dailykos--2020-03-05--Good News Roundup: Thursday March 5, 2020: The "Watching the Dust Settle" Edition

I can only speak for myself , but the the Good News Roundup that comes out on the first Thursday of every month is built something like a World War 2 Liberty Ship -- but without the asbestos !
Instead of welding and riveting , there ’ s a great deal of cutting and pasting .
And while there ’ s a template of sorts , there is no actual blueprint !
The simple fact is I have no idea where one of these Roundups is going to go when I start .
All I know is what I have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and there ’ s the vessel on the slipway ready to be launched out into the blogosphere .
So here goes !
Another Super Tuesday has come and gone .
To all indications , former Vice President Joe Biden won ten of the states in contention , including Texas , with Senator Bernie Sanders taking the remaining four , including California .
Michael Bloomberg suspended his presidential campaign Wednesday , and has endorsed Biden .
We don ’ t know what Senator Warren ’ s plans are at press time .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halfway finished yet !
That ’ s an additional eleven state primaries and caucuses plus the Northern Marianas and Puerto Rico just this month !
As the great political scholar and pundit Yogi Berra said : “ It ain ’ t over ‘ til it ’ s over.
” This race has barely started .
For all we know , New Jersey could put one of the contenders over the top on June 2nd !
Stay tuned !
Stay Active !
GOTV !
And put that pie down !
Mandatory for election night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( AP ) — More than 19 million people watched coverage of the Super Tuesday primary results on the top broadcast and cable news networks .
Fox News Channel led the way with 4.17 million viewers , the Nielsen company said Wednesday .
But CNN scored a key victory by leading all of the networks among viewers ages 25-to-54 , considered the key demographic for ad sales in news programming .
MSNBC had 3.82 million viewers for its coverage in prime time on Tuesday .
NBC had 2.94 million , CNN had 2.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CBS had 2.64 million , Nielsen said .
The broadcast networks cast aside their entire prime-time entertainment lineups to show the results in 14 primary states , an increase in time and resources over what was spent on Super Tuesday four years ago .
More people getting to the polls .
Can only be good !
“ Democratic voter turnout surged on Super Tuesday , exceeding 2016 levels in at least a dozen states and setting an all-time record in one of them .
In Virginia , the fourth most delegate-rich state to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1.3 million voters cast ballots — a nearly 70 percent increase over 2016 , when about 783,000 voted in the Democratic presidential primary .
That surpasses a previous record set in 2008 , when just under 1 million voters turned out .
In North Carolina , turnout was up by about 17 percent over 2016 levels .
And in Texas , at least 45 percent more voters went to the polls on Tuesday than showed up four years ago , according to an analysis of vote returns .
Turnout also skyrocketed in contests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Utah , though those states switched from caucuses to primaries this year , making it difficult to compare Tuesday ’ s turnout to that of past election years.
” Here ’ s something to think about : In the Texas primary , the top five Democratic contenders together polled a total of 1,955,901 votes .
( That ’ s Biden , Sanders , Bloomberg , Warren , and Buttigieg , who had already left the race . )
You know , it just don ’ t look healthy .
538 reports that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at 43.2 % as of last night ; His aggregate approval rating when I did my last GNR ( Feb. 6th ) was 43.9 % ; His aggregate approval rating when I did my January 2nd GNR was 42.4 % ; His aggregate approval rating when I did my December 5th GNR was 41.6 % .
Your daily schadenfreude : You can feel the love from here !
Just a filler picture of a non-partisan baboon .
I didn ’ t see the need to post a picture of either Jeff Sessions or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deserve it ( Ed. )
.
“ MOBILE , Ala. — President Trump lashed out Wednesday at his former attorney general , Jeff Sessions , as he advanced to a Republican primary runoff in his quest to win back his old Senate seat in Alabama .
Sessions was forced into a runoff with a political newcomer after being wounded by Trump ’ s prior criticisms of his recusal in the Russia investigation .
The newest Twitter scolding by the president , who previously been largely quiet on the race , could further damage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the state where he had been a conservative favorite .
Sessions will face former college football coach Tommy Tuberville in a Republican runoff .
The winner of their March 31 runoff will face incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Jones as Republicans try to reclaim the Senate seat in the deep-red state .
Trump weighed in on the race Wednesday morning , just hours after the results were announced .
“ This is what happens to someone who loyally gets appointed Attorney General of the United States & then doesn ’ t have the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end the phony Russia Witch Hunt .
Recuses himself on FIRST DAY in office , and the Mueller Scam begins !
” Trump wrote in a tweet .
Judge Roy Moore , who was also in the running for the Alabama Senate seat currently held by Democrat Doug Jones , finished a distant fourth .
“ Congress reached Wednesday a bipartisan $ 8 billion deal to provide emergency funding to combat the coronavirus outbreak .
The big picture : The House overwhelmingly passed the package 415-2 on Wednesday afternoon .
The Senate could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and it 'll then go to President Trump 's desk for his signature .
• Reps. Ken Buck ( R-Col. ) and Andy Biggs ( R-Ariz. ) were the only two members of Congress to vote against the package .
• $ 3 billion for developing treatments , including $ 300 million for the government to purchase drugs from manufacturers at “ fair and reasonable ” prices • $ 2.2 billion for public health measure to help prevent its spread • More than $ 1 billion to be sent overseas The Mathew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he discovered Newfoundland 1496 – King Henry VII of England issues letters patent to John Cabot and his sons , authorizing them to explore unknown lands .
1512 – Gerardus Mercator , Flemish mathematician , cartographer , and philosopher ( d. 1594 ) .
His maps became the standard for navigation .
1616 – Nicolaus Copernicus 's book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres is added to the Index of Forbidden Books 73 years after it was first published .
1766 – Antonio de Ulloa , the first Spanish governor of Louisiana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not recorded whether he missed Mardi Gras .
1770 – Boston Massacre : Five Americans , including Crispus Attucks , are fatally shot by British troops in an event that would contribute to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War ( also known as the American War of Independence ) five years later .
1936 – First flight of K5054 , the first prototype Supermarine Spitfire advanced monoplane fighter aircraft in the United Kingdom .
1946 – Cold War : Winston Churchill coins the phrase `` Iron Curtain '' in his speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – Joseph Stalin , the longest serving leader of the Soviet Union , dies at his Volynskoe dacha in Moscow after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage 4 days earlier .
1970 – The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons goes into effect after ratification by 43 nations .
Mittens : the cat around town in Wellington , NZ “ A feline that roams New Zealand ’ s capital city and is welcomed into tattoo parlours , hairdressers and office towers has become a social media star , with 30,000 followers who track his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to attention in 2018 after repeatedly wandering inner-city dwellings , including the university , the post office , and a Catholic church .
Mittens was also reportedly taken to the police station by concerned locals .
After repeated encounters with Mittens , an SPCA employee started a Facebook page to reassure locals that the cat wasn ’ t lost and didn ’ t need to be “ rescued ” – he was just adventurous .
The Facebook page now has 30,000 followers with locals tracking Mittens ’ daily activities around town.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
“ March 3 ( UPI ) -- The Leaning Tower of Dallas , a building remnant that went viral following a failed demolition , finally came down after two weeks of being struck with a wrecking ball .
The concrete core of the 11-story building remained standing at an angle following the Feb. 16 implosion , sparking a social media trend of people posting photos pretending to hold up the remnant .
The demolition contractor spent two weeks striking the building core , which contained the building 's stairway and elevator shafts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it finally came down Monday .
De La Vega Development , the firm redeveloping the site , had initially estimated it would take up to four days to bring the tower down with the wrecking ball , but it ended up taking two entire weeks.
” And , as always , have a great day !

Good morning, everybody!
Liberty ship. Generally speaking, they floated pretty well.
I can only speak for myself, but the the Good News Roundup that comes out on the first Thursday of every month is built something like a World War 2 Liberty Ship-- but without the asbestos!
Instead of welding and riveting, there’s a great deal of cutting and pasting. And while there’s a template of sorts, there is no actual blueprint!
The simple fact is I have no idea where one of these Roundups is going to go when I start. All I know is what I have when the dust settles in the shipyard, and there’s the vessel on the slipway ready to be launched out into the blogosphere. So here goes!
Super Tuesday recapitulation. More dust settling.
Another Super Tuesday has come and gone. To all indications, former Vice President Joe Biden won ten of the states in contention, including Texas, with Senator Bernie Sanders taking the remaining four, including California. Michael Bloomberg suspended his presidential campaign Wednesday, and has endorsed Biden. We don’t know what Senator Warren’s plans are at press time.
But wait! We’re not even halfway finished yet!
More March Madness!
March 10 : Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, and Washington primaries; North Dakota firehouse caucus
: Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, and Washington primaries; North Dakota firehouse caucus March 14 : Northern Mariana Islands Caucuses
: Northern Mariana Islands Caucuses March 15 : The eleventh Democratic debate will take place in Phoenix, Arizona
: The eleventh Democratic debate will take place in Phoenix, Arizona March 17 : Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio primaries
: Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio primaries March 24 : Georgia primary
: Georgia primary March 29: Puerto Rico primary
That’s an additional eleven state primaries and caucuses plus the Northern Marianas and Puerto Rico just this month!
As the great political scholar and pundit Yogi Berra said: “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” This race has barely started. For all we know, New Jersey could put one of the contenders over the top on June 2nd! Stay tuned! Stay Active! GOTV! And put that pie down!
Nielsen says 19 million people watched Super Tuesday returns Mandatory for election night returns around here. “NEW YORK (AP) — More than 19 million people watched coverage of the Super Tuesday primary results on the top broadcast and cable news networks. Fox News Channel led the way with 4.17 million viewers, the Nielsen company said Wednesday. But CNN scored a key victory by leading all of the networks among viewers ages 25-to-54, considered the key demographic for ad sales in news programming. MSNBC had 3.82 million viewers for its coverage in prime time on Tuesday. NBC had 2.94 million, CNN had 2.8 million, ABC had 2.72 million and CBS had 2.64 million, Nielsen said. The broadcast networks cast aside their entire prime-time entertainment lineups to show the results in 14 primary states, an increase in time and resources over what was spent on Super Tuesday four years ago. Democratic turnout surges on Super Tuesday More people getting to the polls. Can only be good! “Democratic voter turnout surged on Super Tuesday, exceeding 2016 levels in at least a dozen states and setting an all-time record in one of them.
In Virginia, the fourth most delegate-rich state to hold a primary Tuesday, more than 1.3 million voters cast ballots — a nearly 70 percent increase over 2016, when about 783,000 voted in the Democratic presidential primary. That surpasses a previous record set in 2008, when just under 1 million voters turned out. In North Carolina, turnout was up by about 17 percent over 2016 levels. And in Texas, at least 45 percent more voters went to the polls on Tuesday than showed up four years ago, according to an analysis of vote returns. Turnout also skyrocketed in contests in Colorado, Maine, Minnesota and Utah, though those states switched from caucuses to primaries this year, making it difficult to compare Tuesday’s turnout to that of past election years.” Here’s something to think about: In the Texas primary, the top five Democratic contenders together polled a total of 1,955,901 votes. (That’s Biden, Sanders, Bloomberg, Warren, and Buttigieg, who had already left the race.) Trump polled 1,873,006 votes. That’s in Texas! The flatline continues, part whatever... You know, it just don’t look healthy. 538 reports that the President’s aggregate approval rating is at 43.2% as of last night; His aggregate approval rating when I did my last GNR (Feb. 6th) was 43.9%; His aggregate approval rating when I did my January 2nd GNR was 42.4%; His aggregate approval rating when I did my December 5th GNR was 41.6%. Your daily schadenfreude: You can feel the love from here! Just a filler picture of a non-partisan baboon.
I didn’t see the need to post a picture of either Jeff Sessions or Tommy Tuberville. They don’t deserve it (Ed.). “MOBILE, Ala. — President Trump lashed out Wednesday at his former attorney general, Jeff Sessions, as he advanced to a Republican primary runoff in his quest to win back his old Senate seat in Alabama. Sessions was forced into a runoff with a political newcomer after being wounded by Trump’s prior criticisms of his recusal in the Russia investigation. The newest Twitter scolding by the president, who previously been largely quiet on the race, could further damage Sessions’ hopes of a political resurrection in the state where he had been a conservative favorite. Sessions will face former college football coach Tommy Tuberville in a Republican runoff. The winner of their March 31 runoff will face incumbent Democratic Sen. Doug Jones as Republicans try to reclaim the Senate seat in the deep-red state. Trump weighed in on the race Wednesday morning, just hours after the results were announced. “This is what happens to someone who loyally gets appointed Attorney General of the United States & then doesn’t have the wisdom or courage to stare down & end the phony Russia Witch Hunt. Recuses himself on FIRST DAY in office, and the Mueller Scam begins!” Trump wrote in a tweet. Judge Roy Moore, who was also in the running for the Alabama Senate seat currently held by Democrat Doug Jones, finished a distant fourth. House passes $8 billion emergency coronavirus funding package “Congress reached Wednesday a bipartisan $8 billion deal to provide emergency funding to combat the coronavirus outbreak. The big picture: The House overwhelmingly passed the package 415-2 on Wednesday afternoon. The Senate could take it up as early as Thursday, and it'll then go to President Trump's desk for his signature. Reps. Ken Buck (R-Col.) and Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) were the only two members of Congress to vote against the package. Details: $3 billion for developing treatments, including $300 million for the government to purchase drugs from manufacturers at “fair and reasonable” prices
$2.2 billion for public health measure to help prevent its spread
More than $1 billion to be sent overseas March 5th in History!
The Mathew, Cabot’s ship in which he discovered Newfoundland 1496 – King Henry VII of England issues letters patent to John Cabot and his sons, authorizing them to explore unknown lands. 1512 – Gerardus Mercator, Flemish mathematician, cartographer, and philosopher (d. 1594). His maps became the standard for navigation. 1616 – Nicolaus Copernicus's book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres is added to the Index of Forbidden Books 73 years after it was first published. 1766 – Antonio de Ulloa, the first Spanish governor of Louisiana, arrives in New Orleans. It is not recorded whether he missed Mardi Gras. Boston Massacre, by Paul Revere 1770 – Boston Massacre: Five Americans, including Crispus Attucks, are fatally shot by British troops in an event that would contribute to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War (also known as the American War of Independence) five years later. 1872 – George Westinghouse patents the air brake. Incidents of train wrecks drop significantly! The first Supermarine Spitfire. 1936 – First flight of K5054, the first prototype Supermarine Spitfire advanced monoplane fighter aircraft in the United Kingdom. 1946 – Cold War: Winston Churchill coins the phrase "Iron Curtain" in his speech at Westminster College, Missouri. 1953 – Joseph Stalin, the longest serving leader of the Soviet Union, dies at his Volynskoe dacha in Moscow after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage 4 days earlier. 1970 – The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons goes into effect after ratification by 43 nations.
Interesting Bits!
Mittens: the cat around town in Wellington, NZ
From the Guardian:
Mittens “A feline that roams New Zealand’s capital city and is welcomed into tattoo parlours, hairdressers and office towers has become a social media star, with 30,000 followers who track his every movement online. Mittens first came to attention in 2018 after repeatedly wandering inner-city dwellings, including the university, the post office, and a Catholic church. Mittens was also reportedly taken to the police station by concerned locals. After repeated encounters with Mittens, an SPCA employee started a Facebook page to reassure locals that the cat wasn’t lost and didn’t need to be “rescued” – he was just adventurous. The Facebook page now has 30,000 followers with locals tracking Mittens’ daily activities around town.”
The leaning tower of Dallas is no more!
From UPI:
The tower has fallen! “March 3 (UPI) -- The Leaning Tower of Dallas, a building remnant that went viral following a failed demolition, finally came down after two weeks of being struck with a wrecking ball. The concrete core of the 11-story building remained standing at an angle following the Feb. 16 implosion, sparking a social media trend of people posting photos pretending to hold up the remnant. The demolition contractor spent two weeks striking the building core, which contained the building's stairway and elevator shafts, with a 5,600-pound wrecking ball before it finally came down Monday. De La Vega Development, the firm redeveloping the site, had initially estimated it would take up to four days to bring the tower down with the wrecking ball, but it ended up taking two entire weeks.”
Are European cities centers of biodiversity?
From Deutsche Welle:
More life than you know lives here! “Vondelpark, Amsterdam's public urban park in the southwest of the city, is anything but a remote place. Even on a weekday, it's full of people taking a stroll, playing soccer or chatting with friends on the neatly mowed grass. Vondelpark definitely might not seem like the ideal place to look for new species of insects, but biologist Iva Njunjic begs to differ. Njunjic works for Taxon Expeditions, a Netherlands-based organization that offers ecotourism trips, usually to places like Borneo, Panama and Montenegro. Last year, they embarked on a week long citizen-science project to comb a small island nature reserve in Vondelpark called the "Koeienweide" — "cow meadow" — for new species. Iva Njunjic says the group collected 143 different types of moths alone. Taxonomy experts at the Free University of Amsterdam helped the amateur researchers identify the species under the microscope.
Hot Links!
Your obligatory goat video!
And, as always, have a great day!


Old White Men!

When this campaign season began , I said that I hoped that we , the Democratic Party , would not nominate another old white man .
Now , just in case you are wondering .
In 1988 , the list of 1988 Democratic candidates included Michael Dukakis , Al Gore , Gary Hart , Jesse Jackson and , yes , Joe Biden .
Michael Dukakis is 86 years old now .
Al Gore is 71 years old .
Gary Hart is 83 years old and Jesse Jackson is 78 years old , the same age as Joe Biden .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included Bill Clinton , Jerry Brown , Tom Harkin , Paul Tsongas and Bob Kerrey .
Bill Clinton is now 73 years old .
Jerry Brown is 81 .
Tom Harkin is 80 and Bob Kerrey is 76 .
Paul Tsongas died at 55 years of age in in 1997 .
Al Gore ran in 2000 against Bill Bradley .
Bill Bradley is 76 years of age .
In 2004 , John Kerry ran against Howard Dean , John Edwards and General Wesley Clark .
John Kerry is now 76 years of age @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Edwards is 66 and General Wesley Clark is 75 .
In 2008 , we had Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton .
Barack Obama is now 58 years old .
Hillary Clinton is 72 .
In 2016 , we had Hillary Clinton and Barry Sanders .
Barry Sanders is now 78 .
The conman who stole the White House is 73 .
What do you think ?

When this campaign season began, I said that I hoped that we, the Democratic Party, would not nominate another old white man.
Now, just in case you are wondering.
In 1988, the list of 1988 Democratic candidates included Michael Dukakis, Al Gore, Gary Hart, Jesse Jackson and, yes, Joe Biden. Michael Dukakis is 86 years old now. Al Gore is 71 years old. Gary Hart is 83 years old and Jesse Jackson is 78 years old, the same age as Joe Biden.
In 1992, the list of Democratic candidates included Bill Clinton, Jerry Brown, Tom Harkin, Paul Tsongas and Bob Kerrey. Bill Clinton is now 73 years old. Jerry Brown is 81. Tom Harkin is 80 and Bob Kerrey is 76. Paul Tsongas died at 55 years of age in in 1997.
Bill Clinton ran unopposed in 1996.
Al Gore ran in 2000 against Bill Bradley. Bill Bradley is 76 years of age.
In 2004, John Kerry ran against Howard Dean, John Edwards and General Wesley Clark. John Kerry is now 76 years of age. Howard Dean is 71. John Edwards is 66 and General Wesley Clark is 75.
In 2008, we had Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Barack Obama is now 58 years old. Hillary Clinton is 72.
In 2016, we had Hillary Clinton and Barry Sanders. Barry Sanders is now 78.
Joe Biden is 77 years of age.
The conman who stole the White House is 73.
Vladimir Putin is 65 years old.
What do you think?


Misogyny Rant

I sometimes like Twitter .
I have a problem with misogyny of any color or flavor .
I get even more infuriated with dismissive attitudes whens I or any other human being point out examples of such denigrating behavior .
This tweet shows another reason I am # NeverBloomberg .
This pisses me off even more !
These tweets are showing a pattern of misogyny and sexism .
Yes this is a rant about both misogyny and sexism .
Misogyny by any other name is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE !
!
!
1 .
A `` birther style '' campaign on social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This was very sickening as `` Blacks for Trump '' .
2 .
# WarrenIsASnake should NOT be TRENDING ON TWITTER !
This is just meanspirited !
3 .
Revenge porn is a form of abuse and it ended Representative Katie Hill 's Congressional career .
4 .
The media had the audacity to erase Senator Kamala Harris ' campaign. 5.The media is erasing Senator Elizabeth Warren 's campaign too ?
You can share links , anecdotes , or experiences of misogyny .
This is also your space to share .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I 'm going to end this diary with thought ; misogyny of any color , flavor , or level will no longer be TOLERATED !
!

I sometimes like Twitter. I have a problem with misogyny of any color or flavor. I get even more infuriated with dismissive attitudes whens I or any other human being point out examples of such denigrating behavior. This tweet shows another reason I am #NeverBloomberg.
x Bloomberg dismissing his sexism and grossness toward women on 60 Minutes is enraging. Ã¢ÂÂSo what? Sorry you were offended.Ã¢ÂÂ
Men just need to sit out the next few decades. LetÃ¢ÂÂs try having an election cycle or two without them, just as a cleansing process. Ã¢ÂÂ Joan McCarter (@joanmccarter) March 2, 2020
This pisses me off even more!
These tweets are showing a pattern of misogyny and sexism. Yes this is a rant about both misogyny and sexism. Misogyny by any other name is ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE!!!
1. A "birther style" campaign on social media takes shape against Senator Kamala Harris. This was very sickening as "Blacks for Trump".
2. #WarrenIsASnake should NOT be TRENDING ON TWITTER! This is just meanspirited!
3. Revenge porn is a form of abuse and it ended Representative Katie Hill's Congressional career.
4. The media had the audacity to erase Senator Kamala Harris' campaign.
5.The media is erasing Senator Elizabeth Warren's campaign too?
6. The harassment of Representative Ilhan Omar stopped.
You can share links, anecdotes, or experiences of misogyny. This is also your space to share.
This is your empathy space as well.
I'm going to end this diary with thought; misogyny of any color, flavor, or level will no longer be TOLERATED!!


dailykos--2020-03-06--Elizabeth Warren too cerebral, too sharp, to get men's votes?

On the All In episode that just ended , Chris Hayes said that Elizabeth Warren ’ s message was very @ @ @ @ @ very well tailored to her audience .
It was also , he said , too @ @ @ @ @ ’ s campaign ) didn ’ t broaden that out enough.
” To which his @ @ @ @ @ what , now we can ’ t have a woman , a professional , a @ @ @ @ @ a leader , a teacher , in the Presidential race because her message ISN ’ @ @ @ @ @ ?
?
?
?
?
?
?
?

On the All In episode that just ended, Chris Hayes said that Elizabeth Warren’s message was very smart, very focused, very well tailored to her audience.
It was also, he said, too literate.
SMH.
Too literate?
“(Warren’s campaign) didn’t broaden that out enough.” To which his panel nodded obediently.
So what, now we can’t have a woman, a professional, a Senator, a lawyer, a leader, a teacher, in the Presidential race because her message ISN’T DUMB ENOUGH??????????
Let the swearing commence.


Honesty About Immigration

While there is no doubt that immigration has improved America ’ s economy over time , and that without immigration almost none of us would be in this country , it is also true that beginning with the Arawaks who met Columbus , those who were already here felt suspicious toward strange new arrivals .
Xenophobia , an inherent human instinct , needs to be taken into account if we would resolve the never-ending debate about “ those people ” —and more importantly , advance the trend of treating other human beings the way we demand to be treated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ immigration , and in what ways .
By themselves , lamps lifted by golden doors make noble thoughts , but in the real world , noble thoughts are tough to sell .
Still , the world is now too small to justify “ Do unto others , but do it first.
” While it is human nature to welcome guests , it is also human to want guests to leave before long .
The fine sentiments on the Statue of Liberty , cynically embraced by ruling elites seeking cheap labor , have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans .
The colonial English in America shifted into high gear their ongoing project of dispersing and displacing the indigenous people as soon as the Natives ’ royal protectors had been ejected .
The opinions of the indigenous people toward the English settlers were never taken into consideration .
In the nineteenth century , many Germans and Irish arrived in America , only to meet with contempt from the English already here .
As time went by the newcomers became Americans , joining the colonials in hatred for the Italians , Poles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in by the early 1900 ’ s .
Until WWII , most European-Americans shared a common hatred of people whose ethnic backgrounds differed from their own .
Americans of European ancestry lived mostly in big cities which had been carved into small towns , each town a haven for a particular ethnic group , each at war with all the others .
In WWII , white Americans fought together against a common foreign threat , which led to a more cosmopolitan view of “ Americans.
” It was not by any means a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white tribe.
” But after the war , people of European descent moved into suburbs , where they got to know each other and to learn they were alike in the important ways .
People whose ancestors across the Atlantic had fought each other for a millennium or more found they could do business , intermarry , let their children play together , and make friends .
In some cases ethnic jokes were amiably exchanged among people who , having put ethnic rivalries aside , became simply Americans .
As corny as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can happen when people are allowed to freely associate and find common ground .
While white peoples ’ tolerance for one another is a sign of social progress , we still live in a capitalist society , and that means competition—which is the culprit behind today ’ s immigration controversy .
Over time Americans descended from different European ethnic groups have merged into a reasonably unified society .
But again , it is not tribal .
Tribal co-operation , loyalty , and mutual help are scarce or missing in capitalist societies .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are on their own .
Our most successful rugged individualists , while profiting handsomely from immigrant labor , back politicians who exploit anger against immigrants .
Our elites enjoy a rare real world case of having their cake and eating it too .
They pay verbose politicians and media con men to stoke American workers ’ fears that foreigners will take away all their jobs , while at the same time exploiting cheap immigrant labor , the the less legitimate the cheaper .
Concerning Mexico , source of most recent immigrants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from a symbiotic relationship .
American plutocrats get cheap labor to keep wages down and profits up , and Mexican oligarchs send north their most energetic , desperate young men—men who might cause trouble if they stayed home .
The same holds true regarding all countries that send immigrants here .
The problem could be resolved if workers here would demand fair pay , decent benefits , and basic rights for ALL workers , regardless of origins .
But an effective labor movement has been moribund for some time , and the very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marxism in the perceptions of many Americans who also must work for a living .
The fallback position is to blame “ others.
” Following trends of the past , modern immigrants gradually adopt American ways .
We usually get new food varieties and add a few colorful words to the English language , but the children of newcomers are Americans .
This is not some smarmy tribute to national pride , but historical fact .
Humanity adapts , and societies absorb .
We all have basic needs : freedom of speech and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fear .
When these needs are met in their homelands , people do not leave familiar surroundings for strange , unfriendly places far away .
While it looks easier to hate than to understand , we who are already here do ourselves no good by trying to make the situation worse for newcomers than it was where they fled—in effect permitting our rulers to do the same to us .
Greed easily translates into an obsession for cheap labor , which then draws unhappy people from all over to industrial centers , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The elites , needing to fend off resentment from people already living here , redirect those resentments against the immigrants—who are usually too desperate to cause trouble .
The rulers find no shortage of unscrupulous politicians and media barkers , who cleverly exploit these resentments .
With the passage of time , the resentments have come to the forefront of the nation ’ s politics , and we now live in a country that is arguably ruled by hate .
Hatred being irrational , there is probably no solution through reasonable means .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ its economy improving substantially , making immigration , legal or not , a non-issue .
In fact , some American farmers are now short of labor—a situation that will bankrupt small farmers , leaving land open to takeover by factory farms .
New arrivals are famously from Central America , fleeing poverty and persecution set in place with the help , or at least permission , of the United States government .
But these newcomers are imprisoned , not employed .
Prison labor -- slavery—might be the preferred solution among our corporate rulers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will not heed the warning .
Any hope of halting this rush to authoritarianism can only be found by getting more people to vote who agree that current government policies are insane .
Politicians bought by the elites have already rigged the election system , scientifically gerrymandering electoral districts , and initiating voter I.D .
laws that make it harder for poor , black , brown , or young people to vote .
Winning by election will be difficult , but there is no logical alternative .
The true believers who back the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toward children separated from parents , seem to be itching for a fight , and lots of them have guns .
Violence , once again , is not the answer .
We have the numbers if we can get them to the polls .
We must trust the system of constitutional law , as severely strained as it is , and use it to its maximum capacity , prepared for a long haul .
We need to have faith—blind faith until we can once more justify the real thing .
And faith requires @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quite capable of providing every human need in all parts of the world .
Famine happens now only in places ruined by war , and most sane people everywhere know war is useless .
If people control the means of creativity , production , and distribution , they can build a world where no one needs to leave home out of desperation .
We have been living in a global village for several generations now .
We might as well start acting like it .
To read more articles from this author , @ @ @ @

While there is no doubt that immigration has improved America’s economy over time, and that without immigration almost none of us would be in this country, it is also true that beginning with the Arawaks who met Columbus, those who were already here felt suspicious toward strange new arrivals. Xenophobia, an inherent human instinct, needs to be taken into account if we would resolve the never-ending debate about “those people”—and more importantly, advance the trend of treating other human beings the way we demand to be treated. We need to remember who benefits from immigration, and in what ways. By themselves, lamps lifted by golden doors make noble thoughts, but in the real world, noble thoughts are tough to sell. Still, the world is now too small to justify “Do unto others, but do it first.”
While it is human nature to welcome guests, it is also human to want guests to leave before long. The fine sentiments on the Statue of Liberty, cynically embraced by ruling elites seeking cheap labor, have been through the years ignored by most resident Americans. The colonial English in America shifted into high gear their ongoing project of dispersing and displacing the indigenous people as soon as the Natives’ royal protectors had been ejected. The opinions of the indigenous people toward the English settlers were never taken into consideration. In the nineteenth century, many Germans and Irish arrived in America, only to meet with contempt from the English already here. As time went by the newcomers became Americans, joining the colonials in hatred for the Italians, Poles, Greeks, and others who were flooding in by the early 1900’s. Until WWII, most European-Americans shared a common hatred of people whose ethnic backgrounds differed from their own. Americans of European ancestry lived mostly in big cities which had been carved into small towns, each town a haven for a particular ethnic group, each at war with all the others.
In WWII, white Americans fought together against a common foreign threat, which led to a more cosmopolitan view of “Americans.” It was not by any means a unified community, much less a “white tribe.” But after the war, people of European descent moved into suburbs, where they got to know each other and to learn they were alike in the important ways. People whose ancestors across the Atlantic had fought each other for a millennium or more found they could do business, intermarry, let their children play together, and make friends. In some cases ethnic jokes were amiably exchanged among people who, having put ethnic rivalries aside, became simply Americans. As corny as the concept still seems, this is what can happen when people are allowed to freely associate and find common ground. While white peoples’ tolerance for one another is a sign of social progress, we still live in a capitalist society, and that means competition—which is the culprit behind today’s immigration controversy. Over time Americans descended from different European ethnic groups have merged into a reasonably unified society. But again, it is not tribal. Tribal co-operation, loyalty, and mutual help are scarce or missing in capitalist societies. In a land of “rugged individualism” people are on their own.
Our most successful rugged individualists, while profiting handsomely from immigrant labor, back politicians who exploit anger against immigrants. Our elites enjoy a rare real world case of having their cake and eating it too. They pay verbose politicians and media con men to stoke American workers’ fears that foreigners will take away all their jobs, while at the same time exploiting cheap immigrant labor, the the less legitimate the cheaper. Concerning Mexico, source of most recent immigrants, the wealthy rulers of both countries benefit from a symbiotic relationship. American plutocrats get cheap labor to keep wages down and profits up, and Mexican oligarchs send north their most energetic, desperate young men—men who might cause trouble if they stayed home. The same holds true regarding all countries that send immigrants here.
The problem could be resolved if workers here would demand fair pay, decent benefits, and basic rights for ALL workers, regardless of origins. But an effective labor movement has been moribund for some time, and the very concept of laborers demanding anything smacks of Marxism in the perceptions of many Americans who also must work for a living. The fallback position is to blame “others.”
Following trends of the past, modern immigrants gradually adopt American ways. We usually get new food varieties and add a few colorful words to the English language, but the children of newcomers are Americans. This is not some smarmy tribute to national pride, but historical fact. Humanity adapts, and societies absorb. We all have basic needs: freedom of speech and religion, freedom from want and from fear. When these needs are met in their homelands, people do not leave familiar surroundings for strange, unfriendly places far away. While it looks easier to hate than to understand, we who are already here do ourselves no good by trying to make the situation worse for newcomers than it was where they fled—in effect permitting our rulers to do the same to us.
Greed easily translates into an obsession for cheap labor, which then draws unhappy people from all over to industrial centers, such as cities in the United States. The elites, needing to fend off resentment from people already living here, redirect those resentments against the immigrants—who are usually too desperate to cause trouble. The rulers find no shortage of unscrupulous politicians and media barkers, who cleverly exploit these resentments. With the passage of time, the resentments have come to the forefront of the nation’s politics, and we now live in a country that is arguably ruled by hate.
Hatred being irrational, there is probably no solution through reasonable means. Mexico’s population is stabilizing, its economy improving substantially, making immigration, legal or not, a non-issue. In fact, some American farmers are now short of labor—a situation that will bankrupt small farmers, leaving land open to takeover by factory farms. New arrivals are famously from Central America, fleeing poverty and persecution set in place with the help, or at least permission, of the United States government. But these newcomers are imprisoned, not employed.
Prison labor--slavery—might be the preferred solution among our corporate rulers for providing food. Modern day Know-Nothings will not heed the warning. Any hope of halting this rush to authoritarianism can only be found by getting more people to vote who agree that current government policies are insane. Politicians bought by the elites have already rigged the election system, scientifically gerrymandering electoral districts, and initiating voter I.D. laws that make it harder for poor, black, brown, or young people to vote. Winning by election will be difficult, but there is no logical alternative. The true believers who back the border wall, who bear no empathy toward children separated from parents, seem to be itching for a fight, and lots of them have guns. Violence, once again, is not the answer. We have the numbers if we can get them to the polls. We must trust the system of constitutional law, as severely strained as it is, and use it to its maximum capacity, prepared for a long haul. We need to have faith—blind faith until we can once more justify the real thing. And faith requires action.
Modern science and technology are quite capable of providing every human need in all parts of the world. Famine happens now only in places ruined by war, and most sane people everywhere know war is useless. If people control the means of creativity, production, and distribution, they can build a world where no one needs to leave home out of desperation. We have been living in a global village for several generations now. We might as well start acting like it.
To read more articles from this author, click here: gwmatson.blogspot.com


Mulvaney out. NEXT!

Mick Mulvaney will now bring the blessings of American friendship to Northern Ireland , according to the latest NPR report….because @ @ @ @ @ the Chief of Staff .
The new guy will be Trump sockpuppet Rep. Mark Meadows @ @ @ @ @ to NPR .
This is Trump ’ s 4th COS since taking office in 2017 @ @ @ @ @ “ A ” team has gone through 42 people in less than four years .
@ @ @ @ @ sure .
Some resigned , a bunch fired , others moved to other jobs outside @ @ @ @ @ ’ s nothing like stability in government .
Let ’ s take a look at @ @ @ @ @ far :

Mick Mulvaney will now bring the blessings of American friendship to Northern Ireland, according to the latest NPR report….because he’s out as the Chief of Staff. The new guy will be Trump sockpuppet Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), according to NPR. This is Trump’s 4th COS since taking office in 2017. The President’s “A” team has gone through 42 people in less than four years. A record, to be sure. Some resigned, a bunch fired, others moved to other jobs outside the White House.
There’s nothing like stability in government. Let’s take a look at the staff turnover scoreboard so far:
Chiefs of Staff — 4
Labor — 3
Homeland Security — 5
Defense — 3
Dir, National Intelligence — 5
Press Secretary — 3
EPA — 2
Veterans Affairs — 4
Interior — 2
Health and Human Services — 4
Budget Director — 2
Sec/State — 2
Atty Gen’l — 3
CIA — 2
SBA — 3
Chief Economic Advisor — 2


dailykos--2020-03-09--Potential Cabinet Lineup: Atty General Adam Schiff

Much has been said about Joe Biden ( or Bernie Sanders ) perhaps lining up their prospective cabinet nominees early ( now/soon ) so as to reassure the followers of the candidates who are not/will not be the nominee , as well as to show the direction of the campaign and to build excitement .
Of course , we all want to know the short list for the VP nod , as well .
Here are some of my ideas for if the nominee is Biden .
Chime in with your own ideas , but try not to pull a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could appoint a GOP replacement .
VP pick # 1 : Kamala Harris .
I think she has unsurpassed experience and America wants a POC on the ballot , since we are ( generally ) not the party of old white guys… even when it seems that ’ s all we get at the top .
VP pick # 2 : Elizabeth Warren .
While not a POC , Warren could bring ( some ) measure of peace to the part of our party that desires a more rapid pace toward our liberal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , she is surely in better physical and mental health than any of the OWG ( old white guys ) running or currently occupying the office .
Help me fill in the blanks : But , for NASA Director ( not a cabinet position ) : Neil DeGrasse Tyson .
**Bonus points if you can find a symbolic GOP placement in the cabinet that could result in a Democratic replacement for that senator

Much has been said about Joe Biden (or Bernie Sanders) perhaps lining up their prospective cabinet nominees early (now/soon) so as to reassure the followers of the candidates who are not/will not be the nominee, as well as to show the direction of the campaign and to build excitement. Of course, we all want to know the short list for the VP nod, as well.
Here are some of my ideas for if the nominee is Biden. Chime in with your own ideas, but try not to pull a current Dem senator from a state that could appoint a GOP replacement.
VP pick #1: Kamala Harris. I think she has unsurpassed experience and America wants a POC on the ballot, since we are (generally) not the party of old white guys… even when it seems that’s all we get at the top.
VP pick #2: Elizabeth Warren. While not a POC, Warren could bring (some) measure of peace to the part of our party that desires a more rapid pace toward our liberal goals. While she is older too, she is surely in better physical and mental health than any of the OWG (old white guys) running or currently occupying the office.
(I really like Stacey Abrams, but I don’t think that she has is as qualified (yet) to be the VP nominee.)
Secretary of State: Elizabeth Warren or Kamala Harris
Department of the Treasury:
Defense: William McRaven
Attorney General: Adam Schiff
Interior:
EPA: Jay Inslee (edited)
--------
Help me fill in the blanks:
Agriculture:
Commerce:
Labor:
HHS:
HUD:
Transportation:
Energy: A real energy scientist with a real Ph.D
Education:
Veterans Affairs: Buttigieg or Duckworth
Homeland Security:
(I won’t go so deep as the DNI, CIA, EPA, etc)
But, for NASA Director (not a cabinet position): Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
**Bonus points if you can find a symbolic GOP placement in the cabinet that could result in a Democratic replacement for that senator


dailykos--2020-03-09--I'm Moe Davis, running for Congress in NC-11. Let's talk.

It ’ s Monday , March 9 , 2020 and the stock market is crashing , the coronavirus is spreading and our country ’ s leadership is not leading .
Welcome to the Moe Davis for Congress blog .
I am a retired Air Force Colonel , former Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay , National Security Specialist for Congress , law professor at Howard University and judge with the U.S. Department of Labor .
I am probably best known for standing up to the Bush Administration while at Guantanamo and refusing an order to use evidence obtained by torture .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Administration to fight for free speech rights for government employees .
I spent 25 years in uniform defending democracy and I will not stand idly by while it is undermined by the current leadership in Washington .
I decided to run for Congress in North Carolina ’ s 11th District – yep , that ’ s Mark Meadows ’ s old seat -- because we can ’ t take another four years of Donald Trump as president and another two years of a sycophant like Meadows enabling Trump ’ s authoritarianism .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I plan to write about issues and policy , current events and politics and hope to have other contributors to the blog as well .
Please follow along and join the conversation .
We have a lot to talk about .
You can find out about me at moedavisforcongress.com and also follow me on Twitter at @ ColMorrisDavis and @ MoeNc11 ( campaign account ) , on Facebook at @ MoeDavisforCongress and Instagram at @ moedavisforcongress .

rss@dailykos.com (Moe Davis For Congress)

It’s Monday, March 9, 2020 and the stock market is crashing, the coronavirus is spreading and our country’s leadership is not leading.
We need change.
MOE DAVIS, Democratic Nominee for Congress in NC-11
Welcome to the Moe Davis for Congress blog. I am a retired Air Force Colonel, former Chief Prosecutor at Guantanamo Bay, National Security Specialist for Congress, law professor at Howard University and judge with the U.S. Department of Labor.
I am probably best known for standing up to the Bush Administration while at Guantanamo and refusing an order to use evidence obtained by torture. I also stood up to the Obama Administration to fight for free speech rights for government employees.
I spent 25 years in uniform defending democracy and I will not stand idly by while it is undermined by the current leadership in Washington. I decided to run for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th District – yep, that’s Mark Meadows’s old seat -- because we can’t take another four years of Donald Trump as president and another two years of a sycophant like Meadows enabling Trump’s authoritarianism. We see where their leadership is taking us.
I plan to write about issues and policy, current events and politics and hope to have other contributors to the blog as well. Please follow along and join the conversation.
We have a lot to talk about.
You can find out about me at moedavisforcongress.com and also follow me on Twitter at @ColMorrisDavis and @MoeNc11 (campaign account), on Facebook at @MoeDavisforCongress and Instagram at @moedavisforcongress.


dailykos--2020-03-10--Seriously, Biden and Sanders: Stop The Rallies

One need only look at some of my recent diaries to see that I consider COVID-19 a serious threat to the United States .
So I was glad to see this recent diary on the Dailykos rec list calling on Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden to stop their campaign rallies with COVID-19 being a real pandemic threat .
But also , it is alarming that neither candidate has so far taken this step .
While I understand that running for President is a serious undertaking — and both candidates have sacrificed a lot of blood , sweat , and tears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not forget — campaigning for the Presidency is meant to be an audition to show that you are actually prepared to make the tough decisions , with American lives on the line , that will inevitably come with that most important of positions .
You are meant to be showing us that , given such a vital leadership role , that you would make the best decisions with respect to defending American lives — and values .
Putting aside your political ambitions for the safety and well-being of your supporters , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be exactly the decision to demonstrate that .
By calling off the rallies , and utilizing the multitude 21st Century ’ s advances to find new ways to engage and excite voters , you would be presenting exactly why you would be the best candidates for the Presidency , in several ways .
First , by demonstrating that you put your trust in the advice and expertise of the medical and disease experts of the CDC , the NIH , and the Dept of Health and Human Services .
You are not spreading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warnings , but rather taking sensible precautions — such as avoiding large crows and practicing social distancing — to combat and slow a very real threat to the health and safety of Americans .
Second , by demonstrating that you can put personal and political interests aside , to prioritize the health and safety of your supporters — but also anyone they interact with , so really , we are talking about doing your part to protect millions of Americans .
With a threat like COVID-19 , lives are very definitely at stake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that making a public appearance before a large crowd is more important than saving lives ?
Third , by calling off the rallies , you would be demonstrating something that many Presidents before you have had to convey to the American people : That when the United States of America faces a large , faceless , lethal threat , that we are able to confront that threat head on , and take whatever difficult steps are necessary to mitigate that threat ’ s impact on the lives of America .
That the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that comes along to destroy our way of life .
Because really , compared to having millions of Americans infected with a potentially deadly virus , having to cancel a few public appearances is a minor setback .
Fourth , by taking the COVID-19 threat seriously , it would send a message to our international allies all across the globe who are similarly feeling the effects of this pandemic .
For years during the current regime , America has communicated a message of xenophobia , incompetence , and downright chaos , that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if America would still be able to be a presence of leadership on the world stage .
By calling off the campaign rallies , Biden and Sanders would be signalling to our international allies that the US could once again be led by a thoughtful , decisive leader .
Finally , you would be sending a great message to Americans , who are already thinking to November : that if they choose you for President , they would be able to trust that you put their lives at a greater priority than personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looking like a perceived tough guy , even facing some intangible threat like COVID-19 ; and more important than being perceived as knowing more than even the experts know .
Considering who is currently occupying the Oval Office , a message like this one can have a more profound effect than most might realize .

One need only look at some of my recent diaries to see that I consider COVID-19 a serious threat to the United States.
So I was glad to see this recent diary on the Dailykos rec list calling on Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden to stop their campaign rallies with COVID-19 being a real pandemic threat.
But also, it is alarming that neither candidate has so far taken this step.
While I understand that running for President is a serious undertaking — and both candidates have sacrificed a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into their respective campaigns.
But let’s not forget — campaigning for the Presidency is meant to be an audition to show that you are actually prepared to make the tough decisions, with American lives on the line, that will inevitably come with that most important of positions. You are meant to be showing us that, given such a vital leadership role, that you would make the best decisions with respect to defending American lives — and values.
Putting aside your political ambitions for the safety and well-being of your supporters, and anyone they interact with, would be exactly the decision to demonstrate that.
By calling off the rallies, and utilizing the multitude 21st Century’s advances to find new ways to engage and excite voters, you would be presenting exactly why you would be the best candidates for the Presidency, in several ways.
First, by demonstrating that you put your trust in the advice and expertise of the medical and disease experts of the CDC, the NIH, and the Dept of Health and Human Services. You are not spreading misinformation by inciting panic or dismissing the warnings, but rather taking sensible precautions — such as avoiding large crows and practicing social distancing — to combat and slow a very real threat to the health and safety of Americans.
Second, by demonstrating that you can put personal and political interests aside, to prioritize the health and safety of your supporters — but also anyone they interact with, so really, we are talking about doing your part to protect millions of Americans. With a threat like COVID-19, lives are very definitely at stake. Are you really prepared to say that making a public appearance before a large crowd is more important than saving lives?
Third, by calling off the rallies, you would be demonstrating something that many Presidents before you have had to convey to the American people: That when the United States of America faces a large, faceless, lethal threat, that we are able to confront that threat head on, and take whatever difficult steps are necessary to mitigate that threat’s impact on the lives of America. That the country is collectively able to tackle any adversary that comes along to destroy our way of life. Because really, compared to having millions of Americans infected with a potentially deadly virus, having to cancel a few public appearances is a minor setback.
Fourth, by taking the COVID-19 threat seriously, it would send a message to our international allies all across the globe who are similarly feeling the effects of this pandemic. For years during the current regime, America has communicated a message of xenophobia, incompetence, and downright chaos, that has left allies all around the globe questioning if America would still be able to be a presence of leadership on the world stage. By calling off the campaign rallies, Biden and Sanders would be signalling to our international allies that the US could once again be led by a thoughtful, decisive leader.
Finally, you would be sending a great message to Americans, who are already thinking to November: that if they choose you for President, they would be able to trust that you put their lives at a greater priority than personal or political gain; more important than looking like a perceived tough guy, even facing some intangible threat like COVID-19; and more important than being perceived as knowing more than even the experts know. Considering who is currently occupying the Oval Office, a message like this one can have a more profound effect than most might realize.


dailykos--2020-03-10--Does the Scandinavian Model support Bernie’s Socialist Message?
                 And does it matter?

Washington Post Columnist Fareed Zakaria in an op-ed accused Bernie Sanders ’ s repeated exultation of the Northern Europe countries of Denmark , Sweden and Norway as examples of the kind of economic system he wants to bring to the United States as being an unrealistic fantasy ; Sanders either ignores or misunderstands their policies .
For instance , when it comes to supporting working people , Zakaria notes that none of these countries , has a minimum wage .
In addition , they have adopted a “ flexicurity ” policy which combines flexible labor markets that allow employers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excessive regulation or litigation .
Although that is balanced with favorable benefits .
Zakaria points out that while Sanders admires these countries ’ economic policies , their tax practices do not match his intent that “ Billionaires should not exist.
” Sweden and Norway both have more billionaires per capita than the United States .
Remarkably either they do not have inheritance taxes ( Sweden and Norway ) or are at 15 percent ( Denmark ) .
Meanwhile the US level is at 40 percent .
Worse yet , Zakaria says that taxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the poor , middle and upper middle class .
For example , Denmark ’ s highest top income tax rate is 55.9 % which is levied on anyone making 1.3 times the average national income , using that same formula in the US anyone making above $ 65,000 would be taxed at that level .
Meanwhile these states have a national sales tax , referred to as a value-added tax , of 25 % , while sales taxes in the US average only 6.5 % .
These facts could make for killer TV @ @ @ @ @ @ @ democratic candidates from conservative areas if the message is to make the US like the Scandinavian countries without mentioning their benefits .
John de Graaf , co-author of the best-selling book Affluenza : The All-Consuming Epidemic , says that while he considers Zakaria ’ s description fairly accurate in many ways , it is deceptive in others .
For instance , these countries do have billionaires , but they have far lower rates of poverty , and almost zero homelessness .
They do not have official minimum wages , but the prevailing wages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to almost all workers and are over $ 20 an hour , with most workers receiving very generous family , sick and vacation leave .
Even with high taxes , Scandinavians have quite high disposable incomes .
Subsidies and “ social housing ” make housing affordable to all , and medical care is mostly free , although some co — pays and deductions do exist .
When looking at workplace comparisons , Flexicurity is a popular system with businesses there , but it is coupled with very generous unemployment compensation , job training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for .
It is true that their corporate taxes appear lower than in the US but they are much better enforced — fewer loopholes .
For example , data from 2010 showed while Sweden had an official corporate tax rate of 25 % their companies ended up paying 22 % .
The US had an official rate of 35 % , but an actual rate of 9 % .
Our approach breeds distrust in the honesty of our tax system .
To measure inequality in a country , a common metric is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicating greater equality in wealth among the population .
The Scandinavian countries are close to 3.0 while the US is at about 4.5 .
Surveys comparing our citizens to theirs reveal that they are happier than Americans by a fairly wide margin , and much more secure in their lives .
The takeaway from Zakaria ’ s and de Graaf ’ s descriptions of the Scandinavian political economic model is that calling those countries socialist is a stretch if not outright wrong .
The Scandinavians and their leaders don ’ t consider themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has many different faces depending on the angle of your view .
From America , those countries may appear to be socialist .
That is understandable given that our dominant political culture , which for well over a hundred years , has seen any government regulation of the marketplace and provision of economic assistance to the populace as socialistic .
Such an expansive definition of socialism renders the term useless as a guide for determining public policy .
It leads to sloganeering , both pro and con , on any policy that alters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ironically both Trump and Sanders , have pitched their main message as overhauling our economic system .
But , in radically different ways .
Trump ’ s message emphasizes that maintaining the racial order that benefits white ethnic groups is necessary for our security .
Sanders wants greater economic equality to create better living conditions for everyone .
Trump calls his system capitalistic and Sanders calls his socialistic .
The problem that Sanders and the Democratic Party candidates face , is that the percentage of voters 45 and older is twice the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as was shown in the most recent 2018 congressional elections as reported by the census data .
The older set of voters have grown up with a negative image of socialism , and reinforced by past and current authoritarian governments that call themselves socialistic .
In reality China , Venezuela and Cuba are not socialist , just authoritarian anti-democratic governments that provide some level of benefits to their populace that a free marketplace would not .
Sanders has and will continue to condemn all authoritarian governments , but that does not change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is being forced to spend time informing the public on the difference between authoritarian versus democratic socialism , without being sucked into distinguishing the more than two dozen different kinds of socialism that , for instance , Wikipedia identifies .
However , this educational effort is hindered by the fact that no matter how progressive , there is no economically developed , democratic country that calls itself socialist .
Sometimes more progressive countries have Socialist Party governments and sometimes they don ’ t , but their democracies remain functioning with economics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , regardless of the change in their political leaders .
Sanders has defined his socialism as democratic socialism , and points to the practices in the Scandinavian countries of what he is talking about .
However , in many interviews he is more general , defining socialism as a democracy that has achieved economic justice , social justice , environmental justice and racial justice .
That describes an ideal state ; one that does not exist now and may never exist .
By Sanders saying he is a socialist , he is basically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those goals , much like what he sees the Scandinavian countries pursuing .
But those goals do not inherently result in a socialistic country .
They rather reflect the will of the voters within a democracy , not thrown out of balance by the influence of money .
Sanders ’ political objectives are really reminiscent of those pursued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt , and before him Theodore Roosevelt , particularly when he ran as a populist candidate for President .
This is despite Sanders ’ admiring and producing a documentary on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who garnered 6 % of the vote in the 1912 general Presidential election .
That was the highest water mark that any socialist presidential candidate has ever received .
If Sanders wants to go much beyond that level , he must unite the Democrats as a presidential candidate .
To do that he needs to reevaluate how he is crippling his own message by clinging to terminology that older generation voters have identified as poisonous to our freedoms .
Instead , Sanders should echo the statement he made in the now-defunct magazine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ …all socialism is about is democracy.
” Arguing that many Scandinavian public policies promote higher standards of living and happiness , is a strong rational argument .
But , don ’ t sell those countries as socialist , which they are not .
Having proportional electoral systems has resulted in all of them having coalition governments from time to time .
Often those other parties are Christian parties and on occasion those coalitions have even attracted the support of right wing parties .
The bottom line is that Scandinavian countries maintain robust democracies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meet the social and economic needs of all of their citizens .
That is the lesson that we can take away from their experience .
And , it must be the political message of whoever is the Democratic candidate , if the Democrats are to energize people of all ages to vote in a new president who represents those values .
Nick Licata served 5 terms on the Seattle City Council , named progressive municipal official of the year by The Nation , and is founding board chair of Local Progress , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Washington Post Columnist Fareed Zakaria in an op-ed accused Bernie Sanders’s repeated exultation of the Northern Europe countries of Denmark, Sweden and Norway as examples of the kind of economic system he wants to bring to the United States as being an unrealistic fantasy; Sanders either ignores or misunderstands their policies.
For instance, when it comes to supporting working people, Zakaria notes that none of these countries, has a minimum wage. In addition, they have adopted a “flexicurity” policy which combines flexible labor markets that allow employers to hire and fire workers easily, without excessive regulation or litigation. Although that is balanced with favorable benefits.
Zakaria points out that while Sanders admires these countries’ economic policies, their tax practices do not match his intent that “Billionaires should not exist.” Sweden and Norway both have more billionaires per capita than the United States. Remarkably either they do not have inheritance taxes (Sweden and Norway) or are at 15 percent (Denmark). Meanwhile the US level is at 40 percent.
Worse yet, Zakaria says that taxes in the Scandinavian countries fall disproportionately on the poor, middle and upper middle class. For example, Denmark’s highest top income tax rate is 55.9% which is levied on anyone making 1.3 times the average national income, using that same formula in the US anyone making above $65,000 would be taxed at that level. Meanwhile these states have a national sales tax, referred to as a value-added tax, of 25%, while sales taxes in the US average only 6.5%.
These facts could make for killer TV attack ads by Republicans against Sanders and democratic candidates from conservative areas if the message is to make the US like the Scandinavian countries without mentioning their benefits. John de Graaf, co-author of the best-selling book Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic, says that while he considers Zakaria’s description fairly accurate in many ways, it is deceptive in others.
For instance, these countries do have billionaires, but they have far lower rates of poverty, and almost zero homelessness. They do not have official minimum wages, but the prevailing wages are set by union/government/business agreements, apply to almost all workers and are over $20 an hour, with most workers receiving very generous family, sick and vacation leave.
Even with high taxes, Scandinavians have quite high disposable incomes. Subsidies and “social housing” make housing affordable to all, and medical care is mostly free, although some co — pays and deductions do exist. When looking at workplace comparisons,
Flexicurity is a popular system with businesses there, but it is coupled with very generous unemployment compensation, job training, workforce development, which companies pay for.
It is true that their corporate taxes appear lower than in the US but they are much better enforced — fewer loopholes. For example, data from 2010 showed while Sweden had an official corporate tax rate of 25% their companies ended up paying 22%. The US had an official rate of 35%, but an actual rate of 9%. Our approach breeds distrust in the honesty of our tax system.
To measure inequality in a country, a common metric is the GINI coefficient, with a lower score indicating greater equality in wealth among the population. The Scandinavian countries are close to 3.0 while the US is at about 4.5. Surveys comparing our citizens to theirs reveal that they are happier than Americans by a fairly wide margin, and much more secure in their lives.
The takeaway from Zakaria’s and de Graaf’s descriptions of the Scandinavian political economic model is that calling those countries socialist is a stretch if not outright wrong. The Scandinavians and their leaders don’t consider themselves as living in socialist countries.
Socialism has many different faces depending on the angle of your view. From America, those countries may appear to be socialist. That is understandable given that our dominant political culture, which for well over a hundred years, has seen any government regulation of the marketplace and provision of economic assistance to the populace as socialistic.
Such an expansive definition of socialism renders the term useless as a guide for determining public policy. It leads to sloganeering, both pro and con, on any policy that alters the current economic structure of our nation. Ironically both Trump and Sanders, have pitched their main message as overhauling our economic system. But, in radically different ways. Trump’s message emphasizes that maintaining the racial order that benefits white ethnic groups is necessary for our security. Sanders wants greater economic equality to create better living conditions for everyone. Trump calls his system capitalistic and Sanders calls his socialistic.
The problem that Sanders and the Democratic Party candidates face, is that the percentage of voters 45 and older is twice the number voting under the age of 29, as was shown in the most recent 2018 congressional elections as reported by the census data. The older set of voters have grown up with a negative image of socialism, and reinforced by past and current authoritarian governments that call themselves socialistic. In reality China, Venezuela and Cuba are not socialist, just authoritarian anti-democratic governments that provide some level of benefits to their populace that a free marketplace would not.
Sanders has and will continue to condemn all authoritarian governments, but that does not change people’s perception of socialism overnight. He is being forced to spend time informing the public on the difference between authoritarian versus democratic socialism, without being sucked into distinguishing the more than two dozen different kinds of socialism that, for instance, Wikipedia identifies. However, this educational effort is hindered by the fact that no matter how progressive, there is no economically developed, democratic country that calls itself socialist. Sometimes more progressive countries have Socialist Party governments and sometimes they don’t, but their democracies remain functioning with economics that reflect both capitalistic and socialistic elements, regardless of the change in their political leaders.
Sanders has defined his socialism as democratic socialism, and points to the practices in the Scandinavian countries of what he is talking about. However, in many interviews he is more general, defining socialism as a democracy that has achieved economic justice, social justice, environmental justice and racial justice. That describes an ideal state; one that does not exist now and may never exist. By Sanders saying he is a socialist, he is basically saying that he wishes to work toward those goals, much like what he sees the Scandinavian countries pursuing. But those goals do not inherently result in a socialistic country. They rather reflect the will of the voters within a democracy, not thrown out of balance by the influence of money.
Sanders’ political objectives are really reminiscent of those pursued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and before him Theodore Roosevelt, particularly when he ran as a populist candidate for President. This is despite Sanders’ admiring and producing a documentary on the socialist and union leader Eugene V. Debs, who garnered 6% of the vote in the 1912 general Presidential election. That was the highest water mark that any socialist presidential candidate has ever received. If Sanders wants to go much beyond that level, he must unite the Democrats as a presidential candidate. To do that he needs to reevaluate how he is crippling his own message by clinging to terminology that older generation voters have identified as poisonous to our freedoms. Instead, Sanders should echo the statement he made in the now-defunct magazine called Vermont Affairs in 1986, “…all socialism is about is democracy.”
Arguing that many Scandinavian public policies promote higher standards of living and happiness, is a strong rational argument. But, don’t sell those countries as socialist, which they are not. Having proportional electoral systems has resulted in all of them having coalition governments from time to time. Often those other parties are Christian parties and on occasion those coalitions have even attracted the support of right wing parties.
The bottom line is that Scandinavian countries maintain robust democracies providing services and policies that work to meet the social and economic needs of all of their citizens. That is the lesson that we can take away from their experience. And, it must be the political message of whoever is the Democratic candidate, if the Democrats are to energize people of all ages to vote in a new president who represents those values.
Nick Licata served 5 terms on the Seattle City Council, named progressive municipal official of the year by The Nation, and is founding board chair of Local Progress, a national network of 1,000 progressive municipal officials.
Subscribe to Licata’s newsletter Urban Politics


dailykos--2020-03-10--It's Not the Thought that Counts, It's the Actions

I wrote a response to a recent diary titled “ Democrats Aren ’ t Sexist ” .
Whereas that sentiment may be a bit too absolute , I strongly agree with it as a general statement .
At the same time , I felt it important to respond in a comment and to share that comment with you for your consideration .
My comment to that diary in a slightly edited form reads : You could definitely argue that acting on a false belief rooted in sexism is not sexism itself .
However , having your heart in the right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s lives .
It ’ s the actions themselves .
So , the fact that you believe that people of color are equal to White people ( not a racist ) doesn ’ t mean that you will recognize the influence of racial bias in your actions .
Similarly , you may believe that women are equal to men ( not a sexist ) but at the same time make decisions based on the contradictory argument that they are not equal in some respect , like being electable .
I agree that most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives little hope and comfort to women and girls who see the Democratic primary electorate pass over several equally or even more qualified women because they accepted in large numbers a baseless , gender-biased claim — she was not electable .
In the process , they denied qualified women the well-deserved opportunity they would likely have given to someone identical but a man .
Why is that Ok ?
In the Democratic Party we have at least made sexism unacceptable .
But we need to go beyond that and have a conversation about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential underlying biases and how fear activates them .
That is essential if we are to avoid making discriminatory decisions that deny individuals equal opportunities , even unintentionally .
We care , so we can and should be able to do that .
I am now retired but was involved in gender issues in STEM disciplines ( Science , Technology , Engineering , and Mathematics ) through most of my career .
I have even taught classes in this topic .
And I have mentored both young women and young men to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they speak and act .
Yes , women can and do speak and act in a gender-biased way .
In fact , women can be among the worst — I got ahead by acting like a man , so I expect you to do it too , so just suck it up , stop complaining , and lean in .
So I wanted to share some thoughts and urge our party ( the Democratic Party ) to have an honest discussion of all the biases , including racial and gender biases , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how we who are fundamentally good people act .
Granted we should wait until after November , since all of our energies until then should be directed at crushing Republicans .
I have experienced gender bias over and over .
In my first post graduate job , I was paid around 10 % less than a man with identical credentials and experience who started at the same time .
My boss saw nothing wrong with this .
The day several years later when he told me despite greater productivity than the male employee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ever qualify for a promotion , I went and found another job in the department .
He never got it .
In STEM we have gotten to the point that many girls and young women can get much farther than they did in the past , but there always comes a day when the systemic gender bias throughout our society hits them squarely in the face .
It too often not only denies them opportunity but also leads them to doubt themselves .
I could give you so many examples that you would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
So I will just ask for a few things .
• Always think a little harder when you are making critical decisions about an individual .
Ask yourself — am I seeing this person for who they are or through the lens of one or more biases .
• Silence is complicity .
Watch for bias and call people out in a fair and constructive way .
Stand up for yourself and for others .
• Support having a deeper conversation about the impact of systemic bias at the highest levels of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right .
Write down your stories now for sharing later and let ’ s make sure the party listens .

I wrote a response to a recent diary titled “Democrats Aren’t Sexist”. Whereas that sentiment may be a bit too absolute, I strongly agree with it as a general statement. At the same time, I felt it important to respond in a comment and to share that comment with you for your consideration. My comment to that diary in a slightly edited form reads:
You could definitely argue that acting on a false belief rooted in sexism is not sexism itself. However, having your heart in the right place is not what impacts people’s lives. It’s the actions themselves. So, the fact that you believe that people of color are equal to White people (not a racist) doesn’t mean that you will recognize the influence of racial bias in your actions. Similarly, you may believe that women are equal to men (not a sexist) but at the same time make decisions based on the contradictory argument that they are not equal in some respect, like being electable. I agree that most Democrats are not sexist. But that gives little hope and comfort to women and girls who see the Democratic primary electorate pass over several equally or even more qualified women because they accepted in large numbers a baseless, gender-biased claim — she was not electable. In the process, they denied qualified women the well-deserved opportunity they would likely have given to someone identical but a man. Why is that Ok? In the Democratic Party we have at least made sexism unacceptable. But we need to go beyond that and have a conversation about how important it is to think about potential underlying biases and how fear activates them. That is essential if we are to avoid making discriminatory decisions that deny individuals equal opportunities, even unintentionally. We care, so we can and should be able to do that.
I am now retired but was involved in gender issues in STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) through most of my career. I have even taught classes in this topic. And I have mentored both young women and young men to be more conscious about avoiding gender bias when they speak and act. Yes, women can and do speak and act in a gender-biased way. In fact, women can be among the worst — I got ahead by acting like a man, so I expect you to do it too, so just suck it up, stop complaining, and lean in.
So I wanted to share some thoughts and urge our party (the Democratic Party) to have an honest discussion of all the biases, including racial and gender biases, that we often don’t realize influence how we who are fundamentally good people act. Granted we should wait until after November, since all of our energies until then should be directed at crushing Republicans.
I have experienced gender bias over and over. In my first post graduate job, I was paid around 10% less than a man with identical credentials and experience who started at the same time. My boss saw nothing wrong with this. The day several years later when he told me despite greater productivity than the male employee he saw no scenario where I would ever qualify for a promotion, I went and found another job in the department. He never got it.
In STEM we have gotten to the point that many girls and young women can get much farther than they did in the past, but there always comes a day when the systemic gender bias throughout our society hits them squarely in the face. It too often not only denies them opportunity but also leads them to doubt themselves.
I could give you so many examples that you would give up well before reaching the end. So I will just ask for a few things.
Always think a little harder when you are making critical decisions about an individual. Ask yourself — am I seeing this person for who they are or through the lens of one or more biases.
Silence is complicity. Watch for bias and call people out in a fair and constructive way. Stand up for yourself and for others.
Support having a deeper conversation about the impact of systemic bias at the highest levels of our party. Early 2021 sounds about right. Write down your stories now for sharing later and let’s make sure the party listens.
Peace


dailykos--2020-03-12--We are in a dire public health crisis. Take full advantage. Politicize the bajeezus out of it.

Countless times I ’ ve watched sporting events where a big lead led to playing not to lose which led to defeat .
Now is the time to go for the jugular .
Politics is not only not beanbag , it isn ’ t the least bit fair .
Playing fair is an exercise in asymmetric warfare that disadvantages one side .
It wasn ’ t fair that Al Gore won the popular vote and lost the presidency .
It wasn ’ t fair that Kathleen Harris maliciously purged tens of thousands of black voters in Florida .
It wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and chose a president that wasn ’ t the one chosen by the people .
It wasn ’ t fair that John Kerry was swiftboated and lost an election because the opposition managed to turn his service and heroism into a negative .
It wasn ’ t fair that Hillary Clinton was hobbled and ultimately defeated by utterly baseless scandals , voter suppression , Russian influence , and Anthony fucking Weiner ’ s dick pics .
It isn ’ t fair that the Party that represents the majority of votes and constituents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is fucking fair .
Gloves need to come off .
Now .
Donald J Trump isn ’ t responsible for Coronavirus .
But he is responsible for how he ’ s dealt with it .
And that absolutely has to be used against him , and the entire GOP , politically !
After Andy Card whispered “ we are under attack ” into George W. Bush ’ s ear , he continued for seven minutes to read “ My Pet Goat ” to children whilst Dick Cheney took charge and scrambled jets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All seven minutes were filmed .
There should have been seven TV ads of each minute Bush did that -- Minute one ... minute two ... minute three… And had Democrats not taken the high road by not politicizing an act of horrific terrorism , John Kerry would have been president .
It ’ s not just about defeating President Trump .
The GOP needs to be mercilessly slaughtered at the polls , at every level .
Every race counts .
Every election matters .
Building a bench is the path to future @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her school board election , nobody outside Wasilla would have ever heard of her .
That school board election was historic .
Every race matters .
Every single one .
I love , adore , admire , and respect Michelle Obama more than anyone in the world .
But now is not the time to go high .
Now is the time to seize the opportunity to save the republic .
We need to be utterly ruthless .

Countless times I’ve watched sporting events where a big lead led to playing not to lose which led to defeat. Now is the time to go for the jugular.
Politics is not only not beanbag, it isn’t the least bit fair. Playing fair is an exercise in asymmetric warfare that disadvantages one side.
It wasn’t fair that Al Gore won the popular vote and lost the presidency. It wasn’t fair that Kathleen Harris maliciously purged tens of thousands of black voters in Florida. It wasn’t fair that the SCOTUS weighed in and chose a president that wasn’t the one chosen by the people.
It wasn’t fair that John Kerry was swiftboated and lost an election because the opposition managed to turn his service and heroism into a negative.
It wasn’t fair that Hillary Clinton was hobbled and ultimately defeated by utterly baseless scandals, voter suppression, Russian influence, and Anthony fucking Weiner’s dick pics.
It isn’t fair that Merrick Garland isn’t a Supreme Court Justice.
It isn’t fair that the Party that represents the majority of votes and constituents is the Senate minority.
Gerrymandering isn’t fair.
The electoral college isn’t fair.
Voter suppression isn’t fair.
None of it is fucking fair.
Gloves need to come off. Now.
Donald J Trump isn’t responsible for Coronavirus. But he is responsible for how he’s dealt with it. And that absolutely has to be used against him, and the entire GOP, politically!
After Andy Card whispered “we are under attack” into George W. Bush’s ear, he continued for seven minutes to read “My Pet Goat” to children whilst Dick Cheney took charge and scrambled jets to shoot down a commercial airliner. All seven minutes were filmed. There should have been seven TV ads of each minute Bush did that--Minute one...minute two...minute three… And had Democrats not taken the high road by not politicizing an act of horrific terrorism, John Kerry would have been president.
It’s not just about defeating President Trump. The GOP needs to be mercilessly slaughtered at the polls, at every level. Every race counts. Every election matters. Building a bench is the path to future wins. If Sarah Palin had lost her school board election, nobody outside Wasilla would have ever heard of her. That school board election was historic. Every race matters. Every single one.
I love, adore, admire, and respect Michelle Obama more than anyone in the world. But now is not the time to go high. Now is the time to seize the opportunity to save the republic. We need to be utterly ruthless.


dailykos--2020-03-12--Why are we leaving our farmers in the dust?

Our farmers are in jeopardy .
Last year , 24 family farms filed for bankruptcy in Iowa .
That ’ s 24 hardworking Iowa families who were forced to give up their livelihoods .
Worse , the numbers show this is a 20 % increase in farm bankruptcies since 2018 -- and 100 % more than there should be , period .
When farms suffer in Iowa , we all suffer .
They are the backbone of this district , holding towns together , keeping schools , grocery stores , and banks alive .
If we want to make sure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ farmers , we need leaders who will be a strong voice for our farmers -- and will stand tall with them every day .
We need to support our neighbors and family farmers who are being pushed off the farm by the multinational corporations that control inputs , prices , markets , and choices .
America needs our farmers , and our farmers need antitrust enforcement to have a fair shot .
We need a representative who will level the playing field for farmers .
That ’ s why J.D .
Scholten is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iowa ’ s 4th district .
When he get to Congress , he will get to work right away to help our family farmers stay afloat .

Our farmers are in jeopardy.
Last year, 24 family farms filed for bankruptcy in Iowa.
That’s 24 hardworking Iowa families who were forced to give up their livelihoods. Worse, the numbers show this is a 20% increase in farm bankruptcies since 2018 -- and 100% more than there should be, period.
When farms suffer in Iowa, we all suffer. They are the backbone of this district, holding towns together, keeping schools, grocery stores, and banks alive.
If we want to make sure we stop the plight of our family farmers, we need leaders who will be a strong voice for our farmers -- and will stand tall with them every day.
We need to support our neighbors and family farmers who are being pushed off the farm by the multinational corporations that control inputs, prices, markets, and choices. America needs our farmers, and our farmers need antitrust enforcement to have a fair shot.
We need a representative who will level the playing field for farmers. That’s why J.D. Scholten is running to defeat Steve King and serve Iowa’s 4th district. When he get to Congress, he will get to work right away to help our family farmers stay afloat.


dailykos--2020-03-11--Rural communities can’t be left behind in our coronavirus response

We are in the middle of a public health crisis , and leaders in Washington remain woefully unprepared to create @ @ @ @ @ .
J.D .
Scholten , running to serve Iowa ’ s 4th district in Congress @ @ @ @ @ rural America need to be understood as our country grapples with adequately responding to the @ @ @ @ @ threat that demands competent leadership , but all we ’ ve seen is chaos , @ @ @ @ @ misinformation , and more corporate handouts .
The Administration is putting the profits of Wall @ @ @ @ @ sick people , and we ’ re running the risk of doing too little , @ @ @ @ @ to coronavirus can ’ t leave rural America behind .
Rural communities are at a @ @ @ @ @ — and any federal response should adequately confront these challenges .
We can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ this public health crisis .

We are in the middle of a public health crisis, and leaders in Washington remain woefully unprepared to create a plan to address it. J.D. Scholten, running to serve Iowa’s 4th district in Congress, believes the challenges facing rural America need to be understood as our country grapples with adequately responding to the coronavirus.
Coronavirus is a threat that demands competent leadership, but all we’ve seen is chaos, denials, outright lies, misinformation, and more corporate handouts. The Administration is putting the profits of Wall Street and corporations over helping sick people, and we’re running the risk of doing too little, too late.
The response to coronavirus can’t leave rural America behind. Rural communities are at a higher risk of worse outcomes — and any federal response should adequately confront these challenges.
We can’t forget about rural communities during this public health crisis.