politicususa--2020-05-09--Opinion: Barr uses the Justice Department for an evangelical Crusade and Inquisition

Last week Trump ’ s yes-man running the DOJ issued instructions to federal attorneys detailing their new job entailed serving as Inquisitors for the religious right in their Crusade to rule America .
In this case the Crusade officially begins by using the Federal government , in concert with fundamentalist Christian conservatives , to punish state officials who dare to hold churches and religious leaders accountable to rules meant to preserve American lives .
Over the past four decades Christian fundamentalists have complained bitterly that the U.S. Constitution prevents them from forcing the rest of the population to comply with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have a so-called “ god anointed ” criminal in the Oval Office , and an honest-to-dog evangelical sleaze-bag running the Department of Justice , Christian fundamentalists are closer than ever to their goal of ruling America by Christian theocracy .
Although it is still in its infancy , the current iteration of American theocracy is run by a tyrannical dictator who certainly directed America ’ s top law enforcement officer to initiate a Christian Crusade and Inquisition .
The initial steps include ferreting out state officials opposed to the evangelical belief that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Trump , are above the law .
It is the beginning of America under theocratic tyranny and sadly few Americans are appalled .
Anyone who believes Attorney General William Barr tasked federal attorneys with seeking out cases of so-called “ religious persecution ” due to the various shelter-in-place orders is an idiot .
Barr has threatened to use the Department of Justice to enforce whatever the religious fanatics demand long before any shelter-in-place orders were issued and continued unabated even while Trump claimed the novel coronavirus was going to magically disappear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ militant secularist ” movement intent on punishing evangelicals for no apparent reason ; except to force Christians to abandon their beliefs .
And , the dirty liar said that the poor beleaguered Christians never , never ever , try to force their agenda on anyone .
Barr offered Cardinal Timothy Dolan , a fierce advocate for more religion in government , some Trumpian alternative reality .
With a straight face Barr told Dolan : “ The problem today is not that religious people are trying to impose their views on non-religious people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s that militant secularists are trying to impose their values on religious people , and they ’ re not accommodating the freedom of religion of people of faith .
We believe in the separation of church and state .
But what permits a limited government and minimal command and control of the population … is the fact that they are a people that are capable of disciplining themselves according to moral values.
” Now , setting aside the rank hypocrisy , and flagrant lie , regarding secular people imposing their will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American is that Barr , almost certainly at Trump ’ s command , is echoing the evangelical agenda from a federal government agency .
And , it is noteworthy that Barr betrays the idea of church/state separation by claiming that people can only have freedom if they live according to moral values evangelicals are anxious to define and implement .
Since that January interview , Barr has joined Trump and consulted conservative Christians for directions on battling ( Democratic ) governors because they failed to exempt evangelicals from stay at home orders .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 to safeguard tens-of-thousands of Americans ’ lives .
Always persecuted Christians consider safeguarding American lives an infringement on their religious freedom and Barr is not going to stand for it .
Especially since he is head of the powerful Justice Department with a criminal in the Oval Office supporting his Crusade and Inquisition .
Even before Barr directed federal attorneys to give a rapid response to complaints lodged by Christian fundamentalists who oppose their Bible ’ s command to “ obey the government ” ( and pay taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any evangelical group ’ s lawsuit against state governors , especially Democrats .
Barr threatened : “ We ’ re looking carefully at a number of these rules that are being put into place .
And if people bring lawsuits , we file statements siding with the plaintiffs.
” It is too bad Barr fails to spend as much time perusing legal precedent regarding religious freedom as he does conspiring with conservative religious groups to punish Democratic Governors for trying to protect their citizens ’ lives .
None other than now deceased uber-religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scalia expressed the High Court ’ s ruling on religious freedom and obeying the law .
Like other large gatherings affected by shelter-in-place orders , religious services are governed by lawful directives .
Longtime Republican David Frum noted over at “ The Atlantic ” that churches “ are neither specially targeted nor specially exempted ” from any valid State rules .
Justice Antonin Scalia explained the High Court ’ s determination regarding the application of general rules to religious groups in a 1990 Supreme Court decision that neither Barr nor his evangelical masters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ theocracy .
Scalia wrote : “ We have never held that an individual ’ s religious beliefs excuse him from compliance with an otherwise valid law prohibiting conduct that the State is free to regulate.
” There is little doubt that the various shelter-in-place rules are not only valid , all of the states are free to issue them – particularly to preserve human life .
However , evangelicals are not interested in preserving human life ; they exist to preserve fetuses and zygotes .
In fact , their demand to gather in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their fellow congregants lives and apparently neither does Attorney General Barr or his corrupt boss Trump .
Most Americans are unaware that using the federal government to implement a Christian theocracy is a crusade most of Trump ’ s administration subscribes to .
It is no coincidence that many of Trump ’ s closest advisors and cabinet members are members of The Council for National Policy ( CNP ) whose mission is enforcing “ Judeo-Christian values ” under the Constitution by 2020 .
Obviously , using the Justice Department to do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council for National Policy ’ s plan to advance its theocratic mission .
Barr ’ s DOJ ’ s actions are in concert with those of an ALEC-like religious movement known as “ Project Blitz.
” The highly secretive evangelical legislative movement is working in conjunction with CNP to advance legislation founded on using “ religious freedom ” as a trojan horse for a Christian theocracy .
Like the American Legislative Exchange Council , Project Blitz works to pass state-level legislation in hopes of reaching the theocratic majority on the Supreme Court to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Of course Trump could not possibly care less about evangelicals ’ plan for America , but he does care deeply about doing anything the evangelical right demands to sustain their undying electoral support .
That includes using the White House to call for church donations , suing states to restrict abortion and contraceptive access , as well as politicizing the Department of Justice to punish , mostly , Democratic governors for protecting their citizenry instead of pandering to religion .
Now , Attorney General Barr has taken pandering to religion to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for direction on how best to use the power of the federal government to punish anyone who fails to toe the evangelical line ; even if it means spreading an incredibly virulent disease throughout the population with fervent Republican support for their long-dreamt-of Crusade and Inquisition to transform America into Christian theocracy .
It is a horribly sad commentary , but evangelical Republicans will almost certainly succeed because most Americans are too terrified of standing up to the religious right .

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Last week Trump’s yes-man running the DOJ issued instructions to federal attorneys detailing their new job entailed serving as Inquisitors for the religious right in their Crusade to rule America. In this case the Crusade officially begins by using the Federal government, in concert with fundamentalist Christian conservatives, to punish state officials who dare to hold churches and religious leaders accountable to rules meant to preserve American lives.
Over the past four decades Christian fundamentalists have complained bitterly that the U.S. Constitution prevents them from forcing the rest of the population to comply with evangelicals’ religious edicts. Now that they have a so-called “god anointed” criminal in the Oval Office, and an honest-to-dog evangelical sleaze-bag running the Department of Justice, Christian fundamentalists are closer than ever to their goal of ruling America by Christian theocracy.
Although it is still in its infancy, the current iteration of American theocracy is run by a tyrannical dictator who certainly directed America’s top law enforcement officer to initiate a Christian Crusade and Inquisition. The initial steps include ferreting out state officials opposed to the evangelical belief that they, like their “anointed one” Trump, are above the law. It is the beginning of America under theocratic tyranny and sadly few Americans are appalled.
Anyone who believes Attorney General William Barr tasked federal attorneys with seeking out cases of so-called “religious persecution” due to the various shelter-in-place orders is an idiot. Barr has threatened to use the Department of Justice to enforce whatever the religious fanatics demand long before any shelter-in-place orders were issued and continued unabated even while Trump claimed the novel coronavirus was going to magically disappear.
According to Barr, there is a “militant secularist” movement intent on punishing evangelicals for no apparent reason; except to force Christians to abandon their beliefs. And, the dirty liar said that the poor beleaguered Christians never, never ever, try to force their agenda on anyone. Barr offered Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a fierce advocate for more religion in government, some Trumpian alternative reality. With a straight face Barr told Dolan:
“The problem today is not that religious people are trying to impose their views on non-religious people, It’s the opposite — it’s that militant secularists are trying to impose their values on religious people, and they’re not accommodating the freedom of religion of people of faith.
We believe in the separation of church and state. But what permits a limited government and minimal command and control of the population … is the fact that they are a people that are capable of disciplining themselves according to moral values.”
Now, setting aside the rank hypocrisy, and flagrant lie, regarding secular people imposing their will on evangelicals, what should enrage every American is that Barr, almost certainly at Trump’s command, is echoing the evangelical agenda from a federal government agency. And, it is noteworthy that Barr betrays the idea of church/state separation by claiming that people can only have freedom if they live according to moral values evangelicals are anxious to define and implement.
Since that January interview, Barr has joined Trump and consulted conservative Christians for directions on battling (Democratic) governors because they failed to exempt evangelicals from stay at home orders. Orders Barr is well aware exist to mitigate the transmission of COVID-19 to safeguard tens-of-thousands of Americans’ lives. Always persecuted Christians consider safeguarding American lives an infringement on their religious freedom and Barr is not going to stand for it. Especially since he is head of the powerful Justice Department with a criminal in the Oval Office supporting his Crusade and Inquisition.
Even before Barr directed federal attorneys to give a rapid response to complaints lodged by Christian fundamentalists who oppose their Bible’s command to “obey the government” (and pay taxes), he was threatening to join any evangelical group’s lawsuit against state governors, especially Democrats. Barr threatened:
“We’re looking carefully at a number of these rules that are being put into place. And if people bring lawsuits, we file statements siding with the plaintiffs.”
It is too bad Barr fails to spend as much time perusing legal precedent regarding religious freedom as he does conspiring with conservative religious groups to punish Democratic Governors for trying to protect their citizens’ lives. None other than now deceased uber-religious, and uber-conservative Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia expressed the High Court’s ruling on religious freedom and obeying the law.
Like other large gatherings affected by shelter-in-place orders, religious services are governed by lawful directives. Longtime Republican David Frum noted over at “The Atlantic” that churches “are neither specially targeted nor specially exempted” from any valid State rules. Justice Antonin Scalia explained the High Court’s determination regarding the application of general rules to religious groups in a 1990 Supreme Court decision that neither Barr nor his evangelical masters believe is applicable in Trump’s theocracy. Scalia wrote:
“We have never held that an individual’s religious beliefs excuse him from compliance with an otherwise valid law prohibiting conduct that the State is free to regulate.”
There is little doubt that the various shelter-in-place rules are not only valid, all of the states are free to issue them – particularly to preserve human life. However, evangelicals are not interested in preserving human life; they exist to preserve fetuses and zygotes. In fact, their demand to gather in large groups informs they have little regard for their fellow congregants lives and apparently neither does Attorney General Barr or his corrupt boss Trump.
Most Americans are unaware that using the federal government to implement a Christian theocracy is a crusade most of Trump’s administration subscribes to. It is no coincidence that many of Trump’s closest advisors and cabinet members are members of The Council for National Policy (CNP) whose mission is enforcing “Judeo-Christian values” under the Constitution by 2020. Obviously, using the Justice Department to do the theocrats’ bidding is crucial to the Council for National Policy’s plan to advance its theocratic mission.
Barr’s DOJ’s actions are in concert with those of an ALEC-like religious movement known as “Project Blitz.” The highly secretive evangelical legislative movement is working in conjunction with CNP to advance legislation founded on using “religious freedom” as a trojan horse for a Christian theocracy. Like the American Legislative Exchange Council, Project Blitz works to pass state-level legislation in hopes of reaching the theocratic majority on the Supreme Court to make religion by government edict “constitutional.”
Of course Trump could not possibly care less about evangelicals’ plan for America, but he does care deeply about doing anything the evangelical right demands to sustain their undying electoral support. That includes using the White House to call for church donations, suing states to restrict abortion and contraceptive access, as well as politicizing the Department of Justice to punish, mostly, Democratic governors for protecting their citizenry instead of pandering to religion.
Now, Attorney General Barr has taken pandering to religion to the next level by conferring with evangelical leaders for direction on how best to use the power of the federal government to punish anyone who fails to toe the evangelical line; even if it means spreading an incredibly virulent disease throughout the population with fervent Republican support for their long-dreamt-of Crusade and Inquisition to transform America into Christian theocracy.
It is a horribly sad commentary, but evangelical Republicans will almost certainly succeed because most Americans are too terrified of standing up to the religious right.


politicususa--2020-05-09--Steve Schmidt Tells Trump What His Legacy Will Be: Mass Death, Suffering And Economic Collapse

Donald Trump looks in the mirror everyday and thinks he sees greatness .
The minority of this country that fervently supports him sees the same false image .
But outside of that alternative reality bubble , it ’ s easy to recognize that Trump is the weakest , most incompetent and corrupt president this country has ever had – and it isn ’ t even close .
The coronavirus pandemic has only further magnified just how broken a person Trump is .
As former GOP strategist Steve Schmidt said on Saturday , his legacy will be mass death , suffering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s the Trump legacy , ” Schmidt said in a discussion on MSNBC ’ s AM Joy .
“ And he has demonstrated through this crisis he has exactly zero capacity to lead this nation out of this mess.
” Real tragedy has come .
And we look at that ad , it was just days ago that it aired and yeah it talks about 60,000 dead Americans and now we ’ re nearly at 80,000 and soon we ’ ll be at 100,000 and soon we ’ ll be at 200,000 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ run saying , ‘ I can fix it alone .
I will make America great again.
’ And his legacy will be mass death , will be suffering at an epic level and economic collapse .
That ’ s the Trump legacy and he has demonstrated through this crisis , he has exactly zero capacity to lead this nation out of this mess .
And it will not be the work of one presidential term .
It will be the work of many presidential terms .
For there to be a season of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day his incapacity to lead that and in shortly less than six months the American people are going to have to decide in the most important election this country ’ s had since 1864 , whether the United States will go into a steep descent of decline , or we can possibly begin to recover from the Trumpian disaster that the country faces .
Trump is losing sleep over negative ads , not mass death and unemployment What ’ s almost as bad as the mass death , suffering and economic loss that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump doesn ’ t seem to care that it ’ s all happening under his watch .
Instead , what really keeps him up at night is negative TV ads that call him out for dropping the ball on the worst health crisis to hit this country in a century .
Donald Trump – a man who lacks empathy , intellect and the ability to set aside his ego for the good of the country – is the worst person to be leading the United States during a time of tragedy and @ @

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Donald Trump looks in the mirror everyday and thinks he sees greatness. The minority of this country that fervently supports him sees the same false image.
But outside of that alternative reality bubble, it’s easy to recognize that Trump is the weakest, most incompetent and corrupt president this country has ever had – and it isn’t even close.
The coronavirus pandemic has only further magnified just how broken a person Trump is. As former GOP strategist Steve Schmidt said on Saturday, his legacy will be mass death, suffering and economic collapse.
“That’s the Trump legacy,” Schmidt said in a discussion on MSNBC’s AM Joy. “And he has demonstrated through this crisis he has exactly zero capacity to lead this nation out of this mess.”
Video:
Schmidt said:
Real tragedy has come. And we look at that ad, it was just days ago that it aired and yeah it talks about 60,000 dead Americans and now we’re nearly at 80,000 and soon we’ll be at 100,000 and soon we’ll be at 200,000. This is a man who promised to run saying, ‘I can fix it alone. I will make America great again.’ And his legacy will be mass death, will be suffering at an epic level and economic collapse. That’s the Trump legacy and he has demonstrated through this crisis, he has exactly zero capacity to lead this nation out of this mess. And it will not be the work of one presidential term. It will be the work of many presidential terms. For there to be a season of American recovery, and we see every day his incapacity to lead that and in shortly less than six months the American people are going to have to decide in the most important election this country’s had since 1864, whether the United States will go into a steep descent of decline, or we can possibly begin to recover from the Trumpian disaster that the country faces.
Trump is losing sleep over negative ads, not mass death and unemployment
What’s almost as bad as the mass death, suffering and economic loss that has swept across the country is that Donald Trump doesn’t seem to care that it’s all happening under his watch.
Instead, what really keeps him up at night is negative TV ads that call him out for dropping the ball on the worst health crisis to hit this country in a century.
Donald Trump – a man who lacks empathy, intellect and the ability to set aside his ego for the good of the country – is the worst person to be leading the United States during a time of tragedy and crisis.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-09--Trump, Who Called The Pandemic A Hoax, Is Now Surrounded By Coronavirus Infections

Donald Trump spent weeks downplaying the pandemic , even calling it a Democratic hoax during a campaign rally , but now he is increasingly surrounded by coronavirus infections .
According to reporting late Friday , nearly a dozen members of the U.S. Secret Service have tested positive for the virus .
The Hill reports that there are 11 total active cases in the agency , but nearly two dozen more have had the virus and are now recovering , while 60 Secret Service employees are self-quarantining .
The news comes after Katie Miller – a Mike Pence staffer and wife @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested positive for the coronavirus .
A member of the military who serves as a personal valet to Trump also tested positive , which sent the president into a fury .
Trump is to blame for not keeping himself – and the country – safe While Donald Trump is now blaming his staff – surprise , surprise – for not keeping him safe from the virus , he has nobody to blame but himself .
For weeks – whether it was to preserve the stock market or his poll numbers – Trump downplayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unchecked in the United States .
Now there have been nearly 80,000 American deaths and more than 1.3 million total infections .
And now , even though his own administration recommends wearing masks to prevent infection , Trump refuses .
According to CNN , it ’ s an “ unwritten code inside the White House ” to not wear a face covering .
The reason Trump won ’ t wear one is simple but pathetic : He says it will “ send the wrong message ” and make him look “ ridiculous.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sailed , Mr. President .
As the number of cases in the president ’ s orbit increases – especially since the White House hasn ’ t taken the virus seriously from the start – Donald Trump is going to do what he does best : shift the responsibility to somebody else .
He has no one to blame but himself .

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Donald Trump spent weeks downplaying the pandemic, even calling it a Democratic hoax during a campaign rally, but now he is increasingly surrounded by coronavirus infections.
According to reporting late Friday, nearly a dozen members of the U.S. Secret Service have tested positive for the virus.
The Hill reports that there are 11 total active cases in the agency, but nearly two dozen more have had the virus and are now recovering, while 60 Secret Service employees are self-quarantining.
The news comes after Katie Miller – a Mike Pence staffer and wife of White House aid Stephen Miller – tested positive for the coronavirus.
A member of the military who serves as a personal valet to Trump also tested positive, which sent the president into a fury.
Trump is to blame for not keeping himself – and the country – safe
While Donald Trump is now blaming his staff – surprise, surprise – for not keeping him safe from the virus, he has nobody to blame but himself.
For weeks – whether it was to preserve the stock market or his poll numbers – Trump downplayed the virus and allowed it to spread unchecked in the United States. Now there have been nearly 80,000 American deaths and more than 1.3 million total infections.
And now, even though his own administration recommends wearing masks to prevent infection, Trump refuses. According to CNN, it’s an “unwritten code inside the White House” to not wear a face covering.
The reason Trump won’t wear one is simple but pathetic: He says it will “send the wrong message” and make him look “ridiculous.” I’m afraid that ship has sailed, Mr. President.
As the number of cases in the president’s orbit increases – especially since the White House hasn’t taken the virus seriously from the start – Donald Trump is going to do what he does best: shift the responsibility to somebody else.
He has no one to blame but himself.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-10--Trump Tweets Commercial For His Golf Course As Thousands Of Americans Die

Donald Trump tweeted a commercial for the reopening of his California golf course at the same time as thousands are @ @ @ @ @ .
Trump tweeted this ad for his business : Even during a pandemic , Trump @ @ @ @ @ the presidency to promote his businesses .
The tweet also reinforces the idea that Donald @ @ @ @ @ about American deaths .
He wants things to go back to normal , and for @ @ @ @ @ money off of the presidency .
No other president would ever have gotten away with @ @ @ @ @ but Republicans have given Donald Trump a free pass .
House Democrats are limited in @ @ @ @ @ punish the President for this behavior .
Since Mitch McConnell refuses to act , Trump @ @ @ @ @ held accountable for his actions by Congress .
Accountability will come on November 3rd .
@ @ @ @ @ about making money for himself deserves to be a one-term president .
For more discussion @ @ @ @ @ Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Donald Trump tweeted a commercial for the reopening of his California golf course at the same time as thousands are dying daily from the coronavirus.
Trump tweeted this ad for his business:
So great to see our Country starting to open up again! https://t.co/ceXFk4iWBX — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2020
Even during a pandemic, Trump is using the platform of the presidency to promote his businesses. The tweet also reinforces the idea that Donald Trump doesn’t care about American deaths. He wants things to go back to normal, and for him, normal is making money off of the presidency.
No other president would ever have gotten away with such overt public corruption, but Republicans have given Donald Trump a free pass. House Democrats are limited in what they can do to punish the President for this behavior. Since Mitch McConnell refuses to act, Trump has no fear of being held accountable for his actions by Congress.
Accountability will come on November 3rd. A man who only cares about making money for himself deserves to be a one-term president.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-10--Trump Economic Adviser Says It’s Scary To Go To Work In The White House

Trump ’ s economic adviser Kevin Hassett admitted that he would be safer working from home and that it is scary to go work in the White House .
Hassett said on CBS ’ s Face The Nation : I practice aggressive social distancing .
I wear a mask when I feel it ’ s necessary .
It is scary to go to work .
I was not part of the White House in March .
I think that I ’ d be a lot safer if I was sitting at home then I would be going to the West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s a time when people have to step up and serve their country .
We ’ re lucky at the White House that we have the best medical team on earth to help protect us , and that is some comfort .
But I think everybody knows that going to work , you ’ ve been in the West Wing .
You know that it is a small crowded place .
You know , it ’ s a little bit risky .
But you have to do it , because you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a lot of things you can ’ t do except there .
One of the reasons that the virus is spreading through the White House staff is that Trump refuses to follow coronavirus guidelines .
Social distancing should be practiced everywhere .
In a small space like the West Wing , it means that people who don ’ t have to be there , aren ’ t there .
Everyone should be wearing a mask .
Trump refuses to do what is necessary to keep the people working in his administration safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is going to what is necessary to keep the American people safe .

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Trump’s economic adviser Kevin Hassett admitted that he would be safer working from home and that it is scary to go work in the White House.
Hassett said on CBS’s Face The Nation:
I practice aggressive social distancing. I wear a mask when I feel it’s necessary. It is scary to go to work. I was not part of the White House in March. I think that I’d be a lot safer if I was sitting at home then I would be going to the West Wing. But, you know, it’s a time when people have to step up and serve their country.
….
We’re lucky at the White House that we have the best medical team on earth to help protect us, and that is some comfort. But I think everybody knows that going to work, you’ve been in the West Wing. You know that it is a small crowded place. You know, it’s a little bit risky. But you have to do it, because you have to serve your country and there are a lot of things you can’t do except there.
Video:
WATCH: "It is scary to go to work," @WhiteHouse Economic adviser Kevin Hassett tells @margbrennan. This week a White House staffer and an aide to @VP Pence tested positive for #coronavirushttps://t.co/meIIhwUVYj See more of Hassett's interview on @facethenation at 10:30 EST pic.twitter.com/5uZ6S9RwmL — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) May 10, 2020
One of the reasons that the virus is spreading through the White House staff is that Trump refuses to follow coronavirus guidelines. Social distancing should be practiced everywhere. In a small space like the West Wing, it means that people who don’t have to be there, aren’t there.
Everyone should be wearing a mask.
Trump refuses to do what is necessary to keep the people working in his administration safe, so there is zero chance that he is going to what is necessary to keep the American people safe.


politicususa--2020-05-10--Republicans Worry That Trump’s Virus Response Fail Will Cost Them The Senate

Republicans are worried that Trump ’ s failed virus response , the collapsing economy , and Democratic enthusiasm will cost them the Senate .
Republicans are increasingly nervous they could lose control of the Senate this fall as a potent combination of a cratering economy , President Trump ’ s handling of the pandemic and rising enthusiasm among Democratic voters dims their electoral prospects .
A return to normalcy ahead of the elections is far from a given as the death toll continues to rise and economic data paints a grim picture , meaning the president ’ s handling of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not only for his reelection but for Republicans ’ ability to hold onto the Senate .
In short , as goes Trump , so likely goes the Senate majority .
Republicans are also warning that Sens .
Susan Collins of Maine and Cory Gardner of Colorado may already be toast .
The only hope that Republicans have of holding on to the Senate majority is for Trump to repeat his 2016 performance and drag struggling Republican incumbents like Thom Tills of North Carolina and Martha McSally of Arizona across the finish line with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) is the only incumbent Democrat who might lose his seat in November , so the map does not look good for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
The odds that the campaign and the country will be back to normal by November are slim , so if the election is all about Donald Trump , Democrats will be in an excellent position to take back the Senate in November .

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Republicans are worried that Trump’s failed virus response, the collapsing economy, and Democratic enthusiasm will cost them the Senate.
The Washington Post reported:
Republicans are increasingly nervous they could lose control of the Senate this fall as a potent combination of a cratering economy, President Trump’s handling of the pandemic and rising enthusiasm among Democratic voters dims their electoral prospects.
…..
A return to normalcy ahead of the elections is far from a given as the death toll continues to rise and economic data paints a grim picture, meaning the president’s handling of the pandemic could be the determining factor not only for his reelection but for Republicans’ ability to hold onto the Senate. In short, as goes Trump, so likely goes the Senate majority.
Republicans are also warning that Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Cory Gardner of Colorado may already be toast. The only hope that Republicans have of holding on to the Senate majority is for Trump to repeat his 2016 performance and drag struggling Republican incumbents like Thom Tills of North Carolina and Martha McSally of Arizona across the finish line with him.
Sen. Doug Jones (D-AL) is the only incumbent Democrat who might lose his seat in November, so the map does not look good for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
The odds that the campaign and the country will be back to normal by November are slim, so if the election is all about Donald Trump, Democrats will be in an excellent position to take back the Senate in November.


politicususa--2020-05-12--Despite Trump’s Boasting, U.S. Doesn’t Even Crack The Top 5 In Global Coronavirus Testing

Donald Trump held a press conference on Monday meant to declare mission accomplished on coronavirus testing , but it was a complete dumpster fire that led to the president storming off the stage .
The overall theme of Trump ’ s event , before it went up in flames , was that coronavirus testing in America is better than it is anywhere in the world – a bald-faced lie .
As MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber noted following the president ’ s briefing , the United States doesn ’ t even rank in the top five in global coronavirus testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in testing , ” the MSNBC host said .
“ While sixth is not last , it is far from first.
” “ Many people … still can not get tests on demand depending on their situation , ” he added .
The newest claim , though , from the president came in today ’ s late afternoon press conference , and let me tell you first , it ’ s false .
So before we even air a small portion of it , I want you to have the facts .
Number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by this virus before the United States , giving this nation more time to adjust and prepare .
Fact number two you need to know , and you may have heard about it .
Medical experts were warning back in the early days of January and February about key ways to prepare , as well as the import of testing .
If you watch the news , you ’ ve heard all about testing .
The Trump administration initially largely ignored some of those things at the top .
And then three , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per citizen .
That ’ s the standard of measure when you compare countries .
So if you look at the list tonight , you have Denmark actually leading the world in testing .
Then Italy , which was hit hard and early , followed by New Zealand , Germany , Canada , our neighbors to the north with universal health care , and then thanks partly to a recent increase , the United States is sixth in testing .
And while sixth is not last , it is far from first .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ m sure you know , still can not get tests on demand depending on their situation .
Another day , another set of lies The fact that Donald Trump held this press conference on Monday – as disastrous as it turned out to be – is a clear sign that even he recognizes his administration ’ s failure in enacting a national coronavirus testing policy .
Without such a policy in place , it will be difficult – if not impossible – to reopen the economy that Trump so desperately wants to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death .
What the president is trying to do is sidestep those inconvenient details and simply talk his way into a “ mission accomplished ” moment on testing , even though the U.S. is still lagging behind many other countries and thousands of Americans are still dying .
Donald Trump has largely given up trying to fight the coronavirus .
Instead , he ’ s trying to spin this disaster into something he can run on in November .
Like usual , the facts don ’ t back up his spin .

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Donald Trump held a press conference on Monday meant to declare mission accomplished on coronavirus testing, but it was a complete dumpster fire that led to the president storming off the stage.
The overall theme of Trump’s event, before it went up in flames, was that coronavirus testing in America is better than it is anywhere in the world – a bald-faced lie.
As MSNBC’s Ari Melber noted following the president’s briefing, the United States doesn’t even rank in the top five in global coronavirus testing.
“The United States is sixth in testing,” the MSNBC host said. “While sixth is not last, it is far from first.”
“Many people … still cannot get tests on demand depending on their situation,” he added.
Video:
Despite Trump’s boasting on Monday, the U.S. doesn’t even crack the top five in coronavirus testing. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/Y9GnQqxsLC — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 12, 2020
Melber said:
The newest claim, though, from the president came in today’s late afternoon press conference, and let me tell you first, it’s false. So before we even air a small portion of it, I want you to have the facts. Number one, many other countries were hit by this virus before the United States, giving this nation more time to adjust and prepare. Fact number two you need to know, and you may have heard about it. Medical experts were warning back in the early days of January and February about key ways to prepare, as well as the import of testing. If you watch the news, you’ve heard all about testing. The Trump administration initially largely ignored some of those things at the top. And then three, the United States still lags in testing per citizen. That’s the standard of measure when you compare countries. So if you look at the list tonight, you have Denmark actually leading the world in testing. Then Italy, which was hit hard and early, followed by New Zealand, Germany, Canada, our neighbors to the north with universal health care, and then thanks partly to a recent increase, the United States is sixth in testing. And while sixth is not last, it is far from first. And many people, as I’m sure you know, still cannot get tests on demand depending on their situation.
Another day, another set of lies
The fact that Donald Trump held this press conference on Monday – as disastrous as it turned out to be – is a clear sign that even he recognizes his administration’s failure in enacting a national coronavirus testing policy.
Without such a policy in place, it will be difficult – if not impossible – to reopen the economy that Trump so desperately wants to reopen without causing another wave of infection and death.
What the president is trying to do is sidestep those inconvenient details and simply talk his way into a “mission accomplished” moment on testing, even though the U.S. is still lagging behind many other countries and thousands of Americans are still dying.
Donald Trump has largely given up trying to fight the coronavirus. Instead, he’s trying to spin this disaster into something he can run on in November.
Like usual, the facts don’t back up his spin.
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politicususa--2020-05-11--Trump Says More People Die From Stay At Home Orders Than From Coronavirus

Trump made the nonsensical claim that more Americans are dying from having to stay in their houses than are dying from the coronavirus .
Trump said : You look at Pennsylvania as an example , if you look at various other states , I will get into the people want to go back .
The numbers are getting to a point where they can .
It just seems to be no effort on certain blue states to get back into gear .
The people aren ’ t going to stand for it .
They want to get back .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
They want our country open .
I want our country open too .
I want it open safely , but I want it open .
Don ’ t forget , people are dying the other route .
You can go with the enclosed route .
Everything is closed up .
You ’ re in your house , you ’ re not allowed to move .
People are dying with that too .
You look at drug addiction , suicides and some of the things that are taking place .
People are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make the case it ’ s in even greater numbers .
It ’ s a situation that some people and I ’ ve noticed that some states could be moving more quickly and also at the same time safety .
Trump didn ’ t cite any statistics to back up his claim , because there aren ’ t any .
Polling shows that the vast majority of people around the country and in Pennsylvania , do not want the state to reopen until it is safe to do so .
A Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % approval rating for his handling of the virus and that 62 % of Pennsylvanians want him to wait to reopen , even if it harms the economy .
Wolf ’ s approval rating is also 18 points higher than Trump ’ s in the state .
Trump is whining about Pennsylvania , which might already be out of reach for him because he can ’ t win reelection without the Keystone State .
There hasn ’ t been a wave of death in Pennsylvania due to the stay at home order .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ opening strategy that is working for the state , even if it kills Trump ’ s odds of winning Pennsylvania .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump made the nonsensical claim that more Americans are dying from having to stay in their houses than are dying from the coronavirus.
Trump said:
You look at Pennsylvania as an example, if you look at various other states, I will get into the people want to go back. The numbers are getting to a point where they can. It just seems to be no effort on certain blue states to get back into gear. The people aren’t going to stand for it. They want to get back. They’re not going to stand for it.
They want our country open. I want our country open too. I want it open safely, but I want it open. Don’t forget, people are dying the other route. You can go with the enclosed route. Everything is closed up. You’re in your house, you’re not allowed to move. People are dying with that too. You look at drug addiction, suicides and some of the things that are taking place. People are dying that way too. You can make the case it’s in even greater numbers. It’s a situation that some people and I’ve noticed that some states could be moving more quickly and also at the same time safety.
Video:
Trump attacks Pennsylvania and claims more people are dying from stay at home orders than the coronavirus. #TrumpPressConference pic.twitter.com/o7BiWeIsWB — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 11, 2020
Trump didn’t cite any statistics to back up his claim, because there aren’t any. Polling shows that the vast majority of people around the country and in Pennsylvania, do not want the state to reopen until it is safe to do so. A Fox News Poll found that Wolf has a 69% approval rating for his handling of the virus and that 62% of Pennsylvanians want him to wait to reopen, even if it harms the economy. Wolf’s approval rating is also 18 points higher than Trump’s in the state.
Trump is whining about Pennsylvania, which might already be out of reach for him because he can’t win reelection without the Keystone State.
There hasn’t been a wave of death in Pennsylvania due to the stay at home order. Gov. Wolf is using a phased opening strategy that is working for the state, even if it kills Trump’s odds of winning Pennsylvania.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-05-11--Trump Falls Apart When Asked About Virus Testing Double Standard

Trump fell apart when asked during his latest attempt at a coronavirus briefing about ease of access that the White House has to tests .
Q : Mr. President , there does seem to be a double standard here , Mr. President , where members of your own staff can get tested frequently when they need it , but ordinary Americans can not , when will the rest of America have the same access that your own members of the White House have to testing ?
Trump : You know what ?
If we didn ’ t get the tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House you ’ d be complaining , why aren ’ t you getting tests for the White House ?
See we can ’ t win , because if we didn ’ t get the tests , you ’ d be up .
I understand you very well .
Better than you understand yourself .
and frankly , if we didn ’ t get the test done , you would be complaining that we didn ’ t get the tests done .
Now that we ’ re doing so well on tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , five minutes et cetera and so accurate , you ’ re complaining we ’ re getting too many tests , so you can ’ t win .
Trump has no answers , so he attacks the media for asking the question .
There is a double standard .
There is a double standard in the White House where everyone is required to wear a mask except for Trump and Pence .
The American people are being denied virus testing without symptoms , but the White House follows the recommendation of health experts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t get it .
He can ’ t spin his response to the pandemic .
The American people can ’ t get tested and they know it , and Trump ’ s White House stage show can ’ t change the coronavirus reality .

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Trump fell apart when asked during his latest attempt at a coronavirus briefing about ease of access that the White House has to tests.
Q: Mr. President, there does seem to be a double standard here, Mr. President, where members of your own staff can get tested frequently when they need it, but ordinary Americans cannot, when will the rest of America have the same access that your own members of the White House have to testing?
Trump: You know what? If we didn’t get the tests, if we did no tests in the White House you’d be complaining, why aren’t you getting tests for the White House? See we can’t win, because if we didn’t get the tests, you’d be up. I understand you very well. Better than you understand yourself. and frankly, if we didn’t get the test done, you would be complaining that we didn’t get the tests done. Now that we’re doing so well on tests and so and quick and so fast, five minutes et cetera and so accurate, you’re complaining we’re getting too many tests, so you can’t win.
Video:
Trump loses it when asked about the double standard of daily White House tests, but no tests for every American. pic.twitter.com/l9jQeuL1F3 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 11, 2020
Trump has no answers, so he attacks the media for asking the question.
There is a double standard. There is a double standard in the White House where everyone is required to wear a mask except for Trump and Pence.
The American people are being denied virus testing without symptoms, but the White House follows the recommendation of health experts and tests daily.
Trump doesn’t get it. He can’t spin his response to the pandemic. The American people can’t get tested and they know it, and Trump’s White House stage show can’t change the coronavirus reality.


politicususa--2020-05-11--Trump Directs His Own Staff To Wear Masks All The Time

Trump has directed his own West Wing staff to wear masks all of the time unless they are alone at their own desks .
The White House directed officials to wear masks at all times inside the building except when sitting at their own desks , administration officials said Monday , after two officials in the West Wing tested positive for coronavirus last week .
The memo also directs officials to restrict in-person visits to the White House unless they are necessary , one of the officials said .
Trump has been enraged at his own staff for not doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is nothing in the memo that makes it clear that Trump and Pence will start wearing masks , but it is a safe bet that they will not .
The President is rushing to reopen the economy , but it is not even safe to work at the White House .
People who work in the West Wing should have been wearing masks from day one .
As usual , the Trump administration is a day late and a dollar short on combatting the virus .
Everyone in the West Wing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House still isn ’ t virus free .
The White House has daily virus testing and they can ’ t keep it safe .
It will be impossible for America ’ s workplaces to stop the spread of the virus with even fewer resources .

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Trump has directed his own West Wing staff to wear masks all of the time unless they are alone at their own desks.
Via The Wall Street Journal:
The White House directed officials to wear masks at all times inside the building except when sitting at their own desks, administration officials said Monday, after two officials in the West Wing tested positive for coronavirus last week.
….
The memo also directs officials to restrict in-person visits to the White House unless they are necessary, one of the officials said.
Trump has been enraged at his own staff for not doing enough to protect him from the virus. There is nothing in the memo that makes it clear that Trump and Pence will start wearing masks, but it is a safe bet that they will not.
The President is rushing to reopen the economy, but it is not even safe to work at the White House. People who work in the West Wing should have been wearing masks from day one. As usual, the Trump administration is a day late and a dollar short on combatting the virus.
Everyone in the West Wing has to wear a mask, but the White House still isn’t virus free. The White House has daily virus testing and they can’t keep it safe. It will be impossible for America’s workplaces to stop the spread of the virus with even fewer resources.


politicususa--2020-05-11--Iowa Republican Governor Who Is Virus Quarantine Plans To Reopen The State

Gov .
Kim Reynolds ( R-IA ) is in “ modified ” coronavirus quarantine after a meeting with Mike Pence , but she is still planning on reopening her state .
Gov .
Kim Reynolds , now in what she calls “ modified quarantine ” after possible COVID-19 exposure , said Monday that she intends to take additional steps this week to reopen the state and ease the pandemic-related restrictions on business activity in Iowa .
“ We can continue , I think , to lessen the restrictions and open up our state and start to begin — in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — to continue to reopen our economy , ” she said .
Asked why she ’ s continuing to loosen restrictions when testing data from the past week indicates an increase in the number of infected Iowans , Reynolds said , “ It ’ s because of that very testing.
” Just as there is no such thing as a modified pregnancy , modified quarantine does not exist .
Not even being exposed to the virus themselves is enough to change the minds of Trump following elected Republicans .
They are going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to spread and more people to die because they have convinced themselves that the only chance Trump and the Republican Party have of winning in November is to reopen the economy and convince the American people that there is a level of unnecessary illness and death that ’ s acceptable .
Republicans aren ’ t going to stop this bullet train of death , disease , and failure .
A governor who ended up in quarantine after meeting with the Vice President might want to reconsider the loosening of restrictions in their states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Iowa , and the blood of the future dead will be on the hands of Kim Reynolds and Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) is in “modified” coronavirus quarantine after a meeting with Mike Pence, but she is still planning on reopening her state.
According to Iowa Capital Dispatch:
Gov. Kim Reynolds, now in what she calls “modified quarantine” after possible COVID-19 exposure, said Monday that she intends to take additional steps this week to reopen the state and ease the pandemic-related restrictions on business activity in Iowa.
….
“We can continue, I think, to lessen the restrictions and open up our state and start to begin — in a very thoughtful, safe and purposeful way — to continue to reopen our economy,” she said.
….
Asked why she’s continuing to loosen restrictions when testing data from the past week indicates an increase in the number of infected Iowans, Reynolds said, “It’s because of that very testing.”
Just as there is no such thing as a modified pregnancy, modified quarantine does not exist.
Not even being exposed to the virus themselves is enough to change the minds of Trump following elected Republicans. They are going to reopen their states and allow this virus to spread and more people to die because they have convinced themselves that the only chance Trump and the Republican Party have of winning in November is to reopen the economy and convince the American people that there is a level of unnecessary illness and death that’s acceptable.
Republicans aren’t going to stop this bullet train of death, disease, and failure.
A governor who ended up in quarantine after meeting with the Vice President might want to reconsider the loosening of restrictions in their states, but that’s not happening in Iowa, and the blood of the future dead will be on the hands of Kim Reynolds and Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-05-11--Larry Kudlow Calls Obama’s Criticism of Trump “So Darn Political”

Larry Kudlow says he doesn ’ t know why Barack Obama is criticizing the Trump administration on Coronavirus .
The former president has slammed Kudlow ’ s boss for incompetence .
Kudlow is one of President Donald Trump ’ s economic advisors , but he tackled the subject of Covid-19 politics on Sunday .
Kudlow spoke to ABC News about Obama ’ s leaked remarks .
He said Obama “ sounds so darn political.
” “ With all due respect to the former president , and I really don ’ t want to get into a political back-and-forth , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s talking about , ” Kudlow said .
He claimed the Trump administration was relying “ heavily on the smartest people in this country ” in its response to the global pandemic .
“ What we ’ ve done may not be 100 percent perfect , ” he said .
“ But the overall picture is we ’ ve created a massive health and safety infrastructure to deal with the pandemic here.
” “ And judging from the results , where there has been a flattening in the rate of the growth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s working , so we ’ re preparing to reopen the economy.
” President Trump would likely disagree with Kudlow ’ s admission that the administration ’ s response wasn ’ t perfect .
Obama criticized the administration during a call with former staffers .
The audio of his unrestrained remarks was leaked .
“ What we ’ re fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish , being tribal , being divided and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have been bad even with the best of governments , ” he said .
“ It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset of ‘ what ’ s in it for me ’ and ‘ to heck with everybody else ’ … is operationalized in our government .
”

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Larry Kudlow says he doesn’t know why Barack Obama is criticizing the Trump administration on Coronavirus. The former president has slammed Kudlow’s boss for incompetence.
Kudlow is one of President Donald Trump’s economic advisors, but he tackled the subject of Covid-19 politics on Sunday. Kudlow spoke to ABC News about Obama’s leaked remarks.
He said Obama “sounds so darn political.”
“With all due respect to the former president, and I really don’t want to get into a political back-and-forth, I just don’t know what he’s talking about,” Kudlow said.
He claimed the Trump administration was relying “heavily on the smartest people in this country” in its response to the global pandemic.
Watch the video:
Larry Kudlow says Obama's criticism of federal response to COVID-19 “sounds so darn political.” While it “may not be 100 percent perfect,” we “created a massive health and safety infrastructure” to deal with the pandemic and “it’s working,” Kudlow adds. https://t.co/gV9k1u7NxS pic.twitter.com/RgW5yJcYJl — ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) May 10, 2020
“What we’ve done may not be 100 percent perfect,” he said.
“But the overall picture is we’ve created a massive health and safety infrastructure to deal with the pandemic here.”
“And judging from the results, where there has been a flattening in the rate of the growth in infection rates and mortality rates, it’s working, so we’re preparing to reopen the economy.”
President Trump would likely disagree with Kudlow’s admission that the administration’s response wasn’t perfect.
Obama criticized the administration during a call with former staffers. The audio of his unrestrained remarks was leaked.
“What we’re fighting against is these long-term trends in which being selfish, being tribal, being divided and seeing others as an enemy — that has become a stronger impulse in American life,” Obama said.
“It would have been bad even with the best of governments,” he said.
“It has been an absolute chaotic disaster when that mindset of ‘what’s in it for me’ and ‘to heck with everybody else’ … is operationalized in our government.”
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-11--Economist Gary Shilling: Coronavirus Recession Is “The Most Traumatic Event” Since World War II

An economist has warned that the recession induced by Coronavirus is the most serious global disruption since World War II .
Gary Shilling said a quick recovery is unlikely .
Shilling spoke to Bloomberg TV on Monday about the state of the economy .
He said a fast recovery was “ not realistic.
” “ I think it ’ s going to be very slow , ” Shilling said .
“ This is like 1929.
” “ Stocks rallied 40 percent after the initial fall , 52 percent retracement .
But then , as people appreciated the depths of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … 89 percent decline.
” “ I think we are in a similar pattern , and the idea of a V-recovery is not realistic .
The idea of the destruction of supply chains , factory disruptions , I think the recession is going to stretch into next year and we ’ ll probably have a very slow recovery , ” he said .
“ It could take years to fully recover .
This is the most traumatic event in the world , in my opinion , since World War II , and equally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been described as a “ legendary economist ” , said consumers would initially be cautious .
“ After pandemics , ” he said .
“ You find a very slow , drawn-out recovery .
It actually favors labor , because you tend to store more labor than you have capital.
” “ But it really can take decades before you are completely recovered.
” “ I do not think it will take that long because of the massive underlying stimuli this time , but I just do not see the consumer roaring back.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ being at home , doing things they did not do before , ” he said .

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An economist has warned that the recession induced by Coronavirus is the most serious global disruption since World War II. Gary Shilling said a quick recovery is unlikely.
Shilling spoke to Bloomberg TV on Monday about the state of the economy. He said a fast recovery was “not realistic.”
“I think it’s going to be very slow,” Shilling said. “This is like 1929.”
“Stocks rallied 40 percent after the initial fall, 52 percent retracement. But then, as people appreciated the depths of the depression, it fell another 86 percent … 89 percent decline.”
“I think we are in a similar pattern, and the idea of a V-recovery is not realistic. The idea of the destruction of supply chains, factory disruptions, I think the recession is going to stretch into next year and we’ll probably have a very slow recovery,” he said.
“It could take years to fully recover. This is the most traumatic event in the world, in my opinion, since World War II, and equally disruptive.”
Shilling, who’s been described as a “legendary economist”, said consumers would initially be cautious.
“After pandemics,” he said. “You find a very slow, drawn-out recovery. It actually favors labor, because you tend to store more labor than you have capital.”
“But it really can take decades before you are completely recovered.”
“I do not think it will take that long because of the massive underlying stimuli this time, but I just do not see the consumer roaring back.”
“People are getting used to being at home, doing things they did not do before,” he said.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-11--Trump Economic Advisor Complains That Disneyland Is Closed As Coronavirus Deaths Approach 80,000

One of the President ’ s economic advisors complained about Disneyland closures on Monday as Coronavirus deaths neared 80,000 .
Peter Navarro blamed the Chinese Communist Party for the situation .
Navarro is Donald Trump ’ s Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy and the Defense Production Act policy coordinator .
He told Fox News that China had to face consequences .
“ It crossed me that Disneyland in Shanghai is opening this morning , ” Navarro told Fox & Friends .
“ While my own Disneyland in my own homeland in Orange County , in Anaheim , where Disneyland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Chinese Communist Party.
” “ That makes me mad , ” he said .
Navarro also downplayed concerns about the economy .
Members of the administration warned on Sunday that unemployment could reach 20 % .
He appeared to criticize these remarks .
“ This is not the Great Depression , ” Navarro said .
“ Anybody who thinks this is the Great Depression doesn ’ t understand either history or economics.
” “ It ’ s going to be a long process because of the structural adjustments that are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus socially and culturally and economically , but this Great Depression pity party stuff I saw yesterday – this ain ’ t that.
” “ This pity party yesterday is not who we are .
Who we are is who this president is , ” he said .

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One of the President’s economic advisors complained about Disneyland closures on Monday as Coronavirus deaths neared 80,000. Peter Navarro blamed the Chinese Communist Party for the situation.
Navarro is Donald Trump’s Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy and the Defense Production Act policy coordinator. He told Fox News that China had to face consequences.
“It crossed me that Disneyland in Shanghai is opening this morning,” Navarro told Fox & Friends.
“While my own Disneyland in my own homeland in Orange County, in Anaheim, where Disneyland was born, is still shut because of the Chinese Communist Party.”
“That makes me mad,” he said.
Watch the video:
Peter Navarro: "It crossed me that Disneyland in Shanghai is opening this morning, while my own Disneyland in my own homeland in Orange County, in Anaheim, where Disneyland was born, is still shut because of the Chinese Communist Party. That makes me mad." pic.twitter.com/Z6Onr98wkn — Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) May 11, 2020
Navarro also downplayed concerns about the economy. Members of the administration warned on Sunday that unemployment could reach 20%. He appeared to criticize these remarks.
“This is not the Great Depression,” Navarro said.
“Anybody who thinks this is the Great Depression doesn’t understand either history or economics.”
“It’s going to be a long process because of the structural adjustments that are going to take place as we adapt to the virus socially and culturally and economically, but this Great Depression pity party stuff I saw yesterday – this ain’t that.”
“This pity party yesterday is not who we are. Who we are is who this president is,” he said.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-11--Biden: Trump’s Coronavirus Response Amounts to “Deflecting Blame and Dividing Americans”

In an op-ed for The Washington Post , presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden wrote that President Donald Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus pandemic amounts to little more than “ deflecting blame and dividing Americans.
” “ The coronavirus , to date , has taken the lives of more than 79,000 Americans .
One of every 5 U.S. workers has filed for unemployment — with the unemployment rate now the highest since the Great Depression .
It is an extraordinary moment — the kind that begs for urgent , steady , empathetic , unifying leadership , ” he wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country to accelerate our public health response and get economic relief to those who need it , President Trump is reverting to a familiar strategy of deflecting blame and dividing Americans.
” Trump ’ s “ goal is as obvious as it is craven : He hopes to split the country into dueling camps , casting Democrats as doomsayers hoping to keep America grounded and Republicans as freedom fighters trying to liberate the economy , ” Biden continued .
“ It ’ s a childish tactic — and a false choice that none @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also criticized the president ’ s claim that coronavirus testing would be available to all Americans , calling it a “ baldfaced lie.
” “ It ’ s been more than two months since Trump claimed that ‘ anybody that wants a test can get a test.
’ It was a baldfaced lie when he said it , and it still isn ’ t remotely true , ” the former vice president wrote .
“ If we ’ re going to have thriving workplaces , restaurants , stores and parks , we need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seem to provide it — to say nothing of worker safety protocols , consistent health guidelines or clear federal leadership to coordinate a responsible reopening.
” That the White House has made sure to make coronavirus tests available to its staff indicates “ They knew exactly how to make the Oval Office safe and operational , and they put in the work to do it , ” Biden pointed out .
“ They just haven ’ t put in that same work for the rest of us .
If Trump and his team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety — and they seem to , given their own behavior — why are they insisting that it ’ s unnecessary for the American people ?
” Trump will be joined by members of his administration will hold a press briefing at 4 p.m. today to discuss coronavirus testing .
It is unclear whether there will be a specific announcement at the briefing .

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In an op-ed for The Washington Post, presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden wrote that President Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus pandemic amounts to little more than “deflecting blame and dividing Americans.”
“The coronavirus, to date, has taken the lives of more than 79,000 Americans. One of every 5 U.S. workers has filed for unemployment — with the unemployment rate now the highest since the Great Depression. It is an extraordinary moment — the kind that begs for urgent, steady, empathetic, unifying leadership,” he wrote. “But instead of unifying the country to accelerate our public health response and get economic relief to those who need it, President Trump is reverting to a familiar strategy of deflecting blame and dividing Americans.”
Trump’s “goal is as obvious as it is craven: He hopes to split the country into dueling camps, casting Democrats as doomsayers hoping to keep America grounded and Republicans as freedom fighters trying to liberate the economy,” Biden continued. “It’s a childish tactic — and a false choice that none of us should fall for.”
Biden also criticized the president’s claim that coronavirus testing would be available to all Americans, calling it a “baldfaced lie.”
“It’s been more than two months since Trump claimed that ‘anybody that wants a test can get a test.’ It was a baldfaced lie when he said it, and it still isn’t remotely true,” the former vice president wrote. “If we’re going to have thriving workplaces, restaurants, stores and parks, we need widespread testing. Trump can’t seem to provide it — to say nothing of worker safety protocols, consistent health guidelines or clear federal leadership to coordinate a responsible reopening.”
That the White House has made sure to make coronavirus tests available to its staff indicates “They knew exactly how to make the Oval Office safe and operational, and they put in the work to do it,” Biden pointed out. “They just haven’t put in that same work for the rest of us. If Trump and his team understand how critical testing is to their safety — and they seem to, given their own behavior — why are they insisting that it’s unnecessary for the American people?”
Trump will be joined by members of his administration will hold a press briefing at 4 p.m. today to discuss coronavirus testing. It is unclear whether there will be a specific announcement at the briefing.


politicususa--2020-05-11--Fox News Analyst: Trump’s “Failure of Leadership” Allowed Coronavirus “To Do Greater Damage” To Econ

Fox News Analyst: Trump’s “Failure of Leadership” Allowed Coronavirus “To Do Greater Damage” To Economy

Writing in an op-ed for The Hill , journalist and Fox News political analyst Juan Williams says President Donald Trump ’ s “ failure of leadership ” allowed the coronavirus “ to do greater damage to the economy than it otherwise would.
” “ Yet an upbeat Vice President Pence is still selling the illusion that the nation will be done with the punishing virus by the end of May .
And Trump is forecasting a “ phenomenal ” economy in time for the November election , ” Williams wrote .
“ Any voter applauding Trump ’ s bluster has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
With the virus still spreading and many people out of work , there is not a lot of consumer confidence in an economy that thrives on consumer spending.
” Williams pointed out that most Americans “ tell pollsters they have no plans to spend money to go to a movie , to go out to dinner , to attend a ballgame or travel ” and suggested that presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden “ needs to remind voters of the Obama administration ’ s success in pulling the country out of recession and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan that got the economy back on track.
” Williams also said that the president has never grown the economy the way he ’ s always claimed .
“ Even Trump ’ s most loyal backers know that despite his promise to create 4 percent or higher economic growth when he became president , he has never produced such results , ” he said .
“ The truth is that he has averaged about 2 percent growth .
And that was before the virus hit.
” He continued : “ That 2 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the growth rate under President Obama… Obama also reduced unemployment from 10 percent at the height of the recession in 2009 to 4.7 percent by January 2017 when Trump took office .
Yet , Trump brags that he took unemployment down to 3.5 percent without mentioning that he inherited a growing economy .
”

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Writing in an op-ed for The Hill, journalist and Fox News political analyst Juan Williams says President Donald Trump’s “failure of leadership” allowed the coronavirus “to do greater damage to the economy than it otherwise would.”
“Yet an upbeat Vice President Pence is still selling the illusion that the nation will be done with the punishing virus by the end of May. And Trump is forecasting a “phenomenal” economy in time for the November election,” Williams wrote. “Any voter applauding Trump’s bluster has to close their eyes to the obvious. With the virus still spreading and many people out of work, there is not a lot of consumer confidence in an economy that thrives on consumer spending.”
Williams pointed out that most Americans “tell pollsters they have no plans to spend money to go to a movie, to go out to dinner, to attend a ballgame or travel” and suggested that presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden “needs to remind voters of the Obama administration’s success in pulling the country out of recession and specifically its success in pushing the stimulus plan that got the economy back on track.
Williams also said that the president has never grown the economy the way he’s always claimed.
“Even Trump’s most loyal backers know that despite his promise to create 4 percent or higher economic growth when he became president, he has never produced such results,” he said. “The truth is that he has averaged about 2 percent growth. And that was before the virus hit.”
He continued: “That 2 percent rate of growth is basically the same as the growth rate under President Obama… Obama also reduced unemployment from 10 percent at the height of the recession in 2009 to 4.7 percent by January 2017 when Trump took office. Yet, Trump brags that he took unemployment down to 3.5 percent without mentioning that he inherited a growing economy.”


politicususa--2020-05-11--Trump Launches into “Obamagate” Conspiracy Theory After Obama Criticizes Dismissal of Flynn Case

President Donald Trump attacked former President Barack Obama , launching into an “ Obamagate ” conspiracy after news outlets obtained a tape of a web talk between the former president and members of the Obama Alumni Association in which he said the “ rule of law is at risk ” in the United States after it emerged the Justice Department dismissed the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn .
“ OBAMAGATE !
” Trump wrote .
He spent the rest of the night peddling numerous conspiracy theories .
“ The news over the last 24 hours I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice department dropping charges against Michael Flynn , ” Obama reportedly said .
“ And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has been charged with perjury [ in fact Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI ] just getting off scot-free .
That ’ s the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic – not just institutional norms – but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk , ” he continued .
“ And when you start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accelerate pretty quickly as we ’ ve seen in other places.
” Trump was criticized last week for retweeting a conspiracy theory suggesting that Obama “ was the one running the Russian hoax.
” “ What they did , what the Obama administration did , is unprecedented … and I hope a lot of people will pay a big price because they are dishonest , crooked people .
They are scum , human scum , ” Trump said yesterday .
“ [ Flynn ] was targeted by the Obama administration , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take down a president.
” Flynn resigned from the White House in disgrace after he provided false information about his communications with the Russian government , particularly after the news of his conversations with Sergey Kislyak , then the Russian ambassador to the United States , became public .
He later pleaded guilty to a felony count of “ willfully and knowingly ” making false statements to the FBI .

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President Donald Trump attacked former President Barack Obama, launching into an “Obamagate” conspiracy after news outlets obtained a tape of a web talk between the former president and members of the Obama Alumni Association in which he said the “rule of law is at risk” in the United States after it emerged the Justice Department dismissed the case against former national security adviser Michael Flynn.
“OBAMAGATE!” Trump wrote. He spent the rest of the night peddling numerous conspiracy theories.
OBAMAGATE! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 10, 2020
“The news over the last 24 hours I think has been somewhat downplayed – about the justice department dropping charges against Michael Flynn,” Obama reportedly said.
“And the fact that there is no precedent that anybody can find for someone who has been charged with perjury [in fact Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI] just getting off scot-free. That’s the kind of stuff where you begin to get worried that basic – not just institutional norms – but our basic understanding of rule of law is at risk,” he continued. “And when you start moving in those directions, it can accelerate pretty quickly as we’ve seen in other places.”
Trump was criticized last week for retweeting a conspiracy theory suggesting that Obama “was the one running the Russian hoax.”
“What they did, what the Obama administration did, is unprecedented … and I hope a lot of people will pay a big price because they are dishonest, crooked people. They are scum, human scum,” Trump said yesterday. “[Flynn] was targeted by the Obama administration, and he was targeted in order to try to take down a president.”
Flynn resigned from the White House in disgrace after he provided false information about his communications with the Russian government, particularly after the news of his conversations with Sergey Kislyak, then the Russian ambassador to the United States, became public. He later pleaded guilty to a felony count of “willfully and knowingly” making false statements to the FBI.


politicususa--2020-05-12--Rachel Maddow Sounds The Alarm About Trump’s Deteriorating Mental Health: ‘Something’s Wrong’

Rachel Maddow said on Monday that it ’ s her normal policy not to focus on Donald Trump ’ s daily rhetoric , but his completely unhinged press conference earlier in the day left her with no choice .
The MSNBC host said Trump ’ s performance made it clear that he is not in good mental health and the stress of the pandemic is overwhelming him .
“ Whether or not you like the president or not , whether you enjoy his public affect or not on a regular basis , it ’ s clear that there is something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And that ’ s important whenever the president of the United States is visibly unwound like that.
” “ Maybe the president is just stressed out that the virus he has been playing down … it ’ s inside his house now , ” she added .
What is wrong with the president today ?
We don ’ t know .
Something ’ s wrong .
Whether or not you , you know , like the president or not , whether you enjoy his public affect or not on a regular basis , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something wrong .
And that ’ s important whenever the president of the United States is visibly unwound like that .
And it is possible that it is just stress .
Publicly and politically , the White House and the president are pushing this line now that the epidemic is in the past and the president has been even cheering on the protesters who are protesting stay-at-home orders and gathering in big groups and not wearing masks and saying everything should be open , but alongside that public position , inside his house @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives and works , there ’ s an outbreak now that has put all the senior leadership of the White House coronavirus task force into varying degrees of quarantine .
And apparently put the vice president into isolation at home over the weekend , as reported by Bloomberg News .
Before the White House then belatedly denied that reporting and then the vice president came back to the White House today bravely wearing no mask .
The president ’ s personal valet , the vice president ’ s communications director .
I mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ positive now .
And the White House , by and large , has not been having people work from home .
The White House has regularly been having congregate meetings including meetings involving the president and the vice president .
The White House has not been engaging in much if any social distancing efforts in terms of the way people are working .
Almost no one has been wearing masks inside the White House as a workplace .
And so maybe the president is just stressed out that the virus he has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so invested politically and telling Americans that they shouldn ’ t worry about contracting it anymore , it ’ s inside his house now .
Coronavirus crisis has shown how mentally unfit Trump is Most Americans knew Donald Trump wasn ’ t qualified to be president long before he was elected to the office .
Even under normal circumstances , he has no business being in the White House .
But what the pandemic has tragically shown is just how disastrous it is when a self-obsessed , morally and intellectually bankrupt man is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
Back in 2015 and 2016 , Trump ’ s entrance into the political arena may have made for good TV ratings .
But his entrance into the White House has been a catastrophe from which the country will need decades to recover .
The longer he remains there as his mental health declines , the harder it will be for the country to rebuild when he ’ s finally gone .

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Rachel Maddow said on Monday that it’s her normal policy not to focus on Donald Trump’s daily rhetoric, but his completely unhinged press conference earlier in the day left her with no choice.
The MSNBC host said Trump’s performance made it clear that he is not in good mental health and the stress of the pandemic is overwhelming him.
“Whether or not you like the president or not, whether you enjoy his public affect or not on a regular basis, it’s clear that there is something wrong,” Maddow said. “And that’s important whenever the president of the United States is visibly unwound like that.”
“Maybe the president is just stressed out that the virus he has been playing down … it’s inside his house now,” she added.
Video:
Rachel Maddow sounds the alarm about Trump’s mental health: ‘It’s clear that there’s something wrong.’ #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/xSKQdEtqYU — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 12, 2020
Maddow said:
What is wrong with the president today? We don’t know. Something’s wrong. Whether or not you, you know, like the president or not, whether you enjoy his public affect or not on a regular basis, it’s clear that there is something wrong. And that’s important whenever the president of the United States is visibly unwound like that. And it is possible that it is just stress. Publicly and politically, the White House and the president are pushing this line now that the epidemic is in the past and the president has been even cheering on the protesters who are protesting stay-at-home orders and gathering in big groups and not wearing masks and saying everything should be open, but alongside that public position, inside his house, in the place where he now lives and works, there’s an outbreak now that has put all the senior leadership of the White House coronavirus task force into varying degrees of quarantine. And apparently put the vice president into isolation at home over the weekend, as reported by Bloomberg News. Before the White House then belatedly denied that reporting and then the vice president came back to the White House today bravely wearing no mask. The president’s personal valet, the vice president’s communications director. I mean people in the White House are testing positive now. And the White House, by and large, has not been having people work from home. The White House has regularly been having congregate meetings including meetings involving the president and the vice president. The White House has not been engaging in much if any social distancing efforts in terms of the way people are working. Almost no one has been wearing masks inside the White House as a workplace. And so maybe the president is just stressed out that the virus he has been playing down, this thing he is so invested politically and telling Americans that they shouldn’t worry about contracting it anymore, it’s inside his house now.
Coronavirus crisis has shown how mentally unfit Trump is
Most Americans knew Donald Trump wasn’t qualified to be president long before he was elected to the office. Even under normal circumstances, he has no business being in the White House.
But what the pandemic has tragically shown is just how disastrous it is when a self-obsessed, morally and intellectually bankrupt man is running the country during a time of crisis.
Back in 2015 and 2016, Trump’s entrance into the political arena may have made for good TV ratings. But his entrance into the White House has been a catastrophe from which the country will need decades to recover.
The longer he remains there as his mental health declines, the harder it will be for the country to rebuild when he’s finally gone.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-12--Pelosi Slams GOP For Pretending To Care About The Debt Again When The Middle Class Needs Help

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) blasted Republicans on Monday for suddenly pretending to care about the national debt again at a time when tens of millions of middle-class Americans are looking to their government for financial assistance .
During an interview on MSNBC , Chris Hayes asked Pelosi what she made of the latest GOP concern over how much it will cost to fund another round of coronavirus stimulus .
“ Well , it ’ s interesting to see what they ’ re saying , now renewing their fiscal hawk positions , ” she said .
“ When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion addition to the national debt in order to give 83 percent of the benefits to the top one percent , that was so irresponsible.
” Pelosi lambasted the GOP for now turning around and being opposed to benefits , like food stamps , that so many Americans are relying on during this crisis .
Well , it ’ s interesting to see what they ’ re saying , now renewing their fiscal hawk positions .
They can barely remember .
I have confidence in going big with what we do .
When @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trillion addition to the national debt in order to give 83 percent of the benefits to the top one percent .
That was so irresponsible in terms of it did nothing for the economy except heap mountains of debt on our children .
So with this , what we ’ re saying is these are investments .
All of these things are for the good of helping people in their personal lives but they also are a stimulus to the economy .
Ask any — well , almost any , I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – economist , they will tell you .
Food stamps , imagine that they ’ re against snap , against expanding the opportunity for people to have access to food stamps at a time where the papers and the news is full of families in long lines at food banks and we have to help those food banks as well .
So this is personal .
It ’ s heartbreaking , really .
Republicans have never cared about the debt and deficit For decades , Republicans have successfully fooled a good portion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the debt and deficit – that they , not Democrats , are the more fiscally responsible party .
It ’ s never been true , but in the Trump era , the veil was completely removed when this administration – with the approval of Republicans in Congress – forked over $ 2 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals and corporations without blinking .
As Nancy Pelosi said on Monday , it has done virtually nothing to help the middle class or the economy more broadly , but it did help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stock .
Now , when Republicans have an opportunity to actually invest in working people in a meaningful way , they want to lecture the country on government spending .
Not only is this bad policy , but it shows just how little the Republican Party cares about the “ forgotten men and women ” for whom they claim to be fighting .

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) blasted Republicans on Monday for suddenly pretending to care about the national debt again at a time when tens of millions of middle-class Americans are looking to their government for financial assistance.
During an interview on MSNBC, Chris Hayes asked Pelosi what she made of the latest GOP concern over how much it will cost to fund another round of coronavirus stimulus.
“Well, it’s interesting to see what they’re saying, now renewing their fiscal hawk positions,” she said. “When I saw them give a $2 trillion addition to the national debt in order to give 83 percent of the benefits to the top one percent, that was so irresponsible.”
Pelosi lambasted the GOP for now turning around and being opposed to benefits, like food stamps, that so many Americans are relying on during this crisis.
Video:
Nancy Pelosi scoffs at Republicans who are pretending to care about the deficit again when it comes to providing aid to working people. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/OXi8Jirn8f — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) May 12, 2020
Pelosi said:
Well, it’s interesting to see what they’re saying, now renewing their fiscal hawk positions. They can barely remember. I have confidence in going big with what we do. When I saw them give a $2 trillion addition to the national debt in order to give 83 percent of the benefits to the top one percent. That was so irresponsible in terms of it did nothing for the economy except heap mountains of debt on our children. So with this, what we’re saying is these are investments. All of these things are for the good of helping people in their personal lives but they also are a stimulus to the economy. Ask any — well, almost any, I don’t know who they would drum up – economist, they will tell you. Food stamps, imagine that they’re against snap, against expanding the opportunity for people to have access to food stamps at a time where the papers and the news is full of families in long lines at food banks and we have to help those food banks as well. So this is personal. It’s heartbreaking, really.
Republicans have never cared about the debt and deficit
For decades, Republicans have successfully fooled a good portion of the country into actually believing they care about the debt and deficit – that they, not Democrats, are the more fiscally responsible party.
It’s never been true, but in the Trump era, the veil was completely removed when this administration – with the approval of Republicans in Congress – forked over $2 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals and corporations without blinking.
As Nancy Pelosi said on Monday, it has done virtually nothing to help the middle class or the economy more broadly, but it did help rich GOP donors buy back billions in stock.
Now, when Republicans have an opportunity to actually invest in working people in a meaningful way, they want to lecture the country on government spending.
Not only is this bad policy, but it shows just how little the Republican Party cares about the “forgotten men and women” for whom they claim to be fighting.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-13--Senate GOP Is Blocking New Democratic Relief Bill Because It Doesn’t Do Enough For Big Business

Republicans in the Senate , led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , called Nancy Pelosi ’ s new $ 3 trillion coronavirus relief package “ dead on arrival , ” all but guaranteeing the legislation would go nowhere in the Senate , even as millions of Americans are jobless and struggling to put food on the table .
“ What you ’ ve seen in the House , Nancy , is not something designed to deal with reality , but designed to deal with aspirations.
” McConnell said , according to The Hill .
“ This is not a time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for practical response to the coronavirus pandemic.
” The report notes that the Democratic legislation could come to a vote in the House on Friday and it “ includes funding for food assistance , state and local governments , another round of direct stimulus payments to individuals and hazard pay for essential workers , among other provisions.
” But Senate leadership is basically telling Speaker Pelosi and Democratic lawmakers that their bill helps workers too much and big business not enough .
More from The Hill : Sen. John Barrasso ( R-Wyo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican senator , called the House bill a “ payoff ” to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ’ s constituents , vowing that it will “ never pass the Senate.
” But the bill effectively hit a buzzsaw among Senate Republicans , whose support would be needed to even get the bill scheduled for a vote on the floor , much less pass the measure .
Sen. John Thune ( R-S.D . )
, the No .
2 Republican in the upper chamber , argued that the House bill was not designed to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” While House Democrats are proposing legislation that puts money into the hands of Americans who need it most , Republicans are – no surprise – fighting for big businesses .
As The Hill noted , “ Even as House Democrats were unveiling their proposal , McConnell instead discussed from the Senate floor how he and Sen. John Cornyn ( R-Texas ) are working on a bill to expand liability protections for employers — a ‘ red line ’ for the GOP leader in any fifth coronavirus bill.
” In the middle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collapse , the Republican Party ’ s stated priority – their so-called “ red line ” – is to make sure companies are shielded from pandemic-related lawsuits .
That ’ s the hill they want to die on .
Meanwhile , millions of working Americans are struggling to pay the bills , keep their homes and feed their kids during this pandemic .

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Republicans in the Senate, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, called Nancy Pelosi’s new $3 trillion coronavirus relief package “dead on arrival,” all but guaranteeing the legislation would go nowhere in the Senate, even as millions of Americans are jobless and struggling to put food on the table.
“What you’ve seen in the House, Nancy, is not something designed to deal with reality, but designed to deal with aspirations.” McConnell said, according to The Hill. “This is not a time for aspirational legislation, this is a time for practical response to the coronavirus pandemic.”
The report notes that the Democratic legislation could come to a vote in the House on Friday and it “includes funding for food assistance, state and local governments, another round of direct stimulus payments to individuals and hazard pay for essential workers, among other provisions.”
But Senate leadership is basically telling Speaker Pelosi and Democratic lawmakers that their bill helps workers too much and big business not enough.
More from The Hill:
Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the No. 3 Republican senator, called the House bill a “payoff” to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s constituents, vowing that it will “never pass the Senate.” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) called the House package “dead on arrival.” But the bill effectively hit a buzzsaw among Senate Republicans, whose support would be needed to even get the bill scheduled for a vote on the floor, much less pass the measure. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the No. 2 Republican in the upper chamber, argued that the House bill was not designed to pass, calling it a “messaging exercise.”
Republicans are demanding protections for big businesses
While House Democrats are proposing legislation that puts money into the hands of Americans who need it most, Republicans are – no surprise – fighting for big businesses.
As The Hill noted, “Even as House Democrats were unveiling their proposal, McConnell instead discussed from the Senate floor how he and Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) are working on a bill to expand liability protections for employers — a ‘red line’ for the GOP leader in any fifth coronavirus bill.”
In the middle of a global health crisis and an economic collapse, the Republican Party’s stated priority – their so-called “red line” – is to make sure companies are shielded from pandemic-related lawsuits. That’s the hill they want to die on.
Meanwhile, millions of working Americans are struggling to pay the bills, keep their homes and feed their kids during this pandemic.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-12--Biden Leads Wisconsin As Trump Is Collapsing Coast To Coast

Trump is in the midst of a collapse that goes from sea to shining sea as Wisconsin is the latest state where Joe Biden is leading .
According to the new Marquette University Law School Poll : Here is why Biden is leading : In Wisconsin , 459,000 white men without a college degree did not vote in 2016 .
Trump won the state by 22,748 votes .
Trump won white male voters without a college degree by 50 points over Hillary Clinton .
In Wisconsin , he leads Joe Biden by 32 points .
Former Vice President Biden doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ male or non-college educated .
He just needs to cut into Trump ’ s margin enough to give Democrats a chance to take back Wisconsin .
Trump is collapsing across the country .
Partially , it is due to his response to the pandemic , but a more structural reason is Trump ’ s stubborn refusal to expand his base of support .
Trump has done nothing to bring more voters into his column .
He is counting on running the same campaign as 2016 , but as the Marquette Law School Poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump voters could cost him Wisconsin and the presidency .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump is in the midst of a collapse that goes from sea to shining sea as Wisconsin is the latest state where Joe Biden is leading.
According to the new Marquette University Law School Poll:
New Marquette Law School Poll finds that presidential race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden remains close in Wisconsin, with Biden at 46%, Trump at 43%. #mulawpoll — MULawPoll (@MULawPoll) May 12, 2020
In late March, @mulawpoll found Biden at 48% and Trump at 45%. In February, it was 46% for each. #mulawpoll — MULawPoll (@MULawPoll) May 12, 2020
Here is why Biden is leading:
In presidential race in WI, Biden holds an advantage over Trump among 18-29 year old voters, leading in that group 51% to 41%. Biden also leads among voters 60 and over, 55% to 37%. #mulawpoll — MULawPoll (@MULawPoll) May 12, 2020
Among white males who completed college, Trump support is 50%,
Biden support is 46%. Among white females who completed college, Biden support is 63%, Trump support is 33%. #mulawpoll — MULawPoll (@MULawPoll) May 12, 2020
Among white males who did not complete college, Trump
support is 62%, Biden is 30%. Among white females who did not complete college, it’s Biden 46%, Trump 38%. #mulawpoll — MULawPoll (@MULawPoll) May 12, 2020
In Wisconsin, 459,000 white men without a college degree did not vote in 2016. Trump won the state by 22,748 votes. Trump won white male voters without a college degree by 50 points over Hillary Clinton. In Wisconsin, he leads Joe Biden by 32 points.
Former Vice President Biden doesn’t need to win a white male or non-college educated. He just needs to cut into Trump’s margin enough to give Democrats a chance to take back Wisconsin.
Trump is collapsing across the country. Partially, it is due to his response to the pandemic, but a more structural reason is Trump’s stubborn refusal to expand his base of support. Trump has done nothing to bring more voters into his column. He is counting on running the same campaign as 2016, but as the Marquette Law School Poll revealed, even the slightest shift among Trump voters could cost him Wisconsin and the presidency.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook