July Politics

[neverfstop]

I'm increasingly frustrated with Biden.  His administration has really been dropping the ball lately... From COVID to finances to guns...


Now this...


The Biden-McConnell Deal to Make an Anti-Abortion Advocate a Federal Judge Is Still On

New details of the controversial Kentucky compromise that has enraged Democrats.

slate.com/news-and-politics/2022/07/biden-mcconnell-chad-meredith-abortion-kentucky-judge.html

[msmerymac]

Supposedly his thinking now is that the Dobbs v. Jackson decision will just magic up a win for Dems in November.

[spinnaker5]

(assuming this is a general/not geo-specific politics thread)

Paging mrsukyankee for some perspective on whether this might be, maybe, possibly, this time, the last straw for BoJo?

www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-62054067

….and seriously, the guy’s name is Pincher? You can’t make this shit up. Hope they prosecute the fucker. 

[sillygoosegirl]

Jul 5, 2022 15:32:57 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Supposedly his thinking now is that the Dobbs v. Jackson decision will just magic up a win for Dems in November.

If he thinks a win for Dems has been magicked up, why can't he stop pretending the pandemic is over?

[Michelle]

Jul 5, 2022 16:07:17 GMT -5 spinnaker5 said:

(assuming this is a general/not geo-specific politics thread)

Paging mrsukyankee for some perspective on whether this might be, maybe, possibly, this time, the last straw for BoJo?

www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-62054067

….and seriously, the guy’s name is Pincher? You can’t make this shit up. Hope they prosecute the fucker. 

He, Anthony Weiner, and others like them take the saying, "living up to their name" wayyyy too seriously.

[Velar Fricative]

I'm really really frustrated. The GOP didn't just sit down for these last 40 years and wait for things to magically happen. So why are the Ds going by that playbook?

[Pom]

Anyone watch the documentary George Carlin's American Dream? In his later stuff, it feels like he is a wizard looking forward on abortion, the environment, the conservative movement, policing, religion, etc., but what is true is that the GOP has always been super clear about their motives and goals. The conservatives tactics are precise and relentless. GC delivers a clear view of that and in such a way, that it feels like we need to just keep his political rants on air and on repeat so that people who need their vegetables hidden in pasta sauce, will understand and care about the serious hellscape we are facing. I don't know how else to get everyone to care enough to stop this trajectory. Because most Americans, including Independents and Dems, don't really give a shit unless it impacts them directly.

[Pom]

McCabe & Comey both ended up subjects of an IRS audit that seem unlikely to be random. Could be the trump WH interjected and if so, that is illegal.

www.nytimes.com/2022/07/06/us/politics/comey-mccabe-irs-audits.html

Among tax lawyers, the most invasive type of random audit carried out by the I.R.S. is known, only partly jokingly, as “an autopsy without the benefit of death.”

The odds of being selected for that audit in any given year are tiny — out of nearly 153 million individual returns filed for 2017, for example, the I.R.S. targeted about 5,000, or roughly one out of 30,600.

[ellipses84]

I understand the frustration. I want Ds to get loud and bold in preparation for midterms and I feel like Biden takes a very long time to gather all the info to make decisions which makes him appear indecisive and ineffective.

Student loan forgiveness is one example of this where month after month we hear $10k forgiveness being dangled and the deadline pushed. I really hope it’s a strategic move to time it just before midterms. They need to worry less about the opposition’s potential criticism and more about what they need to do to engage D voters to get to the polls. They just announced student loan reform items which are great (but not blanket forgiveness, yet?). A ton of people have received life changing forgiveness through the PSLF temporary waiver over the past few months (that has been promised and denied for over a decade prior) and from fraudulent/ for profit schools.

www.forbes.com/sites/adamminsky/2022/07/06/biden-administration-unveils-sweeping-new-rules-to-curb-student-loan-interest-improve-student-loan-forgiveness-programs/amp/

However, I think we all need to focus on the positive and what we all value as a society, and change the narrative to GOTV until midterms to take a majority in the Senate. Biden has done a lot of positive things, he’s undoing damage from the previous 4 years and being blamed for things he has not caused. All of the recent terrible SCOTUS rulings are a direct result of the previous presidency. The power we need to change laws is in the Senate.

I hear so much complaining about gas prices and inflation, directly blaming Biden when rising prices are an international problem which was impacted by Russia attacking Ukraine. A few months ago most of the US was very vocally in support of Ukraine. Voting for an R who promises lower gas prices is not worth losing all of our civil rights, out bodily autonomy, ignoring genocide, destroying our environment or losing our democracy. I think most of the people on this board are privileged, but Rs are not going to help the people who are truly struggling financially in the long run.

[jeaniebueller]

Jul 5, 2022 16:10:49 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

Jul 5, 2022 15:32:57 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Supposedly his thinking now is that the Dobbs v. Jackson decision will just magic up a win for Dems in November.

If he thinks a win for Dems has been magicked up, why can't he stop pretending the pandemic is over?

This is probably controversial on this board, but Dems running on Covid or pandemic related stuff is not a winning strategy in November.

[sent]

ellipses84, great points. I am seeing the gas prices come down a smidge. Maybe that's a tactic. Lower them back to our previous "normal" just in time for people to feel good again and go vote. If it's not a tactic, I'd like it to be one because I am tired of people's short term memories. Gas was $1.99 because almost no one was driving in April 2020, not because of anything specific TFG did.

[basilosaurus]

Jul 6, 2022 15:28:01 GMT -5 Pom said:

Anyone watch the documentary George Carlin's American Dream? In his later stuff, it feels like he is a wizard looking forward on abortion, the environment, the conservative movement, policing, religion, etc., but what is true is that the GOP has always been super clear about their motives and goals. The conservatives tactics are precise and relentless. GC delivers a clear view of that and in such a way, that it feels like we need to just keep his political rants on air and on repeat so that people who need their vegetables hidden in pasta sauce, will understand and care about the serious hellscape we are facing. I don't know how else to get everyone to care enough to stop this trajectory. Because most Americans, including Independents and Dems, don't really give a shit unless it impacts them directly.

Oh, thanks for reminding me. It's in my queue.

[Velar Fricative]

Jul 6, 2022 19:17:23 GMT -5 Pom said:

McCabe & Comey both ended up subjects of an IRS audit that seem unlikely to be random. Could be the trump WH interjected and if so, that is illegal.

www.nytimes.com/2022/07/06/us/politics/comey-mccabe-irs-audits.html

Among tax lawyers, the most invasive type of random audit carried out by the I.R.S. is known, only partly jokingly, as “an autopsy without the benefit of death.”

The odds of being selected for that audit in any given year are tiny — out of nearly 153 million individual returns filed for 2017, for example, the I.R.S. targeted about 5,000, or roughly one out of 30,600.

And Rettig is still in his role at the IRS. I can’t imagine these audits are coincidences.

[aurora]

I know that Biden and the D's have accomplished some good things that don't always get enough publicity.

I still think it's a terrible look for (some of) them when half the country loses our right to bodily autonomy and their reply boils down to "That's awful! Only you can fix it by voting for us in November."


ETA: tell us how you're working to fix it now! With the branches of government you do control. And tell us how you'll be more successful if we vote for you. Because we aren't going to get enough Senate seats to break the filibuster.

(Also applies to other issues, not just Roe.)

ETA2 and yes I know we're in danger of R's controlling Congress next year. I'm not talking about my personal vote, but the lack of persuasiveness of the argument.

[Michelle]

Jul 6, 2022 22:00:09 GMT -5 sent said:

ellipses84 , great points. I am seeing the gas prices come down a smidge. Maybe that's a tactic. Lower them back to our previous "normal" just in time for people to feel good again and go vote. If it's not a tactic, I'd like it to be one because I am tired of people's short term memories. Gas was $1.99 because almost no one was driving in April 2020, not because of anything specific TFG did.

And because OPEC and Russia flooded the supply in the market and drove the cost per barrel into the negative. 

[omgzombies]

Jul 7, 2022 9:00:12 GMT -5 aurora said:

I know that Biden and the D's have accomplished some good things that don't always get enough publicity.

I still think it's a terrible look for (some of) them when half the country loses our right to bodily autonomy and their reply boils down to "That's awful! Only you can fix it by voting for us in November."


ETA: tell us how you're working to fix it now! With the branches of government you do control. And tell us how you'll be more successful if we vote for you. Because we aren't going to get enough Senate seats to break the filibuster.

(Also applies to other issues, not just Roe.)

ETA2 and yes I know we're in danger of R's controlling Congress next year. I'm not talking about my personal vote, but the lack of persuasiveness of the argument.

This.  Tell me the plan you have for fixing it.  We need X number of seats, and we're targeting these specific politicians to move us forward so that we have a majority, and when we do THIS is the legislation we are going to move forward.  

I'm tired of seeing platitudes and zero plan.  You wanted to be a leader, so LEAD.  

I received a letter today from my state delegate.  The first two paragraphs are just reminders to his constituents that he's a parent, and that he's a veteran.  The third paragraph talks about how he's "fighting for reproductive rights".  That's great.  HOW?!  What exactly are you doing besides saying repeatedly "yeah this is awful!".  Show me some, ANY, real initiative that you have.  I'm tired of voting for people because they're not Republicans.  It's not enough.

[jeaniebueller]

www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/06/27/roe-v-wade-pelosi-unveils-abortion-rights-proposals-after-supreme-court-decision.html


www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/us/politics/biden-abortion-roe-wade.html

[NewOrleans]

Saw a couple polls today on Twitter saying Warnock leading a lot in GA and Ryan leading a lot in OH. Not sure wtf is happening in PA with what’s his name.

[NewOrleans]

Jul 7, 2022 17:50:46 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/06/27/roe-v-wade-pelosi-unveils-abortion-rights-proposals-after-supreme-court-decision.html


www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/us/politics/biden-abortion-roe-wade.html

From the first article: The second idea would be to pass legislation that reiterates the constitutional right to travel freely throughout the U.S., ensuring that residents of states that ban abortions could have the procedure done in one that allows it.

1) do we seriously need to do this?  Like, we literally need to spend political capital doing this?

2) can you imagine Republicans voting it down?  🫣

[curbsideprophet]

I feel like this is a good summary of what could happen if Republicans take control of the House and Senate….

It’s hard to accept that the U.S. is heading towards democratic collapse.

So, I photoshopped some potential headlines to show #WhatsToCome if we don’t act now…

[noodleoo]

Jul 7, 2022 20:20:43 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

I feel like this is a good summary of what could happen if Republicans take control of the House and Senate….

It’s hard to accept that the U.S. is heading towards democratic collapse.

So, I photoshopped some potential headlines to show #WhatsToCome if we don’t act now…

Well that was terrifying… and yet not unrealistic.

[curbsideprophet]

Jul 7, 2022 21:01:33 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Jul 7, 2022 20:20:43 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

I feel like this is a good summary of what could happen if Republicans take control of the House and Senate….

It’s hard to accept that the U.S. is heading towards democratic collapse.

So, I photoshopped some potential headlines to show #WhatsToCome if we don’t act now…

Well that was terrifying… and yet not unrealistic.

I know! I can easily see much/all of that happening, which really is terrifying. Mitch McConnell has shown he gives no fucks and will destroy democracy if it suits him.

[konapoppy]

What the hell is happening - Shinzo Abe shot in Japan:
www.nbcnews.com/news/world/japan-shinzo-abe-shot-rcna37228

[wanderingback]

Jul 7, 2022 22:24:54 GMT -5 konapoppy said:

What the hell is happening - Shinzo Abe shot in Japan:
www.nbcnews.com/news/world/japan-shinzo-abe-shot-rcna37228

Yes I saw that he died

[neverfstop]

That's awful...I know Japan has been having a tough time with COVID/recession issues.

Given their anti-gun & anti-violence culture, this is really shocking.

I read this stat: In 2014, there were six gun deaths in Japan — compared to 33,599 in the U.S., according to an earlier BBC report.

[Jalapeñomel]

Jul 7, 2022 22:24:36 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Jul 7, 2022 21:01:33 GMT -5 noodleoo said:

Well that was terrifying… and yet not unrealistic.

I know! I can easily see much/all of that happening, which really is terrifying. Mitch McConnell has shown he gives no fucks and will destroy democracy if it suits him.

I read a similar thread on Wednesday, and the idea of sending electors who will certify against the people is terrifying.

Other countries have burned it all down and come back better—-I feel like the US will just burn it down, no idea what a come back would even look like and I don’t want to know.

[wanderingback]

Jul 7, 2022 18:21:08 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Jul 7, 2022 17:50:46 GMT -5 jeaniebueller said:

www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/06/27/roe-v-wade-pelosi-unveils-abortion-rights-proposals-after-supreme-court-decision.html


www.nytimes.com/2022/06/25/us/politics/biden-abortion-roe-wade.html

From the first article: The second idea would be to pass legislation that reiterates the constitutional right to travel freely throughout the U.S., ensuring that residents of states that ban abortions could have the procedure done in one that allows it.

1) do we seriously need to do this?  Like, we literally need to spend political capital doing this?

2) can you imagine Republicans voting it down?  🫣

Since I’m not a legislative expert I’m not sure if this legislation addresses this, but to your first question yes we do need something that addresses movement in this country. There are internal border checks at places close to the Mexico border and it really scares and impedes people from being able to live and get things that they need. I’m not sure why it would be a bad thing to do something to helps people have free movement in this country.

[NewOrleans]

Jul 8, 2022 7:51:18 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Jul 7, 2022 18:21:08 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

From the first article: The second idea would be to pass legislation that reiterates the constitutional right to travel freely throughout the U.S., ensuring that residents of states that ban abortions could have the procedure done in one that allows it.

1) do we seriously need to do this?  Like, we literally need to spend political capital doing this?

2) can you imagine Republicans voting it down?  🫣

Since I’m not a legislative expert I’m not sure if this legislation addresses this, but to your first question yes we do need something that addresses movement in this country. There are internal border checks at places close to the Mexico border and it really scares and impedes people from being able to live and get things that they need. I’m not sure why it would be a bad thing to do something to helps people have free movement in this country.

I meant like, has it come to this, that we have hit the point where freedom of movement is considered fully endangered? 

legally, this intersects a lot with the Dobbs case, so it is deeply shrewd. Justice Thomas was like “ everyone just calm down your worries about all the cases I’ve suggested need to be reviewed because substantive due process isn’t a thing anymore— such as Obergefell, Griswold, etc. You just calm down because the 14A privileges and immunities clause has your back.”  He’s obsessed with the privileges and immunities clause, actually. It guarantees freedom of movement is federally enshrined. But then in the 1870’s SCOTUS said just kidding and basically nullified it by ruling that Privileges and Immunities Clause REALLY means that states can limit the privileges and immunities afforded by state citizenship just fine, since the federal government had just spelled out some vague ones.  (The decision was racially motivated, of course). So legislation about free movement in essence calls Thomas’s bluff.  (While also possibly in some ways perhaps repairing the damage done in the 1872 case and ensuring that women are not de facto imprisoned  in their state)

[msmerymac]

Jul 7, 2022 18:00:18 GMT -5 NewOrleans said:

Saw a couple polls today on Twitter saying Warnock leading a lot in GA and Ryan leading a lot in OH. Not sure wtf is happening in PA with what’s his name.

It's basically a toss-up in the PA senate race, with Fetterman (D) ahead of Oz by a small margin. 

It's a bit better on the gubernatorial side, with Shapiro (D) having about a 75% chance of defeating the insurrectionist, Doug Mastriano. But that's also about the same chance Hillary Clinton had of winning in 2016...

[NewOrleans]

DT and Junior removed from Truth Social board? I can’t even fathom what this means if anything.

www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/07/07/trump-reportedly-out-as-board-member-of-truth-social-company-but-platform-denies-claim/amp/