Monkeyfister

Labels: In Memoriam

The WaPo reports 350 former staffers and retired members of Congress have been hired by the health-care industry to lobby in the fight over health reform. The industry is spending $1.4M a day on the battle.

Labels: Fuck The Health Insurance Companies, Health Costs, Health Insurance, Insurers Failure, Single-Payer

Labels: Clown Shoes, Sarah Palin

Labels: Health Insurance, Michael Moore, Public Option, Single-Payer, Universal Health Care

Labels: 4th of July

Labels: Banksters, Economic Hitmen

Labels: Bank Failure Friday, Collapse

POLITICO 44|Washington Post publisher Katharine Weymouth said today she was cancelling plans for an exclusive "salon" at her home where for as much as $250,000, the Post offered lobbyists and association executives off-the-record access to "those powerful few" — Obama administration officials, members of Congress, and even the paper’s own reporters and editors.

The astonishing offer was detailed in a flier circulated Wednesday to a health care lobbyist, who provided it to a reporter because the lobbyist said he felt it was a conflict for the paper to charge for access to, as the flier says, its “health care reporting and editorial staff."

With the Post newsroom in an uproar after POLITICO reported the solicitation, Weymouth and Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli both said today that they were not aware of the flier or the specifics of what it offered.

“This should never have happened,” Weymouth told Post media reporter Howard Kurtz. “The fliers got out and weren't vetted. They didn't represent at all what we were attempting to do. We're not going to do any dinners that would impugn the integrity of the newsroom."

“You cannot buy access to a Washington Post journalist,” Brauchli told POLITICO. Brauchli was named on the flier as one of the salon’s "Hosts and Discussion Leaders.

"Underwriting Opportunity: An evening with the right people can alter the debate," says the one-page flier. "Underwrite and participate in this intimate and exclusive Washington Post Salon, an off-the-record dinner and discussion at the home of CEO and Publisher Katharine Weymouth. ... Bring your organization’s CEO or executive director literally to the table. Interact with key Obama administration and congressional leaders."

The flier promised the dinner would be held in an intimate setting with no unseemly conflict between participants. “Spirited? Yes. Confrontational? No,” it said. “The relaxed setting in the home of Katharine Weymouth assures it. What is guaranteed is a collegial evening, with Obama administration officials, Congress members, business leaders, advocacy leaders and other select minds typically on the guest list of 20 or less.

Labels: Corruption, Liberal Media My Ass, Neocons, The Marvels Of Capitalism, Washington Post

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Here come the California IOUs, again.

The state, fast running out of cash, is on the brink of not being able to pay its bills for the second time this year.

Unless the governor and legislature pass a balanced budget by Thursday morning, the state will start issuing IOUs to county agencies, small businesses and taxpayers owed billions of dollars.

The state's fiscal condition is disastrous. Officials passed a budget in February, but declining tax revenues have opened up a $24 billion deficit.

Lawmakers and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are locking horns over how to bridge the gap: The governor wants to use deep spending cuts and borrowing, and Senate Democrats are pushing tax increases and less-severe cuts.

Schwarzenegger on Wednesday declared a fiscal emergency, giving the legislature 45 days to address the crisis. He also ordered state workers to take a third furlough day every month.

Meanwhile, the state controller may be forced to turn to IOUs to stave off a deficit of nearly $3 billion for July. The gap widens to $6.5 billion in September.

"Unfortunately, the state's inability to balance its checkbook will now mean short-changing taxpayers, local governments and small businesses," state Controller John Chiang said last week.

After September, even IOUs won't be enough, said Hallye Jordan, spokeswoman for the controller. The cash shortfall will hit $16.7 billion by October.

Labels: California Economy, Collapse

WHITE GAZPACHO

2 c. peeled, diced cucumber
1 sm. clove garlic
1/2 c. parsley
2 tbsp. white vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. yogurt
1/2 c. sour cream

Combine cucumber, garlic, parsley, salt and vinegar in blender and blend until smooth. Stir in yogurt and sour cream until evenly mixed. Chill and serve. May be garnished with chopped tomato or red pepper.

Labels: Easy Recipes, Food, Recipes