Republicans are all About the Money
Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked a constitutional amendment that would have restored limits on big money in politics. Bernie cosponsored the amendment, which sought to overturn a 2010 Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United case that opened the floodgates to unlimited and unregulated spending on elections. He called the vote a win for the Koch brothers and other billionaires who have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into Republican campaigns. It was a victory for Republicans and a defeat for American democracy, Bernie said.
Vermont and 15 other states along with voters and city councils in more than 500 cities and towns already have passed measures supporting a constitutional amendment. A survey last spring conducted by the Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner polling firm found that the Citizens United ruling was opposed by 80 percent of those surveyed. Bernie said Americans must continue the fight to overturn Citizens United.”
The Greenhouse Effect
Sad but True
They Remember Some of the Things Jim Casey Taught, and Forgot About Others
Our Corporate Society Allows Another Attack On The Working Man
Billionaires Now Trying to Control the Work of the Church
January 1, 2014
Billionaire Ken Langone, the founder of Home Depot
issued a warning to Pope Francis during an interview with CNBC which was published this past Monday. In the interview he said that wealthy people such as himself are feeling ostracized by the Pope’s messages in support of the poor, and might stop giving to charity if the Pope continues to make statements criticizing capitalism and income inequality.
Mr. Langone described the Pope’s comments about a “culture of prosperity” as “exclusionary” statements that may make some of the rich “incapable of feeling compassion for the poor.”
The billionaire, who’s a major donor to the Republican Party, is currently working with Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Archbishop of New York, to raise $180 million for the restoration of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Langone said that he told the Archbishop about a wealthy donor who could give millions of dollars to the Cathedral project but was worried about the Pope’s “exclusionary” remarks.
“I’ve told the cardinal, ‘Your Eminence, this is one more hurdle I hope we don’t have to deal with
CNBC also spoke to Cardinal Timothy Dolan, who said he told Langone the unnamed donor’s concerns seemed based on “a misunderstanding of the Holy Father’s message.”
“The pope loves poor people. He also loves rich people. So I said, ‘Ken, thanks for bringing it to my attention. We’ve gotta correct, to make sure this gentleman understands the Holy Father’s message properly.’ And then I think he’s gonna say, ‘Oh, OK. If that’s the case, count me in for St. Patrick’s Cathedral,’” Dolan said.
During a speech in Brazil this past July, Pope Francis appealed “to those in possession of greater resources,” saying that they should “never tire of working for a more just world, marked by greater solidarity. No one can remain insensitive to the inequalities that persist in the world.”
A number of people, from Republican Sen. John McCain to conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh, have weighed in on Francis’ statements, with the latter calling it “pure Marxism.”
Dolan calls the Marxist label “hyperbole,” telling CNBC that the pope thinks “money in itself is morally neutral. Money, our wealth, is a gift from God. And the morality comes in the way we use it.
“If it becomes a god, if it becomes an idol, Pope Francis is saying, then it’s wrong. Because there is only one God. If we use it for our own selves and our families, for a secure and a safe present and future, if we use it to reinvest in the community, to help others, and if we share with the poor, then it’s morally good,” Dolan said.
Come On Guys!
UPS double standard
UPS fires the driver in a case like this because their internal investigation finds him responsible for the accident. But when a jury award is involved, they deny responsibility. Can you have it both ways? DB
MOBILE, Alabama — A Mobile County jury granted a man a $1 million award for damages after a car accident with a UPS delivery truck two years ago.
Gerald Simoneau II was driving on Rangeline Road when a UPS truck driven by Steven A. Chestnut veered onto the street, colliding with the vehicle he was driving, according to a complaint filed in Mobile County Circuit Court.
After the February 28 crash, Simoneau, underwent multiple surgeries to repair broken bones, including his ribs and clavicle; and permanent injuries to one of his arms. A jury awarded Simoneau compensatory damages for the incident Thursday.
“UPS’s driver chose not to follow basic safety rules. By violating the right-of-way, he caused a collision that permanently injured another person,” said Lucy Tufts, an attorney for Cunningham Bounds who represented Simoneau, the plaintiff.
Chestnut, who was then employed by UPS, attempted to cross the intersection near Todd Acres Road and pulled in front of Simoneau only seconds before they both collided.
“UPS is disappointed with the jury’s verdict and we are evaluating whether we are going to appeal,” said Susan Rosenberg, a spokesperson at the corporate office in Atlanta. “Because it’s so recent our lawyers need time to study the elements of the verdict.”
The shipping and logistics company has 30 days to file a motion for an appeal. That motion can sit before a judge as long as 90 days.
“Even after its driver admitted fault, UPS was not willing to accept responsibility. UPS spent 2 ½ years litigating the case and wanted the jury to believe that Mr. Simoneau was to blame for not seeing and avoiding its delivery truck,” Tufts said.
“The jury’s verdict sent a message that it is important for corporations like UPS to be accountable and to take responsibility for their actions when they cause harm to someone else.”
Good Atitude
