Other News to Peruse

Other News to Peruse

Here's a collection of net-accessible resources and studies - some on general statistical data, others with much more specific topics - that can be used for many different purposes.

Voting Law Changes in 2012

"Ahead of the 2012 elections, a wave of legislation tightening restrictions on voting has suddenly swept across the country. More than five million Americans could be affected by the new rules already put in place this year -- a number larger than the margin of victory in two of the last three presidential elections."

Of course, this is occurring exclusively in states that have Republican majorities in their state congresses, and even though the odds of voter fraud are so slim that "one is more likely to be struck by lightning than to commit voter fraud."

Created by the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU's School of Law. You can use the link in the title of above to read it, or just click on the image below.

voting_law_changes_in_2012.pdf
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The Impact of the Recession on Employment-Based Health Benefits
The Case of Union Membership

Fronstin, P. (2011, July). Employee Benefit Research Institute. The Impact of the Recession on Employment-Based Health Benefits: The Case of Union Membership. Notes, 32:7 (7-14).

"UNION WORKERS HAVE MUCH HIGHER HEALTH COVERAGE: Union workers are much more likely to have employment-based health benefits than nonunion workers. In 2009, 80.4 percent of union workers were covered by health benefits through their own job, compared with 52.2 percent of nonunion workers. Overall, 91 percent of union workers had coverage either through their own job or as a dependent, while 70.6 percent of nonunion workers had any employment-based coverage. In 2009, 5.6 percent did not have any health insurance coverage. Among nonunion workers, 20.2 percent were uninsured in 2009.

UNION COVERAGE LESS AFFECTED BY RECESSION: Both union workers and nonunion workers were affected by the recession, but it affected nonunion workers more than union workers. Union workers covered through their own job fell from 82 percent to 80.4 percent between 2007 and 2009, a 2 percent decline. In contrast, the percentage of nonunion workers with coverage through their own job fell from 55.9 percent to 52.2 percent, a 6.5 percent decline. Overall, the percentage of union workers with any employment-based coverage fell from 93.4 percent to 91 percent (a 2.6 percent decline), while among nonunion workers it fell from 74.3 percent to 70.6 percent (a 5 percent decline)."

Senior Hunger Report
The Human Toll and Budget Consequences

According to Sen. Barry Sander's report, about 5 million American senior citizens are threatened by hunger. Addressing this circumstance effectively, and by meeting individual needs of these citizens, would save considerably in spending in the long run. The GOP is trying to dramatically cut from what benefits these seniors have, though - and even though it will wind up costing much more in the long run.

The GOP's Favorite Hate Monger
How the Republican Party came to embrace Bryan Fischer

Bryan Fischer - radio talk show host; American Family Association spokesman; bigot. How the GOP seems to use Fischer to promote hate-speech and fearism on their behalf.

Voting System Scorecard
Are States Serving the Rising Electorate?

Rock the Vote's assessment of voting rights and accessibility on a state-by-state basis.

Barton's Bunk
Religious Right 'Historian' Hits the Big Time in Tea Party America

The claims of self-described 'historian' David Barton may be proven false time and time again, but he's still showing influence on one sector of the population - Tea Party supporters. Another example how some folks are pushing pro-corporate policies upon government (through voters, of course) by disguising them as religious tenets and moral decisions.

The Koch Brothers
What You Need to Know About the Financiers of the Radical Right

The Center for American Progress Action Fund just recently released this report on Charles and David Koch, who have privately funded actions to defeat global warming, labor rights, Wall Street reform, healthcare reform and Internet neutrality, and who already pledged $88 million to the 2012 elections. Of course, the Koch Brothers are also known to partake in the current labor squabble in Wisconsin, too.

The Uninsured: A Primer
Key Facts About Americans Without Health Insurance

Lack of health insurance has continuously grown in U.S. over the last decade, but much more so in the last year due to high unemployment and recession. This not only affects those without insurance, but also affects everyone else due to increased health risks in communities and even increased costs to compensate the unpaid medical bills of the uninsured, too. A "public option" format of health insurance would compensate for the lack of coverage and its created problems, and even for a lesser cost to everyone.

Misinformation and the 2010 Election

A Study of the US Electorate
A study performed immediately after the November 2010 General Elections shows that most voters are greatly misinformed by media and/or believe that media and other sources are attempting to deliberately mislead them.

Independents Take Center Stage in Obama Era
Trends in Political Values and Core Attitudes: 1987-2009

Detailed 12-year study on development of "centrism" within the voting public. If you'd like to download the entire report, try this link.

Total Active Recovery Projects

When the US map appears, click on a chosen state, and then select particular counties in that state to see what Recovery Act funding has been used near you.

Doing What Works
Building a Government That Delivers Greater Value and Results to the American People

"Opinion research shows the public does not believe government is capable of executing its responsibilities efficiently and effectively. As a result, a government makeover would deliver more than policy results; it also promises to restore public confidence in government’s basic competence."

Statistical Abstract

Pretty much every bit of statistical data you'd ever thought you could find from one source.

Religion and Politics in the United States: Nuances you should know

Just a brief summary, and might be a few years old, too, but still very interesting and insightful. "Depending on how the question is asked, some 25-45 percent of the population report that they see themselves as either Born-Again Christians, or, in the broadest sense of the word, Christian 'Evangelicals.' What does this mean? Why is it important? How do these people influence elections and politics?"