FOCUS: Paul Krugman | Big Money and America's Lost Decade

30 December 19

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It’s Going to Be a Bad December

We would need to raise about $12,000 today just to make our goal for the first time in 2019. That’s not very likely to happen. We have never failed to make our goal in the month of December.

We would appreciate whatever assistance you can manage.

With the greatest respect.

Marc Ash
Founder, Reader Supported News

Sure, I'll make a donation!

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30 December 19

It's Live on the HomePage Now:
Reader Supported News

WE ARE NOT DOING NEARLY AS WELL AS LAST YEAR - Year-end donations are down significantly from last year. Basic operating costs are not. Readership however is strong. We understand that there are - a lot - of requests out there. Please don’t forget RSN. In peace and solidarity. / Marc Ash, Founder Reader Supported News

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FOCUS: Paul Krugman | Big Money and America's Lost Decade

Paul Krugman, The New York Times
Krugman writes: "Yes, the rich have too much political influence."

EXCERPTS:
Why do a small number of rich people exert so much influence in what is supposed to be a democracy? Campaign contributions are only part of the story. Equally if not more important is the network of billionaire-financed think tanks, lobbying groups and so on that shapes public discourse. And then there’s the revolving door: It’s depressingly normal for former officials from both parties to take jobs with big banks, corporations and consulting firms, and the prospect of such employment can’t help but influence policy while they’re still in office.

Which brings me back to the 2020 campaign. You may disagree with progressive ideas coming from Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders, which is fine. But the news media owes the public a serious discussion of these ideas, not dismissal shaped by a combination of reflexive “centrist bias” and the conscious or unconscious assumption that any policy rich people dislike must be irresponsible.

And when candidates talk about the excessive influence of the wealthy, that subject also deserves serious discussion, not the cheap shots we’ve been seeing lately. I know that this kind of discussion makes many journalists uncomfortable. That’s exactly why we need to have it.

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15,000 donations today

We had a HUGE day on Tuesday for the Democratic debate when more than 40,000 people chipped in to stand with Bernie. That made a big difference during a crucial moment for our campaign.

But the truth is that since then our donations have dropped off a bit. So we've set a daily goal of 15,000 contributions to get us back on track, and we're not there yet.

You're a donor to this campaign, so you know the importance of everyone contributing what they can to build the movement required to win. And if you can give again today, we'll put your donation immediately to work investing in early states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

The decisions we make now will help determine the outcome of caucuses and primaries in February. Can Bernie count on you to chip in?

Contribute another $10 to our campaign today to stand with Bernie. You'll help us keep pace on our fundraising goals and put us in a position to win this race.

Many of our opponents travel the country holding fancy fundraising events to collect $2,800 max-out checks. Not Bernie.

We're funding this campaign the right way, with more than 1 million people making donations of $5, $10, or $27.

That's why we've set a daily goal of reaching 15,000 donations – each one brings us closer to winning this election and transforming our country.

Can you contribute $10 today? Your donation will make it possible to build the kind of organization we need to win.

We have more donors and more donations than anyone else in this race. That is because of you, Jessie. Thank you for being a donor to this campaign.

In solidarity,

Faiz Shakir
Campaign Manager

 

Paid for by Bernie 2020

PO BOX 391, Burlington, VT 05402

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From May -

'For most evangelicals, it is not only fear that keeps them in line, but it is also faith. As a cognitive psychology researcher who has been writing about the science underlying Trump’s support since he began his presidential campaign, I have learned—through comments, emails, and discussion forums—that a significant portion of his supporters literally believe the president was an answer to their prayers. He is regarded as something of a messiah, sent by God to protect a Christian nation.'

https://www.psychologytoday.com/…/the-belief-trump-is-messi…

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PSYCHOLOGYTODAY.COM

The Belief That Trump Is a Messiah Is Rampant and Dangerous

The Belief That Trump Is a Messiah Is Rampant and Dangerous

When a leader is seen as infallible, supporters can become disciples.

Posted May 28, 2019

Psychologists have explained quite a lot about Donald Trump’s political invincibility and the unconditional allegiance of his followers. One well-supported explanation is that the president keeps his base loyal by keeping them fearful. Through persistent fear-mongering, with messages like, “Illegal immigrants are murderers and rapists,” and “Islam hates us,” Trump gets to play the role of the great protector.

But there is another important reason why Trump loyalists do not waver no matter how he behaves or what scandals come to light. For most evangelicals, it is not only fear that keeps them in line, but it is also faith. As a cognitive psychology researcher who has been writing about the science underlying Trump’s support since he began his presidential campaign, I have learned—through comments, emails, and discussion forums—that a significant portion of his supporters literally believe the president was an answer to their prayers. He is regarded as something of a messiah, sent by God to protect a Christian nation.

As obvious as this might sound to some, it is something I did not give serious consideration to initially. As someone who is not particularly religious, it did not occur to me that anyone might believe that a politician would be sent by an all-powerful supernatural deity to change the course of human history unless it was in a highly abstract or purely metaphorical sense. It is simply not built into my hardwiring to see someone that way.

That kind of thinking is precisely why dangerous cult leaders are able to rise to prominence. Nothing good can come from putting any single person on a spiritual pedestal. No one is infallible, no one is free from bias, and no one is honest all of the time, no matter how hard they may strive. This goes for Republicans, Democrats, Popes, and Dalai Lamas. Because of this fact of human nature, we must always scrutinize our leaders, and always question their decisions and motivations. What makes a good president is the ability to survive our constant scrutiny and the scrutiny of the free press. Through this process, which is critical, we can get a better sense of whether a politician is trying their best, and whether or not they generally have Americans’ best interests in mind.

I am not saying that Donald Trump does not have the bests interests of some groups of Americans in mind. I’d like to believe that he genuinely wants to make America safer from real threats, like ISIS and violent gangs (whether he has done so remains to be seen). But Trump's desire to win and amass power may be a priority above all else. He may understand that most Muslims and most immigrants are not dangerous and want to see America prosper. But he quickly found out, through trying various strategies, that fear was effective as a political tool. When he learned that, he chose to demonize innocent people and to promote false conspiracy theories like #PizzaGate, which put lives in jeopardy.

Of course, this only served to further strengthen evangelicals’ belief that he was their savior. What is ironic, but not entirely unexpected, is the fact that Trump’s behavior and positions are far more un-Christ-like than those of the average politician on either side of the aisle. The infidelities, the lack of compassion for the less fortunate, the lewd comments, the lying—these acts could be considered ungodly. But because some of his supporters believe he was an answer to their prayers, they are willing to excuse it.

When you believe that someone is truly a godsend, you can excuse anything. It all becomes “for the greater good.” And when that happens, it is a slippery slope to gross abuses of power that continuously increase in magnitude.

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FORBES.COM

Trump Has Now Shifted $1.3 Million Of 
Campaign-Donor Money Into His Business

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