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The face is a popular fashion accessory, consisting of the front part of the head, in humans from the forehead to chin including the hair, forehead, eyebrow, eyes, nose, cheek, mouth, lips, Hair teeth, skin, Brain and chin. Aside from its obvious decorative qualities, the main usage of the face is spewing out garbage and stuffing in food. I have a Face, you have a Face, except if your name is Keely Kelleher. Face the music. My face is Pretty. My face is dead. All your face are belong to us. faces have become less popular in the recent years, but in the 1800's faces were used for almost everything: cleaning, drawing, flying, etc.
The latest studies show that humans are evolving so that their faces contain a larger plastic content. A prime example of this is Michael Jackson who has a plastic:skin ratio of 90:1. It is widely believed that all humans will eventually look like Michael Jackson. This fact is being blamed for the reason that children are no longer allowed to leave their homes.
The face as a means of recognition[edit]
The face is widely recognized as the feature which distinguishes one individual from another, often at first glance, with the exception of identical twins; for example, it is a person's face that often appears on one's driving license, and the faces of famed people or national heroes which are usually depicted on money.
Likewise, caricatures often exaggerate facial features to make a face easily recognizable in association with a pronounced portion of the face of the individual in question—for example, a caricature of Adolf Hitler might focus on his nose and lips; a caricature of George W. Bush might enlarge his mustache, and a caricature of Jay Leno may pronounce his ears and nose. Exaggeration of memorable features helps people to recognize others when presented in a non-photographic form.
Face it, you're a racist
On the front of the face piece a line drawn down from between the teeth to the side of the chin will cut the exit of the second division of the fifth nerve from the head, a quarter of an inch below the ear, and also the exit of the third division of the fifth at the mental, midway between the upper and lower margins of the body of the jaw. In practice it will be found that the angle of the mouth at rest usually corresponds to the interval between the milk-mans teeth.
The Anatomy of the face has also been described in a more Geometric sense by some, in fitting with Veterinarian descriptions of the body, or with the Golden Ratio. These arguments have been used by some as forms of the proof of a God, or natural creator, maintaining that nothing this mathematically advanced could appear without being designed.
Face surgery[edit]
Cosmetic surgery is often used to alter the appearance of the face piece features. By using cosmetic surgery almost any aspect of the face can be changed in terms of shape. Many celebrities have cosmetic surgery applied to their face to improve their appearance, however cosmetic surgery is expensive and is more commonly used in dental practice or to repair injuries. Results vary.
The face in history[edit]
The face that launched a thousand ships[edit]
Helen of Troy was said, in ancient Greece, to have a face so beautiful, it was able to launch thousands of ships. It is unknown what facial properties are needed to launch historical ships, but it is thought that the champagne bottle shape is derived from Helen's face. No pictures or representations of Helen's divine beauty remain, but contemporary scholars believe her face to be an amalgamation of the finest features of Glynnis Barber, Michelle Pfeiffer and Philippa-wots-er-name all rolled into one.
You wanna have fun with my face??? Come on just do it.
See also[edit]
- A mirror.
- A Photograph.
- A self Portrait.
- A do you have a face?.


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Night time and urban landscapes are fast becoming two of the most popular subjects in photography. It seems everyone wants to get out and give it a try, and what better place to do it than the Aperture Academy's Night Owls workshop? On a brisk Friday evening, thirteen photographers and two instructors, Brian Rueb and Scott Donschikowski, assembled on Baker Beach in San Francisco for a night of instruction, photography and fun.
As typical for a Night Owls workshop, class began on the beach, where instructors were able to get to know the students a little more, find out about their gear and goals for the evening. The surf was very low, as was the population of the naked beach goers, so the class was able to really utilize the surf lines as strong leading elements into their compositions. Even though there weren't the numbers of nude people on Baker as there are during warmer days, one that was there was quite friendly and willing to converse with our group, even if he did kind of creep us all out.
Spring is a great time to see wildflowers along the California coast as well, and Baker Beach still had plenty of nice flowers for students to photograph. At this time of year the sun sets later in the day, so we have plenty of time to photograph as well. We decided to leave the beach and head farther north to try our hands at grabbing some sunset shots of the Golden Gate from a higher vantage point.
Even though summer is approaching, that doesn't mean that temperatures are warming up in the city by the bay. The hillside we shot from was absolutely chilly, and a good 30-40mph wind helped ensure that everyone knew it was cold. But it was certainly fun to wander the area setting up compositions, and discovering how sturdy one's tripod actually was.
The sunset was beautiful, which helped take away some of the chill. While wind isn't fun to photograph in, that weather does present opportunities for learning. How do you compensate for wind with photography? We used the chance to show students how to increase ISO and adjust their aperture and compositions to get the most out of the area without having wind shake.
When the sun had set, and the class had taken a few images of the bridge with its lights on, it was time to move inland to the famous Lombard Street. While this area wasn't warm, it certainly was more comfortable than the cliffs we'd just shot from. The goal of Lombard Street is to work on using a combination of light blurs from the traffic and the incredible architecture of the area to create an interesting, almost surreal image. The images the instructors saw from this location were great.
The class really had fun wandering up and down the curvy street, looking for just the right composition. The traffic was usually right on cue, giving us plenty of chances to try and photograph the blur of lights as they creep and curve.
One funny moment involved a car that the class was photographing, STOPPING right in the middle of our exposures and getting out to talk with us.
"What are you photographing?"
"YOU...get back in and keep driving!"
The traffic even kept coming when we DIDN'T want to. Brian spent several minutes trying to find a clear point in the traffic to use two colored headlamps to try and "paint" some interest into people's compositions. Sometimes it worked, other times cars interfered, but it was always fun to watch, and experience.
When Lombard was finished with us, and we with it, we were off for a brief break in the hustle of North Beach where the class could grab a coffee, or snack before we set off to photograph the Bay Bridge from the Embarcadero.
The spot is iconic, and every student loves the chance to photograph it and put their own little twist on composition, or style. Whether it's tweaking the white balance, working on an HDR type image, or just switching the camera from horizontal, to vertical, everyone enjoys this spot. The instructors choose this area to really work on using higher apertures and longer exposures to give the images the maximum "WOW" factor. The pilings in the water really make for an interesting foreground, which gives these images that extra push and makes them so memorable.
Time was flying, it was now almost midnight...and we still had more to shoot!
The last stop of the evening was Treasure Island. We took our required group shot, and then set off on a small hike along the freeway to a special little vantage point overlooking the Bay bridge, and San Francisco skyline. It gets crowded on that little perch! I can't imagine what it looks like to passing cars seeing fifteen people with cameras, smushed together on a ledge, at 1 am.
The view is mesmerizing, and everyone really comes away with a variety of images. Whether it's a close up of the bridge, or skyline or a panorama type image showing the whole scene, everyone was entranced with their photography, and we had to remind them that it was past 1am, and class was over. Even though class technically ends at 1, we always stay until everyone has had their fill...and it's usually 1:30 by the time we get the folks back to their cars so they can head home, and get a few hours of sleep before starting the processing all those images they took!
Until next time,
Brian, Scott, and the rest of the Aperture Academy team
P.S. If you'd like to join us at one of our workshops, you can find the schedule/sign up here.
Other Cool Stuff→ Past Workshop Photos → 72dpi.com → How-To Articles → Photographer of the Month |
Contact Us→ Contact Us → About Us → Site Map |

subset: commoncrawl


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What are the results of a character-based education? What if the priority during childhood was to develop special traits and healthy attitudes, rather than fill in the right bubble on an answer sheet? And what if you didn't let anything interfere with these priorities?
The answers are in. After fifteen years of interviews with students who graduated Progressive School, their responses have been compiled, revealing a clear pattern. There are 13 character qualities that these young people, now in high-school, college and beyond, consistently report observing both in themselves, and in their peers from Progressive School. Although these qualities may exist in others too, they are seen with amazing frequency and to a high degree in those who benefited from our educational foundation. We call these qualities "intangible gains" because they are not easily quantified. Yet they are the engine that drives academic and personal growth.
The Complete Series | ||
Introduction | Self-Constructivity Calm Rationality Literacy Self-Confidence |
Universal Outlook Aesthetic Sensitivity Discriminating Trust Integrity Joy |


text: Home / Books / Master Theory book 1 Master Theory book 1 Buy product Category: Books Product ID: 2502 Reviews (0) Reviews There are no reviews yet. Be the first to review "Master Theory book 1" Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Name * Email * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I accept the Privacy Policy Your rating * Rate… Perfect Good Average Not that bad Very poor Your review * Related products Alfred's Basic Piano Library Recital Book Complete Level 2 Buy product 20 Studies for Guitar Segovia Edition Buy product 28 Italian Songs Arias Med High Voice w/ Online Audio Buy product Alfred's Basic Piano Library Recital Book Complete Level 1 Buy product


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Top 10 Unforgettable Luke Bryan Moments
Luke Bryan is a CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year with good reason: Plenty of fans can tell you plenty of different ways he's loved in the country music community and beyond. But the 10 moments in this video -- some that will have you laughing, some that will have you crying -- are the Top 10 reasons that Bryan is truly unforgettable.
Bryan's falls onstage are memorable, his love for and commitment to family is commendable, and his dance moves are unmatchable (and definitely unforgettable). In the clip above, you'll see Bryan with comedian Ellen DeGeneres not once, but twice, and if you remember a time when the singer chatted it up with Reba McEntire on the red carpet, you'll recall another of his best moments.
Sit back, relax -- even "drink a beer" (see what we did there?) -- and press play on the video above to enjoy the country hitmaker in all his glory. The two-time CMA Awards Entertainer of the Year knows how to entertain, for sure, but this compilation shows that he's an all-around great guy with emotional depth and a knack for comic relief.
LOOK: Luke Bryan + More Country Stars' First Tweets
WATCH: How Well Do You REALLY Know Luke Bryan?


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Paul Williams (b. 1940) is a prolific composer, lyricist, singer and actor.
Some of his most famous compositions include "We've Only Just Begun," "An Old Fashioned Love Song," "I Won't Last a Day Without You," "Nice to Be Around," "You and Me Against the World," "Sad Song", "Evergreen" (which earned Williams an Academy Award), "Rainy Days and Mondays", and "Rainbow Connection" (which earned Williams an Academy Award nomination).
The biographical documentary Paul Williams Still Alive includes clips of his appearance on The Muppet Show.[1]
Muppet Music[]
- Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (songs and score)
- The Muppet Movie (songs and score)
- The Muppet Christmas Carol (songs)
- Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas stage production (songs)
- A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (songs)
Appearances with the Muppets[]
- The Muppet Show: guest star on episode 108
- The Muppet Movie: piano player
- The Muppets Go Hollywood: performed "The Rainbow Connection" with co-composer Kenny Ascher
- The Muppet Show Live: leads a sing-along medley
- MuppetFest: panelist
- A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa: Chief Elf
- The Muppets Take the Bowl: guest
- Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas (stage show): voice of Pa Otter
- Gonzo appears on his 2005 DVD/dualdisc release I'm Going Back There Someday.
- He is one of a small group of Muppet Show guests to have had a Muppet made in his likeness.
- Judy Collins and Kermit the Frog presented Williams into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001.
- Paul Williams appeared alongside Jim Henson at the 1984 Emmy Awards to present the award for best performer in a variety series.
- Even though he portrayed a piano player in The Muppet Movie, Williams cannot actually play the piano. He also mimed playing the piano at MuppetFest, which was a hollow piano so that Kermit could sit on it.[2]


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Review: Lessons I Never Learned At Meadowbrook Academy by Liz Maccie
Title: Lessons I Never Learned At Meadowbrook Academy
Author: Liz Maccie
Publisher: Diversion Books
Format: Ebook ARC
Pages: 193 pages
Published: November 4th 2014
"Liz Maccie's debut novel is as tough, optimistic, and beautiful as her heroine, Roberta Romano. Roberta's voice is heartfelt and funny. Her story is exceptionally moving and honest. I love this book and the hope it has for young women everywhere." —Stephen Chbosky, New York Times bestselling author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower The most important lessons aren't learned in the classroom. It's the first day of sophomore year for Roberta Romano, but instead of the comfort of her local high school, she's been thrust into the elitist embrace of the affluent Meadowbrook Academy. Surrounded by wealth, Roberta battles her own insecurities, as well as evil teachers and mean girls, to prove her worth and maybe land the boy of her dreams. With the help of two unlikely allies—and an inflatable toy raft—Robert embarks upon a journey of dark secrets and self-discovery to learn the true meaning of friendship and acceptance. "Roberta will charm and delight you with a voice that's candid, hilarious, and hopeful, as she narrates her first day at a new high school, reminding us of the epic nature of each hour in our adolescent lives. Lessons I Never Learned at Meadowbrook Academy will make you laugh, cringe, cry, and cheer for the power of friendships that can change us in a single day." —Ava Dellaira, author of Love Letters to the Dead "You wish your first day of prep school was this epic! Every single page of Lessons I Never Learned sparkles with heart and humor. Like a teenage Bridget Jones, Roberta Romano will make you laugh, cry, and cringe as she tries to navigate her first day at Meadowbrook Academy. She finds friends and enemies, earns detentions and serious respect, and makes memories that will last her a lifetime." —Siobhan Vivian, author of The List


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JERUSALEM, (AP) — Israel's prime minister on Tuesday ordered new parliamentary elections in early 2013, roughly eight months ahead of schedule, setting the stage for a lightning quick campaign that will likely win him re-election.
For nearly four years, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has presided over a conservative coalition that has proven stable in a country where governments rarely serve out a full term. Re-election could grant him a fresh mandate to continue his tough stance toward Iran's suspect nuclear program, put the already deadlocked peace process with the Palestinians further into deep freeze and complicate relations with the U.S. if President Barack Obama is re-elected.
In a nationally televised address, Netanyahu said he was forced to call the snap polls after his coalition could not agree on a budget.
"I have decided that it is in Israel's better interest to go to elections now and as quickly as possible," he said. "For Israel, it is preferable to have as short a campaign as possible, one of three months over one that would last in practice an entire year and damage Israel's economy."
With no viable alternative on the horizon, Netanyahu is expected to easily be re-elected as prime minister: He is riding a wave of popularity and his opposition is fragmented and leaderless.
The next vote had been scheduled for a full year from now, although speculation had been growing for weeks that the current government's days were numbered and that Netanyahu would call for an early vote.
The immediate reason for the snap elections was the coalition's inability to pass a 2013 budget by a Dec. 31 deadline, but Netanyahu has long been rumored to be leaning toward elections, given his high standings in opinion polls, the lack of a clear rival and fears the economy could weaken next year.
A recent poll in the Haaretz daily found that 35 percent of Israelis believe Netanyahu is most suited to being prime minister, more than double that of his closest rival, Labor leader Shelly Yachimovich. The survey questioned 507 people and had a margin of error of 4.2 percentage points.
Netanyahu said he spent Tuesday holding talks with his coalition partners and "came to the conclusion that at this time it is not possible to pass a responsible budget."
He listed his accomplishments, saying his government had boosted security at a time of regional turmoil and improved the economy despite the global economic meltdown.
Parliament reconvenes next week for its winter session without the annual budget in place. At that time, Netanyahu is expected to formally dissolve parliament.
Netanyahu also has little political incentive to wait until October 2013 — and give his opponents a chance to gain ground — when he is well-positioned to win re-election.
Opinion polls put Netanyahu's Likud Party far ahead of its rivals. But the election results could alter the makeup of his coalition government, which is currently comprised mostly by religious and nationalist parties.
In the 120-seat parliament, no single party controls a majority, resulting in the need for coalition governments usually headed by the leader of the biggest party.
The dovish Labor Party, now a small faction, is running a distant second, having seen its support grow after mass social protests against the country's high cost of living. Its leader, Yachimovich, who is a former journalist, is running solely on jobs and the economy.
Yachimovich, who has vowed to capitalize on the growing gaps between rich and poor in the coming election, tends to favor a strong government safety net, while Netanyahu favors more conservative, free-market policies.
After Netanyahu's announcement, Yachimovich said there was a "reasonable probability" of winning.
"The public today understands that security is not just on the borders but is also job and income security and health and education security," she said.
Perhaps the most viable candidate to replace Netanyahu is former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, but he is entangled in a legal battle that will keep him on the sidelines for the coming months.
Lagging behind Labor in the polls are Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman's ultranationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party, a new centrist party led by former TV anchorman Yair Lapid and the decimated Kadima Party, which is currently the largest group in parliament but has slipped badly in the polls under new leader Shaul Mofaz.
"I think the decision for early elections is a day of hope for the citizens of Israel," Mofaz told Chanel 10 TV. "It is an opportunity to replace the bad Netanyahu government that has isolated Israel politically over the past four years, damaged Israel's deterrence and deteriorated the middle class."
During the campaign, opponents are likely to seize upon Netanyahu's rocky relationship with Obama over how to handle Iran. The rift has unsettled relations with Israel's closest and most important ally.
Netanyahu could also come under fire for his failure to advance peace talks with the Palestinians, massive street protests in Israel last summer against the growing gap between rich and poor, and widespread resentment over attempts by ultra-Orthodox parties to impose their ways on general society.
Despite these shortcomings, Netanyahu remains popular in opinion polls, thanks to a lengthy period of quiet, a resilient economy and his handling of the Iran issue.
Peace talks with the Palestinians could also possibly be renewed after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appeared to drop the main demand that has prevented talks.
Abbas told European diplomats that he would resume talks after the U.N. votes on a Palestinian request for "nonmember state" status, backing down from a previous demand to freeze all Israeli settlement activity before peace talks can resume. A vote is expected in November.
The official Palestinian Wafa news agency quoted Abbas as saying that once the U.N. membership is completed "we will be ready to return to the table of negotiations with the Israeli side to discuss all outstanding issues between us on the final status."
Abbas previously refused to meet Netanyahu while Israeli settlement construction was taking place in the West Bank, where he hopes to establish a future Palestinian state.
Abbas made no mention of a settlement freeze, and officials said Abbas believes a freeze would no longer be necessary if he receives U.N. recognition of a state that includes all of the West Bank.
Peace talks have been frozen for nearly four years, in part because of Palestinian demands for a settlement freeze and Israel's refusal to accept it.


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1. What is serotonin?
Serotonin acts as a neurotransmitter, a type of chemical that helps relay signals from one area of the brain to another. Although serotonin is manufactured in the brain, where it performs its primary functions, some 90% of our serotonin supply is found in the digestive tract and in blood platelets.
2. How is serotonin made?
Serotonin is made via a unique biochemical conversion process. It begins with tryptophan, a building block to proteins. Cells that make serotonin use tryptophan hydroxylase, a chemical reactor which, when combined with tryptophan, forms 5-hydroxytryptamine, otherwise known as serotonin.
3. What role does serotonin play in our health?
As a neurotransmitter, serotonin helps to relay messages from one area of the brain to another. Because of the widespread distribution of its cells, it is believed to influence a variety of psychological and other body functions. Of the approximately 40 million brain cells, most are influenced either directly or indirectly by serotonin. This includes brain cells related to mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation, and some social behavior.
In terms of our body function, serotonin can also affect the functioning of our cardiovascular system, muscles, and various elements in the endocrine system. Researchers have also found evidence that serotonin may play a role in regulating milk production in the breast, and that a defect within the serotonin network may be one underlying cause of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
4. What is the link between serotonin and depression?
There are many researchers who believe that an imbalance in serotonin levels may influence mood in a way that leads to depression. Possible problems include low brain cell production of serotonin, a lack of receptor sites able to receive the serotonin that is made, inability of serotonin to reach the receptor sites, or a shortage in tryptophan, the chemical from which serotonin is made. If any of these biochemical glitches occur, researchers believe it can lead to depression, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, panic, and even excess anger.
One theory about how depression develops centers on the regeneration of brain cells -- a process that some believe is mediated by serotonin, and ongoing throughout our lives. According to Princeton neuroscientist Barry Jacobs, PhD, depression may occur when there is a suppression of new brain cells and that stress is the most important precipitator of depression. He believes that common antidepressant medications known as SSRIs, which are designed to boost serotonin levels, help kick off the production of new brain cells, which in turn allows the depression to lift.
Although it is widely believed that a serotonin deficiency plays a role in depression, there is no way to measure its levels in the living brain. Therefore, there have not been any studies proving that brain levels of this or any neurotransmitter are in short supply when depression or any mental illness develops. Blood levels of serotonin are measurable -- and have been shown to be lower in people who suffer from depression - but researchers don't know if blood levels reflect the brain's level of serotonin.
Also, researchers don't know whether the dip in serotonin causes the depression, or the depression causes serotonin levels to drop.
Antidepressant medications that work on serotonin levels -- SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) -- are believed to reduce symptoms of depression, but exactly how they work is not fully understood.
5. Can diet influence our supply of serotonin?
It can, but in a roundabout way. Unlike calcium-rich foods, which can directly increase your blood levels of this mineral, there are no foods that can directly increase your body's supply of serotonin. That said, there are foods and some nutrients that can increase levels of tryptophan, the amino acid from which serotonin is made.
Protein-rich foods, such as meat or chicken, contain high levels of tryptophans. Tryptophan appears in dairy foods, nuts, and fowl. Ironically, however, levels of both tryptophan and serotonin drop after eating a meal packed with protein. Why? According to nutritionist Elizabeth Somer, when you eat a high-protein meal, you "flood the blood with both tryptophan and its competing amino acids," all fighting for entry into the brain. That means only a small amount of tryptophan gets through -- and serotonin levels don't rise.
But eat a carbohydrate-rich meal, and your body triggers a release of insulin. This, Somer says, causes any amino acids in the blood to be absorbed into the body -- but not the brain. Except for, you guessed it -- tryptophan! It remains in the bloodstream at high levels following a carbohydrate meal, which means it can freely enter the brain and cause serotonin levels to rise, she says.
What can also help: Getting an adequate supply of vitamin B-6, which can influence the rate at which tryptophan is converted to serotonin.
6. Can exercise boost serotonin levels?
Exercise can do a lot to improve your mood -- and across the board, studies have shown that regular exercise can be as effective a treatment for depression as antidepressant medication or psychotherapy. In the past, it was believed that several weeks of working out was necessary to see the effects on depression, but new research conducted at the University of Texas at Austin found that just a single 40-minute period of exercise can have an immediate effect on mood.
That said, it remains unclear of the exact mechanism by which exercise accomplishes this. While some believe it affects serotonin levels, to date there are no definitive studies showing that this is the case.
7. Do men and women have the same amount of serotonin -- and does it act the same way in their brain and body?
Studies show that men do have slightly more serotonin than women, but the difference is thought to be negligible. Interestingly, however, a study published in September 2007 in the journal Biological Psychiatry showed there might be a huge difference in how men and women react to a reduction in serotonin -- and that may be one reason why women suffer from depression far more than men.
Using a technique called "tryptophan depletion," which reduces serotonin levels in the brain, researchers found that men became impulsive but not necessarily depressed. Women, on the other hand, experienced a marked drop in mood and became more cautious, an emotional response commonly associated with depression. While the serotonin processing system seems the same in both sexes, researchers now believe men and women may use serotonin differently.
Although studies are still in their infancy, researchers say defining these differences may be the beginning of learning why more women than men experience anxiety and mood disorders, while more men experience alcoholism, ADHD, and impulse control disorders.
There is also some evidence that female hormones may also interact with serotonin to cause some symptoms to occur or worsen during the premenstrual time, during the postpartum period, or around the time of menopause. Not coincidentally, these are all periods when sex hormones are in flux. Men, on the other hand, generally experience a steady level of sex hormones until middle age, when the decline is gradual.
8. Since both dementia and Alzheimer's disease are brain-related conditions, does serotonin play a role in either problem?
In much the same way that we lose bone mass as we age, some researchers believe that the activity of neurotransmitters also slows down as part of the aging process. In one international study published in 2006, doctors from several research centers around the world noted a serotonin deficiency in brains of deceased Alzheimer's patients. They hypothesized that the deficiency was because of a reduction in receptor sites -- cells capable of receiving transmissions of serotonin -- and that this in turn may be responsible for at least some of the memory-related symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. There is no evidence to show that increasing levels of serotonin will prevent Alzheimer's disease or delay the onset or progression of dementia. However, as research into this area continues, this could also change.
9. What is serotonin syndrome -- and is it common or dangerous?
SSRI antidepressants are generally considered safe. However, a rare side effect of SSRIs called serotonin syndrome can occur when levels of this neurochemical in the brain rise too high. It happens most often when two or more drugs that affect serotonin levels are used simultaneously. For example, if you are taking a category of migraine medicines called triptans, at the same time you are taking an SSRI drug for depression, the end result can be a serotonin overload. The same can occur when you take SSRI supplements, such as St. John's wort.
Problems are most likely to occur when you first start a medication or increase the dosage. Problems can also occur if you combine the older depression medications (known as MAOIs) with SSRIs.
Finally, recreational drugs such as ecstasy or LSD have also been linked to serotonin syndrome.
Symptoms can occur within minutes to hours and generally include restlessness, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, increased body temperature and sweating, loss of coordination, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid changes in blood pressure.
Although not a common occurrence, it can be dangerous and is considered a medical emergency. Treatment consists of drug withdrawal, IV fluids, muscle relaxers, and drugs to block serotonin production.


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Congrats to:
Book: Halfway to Each Other
Author: Susan Pohlman
Website: http://www.susanpohlman.com/content/index.php
Winner: Homestead Jen
"The true story of a California couple on the brink of divorce who unexpectedly finds love again on the Italian Riviera."
I had heard about Susan's memoir when it first came out and her publisher sent me a copy of her book. Then our family went through our relocation to Scottsdale and with all of that, I had forgotten about Halfway to Each Other (and many other wonderful books I had meant to review!).
Weird thing happened. I practically wound up as Susan's neighbor! We met at another author's reading (you'll get to meet Laura Munson later in the month), and Susan and I got together for coffee last month.
Halfway to Each Other is Susan's amazing story of how she and her husband of 18 years were just about to call it quits but chose a different path. Susan was accomanying her husband on a business trip in Italy and upon their return, they were all set to divorce. Something on the last day on their trip clicked for the two of them and instead of going home and filing for divorce, they gathered up their two children, and spent a year in Italy rediscovering what it was that brought them together in the first place.
Susan's background is in screenplay writing and her book is like reading little snippets of scenes – beautifully told with fantastic imagery, this memoir is inspirational and a great read for anyone, no matter what your current life situation is like. It may give you the motivation to make the changes you've always wanted to make but have been afraid to do. Susan has admitted she's not afraid of taking chances any longer because of her stay in Italy. I would love to be that brave and strong!
So tell me, if you could live anywhere for one year, where would you choose to live? Just tell me the one place, no explanation needed, and I'll enter you to win Susan's awesome book!
Please leave a comment, and all those who do will qualify to win Halfway to Each Other! I'll draw the winner in a couple of days and I will post the winner's name at the TOP of this post, in the highlighted area.
Come back and read about each book every day in March. Choose the books you'd like to win. Enter for any or ALL the books. Each entry will count as an entry toward the grand prize of winning ALL 31+ books at the end of the month. You can win the book of the day and still qualify to win ALL the books at the end of the month!
PLEASE be specific with your name in the comment section, and IF YOUR NAME is listed as the winner, you must email me at firstname.lastname@example.com in order to claim your prize. Email me with your full name and address so I can have your book(s) sent to you.
Thanks, and GOOD LUCK! And come back tomorrow to see what book I'll be giving away then too!
It's MaNiC MoMMy's March Madness Book-A-Day Giveaway! Read ALL the Rules and Details Here!
Sorry, only U.S. and Canadian residents only!


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The King Rejoices in the Lord's Strength
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
21 O Lord, in your zstrength the king rejoices,
and in your asalvation how greatly he exults!
2 You have bgiven him his heart's desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah
3 For you cmeet him with rich blessings;
you set da crown of efine gold upon his head.
4 He asked life of you; you fgave it to him,
glength of days forever and ever.
5 His hglory is great through your salvation;
isplendor and majesty you bestow on him.
6 For you make him most blessed forever;1
you make him glad with the jjoy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be kmoved.
8 Your hand will lfind out all your enemies;
your right hand will find out those who hate you.
9 You will make them as ma blazing oven
when you appear.
The Lord will swallow them up in his nwrath,
and ofire will consume them.
10 You pwill destroy their qdescendants from the earth,
and their offspring from among the children of man.
11 Though they plan evil against you,
though they rdevise mischief, they will not succeed.
12 For you will put them sto flight;
you will taim at their faces with your bows.
13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!
We will sing and praise your power.
Why Have You Forsaken Me?
To the choirmaster: according to The Doe of the Dawn. A Psalm of David.
22 uMy God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so vfar from saving me, from the words of my wgroaning?
2 O my God, I cry by xday, but you do not answer,
and by night, but I find no rest.
3 Yet you are yholy,
zenthroned on athe praises1 of Israel.
4 In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted, and you delivered them.
5 To you they bcried and were rescued;
in you they ctrusted and were not put to shame.
6 But I am da worm and not a man,
escorned by mankind and fdespised by the people.
7 All who see me gmock me;
they make mouths at me; they hwag their heads;
8 i"He trusts in the Lord; let him jdeliver him;
let him rescue him, for he kdelights in him!"
9 Yet you are he who ltook me from the womb;
you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.
10 On you was I cast from my birth,
and from mmy mother's womb you have been my God.
11 Be not nfar from me,
for trouble is near,
and there is onone to help.
12 Many bulls encompass me;
pstrong bulls of qBashan surround me;
13 they ropen wide their mouths at me,
like a ravening and roaring lion.
14 I am spoured out like water,
and all my bones are tout of joint;
it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is wdried up like a potsherd,
and my xtongue sticks to my jaws;
you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For ydogs encompass me;
a company of evildoers zencircles me;
they have apierced my hands and feet2—
17 I can count all my bones—
they bstare and gloat over me;
18 cthey divide my garments among them,
and for my clothing they cast lots.
19 But you, O Lord, ndo not be far off!
O you my help, dcome quickly to my aid!
20 Deliver my soul from the sword,
my precious life from the power of ethe dog!
21 Save me from fthe mouth of the lion!
22 hI will tell of your name to my ibrothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:
23 You who jfear the Lord, praise him!
All you offspring of Jacob, kglorify him,
and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!
24 For he has not despised or abhorred
the affliction of lthe afflicted,
and he has not mhidden his face from him,
but has heard, when he ncried to him.
25 From you comes my praise in the great ocongregation;
my pvows I will qperform before those who fear him.
26 rThe afflicted4 shall seat and be satisfied;
those who seek him shall praise the Lord!
May your hearts tlive forever!
27 All uthe ends of the earth shall remember
and turn to the Lord,
and all vthe families of the nations
shall worship before you.
28 For wkingship belongs to the Lord,
and he rules over the nations.
29 All xthe prosperous of the earth eat and worship;
before him shall ybow all who go down to the dust,
even the one who could not zkeep himself alive.
30 Posterity shall serve him;
it shall be told of the Lord to the coming ageneration;
31 they shall bcome and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet cunborn,
that he has done it.
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my dshepherd; I shall not ewant.
2 He makes me lie down in green fpastures.
He leads me beside still waters.1
3 He grestores my soul.
He hleads me in ipaths of righteousness2
for his jname's sake.
4 Even though I kwalk through the valley of lthe shadow of death,3
I will mfear no evil,
for nyou are with me;
your orod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You pprepare a table before me
in qthe presence of my enemies;
you ranoint my head with oil;
my scup overflows.
6 Surely4 goodness and mercy5 shall follow me
all the days of my life,
The King of Glory
A Psalm of David.
24 vThe earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,1
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has wfounded it upon xthe seas
and established it upon the rivers.
3 yWho shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his zholy place?
4 aHe who has bclean hands and ca pure heart,
who does not dlift up his soul to ewhat is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive fblessing from the Lord
and grighteousness from hthe God of his salvation.
6 Such is ithe generation of those who seek him,
7 kLift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that lthe King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mmighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
nThe Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah
Teach Me Your Paths
1 Of David.
25 To you, O Lord, I olift up my soul.
2 O my God, in you I ptrust;
qlet me not be put to shame;
rlet not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, snone who wait for you shall be put to shame;
4 vMake me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your wtruth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your xmercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,
yfor they have been from of old.
7 Remember not zthe sins of my youth or my transgressions;
according to your asteadfast love remember me,
for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!
8 bGood and upright is the Lord;
therefore he cinstructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right,
and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the Lord are dsteadfast love and faithfulness,
for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your ename's sake, O Lord,
pardon my guilt, for it is fgreat.
12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?
Him cwill he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall gabide in well-being,
and his hoffspring ishall inherit the land.
14 jThe friendship2 of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My keyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will lpluck my feet out of the net.
16 mTurn to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 nConsider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
oLet me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you.
22 pRedeem Israel, O God,
out of all his troubles.


text:
Every Plushland stuffed animal is made to be your favorite stuffed source of comfort, snuggles, and warmth. There's a stuffed version of just about every animal out there! Everything from Sharks to Monkeys.
So browse around, find your favorite animal (doesn't matter if it's real or fantasy!) and get cozy. There's no better gift.


text:
The Standing Committee (*) of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) will meet in Baku on Friday 23 May 2014 in the context of the Azerbaijani Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers (14 May – 13 November 2014).
After the opening of the meeting by PACE President Anne Brasseur, Ogtay Asadov, the Speaker of the Milli Mejlis (Parliament of Azerbaijan) will address participants. The parliamentarians will then hold an exchange of views with the Azerbaijani Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elmar Mammadyarov, who will chair the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers for a six-month period.
The themes on the agenda include the fight against AIDS among migrants and refugees, the rights of migrant children on reaching their majority, and the alternatives to Europe's substandard IDP and refugee collective centres.
Other topics of discussion will be the draft Council of Europe Convention against the manipulation of sports competitions, the improvement of co-operation between National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Parliaments in addressing equality and non-discrimination issues, and the conclusion of the ONE in FIVE Campaign.


text:
GE Brillion home-energy products debut at Sears
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — GE's Brillion-enabled products have made their retail debut at Sears.
Starting Thursday, more than 100 Sears stores in the Northeast will offer the GE Get Connected Starter Kit, plus the GE programmable thermostat and GE's award-winning GeoSpring Hybrid Water Heater, all with Brillion technology, in one location.
"Sears can now offer shoppers in these markets unprecedented insight into and control over their home energy use by getting connected with GE Brillion products, said Steven Haber, president of appliances and SVP at Sears Holdings. "This makes it easy and compelling for our customers to save money on their energy bills and is an excellent example of how Sears is committed to offering products to our customers that improve their lifestyle and help them save money in the process."
The Get Connected Starter Kit includes the GE Nucleus Home Manager that gives consumers visibility into their household energy use and the GE Appliance Communication Module that will enable remote control of GE's Brillion-enabled appliances. These devices will allow consumers to receive text or email alerts, enable remote-control capability and track each appliance's energy usage.
The GE programmable thermostat with Brillion technology also offers greater convenience and energy control with programmable scheduling functionality from your desktop computer and remote access from an iPhone. The first GE appliance to work with the Get Connected Starter Kit is the GeoSpring Hybrid Water Heater.
The GeoSpring hybrid technology saves 62% more energy over a traditional electric water heater which creates an annual savings of about $325. Now, the GeoSpring can do more than save money, it can be controlled remotely and can send you messages, like maintenance alerts, when needed. Other compatible appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and refrigerators will be added to the Brillion-enabled suite of appliances in the coming months.


text:
Bayesian evaluation of the performance of three diagnostic tests for Plasmodium falciparum infection in a low-transmission setting in Kilifi County, Kenya
Mweu MM., Wambua J., Njuga F., Bejon P., Mwanga D.
<ns4:p><ns4:bold>Background:</ns4:bold> Central to the successful elimination of <ns4:italic>Plasmodium falciparum</ns4:italic> malaria, are tests with superior capability of diagnosing low-density parasitaemias. Empirical evidence on the performance of the commonly available diagnostics (light microscopy (LM), rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)) is needed to better inform case management and surveillance activities within primary health care settings where elimination of <ns4:italic>falciparum</ns4:italic> malaria is targeted. The objective of this study was to estimate the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) and predictive values of LM, RDT and PCR tests for <ns4:italic>P. falciparum</ns4:italic> infection, while evaluating the effect of specific covariates on the accuracy of the tests.</ns4:p><ns4:p> <ns4:bold>Methods:</ns4:bold> The study enrolled 1,563 children via a cross-sectional survey for asymptomatic malaria and those presenting with symptomatic malaria to the Ngerenya dispensary, Kilifi County between March and December 2014. A Bayesian latent class model (BLCM) was fitted to the participants' diagnostic data obtained from blood samples that were screened for the presence of <ns4:italic>P. falciparum</ns4:italic> using the three tests.</ns4:p><ns4:p> <ns4:bold>Results:</ns4:bold> The PCR assay registered a higher Se (97.6% [92.0; 99.7]) than LM (84.0% [74.8; 91.0]) but similar to RDT (92.2% [84.4; 97.0]). However, the assay showed a similar Sp (98.9% [98.2; 99.4]) to both RDT (99.4% [98.9; 99.7]) and LM (99.5% [99.0; 99.8]). Regarding predictive values, the tests yielded statistically similar estimates of Positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV). A serial interpretation of the results of RDT and LM raised the PPVs and NPVs to >98%.</ns4:p><ns4:p> <ns4:bold>Conclusions:</ns4:bold> LM and RDT tests afford high Se and Sp in a low<ns4:italic> P. falciparum</ns4:italic> prevalence setting. A serial combination of the tests assures high PPV and NPV estimates. These elements, coupled with the wide deployment and affordability of the tests, lend the tests useful for guiding clinical care and surveillance activities for <ns4:italic>P. falciparum</ns4:italic> within elimination settings.</ns4:p>


text:
National Federation of Independent Business
Latest News on NFIB
Key Stories on NFIB
For more news on NFIB, go here. Hot Documents Congressional/IRS Inquiry
Secret Funding NFIB's IRS 990 filings (with schedule B's showing incoming contribution amounts, not available on Guidestar): 2015
NFIB Lobbying and Research Partisan Political Activities
The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) is a powerhouse lobbying group that purports to represent small businesses, emphasizing the claim that they are "NOT a voice for big business."[1] However, the group has been shown to lobby on issues that favor large corporate interests and run counter to the interests of small businesses and the group has taken millions from GOP operations linked to Karl Rove and the billionaire industrialists David and Charles Koch.[2][3] News reports have also found that NFIB, which tells the IRS it is a "non-partisan" service organization, engages in partisan politics, and receives millions in hidden contributions.
Small business owners run the gamut politically. For instance, 33 percent identify as Republicans, 32 percent as Democrats, and 29 percent as Independent.[4] However, NFIB accepted a $3.7 million gift in 2010, and a further $1.4 million in 2012, from Crossroads GPS, a group affiliated with Republican political operative Karl Rove that overwhelmingly endorses and financially supports Republican candidates.[5][6] NFIB also received $1.5 million in 2012 from Freedom Partners, a behind-the-scenes organization that has been described as the "Koch brothers' secret bank," according to tax documents.[7]
Other notable contributions publicly disclosed by the donor include $135,783 in 2012 from the Center to Protect Patients Rights, a secretive organization now known as American Encore with intimate ties to the Koch brothers.[8] The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, which has given to a wide range of conservative groups including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), has also provided financial support to NFIB.[9][10][11][12]
Koch Wiki |
The Koch brothers -- David and Charles -- are the right-wing billionaire co-owners of Koch Industries. As two of the richest people in the world, they are key funders of the right-wing infrastructure, including the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the State Policy Network (SPN). In SourceWatch, key articles on the Kochs include: Koch Brothers, Koch Industries, Americans for Prosperity, American Encore, and Freedom Partners. |
In June 2012, Congress launched an inquiry into NFIB's hidden sources of funding, which include large individual donations of over $1 million. NFIB has refused to disclose its donors, however.[5][13]
A 2006 report quoted NFIB members who said the group was inflating its membership size of 650,000.[14] NFIB now claims 350,000 members.[15]
While the average small business owner makes slightly over $100,000,[16] NFIB filings with the IRS show that CEO Dan Danner's compensation in 2013 was $938,030.[17]
NFIB is involved with a campaign to lower the corporate tax rate by the Coalition for Fair Effective Tax Rates, along with the International Franchise Association and the Retail Industry Leaders Association, as of 2015. See below for more.
Entities associated with NFIB include the SBLC ("Small Business Legal Center"),[18] the Young Entrepreneur Foundation,[19] NFIB's Research Arm,[20] and its Political Action Committee SAFE Trust ("Save America's Free Enterprise Trust").[21]
- 1 Lobbying Efforts that Counter the Interests of Small Business
- 2 Partisan Politics
- 3 NFIB Opposition to Earned Sick Days
- 4 Push to Repeal Prevailing Wage Laws
- 5 NFIB Financing
- 6 NFIB Leadership
- 7 Congressional Inquiry
- 8 Controversy over Membership Size
- 9 Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
- 10 Other Right Wing Ties
- 11 NFIB's Legal Arm
- 12 Key Personnel
- 13 Contact Information
- 14 Essential Resources
Lobbying Efforts that Counter the Interests of Small Business
Federal Lobbying Efforts
NFIB positions frequently run counter to the interests and priorities of small businesses. Scientifically-conducted national surveys of small business owners show that most small business owners support key provisions of health care reform, favor ending special tax breaks for the wealthy, support protecting clean air in local communities, and believe in promoting workplace safety -- all issues NFIB has lobbied against.[3][22]
NFIB reported $1,088,000 in federal lobbying expenditures in 2014, $440,000 of which was spent through the firm Tompkins Strategies, and $120,000 each through Bluestone Strategies and Crossroads Strategies.[23]
Some of the key issues on which NFIB has done significant lobbying include:
- Affordable Care Act: NFIB was the chief litigant against the 2010 federal health care reform bill, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). According to an IRS filing, NFIB spent $2.9 million in 2010 to litigate the Supreme Court lawsuit against the ACA.[24] The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the health care law 5-4 on June 28, 2012, with Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. joining the court's four more liberal members.[25]
- Taxation: According to federal lobby disclosure reports, NFIB had a $3 million lobbying budget last year. The top issues it pursued with those funds included opposing higher individual tax rates, fighting the "death tax," and supporting "business tax reform." As Mother Jones reports: "Few among the legions of small business owners that it represents will benefit from its lobbying. Only 3 percent of small businesses net more than $250,000 a year, the lowest income that would be affected by Obama's tax plan. This is one reason why a variety of rival small business groups now accuse the NFIB of doing exactly what it was founded to prevent: selling out small business owners to benefit the rich and powerful."[26]
- Paid Sick Leave: NFIB has spent an unknown, but significant, amount of money and institutional caché fighting common sense proposals to give workers the right to earn sick time. However, a recent small business survey by NFIB found that providing mandatory sick and family leave was not a critical concern of NFIB members. Mandatory sick leave did not fall into the top 10, top 20 or even the top 60 "critical concerns" of NFIB members. In fact, sick leave ranked 64th of 75 issues studied.[27] Please see NFIB Opposition to Earned Sick Days for more.
- Stop The Health Insurance Tax Coalition: NFIB also organizes separately branded coalitions to advance specific lobbying agendas. Examples include the Stop the Health Insurance Tax Coalition (Stop the HIT Coalition), which seeks to repeal a fee on health insurance companies that is part of the Affordable Care Act.[28]
- Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations: The Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations coalition opposes environmental protections such as lead paint rules and new power plant emission standards.[29]
State Lobbying Efforts
In addition, NFIB state operations work in close coordination with other business associations and corporations on multiple-state battles:
- Minimum Wage: In 2007, NFIB joined the National Restaurant Association, McDonalds', and Outback Steakhouse in an effort to turn back minimum wage campaigns in state legislatures.[30] The chairman of its New Jersey leadership council, Earl Hall, weighed in against family and medical leave in 2007, calling it "an inappropriate gift" and saying it would tempt employees "to find an excuse to be unproductive for one-fifth of the year by encouraging employees to reduce their availability for work,"[31] when in fact all evidence shows that workers do not abuse medical leave and that family leave promotes economic security, labor force attachment, and improved health outcomes.
- Paid Sick Leave: NFIB has fought the right of employees to earn paid sick leave in multiple states and municipalities including Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts (see below), Milwaukee (where it supported a lawsuit to overturn the law),[32] Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, Vermont, Washington state, and West Virginia. Please see NFIB Opposition to Earned Sick Days for more.
- Collective Bargaining: In 2011, NFIB of Ohio joined with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Business Roundtable in supporting a multimillion dollar campaign to defend the state's controversial proposed law to restrict collective bargaining rights in the state.[33] The bill was overturned in a state referendum.[34]
NFIB began in 1944 as a vigorous proponent of small business concerns, such as broad federal action to combat big business concentration and to prosecute antitrust violations -- items which have completely disappeared from NFIB's present agenda.[35]
Collaboration with International Franchise Association
NFIB is a member of several pro-corporate coalitions organized by or tied to the lobbying powerhouse International Franchise Association (IFA), the board of which includes representatives of large corporations such as McDonald's, Yum! Brands, Coca Cola, PepsiCo, and Marriott International.
Coalition to Save Local Businesses
NFIB is a part of the Coalition to Save Local Businesses (CSLB), a coalition of pro-corporate organizations and trade associations, formed with the help of the IFA, that opposes the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) "joint-employer rule" -- a ruling that holds large corporations that operate franchises jointly accountable with franchise owners for employment conditions.[36] To learn more, see the article on the Coalition to Save Local Businesses.
Coalition for a Democratic Workplace
NFIB is a member of the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, an "alliance of industry groups opposed to federal legislation that would make it easier for workers to unionize," called the Employee Free Choice Act.[37]. Other members include the IFA and other major corporate lobbying organizations like the National Restaurant Association, National Retail Federation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Manufacturers. To learn more, see the article on the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace.
Coalition for Fair Effective Tax Rates
NFIB is a member and co-chair of the management committee of the Coalition for Fair Effective Tax Rates, which advocates for lowering the tax rates for corporations and other businesses, and NFIB president Dan Danner was listed as the primary contact for the coalition as of 2015. IFA is also a member and sits on the management committee. To learn more, see the article on the Coalition for Fair Effective Tax Rates.
Job Creators Network
NFIB is a "partner" of the Job Creators Network (JCN), an advocacy organization of corporate leaders founded by former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain. JCN is best known for its "E2E" employee communications program, which encourages CEOs to pressure their employees to vote for and otherwise support a corporate political agenda. In 2015, it launched a web-based advocacy campaign, "Defend Main Street," which attacks the National Labor Relations Board's decision to consider McDonald's a "joint employer" of franchise employees. Defend Main Street's website was produced by "notorious astroturf pioneer" Richard Berman's PR firm, Berman & Co., according to reporting by Mother Jones.[38] To learn more, see the articles on the Job Creators Network and Defend Main Street.
Partisan Politics
NFIB's Lopsided Political Giving
Despite NFIB's pattern of political giving that overwhelmingly favors Republican candidates, small business owners themselves do not follow an ideological or partisan skew. In a 2008 survey of small-business owners by American Express OPEN, 33 percent of the respondents identified themselves as Republicans, 32 percent as Democrats, and 29 percent as independent or claimed no party affiliation.[39]
NFIB's political giving has not been dispersed in a representative way.
In nine of the last ten election cycles, NFIB has given 90 percent or more of its political contributions to Republican candidates. In the 2014 election cycle, it reported $723,544 in contributions to Republican candidates and $15,000 to Democratic candidates, a 98 percent to 2 percent split.[40] The 2012 election cycle had nearly the same split; NIFB reported $670,543 in contributions to Republican candidates and $11,000 to Democratic candidates, a 98 percent to 2 percent split.[41]
This skew toward the GOP is longstanding. On the CRP's "Heavy Hitters" list of top all-time political donors since 1989, NFIB ranked third in terms of the percentage of contributions given to Republican candidates. Ninety-three percent of its contributions went to Republican candidates over this period. NFIB's contributions are even more lopsided than the political spending of other well-known, well-funded lobbies, including Koch Industries (91 percent to Republican candidates), Exxon Mobil (86 percent to Republican candidates), and the National Rifle Association (82 percent to Republican candidates).[42]
Bloomberg reported that: "NFIB reported spending more than $1 million on ads to help elect Republicans in 2010, as well as another $1.5 million that it kept hidden and said was exempt from requirements that it disclose campaign spending."[43]
In a 2006 report by a newspaper in the group's hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, NFIB members criticized the group for GOP partisanship.[44]
Partisan Politics in the 2016 Election Cycle
NFIB has been active in the 2016 Election cycle with the campaign contributions it has made through its Save Americas Free Enterprise Trust. Between March 2016 and May 2016, the group has contributed $116,215 to candidates running for office across the US, the vast majority of whom are Republican.[45][46][47]
Partisan Politics in the 2014 Election Cycle
NFIB was active in the 2014 election and has made a number of endorsements across the country, including for Rep. Tom Cotton (R-AK), who is challenging Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AK) for his seat; and for Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC).[48][49]
All in all, the organization spent $1,409,688 in the 2014 election cycle through its Super PAC The Safe Trust; 99 percent went to Republican candidates.[50]
In a press release, President and CEO Dan Danner hailed the results of the midterm elections as a resounding success: "Small business owners believe overwhelmingly that Washington is principally responsible for the country's economic problems, and for that reason, a change of leadership in the Senate was crucial.[51]"
NFIB's Voice of Free Enterprise Collaborates with AHIP over Deceptive Ad in 2014 Elections
The NFIB also collaborated with America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) over a misleading issue ad in the 2014 election cycle, according to the New York Times.[52]
In December 2013, Voice of Free Enterprise (VFE), characterized as the advocacy arm of the NFIB, ran a television ad against incumbent Sen. Mark Pryor (D-AR), a lawmaker whose seat could determine the control of the Senate in the next Congress. The ad featured a small business owner from Little Rock, Arkansas, who criticized Pryor for his support for the Affordable Care Act.[52]
"We are a small business that has been part of the central Arkansas community for four generations," says the business owner in the ad. "What Obamacare means for Arkansas small businesses is tough choices, the mandates, the increased costs, the increased taxes."[52]
According to the Times article, however, "the largest chunk of money donated to the nonprofit group's advocacy effort came not from small-business owners, but rather from health insurance companies trying to repeal a health care tax, the most recently available federal tax records show."[52]
Those records indicate that $1.593 million of VFE's $4.9 million in revenue in 2012 came from an anonymous contributor. At the same time, AHIP reported spending $1.593 million on its advocacy efforts regarding health insurance reform. A representative of AHIP later confirmed that the health insurance trade group was the source of the unidentified donation, noting it announced its work with NFIB in a press release published in 2011.[52]
VFE also received $575,000 from Freedom Partners, the "de facto bank" for wealthy rightwing donors, founded by the Koch brothers.[53]
Nowhere does the ad disclose that VFE, the ad's sponsor, is in part funded by the health insurance industry -- which has a compelling finical interest to repeal taxes within the law -- and the Koch brothers. According to the New York Times, even the business owner featured in the ad was unaware of VFE's finances.[52]
Partisan Politics in the 2012 Election Cycle
In July of 2012, NFIB announced a campaign in nine states against what it calls a "tidal wave" of regulations slated to take effect in 2013. The campaign is described as an issue education campaign, but the states -- Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia -- are all presidential battleground states, and many have hotly contested Senate races.[54]
In August of 2012, NFIB announced a $2 million ad campaign to aid eight Republican House candidates in tight congressional races. They ran an ad in Nevada thanking Sen. Dean Heller and Rep. Joe Heck for "doing big things for small business", which you can listen to here. They also ran similar ads in: IL-17 (Bobby Schilling); IA-03 (Tom Latham); NY-19 (Chris Gibson); CA-07 (Dan Lungren); NC-08 (attacking Larry Kissell to aid Richard Hudson); Maine-02 (attacking Mike Michaud to aid Kevin Raye); and OH-16 (Jim Renacci).[55]
In February 2012, Politico reported on NFIB's formation of "NFIB, The Voice of Free Enterprise, Inc," a new entity that "allows individuals and groups - who are not small businesses - to join its lobbying effort."[56] On October 8, 2012, NFIB's new Voice of Free Enterprise group disclosed spending $95,914 on mailings in 9 Senate races, including $10,453 for mailings opposing Claire McCaskill in the Missouri Senate race between McCaskill and Todd Akin. The other mailings were in Montana (supporting Denny Rehberg), Virginia (supporting George Allen), North Dakota (supporting Rick Berg), Connecticut (opposing Christopher S. Murphy), Wisconsin (opposing Tammy Baldwin), Ohio (supporting Josh Mandel), Florida (supporting Connie Mack), and Michigan (opposing Debbie Stabenow).[57]
In the 2012 election cycle overall, NFIB spent a total of $4,063,021 in outside spending, including $1,983,385 through its new "Voice of Free Enterprise" 501(c)(4) entity. Every dollar of its independent expenditures was spent either in support of Republican candidates ($2,583,943) or against Democratic candidates ($1,479,078).[58]
NFIB Opposition to Earned Sick Days
In addition to direct lobbying of lawmakers (see above), other NFIB anti-paid sick day campaign tactics include grassroots lobbying via email blasts to members encouraging them to contact lawmakers,[59] legislative updates,[60] economic reports -- in Colorado,[61] Illinois,[62] Massachusetts,[63] and other states -- and earned media outreach.
Please see NFIB Opposition to Earned Sick Days for more.
Philadelphia Paid Sick Leave
In March 2013, the Philadelphia City Council passed, by an 11 to 6 vote, a paid sick days bill that would have allowed employees without sick leave to earn up to four paid sick days per year.[64] Over 180,000 workers in Philadelphia do not have access to paid sick days and would have benefited from this measure. [65] However, major opponents of the paid sick leave bill, special interest groups aligned with the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), successfully lobbied Mayor Nutter to veto it[65]. The bill died when the council was unable to sway enough nay votes to override the mayoral veto; they needed just one more.[64] These groups, the National Restaurant Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) are all tied to ALEC.[65] The case of Philadelphia was unique in "the participation of telecommunications giant Comcast, Philadelphia's highest grossing company and an ALEC member."[65] The corporation spent over $108,000 on lobbying, most of which went towards opposition to the paid sick days bill.[65]
More than 40 percent of the work force in the United States cannot take sick days without losing wages or possibly their jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Major cities such as Washington DC, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle, as well as the state of Connecticut, have put paid sick day laws on the books; New York City will soon follow suit.[65] The initiative is quickly moving to cities across the country "and in each case, the state and local branches of the National Restaurant Association, the NFIB, and the Chamber are actively opposing it" as they did in Philadelphia.[65] Philadelphia was not the first instance where these special interest groups came together to thwart this legislation. City of Milwaukee voters passed a paid sick days referendum with over 70 percent of the vote in 2008 but when Scott Walker became Wisconsin's governor in 2011, the state affiliate of the National Restaurant Association and the local Chamber lobbied Walker to back "a bill to overturn this expression of local democratic will and preempt any local paid sick day ordinance."[65]
Push to Repeal Prevailing Wage Laws
NFIB is part of a campaign to repeal prevailing wage laws, which require public construction projects to support local wage standards instead of undercutting them. Also pushing for prevailing wage repeal are ALEC; the non-union building contractors' trade association, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC); Americans for Prosperity; and a number of "think tanks" affiliated with the State Policy Network, including the Michigan-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy and the Wisconsin-based MacIver Institute for Public Policy.[66]
Read more in "ALEC, NFIB Push Prevailing Wage Repeal" on PRwatch.org.
NFIB Financing
Core Financials
- Total Revenue: $100,426,252
- Total Expenses: $95,277,095
- Net Assets: $-21,792,556
Grants to Other Organizations[17]
- NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation: $421,322
- NFIB The Voice of Free Enterprise: $122,265
- Bryce Harlow Foundation:$10,000
- Junior Achievement of Middle Tennessee Inc.: $7,350
- Republican State Leadership Committee: $17,000
- Republican Governors Association: $10,000
- Total Revenue: $103,045,496
- Total Expenses: $100,347,591
- Net Assets: $-47,774,931
Grants to Other Organizations[67]
- NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation: $200,000
- NFIB The Voice of Free Enterprise: $890,280
- Bryce Harlow Foundation:$10,000
- Vote Yes on 116: $10,000
- Junior Achievement Inc: $7,350
- Young Conservatives of Pennsylvania: $17,000
Ties to the Koch Brothers
According to CNN, NFIB "got more money [in 2012] from a group backed by billionaire industrialists Charles and David Koch than any other single source."[68] The Koch-backed Freedom Partners gave $1.5 million to NFIB and an additional $1 million to three other groups affiliated with NFIB.
At the time, NFIB was involved in fighting the Affordable Care Act through the case NFIB v. Sebelius and working in opposition to an increase on income tax rates for people making over $250,000. CNN wrote that the donations were "raising questions about whose agenda NFIB is serving, that of mom-and-pop businesses or the captains of big industry."[68]
Lisa Gilbert of watchdog group Public Citizen said, "The idea that Koch brothers money in some way is going to help small businesses is laughable," Gilbert said. "What they're buying is the ability to help set the agenda."[68]
In 2011, the Koch-linked Free Enterprise America donated $500,000 to NFIB, the first known direct donation from a Koch-backed organization to the group.[69]
Crossroads GPS and Donors Trust
The year it launched the lawsuit against the health care law, NFIB received $3.7 million from Crossroads Grassroots Policy Strategies (better known as Crossroads GPS), a nonprofit group affiliated with Republican strategist Karl Rove.[70][71] The grant from Crossroads GPS was part of a $16 million grant program that served as a "trial run" for what Crossroads President Steven Law dubbed "funding the right."[72]
According to new data compiled by CRP, in 2010 the SBLC received $1.15 million from Donors Trust, a "conservative 501(c)(3) conduit group" and major donor to the Koch brothers' Americans for Prosperity Foundation (donating $7.65 million to AFP Foundation in 2010).[73][74] This $1.15 million from Donors Trust accounted for more than half of the SBLC's revenue that year.[75]
NFIB failed to disclose the sources of these and other large donations amounting to over $10 million in undisclosed six-figure contributions from 2010 to 2011. These include donations of $2.04 million, $1.65 million, and $1.2 million, amounts unlikely to have been donated by small business owners who, as NFIB itself acknowledges, often run shoestring operations.[75]
The SBLC also received a $100,000 contribution from the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation in 2010, explicitly marked in the Bradley Foundation's IRS filings "to support health-care litigation efforts."[76][77] The Bradley Foundation gave to a range of conservative groups in 2010, including $500,000 to Americans for Prosperity Foundation and $95,000 to ALEC.[78]
In contrast, in 2009, before NFIB launched its health care lawsuit, the biggest contribution to NFIB from an outside source was $21,000, and the biggest to the SBLC was $7,500.[75] Please see NFIB's Legal Arm for more.
AHIP Health Insurance Lobby
The nation's leading healthcare insurance industry lobby, America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), contributed $850,000 to NFIB in 2011 to repeal a provision of President Obama's healthcare legislation. By routing this difficult-to-trace funding through NFIB, AHIP was able to re-frame the issue away from big insurance, allowing their more politically popular ally to frame the provision as an attack on small business owners, according to The National Journal.[79]
"Some in Washington call this message-laundering," wrote Businessweek. "Americans hold small business in higher regard than any institution other than the military. Groups with a small business pedigree make attractive mouthpieces for messages that lawmakers and the public would be skeptical about hearing from, say, big insurance companies." [80]
The donation "underscores how deeply the small business group has allied itself with the industry and special interest groups that seek to weaken the Affordable Care Act," the Huffington Post noted. [81]
The targeted healthcare provision would impose a tax on healthcare premiums as of 2014, costing the insurance industry approximately $100 billion over the next decade. The NFIB's opposition to the provision included lobbying legislators on the state and federal levels, and to push state legislators to pass resolutions opposing the tax.[79]
AHIP and the NFIB announced a collaboration in 2011 to fight the tax on healthcare premiums, stating they were "partnering to get out the facts about the impact the premium tax will have on the cost of coverage and to build bipartisan support to prevent it from going into effect in 2014."[82]
AHIP made a similar backdoor contribution to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce when President Obama's healthcare reform was being considered, The $100 million contribution "allowed insurers to publicly stake out a pro-reform position while privately funding the leading antireform lobbying group in Washington," The National Journal wrote.[79]
NFIB Leadership
NFIB's President is Dan Danner. Nothing in Danner's bio suggests he has ever been a small business owner. Rather, he has strong corporate and political credentials. He began his career as a lobbyist for the steel industry. Danner joined NFIB in 1993 and was appointed chief lobbyist in 1995.[83] He assumed the leadership of NFIB in February 2009.[84]
As NFIB's top lobbyist, Danner has attended meetings with Republican leaders at least twice a month for 12 years, according to the Washington Post, and Danner was called "the go-to guy for the House Republican leadership" by a congressional staffer in 2005.[83]
According to NFIB's IRS filings, Danner made $743,676 in 2011.[85] Tax data show that 97 percent of small business owners earn less than $250,000 a year in take-home income[86] or close to just a third of what Danner earns as NFIB's President.
At the beginning of 2012, the group retained Mark Warren, former chief counsel for the Senate Republican Policy Committee, as a lobbyist.[87] The lobbying team does not appear to include a formerly Democratic lobbyist.
For more of Danner's right-wing ties, as well as those of its DC staff like Susan Eckerly, Stephen P. Woods, and Jean Card, please see NFIB's Right Wing Ties.
Congressional Inquiry
In June 2012, the Progressive Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to NFIB President Dan Danner questioning the group's ties to "'corporate-funded activist groups,' rather than small firms."[24]
Congressman Raul Grijalva later sent a letter to the IRS asking them to investigate NFIB's tax-exempt status.[88] "Secrecy is not a small business value, nor is it in the interests of political integrity," Grijalva wrote. "If NFIB is determined not to say where its money comes from or who its members are, we must ask what the group is hiding."[88]
NFIB has refused to disclose its hidden donors to Congress.[89]
Controversy over Membership Size
In the mid-2000s, NFIB claimed 600,000 members, a number disputed by former NFIB leaders, who said the group inflated its size to maintain clout with Congress.[90]
As of 2012, NFIB claimed 350,000 members.[91]
Ties to the American Legislative Exchange Council
NFIB is a private-sector member of ALEC and has had representatives on ALEC's Civil Justice Task Force,[92] Health and Human Services Task Force,[93] and Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force.[94] In August 2014, NFIB joined the corporate board of ALEC.[95]
About ALEC |
ALEC is a corporate bill mill. It is not just a lobby or a front group; it is much more powerful than that. Through ALEC, corporations hand state legislators their wishlists to benefit their bottom line. Corporations fund almost all of ALEC's operations. They pay for a seat on ALEC task forces where corporate lobbyists and special interest reps vote with elected officials to approve "model" bills. Learn more at the Center for Media and Democracy's ALECexposed.org, and check out breaking news on our PRWatch.org site.
Other NFIB-ALEC Connections
- In August 2011, NFIB's Massachusetts state director, William B. Vernon, received ALEC's "Private Sector Member of the Year" award.[96]
- The head of NFIB's Alabama chapter, Rosemary Elebash, is also the Alabama private sector chair for ALEC.[97]
- Jean Card, NFIB's Vice President of Media and Communications, was a Task Force Director at ALEC from 1994 to 1996.[98]
- When NFIB President Dan Danner was working for George Mason University, he was caught up in a controversy over funneling federal grant money to ALEC founder Paul Weyrich's Free Congress Research and Education Foundation.[99] Weyrich co-founded the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and the Heritage Foundation in 1973.
- ALEC's Civil Justice Task Force legal adviser, Mark Behrens of Shook, Hardy and Bacon, is also on the advisory board of the NFIB SBLC.[100]
ALEC has recently come under scrutiny and lost many of its corporate and non-profit members.[101] NFIB has not unaffiliated itself with ALEC.
Other Right Wing Ties
NFIB has a 14-member board of directors composed primarily of small and medium sized business executives,[102] but the heart of NFIB's political operation is its DC office. NFIB's staff is headed by its president and CEO "Dan" Danner (whose background is discussed in detail above); Susan Eckerly, Senior Vice President for Federal Public Policy; Stephen P. Woods, senior vice president for state operations; and Jean Card, vice president for media and communications.[103] Danner, Eckerly, and Card have multiple ties to various right wing groups. Please see NFIB's Right Wing Ties for more.
NFIB's Legal Arm
NFIB's legal arm, the SBLC, spearheads the NFIB's legal assault on the Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare"). It is one of its three 501(c)(3) foundation arms.[104]
Please see NFIB's Legal Arm for more.
Key Personnel
Board of Directors
NFIB's board members, as of July 2016, are:[105]
- Steve Schramm, Chair
- Thomas J. Bryce, Vice Chair
- Sam Chamberlain
- Juanita Duggan
- Nevin J. Groce
- Douglass Henry
- Barbara Kniff
- Patti Mellard
- Betty Neighbors
- Greg Powell
- Jeff Ready
- Kurt E. Summers
- Jose Villa
- Sherry Wuebben
Former Board Members
- Timothy Clayton
- James M. Herr
- A. June Lennon
- Thomas Michael Nobis
- Ruth Lopez Novodor
- W. Bruce O'Donoghue
- Patti Bossert
- Maria Coakley David
- Dan Danner
- David M. Guernsey
National Staff
NFIB's national staff, as of April 2015[106] are:
- Juanita Duggan, President and Chief Executive Officer
- Amanda Austin, Vice President, Public Policy and Media
- Ashley Bailey, Vice President, Strategic Initiatives
- Mary Blasinsky, Senior Vice President, Chief of Staff
- Tammy Boehms, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
- John Casella, Senior Vice President, Sales
- Brad Close, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Advocacy
- Janet Connor, Vice President, Human Resources
- Mark Garzone, Senior Vice President, Marketing
- Steve Woods, Senior Vice President, State Operations
Former Staff
- Dan Danner, President and Chief Executive Officer
- Jean Card, Vice President, Media and Communications
- Susan Eckerly, Senior Vice President, Federal Public Policy
Contact Information
National Federation of Independent Business
53 Century Blvd, Suite 250
Nashville, TN 37214
Toll-Free: (800) 634-2669
Direct: (615) 872-5800
Web Form: http://www.nfib.com/contact-us
Web: http://www.nfib.com/
Essential Resources
- GradingTheStates.org provides critical analysis of Rich States, Poor States and other "business rankings." Grading the States is a project of the Iowa Policy Project, overseen by economist Peter Fisher, professor emeritus at the University of Iowa.
Related SourceWatch Articles
- NFIB's Right Wing Ties
- NFIB's Legal Arm
- NFIB Opposition to Earned Sick Days
- American Legislative Exchange Council
- Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation
- Donors Trust
PRWatch Articles on NFIB
- PRWatch, NFIB's "I Built My Business" Astroturf Bus Tour Gets Rolling in Wisconsin, Harriet Rowan, October 23, 2012.
- PRWatch, On NFIB Conference Call, Romney Urges Employers to Tell Employees How to Vote, Just Like the Kochs, Brendan Fischer, October 18, 2012.
- PRWatch, NPR, NBC Use One Guy for Small Biz Opposition to ACA and Fail to Disclose his NFIB Ties, Emily Osborne, July 6, 2012.
- PRWatch, Who is Bankrolling the Fight Against "Obamacare?", Brendan Fischer, June 27, 2012.
- PRWatch, Insurers are Recycling a Front Group to Cheat Us Out of Benefits, Wendell Potter, November 10, 2011.
NFIB in the News
- CNN, Koch Bros.-backed group gave millions to small business lobby, Chris Frates, November 21, 2013.
- Businessweek, How the Insurance Industry Funded Small Business's Anti-Obamacare Message, John Tozzi, May 14, 2013.
- Associated Press, Business Making an Anti-Regulation Pitch to Voters, Larry Margasak, September 18, 2012.
- Huffington Post, Who Really Represents the Interests of Small Biz?, Jared Bernstein, July 26, 2012.
- Mother Jones, Meet the Front Group Leading the Fight Against Taxing the Rich, Josh Harkinson, July 23, 2012.
- The Hill, Secrecy is Not a Small Business Value. Transparency Is, David Borris, July 19, 2012.
- The Hill, Big money behind misinformation on healthcare law, Frank Knapp, Jr., June 29, 2012.
- Huffington Post, NFIB, Plaintiff In Supreme Court Lawsuit Against Obamacare, Refuses To Disclose Donors, Greg Rosalsky, June 27, 2012.
- National Journal, The Secret Money Behind the Health Care Challenge, Elahe Izadi, June 26, 2012.
- Salon.com, The Group Trying to Kill Obamacare, Alex Seitz-Wald, June 25, 2012.
- Inc., Small Business Group Under Fire on Funding, John McDermott, June 25, 2012.
- Washington Post, Clash Over Financial Disclosure Escalates, Spilling into Presidential Race, Dan Eggen, June 23, 2012.
- Washington Post, Small Business Group's Political Motives Come Under Question in Battle Against Health Care Law, J.D. Harrison, June 14, 2012.
- Wall Street Journal, Lawmakers Question Small-Business Group's Funding, Angus Loten, June 14, 2012.
- The Hill, House Liberals Want Group that Filed Suit Against Healthcare Law to Reveal Donors. Mike Lillis, June 13, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, About NFIB, organizational website, accessed June 24, 2014.
- ↑ Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, A Quiet Revolution in Business Lobbying, The Washington Post, February 5, 2005.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 American Sustainable Business Council, Main Street Alliance, and Small Business Majority, Opinion Survey: Small Business Owners' Opinions on Regulations and Job Creation, February 1, 2012.
- ↑ Greg Robb Mandelbaum, Whom Does the N.F.I.B. Represent (Besides Its Members)?, New York Times, August 26, 2009.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Dan Eggen, Clash over financial disclosure escalates, spilling into presidential race The Washington Post, June 23, 2012.
- ↑ American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, Recipient: National Federation of Independent Business, ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed August 2014.
- ↑ Mike Allen and Jim Vandehei, The Koch Brothers' Secret Bank, Politico, September 11, 2013.
- ↑ Peter H. Stone, Sean Noble, 'Wizard' Behind Koch Brothers' Donor Network, Now On The Outs, Huffington Post, October 4, 2013.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, Top Organizations Disclosing Donations to NFIB, OpenSecrets.org political influence database, accessed September 24, 2012.
- ↑ Viveca Novak and Robert Maguire, Center for Responsive Politics, "Koch-Connected Group Shows Holes in Disclosure Requirements", OpenSecrets Blog, March 5, 2012.
- ↑ Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, 2010 IRS Form 990, foundation's annual IRS filing, November 14, 2011.
- ↑ Lynne and Harry Bradley Foundation, 2010 Annual Report, organizational document, accessed September 25, 2012.
- ↑ Frank Knapp, Jr., "Big money behind misinformation on healthcare law", The Hill, June 29, 2012.
- ↑ Sarah Kelley, "Size Matters: Just how big is the nation's premier small-business lobby, really?," Nashville Scene, July 27, 2006.
- ↑ NFIB, "Members of Congress Honored as Guardians of Small Business by NFIB", organizational website, accessed September 25, 2012.
- ↑ KJ Henderson, The Average Income of Small Business Owners, Houston Chronicle, accessed September 2012.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 National Federation of Independent Business, 2013 IRS form 990, organizational tax filing, May 15, 2014.
- ↑ NFIB, Legal Center, organizational website, accessed September 9, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, Young Entrepreneur Foundation, organizational website, accessed September 9, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, Research Foundation, organizational website, accessed September 9, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, Safe Trust, organizational website, accessed September 9, 2012.
- ↑ American Sustainable Business Council, Main Street Alliance, and Small Business Majority, National Opinion Poll: Small Business Owners' Views on Taxes and How to Level the Playing Field with Big Business, February 6, 2012.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "National Federation of Independent Business, lobbying profile, Open Secrets database, accessed April 13, 2015.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 Angus Loten, Lawmakers Question Small-Business Group's Funding, Wall Street Journal, June 14, 2012.
- ↑ Adam Liptak, Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law, 5-4, in Victory for Obama, New York Times, June 28, 2012.
- ↑ Josh Harkinson, Meet the Front Group Leading the Fight Against Taxing the Rich: Does the National Federation of Independent Businesses really represent small business owners -- or billionaires?, Mother Jones, July 23, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, Small Business Problems and Priorities, organizational website, accessed August 2012.
- ↑ NFIB coalition, Stop the HIT, coalition website, accessed August 2012.
- ↑ NFIB coalition, Small Businesses for Sensible Regulations, coalition website, accessed August 2012.
- ↑ Paul Sonn, The Fight for the Minimum Wage: State Legislatures Are Hard at Work Gutting Recently Passed Minimum Wage Hikes, American Prospect, June 1, 2007.
- ↑ Earl Hall, Family Leave, More Monmouth Musings, December 3, 2007.
- ↑ NFIB, NFIB Small Business Growth Agenda for the 112 Congress, organization website, accessed September 17, 2012, p. 24.
- ↑ Ann Sanner, Sides Spend Millions on Ohio's Union-Limiting Law, Associated Press, October 27, 2011.
- ↑ Sean Cavanagh, Ohio Voters Reject Law Limiting Teachers' Collective Bargaining, Education Week, November 8, 2011
- ↑ Louis Stark, Grange Head Cool to Prince Inquiry, New York Times, August 14, 1947.
- ↑ International Franchise Association, "Coalition to Save Local Businesses," organizational website, accessed February 24, 2015.
- ↑ Will Evans, "Profile: Coalition for a Democratic Workplace," NPR, September 8, 2008.
- ↑ Molly Redden, "Notorious Astroturf Pioneer Rick Berman Is Behind Business Group's Anti-Labor-Board Campaign," Mother Jones, March 25, 2015.
- ↑ Greg Robb Mandelbaum, Whom Does the N.F.I.B. Represent (Besides Its Members)?, New York Times blog, August 26, 2009.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, National Federation of Independent Business, Open Secrets.org online campaign finance database, accessed April 13, 2015.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, Heavy Hitters: National Federation of Independent Business, Open Secrets.org online campaign finance database, accessed December 13, 2012.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, Heavy Hitters: Top All-Time Donors, 1989-2012 Open Secrets.org online campaign finance database, accessed December 13, 2012.
- ↑ Heidi Przybyla and Jonathan D. Salant, One Donor Gave One-Third of Pro-Republican Group's Funds, Bloomberg, April 17, 2012.
- ↑ Sarah Kelley, "Size Matters: Just how big is the nation's premier small-business lobby, really?," Nashville Scene, July 27, 2006.
- ↑ National Federation of Independent Business, April 2016 FEC Filing, National Federation of Independent Business, March 31, 2016.
- ↑ National Federation of Independent Business, May 2016 FEC Filing, National Federation of Independent Business, April 30, 2016.
- ↑ National Federation of Independent Business, June 2016 FEC Filing, National Federation of Independent Business, May 31, 2016.
- ↑ National Federation of Independent Businesses, NFIB Endorses Tom Cotton for U.S. Senate, organizational press release, July 1, 2014.
- ↑ National Federation of Independent Businesses, NFIB Endorses Governor Haley For Second Term, organizational press release, July 1, 2014.
- ↑ Guidestar, National Fedn of Independent Business, organizational web site, January 30, 2015.
- ↑ National Federation of Independent Businesses, National Federation of Independent Business highly encouraged by outcome, organizational press release, November 4, 2014.
- ↑ 52.0 52.1 52.2 52.3 52.4 52.5 Eric Lipton, Opaque System Obscures Support for Health Care Ad, New York Times, July 25, 2014.
- ↑ American Bridge 21st Century Foundation, NFIB — The Voice of Free Enterprise Financial Records, ConservativeTransparency.org, accessed July 28, 2014.
- ↑ Anna Palmer and Dave Levinthal, Exclusive: NFIB to launch nine-state campaign -- Defense ponies up for Ayotte -- Journey to perform at RNC in Tampa -- Dems to fete Cherny at Stetsons -- Susskind to Bend the Arc, Politico, July 18, 2012.
- ↑ James Hohmann, Akin probably cannot save his campaign -- NFIB launches $2 million ad campaign -- Obama pushing education -- Republicans, Ryan driving on defense -- Isaac heads for Tampa, Politico, August 21, 2012.
- ↑ Anna Palmer and Dave Levinthal, NFIB launches 'Voice of Free Enterprise' - Dunn fights back - Hybrids up pace - Obama to get star power help at NYC fundraiser - Mica to K Street: Be mine, Politico, February 14, 2012.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, NFIB The Voice of Free Enterprise Recipients, 2012, OpenSecrets.org outside spending in elections database, accessed October 10, 2012.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, National Fedn of Independent Business, Outside Spending Summary 2012, OpenSecrets.org outside spending in elections database, accessed December 13, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, "Take Action! Tell Legislators to Oppose Sick Leave Mandate", organizational website, accessed September 16, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, "Paid Sick Leave on September Agenda," organizational website, accessed September 16, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, "Cost of a Paid Sick Time Mandate in Colorado," organizational website, accessed September 16, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, "The Cost of Mandatory Sick Leave in Illinois," organizational website, accessed September 16, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, "Effects of Mandatory Paid Leave Mandate on Massachusetts Small Businesses," organizational website, accessed September 16, 2012.
- ↑ 64.0 64.1 Dan Stamm, "Paid Sick Leave Veto Override Falls 1 Vote Short", NBC Philadelphia, April 11, 2013
- ↑ 65.0 65.1 65.2 65.3 65.4 65.5 65.6 65.7 Brendan Fischer, "Paid Sick Days Defeat in Philadelphia Followed Familiar Script", PRWatch, April 17, 2013
- ↑ Jody Knauss, "ALEC, NFIB Push Prevailing Wage Repeal," Center for Media and Democracy, PR Watch, April 27, 2015.
- ↑ 67.0 67.1 National Federation of Independent Business, 2012 IRS form 990, organizational tax filing, May 13, 2013.
- ↑ 68.0 68.1 68.2 Chris Frates, "Koch Bros.-backed group gave millions to small business lobby," CNN, November 21, 2013. Accessed July 7, 2014.
- ↑ Paul Blumenthal, "NFIB Received Huge Koch Brothers-Linked Contribution In 2011," Huffington Post, September 17, 2013.
- ↑ Heidi Przybyla and Jonathan D. Salant, One Donor Gave One-Third of Pro-Republican Group's Funds, Bloomberg, April 17, 2012.
- ↑ John McDermott, Small Business Group Under Fire on Funding, Inc., June 25, 2012.
- ↑ Fred Barnes, The GOP's Answer to Union Money, Wall Street Journal, December 28, 2011.
- ↑ Viveca Novak and Robert Maguire, Koch-Connected Group Shows Holes in Disclosure Requirements, OpenSecretsblog, March 5, 2012.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, Top Organizations Disclosing Donations to National Fedn of Independent Business, organizational website, accessed September 24, 2012.
- ↑ 75.0 75.1 75.2 Alliance for a Just Society and Public Campaign, IRS 990 Analysis: NFIB and NFIB Legal Center See Spike in Big Secret Cash as They Mount Challenge to Health Care Law, organizational report, June 26, 2012.
- ↑ Center for Responsive Politics, "Top Organizations Disclosing Donations to NFIB", OpenSecrets.org online campaign finance database, accessed September 24, 2012.
- ↑ Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, IRS form 990 for tax year 2010, accessed September 24, 2012.
- ↑ Lynne and Harry Bradley Foundation, Annual Report: 2010, accessed September 25, 2012.
- ↑ 79.0 79.1 79.2 How Much Big Insurance Paid a Small-Business Group to Fight a Premium Tax, Chris Frates, National Journal, May 13, 2013.
- ↑ John Tozzi, "How the Insurance Industry Funded Small Business's Anti-Obamacare Message", Businessweek, May 14, 2013.
- ↑ Catherine New, Hefty Insurance Industry Donation Helped Small Business Group Fight Obamacare, Huffington Post, May 15, 2013.
- ↑ America's Health Insurance Plans, AHIP and NFIB Partner on Premium Tax, AHIP Coverage press release, August 23, 2011
- ↑ 83.0 83.1 NFIB, National Leadership: Dan Danner, organizational website, accessed May 11th, 2012.
- ↑ Lobby League #37: Small Business, The Hill, May 25, 2005, archived by the Wayback Machine on March 25, 2006.
- ↑ NFIB, Form 990, organizational IRS filing, 2011
- ↑ Chuck Marr and Gillian Brunet, Extension of High-Income Tax Cuts Would Benefit Few Small Businesses; Jobs Tax Credit Would Be Better, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, August 2010.
- ↑ Congressional Lobbying Registration: Mark Warren, January 26, 2012.
- ↑ 88.0 88.1 Dan Eggen, Clash over financial disclosure escalates, spilling into presidential race, Washington Post, June 23, 2012.
- ↑ Elahe Izadi, The Secret Money Behind the Health Care Challenge, National Journal, June 26, 2012.
- ↑ Sarah Kelley Size Matters: Just how big is the nation's premier small-business lobby, really? Nashville Scene, July 27, 2006.
- ↑ NFIB, Stakes are High in Health Care Debate, organizational press release, accessed September 13th, 2012.
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Civil Justice Task Force Member Directory, organizational document, June 30, 2011, document obtained and released by Common Cause, accessed September 2012.
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Making Health Care Accessible and Affordable for All Americans, organizational website, January 1993, available via the Tobacco Library.
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force 35 Day Mailing (includes minutes from 2010 Task Force meeting), organizational document, March 31, 2011, obtained and released by Common Cause, accessed September 2012.
- ↑ Brendan Fischer, "Koch-Backed Small Business Front Group Added to ALEC Board," Center for Media and Democracy, PR Watch, August 1, 2014.
- ↑ American Legislative Exchange Council, "Solutions for the States," 38th Annual Meeting agenda, on file with CMD, August 3-6, 2011.
- ↑ Fi-Plan Partners, Rosemary Elebash: National Federation of Independent Business Alabama State Director, business website, accessed May 12, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, Welcome New NFIB Staff Members, organizational newsletter, accessed September 12, 2012.
- ↑ Peter Baker, GMU Defends Journal against "Pork" Label: Conservative Group Gets Most of U.S. Grant, Washington Post, March 6, 1993.
- ↑ NFIB Small Business Legal Center, Small Business Advisory Board, organizational website, accessed September 2012.
- ↑ Rebekah Wilce, Merck and Wells Fargo Dump ALEC, while Duke Energy Holds Out, PRWatch.org, September 14, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, Board Members, organizational website, March 14, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB, National Leadership, organizational website, March 14, 2012.
- ↑ NFIB Small Business Legal Center, 2010 IRS Form 990 (Part 1 and Part 2), organizational annual IRS filing, 2010.
- ↑ NFIB, Board Members, organizational website, accessed July 2016.
- ↑ NFIB, National Leadership, organization website, accessed April 2015.