Receiving a disability payment from the VA is an acknowledgment that military service "broke" something. What it was that was broken may not disqualify a veteran from holding a full time job unless, of course, that full time job makes extensive use of that "thing" that was broken.

It's that kind of messaging that contributes to the GOP getting such a paltry portion of the black vote.

It is not messaging that contributes to the GOP getting such a paltry portion of the black vote. Messaging is certainly a part of it (i.e. Willie Horton, etc.) but it extends into policies as well i.e. lack of support for the VRA, reflexive support for police accused of assaulting unarmed black folk, using gerrymandering to deprive black folks of adequate representation, lack of support for reasonable gun controls, etc.

The dems don't have to make any substantive changes in their policy positions. What they do need to do better, much much better, is to let people know how dependent they are on democratic policies and how republican policies will hurt them. Just as Trump had his name printed on each stimulus check, Biden should have done the same. Every road, bridge, etc. that was built, maintained by Biden should have had his name on it. Every person getting a on insulin should have gotten a letter from Biden stating that it was his policies that made that happen. Every ribbon cutting that a republican not voting for infrastructure funding attended should have been accompanied by a democratic candidate explaining to the press and people in attendance that the republican did not vote for the funding.

Biden Pardons his Son

Good

If he doesn't there is big trouble. If he does, not so big trouble but still trouble.

I would be surprised if Yoon didn't anticipate that parliament would not overrule his martial law declaration. He had to have some plan in place in the likely event that it did. That plan would have to involve the military because that is the only way that he could impose his rule. If he didn't have military buy in, he is one dumb --- SOB.

The second Trump admin will flout the law openly because there won't be anyone to do anything about it.

Trump has 2 years (maybe less) in which to cement power so that he doesn't have to face another election. Because republicans have such a small majority in the HOR, a few resignations, deaths, etc could tilt the balance in favor of democrats. If dems are in control, a lawless and unpopular presidency will surely result in another impeachment and, depending on the extent of lawlessness and unpopularity, enough senators may be persuaded to vote his butt out.

A lot of ifs but strange things have been known to happen.

So how much of what he's talking about doing is just a rehash of what Michelle Obama was talking about years ago?

It is important that dems point that and any other situation where reps adopt dem positions. Dems do a good job of designing and implementing policies for the whole of society and screw it up by not emphasizing how those policies improve the lives of the average person. Reps, OTOH, do a good job designing and implementing policies for the rich and convince Trump's "poorly educated" that their lives will be improved. What's even more baffling is reps taking credit for dem policies for which they voted against and Trump's "poorly educated" swallowing it all: "hook line and sinker".

Being "poorly educated" doesn't make you stupid; just misinformed. Being poorly educated can be fixed; being stupid cannot. The vast majority of Trump's "poorly educated" are not stupid but what I think they do have in common with the misinformed is their resistance to the demographic changes that are taking place in the country. LBJ got it right: If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you." After he signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, he reportedly said to Bill Moyers: Well, I think we may have lost the south for your lifetime " and mine.'

This demographic drama is still playing itself out with an ever expanding demographic pool.

It will be funny watching all the Lewzer fanbois go from gloating to excuse making.

Of course. The excuse will be it's not Trump; it's his advisors.

Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski are restarting communications with President-elect Donald Trump

Why? They are doing what they badmouthed others for doing i.e. bending a knee to Trump. If they wanted to interview him, they could have done so in DC. IMHO, they have lost a lot of credibility.

... a "responsible and reasonable work requirement" for Medicaid benefits resembling the one that already exists for food stamps ...

There is no law that says people must be fed. However, there is one that obligates hospitals to "treat" people that show up on their door steps. Reducing Medicaid payments is just going to deprive hospitals of revenue for treating the indigent which, by federal law, they are obliged to do.

Biden Allows Ukraine to use US Arms to Strike Inside Russia

Good. Just as Russia is attacking Ukraine's electricity grid, Ukraine can now attack Russia's. Turn about is fair play.

Those in the room later said the president-elect was only kidding.

Trump's technique is to say such outrageous things as part of his "stand-up" comedy routine. People think that he is joking and laugh accordingly. However, Trump is dead serious. His outrageous statements are trial balloons to see what type of feedback he gets. If he gets laughs he keeps on saying those things; in effect conditioning the public for what's to come.

Two years. If he hasn't achieved dictator status by then, the American public will be coming after him and republicans with shovels and pitch forks because he will have screwed things up so badly that even the most loyal of magats will be screaming for blood.

Trump has 2 years to transform the country into a state where "resistance is futile". If he doesn't achieve that state by then, he and his henchmen/women will be given the boot. And if tradition holds, the HOR will flip and Trump's final two years will be bogged down in investigation after investigation and probably multiple impeachments.

House Freedom Caucus members block bipartisan bill to expand some Social Security benefits

Actually, the provision that would have prevented people that didn't pay into the system from receiving benefits is a good thing. Why should non payers receive benefits? If anything, use those funds to secure the system for people that paid into it or increase the benefits for its beneficiaries or both.

Trump is only going to tolerate Musk for so long. As the richest man in the world, he is accustomed to doing things his way. So is Trump. There is bound to be fireworks. Then Trump will play the "I'll ruin you effing business card" and Musk will eventually back off. Putin's puppet will quickly learn how to manipulate oligarchs.

Trump to Launch Massive Attack Against Higher Education

His "poorly educated" followers won't even notice. I guess American companies will have to rely even more heavily on importing its highly skilled engineers, scientists and doctors.

After Trump's re-election, imagine parents having talks with their young sons: Son, if you want to grow up to be president, here's what you need to do: lie, grab girls by the p...y, cheat on your taxes, become a sexual predator, "rape" women, exploit the "poorly educated", demonize people of color, don't surround yourself with people smarter than you are, .....

To their daughters they say: you can never become president, don't aspire to be anything other than barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen.

What a country! Meritocracy at its finest.

Democrats should thank Simena and Manchin

Nonsense. The filibuster is not likely to hold. It is best to get your "shots" in when you can. No such thing as a fair fight.

It is the stupid and evil magat scum that did it.
Focus your effort at them. they deserve the scorn heaped upon them.

Amen!

The problem with all of this Monday morning quarterbacking is the lack of details as to how to proceed! What specific policies should the dems have put/not put forward? Sure, it's easy enough to criticize from the 30,000 ft level but bring those criticisms down to the ground level and deal with the consequences of treating people as 2nd class citizens.

Buy American. Tariff problem solved.

That would work if American companies made equivalent products in sufficient number to meet the demand. The other problem is capitalism aka greed. Instead of using tariffs to gain market share, I suspect many American manufacturers would simply raise their prices thereby negating the impact of the tariffs.

It was how people perceive those things, which points to one overpowering answer. The answer is the right-wing media.

Exactly. Biden and the dems squandered his time in office by not having the media that is under the control of FCC re-enact the Fairness Doctrine.

I hope Smith issues a written report before the end of the year for the sake of the historical record, I think is important, beyond that I don't see anything happening with any of Trump's criminal cases.

A report is not enough. Indict the coconspirators. The American people need to know who did what. There will come a day of reckoning. That day will come when the people that voted for him realize that they have been "taken for a ride". At that point, Trump and all of his henchmen and women will face their retribution.

Mass Deportation Will Drive Food Prices Higher

You betcha. Elections have consequences.

Members of the GOP in immigrant-heavy states tried to reassure constituents that Trump is focused on dangerous criminals and not on "hardworking" immigrants.

Wishful thinking. That's not what Trump sold and is not what Trump voters bought.

There's also the possibility that Lewzer just won't do anything.

That is certainly a possibility because the primary reason for him running for office was to stay out of jail. I strongly suspect that MAGA conservatives will try to push him into following through on his promises but he will be able to easily resist because of his pardon power. Many of those MAGA conservatives are likely un-named Jan 6 coconspirators looking to curry favor in hope for a pardon. They are not going to push to hard because even though the Jan 6 case will be dropped by the Trump DOJ, as long as the statue of limitations hasn't run it's course, a follow on dem DOJ can re-instate it and go after those that haven't been pardoned.

Appeals to follow through on his promises for the sake of the party will also fall on deaf ears because Trump cares only for himself.

My biggest concern about the incoming Trump admin is in the area of foreign policy. With compliant congress critters hoping for a pardon, he will be able to get away with even more actions that will tank America's standing in the world.