politicususa--2020-03-21--Pelosi Tells Mitch McConnell No Pro-Corporation Coronavirus Stimulus

Speaker Pelosi shot down Mitch McConnell ’ s pro-corporation coronavirus stimulus bill as a non-starter for the American people .
Pelosi said in a letter to her colleagues provided to PoliticusUSA : As you know , Senator McConnell has released his proposal for a third coronavirus response package , which is not at all pro-worker and puts corporations ahead of working people .
As written , it is a non-starter .
First and foremost , our response must address the coronavirus outbreak as the public health crisis that it is : rebuilding our health care infrastructure on a national scale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ treat everyone .
We must do everything that we can to support doctors and scientists as they pursue treatments , a cure and a vaccine .
At the same time , we must tighten the safety net in America , which is sadly and seriously frayed .
Any response package must greatly increase Unemployment Insurance and Medicaid , help small businesses survive , expand paid sick and family leave and put money directly into the hands of those who need it most .
United by our values , as we protect the health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , House Democrats will put Families and Workers First .
Mitch McConnell ’ s pro-corporation coronavirus stimulus bill , which was an insult to people who need help right now is dead in the water .
The House is going to try to fix McConnell ’ s bill and send it back to the Senate , but what ’ s clear is that Republicans are attempting to use the coronavirus epidemic as cover for more money for corporations that they are attempting to disguise as aid to every American .
Nancy Pelosi is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and without the House Democratic majority , Republicans would bail out corporations and cut taxes for the wealthy while calling it coronavirus stimulus .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Speaker Pelosi shot down Mitch McConnell’s pro-corporation coronavirus stimulus bill as a non-starter for the American people.
Pelosi said in a letter to her colleagues provided to PoliticusUSA:
As you know, Senator McConnell has released his proposal for a third coronavirus response package, which is not at all pro-worker and puts corporations ahead of working people. As written, it is a non-starter.
….
First and foremost, our response must address the coronavirus outbreak as the public health crisis that it is: rebuilding our health care infrastructure on a national scale and securing the resources to test and treat everyone. We must do everything that we can to support doctors and scientists as they pursue treatments, a cure and a vaccine.
….
At the same time, we must tighten the safety net in America, which is sadly and seriously frayed. Any response package must greatly increase Unemployment Insurance and Medicaid, help small businesses survive, expand paid sick and family leave and put money directly into the hands of those who need it most.
….
United by our values, as we protect the health and economic security of the American people, House Democrats will put Families and Workers First.
Mitch McConnell’s pro-corporation coronavirus stimulus bill, which was an insult to people who need help right now is dead in the water. The House is going to try to fix McConnell’s bill and send it back to the Senate, but what’s clear is that Republicans are attempting to use the coronavirus epidemic as cover for more money for corporations that they are attempting to disguise as aid to every American.
Nancy Pelosi is standing up for the American people, and without the House Democratic majority, Republicans would bail out corporations and cut taxes for the wealthy while calling it coronavirus stimulus.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-21--Opinion: Donald Trump, Sit Down and Shut Up

When buying food is like going to the jungle and dinner becomes the thing you managed to grab before anyone else does , you know that things have changed .
When you go from store to store desperately seeking toilet paper , you know this isn ’ t “ normal ” and no , it is not fine .
Trump ’ s happy talk doesn ’ t match the reality of states appealing to people handy with sewing machines to make masks for health care providers .
People are dying , the health system is on the verge of collapse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do we even dare to imagine what ’ s happening with homeless people now ?
No , it ’ s not just a slumber party .
If you ’ re an American citizen , life sucks , but at the risk of sounding inappropriately optimistic , your worries end there .
If you ’ re an immigrant , you ’ re still expected to show up for deportation hearings and get deported , as if there wasn ’ t a pandemic and the world hadn ’ t stood still .
If you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting that Corona virus check will result in your future deportation because of some more draconian version of the Miller/Trump “ public charge ” rule .
I ’ m one of the lucky ones and I know it .
Still , I ’ m feeling the trappings of civilized living collapsing around me .
I ’ m reminiscing about the times I had the luxury of wondering why people would just throw good government away to elect someone like a Donald Trump .
The fact is , Donald Trump is making all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be .
And I ’ m not sure how much of it is sadism on his part and how much is pure idiocy .
But I do know one thing .
Donald Trump isn ’ t worth listening to .
Responsible media has to stop reporting on him and covering his propaganda conferences .
Things are not fine , regardless of his words .
We know that from what he is not doing .
We knew about the corona virus for months , but Trump denied it , then played it down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time that could save hundreds of thousands of American lives .
Trump ’ s Centers for Disease Control chose to develop their own COVID-19 tests , disparaging the WHO tests because they were not up to standard .
The America First test kit was a failure , so yet more delays came at a time when testing is crucial for containing the virus .
Oh , and Jared Kushner ’ s brother has interest in the company that Donny was hoping would have a monopoly on deciding who gets tested .
In real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too long was people with the right relationship to the Trumps .
Trump claims anyone who wants to get tested can .
However , that was not true for people with disconcerting symptoms but without the “ right connections.
” By the time we got around to testing widely , it was already too late to prevent what happens in a national crisis .
The order of day-to-day life began fraying at the edges .
Price-gougers were hoarding hand sanitizers usually priced at maybe $ 2.99 and jacking the price up .
One @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of business , but who knows how many more are out there .
At the earliest signs of break-down , we should have started getting ready , building more facilities , increasing our inventories of personal protection equipment and other supplies .
Instead , hospitals are on the verge of having to play God about who lives and who dies – the absolute nightmare scenario .
But , Trump worried about how the number of cases would make him look , and Melania , one of his most influential advisers , was busy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost imagine her saying to Trump “ let them eat Corona ” .
We worry about friends who have symptoms but can ’ t be tested .
We worry about people who are vulnerable because of age , because they are immune-compromised or have complicated health situations .
Our imaginations venture to areas that seem surreal – like what if Trump is out to let people in blue states die , while he helps the people in red states just so he can win an election ?
Then reality sets in , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t care about politics , or about walls , borders , race , age , gender , or whether you think the virus is real .
Our reality is like every dystopian novel wrapped into one .
And just when you return to reality from the surreal , Donald Trump appears on TV with his happy talk appealing to the ignorant segment of the electorate .
Every time I see Trump speaking , I think of a professor who suggested limiting voting to political scientists .
But he pointed out as well that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for another .
Right now , I ’ d settle for media that only allow people who tell the truth to frequent our airwaves .
While we wander further into this nightmare , we need accurate awareness more than ever .
We need access to credible , valid facts conveyed by people we trust .
Time for Trump to sit down and shut up .

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When buying food is like going to the jungle and dinner becomes the thing you managed to grab before anyone else does, you know that things have changed. When you go from store to store desperately seeking toilet paper, you know this isn’t “normal” and no, it is not fine.
Trump’s happy talk doesn’t match the reality of states appealing to people handy with sewing machines to make masks for health care providers.
People are dying, the health system is on the verge of collapse, and people are hunkering down. Do we even dare to imagine what’s happening with homeless people now? No, it’s not just a slumber party. If you’re an American citizen, life sucks, but at the risk of sounding inappropriately optimistic, your worries end there.
If you’re an immigrant, you’re still expected to show up for deportation hearings and get deported, as if there wasn’t a pandemic and the world hadn’t stood still. If you’re an immigrant, you wonder whether getting that Corona virus check will result in your future deportation because of some more draconian version of the Miller/Trump “public charge” rule.
I’m one of the lucky ones and I know it. Still, I’m feeling the trappings of civilized living collapsing around me. I’m reminiscing about the times I had the luxury of wondering why people would just throw good government away to elect someone like a Donald Trump.
The fact is, Donald Trump is making all of this a lot worse than it has to be. And I’m not sure how much of it is sadism on his part and how much is pure idiocy.
But I do know one thing. Donald Trump isn’t worth listening to. Responsible media has to stop reporting on him and covering his propaganda conferences.
Things are not fine, regardless of his words. We know that from what he is not doing.
We knew about the corona virus for months, but Trump denied it, then played it down, then delayed action. He squandered time that could save hundreds of thousands of American lives.
Trump’s Centers for Disease Control chose to develop their own COVID-19 tests, disparaging the WHO tests because they were not up to standard. The America First test kit was a failure, so yet more delays came at a time when testing is crucial for containing the virus.
Oh, and Jared Kushner’s brother has interest in the company that Donny was hoping would have a monopoly on deciding who gets tested.
In real terms, meanwhile, the priority for too long was people with the right relationship to the Trumps. Trump claims anyone who wants to get tested can. However, that was not true for people with disconcerting symptoms but without the “right connections.”
By the time we got around to testing widely, it was already too late to prevent what happens in a national crisis. The order of day-to-day life began fraying at the edges. Price-gougers were hoarding hand sanitizers usually priced at maybe $2.99 and jacking the price up. One such team of brothers was put out of business, but who knows how many more are out there.
At the earliest signs of break-down, we should have started getting ready, building more facilities, increasing our inventories of personal protection equipment and other supplies. Instead, hospitals are on the verge of having to play God about who lives and who dies – the absolute nightmare scenario.
But, Trump worried about how the number of cases would make him look, and Melania, one of his most influential advisers, was busy with her tennis pavilion. I can almost imagine her saying to Trump “let them eat Corona”.
We worry about friends who have symptoms but can’t be tested. We worry about people who are vulnerable because of age, because they are immune-compromised or have complicated health situations.
Our imaginations venture to areas that seem surreal – like what if Trump is out to let people in blue states die, while he helps the people in red states just so he can win an election? Then reality sets in, the reality that reminds us viruses don’t care about politics, or about walls, borders, race, age, gender, or whether you think the virus is real.
Our reality is like every dystopian novel wrapped into one. And just when you return to reality from the surreal, Donald Trump appears on TV with his happy talk appealing to the ignorant segment of the electorate.
Every time I see Trump speaking, I think of a professor who suggested limiting voting to political scientists. But he pointed out as well that that would merely exchange one arbitrarily-chosen elite for another.
Right now, I’d settle for media that only allow people who tell the truth to frequent our airwaves.
While we wander further into this nightmare, we need accurate awareness more than ever. We need access to credible, valid facts conveyed by people we trust.
Time for Trump to sit down and shut up.


politicususa--2020-03-21--Opinion: Trump weaponized COVID-19  and has Americans’ blood on his hands

Trump did not create the novel corona virus ( COVID-19 ) , but through his ineptitude , narcissism , and mendacious propaganda he weaponized it and aided its deadly spread throughout the United States .
Any semi-intelligent person understands the necessity of reflecting on their , or others , past mistakes to avoid repeating a bad situation ; particularly when that bad situation adversely endangers human life .
Donald Trump can not , and will never , come to terms with the fact that anything he does could be misconstrued as a mistake or wrong , because he thinks he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why Trump ’ s Surgeon General told reporters during a press briefing , likely on Trump ’ s orders , to stop pointing fingers , criticizing , or assigning blame for the corona virus ’ spread in America .
For several weeks Trump and his nasty lackeys at Fox News accused Democrats and the media of “ weaponizing ” the COVID-19 virus by asking when he intended on taking action to prevent the virus ’ spread .
There was “ weaponizing ” of COVID-19 , but the truth is actually the opposite of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ and the media ’ s concerns for Americans ’ health and well-being during a virulent global pandemic as a political weapon in his quest for reelection and filthy habit of self-aggrandizement no matter the issue .
But unlike the media and Democrats ’ simply asking questions – Trump ’ s weaponizing the pandemic is costing Americans ’ lives .
Trump has blood on his tiny hands borne of his incompetence , narcissism , and mendacious propaganda crusade .
It is a months-long crusade of dishonest and misleading claims still being carried out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media .
That Trump initiated the propaganda campaign was not only intrinsically evil , it successfully created an atmosphere that prompted many sane , but ignorant , Americans to spread the deadly virus throughout the population .
According to no small number of imbeciles who are not Trump acolytes , the fear of the virus spreading was just political hysteria with no basis in fact ; a claim this author heard three times on Friday .
For Trump ’ s hateful acolytes , particularly his evangelical devotees , their wanton spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nasty leftists ” who are out to get Trump .
Earlier in the week Trump said that he knew from very early on that the corona virus outbreak was a pandemic before the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , and if that was indeed the case , his month-long propaganda campaign dismissing the “ pandemic ” as a Democratic hoax is even more despicable .
He said : “ This is a pandemic .
I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic .
All you had to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It is doubtful that Trump even understands what a “ global pandemic ” is , but he did know COVID-19 was as virulent as it is deadly – he didn ’ t even need to “ look at other countries ” and what actions they were taking to protect their own citizens .
He was duly warned before COVID-19 became a thing , but it was more important to protect his image than American lives .
Protecting Americans ’ lives still doesn ’ t figure in Trump ’ s malignant mind .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dismissed , and diminished the threat to American lives increased the amount of blood on his hands .
And whether it is those who have already succumbed to the virus or those who will become infected and lose their lives , their blood is on Trump ’ s hands .
Even before the news of the COVID-19 outbreak , there were several federal agencies sounding the alarm regarding how unprepared America was ; whether it was a coordinated plan of action , adequate funding , or the lack of preparation , America @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
As reported in a New York Times article , the potentially deadly consequences of failing to immediately address the lack of preparation are now playing out “ in an all-too-real fashion across the country.
” Trump knew well that America was unprepared for a pandemic and still did nothing except downplay the threat even while those consequences were being realized .
It is certain that COVID-19 was going to come to America , but if Trump had heeded his own government ’ s warnings and took immediate action the spread of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives would have been saved .
In fact , even now the experts are warning that taking “ severe measures ” similar to those in some Democratic-governed states will greatly reduce the virus ’ spread and save countless lives .
A conclusion by Columbia University researchers is that , “ even if the country cut its rate of transmission in half , some 650,000 people might become infected in the next couple of months.
” There has been nothing from Trump to take severe measures because it will expose to the entire nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how his incompetence resulted in the spread of the virus resulting in the loss of American lives .
Trump is still attempting to downplay the dangers of the virus ’ spread .
His call to states to not report unemployment numbers is not about the stock market as much as it is burnishing his image as an economic genius .
Trump will accept massive loss of American lives if it appears the stock market is doing well , and it is part of his “ weaponizing ” the virus to both attack @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nasty ego .
Despite any official ’ s call to avoid the “ blame game ” it is crucial to remind the population exactly why the country is in a place it could have avoided if the nation ’ s incompetent leader cared about Americans ’ lives .
Trump did weaponize the virus for his own benefit and doing so has , and will continue to , cost American lives .
How many fatalities due to Trump ’ s lack of regard for human life will likely never be known , but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing nothing in spite of knowing how unprepared America was , and still is , the dirty cretin has American citizens ’ blood on his tiny hands .
It is almost certain that if Trump had taken action as soon as he “ knew COVID-19 was a global pandemic , ” then his worthless media sycophants and cowardly Republican legislators would have supported his efforts .
Instead , they wholeheartedly embraced Trump ’ s weaponizing efforts making them as guilty as Trump for aiding a deadly rampage against American citizens .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or allowed to go unpunished .

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Trump did not create the novel corona virus (COVID-19), but through his ineptitude, narcissism, and mendacious propaganda he weaponized it and aided its deadly spread throughout the United States.
Any semi-intelligent person understands the necessity of reflecting on their, or others, past mistakes to avoid repeating a bad situation; particularly when that bad situation adversely endangers human life. Donald Trump cannot, and will never, come to terms with the fact that anything he does could be misconstrued as a mistake or wrong, because he thinks he is perfect. It is almost certainly why Trump’s Surgeon General told reporters during a press briefing, likely on Trump’s orders, to stop pointing fingers, criticizing, or assigning blame for the corona virus’ spread in America.
For several weeks Trump and his nasty lackeys at Fox News accused Democrats and the media of “weaponizing” the COVID-19 virus by asking when he intended on taking action to prevent the virus’ spread. There was “weaponizing” of COVID-19, but the truth is actually the opposite of what Trump claimed.
Trump used Democrats’ and the media’s concerns for Americans’ health and well-being during a virulent global pandemic as a political weapon in his quest for reelection and filthy habit of self-aggrandizement no matter the issue. But unlike the media and Democrats’ simply asking questions – Trump’s weaponizing the pandemic is costing Americans’ lives. Trump has blood on his tiny hands borne of his incompetence, narcissism, and mendacious propaganda crusade. It is a months-long crusade of dishonest and misleading claims still being carried out by Republicans, evangelical fanatics and right-wing media.
That Trump initiated the propaganda campaign was not only intrinsically evil, it successfully created an atmosphere that prompted many sane, but ignorant, Americans to spread the deadly virus throughout the population. According to no small number of imbeciles who are not Trump acolytes, the fear of the virus spreading was just political hysteria with no basis in fact; a claim this author heard three times on Friday. For Trump’s hateful acolytes, particularly his evangelical devotees, their wanton spread of the virus is their way of combatting “nasty leftists” who are out to get Trump.
Earlier in the week Trump said that he knew from very early on that the corona virus outbreak was a pandemic before the World Health Organization (WHO), and if that was indeed the case, his month-long propaganda campaign dismissing the “pandemic” as a Democratic hoax is even more despicable. He said:
“This is a pandemic. I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic. All you had to do was look at other countries.”
It is doubtful that Trump even understands what a “global pandemic” is, but he did know COVID-19 was as virulent as it is deadly – he didn’t even need to “look at other countries” and what actions they were taking to protect their own citizens. He was duly warned before COVID-19 became a thing, but it was more important to protect his image than American lives. Protecting Americans’ lives still doesn’t figure in Trump’s malignant mind. In fact, every day that Trump denied, dismissed, and diminished the threat to American lives increased the amount of blood on his hands. And whether it is those who have already succumbed to the virus or those who will become infected and lose their lives, their blood is on Trump’s hands.
Even before the news of the COVID-19 outbreak, there were several federal agencies sounding the alarm regarding how unprepared America was; whether it was a coordinated plan of action, adequate funding, or the lack of preparation, America under Trump was ill-prepared to protect American lives. As reported in a New York Times article, the potentially deadly consequences of failing to immediately address the lack of preparation are now playing out “in an all-too-real fashion across the country.” Trump knew well that America was unprepared for a pandemic and still did nothing except downplay the threat even while those consequences were being realized.
It is certain that COVID-19 was going to come to America, but if Trump had heeded his own government’s warnings and took immediate action the spread of the virus could have been reduced and lives would have been saved. In fact, even now the experts are warning that taking “severe measures” similar to those in some Democratic-governed states will greatly reduce the virus’ spread and save countless lives. A conclusion by Columbia University researchers is that, “even if the country cut its rate of transmission in half, some 650,000 people might become infected in the next couple of months.” There has been nothing from Trump to take severe measures because it will expose to the entire nation just how bad the infection rate is and how his incompetence resulted in the spread of the virus resulting in the loss of American lives.
Trump is still attempting to downplay the dangers of the virus’ spread. His call to states to not report unemployment numbers is not about the stock market as much as it is burnishing his image as an economic genius. Trump will accept massive loss of American lives if it appears the stock market is doing well, and it is part of his “weaponizing” the virus to both attack Democrats and the media while feeding his nasty ego.
Despite any official’s call to avoid the “blame game” it is crucial to remind the population exactly why the country is in a place it could have avoided if the nation’s incompetent leader cared about Americans’ lives. Trump did weaponize the virus for his own benefit and doing so has, and will continue to, cost American lives. How many fatalities due to Trump’s lack of regard for human life will likely never be known, but it is no stretch to say that by doing nothing in spite of knowing how unprepared America was, and still is, the dirty cretin has American citizens’ blood on his tiny hands.
It is almost certain that if Trump had taken action as soon as he “knew COVID-19 was a global pandemic,” then his worthless media sycophants and cowardly Republican legislators would have supported his efforts. Instead, they wholeheartedly embraced Trump’s weaponizing efforts making them as guilty as Trump for aiding a deadly rampage against American citizens. It is a fact that cannot be understated or allowed to go unpunished.


politicususa--2020-03-21--Trump’s Failure Grows As He Won’t Invoke The Defense Production Act

Trump admitted that he hasn ’ t invoked the Defense Production Act , and he won ’ t because he wants private companies to profit .
Trump said during the coronavirus press briefing , “ If I don ’ t have to use — specifically we have the act to use in case we need it , but we have so many things being made by so many , they have just stepped up .
In fact , Mike Pence and I were discussing it before , we ’ ve never seen anything like it , they ’ re volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up as an example , General Motors…They ’ re going to go on the open market .
We want them on the open market from the standpoint of pricing…We are directing states and sometimes we ’ ll be competing against states , which I don ’ t want , and we ’ ll drop out of the bidding.
” We are in a time of crisis .
Doctors are reusing masks .
Other needed equipment is simply unavailable or unaffordable .
Trump is trying to play wartime president , but he is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a war .
The federal government must lead , facilitate , and provide .
Having states and medical providers bid against each other for equipment is a recipe for disaster .
Trump is making the crisis worse by making it more difficult for those who need equipment and supplies to get them because he wants companies to make a profit .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump admitted that he hasn’t invoked the Defense Production Act, and he won’t because he wants private companies to profit.
Trump said during the coronavirus press briefing, “If I don’t have to use — specifically we have the act to use in case we need it, but we have so many things being made by so many, they have just stepped up. In fact, Mike Pence and I were discussing it before, we’ve never seen anything like it, they’re volunteer, like Hanes — I brought that up as an example, General Motors…They’re going to go on the open market. We want them on the open market from the standpoint of pricing…We are directing states and sometimes we’ll be competing against states, which I don’t want, and we’ll drop out of the bidding.”
Video:
Trump admits that he hasn't invoked the Defense Production Act because he wants companies to make a profit on medical supplies and equipment. pic.twitter.com/hTeOpNWD7z — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 21, 2020
We are in a time of crisis. Doctors are reusing masks. Other needed equipment is simply unavailable or unaffordable. Trump is trying to play wartime president, but he is not taking steps like the country is in a war.
The federal government must lead, facilitate, and provide. Having states and medical providers bid against each other for equipment is a recipe for disaster.
Trump is making the crisis worse by making it more difficult for those who need equipment and supplies to get them because he wants companies to make a profit.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-21--Trump Just Told Unemployed People To Keep Getting Their Paychecks

Trump was asked what he wants people to do who just lost their jobs due to the coronavirus .
He told them to keep getting their paychecks .
Here was the exchange : Reporter : For those people who have lost their jobs already , or they ’ re worried about to lose it tomorrow , what do you want them to do now ?
Trump : What they do right now is keep receiving their paychecks .
Hopefully , their companies will been in a strong position .
We want to keep everything together .
We think we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some people agree with that strongly , some of our top economists say once we solve the problem , we ’ re working on the medical problem .
So we want them to keep their jobs , stay where you are , and we ’ ll see what happens .
If they don ’ t , we unemployment , checks , a lot of very positive things.
” Trump ’ s comments were spoken like a man who has never had to have a real job or live paycheck to paycheck .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If one has already lost their job or will lose it in the coming days , what does the federal government want them to do ?
Unemployment claims are poised to grow by the millions over the next week , and Trump thinks that people can keep getting paychecks .
Trump is out of touch with the needs of working people and completely unable to comprehend this crisis .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump was asked what he wants people to do who just lost their jobs due to the coronavirus. He told them to keep getting their paychecks.
Here was the exchange:
Reporter: For those people who have lost their jobs already, or they’re worried about to lose it tomorrow, what do you want them to do now?
Trump: What they do right now is keep receiving their paychecks. Hopefully, their companies will been in a strong position. We want to keep everything together. We think we’ll have a tremendous bounce back. Some people agree with that strongly, some of our top economists say once we solve the problem, we’re working on the medical problem. So we want them to keep their jobs, stay where you are, and we’ll see what happens. If they don’t, we unemployment, checks, a lot of very positive things.”
Video:
Trump tells people who just lost their jobs to keep getting their paychecks. pic.twitter.com/hlGH6clVuF — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 21, 2020
Trump’s comments were spoken like a man who has never had to have a real job or live paycheck to paycheck. The President didn’t address the problem. If one has already lost their job or will lose it in the coming days, what does the federal government want them to do?
Unemployment claims are poised to grow by the millions over the next week, and Trump thinks that people can keep getting paychecks.
Trump is out of touch with the needs of working people and completely unable to comprehend this crisis.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-21--Maddow Tells Networks To Stop Live Broadcasting Trump’s  Coronavirus Briefings

Rachel Maddow made the case that Trump ’ s lie-filled coronavirus briefings are a danger to public health and the networks should stop broadcasting them live .
Even when he ’ s talking about what he has done or what he will do , he ’ s consistently lying and giving you happy talk that is stuff that the federal government isn ’ t actually doing .
And it ’ s making people around the country count on the fact the federal government is doing that stuff when they ’ re not .
There may be people in the federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s a lit knee of things from the president that would be awesome if they were true and happening but they ’ re not and so the sooner we come to terms with that , I think the better for all of us .
If it were up to me and it ’ s not , I would stop putting those briefings on live TV .
Not out of spite but because it ’ s misformation .
If the president does end up saying anything true , you can run @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keeps lying like he has been every day on stuff this important , all of us should stop broadcasting it .
Honestly , it ’ s going to cost lives .
Honestly , it ’ s going to cost lives .
Trump ’ s briefings never contain vital statistics .
The briefings don ’ t mention the number of confirmed cases , test kits available , or the amount of federal aid distributed .
The briefings are a substitute for Trump ’ s rallies .
They are a propaganda tool The reason why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these briefings is that they need to be real-time fact-checked .
The best way to fight against Trump ’ s information is to share the truth as he is speaking .
The goal of the press should be not to let Trump ’ s lies take root , and if the responsible thing for the networks to do would be to stop live air Trump ’ s coronavirus briefings , and instead run fact-checked taped highlights .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Rachel Maddow made the case that Trump’s lie-filled coronavirus briefings are a danger to public health and the networks should stop broadcasting them live.
Maddow said:
Even when he’s talking about what he has done or what he will do, he’s consistently lying and giving you happy talk that is stuff that the federal government isn’t actually doing. And it’s making people around the country count on the fact the federal government is doing that stuff when they’re not.
There may be people in the federal government saying stuff that the not true but it’s a lit knee of things from the president that would be awesome if they were true and happening but they’re not and so the sooner we come to terms with that, I think the better for all of us.
If it were up to me and it’s not, I would stop putting those briefings on live TV. Not out of spite but because it’s misformation. If the president does end up saying anything true, you can run it as tape. But if he keeps lying like he has been every day on stuff this important, all of us should stop broadcasting it. Honestly, it’s going to cost lives. Honestly, it’s going to cost lives.
Video:
Rachel Maddow calls on TV networks to stop live broadcasting Trump's coronavirus briefings because they are full of lies and misinformation that will get people killed. pic.twitter.com/7iYQ2xSZpv — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 21, 2020
Trump’s briefings never contain vital statistics. The briefings don’t mention the number of confirmed cases, test kits available, or the amount of federal aid distributed. The briefings are a substitute for Trump’s rallies. They are a propaganda tool
The reason why we at PoliticusUSA live share clips from these briefings is that they need to be real-time fact-checked. The best way to fight against Trump’s information is to share the truth as he is speaking. The goal of the press should be not to let Trump’s lies take root, and if the responsible thing for the networks to do would be to stop live air Trump’s coronavirus briefings, and instead run fact-checked taped highlights.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-21--Gov. Andrew Cuomo Shows Trump How A Real Leader Is Supposed To Manage A Crisis

New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo gave his daily coronavirus news briefing on Saturday , and the presentation – both in style and substance – could not have been more different than what the American people have been seeing from the White House .
MSNBC ’ s Joy Reid reacted to the briefing in real time , saying that Cuomo ’ s “ calm , authoritative ” presentation was a stunning contrast with the president who is “ combative , angry ” and spends his daily briefings “ fighting with the press , disputing his experts.
” “ They say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” the MSNBC host said .
“ Wow , these two are very different.
” Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , governor of New York , factual , even with a powerpoint presentation , seated at a nice social distance from the experts beside him , calm , authoritative .
Boy , I can not imagine a greater difference with the presentations daily that are given by the president of the United States .
They say that character is revealed in crisis .
Wow , these two are very different .
Donald Trump combative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , disputing his experts – could not be a different presentation between the two of them .
Presidential leadership is coming from the state level , not the White House As this crisis continues to wreak havoc all around the country , the American people have seen more presidential leadership from the state level than from the White House .
In New York , the state with the most infections , Gov .
Cuomo has been truthful about the seriousness of this outbreak , but he ’ s also delivered his message in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors , including Ohio ’ s Republican Gov .
Mike DeWine , have understood that this is no laughing matter and have acted accordingly .
Meanwhile , Donald Trump ’ s daily coronavirus briefings are a horror show , with the president physically crammed together with Mike Pence and the rest of the task force , attacking journalists who ask valid questions , and spreading false information that ’ s often immediately corrected by his own team .
In fact , Trump had another morning meltdown on Saturday in which he spewed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The longer this health emergency goes on , the more obvious it is that the American people would be better off if Donald Trump just stayed quiet and let the adults at all levels of government handle this crisis .

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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gave his daily coronavirus news briefing on Saturday, and the presentation – both in style and substance – could not have been more different than what the American people have been seeing from the White House.
MSNBC’s Joy Reid reacted to the briefing in real time, saying that Cuomo’s “calm, authoritative” presentation was a stunning contrast with the president who is “combative, angry” and spends his daily briefings “fighting with the press, disputing his experts.”
“They say that character is revealed in crisis,” the MSNBC host said. “Wow, these two are very different.”
Video:
Joy Reid reacts to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s daily coronavirus news briefing: “Boy, I cannot imagine a greater difference with the presentations daily that are given by the president of the United States.” #ctl #p2 #amjoy pic.twitter.com/MtWXsBBV6Q — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 21, 2020
Reid said:
Gov. Andrew Cuomo, governor of New York, factual, even with a powerpoint presentation, seated at a nice social distance from the experts beside him, calm, authoritative. Boy, I cannot imagine a greater difference with the presentations daily that are given by the president of the United States. They say that character is revealed in crisis. Wow, these two are very different. Donald Trump combative, angry, fighting with the press, disputing his experts – could not be a different presentation between the two of them.
Presidential leadership is coming from the state level, not the White House
As this crisis continues to wreak havoc all around the country, the American people have seen more presidential leadership from the state level than from the White House.
In New York, the state with the most infections, Gov. Cuomo has been truthful about the seriousness of this outbreak, but he’s also delivered his message in a calm and authoritative manner. Other governors, including Ohio’s Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, have understood that this is no laughing matter and have acted accordingly.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s daily coronavirus briefings are a horror show, with the president physically crammed together with Mike Pence and the rest of the task force, attacking journalists who ask valid questions, and spreading false information that’s often immediately corrected by his own team.
In fact, Trump had another morning meltdown on Saturday in which he spewed more falsehoods about a possible coronavirus cure.
The longer this health emergency goes on, the more obvious it is that the American people would be better off if Donald Trump just stayed quiet and let the adults at all levels of government handle this crisis.


politicususa--2020-03-21--Trump’s Own Supporters Will Be Hurt Most By His Disastrous Coronavirus Response

MSNBC ’ s Joy Reid pointed out on Saturday that Donald Trump ’ s disastrous response to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States could end up hurting his own supporters more than anybody else .
As the MSNBC host noted , most of Trump ’ s supporters are older and live in states that “ refuse to expand the Affordable Care Act , ” making them particularly high risk .
“ One in eight Trump voters lives in a county with no ICU beds , ” the MSNBC host said .
“ Many Trump voters live in states that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so people without a lot of money don ’ t have any health insurance.
” Not to mention the fact that Trump spent the early weeks of this outbreak downplaying the virus and suggesting that it was a hoax , which Fox News echoed repeatedly to its audience of older viewers .
The fact that we also have an outbreak where the president of the United States did not take seriously his own intelligence community saying no , this is going to be bad .
Members of the intel committee in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bad , only told rich donors , didn ’ t tell everyone else .
Meanwhile , the president is downplaying something that his media , his affinity media picks up his line that it ’ s nothing , that it ’ s a hoax .
Now these are the same people who tend to be older and who tend to live in states that don ’ t have health care .
Washington Post reports one in eight Trump voters lives in a county with no ICU beds .
Many Trump voters live in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Care Act , so people without a lot of money don ’ t have any health insurance .
How lopsided could we wind up seeing this outbreak become … because Donald Trump ’ s own followers are now behind the curve .
Donald Trump was right when he claimed he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and still not get his supporters to abandon him .
But in this case , instead of a shooting , it ’ s a global pandemic .
A virus is spreading rapidly across the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of this crisis downplaying it , calling it a hoax .
Polling shows that Trump ’ s effort to dismiss the crisis to protect his own political fortunes has had an impact .
According to Gallup , 73 percent of Democrats are worried about the outbreak , while just 42 percent of Republicans are .
Some of Trump ’ s most diehard supporters even believe that this deadly virus is no big deal , just another myth perpetrated by Democrats in an attempt to topple their dear leader .
Ultimately , Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this outbreak and take swift action to combat it will hurt all Americans , but it is his supporters who appear to be most vulnerable .

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MSNBC’s Joy Reid pointed out on Saturday that Donald Trump’s disastrous response to the coronavirus outbreak in the United States could end up hurting his own supporters more than anybody else.
As the MSNBC host noted, most of Trump’s supporters are older and live in states that “refuse to expand the Affordable Care Act,” making them particularly high risk.
“One in eight Trump voters lives in a county with no ICU beds,” the MSNBC host said. “Many Trump voters live in states that refuse to expand the Affordable Care Act, so people without a lot of money don’t have any health insurance.”
Not to mention the fact that Trump spent the early weeks of this outbreak downplaying the virus and suggesting that it was a hoax, which Fox News echoed repeatedly to its audience of older viewers.
Video:
Joy Reid points out that Trump supporters could end up being hurt most by the president’s disastrous coronavirus response. #ctl #p2 #maddow pic.twitter.com/Mjkz6uawiT — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 21, 2020
Reid said:
The fact that we also have an outbreak where the president of the United States did not take seriously his own intelligence community saying no, this is going to be bad. Members of the intel committee in the Senate knew it was going to be bad, only told rich donors, didn’t tell everyone else. Meanwhile, the president is downplaying something that his media, his affinity media picks up his line that it’s nothing, that it’s a hoax. Now these are the same people who tend to be older and who tend to live in states that don’t have health care. Washington Post reports one in eight Trump voters lives in a county with no ICU beds. Many Trump voters live in states that refuse to expand the Affordable Care Act, so people without a lot of money don’t have any health insurance. How lopsided could we wind up seeing this outbreak become … because Donald Trump’s own followers are now behind the curve.
Worse news: Trump supporters likely won’t care
Donald Trump was right when he claimed he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and still not get his supporters to abandon him.
But in this case, instead of a shooting, it’s a global pandemic. A virus is spreading rapidly across the United States, and the president spent weeks at the beginning of this crisis downplaying it, calling it a hoax.
Polling shows that Trump’s effort to dismiss the crisis to protect his own political fortunes has had an impact. According to Gallup, 73 percent of Democrats are worried about the outbreak, while just 42 percent of Republicans are.
Some of Trump’s most diehard supporters even believe that this deadly virus is no big deal, just another myth perpetrated by Democrats in an attempt to topple their dear leader.
Ultimately, Donald Trump’s refusal to be honest about this outbreak and take swift action to combat it will hurt all Americans, but it is his supporters who appear to be most vulnerable.


politicususa--2020-03-21--Rep. Joe Kennedy Calls GOP Relief Plan ‘Laughable’, Proposes $4,000 Checks To Low Income Americans

Rep. Joe Kennedy III ( D-MA ) called out the GOP on Saturday for proposing a “ laughable ” coronavirus relief package that benefits the wealthiest Americans and corporations while doing nothing for the lower and middle income folks who need it most .
Under the Republican proposal , the poorest people in the United States – those who need the most help in this climate – will get just $ 600 .
“ The proposals that we ’ ve seen from our Senate counterparts is not anywhere near enough , ” Rep. Kennedy said .
“ The idea that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to make ends meet for families for a month , two months off of this is laughable.
” It just shows you are completely divorced from reality , ” he added .
“ You need something that ’ s going to be far more generous.
” The exchange between Rep. Kennedy and Ali Velsi : REP. KENNEDY : The proposals that we ’ ve seen from our Senate counterparts is not anywhere near enough .
Ali , I ’ ve done town halls across this state over the course of the past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay out – keep this in mind – is about $ 1,200 .
In front of those thousands of people , I ’ ve always asked how many of you can live in Massachusetts on $ 1,200 a month .
Not a single hand has ever gone up .
Not one once .
The idea that you ’ re going to somehow be able to make ends meet for families for a month , two months off of this is laughable .
It just shows you are completely divorced from reality .
You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be far more generous .
Third , my proposal… there ’ s an option to have it continue so that if our economy still struggles through this recovery , we ’ re able to ensure that American families are , in fact , taken care of .
The economic stimulus here is important but what is far more important is making sure that American families can make ends meet .
That ’ s the point on this .
ALI VELSHI : The stimulus is secondary here .
You ’ re talking about $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adults earning less than $ 100,000 per year .
$ 2,000 per child for families in the same income bracket .
The Senate is looking at $ 1,200 for adults , $ 600 if you don ’ t pay income tax , which is kind of remarkable because a whole bunch of people who don ’ t earn enough to pay income tax pay a lot of money in taxes , in other words consumption taxes and things like that .
We are not going to fix anything that ’ s broken in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least among us .
REP. KENNEDY : You ’ re not going to come close .
That still forces you to choose between going to work and paying your rent , paying your mortgage , paying your prescription medication .
We ’ ve still got millions of people in this country that are uninsured .
How are they supposed to cope with the pandemic ?
GOP is using this crisis to help the wealthiest corporations It ’ s clear by now that the Republican coronavirus relief plan is just another attempt by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scraps to the lower and middle class .
As I wrote this week , “ Americans are looking for their leaders to have their backs , not use this crisis to shower big corporations and special interests with bailouts and tax cuts while hardworking people get nothing but scraps.
” A one-time payment of $ 600 for low income individuals is a sick joke on the American people , not a plan to help the most vulnerable folks in the midst of this global health and economic crisis .

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Rep. Joe Kennedy III (D-MA) called out the GOP on Saturday for proposing a “laughable” coronavirus relief package that benefits the wealthiest Americans and corporations while doing nothing for the lower and middle income folks who need it most.
Under the Republican proposal, the poorest people in the United States – those who need the most help in this climate – will get just $600.
“The proposals that we’ve seen from our Senate counterparts is not anywhere near enough,” Rep. Kennedy said. “The idea that you’re going to somehow be able to make ends meet for families for a month, two months off of this is laughable.”
It just shows you are completely divorced from reality,” he added. “You need something that’s going to be far more generous.”
Video:
Rep. Joe Kennedy III says the GOP stimulus bill shows how “divorced from reality” the GOP is. #ctl #p2 pic.twitter.com/54E3kxLFPt — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 21, 2020
The exchange between Rep. Kennedy and Ali Velsi:
REP. KENNEDY: The proposals that we’ve seen from our Senate counterparts is not anywhere near enough. Ali, I’ve done town halls across this state over the course of the past several months. The average Social Security pay out – keep this in mind – is about $1,200. In front of those thousands of people, I’ve always asked how many of you can live in Massachusetts on $1,200 a month. Not a single hand has ever gone up. Not one once. The idea that you’re going to somehow be able to make ends meet for families for a month, two months off of this is laughable. It just shows you are completely divorced from reality. You need something that’s going to be far more generous. Third, my proposal… there’s an option to have it continue so that if our economy still struggles through this recovery, we’re able to ensure that American families are, in fact, taken care of. The economic stimulus here is important but what is far more important is making sure that American families can make ends meet. That’s the point on this. ALI VELSHI: The stimulus is secondary here. You’re talking about $4,000 in annual direct cash payments to adults earning less than $100,000 per year. $2,000 per child for families in the same income bracket. The Senate is looking at $1,200 for adults, $600 if you don’t pay income tax, which is kind of remarkable because a whole bunch of people who don’t earn enough to pay income tax pay a lot of money in taxes, in other words consumption taxes and things like that. We are not going to fix anything that’s broken in society with $600 payments to the least among us. REP. KENNEDY: You’re not going to come close. That still forces you to choose between going to work and paying your rent, paying your mortgage, paying your prescription medication. We’ve still got millions of people in this country that are uninsured. How are they supposed to cope with the pandemic?
GOP is using this crisis to help the wealthiest corporations
It’s clear by now that the Republican coronavirus relief plan is just another attempt by the GOP to help wealthy corporations while giving scraps to the lower and middle class.
As I wrote this week, “Americans are looking for their leaders to have their backs, not use this crisis to shower big corporations and special interests with bailouts and tax cuts while hardworking people get nothing but scraps.”
A one-time payment of $600 for low income individuals is a sick joke on the American people, not a plan to help the most vulnerable folks in the midst of this global health and economic crisis.


politicususa--2020-03-21--Trump’s Has A Saturday Meltdown And Tweets False Coronavirus Cures

Trump is pushing misleading information about a coronavirus treatment coming that experts have already warned is not correct .
This @ @ @ @ @ false hope that Trump blew up at NBC ’ s Peter Alexander for asking about @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Scientists and health experts have repeatedly debunked Trump ’ s claims that a @ @ @ @ @ cure is just around the corner .
Trump ’ s own experts have warned that @ @ @ @ @ non-existent that the malaria drug works to treat coronavirus , but Trump has convinced himself @ @ @ @ @ cure for coronavirus , and is going to save his presidency that has the US @ @ @ @ @ .
The President Of The United States isn ’ t leading the country .
He @ @ @ @ @ and giving people false hope .
Donald Trump is endangering the public health to try @ @ @ @ @ in office .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC @ @

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Trump is pushing misleading information about a coronavirus treatment coming that experts have already warned is not correct.
Trump tweeted:
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE & AZITHROMYCIN, taken together, have a real chance to be one of the biggest game changers in the history of medicine. The FDA has moved mountains – Thank You! Hopefully they will BOTH (H works better with A, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents)….. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 21, 2020
This is the same misleading, false hope that Trump blew up at NBC’s Peter Alexander for asking about at his coronavirus briefing on Friday. Scientists and health experts have repeatedly debunked Trump’s claims that a treatment, vaccine, or cure is just around the corner.
Trump’s own experts have warned that the evidence is thin to non-existent that the malaria drug works to treat coronavirus, but Trump has convinced himself that he has found the cure for coronavirus, and is going to save his presidency that has the US economy sinking into a recession.
The President Of The United States isn’t leading the country. He is tweeting misleading information, and giving people false hope.
Donald Trump is endangering the public health to try to win a second term in office.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-21--Trump’s Botched Coronavirus Response Has Caused A Recession

Dozens of economists are warning that a recession is certain , and job losses will be at least 5 million , and it will be equal or worse than the Great Recession .
The fallout from the coronavirus outbreak is expected to have a significant negative impact on U.S. economic prospects , with predictions emerging for losses of up to five million jobs this year and a drop in economic output of as much as $ 1.5 trillion .
A recession is now all but certain , according to a Wall Street Journal survey of 34 economists , which projects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least , and would in some ways rival—and possibly even surpass—the severity of the 2007-09 slump triggered by the housing collapse and subprime loan debacle .
The economic portion of the crisis was made worse by Trump ’ s refusal to heed the months of warnings from intelligence officials about the oncoming coronavirus .
Trump ignored the warnings , refused to prepare for the public health crisis , and the result is that a potentially short-term economic downturn is on the brink of becoming a full-blown economic collapse .
The collapse of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Donald Trump is a president who has no interest in governing .
For the first three-plus years of his term , he got lucky , because no crisis required a competent and Executive Branch .
Trump has behaved during the coronavirus as he has during his entire presidency .
The economy was Trump ’ s entire reelection campaign , and the recession makes it likely that Donald Trump will be a one-term president .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Dozens of economists are warning that a recession is certain, and job losses will be at least 5 million, and it will be equal or worse than the Great Recession.
The Wall Street Journal reported:
The fallout from the coronavirus outbreak is expected to have a significant negative impact on U.S. economic prospects, with predictions emerging for losses of up to five million jobs this year and a drop in economic output of as much as $1.5 trillion.
A recession is now all but certain, according to a Wall Street Journal survey of 34 economists, which projects a downturn that would last months at least, and would in some ways rival—and possibly even surpass—the severity of the 2007-09 slump triggered by the housing collapse and subprime loan debacle.
The economic portion of the crisis was made worse by Trump’s refusal to heed the months of warnings from intelligence officials about the oncoming coronavirus. Trump ignored the warnings, refused to prepare for the public health crisis, and the result is that a potentially short-term economic downturn is on the brink of becoming a full-blown economic collapse.
The collapse of the economy was always Trump’s destiny. Donald Trump is a president who has no interest in governing. For the first three-plus years of his term, he got lucky, because no crisis required a competent and Executive Branch.
Trump has behaved during the coronavirus as he has during his entire presidency. The economy was Trump’s entire reelection campaign, and the recession makes it likely that Donald Trump will be a one-term president.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-22--Opinion: Coronavirus Highlights Inhumanity and Inefficiency of For-Profit Economy

The economic culture in the United States still largely holds to the belief that private industry , guided by the pursuit of private interests and the profit motive , leads to the most efficient and effective economy .
Conservatives , of course , cling to this belief on steroids , as is evident in their hallmark platform calling for small government , even no government , railing against bloated government operations and programs such as Social Security , Medicare , national parks , and more .
As I ’ ve written much about lately ( here and here , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideology in hyper-drive , rampantly destroying the public sphere and railing against the public school system as “ failing government-run schools , ” as he eyes the dismantling of that system as well .
It is now practically a truism in our culture , even outside of conservative circles , that the private sector somehow knows how to get things done expeditiously and efficiently , while our government agencies are dilatory , ineffective , and wasteful of taxpayer dollars .
The non-partisan coronavirus argues strongly against this truism , in fact absolutely debunking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our current economy , encouraging behaviors designed above all else to maximize profits , valorizes , for example , the elimination of excess capacity because of its inefficiency from a business standpoint .
The emphasis on “ lean production ” similarly valorizes practices such as “ just-in-time ” inventory management , which discourages the stockpiling of “ excess ” production materials , again of because of its inefficiency from the business standpoint .
Both of these business practices are substantially hampering the national response to the coronavirus , collectively costing us much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measured in human lives .
We need to measure the effectiveness of our economy in terms of how efficiently it serves human life , human need , not how efficiently it serves business by maximizing profit .
Any student will learn in Economics 101 that the purpose of an economy is to produce and distribute goods and services most efficiently to meet the needs of those living within it .
So , we need economists who think about our systems from human perspective , not a business perspective .
To be fair , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in his landmark 1776 work The Wealth of Nations , notoriously argued that the way for people to promote the public good most vigorously was to seek to make us much money as possible , to pursue their private interests most vigorously without even thinking about the public good .
This would , he thought , maximize the general revenue for the benefit of all .
He observed of man , “ By pursuing his own interests he frequently promotes that of society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ done by those who affected to trade for the public good.
” And New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been a powerful spokesman for the virus ’ s position against Adam Smith .
Consider how he spelled out the problem of the lack of hospital capacity to address the pandemic : “ You only have 53,000 hospital beds .
You only have 3,000 ICU beds .
Why ?
Because our health care system is basically a private system .
They don ’ t build capacity that they don ’ t need .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just in case .
An intensive care bed is very expensive .
They don ’ t build a wing of ICU beds that sit vacant for 10 years on the off-chance that there ’ s going to be a public health emergency and you ’ ll need the beds… so we don ’ t have them .
We have the capacity that people use day-in and day-out .
And that ’ s not just New York .
That ’ s every state in the United States .
You now have this influx , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You will have people on gurneys in hallways , ” Cuomo told reporters .
“ That is what is going to happen now if we do nothing .
That is what is going to happen now if we do nothing .
And that , my friends , will be a tragedy.
” In short , to paraphrase Cuomo , we need a “ just-in-case ” economy , not a “ just-in-time ” economy if we are going to be prepared to meet human need , not just maximize profit .
He diagnoses the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of public health services , which means these services organize their operations from the economic standpoint of business , not the economic standpoint of meeting human need .
And what has he called for in a letter he wrote to President Trump ?
He called for Trump to send in the Army Corps of Engineers to build temporary medical facilities to meet the surge in patients needing treatment for the coronavirus .
He called for government intervention , for a public sector response , precisely because the private sector has failed abysmally ; @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact , forecast , inherently entail , the private sector ’ s failure to meet human need .
And even if these facilities get built , the supply chain processes dictated by “ best ” business practices for private companies also hobble an effective medical response to the pandemic .
Our just-in-time supply chains stretch across the globe .
Because China has been shut down , and now Italy , with workers not going to work and factories shut down , this supply chain is disrupted .
Because business efficiency militates against stockpiling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as masks and other protective healthcare gear and equipment , hospitals simply don ’ t have the necessary resources to adequately respond to the public need the pandemic has engendered .
Adam Smith , we should recall , still foregrounded promoting the public good , the general welfare , as the moral purpose of economic behavior .
When he wrote , he viewed people ’ s pursuit of private profit as the best means to serve the public good .
History , however , has provided a corrective to Smith ’ s thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preaching “ greed is good ” with horrible consequences in the 1987 film Wall Street , provided an iconic morality tale for the U.S. political economy ?
One imagines Smith ’ s moral vision would now valorize economic behavior consciously supporting the public sphere , thinking more about the health of nations .
While Trump merits mistrust , Americans , trained in mistrusting government , may change their mindset and start prizing government intervention .

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The economic culture in the United States still largely holds to the belief that private industry, guided by the pursuit of private interests and the profit motive, leads to the most efficient and effective economy. Conservatives, of course, cling to this belief on steroids, as is evident in their hallmark platform calling for small government, even no government, railing against bloated government operations and programs such as Social Security, Medicare, national parks, and more. As I’ve written much about lately (here and here, for example), Trump is operationalizing this ideology in hyper-drive, rampantly destroying the public sphere and railing against the public school system as “failing government-run schools,” as he eyes the dismantling of that system as well.
It is now practically a truism in our culture, even outside of conservative circles, that the private sector somehow knows how to get things done expeditiously and efficiently, while our government agencies are dilatory, ineffective, and wasteful of taxpayer dollars.
The non-partisan coronavirus argues strongly against this truism, in fact absolutely debunking it, highlighting its wrongheadedness and lunacy.
Our current economy, encouraging behaviors designed above all else to maximize profits, valorizes, for example, the elimination of excess capacity because of its inefficiency from a business standpoint. The emphasis on “lean production” similarly valorizes practices such as “just-in-time” inventory management, which discourages the stockpiling of “excess” production materials, again of because of its inefficiency from the business standpoint.
Both of these business practices are substantially hampering the national response to the coronavirus, collectively costing us much more than dollars. The cost is measured in human lives.
The lesson?
We need to measure the effectiveness of our economy in terms of how efficiently it serves human life, human need, not how efficiently it serves business by maximizing profit.
Any student will learn in Economics 101 that the purpose of an economy is to produce and distribute goods and services most efficiently to meet the needs of those living within it.
So, we need economists who think about our systems from human perspective, not a business perspective.
To be fair, the famous moral philosopher Adam Smith, in his landmark 1776 work The Wealth of Nations, notoriously argued that the way for people to promote the public good most vigorously was to seek to make us much money as possible, to pursue their private interests most vigorously without even thinking about the public good. This would, he thought, maximize the general revenue for the benefit of all. He observed of man, “By pursuing his own interests he frequently promotes that of society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good.”
The coronavirus offers a powerful argument.
And New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has been a powerful spokesman for the virus’s position against Adam Smith. Consider how he spelled out the problem of the lack of hospital capacity to address the pandemic:
“You only have 53,000 hospital beds. You only have 3,000 ICU beds. Why? Because our health care system is basically a private system. They don’t build capacity that they don’t need. They don’t build extra ICU beds just in case. An intensive care bed is very expensive. They don’t build a wing of ICU beds that sit vacant for 10 years on the off-chance that there’s going to be a public health emergency and you’ll need the beds… so we don’t have them. We have the capacity that people use day-in and day-out. And that’s not just New York. That’s every state in the United States. You now have this influx, you can’t handle it. You will have people on gurneys in hallways,” Cuomo told reporters. “That is what is going to happen now if we do nothing. That is what is going to happen now if we do nothing. And that, my friends, will be a tragedy.”
In short, to paraphrase Cuomo, we need a “just-in-case” economy, not a “just-in-time” economy if we are going to be prepared to meet human need, not just maximize profit.
He diagnoses the problem as precisely one of the privatization of public health services, which means these services organize their operations from the economic standpoint of business, not the economic standpoint of meeting human need.
And what has he called for in a letter he wrote to President Trump? He called for Trump to send in the Army Corps of Engineers to build temporary medical facilities to meet the surge in patients needing treatment for the coronavirus.
He called for government intervention, for a public sector response, precisely because the private sector has failed abysmally; its so-called best business practices, in fact, forecast, inherently entail, the private sector’s failure to meet human need.
And even if these facilities get built, the supply chain processes dictated by “best” business practices for private companies also hobble an effective medical response to the pandemic.
Our just-in-time supply chains stretch across the globe. Because China has been shut down, and now Italy, with workers not going to work and factories shut down, this supply chain is disrupted. Because business efficiency militates against stockpiling so-called “excess” supplies, such as masks and other protective healthcare gear and equipment, hospitals simply don’t have the necessary resources to adequately respond to the public need the pandemic has engendered.
Adam Smith, we should recall, still foregrounded promoting the public good, the general welfare, as the moral purpose of economic behavior. When he wrote, he viewed people’s pursuit of private profit as the best means to serve the public good.
History, however, has provided a corrective to Smith’s thinking.
Hasn’t Gordon Gecko, preaching “greed is good” with horrible consequences in the 1987 film Wall Street, provided an iconic morality tale for the U.S. political economy?
One imagines Smith’s moral vision would now valorize economic behavior consciously supporting the public sphere, thinking more about the health of nations.
While Trump merits mistrust, Americans, trained in mistrusting government, may change their mindset and start prizing government intervention.


politicususa--2020-03-22--Trump Mocks Mitt Romney For Coronavirus Self-Quarantine

Trump is still bitter about Sen. Mitt Romney ’ s vote to convict him during the impeachment trial , so he mocked Romney for self-quarantining .
The exchange : Q : On top of Senator Paul , now four senators are in isolation .
The rules say in order to vote — Trump : Who are they ?
Reporter : Romney , Lee .
Gardner , and Rick Scott .
Rick Scott also .
Two of them were in contact with Rand Paul .
With the critical stimulus package .
Trump : Romney is in isolation ?
Gee , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is in the midst of a pandemic that is killing Americans and wrecking the US economy , and Donald Trump is taking shots at Mitt Romney .
The reason why the coronavirus is out of control in the United States is that Donald Trump is incapable of leading the nation .
Trump views everything from the perspective of his own grievances and ego .
America needs a leader in a time of crisis , while Donald Trump is mocking a US Senator for leading by example and going into self-quarantine because he had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump will never measure up to what a president should be .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump is still bitter about Sen. Mitt Romney’s vote to convict him during the impeachment trial, so he mocked Romney for self-quarantining.
The exchange:
Q: On top of Senator Paul, now four senators are in isolation. The rules say in order to vote —
Trump: Who are they?
Reporter: Romney, Lee. Gardner, and Rick Scott. Rick Scott also. Two of them were in contact with Rand Paul. With the critical stimulus package.
Trump: Romney is in isolation? Gee, that’s too bad.
Video of Trump:
Trump mocks Mitt Romney for self-isolating due to coronavirus concerns. Even in the middle of a national emergency, Trump is still bitter about Romney's impeachment vote. pic.twitter.com/pgXQqhSgMA — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 22, 2020
The country is in the midst of a pandemic that is killing Americans and wrecking the US economy, and Donald Trump is taking shots at Mitt Romney. The reason why the coronavirus is out of control in the United States is that Donald Trump is incapable of leading the nation.
Trump views everything from the perspective of his own grievances and ego. America needs a leader in a time of crisis, while Donald Trump is mocking a US Senator for leading by example and going into self-quarantine because he had contact with Sen. Rand Paul.
Donald Trump will never measure up to what a president should be.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-03-22--Fellow Senator Blasts Rand Paul For Irresponsibly Spreading Coronavirus

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema ( D-AZ ) blasted Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) for irresponsibly putting other people of infection and spreading the coronavirus .
Sen. Paul didn ’ t just show up to work .
He met with his colleagues , spoke to reporters , and used the Senate gym and pool all while he was awaiting his coronavirus test results .
Sen. Paul is infected with the coronavirus , and now he has exposed staffers , his fellow senators , and anyone who he came into contact with to the virus as well .
Paul ’ s behavior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to self-quarantine that Republicans don ’ t have a majority right now .
The reason why the Senate gym and pool were open when most others are closed across the country is that the Senators make their own rules , and the fact that McConnell didn ’ t get his majority to close down the gym and pool is proof that Republicans weren ’ t taking this crisis seriously , and are paying for following Trump ’ s lead in downplaying the coronavirus .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel @ @ @ @ @

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) blasted Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) for irresponsibly putting other people of infection and spreading the coronavirus.
Sen. Sinema tweeted:
I’ve never commented about a fellow Senator’s choices/actions. Never once. This, America, is absolutely irresponsible. You cannot be near other people while waiting for coronavirus test results. It endangers others & likely increases the spread of the virus. https://t.co/651TJf8mWf — Kyrsten Sinema (@kyrstensinema) March 22, 2020
Sen. Paul didn’t just show up to work. He met with his colleagues, spoke to reporters, and used the Senate gym and pool all while he was awaiting his coronavirus test results. Sen. Paul is infected with the coronavirus, and now he has exposed staffers, his fellow senators, and anyone who he came into contact with to the virus as well.
Paul’s behavior has resulted in so many senators having to self-quarantine that Republicans don’t have a majority right now.
The reason why the Senate gym and pool were open when most others are closed across the country is that the Senators make their own rules, and the fact that McConnell didn’t get his majority to close down the gym and pool is proof that Republicans weren’t taking this crisis seriously, and are paying for following Trump’s lead in downplaying the coronavirus.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-03-22--Coronavirus Wipes Out Senate Republicans As McConnell Lacks Majority To Vote

Due to Rand Paul testing positive for the coronavirus , and the resulting self-quarantine of several Senators , Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ vote .
Thanks to Rand Paul spreading the coronavirus all over the Senate , Mitch @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate to vote for his scam coronavirus stimulus bill .
McConnell already was @ @ @ @ @ votes that he needed to get past the first procedural vote , but with so @ @ @ @ @ self-quarantining , the only way that he will be able to pass any legislation is @ @ @ @ @ McConnell ’ s coronavirus stimulus for corporations looks to be dead in the water , @ @ @ @ @ going to have to give Democrats what they want if he is going to get @ @ @ @ @ For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Due to Rand Paul testing positive for the coronavirus, and the resulting self-quarantine of several Senators, Mitch McConnell lacks a GOP majority to vote.
Steven Dennis tweeted:
Mitt Romney joins Lee and Rand Paul in quarantine bc of their close proximity to Rand Paul in recent days… https://t.co/nyudA7ndJA — Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) March 22, 2020
Cory Gardner and Rick Scott had previously announced they were going to self-quarantine. By my count, the Senate is 48-47 Republicans able to vote. — Steven Dennis (@StevenTDennis) March 22, 2020
Thanks to Rand Paul spreading the coronavirus all over the Senate, Mitch McConnell lacks even a majority in the Senate to vote for his scam coronavirus stimulus bill. McConnell already was unlikely to get the 60 votes that he needed to get past the first procedural vote, but with so many members of his majority self-quarantining, the only way that he will be able to pass any legislation is with substantial Democratic votes.
McConnell’s coronavirus stimulus for corporations looks to be dead in the water, as the Majority Leader is going to have to give Democrats what they want if he is going to get this vital legislation passed.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-03-22--Rand Paul Was Spreading Coronavirus All Over The Senate

Sen. Rand Paul ( R-KY ) was all over the Senate while having coronavirus .
He visited the Senate pool @ @ @ @ @ Here is Paul at the Senate Republican lunch on Friday : Politico noted Paul ’ @ @ @ @ @ Kentucky senator had been interacting with his colleagues just days prior , voting on the @ @ @ @ @ and speaking to reporters in hallways.
” Rand Paul was spreading coronavirus around the Senate @ @ @ @ @ a long weekend at Mar-a-Lago .
Maybe , Paul ’ s diagnosis will force Senate @ @ @ @ @ while they try to pass Mitch McConnell ’ s coronavirus corporate welfare bill .
The @ @ @ @ @ and with a Republican majority that is at an at-risk demographic , it would be @ @ @ @ @ the Majority Leader would stop playing games and pass a bipartisan bill .
For more @ @ @ @ @ our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) was all over the Senate while having coronavirus. He visited the Senate pool and the Senate gym.
CNN’s Manu Raju tweeted:
Paul was at the Senate gym today and Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas told senators at lunch he saw Paul in the swimming pool today, per a source in the lunch — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 22, 2020
Here is Paul at the Senate Republican lunch on Friday:
I took a picture inside the Senate GOP lunch when the door was open Friday and saw Rand Paul seated next to other senators. He is visible in this photo. pic.twitter.com/4qwZo5YdBs — Manu Raju (@mkraju) March 22, 2020
Politico noted Paul’s activities, “The Kentucky senator had been interacting with his colleagues just days prior, voting on the floor, sitting in meetings and speaking to reporters in hallways.”
Rand Paul was spreading coronavirus around the Senate like he is Trump on a long weekend at Mar-a-Lago. Maybe, Paul’s diagnosis will force Senate Republicans to stop playing games while they try to pass Mitch McConnell’s coronavirus corporate welfare bill.
The coronavirus has hit the Senate and with a Republican majority that is at an at-risk demographic, it would be in their best interests if the Majority Leader would stop playing games and pass a bipartisan bill.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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politicususa--2020-03-22--Opinion: Let’s Not Forget the Virulent Sexism Pandemic in Face of Coronavirus

Some of the most recent weeks in American history alert us , if we ’ re paying the least bit of attention , to the fact that sexism is alive and well , indeed robustly thriving , in U.S. culture and society .
Last March 11 brought a moment of victory and also frustration in the struggle for women ’ s rights , for human rights , in the U.S .
Notable Hollywood producer and notorious serial sex offender Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for multiple sexual assaults against women , a victory pending a probable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his trial , did speak up at his sentencing hearing , unleashing a spate of sexist commentary which we should understand not as idiosyncratic to the mind of man in weakened and aging state , arguably on his last leg , but as sadly and dangerously symptomatic of a prominent strain of sexism characteristic of , dominant in , American life and institutions .
Here ’ s one of Weinstein ’ s comments in which he credits himself for the rise of the Me Too Movement and also excuses himself and men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not understanding that sexually harassing and hating women is wrong , a violation of human rights : And then he effectively made himself out to be a martyr , blacklisted because of some irrational feminist ideological movement out to deny capable and ingenious men like himself—and Dalton Trumbo—of their freedom and livelihoods .
“ You know , I just — dealing with the thousands of men and women who are losing due process , I ’ m worried about this country in a sense too .
I ’ m worried there is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1950 ’ s when lots of men like myself , Dalton Trumbo , one of the great examples , did not work , went to jail because people thought they were communists .
You know , there was a scare , and that is what happened , and I think that is what is happening now all over this country.
” So , recognizing women ’ s human rights and holding men accountable for violence against women is .
.
.
just a grandiose scare ?
This trial exemplifies how , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s conviction–the struggle against pervasive sexist cultural attitudes persists .
While we can hope that November 2020 brings the removal of likely the most grotesque and obscenely overt sexist from the presidency , let ’ s not be fooled and let ’ s understand that America has quite a ways to go in addressing the sexism so deeply rooted and embedded in the culture of the United States .
Certainly the Democratic primary process left many rightly outraged and deflated by they take as unmistakable sexism .
This process , for example , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the super-qualified Elizabeth Warren , a candidate with far more detailed plans and arguably superior political skills in comparison to those of the other major progressive candidate , Bernie sanders .
Denials that sexism and misogyny are at play just make it work .
As Jessica Valenti writing for Gen put it , “ Pundits will all have their theories ; fears over “ electability ” will likely be their # 1 explanation .
Don ’ t tell me this isn ’ t about sexism .
I ’ ve been around too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Hillary , now airing on HULU , makes an equally compelling point as it exposes the sexism at work in the political universe of the 2016 presidential election .
And that analysis , too , will no doubt spark outrage and denials of the virulence of misogyny in U.S. culture .
As Chauncey Robinson emphasizes in her discussion of the fil , writing for People ’ s World , “ The documentary zeroes in on the history of women ’ s rights in the U.S. , indirectly painting a picture of how sexism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s defeat by Trump .
Some will agree with that message , while others will vehemently disagree .
The documentary is just as polarizing as the woman it centers on–and it ’ s worth the watch.
” This polarization itself signals a deep experiential and ideological divide , largely along gender lines , speaking to the reality of sexism , that our society distinguishes people on the basis of sex and gender and legitimates different , meaning unequal , treatment .
And taken both the silence around Kobe Bryant ’ s alleged past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and also the backlash journalist Gayle King experienced when she brought it up in an interview with former WNBA star Lisa Leslie .
On the morning of February 24 , the day of the memorial service for Kobe and Gianni Bryant at the Staples Center in Los Angeles , Eddie Glaude Jr. , Chair of the host Department of African American Studies at Princeton University , appeared on MSNBC ’ s Morning Joe .
He and host Joe Scarborough praised Bryant for his achievement and excellence .
Glaude , I recall , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across lines of race and gender .
Really ?
Across race and gender lines ?
Here we see the silence .
And when King brought it up in an interview , she was faced with death threats , including highly publicized if somewhat veiled threats from rap star Snoop Dog which he circulated widely on social media .
King had to get bodyguards just because she asked Lisa Leslie whether or not the rape charge brought against Bryant , which he later settled out of criminal court in a civil proceeding , negatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ King , I guess , is just some kind of federal feminist agent leading the scare against excellent men .
Like Glaude and Scarborough , we are just supposed to celebrate these men for part of their accomplishments , not be truthful about all of their deeds .
Keep it silent .
That ’ s how sexism breeds and goes viral , enabling pandemic .

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Some of the most recent weeks in American history alert us, if we’re paying the least bit of attention, to the fact that sexism is alive and well, indeed robustly thriving, in U.S. culture and society.
Last March 11 brought a moment of victory and also frustration in the struggle for women’s rights, for human rights, in the U.S.
Notable Hollywood producer and notorious serial sex offender Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison for multiple sexual assaults against women, a victory pending a probable appeal.
Weinstein, while not testifying during his trial, did speak up at his sentencing hearing, unleashing a spate of sexist commentary which we should understand not as idiosyncratic to the mind of man in weakened and aging state, arguably on his last leg, but as sadly and dangerously symptomatic of a prominent strain of sexism characteristic of, dominant in, American life and institutions.
Here’s one of Weinstein’s comments in which he credits himself for the rise of the Me Too Movement and also excuses himself and men in general for basically being confused, not understanding that sexually harassing and hating women is wrong, a violation of human rights:
“You know, the movement started basically with me, and I think what happened, you know, I was the first example, and now there are thousands of men who are being accused and a regeneration of things that I think none of us understood.”
And then he effectively made himself out to be a martyr, blacklisted because of some irrational feminist ideological movement out to deny capable and ingenious men like himself—and Dalton Trumbo—of their freedom and livelihoods.
“You know, I just — dealing with the thousands of men and women who are losing due process, I’m worried about this country in a sense too. I’m worried there is a repeat of the blacklist there was in the 1950’s when lots of men like myself, Dalton Trumbo, one of the great examples, did not work, went to jail because people thought they were communists. You know, there was a scare, and that is what happened, and I think that is what is happening now all over this country.”
So, recognizing women’s human rights and holding men accountable for violence against women is . . . just a grandiose scare?
This trial exemplifies how, even in the face of apparent progress–Weinstein’s conviction–the struggle against pervasive sexist cultural attitudes persists.
While we can hope that November 2020 brings the removal of likely the most grotesque and obscenely overt sexist from the presidency, let’s not be fooled and let’s understand that America has quite a ways to go in addressing the sexism so deeply rooted and embedded in the culture of the United States.
Certainly the Democratic primary process left many rightly outraged and deflated by they take as unmistakable sexism. This process, for example, featured questions regarding the “electability” of the super-qualified Elizabeth Warren, a candidate with far more detailed plans and arguably superior political skills in comparison to those of the other major progressive candidate, Bernie sanders.
Denials that sexism and misogyny are at play just make it work. As Jessica Valenti writing for Gen put it, “Pundits will all have their theories; fears over “electability” will likely be their #1 explanation. Don’t tell me this isn’t about sexism. I’ve been around too long for that.”
And the documentary Hillary, now airing on HULU, makes an equally compelling point as it exposes the sexism at work in the political universe of the 2016 presidential election. And that analysis, too, will no doubt spark outrage and denials of the virulence of misogyny in U.S. culture. As Chauncey Robinson emphasizes in her discussion of the fil, writing for People’s World, “The documentary zeroes in on the history of women’s rights in the U.S., indirectly painting a picture of how sexism played a huge role in Clinton’s defeat by Trump. Some will agree with that message, while others will vehemently disagree. The documentary is just as polarizing as the woman it centers on–and it’s worth the watch.”
This polarization itself signals a deep experiential and ideological divide, largely along gender lines, speaking to the reality of sexism, that our society distinguishes people on the basis of sex and gender and legitimates different, meaning unequal, treatment.
And taken both the silence around Kobe Bryant’s alleged past sexual assaults when his life was celebrated, and also the backlash journalist Gayle King experienced when she brought it up in an interview with former WNBA star Lisa Leslie.
On the morning of February 24, the day of the memorial service for Kobe and Gianni Bryant at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Eddie Glaude Jr., Chair of the host Department of African American Studies at Princeton University, appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe. He and host Joe Scarborough praised Bryant for his achievement and excellence. Glaude, I recall, hailed Bryant as an exemplar of excellence across lines of race and gender.
Really? Across race and gender lines? Here we see the silence.
And when King brought it up in an interview, she was faced with death threats, including highly publicized if somewhat veiled threats from rap star Snoop Dog which he circulated widely on social media. King had to get bodyguards just because she asked Lisa Leslie whether or not the rape charge brought against Bryant, which he later settled out of criminal court in a civil proceeding, negatively impacted his legacy in any way.
King, I guess, is just some kind of federal feminist agent leading the scare against excellent men.
Like Glaude and Scarborough, we are just supposed to celebrate these men for part of their accomplishments, not be truthful about all of their deeds.
Keep it silent. That’s how sexism breeds and goes viral, enabling pandemic.


politicususa--2020-03-23--Mitch McConnell Blows A Gasket After Democrats Block His Coronavirus Stimulus Scam

Mitch McConnell wrote a coronavirus stimulus bill that was nothing more than a gift to Wall Street and a corporate @ @ @ @ @ blocked it .
McConnell complained about a lack of bipartisanship and said that Democrats weren @ @ @ @ @ they refused to give corporations a secret $ 500 billion bailout slush fund .
Sen. @ @ @ @ @ said that McConnell broke off bipartisan negotiations and wrote his own bill on Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ use the coronavirus to get more money for the wealthy and corporations at the expense @ @ @ @ @ , dying , and losing their jobs .
Senate Democrats told him no .
If @ @ @ @ @ vote again , the answer from the only party that is looking out for the @ @ @ @ @ no .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group @

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Mitch McConnell wrote a coronavirus stimulus bill that was nothing more than a gift to Wall Street and a corporate bailout, so Senate Democrats blocked it.
The final vote was 47-47:
The Senate vote FAILS 47-47, falling short of the 60 needed to advance the coronavirus relief package. Democrats blocked it out of objections to the GOP bill. Gardner, Lee, Paul, Romney, Scott and Sanders didn’t vote. McConnell switched his vote so he can bring it up again. — Sahil Kapur (@sahilkapur) March 22, 2020
McConnell blew a gasket after the vote:
Sen. Mitch McConnell is losing patience with Democrats (and Pelosi!) on the CARES Act, blaming them for "fiddling with the emotions of the American people… the markets… healthcare of the American people." He looks and sounds pissed. You don't see that from him most days. pic.twitter.com/mjjbNZMoca — (((Jason Rantz))) on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) March 22, 2020
McConnell complained about a lack of bipartisanship and said that Democrats weren’t being adults because they refused to give corporations a secret $500 billion bailout slush fund.
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) said that McConnell broke off bipartisan negotiations and wrote his own bill on Saturday night:
McConnell abandoned a bipartisan process at around 8 pm on Saturday and had his people write the bill alone. The result was a giveaway to Wall Street that leaves out people and small businesses and front line health workers. I voted NO. We can do this right. Let’s do this right. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) March 22, 2020
McConnell abandoned a bipartisan process at around 8 pm on Saturday and had his people write the bill alone. The result was a giveaway to Wall Street that leaves out people and small businesses and front line health workers. I voted NO. We can do this right. Let’s do this right. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) March 22, 2020
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called McConnell’s bill a corrupt corporate slush fund:
Sen. Jeff Merkley explains why Senate Democrats blocked Mitch McConnell's corrupt coronavirus stimulus bill, "This is absolutely the worst of the worst when it comes to essentially corporate corrupt slush fund strategy. " pic.twitter.com/ST94DOHOmG — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 23, 2020
Mitch McConnell tried to use the coronavirus to get more money for the wealthy and corporations at the expense of people who are sick, dying, and losing their jobs. Senate Democrats told him no. If McConnell tries to hold the vote again, the answer from the only party that is looking out for the American people will still be no.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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