Mike Klonsky wants us to stop talking about the Russians and pay attention to what the Republicans are doing while we are not looking.
While we’re consumed 24/7 with the Trump/Russia psychodrama, Republicans are quietly, under the cover of darkness and diversion, introducing these new bills in the House:
HR 610 Vouchers for Public Education — (The bill also repeals basic nutrition standards for the national school lunch and breakfast programs)
HR 899 Terminate the Department of Education
HR 785 National Right to Work (aimed at ending unions, including teacher unions)
And there’s more. Much more, including:
–HR 861 Terminate the Environmental Protection Agency
–HJR 69 Repeal Rule Protecting Wildlife
–HR 370 Repeal Affordable Care Act
–HR 354 Defund Planned Parenthood
–HR 83 Mobilizing Against Sanctuary Cities Bill
–HR 147 Criminalizing Abortion (“Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act”)
–HR 808 Sanctions against Iran
Vote. Organize. Protest. Demonstrate. Join the Indivisibles.
Why doesn’t Obama sue Trump for libel?
Libel laws don’t apply to public figures.
None of the Republican agenda gets through with out the Democrats in the Senate .
The stand alone bills are mostly dead on arrival. When they are attached to other legislation or as part of a budget reconciliation they will be more of a problem.
So as usual it is the Democrats we have to worry about, will they hold ranks.
If McConnell kills the filibuster, he must be told how quickly things could change. He could be one black swan moment away from ‘democratic socialism’
Thank you. As important as it undoubtedly is to maintain perspective, and not become distracted by diversionary Tweets…
…the well-intentioned people drafting lists of Nihilist Caucus bills should consider that, in most cases, these are also little more than distractions.
I strongly recommend this background by Emily Ellsworth:
View at Medium.com
So keep talking Russia till the whole crew gets the needle.
Oh my God, Putin got to Klonsky, too.
So sad!
Michael Fiorello–you are joking, no?!
Mike is more than correct in that we absolutely MUST keep our eyes on Congress–what bills are being passed, what actions are being taken–as well as on any actual Exec. Orders signed, constitutional violations, such as Freedom of the Press (Sean Spicer has not spoken to the press for a number of days), Ben Carson’s outrageous speech today &, of course, immigration insanity (on Friday, a father, taking his daughter to school, was approached & arrested by ICE, in front of his {terrified, crying} child, w/in 2 blocks of her school.
Yes, I am joking, and happy to see this site focusing on what Trump and his people are actually doing, and thence how to combat it, rather than on what Putin may or may not have done.
It’s too bad Ms. Clinton fixated on the Russia connection and Mr. Trump’s personality flaws during the debates and the closing months of the campaign. These appear to be non-issues with a large number of his voters, many of whom never experienced the cold war which effectively ended 25+ years ago and many of whom admire Mr. Trump’s crudity because it is “authentic”.
Ms. Clinton might have been better served had she run against the GOP platform. Party platforms indicate where a political party will head if they are given full control of the government but, unfortunately, are largely ignored by the press who focus on personality issues and polls. The candidates, though, COULD run on their party’s platform and, in the case of Ms. Clinton, against her opponent’s party’s platform. Every single bill Mr. Klonsky lists is unsurprising given the GOP platform…. and Mr. Trump’s hurried attempts to dismantle the government are exactly where Grover Nordqusit, the Koch Brothers, and the billionaires want us to go. Maybe a few months without “the government” will show voters that Ronald Reagan was wrong: government ISN’T the problem: it CAN help people AND protect them and the environment.
Gad, I hope our direction doesn’t come down to this:
“Maybe a few months without “the government” will show voters that Ronald Reagan was wrong: government ISN’T the problem: it CAN help people AND protect them and the environment.”
Once the power structure gets total control, we’re completely out of the picture. The GOP is working to destroy everything that helps the middle class. Success is a rough way to learn. Let’s hope that the ‘tough love’ route doesn’t happen.
One Black Swan and they could wind up in the dust bin of history.
The failure in 08 was the failure of Obama to seize the moment .
A real alternative has to be waiting this time.
My God.
Oh no. Without a social safety I might have to go to work.
Joel Herman, you are so right about 2008. Unfortunately, no do-overs.
That having been said, everyone here is working on acting locally (still thinking globally).
Thursday night, Democracy for America (DFA) is hosting a call-in training session for people to learn how to run for local office. (It’s at 7 CT, 8 ET & 5 PT). Google DFA to get details. As we know (or some should have learned), “democracy is not a spectator sport!” (Thom Hartmann says it best, adding, “Get out there, get active, tag–you’re it!”)
And, indeed we are.
What Should We Do if the President Is a Liar?
By Bernie Sanders, Medium
08 March 17
…I happen to strongly believe in civil political discourse. The vast majority of people in Congress who hold views different than mine are not liars. It is critical we have strong, fact-based debates on the important issues facing our country and that we respect people who come to different conclusions. In a democracy people will always have honestly held different points of view….
One of my great concerns is that there undoubtedly will be major crises facing the United States and the global community during Trump’s tenure as president. If Trump lies over and over again what kind of credibility will he, or the United States, have when we need to bring countries around the world together to respond to those crises? How many people in our country and other countries will think that Trump is just lying one more time?…
It is easy to know how we respond to a president with whom we disagree on many, many issues. I disagree with Trump’s support for repealing the Affordable Care Act. I disagree with Trump’s plan to give huge tax breaks to billionaires. I disagree with Trump’s appointment of an anti-environmental EPA administrator. I disagree with Trump’s appointments of major Wall Street executives to key economic positions and his plans to loosen regulations on Wall Street designed to protect consumers. And on and on and on! These strong policy disagreements are a normal part of the political process. He has his views. I have mine.
But how do we deal with a president who makes statements that reverberate around our country and the world that are not based on fact or evidence? What is the appropriate way to respond to that? And if the media and political leaders fail to call lies what they are, are they then guilty of misleading the public?
What are your views on this extremely important issue? I look forward to your comments.
I just got this email from the White House. It asks for me to click on “Support and Replacement of Obamacare”. From what I read, this new Trumpcare defunds Planned Parenthood and millions will loose their health care, especially low income seniors. Obamacare isn’t perfect but this GOP plan isn’t as ‘wonderful’ as Trump says. I doubt that he has any idea of what it feels like to not have money to get needed care.
How sad that this country can’t get a health care plan that helps people…all the people.
……….
The “Affordable” Care Act is Unaffordable
The White House info@mail.whitehouse.gov
4:53 PM (1 hour ago)
The White House
It’s been seven years since Obamacare was passed, and now, more than ever, we are seeing the harmful effects of this disastrous law.
Obamacare has led to higher costs and fewer health insurance options for millions of hard-working Americans. Independent analysis found 41 states faced higher average healthcare deductibles last year, with 17 states facing double-digit rate increases. Nearly one in five Americans have only one insurer offering Obamacare exchange plans.
In just the past year, Obamacare premiums have increased by 25 percent on the typical plan and coverage choices have dropped by 28 percent as insurers have left the market.
Things are only getting worse. This past year, nearly 20 million American citizens opted not to get healthcare insurance, with 6.5 million paying the penalty and millions more asking for a hardship exemption from the penalty.
Support Repeal and Replacement of Obamacare
Americans were promised that Obamacare would bring down healthcare costs — that promise was broken. Americans were promised they could keep their healthcare plans under Obamacare – that promise was broken. Americans were promised that Obamacare would not raise taxes on the middle-class – that promise was broken.
The American people want change and President Donald J. Trump promised to repeal and replace this disaster. That is exactly what the President is working with Congress to achieve. Step up and support the repeal and replacement of Obamacare.
Support Repeal and Replacement of Obamacare