Primers

The Economic State Of The Union 2012

By Isaiah J. Poole
January 24, 2012

These charts from the Economic Policy Institute, first published in December 2011, present some important snapshots of the economic conditions facing working-class and middle-class people. more »

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Quotes From Behind The Conservative Wrecking Ball

By Eric Hunt
June 29, 2011

Rep. Michele Bachmann

  • "I have no intention of voting to raise the debt ceiling because, right now, the federal government continues to spend more money than what it takes in."

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Afghanistan By The Numbers

By Isaiah J. Poole
June 22, 2011
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Why We Need Action For Good Jobs Now

By Isaiah J. Poole
June 14, 2011

The Economy Remains In Trouble

This economy is not working for working people. Corporate profits are up; large corporations are sitting on almost $2 trillion in cash. CEO salaries are soaring; bank bonuses set a new record in 2010.

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A Progressive Jobs Agenda

By Isaiah J. Poole
May 27, 2011

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Progressive Approaches To Taxes And Deficits

By Isaiah J. Poole
April 22, 2011

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Fiscal 2012 Budget Resolution: "Path To Prosperity" Is Really A Roadmap To Ruin

By Isaiah J. Poole
April 7, 2011

The Legislation

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Summit Launches Movement to Demand Jobs

By Elizabeth Rose
March 22, 2011

On March 10, 2011, the Campaign for America’s Future held the Summit on Jobs and America’s Future: Economists and organizers, labor and business leaders and civic reformers met to build a movement to hold leaders accountable for creating jobs.

Solutions discussed at the Summit include:

• Rebuild national infrastructure. Set up an infrastructure bank and expand public transit.
• Change the financial system to reward job creation not gambling.
• Create green energy jobs.
• Change policies to encourage companies to Make it in America – and institute currency reform.
• Support for Representative Miller and Ellison’s Local Jobs for America Act to create jobs in communities.
• Invest in education and research and development, and expand broadband access

While some of this agenda would aim at long term, sustainable job creation, Summit speakers, also called for action to quickly spur job creation in the public and private sector. more »

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Progressive Groups Respond to the White House Deficit Commission Report

By Eric Hunt
December 1, 2010

Richard Trumka, President, AFL-CIO

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Progress Report On Jobs Legislation In Congress

By Isaiah J. Poole
May 25, 2010

Local Jobs for America Act (HR 4812)

House Sponsor: Rep. George Miller, D-Calif.
Senate Sponsor: None as of May 24, 2010.
Progress so far: Awaiting action by the House Education and Labor Committee.

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Jobs and State Budget Crises: State by State Fact Sheets

By Isaiah J. Poole
April 14, 2010

The National Priorities Project has created one-page fact sheets using the latest information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Recovery.gov and other reputable sources. Data on unemployment, state budget deficits, estimated recovery times for major metropolitan areas, and jobs created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act are provided, along with relevant and timely NPP federal budget analysis. more »

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Taxes: Myths And Realities

By Isaiah J. Poole
April 13, 2010

President Obama's tax cuts benefitted more than 95 percent of Americans.


The average American is receiving a refund of nearly $3,000—up more than 10 percent over last year—thanks to the Obama tax cuts for 95 percent of Americans [The White House]. Tax reductions that benefit working families include the Making Work Pay tax cut ($400 for individuals, $800 for couples) and changes in the child tax credit and the earned income tax credit that made more people eligible to take those deductions.

Families in the bottom 20 percent of income (up to $19,792 in 2009) received an average tax cut of $604 under the 2009 tax cuts [Citizens for Tax Justice]. The 2001 and 2006 tax cuts under President Bush resulted in an average tax cut for the bottom 20 percent of income earners of just $22 [Tax Policy Center]. The next 20 percent of earners (making up to $38,000 in 2009) got an average tax cut of $628 under the 2009 tax cut. The same group only got an average reduction of $360 under the Bush tax cuts.

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The Unemployment Crisis That Jobs Legislation Must Address

By Isaiah J. Poole
April 7, 2010

The national unemployment rate in March 2010 was 9.7 percent. However, that number alone does not capture the full extent of the nation's unemployment crisis. These numbers and facts help paint a more complete picture and should guide the remedies the Obama administration and Congress prescribe to address the problem.

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Why We Need A Consumer Financial Protection Agency

By Isaiah J. Poole
March 8, 2010

A Consumer Financial Protection Agency would serve the people who take out mortgages, use credit cards, borrow money for their small business, or take advantage of other household financial service products. more »

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Jobs Now: The Urgency Of The Need

By Isaiah J. Poole
February 4, 2010

Source: Economic Policy Institute. more »

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State of the Union 2010

By Terrance Heath
January 26, 2010

The Challenge: Repair The Damage From A Lost Decade

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Fact Sheet: The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission

By Isaiah J. Poole
May 22, 2009

The Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission will consist of six Democrats and four Republicans, appointed by the leaders in each house of Congress. No current officeholders at the federal, state, or local level will be allowed to serve on it. more »

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Why We Demand Action On Economic Recovery Now

By Isaiah J. Poole
February 4, 2009

RESOURCES FOR YOU

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How Congressional Plans Stack Up To The Main Street Recovery Program

By OurFuture.org Staff
January 26, 2009

Here's how the economic recovery proposals now being considered by Congress match up to the recommendations in the Main Street Recovery Program, which has been endorsed by more than 2,000 progressive leaders and activists. more »

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Investing In People

By OurFuture.org Staff
November 13, 2008

Here are some basic facts behind our call for "real investment" in people, assembled from recent government and private studies. We've fallen behind as a nation, but making the right spending choices will yield lasting dividends. more »

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The Case For A Program To Rebuild America

By OurFuture.org Staff
October 30, 2008

Conventional wisdom holds that America has to get the federal budget deficit under control. Conservatives and even some good-government moderates have called for a virtually government-wide spending freeze. But cutting federal spending during a recession is a recipe for depression. To climb out of the hole that conservative economic ideology and policy has thrown us into, we need federal spending to reinvigorate economic growth. We should use this moment to make investments that will improve our future. Here's why. more »

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Taxes: Myths and Realities

By OurFuture.org Staff
October 30, 2008

When talking about taxes, conservatives continue to characterize opponents of their tax policies as “socialists” who want to take money from the middle-class and give it away to the poor. Here are some facts you should know about the impact of tax policies enacted by the Bush administration and the realities behind conservative arguments about taxation. more »

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Conservative Failure by the Numbers

By OurFuture.org Staff
October 30, 2008

On October 28, 1980, Ronald Reagan framed an election with the question: “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?” That’s still an important question. After eight years of conservative rule, are we better off? No. The conservatives’ failure is complete. Here are some indicators. more »

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"Even the Rope...": The Facts

By Isaiah J. Poole
October 6, 2008

"Even the rope we're using to hang ourselves is made in China," says one of the ads in our series calling for "a debate worthy of a great nation in crisis." Here are some facts and perspectives that need to be considered in the debate over trade and globalization. more »

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The Truth about the Community Reinvestment Act

By Hillary Hampton
September 29, 2008


Conservative commentators in the Wall Street Journal and the National Review, and on YouTube are spreading the myth that the Community Reinvestment Act, a law designed to eliminate discriminatory banking practices, caused the current financial crisis. In the words of Fox News' Neil Cavuto, “Loaning to minorities and risky folks is a disaster.”

Conservatives have twisted the facts to substantiate their revisionist history. But don’t be fooled: the financial crisis was caused by conservative financial follies and bankers run amok and nothing more. more »

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Banksters Run Amok: The Facts

By Brian Dockstader
September 22, 2008

Financial institutions went on a binge; the cops on the street turned a blind eye. The bankers pocketed billions until the housing bubble burst. Americans are now paying dearly for the folly. Here are some facts you need to know and some ideas for change. more »

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The Dubious Priorities of the President's Fiscal 2009 Budget

By OurFuture.org Staff
February 4, 2008

President Bush’s fiscal 2009 budget would provide more tax cuts heavily skewed to the most well-off while cutting vital services for low- and moderate-income Americans, generating large deficits, and increasing the strain on states already confronting budget problems as a result of the economic downturn. The budget reflects misguided priorities that would leave the American people more vulnerable in a number of ways. more »

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