Last night, Republicans and Democrats in the House of Representatives joined the Senate in passing the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012. That means middle-class families won't see an increase in their income tax rates. We've avoided the fiscal cliff. President Barack Obama makes a statement with Vice President Joe Biden, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House, Jan. 1, 2013. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann) President Obama will sign the … [Read more...]
The Fiscal Cliff Has Been Avoided, But at What Cost?
January 3, 2013 by
The Fiscal Cliff Has Been Avoided, But at What Cost? Some thoughts on the new fiscal agreement: The economy needs a stimulus, but under the agreement, taxes will go up in 2013 relative to 2012 -- not only on high-income households, as widely discussed, but also on every working man and woman in the country, via the end of the payroll tax cut. For most households, the payroll tax takes a far bigger bite than the income tax does, and the payroll tax cut therefore -- as CBO and others have … [Read more...]
Global economic outlook for 2013 revealed
January 2, 2013 by
Growth of the world economy has weakened considerably during 2012 and is expected to remain subdued in the coming two years, according to the United Nations in its latest issue of the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2013 (WESP), published today. The global economy is expected to grow at 2.4 per cent in 2013 and 3.2 per cent in 2014, a significant downgrade from the UN’s forecast of half a year ago. This pace of growth will be far from sufficient to overcome the continued jobs crisis … [Read more...]
Prediction: 2013 will be a year of serious global crisis.
December 31, 2012 by
The following is an article written last fall, and suggests our world has a great amount of work ahead of us this coming year. If drought is affecting areas of our world that normally enjoy feast; how will we manage a famine? The time is now to Take Action. Prediction: 2013 will be a year of serious global crisis. That crisis is predictable, and in fact has already begun. Rotting corn was damaged by severe drought on a farm near Bruceville, Indiana It will inescapably confront the … [Read more...]
Warren Buffet on Congressional Reform Act of 2012
December 30, 2012 by
Warren Buffett, in a recent interview with CNBC, offers one of the best quotes about the debt ceiling: "I could end the deficit in 5 minutes," he told CNBC. "You just pass a law that says that anytime there is a deficit of more than 3% of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election. The 26th amendment (granting the right to vote for 18 year-olds) took only 3 months & 8 days to be ratified! Why? Simple! The people demanded it. That was in 1971 - before … [Read more...]
SIGN to Save Women’s Healthcare – Take Action!
December 13, 2012 by
At the end of 2012, budget cuts will go into effect that could decimate vital healthcare programs for women and children. If the budget for Health and Human Services is reduced, preventative care programs for more than 5 million women could be eliminated. Also in jeopardy is the Affordable Care Act, which provides cancer screenings to more than 45 million women, and WIC, which safeguards the health of 53% of U.S. infants and 9 million low-income women and their families. We cannot … [Read more...]
Justice for victims of war-time sexual violence
December 11, 2012 by
December 2012 – A United Nations senior official and an independent human rights expert today joined their voices in calling for States to ensure the right to truth and justice for victims of war-time sexual violence, as well as accountability for perpetrators. “Truth, justice and accountability are key in upholding the human rights of women and their right to a life free from violence, particularly in countries in post-conflict situations,” the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, … [Read more...]
