The Tragedy that is Unfolding Before Us -- Update 5:45 pm

Submitted by gulfgal98 on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 10:01am

Last night Jimmy Dore had Dylan Ratigan on to talk about the latest "stimulus " bill that Congress passed without the Senators and Representatives even having a chance to read and study all 5,593 pages of this pork laden bill. Only two Democrats in the House voted against this bill, Tulsi Gabbard and Rashida Tlaib. Here is the log of the votes in the Senate. Bernie voted for it so he has zero right to complain about the Republicans or the bill.

And Bernie too. Fuck “progressives”. Been trying to tell you. These people are not your friends. https://t.co/xYBI4u8Mdv

— Comrade Misty is Putin’s Buddy (@SarcasmStardust) December 22, 2020

I will be linking the video of Jimmy and Dylan further down in this essay. But first, a few comments from Twitter about this abomination of a bill. These first comments address the process over which the Speaker has complete control. Probably the most outspoken and best spoken Representative on the process is Justin Amash who, like Tulsi Gabbard, is leaving Congress this year. Amash pointed out that the House has a rule that requires that members have at least 72 hours to read and study a bill before voting on it. That rule was waived in the case of this 5,593 page monstrosity.

It takes the average person 138 hours to read 5,000 pages of text.

Members of Congress received the 5593 page coronavirus bill only hours ago.

Only 2 Democrats voted against it.

Washington is broken.

— Nicole Alexander Fisher (@_nalexander) December 22, 2020

For half a year, congressional leaders refused to put any legislation on the floor to be considered AND scrutinized AND amended. Now, they release a 5,593-page bill with no opportunity to read it, let alone amend it. No responsible legislator should vote for such a thing.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) December 21, 2020

Had congressional leaders put a bill on the floor months ago, open to deliberation and amendment—something not done in either house of Congress—we could have provided substantive, timely, and recurring direct cash relief to the people instead of a towering pillar of corporatism.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) December 21, 2020

This tweet of Amash's is very prophetic.

They passed 5,593 pages they didn’t read. America, stop letting this happen. Don’t vote for anyone who voted for this. It’s not okay. Representative government is important. Too many people have come to accept oligarchy. This doesn’t end well.

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) December 22, 2020

So, why did it take 5,593 pages of a bill to INSULT struggling Americans with a measly on time $600?

How many pages do you suppose are dedicated to that $600 check?

— Justin Amash (@justinamash) December 21, 2020

Here are just a few things that have been pointed out thus far. I am sure there is a lot more that has been buried in this abomination.

They just dumped another pile of money on the super rich while giving you a slice of moldy balogna. Great country we’ve got here.

— Comrade Misty is Putin’s Buddy (@SarcasmStardust) December 21, 2020

- $4,000,000,000 for naval weapons
- $2,000,000,000 for air force missiles
-Another $2,000,000,000 for the Space force
- $500,000,000 for Israel

But only $600 for American citizens

Congress is full of #DefundTheMilitary

— Lady Like (@llLadyLikell) December 21, 2020

And here is another slap in the face of the American people for whom Congress refuses to hold a floor vote on Medicare for All.

Covid-19 relief bill includes a doubling of the health care budget — for members of Congress https://t.co/J1bBh53QOe by @lhfang

— Ryan Grim (@ryangrim) December 21, 2020

Here is the video of Jimmy talking with Dylan Ratigan about this stimulus bill. Ratigan is one of my favorite guests (even when I disagree with him) that Jimmy has on because he is fiery like Jimmy and knows his stuff. But last night's Dylan Ratigan looked like a beaten man. I have never seen him like this The whole interview is worthwhile, but the segment from about 11 minutes in to about 17 to 18 minutes is where Ratigan gets to the meat of why he is so disturbed by this latest bill. According to Ratigan (and I agree), the Congress has decided purposefully as a matter of policy to destroy about 30% of the US economy and the people who make their livelihoods in it. IMHO, they have made a decision to completely reduce the US to a third world status with an upper class of professionals and technocrats and a vast lower class of people living in or on the edge of poverty. This is the work of sociopaths.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHHTVyvmpyk]

On a personal note. I have been in a terrible mood for the last several days because I could see this coming. It is such a helpless and hopeless feeling not to be able to do anything to stop the destruction of our country and the people within it. I have already seen the closure of two local downtown restaurants in this small town which still has a real downtown. The local retail stores are holding their own but the local restaurants are really suffering. Once they close, I doubt they will ever re-open and this did not have to happen.

It is going to get worse, a lot worse. I doubt that the majority of small businesses and local restaurants in this country will survive. And our government has shown we the people that it does not care. We need a revolution now. Our government has shown it refuses to work on behalf of its citizens.

UPDATE 5:45 pm EST: Courtesy of Niko House who apparently has talked to a Representative in the House about this. So the source of this story is legit according to Niko.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4No9HaFrGaI]

This tweet also confirms the true nature of this bill. Now we know why it took 5,593 pages to give Americans a one time, means tested COVID stimulus of a measy $600.

Thank you @TulsiGabbard and @RashidaTlaib for showing courage and voting against this bill. It is not a relief bill. It is a this government hates its people & loves the Military Industrial Complex bill.

— Ryan Knight (@ProudSocialist) December 22, 2020

Tags:

Stimulus bill

Jimmy Dore

dylan ratigan

Vote

Comments

Submitted by fire with fire on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 10:42am

Before the Election

.

Trump's $1.8 trillion stimulus proposal faces opposition from Pelosi and Senate GOP
.
(CNN)House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Republicans on Saturday balked at President Donald Trump's roughly $1.8 trillion stimulus proposal, making it all but certain Congress won't pass an economic relief package before Election Day.

On Saturday, Pelosi called the counteroffer Trump made Friday "insufficient" and "amounted to one step forward, two steps back" in negotiations, underscoring that there are several major outstanding policy issues to work out.

—

I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.

Submitted by TheOtherMaven on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 3:08pm

Evil POS Witch!

@fire with fire

She WOULDN'T allow Trump any brownie points even if it meant ruthlessly crushing the public under a Juggernaut of poverty.

I'll be glad when we can sing the "Dingdong" song for her - those of us her malignant neglect hasn't murdered.

—

There is no justice. There can be no peace.

Submitted by snoopydawg on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 5:27pm

Evil POS witch

@TheOtherMaven

Pleased that we were able to get so much done #ForThePeople in the closing days of the 116th Congress, including the emergency COVID relief package. More must be done and looking forward to hitting the ground running with President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris. pic.twitter.com/Di9ZsDBPVR

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 22, 2020

$2.2 trillion didn’t go far enough - Pelosi. Remember that for always as well as I’m keeping my powder dry.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 7:20pm

Oh, that's why she wouldn't agree to it!

@fire with fire

Now it all makes sense. Trump's fairly crappy relief package was too good; it needed the Democrats to make it into "a cruel joke."

Trump wasn't sadistic enough for them.

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by RantingRooster on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 11:35am

This is like

watching the destruction of a country in real time.

From WallStreetOnParade:

Most Americans have never heard of the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund. It was created in 1934 to provide support to the U.S. dollar during the Great Depression. The ESF has grown from $94.3 billion in assets prior to Trump taking office to a balance of $681 billion as of October 31, 2020. As recently as March 31, 2007, the ESF had assets of just $45.9 billion.

According to footnote 1 of the October 31, 2020 ESF financial statement linked above, the ESF received the “full amount” of the CARES Act appropriation to the Treasury of $500 billion in March, from which Treasury Secretary Mnuchin was supposed to give $454 billion to the Fed to backstop the Fed’s emergency lending programs. Those programs were to be used during the financial crisis to loosen credit markets, help Main Street businesses and shore up local and state governments through support of municipal bond markets.

But instead of turning over the full $454 billion to the Fed, Mnuchin turned over just $114 billion for the Fed’s emergency lending programs, as confirmed by the Congressional Research Service on December 17. Since what the Treasury Secretary does with the ESF “may not be reviewed by another officer or employee of the Government” according to its dodgy statute, the public has no idea as to what Mnuchin actually did with the balance of $340 billion in his slush fund from the CARES Act.

While there has been widespread media attention to Toomey’s effort to kneecap the Fed’s emergency lending programs by inserting language into the stimulus bill, there has been no mainstream media attention to Toomey’s effort to memorialize both Mnuchin’s and (potentially) future Treasury Secretaries’ ability to have a slush fund to intervene in markets. The Treasury Secretary has, effectively, become a Plunge Protection Team of one.

(bold emphasis mine)

To talk about "rigged" is to talk about "America". Evey thing is rigged for the 1%. With a genocide level of death continuing, I think it is time we start thinking about real revolution and justified homicide, as well as firing squads in central park, I'm mean I'm just saying... how many more must die to "save the economy"?

We are not being lead to the slaughter, we are in the middle of it! And these so called "progressives" are just worthless. They voted for this shit! As Bernie said "it's better than nothing".

To think "it's better than nothing", is the "best they could do", which, obviously isn't anywhere near enough. More death and suffering caused by a failing government subservient to the 1% with a bunch of "progressives" that have no clue what the fuck they are doing!

Just imagine if we got "pro athletes" to with hold their labor to shut down all pro sports, America would shit a gold brick to give us MedicareForAll.

#BoycottProSports because if you're watching pro sports, you are supporting the 1% who are killing our fellow citizens and causing massive misery in this country so they can get that much richer!

—

C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote

Submitted by lotlizard on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 12:41pm

Speaking of “ranting roosters,” this used to be the VARA logo in

@RantingRooster
the Netherlands:

VARA was a Dutch public broadcaster with roots in the labor movement and socialism. It has since been merged into BNNVARA.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omroepvereniging_VARA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BNNVARA

watching the destruction of a country in real time. From WallStreetOnParade: Most Americans have never heard of the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund. It was created in 1934 to provide support to the U.S. dollar during the Great Depression. The ESF has grown from $94.3 billion in assets prior to Trump taking office to a balance of $681 billion as of October 31, 2020. As recently as March 31, 2007, the ESF had assets of just $45.9 billion. According to footnote 1 of the October 31, 2020 ESF financial statement linked above, the ESF received the “full amount” of the CARES Act appropriation to the Treasury of $500 billion in March, from which Treasury Secretary Mnuchin was supposed to give $454 billion to the Fed to backstop the Fed’s emergency lending programs. Those programs were to be used during the financial crisis to loosen credit markets, help Main Street businesses and shore up local and state governments through support of municipal bond markets. But instead of turning over the full $454 billion to the Fed, Mnuchin turned over just $114 billion for the Fed’s emergency lending programs, as confirmed by the Congressional Research Service on December 17. Since what the Treasury Secretary does with the ESF “may not be reviewed by another officer or employee of the Government” according to its dodgy statute, the public has no idea as to what Mnuchin actually did with the balance of $340 billion in his slush fund from the CARES Act. While there has been widespread media attention to Toomey’s effort to kneecap the Fed’s emergency lending programs by inserting language into the stimulus bill, there has been no mainstream media attention to Toomey’s effort to memorialize both Mnuchin’s and (potentially) future Treasury Secretaries’ ability to have a slush fund to intervene in markets. The Treasury Secretary has, effectively, become a Plunge Protection Team of one. (bold emphasis mine) To talk about "rigged" is to talk about "America". Evey thing is rigged for the 1%. With a genocide level of death continuing, I think it is time we start thinking about real revolution and justified homicide, as well as firing squads in central park, I'm mean I'm just saying... how many more must die to "save the economy"? We are not being lead to the slaughter, we are in the middle of it! And these so called "progressives" are just worthless. They voted for this shit! As Bernie said "it's better than nothing". To think "it's better than nothing", is the "best they could do", which, obviously isn't anywhere near enough. More death and suffering caused by a failing government subservient to the 1% with a bunch of "progressives" that have no clue what the fuck they are doing! Just imagine if we got "pro athletes" to with hold their labor to shut down all pro sports, America would shit a gold brick to give us MedicareForAll. #BoycottProSports because if you're watching pro sports, you are supporting the 1% who are killing our fellow citizens and causing massive misery in this country so they can get that much richer!

Submitted by gulfgal98 on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 4:36pm

This is exactly what is happening

@RantingRooster

watching the destruction of a country in real time.

I believe that is why Dylan Ratigan was so despondent in his Jimmy Dore interview.

I wish someone could talk me out of the way I am feeling about this country because I see no way out of what the members of Congress have done to this country and the citizens who live here. It is like the oligarchs are now just picking over the bones to get the last scraps of flesh off the carcass that was the United States.

My anger toward every one of them who voted for this and the CARES Act is off the rails. I tried to tell people I knew that electing Biden would not make things better and they all responded to me in anger. Now the masks have come off and every one can see what they have done. And the so called progressives in the Democratic party were complicit except Tulsi Gabbard and Rashida Tlaib.

watching the destruction of a country in real time. From WallStreetOnParade: Most Americans have never heard of the Treasury’s Exchange Stabilization Fund. It was created in 1934 to provide support to the U.S. dollar during the Great Depression. The ESF has grown from $94.3 billion in assets prior to Trump taking office to a balance of $681 billion as of October 31, 2020. As recently as March 31, 2007, the ESF had assets of just $45.9 billion. According to footnote 1 of the October 31, 2020 ESF financial statement linked above, the ESF received the “full amount” of the CARES Act appropriation to the Treasury of $500 billion in March, from which Treasury Secretary Mnuchin was supposed to give $454 billion to the Fed to backstop the Fed’s emergency lending programs. Those programs were to be used during the financial crisis to loosen credit markets, help Main Street businesses and shore up local and state governments through support of municipal bond markets. But instead of turning over the full $454 billion to the Fed, Mnuchin turned over just $114 billion for the Fed’s emergency lending programs, as confirmed by the Congressional Research Service on December 17. Since what the Treasury Secretary does with the ESF “may not be reviewed by another officer or employee of the Government” according to its dodgy statute, the public has no idea as to what Mnuchin actually did with the balance of $340 billion in his slush fund from the CARES Act. While there has been widespread media attention to Toomey’s effort to kneecap the Fed’s emergency lending programs by inserting language into the stimulus bill, there has been no mainstream media attention to Toomey’s effort to memorialize both Mnuchin’s and (potentially) future Treasury Secretaries’ ability to have a slush fund to intervene in markets. The Treasury Secretary has, effectively, become a Plunge Protection Team of one. (bold emphasis mine) To talk about "rigged" is to talk about "America". Evey thing is rigged for the 1%. With a genocide level of death continuing, I think it is time we start thinking about real revolution and justified homicide, as well as firing squads in central park, I'm mean I'm just saying... how many more must die to "save the economy"? We are not being lead to the slaughter, we are in the middle of it! And these so called "progressives" are just worthless. They voted for this shit! As Bernie said "it's better than nothing". To think "it's better than nothing", is the "best they could do", which, obviously isn't anywhere near enough. More death and suffering caused by a failing government subservient to the 1% with a bunch of "progressives" that have no clue what the fuck they are doing! Just imagine if we got "pro athletes" to with hold their labor to shut down all pro sports, America would shit a gold brick to give us MedicareForAll. #BoycottProSports because if you're watching pro sports, you are supporting the 1% who are killing our fellow citizens and causing massive misery in this country so they can get that much richer!

—

Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Submitted by RantingRooster on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 7:28pm

@gulfgal98 I have nothing but rage

@gulfgal98 I have nothing but rage at this point. Being "nice" is no longer acceptable. Too many have died as a result of willful, criminal negligence and it has to stop!

—

C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 7:44pm

Today, Justin Amash is more my leader than Bernie Sanders.

@gulfgal98

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by snoopydawg on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 9:40pm

I know right?

@Cant Stop the Macedonian Signal

Thomas Massive is another republican who has been exposing what congress has been doing with just a few people working on the bill. He says that is how the house has been working all year. The rest of the house has no say in what goes into them. Plus most of the house and some in the senate aren’t even working. They are at home and phone in their votes. Then they go on vacation and holiday breaks and trips to wherever they want cuz they call it work.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Fri, 12/25/2020 - 5:27pm

I rarely try to excuse their behavior,

@snoopydawg

but if I were a Congresswoman and I had no say in what legislation got passed, I'd phone it in too. I damned well would be on a beach somewhere sipping a pina colada, or something. Because a fake legislature doesn't deserve better.

If this is just going to be some kind of fucking kabuki performed by Congressional leadership, then why should anybody spend any more time than absolutely necessary on it?

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by aliasalias on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 11:01pm

For those that don't know, listen to Jimmy Dore tell his story

@gulfgal98 about his own life threatening disease, years getting a correct diagnosis and the financial nightmare he lived through with suicidal thoughts, loans, mortgage, etc. and bankruptcy fight.

It's a powerful story and you can see on his face it wasn't easy to tell.I've followed him for years and never heard it before.
I keyed the video for that part.

Submitted by gulfgal98 on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 5:17pm

Yes!

@aliasalias People who have not heard Jimmy's story need to watch this video. He went through hell and ended up bankrupt due to a very rare disease he had even though he had health insurance.

—

Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Submitted by mimi on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 12:15pm

not only talking about a revolution, making a revolution

is a must by now, imo.
[video:https://youtu.be/Xv8FBjo1Y8I]
and standing together is a must by now, as well, imo
[video:https://youtu.be/8XL6C3vY0jM]

Thank You, gulfgal. And imagine there is a heaven.

—

https://www.euronews.com/

Submitted by ggersh on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 12:17pm

When only 3 people control the bills that occur in this country

—

I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Submitted by gulfgal98 on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 2:14pm

This is what Justin Amash has been pointing out

@ggersh Only three elected people have had control of these bills and a lot of unelected people including lobbyists are writing them. They drag a 5,593 page bill into Congress two hours before the vote and 535 elected Representatives and Senators are told to rubber stamp it? We the people deserve much better from our government. It has been totally captured by corporations and the oligarchs.

Of the total money appropriated in this monstrosity of a bill that no one fully knows its contents, less than 20% of the monies appropriated are going to the people in a one shot means tested $600 check. Every other developed country in the world not only provides healthcare to its citizens but is supporting its citizens and small businesses with monthly UBI checks to ensure they stay afloat.

What has happened in the United States is a conscious decision to destroy a large sector of the economy which is based upon many small businesses and effectively destroying the lives of those who worked in or owned those businesses. Our elected officials in COngress have chose to commit genocide upon the American public. This is not hyperbole. People who have no income or means to support themselves will be subject to homelessness, disease, drug and alcohol addiction, and suicide. The blood is on the hands of every member of Congress who voted for this abomination.

—

Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Submitted by ggersh on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 4:31pm

I almost wish that tptb would start droning/bombing us

@gulfgal98 cuz it sure as hell seems that us ameriKKKans really don't believe we're getting fucked by the empire that fucks the rest of the world. Sadly that could be the only way ameriKKKans stand up and fight back.

My biggest fear is that Dementia Joe's admin is going to make the Donald look like the true clown that he was

—

I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Submitted by polkageist on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 5:17pm

I want to emphasize this part of your post.

@gulfgal98
"Our elected officials in Congress have chosen to commit genocide upon the American public. This is not hyperbole."

It's just the fact that the rich have a government but regular people don't. I detest our politicians and greedy corporatists. I think tar and feathers are long overdue. I hope people are ready to take to the streets. This government, Democrat or Republican, right or left, has forfeited its legitimacy. The wealthy corporatists are sentencing all of us to death. We have a duty to fight back any way we can. There is no difference between patriotism and sedition in a situation like this.

—

-Greed is not a virtue.
-Socialism: the radical idea of sharing.
-Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable.
John F. Kennedy, In a speech at the White House, 1962

Submitted by gulfgal98 on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 7:38pm

Great comment!

@polkageist Thank you. I have been told that I am an anarchist. But I believe that I am really a humanist and our government is inhumane. So it is time for a change by whatever means necessary so that our government can work for the citizens that it is supposed to represent. The people did not ask for this. The people are being forced into this.

—

Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Submitted by earthling1 on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 12:42pm

Unfortunately,

It will have to get much, much worse before spineless Americans get up the courage to even complain.
"Home of the brave". The most successful piece of propaganda eveh!

—

Neither Russia nor China is our enemy.
Neither Iran nor Venezuela are threatening America.
Cuba is a dead horse, stop beating it.

Submitted by Azazello on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 12:56pm

Tulsi explains her vote:

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I97MfrUZ-Kw width:500 height:300]

—

We wanted decent healthcare, a living wage and free college.
The Democrats gave us Biden and war instead.

Submitted by mimi on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 1:01pm

I hope she fights and becomes President one day.

@Azazello

—

https://www.euronews.com/

Submitted by The Liberal Moonbat on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 1:25pm

That assumes there'll remain such a position to apply for

@mimi I never, ever, EVER, EVER thought I might support a military coup. I fucking hate the military and have never trusted soldiers after what a couple did to me years ago...

...but maybe Major Gabbard's got the Right Stuff.

#ItsPilsudskiTime

—

In the Land of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man is declared mentally ill for describing colors.

Yes Virginia, there is a Global Banking Conspiracy!

Submitted by mimi on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 2:06pm

May be it helps you to know that she served

@The Liberal Moonbat
in 2005 in 12-month tour at Logistical Support Area Anaconda in Iraq, where she served in a field medical unit as a specialist with a 29th Support Battalion medical company.

Not knowing what happened to you and what has been done to you by whom (during a war?), I assume you would have needed someone compassionate from a field medical unit.

Your comment deserves to be understood more clearly, but of course I can imagine, you might not want to talk about it in public. I am sorry to have touched an issue that brings up bad memories and pain to you. If you had asked me if I ever wanted my son to become a soldier, I would just responded, if you think I am nuts. But sometimes it happens that unlikely people end up in it and struggle their whole life with what happened to them there as well.

So far I still believe Tulsi is honest about her morals in war and for peace. I heard people doubting her, but so far I think that is just the usual smear.

Try to trust.

—

https://www.euronews.com/

Submitted by RantingRooster on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 2:17pm

Legislative Terrorism

That's what this is.

It is beyond cruelty of the highest order, and is most "unusual" because the "United States" is the ONLY COUNTRY on this planet, not helping it's people.

The "bright spots" (better than nothing) do not cover over the glaring CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE displayed by ALL THREE BRANCHES of our "government".

Dr. Richard Wolff calls this a "Disgusting Humiliation" to the American people.

[video:https://youtu.be/EpiC96tIYMM]

In my mind, it's simply legislative terrorism against, "we the people"!

(edited-spelling)

—

C99, my refuge from an insane world. #ForceTheVote

Submitted by QMS on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 2:14pm

The role of US government

@RantingRooster

pad the upper class
squeeze the middle class
starve the lower class
protect the corporations
and feed the military beast

the grinch that stole america

Submitted by gulfgal98 on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 2:18pm

Terrorism and

@RantingRooster genocide, IMO. People will die as a result of Congress' lack of meeting their needs. These people are sociopaths, plain and simple.

—

Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

Submitted by snoopydawg on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 5:22pm

On restaurants and businesses going down

Mnuchin did not release all of the money that was supposed to go to small businesses and such. He held on to the lions share of it and congress forgot to oversee his work. They say they found out about after they read it in the news. Sure. Why have watch dawgs anyway?

You’re not alone feeling this way. You have lots of company.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Submitted by snoopydawg on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 5:45pm

Biden owns the bill

The @NYTimes credits Biden with giving Democrats the courage to cave.https://t.co/WzvRa7RRAO pic.twitter.com/4RV1MIXU3Q

— Jim Naureckas (@JNaureckas) December 22, 2020

I sure hope Trump vetoes it. Then pardons Assange. lol.

$2.2 trillion wasn’t enough. Just remember that.

—

Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 7:16pm

I was just wondering if there were any actual

legislators up there other than Tulsi Gabbard, Rashida Tlaib, and Justin Amash.

I guess not.

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by Shahryar on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 8:45pm

They should put a sticker on the cover

That says "Dinner's on us!"

Submitted by on the cusp on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 10:25pm

Maybe Trump will not sign this travesty.

I keep reading about the $600 (to invest in the future with, according to CNBC) is means tested.
What is the test? I need to know, just to add to my general hatred for all things government in this fine USA.
A solid, righteous essay, friend. Kudos.

—

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by ovals49 on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 9:11am

Income > $75k/individual, $150k/couple

@on the cusp
but I am unclear whether this refers to all taxable income, earned and unearned. I assume those who got the first round check will receive the second, but in the smaller amount.

—

Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all."
- John Maynard Keynes

Submitted by Roy Blakeley on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 10:57pm

In fairness to Bernie

He and Josh Hawley are mainly responsible for their being any direct payments.

Submitted by on the cusp on Tue, 12/22/2020 - 11:11pm

They didn't do much good.

@Roy Blakeley That might feed a family of 4 for 2, may4 weeks if they buy crap food in bulk. 14 (give or take) days goodness and food for their and heroism is nothing for them to be proud about.Like Richard Wolff says, $600 to a starving poor person is humiliating.

—

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by Cant Stop the M... on Fri, 12/25/2020 - 5:30pm

It's an insult.

@on the cusp

—

"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha

"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver

Submitted by Lookout on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 8:04am

Part 2 of Jimmy and Dylan out this AM

"Blow Torching The Economy" COVID Relief Bill is Disaster for America. 27 min
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC-oTDEnIJM]

I'm glad to hear Trump vetoing the bill calling out the give away to the elites while screwing the poor. I liked Niko's take. Seems like Trump is running 2024?

—

“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Submitted by The Wizard on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 8:36am

It's 92% Pork

Let's assume that 200 million people get a check for $600, that's about 8% of the almost $1Trillion Covid relief part of the bill. It also contains no relief for medical bills due to covid or support for states and cities. This reflects really poor understanding and planning by Congress. This Winter will be the worst of the Pandemic, even Biden understands that. We are not even sure if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. That very serious question has come up recently - is the vaccine sufficient to end the pandemic sometime in the future? Will we need very large distribution of vaccines, economic shutdown and detailed contact tracing? Notice that the relief bills have gotten smaller over time, yet we have the worst part ahead and they contain no serious economic relief for real people. The goal of your rulers is that the ordinary people will pay the majority of the cost of this pandemic, certainly not the banks, corporations or the MIC. Can they continue to exist with society in ruins? I doubt it. Can the government continue to borrow and print money? Not if the rest of the world wakes up. In the past, when the US got a cold the rest of the world got pneumonia, so capital flocked to the US, even if the US caused the economic crisis. Today it is completely different, China is healthy, whole and productive, with a growing economy. If China demanded that the US dollar be properly devalued our consumer sector, 70% of the economy, would collapse, as we would actually have to pay for the products that we import.

—

Capitalism has always been the rule of the people by the oligarchs. You only have two choices, eliminate them or restrict their power.

Submitted by The Voice In th... on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 10:22am

If Trump vetoes this

because there is not enough for real people, then I have to say that he is doing something truly Presidential rather than partisan.

Biden is starting out worse than even I imagined.

—

I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

Submitted by lizzyh7 on Wed, 12/23/2020 - 2:48pm

Biden is busy

@The Voice In the Wilderness bleating russia Russia Russia again while people starve. A truly disgusting state of affairs but hardly surprising.

—

Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur