July 3, 2014 - Pensito

Laying Blame for Our Do-Nothing Congress

July 3, 2014 Buck Banks

There are three groups to blame for the gross dereliction of duty we have seen from this do-nothing Congress. The first, paradoxically, is the Federal Reserve. Its monetary policies have allowed some small measure of recovery, giving cover to Congress’s failure to manage our fiscal policies …. The second group is the Supreme Court. Its campaign of replacing our Jeffersonian democracy with a corporatocracy — sponsored by and sold to the highest bidder — continues unabated … But the group most to blame for the sad state of Congress is you, the American voter. Or, more accurately, the American non-voter.

— Barry Ritholtz, in a Bloomberg op-ed piece.

Plouffe Nails Cheney

July 3, 2014 Buck Banks

He’s like the A-Rod of politics.

— David Plouffe, quoted by the New York Times, on former Vice President Dick Cheney.

U.S. Continues Positive Jobs Trend

July 3, 2014July 3, 2014 Buck Banks

288,000

Number of jobs the U.S. economy added in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The economy has now added more than 200,000 jobs a month for five straight months, the best stretch since January 2000. The unemployment rate also dropped to 6.1%, the lowest it’s been since September 2008.

July 4th a Good Day to Die for Patriotic Lawmakers

July 3, 2014July 3, 2014 Buck Banks

35

Number of U.S. Representatives (29), U.S. Senators (5) and one member who served in both chambers died on July 4th, according to a review by Smart Politics.

Rick Perry Just Ain’t Butch Without His Boots

July 3, 2014 Buck Banks

Tell Rick that boots can be purchased with normal heels. I lament the fact that our governor could now pass for a West Coast metrosexual and has embarrassed us all with his sartorial change of direction.

— Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson (R), telling the Austin American Statesman that Gov. Rick Perry’s (R) decision, based on back pain, to stop wearing cowboy boots was just a “feeble excuse.”

Day: July 3, 2014

Laying Blame for Our Do-Nothing Congress

Plouffe Nails Cheney

He’s like the A-Rod of politics.

— David Plouffe, quoted by the New York Times, on former Vice President Dick Cheney.

U.S. Continues Positive Jobs Trend

288,000

Number of jobs the U.S. economy added in June, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The economy has now added more than 200,000 jobs a month for five straight months, the best stretch since January 2000. The unemployment rate also dropped to 6.1%, the lowest it’s been since September 2008.

July 4th a Good Day to Die for Patriotic Lawmakers

35

Number of U.S. Representatives (29), U.S. Senators (5) and one member who served in both chambers died on July 4th, according to a review by Smart Politics.

Rick Perry Just Ain’t Butch Without His Boots

Tell Rick that boots can be purchased with normal heels. I lament the fact that our governor could now pass for a West Coast metrosexual and has embarrassed us all with his sartorial change of direction.

— Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson (R), telling the Austin American Statesman that Gov. Rick Perry’s (R) decision, based on back pain, to stop wearing cowboy boots was just a “feeble excuse.”

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.