One of the strangest phenomenons for me is how a clearly majority of the country still thinks crime is getting worse even though it has been on . From :If crime is really worse than last year and last year was worse than the year before, and so on… by this point we would be living in hellscape where we for expired canned food in the ruins of old New York. Yet the fact that major cities are steadily become more popular places for people to live, work and go out hasn’t seemed to really change the public’s pessimism.I’m left wondering what is causing this phenomenons. It is that human are...…One of the strangest phenomenons for me is how a clearly majority of the country still thinks crime is getting worse even though it has been on . From :If crime is really worse than last year and last year was worse than the year before, and so on… by this point we would be living in hellscape where we for expired canned food in the ruins of old New York. Yet the fact that major cities are steadily become more popular places for people to live, work and go out hasn’t seemed to really change the public’s pessimism.I’m left wondering what is causing this phenomenons. It is that human are...WW…

Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) is urging GOP to let the country default in upcoming debt ceiling fightTwo months, that is basically how long until we see a re-run of this “we must stop this manufactured crisis moment so that means we must cut entitlements” game. This current tax deal delays the sequestration cuts for two months. In addition, the debt ceiling limit should also be reached in .Whether these events will be treated as two separate “cliffs” or will be combined into a single manufactured crisis, there is little doubt in two months we will see a renewed push for austerity.Many top...…Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) is urging GOP to let the country default in upcoming debt ceiling fightTwo months, that is basically how long until we see a re-run of this “we must stop this manufactured crisis moment so that means we must cut entitlements” game. This current tax deal delays the sequestration cuts for two months. In addition, the debt ceiling limit should also be reached in .Whether these events will be treated as two separate “cliffs” or will be combined into a single manufactured crisis, there is little doubt in two months we will see a renewed push for austerity.Many top...WW…

There are two legitimate paths to passing health care reform that use reconciliation. One is a reconciliation sidecar, and the other is a brand new bill using only reconciliation. This reconciliation-only option appears to have the support of DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen, who thinks the Senate bill is . If Democrats go this reconciliation-only route, a politically smart move would be to go big, but go very focused. Make sure the bill at least addresses the single biggest problem with our health care system: medical bankruptcy. It would be very possible to use reconciliation to pass simple...…There are two legitimate paths to passing health care reform that use reconciliation. One is a reconciliation sidecar, and the other is a brand new bill using only reconciliation. This reconciliation-only option appears to have the support of DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen, who thinks the Senate bill is . If Democrats go this reconciliation-only route, a politically smart move would be to go big, but go very focused. Make sure the bill at least addresses the single biggest problem with our health care system: medical bankruptcy. It would be very possible to use reconciliation to pass simple...WW…

If Ryan actively throws is support behind the measure it could greatly increase the chances of it making it to the floorFormer Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan (R) has become the latest prominent conservative to speak out in favor of reform our mandatory minimum sentencing laws. At a gathering with African-American journalists Ryan talked about the need for sentencing reform to focus on helping people instead of just :Reflecting on past congressional efforts to limit discretion on the part of federal judges in imposing strict sentences—a reflection that will be sure to raise eyebrows...…If Ryan actively throws is support behind the measure it could greatly increase the chances of it making it to the floorFormer Vice Presidential Candidate Paul Ryan (R) has become the latest prominent conservative to speak out in favor of reform our mandatory minimum sentencing laws. At a gathering with African-American journalists Ryan talked about the need for sentencing reform to focus on helping people instead of just :Reflecting on past congressional efforts to limit discretion on the part of federal judges in imposing strict sentences—a reflection that will be sure to raise eyebrows...WW…

Support for same-sex marriage continues to steadily grow. According to Gallup, support has reached a new high with 55 percent of Americans now in favor same-sex marriage. From :This impact this will have on marriage equality laws around the country is probably very small because we have already moved from the issue being fought primarily at the ballot box to it being fought in federal courtrooms.This issue will still likely have an impact on broader politics though, because it is going to leaving the Republicans party in an awkward place for the next several years. Support for same-sex...…Support for same-sex marriage continues to steadily grow. According to Gallup, support has reached a new high with 55 percent of Americans now in favor same-sex marriage. From :This impact this will have on marriage equality laws around the country is probably very small because we have already moved from the issue being fought primarily at the ballot box to it being fought in federal courtrooms.This issue will still likely have an impact on broader politics though, because it is going to leaving the Republicans party in an awkward place for the next several years. Support for same-sex...WW…

A cooperative in the South Bronx. (photo: theregeneration)With unemployment still high and job growth anemic, finding jobs for Americans should be the top priority of our elected officials. To deal with this serious crisis, I propose the creation of a National Cooperative Administration to encourage the creation of worker-owned businesses.Basic designThe NCA could provide free advice and low interest loans to newly created cooperatives and small cooperatives looking to expand. The NCA could provide assistance in areas such as acquiring insurance, running retirement programs, regulatory...…A cooperative in the South Bronx. (photo: theregeneration)With unemployment still high and job growth anemic, finding jobs for Americans should be the top priority of our elected officials. To deal with this serious crisis, I propose the creation of a National Cooperative Administration to encourage the creation of worker-owned businesses.Basic designThe NCA could provide free advice and low interest loans to newly created cooperatives and small cooperatives looking to expand. The NCA could provide assistance in areas such as acquiring insurance, running retirement programs, regulatory...WW…

Never was much good at poker (photo: F.Pamplona)President Obama’s may be viewed as the moment the Obama administration fully pivots away from trying to reach bipartisan compromise, to instead focusing on winning 2012 by bashing the Republican Party.The first half of President Obama’s first term was marked by an obsession with reaching bipartisan compromise. Obama wasted an absurd amount of time trying to get bipartisan agreement for a health care bill, even after the effort was clearly hopeless. The President also tried repeatedly to get the GOP to sign on to a Grand Bargain on the deficit....…Never was much good at poker (photo: F.Pamplona)President Obama’s may be viewed as the moment the Obama administration fully pivots away from trying to reach bipartisan compromise, to instead focusing on winning 2012 by bashing the Republican Party.The first half of President Obama’s first term was marked by an obsession with reaching bipartisan compromise. Obama wasted an absurd amount of time trying to get bipartisan agreement for a health care bill, even after the effort was clearly hopeless. The President also tried repeatedly to get the GOP to sign on to a Grand Bargain on the deficit....WW…

photo: hlkljgk via FlickrToday, important primaries are taking place in Michigan, Kansas and Missouri. FDL Elections will be live blogging the results as they come in this evening.MichiganGovernor–Perhaps the biggest action tonight will be Governor’s race here. Both parties feature competitive primaries. The shows a legitimate three-way race on the Republican side among Attorney General Mike Cox, Rep. Pete Hoekstra and businessman Rick Snyder. Snyder owns a very small lead and millions of his personal wealth to spend on the race. On the Democratic side, it’s a battle between State Speaker...…photo: hlkljgk via FlickrToday, important primaries are taking place in Michigan, Kansas and Missouri. FDL Elections will be live blogging the results as they come in this evening.MichiganGovernor–Perhaps the biggest action tonight will be Governor’s race here. Both parties feature competitive primaries. The shows a legitimate three-way race on the Republican side among Attorney General Mike Cox, Rep. Pete Hoekstra and businessman Rick Snyder. Snyder owns a very small lead and millions of his personal wealth to spend on the race. On the Democratic side, it’s a battle between State Speaker...WW…

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I’ve noticed a few more centrist “experts” like Ezra Klein trying to push this . His analysis though ignores the central role our private insurance companies play in the politics of keeping the system broken.While it is true the fractured nature of our health care system benefits hospitals and drug companies by allowing them to overcharge, the insurance companies are the only part of the system totally dependent on everything remaining broken. They are the most invested in preventing any real solutions because for them it is fight for their very survival.American insurance companies’ only...…I’ve noticed a few more centrist “experts” like Ezra Klein trying to push this . His analysis though ignores the central role our private insurance companies play in the politics of keeping the system broken.While it is true the fractured nature of our health care system benefits hospitals and drug companies by allowing them to overcharge, the insurance companies are the only part of the system totally dependent on everything remaining broken. They are the most invested in preventing any real solutions because for them it is fight for their very survival.American insurance companies’ only...WW…