Michael Moore Makes Requests of the President

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Nov 20, 2012 There seems to be little reason to believe that Barack Obama listens to any of the advice his left-wing critics offer him, but Michael Moore’s suggested list of priorities for the president's second term might be useful in measuring Obama’s performance in the months and years to come. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Why We Should Stop Obsessing About The Federal Budget Deficit

Robert Reich / Truthdig Nov 19, 2012 The best way to generate jobs and growth is for the government to spend more, not less. And for taxes to stay low – or become even lower – for the middle class. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Rockets Near Jerusalem and Petraeus on the Hill

Staff / Truthdig Nov 17, 2012 The world braces for a ground attack in Israel as rockets rain on Jerusalem and Israel showers air assaults on the Gaza Strip, while President Obama and congressional leaders begin discussing the looming fiscal cliff. The panelists tackle these issues and others on this week's "Left, Right & Center." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Christie on Romney’s ‘Gifts’ Comment, Biden on ‘Parks & Recreation,’ and More

Tracy Bloom / Truthdig Nov 17, 2012 A look at the day's political happenings, including an update on the "fiscal cliff" meetings between President Obama and congressional leaders, and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker doing something rational for a change. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The Woe of Fiscal Cliff

Mr. Fish / Truthdig Nov 15, 2012 Dig deeper

Cliff or Treat

Milt Priggee, Cagle Cartoons, www.miltpriggee.com Nov 15, 2012 Dig deeper

The Growing Global Movement Against Austerity

Amy Goodman / Truthdig Nov 15, 2012 Amaia Engana didn't wait to be evicted from her home. On Nov. 9, in the town of Barakaldo, a suburb of Bilbao in Spain's Basque Country, officials from the local judiciary were on their way to serve her eviction papers. Amaia stood on a chair and threw herself out of her fifth-floor apartment window, dying instantly on impact on the sidewalk below. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Preserve Benefits: Cut Gouging and Inequities

Ralph Nader Nov 15, 2012 Congress is still talking about a “Grand Bargain” that “balances” far more spending cuts than tax increases. That is another way of saying that you – the consumer of Medicare and Medicaid services, the recipient of Social Security, and the average taxpayer -- will take the brunt of the spending cuts. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Avoiding the ‘Fiscal Cliff’: ‘Broadening the Tax Base’ vs. Raising Taxes on the Rich

Robert Reich / Truthdig Nov 15, 2012 The president says he wants $1.6 trillion in tax hikes. Republicans say they won’t raise tax rates but might be willing to close some loopholes and limit some deductions and tax credits. Is compromise in the air? Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Forget ‘Fiscal Cliff,’ Call It an ‘Austerity Bomb’

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Nov 14, 2012 Brian Beutler at Talking Points Memo seems to have coined the term last spring. Paul Krugman thinks it’s a better way to talk about the coming budget crisis, as it asserts that too little spending -- rather than too much -- is the the cause of the danger. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The President’s Opening Bid on a Grand Bargain (II): Put a Trigger Mechanism in the Legislation

Robert Reich / Truthdig Nov 14, 2012 When he meets with congressional leaders to begin discussions about avoiding the “fiscal cliff,” Obama should make clear that America faces two big economic challenges ahead: getting the economy back on track and getting the budget deficit under control. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

The President’s Opening Bid on a Grand Bargain: Aim High

Robert Reich / Truthdig Nov 13, 2012 Assuming the goal is $4 trillion of deficit reduction over the next decade (that’s the consensus of the Simpson-Bowles commission, the Congressional Budget Office, and most independent analysts), here’s what the President should propose. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )