Hosting G-7 At Trump's Resort Is 'Profound' Emoluments Breach
Newly Uncovered Tax Documents Show Trump Kept 2 Sets Of Books And May Have Committed Financial Fraud
Andrew Yang Is Full Of It
GOP Group Uses Trump's Own Words On Corruption Against Him In Searing New Fox Ad
High Court Will Review Evers Veto Power
Private School Vouchers Cost $350 Million
Think Trump's Cruelty Is Unique? Meet Robin Vos
What Walker Cost Wisconsin
Saturday, October 19, 2019
Medicare For All Would Cost Less, Not More
Pundits and other candidates keep claiming that Elizabeth Warren's and Bernie Sanders's Medicare For All plan is too expensive, a pipe dream, just not realistic.
Yet ...
It Won't Matter, But Medicare For All Would Cost Less And Cover 30 Million Americans
Yet ...
It Won't Matter, But Medicare For All Would Cost Less And Cover 30 Million Americans
According to the Mercatus model, total health spending would actually come in about $303 billion lower in 2031 than under current projections, with $7.35 trillion going to healthcare that year versus $7.65 trillion expected now. Total national health spending would be $2 trillion lower from 2022 to 2031 under the plan, the report found. While the price tag for the federal government would increase significantly, decreased spending by other groups would lower total healthcare spending over that 10-year period. Meanwhile, the model also assumes that 30 million more people would get access to healthcare, and many people would get more robust services. The savings would come from a variety of places, such as the government's ability to leverage its bargaining power into lower prescription-drug costs and mandating all healthcare providers take the lower Medicare payment rate.The next time you hear someone repeat the 'Medicare For All would cost too much' talking-point, immediately call bullshit.
Out Of Touch White Privilege
I generally like Alec Baldwin in his dramatic and comedic acting roles. Yet, with every passing year, as more of his actions and opinions come to light, he seems to represent the epitome of out of touch, wealthy, white privilege.
Alec Baldwin defends Felicity Huffman: 'The demonisation of wealth in this country is mind blowing'
Alec Baldwin defends Felicity Huffman: 'The demonisation of wealth in this country is mind blowing'
As Baldwin put it, "I don’t think anyone involved in the college fraud cases should go to prison. That includes past cases as well. Community service, fines, yes. But prison time, no."
As someone on Twitter responded, "If they can afford hundreds of thousands of $$ to get their kids in [to college], how will a "fine" be a deterrent?"
Baldwin continued, "Community service is better. The demonization of wealth in this country is mind blowing. A country built on both freedoms and commerce. Now, all success is scrutinized. Merely to succeed, especially financially, invites scrutiny, judgment, abuse."
Wow. Baldwin is so wrong and out-of-touch here. There's a lot to unpack.
Yeah, if you can afford half a million dollars to bribe your kid into college, a fine isn't going to mean shit. The same reason fining billion-dollar companies a few million for their wrongdoing doesn't stop them from continuing to do wrong.
"Demonization of wealth"? WTF?
Not demonizing wealth at all. It's just that people whom aren't "wealthy" (99% of the population) are sick of the wealthy cheating, lying, bribing and scamming their way into more privilege and ill-gotten gains.
The wealthy blather on and on about meritocracy - you get what you deserve based on talent, effort, and achievement. With the wealthy always implying that this is how they made it. But to believe this we would have to ignore nepotism, tax avoidance, bribery, inheritance and a litany of other schemes and scams the wealthy use to oppress the rest of us.
Baldwin also waxes nostalgic, "A country built on both freedoms and commerce."
Our history of slavery, racism and oppression seems to contradict Baldwin's rose-colored memory of how this country was built.
Baldwin goes on complaining about success being scrutinized.
Just the opposite. This country drones on and on about every other fucking idiot who has made a buck or had an idea, and how great, fantastic and entrepreneurial they are. Television is littered with wealthy know-nothings prattling on about anything and everything. This country has a lot of self-loathing in that we keep eating up this shit, believing that these loudmouths have something to say and that they are actually better than anyone else. Most believe they have some personal setback or inadequacy and that's why they aren't as good as some TV bozo like Donald Trump. It's all bullshit.
Success being scrutinized? Fuck that. We mythologize and romanticize it into our own disadvantage.
In this country, we criticize the poor and the working class. We're continually reducing wages and/or increasing costs for those whom can least afford it. For the non-wealthy, retirement accounts are disappearing, benefits are shrinking, wages are stagnating, and health care is either too costly or nonexistent for many.
And, despite this, if anything, this country worships wealth. It's why people keep voting against their own economic interest. It's why Donald Trump is in office. He's a big business man. He has financially succeeded. (At least this is what many of his supporters believe.) And, because he did it, many believe they can too, and that's why they keep voting for cutting taxes on the rich and corporations - because someday they will be rich, too, and they don't want to pay those big taxes then either.
So fuck Alec Baldwin, Felicity Huffman, Lori Laughlin and all those assholes that think a slap on the wrist in fine for the wealthy that cheat the system. Workers in the U.S. have been struggling for decades based on our worship the wealthy system of governance. Economic inequality is at an all-time high. It's well past the time where we should have already cleaned up this mess and punished these wealthy, spoiled perpetrators.
We lock poor people up for decades of their life for much less than a $500,000 bribe. It's time the wealthy started facing the same justice as the rest of us.
I Am So Tired Of Republicons
Wisconsin Supreme Court takes case challenging Gov. Tony Evers' vetoes
The article explains, "Those bringing the lawsuit are asking the court to reverse vetoes that effectively rewrote parts of the budget written by Republicans who control the Legislature."
It continues, "Ordinarily the Supreme Court waits for cases to go through lower courts before taking a case. But Esenberg asked the justices to take the case immediately so that the case could be resolved quickly. He acknowledged this summer that lower courts would have been required to side with Evers because of Supreme Court precedents. But the high court is free to rule on the case as it sees fit. Esenberg is seeking to overturn precedents going back to 1935."
No need for a paper trail from the lower courts reiterating the precedent. Much easier for the conservative State Supreme Court to agree to hear the case and pretend there's no history here to consider.
These Republicons are so slimy and corrupt.
Republicons have no problem ignoring precedent. They have no problem wasting taxpayer time and money. This is clearly self-serving, anti-democratic grandstanding. Another attempt, like gerrymandering, at consolidating their power.
Three taxpayers represented by the conservative Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty asked the high court in July to take their challenge directly, without making them first go through the lower courts.The Wisconsin Institute For Law And Liberty [try not to laugh at the ridiculousness and outright misdirection of the organization's name] was formed in 2011. What has taken them 8 years to challenge the governor's veto powers? Oh, yeah, if a Republicon is doing the vetoing then it's fine.
The court agreed to do so Wednesday, according online court records. A ruling is expected by summer.
The lawsuit argues Evers exceeded his authority by issuing vetoes that enact policies the Legislature hasn't endorsed. It's a practice that governors from both parties have engaged in for decades. The state Supreme Court has repeatedly sided with governors over the years, granting them extensive veto powers.
Wednesday's decision to take the new challenge means the high court is willing to at least consider whether it should reverse its long-standing precedents. Conservatives control the court 5-2.
The article explains, "Those bringing the lawsuit are asking the court to reverse vetoes that effectively rewrote parts of the budget written by Republicans who control the Legislature."
It continues, "Ordinarily the Supreme Court waits for cases to go through lower courts before taking a case. But Esenberg asked the justices to take the case immediately so that the case could be resolved quickly. He acknowledged this summer that lower courts would have been required to side with Evers because of Supreme Court precedents. But the high court is free to rule on the case as it sees fit. Esenberg is seeking to overturn precedents going back to 1935."
No need for a paper trail from the lower courts reiterating the precedent. Much easier for the conservative State Supreme Court to agree to hear the case and pretend there's no history here to consider.
These Republicons are so slimy and corrupt.
Republicons have no problem ignoring precedent. They have no problem wasting taxpayer time and money. This is clearly self-serving, anti-democratic grandstanding. Another attempt, like gerrymandering, at consolidating their power.
Saturday, October 12, 2019
We Need Less Policing
The Milwaukee Police Department takes up a disproportionately large portion of the City budget. In the latest budget proposal, the mayor is proposing not filling about 60 positions to help close the budget gap and to use some of the savings to pay pension commitments going forward.
Milwaukee Police Chief Warns Loss Of 60 Positions Could Mean Cutting An Entire Shift
The police department seems to have endlessly increasing costs. Their budget can never be large enough and the number of officers is never large enough. More, more, more. Whether it's their general budget or lawsuits brought against the department, their costs seem to be exponentially rising. (Scott Walker exempting the police from Act 10 also allowed the police to not have to pay pension contributions and to continue to "bargain" for pay increases every year.)
One glaring omission from the article, there's no comparison or benchmarking. How many officers should there be for every 10,000 citizens? What is the typical department size for similarly sized cities? Does Milwaukee already have more than enough police officers?
Note to journalists - put your topic in context. Decisions, policies, correct understanding of any issue needs context. Otherwise, you're just operating in a meaningless vacuum.
Luckily, I previously looked into some of the numbers. As I discovered, Milwaukee has 42 police employees for every 10,000 people in the City of Milwaukee. Ranking Milwaukee 14th in the U.S. The average in the U.S. for cities with a population over 500,000 is 24 police employees for every 10,000 people. The population of the City of Milwaukee ranks 30th among the 100 largest cities in America.
Milwaukee has almost twice as many police employees as other similar-sized cities.
According to the average of 24 police employees for every 10,000 people, the Milwaukee Police Department should be able to function with roughly 1,440 police employees.
Seems like reducing 60 positions would be a good start. The City should look at reducing even more in the future. The costs associated with the police department are not sustainable. We need to find more cost-effective ways.
And, as Alex S. Vitale, Professor of Sociology, has found:
Milwaukee Police Chief Warns Loss Of 60 Positions Could Mean Cutting An Entire Shift
The police department seems to have endlessly increasing costs. Their budget can never be large enough and the number of officers is never large enough. More, more, more. Whether it's their general budget or lawsuits brought against the department, their costs seem to be exponentially rising. (Scott Walker exempting the police from Act 10 also allowed the police to not have to pay pension contributions and to continue to "bargain" for pay increases every year.)
One glaring omission from the article, there's no comparison or benchmarking. How many officers should there be for every 10,000 citizens? What is the typical department size for similarly sized cities? Does Milwaukee already have more than enough police officers?
Note to journalists - put your topic in context. Decisions, policies, correct understanding of any issue needs context. Otherwise, you're just operating in a meaningless vacuum.
Luckily, I previously looked into some of the numbers. As I discovered, Milwaukee has 42 police employees for every 10,000 people in the City of Milwaukee. Ranking Milwaukee 14th in the U.S. The average in the U.S. for cities with a population over 500,000 is 24 police employees for every 10,000 people. The population of the City of Milwaukee ranks 30th among the 100 largest cities in America.
Milwaukee has almost twice as many police employees as other similar-sized cities.
According to the average of 24 police employees for every 10,000 people, the Milwaukee Police Department should be able to function with roughly 1,440 police employees.
Seems like reducing 60 positions would be a good start. The City should look at reducing even more in the future. The costs associated with the police department are not sustainable. We need to find more cost-effective ways.
And, as Alex S. Vitale, Professor of Sociology, has found:
As Alex S. Vitale proclaims, We Need Less Policing. His research into the issue concludes:
Any real agenda for police reform should not look to make the police friendlier and more professional. Instead, it must reduce their role and replace it with empowered communities working to solve their own problems. We don’t need community control of the police. We need community control of services that will create safer, more stable neighborhoods and cities.
In We Don't Just Need Nicer Cops. We Need Fewer Cops Vitale continues:
We have to take steps to dial back our reliance on the police as the primary tool of resolving neighborhood crime and disorder problems.Just as almost everyone else has had to, it's time for the police department to start figuring out how to do more with less.
Make America Grift Again
Trump's Tax Cuts Helped Billionaires Pay Less Than The Working Class For First Time
For The First Time In History, U.S. Billionaires Paid A Lower Tax Rate Than The Working Class Last Year
Federal Deficit Estimated At $984 Billion, Highest In Seven Years
Republicans are increasing the deficit, in part, by not taxing the richest Americans. Again, avoiding paying their fair share and using taxpayer dollars as their own piggybank to reward their cronies.
For The First Time In History, U.S. Billionaires Paid A Lower Tax Rate Than The Working Class Last Year
Federal Deficit Estimated At $984 Billion, Highest In Seven Years
Republicans are increasing the deficit, in part, by not taxing the richest Americans. Again, avoiding paying their fair share and using taxpayer dollars as their own piggybank to reward their cronies.
Republicans Never-Ending Hypocrisy
Remember when Republicans criticized the auto industry "bailout"?
Actually, it was a success. The auto companies are performing well again and have paid back the "bailout".
Auto workers are union members and usually vote for Democrats, which is the real reason Republicans were against helping them out.
Farmers usually vote Republican ...
And, what most Americans probably don't know, Trump's Farm Bailout Has Cost The Taxpayers More Than Double The Auto Bailout. (Lets also not forget that Trump's own trade policies exacerbated farmers' problems.)
As Bloomberg reported, "Doling out billions in aid to American farmers, who have become more dependent on government money than they’ve been in years. At $28 billion so far, the farm rescue is more than twice as expensive as the 2009 bailout of Detroit’s Big Three automakers."
This is what the Republican party has become - a spiteful cabal of sycophants and grifters, only concerned with power and cronyism. Their policies have nothing to do with what is right for America, what would be good for America, but are more concerned with what will buy them votes, keep them in power, and allow them access to the trough of public dollars to reward themselves.
“Unless Chrysler, Ford and General Motors become lean and innovative and competitive in the market place, this is only delaying their funeral,” said Sen. Richard Shelby, an Alabama Republican and bailout opponent.It was a colossal waste of money and pointless.
Actually, it was a success. The auto companies are performing well again and have paid back the "bailout".
Auto workers are union members and usually vote for Democrats, which is the real reason Republicans were against helping them out.
Farmers usually vote Republican ...
And, what most Americans probably don't know, Trump's Farm Bailout Has Cost The Taxpayers More Than Double The Auto Bailout. (Lets also not forget that Trump's own trade policies exacerbated farmers' problems.)
As Bloomberg reported, "Doling out billions in aid to American farmers, who have become more dependent on government money than they’ve been in years. At $28 billion so far, the farm rescue is more than twice as expensive as the 2009 bailout of Detroit’s Big Three automakers."
This is what the Republican party has become - a spiteful cabal of sycophants and grifters, only concerned with power and cronyism. Their policies have nothing to do with what is right for America, what would be good for America, but are more concerned with what will buy them votes, keep them in power, and allow them access to the trough of public dollars to reward themselves.
Wisconsin Reading
Beer Made Milwaukee Famous. Can Water Quality Keep The Legacy Alive?
Rethinking State Economic Policies
The Wisconsin Senator Who Keeps Making Things Worse For Trump
Convention Host Cities Tell Milwaukee To Play The Long Game
Scott Fitzgerald Says Trump Hasn't Done Anything Wrong Over Ukraine
New Tool Tracks Milwaukee's Progress, Or Lack Of It, Toward A Knowledge-Based Economy
Assembly Set To Take Another Major Republican Power Grab
When Big Storms Inundate Wisconsin, How Could Wetlands 'Slow The Flow'?
Rethinking State Economic Policies
The Wisconsin Senator Who Keeps Making Things Worse For Trump
Convention Host Cities Tell Milwaukee To Play The Long Game
Scott Fitzgerald Says Trump Hasn't Done Anything Wrong Over Ukraine
New Tool Tracks Milwaukee's Progress, Or Lack Of It, Toward A Knowledge-Based Economy
Assembly Set To Take Another Major Republican Power Grab
When Big Storms Inundate Wisconsin, How Could Wetlands 'Slow The Flow'?
Weekend Reading
The Oceans We Know Won't Survive Climate Change
Tax Aversion And The Legacy Of Slavery
How Slavery Shaped American Capitalism
Amid Trade War, Farmers Lean On New Crop: Hemp
Federal Judge In Trump Tax Case Picks Apart DOJ Rule Barring Indictment Of President
How To Get Away With Gerrymandering
For The First Time In History, U.S. Billionaires Paid A Lower Tax Rate Than The Working Class Last Year
Federal Deficit Estimated At $984 Billion, Highest In Seven Years
No More Half-Measures On Corporate Taxes
How A Brief Socialist Takeover In North Dakota Gave Residents A Public Bank
Tax Aversion And The Legacy Of Slavery
How Slavery Shaped American Capitalism
Amid Trade War, Farmers Lean On New Crop: Hemp
Federal Judge In Trump Tax Case Picks Apart DOJ Rule Barring Indictment Of President
How To Get Away With Gerrymandering
For The First Time In History, U.S. Billionaires Paid A Lower Tax Rate Than The Working Class Last Year
Federal Deficit Estimated At $984 Billion, Highest In Seven Years
No More Half-Measures On Corporate Taxes
How A Brief Socialist Takeover In North Dakota Gave Residents A Public Bank
Reject The Status Quo
Billionaires shouldn't exist. You might be bright, make good financial moves, or even invent magnificent stuff. You shouldn't be able to hoard generational wealth at the expense of the country that allowed you to do such.
Big tech, and other mega-companies, should be made to pay their fair share and not be allowed to dodge taxes.
Our elections should be fair and free from private money influence. Citizens United needs to be overturned.
Climate change should be a priority.
American infrastructure needs immediate attention. From clean water, to clean energy, we need a massive rebuilding of our country's infrastructure to remain relevant and competitive.
These are some of the things Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have been campaigning for during this election cycle.
If the majority of citizens actually want change that benefits the majority of citizens, these are the two candidates that will fight for and deliver such change. None of the other candidates have shown such consistent, principled and passionate convictions regarding these issues.
Anything less, the status quo will carry on.
Big tech, and other mega-companies, should be made to pay their fair share and not be allowed to dodge taxes.
Our elections should be fair and free from private money influence. Citizens United needs to be overturned.
Climate change should be a priority.
American infrastructure needs immediate attention. From clean water, to clean energy, we need a massive rebuilding of our country's infrastructure to remain relevant and competitive.
These are some of the things Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have been campaigning for during this election cycle.
If the majority of citizens actually want change that benefits the majority of citizens, these are the two candidates that will fight for and deliver such change. None of the other candidates have shown such consistent, principled and passionate convictions regarding these issues.
Anything less, the status quo will carry on.
Monday, October 7, 2019
Do As I Say, Not As I Do
Strauss, Amazon projects force local competition questions
For Further Reading:
Corporate Tax Breaks
Failure of Economic Development Incentives
Grading Places
Industrial Incentives
Rethinking Growth Strategies
Tax and Spending Incentives and Enterprise Zones
The Great American Jobs Scam
Economic Development, Tax Incentives and The Plutocracy It's Creating
“I’m told there was an informal agreement that no municipality would poach from each other,” Franklin Mayor Steve Olson told the Milwaukee Business Journal. “I’m not sure that’s the case any more.”That's rich. Suburbs, like Franklin, exist because of poaching. Suburbs were happy to offer 'economic incentives' to attract formerly good paying jobs and companies away from the central city. Now that cities are seeing a resurgence and can compete, the suburbs are pretending this (economic development incentives) is some new occurrence. Perfectly fine when they do it ... but when it happens to them, not so much.
Corporate Tax Breaks
Failure of Economic Development Incentives
Grading Places
Industrial Incentives
Rethinking Growth Strategies
Tax and Spending Incentives and Enterprise Zones
The Great American Jobs Scam
Economic Development, Tax Incentives and The Plutocracy It's Creating
Monday, September 30, 2019
Republicans Are Crooks
The Republicans that continue to enable and defend the criminal enterprise that is the Trump Administration are just as guilty.
Late-day bombshells erupt as Trump impeachment inquiry gets underway
Late-day bombshells erupt as Trump impeachment inquiry gets underway
Sunday, September 29, 2019
Sunday Reading
Trump's Tax Cut Is Failing Spectacularly As The GOP's Prediction Go Down In Flames
The Solution To The Country's Debt And Deficit Problem
The Oceans We Know Won't Survive Climate Change
The Cost Of America's Oligopoly Problem
43 Percent Of White Students Harvard Admits Are Legacies, Jocks Or The Kids Of Donors And Faculty
Bernie Sanders Proposes A Wealth Tax: 'I Don't Think That Billionaires Should Exist'
A New 'Report Card' On America's Diet: It's Not An 'F' But...
Beer Made Milwaukee Famous. Can Water Quality Keep The Legacy Alive?
Rethinking State Economic Policies
Comparing Wisconsin And Minnesota
The Solution To The Country's Debt And Deficit Problem
The Oceans We Know Won't Survive Climate Change
The Cost Of America's Oligopoly Problem
43 Percent Of White Students Harvard Admits Are Legacies, Jocks Or The Kids Of Donors And Faculty
Bernie Sanders Proposes A Wealth Tax: 'I Don't Think That Billionaires Should Exist'
A New 'Report Card' On America's Diet: It's Not An 'F' But...
Beer Made Milwaukee Famous. Can Water Quality Keep The Legacy Alive?
Rethinking State Economic Policies
Comparing Wisconsin And Minnesota
Saturday, September 21, 2019
Weekend Reading
Republicans Have Rigged The Maps And Manipulated Elections - Why Won't Democrats Talk About It?
Gerrymandering Is Built On Lies
100-Year Bonds Can Fund Big Infrastructure Projects
No, You Don't Get To Keep 100 Billion Dollars For Yourself
The Green New Deal Is Cheaper Than Climate Change
Vape Safety Requires Legalizing Marijuana
Our Food Is Killing Too Many Of Us
The Looser A State's Gun Laws, The More Mass Shootings It Has
"Unions For All": The New Plan To Save The American Labor Movement
How A Trump Tax Break To Help Poor Communities Became A Windfall For The Rich
The Real Reason General Motors Workers Are On Strike Nationwide
The Future Of U.S. Jobs Look Bleak. Unions Are The Answer.
Trump Just Asked The Supreme Court To Let Him Fire The CFPB's Head. The Implications Are Enormous.
Why Rigged Capitalism Is Damaging Liberal Democracy
Gerrymandering Is Built On Lies
100-Year Bonds Can Fund Big Infrastructure Projects
No, You Don't Get To Keep 100 Billion Dollars For Yourself
The Green New Deal Is Cheaper Than Climate Change
Vape Safety Requires Legalizing Marijuana
Our Food Is Killing Too Many Of Us
The Looser A State's Gun Laws, The More Mass Shootings It Has
"Unions For All": The New Plan To Save The American Labor Movement
How A Trump Tax Break To Help Poor Communities Became A Windfall For The Rich
The Real Reason General Motors Workers Are On Strike Nationwide
The Future Of U.S. Jobs Look Bleak. Unions Are The Answer.
Trump Just Asked The Supreme Court To Let Him Fire The CFPB's Head. The Implications Are Enormous.
Why Rigged Capitalism Is Damaging Liberal Democracy
Tom Barrett For Mayor
Tom Barrett stands up for women and children against a pipe-wielding lunatic.
Lena Taylor berates a bank teller over cashing a check.
Lena Taylor berates a bank teller over cashing a check.
Thursday, September 5, 2019
Saturday, August 31, 2019
Weekend Reading
There Is No Labor Shortage
We Don't Have Labor Shortage. We Have A Pay Shortage.
Fighting Climate Change May Be Easier Than We Think
Heavy Job Loss Since The 1970s Hit Milwaukee's Black Community The Hardest. Here's Why.
The Case Against The Electoral College In Stronger Than Ever
Journal Sentinel Slams "Liberal" News Site
David Koch's Monstrous Legacy
I Helped Create The GOP Tax Myth. Trump Is Wrong: Tax Cuts Don't Equal Growth.
Humans Versus Earth: The Quest To Define The Anthropocene
New Inequality Numbers Are A Gift To Campaign Sloganeers
No, Productivity Does Not Explain Income
How Trump's Foxconn Deal Conned Wisconsin Out Of Billions
The Financialization Of The American Elite
The 'War On Cars' Is A Bad Joke
Social Security Does Not Add To The Federal Deficit
Brazil, The Amazon, and Global Warming: It Ain't Quite What The Media Tell You
The Trump Vs. Obama Economy - In 15 Charts
We Don't Have Labor Shortage. We Have A Pay Shortage.
Fighting Climate Change May Be Easier Than We Think
Heavy Job Loss Since The 1970s Hit Milwaukee's Black Community The Hardest. Here's Why.
The Case Against The Electoral College In Stronger Than Ever
Journal Sentinel Slams "Liberal" News Site
David Koch's Monstrous Legacy
I Helped Create The GOP Tax Myth. Trump Is Wrong: Tax Cuts Don't Equal Growth.
Humans Versus Earth: The Quest To Define The Anthropocene
New Inequality Numbers Are A Gift To Campaign Sloganeers
No, Productivity Does Not Explain Income
How Trump's Foxconn Deal Conned Wisconsin Out Of Billions
The Financialization Of The American Elite
The 'War On Cars' Is A Bad Joke
Social Security Does Not Add To The Federal Deficit
Brazil, The Amazon, and Global Warming: It Ain't Quite What The Media Tell You
The Trump Vs. Obama Economy - In 15 Charts
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Electable? Can Beat Trump? Hmmm
Pundits and the status quo keep telling voters it's Joe Biden's race to lose. He's electable. He can beat Trump.
Let's review the two other times Joe Biden ran for President.
1984 Democratic National Convention (Presidential tally):
Let's review the two other times Joe Biden ran for President.
1984 Democratic National Convention (Presidential tally):
- Walter Mondale – 2,191 (56.41%)
- Gary Hart – 1,201 (30.92%)
- Jesse Jackson – 466 (12.00%)
- Thomas Eagleton – 18 (0.46%)
- George McGovern – 4 (0.10%)
- John Glenn – 2 (0.05%)
- Joe Biden – 1 (0.03%)
- Martha Kirkland – 1 (0.03%)
- Michael Dukakis – 2,877 (70.09%)
- Jesse Jackson – 1,219 (29.70%)
- Richard H. Stallings – 3 (0.07%)
- Joe Biden – 2 (0.05%)
- Dick Gephardt – 2 (0.05%)
- Lloyd Bentsen – 1 (0.02%)
- Gary Hart – 1 (0.02%)
Maybe it's time for the Democrats to listen to the people and vote for the candidate with the best ideas for how to move the country forward; instead of looking to the past and pretending it was something it wasn't.
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Privatizing The Profits, Socializing The Loses
There the "free" marketeers go again. Milwaukee real estate execs question Housing Authority's high-rise plan.
So, the City is booming. Development, jobs, tourism, new businesses...things are looking up.
As usual, when things start to gentrify, certain people are priced out of the market...yet those workers are still necessary for the booming economy to exist.
Enter affordable housing. Another policy answer to a society that doesn't pay a living-wage. If you're not going to pay a downtown-wage for a downtown-worker, public policy steps in to subsidize and correct the market.
It's as much a subsidy to the employer as it is to the worker. By subsidizing the housing of these workers, the government is allowing the employer to pay below-market wages.
Also, as usual, and wanting to have it both ways, local developers are complaining when the government steps in to correct the market. The Milwaukee Business Journal reported, "The Housing Authority in April introduced its plan, which calls for spending up to $150 million on a high-rise tower with 350 apartments, a mix of market-rate and affordable units."
Tim Gokhman, director of New Land Enterprises, told the Business Journal:
Developers can't have it both ways. They can't claim they're the experts - the "free" market and the private actors have all the answers and will provide as long as the government stays out of the way. But then, in the very next breath, they come to the public for giveaways, tax breaks and other hand-outs they claim the need for their projects.
If the public has to give tax cuts, subsidies and incentives to private actors to get them to do something, why shouldn't the public entity just complete the project?
The private sector does some things well. But it's time we re-realize the same can be said for the public sector.
So, the City is booming. Development, jobs, tourism, new businesses...things are looking up.
As usual, when things start to gentrify, certain people are priced out of the market...yet those workers are still necessary for the booming economy to exist.
Enter affordable housing. Another policy answer to a society that doesn't pay a living-wage. If you're not going to pay a downtown-wage for a downtown-worker, public policy steps in to subsidize and correct the market.
It's as much a subsidy to the employer as it is to the worker. By subsidizing the housing of these workers, the government is allowing the employer to pay below-market wages.
Also, as usual, and wanting to have it both ways, local developers are complaining when the government steps in to correct the market. The Milwaukee Business Journal reported, "The Housing Authority in April introduced its plan, which calls for spending up to $150 million on a high-rise tower with 350 apartments, a mix of market-rate and affordable units."
He said if the city has figured out how to generate a profit from a high-rise to subsidize affordable units, “teach the rest of the market how those profits can be attained.”Because the profits aren't high enough for private developers, because the returns on investment aren't elevated enough, because the government won't just give them the money to do it, private developers are complaining when the government enters the market to provide needed housing for citizens. (Privateers complain when the government does any of the many things the magic "free" market won't do.)
Developers can't have it both ways. They can't claim they're the experts - the "free" market and the private actors have all the answers and will provide as long as the government stays out of the way. But then, in the very next breath, they come to the public for giveaways, tax breaks and other hand-outs they claim the need for their projects.
If the public has to give tax cuts, subsidies and incentives to private actors to get them to do something, why shouldn't the public entity just complete the project?
The private sector does some things well. But it's time we re-realize the same can be said for the public sector.
Sunday Reading
LBOs Make (More) Companies Go Bankrupt, Research Shows
It's Time For The Suburbs To Talk About Race
El Paso, Dayton Make 251 Mass Shootings In The US In 216 Days, More Shootings Than Days In The Year
Tent City Is A Result Of Public Policy
Shining A Light On The Dark-Store Tax Dodge
Trump May Have Made Himself The Recession's Scapegoat
Foxconn Jobs Not Worth The Costs
Costs And Benefits Of A Revised Foxconn Project
The Long Road To Recovery After Years Of Severe Budget Cuts
Lake Michigan Has Swallowed Up 2 Chicago Beaches This Summer. Experts Say The Worst Could Still Be On The Way.
Trumps Says Cities Are 'A Mess.' They're Actually Enjoying A Golden Age.
How 'Developer' Became Such A Dirty Word
How Economists' Faith In Markets Broke America
It's Time For The Suburbs To Talk About Race
El Paso, Dayton Make 251 Mass Shootings In The US In 216 Days, More Shootings Than Days In The Year
Tent City Is A Result Of Public Policy
Shining A Light On The Dark-Store Tax Dodge
Trump May Have Made Himself The Recession's Scapegoat
Foxconn Jobs Not Worth The Costs
Costs And Benefits Of A Revised Foxconn Project
The Long Road To Recovery After Years Of Severe Budget Cuts
Lake Michigan Has Swallowed Up 2 Chicago Beaches This Summer. Experts Say The Worst Could Still Be On The Way.
Trumps Says Cities Are 'A Mess.' They're Actually Enjoying A Golden Age.
How 'Developer' Became Such A Dirty Word
How Economists' Faith In Markets Broke America
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Wednesday, July 17, 2019
Saturday, July 13, 2019
Wisconsin Reading
When Socialists Swept Milwaukee
Why GOP Opposes Federal Medicaid Funds
The Incredible Shrinking Foxconn Plant
House passes $5M for Great Lakes Hyperloop that slots Milwaukee for Phase 2
Regrets, He Has A Few: Robin Vos Wanted To Do Even More For Wealthy In Wisconsin
Wisconsin's GOP Speaker Says He Wants To Consider Legalizing Medical Marijuana, Just After Rejecting Governor's Plan
State's Loss on Federal ACA is $1.3 Billion
Supreme Court's Gerrymandering Decision Fails Wisconsin
Why GOP Opposes Federal Medicaid Funds
The Incredible Shrinking Foxconn Plant
House passes $5M for Great Lakes Hyperloop that slots Milwaukee for Phase 2
Regrets, He Has A Few: Robin Vos Wanted To Do Even More For Wealthy In Wisconsin
Wisconsin's GOP Speaker Says He Wants To Consider Legalizing Medical Marijuana, Just After Rejecting Governor's Plan
State's Loss on Federal ACA is $1.3 Billion
Supreme Court's Gerrymandering Decision Fails Wisconsin
Weekend Reading: Economics Edition
Society-Wide Benefits of Raising The Minimum Wage
The Puzzle In The Labor Data
The Trump Tax Reform, As Seen In The U.S. Balance Of Payments Data
Why The 'Free-Market' Economy Is A Myth And How To Rebuild Public Power
The Failures of Neoliberalism Are Bigger Than Politics
What Kansas's Rebounding Economy Tells Us About The Farce of Republican Tax Cuts
How The Federal Government Rigs The Game Against Small Businesses
Make Corporations Pay For The Green New Deal
Rich Get Richer, Everyone Else Not So Much In Record U.S. Expansion
Unions Did Great Things For The Working Class
The Puzzle In The Labor Data
The Trump Tax Reform, As Seen In The U.S. Balance Of Payments Data
Why The 'Free-Market' Economy Is A Myth And How To Rebuild Public Power
The Failures of Neoliberalism Are Bigger Than Politics
What Kansas's Rebounding Economy Tells Us About The Farce of Republican Tax Cuts
How The Federal Government Rigs The Game Against Small Businesses
Make Corporations Pay For The Green New Deal
Rich Get Richer, Everyone Else Not So Much In Record U.S. Expansion
Unions Did Great Things For The Working Class
Weekend Reading
The Deepening Crisis In Evangelical Christianity
USA's formidable women's soccer team is no accident. It's a product of public policy
What You Need To Know About The Citizenship Question And The Census
Are Beyond Meat And Impossible Burgers Better For You? Nutritionists Weigh In.
The Tool That Local Economic Developers Should Rely On
Wanted: Public Employees Who Live Where They Work
USA's formidable women's soccer team is no accident. It's a product of public policy
What You Need To Know About The Citizenship Question And The Census
Are Beyond Meat And Impossible Burgers Better For You? Nutritionists Weigh In.
The Tool That Local Economic Developers Should Rely On
Wanted: Public Employees Who Live Where They Work
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Republicans: The Real Hypocritical, Crybaby Snowflakes
Republicans Seek to Limit Governor’s Veto
McConnell Would Fill Potential Supreme Court Vacancy In 2020, Reversal Of 2016 Stance
Republicans who held 33 hearings on Benghazi complain that Cohen’s testimony was a waste of time
To GOP, Obama’s immigration orders were ‘executive overreach.’ What is it when Trump does it?
Sparks fly on Fox News as liberal nails Republican hypocrisy on outside questioning of Barr: ‘Like they did with Kavanaugh?’
Why are Republicans so cruel to the poor? Paul Ryan's profound hypocrisy stands for a deeper problem
The Republican hypocrisy over Ilhan Omar's comment
More Republican Hypocrisy On Separation Of Powers
The Appalling Hypocrisy Of The Republican Party Exposed In Three Simple Charts
McConnell Would Fill Potential Supreme Court Vacancy In 2020, Reversal Of 2016 Stance
Republicans who held 33 hearings on Benghazi complain that Cohen’s testimony was a waste of time
Republicans tried to turn a hearing about white nationalism into a venue to complain about attacks on conservatives
The disgraceful kowtowing of the formerly anti-imperial Republicans
The Republicans Are Deficit Hypocrites. The Democrats Should Be, Too.
Republican Leaders Vow to Obstruct State Budget, Then Complain About Lack of NegotiationsThe disgraceful kowtowing of the formerly anti-imperial Republicans
The Republicans Are Deficit Hypocrites. The Democrats Should Be, Too.
To GOP, Obama’s immigration orders were ‘executive overreach.’ What is it when Trump does it?
Sparks fly on Fox News as liberal nails Republican hypocrisy on outside questioning of Barr: ‘Like they did with Kavanaugh?’
Why are Republicans so cruel to the poor? Paul Ryan's profound hypocrisy stands for a deeper problem
The Republican hypocrisy over Ilhan Omar's comment
More Republican Hypocrisy On Separation Of Powers
The Appalling Hypocrisy Of The Republican Party Exposed In Three Simple Charts
Sunday, June 30, 2019
More Evidence Of Our Misplaced Priorities & Corrupt-Money Influence
Elena Kagan Calls Out Conservative Justices For Shirking ‘Duty’ In Gerrymandering Decision
Supreme Court OKs Excessive Partisan Gerrymandering
Wisconsin Supreme Court Backs Enbridge In Dane County Case
We are precariously close to banana republic status. Greedy. Pathetic. Immoral. Disgraceful. Heartless. Embarrassing.
Supreme Court OKs Excessive Partisan Gerrymandering
Wisconsin Supreme Court Backs Enbridge In Dane County Case
We are precariously close to banana republic status. Greedy. Pathetic. Immoral. Disgraceful. Heartless. Embarrassing.
[source]
Sunday, June 23, 2019
Sunday Reading
The Personal Finance Industry Is A Scam
What's Wrong With Modern Buildings? Everything, Starting With How They're Made
The Old Japan Disaster Horror Story
Andrew Yang Is Wrong
The Military-Industrial Virus
Does Trump Deserve Credit For The Economy? The Numbers Say No
The Misunderstood Brilliance Of The VA
How The Federal Government Rigs The Game Against Small Businesses
Robin Vos Insults The Intelligence Of Wisconsinites
Real Estate Owners Give Republicans Millions
When Socialists Swept Milwaukee
Colorado Has Generated Over $1 Billion In Marijuana Revenue
Study Finds Trump Tax Cuts Failed To Do Anything But Give Rich People Money
What's Wrong With Modern Buildings? Everything, Starting With How They're Made
The Old Japan Disaster Horror Story
Andrew Yang Is Wrong
The Military-Industrial Virus
Does Trump Deserve Credit For The Economy? The Numbers Say No
The Misunderstood Brilliance Of The VA
How The Federal Government Rigs The Game Against Small Businesses
Robin Vos Insults The Intelligence Of Wisconsinites
Real Estate Owners Give Republicans Millions
When Socialists Swept Milwaukee
Colorado Has Generated Over $1 Billion In Marijuana Revenue
Study Finds Trump Tax Cuts Failed To Do Anything But Give Rich People Money
Saturday, June 1, 2019
Weekend Reading
Robert Mueller Blows Trump's 'No Obstruction' Lie To Bits
Top CEO Salaries Keep Rising
Joblines Bus Will End After August
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Pitches A Fit Over A State Budget, Again
Is Uber's Stock Scam Evidence Of A Successful Business Model?
China Is Not The Source Of Our Economic Problems - Corporate Greed Is
Taking Aim At Tax Incentives
Wisconsin TV Station Reports "Immense" Bucks Arena Windfall After Talking Only To Guy Who Cut Bucks Arena Deal
When Winning Isn't Really Winning
Should Cities Regulate How You Design Your Home
Why Public Spaces Are Critical Social Infrastructure
Mueller's Illegitimate Hoax Investigation Somehow Just Led To Another Indictment Involving The Trump Campaign
When Socialists Swept Milwaukee
The Rise Of Corporate Market Power
Do Tax Breaks Help Or Hurt A State's Finances?
Top CEO Salaries Keep Rising
Joblines Bus Will End After August
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos Pitches A Fit Over A State Budget, Again
Is Uber's Stock Scam Evidence Of A Successful Business Model?
China Is Not The Source Of Our Economic Problems - Corporate Greed Is
Taking Aim At Tax Incentives
Wisconsin TV Station Reports "Immense" Bucks Arena Windfall After Talking Only To Guy Who Cut Bucks Arena Deal
When Winning Isn't Really Winning
Should Cities Regulate How You Design Your Home
Why Public Spaces Are Critical Social Infrastructure
Mueller's Illegitimate Hoax Investigation Somehow Just Led To Another Indictment Involving The Trump Campaign
When Socialists Swept Milwaukee
The Rise Of Corporate Market Power
Do Tax Breaks Help Or Hurt A State's Finances?
Saturday, May 25, 2019
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Wisconsin Reading
City Will Borrow For Police Settlement
Six Reasons To Eliminate Wisconsin's Costly, Ineffective Manufacturing Tax Credit
Latest WEDC Audit Finds Gap Between Jobs Pledged And Jobs Produced
$5 Million Proposed For Milwaukee Streetcar Plaza Near Convention Center
River Falls Plans To Remove Dams And Restore It Rapids. Will Minneapolis And St. Paul Be Next?
Stung By Trump's Trade Wars, Wisconsin's Milk Farmers Face Extinction
Wisconsin's Economic Development Corporation Gave Taxpayer Funds To Businesses That Created Jobs In Other States, Audit Finds
Six Reasons To Eliminate Wisconsin's Costly, Ineffective Manufacturing Tax Credit
Latest WEDC Audit Finds Gap Between Jobs Pledged And Jobs Produced
$5 Million Proposed For Milwaukee Streetcar Plaza Near Convention Center
River Falls Plans To Remove Dams And Restore It Rapids. Will Minneapolis And St. Paul Be Next?
Stung By Trump's Trade Wars, Wisconsin's Milk Farmers Face Extinction
Wisconsin's Economic Development Corporation Gave Taxpayer Funds To Businesses That Created Jobs In Other States, Audit Finds
Sunday Reading
Lobbyists Working To Undermine Medicare For All Host Congressional Staff At Luxury Resort
Donald Trump Proves Tax Code Spawns Risk, Debt & Speculation For Which Everybody Else Pays The Price
The "We're Overstating Inflation!" Story Is Back
Traditional Measures Of Unemployment Are Missing The Mark
The World's Biggest Electric Vehicle Company Looks Nothing Like Tesla
As World's Scientist Raise Extinction Alarms, Trump Guts Endangered Species Act
Warren Earned Her Wonk Reputation
What Does CBD Do? Mostly, It's Just Expensive
The Disappearance Of The Ruffed Grouse
How Volkswagen Has Gotten Away With Union-Busting
Our First Instinct Is Far Too Often Wrong
Donald Trump Proves Tax Code Spawns Risk, Debt & Speculation For Which Everybody Else Pays The Price
The "We're Overstating Inflation!" Story Is Back
Traditional Measures Of Unemployment Are Missing The Mark
The World's Biggest Electric Vehicle Company Looks Nothing Like Tesla
As World's Scientist Raise Extinction Alarms, Trump Guts Endangered Species Act
Warren Earned Her Wonk Reputation
What Does CBD Do? Mostly, It's Just Expensive
The Disappearance Of The Ruffed Grouse
How Volkswagen Has Gotten Away With Union-Busting
Our First Instinct Is Far Too Often Wrong
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Alabama: Where More Of What You Don't Want Is A Good Thing
Just what one of the poorest and lowest ranked (socioeconomic, health, education, etc.) states needs:
Alabama Senate Passes Nation’s Strictest Abortion Bill
Alabama Senate Passes Nation’s Strictest Abortion Bill
More mouths to (not) feed, care, clothe and/or educate.
Saturday, May 4, 2019
Weekend Reading
From Gentrification To Decline: How Neighborhoods Really Change
The California Economy Isn't Just A U.S. Powerhouse
The US Government Is The World's Largest Purchaser Of Consumer Goods. Amazon Wants A Piece
Stephen Moore Wants People To Pay More Attention To His Economic Policies. Challenge Accepted.
Rich Guys Are Most Likely To Have No Idea What They're Talking About
Chinese Billionaire Jack Ma Says The US Wasted Billions On Warfare Instead Of Investing In Infrastructure
'I'm Fucked,' And Other Damning Revelations From The Mueller Report
Sanctioned Russian Oligarch's Company To Invest Millions In New Aluminum Plant In Mitch McConnell's State
The California Economy Isn't Just A U.S. Powerhouse
The US Government Is The World's Largest Purchaser Of Consumer Goods. Amazon Wants A Piece
Stephen Moore Wants People To Pay More Attention To His Economic Policies. Challenge Accepted.
Rich Guys Are Most Likely To Have No Idea What They're Talking About
Chinese Billionaire Jack Ma Says The US Wasted Billions On Warfare Instead Of Investing In Infrastructure
'I'm Fucked,' And Other Damning Revelations From The Mueller Report
Sanctioned Russian Oligarch's Company To Invest Millions In New Aluminum Plant In Mitch McConnell's State
Wisconsin Reading
City May Extend Residency Incentives
Democrats Just Blew It In Wisconsin: Elections Likely To Stay Rigged In Favor Of GOP
Appeals Court Expands Legal Searches
These Republican Maps Are So Psychedelically Gerrymandered The Supreme Court Might Finally Have To Step In
Scott Walker's Foxconn Deal Is On Its Way To Becoming A World-Historical Debate
Foxconn Promised A Correction About Empty Buildings In Wisconsin Two Weeks Ago, And It Hasn't Said A Word Since
Foxconn Wants To Alter The Wisconsin Deal
Foxconn Tore Up A Small Town To Build A Factory, Then Retreated
Democrats Just Blew It In Wisconsin: Elections Likely To Stay Rigged In Favor Of GOP
Appeals Court Expands Legal Searches
These Republican Maps Are So Psychedelically Gerrymandered The Supreme Court Might Finally Have To Step In
Scott Walker's Foxconn Deal Is On Its Way To Becoming A World-Historical Debate
Foxconn Promised A Correction About Empty Buildings In Wisconsin Two Weeks Ago, And It Hasn't Said A Word Since
Foxconn Wants To Alter The Wisconsin Deal
Foxconn Tore Up A Small Town To Build A Factory, Then Retreated
Things You Don't Say When You're Innocent
On May 17, 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions personally broke the news to Trump that Sessions’ deputy, Rod Rosenstein, had appointed a special counsel to take over the investigation into Russian interference in the election and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. According to notes from Sessions’ then-chief of staff, Jody Hunt, Trump slumped in his chair and said, “Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I’m fucked.” [source]
Ministry
Ministry April 15, 2019 Music Hall Of Williamsburg Brooklyn, NY
The Missing
Deity
Stigmata
Jesus Built My Hotrod
Just One Fix
N.W.O.
Thieves
Burning Inside
So What
No Devotion
Supernaut
The Land of Rape and Honey
(Everyday Is) Halloween
The Missing
Deity
Stigmata
Jesus Built My Hotrod
Just One Fix
N.W.O.
Thieves
Burning Inside
So What
No Devotion
Supernaut
The Land of Rape and Honey
(Everyday Is) Halloween
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Weekend Reading
California Scientists Unravel Genetic Mystery Of World's Tallest Trees
Record U.S Trade Deficit In 2018 Reflects Failure Of Trump's Trade Policies
How Rich Are The Bucks And Brewers Owners Getting Off Public Subsidies? Not As Much As You'd Think
Walker's Costly War On The Poor
Why American CEOs Are Worried About Capitalism
Record U.S Trade Deficit In 2018 Reflects Failure Of Trump's Trade Policies
How Rich Are The Bucks And Brewers Owners Getting Off Public Subsidies? Not As Much As You'd Think
Walker's Costly War On The Poor
Why American CEOs Are Worried About Capitalism
Friday, April 26, 2019
Dinosaurs Roaming Amongst Us
Wisconsin Republicans continue to keep this state behind almost every other state in the country with their antiquated and illogical mindset.
GOP Legislators Kill Medical Pot
GOP Legislators Kill Medical Pot
[source]
Saturday, April 20, 2019
From Total Exoneration To Total Bullshit
The Mueller Report Went from 'COMPLETE EXONERATION!' to 'Total Bullshit!' as Soon as It Was Actually Released
When AG Barr was able to "summarize" the report, as he saw fit, it supposedly exonerated the orange idiot, Trump. Republicans then did everything they could to stop the release of the report. Some would even say these enablers went out of their way to obstruct Congress and the public from seeing the full report. ("The report proves the president is innocent, but we're not going to let you see it.")
At this point, Republicans that are still involved in hiding, covering up, obstructing, delaying and/or any other form of chicanery involving Donald Trump and his administration, should be charged as co-conspirators. If you're doing anything other than trying to get to the truth, you're part of the problem and are now part of a criminal conspiracy.
Republicans have shown that power and party are much more important to them than country. They are not patriots. They are treasonous traitors and should be treated and charged as such.
Friday, April 19, 2019
Weekend Reading
Why And How Capitalism Needs To Be Reformed
The IRS Tried To Take On The Ultrawealthy. It Didn't Go Well.
The Tax Law's Big Winner Is The Millionaire CEO
Bernie Sanders's Fox News Town Hall Wasn't A Debate. Bernie Won Anyway.
Warren Has A Good Beginning For Ending Corporate Tax Avoidance
The Truth About U.S. Taxes Is That They Aren't High Enough
Yes, Graceland Actually Threatened To Move To Japan To Get $194 Million In Subsidies From Memphis
Ending The Economic War Among The States: A Strategic Proposal
Amazon's Next Frontier: Your City's Purchasing
The Undemocratic Making Of Indianapolis
The Future Of Unions Is White-Collar
Fun Fictions In Economics
The IRS Tried To Take On The Ultrawealthy. It Didn't Go Well.
The Tax Law's Big Winner Is The Millionaire CEO
Bernie Sanders's Fox News Town Hall Wasn't A Debate. Bernie Won Anyway.
Warren Has A Good Beginning For Ending Corporate Tax Avoidance
The Truth About U.S. Taxes Is That They Aren't High Enough
Yes, Graceland Actually Threatened To Move To Japan To Get $194 Million In Subsidies From Memphis
Ending The Economic War Among The States: A Strategic Proposal
Amazon's Next Frontier: Your City's Purchasing
The Undemocratic Making Of Indianapolis
The Future Of Unions Is White-Collar
Fun Fictions In Economics
Wisconsin Reading
Taxpayers Make Bucks, Brewers Rich
Gov. Tony Evers Wants To Renegotiate Foxconn Deal
Wisconsin Republicans Are Yucking It Up About AOC's Green New Deal While Trade Wars Crush Dairy Farmers
7 Numbers That Explain The Election
Committee Questions Grand Avenue Deal
Canadian National Investing $120 Million In Wisconsin Rail Infrastructure
True Colors Show In State Capitol
Gov. Tony Evers Wants To Renegotiate Foxconn Deal
Wisconsin Republicans Are Yucking It Up About AOC's Green New Deal While Trade Wars Crush Dairy Farmers
7 Numbers That Explain The Election
Committee Questions Grand Avenue Deal
Canadian National Investing $120 Million In Wisconsin Rail Infrastructure
True Colors Show In State Capitol
Go Big Or Go Home
Really sad when the times pass certain politicians by. Nancy Pelosi has been one of the most consequential legislators the Democrats have had. Yet, in what can only be seen as an attempt to protect the status quo of the Democratic Party, Nancy Pelosi Takes a Swipe at Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Again.
The majority of Americans support Medicare, Social Security, minimum wage, public schools, public transportation, unemployment insurance, the police and fire departments, 8-hour work days, sick leave, FMLA, overtime pay, labor laws, holiday pay, maternal leave and the many other liberal policies that were pushed through by left-wingers and unions over the last 100 years.
Now, this isn't to say Democrats should go balls to the wall attempting to implement any and all ideas that we can think of. But many of the ideas (such as the Green New Deal) of the New Democrats are ideas the majority of the country supports - improving public transportation, strengthening and growing renewable energy, greening buildings, getting away from fossil fuels, reinvesting in our educational system, upgrading our water and sewer systems and increasing the minimum wage. These are all policies that, when implemented, benefit all Americans. Broad-based public goods that each and every citizen can use.
Pelosi can couch her elitism as learned pragmatism, but it's really just the old guard holding onto the levers of power. Working at the margins is a necessary part of the political process. But if this is all you've got, you're in a rudderless ship moving in circles within a very limited space. Barack Obama was right when he said we shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. But we also can't become a nation of small ideas and nostalgia.
The majority of our infrastructure has a D grade according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. We've fallen behind other advanced industrialized nations in renewable energy and public transportation.
Maybe Pelosi would do better to incorporate the New Democrats' ideas into the Democratic Party platform, rather than to play into the hands of the right-wing, pretending these are pie-in-the-sky wishes that have no place in sensible discourse. In reality, these are the policies and projects the majority of Americans would like to see and have in their cities and states. Not to mention the jobs and prosperity it would create.
Maybe, one of these years, Democrats will learn that ideas and principles matter. Everything can't be negotiable. We have to continue to make sure the mundane day-to-day bureaucratic objectives are performed. But we must not concede BIG IDEAS as being out of the question, too expensive or use some other excuse for inaction. America, itself, was a BIG IDEA. And if we don't start fixing, rebuilding and modernizing America and its workers, our standard of living and our place in the world will only continue to diminish.
Time is of the essence. Go big or go home.
For Further Reading:
It's Time For Nancy Pelosi To Go
Why 63 House Democrats Voted To Oust Nancy Pelosi
After Democrats’ Losses, Nancy Pelosi Becomes a Symbol of What Went Wrong
Nancy Pelosi: "By and large whatever orientation they came to Congress with, they know we have to hold the center. We have to go down the mainstream."
60 Minutes: "You have these wings. @AOC and her group on one side..."
Pelosi: "That's like five people."Pelosi is delusional if she believes the "mainstream" is the political "center". The majority of this country is liberal and supports liberal policies. The only reason we've moved rightward in our policies over the past few decades is because of Democratic spinelessness and Republican cheating. Republicans are only getting 30-40% of the votes, yet they are controlling 55-60% of the seats. And, it was, partially, the willingness of Bill Clinton to goosestep along in "compromise" with the Republican agenda that we have this illusion that this triangulation somehow represents the mainstream of the population.
The majority of Americans support Medicare, Social Security, minimum wage, public schools, public transportation, unemployment insurance, the police and fire departments, 8-hour work days, sick leave, FMLA, overtime pay, labor laws, holiday pay, maternal leave and the many other liberal policies that were pushed through by left-wingers and unions over the last 100 years.
Now, this isn't to say Democrats should go balls to the wall attempting to implement any and all ideas that we can think of. But many of the ideas (such as the Green New Deal) of the New Democrats are ideas the majority of the country supports - improving public transportation, strengthening and growing renewable energy, greening buildings, getting away from fossil fuels, reinvesting in our educational system, upgrading our water and sewer systems and increasing the minimum wage. These are all policies that, when implemented, benefit all Americans. Broad-based public goods that each and every citizen can use.
Pelosi can couch her elitism as learned pragmatism, but it's really just the old guard holding onto the levers of power. Working at the margins is a necessary part of the political process. But if this is all you've got, you're in a rudderless ship moving in circles within a very limited space. Barack Obama was right when he said we shouldn't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. But we also can't become a nation of small ideas and nostalgia.
The majority of our infrastructure has a D grade according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. We've fallen behind other advanced industrialized nations in renewable energy and public transportation.
Maybe Pelosi would do better to incorporate the New Democrats' ideas into the Democratic Party platform, rather than to play into the hands of the right-wing, pretending these are pie-in-the-sky wishes that have no place in sensible discourse. In reality, these are the policies and projects the majority of Americans would like to see and have in their cities and states. Not to mention the jobs and prosperity it would create.
Maybe, one of these years, Democrats will learn that ideas and principles matter. Everything can't be negotiable. We have to continue to make sure the mundane day-to-day bureaucratic objectives are performed. But we must not concede BIG IDEAS as being out of the question, too expensive or use some other excuse for inaction. America, itself, was a BIG IDEA. And if we don't start fixing, rebuilding and modernizing America and its workers, our standard of living and our place in the world will only continue to diminish.
Time is of the essence. Go big or go home.
For Further Reading:
It's Time For Nancy Pelosi To Go
Why 63 House Democrats Voted To Oust Nancy Pelosi
After Democrats’ Losses, Nancy Pelosi Becomes a Symbol of What Went Wrong
Friday, April 12, 2019
60 Profitable Fortune 500 Companies Avoided All Federal Income Taxes in 2018
60 Profitable Fortune 500 Companies Avoided All Federal Income Taxes in 2018
For decades, profitable Fortune 500 companies have manipulated the tax system to avoid paying even a dime in tax on billions of dollars in U.S. profits. This ITEP report provides the first comprehensive look at how corporate tax changes under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act affect the scale of corporate tax avoidance. The report finds that in 2018, 60 of America’s biggest corporations zeroed out their federal income taxes on $79 billion in U.S. pretax income. Instead of paying $16.4 billion in taxes at the 21 percent statutory corporate tax rate, these companies enjoyed a net corporate tax rebate of $4.3 billion.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Wisconsin Reading
GOP Redistricting Edge Moderated Democrats' 2018 Gains
WEDC Awards $7.5 Million In Tax Credits To Amazon For Wisconsin Projects
The Arrogance Of Robin Vos
Scott Walker Has A New Job
Scott Walker To Head 'Slow Moving Coup' To Repeal-And-Replace U.S. Constitution
Great Lakes States Are Warming Faster Than The Rest Of The Country, More Flooding Is In Store
WEDC Awards $7.5 Million In Tax Credits To Amazon For Wisconsin Projects
The Arrogance Of Robin Vos
Scott Walker Has A New Job
Scott Walker To Head 'Slow Moving Coup' To Repeal-And-Replace U.S. Constitution
Great Lakes States Are Warming Faster Than The Rest Of The Country, More Flooding Is In Store
Where's The Report?
If the Mueller report exonerates Donald Trump, why isn't William Barr releasing it in it's entirety? What's with the delay? You can't really say the report clears Donald Trump of any wrongdoing and then keep the report hidden. If the report clears Trump, why would you redact anything from it unless you're trying to hide something.
So shameless that the supposed party of law, order and values has such malleable principles. Or should I say no principles at all. What an embarrassment.
So shameless that the supposed party of law, order and values has such malleable principles. Or should I say no principles at all. What an embarrassment.
Weekend Reading
Do Corporate Tax Incentives Work? 20 States, And Most Cities, Don't Know
Trump Nominates Famous Idiot Stephen Moore To Federal Reserve Board
Neil Gorsuch's Bad-Faith Ploy To Save Partisan Gerrymandering And Doom American Democracy
Fossil Fuel Industry Gave $2,371,680 To Senate Democrats Who Blocked Green New Deal
Putting Number In Context: A Winnable Battle Our Side Doesn't Want To Fight
The 4 Arguments In Defense Of The Electoral College Are Wrong
Why You Shouldn't Listen To Self-Serving Optimists Like Hans Rosling And Steven Pinker
Trump Nominates Famous Idiot Stephen Moore To Federal Reserve Board
Neil Gorsuch's Bad-Faith Ploy To Save Partisan Gerrymandering And Doom American Democracy
Fossil Fuel Industry Gave $2,371,680 To Senate Democrats Who Blocked Green New Deal
Putting Number In Context: A Winnable Battle Our Side Doesn't Want To Fight
The 4 Arguments In Defense Of The Electoral College Are Wrong
Why You Shouldn't Listen To Self-Serving Optimists Like Hans Rosling And Steven Pinker
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
The Corruption & Dismantling Of Our Democracy Continues
Investigations into extra-marital blow jobs have to be made public, but the investigations that have led to 34 indictments involving campaign shenanigans and collusion/acquiescence with foreign government interference, that information can only be slowly disseminated, if at all. Kenneth Starr's report, concerning the Clinton affair, was delivered directly to Congress to do with as they saw fit. Why are we allowing William Barr to decide and summarize what should be made available to Congress and the public?
Monica Lewinsky's reaction to the Mueller report 'just won tweet of 2019'
For Further Reading:
Rudy Giuliani goes off script and reveals on CNN that the Mueller report hardly vindicates Trump
Why Trump’s “no collusion” victory lap is premature
Monica Lewinsky's reaction to the Mueller report 'just won tweet of 2019'
The former White House intern was herself the subject of an investigation by an independent counsel, Kenneth Starr, for her affair with then-President Bill Clinton. She was a central figure in Clinton’s 1998 impeachment hearing.
While Clinton was ultimately acquitted by the Senate, many have drawn comparisons between Starr’s rigorous pursuit and how the Mueller report findings — which many Democrats are demanding to be made public — has been handled.
When USC law professor Orin Kerr noted that President Trump has had the privilege of so far keeping the full report under wraps, whereas every last dirty detail of the Starr Report was up for grabs, Lewinsky couldn’t help but weigh in.Mueller’s report must show ‘something pretty damning’ about Trump
…Barr’s letter revealed something unexpected about the obstruction issue: that Mueller said that his “report does not conclude that the President committed a crime” but that “it also does not exonerate him.” The report does not exonerate the president? That’s a stunning thing for a prosecutor to say. Mueller didn’t have to say that.And, as Andrew Prokop notes:
If his report doesn’t exonerate the president, there must be something pretty damning in it about him, even if it might not suffice to prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. And in saying that the report “catalogued the President’s actions, many of which took place in public view,” Barr’s letter makes clear that the report also catalogues actions taken privately that shed light on possible obstruction, actions that the American people and Congress yet know nothing about.
Barr’s summary mentions nothing about ... well, many, many other topics related to the Trump team and Russia that we know Mueller has investigated. These include:
There's plenty of illegality we still need to get to the bottom of with Donald Trump and his enablers.Barr’s summary tells us nothing of what became of Mueller’s inquiries into all these matters.
- The Trump Organization’s business dealings related to Russia
- The Trump Tower Moscow talks
- Donald Trump Jr.’s meeting with a Russian lawyer at Trump Tower
- Russian efforts to influence US policy on sanctions and Ukraine, both during the election and afterward
- Paul Manafort’s handing over Trump polling data to Konstantin Kilimnik
- Manafort’s efforts to reach out to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska
- Connections between the NRA, a Russian central bank official, and spending on behalf of Trump’s campaign
- Potential efforts to coordinate with WikiLeaks over the stolen emails
- An offer from Gulf princes to the Trump team for election help on social media
- Russia and other foreign-tied donations to Trump’s inauguration
- Efforts by Jared Kushner to set up back-channel communications with Russia after the election
For Further Reading:
Rudy Giuliani goes off script and reveals on CNN that the Mueller report hardly vindicates Trump
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