Friday, May 18, 2012

Who Caused The Deficit?






Interesting article at http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/obama-romney-deficit-debt-chart.php

As the chart below reveals, the main drivers of projected deficits over the next decade are the wars of the oughts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush tax cuts and the so-called “automatic stabilizers” — unemployment insurance spending, lower tax burdens — built into existing policy to combat economic downturns. Recovery measures by Bush and Obama caused a short-term spike in deficits but have mostly phased out and thus represent only modest fractions of the national debt.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Why Wealth Inequality Matters: The Story Behind “We are the 99 Percent” Thursday, May 10th, 7:00 PM at the Central Congregational Church

Why Wealth Inequality Matters:
The Story Behind “We are the 99 Percent”

Please join us on Thursday, May 10th, 7:00 PM at the Central Congregational Church, 14 Titcomb Street, Newburyport, for a presentation and discussion with Chuck Collins, about his newly released book 99 to 1:  How Wealth Inequality Is Wrecking the World and What We Can Do about It.

“We are the 99 Percent” became the rallying cry for the Occupy Movement that started in September of
2011 and gave voice to a growing unrest about inequality in America and the world. It was an expression of the growing realization that over the course of the last several decades the wealthiest 1 percent of the US  population have grown wealthier, while the rest of the country has been left behind.

“In 99 to 1 Chuck Collins pulls together detailed information about the 1 percent and the 99 percent in all realms of society, the causes and consequences of this deep inequality, and what can be done about it. This book provides answers to the growing population of everyday Americans who are paying closer attention to this movement.  Who are the 99 percent? Who are the 1 percent? How extensive and systemic is inequality in
different areas of society? What are its causes and consequences? How is inequality
changing in our world?” —Berrett-Koehler Publishers

Chuck Collins is one of the foremost writers, speakers, researchers, and activists on the rise of inequality in our society and its harmful effects. He is a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) and directs IPS's Program on Inequality and the Common Good and co-edits www.inequality.org, the premier research and commentary web portal on inequality issues. He is co-founder of Wealth for the Common Good, a network of business leaders, high-income households and other partners working together to promote shared prosperity and fair taxation, as well as co-founder of United for a Fair Economy (UFE). He lives in Boston, MA.

This program is sponsored by the Amesbury Friends Peace Center, Central Congregational Church, Community Resilience Circles, First Parish Church of Newbury, First Religious Society of Newburyport, Pennies for Poverty: 2 Cents for Change, Transition Newburyport and YWCA Greater Newburyport.