"This is really time for our country to come together.” It would be so nice if we could come together and straighten out the world and straighten out the problems."
During Iowa campaign speeches, he insulted and derided DeSantis and Haley. Now Trump is praising them. "I think they both actually did very well.”
Does anyone think any of that is credible? He was told to say this by his handlers! Everyone with half a brain knows it’s BS.
What’s the latest news from Toxics:
Here’s a photo from Houston, Texas, taken Sunday 1/14. We are becoming more and more like 1933 Germany!
Ben Meiselas, of the Meidastouch Network, mentioned last night that if you interview the MAGA CULTIST and ask them, would they rather have Joe Biden for the next 4 years or a Donald Trump Dictatorship?, they would choose a Donald Trump Dictatorship. If you asked them if they would choose Joe Biden to run the country or Vladimir Putin for the next 4 yrs, they’d choose Putin!
As a country, we are leading the rest of the world when it comes to being uneducated and ignorant!Our Congressional Republicans in the House are some of the dumbest people! All you have to do is watch the ridiculous antics of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives! Most of these folks have sold their souls to an Orange Conman. They are doing whatever he wants them to do.
They were voted into Congress by some of the worst and undereducated people in America!
Anyone who thinks Trump is the second coming is delusional! To the Evangelical Christian Trump supporters :
You will be voting for someone who delivers exactly the opposite of Jesus’ teachings! Please rethink your position and invest your time wisely by reading the history of Donald John Trump. You will find that he is not the living legend you think he is.
I recently saw Sandra Bullock in the 2015 movie "Our Brand is Crisis." People will choose fear over love, she said about LBJ's Daisey ad. "They might not like him, but they like that he will punch someone in the face..." she stated. The movie explains why people support distasteful candidates like Trump. They are in fear of losing their country. He/they are selling us crisis, just not the climate crisis.
Last night’s Iowa win for DJT did not surprise many in America. It reflects how many in the country intend to vote for him, not President Biden, in November. It also should come as no surprise to American Democrats, government specialized agencies, and civil servants that they need to face the reality that due to the indirect (indirect in that it would be hard to prove it in a court of law) manipulation of the courts, economy, banking and stock markets, PAC money influence, and Tax breaks etc., by and for the ominously wealthy and the corporations they own or represent that everyone and everything that can be harmed will be especially if DJT returns. It’s hard to believe we as a country are where we are. The sadder reality is that much of the situation we find ourselves in is more related to the lack of common good we feel towards one another as we continue to suffer under our brand of harsh American capitalism.
The UN Convention of the Parties (COP) 28 is a good example of how harm knows no boundaries. If 2023 was the hottest temperature year recorded see what 2024 to 2054 brings. No fearmongering here, just a reflection of things past, present, and likely in the future. The only hope is to show up in November and vote. Europe, where there is a cluster of Western democracies, is preparing for the possibility of Trump returning to power and what that may bring with it.
One can look back to any major organization or individual, for example, the United Nations or Pope Francis and his Laudato Si document, to know how the future may pan out. We can all write what we want to and do what we can do, etc., to try and get the opposition to reverse course but they are not listening and say we’re the ones not listening. For sure no one should be surprised at what the environmental reconning might be when it happens. Not even the 45th want-to-be 47th will be able to get his twisted way if the environment turns against the human ability to survive in it.
The general election will be different. Polls show 11 % of Iowa Republicans support Biden. Registration puts Republicans only 1% more than D's. I still think that NY will undo Trump. March 25 trial date in the Bragg prosecution. No immunity issue.
I am, very, very sadly, just as scared that almost ANY Republican will usher in the cadre that are using Trump as their standard bearer. Their North Star is Project 2025. The Party is behind Trump, and they will BE “The Party,” if we let them run our government again.
The Orange Man IS damned scary, but the Republican Party that is his foundation is way scarier — they’v been orchestrating this “takeover” since Reagan, when Trump was still just a little rich jerk sticking his name on buildings and boats and talking about dating his daughter …
Iowa’s Republican caucusgoers don’t reflect the American electorate.
Per ABC News,
*White voters account for 97% of Iowa caucusgoers.
*Evangelical white Christians account for 51% of caucusgoers.
*66% said they don't think President Joe Biden legitimately won in 2020.
*58% of GOP caucusgoers say they'd favor a federal law banning all or most abortion.
*63% of caucusgoers say they consider Trump fit for office even if he is convicted.
The American electorate does not look like Iowa caucusgoers. For example, per NPR (in 2021), white evangelicals represent 14% of the US population (compared to 50% of caucusgoers in Iowa).
Similarly, 61% of Americans are white, compared to 97% of Iowa caucusgoers.
And 36% of Americans believe Joe Biden’s election in 2020 was not legitimate, compared to 66% of Iowa caucusgoers.
How can anyone support someone who stole from kids with cancer?
Yessir! And we need to press home the reality that it is the Republican Party elite who are pushing the Trump Phenomenon as a tool to usher in their unitary president — something they talked about twenty years ago, when George W was in office … They have LONG been OK with staging their Long Con on the American people, and Donnie is just a part of it.
If we keep looking at Donnie floating around and taking up all the air and space in our field of awareness, we’re going to miss the guys behind the curtain ushering in their little Putin-Lite ideas …..
I love facts and math. Thank you for taking the time to do the research. Iowa is not America. As part of an ongoing education program, I wish all voters had to watch just 10 minutes per week of factual information.
I know that sounds too much like ‘reeducation camp’ from every dystopian novel we’ve ever read but no one knew American voters would ever follow in Hitler’s footsteps.
Agree with you, GOP votes party. New Hampshire R Governor Sununu said, He backs Nikki Haley BUT, if Trump, GOP is what he votes NO MATTER WHAT (saw via BTC clips I think). Did American founding fathers foresee “My party, right or wrong”? Consider, they didn’t even foresee women in business, medicine, or politics, let alone rapid fire rifles, or climate change. Scary is Red stays red. Swing state is all that “counts.” Did the envision that?
What was the purpose of the Iowa caucus Henry, or any primary at this point.
MSNBC and CNN tried to make it exciting, to sucker in eyeballs and clicks, but we all knew the outcome.
Same with the primaries, both parties. Trump and Biden, so why bother, Use the time to watch a movie , I certainly did. In fact I watched all 9 episodes of Fargo Season 5, every liberal, every progressive should watch it. The villain is the Stark County, North Dakota sheriff, Roy Tilman, a Constitutional Sheriff, who is the absolute law of the country, he kills those who stand in his own, or won't let him rule over them, Like Jesus in Luke 19:27, including his 1st wife, and gets away with, he is a Bible quoting S.O.B. and a very stringent patriarch who beats his wives into submission, slaps them around until they have Stockholm Syndrome, and is head of the local militia.
I takes place in 2019, there is reference to Kristi Noem, and the Orange Idiot.
Episode 10, probabably last episode tonight, I watched the other 9 via Video on Demand (Dish).
There seems to be 2 distinct levels of understanding held by the people of this country. One will help lead us into the future, the other will take that future from us. Keith's first sentence was uttered by Trump last night and it made me ill. Handing out basic psychology is something Donnie Boy should avoid, because he sucks at it. His effort to sound Presidential was like trying to paint over a "red" wall with "Whitewash" and attempting to do it in just one coat. What you get is a "pink" snow job. The lack of general intelligence displayed by a majority of the people in Iowa represents the real swamp Trump loves. The mental dysfunction that engulfs so many of the people in that state is more than a simple misunderstanding. They allowed Trump to replace the truth with a series of blatant lies, which sadly they fell for. If 60% of the people in Iowa said they would vote for Trump even if he was convicted of a crime. That's not ignorance, it's nothing more than pure stupidity, and the people who support Trump seem to be full of it. Trisha said it best, "When it comes to brains, they got the short end of the stick." Trump looks at this country like it was a ball of wet clay and he wants to mold it into something that resembled a dream of another fool from another time. Not happening.
I want to think it’s not happening. I think more people in our country WANT it NOT to happen … but more people in this country wanted not to see Donnie in the White House the first time, too.
I still have PTSD from that election, and I’m sure a lot more people do, as well.
BUT, ALSO, I still realize that he could get in despite us, if we are not cognizant of, and attendant to, the cockeyed Electoral College skewing our votes. It has to be part of all our calculations to bring an element of clarity to these people who look at what the Republicans are doing and see something they can live with, as long as someone tells them they are part of some sort of “resistance” to …. I dunno … some seni-conceptual something or other …
I talk to my daughter-in-law about all this, and I try to maintain a stance of “We can head him off….,” and I do not want to think I am deluding myself. …
We need to reach people who are NOT sold on Donnie, but who still do not yet see the reality of the work Joe Biden is doing, and doing well, on the domestic front… If they don’t see him and Kamala as the competent people they are, how do THEY vote?
I’m not afraid of Donnie himself as much as I am of the entire Republican Party with Donnie as their Floating Head.
Pat--If Donnie is the floating head his boat has a large hole in its hull. Trump has a decent chance to get back into a House he should have only been allowed to visit, and he has already done that. It's almost like people are clamoring to board a ship destined to sink before it even leaves the docks. Trumps's new hat should read, "Titanic here we come."
I don’t think the people in Iowas are stupid or ignorant. Many were farmers, hard working smart farmers that provided food that nurtured and sustained life. They had their lively hoods, a vocation that they loved through nurturing the land and animals, watching their care allow something to go row that would then sustain people, their ability to provide for their families, taken from them through the callous take over of big Ag with the support of their government Republican or Democrat. They are a group greatly traumatized by the lack of protection that government should have provided. Trump is manipulating them by telling them he agrees with them and he will fight for them. They can’t see through his con, but how many times in your life have you been deceived and did not see it until it was too late? Republicans and Democrats are subject to giving big monied folks what they want. We need to unite with Iowans who are not the evangelical sort and fight to get big money out of politics again or Trump and his ilk can continue to pit tribe agains tribe, clan against clan and weaken the will of the people. I should qualify, Douglas Coe kind of evangelical are the ones that are a huge threat to democracy.
Their own Congressional reps destroyed them as Big Ag wined and dined the Congress. They refused organic standards, to understand, project what was coming. They stayed in their smaller, getting smaller groups & told each other lies. Midwest folk who have taken up regenerative agriculture state it's like talking to a wall. I farmed in upstate NY. The same 'left behind'farm group were present. Some were good families retaining the old ag practices. The loudmouths were up and coming trumpties, using poison big ag practices. These are not the smartest bulbs on the tree and should in no way, be leading the rest of us. Economically viable Blue states must use our power. Like doubling the Supreme Court now. Just do it. Or welcome the facism YOU are allowing!
I’d support at least a 13 to 15 member SCOTUS — it hasn’’t been enlarged for generations, and there’s no problem with doing it!
As for our support for agriculture, I remember when that support was intended to keep families on the land. Industrial agriculture was not supposed to be part of the farm supports, so if I’m not mistaken, they crated a bunch of fake “families” on the land to collect money that was intended to keep farms small and local. Now I need to go and look all that up, but it’s how I remember it … We had supports for farms NOT just to give tax money away, but because growing our food locally and keeping land in use is GOOD for the states where it’s done {if it’s done right — good ag practices, rotating crops, good animal husbandry, feeding our local communities from close to home instead of flying our food all across the country and the planet all the time ….}
Corporate greed ruins everything. Corporate greed is why we can’t have nice things.
If you’ve ever gardened, you have some idea what it’s like to deal with weather, drought, pestilence and critters. Now throw in the market ups and downs and having your farm in jeopardy.
I don’t think the farmers are stupid. Maybe too much time on the tractor listening to what was once the only radio show they could get - Rush Limbaugh. That pointed the older ones in the direction of trump.
Sticking with Big Ag, the poisonous, water polluting, seeds enhanced with chemicals , mowing down all the hedgerows where diversity thrived, allowed for the creation of mega farms only sustainable with large federal subsidies. All farmers are not the same. All shopkeepers are not the same.
Linda--I hear your concerns, but the rural members of the Republican fit the definition of being ignorant. This condition is merely the lack of knowledge. Stupidity enters the fray because these people won't listen to the truth even if you fed it to them. If Combines could vote Trump most likely would have never left the White House. Seriously, Rural portions of our society view education as a tool to be used sparingly, schools interfere with crop production. Whereas the people living near or in big cities see education as a necessary means to an end, and that is personal success. All people should reflect upon the idea that intelligence isn't what you know, it's how you use that knowledge to better oneself and help others. OK--The people in Iowa are "acting." stupidly. I left a little wiggle room for the sake of understanding.
There is also the religious aspect of this ignorance. Many who are “devout” DO fear education that leads to questioning received wisdom. Liberal thinking means entertaining the possibility that something you disagree with MIGHT be found to have some validity, if you look closer. That’s not welcome in deeply religious circles. “Oh, ye of little faith.” Doubting Thomas who asked for “proof” was NOT a hero.
There are cultural reasons for the ignorance AND the resulting stupidity in action.
Give a little lip service to their religion [picture the “hands on” events with Donnie] and accept what they fear as your enemy, too {those godless atheistic lib’rals}, and you’ve got their vote.
{I think DJT is the Anti-Christ, only I don’t believe in Anti-Christ, but I think he’s it, anyway.}
30 or 40 years ago, a lot of undocumented workers were hired in the Iowa meat packing industry. Non-English speaking students entered elementary schools. Teachers could not follow their lesson plans. Their communities changed. PBS did a program about this. I think Trump's Build the Wall message resolates because of the social changes that started when undocumented workers were hired in the meat packing industry.
Good jobs were lost. Unions were busted. Communities suffered because low wages are a good way to create poverty. Corporate profits went up. Everybody lost, except the corporations who hired undocumented workers.
It's easy to see why voters want a populist who will fight for them, and bring back the good 'ol days. But the devil's in the details, as they say.
And the guy they expect to fight for them is one of the guys who hires undocumented workers, pays them crap wages with no benefits, stiff his contractors, declares bankruptcy to avoid paying his bills, and sends his manufacturing jobs over to China.
Somehow, he would not be the guy <I> would choose to champion me and my worker’s rights.
You are failing to blame the USA business owners who HIRE undocumented workers because they are CHEAP -- many are children -- and the horrors that befall them working for American Agricultural "for-profit" industries is well documented. As long as American business owners, farmers, etc get away with breaking American laws, your arguments expose the gap between delusion and reality. ALL American political parties have been guilty of these hypocrisies since our European ancestors invaded and occupied the Americas -- plural. Suggested reading: "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn.
Donald, the people of Iowa and indeed the entire Republican party as it now stands Know exactly who and what Trump is, they know he is a liar, a pervert, a grfiter, a traitor and they don't care, because he is their avatar. The look in the mirror and see Trump, or they see Trump and see themselves. He is their tool, their ticket to return power to white males, and to rid America of what they call "mud peoples", atheists, Muslims and foreiginers.
1st Bobby Jindahl, then Nikki, then Vivek all tried to capture the right wing vote, but ignored one salient feature, the color of their skin. No matter how misogynistic, Christian, NAZI they hold themselves out to be, they didn't have a snowball chance in hell.
Lee---To start, I don't believe in any aspect of the word "Hell." So to argue the point, "snowballs" " do stand a chance. If you remove any chance at success you will dwell in failure, and that isn't your future. I will again disagree with your position on whether or not all Republicans know exactly what Trump is. They don't. There are members of his cult that view him as the coming of the Massiah, how does that work for them? The MAGA squad are so wrapped up in Trump lies they can't see straight. If they really knew the truth, they still wouldn't believe it. The word "Blind" seems to have many applications.
By losing "their" country Danny. you mean "their" male dominated Christian society. The soon to be Republic of Gilead. You can also include minority males, in that, evidently their gender is more important than race or ethnicity.
No, I mean the socio-economic conditions (financial security) they knew in the 50's, 60's, 70's up until in the 80's. Refer o RR's "bridge" graph showing widening economic inequality.
I don't think gender plays a role here. However, it's a lot easier for faux news to magnify transgender issues as proof of a changing society, rather than explain Bridge graph that shows how Reagan's economic policy hurt the middle class and widened inequality. Bingo!
I do not need anyone to mansplain feminism or patriarchy to me. I think you know what "their country" means. They, like the rest of the middle class, have been left behind. Their country, rural Iowa, has seen an economic decline.
They, Iowa Republicans, like the rest of the country, have experienced greater economic inequality since Reagan. This is not about gender. This is about economic inequality in rural Iowa/America.
If you think a woman from rural Iowa who is struggling to put food on her table because of low wages and inflation cares more about women's rights than feeding her family and making ends meet, you might be out of touch with Midwestern farmers. I suggest you go talk with some rural farmers to learn about their prorities. I would not expect your priorities for an egalitarian society to mirror their priorities.
It was James Carville who famously said, "it's the economy, stupid."
And who is to blame for the economic travails of Iowa?
Who is promoting Agribusiness. Not the Dems Danny.
Iowans are mostly rural, that means ultra conservative, church centered, and what do the churches preach about? Godless liberals destroying their country.
And I saw the Iowa caucus goers on TV and none of them look like they are trying to put food on the table, and in fact drove to caucus centers in below zero weather.
You want to see economics as a motivator, well you aren't listening to the people, not if your source is liberal outlets alone. They aren't bitching about economics. Th media is hyping inflation, it drives the horse race, the people are bitching about the "heathenization" of America, about culture war issues, the loss of manly authority.
It is the same song as in 2016, and Dem's weren't listening then
I guess you forgot the first words of TFG's mouth coming down the escalator, about Mexican rapists and drug mules. Maybe you aren't paying attention to Rhonda Santis and anti black, anti gay, anti trans, anti women laws and the people eat it up.
The American population know " The Apprentice", not Donald Trump.
I was project manager for the historic renovation of the Atlantic City Convention Hall when Trump began his casino disasters. He cheated the contractors, drew personal wealth from the projects and then defaulted on the bank loans. To mitigate their losses the banks instituted the "Trump brand" and refused further loans.
Putin stepped in with arranging financing. His investment was repaid at our national cost.
The overwhelming majority of Americans are ignorant of the true nature of the beast.
As long as the media and oligarchs profit the myth will persist.
The Christian doctrine of unquestioning faith adds fuel to the fire. Their support of the party to declare our nation a Christian nation is making this a religious war as well.
There are many more ignorant followers who don't have the time or inclination to consider what they are told to believe rather than thoughtfully consider the facts.
In 2015 I considered Trump's bid for presidency a joke.
Now I consider his support the gravest threat to our society.
You nailed it with, the overwhelming majority are ignorant of the nature of the beast. And the overwhelming majority of the evangelicals are biblically illiterate!
The voting majority in this nation are not just ignorant, they are terminally and willfully ignorant. Trying to talk sense to any of them is like talking to a wall. Even a zombie would gag on their brains.
That’s because the public did do due diligence in looking up what and who Trump was and is before 2016. It’s all there to see, should anyone care to investigate. But no, that would take an hour or two away from watching reality TV.
Why put forth any effort to think when the #merchantsofmalarkey spoon feed you lies till there is nothing but mushy oatmeal between the ears? We are in the middle of a war, a mind war, think psyops. Tv is chewing gum for your brain
I have no idea where that came from, but my wife DID stay home with our three until they were in grade school, so I know of what you are speaking. That put me as the sole bread winner in the family. A hell of a lot of stress. Let’s just say this, we never took a family vacation for nearly two decades because money was so tight. There are always two sides to every story.
No doubt!! Think of progressive ideas and you will understand just where they are coming from. Protecting individual rights sounds ok until to mention women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights, asylum seekers, etc. Add to that deniers of vaccines, climate, animosity toward government agencies, (deep state), etc. To give one a sense of their grievances.
Pearls before swine. "Please rethink your position.........." Sure. With hate in their hearts they want retribution against woke and DEI, immigrants, and POP. They hate having others rights protected while they feel ignored. I am here as a warning we are headed for a new era, which fair-minded people will HATE!
And whose version of religion will that be? I am willing to bet it will be the evangelical type, not those who actually teach and follow the words of Jesus. The words spoken by Spencer Tracy towards the jury in the movie, Inherit The Wind, keep coming back to haunt me.
That’s an excellent point Janet. All Americans should work together to @ least try to make up for all the pain and suffering! We will never accomplish anything except despair being divided as we are! This can only happen if it starts @ the top. Congress was elected by the people for the people. Their jobs are to work together as a functioning branch of government to make our lives better. The reason for two parties is to keep a balance between what we want and what we need.
Yes, and I think we need several parties to make a good democracy. The Native Americans deserve their own party too. Women should be standing together. Did you see the PBS documentary about suffrage? The inhumane treatment by the unethical men to torture women and divide them is shocking.
That's why I always vote - even if I don't particularly like either candidate. I serve on juries for court because women are now "allowed to".
Yes, it happened with the appraisal fraud and liar's loan 2008 crisis. Just watch Bill Black on TED talks (lawyer and regulator) How to Rob a Bank is to Own One.
They aren't just taking our properties, they are turning us into serfs, and leaving us with the bill.
Janet. We really don't own property, we simply told title to it in fee simple, and the sovereign, which in our case is the state, owns the property (by state i mean of 1 of 50).
Fee simple is a device initiated by Edward I, to placate barons who were upset that the Crown could, and did, on a whim relieve a baron of his property and title and award it to a favorite.
The sovereign still owned the land in what is known as allodium, which is the right of conquest. It started in 1066 when William beat Harold Godwinson at Hastings and claimed all of England as his personal property, to use as a tax farm.
Fee Simple means that you can reside on the land, sell it or pass it to heirs, so long as you pay taxes, contribute to the defense of the sovereign, and obey his laws. That is the basis for the states to relieve you of your property if you break their laws.
The County Sheriff is appointed with the authority to relieve youf of your property.
The word county means that which is held by the count, comte in French.
The sheriff is the reive of the shire or shire reive., his job is the same as it ever was to enforce the laws of the baron or count, collect taxes or in the modern sense to evict you from the land you hold in fee simple, if you don't pay your taxes or your debts. Through of course a due process, which means simply a court order, on the basis of a filing by the county or mortgage holder.
I still say that your texts to Donald read like a bully has written them. But I also admit, after reading the above, that your knowledge of history is impressive.
I doubt they think he's the second coming, but they do think he will help implement their far-right Christian fundamentalist agenda as well as eliminate gays, Jews and people of color. Maybe we'll even have public stonings.
Yes, it is superstitious magical thinking: if they do all these Old Testament things then Jesus will miraculously appear and give them prosperity and it will return to them ten fold.
Unfortunately your (and anyone else's) appeal to Maga cultists to rethink their position is useless. Because if you could reason with a Trump supporter there wouldn't be any Trump supporters.
Use your time instead to help young people register/vote.
The Republican masterminds who stuffed the U.S. Supreme Court with corrupt, ultra-conservative Justices, shepherded the Citizens United case that gave corporations and foreigners the ability to make unlimited donations via super-pacs, and created a plan to permanently take over our government, are now ready to re-write our Constitution. Their plan is to persuade enough state legislatures to hold an Article V Convention.
They need the approval of 34 state legislatures (no governor’s signature needed) to compel Congress to call such a gathering. Right now, 28 states have passed resolutions calling for an Article V convention. That number would be 32 had Common Cause and other groups, such as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, not successfully talked Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico and Nevada into
rescinding their resolutions.
It’s my understanding that once the Article V Convention is convened, the stated purpose for convening can be expanded and even changed. Considering how massive disinfo convinced many people to gamble with their lives by not wearing masks during the pandemic, I fear what an Article
V Convention could be turned into.
(The following paragraphs are excerpts from something I wrote in December, 2022.)
But, back to the Supreme Court. I’ve read the ‘Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States’ written in Nov. 2021. But, a lot
has happened since that report was written.
Shortly after the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United State’s report was written, two of its members wrote an article published in WaPo, “The Supreme Court isn’t well. The only hope for a cure is more justices.” It was written by ret. U.S. Dist.Crt. Judge Nancy Gertner & Laurence Tribe, Prof. Emeritus HarvardLaw, pub.12/9/21.
The article discusses how their views evolved
AFTER serving on the Presidential Comm. on the Supreme Court for 8 months. The following 7 paragraphs are quotes from the article they wrote:
Gertner and Tribe stated, “We started out leaning toward term limits for Sup.Crt. justices and against court expansion, but ended up doubtful about term limits, and in favor of Court expansion. Sadly, we no longer have confidence in the Court given 3 things: “
“1.) the dubious legitimacy of the way some justices were appointed;
2.) what Justice Sotomayor rightly called the “stench” of politics hovering over this court’s decision deliberations and,
3.) The anti-democratic, anti-egalitarian direction of this court’s decisions about matters such as voting rights, gerrymandering & the corrupting effects of dark money.”
“The Supreme Court has put our entire system of government on a one-way trip from a defective, but still hopeful democracy, toward a system in which the few corruptly govern the many, something between autocracy and oligarchy.”
“Instead of serving as a guardrail against going over that cliff, our Supreme Court has become an all-too-willing accomplice in that disaster. Measures the court has enabled will fundamentally change the court & the law for decades. They entrench the power of one political party, constrict the vote, deny fair access to the ballot & allow legislative district lines to be drawn that exacerbate demographic differences.”
“This is a uniquely perilous moment demanding a unique and urgent response. None of the proposed reforms precisely fit the problem that needs remedying. Offsetting the way the court is currently packed in an antidemocratic way by adding Justices leaning the other way, is the most significant and clearly constitutional step that could be taken quickly.”
“We are on a one-way trip from a slightly defective …democracy toward a system in which the few corruptly govern the many.”
“Far worse are dangers that flow from ignoring the court’s real problems: pretending things haven’t changed; insisting improper manipulation of the membership hasn’t taken place & looking away when the court seeks to undo decades of precedent relied on by half of the population. An appearance of fairness hiding partisan manipulation is a compelling sign that all is not well.”
“The most important issue is the legitimacy
of what our nation is becoming.”
Foreign money explains a lot of behavior we see from republicans as well as their single-mindedness of purpose that’s not for the good of the American people, but is good for their wealthy republican benefactors.
Voters deserve to know that when they donate money to republicans, they are unknowingly supporting a Russian influence campaign that
isn’t in their best interests.
I know there’s support for expanding the Supreme Court among dem senators. But I don’t know how many are supportive. If President Biden wins and
democrats retain the majority in the Senate, I think
it would be worthwhile to start talking about expanding the Court. If I’ve learned anything from following politics in America, it’s that there must
be discussion about major changes long before they can be implemented.
I’m hoping that C-Span will broadcast the hearing. They have it listed on their site but I don’t know if it will be broadcast.
“Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo Oral Argument
The Supreme Court hears oral argument in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, a case challenging the Chevron doctrine which allows courts to defer to federal agencies to interpret unclear statutes.“
Thank you for trying to reach the hearts and minds of Evangelical Christian Trump supporters. I recommend everyone Google their "7 Mountain Mandate". The religious delusions of both the far right AND the far left have deformed our democracy into a Surveillance State theocracy. The good news is that millions are networking together to resurrect a moderate working class and middle class of taxpayers who vote!
Keith, you are correct. We are at a serious crossroads. Democracy is in peril. Trump and his followers are a danger that can't be denied.
If you watch the Meidas network, check out Michael Cohen speaking with one of Trump's ghost writers. I can't remember the man's name but he has an interesting reason for Trump's behavior and that of his followers as well. Trump's psyche was damaged by his treatment as a child. Neglected by both parents lead to his anger and hostile attitude seen now. He has no empathy or conscience related to his actions. The man believes Trump is a psychopath and his actions and behavior exhibit such tendencies.
His goal to be the richest person in America has guided his actions for years. He equates wealth with prestige and there is never enough to satisfy the need. The anger projected by Trump is echoed by his followers. They feel neglected and used by government and 'liberals' too.
Trump's handlers fashion his speeches to feed those feelings. Our best weapon against this tidal wave is to encourage everyone we know to register to vote and participate in the election this November. The right wing's efforts to dissuade folks from voting due to their conspiracy claims can result in the demise of our democracy. Anyone who believes differently will be sadly and possibly permanently regretful of their decision to vote The Tangerine Terror back into the presidency.
Michael knows the orange bloviated Mussolini better than most anyone else! I listen to Michael’s podcast Mea Culpa, and I watch Political Beatdown! His niece, Mary Trump, is another great and reliable source of information when it comes to her uncle.
Trump's Executive Order was #13957, Biden rescinded it with EO 14003. Trump issued the EO in his waning days, and used it to reclassify protected civil servants as at will, fire then then replace them with appointed cronies, who were then reclassified as Schedule F, protected civil servants
Biden' then on Day 1, rescended Trumps EO with afore mentioned EO 14003, and that is celebrated?
Biden stripped himself of the only tool he had to reverse the damage done by Trump, because he could use that same EO of Trump's and clear the bull dung out of the cabinets, like DOD, DHS, NHS, CBP, and best of all David Weiss, a last minute Schedule F Trump appointee, who jumped in front of AG Garland, and said "send me in coach" to prosecute Hunter.
Biden can still issue an EO and reverse the damage done by Trump, but of course he won't.
Just who is advising him and what is their real agenda.?
All of this goes back to the electoral college. Bush became president because of the electoral college and we got Iraq and the never ending war in Afghanistan. He got a Supreme Court justice as well. Then came Trump. Three justices put in by someone who lost the popular vote. Now this court can end these protections. Until we get rid of the electoral college, this debacle will be repeated over and over.
Bush became president because of the Electoral College and the dubious Supreme Court. They stopped the recount in Florida and handed Bush the election.
Thanks, Lark! I probably should not have posted today. I am in a dark place right now because I feel that it does not seem to matter what we do, that evil man and his followers are winning and it scares me to death. I know I need to step away from reading about all of this. I see the supreme court doing the will of the ultra wealthy and the right, the media foretells of the horrors yet to come, and it doesn't feel like President Biden and the Democrats are getting out there and telling the American people what they intend to do the next four years and what they have done for them these past four years. All you see are the republicans saying horrible things, acting completely cold and callous, and constantly lying! I have decided to back away for now because I want to be able to fight the good fight and continue to try and get voters out to vote blue. Gen Z apparently aren't even going to vote this go round!
Apparently they don't want either candidate and choose to sit this one out. I really don't understand why they would do that knowing our Democracy is on the line!
Unfortunately, that might be too late. We lost 8 years of climate protection possibilities when Al Gore "lost" to W, and another 4 years when Hillary Clinton "lost" to the idiot.
Peggy, thanks for bringing the discussion back to the power of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court was the branch of government intended to be non-political and give balance to the other two branches of government. But as Donald Trump correctly stated (for the wrong reasons) “THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!” As impotent as I am as a voter whose vote does not count (I now live in a solidly “Blue State”) any efforts to right the wrongs of the Supreme Court are a complete waste of my time! Even President Obama was stymied by Mitch McConnell and the Republican controlled Senate to get a moderate justice approved.
The original system for appointing the Supreme Court justices is now now longer worthy of our respect. “The system is rigged.” Even of Trump does not win, any case going to the Supreme Court properly strategized by right wing zealot lawyers will continue to take away what was our “rights under the law.” The wealthy have the means to appeal their cases to the Supreme Court where they can expect a slam dunk.
To me, this is another reason citizens of true progressive nature (not the Democratic machine) must rethink our system of governance and justice. Before the Titanic hits the iceberg and totally sinks, we must start designing a better vessel now! It is telling that one of the reasons that the Titanic hit the iceberg was that the lookouts did not even have a pair of binoculars. They were not able to look far enough ahead to perceive the danger.
In the meantime, the Republicans and the Supreme Court are now reducing the number of lifeboats. Conclusion: We need a new vessel that can carry us safely to the future.
Bingo. That’s exactly what the “corporate state” envisions. At some point, that will even be too much for those who are hoodwinked by the right. The question then will be what happens?
John, I fear by the time those who were 'hoodwinked' wake up, our country will be under a dictatorial regime and there will be nothing that can be done about it short of a revolt.
Get rid of the Electoral College and your vote will as meaningless as a Powerball or Mega Millions lottery ticket. I know I will stop voting. All federal money will be sent directly to New York, California, and other major states. The rest of the country’s infrastructure and needs will be ignored.
I live in Minnesota, fly over land by some thinking. The problem with your assertion, is, that you fail to understand that we are now living in a country where there is rule by the minority. Blue states disproportionately send their federal tax dollars to support red states. That’s intended to balance things out economically. But the problem is, much of that need in red states has to do with their own intentional inactions. So we in blue states get to pay for that? We may be highly taxed here in Minnesota, but at least we have adequate public services and a good public school system. Well, at least for now, as republicans are constantly trying to undo that here.
We are already divided Jan. Regressive red (Republican) states vs blue (Republican ) States and a culture war initiated by the red states that has ripped this country asunder.
What are you doing to try to resolve it? Red states aren’t innocent but the people living there aren’t necessarily guilty. Dislike and, for some, contempt from the coasts for those living in the middle of the country is decades old. It appears to be deeply ingrained. Howard Cosell in Kansas City comes to mind. I don’t remember what he said but contempt was embedded in his comment.
Because I said, red states are taker states and blue states are giver state? And you compare me to Trump?
And that the inhabitants of the red states are ignorant, racist, religious Trump voters?
Who do you think made him #45 and working to make him#47? Do gooder, open minded, DEI people?
Yes I know that not all members of the red states are religious, racist, homophobic, misogynistic patriarchs, but those that aren't don't count, because their votes don't count in the electoral college.
If you don't like me. I don't care. That is your problem, deal with it.
Agreed. Problem is, how do you get the side who benefits from it to agree to its demise and then find enough congressmen with enough courage to enact it? I for one am not holding my breath.
When I was a child my Dad brought home and installed in our station wagon seat belts.
They were silver lap belts and they were ugly.
But, they were not standard or even optional equipment by any car maker at the time. If you wanted seat belts in your car, you had to buy them and install them yourself. Likewise, there was no such thing as a child safety seat or booster seat with seatbelts.
I recall that my Dad also complained that the dashboard inside American cars were painted steel. They had no padding. Add this hazard to a seatbelt-free cabin and the laws of physics, riding in a car in the 1960’s was simply dangerous.
It took years of pro-safety lobbying by Ralph Nader and convincing insurance companies that it was in their interest to join the cause to make American cars as safe as reasonably possible. Later the same scientists who studied and tested car crash safety also looked at what internal combustion engines do to cabin air. The catalytic converter was born to reduce air pollution.
My point here is that, left to their own devices, American automobile manufacturers did not voluntarily advance the safety features they built into the vehicles they sold.
They were more concerned about the cost of such things and the impact this would have on their competitive value proposition than on protecting THE COMMON GOOD of consumers and citizens in general. It took years to convince manufacturers that Americans wanted safer cars. Volvo sold their cars in the States in part by promoting their safety versus all other vehicles.
Eventually, our cars became a much safer mode for transporting our most precious cargo: our loved ones.
Our Federal Government helped us achieve this logical and needed transformation. Stripping away this regulatory authority at a national level will take our nation back in time to the dangerous 1960’s when our cars were truly death traps on wheels. The very air we breathed was filthy. In many cities one could not safely cross the street because air pollution as witnessed in NYC last summer was commonplace. Our drinking water, food and medications were also only marginally tested for purity.
We simply must not allow ignorance and greed to take us back in time to the dangerous, dirty, unhealthy 1960’s.
Tim- you’re using logic and empathy. That will not work on a Supreme Court that has zero concerns about pregnant women’s health and welfare.
We know at least 2 of these justices are owned by the wealthy and a third one’s wife enriches herself with the corporations dole. That’s 3 votes my friend in favor of the wealthy and corporations. The other 3 will mindlessly follow.
All we can do is vote and encourage others to do so. Register voters, knock on doors, mail postcards, etc etc.
Lynn, I agree. We fight back in any way we are able. Talk to people, knock on doors, write postcards, register folks to vote, offer rides to the polling place…make “them” WORK for it and then defeat them with numbers. Even if we fail (God forbid) we fought like hell.
I’m confident you are right, Lynn. To quote Spock on the Starship Enterprise: “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.” Or, in our case, “The corruption of the six and their billionaire owners, must not outweigh the needs of the many.” Corruption in plain sight is Trump’s stock in trade. We must do whatever it takes to keep him away from the Presidency. He belongs in an orange jump suit and behind bars. And we all must stop the childish fantasy that Trump spreads. He absolutely, positively could care less about the hundreds of people he has already thrown under the bus. He is running for office to stay out of jail. I’m sure the SCOTUS will do everything most of them can to help him stay out of jail. He is a sociopath and he wants to do Putin’s bidding by becoming our first elected dictator. Our live will immediately become unrecognizable to everyone outside the USA.
Timothy. Do you know why, the real reason, there are safety features built into cars?
The insurance industry. It was paying huge payments for massive death and destruction, so what they did was lobby state and then federal government, to pass the cost of insurance, by protecting driver and passenger, on to the consumer.
Safety features reduce payouts and increase prices of things.
I am not complaining though. I appreciate the safety, though I don't buy the crumple theory as a safety feature. Cars are now made of plastic,and aluminum, lightens the vehicle, saves weight, improves gas mileage, but it also means that it is easier for a collision to kill the driver and passengers.
A couple of decades ago, I visited a site in the mountains of north eastern Washington where the local simply rolled their worn out cars off a cliff. I looked down at the pile and was amazed at how so many of them still looked solid, rusty yes, but as if you could haul them up, rehab and drive hem away.
Yes. They created the Insurance Automotive Testing Laboratory to develop and administer standardized tests of the crash worthiness of our cars. Since consumers can’t build cars, the Insurance Industry took the case to the people who were making unsafe cars and trucks. Fortunately enough Volvo entered our market and demonstrated how to make and sell safe cars. That’s what kicked the American auto industry in the pants. They could no longer claim it would make their products too expensive.
My father represented the DuPont Plastics Corporation as their chemical engineer to the Big Three auto makers in Detroit. They used Lucite TM and other DuPont plastics for their external body light covers (turn signals, brakes, etc.) and for internal dashboard and cabin lighting covers. In the 60’s and most of the 70’s the industry was not at all focused on safety but on the looks of their vehicles. In the 60’s they were more interested in fins than on seat belts. They eventually came to accept that they were losing customers to all manner of competitors who started building here in the States safer, much more reliable and comfortable cars at higher prices. Free enterprise competition, the erosion of their stock prices became the ultimate motivator for customer-centric behavior at The Big Three.
Theoretically I see the reason for the Republican position in this case. It's surely Congress' responsibility to make laws with sufficient clarity. The President is the head of the executive responsible for implementing them. The judiciary is responsible for interpreting them.
But I'm speaking theoretically. The real situation (a country deeply and bitterly divided with one side having wedded religion to the cult of a personality) is a perilous one for any constitution. I would say that defeating Trump and ending the cult of his personality, and getting a Democrat majority in both Houses of Congress is the real priority, whatever SCOTUS decides.
Unfortunately your theory ceased to function once corporations became citizens who served only themselves. The Republicans serve the corporations and the ultra rich. The average American is secondary to the machinations of our system by these corporations and those who just seek to enrich themselves and care nothing about anyone else. I was part of that world, until I wasn’t - and they don’t give a damn about regular people.
Oh do I hear you. I’ve known engineers and scientists who have made huge technical contributions to the bottom line of their companies, only to get laid off to reduce payroll, because they made too much money. Never mind that it was their ingenuity that got the company there. I was fortunate enough not to have gone through that. But it does happen, way too often. It’s literally the death of expertise. Ask Boeing how well that’s going.
John, As a member of that group of which you speak, I can say “been there, [had that] done that [to me].” It’s American capitalism’s race to the bottom.
I was concerned about a documentary about US courts establishing the strange doctrine that corporations are to be regarded as persons, apparently implying that their directors are obliged to maximise shareholders' profits above all else. Perhaps this doctrine should be overturned and replaced by the idea of responsibility resting in the directors and those who appoint them, and that they can (and should) take all the stakeholders of a company, including the affected public, into account. We need RR's input on this one!
I agree - because once that doctrine was established the Boards of these huge corporations were held to that account legally. Now, even attempts to make their corporations more representative of the American population as a whole - versus “white men”, by training their HR departments to implement Diversity hiring practices - is under attack by Republicans. I listened to Board members literally say “we can’t do such and such because it might cause a drop in the stock price - even though it will recover and be beneficial in the long run”.
The irony is corporations, will destroy themselves in the end as well holding in thrall our elected officials to short term goals that are destructive longer-term.
Theoretically correct, but the first thing a Democrat controlled Senate needs to do is get enough floor votes to end the filibuster. Otherwise, minority rule continues to control one end of Congress and nothing will get accomplished for the public good. A Democrat president also needs to fill vacant judicial positions as fast as possible, same for open agency board seats, starting with the Postal Board or Governors.
We are in a Full Blown Crisis in America for a Theocratic FACIST Oligarchy! This is Global in scope and we are tasked to make sure that they are defeated! The Corrupt Supreme Court needs to be held to account! Impeached and Expanded! The 6 Rt Wing Religious Extremists are our Enemies
I can't believe that someone who is undergoing trials for alleged crimes and even sedition is not only out on bail, which he is violating the rules for, but is working with his cronies to mess up our government even more, and have plans to 'off' those with whom they disagree : (Roger Stone on the recording ; Not AI), and spouting lies and propaganda to influence yet more voters and potential jurors. Careful what you wish for ; MAGAs! , you just might get it; and wish it wasn't happening.
When posting in a public forum it is wise to say alleged if the courts have not convicted. Except in the case of an obvious, well documented insurrection that was filmed and shown many times on TV . Even a very conservative retired Judge; J Michael Luttig , said a conviction is not necessary in the case of insurrection. It is not necessary,. The 14th amendment section 3 is self enforcing. There is plenty of evidence.
Look--when the fascists start rounding up people, they won’t bother to quibble over a substack post and few here present the sort of threat that would make it worth while to hire attorneys over “alleged.” I’m not giving trump any quarter--the crimes happened. He may deny involvement and that will be up for a jury to decide. As far as Im concerned, if it looks like a duck, acts like a duck, stinks like a duck, it’s a goddamned Donald Duck.
Lot of heat about semantics here. The law is a jungle of them! I happen to believe my eyes and ears. Donald J, Trump is guilty, guilty guilty times 91 felony charges. There ought to be a law that the Courts could move in such a way that criminals can't 'tie up the courts' until the 'Statute of limitations' draws near! Or, a Presidential election!
The crimes aren’t alleged--a grand jury determined that. What is “alleged” is the perpetrator who “allegedly” committed the crimes. Those crimes are very real and apparent. Dead bodies, top secret documents hidden in bathrooms, false electors--those things exist.
Citizen Raff ; I believe that is how it was described by the legal scholars. I am not a legal scholar, nor am I a student even of the law. I just notice how reporters word some statements on TV and in print.
Regarding Iowa: Excuse me, but the results are in. Trump won by more than 50%. What's interesting to me is that so many Iowa Republicans would choose someone who lost to Biden in 2020. How can this be? What do they think has changed since 2020 so that Trump can beat Biden this time?
Trump isn't getting any younger either. The economy is chugging along just fine. Unemployment is very low. Wages are up. Not only are things going fine for Biden, but Trump has 91 charges in various courts. What are these Iowa Republicans thinking?
What ever happened to "you get one shot at the ring, and if you lose move over?" I know that's not a Party rule, but conventional wisdom is that if you lose then you ain't got what it takes so move on. Do they really want to double down on the 2020 loser?
It's just hard to believe that half of Iowa Republicans think the 2020 loser to Biden can do better this time now that he's amassed so many civil and criminal charges. In fact, Trump's attorney just argued to Judges that Trump is above the law so he needs immunity. It's astounding.
Even more astonishing is that half of Iowa Republicans must not care that Trump helped organize a violent, deadly insurrection on J6 based on lies about the election being stolen. It was the darkest day in the history of American Democracy transition of power. It was the darkest day in Capital history. It was all because Trump kept pushing lies about the election being stolen. Now more than half of Iowa Republicans want a Trump rematch with Biden?
The Iowa caucus results suggest that either Iowa Republicans think Trump is like a fine wine and gets better with time, OR Iowa Republicans think Trump actually won last time. This why they don't care that Trump lost to Biden. They think Trump won last time, so he can win again. They don't care about the J6 violence against police and desecration of the Capital because the they think the election was stolen so the actions of J6 were justified.
Regardless, you would think Republicans would choose to go for someone who can win by a much bigger margin, not the 11,780 votes Trump wanted to find in GA. Do they really want to go to the big dance with Trump again? He's no spring chicken, more like a chicken hawk. Do they really think Trump can do it this time, despite losing the last time, and the post-election unpatriotic insurrection that greatly tarnished his Presidency?
Is it possible so many Republicans think Trump's failed policies will work this time? All I can conclude is that misinformation has created a very distorted reality for many voters.
Understand that only 15% of just the Republicans participated. And I don't believe it was just weather related. I think even the Republicans, in a state as Red as Iowa, can't stand the thought of voting for the likes of trump. If you extrapolate that out on a national level, and Democrats turn out in strong numbers, we're going to do just fine. The MAGAt's will be driven back under their rocks, and the world will then exhale. Relax, everyone.
I agree with everything you say here, except "Relax"!!! Not yet, please. A few comments before yours is the necessary other piece, Lynn George wrote, "...vote and encourage others to do so. Register voters, knock on doors, mail postcards, etc, etc." I would add join any one of a zillion phone banks to voters in the locale of your choice. Every progressive organization in America will be offering opportunities to do all of the above. So instead of telling everyone to relax, I say get energized, participate in whatever way is meaningful and available to you.
100% Donna! But, my argument is, we can't be effective if we're not relaxed. How well do you function when you're tensed up? When your mind can't focus because of distractions that you can't control? If we relax, focus on the task, and proceed methodically, we WILL be successful. And I'm thrilled to see that you are on board with the necessary tasks. So relax, Donna, and you'll spread that confidence to those you're trying to reach.
That's lovely, Daniel. You're right, obviously. However, I am sure that I am not so Zen as you describe. Instead I rely on hope as an action. I believe that when we organize, we win. We don't have to win every single campaign to rise to the top. My hopefulness keeps me buoyant and energized at the same time that the news is weighty and cumbersome and too often chilling. The process of speaking with Americans all over is ultimately uplifting. I appreciate the opportunity to meet people, speak with them in their homes, get them necessary logistical information and to have meaningful discussions that are crucial to a strong democracy. In any event, I appreciate your positive energy and your support.
I hear you. I agree with you. I think the elephant in the room is that the Party leader is MIA. The Party has no leadership.
The leader is likely cozying up to corporate America for big donations and neglecting the base. I understand that they cannot unilaterally disarm, but the Spokesman is mute.
He should've been in Iowa talking to voters and framing the debate. He is not a leader. He cannot, or does not, articulate a better vision or plan for working families. This is a major problem.
I see your point. Too bad the Party does not have a leader who's knocking on their doors going on all the shows to frame the debate and talking about important issues.
"Drill baby drill," is problematic and not a solution that acknowledges the proven science of climate change. He laid out his plan that exacerbates the climate change crisis. They, the DNC, are going to let that slide? No rebuttal? I'm disgusted by the DNC.
Well then, that's up to us, isn't it? We have to get engaged, talk to our family and neighbors, make sure everyone is registered. Write to your local media, letting them know you expect truth and accuracy, and that you're paying attention. They need to hear that. If you can, organize an information meeting at your local high school, so graduating seniors will be motivated to vote according to what they see as their future, and the important issues they see affecting them as they enter adulthood. Doing small things goes a long way toward establishing large things, and it's up to all of us to be involved, and to try to get others involved, as well. We can do this, and I believe we will. I believe enough of us old timers understand the stakes, and understand our involvement is critical in spreading truth.
I agree. Two points: One, Kennedy could be another Nader. Some of the youth will believe that lesser of two evils garbage. Two, the DNC is MIA. The Party has no leadership. The leader is likely cozying up to corporate America for big donations and neglecting the base. I understand that they cannot unilaterally disarm, but the Spokesman is mute. He should've been in Iowa talking to voters and framing the debate. He should be fired. He's worthless.
Mr. Piper, WE are the leadership! It is WE who need to get out and talk to voters, frame the debate. For the most part, Republicans are writing the script FOR us, and I guess we should thank them for that. FWIW, I think we might be jumping the gun a bit; we need to allow the Republicans to continue making fools of themselves, showing everyone just how inept they really are. We already KNOW how bad trump, nikki, and ronnie are; watch in the next couple weeks just how incompetent the House shows itself to be. WE then take these talking points to our family, neighbors, social media. WE blast this message, WE talk to people in the checkout lines, and WE drown out the lies from them. By November, most Republican dogs will have their tails tucked WAY out of sight. So, as I've been saying, "Let's Roll"!!
All I can conclude is that misinformation has created a very distorted reality for many voters.
The grandmother going to jail (the pink hat lady) for her part in the J6 coup attempt, was mortified by video of her using an ice ax to break open a window. She said she regretted what she had done to her family. But she refused to say that she felt any resentment toward Trump or anyone who was with her that day. The closest she got was to say something to the effect of "It's not every day that the president asks you to come to the capitol."
Was the results of the caucus ever in doubt. I don't think that there is anyone with any sense that would vote against Trump to be the Republican candidate. It is not n election it is a plebiscite.
Don’t look for or anticipate any logical thinking. Cult members are not capable of that or critical thought.
The worse hypocrisy is if the Democrat running for president had 91 felony counts and was a previous election loser, those same republicans would be trashing the Democrat. Hypocrisy #2 is if the current economy under Biden was under a republican president, the republicans would be pounding their chest with pride.
I could suspect that rural Iowa hayseeds would find it entertaining to see a president taking the oath of office from a jail cell. (Not meant to reflect on Iowan's who are >not< hayseeds!)
Yes, this is dangerous, with an example just last week. Can you imagine Boeing as the sole arbiter of its own regulation? Can you imagine Chevron as the sole arbiter of the Amazon forest in Ecuador? Can you imagine the Koch Brothers regulating the production of fertilizer along cancer alley in Louisiana where they are already the largest fertilizer producer (and methane polluter) in the region? There must be regulatory protection, not just for our wallets, for our lives. Companies are not moral if their only mandate is shareholder satisfaction. Therefore government must regulate, and we the people have to elect a government that will do so or we face our own peril.
It may sound melodramatic but I believe it’s true - we rely on a few thousand Americans in key voter states to save the world. Another Trump presidency will plunge not just the US but the Middle East and here in Europe into further depths of bitter conflict - divisions not only across borders but within communities.
You guys need to get your act together... quickly...please.
I'm one US citizen who mightily appreciates your continuing attention to and support of Ukraine. When the question was raised in this forum concerning the 10/7 Hamas attack, I stated plainly that I thought Tehran was involved, helping create a distraction in support of their ally at the Kremlin. Since you're English, you might appreciate this piece I came across a few days ago that indicates my view isn't isolated: https://youtu.be/bxZALse_OIc?si=pC409gIT_-KbdEYo
Had it all remained an Israel/Hammas conflict, NATO could continue focus on Ukraine. But now Yemen's Houti faction is trying to raise hell with critical, international shipping in the Red Sea. That's likely to distract NATO the same way the 10/7 Hammas missile attack has distracted US attention to Israel. Hang in there English!
AS AN ASIDE relevant to the US vulnerability, the МАГАт Яepuблиkan$ and their front-running presidential candidate are Kremlin allies, and their supporting voters are useless idiots. (A POV thing. The Kremlin will find those voters quite useful.)
Thanks. This is exactly the accepted view here, even if not made publicly plain.
One of my main fears is Trump withdrawing the USA from NATO which would give Putin incentive to broaden the conflict and dilute our resources. NATO having to defend across a broader front can only strengthen Putin while the door also opens in the Middle East.
And that was the point I was making about the fishy timing of the initial Hammas attack. Russian moves on Ukraine were bogging down and the US Congress was in chaos. It came off - to me - as strategic. I was hoping NATO could maintain its focus on Ukraine as the US attention span was redirected. Now the Houti have moved to remedy the Kremlin's NATO problem. And - of course - we have the presidential election that a significant number of US voters seem willing to elect a Kremlin ally who more and more resembles a "Manchurian Candidate" and is arguably a treasonous felon as the US leader serving the infamous Heritage Foundation's "Project 25:" https://www.heritage.org/conservatism/commentary/project-2025
The NAZIs didn't go away; they became the Heritage Foundation - along with the die-hard neo-Confederate tradition they passed down from the US Civil War. Recall, the people who were irate about tearing down statues to Confederate heroes complained they were standing up for their "heritage!" (For one native US citizen's - not to be confused with the honored Native Americans - take on what may not be clear to those who hail from "across the pond.")
It would be easy to just say “you have Trump, we don’t” but my intention’s not only to criticise (which to a small degree it is), it’s to emphasise the global scale of the problems for democracy.
I can only vote - and maybe act to disrupt - here.
Barry Spicer: "It would be easy to say "you have trump: we don't": no buts about it: That is what you implied. I get tired of expats and those who can choose to live abroad gripe about how we have 'allowed' this Demagogue. Money is the root of all evils here. 😈
I’m English not an expat and choose to live where I was born and have always lived - from where I perceive Robert Reich is correct in saying (if implicitly) you (Americans) have allowed this to get where it has and must now act. The USA voted Trump in and Biden hasn’t done enough to protect democracy, the world’s watching ... and waiting.
Barry Spicer : The Oligarchs and billionaires of the world have installed Donald Trump. He did not receive the popular vote. Like George W.Bush before him. Our media has been bought up by the obscenely wealthy. Most voters are ill informed. Gerrymandering along with the Electoral College are blights on free and fair elections. Why else would voters vote against their best interests ? To blame those who are misinformed and even blocked from casting ballots by long lines and fewer polling places is not fair. As for Biden ; he has done well for the common good: considering what he must work with in the former Republican Party. They have gone Fascist! Plus, the "Conservative" stacked court gave US Citzens United, which allows unlimited money in our elections. How can the average worker have a voice when money is speech!?!
" Why else would voters vote against their best interests ? " One BIG reason people vote against their own welfare is the abysmal state of public education in this country. In the decades after WWII the US prioritized education, and we were world leaders in science. Along came Reagan et al, who didn't think it necessary to spend $$$ on educating people – most people can get (low-wage) jobs without having any formal education. Of course, there was also desegregation, which caused many people to decide to 'home school' their kids (as if they're qualified to teach!), and the Evangelicals, who home school their kids in the very narrowest sense. Children are no longer taught basic civics the way we older folks were, never mind critical-thinking skills. So the answer to your question is "because they REALLY don't know any better."
Sorry to preach and I know it’s easy for me to say, but .... no one - like me - outside the USA can influence what happens there. You guys need to work out what action you can take... and take it. For all our sakes.
What the "hell" has happened in America? I can't believe that this country which was founded on the freedoms we've all grown up with, fought for during 2 World Wars, Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, who we all either lost a family member or a neighbor are going to throw it all away because of Trump who knows nothing except how to "screw people" the narrow minded Supreme Court judges who think they know best and will screw the America people...and all of the everyday Joe's who are swept away with Trump and he'll make America great again....where are your God given brains? People in Iowa..do you honestly think that Trump and his henchmen are going to make your life better? Open your eyes and get your heads out of Trump's butt and see the light.... Trump and his judges will strip away what he didn't destroy last time and you Trump supporters are going to pay the price along with the rest of us...only then you'll have put a DICTATOR in office and there will be no going back..we as Americans will pray for death just as the JEWISH people did during WWII...
The corporate Oligarchs have been chipping away at all the progressive advancements established during the New Deal era of F.D.R! Now that they have a 6/3 conservative majority at SCOTUS they are going for the kill! Democracy be damned!
Very well written Dr Reich the problem is you are speaking to the converted. The vast majority of my fellow Americans don’t know this is happening and therefore don’t realize how this affects their lives. They are more interested in the Super Bowl. I really fear for the future of the United States.
It’s time to limit the power of the president and limit the time Supreme Court judges sit in their bench. Two, maximum three 4year term limits should be established. It is absurd that the president, one individual has so much power that he can destroy the democratic system, or whatever other system that exists. As we’re dealing with a relatively uninformed and intellectually lazy population , a narcissistic, egocentric person like the president who ruled and pretty much destroyed the power of many regulatory agencies to control the economy and the environment and the international trade system to align himself with dictators like Putin and the North Korean dictator. We must improve our education system vans teach what it means to be citizens of a democracy. Our individualistic, capitalist society has become its own worst enemy. Let’s learn from social justice and democracy from countries like Denmark, Switzerland and India to mention just a few. If the egomaniacs who support a criminal, who proved to all of the world that he wasn’t interested in the wellbeing of the people of the United States nor cooperation of nations to protect and strengthen world peace and international borders -- if the USA re-elects this Mega Cult leader we follow the sure path of the fall of the Roman Empire! 😳👎🙅♀️🙏🏻👍☮️
I've written about this many times. In theory Congress gave us a mini Constitution in 1948 when it passed the Administrative Procedure Act., APA, which in part sets out rules for agencies to write regulations
Unfortunately, starting in the 1990s organizations like the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society began to oppose "the administrative state." Chevron was a case that provided that where there was some question about the meaning of a statute, the Supreme Court would defer to the agency interpretation of its own regulations.
Chevron , 1984 was not the first time that the Supreme Court expressed agency deference. In Skidmore Swift & Co., 323 U.S. 134 (1944), it said that an administrative agency's interpretative rules deserve deference according to their persuasiveness. In Skidmore there was no issue whether there were different interpretations from the language of the regulation.
From my perspective, an agency makes its best case when it holds hearings and there are facts that show a need for regulation.
What has been happening in administrative law, is there is a theory in right wing circles that because administrative law was not mentioned by the Constitution, all of it is unconstitutional. For example in
"Is administrative law unlawful?" Philip Hamburger, Professor of Law at Columbia argues that while the federal government traditionally could constrain liberty only through acts of Congress and the courts, the executive branch has increasingly come to control Americans through its own administrative rules and adjudication, thus raising disturbing questions about the effect of this sort of state power on American government and society. 2014.
In National Association of Business v. DOL (OSHA), 2022, SCOTUS stopped an Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule for larger businesses to either require vaccines or have a masking and testing policy. And in a 5-4 order, the justices allowed a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services vaccination mandate for health care workers at federally funded health care facilities. IMHO had Biden held hearings and made factual findings under APA procedures, the outcome could have been different.
In Biden v. Nebraska, 2023. the Supreme Court ruled that the student-debt cancellation plan was an impermissible interpretation of a provision in the post–9/11 HEROES Act that allows the secretary of education to “waive or modify” loan terms in certain emergencies. In finding the secretary’s interpretation of that limiting language too much of a stretch, the Court recognized that executive-branch officials can only enforce duly enacted congressional legislation rather than taking action that goes beyond those parameters to make new law. Chief Justice John Roberts’s majority opinion also cited a backup argument, known as the “major questions doctrine”—holding that the Court will not assume that Congress has, without explicitly saying so, delegated the power to regulate significant economic or social matters.
Several Justices have criticized or sought to limit Chevron deference in recent years. In 2015, Thomas wrote that Chevron “wrests from Courts the ultimate interpretative authority to ‘say what the law is’” and instead gives it to the executive branch. Gorsuch has written that “the aggressive reading of Chevron has more or less fallen into desuetude—the government rarely invokes it, and courts even more rarely rely upon it,” but “the whole project deserves a tombstone no one can miss.”
Roberts has embraced the “major questions” limitation on Chevron, declining to accept an implicit delegation of authority on any “question of deep economic and political significance that is central to [the] statutory scheme” and assuming instead that “had Congress wished to assign that question to an agency, it surely would have done so expressly.” Justice Samuel Alito has observed that Chevron resulted in “a massive shift of lawmaking from the elected representatives of the people to unelected bureaucrats.”[Justice Brett Kavanaugh has also written in favor of “preserv[ing] the separation of powers” and “vital check[s] on expansive and aggressive assertions of executive authority.” Elsewhere, he has written that Chevron’s command that reviewing courts “must exhaust all the traditional tools of construction before concluding that an agency rule is ambiguous” means that Chevron, if properly applied, should be relatively inconsequential: “the court will almost always reach a conclusion about the best interpretation.”
These justices invoke the nondelegation doctrine—the foundational claim that Congress can’t relinquish its own lawmaking power.
In reading the recent decisions, the right wing 5th Circuit doesn't even address APA rulemaking.
Thank you for this explanation. With regard to judges' claim that Congress can't relinquish its own lawmaking power, it is not. There is the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to say to an administration, "you are not following our laws."
Yes, of course in substance the conservative argument in Chevron deference is stupid and unworkable. There are deeper problems with our country and our government, though, that aren’t actually touched by how the Supreme Court rules on Chevron deference. Our government just doesn’t work. Congress doesn’t work. There is, effectively, no one actually in charge. That’s the problem I was trying to point out.
Keith Olson ; 'The health of the people' will not be as important when life gets so cheap that they are 'expendable'! Increases in birth rates from forced birth will push up the numbers of 'human resources' making them cheap and plentiful! humans will be easy to throw away after use! Convenient and disposable. NOT!
I have been shouting from the rooftop for years now. Term limits for all federal judges. District judges every 6 years, appellate judges every 8 years, and supreme court judges every 10 years. How else do you deal with Cannon, Alito, Thomas, etc. Power without accountability is a stupid idea. Ethics and integrity are values of the past.
Mr Reich,
See if you can guess who said this:
"This is really time for our country to come together.” It would be so nice if we could come together and straighten out the world and straighten out the problems."
During Iowa campaign speeches, he insulted and derided DeSantis and Haley. Now Trump is praising them. "I think they both actually did very well.”
Does anyone think any of that is credible? He was told to say this by his handlers! Everyone with half a brain knows it’s BS.
What’s the latest news from Toxics:
Here’s a photo from Houston, Texas, taken Sunday 1/14. We are becoming more and more like 1933 Germany!
Ben Meiselas, of the Meidastouch Network, mentioned last night that if you interview the MAGA CULTIST and ask them, would they rather have Joe Biden for the next 4 years or a Donald Trump Dictatorship?, they would choose a Donald Trump Dictatorship. If you asked them if they would choose Joe Biden to run the country or Vladimir Putin for the next 4 yrs, they’d choose Putin!
As a country, we are leading the rest of the world when it comes to being uneducated and ignorant!Our Congressional Republicans in the House are some of the dumbest people! All you have to do is watch the ridiculous antics of the Republican Party in the House of Representatives! Most of these folks have sold their souls to an Orange Conman. They are doing whatever he wants them to do.
They were voted into Congress by some of the worst and undereducated people in America!
Anyone who thinks Trump is the second coming is delusional! To the Evangelical Christian Trump supporters :
You will be voting for someone who delivers exactly the opposite of Jesus’ teachings! Please rethink your position and invest your time wisely by reading the history of Donald John Trump. You will find that he is not the living legend you think he is.
I recently saw Sandra Bullock in the 2015 movie "Our Brand is Crisis." People will choose fear over love, she said about LBJ's Daisey ad. "They might not like him, but they like that he will punch someone in the face..." she stated. The movie explains why people support distasteful candidates like Trump. They are in fear of losing their country. He/they are selling us crisis, just not the climate crisis.
Last night’s Iowa win for DJT did not surprise many in America. It reflects how many in the country intend to vote for him, not President Biden, in November. It also should come as no surprise to American Democrats, government specialized agencies, and civil servants that they need to face the reality that due to the indirect (indirect in that it would be hard to prove it in a court of law) manipulation of the courts, economy, banking and stock markets, PAC money influence, and Tax breaks etc., by and for the ominously wealthy and the corporations they own or represent that everyone and everything that can be harmed will be especially if DJT returns. It’s hard to believe we as a country are where we are. The sadder reality is that much of the situation we find ourselves in is more related to the lack of common good we feel towards one another as we continue to suffer under our brand of harsh American capitalism.
The UN Convention of the Parties (COP) 28 is a good example of how harm knows no boundaries. If 2023 was the hottest temperature year recorded see what 2024 to 2054 brings. No fearmongering here, just a reflection of things past, present, and likely in the future. The only hope is to show up in November and vote. Europe, where there is a cluster of Western democracies, is preparing for the possibility of Trump returning to power and what that may bring with it.
One can look back to any major organization or individual, for example, the United Nations or Pope Francis and his Laudato Si document, to know how the future may pan out. We can all write what we want to and do what we can do, etc., to try and get the opposition to reverse course but they are not listening and say we’re the ones not listening. For sure no one should be surprised at what the environmental reconning might be when it happens. Not even the 45th want-to-be 47th will be able to get his twisted way if the environment turns against the human ability to survive in it.
The general election will be different. Polls show 11 % of Iowa Republicans support Biden. Registration puts Republicans only 1% more than D's. I still think that NY will undo Trump. March 25 trial date in the Bragg prosecution. No immunity issue.
I am, very, very sadly, just as scared that almost ANY Republican will usher in the cadre that are using Trump as their standard bearer. Their North Star is Project 2025. The Party is behind Trump, and they will BE “The Party,” if we let them run our government again.
The Orange Man IS damned scary, but the Republican Party that is his foundation is way scarier — they’v been orchestrating this “takeover” since Reagan, when Trump was still just a little rich jerk sticking his name on buildings and boats and talking about dating his daughter …
From Robert Hubbell.
Iowa’s Republican caucusgoers don’t reflect the American electorate.
Per ABC News,
*White voters account for 97% of Iowa caucusgoers.
*Evangelical white Christians account for 51% of caucusgoers.
*66% said they don't think President Joe Biden legitimately won in 2020.
*58% of GOP caucusgoers say they'd favor a federal law banning all or most abortion.
*63% of caucusgoers say they consider Trump fit for office even if he is convicted.
The American electorate does not look like Iowa caucusgoers. For example, per NPR (in 2021), white evangelicals represent 14% of the US population (compared to 50% of caucusgoers in Iowa).
Similarly, 61% of Americans are white, compared to 97% of Iowa caucusgoers.
And 36% of Americans believe Joe Biden’s election in 2020 was not legitimate, compared to 66% of Iowa caucusgoers.
How can anyone support someone who stole from kids with cancer?
Yessir! And we need to press home the reality that it is the Republican Party elite who are pushing the Trump Phenomenon as a tool to usher in their unitary president — something they talked about twenty years ago, when George W was in office … They have LONG been OK with staging their Long Con on the American people, and Donnie is just a part of it.
If we keep looking at Donnie floating around and taking up all the air and space in our field of awareness, we’re going to miss the guys behind the curtain ushering in their little Putin-Lite ideas …..
I love facts and math. Thank you for taking the time to do the research. Iowa is not America. As part of an ongoing education program, I wish all voters had to watch just 10 minutes per week of factual information.
I know that sounds too much like ‘reeducation camp’ from every dystopian novel we’ve ever read but no one knew American voters would ever follow in Hitler’s footsteps.
Orange Man is mentally ill. Followers can't see it.
More like ‘won’t” — but yes, for sure!
And, NY has heavy hitter, AG Letitia James!
Thank you for that glimmer of hope.
Agree with you, GOP votes party. New Hampshire R Governor Sununu said, He backs Nikki Haley BUT, if Trump, GOP is what he votes NO MATTER WHAT (saw via BTC clips I think). Did American founding fathers foresee “My party, right or wrong”? Consider, they didn’t even foresee women in business, medicine, or politics, let alone rapid fire rifles, or climate change. Scary is Red stays red. Swing state is all that “counts.” Did the envision that?
What was the purpose of the Iowa caucus Henry, or any primary at this point.
MSNBC and CNN tried to make it exciting, to sucker in eyeballs and clicks, but we all knew the outcome.
Same with the primaries, both parties. Trump and Biden, so why bother, Use the time to watch a movie , I certainly did. In fact I watched all 9 episodes of Fargo Season 5, every liberal, every progressive should watch it. The villain is the Stark County, North Dakota sheriff, Roy Tilman, a Constitutional Sheriff, who is the absolute law of the country, he kills those who stand in his own, or won't let him rule over them, Like Jesus in Luke 19:27, including his 1st wife, and gets away with, he is a Bible quoting S.O.B. and a very stringent patriarch who beats his wives into submission, slaps them around until they have Stockholm Syndrome, and is head of the local militia.
I takes place in 2019, there is reference to Kristi Noem, and the Orange Idiot.
Episode 10, probabably last episode tonight, I watched the other 9 via Video on Demand (Dish).
So the real crisis- the climate crisis- is still considered a hoax by the GOP, but imaginary crises
like supposedly being wiped out by peaceful people
from south of the border who want jobs doing work Americans won’t do, has them afraid for their lives?
What a pity. Unfortunately no one can punch the climate crisis in the face.
Fear/Hate vs Love. No contest. If in doubt think trump.
There seems to be 2 distinct levels of understanding held by the people of this country. One will help lead us into the future, the other will take that future from us. Keith's first sentence was uttered by Trump last night and it made me ill. Handing out basic psychology is something Donnie Boy should avoid, because he sucks at it. His effort to sound Presidential was like trying to paint over a "red" wall with "Whitewash" and attempting to do it in just one coat. What you get is a "pink" snow job. The lack of general intelligence displayed by a majority of the people in Iowa represents the real swamp Trump loves. The mental dysfunction that engulfs so many of the people in that state is more than a simple misunderstanding. They allowed Trump to replace the truth with a series of blatant lies, which sadly they fell for. If 60% of the people in Iowa said they would vote for Trump even if he was convicted of a crime. That's not ignorance, it's nothing more than pure stupidity, and the people who support Trump seem to be full of it. Trisha said it best, "When it comes to brains, they got the short end of the stick." Trump looks at this country like it was a ball of wet clay and he wants to mold it into something that resembled a dream of another fool from another time. Not happening.
I want to think it’s not happening. I think more people in our country WANT it NOT to happen … but more people in this country wanted not to see Donnie in the White House the first time, too.
I still have PTSD from that election, and I’m sure a lot more people do, as well.
BUT, ALSO, I still realize that he could get in despite us, if we are not cognizant of, and attendant to, the cockeyed Electoral College skewing our votes. It has to be part of all our calculations to bring an element of clarity to these people who look at what the Republicans are doing and see something they can live with, as long as someone tells them they are part of some sort of “resistance” to …. I dunno … some seni-conceptual something or other …
I talk to my daughter-in-law about all this, and I try to maintain a stance of “We can head him off….,” and I do not want to think I am deluding myself. …
We need to reach people who are NOT sold on Donnie, but who still do not yet see the reality of the work Joe Biden is doing, and doing well, on the domestic front… If they don’t see him and Kamala as the competent people they are, how do THEY vote?
I’m not afraid of Donnie himself as much as I am of the entire Republican Party with Donnie as their Floating Head.
Pat--If Donnie is the floating head his boat has a large hole in its hull. Trump has a decent chance to get back into a House he should have only been allowed to visit, and he has already done that. It's almost like people are clamoring to board a ship destined to sink before it even leaves the docks. Trumps's new hat should read, "Titanic here we come."
In total agreement … A little at a loss as to what argument can carry the day, but desperate to find it …
I don’t think the people in Iowas are stupid or ignorant. Many were farmers, hard working smart farmers that provided food that nurtured and sustained life. They had their lively hoods, a vocation that they loved through nurturing the land and animals, watching their care allow something to go row that would then sustain people, their ability to provide for their families, taken from them through the callous take over of big Ag with the support of their government Republican or Democrat. They are a group greatly traumatized by the lack of protection that government should have provided. Trump is manipulating them by telling them he agrees with them and he will fight for them. They can’t see through his con, but how many times in your life have you been deceived and did not see it until it was too late? Republicans and Democrats are subject to giving big monied folks what they want. We need to unite with Iowans who are not the evangelical sort and fight to get big money out of politics again or Trump and his ilk can continue to pit tribe agains tribe, clan against clan and weaken the will of the people. I should qualify, Douglas Coe kind of evangelical are the ones that are a huge threat to democracy.
Their own Congressional reps destroyed them as Big Ag wined and dined the Congress. They refused organic standards, to understand, project what was coming. They stayed in their smaller, getting smaller groups & told each other lies. Midwest folk who have taken up regenerative agriculture state it's like talking to a wall. I farmed in upstate NY. The same 'left behind'farm group were present. Some were good families retaining the old ag practices. The loudmouths were up and coming trumpties, using poison big ag practices. These are not the smartest bulbs on the tree and should in no way, be leading the rest of us. Economically viable Blue states must use our power. Like doubling the Supreme Court now. Just do it. Or welcome the facism YOU are allowing!
I’d support at least a 13 to 15 member SCOTUS — it hasn’’t been enlarged for generations, and there’s no problem with doing it!
As for our support for agriculture, I remember when that support was intended to keep families on the land. Industrial agriculture was not supposed to be part of the farm supports, so if I’m not mistaken, they crated a bunch of fake “families” on the land to collect money that was intended to keep farms small and local. Now I need to go and look all that up, but it’s how I remember it … We had supports for farms NOT just to give tax money away, but because growing our food locally and keeping land in use is GOOD for the states where it’s done {if it’s done right — good ag practices, rotating crops, good animal husbandry, feeding our local communities from close to home instead of flying our food all across the country and the planet all the time ….}
Corporate greed ruins everything. Corporate greed is why we can’t have nice things.
The suicide rate is high among farmers.
If you’ve ever gardened, you have some idea what it’s like to deal with weather, drought, pestilence and critters. Now throw in the market ups and downs and having your farm in jeopardy.
I don’t think the farmers are stupid. Maybe too much time on the tractor listening to what was once the only radio show they could get - Rush Limbaugh. That pointed the older ones in the direction of trump.
Sticking with Big Ag, the poisonous, water polluting, seeds enhanced with chemicals , mowing down all the hedgerows where diversity thrived, allowed for the creation of mega farms only sustainable with large federal subsidies. All farmers are not the same. All shopkeepers are not the same.
Linda--I hear your concerns, but the rural members of the Republican fit the definition of being ignorant. This condition is merely the lack of knowledge. Stupidity enters the fray because these people won't listen to the truth even if you fed it to them. If Combines could vote Trump most likely would have never left the White House. Seriously, Rural portions of our society view education as a tool to be used sparingly, schools interfere with crop production. Whereas the people living near or in big cities see education as a necessary means to an end, and that is personal success. All people should reflect upon the idea that intelligence isn't what you know, it's how you use that knowledge to better oneself and help others. OK--The people in Iowa are "acting." stupidly. I left a little wiggle room for the sake of understanding.
There is also the religious aspect of this ignorance. Many who are “devout” DO fear education that leads to questioning received wisdom. Liberal thinking means entertaining the possibility that something you disagree with MIGHT be found to have some validity, if you look closer. That’s not welcome in deeply religious circles. “Oh, ye of little faith.” Doubting Thomas who asked for “proof” was NOT a hero.
There are cultural reasons for the ignorance AND the resulting stupidity in action.
Give a little lip service to their religion [picture the “hands on” events with Donnie] and accept what they fear as your enemy, too {those godless atheistic lib’rals}, and you’ve got their vote.
{I think DJT is the Anti-Christ, only I don’t believe in Anti-Christ, but I think he’s it, anyway.}
30 or 40 years ago, a lot of undocumented workers were hired in the Iowa meat packing industry. Non-English speaking students entered elementary schools. Teachers could not follow their lesson plans. Their communities changed. PBS did a program about this. I think Trump's Build the Wall message resolates because of the social changes that started when undocumented workers were hired in the meat packing industry.
Good jobs were lost. Unions were busted. Communities suffered because low wages are a good way to create poverty. Corporate profits went up. Everybody lost, except the corporations who hired undocumented workers.
It's easy to see why voters want a populist who will fight for them, and bring back the good 'ol days. But the devil's in the details, as they say.
And the guy they expect to fight for them is one of the guys who hires undocumented workers, pays them crap wages with no benefits, stiff his contractors, declares bankruptcy to avoid paying his bills, and sends his manufacturing jobs over to China.
Somehow, he would not be the guy <I> would choose to champion me and my worker’s rights.
You are failing to blame the USA business owners who HIRE undocumented workers because they are CHEAP -- many are children -- and the horrors that befall them working for American Agricultural "for-profit" industries is well documented. As long as American business owners, farmers, etc get away with breaking American laws, your arguments expose the gap between delusion and reality. ALL American political parties have been guilty of these hypocrisies since our European ancestors invaded and occupied the Americas -- plural. Suggested reading: "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn.
Read
Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present
by Ruth Ben Ghiat
LVD--Mussolini is alive and well and residing in some orange guy's sick dreams.
Donald, the people of Iowa and indeed the entire Republican party as it now stands Know exactly who and what Trump is, they know he is a liar, a pervert, a grfiter, a traitor and they don't care, because he is their avatar. The look in the mirror and see Trump, or they see Trump and see themselves. He is their tool, their ticket to return power to white males, and to rid America of what they call "mud peoples", atheists, Muslims and foreiginers.
1st Bobby Jindahl, then Nikki, then Vivek all tried to capture the right wing vote, but ignored one salient feature, the color of their skin. No matter how misogynistic, Christian, NAZI they hold themselves out to be, they didn't have a snowball chance in hell.
Lee---To start, I don't believe in any aspect of the word "Hell." So to argue the point, "snowballs" " do stand a chance. If you remove any chance at success you will dwell in failure, and that isn't your future. I will again disagree with your position on whether or not all Republicans know exactly what Trump is. They don't. There are members of his cult that view him as the coming of the Massiah, how does that work for them? The MAGA squad are so wrapped up in Trump lies they can't see straight. If they really knew the truth, they still wouldn't believe it. The word "Blind" seems to have many applications.
Lee--Negativity breeds failure. As long as the Sun comes up in the East hope still exists.
Those that know who Trump is, have left the party and are now independents and never Trumpers like the Bulwark and the Lincoln Project.
Trump will have the Republican primary. That is not the issue, the issue is the General.
So what did you think I was countenancing?
BTW it is spelled Messiah, not Massiah, in Hebrew it is masshiach, the annointed one.
Fear leads to hate and the GOP uses fear very effectively.
But fear tactics only work on the uneducated and gullible people. Those who couldn't even pass pass a simple high school quiz about US government.
Sadly there to many Americans like that.
By losing "their" country Danny. you mean "their" male dominated Christian society. The soon to be Republic of Gilead. You can also include minority males, in that, evidently their gender is more important than race or ethnicity.
No, I mean the socio-economic conditions (financial security) they knew in the 50's, 60's, 70's up until in the 80's. Refer o RR's "bridge" graph showing widening economic inequality.
I don't think gender plays a role here. However, it's a lot easier for faux news to magnify transgender issues as proof of a changing society, rather than explain Bridge graph that shows how Reagan's economic policy hurt the middle class and widened inequality. Bingo!
I am not referring to transgender issues. I am talking about women's issues, whether a woman is sovereign over her body, or the man is.
And the other part of the culture war, race, ethnicity, whether or not the US will be a totalitarian theocracy.
Economics is a media distraction. The crowd of Trump humpers are doing just fine
I do not need anyone to mansplain feminism or patriarchy to me. I think you know what "their country" means. They, like the rest of the middle class, have been left behind. Their country, rural Iowa, has seen an economic decline.
They, Iowa Republicans, like the rest of the country, have experienced greater economic inequality since Reagan. This is not about gender. This is about economic inequality in rural Iowa/America.
If you think a woman from rural Iowa who is struggling to put food on her table because of low wages and inflation cares more about women's rights than feeding her family and making ends meet, you might be out of touch with Midwestern farmers. I suggest you go talk with some rural farmers to learn about their prorities. I would not expect your priorities for an egalitarian society to mirror their priorities.
It was James Carville who famously said, "it's the economy, stupid."
And who is to blame for the economic travails of Iowa?
Who is promoting Agribusiness. Not the Dems Danny.
Iowans are mostly rural, that means ultra conservative, church centered, and what do the churches preach about? Godless liberals destroying their country.
And I saw the Iowa caucus goers on TV and none of them look like they are trying to put food on the table, and in fact drove to caucus centers in below zero weather.
You want to see economics as a motivator, well you aren't listening to the people, not if your source is liberal outlets alone. They aren't bitching about economics. Th media is hyping inflation, it drives the horse race, the people are bitching about the "heathenization" of America, about culture war issues, the loss of manly authority.
It is the same song as in 2016, and Dem's weren't listening then
I guess you forgot the first words of TFG's mouth coming down the escalator, about Mexican rapists and drug mules. Maybe you aren't paying attention to Rhonda Santis and anti black, anti gay, anti trans, anti women laws and the people eat it up.
thank you
The American population know " The Apprentice", not Donald Trump.
I was project manager for the historic renovation of the Atlantic City Convention Hall when Trump began his casino disasters. He cheated the contractors, drew personal wealth from the projects and then defaulted on the bank loans. To mitigate their losses the banks instituted the "Trump brand" and refused further loans.
Putin stepped in with arranging financing. His investment was repaid at our national cost.
The overwhelming majority of Americans are ignorant of the true nature of the beast.
As long as the media and oligarchs profit the myth will persist.
The Christian doctrine of unquestioning faith adds fuel to the fire. Their support of the party to declare our nation a Christian nation is making this a religious war as well.
There are many more ignorant followers who don't have the time or inclination to consider what they are told to believe rather than thoughtfully consider the facts.
In 2015 I considered Trump's bid for presidency a joke.
Now I consider his support the gravest threat to our society.
You nailed it with, the overwhelming majority are ignorant of the nature of the beast. And the overwhelming majority of the evangelicals are biblically illiterate!
The voting majority in this nation are not just ignorant, they are terminally and willfully ignorant. Trying to talk sense to any of them is like talking to a wall. Even a zombie would gag on their brains.
Commercial.
Disabled veteran playing with a puppy.
Announcer, tearful child's voice: "Trump hates dogs."
Actor: "And disabled veterans."
Trump: They're a bunch of loosers
That’s because the public did do due diligence in looking up what and who Trump was and is before 2016. It’s all there to see, should anyone care to investigate. But no, that would take an hour or two away from watching reality TV.
Why put forth any effort to think when the #merchantsofmalarkey spoon feed you lies till there is nothing but mushy oatmeal between the ears? We are in the middle of a war, a mind war, think psyops. Tv is chewing gum for your brain
We have commercialized and amused ourselves to death.
You might want to edit. I think you missed did "not" due....
I realized that after the fact. My bad for not proof reading.
I think that may be the heart of the problem.
People consume junk media and no little . And it’s mostly junk media out there a vast information wasteland of distraction and irrelevancies
Know little. I can’t edit the remark for some reason.
Folks who work long hours, take care of children and a home,
are to tired at the end of the day to read Anything. You people sure can’t walk around in someone’s shoes. You’re a mean spirited bunch aren’t you.
I have no idea where that came from, but my wife DID stay home with our three until they were in grade school, so I know of what you are speaking. That put me as the sole bread winner in the family. A hell of a lot of stress. Let’s just say this, we never took a family vacation for nearly two decades because money was so tight. There are always two sides to every story.
I think Trump's fans know exactly who he is and what he's done. He appeals to their "dark side" and they are going to back him.
No doubt!! Think of progressive ideas and you will understand just where they are coming from. Protecting individual rights sounds ok until to mention women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights, asylum seekers, etc. Add to that deniers of vaccines, climate, animosity toward government agencies, (deep state), etc. To give one a sense of their grievances.
Pearls before swine. "Please rethink your position.........." Sure. With hate in their hearts they want retribution against woke and DEI, immigrants, and POP. They hate having others rights protected while they feel ignored. I am here as a warning we are headed for a new era, which fair-minded people will HATE!
We are well into that new era. Decency does not reside in MAGA it was throttled by depravity
And whose version of religion will that be? I am willing to bet it will be the evangelical type, not those who actually teach and follow the words of Jesus. The words spoken by Spencer Tracy towards the jury in the movie, Inherit The Wind, keep coming back to haunt me.
Please share
well the thing is - our country was founded on taking the land from the Native Americans. So we didn't exactly get off to a great start...
That’s an excellent point Janet. All Americans should work together to @ least try to make up for all the pain and suffering! We will never accomplish anything except despair being divided as we are! This can only happen if it starts @ the top. Congress was elected by the people for the people. Their jobs are to work together as a functioning branch of government to make our lives better. The reason for two parties is to keep a balance between what we want and what we need.
Yes, and I think we need several parties to make a good democracy. The Native Americans deserve their own party too. Women should be standing together. Did you see the PBS documentary about suffrage? The inhumane treatment by the unethical men to torture women and divide them is shocking.
That's why I always vote - even if I don't particularly like either candidate. I serve on juries for court because women are now "allowed to".
You go girl 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Now, it seems to be founded on taking the land from the citizens. Mark my words.
Yes, it happened with the appraisal fraud and liar's loan 2008 crisis. Just watch Bill Black on TED talks (lawyer and regulator) How to Rob a Bank is to Own One.
They aren't just taking our properties, they are turning us into serfs, and leaving us with the bill.
Janet. We really don't own property, we simply told title to it in fee simple, and the sovereign, which in our case is the state, owns the property (by state i mean of 1 of 50).
Fee simple is a device initiated by Edward I, to placate barons who were upset that the Crown could, and did, on a whim relieve a baron of his property and title and award it to a favorite.
The sovereign still owned the land in what is known as allodium, which is the right of conquest. It started in 1066 when William beat Harold Godwinson at Hastings and claimed all of England as his personal property, to use as a tax farm.
Fee Simple means that you can reside on the land, sell it or pass it to heirs, so long as you pay taxes, contribute to the defense of the sovereign, and obey his laws. That is the basis for the states to relieve you of your property if you break their laws.
The County Sheriff is appointed with the authority to relieve youf of your property.
The word county means that which is held by the count, comte in French.
The sheriff is the reive of the shire or shire reive., his job is the same as it ever was to enforce the laws of the baron or count, collect taxes or in the modern sense to evict you from the land you hold in fee simple, if you don't pay your taxes or your debts. Through of course a due process, which means simply a court order, on the basis of a filing by the county or mortgage holder.
The Native Americans have a different reason
It doesn't excuse what the bankers did to commit fraud.
Where did native Americans enter into the discussion?
And what has the bankers go to do with this, other than committing fraud, and who said I excused them?
Where do you come up with this? Are you on meds or something. That or you have trouble with reading comprehension.
I still say that your texts to Donald read like a bully has written them. But I also admit, after reading the above, that your knowledge of history is impressive.
I doubt they think he's the second coming, but they do think he will help implement their far-right Christian fundamentalist agenda as well as eliminate gays, Jews and people of color. Maybe we'll even have public stonings.
Yes, it is superstitious magical thinking: if they do all these Old Testament things then Jesus will miraculously appear and give them prosperity and it will return to them ten fold.
Unfortunately your (and anyone else's) appeal to Maga cultists to rethink their position is useless. Because if you could reason with a Trump supporter there wouldn't be any Trump supporters.
Use your time instead to help young people register/vote.
Of course, you’re preaching to the converted here. I agree with every word you wrote.
this is the choir, we need actionable strategy, not more rants
tnx
I’m working on it. Check out my Substack next week for my thoughts.
Thanks Keith!
I thought today’s topic was the SUPREME COURT!!!
It would be a welcome change to talk about a topic other than the election.
The Supreme Court. I can talk about it Marc. It
must be expanded asap. But, that won’t happen
until after the election, and it won’t happen
unless Biden wins the election.
The Republican masterminds who stuffed the U.S. Supreme Court with corrupt, ultra-conservative Justices, shepherded the Citizens United case that gave corporations and foreigners the ability to make unlimited donations via super-pacs, and created a plan to permanently take over our government, are now ready to re-write our Constitution. Their plan is to persuade enough state legislatures to hold an Article V Convention.
They need the approval of 34 state legislatures (no governor’s signature needed) to compel Congress to call such a gathering. Right now, 28 states have passed resolutions calling for an Article V convention. That number would be 32 had Common Cause and other groups, such as the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, not successfully talked Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico and Nevada into
rescinding their resolutions.
It’s my understanding that once the Article V Convention is convened, the stated purpose for convening can be expanded and even changed. Considering how massive disinfo convinced many people to gamble with their lives by not wearing masks during the pandemic, I fear what an Article
V Convention could be turned into.
(The following paragraphs are excerpts from something I wrote in December, 2022.)
But, back to the Supreme Court. I’ve read the ‘Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States’ written in Nov. 2021. But, a lot
has happened since that report was written.
Shortly after the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United State’s report was written, two of its members wrote an article published in WaPo, “The Supreme Court isn’t well. The only hope for a cure is more justices.” It was written by ret. U.S. Dist.Crt. Judge Nancy Gertner & Laurence Tribe, Prof. Emeritus HarvardLaw, pub.12/9/21.
The article discusses how their views evolved
AFTER serving on the Presidential Comm. on the Supreme Court for 8 months. The following 7 paragraphs are quotes from the article they wrote:
Gertner and Tribe stated, “We started out leaning toward term limits for Sup.Crt. justices and against court expansion, but ended up doubtful about term limits, and in favor of Court expansion. Sadly, we no longer have confidence in the Court given 3 things: “
“1.) the dubious legitimacy of the way some justices were appointed;
2.) what Justice Sotomayor rightly called the “stench” of politics hovering over this court’s decision deliberations and,
3.) The anti-democratic, anti-egalitarian direction of this court’s decisions about matters such as voting rights, gerrymandering & the corrupting effects of dark money.”
“The Supreme Court has put our entire system of government on a one-way trip from a defective, but still hopeful democracy, toward a system in which the few corruptly govern the many, something between autocracy and oligarchy.”
“Instead of serving as a guardrail against going over that cliff, our Supreme Court has become an all-too-willing accomplice in that disaster. Measures the court has enabled will fundamentally change the court & the law for decades. They entrench the power of one political party, constrict the vote, deny fair access to the ballot & allow legislative district lines to be drawn that exacerbate demographic differences.”
“This is a uniquely perilous moment demanding a unique and urgent response. None of the proposed reforms precisely fit the problem that needs remedying. Offsetting the way the court is currently packed in an antidemocratic way by adding Justices leaning the other way, is the most significant and clearly constitutional step that could be taken quickly.”
“We are on a one-way trip from a slightly defective …democracy toward a system in which the few corruptly govern the many.”
“Far worse are dangers that flow from ignoring the court’s real problems: pretending things haven’t changed; insisting improper manipulation of the membership hasn’t taken place & looking away when the court seeks to undo decades of precedent relied on by half of the population. An appearance of fairness hiding partisan manipulation is a compelling sign that all is not well.”
“The most important issue is the legitimacy
of what our nation is becoming.”
Foreign money explains a lot of behavior we see from republicans as well as their single-mindedness of purpose that’s not for the good of the American people, but is good for their wealthy republican benefactors.
Voters deserve to know that when they donate money to republicans, they are unknowingly supporting a Russian influence campaign that
isn’t in their best interests.
I know there’s support for expanding the Supreme Court among dem senators. But I don’t know how many are supportive. If President Biden wins and
democrats retain the majority in the Senate, I think
it would be worthwhile to start talking about expanding the Court. If I’ve learned anything from following politics in America, it’s that there must
be discussion about major changes long before they can be implemented.
I’m hoping that C-Span will broadcast the hearing. They have it listed on their site but I don’t know if it will be broadcast.
“Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo Oral Argument
The Supreme Court hears oral argument in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, a case challenging the Chevron doctrine which allows courts to defer to federal agencies to interpret unclear statutes.“
Cannot see photo
My apologies. I wasn’t sure if it would transfer or not. The photo was taken in Houston and it is in the USA Today.
It will also be in one of my upcoming Substacks if you can’t locate it.
Thank you for trying to reach the hearts and minds of Evangelical Christian Trump supporters. I recommend everyone Google their "7 Mountain Mandate". The religious delusions of both the far right AND the far left have deformed our democracy into a Surveillance State theocracy. The good news is that millions are networking together to resurrect a moderate working class and middle class of taxpayers who vote!
Keith, you are correct. We are at a serious crossroads. Democracy is in peril. Trump and his followers are a danger that can't be denied.
If you watch the Meidas network, check out Michael Cohen speaking with one of Trump's ghost writers. I can't remember the man's name but he has an interesting reason for Trump's behavior and that of his followers as well. Trump's psyche was damaged by his treatment as a child. Neglected by both parents lead to his anger and hostile attitude seen now. He has no empathy or conscience related to his actions. The man believes Trump is a psychopath and his actions and behavior exhibit such tendencies.
His goal to be the richest person in America has guided his actions for years. He equates wealth with prestige and there is never enough to satisfy the need. The anger projected by Trump is echoed by his followers. They feel neglected and used by government and 'liberals' too.
Trump's handlers fashion his speeches to feed those feelings. Our best weapon against this tidal wave is to encourage everyone we know to register to vote and participate in the election this November. The right wing's efforts to dissuade folks from voting due to their conspiracy claims can result in the demise of our democracy. Anyone who believes differently will be sadly and possibly permanently regretful of their decision to vote The Tangerine Terror back into the presidency.
Michael knows the orange bloviated Mussolini better than most anyone else! I listen to Michael’s podcast Mea Culpa, and I watch Political Beatdown! His niece, Mary Trump, is another great and reliable source of information when it comes to her uncle.
Trump's Executive Order was #13957, Biden rescinded it with EO 14003. Trump issued the EO in his waning days, and used it to reclassify protected civil servants as at will, fire then then replace them with appointed cronies, who were then reclassified as Schedule F, protected civil servants
Biden' then on Day 1, rescended Trumps EO with afore mentioned EO 14003, and that is celebrated?
Biden stripped himself of the only tool he had to reverse the damage done by Trump, because he could use that same EO of Trump's and clear the bull dung out of the cabinets, like DOD, DHS, NHS, CBP, and best of all David Weiss, a last minute Schedule F Trump appointee, who jumped in front of AG Garland, and said "send me in coach" to prosecute Hunter.
Biden can still issue an EO and reverse the damage done by Trump, but of course he won't.
Just who is advising him and what is their real agenda.?
We live in an information, age and cram our brains with potato chips
All of this goes back to the electoral college. Bush became president because of the electoral college and we got Iraq and the never ending war in Afghanistan. He got a Supreme Court justice as well. Then came Trump. Three justices put in by someone who lost the popular vote. Now this court can end these protections. Until we get rid of the electoral college, this debacle will be repeated over and over.
Jack Schatz ; Citizens United should go too.
Citizens United is treason just like Tramp.
Bush became president because of the Electoral College and the dubious Supreme Court. They stopped the recount in Florida and handed Bush the election.
Bush’s win in Florida without any political fallout or anyone going to jail, was the real beginning of the end of our democracy.
When trump's supreme court ends these protections for us, what is left? They will have won and we will have nothing.
Peggy - We will have one another and we will reach to regain what we have lost. If this happens.
Thanks, Lark! I probably should not have posted today. I am in a dark place right now because I feel that it does not seem to matter what we do, that evil man and his followers are winning and it scares me to death. I know I need to step away from reading about all of this. I see the supreme court doing the will of the ultra wealthy and the right, the media foretells of the horrors yet to come, and it doesn't feel like President Biden and the Democrats are getting out there and telling the American people what they intend to do the next four years and what they have done for them these past four years. All you see are the republicans saying horrible things, acting completely cold and callous, and constantly lying! I have decided to back away for now because I want to be able to fight the good fight and continue to try and get voters out to vote blue. Gen Z apparently aren't even going to vote this go round!
I really, really hope Gen Z isn't THAT stupid.
Apparently they don't want either candidate and choose to sit this one out. I really don't understand why they would do that knowing our Democracy is on the line!
They are unable or unwilling to look at the big picture and fail to grasp the chess board nuance of the American election process
You are absolutely right about Biden. He needs to communicate!!
Unfortunately, that might be too late. We lost 8 years of climate protection possibilities when Al Gore "lost" to W, and another 4 years when Hillary Clinton "lost" to the idiot.
Peggy, thanks for bringing the discussion back to the power of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court was the branch of government intended to be non-political and give balance to the other two branches of government. But as Donald Trump correctly stated (for the wrong reasons) “THE SYSTEM IS RIGGED!” As impotent as I am as a voter whose vote does not count (I now live in a solidly “Blue State”) any efforts to right the wrongs of the Supreme Court are a complete waste of my time! Even President Obama was stymied by Mitch McConnell and the Republican controlled Senate to get a moderate justice approved.
The original system for appointing the Supreme Court justices is now now longer worthy of our respect. “The system is rigged.” Even of Trump does not win, any case going to the Supreme Court properly strategized by right wing zealot lawyers will continue to take away what was our “rights under the law.” The wealthy have the means to appeal their cases to the Supreme Court where they can expect a slam dunk.
To me, this is another reason citizens of true progressive nature (not the Democratic machine) must rethink our system of governance and justice. Before the Titanic hits the iceberg and totally sinks, we must start designing a better vessel now! It is telling that one of the reasons that the Titanic hit the iceberg was that the lookouts did not even have a pair of binoculars. They were not able to look far enough ahead to perceive the danger.
In the meantime, the Republicans and the Supreme Court are now reducing the number of lifeboats. Conclusion: We need a new vessel that can carry us safely to the future.
Bingo. That’s exactly what the “corporate state” envisions. At some point, that will even be too much for those who are hoodwinked by the right. The question then will be what happens?
John, I fear by the time those who were 'hoodwinked' wake up, our country will be under a dictatorial regime and there will be nothing that can be done about it short of a revolt.
That is exactly where we are.
Get rid of the Electoral College and your vote will as meaningless as a Powerball or Mega Millions lottery ticket. I know I will stop voting. All federal money will be sent directly to New York, California, and other major states. The rest of the country’s infrastructure and needs will be ignored.
I live in Minnesota, fly over land by some thinking. The problem with your assertion, is, that you fail to understand that we are now living in a country where there is rule by the minority. Blue states disproportionately send their federal tax dollars to support red states. That’s intended to balance things out economically. But the problem is, much of that need in red states has to do with their own intentional inactions. So we in blue states get to pay for that? We may be highly taxed here in Minnesota, but at least we have adequate public services and a good public school system. Well, at least for now, as republicans are constantly trying to undo that here.
We’ve stopped thinking Liu
United we stand. Divided we fall. Enough said.
We are already divided Jan. Regressive red (Republican) states vs blue (Republican ) States and a culture war initiated by the red states that has ripped this country asunder.
What are you doing to try to resolve it? Red states aren’t innocent but the people living there aren’t necessarily guilty. Dislike and, for some, contempt from the coasts for those living in the middle of the country is decades old. It appears to be deeply ingrained. Howard Cosell in Kansas City comes to mind. I don’t remember what he said but contempt was embedded in his comment.
As it stands most Federal Money is sent to the taker states, the red states, ignorant religious racists living on the dole from blue state money.
And there you are. Other than being on the other side of the coin, not really much different than Trump.
Because I said, red states are taker states and blue states are giver state? And you compare me to Trump?
And that the inhabitants of the red states are ignorant, racist, religious Trump voters?
Who do you think made him #45 and working to make him#47? Do gooder, open minded, DEI people?
Yes I know that not all members of the red states are religious, racist, homophobic, misogynistic patriarchs, but those that aren't don't count, because their votes don't count in the electoral college.
If you don't like me. I don't care. That is your problem, deal with it.
That’s something to think about, although I’m not sure that I agree.
Why do you say that Jan?
Agreed. Problem is, how do you get the side who benefits from it to agree to its demise and then find enough congressmen with enough courage to enact it? I for one am not holding my breath.
When I was a child my Dad brought home and installed in our station wagon seat belts.
They were silver lap belts and they were ugly.
But, they were not standard or even optional equipment by any car maker at the time. If you wanted seat belts in your car, you had to buy them and install them yourself. Likewise, there was no such thing as a child safety seat or booster seat with seatbelts.
I recall that my Dad also complained that the dashboard inside American cars were painted steel. They had no padding. Add this hazard to a seatbelt-free cabin and the laws of physics, riding in a car in the 1960’s was simply dangerous.
It took years of pro-safety lobbying by Ralph Nader and convincing insurance companies that it was in their interest to join the cause to make American cars as safe as reasonably possible. Later the same scientists who studied and tested car crash safety also looked at what internal combustion engines do to cabin air. The catalytic converter was born to reduce air pollution.
My point here is that, left to their own devices, American automobile manufacturers did not voluntarily advance the safety features they built into the vehicles they sold.
They were more concerned about the cost of such things and the impact this would have on their competitive value proposition than on protecting THE COMMON GOOD of consumers and citizens in general. It took years to convince manufacturers that Americans wanted safer cars. Volvo sold their cars in the States in part by promoting their safety versus all other vehicles.
Eventually, our cars became a much safer mode for transporting our most precious cargo: our loved ones.
Our Federal Government helped us achieve this logical and needed transformation. Stripping away this regulatory authority at a national level will take our nation back in time to the dangerous 1960’s when our cars were truly death traps on wheels. The very air we breathed was filthy. In many cities one could not safely cross the street because air pollution as witnessed in NYC last summer was commonplace. Our drinking water, food and medications were also only marginally tested for purity.
We simply must not allow ignorance and greed to take us back in time to the dangerous, dirty, unhealthy 1960’s.
Tim- you’re using logic and empathy. That will not work on a Supreme Court that has zero concerns about pregnant women’s health and welfare.
We know at least 2 of these justices are owned by the wealthy and a third one’s wife enriches herself with the corporations dole. That’s 3 votes my friend in favor of the wealthy and corporations. The other 3 will mindlessly follow.
All we can do is vote and encourage others to do so. Register voters, knock on doors, mail postcards, etc etc.
Lynn, I agree. We fight back in any way we are able. Talk to people, knock on doors, write postcards, register folks to vote, offer rides to the polling place…make “them” WORK for it and then defeat them with numbers. Even if we fail (God forbid) we fought like hell.
I’m confident you are right, Lynn. To quote Spock on the Starship Enterprise: “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.” Or, in our case, “The corruption of the six and their billionaire owners, must not outweigh the needs of the many.” Corruption in plain sight is Trump’s stock in trade. We must do whatever it takes to keep him away from the Presidency. He belongs in an orange jump suit and behind bars. And we all must stop the childish fantasy that Trump spreads. He absolutely, positively could care less about the hundreds of people he has already thrown under the bus. He is running for office to stay out of jail. I’m sure the SCOTUS will do everything most of them can to help him stay out of jail. He is a sociopath and he wants to do Putin’s bidding by becoming our first elected dictator. Our live will immediately become unrecognizable to everyone outside the USA.
Timothy. Do you know why, the real reason, there are safety features built into cars?
The insurance industry. It was paying huge payments for massive death and destruction, so what they did was lobby state and then federal government, to pass the cost of insurance, by protecting driver and passenger, on to the consumer.
Safety features reduce payouts and increase prices of things.
I am not complaining though. I appreciate the safety, though I don't buy the crumple theory as a safety feature. Cars are now made of plastic,and aluminum, lightens the vehicle, saves weight, improves gas mileage, but it also means that it is easier for a collision to kill the driver and passengers.
A couple of decades ago, I visited a site in the mountains of north eastern Washington where the local simply rolled their worn out cars off a cliff. I looked down at the pile and was amazed at how so many of them still looked solid, rusty yes, but as if you could haul them up, rehab and drive hem away.
Yes. They created the Insurance Automotive Testing Laboratory to develop and administer standardized tests of the crash worthiness of our cars. Since consumers can’t build cars, the Insurance Industry took the case to the people who were making unsafe cars and trucks. Fortunately enough Volvo entered our market and demonstrated how to make and sell safe cars. That’s what kicked the American auto industry in the pants. They could no longer claim it would make their products too expensive.
And the Toyotas with quality interiors & whose motors surpassed motor city’s 100k miles and done.
I’m from a 2 gen GM fam, but ~fair competition seemed to work before regulation or liability self interest, as I recall...
My father represented the DuPont Plastics Corporation as their chemical engineer to the Big Three auto makers in Detroit. They used Lucite TM and other DuPont plastics for their external body light covers (turn signals, brakes, etc.) and for internal dashboard and cabin lighting covers. In the 60’s and most of the 70’s the industry was not at all focused on safety but on the looks of their vehicles. In the 60’s they were more interested in fins than on seat belts. They eventually came to accept that they were losing customers to all manner of competitors who started building here in the States safer, much more reliable and comfortable cars at higher prices. Free enterprise competition, the erosion of their stock prices became the ultimate motivator for customer-centric behavior at The Big Three.
Yes, what I said. it was the insurance industry behind the improvement in safety, not to save lives but to save money.
Theoretically I see the reason for the Republican position in this case. It's surely Congress' responsibility to make laws with sufficient clarity. The President is the head of the executive responsible for implementing them. The judiciary is responsible for interpreting them.
But I'm speaking theoretically. The real situation (a country deeply and bitterly divided with one side having wedded religion to the cult of a personality) is a perilous one for any constitution. I would say that defeating Trump and ending the cult of his personality, and getting a Democrat majority in both Houses of Congress is the real priority, whatever SCOTUS decides.
Unfortunately your theory ceased to function once corporations became citizens who served only themselves. The Republicans serve the corporations and the ultra rich. The average American is secondary to the machinations of our system by these corporations and those who just seek to enrich themselves and care nothing about anyone else. I was part of that world, until I wasn’t - and they don’t give a damn about regular people.
Oh do I hear you. I’ve known engineers and scientists who have made huge technical contributions to the bottom line of their companies, only to get laid off to reduce payroll, because they made too much money. Never mind that it was their ingenuity that got the company there. I was fortunate enough not to have gone through that. But it does happen, way too often. It’s literally the death of expertise. Ask Boeing how well that’s going.
John, As a member of that group of which you speak, I can say “been there, [had that] done that [to me].” It’s American capitalism’s race to the bottom.
I was concerned about a documentary about US courts establishing the strange doctrine that corporations are to be regarded as persons, apparently implying that their directors are obliged to maximise shareholders' profits above all else. Perhaps this doctrine should be overturned and replaced by the idea of responsibility resting in the directors and those who appoint them, and that they can (and should) take all the stakeholders of a company, including the affected public, into account. We need RR's input on this one!
I agree - because once that doctrine was established the Boards of these huge corporations were held to that account legally. Now, even attempts to make their corporations more representative of the American population as a whole - versus “white men”, by training their HR departments to implement Diversity hiring practices - is under attack by Republicans. I listened to Board members literally say “we can’t do such and such because it might cause a drop in the stock price - even though it will recover and be beneficial in the long run”.
The irony is corporations, will destroy themselves in the end as well holding in thrall our elected officials to short term goals that are destructive longer-term.
Theoretically correct, but the first thing a Democrat controlled Senate needs to do is get enough floor votes to end the filibuster. Otherwise, minority rule continues to control one end of Congress and nothing will get accomplished for the public good. A Democrat president also needs to fill vacant judicial positions as fast as possible, same for open agency board seats, starting with the Postal Board or Governors.
We are in a Full Blown Crisis in America for a Theocratic FACIST Oligarchy! This is Global in scope and we are tasked to make sure that they are defeated! The Corrupt Supreme Court needs to be held to account! Impeached and Expanded! The 6 Rt Wing Religious Extremists are our Enemies
Physician heal thyself.
It means you're the one spewing mindless rhetoric.
These are right wing talking points without appropriatehistorical context.
"Ukraine invaded by Russia while Biden is in Office.
Iran is turning up the heat on the proxy war while Biden is in office.
A US ship was hit by a missile the other day while Biden is in office. "
I can't believe that someone who is undergoing trials for alleged crimes and even sedition is not only out on bail, which he is violating the rules for, but is working with his cronies to mess up our government even more, and have plans to 'off' those with whom they disagree : (Roger Stone on the recording ; Not AI), and spouting lies and propaganda to influence yet more voters and potential jurors. Careful what you wish for ; MAGAs! , you just might get it; and wish it wasn't happening.
And that is exactly where we are.
The crimes aren’t alleged--they are very real. . .
When posting in a public forum it is wise to say alleged if the courts have not convicted. Except in the case of an obvious, well documented insurrection that was filmed and shown many times on TV . Even a very conservative retired Judge; J Michael Luttig , said a conviction is not necessary in the case of insurrection. It is not necessary,. The 14th amendment section 3 is self enforcing. There is plenty of evidence.
Look--when the fascists start rounding up people, they won’t bother to quibble over a substack post and few here present the sort of threat that would make it worth while to hire attorneys over “alleged.” I’m not giving trump any quarter--the crimes happened. He may deny involvement and that will be up for a jury to decide. As far as Im concerned, if it looks like a duck, acts like a duck, stinks like a duck, it’s a goddamned Donald Duck.
Lot of heat about semantics here. The law is a jungle of them! I happen to believe my eyes and ears. Donald J, Trump is guilty, guilty guilty times 91 felony charges. There ought to be a law that the Courts could move in such a way that criminals can't 'tie up the courts' until the 'Statute of limitations' draws near! Or, a Presidential election!
The crimes aren’t alleged--a grand jury determined that. What is “alleged” is the perpetrator who “allegedly” committed the crimes. Those crimes are very real and apparent. Dead bodies, top secret documents hidden in bathrooms, false electors--those things exist.
Dawna ; No kidding! I hope these cases are heard before we get saddled with this megalomaniac.
Citizen Raff ; I believe that is how it was described by the legal scholars. I am not a legal scholar, nor am I a student even of the law. I just notice how reporters word some statements on TV and in print.
I have changed it to self executing. I believe that is how it was described by retired Judge Michael J. Luttig and Professor Lawrence Tribe.
But until conviction it’s alledged.
alleged.
Regarding Iowa: Excuse me, but the results are in. Trump won by more than 50%. What's interesting to me is that so many Iowa Republicans would choose someone who lost to Biden in 2020. How can this be? What do they think has changed since 2020 so that Trump can beat Biden this time?
Trump isn't getting any younger either. The economy is chugging along just fine. Unemployment is very low. Wages are up. Not only are things going fine for Biden, but Trump has 91 charges in various courts. What are these Iowa Republicans thinking?
What ever happened to "you get one shot at the ring, and if you lose move over?" I know that's not a Party rule, but conventional wisdom is that if you lose then you ain't got what it takes so move on. Do they really want to double down on the 2020 loser?
It's just hard to believe that half of Iowa Republicans think the 2020 loser to Biden can do better this time now that he's amassed so many civil and criminal charges. In fact, Trump's attorney just argued to Judges that Trump is above the law so he needs immunity. It's astounding.
Even more astonishing is that half of Iowa Republicans must not care that Trump helped organize a violent, deadly insurrection on J6 based on lies about the election being stolen. It was the darkest day in the history of American Democracy transition of power. It was the darkest day in Capital history. It was all because Trump kept pushing lies about the election being stolen. Now more than half of Iowa Republicans want a Trump rematch with Biden?
The Iowa caucus results suggest that either Iowa Republicans think Trump is like a fine wine and gets better with time, OR Iowa Republicans think Trump actually won last time. This why they don't care that Trump lost to Biden. They think Trump won last time, so he can win again. They don't care about the J6 violence against police and desecration of the Capital because the they think the election was stolen so the actions of J6 were justified.
Regardless, you would think Republicans would choose to go for someone who can win by a much bigger margin, not the 11,780 votes Trump wanted to find in GA. Do they really want to go to the big dance with Trump again? He's no spring chicken, more like a chicken hawk. Do they really think Trump can do it this time, despite losing the last time, and the post-election unpatriotic insurrection that greatly tarnished his Presidency?
Is it possible so many Republicans think Trump's failed policies will work this time? All I can conclude is that misinformation has created a very distorted reality for many voters.
Understand that only 15% of just the Republicans participated. And I don't believe it was just weather related. I think even the Republicans, in a state as Red as Iowa, can't stand the thought of voting for the likes of trump. If you extrapolate that out on a national level, and Democrats turn out in strong numbers, we're going to do just fine. The MAGAt's will be driven back under their rocks, and the world will then exhale. Relax, everyone.
Daniel,
I agree with everything you say here, except "Relax"!!! Not yet, please. A few comments before yours is the necessary other piece, Lynn George wrote, "...vote and encourage others to do so. Register voters, knock on doors, mail postcards, etc, etc." I would add join any one of a zillion phone banks to voters in the locale of your choice. Every progressive organization in America will be offering opportunities to do all of the above. So instead of telling everyone to relax, I say get energized, participate in whatever way is meaningful and available to you.
100% Donna! But, my argument is, we can't be effective if we're not relaxed. How well do you function when you're tensed up? When your mind can't focus because of distractions that you can't control? If we relax, focus on the task, and proceed methodically, we WILL be successful. And I'm thrilled to see that you are on board with the necessary tasks. So relax, Donna, and you'll spread that confidence to those you're trying to reach.
That's lovely, Daniel. You're right, obviously. However, I am sure that I am not so Zen as you describe. Instead I rely on hope as an action. I believe that when we organize, we win. We don't have to win every single campaign to rise to the top. My hopefulness keeps me buoyant and energized at the same time that the news is weighty and cumbersome and too often chilling. The process of speaking with Americans all over is ultimately uplifting. I appreciate the opportunity to meet people, speak with them in their homes, get them necessary logistical information and to have meaningful discussions that are crucial to a strong democracy. In any event, I appreciate your positive energy and your support.
I hear you. I agree with you. I think the elephant in the room is that the Party leader is MIA. The Party has no leadership.
The leader is likely cozying up to corporate America for big donations and neglecting the base. I understand that they cannot unilaterally disarm, but the Spokesman is mute.
He should've been in Iowa talking to voters and framing the debate. He is not a leader. He cannot, or does not, articulate a better vision or plan for working families. This is a major problem.
I see your point. Too bad the Party does not have a leader who's knocking on their doors going on all the shows to frame the debate and talking about important issues.
"Drill baby drill," is problematic and not a solution that acknowledges the proven science of climate change. He laid out his plan that exacerbates the climate change crisis. They, the DNC, are going to let that slide? No rebuttal? I'm disgusted by the DNC.
Well then, that's up to us, isn't it? We have to get engaged, talk to our family and neighbors, make sure everyone is registered. Write to your local media, letting them know you expect truth and accuracy, and that you're paying attention. They need to hear that. If you can, organize an information meeting at your local high school, so graduating seniors will be motivated to vote according to what they see as their future, and the important issues they see affecting them as they enter adulthood. Doing small things goes a long way toward establishing large things, and it's up to all of us to be involved, and to try to get others involved, as well. We can do this, and I believe we will. I believe enough of us old timers understand the stakes, and understand our involvement is critical in spreading truth.
I agree. Two points: One, Kennedy could be another Nader. Some of the youth will believe that lesser of two evils garbage. Two, the DNC is MIA. The Party has no leadership. The leader is likely cozying up to corporate America for big donations and neglecting the base. I understand that they cannot unilaterally disarm, but the Spokesman is mute. He should've been in Iowa talking to voters and framing the debate. He should be fired. He's worthless.
Mr. Piper, WE are the leadership! It is WE who need to get out and talk to voters, frame the debate. For the most part, Republicans are writing the script FOR us, and I guess we should thank them for that. FWIW, I think we might be jumping the gun a bit; we need to allow the Republicans to continue making fools of themselves, showing everyone just how inept they really are. We already KNOW how bad trump, nikki, and ronnie are; watch in the next couple weeks just how incompetent the House shows itself to be. WE then take these talking points to our family, neighbors, social media. WE blast this message, WE talk to people in the checkout lines, and WE drown out the lies from them. By November, most Republican dogs will have their tails tucked WAY out of sight. So, as I've been saying, "Let's Roll"!!
This says it all -
All I can conclude is that misinformation has created a very distorted reality for many voters.
The grandmother going to jail (the pink hat lady) for her part in the J6 coup attempt, was mortified by video of her using an ice ax to break open a window. She said she regretted what she had done to her family. But she refused to say that she felt any resentment toward Trump or anyone who was with her that day. The closest she got was to say something to the effect of "It's not every day that the president asks you to come to the capitol."
Was the results of the caucus ever in doubt. I don't think that there is anyone with any sense that would vote against Trump to be the Republican candidate. It is not n election it is a plebiscite.
Don’t look for or anticipate any logical thinking. Cult members are not capable of that or critical thought.
The worse hypocrisy is if the Democrat running for president had 91 felony counts and was a previous election loser, those same republicans would be trashing the Democrat. Hypocrisy #2 is if the current economy under Biden was under a republican president, the republicans would be pounding their chest with pride.
I could suspect that rural Iowa hayseeds would find it entertaining to see a president taking the oath of office from a jail cell. (Not meant to reflect on Iowan's who are >not< hayseeds!)
Yes, this is dangerous, with an example just last week. Can you imagine Boeing as the sole arbiter of its own regulation? Can you imagine Chevron as the sole arbiter of the Amazon forest in Ecuador? Can you imagine the Koch Brothers regulating the production of fertilizer along cancer alley in Louisiana where they are already the largest fertilizer producer (and methane polluter) in the region? There must be regulatory protection, not just for our wallets, for our lives. Companies are not moral if their only mandate is shareholder satisfaction. Therefore government must regulate, and we the people have to elect a government that will do so or we face our own peril.
I don’t think we have to imagine Wayne
It may sound melodramatic but I believe it’s true - we rely on a few thousand Americans in key voter states to save the world. Another Trump presidency will plunge not just the US but the Middle East and here in Europe into further depths of bitter conflict - divisions not only across borders but within communities.
You guys need to get your act together... quickly...please.
Barry, don't feed the troll.
“You guys”? What--are you not a US citizen?
No - that is kinda the essence of my point. I’m English, the future of Europe - in fact the world - lies in your hands.
If that’s the case, NATO countries need to step in; the US is compromised by its own fascist oligarchs.
Step in where - the US?! What I’m talking about is stopping the Trump machine.
NATO’s fully involved in Ukraine and the Middle East, but I grant you could do more.
I'm one US citizen who mightily appreciates your continuing attention to and support of Ukraine. When the question was raised in this forum concerning the 10/7 Hamas attack, I stated plainly that I thought Tehran was involved, helping create a distraction in support of their ally at the Kremlin. Since you're English, you might appreciate this piece I came across a few days ago that indicates my view isn't isolated: https://youtu.be/bxZALse_OIc?si=pC409gIT_-KbdEYo
Had it all remained an Israel/Hammas conflict, NATO could continue focus on Ukraine. But now Yemen's Houti faction is trying to raise hell with critical, international shipping in the Red Sea. That's likely to distract NATO the same way the 10/7 Hammas missile attack has distracted US attention to Israel. Hang in there English!
AS AN ASIDE relevant to the US vulnerability, the МАГАт Яepuблиkan$ and their front-running presidential candidate are Kremlin allies, and their supporting voters are useless idiots. (A POV thing. The Kremlin will find those voters quite useful.)
Thanks. This is exactly the accepted view here, even if not made publicly plain.
One of my main fears is Trump withdrawing the USA from NATO which would give Putin incentive to broaden the conflict and dilute our resources. NATO having to defend across a broader front can only strengthen Putin while the door also opens in the Middle East.
And that was the point I was making about the fishy timing of the initial Hammas attack. Russian moves on Ukraine were bogging down and the US Congress was in chaos. It came off - to me - as strategic. I was hoping NATO could maintain its focus on Ukraine as the US attention span was redirected. Now the Houti have moved to remedy the Kremlin's NATO problem. And - of course - we have the presidential election that a significant number of US voters seem willing to elect a Kremlin ally who more and more resembles a "Manchurian Candidate" and is arguably a treasonous felon as the US leader serving the infamous Heritage Foundation's "Project 25:" https://www.heritage.org/conservatism/commentary/project-2025
The NAZIs didn't go away; they became the Heritage Foundation - along with the die-hard neo-Confederate tradition they passed down from the US Civil War. Recall, the people who were irate about tearing down statues to Confederate heroes complained they were standing up for their "heritage!" (For one native US citizen's - not to be confused with the honored Native Americans - take on what may not be clear to those who hail from "across the pond.")
A little more for you, here, to consider in light of my previous response, just in case you suspect - always a good idea - it hyperbolic: https://youtu.be/Cbp_nXMLonw?si=TEVrkBdtYREmJbqs
Barry Spicer ; Wanna come and help? Easy to criticize. Some of the dirty money comes from Europe and the Middle East, no doubt.
It would be easy to just say “you have Trump, we don’t” but my intention’s not only to criticise (which to a small degree it is), it’s to emphasise the global scale of the problems for democracy.
I can only vote - and maybe act to disrupt - here.
Good luck.
I’m not saying I don’t sympathise but the fact is this is your problem and only you can solve it, which the world needs you to do now more than ever.
Barry Spicer: "It would be easy to say "you have trump: we don't": no buts about it: That is what you implied. I get tired of expats and those who can choose to live abroad gripe about how we have 'allowed' this Demagogue. Money is the root of all evils here. 😈
I’m English not an expat and choose to live where I was born and have always lived - from where I perceive Robert Reich is correct in saying (if implicitly) you (Americans) have allowed this to get where it has and must now act. The USA voted Trump in and Biden hasn’t done enough to protect democracy, the world’s watching ... and waiting.
Barry Spicer : The Oligarchs and billionaires of the world have installed Donald Trump. He did not receive the popular vote. Like George W.Bush before him. Our media has been bought up by the obscenely wealthy. Most voters are ill informed. Gerrymandering along with the Electoral College are blights on free and fair elections. Why else would voters vote against their best interests ? To blame those who are misinformed and even blocked from casting ballots by long lines and fewer polling places is not fair. As for Biden ; he has done well for the common good: considering what he must work with in the former Republican Party. They have gone Fascist! Plus, the "Conservative" stacked court gave US Citzens United, which allows unlimited money in our elections. How can the average worker have a voice when money is speech!?!
" Why else would voters vote against their best interests ? " One BIG reason people vote against their own welfare is the abysmal state of public education in this country. In the decades after WWII the US prioritized education, and we were world leaders in science. Along came Reagan et al, who didn't think it necessary to spend $$$ on educating people – most people can get (low-wage) jobs without having any formal education. Of course, there was also desegregation, which caused many people to decide to 'home school' their kids (as if they're qualified to teach!), and the Evangelicals, who home school their kids in the very narrowest sense. Children are no longer taught basic civics the way we older folks were, never mind critical-thinking skills. So the answer to your question is "because they REALLY don't know any better."
The majority of American voters chose Hillary. We Americans tried, but the smaller Americans made it happen.
Sorry to preach and I know it’s easy for me to say, but .... no one - like me - outside the USA can influence what happens there. You guys need to work out what action you can take... and take it. For all our sakes.
Your name belies your ignorance of history.
Exactly my point - that's not the history of these conflicts.
Good one - Trump hater.
A response in your native language you'll completely understand: иди на хуй !
What the "hell" has happened in America? I can't believe that this country which was founded on the freedoms we've all grown up with, fought for during 2 World Wars, Korean Conflict, Vietnam War, who we all either lost a family member or a neighbor are going to throw it all away because of Trump who knows nothing except how to "screw people" the narrow minded Supreme Court judges who think they know best and will screw the America people...and all of the everyday Joe's who are swept away with Trump and he'll make America great again....where are your God given brains? People in Iowa..do you honestly think that Trump and his henchmen are going to make your life better? Open your eyes and get your heads out of Trump's butt and see the light.... Trump and his judges will strip away what he didn't destroy last time and you Trump supporters are going to pay the price along with the rest of us...only then you'll have put a DICTATOR in office and there will be no going back..we as Americans will pray for death just as the JEWISH people did during WWII...
The corporate Oligarchs have been chipping away at all the progressive advancements established during the New Deal era of F.D.R! Now that they have a 6/3 conservative majority at SCOTUS they are going for the kill! Democracy be damned!
Very well written Dr Reich the problem is you are speaking to the converted. The vast majority of my fellow Americans don’t know this is happening and therefore don’t realize how this affects their lives. They are more interested in the Super Bowl. I really fear for the future of the United States.
It’s time to limit the power of the president and limit the time Supreme Court judges sit in their bench. Two, maximum three 4year term limits should be established. It is absurd that the president, one individual has so much power that he can destroy the democratic system, or whatever other system that exists. As we’re dealing with a relatively uninformed and intellectually lazy population , a narcissistic, egocentric person like the president who ruled and pretty much destroyed the power of many regulatory agencies to control the economy and the environment and the international trade system to align himself with dictators like Putin and the North Korean dictator. We must improve our education system vans teach what it means to be citizens of a democracy. Our individualistic, capitalist society has become its own worst enemy. Let’s learn from social justice and democracy from countries like Denmark, Switzerland and India to mention just a few. If the egomaniacs who support a criminal, who proved to all of the world that he wasn’t interested in the wellbeing of the people of the United States nor cooperation of nations to protect and strengthen world peace and international borders -- if the USA re-elects this Mega Cult leader we follow the sure path of the fall of the Roman Empire! 😳👎🙅♀️🙏🏻👍☮️
This used to be my subject. Administrative Law.
I've written about this many times. In theory Congress gave us a mini Constitution in 1948 when it passed the Administrative Procedure Act., APA, which in part sets out rules for agencies to write regulations
Unfortunately, starting in the 1990s organizations like the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society began to oppose "the administrative state." Chevron was a case that provided that where there was some question about the meaning of a statute, the Supreme Court would defer to the agency interpretation of its own regulations.
Chevron , 1984 was not the first time that the Supreme Court expressed agency deference. In Skidmore Swift & Co., 323 U.S. 134 (1944), it said that an administrative agency's interpretative rules deserve deference according to their persuasiveness. In Skidmore there was no issue whether there were different interpretations from the language of the regulation.
From my perspective, an agency makes its best case when it holds hearings and there are facts that show a need for regulation.
What has been happening in administrative law, is there is a theory in right wing circles that because administrative law was not mentioned by the Constitution, all of it is unconstitutional. For example in
"Is administrative law unlawful?" Philip Hamburger, Professor of Law at Columbia argues that while the federal government traditionally could constrain liberty only through acts of Congress and the courts, the executive branch has increasingly come to control Americans through its own administrative rules and adjudication, thus raising disturbing questions about the effect of this sort of state power on American government and society. 2014.
In National Association of Business v. DOL (OSHA), 2022, SCOTUS stopped an Occupational Safety and Health Administration rule for larger businesses to either require vaccines or have a masking and testing policy. And in a 5-4 order, the justices allowed a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services vaccination mandate for health care workers at federally funded health care facilities. IMHO had Biden held hearings and made factual findings under APA procedures, the outcome could have been different.
In Biden v. Nebraska, 2023. the Supreme Court ruled that the student-debt cancellation plan was an impermissible interpretation of a provision in the post–9/11 HEROES Act that allows the secretary of education to “waive or modify” loan terms in certain emergencies. In finding the secretary’s interpretation of that limiting language too much of a stretch, the Court recognized that executive-branch officials can only enforce duly enacted congressional legislation rather than taking action that goes beyond those parameters to make new law. Chief Justice John Roberts’s majority opinion also cited a backup argument, known as the “major questions doctrine”—holding that the Court will not assume that Congress has, without explicitly saying so, delegated the power to regulate significant economic or social matters.
Several Justices have criticized or sought to limit Chevron deference in recent years. In 2015, Thomas wrote that Chevron “wrests from Courts the ultimate interpretative authority to ‘say what the law is’” and instead gives it to the executive branch. Gorsuch has written that “the aggressive reading of Chevron has more or less fallen into desuetude—the government rarely invokes it, and courts even more rarely rely upon it,” but “the whole project deserves a tombstone no one can miss.”
Roberts has embraced the “major questions” limitation on Chevron, declining to accept an implicit delegation of authority on any “question of deep economic and political significance that is central to [the] statutory scheme” and assuming instead that “had Congress wished to assign that question to an agency, it surely would have done so expressly.” Justice Samuel Alito has observed that Chevron resulted in “a massive shift of lawmaking from the elected representatives of the people to unelected bureaucrats.”[Justice Brett Kavanaugh has also written in favor of “preserv[ing] the separation of powers” and “vital check[s] on expansive and aggressive assertions of executive authority.” Elsewhere, he has written that Chevron’s command that reviewing courts “must exhaust all the traditional tools of construction before concluding that an agency rule is ambiguous” means that Chevron, if properly applied, should be relatively inconsequential: “the court will almost always reach a conclusion about the best interpretation.”
These justices invoke the nondelegation doctrine—the foundational claim that Congress can’t relinquish its own lawmaking power.
In reading the recent decisions, the right wing 5th Circuit doesn't even address APA rulemaking.
Thank you for this explanation. With regard to judges' claim that Congress can't relinquish its own lawmaking power, it is not. There is the Congressional Review Act, which allows Congress to say to an administration, "you are not following our laws."
That would be my take. If they overturn the Chevron doctrine, they abrogate for themselves, powers that reside in the legislative branch.
Absolutely. An egregious violation of separation of powers.
I think there is a serious risk they will do this. The question is what kind of limits they might put on this decision if any.
Yes, of course in substance the conservative argument in Chevron deference is stupid and unworkable. There are deeper problems with our country and our government, though, that aren’t actually touched by how the Supreme Court rules on Chevron deference. Our government just doesn’t work. Congress doesn’t work. There is, effectively, no one actually in charge. That’s the problem I was trying to point out.
Yes, it’s called BLIND JUSTICE.
Or, in some cases Blind Faith! which is not justice at all!
Money First then the health of the people
Keith Olson ; 'The health of the people' will not be as important when life gets so cheap that they are 'expendable'! Increases in birth rates from forced birth will push up the numbers of 'human resources' making them cheap and plentiful! humans will be easy to throw away after use! Convenient and disposable. NOT!
A story as old as man.
I have been shouting from the rooftop for years now. Term limits for all federal judges. District judges every 6 years, appellate judges every 8 years, and supreme court judges every 10 years. How else do you deal with Cannon, Alito, Thomas, etc. Power without accountability is a stupid idea. Ethics and integrity are values of the past.