Portside

FISA, unemployment, US-EU trade pact, food stamps, treason?

We want to save Social Security

Two million workers nationwide who are employed by private businesses contracted with the government struggle to make ends meet.

“Although this showdown is likely still several months away, we must remain vigilant against any proposed cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid. We will not allow far right politicians to hold our vital benefit programs hostage to their irresponsible threat to shut down the government.”

A political solution must be found.

In Richmond, California, home prices plummeted 58 percent since their peak. Now the city is trying out a new way to help homeowners refinance—and halt the slide into foreclosure.

The sequester means that most federal budgets must be reduced by as much as five percent. Housing is taking a huge hit. I’ve been stewing about it for days now. I want to ask the important people in Washington – starting with the one in the White House – how could they let something like this happen? How, in the richest, most powerful country on the planet, could they visit such cruelty on people?