shareblue--2020-03-16--Trump demands governors 'do more' despite claiming 'I alone can fix' nation's problems

Donald Trump on Monday tried once again to shirk responsibility for containing the spread of the new coronavirus , telling governors across the country that they needed to do more on their own rather than depend on the federal government for assistance .
His comments came after governors , who have been taking the lead on the coronavirus response by instituting curfews and banning large gatherings , called on Trump to do more , fearing state hospitals will be unable to handle an influx of patients in serious conditions if the outbreak worsens .
According to a report from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governors they needed to try and get resources — such as necessary hospital equipment — before turning to him for help .
`` Respirators , ventilators , all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves , '' Trump said on a conference call Monday morning , the Times reported .
`` We will be backing you , but try getting it yourselves .
Point of sales , much better , much more direct if you can get it yourself . ''
Trump appeared to confirm the report in a tweet Monday afternoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tele-conference with Nations ’ s Governors , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Went very well .
Cuomo of New York has to 'do more ' . ''
Trump was referring to Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo , who asked Trump on Monday to `` deploy the Army Corps of Engineers to build temporary medical facilities , so that when hospitals are overwhelmed , we can move people into the temporary facilities . ''
`` It ’ s only a matter of time before our state 's ICU [ Intensive Care Unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted .
`` The federal gov't must act . ''
Rather than agreeing to help in the way Cuomo asked , Trump said it was not his problem , and specifically called Cuomo out .
`` I have to do more ? ''
Cuomo replied to Trump 's tweet.
`` No — YOU have to do something !
You ’ re supposed to be the President . ''
Trump — who declared during the 2016 election that `` I alone can fix it '' referring to the nation 's myriad problems — has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility for the lack of testing and slow response to the COVID-19 outbreak , caused by a new strain of coronavirus .
Instead , he has wrongly blamed former President Barack Obama for the testing debacle , saying that Obama issued a rule that limited the development of a coronavirus test — a debunked lie .
And on Friday , he again said that the lack of testing was n't his fault .
`` I do n't take responsibility at all because we were given a set of circumstances , and we were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a different time , '' Trump said .
`` Was n't meant for this kind of an event , with the kind of numbers that we ’ re talking about . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Monday tried once again to shirk responsibility for containing the spread of the new coronavirus, telling governors across the country that they needed to do more on their own rather than depend on the federal government for assistance.
His comments came after governors, who have been taking the lead on the coronavirus response by instituting curfews and banning large gatherings, called on Trump to do more, fearing state hospitals will be unable to handle an influx of patients in serious conditions if the outbreak worsens.
According to a report by the New York Times, Trump told the governors they needed to try to get resources on their own — such as necessary hospital equipment — before turning to him for help.
“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Trump said on a conference call Monday morning, the Times reported. “We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”
Trump appeared to confirm the report in a tweet Monday afternoon.
“Just had a very good tele-conference with Nations’s Governors,” Trump tweeted. “Went very well. Cuomo of New York has to ‘do more’.”
Trump was referring to Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who asked Trump on Monday to “deploy the Army Corps of Engineers to build temporary medical facilities, so that when hospitals are overwhelmed, we can move people into the temporary facilities.”
“It’s only a matter of time before our state’s ICU beds fill up,” Cuomo tweeted, referring to intensive care units in hospitals that are needed to treat patients with COVID-9. “The federal gov’t must act.”
Rather than agreeing to help in the way Cuomo asked, Trump said it was not his problem, and specifically called Cuomo out.
Cuomo quickly fired back.
“I have to do more?” Cuomo replied to Trump’s tweet. “No — YOU have to do something! You’re supposed to be the President.”
Trump — who declared during the 2016 election that “I alone can fix it,” referring to the nation’s myriad problems — has so far refused to take any personal responsibility for the lack of testing and the slow response to the outbreak of COVID-19 caused by the coronavirus.
Instead, he has blamed former President Barack Obama for the testing debacle, saying that Obama issued a rule that limited the development of a coronavirus test — a debunked lie.
And on Friday, he again said that the lack of testing wasn’t his fault.
“I don’t take responsibility at all because we were given a set of circumstances, and we were given rules, regulations, and specifications from a different time,” Trump said.
“Wasn’t meant for this kind of an event, with the kind of numbers that we’re talking about.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Trump adviser: Stock market plunge is 'great opportunity' for investors

On Monday , the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell as low as 11 % .
From the March 15 edition @ @ @ @ @ Varney & Co. '' : STUART VARNEY , Fox Business : Do you have a @ @ @ @ @ close to the bottom ?
LARRY KUDLOW : I do n't want to make a @ @ @ @ @ 's too hard .
I will say what I 've said , and what Steve @ @ @ @ @ Warren Buffett has said .
You see these tremendous corrections like this , for long-term @ @ @ @ @ a great opportunity to buy .
You 're investing in America for the long run @ @ @ @ @ opportunity , with this big correction and so forth and so on .
That is @ @ @ @ @ buy America in the long run any time , Stu .
I always have .

On Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell as low as 11%.
From the March 15 edition of Fox Business’ “Varney & Co.”:
STUART VARNEY, Fox Business: Do you have a sense that we’re pretty close to the bottom?
LARRY KUDLOW: I don’t want to make a prediction on it. It’s too hard. I will say what I’ve said, and what Steve Mnuchin has said, and Warren Buffett has said.
You see these tremendous corrections like this, for long-term investors I think it affords a great opportunity to buy. You’re investing in America for the long run. This is given an opportunity, with this big correction and so forth and so on. That is still my view.
I buy America in the long run any time, Stu. I always have.


shareblue--2020-03-16--Countries all over the world on lockdown over coronavirus

As millions of people in Europe , the United States , and beyond began holing up at home , stocking up on supplies and keeping a wary eye on how close they get to friends and neighbors , there was a distinct shift of focus in the coronavirus outbreak Monday , with reported infections in the rest of the world overtaking those in China .
But while the outbreak appears to be moving away from its original epicenter , many in Asia , where the virus has been a brutal fact of life for months , continue to urge vigilance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` If we loosen our grip on the quarantine , it could be a matter of time for the embers of small-scale cluster infections to be revived , '' the South Korean mass-circulation Dong-a Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial Monday .
Around the globe , societies inched toward a shutdown of much of public life — bars , restaurants , school , work .
Resorts closed on the Las Vegas strip .
Many restaurants offered only takeout , if they were open at all .
Schools , concerts , sporting events @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parties — were canceled .
China , where the virus was first detected in December , now accounts for less than half of the world 's 169,000 cases , according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University .
A shutdown of public gatherings and a quarantine of the hardest-hit central region has steadied China 's caseload as the virus spreads rapidly elsewhere .
Most of the world 's 77,000 recovered patients are in China .
Traffic has begun returning to Beijing .
Office buildings , however , are enforcing strict screenings for fever @ @ @ @ @ @ @ takeout .
Children who would usually be snowed under with classes and homework remained glued to screens , shopping , chatting , and watching video clips .
China was relaxing travel restrictions in the province hit hardest by the virus , Hubei , sending thousands of workers back to jobs at factories desperate to get production going again .
The official Xinhua News Agency reported Monday that cities just outside the epicenter of Wuhan were chartering buses to send back to work residents who had returned home for the Lunar New Year in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese officials said the outbreak that spread from Wuhan starting in December had mostly run its course domestically , while they remained vigilant against imported cases .
A number of Asian cities have become increasingly worried about importing cases of the virus from abroad after making inroads in containing its spread at home .
Starting Monday , travelers arriving in Beijing from overseas will be quarantined for 14 days in designated facilities at their own expense .
Previously , people without symptoms could self-quarantine at home .
In the latest tally , China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases of the coronavirus in the previous 24 hours .
Twelve of them were imported from overseas .
China now has 80,860 confirmed cases .
The health commission said that 67,749 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals .
Fourteen more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours , raising the toll to 3,213 .
Though China still has the most infections , a dozen other countries have more than 1,000 cases , mostly in Europe , where numerous countries have been imposing border controls in what not long ago was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Finland .
Religious leaders gave sermons to empty pews or to the faithful watching online Sunday after public worship was curtailed in many places .
The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem 's Old City was being closed indefinitely , and the Vatican closed off next month 's Holy Week services to the public .
Still , 83-year-old Pope Francis ventured out of the Vatican to visit two churches in Rome to pray for the sick .
In the United States , health officials recommended a limit to groups of 50 or more people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 14-day national shutdown may be needed .
Americans returning from abroad encountered chaotic airport health screenings and closed-down communities .
There are signs that the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea is slowing down , but officials are still scrambling to prevent infections from exploding again .
South Korea on Monday reported 74 more cases over the past 24 hours , a day after it announced 76 new cases .
The figures are the lowest daily increase in new infections in about 25 days .
That 's a stark contrast with the more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in late February .
There are still worries that infections might surge again from those returning from Europe or from local people who are reportedly resuming attending gatherings like church services .
There have been calls for authorities to further postpone the new school year , which was to begin on March 23 after two rounds of delays .
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun said the country 's decline in cases is a `` hopeful sign '' but urged caution over widening outbreaks across Europe and the United States .
Chung said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guard . ''
On the first day of Spain 's quarantine , long lines formed for food as police patrolled .
Soldiers and police sealed off the Philippines ' densely populated capital , Manila , from most domestic travelers .
Austria planned to limit people 's movement , and Lebanon was put on lockdown , closing down Beirut 's famed seaside corniche .
As the public curtailed their daily lives , governments also adjusted , such as by moving official meetings with their counterparts in other countries online .
Several Australian states on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ punishments for failing to comply with self-isolation orders .
Australia 's most populous state , New South Wales , has suspended new jury trials because of the virus .
In Tokyo , Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe 's government secured a law allowing him to declare a state of emergency in case things worsen , though he says it still has n't reached that point .
For most people , the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , and those with mild illness recover in about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including pneumonia , can occur , especially in the elderly and people with existing health problems , and recovery could take six weeks in such cases .
Efforts to stop the virus from spreading to the most vulnerable and not to overwhelm health care systems with sick patients are pushing calls for people to avoid public crowds or just stay home .
`` I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing , '' Dr. Anthony Fauci of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's `` Meet the Press . ''
Ireland ordered all pubs and bars to close for two weeks — including on Tuesday , St. Patrick 's Day — and urged people not to hold house parties .
Two pub industry groups had warned of the `` real difficulty '' in keeping people apart in the country 's famous watering holes .
A senior government medical adviser in Germany , which recorded more than 1,000 new infections over the past day , urged people to refrain from holding private celebrations behind closed doors amid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` There are apparently already so-called corona parties when the clubs are closed , '' Lars Schaade of the Robert Koch Institute , the German government 's disease control institute , said Monday .
Italy on Sunday reported its biggest day-to-day increase in infections — 3,590 more cases in a 24-hour period — for a total of almost 24,747 .
And 368 more deaths brought its toll to 1,809 , more than a quarter of the global death toll .
`` It 's not a wave .
It 's a tsunami , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in charge of intensive care at Italy 's Monza hospital .
Governors in California , Illinois , and Ohio told all bars and restaurants to close or reduce their number of customers .
New York City will shutter the nation 's largest public school system as early as Tuesday , sending over 1.1 million children home .
With fears increasing that the pandemic will depress U.S. economic growth , the Federal Reserve took emergency action by slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and deciding to buy $ 700 billion in Treasury @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown amid a two-week state of emergency .
Spain 's Health Ministry said the country has recorded 288 deaths , up from 136 on Saturday .
The number of infections rose to 7,753 from 5,700 .
`` From now , we enter into a new phase , '' said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez , whose wife tested positive .
`` We wo n't hesitate in doing what we need to beat the virus .
We are putting health first . ''

As millions of people in Europe, the United States, and beyond began holing up at home, stocking up on supplies and keeping a wary eye on how close they get to friends and neighbors, there was a distinct shift of focus in the coronavirus outbreak Monday, with reported infections in the rest of the world overtaking those in China.
But while the outbreak appears to be moving away from its original epicenter, many in Asia, where the virus has been a brutal fact of life for months, continue to urge vigilance against anything that might hurt hard-won gains.
“If we loosen our grip on the quarantine, it could be a matter of time for the embers of small-scale cluster infections to be revived,” the South Korean mass-circulation Dong-a Ilbo newspaper said in an editorial Monday.
Around the globe, societies inched toward a shutdown of much of public life — bars, restaurants, school, work. Resorts closed on the Las Vegas strip. Many restaurants offered only takeout, if they were open at all. Schools, concerts, sporting events — even small-scale St. Patrick’s Day parties — were canceled.
China, where the virus was first detected in December, now accounts for less than half of the world’s 169,000 cases, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
A shutdown of public gatherings and a quarantine of the hardest-hit central region has steadied China’s caseload as the virus spreads rapidly elsewhere. Most of the world’s 77,000 recovered patients are in China.
Traffic has begun returning to Beijing. Office buildings, however, are enforcing strict screenings for fever, and many restaurants still only offer takeout. Children who would usually be snowed under with classes and homework remained glued to screens, shopping, chatting, and watching video clips.
China was relaxing travel restrictions in the province hit hardest by the virus, Hubei, sending thousands of workers back to jobs at factories desperate to get production going again.
The official Xinhua News Agency reported Monday that cities just outside the epicenter of Wuhan were chartering buses to send back to work residents who had returned home for the Lunar New Year in late January.
The move came as Chinese officials said the outbreak that spread from Wuhan starting in December had mostly run its course domestically, while they remained vigilant against imported cases.
A number of Asian cities have become increasingly worried about importing cases of the virus from abroad after making inroads in containing its spread at home.
Starting Monday, travelers arriving in Beijing from overseas will be quarantined for 14 days in designated facilities at their own expense. Previously, people without symptoms could self-quarantine at home.
In the latest tally, China’s National Health Commission reported 16 new cases of the coronavirus in the previous 24 hours. Twelve of them were imported from overseas.
China now has 80,860 confirmed cases. The health commission said that 67,749 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Fourteen more deaths were reported in the last 24 hours, raising the toll to 3,213.
Though China still has the most infections, a dozen other countries have more than 1,000 cases, mostly in Europe, where numerous countries have been imposing border controls in what not long ago was a passport-free travel zone stretching from Portugal to Finland.
Religious leaders gave sermons to empty pews or to the faithful watching online Sunday after public worship was curtailed in many places. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City was being closed indefinitely, and the Vatican closed off next month’s Holy Week services to the public. Still, 83-year-old Pope Francis ventured out of the Vatican to visit two churches in Rome to pray for the sick.
In the United States, health officials recommended a limit to groups of 50 or more people, and a government expert said a 14-day national shutdown may be needed. Americans returning from abroad encountered chaotic airport health screenings and closed-down communities.
There are signs that the coronavirus outbreak in South Korea is slowing down, but officials are still scrambling to prevent infections from exploding again.
South Korea on Monday reported 74 more cases over the past 24 hours, a day after it announced 76 new cases. The figures are the lowest daily increase in new infections in about 25 days. That’s a stark contrast with the more than 900 new cases reported on one day in late February.
There are still worries that infections might surge again from those returning from Europe or from local people who are reportedly resuming attending gatherings like church services. There have been calls for authorities to further postpone the new school year, which was to begin on March 23 after two rounds of delays.
South Korean Prime Minister Chung Se-kyun said the country’s decline in cases is a “hopeful sign” but urged caution over widening outbreaks across Europe and the United States.
Chung said South Korea should “never loosen its guard.”
On the first day of Spain’s quarantine, long lines formed for food as police patrolled. Soldiers and police sealed off the Philippines’ densely populated capital, Manila, from most domestic travelers. Austria planned to limit people’s movement, and Lebanon was put on lockdown, closing down Beirut’s famed seaside corniche.
As the public curtailed their daily lives, governments also adjusted, such as by moving official meetings with their counterparts in other countries online.
Several Australian states on Monday declared public health emergencies that create punishments for failing to comply with self-isolation orders. Australia’s most populous state, New South Wales, has suspended new jury trials because of the virus.
In Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government secured a law allowing him to declare a state of emergency in case things worsen, though he says it still hasn’t reached that point.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, and those with mild illness recover in about two weeks. But severe illness, including pneumonia, can occur, especially in the elderly and people with existing health problems, and recovery could take six weeks in such cases.
Efforts to stop the virus from spreading to the most vulnerable and not to overwhelm health care systems with sick patients are pushing calls for people to avoid public crowds or just stay home.
“I think Americans should be prepared that they are going to have to hunker down significantly more than we as a country are doing,” Dr. Anthony Fauci of the National Institutes of Health told NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
Ireland ordered all pubs and bars to close for two weeks — including on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day — and urged people not to hold house parties. Two pub industry groups had warned of the “real difficulty” in keeping people apart in the country’s famous watering holes.
A senior government medical adviser in Germany, which recorded more than 1,000 new infections over the past day, urged people to refrain from holding private celebrations behind closed doors amid a shutdown of bars and clubs.
“There are apparently already so-called corona parties when the clubs are closed,” Lars Schaade of the Robert Koch Institute, the German government’s disease control institute, said Monday.
Italy on Sunday reported its biggest day-to-day increase in infections — 3,590 more cases in a 24-hour period — for a total of almost 24,747. And 368 more deaths brought its toll to 1,809, more than a quarter of the global death toll.
“It’s not a wave. It’s a tsunami,” said Dr. Roberto Rona, who is in charge of intensive care at Italy’s Monza hospital.
Governors in California, Illinois, and Ohio told all bars and restaurants to close or reduce their number of customers. New York City will shutter the nation’s largest public school system as early as Tuesday, sending over 1.1 million children home.
With fears increasing that the pandemic will depress U.S. economic growth, the Federal Reserve took emergency action by slashing its benchmark interest rate to near zero and deciding to buy $700 billion in Treasury and mortgage bonds.
Spain was under lockdown amid a two-week state of emergency. Spain’s Health Ministry said the country has recorded 288 deaths, up from 136 on Saturday. The number of infections rose to 7,753 from 5,700.
“From now, we enter into a new phase,” said Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, whose wife tested positive. “We won’t hesitate in doing what we need to beat the virus. We are putting health first.”


shareblue--2020-03-16--Senate GOP in no rush to pass bill to help Americans deal with coronavirus

Days after the House of Representatives and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin agreed on an emergency bill to help Americans deal with the coronavirus outbreak , Senate Republicans have yet to take up the bill .
And some are suggesting delaying doing so .
The House passed a sweeping bipartisan response bill early on Saturday , 363 to 40 , after Donald Trump endorsed the legislation .
Its provisions include paid sick leave for some workers , money for coronavirus testing , emergency state grants for unemployment , and increased food assistance .
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send senators home for a three-day weekend rather than stay in town to pass it .
On Sunday night , McConnell released a statement about the `` urgent Senate priorities '' on his docket .
He noted that once the House sends over its final version of the bill , `` Senators of both sides are carefully reviewing the details and are eager to act swiftly to help American workers , families , and small businesses navigate this challenging time . ''
But after ceding the negotiations to the House and Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would not back the agreement and wanted to slow down the process .
`` We do n't want to cause further economic harm by passing bad legislation , '' announced Sen. Ron Johnson ( R-WI ) on Saturday .
`` I hope the Senate will approach this with a level head and pass a bill that does more good than harm — or , if it wo n't , pass nothing at all . ''
Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AR ) also opposed the House bill , tweeting Monday that it `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does n't go fast enough . ''
Others seem to think the crisis is little more than a joke .
Last week , Sen. Jim Inhofe ( R-OK ) was asked by a reporter about what precautions he was taking to avoid coronavirus exposure .
He said he was taking none and asked , `` Wan na shake hands ? ''
Sen. John Cornyn ( R-TX ) mocked colleagues who urged immediate action .
When Sen. Brian Schatz ( D-HI ) proposed the Senate immediately reconvene to deal with the bill on Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know when you get back from Hawaii . ''
( Schatz was in Washington , D.C. ) When Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin suggested quickly passing the bill through unanimous consent so some Senators could avoid flying to back Washington , Cornyn dismissed this as `` conflicting advice . ''
He also tweeted a photo of a bottle of Corona beer on Saturday , saying , `` Be smart ; do n't panic .
We will get us through this . ''
Trump has so far been silent on the Senate 's inaction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not moving quickly enough , tweeting on Tuesday , `` Nancy Pelosi just said , ' I do n't know if we can be ready this week . '
In other words , it 's off to vacation for the Do Nothing Democrats .
That 's been the story with them for 1 1/2 years ! ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Days after the House of Representatives and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin agreed on an emergency bill to help Americans deal with the coronavirus outbreak, Senate Republicans have yet to take up the bill. And some are suggesting delaying doing so.
The House passed a sweeping bipartisan response bill early on Saturday, 363 to 40, after Donald Trump endorsed the legislation. Its provisions include paid sick leave for some workers, money for coronavirus testing, emergency state grants for unemployment, and increased food assistance.
But Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who stayed out of the negotiations, opted to send senators home for a three-day weekend rather than stay in town to pass it.
On Sunday night, McConnell released a statement about the “urgent Senate priorities” on his docket. He noted that once the House sends over its final version of the bill, “Senators of both sides are carefully reviewing the details and are eager to act swiftly to help American workers, families, and small businesses navigate this challenging time.”
But after ceding the negotiations to the House and Trump administration, some in his caucus suggested they would not back the agreement and wanted to slow down the process.
“We don’t want to cause further economic harm by passing bad legislation,” announced Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) on Saturday. “I hope the Senate will approach this with a level head and pass a bill that does more good than harm — or, if it won’t, pass nothing at all.”
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) also opposed the House bill, tweeting Monday that it “doesn’t go far enough and it doesn’t go fast enough.”
Others seem to think the crisis is little more than a joke. Last week, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) was asked by a reporter about what precautions he was taking to avoid coronavirus exposure. He said he was taking none and asked, “Wanna shake hands?”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) mocked colleagues who urged immediate action. When Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) proposed the Senate immediately reconvene to deal with the bill on Saturday, Cornyn replied, “Let me know when you get back from Hawaii.” (Schatz was in Washington, D.C.)
When Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin suggested quickly passing the bill through unanimous consent so some Senators could avoid flying to back Washington, Cornyn dismissed this as “conflicting advice.”
He also tweeted a photo of a bottle of Corona beer on Saturday, saying, “Be smart; don’t panic. We will get us through this.”
Trump has so far been silent on the Senate’s inaction. But last week, he criticized House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for not moving quickly enough, tweeting on Tuesday, “Nancy Pelosi just said, ‘I don’t know if we can be ready this week.’ In other words, it’s off to vacation for the Do Nothing Democrats. That’s been the story with them for 1 1/2 years!”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-17--McConnell backs massive stimulus after opposing it under Obama

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday defended a potential trillion dollar stimulus amid the raging COVID-19 outbreak , stating that `` these are not ordinary times . ''
However , back in 2009 , when he was minority leader , McConnell repeatedly voiced opposition to the Recovery Act , which was proposed by President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders to help Americans suffering from the Great Recession .
During a press conference on Capitol Hill Tuesday , a reporter asked McConnell how `` Republicans became okay with spending perhaps a good trillion dollars '' to boost the economy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' like the 2008 financial crisis and the 2012 fiscal cliff and said , `` When they occur , we are able to rise above our normal partisanship and many times our normal positions . ''
`` Because these are not ordinary times , '' McConnell added .
`` This is not an ordinary situation and so it requires extraordinary measures . ''
When the Recovery Act was proposed in 2009 , the American economy was in the midst of the Great Recession .
In January that year , the U.S. economy lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months of hundreds of thousands of additional job losses .
Despite the dire situation , McConnell was one of 38 Republican who voted against the Recovery Act , which provided relief programs for those impacted the most by the recession and injected additional funds into various federal health , infrastructure , energy , and educations programs .
The measure eventually passed the Senate by a vote of 60-38 with all Democrats and only three Republicans in support .
The bill passed 246-183 in the House without a single Republican vote .
At the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in multiple statements on the Senate floor .
`` Americans can ’ t afford a trillion dollar mistake , however well-meaning the intent , '' he said on Feb. 6 , 2009 .
Four days later , McConnell called the proposed spending `` an enormous amount of money '' and said taxpayers `` want to know how we ’ re going to pay for all this . ''
`` I think Americans would like to know how the administration plans to pay for all these things in the context of all the normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Feb. 11 , describing it as a `` partisan bill that spends a trillion dollars '' in a statement released the same day .
After the bill passed , the economy began to recover .
Instead of losing jobs , the country began adding jobs in February of 2010 in a streak that has continued to the present day .
From that point on , and until the end of Obama 's tenure there were 15.8 million jobs added to the economy .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday defended a potential trillion dollar stimulus amid the raging COVID-19 outbreak, stating that “these are not ordinary times.”
However, back in 2009, when he was minority leader, McConnell repeatedly voiced opposition to the Recovery Act, which was proposed by President Barack Obama and Democratic leaders to help Americans suffering from the Great Recession.
During a press conference on Capitol Hill Tuesday, a reporter asked McConnell how “Republicans became okay with spending perhaps a good trillion dollars” to boost the economy.
McConnell noted several other “great crises” like the 2008 financial crisis and the 2012 fiscal cliff and said, “When they occur, we are able to rise above our normal partisanship and many times our normal positions.”
“Because these are not ordinary times,” McConnell added. “This is not an ordinary situation and so it requires extraordinary measures.”
When the Recovery Act was proposed in 2009, the American economy was in the midst of the Great Recession. In January that year, the U.S. economy lost nearly 800,000 jobs, preceded by multiple months of hundreds of thousands of additional job losses.
Despite the dire situation, McConnell was one of 38 Republican who voted against the Recovery Act, which provided relief programs for those impacted the most by the recession and injected additional funds into various federal health, infrastructure, energy, and educations programs.
The measure eventually passed the Senate by a vote of 60-38 with all Democrats and only three Republicans in support. The bill passed 246-183 in the House without a single Republican vote.
At the time, McConnell attacked the legislation, in multiple statements on the Senate floor.
“Americans can’t afford a trillion dollar mistake, however well-meaning the intent,” he said on Feb. 6, 2009. Four days later, McConnell called the proposed spending “an enormous amount of money” and said taxpayers “want to know how we’re going to pay for all this.”
“I think Americans would like to know how the administration plans to pay for all these things in the context of all the normal annual spending,” McConnell said on Feb. 11, describing it as a “partisan bill that spends a trillion dollars” in a statement released the same day.
After the bill passed, the economy began to recover. Instead of losing jobs, the country began adding jobs in February of 2010 in a streak that has continued to the present day.
From that point on, and until the end of Obama’s tenure there were 15.8 million jobs added to the economy.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Republicans less worried about coronavirus after Trump minimized it for weeks

Following weeks of Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers downplaying the significance of the coronavirus outbreak , polling shows Republicans went from believing it was a threat to saying the threat was overhyped .
In an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll taken on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 , Americans across the political spectrum were on the same page , with 72 % of Republicans and 70 % of Democrats believing the coronavirus outbreak was `` a real threat . ''
Less than a quarter of each group believed the threat was `` blown out of proportion '' at that time .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ most Republicans has drastically changed .
An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll taken March 13 and 14 showed a majority of Republicans , or 54 % , now viewed the threat from coronavirus as being blown out of proportion , with only 40 % believing it to be real .
Over the same period of time , Democrats became more convinced the coronavirus was a serious issue , with an increase from 70 % to 76 % of them saying it was a real threat , and a decrease to only 20 % believing it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed 74 % of Republicans trusted what Trump said about the coronavirus outbreak , compared to just 8 % of Democrats .
Just 36 % of Republicans trusted the media on coronavirus , compared to 64 % of Democrats .
During the time between the two polls , Trump repeatedly told Americans that the situation was both under control and no big deal .
`` Well , we pretty much shut it down coming in from China , '' Trump said about coronavirus on Feb. 2 , two days after implementing travel restrictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new coronavirus was first reported .
`` So we 're gon na see what happens , but we did shut it down , yes . ''
A week later , on Feb. 10 , Trump said warm weather would put an end to the new coronavirus .
`` A lot of people think that goes away in April as the heat comes in , '' Trump said , adding , `` We 're in great shape though .
We have 12 cases , 11 cases , and many of them are in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said there 's not enough evidence to make such a claim . )
On Feb. 24 , Trump both downplayed the growing threat and tried to calm a jittery stock market .
`` The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA , '' Trump tweeted .
`` Stock Market starting to look very good to me ! ''
A couple of days later , on Feb. 26 , Trump said , `` When you have 15 people , and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pretty good job we 've done . ''
The Washington Post reported that , rather than the number going down , there were 100 confirmed cases within five days of this statement .
Two weeks later , there were 1,000 confirmed cases and at least 28 deaths .
On Feb. 28 , Trump went so far as to claim Democrats who were concerned about the growing threat from coronavirus were perpetrating `` a new hoax '' to make him look bad .
Even well into March , Trump continued to dismiss concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we 're prepared , and we 're doing a great job with it , '' Trump said on March 10 .
`` And it will go away .
Just stay calm .
It will go away . ''
But the day after Trump said it would go away , the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global health pandemic .
On March 13 , the day the second NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll was put into the field , Trump finally declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a national emergency .
And according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than ever believe concerns about it are overblown .
As of March 17 , more than 4,000 Americans have tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , and at least 75 people in the U.S. have died , according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Following weeks of Donald Trump and other Republican lawmakers downplaying the significance of the coronavirus outbreak, polling shows Republicans went from believing it was a threat to saying the threat was overhyped.
In an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll taken on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, Americans across the political spectrum were on the same page, with 72% of Republicans and 70% of Democrats believing the coronavirus outbreak was “a real threat.”
Less than a quarter of each group believed the threat was “blown out of proportion” at that time.
Within six weeks, the opinion among most Republicans has drastically changed.
An NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll taken March 13 and 14 showed a majority of Republicans, or 54%, now viewed the threat from coronavirus as being blown out of proportion, with only 40% believing it to be real.
Over the same period of time, Democrats became more convinced the coronavirus was a serious issue, with an increase from 70% to 76% of them saying it was a real threat, and a decrease to only 20% believing it is overblown.
The recent poll also showed 74% of Republicans trusted what Trump said about the coronavirus outbreak, compared to just 8% of Democrats. Just 36% of Republicans trusted the media on coronavirus, compared to 64% of Democrats.
During the time between the two polls, Trump repeatedly told Americans that the situation was both under control and no big deal.
“Well, we pretty much shut it down coming in from China,” Trump said about coronavirus on Feb. 2, two days after implementing travel restrictions on travelers coming from China, where the new coronavirus was first reported. “So we’re gonna see what happens, but we did shut it down, yes.”
A week later, on Feb. 10, Trump said warm weather would put an end to the new coronavirus.
“A lot of people think that goes away in April as the heat comes in,” Trump said, adding, “We’re in great shape though. We have 12 cases, 11 cases, and many of them are in good shape.” (Scientists have said there’s not enough evidence to make such a claim.)
On Feb. 24, Trump both downplayed the growing threat and tried to calm a jittery stock market.
“The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA,” Trump tweeted. “Stock Market starting to look very good to me!”
A couple of days later, on Feb. 26, Trump said, “When you have 15 people, and the 15 within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero. That’s a pretty good job we’ve done.”
The Washington Post reported that, rather than the number going down, there were 100 confirmed cases within five days of this statement. Two weeks later, there were 1,000 confirmed cases and at least 28 deaths.
On Feb. 28, Trump went so far as to claim Democrats who were concerned about the growing threat from coronavirus were perpetrating “a new hoax” to make him look bad.
Even well into March, Trump continued to dismiss concerns about the growing pandemic. “And we’re prepared, and we’re doing a great job with it,” Trump said on March 10. “And it will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away.”
But the day after Trump said it would go away, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus a global health pandemic.
On March 13, the day the second NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll was put into the field, Trump finally declared the coronavirus outbreak to be a national emergency.
And according to the most recent poll, more Republicans than ever believe concerns about it are overblown.
As of March 17, more than 4,000 Americans have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and at least 75 people in the U.S. have died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Trump declares 'world is at war' just 3 days after telling Americans to 'relax'

Donald Trump said Americans will win the war against the new coronavirus on Tuesday , days after urging the public to `` relax '' about the ongoing global health pandemic .
`` The world is at war with a hidden enemy , '' Trump tweeted .
`` WE WILL WIN ! ''
The comments came just two days after Trump told Americans to take it easy .
`` You do n't have to buy so much , '' Trump said at a Sunday press conference about the coronavirus outbreak , speaking about reports of empty shelves at grocery stores .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump also urged the nation to remain calm at a Saturday press conference , telling `` the media and politicians and everybody else involved not do anything to incite a panic , because there 's no reason to panic at all . ''
Trump had declared the outbreak a national emergency just one day prior .
The Trump administration has been criticized for early failures to contain the outbreak as well as inconsistent messaging throughout the crisis .
A whistleblower complaint filed in February and obtained by the Washington Post and New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal workers tending to possible coronavirus patients to do so without proper protective gear or medical training .
The complaint further alleged that the federal workers then interacted with the general public , unaware that they may have been exposed to the virus .
Further , according to ProPublica , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's earliest attempts at a coronavirus test were allegedly flawed and `` falsely flagged the presence of the other viruses in harmless samples . ''
It took weeks for new tests to be created and distributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back initial response efforts .
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of the situation , at times contradicting health experts in his own administration .
In late February , Trump falsely claimed that COVID-19 , the disease caused by the new coronavirus , was not as dangerous as the flu .
At the time , the Associated Press reported that there was not enough evidence to make such a claim .
On March 4 , Trump also went on Fox News and declared that the World Health Organization was wrong in stating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
He said he had a `` hunch '' that the death rate was closer to 1 % , but did not provide any evidence to back that claim .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump said Americans will win the war against the new coronavirus on Tuesday, days after urging the public to “relax” about the ongoing global health pandemic.
“The world is at war with a hidden enemy,” Trump tweeted. “WE WILL WIN!”
The comments came just two days after Trump told Americans to take it easy.
“You don’t have to buy so much,” Trump said at a Sunday press conference about the coronavirus outbreak, speaking about reports of empty shelves at grocery stores. “Take it easy. Relax.”
Trump also urged the nation to remain calm at a Saturday press conference, telling “the media and politicians and everybody else involved not do anything to incite a panic, because there’s no reason to panic at all.”
Trump had declared the outbreak a national emergency just one day prior.
The Trump administration has been criticized for early failures to contain the outbreak as well as inconsistent messaging throughout the crisis.
A whistleblower complaint filed in February and obtained by the Washington Post and New York Times alleged that administration officials allowed federal workers tending to possible coronavirus patients to do so without proper protective gear or medical training. The complaint further alleged that the federal workers then interacted with the general public, unaware that they may have been exposed to the virus.
Further, according to ProPublica, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s earliest attempts at a coronavirus test were allegedly flawed and “falsely flagged the presence of the other viruses in harmless samples.” It took weeks for new tests to be created and distributed to state and local labs, setting back initial response efforts.
Trump has repeatedly downplayed the seriousness of the situation, at times contradicting health experts in his own administration.
In late February, Trump falsely claimed that COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, was not as dangerous as the flu. At the time, the Associated Press reported that there was not enough evidence to make such a claim.
On March 4, Trump also went on Fox News and declared that the World Health Organization was wrong in stating the death rate for COVID-19 was approximately 3.4%.
He said he had a “hunch” that the death rate was closer to 1%, but did not provide any evidence to back that claim.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Trump claims his racism is OK because it's 'very accurate'

Donald Trump defended his use of a racist term to describe the coronavirus on Tuesday afternoon , arguing that it was OK to call it the `` Chinese virus '' because he claimed it was `` accurate . ''
`` China was putting out information which was false , that our military gave this to them .
That was false .
And rather than having an argument , I said that I would call it where it came from .
It came from China .
So I think it 's a very accurate term , '' he told reporters .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ stigma , '' Trump replied that he did not think so and claimed that China blaming the U.S. military was responsible for the stigma .
Trump has repeatedly used incorrect terms for the virus in his tweets , even though experts differ on whether the virus actually originated in China .
The World Health Organization 's best practices memo also specifically urges that infectious disease not be named for geographic locations .
Doing so , they said , `` has had unintended negative impacts by stigmatizing certain communities or economic sectors . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ has warned that contributing to stigma during the current virus outbreak `` hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem . ''
Still , the Trump administration has shown little concern .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called it the `` Wuhan virus '' and , according to a report on Tuesday morning , one White House official even called it `` Kung Flu '' when speaking to a Chinese American journalist .
`` Makes me wonder what they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' the reporter tweeted later .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump defended his use of a racist term to describe the coronavirus on Tuesday afternoon, arguing that it was OK to call it the “Chinese virus” because he claimed it was “accurate.”
“China was putting out information which was false, that our military gave this to them. That was false. And rather than having an argument, I said that I would call it where it came from. It came from China. So I think it’s a very accurate term,” he told reporters.
Asked if the term “creates a stigma,” Trump replied that he did not think so and claimed that China blaming the U.S. military was responsible for the stigma.
Trump has repeatedly used incorrect terms for the virus in his tweets, even though experts differ on whether the virus actually originated in China.
The World Health Organization’s best practices memo also specifically urges that infectious disease not be named for geographic locations. Doing so, they said, “has had unintended negative impacts by stigmatizing certain communities or economic sectors.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned that contributing to stigma during the current virus outbreak “hurts everyone by creating more fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem.”
Still, the Trump administration has shown little concern.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called it the “Wuhan virus” and, according to a report on Tuesday morning, one White House official even called it “kung-flu” when speaking to a Chinese American journalist.
“Makes me wonder what they’re calling it behind my back,” the reporter tweeted later.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Treasury secretary: 'We're looking at sending checks to Americans immediately'

REPORTER : When you say a stimulus package for American workers , do you mean direct payments to Americans , @ @ @ @ @ a payroll tax holiday ?
TREASURY SECRETARY STEVEN MNUCHIN : Although the president likes the @ @ @ @ @ holiday , I will tell you what we 've heard from many people — and @ @ @ @ @ can consider this — the payroll tax holiday would get people money over the next @ @ @ @ @ we 're looking at sending checks to Americans immediately .
And what we 've heard @ @ @ @ @ companies have now shut down whether it 's bars or restaurants Americans need cash now @ @ @ @ @ get cash now .
And I mean now , in the next two weeks .

From a March 17 White House press conference:
REPORTER: When you say a stimulus package for American workers, do you mean direct payments to Americans, or are you talking about a payroll tax holiday?
TREASURY SECRETARY STEVEN MNUCHIN: Although the president likes the idea of the payroll tax holiday, I will tell you what we’ve heard from many people — and the president has said we can consider this — the payroll tax holiday would get people money over the next six to eight months, we’re looking at sending checks to Americans immediately.
And what we’ve heard from hard working Americans many companies have now shut down whether it’s bars or restaurants Americans need cash now and the president wants to get cash now.
And I mean now, in the next two weeks.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Ex-congressman who used campaign cash on vacations and mistress sentenced to 11 months

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter ( R-CA ) has been sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to misspending campaign funds .
The prison sentence is more than the home confinement his defense attorneys had asked for .
Hunter 's family , friends , and lawyers said the California Republican is a devoted father and proud former Marine who should have been shown some mercy for making mistakes after returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan .
They submitted 87 pages of details to U.S. District Court Judge Thomas J. Whelan ahead of Tuesday 's sentencing that showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stole from his campaign funds for a decade .
The funds bankrolled private school tuition for his children , his wife 's shopping sprees , weekend trips with his mistress , and drinking parties in Washington .
A broke and debt-saddled Hunter also cavalierly spent campaign money on small things , such as a tin of chewing tobacco and a copy of the book , `` Why We Suck : A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat , Loud , Lazy and Stupid , '' according to prosecutors .
And after he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tried to convince voters in the district east of San Diego that as a staunch supporter of Donald Trump , he was the victim of a political witch hunt by left-leaning prosecutors trying to drive him out of office in Democratic California .
A year after winning a sixth term , Hunter pleaded guilty to a single corruption charge .
He and his wife , who served as his campaign manager , each faced up to five years in jail .
Prosecutors sought a 14-month prison sentence to punish Hunter , who misled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the 50th congressional district without a representative .
Hunter resigned from Congress in January .
A Democrat and a Republican are headed to a November runoff for his seat .
`` As we now know , Hunter lied to the people about his guilt .
Not once , but countless times .
In doing so , he conned voters into electing a soon-to-be-convict , '' prosecutors wrote in their arguments for the prison term .
The Hunters were accused in a 60-count indictment of stealing more than $ 250,000 in campaign contributions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disclosure records , listing some personal expenses as contributions to wounded warriors .
Each pleaded guilty to a single count in separate plea agreements last year .
Defense attorneys said he deserved 11 months in home confinement because of his military and public service .
They said he saved thousands of San Diego jobs on the chopping block and helped craft laws to better the lives of veterans .
His parents wrote a letter pointing out his bravery in signing up for the Marine Corps the day after the Sept. 11 attacks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Juan Vargas , penned that “ Mr .
Hunter needs special counseling and treatment after fighting our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq . ''
Hunter is not the first congressman accused of the illegal use of campaign money .
Prosecutors compared Hunter 's case to that of former Illinois Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. , who got 30 months for stealing $ 750,000 in campaign funds .
Hunter 's defense lawyers compare him to former California Rep. Jay Kim , who was spared prison time in 1998 and sentenced to two months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking more than $ 250,000 in illegal campaign contributions .
Hunter 's conviction ended his family 's political dynasty in the 50th Congressional District .
Hunter won the seat after his father , Hunter L. Duncan , represented the area of suburbs and farm towns for 28 years before retiring .

Former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) has been sentenced to 11 months in prison after pleading guilty to misspending campaign funds.
The prison sentence is more than the home confinement his defense attorneys had asked for.
Hunter’s family, friends, and lawyers said the California Republican is a devoted father and proud former Marine who should have been shown some mercy for making mistakes after returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Prosecutors, however, painted a different picture.
They submitted 87 pages of details to U.S. District Court Judge Thomas J. Whelan ahead of Tuesday’s sentencing that showed a corrupt congressman who intentionally and repeatedly stole from his campaign funds for a decade.
The funds bankrolled private school tuition for his children, his wife’s shopping sprees, weekend trips with his mistress, and drinking parties in Washington.
A broke and debt-saddled Hunter also cavalierly spent campaign money on small things, such as a tin of chewing tobacco and a copy of the book, “Why We Suck: A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid,” according to prosecutors.
And after he was caught, he ran for reelection and tried to convince voters in the district east of San Diego that as a staunch supporter of Donald Trump, he was the victim of a political witch hunt by left-leaning prosecutors trying to drive him out of office in Democratic California.
A year after winning a sixth term, Hunter pleaded guilty to a single corruption charge. He and his wife, who served as his campaign manager, each faced up to five years in jail.
Prosecutors sought a 14-month prison sentence to punish Hunter, who misled his constituents and whose wrongdoing has now left the 50th congressional district without a representative. Hunter resigned from Congress in January. A Democrat and a Republican are headed to a November runoff for his seat.
“As we now know, Hunter lied to the people about his guilt. Not once, but countless times. In doing so, he conned voters into electing a soon-to-be-convict,” prosecutors wrote in their arguments for the prison term.
The Hunters were accused in a 60-count indictment of stealing more than $250,000 in campaign contributions and trying to hide it on financial disclosure records, listing some personal expenses as contributions to wounded warriors.
Each pleaded guilty to a single count in separate plea agreements last year.
Defense attorneys said he deserved 11 months in home confinement because of his military and public service. They said he saved thousands of San Diego jobs on the chopping block and helped craft laws to better the lives of veterans.
His parents wrote a letter pointing out his bravery in signing up for the Marine Corps the day after the Sept. 11 attacks, and a Democratic colleague, San Diego Rep. Juan Vargas, penned that “Mr. Hunter needs special counseling and treatment after fighting our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.”
Hunter is not the first congressman accused of the illegal use of campaign money. Prosecutors compared Hunter’s case to that of former Illinois Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr., who got 30 months for stealing $750,000 in campaign funds.
Hunter’s defense lawyers compare him to former California Rep. Jay Kim, who was spared prison time in 1998 and sentenced to two months’ home confinement after he admitted to taking more than $250,000 in illegal campaign contributions.
Hunter’s conviction ended his family’s political dynasty in the 50th Congressional District. Hunter won the seat after his father, Hunter L. Duncan, represented the area of suburbs and farm towns for 28 years before retiring.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Coronavirus is disrupting voting in the US

The most elemental act of American democracy — voting — will be tested Tuesday as four states set to hold presidential primaries confront the impact of a global pandemic that has turned everyday life upside down .
Leaders sent conflicting signals about how to approach the next steps amid the coronavirus outbreak .
As health officials warned against gatherings of greater than 10 people , Donald Trump said elections should proceed .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine said the state 's health director would declare a health emergency and order the polls closed for fears of exposing volunteer poll workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
Elections officials in Arizona , Illinois , and Florida said they were moving forward with plans to vote .
The rapidly shifting developments amounted to a kind of chaos rarely seen in an election season .
And it may not end soon , as some states that have presidential contests in the coming weeks have already moved to postpone them , and others were being pressed to follow .
`` These are unusual restrictions , '' Susan Lerner , executive director of Common Cause New York , said of recommended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spread of the virus .
Her group is urging the delay of that state 's 2020 presidential primary from April 28 to June 23 , when congressional and legislative primaries are already scheduled .
`` Normally , we do not support postponing elections , but these are extraordinary circumstances , '' Lerner said .
Campaigns spent Monday sifting through data and talking to contacts on the ground to assess the impact of the coronavirus on turnout in places that will hold elections Tuesday .
Former Vice President Joe Biden is moving closer to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could face a setback if the older voters who tend to support him do n't show up .
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders , meanwhile , ca n't afford to lose support from young voters who have been his most loyal supporters .
The tumult has left the campaign in a state of suspended animation .
In-person rallies have been replaced with sometimes awkward virtual events .
Sanders , the last Democrat standing between Biden and the nomination , is n't planning to drop out .
Although his campaign looked to have nowhere to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Michigan , top advisers now see no downside to staying in the race as they assess how the coming days and weeks unfold .
On Monday night , Sanders staged a virtual rally featuring himself , rocker Neil Young , and activist actress Daryl Hannah .
He also released a video criticizing Biden for suggesting as a senator that he 'd be willing to cut Social Security benefits — a line of attack Sanders employed frequently during Sunday 's debate .
`` I do n't have to tell anybody that we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment in the history of our country , '' Sanders said , urging supporters that it may be time to `` rethink our value system , rethink many of the systems we operate under . ''
Sanders ' team had expected Biden to do well in all four states that were set to vote on Tuesday .
But the Vermont senator has also cast some doubt about the entire process , saying no one should risk being infected while voting and noting that it 's important `` to make sure that everybody who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote , and that may not be the case now . ''
Still , Sanders faces an increasingly tough path to the nomination .
About half of the delegates in the Democratic primary have already been awarded and , if Biden has another big night Tuesday , he will pad an already large and perhaps insurmountable lead .
Sanders trails Biden by more than 150 delegates nationally , meaning he 'd need to win more than 57 % of those yet to be allocated to clinch the Democratic nomination .
Biden 's campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its prospects at this sensitive moment .
Still , the former vice president is making moves to rally more voters to his campaign , including his announcement during the debate that he would choose a woman as a running mate .
Rep. Cedric Richmond , a Louisiana congressman and one of Biden 's campaign co-chairs , said the former vice president has `` started the process of looking at people seriously . ''
Biden appeared to keep his focus Monday on winning the nomination , as he encouraged voters in a telephone town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do so safely .
Joining him was former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy , who served during President Barack Obama 's second term .
Murthy encouraged voters at high risk of contracting coronavirus to vote by mail or use curbside voting , if available , but he also explained precautions elections officials are planning in the Tuesday primary states .
The call came three days after Biden 's initial effort at remote campaigning was marred by technical difficulties , a testament to the challenge of balancing what amounts to a national shut-in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I appreciate everyone bearing with us as we figure out all the logistics of campaigning in a new way here , '' Biden said Monday night .
The coming weeks will present additional uncertainties .
After Tuesday , the campaign had been set to shift to Georgia next week , but officials there have already postponed their Democratic primary until May 19 .
That means voting is n't scheduled again anywhere until March 29 in Puerto Rico — and island officials are also seeking a delay .
The first week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Louisiana , but its decision to delay the primary until May leaves only primaries in far-flung Alaska and Hawaii and caucuses in Wyoming through April 4 .
That could leave the campaign in further limbo , perhaps prolonging a primary race that might otherwise have been wrapped up .
Voting rights groups have advocated for upcoming elections to be postponed , or for states holding them as scheduled to adopt more lenient vote-by-mail and absentee ballot rules so that people do n't have to choose between showing up at a polling place and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tameez , a Democratic strategist with ties to many of the party 's top donors , noted that Americans voted during World War I and World War II .
More recent voting during a crisis came on the morning of Sept. 11 , 2001 , when balloting was already underway but was suspended for two weeks in New York 's mayoral primary because of the terrorist attacks .
`` There should be no circumstance in which we say , because of a crisis — regardless of the crisis — that we stop our @ @ @ @ @ @ @

The most elemental act of American democracy — voting — will be tested Tuesday as four states set to hold presidential primaries confront the impact of a global pandemic that has turned everyday life upside down.
Leaders sent conflicting signals about how to approach the next steps amid the coronavirus outbreak. As health officials warned against gatherings of greater than 10 people, Donald Trump said elections should proceed.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said the state’s health director would declare a health emergency and order the polls closed for fears of exposing volunteer poll workers — many of them elderly — to the virus. Elections officials in Arizona, Illinois, and Florida said they were moving forward with plans to vote.
The rapidly shifting developments amounted to a kind of chaos rarely seen in an election season. And it may not end soon, as some states that have presidential contests in the coming weeks have already moved to postpone them, and others were being pressed to follow.
“These are unusual restrictions,” Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, said of recommended federal limits to try and control the spread of the virus. Her group is urging the delay of that state’s 2020 presidential primary from April 28 to June 23, when congressional and legislative primaries are already scheduled.
“Normally, we do not support postponing elections, but these are extraordinary circumstances,” Lerner said.
Campaigns spent Monday sifting through data and talking to contacts on the ground to assess the impact of the coronavirus on turnout in places that will hold elections Tuesday. Former Vice President Joe Biden is moving closer to securing the Democratic presidential nomination, but could face a setback if the older voters who tend to support him don’t show up. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, meanwhile, can’t afford to lose support from young voters who have been his most loyal supporters.
The tumult has left the campaign in a state of suspended animation. In-person rallies have been replaced with sometimes awkward virtual events.
Sanders, the last Democrat standing between Biden and the nomination, isn’t planning to drop out. Although his campaign looked to have nowhere to go after a big loss last week in Michigan, top advisers now see no downside to staying in the race as they assess how the coming days and weeks unfold.
On Monday night, Sanders staged a virtual rally featuring himself, rocker Neil Young, and activist actress Daryl Hannah. He also released a video criticizing Biden for suggesting as a senator that he’d be willing to cut Social Security benefits — a line of attack Sanders employed frequently during Sunday’s debate.
“I don’t have to tell anybody that we are living in a very unprecedented and strange moment in the history of our country,” Sanders said, urging supporters that it may be time to “rethink our value system, rethink many of the systems we operate under.”
Sanders’ team had expected Biden to do well in all four states that were set to vote on Tuesday. But the Vermont senator has also cast some doubt about the entire process, saying no one should risk being infected while voting and noting that it’s important “to make sure that everybody who wants to vote has the right to vote, and that may not be the case now.”
Still, Sanders faces an increasingly tough path to the nomination. About half of the delegates in the Democratic primary have already been awarded and, if Biden has another big night Tuesday, he will pad an already large and perhaps insurmountable lead. Sanders trails Biden by more than 150 delegates nationally, meaning he’d need to win more than 57% of those yet to be allocated to clinch the Democratic nomination.
Biden’s campaign is trying not to look presumptuous about its prospects at this sensitive moment. Still, the former vice president is making moves to rally more voters to his campaign, including his announcement during the debate that he would choose a woman as a running mate.
Rep. Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and one of Biden’s campaign co-chairs, said the former vice president has “started the process of looking at people seriously.”
Biden appeared to keep his focus Monday on winning the nomination, as he encouraged voters in a telephone town hall to participate in Tuesday primaries but to do so safely. Joining him was former Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, who served during President Barack Obama’s second term. Murthy encouraged voters at high risk of contracting coronavirus to vote by mail or use curbside voting, if available, but he also explained precautions elections officials are planning in the Tuesday primary states.
The call came three days after Biden’s initial effort at remote campaigning was marred by technical difficulties, a testament to the challenge of balancing what amounts to a national shut-in with the demands of a presidential campaign. “I appreciate everyone bearing with us as we figure out all the logistics of campaigning in a new way here,” Biden said Monday night.
The coming weeks will present additional uncertainties. After Tuesday, the campaign had been set to shift to Georgia next week, but officials there have already postponed their Democratic primary until May 19. That means voting isn’t scheduled again anywhere until March 29 in Puerto Rico — and island officials are also seeking a delay.
The first week in April, meanwhile, would have featured Louisiana, but its decision to delay the primary until May leaves only primaries in far-flung Alaska and Hawaii and caucuses in Wyoming through April 4. That could leave the campaign in further limbo, perhaps prolonging a primary race that might otherwise have been wrapped up.
Voting rights groups have advocated for upcoming elections to be postponed, or for states holding them as scheduled to adopt more lenient vote-by-mail and absentee ballot rules so that people don’t have to choose between showing up at a polling place and putting their health at risk.
Mustafa Tameez, a Democratic strategist with ties to many of the party’s top donors, noted that Americans voted during World War I and World War II. More recent voting during a crisis came on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, when balloting was already underway but was suspended for two weeks in New York’s mayoral primary because of the terrorist attacks.
“There should be no circumstance in which we say, because of a crisis — regardless of the crisis — that we stop our electoral government,” Tameez said.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Republicans suddenly support a lot of progressive ideas

As America struggles to face a growing coronavirus pandemic , Republicans across the country are adopting and supporting progressive policies to deal with it .
`` We 're facing a serious health crisis , and Utahns shouldn ’ t have to choose between a paycheck and protecting their health , '' Utah Sen. Mitt Romney tweeted on Thursday .
Romney has been one of the leading Republican proponents of increased support from the federal government amid the outbreak , which has sidelined masses of non-salaried workers and forced layoffs , leaving untold numbers of Americans with no ability to cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ typically favored limited government interference have also shifted their stances as the virus spreads , supporting progressive policies they may have otherwise derided .
Democrats have long fought for more health care for more people , while Republicans have opposed such actions as `` socialized health care . ''
But in the wake of the current outbreak , many are suddenly embracing the idea that the federal government should foot the bill for coronavirus testing for all Americans , even those without health insurance .
`` You can look at it as socialized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outbreak , a pandemic , what [ are ] your options ? ''
Rep. Ted Yoho , a conservative Florida Republican , said in early March .
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act , which passed the House of Representatives on Saturday , guarantees free coronavirus testing for all Americans .
The bill also increased federal spending on Medicaid .
The bill passed by a margin of 363-40 .
All 40 no votes were from Republicans .
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang centered his campaign on the idea of a universal basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1,000 per month .
On Monday , Sen. Mitt Romney ( R-UT ) proposed a similar idea to help families deal with the economic fallout from the coronavirus .
`` Every American adult should immediately receive a one-time check for $ 1,000 to help ensure families and workers can meet their short-term obligations and increase spending in the economy , '' Romney said in a statement .
Romney noted that the federal government took similar actions in 2001 and 2008 , adding that `` the check will help fill the gaps for Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options . ''
During a press conference Tuesday , Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the administration was `` looking at sending checks to Americans immediately . ''
`` Americans needs cash now and the president wants to get cash now .
And I mean now in the next two weeks , '' he added .
Romney also came out in support of helping students deal with the burden of college debt , a longtime progressive priority .
Romney did not go as far as Democratic presidential candidates like Sens .
Elizabeth Warren and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all student debt .
However , Romney did suggest that recent graduates should be allowed to defer student loans for the time being .
Such a move would `` ease the financial burden on students entering the workforce , '' Romney said in his statement .
Romney also suggested adjusting Pell Grants to help students deal with `` unexpected travel , housing , and storage purchases '' caused by the outbreak .
Ever since Connecticut became the first state in the nation to mandate paid sick leave for employees , progressives have pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
In his 2015 State of the Union address , President Barack Obama called for Congress to pass a law mandating at least seven days of paid sick leave for employees across the nation .
Conservative politicians balked at the idea , and the GOP-led Congress never sent such a bill to Obama 's desk .
Amid the raging coronavirus outbreak , however , Republicans seem to have had a change of heart .
With schools shutting down and health experts advising anyone with symptoms to stay home from work , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the House on Saturday mandates paid sick leave for some people impacted by the pandemic .
According to the Washington Post , the bill specifically provides two weeks of paid sick leave to most employees , and additional paid leave for parents of children in schools that have closed because of the crisis .
On the other hand ...
While Republicans are supporting some progressive priorities , the political landscape has not completely changed .
Progressive advocates are pushing for states to increase ease and access to vote by mail policies .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for the idea among Republican lawmakers or governors .
And despite the global health pandemic , Republicans are still fighting in court to overturn the Affordable Care Act .
If Republicans are successful , millions of Americans could lose health insurance and health insurance companies could once again deny coverage for people with preexisting conditions .
The lawsuit is supported by a coalition of GOP-led states and the Trump administration .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As America struggles to face a growing coronavirus pandemic, Republicans across the country are adopting and supporting progressive policies to deal with it.
“We’re facing a serious health crisis, and Utahns shouldn’t have to choose between a paycheck and protecting their health,” Utah Sen. Mitt Romney tweeted on Thursday.
Romney has been one of the leading Republican proponents of increased support from the federal government amid the outbreak, which has sidelined masses of non-salaried workers and forced layoffs, leaving untold numbers of Americans with no ability to cover their bills.
Other Republicans who have typically favored limited government interference have also shifted their stances as the virus spreads, supporting progressive policies they may have otherwise derided.
Socialized health care
Democrats have long fought for more health care for more people, while Republicans have opposed such actions as “socialized health care.” But in the wake of the current outbreak, many are suddenly embracing the idea that the federal government should foot the bill for coronavirus testing for all Americans, even those without health insurance.
“You can look at it as socialized medicine, but in the face of an outbreak, a pandemic, what [are] your options?” Rep. Ted Yoho, a conservative Florida Republican, said in early March.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which passed the House of Representatives on Saturday, guarantees free coronavirus testing for all Americans. The bill also increased federal spending on Medicaid.
The bill passed by a margin of 363-40. All 40 no votes were from Republicans.
Universal basic income
Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang centered his campaign on the idea of a universal basic income, providing every American with $1,000 per month.
On Monday, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) proposed a similar idea to help families deal with the economic fallout from the coronavirus.
“Every American adult should immediately receive a one-time check for $1,000 to help ensure families and workers can meet their short-term obligations and increase spending in the economy,” Romney said in a statement. Romney noted that the federal government took similar actions in 2001 and 2008, adding that “the check will help fill the gaps for Americans that may not quickly navigate different government options.”
During a press conference Tuesday, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said the administration was “looking at sending checks to Americans immediately.”
“Americans needs cash now and the president wants to get cash now. And I mean now in the next two weeks,” he added.
Student loan debt
Romney also came out in support of helping students deal with the burden of college debt, a longtime progressive priority. Romney did not go as far as Democratic presidential candidates like Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who have proposed forgiving all student debt.
However, Romney did suggest that recent graduates should be allowed to defer student loans for the time being. Such a move would “ease the financial burden on students entering the workforce,” Romney said in his statement.
Romney also suggested adjusting Pell Grants to help students deal with “unexpected travel, housing, and storage purchases” caused by the outbreak.
Paid sick leave
Ever since Connecticut became the first state in the nation to mandate paid sick leave for employees, progressives have pushed for more states and localities to implement it. In his 2015 State of the Union address, President Barack Obama called for Congress to pass a law mandating at least seven days of paid sick leave for employees across the nation.
Conservative politicians balked at the idea, and the GOP-led Congress never sent such a bill to Obama’s desk.
Amid the raging coronavirus outbreak, however, Republicans seem to have had a change of heart. With schools shutting down and health experts advising anyone with symptoms to stay home from work, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act that passed the House on Saturday mandates paid sick leave for some people impacted by the pandemic.
According to the Washington Post, the bill specifically provides two weeks of paid sick leave to most employees, and additional paid leave for parents of children in schools that have closed because of the crisis.
On the other hand…
While Republicans are supporting some progressive priorities, the political landscape has not completely changed.
Progressive advocates are pushing for states to increase ease and access to vote by mail policies. As of Tuesday, there was no widespread support for the idea among Republican lawmakers or governors.
And despite the global health pandemic, Republicans are still fighting in court to overturn the Affordable Care Act. If Republicans are successful, millions of Americans could lose health insurance and health insurance companies could once again deny coverage for people with preexisting conditions.
The lawsuit is supported by a coalition of GOP-led states and the Trump administration.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Rubio: 'Now is not that time' to look into Trump's coronavirus failings

'We will have time , later on in the future , to examine all the decisions that were made , @ @ @ @ @ this week .
From the March 17 edition of Fox News ' `` Fox & @ @ @ @ @ RUBIO ( R-FL ) : This is a huge event that 's happening and for @ @ @ @ @ impactful .
That makes partisan bickering and potshots at this point trivial .
We will @ @ @ @ @ in the future , to examine all the decisions that were made and to figure @ @ @ @ @ we can prevent it from happening again .
And people will be held to account @ @ @ @ @ time .
Now is the time to act , to keep this from being worse @ @ @ @ @ , and we ca n't do that if we spend all our time taking political @ @ @ @ @ purity .

From the March 17 edition of Fox News’ “Fox & Friends”:
SEN. MARCO RUBIO (R-FL): This is a huge event that’s happening and for our country it’s very impactful. That makes partisan bickering and potshots at this point trivial. We will have time, later on in the future, to examine all the decisions that were made and to figure out who made mistakes so we can prevent it from happening again. And people will be held to account.
Now is not that time.
Now is the time to act, to keep this from being worse than it needs to be, and we can’t do that if we spend all our time taking political potshots or arguing over ideological purity.


shareblue--2020-03-17--Trump attacks governor who called on him to 'step up' coronavirus response

Donald Trump on Tuesday lashed out at yet another Democratic governor who had criticized the federal government 's response to the novel coronavirus , calling Michigan 's Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer `` failing . ''
`` Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive , '' Trump tweeted .
`` We are pushing her to get the job done .
I stand with Michigan ! ''
Initially , it seemed like Trump 's comment was out of the blue .
However , his tweet came just minutes after Whitmer went on MSNBC to talk about the measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus and criticizing the initial slow response of the federal government .
Whitmer appeared on MSNBC starting at 9:10 a.m. , and Trump fired off his tweet at 9:27 a.m. '' At the end of the day , we have to make decisions based on the best science , best facts and what 's in the best interest of the public health , and places of mass congregation are where this virus continues to spread , '' Whitmer said on MSNBC , explaining her decision to close schools and shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to flatten the curve , we need to be aggressive on the front end .
The federal government did not take this seriously early enough and now it is on us to make sure we 're doing everything we can based on the best facts and science available and that we are always putting the health of our people front and center , '' Whitmer added .
Trump 's tweet appears to be politicizing the coronavirus pandemic , telling Michiganders that he is taking care of them better than their Democratic governor — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak .
Trump carried Michigan by just 0.3 % in 2016 and is trying to keep the state in his corner in his 2020 reelection bid .
Whitmer responded to Trump 's attack with a thread laying out a timeline of what she 's done for her state .
`` Now that I ’ ve got your attention , Mr. President — attack tweets won ’ t solve this crisis .
But swift and clear guidance , tests , personal protective equipment , and resources would .
FYI - here ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' she tweeted , listing off things such as instituting copay waivers for Medicaid recipients in her state , closing schools , banning gatherings of more than 50 people , and expanding unemployment benefits .
Whitmer is not the first governor Trump has attacked amid the outbreak .
He 's been attacking Gov .
Andrew Cuomo for two days after the New York Democrat asked Trump to call in the Army Corps of Engineers to increase hospital capacity to ensure all critical cases can be treated .
`` Cuomo wants 'all states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But all states aren ’ t the same .
Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus , some are being hit practically not at all .
New York is a very big 'hotspot ' , West Virginia has , thus far , zero cases .
Andrew , keep politics out of it , '' Trump tweeted , using racist terminology to describe the new coronavirus .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Tuesday lashed out at yet another Democratic governor who had criticized the federal government’s response to the novel coronavirus, calling Michigan’s Gov. Gretchen Whitmer “failing.”
“Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive,” Trump tweeted. “We are pushing her to get the job done. I stand with Michigan!”
Initially, it seemed like Trump’s comment was out of the blue.
However, his tweet came just minutes after Whitmer went on MSNBC to talk about the measures she was taking to stop the spread of the virus and criticizing the initial slow response of the federal government.
Whitmer appeared on MSNBC starting at 9:10 a.m., and Trump fired off his tweet at 9:27 a.m.
“At the end of the day, we have to make decisions based on the best science, best facts and what’s in the best interest of the public health, and places of mass congregation are where this virus continues to spread,” Whitmer said on MSNBC, explaining her decision to close schools and shut down bars and restaurants.
“In order to flatten the curve, we need to be aggressive on the front end. The federal government did not take this seriously early enough and now it is on us to make sure we’re doing everything we can based on the best facts and science available and that we are always putting the health of our people front and center,” Whitmer added.
Trump’s tweet appears to be politicizing the coronavirus pandemic, telling Michiganders that he is taking care of them better than their Democratic governor — even though Trump condemned those who politicized the outbreak.
Trump carried Michigan by just 0.3% in 2016 and is trying to keep the state in his corner in his 2020 reelection bid.
Whitmer responded to Trump’s attack with a thread laying out a timeline of what she’s done for her state.
“Now that I’ve got your attention, Mr. President — attack tweets won’t solve this crisis. But swift and clear guidance, tests, personal protective equipment, and resources would. FYI – here’s what I’ve done so far,” she tweeted, listing off things such as instituting copay waivers for Medicaid recipients in her state, closing schools, banning gatherings of more than 50 people, and expanding unemployment benefits.
Whitmer is not the first governor Trump has attacked amid the outbreak.
He’s been attacking Gov. Andrew Cuomo for two days after the New York Democrat asked Trump to call in the Army Corps of Engineers to increase hospital capacity to ensure all critical cases can be treated.
“Cuomo wants ‘all states to be treated the same.’ But all states aren’t the same. Some are being hit hard by the Chinese Virus, some are being hit practically not at all. New York is a very big ‘hotspot’, West Virginia has, thus far, zero cases. Andrew, keep politics out of it,” Trump tweeted, using racist terminology to describe the new coronavirus.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-03-18--Brand-new GOP senator working hard to prove she's an anti-abortion extremist

Sen. Kelly Loeffler ( R-GA ) is brand-new to the job , but she 's already working to burnish her anti-abortion credentials by pushing a bill that would require mandatory counseling and waiting periods nationwide .
Loeffler took office in January 2020 after being appointed to the seat vacated by the retiring Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson by Georgia 's anti-abortion governor , Brian Kemp .
At first , she did n't have the backing of anti-abortion groups such as the Susan B. Anthony List .
Those groups tend to find any connection to pro-choice organizations , no matter how tenuous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a WNBA team , and the WNBA has worked with Planned Parenthood in the past .
She also sits on the board of Grady Memorial Hospital , which is affiliated with Emory University ; Emory trains people to perform abortions .
Anti-abortion groups framed these relatively insubstantial links as `` deep ties to the abortion industry '' and did n't want to see Loeffler nominated to fill the seat .
However , the influential head of Susan B. Anthony List , Marjorie Dannenfelser , has since said she changed her mind about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ backing a bill in Georgia that would have functionally blocked abortions at the six-week mark .
That law is currently blocked by a federal court order .
Now that she 's in office , Loeffler wants to make sure she 's known as an anti-abortion stalwart , given that Republican politicians often depend on the support of groups like Susan B. Anthony List , when she stands for election in November of this year .
She recently boasted of her `` pro-life focus '' and that she 's already sponsored four anti-abortion bills @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently introduced would require what is termed `` informed consent , '' but is really a 24-hour waiting period with mandatory `` counseling '' for anyone seeking an abortion .
NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia director Laura Simmons said in a statement , `` Introducing [ this bill ] is a fitting next step in Senator Loeffler 's initiation into the extreme anti-choice movement that she hopes will fire up a fringe base needed to deliver her an electoral victory . ''
Research shows that most people who decide they want an abortion are very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requirements unnecessary .
Instead , counseling often forces doctors to provide incorrect information about the ostensible risks of abortion .
It can also drive up the cost of abortions when , as they would be under Loeffler 's bill , doctors are required to provide the information personally rather than allowing a nurse or other health care professional to deliver it .
The mandatory waiting period could also result in abortions being delayed .
Indeed , people seeking abortions in states with waiting periods often endure delays several times longer than the actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues .
Laws such as these are designed to make abortions harder to obtain .
Imposing them via a federal law would result in later and more costly abortions nationwide .
It also imposes an anti-choice worldview on states in which a majority of people fully support abortion rights .
Meanwhile , Loeffler will continue to court anti-abortion donors .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) is brand-new to the job, but she’s already working to burnish her anti-abortion credentials by pushing a bill that would require mandatory counseling and waiting periods nationwide.
Loeffler took office in January 2020 after being appointed to the seat vacated by the retiring Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson by Georgia’s anti-abortion governor, Brian Kemp.
At first, she didn’t have the backing of anti-abortion groups such as the Susan B. Anthony List. Those groups tend to find any connection to pro-choice organizations, no matter how tenuous, disqualifying.
Loeffler is the co-owner of a WNBA team, and the WNBA has worked with Planned Parenthood in the past. She also sits on the board of Grady Memorial Hospital, which is affiliated with Emory University; Emory trains people to perform abortions.
Anti-abortion groups framed these relatively insubstantial links as “deep ties to the abortion industry” and didn’t want to see Loeffler nominated to fill the seat. However, the influential head of Susan B. Anthony List, Marjorie Dannenfelser, has since said she changed her mind about Loeffler.
Loeffler courted anti-abortion activists by backing a bill in Georgia that would have functionally blocked abortions at the six-week mark. That law is currently blocked by a federal court order.
Now that she’s in office, Loeffler wants to make sure she’s known as an anti-abortion stalwart, given that Republican politicians often depend on the support of groups like Susan B. Anthony List, when she stands for election in November of this year. She recently boasted of her “pro-life focus” and that she’s already sponsored four anti-abortion bills since taking office.
The bill she recently introduced would require what is termed “informed consent,” but is really a 24-hour waiting period with mandatory “counseling” for anyone seeking an abortion.
NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia director Laura Simmons said in a statement, “Introducing [this bill] is a fitting next step in Senator Loeffler’s initiation into the extreme anti-choice movement that she hopes will fire up a fringe base needed to deliver her an electoral victory.”
Research shows that most people who decide they want an abortion are very sure of their choice, making counseling requirements unnecessary. Instead, counseling often forces doctors to provide incorrect information about the ostensible risks of abortion.
It can also drive up the cost of abortions when, as they would be under Loeffler’s bill, doctors are required to provide the information personally rather than allowing a nurse or other health care professional to deliver it.
The mandatory waiting period could also result in abortions being delayed. Indeed, people seeking abortions in states with waiting periods often endure delays several times longer than the actual waiting period due to cost and logistical issues.
Laws such as these are designed to make abortions harder to obtain. Imposing them via a federal law would result in later and more costly abortions nationwide. It also imposes an anti-choice worldview on states in which a majority of people fully support abortion rights. Meanwhile, Loeffler will continue to court anti-abortion donors.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.