The Facts

Eating Dangerously

The Failure of the American Food Import Safety System

By Alex Carter, Molly Swartz, Eric Lotke
June 22nd, 2008
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Tomatoes are just the beginning. As the U.S. imports more of its food from overseas, it is reducing its ability to ensure the safety and quality of these foreign foods. Conflicting government agency oversight, inefficient food inspections, and lax food safety standards in exporting countries has compromised the safety of American food imports. more »

The Stress Test

A State-by-State Assessment of America's Economic Health and a Prescription for Change

By Eric Lotke, Alex Carter, Molly Swartz
Institute for America's Future
May 14th, 2008
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The Stress TestEconomists and politicians debate whether or not we’re technically in a recession, but most Americans feel we’ve been in a recession for years.

The Campaign for America’s Future has designed "The Stress Test" to show how the economy affects working families. By assessing the condition of the job market, housing, health care, and household costs on a state-by-state basis over time, "The Stress Test" illustrates the troubles families face. Use this report to talk about the real impact of conservative policies and need for a new, progressive economic strategy.

» Read the full report (PDF)

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Armand Biroonak's picture

Bush Tax Cuts Leave a Deficit

Submitted by Armand Biroonak
July 17, 2008

The Bush tax cuts that promised to pay for themselves, in fact will cost American taxpayers $300 billion last year. The tax cuts are primarily responsible for the deficit.

Source
James Horney, "Smaller Deficit Estimate No Surprise: New OMB Estimates Do Not Support Claims About Tax Cuts," Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. 13 July 2007. http://www.cbpp.org/7-11-07bud.htm
Armand Biroonak's picture

Bush Takes Budget Surplus to a Deficit

Submitted by Armand Biroonak
July 17, 2008

When Bush entered office he took command of a $236 billion surplus, now he will leave the American public with a 2008 deficit of more than $400 billion.

Source
Sheryl Gay Stolberg, "Bush Presents Budget that Would Increase Deficit," New York Times. 5 February 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/washington/05budget.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

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 »

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 »


U.S. News and World Report reports President Bush "often argues that history will vindicate him. more »

Source
Kenneth T. Walsh, "The First Draft of History Looks a Bit Rough on Bush." U.S. News and World Reports, April 11, 2008.

As President George W. Bush is fine tuning his last State of the Union address, American adults do not think much of the current state of the country. Four out of five Americans (81%) think that the current state of the country is fair or poor while just 19 percent think it is excellent or good (2% and 17% respectively).

Source
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=862