The Ultimate Liberal Fact Sheet and Debate Aide - Pt. 1

JOBS

Barack Obama Created More Jobs in 2010 Than Bush Did in His Entire Presidency

Bill Clinton Raised Taxes on the Rich and Created 23 Million Jobs

George W. Bush Cut the Tax Rate for the Rich and Created Only 3 Million Jobs

Jimmy Carter Created 7.5 Million More Jobs Than George W. Bush

Bill Clinton Created 7.1 Million More Jobs Than Ronald Reagan

Tax cuts for the Rich Do Not Create Jobs

Spending Cuts Do Not Create Jobs

Consumer Demand Creates Jobs

The Federal Government Does Create Jobs, Over 2 Million to Be Exact

Government Does Create Private Sector Jobs

More Private Sector Jobs Were Created Than Government Jobs So Far in 2011

The Financial Crisis Started in 2008 Under Bush, Not Obama

The Recession Started in 2007 Under Bush, Not Obama

Obama Did Not Make the Recession Worse, it Ended in 2009

Republicans Support the Outsourcing of American Jobs

Republicans Voted to Repeal the Minimum Wage

Many Republicans Support Repealing Child Labor Laws

Many Corporations Lay Off Thousands of Employees in Times of Record Profits

The House GOP has Created 0 Jobs and Voted to Kill Over 1.9 Million Jobs Since Winning Control of the House in 2010 on the Promise of Job Creation

The Average Income Growth Rate is Much Higher Under Democrats Than Republicans

Over the Past 60 Years, Democratic Presidents Have Created More Jobs Than Republican Presidents


DEFICIT

President Eisenhower was the Last Republican President to Balance the Budget and/or Create a Surplus.

Ronald Reagan Tripled the National Deficit

Bill Clinton was the Last Democratic President to Balance the Budget and/or Create a Balanced Budget

Bill Clinton Created the Largest Budget Surplus in American History

The Republican Congress in the 90's was Not Responsible for the Budget Surplus in the Mid/Late 90's. Clinton's Deficit Reduction Bills that were Passed Before Republicans Took Congress and Clinton's Tax Reforms were Main Reasons. The Deficit was Decreasing Before Republicans Took Control of COngress.

Bush Inherited a $286 Billion Surplus and Left Office with a $1.2 Trillion Deficit

Tax Cuts Add to Our National Deficit

Since 2001, War has Added Over $1.2 Trillion to Our National Deficit


TAXES

Under Obama, Taxes are Currently at the Lowest Levels in 60 Years

The Stimulus Bill Contained the Largest Tax Cut in American History

Ronald Reagan Raised Taxes 11 Times

Unemployment Soared After Ronald Reagan's 1981 Tax Cuts for the Rich

The bottom 50% DO Pay Taxes, They Pay Payroll Taxes, The Rich Do Not. The Rich Pay Income Taxes.

When You Look At Taxation Based On Income and Percentage, the Bottom 50% Pay More in Taxes of Their Income Than the Rich

The Bottom 50% Also Pay Sales and Property Taxes

The Rich Paid 90% in Taxes During WWII and Throughout the 50's. They Were Still Rich.

Ronald Reagan Cut Taxes for the Top 1% in Half over 8 Years

The US has the Largest Income Gap in the World

The Richest 400 Americans Have More wealth Than Half of All Americans Combined

Less Than 1% of Americans Make $1 Million or More a Year

Most Corporations Pay No Taxes at All

Closing Tax Loopholes is Not New Taxes or Taxation

Raising Taxes Creates Jobs and Increases Revenue

Over 1,400 Millionaires Paid No Taxes in 2009

Your Taxes are Used to Build and Maintain Our Entire Civilization


SPENDING

Republicans Spend More Than Democrats when in Office

The States That Cut the Most Spending, Lost the Most Jobs

The US military and Defense is Americas Biggest Expenditure

If the Government Did Not Spend, the Country Would Shut Down (Do I Need a Link for This, or Does Common Sense Pretty Much Cover it?)

Bush Signed TARP Into Law, Not Obama


SOCIAL SECURITY

Those Making Over $106,800 a Year Do Not Pay Social Security Taxes

Social Security Does Not Add One Cent to the Deficit

Social Security Currently Has a $2.6 Trillion Surplus

Social Security is Solvent Until 2037

Ronald Reagan Expanded Social Security by Raising Taxes

Social Security Benefits Represent About 41% of Income for the Elderly

In 1940, the Life Expectancy of a 65 Year Old was Almost 14 Years, Today It's Almost 20 Years

9 Out Of 10 Seniors Over 65 Receive Social Security Benefits

Social Security Covers Over 8 Million Disabled Americans


HEALTH CARE

50 Million Americans Do Not Have Health Insurance or Coverage

Americans Pay More for Healthcare Than Any Other Country

Medical Bills are the #1 Cause of Bankruptcy in America

America is Ranked #37 in Health Care Worldwide by the World Health Organization

America is One of the Only Nations That Does Not have Guaranteed Health Care for It's Citizens

45,000 Americans Die Every Year from Lack of Quality Health Care

Single Payer Health Care Would Save Businesses Millions by Not Having to Provide Their Employees with Health Care

Insurance Companies Deny Paying Customers Care in Times of Record Profit

Insurance companies Spent More Than $2.5 Million a Month Fighting Heath Care Reform (This could have bought a lot of health care for their clients they denied care to because they claimed they couldn't afford it)

Americans Pay More for Prescription Drugs Than Any Other Country

Canada Made the Man Who Founded Their Universal Healthcare System a National Hero

The Majority of Citizens in Countries That Have a Universal Health Care System Like It

Health Care Reform Reduces the Deficit by $1.3 Trillion Over 20 Years

Health care reform cut waste from medicare, not service. This made medicare more solvent by 12 Years and reduced drug costs for half a million seniors

health Care Reform will Cover Over 34 Million Uninsured Americans

Members of Congress Have Taxpayer-Funded, Government-Subsidized Health Care.

Medicare, Medicaid, and the VA are Forms of Government Health Care

Government Health Care is More Efficient and More Cost Effective than Private Health Care

No Government Funding is Used for Abortion

Health Care Reform Does Not Cover Illegal Immigrants

Health Care Reform Does Not Create 'Death Panels'

Private Insurance Companies DO Have Death Panels


EDUCATION

Public Education Cuts Weaken Education, Schools and Resources for Students and Teachers

Public School Teachers Make an Average of $35,000 a Year

States That Allow Public Teacher's Unions Have Better National Test Scores Than States That Do Not.

More than 500,000 Students Have Defaulted on Their Student Loans Since 2008

7,000 Students Every Year Begin Their Adult Lives Over $100,000 in Debt Due to Student Loans

Private Schools are Too Expensive for Most American Families

Bush's 'No Child Left Behind' Education Plan was a Complete Failure and Hurt Public Education


MUSLIMS

Al-Queada and the Taliban Have Killed More Muslims Than Non-Muslims

Muslims were Killed in the 9/11 Attacks

There are 1.6 Billion Muslims Worldwide

Al-queada and the Taliban are Religious Extremists, Not Traditional Muslims

Islam is a Religion of Peace

There are 1,209 Mosques in the United States.

The US Constitution Guarantees the Right to Freedom of Religion


GUNS

In 1993, President Bill Clinton signed the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act that for the first time, required background checks to buy a gun. Since then, fire-arm related crime has plummeted dramatically. Proving rational gun control measures are effective.

Murderers such as Jared Lee Loughner ,despite being mentally ill and the Columbine killers , Despite being underage, were able to obtain guns in the US.

Al-Queada Leader Told Members in the US via Video to Buy Guns at Gun SHow to Avoid Background Checks and Then "Shoot People"

Gun Shows Have Found Loopholes That Allow Them to Sell Guns Without Performing a Background Check

America has More Gun Related Deaths Than Any Other Industrialized Nation


UNIONS

Unions Built the Middle-Class

Unionized Workers Have Higher Wages and Benefits

Unions Do Not Drain Business. Unions are Good for the Economy.

Labor Unions Improve Employee Turnover Rates, workplace Productivity, and Workplace Safety.

Between 1945-1973 unions were at their peak and more American workers belonged to unions. This period was one of economic growth, fair wages, and prosperity.

Union Members Fought and Many Died Fighting for Worker's Rights Like Weekends, Lunch Breaks, 40 hr Work Week, Sick Days, Minimum Wage, Benefits, etc.


THE ENVIRONMENT

40% of America's rivers and 46% of America's lakes are too polluted for fishing, swimming, or aquatic life

Every year, U.S. factories spew 3 million tons of toxic chemicals into the air, land, and water

Animals are Currently Becoming Extinct at the Fastest Rate in History

The Earth's Climate is Increasing

1980-2000 were the Hottest Decades in 400 Years

11 of the Past 13 Years have Seen the Warmest Temperatures Since 1850

The Arctic Region May See it's First Ice-Free Summer by 2040

In 1910, Montana's Glacier National Park had 150 Glaciers. Today it has 30

Based on reports from over 2,500 scientists from more than 130 countries concluded that humans caused most if not all over the planet's rise in climate


WELFARE / UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

The Average Welfare Payment is $500 a Month for a Family of Four

The Average Unemployment Payment is $300 a Week

More White People are on Welfare Than Black People

While collecting unemployment insurance, you must apply for jobs and prove you are seeking work to continue to receive benefits

Unemployment insurance, welfare, and food stamps help stabilize and resume demand in a down economy.

Those Who Receive Unemployment Insurance Pay Taxes on It


PART 2 COMING SOON..............

5 Ways Common People Can Compete with Corporate Cash

Corporate cash has flooded into our democracy and political system ever since Citizens United broke the levee.

Billion dollar corporations are using their monetary muscles to plaster your TV with smear ads about Democrats and make your $20 donations irrelevant and unable to compete with their infinitely deep pockets.

As a result, the GOP controls the house, governorship, and most statehouses across America.

Let's face facts...money talks... And in politics, it's heard loud and clear.

And now that they've got the power, they are going after any and every group that donates to Democrats in an attempt to weaken the Democratic Party through it's donors.

Most notably, they are waging a full on war against labor unions. I believe this is for two reasons. First being that unions bother their corporate donors with demands of worker's rights, better wages, benefits, and silly stuff like that. Second, unions are the top donors to the Democrats. In a country where money wins elections, bringing down labor unions means bringing down the Democratic Party.

This is nothing new, politics has always been a game of money and special interest, sometimes getting around to doing what the public asks.

The difference now is that republicans are tired of playing the game and are going in for the kill.

You and me don't have millions of dollars to compete with the corporations that aim to rule America because being rich and successful in it is just not enough, but this post isn't about that...

This post is about what we do have and how we can use it.

I don't know about you, but I still believe in the human soul and spirit. I realize that while money is power in our society, it is still just an object. Money is only powerful because of the meaning we put behind it.

Money can buy a lot of things, but it can't buy me and it can't buy you.

We as people have more power than money.

And here is how we prove it...

1) Make Your Own Political Ads

GOP groups use corporate cash to flood the airways with negative ads to smear Democrats in an attempt to sway voters. They spend millions to make sure the ad is ran in the area of interest all throughout the day.

You can do this as well for next to nothing.

Of course you can't afford to buy ad time on major networks, but that's okay... we have another tool. In fact, you're on it right now...

The Internet is one of the greatest ways to get a message out to millions of people. So why not make your own ads and advertise on the Internet?

Making and editing a video is simple. Many computers these days come with easy to use editing programs like like Imovie, etc. If not, you can find or download decent program for relatively cheap or even free.

You can even do this without filming with a camera. Most political ads are just edited footage and voice overs anyway. You can find footage of candidates, events, news clips, and debates all over the Internet. Just be creative and have fun!

Who cares if it looks a little raw or organic, people will understand and some will even like that style. Besides, message and substance is more important than quality.

Then post it to YouTube.com and/or other video sites and start advertising it on your twitter, facebook, etc.

And there you have it! You just made a political ad that has the potential to be seen by millions of people!

I know this may seem small compared to million dollar campaign ad buys, but many people are now famous from the Internet and many viral videos are now more famous than some TV shows. You have a chance of your video going viral and really making an impact.

Overall, I think most political ads are kind of lame, redundant, and boring anyway. I would love to see what everyday people can do with a little creativity. Make the ad you would want to see.

And even with all their money, they can't control the Internet....yet.

So make a video supporting your favorite candidate, issue, or cause!

If they are going to flood our TVs with their ads, we can flood the Internet with ours!


2) Not a Boycott... a Boycott Movement!

Corporations are giving republicans unlimited amounts of cash from their company profits.

One effective way to limit that is to stop giving money to the corporations that fund republicans. The less they make, the less they can give. Or God forbid they may even get the hint that their customers don't like what they are doing with the money they give them and stop... but don't hold your breath.

Boycotts don't work most of the time because they are never formed into a movement. People scream boycott all the time and then never do anything about it other than not supporting that business.

To effectively boycott, you must stop buying from that business and inform others on why they should join you and what better alternatives there are. Treat it like a political campaign. Advertise and build a case against your target.

Also, try and keep it to one target at a time. Keep it simple, stupid. One simple target to boycott. Too many will overwhelm and cause confusion. Stick with one and hammer on.

Along with this, "buycott" or support businesses that do support your causes.

Corporations make their money from you. You have more power over them than you think.


3) GOTV: Tap the Group No One Else Does, Non-Voters!

I know, this is standard protocol in any election.

But my point here is about improving on this.

The Democrats and their groups/orgs have some of the best ground game in the world. We destroy republicans in this department. However, due to the tidal wave of money, we have to step it up a notch or two.

Money cannot knock on doors and win over voters with information and charm.

Money cannot sit down with our friends, family, community, and talk about the issues that are important to us and get them interested and active.

Money cannot call voters and have a person to person conversation about why they should vote.

Money cannot walk into a voting booth and make a choice.

Only we can do these things.

It's our obligation to everything we stand for to get more people involved, expand our ground game, and win elections the good old fashioned way.

We must take our fight to main street and make our case to the people who are most harmed by conservative policy. We must also go beyond that. We need to go into the streets that have been forgotten. The places of economic and social ruin. The places most people are afraid to walk down at night yet never question why it is this way.

We must go to the places in our communities most harmed by republican policy and recruit for our cause to turn it around for good.

While making sure voters vote is greatly important, I feel we must also focus more on expansion through informing and turning on non-voters and the under informed.

Too many American aren't interested in politics and don't care. Even though politics effects their lives and sometimes for the worst, they feel there is nothing they can do about it and don't bother. Republicans thrive and even win on this apathy.

Without being preachy or pushy, we must try to turn on those who feel this way and do not vote. We must make a case to them on how politics effects their lives and that they can do something about it.

The more registered and informed voters, the higher the turnout.

This is why republicans fight hard to suppress the poor and disenfranchised from voting. This is why we must make sure they vote.


4) Don't Just Write Your Congressmen, Write the Corporations That Own Them!

Many people write their congressmen to express their thoughts and concerns about issues or their performance. Rarely do people ever write the corporation that funds their congressmen.

The truth is, you as taxpayers pay your congressmen only so much money a year. Corporations give them much more than you do to enact policy to fit their needs, not yours. Sadly, the corporation's needs and wants are heard over yours because they gave your congressman ten times more than you do.

As they say, money talks.

We can change this by electing congressman that will actually serve the public interest and cannot be bought, but until then, we can call and email the corporations that bought our congressmen. Since they want to have such a big hat in our political system, they can deal with hearing our concerns as well.

We can tell them that as customers, we don't like what they are doing with the profits they made from us and we will be happy to take our business elsewhere if they don't stop.

You know what they say, the customer is always right!

Might as well cut out the middle man.

Since the whores in congress listen to their pimps over us, we'll just take it up with the pimps.If they want to buy our democracy, they are going to have to listen to us bitch and complain.


5) Run for Office: If You Want Something Done Right, Sometimes You Have to Do it Yourself!

I mean... why not?

So you didn't go to a great school. So you don't have the best track record on Earth. So you don't own any nice suits.

Screw it! If you think you have what it takes, run for office! The worst thing that can happen is you'll lose.

This may seem bold, but hear me out...

You don't have to run for president, senator, or even congressman. Start small. Run for your local city council, run for mayor, country clerk, treasurer, etc.

At this time, people in general are tired and fed up with politicians. Maybe it's time that people who are not politicians run for office. Most politicians try to run as your next door neighbor or the common man candidate. Maybe your next door neighbor should just run?

Most people who have aspirations or dreams of running for office and have great ideas never do because they feel that you must have a perfect track record, have gone to Harvard or Yale, and have lots of money to run for office. So they feel intimidated and never attempt it. While these things do help, I see a clear advantage to not having this.

While your opponent is going out of their way to convince their constituents that they are just like them despite being a millionaire and that they can relate to their problems despite having none of them, you are the real deal.

You can tell your constituents that you have trouble paying your bills, just like them.

That you work everyday for a paycheck, just like them.

That you buy gas everyday and pay house payments, just like them.

That you know what it's like to go without health care and without a job, just like them.

Call me a dreamer, but I think this message and real people running for office would be welcomed with open arms in a country that is growing more skeptical and frustrated with Washington every day.

One of the best ways to stop the corporate takeover of our democracy is to elect people who still have principle and morals that cannot be bought. If that's you, you should step up. You'll only live once.

Besides, we are more effective working on the inside than protesting on the outside.


These are just a few effective ways we can fight back.

It's ironic that the Supreme Court ruling that allowed unlimited corporate cash into our democracy is called "Citizens United" because that's exactly how we will beat them... the citizens will unite.