Political Quick Hits: December 16th Edition

Here’s your weekly quick look at few developing stories in the political arena:

• The House of Representatives passed a Republican payroll tax plan on Tuesday that would extend the payroll tax cut and speed the process for government approval of the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The plan now goes to the Senate where it is unlikely to pass, due to strong Democratic opposition. President Obama also said he would veto the bill should it arrive on his desk.  President Obama has said that Congress must not go home for the holidays without extending the payroll tax cut, something that saves a working American an average of $1,000 a year. Yesterday, the White House and Congress were reported to be discussing ways to resolve their differences over the payroll tax cut, which is set to expire at the end of the year. (CNN)

The Iraq War is over and unemployment is down…

Posted by:

Justin Burkhardt

Youth Unemployment in D.C. Higher than National Rate

With the dramatic shift in the economy in the past few years, we are starting to notice that the youth of America are suffering as well. More surprisingly, youth in areas surrounded by businesses are finding it incredibly hard to find stable jobs.

From The Washington Post:

“Nearly one in three low-income young adults without a four-year college degree in the District was unemployed and not in school in 2009, far higher than the national rate, according to a report released Wednesday by the Brookings Institution.

Using census data, the report examined 28,000 low-income 16-to-24-year-olds in Washington who had not earned a bachelor’s degree. Of those, nearly 9,000 were unemployed and not in school.”

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

Terin

13 Banks Accused of Overcharging Military Veterans

Over the years, America’s relationship between mortgages and banks has been quite rocky. Well, the saga continues.

According to the Huffington Post:

“A new lawsuit claims that 13 banks and mortgage companies — including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan and PNC Bank — charged hidden, illegal fees to military veterans trying to refinance their homes.”

As a member of one of these banks, I am ashamed to hear this news. To think that a company would take advantage of a veteran – who won’t they take advantage of? It makes me think of what other unnecessary fees may they be charging, and to whom. Between hearing this and the $5 debit charge for Bank of America members, it only confirms the fact that banks can be greedy and deceptive.

… Continue Reading

Posted by:

April

[VIDEO] NSFW: Immortal Technique Stops by #OccupyWallStreet

Is he speaking the truth or capitalizing on a moment for publicity?

Posted by:

The Editor

What The America Jobs Act Means for Young People

A friend of mine recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin. We  were having a conversation about the 14 job interviews that he has been on in the past two months. That doesn’t even include the hundreds of job applications that he has filled out without any response. On September 8, we both watched as President Obama addressed the nation and introduced The American Jobs Act.

Recently, the League was invited to listen and ask questions of the White House on exactly what the American Jobs Act means for young people.

Here are some of the highlights from the conversations and the Act itself…

Posted by:

CJ