Today’s issue? Increasing student loan interest rates.
In a 215 to 195 vote, the house passed a bill to extend the current student loan interest rate of 3.4%, instead of permitting the rate to double on July 1 to 6.8%.
And while both parties agree on the need to keep student interest rates down, they can’t agree on where to get the funding from.
For the full story, visit IVN.us.
via plusquehier
Political Cartoon of the Day: Wednesday
Despite Romney’s attack’s on Obama’s healthcare policy, PolitiFact’s Angie Drobnic Holan argues:
The truth is that there are an awful lot of similarities between the plan he signed in Massachusetts in 2006, often called “RomneyCare,” and the one that President Barack Obama signed in 2010, dubbed “ObamaCare.”
Can you tell the difference between RomneyCare & ObamaCare? Take the quiz!
Quote of the Day
“I think that the Israeli government recognizes that, as president of the United States, I don’t bluff. I also don’t, as a matter of sound policy, go around advertising exactly what our intentions are. But I think both the Iranian and the Israeli governments recognize that when the United States says it is unacceptable for Iran to have a nuclear weapon, we mean what we say.” Barack Obama, to the Atlantic Monthly
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
Source: funnyordie
Money, Money, Money
Where do the candidates get the $$ for ads? Results might surprise you:
Barack Obama (D)
Top Companies:
Microsoft Corp, a global software company
DLA Piper, an international law firm
Google Inc, the Internet search engine and email giant
Mitt Romney (R)
Top Companies:
Goldman Sachs, a multinational investment bank
JPMorgan Chase & Co, a multinational investment bank
Morgan Stanley, a global financial services company
Ron Paul (R)
Top Companies:
US Army, a branch of the US Military
US Navy, a branch of the US Military
US Air Force, a branch of the US Military
Newt Gingrich (R)
Top Companies:
Rock-Tenn Co, a global paper and packaging manufacturer
Las Vegas Sands, a global integrated resort company
Poet LLC, a US biofuel company
Rick Santorum (R)
Top Companies:
Universal Health Services, a US hospital management company
Blue Cross/Blue Shield, a US health insurance association
Achristavest, a North American property development company
Gary Johnson (L)
Top Companies:
Tower Energy Group, a US petroleum wholesaler
Corriente Advisors, a US private investment firm
Welcom Products, a US folding handcart manufacturer
What do you think?
Mitt Romney earned $21.6 million in 2010 — and paid just 14% in taxes, far less than Newt Gingrich’s 31.7% or Obama’s 26.3%.
In fact, the Romneys paid a higher tax rate to foreign countries, handing over 18 percent on the almost $375,000 that they garnered abroad. The former Massachusetts governor also shelled out almost $3 million to charity, roughly 16 percent of his post-tax haul.
(via truth-has-a-liberal-bias)
Presidential Election Update 2012: January 24, 2012
Last night’s debate in Tampa, Florida marked the 18th Republican Presidential debate of the 2012 election. What made it different than the previous ones, however, was the lack of audience participation. NBC host Brian Williams told members of the audience to hold their applause in an attempt to focus attention on the candidates’ arguments, not their popularity with the audience.
After refusing to release his tax returns until he secured the GOP presidential nomination, Mitt Romney made headlines early this morning by releasing details of his 2010 and 2011 federal tax returns. Romney’s campaign revealed that he earned $21.6 million in 2010 and paid income taxes at a rate of 13.9%.
Tonight, President Barack Obama delivers his fourth State of the Union Address. Members of Congress have opted once again to participate in a bipartisan seating arrangement in a symbolic gesture of unity and civility. The 9 p.m. speech (8 p.m. central, 6 p.m. pacific) can be viewed on most of the major television networks and online at the White House Official Website.
On the campaign trail January 24, 2012 …
Newt Gingrich (Republican): This morning, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich threatened not to participate in any future Republican debates if audience participation continued to be prohibited. In his opinion, “NBC’s rules amounted to stifling free speech…The media doesn’t control free speech. People ought to be allowed to applaud if they want to.” Despite the lack of audience participation, Gingrich and Romney remained at center stage, according to TIME correspondent James Poniewozik.
Barack Obama (Democrat): Today President Obama will deliver his annual State of the Union Address at 9 p.m. ET. He is expected to highlight inequalities in the U.S. tax system, inviting Warren Buffet’s secretary to attend, who reportedly pays a higher tax rate than her billionaire boss. In a September speech, Obama said, “Warren Buffett’s secretary shouldn’t pay a higher tax rate than Warren Buffett. There’s no justification for it.” Here are more predictions on President Obama’s projected message. Also, check in for a recap of his speech tomorrow on The Independent Voter Network (IVN).
Ron Paul (Republican): After his son Sen. Rand Paul’s refusal to commit to a full body pat down by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) yesterday, Ron Paul has launched a money-bomb in his campaign to “end the TSA.” For full text of Paul’s release and more information on his money-bomb, see Huffington Post’s article. In last night’s debate, Texas Congressman Paul focused on the Federal Reserve, stating that he wants to see a firm value placed on the American dollar, an argument agreed to by Gingrich. Paul also hinted he would support Gingrich, if the former House Speaker would change his foreign policy to align with Paul’s.
Buddy Roemer (Republican): Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer has stuck by his decision to refrain from campaigning in Florida. Although he was excluded from the GOP debate last night, he commented on the debate on his Twitter account and continues to actively promote his candidacy.
Mitt Romney (Republican): While the absence of applause made it hard to define a clear winner, Huffington Post’s Sam Stein states it was Romney who gained ground on Monday night by making aggressive stabs at Newt Gingrich’s association with Freddie Mac. Romney stated at one point of the debate, “I don’t think we can possibly retake the White House if our nominee was a lobbyist for Freddie Mac.” In defense of his tax returns, he argued in Monday’s debate, “I pay all the taxes that are legally required and not a dollar more.”
Rick Santorum (Republican): In last night’s debate, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum seemed to take the back seat, blaming the media for pre-maturely portraying the Republican candidacy as a “two man race.” Despite receiving less airtime than Romney and Gingrich, he delivered what NPR’s Debra Rosenberg believed to be the best closing argument, saying, “There is no difference between President Obama and these two gentlemen.”
Today in Politics: A review of January 20, 2012
Newt Gingrich (Republican): Dramatic, fiery, and heated are all adjectives used by the media to describe last night’s debate, and if you watched it, you know why. Within the first five minutes, Newt Gingrich had already received two standing ovations for his description of the media as destructive, vicious, and negative and his criticism of an “elite media protecting Barack Obama by attacking Republicans.” Allegations made by his ex-wife abouthis moral character have not prevented him from taking over the lead South Caroline according to 3 post-debate polls.
Barack Obama (Democrat): While the Republican hopefuls battled in South Carolina, President Obama showcased his rendition of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together” at a New York fundraiser. On a more serious note, the Obama administrationreaffirmed today that health insurance plans must now cover contraceptives for women, a controversial issue with religious groups. While Obama rejected exempting religious groups, he did give them an additional year to comply with the rule.
Ron Paul (Republican): As the only current lawmaker still standing in the Republican race, Texas Congressman Ron Paul continues to poll in third place. After takingtime off the campaign trail earlier this week to cast votes in Washington, Paul is making up for lost time by touring South Carolina. Paul seemed at a disadvantage in last night’s debate, frustrated with the lack of air time he got in the debate, which may be “a sign that his relevance in this state is much more limited,” says ABC News Political Director.
Buddy Roemer (Independent): Despite his exclusion from the South Carolina Republican debate, former Governor of Louisiana Buddy Roemer is still campaigning for the Republican presidential candidacy. According to his twitter, he will be a guest on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher and host a live chat on the popular broadcasting site Yowie today at 4 p.m. ET.
Mitt Romney (Republican): The issue of Mitt Romney’s tax return was again a central issue in last night’s debate. When asked by CNN’s John King if he will follow in his father’s footsteps and release dozens of years of tax returns, he said “maybe.” He defended his decision to wait until [and if] he wins the GOP nomination, arguing that it would hurt his chances against Obama “because [Democrats] hate people who are successful.”
Rick Santorum (Republican): After his momentous surge in Iowa, Santorum trails in South Carolina, coming in last with 12.9%. While he is ranked low in the polls, both ABC News and the Wall Street Journal praised former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum for “shining” in last night’s debate, and coming out as a clear winner. ABC reporter Amy Walter wrote, “this was his strongest performance of the entire campaign,” and praised him for his determination in the CNN debate.
For full article, check out the IVN.us website!
