Data released this morning from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis showed that the nation’s gross domestic product—that is, the total value of goods and services produced in the U.S.—was up in the third quarter of 2022, increasing at an annual rate of 2.6%. This increase reflected increases in “exports, consumer spending, nonresidential fixed investment, federal government spending, and state and local government spending,” as well as decreases in imports. That growth was partly offset by lower housing sales.
It would be wonderful if those 40 million Americans hoping for student debt relief would vote Democratic. It is in their best interests to do so. The news is more and more disturbing every day. The antisemitism is sickening. After WWII, the mantra was and has been, "never again", but we see that it's spreading like a virulent disease.
I'm realy finding Liz Cheney's actions to be remarkable. When a person like her has a "road to Tarsus" moment as she had, and then steps up and acts on what she knows and believes, regardless of personal cost, it's really quite something. I know I could disagree with her on many things, but on the Important Things, I respect her.
"The danger posed by the current-day Republican Party’s embrace of authoritarianism is not going unchallenged. Indeed, it is remaking American politics as defenders of democracy band together...
Liz Cheney (R-WY) endorsed Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) for reelection, her first endorsement of a Democrat since the Republican Party turned on her over her insistence on holding Trump to account...
...'While Elissa and I have our policy disagreements, at a time when our nation is facing threats at home and abroad, we need serious, responsible, substantive members like Elissa in Congress.'...
...And in Alaska, Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, and Representative Mary Peltola, a Democrat, have just endorsed each other in the upcoming election. The Alaska Federation of Natives has endorsed them both..."
Gosh! Almost as though folks other than the historically most entitled members of our society have something (read "values") important (read "lifesaving") to contribute to politics. Who could ever have imagined *that*?
Meanwhile, accountability continues in the wake of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Rioter Albuquerque Head is sentenced to 7.5 years for his participation in the riot. Judge Amy Berman Jackson reminds us:
"'Mr. Head didn't just get caught up in something. This case is not about getting carried away,' Jackson said. Fanone, she said, 'was protecting America. That's who Officer Fanone was. That's what Officer Fanone was doing.'"
"'People need to understand that they can't do this, or anything like this, again. They can't try to force their will on the American people once the American people have already spoken at the ballot box. That's the opposite of democracy — it's tyranny. And the threat to democracy, the dark shadow of tyranny, unfortunately, has not gone away,' Jackson said."
Watched Governor Janet Mills debate Paul Lepage last night. Janet Mills was articulate and maintained her composure as Lepage interrupted and showed himself as a bully and disrespectful. He and Trump are great examples of entitled men, who are unable to govern for the people. Narcissism is not a trait that makes a good leader as they lack empathy. My belief is women in general are better able to be empathic. I see woman like Kari Lake, who suffer from narcissism as well. The lack of empathy for Fetterman in hi s debate was disheartening. His courage to do the debate was amazing. People critical of his speech and unable to focus on his message is disappointing. We have Dr Oz who wants local politicians to decide if woman can have an abortion. How absurd. Local politicians can decide if I can have medical care??? My healthcare is between me and my physician. It is not a political decision.
Are we seeing a new political center emerging in our national politics? Are there Republican politicians seeing, (at last!) that we have fundamental issues in common bigger than “policy differences” threatened by the growth of rabid partisan zealotry that has infected so much of our body politic?
One hopes so, and one hopes this phenomenon will be reflected in November on election day by an emphatic rejection of MAGA candidates.
I have followed far right media for years. Over this time I have seen many of their issues bubble to the top of the Republican agenda either intact or modified as something like test balloons. This includes things like a small reference to Putin - 'maybe he shouldn't have invaded Ukraine?' But full blast criticism of Zalensky and that the U.S. should go over his head and negotiate with Russia. Now , antisemitism is coming to the fore from the right even though there are far right Jews and Blacks. Us Democracy minded folks need to get behind our Democratic party and vote like hell ! Thanx for the info Dr. Richardson.
One thing people keep forgetting about the economy is that you cannot have indefinite growth without sustaining irreparable (and possibly unsurvivable) environmental damage. See Washington Post article...
"... Shell says it will use the windfall to buy back about $4 billion of its shares, making this year’s total buybacks $18.5 billion. " And there it is - 'trickle down economics' at work; the tricklers and the chosen tricklees. Rewarded handsomely on several ends before, during and after by governments (leases, tax favors, etc.). Great racket... somewhere, reagan and others still smile.
And Republicans are against any measures that increase the incomes of large groups of people. They'd rather increase their misery index so that they'll vote in a panic for the authoritarian grifter who says, "Follow me, I'll save you!"
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has completed his purchase of Twitter and fired its top executives.
So, this becomes a space to watch with eagle eyes and sharply critical mind.
(Media -- take note!)
Question:
What, if any, are the limits to what money can buy?
Are there limits to corporate power? What are they?
Are we all to be pigs in their poke?
"They" of course include Putin and his den of thieves and murderers. Interesting, how Satan's representatives have appointed themselves heralds of what they call "Christianity", spokesmen for "Christian values". Intriguing, how -- like Hitler and Mussolini in the 1930s -- they denounce what they in fact represent.
These men are on tenterhooks, waiting for America's voters to turn the tide and rescue them. And America's voters are blind to the lowering threat of another 1933 moment.
*
Can nothing be done to make the media aware of their duty to their country, to the world?
Can nothing be done to get said media to publish prominently these Letters and the urgent advocacy of Substack writers Snyder and Hubbell?
Are they really all slaves to dull habit and "business as usual" ?
Even at this moment when the New Abnormal is slavering to devour "business as usual" and replace it by forces that serve its exclusive "interests" -- which are no one's.
The Fed's moves already have slowed inflation. The CPI increase for the past three months (0% plus 0.1% plus 0.4%) has totaled .5% or 2% if the pace keeps up for three more quarters. That's the Fed's target. The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 4.6 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 8.5 percent in the second quarter. The Personal Consumption Expenditure price index, which the Fed watches, increased 4.2 percent, compared with an increase of 7.3 percent. It's not just the rise in interest rates. It's a big slowdown in money supply growth after a stunning rise.
Encouragement for voters in Elissa Slotkin's district:
I don't live in Michigan's 7th Congressional district but nevertheless have had the opportunity to spend an hour or a bit more with Elissa Slotkin in an informal, small-group setting that included plenty of back-and-forth conversation.
For background, let me note that I am a skeptic in general, more cynical than most people, and strongly progressive in my political views. Nevertheless, I was greatly impressed by Elissa's intelligence and straightforwardness and her clear commitment to working for her constituents and the country, not to leverage a seat in Congress to gain personal power or enrich herself. As she put it, "Government's job is to make everyone's lives better." She's a moderate Democrat who also understands the everyday problems her more conservative constituents face, and she's absolutely committed to our democratic form of government, imperfect though it may be at times.
You can look up her bio and background for yourself; suffice it here to say she has the chops and has established her intellectual and patriotic bona fides beyond any doubt. Elissa is exactly the sort of person -- someone of excellent character, ability, and integrity --who should be in a top public leadership role.
If you're in the Michigan 7th, please vote for Elissa. It matters now more than ever before.
It would be wonderful if those 40 million Americans hoping for student debt relief would vote Democratic. It is in their best interests to do so. The news is more and more disturbing every day. The antisemitism is sickening. After WWII, the mantra was and has been, "never again", but we see that it's spreading like a virulent disease.
I'm realy finding Liz Cheney's actions to be remarkable. When a person like her has a "road to Tarsus" moment as she had, and then steps up and acts on what she knows and believes, regardless of personal cost, it's really quite something. I know I could disagree with her on many things, but on the Important Things, I respect her.
"The danger posed by the current-day Republican Party’s embrace of authoritarianism is not going unchallenged. Indeed, it is remaking American politics as defenders of democracy band together...
Liz Cheney (R-WY) endorsed Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) for reelection, her first endorsement of a Democrat since the Republican Party turned on her over her insistence on holding Trump to account...
...'While Elissa and I have our policy disagreements, at a time when our nation is facing threats at home and abroad, we need serious, responsible, substantive members like Elissa in Congress.'...
...And in Alaska, Senator Lisa Murkowski, a Republican, and Representative Mary Peltola, a Democrat, have just endorsed each other in the upcoming election. The Alaska Federation of Natives has endorsed them both..."
Gosh! Almost as though folks other than the historically most entitled members of our society have something (read "values") important (read "lifesaving") to contribute to politics. Who could ever have imagined *that*?
Thank you, Heather, for today's Letter!
Meanwhile, accountability continues in the wake of the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Rioter Albuquerque Head is sentenced to 7.5 years for his participation in the riot. Judge Amy Berman Jackson reminds us:
"'Mr. Head didn't just get caught up in something. This case is not about getting carried away,' Jackson said. Fanone, she said, 'was protecting America. That's who Officer Fanone was. That's what Officer Fanone was doing.'"
"'People need to understand that they can't do this, or anything like this, again. They can't try to force their will on the American people once the American people have already spoken at the ballot box. That's the opposite of democracy — it's tyranny. And the threat to democracy, the dark shadow of tyranny, unfortunately, has not gone away,' Jackson said."
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/jan-6-rioter-dragged-mike-fanone-crowd-sentenced-75-years-prison-rcna54314
Watched Governor Janet Mills debate Paul Lepage last night. Janet Mills was articulate and maintained her composure as Lepage interrupted and showed himself as a bully and disrespectful. He and Trump are great examples of entitled men, who are unable to govern for the people. Narcissism is not a trait that makes a good leader as they lack empathy. My belief is women in general are better able to be empathic. I see woman like Kari Lake, who suffer from narcissism as well. The lack of empathy for Fetterman in hi s debate was disheartening. His courage to do the debate was amazing. People critical of his speech and unable to focus on his message is disappointing. We have Dr Oz who wants local politicians to decide if woman can have an abortion. How absurd. Local politicians can decide if I can have medical care??? My healthcare is between me and my physician. It is not a political decision.
Are we seeing a new political center emerging in our national politics? Are there Republican politicians seeing, (at last!) that we have fundamental issues in common bigger than “policy differences” threatened by the growth of rabid partisan zealotry that has infected so much of our body politic?
One hopes so, and one hopes this phenomenon will be reflected in November on election day by an emphatic rejection of MAGA candidates.
Too little, too late?
1932-33 again?
Never again, again?
Dynamics of prejudice are ignorance and fear. We have both in abundance.
Dynamics of Prejudice, Morris Janowitz and Bruno Bettelheim required reading by Five Star General Dwight David Eisenhower, Commander, SHAPE.
I have followed far right media for years. Over this time I have seen many of their issues bubble to the top of the Republican agenda either intact or modified as something like test balloons. This includes things like a small reference to Putin - 'maybe he shouldn't have invaded Ukraine?' But full blast criticism of Zalensky and that the U.S. should go over his head and negotiate with Russia. Now , antisemitism is coming to the fore from the right even though there are far right Jews and Blacks. Us Democracy minded folks need to get behind our Democratic party and vote like hell ! Thanx for the info Dr. Richardson.
One thing people keep forgetting about the economy is that you cannot have indefinite growth without sustaining irreparable (and possibly unsurvivable) environmental damage. See Washington Post article...
"... Shell says it will use the windfall to buy back about $4 billion of its shares, making this year’s total buybacks $18.5 billion. " And there it is - 'trickle down economics' at work; the tricklers and the chosen tricklees. Rewarded handsomely on several ends before, during and after by governments (leases, tax favors, etc.). Great racket... somewhere, reagan and others still smile.
Thank you, Professor, for continuing the good fight of speaking truth. It matters and it is appreciated beyond measure. Thank you!
And Republicans are against any measures that increase the incomes of large groups of people. They'd rather increase their misery index so that they'll vote in a panic for the authoritarian grifter who says, "Follow me, I'll save you!"
Meanwhile, Elon Musk has completed his purchase of Twitter and fired its top executives.
So, this becomes a space to watch with eagle eyes and sharply critical mind.
(Media -- take note!)
Question:
What, if any, are the limits to what money can buy?
Are there limits to corporate power? What are they?
Are we all to be pigs in their poke?
"They" of course include Putin and his den of thieves and murderers. Interesting, how Satan's representatives have appointed themselves heralds of what they call "Christianity", spokesmen for "Christian values". Intriguing, how -- like Hitler and Mussolini in the 1930s -- they denounce what they in fact represent.
These men are on tenterhooks, waiting for America's voters to turn the tide and rescue them. And America's voters are blind to the lowering threat of another 1933 moment.
*
Can nothing be done to make the media aware of their duty to their country, to the world?
Can nothing be done to get said media to publish prominently these Letters and the urgent advocacy of Substack writers Snyder and Hubbell?
Are they really all slaves to dull habit and "business as usual" ?
Even at this moment when the New Abnormal is slavering to devour "business as usual" and replace it by forces that serve its exclusive "interests" -- which are no one's.
Good newsletter, Heather, Thank You!
The Fed's moves already have slowed inflation. The CPI increase for the past three months (0% plus 0.1% plus 0.4%) has totaled .5% or 2% if the pace keeps up for three more quarters. That's the Fed's target. The price index for gross domestic purchases increased 4.6 percent in the third quarter, compared with an increase of 8.5 percent in the second quarter. The Personal Consumption Expenditure price index, which the Fed watches, increased 4.2 percent, compared with an increase of 7.3 percent. It's not just the rise in interest rates. It's a big slowdown in money supply growth after a stunning rise.
Encouragement for voters in Elissa Slotkin's district:
I don't live in Michigan's 7th Congressional district but nevertheless have had the opportunity to spend an hour or a bit more with Elissa Slotkin in an informal, small-group setting that included plenty of back-and-forth conversation.
For background, let me note that I am a skeptic in general, more cynical than most people, and strongly progressive in my political views. Nevertheless, I was greatly impressed by Elissa's intelligence and straightforwardness and her clear commitment to working for her constituents and the country, not to leverage a seat in Congress to gain personal power or enrich herself. As she put it, "Government's job is to make everyone's lives better." She's a moderate Democrat who also understands the everyday problems her more conservative constituents face, and she's absolutely committed to our democratic form of government, imperfect though it may be at times.
You can look up her bio and background for yourself; suffice it here to say she has the chops and has established her intellectual and patriotic bona fides beyond any doubt. Elissa is exactly the sort of person -- someone of excellent character, ability, and integrity --who should be in a top public leadership role.
If you're in the Michigan 7th, please vote for Elissa. It matters now more than ever before.