The 14th Amendment: Conservatives new biggest enemy (VIDEO)

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Huffington Post: 14th Amendment -- Democratic senators see debt ceiling as unconstitutional

As Republicans continue to press the issue of not raising the debt ceiling, Democrats are looking at other options to prevent default.  Defaulting on our obligations could cause a global calamity and would severely hurt America’s AAA credit rating…a rating imperative to the world’s economy, as the U.S. Dollar is the international standard.

Their new solution?  Informing Republican’s that the debt ceiling itself is unconstitutional.

PfP News: Port Authority fares, services, and employment remain the same through austere times, next year not looking good

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TPN: Port Authority will not cut services, increase fares until 2012

Riders and employees of the Port Authority’s mass transit system can rejoice as the Authority released their budgets for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012, maintaining staffing, service, and fares at current levels.

The operating budget is set at $370.2 million beginning July 1.  The budget preserves fares and staffing levels through June 30, 2012.

But after scratching through the surface of the superficial rejoicing, lays ugly deficits awaiting FY 2013.

Conservative priorities: Republicans walk-out, state level governments, and more (VIDEO)

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The Maddow Blog

Rachel Maddow had a great segment on last night detailing the priorities of the Republican Party.  I would just like to highlight a few of these points for everyone; the entire segment can be viewed after the break.

New Jersey bill that would cost some middle class families over $6,000 a year expected to be signed into law Monday by Gov. Christie

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Huffpo: New Jersey union bill approved by state assemble, expected to be signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie

The middle class is under attack again from newly elected officials…No, not Wisconsin.  Florida?  Nope.  New Hampshire?  Still no.  Well it’s gotta be Michigan then.  Not this time. 

Ok, ok; I can go on and on with this game, but I digress.

This time it is in NJ where a new bill that just passed the state assembly will be signed into law, probably Monday, by newly elected governor Chris Christie.

The bill, named the New Jersey Pension and Benefits Bill (sounds kind of nice, no?), would require public workers to pay even more into their pensions and health benefits and would eliminate collective bargaining for those benefits.

He must need more tax money to pay for his helicopter and 100 yard limo rides to his son’s baseball games.

(VIDEO) Robert Reich explains the economy and why the recovery is slow in two minutes

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Examiner.com: Robert Reich explains income inequality and the economy in two minutes

Below is an important video I encourage everyone to watch…conservatives and liberals alike.  This short, two-minute video contains an analysis of the economy and why the recovery has been so weak.   It was made by world-renowned economist Robert Reich, who has served three presidents, including serving as President Bill Clinton’s Secretary of Labor.  He is currently the Chancellor’s Professor of Public Policy at the Goldman School of Public Policy at the University of California, Berkeley.

Analysis after the break...

Countdown 2.0: Recap of episode 1

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Current TV: Countdown with Keith Olbermann

I have to say, it was a great show by Keith Olbermann to kick of Countdown 2.0.  I would like to see Current TV offer an HD version of the program, but it could just be my provider, DirecTV.   He had a lot of the old favorites like “Worst Persons in the World” and some new ones as well.

USA Today: Keith Olbermann restarts the clock on 'Countdown'

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USA Today: Keith Olbermann restarts the clock on 'Countdown'

Countdown 2.0 begins tonight on Current TV at 8 pm; do not miss this one!  I am sure a lot of you have been jonesin' for some Keith, as have I.

There is a great interview over at USA Today; I encourage everyone to take a look at it.

USA Today

 One of Olbermann's central missions on his new platform will be to spotlight what he sees as the corrupting influence of anonymous corporate political donations, permitted by the Supreme Court's 2010 Citizens United decision. "This is a change in the universal solvent: Money can be applied in a thousand different ways that, while not illegal, are clearly immoral to a political campaign."

I'll be sure to have a recap of tonight's episode, so check back later on in the PM.