Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond

East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact. A recent sampling:

The federal government’s spending authority ended late Tuesday, with a government shutdown likely, numerous media reported. Democrats frame the shutdown as their resistance to Republicans’ slashing the Affordable Care Act and cuts to Medicaid, used to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. 

Dems are asking for a permanent extension of ACA premium tax credits (which, if not extended, will increase premium payments more than 100% for the 24 million who buy their own health coverage) and they want an end to the president’s unconstitutional impounding of funds already appropriated by Congress. Republicans have said Dems’ desire for action on Affordable Care Act subsidies is a “nonstarter.”

The Lever recently described taxpayer-funded health care services on Capitol Hill: members of Congress can opt to pay $54 a month for services such as exams, medical consultations and lab tests.

President Donald Trump has been saying if there’s a government shutdown he will fire over 100,000 federal workers from programs that aren’t legally required to continue during a government shutdown. Typically, shutdown furloughs are not permanent, but Trump indicates his firings will be a Reduction In Force, particularly if positions are not consistent with the President’s priorities.

Unaffected by a shutdown: payment of Social Security benefits, veterans disability, Medicare and Medicaid benefits, and retirement benefits. Food assistance and WIC would continue, but would be at risk in an extended shutdown. Postal Service would continue, since it’s not funded by tax dollars.

Axios reported some federal workers support a shutdown, even though they stand to lose pay. An NIH employee summarized: it’s important to stand up to “the biggest crisis in government in our lifetime, and the only way out of that is for Congress to stand up and reassert its power.” 

But others oppose a shutdown in light of uncertainty they would be paid later if they work during a shutdown, and Trump’s threat of permanent mass firings if there is a shutdown.

Regarding budget issues, Bloomberg reports that Trump wants to “bail out” Argentina with $20 billion, due to their leader’s like-minded efforts to Make Argentina Great Again.

Trump’s new 20-point Gaza Peace Plan has drawn enthusiasts and critics. The plan calls for a temporary governing committee headed by Trump and Britain’s Tony Blair. Palestinian technocrats would oversee civilian affairs, and power would later go to a “reformed” Palestinian Authority. Critics said there are loopholes that would permit Israel to resume genocide.

This week Trump proposed using American cities as training grounds for the armed forces: Associated Press.

Trump announced new tariffs of 100% on pharmaceuticals, 50% on kitchen and bathroom cabinets, 30% on upholstered furniture and 25% on “Big!” trucks beginning Oct. 1. On social media he said the tariffs were necessary for “National Security and other reasons.”

Tariff revenue was $29 billion in July, and over a year that could be $350 billion. But, The New Republic says, “that pales in comparison to the nearly $3 trillion generated by income taxes” -- which could be compromised by lay-offs related to higher prices from tariffs.

Trump’s DOJ wants corporations to identify state laws that “burden” industry, such as a pro-tech think tank that wants a ban on state-level regulation on data privacy, AI and children’s online safety, all to decrease “costs and confusion.” Also on the chopping block are state anti-monopoly laws, restrictions on corporate practice of medicine, and minimum and fair wage requirements: The Lever.

An indictment was recently brought against former FBI director James Comey. Other career prosecutors had not found a solid case against Comey, Mother Jones reported. The indictment is “brief” and “unusually vague,” and alleges that in a 2020 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Comey made false statements. Comey said he has “great confidence in the federal judicial system and I’m innocent.”

Headlines, for brevity: Portlanders take to the streets as Trump administration mobilizes National Guard, state sues to block troops; Federal cops ‘instigating’ confrontations, Portland official says [the police bureau assistant chief said that was occurring outside ICE building in South Portland -- the mayor wants an investigation]; DOJ sues six states for private voter data, voting rolls [the “abnormal request” is opposed by both parties]; D.C. Circuit Court disbars Trump lawyer behind fake elector plot; Trump says he now believes Ukraine can win back all territory lost to Russia with NATO's help, and, CDC dramatically scales back program that tracks food poisoning infections.

Trump made a noticeable impact at the recent 80th anniversary of the United Nations, including a claim he’s been “right about everything.” Perhaps the highlight of his talk: “I’m really good at this stuff. Your countries are going to hell.” A foreign journalist said “A senior foreign diplomat posted at the U.N. texts me, ‘This man is stark, raving mad. Do Americans not see how embarrassing this is?’”

Blast from the past: "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain, American author, 1835-1910.