Wednesday

Misc 

Good Stuff from Axios

Luck and Success

THE MORAL IMPORTANCE OF LUCK

"All such outcomes involve a large portion of luck. 

The promise of great financial reward spurs risk-taking, market competition, and innovation. Markets, properly regulated, are a socially healthy form of gambling. There’s no reason to try to completely equalize market outcomes. But there’s also no reason to allow hunger, homelessness, ill health, or subjugation."

Oh.... to be rich enough to just donate millions to get my kid into college through the back door instead of that illegal side door. The rich sure do have it tough.... A tax break might make them feel better.


Police State

Disputed N.S.A. Phone Program Is Shut Down, Aide Says - Sure it is......



Politics

Ian Welsh: The Democratic party establishment is still run by moderates; and those moderates still respect the right and despise the left.

Balkinization on Trumps Budget - Understanding the President’s Budget Proposal

Critics are no doubt correct that this budget proposal will be “dead on arrival” in Congress:  almost all presidential budget proposals are.  It nonetheless remains significant for several reasons.  First, it provides a comprehensive statement of this Administration’s values and priorities.  It makes the 2017 upper-income tax cuts permanent – at a cost of $275 billion in 2028 alone – at the same time it would impose 30% reductions in food stamps as well as deep cuts in Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income for the elderly and disabled, Medicaid, and family income support. 

Fox Propaganda

What Makes Fox News So Dangerous

Fox Lies Again - A constant barrage of little things like this built the wingnut party.

Other media outlets and our government officials lie too. NYT’s Exposé on the Lies About Burning Aid Trucks in Venezuela Shows How U.S. Government and Media Spread Pro-War Propaganda



US and Israel

Lindsey Graham has lost his mind.

“To give this territory up would be a strategic nightmare for Israel. And who would you give it to?” said US Sen. Lindsey Graham Monday on a visit to the Golan with PM Binyamin Netanyahu. He promised to work with Senator Cruz on a move to recognize the Golan as part of Israel “now and forever.” It was taken by military force “ because it served as a launching pad to attack Israel. There is rich Jewish history in this region,” said Sen. Graham. He went on to say: “I can’t tell you how much intelligence has been given us from our friends in Israel to protect the American homeland… so its security is relevant to American national security.”

From Haaretz

Medicare for All

Pharma & Insurance Gave $43M to the 129 House Democrats Not Backing Medicare for All