Who's to Blame for America's Massive Debt?

Long bipartisan history of infringing on rights of Americans

(NEWSER) - Those who blame the current administration for assaults on US constitutional freedoms should take a longer view, writes Alexander Cockburn in the American Conservative. “No doubt the conservatives who cheered Bush on as he abrogated ancient rights and stretched the powers of his office to unseen limits would have shrieked if a Democrat had taken such liberties,” but Bush’s actions are “acute symptoms of a chronic disease.” More»

US increasing spending on HIV treatment by $50 million

(NEWSER) - President Obama marked World AIDS Day with a promise of more money and increased attention both in the US and abroad, reports AP :

• The US will increase spending on HIV treatment within its own borders by $50 million.
• He promised to help 6 million people in hard-hit countries get access to proper medicine by 2014, raising the original goal by 2 million.
• The US also aims to help get drugs to 1.5 million pregnant women who are HIV-positive, to distribute 1 billion condoms in the developing world over the next two years, and to pay for 4.7 million male circumcisions in Africa.

Deficit commission, tax cut deal set course for disaster

(NEWSER) - President Obama already caved on tax cuts, and next up is Social Security, writes Robert Kuttner on the Huffington Post . The tax cut deal will increase the deficit by some $900 billion—offering more leverage to deficit hawks and “adding to the artificial hysteria that Social Security is going broke.” And Obama’s deficit commission is already calling for raising the retirement age, creating the “blueprint” for disaster. More»

... And he seemed to enjoy his place back at the podium

(NEWSER) - President Obama got a strong show of support for his tax deal today from Bill Clinton, a move that could help sway recalcitrant Democrats, reports the Washington Post . The two men had a private meeting, then emerged to meet the press in an unusual way: Obama turned over the podium to Clinton and left for a Christmas party. "You're in good hands," he told reporters. Clinton seemed to revel in it, speaking for 25 minutes and repeatedly taking questions even after Robert Gibbs would call for the last one. More»

President tacks on jobless benefits, 1-year Social Security tax reduction

(AP) - Brushing past Democratic opposition, President Obama tonight announced agreement with Republicans to extend expiring tax cuts for all Americans, renew jobless benefits, and grant a one-year reduction in Social Security taxes for millions. The agreement also includes tax breaks for businesses that the president said would contribute to the economy's recovery. "Make no mistake, allowing taxes to go up on all Americans would have raised taxes by $3,000 for a typical American family and that could cost our economy well over a million jobs," Obama said. More»