The only reason Trump is supposedly tied with Kamala comes down to money 💰! Most of the oligarchs in America and overseas are throwing millions to get Trump elected because it benefits them! My hope is that the majority of Americans will not succumb to being bought by these corrupt politicians and their wealthy donors!
Businesses should not be allowed to donate at all! The government should be for the people, by the people. Yes, people can decide on things to help businesses. People do need to be educated about business. But business should not be allowed to buy politicians.
Agreed. Thats what citizen United is and is working towards. George W Bush made it so businesses have the same “rights” as individual citizens when donating and courting politicians.
Same goes for Ellon Muck who has 100+ million followers to whom he peddles his crap. But people will surely be sorry if we get the idiot shyster again, with his much more prepared handlers, financed by Muck's money.
Gordon - What scares me is that Muck has been promised a position to “consult” (which is bs because he would not have poured his money in to trump without more reassurances and a cushier job) if the criminal gets elected. What scares me more is that RFK JR has been promised a position to tell people what they can do with their health and/or agriculture. What keeps me up at night is that not only the criminal might be elected at all but that we will end up with Vance. Elon has rigged his twitter just as much as trump has rigged his campaign.
I don’t get why people follow these ultra rich freaks…. They DO NOT GIVE THEIR MONEY AWAY. They are not going to enrich your lives ONE BIT. If there’s any money to be had…. YOU BEST FUCKING BELIEVE THERE WON’T BE A PENNY LEFT FOR YOU
Yes, yours illuminates something that ought to dictate the law, “Companies, public or private, cannot vote. Only an individual can vote. Only an individual can donate politically.”
Plus, consider, Political donations are not tax deductible—but so at a certain level, POLITICAL donations should be TAXED as income!—like, say an INDIVIDUAL (no business contributions allowed, only a VOTER can contribute) donates any amount greater than their annual income, the amount they donate that is above their reported yearly income gets taxed at their annual rate as if earned (again) (though donated to their political party), which wealthy people understate, in order to minimize their income tax owing.
Some way to curb donations by wealthy individuals, trying to buy a party and a government.
Big business’s pay taxes, too, so they should have a say in that aspect of government, but not on social issues, like racism, misogyny, and teaching Christianity in public schools. Their issues should only be taxes and the economy. Otherwise, they should keep their lips zipped. But, will they? Not a chance! Many big businesses contribute heavily to Global Warming, and they are responsible for the denial of the reality of Climate Change. Big business must keep its mouth shut, and let scientists be in charge.
I disagreee Dawn. Every member of big business already has a vote whether they be a board member, owner, shareholder, employee or supplier or affiliated entity. To give big business voting rights is, in effect, giving those individuals double votes.
I agree. If businesses have an issue they need votes for, they need to convince the American people of the validity of that issue, just like anyone else.
Recently I read an article that said how many corporations were paying their BOD more than they were paying in income tax. We've got to plug the holes in our income tax system too.
@Dawn: I must disagree with your first sentence. You are letting the wolves into the chickenhouse to let corporations vote at all, especially on their own taxes.
Individual corporate stockholders already get a vote (assuming they are eligible US citizens; if not they have NO right to a vote at all). Giving the corporations themselves a vote is inconsistent with "one person, one vote" and gives them an unfair advantage over non-stockholding citizens.
Corporations already have an unfair advantage in that they have eternal life (like Jesus? but I digress). Corporate charters should have a fixed lifetime (20 years?), and should only be renewable upon a showing that they have obeyed the laws and served the public interest. We need a robust CORPORATE DEATH PENALTY framework.
Got any nominations? I'll start: Boeing, General Electric, EXXON...
You mean like Edward Jones who contributes to my MO 2D climate denier rep Ann Wagner. You mean Andreesen Horowitz that donates to right wing crypto supporters and other candidates. I look at who works at AH- all bright young educated people and I wonder- did they not get the memo on climate change?
Do the people at Edward Jones not care about what climate will do to their children? It really shows the extent to which the future is so heavily discounted in present day calculations. I would not invest with them.
It shows the power that near term profit making has over people. As Grantham talks about in the video below. We have to re-jigger capitalism so that business decisions are more long-term horizon. Either that or the government will simply have to take draconian measures. A mix of both needed, in reality.
I would like to see more Reich talk more explicitly on getting a shift to long-term horizon biz decision making- what legislation is needed.
Also let's talk more about private equity firms and the legislation that is needed to rein in their damage.
Businesses used to take care of their people but that has slowly changed over the years since FDR got our economy beck on track that the Republicans had ruined it.
I started an organization with hope of stoping or neutralizing the effect of these lobbyists but it seems people don't care or that they need to be led by a celebrity to make an organization work
It is hard to make such orgs sucessful. Most people do not care, or care enough. Probably better to support orgs whose goals are your own.
I got an offer in the mail from MV properties to buy my house. They are MV propertes St Louis but they are part of a national org located in San Diego(?) buying up houses. Maybe they can be the Amazon of homebuying and then rent everything back at higher prices to all the people who can't get enough credit or cash for a down payment.
Make lobbying illegal really what good does it serve but to rob the lower classes to enrich the upper class and to build monopoles. I can't think of a better reason to send people to jail but wait there is one. These lobbyists have slowed responses to climate change and stiffled efforts to our planet from extinctions and helping endangered species. To them it is all wealth and power.
Lobbying serves a useful purpose in educating Congress on the needs of businesses and other groups. But the level we have of lobbyists influence means Congress works for business and not for the people. This is wrong. The answer is reasonable restraint on lobbying. The answer to most issues is not binary (X or not X) but a Hegelian synthesis. This takes mental effort/ expenditure of glucose or whatever so the natural default-principal of least action- is binary thinking about issues.
I agree. Lobbyists put the average citizen at a disadvantage. If there must be lobbyists, then The People should have the most. Or maybe businesses should be legally bound to allow their employees 30 days of paid leave to lobby. Ha.
Here in MD we have a People's Advocate who represents the public in utility rate cases and such. I forget his name but he just last week did an extensive interview on local public TV (I have a Smart TV: it only gets PBS). Very impressive but not well known to the public.
The (2010?) Extreme Court decision that legalized unlimited corporate campaign contributions... the logical end result of making corporations people, with 1st Amendment rights. Much has been written about it (including by Prof. Reich); I doubt I could add much original to the discussion.
Robert: a primer on Citizens United would not go amiss.
She received a billion dollars since August and has a huge PAC balance but still sends me campaign begging letters. There are Democratic billionaires, too. BUT I do think that if she is not elected (I voted for her already), fascism as it’s being manufactured in Florida will become widespread. People are easily led and, as we’ve seen all too well, easily swindled. I agree with the pundit (maybe Mr. Reich.) who mentioned that voters today are irresponsible about fact-checking. It’s not all the media’s fault though corporate media and Russian disinformation lackeys are most to blame.
Under our gov Deshitus, FL is already under fascist control. The sooner Rick Scott is voted out the better FL & the nation will be served. I still maintain VANCE is the one to beware of if Don-Old is elected; his ties to Project 2025 are undeniable...even more reason to be sure Don-Old is kept out of the White House. I hope Latinos/Latinas were paying close attention to his Univision town hall and turn away from him. I am dropping off my ballot as soon as polls open here...vote Blue!
Agreed. Kate, it actually IS jd Vance we should fear. Trump is obviously melting down in public, and I am sure he'll be declared incompetent 5 minutes after being sworn in. Then our government will be solidly in the hands of the tech bros and Project 2025.
If you saw "The Matrix", it seems it was prophetic. Use humans as an energy source while they "live" in a virtual reality. Orwell's 1984 with better tech. These tech-dictators are already like Agent Smith - but with biological bodies. Talk about dystopian science fiction! "Patchwork Tech States"! Is this my granddaughter's future? I'm glad I won't live to see it.
I fear the institution of rightwing media and its use by the enemies of the open society-foreign and domestic- under unconstrained conceptions of free speech and the 1st amendment. The rest ,like Vance, is noise. A distraction even from root causes.
As I remember it, Rick Scott was a crook in the first place. He had swindled the federal government out of millions of dollars but resigned before the government brought charges to recover the funds. He was then elected from Florida. I'm sure he served Florida (his pocket). We in Texas are fighting much the same thing with Cancon Cruz. He has done nothing for Texas but has backer Trump.
We've got to watch it because, what I am reading, Musk is contributing tons of money to Trump's campaign too. At this point, I think he is trying to buy a position on Trump's executive committee.
Re Musk, trying to buy a position in government. Charge tax to Musk at exactly the amount he contributes to a political party, anything over the annual amount his barber or his dentist earns each year, tax the excess at 100%. It will only cost Musk double, to donate. But people in that league should not be able to purchase a country’s government.
Harvey - He already has his position bought and paid for but they are trying to say that he will only be a “consultant”. RFK JR also has been promised a position over health or agriculture so he would drop out of the race but only in select states. We should all be worried but I am trying to help change others perspectives the best that I can - by telling them the truth repeatedly. I figured that if they continue to repeat lies then I will repeat the truth.
Wikipedia: During [Rick Scott's] tenure as chief executive, the company defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs. The Department of Justice won 14 felony convictions against the company, which was fined $1.7 billion in what was at the time the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history.
why do you think? He wasn't charged. He stepped down. I have to think under existing law it would be difficult to hold him accountable.Maybe others here have insight.
Don't forget, we have crooks on both sides. It is just that most of them are turning up on the Republican side now. We seem to rid our problems immediately while the R's want to deny everything till the end. We have to be more vigilant and vote them out of office, regardless of what side they are.
At this point I really can't see why so many Republicans stay or believe everything that Trump "blabs." He seems to not have any real direction with what comes out of his mouth these days.
Seriously. Shady Vance is Troomp's insurance policy. And the one that the likes of Musk, Thiel, Mellon, and the pillow guy are counting on to make sure he sticks to the capitalist line, I mean lyin'.
Shady Vance is a smooth operator, and very convincing. I think Darnold is fading, but it might be awhile before the supporters figure it out. Getting scarly close.
If I said Project 2025 actually has some worthwhile ideas to consider (no not THOSE ideas) I would surely be considered a troll. I get that. Those ideas I might consider are wrapped up in a fascist program called Project 2025.
This is what war/conflict/ extreme partisanship does to us all. It makes discussion to find truth so very difficult as all things get painted black or white, red or blue. Kind of why fundamentally I dislike politics as an activity since the goal is to win, not to find or reach consensus on the truth of matters. That goal to win is so often at odds with a will to truth that it seeps into ones thinking and character. The only way I know of to lessen the conflict is to have a more enlightened public. But i don't think there is any real solution.
It's hard to narrow it down. Those two you mention, Fox, X, Facebook, and fundamentalist faux Christan zealot radio hosts account for the vast majority of the misinformation, fear mongering and hate. They must be held accountable for their lies, distortions and hate speech.
From Wisconsin, let's name names. Billionaires Liz Uihlein (Schlitz Brewing Heiress) and Diane Hendricks (ABC Supply Co.) could supply Trump with mega $$ by themselves.
I know the right wing PAC donors have scads of , too. It’s a crying shame. Just saying that she’s raised some serious money in a couple of months. We have to hope the Uihlein, Hendricks, Crow, Melon, Musk, Koch, etc club won’t risk everything just to save on taxes.
The working class will never outspend the modern day robber Barron's, especially since the rise of Crypto currency. Millions of working class families cannot compete with people like Musk who is buying access to strip protections and derail our once great Democracy. Enough is enough. No dark money and one person one vote by abolishing the Electoral College. Can you imagine if a politician would tell the people of 42 states, "Your vote should count. It's time for a popular vote. It's not right that only swing states matter. Changing to a Popular vote immediately changes this undemocratic process." Who would argue that?
Indeed, the unlimited spending on elections must stop too.
I totally agree with you! I have donated what I can afford. My husband and I live in a Red state on a fixed income and help our daughter and granddaughter. I want my vote to count!!
It should count, Karen. It would be interesting to know how many people don't live in a swing state by adding up the swing state population and subtracting it from roughly 333 million Americans. (331,449,381 according to the 2020 Census)
I have no idea, but I would be surprised if the 7 swing states' population was over 80 million. At 80 million people, basically 3/4 of Americans' vote doesn't matter because they are not from a swing state.
If the swing state population is closer to 66,600,000 then 4/5 of Americans' Presidential vote doesn't matter.
While this is a major disgrace to Democracy, another serious problem is that its a lot easier for deep pockets or foreign players to manipulate the vote. They don't have to fool half of 333 million. They only need to fool 40 million.
I'm wondering what the real swing state population is...
I guess we first need to agree that the swing states include: AZ, MI, NC, NV, OH, PA and WI. Anyone care to second this or amend my list? Sure, NE and NH could be added. Off hand, it appears that PA is the Big Kahuna of the group. Let me check with the Census. Right back...
AZ, MI, NC, NV, OH, PA and WI have a population of roughly 61,467,000 according to the 2020 Census. That's 18.5% of the US Population of 333,000,000. Thus, because we use the Electoral College, more than 4/5th of Americans' votes don't matter. Karen, you're not alone. In fact, you're with 82% of Americans who Presidential vote doesn't matter. This is an indictment of the Electoral College being undemocratic.
I think you are wrong here. "IF" Trump is elected, he is promising to raise sanctions on everything coming into America. That will increase the price on those items for us. We'll start buying American products because they will be cheaper. Then we have to fight the price gouging going on here. Of course he'll never do it.
Yes, Trump's tariffs would add to inflation, IMO. The real kicker at the grocery store would be fruits and produce because if he kicks out all or most of the undocumented farm workers, crops will rot in the field and farmers will have to raise their prices. Many farms would fail.
I have no idea why the MSM or Harris do not talk about how Trump's mass deportations would drive grocery prices, especially fruits and veggies, through the roof. Farms would fail. Corporate farms would buy up land further consolidating Ag which would also drive up food prices. This is reason enough that ALL Red states should reject Trump's half baked donestic economy and immigration plans. Go figure...
BTW, Georgia cracked down on undocumented workers and crops rotted in the fields. That was the end of GA mass deportations. Strange Trump is not questioned about this unintended consequence of mass deportations. Failed farms, higher grocery prices, less sales tax for States and local government, and less nutritional food for Americans. The latter is already a major problem driving the obesity epidemic. How 'bout that Trump immigration plan?
In stating the Electoral College should be done away with I had a Republican tell me :Are you crazy? Then we would have to campaign in all 50 states.."
As I have said before, Republicans cannot win an election without the Electoral College
In a way, privatizing education would be the final step into a New Guilded Age where it's the haves in private schools and the have nots in public schools. It would be institutionalized inequality to a new level. That would be really bad in the long term for Americans.
Betsy DeVious's policy seems to be catching on in red states. Last year Abbott (Texas) tried 4 times to get vouchers for private schools passed. It failed every time so he spent millions to get his opposition thrown out of office. Now we have to see what will happen after the upcoming election. My state congressman was one to get thrown out of office. By the way, I've already voted BLUE.
Re Harris, still asking for campaign donations. Consider she gathers funds widely, helping bankroll House district candidates, or Senate state candidates, because if those don’t campaign successfully she’s a lame duck (am I right?).
VJ - Yes, I believe you are correct because Harris has given some of her contributions to others whereas the criminal has not given one dime of his money to anyone else. He rigged the RNC to where he is the only benefactor. Some of the people running (especially the Senate) are mostly self funding but trying to pass themselves off as your average working man. They wouldn’t even know what to do if they got a paper cut or a blister from working. We desperately need people to vote up and down the ballot and get the republican candidates and election deniers out of their positions.
Re “she”? Are you pretending to believe something that you know is untrue? Are you a foreign election interference agent, sowing disinformation, to make it appear there is division from within the country? (LGBTQ+ was never an issue except that election interference agents want to make-people-scared of people in their own communities).
Do you get payments directly from RT, government controlled media? Putin’s budget went down when he realized what a lousy bet Trump is; a loose cannon, doesn’t know history, economics, law, diplomacy, negotiation and compromise, political geography, or the Bible. Dull and ignorant.
Social media influencers are paid to make people scared of one another. Putin got calls from Trump prior to 2016, to feed the voting public disinformation.
Which role are you, disinformation distributor, shill pretending to believe disinformation?; or sucker that does believe lies those fed you? The money has dried up. Sense of loneliness setting in.
Great discussion! I haven't even heard half of it yet, and they've already made so many great points. Thank you, both! An observation and two quick points:
Observation: Of the more than 32,000 documented lies that Trump has told Americans, the most deranged rambling about Democrats being socialist, Marxist, extremists and enemies must STOP!
How dare anyone demonize other people simply because we have a more educated, informed understanding of markets, labor and priorities. In fact, I'm a capitalist! In fact, I've always worked for Capitalist. To call us Marxist and Communists because we believe in regulations and consumer and environmental protections is the most outrageous, hurtful and fallacious lie of all his 32,000 plus lies.
How dare he vilify Democrats with accusations of being Communists. Has he "no decency?" No! His former Cabinet members and military leaders all agree.
First point: Trump must be called out for attacking Democrats as Communists and enemies. It's totally false, defamatory and inciting violence. His unhinged and defamatory rhetoric must stop.
Point two: I recently watched a documentary on PBS called "The Guided Age." I highly recommend it. It's amazing how history is being repeated, as the twin-span bridge data shows. The richest person in the world may soon be a TRILLiONAIRE, while wages would shrink with Trump as President.
We are in the Second Guilded Age, and we must address it for the future middle-class and economic security for ALL Americans. Our labor/civil rights would be stripped under Trickle-down Trump Muskism. Deregulation would rollback the clock decades.
We must keep making progress for workers and embrace a sustainable energy policy while not deregulating industry. Good green jobs, sustainability and continued infrastructure investment most matter NOW due to the increasing inequality and climate driven disasters like Milton, Katrina and mass wild fires in the West and Canada. We cannot have a World leader who mocks facts and ignores the science .
I encourage people to post documentaries like PBS's "the Guilded Age," Inequality Media videos, and other powerful, truthful stories, including Woman's battle for the Right to Healthcare. Have House Parties for Truth, Justice and the Working Class. In this closing election argument period, it's time to stand up for truth, justice, liberty, decency, the environment and labor.
Danny Piper. Maybe I am mis reading or not understanding what you are saying in the first few paragraphs of your writing. I thought that capitalists were AGAINST regulations and consumer and environmental protections. You seem to be saying that capitalists are FOR them. Please explain.
Good question. Thank you! Im sure others here can explain it better than I, but I will try.
Capitalism comes in many forms.
One side of the Capitalism spectrum is responsible regulation to protect consumers, workers, stock/share holders, and the environment. I believe Democrats are more aligned with this phiosphy. Without rules, regulations and laws, history has shown that greedy people and sociopaths will do major damage to workers, consumers, businesses and the environment.
On the other side of the spectrum is laissez-faire Capitalism with zero regulation. I believe Republicans like Trump are in this camp. IMO, Republicans have never met a regulation they liked, especially when it comes to labor and the environment.
The problem is without regulation and laws, Do and Trump can say he is a brain surgeon or OBGYN. Kennesy can dump a dead bear in Central Park. Trump can dump his trash from his casino in a school playground. He can sell people fake University diplomas. He can sell Chinese rodents as steaks. You get the picture. Without rules and regulations, anything goes and consumers and society pays a for their disasters.
In brief, Trump is making the outrageous, dangerous and false statement that Democrats are "communists and Marxists" because we don't agree with his brand of irresponsible, no regulation laissez-faire capitalism. They will agree that regulations that sop unlicensed people from operating as OBGYN's are necessary. However, they still hate regulation, rules and laws because it stops them from making more money, even if the rules protect consumers,workers and the health of society. Call me crazy, but rules and regulations are necessary to protect society and the environment from sociopaths like DJT, Musk, and China.
Keith--The wealthy represent such a small proposition of the voting public their voice will account for very little. It's the struggling remainder of our population that will determine who wins and who loses.
I have posted many times to Trump supporters, "Be Careful What You Wish For". If he does get elected, I can't wait to see his MAGA crew get decimated by his policies.
The one man, one vote thing….. don’t mean anything with the electoral college…. Bring back the popular vote. Electoral college is just a plan of control over the placement of a PotUS
Bring BACK the popular vote? I'm not sure we've ever had the popular vote in the US. Far as I know, the electoral college has been around since the beginning.
Not trying to be argumentative. Just putting it out there...
There were several ideas put forth in that Congress. This was the consensus. I don’t like it because it’s very OPAQUE. People don’t/can’t grasp why it is this way. Like I said before. It’s a “control measure”. Nowadays it would be absolutely nothing to use the popular vote with electronic scanning. 50 years ago this wasn’t possible. It would take months to count the 400,000,000 ballots by hand. Now it can be done in hours.
It was implemented by the Funding Fathers (not "founding") to keep the working class and especially Black people from having a voice in our governance.
Consulting my Kindle copy of the Constitution (thanks, Jeff Bozos), I can remind those of you who may have forgotten that the Senate was originally elected by state legislatures, NOT by popular vote, for similar reasons. Article I, Section 3.
Read "The Many-Headed Hydra" by Linebaugh and Rediker (also on Kindle, LOL... "When we hang the capitalists....")
He meant that his right-wing minions won't have to worry about politics if he's elected, because he'll instantly fix everything so they'll have their hearts' desires. Those desires likely include turning America into a one-party system (his).
That is an easy, but unfortunately incorrect answer. Harris has raised over $1 billion, well outpacing Trump, with more billionaire donors. The huge amount amounts of money that she has successfully raised, is one reason the Democrats, like the Republicans, are in the pockets of the plutocrats.
I agree that Harris has had a huge outpouring a small donors. However, to reach the stratospheric numbers she has reported, also takes plenty of large checks. Here’s an extract on super pacs from the most recent Forbes report.
“FEC filings through Aug. 21 show super PACs have spent approximately $167 million supporting Harris since the beginning of July, while PACs have spent approximately $55.2 million supporting Trump during that same period.”
The good news? I've heard that many billionaires are supporting PRESIDENT HARRIS! (Sorry, but is anyone but the Deathcult honestly worried at this point?)
He certainly i becoming desperate now with him selling Bibles (Made in China), gold tennis shoes (made in China), I don't know where in gold coins (with his face on them) are being made though. He's peddling a lot more crap too.
Mitch - All he is doing is stealing people’s information with those bogus petitions. Same as the website that was supposed to send you to a voter registration site but only once you gave them your information it went to a different website.
@Undoc: tRump is reportedly outspending Harris in the 7 swing states. Unfortunately I can't remember the source of this info offhand (maybe Daily Kos?) as I consume too much media. But if you care, it should be possible to find out.
Place comments on social media...."Not suckers or losers" to vets groups, military, military dependents, history sites. Vote vets has thousands of testimonials of 2020 Trump voters that flipped. According to Facebook, there are 4 million veterans or active duty members on Facebook, and 12.5 million family members of veterans or active duty members on Facebook.
In an interview the past week, Trump let something slip -- no pun about sharts intended -- about January 6. He asserted that he told his followers to be peaceful and patriotic, neglecting the fact he also told them to fight like hell.
But the key happened when he said that his gang wasn't armed, while "the other side" had guns. Us and them, with the "other side" being law enforcement. Over 150 police injured.
He then pronounced January 6 as a "day of love." That should let anyone with more than two brain cells all they need to know about Trump.
What Trump let slip and we all hope Jack Smith was listening and taking notes, was his (Trump’s) use and placement of the word “We”. Self incrimination.
Thomas, in as much as Trump is solipsistic, Jan 6th was a day of love...for him.
Just as conservatives talk in code,(pro life means patriarchal supremacy as does family values) and you need a decoder ring to understand what they are really saying.
So it is with Trump, only you don't need a decoder ring, just realize that everything he says is self referential, all thoughts begin and end with me and I., and where harm and violence are mentioned he is talking of anybody who doesn't worship him.
Thomas - IMO his best rally was on Friday where his microphone went out for over twenty minutes and he couldn’t spout his hate. He was walking around the stage in a downward spiral and admitted that he wasn’t going to pay the company (not shocking considering how many states and places he still owes from past events).
True Donald: Yet half the country, not only will vote for him, but as Bill Maher said, will vote for him even if he had sex with a dead girl or a live boy.. Europe is aghast at America, it's leadership have no respect, yet they still kiss his ass, because they are afraid he will win. What does that say about us. Anybody watch Bill Maher last night, guess were Mark Cuban and Joe Scarborough, It is probably on youtube.
Not half the country. Recent data shows ex-Trump supporters support Kamala. New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer poll found Harris winning 12% of Republicans in Pennsylvania.
I think the people who walk the halls of power are more afraid of the people BEHIND Trump than they are of him personally. People in media fawn after him and court his attention — but the real power brokers are bowing to the Oligarchs who wield those $billions$ we keep talking about. There’s no other logic to it, because Trump is OPENLY and OBVIOUSLY the charlatan and doofus we always thought he was, only now he prances around like a faux-leader instead of a faux-businessman or reality-TV celebrity.
Sadly, too many people who aren’t well informed fall for his sh*t-show.
Yes. It’s the corruption of a reasonable idea — that we should be able to petition our government leaders for redress of wrongs, and to advocate to our “representatives” for the kind of law and government we want. Money is what corrupts lobbying, not the act of approaching our elected representatives to let them know our preferences. Sadly, the current SCOTUS has made the lobbying process worse with the ludicrous declarations that money is speech and contractual entities are people…
Moldova, which currently leans toward democracy and is looking to join NATO, is voting this weekend. According to the Guardian, it could go either way. There is a strong fear that Russia sympathizers could gain power there.
I know, I subscribe to the substack Moldova matters. It's eastern border is Transnistria. Transnistria is a quasi Soviet country, It's flag has the old Hammer and Sickle and star in the upper left of the field, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Transnistria
Transnistria's eastern border is with Ukraine, Ukraine falls, Moldova Falls ..
Moldova has an army of 5,400 men, and shares a border with Romania to the west. you can see where this is going.
I disagree there is no Zion NAZI genocide against Palestinians, you have been sucked into the Arab Muslim propaganda machine.
Here is a little fact. A Jewish state on sacred Arab soil is untenable. Israel is a country that occupies the third holiest site in Islam, behind Mecca and Medina, where Muhammad was born and died, all of Arabia is sacred Arab soil, in their eyes.
As is Israel, because of Haram al Shariff, the Dome of the Rock and al Aqsa Mosque.
Haram al Shariff is the rock that Muhammads chimera beast, body of a horse, face of a human, wings of an eagle, picked him up and flew to, where it leaped on that rock into the seven layers of heaven, where Muhammad encounter the prophets, Abraham,Jacob, Jesus before meeting Allah and negotiating with Allah for how many times a day they would prey, he "Jewed" him down from 500, to 50, then 5 with the help of Abraham.
There is on the rock what looks like a footprint of an animal, the Muslims have been told it is the hoof of the beast.
I am not making this up, it is in the Quran.
The Arabs tried in 1948 to obliterate (genocide) the Jews, they failed lost land, tried again in 1956, 1967, 1973, 2006 and Oct 7 was only the latest.
Yahya Sinwar and Ishmael Haniyeh, both dead now, have said that they will sacrifice as many Palestinians as needed to drive the Jews out.
From the river to the sea is a call to Genocide in between Jordan and the Mediterranean is Israel.
Genocide requires intention (Art II, UN Convention on Prevention of Genocide) the Jews have made no intention of genociding the Palestinians which they couldn't do if they wanted to.
But the Muslims, the Arabs have announced their intention of Jewish genocide, in public, and in the HAMAS Covenant.
Sorry Sean, You just lost me when you went Biblical and religious.
I don't want to get in a pissing contest with you, but I am an atheist, and I can deconstruct,on historical and logic grounds the Abrahamic religions, including your bible.
Allow me to discuss the subject of progressive media.
There is none, save for non profit and basically non profit like Free Speech TV which relies on contributions, small circulation periodicals like The Nation and Mother Jones, the rest of the media is corporate.
Corporations are run by a board of directors, elected or appointed by (principal) shareholders, the chair is often the majority individual shareholder, and in many cases like Robert Iger of
The Walt Disney Company owns many media companies, including:
Television networks: ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic
Streaming services: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Hotstar
The Walt Disney Company owns many media companies, including:
Television networks: ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic
Streaming services: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Hotstar
Robert is the major indivdual shareholder, Chairman of the Board and CEO.
MSNBC and NBC are owned by NBCUniversal,which is owned by Comcast, whose chairman and CEO is Brian L. Roberts
CBS is owned by Paramount Global, which is owned by National Amusements which is owned by the Redstone family
And it gets worse the institutional stockholders of all are Vanguard, Blackrock, States Street and some minor others, but the controlling shares of Blackrock ,its CEO and Chair is Larry Fink.
They quite literally hold a slice of every pie in the world. In fact, they have a whopping $10 trillion in assets — nearly half America’s total GDP.
BlackRock is so influential that the US and Chinese Governments even relied on the company to escape recessions.
Being the Founder & CEO of such a mega-conglomerate, Fink is now quite powerful as well. He currently sits on both the Council on Foreign Relations and the World Economic Forum.
In the words of Henry Kissinger, “Whoever controls the money controls the world”. No other company in history has had as much influence as BlackRock.
The fact that BlackRock is a major shareholder in dozens of major companies (Twitter, Amazon, Google, and Facebook, just to name a few) is very important because it means that for any of these companies to decide on company policy, they must now also consult with BlackRock before doing so.
BlackRock’s influence over 90% of the mainstream media might also be why you’ve probably never heard of them (and why most people haven’t).
Controlling media is a very important step in BlackRock continuing to extend its control over the world, because if everyone knew the consequences of them holding nearly $10 trillion in assets, questions would start to be raised.
Such an unchecked amount of power (especially under the wing of Fink being the sole company owner) means that the guy has unparalleled amounts of power over the world that we may yet to truly understand.
CBS
From the NYT owned by the Ochs Sulzberger family WAPO owned by Jeff Bezos, to Larry Fink, Robert Iger, Brian L Roberts, the Redstone family, the Newhouse family, there is not a progressive among them
Salon Media group owns Salon and it's investors include Adobe, Apple, Granite Ventures, Dotcom venures and an angel investor Bruce Katz.
Another "liberal" publication is the Atlantic magazine is owned primarily by the widow of Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell Jobs's Emerson Collective, she is a friend and sponsor of Kamala Harris
The New Yorker Magazine is owned by Conde Naste which is owned by the Redstones, mentioned above.
There is no such thing as a progressive or even liberal media, it is corporate media, what liberal media there is is limited to non profits like Free Speech TV, or small distribution publications.
I get a daily newsletter from Salon, and it is pretty damn good, but doesn't break through the echo chambers you are trying to reach.
Robert related that about 45% of citizens are locked into Drumpf's insanity. In Nazi Germany of 1933 it is estimated that only one-third of voters had chosen Hitler. To consolidate power, he created a ruse, the Reichstag fire, to shut down the government, and seize control. Trump on Jan. 6 showed his true intentions. Win or lose the election, he fully intends to usurp the government from the people. He will do anything whatsoever to regain power, and to make it absolute. Trump is taking a huge gamble that his politics of hate will further consolidate his base, as well as to fire up the potential for violence from neofascists. Deny it all he wants, he is a student of 20th Century fascism, and his rhetoric has devolved into the vilest as delivered by the apex predators of the 20th century: Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Mao to name a few murderers of millions. I haven't any intention to be confronted by mass death on my native soil by this monster, ever again. Read Anne Applebaum's account of his descent into madness.
Sadly, even if tfg doesn’t win, the rhetoric and fascist narrative has gotten into the American psyche. Vance & his cohorts will continue with the propaganda. It is more & more creeping into European politics. Italy, France, Turkey, Austria. It is being touted all over Europe. Even here in Britain Farage & his followers are around. Fortunately, not as strong. But the ideology is on the rise! We all must be vigilant!
That’s true (I don’t really “like” it, but I agree).
What’s needed from us IS vigilance, and active refutation .. ongoing education of the people. The public conversation needs to be clear and have content and context — hopefully some of it will get through
And, knowing that she was ABSOLUTELY up to the challenge {I will admit I was worried…}, I have to say that it was terrific that Harris went on Fox and brought the message to the people who are siloed there … !
We have to break out of thee silos.
I talk to a lot of people on non-MAGA threads … but I don’t know how many are independents or centrist liberals. We MUST reach across ideological lines with fact and reason — be willing to listen to opposing arguments, and be willing and ABLE to support our own.
I notice a similarity between The legion and the SS both wear/worr homoerotic clothing. Spain doesn't have the money for expensive dress uniforms and it is a warm climate, but the legion shirt is designed so there is no top button and the hairy chest is exposed.
Yes, I know fascism has found a home in many places — I’m talking about the Hitler playbook specifically. I suspect Trump sees himself as the “better” version of Adolph, as Trump thinks he will win and be more successful than Der Führer. But I’m well aware that fascism had and has its adherents. I actually see little difference between it and the so-called left-wing dictatorships, anyway, as they all spout false claims about their “principles,” while all wielding iron control over all aspects of their societies, over business and commerce and the lives of their “subjects,” both personal and public.
Going back to D-Day, I'll never understand it that the allies held back for Stalin (Russia) to take the remaining area to Berlin. They raped and pillaged all the way into Germany.
Here are a couple of really obscure old songs - that didn't get much airtime - the felon could probably use at his rallies without getting sued by the artist.
(WARNING: The language is quite course and not for delicate sensibilities - but just the thing for MAGAt types. On the other hand, they're spot-on!):
As an afterthought, I'm thinkin' that someone with the resources and skills could probably craft a good, viral video or videos based on these songs used as the soundtrack for sequences of clips of the felon at his rallies or in interviews - maybe overdubbed with things he says in those clips that reflect the lyrics of the song.
Harris has been part of the cabal that wants censorship, control over parents, disarming American citizens, and allow non citizens the right to vote, and much more damage to come
I am wondering if the individuals who are willing to sell themselves for their greed ... to this tyrant we have running for office if they have thought about their families and their children who will suffer after they are gone??
You read about 3rd world countries that sell their children into slavery .. is it going to be the same here eventually? Money? Has it been able to buy your soul ?
Biden and Harris have made it almost impossible for young adults to have a family and a home. Why hire someone the funds failing businesses, tasked with billions for broadband and over 1000 days later no one has it
Trump calls vets and military losers and suckers. Feigned a bone spur and said he is going to get rid of the constitution that you profess to love.
Your disabled you say, well the Republicans have no use for the disabled, they are a drain on resource. Neither did Hitler, neither did Stalin.
The disabled vets hanging around Moscow were such an embarrassment to Stalin, that in one night they all disappeared.
Hitler used portable gas chambers, carbon monoxide from vehicles.
The constitution did not make the U.S. a Christian nation, it merely said that congress shall make no law recognizing a religion, but the Christians are interpreting that as a Christian nation, so who is playing fast and loose with the constitution.Treaties superscede any laws, and the Treaty with the Barbary Pirates states that the United States is not a Christian Nation.
The second amendment:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
We have 51 well regulated militias, each states National Guard and the Department of Defense, so there is no need anymore for people to own war weapons and bump stocks.
I'll tell you who will take your guns, after the fascist government, of which Trump is the fool and tool, gets settled and all libs, people of color, black, brown , feminists and gay people are disposed of, your guns will be outlawed and you patriots will rush to turn in your neighbors, under fear of arrest for not snitching.
An inquiring mind wants to know, are you not voting? You couldn’t possibly be voting for the man who calls veterans like you suckers and losers? But, maybe you are! It seems that you have fallen , hook, line and sinker for his corrosive lies.
The following are direct comments from John F. Kelly, U.S.M.C.General Retired, on August 23, 2023 regarding Trumps comments on U.S. military personnel. “A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.
I suppose Trump is allowing inverted illegals into our country. We already have immigration laws on the books; however, the current administration chooses to n’ignore those laws
Roger the current administration put forth a bipartisan immigration bill that had the apprpoval of the most conservative senators, bu Trump told Mike Johnson to kill it, because he wanted to run in immigration as an agenda item.
But tell me why immigration is such and issue with you, how is it a threat to you. Are migrants going to take your job as a disabled vet?
Are you able to explain why immigration is a hot button issue with you?
I don't think so, it is just another racist right wing talking point.
Trump wouldn’t want you @ in his line of sight He likes people who weren’t disabled. He does not understand your sacrifice, let alone respect it. He considers you a loser and a sucker.
FYI, I HAVE taken and still honor that lifetime oath to preserve protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. So help me God.
So has Trump and he casually disregards and discards it. Trump is an enemy of the Constitution; he thinks it secondary to his vengeance and annoyance @ being shown up a liar and fool.
I and I am a retired mustang, with 26 years in special ops,
If you honored your oath you would invest your energy in defeating the traitors to our constitution, who are striving to make this a rich man's paradise, using people like you who believe their bullshit.
And impulsive. There are truly frightening stories about what his initial ideas for responding to challenges have been.
A current example: for the response to the Iranian 180-rocket attack ( which killed one person — a Palestinian in the west Bank) Trump’s recommendation was for the Israelis to take out Iranian nuclear sites. Bibi, not a model of restraint, now “assures” us he will go after military targets, not their nuclear or oil.
What will happen if our military pledges its loyalty and obedience to this man? God help us all.
A strange take on restricting Hate speech, women having control over their own bodies, sensible restrictions on war weaponry to save school children's lives from Americas biggest killer disease, and there is only one party that constantly attempts to repress voting rights of the electorate.
So you would allow a convicted rapist, fraudster, bankrupt who never pays suppliers or contractors to attack your human rights?
Rights our forefathers fought for against those of the same beliefs.
Not a dodge fool, this is the court of public opinion, you can stand on a soap box and blather all you want, but we have the right and responsibility to demand proof.
You are the one dodging Roger, because you can't back up your bullshit, All you have is repeating rants and lies you've heard in your bubble.
Kamela Harris owns a handgun. If she was part of this so-called cabal that's going to take everybody's guns away then she'd have to hand her own gun in. I was just pointing out how stupid the writer's conspiracy theory is.
She is against civilians owning battlefield guns.that are weapons of.war - not all guns, obviously, because she owns one.
Hopkins In 2000, Hopkins was ranked as the 289th most common surname, but by 2010 it had slipped to the 322nd position, a decrease of 11.42%. Despite the drop in rank, the actual count of people with this surname increased from 94,603 in 2000 to 96,810 in 2010,
The name Roger is not considered rare, ranking 1,557th in the United States for births overall and 759th for boys. In 2024,
A completely false statement for which there is evidence to prove it is false. Roger please proffer at least a modicum of truth to support this abhorrent lie or retract your statement!
in his serious pronouncements he’s a laughingstock and an embarrassment: ivermectin, bleach injections, nuking hurricanes, eating pets, negotiating to avoid civil war, Chinese Bibles, the gay porn he calls trading cards, trump “university”, “his” generals, articles cs amendments of the Constitution, hydroxychlolquine, paper towel toss to hurricane victims, watches, sneakers, love letters with Kim, enough
There is hope people. I live in a deep red portion of Ohio. I am surrounded by angry misinformed dedicated Fox/Newsmax viewers who just don't care about the current principles and constitution of the United States, or the U.S. position in the world. They just want to blow everything up with the Donald because it is reality TV and it will show the world that "we" can. However, in this part of Ohio, I have seen two or three times as many Harris/Walz signs throughout the county than I saw Biden/Harris signs in 2020. If Kamala can win just 40% of this county, she could pull off an upset in Ohio. I know I'm dreaming, but there is hope.
Christopher - One can hope that Ohio comes to its senses and votes not only for Harris/Walz but also for Sherrod Brown and “Yes” on Issue One as well as the other qualified candidates and issues.
Yes, he's a total facist, totalitarian, authoritarian. He's always been a thug and a self-serving narcisist. Growing up in the NYC metro area seeing him with regularity in all media outlets, he NOT only made my skin crawl. He's made it tear itself from my frame and gone running, screaming down the avenue."You've got a good eye for people son. It's a gift." And I believe his followers and supporters are comprised of, not only a simpler minded, pliable, gullible cross-section of our populace but, also those who dwell in and on the baser, less humanistic aspects of the human paradigm. Sucked in by those such as past draft dodger and chief, Musk and the front pew worshippers of the Almighty, filthy lucre, users and the 'smarter tan thou' crowd, I believe they don't represent the majority of Americans. Hope looms eternal. And this election is the purest of examples of the eternal struggle between right and wrong. And anyone with an ounce of personal perception can see the 'WRONG' tatooed on The Donald's forehead. "A day of love."? Let's ask the law enforcement victimized by the traitor, the insurrectionist, the then President ! ? A total embarrassment to our nation, people and humanity. I KNOW we can do better. I BELIEVE we will do better. HARRIS/WALZ 2024 ! !
Early voting in person here in Georgia started on Tuesday, the 15th. The first four days have shattered all records -- with over a MILLION voting so far. And it has been women voting so far more than men -- by a 60/40 margin by many accounts.
In my county, voting will be open today in all ten or so voting locations, and open for Sunday afternoon in only some locations. And then another full schedule all next week, when I will get out to vote.
Our county has a website that shows current wait times at all of the polling places, and I monitor the two that are served by mass transit. Both have been extremely busy all days. All the above bodes extremely well for Harris-Walz. This past week, a state judge struck down ALL seven proposed rules changes by the MAGA dominated state elections board.
Just a few reasons to say that things are looking bright here in the Peach State.
Thomas, I also read that North Carolina, even after be devastated by Hurricane Helene, had the highest amount of early voting on the first day than ever recorded! Let's go, Kamala! We can win this thing! Vote blue, America, up and down the ballot!
So beautifully said, Thomas! I cried when I read that President Carter voted for Kamala Harris! He told his grandson he just had to make it to the election. A great motto for this year's election - WWJD!
Even after his presidency, President Carter and Rosalynn went on to do so many wonderful things! I have contributed often to their causes. You are right, he is a truly inspiring man!!
Trump is the perfect narcissist — he has no ability to feel compassion or loyalty to anything but himself. This includes not having an atom of real patriotism anywhere in his body or mind.
That’s why he calls soldiers suckers and losers; he can’t comprehend “what’s in it for them” in any form of sacrifice.
When he talks about ending wars he always says he wants to end the killing, never recognizing or respecting the higher aspirations of people for freedom and self- determination. Such ideals mean nothing to his shriveled soul.
If we’d had a president like him in WWIi, i have not a doubt in the world he would have sold us out to Hitler in a heartbeat.
The only time he supports fighting is when it’s for his greater power or glory.
Thank you for your work on behalf of the nation, Secretary Reich. I now sometimes regret being a life-long Republican because of this horrid person. I am also a 100% disabled veteran. I have one observation: This is not the same nation for which I shed blood sixty years ago. I am near overwhelmed with sadness.
The enemy within are the greedy that are willing to set us on a path of destruction for a few bucks they should be ashamed that they are allowing their children to that awful fact... but money is what is most important ... in the ME ME ME atmosphere we are living in right now
Better wake up you ain't gonna live forever!!
I live in a resort where the wealthy go to the same doctors ( in their Bentleys etc..) that I do and they are sick and miserable and the money doesn't make it better??
I said "No and No." Trump is a seriously mentally ill, brain-fried lunatic who will end up in an asylum for the criminally insane . . . How could he help but not? All that grease he slops down . . . America will not become a fascist nation. We are not going to let that happen. As for me, I am going to switch over to Dan Rather and see what he has to say about all of this . . . Surely saner voices prevail elsewhere!
I chose "No and Possibly", because anything is possible - though with tRumPutin melting down so dramatically, I don't think he'll have many supporters left by election day. I'm glad his campaign has discouraged mail- in voting because that helps us too. I'm also relieved that Biden has finally threatened to end support for Netanyahu, better late than never. Kamala taking on Fox News was absolutely brilliant, because it showed how she will stand up to any bully - foreign and domestic.
Yes, I watched the news clip from Fox on the Coffee Klatch video. That guy bore a resemblance to the devil! Did you notice? Biden . . . he's been issuing lukewarm warnings to Netanyahu for a year now! It is SO HORRIBLE THAT NETANYAHU IS WILLING TO SLAUGHTER SO MANY LEBANESE AND GAZANS JUST TO KEEP HIMSELF OUT OF PRISON! HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE!!! GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM BOTH ISRAEL AND THE U.S. OUGHT TO THROW TRUMP AND NETANYAHU INTO SOLITARY CONFINEMENT TOGETHER, ALONG WITH HANNIBAL LECTOR WITHOUT HIS MASK!!! WONDER IF OL' HANNIBAL COULD HANDLE EATING A BIG, FAT GREASE BALL??? 😳 HAH!
Hahaha! What a picture you conjure in my head! Dr. Lector is far too discriminating and particular to eat anyone as toxic as tRump.
To answer your question about mail-in ballots: tRumPutin has been claiming for years that they can't be trusted, are easily faked, can be tossed out, etc. He's also claimed that "illegal immigrants" use them. All lies, of course, but like all his lies, his supporters take it as Gospel Truth. Those poor people! It's horrible how they've been manipulated.
Thank you. I don't feel sorry for his followers. My brother is one of them. Claims to be a "devout Christian." So disgusting! Lives 20 miles from me. I haven't heard from him in years! Some "Christian"! How can "Christians" support a rapist, con man, liar, thug, crook, thief, Hitler wannabe . . . Boggles the mind!!!
If those so-called Christians ever actually read the Gospels they would know that Jesus will turn his back on them and say "You claim to love me and call me Lord, but I say to you, I do not know you."
A 10 year old asked Trump yesterday (on Fox & Friends) what his favorite farm animal was, and Trump managed to put "radical extremist lunatic" in his reply to the kid.
Whatever Vance does, he is not a psychopath and has some potential for reasonableness. He wouldn't suggest bombing a hurricane to destroy it, for example.
Yes indeed, the potential for reasonableness from Vance is a "stretch at best" but is still possible to a certain extent because he isn't a psychopath as is Trump.
Right, you never referred to him as a psychopath. I know you didn't. When I said, "he (Vance) is not a psychopath", I meant *relative to Trump*. I focused on the Vance-Trump connection while it seems you saw the Vance-Project 2025 connection. I apologize for my less-than-clear and confusing remarks. Btw . . .
In my opinion, on a "reasonableness scale of 0-10, where 0 is totally unreasonable and 10 is totally reasonable, Trump is a 0 and Vance is a
4. Neither should be in any elected public office, ever. Harris is a 10.
(not necessarily a 10 in the way many men rate women) :-)
Thank you for your admitted confusing remarks. I would rank Vance as a 2 on your reasonableness scale and I feel that is being generous considering that he is joined at the hip with the authors of Project 2025. If DonOld is mistakenly elected, you can bet that Project 2025 will make sure he disappears from that
esteemed position, leaving Project 2025's choice, Vance, in charge. In other words, Project 2025 will be in total control. Voting Blue has never been more important than it is now. Everyone needs to pay attention and connect the dots to this plot to destroy our democracy.
Yes, I may be wrong. However, your saying Vance is an "insidious snake" is engaging in what Trump does best - - -> name calling. I suggest that no one stoop to Trump's infantile low level of discourse.
It's really really beyond me what people see in that bleached painted old tyrant??
He's scammed and conned lots of people who believe his lies until they find out he's screwed them !! Then they are so embarrassed they don't want anyone to know they feel for his scam!!
Is that you?
You do know he's gonna " get rid of the federal governments dole "
That SSI,SSA,MEDICARE ETC...
yer pension is probably subsidized by the fed, VA is the fed... does that worry you at all??
I am confounded that so few seemingly remember, of personal history or after the fact growing up, World War II and the determined and honorable will we brought against the evil of the fascist Axis. And that some of those who forget are so despicably ignorant that they consider themselves Christian, too. Disgusting! Shameful! ##
The only reason Trump is supposedly tied with Kamala comes down to money 💰! Most of the oligarchs in America and overseas are throwing millions to get Trump elected because it benefits them! My hope is that the majority of Americans will not succumb to being bought by these corrupt politicians and their wealthy donors!
Citizens United. Get big business out of politics. Limit their maximum donation.
Businesses should not be allowed to donate at all! The government should be for the people, by the people. Yes, people can decide on things to help businesses. People do need to be educated about business. But business should not be allowed to buy politicians.
Agreed. Thats what citizen United is and is working towards. George W Bush made it so businesses have the same “rights” as individual citizens when donating and courting politicians.
I think the supreme court gave corporations personhood in 1886, under the 14th amendment.
We the Corporation by Winkler
Same goes for Ellon Muck who has 100+ million followers to whom he peddles his crap. But people will surely be sorry if we get the idiot shyster again, with his much more prepared handlers, financed by Muck's money.
Gordon - What scares me is that Muck has been promised a position to “consult” (which is bs because he would not have poured his money in to trump without more reassurances and a cushier job) if the criminal gets elected. What scares me more is that RFK JR has been promised a position to tell people what they can do with their health and/or agriculture. What keeps me up at night is that not only the criminal might be elected at all but that we will end up with Vance. Elon has rigged his twitter just as much as trump has rigged his campaign.
I don’t get why people follow these ultra rich freaks…. They DO NOT GIVE THEIR MONEY AWAY. They are not going to enrich your lives ONE BIT. If there’s any money to be had…. YOU BEST FUCKING BELIEVE THERE WON’T BE A PENNY LEFT FOR YOU
I had an acquaintance who once told me the more you screw people over the more they like it. A depressing thought.
Muck. A great name for a devious, selfish JERK!😈😈😈😈😈
Just rearrange the letters: SKUM.
200 million, but who's counting. It would be interesting to know if server farms in Russia are amplifying the algorithm for misinformation.
Yes, yours illuminates something that ought to dictate the law, “Companies, public or private, cannot vote. Only an individual can vote. Only an individual can donate politically.”
Plus, consider, Political donations are not tax deductible—but so at a certain level, POLITICAL donations should be TAXED as income!—like, say an INDIVIDUAL (no business contributions allowed, only a VOTER can contribute) donates any amount greater than their annual income, the amount they donate that is above their reported yearly income gets taxed at their annual rate as if earned (again) (though donated to their political party), which wealthy people understate, in order to minimize their income tax owing.
Some way to curb donations by wealthy individuals, trying to buy a party and a government.
Big business’s pay taxes, too, so they should have a say in that aspect of government, but not on social issues, like racism, misogyny, and teaching Christianity in public schools. Their issues should only be taxes and the economy. Otherwise, they should keep their lips zipped. But, will they? Not a chance! Many big businesses contribute heavily to Global Warming, and they are responsible for the denial of the reality of Climate Change. Big business must keep its mouth shut, and let scientists be in charge.
I disagreee Dawn. Every member of big business already has a vote whether they be a board member, owner, shareholder, employee or supplier or affiliated entity. To give big business voting rights is, in effect, giving those individuals double votes.
I agree. If businesses have an issue they need votes for, they need to convince the American people of the validity of that issue, just like anyone else.
Recently I read an article that said how many corporations were paying their BOD more than they were paying in income tax. We've got to plug the holes in our income tax system too.
@Dawn: I must disagree with your first sentence. You are letting the wolves into the chickenhouse to let corporations vote at all, especially on their own taxes.
Individual corporate stockholders already get a vote (assuming they are eligible US citizens; if not they have NO right to a vote at all). Giving the corporations themselves a vote is inconsistent with "one person, one vote" and gives them an unfair advantage over non-stockholding citizens.
Corporations already have an unfair advantage in that they have eternal life (like Jesus? but I digress). Corporate charters should have a fixed lifetime (20 years?), and should only be renewable upon a showing that they have obeyed the laws and served the public interest. We need a robust CORPORATE DEATH PENALTY framework.
Got any nominations? I'll start: Boeing, General Electric, EXXON...
You mean like Edward Jones who contributes to my MO 2D climate denier rep Ann Wagner. You mean Andreesen Horowitz that donates to right wing crypto supporters and other candidates. I look at who works at AH- all bright young educated people and I wonder- did they not get the memo on climate change?
Do the people at Edward Jones not care about what climate will do to their children? It really shows the extent to which the future is so heavily discounted in present day calculations. I would not invest with them.
It shows the power that near term profit making has over people. As Grantham talks about in the video below. We have to re-jigger capitalism so that business decisions are more long-term horizon. Either that or the government will simply have to take draconian measures. A mix of both needed, in reality.
I would like to see more Reich talk more explicitly on getting a shift to long-term horizon biz decision making- what legislation is needed.
Also let's talk more about private equity firms and the legislation that is needed to rein in their damage.
still "on the money"
https://www.morningstar.com/sustainable-investing/watch-jeremy-granthams-race-our-lives-speech
🙏 AMEN!!!!
Businesses used to take care of their people but that has slowly changed over the years since FDR got our economy beck on track that the Republicans had ruined it.
It is legislation and policies that have brought this about.
Harris really needs to lean into economic populism more. Most people want that.
@Midwest... or even rent them.
I started an organization with hope of stoping or neutralizing the effect of these lobbyists but it seems people don't care or that they need to be led by a celebrity to make an organization work
It is hard to make such orgs sucessful. Most people do not care, or care enough. Probably better to support orgs whose goals are your own.
I got an offer in the mail from MV properties to buy my house. They are MV propertes St Louis but they are part of a national org located in San Diego(?) buying up houses. Maybe they can be the Amazon of homebuying and then rent everything back at higher prices to all the people who can't get enough credit or cash for a down payment.
I forget who I stole this from, but...
"I'll believe corporations are people when Texas executes one."
Make lobbying illegal really what good does it serve but to rob the lower classes to enrich the upper class and to build monopoles. I can't think of a better reason to send people to jail but wait there is one. These lobbyists have slowed responses to climate change and stiffled efforts to our planet from extinctions and helping endangered species. To them it is all wealth and power.
Lobbying serves a useful purpose in educating Congress on the needs of businesses and other groups. But the level we have of lobbyists influence means Congress works for business and not for the people. This is wrong. The answer is reasonable restraint on lobbying. The answer to most issues is not binary (X or not X) but a Hegelian synthesis. This takes mental effort/ expenditure of glucose or whatever so the natural default-principal of least action- is binary thinking about issues.
Maybe we should elect a prosecutor as President? Just sayin'....
And make a real prosecutor (Keith Ellison, for example, but there are others) our new AG.
I agree. Lobbyists put the average citizen at a disadvantage. If there must be lobbyists, then The People should have the most. Or maybe businesses should be legally bound to allow their employees 30 days of paid leave to lobby. Ha.
Here in MD we have a People's Advocate who represents the public in utility rate cases and such. I forget his name but he just last week did an extensive interview on local public TV (I have a Smart TV: it only gets PBS). Very impressive but not well known to the public.
Won't happen in my lifetime since SCOTUS Trump appointees are 20 years younger than me!
Vote early Edie!
In fact many here should vote early.
I agree... we should have voted 40 years earlier!
HOW? We KNOW Citizens United is/was an abomination. The question is HOW to get rid of it with the corrupt right-wing majority in the SC.
We the Corporation by Adam Winkler was a great and entertaining book on the long history of decisions leading up to Citizens United.
Thanks, Steve. I'll look for it.
May I ask what is citizens united?
The (2010?) Extreme Court decision that legalized unlimited corporate campaign contributions... the logical end result of making corporations people, with 1st Amendment rights. Much has been written about it (including by Prof. Reich); I doubt I could add much original to the discussion.
Robert: a primer on Citizens United would not go amiss.
She received a billion dollars since August and has a huge PAC balance but still sends me campaign begging letters. There are Democratic billionaires, too. BUT I do think that if she is not elected (I voted for her already), fascism as it’s being manufactured in Florida will become widespread. People are easily led and, as we’ve seen all too well, easily swindled. I agree with the pundit (maybe Mr. Reich.) who mentioned that voters today are irresponsible about fact-checking. It’s not all the media’s fault though corporate media and Russian disinformation lackeys are most to blame.
Under our gov Deshitus, FL is already under fascist control. The sooner Rick Scott is voted out the better FL & the nation will be served. I still maintain VANCE is the one to beware of if Don-Old is elected; his ties to Project 2025 are undeniable...even more reason to be sure Don-Old is kept out of the White House. I hope Latinos/Latinas were paying close attention to his Univision town hall and turn away from him. I am dropping off my ballot as soon as polls open here...vote Blue!
Agreed. Kate, it actually IS jd Vance we should fear. Trump is obviously melting down in public, and I am sure he'll be declared incompetent 5 minutes after being sworn in. Then our government will be solidly in the hands of the tech bros and Project 2025.
Paula, you have verbalized what should be America's greatest fear and greatest threat..
https://newrepublic.com/article/183971/jd-vance-weird-terrifying-techno-authoritarian-ideas?fbclid=IwY2xjawF9_DNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUmF_nipjKuGo5EN7vXwNYbenal9_DfRe5UKP5wzw_Jfjkplcy_jTyBg3w_aem_LUBbkDjy7OefuMJ2D6pk6Q
Thanks for sharing these links
@Marsha: I read that last night. Some scary 💩!
If you saw "The Matrix", it seems it was prophetic. Use humans as an energy source while they "live" in a virtual reality. Orwell's 1984 with better tech. These tech-dictators are already like Agent Smith - but with biological bodies. Talk about dystopian science fiction! "Patchwork Tech States"! Is this my granddaughter's future? I'm glad I won't live to see it.
Me too!🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬😈👿💩💩💩💩💩
I fear the institution of rightwing media and its use by the enemies of the open society-foreign and domestic- under unconstrained conceptions of free speech and the 1st amendment. The rest ,like Vance, is noise. A distraction even from root causes.
I will be voting Monday as our early voting opens then. You might check and see if there is early voting where you live. Blue is True!
As I remember it, Rick Scott was a crook in the first place. He had swindled the federal government out of millions of dollars but resigned before the government brought charges to recover the funds. He was then elected from Florida. I'm sure he served Florida (his pocket). We in Texas are fighting much the same thing with Cancon Cruz. He has done nothing for Texas but has backer Trump.
We've got to watch it because, what I am reading, Musk is contributing tons of money to Trump's campaign too. At this point, I think he is trying to buy a position on Trump's executive committee.
Re Musk, trying to buy a position in government. Charge tax to Musk at exactly the amount he contributes to a political party, anything over the annual amount his barber or his dentist earns each year, tax the excess at 100%. It will only cost Musk double, to donate. But people in that league should not be able to purchase a country’s government.
Harvey - He already has his position bought and paid for but they are trying to say that he will only be a “consultant”. RFK JR also has been promised a position over health or agriculture so he would drop out of the race but only in select states. We should all be worried but I am trying to help change others perspectives the best that I can - by telling them the truth repeatedly. I figured that if they continue to repeat lies then I will repeat the truth.
Harvey: Thank your lucky Starlink that Skum is an immigrant and can't be Pres or VP under our current Constitution.
The logical end result of SCOTUS inane decisions on campaign financing.
Wikipedia: During [Rick Scott's] tenure as chief executive, the company defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs. The Department of Justice won 14 felony convictions against the company, which was fined $1.7 billion in what was at the time the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history.
Why isn't he in prison?
"Money doesn't talk, it swears." (Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan)
why do you think? He wasn't charged. He stepped down. I have to think under existing law it would be difficult to hold him accountable.Maybe others here have insight.
I would like to see these people get prosecuted like ordinary citizens
Don't forget, we have crooks on both sides. It is just that most of them are turning up on the Republican side now. We seem to rid our problems immediately while the R's want to deny everything till the end. We have to be more vigilant and vote them out of office, regardless of what side they are.
At this point I really can't see why so many Republicans stay or believe everything that Trump "blabs." He seems to not have any real direction with what comes out of his mouth these days.
I agree regarding Vance is the one we need to watch out for, he’s more dangerous than DonOLD.
Seriously. Shady Vance is Troomp's insurance policy. And the one that the likes of Musk, Thiel, Mellon, and the pillow guy are counting on to make sure he sticks to the capitalist line, I mean lyin'.
Shady Vance is a smooth operator, and very convincing. I think Darnold is fading, but it might be awhile before the supporters figure it out. Getting scarly close.
Darnold, LOL. Maybe even Damnold.
Already voted BLUE ALL DOWN THE 🗳 BALLOT
Likewise (by drop box)! And I've been notified by the State that my vote was counted.
Agree
If I said Project 2025 actually has some worthwhile ideas to consider (no not THOSE ideas) I would surely be considered a troll. I get that. Those ideas I might consider are wrapped up in a fascist program called Project 2025.
This is what war/conflict/ extreme partisanship does to us all. It makes discussion to find truth so very difficult as all things get painted black or white, red or blue. Kind of why fundamentally I dislike politics as an activity since the goal is to win, not to find or reach consensus on the truth of matters. That goal to win is so often at odds with a will to truth that it seeps into ones thinking and character. The only way I know of to lessen the conflict is to have a more enlightened public. But i don't think there is any real solution.
Vote BLUE!💙💙💙💙💙💢and GOTV
It's hard to narrow it down. Those two you mention, Fox, X, Facebook, and fundamentalist faux Christan zealot radio hosts account for the vast majority of the misinformation, fear mongering and hate. They must be held accountable for their lies, distortions and hate speech.
It's "Twitter," come now! No dim loser who stole enough to become THE richest 'hole in history can change that.
Yes. Let's focus on how "institutions" are causing problems, and less on personalities.
But who will hold them accountable? Congress? Hah! Viewers? Hmmm.
Perhaps other institutions if we support them. We could talk about that.
From Wisconsin, let's name names. Billionaires Liz Uihlein (Schlitz Brewing Heiress) and Diane Hendricks (ABC Supply Co.) could supply Trump with mega $$ by themselves.
The queens of disinformation.
I know the right wing PAC donors have scads of , too. It’s a crying shame. Just saying that she’s raised some serious money in a couple of months. We have to hope the Uihlein, Hendricks, Crow, Melon, Musk, Koch, etc club won’t risk everything just to save on taxes.
The working class will never outspend the modern day robber Barron's, especially since the rise of Crypto currency. Millions of working class families cannot compete with people like Musk who is buying access to strip protections and derail our once great Democracy. Enough is enough. No dark money and one person one vote by abolishing the Electoral College. Can you imagine if a politician would tell the people of 42 states, "Your vote should count. It's time for a popular vote. It's not right that only swing states matter. Changing to a Popular vote immediately changes this undemocratic process." Who would argue that?
Indeed, the unlimited spending on elections must stop too.
I totally agree with you! I have donated what I can afford. My husband and I live in a Red state on a fixed income and help our daughter and granddaughter. I want my vote to count!!
It should count, Karen. It would be interesting to know how many people don't live in a swing state by adding up the swing state population and subtracting it from roughly 333 million Americans. (331,449,381 according to the 2020 Census)
I have no idea, but I would be surprised if the 7 swing states' population was over 80 million. At 80 million people, basically 3/4 of Americans' vote doesn't matter because they are not from a swing state.
If the swing state population is closer to 66,600,000 then 4/5 of Americans' Presidential vote doesn't matter.
While this is a major disgrace to Democracy, another serious problem is that its a lot easier for deep pockets or foreign players to manipulate the vote. They don't have to fool half of 333 million. They only need to fool 40 million.
I'm wondering what the real swing state population is...
I guess we first need to agree that the swing states include: AZ, MI, NC, NV, OH, PA and WI. Anyone care to second this or amend my list? Sure, NE and NH could be added. Off hand, it appears that PA is the Big Kahuna of the group. Let me check with the Census. Right back...
AZ, MI, NC, NV, OH, PA and WI have a population of roughly 61,467,000 according to the 2020 Census. That's 18.5% of the US Population of 333,000,000. Thus, because we use the Electoral College, more than 4/5th of Americans' votes don't matter. Karen, you're not alone. In fact, you're with 82% of Americans who Presidential vote doesn't matter. This is an indictment of the Electoral College being undemocratic.
The flip side of this is that oligarch money is an anathema to the 90% of Trump supporters who vote against their own economic and physical health.
Than vote for Kamala.
I agree. I resent having to spend my spare cash on election campaigns. But better than fascism.
I think you are wrong here. "IF" Trump is elected, he is promising to raise sanctions on everything coming into America. That will increase the price on those items for us. We'll start buying American products because they will be cheaper. Then we have to fight the price gouging going on here. Of course he'll never do it.
Yes, Trump's tariffs would add to inflation, IMO. The real kicker at the grocery store would be fruits and produce because if he kicks out all or most of the undocumented farm workers, crops will rot in the field and farmers will have to raise their prices. Many farms would fail.
I have no idea why the MSM or Harris do not talk about how Trump's mass deportations would drive grocery prices, especially fruits and veggies, through the roof. Farms would fail. Corporate farms would buy up land further consolidating Ag which would also drive up food prices. This is reason enough that ALL Red states should reject Trump's half baked donestic economy and immigration plans. Go figure...
BTW, Georgia cracked down on undocumented workers and crops rotted in the fields. That was the end of GA mass deportations. Strange Trump is not questioned about this unintended consequence of mass deportations. Failed farms, higher grocery prices, less sales tax for States and local government, and less nutritional food for Americans. The latter is already a major problem driving the obesity epidemic. How 'bout that Trump immigration plan?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=_-eHOSq3oqI&ab_channel=TheWallStreetJournal
It takes a progressive movement like in the 30's to really move forward. Anyway, change is coming, one way or the other. Climate will see to that.
I think I recently read that Musk was not a citizen of the US. Does anyone know for sure?
I gather that he is, although doubts have been raised about the legitimacy of his naturalization.
In stating the Electoral College should be done away with I had a Republican tell me :Are you crazy? Then we would have to campaign in all 50 states.."
As I have said before, Republicans cannot win an election without the Electoral College
From what I am reading funds are drying up from Trump's contributors too. They can see dementia creeping in just as we do.
Is it just about taxes with them? I think there are other things involved too.
Are you serious? They will risk everything to save on taxes. Act to counter that.
Don't forget Betsy DeVious.
In a way, privatizing education would be the final step into a New Guilded Age where it's the haves in private schools and the have nots in public schools. It would be institutionalized inequality to a new level. That would be really bad in the long term for Americans.
Betsy DeVious's policy seems to be catching on in red states. Last year Abbott (Texas) tried 4 times to get vouchers for private schools passed. It failed every time so he spent millions to get his opposition thrown out of office. Now we have to see what will happen after the upcoming election. My state congressman was one to get thrown out of office. By the way, I've already voted BLUE.
Re Harris, still asking for campaign donations. Consider she gathers funds widely, helping bankroll House district candidates, or Senate state candidates, because if those don’t campaign successfully she’s a lame duck (am I right?).
VJ - Yes, I believe you are correct because Harris has given some of her contributions to others whereas the criminal has not given one dime of his money to anyone else. He rigged the RNC to where he is the only benefactor. Some of the people running (especially the Senate) are mostly self funding but trying to pass themselves off as your average working man. They wouldn’t even know what to do if they got a paper cut or a blister from working. We desperately need people to vote up and down the ballot and get the republican candidates and election deniers out of their positions.
"She?"
Re “she”? Are you pretending to believe something that you know is untrue? Are you a foreign election interference agent, sowing disinformation, to make it appear there is division from within the country? (LGBTQ+ was never an issue except that election interference agents want to make-people-scared of people in their own communities).
Do you get payments directly from RT, government controlled media? Putin’s budget went down when he realized what a lousy bet Trump is; a loose cannon, doesn’t know history, economics, law, diplomacy, negotiation and compromise, political geography, or the Bible. Dull and ignorant.
Social media influencers are paid to make people scared of one another. Putin got calls from Trump prior to 2016, to feed the voting public disinformation.
Which role are you, disinformation distributor, shill pretending to believe disinformation?; or sucker that does believe lies those fed you? The money has dried up. Sense of loneliness setting in.
Great discussion! I haven't even heard half of it yet, and they've already made so many great points. Thank you, both! An observation and two quick points:
Observation: Of the more than 32,000 documented lies that Trump has told Americans, the most deranged rambling about Democrats being socialist, Marxist, extremists and enemies must STOP!
How dare anyone demonize other people simply because we have a more educated, informed understanding of markets, labor and priorities. In fact, I'm a capitalist! In fact, I've always worked for Capitalist. To call us Marxist and Communists because we believe in regulations and consumer and environmental protections is the most outrageous, hurtful and fallacious lie of all his 32,000 plus lies.
How dare he vilify Democrats with accusations of being Communists. Has he "no decency?" No! His former Cabinet members and military leaders all agree.
First point: Trump must be called out for attacking Democrats as Communists and enemies. It's totally false, defamatory and inciting violence. His unhinged and defamatory rhetoric must stop.
Point two: I recently watched a documentary on PBS called "The Guided Age." I highly recommend it. It's amazing how history is being repeated, as the twin-span bridge data shows. The richest person in the world may soon be a TRILLiONAIRE, while wages would shrink with Trump as President.
We are in the Second Guilded Age, and we must address it for the future middle-class and economic security for ALL Americans. Our labor/civil rights would be stripped under Trickle-down Trump Muskism. Deregulation would rollback the clock decades.
We must keep making progress for workers and embrace a sustainable energy policy while not deregulating industry. Good green jobs, sustainability and continued infrastructure investment most matter NOW due to the increasing inequality and climate driven disasters like Milton, Katrina and mass wild fires in the West and Canada. We cannot have a World leader who mocks facts and ignores the science .
I encourage people to post documentaries like PBS's "the Guilded Age," Inequality Media videos, and other powerful, truthful stories, including Woman's battle for the Right to Healthcare. Have House Parties for Truth, Justice and the Working Class. In this closing election argument period, it's time to stand up for truth, justice, liberty, decency, the environment and labor.
#DumpTrumpism
#Workers4Walz
#BuildBackBetterHarrisWalz
#YesWeKamala
Danny - I have always been curious why they would call us communists when they are the ones who suck up to Russia. I still haven’t figured it out.
I would bring a defamation suit, but I don't consider that being called a socialist defames me.
All I can say here is that that assination attempt sure messed up. I spent 17 years in the National Guard and I have a Marksman badge.
The NRA should promote marksmanship (markspersonship?) training to ensure that innocent bystanders don't get shot.
Danny Piper. Maybe I am mis reading or not understanding what you are saying in the first few paragraphs of your writing. I thought that capitalists were AGAINST regulations and consumer and environmental protections. You seem to be saying that capitalists are FOR them. Please explain.
Responsible capitalists understand regulations are better for all of us, the rest are just greedy con men.
Good question. Thank you! Im sure others here can explain it better than I, but I will try.
Capitalism comes in many forms.
One side of the Capitalism spectrum is responsible regulation to protect consumers, workers, stock/share holders, and the environment. I believe Democrats are more aligned with this phiosphy. Without rules, regulations and laws, history has shown that greedy people and sociopaths will do major damage to workers, consumers, businesses and the environment.
On the other side of the spectrum is laissez-faire Capitalism with zero regulation. I believe Republicans like Trump are in this camp. IMO, Republicans have never met a regulation they liked, especially when it comes to labor and the environment.
The problem is without regulation and laws, Do and Trump can say he is a brain surgeon or OBGYN. Kennesy can dump a dead bear in Central Park. Trump can dump his trash from his casino in a school playground. He can sell people fake University diplomas. He can sell Chinese rodents as steaks. You get the picture. Without rules and regulations, anything goes and consumers and society pays a for their disasters.
In brief, Trump is making the outrageous, dangerous and false statement that Democrats are "communists and Marxists" because we don't agree with his brand of irresponsible, no regulation laissez-faire capitalism. They will agree that regulations that sop unlicensed people from operating as OBGYN's are necessary. However, they still hate regulation, rules and laws because it stops them from making more money, even if the rules protect consumers,workers and the health of society. Call me crazy, but rules and regulations are necessary to protect society and the environment from sociopaths like DJT, Musk, and China.
Danny Piper: Thanks. This is very clear and helpful.
Keith--The wealthy represent such a small proposition of the voting public their voice will account for very little. It's the struggling remainder of our population that will determine who wins and who loses.
$$$ are persuasive power!!
The wealthy buy the means to convince people to vote AGAINST THEIR OWN INTERESTS.
They bought the Sureme Court!
I have posted many times to Trump supporters, "Be Careful What You Wish For". If he does get elected, I can't wait to see his MAGA crew get decimated by his policies.
The one man, one vote thing….. don’t mean anything with the electoral college…. Bring back the popular vote. Electoral college is just a plan of control over the placement of a PotUS
Bring BACK the popular vote? I'm not sure we've ever had the popular vote in the US. Far as I know, the electoral college has been around since the beginning.
Not trying to be argumentative. Just putting it out there...
You’re correct. The electoral college was implemented in 1787. 11 years after the founding of our Nation.
There were several ideas put forth in that Congress. This was the consensus. I don’t like it because it’s very OPAQUE. People don’t/can’t grasp why it is this way. Like I said before. It’s a “control measure”. Nowadays it would be absolutely nothing to use the popular vote with electronic scanning. 50 years ago this wasn’t possible. It would take months to count the 400,000,000 ballots by hand. Now it can be done in hours.
Thank you for your kind reply. After being on Twitter, I wasn't sure what to expect. I think I may have found my new platform :)
You're right. the electoral college was negotiated for southern state "slave owners" to give them more power when they voted.
It was implemented by the Funding Fathers (not "founding") to keep the working class and especially Black people from having a voice in our governance.
Consulting my Kindle copy of the Constitution (thanks, Jeff Bozos), I can remind those of you who may have forgotten that the Senate was originally elected by state legislatures, NOT by popular vote, for similar reasons. Article I, Section 3.
Read "The Many-Headed Hydra" by Linebaugh and Rediker (also on Kindle, LOL... "When we hang the capitalists....")
Most Americans are too busy or uneducated to understand how this works
The Republicans can't win without the Electoral College.
If trump wins, he says you will never have to vote again.
So scary, what exactly does he mean by that and why is no one asking!!
It’s so diabolical the way he said it like he was doing us a favor!! Evil.
He meant that his right-wing minions won't have to worry about politics if he's elected, because he'll instantly fix everything so they'll have their hearts' desires. Those desires likely include turning America into a one-party system (his).
You can certainly count on that because Trump will certainly replace anyone that does not agree with him.
"Never be deceived that the rich will permit you to vote away their wealth." (Lucy Parsons, Industrial Workers of the World founding convention, 1905)
Power does not give up power without a fight. Even when it may not look like a fight, if it's about power it is a fight.
Proud member of CWA !
@Keith. "Supposedly" is the operative word. At best polls are just opinions.
https://targetearly.targetsmart.com/g2024
That is an easy, but unfortunately incorrect answer. Harris has raised over $1 billion, well outpacing Trump, with more billionaire donors. The huge amount amounts of money that she has successfully raised, is one reason the Democrats, like the Republicans, are in the pockets of the plutocrats.
If they are plutocrats, send them to Pluto where they belong.
You've got it wrong here because most of Kamala's contributions are from the American people with small amounts
I agree that Harris has had a huge outpouring a small donors. However, to reach the stratospheric numbers she has reported, also takes plenty of large checks. Here’s an extract on super pacs from the most recent Forbes report.
“FEC filings through Aug. 21 show super PACs have spent approximately $167 million supporting Harris since the beginning of July, while PACs have spent approximately $55.2 million supporting Trump during that same period.”
Thank God. I hate voting for Democratic candidates who unilaterally disarm. Usually pretty stupid IMO.
The good news? I've heard that many billionaires are supporting PRESIDENT HARRIS! (Sorry, but is anyone but the Deathcult honestly worried at this point?)
He certainly i becoming desperate now with him selling Bibles (Made in China), gold tennis shoes (made in China), I don't know where in gold coins (with his face on them) are being made though. He's peddling a lot more crap too.
Absolutely spot on!
Money is the NEW GOD sadly 🤧
And, Musk is paying folks $100 to sign his bogus gun petition
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/elon-musk-raises-payment-offer-100-voters-sign-petition-rcna176075
Mitch - All he is doing is stealing people’s information with those bogus petitions. Same as the website that was supposed to send you to a voter registration site but only once you gave them your information it went to a different website.
Absolutely Correct 👍
Laughable.
@Undoc: tRump is reportedly outspending Harris in the 7 swing states. Unfortunately I can't remember the source of this info offhand (maybe Daily Kos?) as I consume too much media. But if you care, it should be possible to find out.
trump is definitely a fascist.
, the worst kind
Go vote people!
Speaking truth to power, she did her job well.
The definition of a Witness!
Stuff we can do,
FT 6 and Movement Labs are still registering Democrats in selected states. Texting today 2 pm to unregistered folk . https://www.mobilize.us/ft6/
DNC Anytime Training signup link (call on your schedule!) Share the link with your own message in an email or text: https://events.democrats.org/event/551644/
To share on any platform, just click on the link and share from there!
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/reel/8700220780030813
BlueSky
https://bsky.app/profile/call-crew-dems.bsky.social/post/3l6i7ek7ar422
TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@call_crew_dems/video/7425650523291897134?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7424214167135847966
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBG_lriP8g0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
Threads
https://www.threads.net/@call.crew.dems/post/DBG_rxuPmXf?xmt=AQGzH2vwgsu0KMyELxy40VA_BGr_rfvPhmMhy7wZvrz0aQ
YouTube
https://youtube.com/shorts/md3j9XPeOeA?feature=shared
We have the capacity to flip Trump 2020 voters. . https://rvat.org/
Place comments on social media...."Not suckers or losers" to vets groups, military, military dependents, history sites. Vote vets has thousands of testimonials of 2020 Trump voters that flipped. According to Facebook, there are 4 million veterans or active duty members on Facebook, and 12.5 million family members of veterans or active duty members on Facebook.
Trump hates dogs. Pet/animal charity sites.
Trump stole from kids with cancer.
Don't slit your own throat.
In your gut you know he's nuts.
Thanks, Daniel
Trump is a man who doesn't understand decency. Dictatorial in logic, heartless in meaning, Donald Trump is this country's incubus.
In an interview the past week, Trump let something slip -- no pun about sharts intended -- about January 6. He asserted that he told his followers to be peaceful and patriotic, neglecting the fact he also told them to fight like hell.
But the key happened when he said that his gang wasn't armed, while "the other side" had guns. Us and them, with the "other side" being law enforcement. Over 150 police injured.
He then pronounced January 6 as a "day of love." That should let anyone with more than two brain cells all they need to know about Trump.
Trump would obviously call it a day of love -- supporters showing Love for HIM.
He spoke like the true narcissist that he is.
Poor deluded people.
These deluded people vote!🤢
Trump is a very sick man - the older he gets … the sicker
It's called "DEMENTIA."
What Trump let slip and we all hope Jack Smith was listening and taking notes, was his (Trump’s) use and placement of the word “We”. Self incrimination.
He also used the word "we" when describing the rioters.
According to testimony before the J6 committee, he KNEW some of his minions were armed.
Thomas, in as much as Trump is solipsistic, Jan 6th was a day of love...for him.
Just as conservatives talk in code,(pro life means patriarchal supremacy as does family values) and you need a decoder ring to understand what they are really saying.
So it is with Trump, only you don't need a decoder ring, just realize that everything he says is self referential, all thoughts begin and end with me and I., and where harm and violence are mentioned he is talking of anybody who doesn't worship him.
Thomas - IMO his best rally was on Friday where his microphone went out for over twenty minutes and he couldn’t spout his hate. He was walking around the stage in a downward spiral and admitted that he wasn’t going to pay the company (not shocking considering how many states and places he still owes from past events).
True Donald: Yet half the country, not only will vote for him, but as Bill Maher said, will vote for him even if he had sex with a dead girl or a live boy.. Europe is aghast at America, it's leadership have no respect, yet they still kiss his ass, because they are afraid he will win. What does that say about us. Anybody watch Bill Maher last night, guess were Mark Cuban and Joe Scarborough, It is probably on youtube.
Not half the country. Recent data shows ex-Trump supporters support Kamala. New York Times/Siena College/Philadelphia Inquirer poll found Harris winning 12% of Republicans in Pennsylvania.
https://nitter.poast.org/RpsAgainstTrump/status/1847108612839076264#m
https://www.newsweek.com/kamala-harris-winning-republicans-pennsylvania-1970137
I think the people who walk the halls of power are more afraid of the people BEHIND Trump than they are of him personally. People in media fawn after him and court his attention — but the real power brokers are bowing to the Oligarchs who wield those $billions$ we keep talking about. There’s no other logic to it, because Trump is OPENLY and OBVIOUSLY the charlatan and doofus we always thought he was, only now he prances around like a faux-leader instead of a faux-businessman or reality-TV celebrity.
Sadly, too many people who aren’t well informed fall for his sh*t-show.
That's the half of it. "Lobbying" as commonly practiced is nothing more than legalized bribery.
Yes. It’s the corruption of a reasonable idea — that we should be able to petition our government leaders for redress of wrongs, and to advocate to our “representatives” for the kind of law and government we want. Money is what corrupts lobbying, not the act of approaching our elected representatives to let them know our preferences. Sadly, the current SCOTUS has made the lobbying process worse with the ludicrous declarations that money is speech and contractual entities are people…
You are correct Daniel, I should have used a qualifier - nearly half. 45% per Robert, 47-48% per the polls.
Yes Europe is sickened by Trump - where does that leave us if he is elected?
If Trump becomes dictator it is not because he was elected,it will be because of a coup pulled off by almost half of America.
It leaves us, where Italy was in 1922, where Germany was 11 years later, where Spain was in 1936.
I agree with you, but it felt awful to click a heart under your comment.
Agree!😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
I hear you SLSRPH
I imagine that your screen name is an acronym. Care to share it? Just curious.
Not all of Europe is against Trump just the ones enamored with fascist socialism
I'm no economist, but is there such a thing as "fascist socialism"? I think not.
Which countries are those? Besides Hungary and possibly Slovakia
15 of them are Democratic Socialists and not at all fascist. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/top-15-democratic-socialist-countries-181857008.html
Moldova, which currently leans toward democracy and is looking to join NATO, is voting this weekend. According to the Guardian, it could go either way. There is a strong fear that Russia sympathizers could gain power there.
I know, I subscribe to the substack Moldova matters. It's eastern border is Transnistria. Transnistria is a quasi Soviet country, It's flag has the old Hammer and Sickle and star in the upper left of the field, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Transnistria
Transnistria's eastern border is with Ukraine, Ukraine falls, Moldova Falls ..
Moldova has an army of 5,400 men, and shares a border with Romania to the west. you can see where this is going.
Really??????
Yes really.!!!!!
I disagree there is no Zion NAZI genocide against Palestinians, you have been sucked into the Arab Muslim propaganda machine.
Here is a little fact. A Jewish state on sacred Arab soil is untenable. Israel is a country that occupies the third holiest site in Islam, behind Mecca and Medina, where Muhammad was born and died, all of Arabia is sacred Arab soil, in their eyes.
As is Israel, because of Haram al Shariff, the Dome of the Rock and al Aqsa Mosque.
Haram al Shariff is the rock that Muhammads chimera beast, body of a horse, face of a human, wings of an eagle, picked him up and flew to, where it leaped on that rock into the seven layers of heaven, where Muhammad encounter the prophets, Abraham,Jacob, Jesus before meeting Allah and negotiating with Allah for how many times a day they would prey, he "Jewed" him down from 500, to 50, then 5 with the help of Abraham.
There is on the rock what looks like a footprint of an animal, the Muslims have been told it is the hoof of the beast.
I am not making this up, it is in the Quran.
The Arabs tried in 1948 to obliterate (genocide) the Jews, they failed lost land, tried again in 1956, 1967, 1973, 2006 and Oct 7 was only the latest.
Yahya Sinwar and Ishmael Haniyeh, both dead now, have said that they will sacrifice as many Palestinians as needed to drive the Jews out.
From the river to the sea is a call to Genocide in between Jordan and the Mediterranean is Israel.
Genocide requires intention (Art II, UN Convention on Prevention of Genocide) the Jews have made no intention of genociding the Palestinians which they couldn't do if they wanted to.
But the Muslims, the Arabs have announced their intention of Jewish genocide, in public, and in the HAMAS Covenant.
Sorry Sean, You just lost me when you went Biblical and religious.
I don't want to get in a pissing contest with you, but I am an atheist, and I can deconstruct,on historical and logic grounds the Abrahamic religions, including your bible.
Allow me to discuss the subject of progressive media.
There is none, save for non profit and basically non profit like Free Speech TV which relies on contributions, small circulation periodicals like The Nation and Mother Jones, the rest of the media is corporate.
Corporations are run by a board of directors, elected or appointed by (principal) shareholders, the chair is often the majority individual shareholder, and in many cases like Robert Iger of
The Walt Disney Company owns many media companies, including:
Television networks: ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic
Streaming services: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Hotstar
The Walt Disney Company owns many media companies, including:
Television networks: ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic
Streaming services: Disney+, ESPN+, Hulu, and Hotstar
Robert is the major indivdual shareholder, Chairman of the Board and CEO.
MSNBC and NBC are owned by NBCUniversal,which is owned by Comcast, whose chairman and CEO is Brian L. Roberts
CBS is owned by Paramount Global, which is owned by National Amusements which is owned by the Redstone family
And it gets worse the institutional stockholders of all are Vanguard, Blackrock, States Street and some minor others, but the controlling shares of Blackrock ,its CEO and Chair is Larry Fink.
They quite literally hold a slice of every pie in the world. In fact, they have a whopping $10 trillion in assets — nearly half America’s total GDP.
BlackRock is so influential that the US and Chinese Governments even relied on the company to escape recessions.
Being the Founder & CEO of such a mega-conglomerate, Fink is now quite powerful as well. He currently sits on both the Council on Foreign Relations and the World Economic Forum.
In the words of Henry Kissinger, “Whoever controls the money controls the world”. No other company in history has had as much influence as BlackRock.
The fact that BlackRock is a major shareholder in dozens of major companies (Twitter, Amazon, Google, and Facebook, just to name a few) is very important because it means that for any of these companies to decide on company policy, they must now also consult with BlackRock before doing so.
BlackRock’s influence over 90% of the mainstream media might also be why you’ve probably never heard of them (and why most people haven’t).
Controlling media is a very important step in BlackRock continuing to extend its control over the world, because if everyone knew the consequences of them holding nearly $10 trillion in assets, questions would start to be raised.
Such an unchecked amount of power (especially under the wing of Fink being the sole company owner) means that the guy has unparalleled amounts of power over the world that we may yet to truly understand.
CBS
From the NYT owned by the Ochs Sulzberger family WAPO owned by Jeff Bezos, to Larry Fink, Robert Iger, Brian L Roberts, the Redstone family, the Newhouse family, there is not a progressive among them
Salon Media group owns Salon and it's investors include Adobe, Apple, Granite Ventures, Dotcom venures and an angel investor Bruce Katz.
Another "liberal" publication is the Atlantic magazine is owned primarily by the widow of Steve Jobs, Laurene Powell Jobs's Emerson Collective, she is a friend and sponsor of Kamala Harris
The New Yorker Magazine is owned by Conde Naste which is owned by the Redstones, mentioned above.
There is no such thing as a progressive or even liberal media, it is corporate media, what liberal media there is is limited to non profits like Free Speech TV, or small distribution publications.
I get a daily newsletter from Salon, and it is pretty damn good, but doesn't break through the echo chambers you are trying to reach.
Here is a sample: https://www.salon.com/2024/10/15/brain-flaws-understanding-maga-as-an-epidemic-disease/?lh_aid=112154&lh_cid=mwkve371by&lh_em=myocicats%40gmail.com&di=b3d0c78c15689c5f0f9f1cb7a478ca2c
Robert related that about 45% of citizens are locked into Drumpf's insanity. In Nazi Germany of 1933 it is estimated that only one-third of voters had chosen Hitler. To consolidate power, he created a ruse, the Reichstag fire, to shut down the government, and seize control. Trump on Jan. 6 showed his true intentions. Win or lose the election, he fully intends to usurp the government from the people. He will do anything whatsoever to regain power, and to make it absolute. Trump is taking a huge gamble that his politics of hate will further consolidate his base, as well as to fire up the potential for violence from neofascists. Deny it all he wants, he is a student of 20th Century fascism, and his rhetoric has devolved into the vilest as delivered by the apex predators of the 20th century: Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, and Mao to name a few murderers of millions. I haven't any intention to be confronted by mass death on my native soil by this monster, ever again. Read Anne Applebaum's account of his descent into madness.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/10/trump-authoritarian-rhetoric-hitler-mussolini/680296/?gift=wWNtSlIqChObTSNGd1I65OMA0IxXzv2Gx3PAPIGV9Lk&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
It happened once — Germany, mid-20th Century.
They are following that play-book.
There is no reason to think it MUST happen again … The playbook can fail this time.
WE make it fail. WE do not fall for it. WE vote him OUT.
Let’s hold the line,
And Vote Blue!
Sadly, even if tfg doesn’t win, the rhetoric and fascist narrative has gotten into the American psyche. Vance & his cohorts will continue with the propaganda. It is more & more creeping into European politics. Italy, France, Turkey, Austria. It is being touted all over Europe. Even here in Britain Farage & his followers are around. Fortunately, not as strong. But the ideology is on the rise! We all must be vigilant!
That’s true (I don’t really “like” it, but I agree).
What’s needed from us IS vigilance, and active refutation .. ongoing education of the people. The public conversation needs to be clear and have content and context — hopefully some of it will get through
And, knowing that she was ABSOLUTELY up to the challenge {I will admit I was worried…}, I have to say that it was terrific that Harris went on Fox and brought the message to the people who are siloed there … !
We have to break out of thee silos.
I talk to a lot of people on non-MAGA threads … but I don’t know how many are independents or centrist liberals. We MUST reach across ideological lines with fact and reason — be willing to listen to opposing arguments, and be willing and ABLE to support our own.
Big job. Doable, but BIG.
It needs to be done.
Many other places -- south America -- Spain, Italy, check out Lebanon. Iraq, Syria.
Fascism thrives in religion, South America, Spain, Italy - Catholic
Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, UAE, Qatar Muslim.
Mussolini had an accord with the Vatican. Hitler with Pius XII and the Lutheran church
Franco was support by the Vatican and the Spanish Legion, the most blood thirsty and ruthless, is today a National Treasure admired by all
check this video as they carry a huge cross of Jesus, singing Novio de le Muerte (Bridefroom of death) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XULTHbK5z8
I notice a similarity between The legion and the SS both wear/worr homoerotic clothing. Spain doesn't have the money for expensive dress uniforms and it is a warm climate, but the legion shirt is designed so there is no top button and the hairy chest is exposed.
Yes, I know fascism has found a home in many places — I’m talking about the Hitler playbook specifically. I suspect Trump sees himself as the “better” version of Adolph, as Trump thinks he will win and be more successful than Der Führer. But I’m well aware that fascism had and has its adherents. I actually see little difference between it and the so-called left-wing dictatorships, anyway, as they all spout false claims about their “principles,” while all wielding iron control over all aspects of their societies, over business and commerce and the lives of their “subjects,” both personal and public.
Going back to D-Day, I'll never understand it that the allies held back for Stalin (Russia) to take the remaining area to Berlin. They raped and pillaged all the way into Germany.
Moron
Here are a couple of really obscure old songs - that didn't get much airtime - the felon could probably use at his rallies without getting sued by the artist.
(WARNING: The language is quite course and not for delicate sensibilities - but just the thing for MAGAt types. On the other hand, they're spot-on!):
https://youtu.be/RX7QpgUVsRs?si=vOmSF82X-avMHDPH
https://youtu.be/4n5qwjr1GBo?si=BvgtJ2HmNGdc6mVX
https://youtu.be/pNx1aJAYbGQ?si=Qd6wEUrXC-al-yyJ
As an afterthought, I'm thinkin' that someone with the resources and skills could probably craft a good, viral video or videos based on these songs used as the soundtrack for sequences of clips of the felon at his rallies or in interviews - maybe overdubbed with things he says in those clips that reflect the lyrics of the song.
DZK - Try pitching your idea to the Lincoln Project.
I just sent my full comment to the Lincoln Project. Thanks again for the suggestion!
DZK - You are welcome and I hope that they will listen. ;)
Good idea! I'll look into it.
Donald Trump ONLY understands "money into his pocket."
Vote for Decency over Dictatorship,
Fellowship against Fascism,
HARRIS against hate
Harris has been part of the cabal that wants censorship, control over parents, disarming American citizens, and allow non citizens the right to vote, and much more damage to come
When did you decide to become a traitor to America, roger?
I am wondering if the individuals who are willing to sell themselves for their greed ... to this tyrant we have running for office if they have thought about their families and their children who will suffer after they are gone??
You read about 3rd world countries that sell their children into slavery .. is it going to be the same here eventually? Money? Has it been able to buy your soul ?
Biden and Harris have made it almost impossible for young adults to have a family and a home. Why hire someone the funds failing businesses, tasked with billions for broadband and over 1000 days later no one has it
Fascist talking points Roger, you are as full of shit as a Xmas turkey.
I am a patriot, As a disabled Vietnam Veteran I took the oath against enemies foreign and domestic. How about you Tommy
You spit on the service of others -- traitor.
The oath is to protect and defend the Constitution. And you shill for a pos who was as faithful to HIS oath as he was to his wedding vows, traitor.
I have great respect for most veterans, especially those in the combat arms.
Democrats have been playing very loose with the Constitution
Trump calls vets and military losers and suckers. Feigned a bone spur and said he is going to get rid of the constitution that you profess to love.
Your disabled you say, well the Republicans have no use for the disabled, they are a drain on resource. Neither did Hitler, neither did Stalin.
The disabled vets hanging around Moscow were such an embarrassment to Stalin, that in one night they all disappeared.
Hitler used portable gas chambers, carbon monoxide from vehicles.
The constitution did not make the U.S. a Christian nation, it merely said that congress shall make no law recognizing a religion, but the Christians are interpreting that as a Christian nation, so who is playing fast and loose with the constitution.Treaties superscede any laws, and the Treaty with the Barbary Pirates states that the United States is not a Christian Nation.
The second amendment:
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
We have 51 well regulated militias, each states National Guard and the Department of Defense, so there is no need anymore for people to own war weapons and bump stocks.
I'll tell you who will take your guns, after the fascist government, of which Trump is the fool and tool, gets settled and all libs, people of color, black, brown , feminists and gay people are disposed of, your guns will be outlawed and you patriots will rush to turn in your neighbors, under fear of arrest for not snitching.
An inquiring mind wants to know, are you not voting? You couldn’t possibly be voting for the man who calls veterans like you suckers and losers? But, maybe you are! It seems that you have fallen , hook, line and sinker for his corrosive lies.
Yet another hoax, you guys are like a broken record repeating crap that has been proven false
The following are direct comments from John F. Kelly, U.S.M.C.General Retired, on August 23, 2023 regarding Trumps comments on U.S. military personnel. “A person that thinks those who defend their country in uniform, or are shot down or seriously wounded in combat, or spend years being tortured as POWs are all ‘suckers’ because ‘there is nothing in it for them.’ A person that did not want to be seen in the presence of military amputees because ‘it doesn’t look good for me.’ A person who demonstrated open contempt for a Gold Star family – for all Gold Star families – on TV during the 2016 campaign, and rants that our most precious heroes who gave their lives in America’s defense are ‘losers’ and wouldn’t visit their graves in France.
He also confirmed the following statement by Trump on Memorial Day 2017, as they stood among those killed in Afghanistan and Iraq in Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, and saying, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/02/politics/john-kelly-donald-trump-us-service-members-veterans/index.html
How could you as a veteran who served in Vietnam admire a man who was too cowardly to serve his country in the same war.
For your information I never comment on anything I have not thoroughly researched.
Yeh a hoax, reality is a hoax Roger when you live in a fantasy.
You sound like you listen to Fox News. You need to question your information more thoroughly.
Let's see you are a diabled vet, worked for CNN, CBS, NBC, MSNBC and PBS from 1987-1999. What else did you do Walter Mitty
What was your job, gofer, copy boy, janitor, it most certainly wasn't journalist.
Disabled by TBI? That's the only thing that would make sense with your coment above. I'm sorry that happened to you.
Lost my hearing in battle
Well there’s a domestic enemy running for office - Trump - what r you gonna do about it ?
I suppose Trump is allowing inverted illegals into our country. We already have immigration laws on the books; however, the current administration chooses to n’ignore those laws
Roger the current administration put forth a bipartisan immigration bill that had the apprpoval of the most conservative senators, bu Trump told Mike Johnson to kill it, because he wanted to run in immigration as an agenda item.
But tell me why immigration is such and issue with you, how is it a threat to you. Are migrants going to take your job as a disabled vet?
Are you able to explain why immigration is a hot button issue with you?
I don't think so, it is just another racist right wing talking point.
Thank you for your service!
Trump wouldn’t want you @ in his line of sight He likes people who weren’t disabled. He does not understand your sacrifice, let alone respect it. He considers you a loser and a sucker.
FYI, I HAVE taken and still honor that lifetime oath to preserve protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. So help me God.
So has Trump and he casually disregards and discards it. Trump is an enemy of the Constitution; he thinks it secondary to his vengeance and annoyance @ being shown up a liar and fool.
Thank you for your service Roger.
I and I am a retired mustang, with 26 years in special ops,
If you honored your oath you would invest your energy in defeating the traitors to our constitution, who are striving to make this a rich man's paradise, using people like you who believe their bullshit.
@ Roger Hopkins. Your hero wans to "sunset" all your benefits. Wants to eliminate the VA.
Besides, Trump is whacky, corrupt and a Fascist. https://votevets.org/press-releases/retired-major-general-to-mattis-milley-whispering-to-bob-woodward-does-no-good
And impulsive. There are truly frightening stories about what his initial ideas for responding to challenges have been.
A current example: for the response to the Iranian 180-rocket attack ( which killed one person — a Palestinian in the west Bank) Trump’s recommendation was for the Israelis to take out Iranian nuclear sites. Bibi, not a model of restraint, now “assures” us he will go after military targets, not their nuclear or oil.
What will happen if our military pledges its loyalty and obedience to this man? God help us all.
FOS He tried to defund the VA. The plan is to eliminate it. Eliminate VA disability. Same for Social Security. . https://fpwellman.substack.com/
Where did you get your information!! Fox and Friends does NOT count as news!😈😈😈😈
Refreshing is the word I choose to use for this. Thank you both. 16 days to the finish line.
A strange take on restricting Hate speech, women having control over their own bodies, sensible restrictions on war weaponry to save school children's lives from Americas biggest killer disease, and there is only one party that constantly attempts to repress voting rights of the electorate.
So you would allow a convicted rapist, fraudster, bankrupt who never pays suppliers or contractors to attack your human rights?
Rights our forefathers fought for against those of the same beliefs.
Support equality & equity over retarded ideology.
HARRIS AGAINST HATRED.
I am a conservative and we feel your hate and disregard for those that work hard
And do you really believe that liberals don't work hard, or even work? Are you that stupid?.
That's pretty funny
She would have to turn in her own gun, Not to mention her v-p's hunting rifles.
I don't know where you got information about the rest of your charges. Please give some Harris quotes or at least some sources we can fact check.
That’s the usual dodge.. Harris’ history has been on display for decades
Not a dodge fool, this is the court of public opinion, you can stand on a soap box and blather all you want, but we have the right and responsibility to demand proof.
You are the one dodging Roger, because you can't back up your bullshit, All you have is repeating rants and lies you've heard in your bubble.
What are you talking about ? Turn in her own gun?
The facts on Trump are in the courtrooms - he was convicted
Kamela Harris owns a handgun. If she was part of this so-called cabal that's going to take everybody's guns away then she'd have to hand her own gun in. I was just pointing out how stupid the writer's conspiracy theory is.
She is against civilians owning battlefield guns.that are weapons of.war - not all guns, obviously, because she owns one.
How about the 1200 judges that Trump appointed and who suck his phallus.
Roger Hopkins : project any? Are you sure you are not tRUMP?
He sounds more like a bot than a person — the complete tRUMP line of BS. Gad.
Pat ; yes ; a bot clone.
I am real just google.
Google what ? Roger Hopkins
Hopkins In 2000, Hopkins was ranked as the 289th most common surname, but by 2010 it had slipped to the 322nd position, a decrease of 11.42%. Despite the drop in rank, the actual count of people with this surname increased from 94,603 in 2000 to 96,810 in 2010,
The name Roger is not considered rare, ranking 1,557th in the United States for births overall and 759th for boys. In 2024,
You are a bot.
By censorship you mean exposing hateful harmful falsehoods, i guess.
Roger Hopkins is a bot, his response above proves it.
They suppressed the Hunter Biden laptop and none the 50 plus intelligence people and networks that lied about it have apologized
A completely false statement for which there is evidence to prove it is false. Roger please proffer at least a modicum of truth to support this abhorrent lie or retract your statement!
Roger, you represent America,s real problem
I have to wonder if “Roger” is a real person. Those are some pretty dumb-a** things to say. Make no sense at all!
Your on the wrong page again Roger
Nonsense. She is being represented this way by fascists.
She wouldn’t make a credible President… Not enough gravitas…
Don’t confuse gravitas with gravity
What Trump has is gravity ie, mass.
in his serious pronouncements he’s a laughingstock and an embarrassment: ivermectin, bleach injections, nuking hurricanes, eating pets, negotiating to avoid civil war, Chinese Bibles, the gay porn he calls trading cards, trump “university”, “his” generals, articles cs amendments of the Constitution, hydroxychlolquine, paper towel toss to hurricane victims, watches, sneakers, love letters with Kim, enough
I just read that those who ban abortion before you allow assault type guns are not allowed to be "pro-life"
That's certainly true I think!!
There is hope people. I live in a deep red portion of Ohio. I am surrounded by angry misinformed dedicated Fox/Newsmax viewers who just don't care about the current principles and constitution of the United States, or the U.S. position in the world. They just want to blow everything up with the Donald because it is reality TV and it will show the world that "we" can. However, in this part of Ohio, I have seen two or three times as many Harris/Walz signs throughout the county than I saw Biden/Harris signs in 2020. If Kamala can win just 40% of this county, she could pull off an upset in Ohio. I know I'm dreaming, but there is hope.
Christopher - One can hope that Ohio comes to its senses and votes not only for Harris/Walz but also for Sherrod Brown and “Yes” on Issue One as well as the other qualified candidates and issues.
Yes, he's a total facist, totalitarian, authoritarian. He's always been a thug and a self-serving narcisist. Growing up in the NYC metro area seeing him with regularity in all media outlets, he NOT only made my skin crawl. He's made it tear itself from my frame and gone running, screaming down the avenue."You've got a good eye for people son. It's a gift." And I believe his followers and supporters are comprised of, not only a simpler minded, pliable, gullible cross-section of our populace but, also those who dwell in and on the baser, less humanistic aspects of the human paradigm. Sucked in by those such as past draft dodger and chief, Musk and the front pew worshippers of the Almighty, filthy lucre, users and the 'smarter tan thou' crowd, I believe they don't represent the majority of Americans. Hope looms eternal. And this election is the purest of examples of the eternal struggle between right and wrong. And anyone with an ounce of personal perception can see the 'WRONG' tatooed on The Donald's forehead. "A day of love."? Let's ask the law enforcement victimized by the traitor, the insurrectionist, the then President ! ? A total embarrassment to our nation, people and humanity. I KNOW we can do better. I BELIEVE we will do better. HARRIS/WALZ 2024 ! !
Mark - From your lips to everyone’s ears!
Early voting in person here in Georgia started on Tuesday, the 15th. The first four days have shattered all records -- with over a MILLION voting so far. And it has been women voting so far more than men -- by a 60/40 margin by many accounts.
In my county, voting will be open today in all ten or so voting locations, and open for Sunday afternoon in only some locations. And then another full schedule all next week, when I will get out to vote.
Our county has a website that shows current wait times at all of the polling places, and I monitor the two that are served by mass transit. Both have been extremely busy all days. All the above bodes extremely well for Harris-Walz. This past week, a state judge struck down ALL seven proposed rules changes by the MAGA dominated state elections board.
Just a few reasons to say that things are looking bright here in the Peach State.
Thomas, I also read that North Carolina, even after be devastated by Hurricane Helene, had the highest amount of early voting on the first day than ever recorded! Let's go, Kamala! We can win this thing! Vote blue, America, up and down the ballot!
I heard that too! ... Mark Robinson is the gift that keeps on giving.
Isn't he just? My sister lives in Georgia and she said that man gave her the heebie-jeebies!
YAY! I wrote about a third of my voting letters to Georgia voters. I focused on politicians selling “we the people” out to corporate and rich donors.
Thank you!! ... We're trying hard not to let y'all down.
I LOVE our two senators. Warnock and Ossoff. Just plain good human beings.
Here in Georgia, this year.... WWJD means "What Would Jimmy Do?' And we're not going to let him leave this world disappointed.
So beautifully said, Thomas! I cried when I read that President Carter voted for Kamala Harris! He told his grandson he just had to make it to the election. A great motto for this year's election - WWJD!
A truly inspiring man!!!!
Even after his presidency, President Carter and Rosalynn went on to do so many wonderful things! I have contributed often to their causes. You are right, he is a truly inspiring man!!
Trump is disgusting, dangerous and is ruining the US
Trump is the perfect narcissist — he has no ability to feel compassion or loyalty to anything but himself. This includes not having an atom of real patriotism anywhere in his body or mind.
That’s why he calls soldiers suckers and losers; he can’t comprehend “what’s in it for them” in any form of sacrifice.
When he talks about ending wars he always says he wants to end the killing, never recognizing or respecting the higher aspirations of people for freedom and self- determination. Such ideals mean nothing to his shriveled soul.
If we’d had a president like him in WWIi, i have not a doubt in the world he would have sold us out to Hitler in a heartbeat.
The only time he supports fighting is when it’s for his greater power or glory.
Thank you for your work on behalf of the nation, Secretary Reich. I now sometimes regret being a life-long Republican because of this horrid person. I am also a 100% disabled veteran. I have one observation: This is not the same nation for which I shed blood sixty years ago. I am near overwhelmed with sadness.
Thank you for your service. Stay strong.
Ward - Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
He is the enemy within.
The enemy within are the greedy that are willing to set us on a path of destruction for a few bucks they should be ashamed that they are allowing their children to that awful fact... but money is what is most important ... in the ME ME ME atmosphere we are living in right now
Better wake up you ain't gonna live forever!!
I live in a resort where the wealthy go to the same doctors ( in their Bentleys etc..) that I do and they are sick and miserable and the money doesn't make it better??
I would vote for "Barbie" rather than trump !!
I said "No and No." Trump is a seriously mentally ill, brain-fried lunatic who will end up in an asylum for the criminally insane . . . How could he help but not? All that grease he slops down . . . America will not become a fascist nation. We are not going to let that happen. As for me, I am going to switch over to Dan Rather and see what he has to say about all of this . . . Surely saner voices prevail elsewhere!
I chose "No and Possibly", because anything is possible - though with tRumPutin melting down so dramatically, I don't think he'll have many supporters left by election day. I'm glad his campaign has discouraged mail- in voting because that helps us too. I'm also relieved that Biden has finally threatened to end support for Netanyahu, better late than never. Kamala taking on Fox News was absolutely brilliant, because it showed how she will stand up to any bully - foreign and domestic.
Yes, I watched the news clip from Fox on the Coffee Klatch video. That guy bore a resemblance to the devil! Did you notice? Biden . . . he's been issuing lukewarm warnings to Netanyahu for a year now! It is SO HORRIBLE THAT NETANYAHU IS WILLING TO SLAUGHTER SO MANY LEBANESE AND GAZANS JUST TO KEEP HIMSELF OUT OF PRISON! HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE!!! GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS FROM BOTH ISRAEL AND THE U.S. OUGHT TO THROW TRUMP AND NETANYAHU INTO SOLITARY CONFINEMENT TOGETHER, ALONG WITH HANNIBAL LECTOR WITHOUT HIS MASK!!! WONDER IF OL' HANNIBAL COULD HANDLE EATING A BIG, FAT GREASE BALL??? 😳 HAH!
Hahaha! What a picture you conjure in my head! Dr. Lector is far too discriminating and particular to eat anyone as toxic as tRump.
To answer your question about mail-in ballots: tRumPutin has been claiming for years that they can't be trusted, are easily faked, can be tossed out, etc. He's also claimed that "illegal immigrants" use them. All lies, of course, but like all his lies, his supporters take it as Gospel Truth. Those poor people! It's horrible how they've been manipulated.
Thank you. I don't feel sorry for his followers. My brother is one of them. Claims to be a "devout Christian." So disgusting! Lives 20 miles from me. I haven't heard from him in years! Some "Christian"! How can "Christians" support a rapist, con man, liar, thug, crook, thief, Hitler wannabe . . . Boggles the mind!!!
If those so-called Christians ever actually read the Gospels they would know that Jesus will turn his back on them and say "You claim to love me and call me Lord, but I say to you, I do not know you."
Paula, I meant to ask why the Repugs didn't want mail-in ballots.
A 10 year old asked Trump yesterday (on Fox & Friends) what his favorite farm animal was, and Trump managed to put "radical extremist lunatic" in his reply to the kid.
Like you, joe, Trump is nucking futz.
Your brain is so fouled by stench news like Faux and NewsLess that you can’t decipher the truth
Susan, who is your comment aimed at? Please start your comments with the person's first name.
Outright fascism. Not neo.
I assume this comment refers to Mr. Reich’s delicacy of phrasing? I agree.
If Trump dies/expires tomorrow I will be happy.
Yes, but then you get Vance...he may lie like a rug but don't doubt his ties to Project 2025.
Whatever Vance does, he is not a psychopath and has some potential for reasonableness. He wouldn't suggest bombing a hurricane to destroy it, for example.
Potential for reasonableness is a stretch at best considering his deep connection to Project 2025. And, I never referred to him as a psychopath.
Yes indeed, the potential for reasonableness from Vance is a "stretch at best" but is still possible to a certain extent because he isn't a psychopath as is Trump.
Right, you never referred to him as a psychopath. I know you didn't. When I said, "he (Vance) is not a psychopath", I meant *relative to Trump*. I focused on the Vance-Trump connection while it seems you saw the Vance-Project 2025 connection. I apologize for my less-than-clear and confusing remarks. Btw . . .
In my opinion, on a "reasonableness scale of 0-10, where 0 is totally unreasonable and 10 is totally reasonable, Trump is a 0 and Vance is a
4. Neither should be in any elected public office, ever. Harris is a 10.
(not necessarily a 10 in the way many men rate women) :-)
Thank you for your admitted confusing remarks. I would rank Vance as a 2 on your reasonableness scale and I feel that is being generous considering that he is joined at the hip with the authors of Project 2025. If DonOld is mistakenly elected, you can bet that Project 2025 will make sure he disappears from that
esteemed position, leaving Project 2025's choice, Vance, in charge. In other words, Project 2025 will be in total control. Voting Blue has never been more important than it is now. Everyone needs to pay attention and connect the dots to this plot to destroy our democracy.
Ok, let's give him a 1. I can live with that. At least he wrote his own book and "DonOld" didn't.
You are wrong -he is an insidious snake! Trump is an obvious threat and makes a choice so much easier!
Yes, I may be wrong. However, your saying Vance is an "insidious snake" is engaging in what Trump does best - - -> name calling. I suggest that no one stoop to Trump's infantile low level of discourse.
Vance is worse! https://newrepublic.com/article/183971/jd-vance-weird-terrifying-techno-authoritarian-ideas?fbclid=IwY2xjawF9_DNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHUmF_nipjKuGo5EN7vXwNYbenal9_DfRe5UKP5wzw_Jfjkplcy_jTyBg3w_aem_LUBbkDjy7OefuMJ2D6pk6Q
Thanks for the links but I disagree that Vance is worse than Trump. See my reply to Kate Brousseau above.
DON'T Elect, a "Demented-Fallen-Felon-PerpeTraitor-Faux-Prez" (Trump-a-Pum-Pump!)
It's really really beyond me what people see in that bleached painted old tyrant??
He's scammed and conned lots of people who believe his lies until they find out he's screwed them !! Then they are so embarrassed they don't want anyone to know they feel for his scam!!
Is that you?
You do know he's gonna " get rid of the federal governments dole "
That SSI,SSA,MEDICARE ETC...
yer pension is probably subsidized by the fed, VA is the fed... does that worry you at all??
Yes- it’s sponsored that these poor folks in backwards states would vote against their own protections like unions, Social
Security and Medicare, ACA
Are they so uneducated that they have lost all respect for human decency?
I am confounded that so few seemingly remember, of personal history or after the fact growing up, World War II and the determined and honorable will we brought against the evil of the fascist Axis. And that some of those who forget are so despicably ignorant that they consider themselves Christian, too. Disgusting! Shameful! ##
Onward christofascists
Marching as to war
The crooked cross of Hitler
Going on before.
tRump our puppetmaster
Rants against the foe.
Onward into chaos
See his MAGAts go.
Since MusX is Trump's 21st century Goebbels he might win the election. Question: will X users be accomplices? ("Wir haben es nicht gewußt")
https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/wir_haben_es_nicht_gewu%C3%9Ft
So if you are a “X” user will you vote Trump that will cut your parents social security and Medicare ?