Deregulation = jobs: A memo obtained by ShortFormBlog contains details of an upcoming Republican effort to push massive deregulatory legislation through the House of Representatives, in hopes of unshackling “costly bureaucratic handcuffs” faced by businesses. The letter, sent today by Eric Cantor to the House Republican caucus, details the “Top 10 Job-Destroying Regulations,” and how Republicans plan to address them. “By pursuing a steady repeal of job-destroying regulations,” Cantor wrote, “we can help lift the cloud of uncertainty hanging over small and large employers alike, empowering them to hire more workers.” Some key proposals:
» In keeping with Republican orthodoxy, Cantor also proposes to two tax cuts (one for government contractors, another for small businesses), and the repeal of unspecified provisions of the Affordable Care Act. What do you all think of Cantor’s plan? Read the whole thing at the link. (AP Photo)
It’s not that we’re trying to make kids fat — clearly we’re not; it’s about how much government intrusion is really necessary.Arizona Restaurant Association president Steve Chucri • Using the small-government argument to fight for one of his group’s major interests: Keeping Happy Meals unregulated. The group helped push forth an Arizona law that bars local governments from doing what San Francisco did — that is, forcing fast-food places to sell healthier food with their toy-laden meals. Yale’s Kelly Brownell, who leads the university’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, offers a pretty good explanation why the food industry is fighting so hard against the policy: ”The companies are fearful these laws will impede their opportunity to recruit new customers,” he notes. source (via • follow)
CHARLES FERGUSON (Inside Job writer/director) : Are you comfortable with the fact that several of your member companies have engaged in large-scale criminal activity? SCOTT TALBOTT (Chief lobbyist, Financial Services Roundtable): You’ll have to be specific.—
I’ve seen this documentary three or four times now, and every time, this exchange sticks with me for days.
Watched this movie for the first time while hovering over Quebec during the middle of a nine-hour flight. (OK, OK. Maybe it was Newfoundland — wasn’t really keeping track.) It’s sobering. Perhaps the most sobering part is something clear to people who have been watching the current administration but the film painstakingly makes clear — most of Obama’s financial appointees are the same people who the film says caused the current financial crisis. Especially Larry Summers. Which is funny because just before this I watched “The Social Network” and immensely appreciated the scene where Summers put the Winklevi in their place. Was so conflicted at the end of that flight.
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