Pregnant Women Beware of Utah

Apparently, to those crazy conservatives in Utah Miscarriage = Criminal Homicide.

“If a woman has a miscarriage but didn't know that she was pregnant, she cannot be charged with criminal homicide. So while this law does not criminalize all miscarriages, anything that could be defined as "knowing" or "reckless" would leave a woman at risk for criminal prosecution.”

Worse still:

“Women in physically abusive relationships could be criminally liable for not leaving their partner, regardless of their ability to do so safely or securely. Women seeking lawful abortion may be guilty of criminal homicide if her physician failed to follow exact procedures set forth in the law.”

And from the ACLU:

“A woman who fails to wear a seatbelt and is in a car accident could be charged with reckless homicide, should she miscarry. Likewise, a woman who has a substance abuse problem is likely to forego necessary prenatal care out of fear that she could be prosecuted for "knowing" or "reckless" homicide by continuing to use illegal substances while pregnant.”

Yay for "Free" Market Monopolization

Barry C. Lynn and Phillip Longman wrote a great article on Who Broke America’s Jobs Machine? over at Washington Monthly. Their argument is that market monopolization across all sectors (Food, Banking, Retailing, Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, etc.) over the last few decades has been the major factor in destroying job creation. They acknowledge the other traditional explanations that may curtail job creation such as machinization/automation, outsourcing, lack of government R&D, and business taxes and regulation. However, the real issue is monopolization.

I'm glad they pointed out that business taxes and regulation were gutted over the last decade, so perhaps with this umpteenth example, we can finally put and end to the notion that tax cuts solve everything. Obviously, elected Republicans and talking heads will never get this as they tend not to live in the reality-based community.

Corporate consolidation and monopolization is nothing more than schadenfreude.

Such is the case that Andrew Johnson made in his first state of the union address.

“Wherever monopoly attains a foothold, it is sure to be a source of danger, discord, and trouble. We shall but fulfill our duties as legislators by according "equal and exact justice to all men," special privileges to none.”

Denying Liberalism

I really liked what They gave us a republic... had to say about Dems who don't or won't acknowledge that they are liberals.

“Democrats who support civil and human rights including gay marriage; reproductive freedom; fact- and reality-based education; separation of church and state; a social safety net; good jobs at good pay with good benefits; strong regulations to prevent corporations from stealing from, maiming and killing people; diplomacy and working with allies in foreign affairs; a rational drug policy; a defense budget that supports troops, not private contractors; public investment in public infrastructure, and the Rule of Law are liberals.”

Amen.

Cons love porn more than Liberals

I just saw the posting Conservatives consume more porn at stelpavlou.com.

Yet, further proof that Conservatives are the biggest hypocrites when it comes to practicing what you preach. Strike another up for their traditional family values and conservative principles. Gay marriage is evil and sinful, yet they have higher divorce rates. Welfare is bad for people down on their luck, yet Conservatives states are welfare queens. And now this, rail against porn for its immorality, yet go buy more and more of it.

Dems Remain Better on the Economy

John Perr posted Bush Latest GOPer to Show Democrats Better for the Economy at Crooks & Liars and his blog.

As should be self-evident by now, deregulation to the degree that Republicans consistenly promote doesn't actually help the overall economy. It only stuffs the pockets of the top 1%. The 2 major indexes of economic growth (GDP and Employment) do much better on average under Democratic administrations compared to Republican.

It is nice to see how much a failure Bush was overall (to help disprove Conservative economic philosphy, not the fact he harmed the American economy), by starting and ending on a recession and having the worst average drop in the S&P 500 since Hoover.

Its time to wake up and think like Truman.

“If you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic!”