Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Unions Merge
Union City, the e-newsletter of the Metro Washington Council, AFL-CIO (signup at dclabor.org) is letting those who missed it know that "Two of the most aggressively organizing unions, HERE and UNITE! announced last week that the two unions will merge. That is big news for those watching for rebirth and innovation in the labor movement.
Paying for Tax Cuts
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer is reminding us of last week's budget debate through this great quote:
"We don't believe you should have to pay for tax cuts." - Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle, CQ Midday, 3/17/04
"We don't believe you should have to pay for tax cuts." - Budget Committee Chairman Jim Nussle, CQ Midday, 3/17/04
Economic Data Continued
And if you need some good economic data with progressive insights, look into the resources of the Economic Policy Institute. This piece talks about the value of the dollar.
Monday, March 22, 2004
People-centered Development
A Maryland/DC local of the Service Employees Union International has an interesting critique of development in Baltimore as being investor-centered and providing little economic benefit and few good jobs to the people of the city. Although not a new theory, it delves into some of the reasons that not all development necessarily helps those who should be helped.
Saturday, March 20, 2004
Blog Survey
While not usually prone to significant navel-gazing about the practice of writing a web log, I think that the results of a survey of bloggers are interesting.
Friday, March 19, 2004
Ehrlich Politics
The Maryland Democratic Party is putting out the word in its email Majority Report that Governor Bob Ehrlich recently tried to get County Councilman Joseph Bartenfelder to switch parties and challenge Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr. in 2006 as a Republican. Bartenfelder’s response in the Sun was nonresponsive, but the Dems used the incident to claim that “Ehrlich leads a talentless Republican Party.” The Maryland Republican Party’s most recent release, however, includes the headline “Governor Ehrlich Needs Your Help!” and encourages people to call in to the interview show he was on last night with easy questions and compliments.
And there is a good piece on Commonwealth Commonsense regarding the Virginia budget and how easily numbers can be skewed by assumptions.
And there is a good piece on Commonwealth Commonsense regarding the Virginia budget and how easily numbers can be skewed by assumptions.
Thursday, March 18, 2004
The New Republic
Last week’s (March 22) edition of the New Republic offers some food for thought. First, a fact that can stand on its own:
Janine Zacharia’s piece “Oppo Research” indicates that the International Republican Institute (an international Democracy-building organization with ties to the Republican party) while generally doing programs including party building, fundraising, and organizing training for both ruling and opposition parties around the world, instead generally only supported the opposition in Haiti and Venezuela. She goes on to indicate how the Administration has not supported democratically elected governments that lean left.
And is it just me, or has Eliot Spitzer pulled off a real coup by having a cover article in the New Republic shortly after the Nation listed him near the top of their list of potential VP nominees?
This chart shows that the actual U.S. record price for gasoline occurred in 1981, when regular unleaded cost $2.80 in today's money. (The chart is in 2002 dollars; add 2 percent for current dollars.) The current gas-price level that Spencer Abraham, Dan Rather, and others are hyping as close to "the record" is actually 39 percent lower than the true price peak.
Janine Zacharia’s piece “Oppo Research” indicates that the International Republican Institute (an international Democracy-building organization with ties to the Republican party) while generally doing programs including party building, fundraising, and organizing training for both ruling and opposition parties around the world, instead generally only supported the opposition in Haiti and Venezuela. She goes on to indicate how the Administration has not supported democratically elected governments that lean left.
And is it just me, or has Eliot Spitzer pulled off a real coup by having a cover article in the New Republic shortly after the Nation listed him near the top of their list of potential VP nominees?
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
Duncan Running for Governor
Does anyone else find it amusing that in an older press release on Doug Duncan's campaign site, the first bold paragraph is a quote suggesting that he might run for governor? Guess his heavy fundraising means he might not be running for County Executive, huh. No such hint readily available on Martin O'Malley's web site.
And, speaking of a potential opening for a new County Executive, do you think it's just a coincidence that Montgomery County Council President Steve Silverman just sent out an email announcing events with both local Members of Congress (Van Hollen and Wynn)?
And, speaking of a potential opening for a new County Executive, do you think it's just a coincidence that Montgomery County Council President Steve Silverman just sent out an email announcing events with both local Members of Congress (Van Hollen and Wynn)?
Money in Politics
The Maryland House Ways and Means Committee is considering two bills that would attempt to tighten the rules regarding money in politics.
Charging the Hill
Word from aides on Capitol Hill is that Moveon.org is letting loose a barrage of email, fax, and telephone calls aimed at defeating a resolution congratulating President Bush on the war in Iraq. The activists are also calling for a censure for the President.
