139 Comments
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Michael's avatar

Trump, Vance, Project 2025, and their regime have always been about lies, fraud, distraction, and deceit - the art of the steal. They are fully against honesty, transparency, trust, unity, and the USA.

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Mary Latham's avatar

Yes - they are the true representation of fraud, waste and abuse.

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Cheryl Herrera's avatar

Exactly. Wake up America and act. We have a history and a nation of dishonored oaths to contend with. This entire administration must be held to account. Unacceptable!

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Louise's avatar

Well said.

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Vivian Fletcher's avatar

Truth!

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Lisa's avatar

The truth hurts Trump's narrative but then again, dumb MAGAts believe anything he says regardless of what they see with their own eyes.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Amen, you can't explain STUPID!

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Terry's avatar

trump saying, "Only stupid people like me", you'd have thought would lose him a lot of supporters. Yet no. Those stupid people that trump has said support him, continue to support him. You can't make this shit up! 😂

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Lady Emsworth's avatar

The response from the base was "Haw-haw! I like him 'cos he says what he means! That's an HONEST man!"

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Terry's avatar

The definition of stupidity coming from maga..lol

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Dottie's avatar

And the Epstien files!

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Hoping MT keep the Epstein case going

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Kathy Davidson's avatar

They’re also against the citizens of the United States. Unless of course they happen to have billions in their pockets!

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K jarvis's avatar

And Vance appears to be dumber than ….well, you know who.

Dump Trump

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Sandy's avatar

We are living in the upside down world of maga stupidity. God help us.

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Michealene Risley's avatar

I don’t even think God can help us now.

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Nancy Bainter's avatar

Quite true, but remember also God helps those who help themselves as well as others.

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K jarvis's avatar

Amen

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Protect the Vote's avatar

Dealing With The DNC Rot From Within

The popularity of the Democratic party is at an all time low with voters

New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is teaching the Democratic party if they are willing to listen The electorate as measured by the number of protesters and those who support these protests is significant and the electorate is angry where the current Nazi regime is taking the country But it seems that the DNC is unwilling to rock to the boat and piss off big money donors so the status quo remains

But there is another element in the DNC rot There are long term influencers who are “hanging around” who still insist that policy should be the same For example the Jewish old guard like Simon Rosenberg(Hopium Chronicles on Substack)representing the AJPM(American Jewish Propaganda Machine) continue to support the Gaza genocide Mamdami has shown he can appeal to the NY Jewish population and still be opposed to the genocide and Israeli war criminals

The DNC needs a bold new aggressive agenda to win over the electorate Immediate SCOTUS reform, renewal of voting rights eroded by SCOTUS, support for women’s reproductive rights, ending Citizens United and big money in politics, and taxation of fat cat billionaires and corporations All done with an angry attitude of taking no prisoners and no reaching across the aisle Time for an all out political cleansing of the Nazi regime

van Hollen then Hochul It will take time but the DNC has to get over their problem of socialism phobia How the Nazis portray socialism is their cudgel to spout and propagandize authoritarianism The DNC needs to proudly endorse the label of socialism because if socialism is human kindness and decency, then give me a lot of it Socialism is actually a policy against greed and power WE the People should be all for socialism

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Linda's avatar

First of all the rot is in the GOP and even though your point is taken Socialism needs to be clearer to those who have been brainwashed by Trump who equates it differently…Describing what Socialism is in this Country versus how it’s used like for say Russia..The distinction is different and should be explained so people understand how it’s used versus another country…

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MM Harris's avatar

I just posted exactly the same thing!! (Educate on "communism" too, another commonly misunderstood concept, one that's frequently tossed out into the public to scare people.)

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Declan's avatar

I've never even heard Bernie Sanders educate Americans about the success Europeans have with Democratic socialism.....for a few more Euros in taxes the entire cost of health care and education is taken. are of. No fuss no muss.. Low gun violence and abundant clean renewable energy....on and on. The life of an American is hard and full of misery.

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Jax's avatar

And deceit.

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Kate's avatar

Sorry but the maggots will hear the truth but will not LISTEN....That is quite evident as I've seen a few clips of reporters etc talking with them ...they STILL believe the FELON is their saviour and will support him even with his proven criminal and sexual deviance! SO UNREAL HOW WILLINGLY IGNORANT AND STUPID they continue to be!!! They listen to fox and him and continue to blindly follow off the cliff!!! Frustrating and frightening.....how will the REST of us survive this? And they will go down with us!

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Terry's avatar

The best way to describe maga (and trump):

They hate criminals and immigrants

yet

voted for a criminal married to an immigrant.

trump always speaks in the 3rd person, so it applies to him as well.

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Kate's avatar

Exactly! The hypocrisy is staggering!!

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Amen, willfully ignorant ppl

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Rhonda L Schneider's avatar

You are absolutely right, the democrats have got to change their messaging to get it heard. A lot of people out there will donate and help the democrats take back control if they think it will be different this time! Get rid of big money in the voting system. We don't ever want to go through this again EVER! Some laws need to change to close those loopholes. The right has glaringly shown us where they are and how they were used.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Democrats are scared of their own shadows, give us more of Jasmine Crockett AOC!

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Protect the Vote's avatar

thanks for your comment

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MM Harris's avatar

Starting with Bernie and his "democratic socialism" NOBODY (even him) has taken the time to describe in simple terms what that is, and how it differs from the "years ago" socialism. HUGE part of the problem. And since it's popular for some to throw around the term "communism", any lessons should include that as well. We are an ignorant society. We can do better ...... but had better GET WITH IT and ensure voters really understand what to worry about and what should be considered. (Many countries who fall high on any international list of "overall citizen happiness" have democratic socialist governments...)

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Protect the Vote's avatar

WE the People want happiness!!!

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Susan Constable's avatar

Education is the most valuable asset to helping our society. Our children, students and leaders need to understand how other systems of government work. Constitutional Monarchy, Socialism, Democracy and Communism.

Not all countries are best served by democracy or by constitutional monarchy or by socialism. There are countries who have thrived best through communism.

Most important message: one size doesn’t fit all!

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Jax's avatar

Education is the most important element. Unfortunately, this regime wants to cancel education and keep the public ignorant. Look at trumpf, he was given every opportunity to have the best education yet he learned absolutely nothing. People around him have said for decades he’s illiterate. The only way he made it through school and college was someone else doing it for him. So education is our best hope to get through this nightmare. Hopefully, we can weather this storm and be better for it in the end but that’s a long time coming.

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Janet's avatar

I’m sorry but NO! People who live or have lived under communism would love to live our freedom!

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Terry's avatar

Freedom we did have. It's dwindling very quickly. Ask the good people of L.A., NYC, D.C., Chicago and Memphis.

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Declan's avatar

Hochul just endorsed Mamdani today.....there is hope for her.. Jeffries however when told Van Hollon endorsed Zoran, he said...."Van Hollon who" Jeffries is unemployable.

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Protect the Vote's avatar

Jeffries needs to look for a new job.....clear he can't do the one he has

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Ty and AMEN!

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

and he need his sorry ass GONE!

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TONY's avatar

Maybe you were a great doctor, but you are UNINFORMED & SUPERFICIAL!

We know what the SMOOT-HAWLEY TARIFF ACT did to the gobal economy.

Don't prescribe if you don't understand. The DNC is much like herding CATS. Unlike MAGA GOP, there are a wonderful array of opinions...YEAH! It's messy! It's called DEMOCRACY!

If you look further, you will notice that there is a PROGRESSIVE WING of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY that organized because 3rd PARTIES make no realistic sense in the U.S.

Just look at the GREEN PARTY & you'll figure it out - they have limited constituentcy, hold few offices.

Woudl recommend that you read DARK MONEY by JANE MAYER that explains how DIRTY ENERGY KOCH united the WEALTHY who were threatened by the prospect of MEDICARE FOR ALL, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE & organized the wealthy to create ANONYMOUS THINK TANKS that look legitimate - but you can't find out their funding sources. Lots of PROPAGANDA & OUTRIGHT LIES.

FULL DICLOSURE: WE NEVER ORDER FROM AMAZON, BUT THEY PROVIDE GOOD SUMMARIES of books:

Also read BRYAN TYLER COHEN's book, but there are lots of other impressive sources.

https://www.amazon.com/Shameless-Republicans-Deliberate-Dysfunction-Democracy/dp/B0CRSXXWQS/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1334809635499060&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rqgJ74So4CID01r9dCr3hdmzDdtaRD011evOZhLmDJMEdrLlcXtEDOjdj8AXUlWFEH08Klyh09L8TxPZbDktSg.crz2zT302sH_whKCyigrGvo8J4qaL77L3lVtavU_E50&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83425878325773&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=104924&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83426763258568%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22563_13494424&keywords=brian+tyler+cohen+books&mcid=d96f55414f843ee2aff44ae3fc1dd86e&msclkid=a80cae9332ed1d17184ac65b4edfa1cf&qid=1757969472&sr=8-1

The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America

https://www.amazon.com/Echo-Machine-Right-Wing-Extremism-Post-Truth/dp/0807016535

Defending Democracy from Giving up is Unforgivable Workbook: Strategies from Joyce Vance for Protecting Our Democratic Institutions

https://www.amazon.com/Giving-Up-Unforgivable-Keeping-Democracy/dp/B0DZ5XBVKY/ref=sr_1_1?adgrpid=1332610637133762&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.n-5A_747Eu1VnHE7wJVqKSAq17X89KhJ97Yaw-HLlbslJSNqdInNYjO8Gi3RKiiX4T8xpr0EoDcG5M9Fm-sCo9gsR1gHWcvOFtWiNc5h-HmXW2lTxTqBZbg4vmbro6CgLiJWKA78BuYQQ2dhgTOgRO9UczzG2QFdRIbthANgqBZJluC2E96L6nKZNOaOaAT95gjepQBDDmsIVfS8brPqHY9fHntZXRlz_Ll6UmPD_Ik.zrdefXEeE627b0sO1nJ8lykKcAl9ID4GRi37Q-ZWw9s&dib_tag=se&hvadid=83288445213885&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=96599&hvnetw=o&hvqmt=e&hvtargid=kwd-83289355122602%3Aloc-190&hydadcr=22535_13494442&keywords=joyce+vance+book&mcid=53d513f490d63974be870feb7e0df775&msclkid=9edfe0ff3ecc1db303b388374545a69d&qid=1757969332&sr=8-1

In addition, PROPAGANDA, DISINFORMATION & DIVISIVENESS is also funded by RUSSIAN BOTS & TROLLS unlikely to be revealed because TRUMP appointed a 22 year old incompetent to fight 'TERRORISM' & fired experienced, qualified people. RUSSIA & likely CHINA have hacked into PUBLIC SERVICES - water, energy, traffic control, etc.

I would suggest that you get off your couch & join an experienced organization that is doing VOTER CANVASSING & VOTER REGISTRATION.

I campaigned againsy a corrupt REPUBLICAN, knocked on doors of REGISTERED REPUBLICANS & consistently heard "WE ONLY VOTE FOR REPUBLICANS!" & their votes

show it!

This is what you're fighting: JOHN DEAN wrote this in 2017:

They severely limit their sources of information. They get the news that they want to get. This also produces an echo chamber when the news sources they trust are copying each other and relaying Trump’s message.

excerpt:

We know enough about authoritarian supporters from research, and history, to know it will be very hard to change their minds about the leader they adore.

They are extremely ethnocentric, dividing the world sharply into people in their in-group, and automatically disliking all others. They feel politicians who promote minority rights and immigration discriminate against them. Donald Trump tells them they are right. He is their champion.

They are highly dogmatic. They get their ideas from others in the in-group, especially from their leader, not from evidence and logic. They say there is no evidence that will make them change their minds. They’re quite comfortable believing “alternate facts.”

They get great satisfaction from being part of a large movement. Being in a cohesive crowd at rallies thrills them because they silently tell one another, just by being there, that they are powerful and right. They create an echo chamber that reinforces the belief that all the good people think like they do.

They severely limit their sources of information. They get the news that they want to get. This also produces an echo chamber when the news sources they trust are copying each other and relaying Trump’s message.

They have highly compartmentalized minds. When an unpleasant truth forces its way into their awareness, they do not try to integrate the other things they believe with it. Instead they put it in a box and isolate it from the rest of their thinking, which proceeds as if the truth never existed.

Put all this together and you get an idea how hard it will be to change their minds about Donald Trump.

One can expect some of Trump’s followers to waver if the months ahead are thick with damaging revelations like those that brought down the Nixon White House. But a repeat of “Watergate-type scandals” may not damage Trump as much as they did Nixon.

https://verdict.justia.com/2017/07/07/altemeyer-trumps-supporters

You're a smart man & a voice that needs to be heard once you gather your FACTS & UNDERSTANDING.

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Protect the Vote's avatar

Got the important obvious facts of the present All of your citations are of the past The past is history the future is mystery the present is all we have That's why they call it a gift

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Michealene Risley's avatar

Never going to happen- they are so insulated- they do not get what is happening, and they continue help Trump

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Democratic leaders have always been scared, they just really are too weak and silent. No balls to rock the boat!

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Protect the Vote's avatar

Change of D's in office who are not willing to go nuclear against the current Nazi regime is necessary Voters need to hold candidates accountable

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Rhonda L Schneider's avatar

There should only be 3 topics out there, Project 2025, Epstein files and Oct. 18th. Everything we talk about should be tied to one of these topics over and over and over. Weather it is the god awful job anyone of Trump's or his cabinet members are doing, to the economy, to the injustices that are happening to the citizens of the United States, to the Orange goons health, to SCOTUS decisions, or the economy it doesn't matter don't let them keep changing direction on us. Distractions........

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olderwoman's avatar

I like your focus Rhonda.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Sorry ass Democrats won't fight a girl!

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Rich Reinis's avatar

Secretary Su has been a tireless advocate for working people in this country. A BLS report on labor could hardly have a better endorsement. There is, in addition, another very critical issue raised by the Administration's debasement of reports issued by BLS. Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of contractual relationships with adjustable features depend on these reports. Cost of Living Adjustments appear in leases, to mention one huge category of contracts. Rents are adjusted to take into account increases during the lease term. Union contracts are often adjustable. The list is long and the impact is very significant. If BLS reports are not a reliable source upon which to make adjustments, there are sometimes defaults to other reports built in, but not often since there has not been a time that I can recall (in 50 years of writing leases) when the reports were not issued or were even questioned. In meddling this way, the Administration is playing with fire. How many tenants, borrowers. or other counter-parties to proposed adjustments are going to litigate this issue? How many will refuse to pay more based on a COLA issued by an agency now turned political huckster?

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Edith Brideau's avatar

That was a terrific guest article, by an informed writer. Thank you.

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Dwight Homer's avatar

If you genuinely seek to thwart inflation you don’t create a tariff policy that can’t do anything but create substantial inflationary pressure on an economy that depends on international trade.

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Kate's avatar

Ya just can't fix STUPID!

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David Beattie's avatar

Great article. Great clarity. This is what competence sounds like.

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Carol b's avatar

Worst, and I mean, " THE WORST" administration in the history of the United States!

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Kyle Brock's avatar

Release his pedo pal's Epstein Files and let's end this maga monster.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Maybe just maybe the Democrats will push it but, don't count on them

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Barbara's avatar

I remember between 2008 and 2010 how the market had crashed. Business after business closed up. It seems to be happening again. I live in Louisville Kentucky and I’m starting to notice more for lease signs going up around the city.

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olderwoman's avatar

Yup

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Dave Carew's avatar

ANY "MAN" who CONSTANTLY demonstrates utter incompetence, ignorance, and immorality--then ALWAYS blames others for his failures--isn't qualitied to manage ANYTHING, never mind an entire country.

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Irene Finn's avatar

He's definitely unfit to lead ANYTHING, that's for sure.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Yep, the sorry Democrats won't call his lies out, they just roll with the flow. Can't believe how utter weak they are.

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Roger Loeb's avatar

Thank you, Ms. Su. Excellent essay. "Trump ridicules and seeks to discredit anything complex" is an important observation. Trump is convinced he's a genius, but smart people understand how little they know; it's stupid people who claim to be smart. Trump is stupid, and he knows that. The complex statistical analysis done by the BLS is so far beyond his comprehension that he belittles it. As you point out, it also makes a liar out of him, but this man has lied his way through life. I suspect it's pathological. He couldn't tell the truth if his life depended on it. What I find frightening is that so much of the U.S. population believes his lies. (As someone else pointed out, they need to believe his lies.) Analysts I've worked with in the past suspect that his goal is to destroy the U.S. role in the world, allowing China to emerge as the world power center. I don't think he's clever enough to have such a goal. Occam's Razor is an adequate explanation: he's angry, stupid, and declining mentally.

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olderwoman's avatar

If it is any small comfort to you, new poll his approval rating is now at 37%

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Roger Loeb's avatar

Tells us how many truly stupid people there are in this country!

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Janet's avatar

But Cheetos people keep those reports from him. He thinks everyone loves him.

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

He's ugly inside and out!

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Linda Patton's avatar

The current administration appears to seek to INTENTIONALLY WRECK THE U. S. ECONOMY

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olderwoman's avatar

Can we all say together now

The Chips and Science Act (Biden)

CREATE Jobs, don't arrest the employees of Hyundai who are building the plant for 7,800 Americans to work in.

Let's say it together

The Chips and Science Act

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Jax's avatar

The entire goal of his second term is to undo absolutely everything President Biden accomplished. He can’t stand the fact Biden actually improved the shit show that he left the first time. We were the number one country in recuperating from the pandemic in the world. Now we have been relegated to a third world country because of a little man’s ego!

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Patrice Mobley's avatar

Those damn Democrats sit by and say NOTHING! Bunch of puzzies.

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Grumpy Liberal's avatar

MAGA = enshittify everything.

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Darryl Baird's avatar

Trump needs as much cover from the looming economic problems, for as long as possible. His statement suggesting doing away with quarterly reporting for corporations is his latest salvo into the hiding of bad news. Companies cannot lie to their stockholders like his government can, so eliminate bad data and spin the spin.

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olderwoman's avatar

That is his tactic, just as he said we should not test for Covid because it makes him look bad.

Now it is don't issue quarterly earning reports.

What is that famous line from the movie, it was a military trial, "You can't stand the truth." Somebody help me out here.

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Kathleen Davidson's avatar

Jack Nicholson yelling at Tom Cruise in A Few Good Men, "You can't handle the truth!"

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Darryl Baird's avatar

Will he bully companies to make this a reality? Seems an easy sale if it cuts costs, but the public (stockholders) might prefer a little more transparency... hard to guess. I doubt it can be accomplished quickly, but I'm not sure of the process. I'm sticking to precious metals for the foreseeable future. 😉

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Jax's avatar
Sep 16Edited

A few good men-

“You can’t handle the truth” was Jack Nicolson’s line when on the stand .

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Sharon Linford's avatar

A Few Good Men - - - Jack Nicholsen

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olderwoman's avatar

THANK YOU Sharon 🙏🏻

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olderwoman's avatar

That is what should be the graphic to this article,

Jack Nicholsen pointing "You can't Stand the Truth"

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