It’s a rainy, cold Tuesday, May 21, 2019. And here’s another ten stories from Liberal Minded Ladies of Substance.
As you know by now, I homeschool my Boychild. In fact, at this moment, he’s currently wrapped up in his “Tiger Blanket” (a plush blanket with the image of a tiger on it) about to have some blueberry tea, he has his earbuds in covered with fox-styled earmuffs, and he’s finishing up his school year on the computer. One thing we do in the mornings, even at 13, is “morning snuggles.” Once he emerges from his room, we sit together in the easy chair for a few minutes while he finishes waking up. (No one in this house is good at waking up.) This morning, I had the news on while waiting for Don McGahn to blow off the House committee.
Boychild came out, climbed into my lap (no easy feat since he’s almost as tall as me), and sat quietly as Nadler and Collins spoke. At the end of it, he said to me: “Trump is trying to take power away from Congress.”
“It does look like that,” I sighed. He was quiet for a few more minutes.
“You know, that’s happened before,” he said.
“Oh? When?”
“In the 1930’s in Germany.” Boychild has been in love with World War 2 since he was about 5. He has books and maps and videos all about World War 2. So, this turn of conversation wasn’t that big a surprise.
“Tell me,” I said.
“When Hitler took power, he dissolved the German congress, the Reichstaag. And you know what happened next! He started a war with EVERYBODY.”
I know the parallels are there, I just wish they weren’t obvious enough for a 13-year-old to pick up on them.
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NEWS STORIES
Bernie’s Plan to Save Public Schools -- -- (The Nation) One of the best parts of his education plan (that Chait also ignored in his homage to charter schools yesterday) is that Bernie got his plan from an actual teacher. Imagine having a President who actually listens to people with experience and who know what they are talking about.
Nadler threatens to hold McGahn in contempt -- -- (The Hill) McGahn is supposed to testify today, but he says he's abiding by the White House order not to. Nadler's going to hold him in contempt because this is a subpoena to appear before Congress. Trump is determined to destroy the idea of co-equal branches in a bid to become a dictator.
Jeff Daniels Tears Apart ‘Worthless’ Republicans Enabling Trump: ‘Democracy Is at Stake’-- -- (Daily Beast) I've been binging the Newsroom on streaming video, and Daniels isn't far off from what his alter-ego, Will McAvoy, might say. He did not hold back, calling Republicans like Flake and Corker "cowards" and demanding to know where the heroes are in Congress.
Walmart workers invited a special guest to crash the company’s annual meeting: Bernie Sanders -- -- (Washington Post) Walmart workers have invited Bernie Sanders to speak on their behalf. In this case, it's to give workers representation on the board as they make decisions. The board is currently comprised of wealthy execs from companies like McDonald's, so not very clued in on what workers need in terms of pay and benefits.
The Economy Is Strong and Inflation Is Low. That’s What Worries the Fed. -- -- (NY Times) On top of Walmart employees demanding better pay and benefits, we see The Fed worried because prices aren't going up, despite low unemployment. Walmart workers can tell you, their wages aren't going up, and the article details how companies are hiring previously untapped employee markets, people with criminal backgrounds or who were considered undesireable in other ways. And, unemployment numbers don't include those who are not looking for jobs for whatever reason, whether they are self-employed, contractors, etc. And those people (like myself) can tell you that the pay-out doesn't keep up with inflation as it is. Plus, we've seen worrying signs that we're about to lose this "strong economy" because it's been built on sand and clouds. Trump's house of cards is about to come tumbling down, and he's going to destroy us and the world economy in the process.
This Is How Republics Die And no, the nation will not just "bounce back" once Trump is gone -- -- (Common Dreams) We are witnessing all the evidence of the end of "this great experiment." We have a feeble-minded leader, willing to lie and swindle. We have a complicit House, either bound by weakness or party loyalty, unwilling to maintain the dignity or grasp the gravity of this situation. Maintaining the "status quo" is not a possibility with the current status of our country. That baseline means pardoning war criminals, openly lying, racism, bigotry, misogyny, genocide. That is where we are as a nation. And that is what our lack of action allows and encourages.
Trump’s troubling response to “lock them up!” chants during his Pennsylvania rally -- -- (Vox) Trump is accusing Democrats investigating his corruption of treason. He's promising that Barr will look into it. Barr seems more than willing to give Trump leeway to punish his political enemies, and Trump embraced the idea that his base promoted... To "lock them up." This is not the action of a leader of Democracy. This is the action of a dictator.
Trump Boasts of Staying in Office for Five Terms - 'We'll Drive Them Crazy' -- -- (Haaretz) This isn't a joke. This is him putting the idea out there and seeing if his base bites. He's trying to reduce the power Congress has, flouting them at every turn. He's committed obvious acts of corruption and obstruction, and no one has stopped him. In fact, the GOP has protected and continues to protect him. The time is coming where he won't be joking any more, and America is either going to have to give in or fight back. Our Congressional leaders are supposed to be doing this for us, as our representative government. WHERE ARE THEY?
Despite Anti-American 'Baiting' by NYT, Sanders Makes 'No Apologies' for Opposing Reagan-Backed Death Squads -- -- (Common Dreams) Over the weekend, an NYT reporter accused Bernie Sanders of "anti-American" activities when Sanders did not support Reagan's involvement in Central America (which has led to our current refugee crisis), did not support the Vietnam War, and did not support the ongoing Middle Eastern war. Apparently, we're supposed to be angry or upset that Bernie Sanders is against sending our children off to die in wars that rich men make money off of. We're supposed to be appalled that he was vocally opposed to "interventions" that have brought thousands of people to our doorstep seeking safety, only to have us commit further acts of genocide against them. Is this really the stance that the media wishes to take?
Poll: About half of rural Americans cannot afford unexpected $1,000 expense -- -- (The Hill) This is focused on health care and health insurance. While the ACA did get people health insurance, it does not mean they have access to care, no matter what the GOP thinks. The coverage in rural America is often not suitable for what the people actually need. Beyond that though, the news is worse. The struggle to survive is stark and divided along racial lines, with over 60% of Blacks and Latinos in rural areas unable to face crisis compared to 45% of Whites. And over 40% of all rural inhabitants regularly cannot meet the routine expenses of food, shelter, and transportation. Despite the "strong economy", the average American cannot afford the potential for inflation any more than they can be prepared for Trump's coming crash.