Until the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown (03/16/20), Donald Trump had increased debts by 16.08%. That’s considerably less than Barack Obama (69.98%) and George W. Bush (105.08%) To tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, national debt was increased by a further 18.01% totaling $4.25 trillion in additional debt from March 2020 to Jan 2021. Daily national debt during Trump’s Presidency has increased from $2.861 billion pre-lockdown (01/02/2017 – 03/16/20) per day to $16.366 billion since. A 472% increase in the rate of daily debt. Abraham Lincoln’s years in the Oval Office saw the largest percentage increase in National Debt under any President, increasing 2859% overall. However, Martin Van Buren is the President who spent the most consistently with average yearly debt increasing 375.32% compared to Lincoln’s 148.36% Woodrow Wilson, who was President during World War 1, oversaw an increase of 722.21% (averaging 35% increase per year in office) Franklin D. Roosevelt, in office between 1933 – 1945, increased National Debt by 1047.73% (24% increase per year on average) Of the 45 Presidents, only 14 of them have overseen a decrease in debt. Calvin Coolidge was the last President to do so, leaving office in 1929, 15 Presidencies ago Andrew Jackson is the President who decreased National Debt the most, nearly eradicating it completely between 1829 – 1837 by reducing the total by -99.42%
While McConnell and Schumer stay locked in a high-stakes staring contest over the infrastructure bills and America’s debt ceiling, The Vatican made headlines by announcing that all employees must be vaccinated, without leaving room for exemptions on religious grounds.
Trump oversaw the fastest increase in the debt of any president, almost 36% from 2017 to 2020. Trump did not fulfill his campaign promise to cut the debt. Instead, he did the opposite.
He ran on eliminating the debt in 8 years Funny way to do that. Lying SOS, but we know that.
Republicans snagged their third win in 13 years in the annual Congressional Baseball Game Wednesday night, beating Democrats 13-12 in a back-and-forth affair that featured a rare out-of-the-park home run.
[…]
Cheers erupted when Scalise was announced in the stadium. Scalise was shot and seriously wounded in 2017 at a practice for that year’s game, making Wednesday’s victory his first since the incident. He called it a “harbinger of things to come.”
Republicans most recently won the game in 2008 and 2016.
[continues]
that “harbinger to come” might not be all what scalise had in mind. it could mean a repeat of when the dems won the WH, senate and house in 2008.
The progressives need to have the courage to accept less than they want. They could use a little more humility by acknowledging that spending trillions of dollars at once might have some unintended effects — and far more respect for the risk-takers who create jobs, whom they never have a good word for. If Mr. Biden’s presidency is propelled forward and seen as a success for everyday Americans, Democrats can hold the Senate and House and come back for more later.
The moderates need to have the courage to give the progressives much more than the moderates prefer. Income and opportunity gaps in America helped to produce Mr. Trump; they will be our undoing if they persist.
We’re not writing the Ten Commandments here. We’re doing horse-trading. Just do it.
None of the Democratic lawmakers will be risking their careers by such a compromise, which is child’s play compared with facing the daily wrath of running for reelection in the most pro-Trump state in America, Wyoming, while denouncing Mr. Trump as the greatest threat to our democracy.
But I fear common sense may not win out. As Minnesota Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips (a relative) remarked to me after Tuesday’s caucus of House Democrats: “The absence of pragmatism among Democrats is as troubling as the absence of principle among Republicans.”
patd, Justice has had that dog on a number of ads run on the Covid promotion and other things he’s promoted in the past. It’s real folksy and shit. It’s also a great way to point out how dumb he can appear to appeal to the stupid in this state – who are legion.
As Minnesota Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips (a relative) remarked to me after Tuesday’s caucus of House Democrats: “The absence of pragmatism among Democrats is as troubling as the absence of principle among Republicans.”
This is why I don’t call myself a progressive… I am a Democrat. To me… politics has always meant to try to do the possible. Standing on one’s principles… but losing… IMO, is not heroic… it’s stupid. It means not getting things done for this country. Been there… done that. And like a lots of voters.. I’m sick of it.
“In a two-and-a-half minute campaign announcement video, Dowd said GOP politicians have failed the state, zeroing in on Patrick, who he called “cruel and craven” and denounced as a divisive figure who puts his political ambitions over the needs of everyday Texans.”
“Watching the legislative session and how horrendous it was — not only what the lieutenant governor didn’t do, but also what he did do,” Dowd said. “This summer, I started thinking maybe I should run and remove this guy so I don’t have to be embarrassed about our own state.”
Tom Friedman is a practical sort. He sounds a lot like Renee. The Dems need to take his (and her) advice to heart. I’ve been listening to Joe Manchin and Pramila Jayapal and they may as well be speaking two different languages. Time for Joe Biden to start drawing lines. Jayapal and the House Progressives are not going to win this internecine argument. You heard it here first (maybe).
Inbox: Today, Arizona and Democratic Party stakeholders announced the launch of the Primary Sinema PAC, a campaign that will fund grassroots efforts in Arizona to hold U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema accountable and prepare to mount a viable primary challenge against her.
[…]
The CR will fund the government only until December 3, after which we’ll get to go through all this drama again, but that too is fairly normal; by then Congress will likely have passed a bunch of regular spending bills, or be close enough that one more CR will get the government into the new year, barring space persons. So it goes.
In addition to the basic government funding, CBS News reports, the bill also includes “$6.3 billion for relocation efforts for Afghan refugees, as well as $28.6 billion for disaster assistance following a spate of devastating hurricanes and wildfires.” And since Joe Biden is not a petty tyrant, the states hit by hurricanes and fire won’t have to worry he’ll try to hold up the disaster funding after he signs it into law.
The stopgap spending bill does not, however, do anything to get past the Republican blockade of increasing the federal debt limit, because Senate Republicans are pure bastards. As you may recall, Republicans Monday filibustered a bill that would have funded the government and suspended the debt limit through December 2022. So while we’ll avoid a government shutdown, Rs are still happy to play chicken with the nation’s credit rating: Raising the debt limit is necessary to keep borrowing funds to cover spending the government has already done, and if the government defaults on those payments, that would tank both the US and the world economies.
But one crisis at a time: Assuming all of Washington DC isn’t swallowed at noon today by the same black hole that eated that Malaysian airliner a few years ago, the government will stay open, and the debt limit impasse will be resolved, most likely through the reconciliation process, even if Chuck Schumer has been saying he doesn’t want to do it that way. And as we’ve explained previously, reconciliation can be used once a year for the debt limit, so using reconciliation for that purpose wouldn’t interfere with passing Biden’s Build Back Better reconciliation bill, which we are still certain will get passed, even if it needs a few tweaks to satisfy THOSE TWO. Call us optimists!
Stay calm, and watch everybody carry on like it’s the end of the world. Just keep an eye out for giant lizards converging on the Capitol.
To recap: Republicans insisted their 2017 tax cut wouldn’t increase the debt; when it did, they kept on spending and refused to adjust the tax giveaway. Now, they refuse to increase the borrowing authority to pay for the deficits for which they are primarily responsible.
Funny that it’s slowing down in October…with elections right around the corner. Mail in your ballots early.
“The changes, which include longer first-class mail delivery times and cuts to post office hours, are part of embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s 10-year plan for the agency that he unveiled earlier this year.“
BiD good question. Answer- postal board of governors (or is it directors? But I digress). Since when does raising rates increase revenue when UPS and FedEx do a better job for not a lot more? Dumbass business plan – unless you happen to have a bunch of UPS or FedEx stock or maybe Newbreed Logistics …
Slowing down delivery times impedes business. Cuts into the budget unless the increase is passed along to customers. An extra $5 per shipment will add up if businesses have to carry it. Merry Christmas.
Slower mail (and price increases) hurts older folks and those with lower incomes.
“Costlier or erratic mail delivery could lead to delays in wedding invitations, birthday cards, unemployment checks, mail-in ballots or child tax credit payments. “
“According to The Washington Post, the plan will disproportionately affect Western states and parts of Texas and Florida, for example. Also, rural communities, low-income families and seniors tend to depend more on the Postal Service. “
“Delivery lags could even be a matter of life and death for some people who depend on a mail-order medication system. “
Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select Ground and USPS Retail Ground:
$0.75 increase for PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes.
$0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
$0.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
$1.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-20 lbs.
$3.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-20lbs.
$2.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 21-70 lbs.
$5.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 21-70 lbs.
So, if companies still offer “free” shipping, they will need to build that cost into the price of their products. It won’t go unnoticed.
BiD, one word … internet. It’s where letters are headed and is how even seniors (moi, e.g.) communicate. Even for business we exchange documents by scan/email at least half the time. Even Mrs. P pays bills online if it’s an option, so there goes the primary 1st class mail use in the pogo household. Anyone younger than us – “What’s mail?”
Progressives proved tonight they mean business to moderates, who now know they must horse trade on reconciliation to get their infrastructure bill passed. Not a bad Thursday for America.
no idea about the accuracy of the following data or who “self” the author is in this
more info than you’d ever want to read about the national debt from US Debt by President | Chart & Per President Deficit | Self.
example:
no need for lengthy essays, charts and calculations from dusty tomes when a cartoon can say it best
or better yet by late night comedians
While McConnell and Schumer stay locked in a high-stakes staring contest over the infrastructure bills and America’s debt ceiling, The Vatican made headlines by announcing that all employees must be vaccinated, without leaving room for exemptions on religious grounds.
Patd, from thebalance.com
He ran on eliminating the debt in 8 years Funny way to do that. Lying SOS, but we know that.
GOPers may have won the ballgame, but hopefully the Dems will win the series.
GOP ekes out a win in return of Congressional Baseball Game | TheHill
that “harbinger to come” might not be all what scalise had in mind. it could mean a repeat of when the dems won the WH, senate and house in 2008.
pogo, in case you missed this
West Virginia’s governor wants residents to get vaccinated for his dog. But not enough are getting the shot. (msn.com)
here’s concluding argument by tom in his op-ed that also ran in NYTimes about the must do biden bills:
Thomas L. Friedman: Do Democrats Have the Courage of Liz Cheney? | COMMENTARY – Baltimore Sun
[….]
The progressives need to have the courage to accept less than they want. They could use a little more humility by acknowledging that spending trillions of dollars at once might have some unintended effects — and far more respect for the risk-takers who create jobs, whom they never have a good word for. If Mr. Biden’s presidency is propelled forward and seen as a success for everyday Americans, Democrats can hold the Senate and House and come back for more later.
The moderates need to have the courage to give the progressives much more than the moderates prefer. Income and opportunity gaps in America helped to produce Mr. Trump; they will be our undoing if they persist.
We’re not writing the Ten Commandments here. We’re doing horse-trading. Just do it.
None of the Democratic lawmakers will be risking their careers by such a compromise, which is child’s play compared with facing the daily wrath of running for reelection in the most pro-Trump state in America, Wyoming, while denouncing Mr. Trump as the greatest threat to our democracy.
But I fear common sense may not win out. As Minnesota Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips (a relative) remarked to me after Tuesday’s caucus of House Democrats: “The absence of pragmatism among Democrats is as troubling as the absence of principle among Republicans.”
patd, Justice has had that dog on a number of ads run on the Covid promotion and other things he’s promoted in the past. It’s real folksy and shit. It’s also a great way to point out how dumb he can appear to appeal to the stupid in this state – who are legion.
As Minnesota Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips (a relative) remarked to me after Tuesday’s caucus of House Democrats: “The absence of pragmatism among Democrats is as troubling as the absence of principle among Republicans.”
This is why I don’t call myself a progressive… I am a Democrat. To me… politics has always meant to try to do the possible. Standing on one’s principles… but losing… IMO, is not heroic… it’s stupid. It means not getting things done for this country. Been there… done that. And like a lots of voters.. I’m sick of it.
https://www.texastribune.org/2021/09/29/matthew-dowd-texas-lieutenant-governor/
“In a two-and-a-half minute campaign announcement video, Dowd said GOP politicians have failed the state, zeroing in on Patrick, who he called “cruel and craven” and denounced as a divisive figure who puts his political ambitions over the needs of everyday Texans.”
“Watching the legislative session and how horrendous it was — not only what the lieutenant governor didn’t do, but also what he did do,” Dowd said. “This summer, I started thinking maybe I should run and remove this guy so I don’t have to be embarrassed about our own state.”
Flush the turd.
Tom Friedman is a practical sort. He sounds a lot like Renee. The Dems need to take his (and her) advice to heart. I’ve been listening to Joe Manchin and Pramila Jayapal and they may as well be speaking two different languages. Time for Joe Biden to start drawing lines. Jayapal and the House Progressives are not going to win this internecine argument. You heard it here first (maybe).
stopgap keep gov’t open bill just passed senate 65-35
about the bill:
Huzzay! We Shan’t Have A Government Shutdown Tonight! Probably! – Wonkette
Jennifer Rubin:
Succinctly stated, dontchathink?
Remind me why Louis DeJoy still has a job.
Remind me why he wasn’t charged with destruction of property and tampering with mail.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/29/politics/usps-mail-slowdown/index.html
Funny that it’s slowing down in October…with elections right around the corner. Mail in your ballots early.
“The changes, which include longer first-class mail delivery times and cuts to post office hours, are part of embattled Postmaster General Louis DeJoy’s 10-year plan for the agency that he unveiled earlier this year.“
BiD good question. Answer- postal board of governors (or is it directors? But I digress). Since when does raising rates increase revenue when UPS and FedEx do a better job for not a lot more? Dumbass business plan – unless you happen to have a bunch of UPS or FedEx stock or maybe Newbreed Logistics …
Slowing down delivery times impedes business. Cuts into the budget unless the increase is passed along to customers. An extra $5 per shipment will add up if businesses have to carry it. Merry Christmas.
Slower mail (and price increases) hurts older folks and those with lower incomes.
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/new-usps-price-hikes-and-delays-begin-in-october-what-to-know-today/
“Costlier or erratic mail delivery could lead to delays in wedding invitations, birthday cards, unemployment checks, mail-in ballots or child tax credit payments. “
“According to The Washington Post, the plan will disproportionately affect Western states and parts of Texas and Florida, for example. Also, rural communities, low-income families and seniors tend to depend more on the Postal Service. “
“Delivery lags could even be a matter of life and death for some people who depend on a mail-order medication system. “
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2021/0810-usps-announces-proposed-temporary-rate-adjustments-for-2021-peak-holiday-season.htm
The planned price changes include:
Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, Parcel Select Ground and USPS Retail Ground:
$0.75 increase for PM and PME Flat Rate Boxes and Envelopes.
$0.25 increase for Zones 1-4, 0-10 lbs.
$0.75 increase for Zones 5-9, 0-10 lbs.
$1.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 11-20 lbs.
$3.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 11-20lbs.
$2.50 increase for Zones 1-4, 21-70 lbs.
$5.00 increase for Zones 5-9, 21-70 lbs.
So, if companies still offer “free” shipping, they will need to build that cost into the price of their products. It won’t go unnoticed.
BiD, one word … internet. It’s where letters are headed and is how even seniors (moi, e.g.) communicate. Even for business we exchange documents by scan/email at least half the time. Even Mrs. P pays bills online if it’s an option, so there goes the primary 1st class mail use in the pogo household. Anyone younger than us – “What’s mail?”
Progressives proved tonight they mean business to moderates, who now know they must horse trade on reconciliation to get their infrastructure bill passed. Not a bad Thursday for America.
NEW THREAD