Obama Fights Republicans On Tax Subsidies For Oil Companies

President Obama wants to end tax subsidies for the oil industry but is getting pushback from Republicans who want to blame the president for high gas prices.

“When oil companies are making huge profits and you’re struggling at the pump, and we’re scouring the federal budget for spending we can afford to do without, these tax giveaways aren’t right,” Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address. “They aren’t smart. And we need to end them.”

Oil companies posted sharply higher first-quarter earnings this week with oil prices above $100 a barrel on unrest in the Middle East and …

Want Gas Prices Curbed? Get Dodd-Frank Implemented

Agencies are working diligently to get rulemakings finished to comply with the Dodd-Frank Act. And that is what will lead to curbing gas prices, explains Reuters, as it will but the breaks on speculators.

Petrochemical companies, banks, Wall Street and hedge fund speculators, though, don’t want to see real policing of this financial reform law to go into effect. They make billions with the status quo — at your expense.

In a classic red-herring tactic, House Republicans blame the federal budget deficit, EPA regulations and President Obama for high gas pump prices. Who’s really to blame? Let’s follow the …

Arizona Gov. Brewer Using Tax Dollars To Promote And Raise Money For Tea Party

Governor Jan Brewer of Arizona signed a bill authorizing license plates promoting the tea party that promote donations for the movement.

Brewer, a Republican, acted on the license plate bills late Thursday without commenting. Spokesman Matt Benson declined to make any immediate comment Friday.

The tea party plate would feature the “Don’t Tread On Me” slogan, rattlesnake emblem and yellow background of the historic Gadsden flag, which the movement has adopted.

Opponents say the tag inappropriately promotes a specific political movement. Supporters say it is meant to stand up for constitutional principles.

Proceeds from these plates would be generated to …

Texas House Committee Approves Tax Breaks For Yachts

The Texas House Ways and Means Committee approved a tax break for those who buy yachts costing $250,000 or more.

In a vote late Thursday, the committee approved a bill by Houston Republican Rep. John Davis. The proposed law would cap the maximum sales tax the state would collect on the sale of a personal boat.

Davis says the measure is needed because Florida has a similar law and boat buyers are going there to make their purchases. The measure passed on an 8-3 vote along party lines.

It next goes to the full House.…

GOP Rep. Abruptly Ends Town Hall After Questions About Tax Cuts For The Rich

Congressman Rick Crawford of Arkansas, like some of his fellow Republicans, are facing tough questions at town hall meetings. In Crawford’s case, when it heated up, he left the kitchen.  After heated questions about why services are being cut while corporations and the wealthy are off the hook for taxes, Crawford responded by declaring, “We’re done!” (via Think Progress)

CONSTITUENT 1: [The GOP budget ] is a significant tax cut for the wealthy.

CRAWFORD: A 10 percent tax cut?

CONSTITUENT 2: Wouldn’t that be class warfare against the poor people?

CRAWFORD: Well, you’re asking me …

Extreme Weather Underscores How Man Is Ruining The Earth

Brad Johnson at Think Progress makes the great point that tragedies such as flooding, tornadoes should be reminders that man meddling with nature by drilling for oil and burning coal  is ruining the earth. Scientist have been warning us about this destruction for years and we are ignoring them with disastrous results.

Climate scientist Kevin Trenberth of the National Center for Atmospheric Research (pictured), in an email exchange with Think Progress, expanded on this premise.

It is irresponsible not to mention climate change. … The environment in which all of these storms and the tornadoes are occurring has changed from …

After Complaining About Too Much Government, Texas Governor Perry Upset Feds Don’t Do Enough For Him

Texas Governor Rick Perry, who has continually railed against the federal government intervening in his state, is now railing against President Obama for not intervening in his state.  Perry, who balanced his budget thanks to the stimulus plan, is now whining that the federal government needs to do more.  Perry made a tax day video urging people to support the anti-government tea partiers.  Now he is begging for more federal attention because of wildfires, upset that the president focused his attention on Alabama.

“When you turn on the news channels and you see hundreds of thousands of Texas acres …

Governor Mitch Daniels Makes Indiana First State To Cut Off Planned Parenthood Funding

Could this be a signal that the Indiana governor is getting ready to declare a presidential run? By defunding Planned Parenthood he plays ball with the far right, as it’s already been demonstrated that tying Planned Parenthood to the abortion issues is a red herring.

“The principle involved commands the support of an overwhelming majority of Hoosiers,” Daniels said in a statement announcing his intention to sign the bill when it arrives on his desk in about a week.

Planned Parenthood of Indiana said in a statement it would file an injunction to “try to halt this alarming erosion of …

Republicans Risk Violating Constitution By Not Raising Debt Ceiling

The United States is constitutionally forbidden from defaulting on its debts. Garrett Epps notes that the president could get up in front of the country to remind Americans, and Republicans, of that. Here’s what he could say:

I take this action to fulfill the oath I took as president of the United States. The Constitution explicitly requires me, under my duty to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” to meet and pay all debts of the United States.

This requirement is absolute. It is contained in Section Four of the Fourteenth Amendment, which directs, in no uncertain terms, …

On Friday’s Radio Show…

• “Listen you motherf***ers”: Alan shares his thoughts on Donald Trump’s latest less-than-presidential statements.

• Jason Torpy of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers tells Alan why he wants the Armed Forces to have atheist chaplains.

• It’s the Friday Night Free-For-All!…

Oklahoma’s Sally Kern Apologizes For Saying Blacks Don’t Work Hard

Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern apologized on the Oklahoma House floor for saying blacks don’t study as hard and work as hard as whites. The NAACP had called for her resignation, but she will not face discipline.

“I want to humbly apologize for my statements last night about African Americans and women,” she said. “I believe that our government should not provide preference based on race or gender. I misspoke while trying to convey this point last night during debate.

“Women are some of the hardest workers in the world. My husband is a pastor of a diverse, inner-city …