Homeland Security runs out February 28th.

“There’s not a Plan B,” said Republican Senate Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.), moments after the Senate vote, “because this is the plan.”

No plan B. The only plan these Republicans have is all politics – dismantle the all the immigration reforms put in place by President Obama, and do it by any means necessary. And after the reforms are dismantled, chalk up a win for the party regardless of the consequences to the nation.

Rep. John Fleming (R-La.) echoed that message, saying “many of us agree that we should stand behind the one bill that we sent over there.”

“Most of us feel that way,” he said just before the Senate vote. “Anything less than that, we’re not going to get any better result anyway. So why not just go for what’s really right?”

Tuesday’s Senate vote was 51-48 to end debate on the House-passed Homeland Security bill — far shy of the 60 supporters GOP leaders needed to move to a vote on final passage.

Every Senate Democrat voted against proceeding to the package, as did Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.).

It’s unclear how GOP leaders intend to proceed. Republican leaders in both chambers are under pressure to stand firm in opposition to Obama’s actions.

DHS funding is set to expire on Feb. 28, and Republicans are also wary of the political blowback if they’re seen as threatening a shutdown of the agency, particularly in the immediate wake of the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris last month.

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