Republican Priorities

We all know that the Republicans don't care about Joe Normal and every other non-rich family in America. But does the "average" person know about the Republican priorites? The good-puppy press reports that our "great leader" and his cronies have our best interests at heart, but do they really? Here are two recent issues that show where the heart of conservatives really lie.

Comforting the Comfortable

"Two weeks ago, the Senate killed an effort to repeal the federal estate tax on multimillion-dollar fortunes. The "no" votes were a stand for budget sanity and basic fairness. But the pro-repeal camp doesn't want to take no for an answer."

"In an attempt to rally support, House lawmakers have included in the bill another, totally unrelated, tax cut — for timber companies, worth $900 million over the next three years. The measure, based on the theory that American timber companies are at a disadvantage in the global marketplace, is essentially a special-interest giveaway that would encourage every business with international competitors to demand its own tax break. There is much to reform on the competitiveness front, but it should be done comprehensively, not on the basis of who has the senators best positioned to carve out a special deal."

"All this effort for a bill that would put $760 billion in new debt on the backs of Americans in the name of making a handful of extremely rich people even richer. Congressional leaders may know how to count votes, but otherwise their math is pathetic."

Afflicting the Afflicted

"At the same time that Republicans are fighting to exempt the richest estates from taxes, they are blocking a raise for the nation's poorest workers."

"Senate Democrats tried unsuccessfully this week to raise the federal minimum wage, which stands at just $5.15 an hour. It has not been increased in nearly a decade, and at its current stingy level, the rate flies in the face of Americans' belief that those who work hard and play by the rules will be rewarded. A minimum-wage worker earns just $10,700 a year, nearly $6,000 below the poverty line for a family of three. Since the minimum wage was first adopted, there has been a long tradition of bipartisan support for regular raises."

"Just 23 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, according to a recent New York Times/CBS News poll. These dismal ratings are no surprise when Congress's highest economic priority is handing out tax cuts to millionaires and oil companies, and its one point of fiscal restraint is protecting employers from having to pay a decent wage to factory workers and waiters."

Good News on AAR in Milwaukee

Got this in the ol' inbox today:

"Nova M Radio, the company owned by Air America founders Shel and Anita Drobny, has identified a radio station for sale in Milwaukee. Nova M, which is working with us to bring AAR to Wisconsin, is not at liberty to reveal which station it is, but we understand that it’s a good station with excellent coverage of the greater Milwaukee area. That’s wonderful news.

The challenge? The current owners will not lease it. They will only sell it outright.

For five million dollars.

That’s one hefty goal. But it’s not mission impossible. The potential for a strong progressive radio voice in Milwaukee is there. We just need several million bucks to buy the microphone. So we’re calling upon on everyone in Milwaukee’s progressive community to participate in the spirit of this truly progressive venture.

If you’re of modest means and you’d like to stake your claim in bringing a progressive voice to Milwaukee, become a founding sponsor of the station. Go to AirAmericaMilwaukee.com, click “BECOME A FOUNDING SPONSOR,” and follow the instructions.

If, on the other hand, you’re financially capable of INVESTING on a larger scale – or if you know of anyone else who has the resources – email us at info@airamericamilwaukee.com, and we’ll hook you up with Nova M. It’s not just a moral investment. It’s a financial investment in talk radio’s biggest success story, Air America Radio.

Peace,

The Milwaukee Air Force"

Hopefully we can bring this quality radio programming to Milwaukee!

My Absence

I apologize for my recent (the last month) absence. Life has taken over my......life, and blogging has taken a back seat to my daughter.

I see that in my absence, I lost my coveted spot towards the top of the alphabetical listing of "lefties" on Xoff's blog. I also have a lot of blogs to add to my blogroll...there are several new blogs on the WI section of Lefty Blogs.

Anyways, I'll try to come up with some new hard-hitting posts in the very near future. It's just hard when your wife is out of town and you're home alone with a 7-month old! That, and some question on the future and direction of my blog, and there you have a nice little hiatus.

I promise I'll return! Oh, and for those wondering, we've now brewed TWO batches of beer! The first was and is pretty iffy...but the second is just OUTSTANDING. Go Bock! :)