http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/05/31/3783202/trump-university-playbook-revealed/
"Documents detailing exactly how Trump University convinced students to enroll in its real estate classes were made public on Tuesday after a federal court ordered their release. The business, which began operating in 2005 and is now defunct, was actually never an accredited university. Instead, students paid thousands of dollars for advice from professors whom they believed were handpicked by Trump. In reality, the professors were not chosen by Trump, something the real estate mogul has admitted in depositions. Now, Trump University is facing three lawsuits, including a lawsuit brought by the New York Attorney General and two class-action lawsuits brought by students in California who said they were swindled. These “playbooks,” which show the script recruiters used to sign up prospective students, are being released as evidence in one of the ongoing class action lawsuits in California. The Washington Post requested that the documents be made public, which the Trump legal team fought by arguing the playbook constituted “trade secrets.”
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
‘They will find the money’: Docs reveal how Trump U pressured students to reveal retirement savings
‘They will find the money’: Docs reveal how Trump U pressured students to reveal retirement savings
"Trump University salespeople were to ask prospective students about their financial situation to assess just how much money they’re worth. What’s particularly notable here is that the page asks students to reveal how much they have in retirement savings, which suggests the university saw dipping into your retirement money as a good way to “find the money” to pay Trump University"
"Trump University salespeople were to ask prospective students about their financial situation to assess just how much money they’re worth. What’s particularly notable here is that the page asks students to reveal how much they have in retirement savings, which suggests the university saw dipping into your retirement money as a good way to “find the money” to pay Trump University"
WATCH: A retired veteran tells CNN how Trump University scammed him out of $26,000
WATCH: A retired veteran tells CNN how Trump University scammed him out of $26,000
"after five days of “instruction,” he says that he didn’t learn any useful information and was constantly pressured by instructors to pay even more money than what he’d already forked over."
"after five days of “instruction,” he says that he didn’t learn any useful information and was constantly pressured by instructors to pay even more money than what he’d already forked over."
Donald Trump's Hiding Something in Those Unreleased Tax Returns
Donald Trump's Hiding Something in Those Unreleased Tax Returns:
"Voters have the right to know if Donald dodged taxes every year, just like he did in 1978 and 1979, while he routinely used public services like bankruptcy court that other taxpayers faithfully paid for with their IRS payments."
"Voters have the right to know if Donald dodged taxes every year, just like he did in 1978 and 1979, while he routinely used public services like bankruptcy court that other taxpayers faithfully paid for with their IRS payments."
Monday, May 30, 2016
Republicans decide best way to end Net Neutrality is to defund the FCC in new bill
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/26/1531336/-Republicans-decide-best-way-to-end-Net-Neutrality-is-to-defund-the-FCC-in-new-bill
"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a ruling in February that consumers need not be forced to use the cable box rented out by your cable provider. This was great news for consumers and sad news for cable giants who haven’t had to create a competitive business plan for decades. The sounds of happy consumers is anathema to Republicans and their cable company overlords. Earlier this month, 60 Republicans wrote a very stern admonishment to the FCC. Coincidentally, the letter said all of the same things that the cable companies have been saying—creating competition will somehow hurt consumers and so no regulations, yada yada yada."
"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made a ruling in February that consumers need not be forced to use the cable box rented out by your cable provider. This was great news for consumers and sad news for cable giants who haven’t had to create a competitive business plan for decades. The sounds of happy consumers is anathema to Republicans and their cable company overlords. Earlier this month, 60 Republicans wrote a very stern admonishment to the FCC. Coincidentally, the letter said all of the same things that the cable companies have been saying—creating competition will somehow hurt consumers and so no regulations, yada yada yada."
ARE THEY SERIOUS? Here’s The Insane Thing Republicans Did Instead Of Passing Zika Funding Last Week
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/28/are-they-serious-heres-the-insane-thing-republicans-did-instead-of-passing-zika-funding-last-week/
"The sheer heartlessness astounded even some among the Republican Party. Senator Marco Rubio, whose state of Florida is ground zero for the Zika virus, gave a strongly worded condemnation of his colleagues’ actions on Capitol Hill. The rest of the country merely braced for what is going to be a very scary summer. But while Republicans once again proved they have absolutely no interest in fulfilling even basic levels of governance, they were busy wasting everyone’s time on something else. Given the stakes of the spending bill they didn’t pass, what they did do is especially offensive. Just as the House was derailing the Zika funding (and an energy and water bill for that matter), they were drafting up a petition to demand the Library of Congress go back to using the degrading term “Illegal Alien” to refer to undocumented immigrants. That’s how they spent their work week."
"The sheer heartlessness astounded even some among the Republican Party. Senator Marco Rubio, whose state of Florida is ground zero for the Zika virus, gave a strongly worded condemnation of his colleagues’ actions on Capitol Hill. The rest of the country merely braced for what is going to be a very scary summer. But while Republicans once again proved they have absolutely no interest in fulfilling even basic levels of governance, they were busy wasting everyone’s time on something else. Given the stakes of the spending bill they didn’t pass, what they did do is especially offensive. Just as the House was derailing the Zika funding (and an energy and water bill for that matter), they were drafting up a petition to demand the Library of Congress go back to using the degrading term “Illegal Alien” to refer to undocumented immigrants. That’s how they spent their work week."
Surprise, Surprise. Trump's Been Lying About His Opposition To Cutting Social Security
Surprise, Surprise. Trump's Been Lying About His Opposition To Cutting Social Security
"It should come as a shock to no one that Trump's been saying one thing to his supporters on the campaign trail, while telling the Zombie-Eyed Granny-Starver from Wisconsin something else in private."
"It should come as a shock to no one that Trump's been saying one thing to his supporters on the campaign trail, while telling the Zombie-Eyed Granny-Starver from Wisconsin something else in private."
It Is Time to Phase Out 9 Unnecessary Oil and Gas Tax Breaks
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/green/report/2016/05/26/138049/it-is-time-to-phase-out-9-unnecessary-oil-and-gas-tax-breaks/
"The investment tax credit, or ITC, and production tax credit, or PTC, for clean energy have played an essential role in expediting the deployment of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy in the United States. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the PTC and ITC. As part of the agreement, however, Congress decided to phase out these tax credits over time. This raises an important question, one asked by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in February: If policymakers phase out tax credits for clean energy, shouldn’t they do the same for the billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry? This fact sheet highlights nine tax breaks that should be phased out. They subsidize the oil and gas industry’s operations from beginning to end—from acquisition of the resource to extraction."
"The investment tax credit, or ITC, and production tax credit, or PTC, for clean energy have played an essential role in expediting the deployment of wind, solar, and other forms of clean energy in the United States. In December 2015, the U.S. Congress voted to extend the PTC and ITC. As part of the agreement, however, Congress decided to phase out these tax credits over time. This raises an important question, one asked by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in February: If policymakers phase out tax credits for clean energy, shouldn’t they do the same for the billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry? This fact sheet highlights nine tax breaks that should be phased out. They subsidize the oil and gas industry’s operations from beginning to end—from acquisition of the resource to extraction."
Threatened By Climate Change, National Parks And World Heritage Sites Draw Millions
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/30/3782869/national-parks-world-heritage-climate-change/
"With spring now in full gear throughout most of the United States, it’s a good bet that Memorial Day Weekend will again be the busiest of the whole year at many national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s Mount Zion. Last year, 305 million people visited National Park Service-administered sites, signifying the parks’ appeal to millions of Americans and world tourists. They’d better hurry. A report released Thursday from the United Nations and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the threats posed by climate change particularly endanger the unique and fragile places on the planet: World Heritage Sites."
"With spring now in full gear throughout most of the United States, it’s a good bet that Memorial Day Weekend will again be the busiest of the whole year at many national parks, including the Great Smoky Mountains, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Utah’s Mount Zion. Last year, 305 million people visited National Park Service-administered sites, signifying the parks’ appeal to millions of Americans and world tourists. They’d better hurry. A report released Thursday from the United Nations and the Union of Concerned Scientists found that the threats posed by climate change particularly endanger the unique and fragile places on the planet: World Heritage Sites."
The Battle Over Public Drinking Water Has Just Begun
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/27/3782302/who-needs-public-water-when-we-have-nestle/
"the company announced it would build a bottled water facility in Phoenix, of all places, which prompted local outcry and a change.org petition to get Nestle out of the desert city, which pipes nearly all its water from the Colorado River. Ironically, Lake Mead, one of the Colorado’s largest reservoirs serving Phoenix, recently hit its lowest point ever, another marker in the Western United States’ multi-year drought."
"the company announced it would build a bottled water facility in Phoenix, of all places, which prompted local outcry and a change.org petition to get Nestle out of the desert city, which pipes nearly all its water from the Colorado River. Ironically, Lake Mead, one of the Colorado’s largest reservoirs serving Phoenix, recently hit its lowest point ever, another marker in the Western United States’ multi-year drought."
Donald Trump Only Believes in Global Warming When It Affects His Bottom Line—and His Golf Course @alternet
Donald Trump Only Believes in Global Warming When It Affects His Bottom Line—and His Golf Course @alternet:
"there is one instance when Trump is willing to acknowledge the acute impact of rising sea levels as a result of global climate change: when it threatens his golf course."
"there is one instance when Trump is willing to acknowledge the acute impact of rising sea levels as a result of global climate change: when it threatens his golf course."
Memorial Day: Trump’s War On Climate Action Would Ensure A World Of Wars
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/30/3782673/memorial-day-trump-climate/
"On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that if elected President, he would wage an all-out war against national and global climate action. On Friday, he went so far as to to deny the reality of California’s devastating drought. Because Trump gave his big energy and climate speech right before Memorial Day, it is altogether fitting and proper that we look at what Trump’s plans to destroy a livable climate would mean for the future of war."
"On Thursday, Donald Trump declared that if elected President, he would wage an all-out war against national and global climate action. On Friday, he went so far as to to deny the reality of California’s devastating drought. Because Trump gave his big energy and climate speech right before Memorial Day, it is altogether fitting and proper that we look at what Trump’s plans to destroy a livable climate would mean for the future of war."
On Climate, Trump Promises To Let The World Burn
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/26/3782434/trump-let-the-world-burn/
"In a speech laying out his energy agenda for the United States, Trump promised to undo essentially every major policy developed in the last decade intended to slow human-caused global warming."
"In a speech laying out his energy agenda for the United States, Trump promised to undo essentially every major policy developed in the last decade intended to slow human-caused global warming."
Donald Trump Tells Drought-Stricken Californians There Is No Drought
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/28/3783022/donald-trump-drought/
"Trump, who has a long history of making flat-out untrue assertions about environmental issues, said he would quickly fix California’s water issues if he becomes president."
"Trump, who has a long history of making flat-out untrue assertions about environmental issues, said he would quickly fix California’s water issues if he becomes president."
Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Low-Octane Energy Policy
Fact-Checking Donald Trump’s Low-Octane Energy Policy
"Trump’s display of fealty to the oil, gas and coal lobbies was an exercise in crass opportunism."
"Trump’s display of fealty to the oil, gas and coal lobbies was an exercise in crass opportunism."
Trump Quote Is True: He Really Wouldn’t Lose These Idiots If He Shot Someone (VIDEO)
http://www.liberalamerica.org/2016/05/28/trump-quote-is-true-really-wouldnt-lose-these-idiots-he-shot-someone-video/
"Kimmel’s staff did some interviews with Trump supporters for a segment called “Lie Witness News.” They made up a completely outrageous fake quote and attributed it to Trump, multiple times. Then they asked Trump voters on the street what they thought. It’s completely hilarious, I swear. These people didn’t bat an eye. They just smiled their big old vacant smiles and gushed about how cool it was that the candidate for president had “leg wrestled Vladimir Putin” or “shot a gun into the ceiling” during a press conference."
"Kimmel’s staff did some interviews with Trump supporters for a segment called “Lie Witness News.” They made up a completely outrageous fake quote and attributed it to Trump, multiple times. Then they asked Trump voters on the street what they thought. It’s completely hilarious, I swear. These people didn’t bat an eye. They just smiled their big old vacant smiles and gushed about how cool it was that the candidate for president had “leg wrestled Vladimir Putin” or “shot a gun into the ceiling” during a press conference."
58 Donald Trump Conspiracy Theories (And Counting!): The Definitive Trump Conspiracy Guide
58 Donald Trump Conspiracy Theories (And Counting!): The Definitive Trump Conspiracy Guide:
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump not only surrounds himself with conspiracy theorists, he has spent years pushing conspiracy theories himself, much to the delight of his supporters. At times, Trump tries to remain evasive about whether he actually believes these conspiracy theories, insisting that he simply “heard” or “read” them somewhere or is just asking a question."
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump not only surrounds himself with conspiracy theorists, he has spent years pushing conspiracy theories himself, much to the delight of his supporters. At times, Trump tries to remain evasive about whether he actually believes these conspiracy theories, insisting that he simply “heard” or “read” them somewhere or is just asking a question."
Trump, the GOP and Media Are Trying to Make Trump Seem ‘Normal’ @alternet
Trump, the GOP and Media Are Trying to Make Trump Seem ‘Normal’ @alternet:
"the bigger problem with the MSM normalizing him is that they are also normalizing the values he purveys — the anger and violence, the racism, sexism, nativism, misogyny, the ignorance and the hatred of the democratic process. Throughout modern history, these were generally, and rightfully, considered shameful. Major candidates dared not declaim them. But power can extirpate the shame. That is exactly what happened in Germany, where there was, as in many segments of America, a predisposition to the worst instincts of humanity."
"the bigger problem with the MSM normalizing him is that they are also normalizing the values he purveys — the anger and violence, the racism, sexism, nativism, misogyny, the ignorance and the hatred of the democratic process. Throughout modern history, these were generally, and rightfully, considered shameful. Major candidates dared not declaim them. But power can extirpate the shame. That is exactly what happened in Germany, where there was, as in many segments of America, a predisposition to the worst instincts of humanity."
Trump Rails Against 'Mexican' Judge In Trump Univ. Case
Trump Rails Against 'Mexican' Judge In Trump Univ. Case
"This is the presumptive GOP nominee, folks. A thin-skinned liar and bigot. But you knew that already."
"This is the presumptive GOP nominee, folks. A thin-skinned liar and bigot. But you knew that already."
12 Fringe Conspiracy Theories Embraced By A Man Who Might Be The Next President
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/29/3783087/incomplete-list-fringe-conspiracy-theories-embraced-man-might-next-president/
"Generally, presidential candidates tend to shy away from conspiracy theories. They involve a mixture of paranoia and gullibility that seems ill-suited for someone seeking access to America’s nuclear codes. But Donald Trump is a different kind of candidate. He has embraced a wide range of fringe conspiracy theories."
"Generally, presidential candidates tend to shy away from conspiracy theories. They involve a mixture of paranoia and gullibility that seems ill-suited for someone seeking access to America’s nuclear codes. But Donald Trump is a different kind of candidate. He has embraced a wide range of fringe conspiracy theories."
Trump Didn’t Want These Secrets To Get Out, But A Judge Just Said ‘No’
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/28/trump-didnt-want-these-secrets-to-get-out-but-a-judge-just-said-no/
"Trump University is among the many failed businesses Trump has been involved in over the years. Other companies that failed include Trump Steaks, Trump Air, and Trump Magazine. Trump’s business and casinos have filed for bankruptcy several times. Yet despite these failures, Trump has regularly presented himself as a “winner” who is unfamiliar with losing."
"Trump University is among the many failed businesses Trump has been involved in over the years. Other companies that failed include Trump Steaks, Trump Air, and Trump Magazine. Trump’s business and casinos have filed for bankruptcy several times. Yet despite these failures, Trump has regularly presented himself as a “winner” who is unfamiliar with losing."
How Megyn Kelly’s Softball Interview With Trump Signaled Fox News’ Complete Surrender @alternet
How Megyn Kelly’s Softball Interview With Trump Signaled Fox News’ Complete Surrender @alternet: "We’re done here folks. Pack up your spectacles because the show is over. All’s that left on stage now are Ailes and Kelly, searching for their pride."
'Idiocracy' Realized: How Our Current Situation Is Worse Than the Film Predicted @alternet
'Idiocracy' Realized: How Our Current Situation Is Worse Than the Film Predicted @alternet:
"Donald Trump's political ascendancy has made Idiocracy seem like prophecy."
"Donald Trump's political ascendancy has made Idiocracy seem like prophecy."
The Trump energy plan—burn it down, burn it all down
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/27/1531596/-The-Trump-energy-plan-burn-it-down-burn-it-all-down
"If there is a person in America for whom the Supreme Court nominations are not enough leverage to send them to the polls, surely this action list from Trump should be a motivator."
"If there is a person in America for whom the Supreme Court nominations are not enough leverage to send them to the polls, surely this action list from Trump should be a motivator."
While Trump Touts His Properties as a Measure of Success, His Property Tax Filings Tell a Different Story @alternet
While Trump Touts His Properties as a Measure of Success, His Property Tax Filings Tell a Different Story @alternet:
"Trump has a history of making dishonest financial filings, varying the values of his properties based on who the Republican presidential frontrunner is trying to appeal to, with swings of significantly more than 75 percent. As Johnston points out, while some range in real estate property valuations is to be expected, the range most assessors expect hovers in the single digits, “not 97.3 percent or even 82 percent.” The discrepancies between Trump’s boasts about his financial success and what he reports for tax purposes are not just a measure of his propensity to bend the truth, they also have implications for other property owners, as Johnston notes. Trump recognized that “the system is easily manipulated to shift the tax burden off grand properties and onto those whose estates are not so well endowed.” While Trump plays fast and loose with his property valuations, those without access to teams of lawyers and tax experts have little recourse as the tax burden shifts to them, along with the rest of the public."
"Trump has a history of making dishonest financial filings, varying the values of his properties based on who the Republican presidential frontrunner is trying to appeal to, with swings of significantly more than 75 percent. As Johnston points out, while some range in real estate property valuations is to be expected, the range most assessors expect hovers in the single digits, “not 97.3 percent or even 82 percent.” The discrepancies between Trump’s boasts about his financial success and what he reports for tax purposes are not just a measure of his propensity to bend the truth, they also have implications for other property owners, as Johnston notes. Trump recognized that “the system is easily manipulated to shift the tax burden off grand properties and onto those whose estates are not so well endowed.” While Trump plays fast and loose with his property valuations, those without access to teams of lawyers and tax experts have little recourse as the tax burden shifts to them, along with the rest of the public."
Donald Trump Went Full Hillary Clinton Conspiracist ... Because of Course He Did
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/36193-donald-trump-went-full-hillary-clinton-conspiracist-because-of-course-he-did
"Every one of the so-called theories regarding his end have been slapped down and stomped, and the only people who still believe them exist in that far-right netherworld where John Birch is a saint and the moon landings were faked... and hey, anything that harms a Clinton has to be good, right? Even if it grossens society and civil discourse beyond recognition. Barack Obama was born in Kenya. The father of Ted Cruz had a hand in the assassination of John Kennedy. The Clintons had Vince Foster killed. This is what orbits the bowl beneath Donald Trump's comb-over like feces that won't flush. He is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, and he is a fool. Worse, he is a cunning fool who knows what buttons to push and when to push them for maximum effect. If he doesn't win in November, he has still lessened us all. Trump is a disgrace, and yet somehow he remains idealized within a segment of the US population as the Maximum American, the ideal man, the savior. He is milk gone to curds, a fart in the elevator. That he would reach down through the oozing slime of history to grasp the sad refrain of Vince Foster's death only reinforces what many already know: He is a ruthless, remorseless wrecker capable of anything. His soul is a vat of pus."
"Every one of the so-called theories regarding his end have been slapped down and stomped, and the only people who still believe them exist in that far-right netherworld where John Birch is a saint and the moon landings were faked... and hey, anything that harms a Clinton has to be good, right? Even if it grossens society and civil discourse beyond recognition. Barack Obama was born in Kenya. The father of Ted Cruz had a hand in the assassination of John Kennedy. The Clintons had Vince Foster killed. This is what orbits the bowl beneath Donald Trump's comb-over like feces that won't flush. He is the presumptive Republican nominee for president, and he is a fool. Worse, he is a cunning fool who knows what buttons to push and when to push them for maximum effect. If he doesn't win in November, he has still lessened us all. Trump is a disgrace, and yet somehow he remains idealized within a segment of the US population as the Maximum American, the ideal man, the savior. He is milk gone to curds, a fart in the elevator. That he would reach down through the oozing slime of history to grasp the sad refrain of Vince Foster's death only reinforces what many already know: He is a ruthless, remorseless wrecker capable of anything. His soul is a vat of pus."
Donald Trump Secures GOP Nomination - And Fox Has Two Prime Time Specials About Him Ready
Donald Trump Secures GOP Nomination - And Fox Has Two Prime Time Specials About Him Ready
"What a coincidence that on the same day that Donald Trump clinched enough delegates to secure the Republican presidential nomination, Fox News just happens to have two prime time specials scheduled to promote him."
"What a coincidence that on the same day that Donald Trump clinched enough delegates to secure the Republican presidential nomination, Fox News just happens to have two prime time specials scheduled to promote him."
Masculine insecurities are driving Trump’s train of lies — according to science
Masculine insecurities are driving Trump’s train of lies — according to science
"Trump’s lies are so blatant and so self-aggrandizing, it’s difficult not to pathologize the man."
"Trump’s lies are so blatant and so self-aggrandizing, it’s difficult not to pathologize the man."
Fox News' Obscene And Ridiculous Trump Infomercial
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/05/27/fox-news-obscene-and-ridiculous-trump-infomercial/210616
"On May 26, Fox News aired an hour-long special, Meet The Trumps, in which On The Record host Greta Van Susteren spent the hour asking flattering questions of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and his immediate family. Multiple critics compared the special to the state-run media of a dictatorship."
"On May 26, Fox News aired an hour-long special, Meet The Trumps, in which On The Record host Greta Van Susteren spent the hour asking flattering questions of presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump and his immediate family. Multiple critics compared the special to the state-run media of a dictatorship."
Trump Attacks Judge Overseeing The Case Against His Fake University: ‘He’s A Hater’
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2016/05/28/3782986/trump-university-federal-judge/
"Trump also said he believes Curiel is "Mexican." The crowd -- which had previously shouted "build that wall" -- booed loudly."
"Trump also said he believes Curiel is "Mexican." The crowd -- which had previously shouted "build that wall" -- booed loudly."
Donald Trump's Campaign: The American People are Too Stupid to See Tax Returns
Donald Trump's Campaign: The American People are Too Stupid to See Tax Returns
"First, Trump tried to claim that he would release his tax returns, but wasn’t allowed to because he was currently being audited. The IRS quickly debunked that lie by saying his audit had nothing to do with his ability to release his tax returns, but that hasn’t stopped Trump from repeating this lie on numerous occasions. Then again, when has Trump ever let something like the truth get in the way of whatever nonsense he’s trying to con Republican voters into believing?"
"First, Trump tried to claim that he would release his tax returns, but wasn’t allowed to because he was currently being audited. The IRS quickly debunked that lie by saying his audit had nothing to do with his ability to release his tax returns, but that hasn’t stopped Trump from repeating this lie on numerous occasions. Then again, when has Trump ever let something like the truth get in the way of whatever nonsense he’s trying to con Republican voters into believing?"
Top GOPers push for Trump-Gingrich ticket: Six wives mean they ‘certainly understand women’
Top GOPers push for Trump-Gingrich ticket: Six wives mean they ‘certainly understand women’
"Ed Rollins, a top Republican consultant, asserted recently that Donald Trump should choose Newt Gingrich as his running mate because the two men’s six marriages meant that they “certainly understand women.” On Monday, National Review‘s Eliana Johnson reported that some GOP insiders were predicting “the announcement of a Trump-Gingrich GOP ticket"."
"Ed Rollins, a top Republican consultant, asserted recently that Donald Trump should choose Newt Gingrich as his running mate because the two men’s six marriages meant that they “certainly understand women.” On Monday, National Review‘s Eliana Johnson reported that some GOP insiders were predicting “the announcement of a Trump-Gingrich GOP ticket"."
Trump Grifts The Christian Right
Trump Grifts The Christian Right
"After all, "If he is going to have to cite “two Corinthians” in a speech, he might as well profit from it"."
"After all, "If he is going to have to cite “two Corinthians” in a speech, he might as well profit from it"."
Donald Trump To Court Anti-LGBT Hate Groups, 'Prophets' And Televangelists
Donald Trump To Court Anti-LGBT Hate Groups, 'Prophets' And Televangelists:
"Trump, who has already recruited a variety of far-right activists and conspiracy theorists to his campaign, is set to take part in a convening organized by Ben Carson, a former rival turned campaign surrogate, aimed at bringing reluctant Religious Right leaders to his side. According to a copy of the invitation to the event obtained by the National Review, Trump will be joined by Religious Right activists including Tony Perkins, James Dobson, Penny Nance, Jim Garlow, Rick Scarborough, Phil Burress, Ken Cuccinelli, Lila Rose, E.W Jackson, Harry Jackson, Tim Wildmon, Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson and Cindy Jacobs. The meeting will be cohosted by the Family Research Council, Vision America and AFA Action, the political arm of the American Family Association, three of the most vicious anti-LGBT hate groups in the country."
"Trump, who has already recruited a variety of far-right activists and conspiracy theorists to his campaign, is set to take part in a convening organized by Ben Carson, a former rival turned campaign surrogate, aimed at bringing reluctant Religious Right leaders to his side. According to a copy of the invitation to the event obtained by the National Review, Trump will be joined by Religious Right activists including Tony Perkins, James Dobson, Penny Nance, Jim Garlow, Rick Scarborough, Phil Burress, Ken Cuccinelli, Lila Rose, E.W Jackson, Harry Jackson, Tim Wildmon, Ralph Reed, Pat Robertson and Cindy Jacobs. The meeting will be cohosted by the Family Research Council, Vision America and AFA Action, the political arm of the American Family Association, three of the most vicious anti-LGBT hate groups in the country."
Fox Takes Clinton Out Of Context In Effort To Distract From Trump’s Hope For Housing Crisis
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/25/fox-takes-clinton-out-context-effort-distract-trump-s-hope-housing-crisis/210586
"Fox & Friends deceptively edited a 2007 video of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to claim that Clinton blamed homeowners for the housing market crash and that she is “flip flopping now” to blame Wall Street. But the speech transcript shows that Clinton indeed blamed Wall Street and a host of other financial actors, saying Wall Street “helped create the foreclosure crisis” and bears “responsibility” for the crash. Fox also downplayed Donald Trump’s expressed hope for a financial crisis in 2006"
"Fox & Friends deceptively edited a 2007 video of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to claim that Clinton blamed homeowners for the housing market crash and that she is “flip flopping now” to blame Wall Street. But the speech transcript shows that Clinton indeed blamed Wall Street and a host of other financial actors, saying Wall Street “helped create the foreclosure crisis” and bears “responsibility” for the crash. Fox also downplayed Donald Trump’s expressed hope for a financial crisis in 2006"
Vince Foster’s sister pens blistering op-ed shaming Trump for his insane conspiracy theories
Vince Foster’s sister pens blistering op-ed shaming Trump for his insane conspiracy theories
"Foster’s own sister, has written a blistering op-ed for The Washington Post that shames Trump for using her brother’s death for political gain."
"Foster’s own sister, has written a blistering op-ed for The Washington Post that shames Trump for using her brother’s death for political gain."
Colorado GOP Official Compares Obama To A Monkey
Colorado GOP Official Compares Obama To A Monkey:
"Linda Sorenson, chair of the Delta County, Colorado, Republican Party, posted a racist Facebook meme last week depicting President Obama as a monkey"
"Linda Sorenson, chair of the Delta County, Colorado, Republican Party, posted a racist Facebook meme last week depicting President Obama as a monkey"
‘Go back to Mexico’: Trump supporter caught on tape berating Latino McDonald’s employee
‘Go back to Mexico’: Trump supporter caught on tape berating Latino McDonald’s employee
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump may say he “loves” Hispanics, but many of his hardcore supporters definitely do not."
"Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump may say he “loves” Hispanics, but many of his hardcore supporters definitely do not."
The Surge Of Trump-Fueled Anti-Semitism Is Hitting Jewish Reporters Who Cover Him
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/27/3782503/donald-trump-anti-semitism-tweets/
"Trump has done little to quell a rising tide of anti-Semitism among his supporters since launching his campaign last year."
"Trump has done little to quell a rising tide of anti-Semitism among his supporters since launching his campaign last year."
Young libertarian explains Trump vote: One time a co-worker shamed me for liking ‘racist’ Hulk Hogan
Young libertarian explains Trump vote: One time a co-worker shamed me for liking ‘racist’ Hulk Hogan
"He envisions a Trump win as a symbolic — and possibly even legislative — blow against cultural forces that reject bigotry and shun demeaning slurs against minority groups."
"He envisions a Trump win as a symbolic — and possibly even legislative — blow against cultural forces that reject bigotry and shun demeaning slurs against minority groups."
Ex-Trump delegate: ‘I was naive’ to think America had overcome prejudice against white supremacists
Ex-Trump delegate: ‘I was naive’ to think America had overcome prejudice against white supremacists
"later in the article he and his fellow white nationalists nonetheless give Trump credit for opening the door for them so that their views may finally become part of mainstream political discourse in this country. With Trump as their leader, these long-suffering white nationalists believe that they shall overcome."
"later in the article he and his fellow white nationalists nonetheless give Trump credit for opening the door for them so that their views may finally become part of mainstream political discourse in this country. With Trump as their leader, these long-suffering white nationalists believe that they shall overcome."
Thursday, May 26, 2016
Water in Flint still not safe, but Gov. Rick Snyder's lawyers are doing well
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/25/1530773/-Water-in-Flint-still-not-safe-but-Gov-Rick-Snyder-s-lawyers-doing-well
"The total tab the Rickster has run up on taxpayer-funded legal help is already powering past $1.2 million. And that doesn’t count the $800,000 fund set up to protect Snyder against criminal charges after the three arrested workers start to cough up the people who gave them orders."
"The total tab the Rickster has run up on taxpayer-funded legal help is already powering past $1.2 million. And that doesn’t count the $800,000 fund set up to protect Snyder against criminal charges after the three arrested workers start to cough up the people who gave them orders."
Virginia GOP Halts Bill To Stop Child Labor On Tobacco Farms
Virginia GOP Halts Bill To Stop Child Labor On Tobacco Farms
"Is this really happening in the 21st Century? Apparently so! If the Republicans have their way, sentimentality over the old South and the economic demands of big Tobacco will trump the health and safety of children. If you think children shouldn't be treated as indentured servants exposed to carcinogens, make sure that you vote against electing these inhuman miscreants to office. Although far from perfect, we know that Democrats aren't in favor of turning the labor law clocks back to the 19th Century!"
"Is this really happening in the 21st Century? Apparently so! If the Republicans have their way, sentimentality over the old South and the economic demands of big Tobacco will trump the health and safety of children. If you think children shouldn't be treated as indentured servants exposed to carcinogens, make sure that you vote against electing these inhuman miscreants to office. Although far from perfect, we know that Democrats aren't in favor of turning the labor law clocks back to the 19th Century!"
Mitch McConnell’s Laziest Senate In History Will Work 6 Days In July And August
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/24/mitch-mcconnells-laziest-senate-history-work-6-days-july-august.html
"Taxpayers are spending millions of dollars on salaries, benefits, and staff for a Senate Republican majority that is only going to put in three full days of work in two months over the summer. Republicans have scheduled themselves to work the fewest days for a Senate in 60 years. Not only is their obstruction of President Obama historic, but their laziness is also unparalleled in modern America political history. If Republicans want to really cut back on waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government a good place to start would be the salaries and benefits that they are being given, but aren’t earning. The cry of do your jobs is not enough. The American people need to demand something more basic like Senate Republicans at least show up for work."
"Taxpayers are spending millions of dollars on salaries, benefits, and staff for a Senate Republican majority that is only going to put in three full days of work in two months over the summer. Republicans have scheduled themselves to work the fewest days for a Senate in 60 years. Not only is their obstruction of President Obama historic, but their laziness is also unparalleled in modern America political history. If Republicans want to really cut back on waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government a good place to start would be the salaries and benefits that they are being given, but aren’t earning. The cry of do your jobs is not enough. The American people need to demand something more basic like Senate Republicans at least show up for work."
Elizabeth Warren's Anti-Trump Onslaught Looks Like It's Just Warming Up
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/05/elizabeth-warren-donald-trump-taxes-housing-market-dodd-frank
"she expanded her arguments against him during a speech at the annual gala for the liberal nonprofit Center for Popular Democracy. "Let's face it: Donald Trump cares about exactly one thing—Donald Trump," said the senator from Massachusetts, according to her prepared remarks. "It's time for some accountability because these statements disqualify Donald Trump from ever becoming president. The free ride is over." Warren's attack on Trump wasn't quite as harsh as it's been in the past; during her first tweetstorm after he secured the nomination, she said he had "built his campaign on racism, sexism, and xenophobia." But that doesn't mean she held back during her speech Tuesday. She began by reflecting on the human toll from the foreclosure crisis and then tied it to an NBC report this week that quoted Trump, shortly before the housing market crash, saying he was "excited" for the bubble to burst since he'd make money off the misfortune it caused. "Donald Trump was drooling over the idea of a housing meltdown," Warren said, "because it meant he could buy up a bunch more property on the cheap." She also zeroed in on a topic that has been a growing cause of frustration for Democrats: Trump's refusal to release his tax returns, as major presidential candidates have long done. "Maybe he's just a lousy businessman who doesn't want you to find out that he's worth a lot less money than he claims," Warren speculated. Echoing a video from her 2012 Senate campaign, Warren emphasized that "Donald Trump didn't get rich on his own." He inherited a fortune from his father, she said, and "his businesses rely on the roads and bridges the rest of us paid for. His businesses rely on workers the rest of us paid to educate and on police forces and firefighters who protect all of us and the rest of us pay to support." Warren quoted a recent statement from Trump attacking the 2010 Dodd-Frank law, passed by Democrats to try to rein in Wall Street, for imposing too many restrictions on bankers."
"she expanded her arguments against him during a speech at the annual gala for the liberal nonprofit Center for Popular Democracy. "Let's face it: Donald Trump cares about exactly one thing—Donald Trump," said the senator from Massachusetts, according to her prepared remarks. "It's time for some accountability because these statements disqualify Donald Trump from ever becoming president. The free ride is over." Warren's attack on Trump wasn't quite as harsh as it's been in the past; during her first tweetstorm after he secured the nomination, she said he had "built his campaign on racism, sexism, and xenophobia." But that doesn't mean she held back during her speech Tuesday. She began by reflecting on the human toll from the foreclosure crisis and then tied it to an NBC report this week that quoted Trump, shortly before the housing market crash, saying he was "excited" for the bubble to burst since he'd make money off the misfortune it caused. "Donald Trump was drooling over the idea of a housing meltdown," Warren said, "because it meant he could buy up a bunch more property on the cheap." She also zeroed in on a topic that has been a growing cause of frustration for Democrats: Trump's refusal to release his tax returns, as major presidential candidates have long done. "Maybe he's just a lousy businessman who doesn't want you to find out that he's worth a lot less money than he claims," Warren speculated. Echoing a video from her 2012 Senate campaign, Warren emphasized that "Donald Trump didn't get rich on his own." He inherited a fortune from his father, she said, and "his businesses rely on the roads and bridges the rest of us paid for. His businesses rely on workers the rest of us paid to educate and on police forces and firefighters who protect all of us and the rest of us pay to support." Warren quoted a recent statement from Trump attacking the 2010 Dodd-Frank law, passed by Democrats to try to rein in Wall Street, for imposing too many restrictions on bankers."
Elizabeth Warren Slams ‘Small, Insecure Money Grubber’ Trump For Profiting Off Housing Crisis
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/25/3781852/elizabeth-warren-trump-housing-profit/
"In a 2006 Trump University audiobook, Trump was asked about “gloomy predictions that the real estate market is heading for a spectacular crash.” He responded by saying the prospect was actually something he was looking forward to."
"In a 2006 Trump University audiobook, Trump was asked about “gloomy predictions that the real estate market is heading for a spectacular crash.” He responded by saying the prospect was actually something he was looking forward to."
Inside Donald Trump's Vitamin 'Scam'
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/25/inside-donald-trump-s-vitamin-scam.html
"The Trump Network ultimately failed, and its assets were sold off. But it was not just a marketing and business disaster—the actions of the all-but-certain GOP presidential nominee reflect his willingness to license his name to a product without fully vetting it: a casual endorsement of a serious matter, all with the flitting nonchalance that characterizes the many falsehoods he utters. The project is just another example of Trump’s questionable business practices, from his Trump University (accused by many students of fraud) to his casinos (which went bankrupt so often) to his “tasteless and mealy” signature steaks. And it highlights an essential contradiction in his campaign for the White House. While politician Trump says that he cares about average Joe or Jane, his past shows a shocking indifference."
"The Trump Network ultimately failed, and its assets were sold off. But it was not just a marketing and business disaster—the actions of the all-but-certain GOP presidential nominee reflect his willingness to license his name to a product without fully vetting it: a casual endorsement of a serious matter, all with the flitting nonchalance that characterizes the many falsehoods he utters. The project is just another example of Trump’s questionable business practices, from his Trump University (accused by many students of fraud) to his casinos (which went bankrupt so often) to his “tasteless and mealy” signature steaks. And it highlights an essential contradiction in his campaign for the White House. While politician Trump says that he cares about average Joe or Jane, his past shows a shocking indifference."
Trump’s Kitchen Cabinet: What The Media Needs To Know About The Nominee’s Top Advisers And Supporters
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/05/26/trump-s-kitchen-cabinet-what-media-needs-know-about-nominee-s-top-advisers-and-supporters/210538
"a guide to the people the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has chosen to surround himself with."
"a guide to the people the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has chosen to surround himself with."
Think Trump "tells it like it is?" Think again... (InfoGraphic)
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/23/1529748/-Think-Trump-tells-it-like-it-is-Think-again-InfoGraphic
"turns out that Trump’s a terribly unreliable source. Who often relies on other unreliable sources, like the National Enquirer and wildly inaccurate crime statistics compiled by a white supremacist."
"turns out that Trump’s a terribly unreliable source. Who often relies on other unreliable sources, like the National Enquirer and wildly inaccurate crime statistics compiled by a white supremacist."
Exposing Trump's Decades of Deep Ties to Organized Crime @alternet
Exposing Trump's Decades of Deep Ties to Organized Crime @alternet:
"Trump’s connection to mob figures has an evidence trail that runs through federal prosecutor offices and into federal courtrooms, where his associations are part of the legal record."
"Trump’s connection to mob figures has an evidence trail that runs through federal prosecutor offices and into federal courtrooms, where his associations are part of the legal record."
Trump's 'Christian Policy Adviser' Takes the Cake, Claims He's a Prophet Who Stopped a Tsunami @alternet
Trump's 'Christian Policy Adviser' Takes the Cake, Claims He's a Prophet Who Stopped a Tsunami @alternet:
"Amedia, who was once implicated in a bribery scandal in which he attempted to help a car-dealer friend avoid prosecution, is now a self-proclaimed “apostle” who says that he once single-handedly stopped a tsunami from hitting an island in Hawaii."
"Amedia, who was once implicated in a bribery scandal in which he attempted to help a car-dealer friend avoid prosecution, is now a self-proclaimed “apostle” who says that he once single-handedly stopped a tsunami from hitting an island in Hawaii."
The Newt Factor: Gingrich as Trump's VP Would Be a Scary, Power-Hungry Monster @alternet
The Newt Factor: Gingrich as Trump's VP Would Be a Scary, Power-Hungry Monster @alternet:
"Now why Trump would think Gingrich, who hasn’t been in congress for over 16 years, is the mover and shaker who can move his agenda through Congress today is a mystery, but he certainly has a working knowledge of how the government functions which is something Trump is completely lacking. It’s unclear if he even knows that there are three branches and what they do. (But then, George W. Bush was famously confused on that as well, saying it is the executive branch’s responsibility to “interpret the laws,” so it isn’t unprecedented.) And Trump already likes the cut of Newt’s jib. According to this article by Eliana Johnson in National Review, he’s already one of the campaign’s most important advisers: Gingrich’s influence within Trump World is widespread. Inside Trump’s newly established campaign offices in Washington, D.C., his fingerprints are everywhere. “Right from the minute I joined we were told that Newt will have his hand in every major policy effort,” says one Trump aide. “So one of the things I do when I’m researching or writing anything, in addition to looking at what Trump has said about anything, I look at what Newt has said"."
"Now why Trump would think Gingrich, who hasn’t been in congress for over 16 years, is the mover and shaker who can move his agenda through Congress today is a mystery, but he certainly has a working knowledge of how the government functions which is something Trump is completely lacking. It’s unclear if he even knows that there are three branches and what they do. (But then, George W. Bush was famously confused on that as well, saying it is the executive branch’s responsibility to “interpret the laws,” so it isn’t unprecedented.) And Trump already likes the cut of Newt’s jib. According to this article by Eliana Johnson in National Review, he’s already one of the campaign’s most important advisers: Gingrich’s influence within Trump World is widespread. Inside Trump’s newly established campaign offices in Washington, D.C., his fingerprints are everywhere. “Right from the minute I joined we were told that Newt will have his hand in every major policy effort,” says one Trump aide. “So one of the things I do when I’m researching or writing anything, in addition to looking at what Trump has said about anything, I look at what Newt has said"."
Why Is the Corporate Media Taking Trump's Nonsense Seriously? @alternet
Why Is the Corporate Media Taking Trump's Nonsense Seriously? @alternet:
"Trump. He wants all the craziness to be taken in stride, and he’s succeeding. He’s being abetted in this by a Republican Party establishment that is happy to bite its tongue so long as they get their tax cuts and conservative judicial nominations. But that’s no reason for the press to buy into Trump’s game and treat his crazy mudslinging as a mere campaign tactic rather than a disqualifying character flaw. And it’s only going to get worse as the election cycle wears on. Trump met a few weeks ago with Ed Klein, an infamous source of salacious and discredited Hillary Clinton bullsh*t. Just this week, Trump promoted Klein’s latest book, which is full of insane nonsense. None of this is normal, so stop treating it like it is."
"Trump. He wants all the craziness to be taken in stride, and he’s succeeding. He’s being abetted in this by a Republican Party establishment that is happy to bite its tongue so long as they get their tax cuts and conservative judicial nominations. But that’s no reason for the press to buy into Trump’s game and treat his crazy mudslinging as a mere campaign tactic rather than a disqualifying character flaw. And it’s only going to get worse as the election cycle wears on. Trump met a few weeks ago with Ed Klein, an infamous source of salacious and discredited Hillary Clinton bullsh*t. Just this week, Trump promoted Klein’s latest book, which is full of insane nonsense. None of this is normal, so stop treating it like it is."
WATCH: Trump’s new ‘Christian Policy’ adviser claims he once stopped a tsunami through prayer
WATCH: Trump’s new ‘Christian Policy’ adviser claims he once stopped a tsunami through prayer
"Unsurprisingly, it seems that Trump has developed his strongest political relationships with some particularly shady televangelists, including one who believes Trump uses secret hand gestures to signal to Christians that he’s just as devout as they are. Another shady televangelist who has boarded the Trump Train is a man named Frank Amedia, who heads up a church called Touch Heaven Ministries and who Time reported last week had recently been named the Trump campaign’s new “liaison for Christian policy"."
"Unsurprisingly, it seems that Trump has developed his strongest political relationships with some particularly shady televangelists, including one who believes Trump uses secret hand gestures to signal to Christians that he’s just as devout as they are. Another shady televangelist who has boarded the Trump Train is a man named Frank Amedia, who heads up a church called Touch Heaven Ministries and who Time reported last week had recently been named the Trump campaign’s new “liaison for Christian policy"."
Meet Donald Trump's Absolutely Batsh*t Crazy 'Christian Liaison' (Video)
Meet Donald Trump's Absolutely Batsh*t Crazy 'Christian Liaison' (Video)
"Donald Trump is nothing but a caricature of a presidential candidate. He’s a conservative blog’s comment section sprung to life who somehow managed to win a major political party’s nomination by doing nothing more than lying through his teeth and saying whatever he felt conservative voters were gullible enough to believe. A great example of this is shown in who Trump picked as his apparent “Christian liaison” – whatever the hell that even means."
"Donald Trump is nothing but a caricature of a presidential candidate. He’s a conservative blog’s comment section sprung to life who somehow managed to win a major political party’s nomination by doing nothing more than lying through his teeth and saying whatever he felt conservative voters were gullible enough to believe. A great example of this is shown in who Trump picked as his apparent “Christian liaison” – whatever the hell that even means."
Coulter Says Trump's Taxes Self-Incriminate So Nevermind
Coulter Says Trump's Taxes Self-Incriminate So Nevermind
"However, she did make the only case why Donald Trump is refusing to release his tax returns. They will be heavily scrutinized by the public, just like every other presidential candidate has before him. That's too dangerous for the Dapper Don."
"However, she did make the only case why Donald Trump is refusing to release his tax returns. They will be heavily scrutinized by the public, just like every other presidential candidate has before him. That's too dangerous for the Dapper Don."
Top Young Republicans official quits over Trump: ‘I want no part of a racist, fascist, hateful presidency’
Top Young Republicans official quits over Trump: ‘I want no part of a racist, fascist, hateful presidency’
"The communications chair for the Young Republican National Federation criticized her party on the national level for supporting Donald Trump as she announced her resignation from the group"
"The communications chair for the Young Republican National Federation criticized her party on the national level for supporting Donald Trump as she announced her resignation from the group"
Did You Lose Your House? Trump Hoped You Would
Did You Lose Your House? Trump Hoped You Would
"This happened while he was peddling his bogus Trump University courses to teach folks how to scam the markets and their neighbors."
"This happened while he was peddling his bogus Trump University courses to teach folks how to scam the markets and their neighbors."
Why Aren't Trump's Mob Ties A Bigger Story?
Why Aren't Trump's Mob Ties A Bigger Story?
"Trump’s career has benefited from a decades-long and largely successful effort to limit and deflect law enforcement investigations into his dealings with top mobsters, organized crime associates, labor fixers, corrupt union leaders, con artists and even a one-time drug trafficker whom Trump retained as the head of his personal helicopter service. Johnston gives us stories like this: In Atlantic City, Trump built on property where mobsters controlled parts of the adjoining land needed for parking. He paid $1.1 million for about a 5,000-square-foot lot that had been bought five years earlier for just $195,000. The sellers were Salvy Testa and Frank Narducci Jr., a pair of hitmen for Atlantic City mob boss Nicky Scarfo who were known as the Young Executioners. There's a lot more where that came from, including a summary of the many shady aspects of Trump Tower's construction (concrete purchased from mob bosses, mobsters helping to conceal Trump's use of undocumented immigrant demolition workers, etc., etc.)."
"Trump’s career has benefited from a decades-long and largely successful effort to limit and deflect law enforcement investigations into his dealings with top mobsters, organized crime associates, labor fixers, corrupt union leaders, con artists and even a one-time drug trafficker whom Trump retained as the head of his personal helicopter service. Johnston gives us stories like this: In Atlantic City, Trump built on property where mobsters controlled parts of the adjoining land needed for parking. He paid $1.1 million for about a 5,000-square-foot lot that had been bought five years earlier for just $195,000. The sellers were Salvy Testa and Frank Narducci Jr., a pair of hitmen for Atlantic City mob boss Nicky Scarfo who were known as the Young Executioners. There's a lot more where that came from, including a summary of the many shady aspects of Trump Tower's construction (concrete purchased from mob bosses, mobsters helping to conceal Trump's use of undocumented immigrant demolition workers, etc., etc.)."
Leading White Nationalist Predicts Trump Administration Will Be Stacked With 'People Who Think The Way We Do'
Leading White Nationalist Predicts Trump Administration Will Be Stacked With 'People Who Think The Way We Do':
"Earlier this month, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke said that it was the job of white nationalists like himself to give Donald Trump “space” so that he can eventually publicly embrace anti-Semitism. Jared Taylor, the leading white nationalist who heads the organization American Renaissance, expressed a similar hope in a May 16 interview on an “alt-right” podcast, saying that he could “imagine” a scenario in which Trump, once president, would publicly back “white people wanting to remain a majority in their own country” and endorse bogus theories about racial differences in intelligence. Taylor also predicted that Trump would hire people “at all sorts of levels in his administration” who “think the way we do"."
"Earlier this month, former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke said that it was the job of white nationalists like himself to give Donald Trump “space” so that he can eventually publicly embrace anti-Semitism. Jared Taylor, the leading white nationalist who heads the organization American Renaissance, expressed a similar hope in a May 16 interview on an “alt-right” podcast, saying that he could “imagine” a scenario in which Trump, once president, would publicly back “white people wanting to remain a majority in their own country” and endorse bogus theories about racial differences in intelligence. Taylor also predicted that Trump would hire people “at all sorts of levels in his administration” who “think the way we do"."
Trump Exploited a Loophole to Pocket 150k in Funding Meant for Small Businesses Affected by 9/11 @alternet
Trump Exploited a Loophole to Pocket 150k in Funding Meant for Small Businesses Affected by 9/11 @alternet:
"Considering his willingness to snatch up public funds designated for those less fortunate, it’s a tad ironic that Trump is so unwilling to pay his fair taxes. The Republican frontrunner has repeatedly said his tax rate is none of the public’s business, noting he fights “very hard to pay as little tax as possible.” And a USA Today analysis published Thursday found Trump’s businesses are currently engaged in over 100 lawsuits over unpaid taxes and tax-related disputes."
"Considering his willingness to snatch up public funds designated for those less fortunate, it’s a tad ironic that Trump is so unwilling to pay his fair taxes. The Republican frontrunner has repeatedly said his tax rate is none of the public’s business, noting he fights “very hard to pay as little tax as possible.” And a USA Today analysis published Thursday found Trump’s businesses are currently engaged in over 100 lawsuits over unpaid taxes and tax-related disputes."
Trump Has Also Hawked Bogus Vitamins @alternet
Trump Has Also Hawked Bogus Vitamins @alternet:
"Another day, another failed and sleazy Trump venture. To the pile of shady businesses that Trump has engaged in, you can add what the Daily Beast has called a “pseudo-scientific vitamin scheme”. Yep, that’s right. Along with crummy steaks, a litigious university, and a crashed airline, we can now add to that list The Trump Network, a telemarketing company that preyed on people’s lack of scientific understanding by selling them exorbitantly priced ($140) urine-tests, “which would then be used to personally “tailor” a pricey monthly concoction of vitamins"."
"Another day, another failed and sleazy Trump venture. To the pile of shady businesses that Trump has engaged in, you can add what the Daily Beast has called a “pseudo-scientific vitamin scheme”. Yep, that’s right. Along with crummy steaks, a litigious university, and a crashed airline, we can now add to that list The Trump Network, a telemarketing company that preyed on people’s lack of scientific understanding by selling them exorbitantly priced ($140) urine-tests, “which would then be used to personally “tailor” a pricey monthly concoction of vitamins"."
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Warren Incensed at GOP Effort to Gut Financial Protections for Retirees
Warren Incensed at GOP Effort to Gut Financial Protections for Retirees
"The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on Tuesday to repeal a new Labor Department rule aimed at protecting retirement savers from Wall Street brokers. Yes, you read that right. The Labor Department rule, issued last month, requires financial advisors to adhere to a "fiduciary standard" that places client interests ahead of potential profits for themselves."
"The U.S. Senate is expected to vote on Tuesday to repeal a new Labor Department rule aimed at protecting retirement savers from Wall Street brokers. Yes, you read that right. The Labor Department rule, issued last month, requires financial advisors to adhere to a "fiduciary standard" that places client interests ahead of potential profits for themselves."
The Koch Brothers Are Using This State as Their Right-Wing Laboratory @alternet
The Koch Brothers Are Using This State as Their Right-Wing Laboratory @alternet:
"Ducey, elected governor in 2014, is the most obvious Koch devotee in Arizona elected office, and a web of Koch-funded, secret-money nonprofits has helped him get there."
"Ducey, elected governor in 2014, is the most obvious Koch devotee in Arizona elected office, and a web of Koch-funded, secret-money nonprofits has helped him get there."
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Trump’s Bizarre Climate Beliefs Would Jeopardize Meaningful Global Climate Action
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/18/3779417/donald-denier-destroy-paris-climate-deal/
"Donald Trump’s climate science denial and dubious deal-making skills just raised the stakes of this election to “existential"."
"Donald Trump’s climate science denial and dubious deal-making skills just raised the stakes of this election to “existential"."
One Thing Changed About Obama This Year, And It Should Terrify Republicans
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/21/one-thing-changed-about-obama-this-year-and-it-should-terrify-republicans/
"Multiple factors probably account for the dramatic change, but the improving economy and the contrast between Donald Trump’s buffoonish style and Obama’s leadership have to be considered. Trump is definitely having an effect among Latino voters, where Obama is up even higher than the average – almost +15%."
"Multiple factors probably account for the dramatic change, but the improving economy and the contrast between Donald Trump’s buffoonish style and Obama’s leadership have to be considered. Trump is definitely having an effect among Latino voters, where Obama is up even higher than the average – almost +15%."
HORRIBLE News For Do-Nothing GOP: Americans Support Paid Family Leave Across Political Lines
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/20/bads-news-for-republicans-americans-support-paid-family-leave-across-political-lines/
"Because a happier, healthier workforce is what is best for business and America."
"Because a happier, healthier workforce is what is best for business and America."
Obama Approval Skyrockets To New Highs As Independents Appreciate The President
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/21/obama-approval-skyrockets-highs-independents-president.html
"As potential voters have witnessed Donald Trump in action, they appreciate Obama more."
"As potential voters have witnessed Donald Trump in action, they appreciate Obama more."
The Supreme Court Is at Stake: Why the Presidential Election Matters
http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/36036-the-supreme-court-is-at-stake-why-the-presidential-election-matters
"Conservatives in this country have been on a mission to change the makeup of the Supreme Court since the Warren court overturned segregation laws, approved civil rights and voting rights, and upheld the rights of the accused to due process."
"Conservatives in this country have been on a mission to change the makeup of the Supreme Court since the Warren court overturned segregation laws, approved civil rights and voting rights, and upheld the rights of the accused to due process."
REPORT: Trump Lied About How Much Was Raised For Veterans, Personal Donation Appears Missing
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/21/report-trump-lied-about-how-much-was-raised-for-veterans-personal-donation-appears-missing/
"On top of failing to pay charities for months after the fundraiser, despite already having beneficiaries listed, it turns out Donald Trump actually lied about how much was raised — to the tune of around a million and a half dollars. And now, four months later, his campaign is admitting it. In fact, as of this time, only a little over three million has actually been paid out, meaning it’s possible that even the new number given by the Trump’s campaign is false. That, or worse, it simply disappeared. According to his campaign, donations were pledged that were not received. But that begs the question: If $4.5 million was definitely raised, where did it go? In any case, the amount of time between the fundraiser and actually paying the money is questionable, and Trump has been called out by many people for it — including Sandra Miniutti, the vice president for Charity Navigator, a service that rates charities: Miniutti said some fundraisers rightfully take time to distribute payments if the recipients have to be vetted, such as after public emergencies, but she said Trump’s campaign established a clear list of organizations to benefit. “There is no hard rule for turn-around time, but because the fundraising was so public, I think it’s fair to question why the funds haven’t been paid out,” Miniutti said. (CNN) Trump has also been criticized by the founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paul Rieckhoff, who tweeted at the time of the fundraiser that “We need strong policies from candidates, not to be used for political stunts.” VoteVets.org has also distanced itself from the candidate, and other organizations have made it clear that receiving donations does not indicate support for his policies. Trump’s support for veterans is a facade. He doesn’t care about veterans at all; he knows that expressing support for veterans is a surefire strategy in American politics."
"On top of failing to pay charities for months after the fundraiser, despite already having beneficiaries listed, it turns out Donald Trump actually lied about how much was raised — to the tune of around a million and a half dollars. And now, four months later, his campaign is admitting it. In fact, as of this time, only a little over three million has actually been paid out, meaning it’s possible that even the new number given by the Trump’s campaign is false. That, or worse, it simply disappeared. According to his campaign, donations were pledged that were not received. But that begs the question: If $4.5 million was definitely raised, where did it go? In any case, the amount of time between the fundraiser and actually paying the money is questionable, and Trump has been called out by many people for it — including Sandra Miniutti, the vice president for Charity Navigator, a service that rates charities: Miniutti said some fundraisers rightfully take time to distribute payments if the recipients have to be vetted, such as after public emergencies, but she said Trump’s campaign established a clear list of organizations to benefit. “There is no hard rule for turn-around time, but because the fundraising was so public, I think it’s fair to question why the funds haven’t been paid out,” Miniutti said. (CNN) Trump has also been criticized by the founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Paul Rieckhoff, who tweeted at the time of the fundraiser that “We need strong policies from candidates, not to be used for political stunts.” VoteVets.org has also distanced itself from the candidate, and other organizations have made it clear that receiving donations does not indicate support for his policies. Trump’s support for veterans is a facade. He doesn’t care about veterans at all; he knows that expressing support for veterans is a surefire strategy in American politics."
Donald Trump gets away with every lie: Ronald Reagan, Fox News and how the right slowly gutted the truth
Donald Trump gets away with every lie: Ronald Reagan, Fox News and how the right slowly gutted the truth
"Trying to knock down Trump’s lies one at a time is a fool’s errand. It’s like trying to cut the head off of the hydra; for every lie you chop down, two new ones take its place. You have to step back and grasp the full magnitude of his lying, how he kneads together a whole multitude of lies into a single narrative, one which he then quickly casts off the moment it becomes advantageous to abandon it in favor of something else—possibly even the exact opposite of what he had been arguing the moment before. Perhaps the best way to understand him is simply as a salesman. There are no objective facts where he comes from, just selling points."
"Trying to knock down Trump’s lies one at a time is a fool’s errand. It’s like trying to cut the head off of the hydra; for every lie you chop down, two new ones take its place. You have to step back and grasp the full magnitude of his lying, how he kneads together a whole multitude of lies into a single narrative, one which he then quickly casts off the moment it becomes advantageous to abandon it in favor of something else—possibly even the exact opposite of what he had been arguing the moment before. Perhaps the best way to understand him is simply as a salesman. There are no objective facts where he comes from, just selling points."
That Time Donald Trump Posed As His Own Spokesman To Brag About Himself (VIDEO)
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/13/that-time-donald-trump-posed-as-his-own-spokesman-to-brag-about-himself-video/
"Unfortunately, he keeps getting away with things. Despite his horrific remarks, his repeated lies, and his generally awful attitude, The Donald has managed to land himself the spot as the 2016 GOP nominee. Republicans have repeatedly given him a pass no matter what he says or does because he represents all that is terrible about our society — bigotry, hatred, racism, xenophobia — and that is exactly what appeals to them."
"Unfortunately, he keeps getting away with things. Despite his horrific remarks, his repeated lies, and his generally awful attitude, The Donald has managed to land himself the spot as the 2016 GOP nominee. Republicans have repeatedly given him a pass no matter what he says or does because he represents all that is terrible about our society — bigotry, hatred, racism, xenophobia — and that is exactly what appeals to them."
Donald Trump Just Lied About Pretending To Be His Own PR Guy, Because We've Gone Insane
http://thedailybanter.com/2016/05/trump-pretends-to-be-publicist/
"Keep in mind that Trump had already admitted, in 1990, that he used the John Miller alias on occasion. And yet there he was -- lying his ass off. The Today show, the Post and his own unmistakable voice had him dead to rights. No sane person would've denied it was Trump and no sane person would've expected that he could get away with denying it was Trump -- but there was Donald Trump, just bald-face lying to the planet. Because Donald Trump is incapable of telling the truth. About anything. He lies spectacularly and mundanely, about any and all subjects. If you ask Trump what time it is and he answers you, get a second opinion because there's a pretty good chance what he told you is nonsense. Trump is compulsive and pathological, exhibiting the traits not simply of a narcissistic bullsh*t artist but of someone with a genuine personality disorder. Every day it feels like we fall deeper into a rabbit hole of insanity this election cycle. Every day, particularly with Trump, there's one new moment that's even more batsh*t than the last. I can only imagine what tomorrow's revelation about this buffoonish con man will be, but it should serve as one more reminder that while we can laugh at his ridiculousness, he now stands literally one vote away from becoming the most powerful man in the world. That's not funny. That's f*cking terrifying."
"Keep in mind that Trump had already admitted, in 1990, that he used the John Miller alias on occasion. And yet there he was -- lying his ass off. The Today show, the Post and his own unmistakable voice had him dead to rights. No sane person would've denied it was Trump and no sane person would've expected that he could get away with denying it was Trump -- but there was Donald Trump, just bald-face lying to the planet. Because Donald Trump is incapable of telling the truth. About anything. He lies spectacularly and mundanely, about any and all subjects. If you ask Trump what time it is and he answers you, get a second opinion because there's a pretty good chance what he told you is nonsense. Trump is compulsive and pathological, exhibiting the traits not simply of a narcissistic bullsh*t artist but of someone with a genuine personality disorder. Every day it feels like we fall deeper into a rabbit hole of insanity this election cycle. Every day, particularly with Trump, there's one new moment that's even more batsh*t than the last. I can only imagine what tomorrow's revelation about this buffoonish con man will be, but it should serve as one more reminder that while we can laugh at his ridiculousness, he now stands literally one vote away from becoming the most powerful man in the world. That's not funny. That's f*cking terrifying."
RNC Chair: 'No One Cares' About NYT's Article On Trump's Abuse Of Women
RNC Chair: 'No One Cares' About NYT's Article On Trump's Abuse Of Women
"Chairman of the RNC, bringing his A-game to Sunday news. Said no one."
"Chairman of the RNC, bringing his A-game to Sunday news. Said no one."
26 Preventative Health Care Services Available To Women Under Obamacare
http://samuel-warde.com/2016/05/26-preventative-health-care-services-available-women-obamacare/
"All Marketplace health plans and many other plans must cover the following list of preventive services for women without charging a copayment or coinsurance."
"All Marketplace health plans and many other plans must cover the following list of preventive services for women without charging a copayment or coinsurance."
Friday, May 20, 2016
The new overtime rule will directly benefit 12.5 million working people: Who they are and where they live
The new overtime rule will directly benefit 12.5 million working people: Who they are and where they live:
"12.5 million salaried workers will directly benefit from the Department of Labor’s new rule raising the salary threshold below which salaried workers are automatically eligible for overtime pay."
"12.5 million salaried workers will directly benefit from the Department of Labor’s new rule raising the salary threshold below which salaried workers are automatically eligible for overtime pay."
Health insurance coverage in the US just reached a historic high
Health insurance coverage in the US just reached a historic high
"The number of people without health insurance coverage is now at a record low."
"The number of people without health insurance coverage is now at a record low."
Republicans outraged millions of workers will get added pay under new Obama overtime rule
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/18/1527927/-Republicans-outraged-millions-of-workers-will-get-added-pay-under-new-Obama-overtime-rule
"President Obama is raising the overtime eligibility threshold, ensuring that, for millions more workers, working extra hours will mean getting extra pay. Naturally, congressional Republicans and industry lobby groups are outraged."
"President Obama is raising the overtime eligibility threshold, ensuring that, for millions more workers, working extra hours will mean getting extra pay. Naturally, congressional Republicans and industry lobby groups are outraged."
Paul Ryan Commits To Fighting Rule That Extends Overtime Protection To Millions Of Workers
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/19/3779735/paul-ryan-overtime/
"Hours after the White House announced a final rule that will change overtime protection so that it covers millions more Americans, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) vowed to fight it."
"Hours after the White House announced a final rule that will change overtime protection so that it covers millions more Americans, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) vowed to fight it."
Paul Ryan ADMITS He Wants People To Work More Hours For No Added Pay
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/18/paul-ryan-admits-he-wants-people-to-work-more-hours-for-no-added-pay/
"Let’s be blunt, Republicans seem want to make sure employers keep as much money as possible by making sure they’re allowed to pay employees as little as possible. They seem to see giving money to top to let in “trickle down” is an investment in the economy, but investing more money in the people (or rather, consumers) who actually drive the economy, is a bad thing. Republicans have it exactly backwards, and the sooner they realize this the better. What’s most ironic, Paul Ryan is paid an obscene amount to work only mere weeks per year."
"Let’s be blunt, Republicans seem want to make sure employers keep as much money as possible by making sure they’re allowed to pay employees as little as possible. They seem to see giving money to top to let in “trickle down” is an investment in the economy, but investing more money in the people (or rather, consumers) who actually drive the economy, is a bad thing. Republicans have it exactly backwards, and the sooner they realize this the better. What’s most ironic, Paul Ryan is paid an obscene amount to work only mere weeks per year."
CDC Confirms 279 Pregnant Women Are Infected With Zika Virus as Congress Fails to Allocate Enough Funding (Video) @alternet
CDC Confirms 279 Pregnant Women Are Infected With Zika Virus as Congress Fails to Allocate Enough Funding (Video) @alternet:
"On Friday, Obama expressed frustration over the Congress’s slow reaction time; in February, the president requested $1.8 billion to help fight the spread of Zika."
"On Friday, Obama expressed frustration over the Congress’s slow reaction time; in February, the president requested $1.8 billion to help fight the spread of Zika."
Over A Third Of North America’s Bird Species Need ‘Urgent Conservation Action’
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/19/3779611/state-of-north-america-birds-report/
"Thanks to a multitude of threats, over a third of the bird species in North America are “of major conservation concern,” according to a comprehensive study released Wednesday. The report, released by the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is the first to look at the threats facing all 1,154 migratory bird species native to North America."
"Thanks to a multitude of threats, over a third of the bird species in North America are “of major conservation concern,” according to a comprehensive study released Wednesday. The report, released by the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, is the first to look at the threats facing all 1,154 migratory bird species native to North America."
Attorneys General Funded by Big Oil Try to Block ExxonMobil Climate Fraud Probe @alternet
Attorneys General Funded by Big Oil Try to Block ExxonMobil Climate Fraud Probe @alternet:
"Exxon scientists conducted cutting-edge climate research decades ago and warned top management of the potentially catastrophic risks posed by global warming. Regardless, the company publicly emphasized uncertainty about climate science for years and, to a certain extent, still does. Furthermore, it has been financing a network of advocacy groups and think tanks to spread disinformation about climate science and the viability of renewable energy for the last two decades."
"Exxon scientists conducted cutting-edge climate research decades ago and warned top management of the potentially catastrophic risks posed by global warming. Regardless, the company publicly emphasized uncertainty about climate science for years and, to a certain extent, still does. Furthermore, it has been financing a network of advocacy groups and think tanks to spread disinformation about climate science and the viability of renewable energy for the last two decades."
A Song Of Fire And No Ice: We Just Had Our Fourth Record-Breaking Hottest Month In A Row This Year
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/15/3778465/fire-no-ice-2016-hottest-year/
"NASA reported Friday, we’ve just been through the hottest April and the hottest January-April on record — by far."
"NASA reported Friday, we’ve just been through the hottest April and the hottest January-April on record — by far."
The 4th Largest Economy In The World Just Generated 90 Percent Of The Power It Needs From Renewables
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/09/3776629/germany-renewable-generation/
"On Sunday, for a brief, shining moment, renewable power output in Germany reached 90 percent of the country’s total electricity demand."
"On Sunday, for a brief, shining moment, renewable power output in Germany reached 90 percent of the country’s total electricity demand."
5 South Pacific Islands Have Been Swallowed Up by Rising Sea Levels @alternet
5 South Pacific Islands Have Been Swallowed Up by Rising Sea Levels @alternet:
"Rising sea levels and erosion have caused five islands in the South Pacific to completely disappear, researchers have said. A further six islands have been partially destroyed by erosion and the phenomenon is already causing human displacement, pushing people out of their coastal communities and further inland."
"Rising sea levels and erosion have caused five islands in the South Pacific to completely disappear, researchers have said. A further six islands have been partially destroyed by erosion and the phenomenon is already causing human displacement, pushing people out of their coastal communities and further inland."
Trump’s Newest Enemy: Environmentalists
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/19/3779862/trump-paris-climate-deal-environmentalist-reaction/
"Donald Trump has officially taken aim at the environment. And environmentalists are starting to aim back. The billionaire and presumptive Republican presidential nominee fired first shots on Friday, when he announced his key energy policy adviser: U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican who loves drilling for oil and denies human-caused climate change. Cramer is staunchly opposed to president Obama’s landmark climate change regulations, and is widely expected to advise Trump to repeal them. Trump fired once more on Tuesday, telling Reuters that he would, at minimum, “renegotiate” the U.N. global climate accord, an agreement between nearly 200 nations to keep global warming in check. “At a maximum, I may do something else,” Trump said, implying he would dismantle the agreement completely. Environmentalists have known Trump’s position on the environment and climate for years. The conspiracy theorist billionaire, for example, once said he thinks climate change is a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese (Trump later said the sentiment was “obviously a joke“) . He also apparently believes cold weather during winter disproves the theory of global climate change. But until this week, Trump had never really indicated how far he’d go to act on his beliefs about global warming. And now, environmentalists are starting to take notice."
"Donald Trump has officially taken aim at the environment. And environmentalists are starting to aim back. The billionaire and presumptive Republican presidential nominee fired first shots on Friday, when he announced his key energy policy adviser: U.S. Congressman Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican who loves drilling for oil and denies human-caused climate change. Cramer is staunchly opposed to president Obama’s landmark climate change regulations, and is widely expected to advise Trump to repeal them. Trump fired once more on Tuesday, telling Reuters that he would, at minimum, “renegotiate” the U.N. global climate accord, an agreement between nearly 200 nations to keep global warming in check. “At a maximum, I may do something else,” Trump said, implying he would dismantle the agreement completely. Environmentalists have known Trump’s position on the environment and climate for years. The conspiracy theorist billionaire, for example, once said he thinks climate change is a hoax perpetuated by the Chinese (Trump later said the sentiment was “obviously a joke“) . He also apparently believes cold weather during winter disproves the theory of global climate change. But until this week, Trump had never really indicated how far he’d go to act on his beliefs about global warming. And now, environmentalists are starting to take notice."
Polluters In South Carolina Are About To Get A Huge Boost From The State House
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/06/3775596/sc-environmental-bill-rights-removed/
"For the past 65 years, if someone — or some company — was illegally polluting in South Carolina, you could sue. The law was put on the books so that if South Carolina’s enforcement agencies didn’t have the time, money, or political backing to go after a polluter, the average citizen could step in. Now, with only a month left in its 2015-2016 session, the South Carolina legislature has picked up a bill that would do away with this ability. “No one in the public of South Carolina is calling for the repeal of their rights to protect their communities and clean water,” Frank Holleman, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), told ThinkProgress in an email. “Instead, this is an example of the lobbyists for corporate polluters controlling politicians who will take away the rights of citizens in order to curry favor with major campaign contributors.” Holleman understands what is at stake here perhaps more than most. In early 2012, SELC filed a suit on behalf of a local water protection group, the Catawba Riverkeeper, against South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) over coal ash pollution in the Wateree River, near Columbia. Coal ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. For decades, plant operators have dumped the toxic waste — which can contain heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals — in unlined pits near waterways. That, in and of itself, is not illegal. But the pits have been tied to groundwater contamination and, in some cases, the companies have been found to dump the waste directly into the waterway, which is illegal. Coal ash is an ongoing environmental issue across much of the southeast."
"For the past 65 years, if someone — or some company — was illegally polluting in South Carolina, you could sue. The law was put on the books so that if South Carolina’s enforcement agencies didn’t have the time, money, or political backing to go after a polluter, the average citizen could step in. Now, with only a month left in its 2015-2016 session, the South Carolina legislature has picked up a bill that would do away with this ability. “No one in the public of South Carolina is calling for the repeal of their rights to protect their communities and clean water,” Frank Holleman, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC), told ThinkProgress in an email. “Instead, this is an example of the lobbyists for corporate polluters controlling politicians who will take away the rights of citizens in order to curry favor with major campaign contributors.” Holleman understands what is at stake here perhaps more than most. In early 2012, SELC filed a suit on behalf of a local water protection group, the Catawba Riverkeeper, against South Carolina Electric & Gas (SCE&G) over coal ash pollution in the Wateree River, near Columbia. Coal ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. For decades, plant operators have dumped the toxic waste — which can contain heavy metals and carcinogenic chemicals — in unlined pits near waterways. That, in and of itself, is not illegal. But the pits have been tied to groundwater contamination and, in some cases, the companies have been found to dump the waste directly into the waterway, which is illegal. Coal ash is an ongoing environmental issue across much of the southeast."
Arctic Death Spiral Update: What Happens In The Arctic Affects Weather Everywhere Else
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/05/03/3774789/april-record-arctic-ice-loss/
"This was the hottest four-month start (January to April) of any year on record, according to newly-released satellite data. The Arctic continues its multi-month trend of off-the-charts warmth. So it’s no surprise that Arctic sea ice continues to melt at a record pace. New research, however, finds that warming-driven Arctic sea ice loss causes high-pressure systems to get stuck in places like Greenland, leading to accelerated melt of the land-locked ice that drives sea level rise worldwide. Let’s start with the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) satellite data, which show that the lowest part of the atmosphere (the lower troposphere) was an impressive 1.3°F (0.71°C) above the historical (1981-2010) average — a baseline that is itself 0.8°F (0.45°C) hotter than pre-industrial levels."
"This was the hottest four-month start (January to April) of any year on record, according to newly-released satellite data. The Arctic continues its multi-month trend of off-the-charts warmth. So it’s no surprise that Arctic sea ice continues to melt at a record pace. New research, however, finds that warming-driven Arctic sea ice loss causes high-pressure systems to get stuck in places like Greenland, leading to accelerated melt of the land-locked ice that drives sea level rise worldwide. Let’s start with the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) satellite data, which show that the lowest part of the atmosphere (the lower troposphere) was an impressive 1.3°F (0.71°C) above the historical (1981-2010) average — a baseline that is itself 0.8°F (0.45°C) hotter than pre-industrial levels."
Jimmy Carter First To Use Solar Panels On The White House In 1979 – Guess Who Took Them Down?
http://samuel-warde.com/2016/05/jimmy-carter-first-use-solar-panels-white-house-1979/
"President Obama reinstalled solar panels into the White House in 2013."
"President Obama reinstalled solar panels into the White House in 2013."
Why is Congress Trying to Give Military Half a Wildlife Refuge it Doesn't Want?
Why is Congress Trying to Give Military Half a Wildlife Refuge it Doesn't Want?
"The overreaching rider is part of a trend: this is only the latest attempt by the House Armed Services committee, long dominated by Republicans, to demolish endangered species protections through the NDAA, the annual "must-pass" legislation that authorizes annual military spending."
"The overreaching rider is part of a trend: this is only the latest attempt by the House Armed Services committee, long dominated by Republicans, to demolish endangered species protections through the NDAA, the annual "must-pass" legislation that authorizes annual military spending."
50 Years Ago Big Oil Bragged About Being Able To Melt Glaciers, While They Knew About Climate Change
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/04/14/3769380/exxon-ad-melt-glaciers/
"Newly-released oil industry documents push back the start date of the world’s most successful disinformation campaign to the 1960s, if not earlier. The must-read documents, published by The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), strengthen the hand of the numerous attorneys general investigating whether ExxonMobil engaged in a cover-up to mislead the public and investors about the dangers of human-caused climate change."
"Newly-released oil industry documents push back the start date of the world’s most successful disinformation campaign to the 1960s, if not earlier. The must-read documents, published by The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), strengthen the hand of the numerous attorneys general investigating whether ExxonMobil engaged in a cover-up to mislead the public and investors about the dangers of human-caused climate change."
NASA Publicly Humiliates Right-Wing Climate Change Deniers On Facebook With Real Science
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/04/13/nasa-publicly-humiliates-right-wing-climate-change-deniers-on-facebook-with-real-science/
"They also responded to two other right-wing idiots who accused the space agency of “fudging” the numbers and “deleting data"."
"They also responded to two other right-wing idiots who accused the space agency of “fudging” the numbers and “deleting data"."
This New Report Will Tell You If You Live Near One Of America’s Most Threatened Rivers
http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2016/04/12/3768168/four-threatened-rivers/
"The report, released Tuesday by American Rivers, lists ten of the most threatened rivers in the country. These rivers all have two things in common: they’re threatened by mismanagement or various sources of pollution, and they’re all facing major policy decisions in the coming year that could either exacerbate those threats or rein them in. Millions of people depend on these rivers for drinking water, and the waterways are crucial habitats for a wide array of aquatic life."
"The report, released Tuesday by American Rivers, lists ten of the most threatened rivers in the country. These rivers all have two things in common: they’re threatened by mismanagement or various sources of pollution, and they’re all facing major policy decisions in the coming year that could either exacerbate those threats or rein them in. Millions of people depend on these rivers for drinking water, and the waterways are crucial habitats for a wide array of aquatic life."
Science-bashing riders are one more reason to focus intently on the federal budgeting process
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/4/25/1519873/-Science-bashing-riders-are-one-more-reason-to-focus-intently-on-the-federal-budgeting-process
"The reason they don’t want you to know about these poison pill policies is because often, these riders are special interests’ backdoor attempt to weaken science-based public protections for their own gain. And like clockwork, they continue to appear, and lawmakers continue to hope that no one will notice."
"The reason they don’t want you to know about these poison pill policies is because often, these riders are special interests’ backdoor attempt to weaken science-based public protections for their own gain. And like clockwork, they continue to appear, and lawmakers continue to hope that no one will notice."
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel Perfectly Rips Sarah Palin Apart on Her Anti-Climate Change Nonsense @alternet
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel Perfectly Rips Sarah Palin Apart on Her Anti-Climate Change Nonsense @alternet:
"Sarah Palin’s appearance in a new climate change denial film called Climate Hustle got the host fired up enough to take up the dumb-dumbness that is both Palin and the entire climate change denial brigade, aka, the GOP."
"Sarah Palin’s appearance in a new climate change denial film called Climate Hustle got the host fired up enough to take up the dumb-dumbness that is both Palin and the entire climate change denial brigade, aka, the GOP."
Here’s Donald Trump’s new cringe-inducing excuse for mocking a reporter’s disability
Here’s Donald Trump’s new cringe-inducing excuse for mocking a reporter’s disability
"Donald Trump has said and done quite a few controversial things over the past year during his successful run for the Republican presidential nomination. Now that he’s the presumptive nominee, however, he wants the country to forget about all those things. But how to do it? Talking to The Washington Post, Trump trotted out an explanation for an incident that occurred last November where he made fun of a New York Times reporter’s physical disability, and it’s about as cringe-inducing as you can imagine. “I would never say anything bad about a person that has a disability,” Trump told the Post. “I swear to you it’s true, 100 percent true.. . .Who would do that to [the] handicapped? I’ve spent a lot of money making buildings accessible.” This in and of itself is pretty remarkable. First of all, Trump is required by law to make his buildings accessible to people with disabilities — he’s not doing so out of the good of his heart. Second, the notion that he’s made his buildings accessible and thus would never say anything bad about someone with disabilities makes about as much logical sense as believing that eating a taco bowl means he “loves Hispanics.” As amazing as this is, what comes next might be even more incredible. Specifically, the Post says that after talking about how many buildings he has made accessible, “Trump then satirically reenacted the scene, his arms jerking all around, and said he was trying to show ‘a guy who grovels — ‘Oh, oh, I didn’t say that. I didn’t say that.’ That was the imitation I was doing. Now… is that a believable story?'” For the record, this was the video of Trump mocking a reporter’s disability. Watch it for yourself and decide if it’s “a believable story"."
"Donald Trump has said and done quite a few controversial things over the past year during his successful run for the Republican presidential nomination. Now that he’s the presumptive nominee, however, he wants the country to forget about all those things. But how to do it? Talking to The Washington Post, Trump trotted out an explanation for an incident that occurred last November where he made fun of a New York Times reporter’s physical disability, and it’s about as cringe-inducing as you can imagine. “I would never say anything bad about a person that has a disability,” Trump told the Post. “I swear to you it’s true, 100 percent true.. . .Who would do that to [the] handicapped? I’ve spent a lot of money making buildings accessible.” This in and of itself is pretty remarkable. First of all, Trump is required by law to make his buildings accessible to people with disabilities — he’s not doing so out of the good of his heart. Second, the notion that he’s made his buildings accessible and thus would never say anything bad about someone with disabilities makes about as much logical sense as believing that eating a taco bowl means he “loves Hispanics.” As amazing as this is, what comes next might be even more incredible. Specifically, the Post says that after talking about how many buildings he has made accessible, “Trump then satirically reenacted the scene, his arms jerking all around, and said he was trying to show ‘a guy who grovels — ‘Oh, oh, I didn’t say that. I didn’t say that.’ That was the imitation I was doing. Now… is that a believable story?'” For the record, this was the video of Trump mocking a reporter’s disability. Watch it for yourself and decide if it’s “a believable story"."
Reaganomics killed America’s middle class
Reaganomics killed America’s middle class
"There’s nothing “normal” about having a middle class. Having a middle class is a choice that a society has to make, and it’s a choice we need to make again in this generation, if we want to stop the destruction of the remnants of the last generation’s middle class. Despite what you might read in the Wall Street Journal or see on Fox News, capitalism is not an economic system that produces a middle class. In fact, if left to its own devices, capitalism tends towards vast levels of inequality and monopoly. The natural and most stable state of capitalism actually looks a lot like the Victorian England depicted in Charles Dickens’ novels."
"There’s nothing “normal” about having a middle class. Having a middle class is a choice that a society has to make, and it’s a choice we need to make again in this generation, if we want to stop the destruction of the remnants of the last generation’s middle class. Despite what you might read in the Wall Street Journal or see on Fox News, capitalism is not an economic system that produces a middle class. In fact, if left to its own devices, capitalism tends towards vast levels of inequality and monopoly. The natural and most stable state of capitalism actually looks a lot like the Victorian England depicted in Charles Dickens’ novels."
The Republicans want to be conned: Paul Ryan and the GOP are letting themselves be duped by Trump
The Republicans want to be conned: Paul Ryan and the GOP are letting themselves be duped by Trump
"The obvious problem with all this is that there is no “getting to know” Donald Trump. He’s an ideologically incoherent cartoon character, an intangible cloud of hair spray and cultural resentment. He flits between policy positions like some sort of bigoted hummingbird. His word is worthless, and his loyalty to the GOP is nonexistent. The only thing you can count on him to do is tell you what you want to hear, then break his promise. But Ryan and the rest of the House GOP leadership are ready and willing to let themselves be conned by Donald Trump."
"The obvious problem with all this is that there is no “getting to know” Donald Trump. He’s an ideologically incoherent cartoon character, an intangible cloud of hair spray and cultural resentment. He flits between policy positions like some sort of bigoted hummingbird. His word is worthless, and his loyalty to the GOP is nonexistent. The only thing you can count on him to do is tell you what you want to hear, then break his promise. But Ryan and the rest of the House GOP leadership are ready and willing to let themselves be conned by Donald Trump."
It will always be about race: The GOP has finally collapsed beneath its own bigotry
It will always be about race: The GOP has finally collapsed beneath its own bigotry
"Most members of the GOP probably don’t think this a laughing matter. The future of their party is at stake. However, to borrow a line from the old Laurel and Hardy bit, they’ve only themselves to blame for the “fine mess” in which they find themselves."
"Most members of the GOP probably don’t think this a laughing matter. The future of their party is at stake. However, to borrow a line from the old Laurel and Hardy bit, they’ve only themselves to blame for the “fine mess” in which they find themselves."
The 1 percent’s most dangerous weapon: Donald Trump and the global acceleration of income inequality
The 1 percent’s most dangerous weapon: Donald Trump and the global acceleration of income inequality
"Trump knows better than most, great wealth, like mushrooms, flourishes best in darkness and with a steady stream of excrement to nourish it, which thanks to the corporate news media, 2016 has already supplied in ample quantities. Perhaps the candidate was emboldened by the lack of news media blow back on his stunning reversal on his pledge to “self-finance” his presidential campaign. The original story line was so Capraesque; the last great white hope billionaire willing to put his fortune at risk to redeem the Republic sullied by elites that had sold out the national interest to feather their own nests. But now with Trump’s selection of Steve Mnuchin, a hedge fund founder and second generation Goldman Sachs alum, as his finance chair, Trump is back in proper alignment with the hedge fund pirates of the Caribbean who to this day continue to profit from the 2008 Wall Street’s heist of the Main Street economy. Of course, with much of the billion dollars that Trump committed to raise likely to go to television ads, we can hardly expect the corporate news media, that’s already made a killing on the sensational GOP primary, to hold him accountable for a spectacular flip-flop that’s very much in their interest."
"Trump knows better than most, great wealth, like mushrooms, flourishes best in darkness and with a steady stream of excrement to nourish it, which thanks to the corporate news media, 2016 has already supplied in ample quantities. Perhaps the candidate was emboldened by the lack of news media blow back on his stunning reversal on his pledge to “self-finance” his presidential campaign. The original story line was so Capraesque; the last great white hope billionaire willing to put his fortune at risk to redeem the Republic sullied by elites that had sold out the national interest to feather their own nests. But now with Trump’s selection of Steve Mnuchin, a hedge fund founder and second generation Goldman Sachs alum, as his finance chair, Trump is back in proper alignment with the hedge fund pirates of the Caribbean who to this day continue to profit from the 2008 Wall Street’s heist of the Main Street economy. Of course, with much of the billion dollars that Trump committed to raise likely to go to television ads, we can hardly expect the corporate news media, that’s already made a killing on the sensational GOP primary, to hold him accountable for a spectacular flip-flop that’s very much in their interest."
Donald Trump Promises To ‘Dismantle’ Wall Street Reform
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/18/3779349/trump-dismantle-dodd-frank/
"Consumer protection may be its biggest achievement so far, however. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began operating in 2011, and by last year had already netted $10.1 billion in relief for 17 million Americans through its enforcement activities. That includes $2.6 billion in direct restitution as well as $7.5 billion in the form of things like debt cancellation and principal reduction. It has also netted 1.8 million people $248 million in relief from supervisory actions while it’s ordered banks to pay $286 million in civil penalties. The agency wrote new rules for mortgage lending and other products and is supervising some areas, such as credit report agencies and debt collectors, that has previously gone with little oversight. Unlike Trump’s promises to scrap nearly the whole thing, the Democratic candidates say they will take Dodd-Frank even further. Bernie Sanders has promised to break up too big to fail banks within the first year of his administration, cap ATM fees and interest on consumer products, and institute a financial transaction tax on Wall Street. Hillary Clinton has promised to crack down on the shadow banking system that still often falls outside the purview of regulation and expand on Dodd-Frank’s rules."
"Consumer protection may be its biggest achievement so far, however. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau began operating in 2011, and by last year had already netted $10.1 billion in relief for 17 million Americans through its enforcement activities. That includes $2.6 billion in direct restitution as well as $7.5 billion in the form of things like debt cancellation and principal reduction. It has also netted 1.8 million people $248 million in relief from supervisory actions while it’s ordered banks to pay $286 million in civil penalties. The agency wrote new rules for mortgage lending and other products and is supervising some areas, such as credit report agencies and debt collectors, that has previously gone with little oversight. Unlike Trump’s promises to scrap nearly the whole thing, the Democratic candidates say they will take Dodd-Frank even further. Bernie Sanders has promised to break up too big to fail banks within the first year of his administration, cap ATM fees and interest on consumer products, and institute a financial transaction tax on Wall Street. Hillary Clinton has promised to crack down on the shadow banking system that still often falls outside the purview of regulation and expand on Dodd-Frank’s rules."
Donald Trump Provides a Crazy Explanation for Those Abortion Comments @alternet
Donald Trump Provides a Crazy Explanation for Those Abortion Comments @alternet:
"Trump originally “saw nothing wrong with his remark” and refused to backtrack on the suggestion that women should be punished for obtaining abortions. But once media outlets inundated his campaign with request for specifics on how women should be punished, Trump asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s team to draft a statement that would appease social conservatives and moderate voters."
"Trump originally “saw nothing wrong with his remark” and refused to backtrack on the suggestion that women should be punished for obtaining abortions. But once media outlets inundated his campaign with request for specifics on how women should be punished, Trump asked New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s team to draft a statement that would appease social conservatives and moderate voters."
AUDIO: Drumpf Calls Date "A 3rd Rate Hooker" But Loves Women
AUDIO: Drumpf Calls Date "A 3rd Rate Hooker" But Loves Women
"Presidential material right there, folks. Enjoy, GOP. You made him."
"Presidential material right there, folks. Enjoy, GOP. You made him."
Why Trump Can Lie and No One Seems to Care @alternet
Why Trump Can Lie and No One Seems to Care @alternet:
"One simple explanation is that Trump has changed the rules. He is not a politician but a provocateur, and he isn’t held to the same standards as Clinton or Bernie Sanders or even Cruz, all of whom actually have policies. For Trump, policies are beside the point. Another explanation is that long before Trump, social scientists observed that truth matters less to people than reinforcement, and that most of us have the ability to reformulate misstatements into truth so long as they conform to our own biases. We believe what we believe, and we are not changing even in the face of opposing facts (without this capacity for self-deception there would be no Fox News). There is, however, another and even more terrifying explanation as to why the truth doesn’t seem to matter. It has less to do with Trump or our own proclivities to reshape reality than it has to do with infotainment — with the idea that a lot of information isn’t primarily about education or elevation, where truth matters, but entertainment, where it doesn’t. You might call it “the Winchell Effect"."
"One simple explanation is that Trump has changed the rules. He is not a politician but a provocateur, and he isn’t held to the same standards as Clinton or Bernie Sanders or even Cruz, all of whom actually have policies. For Trump, policies are beside the point. Another explanation is that long before Trump, social scientists observed that truth matters less to people than reinforcement, and that most of us have the ability to reformulate misstatements into truth so long as they conform to our own biases. We believe what we believe, and we are not changing even in the face of opposing facts (without this capacity for self-deception there would be no Fox News). There is, however, another and even more terrifying explanation as to why the truth doesn’t seem to matter. It has less to do with Trump or our own proclivities to reshape reality than it has to do with infotainment — with the idea that a lot of information isn’t primarily about education or elevation, where truth matters, but entertainment, where it doesn’t. You might call it “the Winchell Effect"."
Audio Of Trump Alter Ego 'John Miller' Surfaces, Trump Denies It's Him, Water Is Wet
Audio Of Trump Alter Ego 'John Miller' Surfaces, Trump Denies It's Him, Water Is Wet
"today's edition of "Insanity with Donald Trump"."
"today's edition of "Insanity with Donald Trump"."
Scientists confirm what conservatives always deny: Tea Party driven by fear of a black president
Scientists confirm what conservatives always deny: Tea Party driven by fear of a black president
"The study came about when Willard found himself pondering why racist hysteria has ratcheted up in this country since the election of President Obama in 2008. The ranks of white supremacist groups swelled after Obama entered the White House and watchdog groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center report that hate groups have become more active in recent years. In Republican politics, right-wing extremist Tea Party candidates ran longstanding GOP officials out of office as conservatives in this country doubled down in opposing the president and his policies."
"The study came about when Willard found himself pondering why racist hysteria has ratcheted up in this country since the election of President Obama in 2008. The ranks of white supremacist groups swelled after Obama entered the White House and watchdog groups like the Southern Poverty Law Center report that hate groups have become more active in recent years. In Republican politics, right-wing extremist Tea Party candidates ran longstanding GOP officials out of office as conservatives in this country doubled down in opposing the president and his policies."
Donald Trump's Testy GMA Interview On Taxes : 'It's None Of Your Business'
Donald Trump's Testy GMA Interview On Taxes : 'It's None Of Your Business'
"Trump's still using his IRS tax audit as an excuse for refusing to release his tax returns, but as NPR reported, "An NPR fact check from February found that there was no law that prohibited the release of tax returns that were under audit." "Weak Donald" hemmed and hawed his way through over five minutes of tough questions from GMA."
"Trump's still using his IRS tax audit as an excuse for refusing to release his tax returns, but as NPR reported, "An NPR fact check from February found that there was no law that prohibited the release of tax returns that were under audit." "Weak Donald" hemmed and hawed his way through over five minutes of tough questions from GMA."
What Media Need To Know About Trump Economic Policy Advisers Steve Moore And Larry Kudlow
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/12/what-media-need-know-about-trump-economic-policy-advisers-steve-moore-and-larry-kudlow/210380
"Donald Trump is tapping conservative economic pundits Stephen Moore and Larry Kudlow to assist in remaking the presumptive Republican nominee’s tax plan, which has been lambasted as a budget-busting giveaway to high-income earners and corporations. Media should be aware that both Moore and Kudlow have long histories of playing fast and loose with the facts while making outlandish and incorrect claims about the economy."
"Donald Trump is tapping conservative economic pundits Stephen Moore and Larry Kudlow to assist in remaking the presumptive Republican nominee’s tax plan, which has been lambasted as a budget-busting giveaway to high-income earners and corporations. Media should be aware that both Moore and Kudlow have long histories of playing fast and loose with the facts while making outlandish and incorrect claims about the economy."
Donald Trump Changes His Mind About Changing His Tax Plan
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/13/3778121/trump-tax-no-changes/
"While the top marginal tax rate paid by the wealthy wouldn’t be quite as low as Trump’s original proposal, it would still have been lowered from its current rate, giving them a cut. Meanwhile, an analyst at the Tax Foundation, who crunched the new numbers to estimate its cost, revealed that “the benefits to the middle class basically go away” under the draft changes given that the top rates they pay would also be increased from Trump’s original plan and breaks under standard deductions would be wiped away. “You’re only giving [breaks] to the top,” he said of the draft. That would have made Trump’s tax plan even more tilted toward the rich. But his current one is already very generous. According to the Tax Policy Center, the richest fifth of the country would get more than two-thirds of the benefits, with the top 1 percent netting nearly 40 percent. The middle would get just 11 percent, while the poorest Americans would be handed 0.8 percent of the tax relief. Without any tweaks, the price tag will also stay eye-poppingly high. Both the Tax Policy Center and the Tax Foundation estimated that it would cost about $10 trillion over a decade, the most expensive plan offered up on the Republican side except for Ben Carson’s and far more than the cost of Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush’s tax cuts. Trump has not said how he would cover that cost. If he were to stick to his pledge to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from cuts — something he has been staunch about until a campaign spokesperson changed that position this week — that would require cutting all other government spending by more than three-quarters. On top of that, if he increased military spending or even kept it where it is, he would have to all but eliminate everything else the government does, including the programs that benefit the poor and middle class."
"While the top marginal tax rate paid by the wealthy wouldn’t be quite as low as Trump’s original proposal, it would still have been lowered from its current rate, giving them a cut. Meanwhile, an analyst at the Tax Foundation, who crunched the new numbers to estimate its cost, revealed that “the benefits to the middle class basically go away” under the draft changes given that the top rates they pay would also be increased from Trump’s original plan and breaks under standard deductions would be wiped away. “You’re only giving [breaks] to the top,” he said of the draft. That would have made Trump’s tax plan even more tilted toward the rich. But his current one is already very generous. According to the Tax Policy Center, the richest fifth of the country would get more than two-thirds of the benefits, with the top 1 percent netting nearly 40 percent. The middle would get just 11 percent, while the poorest Americans would be handed 0.8 percent of the tax relief. Without any tweaks, the price tag will also stay eye-poppingly high. Both the Tax Policy Center and the Tax Foundation estimated that it would cost about $10 trillion over a decade, the most expensive plan offered up on the Republican side except for Ben Carson’s and far more than the cost of Ronald Reagan or George W. Bush’s tax cuts. Trump has not said how he would cover that cost. If he were to stick to his pledge to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from cuts — something he has been staunch about until a campaign spokesperson changed that position this week — that would require cutting all other government spending by more than three-quarters. On top of that, if he increased military spending or even kept it where it is, he would have to all but eliminate everything else the government does, including the programs that benefit the poor and middle class."
Racists and white nationalists love Donald Trump: Seth Meyers calls out what the media is afraid to say
Racists and white nationalists love Donald Trump: Seth Meyers calls out what the media is afraid to say
"Donald Trump's rhetoric has attracted support from white nationalists and racists who promote white supremacy"
"Donald Trump's rhetoric has attracted support from white nationalists and racists who promote white supremacy"
How Trump Gets Away With Lying and the Mainstream Media Colludes With Him @alternet
How Trump Gets Away With Lying and the Mainstream Media Colludes With Him @alternet:
"Few people would accuse Donald Trump of possessing extensive knowledge of policy issues, history or basic facts. But considering the presumed Republican nominee engages several times per day with people whose basic job function is to understand and contextualize policy issues, history and facts—a.k.a. journalists—the number of lies Trump is able to get away with is truly staggering."
"Few people would accuse Donald Trump of possessing extensive knowledge of policy issues, history or basic facts. But considering the presumed Republican nominee engages several times per day with people whose basic job function is to understand and contextualize policy issues, history and facts—a.k.a. journalists—the number of lies Trump is able to get away with is truly staggering."
Trumponomics: Media, Experts Criticize Trump’s Proposal To “Print The Money” To Pay Down Debt
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/10/trumponomics-media-experts-criticize-trump-s-proposal-print-money-pay-down-debt/210337
"Donald Trump called in to CNBC and outlined a plan to partially default on the United States’ outstanding sovereign debt obligations in hopes of eventually negotiating lower rates of repayment -- an action that would likely lead to a global financial crisis. Four days later, Trump claimed in a phone interview on CNN that the media had “misrepresented” his statement and that the United States would never default because the government could “print the money” needed to pay down the national debt"
"Donald Trump called in to CNBC and outlined a plan to partially default on the United States’ outstanding sovereign debt obligations in hopes of eventually negotiating lower rates of repayment -- an action that would likely lead to a global financial crisis. Four days later, Trump claimed in a phone interview on CNN that the media had “misrepresented” his statement and that the United States would never default because the government could “print the money” needed to pay down the national debt"
Trump Tags Larry Kudlow To 'Fix' His Tax Plan
Trump Tags Larry Kudlow To 'Fix' His Tax Plan
"Kudlow and Stephen Moore of the Heritage Foundation (of course) have been tapped to "fix" Donald Trump's Tax Plan."
"Kudlow and Stephen Moore of the Heritage Foundation (of course) have been tapped to "fix" Donald Trump's Tax Plan."
An Extensive Guide To The Fact Checks, Debunks, And Criticisms Of Trump’s Various Problematic Policy Proposals
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/12/extensive-guide-fact-checks-debunks-and-criticisms-trump-s-various-problematic-policy-proposals/210365
"Over the course of the 2016 presidential primary, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has laid forth a series of problematic policy proposals and statements -- ranging from his plan to ban Muslims from entering the United States to his suggestion that the United States default on debt -- that media have warned to be “dangerous,” “fact-free,” “unconstitutional,” “contradictory,” “racist,” and “xenophobic"."
"Over the course of the 2016 presidential primary, presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has laid forth a series of problematic policy proposals and statements -- ranging from his plan to ban Muslims from entering the United States to his suggestion that the United States default on debt -- that media have warned to be “dangerous,” “fact-free,” “unconstitutional,” “contradictory,” “racist,” and “xenophobic"."
Minnesota Republicans Just Endorsed A Congressional Candidate Who Would Make Trump Blush
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/09/3776547/jason-lewis-republican-endorsement-minnesota/
"During his radio host days, Jason Lewis ranted about how young women are more concerned with birth control and abortion than economics, characterized Hurricane Katrina victims as “a bunch of whiners,” and questioned whether the Union had just cause to end slavery by fighting the Confederacy during the Civil War."
"During his radio host days, Jason Lewis ranted about how young women are more concerned with birth control and abortion than economics, characterized Hurricane Katrina victims as “a bunch of whiners,” and questioned whether the Union had just cause to end slavery by fighting the Confederacy during the Civil War."
Saturday, May 14, 2016
Trump’s official tax plan blatantly contradicts his populist rhetoric
Trump’s official tax plan blatantly contradicts his populist rhetoric
"The road map charts the course to really large tax cuts, with the bulk of them going to very-high-income households: At the plan’s core is a mostly-routine Republican tax plan that includes giveaways similar to those intended by Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Ted Cruz. The difference is that the plan throws people off the scent of who it benefits, because it contains some novel (and particularly stupid) detours that make no sense as good policy. When Trump says things like “But the middle class has to be protected. The rich is probably going to end up paying more,” one might come away with the idea that this is a middle-class focused tax cut. The guts of Trump’s tax proposal, however, reveal how obvious of a giveaway to the already-rich it is. To get an idea of just how much money is being doled out, the Tax Policy Center (TPC) estimates that Trump’s plan would cost about $9.5 trillion over a decade."
"The road map charts the course to really large tax cuts, with the bulk of them going to very-high-income households: At the plan’s core is a mostly-routine Republican tax plan that includes giveaways similar to those intended by Marco Rubio, Jeb Bush, and Ted Cruz. The difference is that the plan throws people off the scent of who it benefits, because it contains some novel (and particularly stupid) detours that make no sense as good policy. When Trump says things like “But the middle class has to be protected. The rich is probably going to end up paying more,” one might come away with the idea that this is a middle-class focused tax cut. The guts of Trump’s tax proposal, however, reveal how obvious of a giveaway to the already-rich it is. To get an idea of just how much money is being doled out, the Tax Policy Center (TPC) estimates that Trump’s plan would cost about $9.5 trillion over a decade."
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Uh Oh: Trump Named In The Panama Papers 3,540 Times!
Uh Oh: Trump Named In The Panama Papers 3,540 Times!
"Today we learn of another puzzle piece regarding Herr Trump's shady financial dealings and wow, this one is a doozy. For months, Herr Trump has been dodging requests to show his taxes and just yesterday said "There's nothing to learn from them." Ironic, considering in 2012 he publicly blasted Mitt Romney for being slow to release his taxes. Well, now Herr Trump is flat out refusing to share his until AFTER the election. Yes, after. Because, you know, nothing shady going on there. Some possible explanations for this refusal are that he isn't as rich as he says he is (probable), he doesn't pay a high tax rate (he gloats about this), he doesn't donate to charities (ha, did anyone think he really did?) or he is pretty much broke (hmmm). Wait, just today, not one day after that flat out declaration from a man who, up until this point loves putting his name on any and every product he can possibly slap a "Trump" label on (see full list here.) has been named in the infamous Panana Papers. Another possible reason why Herr Trump is refusing to release his returns."
"Today we learn of another puzzle piece regarding Herr Trump's shady financial dealings and wow, this one is a doozy. For months, Herr Trump has been dodging requests to show his taxes and just yesterday said "There's nothing to learn from them." Ironic, considering in 2012 he publicly blasted Mitt Romney for being slow to release his taxes. Well, now Herr Trump is flat out refusing to share his until AFTER the election. Yes, after. Because, you know, nothing shady going on there. Some possible explanations for this refusal are that he isn't as rich as he says he is (probable), he doesn't pay a high tax rate (he gloats about this), he doesn't donate to charities (ha, did anyone think he really did?) or he is pretty much broke (hmmm). Wait, just today, not one day after that flat out declaration from a man who, up until this point loves putting his name on any and every product he can possibly slap a "Trump" label on (see full list here.) has been named in the infamous Panana Papers. Another possible reason why Herr Trump is refusing to release his returns."
Trump's Long-Time Butler Calls For President Obama To Be Shot Or Hanged
Trump's Long-Time Butler Calls For President Obama To Be Shot Or Hanged
"Trump's longtime butler and current Mar-a-Lago resort "historian" has the exact kind of views you would expect from a Trump loyalist. Racist, hateful, bigoted and violent."
"Trump's longtime butler and current Mar-a-Lago resort "historian" has the exact kind of views you would expect from a Trump loyalist. Racist, hateful, bigoted and violent."
Donald Trump's Latest Ignorance Is Just Breathtaking @alternet
Donald Trump's Latest Ignorance Is Just Breathtaking @alternet:
"Real businesspeople, as opposed to a lifelong self-promoting scammer like Trump, understand perfectly well that public and private debts are not equivalent, and that governments (and most especially the U.S. government) can’t operate like private businesses in regard to their debt obligations. That is why real businesspeople invest in U.S. bonds, despite their current near- zero rate of return: because they know that the U.S. government—assuming it isn’t taken over by the maniacs at the head of contemporary Republican party–can’t and won’t engage in strategic default."
"Real businesspeople, as opposed to a lifelong self-promoting scammer like Trump, understand perfectly well that public and private debts are not equivalent, and that governments (and most especially the U.S. government) can’t operate like private businesses in regard to their debt obligations. That is why real businesspeople invest in U.S. bonds, despite their current near- zero rate of return: because they know that the U.S. government—assuming it isn’t taken over by the maniacs at the head of contemporary Republican party–can’t and won’t engage in strategic default."
ALEC's 2016 Agenda Moving in the States: A Snapshot
http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/05/13099/alec's-2016-agenda-snapshot
"More than a quarter of all the state legislators in the country belong to ALEC, although the secretive group does not disclose its list of more than 2000 legislative members. ALEC gets 98 percent of its funding from corporations and sources like the Koch family foundations, and it acts as a conduit for special interest influence in state legislatures. ALEC convenes legislators, corporate lobbyists, and right-wing think tanks to vote as equals, behind closed doors, on "model bills" that benefit ALEC's corporate members, industry funders, and right-wing allies. These bills are then introduced, often word for word, in state legislatures around the country. ALEC's long-term agenda is reflected in the current crop of bills now being filed in state houses. They undermine action on climate change and environmental protections; promote school privatization; defund unions and stop progressive wage and benefits policies; and, among other things, call for a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to restrict the federal budget. ALEC is also the force behind the increased use of "preemption" laws designed to strip local governments of their power to ban fracking, pass minimum wage hikes, and enact earned sick day laws. ALEC is pushing bills to stop cities from banning plastic bags, made from derivatives of oil refining. ALEC is funded by some of the biggest fossil fuel companies in the world, like Koch. Over the last three years, 109 corporations--from Ford to Google--have dumped ALEC after the public learned more about this shadowy group, particularly its role pushing national model bills like the "Stand Your Ground" law cited for exonerating Trayvon Martin's killer, along with bills that make it harder for Americans to vote and peddling extreme climate change denial."
"More than a quarter of all the state legislators in the country belong to ALEC, although the secretive group does not disclose its list of more than 2000 legislative members. ALEC gets 98 percent of its funding from corporations and sources like the Koch family foundations, and it acts as a conduit for special interest influence in state legislatures. ALEC convenes legislators, corporate lobbyists, and right-wing think tanks to vote as equals, behind closed doors, on "model bills" that benefit ALEC's corporate members, industry funders, and right-wing allies. These bills are then introduced, often word for word, in state legislatures around the country. ALEC's long-term agenda is reflected in the current crop of bills now being filed in state houses. They undermine action on climate change and environmental protections; promote school privatization; defund unions and stop progressive wage and benefits policies; and, among other things, call for a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution to restrict the federal budget. ALEC is also the force behind the increased use of "preemption" laws designed to strip local governments of their power to ban fracking, pass minimum wage hikes, and enact earned sick day laws. ALEC is pushing bills to stop cities from banning plastic bags, made from derivatives of oil refining. ALEC is funded by some of the biggest fossil fuel companies in the world, like Koch. Over the last three years, 109 corporations--from Ford to Google--have dumped ALEC after the public learned more about this shadowy group, particularly its role pushing national model bills like the "Stand Your Ground" law cited for exonerating Trayvon Martin's killer, along with bills that make it harder for Americans to vote and peddling extreme climate change denial."
Americans really don't like the idea of a Trump Supreme Court
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/5/9/1524714/-Americans-really-don-t-like-the-idea-of-a-Trump-Supreme-Court
"All of this is making Senate Leader Mitch McConnell's ongoing blockade more dangerous for Republican incumbents. 50% of voters say they’d be less likely to vote for a Senator who opposed having confirmation hearings, compared to only 18% who say that stance would make them more likely to vote for their Senator. That includes 23 percent of independents, who say they are less likely to vote for a senator who's opposed having hearings. Meanwhile, McConnell is flirting dangerously with a single-digit approval rating—he's down to 11 percent approval."
"All of this is making Senate Leader Mitch McConnell's ongoing blockade more dangerous for Republican incumbents. 50% of voters say they’d be less likely to vote for a Senator who opposed having confirmation hearings, compared to only 18% who say that stance would make them more likely to vote for their Senator. That includes 23 percent of independents, who say they are less likely to vote for a senator who's opposed having hearings. Meanwhile, McConnell is flirting dangerously with a single-digit approval rating—he's down to 11 percent approval."
Top Pentagon Commanders: We’ll Quit If Trump Becomes Commander-In-Chief
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/11/top-pentagon-commanders-well-quit-trump-becomes-commander-chief-2/
"a good number of Pentagon officials are planning to retire or quit if Trump gets elected in protest of his vile desecration of the values that they have sworn to die defending and his callous disregard for the lives that will be put at risk should he attain he highest office of the United States"
"a good number of Pentagon officials are planning to retire or quit if Trump gets elected in protest of his vile desecration of the values that they have sworn to die defending and his callous disregard for the lives that will be put at risk should he attain he highest office of the United States"
The Hypocrisy Of Trump’s Refusal To Release His Tax Returns
http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2016/05/11/3777219/trump-called-mitt-romney-release-tax-returns-wont-release/
"It’s also a sharp break from Trump’s own advice to Mitt Romney. In January 2012, Trump told Greta Van Sustren that Romney “was hurt really very badly” by his initial refusal to release his tax returns. He advised Romney to “release them now"."
"It’s also a sharp break from Trump’s own advice to Mitt Romney. In January 2012, Trump told Greta Van Sustren that Romney “was hurt really very badly” by his initial refusal to release his tax returns. He advised Romney to “release them now"."
Trump Embarrasses Himself, Proves He Has NO IDEA What The GI Bill Is (VIDEO)
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/10/trump-embarrasses-proves-no-idea-gi-bill/
"Perhaps if Donald Trump hadn’t dodged the draft to embark on his own personal Vietnam of unprotected promiscuity, he’d know what the G.I. Bill is – and how important it is to our nation and to our veterans."
"Perhaps if Donald Trump hadn’t dodged the draft to embark on his own personal Vietnam of unprotected promiscuity, he’d know what the G.I. Bill is – and how important it is to our nation and to our veterans."
Media Slam Trump’s “Insane” Plan To Default On U.S. Debt
http://mediamatters.org/research/2016/05/08/media-slam-trump-s-insane-plan-default-us-debt/210297
"Analysts Explain That Real Estate Gimmicks Don’t Work For The American Economy"
"Analysts Explain That Real Estate Gimmicks Don’t Work For The American Economy"
Experts Warn This Trump Plan Would Cause ‘Global Financial Meltdown’
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/07/experts-warn-this-trump-plan-would-cause-global-financial-meltdown/
"Trump doesn’t seem to understand that the United States economy isn’t one of his many, many casinos and other ventures that he sent into bankruptcy at the expense of his investors"
"Trump doesn’t seem to understand that the United States economy isn’t one of his many, many casinos and other ventures that he sent into bankruptcy at the expense of his investors"
Trump Confronted With Reality That His New Economic Idea Would Destroy The Global Economy
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2016/05/08/3776377/trump-default-you-never-know/
"The ripple effects of even a single discounted debt repurchasing move by the U.S. would put a freeze on business and investment activity throughout almost every sector of the global economy."
"The ripple effects of even a single discounted debt repurchasing move by the U.S. would put a freeze on business and investment activity throughout almost every sector of the global economy."
SHOCK: Donald Trump Just Promised to Bankrupt America Like He Did With His Failed Businesses
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/06/shock-donald-trump-just-promised-bankrupt-america-like-failed-businesses/
"Apparently for Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, four bankruptcies isn’t enough. Now, he promises to bring America to the brink of bankruptcy to magically force our creditors to cancel our debt. It’s a stunning admission, one which betrays a deep ignorance of how sovereign debt works, and one that for any other nominee would sink his candidacy."
"Apparently for Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, four bankruptcies isn’t enough. Now, he promises to bring America to the brink of bankruptcy to magically force our creditors to cancel our debt. It’s a stunning admission, one which betrays a deep ignorance of how sovereign debt works, and one that for any other nominee would sink his candidacy."
Entitled, racist, bigoted, thugs: It is time to call Donald Trump supporters by their real names
Entitled, racist, bigoted, thugs: It is time to call Donald Trump supporters by their real names
"Republicans form the core of Donald Trump’s base of support. White, angry, entitled, nativist, bigoted, and racist voters constitute the base of the Republican Party in the Age of Obama and the post-civil rights era. While a lazy corporate news media has tried to spin the rise of Donald Trump as some type of aberration for the Republican Party and movement conservatism, he is instead the logical outcome and spawn of at least five decades of right-wing social and economic policies."
"Republicans form the core of Donald Trump’s base of support. White, angry, entitled, nativist, bigoted, and racist voters constitute the base of the Republican Party in the Age of Obama and the post-civil rights era. While a lazy corporate news media has tried to spin the rise of Donald Trump as some type of aberration for the Republican Party and movement conservatism, he is instead the logical outcome and spawn of at least five decades of right-wing social and economic policies."
Witness Trump Tell A Room Of Cheering Morons That Women Have It Better Off Than Men (VIDEO)
http://addictinginfo.org/2016/05/08/witness-trump-tell-a-room-of-cheering-morons-that-women-have-it-better-off-than-men-video/
"Trump is a bully, and he thinks that he can belittle women by saying how much they have it ‘better’ than men. He says this because he gets in trouble for belittling them. He doesn’t think people should call him out on his misogynistic bullsh*t. That’s what he means by “women get it better,” because women these days are finally being heard, and he hates it. Absolutely despises it. Honestly? Any person who votes for Donald Trump, a man with zero policy or diplomacy experience, is an idiot, but women who vote for Trump? Seriously? Have a little more respect for yourself than that."
"Trump is a bully, and he thinks that he can belittle women by saying how much they have it ‘better’ than men. He says this because he gets in trouble for belittling them. He doesn’t think people should call him out on his misogynistic bullsh*t. That’s what he means by “women get it better,” because women these days are finally being heard, and he hates it. Absolutely despises it. Honestly? Any person who votes for Donald Trump, a man with zero policy or diplomacy experience, is an idiot, but women who vote for Trump? Seriously? Have a little more respect for yourself than that."
Veteran Campaign Reporters: “The Stakes Are Too High” To Let Trump Get Away With Constant Lying
http://mediamatters.org/blog/2016/05/11/veteran-campaign-reporters-stakes-are-too-high-let-trump-get-away-constant-lying/210328
"Trump’s falsehoods and conspiracies have piled up over the course of the campaign, running the gamut from his repeated (and often unchallenged) boast that he opposed the Iraq War from the beginning to more bizarre claims like his recent embrace of a National Enquirer conspiracy linking Sen. Ted Cruz’s father to JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald."
"Trump’s falsehoods and conspiracies have piled up over the course of the campaign, running the gamut from his repeated (and often unchallenged) boast that he opposed the Iraq War from the beginning to more bizarre claims like his recent embrace of a National Enquirer conspiracy linking Sen. Ted Cruz’s father to JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald."
You Won’t Believe What Trump’s Newest Delegate Said About African-Americans
http://occupydemocrats.com/2016/05/10/wont-believe-trumps-newest-delegate-said-african-americans/
"He is the leader of the American Freedom Party (AFP), a group whose stated aim is “to represent the political interests of White Americans” and preserve “the customs and heritage of the European American people.” The party advocates deporting “all non-white immigrants and U.S. citizens, including anyone with any ascertainable trace of Negro blood” and believes that “diversity is white genocide"."
"He is the leader of the American Freedom Party (AFP), a group whose stated aim is “to represent the political interests of White Americans” and preserve “the customs and heritage of the European American people.” The party advocates deporting “all non-white immigrants and U.S. citizens, including anyone with any ascertainable trace of Negro blood” and believes that “diversity is white genocide"."
Trump Tells BillO He 'Will See About Overturning' Roe v Wade
Trump Tells BillO He 'Will See About Overturning' Roe v Wade
"Donald Trump is planning on appointing five Supreme Court Justices."
"Donald Trump is planning on appointing five Supreme Court Justices."
Hindu nationalists and 5 other wacky groups that have endorsed Donald Trump
Hindu nationalists and 5 other wacky groups that have endorsed Donald Trump
"The presumptive Republican nominee has won support from a group of misogynists who advocate for the legalization for rape"
"The presumptive Republican nominee has won support from a group of misogynists who advocate for the legalization for rape"
Trump's Dirty Trickster: The Staggeringly Shady Dealings of Political Operative Roger Stone @alternet
Trump's Dirty Trickster: The Staggeringly Shady Dealings of Political Operative Roger Stone @alternet:
"Stone has always been primarily interested in power and access, and his love of the GOP dates back to the Goldwater campaign in 1964, which he worked for when he was all of about 12. At age 19, Stone secured a position working for another one of his role models, Richard Nixon. He joined the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (affectionately dubbed C.R.E.E.P. by Nixon’s opponents) where he got his first taste of backhanded politics. Reportedly using the pseudonym Jason Rainier, Stone donated money to Paul McClosky, who was challenging Nixon for the Republican nomination. Signing the funds under the guise of the Young Socialist Alliance, Stone leaked a receipt of the check to the press, effectively labeling McClosky a secret socialist and derailing the challenger’s chance of landing the Republican nomination. Nixon was coronated as the party nominee at the Republican National Convention later that year. Stone’s admiration of Nixon is well documented. “The reason I’m a Nixonite is because of his indestructibility and resilience,” Stone has said. “He never quit. His whole career was all built around his personal resentment of élitism.” The political insider even has a tattoo of Nixon’s face on his back."
"Stone has always been primarily interested in power and access, and his love of the GOP dates back to the Goldwater campaign in 1964, which he worked for when he was all of about 12. At age 19, Stone secured a position working for another one of his role models, Richard Nixon. He joined the Committee for the Re-Election of the President (affectionately dubbed C.R.E.E.P. by Nixon’s opponents) where he got his first taste of backhanded politics. Reportedly using the pseudonym Jason Rainier, Stone donated money to Paul McClosky, who was challenging Nixon for the Republican nomination. Signing the funds under the guise of the Young Socialist Alliance, Stone leaked a receipt of the check to the press, effectively labeling McClosky a secret socialist and derailing the challenger’s chance of landing the Republican nomination. Nixon was coronated as the party nominee at the Republican National Convention later that year. Stone’s admiration of Nixon is well documented. “The reason I’m a Nixonite is because of his indestructibility and resilience,” Stone has said. “He never quit. His whole career was all built around his personal resentment of élitism.” The political insider even has a tattoo of Nixon’s face on his back."
McDonald's, the Corporate Welfare Moocher
McDonald's, the Corporate Welfare Moocher
"the Times noted another interesting and crucial point, one that is seldom discussed: Namely, the issue of what is often called corporate welfare. While the conservative right is content to shame poor mothers for receiving federal assistance, rarely do they dare call, say, General Electric or Walmart "welfare queens," despite the fact that they receive enormous direct and indirect taxpayer subsidies year after year. This is true for McDonald's, as well: The Times observes, "Through it all, taxpayers continue to pick up the difference between what fast-food workers earn and what they need to survive. An estimated $1.2 billion a year in taxpayer dollars goes toward public aid to help people who work at McDonald’s." What is highlighted here is a kind of indirect subsidy McDonald's enjoys because of its refusal to pay workers a livable wage. Why raise the wages of these workers or provide them with benefits, the argument goes, if the taxpayer is there to provide "the difference between what fast-food workers earn and what they need to survive"? And why reward workers of little stature when you can reward influential executives and fat-cats instead?"
"the Times noted another interesting and crucial point, one that is seldom discussed: Namely, the issue of what is often called corporate welfare. While the conservative right is content to shame poor mothers for receiving federal assistance, rarely do they dare call, say, General Electric or Walmart "welfare queens," despite the fact that they receive enormous direct and indirect taxpayer subsidies year after year. This is true for McDonald's, as well: The Times observes, "Through it all, taxpayers continue to pick up the difference between what fast-food workers earn and what they need to survive. An estimated $1.2 billion a year in taxpayer dollars goes toward public aid to help people who work at McDonald’s." What is highlighted here is a kind of indirect subsidy McDonald's enjoys because of its refusal to pay workers a livable wage. Why raise the wages of these workers or provide them with benefits, the argument goes, if the taxpayer is there to provide "the difference between what fast-food workers earn and what they need to survive"? And why reward workers of little stature when you can reward influential executives and fat-cats instead?"
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