Day: July 6, 2015

How the South Makes America American

Buck Banks

A lot of the traits that make the United States exceptional these days are undesirable, like higher violence and less social mobility. Many of these differences can be attributed largely to the South… Minus the South, the rest of the U.S. probably would be more like Canada or Australia or Britain or New Zealand—more secular, more socially liberal, more moderate in the tone of its politics and somewhat more generous in social policy. And it would not be as centralized as France or as social democratic as Sweden.

— Politico

Obama Attacks Walker in Wisconsin

Buck Banks

You still love him. He’s still a member of your family. Right? But you’ve got to correct him. You don’t want to put him in charge of stuff.

— President Obama, likening Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and the “bus full” of Republican candidates to an “Uncle Harry” at Thanksgiving dinner who says something that makes no sense, during a visit to his state, the New York Times reports.

Sanders Draws 10,000 in Madison, Wis.

Buck Banks

10,000

Number of “screaming fans” Sen. Bernie Sanders drew to a speech in Madison, Wis., where he “promised to fulfill all of their progressive dreams: paid vacation for all, generous maternity leave, tuition-free public colleges, a minimum wage of $15, no more big banks, less youth unemployment, dramatic prison reform and an end to economic inequality,” the Washington Post reports. Said Sanders: “Please, think big, not small. Our vision should be that in the wealthiest country in the history of the world there is nothing that we cannot accomplish.” The AP reports Sanders has raised $15 million since entering the presidential race in late April.