Headlines

I don't generally blog about politics or the headlines, but GESH what is going on!? Finding out today that the house proposed NPR be defunded just pushed me over the edge. The political agenda from the right seems to be slash all domestic programs to the point of dysfunction and ensure those most in need of assistance will not find it, more tax credits for corporations (because we all know profits go to the "workers" not the top 1%), and bust collective bargaining for people who get up each day and work for a living. All of this points to one thing; bad news for middle class America which is good news for the richest of rich.

Here are some highlights from the news in Idaho (one of the reddest states in the union) over the last few months... What is going on? I feel like we're in crazy country USA.

2/28 Lawmakers will roll out their proposal to cut more than $38 million from the government health care program that covers the most vulnerable people in Idaho.

2/25 Senate passes two-thirds of Tom Luna's reform plans

3/5 Lawmakers cut higher ed to year 2000 level

3/14 Governor of Idaho disappointed in Idahoans (Wow Otter... Wow...)

3/17 House passes bill to allow guns on Idaho college campuses (Had to include this, it's just so tragic)

Some relatively recent statistics on how "Average Joe" american is loosing ground faster and faster each year.

• 83 percent of all U.S. stocks are in the hands of 1 percent of the people.
• 61 percent of Americans "always or usually" live paycheck to paycheck, which was up from 49 percent in 2008 and 43 percent in 2007.
• 66 percent of the income growth between 2001 and 2007 went to the top 1% of all Americans.

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