Branding Women

That GOP rebranding effort is made all the more difficult by Republicans at various levels of government who are getting in their own way.  The problems are visible in economic issues, as well as social ones.

Home Economics

H.R. 377, the Paycheck Fairness Act, is currently stalled in the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and there’s a discharge petition to blast it back into consideration on the House Floor.  Representative Dina Titus (D-NV1) and Representative Steven Horsford (D-NV4) have signed the petition, as have another 191 members of Congress as of Thursday, April 25, 2013.  Noticeably absent are the signatures of Nevada Representatives Heck and Amodei, both Republicans.

The bill simply states that wage rate differentials are to be based on experience, education, and training — not merely on gender.  It also provides for collecting statistics on employment and the publication of the data.   The part which usually causes groans, moans, and predictable grimaces from Republicans might be:

Revises the prohibition against employer retaliation for employee complaints. Prohibits retaliation for inquiring about, discussing, or disclosing the wages of the employee or another employee in response to a complaint or charge, or in furtherance of a sex discrimination investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, or an investigation conducted by the employer.

Makes employers who violate sex discrimination prohibitions liable in a civil action for either compensatory or (except for the federal government) punitive damages.  [CRS]

The standard GOP response to these kinds of provisions is (1) The Trial Lawyers are Coming, The Trial Lawyers are Coming; and, (2) Onerous Government Infringements on Your Liberty! Your Freedom! Both are nonsense.

The problem isn’t anything new; consider this from 2010:

Women earned less than men in all 20 industries and 25 occupation groups surveyed by the Census Bureau in 2007 — even in fields in which their numbers are overwhelming. Female secretaries, for instance, earn just 83.4% as much as male ones.

This has economic implications for 50.8% of the American population, or 49.5% of the Nevada population — women.  It also has evident connections to Nevada’s median household income ($55,553) in which the female’s contribution to household revenue is, on average, worth about 75 cents of every dollar contributed by the male partner.   IF members of the Republican Party are serious about improving the micro-economics of the average Nevada home, then insuring pay equity would be a good place to start.  The Discharge Petition needs 218 signatures to reach the floor — the ‘John Hancocks’ of Congressmen Heck and Amodei would be helpful.

Home Not-S0-Sweet-Home

Under the convenient rhetoric of “Liberty” and “Big Government,” lie some inconvenient attitudes on display from various levels of Republican leadership.

It’s Big Government if gender pay equity solutions are under discussion. However, it’s perfectly acceptable to allow government intrusion into private family decisions like contraception and birth control.  Heaven Forefend, a family should debate abortion options in private!   The Republican Party seems to have no problems at all when it comes to calling in the Big Government to prohibit abortion procedures.

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced a Fetal Personhood Bill, S. 583, on March 14, 2013, under the terms of which a fetus would have 14th Amendment rights.  As noted previously, could a fetus decide that the economic circumstances of the family to which it was about to be born were insufficient for its grand plans and sue for emancipation?  Personally, I would like to see a fetus challenge Citizens United.

Anti-Choice bills have also been introduced by Representative Diane Black (R-TN) HR 940 and HR 217;  by Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ) HR 447;  Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) HR 732; Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) HR 61; Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) HR 1091; Senator David Vitter (R-LA) S. 138;  Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-TX) HR 1122;  Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) HR 23; Sen. Thomas Coburn (R-OK) S. 154; Sen. Mike Johanns (R-NE) S. 356;  and the list goes on.

Anyone operating on the comforting delusion that the newly formed 113th Congress will be less focused on anti-choice legislation and more intent on JOBS and bills to improve the economic situation of American families will be sorely disappointed.

The GOP still hasn’t quite found its footing on Women’s Issues.  Perhaps this could be because it hasn’t quieted those voices within it ranks for whom women are variously mobile wombs, ranting radicals, or irresponsible sows at the public trough.

Leading GOP spokesperson Rush Limbaugh’s memorable misogynistic rants in regard to Sandra Fluke’s testimony on behalf of women who need contraceptive medication to avoid complications of ovarian disorders are echoed by an Albuquerque Republican who called a minimum wage increase advocate “names” on social media — and who later said (a lá Limbaugh) he was “just joking.” [ABJ] [TP]

Opposed to sexual violence, and want to “Take Back The Night?” Then expect some moron, such as the notable example in Arizona, who preaches that “Women Are Asking For It.” [TP] At Dartmouth sexual assault protesters were threatened with rape.  [TP] Or, call for police assistance too often to report domestic violence?  You could be facing a police department pressuring your landlord to evict you.  [TP]  Had enough of hearing about Steubenville, OH? There’s a new example from Michigan. [TP]  There’s a thread running through all these unfortunate incidents.

Women are undeserving of full consideration as human beings.  They are responsible for the exercise of male transgressions.  They are prey for the predators and it’s the woman’s fault if…if almost anything.  It’s a woman’s fault if a man is unsatisfied…in nearly all realms of human endeavor.   Can’t establish a meaningful long term relationship with the fair sex? Blame the Femi-Nazis?  Can’t get and hold a job? Blame the radical feminists for demanding employment?  Can’t understand the point a person is making about medical conditions or employment situations?  Call names! Like, “Radical Bitch.”  Want a simplistic solution to the complex personal issues involved in family planning? Just rail about abortion.

So long as Congress turns its attention to abortion more often than it does to women’s health, as long as radio ranters validate the misogyny of the disgruntled, so long as corporate interests can insert their anti-labor message into the parlance of economic discussions of wage rate equity — we will have trouble addressing the problems facing American families.  The GOP is still branding women, instead of rebranding their own party.

Amodei, Heck Blow Off Sandy Victims

Nevada Representatives Mark Amodei (R-NV2) and Joe Heck (R-NV3) voted against the Supplemental Appropriations bill containing relief for victims of Super Storm Sandy.  [roll call 23]  There are a couple of boilerplate GOP talking points which underpin opposition to the supplemental funding bill.  There’s the “It’s full of pork,” argument.  Pork baloney.  It’s often handy to remember that one man’s pork can easily be another man’s economic development idea, and secondly — when haven’t supplemental spending bills contained several disparate funding authorizations?  That’s what supplemental bills are — bills to provide funding for items previously unbudgeted — like, say, the cost of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Bush Administration?

There’s the “let’s take our time, some of the provisions don’t kick in for two years, so what’s the rush?” argument.  Containing therein an equal measure of pork baloney.  Unlike the ATM the right wing imagines the government to be — it takes TIME to get federal appropriations.  Applications must be filed, reviewed, approved, authorized, and then the money comes.  Why all that red tape?  Because there are those who cry “Waste, Fraud, and Abuse” every time federal money is spent unwisely, and the approval and accounting measures are there to restrain the temptations for Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.

There’s the “It’s a real tragedy, but we have a Debt Crisis” argument.  More pork baloney.  The current “Debt Crisis” is a GOP manufactured for cable news phenomena, a total reversal of Vice President Dick Cheney’s 2004 comment that “Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.”   Yes, we have too much debt, BUT it’s far from a “crisis” except in the fevered minds of those who think Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and unemployment insurance benefits are “The Problem,” and not two off the books wars, one expansion of the Medicare prescription program with no funding formula, and one massive recession.

Then there’s a point of true irony.   There was an amendment to H.R. 152 from Congressman Fleming (R-LA) ” An amendment numbered 9 printed in Part C of House Report 113-1 to cut $9,800,000 from the Fish & Wildlife Service for rebuilding seawalls and buildings on uninhabited islands in the Steward McKinney National Wildlife Refuge in Connecticut.” This, after Congress authorized spending some $71 million for wildlife refuge restoration projects in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.   Representatives Amodei and Heck voted for this amendment too.  [roll call 19]  Representatives Titus and Horsford voted no.

Another moment of madness, offered by Representative Broun of Georgia “called for An amendment numbered 4 printed in Part C of House Report 113-1 to strike $13,000,000 in funding to “accelerate the National Weather Service ground readiness project“.  (Amendment 6) Really?  In what universe is it advisable to cut funding for “ground readiness projects” in the face of potentially devastating storms and other serious weather related situations?   Once more Representatives Amodei and Heck voted in favor of this amendment.  [roll call 17]  Representatives Titus and Horsford, who must have been listening to their elders who taught them “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” voted against this ill-conceived amendment.

Perhaps the Pork Baloney arguments can find favor in the Fever Swamp that is the controlling right wing of the Republican Party, but to enthusiastically vote for wildlife and coastal projects after Katrina in 2005 when the federal debt increased by approximately $553.7 billion — and then to scream “The Debt Is Coming, The Debt Is Coming,” in 2013 is a bit hypocritical.

Hmm, 2002 to 2005 — that would be part of the Bush Administration’s contribution to the national debt?  Oh well, Representatives Amodei and Heck have offered us yet one more example of why their brand of government is the problem — a government that will not help its citizens in times of real crisis is problematic indeed.

To Heck With It? Rep. Heck Tries To Explain The Inexplicable

As if Nevada Representative Heck (R-NV3) didn’t make sense on the Benghazi Bluff, he’s released a little video of some 2.07 minutes to offer up his explanation of his “position” on the Fiscal Cliff/Austerity Bomb/Bunny Slope GOP poutrage du jour.

Representative Heck seems to have missed the part of the election in which the President won.  He does appear to cling to the message that the electorate wants the Congress to cooperate and negotiate with the Administration on how to address deficit reduction.   Let’s go back to the beginning.

There would be NO Fiscal Cliff, Austerity Bomb, or Bunny Slope had the Congressional Republicans not decided to make the debt ceiling such a humongous BFD, as the Vice President might say, in 2011.   Here’s the core of the problem:

“* 2010. Obama signs healthcare overhaul into law. Obama creates Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction panel. Its plan for drastic fiscal reform is largely ignored. Led by Tea Party conservatives, Republicans win control of House of Representatives in midterm elections. Obama agrees to extend Bush tax cuts for two years. Deficit shrinks to $1.3 trillion. (emphasis added)

* 2011. Treasury Department request for increase in U.S. debt ceiling becomes focus of fight in Congress. Republicans, Democrats settle dispute by forming “super committee” to examine fiscal reform. Debt ceiling raised. U.S. credit rating downgraded. Super committee collapses in discord. Deep, mandatory budget cuts triggered for 2013. Stock market makes choppy advance. Deficit estimated at $1.6 trillion.” [Reuters/Yahoo]

One might think a shrinking deficit, followed by economic recovery weak enough to create a bulge in 2011, would be sufficient to take some of the wind from the Free Marketeer Frigate sails, but since “Tax and Spend Democrats” have been the target of choice for Republicans since the New Deal, the GOP/Tea Party can’t quite manage to free itself from the bonds of its traditional narrative long enough to make sense in a reality based universe.

Here’s the reality:

Yes, that’s right — St. Ronald de Reagan’s terms showed annualized federal spending growth of 8.7% and 4.9%.  George W. Bush’s administrations saw annualized federal spending growth of 7.3% and 8.1%.  Even if we attach the 2009 stimulus package to the Obama Administration, his first term only saw annualized spending growth of 1.4%.  [HuffPo] [WSJ/Marketwatch]

So, terms like “out of control spending” and similar hyperbole from the right wing of the right wing party, become a fictional narrative rather than an accurate description of our current federal fiscal issues.   Representative Heck seems to prefer the comforting fiction of campaign rhetoric to current economic realities.

But wait, there’s more!  Representative Heck is worried about our fragile economic recovery… “We should not be raising anyone’s tax rates.”  This is boilerplate.  If the economy is booming, by GOP lights we can’t raise taxes because this would impinge on our prosperity; and, if the economy is fragile we can’t raise any taxes then either.  In short, we can never ever never raise anyone’s taxes even if we have to pay for two wars and keep the basic government services afloat during a recession.

Thirty seconds into Rep. Heck’s presentation he notes the House has passed a bill that would continue the Bush Tax Cuts of 2001 and 2003 for another year so we can “work on a permanent solution.”   Yes, that would certainly make the top 1% happy little campers.  This is also known as kicking the can down the road.  Anyone notice the conflict here?  On one hand Representative Heck is telling us that the federal deficit is a horrible no good thing which MUST be addressed — while telling all who will click on his little video that it’s perfectly all right to take yet another year to deal with it.

There’s more boilerplate to come, “the tax increases,” by which he means rate increases will cost 700,000 jobs.  In this instance he’s parroting Speaker Boehner, who in turn is mashing up a study by Ernst & Young:

“Boehner repeatedly cited an Ernst & Young analysis to claim that raising taxes on upper-income earners would “destroy nearly 700,000 jobs in our country.” But that analysis assumes revenue from the taxes would be used “to finance a higher level of government spending,” even though Obama would use the added revenue to reduce the deficit. The analysis also takes an extremely long view: Only “two-third to three-quarters of the long-run effect” is expected to occur within a decade.”  [Politifact]

Thus, even if we take the Ernst & Young study at face value, the effects are far less dramatic than Representative Heck’s intonation.   Those who looked into the Chamber of Commerce sponsored study found the assumptions flawed: “It is telling that when the additional tax revenues are used for across the board tax cuts, then the negative GDP impact is largely washed out and the employment impact is positive,” Zandi says.“  (Moody’s) [TPM]  However, removing the assumptions from the study wouldn’t achieve the Chamber of Commerce’s political interests, nor the interests of the Wall Street traders who are delivering Republican marching orders.

So, no one should be surprised when Rep. Heck parrots another line, this time from the Romney Campaign that we can fix all our troubles with “pro-growth tax reform which eliminates loopholes and deductions…”

OK, which ones?  Let’s look at the deductions first.   The most common tax deduction is on home mortgage interest.  In the reality based portion of the United States of America about 70% of the tax benefit from home mortgage interest deductions goes to taxpayers earning less than $200,000 per year. [NAHB]  Further, “Households with incomes between $40,000 and $75,000 receive, on average, $523 from the mortgage interest deduction. Households with incomes above $250,000 receive $5,459, or more than 10 times as much.“  [AProg] [Original Wharton Study pdf]

The second most common tax deduction is for charitable contributions.  Needless to say, some eleemosynary institutions are loath to see caps on this kind of expenditure.  However, the deductions nearer and dearer to people’s hearts are the deductions for state, local, and real estate taxes.  “You can deduct state and local income taxes paid during the year with one important exception: You cannot deduct state and local income taxes you pay on income that is exempt from federal income tax, unless the exempt income is interest income.” [Daily Finance]  And, “You can claim a deduction for real estate taxes on any state, local or foreign taxes on real property so long as they are based on the assessed value of the real property.” [Daily Finance]

Finally, the last on the list of most commonly itemized deductions are for medical expenses.  “You can deduct expenses for the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease. This generally includes the costs of physicians, surgeons, dentists and other medical practitioners as well as medical equipment, supplies and diagnostic devices prescribed by a physician. Deductible medical expenses also include the cost of health care insurance premiums and the costs of getting to and from your appointments.” [Daily Finance]

So, if we cap all itemized deductions at some contrived number like the 2% Solution, what happens?   We get a big middle class tax hike, illustrated below:

If we look specifically at what the Republicans were offering in the last presidential election another reality comes to the fore — the ARITHMETIC doesn’t add up:

“According to the Tax Policy Center, “the Romney plan would lower federal tax liability by about $900 billion in calendar year 2015 compared with current law, roughly a 24 percent cut in total projected revenue.”

So for Romney’s tax plan to be revenue neutral, as he has pledged, he would need to close tax breaks to the tune of $900 billion in 2015. That is not going to happen. Every tax break together costs about $1.1 trillion annually according to the Congressional Research Service — so Congress would need to make a nearly complete sweep to get the math right under Romney’s plan, a politically unrealistic outcome.” [HuffPo]

If we conclude that the deductions aren’t going to make the numbers, then what about those “loopholes?”

No one’s given a precise answer to this question — and we may not get one.  One insightful article may have grasp the key point, “Tax loopholes have become the modern equivalent of wasteful spending–a generic and vastly overestimated pool of money politicians can cite as offsets for their expensive policies.” [USNWR]   When some members of Congress have been pressed for details the minutiae makes its appearance — close the deduction for luxury skyboxes in athletic arenas, close the deductions for rum manufacturers and racetracks, eliminate deductions for second homes… [HuffPo]

While it might be nice to eliminate some of the special interest deductions in an overhaul of the tax code, (1) it shouldn’t take a year to find them — most of them are well known to those who make the tax code their life’s work, and (2) closing them won’t provide nearly enough revenue — unless we start talking about The Big Five Deductions, and the attendant tax hike on the middle class.

We’re only a bit over a minute into Representative Heck’s video when he observes the horrible state of affairs we must face if the Pentagon budget faces the Sequester Monster… but that’s a post for another day.

Libya,Rice, and What The Heck?

Nevada Rep. Joe Heck (R- )  wasn’t quite ready for prime time on CNN.

“Soledad O’Brien humiliated GOP Rep. Joe Heck of Nevada on CNN yesterday just by letting him talk. She pointed out that his argument that Ambassador Rice should be blocked from nomination because she repeated the intelligence given to her but was not in a position to know better, whereas Condi Rice knew better when she misled the public into war with Iraq, was actually more of a defense of Ambassador Rice.”

“O’BRIEN: Let’s walk through that more slowly — let me walk through that more slowly so you don’t lose me. You’re saying the issue in both cases, weapons of mass destruction and information intelligence coming to the U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, both cases the information was wrong. What you take exception with is what the White House did later?

HECK: Exactly.
…
O’BRIEN: I feel like you’re saying, from your own comments, that Susan Rice had nothing to do with either of those things. She didn’t have something to do with the intelligence failures, which I believe you just said. And it looks as if she had no knowledge at the time. Why would you possibly blame her then?

HECK: I’m not blaming Ambassador Rice.  [Politicususa]

***

Uh, wasn’t Representative Joe Heck sent to the cameras in order to assist the GOP efforts to create some traction for their post election tantrum?

Five minute video available here.   Representative Heck has tangled his argument so badly that he ends up defending Ambassador Rice, and tries to blame the administration for putting out “conflicting” information to the American public.  Good thing O’Brien and the panel didn’t inquire about how much conflicting information came from former Secretary of State Rice on behalf of the Bush Administration concerning the Iraq War.   Rep. Heck might have become completely enmeshed in his tangled talking points.

Swinging through the Swing State: Nevada Roundup

Rep. Joe “Social Security is a Ponzi Scheme” Heck (R-NV3) and his Democratic opponent John Oceguera took part in a campaign debate in which Rep. Heck, unable to speak to his record on women’s issues, took it upon himself to remind voters for the umpteenth hundredth time that Mr. Oceguera retired early as a firefighter.  [LV Sun] [Nevada Progressive]

Remember when? “At the October 11 debate, Joe Heck looked into the camera and told the audience in no uncertain terms that he supports a woman’s right to choose in cases of rape, incest and when the life of the woman is in jeopardy.  Unfortunately, his voting record does not reflect that claim.  On July 31, Heck voted for H.R.3803, a bill banning abortion care after 20 weeks in Washington, D.C. – a proposal that has no exception in cases of rape or incest.” [NRDC]

Republican Danny “Do You Recognize My Last Name” Tarkanian is pleased to tell us that ‘higher education is not a right,’ and anyway we can’t afford to help young people go to college “in this economy” (translation: because we can’t ask millionaires and billionaires to pay Clinton era tax rates). [NV Progressive]

Mr. Tarkanian also appears to have glommed onto the Balanced Budget Amendment Hoax of the Season.  Review: This is a really silly really really bad idea as explained here, and here, and here.

The Sin City Siren has a handy voting reference post for Nevada voters.  Official information on voting and early voting can be found at the Secretary of State’s office website here.   Volunteering opportunities available here at Progress Now Nevada.

The Mourdockian Controversy spills into Nevada politics, as described in Slash/Politics here and here.   Is Heller the Mourdockian Candidate?

Note this statement from the Nevada Democratic Party:

“Senate candidate Richard Mourdock’s reprehensible remarks about rape are demeaning and insulting to all women.  Yet, Mitt Romney refuses to demand the extreme candidate pull down the TV ad featuring his endorsement and Senator Dean Heller has been silent on the offensive remarks.  This should come as no surprise given that Mitt Romney, Dean Heller and Richard Mourdock hold the same extreme views on women from taking away a women’s right to choose, defunding Planned Parenthood, opposing equal pay for equal work and restricting access to basic health services like birth control, mammograms and cervical cancer screenings.”

Senator By Appointment Only Dean Heller’s record on women’s issues is given an in depth treatment by his opponent, Representative Shelley Berkley (D-NV1) — actions do speak louder than words.

The Damned Pundit opines:

“Probably because his advisers told him it would be good for his own political future if he stands with the team now, and not just Romney-Ryan but the Nevada Republicans who are running for things. And one of those Republicans, Dean Heller, was on television the other night saying that he thinks President Romney should nominate Sandoval to the U.S. Supreme Court. Perhaps Sandoval thinks a little political support now wouldn’t hurt on that front.

Well, Heller’s a bit dim. Unless and until Sandoval renounces his pro-choice position, Obama is more likely to appoint Sandoval to the bench than Romney is.”

Well said.

Click on the maps for complete information on the presidential electoral college and the state senate races.

Chalkboard Talk: Heck, Amodei and the Ryan Budget

Specifics and explanations are available here.

Amodei, Heck: Fire, Ready, Aim on TANF Waivers

Don’t look now, but Nevada Representatives Amodei (R-NV2) and Heck (R-NV3) just voted to usurp the power of governors in our 50 states to implement ‘welfare to work’ programs designed to  increase the number of persons finding employment who are now receiving public assistance.  [vote 589]  Voting against new programs to move more people from welfare to work doesn’t sound like a traditional GOP position — However, that’s what happens when guns are jumped and propaganda replaces position papers.

Here’s what the House Republicans passed:

HJRes 118  Providing for congressional disapproval of the rule submitted by the Office of Family Assistance of the Administration for Children and Families of the Department of HHS relating to waiver and expenditure authority under the Social Security Act with respect to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program…

Here’s what the Department of Health and Human Services actually said:

“HHS is encouraging states to consider new, more effective ways to meet the goals of TANF, particularly helping parents successfully prepare for, find, and retain employment.  Therefore, HHS is issuing this information memorandum to notify states of the Secretary’s willingness to exercise her waiver authority under section 1115 of the Social Security Act to allow states to test alternative and innovative strategies, policies, and procedures that are designed to improve employment outcomes for needy families.“  (emphasis added)

Note: The states only get the waiver on the work rules IF their new policies Improve Employment Outcomes — translation — IF more people are moved form the welfare rolls to the employment rosters.

Who requested the waivers?  Nevada and Utah, both with Republican Governors.

“Nevada is very interested in working with your staff to explore program waivers that have the potential to encourage more cooperative relationships among the state agencies engaged in economic stimulus through job creation, employment skill attainment and gainful employment activities. Nevada is also interested in exploring performance measures that ensure program accountability and also increase the probability of families becoming self-sufficient by providing meaningful data as to the services or combination of services with the best outcomes. [Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, 8/2/11, via The Huffington Post]” (emphasis added)

So, congratulations Representatives Amodei and Heck, you’ve both voted in favor of less program accountability, and against innovations that might increase the probability families in Nevada currently receiving public assistance could become self sufficient.

An unsolicited suggestion — next time turn off the cable TV broadcast and read the relevant statutes  before voting?  Just Sayin’

I Knew There Was A Reason: The Big N-FIBs

I did have a reason to never join either the Chamber of Commerce or the National Federation of Independent Business, because at the moment N-FIB is a very accurate acronym.  The NFIB has a radio spot which makes three unfounded assertions, presenting them as “facts.”  The N-FIB would also like us to know that they support members of  Congress like Senator Heller and Representative Heck (R-NV3) because they support “job creators.” [NFIB]

N-FIB: We should all support the GOP because, according to N-FIB, the Stimulus (the one under the Obama Administration) was a failure and didn’t create jobs.

FACT:  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was successful at saving and creating jobs in the U.S. economy, and there are at least three credible estimates demonstrating the fact.

Those who prefer their information in graph form, should find this illuminating:

N-FIB:  The Affordable Care Act hurts small businesses.

FACT:  The N-FIBbers must have missed a few parts of the Affordable Care Act, like if you have up to 25 employees, pay average annual wages below $50,000, and provide health insurance, you may qualify for a small business tax credit of up to 35% (up to 25% for non-profits) to offset the cost of your insurance. This will bring down the cost of providing insurance.

And this: “Under the health care law, employer-based plans that provide health insurance to retirees ages 55-64 can now get financial help through the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program. This program is designed to lower the cost of premiums for all employees and reduce employer health costs.”

And this: “Starting in 2014, the small business tax credit goes up to 50% (up to 35% for non-profits) for qualifying businesses. This will make the cost of providing insurance even lower.”

And this: “In 2014, small businesses with generally fewer than 100 employees can shop in an Affordable Insurance Exchange, which gives you power similar to what large businesses have to get better choices and lower prices. An Exchange is a new marketplace where individuals and small businesses can buy affordable health benefit plans.”

And this: “Employers with fewer than 50 employees are exempt from new employer responsibility policies. They don’t have to pay an assessment if their employees get tax credits through an Exchange.”  [HHS]

N-FIB: The Obama Administration impedes businesses with burdensome regulations.

FACT:  “Obama’s White House approved 613 federal rules during the first 33 months of his term, 4.7 percent fewer than the 643 cleared by President George W. Bush’s administration in the same time frame, according to an Office of Management and Budget statistical database reviewed by Bloomberg.”  October 25, 2011  [Bloomberg News]  How about 2012?

“So far, Obama has actually finalized fewer regulations than either Clinton or Bush at the same point in their terms. A wave of new final regulation is now slated to take effect in 2013. But some of them will be rolled out regardless of who’s in office, due to Obama-passed legislation that’s already in motion.” [WaPo]

If we drill down to specifics we find that there are two categories of rules the Republicans dislike enough to warrant attaching their “job killing” label — (a) Clean Air and Clean Water regulations, and (b) financial sector reform.

Republicans are particularly opposed to the provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (Bush Administration) enacted in the wake of the Enron Debacle to prevent further corporate frauds and shenanigans.  They are opposed to the enforcement of the Dodd-Frank Act, Senator Heller would like to see the bill restraining Casino Capitalism repealed even though only about 31% of the provisions have been implemented.

Those believing that a return to the Casino Capitalism of Enron, Lehman Brothers, the Housing Bubble, and the consequent collapse of investment banking in the United States in 2008 is desirable should definitely vote for Republicans like Representative Heck and Senator Heller.

Those who believe that some common sense restraint is in order to prevent the Wall Street Casino from re-opening to create the next artificial bubble out of “an excess of enthusiasm” — and who are mindful of what happened to the financial sector beginning in 2007 — will probably find the Democratic Party position more sustainable.

The exploiters and polluters don’t care for regulations on emissions and dumping.   It would certainly help the corporate bottom line to avoid paying for emission control devices, and to be able to dump coal ash anywhere that might be convenient.

However, those who prefer to drink clean water and breathe clean air should look carefully at what the Republicans are proposing.  Those who like hunting or fishing in unpolluted surroundings will find the Democratic Party positions more amenable to their interests.

Suggesting that mileage standards for automobiles should be clawed back makes absolutely no sense at all.  American and global vehicle manufacturers are touting their fuel-saving products.   The 2013 Dodge Dart advertises its 41 mpg capability [AutoBlog] Nissan is planning on building its Leaf in American plants,  Subaru wants to launch more STI models, Mazda plans a 2014 Mazda6 model mid-size sedan with better fuel mileage. [TCC]  General Motors is pleased tell its customers that “Our engineers are reinventing the automobile, developing advanced technologies that lead to improved fuel economy, less emissions and a reduced dependence on petroleum.”   Among GM’s goals are the development of 12 vehicles having at least 30 mpg capability, the development of two mode hybrids, further development of fuel cell technology, and the expansion of its Opel Ampera and Chevrolet Volt models.

The ultimate irony may be that while the Republicans want to roll back fuel standards, the automobile manufacturers are hiring people to work on new models with fuel efficiency capability higher than the proposed standards.

At some point a small business owner would have to ask — What is achieved by “unburdening” the oil companies if the result is a fleet of delivery trucks  or even personal vehicles, which cost more to operate?

There are three parts to the N-FIB radio ads, and all three are demonstrably false.  Little wonder I never paid any dues into the organizations that purport to have my best interests at heart — but continue to lie to me, and others.  No amount of advertizing can buy integrity.

Amodei, Heck, and the Other Violence Against Women Act

  The Nevada Progressive observes Representative Joe Heck (R-NV3) is dawdling about with Team TeaParty in Congress in regard to the Violence Against Women Act.  Rather than accept the bipartisan provisions of the Senate version, Team TeaParty wants to water down the bill so that domestic violence rules don’t apply to lesbian partners, and so non-Tribal men who rape or abuse Native American women don’t have to face justice in Tribal Courts.   “The Republican War on Women Hits the Rez” pointed out eight bits of GOP fear-mongering misinformation which are easily debunked.  Perpetrators of violence against Native American women have simply and completely run out of excuses for not trying to alleviate the unacceptably high numbers of crimes against women on Tribal lands.

Representative Mark Amodei (R-NV2) is trying to have his cake and munch it down too.  He basks in his sponsorship of the watered-down House version (H.R. 4970) saying:

“I heard from tribes in my district, including the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California, the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Council, the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe, and the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe about this issue and I can assure them that this bill would not only provide increased funding for federal law enforcement and prosecutors to pursue these cases, it would also empower Indian victims to seek protective orders in U.S. District Courts against abusers.”  [Amodei] (emphasis added)

Clever little footwork here! Notice that H.R. 4970 does NOT grant tribal courts jurisdiction over cases in which a Native American woman has been raped, assaulted, or abused by a non-tribal person.   What would be wrong, exactly, with the Washoe Tribal Court, or the Fort McDermitt Tribal Court, or the Fallon Tribal Court… or any other Tribal Court having jurisdiction over crimes committed against tribal members on tribal lands?

What do Representatives Heck and Amodei think of Tribal Courts?  Do they believe that Tribal Courts are ‘amateur hour,’ ‘kangaroo sessions?’  Tribal Courts are governed by the same rules as Article III courts in this country.  Extending jurisdiction to ALL crimes against women perpetrated on tribal lands would ease the burden on the federal courts, but Congressmen Heck and Amodei appear to prefer throwing money at the problem rather than expand the role of the tribal courts.  Representative Amodei has made it clear that he  prefers “increasing funding for federal law enforcement,” and granting the power to issue protection orders to federal courts, than to allow Tribal Court jurisdiction over non-Tribal criminals.

Make no mistake about it, S. 1925 is the REAL re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act.  The diluted, discriminatory, and dilatory House version is the one which Representative Amodei is so quick to embrace.

Both Republican Representatives from Nevada would better serve their Native American constituents by recognizing the legitimacy of Tribal Courts and extending more understanding of the problems associated with violence against Native American women.  S. 1925 is the bill which deserves support.

Quick Roundup

From the Department of Not Really Surprising:  “Three Nevada mining companies have shorted their taxes by $8.7 million since 2008, according to recently completed audits of their tax returns.” [Las Vegas Sun] The Nevada Progressive offers commentary.

“Veterans and business owners are speaking out about Joe Heck’s vote on H.R. 1505 (linked to H.R. 2578), a bill which gives police state powers over our public lands to the Department of Homeland Security. ” [The Nevada View]

From the Department of Pleasant Surprises: “Nevada’s taxable sales climbed by 5.1 percent in April over April 2011, continuing a 22 consecutive month trend of positive numbers for the important economic indicator, the state Department of Taxation reported this week.” [Nevada News Bureau]

From the Department of Important Information: “A July 31 deadline is approaching for Nevadans whose homes were in foreclosure in 2009 or 2010 to apply for a federal independent foreclosure review.”  [Reno Gazette Journal]

If you haven’t yet read Nicholas Shaxson’s article, “Mitt Romney’s Offshore Accounts: Where Money Lives,” in Vanity Fair, Do So!

On health insurance reform:  “Why People Like Obamacare,” Salon. So, why are news broadcasters still maintaining the theme that the health care insurance reforms are unpopular?  Perhaps the pundits are still caught up in GOP talking points?  Add Joan Walsh’s pithy observation: “Journalists like to comfort themselves by saying that when both sides are mad at you, you must be doing something right. But I know from experience: sometimes it means you’re wrong.” [Salon] and you’ll get  the point.

Did you know that UFO sightings are more common that voter fraud? [Mother Jones]

From the Department of Things Well Explained:  Jim Tankersley provides a readable, albeit a little simplistic, explanation of Bain and the outsourcing issue. [Atlantic] Consider the conclusion: “In the version of this story we like to call “the American economy,” the real problem is bigger than who launched or perfected the outsourcing model. The problem is that the bridge should have helped both sides of the street, but it hasn’t–not entirely. Many American workers have struggled to find a comparative advantage in a globalized economy that delivers the wages and middle-class security they enjoyed before trade opened up. It’s not supposed to work that way; a good debate this election would be how to make that happen.”

For a look at how this issue plays out between workers and investors, read “The Chicago Window Company In Danger of Liquidation,” in The Nation.

Matt Taibbi is covering the LIBOR mess for Rolling Stone. Click through to read the recent articles in that publication. Highly recommended.