Quote of the Day -- Crazy Political Party Edition

"The GOP is now the party of grifters and kooks" --Juan Williams. Keeping in mind, too, Mr. Williams is a journalist and political commentator from very Right Wing, Republican Party supporting Fox.

Sadly so very true. Think of it. Donald Trump. Mitch McConnell. Ted Cruz. Missouri's own insurrectionist Senator Josh Hawley. Matt Gaetz, Jim "Gym" Jordan. Marilyn Taylor/Traitor Greene. More. Sadly, still more. #VoteThemAllOut http://hill.cm/cdta1Qh

Important, Helfpul, Very Indicative Polls Today

Yes, 3 polls out today that are just that---very indicative of where we, the American people are, what we want and need and where we want to go.

Poll: 61 percent approve of Biden actions in first days

Quinnipiac Poll Finds 7-in-10 Americans Support Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Stimulus; 8 In 10 Like The $1,400 Check

Poll: 64 percent support increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 by 2025

Let's do this, Joe. Let's do this, Congress. Let's do this, America.

Additionally, even Fox recognizes this, thank goodness.

Fox Hosts Admit Polls Show Vast Support For Biden's COVID Package

Wealthiest Nation in the World? Really?

Right. The United States. "Wealthiest nation in the world."  Sure we are.  Let's look closer.

First of all, there's that pesky issue of this biggest, most killing international pandemic in the last more than 100 years.

Coronavirus: Why America Has More Deaths Than Any Other

And sure, this COVID pandemic is an event, a "one off", if you will, that will go away. Here's statistics that are more complete, more over time and the entire nation and world.

US ranks last in worker benefits among developed countries: data

In comparisons to other developed nations, the U.S. lags in providing fundamental employee benefits.

For starters, we're the only Western, industrialized nation that a) doesn't have universal health care and that b) ties health care to profit and profits.

Real rocket scientists, we are.

Some of the facts from the article:

• Famed for their successful public health care systems, northern and Scandinavian countries like Canada, Denmark, Sweden and Norway ranked the highest in the top 10 countries with the best health care benefits.
• In the U.S., health care is privatized and does not offer universal health care, and Zenefits notes that private hospitals also propagate treatment inequalities between individuals who can afford higher quality treatment and those who cannot.
• Retirement benefits are another weak spot for the U.S.; older reports indicate that the U.S. comes in 16th place among the countries with the best retirement plans.
• This inequality in U.S. retirement planning extends to racial injustice as well. Some 24 percent of white family households are covered with an employee-sponsored retirement plan, compared to 16 percent of households of color.
• Throughout the globe, the U.S. also came in 32nd place for highest life expectancy, averaging 78.5 years.
• The U.S. is also notoriously stingy with its paid time off. Be it for sick leave, parental leave, or general work-life balance, the U.S. shows zero mandated paid holidays whereas similar countries within the European Union average between 20-30 paid holidays for discretionary use. Maternity leave is protected under U.S. labor laws, though, with 12 weeks of unpaid leave being the baseline for companies.
• Other countries, such as Finland, Germany, Japan, and Canada give their employees more time, ranging from 161 weeks to 52 weeks.

Note, too, above, what nations have higher standards of living, folks.

Yes.  Socialist. Democratic Socialist governments and countries. Go figure.

So congratulations, America, Americans. At least, with all this, above, we also have this, below, eh?

U.S. Has Worst Wealth Inequality of Any Rich Nation

Say... Do you suppose, just suppose the two could be related?

Ya' think?

Additional link:

COVID-19 pandemic death rates by country

News About the Trumpster Just Keeps Getting Better

It was bad enough he was ever, ever in government office, let alone the highest office in the land but now that he's out---THANK GOD AND GOODNESS--the news just does seem to keep getting better and better about this old orange buffoon.

Of course, we'll be starting an impeachment, his 2nd, God love him, on February 9, little over a week from now--JUST AFTER THE CHIEFS WIN THE SUPER BOWL--and of course, his, Trump's 5 lawyers all quit on him about one week before this trial is to start because they wouldn't testify falsely in court that he won the election.

The state of New York is still, still going after him about his taxes, God love 'em, and in 2 different cases, I believe. Also, he had to turn over yet more tax documents it was ruled by and in a court last week.

And now this.

Scotland Parliment to Vote on 'Unexplained Wealth Order' Against Trump This Week

An "unexplained wealth order", you ask?

The Scotish Parliment is about to jump in on the fun of dumping on Trump.

• Scotland's government could investigate Donald Trump's Scottish assets
• MSPs are set to vote on whether to pursue an Unexplained Wealth Order
• Wednesday's debate is being brought to the chamber by Patrick Harvie

Patrick Harvie, MSP (GP) introduced the debate that will begin in Wednesday. Mr. Harvie is pushing to invstigate “serious and evidenced concerns” surrounding Mr. Trump's purchases of the Turnberry hotel.

• The vote to seek an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) would not be binding.
• However, it would increase pressure on Sturgeon to act in accordance with Hollyrood.
• Most notably, they would probe where the £35.7 million Trump used to purchase the Turnberry resort came from.

Ain't it great?

Have a terrific day, campers.

Final, side note. A reader---yes, apparently I had a reader!--commented that he thought I'd stop unloading on Trump now that he's out of office.

Not a chance in Hell. 

As long as he or I am alive, I will be dissing on this greedy, selfish, self-centered, reckless, dangerous, ignorant old fool that tried so hard to wreck our nation.

But thanks for asking.

Additional link:

Scottish parliament to vote on pursuing 'Unexplained Wealth Order' into how Donald Trump financed his golf resorts in the country

Yet more wonderfulness, too.

Proof insurrection began before January 6--Trump lawyers knew in NOVEMBER that Biden had won

GOP Rep. Kinzinger launches PAC to challenge Trump wing of the party

Spurred By The Capitol Riot, Thousands Of Republicans Drop Out Of GOP

Dozens Of Former Bush Officials Leave Republican Party

The utter weirdness of Donald Trump's new impeachment trial legal team announcement

Democrats will expand their Senate majority in 2022

Truth Is Already Coming Out on Trump

The truth is already starting to come out on this Republican Party President Trump and his administration. And even sooner than I thought. Or hoped.

McConnell: Trump 'provoked' crowd that stormed Capitol 

"Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has just accused President Trump of provoking the violent crowd that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, saying: 'The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the president and other powerful people.'"

I tell you, it's only getting better and better, folks. The Orange Man is out tomorrow and the dirt is already starting to come out on him. I thought it would take at least a couple or a few weeks. He isn't even out and people are dishing on him. And people who are or were in his same political party.

More on the Trumpster and where he stands presently. On that first one, it seems he's already persona non grata in what was supposed to be his own political party. That's fantastic.

Pence, other GOP officials expected to skip Trump send-off

This next one has to hurt, given how Trump is always into popularity and saying he's the best at everything.

Trump stock performance falls short of Obama, Clinton

George Conway: Trump's 'influence will wane as he fades into history as a pariah'

Facebook has no current plan to end the Trump suspension: report

57% of US Voters Want Trump Barred From Seeking Office Ever Again: Poll

Think happy thoughts, campers.

The Atlantic Magazine Gets This So Right

 Yes, it's heartening to see the truth spelled out so big and so bold.

Trump Is the Worst President in History - The Atlantic

I like it so much I'm going to post it twice.

Worst President Ever - The Atlantic

Just a bit from the article:

Three particular failures secure Trump’s status as the worst chief executive ever to hold the office.

President Donald Trump has long exulted in superlatives. The first. The best. The most. The greatest. “No president has ever done what I’ve done,” he boasts. “No president has ever even come close,” he says. But as his four years in office draw to an end, there’s only one title to which he can lay claim: Donald Trump is the worst president America has ever had.

In December 2019, he became the third president to be impeached. Last week, Trump entered a category all his own, becoming the first president to be impeached twice. But impeachment, which depends in part on the makeup of Congress, is not the most objective standard. What does being the worst president actually mean? And is there even any value, at the bitter end of a bad presidency, in spending energy on judging a pageant of failed presidencies?

It is helpful to think of the responsibilities of a president in terms of the two elements of the oath of office set forth in the Constitution. In the first part, presidents swear to “faithfully execute the Office of the President of the United States.” This is a pledge to properly perform the three jobs the presidency combines into one: head of state, head of government, and commander in chief. In the second part, they promise to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States....”

As Trump prepares to leave Washington, the capital is more agitated than during any previous presidential transition since 1861, with thousands of National Guard troops deployed around the city. There have been serious threats to previous inaugurations. But for the first time in the modern era, those threats are internal. An incumbent president is being asked to discourage terrorism by supporters acting in his name.

...There are many verdicts on Donald Trump still to come, from the Senate, from juries of private citizens, from scholars and historians. But as a result of his subversion of national security, his reckless endangerment of every American in the pandemic, and his failed insurrection on January 6, one thing seems abundantly clear: Trump is the worst president in the 232-year history of the United States.

It's an excellent, not surprisingly well-documented article. Here's hoping lots and lots of Americans read it so they both know more of our nation's history but also so they can and do put this soon to be former President Trump in the correct light and category, perspective.

Not done there, however, Trump and his administration did this on their way out.

Trump's 1776 Commission Report Roundly Condemned

Trump Administration’s '1776 Report' Justifies Slavery

Because I guess there's just not enough lies or stupidity to go around for this guy and his people.

Fortunately, there is, rightly, yet more good news, too.

Support for convicting Trump grows among Republicans

Yet more goodness.

Trump Approval Plunges Again To Record Low In Final Poll

GOP in bind over Trump as corporate donations freeze

Opinion: Trump is destroying his own party on the way out 

Have heart, America.  In 24 hours, we'll have intelligent, adult, informed, rational leadership again.

Where We Are Now With This President Trump

16 days out.  Only two more weeks and two days to inauguration. Yahoo.

This happened today, thankfully.

Judge Reject Last Ditch Effort to Overturn Election

This broke earlier today, about an hour ago.

A federal judge has rejected a legal effort from groups of Trump voters to block Congress from officially counting the Electoral College votes and suggested the attorneys involved may be subject to sanctions, suggesting they were using courts to "engage in such gamesmanship or symbolic political gestures."
It was yet another defeat for the dubious last-ditch legal maneuvers aimed at overturning President-elect Joe Biden's victory.

Fortunately, also happening now, today, our Missouri Senator Josh Hawley is getting skewered, too, for supporting the overturning of our votes and election.

Former Senator John Danforth blasts Hawley

Ex-GOP senator blasts Hawley's challenge to electoral vote

The Washington Post puts Senator Hawley and his recent views in excellent, accurate perspective.

Josh Hawley’s heedless ambition is a threat to the republic

Fortunately, Senator Tom Cotton, of all people, of all Senators, from our neighbor to the South, Arkansas, at least did the right thing.

Tom Cotton Breaks With Trump on Coup Attempt in Congress

And Paul Ryan, of all people, also came out against Trump and his electoral gambit.

In scathing statement, former GOP House Speaker Paul Ryan said Republican attempts to reject Electoral College vote were 'antidemocratic and anti-conservative'

Amazingly, even Senator Lindsey "Lap Dog" Graham came to his senses.

Lindsey Graham Publicly Ditches The 11-GOP Traitors

Unfortunately, this became necessary. Fortunately, they all spoke up.

All 10 Living Ex-Defense Secretaries Unite Against Trump

All 10 currently living ex-Defense Secretaries — two of whom served in the Trump administration — have banded together with a new op-ed in The Washington Post in which they insist upon the critical importance of an orderly transfer of power between presidential administrations without any military involvement in dealing with election-related challenges like those which outgoing President Donald Trump and his allies have raised. 

Even Dick Cheney--freaking Dick "Right Wing" Cheney came out against Trump's power grab here.

Dick Cheney And More Are Demanding Trump Finally Admit He Lost

And rightly so. Also fortunately, the business community is coming out with their opinion of Trump's trying to overthrow our election results.

Business leaders urge Congress to certify Biden win

CEOs Urge Congress to Certify Biden’s Electoral College Win

Nearly 200 Business Leaders Tell Congress To 'Move Forward

Meanwhile, Trump's colossally misinformed, misguided, quite possibly illegal phone call he made over the weekend to Georgia, asking them to overturn the election and find him, very specifically, "11,780 more votes", is quite possibly, if not likely either getting or going to get him into yet further legal trouble.

Georgia elections board member calls for probe into Trump’s call seeking to pressure Raffensperger

There's talk he could be arrested in Georgia when he goes there tomorrow to help get out Republican votes for their two senate candidates.

Will Trump Leaked Georgia Phone Call Land Him In Jail?

Trump Call to Georgia Official Might Violate State and Federal Law

What took place is incredible.

In his latest attempt to recall the presidential election on Saturday, President Donald Trump reportedly demanded during a now-leaked call with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger that the latter “find” 11,780 votes for him to win Georgia over President-elect Joe Biden.

During the hour-long phone call, which was first obtained by The Washington Post, Trump insisted to Raffensperger that he, rather than Biden, was the winner of the state’s votes. “All I want to do is this. I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have. Because we won the state,” Trump said on the call, where White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, Georgia Secretary of State office’s general counsel Ryan Germany, and various lawyers were all present.

It was so incredible, in fact, he isn't even vague about it. He spells out specifically the number of votes he wants, needs them to find. Completely blatant and yet more unprecedented, outrageous Presidency.

Carl Bernstein, one of the two Watergate reporters who helped effectively bring down Richard Nixon, put Trump's phone call, at least, into perspective.

Carl Bernstein Says Latest Trump Tapes Are ‘Far Worse’ Than Watergate

Over 60 different lawsuits by his lawyers and legal team have all, all been thrown out, all across the nation, all for lack of evidence of vote fraud. He needs to give it up. We all know that. He lost. He needs to own it. He needs to do the right thing for the first time in his life. He needs to respect our vote, our votes, our election and Democracy.

All other Presidents, when voted out of office, respected the votes, the election, the process, the people, Democracy and nation.

Until now.

He needs to concede.

In closing, this is a thing.

Airport near Trump's golf resort in Scotland is alerted to a US military plane arriving 1/19/21

The Republican Party Insanity Today, Christmas Eve, on COVID Assistance

So here it is. Christmas Eve. Here we are. At long last. And now, this is where we all are with this Republican Party Congress, Republican Party President and the possibility of COVID assistance.

House Republicans To Block $2,000 Stimulus Checks On Christmas Eve

So Congress, at long last, came up with a bill they could all agree one, months in the making, for COVID pandemic assistance to and for America and Americans. After all that negotiating, this Republican Party President Trump concludes they assistance should be $2000, not the paltry $600 at the last minute or he'll veto it all. Yahoo! Right?

Except this is where we are now. On Christmas Eve. The Republicans in Congress are all going to collectively be Scrooges. They say they are voting it all down. It's their President but they want no part of it.

So what, pray tell, do these Republicans in Congress do now with their President? Go to the White House and implore him to see it, to see things their way? If that's even possible?

Merry Christmas indeed, America. 

Happy holidays?

Happy new year?

More:

Trump gives Congress chaos for Christmas, with aid to millions up in the air

Update. Breaking in the last two hours:

GOP senator warns $2K checks can't pass, urges Trump to sign COVID deal

It seems our own Missouri Senator Roy Blunt did the right thing and reached out to the President.

Sen. Roy Blunt (Mo.) a member of the GOP leadership, warned Thursday that President Trump's demand for $2000 stimulus checks can't pass the Senate and urged him to sign a massive year-end agreement.

Some semblance of sanity seems to be coming about, anyway. It's nice that it's coming from our own Senator and state.

Sidney Powell: Senior Aides Are Blocking Trump From Giving Me White House…

Bill Barr's Quote APresidential Pardons Resurfaces on His Last Day…

GOP senator warns $2K checks can't pass, urges Trump to sign COVID dea

Thanks, Mr. President! Thanks, Republicans!

 That's quite the leadership you got going there.

US hits grim new daily record with 3,656 coronavirus deaths

This broke yesterday on CNN: US hits record breaking number of COVID cases 11 days in a row.

Seems this administration is one of the reliable carriers, too.

Interior secretary tests positive for COVID-19 after two days of meetings with officials: report

Not done there, oh no.

Weekly jobless claims rise to 885,000

Note that this next summary is from the very conservative, very business-friendly Business Insider, too

The GOP's 'outrageous' effort to overturn the election cements its status as 'a willing party to authoritarianism'

Authoritarianism, Fascism, let's not split hairs.

But hey, at least the Dow and the markets are up, huh? 

Stocks rise to record highs on talk of COVID relief deal

At least Mitch McConnell and then Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue down in Georgia are going to be doing okay on their stock portfolios, right??

And again, this President Trump. What a guy. Always there to do the right thing at the right time, eh?

Trump cuts $200M in health care funds to California over abortions

Y'all are terrific.

Really.

Yet Another High Placed Defection From the Republican Party, Thanks to Mr. Trump

Yes, here's yet one more. One more Republican very publicly leaving that political party. 

Former NH GOP chair announces she's leaving the GOP

A bit of her story and the article:

Jennifer Horn, the former chairwoman of the New Hampshire Republican Party and a co-founder of the anti-Trump GOP group The Lincoln Project, announced Thursday in a new op-ed that she is leaving the Republican Party as President Trump and his allies continue their efforts to challenge the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Horn said she "became a Republican" because she viewed the party's values as "a voice for equality, freedom and constitutional conservatism, with a rich history of fighting for what was right because it was right."

"For the past five years, however, I have found myself fighting for what I thought were the principles of my party in the face of the ever-deteriorating character and integrity of party representatives," Horn wrote in the op-ed published Thursday by USA Today. "They have revealed their impotence and decrepitude as they have fallen, one by one, at the feet of the most corrupt, destructive and unstable president in the history of our country."

"It seems there is no assault on human dignity too great, no attack on democracy too extreme, to inspire the Republican weaklings in Congress to speak up or stand up to President Donald Trump," she continued.

And who but the most rabid Trump supporter can argue with that? With any of that?

Meanwhile, this report came out this morning.

Trump Tells Advisers 'He Won't Leave The White House' 

January 20th will go down in history, but perhaps for all the wrong reasons.

Sources say President Donald Trump has told advisers that he will refuse to leave the White House on Inauguration Day. According to a CNN report, several sources have confirmed that Trump will refuse to leave the White House on January 20.

Insane. Insanity.

Thanks, Republicans.

Ever so.

Check Out What These 3 Polls Are Saying Just Now About Trump and America

 Three polls today, from The Hill. What Americans are thinking just now. 

Poll: Majority of voters say Trump has behaved poorly post-election

Poll: 62 percent of voters say country is on the wrong track

Poll: Voters view Biden more favorably than Trump

Just the facts. God bless America.

Have a nice day. Have a nice weekend.

The Dangerous Place We Stand Today---Thanks, Mr. President

It has been 29 days since our presidential election in which this sitting President lost. So, thanks, Mr. President and thanks to all enabling members of your Republican Party. Here's a snapshot of just where we stand now. 

Donald Trump is still, still, to this day, December 2, 2020, not recognizing our vote, our votes, our election or Democracy. He has still, still, to this minute, not conceded the election to Joe Biden.

'It has to stop' -GA election official condemns Trump

A GOP, Republican party election official has gone public, asking this also Republican Party President Trump to stop threatening people in Georgia as it's promoting and prompting death threats in that state over this election.

Not done there.

Trump discussed pre-emptive pardons for family

He's actually discussed preemptively pardoning his 3 children as well as his son in law. And they haven't even been accused of any crimes yet, of course.

Speaking of pardons. We're not done there.

DOJ investigating alleged 'bribery-for-pardon scheme'

Check that out. Trump's own, our own Department of Justice is actually investigating Trump himself for a possibly bribery for pardon scheme. It doesn't get any crazier, wilder or more illegal than this man Trump or his administration.

Meanwhile, we have this. In these 29 days, this is what has taken place regarding the elction.

• Media: No evidence of fraud.
• Politicians: No evidence of fraud.
• Legal experts: No evidence of fraud.
• Election officials: No evidence of fraud.
• Cybersecurity officials: No evidence of fraud.
• Dept of Homeland Security: No evidence.
• Trump's own Attorney General William Barr: No evidence of fraud.
• Random person on Twitter and Facebook: The truth will come out

--

Darius Hall III

Not done there, of course...

Trump Accuses William Barr And The FBI Of Election Fraud

This is just how desperate he's now gotten. He's now even calling his own, our own FBI and Attorney General of election fraud. Insane. More insanity. It's like his calling anyone else corrupt or "crooked." It's ironic, sure, but it's hypocrisy at its most outrageous and most wrong.

Dangerously, honestly, this is what Trump is possibly planning for inauguration day, instead of, oh, I don't know, being a mature, responsible, thinking adult for the first time in his life and actually attending that inauguration.

Trump May Hold Rally During Biden’s Inauguration

This may well be the most dangerous, divisive thing he's done yet if he goes through with it. Getting his followers all riled up across town, there in Washington, as well as across the nation while President elect Joe Biden is sworn in as actual President.

And even if he doesn't have the rally--so hoping--there is every indication he's going to continue to be, remain, small and petty.

Trump to boycott Biden’s inauguration and won’t even invite him for White House visit - report

I can't even believe all I read any longer it's so insane, so bizarre, so incredible what's happening, what's happened and what this nightmare of a President--certainly no leader--has gotten away with, to date, and is getting away with.

Trump Organization, Kushner Companies benefited from pandemic relief loans: report

Coincidentally, this, the pandemic is still going on, of course.

CDC director: winter could be 'most difficult time in public health history'

Not that we'll hear anything about it coming out of THIS White House. The Boston Globe said it right, said it correctly.

A leaderless nation adrift in a crisis

And CNN.

A leaderless America slips deep into a grim pandemic winter

Come on, December 14...

Why December 14 Is The Most Important Election Day

Trump’s Election Attack Ends December 14—Whether He Knows It or Not

And January 20, too, naturally.

God help us all get there, quietly and safely.

Happy Thanksgiving, America!

One thing, anyway, we Americans did right, that we do right.

"There is one day that is ours. 

Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American."

--O. Henry 

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Enjoy.

Biden says staff has spoken with Fauci: 'He's been very, very helpful'

Fauci says he would 'absolutely' serve on a Biden coronavirus task force

A reason to give thanks: 

Help with COVID-19 is on the way

Biden to receive first daily presidential briefing on Monday

Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine Is Cheaper than Pfizer’s and Moderna’s and Doesn’t Require Supercold Temperature

Have a great day and weekend and by all means, stay safe out there.

Breathing a--Big--Sigh of Relief

No doubt you've heard the great, if overdue, news.

GSA Chief Says Decision to Allow Transition to Begin

Fantastic. A relief, as I said. Unfortunate it took this long, nearly 3 weeks to get to it.

And here are the markets response.

Dow crests 30,000 points on vaccine hopes, Biden transition

We're not completely out of the woods, so to speak, since the Orange Man is still technically in power and in the White House, of course, very unfortunately.

How Trump is sabotaging Biden -- and America

What he, Trump, is doing, is still doing:

--Sabotaging the Fed

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin has demanded the Federal Reserve return $455 billion in unused funds from a lending program meant to prop up American businesses. The Fed could legally continue with the funds if Mnuchin didn't claw them back, but he argues the program should end at the end of this year -- a decision panned by the US Chamber of Commerce.

This will create political headaches for Biden, but it'll also have a negative impact on everyday Americans...

--Boxing Biden in on foreign policy

A report by CNN's national security team is emblematic of how Trump's administration is working actively in ways to make Biden's life more difficult.

The goal is to set so many fires that it will be hard for the Biden administration to put them all out, an administration official tells CNN in the report.
Trump's administration is:

• Further removing troops from Afghanistan and Iraq in the final days of Trump's time as President.
• Contemplating new terrorist designations in Yemen that could complicate efforts to broker peace.
• Rushing through authorization of a massive arms sale that could alter the balance of power in the Middle East.
• Planning a last-minute crackdown on China.
• Floating the idea of a last-minute military strike on Iran, according to The New York Times.
• Building a wall of sanctions that make it difficult for Biden to rejoin the Iran nuclear deal Trump scuttled.
• Sending Mike Pompeo on the first-ever official visit by a US secretary of state to an Israeli settlement....

--Handing Biden an economic grenade

Trump's failure to negotiate a new Covid stimulus with Congress will set Biden up for a political fight on Day One about how to help Americans hurt by the pandemic.
Here's what expires in December without further action:

• Provisions to beef up unemployment insurance
• A deferral on student loan payments
• A paid family leave provision
• Coronavirus relief funding for states whose tax base has been decimated
• And a moratorium on evictions...

--Weakening American democracy

The most important of these various nails left under the couch cushions is Trump's steadfast refusal to accept the legitimacy of Biden's win, an ultimately futile bit of pique, since Biden will take the oath of office and Trump will no longer be President in January.

Either because he wants to retire campaign debt, seed a new media empire of democratic disbelievers or is personally incapable of admitting defeat, Trump's actions will have consequences.

As if all that isn't bad enough, there's this horror of a thought.

Why Do All The Networks Keep Calling Biden The "46th President?" He'll Be The 47th

 It does look like Biden was just elected to be our 47th President.

Let’s not forget about the upcoming five-minute Presidency of Mike Pence, during which he will be allowed to say exactly twenty-one words: "I hereby pardon Donald Trump for all crimes, known or unknown, he has ever committed against the United States of America."

God forbid and heavens help us.

But for now, at least, Joe Biden is finally confirmed as President and he's picking his staff, the people in his administration.

Thank goodness.

Link:

Trump strips Biden’s options to boost the economy

Pennsylvania once again confirms and reassures.

Pennsylvania certifies Biden victory

Not done there, Nevada does same this morning.

Nevada Supreme Court unanimously approves Biden win

And just to remind us just precisely how small, petty and shallow he is, Trump did this today.

Trump makes one-minute appearance to tout Dow's 30,000