Buyer's Remorse? Nation's Impressions of Trump Have Plummeted Since Election
"President-elect Donald Trump rose to power with historically low approval ratings, and a new poll finds that even those numbers have fallen as Americans lose what little goodwill they had toward him during the so-called post-election "honeymoon" period."
January 19, 2017
GOP ACA vote could take away the pre-existing conditions provisions of ACA. Updated- Schumer tweet.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/1/12/1619584/-GOP-votes-to-take-away-the-pre-existing-conditions-provisions-of-ACA
"The pre-existing conditions part of ACA saves lives...and GOP has just basically voted it down by a 51-48 vote approving the “budget blueprint”. .This procedural vote is the first step in their quest to do away with the law."
"The pre-existing conditions part of ACA saves lives...and GOP has just basically voted it down by a 51-48 vote approving the “budget blueprint”. .This procedural vote is the first step in their quest to do away with the law."
Noam Chomsky: The US Health System Is an "International Scandal" -- and ACA Repeal Will Make It Worse
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/39064-noam-chomsky-the-us-health-system-is-an-international-scandal-and-aca-repeal-will-make-it-worse
"In other words, the scandalous nature of the US health care system is bound to become even more scandalous in the Trump era. Welcome back to the future."
"In other words, the scandalous nature of the US health care system is bound to become even more scandalous in the Trump era. Welcome back to the future."
New Labor Secretary: Cutthroat Businessman and Anti-Minimum Wage @alternet
New Labor Secretary: Cutthroat Businessman and Anti-Minimum Wage @alternet:
"Andrew Puzder has made no secret of the fact that he would like to codify his cut-throat business approach in federal policy. He is opposed to regulations on overtime pay, paid leave, mandatory break times, and a minimum wage increase. In fact, he’s so hostile to his human employees he’s waxed rhapsodic about replacing them entirely with robots. Of course, this hasn’t stopped Puzder from accepting generous perks for himself. The ROC report points out that this devout opponent of Obamacare and mandatory sick leave policies has enjoyed reimbursement checks of as much as $61,000 per year from his employer for medical costs that run above and beyond his health insurance benefits. By contrast, only 9 percent of Puzder’s non-managerial staff have access to any employer-provided health care. As CEO, Puzder’s total compensation has run as high as $10 million per year."
"Andrew Puzder has made no secret of the fact that he would like to codify his cut-throat business approach in federal policy. He is opposed to regulations on overtime pay, paid leave, mandatory break times, and a minimum wage increase. In fact, he’s so hostile to his human employees he’s waxed rhapsodic about replacing them entirely with robots. Of course, this hasn’t stopped Puzder from accepting generous perks for himself. The ROC report points out that this devout opponent of Obamacare and mandatory sick leave policies has enjoyed reimbursement checks of as much as $61,000 per year from his employer for medical costs that run above and beyond his health insurance benefits. By contrast, only 9 percent of Puzder’s non-managerial staff have access to any employer-provided health care. As CEO, Puzder’s total compensation has run as high as $10 million per year."
As Trump Takes Office, the Public Interest Is in Danger of Being Exiled @alternet
As Trump Takes Office, the Public Interest Is in Danger of Being Exiled @alternet:
"And so in the year to come and beyond, it falls more than ever to the public, the states, and nonprofit, non-governmental organizations to step into this breach of duty, and protect the public interest, in exile. This happens through public pressure and protest; public and policymaker education; legislation, particularly at the state and local level; and litigation, challenging Trump administration decisions that discard the public interest."
"And so in the year to come and beyond, it falls more than ever to the public, the states, and nonprofit, non-governmental organizations to step into this breach of duty, and protect the public interest, in exile. This happens through public pressure and protest; public and policymaker education; legislation, particularly at the state and local level; and litigation, challenging Trump administration decisions that discard the public interest."
McConnell pushes the GOP’s corporate power grab while all eyes follow Trump
McConnell pushes the GOP’s corporate power grab while all eyes follow Trump
"McConnell’s latest bout of high-stakes hypocritical lying came Sunday, when he told CBS-TV’s “Face the Nation” he would not slow down or reschedule any of this week’s conformation hearings, after Democrats protested that nominees like billionaire Betsy DeVos, the Secretary of Education designate, had not submitted financial disclosure forms. McConnell has scheduled most of the hearings for Wednesday, the day Trump gives his first press conference since Election Day and the day after President Obama gives his farewell address. The hearings will get scant coverage on television, the medium that most helped elect Trump. “All of these little procedural complaints are related to their frustration at not only having lost the White House but having lost the Senate,” McConnell said, referring to Senate Democrats’ demands for probing the many conflicts of interest and private agendas of the most billionaire-filled cabinet in history. “I understand that, but we need to, sort of, grow up here and get past that.” When McConnell mocks “procedural complaints” and says “grow up,” he means the GOP must be free to quash anything that interferes with their power grab. This is the GOP’s Senate leader who single-handedly blocked President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, a moderate praised by Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-UT. McConnell is also responsible for blocking Obama’s appointment of 84 federal district court judges—one-eighth of the district court bench—including noncontroversial nominations. And he is the same Republican who in February 2009 wrote a letter to then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, saying “prior to considering any time agreements on the floor on any [Cabinet] nominee, we expect the following standards will be met.” That included completing FBI background checks, all financial disclosures, Office of Government Ethics vetting, committee questionnaires and “courtesy visits with members.” McConnell has long been one of the least principled Republican leaders."
"McConnell’s latest bout of high-stakes hypocritical lying came Sunday, when he told CBS-TV’s “Face the Nation” he would not slow down or reschedule any of this week’s conformation hearings, after Democrats protested that nominees like billionaire Betsy DeVos, the Secretary of Education designate, had not submitted financial disclosure forms. McConnell has scheduled most of the hearings for Wednesday, the day Trump gives his first press conference since Election Day and the day after President Obama gives his farewell address. The hearings will get scant coverage on television, the medium that most helped elect Trump. “All of these little procedural complaints are related to their frustration at not only having lost the White House but having lost the Senate,” McConnell said, referring to Senate Democrats’ demands for probing the many conflicts of interest and private agendas of the most billionaire-filled cabinet in history. “I understand that, but we need to, sort of, grow up here and get past that.” When McConnell mocks “procedural complaints” and says “grow up,” he means the GOP must be free to quash anything that interferes with their power grab. This is the GOP’s Senate leader who single-handedly blocked President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, a moderate praised by Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-UT. McConnell is also responsible for blocking Obama’s appointment of 84 federal district court judges—one-eighth of the district court bench—including noncontroversial nominations. And he is the same Republican who in February 2009 wrote a letter to then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV, saying “prior to considering any time agreements on the floor on any [Cabinet] nominee, we expect the following standards will be met.” That included completing FBI background checks, all financial disclosures, Office of Government Ethics vetting, committee questionnaires and “courtesy visits with members.” McConnell has long been one of the least principled Republican leaders."
Trump's Cabinet Is Coming After What's Left of the Middle Class @alternet
Trump's Cabinet Is Coming After What's Left of the Middle Class @alternet:
"For secretary of state, Trump has tapped Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson. At Treasury, he’s installing former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin. Trump’s pick for commerce, billionaire Wilbur Ross, runs his own investment firm and sits on five other corporate boards. President-elect Donald Trump, a big-time business chief himself, certainly seems to want to feel comfortable, too. No other President-elect has ever packed his cabinet with more business bigwigs. For transportation secretary, the President-elect has chosen Elaine Chao, the scion of a shipping magnate fortune who pulled down over $1 million last year sitting on four corporate boards. Trump’s choice for labor secretary, fast-foods CEO Andrew Puzder, has made his own fortune keeping wages low at the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. chains. Betsy DeVos, the Trump education secretary-designate, has never stepped foot in a public school as a student, educator, or parent. But she does hail from the billionaire family that runs the money-making machine that goes by the name of Amway. At the Small Business Administration, Trump is situating Linda McMahon, the billionaire who helps runs a sports entertainment empire. And the chair of Trump’s National Economic Council will be Gary Cohn, the president of Goldman Sachs."
"For secretary of state, Trump has tapped Exxon Mobil chief executive Rex Tillerson. At Treasury, he’s installing former Goldman Sachs executive Steven Mnuchin. Trump’s pick for commerce, billionaire Wilbur Ross, runs his own investment firm and sits on five other corporate boards. President-elect Donald Trump, a big-time business chief himself, certainly seems to want to feel comfortable, too. No other President-elect has ever packed his cabinet with more business bigwigs. For transportation secretary, the President-elect has chosen Elaine Chao, the scion of a shipping magnate fortune who pulled down over $1 million last year sitting on four corporate boards. Trump’s choice for labor secretary, fast-foods CEO Andrew Puzder, has made his own fortune keeping wages low at the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. chains. Betsy DeVos, the Trump education secretary-designate, has never stepped foot in a public school as a student, educator, or parent. But she does hail from the billionaire family that runs the money-making machine that goes by the name of Amway. At the Small Business Administration, Trump is situating Linda McMahon, the billionaire who helps runs a sports entertainment empire. And the chair of Trump’s National Economic Council will be Gary Cohn, the president of Goldman Sachs."
What the classified report says Russia wanted from Trump, is exactly what he's tried to deliver
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/1/10/1619073/-What-the-classified-report-says-Russia-wanted-from-Trump-is-exactly-what-he-s-tried-to-deliver
"They wanted Trump to weaken the US position on the Ukraine, and that’s exactly the single issue on which Trump intervened to change the Republican platform. Trump staffers in the room, who are not delegates but are there to oversee the process, intervened. By working with pro-Trump delegates, they were able to get the issue tabled while they devised a method to roll back the language. Those staffers said they were talking “directly to Trump” in making those changes. The other request from Russia, that Trump weaken NATO’s role in the Baltics? When Donald J. Trump was asked on Wednesday whether, if elected president, he would defend the Baltic nations against a hypothetical Russian attack, his answer was, essentially: It depends."
"They wanted Trump to weaken the US position on the Ukraine, and that’s exactly the single issue on which Trump intervened to change the Republican platform. Trump staffers in the room, who are not delegates but are there to oversee the process, intervened. By working with pro-Trump delegates, they were able to get the issue tabled while they devised a method to roll back the language. Those staffers said they were talking “directly to Trump” in making those changes. The other request from Russia, that Trump weaken NATO’s role in the Baltics? When Donald J. Trump was asked on Wednesday whether, if elected president, he would defend the Baltic nations against a hypothetical Russian attack, his answer was, essentially: It depends."
Betsy Devos Is Coming For Your Public Schools
http://www.newsweek.com/betsy-devos-trump-education-department-538533
"DeVos is a billionaire Republican who has worked assiduously to weaken the public schools in Michigan."
"DeVos is a billionaire Republican who has worked assiduously to weaken the public schools in Michigan."
Why Oil Is the Glue That Bonds Trump and Putin @alternet
Why Oil Is the Glue That Bonds Trump and Putin @alternet:
"They include the U.S. corporate giant, ExxonMobil, and Russia’s mega-methane firm, Gazprom. Almost everyone, except for much of the media, acknowledges that Russia behaves like a classic petro state. Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, once described the Russian Federation as “an oil and gas company masquerading as a country.” Putin’s government, for example, gets half its revenue from oil and gas sales to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Oil accounts for almost 60 per cent of Russia’s exports and a third of its capital investments. The global 2014 oil price crash severely undermined the country’s economy and lowered living standards for ordinary Russians. As a consequence Putin’s oil locomotive is now stagnating and needs foreign investment and higher oil prices. Unlike most Canadian politicians, Putin has studied the politics of oil. He can even talk about theDutch disease and other resource curses. As a young intelligence officer he watched a global oil price collapse in the early 1990s unhinge the Soviet Union and does not want to see that experience repeated. Beginning more than a decade ago, Putin removed the country’s most powerful oligarchs from Russia’s oil and gas companies and nationalized the industry to consolidate his power. He then let in a few western players such as ExxonMobil to help revitalize Russia’s oil patch."
"They include the U.S. corporate giant, ExxonMobil, and Russia’s mega-methane firm, Gazprom. Almost everyone, except for much of the media, acknowledges that Russia behaves like a classic petro state. Lindsey Graham, the Republican senator from South Carolina, once described the Russian Federation as “an oil and gas company masquerading as a country.” Putin’s government, for example, gets half its revenue from oil and gas sales to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Oil accounts for almost 60 per cent of Russia’s exports and a third of its capital investments. The global 2014 oil price crash severely undermined the country’s economy and lowered living standards for ordinary Russians. As a consequence Putin’s oil locomotive is now stagnating and needs foreign investment and higher oil prices. Unlike most Canadian politicians, Putin has studied the politics of oil. He can even talk about theDutch disease and other resource curses. As a young intelligence officer he watched a global oil price collapse in the early 1990s unhinge the Soviet Union and does not want to see that experience repeated. Beginning more than a decade ago, Putin removed the country’s most powerful oligarchs from Russia’s oil and gas companies and nationalized the industry to consolidate his power. He then let in a few western players such as ExxonMobil to help revitalize Russia’s oil patch."
The Koch Brothers Are Smiling: The White House Will Be Packed With Some of Their Most Loyal Servants @alternet
The Koch Brothers Are Smiling: The White House Will Be Packed With Some of Their Most Loyal Servants @alternet:
"From the time Trump picked his vice presidential running mate, Koch favorite Mike Pence, the brothers’ influence on Trump World has grown ever stronger. From transition team staffers to his Cabinet, Trump has brought numerous Koch lieutenants and allies into his inner circle."
"From the time Trump picked his vice presidential running mate, Koch favorite Mike Pence, the brothers’ influence on Trump World has grown ever stronger. From transition team staffers to his Cabinet, Trump has brought numerous Koch lieutenants and allies into his inner circle."
Coretta Scott King in 1986: Jeff Sessions’s judgeship nomination threatens “my husband’s dream”
http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/1/11/14236810/jeff-sessions-king-letter
"Sessions has long been an opponent of voting rights protections."
"Sessions has long been an opponent of voting rights protections."
Jeff Sessions Is Just Not in the Same League as Former Attorneys General
http://billmoyers.com/story/jeff-sessions-not-league-former-attorneys-general/
"Sessions’ unequivocal record of racial insensitivity and hostility to protecting civil rights, and his extreme-right ideology, suggest he would willfully work to reverse the decades of civil-rights progress that Robert F. Kennedy and others who occupied the top Justice Department job boldly set in place."
"Sessions’ unequivocal record of racial insensitivity and hostility to protecting civil rights, and his extreme-right ideology, suggest he would willfully work to reverse the decades of civil-rights progress that Robert F. Kennedy and others who occupied the top Justice Department job boldly set in place."
Moscow on the Potomac
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/security/reports/2016/12/21/295592/moscow-on-the-potomac/
"President-elect Trump was not always reflexively pro-Russia, and the roots of his embrace of Moscow are relatively recent. And, like so much of his business career, Trump’s interest in Russia grew from financial desperation. During the 1990s, Trump found himself more than $4 billion in debt to more than 70 banks, and a series of bankruptcies, heavy financial losses, and debt restructuring lead almost all major American banks to simply refuse to do business with him.28 Consequently, beginning in the 2000s, he began to rely very heavily on foreign banks for his lending,29 and Russia—with its inner circle of wealthy oligarchs close to Putin and lax financial integrity laws—must have seemed like a cash cow to Trump. As Slate editor Franklin Foer reported, Trump has attempted on at least five different occasions to launch large projects in Russia, including hotels, spas, and apartment buildings.30 Both Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., have made repeated trips to Moscow in efforts to ingratiate themselves. After one such trip, the senior Trump practically crowed that “almost all of the oligarchs were in the room” for one of his meetings.31 Yet, all of these attempts at launching major developments in Russia fizzled, and Donald Jr., who traveled to Moscow six times in one 18-month period alone, was left to observe of the Russian business environment, “It is a question of who knows who, whose brother is paying off who.”32 While Russia did not pan out as the location for grand new Trump developments, it did become an important wellspring for financial backing. In essence, Trump did not begin investing in Russia—rather, dark Russian money began investing in him."
"President-elect Trump was not always reflexively pro-Russia, and the roots of his embrace of Moscow are relatively recent. And, like so much of his business career, Trump’s interest in Russia grew from financial desperation. During the 1990s, Trump found himself more than $4 billion in debt to more than 70 banks, and a series of bankruptcies, heavy financial losses, and debt restructuring lead almost all major American banks to simply refuse to do business with him.28 Consequently, beginning in the 2000s, he began to rely very heavily on foreign banks for his lending,29 and Russia—with its inner circle of wealthy oligarchs close to Putin and lax financial integrity laws—must have seemed like a cash cow to Trump. As Slate editor Franklin Foer reported, Trump has attempted on at least five different occasions to launch large projects in Russia, including hotels, spas, and apartment buildings.30 Both Trump and his son, Donald Trump Jr., have made repeated trips to Moscow in efforts to ingratiate themselves. After one such trip, the senior Trump practically crowed that “almost all of the oligarchs were in the room” for one of his meetings.31 Yet, all of these attempts at launching major developments in Russia fizzled, and Donald Jr., who traveled to Moscow six times in one 18-month period alone, was left to observe of the Russian business environment, “It is a question of who knows who, whose brother is paying off who.”32 While Russia did not pan out as the location for grand new Trump developments, it did become an important wellspring for financial backing. In essence, Trump did not begin investing in Russia—rather, dark Russian money began investing in him."
Beloved Inauguration Announcer 'Fired' By Trump Finds New Gig | Crooks and Liars
Beloved Inauguration Announcer 'Fired' By Trump Finds New Gig | Crooks and Liars
"Charlie Brotman has been announcer of every single presidential inaugural parade since 1957. But this year, he was dumped by the Trump inaugural committee."
"Charlie Brotman has been announcer of every single presidential inaugural parade since 1957. But this year, he was dumped by the Trump inaugural committee."
Why Lawyers Are Freaking Out About Jeff Sessions as Attorney General
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/why-lawyers-are-freaking-out-about-jeff-sessions-as-ag-w460272
"More than 1,400 law professors from schools in 49 states have signed a statement calling for the Judiciary Committee to reject his nomination"
"More than 1,400 law professors from schools in 49 states have signed a statement calling for the Judiciary Committee to reject his nomination"
Donald Trump Was Bailed Out of Bankruptcy by Russia Crime Bosses @alternet
Donald Trump Was Bailed Out of Bankruptcy by Russia Crime Bosses @alternet:
"In 2008, Donald Trump Jr. attended a real estate conference, where he stated that Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia. As it turns out, that may have been an understatement. Human rights lawyer Scott Horton, whose work in the region goes back to defending Andrei Sakharov and other Soviet dissidents, has gone through a series of studies by the Financial Times to show how funds from Russian crime lords bailed Trump out after yet anther bankruptcy. The conclusions are stark. Among the powerful facts that DNI missed were a series of very deep studies published in the [Financial Times] that examined the structure and history of several major Trump real estate projects from the last decade—the period after his seventh bankruptcy and the cancellation of all his bank lines of credit. ... The money to build these projects flowed almost entirely from Russian sources. In other words, after his business crashed, Trump was floated and made to appear to operate a successful business enterprise through the infusion of hundreds in millions of cash from dark Russian sources. He was their man."
"In 2008, Donald Trump Jr. attended a real estate conference, where he stated that Russians make up a pretty disproportionate cross-section of a lot of our assets. We see a lot of money pouring in from Russia. As it turns out, that may have been an understatement. Human rights lawyer Scott Horton, whose work in the region goes back to defending Andrei Sakharov and other Soviet dissidents, has gone through a series of studies by the Financial Times to show how funds from Russian crime lords bailed Trump out after yet anther bankruptcy. The conclusions are stark. Among the powerful facts that DNI missed were a series of very deep studies published in the [Financial Times] that examined the structure and history of several major Trump real estate projects from the last decade—the period after his seventh bankruptcy and the cancellation of all his bank lines of credit. ... The money to build these projects flowed almost entirely from Russian sources. In other words, after his business crashed, Trump was floated and made to appear to operate a successful business enterprise through the infusion of hundreds in millions of cash from dark Russian sources. He was their man."
8 Reasons the Senate Must Reject Jeff Sessions @alternet
8 Reasons the Senate Must Reject Jeff Sessions @alternet:
"Senator Sessions’ record suggests a remarkable consistency in support of policies that contradict and subvert the Reconstruction amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee citizenship, equal protection under the law, and the ballot to all Americans."
"Senator Sessions’ record suggests a remarkable consistency in support of policies that contradict and subvert the Reconstruction amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee citizenship, equal protection under the law, and the ballot to all Americans."
The massive election-rigging scandal the media ignored
http://www.salon.com/2017/01/10/the-massive-election-rigging-scandal-the-media-ignored_partner/
"a program called the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck had been quietly put together in Kansas and was being used by Republican secretaries of state in 27 states to suppress and purge African American, Asian and Hispanic votes in what would almost certainly be the swing states of the 2016 election."
"a program called the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck had been quietly put together in Kansas and was being used by Republican secretaries of state in 27 states to suppress and purge African American, Asian and Hispanic votes in what would almost certainly be the swing states of the 2016 election."
WATCH: CNN’s Jake Tapper says Trump campaign ‘colluded’ with Russian operatives
WATCH: CNN’s Jake Tapper says Trump campaign ‘colluded’ with Russian operatives
"Trump and Obama were also told by intelligence officials that Trump’s surrogates continually exchanged information with intermediaries from the Russian government during the campaign."
"Trump and Obama were also told by intelligence officials that Trump’s surrogates continually exchanged information with intermediaries from the Russian government during the campaign."
Report: Russia possesses ‘compromising’ information about Trump
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-compromising-information-russia-6f861b27b87b#.hd4u6uar6
"Citing unnamed U.S. officials, CNN reported on Tuesday afternoon that “classified documents presented last week to President Obama and President-elect Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump.” The documents, CNN reports, are based on information gathered by a former British intelligence operative considered to be credible by U.S. officials. While CNN is electing not to disclose the specific contents of the documents at this time, their report on them notes they “also included allegations that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, according to two national security officials.” CNN reports that congressional leaders were briefed on some of the information by intelligence officials before November’s election. That may have been what then-Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) was referring to when he penned FBI director James Comey a letter shortly before the election accusing him of withholding “explosive” information about Trump’s relationship with Russia."
"Citing unnamed U.S. officials, CNN reported on Tuesday afternoon that “classified documents presented last week to President Obama and President-elect Trump included allegations that Russian operatives claim to have compromising personal and financial information about Mr. Trump.” The documents, CNN reports, are based on information gathered by a former British intelligence operative considered to be credible by U.S. officials. While CNN is electing not to disclose the specific contents of the documents at this time, their report on them notes they “also included allegations that there was a continuing exchange of information during the campaign between Trump surrogates and intermediaries for the Russian government, according to two national security officials.” CNN reports that congressional leaders were briefed on some of the information by intelligence officials before November’s election. That may have been what then-Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) was referring to when he penned FBI director James Comey a letter shortly before the election accusing him of withholding “explosive” information about Trump’s relationship with Russia."
Classified: Russians have 'compromising information' on Trump, and his team took orders from Moscow
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/1/10/1619036/-Classified-Russians-have-compromising-information-on-Trump-and-his-team-took-orders-from-Moscow
"it was clear that both Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Angus King were pressing Comey very hard to reveal something the FBI is hiding from the public. It was extremely reminiscent of Harry Reid’s attempt to get Comey to spill the beans before the election, and Reid’s accusations that Comey was covering up information that was critical to the public. Reid was right all along. Sources tell CNN that these same allegations about communications between the Trump campaign and the Russians, mentioned in classified briefings for congressional leaders last year, prompted then-Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to send a letter to FBI Director Comey in October, in which he wrote, "It has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government -- a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States." At the moment James Comey was being told that there were some emails on a laptop that might possibly relate to Hillary Clinton’s email server, he was privy to information that Donald Trump was being blackmailed by Russian intelligence and that his campaign was in regular contact with Moscow. Comey decided that one of these stories was important enough to break to the public."
"it was clear that both Senator Ron Wyden and Senator Angus King were pressing Comey very hard to reveal something the FBI is hiding from the public. It was extremely reminiscent of Harry Reid’s attempt to get Comey to spill the beans before the election, and Reid’s accusations that Comey was covering up information that was critical to the public. Reid was right all along. Sources tell CNN that these same allegations about communications between the Trump campaign and the Russians, mentioned in classified briefings for congressional leaders last year, prompted then-Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid to send a letter to FBI Director Comey in October, in which he wrote, "It has become clear that you possess explosive information about close ties and coordination between Donald Trump, his top advisors, and the Russian government -- a foreign interest openly hostile to the United States." At the moment James Comey was being told that there were some emails on a laptop that might possibly relate to Hillary Clinton’s email server, he was privy to information that Donald Trump was being blackmailed by Russian intelligence and that his campaign was in regular contact with Moscow. Comey decided that one of these stories was important enough to break to the public."
How Exxon Won the 2016 Election
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/news/2017/01/10/296277/how-exxon-won-the-2016-election/
"At no time in recent U.S. history has one company been at the brink of attaining so much power and influence over U.S. policy, both domestic and foreign. If the Senate confirms most or all of the five Cabinet nominees whose backgrounds and positions would most benefit Exxon, the company will have acquired substantial direct and indirect control over the regulatory, law enforcement, lawmaking, and diplomatic powers of the American government. Although the company’s change in fortunes and access to power will undoubtedly boost its bottom line, Exxon’s public policy agenda will come at extraordinary cost to public health, the environment, and taxpayers."
"At no time in recent U.S. history has one company been at the brink of attaining so much power and influence over U.S. policy, both domestic and foreign. If the Senate confirms most or all of the five Cabinet nominees whose backgrounds and positions would most benefit Exxon, the company will have acquired substantial direct and indirect control over the regulatory, law enforcement, lawmaking, and diplomatic powers of the American government. Although the company’s change in fortunes and access to power will undoubtedly boost its bottom line, Exxon’s public policy agenda will come at extraordinary cost to public health, the environment, and taxpayers."
Sanders Launches #OurFirstStand to Protect Healthcare From Trump Future
Sanders Launches #OurFirstStand to Protect Healthcare From Trump Future
"Sanders was joined in the effort by National Nurses United executive director RoseAnn DeMoro, who called on followers to urge their senators to support Amendment 19."
"Sanders was joined in the effort by National Nurses United executive director RoseAnn DeMoro, who called on followers to urge their senators to support Amendment 19."
No, Mitch McConnell, we’re not going to “get past” it — the president your voters elected is a dangerous idiot
http://www.salon.com/2017/01/10/no-mitch-mcconnell-were-not-going-to-get-past-it-the-president-your-voters-elected-is-a-dangerous-idiot/
"Don’t forget: this is an incoming chief executive who’s admitted to being nukes-curious. He’s repeatedly expressed interest in the question of why we’ve never used any of our nuclear weapons (minus, of course, two). He has also pledged to significantly augment our nuclear triad (after learning what it is), even though there are non-proliferation treaties in place against such a process. This alone is justification enough for the rest of us to skulk through our daily lives worrying whether this malicious circus peanut wrapped in gold lamé will wake up one morning and decide to pop off a nuclear weapon somewhere, either as a test or an attack, because … whomever … decided to tweet something about Trump’s stupid hair. That’s why it was so alarming this week when we learned that Trump was firing the appointees who run the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which is responsible for overseeing our nuclear arsenal. It’s not so much about the firing of these particular officials, which is something that often happens when a new administration steps into the White House. The fear over this decision emerges from wondering who exactly Trump will pick to fill those posts. Knowing what we know about Trump’s process, it’s a safe bet that it’ll be sycophants who fit Trump’s dress- and facial hair qualifications — “the look.” More importantly, though, will these appointees make it that much easier for Trump to play war with live nuclear ammo? We don’t know, and again, that’s the problem. It’s yet another on a growing list of many reasons why, no, Sen. McConnell, we won’t and shouldn’t get over the election. Sixty-two million Americans, through their poorly-considered, nihilistic votes, have stupidly chosen to shut down the containment grid, Ghostbusters-style, releasing untold horrors into the atmosphere. I challenge anyone to predict what those things will be. But knowing Trump’s vindictiveness, his ignorance and his lack of core values, none of it can be good."
"Don’t forget: this is an incoming chief executive who’s admitted to being nukes-curious. He’s repeatedly expressed interest in the question of why we’ve never used any of our nuclear weapons (minus, of course, two). He has also pledged to significantly augment our nuclear triad (after learning what it is), even though there are non-proliferation treaties in place against such a process. This alone is justification enough for the rest of us to skulk through our daily lives worrying whether this malicious circus peanut wrapped in gold lamé will wake up one morning and decide to pop off a nuclear weapon somewhere, either as a test or an attack, because … whomever … decided to tweet something about Trump’s stupid hair. That’s why it was so alarming this week when we learned that Trump was firing the appointees who run the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which is responsible for overseeing our nuclear arsenal. It’s not so much about the firing of these particular officials, which is something that often happens when a new administration steps into the White House. The fear over this decision emerges from wondering who exactly Trump will pick to fill those posts. Knowing what we know about Trump’s process, it’s a safe bet that it’ll be sycophants who fit Trump’s dress- and facial hair qualifications — “the look.” More importantly, though, will these appointees make it that much easier for Trump to play war with live nuclear ammo? We don’t know, and again, that’s the problem. It’s yet another on a growing list of many reasons why, no, Sen. McConnell, we won’t and shouldn’t get over the election. Sixty-two million Americans, through their poorly-considered, nihilistic votes, have stupidly chosen to shut down the containment grid, Ghostbusters-style, releasing untold horrors into the atmosphere. I challenge anyone to predict what those things will be. But knowing Trump’s vindictiveness, his ignorance and his lack of core values, none of it can be good."
January 17, 2017
GOP Further Eviscerate Oversight by Changing Little Known Records Rule
GOP Further Eviscerate Oversight by Changing Little Known Records Rule
"Amid the uproar over the Republican Party's attempt to cripple the Office of Congressional Ethics, a little-noticed rule change was passed that guts an essential element of government oversight. The rules package included a sentence that read: "Records created, generated, or received by the congressional office of a Member...are exclusively the personal property of the individual Member...and such Member...has control over such records." The change, first pointed out by OpenSecrets.org and reported by the Fiscal Times on Monday, effectively means that some documents are no longer the property of the U.S. government, giving lawmakers the ability to hide critical information from an oversight investigation."
"Amid the uproar over the Republican Party's attempt to cripple the Office of Congressional Ethics, a little-noticed rule change was passed that guts an essential element of government oversight. The rules package included a sentence that read: "Records created, generated, or received by the congressional office of a Member...are exclusively the personal property of the individual Member...and such Member...has control over such records." The change, first pointed out by OpenSecrets.org and reported by the Fiscal Times on Monday, effectively means that some documents are no longer the property of the U.S. government, giving lawmakers the ability to hide critical information from an oversight investigation."
The Most Loathsome Republican: McConnell Does the GOP's Dirty Work While All Eyes Follow Trump @alternet
The Most Loathsome Republican: McConnell Does the GOP's Dirty Work While All Eyes Follow Trump @alternet:
"McConnell has long been one of the least principled Republican leaders. In the late 1990s, he opposed all forms of campaign finance reform when the McCain-Feingold bill was proposed, countering deregulation of donation limits and disclosure by donors was all that was needed. McConnell changed his tune on disclosure after the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, because the biggest GOP donors wanted to throw all the mud they could but were too cowardly to publicly attach their names to the political attacks they funded. In McConnell, Trump has the perfect henchman. If one takes a look at the press releases from the Senate Majority Leader’s office since the election, one finds not just kneejerk fealty to the president-elect’s nominees and relentless criticism of all things Obama but propagandistic rhetoric in which plain language loses its meaning when held against any objective standard based on facts. Take what McConnell said about Treasury Secretary designate Steven Mnuchin, whose past business experience includes running the mortgage lender IndyMac, which foreclosed on thousands of borrowers instead of refinancing so average Americans could keep their homes and equity. “It is time to get serious about the problems families and businesses large and small across the nation face,” McConnell said. “Whether it is the urgent need for tax reform or wide-ranging regulatory relief, we will need someone like Steven working with both parties in Congress to make it happen. His private sector expertise will be valuable as we begin to tackle these challenges and reverse the last eight years of economic heartache.” McConnell is the perfect partner and lying propagandist for Trump."
"McConnell has long been one of the least principled Republican leaders. In the late 1990s, he opposed all forms of campaign finance reform when the McCain-Feingold bill was proposed, countering deregulation of donation limits and disclosure by donors was all that was needed. McConnell changed his tune on disclosure after the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling, because the biggest GOP donors wanted to throw all the mud they could but were too cowardly to publicly attach their names to the political attacks they funded. In McConnell, Trump has the perfect henchman. If one takes a look at the press releases from the Senate Majority Leader’s office since the election, one finds not just kneejerk fealty to the president-elect’s nominees and relentless criticism of all things Obama but propagandistic rhetoric in which plain language loses its meaning when held against any objective standard based on facts. Take what McConnell said about Treasury Secretary designate Steven Mnuchin, whose past business experience includes running the mortgage lender IndyMac, which foreclosed on thousands of borrowers instead of refinancing so average Americans could keep their homes and equity. “It is time to get serious about the problems families and businesses large and small across the nation face,” McConnell said. “Whether it is the urgent need for tax reform or wide-ranging regulatory relief, we will need someone like Steven working with both parties in Congress to make it happen. His private sector expertise will be valuable as we begin to tackle these challenges and reverse the last eight years of economic heartache.” McConnell is the perfect partner and lying propagandist for Trump."
January 16, 2017
A House Rules Change You Didn't Hear Much About -- and Prosecutors Won't Like
http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/39036-a-house-rules-change-you-didn-t-hear-much-about-and-prosecutors-won-t-like
"few noticed a sentence that did make it into the package of House rules changes passed last Tuesday, making it more difficult to access documents having to do with the operations of a lawmaker's office."
"few noticed a sentence that did make it into the package of House rules changes passed last Tuesday, making it more difficult to access documents having to do with the operations of a lawmaker's office."
The Senate Republicans Just Voted to Add $10 Trillion to the National Debt Because Why Not
http://thedailybanter.com/2017/01/senate-republicans-just-voted-to-add-10-trillion/
"On January 4, the Senate Republicans voted with near-unanimity on a concurrent budget resolution, which, among other things, established a January 27 deadline for repealing the Affordable Care Act. It also authorized literally trillions in new national debt. How much debt, exactly? Well, Trump thought $19 trillion in debt was an outrage. I wonder how he'll explain another $10 trillion in debt to his Pepe-The-Frog disciples because in this resolution, the Senate Republicans voted to authorize a national debt of $29 trillion over the next ten years. $29 trillion. Here it is in writing Furthermore, the Republicans authorized a budget deficit of more than a trillion dollars over the next ten years. And that doesn't include Trump's stupid border wall; it doesn't include the cost of repealing and replacing the ACA; it doesn't include Trump's proposed infrastructure spending; it doesn't include Trump's escalated fight against ISIS; and it doesn't include the unforeseen event of another war or a natural disaster or another major recession. Nothing. So, without doing a damn thing, the Republicans have already ballooned the dreaded national debt by $10 trillion. Every Republican, except for Rand Paul, voted for this legislation. Even if it's not fully enacted by Trump after January 20, it doesn't matter. Their names are on the roll-call. The same crowd that routinely destroyed President Obama over the size of the national debt -- as if Obama, not Bush before him, was solely responsible for it. This is the same caucus that blocked all of Obama's infrastructure spending and job creation proposals because of the debt. And now, as their first act, they voted in lockstep to authorize trillions in new debt."
"On January 4, the Senate Republicans voted with near-unanimity on a concurrent budget resolution, which, among other things, established a January 27 deadline for repealing the Affordable Care Act. It also authorized literally trillions in new national debt. How much debt, exactly? Well, Trump thought $19 trillion in debt was an outrage. I wonder how he'll explain another $10 trillion in debt to his Pepe-The-Frog disciples because in this resolution, the Senate Republicans voted to authorize a national debt of $29 trillion over the next ten years. $29 trillion. Here it is in writing Furthermore, the Republicans authorized a budget deficit of more than a trillion dollars over the next ten years. And that doesn't include Trump's stupid border wall; it doesn't include the cost of repealing and replacing the ACA; it doesn't include Trump's proposed infrastructure spending; it doesn't include Trump's escalated fight against ISIS; and it doesn't include the unforeseen event of another war or a natural disaster or another major recession. Nothing. So, without doing a damn thing, the Republicans have already ballooned the dreaded national debt by $10 trillion. Every Republican, except for Rand Paul, voted for this legislation. Even if it's not fully enacted by Trump after January 20, it doesn't matter. Their names are on the roll-call. The same crowd that routinely destroyed President Obama over the size of the national debt -- as if Obama, not Bush before him, was solely responsible for it. This is the same caucus that blocked all of Obama's infrastructure spending and job creation proposals because of the debt. And now, as their first act, they voted in lockstep to authorize trillions in new debt."
This is the Real Reason Why Trump Supporters are so Upset with Meryl Streep's Speech
This is the Real Reason Why Trump Supporters are so Upset with Meryl Streep's Speech
"What I think bothered these people so much is the fact that she took a classy and respectful path when pointing out how deplorable Trump is, doing so without mentioning his name even once. But it seems clear, at least in my opinion, that the main focus of her speech – and the heartbreaking way in which she described her feelings about watching that shameful behavior – is what really struck a nerve with Trump and those who support him. Not only did she remind the world that millions of people supported a man who belittled a person with disabilities, but she did so in a way that added the true emotion she felt, not just because of Trump’s wretched behavior, but in her realization that so many people continued to support him even after he did it. This speech, in particular her comments about Trump mocking this disabled reporter, was an undeniable reminder to those who’ve tried to convince themselves otherwise, that our next president is someone who’s a cowardly bully who targets and attacks those who he feels he’s stronger than. Our next president is someone who’s such an insecure mental infant that he feels the need to lash out at practically anyone who criticizes him, even a man with disabilities. I’ve found that the more defensive and hostile someone is when they’re accused of something, that’s usually a pretty good indicator of how true the accusation is. As humans, we’re really good about lying to ourselves, or avoiding the truth, to make ourselves feel better about a decision we’ve made. Though we’re also really good at overreacting when we’re called out for that poor decision. That’s why I really think the reaction to Meryl Streep’s speech has been more hostile than normal. She not only reminded the world of just how despicable Donald Trump really is by emphasizing one of the worst moments in American political history, but she reminded his supporters of something many have tried to pretend didn’t exist or deny actually happened."
"What I think bothered these people so much is the fact that she took a classy and respectful path when pointing out how deplorable Trump is, doing so without mentioning his name even once. But it seems clear, at least in my opinion, that the main focus of her speech – and the heartbreaking way in which she described her feelings about watching that shameful behavior – is what really struck a nerve with Trump and those who support him. Not only did she remind the world that millions of people supported a man who belittled a person with disabilities, but she did so in a way that added the true emotion she felt, not just because of Trump’s wretched behavior, but in her realization that so many people continued to support him even after he did it. This speech, in particular her comments about Trump mocking this disabled reporter, was an undeniable reminder to those who’ve tried to convince themselves otherwise, that our next president is someone who’s a cowardly bully who targets and attacks those who he feels he’s stronger than. Our next president is someone who’s such an insecure mental infant that he feels the need to lash out at practically anyone who criticizes him, even a man with disabilities. I’ve found that the more defensive and hostile someone is when they’re accused of something, that’s usually a pretty good indicator of how true the accusation is. As humans, we’re really good about lying to ourselves, or avoiding the truth, to make ourselves feel better about a decision we’ve made. Though we’re also really good at overreacting when we’re called out for that poor decision. That’s why I really think the reaction to Meryl Streep’s speech has been more hostile than normal. She not only reminded the world of just how despicable Donald Trump really is by emphasizing one of the worst moments in American political history, but she reminded his supporters of something many have tried to pretend didn’t exist or deny actually happened."
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