President Obama is holding a press conference in moments, amid signs that his deal with Republicans on the Bush tax cuts is falling apart. Joe Biden visited the Hill to try and save the policy, but Democrats and allies from across the political spectrum are opposed. Mary Landrieu, of all people, called the deal “almost morally corrupt” and termed it “the Obama-McConnell plan.” The Congressional Progressive Caucus want a “no strings attached” policy with UI and the tax cuts on the first $250,000 of income extended.

I’m so looking forward to hearing Republicans and Teahadists and Blue Dogs rail against adding nearly a trillion dollars to the national debt, which as we all know is the greatest threat facing the country and is immoral and makes us like Greece and will lead to Hitler just like it did in Germany or something.

I was on the PBS News Hour with Jim Kessler of Third Way last night, during which Kessler said the NAFTA-like South Korean free trade agreement was a great deal for the U.S. Of course he thinks KORUS is good for the US. What’s he going to say, the banks that fund his organization are tickled pink the US government won’t be able to pass “too big to fail” laws, or ban risky financial products and services?

The crackdown on WikiLeaks — which puts our counterterrorism efforts to shame — is a response to the scope of this latest leak. Sure, it’s an attempt to prevent the next leak, on Bank of America.

But just as much, it’s about creating the excuse they need — the government and the legacy media protecting their turf — to undercut the power of the Internet.

The tax cut issue is crucial from the standpoint of politics, but in the real world, the biggest threat to the economy remains the lawlessness of the American real estate industry, and how this has dealt a body blow to the most important market for economic renewal in the country.

Via Yves at NakedCapitalism.com, we have the latest example of the crisis; lenders foreclosing on properties and selling them without taking ownership.

Yesterday, Ben Smith broke the story that the AFL-CIO had drafted a statement opposing Obama’s NAFTA-Style Korea Free Trade Deal, and it has been sitting on Richard Trumka’s desk since last Thursday (the day before the White House announced the deal). A member of congress, however, is spreading the rumor that the AFL-CIO might sit [...]

Good bye, Social Security. You did a great job for 75 years. Apparently, the President is ready to pull the plug on you, if not on Grandma herself.

Meanwhile, I’m sure we’ll be hearing the GOP, the Teatards and the likes of Glenn Beck and the Quitter complain that these tax cuts amount to “Generational Theft” — right?

You may have to go down to the state level, but there are some Democrats out there with a spine.

Vieux Farka Touré- Ana and Ladysmith Black Mambazo – Homeless