R Pez
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ricopez.bsky.social
R Pez
@ricopez.bsky.social
Thirsty for civil, principled, practical, and centrist perspective.

Reform is critical when our political system no longer allows for those in the middle to be heard and taken seriously.
"Trump signed an executive action in September to impose a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas. The move marked the latest in a series of efforts from the administration to crack down on immigration and place sharp new limits on the types of foreigners allowed into the country."
Trump says United States doesn’t have people with ‘certain talents’ to fill jobs domestically | CNN Politics
President Donald Trump told Fox News in an interview that aired Tuesday night the United States doesn’t have workers with “certain talents” to fill jobs needed domestically, defending the H1-B skilled...
www.cnn.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by R Pez
"What is new in our moment is the confluence of three trends: The sheer scale of wealth for the richest people; The untethering of compensation from performance; The amount of harm these figures are willing to inflict on society."
Welcome to Tesla Capitalism
Or: JVL explains why Americans are toying with socialism.
www.thebulwark.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Reposted by R Pez
The House has voted to end the longest shutdown in U.S. history, sending the legislation to President Trump for his signature.
House votes to fund government, ending longest ever government shutdown
The House voted to fund the government through the end of January, bringing the country one step closer to ending the shutdown that has dragged on for six weeks. The bill now goes to President Trump for his signature.
n.pr
November 13, 2025 at 1:36 AM
"Two common themes emerge from the results of all three of these Democratic victories—growing concern with inflation and rising disapproval of Donald Trump’s conduct in the White House.... Democratic victors in these elections took very different approaches in appealing to their electorates."
The 2025 Elections and Future of the Democratic Party: Why Spanberger and Sherrill Provide a More Plausible Model for Success than Mamdani - Sabato's Crystal Ball
Sherrill and Spanberger performed better with traditional swing demographic groups than Mamdani did, suggesting they provide a better model for Democrats in future competitive races.
centerforpolitics.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Reposted by R Pez
The lesson for Democrats is not to adopt Zohran Mamdani’s ideology, but to meet voters where they are. Our analysis of the results shows why
Zohran Mamdani lost in parts of NYC that look most like America
Our analysis shows why his victory is no model for Democrats elsewhere
econ.st
November 10, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Too soon or not soon enough? This was the longest shutdown ever, and people are hurting.

Would the Republicans have ever caved into giving the ACA subsidies?There no sign of their leadership budging.

Was it worth it? The elections would suggest it was.

What comes next? TBD

What do you think?
The shutdown endgame is here
The shutdown endgame is here
An end to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history is finally in sight following a bipartisan breakthrough. Here’s what comes next after the Senate took a critical procedural step Sunday night. WHEN THE SENATE WILL WRAP — It’s possible the Senate passes the deal Monday, depending on whether leaders can secure unanimous consent to speed ahead. Getting to the finish line will require amending the House-passed continuing resolution to include three full-year appropriations bills for a number of programs plus a new CR for the rest of the government through Jan. 30. Conversations are ongoing about accelerating the timing. Key players to watch are progressive senators who blasted the deal as well as Sen. Rand Paul, who is upset over the impact the agriculture appropriations piece of the bill would have on hemp. Senate Majority Leader John Thune told reporters following Sunday night’s vote that it “remains to be seen” how quickly the Senate will be able to get to a final vote on the deal, including if senators will agree to yield back time Monday. Paul wants a vote to remove the hemp language and a “guarantee,” according to Thune, that it will be successful. “We’ll see how motivated people are [Monday],” Thune said. TRUMP AND THE HOUSE — The House GOP leadership circle expects to pass the deal once Trump leans on House Republicans to back it. House Republican leaders plan to give 36 hours’ notice to members before voting. Senior Senate Republicans worked behind the scenes with House Republicans through several issues during negotiations, but GOP hardliners are expected to grumble about pieces of the funding bill. While many House Democrats will likely come out against it, a handful of centrist Democrats could consider voting for the plan. Keep an eye on purple-district Democrats including Reps. Jared Golden, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Henry Cuellar. Golden voted for the original House-passed CR. Cuellar praised the compromise on X, saying: “It’s past time to put country over party and get our government working again for the American people.” What else we’re watching: — A bipartisan duo’s ACA proposal: Reps. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) and Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) are releasing a bill Monday that would extend expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits for two years. Unlike legislation from Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) that would enact a clean extension, the bill from Liccardo and Kiley would cap eligibility for the credits at those making six times poverty-level income. For a family of four, that would be $192,900. In a bid to “pay for” the legislation, the bill would target “upcoding” in Medicare Advantage and impose new penalties on brokers who submit false applications to enroll in the ACA. — House movement on stock trading limits: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) says that Speaker Mike Johnson confirmed to her that the House would begin to move forward on proposed bipartisan stock trading restrictions once the government reopens. The bill, which many Republican House members oppose because of the impacts on lawmakers’ finances, would face an uncertain fate in the House, and there’s skepticism from Johnson’s leadership circle on how to pass it. Johnson has pledged in private conversations to work on the issue. Mia McCarthy and Benjamin Guggenheim contributed reporting.
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by R Pez
Trump pardons Rudy Giuliani and other key figures involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election: https://cnn.it/4r8Y21h
November 10, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Reposted by R Pez
It’s time to set aside the politics of politics and instead build the politics of service.

www.forwardparty.com
Forward Party - Not Left. Not Right. FORWARD.
Not Left. Not Right. Forward
www.forwardparty.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:30 PM
This administration does not care about people.
Trump administration orders states to pause paying full SNAP benefits
As the shutdown drags on, USDA demanded that states “immediately undo” any steps they have taken to send full November payments to SNAP recipients.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Reposted by R Pez
Trump said we were “winning” the trade war with China. Then China threatened to cut off rare earth minerals—and suddenly we backed down. Americans are paying higher prices, no new jobs have been created, and China walked away stronger.
open.substack.com/pub/adamkinz...
Tariffs, Rare Earths, and Retreat: Trump’s Failed Fight with China
Trump promised to win the trade war. Instead, he raised prices at home and surrendered abroad.
open.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Reposted by R Pez
Breaking news: The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to pause an order directing it to release SNAP benefits in full.

The request came after the administration said it was working to release the benefits, suggesting the money was going to be dispersed.
Trump administration asks Supreme Court to block order on releasing SNAP benefits
A federal judge had directed the administration to release full benefits for November. The administration is appealing the order.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Reposted by R Pez
Federal Judge Mark L. Wolf accused Trump of weaponizing the Justice Department against political opponents in an op-ed on Sunday.
Reagan-Appointed Judge Issues Brutal Condemnation of Donald Trump
www.newsweek.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:27 PM
"While a welcome short-term infusion for cash-strapped Americans, it could cost them in the long run.

The combination of tariffs and a cash injection into the economy could drive up inflation."
Trump floats using tariff revenue to send $2,000 checks to Americans. Here's how that could hurt them in the long run.
Trump says he will use tariff revenue to send $2,000 checks to Americans. While most would welcome the infusion, it could cost them in the long run.
www.businessinsider.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Reposted by R Pez
This year Pakistan became the world’s second-largest importer of solar panels. It has become a laboratory for the green-energy transition in the global south
How China sparked a rooftop solar revolution in Pakistan
It is a test case for the green transition in the Global South
econ.st
November 8, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Reposted by R Pez
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer proposed a "clean" one-year extension to the expiring health care subsidies.
Republicans Reject Obamacare Subsidy Extension To End Shutdown
www.newsweek.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Reposted by R Pez
The relentless rise in emissions since 2020 rules out even theoretical routes to the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, the latest Emissions Gap Report of the UN Environment Programme finds.

Our charts shows what could come next
For the first time, climate models show the 1.5°C goal is dead
Governments have failed to limit global warming. What comes next?
econ.st
November 8, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Reposted by R Pez
Fusion voting lets voters build real coalitions—multiple parties, one shared candidate. It’s a way to unite around common values without losing your voice. Read more about it in “The Ticket.” Check out the latest from our Substack: centerforballotfreedom.org/the-ticket/
The Ticket - Center for Ballot Freedom
The Center for Ballot Freedom aims to reduce the ruinous, extreme partisan polarization inherent in our two-party system, replacing it with a healthy, vibrant multi-party democracy.
centerforballotfreedom.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Reposted by R Pez
Fusion voting empowers voters to back policies the two major parties ignore. Too often, our primary system leaves voters choosing between two extremes — fusion gives them a real alternative. @rickpildes.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 5:06 PM
I think you are putting too much stuffing in that turkey, sir.

"My cost are lower than the Democrats on everything," Trump claimed."
Trump appears to equate a Walmart Thanksgiving meal deal with an economic indicator
President Donald Trump claims the cost of Thanksgiving dinner will be cheaper this year, appearing to equate a Walmart promotion with an economic indicator.
abcnews.go.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Reposted by R Pez
American jobs are in jeopardy and our economy is falling apart. Between overspending from one side and tax breaks for billionaires on the other, the duopoly parties' hands are in the til, and America is paying the bills. We need change. We need Reform.
November 6, 2025 at 2:04 PM
"Job cuts for October totaled 153,074, a 183% surge from September and 175% higher than the same month a year ago. It was the highest level for any October since 2003 and has been the worst year for layoffs since 2009."
Job cuts in October hit highest level for the month in 22 years, Challenger says
Job cuts for October totaled 153,074, a 183% surge from September.
www.cnbc.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:57 AM
While our two party system is broken and in need of reform, this is the way Dems should win: "It may not seem like much to flip 7% of Mr.Trump’s backers..When a voter flips, it adds one voter to one party and also deducts one from the other, making it twice as significant as turning out a new voter"
Two Signs That Democrats Flipped Trump Supporters on Tuesday
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Steps to election reform:
• Re-Invigorate American Civics Education • Citizen Redistricting Commissions • Open, Nonpartisan Primaries; Ranked-Choice Voting; Fusion Voting • Reduce Partisan Influence in Election Administration • Increase Access to Voting • Curb Frivolous Election-Related Lawsuits
2025 Report for the ABA Task Force for American Democracy
For 237 years, America’s Constitution has guided our country and defined us as a Nation of laws. When our democracy is tested, we draw strength from the Constitution as the bedrock, making our country...
www.americanbar.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The nonpartisan ABA Task Force was formed in August 2023 to “consider and propose solutions for educating our citizens on the importance of an inclusive, strong and enduring democracy and help to provide bulwarks to bolster our democracy as conceived.” The final report proposes meaningful solutions.
2025 Report for the ABA Task Force for American Democracy
For 237 years, America’s Constitution has guided our country and defined us as a Nation of laws. When our democracy is tested, we draw strength from the Constitution as the bedrock, making our country...
www.americanbar.org
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by R Pez
Our two-party system is broken. Republicans are dominated by an anti-democratic faction; Democrats are too fragmented to speak with one voice. A multiparty system—where factions negotiate, compete, and form coalitions—could be the way out.
November 3, 2025 at 6:04 PM