Today’s announcement that Trump was providing economic relief through executive action after Congress failed to pass a coronavirus bill was an attempt to drive a narrative that will give Trump an issue for the upcoming election. The story is this: On May 15, the House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, passed a $3 trillion coronavirus relief bill, known as the HEROES Act, short for Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act. It provided relief for workers, protected renters, shored up cratering state budgets, funded emergency changes to the 2020 election, and supported hospitals and schools.
If you're looking for a way forward in this mess.....what Paula Reid of CBS did at Trump's "Golf Course" press conference yeesterday. She called him out on a lie and persisted forcing him to shut down rather than admit it. Every lie must be thrown back in his face whenever he opens his mouth.
I agree totally. Thanks for your excellent comments!!! I'm feeling "down" after yesterday, but we have to find a way back. Call out the lies---more need to do this!!!
Soooo... when are Democrats going to use media and social media to explain what’s really going on? We don’t need legal challenges; we need challenges in the media that ordinary Americans can understand.
So when will the media stop enabling Trumpism and focus on the responsible adults who are working hard to do what is morally right and necessary against the power of 45 and the GOP? Apparently policy nerds are too boring, responsible behavior does not get a large enough rating. They will be so bored by a competent Biden administration they will be flailing about trying to find sensational nonsense to attack them rather than celebrate "this is what decent govt looks like folks, relax and appreciate and keep voting for good people!".
I’ve been so disappointed and shocked that the media isn’t doing a better job of explaining all of this! Why??? Why haven’t they been doing there job of pulling back the curtain and showing everyone what is behind it?? Seriously, WHY??
Many reasons, the main reason being that it doesn't draw a lot of readers, most of whom don't have the patience to read the complete story, particularly when the explanation does not agree with what they want it to be.
But then they don't feel they have the time to really learn what the underlying economics or law of the issue is, and go with what has become their "common understanding" which is often no better than the "common sense" the public thinks does explain it all.
I hesitate to write as I am a Kentuckian, and everyone always wants to ask me to get rid of Mr McConnell. I would love to retire him. I have emailed his office three times this past week over various issues, as his office keeps his voice mail full. His responses, if any, are condensing in tone and substance. Yet he keeps getting into office because there are Kentuckians just like other Americans who are fearful and rather keep the devil they know than face another potential devil. They vote against their own best interests. This morning I have been on a roll with an email to Mr McConnell. I do not engage Mr. Paul, as he is toddler wanting attention and my representative, Mr Barr, as he simply follows Mr. McConnell. I also have once again email the Kentucky Democratic Party stating that the campaign being waged is lukewarm, although later this morning I did see one that is more aggressive. Apologies to Mrs. Obama, but I feel the time time of going high when they go low is over. I do no advocate name calling, but all this needs to be called out in the harshest terms. Perhaps the words of our revolutionary founding fathers need to referenced or the philosophy of Abraham Lincoln which, if I understand the history of the Republican Party is diametrically opposed to the current party. This party cannot compromise. Sorry this is so long, but I recently retired as a Registered Nurse in Case Management at a local hospital. I worked with patients to transition out of the hospital and almost obtained an ulcer over dealing with insurance companies and drug companies. I know first hand of people barely making it and needing help that I could not obtain for them. I am so angry that people like the current president and Mr McConnell think that these people are not worthy of help. By the way, I suggested to the Kentucky Democratic Party that we may need ads of Grandma and Grandpa out on the street because of the policies proposed by this administration. Believe me, there are people that close to that. Again sorry, about the length. But I am angry
For what it's worth, me too. As someone recently having dealt with our hopelessly complicated and frustrating healthcare/insurance "industry" (again, ME TOO!), you might find this article in the WaPo interesting. There may be a pay wall (sometimes you can read a number of free articles per month?), but suffice it to say this former Cigna corporate VP confesses how he (and countless others) are paid to discredit the Canadian system in deference to ours, which we know is ridiculous. He feels remorse for possibly being responsible for thousands of people losing their lives. This only confirms what we've long suspected...
Kentucky is difficult. (We lived there and worked to defeat Mitch after his first term in 1990 and the rest is unfortunate history) Thank you for all you are doing. By the way, a friend who worked for Stenny Hoyer when he was majority whip said that when the phones were on overload they added more capacity, more phones, and more voicemail, and they all worked really hard to make sure all voices were heard. Susan Collins doesn't listen or want to listen either. We are working hard to replace her here in Maine.
I am a lifelong Kentuckian and have never voted for Mitch. And I agree Kentucky is difficult. I live in Lexington which pretty much goes Blue but grew up in rural Kentucky. As a whole, Kentuckians will vote against their own best interest. And I never try to call as Mitch's voicemails are always full. I find the email a better route. As a side note, I rarely contact Rand Paul as I consider him a toddler wanting attention and my representative, Andy Barr, is Mitch's lapdog.
I used to do the same thing to John Neely Kennedy when I lived in Louisiana. He is a real whacko. Used to b a Dem when he ran for state office (he was AG), attended Oxford and used to be a critical thinker then IQ45 held a rally in my city, he took a trip down on Air Force One and tuned into one of the sheeple. It was literally that abrupt. He was on MSNBC being (somewhat) lucid on Friday and by the following week - post-rally and plane ride - he was as bad as any Freedom Caucus wingnut.
Some days I feel like I’m the only person in this country who has seen House of Cards. Raiding FEMA DPF during hurricane season is straight out of the Frank Underwood playbook.
The moment Trump started floating his nonsense earlier this week I was afraid that it would come to this, he issues an exec *whatever*, is seen as magnanimous and when it’s brought to court, Dems look like jerks. It’s moments like this that I truly loathe what has become of the Republican Party,
And correct me if I’m wrong, but payroll taxes are pretty nominal if you’re making under $100k a year. I don’t know what sort of enhanced buying power anyone would get for $20. And afaik, most employers would not be inclined to pass those *savings* along to employees NOW because they know the tax is going to end up needing to get paid - eventually.
And on another note. How about the hypocrisy of them slamming Hong Kong leadership with sanctions for the way they treated protesters. Pot-kettle-Black.
One of the first things that occurred to me was the possible consequence of raiding FEMA's emergency relief funds. Only a couple days ago the NWS's hurricane prediction experts ramped up the possible number of named and category 4 or 5 storms to levels not seen since 2005. (It has to do with water temperatures (they're incredibly high), amount of wind shear, steering winds, etc. etc. all the factors ripe for big hurricanes.) Remember 2005 and that little storm called Katrina? If once again we're hit by storms of that magnitude--and given the way 2020 is going, it may be a certainty--is it really wise to take money out of the government's funds for dealing with natural disasters?? Not smart.
SS is a payroll tax, Medicare is a payroll tax, this has Stephen Miller written all over it and I agree the GOP has become a pit of vipers and McConnell pulling out now that is rich. His only game as head of the Senate is to obfuscate and bully. Unbelievable they would pull this now but if the American people buy it, what's left for the rest of us to do because the democracy is done at that point....
Up late finishing a project..... Discouraging narrative tonight. I said earlier today that these actions will get Trump reelected---or at least provide a strong narrative toward that, alas. His main core supporters and many others will love this, because they won't look into the details, but just see the "headlines". The Democrats failed to ramp up an attack on the Republicans (see last night's comments---I so agree with them: the Democrats don't know how to fight and "be loud"---only complex sentences, so to speak) I think that they have lost whatever advantage they may have had a day or so ago. Completely outmaneuvered. Is this the beginning of the end? What will Pelosi do? Not ending this comment in a very hopeful frame of mind. (Just think about it: Congress at a stalemate (because Democrats won't compromise) so the Mighty Leader takes determined action to save the people from multiple hardships (except he's creating more) while the opposition tries to block (in the courts) his generosity....... What a line.....) They stopped negotiating because they had a plan, and this is it......... Sigh. Well, Peace and Courage this day. Thanks, Heather, for your usual clear presentation of where we are in these fast moving days.....
Magnanimous Donald gives all the people money and crazy Kanye steals the Black vote?
I think this is too little to make a real impact. What Trump is doing, that is. The reduced dollar amount won’t cut it in states where the minimum wage is $10+/hr. There is no *stimulus check* being sent out to everyone. There is no money for states, so when cops, firefighters, teachers, state workers of all kinds start getting laid off, it’s going to be a real shit show.
I admit this initially made me ill, but there is so much more that is more revolting going on... like the Kanye thing. That is truly revolting.
Thanks for the comment. In the light of day it is not as 'generous' as it seems -- but I think the 'spin' will have an effect, alas. He know how to play the audience, as do his enablers (they've been doing that for years, since Gingrich)
The first reaction is of course disgust for such shallow, nasty behaviour.....but if this is all it takes to get people to destroy the Constitution which has served them well for over 200 years, and their own lives with it by reelecting Trump then the people will deserve all they get. However, so COURAGE! and ads for his 4 Presidential Decrees, they are are just words for the time being destined uniquely to provide a couple of days headlines in the press. When the reality hits home of the complexity of, and contradictions within, the proposed channelling of funds and it becomes apparent to everyone that no money will actually come out the pipeline.....they will need a new shock to keep themselves in the headlines.
Over and above that, he is not actually extending protection for renters who can't pay but merely asking if anyody knows if anything can be done and the gain from any pay tax reductions, small as it would be and not shared with the salaried worker, is totally insignificant.
The courts will stop the application of all of this next week and indeed it seems to me to be prima facie evidence of unconstitutional action which should indeed normally lead to opening of new impeachment proceedings. Time for the Dems to start to fight a lot harder stand up to be counted and speak out... fast and furious.... and go for the jugular! No more Mr/Mrs Nice!
“but if this is all it takes to get people to destroy the Constitution;” is exactly all it could take. Stuart, you have so much more faith in the intelligence of the common woman/man than I do. Living in a dark red state, I see highly educated people that don’t have a clue and are not interested in learning anything about these matters. It’s frightening and tragic.
A total disregard for and interest in the other is unfortunately not rare in this individualist world. I'm not saying that the Constitution will prevail just that the gauntlet has clearly been thrown down. Who will have the courage to pick it up?
It seems to me that the Dems should be selective on what parts they go after. The payroll tax cancellation is the provision I would attack. The narrative is “the payroll tax cut takes away your social security and Medicare.” We need to restore it immediately. If the President want to exhaust his disaster relief funding, that’s his prerogative. I would not attack that. The Dems can come out looking like the defenders of the people, if they play this smart.
The "payroll tax cut takes away your benefits" line is pretty weak. It's easy to counter that benefits come from a trust fund that has a large positive balance, so that benefits need not be cut in the near term.
There is no longer such a thing as the "SS Trust Fund". Since Reagan, it has all been folded into the 'general budget' so Ronnie could jack up spending without increasing the deficit so much!
I know that you speak the truth. My point is that we should should not say "payroll tax cut takes away your benefits", because there is an easy counter to it within the commonly accepted "trust fund" framework. We really should make a point of explaining to the electorate that the government has been lying about this since FDR, but maybe we should wait a few months to do it.
Republican tactics are exactly for short term gain, and long term reality be damned. Our needs are also very short term—less than 3 months until the election.
A long one but as per usual, well done. For some reason I'm feeling played again. Dems did the right thing, got all the right money in the right places and then the Senate stonewalled to give 45 the option for the win. It's not enough for a victory lap. Don't mess with my social security or my Medicare. Floridians are going to flip out. And $400 is a pittance for the unemployed who have little hope of a job anytime soon. I hope Nancy has her boots on and is ready to do some stomping!! She really needs to get them to explain why this is such a great deal and then wheels will come of the bus. It's not even close. It's inhumane.
This is a great post by Heather Cox Richardson. It explodes all the hoopla and explains the sad reality that President Trump's four Executive Orders will actually do little or nothing to help restart the economy during the COVID-19 crisis. What they are intended to do is mask the fact that Republicans are currently incapable of helping the American people. They are little more than a Republican political strategy designed to goad opponents into challenging Trump's Executive Orders, so Democrats can be painted as opposing helping the average American worker.
Trump's orders do next to nothing. The first shuffles $70 billion of DHS money to unemployment benefits, but it is probably illegal and depends on states kicking in another 25%, which most can't, and it will not last very long. So, it's worthless.
The second defers payroll taxes until next year. In other words, for workers, it's "Buy now, pay later -- Diner's Card." It's a typical bait and switch that will get working Americans some extra money now, but which they will have to pay back in extra taxes next year. Trump's actual agenda here is to do away with Social Security and Medicare in his second term -- a dagger in the heart of all his non-college-educated white supporters. He's counting on them to be suckers and not realize this.
The third order defers student loan payments in a similar way -- in other words, students get whacked with a huge bill next year. Buy now, pay later.
The fourth order is perhaps the worst of all. Trump bills it as an order preventing the eviction of people who can't pay their rent. It is nothing of the sort. It just asks administration officials to study the issue. So, once again, it's worthless. If this is all that is done, lots of people are going to be evicted between now and November.
Private groups will probably challenge the first order, which Republicans will portray in bad faith as usual. The economy could face serious setbacks between now and Labor Day, since the amount of money injected into the Main Street economy will be far too little to have a decisive effect. This most likely means that panicky Republicans will be forced back to the negotiating table, but not until the American people have been subjected to additional unnecessary suffering.
It also helps to understand the differences between Executive Order and Executive Memorandum, noting that the Memo has less force of law and both connect authority to the Constitution.
But as Heather’s concluding quote of trump makes explicit, it’s all about the optics.
The posturing is sickening! I guess it’s too much to hope that people will see through it and know the truth. McConnell is a blight on our democracy. He’s enabling the fracturing of our democracy. Thanks for the insight! I wouldn’t have a clue how to decipher all this information!
So much here to despair of...while reading HCR's letter and others' comments various things kept popping up in my mind. How does one fight what is taking over our country? Yes, vote, yeah I get that. But, I am feeling more and more despondent that even that will prove ineffective. Today and next week I will be waiting to see what the Democrats' response to this will be, but I am not hopeful. They seem destined to be snookered at every turn by an opposition that has no ethics or morality and who do not play by the rules anymore. Then again, how do you counter this and still maintain any shred of dignity?? "Go[ing] high when they go low" is getting us nothing, and we end up being left "high and dry" with only our sense of moral superiority. I still feel Democratic leadership in its current manifestation is letting the country down by being constantly out-maneuvered and then having to play catch up. We end up looking weak and impotent. My gut feeling, and it's horrible, is a resignation that we may have to ultimately just let the country descend into total anarchy before people are going to learn. Tough love on an epic scale. We can yell and scream, clutch our collective pearls, and fan ourselves vigorously at every new outrage, but it feels like we are in a giant echo chamber right now, only listening to ourselves. Meanwhile, the inmates are running the asylum and making off with everything. Maybe it will take Trump winning a second term and running this country TRULY into the ground before the dullards, complicit Republicans and Trump's nut-burger base, have the scales fall from their eyes. My heart breaks at this prospect as consequences in the short term could be very dire for ALL of us, but maybe it will take that? Living for nearly 20 years in Europe spoiled me...I had a wonderful life...it really pains me to say this, but I'd now give anything to be able to go back...and stay. For now...I'll just find a hole and crawl in it and try to shut out all the noise. Peace, y'all...
Don't worry! It's going to fall apart over here too over the next few months for the same reasons...only here they are polite about it and raise their eyes to the ceiling whilst their feet sink even further into the sh.. I've come to the conclusion that moving elsewhere is not going to make things any better. We are all facing the same breakdown of faith in who we are. Nothing in the system makes much sense anymore. Hamsters on a treadmill! Time to break the "machine" !
Not sure where you are...the UK is also facing some major hurdles, at least this is what I gather from my many friends there. I was in continental Europe (The Netherlands) and I've been back in the US for 16 years. All things considered, I felt safer there, and I easily felt as "free" there as here, even more so in some regards. I have many friends there still and was last there 2 years ago to teach and to visit. It was REALLY hard getting on the plane to come back here. It felt like home, and always will. While Europe has its own set of problems, it is at least a bit more civil, especially given the turmoil here of the past 3 years. I'm currently living on my Dutch pension which is pretty decent, especially compared to what I would get here. I always say I actually should be somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in terms of where my loyalties lie!
I share your feeling for the Mid-Atlantic as i've done as you but in reverse. I am currently in my house in Provence. I spend part of my time in Paris too. I feel a lot safer in the country than in the city these days as the level of violence is increasing notably in inverse proportion to the decline in consideration for the "other" and to political support for "European Culture" in its most fundamental sense.
Ah...belle France! I spent a right fair amount of time there, but I totally understand about Paris. Though one of my favourite cities on earth (and I sang there quite a lot), I wouldn't want to live there--I couldn't afford it, for starters! As I said, Europe does have its share of challenges, some similar to ours, others particularly endemic to each country, but Europeans seem to have their heads screwed on a bit better than here. I guess I'm just so weary of the constant hysteria here, and nothing sounds better to me right now than hiding out somewhere in "France profonde", or "het hartje nederland"!
Even though an error, I have to admit a wry smile crossed my face at the thought of Miller and his "sister hands". Thanks for a moment of lightness! :-)
The McConnell move makes me furious, and that's where the Dems should be focusing during the Sunday morning shows. That the top repub steps away from negotiating is failure of duty as the majority leader. It's an admission that the repubs can't do anything now without help from "Papa tRump". Dems need to be clear on what the compromise $2T bill is compared to the original $3T, especially given this empty "executive order." As someone else here said, "It's time for the Dems to stop playing Mr/Ms Nice, and go for the jugular.
If you're looking for a way forward in this mess.....what Paula Reid of CBS did at Trump's "Golf Course" press conference yeesterday. She called him out on a lie and persisted forcing him to shut down rather than admit it. Every lie must be thrown back in his face whenever he opens his mouth.
I agree totally. Thanks for your excellent comments!!! I'm feeling "down" after yesterday, but we have to find a way back. Call out the lies---more need to do this!!!
That was an amazing moment; we most definitely need more of them!!!
Soooo... when are Democrats going to use media and social media to explain what’s really going on? We don’t need legal challenges; we need challenges in the media that ordinary Americans can understand.
So when will the media stop enabling Trumpism and focus on the responsible adults who are working hard to do what is morally right and necessary against the power of 45 and the GOP? Apparently policy nerds are too boring, responsible behavior does not get a large enough rating. They will be so bored by a competent Biden administration they will be flailing about trying to find sensational nonsense to attack them rather than celebrate "this is what decent govt looks like folks, relax and appreciate and keep voting for good people!".
I wish the media or someone (please) would focus on how they (Trump and his enablers) must think we are stupid! What an insult!
I’ve been so disappointed and shocked that the media isn’t doing a better job of explaining all of this! Why??? Why haven’t they been doing there job of pulling back the curtain and showing everyone what is behind it?? Seriously, WHY??
Many reasons, the main reason being that it doesn't draw a lot of readers, most of whom don't have the patience to read the complete story, particularly when the explanation does not agree with what they want it to be.
But then they don't feel they have the time to really learn what the underlying economics or law of the issue is, and go with what has become their "common understanding" which is often no better than the "common sense" the public thinks does explain it all.
Edit: their
I hesitate to write as I am a Kentuckian, and everyone always wants to ask me to get rid of Mr McConnell. I would love to retire him. I have emailed his office three times this past week over various issues, as his office keeps his voice mail full. His responses, if any, are condensing in tone and substance. Yet he keeps getting into office because there are Kentuckians just like other Americans who are fearful and rather keep the devil they know than face another potential devil. They vote against their own best interests. This morning I have been on a roll with an email to Mr McConnell. I do not engage Mr. Paul, as he is toddler wanting attention and my representative, Mr Barr, as he simply follows Mr. McConnell. I also have once again email the Kentucky Democratic Party stating that the campaign being waged is lukewarm, although later this morning I did see one that is more aggressive. Apologies to Mrs. Obama, but I feel the time time of going high when they go low is over. I do no advocate name calling, but all this needs to be called out in the harshest terms. Perhaps the words of our revolutionary founding fathers need to referenced or the philosophy of Abraham Lincoln which, if I understand the history of the Republican Party is diametrically opposed to the current party. This party cannot compromise. Sorry this is so long, but I recently retired as a Registered Nurse in Case Management at a local hospital. I worked with patients to transition out of the hospital and almost obtained an ulcer over dealing with insurance companies and drug companies. I know first hand of people barely making it and needing help that I could not obtain for them. I am so angry that people like the current president and Mr McConnell think that these people are not worthy of help. By the way, I suggested to the Kentucky Democratic Party that we may need ads of Grandma and Grandpa out on the street because of the policies proposed by this administration. Believe me, there are people that close to that. Again sorry, about the length. But I am angry
For what it's worth, me too. As someone recently having dealt with our hopelessly complicated and frustrating healthcare/insurance "industry" (again, ME TOO!), you might find this article in the WaPo interesting. There may be a pay wall (sometimes you can read a number of free articles per month?), but suffice it to say this former Cigna corporate VP confesses how he (and countless others) are paid to discredit the Canadian system in deference to ours, which we know is ridiculous. He feels remorse for possibly being responsible for thousands of people losing their lives. This only confirms what we've long suspected...
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/08/06/health-insurance-canada-lie/?arc404=true
The people who need to read this, won't.
Kentucky is difficult. (We lived there and worked to defeat Mitch after his first term in 1990 and the rest is unfortunate history) Thank you for all you are doing. By the way, a friend who worked for Stenny Hoyer when he was majority whip said that when the phones were on overload they added more capacity, more phones, and more voicemail, and they all worked really hard to make sure all voices were heard. Susan Collins doesn't listen or want to listen either. We are working hard to replace her here in Maine.
I am a lifelong Kentuckian and have never voted for Mitch. And I agree Kentucky is difficult. I live in Lexington which pretty much goes Blue but grew up in rural Kentucky. As a whole, Kentuckians will vote against their own best interest. And I never try to call as Mitch's voicemails are always full. I find the email a better route. As a side note, I rarely contact Rand Paul as I consider him a toddler wanting attention and my representative, Andy Barr, is Mitch's lapdog.
I used to do the same thing to John Neely Kennedy when I lived in Louisiana. He is a real whacko. Used to b a Dem when he ran for state office (he was AG), attended Oxford and used to be a critical thinker then IQ45 held a rally in my city, he took a trip down on Air Force One and tuned into one of the sheeple. It was literally that abrupt. He was on MSNBC being (somewhat) lucid on Friday and by the following week - post-rally and plane ride - he was as bad as any Freedom Caucus wingnut.
Sad sad sad what has become of the GOP.
Some days I feel like I’m the only person in this country who has seen House of Cards. Raiding FEMA DPF during hurricane season is straight out of the Frank Underwood playbook.
The moment Trump started floating his nonsense earlier this week I was afraid that it would come to this, he issues an exec *whatever*, is seen as magnanimous and when it’s brought to court, Dems look like jerks. It’s moments like this that I truly loathe what has become of the Republican Party,
And correct me if I’m wrong, but payroll taxes are pretty nominal if you’re making under $100k a year. I don’t know what sort of enhanced buying power anyone would get for $20. And afaik, most employers would not be inclined to pass those *savings* along to employees NOW because they know the tax is going to end up needing to get paid - eventually.
And on another note. How about the hypocrisy of them slamming Hong Kong leadership with sanctions for the way they treated protesters. Pot-kettle-Black.
One of the first things that occurred to me was the possible consequence of raiding FEMA's emergency relief funds. Only a couple days ago the NWS's hurricane prediction experts ramped up the possible number of named and category 4 or 5 storms to levels not seen since 2005. (It has to do with water temperatures (they're incredibly high), amount of wind shear, steering winds, etc. etc. all the factors ripe for big hurricanes.) Remember 2005 and that little storm called Katrina? If once again we're hit by storms of that magnitude--and given the way 2020 is going, it may be a certainty--is it really wise to take money out of the government's funds for dealing with natural disasters?? Not smart.
It's only smart if your goal is to destroy this country...
SS is a payroll tax, Medicare is a payroll tax, this has Stephen Miller written all over it and I agree the GOP has become a pit of vipers and McConnell pulling out now that is rich. His only game as head of the Senate is to obfuscate and bully. Unbelievable they would pull this now but if the American people buy it, what's left for the rest of us to do because the democracy is done at that point....
To learn how far the GOP has truly fallen, read this book! It came out Tuesday and my partner and I devoid it before midnight.
“It Was All a Lie: How the Republican Party Became Donald Trump” by Stuart Stevens
^^Devoured* (is there an edit option in this thing?)
Up late finishing a project..... Discouraging narrative tonight. I said earlier today that these actions will get Trump reelected---or at least provide a strong narrative toward that, alas. His main core supporters and many others will love this, because they won't look into the details, but just see the "headlines". The Democrats failed to ramp up an attack on the Republicans (see last night's comments---I so agree with them: the Democrats don't know how to fight and "be loud"---only complex sentences, so to speak) I think that they have lost whatever advantage they may have had a day or so ago. Completely outmaneuvered. Is this the beginning of the end? What will Pelosi do? Not ending this comment in a very hopeful frame of mind. (Just think about it: Congress at a stalemate (because Democrats won't compromise) so the Mighty Leader takes determined action to save the people from multiple hardships (except he's creating more) while the opposition tries to block (in the courts) his generosity....... What a line.....) They stopped negotiating because they had a plan, and this is it......... Sigh. Well, Peace and Courage this day. Thanks, Heather, for your usual clear presentation of where we are in these fast moving days.....
So, what do you think? The one-two punch...
Magnanimous Donald gives all the people money and crazy Kanye steals the Black vote?
I think this is too little to make a real impact. What Trump is doing, that is. The reduced dollar amount won’t cut it in states where the minimum wage is $10+/hr. There is no *stimulus check* being sent out to everyone. There is no money for states, so when cops, firefighters, teachers, state workers of all kinds start getting laid off, it’s going to be a real shit show.
I admit this initially made me ill, but there is so much more that is more revolting going on... like the Kanye thing. That is truly revolting.
Thanks for the comment. In the light of day it is not as 'generous' as it seems -- but I think the 'spin' will have an effect, alas. He know how to play the audience, as do his enablers (they've been doing that for years, since Gingrich)
I am weeping . . .
As to Democrats unfailing ability to steal defeat from the jaws of victory, I can only say, FDF and LBJ must be weeping today.
The first reaction is of course disgust for such shallow, nasty behaviour.....but if this is all it takes to get people to destroy the Constitution which has served them well for over 200 years, and their own lives with it by reelecting Trump then the people will deserve all they get. However, so COURAGE! and ads for his 4 Presidential Decrees, they are are just words for the time being destined uniquely to provide a couple of days headlines in the press. When the reality hits home of the complexity of, and contradictions within, the proposed channelling of funds and it becomes apparent to everyone that no money will actually come out the pipeline.....they will need a new shock to keep themselves in the headlines.
Over and above that, he is not actually extending protection for renters who can't pay but merely asking if anyody knows if anything can be done and the gain from any pay tax reductions, small as it would be and not shared with the salaried worker, is totally insignificant.
The courts will stop the application of all of this next week and indeed it seems to me to be prima facie evidence of unconstitutional action which should indeed normally lead to opening of new impeachment proceedings. Time for the Dems to start to fight a lot harder stand up to be counted and speak out... fast and furious.... and go for the jugular! No more Mr/Mrs Nice!
“but if this is all it takes to get people to destroy the Constitution;” is exactly all it could take. Stuart, you have so much more faith in the intelligence of the common woman/man than I do. Living in a dark red state, I see highly educated people that don’t have a clue and are not interested in learning anything about these matters. It’s frightening and tragic.
A total disregard for and interest in the other is unfortunately not rare in this individualist world. I'm not saying that the Constitution will prevail just that the gauntlet has clearly been thrown down. Who will have the courage to pick it up?
The payroll tax change is nothing but a knife in the heart of social security.
Entirely intentional! That's for sure.
Someone recently said "if we simply keep reacting to the White House, we are still bound by its construction of reality."
This would be a good chance to put that to the test. How best to undermine the narrative that TinyThumbs puts out?
It seems to me that the Dems should be selective on what parts they go after. The payroll tax cancellation is the provision I would attack. The narrative is “the payroll tax cut takes away your social security and Medicare.” We need to restore it immediately. If the President want to exhaust his disaster relief funding, that’s his prerogative. I would not attack that. The Dems can come out looking like the defenders of the people, if they play this smart.
The "payroll tax cut takes away your benefits" line is pretty weak. It's easy to counter that benefits come from a trust fund that has a large positive balance, so that benefits need not be cut in the near term.
There is no longer such a thing as the "SS Trust Fund". Since Reagan, it has all been folded into the 'general budget' so Ronnie could jack up spending without increasing the deficit so much!
I know that you speak the truth. My point is that we should should not say "payroll tax cut takes away your benefits", because there is an easy counter to it within the commonly accepted "trust fund" framework. We really should make a point of explaining to the electorate that the government has been lying about this since FDR, but maybe we should wait a few months to do it.
And there Is a SS Balance, but only to the bookkeeper!
Make it very clear it is the foot in the door of the larger, long term game plan to gut Social Security and Medicare.
Republican tactics are exactly for short term gain, and long term reality be damned. Our needs are also very short term—less than 3 months until the election.
A long one but as per usual, well done. For some reason I'm feeling played again. Dems did the right thing, got all the right money in the right places and then the Senate stonewalled to give 45 the option for the win. It's not enough for a victory lap. Don't mess with my social security or my Medicare. Floridians are going to flip out. And $400 is a pittance for the unemployed who have little hope of a job anytime soon. I hope Nancy has her boots on and is ready to do some stomping!! She really needs to get them to explain why this is such a great deal and then wheels will come of the bus. It's not even close. It's inhumane.
We can hope you are right!
This is a great post by Heather Cox Richardson. It explodes all the hoopla and explains the sad reality that President Trump's four Executive Orders will actually do little or nothing to help restart the economy during the COVID-19 crisis. What they are intended to do is mask the fact that Republicans are currently incapable of helping the American people. They are little more than a Republican political strategy designed to goad opponents into challenging Trump's Executive Orders, so Democrats can be painted as opposing helping the average American worker.
Trump's orders do next to nothing. The first shuffles $70 billion of DHS money to unemployment benefits, but it is probably illegal and depends on states kicking in another 25%, which most can't, and it will not last very long. So, it's worthless.
The second defers payroll taxes until next year. In other words, for workers, it's "Buy now, pay later -- Diner's Card." It's a typical bait and switch that will get working Americans some extra money now, but which they will have to pay back in extra taxes next year. Trump's actual agenda here is to do away with Social Security and Medicare in his second term -- a dagger in the heart of all his non-college-educated white supporters. He's counting on them to be suckers and not realize this.
The third order defers student loan payments in a similar way -- in other words, students get whacked with a huge bill next year. Buy now, pay later.
The fourth order is perhaps the worst of all. Trump bills it as an order preventing the eviction of people who can't pay their rent. It is nothing of the sort. It just asks administration officials to study the issue. So, once again, it's worthless. If this is all that is done, lots of people are going to be evicted between now and November.
Private groups will probably challenge the first order, which Republicans will portray in bad faith as usual. The economy could face serious setbacks between now and Labor Day, since the amount of money injected into the Main Street economy will be far too little to have a decisive effect. This most likely means that panicky Republicans will be forced back to the negotiating table, but not until the American people have been subjected to additional unnecessary suffering.
Time to vote these bums out.
It also helps to understand the differences between Executive Order and Executive Memorandum, noting that the Memo has less force of law and both connect authority to the Constitution.
But as Heather’s concluding quote of trump makes explicit, it’s all about the optics.
https://guides.loc.gov/executive-orders/order-proclamation-memorandum
Yes, and all this needs to be communicated now in social media.
Doing that right now. My problem: my circle of friends has probably already read Heather Cox Richardson before I got to it.
The posturing is sickening! I guess it’s too much to hope that people will see through it and know the truth. McConnell is a blight on our democracy. He’s enabling the fracturing of our democracy. Thanks for the insight! I wouldn’t have a clue how to decipher all this information!
Please Vote People! 💙
So much here to despair of...while reading HCR's letter and others' comments various things kept popping up in my mind. How does one fight what is taking over our country? Yes, vote, yeah I get that. But, I am feeling more and more despondent that even that will prove ineffective. Today and next week I will be waiting to see what the Democrats' response to this will be, but I am not hopeful. They seem destined to be snookered at every turn by an opposition that has no ethics or morality and who do not play by the rules anymore. Then again, how do you counter this and still maintain any shred of dignity?? "Go[ing] high when they go low" is getting us nothing, and we end up being left "high and dry" with only our sense of moral superiority. I still feel Democratic leadership in its current manifestation is letting the country down by being constantly out-maneuvered and then having to play catch up. We end up looking weak and impotent. My gut feeling, and it's horrible, is a resignation that we may have to ultimately just let the country descend into total anarchy before people are going to learn. Tough love on an epic scale. We can yell and scream, clutch our collective pearls, and fan ourselves vigorously at every new outrage, but it feels like we are in a giant echo chamber right now, only listening to ourselves. Meanwhile, the inmates are running the asylum and making off with everything. Maybe it will take Trump winning a second term and running this country TRULY into the ground before the dullards, complicit Republicans and Trump's nut-burger base, have the scales fall from their eyes. My heart breaks at this prospect as consequences in the short term could be very dire for ALL of us, but maybe it will take that? Living for nearly 20 years in Europe spoiled me...I had a wonderful life...it really pains me to say this, but I'd now give anything to be able to go back...and stay. For now...I'll just find a hole and crawl in it and try to shut out all the noise. Peace, y'all...
Don't worry! It's going to fall apart over here too over the next few months for the same reasons...only here they are polite about it and raise their eyes to the ceiling whilst their feet sink even further into the sh.. I've come to the conclusion that moving elsewhere is not going to make things any better. We are all facing the same breakdown of faith in who we are. Nothing in the system makes much sense anymore. Hamsters on a treadmill! Time to break the "machine" !
Not sure where you are...the UK is also facing some major hurdles, at least this is what I gather from my many friends there. I was in continental Europe (The Netherlands) and I've been back in the US for 16 years. All things considered, I felt safer there, and I easily felt as "free" there as here, even more so in some regards. I have many friends there still and was last there 2 years ago to teach and to visit. It was REALLY hard getting on the plane to come back here. It felt like home, and always will. While Europe has its own set of problems, it is at least a bit more civil, especially given the turmoil here of the past 3 years. I'm currently living on my Dutch pension which is pretty decent, especially compared to what I would get here. I always say I actually should be somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in terms of where my loyalties lie!
I share your feeling for the Mid-Atlantic as i've done as you but in reverse. I am currently in my house in Provence. I spend part of my time in Paris too. I feel a lot safer in the country than in the city these days as the level of violence is increasing notably in inverse proportion to the decline in consideration for the "other" and to political support for "European Culture" in its most fundamental sense.
Ah...belle France! I spent a right fair amount of time there, but I totally understand about Paris. Though one of my favourite cities on earth (and I sang there quite a lot), I wouldn't want to live there--I couldn't afford it, for starters! As I said, Europe does have its share of challenges, some similar to ours, others particularly endemic to each country, but Europeans seem to have their heads screwed on a bit better than here. I guess I'm just so weary of the constant hysteria here, and nothing sounds better to me right now than hiding out somewhere in "France profonde", or "het hartje nederland"!
There were plenty of your "compatriots" at the bakers this morning enjoying their holidays.
You sang?
We see the sister hand of Steve Miller in this move, starve the beast and force the states to cut services etc. Gingrich on steroids!
I intended "Sinister" Does anyone know how to edit a comment to avoid embarrassment?
Can't be done. (sigh)
Even though an error, I have to admit a wry smile crossed my face at the thought of Miller and his "sister hands". Thanks for a moment of lightness! :-)
And, I don't know about you, but I need All the moments of lightness available!
The McConnell move makes me furious, and that's where the Dems should be focusing during the Sunday morning shows. That the top repub steps away from negotiating is failure of duty as the majority leader. It's an admission that the repubs can't do anything now without help from "Papa tRump". Dems need to be clear on what the compromise $2T bill is compared to the original $3T, especially given this empty "executive order." As someone else here said, "It's time for the Dems to stop playing Mr/Ms Nice, and go for the jugular.
The real meme from this facade of relief should be "Don Trump and the Republicans, always a dollar short and a day late."
and a fake dollar at that!
Beautiful! I'd Love to see that get picked up.
The modern GOP. Playing politics with people's lives and lying all the way to the bank.