http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/21/obama-approval-skyrockets-highs-independents-president.html
"As potential voters have witnessed Donald Trump in action, they appreciate Obama more."
Saturday, May 21, 2016
The Supreme Court Is at Stake: Why the Presidential Election Matters
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/36036-the-supreme-court-is-at-stake-why-the-presidential-election-matters
"Conservatives in this country have been on a mission to change the makeup of the Supreme Court since the Warren court overturned segregation laws, approved civil rights and voting rights, and upheld the rights of the accused to due process."
"Conservatives in this country have been on a mission to change the makeup of the Supreme Court since the Warren court overturned segregation laws, approved civil rights and voting rights, and upheld the rights of the accused to due process."
REPORT: Trump Lied About How Much Was Raised For Veterans, Personal Donation Appears Missing
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/21/report-trump-lied-about-how-much-was-raised-for-veterans-personal-donation-appears-missing/
"On top of failing to pay charities for months after the fundraiser, despite already having beneficiaries listed, it turns out Donald Trump actually lied about how much was raised — to the tune of around a million and a half dollars. And now, four months later, his campaign is admitting it. In fact, as of this time, only a little over three million has actually been paid out, meaning it’s possible that even the new number given by the Trump’s campaign is false. That, or worse, it simply disappeared. According to his campaign, donations were pledged that were not received. But that begs the question: If $4.5 million was definitely raised, where did it go? In any case, the amount of time between the fundraiser and actually paying the money is questionable, and Trump has been called out by many people for it — including Sandra Miniutti, the vice president for Charity Navigator, a service that rates charities: Miniutti said some fundraisers rightfully take time to distribute payments if the recipients have to be vetted, such as after public emergencies, but she said Trump’s campaign established a clear list of organizations to benefit. “There is no hard rule for turn-around time, but because the fundraising was so public, I think it’s fair to question why the funds haven’t been paid out,” Miniutti said. (CNN) Trump has also been criticized by the founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paul Rieckhoff, who tweeted at the time of the fundraiser that “We need strong policies from candidates, not to be used for political stunts.” VoteVets.org has also distanced itself from the candidate, and other organizations have made it clear that receiving donations does not indicate support for his policies. Trump’s support for veterans is a facade. He doesn’t care about veterans at all; he knows that expressing support for veterans is a surefire strategy in American politics."
"On top of failing to pay charities for months after the fundraiser, despite already having beneficiaries listed, it turns out Donald Trump actually lied about how much was raised — to the tune of around a million and a half dollars. And now, four months later, his campaign is admitting it. In fact, as of this time, only a little over three million has actually been paid out, meaning it’s possible that even the new number given by the Trump’s campaign is false. That, or worse, it simply disappeared. According to his campaign, donations were pledged that were not received. But that begs the question: If $4.5 million was definitely raised, where did it go? In any case, the amount of time between the fundraiser and actually paying the money is questionable, and Trump has been called out by many people for it — including Sandra Miniutti, the vice president for Charity Navigator, a service that rates charities: Miniutti said some fundraisers rightfully take time to distribute payments if the recipients have to be vetted, such as after public emergencies, but she said Trump’s campaign established a clear list of organizations to benefit. “There is no hard rule for turn-around time, but because the fundraising was so public, I think it’s fair to question why the funds haven’t been paid out,” Miniutti said. (CNN) Trump has also been criticized by the founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paul Rieckhoff, who tweeted at the time of the fundraiser that “We need strong policies from candidates, not to be used for political stunts.” VoteVets.org has also distanced itself from the candidate, and other organizations have made it clear that receiving donations does not indicate support for his policies. Trump’s support for veterans is a facade. He doesn’t care about veterans at all; he knows that expressing support for veterans is a surefire strategy in American politics."
Donald Trump gets away with every lie: Ronald Reagan, Fox News and how the right slowly gutted the truth
Donald Trump gets away with every lie: Ronald Reagan, Fox News and how the right slowly gutted the truth
"Trying to knock down Trump’s lies one at a time is a fool’s errand. It’s like trying to cut the head off of the hydra; for every lie you chop down, two new ones take its place. You have to step back and grasp the full magnitude of his lying, how he kneads together a whole multitude of lies into a single narrative, one which he then quickly casts off the moment it becomes advantageous to abandon it in favor of something else—possibly even the exact opposite of what he had been arguing the moment before. Perhaps the best way to understand him is simply as a salesman. There are no objective facts where he comes from, just selling points."
"Trying to knock down Trump’s lies one at a time is a fool’s errand. It’s like trying to cut the head off of the hydra; for every lie you chop down, two new ones take its place. You have to step back and grasp the full magnitude of his lying, how he kneads together a whole multitude of lies into a single narrative, one which he then quickly casts off the moment it becomes advantageous to abandon it in favor of something else—possibly even the exact opposite of what he had been arguing the moment before. Perhaps the best way to understand him is simply as a salesman. There are no objective facts where he comes from, just selling points."
That Time Donald Trump Posed As His Own Spokesman To Brag About Himself (VIDEO)
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/13/that-time-donald-trump-posed-as-his-own-spokesman-to-brag-about-himself-video/
"Unfortunately, he keeps getting away with things. Despite his horrific remarks, his repeated lies, and his generally awful attitude, The Donald has managed to land himself the spot as the 2016 GOP nominee. Republicans have repeatedly given him a pass no matter what he says or does because he represents all that is terrible about our society — bigotry, hatred, racism, xenophobia — and that is exactly what appeals to them."
"Unfortunately, he keeps getting away with things. Despite his horrific remarks, his repeated lies, and his generally awful attitude, The Donald has managed to land himself the spot as the 2016 GOP nominee. Republicans have repeatedly given him a pass no matter what he says or does because he represents all that is terrible about our society — bigotry, hatred, racism, xenophobia — and that is exactly what appeals to them."
Donald Trump Just Lied About Pretending To Be His Own PR Guy, Because We've Gone Insane
http://thedailybanter.com/2016/05/trump-pretends-to-be-publicist/
"Keep in mind that Trump had already admitted, in 1990, that he used the John Miller alias on occasion. And yet there he was -- lying his ass off. The Today show, the Post and his own unmistakable voice had him dead to rights. No sane person would've denied it was Trump and no sane person would've expected that he could get away with denying it was Trump -- but there was Donald Trump, just bald-face lying to the planet. Because Donald Trump is incapable of telling the truth. About anything. He lies spectacularly and mundanely, about any and all subjects. If you ask Trump what time it is and he answers you, get a second opinion because there's a pretty good chance what he told you is nonsense. Trump is compulsive and pathological, exhibiting the traits not simply of a narcissistic bullsh*t artist but of someone with a genuine personality disorder. Every day it feels like we fall deeper into a rabbit hole of insanity this election cycle. Every day, particularly with Trump, there's one new moment that's even more batsh*t than the last. I can only imagine what tomorrow's revelation about this buffoonish con man will be, but it should serve as one more reminder that while we can laugh at his ridiculousness, he now stands literally one vote away from becoming the most powerful man in the world. That's not funny. That's f*cking terrifying."
"Keep in mind that Trump had already admitted, in 1990, that he used the John Miller alias on occasion. And yet there he was -- lying his ass off. The Today show, the Post and his own unmistakable voice had him dead to rights. No sane person would've denied it was Trump and no sane person would've expected that he could get away with denying it was Trump -- but there was Donald Trump, just bald-face lying to the planet. Because Donald Trump is incapable of telling the truth. About anything. He lies spectacularly and mundanely, about any and all subjects. If you ask Trump what time it is and he answers you, get a second opinion because there's a pretty good chance what he told you is nonsense. Trump is compulsive and pathological, exhibiting the traits not simply of a narcissistic bullsh*t artist but of someone with a genuine personality disorder. Every day it feels like we fall deeper into a rabbit hole of insanity this election cycle. Every day, particularly with Trump, there's one new moment that's even more batsh*t than the last. I can only imagine what tomorrow's revelation about this buffoonish con man will be, but it should serve as one more reminder that while we can laugh at his ridiculousness, he now stands literally one vote away from becoming the most powerful man in the world. That's not funny. That's f*cking terrifying."
RNC Chair: 'No One Cares' About NYT's Article On Trump's Abuse Of Women
RNC Chair: 'No One Cares' About NYT's Article On Trump's Abuse Of Women
"Chairman of the RNC, bringing his A-game to Sunday news. Said no one."
"Chairman of the RNC, bringing his A-game to Sunday news. Said no one."
26 Preventative Health Care Services Available To Women Under Obamacare
http://samuel-warde.com/2016/05/26-preventative-health-care-services-available-women-obamacare/
"All Marketplace health plans and many other plans must cover the following list of preventive services for women without charging a copayment or coinsurance."
"All Marketplace health plans and many other plans must cover the following list of preventive services for women without charging a copayment or coinsurance."
Friday, May 20, 2016
The new overtime rule will directly benefit 12.5 million working people: Who they are and where they live
The new overtime rule will directly benefit 12.5 million working people: Who they are and where they live:
"12.5 million salaried workers will directly benefit from the Department of Labor’s new rule raising the salary threshold below which salaried workers are automatically eligible for overtime pay."
"12.5 million salaried workers will directly benefit from the Department of Labor’s new rule raising the salary threshold below which salaried workers are automatically eligible for overtime pay."
Health insurance coverage in the US just reached a historic high
Health insurance coverage in the US just reached a historic high
"The number of people without health insurance coverage is now at a record low."
"The number of people without health insurance coverage is now at a record low."
Republicans outraged millions of workers will get added pay under new Obama overtime rule
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/18/1527927/-Republicans-outraged-millions-of-workers-will-get-added-pay-under-new-Obama-overtime-rule
"President Obama is raising the overtime eligibility threshold, ensuring that, for millions more workers, working extra hours will mean getting extra pay. Naturally, congressional Republicans and industry lobby groups are outraged."
"President Obama is raising the overtime eligibility threshold, ensuring that, for millions more workers, working extra hours will mean getting extra pay. Naturally, congressional Republicans and industry lobby groups are outraged."
Paul Ryan Commits To Fighting Rule That Extends Overtime Protection To Millions Of Workers
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/19/3779735/paul-ryan-overtime/
"Hours after the White House announced a final rule that will change overtime protection so that it covers millions more Americans, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) vowed to fight it."
"Hours after the White House announced a final rule that will change overtime protection so that it covers millions more Americans, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) vowed to fight it."
Paul Ryan ADMITS He Wants People To Work More Hours For No Added Pay
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/18/paul-ryan-admits-he-wants-people-to-work-more-hours-for-no-added-pay/
"Let’s be blunt, Republicans seem want to make sure employers keep as much money as possible by making sure they’re allowed to pay employees as little as possible. They seem to see giving money to top to let in “trickle down” is an investment in the economy, but investing more money in the people (or rather, consumers) who actually drive the economy, is a bad thing. Republicans have it exactly backwards, and the sooner they realize this the better. What’s most ironic, Paul Ryan is paid an obscene amount to work only mere weeks per year."
"Let’s be blunt, Republicans seem want to make sure employers keep as much money as possible by making sure they’re allowed to pay employees as little as possible. They seem to see giving money to top to let in “trickle down” is an investment in the economy, but investing more money in the people (or rather, consumers) who actually drive the economy, is a bad thing. Republicans have it exactly backwards, and the sooner they realize this the better. What’s most ironic, Paul Ryan is paid an obscene amount to work only mere weeks per year."
CDC Confirms 279 Pregnant Women Are Infected With Zika Virus as Congress Fails to Allocate Enough Funding (Video) @alternet
CDC Confirms 279 Pregnant Women Are Infected With Zika Virus as Congress Fails to Allocate Enough Funding (Video) @alternet:
"On Friday, Obama expressed frustration over the Congress’s slow reaction time; in February, the president requested $1.8 billion to help fight the spread of Zika."
"On Friday, Obama expressed frustration over the Congress’s slow reaction time; in February, the president requested $1.8 billion to help fight the spread of Zika."
Over A Third Of North America’s Bird Species Need ‘Urgent Conservation Action’
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/19/3779611/state-of-north-america-birds-report/
"Thanks to a multitude of threats, over a third of the bird species in North America are “of major conservation concern,” according to a comprehensive study released Wednesday. The report, released by the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is the first to look at the threats facing all 1,154 migratory bird species native to North America."
"Thanks to a multitude of threats, over a third of the bird species in North America are “of major conservation concern,” according to a comprehensive study released Wednesday. The report, released by the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is the first to look at the threats facing all 1,154 migratory bird species native to North America."
Attorneys General Funded by Big Oil Try to Block ExxonMobil Climate Fraud Probe @alternet
Attorneys General Funded by Big Oil Try to Block ExxonMobil Climate Fraud Probe @alternet:
"Exxon scientists conducted cutting-edge climate research decades ago and warned top management of the potentially catastrophic risks posed by global warming. Regardless, the company publicly emphasized uncertainty about climate science for years and, to a certain extent, still does. Furthermore, it has been financing a network of advocacy groups and think tanks to spread disinformation about climate science and the viability of renewable energy for the last two decades."
"Exxon scientists conducted cutting-edge climate research decades ago and warned top management of the potentially catastrophic risks posed by global warming. Regardless, the company publicly emphasized uncertainty about climate science for years and, to a certain extent, still does. Furthermore, it has been financing a network of advocacy groups and think tanks to spread disinformation about climate science and the viability of renewable energy for the last two decades."
A Song Of Fire And No Ice: We Just Had Our Fourth Record-Breaking Hottest Month In A Row This Year
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/15/3778465/fire-no-ice-2016-hottest-year/
"NASA reported Friday, we’ve just been through the hottest April and the hottest January-April on record — by far."
"NASA reported Friday, we’ve just been through the hottest April and the hottest January-April on record — by far."
The 4th Largest Economy In The World Just Generated 90 Percent Of The Power It Needs From Renewables
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/09/3776629/germany-renewable-generation/
"On Sunday, for a brief, shining moment, renewable power output in Germany reached 90 percent of the country’s total electricity demand."
"On Sunday, for a brief, shining moment, renewable power output in Germany reached 90 percent of the country’s total electricity demand."
5 South Pacific Islands Have Been Swallowed Up by Rising Sea Levels @alternet
5 South Pacific Islands Have Been Swallowed Up by Rising Sea Levels @alternet:
"Rising sea levels and erosion have caused five islands in the South Pacific to completely disappear, researchers have said. A further six islands have been partially destroyed by erosion and the phenomenon is already causing human displacement, pushing people out of their coastal communities and further inland."
"Rising sea levels and erosion have caused five islands in the South Pacific to completely disappear, researchers have said. A further six islands have been partially destroyed by erosion and the phenomenon is already causing human displacement, pushing people out of their coastal communities and further inland."
Trump’s Newest Enemy: Environmentalists
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/19/3779862/trump-paris-climate-deal-environmentalist-reaction/
"Donald Trump has officially taken aim at the environment. And environmentalists are starting to aim back. The billionaire and presumptive Republican presidential nominee fired first shots on Friday, when he announced his key energy policy adviser: U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican who loves drilling for oil and denies human-caused climate change. Cramer is staunchly opposed to president Obama’s landmark climate change regulations, and is widely expected to advise Trump to repeal them. Trump fired once more on Tuesday, telling Reuters that he would, at minimum, “renegotiate” the U.N. global climate accord, an agreement between nearly 200 nations to keep global warming in check. “At a maximum, I may do something else,” Trump said, implying he would dismantle the agreement completely. Environmentalists have known Trump’s position on the environment and climate for years. The conspiracy theorist billionaire, for example, once said he thinks climate change is a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese (Trump later said the sentiment was “obviously a joke“) . He also apparently believes cold weather during winter disproves the theory of global climate change. But until this week, Trump had never really indicated how far he’d go to act on his beliefs about global warming. And now, environmentalists are starting to take notice."
"Donald Trump has officially taken aim at the environment. And environmentalists are starting to aim back. The billionaire and presumptive Republican presidential nominee fired first shots on Friday, when he announced his key energy policy adviser: U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican who loves drilling for oil and denies human-caused climate change. Cramer is staunchly opposed to president Obama’s landmark climate change regulations, and is widely expected to advise Trump to repeal them. Trump fired once more on Tuesday, telling Reuters that he would, at minimum, “renegotiate” the U.N. global climate accord, an agreement between nearly 200 nations to keep global warming in check. “At a maximum, I may do something else,” Trump said, implying he would dismantle the agreement completely. Environmentalists have known Trump’s position on the environment and climate for years. The conspiracy theorist billionaire, for example, once said he thinks climate change is a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese (Trump later said the sentiment was “obviously a joke“) . He also apparently believes cold weather during winter disproves the theory of global climate change. But until this week, Trump had never really indicated how far he’d go to act on his beliefs about global warming. And now, environmentalists are starting to take notice."
Polluters In South Carolina Are About To Get A Huge Boost From The State House
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/06/3775596/sc-environmental-bill-rights-removed/
"For the past 65 years, if someone — or some company — was illegally polluting in South Carolina, you could sue. The law was put on the books so that if South Carolina’s enforcement agencies didn’t have the time, money, or political backing to go after a polluter, the average citizen could step in. Now, with only a month left in its 2015-2016 session, the South Carolina legislature has picked up a bill that would do away with this ability. “No one in the public of South Carolina is calling for the repeal of their rights to protect their communities and clean water,” Frank Holleman, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), told ThinkProgress in an email. “Instead, this is an example of the lobbyists for corporate polluters controlling politicians who will take away the rights of citizens in order to curry favor with major campaign contributors.” Holleman understands what is at stake here perhaps more than most. In early 2012, SELC filed a suit on behalf of a local water protection group, the Catawba Riverkeeper, against South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) over coal ash pollution in the Wateree River, near Columbia. Coal ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. For decades, plant operators have dumped the toxic waste — which can contain heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals — in unlined pits near waterways. That, in and of itself, is not illegal. But the pits have been tied to groundwater contamination and, in some cases, the companies have been found to dump the waste directly into the waterway, which is illegal. Coal ash is an ongoing environmental issue across much of the southeast."
"For the past 65 years, if someone — or some company — was illegally polluting in South Carolina, you could sue. The law was put on the books so that if South Carolina’s enforcement agencies didn’t have the time, money, or political backing to go after a polluter, the average citizen could step in. Now, with only a month left in its 2015-2016 session, the South Carolina legislature has picked up a bill that would do away with this ability. “No one in the public of South Carolina is calling for the repeal of their rights to protect their communities and clean water,” Frank Holleman, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), told ThinkProgress in an email. “Instead, this is an example of the lobbyists for corporate polluters controlling politicians who will take away the rights of citizens in order to curry favor with major campaign contributors.” Holleman understands what is at stake here perhaps more than most. In early 2012, SELC filed a suit on behalf of a local water protection group, the Catawba Riverkeeper, against South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) over coal ash pollution in the Wateree River, near Columbia. Coal ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. For decades, plant operators have dumped the toxic waste — which can contain heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals — in unlined pits near waterways. That, in and of itself, is not illegal. But the pits have been tied to groundwater contamination and, in some cases, the companies have been found to dump the waste directly into the waterway, which is illegal. Coal ash is an ongoing environmental issue across much of the southeast."
Arctic Death Spiral Update: What Happens In The Arctic Affects Weather Everywhere Else
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/03/3774789/april-record-arctic-ice-loss/
"This was the hottest four-month start (January to April) of any year on record, according to newly-released satellite data. The Arctic continues its multi-month trend of off-the-charts warmth. So it’s no surprise that Arctic sea ice continues to melt at a record pace. New research, however, finds that warming-driven Arctic sea ice loss causes high-pressure systems to get stuck in places like Greenland, leading to accelerated melt of the land-locked ice that drives sea level rise worldwide. Let’s start with the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) satellite data, which show that the lowest part of the atmosphere (the lower troposphere) was an impressive 1.3°F (0.71°C) above the historical (1981-2010) average — a baseline that is itself 0.8°F (0.45°C) hotter than pre-industrial levels."
"This was the hottest four-month start (January to April) of any year on record, according to newly-released satellite data. The Arctic continues its multi-month trend of off-the-charts warmth. So it’s no surprise that Arctic sea ice continues to melt at a record pace. New research, however, finds that warming-driven Arctic sea ice loss causes high-pressure systems to get stuck in places like Greenland, leading to accelerated melt of the land-locked ice that drives sea level rise worldwide. Let’s start with the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) satellite data, which show that the lowest part of the atmosphere (the lower troposphere) was an impressive 1.3°F (0.71°C) above the historical (1981-2010) average — a baseline that is itself 0.8°F (0.45°C) hotter than pre-industrial levels."
Jimmy Carter First To Use Solar Panels On The White House In 1979 – Guess Who Took Them Down?
http://samuel-warde.com/2016/05/jimmy-carter-first-use-solar-panels-white-house-1979/
"President Obama reinstalled solar panels into the White House in 2013."
"President Obama reinstalled solar panels into the White House in 2013."
Why is Congress Trying to Give Military Half a Wildlife Refuge it Doesn't Want?
Why is Congress Trying to Give Military Half a Wildlife Refuge it Doesn't Want?
"The overreaching rider is part of a trend: this is only the latest attempt by the House Armed Services committee, long dominated by Republicans, to demolish endangered species protections through the NDAA, the annual "must-pass" legislation that authorizes annual military spending."
"The overreaching rider is part of a trend: this is only the latest attempt by the House Armed Services committee, long dominated by Republicans, to demolish endangered species protections through the NDAA, the annual "must-pass" legislation that authorizes annual military spending."
50 Years Ago Big Oil Bragged About Being Able To Melt Glaciers, While They Knew About Climate Change
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/04/14/3769380/exxon-ad-melt-glaciers/
"Newly-released oil industry documents push back the start date of the world’s most successful disinformation campaign to the 1960s, if not earlier. The must-read documents, published by The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), strengthen the hand of the numerous attorneys general investigating whether ExxonMobil engaged in a cover-up to mislead the public and investors about the dangers of human-caused climate change."
"Newly-released oil industry documents push back the start date of the world’s most successful disinformation campaign to the 1960s, if not earlier. The must-read documents, published by The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), strengthen the hand of the numerous attorneys general investigating whether ExxonMobil engaged in a cover-up to mislead the public and investors about the dangers of human-caused climate change."
NASA Publicly Humiliates Right-Wing Climate Change Deniers On Facebook With Real Science
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/04/13/nasa-publicly-humiliates-right-wing-climate-change-deniers-on-facebook-with-real-science/
"They also responded to two other right-wing idiots who accused the space agency of “fudging” the numbers and “deleting data"."
"They also responded to two other right-wing idiots who accused the space agency of “fudging” the numbers and “deleting data"."
This New Report Will Tell You If You Live Near One Of America’s Most Threatened Rivers
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/04/12/3768168/four-threatened-rivers/
"The report, released Tuesday by American Rivers, lists ten of the most threatened rivers in the country. These rivers all have two things in common: they’re threatened by mismanagement or various sources of pollution, and they’re all facing major policy decisions in the coming year that could either exacerbate those threats or rein them in. Millions of people depend on these rivers for drinking water, and the waterways are crucial habitats for a wide array of aquatic life."
"The report, released Tuesday by American Rivers, lists ten of the most threatened rivers in the country. These rivers all have two things in common: they’re threatened by mismanagement or various sources of pollution, and they’re all facing major policy decisions in the coming year that could either exacerbate those threats or rein them in. Millions of people depend on these rivers for drinking water, and the waterways are crucial habitats for a wide array of aquatic life."
Science-bashing riders are one more reason to focus intently on the federal budgeting process
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/4/25/1519873/-Science-bashing-riders-are-one-more-reason-to-focus-intently-on-the-federal-budgeting-process
"The reason they don’t want you to know about these poison pill policies is because often, these riders are special interests’ backdoor attempt to weaken science-based public protections for their own gain. And like clockwork, they continue to appear, and lawmakers continue to hope that no one will notice."
"The reason they don’t want you to know about these poison pill policies is because often, these riders are special interests’ backdoor attempt to weaken science-based public protections for their own gain. And like clockwork, they continue to appear, and lawmakers continue to hope that no one will notice."
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel Perfectly Rips Sarah Palin Apart on Her Anti-Climate Change Nonsense @alternet
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel Perfectly Rips Sarah Palin Apart on Her Anti-Climate Change Nonsense @alternet:
"Sarah Palin’s appearance in a new climate change denial film called Climate Hustle got the host fired up enough to take up the dumb-dumbness that is both Palin and the entire climate change denial brigade, aka, the GOP."
"Sarah Palin’s appearance in a new climate change denial film called Climate Hustle got the host fired up enough to take up the dumb-dumbness that is both Palin and the entire climate change denial brigade, aka, the GOP."
Here’s Donald Trump’s new cringe-inducing excuse for mocking a reporter’s disability
Here’s Donald Trump’s new cringe-inducing excuse for mocking a reporter’s disability
"Donald Trump has said and done quite a few controversial things over the past year during his successful run for the Republican presidential nomination. Now that he’s the presumptive nominee, however, he wants the country to forget about all those things. But how to do it? Talking to The Washington Post, Trump trotted out an explanation for an incident that occurred last November where he made fun of a New York Times reporter’s physical disability, and it’s about as cringe-inducing as you can imagine. “I would never say anything bad about a person that has a disability,” Trump told the Post. “I swear to you it’s true, 100 percent true.. . .Who would do that to [the] handicapped? I’ve spent a lot of money making buildings accessible.” This in and of itself is pretty remarkable. First of all, Trump is required by law to make his buildings accessible to people with disabilities — he’s not doing so out of the good of his heart. Second, the notion that he’s made his buildings accessible and thus would never say anything bad about someone with disabilities makes about as much logical sense as believing that eating a taco bowl means he “loves Hispanics.” As amazing as this is, what comes next might be even more incredible. Specifically, the Post says that after talking about how many buildings he has made accessible, “Trump then satirically reenacted the scene, his arms jerking all around, and said he was trying to show ‘a guy who grovels — ‘Oh, oh, I didn’t say that. I didn’t say that.’ That was the imitation I was doing. Now… is that a believable story?'” For the record, this was the video of Trump mocking a reporter’s disability. Watch it for yourself and decide if it’s “a believable story"."
"Donald Trump has said and done quite a few controversial things over the past year during his successful run for the Republican presidential nomination. Now that he’s the presumptive nominee, however, he wants the country to forget about all those things. But how to do it? Talking to The Washington Post, Trump trotted out an explanation for an incident that occurred last November where he made fun of a New York Times reporter’s physical disability, and it’s about as cringe-inducing as you can imagine. “I would never say anything bad about a person that has a disability,” Trump told the Post. “I swear to you it’s true, 100 percent true.. . .Who would do that to [the] handicapped? I’ve spent a lot of money making buildings accessible.” This in and of itself is pretty remarkable. First of all, Trump is required by law to make his buildings accessible to people with disabilities — he’s not doing so out of the good of his heart. Second, the notion that he’s made his buildings accessible and thus would never say anything bad about someone with disabilities makes about as much logical sense as believing that eating a taco bowl means he “loves Hispanics.” As amazing as this is, what comes next might be even more incredible. Specifically, the Post says that after talking about how many buildings he has made accessible, “Trump then satirically reenacted the scene, his arms jerking all around, and said he was trying to show ‘a guy who grovels — ‘Oh, oh, I didn’t say that. I didn’t say that.’ That was the imitation I was doing. Now… is that a believable story?'” For the record, this was the video of Trump mocking a reporter’s disability. Watch it for yourself and decide if it’s “a believable story"."
Reaganomics killed America’s middle class
Reaganomics killed America’s middle class
"There’s nothing “normal” about having a middle class. Having a middle class is a choice that a society has to make, and it’s a choice we need to make again in this generation, if we want to stop the destruction of the remnants of the last generation’s middle class. Despite what you might read in the Wall Street Journal or see on Fox News, capitalism is not an economic system that produces a middle class. In fact, if left to its own devices, capitalism tends towards vast levels of inequality and monopoly. The natural and most stable state of capitalism actually looks a lot like the Victorian England depicted in Charles Dickens’ novels."
"There’s nothing “normal” about having a middle class. Having a middle class is a choice that a society has to make, and it’s a choice we need to make again in this generation, if we want to stop the destruction of the remnants of the last generation’s middle class. Despite what you might read in the Wall Street Journal or see on Fox News, capitalism is not an economic system that produces a middle class. In fact, if left to its own devices, capitalism tends towards vast levels of inequality and monopoly. The natural and most stable state of capitalism actually looks a lot like the Victorian England depicted in Charles Dickens’ novels."
The Republicans want to be conned: Paul Ryan and the GOP are letting themselves be duped by Trump
The Republicans want to be conned: Paul Ryan and the GOP are letting themselves be duped by Trump
"The obvious problem with all this is that there is no “getting to know” Donald Trump. He’s an ideologically incoherent cartoon character, an intangible cloud of hair spray and cultural resentment. He flits between policy positions like some sort of bigoted hummingbird. His word is worthless, and his loyalty to the GOP is nonexistent. The only thing you can count on him to do is tell you what you want to hear, then break his promise. But Ryan and the rest of the House GOP leadership are ready and willing to let themselves be conned by Donald Trump."
"The obvious problem with all this is that there is no “getting to know” Donald Trump. He’s an ideologically incoherent cartoon character, an intangible cloud of hair spray and cultural resentment. He flits between policy positions like some sort of bigoted hummingbird. His word is worthless, and his loyalty to the GOP is nonexistent. The only thing you can count on him to do is tell you what you want to hear, then break his promise. But Ryan and the rest of the House GOP leadership are ready and willing to let themselves be conned by Donald Trump."
It will always be about race: The GOP has finally collapsed beneath its own bigotry
It will always be about race: The GOP has finally collapsed beneath its own bigotry
"Most members of the GOP probably don’t think this a laughing matter. The future of their party is at stake. However, to borrow a line from the old Laurel and Hardy bit, they’ve only themselves to blame for the “fine mess” in which they find themselves."
"Most members of the GOP probably don’t think this a laughing matter. The future of their party is at stake. However, to borrow a line from the old Laurel and Hardy bit, they’ve only themselves to blame for the “fine mess” in which they find themselves."
The 1 percent’s most dangerous weapon: Donald Trump and the global acceleration of income inequality
The 1 percent’s most dangerous weapon: Donald Trump and the global acceleration of income inequality
"Trump knows better than most, great wealth, like mushrooms, flourishes best in darkness and with a steady stream of excrement to nourish it, which thanks to the corporate news media, 2016 has already supplied in ample quantities. Perhaps the candidate was emboldened by the lack of news media blow back on his stunning reversal on his pledge to “self-finance” his presidential campaign. The original story line was so Capraesque; the last great white hope billionaire willing to put his fortune at risk to redeem the Republic sullied by elites that had sold out the national interest to feather their own nests. But now with Trump’s selection of Steve Mnuchin, a hedge fund founder and second generation Goldman Sachs alum, as his finance chair, Trump is back in proper alignment with the hedge fund pirates of the Caribbean who to this day continue to profit from the 2008 Wall Street’s heist of the Main Street economy. Of course, with much of the billion dollars that Trump committed to raise likely to go to television ads, we can hardly expect the corporate news media, that’s already made a killing on the sensational GOP primary, to hold him accountable for a spectacular flip-flop that’s very much in their interest."
"Trump knows better than most, great wealth, like mushrooms, flourishes best in darkness and with a steady stream of excrement to nourish it, which thanks to the corporate news media, 2016 has already supplied in ample quantities. Perhaps the candidate was emboldened by the lack of news media blow back on his stunning reversal on his pledge to “self-finance” his presidential campaign. The original story line was so Capraesque; the last great white hope billionaire willing to put his fortune at risk to redeem the Republic sullied by elites that had sold out the national interest to feather their own nests. But now with Trump’s selection of Steve Mnuchin, a hedge fund founder and second generation Goldman Sachs alum, as his finance chair, Trump is back in proper alignment with the hedge fund pirates of the Caribbean who to this day continue to profit from the 2008 Wall Street’s heist of the Main Street economy. Of course, with much of the billion dollars that Trump committed to raise likely to go to television ads, we can hardly expect the corporate news media, that’s already made a killing on the sensational GOP primary, to hold him accountable for a spectacular flip-flop that’s very much in their interest."
Donald Trump Promises To ‘Dismantle’ Wall Street Reform
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/18/3779349/trump-dismantle-dodd-frank/
"Consumer protection may be its biggest achievement so far, however. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began operating in 2011, and by last year had already netted $10.1 billion in relief for 17 million Americans through its enforcement activities. That includes $2.6 billion in direct restitution as well as $7.5 billion in the form of things like debt cancellation and principal reduction. It has also netted 1.8 million people $248 million in relief from supervisory actions while it’s ordered banks to pay $286 million in civil penalties. The agency wrote new rules for mortgage lending and other products and is supervising some areas, such as credit report agencies and debt collectors, that has previously gone with little oversight. Unlike Trump’s promises to scrap nearly the whole thing, the Democratic candidates say they will take Dodd-Frank even further. Bernie Sanders has promised to break up too big to fail banks within the first year of his administration, cap ATM fees and interest on consumer products, and institute a financial transaction tax on Wall Street. Hillary Clinton has promised to crack down on the shadow banking system that still often falls outside the purview of regulation and expand on Dodd-Frank’s rules."
"Consumer protection may be its biggest achievement so far, however. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began operating in 2011, and by last year had already netted $10.1 billion in relief for 17 million Americans through its enforcement activities. That includes $2.6 billion in direct restitution as well as $7.5 billion in the form of things like debt cancellation and principal reduction. It has also netted 1.8 million people $248 million in relief from supervisory actions while it’s ordered banks to pay $286 million in civil penalties. The agency wrote new rules for mortgage lending and other products and is supervising some areas, such as credit report agencies and debt collectors, that has previously gone with little oversight. Unlike Trump’s promises to scrap nearly the whole thing, the Democratic candidates say they will take Dodd-Frank even further. Bernie Sanders has promised to break up too big to fail banks within the first year of his administration, cap ATM fees and interest on consumer products, and institute a financial transaction tax on Wall Street. Hillary Clinton has promised to crack down on the shadow banking system that still often falls outside the purview of regulation and expand on Dodd-Frank’s rules."
Donald Trump Provides a Crazy Explanation for Those Abortion Comments @alternet
Donald Trump Provides a Crazy Explanation for Those Abortion Comments @alternet:
"Trump originally “saw nothing wrong with his remark” and refused to backtrack on the suggestion that women should be punished for obtaining abortions. But once media outlets inundated his campaign with request for specifics on how women should be punished, Trump asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s team to draft a statement that would appease social conservatives and moderate voters."
"Trump originally “saw nothing wrong with his remark” and refused to backtrack on the suggestion that women should be punished for obtaining abortions. But once media outlets inundated his campaign with request for specifics on how women should be punished, Trump asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s team to draft a statement that would appease social conservatives and moderate voters."
AUDIO: Drumpf Calls Date "A 3rd Rate Hooker" But Loves Women
AUDIO: Drumpf Calls Date "A 3rd Rate Hooker" But Loves Women
"Presidential material right there, folks. Enjoy, GOP. You made him."
"Presidential material right there, folks. Enjoy, GOP. You made him."
Why Trump Can Lie and No One Seems to Care @alternet
Why Trump Can Lie and No One Seems to Care @alternet:
"One simple explanation is that Trump has changed the rules. He is not a politician but a provocateur, and he isn’t held to the same standards as Clinton or Bernie Sanders or even Cruz, all of whom actually have policies. For Trump, policies are beside the point. Another explanation is that long before Trump, social scientists observed that truth matters less to people than reinforcement, and that most of us have the ability to reformulate misstatements into truth so long as they conform to our own biases. We believe what we believe, and we are not changing even in the face of opposing facts (without this capacity for self-deception there would be no Fox News). There is, however, another and even more terrifying explanation as to why the truth doesn’t seem to matter. It has less to do with Trump or our own proclivities to reshape reality than it has to do with infotainment — with the idea that a lot of information isn’t primarily about education or elevation, where truth matters, but entertainment, where it doesn’t. You might call it “the Winchell Effect"."
"One simple explanation is that Trump has changed the rules. He is not a politician but a provocateur, and he isn’t held to the same standards as Clinton or Bernie Sanders or even Cruz, all of whom actually have policies. For Trump, policies are beside the point. Another explanation is that long before Trump, social scientists observed that truth matters less to people than reinforcement, and that most of us have the ability to reformulate misstatements into truth so long as they conform to our own biases. We believe what we believe, and we are not changing even in the face of opposing facts (without this capacity for self-deception there would be no Fox News). There is, however, another and even more terrifying explanation as to why the truth doesn’t seem to matter. It has less to do with Trump or our own proclivities to reshape reality than it has to do with infotainment — with the idea that a lot of information isn’t primarily about education or elevation, where truth matters, but entertainment, where it doesn’t. You might call it “the Winchell Effect"."
Audio Of Trump Alter Ego 'John Miller' Surfaces, Trump Denies It's Him, Water Is Wet
Audio Of Trump Alter Ego 'John Miller' Surfaces, Trump Denies It's Him, Water Is Wet
"today's edition of "Insanity with Donald Trump"."
"today's edition of "Insanity with Donald Trump"."
Scientists confirm what conservatives always deny: Tea Party driven by fear of a black president
Scientists confirm what conservatives always deny: Tea Party driven by fear of a black president
"The study came about when Willard found himself pondering why racist hysteria has ratcheted up in this country since the election of President Obama in 2008. The ranks of white supremacist groups swelled after Obama entered the White House and watchdog groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center report that hate groups have become more active in recent years. In Republican politics, right-wing extremist Tea Party candidates ran longstanding GOP officials out of office as conservatives in this country doubled down in opposing the president and his policies."
"The study came about when Willard found himself pondering why racist hysteria has ratcheted up in this country since the election of President Obama in 2008. The ranks of white supremacist groups swelled after Obama entered the White House and watchdog groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center report that hate groups have become more active in recent years. In Republican politics, right-wing extremist Tea Party candidates ran longstanding GOP officials out of office as conservatives in this country doubled down in opposing the president and his policies."
Donald Trump's Testy GMA Interview On Taxes : 'It's None Of Your Business'
Donald Trump's Testy GMA Interview On Taxes : 'It's None Of Your Business'
"Trump's still using his IRS tax audit as an excuse for refusing to release his tax returns, but as NPR reported, "An NPR fact check from February found that there was no law that prohibited the release of tax returns that were under audit." "Weak Donald" hemmed and hawed his way through over five minutes of tough questions from GMA."
"Trump's still using his IRS tax audit as an excuse for refusing to release his tax returns, but as NPR reported, "An NPR fact check from February found that there was no law that prohibited the release of tax returns that were under audit." "Weak Donald" hemmed and hawed his way through over five minutes of tough questions from GMA."
What Media Need To Know About Trump Economic Policy Advisers Steve Moore And Larry Kudlow
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/12/what-media-need-know-about-trump-economic-policy-advisers-steve-moore-and-larry-kudlow/210380
"Donald Trump is tapping conservative economic pundits Stephen Moore and Larry Kudlow to assist in remaking the presumptive Republican nominee’s tax plan, which has been lambasted as a budget-busting giveaway to high-income earners and corporations. Media should be aware that both Moore and Kudlow have long histories of playing fast and loose with the facts while making outlandish and incorrect claims about the economy."
"Donald Trump is tapping conservative economic pundits Stephen Moore and Larry Kudlow to assist in remaking the presumptive Republican nominee’s tax plan, which has been lambasted as a budget-busting giveaway to high-income earners and corporations. Media should be aware that both Moore and Kudlow have long histories of playing fast and loose with the facts while making outlandish and incorrect claims about the economy."
Donald Trump Changes His Mind About Changing His Tax Plan
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/13/3778121/trump-tax-no-changes/
"While the top marginal tax rate paid by the wealthy wouldn’t be quite as low as Trump’s original proposal, it would still have been lowered from its current rate, giving them a cut. Meanwhile, an analyst at the Tax Foundation, who crunched the new numbers to estimate its cost, revealed that “the benefits to the middle class basically go away” under the draft changes given that the top rates they pay would also be increased from Trump’s original plan and breaks under standard deductions would be wiped away. “You’re only giving [breaks] to the top,” he said of the draft. That would have made Trump’s tax plan even more tilted toward the rich. But his current one is already very generous. According to the Tax Policy Center, the richest fifth of the country would get more than two-thirds of the benefits, with the top 1 percent netting nearly 40 percent. The middle would get just 11 percent, while the poorest Americans would be handed 0.8 percent of the tax relief. Without any tweaks, the price tag will also stay eye-poppingly high. Both the Tax Policy Center and the Tax Foundation estimated that it would cost about $10 trillion over a decade, the most expensive plan offered up on the Republican side except for Ben Carson’s and far more than the cost of Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush’s tax cuts. Trump has not said how he would cover that cost. If he were to stick to his pledge to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from cuts — something he has been staunch about until a campaign spokesperson changed that position this week — that would require cutting all other government spending by more than three-quarters. On top of that, if he increased military spending or even kept it where it is, he would have to all but eliminate everything else the government does, including the programs that benefit the poor and middle class."
"While the top marginal tax rate paid by the wealthy wouldn’t be quite as low as Trump’s original proposal, it would still have been lowered from its current rate, giving them a cut. Meanwhile, an analyst at the Tax Foundation, who crunched the new numbers to estimate its cost, revealed that “the benefits to the middle class basically go away” under the draft changes given that the top rates they pay would also be increased from Trump’s original plan and breaks under standard deductions would be wiped away. “You’re only giving [breaks] to the top,” he said of the draft. That would have made Trump’s tax plan even more tilted toward the rich. But his current one is already very generous. According to the Tax Policy Center, the richest fifth of the country would get more than two-thirds of the benefits, with the top 1 percent netting nearly 40 percent. The middle would get just 11 percent, while the poorest Americans would be handed 0.8 percent of the tax relief. Without any tweaks, the price tag will also stay eye-poppingly high. Both the Tax Policy Center and the Tax Foundation estimated that it would cost about $10 trillion over a decade, the most expensive plan offered up on the Republican side except for Ben Carson’s and far more than the cost of Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush’s tax cuts. Trump has not said how he would cover that cost. If he were to stick to his pledge to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from cuts — something he has been staunch about until a campaign spokesperson changed that position this week — that would require cutting all other government spending by more than three-quarters. On top of that, if he increased military spending or even kept it where it is, he would have to all but eliminate everything else the government does, including the programs that benefit the poor and middle class."
Racists and white nationalists love Donald Trump: Seth Meyers calls out what the media is afraid to say
Racists and white nationalists love Donald Trump: Seth Meyers calls out what the media is afraid to say
"Donald Trump's rhetoric has attracted support from white nationalists and racists who promote white supremacy"
"Donald Trump's rhetoric has attracted support from white nationalists and racists who promote white supremacy"
How Trump Gets Away With Lying and the Mainstream Media Colludes With Him @alternet
How Trump Gets Away With Lying and the Mainstream Media Colludes With Him @alternet:
"Few people would accuse Donald Trump of possessing extensive knowledge of policy issues, history or basic facts. But considering the presumed Republican nominee engages several times per day with people whose basic job function is to understand and contextualize policy issues, history and facts—a.k.a. journalists—the number of lies Trump is able to get away with is truly staggering."
"Few people would accuse Donald Trump of possessing extensive knowledge of policy issues, history or basic facts. But considering the presumed Republican nominee engages several times per day with people whose basic job function is to understand and contextualize policy issues, history and facts—a.k.a. journalists—the number of lies Trump is able to get away with is truly staggering."
Trumponomics: Media, Experts Criticize Trump’s Proposal To “Print The Money” To Pay Down Debt
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/10/trumponomics-media-experts-criticize-trump-s-proposal-print-money-pay-down-debt/210337
"Donald Trump called in to CNBC and outlined a plan to partially default on the United States’ outstanding sovereign debt obligations in hopes of eventually negotiating lower rates of repayment -- an action that would likely lead to a global financial crisis. Four days later, Trump claimed in a phone interview on CNN that the media had “misrepresented” his statement and that the United States would never default because the government could “print the money” needed to pay down the national debt"
"Donald Trump called in to CNBC and outlined a plan to partially default on the United States’ outstanding sovereign debt obligations in hopes of eventually negotiating lower rates of repayment -- an action that would likely lead to a global financial crisis. Four days later, Trump claimed in a phone interview on CNN that the media had “misrepresented” his statement and that the United States would never default because the government could “print the money” needed to pay down the national debt"
Trump Tags Larry Kudlow To 'Fix' His Tax Plan
Trump Tags Larry Kudlow To 'Fix' His Tax Plan
"Kudlow and Stephen Moore of the Heritage Foundation (of course) have been tapped to "fix" Donald Trump's Tax Plan."
"Kudlow and Stephen Moore of the Heritage Foundation (of course) have been tapped to "fix" Donald Trump's Tax Plan."
An Extensive Guide To The Fact Checks, Debunks, And Criticisms Of Trump’s Various Problematic Policy Proposals
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/12/extensive-guide-fact-checks-debunks-and-criticisms-trump-s-various-problematic-policy-proposals/210365
"Over the course of the 2016 presidential primary, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has laid forth a series of problematic policy proposals and statements -- ranging from his plan to ban Muslims from entering the United States to his suggestion that the United States default on debt -- that media have warned to be “dangerous,” “fact-free,” “unconstitutional,” “contradictory,” “racist,” and “xenophobic"."
"Over the course of the 2016 presidential primary, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has laid forth a series of problematic policy proposals and statements -- ranging from his plan to ban Muslims from entering the United States to his suggestion that the United States default on debt -- that media have warned to be “dangerous,” “fact-free,” “unconstitutional,” “contradictory,” “racist,” and “xenophobic"."
Minnesota Republicans Just Endorsed A Congressional Candidate Who Would Make Trump Blush
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/09/3776547/jason-lewis-republican-endorsement-minnesota/
"During his radio host days, Jason Lewis ranted about how young women are more concerned with birth control and abortion than economics, characterized Hurricane Katrina victims as “a bunch of whiners,” and questioned whether the Union had just cause to end slavery by fighting the Confederacy during the Civil War."
"During his radio host days, Jason Lewis ranted about how young women are more concerned with birth control and abortion than economics, characterized Hurricane Katrina victims as “a bunch of whiners,” and questioned whether the Union had just cause to end slavery by fighting the Confederacy during the Civil War."
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Trump’s official tax plan blatantly contradicts his populist rhetoric
Trump’s official tax plan blatantly contradicts his populist rhetoric
"The road map charts the course to really large tax cuts, with the bulk of them going to very-high-income households: At the plan’s core is a mostly-routine Republican tax plan that includes giveaways similar to those intended by Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Ted Cruz. The difference is that the plan throws people off the scent of who it benefits, because it contains some novel (and particularly stupid) detours that make no sense as good policy. When Trump says things like “But the middle class has to be protected. The rich is probably going to end up paying more,” one might come away with the idea that this is a middle-class focused tax cut. The guts of Trump’s tax proposal, however, reveal how obvious of a giveaway to the already-rich it is. To get an idea of just how much money is being doled out, the Tax Policy Center (TPC) estimates that Trump’s plan would cost about $9.5 trillion over a decade."
"The road map charts the course to really large tax cuts, with the bulk of them going to very-high-income households: At the plan’s core is a mostly-routine Republican tax plan that includes giveaways similar to those intended by Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Ted Cruz. The difference is that the plan throws people off the scent of who it benefits, because it contains some novel (and particularly stupid) detours that make no sense as good policy. When Trump says things like “But the middle class has to be protected. The rich is probably going to end up paying more,” one might come away with the idea that this is a middle-class focused tax cut. The guts of Trump’s tax proposal, however, reveal how obvious of a giveaway to the already-rich it is. To get an idea of just how much money is being doled out, the Tax Policy Center (TPC) estimates that Trump’s plan would cost about $9.5 trillion over a decade."
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Uh Oh: Trump Named In The Panama Papers 3,540 Times!
Uh Oh: Trump Named In The Panama Papers 3,540 Times!
"Today we learn of another puzzle piece regarding Herr Trump's shady financial dealings and wow, this one is a doozy. For months, Herr Trump has been dodging requests to show his taxes and just yesterday said "There's nothing to learn from them." Ironic, considering in 2012 he publicly blasted Mitt Romney for being slow to release his taxes. Well, now Herr Trump is flat out refusing to share his until AFTER the election. Yes, after. Because, you know, nothing shady going on there. Some possible explanations for this refusal are that he isn't as rich as he says he is (probable), he doesn't pay a high tax rate (he gloats about this), he doesn't donate to charities (ha, did anyone think he really did?) or he is pretty much broke (hmmm). Wait, just today, not one day after that flat out declaration from a man who, up until this point loves putting his name on any and every product he can possibly slap a "Trump" label on (see full list here.) has been named in the infamous Panana Papers. Another possible reason why Herr Trump is refusing to release his returns."
"Today we learn of another puzzle piece regarding Herr Trump's shady financial dealings and wow, this one is a doozy. For months, Herr Trump has been dodging requests to show his taxes and just yesterday said "There's nothing to learn from them." Ironic, considering in 2012 he publicly blasted Mitt Romney for being slow to release his taxes. Well, now Herr Trump is flat out refusing to share his until AFTER the election. Yes, after. Because, you know, nothing shady going on there. Some possible explanations for this refusal are that he isn't as rich as he says he is (probable), he doesn't pay a high tax rate (he gloats about this), he doesn't donate to charities (ha, did anyone think he really did?) or he is pretty much broke (hmmm). Wait, just today, not one day after that flat out declaration from a man who, up until this point loves putting his name on any and every product he can possibly slap a "Trump" label on (see full list here.) has been named in the infamous Panana Papers. Another possible reason why Herr Trump is refusing to release his returns."
Trump's Long-Time Butler Calls For President Obama To Be Shot Or Hanged
Trump's Long-Time Butler Calls For President Obama To Be Shot Or Hanged
"Trump's longtime butler and current Mar-a-Lago resort "historian" has the exact kind of views you would expect from a Trump loyalist. Racist, hateful, bigoted and violent."
"Trump's longtime butler and current Mar-a-Lago resort "historian" has the exact kind of views you would expect from a Trump loyalist. Racist, hateful, bigoted and violent."
Donald Trump's Latest Ignorance Is Just Breathtaking @alternet
Donald Trump's Latest Ignorance Is Just Breathtaking @alternet:
"Real businesspeople, as opposed to a lifelong self-promoting scammer like Trump, understand perfectly well that public and private debts are not equivalent, and that governments (and most especially the U.S. government) can’t operate like private businesses in regard to their debt obligations. That is why real businesspeople invest in U.S. bonds, despite their current near- zero rate of return: because they know that the U.S. government—assuming it isn’t taken over by the maniacs at the head of contemporary Republican party–can’t and won’t engage in strategic default."
"Real businesspeople, as opposed to a lifelong self-promoting scammer like Trump, understand perfectly well that public and private debts are not equivalent, and that governments (and most especially the U.S. government) can’t operate like private businesses in regard to their debt obligations. That is why real businesspeople invest in U.S. bonds, despite their current near- zero rate of return: because they know that the U.S. government—assuming it isn’t taken over by the maniacs at the head of contemporary Republican party–can’t and won’t engage in strategic default."
ALEC's 2016 Agenda Moving in the States: A Snapshot
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13099/alec's-2016-agenda-snapshot
"More than a quarter of all the state legislators in the country belong to ALEC, although the secretive group does not disclose its list of more than 2000 legislative members. ALEC gets 98 percent of its funding from corporations and sources like the Koch family foundations, and it acts as a conduit for special interest influence in state legislatures. ALEC convenes legislators, corporate lobbyists, and right-wing think tanks to vote as equals, behind closed doors, on "model bills" that benefit ALEC's corporate members, industry funders, and right-wing allies. These bills are then introduced, often word for word, in state legislatures around the country. ALEC's long-term agenda is reflected in the current crop of bills now being filed in state houses. They undermine action on climate change and environmental protections; promote school privatization; defund unions and stop progressive wage and benefits policies; and, among other things, call for a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to restrict the federal budget. ALEC is also the force behind the increased use of "preemption" laws designed to strip local governments of their power to ban fracking, pass minimum wage hikes, and enact earned sick day laws. ALEC is pushing bills to stop cities from banning plastic bags, made from derivatives of oil refining. ALEC is funded by some of the biggest fossil fuel companies in the world, like Koch. Over the last three years, 109 corporations--from Ford to Google--have dumped ALEC after the public learned more about this shadowy group, particularly its role pushing national model bills like the "Stand Your Ground" law cited for exonerating Trayvon Martin's killer, along with bills that make it harder for Americans to vote and peddling extreme climate change denial."
"More than a quarter of all the state legislators in the country belong to ALEC, although the secretive group does not disclose its list of more than 2000 legislative members. ALEC gets 98 percent of its funding from corporations and sources like the Koch family foundations, and it acts as a conduit for special interest influence in state legislatures. ALEC convenes legislators, corporate lobbyists, and right-wing think tanks to vote as equals, behind closed doors, on "model bills" that benefit ALEC's corporate members, industry funders, and right-wing allies. These bills are then introduced, often word for word, in state legislatures around the country. ALEC's long-term agenda is reflected in the current crop of bills now being filed in state houses. They undermine action on climate change and environmental protections; promote school privatization; defund unions and stop progressive wage and benefits policies; and, among other things, call for a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to restrict the federal budget. ALEC is also the force behind the increased use of "preemption" laws designed to strip local governments of their power to ban fracking, pass minimum wage hikes, and enact earned sick day laws. ALEC is pushing bills to stop cities from banning plastic bags, made from derivatives of oil refining. ALEC is funded by some of the biggest fossil fuel companies in the world, like Koch. Over the last three years, 109 corporations--from Ford to Google--have dumped ALEC after the public learned more about this shadowy group, particularly its role pushing national model bills like the "Stand Your Ground" law cited for exonerating Trayvon Martin's killer, along with bills that make it harder for Americans to vote and peddling extreme climate change denial."
Americans really don't like the idea of a Trump Supreme Court
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/9/1524714/-Americans-really-don-t-like-the-idea-of-a-Trump-Supreme-Court
"All of this is making Senate Leader Mitch McConnell's ongoing blockade more dangerous for Republican incumbents. 50% of voters say they’d be less likely to vote for a Senator who opposed having confirmation hearings, compared to only 18% who say that stance would make them more likely to vote for their Senator. That includes 23 percent of independents, who say they are less likely to vote for a senator who's opposed having hearings. Meanwhile, McConnell is flirting dangerously with a single-digit approval rating—he's down to 11 percent approval."
"All of this is making Senate Leader Mitch McConnell's ongoing blockade more dangerous for Republican incumbents. 50% of voters say they’d be less likely to vote for a Senator who opposed having confirmation hearings, compared to only 18% who say that stance would make them more likely to vote for their Senator. That includes 23 percent of independents, who say they are less likely to vote for a senator who's opposed having hearings. Meanwhile, McConnell is flirting dangerously with a single-digit approval rating—he's down to 11 percent approval."
Top Pentagon Commanders: We’ll Quit If Trump Becomes Commander-In-Chief
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/11/top-pentagon-commanders-well-quit-trump-becomes-commander-chief-2/
"a good number of Pentagon officials are planning to retire or quit if Trump gets elected in protest of his vile desecration of the values that they have sworn to die defending and his callous disregard for the lives that will be put at risk should he attain he highest office of the United States"
"a good number of Pentagon officials are planning to retire or quit if Trump gets elected in protest of his vile desecration of the values that they have sworn to die defending and his callous disregard for the lives that will be put at risk should he attain he highest office of the United States"
The Hypocrisy Of Trump’s Refusal To Release His Tax Returns
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/11/3777219/trump-called-mitt-romney-release-tax-returns-wont-release/
"It’s also a sharp break from Trump’s own advice to Mitt Romney. In January 2012, Trump told Greta Van Sustren that Romney “was hurt really very badly” by his initial refusal to release his tax returns. He advised Romney to “release them now"."
"It’s also a sharp break from Trump’s own advice to Mitt Romney. In January 2012, Trump told Greta Van Sustren that Romney “was hurt really very badly” by his initial refusal to release his tax returns. He advised Romney to “release them now"."
Trump Embarrasses Himself, Proves He Has NO IDEA What The GI Bill Is (VIDEO)
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/10/trump-embarrasses-proves-no-idea-gi-bill/
"Perhaps if Donald Trump hadn’t dodged the draft to embark on his own personal Vietnam of unprotected promiscuity, he’d know what the G.I. Bill is – and how important it is to our nation and to our veterans."
"Perhaps if Donald Trump hadn’t dodged the draft to embark on his own personal Vietnam of unprotected promiscuity, he’d know what the G.I. Bill is – and how important it is to our nation and to our veterans."
Media Slam Trump’s “Insane” Plan To Default On U.S. Debt
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/08/media-slam-trump-s-insane-plan-default-us-debt/210297
"Analysts Explain That Real Estate Gimmicks Don’t Work For The American Economy"
"Analysts Explain That Real Estate Gimmicks Don’t Work For The American Economy"
Experts Warn This Trump Plan Would Cause ‘Global Financial Meltdown’
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/07/experts-warn-this-trump-plan-would-cause-global-financial-meltdown/
"Trump doesn’t seem to understand that the United States economy isn’t one of his many, many casinos and other ventures that he sent into bankruptcy at the expense of his investors"
"Trump doesn’t seem to understand that the United States economy isn’t one of his many, many casinos and other ventures that he sent into bankruptcy at the expense of his investors"
Trump Confronted With Reality That His New Economic Idea Would Destroy The Global Economy
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/08/3776377/trump-default-you-never-know/
"The ripple effects of even a single discounted debt repurchasing move by the U.S. would put a freeze on business and investment activity throughout almost every sector of the global economy."
"The ripple effects of even a single discounted debt repurchasing move by the U.S. would put a freeze on business and investment activity throughout almost every sector of the global economy."
SHOCK: Donald Trump Just Promised to Bankrupt America Like He Did With His Failed Businesses
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/06/shock-donald-trump-just-promised-bankrupt-america-like-failed-businesses/
"Apparently for Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, four bankruptcies isn’t enough. Now, he promises to bring America to the brink of bankruptcy to magically force our creditors to cancel our debt. It’s a stunning admission, one which betrays a deep ignorance of how sovereign debt works, and one that for any other nominee would sink his candidacy."
"Apparently for Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, four bankruptcies isn’t enough. Now, he promises to bring America to the brink of bankruptcy to magically force our creditors to cancel our debt. It’s a stunning admission, one which betrays a deep ignorance of how sovereign debt works, and one that for any other nominee would sink his candidacy."
Entitled, racist, bigoted, thugs: It is time to call Donald Trump supporters by their real names
Entitled, racist, bigoted, thugs: It is time to call Donald Trump supporters by their real names
"Republicans form the core of Donald Trump’s base of support. White, angry, entitled, nativist, bigoted, and racist voters constitute the base of the Republican Party in the Age of Obama and the post-civil rights era. While a lazy corporate news media has tried to spin the rise of Donald Trump as some type of aberration for the Republican Party and movement conservatism, he is instead the logical outcome and spawn of at least five decades of right-wing social and economic policies."
"Republicans form the core of Donald Trump’s base of support. White, angry, entitled, nativist, bigoted, and racist voters constitute the base of the Republican Party in the Age of Obama and the post-civil rights era. While a lazy corporate news media has tried to spin the rise of Donald Trump as some type of aberration for the Republican Party and movement conservatism, he is instead the logical outcome and spawn of at least five decades of right-wing social and economic policies."
Witness Trump Tell A Room Of Cheering Morons That Women Have It Better Off Than Men (VIDEO)
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/08/witness-trump-tell-a-room-of-cheering-morons-that-women-have-it-better-off-than-men-video/
"Trump is a bully, and he thinks that he can belittle women by saying how much they have it ‘better’ than men. He says this because he gets in trouble for belittling them. He doesn’t think people should call him out on his misogynistic bullsh*t. That’s what he means by “women get it better,” because women these days are finally being heard, and he hates it. Absolutely despises it. Honestly? Any person who votes for Donald Trump, a man with zero policy or diplomacy experience, is an idiot, but women who vote for Trump? Seriously? Have a little more respect for yourself than that."
"Trump is a bully, and he thinks that he can belittle women by saying how much they have it ‘better’ than men. He says this because he gets in trouble for belittling them. He doesn’t think people should call him out on his misogynistic bullsh*t. That’s what he means by “women get it better,” because women these days are finally being heard, and he hates it. Absolutely despises it. Honestly? Any person who votes for Donald Trump, a man with zero policy or diplomacy experience, is an idiot, but women who vote for Trump? Seriously? Have a little more respect for yourself than that."
Veteran Campaign Reporters: “The Stakes Are Too High” To Let Trump Get Away With Constant Lying
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/05/11/veteran-campaign-reporters-stakes-are-too-high-let-trump-get-away-constant-lying/210328
"Trump’s falsehoods and conspiracies have piled up over the course of the campaign, running the gamut from his repeated (and often unchallenged) boast that he opposed the Iraq War from the beginning to more bizarre claims like his recent embrace of a National Enquirer conspiracy linking Sen. Ted Cruz’s father to JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald."
"Trump’s falsehoods and conspiracies have piled up over the course of the campaign, running the gamut from his repeated (and often unchallenged) boast that he opposed the Iraq War from the beginning to more bizarre claims like his recent embrace of a National Enquirer conspiracy linking Sen. Ted Cruz’s father to JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald."
You Won’t Believe What Trump’s Newest Delegate Said About African-Americans
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/10/wont-believe-trumps-newest-delegate-said-african-americans/
"He is the leader of the American Freedom Party (AFP), a group whose stated aim is “to represent the political interests of White Americans” and preserve “the customs and heritage of the European American people.” The party advocates deporting “all non-white immigrants and U.S. citizens, including anyone with any ascertainable trace of Negro blood” and believes that “diversity is white genocide"."
"He is the leader of the American Freedom Party (AFP), a group whose stated aim is “to represent the political interests of White Americans” and preserve “the customs and heritage of the European American people.” The party advocates deporting “all non-white immigrants and U.S. citizens, including anyone with any ascertainable trace of Negro blood” and believes that “diversity is white genocide"."
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