McConnell: Let Them Eat a Three-Martini Lunch
By Thom Hartmann A...
Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans are proposing to let employers injure or even kill their workers and bring back the three-martini lunch...in exchange for one measly month of extended unemployment benefits.Senate Republicans are trying to both sabotage the incoming Biden administration and screw working people by refusing to extend expanded unemployment benefits in Mitch McConnell's new "stimulus"; it does, however, make it illegal for workers to sue their employers.
It's been six months since the House of Representatives passed the $3 trillion Heroes act that gave jobless people $600 a week, and more than two months since they passed a slimmed-down $2.2 trillion version that gave only $300 a week. But the GOP said no to both.
Mitch McConnell today proposed a new "stimulus" bill that gives workers an extra $0 a week (not a typo), would end working people's right to sue their employers for Covid-related injury or death, and brings back massive tax breaks for big business under the guise of helping restaurants.
Meanwhile, the day after Christmas 12 million Americans will lose their basic unemployment coverage. McConnell and Senate Republicans say they'll solve this problem by extending those benefits for one whole month.
Republicans have opposed unemployment benefits ever since such payments were first put into law in the 1930s by Franklin Roosevelt. So this isn't surprising; it's what Republicans do. But during a pandemic and the Trump Depression, it's particularly heartless and evil.
More than 20 million Americans' protection against eviction runs out at the end of this month; McConnell and Senate Republicans refuse to extend that. They also refuse any money at all for police, fire, hospitals and other state and local government functions.
They refuse to extend SNAP benefits for hungry families and children, but give businesspeople a 100% deduction for the "three martini lunch," something that was tossed out back in 1987 because it was such an absurd subsidy for American fatcats.
Republicans would toss a small bone of support to education and vaccine distribution, but embed a time bomb that will blow up in the face of Joe Biden: they make it illegal for the Treasury Department to help the Fed sustain the economy the way they have since March.
Using their regular bullshit talking point about "stopping fraud by working people" (fraud by fat-cats and corporations is ignored) GOP senators want to make it harder to file for unemployment benefits in every state, further crippling Biden's ability to stimulate the economy.
Mitch McConnell and the Republicans in the Senate and House exist only to serve billionaires and the corporations that made them. And billionaires and corporations return the favor: the GOP is almost entirely funded by them.
So it should be no surprise that Republicans repeatedly rejected legislation passed by the House of Representatives that would help average working people, and instead today proposed legislation that primarily helps big corporations and their billionaire owners.
Republican multimillionaires like Mitch McConnell, Kelly Loeffler and David Purdue laugh at the working class suckers who vote for them, while they fly around in private jets and live safely cocooned in their palatial mansions.
Call your members of Congress at 202-224-3121 or reach out by email and social media. Tell them to put the tens of millions of unemployed and hungry people ahead of three-martini lunches and liability limits for meat-packing plants and giant corporations.
-Thom
Comments
#2
The GOP and their donors have already collapsed the country, in so many key ways, and have already blamed the Democrats for basically failing to stop them. 2020 is just a repeat of 2008, and their base of fools just love it -- the chaos of collapsing democracy. Trump proved that in spades.
If Warnock and Ossoff don't win the Georgia runoffs, get used to more of the same underhanded tactics by Republicans, as Thom continuously lays out blog after blog. Democrats controlling the Senate is paramount; otherwise, Biden will be forced to govern by executive order and will, of course, be endlessly ridiculed for doing so, never mind the hypocrisy. Pelosi will pass wonderful legislation that could help alleviate so much suffering, only to watch it die miserably in McConnell's Senate.
For Republicans, it's all about raw power. Taking back the House and keeping the Senate in 2022, and "winning" the White House again in 2024 is all they give a shit about. For these failed human beings, it is not about doing what's right for the People or honoring the principles of the Constitution.
Lather, rinse, repeat.
#3
The upcoming Georgia runoffs are the most important part of the game. We are on the one yard line folks, it took ninety nine yards to get Biden elected. But, in order for all of our efforts to matter we need to take control of the senate.
My suggestion is that if you know anyone who lives in Georgia or even if you don't, It's time to "ADOPT A GEORGIAN". That's right, find a Georgian and adopt them through social media, radio, television, pen pals. Whatever it takes adopt a Georgian and make sure they show up to vote on January 5th 2021! Our democracy depends on it, we can do this people, the whole world, not just the USA needs America to do the right thing.
#4
The Major Disappointment for me is that I never heard a peep from Dems on TV about the "Liability gift", which seemed to be the main obstacle all along!! I recently listened to an African American congresswoman speak for nearly 8 minutes on Ari Melbur - no interruptions, and NO mention of the Liability obstacle... Only a lecture on those nasty Republicans and about the millions of needy Americans (We Know Both - Already!!!).
Why is congress sabotaging our constitutional right to sue?
And W T F is wrong with the so called debate and discourse??? I thought the reduction in the size of the package was because the liability gift was Not part of it!
this country is still barreling down the wrong tracks without brakes.
#5
The saddest part of it all is the fact that very few in the media reveal the realities that we face. The reality that for the past 40 years the wealthy in this country have implemented a strategy to demolish the American Economy for working people and the middle class. This is a controlled demolition of democracy through transferance of wealth to the wealthy and the elimination of jobs that pay a living wage for anyone other than a few that are willing to over educate themselves while going into debt oblivion. The migration of manufacturing and the well paid jobs that go with it as well as the theft of pensions and wages through unfair taxation has basically provided the rich with unlimited revenue and the ability to weather any disaster of their own making. They are so well insulated that economic collapse will never affect them. Meanwhile the rest of us suffer these boom and bust cycles. This strategy has allowed them to buy legislators and con the masses into voting against their own interests. Which is why the super rich media will never discuss the real strategy thats been going on since Reagan. Instead its nonsense like racism, guns, abortion and the war on Christmas. Meanwhile the rich get richer and we remain pissed off for the wrong reasons.
#6
Curious. Going off topic. If ALL the people in an oficial capacity approached by Trump do everything within their power (Dirty but legal) ALL helping him as much as the law allows, could they leagally turn the election?
#7
The super wealthy live behind secured guarded gates. Usually own several homes. Homes are often very difficult to trace who actually owns them due to trusts and LLC titles. They have property managers that take care of all maintenance, supplies etc. They socialize in private country clubs and private restaurants called clubs. Much of this if not all being a tax write off. In the case of ski resorts, the club membership allows them 1 hour early access so that they can ski the untouched powder snow. Plus their ski lodges have heated driveways and walkways so that snow does not have to be removed. Lots of times these memberships are a perk of employment. They travel in Private Jets (Wheels Up, Netjet etc. are doing booming business). They receive a lot of pay in stock. Which allows them to cash in at a much lower tax rate. Foreign bank accounts etc. (See Panama Papers) is the norm. This could go on forever.
#8
“So I commit to you tonight and I commit to all of your viewers and everyone else that’s watching, I want to allay those fears, I want to rest those fears for you right now because when they talk about whether it be packing the courts or ending the filibuster, I will not vote to do that,” he continued. “I will not vote to pack the courts and I will not vote to end the filibuster.”
Senator Joe Manchin, Democrat, West Virginia
#9
“
When President Obama first nominated Merrick Garland for the Supreme Court vacancy in March 2016, there was quite an outcry from Republicans to wait until after the election to fill Antonin Scalia’s empty seat. (Republicans refused to even grant Judge Garland a hearing some 8+ months before the 2016 presidential election.)
However, in late 2020 when a Court vacancy recently arose as a result of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death (less than 2 months before the presidential election) the Republican Senators were singing a very different tune. In a display of shocking hypocrisy, Republicans put on a full-court press to nominate her immediate replacement for the Supreme Court.
Here are some choice quotes showing the hypocrisy of Republicans like Lindsay Graham, Ted Cruz, and Mitch McConnell on the issue of nominating a Supreme Court Justice during an election year.
1. Senator Ted Cruz Quote: “Let the Election Decide”
“It has been 80 years since a Supreme Court vacancy was nominated and confirmed in an election year. There is a long tradition that you don’t do this in an election year.”
…This should be a decision for the people. Let the election decide. If the Democrats want to replace this nominee, they need to win the election.”
2016, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas)2. Lindsey Graham Supreme Court Quote:
“I strongly support giving the American people a voice in choosing the next Supreme Court nominee by electing a new president. I hope all Americans understand how important their vote is when it comes to picking a new Supreme Court justice.
“…If there’s a Republican President… and a vacancy occurs in the last year… you can say, Lindsay Graham said let’s let the next President, whoever that may be, make that nomination, and you could use my words against me and you’d be absolutely right.
2016, Sen. Lindsey Graham (Republican -S.C.)3. Mitch McConnell Quote:
“Rarely does a Supreme Court vacancy occur in the final year of a presidential term … Given that we are in the midst of the presidential election process, we believe that the American people should seize the opportunity to weigh in...
The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Merrick Garland nomination March, 20164. “If it Was a Republican President…”
“I don’t think we should be moving on a nominee in the last year of this president’s term – I would say that if it was a Republican president.”
2016, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.)5. “Do Not Start This Process…” (Merrick Garland Nomination)
“The very balance of our nation’s highest court is in serious jeopardy. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will do everything in my power to encourage the president and Senate leadership not to start this process until we hear from the American people.”
2016, Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.)6. “Lifetime Appointments in an Election Year…”
“I believe the best thing for the country is to trust the American people to weigh in on who should make a lifetime appointment that could reshape the Supreme Court for generations. This wouldn’t be unusual. It is common practice for the Senate to stop acting on lifetime appointments during the last year of a presidential term, and it’s been nearly 80 years since any president was permitted to immediately fill a vacancy that arose in a presidential election year.
During a very partisan year and a presidential election year … both for the sake of the court and the integrity of the court and the legitimacy of the candidate, it’s better to have this occur after we’re past this presidential election.”
2016, Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio)7. “The American People Should Not Be Denied…”
“A lifetime appointment that could dramatically impact individual freedoms and change the direction of the court for at least a generation is too important to get bogged down in politics. The American people shouldn’t be denied a voice.”
2016, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) – Merrick Garland nomination8. “Partisan, Divisive Confirmation Battle…”
“The campaign is already underway. It is essential to the institution of the Senate and to the very health of our republic to not launch our nation into a partisan, divisive confirmation battle during the very same time the American people are casting their ballots to elect our next president.”
2016, Thom Tillis (Republican Senator, N.C.) about Obama’s Merrick Garland nomination9. “Vacancy Should Not Be Filled…”
“In this election year, the American people will have an opportunity to have their say in the future direction of our country. For this reason, I believe the vacancy left open by Justice Antonin Scalia should not be filled until there is a new president.”
2016, Sen. Richard Burr (Republican -N.C.)10. “Should Not Confirm a New Supreme Court Justice…”
“The Senate should not confirm a new Supreme Court justice until we have a new president.”
2016, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.)11. “Too Close to the Election”
“I think we’re too close to the election. The president who is elected in November should be the one who makes this decision.”
2016, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Col.)12. “The American People Should Decide…”
“I strongly agree that the American people should decide the future direction of the Supreme Court by their votes for president and the majority party in the U.S. Senate.”
2016, Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.)13. “Full Faith of the People…”
“In a few short months, we will have a new president and new senators who can consider the next justice with the full faith of the people. Why would we cut off the national debate on the next justice? Why would we squelch the voice of the populace? Why would we deny the voters a chance to weigh in on the make-up of the Supreme Court?”
Senator Tom Cotton March 16, 201614. “The American People Should Have Their Voices Heard…”
“The American people should have the opportunity to make their voices heard before filling a lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court. In November, the country will get that chance by choosing a new president – a process that is well underway. Until then, our time should be spent addressing the many other legislative matters before us to strengthen our economy, create jobs, and secure our nation.”
Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker – WSJ March 16, 2016 discussing Merrick Garland SCOTUS nomination15. “Let the People Decide the Supreme Court’s Future”
…the next president should be the one to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. … I will oppose this nomination as I firmly believe we must let the people decide the Supreme Court’s future.”
Jim Inhofe (Republican Senator Oklahoma)
#10
Just one example of rediculous tax write off for a business owner. Many atheletes incorporate and become a business. This would make more sense if the deduction was for green vehicles. Then Thom could write off his Prius.
Heavy SUVs, pickups and vans are treated for tax purposes as transportation equipment. So, they qualify for 100% first-year bonus depreciation and Sec. 179 expensing if used more than 50% for business. This can provide a huge tax break for buying new and used heavy vehicles.
However, if a heavy vehicle is used 50% or less for business purposes, you must depreciate the business-use percentage of the vehicle’s cost over a six-year period.
To illustrate the potential savings from these first-year tax breaks, suppose you buy a new $65,000 heavy SUV and use it 100% for your business in 2020. You can deduct the entire $65,000 in 2020 thanks to the 100% first-year bonus depreciation privilege. If you use the vehicle only 60% for business, your first-year deduction would be $39,000 (60% x $65,000).
To qualify as a “heavy” vehicle, an SUV, pickup or van must have a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) above 6,000 pounds. You can verify the GVWR of a vehicle by looking at the manufacturer’s label, which is usually found on the inside edge of the driver’s side door where the door hinges meet the frame. Examples of suitably heavy vehicles include the Audi Q7, Buick Enclave, Chevy Tahoe, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Sequoia and lots of full-size pickups.
#11
Thanks, Legend, for digging up those quotes. I was just about to chase some of those down, so you saved me a lot of time and effort this morning.
I did come across this article though, which puts a little more faith in the American electorate and the Republicans' survival instincts than may be warranted. But hope springs eternal:
"The good news about the very near future, such as it is, is that Americans will probably (and correctly) blame Donald Trump, not Joe Biden, for the misery they’re experiencing — and this very fact may make Republicans willing to cough up at least some money." (full article) -- Paul Krugman, distinguished professor, Nobel prize laureate.
BTW, have you noticed how Trump's puffy eyebags have swollen since becoming a world-class ...l-o-o-o-s-e-r? 🤡 It must be hard to get a good night's sleep knowing that you're probably going to jail, that your house-of-cards financial empire is collapsing, and, even worse, that most people in the real world think you absolutely deserve it. What an ego buster!
#12
Republicans have all ready started knocking the Biden Administration. Right wing media (in other word, the main stream media) is at its strongest when it is a Democratic Administration.
#13
Gee thanks, Joe Manchin. Way to take one for the team.
Which team was that again?
#14
Forget McConnell, our battle now should be in the house. Progressives should withold their vote for Pelosi as speaker, until she brings a vote to the house floor on Medicare for all. With millions facing loss of their medical care through layoffs, it's time to play hardball, and force a vote on the floor, which will pass. Then, let McConnell stone-wall it, and pay the price for doing so. (hopefully)
Time to show the American people who helps them, and who hinders them, in their hour of need. Whether it's Dems or Repubs, doesn't matter. At least they'll know.
High time to "put up, or shut up"...
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I wonder what the GOP will say when their getting and giving money to or from the rich, finally collapses the country?
Who then is left to blame? The corporations made me do it! ???
Blame it on the poor and Democrats?
That will be one hell of a twisting of the truth