Out d’Coup | Bernie’s Big Speech; Dem Debates; Deeper Corruption; No Impeachment; Climate Crisis; Wolf Vetoes EITC; PA Min Wage; PA Voting Machines; Midtown Bear; Moon Plans; Sean’s Car; Brews
Bernie Sanders gives a major speech defending democratic socialism and introducing a 21st Century economic bill of rights. Bernie just keeps on widening the space of possibility in American politics.
Participants in the first round of the Democratic Party presidential debates are set. All but four people made the cut: Four candidates didn’t make it: Montana Gov. Steve Bullock; Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton; former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel and Miramar, Fla., Mayor Wayne Messam. New Monmouth University poll shows Warren moving into the #2 spot at 19% ahead of Bernie’s 13%. Biden still holding onto the top spot at 36% among “likely caucus-goers.” Latest head-to-head national polls showing six (6) Democratic presidential candidates beating Trump in a hypothetical matchup: Biden +13, Sanders +9; Harris +8, Warren +7.
Cadre, a real estate company partially owned by Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, has received more than $90 million in dark money from foreign investors. The money was funneled through secret accounts in the Cayman Islands. Jared may not have too much to worry about since Elaine Chao has stepped into the corruption spotlight this week.
Nancy Pelosi further stymies moves to opening impeachment inquiries at the Peterson Foundation’s 2017 Fiscal Summit. The Peterson Foundation has long been criticized for its role in making the case for gutting social programs and advancing unbridled free trade.
Ahead of this week’s hearing on Medicare for All before the House Ways and Means committee, Committee Chair, Democrat Richard Neal of Massachusetts gathered his fellow Democrats behind closed doors and told them not to use the phrase “Medicare for All” during the hearing. Instead, Neal told them to use “universal health care” or “universal health coverage” instead. He was not very successful. Neal is known to be resistant to Medicare for All and some of his largest financial backers are insurance companies and big Pharma. The hearings did show, however, that Mike Kelly, the Republican representative from PA’s 16 District is an anti-Medicare-for-All crusader.
Carbon emissions from the global energy industry increased at the fastest rate since 2011, according to BP’s annual global energy report. According to the report, emissions increased by 2% because the demand for energy significantly outstripped the rollout of renewable energy resources and infrastructure. BP’s chief economist, Spencer Dale, told The Guardian, “At a time when society is increasingly concerned about climate change and the need for action, energy demand and emissions are growing at their fastest rate for years.” Yes, said that was BP’s chief economist.
Look...the Green New Deal is a disruptive initiative whose time has come. Time for people over “jobs.” I’ll tell you a little about what I mean by that.
In this week’s report from Gilead, due to Alabama lawmakers recent passage of an extreme anti-abortion bill - a bill that provides no exception even in the case of rape or incest - rapists may be able to get custody of a child resulting from rapes they committed. That’s because last month those same lawmakers removed language from a bill that would have denied rapists parental rights.
Code Pink is seeking a permit to fly the Baby Trump Blimp on the National Mall during Trump’s July 4th address from the Lincoln Memorial. And, the symbolic “tree of friendship” planted at the White House by Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron has died.
Governor Wolf says he’ll veto a bill designed to increase the EITC tax credit program that diverts money away from public schools toward private, for-profit, and religious schools.
Will there be an increase in the minimum wage and the tipped minimum wage? Not so fast. House Republicans told Patty Kim that House Republicans haven’t had the “time” to come up with a proposal to raise the wage from $7.25 to $15/hr.
PA House Dems looking to do an end around Daryl Metcalf to get Wolf’s Restore Pennsylvania infrastructure plan out of committee and to the House floor for a full vote.
PA Republicans refuse to support funding for updating all of PA’s voting machines before the 2020 election. Gov. Wolf has pushed for a $15 million plan to update all voting machines, but Republicans won’t include it in the budget. Last year Wolf began pushing for voting machines with paper backups following new reports showing new Russian attempts to interview with our elections.
A year old black bear made its way into Midtown, Harrisburg and into an oak tree. The bear quickly became a learning opportunity for all of the neighbors when the local game warden allowed everyone to see the bear up close when it was sedated.
Eric Blanc, author of Red State Revolt: The Teachers’ Strike Wave and Working-Class Politics, was just in Harrisburg and will be in Bethlehem on Monday to talk about his book and discuss working class politics. The event is sponsored by the DSA of the Lehigh Valley and will take place from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Color Me Mine at 25 E. 3rd Street in Bethlehem. Details HERE.
Trump dumps on NASA’s moon plans. He tweeted:
“For all of the money we are spending, NASA should NOT be talking about going to the Moon - We did that 50 years ago. They should be focused on the much bigger things we are doing, including Mars (of which the Moon is a part), Defense and Science!”
Could it have anything to do with Chinese space initiatives and the current trade war? I wonder. NASA administrator and Trump appointee Jim Bridenstine, says nothing has changed with their plans to land on the moon in 2024.
NASA spots Star Fleet logo embedded in Martian dune.
Sean got his car inspected. Fer realz.
If you’re looking for a good beer for Father’s Day this Sunday and you are in the Kutztown area, I don’t know how you can resist picking up a couple 4 packs of Dad Jokes from Saucony Creek. Dad Jokes is a Brut-style IPA. Here’s the description from the brewery: Dad Jokes “makes you think you're getting another one of today's juicy sweet IPA's but engages your palate with a clean, refreshing, bone-dry finish. Late additions of Amarillo and Motueka lend juicy tropical flavors with balanced hop bitterness.”
While you’re there ask about their annual July 4th Pig Roast from 11:00 am till 7:00 pm. Tickets are $25, which includes slow roasted pork and choice of great sides including Mac & Cheese, coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, roasted potatoes, and watermelon salad Live Music from Nick Cerniglia from 4-7PM.
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