Day 70 In Pursuit of ACA Health Care

Day 70 In Pursuit of ACA Health Care

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My spouse started her attempt to replace a sub-standard health insurance policy 70 days ago. She is and was a huge supporter of the ACA compromise legislation as also am/was I. We were both big supporters of single payer, still are, but understand political compromise.
Jobs in Delaware

Jobs in Delaware

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The NJ on Sunday begins a series looking at the state of jobs in Delaware, pointing out what we already know -- that very low wage jobs are increasing, jobs in the middle are disappearing (or taking much less money) and there is employment in the upper end if you have the right education and skill set. And while the Governor and Alan Levin have been working at "economic development", there's been little increase in the kinds of jobs that are most needed here immediately. It is difficult to say that the Governor and his DEDO Director haven't been working hard at this -- I think they have. But most of what passes for economic development since the Great Recession pretty much everywhere is a numbers game -- figuring out how to boost the number of jobs in your state without paying much attention to either the quality of those jobs or the ROI any taxpayer subsidy might provide for Delaware taxpayers. Governments are chasing the same limited pool of jobs and working at a classic race to the bottom strategy to get them. Almost all of them are providing taxpayer subsidies to get those jobs in their states, and clawback provisions in case the employer doesn't fulfill promises are still too rare.
Sunday Open Thread [12.8.13]

Sunday Open Thread [12.8.13]

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President Obama knows how to pick good Secretaries of State. Doyle McManus:
He's the same windy, stiff Bostonian who ran unsuccessfully for president a decade ago. And he's taken on a list of assignments that looked distinctly unpromising: nuclear negotiations with Iran, peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the civil war in Syria. But in 10 months, Kerry has embarked on a whirlwind of diplomacy. He helped conclude an interim deal with Iran that puts a ceiling on Tehran's nuclear enrichment. He launched new Israeli-Palestinian peace talks with the goal of producing a deal next year. And he secured a date for negotiations to end the war in Syria, although it's still not certain who will show up. ...give Kerry credit. He has dared to take big risks — in notable contrast to his revered but risk-averse predecessor, Hillary Rodham Clinton. Clinton tended to subcontract out the unpromising assignments to special envoys like the late Richard C. Holbrooke, her deputy for Afghanistan. But Kerry has taken them on himself, personally and visibly. If any of them fail — and they all could — he'll take the fall himself.
Dear God. The 2004 election was nearly a decade ago? Feels like yesterday. I am getting old.
It’s Official! Brenda Mayrack Enters State Auditor Race

It’s Official! Brenda Mayrack Enters State Auditor Race

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Here is the press release:
Brenda Mayrack, an attorney and small business owner, announced her candidacy today for Delaware State Auditor. [...] Mayrack pledged to bring a renewed focus to protecting taxpayer dollars to the State Auditor's office. "Delawareans’ hard earned tax dollars do not belong to the government. Taxpayers, whether they are individuals or businesses, deserve a State Auditor who will improve accountability, transparency, and innovation in our state government," she said. "As State Auditor, I will look for new ways to use technology to ensure that our valuable tax dollars are spent properly and put to their best use." Mayrack, a Democrat, has extensive experience with audits as an attorney specializing in unclaimed property. As State Auditor, her immediate priorities include a comprehensive review of credit card use by state employees and increased protections for whistleblowers. She brings energy, experience, and a new vision for an office charged with ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent effectively.
President Obama Speaks on Income Inequality and Economic Mobility

President Obama Speaks on Income Inequality and Economic Mobility

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This got lost in the other news this week, and once again we ask ourselves, "If the President of the United States gives a policy speech, will anyone listen?" This is a plenty solid statement of progressive principles and if no one labeled them progressive , I'd bet there is alot here most Americans would absolutely agree upon. Because middle and low income people ARE being thrown under the economic bus and have been since the Reagan presidency. The disconnect is, of course, Congress and not one of our Congressional delegation (that I can find, anyway) has chimed in to note that the President has a point and that they are working on (detailed) stuff to help ameliorate this. Getting rid of the thumb on the scale for most of their voters is a clear way to better prosperity all around, but I gather that Third Way cred is going to be more important than you OR your vote. Anyway, here is the President's speech, about 48 minutes long.