Posted in Democracy News Politics

Trump endorses Oath Keeper’s plan to seize control of the Republican Party

The “precinct strategy” widely promoted by Steve Bannon has already inspired thousands of Trump supporters to fill local GOP positions, intent on preventing a “stolen election.” by Isaac Arnsdorf, ProPublica March 3, 2022   ProPublica is…

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Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) speaks to reporters as they arrive at the U.S. Capitol on June 24, 2021. (Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Posted in News Restart 2021 Wealth Tax

Sinema targeted over tax break for rich

  “It’s time for her to decide who she works for: Arizonans, or private equity billionaires.” by Jake Johnson, Common Dreams Tuesday, December 7, 2021 A group of wealthy investors and business leaders who support progressive…

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Anuj Shrestha, special to ProPublica
Posted in Analysis Conspiracy theories Right Wing Militias

Oath Keepers in the State House

How a Militia Movement Took Root in the Republican Mainstream by Isaac Arnsdorf, ProPublica October 21, 2021   North Carolina state representative Mike Clampitt swore an oath to uphold the Constitution after his election in 2016…

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Posted in Columns Restart 2021 Wade Rathke

Mean-tested versus entitlements

by Wade Rathke October 10, 2021 Pearl River    I hate being one of those “I told you so” people, but anyone listening knows we predicted the “deal” on the social services infrastructure package would come…

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"David Schweikert, Kyrsten Sinema & Matt Salmon" by Gage Skidmore is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0.
Posted in Analysis Restart 2021

Corporate Democrats Obstructing Extension of Expanded Child Tax Credit

“The rich can afford to pay a fairer share in taxes, but many families in Maine can’t afford to lose out on this commonsense tax relief.” by Kenny Stancil, Common Dreams September 30, 2021 A new…

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Flags touting sayings such as “Don’t blame me I voted for Trump” fly from a cart at a rally put on by the Arizona Republican Party to hear the results of 2020 elections investigation. (Photo by Sierra Alvarez/Cronkite News)
Posted in Arizona Conspiracy theories News Race for the White House 2020

Maricopa election probe is complete, but fight may just be starting

The Cyber Ninjas count showed Biden should have received 99 more votes in Maricopa County and Trump should have received 261 fewer; Senator Mark Kelly got an extra 60 votes in the final count over former…

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Posted in Analysis Politics Racism Republicans

Texas voting law builds on long legacy of racism from GOP leaders

In the early 1960s, U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater of Arizona, a Republican, challenged the GOP’s more liberal politicians to redefine the Republican Party as what newspaper editor William Loeb called “the white man’s party.” by Chris Lamb,…

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The National Weather Service shared video footage captured by the U.S. Forest Service showing a firenado that formed over the Tennant Fire in California's Siskiyou County on June 29, 2021. (Photo: U.S. Forest Service)
Posted in Climate change Filibuster Politics Wild Fire

‘This is what bipartisanship looks like’: Fire tornado caught on film in California

“Climate policy isn’t about imagining a spectrum from left to right and finding the sweet spot in the middle. It’s a zero-sum battle with physics.”   by Jon Queally, Staff Writer July 8, 2021 Responding to…

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Posted in Arizona Dirty Tricks Politics

Facebook let pro-Trump group pose as leftists to split Democratic vote

Republican Troll Farm in Phoenix “This is a story about Facebook, the FEC, and broken systems,” said a former Facebook employee. “Now it’s time for the FEC to prove that perverting justice has consequences.” by Julia…

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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) speaks to reporters following a vote at the U.S. Capitol on April 12, 2021 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Posted in Infrastructure Politics Restart 2021

Sanders warns Dems could lose Congress if they get mired in ‘never-ending’ negotiations with GOP

“The Democrats in Congress must move forward boldly, protecting the working families of our country and restoring faith in government. Yes, the future of the country is at stake.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, May…

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A protester holds a Trump 2024 flag in front of the Pennsylvania State Capitol on February 27, 2021. (Photo: Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Posted in Analysis Conspiracy theories Dirty Tricks Elections

Is the Big Lie a ‘test run’ for what comes next?

With Republicans set to block a commission to probe the January 6 attack, progressives warn “the insurrection never actually stopped.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Thursday, May 27, 2021   With Senate Republicans expected to use…

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Posted in News Restart 2021 Unemployment

Anger grows as GOP Governors cut off jobless benefits

‘Attempting to Starve People Back to Work’ Meanwhile, the Biden administration is under fire for claiming it is powerless to prevent states from ending the $300 weekly unemployment boost. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, May…

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Posted in Columns Republicans Wade Rathke

Grand Old Party (GOP) vs. Party of Trump (POT)

by Wade Rathke March 10, 2021 New Orleans    No matter what, it seems that when we are talking about Trump, it’s all about the money. In the latest stop on his revenge tour, his lawyers…

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Posted in Columns Policing Wade Rathke

Shifting Sands on Police Tactics

by Wade Rathke March 8, 2021 New Orleans    In the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, we heard from a former mayor and activist in the area. He wanted to do…

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Posted in Arizona News SCOTUS Voter suppression

Supreme Court hears Arizona voting law case with national implications

“If you can’t vote because you are a Native American or a non-Hispanic in areas where car ownership rates are very small, where you don’t have mail pickup or mail delivery … or you happen to…

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Posted in Arizona News Republicans Voter suppression

GOP lawyer admits to Supreme Court that easier voting puts Republicans at ‘competitive disadvantage’

Blaring quiet part out loud “The mask is off. Republicans want to steal your right to vote and pulverize democracy because they don’t think they can win elections on ideas or humanity.” by Jake Johnson, staff…

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Posted in Biden Administration News

After Trump was allowed to let lobbyist run Interior Dept., Manchin called to ‘Do what’s right’ and confirm Haaland

“The opposition to Congresswoman Haaland’s confirmation is narrow and guided by money, not the qualifications or historic importance of what the nomination of Deb Haaland will do for this country.” by Kenny Stancil, staff writer Tuesday,…

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Posted in News Safety Net

In contrast to Republican leaders AOC helps raise $1 million in direct relief for Texans in crisis

“AOC helped raise $1 million for Texas relief as Ted Cruz made his way back home from Cancún.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, February 19, 2021 As Sen. Ted Cruz rushed back to Texas on…

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Posted in Arizona Coronavirus

Masks off: Bill would allow Arizona businesses to ignore city, county mandates

by Victoria Hill, Cronkite News Thursday, February 18, 2021   Phoenix – A House committee has passed a Republican-sponsored bill that would allow Arizona business owners to decide whether to enforce mask mandates for employees and customers,…

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Posted in News Republicans Voter suppression

GOP introduces 100+ voter suppression bills just since beginning of 2021

“Democrats have a clear choice. They can get rid of the filibuster to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the For the People Act to stop GOP voter suppression, or they can allow the…

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Posted in Biden Administration News Republicans Restart 2021

As GOP Senators push smaller Covid-19 relief package, Dem leaders move to advance Biden’s bolder plan

“Congress must pursue a bold and robust course of action. It makes no sense to pinch pennies when so many Americans are struggling,” said the Senate majority leader. by Jessica Corbett, staff write Monday, February 1,…

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Posted in Politics QAnon Republicans Right Wing Militias

New ‘Treason Caucus’ campaign targets Cruz, Hawley, and others for role in deadly Capitol Insurrection

“If we don’t take action now, Cruz and his band of conspiracy theorists will still maintain power in an office they dishonored and don’t deserve to hold.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Friday, January 29, 2021…

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Posted in News QAnon Republicans

GOP appoints Marjorie Taylor Greene—a Sandy Hook Massacre denier—to Education Committee

“The focus has to be on the Republican leadership of this House of Representatives for the disregard they have for the death of those children,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday,…

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Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks at a press conference at Corona Plaza in Queens on April 14, 2020 in New York City. (Photo: Scott Heins/Getty Images)
Posted in News QAnon Republicans Right Wing Militias

AOC rips Republicans for embracing violence, misogyny, and racism

‘Kevin McCarthy Answers to These QAnon Members’ “No consequences means that they condone it.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, January 28, 2021 Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York late Wednesday offered a damning assessment of…

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