Books & Movies
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Books
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Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy
Former President Bill Clinton explains how our 30-year anti-government policies have gotten us to the mess we are currently in, and provides a strategy for economic recovery and a strong economic future.
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Presimetrics
Ever wanted a completely data-driven view of political parties and their effects on GDP growth,median incomes? Do tax rates really affect GDP or revenue growth? Which party is better for the middle class in general? Here's a hint: These metrics do not bode well at all for Republicans nor their small government mantras.
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23 Things They Don't Tell You About Capitalism
Ha –Joon Chang takes on 23 of the most prevalent “free market” notions to task, chapter-by-chapter. Chang uses international and historical comparisons as well as anecdotes to make his case. This is essentially 23 chapters of free market myth-busting.
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How Markets Fail: The Logic of Economic Calamities
Explains the instances where markets fail at properly evaluating costs against potential risks and rewards. Also delves into economic history and includes the works and views of Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, and Maynard Keynes.
- Obamanomics
Written in 2008, Obamanomics lays the case for Obama’s economic plan. A great read for those looking for anyone interested in what Obama’s economic platform looked like from the point of view of mainstream economics. - Naked
Economics
If you've never spent a waking moment in an Economics class, or have simply forgotten all of the easily forgettable facts and stats that seemed irrelevant at the time, this is the book to start with. Learn how the market operates, and how the government's role plays out in relation thereof. Learn what the Fed does. -
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
One of the best ways to understand Obamas agenda is to read the book he wrote in 2006, and compare it to what hes doing (or at least, trying to do) now that hes in office. - The
Conscience of a Liberal
Paul Krugman takes us through the creation and virtual demise of the middle class and basically explains how we (Americans) have been duped by the Reagan-era/free market mantras and false promise that the wealth would trickle down. - The
Predator State: How Conservatives Abandoned the Free Market and Why Liberals
Should Too
Long story short, James Galbraith explains why conservatives in political office have abandoned the idea of unfettered free market policies they espousetheyve failed in practice. Galbraith explains how these free market policies have failed in practice and advances the argument that politicians should cease paying lip service to a system they don't believe in. - The
Age of Turbulence
Alan Greenspan has become that man we all love to hate--the rhetorical punching bag for the housing market crash. But this read is important in understanding the case for deregulation and get an insider's view of the Fed's role in the US economy over the last few decades. - The
Great Depression
Eric Rauchway takes you through a brief introduction of the Great Depression and the New Deal. This 150 page book is no short read, as each page is loaded with information. - The
Mind of the Market
Michael Shermer explains how our evolutionary development has shaped who we are and why we do certain things. Using a variety of studies, he also explains how our evolution as a hunter-gatherer, tribal, and largely communal species sometimes leave us making choices not geared towards a modern global economy. - American
Theocracy
A former Republican strategist, Kevin Phillips explains American addiction to oil, dependence on finance, increasing influence of the fundamentalist religious right, and the convenient alliance they formed. - Where
have all the Leaders Gone?
Lee Iacocca explains the loss in American leadership, delves into policits and goes through the history of Detroit's once Big Three. - Fuzzy Math: The Essential Guide to the Bush Tax Plan
Written in 2004, Paul Krugman argues that the Bush tax cuts will mostly help the wealthy and increase wealth disparity. He was right.
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Fed We Trust
Few things are as obscure, confusing, and misunderstood (and therefore easily subjected to vilification and countless conspiracy theories) as the Federal Reserve. In Fed we Trust takes you through the history and origins of the Fed (and the concept of a central bank in general). It makes a great gift for that annoying Ron Paul robot in your circle of friends.
Movies
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Sicko
Michael Moore's documentary exposes the reasons health insurance should no longer be left to the private sector. The real rationing comes from the private sector denying health care to recipient who actually need it.
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Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy
Author Archives: admin
Yes, Obama really did save the Auto Industry
As the 2012 election approaches, there will be much talk on both sides regarding the Obama administration’s role in saving the American automotive industry. You don’t have to take the Obama administration’s word for this, The Economist (initially against government … Continue reading
Posted in Auto Bailout
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The Difference Between Republican and Democrat Parties are Real
The myth that there is no difference between Democratic and Republican Party is actually quite common (especially among disgruntled Libertarians). But this is demonstrably false. Regardless of which party you agree with (or if you believe they are both full … Continue reading
Posted in Democrat vs Republican
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The Politics of Bad Analogies: It’s the Drain Stupid
What happens when you mix clever but simple ‘sound byte’ cartoons with somewhat complicated political issues? Sometimes you get bad analogies. And these bad analogies often just serve to confuse and misinform viewers. In the cartoon below, the elephant (Republican) … Continue reading
Posted in Deficit and Debt
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Half of Americans Pay no Taxes – A Myth that refuses to go away
The facts regarding the percentage of Americans are as follows: Roughly half of all Americans pay no federal income taxes specifically About 86% of Americans pay Federal taxes of some sort (because everyone who earns a paycheck pays payroll taxes). … Continue reading
Posted in Taxes
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The “Obama wants to raise taxes on small business owners” lie that won’t go away
I somehow found myself watching Fox News earlier (for the first time in awhile). Greta Van Susteren was interviewing Paul Ryan. Great (who Bill O’Reilly claims is a “liberal”), was throwing softballs for Paul Ryan to knock out of the … Continue reading
Posted in Taxes
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Mitt Romney’s Amnesia on Taxing the Rich in America
“You know there was a time in this country where we didn’t celebrate attacking people based on their success.” This was Mitt Romney’s response to a question regarding making sure the wealthy pay their fair share of the social security … Continue reading
Posted in Mitt Romney
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The Uphill Battle of Explaining Democratic Economics
A few years ago, when I first learned that economic history shows that the economy has fared far better under Democratic Presidents, I was stumped. It went against everything I ‘knew’ about politics (in this case, that Democrats were tax-and-spend … Continue reading
Posted in Economics
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Did Obama say Americans are Lazy? No.
Obama “Lazy Comment” – Did Obama say Americans are lazy? Recently, in a Q&A session with the head of Boeing Obama claimed that “we’ve” been lazy about attracting foreign investment. It’s clear from watching the actual interview that Obama is … Continue reading
Posted in Obama
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The Obama Jobs plan vs Republican Jobs Plan
While outright rejecting the American Jobs Act, Republicans claim to have jobs bills of their own–bills which they complain are stuck in the Senate. So what are these jobs bills? They are a series of bills aimed at cutting regulations … Continue reading
Posted in Economics
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Tea Party Nation Founder Judson Phillips: Racism Enabler?
Pat Buchanan recently appeared on the radio program The Political Cesspool to promote his new book. As a result, Color of Change has sent an open letter asking MSNBC to fire Pat Buchanan. In his defense, Tea Party Nation founder Judson Phillips has … Continue reading
Posted in Republican Party Racism
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