Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Monday, October 29, 2018

What would happen if everyone voted? Researchers suggest big changes

The US would become much more progressive if voting were required:

https://bigthink.com/politics-current-affairs/what-if-everyone-voted

How to get everyone to vote? Hmm, how about doubling the cost of vehicle registrations for non-voters?

The Fight For The Supreme Court Is Just Beginning

I still think progressives tend to lose all the battles and then win the war, and this appears to be shaping up the same way:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/opinion-supreme-court-progressives_us_5bd09cd4e4b0a8f17ef34d1c

No Wonder America Is Divided. We Can't Even Agree on What Our Values Mean

Disheartening...although perhaps agreeing on definitions would reveal more similarities? Wishful thinking:

http://time.com/5435825/divided-america-values-language-meaning/

Trump: We won’t have ‘peace and harmony’ until I get better press coverage

I just hope Trump's bullshit only backfires against him:

https://shareblue.com/trump-peace-and-harmony-better-press-coverage/

Thursday, October 18, 2018

How the Anti-Trump Resistance Is Organizing Its Outrage

Despite all the bad recent news, this is encouraging:

http://time.com/longform/democrat-midterm-strategy/

I know I'd like to do more around my neighborhood, although I'm not sure the best approach toward the Trump supporters.

Republicans' hypocrisy on the US deficit is stunning, even in Washington

More hypocrisy, more reason to despise the Republican Party:

https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/17/politics/paul-ryan-deficits-debt/index.html

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Monday, October 15, 2018

How to Fix the House of Representatives in One Easy, Radical Step

Maybe this would be a good thing...but what REALLY needs work is the Senate. Wyoming shouldn't have as much clout in the Senate as California.

http://time.com/5423623/house-representatives-number-seats/

How a Conservative Supreme Court Could Actually Benefit Progressives

The SCOTUS usually follows the cultural zeitgeist, which is fortunate because society continues to shift away from conservative values:

http://time.com/5422451/progressives-supreme-court-never-ally/

Thursday, October 11, 2018

How Trumpism Will Outlast Trump

Well, it's better than Trump's GOP and traditional GOP policies:

http://time.com/5421576/donald-trump-trumpism/

But why would anyone name that movement after a fart?

https://www.buzzfeed.com/beckybarnicoat/america-you-know-a-trump-is-a-fart-in-britain-right

Then again, this shows that it is probably appropriate:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjrfOcPDKfs

Thursday, October 4, 2018

Give up to $60,000 to every American kid at birth, says inequality expert

Here's a novel way to combat economic inequality, and it would be almost paid for by simply rescinding that last Republican tax cut:

https://bigthink.com/politics-current-affairs/baby-trust-fund-fix-inequality

Are you willing to make some calls to at least TRY to stop Kavanaugh's appointment?

While there's little chance of sinking Kavanaugh's nomination to the SCOTUS, we have to do whatever we can or the blame is partially on us. So please call the senators below and voice your opposition to Kavanaugh getting a lifetime appointment as a Supreme Court justice, in particular his belligerent conduct in the hearings instead of showing coolness under fire, his many small lies that should be disqualifying for any Supreme Court justice, and the allegations from classmates about his abusive behavior towards women and his uncontrollable temper and aggressiveness.

Senator Lisa Murkowski
202-224-6665 

Senator Susan Collins
(202) 224-2523 

Senator Jeff Flake
202-224-4521. 

U.S. Senator Cory Gardner
(202) 224-5941 

U.S. Senator Joe Manchin
 202-224-3954 

Ben Sasse
202-224-4224 

Wednesday, October 3, 2018

Trump Engaged in Suspect Tax Schemes as He Reaped Riches From His Father

Here's the full story (long and detailed!) of how Trump's claims of success through shrewd business dealings are largely the result of his father's help and a LOT of shady/illegal tax evasion:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-tax-schemes-fred-trump.html

We're Running Thousands of Midterm Simulations Until Election Day. Here's How Often Each Party Wins

If these simulations are accurate, then the odds of flipping the Senate aren't up for grabs. In fact, they look pretty bleak:

http://time.com/5412732/midterm-election-prediction-simulation/

At least the House looks good.

Don’t Believe the Hype About Trump’s Trade Deal with Canada and Mexico

Trump hated NAFTA because...something, Obama...so he essentially just renamed it:

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/why-trumps-trade-deal-with-canada-and-mexico-may-not-change-much-for-american-carmakers

More Than 500 Law Professors Condemn Kavanaugh For ‘Lack Of Judicial Temperament’

How many condemnations will it take to sink his SCOTUS nomination?

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kavanaugh-judicial-temperament-law-professors_us_5bb40200e4b028e1fe38cf9d

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Lindsey Graham’s Old Comments About Merrick Garland Come Back To Haunt Him

Because there's just not enough Republican hypocrisy going on right now:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lindsey-graham-brett-kavanaugh-merrick-garland_us_5bb31447e4b00fe9f4f9f4da

How To Be A Good Judge: Keep Emotions ‘In Check,’ ‘Don’t Be A Jerk’

"To be a good judge and a good umpire, it’s important to have the proper demeanor. Really important, I think. ... To keep our emotions in check. To be calm amidst the storm. On the bench, to put it in the vernacular, don’t be a jerk. I think that’s important. To be a good umpire and a good judge, don’t be a jerk. ... There’s a danger of arrogance, as for umpires, for referees, but also for judges. And I would say that danger grows the more time you’re on the bench. As one of my colleagues puts it, you become more like yourself—and that can be a problem."

Wise words...from Brett Kavanaugh in 2015:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/kavanaugh-on-good-judges-check-emotions-dont-be-a-jerk_us_5bb2a3f8e4b0ba8bb2102e26