PLEASE change the "tax cuts to the wealthy" language. We have heard that so many times that it has become meaningless. Please point out that when the wealthy do not pay taxes or pay lower taxes, ordinary Americans are paying more than their fair share for our common benefits, such as roads, air traffic control,
weather reports, defense, air force one, public education, national parks, etc. When the wealthy pay fewer or no taxes, ordinary Americans are paying the public bill, including for benefits, the wealthy take advantage of . I think the term" tax cuts for the wealthy" has become meaningless because it has been so overused and it is too generalized. Thank you fir all that you do.
Yes. It's important to emphasize that this budget proposal is all about a redistribution of wealth from the needy to the ultra-wealthy. Revolutions have begun over this sort of thing.
Your observation is so important! The Dems have no imagination or creativity when it comes to using words effectively to catch attention, open minds and win votes.
donna woodward: I remember thinking the same thing about Kamala Harris' campaign stops. They should have varied them--it was the same words and phrases over and over again. I have often thought that whoever is advising democrats about delivery, they are lazy and tone deaf.
It has to be dumbed down for the masses. For a sound bite or hash tag. Maybe “Reverse Robin Hood” or “Plutocratic Pick Pockets” or “Tax Cut Privileged”. Or
“Fiscal Freeloaders”?
These words are probably too big. Oh well. “Tax Free”.
I looked for an earlier post from you since you referred to something you posted earlier, but I don't see anything. ?? And it's sometimes a virtue to be able to contradict ourselves, when circumstances dictate this. :)
What would be a good three word term for this? Free govt resources? Rich people welfare? Use without contribution? Benefits without taxation? No taxation-maximum representation? I’m not a marketer type, obviously, but someone should come up with something.
Greg, above, called it The Great American Ripoff. And that's what our tax system is: a ripoff of the working class in the interests of the investor class.
donna woodward: I don't mind paying "my fair share," but I do mind if others do not. And when others do not pay, then the working class in fact is getting royally screwed. In our present situation, Trump seems to think it's his money now--he can screw our farmers and give billions to Argentina.
Yes, I think we're all willing to pay our fair share. But what exactly are we doing when we pledge to save Qatar and Argentina?? Clearly there's something in this for President Pinocchio, either a property deal or a way to take vengeance on an "enemy." I'm surprised he's not offering to save Norway in return for a certain prize.
The Dems should also be pounding the table that they are not going through with the charade of appropriating money only to have the president refuse to spend it while the GOP Congress goes along with the president's usurpation of Congressional power.
First, thank you for all you do, all the time! You and Jen, et al, are one of our lights in this onslaught. Second, can you please cover what's going on in Chicago? You write about DC and NY and Portland. Chicago is in the crosshairs! It's terrible here. Blackhawk helicopters, masked armed men downtown and along the river, our neighbors too afraid to leave their houses and losing businesses b/c no one is leaving home. Kids needing to be escorted to school, etc etc.
Last night an Alderwoman was violently handcuffed by ICE and taken out of the hospital while she was trying to protect a man (who broke his leg while ICE was chasing him) in the ER -- just for asking repeatedly for a judicial warrant.
The abomination of what's happening at the Broadview detention center, with nonviolent protestors being shot at with rubber bullets, teargassed, pepper sprayed.
I am a retired military veteran and so got a number of emails fro the organizations I belong to about hot the shutdown would affect me. Every organization such as the American Legion, the Military Officers Association said “Congress failed [or was unable]to reach agreement…” However, the Veteran’s Administration, the official government agency now in the hands of a Trump appointee, said it was the Democrats who fail to vote for a bill. This throws the Hatch Act under the bus as the message goes out to millions of former military personnel placing the blame on one party.
Mike Burton: How about that--Trump and his lackeys involving the U.S. Government in a massive lie. And his "enemy within" is (transparently) an attempt to gaslight the military and everyone in the country--all the while literally shaking down every country in the world. Are there people out there who actually still believe this sxxt?
For those of us who aren't lawyers, how can you sue to stop an action? I thought lawsuits had to be reactive and include an injured party.
Also, please address the massive violation of the 4th Amendment in the Chicago apartment building. And, who has to pay for all the damage done by all those masked men?
Thank you Norm, for your ceaseless positivity and confidence. I am positive and confident too, but there are days those qualities waiver. As far as I've seen or heard, yours never does. And for that, millions of Americans owe you, Jen and your team a great debt. We'll win this war (in part because we're not battling a bunch of Rhodes scholars and they shoot themselves in the foot daily) but because we're on the right side of history.
Speaker Johnson is the biggest liar in congress. As I’ve said before every time something important comes up he bolts. Republicans won’t play so you cannot blame the Democrats when they own the government. It’s their fault full stop.
Mike Johnson lies like he enjoys doing it. He's practiced so much since becoming speaker, I guess he's just fine with it now, no more twinges of anything to stop him. He keeps such a straight face it's like it's totally botoxed. And the stuff he says is so outrageous - he claims he's a Christian and I don't know how he looks himself in the mirror! Is he proud of himself? How could he be? Trump is just plain and simple insane, so I get it (much as I hate every minute). But Mike? I don't get it.
Not a single appropriation bill has been passed. The Republicans who control the House have made sure that the big ugly bill would pass before any appropriation bill -- thus guaranteeing a shutdown. And now they want Democrats to open the government with the health insurance premium cliff looming. Republicans are feeding at the billionaire trough, and if you and I need health insurance -- well, it sucks to be us...
The Republicans' rhetoric is so childish, such a poor man's Dr. Evil. "The radical left." 😆 I introduce to you Chuck Schumer, King of Anifa, the Ayatollah of the Radical Left. So dumb.
Absolutely. The right runs all their meaningless insults into the ground. They start every sentence the same way. It’s a really tired tactic that’s starting to backfire. Juvenile name calling is all they’ve got to mask their failure. They represent…Stupidity.
Thank you for "addressing" the issue of the banners on Federal departments and agencies web pages. I went to the CDC website yesterday and I was appalled by that banner. I sent an email to the "president" at the White House website regarding this issue and I received a canned email response filled with partisan garbage. We taxpayers are paying for this garbage.
This federal worker household thanks you for addressing the insult to injury of kicking civil servants after throwing them to the ground. It is illegal to fire during a shutdown because severance packages have not been funded, and yes, there are still severance packages. Not that we want them. And Mister saying that he can target the pain only on Democrats is a world-class lie that only stupid magas would believe... as they become targets themselves.
That's all he's ever talking to, magas, and fortunately if you've seen the "Leaving MAGA" substack - they're numbers are coming down, albeit slowly. I'd be so mortified to discover what an idiot I had been, but the only out is humility and contrition. Mister doesn't think WE are stupid, but he KNOWS maga is. So he tries his stupid stuff on and about us, maga laps it up for their next fix, and we figure out how to counter him.
I'm sorry you're having to endure this shutdown plus the indignity of being tagged as a maga without your permission or freedom of speech to rebut. Prayers for our federal workers on furlough!
The fascist Trump Regime is a charnel house where the bones of democracy are strewn. One has to have the faith that our efforts will release them from these Barrow-wights. We will prevail.
PLEASE change the "tax cuts to the wealthy" language. We have heard that so many times that it has become meaningless. Please point out that when the wealthy do not pay taxes or pay lower taxes, ordinary Americans are paying more than their fair share for our common benefits, such as roads, air traffic control,
weather reports, defense, air force one, public education, national parks, etc. When the wealthy pay fewer or no taxes, ordinary Americans are paying the public bill, including for benefits, the wealthy take advantage of . I think the term" tax cuts for the wealthy" has become meaningless because it has been so overused and it is too generalized. Thank you fir all that you do.
I suggest the phrase, "Upward redistribution of money from the poorest to the richest." Feel free to tinker with the words...
Yes. It's important to emphasize that this budget proposal is all about a redistribution of wealth from the needy to the ultra-wealthy. Revolutions have begun over this sort of thing.
Thanks, Donna! The French Revolution comes to mind, doesn't it??
That rings a bell... :)
The Great American Ripoff.
I prefer "No Representation Without Taxation".
If you are not carrying your full share of the cost of Common Good, then you should not get to share in the definition of it.
Your observation is so important! The Dems have no imagination or creativity when it comes to using words effectively to catch attention, open minds and win votes.
donna woodward: I remember thinking the same thing about Kamala Harris' campaign stops. They should have varied them--it was the same words and phrases over and over again. I have often thought that whoever is advising democrats about delivery, they are lazy and tone deaf.
It has to be dumbed down for the masses. For a sound bite or hash tag. Maybe “Reverse Robin Hood” or “Plutocratic Pick Pockets” or “Tax Cut Privileged”. Or
“Fiscal Freeloaders”?
These words are probably too big. Oh well. “Tax Free”.
Your love of alliteration is duly noted … and shared.
And assonance! Whatever works when the going gets tuff.
Facts! You're so right -- I'm so frustrated with their language.
Facts don't matter in marketing: Feelings do. Which I realize directly contradicts what I just posted.
I looked for an earlier post from you since you referred to something you posted earlier, but I don't see anything. ?? And it's sometimes a virtue to be able to contradict ourselves, when circumstances dictate this. :)
What would be a good three word term for this? Free govt resources? Rich people welfare? Use without contribution? Benefits without taxation? No taxation-maximum representation? I’m not a marketer type, obviously, but someone should come up with something.
"Welfare for the Wealthy" has a nice ring to it if I may say so.
Greg, above, called it The Great American Ripoff. And that's what our tax system is: a ripoff of the working class in the interests of the investor class.
donna woodward: I don't mind paying "my fair share," but I do mind if others do not. And when others do not pay, then the working class in fact is getting royally screwed. In our present situation, Trump seems to think it's his money now--he can screw our farmers and give billions to Argentina.
Yes, I think we're all willing to pay our fair share. But what exactly are we doing when we pledge to save Qatar and Argentina?? Clearly there's something in this for President Pinocchio, either a property deal or a way to take vengeance on an "enemy." I'm surprised he's not offering to save Norway in return for a certain prize.
donna: Yes--I thought that about Gaza--Trump is after the real estate and will say and do anything to get at it.
Call it what it is, taxpayers footing the bill for those who won't pay.
Robin Hood inversion.
The Dems should also be pounding the table that they are not going through with the charade of appropriating money only to have the president refuse to spend it while the GOP Congress goes along with the president's usurpation of Congressional power.
gmfeld: It's Lucy and Charlie Brown with the football all over again.
First, thank you for all you do, all the time! You and Jen, et al, are one of our lights in this onslaught. Second, can you please cover what's going on in Chicago? You write about DC and NY and Portland. Chicago is in the crosshairs! It's terrible here. Blackhawk helicopters, masked armed men downtown and along the river, our neighbors too afraid to leave their houses and losing businesses b/c no one is leaving home. Kids needing to be escorted to school, etc etc.
Last night an Alderwoman was violently handcuffed by ICE and taken out of the hospital while she was trying to protect a man (who broke his leg while ICE was chasing him) in the ER -- just for asking repeatedly for a judicial warrant.
The abomination of what's happening at the Broadview detention center, with nonviolent protestors being shot at with rubber bullets, teargassed, pepper sprayed.
We are all on edge.
This is awful!
It's the Congressional Republicans who we need to flip!
Corner the Congressional Republicans from Dem majority states that MAGA has targeted.
I am a retired military veteran and so got a number of emails fro the organizations I belong to about hot the shutdown would affect me. Every organization such as the American Legion, the Military Officers Association said “Congress failed [or was unable]to reach agreement…” However, the Veteran’s Administration, the official government agency now in the hands of a Trump appointee, said it was the Democrats who fail to vote for a bill. This throws the Hatch Act under the bus as the message goes out to millions of former military personnel placing the blame on one party.
Mike Burton: How about that--Trump and his lackeys involving the U.S. Government in a massive lie. And his "enemy within" is (transparently) an attempt to gaslight the military and everyone in the country--all the while literally shaking down every country in the world. Are there people out there who actually still believe this sxxt?
How about "Trump: The Gas-lighter in Chief."
For those of us who aren't lawyers, how can you sue to stop an action? I thought lawsuits had to be reactive and include an injured party.
Also, please address the massive violation of the 4th Amendment in the Chicago apartment building. And, who has to pay for all the damage done by all those masked men?
Thank you Norm, for your ceaseless positivity and confidence. I am positive and confident too, but there are days those qualities waiver. As far as I've seen or heard, yours never does. And for that, millions of Americans owe you, Jen and your team a great debt. We'll win this war (in part because we're not battling a bunch of Rhodes scholars and they shoot themselves in the foot daily) but because we're on the right side of history.
I truly hope you're right! Thanks for the positive note!
Speaker Johnson is the biggest liar in congress. As I’ve said before every time something important comes up he bolts. Republicans won’t play so you cannot blame the Democrats when they own the government. It’s their fault full stop.
Mike Johnson lies like he enjoys doing it. He's practiced so much since becoming speaker, I guess he's just fine with it now, no more twinges of anything to stop him. He keeps such a straight face it's like it's totally botoxed. And the stuff he says is so outrageous - he claims he's a Christian and I don't know how he looks himself in the mirror! Is he proud of himself? How could he be? Trump is just plain and simple insane, so I get it (much as I hate every minute). But Mike? I don't get it.
If the democrats get a concession on healthcare what is to prevent Trump from just not doing it or using SCOTUS to undue everything?
Your question underlies everything happening in our government. The rule of law and promises mean nothing. He cannot be trusted.
That message is also on the USDA APHIS website. I’ve already sent in a feedback
form blasting it. But it’s not just HUD.
My VA newsletter had the same message. I gave them a full ration of shit for that.
Not a single appropriation bill has been passed. The Republicans who control the House have made sure that the big ugly bill would pass before any appropriation bill -- thus guaranteeing a shutdown. And now they want Democrats to open the government with the health insurance premium cliff looming. Republicans are feeding at the billionaire trough, and if you and I need health insurance -- well, it sucks to be us...
Hats off to the Contrarians. Thank you.
The Republicans' rhetoric is so childish, such a poor man's Dr. Evil. "The radical left." 😆 I introduce to you Chuck Schumer, King of Anifa, the Ayatollah of the Radical Left. So dumb.
Absolutely. The right runs all their meaningless insults into the ground. They start every sentence the same way. It’s a really tired tactic that’s starting to backfire. Juvenile name calling is all they’ve got to mask their failure. They represent…Stupidity.
I guess that's all of us!
Thank you for "addressing" the issue of the banners on Federal departments and agencies web pages. I went to the CDC website yesterday and I was appalled by that banner. I sent an email to the "president" at the White House website regarding this issue and I received a canned email response filled with partisan garbage. We taxpayers are paying for this garbage.
This federal worker household thanks you for addressing the insult to injury of kicking civil servants after throwing them to the ground. It is illegal to fire during a shutdown because severance packages have not been funded, and yes, there are still severance packages. Not that we want them. And Mister saying that he can target the pain only on Democrats is a world-class lie that only stupid magas would believe... as they become targets themselves.
That's all he's ever talking to, magas, and fortunately if you've seen the "Leaving MAGA" substack - they're numbers are coming down, albeit slowly. I'd be so mortified to discover what an idiot I had been, but the only out is humility and contrition. Mister doesn't think WE are stupid, but he KNOWS maga is. So he tries his stupid stuff on and about us, maga laps it up for their next fix, and we figure out how to counter him.
I'm sorry you're having to endure this shutdown plus the indignity of being tagged as a maga without your permission or freedom of speech to rebut. Prayers for our federal workers on furlough!
The fascist Trump Regime is a charnel house where the bones of democracy are strewn. One has to have the faith that our efforts will release them from these Barrow-wights. We will prevail.