Don’t petition the White House, Use Change.org

Nov 18, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

Secessionists. I first want to say thank you for finally learning something from history. The last time so many desired to rid themselves of a tyrannical president they declared war on the Union. Thus, your use of a peaceful means through petitions on the White House’s site is commendable. Furthermore, each state now finds themselves represented by a petition and signatures from people possibly wanting to secede from the United States. Texas leads the way with more than 100,000 people asking the White House to address the issue. This is the same state governed by Rick Perry who drummed up his base of supporters with calls for seceding prior to his Republican bid for President. The irony seemed lost on him. Governor Perry is obviously not a viable option to lead the cause. He hardly put up a fight against a weak group seeking his party’s nomination. I also question...

The Country Moved to the Left Last Night

Nov 7, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

The whole campaign season did not just depend upon the presidential race that finally came to an end last night. Yes, the country voted clearly to give Barack Obama another four years in the White House. He received more than 50 percent of the vote and won handily in the electoral college. Yet, it is what happened down the ballot that shows the nation’s move toward progressive values. It appears that Democrats will pick up a couple seats in the lower chamber but the real change happened on the senatorial level. Voters said no way to Republicans Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock after they attempted to scapegoat women and downplay the trauma of rape and sexual abuse. Furthermore, women won in Massachusetts, North Dakota, Hawaii, and Wisconsin for their first terms. All four of them will be more progressive legislators than their predecessors. In Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin will be the...

Republicans, Rape, Life, and Control of Women

Oct 24, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

During last night’s Indiana Senate debate the Republican candidate, Richard Mourdock, did more than stick his foot in his mouth. I believe life begins at conception. The only exception I have for to have an abortion is in the case of the life of the mother. I struggled with myself for a long time but I came to realize life is that gift from God, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape. It is something that God intended to happen. Mourdock joined a club made exclusively of Republicans but a club that seems to be growing as the November election nears. Illinois Congressman Joe Walsh made a reprehensible comment about exceptions for the life of the mother following his debate. “There is no such exception. With modern technology and science, you can’t find one instance.” Complete crap as this woman explains. Of course who can forget Missouri...

Citizens Tax Enforcers Hit Up Exelon, Owe Nearly $1 Billion

Apr 4, 2012 Aaron Krager No Comments

Concerned citizens and progressive activists from Stand Up! Chicago launched a task force called the “99% Citizen Tax Enforcers” earlier this week with the goal of presenting tax bills to the richest corporations in America. The tax enforcers made their debut outside of the Exelon Plaza in the Chicago Loop on Monday donning black suits, sunglasses, and briefcases. They poured out of a van to deliver Exelon’s tax bill as board members of the quarter-trillion dollar company met upstairs.

“We’re here to deliver a fair ‘tax bill’ to [CEO] John Rowe and Exelon,” said one enforcer. “It shows that Exelon owes the 99% $895 million in taxes.”

Protesters also gathered outside chanting “pay your fair share” and hoisting an eight-foot tall puppet of CEO John Rowe.

“We’re here because we’re two weeks from tax day, when we will all pay our fair share of taxes,” said protester John Hayes. “Exelon made $2.5 billion in profits in 2010 and didn’t pay a dime in taxes. In fact, they got a refund of over 914 million of our tax dollars.”

Security officers stopped the tax enforcers as they tried to enter the building and deliver their bill standing about three and half feet tall. One of them grabbed the bill and crumpled it up.

“That’s one way to crunch the numbers in favor of the 1%,” said Hayes according to a press release. “But however you do the math, the fact is that Exelon doesn’t pay their fair share of taxes. And it’s time that they did, so working families don’t have to suffer for their greed.”

Stand Up! Chicago cites a report from the Citizens for Tax Justice showing Exelon paid no taxes in 2010. Instead they received a tax refund of nearly $1 billion. The group further analyzed those numbers and believes it cost Illinois $38 million in 2010.