Republicans, tea partiers and other rightwing ideologues are against raising taxes on those with incomes exceeding $200,000, who they have re-branded as "Job Creators", because such action would allegedly discourage them from creating jobs.  However, near record low taxation of upper income individuals and corporations has not motivated these job creators to actually create jobs (at least in this country), as official unemployment (8.5 percent in December 2011) and true unemployment (15.2 percent in December 2011) remain catastrophically high.

Even in boom times full employment has been elusive, as millions are always out of work or underemployed, regardless of the nation's prosperity level. This is why we need a comprehensive jobs program, not a mere crisis Band-Aid, to put America back to work permanently and approach what should be any just society's ultimate economic goal; providing jobs for all who want them.  read more »

Here's the text of the message Noam Chomsky sent to #OccupyWallStreet that the reporter refers to:  read more »

Introduction

I am circulating this plan at this late stage of the health care debate because most of the proposals out there are totally inadequate. This plan is a hybrid of government provided coverage, private insurance and regional and trade association co-ops (Not as public option replacements, but as an additional choice. I'd be very disappointed if the eventual health care bill doesn't include a public option and co-ops are inadequate alternatives).

I originally came up with this healthcare plan in 2005 and never formally put it to paper because I worked for someone who advocated single payer, which I believe is a worthy goal, but impossible in today's political and economic climate.

Plans without a public option are essentially worthless. They will inadequately extend the coverage safety net and will not put adequate competitive pressure on private insurance pricing.  read more »

And so the wheel continues to spin: the Times-Union reports that governor Paterson wants to slash 6% of the state's executive workforce, about 8,900 jobs in toto. The move would save $481 million over two years, and supposedly help the state fix its projected $16.2bn budget deficit.

The move came hours after Democratic leaders said the state budget deficit had grown to $16.2 billion, $2.2 billion more than earlier estimates.

"This is not a decision that has been reached lightly," warned a message sent to agency heads Tuesday from Dennis Whalen, Paterson's director of state operations. The cuts are designed to save $481 million over two years.

Malcolm Smith came out in support of Paterson, but notably softer than the Executive Chamber.

We urge the union leadership who represent the public sector workforce to step up and renegotiate a fair agreement that is consistent with the principle of shared sacrifice all New Yorkers must accept during times of economic distress. Public employees are among the most vital contributors to our workforce, but at the same time, they must also be our partners as we strive to change the structure of our state’s budget and get New York’s economy back on track.

What remains off the table, apparently, are any increases in tax rates for the state's most well-off citizens. This in spite of yesterday's appeal by top earners to raise their taxes.

I really wonder sometimes just how much David Paterson must hate his job.