Politics
Jo Freeman: Protesting An Inaugural
Jo Freeman writes from Inauguration Day's protests: Protesting the inauguration of a President has become a tradition. While those who shouted "not my President" and other things as Donald Trump ascended to the highest office in the land clearly did not like him, most of them would have demonstrated had it been Hillary Clinton who took the oath. The inauguration is a soapbox because it attracts press looking for stories. This gives protesters an opportunity for a national voice for their issues that they usually don't have. more »
Protesting the Inaugural: The Day Before
Jo Freeman writes: The CodePinkers weren't anti-Trump so much as in favor of positions he opposes, and opposed to positions he favors. Several people wearing Trump scarves and red 'Make America Great Again' hats posed for photos with them. Knitted by women all over the country, CodePink has 5,000 to pass out. Inside each one is a little note identifying the maker. Mine was made by Pam in Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. more »
Update: Senate Hearings on Nominees for Cabinet Posts Continue; Senator Al Franken Spars With Rick Perry
EPA Administrator Confirmation Hearing, Part 1: Scott Pruitt testified before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on his nomination to be administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency in the Trump administration. Education Secretary Confirmation Hearing: Betsy DeVos testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on her nomination by President-elect Trump to become his secretary of education. Health and Human Services Secretary Confirmation Hearing Representative Tom Price (R-GA) testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on his nomination to be secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in the Trump administration. more »
Interstate Health Insurance: Sounds Good, But Details Are Tricky
On his campaign website, Trump proclaimed that, "by allowing full competition in this market, insurance costs will go down and consumer satisfaction will go up." He also touted the idea during the second presidential debate, and since the election, Vice President-elect Mike Pence has made the same argument. The implication is that federal law prevents insurers from selling policies across state lines. That isn’t the case. more »