James A. Robichaux
@jamesrobichaux.bsky.social
I am working to purge the dishonest and destructive mythologies of Monetarism and taxpayerism from people's brains.
You can read my essays on those subjects here:
https://jamesarobichaux.substack.com/
You can read my essays on those subjects here:
https://jamesarobichaux.substack.com/
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
The minority party cannot shut down the government. It is impossible. They don’t have the power.
A party that controls the House, Senate, and White House can decide it’d rather not do something on its own and pretend that’s the fault of some minority Senators, thereby shutting down the government.
A party that controls the House, Senate, and White House can decide it’d rather not do something on its own and pretend that’s the fault of some minority Senators, thereby shutting down the government.
November 11, 2025 at 3:12 PM
The minority party cannot shut down the government. It is impossible. They don’t have the power.
A party that controls the House, Senate, and White House can decide it’d rather not do something on its own and pretend that’s the fault of some minority Senators, thereby shutting down the government.
A party that controls the House, Senate, and White House can decide it’d rather not do something on its own and pretend that’s the fault of some minority Senators, thereby shutting down the government.
🧵
"I still shake — physically shake — when I think back on those years; years in which I spent my days in a maelstrom of panic, a pervasive state of terror, wondering how and when I would be able to cobble together enough money to feed my kids and stay in our apartment.
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
"I still shake — physically shake — when I think back on those years; years in which I spent my days in a maelstrom of panic, a pervasive state of terror, wondering how and when I would be able to cobble together enough money to feed my kids and stay in our apartment.
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
Someone you know relies on SNAP. They just don't talk about it
Two years before she went on public assistance, Joanna Rakoff had a best-selling novel that won literary awards. She presented like a middle class working mom. But in reality, she was struggling — wor...
www.wbur.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:32 PM
🧵
"I still shake — physically shake — when I think back on those years; years in which I spent my days in a maelstrom of panic, a pervasive state of terror, wondering how and when I would be able to cobble together enough money to feed my kids and stay in our apartment.
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
"I still shake — physically shake — when I think back on those years; years in which I spent my days in a maelstrom of panic, a pervasive state of terror, wondering how and when I would be able to cobble together enough money to feed my kids and stay in our apartment.
www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
Sometimes Trump is like “federal workers are a deep state working to stop me” and people on Bluesky repeat it and append “(laudatory)”.
I see people trying to make a broad statement about how furloughed workers feel about the Democrats caving and I would remind you that there are about 3/4 of a million people furloughed and they're probably not going to be a unified front
November 11, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Sometimes Trump is like “federal workers are a deep state working to stop me” and people on Bluesky repeat it and append “(laudatory)”.
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
“I’ve been hearing that standards will be eliminated or severely cut back. Bari has told people that she wants to get rid of standards and is shocked that they have so much power. She also asked openly, ‘What’s the point of standards?’” one CBS source said.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Bari Weiss wants to take down ‘too much power’ CBS News Standards unit: sources
EXCLUSIVE: Internal rumblings within the newsroom come after the S&P head resigned and the network disbanded its vaunted Race and Culture unit.
www.independent.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 2:03 PM
“I’ve been hearing that standards will be eliminated or severely cut back. Bari has told people that she wants to get rid of standards and is shocked that they have so much power. She also asked openly, ‘What’s the point of standards?’” one CBS source said.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
November 11, 2025 at 12:38 AM
"liberation theology offers a framework for reclaiming faith as a force for justice.
It reminds us that faith isn’t just what we believe, but what we do, who we stand with and who we stand against."
inthesetimes.com/article/libe...
It reminds us that faith isn’t just what we believe, but what we do, who we stand with and who we stand against."
inthesetimes.com/article/libe...
Liberation Theology Combines Religion with Radical Politics
The movement, which originated among Catholics in Latin America, approaches Church teachings through a Marxist framework.
inthesetimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:59 PM
"liberation theology offers a framework for reclaiming faith as a force for justice.
It reminds us that faith isn’t just what we believe, but what we do, who we stand with and who we stand against."
inthesetimes.com/article/libe...
It reminds us that faith isn’t just what we believe, but what we do, who we stand with and who we stand against."
inthesetimes.com/article/libe...
Just say no to a merger between the Union Pacific Railroad and the Norfolk Southern Railway.
www.railwayage.com/freight/clas...
www.railwayage.com/freight/clas...
BNSF: UP+NS ‘Costly, Unnecessary, Anti-Competitive, Bad for the U.S. Economy’
Though Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have yet to file their formal merger application with the Surface Transportation Board, kicking off a process expected to take up to 18 months, the other
www.railwayage.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Just say no to a merger between the Union Pacific Railroad and the Norfolk Southern Railway.
www.railwayage.com/freight/clas...
www.railwayage.com/freight/clas...
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
When even Ezra Klein and Matty Iglesias are saying how terrible a move this is, you KNOW it was bad.
Truly, I will accept no less than Schumer/Durbin or a complete reversal to get any support for the future.
Truly destroying all of last Tuesday’s hope & gains in one fell swoop.
Truly, I will accept no less than Schumer/Durbin or a complete reversal to get any support for the future.
Truly destroying all of last Tuesday’s hope & gains in one fell swoop.
November 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
When even Ezra Klein and Matty Iglesias are saying how terrible a move this is, you KNOW it was bad.
Truly, I will accept no less than Schumer/Durbin or a complete reversal to get any support for the future.
Truly destroying all of last Tuesday’s hope & gains in one fell swoop.
Truly, I will accept no less than Schumer/Durbin or a complete reversal to get any support for the future.
Truly destroying all of last Tuesday’s hope & gains in one fell swoop.
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
GOP operatives (including two Trump pollsters) have long called for reinstituting the ACA credits, warning that the GOP is on track to pay a “political penalty” for its actions.
As Jeffries points out, the largest percentage of voters who make use of the enhanced ACA tax credits are Republicans.
As Jeffries points out, the largest percentage of voters who make use of the enhanced ACA tax credits are Republicans.
November 10, 2025 at 5:56 PM
GOP operatives (including two Trump pollsters) have long called for reinstituting the ACA credits, warning that the GOP is on track to pay a “political penalty” for its actions.
As Jeffries points out, the largest percentage of voters who make use of the enhanced ACA tax credits are Republicans.
As Jeffries points out, the largest percentage of voters who make use of the enhanced ACA tax credits are Republicans.
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
That's a heck of a ratio.
November 10, 2025 at 1:23 PM
That's a heck of a ratio.
Yes! The reason that attacking transgender rights and DEI "works" for Republicans is that Democrats agree to play defense.
Stop doing that!
Go on OFFENSE, dammit!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/o...
Stop doing that!
Go on OFFENSE, dammit!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/o...
November 9, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Yes! The reason that attacking transgender rights and DEI "works" for Republicans is that Democrats agree to play defense.
Stop doing that!
Go on OFFENSE, dammit!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/o...
Stop doing that!
Go on OFFENSE, dammit!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/o...
hard agree
"I suggest we offer what voters are actually asking for: a nation and an economy that work for them. One that creates and builds. One that doesn’t start wars. Doesn’t arm and back genocides. One that hears us."
www.commondreams.org/opinion/the-...
"I suggest we offer what voters are actually asking for: a nation and an economy that work for them. One that creates and builds. One that doesn’t start wars. Doesn’t arm and back genocides. One that hears us."
www.commondreams.org/opinion/the-...
The Corporate 'Moderates' Had Their Chance—They Blew It | Common Dreams
The moderate establishment looks at this moment and offers more of what created it. More of the same kind of visionless hopeless feckless Democrats, ready to dampen hope and block transformation at ev...
www.commondreams.org
November 9, 2025 at 7:19 PM
hard agree
"I suggest we offer what voters are actually asking for: a nation and an economy that work for them. One that creates and builds. One that doesn’t start wars. Doesn’t arm and back genocides. One that hears us."
www.commondreams.org/opinion/the-...
"I suggest we offer what voters are actually asking for: a nation and an economy that work for them. One that creates and builds. One that doesn’t start wars. Doesn’t arm and back genocides. One that hears us."
www.commondreams.org/opinion/the-...
This is a good essay on how, although the tech industry has been associated with counterculture in the public imagination, it has become aligned with the fascists and is likely to stay so aligned.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
‘The Democrats Still May Not Understand What They're Dealing With’
A Silicon Valley chronicler on the increasingly radical politics of Elon Musk, David Sacks and Mark Zuckerberg.
www.politico.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:41 AM
This is a good essay on how, although the tech industry has been associated with counterculture in the public imagination, it has become aligned with the fascists and is likely to stay so aligned.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
God, a thousand times this.
That's the thing with dopamine being tied to task initiation - there's a set of gears that won't - CAN'T - engage in my brain, but none of my problems are with analysis.
I can be fully aware of all the necessary steps, and stressing about starting, and just... not.
That's the thing with dopamine being tied to task initiation - there's a set of gears that won't - CAN'T - engage in my brain, but none of my problems are with analysis.
I can be fully aware of all the necessary steps, and stressing about starting, and just... not.
November 7, 2025 at 5:56 PM
God, a thousand times this.
That's the thing with dopamine being tied to task initiation - there's a set of gears that won't - CAN'T - engage in my brain, but none of my problems are with analysis.
I can be fully aware of all the necessary steps, and stressing about starting, and just... not.
That's the thing with dopamine being tied to task initiation - there's a set of gears that won't - CAN'T - engage in my brain, but none of my problems are with analysis.
I can be fully aware of all the necessary steps, and stressing about starting, and just... not.
I guess that this is encouraging, and it's actually a rebuke of Trump, because, as I said, this second Trump Presidency created the condition in which this proposed merger would even be seriously considered, because,
www.trains.com/pro/regulato...
www.trains.com/pro/regulato...
Senators ask STB to look closely at UP-NS merger proposal - Trains
WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of U.S. senators have asked the Surface Transportation Board to conduct a “rigorous and comprehensive evaluation” of the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger,...
www.trains.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I guess that this is encouraging, and it's actually a rebuke of Trump, because, as I said, this second Trump Presidency created the condition in which this proposed merger would even be seriously considered, because,
www.trains.com/pro/regulato...
www.trains.com/pro/regulato...
Yes, Steiner and I got the overall prediction correct even if we got the details wrong!
We predicted that Biden-Harris Neoliberalism would foster the return of *a* 'Trump'. We just didn't predict that that 'Trump' would actually be Donald Trump.
We predicted that Biden-Harris Neoliberalism would foster the return of *a* 'Trump'. We just didn't predict that that 'Trump' would actually be Donald Trump.
November 6, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Yes, Steiner and I got the overall prediction correct even if we got the details wrong!
We predicted that Biden-Harris Neoliberalism would foster the return of *a* 'Trump'. We just didn't predict that that 'Trump' would actually be Donald Trump.
We predicted that Biden-Harris Neoliberalism would foster the return of *a* 'Trump'. We just didn't predict that that 'Trump' would actually be Donald Trump.
"The moral exception Cheney carved for national security became Trump’s template for political dominance."
www.commondreams.org/opinion/how-...
www.commondreams.org/opinion/how-...
How Cheney's Destructive War on Terror Became Trump's Authoritarian War on Truth | Common Dreams
In seeking to defend democracy at all costs, Dick Cheney helped build the machinery that would one day dismantle it. His war on terror became our war on truth, and the nation has yet to recover.
www.commondreams.org
November 6, 2025 at 1:20 AM
"The moral exception Cheney carved for national security became Trump’s template for political dominance."
www.commondreams.org/opinion/how-...
www.commondreams.org/opinion/how-...
Good morning.
November 5, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Good morning.
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
the vibes feel really good tonight fam
Decision Desk has called both of Georgia's statewide races, for public service commissioner, for Democrats.
If confirmed, this would be a really huge win for Democrats:
It'd be their first statewide win in any non-federal race since 2006!
If confirmed, this would be a really huge win for Democrats:
It'd be their first statewide win in any non-federal race since 2006!
November 5, 2025 at 1:06 AM
the vibes feel really good tonight fam
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
Cheney willingly lied America into a war that cost millions of lives. No Republican would ever forget anything similar that a Democrat had done, even in death.
This whitewashing doesn't make voters think Dems are kind. It makes them think Dems are simply playing games w politics and lack conviction
This whitewashing doesn't make voters think Dems are kind. It makes them think Dems are simply playing games w politics and lack conviction
November 5, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Cheney willingly lied America into a war that cost millions of lives. No Republican would ever forget anything similar that a Democrat had done, even in death.
This whitewashing doesn't make voters think Dems are kind. It makes them think Dems are simply playing games w politics and lack conviction
This whitewashing doesn't make voters think Dems are kind. It makes them think Dems are simply playing games w politics and lack conviction
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
Why, the country would much more adequately reflect the views of its citizens & democracy would be more fair & representative!
I'm not being cute: that would literally be a death sentence for the current conservative movement, which thrives *entirely* due to unjust artifacts in our process.
I'm not being cute: that would literally be a death sentence for the current conservative movement, which thrives *entirely* due to unjust artifacts in our process.
Mike Johnson: "Imagine a scenario where they were in charge and they didn't have the filibuster. We would have nationalized elections, they would infringe on our 2A rights, they'd pack the Supreme Court, and they'd make Puerto Rico and DC states."
November 3, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Why, the country would much more adequately reflect the views of its citizens & democracy would be more fair & representative!
I'm not being cute: that would literally be a death sentence for the current conservative movement, which thrives *entirely* due to unjust artifacts in our process.
I'm not being cute: that would literally be a death sentence for the current conservative movement, which thrives *entirely* due to unjust artifacts in our process.
Reposted by James A. Robichaux
The Dems have won the popular vote in presidential elections six times since 1992 by roughly 5.5%(1992), 8.5%,(1996) .5%(2000), 7.3%(2008), 4%(2012), 2%(2016),and 4.5%(2020).
In that period the GOP presidential candidate has won the popular vote twice: 2.5%(2004) and 1.5%(2024).
In that period the GOP presidential candidate has won the popular vote twice: 2.5%(2004) and 1.5%(2024).
Douthat writes that 2024, when Harris lost by 1.5% of the popular vote, was "an ideological referendum and progressivism lost." I wonder why he didn't view the 2020 election, when Trump lost by 4.5% of the popular vote, as a far more significant loss for conservatism.
bsky.app/profile/larr...
bsky.app/profile/larr...
Comparing the relation between the presidential election results in 2020 and 2024 with the post-election commentary is a fascinating exercise.
2020
Biden 81,283,501 popular votes, 51.3%
Trump 74,223,975 popular votes 46.8%
2024
Trump 77,302,580 49.8%
Harris 75,017,613. 48.3%
2020
Biden 81,283,501 popular votes, 51.3%
Trump 74,223,975 popular votes 46.8%
2024
Trump 77,302,580 49.8%
Harris 75,017,613. 48.3%
November 3, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The Dems have won the popular vote in presidential elections six times since 1992 by roughly 5.5%(1992), 8.5%,(1996) .5%(2000), 7.3%(2008), 4%(2012), 2%(2016),and 4.5%(2020).
In that period the GOP presidential candidate has won the popular vote twice: 2.5%(2004) and 1.5%(2024).
In that period the GOP presidential candidate has won the popular vote twice: 2.5%(2004) and 1.5%(2024).
Good morning.
November 2, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Good morning.