Congressional Democrats' push to convicted former President Donald Trump of impeachable offenses is "driven by the partisan rage and the partisan anger that the Democrats feel," Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, told "Hannity" Tuesday.
With Democrats preparing for the Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., warned his colleagues that moving forward will only cause more damage to the nation.
The $1.1 trillion wealth gain by 660 U.S. billionaires since March 2020 could pay for:
All of the relief for working families contained in President Biden’s proposed $1.9 trillion pandemic rescue package, which includes $1,400 in direct payments to individuals, $400-a-week supplements to unemployment benefits, and an expanded child tax credit. (See table below)
[...] Tax reform that ensures the wealthy pay their fair share—the principle the Biden tax plan is built on—would transform a good chunk of those huge billionaire gains into public revenue to help heal a hurting nation. But getting at that big boost in billionaire fortunes is not as simple as raising tax rates: tax rules let the rich delay, diminish and even ultimately avoid any tax on the growth in their wealth. What’s needed is structural change to how wealth is taxed.
The most direct approach is an annual wealth tax on the biggest fortunes, proposed by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, among others. Another option is the annual taxation of investment gains on stocks and other tradable assets, an idea advanced by the new Senate Finance Committee chair, Ron Wyden. Even under the current discounted tax rates for investment income, if Wyden’s plan had been in effect in 2020, America’s billionaires would be paying hundreds of billions of dollars in extra taxes this spring thanks to their gargantuan pandemic profits last year.
The Rise of One of the First Video Game Workers Unions, by Sarah Jaffe. What began as a Facebook group, and then a chat on Discord, soon became a massive campaign to remedy grueling working conditions across the industry.
Some Republicans in Congress seem confused about what “unity” means. They seem to think that if you don’t give them what they want, you’re not for unity. ⁰That’s not unity, that’s my way or the highway. We're in a crisis and Americans need help. Let’s unite around that.
“The same rule of self-destructive financial calculation governs every walk of life. We destroy the beauty of the countryside because the un-appropriated splendors of nature have no economic value. We are capable of shutting off the sun and the stars because they do not pay a dividend.” ~~ John Maynard Keynes, “National Self-Sufficiency,” 1933
On this date at Daily Kos in 2020—John Bolton: Trump explicitly said Ukraine aid freeze was tied to investigations into Democrats:
Former national security adviser John Bolton has refused House demands that he testify on the events surrounding the freezing of military aid to Ukraine and the efforts by Donald Trump’s allies and administration officials to pressure the Ukrainian government into announcing an investigation into potential Trump election opponent Joe Biden. Bolton is instead writing a book on his tenure.
In the now-circulating manuscript for that unreleased book, reports The New York Times, Bolton writes that Donald Trump personally told him he would continue to freeze the nearly $400 million in aid until Ukrainian officials aided his desired investigations into “Democrats” and “the Bidens.”
Bolton’s manuscript alleges direct involvement in the scheme to falsely smear and remove U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, reports The Times, and Pompeo both knew the claims to be false and suspected Giuliani was “acting on behalf of other clients.” Bolton also says he personally spoke with Trump Attorney General William Barr to inform Barr that Trump had identified him as part of Rudy Giuliani’s efforts on his now-infamous call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky: Barr’s office had previously denied that he knew about that call until much later.
Monday through Friday you can catch the Kagro in the Morning Show 9 AM ET by dropping in here, or you can download the Stitcher app (found in the app stores or at Stitcher.com), and find a live stream there, by searching for "Netroots Radio.”
The radically liberal “Squad” teamed up on Monday to issue a major warning about what will happen if the effort to impeach former President Donald Trump is not successful.
‘Squad’ Speaks Out On Impeachment
Various members of the “Squad” took to social media to remind their followers about how important they feel it is to impeach Trump in the Senate.
“Nobody is above the law, no matter the person or the timing. Failure to hold those who would incite terror on others to overthrow an election process that has worked for over 230 yrs would set a dangerous precedent,” tweeted Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
Nobody is above the law, no matter the person or the timing. Failure to hold those who would incite terror on others to overthrow an election process that has worked for over 230 yrs would set a dangerous precedent. https://t.co/A5xmVJnnZ7
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), who is the newest member of the “Squad,” got in on the action as well on her own Twitter page.
“The article of impeachment has been delivered to the Senate,” she wrote. “They need to convict Donald J. Trump — and the House needs to pass my resolution to investigate and expel the GOP members of Congress who sabotaged our democracy and incited the insurrection.”
The article of impeachment has been delivered to the Senate. They need to convict Donald J. Trump — and the House needs to pass my resolution to investigate and expel the GOP members of Congress who sabotaged our democracy and incited the insurrection. https://t.co/CNJW2ElGLr
Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) posted a quote from the late Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD), writing, “‘When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked…what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?’”
“When we’re dancing with the angels, the question will be asked…what did we do to make sure we kept our democracy intact?”
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), one of the leaders of the “Squad,” responded to a tweet by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) that read, “impeachment is the zenith of cancel culture.”
“Yes, inciting and participating in an insurrection against the US government should get you cancelled, impeached, expelled and jailed,” Omar tweeted in response.
Yes, inciting and participating in an insurrection against the US government should get you cancelled, impeached, expelled and jailed. https://t.co/6ZkafF3qu5
Trump was impeached by the House for a second time earlier this month for supposedly inciting the Capitol riots before leaving office. An impeachment trial is expected to happen in the Senate in the coming weeks.
AOC Speaks Out
Earlier this month, “Squad” leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) talked about why she wants Trump to be impeached.
“We have to understand that what happened on Wednesday was insurrection against the United States. That is what Donald J. Trump engaged in, and that is what those who stormed the Capitol engaged in,” she said.
“When we talk about healing…the process of healing is separate, and, in fact, requires accountability,” Ocasio-Cortez added. “And so, if we allow insurrection against the United States with impunity, with no accountability, we are inviting it to happen again. That is how serious it is.”
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez backs impeachment, telling @GStephanopoulos “every minute" that Trump is "in office represents a clear and present danger.”
Michigan’s Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer spoke out this week to defend her decision to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration last Wednesday. She went so far as to claim that she “can’t stand people that have one rule for others, and a different one for themselves.”
Whitmer Defends Attending Biden Inauguration
WOOD TV host Rick Albin pointed out that many felt it was hypocritical for Whitmer to travel to Washington D.C. for the inauguration when she has been urging people to not travel or gather amidst COVID-19. Whitmer, however, disagreed.
“Anyone who would have watched would have seen that we were spaced out, we were outside, and we were masked up,” she said. “So that is how we can live and enjoy some important aspects to life and stay safe. I have been following the same directives I have asked everyone else to. I can’t stand those people that have one rule for others and a different one for themselves.”
You might recall that back in May, Whitmer’s husband Marc Mallory was accused of trying to use his connection with her to get his boat back in the water faster after his wife’s lockdown closed that industry, which led to a backup.
“This morning, I was out working when the office called me, there was a gentleman on hold who wanted his boat in the water before the weekend,” company owner Tad Dowker said at the time. “Being Memorial weekend and the fact that we started working three weeks late means there is no chance this is going to happen.”
“Well our office personnel had explained this to the man and he replied, ‘I am the husband to the governor, will this make a difference?’” he added.
Whitmer, however, appeared to have forgotten all this in her latest interview.
“I have abided by these precautions but also recognize as the governor of a state — an important state — that played an important role in this inauguration having been invited and having made a decision very close to one when I had to come out here I know that this is a moment that is really important for our state,” she said.
Whitmer went on to say that she had to go to the inauguration to foster a close relationship with Joe Biden and his administration.
“This was something it was an honor to be [at], and I followed all the protocols and I encourage people to do so, as well,” she said.
Former President Donald Trump has expanded his impeachment legal team by tapping a former prosecutor-turned-criminal defense lawyer, an addition that comes as Trump and his allies scramble to prepare a defense with less than two weeks until the Senate trial.
