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Steve and Connie Ballmer’s political contributions
I downloaded from the state Public Disclosure Commission a database listing contributions to political campaigns and initiatives. The database is for direct contributions to candidates and initiative campaigns. It excludes independent expenditures. So the data shown below are incomplete, but still, I hope, enlightening. You can see in the table below that the Ballmers donated…
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Video of Trump encouraging violence
Source: Shocking Supercut Shows Trump Encouraging Violence Again And Again And Again
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Uncle Sam on the Lam
by Lansing Scott Drunk Uncle Sam is on the lam. He escaped from DC and has been hitchhiking across the country, sleeping under bridges, & drinking his Thunderbird for months now. Hes almost reached Vancouver, BC, where he will formally apply for political asylum. Asked to explain his sudden departure from his job as personification…
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On political struggle and spiritual acceptance
Ady Barkin wrote an essay in The Nation, I’m Dying. Here Is What I Refuse to Accept With Serenity, about politics, spirituality, and dying. At age 32 he was diagnosed with ALS, and within a few years he was unable to feed himself. He dictated the essay to a friend because he was unable to…
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The Logic of Lesser-of-two-evilism
Suppose you are being held hostage by deranged criminals who give you an ultimatum: tell them your bank pin number, social security number and other identifying information, or they’ll rape your wife and daughters and mutilate you. As a matter of principle, you oppose giving away your money to criminals — a clear evil. But…
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Repugs, Dumbs, and Dumbers: a rant
If you have half a brain and half a conscience you know that most Republican politicians promote repugnant policies that increase inequality, bankrupt the economy, destroy the environment, and promote militarism. They lie, distort and resort to racism, xenophobia, dirty tricks and criminal activity. They put children in cages. They antagonize our allies and cozy…
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Why Some Women Still Vote Republican and What Can be Done About It
by Valerie Tarico Cross-posted from ValerieTarico.com Lists of crazy comments about women by Republican men have been an internet staple for years. If the party agenda were to alienate as many females as possible, they should be doing quite well. Worse yet, from an impact standpoint, the policy priorities of Republican electeds match their expressed…
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Freedom Foundation protest coverage by the Bellevue Reporter
On September 28, hundreds of people protested the annual dinner of the Freedom Foundation in Bellevue, where the guest speaker was renowned racist Dinesh D’Souza. The Bellevue Reporter print edition had an excellent piece about the protest, including content critical of D’Souza and Trump. Oddly, though, the Bellevue Reporter website doesn’t, as of the time…
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On Saving Social Security
The government is now referring to our Social Security checks as a “Federal Benefit Payment.” This isn’t a benefit. It is our money paid out of our earned income! Not only did we all contribute to Social Security but our employers did too. It totaled 15% of our income before taxes. If you averaged $30K…
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An example of how Repugs want government to fail
Cities Are Teaming Up to Offer Broadband, and the FCC Is Mad City governments can offer Internet faster and cheaper than the private market can. Repugs hate this idea because it contradicts their deeply held dogmas. The same is true for health care: government-run systems in Europe are cheaper and have better outcomes.