Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

Taxes are for the little people

From an article in the NY Review of Books: “ . . . the 94 percent marginal tax rate [Reagan] was theoretically subject to an income above $200,000, though in reality Reagan, like other actors, was able to pay a 25 percent capital gains rate by receiving his earnings form “temporary corporations” set up for […]

Lying about Social Security

President Musk recently called Social Security a “Ponzi Scheme.” He’s hardly the first to repeat this lie, but he and his mini-me’s in DOGE have painted a target on Social Security. I’m sorry it’s necessary to explain this again, but we are being lied to. Here are the facts about Social Security. • No, it’s […]

Trump administration backtracks on Guantánamo

Yes, it’s temporary, but it’s something. Resistance can work. “With a key hearing before a federal judge looming that could stop or slow the Trump administration’s transfer of more migrants to Guantánamo Bay, migrants the administration has already sent to Cuba have now been quietly returned to the United States, according to The Washington Post. […]

No Invading Allies Act

Proud to see this coming from Rhode Island: “A new bill introduced to the United States House of Representatives would withhold federal funding for any American “operations to invade or seize territory from” Canada, Panama or Greenland — unless Congress agrees to it first, that is. “Introduced Thursday by Rhode Island Rep. Seth Magaziner, the […]

Time for Senate Dems to stand up against Trump/Musk

”Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.”~Napoleon Bonaparte What should Senate Democrats do about the GOP continuing resolution? Filibuster and send it back to the house, which will certainly mean a shut-down? Or let it pass on the grounds that Democrats can’t be blamed for the consequences? James Carville’s argument is that […]

Duck and cover

President Musk’s superpower is that elected officials (Trump, GOP Congressmen) can just claim to be out of the loop and cede the staffing of government and the power of the purse to an unelected billionaire. I can’t think of another example of such an egregious failure of Constitutional government in the US. All the historical […]

DOGE goes where the money is

When asked why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton simply replied, “Because that’s where the money is.” DOGE is targeting the IRS for massive cuts. And that’s where the money is, to be sure. But robbing the IRS of personnel will ensure that the wealthy and corporations will keep the money they were supposed to pay […]

Justice Amy Barrett Caught after Trump’s State of the Union Address

You have to kind of wonder what some people doing the job they are supposed to do and perhaps have a different opinion, think. Perhaps, and I do say perhaps, the honorable Justice Barrett gets the weevy-jeevys when the President is nearby. Watch the clip in the link below. Courtesy of Above The Law. The […]

Obeying The Rule of Law

“Hundreds Of Law School Deans, Professors, Law Firm Partners, And Former Judges Demand That Government Officials Obey ‘The Rule of Law,’” Above The Law In the face of danger to our democracy, leaders of the bar are stepping up to the plate to ensure its safety. The rule of law is considered the bedrock principle […]