dailykos--2020-03-21--Can a Pandemic Restore Humanity?

Can a Pandemic Restore Humanity?

When Albert Camus published his allegorical story The Plague in 1947 about a deadly plague sweeping the French city of Oran in 1849 , he raised a number of questions about the nature of the human condition .
“ I have no idea what 's awaiting me , or what will happen when this all ends , ” one of his characters says .
Later Camus reflects that “ a loveless world is a dead world , and always there comes an hour …when all one craves for is a loved face , the warmth and wonder of a loving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a dystopian world of rapidly spreading disease , political despair and economic disaster , Camus ’ s words have renewed meaning .
They help us remember what is truly important in a world in which we find ourselves increasingly isolated from each other , not only now in an abundance of caution , but because of growing isolation derived from social media in a computer age which fosters disconnection from each other .
That kind of solitude has meant a notable decline in courtesy , responsiveness , and compassion such that we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to each other , to check on each other , to truly care about others .
Our communities are now virtual to a large extent and loneliness has crept into the lives of many , especially those with limited mobility or age-related restrictions .
We have for too long been disinterested in others and disconnected from each other .
Basic responsiveness and reciprocity have all but disappeared .
Now we find ourselves living on a planet spiraling out of control , its inhabitants pleading for a return to safety , and a return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost as if a higher order – some may call it God – is begging us to return to our fundamental humanity before it ’ s too late .
The earth itself seems to weep for what we ’ ve lost by casting upon us catastrophic floods , fires , and famine as we struggle to survive and now to cling to hope .
Of course , there are those among us who bear witness and who offer heart-based action .
We donate money , share information , and volunteer while learning to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are knowing how much we need each other for comfort and survival , practically and emotionally .
We recognize our shared fragility and reach out to each other with virtual hugs .
In contrast there will always be those people who don ’ t look beyond themselves and who ignore and exploit others while remaining complacent , and even finding perverse pleasure in their ignorance and selfishness .
We may never be able to expect more of them .
As a Facebook post admonished , “ Next time you want to judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war-torn lands , remember that we fought over toilet paper.
” But the vast majority of us realize the urgency of compassionate , face-to-face interactive community .
We often mourn the downside of computer-driven solitude and work-from-home opportunities , even though now our solitude and work are relieved by computer connection .
Perhaps above all , we understand more than ever what can happen when our political leadership fails us and what we can do for each other in the face of such failure .
Still we carry on , and hopefully grow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , separative crisis .
We offer virtual hugs and comfort , not in fear and despair so much as with the knowledge that our aloneness is no longer sufficient once we reach a new normal .
We understand that we must actively and visibly renew our obligation to , and affection for one another .
Perhaps in that renewed knowing we can dare to steward ourselves toward a new world in which we shepherd each other back to a place where we can once again wrap our arms around each other in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Winston Churchill once said , “ brace ourselves … [ and be able once again ] to say , This was [ our ] finest hour.
” A despairing F. Scott Fitzgerald , quarantined in 1920 as a result of the Spanish flu , was able to write to a friend , “ I weep for the damned eventualities this future brings .
… And yet , … I focus on a single strain of light , calling me forth to believe in a better tomorrow.
” Even more inspiring is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Francisco poet , called Pandemic , circulating online , in which she writes , “ Know that you are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful .
Know that our lives are in one another ’ s hands .
Reach out your hearts .
Reach out your words .
Reach out the tendrils of compassion that move , invisibly , where we can not touch .
Promise this world your love – for better for for worse , in sickness and health , so long as we all shall live .
”

When Albert Camus published his allegorical story The Plague in 1947 about a deadly plague sweeping the French city of Oran in 1849, he raised a number of questions about the nature of the human condition. “I have no idea what's awaiting me, or what will happen when this all ends,” one of his characters says. Later Camus reflects that “a loveless world is a dead world, and always there comes an hour …when all one craves for is a loved face, the warmth and wonder of a loving heart.”
As we share the experience of a dystopian world of rapidly spreading disease, political despair and economic disaster, Camus’s words have renewed meaning. They help us remember what is truly important in a world in which we find ourselves increasingly isolated from each other, not only now in an abundance of caution, but because of growing isolation derived from social media in a computer age which fosters disconnection from each other.
That kind of solitude has meant a notable decline in courtesy, responsiveness, and compassion such that we no longer feel it necessary to respond to each other, to check on each other, to truly care about others. Our communities are now virtual to a large extent and loneliness has crept into the lives of many, especially those with limited mobility or age-related restrictions.
We have for too long been disinterested in others and disconnected from each other. Basic responsiveness and reciprocity have all but disappeared. Now we find ourselves living on a planet spiraling out of control, its inhabitants pleading for a return to safety, and a return to communal well-being. It’s almost as if a higher order – some may call it God – is begging us to return to our fundamental humanity before it’s too late.
The earth itself seems to weep for what we’ve lost by casting upon us catastrophic floods, fires, and famine as we struggle to survive and now to cling to hope.
Of course, there are those among us who bear witness and who offer heart-based action. We donate money, share information, and volunteer while learning to grasp the lessons of isolation, among which are knowing how much we need each other for comfort and survival, practically and emotionally. We recognize our shared fragility and reach out to each other with virtual hugs.
In contrast there will always be those people who don’t look beyond themselves and who ignore and exploit others while remaining complacent, and even finding perverse pleasure in their ignorance and selfishness. We may never be able to expect more of them. As a Facebook post admonished, “Next time you want to judge boat people, refugees, migrants fleeing war-torn lands, remember that we fought over toilet paper.”
But the vast majority of us realize the urgency of compassionate, face-to-face interactive community. We often mourn the downside of computer-driven solitude and work-from-home opportunities, even though now our solitude and work are relieved by computer connection. Perhaps above all, we understand more than ever what can happen when our political leadership fails us and what we can do for each other in the face of such failure.
Still we carry on, and hopefully grow from the current experience of this shared, separative crisis. We offer virtual hugs and comfort, not in fear and despair so much as with the knowledge that our aloneness is no longer sufficient once we reach a new normal. We understand that we must actively and visibly renew our obligation to, and affection for one another. Perhaps in that renewed knowing we can dare to steward ourselves toward a new world in which we shepherd each other back to a place where we can once again wrap our arms around each other in the knowledge that together, we can, as Winston Churchill once said, “brace ourselves … [and be able once again] to say, This was [our] finest hour.”
A despairing F. Scott Fitzgerald, quarantined in 1920 as a result of the Spanish flu, was able to write to a friend, “I weep for the damned eventualities this future brings. … And yet, … I focus on a single strain of light, calling me forth to believe in a better tomorrow.”
Even more inspiring is a poem by Lynn Ungar, a San Francisco poet, called Pandemic, circulating online, in which she writes, “Know that you are connected in ways that are terrifying and beautiful. Know that our lives are in one another’s hands. Reach out your hearts. Reach out your words. Reach out the tendrils of compassion that move, invisibly, where we cannot touch. Promise this world your love – for better for for worse, in sickness and health, so long as we all shall live.”
Amen.
# # #
Elayne Clift writes from Saxtons River. Vt. www.elayne-clift.com


dailykos--2020-03-21--The Prevaricator in Chief

The Prevaricator in Chief

Trump is a pathological prevaricator !
One reason he can not help but lie , even though he may be aware he has previously espoused the opposite view , is his mental illness !
He can not ever be wrong in his own mind .
He can never be anything but the smartest , most brilliant mind on the planet .
His mental facility will allow for no other conclusions , so in his diseased mind , whatever he is saying currently has to be the truth because he can not perceive that he has ever made an incorrect decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
Find me one instance where he has taken credit for a misstep or admitted he was wrong about something , in his entire life !
This makes him dangerous because he will bomb people , let more people die in a pandemic , let potentates murder , rather than admit he is not perfect !
Then when the whole world is calling him out , all of a sudden he claims he has always known it was a pandemic , in this latest example , and claims he was the first to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated views were just the opposite only days ago !
He has a mental disease , he should not be anywhere near the power centers of our country .
I can not believe that everyone can not see this !

Trump is a pathological prevaricator! One reason he cannot help but lie, even though he may be aware he has previously espoused the opposite view, is his mental illness! He cannot ever be wrong in his own mind. He can never be anything but the smartest, most brilliant mind on the planet. His mental facility will allow for no other conclusions, so in his diseased mind, whatever he is saying currently has to be the truth because he cannot perceive that he has ever made an incorrect decision or ever been in error, ever! Find me one instance where he has taken credit for a misstep or admitted he was wrong about something, in his entire life! This makes him dangerous because he will bomb people, let more people die in a pandemic, let potentates murder, rather than admit he is not perfect! Then when the whole world is calling him out, all of a sudden he claims he has always known it was a pandemic, in this latest example, and claims he was the first to say so, while his opinions and stated views were just the opposite only days ago! He has a mental disease, he should not be anywhere near the power centers of our country. I cannot believe that everyone cannot see this!


dailykos--2020-03-20--All Three Major US Stock Indexes Post Worst Week Since October 2008

The Dow closed 913 points , or 4.6 % lower , dropping 17.3 % this week .
The index has now erased all of the gains accumulated during the Trump administration .
The S & P 500 finished down 4.3 % .
It fell 15 % on the week .
The Nasdaq Composite slipped 3.8 % , for a 12.6 % loss this week .
It is a notable that only a week ago , Trump was giving out signed copies of the Dow ’ s biggest one-day point gain of 1,294 points .
Of course , that one-day gain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but really , who ’ s counting As has already been noted by most news outlets , The Dow Jones has already lost every single bit of gain during Trump ’ s occupancy — but it looks like the downward trend is likely to continue for awhile yet .
While in office , Trump hasn ’ t had many accomplishments to brag about .
And presiding over a growing economy doesn ’ t really show that he accomplished much of anything , but I supposed that never stopped him from bragging about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in my view , if there was one thing he would really take credit for , is just how badly the economy has tanked since then .
The fact is that while COVID-19 may be the catalyst for an economic downturn , it is a recession that Trump entirely owns .
Tax cuts and a trillion dollar deficit , thanks to Trump Add in how Trump ’ s botched handling of the COVID-19 made markets even more chaotic than they otherwise would have been , and it is all an entire economic recession @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can directly be attributed to Trump .
Should be unsurprising , given how many times his own businesses had to file for bankruptcy .
Guess what !
Now he doesn ’ t just run businesses into the ground , his claim to fame will be that he does it to countries , too .
Although Trump and his regime like Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin are now trying to push through economic stimulus that could help prop up the economy , the fact is , it just doesn ’ t change the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to point to , and a whole lot more reasons for his detractors to point to his impact actually making things worse .
I guess I shouldn ’ t hold my breath waiting for Trump to release another hand-signed stock market chart anytime soon .

Stocks log worst week since 2008: March 20, 2020
The Dow closed 913 points, or 4.6% lower, dropping 17.3%this week. The index has now erased all of the gains accumulated during the Trump administration. The S&P 500 finished down 4.3%. It fell 15% on the week. The Nasdaq Composite slipped 3.8%, for a 12.6% loss this week.
It is a notable that only a week ago, Trump was giving out signed copies of the Dow’s biggest one-day point gain of 1,294 points.
Of course, that one-day gain was among a bunch of record-setting losses, but really, who’s counting
As has already been noted by most news outlets, The Dow Jones has already lost every single bit of gain during Trump’s occupancy — but it looks like the downward trend is likely to continue for awhile yet.
trump’s inauguration close today dow (DJIA) 19,805 19,174 S&P 500 2,272 2,305 NASDAQ 5,556 6,880
While in office, Trump hasn’t had many accomplishments to brag about. And presiding over a growing economy doesn’t really show that he accomplished much of anything, but I supposed that never stopped him from bragging about it.
On the other hand, in my view, if there was one thing he would really take credit for, is just how badly the economy has tanked since then.
The fact is that while COVID-19 may be the catalyst for an economic downturn, it is a recession that Trump entirely owns.
Yet policymakers decided to inject costly stimulus into what was already the longest economic expansion in American history. The Federal Reserve, seeking to counter damage caused by the US-China trade war, fired off three of its remaining nine interest rate cuts in 2019.
A trade war that Trump engineered
Worse, Congress and the White House borrowed heavily to pay for spending surges and tax cuts to juice growth. None of it lived up to the hype. Now the bill is still coming due. The federal deficit topped $1 trillion in 2019 , long before the coronavirus outbreak struck.
Tax cuts and a trillion dollar deficit, thanks to Trump
Add in how Trump’s botched handling of the COVID-19 made markets even more chaotic than they otherwise would have been, and it is all an entire economic recession — perhaps even a depression — that can directly be attributed to Trump. Should be unsurprising, given how many times his own businesses had to file for bankruptcy. Guess what! Now he doesn’t just run businesses into the ground, his claim to fame will be that he does it to countries, too.
Although Trump and his regime like Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin are now trying to push through economic stimulus that could help prop up the economy, the fact is, it just doesn’t change the fact that Trump no longer has any economic growth to point to, and a whole lot more reasons for his detractors to point to his impact actually making things worse.
I guess I shouldn’t hold my breath waiting for Trump to release another hand-signed stock market chart anytime soon.


dailykos--2020-03-20--My thoughts on Mitch McConnell's Corporate Relief Bill

Hello , everyone .
Here is a quick distillation of what the Hello , everyone .
Here is a quick @ @ @ @ @ McConnell Corporate Relief Bill looks like : The wealthy will get more relief than people @ @ @ @ @ Corporations can get tax breaks from years before COVID-19 , which means write-offs that have @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
The bill includes big , permanent tax breaks that will stay in place @ @ @ @ @ — perfect for McConnell ’ s additional corporate tax cuts .
There is a paucity @ @ @ @ @ , yet big bailouts to big companies .
Hugely inadequate aid to hospitals , state @ @ @ @ @ , and labs ( even those workers most at risk ) Tinkling amount of funding @ @ @ @ @ enforcement .
There is no additional assistance for food banks or nutrition assistance for the @ @ @ @ @ .
It appears that Mitch McConnell ’ s bill does not offer the relief that @ @ @ @ @ .
Is

Hello, everyone. Here is a quick distillation of what the
Hello, everyone. Here is a quick distillation of what the Mitch McConnell Corporate Relief Bill looks like:
The wealthy will get more relief than people making under $40,000.
Corporations can get tax breaks from years before COVID-19, which means write-offs that have nothing to do with the pandemic.
The bill includes big, permanent tax breaks that will stay in place long after coronavirus is eradicated — perfect for McConnell’s additional corporate tax cuts.
There is a paucity of funds for public health, yet big bailouts to big companies.
Hugely inadequate aid to hospitals, state and local public health agencies, and labs (even those workers most at risk)
Tinkling amount of funding for first responders and law enforcement.
There is no additional assistance for food banks or nutrition assistance for the nation’s most vulnerable.


dailykos--2020-04-16--Donald Trump Knocks the WHO with His Own Eminence Front

As I ’ m sure is no surprise to anyone who accidentally happens to read this missive our president today decided to cease funding the World Health Organization because he felt they could have done more to contain COVID-19 at it ’ s alleged genesis in China .
I ’ m using the word “ alleged ” because whether or not it was confirmed where it came from is immaterial .
Our Oval Office occupant appears to demonize whatever group is expedient to distract his supports and detractors from seeing his own short comings .
We already know Donald Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a new biological threat .
Obama ’ s administration briefed him on it before handing over the keys to the car , and he has since received advanced warning from the CDC and other reputable sources , the WHO being but one .
This is besides the point .
The POINT is if our nation were all shoved into a Smart Car and Trump were at the wheel he ’ d slash its tires fifty miles before we were were to arrive at our destination .
As we walked in the cold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Deal would blame the Smart car .
Whether or not the WHO could have done things differently doesn ’ t make the president ’ s decision anything other than pound foolish , as it fails to A .
Provide us with a more efficient vehicle to deal with the problem , and B .
It slashes that vehicle ’ s tires .
Does anyone feel relieved that we gave the WHO a what-for and they ’ ll hence be even less equipped to operate ?
Does anyone feel that we ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our collective car insurance by switching to no insurance ?
If answered yes to either the latter or former , may I present exhibit A ?
Shortly after President Trump took the helm he made it his mission to SEEM like he was doing something about illegal immigration .
Now , many of the immigrants who were making the pilgrimage through Mexico were Hondurans , Salvadorans , and Guatemalans .
You know .
Third world countries .
The kind a bit shy on resources .
The U.S.A. hadpreviously been providing aid to these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — but Donald decided why reward bad behavior ?
He cut that $ 1.5 billion in funding .
Only — wtf ?
!
— this resulted in even MORE immigrants leaving those countries and rising north like leavened bread .
Whatever could be the reason ?
Shouldn ’ t Donald Trump ’ s overtures to cease rewarding bad behavior have made it , like , you know , cease ?
Yet the Donald found himself politically embarrassed .
It ’ s as though the faucet was on , and he turned the knob @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The low-resourced governments of these Central American nations were already working on fumes .
The Donald siphoned even more from them and they then had even less resources to address municipal problems such as gang crime , one of the lead motivators people wanted to take their children and run .
Mayhap , he might have considered actually BOOSTING the aid we were giving those nations ( granted , with riders that would enable us to see that those funds were being invested , such that , it would make they nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ recourse and resources for the retention of their populations .
In doing so there would have been less pilgrims , and Donald Trump might have actually achieved much of his end .
Notice , there was no wall needed in the math .
I won ’ t bore you with more exhibits .
My point is plain .
Trump ’ s penchant for zigging when he should zag should have become a little suspicious to people by now .
I don ’ t think he ’ s half as dumb as he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you .
It ’ s a front .
An obvious front .
Dare I say , an eminence front .
He ’ s actually doing the bidding of real billionaires who like their labor cheap and the jobs they “ create ” slashed by events that appear to this nation , as though , through no fault of their own { CoughCOVID-19cough } .
Did these parties invent this critter plaguing us ?
I make no such aspersion .
However , why let such a perfectly good crisis go to waste ?

As I’m sure is no surprise to anyone who accidentally happens to read this missive our president today decided to cease funding the World Health Organization because he felt they could have done more to contain COVID-19 at it’s alleged genesis in China. I’m using the word “alleged” because whether or not it was confirmed where it came from is immaterial. Our Oval Office occupant appears to demonize whatever group is expedient to distract his supports and detractors from seeing his own short comings. We already know Donald Trump had plenty of notice regarding the likelihood of a new biological threat. Obama’s administration briefed him on it before handing over the keys to the car, and he has since received advanced warning from the CDC and other reputable sources, the WHO being but one.
This is besides the point. The POINT is if our nation were all shoved into a Smart Car and Trump were at the wheel he’d slash its tires fifty miles before we were were to arrive at our destination. As we walked in the cold to reach our rendezvous the Master of the Deal would blame the Smart car. Whether or not the WHO could have done things differently doesn’t make the president’s decision anything other than pound foolish, as it fails to A. Provide us with a more efficient vehicle to deal with the problem, and B. It slashes that vehicle’s tires. Does anyone feel relieved that we gave the WHO a what-for and they’ll hence be even less equipped to operate? Does anyone feel that we’ve just saved a boatload of money on our collective car insurance by switching to no insurance? If answered yes to either the latter or former, may I present exhibit A?
Shortly after President Trump took the helm he made it his mission to SEEM like he was doing something about illegal immigration. Now, many of the immigrants who were making the pilgrimage through Mexico were Hondurans, Salvadorans, and Guatemalans. You know. Third world countries. The kind a bit shy on resources. The U.S.A. hadpreviously been providing aid to these nations — some ½ billion a piece — but Donald decided why reward bad behavior? He cut that $1.5 billion in funding. Only — wtf?! — this resulted in even MORE immigrants leaving those countries and rising north like leavened bread. Whatever could be the reason? Shouldn’t Donald Trump’s overtures to cease rewarding bad behavior have made it, like, you know, cease? Yet the Donald found himself politically embarrassed. It’s as though the faucet was on, and he turned the knob the wrong way. Because he did. The low-resourced governments of these Central American nations were already working on fumes. The Donald siphoned even more from them and they then had even less resources to address municipal problems such as gang crime, one of the lead motivators people wanted to take their children and run. Mayhap, he might have considered actually BOOSTING the aid we were giving those nations (granted, with riders that would enable us to see that those funds were being invested, such that, it would make they nations more inhabitable) thereby boosting those governments’ recourse and resources for the retention of their populations. In doing so there would have been less pilgrims, and Donald Trump might have actually achieved much of his end. Notice, there was no wall needed in the math.
I won’t bore you with more exhibits. My point is plain. Trump’s penchant for zigging when he should zag should have become a little suspicious to people by now. I don’t think he’s half as dumb as he pretends to be, and neither should you. It’s a front. An obvious front. Dare I say, an eminence front. He’s actually doing the bidding of real billionaires who like their labor cheap and the jobs they “create” slashed by events that appear to this nation, as though, through no fault of their own {CoughCOVID-19cough}. Did these parties invent this critter plaguing us? I make no such aspersion. However, why let such a perfectly good crisis go to waste?


dailykos--2020-01-07--We're living in the age of Paralysis.

We're living in the age of Paralysis.

If there ’ s one thing that annoys me more than anything about the past 50+ years of politics , it ’ s how pointless all the paralysis has been .
We used to build great works , whole new forms of science , plan to go to the moon , do the impossible together with our shared effort .
Now — we struggle to expand Medicare .
No — we struggle to even dare to DREAM of expanding Medicare .
And we don ’ t even dream of fighting the causes of that paralysis .
We let the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war and endless cruelty .
The rest of us have to be ‘ realists ’ and deny any dreams of a better future , or get shouted down by the rest of the “ left ” — as if refusing to fight for something more than the slowest of increments was the only winning strategy .
It all just seems so absurd — like this was some toy of a simulation of a political system , not a real one with real people .
Because it just doesn ’ t seem like real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so long .
Anyone else feel like that about what we accept as politics ?

If there’s one thing that annoys me more than anything about the past 50+ years of politics, it’s how pointless all the paralysis has been.
We used to build great works, whole new forms of science, plan to go to the moon, do the impossible together with our shared effort.
Now — we struggle to expand Medicare. No — we struggle to even dare to DREAM of expanding Medicare.
And we don’t even dream of fighting the causes of that paralysis.
We let the only dreamers be the psychopaths that dream of war and endless cruelty.
The rest of us have to be ‘realists’ and deny any dreams of a better future, or get shouted down by the rest of the “left” — as if refusing to fight for something more than the slowest of increments was the only winning strategy.
It all just seems so absurd — like this was some toy of a simulation of a political system, not a real one with real people.
Because it just doesn’t seem like real people could dream so small, for so long.
Anyone else feel like that about what we accept as politics?


dailykos--2020-01-05--Trump’s Planned War Crimes Are Impeachable

The President of the United States targeted a specific high official of the Iranian government in a military strike , killing Iran ’ s Qasem Soleimani , commander of Iran ’ s notorious “ Quds ” division ( just one of his many titles ) .
An argument exists that such targeted assassinations themselves violate U.S. law .
However , I accept that as a commander of a dangerous , hostile force Soleimani is a “ combatant ” and legitimate target under the rules of war ( not that any war declared by Congress exists ) .
Soleimani led a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to the destabilization of the Middle East .
I do not mourn for him .
Trump ’ s assassination of Soleimani carries great risks .
He was essentially the second most powerful person in the Iranian government .
The blowback from this decision is likely to be substantial , even more destabilizing , and could lead to a major war against Iran .
In response to this danger , Trump has responded with his usual diplomacy via Twitter bluster .
The tweets are full of chest puffing threats to use “ beautiful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make short work of Iran .
Stuff like this : At least he hasn ’ t threatened nukes .
.
.
yet .
However , in one such tweet Trump did threaten to commit war crimes .
52 sites , a number based not on military need or expediency , but rather to match the number of hostages taken 40 years ago .
The problem here is Trump ’ s specific threat to target “ Iranian culture.
” Targeting cultural targets is a war crime , as defined by United States law .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 18 U.S.C .
2441 .
One would hope that “ penalty of death ” part would get the President ’ s attention .
Next , we go to the statute ’ s definition of a war crime .
In essence the United States Code adopts the Geneva and Hague Conventions as United States law .
The most relevant provision of the Hague Convention is Article 27 , which is among those specifically listed as adopted by the United States Criminal Code , and it is rather on point .
Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aimed at “ buildings dedicated to religion , art , science , charitable purposes or historical monuments.
” The Geneva Conventions of 1949 provide for the protection of civilians in occupied areas .
Later variations of the Conventions extend more general protections for civilians against the effects of war .
Perhaps most applicable are Article 52 of Protocol I of the Conventions and Article 53 signed in 1977 .
Article 52 states : Article 53 is even more on point : However , while the United States is a signatory to Protocol I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate as a treaty and it is not incorporated into the United States Criminal Code .
Even so , Article 53 is pretty much a restatement of the above cited Hague Convention , which is adopted by the United States Criminal Code .
Further it is clear what international law in this regard states .
The President of the United States of America clearly tweeted an intent to commit war crimes as defined and prohibited by the United States Criminal Code .
This mere threat is not a crime .
However , should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a crime under the Code .
His Twitter statement is clear evidence of premeditation and planning , which should be viewed as aggravating factors of the offense .
Trump ’ s pardoning of war criminals should also be viewed as evidence of his contempt for the rule of law in this area , and as encouragement for the illegal acts he orders .
It should also be noted that other members of the Administration involved with such planning would be criminally culpable as well , along with any members of the military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President ’ s direction .
I don ’ t make allegations of war crimes without careful consideration .
I am a published author in the field who repudiated false claims of war crimes advanced by Ramsey Clark against the Bush Administration relating to conduct of the first war against Iraq .
What Trump proposes is unquestionably a war crime .

The President of the United States targeted a specific high official of the Iranian government in a military strike, killing Iran’s Qasem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s notorious “Quds” division (just one of his many titles). An argument exists that such targeted assassinations themselves violate U.S. law. However, I accept that as a commander of a dangerous, hostile force Soleimani is a “combatant” and legitimate target under the rules of war (not that any war declared by Congress exists). Soleimani led a force responsible for many deaths, and contributed to the destabilization of the Middle East. I do not mourn for him.
Trump’s assassination of Soleimani carries great risks. He was essentially the second most powerful person in the Iranian government. The blowback from this decision is likely to be substantial, even more destabilizing, and could lead to a major war against Iran. In response to this danger, Trump has responded with his usual diplomacy via Twitter bluster. The tweets are full of chest puffing threats to use “beautiful” high tech American military might to make short work of Iran. Stuff like this:
x The United States just spent Two Trillion Dollars on Military Equipment. We are the biggest and by far the BEST in the World! If Iran attacks an American Base, or any American, we will be sending some of that brand new beautiful equipment their way...and without hesitation! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2020
At least he hasn’t threatened nukes . . . yet. However, in one such tweet Trump did threaten to commit war crimes.
x ....targeted 52 Iranian sites (representing the 52 American hostages taken by Iran many years ago), some at a very high level & important to Iran & the Iranian culture, and those targets, and Iran itself, WILL BE HIT VERY FAST AND VERY HARD. The USA wants no more threats! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 4, 2020
The United States Criminal Code
52 sites, a number based not on military need or expediency, but rather to match the number of hostages taken 40 years ago. The problem here is Trump’s specific threat to target “Iranian culture.” Targeting cultural targets is a war crime, as defined by United States law. Let’s start with that law at 18 U.S.C. 2441.
Whoever, whether inside or outside the United States, commits a war crime, in any of the circumstances described in subsection (b), shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for life or any term of years, or both, and if death results to the victim, shall also be subject to the penalty of death.
One would hope that “penalty of death” part would get the President’s attention. Next, we go to the statute’s definition of a war crime.
(c) Definition. — As used in this section the term “war crime” means any conduct — (1) defined as a grave breach in any of the international conventions signed at Geneva 12 August 1949, or any protocol to such convention to which the United States is a party; (2) prohibited by Article 23, 25, 27, or 28 of the Annex to the Hague Convention IV, Respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land, signed 18 October 1907
In essence the United States Code adopts the Geneva and Hague Conventions as United States law.
The Hague Conventions
The most relevant provision of the Hague Convention is Article 27, which is among those specifically listed as adopted by the United States Criminal Code, and it is rather on point.
Art. 27. In sieges and bombardments all necessary steps must be taken to spare, as far as possible, buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals, and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not being used at the time for military purposes.
Trump’s threat to attack cultural targets seems directly aimed at “buildings dedicated to religion, art, science, charitable purposes or historical monuments.”
The Geneva Conventions
The Geneva Conventions of 1949 provide for the protection of civilians in occupied areas. Later variations of the Conventions extend more general protections for civilians against the effects of war. Perhaps most applicable are Article 52 of Protocol I of the Conventions and Article 53 signed in 1977. Article 52 states:
1. Civilian objects shall not be the object of attack or of reprisals. Civilian objects are all objects which are not military objectives as defined in paragraph 2. 2. Attacks shall be limited strictly to military objectives. In so far as objects are concerned, military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose total or partial destruction, capture or neutralization, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage.
Article 53 is even more on point:
It is prohibited: (a) to commit any acts of hostility directed against the historic monuments, works of art or places of worship which constitute the cultural or spiritual heritage of peoples; (b) to use such objects in support of the military effort; (c) to make such objects the object of reprisals.
However, while the United States is a signatory to Protocol I, it was not ratified by the Senate as a treaty and it is not incorporated into the United States Criminal Code. Even so, Article 53 is pretty much a restatement of the above cited Hague Convention, which is adopted by the United States Criminal Code. Further it is clear what international law in this regard states.
Conclusion
The President of the United States of America clearly tweeted an intent to commit war crimes as defined and prohibited by the United States Criminal Code. This mere threat is not a crime. However, should Trump consummate this threat, that would be a crime under the Code. His Twitter statement is clear evidence of premeditation and planning, which should be viewed as aggravating factors of the offense. Trump’s pardoning of war criminals should also be viewed as evidence of his contempt for the rule of law in this area, and as encouragement for the illegal acts he orders.
It should also be noted that other members of the Administration involved with such planning would be criminally culpable as well, along with any members of the military who commit the war crimes under the President’s direction.
I don’t make allegations of war crimes without careful consideration. I am a published author in the field who repudiated false claims of war crimes advanced by Ramsey Clark against the Bush Administration relating to conduct of the first war against Iraq. What Trump proposes is unquestionably a war crime.


Commit. Publicly. NOW!

I am a LCSW , LPC-S in Texas ( Masters with additional training to supervise in both licenses and special training in PTSD , Dissociative Disorders , Healthy Multiplicity , EMDR etc . )
I have trained , supervised and directed other professionals ( which requires different abilities in addition to psychotherapeutic skill sets . )
I am licensed to diagnose .
It was clear to me the first time I saw Trump ( ever ) he was using intrusive physical presence and bodily threat actions as well as verbal tantrums on National TV — in his debates with Hillary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clearly indicated multiple mental health issues .
Clear , to mental health folks , were levels of personality disorder issues / symptoms ( including Narcissism ) as well as impulse control / psych/sociopathic issues .
( As mentioned , of course , our professional codes state no “ diagnosis ” without examination so , of course , I did not assume a specific . )
Not “ assuming ” a diagnosis however is VERY different than being mealy mouthed as many other professionals in numerous fields have chosen to be .
I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning and massive experience which I share as and when appropriate .
It should be weighed , judged , and debated .
NOW is the time .
Trump used all the tactics three decades of daily experience with abusers and survivors had shown me was the M.O .
of abusers .
Donald Trump displayed an almost total lack of personal responsibility .
His use of physical and verbal threats and intimidation tactics was awful to watch and abusive toward Clinton and the process and our country .
He used a negative interaction style @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shouting over the other , use of his physical self and intrusion into the other ’ s personal space to threaten and control them .
He used projection and blaming and lies .
His comments and actions demonstrated his view of a debate partner being an “ enemy ” not a colleague , and his goal to DEFEAT and Destroy !
not debate .
I felt relieved , surely any thinking human watching him would never elect him as dog catcher .
Then , despite my and literally thousands of mental health professionals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainstream media was to laud his power !
No mention in the immediate formal reviews nor immediate news articles of the interaction .
I felt his behavior was sooo not NORMAL , not healthy , and not appropriate for a presidential candidate that this was very confusing ( welcome to trumpnorms and ethics . )
Even when mentioned it was a question not a statement .
Quickly drowned out .
Not even !
followed up on or taken seriously .
But , Let us be Clear : His behavior was not ok , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is NOT the way colleagues speak to each other .
It is NOT how “ real men ” or “ business men ” speak .
It is HEINOUS .
It is not the way grown ups interact .
It shows a juvenile , hater mentality and a 3 year olds level of judgement that I had seen in LITERALLY hundreds of families .
For US ( A ) to not call that out was wrong .
For the media and our elected officials to stay silent then was shocking .
To still say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminal .
I also believe now that for me to be silent — for US ( A ) to be silent — could mean our literal deaths .
My kids ( ages 24 and 21 ) are ( scarily ) LUCKY !
only to have come of age under an administration that wants to destroy or erase them , rather than being killed or maimed .
( they are both of the LGBTQIA+ community ) I MUST speak up for them .
For us ( a ) ALL !
As we know , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been traumatized and damaged beyond repair already by Trump and the GOP ’ s draconian policies and actions .
( Especially toward women , children , the elderly , the poor , minorities etc.
, all the groups a healthy culture cares for and protects . )
Not calling this out Should !
be seen as a sign of mental illness .
I certainly see it as one .
And now Trump the man is clearly decompensating .
He shows the signs of FTD ( dementia ) and NPD so clearly .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shame on his family , his medical team , the GOP , and all elected officials involved for trying to keep up a sham that could destroy us ALL !
Quite LITERALLY as well as destroy our Democracy and country .
And , as much as I HATE !
what Trump has allowed the GOP to do , at this point , he is a patsy , a stooge , being sacrificed for the powerful .
Just like we have been .
NO MORE !
NOT ON OUR WATCH !
To stay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
SEE I ’ ll SAY IT !
“ Donald Trump is very mentally ill .
He has an illness that has been masked by the GOP to keep control of the USA and empower the rich , white , men he serves .
Their decisions are harming everyday americans , EVERY SINGLE DAY .
WE MUST STOP THEM .
”

Commit Publicly. NOW!
I am a LCSW, LPC-S in Texas (Masters with additional training to supervise in both licenses and special training in PTSD, Dissociative Disorders, Healthy Multiplicity, EMDR etc.) I have trained, supervised and directed other professionals (which requires different abilities in addition to psychotherapeutic skill sets.) I am licensed to diagnose.
It was clear to me the first time I saw Trump (ever) he was using intrusive physical presence and bodily threat actions as well as verbal tantrums on National TV — in his debates with Hillary Clinton. I saw that his behavior clearly indicated multiple mental health issues. Clear, to mental health folks, were levels of personality disorder issues / symptoms (including Narcissism) as well as impulse control / psych/sociopathic issues. ( As mentioned, of course, our professional codes state no “diagnosis” without examination so, of course, I did not assume a specific.)
Not “assuming” a diagnosis however is VERY different than being mealy mouthed as many other professionals in numerous fields have chosen to be. I do have a solid opinion based on book learning and massive experience which I share as and when appropriate. It should be weighed, judged, and debated.
NOW is the time.
Trump used all the tactics three decades of daily experience with abusers and survivors had shown me was the M.O. of abusers. Donald Trump displayed an almost total lack of personal responsibility. His use of physical and verbal threats and intimidation tactics was awful to watch and abusive toward Clinton and the process and our country. He used a negative interaction style - belittling the other, talking / shouting over the other, use of his physical self and intrusion into the other’s personal space to threaten and control them. He used projection and blaming and lies. His comments and actions demonstrated his view of a debate partner being an “enemy” not a colleague, and his goal to DEFEAT and Destroy ! not debate.
I felt relieved, surely any thinking human watching him would never elect him as dog catcher. Then, despite my and literally thousands of mental health professionals reaction — the resounding response from the mainstream media was to laud his power ! No mention in the immediate formal reviews nor immediate news articles of the interaction. I felt his behavior was sooo not NORMAL, not healthy, and not appropriate for a presidential candidate that this was very confusing (welcome to trumpnorms and ethics.)
Even when mentioned it was a question not a statement. Quickly drowned out. Not even! followed up on or taken seriously.
But, Let us be Clear : His behavior was not ok, not by a long shot. That is NOT the way colleagues speak to each other. It is NOT how “real men”or “business men” speak. It is HEINOUS. It is not the way grown ups interact. It shows a juvenile, hater mentality and a 3 year olds level of judgement that I had seen in LITERALLY hundreds of families.
For US(A) to not call that out was wrong.
For the media and our elected officials to stay silent then was shocking. To still say silent at this point I believe is criminal.
I also believe now that for me to be silent — for US(A) to be silent — could mean our literal deaths. My kids (ages 24 and 21) are (scarily ) LUCKY ! only to have come of age under an administration that wants to destroy or erase them, rather than being killed or maimed. (they are both of the LGBTQIA+ community) I MUST speak up for them. For us(a) ALL!
As we know, many other kids have literally died or been traumatized and damaged beyond repair already by Trump and the GOP’s draconian policies and actions.( Especially toward women, children, the elderly, the poor, minorities etc., all the groups a healthy culture cares for and protects.)
Not calling this out Should ! be seen as a sign of mental illness. I certainly see it as one.
And now Trump the man is clearly decompensating. He shows the signs of FTD (dementia) and NPD so clearly. Trump is a walking demonstration of these illnesses.
Shame on his family, his medical team, the GOP, and all elected officials involved for trying to keep up a sham that could destroy us ALL! Quite LITERALLY as well as destroy our Democracy and country. And, as much as I HATE! what Trump has allowed the GOP to do, at this point, he is a patsy, a stooge, being sacrificed for the powerful. Just like we have been.
NO MORE! NOT ON OUR WATCH! To stay silent is the worst kind of cowardice.
SEE I’ll SAY IT !
“Donald Trump is very mentally ill. He has an illness that has been masked by the GOP to keep control of the USA and empower the rich, white, men he serves. Their decisions are harming everyday americans, EVERY SINGLE DAY. WE MUST STOP THEM.”
Tracy Deagan LPC-S, LCSW-S
Social Worker and Psychotherapist since 1989 ; >


dailykos--2020-01-03--Narcissism and Democracy: Why Donald Trump must be an existential threat to our democracy

Mr. Trump has a Narcissistic Personality Disorder .
It ’ s obvious and definite .
The basic , defining feature of NPD , behind all the various observed symptoms , is that this person believes and feels that he must be superior to almost everyone .
Most people are “ losers , ” and he must be one of the few “ winners , ” to get ahead , to get love and approval , to be OK.
It ’ s a horrible way to live , but this is why it is a personality disorder .
NPD is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NPD suffer , but also makes the NPD suffer , a lot .
Our democracy is founded on one simple notion .
The most important principle behind our democracy is that “ All men are created equal.
” We understand that in a capitalist system that doesn ’ t mean they end up with the same amount of wealth , but more important than that , we believe that all people are endowed by their creator with the same basic human rights and value .
Even if one person is poor and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basic value and deserve freedom , dignity , and the pursuit of happiness .
An NPD like Mr. Trump can not look at people that way .
In his world view , most people are losers , undeserving of respect and basic human dignity .
This is the same world view shared by dictators and autocrats worldwide .
“ The important people at the top of the pyramid like me deserve all they can get and taking it from everyone else is right , since only winners deserve the spoils.
” Similarly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump ’ s personality .
The party is nothing more than a collection of people willing to be a tool for getting more wealth and power to the most wealthy and powerful , regardless of what that does to the rest of the country .
This practice must justified by the belief that the poor are lazy and/or stupid , undeserving of equal rights in our society .
That is incompatible with American democracy .
Since an NPD can not get enough power , praise , and admiration , and yet they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of power they will seek to denigrate and weaken all those who criticize them or limit their access to more praise and power .
Thus , a democratic system with checks and balances rankles him or her .
He or she inevitably wants to be the only power , far superior to all the others .
As President , weakening the congress , eroding the independence of the judiciary , eroding public confidence in the FBI , intelligence agencies , and other arms of the government , will very likely be part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the press can publicly criticize him , and that is nearly intolerable to an NPD , attacking the freedom of the press in a very big way is inevitable .
An NPD takes any criticism as tremendously painful , personal , and unforgivable .
That is why you get enemies ’ lists and extreme polarization of others .
Finally , and most importantly , democracy depends on free and fair elections .
But this is intolerable to NPDs in power , because NPDs can ’ t tolerate losing and they don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their loss in an honest and fair election is a virtue .
They believe they deserve all they can get from others .
Thus , rigging the next election once they are in power so they can ’ t lose is predictable .
This is what brought Nixon down ; dirty tricks to rig the next election , to smear opponents unfairly .
Democracy depends on the free and fair exchange of ideas and facts , in an open forum .
The biggest sin for our democracy that Mr. Trump has committed is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get a foreign power to falsely smear his political opponent , so that the election will not be free and fair ; it will be rigged .
Without free and fair elections , we have no democracy .

Mr. Trump has a Narcissistic Personality Disorder. It’s obvious and definite. The basic, defining feature of NPD, behind all the various observed symptoms, is that this person believes and feels that he must be superior to almost everyone. Most people are “losers,” and he must be one of the few “winners,” to get ahead, to get love and approval, to be OK. It’s a horrible way to live, but this is why it is a personality disorder. NPD is a condition that not only makes those around the NPD suffer, but also makes the NPD suffer, a lot.
Our democracy is founded on one simple notion. The most important principle behind our democracy is that “All men are created equal.” We understand that in a capitalist system that doesn’t mean they end up with the same amount of wealth, but more important than that, we believe that all people are endowed by their creator with the same basic human rights and value. Even if one person is poor and another is rich, they both have basic value and deserve freedom, dignity, and the pursuit of happiness.
An NPD like Mr. Trump cannot look at people that way. In his world view, most people are losers, undeserving of respect and basic human dignity. This is the same world view shared by dictators and autocrats worldwide. “The important people at the top of the pyramid like me deserve all they can get and taking it from everyone else is right, since only winners deserve the spoils.”
Similarly, the Republican party is now an amplification of Trump’s personality. The party is nothing more than a collection of people willing to be a tool for getting more wealth and power to the most wealthy and powerful, regardless of what that does to the rest of the country. This practice must justified by the belief that the poor are lazy and/or stupid, undeserving of equal rights in our society. That is incompatible with American democracy.
Since an NPD cannot get enough power, praise, and admiration, and yet they are always seeking it, in positions of power they will seek to denigrate and weaken all those who criticize them or limit their access to more praise and power. Thus, a democratic system with checks and balances rankles him or her. He or she inevitably wants to be the only power, far superior to all the others. As President, weakening the congress, eroding the independence of the judiciary, eroding public confidence in the FBI, intelligence agencies, and other arms of the government, will very likely be part of an NPD’s efforts.
Because the press can publicly criticize him, and that is nearly intolerable to an NPD, attacking the freedom of the press in a very big way is inevitable. An NPD takes any criticism as tremendously painful, personal, and unforgivable. That is why you get enemies’ lists and extreme polarization of others.
Finally, and most importantly, democracy depends on free and fair elections. But this is intolerable to NPDs in power, because NPDs can’t tolerate losing and they don’t get why allowing for the possibility of their loss in an honest and fair election is a virtue. They believe they deserve all they can get from others. Thus, rigging the next election once they are in power so they can’t lose is predictable. This is what brought Nixon down; dirty tricks to rig the next election, to smear opponents unfairly.
Democracy depends on the free and fair exchange of ideas and facts, in an open forum. The biggest sin for our democracy that Mr. Trump has committed is using the power of his office to get a foreign power to falsely smear his political opponent, so that the election will not be free and fair; it will be rigged. Without free and fair elections, we have no democracy.


dailykos--2020-01-02--Wealth Inequality has Always Been Un-American

In an Intelligencer article entitled , “ AOC Thinks Concentrated Wealth Is Incompatible with Democracy .
So Did Our Founders , ” Eric Levitz writes , “ [ Alexandria ] Ocasio-Cortez ’ s second argument against the existence of billionaires — that concentrated wealth is incompatible with genuine democracy — was something close to conventional wisdom among the founders .
Levitz goes on to write : “ The notion that political freedom has a material basis did not originate with Karl Marx and the creed of Communism ; it was a core idea of the 17th-century British political theorist James @ @ @ @ @ @ @ republicanism .
A man who does not own the means of his own reproduction can never exercise political freedom , Harrington argued , because “ the man that can not live upon his own must be servant.
” Likewise , the man of immense wealth — whose fortune consigns great masses of men to servitude — is inevitably a kind of tyrant .
After all , 'where there is inequality of estates , there must be inequality of power , and where there is inequality of power , there can be no commonwealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of extreme property-based wealth inequality in England , Thomas Jefferson was concerned that measures needed to be taken to prevent such inequality in America .
Among his ideas , he wrote : The vast concentrations of private wealth we see today is incomparable with a democratic society - and our founding fathers knew it .
Regardless of if they were for or against democracy as a form of government , there was agreement that this nation needed to guard against the extreme accumulation of property in the hands of a few .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they nevertheless adopted a Constitution which only permitted a flat tax ( Art .
1 , Sec .
9 , 4th paragraph ) .
It was n't until the Sixteenth Amendment was adopted in 1913 that the idea of a progressive income tax became possible .
The progressive income tax of 1913 , as it was originally designed , did exactly what Thomas Jefferson had suggested .
It was not intended that wage earners would be taxed at all .
The bottom tax bracket began with incomes over $ 100,000 in today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ marginal tax brackets climbed upwards from there .
The one reason most wage earners ended up paying income taxes is that the 1913 law was not indexed to inflation .
Just like the alternative minimum tax today , the progressive income tax crept down the income scale over time as wages were adjusted upward for inflation and productivity growth .
Up until World War II the top marginal income tax rate was over 90 % .
It was set that high to help prevent the unchecked accumulation of private wealth for the sake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ John Kennedy scaled back the top tax bracket to 70 % , but it was Ronald Reagan who destroyed the whole purpose of the progressive taxes by cutting the top rate to less than it is now .
At the same time , he adjusted the bottom rate to increase income taxes paid by the lowest-paid workers .
These changes , along with a law to tax capital gains at 1/2 the rate of wage income , set-in-motion one of the main conditions that would result in the creation of today ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowed for the current unchecked accumulation of vast amounts of private wealth were the rise in the mid-1970s of organized capital in the form of political associations and PACS , ( Political Action Committees ) bent on killing unions and electing pro-business politicians .
To this end the practice of sharing growth in the hourly gross domestic product ( GDP ) with workers in the form of productivity wages ended .
Since then the US economy has nearly tripled but nearly all of that new wealth has gone to the wealthiest owners of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inflation , has been nearly flat since 1975 .
The irony here is that if productivity wages had been allowed to keep pace with America ’ s growing wealth ( hourly GDP ) , the average family of four today would be making over $ 100,000 per year , the point beyond which they might have had to start paying income taxes if the original 1913 progressive tax law had been indexed to inflation .

In an Intelligencer article entitled, “AOC Thinks Concentrated Wealth Is Incompatible with Democracy. So Did Our Founders,” Eric Levitz writes, “ [Alexandria] Ocasio-Cortez’s second argument against the existence of billionaires — that concentrated wealth is incompatible with genuine democracy — was something close to conventional wisdom among the founders. Levitz goes on to write:
“The notion that political freedom has a material basis did not originate with Karl Marx and the creed of Communism; it was a core idea of the 17th-century British political theorist James Harrington, and his formulation of classical republicanism. A man who does not own the means of his own reproduction can never exercise political freedom, Harrington argued, because “the man that cannot live upon his own must be servant.” Likewise, the man of immense wealth — whose fortune consigns great masses of men to servitude — is inevitably a kind of tyrant. After all, 'where there is inequality of estates, there must be inequality of power, and where there is inequality of power, there can be no commonwealth.'”
Having seen the ravages of extreme property-based wealth inequality in England, Thomas Jefferson was concerned that measures needed to be taken to prevent such inequality in America. Among his ideas, he wrote:
“Another means of silently lessening the inequality of property is to exempt all from taxation below a certain point, and to tax the higher portions of property in geometrical progression as they rise.”
The vast concentrations of private wealth we see today is incomparable with a democratic society - and our founding fathers knew it. Regardless of if they were for or against democracy as a form of government, there was agreement that this nation needed to guard against the extreme accumulation of property in the hands of a few.
While Jefferson and the founding fathers understood this, they nevertheless adopted a Constitution which only permitted a flat tax (Art. 1, Sec. 9, 4th paragraph). It wasn't until the Sixteenth Amendment was adopted in 1913 that the idea of a progressive income tax became possible.
The progressive income tax of 1913, as it was originally designed, did exactly what Thomas Jefferson had suggested. It was not intended that wage earners would be taxed at all. The bottom tax bracket began with incomes over $100,000 in today’s inflation-adjusted dollars and many higher marginal tax brackets climbed upwards from there. The one reason most wage earners ended up paying income taxes is that the 1913 law was not indexed to inflation. Just like the alternative minimum tax today, the progressive income tax crept down the income scale over time as wages were adjusted upward for inflation and productivity growth.
Up until World War II the top marginal income tax rate was over 90%. It was set that high to help prevent the unchecked accumulation of private wealth for the sake of maintaining a functioning democracy. President John Kennedy scaled back the top tax bracket to 70%, but it was Ronald Reagan who destroyed the whole purpose of the progressive taxes by cutting the top rate to less than it is now. At the same time, he adjusted the bottom rate to increase income taxes paid by the lowest-paid workers. These changes, along with a law to tax capital gains at 1/2 the rate of wage income, set-in-motion one of the main conditions that would result in the creation of today’s billionaire class.
The other changes that allowed for the current unchecked accumulation of vast amounts of private wealth were the rise in the mid-1970s of organized capital in the form of political associations and PACS, (Political Action Committees) bent on killing unions and electing pro-business politicians. To this end the practice of sharing growth in the hourly gross domestic product (GDP) with workers in the form of productivity wages ended. Since then the US economy has nearly tripled but nearly all of that new wealth has gone to the wealthiest owners of capital. Wage growth, adjusted for inflation, has been nearly flat since 1975.
The irony here is that if productivity wages had been allowed to keep pace with America’s growing wealth (hourly GDP), the average family of four today would be making over $100,000 per year, the point beyond which they might have had to start paying income taxes if the original 1913 progressive tax law had been indexed to inflation.


dailykos--2020-01-01--January 1, 2030:  The 2020s were CRAZY-  Part One-  POLITICS

January 1 , 2030 : Welcome to a new , exciting , crazy decade .
If the last decade is any indication , it will be marked by incredible , even stunning developments , most of them for the better .
We are living longer and healthier ( and happier ) , and former New York state prisoner 4325AZ124 ( AKA Donald Trump ) is just a faded memory .
Here are some of the biggest developments , by category .
I will start out with politics and take a look at other categories ( technology/science and health/culture ) in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 , Oprah Winfrey made her most consequential endorsement since 2008 .
She picked Elizabeth Warren .
Warren , who had been floundering of late , began to turn things around almost immediately .
Her Iowa and new Hampshire polls surged , and Oprah kept her promise to campaign door to door with the Senator in both states as well as in South Carolina .
The result , Warren won Iowa by 5 points , New Hampshire by 7 , and eked out wins in both Nevada ( by 5 points over Sanders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carolina ( by 1 point over Biden ) .
After that , it was off to the races .
Warren won most of the remaining states , and eventually a strong plurality ( 37 % ) of delegates and the popular vote before being crowned the Democratic Party ’ s 2020 nominee in Milwaukee .
She selected none other than former Georgia House leader and almost governor Stacey Abrams as her running mate .
The campaign began in earnest .
Meanwhile , in Trumpland , the Donald survived impeachment easily as only one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convict .
( Susan Collins was “ very concerned ” but in the end towed the GOP line ) .
Meanwhile , the Supreme Court ruled in June that Trump had to provide his tax returns , revealing ( as expected ) his close connection to Russian companies and oligarchs , and that he wasn ’ t nearly as rich as he liked to claim .
After talking of dumping Mike Pence for Nicki Haley , the Clown in Chief stuck with his VP .
Meanwhile , the economy sagged , as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By October unemployment was back over 5 % again .
Trump refused to debate Warren at first , but finally agreed to go along with the last debate .
He tried his usual “ Pochahontas ” bit , but it had clearly worn thin long ago .
And with the economy rapidly sinking , and more terrible revelations almost daily , Trump approval dipped into the low 30 ’ s .
Election day saw a 9 point Warren win ( with 367 electoral votes , including Ohio , Florida and Georgia ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House seats , and , more importantly , 7 senate seats ( Arizona , Colorado , Maine , Iowa , North Carolina , South Carolina , Texas and one Georgia seat , while losing Alabama ) .
Change was in the air .
To the surprise of almost everyone , President Warren announced on October 23 , 2023 that she would not seek reelection , turning over the reins to her popular Vice-President , Stacey Abrams .
It had been a successful period for Warren .
The 2020-2021 recession proved to be relatively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 6.2 % , unemployment was back under 4 % before the 2022 midterms , which were comparatively successful for the incumbent president ’ s party ( only 7 House seats lossed , and a net one seat Senate pickup , as Democratic wins in both Pennsylvania ( Tom Wolf ) and Florida ( Andrew Gillum ) made up for the surprise loss of Maryland , as Governor Larry Hogan became the first Republican Senator in decades .
As expected , Stacey Abrams cruised to the Democratic nomination without a serious challenge , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who could simply not give up .
Meanwhile , the Republican nomination was a total mess .
Senator Mitt Romney ran , hoping to cash in on his conviction vote , especially since former President Trump had a 28 % favorable rating with the general public , which fell below 25 % after his conviction in New York court on tax and racketeering charges in September 2023 ( he would go on to be sentenced to 11 years in prison , but would be out by 2029 after just over 5 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump was still popular in the party , and had spawned a Trump-a-like successor , Kid Rock .
Several other candidates were in the running , including Nicki Haley ( this was inevitable ) , Senator Tom Cotton , and even ( drumroll please ) , Rudy Giuliani , who had somehow avoided conviction in February 2021 on several campaign finance violations stemming from his 12 count indictment on May 4 , 2020 .
In the end , the Republican electorate rejected Rock and went with Haley , who picked Cotton as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around Haley ’ s previous support for Trump ( which she now called “ my mistake ” ) , which in turn angered Trump supporters .
Abrams picked Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth as her Vice-President , and the election wasn ’ t even close .
In a good economy , with no foreign wars and no scandals ( Warren had kept to her vow of “ total transparency ” ) , enough of the country was willing to give the administration another chance .
Abrams won by 5 points , scoring just over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but made up for it with wins in Georgia and Arizona .
2028 : One More for the Road Things had changed by the last election of the decade .
The strong economy of 2022-2025 hit a major speed bump in 2026 , leading to a recession and significant losses in Congress .
The Democrats lost the Senate again , but were able to hold onto the House , however barely .
Fortunately , the team of Warren/Abrams had already picked 3 justices as retirements of Ginsburg , Thomas and Alito led @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberal majority .
Abrams remained personally popular , and had avoided scandal , but the economy threatened to drag her down .
However , Republicans were divided again , leading to a contested convention where somehow Mitt Romney emerged victorious .
Yet that wasn ’ t the end of it .
Kid Rock mounted a third party bid , picking none other as his Vice President than incarcerated “ hero ” Donald J. Trump .
The Republicans having fractured , Abrams waltzed to victory despite winning only 44 % of the vote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ garnered 25 % .
Electorally , the split within the Republican Party electorate allowed Abrams to pick up Texas , and receive over 340 electoral votes , while Rock/Trump took 13 states ( including both Michigan and Wisconsin ) and Romney , in an utter defeat , won only 12 states and finished third in the Electoral College .
And so , we have a decade of enormous political change .
Meanwhile , the movement to lower the voting age to 16 had slowly begun to pick up steam , as 25 cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) had allowed teens to vote in local elections .
outside the United States , change came faster , as the UK lowered its voting age to 16 after Labour ( finally ) took control again in late 2024 , followed by Canada ( 2025 ) , Australia ( 2026 ) , Germany ( 2028 ) and France ( 2029 ) .

January 1, 2030: Welcome to a new, exciting, crazy decade. If the last decade is any indication, it will be marked by incredible, even stunning developments, most of them for the better. We are living longer and healthier (and happier), and former New York state prisoner 4325AZ124 (AKA Donald Trump) is just a faded memory. Here are some of the biggest developments, by category. I will start out with politics and take a look at other categories (technology/science and health/culture) in subsequent posts.
I. Politics
2020 Election: Everybody Loves Oprah (Especially Liz)
On January 14, 2020, Oprah Winfrey made her most consequential endorsement since 2008. She picked Elizabeth Warren. Warren, who had been floundering of late, began to turn things around almost immediately. Her Iowa and new Hampshire polls surged, and Oprah kept her promise to campaign door to door with the Senator in both states as well as in South Carolina. The result, Warren won Iowa by 5 points, New Hampshire by 7, and eked out wins in both Nevada (by 5 points over Sanders) and Surprise, surprise, South Carolina (by 1 point over Biden). After that, it was off to the races. Warren won most of the remaining states, and eventually a strong plurality (37%) of delegates and the popular vote before being crowned the Democratic Party’s 2020 nominee in Milwaukee. She selected none other than former Georgia House leader and almost governor Stacey Abrams as her running mate. The campaign began in earnest.
Meanwhile, in Trumpland, the Donald survived impeachment easily as only one Republican (Mitt Romney) voted to convict. (Susan Collins was “very concerned” but in the end towed the GOP line). Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ruled in June that Trump had to provide his tax returns, revealing (as expected) his close connection to Russian companies and oligarchs, and that he wasn’t nearly as rich as he liked to claim. After talking of dumping Mike Pence for Nicki Haley, the Clown in Chief stuck with his VP.
Meanwhile, the economy sagged, as a recession commenced in the summer of 2020. By October unemployment was back over 5% again. Trump refused to debate Warren at first, but finally agreed to go along with the last debate. He tried his usual “Pochahontas” bit, but it had clearly worn thin long ago. And with the economy rapidly sinking, and more terrible revelations almost daily, Trump approval dipped into the low 30’s. Election day saw a 9 point Warren win (with 367 electoral votes, including Ohio, Florida and Georgia), as the Democrats picked up 11 House seats, and, more importantly, 7 senate seats (Arizona, Colorado, Maine, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and one Georgia seat, while losing Alabama). Change was in the air.
2024: Stacey’s Turn
To the surprise of almost everyone, President Warren announced on October 23, 2023 that she would not seek reelection, turning over the reins to her popular Vice-President, Stacey Abrams. It had been a successful period for Warren. The 2020-2021 recession proved to be relatively short, and after reaching a high of 6.2%, unemployment was back under 4% before the 2022 midterms, which were comparatively successful for the incumbent president’s party (only 7 House seats lossed, and a net one seat Senate pickup, as Democratic wins in both Pennsylvania (Tom Wolf) and Florida (Andrew Gillum) made up for the surprise loss of Maryland, as Governor Larry Hogan became the first Republican Senator in decades.
As expected, Stacey Abrams cruised to the Democratic nomination without a serious challenge, except for Fox news contributor Tulsi Gabbard, who could simply not give up. Meanwhile, the Republican nomination was a total mess. Senator Mitt Romney ran, hoping to cash in on his conviction vote, especially since former President Trump had a 28% favorable rating with the general public, which fell below 25% after his conviction in New York court on tax and racketeering charges in September 2023 (he would go on to be sentenced to 11 years in prison, but would be out by 2029 after just over 5 years served). On the other hand, Trump was still popular in the party, and had spawned a Trump-a-like successor, Kid Rock. Several other candidates were in the running, including Nicki Haley (this was inevitable), Senator Tom Cotton, and even (drumroll please), Rudy Giuliani, who had somehow avoided conviction in February 2021 on several campaign finance violations stemming from his 12 count indictment on May 4, 2020. In the end, the Republican electorate rejected Rock and went with Haley, who picked Cotton as her running mate. The campaign centered around Haley’s previous support for Trump (which she now called “my mistake”), which in turn angered Trump supporters. Abrams picked Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth as her Vice-President, and the election wasn’t even close. In a good economy, with no foreign wars and no scandals (Warren had kept to her vow of “total transparency”), enough of the country was willing to give the administration another chance. Abrams won by 5 points, scoring just over 300 electoral votes. She lost Wisconsin, but made up for it with wins in Georgia and Arizona.
2028: One More for the Road
Things had changed by the last election of the decade. The strong economy of 2022-2025 hit a major speed bump in 2026, leading to a recession and significant losses in Congress. The Democrats lost the Senate again, but were able to hold onto the House, however barely. Fortunately, the team of Warren/Abrams had already picked 3 justices as retirements of Ginsburg, Thomas and Alito led to three progressive justices and a 6-3 liberal majority. Abrams remained personally popular, and had avoided scandal, but the economy threatened to drag her down. However, Republicans were divided again, leading to a contested convention where somehow Mitt Romney emerged victorious. Yet that wasn’t the end of it. Kid Rock mounted a third party bid, picking none other as his Vice President than incarcerated “hero” Donald J. Trump. The Republicans having fractured, Abrams waltzed to victory despite winning only 44% of the vote, as Romney took 30% and Rock/Trump garnered 25%. Electorally, the split within the Republican Party electorate allowed Abrams to pick up Texas, and receive over 340 electoral votes, while Rock/Trump took 13 states (including both Michigan and Wisconsin) and Romney, in an utter defeat, won only 12 states and finished third in the Electoral College.
And so, we have a decade of enormous political change. Meanwhile, the movement to lower the voting age to 16 had slowly begun to pick up steam, as 25 cities (including both New York and Chicago) had allowed teens to vote in local elections. outside the United States, change came faster, as the UK lowered its voting age to 16 after Labour (finally) took control again in late 2024, followed by Canada (2025), Australia (2026), Germany (2028) and France (2029).
What a decade for politics!


dailykos--2020-01-01--Happy New Year!!!: Rest. Then Resolve to Work Your Rumps Off - With a Poll!

If you ’ re wondering what resolution to make , I have a recommendation .
I ’ m sure most of us are happy to see the back of 2019 ASAP .
It ’ s been another year of idiocy and attempted gaslighting ( Is Trump a gaslighter or a racist without filter ?
How about both ? )
.
If you thought *Rump was going to quit before being impeached , you were disappointed .
If you thought by day 560 after *Rump signed an executive order ending children in cages , they would be a thing of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If you thought by the time everything was burning , politicians would start having rational and effective responses to climate change , you were very disappointed .
If you thought maybe a little accountability would pull the cops up short and stop their abuse , you were disappointed but probably not surprised .
And here comes 2020 .
We still have all these issues of concern and more .
We also have primaries .
Maybe your favorite candidates have already dropped out and you have been disappointed .
We also have a general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the White House , but to flip the Senate to undo the era of *Rump , McConnell , and their deplorables .
State races are also Huge this year , with the 2020 census and redistricting around the corner .
We can not afford to get discouraged !
So rest tonight .
Reflect on this crappy year .
Recognize that the gaslighting and abuses will likely worsen in the coming year before they get better .
Then take a few breaths and get ready for the fight of our lives .
What @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rec listed diary stating that “ it ’ s time ” for women and young people to lead .
Sure , I ’ d like to see women and young people lead .
If you see a young and/or female leader , support them .
But if you ’ re in the middle of an issue and you see the need for a leader , be that leader if you ’ re able .
Don ’ t wait for someone younger or more female or more of a minority .
Do your part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can .
We need all hands on deck .
White male allies included !
Support your favorite candidate in the primaries .
If they don ’ t win — and we have to face it at some point , all but one won ’ t — support the winning nominee in the general election .
If you just can ’ t , then support one or more Democratic Senate and/or state candidates .
Maybe you ’ re already doing all you can .
If so , that ’ s fine .
I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is tired or sick or already giving to the best of their ability , with no more energy , time or money .
But there are a lot of people who come here to read , and feel like if they ’ re reading and commenting , they ’ re doing something .
Come on .
It ’ s time to get off your rump and do something in real life .
Most keyboard warriors can also be real warriors .
do something more in 2020 !
Don ’ t like physical work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cards to voters .
Don ’ t like involvement in politics ?
Pick an issue and get involved in it instead .
Collect toys for children or walk dogs for a shelter .
Don ’ t like to move your rump but have money ?
Make more donations .
What ’ s your reason for not getting more involved ?
Find the way to work around it that works for you , and make a bit more of a positive contribution anyway .
Little bits WILL add up !
You know *Rump , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win in 2020 .
We all need to do everything we can so we win instead .
Every one of us .
We always say this is the most important election of our lives .
We ’ ve always been correct !
Each Reptublican president has been worse than the last .
And the world draws ever closer to a climatic tipping point .
Tonight we party .
Tomorrow we recover .
January 2 and beyond , we fight .

If you’re wondering what resolution to make, I have a recommendation. I’m sure most of us are happy to see the back of 2019 ASAP. It’s been another year of idiocy and attempted gaslighting (Is Trump a gaslighter or a racist without filter? How about both?). If you thought *Rump was going to quit before being impeached, you were disappointed. If you thought by day 560 after *Rump signed an executive order ending children in cages, they would be a thing of the past, you were very disappointed. If you thought by the time everything was burning, politicians would start having rational and effective responses to climate change, you were very disappointed. If you thought maybe a little accountability would pull the cops up short and stop their abuse, you were disappointed but probably not surprised.
And here comes 2020. We still have all these issues of concern and more. We also have primaries. Maybe your favorite candidates have already dropped out and you have been disappointed. We also have a general election where we not only need to win the White House, but to flip the Senate to undo the era of *Rump, McConnell, and their deplorables. State races are also Huge this year, with the 2020 census and redistricting around the corner. We cannot afford to get discouraged!
Buck up!
So rest tonight. Reflect on this crappy year. Recognize that the gaslighting and abuses will likely worsen in the coming year before they get better. Then take a few breaths and get ready for the fight of our lives. What will YOU do? There is a rec listed diary stating that “it’s time” for women and young people to lead. Sure, I’d like to see women and young people lead. If you see a young and/or female leader, support them. But if you’re in the middle of an issue and you see the need for a leader, be that leader if you’re able. Don’t wait for someone younger or more female or more of a minority. Do your part. Double down. Do everything you can. We need all hands on deck. White male allies included!
Support your favorite candidate in the primaries. If they don’t win — and we have to face it at some point, all but one won’t — support the winning nominee in the general election. If you just can’t, then support one or more Democratic Senate and/or state candidates.
Either is better than Reptublicans!
Maybe you’re already doing all you can. If so, that’s fine. I don’t mean to guilt anyone who is tired or sick or already giving to the best of their ability, with no more energy, time or money. But there are a lot of people who come here to read, and feel like if they’re reading and commenting, they’re doing something. Come on. It’s time to get off your rump and do something in real life. Most keyboard warriors can also be real warriors.
“What do you mean I’m too self involved?” (If you aren’t looking at your reflection, this isn’t you!)
do something more in 2020!
Don’t like confrontation? Plant trees.
Don’t like physical work? Make phone calls or write post cards to voters.
Don’t like involvement in politics? Pick an issue and get involved in it instead. Collect toys for children or walk dogs for a shelter.
Don’t like to move your rump but have money? Make more donations.
What’s your reason for not getting more involved? Find the way to work around it that works for you, and make a bit more of a positive contribution anyway. Little bits WILL add up!
Working cat is working.
You know *Rump, McConnell, and their deplorables want to win in 2020. We all need to do everything we can so we win instead. Every one of us. We always say this is the most important election of our lives. We’ve always been correct! Each Reptublican president has been worse than the last. And the world draws ever closer to a climatic tipping point.
Tonight we party. Tomorrow we recover. January 2 and beyond, we fight.