Saturday, November 10, 2018
The Senate is so rigged that Democrats may never control it ever again
https://thinkprogress.org/the-senate-is-so-rigged-that-democrats-may-never-control-it-ever-again-14ede9ac5f01/?fbclid=IwAR1DCNSVTmjdKA-_scykn-BK8hIBtPidd5IlQYAQgJuJ4pHDeg1v_SAC4do
"In the outgoing Senate — the Senate that placed Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court — the 49 senators in the Democratic “minority” represent almost 40 million more people than the Republican “majority.” In the incoming Senate, the Democratic “minority” will still represent millions more people — despite the fact that Republicans grew their “majority” last night. And this malapportionment is only going to get worse. By 2040, according to Baruch College’s David Birdsell, about 70 percent of Americans are expected to live in just 15 states. That means that the vast majority of Americans will control just 30 percent of the Senate, while the remaining 70 senators are elected by just 30 percent of the nation. America’s endgame, in other words, is a nation that can no longer meaningfully be described as a democracy — and we are already very far along to that destination. The state of Wyoming has only 573,720 people, according to U.S. Census estimates. That’s 1/68th of the population of California. And yet the 39,776,830 Californians are represented by just two senators — the same number as Wyoming. Indeed, to put the case against Wyoming into fuller context, Wyoming has fewer people than Milwaukee, Baltimore, or Louisville. The fourth largest city in California, San Francisco, has more than 300,000 more residents than the entire state of Wyoming. In total, there are 31 U.S. cities with a greater population than Wyoming. One of them, the nation’s capital, has no representation whatsoever in the Senate."
"In the outgoing Senate — the Senate that placed Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court — the 49 senators in the Democratic “minority” represent almost 40 million more people than the Republican “majority.” In the incoming Senate, the Democratic “minority” will still represent millions more people — despite the fact that Republicans grew their “majority” last night. And this malapportionment is only going to get worse. By 2040, according to Baruch College’s David Birdsell, about 70 percent of Americans are expected to live in just 15 states. That means that the vast majority of Americans will control just 30 percent of the Senate, while the remaining 70 senators are elected by just 30 percent of the nation. America’s endgame, in other words, is a nation that can no longer meaningfully be described as a democracy — and we are already very far along to that destination. The state of Wyoming has only 573,720 people, according to U.S. Census estimates. That’s 1/68th of the population of California. And yet the 39,776,830 Californians are represented by just two senators — the same number as Wyoming. Indeed, to put the case against Wyoming into fuller context, Wyoming has fewer people than Milwaukee, Baltimore, or Louisville. The fourth largest city in California, San Francisco, has more than 300,000 more residents than the entire state of Wyoming. In total, there are 31 U.S. cities with a greater population than Wyoming. One of them, the nation’s capital, has no representation whatsoever in the Senate."
N. Carolina elections are a huge win for democracy, paving the way to strike down GOP gerrymandering
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/6/1810593/-N-Carolina-elections-are-a-huge-win-for-democracy-paving-the-way-to-strike-down-GOP-gerrymandering?utm_campaign=trending&fbclid=IwAR2St4WkRr6ZbK9qXtW8ifocqeOlEMBuD4rUffAEgwSr9WOJlga4zz-m6Ho
"In a critical victory for fair elections and the rule of law, North Carolina voters have elected civil rights crusader Anita Earls as the next Democratic justice of the state Supreme Court. Just as importantly, voters rejected two deceptively written constitutional amendments that Republicans had put on the ballot so they could pack that very same court to stop it from curtailing their worst-in-the-nation gerrymandering and voter suppression. Furthermore, voters rejected Republican legislators' ploy to usurp Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's power to appoint the state Board of Elections in their quest to prevent Democrats from expanding early voting. Indeed, Earls' victory over GOP Justice Barbara Jackson, which was astonishingly aided by a GOP election-rigging scheme blowing up in their faces, expands the Democratic majority to five seats over just two Republicans. And because voters rejected an amendment that would have effectively gerrymandered the judicial branch by letting the GOP-gerrymandered legislature assume Cooper’s authority to fill judicial vacancies, Republicans can’t use their unconstitutionally gerrymandered supermajorities to pack the state Supreme Court in a December lame-duck legislative session and return it to a Republican majority like they had planned. Now that Earls, a civil rights lawyer who has fought and won cases against out-of-control North Carolina Republicans on gerrymandering and voting rights, will soon sit on the bench, the end of this decade’s GOP stranglehold on state government may finally be in sight."
"In a critical victory for fair elections and the rule of law, North Carolina voters have elected civil rights crusader Anita Earls as the next Democratic justice of the state Supreme Court. Just as importantly, voters rejected two deceptively written constitutional amendments that Republicans had put on the ballot so they could pack that very same court to stop it from curtailing their worst-in-the-nation gerrymandering and voter suppression. Furthermore, voters rejected Republican legislators' ploy to usurp Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's power to appoint the state Board of Elections in their quest to prevent Democrats from expanding early voting. Indeed, Earls' victory over GOP Justice Barbara Jackson, which was astonishingly aided by a GOP election-rigging scheme blowing up in their faces, expands the Democratic majority to five seats over just two Republicans. And because voters rejected an amendment that would have effectively gerrymandered the judicial branch by letting the GOP-gerrymandered legislature assume Cooper’s authority to fill judicial vacancies, Republicans can’t use their unconstitutionally gerrymandered supermajorities to pack the state Supreme Court in a December lame-duck legislative session and return it to a Republican majority like they had planned. Now that Earls, a civil rights lawyer who has fought and won cases against out-of-control North Carolina Republicans on gerrymandering and voting rights, will soon sit on the bench, the end of this decade’s GOP stranglehold on state government may finally be in sight."
Four Ways for Democrats to Root out Republican Corruption
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/07/four-ways-democrats-root-out-republican-corruption?fbclid=IwAR1ReUIGzbwwFs25dlNuRPs7_oaqEb4uQC__uwJjWATZ-YTt013ehatj1NM
"Tuesday’s elections brought a major shift to the U.S. House, and handed Democrats the opportunity to investigate the rampant corruption of the Trump Administration"
"Tuesday’s elections brought a major shift to the U.S. House, and handed Democrats the opportunity to investigate the rampant corruption of the Trump Administration"
Donald Trump Jr. Expecting to Be Indicted by Mueller Soon
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/11/donald-trump-jr-expecting-to-be-indicted-by-mueller-soon.html?fbclid=IwAR19SnbvhJLHPOsOImneiPNGv_d129o8PEF52O3Jjqgp47Oy1AyU0tA-jnE
"Last year, Donald Trump Jr. testified that he never informed his father of a meeting with Russian officials promising “dirt” on Hillary Clinton. It seemed hard to believe that the ne’er-do-well son would neglect to seek credit for his expected campaign coup from the father whose approval he so obviously craves. And now it seems that Robert Mueller has obtained proof that it is not in fact true. The Trump family lies all the time, of course, but doing it under oath is a crime."
"Last year, Donald Trump Jr. testified that he never informed his father of a meeting with Russian officials promising “dirt” on Hillary Clinton. It seemed hard to believe that the ne’er-do-well son would neglect to seek credit for his expected campaign coup from the father whose approval he so obviously craves. And now it seems that Robert Mueller has obtained proof that it is not in fact true. The Trump family lies all the time, of course, but doing it under oath is a crime."
A list of the states that legalized marijuana for recreational or medical use
https://thinkprogress.org/election-wins-marijuana-reform-michigan-utah-missouri-ohio-831a86dfcad7/?fbclid=IwAR02pbf9-dGl22LZAD3kDjpXdAcn1q-QY0qaiAOTmW4cZw8V_jgGYs_nYEI
"On Tuesday, 36 separate marijuana referendums made it onto the ballots across seven states. Amendments and proposals ranged from outright legalization, like in Michigan and North Dakota, to ironing out the definition of hemp in Colorado. Voters in three states voted to legalize marijuana, and one voted to decriminalize it outright."
"On Tuesday, 36 separate marijuana referendums made it onto the ballots across seven states. Amendments and proposals ranged from outright legalization, like in Michigan and North Dakota, to ironing out the definition of hemp in Colorado. Voters in three states voted to legalize marijuana, and one voted to decriminalize it outright."
Minimum wage increases pass in Arkansas and Missouri
https://thinkprogress.org/minimum-wage-increases-pass-in-arkansas-and-missouri-ed29827a9364/?fbclid=IwAR3jddRFfPGvSQXi_4sRBbEVkMWzr8ZdOj1VL0bgTTyuTsfRm3sAAf2S604
"Voters in Arkansas and Missouri have approved a ballot initiative that would significantly raise the minimum wage in their states, affecting nearly 1 million workers."
"Voters in Arkansas and Missouri have approved a ballot initiative that would significantly raise the minimum wage in their states, affecting nearly 1 million workers."
Big Oil Kills Carbon Initiative in Washington State
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/washington-state-carbon-initiative-vote-752961/?fbclid=IwAR2wVVKrRo97y_LJC5TLTHOztDAb9SO8Dl5V9OuuEexAUjF4gFdTLZ_DphY
"Last night in Washington state, Big Oil bought another election and pushed the world a little deeper into climate chaos. What else is new? Big Oil’s victory came on Initiative 1631, which sought to put a small fee on carbon pollution in the state. It lost by a significant margin, 56 percent to 44 percent. The Initiative was hardly a fossil-fuel killer. In fact, it was distressingly modest: It would put a price on carbon pollution that starts at $15 per ton in 2020 and rises $2 a year until 2035, where it would reach around $55. If state carbon targets are being reached, it would stay there; if not, it would continue upward. This modest fee (don’t call it a tax!) is far below what most economists believe is necessary to really have a transformative impact on our energy system, especially in a state like Washington, which has a lot of clean hydro power, but it was a start."
"Last night in Washington state, Big Oil bought another election and pushed the world a little deeper into climate chaos. What else is new? Big Oil’s victory came on Initiative 1631, which sought to put a small fee on carbon pollution in the state. It lost by a significant margin, 56 percent to 44 percent. The Initiative was hardly a fossil-fuel killer. In fact, it was distressingly modest: It would put a price on carbon pollution that starts at $15 per ton in 2020 and rises $2 a year until 2035, where it would reach around $55. If state carbon targets are being reached, it would stay there; if not, it would continue upward. This modest fee (don’t call it a tax!) is far below what most economists believe is necessary to really have a transformative impact on our energy system, especially in a state like Washington, which has a lot of clean hydro power, but it was a start."
Scott Walker, who rose to prominence attacking teachers unions, toppled by a former teacher
https://thinkprogress.org/scott-walker-loses-wisconsin-governor-race-former-teacher-tony-evers-bb503fabac1e/?fbclid=IwAR1B3b-aLTdpXWYXhwVsyrLMykgkGZzSAlYYC_pl34tvKCXEHdFqzJvjiFM
"Tony Evers (D), Wisconsin’s state superintendent of public education and a former teacher, won the governor’s race against incumbent Scott Walker (R). Walker, who has undermined teachers unions and supported the underfunding of public education in the state throughout this career as governor, recently tried to recast himself as a champion for public schools. Voters didn’t buy it."
"Tony Evers (D), Wisconsin’s state superintendent of public education and a former teacher, won the governor’s race against incumbent Scott Walker (R). Walker, who has undermined teachers unions and supported the underfunding of public education in the state throughout this career as governor, recently tried to recast himself as a champion for public schools. Voters didn’t buy it."
Progressives Win on Medicaid Expansion, Public Education, and Voting Rights Through Ballot Initiatives
https://theintercept.com/2018/11/07/ballot-measures-2018-midterms/?fbclid=IwAR2Nj2CwQbV-IZD5a6bXk-8iKKW756bW7xx_4mE3dMUPb-LnAwqOedmYqrU
"FROM STATE LEGISLATIVE races to the House of Representatives, progressive candidates made a dent in the 2018 election season, and will be relatively well-represented in federal and state-level governments next year. But it’s not just elected office: Left-wing activists also made their voices heard through ballot initiatives across the country. On Tuesday night, progressives walked away with some wins and some losses on that front. They made gains for Medicaid expansion, public education, and voting rights. But they lost other battles, like on criminal justice reform, nurse-to-patient ratios, and universal home care."
"FROM STATE LEGISLATIVE races to the House of Representatives, progressive candidates made a dent in the 2018 election season, and will be relatively well-represented in federal and state-level governments next year. But it’s not just elected office: Left-wing activists also made their voices heard through ballot initiatives across the country. On Tuesday night, progressives walked away with some wins and some losses on that front. They made gains for Medicaid expansion, public education, and voting rights. But they lost other battles, like on criminal justice reform, nurse-to-patient ratios, and universal home care."
Democrat Jacky Rosen Just Won Dean Heller’s Nevada Senate Seat
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/democrat-jacky-rosen-just-won-dean-hellers-nevada-senate-seat-results/?fbclid=IwAR22AvSKijFSLgvoPllw__VxzfvqTC5yWmUBfDGRZz1H5Ogf-SMMJpdEU3M
"Republican Sen. Dean Heller conceded to Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen in Nevada’s US Senate race. It was the only seat in the chamber Democrats picked up Tuesday after a string of other losses."
"Republican Sen. Dean Heller conceded to Democratic challenger Jacky Rosen in Nevada’s US Senate race. It was the only seat in the chamber Democrats picked up Tuesday after a string of other losses."
6 Women of Color Who Campaigned for Congress on Inequality and Won
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2018/11/07/6-women-color-who-campaigned-congress-inequality-and-won?fbclid=IwAR0-u4WtyWsj8mNe_ZIufbujv1J-7f8ot1UNTA4qK9doX9xwyvxVZI0Q9Mc
"The Democratic Party has regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives and with this shift will come a new cadre of forceful female leaders committed to narrowing the gaps that so divide us."
"The Democratic Party has regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives and with this shift will come a new cadre of forceful female leaders committed to narrowing the gaps that so divide us."
Minnesota Republican, who pined for the days when women could be called 'sluts,' loses to woman
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/11/6/1810707/-Minnesota-Republican-who-pined-for-the-days-when-women-could-be-called-sluts-loses-to-woman?fbclid=IwAR0oHi1bg9bp8xachcrL1IlPUo6AOYhKhhp49OMCAxTcyxKsavjBI2dEM88
"The shock jock Republican rep. from Minnesota’s second district has lost his seat to Democrat Angie Craig."
"The shock jock Republican rep. from Minnesota’s second district has lost his seat to Democrat Angie Craig."
Red-State Voters Expanded Medicaid, Legalized Marijuana, and Increased the Minimum Wage on Tuesday Night
https://slate.com/business/2018/11/red-state-voters-medicaid-expansion-legalized-marijuana-increased-minimum-wage.html?fbclid=IwAR2qCxSa8LD99Ij8steM74EsnwyMSKMsFEQhF-_7Bmj8OvlM9LVRJ06yTUQ
"progressive ballot initiatives on marijuana, the minimum wage, voting rights, and Medicaid passed in red and blue states alike—a reminder that even in parts of the country where Democratic politicians aren’t popular, many of their issues very much still are."
"progressive ballot initiatives on marijuana, the minimum wage, voting rights, and Medicaid passed in red and blue states alike—a reminder that even in parts of the country where Democratic politicians aren’t popular, many of their issues very much still are."
Republican Congressman Chris Collins Was Indicted for Insider Trading. He Was Reelected Anyway.
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/republican-congressman-chris-collins-was-indicted-for-insider-trading-he-was-reelected-anyway/?fbclid=IwAR3dNGur1vyt6TiWd7DurHOy9suYRI0lNU-b674vctljhqGCxYKoUq3iIz4
"Less than three months after FBI agents arrested him on charges of insider trading, Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) was reelected for a fourth term in Congress."
"Less than three months after FBI agents arrested him on charges of insider trading, Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) was reelected for a fourth term in Congress."
Abigail Spanberger Just Beat Tea Party Darling Dave Brat in Virginia
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/abigail-spanberger-just-beat-tea-party-darling-dave-brat-in-virginia/?fbclid=IwAR3XPeglkh1txpG2o32rMOn_acYE1m8DDhrRWDzfuAHTBt-W4JQ6MACNCeE
"Four years ago, Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA) dethroned House Majority Leader Eric Cantor as part of the Tea Party revolution that would eventually topple Speaker of the House John Boehner and pave the way for Donald Trump’s presidential bid. Now former CIA agent Abigail Spanberger has defeated Brat and will be the first Democratic representative from Virginia’s 7th District in more than four decades, NBC News and the Cook Political Report confirmed Tuesday night. Brat, once the darling of Breitbart and the insurgent conservative movement, aligns with the far-right House Freedom Caucus."
"Four years ago, Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA) dethroned House Majority Leader Eric Cantor as part of the Tea Party revolution that would eventually topple Speaker of the House John Boehner and pave the way for Donald Trump’s presidential bid. Now former CIA agent Abigail Spanberger has defeated Brat and will be the first Democratic representative from Virginia’s 7th District in more than four decades, NBC News and the Cook Political Report confirmed Tuesday night. Brat, once the darling of Breitbart and the insurgent conservative movement, aligns with the far-right House Freedom Caucus."
Big Oil spent big and won big in Washington and Colorado
https://thinkprogress.org/washington-colorado-big-oil-spending-ballot-initiatives-1b0620a1cc16/?fbclid=IwAR0Ed-rVNNWkuL0ij_Sty38DZOduuTgShXi_uNIsGFqMg-pW6uNPxRCXEQU
"Sweeping climate initiatives failed to pass in both Washington and Colorado on Tuesday following a record-breaking multi-million dollar opposition effort from the oil industry, which poured a staggering amount of money into campaigns opposing the initiatives."
"Sweeping climate initiatives failed to pass in both Washington and Colorado on Tuesday following a record-breaking multi-million dollar opposition effort from the oil industry, which poured a staggering amount of money into campaigns opposing the initiatives."
Duncan Hunter, Facing a Federal Indictment, Wins Reelection Bid
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/duncan-hunter-ammar-campa-najjar-election-results/?fbclid=IwAR1qYe2c59n6ws8qnRt79utz4Iu6r_51TYeBCUJPPjJHjDoL1i8OSucZR9E
"Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr. (R-Calif.), a five-term incumbent facing a 60-count federal indictment for a laundry list of campaign finance violations, has held onto his Southern California seat with 54 percent of the vote."
"Rep. Duncan Hunter, Jr. (R-Calif.), a five-term incumbent facing a 60-count federal indictment for a laundry list of campaign finance violations, has held onto his Southern California seat with 54 percent of the vote."
Nevada Just Elected a Democratic Governor for the First Time Since 1994
https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/11/nevada-just-elected-a-democratic-governor-for-the-first-time-since-1994-steve-sisolak-adam-laxalt/?fbclid=IwAR0bmtQw6L1GWx1Uy5hP_Ui7SsrhKf-nHr3OOURrGceee34VqrEy0LSNEWg
"In a race that had been a toss-up in the polls leading up to the election, Steve Sisolak defeated Republican Adam Laxalt to become Nevada’s first Democratic governor in more than 20 years."
"In a race that had been a toss-up in the polls leading up to the election, Steve Sisolak defeated Republican Adam Laxalt to become Nevada’s first Democratic governor in more than 20 years."
'Absolute Fraud': After Billions in Taxpayer Subsidies Championed by Trump, Ryan, and Walker, Foxconn to Import Chinese Workers for Wisconsin Jobs
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/11/06/absolute-fraud-after-billions-taxpayer-subsidies-championed-trump-ryan-and-walker?fbclid=IwAR18XdzCdgnFv-ERNvLGsA9ffweDi6twXv7uBgynC_FnW5pbg1dGoGV7QWk
"Wisconsin's Koch-funded Republican Gov. Scott Walker lavished the Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn with over four billion in taxpayer subsidies last year in a deal that he claimed would create 13,000 jobs in the state, but that agreement is increasingly looking like a massive con-job amid new reports on Tuesday that Foxconn is planning to bring in Chinese workers to fill spots that the governor insisted would be filled by Wisconsinites."
"Wisconsin's Koch-funded Republican Gov. Scott Walker lavished the Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn with over four billion in taxpayer subsidies last year in a deal that he claimed would create 13,000 jobs in the state, but that agreement is increasingly looking like a massive con-job amid new reports on Tuesday that Foxconn is planning to bring in Chinese workers to fill spots that the governor insisted would be filled by Wisconsinites."
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Reminder: Republicans Want to Take Your Health Care
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/republican-health-care-plan-750976/?fbclid=IwAR3H_vaeua43oU84lWQqhPoXdi-E09qnEBzob8dCFoq2GWIzW6o4ytZ2ns8
"Despite what they may claim in the final days before the midterms, Trump and the GOP are doing all they can to strip protections for pre-existing conditions"
"Despite what they may claim in the final days before the midterms, Trump and the GOP are doing all they can to strip protections for pre-existing conditions"
In 649 days, President Trump has made 6,420 false or misleading claims
https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/trump-claims-database/?fbclid=IwAR2VIvbs_FaclrjAahz7RJ_ms6cwyXXS6MQ6066bPw_vgcjgKdWlhZKs4LA&utm_term=.aef1d1d90c84
"The Fact Checker’s ongoing database of the false or misleading claims made by President Trump since assuming office."
"The Fact Checker’s ongoing database of the false or misleading claims made by President Trump since assuming office."
In historic move, the Arizona Republic endorses a Democrat for Senate for the first time in 18 years
https://www.salon.com/2018/10/23/in-historic-move-the-arizona-republic-endorses-a-democrat-for-senate-for-the-first-time-in-18-years/?fbclid=IwAR2yWQZF8ez6px7gsJgsC9qPA0XvACNrvb_65yx8tctmvNXCZPwKtkFtlk4
"For the first time in 18 years, the Arizona Republic endorsed a Democratic candidate for election to the U.S. Senate. In an op-ed published on Monday, the Grand Canyon State’s largest newspaper endorsed U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema over her Republican challenger, Martha McSally. The decision marks a stark departure for the historically-conservative publication."
"For the first time in 18 years, the Arizona Republic endorsed a Democratic candidate for election to the U.S. Senate. In an op-ed published on Monday, the Grand Canyon State’s largest newspaper endorsed U.S. Rep. Kyrsten Sinema over her Republican challenger, Martha McSally. The decision marks a stark departure for the historically-conservative publication."
GOP author of the amendment that pushed Trumpcare through the House faces the music
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/10/31/1808848/-GOP-author-of-the-amendment-that-pushed-Trumpcare-through-the-House-faces-the-music?fbclid=IwAR1OFc_1YLBo31ebSwbNXMd-rKmITMTmBYaaMI51FBJdGYyS11ks6QUd3JU
"Rep. Tom MacArthur was the only New Jersey Republican in the House to vote for both Trumpcare and the tax bill. For those reasons, he is in a very tight race right now against Democrat Andy Kim. That made a recent telephone town hall he did with 1,200 AARP members challenging for him."
"Rep. Tom MacArthur was the only New Jersey Republican in the House to vote for both Trumpcare and the tax bill. For those reasons, he is in a very tight race right now against Democrat Andy Kim. That made a recent telephone town hall he did with 1,200 AARP members challenging for him."
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