***Official Political Discussion Thread***

[AEA18]

 

[frink85]

Trump is literally holding a globe with a bunch of Saudis

I wonder if his delusional fans will finally label him a "globalist"

Nevertheless, it will be fun to see the mental gymnastics at Storefront if/when Trump wears a yarmulke to visit the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.

Hopefully a lot of

 

[IATT]

 

[Belgium]

Playing to religion

I'm glad people were smart enough to see through that

Also apparently the non-Christians don't have rights, who knew?

That can't be right. Look at what's in their platform b

https://www.gop.com/platform/preamble/

 We affirm — as did the Declaration of Independence: that all are created equal, endowed by their Creator with inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. *with exception of people of color, lgbt citizens, ...

Everybody is born equal with inalienable rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. As evidenced by the push for equal marriage rights for everyone. *with exception of lgbt citizens

 
Defending Marriage Against an Activist Judiciary  (Top)

Traditional marriage and family, based on marriage between one man and one woman, is the foundation for a free society and has for millennia been entrusted with rearing children and instilling cultural values. We condemn the Supreme Court’s ruling in United States v. Windsor, which wrongly removed the ability of Congress to define marriage policy in federal law. We also condemn the Supreme Court’s lawless ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which in the words of the late Justice Antonin Scalia, was a “judicial Putsch” — full of “silly extravagances” — that reduced “the disciplined legal reasoning of John Marshall and Joseph Storey to the mystical aphorisms of a fortune cookie.” In Obergefell, five unelected lawyers robbed 320 million Americans of their legitimate constitutional authority to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The Court twisted the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment beyond recognition. To echo Scalia, we dissent. We, therefore, support the appointment of justices and judges who respect the constitutional limits on their power and respect the authority of the states to decide such fundamental social questions.

They are also dedicated to stand up against discrimination! *government discrimination preventing businesses from legally discriminating against lgbt citizens

 
Republicans believe the federal government, specifically the IRS, is constitutionally prohibited from policing or censoring speech based on religious convictions or beliefs, and therefore we urge the repeal of the Johnson Amendment.

We pledge to defend the religious beliefs and rights of conscience of all Americans and to safeguard religious institutions against government control. We endorse the First Amendment Defense Act, Republican legislation in the House and Senate which will bar government discrimination against individuals and businesses for acting on the belief that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. This Act would protect the non-profit tax status of faith-based adoption agencies, the accreditation of religious educational institutions, the grants and contracts of faith-based charities and small businesses, and the licensing of religious professions — all of which are under assault by elements of the Democratic Party. We encourage every state to pass similar legislation. We likewise endorse the efforts of Republican state legislators and governors who have defied intimidation from corporations and the media in defending religious liberty. We support laws to confirm the longstanding American tradition that religious individuals and institutions can educate young people, receive government benefits, and participate in public debates without having to check their religious beliefs at the door.

And here they arre once more reaffirming that everyone is born equal with inalienable rights of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.

*does not apply to LGBT citizens

 
Marriage, Family, and Society  (Top)

Foremost among those institutions is the American family. It is the foundation of civil society, and the cornerstone of the family is natural marriage, the union of one man and one woman. Its daily lessons — cooperation, patience, mutual respect, responsibility, self-reliance — are fundamental to the order and progress of our Republic. Strong families, depending upon God and one another, advance the cause of liberty by lessening the need for government in their daily lives. Conversely, as we have learned over the last five decades, the loss of faith and family life leads to greater dependence upon government. That is why Republicans formulate public policy, from taxation to education, from healthcare to welfare, with attention to the needs and strengths of the family.

It is also why everyone should be concerned about the state of the American family today, not because of ideology or doctrine, but because of the overwhelming evidence of experience, social science, and common sense. All of which give us these truths about traditional marriage: Children raised in a two-parent household tend to be physically and emotionally healthier, more likely to do well in school, less likely to use drugs and alcohol, engage in crime or become pregnant outside of marriage. We oppose policies and laws that create a financial incentive for or encourage cohabitation. Moreover, marriage remains the greatest antidote to child poverty. The 40 percent of children who now are born outside of marriage are five times more likely to live in poverty than youngsters born and raised by a mother and father in the home. Nearly three-quarters of the $450 billion government annually spends on welfare goes to single-parent households. This is what it takes for a governmental village to raise a child, and the village is doing a tragically poor job of it.

The data and the facts lead to an inescapable conclusion: Every child deserves a married mom and dad. The reality remains that millions of American families do not have the advantages that come with that structure. We honor the courageous efforts of those who bear the burdens of parenting alone and embrace the principle that all Americans should be treated with dignity and respect. But respect is not enough. Our laws and our government’s regulations should recognize marriage as the union of one man and one woman and actively promote married family life as the basis of a stable and prosperous society. For that reason, as explained elsewhere in this platform, we do not accept the Supreme Court’s redefinition of marriage and we urge its reversal, whether through judicial reconsideration or a constitutional amendment returning control over marriage to the states. We oppose government discrimination against businesses or entities which decline to sell items or services to individuals for activities that go against their religious views about such activities.

Families formed or enlarged by adoption strengthen our communities and ennoble our nation. Private entities which facilitate adoptions enrich our communities. We support measures such as the First Amendment Defense Act to ensure these entities do not face government discrimination because of their views on marriage and family. We applaud the Republican initiatives which have led to an increase in adoptions, an achievement which should be recognized in any restructuring of the federal tax code. While the number of children in foster care has stabilized, teens who age out of that setting often are abruptly left to face the world on their own. We urge states and community groups to help these young adults become independent.

And a final bonus:

https://prod-cdn-static.gop.com/static/home/data/platform.pdf

 We reaffirm the Constitution’s fundamental principles: limited government, separation of powers, individual liberty, and the rule of law. We denounce bigotry, racism, anti-Semitism, ethnic prejudice, and religious intolerance. Therefore, we oppose discrimination based on race, sex, religion, creed, disability, or national origin and support statutes to end such discrimination. As the Party of Abraham Lincoln, we must continue to foster solutions to America’s difficult challenges when it comes to race relations today. We continue to encourage equality for all citizens and access to the American Dream.

 

[rolaholic]

The nerve of this autocratic POS

@JakeSherman: !!! // ANKARA, Turkey (AP) - Turkey summons US ambassador to protest 'aggressive' action against Turkish bodyguards in Washington.

So they want to protest against the outrage at their thugs assaulting US citizens on American soil?!? If there were a living breathing statesman in the WH,this would be an international incident with serious diplomatic consequences. Now we're at the point where the guilty party feels entitled enough to not only act outrageously abroad, but to also deflect the blame and make themselves out to be victims after the fact

Erdogan and his new friend in the WH are a disgrace

In other news,the Weiner story gets weirder and weirder by the week...

@TheHill: Girl in Weiner sexting case lied about age, politics to damage Clinton: report https://t.co/raUkvktHmz https://t.co/XinGk86ajp

 

[gry60]

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2017/05/22/politics/medicaid-budget-cuts/index.html

Donald Trump's budget that is expected to be unveiled on Tuesday will include $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid -- a move that underscores the President's resolve to significantly downsize the federal program even as Republican lawmakers are clashing over the issue in Congress.

The $800 billion reduction, confirmed to CNN Sunday evening by a senior administration official, assumes that the GOP health care bill that the House passed earlier this month would become law, that official said.

The House legislation to dismantle the Affordable Care Act -- President Barack Obama's landmark health care law also known as Obamacare -- would significantly curtail federal support for Medicaid.

Under that bill, in 2020, states that expanded the program would no longer receive enhanced funding to cover low-income adults, while states that did not expand previously would not be able to do so, starting immediately. Some 11 million adults have gained coverage under Medicaid expansion.

What do you have to lose, other than your livelihood for daring to put a Black man in the White House twice?

What do you have to lose?

 

[rolaholic]

@AP: BREAKING: AP Source: Michael Flynn to decline Senate Intel committee subpoena, invoke 5th Amendment later today.

Lock him up

His old boss spoke out against pleading the 5th just last year

“The mob takes the Fifth Amendment. If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?” —Trump in 2016 https://t.co/5vHWYjEAMi

Of course he's used it himself in the past too

 

[rillo561]

**** Trumpcare, and $800 billion cuts to Medicaid. Wonderful.

 

[rolaholic]

The uncropped pic looks straight out of a movie

Someone said it looked like Jay Electronica's album cover

 

[aepps20]

Da Flynn using Da ELITE legal maneuvers B to expose LIBBIE SNOWFLAKES. Nothing to see here B.

 

[Armada]

https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2017/05/22/politics/medicaid-budget-cuts/index.html

Donald Trump's budget that is expected to be unveiled on Tuesday will include $800 billion in cuts to Medicaid -- a move that underscores the President's resolve to significantly downsize the federal program even as Republican lawmakers are clashing over the issue in Congress.

The $800 billion reduction, confirmed to CNN Sunday evening by a senior administration official, assumes that the GOP health care bill that the House passed earlier this month would become law, that official said.

The House legislation to dismantle the Affordable Care Act -- President Barack Obama's landmark health care law also known as Obamacare -- would significantly curtail federal support for Medicaid.

Under that bill, in 2020, states that expanded the program would no longer receive enhanced funding to cover low-income adults, while states that did not expand previously would not be able to do so, starting immediately. Some 11 million adults have gained coverage under Medicaid expansion.

What do you have to lose, other than your livelihood for daring to put a Black man in the White House twice?

What do you have to lose?

 

[IATT]

The uncropped pic looks straight out of a movie

Someone said it looked like Jay Electronica's album cover

First thing I thought of:

 

[rolaholic]

@funder:
Court Docs: Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin was major player in the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme & made millions off it

Sheesh :x

The swamp got drained and replaced with even deadlier creatures than before

 

[Belgium]

Sheesh

The swamp got drained and replaced with even deadlier creatures than before

Da Don already accomplished his mission of draining the swamp

Republicans hold a majority in the house, senate and the presidency so the democrats are in the minority on all fronts. Swamp cleaned! 

 

 

[harlemtothebronx]

Former National Security  Adviser Michael Flynn  will invoke the Fifth Amendment and refuse to honor a Senate committee's subpoena request for documents relating to Russian interference in the election, a source close to Flynn confirms to ABC News.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/michael-flynn-amendment-decline-senate-subpoena/story?id=47560095

 

[harlemtothebronx]

 The uncropped pic looks straight out of a movie

Someone said it looked like Jay Electronica's album cover

 

[Belgium]

State rep. Karl Oliver (R) from Louisiana posts on facebook that the people removing the confederate monuments should be lynched

https://mississippitoday.org/2017/0...ving-confederate-monuments-should-be-lynched/

 

[Chester McFloppy]

 

[MalcolmNewton]

 

[rolaholic]

Justice

@cristianafarias: In a mammoth ruling, #SCOTUS finds that two North Carolina congressional districts — 1 and 12 — are unconstitutional racial gerrymanders.

Gerrymandered maps across the country should be in danger now ahead of the midterms

 

[Belgium]

The long awaited CBO score of the GOP healthcare  bill will be released on wednesday  

http://thehill.com/policy/healthcar...-score-of-gop-healthcare-bill-comes-wednesday

 
The long-awaited analysis of the House GOP's healthcare bill will be released  Wednesday, about two weeks after they voted on the legislation. 

The analysis from the Congressional Budget Office, called a "score," will give an idea of how the American Health Care Act would impact the deficit and how many people could lose coverage if it were passed. 

Previous versions of the bill have been scored, but House Republicans made substantial changes to the legislation since then. Those changes would allow states to waive out of two key ObamaCare requirements, essential health mandates on what services insurers must cover and community rating, which prevents higher premiums for those with preexisting conditions.

And once the Senate has the CBO score, they'll be able to do more substantive work on their healthcare plan. 
However, GOP senators have already made it clear that some portions of the House plan will be changed or stripped out. 
One thing that will likely change: the design of the subsidies to help people buy insurance. 

Many GOP senators are concerned the current House structure could hurt low-income and older Americans and are working on changes  to address that. 

Another potential issue: abortion  language in the House bill may get stripped out in the Senate for not following procedural rules. 

Other centrist senators are hoping  to find a bipartisan way forward on healthcare reform. 

Meanwhile, insurers could find clarity Monday about whether the Trump administration will fund key ObamaCare subsidies known as cost-sharing reductions.

House Republicans sued the Obama administration over the payments, arguing they are being made unconstitutionally without an appropriation. 

The Trump administration will have to give an update on whether it will drop its appeal in a House lawsuit  against the payments, seek a further delay or ask for other action. 

Insurers have warned  that if they're not, they will have to raise premiums or drop out of the markets. 

 

[IATT]

As someone joked on Twitter, ain't all those confederate related stuff the epitome of 'participation trophies'

 

[AEA18]

They claim to be so patriotic but want to hold on to symbols of treason.

 

[Belgium]

As someone joked on Twitter, ain't all those confederate related stuff the epitome of 'participation trophies'

The "preserve our history" argument makes no sense either. I don't see any Hitler monuments in Germany, nor should there be.

That part of history is well preserved in various museums and history books.

Removing monuments of the confederacy, which only represents treason and slavery, is the right thing to do. Those confederate generals were traitors to the Union and are a symbol of the most racist part of its history. 

If they're so concerned with the confederacy, they can always go to a museum or pick up a history book. 

 

[RustyShackleford]

Justice

@cristianafarias: In a mammoth ruling, #SCOTUS finds that two North Carolina congressional districts — 1 and 12 — are unconstitutional racial gerrymanders.

Gerrymandered maps across the country should be in danger now ahead of the midterms

This is a huge win because this will destroy the GOPs grip on the state has state. And might start a trend towards blue. This might make the road to taking back the House easier.

But it does not affect the other maps, because those are about partisan gerrymandering (which as a strong racial component anyway). There is another case regarding that I believe that will be ruled on soon.

The thing is Clarence Thomas was the fifth vote here, which is a bad signal. Since Kennedy didn't swing left on a gerrymandering vote. But the dissents seem like he, Roberts and Alito did it because of a silly reason imo.

But yeah, the future of democracy might be in the hands of Clarence Thomas. May God have mercy on our souls