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OpenSecrets.org

Open Secrets - Center for Responsive Politics

Their Vision and Mission: Inform, Empower & Advocate

Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, the Center for Responsive Politics is the nation’s premier research group tracking money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. OUR VISION is for Americans to be empowered by access to clear and unbiased information about money’s role in politics and policy and to use that knowledge to strengthen our democracy. OUR MISSION is to produce and disseminate peerless data and analysis on money in politics to inform and engage Americans, champion transparency, and expose disproportionate or undue influence on public policy.

Trump Corruption with Russia?

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CNN, “High-level advisers close to then-presidential nominee Donald Trump were in constant communication during the campaign with Russians known to US intelligence, multiple current and former intelligence, law enforcement and administration officials tell CNN.”[1]

References:

  1. CNN Politics, February 15, 2017, Pamela Brown, Jim Sciutto, Evan Perez – Trump aides were in constant touch with senior Russian officials during campaign

Is Trump Mentally Ill?

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The Washington Post, ‘Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Sunday called President Trump a “pathological liar,” while Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) reiterated that “a few” Republican senators are concerned about the president’s mental health.'[1]

References:

  1. The Washington Post, February 12, 2017, Ed O’Keefe – Bernie Sanders calls Trump a ‘pathological liar’; Al Franken says ‘a few’ Republicans think Trump is mentally ill


Repealing Obamacare Would Cost Jobs In Every State

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The bipartisan research organization, Economic Policy Institute, just released their current report.

Economic Policy Institute, “The Republican-led effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes two large fiscal changes: a tax cut and a spending cut.1 Because the U.S. economy still has some productive slack, these significant fiscal changes will affect the pace of economic growth. Essentially, this productive slack is caused by households, businesses, and governments that are still spending less than what the economy could produce if all resources (including workers) were fully employed. This shortfall in spending (or aggregate demand) is hence the current binding constraint on the economy’s growth rate. In this environment, the sudden withdrawal of spending from the economy from ACA repeal would add job loss to the loss of health and financial security for tens of millions of Americans.”[1]

Download their full Press Release (PDF)

References:

  1. Economic Policy Institute, January 31, 2017, Josh Bivens – Repealing the Affordable Care Act would cost jobs in every state

Trump Fires Sally Yates for Disagreeing With Him

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This is Jeff Sessions from several years ago asking very pointed questions during Sally Yate’s confirmation. Listen carefully what he said then and what he says today.

Rachael Madow via MSNBC Youtube.com, “Rachel Maddow reports that Donald Trump has fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates, a hold-over from the Obama administration while Trump’s nominee awaits confirmation, after Yates ordered DoJ lawyers not to defend Trump’s travel ban. “

MSNBC via Youtube, “Top Talkers: President Trump fired Sally Q. Yates, the acting attorney general, Monday after she refused to defend his executive order on refugees. The panel discusses.”[2]

References:

  1. Rachel Maddow Show, January 30, 2017, via Youtube – President Donald Trump Fires Acting AG Sally Yates Over Travel Ban Dissent | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC
  2. Morning Joe, January 31, 2017, via Youtube – Joe On Firing Of AG Sally Yates: Using The Word ‘Betrayed’ Is Frightening | Morning Joe | MSNBC

Dear Mr. President [Barack Obama]

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Thank goodness President Barack Obama had the courage to recognize equality within our military.  That you for the changes you made.

A quote from within an article from The New York Times Magazine,

“Dear Mr. President,

(Because the person I love can be dishonorably discharged for loving me back, even though he is honorably serving his country right now in Iraq, I have to send this letter anonymously. It pains me to have to do so.)

[ … ] My partner is currently serving in Iraq, and is in a situation where he is under fire on a daily basis. He’s a good soldier, and our country needs him to continue doing the excellent job that he has been recognized for.

The day he deployed, I dropped him off far from his base’s main gate, and he walked alone in the dark and the rain to report for duty. Where the rest of his buddies were surrounded by spouses and children at mobilization ceremonies, he stood by himself.

The phone trees don’t have my name on them, and base support services don’t apply — even though we’ve been together for 16 years and are raising a beautiful child together. Our communication is self-censored, and we are cruelly unable to nurture each other at the exact moment we both need it the most.

If something were to happen to him, no one from his unit will call me. If, like so many good soldiers before him, he gives that last full measure of devotion, no one will come knock on my door. No one will present me with a flag. It is, and would be, as if the most important thing in his life — his family — never existed. [ … ]” [1]

References:

  1. The New York Times Magazine, January 17, 2017, Jeanne Marie Laskas – To Obama With Love, and Hate, and Desperation – Over eight years, through millions of letters, the staff of the White House mailroom read the unfiltered story of a nation.

Trump’s Immigration Stance May Behind the Canadian Mosque Shootings

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Trump supporters are increasingly causing tension between certain Trump supporters and our muslim neighbors.[1]

The New York Times, “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard both characterized the attack as a terrorist act, which came amid heightened tensions worldwide over President Donald Trump’s travel ban on several Muslim countries.”[1]

CBS News, “Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has expressed his sorrow for the victims of a mass shooting at a mosque in Quebec City, calling it a “terrorist attack on Muslims.” At least six people were killed in the attack, and two suspects have been taken into custody. “Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear,” Trudeau said.”[2]

References:

  1. The New York Times, January 30, 2017, The Associated Press – 6 Killed in Canada Mosque Shooting; Trudeau Calls It Terror
  2. CBS News, January 30, 2017, Tucker Reals – Mosque attack; Mass protests – CBS News Brief, Jan. 30, 2017

Why Isn’t Saudi Arabia A Part of Trump’s Muslim Ban?

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Possibly the following reasons [1]:

OIL: There are American investors in Saudi Arabia’s oil industry.  It might hurt the profits from Trump’s investments and his CEO friends in the oil industry.

REFUGEES: There doesn’t “seem” to be many refugees for Saudi Arabia although the 9-11 hijackers were primarily from Saudi Arabia.

The Washongton Post, “The seven nations targeted for new visitation restrictions by President Trump on Friday all have something in common: They are places he does not appear to have any business interests.”[2]

  1. The Truth Division, January 28, 2017 – Trump Didn’t Include Saudi Arabia In Immigration Ban… And Here’s Why
  2. The Washington Post, January 28, 2017, Rosalind S. Helderman – Countries where Trump does business are not hit by new travel restrictions