READING FOR THE WEEK (Nov. 12, 2014)

87 years ago today (Nov. 12, 1927) Leon Trotsky was expelled from Russia's Communist Party.

Military personnel trained by the CIA used Napalm against indigenous people in Brazil during the military dictatorship years (Truth Out).

Proof that Obamacare "rate shock" is an ugly insurance company deception (Forbes).

Wesley Clark calls for a new national strategy to unite and move us forward (Politics USA).

Over the past 10 years the amount of solar power produced in the U.S. has leaped 139,000% ... America's solar boom in charts (Mother Jones).


THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING
Our national debt is approaching $18 trillion. You and your kids each now owe $59,041 as your share of our National Debt (Dave Manuel Debt Clock).

NY City adult home residents asked to repay FEMA aid (Associated Press).


2014 ELECTION FUMES
It's still about race: Obama hatred, the South and the truth about the GOP victories (Salon).

Thank you Gerrymandering ... Michigan Dems got more votes, and still lost (Daily Kos).

White House Aide: There's no way the GOP will work with us (Mother Jones).

Democrats lost big ... Why President Obama should double down (The Nation).

Who lost? It was the Blue Dog Democrats, that's who (The Hill).

Robert Reich: Why the Democrats lost (Robert Reich).


LET THE SIDE SHOW BEGIN ... THE DENIAL CAUCUS
Meet the Senate's new climate denial caucus (Mother Jones).

Surprise! This GOP Senator's theories about volcanoes and climate change are completely wrong (Mother Jones).


TACTICS OF THE PLUTOCRATS
The billion dollar a month club: A runaway transfer of wealth to the already super rich (Buzz Flash).

Corporate America's oily trick: How big business uses "yellow-dog" contracts (with "forced arbitration" clauses) to crush basic rights (Salon).

Creditors use new technologies - which include devices that allow them to shut off cars - to put the squeeze on debtors (Al Jazeea America).

MEXICO
Mexican President Enrique Nieto Pena faces outcry over $7.7 million mansion owned by a company associated with Mexico's first high speed rail contract (The Guardian).

Protesters set fire to Mexican palace as anger over missing students grows (The Guardian).


MISCELLANEOUS
New study says 'Medicare for All' would cover everyone, and save billions in the first year (Physicians for a National Health Program).

West Virginia police officer suspended (may resign) after throwing homeless man's backpack into the river. Backpack contained laptop with pictures of homeless man's late wife (Charleston Gazette).

Chuck Todd's true feelings about President Obama on vivid display in new book (Daily Kos).

Why we vote for judges - but should we (Politics USA)?

- Mark