Tag Archives: New York Times

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Sick of your student loans? …Robert Applebaum

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Below is an email from Robert Applebaum, a MoveOn member who created a petition at SignOn.org that is getting a lot of attentionand may be of interest to you. If you have concerns or feedback about this petition, clickhere >>>  http://civic.moveon.org/signon_feedback/?id=31019-17809870-F5JLeRx&t=1

Dear MoveOn member,

Forgiving the student loan debt of all Americans will have an immediate stimulative effect on our economy.  With the strokeof the President’s pen, millions of Americans would suddenly have hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of extra dollarsin their pockets each and every month to spend on ailing sectors of the economy.

As consumer spending increases, businesses will begin to hire, jobs will be created, and a new era of innovation, entrepreneurship,and prosperity will be ushered in for all.  A rising tide does, in fact, lift all boats—forgiving student loan debt,rather than tax cuts for corporations, millionaires and billionaires, has a MUCH greater chance of helping to raise thattide in a MUCH shorter time-frame.

The future economic success of this country is wholly dependent upon a well-educated, prosperous middle class.  Instead ofsaddling entire generations with debt from which there is no escape, let’s empower the American people to grow this economyon their own!

That’s why I created a petition on SignOn.org, calling on President Obama and Congress to support legislation seeking studentloan forgiveness as a means of economic stimulus.

Will you sign the petition? Click here to add your name, and then pass it along to your friends:

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263764&id=31019-17809870-F5JLeRx&t=2

Thanks!

–Robert Applebaum

The text above was written by Robert Applebaum, not by MoveOn staff, and MoveOn is not responsible for the content. This email was sent through MoveOn’s secure system, and your information has been kept private.

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Democrats in NYC GOTV for David WePrin …NY09 … VOTE TUESDAY


Watch David Weprin’s latest ad >>

#1. WEPRIN ENDORSED BY NEW YORK TIMES

David Weprin Endorsed by New York Times. In August 2011, the New York Times endorsed David Weprin for Congress, noting that he “promises to work to protect Social Security and Medicare” and would not “cut programs that serve the working and middle classes.” The Times wrote that Weprin has “far more expertise… and fiscal rationality.” [New York Times, Editorial, 8/30/11]

  • NYT: Bob Turner Economic Plan “Would Take a Magician.” The Times wrote that Republican Bob Turner’s economic plan “would take a magician” to work, which would mean reducing benefits for those on Medicare and Social Security. [New York Times, Editorial, 8/30/11]
  • Turner Willing to Cut Medicare and Social Security, Raise Retirement age, Increase Co-pays. In an August 2011 interview with the New York Post editorial board, Turner pledged to rein in government even if that meant “cutting spending on entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security.” He said that “an increase in Medicare co-payments also has to be considered,” and that it would be “easy” to raise the eligibility age on entitlements for people currently under 55 years of age.  [NY Post, 8/26/11]
  • Turner Wanted to Cut the Budget by 35 percent.  In an op/ed published in National Review in June 2011, Bob Turner wrote: “My desire to go to Congress was to fix what’s broken and go home. End subsidies. End government dependencies. Dramatically cut the budget by 30 or 35 percent.”  [National Review, 6/08/11]

Republican Bob Turner on Tax Loopholes

Also see: NY-1 VIDEO: Rowdy Debate Shows Intensity In Special Congressional Race >>

#2. WEPRIN CLOSES LOOPHOLES, TURNER LOVES THEM.

David Weprin thinks it’s outrageous that New York City’s small businesses end up paying some of the highest business taxes in the world, while big corporations hire expensive lobbyists so they can get big tax breaks and evade taxes in offshore accounts.  Bob Turner is a corporate executive who says he never met a tax loophole he didn’t like

Weprin Supports Small Businesses by Closing Loopholes. In August 2011, Weprin released his small business plan, helping New Yorkers by “closing loopholes and lowering overall rates.” Weprin would also “fight to remove tax incentives for companies that ship jobs overseas and use those savings to reduce tax rates for small business.” [Times-Union, 8/15/11]

  • Weprin: An Advocate for Small Businesses. Launching his small business plan, Weprin said that New York’s small businesses pay some of the highest business taxes. “While big corporations are able to hire expensive lawyers and lobbyists to secure special tax breaks, I’ll be an advocate for small businesses in Washington.” [Times-Union, 8/15/11]

Turner: “Never Met a Loophole I Didn’t Like.” “As a Republican, I never met a loophole I didn’t like,” Turner said at a debate. “I really don’t know.” Weprin cited tax breaks for companies moving jobs overseas as a corporate loophole he would like to close. [New York Times, 9/06/11]

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Official Google blog


Ten years later

Posted: 11 Sep 2011 06:26 AM PDT

The events of September 11, 2001 changed the lives of so many people around the world. In the years since that day, thoughtful online efforts have provided an outlet for grief, for learning and a means for healing. Virtual spaces have helped us to remember the victims and honor the courage of those who risked their lives to save others.

On this 10th anniversary, we wanted to note a few of these virtual places:

9/11 Memorial
On Monday September 12, the 9/11 Memorial will open to the public within the original footprint of the twin towers. Our relationship with the 9/11 Memorial team dates back to 2009, when we collaborated to build their Make History site.  This web archive lets people place and share their photos and videos in geographical context, collectively piecing together the history that was witnessed, one photo or video at a time.
The 9/11 Memorial has also produced a commemorative album called Ten Years On, a musical tribute featuring well-known musicians and performers. The album has inspired a video archive project on YouTube of the same name which encourages people to submit video tributes to those affected by the events of 9/11.
The New York Times
YouTube also worked with The New York Times on a YouTube Channel featuring archived news broadcasts and personal stories and reflections from the public.
Mountain Lakes (NJ) Volunteer Fire Department
John Reilly, a software executive and Deputy Chief of the Mountain Lakes (NJ) Volunteer Fire Department, built First-Responder to help community organizations like fire departments and EMS corps increase their emergency preparedness and respond more effectively to crises. This open source application uses freely available web tools to map critical resources and contingency plans, dispatch and track first responders, and interoperate with mutual aid organizations during emergencies.
It’s been an honor to see these tools being built using our platforms and products—and humbling to see them come to life.

Posted by Andy Berndt, Creative Lab, New York City

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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand …Support David Weprin -9th District NYC


 I have an important favor to ask of you. My friend David Weprin is running in the special election for the 9th Congressional District in NYC, and he needs your help. With the election just days away, he is being attacked from outside groups supporting his Tea Party opponent, Bob Turner.

David currently has a new television ad on the air, but to keep it up, and win the race, he needs our help. Please click here to rush a contribution to David ASAP and help him stay up on the air – even as little as $5 can make a big difference.      http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63c97f/1b9dd8ab/43a43aa9/4e0ced6c/1378293921/VEsH/

David has been a tireless advocate for seniors and the middle class. His opponent, however, would slash the federal budget and the Medicare and Social Security benefits our seniors have earned and depend on. In fact, when The New York Times endorsed David they said, “If Mr. Turner gets his way, it would be impossible to spare anybody who relies on the government for benefits or to keep the air clean or their food safe.”

This election is too important to let the Tea Party and outside shadow groups steal the race. We have the better candidate who is right on the issues. Now we just need to help him get the word out. Please rush a contribution of $5 or more to David today.      http://www.dccc.org/page/m/1d63c97f/1b9dd8ab/43a43aa9/4e0ced6c/1378293921/VEsH/

Thank you for your help.

Kirsten Gillibrand

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

~ politics petitions pollution and pop culture

Big bad Banks


The banks behind the mortgage crisis are looking for a way out, and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner wants to hand them one.1

Three years after the housing collapse that crashed the world economy, not a single Wall Street executive has faced real punishment for the fraud, corruption, and greed that caused it. And those same big banks continue handing out massive bonuses and dividends while homeowners struggle.2

Now there’s a deal in the works that would let Wall Street banks get away scot-free, giving them immunity from investigation and prosecution of crimes like falsifying documents, encouraging bad loans, and lying to investors. In return they’d pay $20 billion—a fraction of what they could truly owe—and regulators would lose their leverage to help homeowners.3

This deal only works if it stays behind the scenes. If we can get enough people behind this petition, we can embarrass Geithner and the Obama administration into backing down. So we’re joining with MoveOn.org to send a strong message that can’t be ignored.

Tell Treasury Secretary Geithner, “No more sweetheart deals for Wall Street. Let states investigate and prosecute the crimes that crashed our economy.”

The world economy lost $7.7 trillion thanks to the big banks pushing bad loans and risky investments as sound financial planning. And millions of Americans lost houses and jobs. But Wall Street banks got nearly $2 trillion in loans to rebuild, while Main Street Americans are still working to get back on their feet.4

If we want to save the American Dream we need to show that big banks will be held accountable for these crimes, and a few state attorneys general are doing just that. Eric Schneiderman and Beau Biden, the attorneys general of New York and Delaware, have said they won’t settle with the banks without doing a real investigation into the fraud and corruption.5

Standing with homeowners against bullying by big banks is part of what the American Dream Movement is about. We can stand up and stand behind the state attorneys general who are fighting to expose the crimes that caused the collapse.

Tell Treasury Secretary Geithner, “No more sweetheart deals for Wall Street. Let states investigate and prosecute the crimes that crashed our economy.”

Toward an America that works for all,

–Natalie, Van, Ian, Billy, and the rest of the Rebuild the Dream team

Sources:

1. “New York Attorney General Kicked Off Government Group Leading Foreclosure Probe,” The Huffington Post, August 23, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263396&id=30464-17809870-86VbHcx&t=4

2. “Biggest Fish Face Little Risk of Being Caught,” The New York Times, February 25, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263413&id=30464-17809870-86VbHcx&t=5
“Banks Poised to Pay Dividends After 3-Year Gap,” The New York Times, January 13, 2011
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/14/business/14dividend.html

3. “Obama Goes All Out For Dirty Banker Deal,” Rolling Stone, August 24, 20110
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263395&id=30464-17809870-86VbHcx&t=6

4. “U.S. Subprime Crisis Costs World $7.7 Trillion Dollars,” The Huffington Post, February 15, 2008
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263403&id=30464-17809870-86VbHcx&t=7
“Wall Street Aristocracy Got $1.2 Trillion in Secret Loans,” Bloomberg News, August 22, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263394&id=30464-17809870-86VbHcx&t=8

5. “New York Attorney General Kicked Off Government Group Leading Foreclosure Probe,” The Huffington Post, August 23, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=263396&id=30464-17809870-86VbHcx&t=9