Quotation for Today: Return of the Social Security and Medicare"Sharks"

Just when you thought it was safe to "get back in the water," we discover -- via the quotation for today -- that the Social Security and Medicare "sharks" have returned to the waters off "Social Security Island"; apologies to Peter Benchley and the producers of the movie, Jaws.

Quotation for Today: Lobbying for Inequality

The quotation for today opens a discussion about poverty, middle class, elites, capitalism and democracy.

A Thousand Words, Vol.1, Issue 4.

Today, we get a graphical look (link is across the jump) at the impact of inequality on poverty in the United States. Along with inequality, five other factors that affect poverty are portrayed.

Quotation for Today: Republicans' New, Old Gospel

In this world of intense income and wealth inequality in which we live, it is encouraging to see that some of our political leaders recognize the potential destructiveness of that inequality.  The possible effect of intense income and wealth inequality is the theme of the quotation for today.

PNREF: A Citizens United Created Political Group

Who is the political group Public Notice Research & Education Fund (PNREF)? Who finances PNREF?

Quotation for Today: Swiss Mitt: The Quintessential Davos Man?

The quotation for today, across the jump, explores the issue of who among the people gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland pays taxes at a higher rate.

Quotation for Today: Romney's Bank Accounts In Switzerland and the Cayman Islands

Mitt Romney, the leading Republican presidential candidate, released one year of his tax returns (2010 returns) and a pro forma tax return for 2011.  Romney's tax return information pointed out that he had bank accounts in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands. Both countries are notorious as being havens for tax cheats.  

Today's quotation (across the jump) highlights the fact that Romney, although invested via a blind trust, could have addressed the location of his bank accounts; but he didn't.

Quotation for Today: Corrosive Nature of Income and Wealth Inequality

 “I spent four years in undergraduate school, four years in medical school, three years as a resident and three years as a fellow. You have to look at the people who are complaining.”

Anu Chandok, M.D.

Quotation for Today: Saving the Middle Class

"There isn't any question that income inequality has increased over the last three decades or so, despite a conservative campaign to discredit the notion."

Michael Hiltzik

Quotation for Today: Poverty's Insidious Effect On Children's Health

“It comes as no surprise whatsoever that such enormous inequities would be present. It is grossly unjust and will have health and economic impacts on the state of California for generations to come."

Harold Goldstein, DrPH

Thought for Today

"Indeed, work — once the pathway to a rising standard of living — has become for many a route to downward mobility."

"Been Down So Long ... ." Editorial. The New York Times 2 December 2011, online edition.