politicususa--2020-03-13--Sen. Sherrod Brown Has Evidence To Prove Trump Was Lying About Firing WH Pandemic Office

Sen. Sherrod Brown ( D-OH ) tweeted a letter to Trump from 600 days ago that shows that Trump knew about the firing of the White House Pandemic Office .
Trump claimed that he knew nothing about the firing of the White House Pandemic Office , “ I could perhaps ask Tony about that .
I don ’ t know anything about it .
You say we did that.
” However , Sen. Brown tweeted his letter to Trump : Trump knew about , and approved of , the disbanding of the White House Pandemic Office .
Trump took no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the US , even though , it was his bad decisionmaking and eliminating of key government positions that left the US unprepared and behind the curve when the coronavirus arrived .
Trump disbanded the White House Pandemic Office because it was created by Obama .
Trump has viewed the main goal of his presidency as the undoing of the Obama administration .
In the process of trying to erase the legacy of Barack Obama , Donald Trump left America vulnerable to a pandemic .
Trump bears sole responsibility for such reckless and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) tweeted a letter to Trump from 600 days ago that shows that Trump knew about the firing of the White House Pandemic Office.
Trump claimed that he knew nothing about the firing of the White House Pandemic Office, “I could perhaps ask Tony about that. I don’t know anything about it. You say we did that.”
However, Sen. Brown tweeted his letter to Trump:
Not true, @realDonaldTrump. I wrote to you more than 600 days ago demanding answers after you fired the entire White House pandemic team. https://t.co/ICbHOkyeyY pic.twitter.com/71OF9gKA3N — Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) March 13, 2020
Trump knew about, and approved of, the disbanding of the White House Pandemic Office. Trump took no responsibility for the spread of the coronavirus in the US, even though, it was his bad decisionmaking and eliminating of key government positions that left the US unprepared and behind the curve when the coronavirus arrived.
Trump disbanded the White House Pandemic Office because it was created by Obama. Trump has viewed the main goal of his presidency as the undoing of the Obama administration.
In the process of trying to erase the legacy of Barack Obama, Donald Trump left America vulnerable to a pandemic.
Trump bears sole responsibility for such reckless and deadly decisionmaking.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-14--Opinion: Clinging to Sanders’ ideology will keep Trump in the White House for four more years

Adhering to an ideology is not inherently wrong by any measure .
However , when strict ideological embrace portends certain defeat in a national election to determine the fate of the country , a pragmatic person will moderate their position .
It is a sad commentary on America , but there is a group of ideologues who will “ stand their ground ” regardless of the consequences to the nation – these are the emoprogs waging war to take down the Democratic Party .
These so-called “ Bernie or bust ” emoprogs apparently have failed to ponder exactly why dirty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican voters are supporting Sanders to be the Democratic nominee for president .
It certainly isn ’ t because Sanders is a Democrat , and certainly not because they embrace any of his fantastic socialist policies .
It is because they know that in a general election Trump would win easily if Sanders is the nominee .
No matter how disastrous Trump ’ s tenure in the White House has been , a large segment of Americans will not support most of the policy proposals being proffered by Sanders and promoted by his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter how altruistic their motivation , or their demand for free stuff , fail to comprehend that most Americans are not interested in suffering the exorbitant personal cost of providing the free stuff Sanders and his zealous followers demand .
The majority of American voters understand that nothing in life is free , not even in so-called democratic socialist countries .
Sanders likes to point to other nations ’ ability to provide something such as national healthcare , but he never talks about their high taxation necessary to fund that healthcare .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ socialism is more akin to Sweden and Denmark as opposed to Cuba or the former Soviet Union when queried how much his health plan will cost or how he intends to fund it .
Mr. Sanders said on national television that he doesn ’ t know what it will cost .
Estimated cost over 10 years , according to the Urban Institute , is roughly $ 34 trillion .
It is worth looking at how Sweden or any other nation with a national health plan pays for it .
Sweden , England , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders calls , democratic socialist nations have tax rates that would spark an honest-to-dog violent revolution in America .
It is also noteworthy that in those countries , citizens pay for private health insurance to supplement the national coverage – exactly like American retirees receiving Medicare coverage .
In each of those democratic socialist countries , the marginal income tax rate hovers around 50 % on incomes over about $ 80,000 annually , and a flat income tax rate of close to 25 % for all others .
Add to that are payroll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden , particularly , the revenue generated by oil contributes greatly to providing “ free ” healthcare as well as government pensions .
Despite having access to national health care , this author ’ s colleagues in those democratic socialist countries all pay for “ supplemental ” insurance coverage to avoid long waits for elective procedures..
It is nearly impossible to believe a majority of Americans will suffer a monumental tax hike , or the abolition of private health insurance that Sanders promotes ; a fact not lost on Republicans and why they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nearly as ideologically untenable as a gargantuan hike in tax rates to fund national health care is the fantastical “ Green New Deal.
” Of course it is critical to address climate change , but not by proposing a Utopian fantasy that is unattainable even in ten years .
The deal is not just about “ going green ” either .
It provides free housing , free income for those “ unable and unwilling ” to work , free government-provided “ healthy food ” to every American , a ban on 99 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and nuclear fuels , free college for life , guaranteed government jobs , and eliminating air travel .
Those proposals drew a sharp rebuke from the co-founder of an international environmental group as pure fantasy .
And , the rebuke did not address the high cost to taxpayers to provide all that “ free stuff ” the majority of Americans will reject when they learn the high financial and personal costs .
As it has been estimated by people who are pragmatists , the plan ’ s authors proposed marginal tax rate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion over a decade ; an amount that does not begin to cover even a fraction of all that “ free stuff ” and is in addition to the cost of free health care .
Now , what began this piece was the socialist ideologues ’ strict adherence to their “ Bernie or bust ” position .
Democratic-leaning voters have taken the position that they will vote for whichever nominee Democrats choose – even if that nominee is NOT a Democrat .
It is that important to get Trump out of the White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emoprog movement have already stated emphatically that unless their socialist champion is at the top of the Democratic ticket , they will either stay home or vote for another candidate .
It is a telling sign that these “ neverBiden ” sycophants are not bothered by the damage Trump will wreak on the nation with four more years in the White House .
That scenario validates the notion that strict adherence to an ideological candidate is a danger to the nation. As Jason Easley reported here , the polls showing Sanders winning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mirage .
Sanders and his supporters make a lot of noise , but that unrelenting din can not cover the fact that America is still a center-right country ; another fact not lost on Republicans .
In fact , as far back as August the RNC sent out promotional letters pledging to fight to the death to prevent everything Sanders is proposing , with a special emphasis on nearly every aspect of the Green New Deal .
And , the RNC has already branded all Democrats as “ socialists ” who will force @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free stuff ” for ideologues on the “ radical ” far left .
The worst part of this ideological “ revolution ” is that it is being promoted by a career politician who knows none of the Utopian fantasies will ever be embraced by most Americans , not one Republican , or moderate Democrats .
They all comprehend the electorate is unwilling to suffer an enormous tax hike to provide all that “ free stuff.
” No doubt all Democrats , and even some Republicans , want all Americans to have access to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals the people would accept more willingly .
However , those same people understand that nothing is free , and that any ideology claiming otherwise is a fantasy – a fact residents of “ democratic socialist ” nations know too well .

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Adhering to an ideology is not inherently wrong by any measure. However, when strict ideological embrace portends certain defeat in a national election to determine the fate of the country, a pragmatic person will moderate their position. It is a sad commentary on America, but there is a group of ideologues who will “stand their ground” regardless of the consequences to the nation – these are the emoprogs waging war to take down the Democratic Party.
These so-called “Bernie or bust” emoprogs apparently have failed to ponder exactly why dirty Don Trump, the Russians, and Republican voters are supporting Sanders to be the Democratic nominee for president. It certainly isn’t because Sanders is a Democrat, and certainly not because they embrace any of his fantastic socialist policies. It is because they know that in a general election Trump would win easily if Sanders is the nominee.
No matter how disastrous Trump’s tenure in the White House has been, a large segment of Americans will not support most of the policy proposals being proffered by Sanders and promoted by his ignorant supporters. Those supporters, no matter how altruistic their motivation, or their demand for free stuff, fail to comprehend that most Americans are not interested in suffering the exorbitant personal cost of providing the free stuff Sanders and his zealous followers demand. The majority of American voters understand that nothing in life is free, not even in so-called democratic socialist countries.
Sanders likes to point to other nations’ ability to provide something such as national healthcare, but he never talks about their high taxation necessary to fund that healthcare. For example, Sanders says his kind of socialism is more akin to Sweden and Denmark as opposed to Cuba or the former Soviet Union when queried how much his health plan will cost or how he intends to fund it. Mr. Sanders said on national television that he doesn’t know what it will cost. Estimated cost over 10 years, according to the Urban Institute, is roughly $34 trillion. It is worth looking at how Sweden or any other nation with a national health plan pays for it.
Sweden, England, Norway, Denmark and similar, what Sanders calls, democratic socialist nations have tax rates that would spark an honest-to-dog violent revolution in America. It is also noteworthy that in those countries, citizens pay for private health insurance to supplement the national coverage – exactly like American retirees receiving Medicare coverage.
In each of those democratic socialist countries, the marginal income tax rate hovers around 50% on incomes over about $80,000 annually, and a flat income tax rate of close to 25% for all others. Add to that are payroll and “value added taxes.” In Sweden, particularly, the revenue generated by oil contributes greatly to providing “free” healthcare as well as government pensions.
Despite having access to national health care, this author’s colleagues in those democratic socialist countries all pay for “supplemental” insurance coverage to avoid long waits for elective procedures.. It is nearly impossible to believe a majority of Americans will suffer a monumental tax hike, or the abolition of private health insurance that Sanders promotes; a fact not lost on Republicans and why they desperately want Sanders to run against Trump.
Nearly as ideologically untenable as a gargantuan hike in tax rates to fund national health care is the fantastical “Green New Deal.” Of course it is critical to address climate change, but not by proposing a Utopian fantasy that is unattainable even in ten years. The deal is not just about “going green” either. It provides free housing, free income for those “unable and unwilling” to work, free government-provided “healthy food” to every American, a ban on 99% of cars, elimination of fossil and nuclear fuels, free college for life, guaranteed government jobs, and eliminating air travel.
Those proposals drew a sharp rebuke from the co-founder of an international environmental group as pure fantasy. And, the rebuke did not address the high cost to taxpayers to provide all that “free stuff” the majority of Americans will reject when they learn the high financial and personal costs. As it has been estimated by people who are pragmatists, the plan’s authors proposed marginal tax rate of 70% will barely raise $700 billion over a decade; an amount that does not begin to cover even a fraction of all that “free stuff” and is in addition to the cost of free health care.
Now, what began this piece was the socialist ideologues’ strict adherence to their “Bernie or bust” position. Democratic-leaning voters have taken the position that they will vote for whichever nominee Democrats choose – even if that nominee is NOT a Democrat. It is that important to get Trump out of the White House. However, the ideologues in the emoprog movement have already stated emphatically that unless their socialist champion is at the top of the Democratic ticket, they will either stay home or vote for another candidate. It is a telling sign that these “neverBiden” sycophants are not bothered by the damage Trump will wreak on the nation with four more years in the White House. That scenario validates the notion that strict adherence to an ideological candidate is a danger to the nation.
As Jason Easley reported here, the polls showing Sanders winning a national election against Trump are a mirage. Sanders and his supporters make a lot of noise, but that unrelenting din cannot cover the fact that America is still a center-right country; another fact not lost on Republicans. In fact, as far back as August the RNC sent out promotional letters pledging to fight to the death to prevent everything Sanders is proposing, with a special emphasis on nearly every aspect of the Green New Deal. And, the RNC has already branded all Democrats as “socialists” who will force hardworking taxpayers to provide all that “free stuff” for ideologues on the “radical” far left.
The worst part of this ideological “revolution” is that it is being promoted by a career politician who knows none of the Utopian fantasies will ever be embraced by most Americans, not one Republican, or moderate Democrats. They all comprehend the electorate is unwilling to suffer an enormous tax hike to provide all that “free stuff.”
No doubt all Democrats, and even some Republicans, want all Americans to have access to healthcare, but there are other reasonable proposals the people would accept more willingly. However, those same people understand that nothing is free, and that any ideology claiming otherwise is a fantasy – a fact residents of “democratic socialist” nations know too well.


politicususa--2020-03-14--Opinion: Trump’s Incompetence Shows Us Why We Need Universal Healthcare

The world is shutting down as the novel corona virus continues to wreak havoc .
While we can not blame Trump for the panic , illness and death surrounding the virus , we can blame him for making an already bad situation far worse .
Trump ’ s incompetence means some people will die who did not have to .
In some cases on the sidelines , it will be an immigrant who could have known about precautions and symptoms if they had had the chance to read a poster while at immigration court .
Or maybe it was someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a just a “ Democrat Party ” conspiracy to make him look bad .
As if he needs any help with that .
Most of it is because of Trump ’ s special blend of dishonesty , ignorance and bigotry .
Trump didn ’ t want to know how serious it was and didn ’ t care .
As precious time was lost , Trump denied the virus ’ s existence , then denied that it would be serious .
Once he finally accepted that maybe we should get around to testing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered by the World Health Organization in January .
When he could no longer use the authoritarian tactic of denial , Trump trivialized the seriousness of what is now a pandemic .
He talked about miracles and warm weather .
When that didn ’ t work , very restrictive testing started and Americans were prevented from coming home so the numbers were to Trump ’ s “ liking.
” While other countries have been testing people and taking measures to prevent further spreading , Trump dug in with plans to hold rallies ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the world ’ s dictators at Mar-a-Lago .
He kept shaking hands , and some of the people he had contact with have either tested positive or are in self-quarantine awaiting testing .
That makes him a walking health hazard , and proves that it doesn ’ t matter how rich or powerful you are , anything that ’ s transmittable will come after you .
Meanwhile the first wave of COVID-19 cases reached our shores and we had almost no clue how big a wave it was .
Hindsight tells us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of containing the virus had we just gone with the WHO kits .
While other countries also opted for developing their own tests , we had additional delays .
Some of them had nothing to do with Trump , like the flaws in the CDC ’ s kits .
Still , that meant that while other countries were testing and getting a handle on the scope of the pandemic problem , we couldn ’ t .
As a consequence , the best options are no longer available to us .
Solutions like free @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that got worse and more complicated , and largely because Trump didn ’ t want to know how serious it was and didn ’ t care .
This business of not caring has been around since he took office .
In the years preceding the virus , Trump dismantled every plan we had for foreseeing and preparing for severe medical crises .
He spent the bulk of three years gutting the Affordable Care Act , which is the closest to a healthcare system this country has seen .
But now , epidemics and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a public healthcare policy and infrastructure .
The worst thing for those of us who actually value life is in knowing that wasted time may put doctors in the position of deciding who lives and who dies .
People will die not because of the illness but because of the treatment that was denied because we weren ’ t ready .
A comprehensive public health plan could have contained the virus sooner .
We would still have some deaths , we would still have school closings and social distancing , but we would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The economic consequences stemming from the Trump administration ’ s incompetence would have been minimal , if any .
Instead , we weren ’ t ready .
We weren ’ t ready because a medical crisis came at an inconvenient time for Donald Trump .
We weren ’ t ready because Donald Trump let his bigotry take over .
While most of these delays make the case for competency and compassion in the White House , universal healthcare would make testing available to anyone who needs it .
And while most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ analysis , that ’ s only part of it .
Universal healthcare assumes that healthcare is a right , not merely a privilege for people who can afford it .
Built into that assumption is the realization that in cases of contagious diseases , protecting all people ’ s health would benefit all of us .
We are seeing this in economics while daily life shuts down around the world .
Just look at the list of industries likely to be affected .
And layoffs start at the bottom , where people can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unlikely to have paid leave and decent healthcare .
That means consumer spending goes down and so on and so on .
Other industrialized countries recognized the nexus between healthcare security and productivity .
It ’ s why even conservative political parties in those countries are on board with a single-payer healthcare system .
We have a chance to see how it could work in America , thanks to Congresswoman Katie Porter ’ s follow up to a letter she and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley wrote to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield in advance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commitments already made during congressional testimony to assure that testing would be available to all .
The letter was co-signed by several members of Congress : Rosa DeLauro , Lauren Underwood , Joseph P. Kennedy III , and Pramila Jayapal .
These members of Congress saw a chance to test universal healthcare , and it ’ s because Trump messed up every step of the way .
Our jaws may drop at the cost , not to mention the costs for sick pay , food security and other programs needed to contain the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end .
The fact is we either pay this now or much more later .
We can use this time to see if there are policy steps we can leave in place for future emergency situations like this one .
A universal healthcare system , one with solid crisis planning , isn ’ t just about people getting free stuff .
Rich and poor alike will benefit .
At the very least , people who already have jobs with sick leave or telecommuting won ’ t be at risk from encountering someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or take steps to avoid spreading the virus .
This is about everyone being safer .

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The world is shutting down as the novel corona virus continues to wreak havoc. While we cannot blame Trump for the panic, illness and death surrounding the virus, we can blame him for making an already bad situation far worse. Trump’s incompetence means some people will die who did not have to.
In some cases on the sidelines, it will be an immigrant who could have known about precautions and symptoms if they had had the chance to read a poster while at immigration court. Or maybe it was someone who heard Trump claim the corona virus was a just a “Democrat Party” conspiracy to make him look bad. As if he needs any help with that.
Most of it is because of Trump’s special blend of dishonesty, ignorance and bigotry. Trump didn’t want to know how serious it was and didn’t care. As precious time was lost, Trump denied the virus’s existence, then denied that it would be serious. Once he finally accepted that maybe we should get around to testing for it, he refused test kits offered by the World Health Organization in January.
When he could no longer use the authoritarian tactic of denial, Trump trivialized the seriousness of what is now a pandemic. He talked about miracles and warm weather. When that didn’t work, very restrictive testing started and Americans were prevented from coming home so the numbers were to Trump’s “liking.”
While other countries have been testing people and taking measures to prevent further spreading, Trump dug in with plans to hold rallies (now, thankfully cancelled) and met with the world’s dictators at Mar-a-Lago. He kept shaking hands, and some of the people he had contact with have either tested positive or are in self-quarantine awaiting testing. That makes him a walking health hazard, and proves that it doesn’t matter how rich or powerful you are, anything that’s transmittable will come after you.
Meanwhile the first wave of COVID-19 cases reached our shores and we had almost no clue how big a wave it was. Hindsight tells us we would have had a better chance of containing the virus had we just gone with the WHO kits. While other countries also opted for developing their own tests, we had additional delays. Some of them had nothing to do with Trump, like the flaws in the CDC’s kits. Still, that meant that while other countries were testing and getting a handle on the scope of the pandemic problem, we couldn’t.
As a consequence, the best options are no longer available to us. Solutions like free testing only begin to address a problem that got worse and more complicated, and largely because Trump didn’t want to know how serious it was and didn’t care.
This business of not caring has been around since he took office. In the years preceding the virus, Trump dismantled every plan we had for foreseeing and preparing for severe medical crises. He spent the bulk of three years gutting the Affordable Care Act, which is the closest to a healthcare system this country has seen.
But now, epidemics and pandemics remind us of the value of a public healthcare policy and infrastructure. The worst thing for those of us who actually value life is in knowing that wasted time may put doctors in the position of deciding who lives and who dies. People will die not because of the illness but because of the treatment that was denied because we weren’t ready.
A comprehensive public health plan could have contained the virus sooner. We would still have some deaths, we would still have school closings and social distancing, but we would have a handle on the problem sooner. The economic consequences stemming from the Trump administration’s incompetence would have been minimal, if any.
Instead, we weren’t ready. We weren’t ready because a medical crisis came at an inconvenient time for Donald Trump. We weren’t ready because Donald Trump let his bigotry take over.
While most of these delays make the case for competency and compassion in the White House, universal healthcare would make testing available to anyone who needs it. And while most of the emphasis is on the cost benefit analysis, that’s only part of it. Universal healthcare assumes that healthcare is a right, not merely a privilege for people who can afford it.
Built into that assumption is the realization that in cases of contagious diseases, protecting all people’s health would benefit all of us. We are seeing this in economics while daily life shuts down around the world. Just look at the list of industries likely to be affected. And layoffs start at the bottom, where people can afford it the least, and are unlikely to have paid leave and decent healthcare. That means consumer spending goes down and so on and so on.
Other industrialized countries recognized the nexus between healthcare security and productivity. It’s why even conservative political parties in those countries are on board with a single-payer healthcare system.
We have a chance to see how it could work in America, thanks to Congresswoman Katie Porter’s follow up to a letter she and Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley wrote to CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield in advance of the hearing.
They outlined the commitments already made during congressional testimony to assure that testing would be available to all.
“In the midst of global pandemic, fear of surprise medical bills and financial ruin will only lead to more devastation and harm to the global community.”
The letter was co-signed by several members of Congress: Rosa DeLauro, Lauren Underwood, Joseph P. Kennedy III, and Pramila Jayapal.
These members of Congress saw a chance to test universal healthcare, and it’s because Trump messed up every step of the way. Our jaws may drop at the cost, not to mention the costs for sick pay, food security and other programs needed to contain the virus and eventually bring it to an end. The fact is we either pay this now or much more later.
We can use this time to see if there are policy steps we can leave in place for future emergency situations like this one. A universal healthcare system, one with solid crisis planning, isn’t just about people getting free stuff. Rich and poor alike will benefit. At the very least, people who already have jobs with sick leave or telecommuting won’t be at risk from encountering someone who couldn’t afford to be tested or take steps to avoid spreading the virus. This is about everyone being safer.


politicususa--2020-03-14--Surgeon General Tells Reporters To Stop Criticizing Trump’s Coronavirus Mistakes

Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams told reporters that they needed to stop reporting the facts about the Trump administration ’ s coronavirus mistakes .
Adams said at the White House coronavirus briefing , “ I want you all to understand some straight talk from the nation ’ s doctor .
We really need you all to lean into and prioritize the health and safety of the American people .
No more bickering , no more partisanship , no more criticism or finger-pointing .
There will be plenty of time for that , but we need to hit the reset button @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety of the American people is the top priority.
” The administration doesn ’ t want the American people to know the truth about how badly they have bungled the response and turned a crisis into a pandemic .
Philip Rucker pointed out that what the media is reporting on is the chaos in the Trump administration : As the coronavirus spreads , the Trump administration is trying to turn the free press into a cheering section .
The press is writing articles daily about what people can do to help prevent the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a duty to report on what the government is doing and holding them accountable for their actions or inactions .
The nation would be better served by a surgeon general who focused on his job instead of playing media critic during a national health emergency .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams told reporters that they needed to stop reporting the facts about the Trump administration’s coronavirus mistakes.
Adams said at the White House coronavirus briefing, “I want you all to understand some straight talk from the nation’s doctor. We really need you all to lean into and prioritize the health and safety of the American people. No more bickering, no more partisanship, no more criticism or finger-pointing. There will be plenty of time for that, but we need to hit the reset button and leaning forward that the health and safety of the American people is the top priority.”
Video of the surgeon general:
#SurgeonGeneral Dr. Jerome Adams scolds the media for telling the truth and reporting on the White House's bickering on the coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/dFXgZxvPut — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 14, 2020
The administration doesn’t want the American people to know the truth about how badly they have bungled the response and turned a crisis into a pandemic.
Philip Rucker pointed out that what the media is reporting on is the chaos in the Trump administration:
The surgeon general is giving journalists “straight talk from the nation’s doctor” and instructing the press to have “no more bickering, no more partisanship, no more criticism or finger-pointing” in news coverage. He did not mention the president’s twitter feed. — Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) March 14, 2020
Exactly. And the mess ups have been caused in part by the bickering, partisanship, criticism and finger-pointing within the administration in which he serves, something the public knows thanks to solid reporting. https://t.co/XDp5TFpUWs — Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) March 14, 2020
As the coronavirus spreads, the Trump administration is trying to turn the free press into a cheering section. The press is writing articles daily about what people can do to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Reporters also have a duty to report on what the government is doing and holding them accountable for their actions or inactions.
The nation would be better served by a surgeon general who focused on his job instead of playing media critic during a national health emergency.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-14--Trump Turns Saturday Coronavirus Briefing Into Self-Congratulatory Rant About The Stock Market

Donald Trump unexpectedly showed up to Saturday ’ s coronavirus briefing wearing his cartoonish USA ball cap , and he used the event to give himself a pat on the back for driving up the stock market on Friday .
“ I was honored to see that the stock market … set a record in a short period of time , over a 45-minute period that we had the press conference yesterday , ” Trump said .
“ I think we should do one of them everyday perhaps , how about five times a day ?
” I was honored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set a record in a short period of time , over a 45-minute period that we had the press conference yesterday in the Rose Garden .
It was a record , all-time record .
I think we should do one of them everyday perhaps , how about five times a day ?
We ’ ll do one five times a day .
But that was something to watch , and I had no idea .
We walked back , I said , “ So how did that work out ?
” They said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a record in the history of the stock market.
” So that was pretty good .
And those great companies that were there , they couldn ’ t have been too unhappy either when you think about it because they ’ re all very big publicly listed companies , so they did a good job .
Trump only cares about propping up the stock market If you want to know what Donald Trump is truly concerned about in the midst of this global health emergency , all you have to do is listen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through his words and actions , Trump has demonstrated that his chief concern is to prop up the stock market so his favorite reelection talking point can remain intact .
But the truth is , this administration ’ s response to the outbreak is likely too little , too late .
The number of coronavirus cases is exponentially rising and the U.S. economy is likely already in the midst of a recession .
No number of staged press conferences will change the fact that Donald Trump ’ s response to the coronavirus outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @

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Donald Trump unexpectedly showed up to Saturday’s coronavirus briefing wearing his cartoonish USA ball cap, and he used the event to give himself a pat on the back for driving up the stock market on Friday.
“I was honored to see that the stock market … set a record in a short period of time, over a 45-minute period that we had the press conference yesterday,” Trump said. “I think we should do one of them everyday perhaps, how about five times a day?”
Video:
Trump shows up to his latest coronavirus briefing in his cartoonish USA hat and brags about yesterday’s stock market surge. #ctl #p2 #coronavirusupdates pic.twitter.com/POC0CyfFJM — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 14, 2020
Trump said:
I was honored to see that the stock market … set a record in a short period of time, over a 45-minute period that we had the press conference yesterday in the Rose Garden. It was a record, all-time record. I think we should do one of them everyday perhaps, how about five times a day? We’ll do one five times a day. But that was something to watch, and I had no idea. We walked back, I said, “So how did that work out?” They said, “Sir, you just set a record in the history of the stock market.” So that was pretty good. And those great companies that were there, they couldn’t have been too unhappy either when you think about it because they’re all very big publicly listed companies, so they did a good job.
Trump only cares about propping up the stock market
If you want to know what Donald Trump is truly concerned about in the midst of this global health emergency, all you have to do is listen to him.
Time and again, through his words and actions, Trump has demonstrated that his chief concern is to prop up the stock market so his favorite reelection talking point can remain intact.
But the truth is, this administration’s response to the outbreak is likely too little, too late. The number of coronavirus cases is exponentially rising and the U.S. economy is likely already in the midst of a recession.
No number of staged press conferences will change the fact that Donald Trump’s response to the coronavirus outbreak has been an unmitigated disaster.


politicususa--2020-03-14--Trump’s Incompetence Has Put America On The Same Dangerous Coronavirus Path As Italy

Donald Trump ’ s incompetent response to the coronavirus pandemic has put the United States on the same dangerous path as Italy .
That ’ s what Sen. Dick Durbin ( D-IL ) said on Saturday , warning that Trump ’ s cataclysmic failure to supply adequate testing has set America weeks behind in the effort to curb this outbreak .
“ At this point , we have lost three to four weeks of testing , ” the Democratic senator said .
“ The first case of coronavirus was diagnosed in Italy on Jan. 31 .
[ Five ] weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 percent of the Italian economy .
Six weeks after that first case , they closed down the entire Italian economy.
” He added , “ Three weeks lost on the front end of this does not make it any easier for us to contain it in the United States.
” I would certainly support any effort to put together a credible medical test that can be used in volume in the United States to really survey the number of people really infected to find out if there are clusters of those people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can to mitigate any spread , but I will tell you , at this point we have lost three to four weeks of testing .
Is that important ?
Well , think of this for a moment .
The first case of coronavirus was diagnosed in Italy on January 31st .
Five months later they had closed down 25 % of the Italian economy six weeks after that first case they closed down the entire Italian economy .
So six weeks from the first diagnosis to the decision to basically quarantine a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the front end of this does not make it any easier for us to contain it in the United States .
Trump alone has made America less prepared for a pandemic Donald Trump spent Friday ’ s news conference passing the buck for his failures to other people , even Barack Obama , but it is this president that has made America ill-prepared for a global pandemic .
As Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown proved on Friday , Trump was lying when he said he knew nothing about his own administration ’ s decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
From the lack of aggressive testing that the president himself stalled , to decisions made early in his administration to clean house at the pandemic office , Donald Trump alone has made America less prepared to deal with this crisis .

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Donald Trump’s incompetent response to the coronavirus pandemic has put the United States on the same dangerous path as Italy.
That’s what Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said on Saturday, warning that Trump’s cataclysmic failure to supply adequate testing has set America weeks behind in the effort to curb this outbreak.
“At this point, we have lost three to four weeks of testing,” the Democratic senator said. “The first case of coronavirus was diagnosed in Italy on Jan. 31. [Five] weeks later, they’d closed down 25 percent of the Italian economy. Six weeks after that first case, they closed down the entire Italian economy.”
He added, “Three weeks lost on the front end of this does not make it any easier for us to contain it in the United States.”
Video:
Sen. Dick Durbin says Trump has put America weeks behind where it should be in fighting the coronavirus outbreak. #ctl #p2 #amjoy pic.twitter.com/b33jDDKrmL — PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) March 14, 2020
Sen. Durbin said:
I would certainly support any effort to put together a credible medical test that can be used in volume in the United States to really survey the number of people really infected to find out if there are clusters of those people and to make sure we do everything we can to mitigate any spread, but I will tell you, at this point we have lost three to four weeks of testing. Is that important? Well, think of this for a moment. The first case of coronavirus was diagnosed in Italy on January 31st. Five months later they had closed down 25% of the Italian economy six weeks after that first case they closed down the entire Italian economy. So six weeks from the first diagnosis to the decision to basically quarantine a nation, so three weeks lost on the front end of this does not make it any easier for us to contain it in the United States.
Trump alone has made America less prepared for a pandemic
Donald Trump spent Friday’s news conference passing the buck for his failures to other people, even Barack Obama, but it is this president that has made America ill-prepared for a global pandemic.
As Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown proved on Friday, Trump was lying when he said he knew nothing about his own administration’s decision to disband the White House pandemic office.
From the lack of aggressive testing that the president himself stalled, to decisions made early in his administration to clean house at the pandemic office, Donald Trump alone has made America less prepared to deal with this crisis.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-03-14--Mitch McConnell Wants To Delay The Coronavirus Relief Package By Three Days

As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the United States , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thinks a relief package currently sitting on his desk can wait until Monday night to be sent to the president .
As Sen. Brian Schatz ( D-HI ) noted on Saturday , “ There is a bill that will provide relief for people with COVID 19 that the House passed and the POTUS will sign .
But Leader McConnell has us out of session from Thursday evening until Monday evening.
” The Democratic senator added , “ Time is of the essence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The House of Representatives passed the relief package early Saturday morning with broad , bipartisan support .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi even got the White House to sign onto it .
The measure would provide free coronavirus testing for every American who needs it , whether or not they have insurance , and it would give “ paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave.
” Additionally , it would expand funding for Medicaid to help state and local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at this hour , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is keeping the Senate in recess , apparently believing that this crisis isn ’ t bad enough to warrant immediate action .
The United States is in a full-blown global health emergency , and the Senate majority leader doesn ’ t want to give up his long weekend .

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As the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the United States, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thinks a relief package currently sitting on his desk can wait until Monday night to be sent to the president.
As Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) noted on Saturday, “There is a bill that will provide relief for people with COVID 19 that the House passed and the POTUS will sign. But Leader McConnell has us out of session from Thursday evening until Monday evening.”
The Democratic senator added, “Time is of the essence. Let’s get this done now.”
It’s Saturday morning. There is a bill that will provide relief for people with COVID 19 that the House passed and the POTUS will sign. But Leader McConnell has us out of session from Thursday evening until Monday evening. Time is of the essence. Let’s get this done now. — Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) March 14, 2020
Mitch McConnell is single-handedly delaying the bill
The House of Representatives passed the relief package early Saturday morning with broad, bipartisan support. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi even got the White House to sign onto it.
The measure would provide free coronavirus testing for every American who needs it, whether or not they have insurance, and it would give “paid emergency leave with two weeks of paid sick leave and up to three months of paid family and medical leave.”
Additionally, it would expand funding for Medicaid to help state and local governments combat this health emergency.
Yet, at this hour, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is keeping the Senate in recess, apparently believing that this crisis isn’t bad enough to warrant immediate action.
The United States is in a full-blown global health emergency, and the Senate majority leader doesn’t want to give up his long weekend.
Follow Sean Colarossi on Facebook and Twitter


politicususa--2020-03-14--Trump Brags About Stock Market As U.S. Coronavirus Cases See Largest One-Day Increase To Date

On Saturday morning , Donald Trump took to Twitter to brag about Friday ’ s stock market surge , saying , “ BIGGEST STOCK MARKET RISE IN HISTORY YESTERDAY !
” Of course , what he didn ’ t mention was the fact that Friday ’ s spike in the markets came a day after the Dow had its worst day in 30 years as the Trump administration continued to bungle its response to this heath crisis .
More importantly , Trump is bragging about the one-day jump in the markets even though it came on the same day that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase to date .
Ryan Struyk of CNN on Friday listed the number of cases per day throughout the entire month of March .
According to the data , the number of coronavirus cases stood at 2,131 as of 6:00 p.m. on March 13 – nearly 500 more than the 1,645 reported the day before .
That ’ s the largest single-day jump in the U.S. since this virus hit American shores .
In just two weeks , the number of coronavirus cases in the United States has gone from 89 to 2,131 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a low estimate given the scarce amount of testing that ’ s been available in this country .
Trump keeps proving that he only cares how this crisis will affect his reelection Trump ’ s Friday afternoon press conference in which he wheeled out a bunch of corporate executives appeared to have only one purpose : give the markets a jolt a day after the Dow had one of its worst days in history .
As MSNBC ’ s Chris Hayes noted , “ The entire press conference now appears to be an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ american companies right before the close .
Astonishing.
” Whether it ’ s blocking aggressive coronavirus testing or constantly playing to the markets instead of treating this as a global health crisis , Donald Trump keeps proving that he only cares about one thing : protecting his reelection campaign .

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On Saturday morning, Donald Trump took to Twitter to brag about Friday’s stock market surge, saying, “BIGGEST STOCK MARKET RISE IN HISTORY YESTERDAY!”
BIGGEST STOCK MARKET RISE IN HISTORY YESTERDAY! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2020
Of course, what he didn’t mention was the fact that Friday’s spike in the markets came a day after the Dow had its worst day in 30 years as the Trump administration continued to bungle its response to this heath crisis.
More importantly, Trump is bragging about the one-day jump in the markets even though it came on the same day that U.S. coronavirus cases saw the largest single-day increase to date.
Ryan Struyk of CNN on Friday listed the number of cases per day throughout the entire month of March. According to the data, the number of coronavirus cases stood at 2,131 as of 6:00 p.m. on March 13 – nearly 500 more than the 1,645 reported the day before.
That’s the largest single-day jump in the U.S. since this virus hit American shores.
US coronavirus cases in March via @CNN: 3/1 – 89 cases
3/2 – 105 cases
3/3 – 125 cases
3/4 – 159 cases
3/5 – 227 cases
3/6 – 331 cases
3/7 – 444 cases
3/8 – 564 cases
3/9 – 728 cases
3/10 – 1,000 cases
3/11 – 1,267 cases
3/12 – 1,645 cases
3/13 – 2,131 cases (as of 6 p.m.) — Ryan Struyk (@ryanstruyk) March 13, 2020
In just two weeks, the number of coronavirus cases in the United States has gone from 89 to 2,131 – and that’s almost certainly a low estimate given the scarce amount of testing that’s been available in this country.
Trump keeps proving that he only cares how this crisis will affect his reelection
Trump’s Friday afternoon press conference in which he wheeled out a bunch of corporate executives appeared to have only one purpose: give the markets a jolt a day after the Dow had one of its worst days in history.
As MSNBC’s Chris Hayes noted, “The entire press conference now appears to be an attempt to pump up stocks of big american companies right before the close. Astonishing.”
Whether it’s blocking aggressive coronavirus testing or constantly playing to the markets instead of treating this as a global health crisis, Donald Trump keeps proving that he only cares about one thing: protecting his reelection campaign.


politicususa--2020-03-14--Trump Helped To Spread Coronavirus At Mar-a-Lago

Trump ’ s private club Mar-a-Lago that he has spent his presidency promoting has become a sort of ground zero for political figures being exposed to coronavirus .
CNN reported : Two more members of a Brazilian delegation that traveled to the US , including one man who attended a dinner with President Donald Trump , have tested positive for the coronavirus .
The first in the delegation to test positive was Bolsonaro ’ s press secretary , Fábio Wajngarten , who confirmed his result on Thursday .
Miami Mayor Francis Suarez , who shook hands with Forster during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Bolsonaro ’ s attorney , Karina Kufa , wrote on her unverified Twitter account Friday that she tested positive after visiting Miami on the same trip .
Trump didn ’ t take the coronavirus seriously , and by not canceling his events , Trump turned his private club into a hot spot for political figures being exposed to the coronavirus .
It is irresponsible of the president and his staff not to be tested for coronavirus .
Donald Trump spent years using taxpayers to promote his business .
He didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ until just a few days ago was still planning to hold political rallies .
Trump is the reason why the United States is facing a pandemic .
His selfish and irresponsible decisionmaking goes beyond public policy .
By putting his private business first , Trump spread the coronavirus .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump’s private club Mar-a-Lago that he has spent his presidency promoting has become a sort of ground zero for political figures being exposed to coronavirus.
CNN reported:
Two more members of a Brazilian delegation that traveled to the US, including one man who attended a dinner with President Donald Trump, have tested positive for the coronavirus.
….
The first in the delegation to test positive was Bolsonaro’s press secretary, Fábio Wajngarten, who confirmed his result on Thursday. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, who shook hands with Forster during the trip, also tested positive on Friday. And Bolsonaro’s attorney, Karina Kufa, wrote on her unverified Twitter account Friday that she tested positive after visiting Miami on the same trip.
Trump didn’t take the coronavirus seriously, and by not canceling his events, Trump turned his private club into a hot spot for political figures being exposed to the coronavirus. It is irresponsible of the president and his staff not to be tested for coronavirus.
Donald Trump spent years using taxpayers to promote his business. He didn’t listen to warnings, and up until just a few days ago was still planning to hold political rallies. Trump is the reason why the United States is facing a pandemic. His selfish and irresponsible decisionmaking goes beyond public policy.
By putting his private business first, Trump spread the coronavirus.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-15--Opinion: Coronavirus Can Teach Us the Value of a Democratic Economy Heading into November

Wise people always remind us to never let a good crisis go to waste .
Wise people with evil inclinations have , of course , taken this sage advice to heart , often exploiting crises , sometimes even arguably manufacturing them , in order to achieve nefarious ends .
Naomi Klein , for example , in her 2007 book The Shock Doctrine : The Rise of Disaster Capitalism , develops precisely this thesis .
She studies crises , such as the Iraq War or Hurricane Katrina , as moments when political and economic leaders took advantage of people ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vulnerability and desperate need , to push through neoliberal policies that effectively rolled back civil rights and democracy , furthered economic inequality , and basically consolidated power even further in the hands of the few .
So , the question before us is whether we can make the crisis of the coronavirus outbreak an opportunity to clearly see the flaws , or perpetual and ongoing crises that are typically less visible , in U.S. society that any major crisis tends to draw into relief , or whether the coronavirus outbreak will further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and teetering democracy in America .
What can we learn from what is going on , if we are paying attention ?
Well , here are a few thoughts : Perhaps the defining hallmark of neoliberalism , as I ’ ll discuss throughout this piece , is its rejection of any concept of a determinable public good and its insistence that there are only private interests .
This neoliberal kernel of thought undergirds the bootstrap ideology so prevalent in American culture , the idea that people need to pull themselves up through their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or blaming societal conditions for their miseries and deprivations .
On a more extreme level , this thought kernel is also the premise for attacks on the social safety net , on so-called “ entitlement ” programs like social security and medicare , and generally on progressive policies that want to leverage tax dollars to provide vital social services , programs , and infrastructure for the American people .
Neoliberal voices frequently refer to this package of programs as “ free stuff , ” even though the programs that provide safety nets are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pay .
The conditions drawn into relief by the coronavirus make clear , however , that we can not separate private interests from the public good , or , more to point , that serving the public good is vital to our abilities to pursue and further our private interests .
The two are intimately intertwined .
We must ensure others are taken care of if we are to be taken care and be able to take care of ourselves and get the care we need .
Let ’ s look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with coronavirus without paid sick days who can ’ t afford to miss work shows up to your workplace , to the school your children attend , or to the cafeteria where you eat .
What ’ s worse , the person has poor or no health insurance so he can ’ t get tested and there are public provisions for testing .
You are now at risk .
Your private interests are impacted by the fact that we do not have an adequately resourced public health system and response .
Or , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus because of an inadequate public health response and thus can not be available to treat you when you are in need .
It is not uncommon in our American world to hear people complain about taxes to help support someone else or give someone else a lunch or a doctor ’ s visit .
But the bottom line is that we all need to participate in taking care of each other out of our own self-interests .
And the reality , if we ’ re honest , is that we already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the people you depend on—whether you ever see them or not—for the food you eat , the medicine you get , the information communicated to you , the heat in your home , the water you drink , and so on and so on .
Albert Einstein stopped to think about our inevitable interdependence in 1949 when he reflected on what he termed “ the essence of the crisis of our time.
” He wrote : “ It concerns the relationship of the individual to society .
The individual has become more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ society .
But he does not experience this dependence as a positive asset , as an organic tie , as a protective force , but rather as a threat to his natural rights , or even to his economic existence .
Moreover , his position in society is such that the egotistical drives of his make-up are constantly being accentuated , while his social drives , which are by nature weaker , progressively deteriorate .
All human beings , whatever their position in society , are suffering from this process of deterioration.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weakness but strength—and , more to the point , undeniable reality .
Our fear and denial of this dependence is actually what threatens us .
If I deny my dependence on others , will I seek to make sure those others are healthy , well-fed , housed , have the basic conditions necessary to sustain their lives ?
If I don ’ t do that , I actually end up endangering my own existence because I them to make my life possible .
As Einstein reminds us , “ In relatively densely settled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their continued existence , an extreme division of labor and a highly-centralized productive apparatus are absolutely necessary.
” We tend to de-value others and their labor in the U.S. , arguing over which lives matter , often insisting some don ’ t .
And yet , as Einstein explains in the essay I ’ ve been quoting titled “ Why Socialism ?
, ” valuing others ’ lives is essential to sustaining our own .
Recognizing the reality of our mutual dependence may be the basis for actually developing a democratic economy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and labor , including our own , ensuring access to all the resources that make our lives possible .
If we pay attention , the developments of the coronavirus crisis might provide the insight and impetus to realize this transformation .

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Wise people always remind us to never let a good crisis go to waste.
Wise people with evil inclinations have, of course, taken this sage advice to heart, often exploiting crises, sometimes even arguably manufacturing them, in order to achieve nefarious ends. Naomi Klein, for example, in her 2007 book The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism, develops precisely this thesis. She studies crises, such as the Iraq War or Hurricane Katrina, as moments when political and economic leaders took advantage of people’s physical and emotional distraction, their fear and vulnerability and desperate need, to push through neoliberal policies that effectively rolled back civil rights and democracy, furthered economic inequality, and basically consolidated power even further in the hands of the few.
So, the question before us is whether we can make the crisis of the coronavirus outbreak an opportunity to clearly see the flaws, or perpetual and ongoing crises that are typically less visible, in U.S. society that any major crisis tends to draw into relief, or whether the coronavirus outbreak will further threaten the health of our already weakened and teetering democracy in America.
What can we learn from what is going on, if we are paying attention?
Well, here are a few thoughts:
Perhaps the defining hallmark of neoliberalism, as I’ll discuss throughout this piece, is its rejection of any concept of a determinable public good and its insistence that there are only private interests. This neoliberal kernel of thought undergirds the bootstrap ideology so prevalent in American culture, the idea that people need to pull themselves up through their own efforts and stop asking for help or blaming societal conditions for their miseries and deprivations. On a more extreme level, this thought kernel is also the premise for attacks on the social safety net, on so-called “entitlement” programs like Social Security and Medicare, and generally on progressive policies that want to leverage tax dollars to provide vital social services, programs, and infrastructure for the American people. Neoliberal voices frequently refer to this package of programs as “free stuff,” even though the programs that provide safety nets are typically insurance programs into which most Americans pay.
The conditions drawn into relief by the coronavirus make clear, however, that we cannot separate private interests from the public good, or, more to point, that serving the public good is vital to our abilities to pursue and further our private interests. The two are intimately intertwined. We must ensure others are taken care of if we are to be taken care and be able to take care of ourselves and get the care we need.
Let’s look at the situation in concrete terms. A person with coronavirus without paid sick days who can’t afford to miss work shows up to your workplace, to the school your children attend, or to the cafeteria where you eat. What’s worse, the person has poor or no health insurance so he can’t get tested, and there are no public provisions for testing. You are now at risk. Your private interests are impacted by the fact that we do not have an adequately resourced public health system and response.
Or, think about the healthcare workers who contract the virus because of an inadequate public health response and thus cannot be available to treat you when you are in need.
It is not uncommon in our American world to hear people complain about taxes to help support someone else or give someone else a lunch or a doctor’s visit. But the bottom line is that we all need to participate in taking care of each other out of our own self-interests. And the reality, if we’re honest, is that we already do this.
Stop and think about all the people you depend on—whether you ever see them or not—for the food you eat, the medicine you get, the information communicated to you, the heat in your home, the water you drink, and so on and so on.
Albert Einstein stopped to think about our inevitable interdependence in 1949 when he reflected on what he termed “the essence of the crisis of our time.” He wrote:
“It concerns the relationship of the individual to society. The individual has become more conscious than ever of his dependence upon society. But he does not experience this dependence as a positive asset, as an organic tie, as a protective force, but rather as a threat to his natural rights, or even to his economic existence. Moreover, his position in society is such that the egotistical drives of his make-up are constantly being accentuated, while his social drives, which are by nature weaker, progressively deteriorate. All human beings, whatever their position in society, are suffering from this process of deterioration.”
Einstein profoundly asserts that dependence is not weakness but strength—and, more to the point, undeniable reality. Our fear and denial of this dependence is actually what threatens us.
If I deny my dependence on others, will I seek to make sure those others are healthy, well-fed, housed, have the basic conditions necessary to sustain their lives? If I don’t do that, I actually end up endangering my own existence because I need them to make my life possible.
As Einstein reminds us, “In relatively densely settled populations with the goods which are indispensable to their continued existence, an extreme division of labor and a highly-centralized productive apparatus are absolutely necessary.”
We tend to de-value others and their labor in the U.S., arguing over which lives matter, often insisting some don’t.
And yet, as Einstein explains in the essay I’ve been quoting titled “Why Socialism?,” valuing others’ lives is essential to sustaining our own.
Recognizing the reality of our mutual dependence may be the basis for actually developing a democratic economy that properly values people’s lives and labor, including our own, ensuring access to all the resources that make our lives possible.
If we pay attention, the developments of the coronavirus crisis might provide the insight and impetus to realize this transformation.


politicususa--2020-03-15--Trump Won’t Release His Medical Records, But His Doctor Claims He’s Negative For Coronavirus

Trump ’ s doctor said that Trump , who potentially been exposed to coronavirus multiple times , has tested negative @ @ @ @ @ is the letter released by Trump ’ s doctor : If any other president had @ @ @ @ @ , their word would have been accepted at face value , but Donald Trump has @ @ @ @ @ nearly 20,000 lies while in office , so everything that is released by the White @ @ @ @ @ a heavy dose of skepticism .
Trump has refused to release his medical records , @ @ @ @ @ unexplained and unplanned trip to Walter Reed , and had his previous physician lie about @ @ @ @ @ also wrote the letter that was released by his former doctor during the campaign himself @ @ @ @ @ long record of lying about his health , so there is no reason to accept @ @ @ @ @ negative for coronavirus based on a note from his doctor .
For more discussion about @ @ @ @ @ Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Trump’s doctor said that Trump, who potentially been exposed to coronavirus multiple times, has tested negative for the virus.
Here is the letter released by Trump’s doctor:
If any other president had released a letter like this, their word would have been accepted at face value, but Donald Trump has destroyed his credibility by telling nearly 20,000 lies while in office, so everything that is released by the White House should be taken with a heavy dose of skepticism.
Trump has refused to release his medical records, made a strange and still unexplained and unplanned trip to Walter Reed, and had his previous physician lie about his physical health. Trump also wrote the letter that was released by his former doctor during the campaign himself.
Donald Trump has a long record of lying about his health, so there is no reason to accept his claim that he tested negative for coronavirus based on a note from his doctor.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-15--Biden Adopts Sanders And Warren Proposals On Free College and Bankruptcy

Joe Biden is moving to unify the party by adopting the Sanders policy on free public college , and the Warren proposal on bankruptcy reform .
The Biden campaign said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA : Joe Biden is running for president to rebuild the middle class so that this time everyone comes along — no matter their race , gender , sexual orientation , religion , disability , or zip code .
To accomplish a task this immense , we need to unite the country and bring all of the best minds to the table .
Biden is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be — open to the best ideas to make this a reality , regardless of where they come from .
In that spirit , today , Biden is adopting two ideas championed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren that will help grow a stronger , more inclusive middle class .
Senator Sanders , Senator Warren , and Vice President Biden share the goal of strengthening college as a reliable pathway to the middle class and ensuring that no American is unable to reach or to stay in the middle class because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sanders proposal to make all public colleges and universities tuition-free for families earning under $ 125,000 .
Vice President Biden is also adopting the Warren bankruptcy reform proposal .
The message that the Biden campaign is sending is that the former vice president is serious about building a broad coalition within the Democratic Party .
Biden isn ’ t going to freeze Sanders and Warren out because they are running or did run for the nomination against him .
The goal of any grassroots movement is to have their ideas adopted into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden is showing that he is willing to accept any good idea no matter who it belongs to .
If the election comes down to Biden versus Trump , the choice for anyone on the left should be clear .
Joe Biden is the path to advancing progress for the middle-class and all Americans .

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Joe Biden is moving to unify the party by adopting the Sanders policy on free public college, and the Warren proposal on bankruptcy reform.
The Biden campaign said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA:
Joe Biden is running for president to rebuild the middle class so that this time everyone comes along — no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or zip code. To accomplish a task this immense, we need to unite the country and bring all of the best minds to the table. Biden is — and as President will continue to be — open to the best ideas to make this a reality, regardless of where they come from.
In that spirit, today, Biden is adopting two ideas championed by Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren that will help grow a stronger, more inclusive middle class. Senator Sanders, Senator Warren, and Vice President Biden share the goal of strengthening college as a reliable pathway to the middle class and ensuring that no American is unable to reach or to stay in the middle class because of insurmountable debt.
Biden is adopting the Sanders proposal to make all public colleges and universities tuition-free for families earning under $125,000. Vice President Biden is also adopting the Warren bankruptcy reform proposal.
The message that the Biden campaign is sending is that the former vice president is serious about building a broad coalition within the Democratic Party. Biden isn’t going to freeze Sanders and Warren out because they are running or did run for the nomination against him.
The goal of any grassroots movement is to have their ideas adopted into the mainstream on the path toward becoming law. Biden is showing that he is willing to accept any good idea no matter who it belongs to.
If the election comes down to Biden versus Trump, the choice for anyone on the left should be clear. Joe Biden is the path to advancing progress for the middle-class and all Americans.


politicususa--2020-03-15--Trump To Use Coronavirus Distraction To Pardon Michael Flynn

Trump is signaling that he is going to use the distraction of the coronavirus pandemic to pardon convicted Russia scandal @ @ @ @ @ Trump should be solely focused on the coronavirus , but instead , he is using @ @ @ @ @ caused by the pandemic , which his poor response to has helped fuel , to @ @ @ @ @ to pardon Mike Flynn .
Mike Flynn admitted to lying to the FBI in court @ @ @ @ @ There were no extenuating circumstances that would justify a pardon .
Trump is engaged in @ @ @ @ @ the Russia investigation and the criminal convictions that resulted as a part of his reelection @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be fooled .
At a time of literal national emergency , Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ Russian election interference to help him in 2016 , because protecting himself is his top @ @ @ @

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Trump is signaling that he is going to use the distraction of the coronavirus pandemic to pardon convicted Russia scandal felon, Michael Flynn.
Trump tweeted:
So now it is reported that, after destroying his life & the life of his wonderful family (and many others also), the FBI, working in conjunction with the Justice Department, has “lost” the records of General Michael Flynn. How convenient. I am strongly considering a Full Pardon! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2020
Trump should be solely focused on the coronavirus, but instead, he is using the distraction to the nation caused by the pandemic, which his poor response to has helped fuel, to make up a bogus excuse to pardon Mike Flynn.
Mike Flynn admitted to lying to the FBI in court. Flynn is guilty. There were no extenuating circumstances that would justify a pardon. Trump is engaged in an ongoing effort to delegitimize the Russia investigation and the criminal convictions that resulted as a part of his reelection campaign.
The nation won’t be fooled. At a time of literal national emergency, Donald Trump is trying to erase the Russian election interference to help him in 2016, because protecting himself is his top and only priority.


politicususa--2020-03-15--Opinion: The lack of reporting on American women’s plight during Women’s History Month is abominable

Although there were plenty of platitudes during International Women ’ s Day “ festivities ” for the progress women have made in an inherently patriarchal world , there was precious little attention afforded to the ongoing radical religious assault on women ’ s basic human rights in an allegedly free and equal society .
It is likely the case that many Americans are unaware that March is Women ’ s History Month in the United States ; it is not simply a one day acknowledgement of the contributions of well over half the world ’ s population .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.
” That is all well and good , but in many patriarchal nations dominated by religious extremists women are marginalized as second class citizens simply because they are not male .
In America , a nation governed by a small primitive religious cult , women ’ s second class status is in jeopardy of being downgraded to that of a slave subservient to men – particularly radical religious men in power desperate to maintain control over half the population .
Obviously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the course of the nation ’ s history , but for a nation touting itself as steeped in equality for all , women have had to fight tooth and nail for every bit of progress .
For dog ’ s sake , despite a constitutional amendment proclaiming equal rights for all citizens , there is still an ongoing struggle to get the so-called “ Equal Rights Amendment ” to the U.S. Constitution passed and ratified .
In a free and equal society the concept and necessity of an equal rights amendment is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never considered women as equal to a man and now that extremist evangelical Christians running the government have fully embraced a 1968 papal encyclical , women are on the verge of losing their basic human right to self-determination regarding their own bodies .
It is a basic human right that dyed-in-the-wool religious extremists made barely a month ago because it involved the prospect of men losing their right to control their bodies .
In an attempt to make a point about women ’ s rights last month , an Alabama state legislator proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age of 50 , or those with three children , subject themselves to being neutered via vasectomy .
As expected , there was immediate outrage from the religious right males , led by extremist evangelical Senator Ted Cruz , claiming that their reproductive rights could not be infringed upon – especially by legislation proposed by a woman .
The point of the legislation was lost on the so-called pro-life opposition who claimed that , “ We are grown up .
We can do what we want to .
After we got out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to.
” It is precisely the same sentiment that women , and too few men , have stated for a few decades .
In “ Life News , ” a pro-fetus website , they cited men and women who claimed that the Alabama legislator ’ s bill “ is a violation of [ men ’ s ] basic human rights ” even as they defended the religious fanatics ’ decades-long war to violate women ’ s basic human rights .
Some Americans may be cognizant of the religious Republican assault on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may not know that it is being perpetrated at the highest level of government and is not solely the purview of fanatics in Republican-led states .
Trump won the unwavering support of the religious right by pledging to do their bidding against women ’ s rights if they helped put him in the White House ; a pledge he followed though on .
In fact , besides appointing a pair of anti-women ’ s rights activists to the Supreme Court , one of Trump ’ s supporters on the High Court has openly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more religious , Court to overturn Roe v. Wade .
Clarence Thomas also took the time to lodge a threat that after banning abortion , birth control is next on his hit list .
Thomas , like radical Christian extremists , embrace the Vatican ’ s ban on contraceptives which confirms why he voted in favor of Hobby Lobby ’ s religious owner ’ s “ religious freedom ” to ban their employees ’ access to contraceptives .
Whether it is misogyny targeting women running for the nation ’ s highest office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same pay as a man in the same job , or sexual abuse victims being portrayed in a decidedly negative light , there is a distinctly misogynistic bent driving the religious Republican assault on women ’ s rights .
It is noteworthy to mention that one of the primary goals of the Affordable Care Act was to better provide women with the same quality of healthcare , and life , as men enjoy ; likely one of the reasons Republicans have spent the past ten years attempting to eradicate “ Obamacare ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travesty that while much of the world was acknowledging women ’ s progress and contributions to society , the media failed to even mention that American women are facing the very real threat of being relegated to third class citizen status , behind men and fetuses .
That this vile anti-women crusade is being perpetrated by Republicans controlled by a minority religious cult is an abomination .
Particularly because a majority of Americans , including rank-and-file Catholics , believe abortion is a woman ’ s choice .
It is dereliction of duty that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive to wipe out women ’ s progress is on the verge of success , or that American women face the real and present danger of being relegated to third class citizen status .
That is not progress , but it is part and parcel of women ’ s history in America .

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Although there were plenty of platitudes during International Women’s Day “festivities” for the progress women have made in an inherently patriarchal world, there was precious little attention afforded to the ongoing radical religious assault on women’s basic human rights in an allegedly free and equal society.
It is likely the case that many Americans are unaware that March is Women’s History Month in the United States; it is not simply a one day acknowledgement of the contributions of well over half the world’s population. It is celebrated in many nations to specifically “highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society.” That is all well and good, but in many patriarchal nations dominated by religious extremists women are marginalized as second class citizens simply because they are not male. In America, a nation governed by a small primitive religious cult, women’s second class status is in jeopardy of being downgraded to that of a slave subservient to men – particularly radical religious men in power desperate to maintain control over half the population.
Obviously, American women have made progress over the course of the nation’s history, but for a nation touting itself as steeped in equality for all, women have had to fight tooth and nail for every bit of progress. For dog’s sake, despite a constitutional amendment proclaiming equal rights for all citizens, there is still an ongoing struggle to get the so-called “Equal Rights Amendment” to the U.S. Constitution passed and ratified.
In a free and equal society the concept and necessity of an equal rights amendment is an absurd exercise. However, America has never considered women as equal to a man and now that extremist evangelical Christians running the government have fully embraced a 1968 papal encyclical, women are on the verge of losing their basic human right to self-determination regarding their own bodies. It is a basic human right that dyed-in-the-wool religious extremists made barely a month ago because it involved the prospect of men losing their right to control their bodies.
In an attempt to make a point about women’s rights last month, an Alabama state legislator proposed legislation mandating that all men over the age of 50, or those with three children, subject themselves to being neutered via vasectomy. As expected, there was immediate outrage from the religious right males, led by extremist evangelical Senator Ted Cruz, claiming that their reproductive rights could not be infringed upon – especially by legislation proposed by a woman.
The point of the legislation was lost on the so-called pro-life opposition who claimed that, “We are grown up. We can do what we want to. After we got out of our parents house. We do what we want to.” It is precisely the same sentiment that women, and too few men, have stated for a few decades.
In “Life News,” a pro-fetus website, they cited men and women who claimed that the Alabama legislator’s bill “is a violation of [men’s] basic human rights” even as they defended the religious fanatics’ decades-long war to violate women’s basic human rights.
Some Americans may be cognizant of the religious Republican assault on women’s rights, but they may not know that it is being perpetrated at the highest level of government and is not solely the purview of fanatics in Republican-led states. Trump won the unwavering support of the religious right by pledging to do their bidding against women’s rights if they helped put him in the White House; a pledge he followed though on. In fact, besides appointing a pair of anti-women’s rights activists to the Supreme Court, one of Trump’s supporters on the High Court has openly advocated for an opportunity for the new, more religious, Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Clarence Thomas also took the time to lodge a threat that after banning abortion, birth control is next on his hit list. Thomas, like radical Christian extremists, embrace the Vatican’s ban on contraceptives which confirms why he voted in favor of Hobby Lobby’s religious owner’s “religious freedom” to ban their employees’ access to contraceptives.
Whether it is misogyny targeting women running for the nation’s highest office, or fervent opposition to women earning the same pay as a man in the same job, or sexual abuse victims being portrayed in a decidedly negative light, there is a distinctly misogynistic bent driving the religious Republican assault on women’s rights. It is noteworthy to mention that one of the primary goals of the Affordable Care Act was to better provide women with the same quality of healthcare, and life, as men enjoy; likely one of the reasons Republicans have spent the past ten years attempting to eradicate “Obamacare” out of existence.
It is a travesty that while much of the world was acknowledging women’s progress and contributions to society, the media failed to even mention that American women are facing the very real threat of being relegated to third class citizen status, behind men and fetuses. That this vile anti-women crusade is being perpetrated by Republicans controlled by a minority religious cult is an abomination. Particularly because a majority of Americans, including rank-and-file Catholics, believe abortion is a woman’s choice.
It is dereliction of duty that the media is not reporting that the drive to wipe out women’s progress is on the verge of success, or that American women face the real and present danger of being relegated to third class citizen status. That is not progress, but it is part and parcel of women’s history in America.


politicususa--2020-03-16--Joe Biden Looked Like A President At The Democratic Debate

Joe Biden had his best debate of the year in his one on one showdown with Bernie Sanders that might have finished off the Democratic primary .
Biden shined when the topic was the coronavirus crisis : Biden said , “ You were asking about the crisis .
What are we going to do about the crisis now , which is incredibly consequential to millions and millions of Americans .
It ’ s not going to be solved by a change in tax policy now .
It ’ s not going to be solved by how we deal with health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solved with an emergency need right now .
What do we do ?
First thing we do is make sure that health care is available by us having the tools to be able to deal with it .
That requires us to go out and do much more than this president has done in terms of planning.
” The difference between the two candidates was that Bernie Sanders had an ideology .
Joe Biden had answers .
One may disagree with Biden ’ s answers , but the difference between he and Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to govern , while Sanders wants to win a revolution .
In times of crisis , presidential candidates must pass an important test .
They must be easy to picture as president .
Joe Biden had his test tonight , and he passed it with flying colors , as Trump flails and fails in trying to deal with coronavirus crisis , Joe Biden looked like a candidate who was ready to step in and get the job done .
Biden gave his best debate performance in what could be the final Democratic primary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president and a candidate who can beat Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Joe Biden had his best debate of the year in his one on one showdown with Bernie Sanders that might have finished off the Democratic primary.
Biden shined when the topic was the coronavirus crisis:
Biden is focusing on what must be done right now and is sounding like a candidate who can handle a crisis. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/OOiJvAjAmH — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 16, 2020
Biden said, “You were asking about the crisis. What are we going to do about the crisis now, which is incredibly consequential to millions and millions of Americans. It’s not going to be solved by a change in tax policy now. It’s not going to be solved by how we deal with health care. It is going to be solved with an emergency need right now. What do we do? First thing we do is make sure that health care is available by us having the tools to be able to deal with it. That requires us to go out and do much more than this president has done in terms of planning.”
The difference between the two candidates was that Bernie Sanders had an ideology. Joe Biden had answers. One may disagree with Biden’s answers, but the difference between he and Sanders is that Biden has thought about how to govern, while Sanders wants to win a revolution.
In times of crisis, presidential candidates must pass an important test. They must be easy to picture as president. Joe Biden had his test tonight, and he passed it with flying colors, as Trump flails and fails in trying to deal with coronavirus crisis, Joe Biden looked like a candidate who was ready to step in and get the job done.
Biden gave his best debate performance in what could be the final Democratic primary debate.
Joe Biden looked like a president and a candidate who can beat Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-16--Joe Biden Says He Will Pick A Woman To Be His Running Mate

Joe Biden committed to picked a woman to be his running mate and also naming the first female African-American Supreme Court justice .
Biden said , “ Number one , I committed that if I ’ m elected president to have an opportunity to appoint someone to the courts who will be appointing the first black woman of the courts .
It ’ s required they have representation now .
It ’ s long overdue .
Secondly , if I ’ m elected president , my cabinet , my administration will look like the country and I commit that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman to be vice president .
There are a number of women qualified to be president tomorrow .
I would pick a woman to be my vice president is.
” Biden was asked , “ > But Mr. vice president , just to be clear .
You just committed here tonight if you get the nomination your running mate will be a woman ?
” There are so many women who are qualified to be president in the Democratic Party .
The big three names that will be often mentioned are three Senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Amy Klobuchar .
From a strategic point of view , each of them would bring different strengths to the ticket , but if one was to make a speculative and completely uninformed guess , Joe Biden will pick Sen. Kamala Harris to be his running mate .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Joe Biden committed to picked a woman to be his running mate and also naming the first female African-American Supreme Court justice.
Biden said, “Number one, I committed that if I’m elected president to have an opportunity to appoint someone to the courts who will be appointing the first black woman of the courts. It’s required they have representation now. It’s long overdue. Secondly, if I’m elected president, my cabinet, my administration will look like the country and I commit that I will, in fact, appoint a woman to be vice president. There are a number of women qualified to be president tomorrow. I would pick a woman to be my vice president is.”
Biden was asked, “> But Mr. vice president, just to be clear. You just committed here tonight if you get the nomination your running mate will be a woman?”
He answered, “Yes.”
Video:
Biden commits to naming a woman as his running mate. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/dM1IqMLW5T — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 16, 2020
There are so many women who are qualified to be president in the Democratic Party. The big three names that will be often mentioned are three Senators. Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Amy Klobuchar.
From a strategic point of view, each of them would bring different strengths to the ticket, but if one was to make a speculative and completely uninformed guess, Joe Biden will pick Sen. Kamala Harris to be his running mate.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook
Video:


politicususa--2020-03-16--Biden Just Destroyed Trump’s Biggest Coronavirus Lie

At the Democratic debate , Biden said that it was Trump turning down WHO coronavirus test kits not red tape that caused the delayed federal response .
Jake Tapper asked , “ Did bureaucratic red tape hamper this response in any way ?
Biden answered , “ No , the World Health Organization offered testing kits that they have available to give to us now .
We refused them .
We did not want to buy them .
We did not want to get them from them .
We wanted to make sure we had our own .
He said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or something to that effect.
” Trump has tried to blame Obama , red tape , rules that didn ’ t exist , and has made up every other excuse in the book to distract from the fact that the US is facing an economy crippling pandemic because Donald Trump made a series of bad decisions .
Trump closed the White House Pandemic Office .
Trump didn ’ t prepare the country for the coronavirus .
Trump refused to use the WHO test kits .
Trump focused on political optics instead of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bad situation and made it exponentially worse .
Joe Biden is right .
This crisis is all on Donald Trump .
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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At the Democratic debate, Biden said that it was Trump turning down WHO coronavirus test kits not red tape that caused the delayed federal response.
Jake Tapper asked, “Did bureaucratic red tape hamper this response in any way?
Biden answered, “No, the World Health Organization offered testing kits that they have available to give to us now. We refused them. We did not want to buy them. We did not want to get them from them. We wanted to make sure we had our own. He said something like the best scientists in America or something to that effect.”
Video:
Biden debunks Trump's claim that "red tape" was behind his bungled coronavirus response. #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/EhM8IUSvQ9 — Sarah Reese Jones (@PoliticusSarah) March 16, 2020
Trump has tried to blame Obama, red tape, rules that didn’t exist, and has made up every other excuse in the book to distract from the fact that the US is facing an economy crippling pandemic because Donald Trump made a series of bad decisions. Trump closed the White House Pandemic Office. Trump didn’t prepare the country for the coronavirus. Trump refused to use the WHO test kits.
Trump focused on political optics instead of the public health crisis, and he took a bad situation and made it exponentially worse.
Joe Biden is right. This crisis is all on Donald Trump.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-16--Devin Nunes Ignores Health Experts And Helps Spread Coronavirus

Rep. Nunes ( R-CA ) ignored the advice of health experts and told people to go out to restaurants and eat during an appearance on Fox News .
“ There ’ s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out , ” he said .
“ But I will just say , one of the things you can do is , if you ’ re healthy , you and your family , it ’ s a great time to just go out , go to a local restaurant .
Likely you can get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going.
” On Twitter on Sunday afternoon , he wrote that there was no food shortage and not to panic .
“ If healthy , support local workers and economy — shop and eat local !
” he wrote .
Yes , let ’ s help working people by spreading a pandemic so that all restaurants have to close .
Nunes made his comments on Fox News , a channel that has the oldest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on all of television .
He was telling older people who the demographic from which most of the deaths from this virus are originating to go out in groups and catch coronavirus .
The reason why the nation is facing a pandemic is that the president and his supporters spread misinformation about the virus .
Listen to public health officials .
Following the advice of people like Devin Nunes will only make more people sick , the economy worse , and prolong the emergency .
For more discussion about this story join our @ @ @ @ @ @

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Rep. Nunes (R-CA) ignored the advice of health experts and told people to go out to restaurants and eat during an appearance on Fox News.
Video:
Via The Washington Post:
“There’s a lot of concerns with the economy here because people are scared to go out,” he said. “But I will just say, one of the things you can do is, if you’re healthy, you and your family, it’s a great time to just go out, go to a local restaurant. Likely you can get in easily. Let’s not hurt the working people in this country that are relying on wages and tips to keep their small business going.”
On Twitter on Sunday afternoon, he wrote that there was no food shortage and not to panic. “If healthy, support local workers and economy — shop and eat local!” he wrote.
Yes, let’s help working people by spreading a pandemic so that all restaurants have to close. Nunes made his comments on Fox News, a channel that has the oldest average audience (68 years old) on all of television.
He was telling older people who the demographic from which most of the deaths from this virus are originating to go out in groups and catch coronavirus.
The reason why the nation is facing a pandemic is that the president and his supporters spread misinformation about the virus.
Listen to public health officials. Following the advice of people like Devin Nunes will only make more people sick, the economy worse, and prolong the emergency.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
Follow Jason Easley on Facebook


politicususa--2020-03-16--Barr Issues Directive Ordering DOJ To Investigate Coronavirus Scammers

Attorney General William Barr has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate scammers who are taking advantage of people during @ @ @ @ @ wonders if the attorney general is going to begin his investigation in the Oval Office @ @ @ @ @ it will be interesting to see if his directive is applied to people who bought @ @ @ @ @ sanitizer and other emergency supplies and attempted to resell them at huge markups .
There @ @ @ @ @ fake coronavirus cures being sold , phishing and malware scams , and millions of bogus @ @ @ @ @ does have an important role to play in protecting the American people from coronavirus scams @ @ @ @ @ t help but think that the biggest coronavirus scam has been the bungled response of @ @ @ @ @ more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group .

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Attorney General William Barr has ordered the Department of Justice to investigate scammers who are taking advantage of people during the coronavirus epidemic.
Barr’s directive:
NEW from @TheJusticeDept AG Barr has issued a new directive to all U.S. Attorneys telling them to prioritize investigating scam artists who are seeking to profit from the #coronavirus pandemic. "The pandemic is dangerous enough without wrongdoers seeking to profit," he wrote. — Sarah N. Lynch (@SarahNLynch) March 16, 2020
One wonders if the attorney general is going to begin his investigation in the Oval Office.
In all seriousness, it will be interesting to see if his directive is applied to people who bought up all of the hand sanitizer and other emergency supplies and attempted to resell them at huge markups.
There have already been reports of fake coronavirus cures being sold, phishing and malware scams, and millions of bogus coronavirus products. The DOJ does have an important role to play in protecting the American people from coronavirus scams, but one can’t help but think that the biggest coronavirus scam has been the bungled response of the Trump administration.
For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group.
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