This is happening in the richest country in the world. Performative cruelty as the main course, accompanied by a toxic side salad of despair and hunger. There are not really any words for how awful this regime is.
And it's hard not to notice that the richest individuals and corporations are fine with it. Or that we've been headed in this direction at least since the Reagan administration.
It's really awful that this country, being the richest in the world hasn't led the way in humanitarian policies. People before profit please. Should be a no brainer.
The corrupt and the venal: what a nasty brew. In my view the funders and bribers are as sociopathic as Trump. All of them, from their high towers sneer at the hapless and the poor. While Trump has a get out of jail free card, the others do not. I will jostle among the onlookers for a seat at the depraved ones’ trials.
For Whom the Outrages Toll. Let us not forget the Epstein Files, first. I mean we know a pedophile when we see one dodge, duck, shuck, and jive. For some reason we need the files. I rather think we do not, and we already know what is there. The outrages toll for you as a distraction. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/too-much-two-buckets-to-sanity?r=3m1bs
“Better the occasional faults of a government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a government frozen in the ice of its own indifference.” - FDR
Should we not just ignore the mentally incapacitated clown while he does the watusi in Malaysia. The Heritage Foundation Cabal , Russell Vought, Brendan Carr and others are running the show. The republicans are just playing the nice guy blaming “Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program" when In fact, the Administration is legally required to use contingency reserves—billions of dollars that Congress provided for use when SNAP funding is inadequate that remain available during the shutdown.” So is it not political football. Don't the Republicans have the money for funding SNAP but would rather not use it and make the democrats look bad?? Question: Do I have this right?? It appears that the democrats do not want to open up the government until they get an agreement regarding ACA.
The distortion of facts & truth being allowed to continue prevents any possibility of a level playing field. The NYTimes has recovered some of their truth but the continuous lies & acceptance of the republicans by so many; & Fox nonnews being permitted makes things seem hopeless. I protest with several groups weekly but it won’t be enough!!!
Al, I loved that you speculated The Convict dancing the watusi! Glad you perused his moves because I could not determine what the hell be thought he was doing!
I think the vision of America that's in the mind of Stephen Miller--the Cromwell to Trump's Henry--can be found in the photos of Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange, taken all over the country during the 1930s for the Farm Security Administration. People are clearly undernourished, or starving, suffering from pellagra, missing teeth, barefoot, living in shacks. Feed a fat cat, starve a child.
This is a bit off topic, but addresses food insecurity. This Halloween, those of us who are dispensing candy to Trick or Treaters might include (or make available) some shelf stable foods. Oatmeal packs, mac and cheese, fruit cups— little things that are lightweight but could help put a tiny dent into the possible hunger a child might face.
For distributing food here, the churches are organized by what are like districts called Community Ministries. The Ministries share when one area has a larger need. Despite that, for the first time in over 40 years some food banks had to close for lack of food. They did get replenished & re-opened, but it is expected to be a major struggle to remain open as costs increase and food supplies decrease.
Early this year when the feds cancelled about 40% of food /funding coming here re: USDA. Then the farmer contracts for produce, dairy etc. with food banks. Now stopping SNAP is adding to a huge problem.
I expect the emergency food drives to continue for the foreseeable future.
♥️ Thank you so much. This is going to be a long ugly slog & it hits as winter closes in.
The most recommended is Dare to Care. (The Ministries are stretched thin handling volunteers & administrative details.)
Dare to Care has the ability to put resources where they are needed the most. It assists & coordinates across the Louisville Metro area which includes a couple small counties and some of southern Indiana. Mostly Louisville. https://daretocare.org/
Our governor signed onto the SNAP lawsuit. Even if they win it won’t be soon enough & after the shutdown the bill goes into effect which reduces SNAP benefits.
2300 Ford workers are scheduled for a ‘temporary’ model changeover layoff. We know UPS has shed employees. No public confirmation but as Amazon goes, so goes UPS. All of which means fewer donations here. And makes your kindness more important. 😊
I am so sorry about this. I hope the lawsuit succeeds. I just made a contribution. I'm happy to be on Dare to Care's mailing list and keep in touch. Lots of love from California.
The law requires the government to provide SNAP funding through contingency reserves but this regime wants people to go hungry should be broadcast regularly on Faux and every other mainstream media. I really like how Steven says these people have to be held accountable for their crimes in order for there to be healing in this country. I hope it happens and swiftly.
The Antideficiency Act: Legal experts have warned that accepting private funds for government operations could raise legal questions under the Antideficiency Act. This law restricts federal agencies from spending funds not appropriated by Congress and from accepting "voluntary services," or gifts, to cover budget shortfalls.
Undermining government oversight: Critics and legal experts argue that using private donations for government functions, regardless of intent, undermines the legislative process and congressional oversight of federal spending.
More…
A lawsuit he filed against an aircraft recovery group, which he helped fund, was dismissed. Mellon had claimed the group was hiding the wreckage of Amelia Earhart's plane.
His former companies have also faced legal issues.
One was convicted and fined in 2006 for covering up an oil spill, and another had its certification revoked in 2008 for falsifying financial records.
Apparently this below is true also …. But there are mixed inferences and denials that Timothy is directly involved.. but it’s more Quid Pro Quo incentive..?
"I look forward to the day when not only has Trump been removed from office, but also when he and others in his sociopathic regime are held accountable for their cruelty, corruption and criminality. Without this needed pursuit of justice, our beloved country will fail to repair itself."
Not only you, Steven. And this accountability must include significant personal and financial penalties. Even if the Extreme Court has given the orange monster immunity, that immunity does not extend to his subordinates. And the sooner they become aware of that fact, the better our country will be.
the posting the "government blaming dems for starving people.". needs a force response..billboards rolling semis.... and one question to the r's preferably caught off guard...if the BBB goes through as written what happens to health care & SNAP... they are so afraid to answer they won't even come back to DC because they will get caught on camera in hall ways being asked those questions by dems with a spine if no one else...those moments are a light in the darkness for me .. let's have more....here's a few points of what happens w/SNAP if the bill is signed as is ..
1 Exemptions for Parents with Kids Under Age 14 (was 18): Before, you didn't have to meet the ABAWD work requirement if you had a child under 18. Now, this exemption has been limited to parents with a child under age 14.
2!!!!!!!!!! REMOVED EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS: BEFORE, VETERANS DID NOT HAVE TO MEET THE ABAWD WORK REQUIREMENTS. THIS EXEMPTION HAS BEEN REMOVED.
3 Removed Exemption for People Experiencing Homelessness: Before, people experiencing homelessness did not have to meet the ABAWD work requirements. This exemption has been removed.
4 Removed Exemption for People Formerly in Foster Care: Before, people that were age 24 or younger and were in foster care on their 18th birthday did not have to meet the ABAWD work requirements. This exemption has been removed.
"Yes, we should hope our approximately 1.3 million troops will be paid for working to keep our country safe." If my laptop hadn't been in my lap, I would have been rolling on the floor screaming. The military may be keeping us safe from outside invaders, but they're helpless against the termites gnawing at our foundations. I can't get that epic 1970 Pogo quote out of my head: "We have met the enemy and he is us." But let's style "us" two up and add periods: U.S.
Is Trump a sociopath or psychopath? Besides exhibiting anti-social, impulsive, and manipulative behavior, he also exhibits aggressive behavior. Which is an indication that he is a psychopath.
He, the apparatchiks in his regime, and his Republican politburu Congress, have essentially told the American people to eat cake and eat shit. Cruelty is their cause and sadism is their song.
Hence, I am on a mission from G_d to make them miserable and ruin their lives. By doing everything possible to ensure they are held legally accountable for their crimes against humanity and/or making it impossible for them find good jobs after the regime collapses.
“Sharon Parrott, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, calls the claim that the USDA cannot continue benefits after Nov. 1 “unequivocally false.”
A former Office of Management and Budget official, Parrott said in a statement, “In fact, the Administration is legally required to use contingency reserves—billions of dollars that Congress provided for use when SNAP funding is inadequate that remain available during the shutdown.”
May each added shovelful of toxic cruelty from Trump and the malevolent oligarchs who fund him, serve to ignite the rage of the mass of voters who were too apathetic to show up on our streets on No Kings Day.
L’etat c’est moi - remember that from your history class? That’s where we seem to be right now, as the Orange Buffoon bulldozes through our democratic institutions, including the non-actions of his submissive Congressional minions. In fact, those Congresspeople with the R after their names now resemble the French aristocracy during the reign of Louis le Roi. Who else is thinking “guillotine” in 2026?
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one having bloody fantasies. One of history's recurring lessons: When peaceful change is impossible, violence is almost inevitable.
This is happening in the richest country in the world. Performative cruelty as the main course, accompanied by a toxic side salad of despair and hunger. There are not really any words for how awful this regime is.
And it's hard not to notice that the richest individuals and corporations are fine with it. Or that we've been headed in this direction at least since the Reagan administration.
It's really awful that this country, being the richest in the world hasn't led the way in humanitarian policies. People before profit please. Should be a no brainer.
"No brainer" describes this administration accurately.
The corrupt and the venal: what a nasty brew. In my view the funders and bribers are as sociopathic as Trump. All of them, from their high towers sneer at the hapless and the poor. While Trump has a get out of jail free card, the others do not. I will jostle among the onlookers for a seat at the depraved ones’ trials.
For Whom the Outrages Toll. Let us not forget the Epstein Files, first. I mean we know a pedophile when we see one dodge, duck, shuck, and jive. For some reason we need the files. I rather think we do not, and we already know what is there. The outrages toll for you as a distraction. https://hotbuttons.substack.com/p/too-much-two-buckets-to-sanity?r=3m1bs
“Better the occasional faults of a government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a government frozen in the ice of its own indifference.” - FDR
🥶🤦
I wish it were so simple. We have a government that is now active in pursuit of its own malice.
Yes it’s not simple. Not with the level of sycophancy and complicity throughout the political and corporate world.
The GOP strategy here reminds me of the old National Lampoon cover with the revolver to a dog’s head “buy this magazine or we’ll shoot this dog”.
Should we not just ignore the mentally incapacitated clown while he does the watusi in Malaysia. The Heritage Foundation Cabal , Russell Vought, Brendan Carr and others are running the show. The republicans are just playing the nice guy blaming “Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the food stamp program" when In fact, the Administration is legally required to use contingency reserves—billions of dollars that Congress provided for use when SNAP funding is inadequate that remain available during the shutdown.” So is it not political football. Don't the Republicans have the money for funding SNAP but would rather not use it and make the democrats look bad?? Question: Do I have this right?? It appears that the democrats do not want to open up the government until they get an agreement regarding ACA.
Right
Thanks
The distortion of facts & truth being allowed to continue prevents any possibility of a level playing field. The NYTimes has recovered some of their truth but the continuous lies & acceptance of the republicans by so many; & Fox nonnews being permitted makes things seem hopeless. I protest with several groups weekly but it won’t be enough!!!
Al, I loved that you speculated The Convict dancing the watusi! Glad you perused his moves because I could not determine what the hell be thought he was doing!
I think the vision of America that's in the mind of Stephen Miller--the Cromwell to Trump's Henry--can be found in the photos of Walker Evans and Dorothea Lange, taken all over the country during the 1930s for the Farm Security Administration. People are clearly undernourished, or starving, suffering from pellagra, missing teeth, barefoot, living in shacks. Feed a fat cat, starve a child.
This is a bit off topic, but addresses food insecurity. This Halloween, those of us who are dispensing candy to Trick or Treaters might include (or make available) some shelf stable foods. Oatmeal packs, mac and cheese, fruit cups— little things that are lightweight but could help put a tiny dent into the possible hunger a child might face.
Not off topic at all. Thanks.
Also donate to food banks.
For distributing food here, the churches are organized by what are like districts called Community Ministries. The Ministries share when one area has a larger need. Despite that, for the first time in over 40 years some food banks had to close for lack of food. They did get replenished & re-opened, but it is expected to be a major struggle to remain open as costs increase and food supplies decrease.
Early this year when the feds cancelled about 40% of food /funding coming here re: USDA. Then the farmer contracts for produce, dairy etc. with food banks. Now stopping SNAP is adding to a huge problem.
I expect the emergency food drives to continue for the foreseeable future.
This is terrible! Do you have a link to donate?
♥️ Thank you so much. This is going to be a long ugly slog & it hits as winter closes in.
The most recommended is Dare to Care. (The Ministries are stretched thin handling volunteers & administrative details.)
Dare to Care has the ability to put resources where they are needed the most. It assists & coordinates across the Louisville Metro area which includes a couple small counties and some of southern Indiana. Mostly Louisville. https://daretocare.org/
Our governor signed onto the SNAP lawsuit. Even if they win it won’t be soon enough & after the shutdown the bill goes into effect which reduces SNAP benefits.
2300 Ford workers are scheduled for a ‘temporary’ model changeover layoff. We know UPS has shed employees. No public confirmation but as Amazon goes, so goes UPS. All of which means fewer donations here. And makes your kindness more important. 😊
I am so sorry about this. I hope the lawsuit succeeds. I just made a contribution. I'm happy to be on Dare to Care's mailing list and keep in touch. Lots of love from California.
Thank you!
The law requires the government to provide SNAP funding through contingency reserves but this regime wants people to go hungry should be broadcast regularly on Faux and every other mainstream media. I really like how Steven says these people have to be held accountable for their crimes in order for there to be healing in this country. I hope it happens and swiftly.
Hmmmm
Timothy Mellon donation
The Antideficiency Act: Legal experts have warned that accepting private funds for government operations could raise legal questions under the Antideficiency Act. This law restricts federal agencies from spending funds not appropriated by Congress and from accepting "voluntary services," or gifts, to cover budget shortfalls.
Undermining government oversight: Critics and legal experts argue that using private donations for government functions, regardless of intent, undermines the legislative process and congressional oversight of federal spending.
More…
A lawsuit he filed against an aircraft recovery group, which he helped fund, was dismissed. Mellon had claimed the group was hiding the wreckage of Amelia Earhart's plane.
His former companies have also faced legal issues.
One was convicted and fined in 2006 for covering up an oil spill, and another had its certification revoked in 2008 for falsifying financial records.
(I wonder if Mellon will need a Pardon)
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/28/us/politics/donald-trump-2024-campaign-timothy-mellon.html#:~:text=His%20companies%20were%20repeatedly%20accused,a%20railway%20long%20in%20neglect.
True and Trump is not known for his loyalty.
Apparently this below is true also …. But there are mixed inferences and denials that Timothy is directly involved.. but it’s more Quid Pro Quo incentive..?
Mellon Bank and Epstein files?
https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/timothy-mellon-linked-to-jeffrey-epstein-lawsuit-claims-resurface-amid-billionaires-130-million-donation-to-the-us-government-heres-bny-mellon-lawsuit-viral-shocking-claims-explained-anonymous-billionaire-mellon-family-fortune/amp_articleshow/124818223.cms
And
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2025/10/25/pentagon-military-donation-timothy-mellon/stories/202510250045
He can buy one if Trump doesn't give it to him.
"I look forward to the day when not only has Trump been removed from office, but also when he and others in his sociopathic regime are held accountable for their cruelty, corruption and criminality. Without this needed pursuit of justice, our beloved country will fail to repair itself."
Not only you, Steven. And this accountability must include significant personal and financial penalties. Even if the Extreme Court has given the orange monster immunity, that immunity does not extend to his subordinates. And the sooner they become aware of that fact, the better our country will be.
the posting the "government blaming dems for starving people.". needs a force response..billboards rolling semis.... and one question to the r's preferably caught off guard...if the BBB goes through as written what happens to health care & SNAP... they are so afraid to answer they won't even come back to DC because they will get caught on camera in hall ways being asked those questions by dems with a spine if no one else...those moments are a light in the darkness for me .. let's have more....here's a few points of what happens w/SNAP if the bill is signed as is ..
1 Exemptions for Parents with Kids Under Age 14 (was 18): Before, you didn't have to meet the ABAWD work requirement if you had a child under 18. Now, this exemption has been limited to parents with a child under age 14.
2!!!!!!!!!! REMOVED EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS: BEFORE, VETERANS DID NOT HAVE TO MEET THE ABAWD WORK REQUIREMENTS. THIS EXEMPTION HAS BEEN REMOVED.
3 Removed Exemption for People Experiencing Homelessness: Before, people experiencing homelessness did not have to meet the ABAWD work requirements. This exemption has been removed.
4 Removed Exemption for People Formerly in Foster Care: Before, people that were age 24 or younger and were in foster care on their 18th birthday did not have to meet the ABAWD work requirements. This exemption has been removed.
"Yes, we should hope our approximately 1.3 million troops will be paid for working to keep our country safe." If my laptop hadn't been in my lap, I would have been rolling on the floor screaming. The military may be keeping us safe from outside invaders, but they're helpless against the termites gnawing at our foundations. I can't get that epic 1970 Pogo quote out of my head: "We have met the enemy and he is us." But let's style "us" two up and add periods: U.S.
He needs to keep paying them to bomb fishing boats and try to overthrow governments in Latin America.
Using the National Guard to threaten Democratic-run states and cities is also a problem.
Stephen,
Is Trump a sociopath or psychopath? Besides exhibiting anti-social, impulsive, and manipulative behavior, he also exhibits aggressive behavior. Which is an indication that he is a psychopath.
He, the apparatchiks in his regime, and his Republican politburu Congress, have essentially told the American people to eat cake and eat shit. Cruelty is their cause and sadism is their song.
Hence, I am on a mission from G_d to make them miserable and ruin their lives. By doing everything possible to ensure they are held legally accountable for their crimes against humanity and/or making it impossible for them find good jobs after the regime collapses.
No "or" about it -- he could well be sociopathic *and* psychopathic.
I did not know this:
Excerpt from Steven’s essay:
“Sharon Parrott, president of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, calls the claim that the USDA cannot continue benefits after Nov. 1 “unequivocally false.”
A former Office of Management and Budget official, Parrott said in a statement, “In fact, the Administration is legally required to use contingency reserves—billions of dollars that Congress provided for use when SNAP funding is inadequate that remain available during the shutdown.”
//-
“legally required”
May each added shovelful of toxic cruelty from Trump and the malevolent oligarchs who fund him, serve to ignite the rage of the mass of voters who were too apathetic to show up on our streets on No Kings Day.
L’etat c’est moi - remember that from your history class? That’s where we seem to be right now, as the Orange Buffoon bulldozes through our democratic institutions, including the non-actions of his submissive Congressional minions. In fact, those Congresspeople with the R after their names now resemble the French aristocracy during the reign of Louis le Roi. Who else is thinking “guillotine” in 2026?
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one having bloody fantasies. One of history's recurring lessons: When peaceful change is impossible, violence is almost inevitable.
This is what concerns me most of all about the current situation.
I agree, James.
I'm wearing my guillotine earrings today. Off with his head!