The RNC is a crime syndicate with billionaire puppet masters—they aren’t going away. Their ability to vomit out propaganda and dissent is unrelenting and too many primitive-minded miscreants are getting their jollies with the riling and ranting. So, no, it isn’t going away AS LONG AS CITIZENS UNITED PROVIDES FINANCIAL FUEL.
I think it folly to underestimate the GOP …again. As much as I would like to think this will splinter them away, it won’t. Trumps base seems to have become more than ready to pick up arms against their fellow citizens. Even the leadership states a goal of “owning the libs” which ranges from legislation and deregulation to what books and products to ban. Time for the democrats to organize, clarify goals, state accomplishment and govern. Stop running campaigns around mud slinging.but stop protecting them from it either.
I have two issues that need discussion. Guns - all the anguish and hand wringing but never a suggestion of a solution that could be fought for. I think there are some no brainers. Banish assault weapons (already being talked about) and register weapons - just like your car - national database - incentive is that any weapon that comes to light that is not registered is confiscated. The main issue is to figure out a way to take guns away from people who might misuse them. We are starting in that direction with red flag laws but the program needs to be national and we need to define irresponsible gun behavior. Anyone being irresponsible will have their guns (all of them) removed for life and be entered on a no buy / no own list (nationally). We just have to agree on what constitutes irresponsible behavior - certainly shooting a gun in public, what about threatening (isn't that what the militants do when they bring their assault rifles to a demonstration or rally?), expand the list with actions that even the gun lobby would have to agree are irresponsible. The big part is to have the political will to actually take guns away and do it permanently for anyone demonstrating irresponsibility.
Second I would really like to see the dems develop a "truth" megaphone similar to the Fox "lies" megaphone. The only idea I have is to create a "marketing plan" for dems - done professionally - to provide content to be used everywhere - websites, e-mails, tv ads, talking points for interviews, etc. - the content would tout dems successes and republican failures - it would be available to all dems from dog catcher to presidential candidates - they could each choose what was important for their message. The database would be constantly updated with the latest issues (dems successes or republican failures).
IMHO anyone with a conscience would have left the party by now. All who are left are true believers. Anecdotally, I know a lot of professional Republicans who owe their jobs and livelihoods to the party and they will go down with the ship, even if it means selling their souls to the Devil.
Worrying about Republicans is wasted energy. Someone needs to craft a compelling future vision that people from both sides can get behind. Both parties have had the same platform for decades: “vote for me because I’m not as bad as they are!” Lacks strategy and inspiration, then we default to decades old topics: abortion, taxes, guns, morality.
Usually a divided ticket at election time is a curse for either party. If Biden can keep democrats on a positive message it could be a huge advantage. Difficult to imagine that republicans denying an election,( now admitted on FOX), refusing gun legislation, protecting wealthy from paying taxes, denying abortion rights, making cuts to medicare and social security that everybody wants or needs, or impeaching Biden will win enough hearts and minds in 2024. Perhaps the fentanyl pill popping crowd in the rust belt will rally for the Trump crowd. I am frightened that so many non-issues are given focus by the incompetent menagerie comprised of DeSantis, Jordan, McCarthy, Greene, Hawley, Cruz, and Rubio. Nikki Haley, Pence and Tim Scott are "articulate" but future harmful association with Trump remains an unknown. Endorsing hate and silly issues deprives all republicans from anything resembling an inspiring message. As long as Joe Biden is at the top of his game I am praying for his leadership to prevail in 2024. .
Without Murdoch, Trump will slowly wither away as a political threat. That's why Trump is screaming.
Trump is ever so slowly becoming yesterday's news. However, as despicable as he is, he is absolutely the most interesting person in America if not the world. As such, he means profits for the news outlets willing to give him air time. The media will continue to milk his celebrity while tiptoeing around his utter depravity crying all the way to the bank. Trump cost the Republicans the Senate so this will add to the party's unwillingness to support him. This is an amazing dynamic. The Republicans can't work with him or against him. Remember Rick Wilson's comment about Trump, "everything he touches dies." That's what the Republicans have to look forward to. Trump will not stop until he's destroyed everything around him.
Robert and Heather, would you please include next week not only the unemployment rate but the number of people that are not working that are not included in the unemployment rate. And the number of people that are employed. I think that gives a good idea of what's happening.
I look forward to your email about the coffee clutch each week and of course I look forward to listening. I drink my coffee right along to it. Interesting stuff this week but also scary things going on Within the Republican Party. I'm still trying to be optimistic although it is hard at times.
MAGA is a force to recon with and I am not sure how long it if it will die off. It is a threat that keeps on giving. I did not care about the murder trial and glad East Palestine is mad. The Dems need to play hard ball and go on fox to rebut them and quote the emails. Also show how red states (read NC) want Medicaid and to cut it is irresponsible
The GOP has already come apart. For Democrats the important questions are: 1) whether or not the Democrats too will come apart? 2) whether DeSantis or anyone else can pull Republicans together sufficiently to win a national election? 3) whether the Electoral College (state by state politics) will once again deliver the presidency to a minority-backed candidate? 4) Who to back as the Democrat in the 2024 Presidential race who will prevent the above?
Didn't you always give us a version we could read instead of listen to? I can understand if that's too much work at your age since I myself, at 80 years old, have much less energy than I once did. But it would be so much easier and less time-consuming just to read it.
Incidentally, I have several of your books. And your recent work has promoted you to my favorite economist, eclipsing my previous favorites of Stiglitz and Krugman. And I continue to recount to others, as one of my favorite witticisms, your remark in your first speech as Secretary of Labor that you have known you were 'on Bill Clinton's short list'!
Hi RedElisa. I believe that a simple election defeat will not discourage Trump. Conviction in a court of law is necessary to discredit his constant lies and misinformation. His niece wrote in her book, Trump did not learn discipline as a child or by serving in the military. His wealth was acquired, not earned. He has a penchant for law suits for personal gain instead of building trust. As a teacher I have witnessed many children in need of structure and discipline find success. When discipline of a devious child fails repeatedly, in extreme cases, the courts inevitably must discipline criminal behavior. Existing laws identify Donald Trump as a criminal who deserves to be prosecuted. Donald Trump has been enabled by corrupt FOX News and a Republican Party damaged by vacant leadership expressing criticism of the facts in the January 6th Hearings. How much longer must Americans endure this insult to our image as a democracy by ignoring the rule of our Constitutional Law?
Your comments on the end of work (AI will take over all jobs) takes me to an ongoing argument I, a retiree, have with my children who are still working. They agree with the scenario that there will be not jobs. I disagree. I worked in a laboratory and before the end of my career, helped automate just about every job: robotics, rules, algorithms, testing, etc. My experience was that we did not need fewer workers; we needed workers trained differently. Rather than traditional task-specific skills, they needed to be trained to evaluate outcomes and design reworks. And they needed to be able to keep those robotic instruments performing as intended.
The RNC is a crime syndicate with billionaire puppet masters—they aren’t going away. Their ability to vomit out propaganda and dissent is unrelenting and too many primitive-minded miscreants are getting their jollies with the riling and ranting. So, no, it isn’t going away AS LONG AS CITIZENS UNITED PROVIDES FINANCIAL FUEL.
I think it folly to underestimate the GOP …again. As much as I would like to think this will splinter them away, it won’t. Trumps base seems to have become more than ready to pick up arms against their fellow citizens. Even the leadership states a goal of “owning the libs” which ranges from legislation and deregulation to what books and products to ban. Time for the democrats to organize, clarify goals, state accomplishment and govern. Stop running campaigns around mud slinging.but stop protecting them from it either.
I have two issues that need discussion. Guns - all the anguish and hand wringing but never a suggestion of a solution that could be fought for. I think there are some no brainers. Banish assault weapons (already being talked about) and register weapons - just like your car - national database - incentive is that any weapon that comes to light that is not registered is confiscated. The main issue is to figure out a way to take guns away from people who might misuse them. We are starting in that direction with red flag laws but the program needs to be national and we need to define irresponsible gun behavior. Anyone being irresponsible will have their guns (all of them) removed for life and be entered on a no buy / no own list (nationally). We just have to agree on what constitutes irresponsible behavior - certainly shooting a gun in public, what about threatening (isn't that what the militants do when they bring their assault rifles to a demonstration or rally?), expand the list with actions that even the gun lobby would have to agree are irresponsible. The big part is to have the political will to actually take guns away and do it permanently for anyone demonstrating irresponsibility.
Second I would really like to see the dems develop a "truth" megaphone similar to the Fox "lies" megaphone. The only idea I have is to create a "marketing plan" for dems - done professionally - to provide content to be used everywhere - websites, e-mails, tv ads, talking points for interviews, etc. - the content would tout dems successes and republican failures - it would be available to all dems from dog catcher to presidential candidates - they could each choose what was important for their message. The database would be constantly updated with the latest issues (dems successes or republican failures).
I vote MAGAts win because they have the base.
IMHO anyone with a conscience would have left the party by now. All who are left are true believers. Anecdotally, I know a lot of professional Republicans who owe their jobs and livelihoods to the party and they will go down with the ship, even if it means selling their souls to the Devil.
Worrying about Republicans is wasted energy. Someone needs to craft a compelling future vision that people from both sides can get behind. Both parties have had the same platform for decades: “vote for me because I’m not as bad as they are!” Lacks strategy and inspiration, then we default to decades old topics: abortion, taxes, guns, morality.
Usually a divided ticket at election time is a curse for either party. If Biden can keep democrats on a positive message it could be a huge advantage. Difficult to imagine that republicans denying an election,( now admitted on FOX), refusing gun legislation, protecting wealthy from paying taxes, denying abortion rights, making cuts to medicare and social security that everybody wants or needs, or impeaching Biden will win enough hearts and minds in 2024. Perhaps the fentanyl pill popping crowd in the rust belt will rally for the Trump crowd. I am frightened that so many non-issues are given focus by the incompetent menagerie comprised of DeSantis, Jordan, McCarthy, Greene, Hawley, Cruz, and Rubio. Nikki Haley, Pence and Tim Scott are "articulate" but future harmful association with Trump remains an unknown. Endorsing hate and silly issues deprives all republicans from anything resembling an inspiring message. As long as Joe Biden is at the top of his game I am praying for his leadership to prevail in 2024. .
Without Murdoch, Trump will slowly wither away as a political threat. That's why Trump is screaming.
Trump is ever so slowly becoming yesterday's news. However, as despicable as he is, he is absolutely the most interesting person in America if not the world. As such, he means profits for the news outlets willing to give him air time. The media will continue to milk his celebrity while tiptoeing around his utter depravity crying all the way to the bank. Trump cost the Republicans the Senate so this will add to the party's unwillingness to support him. This is an amazing dynamic. The Republicans can't work with him or against him. Remember Rick Wilson's comment about Trump, "everything he touches dies." That's what the Republicans have to look forward to. Trump will not stop until he's destroyed everything around him.
Robert and Heather, would you please include next week not only the unemployment rate but the number of people that are not working that are not included in the unemployment rate. And the number of people that are employed. I think that gives a good idea of what's happening.
loutishness
noun [ U ]
US /ˈlaʊ.t̬ɪʃ.nəs/ UK /ˈlaʊ.tɪʃ.nəs/
From the Cambridge English Dictionary:
behavior that is rude and offensive, and sometimes violent :
I look forward to your email about the coffee clutch each week and of course I look forward to listening. I drink my coffee right along to it. Interesting stuff this week but also scary things going on Within the Republican Party. I'm still trying to be optimistic although it is hard at times.
MAGA is a force to recon with and I am not sure how long it if it will die off. It is a threat that keeps on giving. I did not care about the murder trial and glad East Palestine is mad. The Dems need to play hard ball and go on fox to rebut them and quote the emails. Also show how red states (read NC) want Medicaid and to cut it is irresponsible
The GOP has already come apart. For Democrats the important questions are: 1) whether or not the Democrats too will come apart? 2) whether DeSantis or anyone else can pull Republicans together sufficiently to win a national election? 3) whether the Electoral College (state by state politics) will once again deliver the presidency to a minority-backed candidate? 4) Who to back as the Democrat in the 2024 Presidential race who will prevent the above?
DeSantis waits for a Trump indictment and uses cultural wars topics to lure cult members away without directly challenging Trump. Won’t work.
Didn't you always give us a version we could read instead of listen to? I can understand if that's too much work at your age since I myself, at 80 years old, have much less energy than I once did. But it would be so much easier and less time-consuming just to read it.
Incidentally, I have several of your books. And your recent work has promoted you to my favorite economist, eclipsing my previous favorites of Stiglitz and Krugman. And I continue to recount to others, as one of my favorite witticisms, your remark in your first speech as Secretary of Labor that you have known you were 'on Bill Clinton's short list'!
Hi RedElisa. I believe that a simple election defeat will not discourage Trump. Conviction in a court of law is necessary to discredit his constant lies and misinformation. His niece wrote in her book, Trump did not learn discipline as a child or by serving in the military. His wealth was acquired, not earned. He has a penchant for law suits for personal gain instead of building trust. As a teacher I have witnessed many children in need of structure and discipline find success. When discipline of a devious child fails repeatedly, in extreme cases, the courts inevitably must discipline criminal behavior. Existing laws identify Donald Trump as a criminal who deserves to be prosecuted. Donald Trump has been enabled by corrupt FOX News and a Republican Party damaged by vacant leadership expressing criticism of the facts in the January 6th Hearings. How much longer must Americans endure this insult to our image as a democracy by ignoring the rule of our Constitutional Law?
Your comments on the end of work (AI will take over all jobs) takes me to an ongoing argument I, a retiree, have with my children who are still working. They agree with the scenario that there will be not jobs. I disagree. I worked in a laboratory and before the end of my career, helped automate just about every job: robotics, rules, algorithms, testing, etc. My experience was that we did not need fewer workers; we needed workers trained differently. Rather than traditional task-specific skills, they needed to be trained to evaluate outcomes and design reworks. And they needed to be able to keep those robotic instruments performing as intended.