Today, President Joe Biden held an event in the Rose Garden at the White House to celebrate the lower drug costs possible thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, which passed without any Republican votes in either the House or the Senate. Phasing in over the next few years, the measure will cap the out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs at $2000 a year and make vaccinations free for seniors on Medicare. If the price of drugs rises faster than inflation, drug companies will have to rebate the difference to Medicare. And Biden noted that today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that the premium for Medicare Part B, which pays for doctor visits, will decrease this year.
wow. insomnia paid off. What a difference in administration makes. Trump's help to Puerto Rico was to throw paper towels into a crowd. Biden, who is opposed to just about everything DeSantis does, calls and assures him that help will be forthcoming.
I cannot tell you how thrilled I am about the cap on drug costs. I have a chronic health problem that, before the miracle of a fully-covered drug, cost me well upward of $6000/year on top of premiums and other drugs.
I hope you are off to get some rest. Looking forward to being in the cheering crowd at USM, Portland next month!
A place that I hold more dear than you can imagine is facing a storm surge of 8 to 12 feet and winds of 140 mph from Hurricane Ian. It's Little Gasparilla Island on the northwestern edge of Charlotte Harbor, north of Fort Myers. Oh the memories that spring from that tiny spit of land, memories spanning decades. Every glorious trip there with family and friends reminded me of the Old Florida of my so-distant past, a past before Disney triggered a tsunami of development and tourists.
The one solace tonight is that I know the federal and state government will do everything possible to help Florida residents. (At least DeSantis took Biden's call.) Let's hope that this unfolding tragedy will awake climate-change skeptics to the existential threat of global warming. Yes, hurricanes have always posed a serious threat, but now they're so much more fearsome.
"Disinformation seems to be the hallmark of the midterm campaign." That is spot on.
Tonight we watched the first debate between candidates in the third congressional district of Washington, which is up for grabs and is being contested by Marie Gleusenkamp Perez (D) and Joe Kent (R). Kent is the MAGA candidate who ousted Rep. Jaime Herrera-Beutler after she committed the (im)mortal sin of voting to impeach former President Trump after the January 6 riot.
Marie is very much a newcomer to running for national office and comes off as unpolished but authentic. I was surprised to see that Kent is an extremely slick fast talker. He appears on the Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson shows. He seems so bright and competent if you don't recognize the lies and partisanship in his fluid presentation. He's a formidable opponent.
Kent's misdirections included blaming President Biden and Speaker Pelosi for inflation that is caused by emerging from a pandemic, disrupted worldwide supply chains and cost increases of energy and food brought about by Russia's war on Ukraine. Kent blamed the president for increasing the price of insulin when he's helped reduce it. He blamed Democrats for America's not achieving energy independence when President Biden has tapped the energy reserve to reduce oil prices while trying to move us toward a sustainable future that will take time to achieve. He promoted "America First" isolationism over our helping Ukraine defend itself, which protects Europe and its democratic economies. As Bannon says, Kent "flooded the zone with BS" recognizable by anyone not enthralled by Republican talking points.
Instead of getting sucked into the undertow of his lies and potential rebuttals, Ms. Perez differentiated herself and called out Kent's extremism, including his advocating national legislation to ban abortions, his threats to Medicare and Social Security, his calls to halt immigration and his advocating tearing down effective government rather than reaching across the aisle. She was also able to land some zingers.
This race has found national attention as seen in this in-depth article by Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times. With that publication, Ms. Perez has received a flood of contributions. (I don't work for her campaign.)
Kent's ingratiating himself to white nationalists was called out in this article in The Bulwark, a publication of never-Trumpers. That well-written take-down includes a video of Kent debasing himself with a white nationalist student interviewer. Here's that link:
Too bad the hurricane doesn't barrel through Tallahassee and take out the (occupied) Governor's Mansion. Turn it into kindling. DeSantis needs a little "the cruelty is the point" aimed between those lying used car dealer's eyes.
The aftermath of Hurricane Ian will be a test to see if DeSantis can do more than posture and pull political stunts. Kudos to Biden for reaching out to him. That is what mature leadership does in a crisis. (TFG would have let an opposition party governor who had bad-mouthed him flap in the wind, literally.)
"Disinformation seems to be the hallmark of the midterm campaign." Republicans know the truth, on just about any issue, is not their friend; hide it, dress it up to look like something it isn't, or just flat-out run from it.
I picked up 8 free Covid home test kits from CVS yesterday. Just showed them my Medicare card and done. Thank you, President Biden.
Lastly, thank you HCR, for all of it. You're the first place I go to every day.
I'm glad Biden is out here touting facts supported by numbers. This as opposed to playing head games with misinformation/lying. President Biden is also getting out ahead of this storm landing in Florida. I'm glad that he is in direct communication with DeSantis. This was a point of contention in a press conference with LaPierre. Thank you for keeping us informed Dr. Richardson.
Thank you Professor Richardson for showing us ways President Biden and his administration continue to govern and demonstrate that the real work of the government, the commitments and legislation, make a difference to every citizen, no matter their party. Too bad the followers of TFG and other repubs are more interested in voting against almost anything they didn’t create. Democrats must make sure that all citizens know that their legislation and commitment work for all of them. Today’s NYT podcast “The Daily” reports “Why Fewer American Children are Living in Poverty.” Tax policies and benefits, over time, not necessarily direct welfare, have significantly reduced Child Poverty. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736?i=1000580641064
Government for the People works. Shout it from the rooftops and compare TFG’s tax breaks for the wealthy with Democratic policies that make real change in the lives of our citizens. Our tax dollars at work. And look what we must continue, the promises to our children and future generations for clean energy, a sustainable environment and policies, improved education and health care, infrastructure, equality and respect for human rights. Peace, ETC! My postcards reminding voters to vote are ready to mail. Dems must increase the majority. And continue the real work of our Democracy.
Positive Ads on tv and radio and social media; billboards, flyers, and door-to-door "selling" of everything Biden said--by people who are ready and able to engage in a real conversation in the right language.
Biden's got it all right -- but it's in the Rose Garden of the WH and not out on the streets and airwaves where it's needed. Dems have more to run on than abortion--put the money and resources into it.
I can't help but think that if times were different and the GOP extremists were in charge and this hurricane were to devastate a Blue State, would they respond so openly and quickly to help us? I feel their sense of cruelty would prevail and they would use a natural disaster against us.
Would they use this as an opportunity to "own us" ?
How different is this to the very real plan to charge women with murder if they obtain an abortion or sunset Social Security and other programs?
I recently got into a conversation with a Senior about the reality of the Republican initiative to sunset Social Security and was told, " that's all just talk". I find it frightening that the GOP have bamboozled the Seniors to vote against their own survival.
Yet, here we are.
Be safe. Be well. Sending positive thoughts to my Florida friends.
I don't think it is good karma to wish bad stuff on anybody. But if Mar A Lago is consumed by a storm surge, I will not be tearing up. On the other hand, maybe we should be concerned that it houses a few more stolen documents "belonging to the American people" (phrase used by the Appellate Court over turning the Loose Cannons order).
But seriously, please think good thoughts for Florida - a state that we so easily demonize. This storm may be worse than anything we have seen in our adult lifetimes - we would/should not wish that on anyone. Let's take the high road on this one.
So much is happening right now with the hurricane being at the top of the list. Gosh, I sure wish that force of nature would envelope just DeSantis and his evil crew and carry them to places unknown. Biden is such a mensch; doesn’t hesitate to make certain the state gets the help it needs. Although, I wouldn’t want DeSantis and his ilk handling the money, however. No telling where those millions will end up! Fabulous news about Medicare which will give financial relief to so many and lots of them are in Florida. My best wishes to those in the Sunshine State while they ride out this storm. Please, stay safe!
Republican Lies have traction. People are clamoring for the next political hit job
Democrats need what I’m calling “The Quick Response Team”, an instant ad production team that corrects and dispels the lie in real time. A 15 second spot, with rational and calm voice over; showing video of the lie and then the reality. These ads should run during national news hours, just as the breathless Nora ODonnells delivers them. A truth squad in real time
If we have to pay up front to buy the space, the media will gain the profits, but they’ll be exposed for their agenda
It's just a thought experiment but what if the governors of New York and Massachusetts responded to Abbott and DeSantis by shipping paroled prisoners who used guns in their crimes to Texas and Florida? The result of my experiment: "Abbott and DiSantis" ought to be a Democratic catch phrase! Just by itself, it made me laugh.
wow. insomnia paid off. What a difference in administration makes. Trump's help to Puerto Rico was to throw paper towels into a crowd. Biden, who is opposed to just about everything DeSantis does, calls and assures him that help will be forthcoming.
I cannot tell you how thrilled I am about the cap on drug costs. I have a chronic health problem that, before the miracle of a fully-covered drug, cost me well upward of $6000/year on top of premiums and other drugs.
I hope you are off to get some rest. Looking forward to being in the cheering crowd at USM, Portland next month!
A place that I hold more dear than you can imagine is facing a storm surge of 8 to 12 feet and winds of 140 mph from Hurricane Ian. It's Little Gasparilla Island on the northwestern edge of Charlotte Harbor, north of Fort Myers. Oh the memories that spring from that tiny spit of land, memories spanning decades. Every glorious trip there with family and friends reminded me of the Old Florida of my so-distant past, a past before Disney triggered a tsunami of development and tourists.
The one solace tonight is that I know the federal and state government will do everything possible to help Florida residents. (At least DeSantis took Biden's call.) Let's hope that this unfolding tragedy will awake climate-change skeptics to the existential threat of global warming. Yes, hurricanes have always posed a serious threat, but now they're so much more fearsome.
As for that tiny spit of land, see it here (lower right corner): https://www.therondavel.net/the-island/where-is-little-gasparilla-island/
"Disinformation seems to be the hallmark of the midterm campaign." That is spot on.
Tonight we watched the first debate between candidates in the third congressional district of Washington, which is up for grabs and is being contested by Marie Gleusenkamp Perez (D) and Joe Kent (R). Kent is the MAGA candidate who ousted Rep. Jaime Herrera-Beutler after she committed the (im)mortal sin of voting to impeach former President Trump after the January 6 riot.
Marie is very much a newcomer to running for national office and comes off as unpolished but authentic. I was surprised to see that Kent is an extremely slick fast talker. He appears on the Steve Bannon and Tucker Carlson shows. He seems so bright and competent if you don't recognize the lies and partisanship in his fluid presentation. He's a formidable opponent.
Kent's misdirections included blaming President Biden and Speaker Pelosi for inflation that is caused by emerging from a pandemic, disrupted worldwide supply chains and cost increases of energy and food brought about by Russia's war on Ukraine. Kent blamed the president for increasing the price of insulin when he's helped reduce it. He blamed Democrats for America's not achieving energy independence when President Biden has tapped the energy reserve to reduce oil prices while trying to move us toward a sustainable future that will take time to achieve. He promoted "America First" isolationism over our helping Ukraine defend itself, which protects Europe and its democratic economies. As Bannon says, Kent "flooded the zone with BS" recognizable by anyone not enthralled by Republican talking points.
Instead of getting sucked into the undertow of his lies and potential rebuttals, Ms. Perez differentiated herself and called out Kent's extremism, including his advocating national legislation to ban abortions, his threats to Medicare and Social Security, his calls to halt immigration and his advocating tearing down effective government rather than reaching across the aisle. She was also able to land some zingers.
This race has found national attention as seen in this in-depth article by Michelle Goldberg of The New York Times. With that publication, Ms. Perez has received a flood of contributions. (I don't work for her campaign.)
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/24/opinion/house-republican-elections.html?smid=url-share
Here's Ms. Perez's website: https://marieforcongress.com/
Kent's ingratiating himself to white nationalists was called out in this article in The Bulwark, a publication of never-Trumpers. That well-written take-down includes a video of Kent debasing himself with a white nationalist student interviewer. Here's that link:
https://www.thebulwark.com/maga-candidate-begs-for-absolution-from-hitler-youth/
We live in strange times, but we can't afford to give ground when democracy is at stake.
Too bad the hurricane doesn't barrel through Tallahassee and take out the (occupied) Governor's Mansion. Turn it into kindling. DeSantis needs a little "the cruelty is the point" aimed between those lying used car dealer's eyes.
The aftermath of Hurricane Ian will be a test to see if DeSantis can do more than posture and pull political stunts. Kudos to Biden for reaching out to him. That is what mature leadership does in a crisis. (TFG would have let an opposition party governor who had bad-mouthed him flap in the wind, literally.)
"Disinformation seems to be the hallmark of the midterm campaign." Republicans know the truth, on just about any issue, is not their friend; hide it, dress it up to look like something it isn't, or just flat-out run from it.
I picked up 8 free Covid home test kits from CVS yesterday. Just showed them my Medicare card and done. Thank you, President Biden.
Lastly, thank you HCR, for all of it. You're the first place I go to every day.
The republican party is a death cult and those who continue to justify its cruelty by their votes are just as brutish and guilty.
I'm glad Biden is out here touting facts supported by numbers. This as opposed to playing head games with misinformation/lying. President Biden is also getting out ahead of this storm landing in Florida. I'm glad that he is in direct communication with DeSantis. This was a point of contention in a press conference with LaPierre. Thank you for keeping us informed Dr. Richardson.
Obama's money comes from book sales, not tax fraud, stiffing vendors, bankruptcies, and racial discrimination in renting apartments.
Thank you Professor Richardson for showing us ways President Biden and his administration continue to govern and demonstrate that the real work of the government, the commitments and legislation, make a difference to every citizen, no matter their party. Too bad the followers of TFG and other repubs are more interested in voting against almost anything they didn’t create. Democrats must make sure that all citizens know that their legislation and commitment work for all of them. Today’s NYT podcast “The Daily” reports “Why Fewer American Children are Living in Poverty.” Tax policies and benefits, over time, not necessarily direct welfare, have significantly reduced Child Poverty. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736?i=1000580641064
Government for the People works. Shout it from the rooftops and compare TFG’s tax breaks for the wealthy with Democratic policies that make real change in the lives of our citizens. Our tax dollars at work. And look what we must continue, the promises to our children and future generations for clean energy, a sustainable environment and policies, improved education and health care, infrastructure, equality and respect for human rights. Peace, ETC! My postcards reminding voters to vote are ready to mail. Dems must increase the majority. And continue the real work of our Democracy.
Positive Ads on tv and radio and social media; billboards, flyers, and door-to-door "selling" of everything Biden said--by people who are ready and able to engage in a real conversation in the right language.
Biden's got it all right -- but it's in the Rose Garden of the WH and not out on the streets and airwaves where it's needed. Dems have more to run on than abortion--put the money and resources into it.
Thank you Heather.
I can't help but think that if times were different and the GOP extremists were in charge and this hurricane were to devastate a Blue State, would they respond so openly and quickly to help us? I feel their sense of cruelty would prevail and they would use a natural disaster against us.
Would they use this as an opportunity to "own us" ?
How different is this to the very real plan to charge women with murder if they obtain an abortion or sunset Social Security and other programs?
I recently got into a conversation with a Senior about the reality of the Republican initiative to sunset Social Security and was told, " that's all just talk". I find it frightening that the GOP have bamboozled the Seniors to vote against their own survival.
Yet, here we are.
Be safe. Be well. Sending positive thoughts to my Florida friends.
I don't think it is good karma to wish bad stuff on anybody. But if Mar A Lago is consumed by a storm surge, I will not be tearing up. On the other hand, maybe we should be concerned that it houses a few more stolen documents "belonging to the American people" (phrase used by the Appellate Court over turning the Loose Cannons order).
But seriously, please think good thoughts for Florida - a state that we so easily demonize. This storm may be worse than anything we have seen in our adult lifetimes - we would/should not wish that on anyone. Let's take the high road on this one.
So much is happening right now with the hurricane being at the top of the list. Gosh, I sure wish that force of nature would envelope just DeSantis and his evil crew and carry them to places unknown. Biden is such a mensch; doesn’t hesitate to make certain the state gets the help it needs. Although, I wouldn’t want DeSantis and his ilk handling the money, however. No telling where those millions will end up! Fabulous news about Medicare which will give financial relief to so many and lots of them are in Florida. My best wishes to those in the Sunshine State while they ride out this storm. Please, stay safe!
Republican Lies have traction. People are clamoring for the next political hit job
Democrats need what I’m calling “The Quick Response Team”, an instant ad production team that corrects and dispels the lie in real time. A 15 second spot, with rational and calm voice over; showing video of the lie and then the reality. These ads should run during national news hours, just as the breathless Nora ODonnells delivers them. A truth squad in real time
If we have to pay up front to buy the space, the media will gain the profits, but they’ll be exposed for their agenda
It's just a thought experiment but what if the governors of New York and Massachusetts responded to Abbott and DeSantis by shipping paroled prisoners who used guns in their crimes to Texas and Florida? The result of my experiment: "Abbott and DiSantis" ought to be a Democratic catch phrase! Just by itself, it made me laugh.
Bet that $12 million he used for a fraternity stunt would really come in handy for storm clean up.