pkarnig’s posthaven

“Unfortunately, in an era of global competition, the current state of education in Brazil means it is likely to fall behind other developing economies in the search for new investment and economic growth opportunities,” the World Bank concluded in a 2008 report.

Over the past decade, Brazil’s students have scored among the lowest of any country’s students taking international exams for basic skills like reading, mathematics and science, trailing fellow Latin American nations like Chile, Uruguay and Mexico.

We the people need to DEMAND that our congressmen pass legislation that will spur innovation in education. Without this, we will are on the same downward spiral as Brazil. It's not too late but we have to act now.

WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress are poised to play a leading role this month in thwarting their party's effort to raise income tax rates on the wealthy.

Tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 expire at the end of this year. President Barack Obama and Democratic congressional leaders have been eager to extend the breaks for individuals who earn less than $200,000 annually and joint filers who make less than $250,000. Those who earn more would pay higher, pre-2001 rates starting next year.

Now several Democratic congressman like Sen. Evan Bayh of Ind. and Gerald Connolly of Va. both are considering joining forces with the GOP on this. Don't let it happen. Hold them accountable. And, if they do vote republican don't reelect them. We need families making more than $250,000 per year to help their less fortunate neighbors and pay a bit more in taxes so that we can get the economy back on track.

Bank profits jumped 21 percent last quarter to nearly $22 billion, the highest level in three years, as banks put away less money to cover future losses, fewer borrowers fell behind on payments and lenders paid the least for their funds in perhaps 50 years, a government report released Tuesday shows.

Lending also dropped by about $96 billion, or 1.3 percent, as borrowers continue to remain skittish about the "slow recovery," Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Chairman Sheila Bair told reporters Tuesday in Washington. "Consumers and businesses need to have confidence in the recovery before they will start making decisions on credit," Bair said, according to a transcript of her remarks.

The banks make record profits, and the people that paid for their recovery and bailout still can not get loans or help with their lives. How is this right? I say: People Stand up. Tell the people you voted for in congress that you want change. We have to have real finance reform. We have to have real healthcare reform. Obama may have tried but it is not nearly enough. He has to stand up to big business and raise taxes to pay for the services citizens need and he has to change the way campaigns are financed. This is the root of all the evil in our political system today. Take the power away from the lobbyists.