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Joinfortmill

(14,460 posts)
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 06:37 AM Aug 2023

Finally, the truth about the GOP. This is a 'must read' people...

https://www.rawstory.com/ivanka-trump-and-jared-kushner-2659707969/

My summary doesn't do it justice. Please read the entire article. (my words).

'Jared Kushner, Ivanka Trump and the core of the GOP's existence' Thom Hartmann Commentary

'Nobody ever accused Republicans of not knowing how to make a buck or BS-ing somebody into voting for them. Lying to people for economic or political gain is the very definition of a grift. Whenever there’s another mass- or school-shooting, Republican politicians hustle out fundraising emails about how “Democrats are coming to take your guns!” The result is a measurable and profitable spike in gun sales after every new slaughter of our families and children, followed by a fresh burst of campaign cash to GOP lawmakers...

When Jared Kushner was underwater and nearly bankrupt because he overpaid for 666 Fifth Avenue and needed a billion-dollar bailout to cover his mortgage, his buddies in the Middle East (Saudi Arabia and the UAE) blockaded American ally (and host to the Fifth Fleet) Qatar until that country relented and laundered the money to Jared through a Canadian investment company.

Just this year, after Trump deregulated toxic trains leading to a horrible crash and the contamination of East Palestine, Ohio, Steve Bannon — already charged with multiple fraud-related crimes and then pardoned by Trump — showed up to hustle $300+ water filters to the people of that town...The grift is a recurrent theme through Republican presidencies in the modern era.

Ronald Reagan told us if we just destroyed America’s unions and moved our manufacturing to China and Mexico, great job opportunities would fill the nation. He followed that up by promising if we just cut taxes on the morbidly rich, prosperity would trickle-down to the rest of us. Reagan even assured us that raising the Social Security retirement age to 67 and taxing Social Security benefits would mean seniors could retire with greater ease. All, of course, were grifter’s lies. Republican presidents since Reagan have continued the tradition....

Donald Trump told Americans he had the coronavirus pandemic under control while he was actually making the situation far worse: America had more deaths per capita from the disease than any other developed country in the world, with The Lancet estimating a half-million Americans died needlessly because of Trump’s grift.

Jared and Ivanka cashed in on their time in the White House to the tune of billions, while Trump squeezed hundreds of millions out of foreign governments, encouraging them to illegally pay him through rentals in his properties around the world....

While Nixon was simply corrupt — a crook, to use his own term — in 1978 when five Republicans on the Supreme Court signed off on the Bellotti decision authored by Lewis Powell himself, giving corporations the legal right to bribe American politicians, the GOP went all in.Ever since then, the GOP has purely been the party of billionaires and giant corporations, although their most successful political grift has been to throw an occasional bone to racists, gun-nuts, fascists, homophobes, and woman-haters to get votes.

Democrats at that time were largely funded by the unions, so it wasn’t until the 1990s, after Reagan had destroyed about half of America’s union jobs and gutted the unions’ ability to fund campaigns, that the Democratic Party under Bill Clinton was forced to make a big turn toward taking corporate cash.

Since Barack Obama showed how online fundraising could replace corporate cash, however, about half of the nation’s Democratic politicians have aligned with the Progressive Caucus and eschewed corporate money, returning much of the Party to its FDR and Great Society base.The GOP, in contrast, has never wavered from lapping up corporate money in exchange for tax cuts, deregulation, and corporate socialism.

Their most dangerous grift today, though, has been their embrace of the lie that America is not a democracy but instead is a theocratic republic that should be ruled exclusively by armed Christian white men. It’s leading us straight into the jaws of fascism...'

42 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Finally, the truth about the GOP. This is a 'must read' people... (Original Post) Joinfortmill Aug 2023 OP
Truly a must read democrank Aug 2023 #1
Great read, but then, ALL Thom's commentary's are great. Ferrets are Cool Aug 2023 #2
Hartmann is a clarion for our age. jaxexpat Aug 2023 #19
I think the main reason anyone goes into politics as a Republican is money. Ligyron Aug 2023 #3
+1 2naSalit Aug 2023 #8
"They want to make a bundle and know this is their best bet." Justice matters. Aug 2023 #17
And George Santos is still in there. calimary Aug 2023 #39
Sad But True NowISeetheLight Aug 2023 #4
ahem. it was howard dean who showed small donors cd replace corp cash. mopinko Aug 2023 #5
God Bless Howard Dean! calimary Aug 2023 #40
Jesus is weeping as he sees his crazed followers grossly misinterpret his words onetexan Aug 2023 #6
Sometimes even the son of god runs out of tears RVN VET71 Aug 2023 #11
Agree. The wider Catholic church considers US Catholics to be a rogue sect onetexan Aug 2023 #27
Hogwash? That would be the communion wine. RVN VET71 Aug 2023 #34
Please ExWhoDoesntCare Aug 2023 #42
LOL wut? ExWhoDoesntCare Aug 2023 #41
Very good read malaise Aug 2023 #7
I can't get past a subscription pop up. Pacifist Patriot Aug 2023 #9
Same here... Deuce Aug 2023 #12
Try this https://www.removepaywall.com/ Pompoy Aug 2023 #13
I tried it. It worked for me. Thanks, and welcome to Democratic Underground. NBachers Aug 2023 #23
Thanks! Pacifist Patriot Aug 2023 #26
But Hunter . . . that's the crime of the century. Vinca Aug 2023 #10
The GOP is only for the rich. Squaredeal Aug 2023 #14
K&R PatSeg Aug 2023 #15
Here is the original article without a paywall: thomhartmann Aug 2023 #16
Thank you for this link BunnyMcGee Aug 2023 #24
extra link... druidity33 Aug 2023 #18
thanks!! vapor2 Aug 2023 #36
I said it before: Trump is a distraction Jarqui Aug 2023 #20
Again K&R Prairie_Seagull Aug 2023 #21
Myth Democrats shifted Right because of "corporate cash." Republicans controlled Congress after two betsuni Aug 2023 #22
I can't read this. Snackshack Aug 2023 #25
Paywall. evolves Aug 2023 #28
See replies above (nt) Pluvious Aug 2023 #29
Corporate cash leads to fascist ideas and laws that benefit those corporations RANDYWILDMAN Aug 2023 #30
Big Thom Hartmann fan here...n/t PatrickforB Aug 2023 #31
That guy really has it all figured out bucolic_frolic Aug 2023 #32
This should be LeftLife Aug 2023 #33
paywall for Rawstory vapor2 Aug 2023 #35
Thom Hartmann is amazing. I actually know a former KPN Aug 2023 #37
First, continued huge props to Mr. Hartmann, a writer and speaker I have long and strongly admired. BobTheSubgenius Aug 2023 #38

Ferrets are Cool

(21,110 posts)
2. Great read, but then, ALL Thom's commentary's are great.
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 07:11 AM
Aug 2023

The Theocratic Republic is the scariest part of it all.

Ligyron

(7,639 posts)
3. I think the main reason anyone goes into politics as a Republican is money.
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 07:14 AM
Aug 2023

They want to make a bundle and know this is their best bet.

I'm sure many know the GQP main message now is pure BS but that the people who vote for them are frightened dumb asses and the correct lines and message are easy to parrot. Anyone with half a brain can do it as long as they can overcome any moral reservations and human decency they may have had at one time.

Probably think it's real funny too.

Justice matters.

(6,941 posts)
17. "They want to make a bundle and know this is their best bet."
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 09:37 AM
Aug 2023

George Santos... except when they are too stupid to think they won't get caught.

NowISeetheLight

(3,943 posts)
4. Sad But True
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 07:33 AM
Aug 2023

The corporate theocratic corruption is sadly the way it has gone. It's painful to see so many citizens vote for such a crooked political party. They truly don't understand or recognize the danger. It's easier to blame migrants, China, gays, etc, for not getting ahead than it is to realize they're being taken advantage of.

mopinko

(70,228 posts)
5. ahem. it was howard dean who showed small donors cd replace corp cash.
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 07:34 AM
Aug 2023

4 yrs earlier. but he is correct about the significance.
it changed the money primary, which was killing us.

onetexan

(13,061 posts)
6. Jesus is weeping as he sees his crazed followers grossly misinterpret his words
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 07:36 AM
Aug 2023

And usurp it to push l their distorted views onto the rest of us.

RVN VET71

(2,698 posts)
11. Sometimes even the son of god runs out of tears
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 08:23 AM
Aug 2023

Sadly, I think were there a Jesus, a preacher of love who eschewed material wealth, he would have long since turned away in disgust.

His words are already being spit on my many evangelicals who now voice their shock and contempt about a man who would preach meekness. He's "woke" say the worshippers of mammon. No, seriously, even their ministers have lamented about this publicly, shocked that so many of their "flocks" are really worshippers of violence and revenge who regard the man whom they consider to be the son of the living god to be weak.

Much of American christianity, I am afraid, has kicked Jesus to the curb and there are no samaritans among the "believers" willing or able to help get him to a hospital.

onetexan

(13,061 posts)
27. Agree. The wider Catholic church considers US Catholics to be a rogue sect
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 11:43 AM
Aug 2023

Schism hasn't happened yet but give it time. I'm not one for organized religion but i've studied enough of it to know it's hogwash.

RVN VET71

(2,698 posts)
34. Hogwash? That would be the communion wine.
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 09:57 PM
Aug 2023

Drink it and accept the absurdity of dogma and doctrine, accept it with "love".

And if accepting the hogwash means you must go ahead and slaughter your deemed enemies and their children, even their infants, and rape their daughters and wives, hey go ahead and do it because god's got your back.

(See, for example, the good and infamous Abbott Amalric who enjoined his army to sack a besieged city whose population was evenly split between "heretics" and Catholics by saying "Kill them all for God will know his own.&quot


 

ExWhoDoesntCare

(4,741 posts)
42. Please
Thu Aug 24, 2023, 04:31 PM
Aug 2023

They're not spitting on anything.

You're following what you choose to follow from that imaginary guy, even though he also said--and did--a bunch of awful things.

So it's not true at all that they're not following his nonsense. They are. They're merely following the parts you want to pretend aren't there. But are.

 

ExWhoDoesntCare

(4,741 posts)
41. LOL wut?
Thu Aug 24, 2023, 04:28 PM
Aug 2023

Since when were they misinterpreting the guy who condoned stealing someone's donkey to make a statement when he rode into town?

The guy who thought it was okay to beat the crap out of people doing something *non-violent* that he didn't like?

The guy who had zero hesitation about calling foreigners--even their children--dogs to their faces?

The guy who bragged about creating divisiveness, even amongst families, if people didn't kiss up to him?

The guy who thinks it's A-OK to torment and torture people for eternity--for not agreeing with his BS claims?

Yeah, they're soooooo misinterpreting and usurping that guy.



Pull the other one.

Pompoy

(123 posts)
13. Try this https://www.removepaywall.com/
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 08:44 AM
Aug 2023

It worked for me on this article, but at other times if it doesn't it gives you an option to click on Archive something I think it is, and that works every time.


Squaredeal

(399 posts)
14. The GOP is only for the rich.
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 09:05 AM
Aug 2023

As a boy it was immediately apparent to me without anyone having telling me, and this truism has repeatedly reaffirmed itself throughout my adulthood. Why so many others in this country can’t see this obvious truth is beyond me.

BunnyMcGee

(464 posts)
24. Thank you for this link
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 10:37 AM
Aug 2023

Which led me to another topic , and the book The Hidden History of the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of America, which I just purchased online.

Jarqui

(10,130 posts)
20. I said it before: Trump is a distraction
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 10:00 AM
Aug 2023

The GOP enabled Trump. He could not have done what he did without them.
I think he forgot to mention Iran Contra, smearing Gary Hart, swiftboating John Kerry.
They're accusing Biden of weaponizing the justice dept - which he is not doing - while ignoring Bill Barr acting like Trump personal lawyer scuttling Mueller's report, pardon all if his circle who did felonies.
GOP talk about weaponizing government ignoring how they employed it against Bill Clinton, & the GOP House went after Hillary with bogus Benghazi and emails claims and now Hunter Biden.

My entire life, they have been corrupt putting their own interests ahead of the country.

We're making headway with Trump.
But he's a symptom/ Not the problem.

betsuni

(25,638 posts)
22. Myth Democrats shifted Right because of "corporate cash." Republicans controlled Congress after two
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 10:09 AM
Aug 2023

years of Democratic control during the Clinton administration, same as Obama, same as Biden.

Obama received a record amount of Wall Street donations in 2008. Did he refuse to regulate Wall Street? No he didn't.

Myth that FDR was some kind of democratic socialist, not what he was, a liberal Democrat and savior of capitalism. Myth the Democratic Party has shifted Left recently because of populism. Who was the last Democratic nominee again? A populist? No. Biden has shifted populists back to the usual liberal Democratic policies.

Democrats are not corrupted by campaign contributions from employees of corporations and Wall Street. "Corporate cash." Otherwise, show proof of said corruption. What's the difference between someone giving five dollars until the legal contribution limit is reached and someone giving the legal limit all at once? "Grassroots"? Oh come on, conspiracy theory. Silly.

Snackshack

(2,541 posts)
25. I can't read this.
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 11:28 AM
Aug 2023

I have no doubts about its validity. The entire GOP is a criminal organization. Im mid 50’s and I cannot remember the last 1 good/beneficial for the greater good thing the GOP has done for this country. They have simply lead the assault on 1 disaster after another since 2000 repeatedly before that it was intermittent. Iran Contra, Savings and Loan etc.

The last GOP admin lied about a deadly virus calling it a hoax and floated disinfectant injections while -1.1million + Americans died, 1000’s everyday.

A previous GOP admin fell completely asleep (to be nice) or was tacitly myopic on 9/11, then started 2 wars (one based solely on a lie of WMD), tortured humans, let a city drown, caused global financial collapse, exploded the debt and almost doubled the size of government w/ “homeland security” (which has very familiar ring to it).

Then the next GOP admin went in for the kill and attacked our Capitol + stole 100’s of top secret documents. Given the expanse and premeditation of the attempted coup DT and several others should be on death row for treason. The rest of the GOP that has gone along with all the violence, lies and misinformation, misdirection that breaks all the Oath’s given. We should never again allow the GOP to assault this country like WE HAVE. GOP should be dissolved until it can get its shit together with realty based mature adults or ended for good.

RANDYWILDMAN

(2,675 posts)
30. Corporate cash leads to fascist ideas and laws that benefit those corporations
Sun Aug 20, 2023, 01:45 PM
Aug 2023

even when they follow the rules, they are following the rules they paid to help get created which gives them even more power

The list of Goldman sachs guys who ran treasury in just the last 60 years
Steve Mnuchin, Treasury secretary under Donald Trump

Henry Fowler, Treasury secretary under President Lyndon B. Johnson

Robert Rubin, Treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton

Larry Summers, Treasury secretary under Clinton (was paid speaking fees by Goldman)

Hank Paulson, Jr., Treasury secretary under George W. Bush


The director of the FBI is worth 30 million dollars and wants to do civil service work ? WHY WHY WHY


These men and many more are beholden to corporate interests and ONLY corporate interests

KPN

(15,650 posts)
37. Thom Hartmann is amazing. I actually know a former
Mon Aug 21, 2023, 05:57 AM
Aug 2023

conservative R who is former because she started listening to his radio show some years ago, and still does to this day. Yeah, she is or now was what I’d call a thinking Republican, but I’m pretty sure she’s not the only one Thom Hartmann has converted.

BobTheSubgenius

(11,567 posts)
38. First, continued huge props to Mr. Hartmann, a writer and speaker I have long and strongly admired.
Mon Aug 21, 2023, 12:39 PM
Aug 2023

Second, it's surprising how aggravated I get when I read or hear even "old news" about the things those toads have done over the years. You'd think my skin would have toughened after all this time, but I think instead that it is more a function of how egregious is the GOP, rather than oversensitivity on the part of any audience.

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