“[O]ne of the things that I hear some of you guys saying is, ‘Why doesn’t Biden say what a good deal it is?’” President Joe Biden said to reporters yesterday afternoon before leaving the White House on the Marine One helicopter.
President Biden won tonight, no matter what the Republicans say. He knows how to govern, he knows how to negotiate. He is not perfect (no one is!) but he’s a pretty darn good President. Especially now, in our current time.
Thank you, Dr. R for all your researched and thoughtful letters.
I think Biden is in fact better than even a darn good president, considering what country he got with what funds, when he was elected, what opposing forces he faces as in China and Russia, and what kind of opposing party he has to deal with, considering how a majority of those Republicans has apparently, publicly gone awol. I am sure that a majority of Republicans, inwardly, wish Donald Trump to be sent to jail but will never publicly support that. Liz Cheney is right, their dishonor will stay with them...
Shirley I was born the year FDR became president. He was my only president for 12 years. I do remember when ‘Pendergast’ Senator Truman made the cover of Time magazine for his remarkable efforts to cut out waste/sleaze in military expenditures.
Honest, hard working, and, at times, stubborn as a Missouri mule.
For a marvelous perspective into Harry, read the letters between former Truman Truman and ex-SecState Dean Acheson that David McCullough compiled.
For never being able to attend college, Truman was both erudite and insightful. He could write/think rings around Reagan, Bush W, and, of course, wormy book Donald, who never even read his ghost-written books.
I don't see the constant dissing from the far left here locally that I was seeing before, but they are focused elsewhere. I doubt most of them have seen the light because I don't see any praise either.
True believers on the left. Progressives who do not understand that they can't have everything they want asap. Locally, they dissed Biden as an establishment D and failed to note any of his achievements starting with his choice of cabinet members. I think it is fine to articulate progressive ideals; however, voting for people like Jill not green Stein for example, only helps elect people like death star.
James, you are a provocateur. You apparently have little understanding of who is a great president and who is not. Unless, of course, you base all your opinions on polls.
"A little advice" James, no personal attacks per your contract with Substack Inc or go to mediation at JAMS in SF. If you not like the contract why did you sign on the signature page? Contracts are enforceable. Why don't you post your contract for us 3rd party "Readers".
Polls reflect popularity not whether Biden is a good president. It took 5 decades of constant strategic planning but conservatives have successfully created an oligarchy that prioritizes corporations and the very wealthy. They were brilliant in capturing the MSM and using religious infrastructure to divide the nation against itself. Before the majority understands that republicans are using the same playbook all authoritarians use it may be too late. Democrats were wrong in believing the majority couldn’t be fooled and didn’t fight hard enough.
Are you delusional? Job approval poll is 100% a poll on the job you are doing.
Back on earth there are facts - Biden 39% approval, 29% approval among independents.
May I quote you to the entire site? This maybe the weirdest comment I've come across
"They (conservatives) were brilliant in capturing the MSM (Mainstream media) and using religious infrastructure to divide the nation against itself"
That probably comes as a surprise to NY Times, Wash PO, Huff Post, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, that they were captured by conservatives and the religious right.
That's just too stupid to believe.
As for the claim that it maybe too late to stop "Republican authoritarian playbook", what in the Hell are talking about?
Do you believe in other conspiracies too? The moon landing was fake? Big Foot? Loochness Monster? Elvis is still alive?
Lol. The folks who believe in conspiracies are usually not progressive. But no, polls do NOT reflect whether a president is doing a good job. Republican voters do not typically read the legislation that their politicians are pushing - which is why they haven’t a clue that the policies they benefit from are from democrats. And yes, MSM news is now corporate news deregulated by conservatives. Which is why they all focus on a small number of salacious stories and supposedly progressive media outlets 2-sides everything while conservative media blatantly lies. As for the authoritarian handbook used by republicans-just look that up. Abundance of evidence.
What are you smoking? What does a job approval POLL reflect? Whether they like Biden's neckties? You are delusional. IT 100% reflects how Americans feel about Biden's job performance.
I'll give you a little HINT. When the Poll says "JOB PERFORMANCE" its
about ................. You guessed it.......... "JOB PERFORMANCE"
Every post of yours is a treasure trove of the ridiculous. Lets do a little de-construction
1. "Polls do NOT reflect whether a president is doing a good job"
2. Republican voters do not typically read the legislation that politicians are pushing" which is why they don't have a CLUE that they are benefiting from DEMOCRATS
No I think they know. THEY SEE ALL THE BENEFIT from an open border. THEY SEE ALL THE BENEFIT the 4 Trillion inflation reduction act that skyrocketed INFLATION. They feel the pain of interest rates going up 500%. They see all the benefit of spending 120 Billion on an endless war in Ukraine. They see the benefit.
It takes a lot of chutzpah to claim the LEFT pushes a smaller number of salacous stories?
Who pedaled the TRump collusion story for 3 years? IT WAS A LIE
Who pedaled the endless COVID lies?
WHo pedaled the Hunter Biden story that the laptop was Russian Disinformation?
You must be reading those nasty Steve Bannon polls. Here's a dose of reality.
Among registered voters, Biden led Trump, his predecessor as president, by six percentage points in a hypothetical match-up, 44% to 38%, holding an advantage that has opened up in recent few months. In a mid-March Reuters/Ipsos poll, Biden led Trump by five points after trailing him by three points in February.
I guess you missed something. That poll was considered an outlier which the Post loves to publish because it shows balance. That means it didn't agree with the other polls and it's almost a month old.
"All the current polls have Trump leading Biden." Do they? Please provide data.
BTW, without meaning to bust any bubbles, you might want to consider that there could be a gap between a POTUS's actual accomplishments and the knowledge of them by much of the electorate. We live in an era of the disinformation and trivia firehose. This blog is, sadly, the exception that demonstrates the rule.
If you can't understand a simple English sentence, there is little I can do to assist. That said, one look at your own blog indicates that it is not a matter of a lack of familiarity with the Mother Tongue so much as the inevitable result of the the intellectual paralysis which seems to result from the massive doses of orange Kool-Aide which seem to be a sine qua non for induction into the Cult of Trump.
They know. They go to the grocery store and see the price increases. They open the electric bill and they see the price increases. The look at their adjustable rate loans and see have gone up 2-3X. They see the layoffs. They see the disaster at the border. They see the Afghanistan meltdown. They see
Ukraine and see Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan all over again.
Do.you not understand that the media live & die by fomenting fear & outrage in the consumers of their product, and to that end distort the reality to compel attention? The WaPo/ABC Poll was bogus (no real poll samples "adults", but only voters) & the plain fact of the matter is that Trump is irrelevant. He will be in prison, having been indicted 3 times this year. Further, regardless of "polls", his "base" is a fraction of the GOP, and has been losing elections all along. He has no chance; the.media knows this, and lie to you; politicians know this and are running against each other, trying to.simultaneously retain the base while not alienating the rest of GOP. And that's an obviously difficult circle to square.
They have Biden's approval at an average 41.0% Disapproval 56% over the last two weeks.
I'm not sure how you are going to LIE your way out of the Washington Post outlier argument.
Even more stupid are your koolaid views on Trump's popularity. Trump leads by more than 30 points in all the national polls and his lead has been growing.
As for jail, I'd be a lot more concerned about the Biden's if I was you. The DOJ and IRS
have been investigating the family for bribery and tax evasion for more than three years.
Put down the bong, rolled down your window, leave the bubble, and join the real world.
This kind of invective is ill-suited to this forum, and belies your self-proclaimed "intellectualism". Analogous to the "very stable genius", mental health intervention is clearly indicated, but that's not here. Good luck!
Its embarassing to try and watch wiggle away from stupid comments.
Only an idiot could challenge the legitimacy of a poll, having NO IDEA that 10 other national polls SAID virtually the same thing.
Its not surprising when you go daily to a blog whose only job is to heighten your confirmation bias with the dumbest propaganda available.
Of course we can disagree on the direction of the country, but to get such basic facts wrong is NOT an accident. Its on purpose to drive a dishonest narrative.
That’s interesting, we were saying the same thing yesterday while watching The West Wing. But the fascists are there. Bartlett is running against Ritchie, who sounds not so different from DeSantis.
Ok, you’ve got me hooked! I’m going to start watching The West Wing today! 😊. And Biden is mature and insightful-less talk, more walk which is what is the true test of a person.
Robert-we recently rewatched Newsroom and found the same to be true! You could take some headlines from today and run them with a date of 2012 and it would fit right in. When do you think we’re gonna get off this merry-go-round??
It’s interesting that many republican voters love shows like The West Wing and Star Trek. They don’t understand that the policies they vote for are the opposite of the West Wing administration or that Star Trek is the embodiment of DEI.
Bill, 2 things. First, agree with your assessment that the issues are the same then as now. Second, where are you able to access the old seasons and episodes of The West Wing? I've looked once or twice and I couldn't find it? Thanks in advance!
Biden, as I've said before, has done a masterful job dealing with fools to save the country and world from terrible economic consequences. That said, he had help from Wall Street and big business, which no doubt let McCarthy and other Republicans know they must vote to lift the debt ceiling. In a way it's a sad and ironic twist but this time influence buying paid off for the greater good.
Now the Crazy Caucus will continue to rant and rave as it always has because it's easy and governing is hard.
Michael Bales, thank you....Biden's experience participating in the governance of this nation is on display as well as his leadership and character. Once more, I also thank the many men and women who support this country and the values that garner respect and trust from other nations, allies and enemies.
Unfortunately, it is the loud, armed, angry, self-centered, inexperienced yet...elected.....who threaten to harm our nation. This lack of leadership in the Republican party is causing its destruction and harming our nation and the world. Money can only go so far.....then there is the need for some stability....some wisdom.....some real responsibility to be demonstrated to restore the foundations of our institutions.......even Wall Street and big business have their limitations....
They also have their minions locally who are doing great harm where they can....banning books, threatening stores who have Pride merchandise, walking out of the Oregon senate to prevent certain bills on guns, abortion and trans people from passing, etc. On the news the week was a story from southern Oregon where a guy walked up to a house flying the pride flag and berated the occupants for displaying it. They filmed him, so I think he has been identified although they got the usual nasty trolls when they put it on social media.
This situation reminds me of letting 14 year old bullies run the school yard.
America has been dominated by 14 year old bullies... they are boring, undisciplined, ugly examples of what a “man/woman can become without the guidance of grown ups!! Where are the “grown ups”?
Hopefully Americans will be shown examples of true grown up thinking adults.... are they your children??? If so thank you for all the hard work.
Now that Michael rings more plausibly to me as "the way the 'rest of the story' actually happened; influence peddling, creating "the rest, rest of the story." As we and others have said, "follow the money." Thank you as always for your contributions here.
Yes, gloating has a negative effect. But what the Dems need to get better at is messaging in a way that makes clear to the entire country the good that has been done and continues to be done in every state because of the bills that have been passed under Biden's tenure. We know where the billions are being spent, but do those whose lives are better because of those investments also realize what they owe to Biden? That's a message that must be made clear every day, without gloating, to be sure, but with constant repetition. Since it is true that a budget expresses our values, we need to make sure that everyone understands how the differences between the proposals of the Dems and the HFC folks reflect our values.
But after the bill passes. I think the messaging that it is a bipartisan compromise is intended to get at least some Repugs to vote for it.
Then once it passes, I want to see clear, concise, honest, understandable messaging over and over and over for the next 17 months. There is a lot of material to be utilized from the budget bill to demonstrate how the Dems are working to make things better and what more they could do with increased numbers in the House and Senate. Couple this with statements from Trump or DeSantis whoever is the opponent. Trumps CNN rally is a gold mine for negative ads. And the vitriol and outrageous lies of many Repugs in Congress are also a a gold mine. I’m taking about you Chip Roy, among so many others.
Sky 777 So well said about the messaging. I have been so frustrated about the Democratic Party messaging, but I've focused on the Congressional voting/messaging situation. You have shifted the focus properly: it is messaging to let everyone know where the benefits are taking place---in the states and locally.
And all we have to do is find a way to get the media to cover things without falling back into the horse race mode. There does seem to be a growing awareness among MSM that they messed up, and making efforts to cover news in a more nuanced way. Our job is to keep reminding them of that.
So true! One of Obama's greatest faults was failing to tout the things he did to break the grip of the recession. While the Recovery Act raised the debt initially it was a sound investment to stabilize the economy. Failure to tout that success is one of the reasons the Dems were trounced in the 2010 midterms.
Plus, Obama was between a rock and a hard place, being our first Black president.
He couldn't afford to get angry and let the media portray him as a stereotype. I'm sure he would have liked to have been more intense, but he just couldn't risk it.
Once again for President Obama the Republicans passed a baton that left him adrift in economic chaos. We should never forget he stepped up. Thank you Mr. Obama.
I saw President Obama trying very hard to get the children to play well with others. It's what responsible adults do. McConnell and Boehner weren't having it. The metaphorical gloves finally came off in the last two years of his presidency but most of the damage was already done.
From my limited perspective it seemed to me that the MSM only followed the polls. And not just any polls but the negatives. I get so sick of it that I stop watching or listening. It's happening again. We don't hear about all the great things President Biden has done and is doing only about how bad his polls are! Really good way to turn people off from participating in the electoral process and skewing the results of the actual election.
The best message is effective, compassionate governance. That said, the Democratic Party is hamstrung by an inept media that can't seem to objectively observe national politics.
YES Betsy, however, I fear that as one presses home that message of infrastructure rebuilding under Biden, there will be further complaint about how all that re-construction of roads and bridges has snarled traffic and inconvenienced us all! 🙄
Gloating turns governing into a 'horse race' to the bottom. GOP holds the House where Appropriations must originate as per Constitution. Anyone who thinks Biden should get whatever he wants is mistaking America for Turkey.
We know what they want: the end of republican democracy and the establishment of a pseudo-Christian version of the Islamic Republic. They repeatedly say as much. Take a look at what is said at the endless CPAC fund raisers and where they take place these days.
When someone tells you who they are, you should consider believing it.
"Anyone who thinks Biden should get whatever he wants is mistaking America for Turkey." Anyone who thinks that has ever been the issue has clearly not been paying attention.
Suzette If President Biden weren’t such a cool dude, he might send a note to the Republican House: ‘You shouldn’t send a raw rookie to play hard ball in the Major Leagues.’
Nobody won. Nobody. And make no mistake, we are an indebted country with a President and Congress who have no idea how to steer our country into safer less indebted waters. Our President’s enablers cheer on his command economy spending and regulation spree as growth collapses, inflation rages and the flames of war crackle. They believe we are a rich country. They denigrate all that have come before preferring to live in a new world where the facts check in but don’t check out. Virtue signaling outweighs common sense and blaming the other guy has been turned into an art form. Wake up folks before our Greek like record debt, structural debt problems and inflation turn into a Greek tragedy of global proportions. Our present leadership is delusional about our financial situation and flying us blind into an economic storm of deficits and debt that no amount of blaming the other guy will lift us.
The solution has always been there. Tax wealth. For example. Bezos owns 5 super yachts. These yachts have tenders that cost $200million. The value of one yacht should have been collected as taxes. Clinton left office with a balanced budget. Bush gave huge tax cuts to the wealthy, converting Clintons balanced budget to debt. Bush then started 2 unnecessary wars and financed them with debt. 30 years ago wealth would offshore to avoid taxes. As globalization shrinks and authoritarian govts replace democracies there are fewer safe havens offshore. The safety guaranteed by America should be well worth a fair tax on wealth.
Indeed Christophee; great intent you state here. The underlying problem goes just a bit deeper, as I'm sure our good Dr. will address at a time of her choosing. Here's a hint though; property. Cheers Chris
If I can guess at the hint, are you referring to seizing/accepting/levying property as a way of taxing wealth? Great idea, at least in theory, although attaching a dollar value to most these properties is very difficult, especially since the very seizure of the property can affect the fair market value of that property. It may be a bit easier with financial instruments (stocks, bonds, etc.), but still would be a very delicate exercise.
Even more amusing, to convert that property into cash to pay for government expenditures, they'd have to sell the seized property to the very people they seized it from. I'd pay for a ticket to see that auction!
That said, I think it would be well worth the effort, even if the government had to set up a permanent independent corporation like the Ports Authority to evaluate property-to-tax conversions. Each form of property, be it financial instruments or real estate, would likely require its own special treatment.
Whose growth collapses? The 1%? With their price gauging false inflationary prices? Biden just threw a little cold water on the flames they've been fanning. The Warlocks of the oilygarchy are their own worst enemy.
Here's the funnier aspect of your truth Susan; 'they' think they are right, and that 'they' have the cure for all that ails the rest of us (except anything that's materially 'theirs' ).
Totally agree. I think we need to go further given the fiscal cliff of entitlement payments and push out and means test SS and Medicaid. We could call it shared success but it would go a long way towards bringing our debt and fixed obligations down and give real flexibility to the coming younger generation in our budget and strengthen our real security immeasurably.
Once you start means testing Social Security and Medicare (not Medicaid which is only for the poor), you lose support from the middle class.
So once again, conservatives would prefer to punish the bulk of Americans rather than make Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos give up a dime.
Tax political contributions over a million dollars and let the IRS enforce the 501c regs.
By the way, if boomers are worried about social security, we won't retire.
While large corporations might force us out, smaller companies will still be controlled by us.
Social Security and child labor laws weren't passed during the Great Depression just because they were nice things -- they were passed to reduce the pool of workers and to reduce unemployment.
Agree Bridget. Means testing Social Security and Medicare is breaking the contract with the American people. Remove the cap on SS and make Medicare progressive yes, but don't take away an earned benefit. Why do businesses hate SS and Medicare, because they consider it an expense, and not something they should owe their employees. Provide for your employees don't exploit them.
Like it or not SS and Medicare need to be reformed. Nobody likes that. You could tax the 1% 100% and it would help little. Our population is both older and grows slower than 80 years ago. We now spend 6X more on our old people than our young. If someone else has a better idea I am all ears. The leader who can explain, amend and fix will go down in history as a great person. Maybe it can’t be done. Alternatively we are all in trouble. Sad but true.
This would be a good time for someone to interject some numbers with citation sources, because I think you're very right, that SS and Medicare will need reforming as our society changes. The aging demographic is indeed a hard fact to deal with.
Perhaps we can expand the options a bit if we see the SS and Medicare problems as part of the greater issue of healthcare delivery and financing. For instance, the byzantine pseudo-system we have for private healthcare is, I assert, incredibly wasteful and mainly a way for massive insurance companies to use medical providers as tools to extract wealth from sick people. In support of that assertion, I offer the following ProPublica article on how the one of the largest insurance companies meters, controls, and profits from healthcare:
Come on, David. This isn't the time to crank up the obsession about the debt. As long as the full faith and credit of the biggest economy in the world is maintained, the debt is not a pressing issue. Rinse, repeat; Stay away from Pete Petersonism
My oldest daughter and significant other just today returned from 2 weeks plus in Ecuador. Their currency is based fully upon the U.S. dollar. Lot's more revelations as well. Perhaps our good Dr. might have a chat about the status of Ecuador.
It all began with Reagan. In 1982 the national debt was less than $1 trillion. Reagan's term saw it triple while Reagan started the war on the Middle Class and gave huge income tax breaks to the well-to-do. The Republicans learned how to "feed at the federal trough" and have siphoned off another $30 trillion, leaving our children and grandchildren the task of what to do with it. Is there a solution? There is, but it will be very, very long and painful. However, if we don't learn how to "fight fire with fire," this nation could implode and then the world will be thrown into political chaos.
If it all began with Reagan, this is actually what happened. Our D/GDP was 23% in 1981 and interest rates were heading into the teens. Debt was prohibitively expensive. Reagan cut taxes, eliminated tax loopholes and streamlined regulations to get our economy moving. Volcker raised rates to 20%+ to kill off inflation. After a very tough first year and a half the economy boomed and inflation crashed. GDP grew on average 3.6% during the Reagan years and debt did increase but debt burden did not because interest rates had declined. Debt to GDP ended at 40% and was declining at the end of Reagans term because our economy had grown so much. D/GDP is 3X higher at 124% today. The Reagan expansion years marked a period of economic progress for middle class Americans. Middle class income increased 11 percent after adjustment for inflation, while nearly 20 million new jobs were created. Unemployment declined to 5% while labor participation was over 70%. It is 62.6% today. I lived it having just gotten out of college. I went from poor and jobless to gainfully employed. If this was a "war on the middle class" so be it.
Also, many forget, Reagan actually raised taxes 4 times between 1983-1987 when deficits grew too much. Dislike Reagan all you want, but after the malaise of the 70's he was a breath of fresh air and his economic record is actually one to be admired.
Very good reply, Mr. Carroll! You've given me much to think about. Could you recommend some reading sources, preferably of the "center-right" perspective, on the economic and political effects of the Reagan years? That was a very pivotal time in all our lives.
Would anyone else like to offer other reading sources, preferably "center-left" in perspective, in rebut?
Looking at the source I just cited, it's amazingly stark that the D/GDP ratio went insane with the 2008 mortgage meltdown and we haven't recovered yet. Worse, it's as a friend said back at the time, all the inflated, corrupt, ponzi-style money that all those rich people got during the pre-2008 bubble looks to have been turned into public debt, in what has to be a very strange alchemy. D'ya think those rich people could give some of that back?
You can thank Reagan and all radical Republicans who have use government to favor the very very wealthy and dismantle good governance. Follow the money. The middle class bought into 401K without even thinking our money is going to the same filthy hands behind financial empires undermining democracy. Food for thought.
Where your facts get a bit messier Zelita, is that it wasn't all radical repulsicans that did all that which you state. The messy truth is that they had small 'd' democrats aiding and abetting all that 'gifting' and undermining our democracy. Hopefully, as I continue to wish and hope, a day of her choosing will come and she (HCR) will reveal the entire messy 'truth' in her style which I've seen to be truth as revealed by facts in evidence.
Isn't it curious that Business has done to all of us what the Right is afraid that Government would do? From from "death panels," now called "utilization review panels" by insurers, to intrusive surveillance (Alexa!), large corporations have done it all, and there's nothing democratic about Business, no sirree.
Independent investigative journalists at least. Mainstream medias' journalists, not so much. The latter seem to have an agenda to maintain partisan polarization rather than to inform as accurately and honestly as possible.
A masterful display of projection and falsehoods. Congratulations. Also impressed by your ability to howl about deficits while ignoring the degree to which they are the result of massive, economically unproductive tax cuts for the wealthy. Like, say, the ones the "Republican" party and TFG pushed through Congress.
Four decades of "supply side" fantasies have resulted in a massive upward wealth transfer. But, by all means, let's ignore that and pollute the air with far right dog whistles like "virtue signaling."
Speaking of which, I'm old enough to remember when alleged conservatives like Bill Bennet thought "virtue" was, well, a virtue and not a sign of weakness. Now behaving like a decent human being is portrayed by you on the right as some kind of serious weakness and a threat to our National Manhood. This is what happens when arrested emotional development becomes the foundation of an entire political party.
Factual Stephen. If you find fault in the data let me know.
Also we have not had four decades of "supply side" fantasies. We did under Reagan, it then faded.
Your detestation for "conservatives" is noted. We have a pretty progressive Federal tax system What would you suggest we do in terms of "unproductive tax cuts". What would you suggest? Now let me point out, if you do not already know, the bottom 40% of Americans pay zero federal tax. Zero. The top 50% pay over 97%. The Top 10% pay 74%. What does Stephen propose that keep incentives in place that might grow our economy? Or maybe that does not matter. Command economy? Marxist? What would make Stephen happy? :)
I wonder if you even know what the world "Marxist" actually means. I'm guessing not.
Supply-side fantasies, based as they are on an evidence-free belief (the Laffer curve was never anything more than a statement of belief masquerading as data), have, in reality, proved remarkable resilient, as your own comment demonstrated. Viz. a little something from those notorious Marxist commie socialists at Investopedia: https://www.investopedia.com/supply-side-economics-6755346
Non-productive tax cuts are tax cuts which fail to increase revenue. If the RO of a policy is negative, only a fool would continue to maintain it. Unless, of course, the purpose was not to increase revenue or economic growth but simply to make the rich richer. This was clearly the result of the massive, budget-busting tax cuts pushed by Trump and the "Republican" party.
BTW, while I understand the following quote is routinely given the old cut and paste by the far right it is, at best, disingenuous: "the bottom 40% of Americans pay zero federal tax. Zero. The top 50% pay over 97%. The Top 10% pay 74%"
Here's the reality. From a source you will no doubt label as Marxist. Or maybe socialist, Communist, Stalinist, work, or whatever the currently fashionable phrase is amongst the proponents of feudalism: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/fact-check-richest-1-dont-pay-40-of-the-taxes.html This old wheeze of pretending that the income tax is the only tax Americans pay has proven sadly resilient to extinction.
Yes, I despise "conservatives" (vs. actual conservatives) because their self-assumed label has nothing to do with their actual positions, which are doggedly pro-plutocrat, anti-republican, anti-democratic, and openly authoritarian and theocratic. There is nothing "conservative" about that.
Going backwards, picking the years including the recovery from the pandemic is funny. Interestingly inflation out ran GDP growth. We went backwards. Incredible no? Address the Reagan 8 years Stephen. It worked. All boats increased. Is that bad? Also, thanks for enlightening me on Marxism. It worked pretty well where again?
And no matter what some Democrats say. I don't understand why all 218 Congressional Democrats haven't come out in favor of the deal while reserving the right to introduce separate legislation on the issues that they aren't happy with. Democrats are supposed to be the party that knows how to govern and does so but 4 of them voted with the Nut Job Caucus contingent on the Rules Committe not to approve the bill that Mr. Biden and Mr. McCarthy had agreed on.
What did he win? A mythical trophy? This is whole speculation is silly.
No one wins when you take in $4.8 Trillion and spend $6.25 Trillion. That's a 1.5 Trillion deficit.
We are on a short road to Greece.
Especially given our inflationary environment? This is going to cause the FED to raise
rates again in June.
Our deficits are crushing our currency, to the point where China, Russia, Brasil are moving to replace the dollar. The dollar has lost 25% of its value in the last 1 1/2 years. This is financial suicide.
Yet you want to take a victory lap?
This the classic example of "While Nero fiddled Rome burned."
BTW a sober reminder Biden's approval rate is at 39% and the majority of his own party don't want him to run again.
This may come as a surprise to you, but a surprising amount of the debt came from the massive permanent tax cuts enacted by the far right during the previous administration. I'll give them this much: they cleverly combined the plutocrat tax cuts with more moderate cuts for the majority of the population. The latter, however, were given an expiration date in 2025: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/republicans-slap-an-expiration-date-on-middle-class-tax-cuts/545996/
One might ask why, if tax cuts are a Great and Holy Thing, they are less great and holy for the majority of the population.
Are you really trying to BS me here are on tax cuts?
Did you think you wouldn't get caught?
Joe Biden 2021-present 34Trillion Total Debt - New Debt $8Trillion
Donald J. Trump 2017-2021 $28.4 Trillion - New Debt 8Trillion
Barack Obama 2009–201 $20 Trillion Total Debt - $9Trillion New Debt
George W. Bush 2001–2009 $11.9Trillion Total Debt - $6.1Trillion New Debt
William J. Clinton 1993–2001 $5.8 Trillion Total Debt - $1.4 Trillion New Debt
Its a LIE to say that REPUBLICANS accrued most of the debt. BOTH parties have run up the debt and its destroying America. Its crushing our currency and exploding our deficits.
Our debt is 800% of GDP
China 279% of GDP
Russia 13% of GDP
As for tax CUTS, the Democrats controlled Congress for the first 2 years of Biden's presidency.
WHY DIDN'T THEY PROPOSE a single initiative to RE- WRITE THE TAX CODE?
Of course not. Their wealthy donors LOVE tax loop holes.
President Biden is a masterful negotiator. I grow weary of listening to the ageist dismissals of his competency to govern. He is knowledgeable, intelligent, wise and full of integrity. Right there are four characteristics that were nonexistent in #45. Thank you, Mr. President.
Joe Biden may be getting old, and he may not be a dynamic speaker, but he's smart and wily as they come. He's exactly what the country needed after four nightmarish years of the Great Vulgarian.
I appreciate how well HCR puts together the news and happenings. It’s great to get a letter almost every day from an American historian. Civics in action!
I always tried to teach my children that the world was complex, things were rarely good vs evil except in superhero movies.
But now, there are many members of the current Republican Party who are as close to evil as people can get. They are in either in government to get on TV and cause chaos, or they are only there to serve the interests of their very powerful donors. They have no concern for the suffering they cause millions of people, in fact, they seem to thrive on it.
Old Joe Biden raised his hand and said “this will not happen” and the wicked witches melted away. But they are still out there and they have billions of dollars to spend to bribe judges, buy media, and convince people that helping people who can use help, even by offering them an education, should not happen in this country. The power and wealth should belong to only a few. This is as close to evil as it gets, only one rung below Putin
My wife and I also tried to teach our daughter that people are complicated and sometimes inconsistent, myself included. Yet, at least in terms of outcomes, some people can be pretty toxic, and who swaths of humanity can support some pretty evil things, though I think most of us can change. It seems to me is would be wise to apply more focus on the psychology and extended. observable consequences of untempered selfishness and also of empathy.
(The most commonly accepted etymology derives warlock from the Old English wǣrloga, which meant "breaker of oaths" or "deceiver"[2] and was given special application to the devil around 1000.[3] In early modern Scots, the word came to be used as the male equivalent of witch (which can be male or female, but has historically been used predominantly for females).[4][5][6] The term may have become associated in Scotland with MALE WITCHES due to the idea that they had made pacts with Auld Hornie (my note: remember the pussy grabber and that horney old devil - Epstein ?) and thus had betrayed the Christian faith and broke their baptismal vows or oaths.[7] From this use, the word passed into Romantic literature and ultimately 20th-century popular culture. A derivation from the Old Norse varð-lokkur, "caller of spirits", has also been suggested,[8][9][10] but the Oxford English Dictionary considers this implausible due to the extreme rarity of the Norse word and because forms without hard -k, which are consistent with the Old English etymology ("traitor"), are attested earlier than forms with a -k.[11] - witch hunt" - wikipedia)
‘Children remain the poorest age group in America, with children of color, children under five, children of single mothers, and children in the South suffering from the highest poverty rates. Two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, child poverty remains a paralyzing problem that both causes and exacerbates significant disturbances in the lives of all children in our country. Although the number of children living in poverty has fallen from 11.6 million to 11.1 million between 2020 and 2021 In the final tally, the pandemic managed to push more than one million children over the threshold into poverty.’ (Children’s Defense Fund) See link below.
‘In today’s Letter, HCR wrote, ‘The fight over the debt ceiling is both an example of the different approaches to negotiation on the part of Biden and Republicans like House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and part of the larger question about the direction of the country.’
‘Systemic racism ingrained into our American institutions has been a historical roadblock perpetuating child poverty. Current statistics indicate the ongoing effectiveness of the roadblocks in pushing the American Dream of economic mobility further out of reach, especially for Black and Brown children.’
• ‘Among the 74 million children living in the United States, 11 million live in poverty.’
• ‘One in six children under 5 (3 million children) were poor, the highest rate of any age group.’
• ‘The South, home to 47% of children in our country who live in poverty, experiences the highest
child poverty rates with 1 in 5 children living in poverty.’
• ‘9 million children faced hunger and food insecurity.’
• ‘4 million children lived without health insurance. (Children’s Defense Fund)
‘Writing in Foreign Policy, Howard W. French sees a more sweeping problem with the debt ceiling fight: it “highlights America’s warped priorities.” “[W]hen a rich and powerful country finds it easier to cut back on the way that it invests in its people, in education, in science, and in making sure that the weakest among them are not completely left behind than to curtail useless and profligate weapons spending,” he said, “there are reasons to worry about the foundations of its power.” (Letter)
Thank you Fern for this detailed analysis. When you reveal those horrendous stats of millions of hungry children it should startle all of us to intensify our efforts over the next 17 months to register and turnout multi millions of young voters and women 18 to 44! We all have a responsibility to play our part in this critically important electoral process. As we have discussed on multiple occasions please go to www.turnup.us/ to fulfill our collective and individual responsibilities. Thank you; ten million hungry children depend on us!
'People with low incomes who are eligible to vote are much less likely to do so in national elections than those with higher incomes, and are more often constrained from casting ballots by transportation issues, illness or other problems out of their control, according to a study released Tuesday by the Poor People’s Campaign.'
'The study, by a Columbia University researcher, found that only 46 percent of potential voters with family incomes less than twice the federal poverty line voted in the 2016 presidential election, compared with 68 percent of those with family incomes above twice the poverty line.' (NYTimes, Aug. 11, 2020)
Voting access has become more restricted in Red States since this article was printed, so participation in our elections by the poor may fall to a lower level.
These statistics are so depressing. Seeing how the South has 47% of children in poverty is the utmost reason for getting the debt ceiling passed. Also, Heather revealed that most Republican led states, under Biden’s infrastructure act, will be getting much needed jobs for their residents. These residents will realize that their lives have changed because a Democratic President of the US cared about them and their future. Biden may not be around to see everything but there will be a trickle-down effect when those states will no longer be run by the cheaters of the opposing party. That’s how I see it, Fern.
Jeri have you noticed they loved spending that federal $$$ and then pointing at the accomplishments and referring to it as what they have accomplished and not what Biden/Democrats have done for all of us........ I've seen quite a few take that response.
Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA): RE: "These residents will realize that their lives have changed because a Democratic President of the US cared about them and their future." Wish this were true, but I don't see it happening. The Acultamuricans will come up with an alternative mythology to explain their good fortune. And, "trickle-down" is not an effective economic process.
And my aging brain has problems remembering which stupid member of the GOP said what outrageous thing--because there are just so many!!--but which one was it a few months back who wanted to cut school food programs, said something along the lines of he ate a granola bar and might be hungry?
I do believe in hell, and I do hope there is an especially horrible spot for those who harm children, elderly and any human incapable for defending themselves.
From Twitter: Minnesota Republican state Sen. Steve Drazkowski on bill providing free school breakfast and lunch: "I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that is hungry. Yet today. I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that says they don't have access to enough food to eat.
"Now, I should say that hunger is a relative term," added Drazkowski, 58. "I had a cereal bar for breakfast. I guess I'm hungry now."
I'm a big fan of the Penszey's spice company, and I firmly believe in their philosophy that to feed someone is to love them. And vice versa. What mother has not fed any hungry child who spends time in their home?
Miselle I fight that Same Notion, as You, But the LORD, would have Us PRAY, for Our Enemies Because IF, They CHOOSE, the Wrong path, GOD, Will EXACT Out . VENGANCE, According to HIS UNDERSTANDING ( Remember HE Knows EVERY Detail AND He, is JUST ....)
Looking at the two districts in my own state (ME), the poverty rate for kids under 19 in the blue 1st district is half of what it is in the redder 2nd District
Is it that children thrive better in districts that vote Blue or is it that areas where children thrive are more likely to vote Blue?
Could parenting support groups from the less impoverished areas give support to parents with young children in the bordering impoverished areas?
This political mosh pit is disgusting. Racism is blatant, and the ultimate offender is GREED, which feeds on racism and separation There is no other reason we are in this mess. There is little community minded thinking left in America that is valued over the upward spiral. Even those that donate will protect “their own”.
That is why the government should govern and make people pay on what they earn after the 1st 500G. No one needs to run around in “big diamond rings and silk suits”
Love that you shared this Fern, and always appreciate the added flavors you add to our chats herein. I do have to point out that raw 'data' and numbers presented don't always add up. For instance, 'if' I were a _rump acolyte, I could point to "children living in poverty has fallen from 11.6 million to 11.1 million between 2020 and 2021 In the final tally..." and declare "See, _rumps policies actually worked or started working; we should'a given him 4 more years to work even more magic" ! The other point I'm gonna' raise is perhaps only a personal peeve of my own. I detest the often overuse and misuse of the word 'race' and 'racism'. Maybe it's just me but as I see it, when we speak of our fellow humanoids of any gender or identity thereof, there is only one race - the human race of many wonderful shades, etc., of many ethnicities, 'not' races. I do however also know that it's a common plague of humankind to harbor varieties of inherent bias' unless self or otherwise informed, confronted, and willfully acted upon to amend. Kudo's Fern !
I think Biden is not chortling because making McCarthy look more effective than the Freedom Caucus is important to passing the bill. I wonder if it also indebts McCarthy to Biden; if we defaulted, it could not be passed off as entirely Biden's fault, and it would be too chaotic for McCarthy to emerge with a personal political future. [btw, Google says "indebt" is a real word]
While I understand progressive and environmental regrets, I think this has got to be done as is if we're going to move forward again. The radical right can't be swept out of the way.
I see Biden as a stealthy president who is using the right approach in such a volatile atmosphere we find ourselves in. The MAGA party thrives on controversy and confrontation. Yet , there are times when Biden has knocked them back with a judo like move. After November 2024, a Democrat controlled congress, senate and White House can undo any damage the absurd debt ceiling has caused. Yes, I expect Biden to defeat the indicted one again.
Yes, that is why I'd prefer not using Tio to stand in for Trump. In fact, personally, I do not understand this need to keep centering him by playing with his name. I've taken to just referring to him by his last name as generally understood: Trump. It places him firmly where he belongs: just another gormless guy.
To the extent the orang wrote a book, it may as well have been, “the art of the steal.” What Biden does and his comments reflect, is why it is helpful to have a veteran in politics doing politics. He understands, in Washington, “the art of the deal.” I learned it myself from Senator Bird, who famously (to me) at lunch said, “don’t beg and don’t brag.”
That, my friends, is how you get where you want to go…
Biden has been in Congress since before I was born. While he, and Dems generally, (IMHO) don’t have the smarts to wield the rules like the good Senator from Kentucky does; Biden is experienced enough to not beg and not brag. I respect that. And it works. His brilliant roll-call vote during the SOTU should make his political prowess apparent… I digress.
I truly feel sorry for the Republicans who are true to their tartan. They were always keenly aware that they were running the government most-watched in the world. They didn’t beg, they didn’t brag, and they never held the country hostage. The hijacking of the party by the MAGA and Freedom Caucus has diminished their brand and credibility for a generation or more; the effects of which even they don’t appreciate yet…
I’d be fine with that loss: except they are a mast that is broken on the ship that is America and it’s fallen off the deck, trailing in the sea, but inexorably-tethered to the ship, and ultimately dragging it down in a sea of other ships that are calculating how to engage.
America is nothing if not resilient. I trust in the generations to come and who are becoming politically aware as we speak to be the change agents who will ensure that this struggle is theirs, too, and that they will all, “make good trouble,” until they see the America that is the future, not the one that sadly has been.
Under 45's "reality show celebrity presidency" not only did I fear his obvious unleashing (and embrace) of the anti-government militia and white supremacist groups, but the disruption, destruction and chaos of our institutions. He continues to "cheer on" a race war (with DeSantis in that camp, outlawing the teaching of history and lived experiences) and his chumminess with the "worse" of the war-criminal autocrats while lambasting our allies and security partnerships was another reason I was so stressed out - waking up wondering what awful Tweet he'd generated on his golden toilet, and how soon the other countries of the world would all turn against the USA due to his rising threat.
President Biden has been pursuing alliances and mending fences in a Herculean manner.
I LOVE that he is not the lead story on TV every hour. I remember when government simply "worked" and a person didn't have to make it the priority in their daily thought.
Beverly, your last paragraph--my husband and I discussed that last night! I recall a few years back before I retired, all my tRump-hating friends would ask each other "did you hear the asshole did/said xyz?" because it seemed as though not weekly, not daily, it was several times a day some outrageous utterance of his made the news. I had SO hoped once he lost, we wouldn't hear about him. Sigh.
Miselle, an example of social media's amplification through algorithms.
It was always his intention to be the lead story, the headline, the "star"
- unfortunately, even though we just want him to "go away" he's embedded himself into the daily news feed.
If only people cared about "truth." He was the source of over 30,000 lies during his one term, easily a dozen a day. If that had been "fact checked" perhaps it could have been extinguished early on.
Pretty much everything he accuses anyone of is projection.
The extremists who have taken over the MAGA GOP continue to use projection,
Eerily similar to when "All in the Family" aired--the fact that the fictional Archie had a burgeoning real-life cohort that believed in the Gospel of Archie, and felt legitimatized by his vituperations, was a tragic harbinger.
Might one say, we allowed ourselves to 'sleep at the wheel' of our democracy, and have now learned an important thing - no a crucial thing / lesson that we 'must' pass on for posterity ?
Chump found a new way to rule. Whine, whine, whine and accuse others of what you do. Right out of Goebbels except that he didn’t whine. You have been paying attention, America is indeed being run aground by traitors and must be righted to look to any future for our young
Hugh, I adore the aptness of you ship at sea metaphor with a broken mast slowing the ship's progress - that's sincere appreciation. I differ though with your tagging of the Senator from Ky as 'good' - as I've yet to witness what might be identified as 'good.' Now if you'd said "Good at it", referring to his mastery of the process, etc., for the purposes of manipulation to his advantage, I'd buy in - he proved it robbing Obama of a legal and legitimate SOTUS pick - that's a 'fact in evidence'. I'm fascinated that you learned over a lunch with Senator Byrd, a rule of Washington D.C. engagement and would love to learn more of that, if you'd indulge me. Thx~ *edit in > One more thing, I believe from what I've experienced, 'it's' book should have been titled, "The Art of the Squeal" - lol.
Good metaphore, good ship America. We need to cut off the damaged pieces dragging us down and drop all that confused rigging free and let it sink to the bottom, out of the way.
"Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" was my Mom's go to phrase. She absolutely lived "Age and experience beats youth and stupidity every. damn. time." and would SO appreciate that phrase.
The different styles between parties reflect divided American culture. People are choosing between reality and a reality show. The former is complicated and messy. The latter is simple, entertaining and fun in a vicarious way. There is nothing new under the sun. Rome fell while its citizens enjoyed bread and circuses. America’s media is stacked in favor of the reality show model, since it earns money and generates wealth. Ergo, the bread and circuses are probably here to stay.
For decades, Americans have been mesmerized by reality shows and annual dramas like the OJ Simpson trial. They’ve become like Pavlov’s dogs and are completely manipulated. That’s why tRump, former reality show host, has so many people in the palm of his hand no matter what he does.
I have never understood the appeal of reality shows (my confession here: I did enjoy Deadliest Catch in the early days, but lost interest after a couple of years). My sister was so hooked on The Apprentice that she chose to go home and watch it the night our Mom died. She arrived just in time for Mom to be pronounced.)
I liked one reality show that was on A&E before it had become trash, and it was all about hiring, training, and setting up what was then the new show for Cirque du Soleil.
Exactly right. I previously mentioned that I'd bet more people follow the Kardashians and know their every banality of vanity move more than they know their own elected representatives.
The Survivor, Kardashian bull Schitt and anything done by Andy Cohen disgust me. Reality tv is tv at its worst. The dumbing down of America with Fox providing the backdrop for a disastrous decades-long slide into the slime.
I was a Biden skeptic during the 2020 Dem primaries. My oldest friend has been a Dem operative for a very long time and he was the first person to tell me it would be Biden. He was right and Joe has done an incredible job with the cards he was dealt. One of the most effective Presidents of my lifetime. Trump on the other hand is the worst. There is no comparison of the two human beings...in office or out. I'll be glad to see this debt ceiling in the rear view mirror...then we can all get on with business.
Age has it's benefits. We've been there, done that. Made mistakes and survived to tell the war stories. But there's way more good stories in a positive life that learns to leave the toxic ones behind. I'm 70 and I believe I'm entering the best and most productive, enjoyable decade of my life. There's love and opportunity all around. No fear...not much anyway...be bold and live YOUR life.
Keep it up Joe. You have a clue. THANK you for caring and being a human being of service...not greed...not all about your ego. Peace to all.
I was sorely disappointed when Biden got the nomination (hell, that we were running two old men against each other was disappointing). I came to realize that (especially after Jan 6 and the "transition" that wasn't) that Biden was EXACTLY what we had needed as a country.
50 years as dedicated public servant has served us well in having Joe Biden as our president. He is a savvy politician and a smart leader. He deserves a second term.
I try to come up with words to describe the current Speaker of the House of Representatives and, well, I stumble over inept, incompetent, complicit, and stupid. He deserves to be replaced, but with what? I don’t want to think about that possibility.
Biden is a skilled negotiator. The way he led McCarthy down the path was quite amazing. We don't need to agree with everything he, or any other president, does... but he sure has done a lot for this country to be proud of. I'll take him over the fascists running for office any day. A huge shout out to Heather and her timely, concise and wise Letters!
I will also wait until we've crossed the finish line on this before I decide if this was a good or bad thing for America as a whole, not just for one party or the other. But let's also just recognize that this whole fiasco was manufactured by the Republican party. Most of our media can't let go of the 'both sides' framing of every crisis including ones that are GOP-induced.
And therein lies a huge problem. We must, as Heather says, "take up oxygen" and write to the corporate media and wherever we see both-sides-ism and call them out, reminding them of the huge differences between the two parties.
"Biden’s unusually revealing comment about the budget negotiations was actually a statement about his presidency. Unlike his Republican opponents, he has refused to try to win points by playing the media and instead has worked behind the scenes to govern, sometimes staying out of negotiations, sometimes being central to them."
President Biden won tonight, no matter what the Republicans say. He knows how to govern, he knows how to negotiate. He is not perfect (no one is!) but he’s a pretty darn good President. Especially now, in our current time.
Thank you, Dr. R for all your researched and thoughtful letters.
I think Biden is in fact better than even a darn good president, considering what country he got with what funds, when he was elected, what opposing forces he faces as in China and Russia, and what kind of opposing party he has to deal with, considering how a majority of those Republicans has apparently, publicly gone awol. I am sure that a majority of Republicans, inwardly, wish Donald Trump to be sent to jail but will never publicly support that. Liz Cheney is right, their dishonor will stay with them...
But how lucky we are, indeed to have Joe Biden.
I'll bet Biden is an amazing poker player. As a president, I've never seen a better negotiator.
Mary That’s why I call him Cool Hand Joe. [Rewatch COOL HAND LUKE and you’ll see why.] He also reminds me of THE GAMBLER:
‘You gotta know when to hold them,
Know when to fold ‘‘em
Know when to walk away
And know when to run.
You never count your money
When you’re sitting at the table
There’ll be time enough for counting
When the dealing’s done.”
Long ago I would play pot limit poker in Congo on Sunday nights. McCarthy’s experience would keep me away from a Biden poker game.
That song is perfect. As is your last sentence.
I keep saying: Biden's the best pres in my lifetime. Which began under Truman if you count in utero.
Agree except Truman is the first pres that I remember...I was born under FDR!
Shirley I was born the year FDR became president. He was my only president for 12 years. I do remember when ‘Pendergast’ Senator Truman made the cover of Time magazine for his remarkable efforts to cut out waste/sleaze in military expenditures.
Honest, hard working, and, at times, stubborn as a Missouri mule.
For a marvelous perspective into Harry, read the letters between former Truman Truman and ex-SecState Dean Acheson that David McCullough compiled.
For never being able to attend college, Truman was both erudite and insightful. He could write/think rings around Reagan, Bush W, and, of course, wormy book Donald, who never even read his ghost-written books.
Love your ode to “the gambler”. I sang it as I was reading. 🎶
Chris I enjoy playing Kenny Roger’s version while I’m driving.
There is a great cartoon on twitter. The GOP sits naked. Biden has all the chips and all their clothes.
Now perhaps they'll stop calling him senile and people won't think he doesn't deserve a second term. And they'll stop making "soft food" jokes.
Do you think a man, who can barely get a sentence out of his mouth and has tape
laid out all over the press room so he know where to stand, has the mental wattage to play poker?
As for the claim he is the better negotiator ever? Based on what? Deals his family cut with the Russians, Chinese, Romanians?
You don't have to be a great negotiator to make it rain financially when you are the Vice President.
On the other hand maybe your right. Getting his son, a junkie, an $80,000 a month
job with Buresma may well be impressive work.
Troll alert, folks. Goodbye, James.
Idiot alert folks.
Another leftist who speaks only in cliches.
BTW do you ever have an original thought?
I think we’ll look back on him as amazing!
I wish more would appreciate how amazing he is right now!
And quit damning him for his age....80 is the beginning of Life Begins at 80!
You shir got it Shirl!
I got about a month and a half and I will be there! You can't count we 80 year old out until we are dead!
I don't see the constant dissing from the far left here locally that I was seeing before, but they are focused elsewhere. I doubt most of them have seen the light because I don't see any praise either.
Who/what is the far left?
True believers on the left. Progressives who do not understand that they can't have everything they want asap. Locally, they dissed Biden as an establishment D and failed to note any of his achievements starting with his choice of cabinet members. I think it is fine to articulate progressive ideals; however, voting for people like Jill not green Stein for example, only helps elect people like death star.
Folks who think Ukraine should roll over for Vlad
39% approval rate? 29% among independents. Darn good president?
All the current polls have Trump leading Biden. Washington Post poll on the most important question who would handle the economy better 51-36% Trump
The polls have nothing to do with any of the people I know...their sampling method is clearly out of whack.
Meredith President Truman’s poll numbers were in the sewer when he left office and today he is considered as great/near great American president.
Who responds to these ‘popular polls’ Have you ever been polled? Would you respond, if you were approached by a pollster?
I don't reply to sampling! I mostly don't answer my phone unless I know who is calling!
"Any of the people you know?" That's your metric?
You "know" their sampling is out of whack? How do you "know"?
There you have it folks! That's what passes for intelligence? I thought leftist believed in science?
A little advice, there is an adage that you might want to consider: "Tell the truth, the give your opinion".
You might now like the idea, but I promise it will make you look less like a fool.
James, you are a provocateur. You apparently have little understanding of who is a great president and who is not. Unless, of course, you base all your opinions on polls.
Great president? Joe Biden? A majority democrats don't want him to run for reelection. Not a single accomplishment.
"A little advice" James, no personal attacks per your contract with Substack Inc or go to mediation at JAMS in SF. If you not like the contract why did you sign on the signature page? Contracts are enforceable. Why don't you post your contract for us 3rd party "Readers".
Feel free to call my parents.
Polls reflect popularity not whether Biden is a good president. It took 5 decades of constant strategic planning but conservatives have successfully created an oligarchy that prioritizes corporations and the very wealthy. They were brilliant in capturing the MSM and using religious infrastructure to divide the nation against itself. Before the majority understands that republicans are using the same playbook all authoritarians use it may be too late. Democrats were wrong in believing the majority couldn’t be fooled and didn’t fight hard enough.
Are you delusional? Job approval poll is 100% a poll on the job you are doing.
Back on earth there are facts - Biden 39% approval, 29% approval among independents.
May I quote you to the entire site? This maybe the weirdest comment I've come across
"They (conservatives) were brilliant in capturing the MSM (Mainstream media) and using religious infrastructure to divide the nation against itself"
That probably comes as a surprise to NY Times, Wash PO, Huff Post, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, that they were captured by conservatives and the religious right.
That's just too stupid to believe.
As for the claim that it maybe too late to stop "Republican authoritarian playbook", what in the Hell are talking about?
Do you believe in other conspiracies too? The moon landing was fake? Big Foot? Loochness Monster? Elvis is still alive?
Tooth Fairy? Ronald McDonald?
Lol. The folks who believe in conspiracies are usually not progressive. But no, polls do NOT reflect whether a president is doing a good job. Republican voters do not typically read the legislation that their politicians are pushing - which is why they haven’t a clue that the policies they benefit from are from democrats. And yes, MSM news is now corporate news deregulated by conservatives. Which is why they all focus on a small number of salacious stories and supposedly progressive media outlets 2-sides everything while conservative media blatantly lies. As for the authoritarian handbook used by republicans-just look that up. Abundance of evidence.
What are you smoking? What does a job approval POLL reflect? Whether they like Biden's neckties? You are delusional. IT 100% reflects how Americans feel about Biden's job performance.
I'll give you a little HINT. When the Poll says "JOB PERFORMANCE" its
about ................. You guessed it.......... "JOB PERFORMANCE"
Every post of yours is a treasure trove of the ridiculous. Lets do a little de-construction
1. "Polls do NOT reflect whether a president is doing a good job"
2. Republican voters do not typically read the legislation that politicians are pushing" which is why they don't have a CLUE that they are benefiting from DEMOCRATS
No I think they know. THEY SEE ALL THE BENEFIT from an open border. THEY SEE ALL THE BENEFIT the 4 Trillion inflation reduction act that skyrocketed INFLATION. They feel the pain of interest rates going up 500%. They see all the benefit of spending 120 Billion on an endless war in Ukraine. They see the benefit.
It takes a lot of chutzpah to claim the LEFT pushes a smaller number of salacous stories?
Who pedaled the TRump collusion story for 3 years? IT WAS A LIE
Who pedaled the endless COVID lies?
WHo pedaled the Hunter Biden story that the laptop was Russian Disinformation?
You are delusional
You must be reading those nasty Steve Bannon polls. Here's a dose of reality.
Among registered voters, Biden led Trump, his predecessor as president, by six percentage points in a hypothetical match-up, 44% to 38%, holding an advantage that has opened up in recent few months. In a mid-March Reuters/Ipsos poll, Biden led Trump by five points after trailing him by three points in February.
Did I miss something? When did Steve Bannon start running the Washington Post polls?
Washington Post - May 2023 Trump leading Biden by 7.
BTW Registered votes is THE LEAST accurate poll available. Likely VOTERS is the most accurate.
I guess you missed something. That poll was considered an outlier which the Post loves to publish because it shows balance. That means it didn't agree with the other polls and it's almost a month old.
It's also known to be intentionally bogus as no real poll samples "adults", only voters.
"All the current polls have Trump leading Biden." Do they? Please provide data.
BTW, without meaning to bust any bubbles, you might want to consider that there could be a gap between a POTUS's actual accomplishments and the knowledge of them by much of the electorate. We live in an era of the disinformation and trivia firehose. This blog is, sadly, the exception that demonstrates the rule.
This is impressive. An idiot contest to see who can say the dumbest thing possible.
Let me help you out here. I CITED a Washington Post Poll conducted in May 2023.
The poll had Biden's job approval at 39%, 29% for independents.
When you say "there could be a gap between a POTUS's actual accomplishments and the
knowledge of the electorate" what in the hell as you talking about?
Did that truth come to you on your secret decoder ring?
Maybe you can pray for Ronald McDonald to come back from the dead too.
As Christopher Hitchens said, "That which is asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence"
I don't know how to break the news to you but not only are a majority of Americans
unhappy with Biden, a majority of Democrats don't want him to run again.
This Blog is the definition of disinformation.
If you can't understand a simple English sentence, there is little I can do to assist. That said, one look at your own blog indicates that it is not a matter of a lack of familiarity with the Mother Tongue so much as the inevitable result of the the intellectual paralysis which seems to result from the massive doses of orange Kool-Aide which seem to be a sine qua non for induction into the Cult of Trump.
Which makes us ask how the voting public can be made aware of his accomplishments.
Are you delusional?
They know. They go to the grocery store and see the price increases. They open the electric bill and they see the price increases. The look at their adjustable rate loans and see have gone up 2-3X. They see the layoffs. They see the disaster at the border. They see the Afghanistan meltdown. They see
Ukraine and see Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan all over again.
Yes they are DAMN aware what's going on.
Can we really trust WaPo? I don't think so.
I guess your opinion is BETTER than Washington Post scientific poll conducted by experts.
I guess that was my mistake.
Your feelings are more truthful than facts?
It's not personal James
Do.you not understand that the media live & die by fomenting fear & outrage in the consumers of their product, and to that end distort the reality to compel attention? The WaPo/ABC Poll was bogus (no real poll samples "adults", but only voters) & the plain fact of the matter is that Trump is irrelevant. He will be in prison, having been indicted 3 times this year. Further, regardless of "polls", his "base" is a fraction of the GOP, and has been losing elections all along. He has no chance; the.media knows this, and lie to you; politicians know this and are running against each other, trying to.simultaneously retain the base while not alienating the rest of GOP. And that's an obviously difficult circle to square.
YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA, what in the hell you are talking about.
Its really embarrassing to read stupid and uninformed posts.
1) I've attached the Real Clear Politics average of all the national polls.
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president-biden-job-approval-7320.html
They have Biden's approval at an average 41.0% Disapproval 56% over the last two weeks.
I'm not sure how you are going to LIE your way out of the Washington Post outlier argument.
Even more stupid are your koolaid views on Trump's popularity. Trump leads by more than 30 points in all the national polls and his lead has been growing.
As for jail, I'd be a lot more concerned about the Biden's if I was you. The DOJ and IRS
have been investigating the family for bribery and tax evasion for more than three years.
Put down the bong, rolled down your window, leave the bubble, and join the real world.
This kind of invective is ill-suited to this forum, and belies your self-proclaimed "intellectualism". Analogous to the "very stable genius", mental health intervention is clearly indicated, but that's not here. Good luck!
Its embarassing to try and watch wiggle away from stupid comments.
Only an idiot could challenge the legitimacy of a poll, having NO IDEA that 10 other national polls SAID virtually the same thing.
Its not surprising when you go daily to a blog whose only job is to heighten your confirmation bias with the dumbest propaganda available.
Of course we can disagree on the direction of the country, but to get such basic facts wrong is NOT an accident. Its on purpose to drive a dishonest narrative.
Delusional poll takers!
I’ve been binge watching The West Wing. Interestingly, the issues are the same then as now. Without the far right fascists, the same none the less.
I agree with you on Biden, Suzette.
That’s interesting, we were saying the same thing yesterday while watching The West Wing. But the fascists are there. Bartlett is running against Ritchie, who sounds not so different from DeSantis.
Back then they were caricatures, now they're flesh and bone(heads).
Ok, you’ve got me hooked! I’m going to start watching The West Wing today! 😊. And Biden is mature and insightful-less talk, more walk which is what is the true test of a person.
I bought the whole Seven Season set of The West Wing on dvd. I've already watched all 7 seasons twice. It doesn't get old.
The only thing that has changed are the phones and cars!
Robert-we recently rewatched Newsroom and found the same to be true! You could take some headlines from today and run them with a date of 2012 and it would fit right in. When do you think we’re gonna get off this merry-go-round??
Another Aaron Sorkin show. I just finished watching this series.Loved it. Jeff Daniels is one underrated actor.
I didn't want it to end and was disappointed the show only had 3 seasons.
Same! Loved the show and Jeff Daniels was brilliant.
Yep, that’s true.
It’s interesting that many republican voters love shows like The West Wing and Star Trek. They don’t understand that the policies they vote for are the opposite of the West Wing administration or that Star Trek is the embodiment of DEI.
Republicans are using the same central casting agencies, you think, for script readers and sometime actors?
Finding Professor Richardson's letters allowed me the same insight, only i saw the analogy since our civil war!
Bill, 2 things. First, agree with your assessment that the issues are the same then as now. Second, where are you able to access the old seasons and episodes of The West Wing? I've looked once or twice and I couldn't find it? Thanks in advance!
You can watch it on MAX formerly HBO Max
Thanks Bonnie!
Kent Dills - "Second, where are you able to access the old seasons and episodes of The West Wing?"
Try this:
https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-west-wing
Thanks Ron!
Have you noticed that the two best presidents of the past 30 years have the same initials: JB?
Who besides Joe Biden?
Jed Bartlet! (I love my "Bartlet for America" t-shirt)
AH. :)
Biden, as I've said before, has done a masterful job dealing with fools to save the country and world from terrible economic consequences. That said, he had help from Wall Street and big business, which no doubt let McCarthy and other Republicans know they must vote to lift the debt ceiling. In a way it's a sad and ironic twist but this time influence buying paid off for the greater good.
Now the Crazy Caucus will continue to rant and rave as it always has because it's easy and governing is hard.
Michael Bales, thank you....Biden's experience participating in the governance of this nation is on display as well as his leadership and character. Once more, I also thank the many men and women who support this country and the values that garner respect and trust from other nations, allies and enemies.
Unfortunately, it is the loud, armed, angry, self-centered, inexperienced yet...elected.....who threaten to harm our nation. This lack of leadership in the Republican party is causing its destruction and harming our nation and the world. Money can only go so far.....then there is the need for some stability....some wisdom.....some real responsibility to be demonstrated to restore the foundations of our institutions.......even Wall Street and big business have their limitations....
They also have their minions locally who are doing great harm where they can....banning books, threatening stores who have Pride merchandise, walking out of the Oregon senate to prevent certain bills on guns, abortion and trans people from passing, etc. On the news the week was a story from southern Oregon where a guy walked up to a house flying the pride flag and berated the occupants for displaying it. They filmed him, so I think he has been identified although they got the usual nasty trolls when they put it on social media.
I agree Emily.
This situation reminds me of letting 14 year old bullies run the school yard.
America has been dominated by 14 year old bullies... they are boring, undisciplined, ugly examples of what a “man/woman can become without the guidance of grown ups!! Where are the “grown ups”?
Hopefully Americans will be shown examples of true grown up thinking adults.... are they your children??? If so thank you for all the hard work.
My money is on Joe...quiet, unassuming, plays the end game without bravado...what a guy! Lucky us, vote blue in 24, up and down the ticket!
I’ve said this before I think the mantra for Biden needs to be, savvy, seasoned, and sane!
Savvy, seasoned and sane!
A true, rare statesman
Now that Michael rings more plausibly to me as "the way the 'rest of the story' actually happened; influence peddling, creating "the rest, rest of the story." As we and others have said, "follow the money." Thank you as always for your contributions here.
Thanks, D4N.
👏
Thank you Suzette. One of the pundits said it was wise the Dems did not gloat.
Yes, gloating has a negative effect. But what the Dems need to get better at is messaging in a way that makes clear to the entire country the good that has been done and continues to be done in every state because of the bills that have been passed under Biden's tenure. We know where the billions are being spent, but do those whose lives are better because of those investments also realize what they owe to Biden? That's a message that must be made clear every day, without gloating, to be sure, but with constant repetition. Since it is true that a budget expresses our values, we need to make sure that everyone understands how the differences between the proposals of the Dems and the HFC folks reflect our values.
Messaging, yes.
But after the bill passes. I think the messaging that it is a bipartisan compromise is intended to get at least some Repugs to vote for it.
Then once it passes, I want to see clear, concise, honest, understandable messaging over and over and over for the next 17 months. There is a lot of material to be utilized from the budget bill to demonstrate how the Dems are working to make things better and what more they could do with increased numbers in the House and Senate. Couple this with statements from Trump or DeSantis whoever is the opponent. Trumps CNN rally is a gold mine for negative ads. And the vitriol and outrageous lies of many Repugs in Congress are also a a gold mine. I’m taking about you Chip Roy, among so many others.
Sky 777- you are so right about messaging. I think the DNC should hire the team that put together the J6 hearings to put together their 2024 campaign.
Sky 777 So well said about the messaging. I have been so frustrated about the Democratic Party messaging, but I've focused on the Congressional voting/messaging situation. You have shifted the focus properly: it is messaging to let everyone know where the benefits are taking place---in the states and locally.
...and that even the great things accomplished come at the price of our tolerance for the costs & inconveniences!
And all we have to do is find a way to get the media to cover things without falling back into the horse race mode. There does seem to be a growing awareness among MSM that they messed up, and making efforts to cover news in a more nuanced way. Our job is to keep reminding them of that.
Couldn’t agree with you more!
So true! One of Obama's greatest faults was failing to tout the things he did to break the grip of the recession. While the Recovery Act raised the debt initially it was a sound investment to stabilize the economy. Failure to tout that success is one of the reasons the Dems were trounced in the 2010 midterms.
Fox ran the biggest propaganda campaign against Obama since Goebbels remade German politics. Sadly, our MSM only followed the money
Plus, Obama was between a rock and a hard place, being our first Black president.
He couldn't afford to get angry and let the media portray him as a stereotype. I'm sure he would have liked to have been more intense, but he just couldn't risk it.
He was a great president, imho.
Once again for President Obama the Republicans passed a baton that left him adrift in economic chaos. We should never forget he stepped up. Thank you Mr. Obama.
I saw President Obama trying very hard to get the children to play well with others. It's what responsible adults do. McConnell and Boehner weren't having it. The metaphorical gloves finally came off in the last two years of his presidency but most of the damage was already done.
From my limited perspective it seemed to me that the MSM only followed the polls. And not just any polls but the negatives. I get so sick of it that I stop watching or listening. It's happening again. We don't hear about all the great things President Biden has done and is doing only about how bad his polls are! Really good way to turn people off from participating in the electoral process and skewing the results of the actual election.
Especially true if you live in badly gerrymandered state like Ohio and some others.
The best message is effective, compassionate governance. That said, the Democratic Party is hamstrung by an inept media that can't seem to objectively observe national politics.
Agreed ! Gloating is counter productive in a culture that demands ‘what are YOU going to do for ME’ next!
Thank you Louis for your observation of the "Me, Me, Mine" Culture zero sum gamesters.
The messaging that needs to improve is the stuff that criticizes the GOP. Negotiations should always stay close to the vest.
YES Betsy, however, I fear that as one presses home that message of infrastructure rebuilding under Biden, there will be further complaint about how all that re-construction of roads and bridges has snarled traffic and inconvenienced us all! 🙄
Gloating turns governing into a 'horse race' to the bottom. GOP holds the House where Appropriations must originate as per Constitution. Anyone who thinks Biden should get whatever he wants is mistaking America for Turkey.
What Joe Biden wants is for the most part what a majority of the country wants.
God knows what the Republicans want -- outside of five minutes nightly on Fox News.
We know what they want: the end of republican democracy and the establishment of a pseudo-Christian version of the Islamic Republic. They repeatedly say as much. Take a look at what is said at the endless CPAC fund raisers and where they take place these days.
When someone tells you who they are, you should consider believing it.
I'm expecting the 2024 CPAC to be held in Uganda. The new Bastion of the Christian Right!
While nothing would surprise me, they seem to have a friendly dictator in Orban.
"Anyone who thinks Biden should get whatever he wants is mistaking America for Turkey." Anyone who thinks that has ever been the issue has clearly not been paying attention.
Re: gloating
Pride goeth before a fall.
Looking forward to Fall elections, 2024
Suzette If President Biden weren’t such a cool dude, he might send a note to the Republican House: ‘You shouldn’t send a raw rookie to play hard ball in the Major Leagues.’
Nobody won. Nobody. And make no mistake, we are an indebted country with a President and Congress who have no idea how to steer our country into safer less indebted waters. Our President’s enablers cheer on his command economy spending and regulation spree as growth collapses, inflation rages and the flames of war crackle. They believe we are a rich country. They denigrate all that have come before preferring to live in a new world where the facts check in but don’t check out. Virtue signaling outweighs common sense and blaming the other guy has been turned into an art form. Wake up folks before our Greek like record debt, structural debt problems and inflation turn into a Greek tragedy of global proportions. Our present leadership is delusional about our financial situation and flying us blind into an economic storm of deficits and debt that no amount of blaming the other guy will lift us.
The solution has always been there. Tax wealth. For example. Bezos owns 5 super yachts. These yachts have tenders that cost $200million. The value of one yacht should have been collected as taxes. Clinton left office with a balanced budget. Bush gave huge tax cuts to the wealthy, converting Clintons balanced budget to debt. Bush then started 2 unnecessary wars and financed them with debt. 30 years ago wealth would offshore to avoid taxes. As globalization shrinks and authoritarian govts replace democracies there are fewer safe havens offshore. The safety guaranteed by America should be well worth a fair tax on wealth.
Indeed Christophee; great intent you state here. The underlying problem goes just a bit deeper, as I'm sure our good Dr. will address at a time of her choosing. Here's a hint though; property. Cheers Chris
If I can guess at the hint, are you referring to seizing/accepting/levying property as a way of taxing wealth? Great idea, at least in theory, although attaching a dollar value to most these properties is very difficult, especially since the very seizure of the property can affect the fair market value of that property. It may be a bit easier with financial instruments (stocks, bonds, etc.), but still would be a very delicate exercise.
Even more amusing, to convert that property into cash to pay for government expenditures, they'd have to sell the seized property to the very people they seized it from. I'd pay for a ticket to see that auction!
That said, I think it would be well worth the effort, even if the government had to set up a permanent independent corporation like the Ports Authority to evaluate property-to-tax conversions. Each form of property, be it financial instruments or real estate, would likely require its own special treatment.
Did I guess right as to your hint?
FAIR !! ALL Mammonites SHOULD PAY Their FAIR SHARE !! .... GET on !, with IT !
Whose growth collapses? The 1%? With their price gauging false inflationary prices? Biden just threw a little cold water on the flames they've been fanning. The Warlocks of the oilygarchy are their own worst enemy.
Here's the funnier aspect of your truth Susan; 'they' think they are right, and that 'they' have the cure for all that ails the rest of us (except anything that's materially 'theirs' ).
Inflation is falling.
If we had an excess profits tax, it would be miniscule.
If you really want us to bring down the debt, repeal trump's tax giveaway and restore $20B to the IRS for modernization.
Republicans like to complain about the debt when what they're really trying to do is bring back the worst of the Gilded Age.
Totally agree. I think we need to go further given the fiscal cliff of entitlement payments and push out and means test SS and Medicaid. We could call it shared success but it would go a long way towards bringing our debt and fixed obligations down and give real flexibility to the coming younger generation in our budget and strengthen our real security immeasurably.
Once you start means testing Social Security and Medicare (not Medicaid which is only for the poor), you lose support from the middle class.
So once again, conservatives would prefer to punish the bulk of Americans rather than make Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos give up a dime.
Tax political contributions over a million dollars and let the IRS enforce the 501c regs.
By the way, if boomers are worried about social security, we won't retire.
While large corporations might force us out, smaller companies will still be controlled by us.
Social Security and child labor laws weren't passed during the Great Depression just because they were nice things -- they were passed to reduce the pool of workers and to reduce unemployment.
Agree Bridget. Means testing Social Security and Medicare is breaking the contract with the American people. Remove the cap on SS and make Medicare progressive yes, but don't take away an earned benefit. Why do businesses hate SS and Medicare, because they consider it an expense, and not something they should owe their employees. Provide for your employees don't exploit them.
Like it or not SS and Medicare need to be reformed. Nobody likes that. You could tax the 1% 100% and it would help little. Our population is both older and grows slower than 80 years ago. We now spend 6X more on our old people than our young. If someone else has a better idea I am all ears. The leader who can explain, amend and fix will go down in history as a great person. Maybe it can’t be done. Alternatively we are all in trouble. Sad but true.
Well we could raise the cap on the social security wage basis from $160k to $300k or $500k.
Republicans continually try to underfund social security and then complain it's underfunded.
For Medicare, we could go after the grifters like Rick Scott who stole roughly a billion dollars through deceptive billings.
This would be a good time for someone to interject some numbers with citation sources, because I think you're very right, that SS and Medicare will need reforming as our society changes. The aging demographic is indeed a hard fact to deal with.
Perhaps we can expand the options a bit if we see the SS and Medicare problems as part of the greater issue of healthcare delivery and financing. For instance, the byzantine pseudo-system we have for private healthcare is, I assert, incredibly wasteful and mainly a way for massive insurance companies to use medical providers as tools to extract wealth from sick people. In support of that assertion, I offer the following ProPublica article on how the one of the largest insurance companies meters, controls, and profits from healthcare:
https://www.propublica.org/article/unitedhealth-healthcare-insurance-denial-ulcerative-colitis
An overall reform of the entire system may provide the savings you want for SS and Medicare. Perhaps, Mr. Carroll?
Come on, David. This isn't the time to crank up the obsession about the debt. As long as the full faith and credit of the biggest economy in the world is maintained, the debt is not a pressing issue. Rinse, repeat; Stay away from Pete Petersonism
My oldest daughter and significant other just today returned from 2 weeks plus in Ecuador. Their currency is based fully upon the U.S. dollar. Lot's more revelations as well. Perhaps our good Dr. might have a chat about the status of Ecuador.
What would you want her to say about it? How is life in Ecuador? I've not been paying attention to that.
The people seem generally happy, despite the general unrest presently. Their democracy is under assault like all other democracies today, by enemies of democracy, foreign (Russia, China, international capitalists, etc.) and domestic, with some of the domestic unrest stirred up by foreign bad actors. While my daughter was there, the President, Lasso, dismissed the National Assembly (legislature) (?!); it would seem he did that because they were going to impeach him. [*Yes, that gave me great 'pause'. A different democracy.] Their monetary system is based entirely on the U.S. dollar; in practice a mix of our dollars, and whatever their currency was, at another time. For more on Ecuador see > https://www.britannica.com/place/Ecuador/Trade > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023_Ecuadorian_political_crisis > https://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanielparishflannery/2023/05/25/what-are-the-biggest-problems-affecting-ecuador-in-2023/?sh=401ff6971796 > Cheers Dirk !
It all began with Reagan. In 1982 the national debt was less than $1 trillion. Reagan's term saw it triple while Reagan started the war on the Middle Class and gave huge income tax breaks to the well-to-do. The Republicans learned how to "feed at the federal trough" and have siphoned off another $30 trillion, leaving our children and grandchildren the task of what to do with it. Is there a solution? There is, but it will be very, very long and painful. However, if we don't learn how to "fight fire with fire," this nation could implode and then the world will be thrown into political chaos.
Richard,
If it all began with Reagan, this is actually what happened. Our D/GDP was 23% in 1981 and interest rates were heading into the teens. Debt was prohibitively expensive. Reagan cut taxes, eliminated tax loopholes and streamlined regulations to get our economy moving. Volcker raised rates to 20%+ to kill off inflation. After a very tough first year and a half the economy boomed and inflation crashed. GDP grew on average 3.6% during the Reagan years and debt did increase but debt burden did not because interest rates had declined. Debt to GDP ended at 40% and was declining at the end of Reagans term because our economy had grown so much. D/GDP is 3X higher at 124% today. The Reagan expansion years marked a period of economic progress for middle class Americans. Middle class income increased 11 percent after adjustment for inflation, while nearly 20 million new jobs were created. Unemployment declined to 5% while labor participation was over 70%. It is 62.6% today. I lived it having just gotten out of college. I went from poor and jobless to gainfully employed. If this was a "war on the middle class" so be it.
Also, many forget, Reagan actually raised taxes 4 times between 1983-1987 when deficits grew too much. Dislike Reagan all you want, but after the malaise of the 70's he was a breath of fresh air and his economic record is actually one to be admired.
Very good reply, Mr. Carroll! You've given me much to think about. Could you recommend some reading sources, preferably of the "center-right" perspective, on the economic and political effects of the Reagan years? That was a very pivotal time in all our lives.
Would anyone else like to offer other reading sources, preferably "center-left" in perspective, in rebut?
And good work on the debt/gdp figures. Here's a source, if you like.
https://www.macrotrends.net/1381/debt-to-gdp-ratio-historical-chart#:~:text=Interactive%20chart%20of%20historical%20data,of%20March%202023%20is%20118.77.
Looking at the source I just cited, it's amazingly stark that the D/GDP ratio went insane with the 2008 mortgage meltdown and we haven't recovered yet. Worse, it's as a friend said back at the time, all the inflated, corrupt, ponzi-style money that all those rich people got during the pre-2008 bubble looks to have been turned into public debt, in what has to be a very strange alchemy. D'ya think those rich people could give some of that back?
Troll boy says what?
What country do you live on?
You can thank Reagan and all radical Republicans who have use government to favor the very very wealthy and dismantle good governance. Follow the money. The middle class bought into 401K without even thinking our money is going to the same filthy hands behind financial empires undermining democracy. Food for thought.
Where your facts get a bit messier Zelita, is that it wasn't all radical repulsicans that did all that which you state. The messy truth is that they had small 'd' democrats aiding and abetting all that 'gifting' and undermining our democracy. Hopefully, as I continue to wish and hope, a day of her choosing will come and she (HCR) will reveal the entire messy 'truth' in her style which I've seen to be truth as revealed by facts in evidence.
Facts are facts. Messiness comes from those who object to facts, with critiques without credible facts or sources, relying on baseless opinions.
Isn't it curious that Business has done to all of us what the Right is afraid that Government would do? From from "death panels," now called "utilization review panels" by insurers, to intrusive surveillance (Alexa!), large corporations have done it all, and there's nothing democratic about Business, no sirree.
Oh? Nobody??
Plutocrats preserved all of their wealth and their control over a government. Plutocrats won big.
Sad truth Ed. For right now, the score certainly looks that way. I've heard journalists say the same thing - that money won and continues to 'win'.
Independent investigative journalists at least. Mainstream medias' journalists, not so much. The latter seem to have an agenda to maintain partisan polarization rather than to inform as accurately and honestly as possible.
A masterful display of projection and falsehoods. Congratulations. Also impressed by your ability to howl about deficits while ignoring the degree to which they are the result of massive, economically unproductive tax cuts for the wealthy. Like, say, the ones the "Republican" party and TFG pushed through Congress.
Four decades of "supply side" fantasies have resulted in a massive upward wealth transfer. But, by all means, let's ignore that and pollute the air with far right dog whistles like "virtue signaling."
Speaking of which, I'm old enough to remember when alleged conservatives like Bill Bennet thought "virtue" was, well, a virtue and not a sign of weakness. Now behaving like a decent human being is portrayed by you on the right as some kind of serious weakness and a threat to our National Manhood. This is what happens when arrested emotional development becomes the foundation of an entire political party.
Factual Stephen. If you find fault in the data let me know.
Also we have not had four decades of "supply side" fantasies. We did under Reagan, it then faded.
Your detestation for "conservatives" is noted. We have a pretty progressive Federal tax system What would you suggest we do in terms of "unproductive tax cuts". What would you suggest? Now let me point out, if you do not already know, the bottom 40% of Americans pay zero federal tax. Zero. The top 50% pay over 97%. The Top 10% pay 74%. What does Stephen propose that keep incentives in place that might grow our economy? Or maybe that does not matter. Command economy? Marxist? What would make Stephen happy? :)
I wonder if you even know what the world "Marxist" actually means. I'm guessing not.
Supply-side fantasies, based as they are on an evidence-free belief (the Laffer curve was never anything more than a statement of belief masquerading as data), have, in reality, proved remarkable resilient, as your own comment demonstrated. Viz. a little something from those notorious Marxist commie socialists at Investopedia: https://www.investopedia.com/supply-side-economics-6755346
Also of interest:
https://www.factcheck.org/2014/04/rand-pauls-supply-side-distortion/
https://www.npr.org/sections/itsallpolitics/2015/10/30/452905475/fact-check-do-tax-cuts-grow-the-economy
Non-productive tax cuts are tax cuts which fail to increase revenue. If the RO of a policy is negative, only a fool would continue to maintain it. Unless, of course, the purpose was not to increase revenue or economic growth but simply to make the rich richer. This was clearly the result of the massive, budget-busting tax cuts pushed by Trump and the "Republican" party.
BTW, while I understand the following quote is routinely given the old cut and paste by the far right it is, at best, disingenuous: "the bottom 40% of Americans pay zero federal tax. Zero. The top 50% pay over 97%. The Top 10% pay 74%"
Here's the reality. From a source you will no doubt label as Marxist. Or maybe socialist, Communist, Stalinist, work, or whatever the currently fashionable phrase is amongst the proponents of feudalism: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/fact-check-richest-1-dont-pay-40-of-the-taxes.html This old wheeze of pretending that the income tax is the only tax Americans pay has proven sadly resilient to extinction.
Also a bit of insight from those Marxists at Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2019/08/06/remember-the-47-percent-who-pay-no-income-taxes-they-are-not-who-you-think/?sh=70622d3d47d7
As for economic growth, maybe you should take a look at who was in charge of what during periods of positive economic growth. Granted, correlation is not necessarily causation, since many factors affecting growth are beyond the control of the government, but it's at least worth a gander: https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/USA/united-states/gdp-growth-rate#:~:text=U.S.%20gdp%20growth%20rate%20for,a%200.7%25%20increase%20from%202017. Try playing with the time frame and ask yourself whether or not it supports your agenda.
Yes, I despise "conservatives" (vs. actual conservatives) because their self-assumed label has nothing to do with their actual positions, which are doggedly pro-plutocrat, anti-republican, anti-democratic, and openly authoritarian and theocratic. There is nothing "conservative" about that.
Going backwards, picking the years including the recovery from the pandemic is funny. Interestingly inflation out ran GDP growth. We went backwards. Incredible no? Address the Reagan 8 years Stephen. It worked. All boats increased. Is that bad? Also, thanks for enlightening me on Marxism. It worked pretty well where again?
The repeated factual accounting-thanks for trying.
The second coming looms -sounds like the old boss.
The drum beats on.
History ...
And no matter what some Democrats say. I don't understand why all 218 Congressional Democrats haven't come out in favor of the deal while reserving the right to introduce separate legislation on the issues that they aren't happy with. Democrats are supposed to be the party that knows how to govern and does so but 4 of them voted with the Nut Job Caucus contingent on the Rules Committe not to approve the bill that Mr. Biden and Mr. McCarthy had agreed on.
I will just be happy if it passes the House and Senate! The wait is killing me!
What did he win? A mythical trophy? This is whole speculation is silly.
No one wins when you take in $4.8 Trillion and spend $6.25 Trillion. That's a 1.5 Trillion deficit.
We are on a short road to Greece.
Especially given our inflationary environment? This is going to cause the FED to raise
rates again in June.
Our deficits are crushing our currency, to the point where China, Russia, Brasil are moving to replace the dollar. The dollar has lost 25% of its value in the last 1 1/2 years. This is financial suicide.
Yet you want to take a victory lap?
This the classic example of "While Nero fiddled Rome burned."
BTW a sober reminder Biden's approval rate is at 39% and the majority of his own party don't want him to run again.
This may come as a surprise to you, but a surprising amount of the debt came from the massive permanent tax cuts enacted by the far right during the previous administration. I'll give them this much: they cleverly combined the plutocrat tax cuts with more moderate cuts for the majority of the population. The latter, however, were given an expiration date in 2025: https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/11/republicans-slap-an-expiration-date-on-middle-class-tax-cuts/545996/
One might ask why, if tax cuts are a Great and Holy Thing, they are less great and holy for the majority of the population.
Are you really trying to BS me here are on tax cuts?
Did you think you wouldn't get caught?
Joe Biden 2021-present 34Trillion Total Debt - New Debt $8Trillion
Donald J. Trump 2017-2021 $28.4 Trillion - New Debt 8Trillion
Barack Obama 2009–201 $20 Trillion Total Debt - $9Trillion New Debt
George W. Bush 2001–2009 $11.9Trillion Total Debt - $6.1Trillion New Debt
William J. Clinton 1993–2001 $5.8 Trillion Total Debt - $1.4 Trillion New Debt
Its a LIE to say that REPUBLICANS accrued most of the debt. BOTH parties have run up the debt and its destroying America. Its crushing our currency and exploding our deficits.
Our debt is 800% of GDP
China 279% of GDP
Russia 13% of GDP
As for tax CUTS, the Democrats controlled Congress for the first 2 years of Biden's presidency.
WHY DIDN'T THEY PROPOSE a single initiative to RE- WRITE THE TAX CODE?
Of course not. Their wealthy donors LOVE tax loop holes.
President Biden is a masterful negotiator. I grow weary of listening to the ageist dismissals of his competency to govern. He is knowledgeable, intelligent, wise and full of integrity. Right there are four characteristics that were nonexistent in #45. Thank you, Mr. President.
I agree 200%!
+ another 200%. They haven't the wit to understand what he's been telling them.
All that Bart, plus I feel he has the other main ingredient - honor.
And !! TRUE INTEGRITY ( Praise GOD !)
Biden is repairing the government and the economy and grooming Harris to put all the traitors behind bars after he is gone, one way or another...
Thanks for the many ...2 cents. I’ll keep trying too.
Joe Biden may be getting old, and he may not be a dynamic speaker, but he's smart and wily as they come. He's exactly what the country needed after four nightmarish years of the Great Vulgarian.
I tend to agree. A steady hand.
And that's actually why he was elected.
Oh good one! Good first laugh today!
I appreciate how well HCR puts together the news and happenings. It’s great to get a letter almost every day from an American historian. Civics in action!
Jan -- I totally agree with you and look forward everyday of HCR's explanations and analyses.
Yes, she's an unstoppable force, and what a bargain at a few pennies a day.
..but banned in Florida, Texass...?
Right 🤦♀️
PATRICIA ! .... And WE all * Wonder Why !!* Huhmm !
I always tried to teach my children that the world was complex, things were rarely good vs evil except in superhero movies.
But now, there are many members of the current Republican Party who are as close to evil as people can get. They are in either in government to get on TV and cause chaos, or they are only there to serve the interests of their very powerful donors. They have no concern for the suffering they cause millions of people, in fact, they seem to thrive on it.
Old Joe Biden raised his hand and said “this will not happen” and the wicked witches melted away. But they are still out there and they have billions of dollars to spend to bribe judges, buy media, and convince people that helping people who can use help, even by offering them an education, should not happen in this country. The power and wealth should belong to only a few. This is as close to evil as it gets, only one rung below Putin
My wife and I also tried to teach our daughter that people are complicated and sometimes inconsistent, myself included. Yet, at least in terms of outcomes, some people can be pretty toxic, and who swaths of humanity can support some pretty evil things, though I think most of us can change. It seems to me is would be wise to apply more focus on the psychology and extended. observable consequences of untempered selfishness and also of empathy.
May I suggest Warlocks: male witches.
(The most commonly accepted etymology derives warlock from the Old English wǣrloga, which meant "breaker of oaths" or "deceiver"[2] and was given special application to the devil around 1000.[3] In early modern Scots, the word came to be used as the male equivalent of witch (which can be male or female, but has historically been used predominantly for females).[4][5][6] The term may have become associated in Scotland with MALE WITCHES due to the idea that they had made pacts with Auld Hornie (my note: remember the pussy grabber and that horney old devil - Epstein ?) and thus had betrayed the Christian faith and broke their baptismal vows or oaths.[7] From this use, the word passed into Romantic literature and ultimately 20th-century popular culture. A derivation from the Old Norse varð-lokkur, "caller of spirits", has also been suggested,[8][9][10] but the Oxford English Dictionary considers this implausible due to the extreme rarity of the Norse word and because forms without hard -k, which are consistent with the Old English etymology ("traitor"), are attested earlier than forms with a -k.[11] - witch hunt" - wikipedia)
Same rung as Putin
Nailed it
‘Children remain the poorest age group in America, with children of color, children under five, children of single mothers, and children in the South suffering from the highest poverty rates. Two years since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, child poverty remains a paralyzing problem that both causes and exacerbates significant disturbances in the lives of all children in our country. Although the number of children living in poverty has fallen from 11.6 million to 11.1 million between 2020 and 2021 In the final tally, the pandemic managed to push more than one million children over the threshold into poverty.’ (Children’s Defense Fund) See link below.
‘In today’s Letter, HCR wrote, ‘The fight over the debt ceiling is both an example of the different approaches to negotiation on the part of Biden and Republicans like House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and part of the larger question about the direction of the country.’
‘Systemic racism ingrained into our American institutions has been a historical roadblock perpetuating child poverty. Current statistics indicate the ongoing effectiveness of the roadblocks in pushing the American Dream of economic mobility further out of reach, especially for Black and Brown children.’
• ‘Among the 74 million children living in the United States, 11 million live in poverty.’
• ‘One in six children under 5 (3 million children) were poor, the highest rate of any age group.’
• ‘The South, home to 47% of children in our country who live in poverty, experiences the highest
child poverty rates with 1 in 5 children living in poverty.’
• ‘9 million children faced hunger and food insecurity.’
• ‘4 million children lived without health insurance. (Children’s Defense Fund)
‘Writing in Foreign Policy, Howard W. French sees a more sweeping problem with the debt ceiling fight: it “highlights America’s warped priorities.” “[W]hen a rich and powerful country finds it easier to cut back on the way that it invests in its people, in education, in science, and in making sure that the weakest among them are not completely left behind than to curtail useless and profligate weapons spending,” he said, “there are reasons to worry about the foundations of its power.” (Letter)
https://www.childrensdefense.org/the-state-of-americas-children/soac-2023-child-poverty/#:~:text=Current%20statistics%20indicate%20the%20ongoing,11%20million%20live%20in%20poverty.
Thank you Fern for this detailed analysis. When you reveal those horrendous stats of millions of hungry children it should startle all of us to intensify our efforts over the next 17 months to register and turnout multi millions of young voters and women 18 to 44! We all have a responsibility to play our part in this critically important electoral process. As we have discussed on multiple occasions please go to www.turnup.us/ to fulfill our collective and individual responsibilities. Thank you; ten million hungry children depend on us!
And those ten million children will soon be voters.
'People with low incomes who are eligible to vote are much less likely to do so in national elections than those with higher incomes, and are more often constrained from casting ballots by transportation issues, illness or other problems out of their control, according to a study released Tuesday by the Poor People’s Campaign.'
'The study, by a Columbia University researcher, found that only 46 percent of potential voters with family incomes less than twice the federal poverty line voted in the 2016 presidential election, compared with 68 percent of those with family incomes above twice the poverty line.' (NYTimes, Aug. 11, 2020)
Voting access has become more restricted in Red States since this article was printed, so participation in our elections by the poor may fall to a lower level.
These statistics are so depressing. Seeing how the South has 47% of children in poverty is the utmost reason for getting the debt ceiling passed. Also, Heather revealed that most Republican led states, under Biden’s infrastructure act, will be getting much needed jobs for their residents. These residents will realize that their lives have changed because a Democratic President of the US cared about them and their future. Biden may not be around to see everything but there will be a trickle-down effect when those states will no longer be run by the cheaters of the opposing party. That’s how I see it, Fern.
Have not seen it in Texas, the Foxers abound and the terrible trio rule the fools, including the poor ones
Jeri have you noticed they loved spending that federal $$$ and then pointing at the accomplishments and referring to it as what they have accomplished and not what Biden/Democrats have done for all of us........ I've seen quite a few take that response.
Marlene Lerner-Bigley (CA): RE: "These residents will realize that their lives have changed because a Democratic President of the US cared about them and their future." Wish this were true, but I don't see it happening. The Acultamuricans will come up with an alternative mythology to explain their good fortune. And, "trickle-down" is not an effective economic process.
Thanks, again, Fern, for your detailed, documented, and insightful posts.
And the poorest cannot now access abortions so we can expect the numbers to grow thanks to the fascist MAGATS
And my aging brain has problems remembering which stupid member of the GOP said what outrageous thing--because there are just so many!!--but which one was it a few months back who wanted to cut school food programs, said something along the lines of he ate a granola bar and might be hungry?
I do believe in hell, and I do hope there is an especially horrible spot for those who harm children, elderly and any human incapable for defending themselves.
From Twitter: Minnesota Republican state Sen. Steve Drazkowski on bill providing free school breakfast and lunch: "I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that is hungry. Yet today. I have yet to meet a person in Minnesota that says they don't have access to enough food to eat.
"Now, I should say that hunger is a relative term," added Drazkowski, 58. "I had a cereal bar for breakfast. I guess I'm hungry now."
That's him!! Thank you, Nancy.
I'm a big fan of the Penszey's spice company, and I firmly believe in their philosophy that to feed someone is to love them. And vice versa. What mother has not fed any hungry child who spends time in their home?
Miselle I fight that Same Notion, as You, But the LORD, would have Us PRAY, for Our Enemies Because IF, They CHOOSE, the Wrong path, GOD, Will EXACT Out . VENGANCE, According to HIS UNDERSTANDING ( Remember HE Knows EVERY Detail AND He, is JUST ....)
Thank you, Fern, for your reminder of what matters most—and how far we still remain from the goal.
And also for reminding us how much further the current fascist GOP want to take us from that goal!
Looking at the two districts in my own state (ME), the poverty rate for kids under 19 in the blue 1st district is half of what it is in the redder 2nd District
Is it that children thrive better in districts that vote Blue or is it that areas where children thrive are more likely to vote Blue?
Could parenting support groups from the less impoverished areas give support to parents with young children in the bordering impoverished areas?
The data on where child poverty exists in US:
https://datacenter.aecf.org/~/media/3224/EC2200_ChildPov100_CI.xlsx
What can we do?
Existing programs working to lift children up:
https://www.ala.org/alsc/aboutalsc/external-relationships/organizations
Fern’s posted links gives data on the effectiveness of the child tax credit extensions.
Always appreciate your information and level of care, Fern.
Your comment immediately made my mind jump, infortunately, to teenage depression and suicides. Somehow? it’s quite related.
Thank you, Fern.
Thanks for this assessment, Fern. I love how you draw so many references together.
Thank you Fern.
This political mosh pit is disgusting. Racism is blatant, and the ultimate offender is GREED, which feeds on racism and separation There is no other reason we are in this mess. There is little community minded thinking left in America that is valued over the upward spiral. Even those that donate will protect “their own”.
That is why the government should govern and make people pay on what they earn after the 1st 500G. No one needs to run around in “big diamond rings and silk suits”
Love that you shared this Fern, and always appreciate the added flavors you add to our chats herein. I do have to point out that raw 'data' and numbers presented don't always add up. For instance, 'if' I were a _rump acolyte, I could point to "children living in poverty has fallen from 11.6 million to 11.1 million between 2020 and 2021 In the final tally..." and declare "See, _rumps policies actually worked or started working; we should'a given him 4 more years to work even more magic" ! The other point I'm gonna' raise is perhaps only a personal peeve of my own. I detest the often overuse and misuse of the word 'race' and 'racism'. Maybe it's just me but as I see it, when we speak of our fellow humanoids of any gender or identity thereof, there is only one race - the human race of many wonderful shades, etc., of many ethnicities, 'not' races. I do however also know that it's a common plague of humankind to harbor varieties of inherent bias' unless self or otherwise informed, confronted, and willfully acted upon to amend. Kudo's Fern !
I think Biden is not chortling because making McCarthy look more effective than the Freedom Caucus is important to passing the bill. I wonder if it also indebts McCarthy to Biden; if we defaulted, it could not be passed off as entirely Biden's fault, and it would be too chaotic for McCarthy to emerge with a personal political future. [btw, Google says "indebt" is a real word]
While I understand progressive and environmental regrets, I think this has got to be done as is if we're going to move forward again. The radical right can't be swept out of the way.
Judith, Thanks for your statement and I agree. As I mentioned above, it was a wise strategy not to gloat.
I see Biden as a stealthy president who is using the right approach in such a volatile atmosphere we find ourselves in. The MAGA party thrives on controversy and confrontation. Yet , there are times when Biden has knocked them back with a judo like move. After November 2024, a Democrat controlled congress, senate and White House can undo any damage the absurd debt ceiling has caused. Yes, I expect Biden to defeat the indicted one again.
Out of all the nicknames for TFG, I think I will use your example and start referring to him as "The indicted one"
:)
I think I will refer to tfg as "the gold-plated turd". :)
A turd I can agree with. But that’s not even gold plated it’s Krylon spray painted like everything else in his world. Fake 💩!
Good point!! 😄
Hmmm.... TIO ? Is there more 'hay' we could make with that acronym ? If so, I'll buy in.
Too is uncle in Spanish.
I know you meant to type "tio". :)
Yes, that is why I'd prefer not using Tio to stand in for Trump. In fact, personally, I do not understand this need to keep centering him by playing with his name. I've taken to just referring to him by his last name as generally understood: Trump. It places him firmly where he belongs: just another gormless guy.
I don't think the damage to our country's international standing can be undone.
The damage can be undone, but it will take a long time and we may not have that time.
?
To the extent the orang wrote a book, it may as well have been, “the art of the steal.” What Biden does and his comments reflect, is why it is helpful to have a veteran in politics doing politics. He understands, in Washington, “the art of the deal.” I learned it myself from Senator Bird, who famously (to me) at lunch said, “don’t beg and don’t brag.”
That, my friends, is how you get where you want to go…
Biden has been in Congress since before I was born. While he, and Dems generally, (IMHO) don’t have the smarts to wield the rules like the good Senator from Kentucky does; Biden is experienced enough to not beg and not brag. I respect that. And it works. His brilliant roll-call vote during the SOTU should make his political prowess apparent… I digress.
I truly feel sorry for the Republicans who are true to their tartan. They were always keenly aware that they were running the government most-watched in the world. They didn’t beg, they didn’t brag, and they never held the country hostage. The hijacking of the party by the MAGA and Freedom Caucus has diminished their brand and credibility for a generation or more; the effects of which even they don’t appreciate yet…
I’d be fine with that loss: except they are a mast that is broken on the ship that is America and it’s fallen off the deck, trailing in the sea, but inexorably-tethered to the ship, and ultimately dragging it down in a sea of other ships that are calculating how to engage.
America is nothing if not resilient. I trust in the generations to come and who are becoming politically aware as we speak to be the change agents who will ensure that this struggle is theirs, too, and that they will all, “make good trouble,” until they see the America that is the future, not the one that sadly has been.
Under 45's "reality show celebrity presidency" not only did I fear his obvious unleashing (and embrace) of the anti-government militia and white supremacist groups, but the disruption, destruction and chaos of our institutions. He continues to "cheer on" a race war (with DeSantis in that camp, outlawing the teaching of history and lived experiences) and his chumminess with the "worse" of the war-criminal autocrats while lambasting our allies and security partnerships was another reason I was so stressed out - waking up wondering what awful Tweet he'd generated on his golden toilet, and how soon the other countries of the world would all turn against the USA due to his rising threat.
President Biden has been pursuing alliances and mending fences in a Herculean manner.
I LOVE that he is not the lead story on TV every hour. I remember when government simply "worked" and a person didn't have to make it the priority in their daily thought.
Beverly, your last paragraph--my husband and I discussed that last night! I recall a few years back before I retired, all my tRump-hating friends would ask each other "did you hear the asshole did/said xyz?" because it seemed as though not weekly, not daily, it was several times a day some outrageous utterance of his made the news. I had SO hoped once he lost, we wouldn't hear about him. Sigh.
Miselle, an example of social media's amplification through algorithms.
It was always his intention to be the lead story, the headline, the "star"
- unfortunately, even though we just want him to "go away" he's embedded himself into the daily news feed.
If only people cared about "truth." He was the source of over 30,000 lies during his one term, easily a dozen a day. If that had been "fact checked" perhaps it could have been extinguished early on.
Pretty much everything he accuses anyone of is projection.
The extremists who have taken over the MAGA GOP continue to use projection,
accusing others of their own faults and crimes.
Agree, 100%
Great assessment, Beverly.
Eerily similar to when "All in the Family" aired--the fact that the fictional Archie had a burgeoning real-life cohort that believed in the Gospel of Archie, and felt legitimatized by his vituperations, was a tragic harbinger.
Might one say, we allowed ourselves to 'sleep at the wheel' of our democracy, and have now learned an important thing - no a crucial thing / lesson that we 'must' pass on for posterity ?
While we slept at the wheel of democracy,
the burgeoning pernicious pot-holes of fascism
left us teetering
on the edge of the abyss
WAKE UP!
Chump found a new way to rule. Whine, whine, whine and accuse others of what you do. Right out of Goebbels except that he didn’t whine. You have been paying attention, America is indeed being run aground by traitors and must be righted to look to any future for our young
Hugh, I adore the aptness of you ship at sea metaphor with a broken mast slowing the ship's progress - that's sincere appreciation. I differ though with your tagging of the Senator from Ky as 'good' - as I've yet to witness what might be identified as 'good.' Now if you'd said "Good at it", referring to his mastery of the process, etc., for the purposes of manipulation to his advantage, I'd buy in - he proved it robbing Obama of a legal and legitimate SOTUS pick - that's a 'fact in evidence'. I'm fascinated that you learned over a lunch with Senator Byrd, a rule of Washington D.C. engagement and would love to learn more of that, if you'd indulge me. Thx~ *edit in > One more thing, I believe from what I've experienced, 'it's' book should have been titled, "The Art of the Squeal" - lol.
I like your usage of "true to their tartan"; it is a great metaphor for what has happened to the Party of Lincoln and Eisenhower.
Good one here 👍.
Good metaphore, good ship America. We need to cut off the damaged pieces dragging us down and drop all that confused rigging free and let it sink to the bottom, out of the way.
Age and experience beats youth and stupidity every. damn. time.
My office coffee mug had that written on it. One day it disappeared. I sent an internal e-mail around (pre SMS days). It reappeared.
Wasn't the original quote "Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance."? :D
But your version is much nicer to us oldies.
Yes...
Actually a team combining both will get us the farthest 😁
"Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" was my Mom's go to phrase. She absolutely lived "Age and experience beats youth and stupidity every. damn. time." and would SO appreciate that phrase.
The different styles between parties reflect divided American culture. People are choosing between reality and a reality show. The former is complicated and messy. The latter is simple, entertaining and fun in a vicarious way. There is nothing new under the sun. Rome fell while its citizens enjoyed bread and circuses. America’s media is stacked in favor of the reality show model, since it earns money and generates wealth. Ergo, the bread and circuses are probably here to stay.
For decades, Americans have been mesmerized by reality shows and annual dramas like the OJ Simpson trial. They’ve become like Pavlov’s dogs and are completely manipulated. That’s why tRump, former reality show host, has so many people in the palm of his hand no matter what he does.
Puke in the extreme
I have never understood the appeal of reality shows (my confession here: I did enjoy Deadliest Catch in the early days, but lost interest after a couple of years). My sister was so hooked on The Apprentice that she chose to go home and watch it the night our Mom died. She arrived just in time for Mom to be pronounced.)
I can’t say I like this. It’s so sad!
I liked one reality show that was on A&E before it had become trash, and it was all about hiring, training, and setting up what was then the new show for Cirque du Soleil.
IT was fascinating.
Exactly right. I previously mentioned that I'd bet more people follow the Kardashians and know their every banality of vanity move more than they know their own elected representatives.
unfortunately true.
(I don't watch the Kardashians, but I can't identify the major players in my state legislature either).
I had to tell my wife who the Kardashians were (after I looked it up on Google).
Ha!🤣
So cute
The Survivor, Kardashian bull Schitt and anything done by Andy Cohen disgust me. Reality tv is tv at its worst. The dumbing down of America with Fox providing the backdrop for a disastrous decades-long slide into the slime.
I totally agree, all of the shows you mentioned disgust me too. SLIME is what they are.
Eric Weis: Re "People are choosing between reality and a reality show.": Yes. Too tragically true.
I call it the celebrity besotted culture...
I was a Biden skeptic during the 2020 Dem primaries. My oldest friend has been a Dem operative for a very long time and he was the first person to tell me it would be Biden. He was right and Joe has done an incredible job with the cards he was dealt. One of the most effective Presidents of my lifetime. Trump on the other hand is the worst. There is no comparison of the two human beings...in office or out. I'll be glad to see this debt ceiling in the rear view mirror...then we can all get on with business.
Age has it's benefits. We've been there, done that. Made mistakes and survived to tell the war stories. But there's way more good stories in a positive life that learns to leave the toxic ones behind. I'm 70 and I believe I'm entering the best and most productive, enjoyable decade of my life. There's love and opportunity all around. No fear...not much anyway...be bold and live YOUR life.
Keep it up Joe. You have a clue. THANK you for caring and being a human being of service...not greed...not all about your ego. Peace to all.
I was sorely disappointed when Biden got the nomination (hell, that we were running two old men against each other was disappointing). I came to realize that (especially after Jan 6 and the "transition" that wasn't) that Biden was EXACTLY what we had needed as a country.
50 years as dedicated public servant has served us well in having Joe Biden as our president. He is a savvy politician and a smart leader. He deserves a second term.
I try to come up with words to describe the current Speaker of the House of Representatives and, well, I stumble over inept, incompetent, complicit, and stupid. He deserves to be replaced, but with what? I don’t want to think about that possibility.
Biden is a skilled negotiator. The way he led McCarthy down the path was quite amazing. We don't need to agree with everything he, or any other president, does... but he sure has done a lot for this country to be proud of. I'll take him over the fascists running for office any day. A huge shout out to Heather and her timely, concise and wise Letters!
I will also wait until we've crossed the finish line on this before I decide if this was a good or bad thing for America as a whole, not just for one party or the other. But let's also just recognize that this whole fiasco was manufactured by the Republican party. Most of our media can't let go of the 'both sides' framing of every crisis including ones that are GOP-induced.
And therein lies a huge problem. We must, as Heather says, "take up oxygen" and write to the corporate media and wherever we see both-sides-ism and call them out, reminding them of the huge differences between the two parties.
I especially like your paragraph:
"Biden’s unusually revealing comment about the budget negotiations was actually a statement about his presidency. Unlike his Republican opponents, he has refused to try to win points by playing the media and instead has worked behind the scenes to govern, sometimes staying out of negotiations, sometimes being central to them."