You mean, a Republican US Senator.

I've heard the term "crank magnetism" in various forms of science denial - the people who are cynical about climate change science start believing in multiple forms of nonsense.

Sorry, I meant to say maybe relevant to Mamdani's future prospects given his dramatic promises for change.

And an alternative history question: Trump still wins in 2024 but his promises for things getting better were much more restrained than in our timeline, although all economic outcomes remain the same. Does that change the 2025 outcomes?

(Relevant to Mamdani, maybe....)

I remember some folks on the podcast were very negative on Prop 50 prospects earlier this year. Any thoughts now? Feel free to pull up audio clips if you want to make fun of each other.

1. Person commits fraud.
2. Gets convicted, doesn't pay back stolen money.
3. Gives money to Trump.
4. Trump pardons them.

Trump is a knowing beneficiary and participant after the fact in the fraud. Might not meet the legal standard for crime, but we know the truth.

The larger the conspiracy = the less likely it's true.

I could believe that a few Russian neo-Nazis could've done this, but it starts getting implausible when you add more numbers and more nationalities.

After 30 years with a current mortgage, it's 100% paid down and you own all your home equity. After 30 years with a 50-year mortgage, I'm not sure but I'd guess it would be less than 50% paid off. Would love to see someone run the numbers.

People's equity ownership of their homes (the home value minus the unpaid portion of the mortgage) is often the only significant asset they have. Longer repayment means slower paydown of the mortgage, meaning people will own less of the value of their home.

This will make Americans poorer.

Sure! Make it explicit, and do it in advance. And phrase it as a deal of course, not a threat....

As a tsunami-denialist, this doesn't concern me.

What about the people who only got partial SNAP benefits? Republican senators whose numbers were listed on call records get millions (and that's all it was), what about the people who went hungry?

Counterpoint from Josh Marshall:

talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/with-...

Never heard of this symbiotic relationship before - thanks!

I'm mad at this stupid concession by centrists. OTOH, my recollection is the Rs got nothing out of the last few shutdowns. Happy to be corrected.

When these people give money to Trump or do business with him, without giving back the stolen money, then Trump is directly benefiting from the fraud that he's pardoned. He's an accessory and participant in the fraud.

This should get a lot more coverage.

A doctor who doesn't understand the basic concept behind health insurance. And he's in the Senate.

I hope he used to be a good doctor and returns to it, or something.

Trump endorses based on his (poorly-informed, but sometimes cunning) gut instinct on who serves his personal interest/power, not on best resource allocation for the benefit of the Republican Party.

He still benefits though if he increases the corruption and subservience of Republican Party leaders.

As the article mentions, computer simulations substitute for nuclear testing. The US is known for having the best computer simulations, so the test ban actually works to our advantage.

I expect Trump hasn't paid attention to that, or anything else not about his own glory and greed.