Ex-Watergate prosecutor: ‘Jeff Sessions has made it a lot easier’ for special counsel Mueller to find him guilty of perjury
"Ackerman outlined the three times Sessions lied in sworn testimony: first, when he falsely claimed at his confirmation hearing that he “didn’t recall” meeting with any Russians (he met thrice with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak); second, when he sent a letter to Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) claiming outright that he never had contact with Russian officials; and third, when he “denied any knowledge about any [Trump campaign] surrogates having any contact with Russia.” The latter was proven to be a lie after it was revealed that former campaign aides George Papadopoulos and Carter Page told Sessions about their contacts with Russians."
Monday, November 20, 2017
How do I love thee? Newsweek has counted the ways that Trump loves Putin so you don't have to
http://www.newsweek.com/heres-all-times-trump-has-praised-putin-708859
"a history of Trump's admiration for the Russian president."
"a history of Trump's admiration for the Russian president."
Mike Pence Can't Keep His Lies Straight, and It's Starting to Catch Up with Him @alternet
Mike Pence Can't Keep His Lies Straight, and It's Starting to Catch Up with Him @alternet:
"Whether the vice president has any knowledge of or involvement in collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian agents remains unknown, but he is certainly up to his eyeballs in falsehoods and deceptions on the matter. Unfortunately for Pence, appearing to be clueless and incompetent is not a defense that will protect him from Robert Mueller or other investigators."
"Whether the vice president has any knowledge of or involvement in collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian agents remains unknown, but he is certainly up to his eyeballs in falsehoods and deceptions on the matter. Unfortunately for Pence, appearing to be clueless and incompetent is not a defense that will protect him from Robert Mueller or other investigators."
WATCH: Jeff Sessions gets testy as he’s grilled by Sheila Lee over Russia contacts
WATCH: Jeff Sessions gets testy as he’s grilled by Sheila Lee over Russia contacts
"Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-NY) grilled Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday about his failure to recall Trump campaign operatives telling them about their efforts to meet with Russian government officials during the 2016 presidential campaign."
"Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-NY) grilled Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday about his failure to recall Trump campaign operatives telling them about their efforts to meet with Russian government officials during the 2016 presidential campaign."
The Wikileaks/Trump Jr. exchange shows a conspiracy ... and that Wikileaks is an absolute fraud
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/14/1715465/-The-Wikileaks-Trump-Jr-shows-a-conspiracy-and-that-Wikileaks-is-an-absolute-fraud
"The biggest thing to be learned from the Trump Jr./Wikileaks exchange is just how slimy both sides were. How little concerned they were with the idea of actual honesty or openness. How ready they were to conspire together to give the impression of honesty, while privately snickering at the gullible. Like when Wikileaks proposed they publish some of Trump’s tax information … If we publish them it will dramatically improve the perception of our impartiality. This is the real kicker. That means that the vast amount of stuff that we are publishing about Clinton will have a much higher impact, because it won’t be perceived as coming from a “pro-Trump” “pro-Russia” source, which the Clinton campaign is constantly slandering us with. This statement … is amazing. If Trump Jr. will help sneak Wikileaks some information, they can use it to cover up the fact that they’re helping him … which would really stick it to those bastards who say Wikileaks is helping him. And hey, isn’t it also amazing that the only website that Wikileaks located for them, and “guessed the password” was the one about Putin?"
"The biggest thing to be learned from the Trump Jr./Wikileaks exchange is just how slimy both sides were. How little concerned they were with the idea of actual honesty or openness. How ready they were to conspire together to give the impression of honesty, while privately snickering at the gullible. Like when Wikileaks proposed they publish some of Trump’s tax information … If we publish them it will dramatically improve the perception of our impartiality. This is the real kicker. That means that the vast amount of stuff that we are publishing about Clinton will have a much higher impact, because it won’t be perceived as coming from a “pro-Trump” “pro-Russia” source, which the Clinton campaign is constantly slandering us with. This statement … is amazing. If Trump Jr. will help sneak Wikileaks some information, they can use it to cover up the fact that they’re helping him … which would really stick it to those bastards who say Wikileaks is helping him. And hey, isn’t it also amazing that the only website that Wikileaks located for them, and “guessed the password” was the one about Putin?"
The Secret Correspondence Between Donald Trump Jr. and WikiLeaks
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/the-secret-correspondence-between-donald-trump-jr-and-wikileaks/545738/
"The transparency organization asked the president’s son for his cooperation—in sharing its work, in contesting the results of the election, and in arranging for Julian Assange to be Australia’s ambassador to the United States."
"The transparency organization asked the president’s son for his cooperation—in sharing its work, in contesting the results of the election, and in arranging for Julian Assange to be Australia’s ambassador to the United States."
Wikileaks Wanted To Publish Trump’s Tax Returns To Hide Collusion With Trump And Russia
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/11/13/wikileaks-wanted-publish-trumps-tax-returns-impartial-attacking-clinton.html
"The Wikileaks/Trump/Russia conspiracy was so intent on fooling US voters that Wikileaks asked Trump Jr. if they could publish one of Trump’s tax returns so that their attacks on Hillary Clinton would have more impact. Here is the request via The Atlantic: “Hey Don. We have an unusual idea,” Wikileaks wrote on October 21, 2016. “Leak us one or more of your father’s tax returns.” Wikileaks then laid out three reasons why this would benefit both the Trumps and Wikileaks. One, The New York Times had already published a fragment of Trump’s tax returns on October 1; two, the rest could come out any time “through the most biased source (e.g. NYT/MSNBC).” It is the third reason, though, Wikileaks wrote, that “is the real kicker.” “If we publish them it will dramatically improve the perception of our impartiality,” Wikileaks explained. “That means that the vast amount of stuff that we are publishing on Clinton will have much higher impact, because it won’t be perceived as coming from a ‘pro-Trump’ ‘pro-Russia’ source.” Anybody who ever believed Wikileaks or thought that they were only responsible for dumping the emails was played for a sucker. Assange and Wikileaks were working with the Russians and the Trump campaign to help Trump win."
"The Wikileaks/Trump/Russia conspiracy was so intent on fooling US voters that Wikileaks asked Trump Jr. if they could publish one of Trump’s tax returns so that their attacks on Hillary Clinton would have more impact. Here is the request via The Atlantic: “Hey Don. We have an unusual idea,” Wikileaks wrote on October 21, 2016. “Leak us one or more of your father’s tax returns.” Wikileaks then laid out three reasons why this would benefit both the Trumps and Wikileaks. One, The New York Times had already published a fragment of Trump’s tax returns on October 1; two, the rest could come out any time “through the most biased source (e.g. NYT/MSNBC).” It is the third reason, though, Wikileaks wrote, that “is the real kicker.” “If we publish them it will dramatically improve the perception of our impartiality,” Wikileaks explained. “That means that the vast amount of stuff that we are publishing on Clinton will have much higher impact, because it won’t be perceived as coming from a ‘pro-Trump’ ‘pro-Russia’ source.” Anybody who ever believed Wikileaks or thought that they were only responsible for dumping the emails was played for a sucker. Assange and Wikileaks were working with the Russians and the Trump campaign to help Trump win."
Former intelligence chiefs blast Trump’s ‘reprehensible’ attacks, naive embrace of Putin
https://thinkprogress.org/former-intelligence-chiefs-blast-trumps-reprehensible-attacks-naive-embrace-of-putin-098243b6ec0d/
"Two of the country’s highest ranking former intelligence officials took President Donald Trump to task on Sunday for his continued refusal to acknowledge Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections, a stance that they say puts the United States in danger."
"Two of the country’s highest ranking former intelligence officials took President Donald Trump to task on Sunday for his continued refusal to acknowledge Russian interference in the 2016 presidential elections, a stance that they say puts the United States in danger."
Everybody owns Trump: But with Vladimir Putin, it’s special
https://www.salon.com/2017/11/13/everybody-owns-trump-but-with-vladimir-putin-its-special/
"There is one exception to this pattern, however. Trump's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is different. While Trump is just as unctuous in Putin's presence as he is with other foreign leaders, he's equally submissive from a distance. Indeed, he hasn't said a harsh word about Putin or Russia for years and goes out of his way to defend the Moscow strongman. This trip was no exception."
"There is one exception to this pattern, however. Trump's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is different. While Trump is just as unctuous in Putin's presence as he is with other foreign leaders, he's equally submissive from a distance. Indeed, he hasn't said a harsh word about Putin or Russia for years and goes out of his way to defend the Moscow strongman. This trip was no exception."
Mueller looking into Michael Flynn's meeting with pro-Russia Congressman Dana Rohrabacher
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/10/1714541/-Mueller-looking-into-Michael-Flynn-s-meeting-with-pro-Russia-Congressman-Dana-Rohrabacher
"There’s no firmer supporter of Vladimir Putin than Dana Rohrabacher. That’s true whether you’re canvassing the United States House of Representatives, or the Russia Duma. And there’s no representative more deserving of being entangled in the Trump–Russia investigation."
"There’s no firmer supporter of Vladimir Putin than Dana Rohrabacher. That’s true whether you’re canvassing the United States House of Representatives, or the Russia Duma. And there’s no representative more deserving of being entangled in the Trump–Russia investigation."
The GOP Has Just Been Caught in Perhaps Its Biggest Tax Lie @alternet
The GOP Has Just Been Caught in Perhaps Its Biggest Tax Lie @alternet:
"After repeatedly promising that all Americans would get a tax cut under their plan, Republicans have had to change their tune—or to, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did, admit that “I misspoke on that.” Just an innocent misspeaking, mind you, and not a calculated PR effort to sell tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy."
"After repeatedly promising that all Americans would get a tax cut under their plan, Republicans have had to change their tune—or to, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell did, admit that “I misspoke on that.” Just an innocent misspeaking, mind you, and not a calculated PR effort to sell tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy."
Robert Reich: The Trump Tax Plan Is Downright Unpatriotic @alternet
Robert Reich: The Trump Tax Plan Is Downright Unpatriotic @alternet:
"The reason Republicans give for enacting the plan is “supply-side” trickle-down nonsense. The real reason is payback to the GOP’s mega-donors. A few Republicans are starting to admit this. Last week, Gary Cohn, Trump’s lead economic advisor, conceded in an interviewthat “the most excited group out there are big CEOs, about our tax plan.” Republican Rep. Chris Collins admitted that “my donors are basically saying, ‘Get it done or don’t ever call me again.’” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham warned that if Republicans failed to pass tax reform, “the financial contributions will stop.” Republican mega-donors view the tax payback as they do any other investment. When they bankrolled Trump and the GOP, they expected a good return."
"The reason Republicans give for enacting the plan is “supply-side” trickle-down nonsense. The real reason is payback to the GOP’s mega-donors. A few Republicans are starting to admit this. Last week, Gary Cohn, Trump’s lead economic advisor, conceded in an interviewthat “the most excited group out there are big CEOs, about our tax plan.” Republican Rep. Chris Collins admitted that “my donors are basically saying, ‘Get it done or don’t ever call me again.’” Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham warned that if Republicans failed to pass tax reform, “the financial contributions will stop.” Republican mega-donors view the tax payback as they do any other investment. When they bankrolled Trump and the GOP, they expected a good return."
'There You Have It': McConnell Says He 'Misspoke' When He Promised No Tax Hike on Middle Class
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/10/there-you-have-it-mcconnell-says-he-misspoke-when-he-promised-no-tax-hike-middle
"Following the release of a slew of analyses showing that the GOP tax plan would raise taxes on many middle class families—despite repeated promises to the contrary by the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers—Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) conceded in an interview with the New York Times Friday that he "misspoke" when he declared last week that "nobody in the middle class is going to get a tax increase"."
"Following the release of a slew of analyses showing that the GOP tax plan would raise taxes on many middle class families—despite repeated promises to the contrary by the Trump administration and Republican lawmakers—Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) conceded in an interview with the New York Times Friday that he "misspoke" when he declared last week that "nobody in the middle class is going to get a tax increase"."
Ugly Stuff: GOP Tax and Budget Plans Will Destroy Finances of Average Americans With Sick Elders or Family Members With Disabilities @alternet
Ugly Stuff: GOP Tax and Budget Plans Will Destroy Finances of Average Americans With Sick Elders or Family Members With Disabilities @alternet:
"Tax breaks for the rich, while the GOP targets healthcare safety nets for society's most vulnerable."
"Tax breaks for the rich, while the GOP targets healthcare safety nets for society's most vulnerable."
'Get It Done or Don't Call Me Again': GOP Admit Their Tax Plan Is All About Rich Donors
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/08/get-it-done-or-dont-call-me-again-gop-admit-their-tax-plan-all-about-rich-donors
"It has everything to do with the affluent donors who bankroll GOP campaigns."
"It has everything to do with the affluent donors who bankroll GOP campaigns."
Ali Velshi Flattens GOP Tax Cut Claims: 'Do You Actually Believe In Trickle Down?'
Ali Velshi Flattens GOP Tax Cut Claims: 'Do You Actually Believe In Trickle Down?': Rep. Rodney Davis had that 'deer in the headlights' look as Ali Velshi laid down some actual facts about tax cuts for the rich.
The Super Wealthy Oxycontin Family Supports School Privatization With Tactics Similar to Those That Fueled the Opioid Epidemic @alternet
The Super Wealthy Oxycontin Family Supports School Privatization With Tactics Similar to Those That Fueled the Opioid Epidemic @alternet:
"OxyContin heir and Purdue Pharma director Jonathan Sackler is a major funder of charters and an extensive network of pro-charter advocacy groups. Figuring out who is funding the latest charter school-promoting front group often feels like a game of whack-a-mole. That's why reading Patrick Radden Keefe’s recent New Yorkerpiece, “The Family That Built an Empire of Pain,” made so much fall into place. Keefe writes, “Purdue and other pharmaceutical companies have long funded ostensibly neutral nonprofit groups that advocate for pain patients.” The same influence techniques Purdue used to promote painkillers are now being used by Jonathan Sackler to expand charter schools."
"OxyContin heir and Purdue Pharma director Jonathan Sackler is a major funder of charters and an extensive network of pro-charter advocacy groups. Figuring out who is funding the latest charter school-promoting front group often feels like a game of whack-a-mole. That's why reading Patrick Radden Keefe’s recent New Yorkerpiece, “The Family That Built an Empire of Pain,” made so much fall into place. Keefe writes, “Purdue and other pharmaceutical companies have long funded ostensibly neutral nonprofit groups that advocate for pain patients.” The same influence techniques Purdue used to promote painkillers are now being used by Jonathan Sackler to expand charter schools."
Senate GOP keeps endorsing Trump’s unqualified judicial nominees
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/senate-gop-keeps-endorsing-trumps-unqualified-judicial-nominees
"The American Bar Association evaluates the qualifications of judicial nominees, and in most instances, across multiple administrations, the ABA determines that the nominees are prepared to serve on the federal bench. In the Obama era, for example, literally none of the Democratic president’s nominees received a “not qualified” rating. The same is true of Bill Clinton’s nominees. Donald Trump, however, less than a year into his first term, has already sent four “not qualified” judicial nominees to the Senate."
"The American Bar Association evaluates the qualifications of judicial nominees, and in most instances, across multiple administrations, the ABA determines that the nominees are prepared to serve on the federal bench. In the Obama era, for example, literally none of the Democratic president’s nominees received a “not qualified” rating. The same is true of Bill Clinton’s nominees. Donald Trump, however, less than a year into his first term, has already sent four “not qualified” judicial nominees to the Senate."
Senate confirms lobbyist with ‘astounding’ number of conflicts of interest to head EPA air office
https://thinkprogress.org/wehrum-epa-conflicts-198ffbc0f46e/
"William Wehrum, an industry lawyer and lobbyist, has represented companies who regularly filed legal challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s clean air regulations. Nonetheless, President Donald Trump nominated him to head the office at the EPA responsible for ensuring Americans have clean air."
"William Wehrum, an industry lawyer and lobbyist, has represented companies who regularly filed legal challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s clean air regulations. Nonetheless, President Donald Trump nominated him to head the office at the EPA responsible for ensuring Americans have clean air."
Republicans Using Populist Rhetoric to Sell Greed
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/09/republicans-using-populist-rhetoric-sell-greed
"The “jobs” claim of the “tax cuts and jobs” act is based primarily on pouring so much money into corporations that they will create jobs, but Phillips points out that when corporations were given a tax holiday in 2004, similar to what Republicans are now proposing, “a subsequent study showed that companies that took the biggest advantage of that holiday actually were the ones that cut the most jobs because … having more access to capital simply means that they make more and bigger investments offshore.” Once in a while, Republicans will inadvertently admit that their bill is written for their rich friends. In a piece published Tuesday, New York Rep. Chris Collins told a Hill reporter, “My donors are basically saying, ‘Get it done or don’t ever call me again.’ ” As Fink from Patriotic Millionaires told me, “The only thing the Republicans really agree about is greed, and they’re trying to cut everybody in on their greed.” Recent polls show that Americans notice this greed and are not buying the populist rhetoric that is obscuring giveaways to the rich. Not only do most Americans think tax reform is not a high priority, they don’t believe that corporations will turn their extra cash into jobs. A majority of Americans think corporations should pay higher taxes. The GOP has tried in vain time and again over the course of this year to use their legislative power to deceive ordinary people. For the public good, may they fail yet again."
"The “jobs” claim of the “tax cuts and jobs” act is based primarily on pouring so much money into corporations that they will create jobs, but Phillips points out that when corporations were given a tax holiday in 2004, similar to what Republicans are now proposing, “a subsequent study showed that companies that took the biggest advantage of that holiday actually were the ones that cut the most jobs because … having more access to capital simply means that they make more and bigger investments offshore.” Once in a while, Republicans will inadvertently admit that their bill is written for their rich friends. In a piece published Tuesday, New York Rep. Chris Collins told a Hill reporter, “My donors are basically saying, ‘Get it done or don’t ever call me again.’ ” As Fink from Patriotic Millionaires told me, “The only thing the Republicans really agree about is greed, and they’re trying to cut everybody in on their greed.” Recent polls show that Americans notice this greed and are not buying the populist rhetoric that is obscuring giveaways to the rich. Not only do most Americans think tax reform is not a high priority, they don’t believe that corporations will turn their extra cash into jobs. A majority of Americans think corporations should pay higher taxes. The GOP has tried in vain time and again over the course of this year to use their legislative power to deceive ordinary people. For the public good, may they fail yet again."
Bernie Sanders Sounds The Alarm: Middle-Class Americans Will Foot The Bill For GOP Tax Scam
http://www.politicususa.com/2017/11/09/bernie-sanders-sounds-alarm-gop-tax-scam-funded-middle-class.html
"In order to pay for the deficit-busting tax plan, the Vermont senator said GOP lawmakers will be taking aim at key programs, like Social Security and Medicare."
"In order to pay for the deficit-busting tax plan, the Vermont senator said GOP lawmakers will be taking aim at key programs, like Social Security and Medicare."
Here’s a rundown of the Trump donors keeping their money offshore
https://thinkprogress.org/heres-a-rundown-of-the-trump-donors-keeping-their-money-offshore-7ddcc3466835/
"The leaked papers show that a number of Trump’s biggest financial backers were the same billionaire globalists that Trump decried at rallies across the country — and that’s in addition to the tax-dodging globalists currently sitting in his cabinet. The leaks reveal that these men stashed away parts of their fortunes, valued in the tens of billions, to avoid public scrutiny. From there, they could funnel more than $60 million into super PACs supporting Trump’s presidency."
"The leaked papers show that a number of Trump’s biggest financial backers were the same billionaire globalists that Trump decried at rallies across the country — and that’s in addition to the tax-dodging globalists currently sitting in his cabinet. The leaks reveal that these men stashed away parts of their fortunes, valued in the tens of billions, to avoid public scrutiny. From there, they could funnel more than $60 million into super PACs supporting Trump’s presidency."
Republicans Say They’ve Got to Act on Tax Reform—or Donors Might Get Mad
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/11/republicans-say-theyve-got-to-act-on-tax-reform-or-donors-might-get-mad/
"With donors going on the record describing the relationship as nakedly transactional, Collins and Graham’s frankness starts to make more sense."
"With donors going on the record describing the relationship as nakedly transactional, Collins and Graham’s frankness starts to make more sense."
Senator's basic science questions expose Trump's environmental advisor nominee to be a fraud
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/9/1714144/-Senator-s-basic-science-questions-expose-Trump-s-environmental-advisor-nominee-to-be-a-fraud
"None of this is surprising in that Trump’s administration has shown the kind of disdain for the planet usually only reserved for comically two-dimensional cartoon villains. But boy, does Trump and crew know how to pick truly unimpressive people!"
"None of this is surprising in that Trump’s administration has shown the kind of disdain for the planet usually only reserved for comically two-dimensional cartoon villains. But boy, does Trump and crew know how to pick truly unimpressive people!"
The GOP Tax Plan Tells Us Everything About Who Matters In American Democracy
http://billmoyers.com/story/gop-tax-plan-tells-us-everything-matters-american-democracy/
"The GOP tax plan is a simple political statement about who matters more in American democracy: the heirs to hedge-fund fortunes or everyone else in the country. Trump and the Republicans have chosen the dynasts."
"The GOP tax plan is a simple political statement about who matters more in American democracy: the heirs to hedge-fund fortunes or everyone else in the country. Trump and the Republicans have chosen the dynasts."
White House’s Cohn touts ‘trickle-down’ benefits in GOP tax plan
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/white-houses-cohn-touts-trickle-down-benefits-gop-tax-plan
"It’s worth appreciating, just as a matter of political rhetoric, that there are certain phrases that the right has learned to avoid. Advocates of privatizing public education, for example, steer clear of the word “vouchers,” for example, because they’re not popular – so they use pleasant sounding euphemisms such as “school choice” instead. Similarly, advocates of massive tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations tend to avoid references to “trickle-down” tax policies because most of the public is repulsed by the idea of giving more money to those at the very top and waiting for prosperity to eventually work its way to everyone else. And yet, Cohn, perhaps inadvertently, said what he actually believed, confirming what critics of the Republican plan have been saying all along. In the same CNBC interview, Cohn added, “It’s not our intention to give the wealthy a tax cut.” Harwood, familiar with reality, responded, “But they’re getting one.” The White House adviser added, “I don’t believe that we’ve set out to create a tax cut for the wealthy.” This might be one of the greatest quotes of the tax debate thus far. According to Gary Cohn, the Republican plan delivers massive tax benefits to millionaires and billionaires, but that’s not what he and the plan’s co-authors “set out” to do. Congratulations, wealthy Americans, Republicans are poised to give you enormous amounts of money – by accident."
"It’s worth appreciating, just as a matter of political rhetoric, that there are certain phrases that the right has learned to avoid. Advocates of privatizing public education, for example, steer clear of the word “vouchers,” for example, because they’re not popular – so they use pleasant sounding euphemisms such as “school choice” instead. Similarly, advocates of massive tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations tend to avoid references to “trickle-down” tax policies because most of the public is repulsed by the idea of giving more money to those at the very top and waiting for prosperity to eventually work its way to everyone else. And yet, Cohn, perhaps inadvertently, said what he actually believed, confirming what critics of the Republican plan have been saying all along. In the same CNBC interview, Cohn added, “It’s not our intention to give the wealthy a tax cut.” Harwood, familiar with reality, responded, “But they’re getting one.” The White House adviser added, “I don’t believe that we’ve set out to create a tax cut for the wealthy.” This might be one of the greatest quotes of the tax debate thus far. According to Gary Cohn, the Republican plan delivers massive tax benefits to millionaires and billionaires, but that’s not what he and the plan’s co-authors “set out” to do. Congratulations, wealthy Americans, Republicans are poised to give you enormous amounts of money – by accident."
Lindsey Graham Latest Republican to Admit GOP Tax Plan Is All About Keeping 'Financial Contributions' of Donors Flowing
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/09/lindsey-graham-latest-republican-admit-gop-tax-plan-all-about-keeping-financial
"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Thursday became the latest Republican to admit the GOP is trying to ram through massive tax cuts for the rich to satisfy its wealthy donors, telling a journalist that if the party's tax push fails, "the financial contributions will stop"."
"Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) on Thursday became the latest Republican to admit the GOP is trying to ram through massive tax cuts for the rich to satisfy its wealthy donors, telling a journalist that if the party's tax push fails, "the financial contributions will stop"."
Steven Mnuchin Is Famous for Throwing Tens of Thousands of Americans Onto the Streets in Housing Foreclosures @alternet
Steven Mnuchin Is Famous for Throwing Tens of Thousands of Americans Onto the Streets in Housing Foreclosures @alternet:
"When he isn’t circling the Sunday shows stooging for the president, he regularly plays the willing fall guy for tax policies guaranteed to stoke further inequality in America and for legislation that will remove just about any consumer protections against Wall Street."
"When he isn’t circling the Sunday shows stooging for the president, he regularly plays the willing fall guy for tax policies guaranteed to stoke further inequality in America and for legislation that will remove just about any consumer protections against Wall Street."
Taxpayers pay legal bill to protect Trump business profits
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/11/15/taxpayers-pay-legal-bill-protect-trump-business-profits/848354001/
"Taxpayers are footing the legal bill for at least 10 Justice Department lawyers and paralegals to work on lawsuits related to President Trump's private businesses."
"Taxpayers are footing the legal bill for at least 10 Justice Department lawyers and paralegals to work on lawsuits related to President Trump's private businesses."
Taxpayer money is going toward defending Trump's businesses from lawsuits
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/17/1716230/-Taxpayer-money-is-going-toward-defending-Trump-s-businesses-from-lawsuits
"If you're one of the Americans who will soon be paying more in taxes should Senate Republicans follow the lead of House Republicans in passing their latest version of rich person-centric tax "reform," rest assured that your money won't be going to waste. Why, some of it will be going to the noble White House effort to defend Donald Trump's private for-profit businesses from lawsuits."
"If you're one of the Americans who will soon be paying more in taxes should Senate Republicans follow the lead of House Republicans in passing their latest version of rich person-centric tax "reform," rest assured that your money won't be going to waste. Why, some of it will be going to the noble White House effort to defend Donald Trump's private for-profit businesses from lawsuits."
Sunday, November 12, 2017
As evidence mounts that coal jobs aren’t coming back, Trump’s false promises become more cruel
https://thinkprogress.org/trump-false-promises-coal-211a4fc296e2/
"Despite President Donald Trump’s claim of a rebound in coal jobs, he can’t stop the hemorrhaging of more coal jobs in the coming years. Sadly, he can undermine U.S. leadership in clean energy, one of our greatest engines of high-wage jobs. Bloomberg reported Wednesday that the recent coal “bump” — which began before Trump was even elected — is “over.” Coal plants continue to shutter around the country, American coal production rates are dropping below 2016 levels, and automation continues to penetrate the industry. That makes last week’s Reuters story on how some coal miners, duped by Trump’s false promises, were rejecting retraining even more painful. For instance, the Appalachian Regional Commission, a partnership between states and the federal government to boost the local economy, was able to fill only 20 of 95 slots in a major project to teach laid-off miners in the region computer coding. “I think there is a coal comeback. I have a lot of faith in President Trump.” That’s the explanation one 33-year-old son of a miner gave Reuters for why he ended up taking a coal-mining course at a federally funded career training center in Pennsylvania. “I am optimistic that you can make a good career out of coal for the next 50 years,” said another worker, Sean Moodie. He and his brother, who work in the natural gas industry, are also taking mining courses. The only 50-year careers in energy that are being created at an accelerating rate today are in clean energy. Indeed, the wind and solar industries employ nine times as many people as coal. Tragically, Trump and the GOP are working hard to undermine the clean energy sector with their pro-pollution budget, regulatory policies, and even tax policies."
"Despite President Donald Trump’s claim of a rebound in coal jobs, he can’t stop the hemorrhaging of more coal jobs in the coming years. Sadly, he can undermine U.S. leadership in clean energy, one of our greatest engines of high-wage jobs. Bloomberg reported Wednesday that the recent coal “bump” — which began before Trump was even elected — is “over.” Coal plants continue to shutter around the country, American coal production rates are dropping below 2016 levels, and automation continues to penetrate the industry. That makes last week’s Reuters story on how some coal miners, duped by Trump’s false promises, were rejecting retraining even more painful. For instance, the Appalachian Regional Commission, a partnership between states and the federal government to boost the local economy, was able to fill only 20 of 95 slots in a major project to teach laid-off miners in the region computer coding. “I think there is a coal comeback. I have a lot of faith in President Trump.” That’s the explanation one 33-year-old son of a miner gave Reuters for why he ended up taking a coal-mining course at a federally funded career training center in Pennsylvania. “I am optimistic that you can make a good career out of coal for the next 50 years,” said another worker, Sean Moodie. He and his brother, who work in the natural gas industry, are also taking mining courses. The only 50-year careers in energy that are being created at an accelerating rate today are in clean energy. Indeed, the wind and solar industries employ nine times as many people as coal. Tragically, Trump and the GOP are working hard to undermine the clean energy sector with their pro-pollution budget, regulatory policies, and even tax policies."
Jim Hightower: The Corporate Class Doesn't Need or Deserve a Massive Tax Break @alternet
Jim Hightower: The Corporate Class Doesn't Need or Deserve a Massive Tax Break @alternet:
"First, the self-serving corporate class is wallowing in warehouses of wealth, greedily hoarding it in offshore tax shelters and stock-buyback schemes, refusing to invest their unconscionable profits to benefit the vast majority of people they've been knocking down and holding down. Second, you shouldn't give away our public treasury when our nation has a budget deficit and faces a frightening backlog of crying needs for public investment -- from our deteriorating infrastructure to our disappearing middle class. Third, our people's sense of equality and social unity has been severely fractured by 30 years of gross wealth inequality, so intentionally widening the wealth gap is criminally stupid and dangerous. Fourth, why would you think over-paid, over-pampered CEOs deserve more pampering? They've become imperious potentates who feel entitled to gouge, cheat, defraud, lie and otherwise run over us commoners."
"First, the self-serving corporate class is wallowing in warehouses of wealth, greedily hoarding it in offshore tax shelters and stock-buyback schemes, refusing to invest their unconscionable profits to benefit the vast majority of people they've been knocking down and holding down. Second, you shouldn't give away our public treasury when our nation has a budget deficit and faces a frightening backlog of crying needs for public investment -- from our deteriorating infrastructure to our disappearing middle class. Third, our people's sense of equality and social unity has been severely fractured by 30 years of gross wealth inequality, so intentionally widening the wealth gap is criminally stupid and dangerous. Fourth, why would you think over-paid, over-pampered CEOs deserve more pampering? They've become imperious potentates who feel entitled to gouge, cheat, defraud, lie and otherwise run over us commoners."
Steven Mnuchin, foreclosure king of America
https://www.salon.com/2017/11/10/steven-mnuchin-foreclosure-king-of-america_partner/
"When he isn’t circling the Sunday shows stooging for the president, he regularly plays the willing fall guy for tax policies guaranteed to stoke further inequality in America and for legislation that will remove just about any consumer protections against Wall Street. Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs partner, arrived in Washington with a distinct reputation. Back in 2009, he had corralled a bundle of rich financiers to take over California’s IndyMac bank, shut down amid the 2008 foreclosure crisis by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Bought for $13.9 billion (but only $1.3 billion in actual cash), Mnuchin turned it into a genuine foreclosure machine, in the process sealing his own fate when it came to his future reputation. At the time, he didn’t appear concerned about public approval. Something far more valuable was at stake: the $200 million that, according to Bloomberg News, he raked in personally, thanks to the deal. No such luck, of course, for the bank’s ordinary borrowers. During Mnuchin’s reign, IndyMac carried out more than 36,000 foreclosures, tossing former homeowners (including active duty military servicemen and women) onto the street without hesitation or pity by any means necessary. According to a memo obtained by investigative reporter David Dayen, OneWest, the new name that Mnuchin and his billionaire posse coined for Indybank, of which Mnuchin was now CEO and chairman, “rushed delinquent homeowners out of their homes by violating notice and waiting period statutes, illegally backdated key documents, and effectively gamed foreclosure auctions.” Now, Mnuchin remains bitter and frustrated that he can’t kick the reputation he got in those days. As he told a House Financial Services Committee Congressional hearing this July, "I take great offense to anybody who calls me the foreclosure king." Such indignation would ring truer if, in May, one of Mnuchin’s banking units, a company called Financial Freedom, hadn’t agreed to pay a more than $89 million settlement to the government"
"When he isn’t circling the Sunday shows stooging for the president, he regularly plays the willing fall guy for tax policies guaranteed to stoke further inequality in America and for legislation that will remove just about any consumer protections against Wall Street. Mnuchin, a former Goldman Sachs partner, arrived in Washington with a distinct reputation. Back in 2009, he had corralled a bundle of rich financiers to take over California’s IndyMac bank, shut down amid the 2008 foreclosure crisis by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). Bought for $13.9 billion (but only $1.3 billion in actual cash), Mnuchin turned it into a genuine foreclosure machine, in the process sealing his own fate when it came to his future reputation. At the time, he didn’t appear concerned about public approval. Something far more valuable was at stake: the $200 million that, according to Bloomberg News, he raked in personally, thanks to the deal. No such luck, of course, for the bank’s ordinary borrowers. During Mnuchin’s reign, IndyMac carried out more than 36,000 foreclosures, tossing former homeowners (including active duty military servicemen and women) onto the street without hesitation or pity by any means necessary. According to a memo obtained by investigative reporter David Dayen, OneWest, the new name that Mnuchin and his billionaire posse coined for Indybank, of which Mnuchin was now CEO and chairman, “rushed delinquent homeowners out of their homes by violating notice and waiting period statutes, illegally backdated key documents, and effectively gamed foreclosure auctions.” Now, Mnuchin remains bitter and frustrated that he can’t kick the reputation he got in those days. As he told a House Financial Services Committee Congressional hearing this July, "I take great offense to anybody who calls me the foreclosure king." Such indignation would ring truer if, in May, one of Mnuchin’s banking units, a company called Financial Freedom, hadn’t agreed to pay a more than $89 million settlement to the government"
Virginia voters sent a loud message about health care
https://thinkprogress.org/health-care-virginia-race-a1075e8cb71a/
"A post-election survey of Virginia voters conducted Tuesday found that health care was a decisive issue in the closely watched gubernatorial race, with 67 percent of voters saying health care was the most important or a very important issue to them."
"A post-election survey of Virginia voters conducted Tuesday found that health care was a decisive issue in the closely watched gubernatorial race, with 67 percent of voters saying health care was the most important or a very important issue to them."
Science won on Tuesday: Pro-science candidates from the school board to the governor's mansion
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/8/1713837/-Science-won-on-Tuesday-Pro-science-candidates-from-the-school-board-to-the-governor-s-mansion
"With the Republican Party cementing itself ever more solidly in the anti-science camp, it may seem axiomatic that a vote for the Democratic candidate is also a nod toward reason, logic, and policy that’s informed by sound science. However, there are some candidates who are not only open to listening to science, but have their own grounding in science and engineering. And those candidates did particularly well on Tuesday night."
"With the Republican Party cementing itself ever more solidly in the anti-science camp, it may seem axiomatic that a vote for the Democratic candidate is also a nod toward reason, logic, and policy that’s informed by sound science. However, there are some candidates who are not only open to listening to science, but have their own grounding in science and engineering. And those candidates did particularly well on Tuesday night."
Big Oil loses big in Washington
https://thinkprogress.org/big-oil-loses-big-in-washington-413a180d8e49/
"On Tuesday night, however, as Democratic candidates swept races from New Hampshire to Virginia, Big Oil found itself starkly rebuked in Washington state, as two candidates running on pro-environmental platforms proved that the fossil fuel industry, though powerful, is not infallible."
"On Tuesday night, however, as Democratic candidates swept races from New Hampshire to Virginia, Big Oil found itself starkly rebuked in Washington state, as two candidates running on pro-environmental platforms proved that the fossil fuel industry, though powerful, is not infallible."
Ignoring LePage, Maine voters easily approve Medicaid expansion
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/ignoring-lepage-maine-voters-easily-approve-medicaid-expansion
"The number of states that have adopted Medicaid expansion now stands at 32 – the most recent previous state was Louisiana, which embraced the policy nearly two years ago – though Maine is the first state to do so through a ballot initiative."
"The number of states that have adopted Medicaid expansion now stands at 32 – the most recent previous state was Louisiana, which embraced the policy nearly two years ago – though Maine is the first state to do so through a ballot initiative."
Dems keep their winning streak going in state special elections
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/dems-keep-their-winning-streak-going-state-special-elections
"As of September, Democrats had already flipped eight state legislative seats in 2017 from “red” to “blue” – three in Oklahoma, three in New Hampshire, and one each in New York and Florida – on top of a series of other victories. As Vox noted, the party flipped two more in Georgia yesterday. As part of a larger wave of Democratic wins on Election Day 2017, Democrats picked up two seats in special elections held for Georgia’s House of Delegates. Deborah Gonzales won House District 117 with 53 percent of the vote and Jonathan Wallace won House District 119 with 56 percent of the vote. Both seats are in the Athens area and both were vacant, hence the special elections. But not only were the two seats previously held by Republican incumbents, they were uncontested in the 2016 elections. That last point is of particular interest. These districts weren’t seen as especially competitive, to the point that Democrats didn’t even bother fielding candidates in these state legislative races as recently as last year. And yet, yesterday, Dems won both. This doesn’t dramatically change the makeup of Georgia’s state House – there’s still a sizable GOP majority – but the Democratic victories mean that Republicans no longer enjoy a super-majority in the chamber. And speaking of special elections in which Dems flipped a seat, Manka Dhingra (D) easily won a state Senate race in her Seattle-area district, which means Democrats will take control of the chamber. Just as importantly, Dems will now oversee Washington’s executive and legislative branches – the same power it holds in nearby California and Oregon – becoming only the seventh state in which Democrats currently have this power. According to a tally from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which focuses on Democratic state legislative races, Dem candidates also flipped two seats in New Jersey and one in New Hampshire. And then, of course, there’s Virginia, which didn’t hold special elections, but rather, hosted its usual off-year elections."
"As of September, Democrats had already flipped eight state legislative seats in 2017 from “red” to “blue” – three in Oklahoma, three in New Hampshire, and one each in New York and Florida – on top of a series of other victories. As Vox noted, the party flipped two more in Georgia yesterday. As part of a larger wave of Democratic wins on Election Day 2017, Democrats picked up two seats in special elections held for Georgia’s House of Delegates. Deborah Gonzales won House District 117 with 53 percent of the vote and Jonathan Wallace won House District 119 with 56 percent of the vote. Both seats are in the Athens area and both were vacant, hence the special elections. But not only were the two seats previously held by Republican incumbents, they were uncontested in the 2016 elections. That last point is of particular interest. These districts weren’t seen as especially competitive, to the point that Democrats didn’t even bother fielding candidates in these state legislative races as recently as last year. And yet, yesterday, Dems won both. This doesn’t dramatically change the makeup of Georgia’s state House – there’s still a sizable GOP majority – but the Democratic victories mean that Republicans no longer enjoy a super-majority in the chamber. And speaking of special elections in which Dems flipped a seat, Manka Dhingra (D) easily won a state Senate race in her Seattle-area district, which means Democrats will take control of the chamber. Just as importantly, Dems will now oversee Washington’s executive and legislative branches – the same power it holds in nearby California and Oregon – becoming only the seventh state in which Democrats currently have this power. According to a tally from the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, which focuses on Democratic state legislative races, Dem candidates also flipped two seats in New Jersey and one in New Hampshire. And then, of course, there’s Virginia, which didn’t hold special elections, but rather, hosted its usual off-year elections."
8 Election Day Victories That Spell Good News for Democrats and the Progressive Grassroots
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/08/8-election-day-victories-spell-good-news-democrats-and-progressive-grassroots
"With state and local elections across the United States on Tuesday, the Democratic Party and progressive grassroots organizers were able to claim victories in key battles—including gubernatorial races, state legislatures, ballot initiatives, and local government—a repudiation of both President Donald Trump and the agenda being driven by Republicans."
"With state and local elections across the United States on Tuesday, the Democratic Party and progressive grassroots organizers were able to claim victories in key battles—including gubernatorial races, state legislatures, ballot initiatives, and local government—a repudiation of both President Donald Trump and the agenda being driven by Republicans."
'You're Not Supposed to Say This Out Loud': GOP Lawmaker Admits Pushing Tax Scam to Please His Rich Donors
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/07/youre-not-supposed-say-out-loud-gop-lawmaker-admits-pushing-tax-scam-please-his-rich
"the Trump-GOP tax plan will overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans, but it is rare for a member of Congress to express with such clarity the fact that the priorities of rich donors are so often placed above those of the majority of Americans."
"the Trump-GOP tax plan will overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans, but it is rare for a member of Congress to express with such clarity the fact that the priorities of rich donors are so often placed above those of the majority of Americans."
And then there was one: Syria joins Paris agreement leaving the U.S. behind
https://thinkprogress.org/syria-paris-agreement-ead907d4b428/
"During a round of U.N. climate talks on Tuesday, a Syrian delegate announced that the country would sign the historic Paris climate agreement, leaving the United States as the only country in the world opting out of the landmark deal."
"During a round of U.N. climate talks on Tuesday, a Syrian delegate announced that the country would sign the historic Paris climate agreement, leaving the United States as the only country in the world opting out of the landmark deal."
Steven Mnuchin: Secretary of the Treasury for the .01%
https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/11/07/steven-mnuchin-secretary-treasury-01
"Like Donald Trump, Mnuchin is a man intent on making the rich richer and to hell with everyone else."
"Like Donald Trump, Mnuchin is a man intent on making the rich richer and to hell with everyone else."
House Republican on tax cuts bill: 'Who cares' about voters, this is all about the donors
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/11/7/1713472/-House-Republican-on-tax-cuts-bill-Who-cares-about-voters-this-is-all-about-the-donors
"You might remember Collins having another brush with honesty about this tax cuts bill when he was asked by a Vox reporter about just how unpopular this bill is, “even among Republican voters.” “Who cares?” Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) said before I had a chance to say what the polls showed. Thanks for clearing that up, Rep. Collins. Not that it’s news to any of us that donors come first for Republicans, but the reminder is always helpful."
"You might remember Collins having another brush with honesty about this tax cuts bill when he was asked by a Vox reporter about just how unpopular this bill is, “even among Republican voters.” “Who cares?” Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY) said before I had a chance to say what the polls showed. Thanks for clearing that up, Rep. Collins. Not that it’s news to any of us that donors come first for Republicans, but the reminder is always helpful."
Trump’s tax plan is full of goodies for wealthy real estate investors
https://thinkprogress.org/trumps-tax-plan-is-full-of-goodies-for-wealthy-real-estate-investors-f53a51d271ff/
"There are a number of provisions in the proposed tax plan that would ensure that the Trumps and Kushners of the country would reap the biggest benefits."
"There are a number of provisions in the proposed tax plan that would ensure that the Trumps and Kushners of the country would reap the biggest benefits."
'America Last': US vs. Entire World After Syria Agrees to Join Paris Accord
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/11/07/america-last-us-vs-entire-world-after-syria-agrees-join-paris-accord
"At the COP23 United Nations climate summit in Bonn, Germany on Tuesday, war-torn Syria announced that it would sign on to the Paris agreement, leaving the United States—after President Donald withdrew his support earlier this year—as the only nation on planet Earth to oppose the international accord opponent."
"At the COP23 United Nations climate summit in Bonn, Germany on Tuesday, war-torn Syria announced that it would sign on to the Paris agreement, leaving the United States—after President Donald withdrew his support earlier this year—as the only nation on planet Earth to oppose the international accord opponent."
Interactive Timeline: Everything We Know About Russia and President Trump
http://billmoyers.com/story/trump-russia-timeline/
"Since first launched in February 2017, the Trump-Russia Timeline has grown to more than 600 entries"
"Since first launched in February 2017, the Trump-Russia Timeline has grown to more than 600 entries"
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