Items this week:
Medicare For All could save up to 2 trillion dollars in healthcare spending according to a report by *squints* libertarian think-tank Mercatus Center.
Jacobin has a fairly detailed rundown but some things worth highlighting:
- The finding was borne out of an attempt by Mercatus Center to appraise Bernie Sander’s latest M4A bill
- The study looks at how much the country will spend on healthcare between 2022 and 2031
- While national health spending will dip considerably ($2.054 trillion to be exact), federal health spending will have to pick up the slack, shooting up to $32.6 trillion in the ten-year period examined by the study. While this seems like a big number, it more or less amounts to the sum Americans are already paying in premiums, deductibles, copay, etc and will take the form of a tax that is “on average, a bit less than they currently pay into the health care system and, for those on lower incomes, a lot less.”
- If you’re wondering why a conservative think-tank would so readily make these findings available, it’s because they’re counting on news outlets to become so gobsmacked by the $32.6 trillion cost in federal health expenditure that they pepper all their headlines with it, delivering little by way of elaboration.
Full article here: Even Libertarians Admit Medicare for All Would Save Trillions
Jeff Sessions announced yesterday the formation of the Religious Liberty Tax Force. Few things are more obvious than the real reason behind this action (protect the Christian Rights’ ability to discriminate based on sexual orientation among other things) but as these types of overtures have been mainstreamed in recent years, we should be seeing more of it.
Jeff Sessions Announces New Religious Liberty Tax Force
Kamala Harris rolled out a new proposal to guarantee housing for every American with a full-time job. While we should rightfully call her out for getting the messaging wrong here, it’s worth noting that this seems to be an error that has tripped up progressive candidates in the recent past.
We believe no one who works full time should live in poverty, and Democrats are fighting to raise the minimum wage. #rallywomen
— Elizabeth Warren (@elizabethforma) October 22, 2014
If you work 40 hours a week you should not live in poverty. The struggle continues. Raise the minimum wage to a living wage – $15 an hour.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) November 27, 2016
Yes and I criticized that 2.5 years ago https://t.co/HZKtucLGxM
— Adam H. Johnson (@adamjohnsonNYC) July 29, 2018
Ahed Tamimi, the Palestinian teenager who spent eight months in an Israeli jail after video of her slapping an Israeli soldier surfaced, is still stateless and without basic rights like most Palestinians living in the West Bank, but she’s finally been released. In her address to waiting supporters, she spoke of other Palestinian children in Israeli jails being denied basic rights. It’s encouraging to see that her spirit hasn’t been broken. Also, it’s easy to forget this is the person the Israeli government made public enemy #1 for almost a year:
On the first morning home, Ahed Tamimi’s friends brought her a cake that says “Palestine’s icon” pic.twitter.com/09QjL1U0si
— Dena Takruri (@Dena) July 30, 2018
Reminder that Israel has a bunch of Palestinian teenage girls in jail, such as:
Lama Bakri, 16, sentenced to 3 years
Malak Salman, 17, sentenced to 10 years
Nourhan Awwad, 18, sentenced to 13 years
Marah Bakir, 18, sentenced to 8 years
Nourhan Awwad, 18, sentenced to 13 years https://t.co/UwZEDpb8q6— لينة (@LinahAlsaafin) July 29, 2018
Palestinian teen activist Ahed Tamimi freed from jail
Shot: Lebron James opened a public school for at-risk kids
Chaser: KPS graduate ‘crushed’ after she was denied Kalamazoo Promise
The highest of fives to this comrade: Someone untied Betsy Devos’s yacht in Ohio. Damage ensued
Barbara Lee’s Bid for House Leadership Could Usher in Ideological Shift for Democrats
Bernie Sanders introduces bill to end Money Bail
Elsewhere on the Leftorium:
AMC Announces Chris Hardwick Will Return to Host Talking Dead
Upcoming Primaries:
Michiganders, get this guy on the democratic ticket! Election is one week from now:
In 2 weeks, we'll show the world that Michiganders want a Government for the people, by the people.
I can't do it alone – but we can do it together. Are you in? https://t.co/dxCjoo2qcj pic.twitter.com/MtGj1Oxtkm
— Abdul El-Sayed (@AbdulElSayed) July 24, 2018
Missourians, vote Cori Bush next week!
8 Days and Counting. I need your vote. Don't forget to exercise your vote.#BeThe1St #GOTV #CoriBushForCongress pic.twitter.com/XyZVo5Llj7
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) July 30, 2018
Vancouver, get Dorothy Gasque on the ballot.
I fought for our country overseas. Now I want to fight for SW Washington in Congress, because there is no place like home.
Join me in the fight against big money, so that we can end the wars and start investing in America. https://t.co/AFMQP0y7YL#0urFutureOurFight #WA03 pic.twitter.com/tmPdCs0DlG
— Dorothy Gasque (@dorothy4house) July 30, 2018
Kaniela Ing for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District. August 11th.
A Hawaii for the many is possible, but we have to take it, together.
On August 11, this movement can make history, but I need your help.
Please Retweet this video, Donate, and sign up to knock on doors, send texts + https://t.co/dELbZgUFNP#Ing2018 pic.twitter.com/aGXwSj4m5f
— Kaniela Ing (@KanielaIng) July 25, 2018
The Leftorium’s Playlist:
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That’s it this week. What’s been happening on your side of hellworld?