Tag Archives: ~ Culture & History
Climate Reality …
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Budgets, Income and Child Nutrition
The Budget and Economic Outlook: Fiscal Years 2013 to 2023
Economic growth will remain slow this year, CBO anticipates, as gradual improvement in many of the forces that drive the economy is offset by the effects of budgetary changes that are scheduled to occur under current law. After this year, economic growth will speed up, CBO projects, causing the unemployment rate to decline and inflation and interest rates to eventually rise from their current low levels.
Macroeconomic Effects of Alternative Budgetary Paths
Federal debt held by the public now exceeds 70 percent of the nation’s annual output (gross domestic product, or GDP) and stands at a higher percentage than in any year since 1950. Under an assumption whereby current laws generally remain unchanged, federal debt will be 77 percent of GDP in 2023, CBO projects. Such a large amount of federal debt will reduce the nation’s output and income below what would occur if the debt was smaller, and it raises the risk of a fiscal crisis (in which the government would lose the ability to borrow money at affordable interest rates).
Key Assumptions in Projecting Potential GDP—February 2013 Baseline
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Weekly Address and more
In this week’s address, President Obama calls on Congress to work together on a balanced approach to reduce our deficit and promote economic growth and job creation.
Watch this week’s Weekly Address.
In Case You Missed It
Here’s a quick glimpse at what happened this week on WhiteHouse.gov:
Immigration Reform: On Tuesday, President Obama traveled to Las Vegas to present his plans for comprehensive immigration reform. The four parts of the White House proposal call for a strengthening of our borders, cracking down on companies that hire undocumented workers, creating a path to earned citizenship and streamlining our legal immigration system for all.
“Now is the time to do this so we can strengthen our economy and strengthen our country’s future,” said President Obama, urging a bipartisan effort.
- Speak out to show your support and get the facts on our immigration reform page.
- Read the President’s remarks on comprehensive immigration reform.
- Watch the President’s speech on comprehensive immigration reform.
Turning to Law Enforcement: On Monday, President Obama and Vice President Biden welcomed police chiefs and sheriffs from across the country to hear their ideas on protecting our communities from gun violence. The President is seeking to prevent mass shootings like Newton, where 20 young children and six adults were killed by a gunman, and explained, “it’s also what happens on a day-in-day-out basis in places like Chicago or Philadelphia, where young people are victims of gun violence every single day.”
Advancing Gender Equality: On Wednesday, President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum to champion gender equality and empower women and girls. While in office President Obama has acknowledged the importance of women in the political and economic worlds. Under the President’s guidance, the White House Council on Women and Girls was initiated and his first piece of legislation was the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which makes it easier for women to challenge unequal pay.
Mama, I Made It: On Monday, the Miami Heat were honored at the White House for their 2012 NBA Finals victory. After President Obama’s remarks, an excited LeBron James candidly described the moment. “We’re in the White House right now,” James said. “This is like, hey, mama, I made it.”
Check out the full ceremony and watch James present President Obama a signed ball and star forward Dwayne Wade give a jersey to the President. Be sure to also take a look at our behind the scenes look on the Heat’s trip to the White House.
Relief for Syria: On Tuesday, the White House released a video message from President Obama announcing an additional $155 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria. The aid provides food, clean water, medicines and medical treatment. The United States and its allies are working together to ensure the aid goes directly to those who need it most. The United States total contribution to the people of Syria stands at $365 million as the aid comes at a critical moment when allies are fighting for an end to the corrupt Assad regime.
Fireside Hangout: On Thursday, the White House continued their series of Google+ hangouts with senior White House officials. Cecilia Muñoz, Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, discussed the President’s proposal for comprehensive immigration reform with participants from across America. Follow the White House on Google+ to receive the latest updates and stay in the loop for ways you can be involved for the next hangout.
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the Gun Debate
The Ultimate Guide to the Gun Debate
Americans from the kitchen table to Congress are debating how to stop the epidemic of gun violence plaguing our country. As is often the case, there is a lot of misinformation being spread by opponents of commonsense measures to prevent gun violence. In order arm you with the best facts so you can win the debate on guns, ThinkProgress’ Zack Beauchamp has assembled the ultimate guide to the gun debate.
Click through to get everything you need to know to make your own argument and to refute the false arguments advanced by our opponents:
THE ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN
1. “The law’s ban on some so-called assault weapons is nonsensical. All such weaponry terminology means is that they are semi-automatic weapons (which most guns are) with some military-style external features.”
2. “The last assault-weapons ban didn’t work.“
3. “So-called ‘assault weapons’ are nowhere near the root of the American violence problem.”
4. “Violent crime has decreased 17 percent since the assault weapons ban expired..”
UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DEALER INSPECTIONS
1. “How is this supposed to prevent mass murder?”
2. “Although better enforcement of existing restrictions on gun ownership sounds unobjectionable, it would unjustly deny millions of people the right to armed self-defense.”
HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES
1. “High-capacity magazines…require less frequent reloading, but are more likely to jam, and at any rate changing magazines is not difficult even for the untrained.”
2. “Magazine size is more likely to matter for people defending against aggressors.”
3. “In the latest incarnation of Mrs. Feinstein’s ban, we would see the return of an ammunition limit that had no proven impact on crime while it was in effect from 1994-2004.”
THE SCIENCE ON GUNS
1. “More guns, less crime.”
2. “If gun control works, Chicago ought to be safe.”
Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed
The NRA has an official enemies list.
Bradley Cooper stopped by our office to discuss mental health.
How taxpayers are footing the bill for the site of this year’s Super Bowl.
Exxon and Chevron made $71 BILLION last year thanks to record high gas prices.
Six key facts about the American jobs market in 2012.
More bizarre comments about gays from San Francisco 49ers players.
Everything you need to know about the new birth control coverage rules out today.
The Chinese espionage action against major American newspapers.
GOP lawmaker behind extreme abortion ban has a few problems with minorities too.
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