virtuous_being
@virtuousbeing.bsky.social
Somewhat Progressive California Democrat
Reposted by virtuous_being
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“It’s hard to overstate how much the new right idealizes America’s past,” our columnist David French writes.
“It’s hard to overstate how much the new right idealizes America’s past,” our columnist David French writes.
Opinion | What Happens if You Refuse to Recognize That We Are in a Death Spiral
Remind me never to listen to what they are saying online about me.
nyti.ms
December 14, 2025 at 10:45 PM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“It’s hard to overstate how much the new right idealizes America’s past,” our columnist David French writes.
“It’s hard to overstate how much the new right idealizes America’s past,” our columnist David French writes.
Reposted by virtuous_being
The SEC, the top federal regulator for the financial markets, eased up on more than 60% of its cases against the crypto industry that were ongoing when President Trump returned to the White House, The New York Times found. Many of the lawsuits involved companies that had ties to Trump.
The S.E.C. Was Tough on Crypto. It Pulled Back After Trump Returned to Office.
An investigation by The Times found the administration’s change in enforcement benefited the industry, including companies that had ties to the president.
nyti.ms
December 14, 2025 at 10:55 PM
The SEC, the top federal regulator for the financial markets, eased up on more than 60% of its cases against the crypto industry that were ongoing when President Trump returned to the White House, The New York Times found. Many of the lawsuits involved companies that had ties to Trump.
Reposted by virtuous_being
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
December 14, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Reposted by virtuous_being
Just want to share with my American friends how the Australians respond to a shooting tragedy. Action, rather than thoughts and prayers.
December 15, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Just want to share with my American friends how the Australians respond to a shooting tragedy. Action, rather than thoughts and prayers.
Reposted by virtuous_being
Democrats, we need to talk.
These 8 senators let themselves get played by Republicans on reopening the government, and every one of us knew exactly how this would go. They handed Republicans the only leverage we had in the healthcare fight.
🧵
These 8 senators let themselves get played by Republicans on reopening the government, and every one of us knew exactly how this would go. They handed Republicans the only leverage we had in the healthcare fight.
🧵
December 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Democrats, we need to talk.
These 8 senators let themselves get played by Republicans on reopening the government, and every one of us knew exactly how this would go. They handed Republicans the only leverage we had in the healthcare fight.
🧵
These 8 senators let themselves get played by Republicans on reopening the government, and every one of us knew exactly how this would go. They handed Republicans the only leverage we had in the healthcare fight.
🧵
Reposted by virtuous_being
Call them. Email them. Tell them what this means for your family, your premiums, your prescriptions. They’re not up for reelection, so accountability starts with us.
3.
3.
December 12, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Call them. Email them. Tell them what this means for your family, your premiums, your prescriptions. They’re not up for reelection, so accountability starts with us.
3.
3.
Reposted by virtuous_being
Breaking News: The Trump administration is sharing all air travelers’ names with ICE officials to find people with deportation orders.
Immigration Agents Are Using Air Passenger Data for Deportation Effort
The Transportation Security Administration is providing passenger lists to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement to identify and detain travelers subject to deportation orders.
nyti.ms
December 12, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Breaking News: The Trump administration is sharing all air travelers’ names with ICE officials to find people with deportation orders.
Reposted by virtuous_being
Posted by the Tax Foundation — the world's leading nonpartisan tax policy nonprofit organization.
December 12, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Posted by the Tax Foundation — the world's leading nonpartisan tax policy nonprofit organization.
Reposted by virtuous_being
The leading scholars of democratic decline say the US "has descended into competitive authoritarianism" - we "ceased to be a full democracy in the way that Canada, Germany, or even Argentina are democracies" - but caution that it can be contested and reversed
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
December 12, 2025 at 9:25 PM
The leading scholars of democratic decline say the US "has descended into competitive authoritarianism" - we "ceased to be a full democracy in the way that Canada, Germany, or even Argentina are democracies" - but caution that it can be contested and reversed
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
www.foreignaffairs.com/united-state...
Reposted by virtuous_being
Everyday Americans get nickel and dimed while the rich dodge taxes.
They struggle to get by while the wealth of the 1% skyrockets.
They see their voices drowned out while the well-connected avoid accountability.
There are two sets of rules in America: One for the rich. Another for everyone else.
They struggle to get by while the wealth of the 1% skyrockets.
They see their voices drowned out while the well-connected avoid accountability.
There are two sets of rules in America: One for the rich. Another for everyone else.
December 12, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Everyday Americans get nickel and dimed while the rich dodge taxes.
They struggle to get by while the wealth of the 1% skyrockets.
They see their voices drowned out while the well-connected avoid accountability.
There are two sets of rules in America: One for the rich. Another for everyone else.
They struggle to get by while the wealth of the 1% skyrockets.
They see their voices drowned out while the well-connected avoid accountability.
There are two sets of rules in America: One for the rich. Another for everyone else.
Reposted by virtuous_being
The Trump administration ordered the National Park Service to pull merchandise related to DEI from its gift shops. The Interior Department said the move is meant to ensure items “do not promote specific viewpoints.”
National Parks Ordered to Remove Items Promoting D.E.I. From Gift Shops
The Interior Department said that the review of retail items would ensure gift shops at national parks did not “promote specific viewpoints.”
nyti.ms
December 12, 2025 at 10:08 PM
The Trump administration ordered the National Park Service to pull merchandise related to DEI from its gift shops. The Interior Department said the move is meant to ensure items “do not promote specific viewpoints.”
Reposted by virtuous_being
Four Canadian provinces are selling off the American liquor they pulled from shelves in protest over President Trump’s tariffs. Some bourbon drinkers are thrilled.
Canadians Rush to Buy Stockpiles of Boycotted U.S. Liquor
Four Canadian provinces are selling off the American liquor they pulled from shelves in protest over President Trump’s tariffs. Some bourbon drinkers are thrilled.
nyti.ms
December 12, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Four Canadian provinces are selling off the American liquor they pulled from shelves in protest over President Trump’s tariffs. Some bourbon drinkers are thrilled.
Reposted by virtuous_being
Then there's this....
December 12, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Then there's this....
Reposted by virtuous_being
“She was so afraid they would take her baby”
Why?
ICE is using smartwatches to track pregnant women — even *during* labor…
So pregnant immigrants are skipping the doctor altogether
Why?
ICE is using smartwatches to track pregnant women — even *during* labor…
So pregnant immigrants are skipping the doctor altogether
ICE is using smartwatches to track pregnant women, even during labor: ‘She was so afraid they would take her baby’
Pregnant immigrants in ICE monitoring programs are avoiding care, fearing detention during labor and delivery
www.theguardian.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:47 PM
“She was so afraid they would take her baby”
Why?
ICE is using smartwatches to track pregnant women — even *during* labor…
So pregnant immigrants are skipping the doctor altogether
Why?
ICE is using smartwatches to track pregnant women — even *during* labor…
So pregnant immigrants are skipping the doctor altogether
Reposted by virtuous_being
Under the previously undisclosed program, TSA provides a list to ICE of travelers who will be coming through airports. ICE can then match the list against its own database of people subject to deportation and send agents to the airport to detain those people. nyti.ms/4oUnl4J
December 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Under the previously undisclosed program, TSA provides a list to ICE of travelers who will be coming through airports. ICE can then match the list against its own database of people subject to deportation and send agents to the airport to detain those people. nyti.ms/4oUnl4J
Reposted by virtuous_being
Reposted by virtuous_being
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“Whether Trump gets his comeuppance remains to be seen, but his approval ratings have declined in recent months, and so, by the looks of things, has his vigor,” Frank Bruni writes.
“Whether Trump gets his comeuppance remains to be seen, but his approval ratings have declined in recent months, and so, by the looks of things, has his vigor,” Frank Bruni writes.
Opinion | Is Sleepy Donald the New ‘Sleepy Joe’?
Trump’s travails look more and more like Biden’s.
nyti.ms
December 8, 2025 at 10:30 PM
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
“Whether Trump gets his comeuppance remains to be seen, but his approval ratings have declined in recent months, and so, by the looks of things, has his vigor,” Frank Bruni writes.
“Whether Trump gets his comeuppance remains to be seen, but his approval ratings have declined in recent months, and so, by the looks of things, has his vigor,” Frank Bruni writes.
Reposted by virtuous_being
Palantir has been in the news a lot lately. Here's what you should know about the corporation that's helping Trump build a vast surveillance state. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_VwyhErd88
The Most Dangerous Corporation in America?
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Palantir has been in the news a lot lately. Here's what you should know about the corporation that's helping Trump build a vast surveillance state. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_VwyhErd88
Reposted by virtuous_being
The monopolies of the Gilded Age led Congress to establish the FTC as an independent agency.
Its independence is meant to insulate it from political pressure so it can check corporate power and protect the American people.
Trump wanting to upend this is very telling.
Its independence is meant to insulate it from political pressure so it can check corporate power and protect the American people.
Trump wanting to upend this is very telling.
December 8, 2025 at 11:31 PM
The monopolies of the Gilded Age led Congress to establish the FTC as an independent agency.
Its independence is meant to insulate it from political pressure so it can check corporate power and protect the American people.
Trump wanting to upend this is very telling.
Its independence is meant to insulate it from political pressure so it can check corporate power and protect the American people.
Trump wanting to upend this is very telling.
Reposted by virtuous_being
Millions are struggling with the cost of food, housing, and other basic necessities. 70% of U.S. adults say the American Dream is dead. How does Trump respond? By saying "affordability" is a "Democrat scam" and a "hoax." Hello?
December 9, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Millions are struggling with the cost of food, housing, and other basic necessities. 70% of U.S. adults say the American Dream is dead. How does Trump respond? By saying "affordability" is a "Democrat scam" and a "hoax." Hello?
Reposted by virtuous_being
Kristi Noem, known as ICE Barbie and the puppy killer, may get canned over her problematic employment of her lover boy, Corey Lewandowski! 😂
December 9, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Kristi Noem, known as ICE Barbie and the puppy killer, may get canned over her problematic employment of her lover boy, Corey Lewandowski! 😂
Reposted by virtuous_being
Trump created the problem for farmers going bankrupt because of his tariffs. Now, he is going to bail them out once again, (just as he did in his first term,) with $12 billion of taxpayers money. 😡
December 9, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Trump created the problem for farmers going bankrupt because of his tariffs. Now, he is going to bail them out once again, (just as he did in his first term,) with $12 billion of taxpayers money. 😡
Reposted by virtuous_being
First, it was members of his Cabinet, then members of Bill Pulte's family and now the President himself.
The breathtaking hypocrisy of this adminstration's weapon-of-choice shows the real basis for these investigations: political retribution.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The breathtaking hypocrisy of this adminstration's weapon-of-choice shows the real basis for these investigations: political retribution.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud, Records Reveal
The Trump administration has argued that Fed board member Lisa Cook may have committed mortgage fraud by declaring more than one primary residence on her loans. We found Trump once did the very thing ...
www.propublica.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:40 AM
First, it was members of his Cabinet, then members of Bill Pulte's family and now the President himself.
The breathtaking hypocrisy of this adminstration's weapon-of-choice shows the real basis for these investigations: political retribution.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
The breathtaking hypocrisy of this adminstration's weapon-of-choice shows the real basis for these investigations: political retribution.
www.propublica.org/article/trum...
Reposted by virtuous_being
The Trump regime has announced a new escalation in its war on free speech and civil society.
Pam Bondi sent a memo to every federal prosecutor directing them to go on offense against all organizations connected to “ANTIFA” — a loose ideology rather than an actual organization or group.
Pam Bondi sent a memo to every federal prosecutor directing them to go on offense against all organizations connected to “ANTIFA” — a loose ideology rather than an actual organization or group.
Bondi orders US law enforcement to investigate 'extremist groups'
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Thursday ordered federal law enforcement to step up investigations into the anti-fascist antifa movement and similar "extremist groups," and asked the FBI to compile...
www.reuters.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:32 AM
The Trump regime has announced a new escalation in its war on free speech and civil society.
Pam Bondi sent a memo to every federal prosecutor directing them to go on offense against all organizations connected to “ANTIFA” — a loose ideology rather than an actual organization or group.
Pam Bondi sent a memo to every federal prosecutor directing them to go on offense against all organizations connected to “ANTIFA” — a loose ideology rather than an actual organization or group.
Reposted by virtuous_being
This is sad but accurate at what is occurring in our country right now. 😢
December 9, 2025 at 12:53 AM
This is sad but accurate at what is occurring in our country right now. 😢