Millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted beefing up Afghanistan’s power grid. Here’s the breakdown.
Tracks
“I wish I could manage real-life dollars as well as I manage bottlecaps”
NOPE. Just as bad.
All Hail Super-PAC’s: Would You Like to See the 1% Buying Our 2012 Election?
The 2008 presidential election was the most expensive on record, with candidates, parties, and outside groups dropping $5.3 billion. This year’s contest promises to break that record, due in part to the new rules of political fundraising: Donors can pour unlimited cash into outside-spending groups that can freely boost or attack the candidates of their choice. Which means that wealthy donors who have maxed out on their gifts to candidates or just want a lot more bang for their political buck can write massive checks to any of the new super-PACs that are popping up as proxies for politicians and parties.
Throughout the year, we’ll be keeping tabs on these superdonors (many of them couples who double up or spread out their gifts). As primary season heats up, we’ve tallied the current top 20 political givers based on donation data collected by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Here’s a quick look at how they’re giving, starting with their partisan tilt: 17 out of 20 are giving to Republican or conservative groups and candiates.
And half of the top 20 are major donors to the pro-Mitt Romney super-PAC Restore Our Future:
The full list (don’t worry, I’m sure your vote will have just as much influence on the results of the election and, subsequently, the policies that follow):
57 members of Congress among wealthy 1%
About 57 members of Congress are part of the 1%. Roughly 11% of Congress have net worth of more than $9 million, according to a USA TODAY analysis of 2010 financial disclosures compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. That’s enough to put them in the top 1% of wealth.
Congress also has 250 millionaires, the data show. The median net worth: $891,506, almost nine times the typical household.“The vast majority of members of Congress are doing very well,” says they center’s Sheila Krumholz. “They’ve got the resources to tide them over through an extended sour economy.”
In the House, 23 Republicans and 10 Democrats are in the 1%, while in the Senate Democrats edge out Republican one percenters 13-11.
Lawmakers disclose their assets and liabilities only in broad ranges. So the numbers are estimates — the average of a member’s lowest and highest possible net worth. Their actual wealth is often higher because disclosures don’t include home values.
#OCCUPYWALLST
#OCCUPYBOSTON
Bostonians- Fight for your rights and your future STARTING TONIGHT. Dewey Square, 6PM.
Canada issues full color mythological creature quarters, possibly the coolest coins ever
We here in America thought we were such hot shit when we came out with our state quarters. Oooh, look, I got a Maryland quarter! Oooh, I got a Colorado quarter! Well, the Canadian Mint has one-upped us and everyone else with their new full color mythological creatures quarters.
From the feature story: Unemployment, Inc.: Six reasons why America can’t create jobs.
I need $120 in pre-registration deposits for school....
FML
You know what I just remembered I get to do today??
I get to apply to college today!
I have had an open donation button on my page for some time now, and I wanna thank everyone who donated, namely Ben! I love you so much man! I’ll be sending you your Jelly Belly iPhone case soon now, I haven’t forgotten.
I am excited and weary as to whether or not this is the right choice to do for some reason but if I don’t do it now, my loans will no longer be deffered and I could really use that Pell Grant money while I still qualify to recieve it. And who would turn down free money?
So off I go to apply, eat, shower and go see Harry Potter with my BF and his friends.
I’ve watched the last six in the sanctity of my bedroom, how am I gonna compose myself in a theater for 2.5+ hours?
P.S.: FISHBALLSOUP!