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Think Tank Round-Up: Rural and Remote Edition.
As we prepare to break for Thanksgiving, TTR has a survey of technology availability in Native communities, another idea for solving the deficit problem, the latest public opinion on immigration reform, and another take on the challenges faced by local and state governments during the recession.
- More Tech Needed in Indian Country. A new report authored by Native Public Media and the New America Foundation highlights the limited digital media access Native communities enjoy. For most tribal communities, only one-third of the families have analog phone service, broadband access is limited to a 10 percent penetration rate, and traditional radio remains the chief source of information for rural and remote native communities.The study does note that of the population engaging in digital multi-media, the utilization of new technologies are at rates higher than national norms. Given the economic and social advantages of mass access to digital information, the report recommends actions that seek to expand access, including new technology infrastructure projects and investment in human capital to increase jobs and expand Internet know-how throughout native communities. -- MZ
- A New Social Contract for the 21st Century? [PDF] The Brookings Institute released a paper suggesting that the federal deficit could be mitigated in coming years by increasing the correlation between income and the amount of benefits received. For example, individuals with higher incomes would receive less Social Security and Medicare benefits than someone with a lower income. While this solution is not ideal, the paper suggests that a more targeted safety net is more likely to survive spending cuts. Moreover, reducing benefits for the wealthy is more politically viable than raising their taxes. -- PL
- Feeling conflicted about immigrants. Though immigration reform isn't on everyone's mind right now, President Obama's planned overhaul of immigration law next year will be sure to fire up Democrats
and Republicans alike. According to a new Pew Research Center report, while more people support immigration reform than in 2007, it is a more partisan issue, with support increasing among Democrats and dropping among Republicans. Further, while most Americans respect immigrants for their work ethic and cultural contributions, most believe that they weaken the economy and contribute to crime. Understanding these views will affect how Democrats gather support for reform. --LL - Dire States. A new report from the Economic Policy Institute analyzes the effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act on state and local governments. While the Institute estimates the act has saved more than 1 million jobs and $219 billion worth of economic activity since February, it also warns of a prolonged economic downturn if relief isn’t extended. Over the next two years, the report predicts shortfalls of $369 billion and $100 billion for state and local governments, respectively. To counteract this, the report recommends $150 billion of additional relief for state and local governments through 2011. -- MH
-- TAP Staff
Previous Round-Ups:
11/17/09
11/10/09
COMMENTS (3)
FYI: The Pew report, while useful, is actually a summary of data from 2007 and this spring, repackaged in the wake of Napolitano's speech on immigration a couple of weeks ago. There's no new data there.
Posted by: Dara | November 24, 2009 5:55 PM
ALL WASHINGTON HAS TO DO IS ADD AMENDMENTS TO THE 1986 IMMIGRATION CONTROL & REFORM ACT? THE SIMPSON/ MAZZOLI BILL QUALIFIED IN THE EYES OF SEN TED KENNEDY (RIP). WHO ALSO SWORE THERE WOULD--NEVER BE ANOTHER AMNESTY. Having another path to citizenship indicates to me, that there is some underhand discussions going on behind the back of taxpaying Americans. That Sen.Harry Reid (D-NV) Speaker N. Pelosi (D-CA), Sen. John McCain R-AZ will be involved with pushing through this next AMNESTY and--THE PEOPLE--will be last to know? How many more billions is it going to cost in raised taxes to legitimize 20 to 30 million foreign nationals? Currently we have two wars on the agenda, a health care package with loopholes for illegal immigrants, Cap & trade and global warming? Not forgetting that Obama promised fair free trade agreements and a bunch of other planned money spending free-for--all's?
As I stated, their is no need to spend millions of dollars the country doesn't have--but prints it anyway and then tries to pass another Comprehensive Immigration Reform bill. These jokers in Washington can save taxpayers millions instead of discussing a whole new bill, just by amending parts of the 1986 law? Including in this amendment process, would be up-front information for the public to decide on? Those politicians who have been poisoned monetary by heavyweight business lobbyists and the hundreds of anti-American, open border extremists. As with Sen.Gutierrez D-IL who should not be present, as he reneged on his oath of allegiance to the United States. E-Verify should be a mandatory law, for not just new employees but for everybody who draws a payroll check. The police engagement 287 (g) law should also be fully funded by the feds and not just half measures, so that many counties can refuse to execute the illegal immigrant arrest law.
Only with employers that have been instrumental in operating E-Verify should be allowed to display the E-Verify notice. Any person who illegally displays the placard, should be heavily fined if they violate this federal law. Senior Citizens could be hired by the feds nationwide, to inspect 1-9's at businesses and audit documents in each region of the country. None of this will be any good if --AMNESTY--is passed as millions more illegal immigrants will be scaling the fences, or under the pretext of being a tourist gain entry to America? The last AMNESTY turned into a joke against the American taxpayer. CORPORATE WELFARE or ENTITLEMENTS are the best way to explain this, because of the illegal cheap labor market thats poured through gaping laws in enforcement. Everybody has their price including the politicians who have been cheating the American people for years, by drafting undisclosed legislation rewarding illegal immigrants with health care and education.
IF millions of us sit on our hands this time and stay silent, the House-Senate will push through another AMNESTY package and the biggest losers will be all of us. All those working illegally in America will do a disappearing act from agriculture and other industries, and once legal can steal every conceivable job that benefits low skilled American workers. The majority will still be paid under the table, and the same act will repeat itself as directly shown after the 1986 Amnesty. If you think the border fence is sturdy enough for those waiting to hear the Amnesty call, we really need some sense knocked in to us. TIME TO MAKE YOURSELF KNOWN TO THE LAWMAKERS WE VOTED FOR AT 202-224-3121, or go their in person. GOOGLE--these websites---NUMBERSUSA will show you the costs and enforcement gradings of those in Washington. JUDICIAL WATCH will uncover for you the rampant corruption money game. CAPSWEB will explain irreversible population growth in California and nationwide. Other sites of interest on Immigration enforcement is ALIPAC and AMERICAN PATROL and THE DARK SIDE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
Poll after poll shows that Americans want well-enforced, sensible, and sustainable immigration laws. READ THE FACTS, NOT PROPAGANDA FROM THE LIBERAL NATIONAL PRESS. READ THE REAL POLLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT: http://www.fairus.org/site/PageServer?pagename=research_researchd74c
Posted by: Brittancus | November 25, 2009 12:18 PM
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Posted by: hanyu | November 29, 2009 11:06 PM