bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Michigan Supreme Court Delivers Win for Homeowner Who Had His House Stolen Over $8 Tax Debt

“ You have a situation where people owe eight dollars and they lost their house .
How is that equitable ?
” In a recent unanimous decision , the Michigan Supreme Court confirmed what FEE readers , and anyone with an ounce of common sense for that matter , always knew : It isn ’ t .
That ’ s not too big a surprise .
You could hear the incredulity in Justice Richard H. Bernstein ’ s voice when he posed the question above to Oakland County attorneys at oral argument last November .
For those unfamiliar with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan ’ s practice of foreclosing on people ’ s homes to satisfy small tax debts and pocketing the resultant profits ( leaving the former homeowners with nothing ) .
Uri Rafaeli , for example , owed only $ 8.41 ( about the cost of a Chipotle burrito ) .
To get after that pocket change , the government took his house and sold it for $ 24,500 .
They kept every penny for themselves .
The practice is called home equity theft , and in some form or another , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12 states .
Thanks to the Michigan Supreme Court ’ s July decision in Rafaeli , Michigan is no longer among them .
The opinion is a forceful defense of property rights .
Even the Magna Carta , the opinion noted , prohibited tax collectors from holding onto the excess property of debtors .
And the same principle has always been true in Michigan , even though it was violated by the state ’ s tax code .
Quoting celebrated legal scholar and former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Thomas M. Cooley , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ private property is a sacred right … it was the old fundamental law , springing from the original frame and constitution of the realm.
” The court also took care to eviscerate the government ’ s defense of home equity theft .
Oakland County argued that taking Mr. Rafaeli ’ s home and keeping the profits was a legitimate exercise of their taxing power—a favorite argument among defenders of home equity theft in other states , too .
The court recognized that , while the taxing power may be used “ to adjust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to promote the common good , ” home equity theft is something else entirely .
It requires some taxpayers “ alone to bear public burdens which , in all fairness and justice , should be borne by the public as a whole.
” That language , quoted from the US Supreme Court ’ s decision in Armstrong v. US , defines the quintessential takings violation .
With these considerations in mind , the Michigan Supreme Court saw the government ’ s argument for exactly what it is : “ an exceedingly poor attempt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requiring just compensation as an arbitrary and disproportionate tax.
” The ultimate takeaway is a victory for justice , fairness , equity , and common sense : “ [ G ] overnment shall not collect more in taxes than are owed , nor shall it take more property than is necessary to serve the public.
” Victims of home equity theft in Michigan finally can get some justice .
Mr. Rafaeli , for example , may now return to the trial court and fight to get just compensation for the theft of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , like Erica Perez—from whom the government stole more than $ 100,000 of equity to satisfy a $ 114 debt—are now well-positioned to get back what they ’ re owed , as long as they do so within the right time frame .
Another bright spot is that counties in Michigan will no longer be incentivized to foreclose homes over tiny debts .
It has been frustratingly common for Michigan counties to fail to give proper notice of delinquency , for example , and it ’ s not hard to figure out why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a windfall at the tax debtor ’ s expense .
Because they no longer can reap huge profits from minor mistakes , we can hope to see fewer foreclosures overall in the future .
None of this bodes well for the treasuries of the dozen other states that practice home equity theft .
The Michigan decision isn ’ t legally binding on those states , but much of its logic applies with equal force .
States that do not want to see themselves subject to expensive lawsuits ought to take note .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pacific Legal Foundation ( PLF ) , to implement legislative reform and avoid such an outcome , as Montana did last year .
But the longer they wait , the more likely they are to end up in court .
The victory in Michigan is worth celebrating , but the work is not done .
PLF has launched a nationwide campaign to end home equity theft in the states where it is still practiced , and we intend to restore justice to every last one of them .

“You have a situation where people owe eight dollars and they lost their house. How is that equitable?”
In a recent unanimous decision, the Michigan Supreme Court confirmed what FEE readers, and anyone with an ounce of common sense for that matter, always knew: It isn’t.
That’s not too big a surprise. You could hear the incredulity in Justice Richard H. Bernstein’s voice when he posed the question above to Oakland County attorneys at oral argument last November.
For those unfamiliar with the case, Rafaeli v. Oakland County concerned Michigan’s practice of foreclosing on people’s homes to satisfy small tax debts and pocketing the resultant profits (leaving the former homeowners with nothing). Uri Rafaeli, for example, owed only $8.41 (about the cost of a Chipotle burrito). To get after that pocket change, the government took his house and sold it for $24,500. They kept every penny for themselves.
The practice is called home equity theft, and in some form or another, it’s the law of the land in 12 states. Thanks to the Michigan Supreme Court’s July decision in Rafaeli, Michigan is no longer among them.
The opinion is a forceful defense of property rights. Even the Magna Carta, the opinion noted, prohibited tax collectors from holding onto the excess property of debtors. And the same principle has always been true in Michigan, even though it was violated by the state’s tax code.
Quoting celebrated legal scholar and former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Thomas M. Cooley, the court reaffirmed that the “right to private property is a sacred right … it was the old fundamental law, springing from the original frame and constitution of the realm.”
The court also took care to eviscerate the government’s defense of home equity theft.
Oakland County argued that taking Mr. Rafaeli’s home and keeping the profits was a legitimate exercise of their taxing power—a favorite argument among defenders of home equity theft in other states, too. The court recognized that, while the taxing power may be used “to adjust the benefits and burdens of economic life to promote the common good,” home equity theft is something else entirely. It requires some taxpayers “alone to bear public burdens which, in all fairness and justice, should be borne by the public as a whole.”
That language, quoted from the US Supreme Court’s decision in Armstrong v. US, defines the quintessential takings violation. With these considerations in mind, the Michigan Supreme Court saw the government’s argument for exactly what it is: “an exceedingly poor attempt at disguising a physical taking of property requiring just compensation as an arbitrary and disproportionate tax.”
The ultimate takeaway is a victory for justice, fairness, equity, and common sense: “[G]overnment shall not collect more in taxes than are owed, nor shall it take more property than is necessary to serve the public.”
Victims of home equity theft in Michigan finally can get some justice. Mr. Rafaeli, for example, may now return to the trial court and fight to get just compensation for the theft of his property. Others in a similar situation, like Erica Perez—from whom the government stole more than $100,000 of equity to satisfy a $114 debt—are now well-positioned to get back what they’re owed, as long as they do so within the right time frame.
Another bright spot is that counties in Michigan will no longer be incentivized to foreclose homes over tiny debts. It has been frustratingly common for Michigan counties to fail to give proper notice of delinquency, for example, and it’s not hard to figure out why: until now they stood to gain a windfall at the tax debtor’s expense. Because they no longer can reap huge profits from minor mistakes, we can hope to see fewer foreclosures overall in the future.
None of this bodes well for the treasuries of the dozen other states that practice home equity theft. The Michigan decision isn’t legally binding on those states, but much of its logic applies with equal force.
States that do not want to see themselves subject to expensive lawsuits ought to take note. They even can work with my organization, Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF), to implement legislative reform and avoid such an outcome, as Montana did last year.
But the longer they wait, the more likely they are to end up in court.
The victory in Michigan is worth celebrating, but the work is not done. PLF has launched a nationwide campaign to end home equity theft in the states where it is still practiced, and we intend to restore justice to every last one of them.


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--These Sectors Hired the Most Workers in August

The U.S. economy created 1.4 million jobs in August , powered in part by the tens of thousands of workers — many temporary — hired by the federal government , the Labor Department said Friday .
The payroll report showed the jobless rate tumbled unexpectedly to 8.4 % , down from 10.2 % in June , as employers continued to call back workers who had seen their jobs vanish as a result of the coronavirus pandemic .
“ We are still moving in the right direction and the pace of the jobs recovery seems to have picked up , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a while – and likely a vaccine – before we get back close to where we were at the beginning of this year , ” said Tony Bedikian , head of global markets at Citizens Bank .
NEARLY HALF OF US JOBS LOST TO CORONAVIRUS COULD BE GONE PERMANENTLY , POLL FINDS Government hiring helped boost the figure -- the lowest in four months -- with the addition of 344,000 employees , which accounted for about one-fourth of the total gains .
The increase stemmed largely from the federal government 's hiring of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporary Census workers .
And despite fears about major budget shortfalls , local governments hired 95,000 employees last month .
( State governments shed 2,000 workers . )
Retail also contributed strongly to job creation last month with 249,000 positions .
General merchandise stores , including warehouse clubs and supercenters , accounted for 84,000 of those gains , while more than 116,000 stemmed from general merchandise stores .
Motor vehicles and parts dealers added more than 22,000 , and electronics and appliance stores went up by 20,800 .
JOB GROWTH OVER NEXT DECADE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CRISIS Leisure and hospitality , the hardest-hit sector during the pandemic , also continued to contribute to major job gains : Last month , the sector increased by 174,000 , a majority of which -- 133,600 -- - stemmed from bars and restaurants .
Education and health services jumped by a combined 147,000 .
Education rose by 56,900 , and health care and social assistance increased by more than 90,000 , with gains in physician offices ( 26,500 ) , dentists ( 21,600 ) and hospitals ( 14,000 ) .
Nursing homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Financial activities increased by 36,000 , manufacturing rose by 29,000 and wholesale trade was up by 14,000 .
`` Gains in some of the hardest-hit sectors , including leisure and hospitality , retail trade , education and health services reflect and support improvements in consumption , '' said Robard Williams , Moody 's Investors Service 's senior vice president .
`` We expect the labor market recovery to continue over the second half of this year , but the decline in unemployment will be very gradual as economic activity will remain well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiment will remain subdued as long as there is uncertainty regarding a potential new surge of the virus.
``

The U.S. economy created 1.4 million jobs in August, powered in part by the tens of thousands of workers — many temporary — hired by the federal government, the Labor Department said Friday.
The payroll report showed the jobless rate tumbled unexpectedly to 8.4%, down from 10.2% in June, as employers continued to call back workers who had seen their jobs vanish as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are still moving in the right direction and the pace of the jobs recovery seems to have picked up, but it still looks like it will take a while – and likely a vaccine – before we get back close to where we were at the beginning of this year,” said Tony Bedikian, head of global markets at Citizens Bank.
NEARLY HALF OF US JOBS LOST TO CORONAVIRUS COULD BE GONE PERMANENTLY, POLL FINDS
Government hiring helped boost the figure -- the lowest in four months -- with the addition of 344,000 employees, which accounted for about one-fourth of the total gains. The increase stemmed largely from the federal government's hiring of 251,000 workers, 238,000 of whom were temporary Census workers.
And despite fears about major budget shortfalls, local governments hired 95,000 employees last month. (State governments shed 2,000 workers.)
Retail also contributed strongly to job creation last month with 249,000 positions. General merchandise stores, including warehouse clubs and supercenters, accounted for 84,000 of those gains, while more than 116,000 stemmed from general merchandise stores. Motor vehicles and parts dealers added more than 22,000, and electronics and appliance stores went up by 20,800.
JOB GROWTH OVER NEXT DECADE EXPECTED TO BE SLOWER THAN AFTER 2008 CRISIS
Leisure and hospitality, the hardest-hit sector during the pandemic, also continued to contribute to major job gains: Last month, the sector increased by 174,000, a majority of which -- 133,600 --- stemmed from bars and restaurants.
Education and health services jumped by a combined 147,000. Education rose by 56,900, and health care and social assistance increased by more than 90,000, with gains in physician offices (26,500), dentists (21,600) and hospitals (14,000). Nursing homes and other residential care facilities lost 13,700 workers.
Financial activities increased by 36,000, manufacturing rose by 29,000 and wholesale trade was up by 14,000.
WASHINGTON IMPASSE ON CORONAVIRUS RELIEF THREATENS US ECONOMY
"Gains in some of the hardest-hit sectors, including leisure and hospitality, retail trade, education and health services reflect and support improvements in consumption," said Robard Williams, Moody's Investors Service's senior vice president. "We expect the labor market recovery to continue over the second half of this year, but the decline in unemployment will be very gradual as economic activity will remain well below pre-pandemic levels. Business and consumer sentiment will remain subdued as long as there is uncertainty regarding a potential new surge of the virus. "


bonginoreport--2020-09-04--Michigan Citizens Look to Repeal Emergency Law Gov Whitmer Uses For Coronavirus Orders

Some Michiganders say the law that Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer is using to keep their state under COVID-19 lockdown is being abused , and they are pushing to reopen their state .
“ Gov .
Whitmer ’ s interpretation and use of the [ Emergency Powers of Governor Act ] is completely novel , ” said Michael Van Beek , director of research at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy , a Midland , Michigan-based free market think tank .
The Emergency Powers of Governor Act , enacted in 1945 , has been used only a handful of times before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Mackinac Center .
> > > What ’ s the best way for America to reopen and return to business ?
The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission , a project of The Heritage Foundation , assembled America ’ s top thinkers to figure that out .
So far , it has made more than 260 recommendations .
Learn more here .
Specifically , according to the report , the act was used “ in response to five emergency situations : labor unrest in Hillsdale in 1964 , urban riots in 1967 and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1970 , once for high mercury levels in Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie , and a second for a minor riot in Ypsilanti.
” “ Constitutional concerns followed previous uses of these powers , but Gov .
Whitmer has taken these to a new level , ” Van Beek said .
“ No other governor has attempted to use the [ law ] to gain unilateral control over an emergency for an indefinite period.
” The push to open the state can be found at Unlock Michigan.com , where Michiganders are circulating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Emergency Powers of Governor Act .
The group says the law enables Whitmer to “ govern by decree , without end , and without accountability.
” On its website , UnlockMichigan says , “ Using this obscure , antiquated law , Governor Whitmer has issued a blizzard of over 100 executive decrees , with … no public input—and no end in sight , ” adding : The initiative would repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945 , which UnlockMichigan.com says the governor “ has misused … to assume sweeping , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governor to have , in violation of the Separation of Powers doctrine.
” David Guenthner , senior strategist for state affairs at the Mackinac Center , told The Daily Signal in an email that Michiganders are well on their way to putting Whitmer , a Democrat elected in 2018 , in check .
“ The petition needs 340,000 validated signatures in order to start the 40-day clock for legislative action , ” Guenthner said .
“ If the legislature fails to pass the initiated legislation as proposed within the 40 days , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ballot in 2022.
” Unlock Michigan said earlier this week it had already garnered 300,000 signatures , with the third hundred thousand being collected in just 10 days .
A request for comment from Whitmer ’ s office was not returned Wednesday .
Meanwhile , a similar effort is underway in neighboring Ohio , where Ohio Stands Up !
has filed a lawsuit against Ohio Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine ’ s March 9 emergency health order , which is still in effect .
“ We believe that the response to COVID-19 has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the American public , ” Thomas Renz , a lawyer , said Monday in a press release for Ohio Stand Up !
“ The objective of this legal action is to force the state to honor the Constitution and to stop the lies , manipulation and fear-mongering intentionally being promoted by public health officials and elected officials .
”

Some Michiganders say the law that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is using to keep their state under COVID-19 lockdown is being abused, and they are pushing to reopen their state.
“Gov. Whitmer’s interpretation and use of the [Emergency Powers of Governor Act] is completely novel,” said Michael Van Beek, director of research at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a Midland, Michigan-based free market think tank.
The Emergency Powers of Governor Act, enacted in 1945, has been used only a handful of times before now, according to a new report from the Mackinac Center.
>>> What’s the best way for America to reopen and return to business? The National Coronavirus Recovery Commission, a project of The Heritage Foundation, assembled America’s top thinkers to figure that out. So far, it has made more than 260 recommendations. Learn more here.
Specifically, according to the report, the act was used “in response to five emergency situations: labor unrest in Hillsdale in 1964, urban riots in 1967 and again in 1968, and twice in 1970, once for high mercury levels in Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, and a second for a minor riot in Ypsilanti.”
“Constitutional concerns followed previous uses of these powers, but Gov. Whitmer has taken these to a new level,” Van Beek said. “No other governor has attempted to use the [law] to gain unilateral control over an emergency for an indefinite period.”
The push to open the state can be found at Unlock Michigan.com, where Michiganders are circulating petitions for a proposal that would repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act. The group says the law enables Whitmer to “govern by decree, without end, and without accountability.”
On its website, UnlockMichigan says, “Using this obscure, antiquated law, Governor Whitmer has issued a blizzard of over 100 executive decrees, with … no public input—and no end in sight,” adding:
… We believe Whitmer’s crushing lockdown of life and business across Michigan is a dangerous threat to our livelihoods and constitutional liberties.
The initiative would repeal the Emergency Powers of Governor Act of 1945, which UnlockMichigan.com says the governor “has misused … to assume sweeping, permanent powers the legislature never intended a governor to have, in violation of the Separation of Powers doctrine.”
David Guenthner, senior strategist for state affairs at the Mackinac Center, told The Daily Signal in an email that Michiganders are well on their way to putting Whitmer, a Democrat elected in 2018, in check.
“The petition needs 340,000 validated signatures in order to start the 40-day clock for legislative action,” Guenthner said. “If the legislature fails to pass the initiated legislation as proposed within the 40 days, it automatically goes on the next general election ballot in 2022.”
Unlock Michigan said earlier this week it had already garnered 300,000 signatures, with the third hundred thousand being collected in just 10 days.
A request for comment from Whitmer’s office was not returned Wednesday.
Meanwhile, a similar effort is underway in neighboring Ohio, where Ohio Stands Up! has filed a lawsuit against Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s March 9 emergency health order, which is still in effect.
“We believe that the response to COVID-19 has been the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on the American public,” Thomas Renz, a lawyer, said Monday in a press release for Ohio Stand Up!
“The objective of this legal action is to force the state to honor the Constitution and to stop the lies, manipulation and fear-mongering intentionally being promoted by public health officials and elected officials.”


bonginoreport--2020-09-05--Small Group of BLM “Protesters” Cause 100k in Property Damage in Manhattan

Eight people were arrested Friday night when a group of 150 Black Lives Matter protesters smashed windows and graffitied the storefronts of Lower Manhattan chain stores and banks , police sources said .
At least two Starbucks , five banks and a Duane Reade had their windows busted , causing an estimated $ 100,000 in damage .
Police recovered two stun guns , smoke grenades , and burglary and graffiti tools .
The protest had been advertised on Twitter by groups calling themselves the “ New Afrikan Black Panther Party ” and the “ Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement.
” One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ore. , and another was from Iowa , the sources said .
All were charged with rioting ; some were additionally charged with weapons and burglary tool possession .
The protest began at 6 p.m. at Foley Square ; protesters lit trash can fires and scrawled graffiti — including the word “ Abolition ” — as they made their way north .
“ Every city , every town , burn the precinct to the ground , ” the group was recorded chanting at one point .
Three of the banks damaged were on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streets , police sources said .
One source noted that the marchers bypassed the home of City Council Speaker Corey Johnson , who lives at 15th Street and Seventh Avenue .
Johnson has called for an investigation into counter-protesters who plowed a car into a crowd of BLM protesters in Times Square on Thursday night .
“ They ’ re breaking his neighbors ’ windows — how come he ’ s not calling for an investigation now ?
” the source asked The Post wryly .
Security footage obtained by NBC4 shows a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to smash windows of a shop as others held umbrellas to shield the vandal from view .
“ We call on everyone who stood up during the # GeorgeFloyd uprising and all supporters to come out to say # DropTheCharges for all who have fought for our liberation !
” wrote one of the groups that organized the event , RAM NYC , while promoting the protest on Twitter late last month .

Eight people were arrested Friday night when a group of 150 Black Lives Matter protesters smashed windows and graffitied the storefronts of Lower Manhattan chain stores and banks, police sources said.
At least two Starbucks, five banks and a Duane Reade had their windows busted, causing an estimated $100,000 in damage.
Police recovered two stun guns, smoke grenades, and burglary and graffiti tools.
The protest had been advertised on Twitter by groups calling themselves the “New Afrikan Black Panther Party” and the “Revolutionary Abolitionist Movement.”
One of the arrested protesters was from Portland, Ore., and another was from Iowa, the sources said.
All were charged with rioting; some were additionally charged with weapons and burglary tool possession.
The protest began at 6 p.m. at Foley Square; protesters lit trash can fires and scrawled graffiti — including the word “Abolition” — as they made their way north.
“Every city, every town, burn the precinct to the ground,” the group was recorded chanting at one point.
Three of the banks damaged were on Seventh Avenue, between 14th and 20th streets, police sources said.
One source noted that the marchers bypassed the home of City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who lives at 15th Street and Seventh Avenue.
Johnson has called for an investigation into counter-protesters who plowed a car into a crowd of BLM protesters in Times Square on Thursday night.
“They’re breaking his neighbors’ windows — how come he’s not calling for an investigation now?” the source asked The Post wryly.
Security footage obtained by NBC4 shows a protester in a balaclava using a tool to smash windows of a shop as others held umbrellas to shield the vandal from view.
“We call on everyone who stood up during the #GeorgeFloyd uprising and all supporters to come out to say #DropTheCharges for all who have fought for our liberation!” wrote one of the groups that organized the event, RAM NYC, while promoting the protest on Twitter late last month.


bonginoreport--2020-09-05--Pro-Trump Boat Parade Aims to Break World Record

A New Jersey boat parade supporting President Donald Trump , police officers , and veterans is trying to break a world record on Saturday .
“ We ’ re hoping to double our number .
Last time was 1,200 [ boats ] , so 2,400 would be nice .
Three thousand was our goal , and we ’ ll see if we meet it , ” Chris Molla , organizer of Law Enforcement Officer and Veterans Support Boat Parade , told Fox & Friends Weekend — while driving his boat .
A video showed the flotilla of pro-Trump boats sailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with their Trump 2020 flags , thin blue line law enforcement support flags , and of course , multiple American flags .
Pro-Trump supporters have organized similar events across the country , including a flotilla in Florida that tried to beat the record in August .
The most up-to-date record for the world ’ s largest boat parade took place in Malaysia on September 14 , 2014 , when 1,180 boats took part in the Malaysia Day celebrations along the South China Sea .
However , Jason Cline of South Carolina told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 , 2020 , boat parade shattered that record with 3,417 boats .
The New Jersey flotilla started at 10 a.m. across the Garden State where the Toms River flows into the Barnegat Bay .

A New Jersey boat parade supporting President Donald Trump, police officers, and veterans is trying to break a world record on Saturday.
“We’re hoping to double our number. Last time was 1,200 [boats], so 2,400 would be nice. Three thousand was our goal, and we’ll see if we meet it,” Chris Molla, organizer of Law Enforcement Officer and Veterans Support Boat Parade, told Fox & Friends Weekend — while driving his boat.
A video showed the flotilla of pro-Trump boats sailing together in North Wildwood, New Jersey, with their Trump 2020 flags, thin blue line law enforcement support flags, and of course, multiple American flags.
Pro-Trump supporters have organized similar events across the country, including a flotilla in Florida that tried to beat the record in August.
The most up-to-date record for the world’s largest boat parade took place in Malaysia on September 14, 2014, when 1,180 boats took part in the Malaysia Day celebrations along the South China Sea.
However, Jason Cline of South Carolina told the State that he believes his July 5, 2020, boat parade shattered that record with 3,417 boats.
The New Jersey flotilla started at 10 a.m. across the Garden State where the Toms River flows into the Barnegat Bay.


bonginoreport--2020-09-05--Republican States Spearhead Efforts to Grant Trump’s Unemployment Benefit Boost

Republican states are leading the effort to make use of the unemployment benefits offered through President Trump 's executive action in August .
Of the eight states that have already started sending unemployment benefit checks to residents , seven of them are controlled by Republican governors and legislatures , according to the White House .
The eight states are Arizona , Texas , Montana , Tennessee , Mississippi , North Carolina , Iowa , and Alabama .
Trump signed an executive memorandum on Aug. 8 , providing jobless workers a $ 400 weekly stipend above their regular benefits .
States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the federal government would shoulder the rest .
States had to apply for the $ 300 federal portion of the unemployment benefit from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to get access to the funds .
The agency will retroactively cover lost wages from the first week of August onward .
A White House official told the Washington Examiner that 45 states were approved for the program as of Friday afternoon .
It typically takes two to three weeks for states to set up and reprogram their unemployment systems , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before they can actually send the money to residents .
The seven Republican states appear to have successfully applied for the jobless aid and then reprogrammed their unemployment systems faster than others in order to receive the extra $ 300 benefit sooner .
The $ 300 enhanced unemployment payment that Trump 's program provides is half of what jobless workers received in the months prior to August .
The bipartisan March CARES Act provided a $ 600-a-week jobless benefit .
The program also provided relief for people sidelined by the pandemic who normally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as independent contractors whose work dried up .
It expired at the end of July .
House Democrats passed legislation that would extend the $ 600 payment until Jan. 31 for most jobless workers .
Meanwhile , Senate Republicans included a $ 200 additional unemployment payment in the HEALS Act that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , a Republican from Kentucky , released in July .
Congress failed to negotiate a legislative package , though , and the benefits lapsed .

Republican states are leading the effort to make use of the unemployment benefits offered through President Trump's executive action in August.
Of the eight states that have already started sending unemployment benefit checks to residents, seven of them are controlled by Republican governors and legislatures, according to the White House. The eight states are Arizona, Texas, Montana, Tennessee, Mississippi, North Carolina, Iowa, and Alabama.
Trump signed an executive memorandum on Aug. 8, providing jobless workers a $400 weekly stipend above their regular benefits. States would provide $100 of the payment, and the federal government would shoulder the rest.
States had to apply for the $300 federal portion of the unemployment benefit from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in order to get access to the funds. The agency will retroactively cover lost wages from the first week of August onward.
A White House official told the Washington Examiner that 45 states were approved for the program as of Friday afternoon. It typically takes two to three weeks for states to set up and reprogram their unemployment systems, once approved by the federal government, before they can actually send the money to residents.
The seven Republican states appear to have successfully applied for the jobless aid and then reprogrammed their unemployment systems faster than others in order to receive the extra $300 benefit sooner.
The $300 enhanced unemployment payment that Trump's program provides is half of what jobless workers received in the months prior to August.
The bipartisan March CARES Act provided a $600-a-week jobless benefit. The program also provided relief for people sidelined by the pandemic who normally wouldn't be eligible for unemployment, such as independent contractors whose work dried up. It expired at the end of July.
House Democrats passed legislation that would extend the $600 payment until Jan. 31 for most jobless workers.
Meanwhile, Senate Republicans included a $200 additional unemployment payment in the HEALS Act that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, released in July.
Congress failed to negotiate a legislative package, though, and the benefits lapsed.


bonginoreport--2020-09-05--D.C. Sends Voter Registration Forms to 2,400 Incarcerated Felons as Part of New Municipal Law

The District of Columbia Board of Elections has sent voter-registration forms to roughly 2,400 incarcerated felons for the November elections @ @ @ @ @ law that allows individuals with a felony record to vote .
The voter-registration forms have @ @ @ @ @ residents at 107 separate federal facilities across the U.S. , allowing them to vote by @ @ @ @ @ The district in July restored voting rights to people serving time for felony convictions .
@ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday that the agency is working with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to ensure @ @ @ @ @ fast enough for the inmates to vote .
In Iowa , most residents with felony @ @ @ @ @ only after they have completed their time , following an executive order signed last month @ @ @ @ @ Reynolds .
Florida courts are considering a similar plan .

The District of Columbia Board of Elections has sent voter-registration forms to roughly 2,400 incarcerated felons for the November elections, implementing a new municipal law that allows individuals with a felony record to vote.
The voter-registration forms have been sent to incarcerated D.C. residents at 107 separate federal facilities across the U.S., allowing them to vote by absentee ballot this November. The district in July restored voting rights to people serving time for felony convictions.
Maine and Vermont have similar measures.
A D.C. election board official said Wednesday that the agency is working with the Federal Bureau of Prisons to ensure registration forms can be returned fast enough for the inmates to vote.
In Iowa, most residents with felony records can vote, but only after they have completed their time, following an executive order signed last month by GOP Gov. Kim Reynolds. Florida courts are considering a similar plan.


bonginoreport--2020-09-05--Three Out of Every Four Democratic Voters Believe America is a “Racist Nation”

Three out of every four registered Democratic voters believe America is a `` racist nation , '' according to a new Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen .
When asked , 72 % of Democrats responded that they believe America is racist .
That 's compared to 21 % of Republicans and 48 % of Independents .
Overall , a plurality of voters – 48 % – feel America is racist , while 41 % do not .
A remaining 10 % were `` unsure . ''
The returns contrast somewhat starkly with an August Just the News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 voters believed that the United States was `` founded on the ideals of freedom and equality , though we have never fully lived up to those ideals . ''
Just 11 % of respondents to that poll believed the U.S. was `` founded as a racist society . ''
The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from August 27-29 , 2020 .
To see this poll question 's cross-demographic tabulations , click here .
To see this poll question 's methodology and sample demographics @ @ @ @

Three out of every four registered Democratic voters believe America is a "racist nation," according to a new Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.
When asked, 72% of Democrats responded that they believe America is racist. That's compared to 21% of Republicans and 48% of Independents.
Overall, a plurality of voters – 48% – feel America is racist, while 41% do not. A remaining 10% were "unsure."
Image Just the News Daily Poll With Scott Rasmussen
The returns contrast somewhat starkly with an August Just the News daily poll that found eight out of 10 voters believed that the United States was "founded on the ideals of freedom and equality, though we have never fully lived up to those ideals."
Just 11% of respondents to that poll believed the U.S. was "founded as a racist society."
The survey of 1,200 Registered Voters was conducted by Rasmussen using a mixed mode approach from August 27-29, 2020.
To see this poll question's cross-demographic tabulations, click here.
To see this poll question's methodology and sample demographics, click here.


bonginoreport--2020-09-05--NBA Ratings Are Down Following “Woke” Protests

The first round of the NBA Playoffs was concluded in riveting fashion as plenty nail-biting encounters were on display for the fans to soak in .
Ironically , though , the NBA TV Ratings still went down in comparison to previous seasons .
Many people across the United States of America and the rest of the globe felt that the NBA was too involved in political matters in the country , and less focused on playing basketball .
Also Read : Coach 's Challenge in the NBA - Hit or flop ?
President Donald Trump too , shared the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having low TV Ratings .
Many viewers took to Twitter to announce that they were no longer interested in watching the NBA .
While a majority supported the causes for which the league had taken a stand over the past few weeks , that did n't help recover the NBA TV Ratings .
The figures behind the fall in NBA TV Ratings is a matter of concern for the league and its commissioner - Adam Silver .
In the regular season alone , the NBA TV Ratings had dropped by 12 % from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ streaming platforms and the NBA League Pass that allows viewers to watch on-the-go , the NBA TV Ratings could not be saved from dropping .
After the NBA hiatus due to the pandemic , NBA TV Ratings were expected to go up , since fans could no longer make it to the arenas .
Shockingly , it dropped even further to 27 % in the first round of the NBA Playoffs when compared to last season .
Although the game 7 between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder drew more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other games continued to be a disappointment .
The NBA TV Ratings have been on a downward slope for a while now , and when compared to the 2017-18 season , the 2019-20 season has seen a 40 % drop in viewership .
These are testing times for everyone associate with the functioning of the league , and Adam Silver and co. will need to come up with a solution to counter this issue at the earliest .
Also Read : NBA Trade Rumors : Golden State Warriors pursuing a 'win-now ' approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The first round of the NBA Playoffs was concluded in riveting fashion as plenty nail-biting encounters were on display for the fans to soak in. Ironically, though, the NBA TV Ratings still went down in comparison to previous seasons. Many people across the United States of America and the rest of the globe felt that the NBA was too involved in political matters in the country, and less focused on playing basketball.
Also Read: Coach's Challenge in the NBA - Hit or flop?
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President Donald Trump too, shared the same views, and ridiculed the NBA for having low TV Ratings. Many viewers took to Twitter to announce that they were no longer interested in watching the NBA. While a majority supported the causes for which the league had taken a stand over the past few weeks, that didn't help recover the NBA TV Ratings.
People are tired of watching the highly political @NBA. Basketball ratings are WAY down, and they won’t be coming back. I hope football and baseball are watching and learning because the same thing will be happening to them. Stand tall for our Country and our Flag!!! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 1, 2020 Expand Tweet
The figures behind the fall in NBA TV Ratings is a matter of concern for the league and its commissioner - Adam Silver.
NBA TV Ratings down to -27%
Players and staff members across the NBA have taken a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement
In the regular season alone, the NBA TV Ratings had dropped by 12% from last year. Despite the popularity of streaming platforms and the NBA League Pass that allows viewers to watch on-the-go, the NBA TV Ratings could not be saved from dropping.
After the NBA hiatus due to the pandemic, NBA TV Ratings were expected to go up, since fans could no longer make it to the arenas. Shockingly, it dropped even further to 27% in the first round of the NBA Playoffs when compared to last season. Although the game 7 between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder drew more than 4 million viewers, the performances in other games continued to be a disappointment.
Rockets vs. Thunder Game 7 ratings summary:— #1 first-round playoff game on cable since 2018— #1 first-round playoff game on ESPN since 2017— Largest audience of any NBA game since January (Kobe ceremony)— Up 18% from Spurs/Nuggets Game 7 last yearhttps://t.co/7d0OTQkGtB — Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) September 3, 2020 Expand Tweet
The NBA TV Ratings have been on a downward slope for a while now, and when compared to the 2017-18 season, the 2019-20 season has seen a 40% drop in viewership.
Portland Trail Blazers v LA Lakers on 'Remembering Kobe' day was the season's most watched game
These are testing times for everyone associate with the functioning of the league, and Adam Silver and co. will need to come up with a solution to counter this issue at the earliest.
Also Read: NBA Trade Rumors: Golden State Warriors pursuing a 'win-now' approach as they ponder trading No.2 draft pick
USA's top sports cardiologists discuss Bronny James' cardiac arrest and recovery time here (Exclusive)


bonginoreport--2020-09-05--Lou Holtz to Receive Medal of Freedom

Lou Holtz to Receive Medal of Freedom

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump said Friday he intends to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom , the nation 's highest civilian honor , to longtime football coach Lou Holtz .
Trump made the announcement at the White House as Holtz looked on .
He did not announce a date for the ceremony but said it `` wo n't be in the too distant future . ''
The president said he had received letters from football coaches across the country , as well as other people , recommending Holtz , 83 , for the honor .
Trump said he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' and called him a friend .
`` We 've analyzed it very closely .
We 've looked at all those recommendations .
We 've looked at Lou 's life and his career and what he 's done for charity , and the football is obvious , '' Trump said .
`` He was a great coach , but what he 's done beyond even coaching , so Lou will be getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom . ''
Holtz spent 34 years coaching both college and professional football teams and is perhaps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Notre Dame 's head coach .
Holtz ended his career at South Carolina , where he was head coach for six seasons , from 1999 to 2004 .
He coached the New York Jets in 1976 .
Holtz , a West Virginia native , was among speakers at last week 's Republican National Convention .
In his remarks , Holtz called Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden a Catholic `` in name only . ''
Biden is a practicing Catholic .
Notre Dame 's president , Rev .
John I. Jenkins , later issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the university 's name in his remarks , saying it `` must not be taken to imply '' that Notre Dame endorses Holtz 's views , any candidate or any political party .
Jenkins also admonished Holtz for questioning the `` sincerity '' of Biden 's faith .

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump said Friday he intends to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to longtime football coach Lou Holtz.
Trump made the announcement at the White House as Holtz looked on. He did not announce a date for the ceremony but said it "won't be in the too distant future."
The president said he had received letters from football coaches across the country, as well as other people, recommending Holtz, 83, for the honor. Trump said he has known Holtz for a "long time" and called him a friend.
"We've analyzed it very closely. We've looked at all those recommendations. We've looked at Lou's life and his career and what he's done for charity, and the football is obvious," Trump said. "He was a great coach, but what he's done beyond even coaching, so Lou will be getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom."
Holtz spent 34 years coaching both college and professional football teams and is perhaps best known for an 11-season stint as Notre Dame's head coach. Holtz ended his career at South Carolina, where he was head coach for six seasons, from 1999 to 2004.
He coached the New York Jets in 1976.
Holtz, a West Virginia native, was among speakers at last week's Republican National Convention. In his remarks, Holtz called Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden a Catholic "in name only." Biden is a practicing Catholic.
Notre Dame's president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, later issued a statement admonishing the former coach for using the university's name in his remarks, saying it "must not be taken to imply" that Notre Dame endorses Holtz's views, any candidate or any political party.
Jenkins also admonished Holtz for questioning the "sincerity" of Biden's faith.


bonginoreport--2020-09-05--California’s Push To Make Leftist Activism a Requirement for High School Graduation

The push to make leftist activism a requirement for graduation in the state of California .
Editor 's note : @ @ @ @ @ new video , California Schools - 'Become A Leftist Or Drop Out ' , where @ @ @ @ @ make leftist activism a requirement for graduation in the state of California .
The video @ @ @ @ @ the Freedom Center 's Stop K-12 Indoctrination campaign .
To read our pamphlet on this @ @ @ @ @ in Our K-12 Public Schools , '' click here or order your own copy here @ @ @ @ @ !

Fitzgerald Video: California Schools – ‘Become a Leftist or Drop Out’ Editor's note: Below is Sean Fitzgerald's new video, California Schools - 'Become A Leftist Or Drop Out', where Sean reveals the push to make leftist activism Editor’s note: Below is Sean Fitzgerald’s new video, California Schools – ‘Become A Leftist Or Drop Out’, where Sean reveals the push to make leftist activism a requirement for graduation in the state of California. The video was created in conjunction with the Freedom Center’s Stop K-12 Indoctrination campaign. To read our pamphlet on this issue, “Leftist Indoctrination in Our K-12 Public Schools,” click here or order your own copy here. Don’t miss it!
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bonginoreport--2020-09-05--Pelosi Pledges She’ll Allow Taxpayer Dollars to Fund Abortion

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D. , Calif. ) pledged to do away with the longstanding ban on taxpayer funding of abortion , sparking pushback from Democratic and pro-life activist groups .
Pelosi told a group of Democratic lawmakers that House leadership will no longer include the five-decade-old Hyde Amendment in government funding bills in 2021 , according to the Los Angeles Times .
Democratic nominee Joe Biden also changed his position on the amendment at the beginning of his presidential run after repeatedly voting for it in the Senate .
The sharp tack to the left alarmed some within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ill. ) , a pro-life Democrat who lost his primary to a far-left challenger in March , told the Washington Free Beacon he had not heard from Pelosi about the plan , but that special interest pro-abortion groups were pushing the party to extremes on the issue .
`` There were many Democrats who pushed for an end to the Hyde Amendment in the appropriations bills passed by the House this year , but it was not done , '' Lipinski said .
`` Presumably it was not done because the Hyde Amendment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Americans . ''
Pelosi 's office did not respond to a request for comment .
Biden changed his position on the amendment at the beginning of his presidential run .
He said he did so because `` times have changed '' on the issue , citing the passage of legislation restricting abortion in several states in recent years .
`` Nancy Pelosi said , as recently as 2017 , that there is room in the Democratic Party for pro-life Democrats .
Her actions to eliminate a bipartisan policy supported by a majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kristen Day , executive director of Democrats for Life , told the Free Beacon .
Day warned party leaders they would alienate otherwise reliable Democratic voters by embracing taxpayer-funded abortion .
The Hyde Amendment remains popular with voters decades after its creation in 1976 , as 49 percent of voters support it while only 33 percent oppose it .
Lipinski said the private nature of Pelosi 's remarks , as well as the fact that Democratic leaders are waiting until after November to abolish Hyde , demonstrates a lack of confidence in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Hyde Amendment would be not only terrible policy but also bad politics for Democrats , '' Lipinski said .
Pro-life groups ripped Pelosi for entertaining the possibility of ditching the amendment .
`` Repealing the Hyde Amendment would mean a sharp increase in taxpayer funding of elective abortion , primarily for women of color .
This is a racist and eugenicist position , essentially telling women that you ’ d rather ensure the government pay for the destruction of their children , rather than offer life-affirming help , '' Mallory Quigley , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Susan B. Anthony List , said .
`` A majority of Americans—including a strong number of rank-and-file Democrats—don ’ t want to be complicit in abortion through their taxpayer money . ''
Terry Schilling , executive director of the American Principles Project , said voter opinion is dwarfed by the influx of campaign cash that Democrats receive from pro-abortion groups that have long lobbied for taxpayer abortion funding .
Planned Parenthood has pledged to spend at least $ 45 million on the 2020 elections after spending $ 38 million in 2016 .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of Americans oppose their tax dollars being used to fund abortion , yet Democrats remain hellbent on thwarting the will of the people—and funding abortion anyway , '' Schilling said .
`` As with so many other issues , Democrats have completely sold out to the far left .
They 've made it clear that they will always advance the cause of abortion , no matter what the American people think .
Voters need to recognize that and hold them accountable . ''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D., Calif.) pledged to do away with the longstanding ban on taxpayer funding of abortion, sparking pushback from Democratic and pro-life activist groups.
Pelosi told a group of Democratic lawmakers that House leadership will no longer include the five-decade-old Hyde Amendment in government funding bills in 2021, according to the Los Angeles Times. Democratic nominee Joe Biden also changed his position on the amendment at the beginning of his presidential run after repeatedly voting for it in the Senate. The sharp tack to the left alarmed some within the party.
Rep. Dan Lipinski (Ill.), a pro-life Democrat who lost his primary to a far-left challenger in March, told the Washington Free Beacon he had not heard from Pelosi about the plan, but that special interest pro-abortion groups were pushing the party to extremes on the issue.
"There were many Democrats who pushed for an end to the Hyde Amendment in the appropriations bills passed by the House this year, but it was not done," Lipinski said. "Presumably it was not done because the Hyde Amendment is still supported by a clear majority of Americans."
Pelosi's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Biden changed his position on the amendment at the beginning of his presidential run. He said he did so because "times have changed" on the issue, citing the passage of legislation restricting abortion in several states in recent years.
"Nancy Pelosi said, as recently as 2017, that there is room in the Democratic Party for pro-life Democrats. Her actions to eliminate a bipartisan policy supported by a majority of this nation show otherwise," Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life, told the Free Beacon. Day warned party leaders they would alienate otherwise reliable Democratic voters by embracing taxpayer-funded abortion.
The Hyde Amendment remains popular with voters decades after its creation in 1976, as 49 percent of voters support it while only 33 percent oppose it. Lipinski said the private nature of Pelosi's remarks, as well as the fact that Democratic leaders are waiting until after November to abolish Hyde, demonstrates a lack of confidence in the appeal of taxpayer-funded abortion.
"Dropping the Hyde Amendment would be not only terrible policy but also bad politics for Democrats," Lipinski said.
Pro-life groups ripped Pelosi for entertaining the possibility of ditching the amendment.
"Repealing the Hyde Amendment would mean a sharp increase in taxpayer funding of elective abortion, primarily for women of color. This is a racist and eugenicist position, essentially telling women that you’d rather ensure the government pay for the destruction of their children, rather than offer life-affirming help," Mallory Quigley, vice president of communications at the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List, said. "A majority of Americans—including a strong number of rank-and-file Democrats—don’t want to be complicit in abortion through their taxpayer money."
Terry Schilling, executive director of the American Principles Project, said voter opinion is dwarfed by the influx of campaign cash that Democrats receive from pro-abortion groups that have long lobbied for taxpayer abortion funding. Planned Parenthood has pledged to spend at least $45 million on the 2020 elections after spending $38 million in 2016.
"Poll after poll shows that a strong majority of Americans oppose their tax dollars being used to fund abortion, yet Democrats remain hellbent on thwarting the will of the people—and funding abortion anyway," Schilling said. "As with so many other issues, Democrats have completely sold out to the far left. They've made it clear that they will always advance the cause of abortion, no matter what the American people think. Voters need to recognize that and hold them accountable."


bonginoreport--2020-09-07--Kevin McCullough: For Someone With a 10-Point Lead, Why Is Biden Playing “Catch-Up?”

First off he doesn ’ t have—and never really did have—a 10-point lead .
Last week New York magazine attempted to explain how Biden ’ s 10-point lead , which by their admission was only a touch over seven points had not been impacted by the conventions .
They then cited the “ polling averages ” of Real Clear Politics and Nate Silver ’ s operations as proof that the just under seven-point lead Biden had post conventions did not represent a Trump bump .
Despite the fact that six recent national polls show the president closing the gap to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his average in recent polls show him garnering record African American and Latino voters , and that nearly all polls where Biden leads are amongst registered voters , the left continues to pretend that Biden is pulling away .
The only problem is everyone on team Biden knows he ’ s not .
Most national polls present data badly misaligned with likely voters .
They poll register voters and manipulate the weighting of the polls to reflect nothing of what final turnout will resemble .
If you know that every election cycle going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 33 percent Republicans and 34 percent Independents on average , then you also know you ’ re spiking results with polls that weight 38 percent Democrats and 19 percent Republicans .
You also have a clear understanding of what it means if the favored candidate in such polling dips under 10 percent .
You ’ re losing .
Bigly .
Pro tip here : Don ’ t go by polling averages .
Dig into the minutia of the polls themselves and you find a different story .
Look for “ likely voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Look for polls that reflect a more even divide .
Those polls tell a different—far more accurate—story .
But Old Joe isn ’ t just behind in polling—real polling .
He ’ s also behind on every point of messaging .
In fact if you truly want to see what candidate is winning the election—observe who controls the narrative .
Biden always reacts to Trump .
Hence Trump is winning .
Trump ’ s economy has overseen the four largest months of job creation in history these past four months .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ jobs plan.
” ( And to be candid it had almost zero substance pertaining to job creation—just more recycled COVID-19 , pro-BLM stuff ) .
One section talks about re-igniting manufacturing jobs .
You know , the ones Trump has already been bringing back .
Biden ’ s plan pledges better wage growth for the poorest workers .
Trump ’ s economy had already been doing that for two straight years .
Biden was forced to react to Trump ’ s appropriate description of what would happen in “ Joe Biden ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden people tried to spin it back on what is happening in “ Donald Trump ’ s America.
” But the level of awareness that voters have as to who is truly in charge in the violent cities and suburbs is far past the Biden late-to-the-party branding .
Democrats own the violence and by the time Biden woke up from his nap to realize they never discussed it even once from the convention it was far too late .
Biden ’ s team has decided to go all in on saying that Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They believe that this is the death blow to Trump ’ s chances of re-election .
They promise that Biden will lead and solve on COVID .
They have enlisted Democrat governors to attempt to help create this reality .
They make the argument that the president should have taken a non-Constitutional approach and mandated national policy in masks , lockdowns , schools , and re-openings .
Their problem is that they are 100 percent wrong on all of these items .
The president took early action ( that Biden and Pelosi labeled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions on everything from therapies to ventilators .
No hospital was ever in need of a supply they did not receive .
And because of Operation Warp Speed the engagement of competitive private sector solutions will likely give us not one but up to eight viable vaccines—possibly by October .
Yet right on cue , Biden ’ s team dismissed any validity to whether these vaccines will work .
They have to .
Because Trump has outpaced , out lapped , out thought , and out performed them , they have no other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promises to shut the economy down again thing ) .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign is the epitome of an Obama Era slogan .
It was a slogan that lost control of conflicts in Libya and Yemen , and got our navy ’ s finest held hostage in Iran on Obama-Biden ’ s watch .
President Trump doesn ’ t much like that idea .
And according to a poll to be taken on November 3rd , the world will know that neither do most Americans .

First off he doesn’t have—and never really did have—a 10-point lead.
Last week New York magazine attempted to explain how Biden’s 10-point lead, which by their admission was only a touch over seven points had not been impacted by the conventions. They then cited the “polling averages” of Real Clear Politics and Nate Silver’s operations as proof that the just under seven-point lead Biden had post conventions did not represent a Trump bump.
Despite the fact that six recent national polls show the president closing the gap to within two to five points, that his average in recent polls show him garnering record African American and Latino voters, and that nearly all polls where Biden leads are amongst registered voters, the left continues to pretend that Biden is pulling away.
The only problem is everyone on team Biden knows he’s not.
Most national polls present data badly misaligned with likely voters. They poll register voters and manipulate the weighting of the polls to reflect nothing of what final turnout will resemble.
If you know that every election cycle going back three decades is 33 percent Democrats, 33 percent Republicans and 34 percent Independents on average, then you also know you’re spiking results with polls that weight 38 percent Democrats and 19 percent Republicans.
You also have a clear understanding of what it means if the favored candidate in such polling dips under 10 percent. You’re losing. Bigly.
Pro tip here: Don’t go by polling averages. Dig into the minutia of the polls themselves and you find a different story. Look for “likely voter polls” instead of “registered.” Look for polls that reflect a more even divide.
Those polls tell a different—far more accurate—story.
But Old Joe isn’t just behind in polling—real polling. He’s also behind on every point of messaging.
In fact if you truly want to see what candidate is winning the election—observe who controls the narrative.
Biden always reacts to Trump. Hence Trump is winning.
Trump’s economy has overseen the four largest months of job creation in history these past four months. On the Sunday before Labor Day Biden releases his “jobs plan.” (And to be candid it had almost zero substance pertaining to job creation—just more recycled COVID-19, pro-BLM stuff). One section talks about re-igniting manufacturing jobs. You know, the ones Trump has already been bringing back. Biden’s plan pledges better wage growth for the poorest workers. Trump’s economy had already been doing that for two straight years.
Biden was forced to react to Trump’s appropriate description of what would happen in “Joe Biden’s America.” With zero creativity the Biden people tried to spin it back on what is happening in “Donald Trump’s America.” But the level of awareness that voters have as to who is truly in charge in the violent cities and suburbs is far past the Biden late-to-the-party branding. Democrats own the violence and by the time Biden woke up from his nap to realize they never discussed it even once from the convention it was far too late.
Biden’s team has decided to go all in on saying that Trump hasn’t led on COVID-19. They believe that this is the death blow to Trump’s chances of re-election. They promise that Biden will lead and solve on COVID. They have enlisted Democrat governors to attempt to help create this reality. They make the argument that the president should have taken a non-Constitutional approach and mandated national policy in masks, lockdowns, schools, and re-openings. Their problem is that they are 100 percent wrong on all of these items. The president took early action (that Biden and Pelosi labeled racist). He initiated private sector solutions on everything from therapies to ventilators. No hospital was ever in need of a supply they did not receive. And because of Operation Warp Speed the engagement of competitive private sector solutions will likely give us not one but up to eight viable vaccines—possibly by October. Yet right on cue, Biden’s team dismissed any validity to whether these vaccines will work. They have to. Because Trump has outpaced, out lapped, out thought, and out performed them, they have no other solutions (minus the mask mandates and promises to shut the economy down again thing).
Joe Biden’s campaign is the epitome of an Obama Era slogan. It was a slogan that lost control of conflicts in Libya and Yemen, and got our navy’s finest held hostage in Iran on Obama-Biden’s watch.
“Leading from behind.”
President Trump doesn’t much like that idea.
And according to a poll to be taken on November 3rd, the world will know that neither do most Americans.


bonginoreport--2020-09-07--Roger Kimball: When Wish Replaces Thought

Here is the indigestible truth for the Democrats .
Donald Trump has had the most successful first term of any president in memory , maybe ever .
Don ’ t you just love Paul Krugman ?
One of loudest of the many anti-Trump hysterics employed by the New York Times , the former economist has been a reliable source of comedy at least since election night 2016 .
Once the worst was certain and the world learned that Donald Trump had indeed been elected president of the United States , Krugman pondered the markets , which had plunged overnight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ recover ?
” he asked .
“ A first-pass answer is never .
.
.
So we are very probably looking at a global recession , with no end in sight.
” What a card !
I think we all deserve a Nobel Prize in economics .
If Krugman can snag one , why not Stanley down at the bar ?
He says a lot of stupid things , too .
Krugman never disappoints .
On Thursday , September 3 , he published an opinion piece in the Times called “ Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The burden of the piece was twofold .
On the one hand , having picked up that week ’ s propaganda memo from Democratic National Committee headquarters , he parroted the new talking point about the riots ripping ( Democratic ) cites apart .
Earlier this summer , the gospel was that there were no riots , only justly aggrieved citizens exercising their First Amendment rights to protest the heinous , cold-blooded murder of the violent career criminal and fentanyl abuser George Floyd .
( Oops , that was from the teacher ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ violent career criminal and fentanyl abuser.
” ) At some point , that narrative was canceled .
The new narrative admits that there are riots , but insists that they are all Donald Trump ’ s fault because .
.
.
Excuse me , we ’ re having trouble with reception .
Forget that last bit : scratch “ because ” and just listen to the great Nobel laureate explain what ’ s really going on .
Enjoy a sleight of hand show ?
How ’ s this ?
The “ anarchists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neanderthals are trying to scare mama with don ’ t really exist , not really .
Look again , those people rampaging on the streets of Portland , St. Louis , Seattle , Chicago , Oakland , Washington , D.C. , Kenosha , New York : they ’ re invisible .
Paul Krugman can ’ t see them .
He walked across Central Park to his doctor and encountered no mayhem , none .
“ It was a beautiful day , ” he noted , “ and the city looked cheerful .
.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and cyclists.
” An aspiring if wayward disciple of Bishop Berkeley , Krugman seems to have adopted a variety of the central Berkelean principle of esse est percipi .
If Krugman doesn ’ t perceive something , it doesn ’ t exist .
Poor Paul .
He knows that people are alternately frightened and contemptuous of the media ’ s preposterous efforts to downplay the violence erupting in cities across the country , all those “ fiery but mostly peaceful , ” “ intensifying into violence , ” “ not generally speaking unruly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public ’ s nerves but actually heightened the sense of alarm .
So Krugman tries to have it both ways .
The violence is monstrously overstated by the evil orange man and his minions .
“ [ T ] he property damage , ” quoth Krugman , “ has been minor compared with urban riots of the past , ” “ Portland is not ‘ ablaze all the time ‘ ” ( not quite all of the time ) .
I think all of that was meant to soften us up , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquiescence .
Ready ?
Close your eyes , grab hold of Paul Krugman ’ s outstretched hand , and prepare for the big leap : la , la , la , ommmmm : “ Much of the violence , ” he says , “ is coming not from the left but from right-wing extremists.
” Ah , our old friends , the “ right-wing extremists ” !
I ’ ve missed them these last few months , haven ’ t you ?
You know them .
They ’ re like that fellow walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump hat last week .
He was wearing a Trump hat .
So , naturally , a “ 100 percent Antifa ” member had to shoot him in the head in “ self-defense.
” The media did not exactly condone that act .
It was more akin to what happened following the assassination of President Kennedy .
Question : Who killed John F. Kennedy ?
Answer : Lee Harvey Oswald , a Castro-loving communist .
Almost instantly , however , a new narrative gelled and enveloped that stark but unpalatable truth .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a commie , but really , deep down , Kennedy was killed by ( as James Reston put it ) “ extremists from the Right.
” ( If you want to know how that leap works—he is killed by a communist , but “ extremists from the Right ” get the blame—read James Piereson ’ s Camelot and the Cultural Revolution : How the Assassination of John F. Kennedy Shattered American Liberalism . )
Once you can accept that leap of faith , the next part is easy .
“ [ T @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of anarchy and violence , ” Krugman wrote , really , “ other than that unleashed by Trump himself.
” I ’ m sure you ’ ve seen the president or his minions at those Black Lives Matter and Antifa planning sessions , deciding which courthouses to target , what police stations to incinerate , what blocks of which cities to smash up , loot , and burn .
It ’ s Donald Trump who has “ unleashed ” all the violence , all the mayhem , all the arson and murder , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and BLM are just his puppets .
Breathtaking , isn ’ t it , not to say contemptibly incredible ?
But it is no less incredible than the obiter dicta about economics that Krugman lets drop as he makes his way through the political landscape .
It is axiomatic with Krugman that Trump is a disaster for the country , not least for our economy .
So , writing on Thursday , he predicted that while “ Friday ’ s employment report is likely to show an economy still adding jobs ” it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ super V ’ recovery Trump is still claiming.
” Unemployment is “ still very high , ” he moaned , and the astonishing ( my word ) recovery that began in late April has “ leveled off.
” Alas , Friday brought the news that we ’ d added 1.7 million jobs , against an expected 1.3 million , and that unemployment—still artificially high because the Democrats won ’ t let many Americans go back to work—edged down to 8.4 percent .
In June , a canny pal noted that if the market @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got down to 9 percent by Election Day , Trump would likely be reelected .
Here we are two months out and the market is well north of 28,000 ( it went well above 29,000 last week ) and unemployment is falling .
No , here is the indigestible truth for the Democrats .
Donald Trump has had the most successful first term of any president in memory , maybe ever .
His policies brought unemployment down to the lowest rate in decades , Among black and other minority populations , it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wages at the lower end , were rising , prescription drug prices were falling , and manufacturing was flooding back to the United States , a direct result of Trump ’ s America First trade policies .
He came to office promising to lose two regulations for every new one enacted , but has managed to lose nearly 20 regulations for every new one .
His exploitation of America ’ s energy resources have not only made the country energy independent , they have made us a net exporter of energy .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well , from his hundreds of judicial appointments to reducing the flow of illegal immigration by 90 percent .
On the cultural front , he has defanged the tyranny of Title IX despotism in colleges and universities and , just a day or two ago , he issued an executive order instructing the Office of Management and Budget to “ identify and eliminate any trace of ‘ critical race theory ’ in the federal government.
” It would be difficult to overstate the significance of this order .
Critical race theory is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lending a suitable polysyllabic veneer of obfuscation to the brutish Marxoid and America-hating ideologies of Antifa , Black Lives Matter , and kindred sites of festering discontent .
But what about the Chinese flu , the dreaded coronavirus , the plague that has otherwise normal people covering their faces and cowering in place ?
Well , what about it ?
Krugman adverts to it only in passing .
“ A few months ago the Trump campaign clearly hoped that it could put the coronavirus behind it .
But the virus declined to cooperate.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus declined to cooperate.
” But you know what ?
It did cooperate—or to speak more frankly , it acted exactly as one would expect a virus to act .
Who is the politician whose decisions about dealing with the new flu led to the most deaths ?
Andrew Cuomo , somehow still the governor of New York .
What politician saved the most lives by his preemptive action and mobilization of federal resources ?
President Donald J. Trump .
You might not like it .
Paul Krugman abominates it .
But there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way things are Labor Day weekend 2020 .

Don’t you just love Paul Krugman? One of loudest of the many anti-Trump hysterics employed by the New York Times, the former economist has been a reliable source of comedy at least since election night 2016. Once the worst was certain and the world learned that Donald Trump had indeed been elected president of the United States, Krugman pondered the markets, which had plunged overnight. “When might we expect them to recover?” he asked. “A first-pass answer is never . . . So we are very probably looking at a global recession, with no end in sight.”
What a card! I think we all deserve a Nobel Prize in economics. If Krugman can snag one, why not Stanley down at the bar? He says a lot of stupid things, too.
Krugman never disappoints. On Thursday, September 3, he published an opinion piece in the Times called “Trump and the Attack of the Invisible Anarchists.” The burden of the piece was twofold. On the one hand, having picked up that week’s propaganda memo from Democratic National Committee headquarters, he parroted the new talking point about the riots ripping (Democratic) cites apart.
Earlier this summer, the gospel was that there were no riots, only justly aggrieved citizens exercising their First Amendment rights to protest the heinous, cold-blooded murder of the violent career criminal and fentanyl abuser George Floyd. (Oops, that was from the teacher’s version of the manual: scrap “violent career criminal and fentanyl abuser.”)
At some point, that narrative was canceled. The new narrative admits that there are riots, but insists that they are all Donald Trump’s fault because . . .
Excuse me, we’re having trouble with reception. Forget that last bit: scratch “because” and just listen to the great Nobel laureate explain what’s really going on.
Enjoy a sleight of hand show? How’s this? The “anarchists” that Donald Trump and other knuckle-dragging neanderthals are trying to scare mama with don’t really exist, not really. Look again, those people rampaging on the streets of Portland, St. Louis, Seattle, Chicago, Oakland, Washington, D.C., Kenosha, New York: they’re invisible. Paul Krugman can’t see them. He walked across Central Park to his doctor and encountered no mayhem, none. “It was a beautiful day,” he noted, “and the city looked cheerful . . . Central Park was full of joggers and cyclists.” An aspiring if wayward disciple of Bishop Berkeley, Krugman seems to have adopted a variety of the central Berkelean principle of esse est percipi. If Krugman doesn’t perceive something, it doesn’t exist.
Poor Paul. He knows that people are alternately frightened and contemptuous of the media’s preposterous efforts to downplay the violence erupting in cities across the country, all those “fiery but mostly peaceful,” “intensifying into violence,” “not generally speaking unruly” jamborees that seem intended to calm the public’s nerves but actually heightened the sense of alarm.
So Krugman tries to have it both ways. The violence is monstrously overstated by the evil orange man and his minions. “[T]he property damage,” quoth Krugman, “has been minor compared with urban riots of the past,” “Portland is not ‘ablaze all the time‘” (not quite all of the time).
I think all of that was meant to soften us up, lull us into a state of dull acquiescence. Ready? Close your eyes, grab hold of Paul Krugman’s outstretched hand, and prepare for the big leap: la, la, la, ommmmm: “Much of the violence,” he says, “is coming not from the left but from right-wing extremists.”
Ah, our old friends, the “right-wing extremists”! I’ve missed them these last few months, haven’t you? You know them. They’re like that fellow walking down the street in Portland wearing a Trump hat last week. He was wearing a Trump hat. So, naturally, a “100 percent Antifa” member had to shoot him in the head in “self-defense.”
The media did not exactly condone that act. It was more akin to what happened following the assassination of President Kennedy. Question: Who killed John F. Kennedy? Answer: Lee Harvey Oswald, a Castro-loving communist. Almost instantly, however, a new narrative gelled and enveloped that stark but unpalatable truth. The man who pulled the trigger might have been a commie, but really, deep down, Kennedy was killed by (as James Reston put it) “extremists from the Right.” (If you want to know how that leap works—he is killed by a communist, but “extremists from the Right” get the blame—read James Piereson’s Camelot and the Cultural Revolution: How the Assassination of John F. Kennedy Shattered American Liberalism.)
Once you can accept that leap of faith, the next part is easy. “[T]here isn’t a wave of anarchy and violence,” Krugman wrote, really, “other than that unleashed by Trump himself.”
I’m sure you’ve seen the president or his minions at those Black Lives Matter and Antifa planning sessions, deciding which courthouses to target, what police stations to incinerate, what blocks of which cities to smash up, loot, and burn. It’s Donald Trump who has “unleashed” all the violence, all the mayhem, all the arson and murder, the far-Left Marxist foot soldiers of Antifa and BLM are just his puppets.
Breathtaking, isn’t it, not to say contemptibly incredible? But it is no less incredible than the obiter dicta about economics that Krugman lets drop as he makes his way through the political landscape. It is axiomatic with Krugman that Trump is a disaster for the country, not least for our economy. So, writing on Thursday, he predicted that while “Friday’s employment report is likely to show an economy still adding jobs” it would be “nothing like the ‘super V’ recovery Trump is still claiming.” Unemployment is “still very high,” he moaned, and the astonishing (my word) recovery that began in late April has “leveled off.”
Alas, Friday brought the news that we’d added 1.7 million jobs, against an expected 1.3 million, and that unemployment—still artificially high because the Democrats won’t let many Americans go back to work—edged down to 8.4 percent. In June, a canny pal noted that if the market held steady at around 25,000 and unemployment got down to 9 percent by Election Day, Trump would likely be reelected. Here we are two months out and the market is well north of 28,000 (it went well above 29,000 last week) and unemployment is falling.
No, here is the indigestible truth for the Democrats. Donald Trump has had the most successful first term of any president in memory, maybe ever.
His policies brought unemployment down to the lowest rate in decades, Among black and other minority populations, it was the lowest ever—ever. Wages, especially wages at the lower end, were rising, prescription drug prices were falling, and manufacturing was flooding back to the United States, a direct result of Trump’s America First trade policies. He came to office promising to lose two regulations for every new one enacted, but has managed to lose nearly 20 regulations for every new one. His exploitation of America’s energy resources have not only made the country energy independent, they have made us a net exporter of energy.
Trump has made extraordinary progress on other fronts as well, from his hundreds of judicial appointments to reducing the flow of illegal immigration by 90 percent. On the cultural front, he has defanged the tyranny of Title IX despotism in colleges and universities and, just a day or two ago, he issued an executive order instructing the Office of Management and Budget to “identify and eliminate any trace of ‘critical race theory’ in the federal government.”
It would be difficult to overstate the significance of this order. Critical race theory is the pseudo-academic version of identity politics, lending a suitable polysyllabic veneer of obfuscation to the brutish Marxoid and America-hating ideologies of Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and kindred sites of festering discontent.
But what about the Chinese flu, the dreaded coronavirus, the plague that has otherwise normal people covering their faces and cowering in place? Well, what about it? Krugman adverts to it only in passing. “A few months ago the Trump campaign clearly hoped that it could put the coronavirus behind it. But the virus declined to cooperate.”
Oh, gee, “the virus declined to cooperate.” But you know what? It did cooperate—or to speak more frankly, it acted exactly as one would expect a virus to act.
Who is the politician whose decisions about dealing with the new flu led to the most deaths? Andrew Cuomo, somehow still the governor of New York. What politician saved the most lives by his preemptive action and mobilization of federal resources? President Donald J. Trump. You might not like it. Paul Krugman abominates it. But there you have it. That’s the way things are Labor Day weekend 2020.


bonginoreport--2020-09-07--Ned Ryun: When Information Is Disinformation

The American people deserve the full story on the best way to make their votes count .
While most national media outlets covered the Democratic and Republican National Conventions over the last two weeks , the Washington Post decided to go to war with a little-known website called Protect My Vote .
While the Post labeled the site and its corresponding advertisements a “ disinformation campaign , ” ironically , the paper ’ s own news coverage supports the site ’ s message around a key piece of voter education : Your vote is more likely to be counted when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an added twist , Protect My Vote directs visitors from every state to their specific government agencies to register to vote , to request an absentee ballot , or to find their polling place .
Bizarrely , a site underscoring official government resources is now categorized by the Washington Post as disinformation .
In the initial article , Post reporter Isaac Stanley-Becker wrote that Protect My Vote “ claims to present evidence showing that .
.
.
widespread disenfranchisement result [ s ] from mail balloting , which is not borne out by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Post provided the needed facts .
“ More than 500,000 mail ballots were rejected in the primaries , ” rang the headline .
“ That could make the difference in battleground states this fall.
” The Washington Post is not the only national news outlet to highlight the procedural problems facing mail ballots , or how the influx could overwhelm the United States Postal Service and elections offices across the country .
In June , NBC News interviewed Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman , where all-mail elections have been the norm for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with just a few months before a major presidential election , engineering an entire system to accommodate an all-mail or primarily-mail election would overwhelm most states , which typically see fewer than 10 percent of ballots cast by mail .
Ultimately , Wyman warns that trying to do so would be “ a disservice to our voters.
” CBS News “ reveal [ ed ] potential problems within [ the ] postal voting system ” with their own mail-voting simulation .
They found that regardless of budget or staff , the United States @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accurate mail delivery 97 percent of the time , leaving 3 percent of mail lost or left behind .
We all remember the nail-biter 2016 election , when the victor in eight states , with more than 125 electoral votes at stake , was decided by fewer than 3 percent of ballots .
ABC News and NPR have reported on the multitude of rejected ballots leading to uncounted votes .
Late ballot arrivals or other problems with it , such as a missing signature , are the main reasons for rejection .
Often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voter error , but sometimes the system is at fault : NPR highlighted one voter in Florida who put his ballot in the mail eight days before Election Day , but it did not arrive at the clerk ’ s office until eight days after its due date .
ABC ’ s headline emphasized that more ballots were rejected in Wisconsin ’ s 2020 primary than separated Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the state ’ s 2016 election when turnout was much higher .
Reports from the Post and other national outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s website because they bear out the facts : millions of voters have never voted by mail before , and the systems involved have never had to accommodate such an influx of mailed ballots over in-person ones .
These facts equip voters to consider carefully and deliberately the method of voting—by mail , early and in-person , or in-person on Election Day—that will give them the greatest sense of confidence they have made their voice heard .
Far from the voter suppression claimed by the Washington Post , this is voter education and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the Washington Post highlights the media ’ s race for the most sensational headline , which unfortunately distracts from needed attention on the integrity of the vote for the most important presidential election of our lifetime—regardless of your political persuasion .
What strikes me is that the Washington Post , along with other national outlets that have covered this issue , are essentially broadcasting the same message as Protect My Vote : the American people deserve the full story on the best way to make their votes count .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tech companies to take down this entirely inoffensive message .
Then again , when reporters are only looking for the specter of voter suppression , they are likely to find it—even when their own outlets provide ample evidence to the contrary .

While most national media outlets covered the Democratic and Republican National Conventions over the last two weeks, the Washington Post decided to go to war with a little-known website called Protect My Vote. While the Post labeled the site and its corresponding advertisements a “disinformation campaign,” ironically, the paper’s own news coverage supports the site’s message around a key piece of voter education: Your vote is more likely to be counted when it is cast in person.
In an added twist, Protect My Vote directs visitors from every state to their specific government agencies to register to vote, to request an absentee ballot, or to find their polling place. Bizarrely, a site underscoring official government resources is now categorized by the Washington Post as disinformation.
In the initial article, Post reporter Isaac Stanley-Becker wrote that Protect My Vote “claims to present evidence showing that . . . widespread disenfranchisement result[s] from mail balloting, which is not borne out by facts.”
Two days later, the Post provided the needed facts. “More than 500,000 mail ballots were rejected in the primaries,” rang the headline. “That could make the difference in battleground states this fall.”
The Washington Post is not the only national news outlet to highlight the procedural problems facing mail ballots, or how the influx could overwhelm the United States Postal Service and elections offices across the country.
In June, NBC News interviewed Washington Secretary of State Kim Wyman, where all-mail elections have been the norm for almost a decade. She warned that with just a few months before a major presidential election, engineering an entire system to accommodate an all-mail or primarily-mail election would overwhelm most states, which typically see fewer than 10 percent of ballots cast by mail. Ultimately, Wyman warns that trying to do so would be “a disservice to our voters.”
CBS News “reveal[ed] potential problems within [the] postal voting system” with their own mail-voting simulation. They found that regardless of budget or staff, the United States Postal Service can only guarantee on-time and accurate mail delivery 97 percent of the time, leaving 3 percent of mail lost or left behind. We all remember the nail-biter 2016 election, when the victor in eight states, with more than 125 electoral votes at stake, was decided by fewer than 3 percent of ballots.
ABC News and NPR have reported on the multitude of rejected ballots leading to uncounted votes. Late ballot arrivals or other problems with it, such as a missing signature, are the main reasons for rejection.
Often, the late arrival is due to voter error, but sometimes the system is at fault: NPR highlighted one voter in Florida who put his ballot in the mail eight days before Election Day, but it did not arrive at the clerk’s office until eight days after its due date. ABC’s headline emphasized that more ballots were rejected in Wisconsin’s 2020 primary than separated Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton in the state’s 2016 election when turnout was much higher.
Reports from the Post and other national outlets are highlighted on Protect My Vote’s website because they bear out the facts: millions of voters have never voted by mail before, and the systems involved have never had to accommodate such an influx of mailed ballots over in-person ones. These facts equip voters to consider carefully and deliberately the method of voting—by mail, early and in-person, or in-person on Election Day—that will give them the greatest sense of confidence they have made their voice heard. Far from the voter suppression claimed by the Washington Post, this is voter education and empowerment.
The lack of internal consistency from the Washington Post highlights the media’s race for the most sensational headline, which unfortunately distracts from needed attention on the integrity of the vote for the most important presidential election of our lifetime—regardless of your political persuasion.
What strikes me is that the Washington Post, along with other national outlets that have covered this issue, are essentially broadcasting the same message as Protect My Vote: the American people deserve the full story on the best way to make their votes count. It’s unfortunate that the Post continues to pressure tech companies to take down this entirely inoffensive message.
Then again, when reporters are only looking for the specter of voter suppression, they are likely to find it—even when their own outlets provide ample evidence to the contrary.