Some have raised concerns that seemingly fewer liberals are bashing 45 than before.
It's different now. We fought for decency. We lost.
Now some will pursue protecting many actual underprivileged people from the Evil people who will harm us.
This fight uses lawsuits, individual resistance to Evil actions directed at them, protests and whatever real tools we have.
The fight will be long and nasty but not fodder for headlines.
We should ask the question: Why did he pardon all the people in jail from the Jan 6 insurrection?
The obvious answer may be the right one: He created a recruiting pool for an off-book militia to carry out whatever acts of violence he wishes.
Now, he has a list of 1,600 +/- people who have committed political acts of violence at his request, have served jail time for that offense and have been pardoned and are now free.
Some of them will be willing to commit further acts of violence at his request. A major reason is that they know they will be pardoned for any crime. Thus, they have zero external motivation to avoid committing further violence.
Throw an opponent out a window? Done.
Poison an obstreperous judge? Done.
Push a journalist off a bridge? Done. Only one ??
Beat and torture a social media critic? No problem.
Here is a list of the individuals convicted of crimes related to the events at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, along with their sentences, crimes, and city of residence as of the latest available information:
This list reflects the crimes for which they were convicted, their sentences as of the latest available data, and their cities of residence.
This is a thing.
Folks in shelters who have lost a lot may be experiencing Culture Shock.
Some advice I received years ago helped me.
It is: Create a morning routine you do before any interactions. Do that routine every day.
That gives a frame to your day and helps you gain some perspective.
Try it; it may help you in your recovery process.
New Book Announcement
Trump thinks he can cure some American economic issues by raising tariffs on things we import from China and elsewhere. But, pretty much all economists agree that just raising tariffs without a comprehensive policy framework will increase prices Americans must pay and thus increase inflation. A recession most likely will follow. California economists are more in agreement on that than the national averages suggest.
Tariffs can be a tool in our policy toolbox to make the United States better off; however, tariffs do not stand alone: they are a small part of a country's economic strategy.
Most countries understand that and create a country-wide set of policies to achieve sound economic growth. The United States has not had such a policy for many decades. It has been to our disadvantage that we did not.
The brand new book 'INDUSTRIAL POLICY FOR THE UNITED STATES, Winning the International Competition for Good Jobs and High-Value Industries', [authors Marc Fasteau and Ian Fletcher, 2024, Cambridge University Press, UK] suggests a well thought out strategy of raising some tariffs and ensuring a good economic future.
The book also addresses the underlying economic issues with trade as well as providing some examples of countries which have implemented a National Economic strategy and a coordinated trade policy.
Mike P. McKeever, Economics Professor, City College of San Francisco.
Email: mckeever.mp@gmail.com
Cell: 415-816-2982
URL: miepa.net; econoak.org
We face a stark situation. 2025 will be a difficult year. My hope is that all Americans recognize the threat from the GOP and resist it every day.
We can delay and demoralize them, if we act together. If we do not, then our condition today will be eroded until we are all destitute.
Robert Reich presents the same message
My hope is that we unite in resisting 47 and the GOP in their plans and programs.
Americans come together historically to resist a common enemy to our country.
Today the GOP presents such a common enemy to our American Democracy.
Their goals include taking an extensive list of actions to weaken our National purpose and our institutions which support the Rule of Law.
Today's GOP is led by several native and foreign born billionaires who have no interest in serving or protecting Americans from harm. Their only goal appears to be removing any impediment to their taking even more of our treasure and blood for their personal gain. They seem to see the United States as a vast treasure house ripe for the taking.
But, if we all unite in resisting each and every action they propose, we have a chance to preserve our values and institutions for the future.
This resistance requires courage and risk. We will see theft, misery, violence, illness and wars. The Billionaires will take our houses, our wages, our votes and perhaps our lives and health away from us. Then, when we are living on the street without medical care or shelter, they will take away our small bag with our last precious memories and reminders of what we once had.
