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Hypocrisy is nothing new in politics, but it still can be jolting in its most brazen forms. Exhibit A this week is opposition to an expanded and extended payroll tax cut.

There has rarely been a tax cut proposal that conservatives in Congress didn't love -- except, suddenly, this one. Critics of the extension -- which at a minimum would continue a 2 percent payroll tax cut for all workers -- make several arguments, all of them specious.

When people talk about energy independence, they are often referring to the U.S. not having to rely on other countries to provide our energy supply. Here’s what energy independence should mean: individual freedom from big corporations and price manipulation.

Baltimore, MD – Strongly contending that the Republican-sponsored challenge to Maryland’s landmark 2010 civil rights law, the “No Representation Without Population Act,” runs directly contrary to its plaintiffs’ goal of increased representation for Maryland’s African-American community, a coalition of civil rights groups today announces that an amicus brief has been filed to counter misinformation and defend the landmark civil rights law.

Albany, NY – New York Supreme Court Justice Eugene Devine today upheld New York’s law ending prison-based gerrymandering in the Little v. LATFOR lawsuit. His decision squarely rejects the plaintiffs’ claim that the New York law violated various provisions of the New York State Constitution.

Today's employment numbers offer a moment of relief from the drumbeat of bad news coming from Europe. The economy added 120,000 new jobs last month and the unemployment rate is now down to its lowest level since March 2009 (although partly that's because of discouraged workers dropping out of the labor force).

There are a few worrisome wrinkles in today's otherwise cheery employment numbers. First, mass layoffs of state and local government workers continue unabated, with 20,000 public employees fired last month. Second, the lower unemployment rate is partly due to many workers just giving up the job hunt.

Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Fmr. Rep. Newt Gingrich in a 2008 ad for Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection

New York, NY—Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 3463, a bill that would effectively terminate the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and federal financing for presidential election campaigns. Demos, a non-partisan public policy research and advocacy organization committed to building an America which achieves its highest democratic ideals, vehemently opposes this legislation. 

READ Demos’ Letter to House Members