politicususa--2020-05-23--Opinion: The GOP’s Hypocritical Assault on States and the American People

Last May 15 , the House passed a sweeping $ 3 trillion relief package that would provide another round of stimulus checks for Americans , extend unemployment benefits , broaden the social safety net , and , of great importance , provide relief funding to states .
States , of course , and local governments for that matter , are taking a huge hit .
Not only have they suddenly been faced with the enormous costs entailed in addressing the pressing damages they are sustaining because of the pandemic , but they are also losing out on significant tax revenues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Double whammy .
And yet providing relief for states tends to find its way to the back burner in many discussions .
We can speculate on the reasons .
My own sense is that the workings and provisions of government systems are often less visible , even invisible , to people .
Roads , parks , postal service , libraries , public schools staffed with teachers , affordable state universities , clean water supplies , police and fire protection , garbage pick-up , snow removal—these all just magically exist without us thinking too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they in our lives .
A good number folks don ’ t even fully realize the vital elements of our lives that we have collectively pooled our tax money together to pay for through our government by , of , and for the people—through us ; we ’ re the government .
Think of the Tea Party protesters wanting the government out of their lives , carrying signs shouting , “ Government , Get Your Hands of My Medicare !
” Funding government isn ’ t necessarily prioritized in the American mentality .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by and large .
My guess is people won ’ t think about until it ’ s gone .
To quote Joni Mitchell , “ Don ’ t it always seem to go/You don ’ t know what you got/til it ’ s gone .
.
.
” But for our political leaders , particularly beltway Republicans , who play on the fact that the role state and local governments play in people ’ s lives is largely invisible , the reasons are more disturbing and contradictory .
Take , for example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paycheck Protection Program , providing grants to private businesses , to help companies keep their workers employed and on the payroll .
Why wouldn ’ t the federal government provide similar assistance to states losing out on key revenues because of the pandemic so teachers can keep educating children , police can keep the peace , workers can maintain infrastructure , hospitals can receive aid , firefighters can address emergencies , and so forth ?
These services may be far more essential than the t-shirt shop down the block .
So why is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers employed and thus vital services available to people , such an issue ?
While , according to The New York Times , McConnell recommended struggling states pursue bankruptcy , which is currently not a legal course of action for states , he also responded to general proposals to fund states , saying , “ We ’ ll certainly insist that anything we ’ d borrow to send down to the states is not spent on solving problems that they created for themselves over the years with their pension programs.
” At least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this maddening statement .
First , remember back in the Great Recession when banks behaved badly , irresponsibly issuing toxic loans and mortgage-backed securities and derivatives , leading to the near total collapse of the U.S. economy ?
They were not punished for their behavior , for “ problems they created for themselves.
” They were bailed out supposedly to save the economy , because they were “ too big to fail , ” even though many Americans still suffered foreclosure , eviction , and job loss .
If states are having trouble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s a problem caused by trying to help people live a dignified retirement .
Whereas banks created their problems in the Great Recession because they were greedy and trying to rip people off .
Moreover , aren ’ t states too big to fail , also ?
States laying off workers and being unable to provide basic services and maintain infrastructure , will be a huge hit to the economy .
There ’ s more than a little bit of hypocrisy , of contradictory thinking and policy-making here .
Additionally , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ created for themselves , we need to talk about the problems GOP state gubernatorial leadership created for states in slashing state budgets and cutting taxes to the bone , especially for corporations , leaving many states in the fragile financial conditions in which they find themselves today , with little to no fiscal padding to withstand a crisis .
In the middle of this decade , Governors such as Illinois ’ s Bruce Rauner , Louisiana ’ s Bobby Jindal , and Kansas ’ s Sam Brownback did their best to decimate their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Kansas , for example , is struggling right now to address the pandemic conditions precisely because Brownback gutted key government agencies , leaving current Governor Laura Kelly scrambling to save the state ’ s health and also the meat-processing plants vital to feeding the nation .
According to The New York Times , Kansas is still dealing with the hangover of seven years of draconian budget cuts under former Gov .
Sam Brownback , a Republican .
Ms. Kelly said the state health department “ had been pretty much decimated ” by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with the laboratory that now processes many Covid-19 tests resembling “ something out of the past.
” And yet , to create safe workplaces , the state needs to be able to test workers and contact trace .
In fact , Kansas plants process about one quarter of the nation ’ s meat supply .
So , we all need Kansas to have the resources to function effectively .
The GOP ’ s resistance to funding states has many layers .
As I ’ ve explored elsewhere , this resistance has much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desire to send particularly blue states , into bankruptcy so state budgets become subject to federal oversight .
It ’ s also linked the GOP ’ s animosity toward public sector unionized workers , as I ’ ve written about elsewhere ( this is what McConnell ’ s whining about pensions is about ) .
In any case , this GOP hypocrisy—and perfidy– should it prevail in preventing relief from going to states , will succeed only in harming Americans and their families .

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Last May 15, the House passed a sweeping $3 trillion relief package that would provide another round of stimulus checks for Americans, extend unemployment benefits, broaden the social safety net, and, of great importance, provide relief funding to states.
States, of course, and local governments for that matter, are taking a huge hit. Not only have they suddenly been faced with the enormous costs entailed in addressing the pressing damages they are sustaining because of the pandemic, but they are also losing out on significant tax revenues because of the partial economic shutdown. Double whammy.
And yet providing relief for states tends to find its way to the back burner in many discussions.
We can speculate on the reasons. My own sense is that the workings and provisions of government systems are often less visible, even invisible, to people. Roads, parks, postal service, libraries, public schools staffed with teachers, affordable state universities, clean water supplies, police and fire protection, garbage pick-up, snow removal—these all just magically exist without us thinking too much about them, such fixtures are they in our lives.
A good number folks don’t even fully realize the vital elements of our lives that we have collectively pooled our tax money together to pay for through our government by, of, and for the people—through us; we’re the government. Think of the Tea Party protesters wanting the government out of their lives, carrying signs shouting, “Government, Get Your Hands of My Medicare!”
Funding government isn’t necessarily prioritized in the American mentality. We’re taught to hate taxes, by and large. My guess is people won’t think about until it’s gone. To quote Joni Mitchell, “Don’t it always seem to go/You don’t know what you got/til it’s gone . . .”
But for our political leaders, particularly beltway Republicans, who play on the fact that the role state and local governments play in people’s lives is largely invisible, the reasons are more disturbing and contradictory.
Take, for example, the fact that Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program, providing grants to private businesses, to help companies keep their workers employed and on the payroll.
Why wouldn’t the federal government provide similar assistance to states losing out on key revenues because of the pandemic so teachers can keep educating children, police can keep the peace, workers can maintain infrastructure, hospitals can receive aid, firefighters can address emergencies, and so forth?
These services may be far more essential than the t-shirt shop down the block. So why is funding states and helping to keep state workers employed and thus vital services available to people, such an issue?
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s attitude toward helping states reveals a reason and a hypocrisy.
While, according to The New York Times, McConnell recommended struggling states pursue bankruptcy, which is currently not a legal course of action for states, he also responded to general proposals to fund states, saying, “We’ll certainly insist that anything we’d borrow to send down to the states is not spent on solving problems that they created for themselves over the years with their pension programs.”
At least two points need to be addressed regarding this maddening statement.
First, remember back in the Great Recession when banks behaved badly, irresponsibly issuing toxic loans and mortgage-backed securities and derivatives, leading to the near total collapse of the U.S. economy? They were not punished for their behavior, for “problems they created for themselves.” They were bailed out supposedly to save the economy, because they were “too big to fail,” even though many Americans still suffered foreclosure, eviction, and job loss.
If states are having trouble funding pensions, well, at least that’s a problem caused by trying to help people live a dignified retirement. Whereas banks created their problems in the Great Recession because they were greedy and trying to rip people off.
Moreover, aren’t states too big to fail, also? States laying off workers and being unable to provide basic services and maintain infrastructure, will be a huge hit to the economy.
There’s more than a little bit of hypocrisy, of contradictory thinking and policy-making here.
Additionally, rather than talk about the problems states created for themselves, we need to talk about the problems GOP state gubernatorial leadership created for states in slashing state budgets and cutting taxes to the bone, especially for corporations, leaving many states in the fragile financial conditions in which they find themselves today, with little to no fiscal padding to withstand a crisis.
In the middle of this decade, Governors such as Illinois’s Bruce Rauner, Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal, and Kansas’s Sam Brownback did their best to decimate their states by assaulting budgets and cutting taxes.
Kansas, for example, is struggling right now to address the pandemic conditions precisely because Brownback gutted key government agencies, leaving current Governor Laura Kelly scrambling to save the state’s health and also the meat-processing plants vital to feeding the nation. According to The New York Times,
Kansas is still dealing with the hangover of seven years of draconian budget cuts under former Gov. Sam Brownback, a Republican. Ms. Kelly said the state health department “had been pretty much decimated” by the time she became governor in 2018, with the laboratory that now processes many Covid-19 tests resembling “something out of the past.”
And yet, to create safe workplaces, the state needs to be able to test workers and contact trace. In fact, Kansas plants process about one quarter of the nation’s meat supply.
So, we all need Kansas to have the resources to function effectively.
The GOP’s resistance to funding states has many layers. As I’ve explored elsewhere, this resistance has much to do with the GOP’s desire to send particularly blue states, into bankruptcy so state budgets become subject to federal judicial–meaning Republican–oversight.
It’s also linked the GOP’s animosity toward public sector unionized workers, as I’ve written about elsewhere for People’s World (this is what McConnell’s whining about pensions is about).
In any case, this GOP hypocrisy—and perfidy– should it prevail in preventing relief from going to states, will succeed only in harming American workers and their families.


politicususa--2020-05-23--Opinion: Putin’s effort to undermine trust in science aids Trump and evangelicals’ COVID-19 malfeasa

Opinion: Putin’s effort to undermine trust in science aids Trump and evangelicals’ COVID-19 malfeasance

Combined with Vladimir Putin ’ s crusade to undermine trust in science among Americans , Trump ’ s efforts to sow suspicion of Federal health officials ’ expertise is exacerbating the spread ofCOVID-19 .
Subsequently , Americans are dying needlessly which is a value-added treat for Putin in his campaign to aid dirty Don ’ s reelection .
It is encouraging to see surveys revealing that the majority of Americans trust health experts and medical scientists ’ assessments of how best to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus .
However , there is an alarming percentage of Americans who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and his acolytes sequestered in “ camp runamuck ” more than health experts ; because Trump ’ s supporters are as inherently stupid as they are religiously afflicted .
Coupled with their willing embrace of all manner of conspiracy theories , it is little wonder America leads the world in coronavirus fatalities .
Russian President Vladimir Putin ’ s decades-long effort to instill distrust of science in Americans with less intellect than an amoeba is aiding Trump for sure , but like Trump ’ s religious cult following , a segment of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they are personally affected negatively .
Donald Trump did not create the level of stupid infecting America ’ s population , but like his Republican facilitators in Congress and loyal evangelical clergy , he is taking advantage of the imbecile class embracing idiocy and rejecting science .
For years political commentators have marveled at the number of Americans who regularly vote against their own best interests on many different issues – many of them life-threatening .
Whether it is opposing access to healthcare , denying climate science , antipathy to nutrition assistance , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eliminating regulations banning toxic chemicals in the air and water , there is a decidedly Republican sect ready and willing to embrace insane policies .
Donald Trump , like his Republican facilitators , understands the imbecile class of Americans and has parlayed that understanding into ardent electoral support that not only allowed him entrance to a place he should be banned from visiting , it is jeopardizing the lives of tens-of-millions of Americans .
Republicans have used the imbecile class ’ suspicion of science , education , and intellect to advance dangerous conservative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the population for decades .
It is curious because nearly all Americans are , or were , educated in the same public school system that produces some of the finest minds on the planet .
And yet despite spending 12 years learning basic information created to produce an educated populace crucial to a free democratic society , there are far too many Americans anxious to embrace truly insane conspiracy theories and advice from politicians lacking any expertise whatsoever on any issues .
No matter which side of the political isle any American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most Americans were shocked when dumb Don Trump suggested that ingesting bleach was an “ interesting ” treatment against COVID-19 that warranted further investigation .
Still , despite label warnings in plain English against internal use of bleach or any other disinfectant , there were morons who put their trust in Trump ’ s non-medical advice and ended up with internal injuries .
Those same idiots still believe that because Trump prescribed an anti-malaria drug as an effective prophylactic against the novel coronavirus , the medical experts were wrong and using the drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ published on Thursday reported that people embracing Trump ’ s miracle cure faced a higher death rate than those who trusted science over an idiot in the Oval Office .
It is no different with the alarming number of Americans who refuse to wear masks or practice social distancing – because Trump contradicts his administration ’ s medical experts , idiots are wantonly spreading the virus simply because they refuse to believe science and why should they ?
Trump disputes science , including his own medical experts advice , and given the choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their own idiot class despite clear empirical evidence to the contrary .
This opposition to science did not begin with Trump , but he has taken full advantage of it ; likely because he witnessed the success Republicans enjoy on a variety of issues .
For example , a few years ago while California was suffering an historical drought , a Republican running for Congress claimed the lack of precipitation was the work of President Barack Obama and the EPA ; despite the lack of rain was in full stride three years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2008 .
It is the same with a successful claim by Republicans that Democrats and environmentalists were diverting river water from the mountains to flow into the ocean causing the lack of rainfall .
Although every 2nd grade student learns that water naturally flows from the mountains into the ocean , no small number of voters supported each and every GOP candidate who claimed environmental scientists were lying to deny the farmers access to water .
This opposition to , and gross suspicion of , science has probably always existed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it has increased exponentially over the past decade or two because Russian President Putin has sown distrust to undermine confidence in government .
Putin ’ s success at installing a con man like Trump in a leadership role to sow more distrust of any kind of expertise has aided Trump significantly .
If that were not the case , Trump ’ s supporters would not malign experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci with unfounded conspiracy theories the idiot class believe as if uttered by their biblical god .
It is noteworthy that chief among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are Republican evangelical fanatics who trust Trump , as god ’ s anointed one , over medical and federal health professionals .
As Katherine Stewart recently noted in the New York Times : “ Trump ’ s response to the pandemic has been strongly influenced by a movement that denies science , bashes government and prioritized loyalty over professional expertise .
This denial of science and critical thinking among religious ultraconservatives now haunts the American response to the coronavirus crisis.
” There are plenty of reports of evangelical leaders who claim they and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply because god , and Trump .
Subsequently , that particular embrace of fantasy over empiricism is spreading the coronavirus in communities and killing the faithful as indiscriminately as it does Americans with an ounce of intellect and trust in science .
Trump is well aware that because his campaign and foreign policy advisor Vladimir Putin spent decades laying the foundation for American distrust of science and expertise he can continue repeatedly spreading false and misleading information even as the coronavirus pandemic has escalated .
It is unclear how many of Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ begin to suspect that medical professionals and health experts are better equipped to advise Americans on how best to survive Trump ’ s COVID-19 malfeasance , but if the past is any indication , it is likely true that they will perish en masse before putting their trust in medical experts .
Tragically , their opposition to science and medical professionals ’ expertise will continue killing innocent Americans to the delight of Vladimir Putin , evangelical fanatics , and the chief moron in the Oval Office .

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Combined with Vladimir Putin’s crusade to undermine trust in science among Americans, Trump’s efforts to sow suspicion of Federal health officials’ expertise is exacerbating the spread ofCOVID-19. Subsequently, Americans are dying needlessly which is a value-added treat for Putin in his campaign to aid dirty Don’s reelection.
It is encouraging to see surveys revealing that the majority of Americans trust health experts and medical scientists’ assessments of how best to mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, there is an alarming percentage of Americans who place their trust in dumb Don Trump and his acolytes sequestered in “camp runamuck” more than health experts; because Trump’s supporters are as inherently stupid as they are religiously afflicted. Coupled with their willing embrace of all manner of conspiracy theories, it is little wonder America leads the world in coronavirus fatalities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decades-long effort to instill distrust of science in Americans with less intellect than an amoeba is aiding Trump for sure, but like Trump’s religious cult following, a segment of the population typically eschews reality and facts regardless they are personally affected negatively.
Donald Trump did not create the level of stupid infecting America’s population, but like his Republican facilitators in Congress and loyal evangelical clergy, he is taking advantage of the imbecile class embracing idiocy and rejecting science.
For years political commentators have marveled at the number of Americans who regularly vote against their own best interests on many different issues – many of them life-threatening. Whether it is opposing access to healthcare, denying climate science, antipathy to nutrition assistance, rejecting sane gun safety measures, or eliminating regulations banning toxic chemicals in the air and water, there is a decidedly Republican sect ready and willing to embrace insane policies.
Donald Trump, like his Republican facilitators, understands the imbecile class of Americans and has parlayed that understanding into ardent electoral support that not only allowed him entrance to a place he should be banned from visiting, it is jeopardizing the lives of tens-of-millions of Americans.
Republicans have used the imbecile class’ suspicion of science, education, and intellect to advance dangerous conservative policies that are detrimental to the rest of the population for decades. It is curious because nearly all Americans are, or were, educated in the same public school system that produces some of the finest minds on the planet. And yet despite spending 12 years learning basic information created to produce an educated populace crucial to a free democratic society, there are far too many Americans anxious to embrace truly insane conspiracy theories and advice from politicians lacking any expertise whatsoever on any issues.
No matter which side of the political isle any American falls, it is fairly certain that most Americans were shocked when dumb Don Trump suggested that ingesting bleach was an “interesting” treatment against COVID-19 that warranted further investigation. Still, despite label warnings in plain English against internal use of bleach or any other disinfectant, there were morons who put their trust in Trump’s non-medical advice and ended up with internal injuries.
Those same idiots still believe that because Trump prescribed an anti-malaria drug as an effective prophylactic against the novel coronavirus, the medical experts were wrong and using the drug hydroxychloroquine is completely safe. A study published on Thursday reported that people embracing Trump’s miracle cure faced a higher death rate than those who trusted science over an idiot in the Oval Office.
It is no different with the alarming number of Americans who refuse to wear masks or practice social distancing – because Trump contradicts his administration’s medical experts, idiots are wantonly spreading the virus simply because they refuse to believe science and why should they? Trump disputes science, including his own medical experts advice, and given the choice; the morons believe a ranking member of their own idiot class despite clear empirical evidence to the contrary.
This opposition to science did not begin with Trump, but he has taken full advantage of it; likely because he witnessed the success Republicans enjoy on a variety of issues. For example, a few years ago while California was suffering an historical drought, a Republican running for Congress claimed the lack of precipitation was the work of President Barack Obama and the EPA; despite the lack of rain was in full stride three years prior to Mr. Obama’s election in 2008.
It is the same with a successful claim by Republicans that Democrats and environmentalists were diverting river water from the mountains to flow into the ocean causing the lack of rainfall. Although every 2nd grade student learns that water naturally flows from the mountains into the ocean, no small number of voters supported each and every GOP candidate who claimed environmental scientists were lying to deny the farmers access to water.
This opposition to, and gross suspicion of, science has probably always existed in a small percentage of the population, but it has increased exponentially over the past decade or two because Russian President Putin has sown distrust to undermine confidence in government. Putin’s success at installing a con man like Trump in a leadership role to sow more distrust of any kind of expertise has aided Trump significantly. If that were not the case, Trump’s supporters would not malign experts like Dr. Anthony Fauci with unfounded conspiracy theories the idiot class believe as if uttered by their biblical god.
It is noteworthy that chief among Trump’s supporters who oppose science are Republican evangelical fanatics who trust Trump, as god’s anointed one, over medical and federal health professionals. As Katherine Stewart recently noted in the New York Times:
“Trump’s response to the pandemic has been strongly influenced by a movement that denies science, bashes government and prioritized loyalty over professional expertise. This denial of science and critical thinking among religious ultraconservatives now haunts the American response to the coronavirus crisis.”
There are plenty of reports of evangelical leaders who claim they and their congregants are protected from a virus simply because god, and Trump. Subsequently, that particular embrace of fantasy over empiricism is spreading the coronavirus in communities and killing the faithful as indiscriminately as it does Americans with an ounce of intellect and trust in science.
Trump is well aware that because his campaign and foreign policy advisor Vladimir Putin spent decades laying the foundation for American distrust of science and expertise he can continue repeatedly spreading false and misleading information even as the coronavirus pandemic has escalated. It is unclear how many of Trump’s acolytes have to die before they begin to suspect that medical professionals and health experts are better equipped to advise Americans on how best to survive Trump’s COVID-19 malfeasance, but if the past is any indication, it is likely true that they will perish en masse before putting their trust in medical experts. Tragically, their opposition to science and medical professionals’ expertise will continue killing innocent Americans to the delight of Vladimir Putin, evangelical fanatics, and the chief moron in the Oval Office.


politicususa--2020-05-23--Trump Wants To Investigate Social Media For Not Being MAGA Enough

Donald Trump is on the verge of going full dictator by setting up a panel to investigate social media websites for not being as MAGA as he ’ d like them to be .
According to The Wall Street Journal , “ President Trump is considering establishing a panel to review complaints of anticonservative bias on social media … in a move that would likely draw pushback from technology companies and others.
” The report notes that Trump appears to be ramping up his efforts to police social media in part because the 2020 election is getting closer .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans are still under discussion but could include the establishment of a White House-created commission that would examine allegations of online bias and censorship , these people said .
The administration could also encourage similar reviews by federal regulatory agencies , such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Election Commission , they said .
“ Left-wing bias in the tech world is a concern that definitely needs to be addressed from our vantage point , and at least exposed [ so ] that Americans have clear eyes about what we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House official said .
Mr. Trump has long expressed that viewpoint , and in a recent Twitter post indicated that a plan to address complaints of bias is in the works .
It should also come as no surprise that Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is one of Trump ’ s strongest allies in the fight to make the internet more MAGA-friendly .
“ The president is increasingly aware of the headwinds we face from big-tech bias , ” Rep. Gaetz said , according to the report .
“ There have been very active @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with executive action to create a fair marketplace of ideas.
” While Donald Trump and his shameless allies crow about social media algorithms and newsfeeds , the truth is much more simple : This president just isn ’ t a big fan of free speech unless it ’ s used to shower him with praise .
During his endless loop of coronavirus pep rallies over the past several months , Trump repeatedly lashed out at the press , claiming they were out to get him .
In reality , they were just doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s incompetent response to a historic health crisis .
The same is true of social media .
The president and his allies don ’ t want the internet to be a “ fair marketplace of ideas , ” as Matt Gaetz said .
They want it to be a place where Trump can have his ego stroked with fake poll numbers and supportive Russian bots .
Ultimately , if social media companies were interested in tamping down hate and misinformation , they would shut down Trump ’ s accounts today .
Until then @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his tantrums about social media bias .

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Donald Trump is on the verge of going full dictator by setting up a panel to investigate social media websites for not being as MAGA as he’d like them to be.
According to The Wall Street Journal, “President Trump is considering establishing a panel to review complaints of anticonservative bias on social media … in a move that would likely draw pushback from technology companies and others.”
The report notes that Trump appears to be ramping up his efforts to police social media in part because the 2020 election is getting closer.
More via The Wall Street Journal:
The plans are still under discussion but could include the establishment of a White House-created commission that would examine allegations of online bias and censorship, these people said. The administration could also encourage similar reviews by federal regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Election Commission, they said. “Left-wing bias in the tech world is a concern that definitely needs to be addressed from our vantage point, and at least exposed [so] that Americans have clear eyes about what we’re dealing with,” a White House official said. Mr. Trump has long expressed that viewpoint, and in a recent Twitter post indicated that a plan to address complaints of bias is in the works.
It should also come as no surprise that Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz is one of Trump’s strongest allies in the fight to make the internet more MAGA-friendly.
“The president is increasingly aware of the headwinds we face from big-tech bias,” Rep. Gaetz said, according to the report. “There have been very active discussions about what the administration can do with executive action to create a fair marketplace of ideas.”
Trump just isn’t a big fan of free speech
While Donald Trump and his shameless allies crow about social media algorithms and newsfeeds, the truth is much more simple: This president just isn’t a big fan of free speech unless it’s used to shower him with praise.
During his endless loop of coronavirus pep rallies over the past several months, Trump repeatedly lashed out at the press, claiming they were out to get him.
In reality, they were just doing their jobs and scrutinizing the administration’s incompetent response to a historic health crisis.
The same is true of social media.
The president and his allies don’t want the internet to be a “fair marketplace of ideas,” as Matt Gaetz said. They want it to be a place where Trump can have his ego stroked with fake poll numbers and supportive Russian bots.
Ultimately, if social media companies were interested in tamping down hate and misinformation, they would shut down Trump’s accounts today. Until then, the president can spare the country his tantrums about social media bias.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-23--Trump Golfs As America Approaches 100,000 Virus Deaths

As the US continues its grim march toward 100,000 coronavirus deaths , Donald Trump is spending his Saturday at one of his clubs golfing .
Trump is hitting the links as Americans die : Trump even got his lackey Dr. Birx to endorse golfing as a Memorial Day weekend activity : No other president would think of going golfing as 1.6 million Americans are sick , and the nation is approaching 100,000 deaths , but this is normal behavior for Donald Trump , who long ago showed the American people that he doesn ’ t care about what happens to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things are back to normal , so he is golfing .
At the current national trajectory , none of this may matter .
Donald Trump looks to be heading for defeat in November anyone .
It is probably better for the country that he stops making at token effort at pretending like he is doing the job of being president , but these decisions create election ads against Republicans that write themselves .
Imagine a people in masks and then a shot of Trump golfing .
The ads will only reinforce what Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is only interested in Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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As the US continues its grim march toward 100,000 coronavirus deaths, Donald Trump is spending his Saturday at one of his clubs golfing.
Trump is hitting the links as Americans die:
President Trump has arrived at his Northern Virginia golf course, his first visit to one of his golf properties since March 8 — Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) May 23, 2020
Trump even got his lackey Dr. Birx to endorse golfing as a Memorial Day weekend activity:
Dr. Birx yesterday endorsed golf as a good socially distanced outdoor activity for Memorial Day weekend while also noting DC/MD/VA has the highest coronavirus positivity rate in the country https://t.co/HewbbXH4bp https://t.co/CIzFWpW16R — Jordan Fabian (@Jordanfabian) May 23, 2020
No other president would think of going golfing as 1.6 million Americans are sick, and the nation is approaching 100,000 deaths, but this is normal behavior for Donald Trump, who long ago showed the American people that he doesn’t care about what happens to them.
Trump wants to pretend like things are back to normal, so he is golfing.
At the current national trajectory, none of this may matter. Donald Trump looks to be heading for defeat in November anyone. It is probably better for the country that he stops making at token effort at pretending like he is doing the job of being president, but these decisions create election ads against Republicans that write themselves.
Imagine a people in masks and then a shot of Trump golfing.
The ads will only reinforce what Americans already know to be true. Trump is only interested in Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-23--Half Of The Twitter Accounts Pushing To Reopen America Are Fake

A new study has found that nearly half of the Twitter accounts pushing to reopen America are fake bot accounts , and the number is even higher among influencers .
To analyze bot activity around the pandemic , CMU researchers since January have collected more than 200 million tweets discussing coronavirus or COVID-19 .
Of the top 50 influential retweeters , 82 % are bots , they found .
Of the top 1,000 retweeters , 62 % are bots .
Many factors of the online discussions about “ reopening America ” suggest that bot activity is orchestrated .
One indicator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many of which are accounts that were recently created .
Accounts that are possibly humans with bot assistants generate 66 % of the tweets .
Accounts that are definitely bots generate 34 % of the tweets .
A subset of tweets about “ reopening America ” reference conspiracy theories , such as hospitals being filled with mannequins or the coronavirus being linked to 5G towers .
In 2016 , Trump supporters picked up Russian misinformation and spread it to the electorate .
The study can ’ t determine who is behind this activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a tactic that both Trump and the Russians used in the last presidential election .
As an added bonus , the Chinese government also has an incentive to spread misinformation about the coronavirus as well , so it is a safe assumption that multiple actors are behind the campaign .
The campaign has not been effective with the general population in the United States .
Polling reveals that vast majorities are placing health ahead of reopening the economy , and there is an intense level of concern about the second wave of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russians to divide , and they are trying to Americans against each other on COVID-19 .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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A new study has found that nearly half of the Twitter accounts pushing to reopen America are fake bot accounts, and the number is even higher among influencers.
According to Carnegie Mellon University researchers:
To analyze bot activity around the pandemic, CMU researchers since January have collected more than 200 million tweets discussing coronavirus or COVID-19. Of the top 50 influential retweeters, 82% are bots, they found. Of the top 1,000 retweeters, 62% are bots.
….
Many factors of the online discussions about “reopening America” suggest that bot activity is orchestrated. One indicator is the large number of bots, many of which are accounts that were recently created. Accounts that are possibly humans with bot assistants generate 66% of the tweets. Accounts that are definitely bots generate 34% of the tweets.
….
A subset of tweets about “reopening America” reference conspiracy theories, such as hospitals being filled with mannequins or the coronavirus being linked to 5G towers.
In 2016, Trump supporters picked up Russian misinformation and spread it to the electorate. The study can’t determine who is behind this activity, but sowing division and misinformation is a tactic that both Trump and the Russians used in the last presidential election.
As an added bonus, the Chinese government also has an incentive to spread misinformation about the coronavirus as well, so it is a safe assumption that multiple actors are behind the campaign.
The campaign has not been effective with the general population in the United States. Polling reveals that vast majorities are placing health ahead of reopening the economy, and there is an intense level of concern about the second wave of infection.
The goal of Trump and the Russians to divide, and they are trying to Americans against each other on COVID-19.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-05-24--Fox’s Chris Wallace Sends Birx Reeling On Understating Virus Deaths

Fox News Sunday ’ s Chris Wallace put Dr. Birx in the hot seat when he played video of her projecting 60,000 virus deaths as the nation is set to pass 100,000 .
Transcript via Fox News Sunday : WALLACE : A month ago you and President Trump were both talking about a total of 16,000 COVID-19 deaths .
Take a look .
DONALD TRUMP , PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : It looks like we ’ ll be about a 60,000 mark which is 40,000 less than the lowest number thought of .
BIRX : Look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just a week .
Remember just a week ago it was 80,000 .
Now it ’ s 60,000 .
WALLACE : Early this coming week , we ’ re going to reach 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus and those models that you were citing now talk about close to 150,000 deaths by August .
What happened , Doctor ?
BIRX : I think a few things are together .
So from the beginning , and I think when we had that first briefing we talked about 1.2 million to 2.4 million and 100,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aggressive virus .
Those are the figures that we continue to stand by in this first wave and really understanding how to prevent future hospitalizations and future deaths is really what we ’ re focused on every single day .
WALLACE : But to press it a little bit , a month ago , you were saying we were going to come down below the low end of the model , which is 100,000 to 240,000 to 60,000 .
So I guess my question is , in this last month , did you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Did we reopen too soon ?
Did we reopen without sufficient restrictions ?
The Trump administration wants everyone to pretend like what they said two weeks or two months ago never happened .
Dr. Birx works for Trump and the reason why Birx has been seen more in the media than Fauci lately is that she is willing to play ball and be his political operative .
Fox is still worried about lawsuits , which is why you are seeing facts creep into their coverage , but also , they see the polling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after Trump .
Birx set whatever amount of credibility that she had on fire long ago .
What we are seeing is conservative outlets that will outlive the Trump presidency try to distance themselves from the presidential dumpster fire .

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Fox News Sunday’s Chris Wallace put Dr. Birx in the hot seat when he played video of her projecting 60,000 virus deaths as the nation is set to pass 100,000.
Transcript via Fox News Sunday:
WALLACE: A month ago you and President Trump were both talking about a total of 16,000 COVID-19 deaths. Take a look.
(BEGIN CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: It looks like we’ll be about a 60,000 mark which is 40,000 less than the lowest number thought of.
BIRX: Look at how much the model has changed in just a week. Remember just a week ago it was 80,000. Now it’s 60,000.
(END CLIP)
WALLACE: Early this coming week, we’re going to reach 100,000 deaths from the coronavirus and those models that you were citing now talk about close to 150,000 deaths by August. What happened, Doctor?
BIRX: I think a few things are together. So from the beginning, and I think when we had that first briefing we talked about 1.2 million to 2.4 million and 100,000 to 240,000 people succumbing to this incredibly aggressive virus. Those are the figures that we continue to stand by in this first wave and really understanding how to prevent future hospitalizations and future deaths is really what we’re focused on every single day.
WALLACE: But to press it a little bit, a month ago, you were saying we were going to come down below the low end of the model, which is 100,000 to 240,000 to 60,000. So I guess my question is, in this last month, did you underestimate the strength of the virus? Did we reopen too soon? Did we reopen without sufficient restrictions?
Video:
Chris Wallace begins his interview with Dr. Birx by playing tape of her saying last month that 60,000 Americans would die from coronavirus (we're now about to break 100k) and asks her what changed. Birx dissembles without answering the question. pic.twitter.com/PkrsATAHv9 — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 24, 2020
The Trump administration wants everyone to pretend like what they said two weeks or two months ago never happened. Dr. Birx works for Trump and the reason why Birx has been seen more in the media than Fauci lately is that she is willing to play ball and be his political operative.
Fox is still worried about lawsuits, which is why you are seeing facts creep into their coverage, but also, they see the polling. Fox is also preparing for life after Trump.
Birx set whatever amount of credibility that she had on fire long ago. What we are seeing is conservative outlets that will outlive the Trump presidency try to distance themselves from the presidential dumpster fire.


politicususa--2020-05-24--Trump Caught On Video Sunday Golfing As Virus Deaths Grow

As thousands are dying daily from the coronavirus , Donald Trump was caught on video golfing on Sunday as if he doesn ’ t have a care in the world .
Trump came up with a lie before he hit the links to justify his golfing : The Washington Post reported that the virus is surging across rural America , while Donald Trump is golfing , “ America ’ s largest and most densely populated cities and suburbs still suffer more infections and deaths per capita , but those overall rates are increasing faster in smaller , rural counties where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past month , the Post analysis found.
” Trump is making up his own alternate reality and trying to sell it to the American people because he wants to go play golf , hold political rallies , and pretend as if life has returned to normal .
Life is anything , but normal .
Forty million Americans are unemployed .
Double-digit unemployment is expected to last through the end of the year .
Trump thinks that he is convincing voters that life is back to normal , but all is proving is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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As thousands are dying daily from the coronavirus, Donald Trump was caught on video golfing on Sunday as if he doesn’t have a care in the world.
Video:
Here is Trump playing golf for the second straight day after he lied about the number of virus cases and deaths. (These campaign ads write themselves). pic.twitter.com/KjN1AQnQCO — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) May 24, 2020
Trump came up with a lie before he hit the links to justify his golfing:
Cases, numbers and deaths are going down all over the Country! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2020
The Washington Post reported that the virus is surging across rural America, while Donald Trump is golfing, “America’s largest and most densely populated cities and suburbs still suffer more infections and deaths per capita, but those overall rates are increasing faster in smaller, rural counties where the virus has spread rapidly in the past month, the Post analysis found.”
Trump is making up his own alternate reality and trying to sell it to the American people because he wants to go play golf, hold political rallies, and pretend as if life has returned to normal. Life is anything, but normal. Forty million Americans are unemployed. Double-digit unemployment is expected to last through the end of the year.
Trump thinks that he is convincing voters that life is back to normal, but all is proving is that he must be voted out of office.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-05-24--Trump Argues That He’s The Real Victim Of The Coronavirus

Trump made the case in a Sunday interview that he is the real victim , not the millions who are sick , and the nearly 100,000 dead from the coronavirus .
Trump said when asked about a Columbia study that tens of thousands of lives could have been saved if he would have acted sooner , “ You know , it ’ s a disgrace what I watch from this fake news media and some of the liberal institutions .
Columbia is a disgraceful liberal institution because all the people they cater to were months after me .
They said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I took tremendous heat when I banned China from coming in .
First time anything like that ever happened .
I took tremendous heat .
Tremendous .
A level that I ’ ve never seen anything like it and that went on for months .
They were criticizing me .
Sleepy Joe Biden said I ’ m xenophobic .
Meaning I don ’ t like people , certain people , and other people said as bad as that or worse , and that was in January .
That report .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
Playing right to their little group of people that tell them what to do.
” Nowhere in Trump ’ s comments did he express any sympathy for the sick , dying , and dead .
Other people were not mentioned at all .
The coronavirus is all about Donald Trump , and how he has been treated while his neglect killed tens of thousands of Americans .
Any other president would have expressed sympathy and then said something like if we knew then what we know now while defending his administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of showing care , concern , empathy , or humanity .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .
It is all about Trump , as he is making it clear that he views himself as the real victim of the pandemic .

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Trump made the case in a Sunday interview that he is the real victim, not the millions who are sick, and the nearly 100,000 dead from the coronavirus.
Trump said when asked about a Columbia study that tens of thousands of lives could have been saved if he would have acted sooner, “You know, it’s a disgrace what I watch from this fake news media and some of the liberal institutions. Columbia is a disgraceful liberal institution because all the people they cater to were months after me. They said we shouldn’t close it. I took tremendous heat when I banned China from coming in. First time anything like that ever happened. I took tremendous heat. Tremendous. A level that I’ve never seen anything like it and that went on for months. They were criticizing me. Sleepy Joe Biden said I’m xenophobic. Meaning I don’t like people, certain people, and other people said as bad as that or worse, and that was in January. That report. It’s a disgrace that Columbia University would do it. Playing right to their little group of people that tell them what to do.”
Video:
"Columbia is a liberal, disgraceful institution" — Trump to Sharyl Attkisson on Columbia University study that found 30,000 lives could've been saved had his federal government recommended social distancing measures just one week earlier pic.twitter.com/uYvqrpMEmC — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) May 24, 2020
Nowhere in Trump’s comments did he express any sympathy for the sick, dying, and dead. Other people were not mentioned at all. The coronavirus is all about Donald Trump, and how he has been treated while his neglect killed tens of thousands of Americans.
Any other president would have expressed sympathy and then said something like if we knew then what we know now while defending his administration’s response. Trump is incapable of showing care, concern, empathy, or humanity.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook
It is all about Trump, as he is making it clear that he views himself as the real victim of the pandemic.


politicususa--2020-05-24--Opinion: Coronavirus Highlights Contradictions in Our Economic System

Writing for CNN , Matt Egan recently reported , “ US credit card debt suddenly reversed course in March and fell by the largest percentage in more than 30 years .
At the same time , savings rates climbed to levels unseen since Ronald Reagan was in the White House.
” Good news ?
Seemingly so .
Americans appear to be behaving in economically responsible ways , eliminating expensive credit card debt and bolstering savings .
Founding father Ben Franklin would be proud of these fiscally wise Americans , no ?
Well , perhaps counter-intuitively , Egan ’ s article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sanguine terms , introduced by a headline that reads , rather ominously : “ New threat to the economy : Americans are saving like it ’ s the 1980s.
” In what kind of economic environment is the fiscally conservative and seemingly sound economic conduct of individuals—saving responsibly and maintaining low levels of debt—at odds with the health of the overall economy itself , understood as threatening the health of the economy ?
The answer is in an economic system such as our current arrangement , call it capitalism , fueled by consumerism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behavior reflect the unprecedented turmoil in the US economy caused by the pandemic .
Although caution is a logical response to that uncertainty , hunkering down also poses a risk to the recovery in an economy dominated by consumer spending .
A so-called V-shaped recovery can ’ t happen if consumers are sitting on the sidelines.
” Consumer spending accounts for 70 % of the U.S. economy ’ s gross domestic product , and retail sales experienced their largest decline in April since such records started being kept in 1992 .
Americans took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what they actually need , tending to their own economic health .
As they tend to their own economic health and focus on meeting their needs , the health of the overall economy suffers diametrically , no longer being fed by consumer dollars .
So , we see , unless Americans consume well beyond their need , even to the point of maintaining high levels of the debt , our economy can not sustain itself .
Does something seem wrong with this system in which we must behave counter to our own economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system ?
We know it ’ s not good for our environment and that responsible stewardship of our environment requires curtailing our consumption .
And , of course , our history has presented this lesson before , only to have us resist it , neglecting to learn .
The Great Depression was caused by what economists call “ over-production.
” Companies produce too much such that that pace of consumption beyond need can not keep up .
When consumers can not buy what is already on the shelves , companies stop producing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers can not afford even to pay for the basic goods and services they need to meet their needs—for what is essential .
Because nobody is buying goods and services , prices plummet because of lack of demand .
To bring prices back up—that is , to try to save the system—farmers start destroying crops , pouring milk down sewers , killing livestock .
Meanwhile , hungry folks are waiting in breadlines .
There ’ s the irony of the economic depression : amidst great abundance , people wanted for their most basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention , you ’ ll see the same phenomenon is occurring today .
As Adam Jeffery and Emma Newburger reported for CNBC : “ As the coronavirus pandemic disrupts supply chains across the country , farmers are being forced to destroy their crops , dump milk and throw out perishable items that can ’ t be stored.
” Chickens are being euthanized in Iowa .
Washington is experiencing a one billion pound surplus of potatoes .
And Jeffery and Newburger report that , “ At least $ 5 billion of fresh fruits and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to estimates from the Produce Marketing Association , as many farmers plow ripe crops back into the soil.
” Meanwhile , we have record numbers of people waiting in lines at food banks , and the food banks do not have enough to go around .
After the Depression , the effort seemed to be to restore the economic system , a system that had just proven itself unable to the support the lives of those trying to live within it , a system that had just demonstrated itself to be informed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which desperate want existed simultaneously with unused abundance .
Somehow we seemed to value more than the people living within it .
But the objective of any economy , you ’ ll learn in ECON 101 , is to produce and distribute goods and services most efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of those living in the system .
We have the same lesson before us now .
Will we choose a different response to it ?
Will we choose a system that supports life ?
That is able to distribute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collective hunger ?
That doesn ’ t make one put one ’ s life at risk when going to work to help produce what we all need to live ?
We are adapting to live on what we need—at least those of us who can access what we need .
Can we move beyond adapting our own individual behavior to adapt our overall economy to one designed first and foremost to meet our collective needs of food , shelter , health , education , clothing , entertainment , culture , and so forth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy designed to produce profit and wealth first and meet need as subsidiary objective .
It will likely mean we all work less and will definitely mean that having access to resources to meet our needs is not dependent on the work we do , the job we have .
It will mean we contribute what we are able and receive what we need .
Ideally , all of these relief packages are or should be designed to give us all what we need to get through .
We seem to have enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively .
Maybe we can learn a lesson this time .
We are already starting to adapt and change .
Can we evolve for good into a system that makes sense , so our economy works for us , instead of us sacrificing ourselves for the economy ?

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Writing for CNN, Matt Egan recently reported, “US credit card debt suddenly reversed course in March and fell by the largest percentage in more than 30 years. At the same time, savings rates climbed to levels unseen since Ronald Reagan was in the White House.”
Good news? Seemingly so. Americans appear to be behaving in economically responsible ways, eliminating expensive credit card debt and bolstering savings. Founding father Ben Franklin would be proud of these fiscally wise Americans, no?
Well, perhaps counter-intuitively, Egan’s article does not frame this behavioral development in sanguine terms, introduced by a headline that reads, rather ominously: “New threat to the economy: Americans are saving like it’s the 1980s.”
In what kind of economic environment is the fiscally conservative and seemingly sound economic conduct of individuals—saving responsibly and maintaining low levels of debt—at odds with the health of the overall economy itself, understood as threatening the health of the economy?
The answer is in an economic system such as our current arrangement, call it capitalism, fueled by consumerism.
Egan elaborates in his article, writing,
“The dramatic shifts in consumer behavior reflect the unprecedented turmoil in the US economy caused by the pandemic. Although caution is a logical response to that uncertainty, hunkering down also poses a risk to the recovery in an economy dominated by consumer spending. A so-called V-shaped recovery can’t happen if consumers are sitting on the sidelines.”
Consumer spending accounts for 70% of the U.S. economy’s gross domestic product, and retail sales experienced their largest decline in April since such records started being kept in 1992.
Americans took to buying primarily the essentials, just what they actually need, tending to their own economic health.
As they tend to their own economic health and focus on meeting their needs, the health of the overall economy suffers diametrically, no longer being fed by consumer dollars.
So, we see, unless Americans consume well beyond their need, even to the point of maintaining high levels of the debt, our economy cannot sustain itself.
Does something seem wrong with this system in which we must behave counter to our own economic health to serve the health of the system?
We know it’s not good for our environment and that responsible stewardship of our environment requires curtailing our consumption.
And, of course, our history has presented this lesson before, only to have us resist it, neglecting to learn.
The Great Depression was caused by what economists call “over-production.” Companies produce too much such that that pace of consumption beyond need cannot keep up. When consumers cannot buy what is already on the shelves, companies stop producing and thus lay off workers. Then the workers cannot afford even to pay for the basic goods and services they need to meet their needs—for what is essential.
Because nobody is buying goods and services, prices plummet because of lack of demand. To bring prices back up—that is, to try to save the system—farmers start destroying crops, pouring milk down sewers, killing livestock.
Meanwhile, hungry folks are waiting in breadlines.
There’s the irony of the economic depression: amidst great abundance, people wanted for their most basic needs.
If you’re paying attention, you’ll see the same phenomenon is occurring today. As Adam Jeffery and Emma Newburger reported for CNBC: “As the coronavirus pandemic disrupts supply chains across the country, farmers are being forced to destroy their crops, dump milk and throw out perishable items that can’t be stored.”
Chickens are being euthanized in Iowa. Washington is experiencing a one billion pound surplus of potatoes. And Jeffery and Newburger report that, “At least $5 billion of fresh fruits and vegetables have already been wasted, according to estimates from the Produce Marketing Association, as many farmers plow ripe crops back into the soil.”
Meanwhile, we have record numbers of people waiting in lines at food banks, and the food banks do not have enough to go around.
After the Depression, the effort seemed to be to restore the economic system, a system that had just proven itself unable to the support the lives of those trying to live within it, a system that had just demonstrated itself to be informed by a titanic contradiction, creating a situation in which desperate want existed simultaneously with unused abundance.
Somehow we seemed to value more than the people living within it.
But the objective of any economy, you’ll learn in ECON 101, is to produce and distribute goods and services most efficiently and effectively to meet the needs of those living in the system.
We have the same lesson before us now. Will we choose a different response to it?
Will we choose a system that supports life? That is able to distribute the abundance we produce to satisfy our collective hunger? That doesn’t make one put one’s life at risk when going to work to help produce what we all need to live?
We are adapting to live on what we need—at least those of us who can access what we need.
Can we move beyond adapting our own individual behavior to adapt our overall economy to one designed first and foremost to meet our collective needs of food, shelter, health, education, clothing, entertainment, culture, and so forth?
It will mean not having an economy designed to produce profit and wealth first and meet need as subsidiary objective.
It will likely mean we all work less and will definitely mean that having access to resources to meet our needs is not dependent on the work we do, the job we have.
It will mean we contribute what we are able and receive what we need.
Ideally, all of these relief packages are or should be designed to give us all what we need to get through.
We seem to have enough if we could distribute it accordingly and effectively.
Maybe we can learn a lesson this time. We are already starting to adapt and change. Can we evolve for good into a system that makes sense, so our economy works for us, instead of us sacrificing ourselves for the economy?


politicususa--2020-05-24--Trump Has A Sunday Meltdown Over States Expanding Mail-In Voting

Trump blew a gasket and unleashed a series of lies as swing states that are vital to his reelection hopes have expanded mail-in voting .
Every single statement that Trump made in his tweet was false .
People can ’ t grab ballots from mailboxes .
The ballots can ’ t be forged .
They are secured and marked .
Signatures on ballots are checked with official signatures of file with election offices , so the signatures can ’ t be forged .
As Ron Brownstein pointed out , most of the swing states already allow no-excuse mail voting : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takes away the help that he gets from Russians and other foreign governments .
It is much more difficult to interfere in an election when paper ballots are being returned by mail over a longer period of time .
Someone needs to tell Trump that he is actually harming himself by trashing mail voting as Republicans have been working for years to increase their support by mail-in voting .
The people who Trump is most likely to discourage are those who would vote for him .
Donald Trump is laying the groundwork for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from him .
Trump is trying to delegitimize Biden before a ballot has been cast because he knows that his presidency is doomed .

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Trump blew a gasket and unleashed a series of lies as swing states that are vital to his reelection hopes have expanded mail-in voting.
Trump tweeted:
The United States cannot have all Mail In Ballots. It will be the greatest Rigged Election in history. People grab them from mailboxes, print thousands of forgeries and “force” people to sign. Also, forge names. Some absentee OK, when necessary. Trying to use Covid for this Scam! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 24, 2020
Every single statement that Trump made in his tweet was false. People can’t grab ballots from mailboxes. The ballots can’t be forged. They are secured and marked. Signatures on ballots are checked with official signatures of file with election offices, so the signatures can’t be forged.
As Ron Brownstein pointed out, most of the swing states already allow no-excuse mail voting:
The states that likely matter most in picking winner-MI, WI, PA, NC, AZ, FL-already allow no-excuse mail balloting. It's been Rs who have stressed it most in FL, AZ. GOP planning big mail push in WI. Will Trump convince his own voters this isn't a secure or reliable way to vote? https://t.co/X9wjtNWlZY — Ronald Brownstein (@RonBrownstein) May 24, 2020
Trump is blowing up because mail voting takes away the help that he gets from Russians and other foreign governments. It is much more difficult to interfere in an election when paper ballots are being returned by mail over a longer period of time.
Someone needs to tell Trump that he is actually harming himself by trashing mail voting as Republicans have been working for years to increase their support by mail-in voting. The people who Trump is most likely to discourage are those who would vote for him.
Donald Trump is laying the groundwork for a claim that Biden stole the election from him. Trump is trying to delegitimize Biden before a ballot has been cast because he knows that his presidency is doomed.


politicususa--2020-05-24--Opinion: Trump’s America is a failed state

Far from making America great , despicable Don Trump has transformed America into what is arguably a “ failed state.
” In fact , Trump and his Republican facilitators have decimated America in three-and-a-half short years after President Barack Obama set America right again after eight years of Republican rule .
With the GOP ’ s valuable assistance , Trump tanked the economy and single-handedly created animosity among America ’ s most dependable allies and trading partners .
He is also unilaterally responsible for the deaths of nearly 100,000 American citizens because his focus is solely on all things Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetorically asking if Wisconsin was a failed state after Republicans and the courts put voters in harm ’ s way by giving residents a choice to be exposed to the novel coronavirus or forget participating in the democratic process .
An article in “ The Guardian ” summarized the definition of a failed state thus : “ A failed state is one that can no longer claim legitimacy or perform a government ’ s core function of protecting the people ’ s basic security.
” The actual definition the author summarized from “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it accurately defines America today after three-and-a-half years of Trump and Republican rule .
It reads : “ ” A failed state is composed of feeble and flawed institutions .
Often , the executive barely functions , while the legislature , judiciary , bureaucracy , and armed forces have lost their capacity and professional independence .
A failed state suffers from crumbling infrastructures , faltering utility supplies and educational and health facilities , and deteriorating basic human-development indicators , such as infant mortality and literacy rates .
Failed states create an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rates , where honest economic activity can not flourish.
” First , among the world ’ s richest nations , American infants are three times more likely to die than 19 similar OECD countries .
Whether it is extreme poverty in the richest nation on Earth , or an atrocious lack of basic healthcare ; there is little to refute the facts that America is failing to protect its people while the rich get richer at the expense of the rest of the population .
The maternal death rate in America is still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OECD nations with that horrific distinction .
Regarding deteriorating basic human development indicators such as literacy rates , just the fact that far too many Americans ( 75 percent ) are unable to name the three branches of government , or comprehend that the Sun does not orbit the Earth is very revealing .
According to a National Science Foundation survey , one in four Americans were unaware that the Earth revolves around the Sun .
It is noteworthy that that level of ignorance is not down to the public school system ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of interest in , or outright rejection of , basic science facts and education in general .
It is no stretch to claim the Executive branch of government under Trump is a dismal failure and indeed , can hardly be considered a functioning entity .
Related to the failed Executive branch is the Federal legislature that is being hogtied by the Department of Justice , Republican-controlled Senate , and Federal judiciary – especially the uber-conservative and theocratic-minded Supreme Court .
Despite the so-called “ checks and balances ” giving the House of Representatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s abuse of power and corruption , Republicans in the Senate , Trump ’ s personal hit-man running the Justice Department , and a conservative High Court majority have prevented the House from exercising its Constitutional duty .
Another sign that America is a failed state is the lack of independence given the courts , the legislature , and the judiciary due to Trump ’ s corrupt Department of Justice .
Trump himself has created the armed forces lack of independence by overruling the military ’ s justice system at the behest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faux-patriot movement .
America ’ s infrastructure has been failing for some time now and it is down to Republicans who claim there are never funds available to rebuild thousands of bridges , schools , hospitals , and research facilities .
Some Americans may recall that after Republicans caused the Great Recession of 2007-2008 , President Obama and Democrats were barely able to claw $ 787 billion to invest in the economy and rebuild what that paltry sum allowed .
Republicans railed against that investment because President Obama is Black and a Democrat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump have opened up the treasury to corporations and the wealthy even as they plan to eradicate social programs because of “ the deficit ; ” the one they created with trillions in tax cuts for the rich and their dirty corporations .
In what is a monumental failure , America under Trump and Republican rule can not , and will not , lift a finger to protect the American people ; not their health , not their jobs , not their general welfare , not their Constitutional equal rights , or their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their families .
In fact , Republicans and Trump have been , and still are , Hell bent on eliminating access to basic healthcare .
No American needs reminding that there are now nearly 100,000 American lives lost due to a failed administration that is solely interested in sustaining Trump ’ s environment of corruption and creating scenarios where honest economic activity can not flourish .
America will likely continue to exist as a sovereign state regardless it is rapidly becoming a theocratic dictatorship drowning in corruption and criminality .
However , by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a failed sovereign state where the rule of law has ceased to exist and the concept of the state protecting its citizens is no longer possible .
Trump is the source of America ’ s demise on the world stage as well as domestically , but without the staunch support of Republicans at all levels of government Trump ’ s success at destroying America could never have happened .
Sadly , with Republican assistance , it is likely that America will never be able to provide for the people ’ s general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judiciary in his and Republicans ’ image ; an that screams corruption and antipathy towards the people it once existed to serve .

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Far from making America great, despicable Don Trump has transformed America into what is arguably a “failed state.”
In fact, Trump and his Republican facilitators have decimated America in three-and-a-half short years after President Barack Obama set America right again after eight years of Republican rule. With the GOP’s valuable assistance, Trump tanked the economy and single-handedly created animosity among America’s most dependable allies and trading partners. He is also unilaterally responsible for the deaths of nearly 100,000 American citizens because his focus is solely on all things Trump.
Last week there were several articles rhetorically asking if Wisconsin was a failed state after Republicans and the courts put voters in harm’s way by giving residents a choice to be exposed to the novel coronavirus or forget participating in the democratic process. An article in “The Guardian” summarized the definition of a failed state thus:
“A failed state is one that can no longer claim legitimacy or perform a government’s core function of protecting the people’s basic security.”
The actual definition the author summarized from “Britannica” is more detailed for sure, but it accurately defines America today after three-and-a-half years of Trump and Republican rule. It reads:
“”A failed state is composed of feeble and flawed institutions. Often, the executive barely functions, while the legislature, judiciary, bureaucracy, and armed forces have lost their capacity and professional independence. A failed state suffers from crumbling infrastructures, faltering utility supplies and educational and health facilities, and deteriorating basic human-development indicators, such as infant mortality and literacy rates. Failed states create an environment of flourishing corruption and negative growth rates, where honest economic activity cannot flourish.”
First, among the world’s richest nations, American infants are three times more likely to die than 19 similar OECD countries. Whether it is extreme poverty in the richest nation on Earth, or an atrocious lack of basic healthcare; there is little to refute the facts that America is failing to protect its people while the rich get richer at the expense of the rest of the population. The maternal death rate in America is still rising and is the only country among OECD nations with that horrific distinction.
Regarding deteriorating basic human development indicators such as literacy rates, just the fact that far too many Americans (75 percent) are unable to name the three branches of government, or comprehend that the Sun does not orbit the Earth is very revealing. According to a National Science Foundation survey, one in four Americans were unaware that the Earth revolves around the Sun. It is noteworthy that that level of ignorance is not down to the public school system; it is down to a gross lack of interest in, or outright rejection of, basic science facts and education in general.
It is no stretch to claim the Executive branch of government under Trump is a dismal failure and indeed, can hardly be considered a functioning entity.
Related to the failed Executive branch is the Federal legislature that is being hogtied by the Department of Justice, Republican-controlled Senate, and Federal judiciary – especially the uber-conservative and theocratic-minded Supreme Court.
Despite the so-called “checks and balances” giving the House of Representatives oversight authority to check the Executive branch’s abuse of power and corruption, Republicans in the Senate, Trump’s personal hit-man running the Justice Department, and a conservative High Court majority have prevented the House from exercising its Constitutional duty.
Another sign that America is a failed state is the lack of independence given the courts, the legislature, and the judiciary due to Trump’s corrupt Department of Justice. Trump himself has created the armed forces lack of independence by overruling the military’s justice system at the behest of dirty Don’s evangelical and faux-patriot movement.
America’s infrastructure has been failing for some time now and it is down to Republicans who claim there are never funds available to rebuild thousands of bridges, schools, hospitals, and research facilities.
Some Americans may recall that after Republicans caused the Great Recession of 2007-2008, President Obama and Democrats were barely able to claw $787 billion to invest in the economy and rebuild what that paltry sum allowed. Republicans railed against that investment because President Obama is Black and a Democrat. All the while, Republicans under Trump have opened up the treasury to corporations and the wealthy even as they plan to eradicate social programs because of “the deficit;” the one they created with trillions in tax cuts for the rich and their dirty corporations.
In what is a monumental failure, America under Trump and Republican rule cannot, and will not, lift a finger to protect the American people; not their health, not their jobs, not their general welfare, not their Constitutional equal rights, or their ability to provide a safe environment for their families. In fact, Republicans and Trump have been, and still are, Hell bent on eliminating access to basic healthcare. No American needs reminding that there are now nearly 100,000 American lives lost due to a failed administration that is solely interested in sustaining Trump’s environment of corruption and creating scenarios where honest economic activity cannot flourish.
America will likely continue to exist as a sovereign state regardless it is rapidly becoming a theocratic dictatorship drowning in corruption and criminality. However, by all accounts and basic definition, it is a failed sovereign state where the rule of law has ceased to exist and the concept of the state protecting its citizens is no longer possible. Trump is the source of America’s demise on the world stage as well as domestically, but without the staunch support of Republicans at all levels of government Trump’s success at destroying America could never have happened.
Sadly, with Republican assistance, it is likely that America will never be able to provide for the people’s general welfare because Trump has created a federal judiciary in his and Republicans’ image; an that screams corruption and antipathy towards the people it once existed to serve.


politicususa--2020-05-25--Trump Throws A Tantrum And Blames Obama For His Pandemic Golf

Trump spent Memorial Day , not remembering the fallen , but throwing a fit over getting busted for golfing during @ @ @ @ @ that the pandemic is all about him .
The President never mentions the sick , @ @ @ @ @ He never speaks about the 40 million people who have lost their jobs .
All @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s mouth is poor me .
It is so hard for him not @ @ @ @ @ months .
The media is so mean .
There is never a moment of concern @ @ @ @ @ a time when Americans need empathy , compassion , and leadership , Trump is blaming @ @ @ @ @ .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump spent Memorial Day, not remembering the fallen, but throwing a fit over getting busted for golfing during the pandemic.
Trump tweeted:
Some stories about the fact that in order to get outside and perhaps, even a little exercise, I played golf over the weekend. The Fake & Totally Corrupt News makes it sound like a mortal sin – I knew this would happen! What they don’t say is that it was my first golf in almost… — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
….Hawaii in a big, fully loaded 747, to play. What did that do to the so-called Carbon Footprint? He also played moments after the brutal killing by ISIS of a wonderful young man. Totally inappropriate – and it was me who shattered 100% of the ISIS Caliphate. I was left a MESS! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 25, 2020
Trump thinks that the pandemic is all about him. The President never mentions the sick, dying, and dead. He never speaks about the 40 million people who have lost their jobs. All that ever comes out of Trump’s mouth is poor me. It is so hard for him not to play golf for three months. The media is so mean.
There is never a moment of concern for anyone else. At a time when Americans need empathy, compassion, and leadership, Trump is blaming Obama and whining about golf.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-05-25--Conservative S.E. Cupp Calls Trump “Obsessive” and “Delusional” over Obamagate Tweets

Conservative commentator S.E .
Cupp thinks the President is not well because of his embrace of the “ Obamagate ” conspiracy theory .
She wondered why anybody would vote for him .
“ This is obsessive , delusional , unhealthy behavior .
He ’ s fixated on something that is not real , ” Cupp said .
“ The President is not well , ” she said .
“ Memorial Day Weekend is a time to honor our fallen soldiers .
It ’ s a time to think about the men and women who died fighting for our freedom , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s a time to be grateful and humble .
But our president is not well…so he ’ s doing this.
” Both of Cupp ’ s tweets shared the President ’ s tweet , which was just the word “ OBAMAGATE !
” Cupp , who ’ s been described as a “ mainstream conservative ” , also took issue with Trump ’ s repeated suggestions that MSNBC host Joe Scarborough committed murder .
“ This person is in charge of our country , ” she said .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Why would anyone vote for more of this ?
?
” Trump has faced significant criticism from conservatives for his claims about Scarborough .
There has also been some push back against the totally unfounded “ Obamagate ” conspiracy theory .

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Conservative commentator S.E. Cupp thinks the President is not well because of his embrace of the “Obamagate” conspiracy theory. She wondered why anybody would vote for him.
“This is obsessive, delusional, unhealthy behavior. He’s fixated on something that is not real,” Cupp said.
“The President is not well,” she said.
This is obsessive, delusional, unhealthy behavior. He’s fixated on something that is not real. The President is not well. https://t.co/Gg7ZO6yWxh — S.E. Cupp (@secupp) May 25, 2020
“Memorial Day Weekend is a time to honor our fallen soldiers. It’s a time to think about the men and women who died fighting for our freedom,” Cupp said in a later tweet.
“It’s a time to be grateful and humble. But our president is not well…so he’s doing this.”
Both of Cupp’s tweets shared the President’s tweet, which was just the word “OBAMAGATE!”
Cupp, who’s been described as a “mainstream conservative”, also took issue with Trump’s repeated suggestions that MSNBC host Joe Scarborough committed murder.
“This person is in charge of our country,” she said.
“During a pandemic. 90,000 people died. Why would anyone vote for more of this??”
Trump has faced significant criticism from conservatives for his claims about Scarborough. There has also been some push back against the totally unfounded “Obamagate” conspiracy theory.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-25--Fox News’ Brit Hume: Trump Golfing Is Better Than ‘Tweeting Crap’ Like Murder Accusations

Fox News ’ Brit Hume thinks Donald Trump should definitely be golfing rather than sending tweets .
He highlighted the President ’ s recent unfounded allegations against an MSNBC personality .
President Trump has revived false claims about Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough and the death of an intern when he was a congressman .
Hume was not pleased by Trump ’ s tweets .
“ A blow to her head ?
Body found under his desk ?
” Trump tweeted on Sunday .
“ Left Congress suddenly ?
Big topic of discussion in Florida…and , he ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Keep digging , use forensic geniuses !
” Hume complained of “ 30K retweets for this discredited tale , based on a three-year old post from some wing-ding website.
” “ This is why even his critics should want DJT to play a lot of golf , because when he does , he ’ s not tweeting crap like this.
” Other social media users were quick to criticize Hume ’ s take .
Many pointed out that the “ crap ” was an accusation of murder against one the President ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no evidence to support the claim but Trump has begun pushing it hard on Twitter over the past few weeks .
Scarborough and his wife and co-host Mika Brzezinski are prominent opponents of the President .
She has called for Twitter to take action against Trump for these claims .

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Fox News’ Brit Hume thinks Donald Trump should definitely be golfing rather than sending tweets. He highlighted the President’s recent unfounded allegations against an MSNBC personality.
President Trump has revived false claims about Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough and the death of an intern when he was a congressman. Hume was not pleased by Trump’s tweets.
“A blow to her head? Body found under his desk?” Trump tweeted on Sunday.
“Left Congress suddenly? Big topic of discussion in Florida…and, he’s a Nut Job (with bad ratings). Keep digging, use forensic geniuses!”
Hume complained of “30K retweets for this discredited tale, based on a three-year old post from some wing-ding website.”
30K retweets for this discredited tale, based on a three-year old post from some wing-ding website. This is why even his critics should want DJT to play a lot of golf, because when he does, he’s not tweeting crap like this. https://t.co/WrHNJnlBU6 — Brit Hume (@brithume) May 24, 2020
“This is why even his critics should want DJT to play a lot of golf, because when he does, he’s not tweeting crap like this.”
Other social media users were quick to criticize Hume’s take. Many pointed out that the “crap” was an accusation of murder against one the President’s most outspoken critics.
There is no evidence to support the claim but Trump has begun pushing it hard on Twitter over the past few weeks.
Scarborough and his wife and co-host Mika Brzezinski are prominent opponents of the President. She has called for Twitter to take action against Trump for these claims.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-25--Democrat Val Demings Slams Trump for Using Race to Attack Joe Biden

Val Demmings has called out the President ’ s ‘ gall ’ for using race to criticize Joe Biden .
The Democrat told CNN Donald Trump was the one who was divisive on the issue .
The former vice president has apologized for telling Charlamagne tha God “ You ain ’ t black ” if you support Trump over him .
Demings agreed he “ shouldn ’ t have said ” it .
The Trump campaign has tried to capitalize on the controversial remarks and will launch a $ 1 million digital ad on the subject .
Demings was not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gall and the nerve of President Trump to try to use this in his campaign , ” the Florida congresswoman said .
“ He who has since day one done everything within his power , of course supported by his enablers , to divide this country , particularly along racial lines , ” she said .
“ Look , let ’ s talk about race because we definitely need to , ” Demings said .
“ We see it in housing .
We see it in voting rights .
We see it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education.
” “ Mr .
President , let ’ s do have a serious conversation about race in America , and how about working for all people that you are supposed to represent , not just the privileged few ?
” Demings noted that the Trump campaign had “ searched high and low ” for African American members of Congress to discuss the issue .
“ It would be nice to hear other Republicans , male or female , speak out on this issue , ” she said .

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Val Demmings has called out the President’s ‘gall’ for using race to criticize Joe Biden. The Democrat told CNN Donald Trump was the one who was divisive on the issue.
The former vice president has apologized for telling Charlamagne tha God “You ain’t black” if you support Trump over him. Demings agreed he “shouldn’t have said” it.
The Trump campaign has tried to capitalize on the controversial remarks and will launch a $1 million digital ad on the subject. Demings was not impressed.
“I really think the gall and the nerve of President Trump to try to use this in his campaign,” the Florida congresswoman said.
Watch the video:
"Look, the Vice President shouldn’t have said it. He apologized for it."
– Rep. Val Demings on Joe Biden saying “you ain’t black” if you don’t know whether to support him or Trump #CNNSOTU pic.twitter.com/hVhjUQitl4 — State of the Union (@CNNSotu) May 24, 2020
“He who has since day one done everything within his power, of course supported by his enablers, to divide this country, particularly along racial lines,” she said.
“Look, let’s talk about race because we definitely need to,” Demings said.
“We see it in housing. We see it in voting rights. We see it in health care. We see it in education.”
“Mr. President, let’s do have a serious conversation about race in America, and how about working for all people that you are supposed to represent, not just the privileged few?”
Demings noted that the Trump campaign had “searched high and low” for African American members of Congress to discuss the issue.
“It would be nice to hear other Republicans, male or female, speak out on this issue,” she said.
Follow Darragh Roche on Twitter


politicususa--2020-05-25--Trump Claims He’s “Finished” Taking Hydroxycholoroquine, Insists It Had “Rave Reviews”

President Donald Trump claimed he ’ s finished taking hydroxychloroquine , the controversial anti-malarial drug he ’ s been repeatedly criticized for touting as an effective coronavirus treatment against the recommendations and research from health and policy experts .
“ Finished , just finished , ” Trump said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcast ’ s program Full Measure With Sharyl Attkisson .
“ And by the way , I ’ m still here .
To the best of my knowledge , here I am.
” The president added , without providing evidence , that hydroxychloroquine had “ rave reviews @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saved their lives.
” “ I believe in it enough that I took a program because I had two people in the White House that tested positive , ” he said .
“ But hydroxy has had tremendous , if you look at it , tremendous , rave reviews.
” Last month , the United States Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) warned doctors not to prescribe hydroxychloroquine or the related drug chloroquine .
The drugs are restricted for hospital and research uses only .
Regulators “ flagged reports of sometimes fatal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking the drugs , according to the Associated Press .
Other side-effects include heart rhythm problems , severely low blood pressure , and muscle or nerve damage .
“ It is important that health care providers are aware of the risks of serious and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problems that can occur with these drugs , ” the FDA said in a statement after several early studies have suggested the drugs cause problems or yield no benefits .
Last week , the president denied the FDA had ever issued a warning .

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President Donald Trump claimed he’s finished taking hydroxychloroquine, the controversial anti-malarial drug he’s been repeatedly criticized for touting as an effective coronavirus treatment against the recommendations and research from health and policy experts.
“Finished, just finished,” Trump said in an interview with Sinclair Broadcast’s program Full Measure With Sharyl Attkisson. “And by the way, I’m still here. To the best of my knowledge, here I am.”
The president added, without providing evidence, that hydroxychloroquine had “rave reviews” and “many people think it saved their lives.”
“I believe in it enough that I took a program because I had two people in the White House that tested positive,” he said. “But hydroxy has had tremendous, if you look at it, tremendous, rave reviews.”
Last month, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned doctors not to prescribe hydroxychloroquine or the related drug chloroquine. The drugs are restricted for hospital and research uses only.
Regulators “flagged reports of sometimes fatal heart side effects among coronavirus patients” taking the drugs, according to the Associated Press. Other side-effects include heart rhythm problems, severely low blood pressure, and muscle or nerve damage.
“It is important that health care providers are aware of the risks of serious and potentially life-threatening heart rhythm problems that can occur with these drugs,” the FDA said in a statement after several early studies have suggested the drugs cause problems or yield no benefits.
Last week, the president denied the FDA had ever issued a warning.


politicususa--2020-05-26--Twitter Stops Trump’s Lie Machine By Fact Checking His Tweets

Twitter has added a fact check link to Trump ’ s tweets that were full of false information about mail-in voting and voter fraud .
Here is how Trump ’ s tweets look now : Trump has bragged about how Twitter has taken the place of the White House communications team because it allows him unfettered access to put out whatever he wants to the American people .
It seemed like there was no line that Twitter would not let Trump cross .
Trump tweets statements daily that would get other accounts banned , but apparently , trying to delegitimize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by mail was too much even for Twitter to look the other way on .
Twitter could hire full-time staff to do nothing besides post fact checks and warnings on Trump ’ s account .
The social media company has still nothing about Trump ’ s touting of a Joe Scarborough murder conspiracy theory , but at least they aren ’ t allowing the President to use their platform to lie about vote by mail .
The solution would be to ban Trump ’ s account , but for now , the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shutting down Trump ’ s Twitter lie factory .

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Twitter has added a fact check link to Trump’s tweets that were full of false information about mail-in voting and voter fraud.
Here is how Trump’s tweets look now:
Trump has bragged about how Twitter has taken the place of the White House communications team because it allows him unfettered access to put out whatever he wants to the American people. It seemed like there was no line that Twitter would not let Trump cross. Trump tweets statements daily that would get other accounts banned, but apparently, trying to delegitimize a presidential election by lying about voting by mail was too much even for Twitter to look the other way on.
Twitter could hire full-time staff to do nothing besides post fact checks and warnings on Trump’s account. The social media company has still nothing about Trump’s touting of a Joe Scarborough murder conspiracy theory, but at least they aren’t allowing the President to use their platform to lie about vote by mail.
The solution would be to ban Trump’s account, but for now, the company has taken a small baby step toward shutting down Trump’s Twitter lie factory.


politicususa--2020-05-26--Trump Hits A New Low By Trying To Tattle On Obama For Golfing

Trump is still upset and raging over getting called out for golfing during the pandemic , so he tried to @ @ @ @ @ needs to learn what the term double standard means .
Barack Obama is not the @ @ @ @ @ as he is not violating any local rules or guidelines , he is free to @ @ @ @ @ any other private citizen .
Donald Trump is the current President Of The United States @ @ @ @ @ private citizen .
He is responsible for the federal response to an ongoing pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ standard to criticize Trump for doing something that no other president would do .
( @ @ @ @ @ toll approaches 100,000 Americans ) .
Trump is acting like the presidency is the second @ @ @ @ @ will not erase the terrible failure of Trump ’ s pandemic response .

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Trump is still upset and raging over getting called out for golfing during the pandemic, so he tried to tattle on Obama.
Trump tweeted:
Didn’t Obama, whose Administration has now been caught cold illegally spying on the Trump campaign, recently also get caught playing golf on a course in Virginia, despite his wife Michelle urging people to stay home, before and after his round, in a major public service message? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020
….A total double standard. The only thing the Dems have going for them is their very close relationship with the Fake News Lamestream Media! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2020
Trump needs to learn what the term double standard means. Barack Obama is not the current president. As long as he is not violating any local rules or guidelines, he is free to play golf, just like any other private citizen.
Donald Trump is the current President Of The United States. He is not a private citizen. He is responsible for the federal response to an ongoing pandemic. It is not a double standard to criticize Trump for doing something that no other president would do. (Golf as the virus death toll approaches 100,000 Americans).
Trump is acting like the presidency is the second grade.
Tattling on Obama will not erase the terrible failure of Trump’s pandemic response.