Thursday, April 20
As usual, there is no shortage of topics to discuss at the Politics Interest Group. The next meeting is Thursday, April 20, 3 p.m. at Stauffer’s Café and Pie Shoppe, 5600 S. 48th St.
Topics include:
1. “Repeal and replace" the Affordable Care Act (ACA) stalled in the House. It represents a defeat for Trump and Ryan so there is some incentive to try again. But one has to wonder how it will succeed? Will the hardcore Republicans in the House yield? Will the moderate Republicans in the House give in? Will Trump, not to mention Ryan, seek Democratic support that will mean abandoning the hard core? How the issue is resolved may have implications for the future success of the Trump legislative agenda.
This Gallup Poll reflects how public opinion currently aligns on the ACA.
http://www.gallup.com/opinion/polling-matters/208421/art-deal-healthcare-repeal-repair.aspx?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_content=morelink&utm_campaign=syndication
2. Neil Gorsuch has been approved, but the filibuster was lost in the process. Was it wise for Senate Democrats to filibuster the nomination, forcing the “nuclear” option? Should one oppose a nominee with outstanding legal credentials, but holds views that one strongly disagrees with?
While Gorsuch may simply restore the Court to the posture it had prior to Scalia’s death, the following selection reminds what is at stake.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/01/sunday-review/the-government-gorsuch-wants-to-undo.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share
For those progressives bemoaning the loss of the filibuster, consider this: Should the filibuster be abandoned all together, including on matters of public policy?
https://nyti.ms/2oD7pKo
3. Is Steve Bannon on the way out? If you were advising Trump, would you counsel that he is too valuable to lose or urge his exit.
Bannon philosophy was profiled on NPR last week. Here is a brief review from the NYT:
https://nyti.ms/2ojM2wW
4. Remember Pope Francis, who when asked about gay priests responded, “Who am I to judge them.” He is in the news again, this time leading the Catholic Church against anti-migrant policies pushed by right wing politicians here and in Europe. A majority of American Catholics voted for Trump in 2016. Is this a problem for the Church?
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/how-pope-francis-is-leading-the-catholic-church-against-anti-migrant-populism/2017/04/10/d3ca5832-1966-11e7-8598-9a99da559f9e_story.html
4. On the local front:
More lobbyists in the state Capital
http://journalstar.com/news/opinion/editorial/editorial-lobbying-money-keeps-growing/article_b5a3e926-0fa9-506f-8428-3b7709081515.html
Black Homicide Rate 4th largest
http://journalstar.com/news/local/911/nebraska-among-states-with-highest-black-homicide-rate-study-says/article_30420378-bb97-524f-89c1-36e8a5b57228.html
Tax Changes
http://journalstar.com/legislature/tax-cut-package-backed-by-ricketts-advances-to-full-legislature/article_2fa3855c-1813-5b5d-9bc5-e9e78d185c47.html
On-line Sales Tax
http://journalstar.com/legislature/online-sales-tax-bill-might-spark-first-veto/article_20b9c18d-5868-5a6a-9a3f-efd6acf2d15e.html