Once Recession-Proof, DC Feels the Pain From Federal Workforce Reductions

Source: Reason
by JD Tuccille

“The Washington, D.C. area has long had a reputation for being both wealthy and recession-proof, based on money forcibly extracted in the form of taxes from people living productive lives elsewhere in the United States. That may no longer be the case. Downsizing of the federal workforce concentrated in the DMV area—the District of Columbia and parts of Maryland and Virginia—has hit many residents hard, and some are considering leaving or have already done so. While it’s not nice to wish troubles on anybody, there’s nothing wrong with introducing government employees to the same risks and uncertainty that participants in the private sector face every day.” (09/28/26)

https://reason.com/2026/09/28/once-recession-proof-d-c-area-feels-pain-from-federal-workforce-reductions/

Thomas L. Knapp

The GOP’s 3-Step Scam: Break the Country, Blame Others, Then Claim Only They Can Fix It

Source: Common Dreams
by Thom Hartmann

“Two years ago, Michigan Republican Mike Rogers stood in a grocery store for an advertisement blaming Joe Biden for the price of eggs (without mentioning the bird flu that was jacking prices). This week he’s back in nearly the same folksy jacket telling voters that it’s time for Trump to end his illegal war against Iran so gas prices can come down. Rogers new ad leaves out, of course, the fact that he’d cheered for the war on the day it began in February, claiming Iran was an imminent threat to the United States (it wasn’t and isn’t), and hit multiple rightwing podcasts and media opportunities to demand Americans unite behind Trump in prosecuting the war.” (09/28/26)

https://www.commondreams.org/opinion/the-gop-s-3-step-scam

Steve Trinward

Sweden: Regime Faces Political Deadlock After Andersson Gives up Attempt to Form Government

Source: US News & World Report

“Attempts to form a new ⁠government ⁠in Sweden hit the buffers on Monday ⁠after Social Democrat leader Magdalena Andersson said she was unable to ​secure enough support, despite the centre-left bloc winning a narrow majority in this month’s election. … The speaker of Sweden’s parliament is now likely to ​turn to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to see if he can form a government. Kristersson’s Moderates are the next biggest party after the Social Democrats. … Andersson would likely get another shot at trying to form a government if any centre-right attempt fails. The speaker can put four candidates forward to parliament for approval, but if each is rejected, Sweden will hold a new election.” (09/28/26)

https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-09-28/swedish-opposition-leader-andersson-says-she-cannot-form-government-in-current-situation

Thomas L. Knapp

Rich Baris on The Scott Horton Show

Source: The Scott Horton Show

“Scott interviews Rich Baris about his new book and the broader political trends he’s uncovered through his work as a pollster. Baris shares some unique insights into the dramatic shifts happening on both the left and right—especially with younger Americans—that are going mostly unnoticed thanks to antiquated polling conventions.” (09/27/26)

https://scotthorton.org/interviews/9-25-26-rich-baris-on-the-most-under-appreciated-trends-in-american-politics/

Thomas L. Knapp

The Red Undertow in the Midterms

Source: Washington Monthly
by Charlie Cook

“People in a president’s party might be satisfied, complacent, a little disappointed, or deeply disillusioned, but they are rarely pumped up and energized, thinking, ‘I can’t wait to go vote.’ Conversely, people in the opposition party, particularly in this era of hyperpartisanship, hate anything the president is doing. They hate everything he might even think about doing. Everything. They want to relitigate the last election. They can’t wait to vote. And then you’ve got this little slice of pure independents, and I’m not talking about the 45 percent of all adults or the third of all registered voters who claim to be independents but consistently lean toward and vote for one party. I’m talking about the three to six percent who don’t lean toward either party and are legitimate independents. They tend to be very fickle.” (09/28/26)

https://washingtonmonthly.com/2026/09/28/the-red-undertow-in-the-midterms/

Thomas L. Knapp

Senate Republicans scrap early exit from Washington as midterm stakes soar

Source: Fox News

“It’s a calculation by Republicans to keep the Senate in session this week. Yes. The Senate was scheduled to meet anyway over the next few days. But the general consensus early last week was that the Senate would be done then, and those facing competitive races would be back home campaigning. Then Wednesday hit. Republicans wanted to stay in Washington. For a very specific reason. And many of them told Senate Majority Leader John Thune [R-SD] as much at their weekly luncheon. ‘Odds are we plan on being here next week,’ said Thune. One Senate aide compared the Senate’s schedule to a cat chasing a beam of light from a laser pointer. But the Senate is in fact meeting.” (09/28/26)

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/reporters-notebook-senate-republicans-scrap-early-exit-washington-midterm-stakes-soar

Steve Trinward