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Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – May 17, 2020
Week-end Wrap – Political Economy – May 17, 2020 by Tony Wikrent Strategic
Political Economy The storm we can’t see [WaPo, via Naked Capitalism
5-11-20] A must read. Four relatively narrow policy questions hint at the
difficulties ahead. First, the bailout: After the initial $349 billion
allotment vanished in days, Congress threw an additional $320 […]
Trump believes in the gold standard.
Unless the luck turns very "interesting" he will be gone in January.
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Seeking: Big Democratic Ideas That Make Everything Better
By the end of primary season, the Democratic Party had all but settled on a
conventional center-left agenda. But the pandemic is forcing the Biden
campaign and other leaders to redraw plans for 2021.
The U.S. economy is in depression.
It is not yet irreversible.
Trump is doing his best to make it a deflationary spiral.
The radical left should succeed Biden in four and a half years.
It will be better than a world war, the other exit from deflation.
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Justin Amash Abandons Third-Party Presidential Bid
The Michigan conservative said the “extraordinary challenges” of
campaigning in the current environment had discouraged him from challenging
President Trump and Joe Biden.
Trump needs help leaving office.
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Trump Ousted State Dept. Watchdog at Pompeo’s Urging; Democrats Open Inquiry
The lawmakers said Steve Linick, the State Department’s inspector general,
had opened an investigation into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s conduct.
Another Trump scandal.
Trump has found more help leaving.
Impeachment and removal would not send him to federal prison.
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Justin Amash Abandons 2020 Campaign, Citing Pandemic and Polarization
The Michigan conservative said the “extraordinary challenges” of
campaigning in the current environment had discouraged him from challenging
President Trump and Joe Biden.
The Democratic party split five ways in 1860 to make Lincoln president.
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May 16th US Covid Data
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The mortality rate was 6.1%
https://www.ianwelsh.net/may-17th-us-covid-data/
The mortality rate has returned to 6.0%
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Open Thread
As usual, use the comments for discussion of topics unrelated to recent
posts.
Sooner is better. As soon as you can is best.
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How Congress's Attending Physician Is Treating Lawmakers Amid a Pandemic
Dr. Brian P. Monahan has found himself in the middle of politicized debates
over how quickly to reopen the country and who should be testing for
Covid-19.
Congress has found a physician.
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Sorry, Abe Lincoln Is Not on the Ballot
But the 16th president is showing up quite a bit in the 2020 race. He
remains uncommitted.
The party of Lincoln died with the man.
Andrew Johnson saw to that.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Johnson
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Trump Removes State Dept. Inspector General
A top Democrat in Congress described the move as “an outrageous act,” and
said that the inspector general, Steve Linick, had opened an investigation
into Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Trump dislikes actual investigations.
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A Sitting President, Riling the Nation During a Crisis
Alexander Burns, Maggie Haberman, Jonathan Martin and Nick Corasaniti at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 1 day ago
By smearing his opponents, championing conspiracy theories and pursuing
vendettas, President Trump has reverted to his darkest political tactics
in spite of a pandemic hurting millions of Americans.
It is an eco of past successes.
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House Passes $3 Trillion Aid Bill Over Republican Opposition
The bill faces a veto threat from President Trump, near-unanimous
opposition by Republicans and complaints from Democrats, but leaders called
it their opening offer in talks on the next round of pandemic relief.
This bill will not become law.
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'Credible Threats' to Kill Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Lead to Charges, Police Say
Robert S. Tesh made “credible threats” via social media messages to kill
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan’s attorney general, Dana Nessel, the
authorities said.
He may be guilty of assault.
Terrorism is not appropriate.
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Intelligence Chief Reduces Size of Counterterrorism Office
The cuts to the National Counterterrorism Center were smaller than some
former officials feared. The changes will allow intelligence agencies to
shift personnel to other threats.
Random bombings are not automaticly blamed on Islam.
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The Justice Dept.’s Attempt to Drop the Michael Flynn Case, Explained
The move is highly unusual and has prompted a judge to appoint an outsider
to argue against the department.
The confessions should stand.
Trump could pardon Flynn though that would not erase Russian influence.
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U.S. Urges Afghanistan to Stay the Course With Peace Deal as Violence Resurges
The chief American negotiator is scrambling to keep a tentative peace deal
intact as violence inflames tensions between the Taliban and the Afghan
government.
The Taliban do not like the attempted imposed peace.
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‘Geriatric,’ ‘China’s Puppet’: Trump Campaign Unleashes Ads Attacking Biden
President Trump’s re-election team has launched a long-promised barrage of
negative ads against Joseph R. Biden Jr., focusing on his age and his past
comments on China.
Trump must make the attempt.
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With Move to Remote Voting, House Alters What It Means for Congress to Meet
The House’s vote on Friday to allow lawmakers to work from afar will
fundamentally change how Congress operates.
Remote voting in the house requires a rules change.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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How the Biden Campaign Aims to Win Battleground States
The campaign pledged to expand its operation, and expects on-the-ground
organizing to take place sometime this year. But when the candidate leaves
his home will be determined by public health guidance, officials said.
Biden only needs voted majorities.
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Why Armed Right Wingers Were Able To Shut Down Michigan’s Legislature
As you may have heard, Michigan has canceled its legislative session:
Michigan closed down its capitol in Lansing on Thursday and canceled its
legislative session rather than face the possibility of an armed protest
and death threats against Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer… The
gathering, meant to advocate opening the state for business despite the
coronavirus […]
The government of Michigan has been run by industrial power.
The destruction of unions has been an armed project.
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