Salem-News.com Politics articles

President Dwight D. Eisenhower Warns of Military-Industrial Complex in Farewell Speech

Known as the "last great conservative Republican", Eisenhower gives advice to future generations.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jan 17, 1961

...In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

Climate Change is Happening -- the Time to Act is Now

Climate change denial is a self-interested political decision, not a scientific one.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Jose collectively represent the most hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean, in terms of strength and size, in recorded history.

The National Hurricane Center scientist Eric Blake pointed out the three hurricanes are threatened land at the same time. Again, that’s never happened before.

Portland Police Bureau to Rescind Gang Designations and Purge the Database

About 300 names currently on the list will be purged.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The Gang Designation Policy was implemented more than 20 years ago when gun and gang violence rates had escalated dramatically in the city.

Today, new processes and technologies allow police to investigate crimes in a manner that our community supports and that will not have the unintended consequences of potentially harming those who may need services and help the most.

Passing the Dream Act -- a long shot at best

Unless House Speaker Paul Ryan and Trump get behind the Dream Act, it probably won't pass now.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - Trump has decided to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) over six months unless Congress steps in with its own plan for these childhood arrivals.

If Trump has a "great love for DACA recipients," he would have called on Congress to pass the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act or Dream Act, and if it did, promise to sign it into law.

Pulling Out of the Paris Climate Accord:
The Great Prevaricator Strikes Again

22 Republicans who have received millions of dollars from the oil, gas and coal industries urged the President to withdraw from the agreement.

(SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.) - In pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord, Trump presented some false numbers – notably that the Accord would result in the loss of 2.7 million U.S. jobs by 2025.

This is inaccurate because Trump does not take into account normal job rate loss and creation, jobs shifting towards more "green" sectors, and the tangible benefits of cleaner air, water, and less risk of natural disasters along U.S. coastlines.

Anti-Science Trumps Climate Change

A physicist named William Happer is the leading candidate for science adviser to the president. He considers climate scientists “like a cult", and has likened climate science to Nazism and ISIS.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - True to form, President Trump has pulled the US out of the Paris accord on climate change, joining Syria and Nicaragua as the only non-participating states.

He got an earful from the Europeans at the just-concluded G-7 meeting in Italy, but the US stood aside as the other six countries committed to fully carrying out the Paris agreement.

Trump`s Proposed Tax Plan in a Nutshell

The Trump plan eliminates the $4,000 exemption for each person in a household.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - On the eve of the election, Trump promised to "massively cut taxes for the middle class, the forgotten people, the forgotten men and women of this country, who built our country."

During a town hall meeting on NBC's Today show, he was asked if he believed in raising taxes on the wealthy. Trump replied, "I do, I do --including myself. I do."

Lebanon`s Outlawing of Palestinian Civil Rights

Update on the fighting at Ein al-Hilwe Palestinian camp in Lebanon

(Ein el Helweh Camp, Saida, Lebanon) - It’s half a century overdue for Lebanon to grant Palestinian refugees, now the fourth post-Nakba generation, the most elementary civil rights to work and home ownership.

Both fundamental rights are mandated by international law and enjoyed by every refugee on our planet. Sauf Lebanon.

Trump, You Cannot Fool All the People All of the Time

Like it or not, his ardent supporters just don’t seem to care if this POTUS is truthful.

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Trump lies for the pure pleasure of it; he just can't help himself. Often his lies are difficult to fight, destructive in their effects, and almost impossible to correct if they resonate strongly enough with his true believers, which Trump’s mostly do.

His political incorrectness is what appeals to many of his supporters.

Brief Comment on Failed on GOP Health Care Proposal

If the AHCA had passed, 14 million more people would have become uninsured next year

(SAN FRANCISCO) - The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) or ObamaCare, was signed into law on March 23, 2010. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, 20 million people are newly insured as a result of the ACA.

Since passage of the ACA, it is estimated that the Republicans have unsuccessfully tried to repeal all or part of the ACA at least 60 times.