In his ‘farewell speech‘ disgraced Representative and former Men’s Health cover model Aaron Schock said that his situation was a lot like Abe Lincoln’s. Except for the cheating on his mileage reports. And spending tens of thousands of dollars to decorate his office, Downton Abbey style. And being, in general, a big giant corrupt ass. But that aside yeah – they’re practically the same guy. (Politico, 3/26/15)
Ted Cruz Abandons His Principles to Save a Few Bucks
Ted Cruz wants people to believe that he has no choice but to sign up for Obamacare. But in reality, as this article details, he could forego an Obamacare exchange if he were willing to pay for the privilege. While Cruz may hate Obamacare, he loves money even more, apparently. (ThinkProgress, 03/25/2015)
Ted Cruz – Could He WIn? (um … no)
In an article guaranteed – and probably designed – to rile up its subscriber base, The New Yorker looks at how Ted Cruz is like Barack Obama, how a Cruz nomination could further transform the GOP, and how – just maybe – he could win. (Though their reasoning – in a general election, anything can happen – isn’t exactly impressive.) (The New Yorker, 3/24/2015)
How Much Will Keeping Troops in Afghanistan Cost?
You won’t find any mention of the cost in this New York Times article. The Pentagon frowns on discussing costs, and most of the mainstream media seems all too happy to go along. If you dig a little, you can get at least a rough estimate.
According to the Congressional Research Service, it costs roughly $3.9 million per troop per year in Afghanistan. Meaning that keeping 9,800 troops there for another year should run about $38 billion (and change). Now, I’m certainly not a highly trained journalist like the people working at the New York Times, but that seems like a pretty important fact.
What’s Ted Cruz’s worst idea? This could be it.
In announcing his candidacy at Liberty University, Cruz said, “imagine abolishing the IRS” – and its not the first time he’s called for eliminating the agency. While Ted Cruz is chock full of bad ideas, this might have emerged as the very worst of them (Washington Post)
Iran’s Hard-Liners – Better Behaved than GOP?
Iran’s usually vocal clerics and military commanders are heeding the call of the country’s supreme leader, who has largely supported the negotiations. (New York Times)
Donald Trump is a Ted Cruz birther
Trump on Cruz: “You’re supposed to be born in this country” (Salon.com)
The Politics Guys Blog
Here’s where Michael and Jay plan on posting various things throughout the week, many of which they probably won’t be able to fit in to the weekly podcast.
PG05: Meaningless Budgets, Mandatory Voting, Talking Race at Starbucks
This Week’s Stories
– The stingy, shortsighted, and essentially meaningless GOP budget plan.
– President Obama on mandatory voting (he’s for it).
– Starbucks attempt to get us to talk about race with our baristas.
– Mitch McConnell to the EPA: I hate you guys so much.
– The (not so high) rise and fall of Congressman Aaron Schock.
– The Obama / Magnum P. I. Connection.
Links
– How the Budget Process Works (in theory)
– If Everyone Voted, Not Much Would Change (The Monkey Cage)
– The Aaron Schock Workout (Men’s Health)
– Obamas not buying Magnum P.I. House (we refuse to believe this)
PG04: The Senate Writes to Iran, Hillary Hides Her Email, Progress in Ferguson?
This Week’s Stories
– The Senate GOP ‘open letter’ to Iran: secretly brilliant, or not-so-secretly moronic?
– Hillary Clinton to the media: I didn’t do anything wrong. Technically.
– Ferguson, Missouri: some positive developments, then a tragedy.
– Is climate change a belief system or scientific fact?
– “It’s never good to be drunk at work, especially if you are in the Secret Service.”
Links
– The Senate GOP’s open letter to Iran (with the Iranian Foreign Minister’s reply)
– Climate Change: It’s not a religion. It’s a scientific fact. (The New Republic)