155) Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote:
“Taxes are what we pay for civilized society”
Thanks @rbreich for reminding us that a properly funded #IRS insures that the #garchs pay their fair share
The #GOP bitterly opposes the fair payment of taxes. If you want to live in a fairer country #VoteBlue
156) Excellent piece from #NYTimes on the financing of #TrumpMedia aka #DJT
Unsurprisingly #Trump put very little of his own money in the venture. He relied on other #garchs who wanted to curry favor with him to get the company afloat.
Now #DonaldTrump will rely on his base to prop up the stock until he can cash out
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/05/business/trump-media-backers-investors.html
157) Glad to see some consistency out of the #Trump campaign - no #billionaires left behind. Crumbs for the rest of us if it’s convenient
WASHINGTON — Former President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of extending his signature tax cuts to some of the nation’s wealthiest political donors, according to a readout of his private remarks Saturday night provided by a Trump campaign official.
158) As #Trump’s NYC #HushMoney trial draws nearer, there is a whiff of desperation revealed by the failure of three frantic appeals to delay the proceeding set for Mon Apr 15.
There will, no doubt, be more legal maneuvers and attempted delaying tactics, but escaping the sordid details of the case no longer appears to be an option for #DonaldTrump.
159) The #StockMarket appears to do a far better job of evaluating #DonaldTrump’s abilities than many American voters
#Trump is a mediocre businessman at best and this price chart depicts what happens when a less than mediocre company is offered on the public stock exchange.
A truly terrible #investment
160) After months of #HardRight GOP obstruction, funding for #Ukraine is on the way.
This is a notable defeat for #Putin fan #DonaldTrump and a victory for those who believe defending democracy against Russian aggression is critical. Chalk one up for the #Biden administration.
101 #GOP members joined Democrats to pass the bill, what price they will pay for their #Trump defiance remains to be seen
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.npr.org/2024/04/20/1245993370/house-ukraine-israel-aid-bills
161) For those that wish to follow the #TrumpBribery trial, I suggest giving #TalkingPointsMemo Josh Kovensky's coverage a follow
162) The Southern #border will be a significant issue in #Election2024.
Up till #DonaldTrump's torpedoing of the bipartisan negotiated border bill led by Sen #JamesLankford (R), the issue of undocumented migration had been a potent campaign issue for the #GOP
Now the Issue is one Pres #Biden and the #Democrats can campaign on as outlined in this video featuring a Sec. #PeteButtigied apearance on #CNBC ⬇️
163) I was disturbed by the willingness of #SCOTUS's conservative wing to trip over themselves worrying about the conduct of future Presidents rather than the criminal behavior of #Trump while in office.
Kate Riga of #TalkingPointsMemo puts it best
Full article => https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-supreme-court-immunity
The Supreme Court conservatives seemed to solidify around a middle-ground position on Trump’s claims of absolute presidential immunity Thursday, a win by another name for the former president as it would add months of delay to the Jan. 6 case.
164) I’m more than a little skeptical of polling. The ability to find a representative sample in the age of caller ID is pretty questionable in my view
That said when a poll shows 31% of Anericans are concerned by the rise of #Fascism, I pay attention. That notion would have been absurd 10 years ago, but this is where we are and the fact that a significant tranche of Americans have realized the threat is good news for #democracy
https://www.npr.org/2024/05/01/1248249250/election-poll-trump-biden-voters
165) Now there's a surprise!
I guess #Trump feels most confortable with an #AttorneyGeneral who has been impeached just like him
Yup #KenPaxton, a guy who jiust might make #MichaelCohen blush
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/20/donald-trump-ken-paxton-attorney-general
166) I continue to be an admirer of #PeteButtigieg and his razor sharp analysis of the political times we live in
Here he reminds us that the #GOP has no answers for many of the pressing issues Americans face. Rather than coming up with new proposals about how to move the country forward, that would require thinking, the #RepublicanParty has put all its eggs in the #CultureWars basket, doubling down on hate for minorities, immigrants and the #LGBTQ community
#USPolitics
167) How or why a “Unified Reich” video was posted on #DonaldTrump’s Truth Social, may remain unclear. An anonymous staffer has been conveniently blamed. Perplexing how that keeps happening
Was #Trump playing footsie with Neo Nazis or is this simply an example of a sloppy campaign consistent with the chaos experienced during the wannabe strongman’s occupation of the #WhiteHouse?
A #Fascist will do what #Fascists do
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/21/trump-unified-reich-truth-social/
168) Apparently #Libertarian folks aren't big fans of #Trump. His attempt to secure the support and nomination of #Libertarians at their national convention was met with a barrage of boos.
The Trump campaign, showing its usual organizational chops, failed to submit paperwork for the nomination ballot. A write-in vote failed abysmally in the first round of balloting
169) The Blueprint poll reported on by Semaphore below focuses on young people and gathers data via an online poll and should be treated cautiously.
I’m not surprised by the poll sentiment. Since the Reagan era, the #GOP has sewed distrust in government and been aided and abetted by a #RightWing #NewsMedia ecoystem.
All this to insure #garchs lower their tax bill, if #democracy is sacrificed, so be it
170) #Trump’s support by the wealthy is in many respect far more disappointing than those #MAGA redcaps of modest means
Usually, the rich have had the benefit of a good education and should understand that democracy is at stake in #Election2024. I can only conclude that many wealthy types care more about promised tax reductions and deregulation than the obvious threat of #fascism
171) David French is a political columnist with whom I disagree on many issues
That said, this column is a disturbing account of how the political right has shifted so dramatically. The pulpit and pews of many “churches” are now dominated by voices of hatred, bigotry and #ChristianNationalism
173) Trumpists wanted voters to believe that a criminal conviction would make #Trump more popular. That appears to have been a failure.
While #GOP voters polled some months back asserted a conviction would give them pause in voting for a convicted felon, the pause has passed, and the #DonaldTrump cult is lining up for their #DearLeader.
The same however cannot be said for independents - see article below 👇
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4725329-trump-conviction-impact-independents
174) Does the rule of law apply to all Americans or is there a carve out for Presidents?
The #Biden campaign clearly has decided to make the #Trump conviction a key issue in #Election2024. It will not be the only issue, but for those that appreciate that American democracy is under threat, it will be by far, the most important issue
This ad does a good job in reminding people of what’s at stake
Follow Joe!Joe’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/joebidenJoe’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joebidenJoe’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joebidenJoe...
175) In an unsurprising development, some #billionaire types are lining up to support #Trump. These types care little for democracy and would likely opt for #authoritarianism should it yield a 1% tax cut
While #TimothyMellon is likely the largest donor/briber of #Election2024, I’m sure other types are lining up with their checkbooks to subvert America
176) There are painful lessons from history when certain business types choose their narrow interests before democracy
This article 👇 written back in 2016 before #Trump was elected, warns of the dire consequences of the #authoritarian tilt of some businessesmen.
Might the world have avoided Hitler and his Nazis if it wasn’t for Krups?
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-big-business-bailed-out-nazis
177) Tomorrow night #JoeBiden faces off against #DonaldTrump in the first presidential debate of #Election2024
Given that American #democracy is on the line, it’s the most consequential debate of my lifetimes me
This #NYTimes lays out what each candidate must do to be considered successful.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/opinion/trump-biden-debate.html
178) That was most depressing debate performance I’ve seen. I wish that it was otherwise. #JoeBiden is a good and decent man, but if he doest’t withdraw, #DonaldTrump will be the next President of the United States.
#Trump lied at an unprecedented clip. He’s a nut job but he will win this election unless #Biden withdraws
179) I think the interest of #democracy and geopolitical stability would best be served if #JoeBiden withdrew from #Election2024.
We are fortunate that the #PresidentialDebate took place 4 months before Election Day and a change can certainly be made to insure that the country is saved from a reprise of the #Trump presidency.
Will #Biden drop out? I don’t know, but I think it would be wise
180) Was it a cold or jet lag which explained #JoeBiden’s disastrous performance at last week’s debate? The President was back from his travels for more than a week so jet lag does not seem plausible.
It might be that travel fatigue is more pronounced in an 80 year old but the inability to respond effectively or at all to #Trump raises questions about fitness for office and ability to win #Election2024
181) I agree with @anneapplebaum
here. When I tuned into the debate last week it was with some trepidation. I hoped to see a feisty #JoeBiden take the inanity spouting felon to the woodshed.
Sadly age has diminished #Biden as it will all of us. I know what I saw and believe we must course correct.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/replace-biden-strategic-plan/678884/
182) Like many, I've been more than disappointed at the #NYTimes coverage of #Election2024.
Far too little attention has been paid to the abject unsuitability of a #DonaldTrump return to the #whitehouse
In the editorial below ⬇️, the Times lays out the peril of another #Trump presidency.
It cannot happen without the most dire consequences to democratic, geopolitical, and ecological stability.
#USPolitics #Politics #NotTrump
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/11/opinion/editorials/donald-trump-2024-unfit.html
183) The pressure on the #Biden campaign to withdraw from #Election2024 has cranked up further with reports that former president #Obama is now encouraging #POTUS to examine the viability of his candidacy.
Three weeks have passed since the Trump/Biden debate, and its becoming increasingly clear that #Democratic Party leaders and wealthy donors would prefer a withdrawal.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/18/obama-says-biden-must-consider-viability
184) Nancy Pelosi has been much discussed and speculated about lately. Now, she seems to be taking a more forceful position on the #Biden Withdraw movement.
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024 #JoeBiden
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/18/nancy-pelosi-biden-close-to-dropping-out/
Following Biden’s halting debate performance, and the panic it unleashed among Democrats in and outside of Washington, Pelosi is taking a strong, behind-the-scenes role in trying to resolve the political crisis by playing intermediary for upset rank-and-file Democrats and relaying those messages to the White House.
185) As astonishing a moment as one is likely to see in #USPolitics during a lifetime. A nightmare for #Trump who is now the crazy old man left standing
US President Joe Biden said he will not seek reelection, a historic reversal less than a few months before voters go to the polls that upends the campaign and his party’s efforts to prevent Donald Trump from returning to the White House.
186) There has been a palpable shift in political energy since #JoeBiden announced that he would no longer seek a 2nd term.
#Trump is still busy attacking #Biden; one has to wonder who is truly deranged, but no, #DonaldTrump has always been a deeply troubled man - just older and meaner now, as unlikely as that might seem.
@anneapplebaum gives her view on the transition ⬇️
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/trump-looks-older-and-more-deranged/679186/
187) I'm reminded that 24 or, in this case, 48 hours is a long time in #politics.
After the #GOP convention, there was talk of a resounding victory over a diminished, some said enfeebled, #JoeBiden.
To bad for the boosters of the #authoritarian viewpoint, who can't conceive of a leader surrendering power
The game has shifted, and the energy has changed, as detailed in the latest from @heathercoxrichardson.substack.com
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/july-22-2024
Vice President Kamala Harris has continued to rack up endorsements and delegates since President Biden’s surprise announcement yesterday that he would not accept the 2024 Democratic presidential nomination. As of tonight, Harris has the support of at least 2,471 delegates, more than the 1,976 she will need to secure the nomination.
188) The attacks on #KamalaHarris will come hard and fast until the #GOP congeals and coalesces around a smear that satisfies them.
Rather than attempting to swat these attacks, the job is to define the #Trump campaign with the truth: #Narcissism, #Nastiness, #Negativity, Nativism.
They have no plan for our commonwealth, just a desire to loot and enrich cronies who find democracy inconvenient.
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo/racist-and-misogynistic-attacks-on-kamala-harris
189) #KamalaHarris with a sharp pointed piece which defines her campaign and the dangers of #Trump
I’m impressed
190) Just leaving this here
191) #Trump appearance at #NABJ in Chicago produces a dumpster fire of #racism and disdain with a white man judging who is black
https://open.substack.com/pub/lizadonnelly/p/trump-questions-kamala-harris-heritage
192) Just leaving this here
193) @rbreich on the increased frequency of #Trump mental lapses.
Yesterday’s press conference at #maralago has added to the litany of misstatements resulting in increased scrutiny of #DonaldTrump’s mental health
https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/why-isnt-the-media-reporting-on-trumps
194) #Trump has lost control of #Election2024 tempo. He’s being dominated by #kamalaharris and his various debate maneuvers have come to naught.
#JoshMarshall of #TPM has a good take on #DonaldTrump’s debate capitulation
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/kamala-dog-walked-trump-right-back-into-the-debate
195) Making a #DonaldTrump return to the #WhiteHouse unfathomable is a big part of the #KamalaHarris campaign.
One of the best techniques is to needle #Trump, provoking outlandish claims which cause voters to question his mental balance
Trump is particularly touchy about crowd sizes. Remember the madness of his inaugural crowd claims or the more recent bigger than #MLK claim at #maralago
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/08/10/harris-crowd-size-trump-rallies/
196) A vote for the #harriswalz2024 is a vote for those that place community at the center of American life
@heathercoxrichardson.substack.com details the ugly history of #NeoLiberalism and those who have fought against #WealthConcentration and #ToxicIndividualism
https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/august-11-2024
197) #DonaldTrump got together with #ElonMusk on #TwitterX last night. Things did not go well as technical issues on the troubled #SocialMedia platform caused a 42 minute delay.
The rambling exchange between #Musk and #Trump persisted for 2 hours and many listeners remarked on Trump’s persistent slurring of words during the event
198) I'm looking forward to joining the #IrishAmericans for #HarrisWalz this evening at 8 PM EST. Please see the link below ⬇️
Take part in an evening of celebration of the achievements and contributions of Irish Americans to our nation, as we look ahead to how our community will shape the upcoming election. Join us at 8pm ET on Tuesday, August 13 for the first Irish Americans for Harris-Walz Organizing Call to hear directly from celebrity special guests and campaign leadership about our vision, next steps, and how you can get involved and take part in this historic moment! Once you sign up, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to join the session
199) How should the #Musk - #Trump love-in last night on #TwitterX
#KamalaHarris campaign calls it out precisely for what it was: "self-obsessed rich guys who will sell out the middle class."
File this one under #ToxicNarcissism
200) Why is the #KamalaHarris campaign working? Because it's sending clear directional signals about where she plans to take the country. Read the #JoshMarshall article below ⬇️
Meanwhile, the #GOP and #NewsMedia are grumbling about the lack of a detailed sitdown interview and policy specifics.
Marshall reminds us what campaigns are about - ensuring voters know where a candidate is taking a country.
201) I can't imagine two rich boys more deserving of the #Borowitz treatment than #Trump and #Musk
Sometimes, a quick timeout to chuckle is appropriate.
#Election2024 #USPol #USPolitics #Politics
https://www.borowitzreport.com/p/trump-and-musk-share-tips-on-running
202) #Trump is in #Ashville #NC today. His campaign had to prepay for the rented auditorium. Might have something to do with the fact that #BigOrange has a habit of stiffing city’s when campaigning
Not surprising that, folks from #NYC know that #DonaldTrump is not to be trusted, that’s why he can’t borrow money in this town. Too many people stiffed over the years.
Why would a man like this be trusted to be #POTUS?
203) I feel sorry for #DanielDale of CNN he frequently writes and reports on l #Trump’s tormented grasp on reality.
Given the velocity of #BigOrange’s lies and falsehood, Mr Dale’s task is ultimately impossible. Here’s his take on yesterday’s #Ashville speech
https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/14/politics/fact-check-insulin-trump-biden-harris/index.html
204) Speaking of lie velocity ⬆️, #NPR gives some sense of just how challenging it is to keep up with #Trump fact free zone
Here’s their take on 162 lies and distortions floating out of. #BigOrange’s mouth at #MarALago last week. Can anybody say #GishGallop?
Each assertion presents an opportunity for the #NewsMedia to call BS on #DonaldTrump, but how often do you see that?
https://www.npr.org/2024/08/11/nx-s1-5070566/trump-news-conference
205) Sometimes the best laid plans have unpredictable outcomes 😜
https://open.substack.com/pub/borowitzreport/p/study-people-exposed-to-jd-vance
#Borowitz #JDVance #Election2024 #USPol #USPolitics #Politics
206) Some believe #pharmaceutical companies have the right to gouge vulnerable Americans - #GOP anyone?
Other’s believe that government should negotiate a better deal using the heft of #Medicare and #Medicaid networks.
That’s what good government does and why #KamalaHarris will make a great #POTUS.
The United States has negotiated down the prices of 10 top-selling prescription drugs used by Medicare by as much as 79%, hoping to save $6 billion in the first year as part of a plan hailed on Thursday by President Joe Biden with the aim to ease anger about high prices ahead of November elections.
207) #PeteButtigieg explains how this election is about putting our fellow citizens first.
That notion breaks #Trump’s brain. He is sadly a man so consumed by his own selfishness that he cannot conceive of bringing happiness, joy, kindnesss or support to others
#KamalaHarris is bringing back joy, compassion and the strength of shared purpose back to #USPolitics
208) When Americans vote on Nov 5, they get to decide if the want to vote for #KamalaHarris who wants corporations to pay a tax rate of 28%, a 7% increase, or for #Trump who wants to reduce the rate so his billionaire buddies have more money to corrupt democracy
#USPol #USPolitics #Politics #VoteBlue #Election2024 #WealthConcentration
209) Hmmmm changing the name of #PA???
Yup, that’s high on the list of priorities for the #DemocraticParty 🙄
Really!! How freaking #Weird
File this one under stoking division and anger. That’s all #Trump has to offer to #Pennsylvania voters
#USPol #USPolitics #Politics #VoteBlue #Election2024 #WealthConcentration
210) Take 20 minutes to listen to an extraordinary speech from the wonderful #MichelleObama
#Election2024 affords the opportunity to #GoBig with #KamalaHarris or descend into the chaos and #GoSmall with #DonaldTrump
211) Pretty interesting comparison between
Team Sane vs. Team Delusional
Team Empath vs. Team Narcissist
Team Reality vs Team Delusion
212) #Trump folks are excited about endorsement from #RFKJr and his shrinking campaign. #DonaldTrump has had little to cheer about since #KamalaHarris replaced #JoeBiden
While Trump folks might be excited about this development, adding an #AntiVax conspiracy theorist imprimatur is hardly going to improve a plummeting campaign
Team #Weird just got weirder
https://www.npr.org/2024/08/23/nx-s1-5086838/robert-kennedy-future-plans-trump
213) Interesting to see what #RFKJr had to say about #Trump in times past
#Forbes with the story ⬇️
Will the #DeadBear guy move the needle for #TeamWeird?
Maybe #JDVance’s tagging #DonaldTrump as #AmericasHitler is looking a little bit better now?
LOL what a mess
214) #AbortionRights are on the ballot in 10 states in this election cycle. I expect many voters will turnout specifically to affirm the #BodilyAutonomy of women
Like many, I expect that the presence of these measures should be helpful to the #KamalaHarris campaign since this important right can transcend red/blue state divides
Here’s a good breakdown of the ballot measures in each state ⬇️
https://19thnews.org/2023/12/abortion-states-election-2024-ballot-measures/
#Election2024 #USPolitics #USPol #ReproductiveRights #Abortion
215) I expect some mirrors will soon be classed as fake reflectors by the #Trump campaign
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/8/24/2264520/-Cartoon-Fairest-of-them-all
216) I’ve not been shy about calling #DonaldTrump a #fascist. I think that is a fair description but is labeling the man as such helpful in defeating him in #Election2024?
Mike Tomasky at the @newrepublic
Makes the case that #Trump likes being labeled a fascist. It reinforces his self image as an #authoritarian. Ridiculing him however, is far more effective in persuading swing voters
A good read ⬇️
https://newrepublic.com/article/185270/democrats-harris-trump-achilles-heel-ridicule
Absolutely the notion of sacrifice for others on the battlefield is something far beyond #Trump’s understanding. He is a man to be pitied, all consumed by his toxic narcissism and unable to connect in a meaningful way with another human being.
Defeating #DonalTrump in #Election2024, May enable us to begin to put behind us those who believe #WealthConcentration is the highest purpose in life
The challenge is the absence of a prevalent counterpoint, a recognition of the hedonic effect, that after we’ve achieved material comfort, additional acquisition delivers vary little additional happiness.
Wealth needs to be redefined not simply as the material that we personally possess, but also the extent of our social networks and the shared spaces that enable us to come together.
@mnutty Asheville City government closed down all of the downtown area. No one can come or go, including people that live there.
“So just after 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, city officials announced a series of sweeping street closures, bus system shutdowns and even trash collection delays starting at noon the next day, well over 24 hours before the Trump rally this afternoon. The streets are not set to re-open until 10 p.m. tonight.”
Hmmm pretty small venue - only has 2,400 seats. Given how thin #MAGA types are on the ground in #Ashville, #Trump folks will have to beat the bushes to fill the place so they can hear him drone incoherently
Good luck getting the campaign to pay for the extra policing. Their is a trail of unpaid municipalities across the country
What can I say? It’s the #Trump way. Nobody goes unscrewed
#Election2024 #USPolitics #USPols #Politics
https://publicintegrity.org/politics/donald-trump-police-cities-bills-maga-rallies/
This story was published in partnership with NBC News and CNBC. “Do we love law enforcement or what?” President Donald Trump asked a cheering crowd during his “Make America Great Again” political rally Oct. 12 in Lebanon, Ohio. “Thank you, law enforcement!” the president later told officers, who he called “heroes.” But when Lebanon City Hall sent […]
@mnutty
(Truth in humor.)
From TBR piece:
“I think the key to turning any business into a disaster is simple,” Musk opined. “You have to take a brand that people love and make it toxic. I don’t mean to brag, but that’s kind of my superpower.”
“That’s true up to a point, but you also have to make sure that the product itself is horrible,” Trump responded. “Ask anyone who’s stayed at one of my hotels and found it infested with bedbugs.”
#Ireland's polity is generally liberal and more aligned with the #DemocraticParty. They loathe #Trump. I'd add the #Irish weren't hugely enamored with #JoeBiden's support of #Israel's war in Gaza.
The Irish have long been sympathetic to the #Palestinian cause. That doesn't mean that the Irish are pro-Hamas or support what happened on Oct 7th; rather, they identify with the people of Gaza as being oppressed by a neighboring power, an experiment resonant given #IrishHistory
There is an internationalist component at play with #autocracy and its supporters. It's disturbing but needs to be understood.
The latest #book from @anneapplebaum is required reading on the subject, and I'm recommending it to those who want to understand the odd #geopolitics that are swirling around us.
Martin Nutty
Lstn2urmama 🇨🇦
AlexanderMars
samiamsam
Shadow Heart
Dadbod AntiFa
From Robin with Love
BlueBeachSong™
MerelyAHut