American Politics IV: 1400 Reasons Why(A Stimulus Serial)

[Galloism]

Counterproposal:

We make motorcycles exempt, and we subsidize motorcycles for the poor. Motorcycles do much less damage to the roads to operate, and are more fuel efficient to boot.

How will you transport things from point A to point B?

Saddlebags.

[The New California Republic]

Can't believe we got stuck in the reality where instead of taxing the ultra wealthy, we're even entertaining the idea of taxing drivers based on the mileage they drive.

I hate it here.

So? You're taxed on how much your vehicle weighs, when you register it. Some places, there's a sliding scale of charges for water, the more you use, the more expensive it gets. Toll roads are a tax on how far you travel. Secretary Pete's entertaining the idea is nothing much. Heck, the GOP in Georgia just made it illegal to give water or snacks to people in line at a polling place. That's a bizarro world.

Yes there are a whole host of metrics for taxing vehicles. For example here in the UK the road tax on a motorbike is calculated by the cylinder volume, and at the lower end it is the equivalent of about $28 a year, while at the upper end it is about $130 a year.

[Kowani]

Union president Tony Clark says MLB players are ready to discuss moving All-Star Game from Georgia in wake of voter-restriction laws

Good. Those restrictions disproportionately affect the poor and minorities. John Oliver did a bit on it.

Take your tax dollars elsewhere. I know personally I won't be buying things from Georgia after that.

almost like that was the point of them or something...
welcome to the next stage of modern democracy
changing the rules you wrote after you lost in order to win

[Dresderstan]

The fact the very first election I was eligible to vote in was Clinton v. Trump (and that Trump won, no less) will forever upset me.

"Welcome to Voting!"
"Oh! What's my first election?"
"Clinton v Trump"
"...Fuck"

Legit me in 2016, I regret everything.

[Kowani]

43 Senators pressure Biden not to return to the original Iran Deal

A group of 43 Senators sent a letter to President Biden that warned the administration against returning to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, known as the JCPOA.

The letter called on Biden to address not only Iran’s nuclear program but also Tehran’s activity in the Middle East and its ballistic missile program, a common talking point from Iran hawks and opponents of the JCPOA.

The letter reads: “Looking ahead, we strongly believe that you should use the full force of our diplomatic and economic tools in concert with our allies on the United Nations Security Council and in the region to reach an agreement that prevents Iran from ever acquiring nuclear weapons and meaningfully constrains its destabilizing activity throughout the Middle East and its ballistic missile program.”

The letter was led by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and was backed by the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. Out of the 43 senators that signed the letter, 13 are Democrats, one is an Independent (Angus King of Maine), and the rest are Republicans.

A similar letter was sent to Biden by House lawmakers. The House letter was more of a bipartisan effort, with 140 lawmakers signing on, 70 Republicans, and 70 Democrats.

Demanding a stricter deal before giving Iran sanctions relief is a non-starter for talks with Tehran. Iranian officials have been clear that they want the original agreement they negotiated in 2015 and have been working to preserve since the US withdrew from the accord in 2018.

Dear President Biden,

We write to reaffirm the long-held view of Congress and presidents from both parties that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose a grave threat to U.S. national security interests and our allies and partners.

While we may have differing views on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action of 2015 and the overall approach of the Trump Administration’s maximum pressure campaign, we must confront the reality that Iran has accelerated its nuclear activity in alarming ways including increasing its centrifuge research and production and enriching uranium up to 20 percent.

We further agree that outside of its nuclear program, Iran continues to pose a threat to U.S. and international security through exporting arms, including highly accurate missiles, supporting Shia militias that target U.S. service members, and supporting terrorist organizations and other malign actors throughout the region. We also remain concerned about Iran’s continued human rights abuses of its own citizens and the increasing size and capabilities of its ballistic and cruise missile programs.

Looking ahead, we strongly believe that you should use the full force of our diplomatic and economic tools in concert with our allies on the United Nations Security Council and in the region to reach an agreement that prevents Iran from ever acquiring nuclear weapons and meaningfully constrains its destabilizing activity throughout the Middle East and its ballistic missile program. We are obviously incredibly concerned about threats to U.S. persons and assets in Iraq and elsewhere in the region as well as attacks on important U.S. security partners.

We believe it is critical you consult with our European allies, Israel, and Gulf security partners on a path forward with Iran. The recent Abraham Accords provides hope that our partners and allies can work together to further regional cooperation.

Finally, we believe it is critically important to prioritize the release of all American citizens unjustly detained in Iran, including Baquer Namazi, Siamak Namazi, Morad Tahbaz, and Emad Shargi.

We appreciate the engagement your administration has had thus far with Congress and hope and expect this kind of transparency to continue. Iran should have no doubt about America’s policy. Democrats and Republicans may have tactical differences, but we are united on preventing an Iranian nuclear weapon and addressing the wide range of illicit Iranian behavior. We look forward to working with you to achieve these objectives.

Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).

[Salus Maior]

I didn't vote for Biden, I voted against Trump.

They're the same thing.

Only because our system is a farce.

[San Lumen]

Union president Tony Clark says MLB players are ready to discuss moving All-Star Game from Georgia in wake of voter-restriction laws

good. Maybe enough pressure like that will encourage them to repeal it.

[San Lumen]

https://thehill.com/homenews/administra ... voting-law

Biden: DOJ 'taking a look' at Georgia voting law

[Thermodolia]

She's now being charges with two felonies...for knocking on a door

Georgia has become a republican one party state. It's Trump Uber Alles down there.

Well sorta. The republicans are worried that the people are turning against them, which tbh they are, so they decided to ya know kill the opposition while they still can

[San Lumen]

Georgia has become a republican one party state. It's Trump Uber Alles down there.

Well sorta. The republicans are worried that the people are turning against them, which tbh they are, so they decided to ya know kill the opposition while they still can

Do you think the law will have a major effect?

[North Washington Republic]

Georgia has become a republican one party state. It's Trump Uber Alles down there.

Well sorta. The republicans are worried that the people are turning against them, which tbh they are, so they decided to ya know kill the opposition while they still can

Well, the Republicans should realize that going full cult of personality would backfire with normies and more center-right voters. They’re scared to death of their primary voters and seem not to care of voters that only vote in general elections.

[San Lumen]

Well sorta. The republicans are worried that the people are turning against them, which tbh they are, so they decided to ya know kill the opposition while they still can

Well, the Republicans should realize that going full cult of personality would backfire with normies and more center-right voters. They’re scared to death of their primary voters and seem not to care of voters that only vote in general elections.

There is only so much voter suppression and gerrymandering you can do before it backfires.

[Thermodolia]

Well sorta. The republicans are worried that the people are turning against them, which tbh they are, so they decided to ya know kill the opposition while they still can

Do you think the law will have a major effect?

In pissing people off? Yes. The GA GOP has overplayed their hand. People are pissed and they are going to end up electing democrats

[San Lumen]

Do you think the law will have a major effect?

In pissing people off? Yes. The GA GOP has overplayed their hand. People are pissed and they are going to end up electing democrats

Well good. Do you think it could lead to the loss of the legislature and governor and perhaps other statewide officers?

[North Washington Republic]

I didn't vote for Biden, I voted against Trump.

They're the same thing.

No, they’re not. Not in the slightest.

[Ifreann]

You've told me many times that you need to compromise in politics or nothing will get done.

Why would you compromise with someone who wants voter suppression?

I wouldn't. But Lumen is a big fan of compromise, supposedly.

[San Lumen]

https://www.michiganadvance.com/2021/03 ... assinated/

Michigan GOP chair calls Governor Whitmer, AG Nessel, Secretary of State Benson ‘witches’ to be ‘burn[ed] at the stake,’ jokes about Congressman Meijer, Upton being assassinated

[North Washington Republic]

https://www.michiganadvance.com/2021/03/26/state-gop-chair-calls-whitmer-nessel-benson-witches-to-be-burned-at-the-stake-jokes-about-meijer-upton-being-assassinated/

Michigan GOP chair calls Governor Whitmer, AG Nessel, Secretary of State Benson ‘witches’ to be ‘burn[ed] at the stake,’ jokes about Congressman Meijer, Upton being assassinated

Welcome to the modern day GOP.

[Omniabstracta]

https://www.michiganadvance.com/2021/03/26/state-gop-chair-calls-whitmer-nessel-benson-witches-to-be-burned-at-the-stake-jokes-about-meijer-upton-being-assassinated/

Michigan GOP chair calls Governor Whitmer, AG Nessel, Secretary of State Benson ‘witches’ to be ‘burn[ed] at the stake,’ jokes about Congressman Meijer, Upton being assassinated

Welcome to the modern day GOP.

Modern? Things have always been this way, the only thing that’s different now is who they’re saying it to.

[North Washington Republic]

Welcome to the modern day GOP.

Modern? Things have always been this way, the only thing that’s different now is who they’re saying it to.

Ohhh, I beg to differ. Because of one man, the GOP went from a largely center ride party that supported a free market economy, trade and a strong(interventionist) foreign policy to a populist, autarkist, isolationist and tariff loving party.

[San Lumen]

https://www.michiganadvance.com/2021/03/26/state-gop-chair-calls-whitmer-nessel-benson-witches-to-be-burned-at-the-stake-jokes-about-meijer-upton-being-assassinated/

Michigan GOP chair calls Governor Whitmer, AG Nessel, Secretary of State Benson ‘witches’ to be ‘burn[ed] at the stake,’ jokes about Congressman Meijer, Upton being assassinated

Welcome to the modern day GOP.

the chair's words could be seen as code words that incites people to violence. Weiser should be investigated by the FBI.

[Kazumazu]

Modern? Things have always been this way, the only thing that’s different now is who they’re saying it to.

Ohhh, I beg to differ. Because of one man, the GOP went from a largely center ride party that supported a free market economy, trade and a strong(interventionist) foreign policy to a populist, autarkist, isolationist and tariff loving party.

I’d say that’s a plausible rough summarization. I prefer it to the whole “it’s always been this way” and “America Uber Alles” nonsense.

[Umeria]

Modern? Things have always been this way, the only thing that’s different now is who they’re saying it to.

Ohhh, I beg to differ. Because of one man, the GOP went from a largely center ride party that supported a free market economy, trade and a strong(interventionist) foreign policy to a populist, autarkist, isolationist and tariff loving party.

Maybe that's their campaign message, but they're still very interventionist and whatnot in their governing. In terms of actual policy I wouldn't call any of them populist.

[Maineiacs]

...why would you hurt me like this?

You mean "why would Barney Frank hurt us like this?"

The description is actually accurate: http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/ ... -large.jpg

There is no way in Hell I'm ever clicking that link.

[Kazumazu]

Ohhh, I beg to differ. Because of one man, the GOP went from a largely center ride party that supported a free market economy, trade and a strong(interventionist) foreign policy to a populist, autarkist, isolationist and tariff loving party.

Maybe that's their campaign message, but they're still very interventionist and whatnot in their governing. In terms of actual policy I wouldn't call any of them populist.

Populism: “A political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel that their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.“

Really look and listen to some of Trump’s speeches. Look at who he is appealing to in so many of his rallies and televised speeches/events. Conservative right-wing working class and impoverished people (to an extent), his messages entailing rhetoric like “elites”, “big government”,”they - the government”, “big tech”, “the politicians”, and etcetera. I would call him a nationalistic populist.