Tag: lies

Why mass deportations are costly and hurt the economy

The following article by Mark Humphery-Jenner was posted on the Conversation website February 27, 2017:

Charles Reed/U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement/AP

President Donald Trump has pledged to deport several million undocumented immigrants and recently set a plan in motion targeting those with criminal records (of any kind).

While the ethical issues with mass deportations have received lots of attention, the economics haven’t been explored as comprehensively. And the costs of mass deportations will likely be significant.

These include the impact on economic growth and the labor force, which have received some coverage, but there are several other factors that ought to be considered, such as the debts and dependents left behind by those deported and the costs of giving them the boot.

Undocumented immigrants and debt

To start with undocumented immigrants are able to amass debt in the U.S., and being deported makes it less likely they’ll honor it. This imposes risks on the financial system and on lenders in particular. Continue reading “Why mass deportations are costly and hurt the economy”

The Three Most Dangerous Trump Lies

The following article was posted on the TrumpAccountable.org website February 27, 2017:

President Trump at a news conference in the East Room of the White House on Feb. 16, 2017.

Donald Trump’s affiliation with the truth throughout his presidential campaign, and his career in business, has been called into question repeatedly. And a recent piece in the Huffington Post claims that Trump’s administration has reached the unenviable “100 lie” mark faster than any previous administration.

Most of the lies that Trump or his representatives have told are exaggerations or overstatements and many, like his repeated claims about inauguration crowd size or how much golf he plays, are not directly relevant to policy or decisions that have an impact on Americans. We could argue that ANY dishonesty from elected officials is important to explore and address – and minor exaggerations or boastful claims have brought down previous politicians. But three of President Trump’s lies are of particular concern because they indicate specific weaknesses or policy issues that are important for the country. Continue reading “The Three Most Dangerous Trump Lies”

Michael Flynn Scandal Shatters GOP Dream Of Protecting Trump In “Alternative Fact” Cocoon

The following article by Eric Boehlert was posted on the Media Matters website February 15, 2017:

With the White House facing perhaps the most serious political crisis of its young life, Kellyanne Conway was dispatched on Tuesday to spin as best she could the sudden forced resignation of President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Michael Flynn.

But the effort didn’t go well because Conway wasn’t really able to address even the most basic questions surrounding the Flynn controversy. And that inability came five days after The Washington Post first reported that Flynn “privately discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that country’s ambassador to the United States during the month before President Trump took office, contrary to public assertions by Trump officials,” including past statements by Vice President Mike Pence, and possibly in violation of U.S. law.  Continue reading “Michael Flynn Scandal Shatters GOP Dream Of Protecting Trump In “Alternative Fact” Cocoon”

A ‘Spicy’ Memoir: How To Lie With A Straight Face

The following article by Carl Hiaasen was posted on the National Memo website February 15, 2017:

Anonymously mass-mailed proposal for a blockbuster new book:

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Dear [fill in name of editor],

As you devour the explosive details of this book manuscript, you’ll understand why I need to withhold my identity at this time. Continue reading “A ‘Spicy’ Memoir: How To Lie With A Straight Face”

Trump’s TV Star Fades: He’s No Longer A Ratings Magnet

The following article by Eric Boehlert was posted on the Media Matters website February 10, 2017:

President Donald Trump might have been cheering the New England Patriots’ historic comeback on Super Bowl Sunday, but he couldn’t have been happy about his own contribution to the day. His sit-down interviewwith Bill O’Reilly, which aired during Fox’s pre-Super Bowl coverage, turned out to be something of a ratings dud. And for a president who obsesses over TV ratings and uses them to validate his own identity, the Sunday interview seemed to be the latest example of his fading personal appeal.  Continue reading “Trump’s TV Star Fades: He’s No Longer A Ratings Magnet”

Stephen Miller’s bushels of Pinocchios for false voter-fraud claims

The following Fact Checker article by Glenn Kessler was posted on the Washington Post website February 12, 2012:

White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images)

White House senior policy adviser Stephen Miller appeared on ABC’s “The Week” on Sunday, spouting a bunch of false talking points on alleged voter fraud. (He also repeated similar claims on other Sunday talk shows.) To his credit, host George Stephanopoulus repeatedly challenged Miller, noting that he had provided no evidence to support his claims. But Miller charged ahead, using the word “fact” three times in a vain effort to bolster his position.

Here’s a guide through the back and forth. Continue reading “Stephen Miller’s bushels of Pinocchios for false voter-fraud claims”

National security adviser Flynn discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador, despite denials, officials say

The following article by Greg Miller, Adam Entous and Ellen Nakashima was posted on the Washington Post website February 9, 2017:

National security adviser Michael Flynn privately discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that country’s ambassador to the United States during the month before President Trump took office, contrary to public assertions by Trump officials, current and former U.S. officials said. Continue reading “National security adviser Flynn discussed sanctions with Russian ambassador, despite denials, officials say”