Thanks to those of you who have become Premium subscribers to The Warning podcast. One of the benefits of being a Premium subscriber is that you get to “ask me anything” (AMA). I recorded my first AMA session this week, and it’s now available for Premium podcast subscribers. Thank you to those who submitted questions. I wasn’t able to get to all of them, but I was able to respond to seven questions.
I’m not surprised that the MAGAts have chosen this path. Their hero and chosen god has never paid a bill in his life, leaving suppliers and employees destitute. Their attitude is “look how successful he is”. It doesn’t matter, someone else will pick up the check.
There is a large segment of the population that loves Mr. MAGAt simply because if they could get away with the lying, cheating and thievery that he has gotten away with, they would do it themselves.
We need Joe to channel LBJ and play as dirty politics against MAGA as they are playing against the country. They claim they want spending cuts, cut every penny going to their districts.
I like that there ha been some efforts but i’m thinking that most congresspeople can survive nicely without the paycheck. I didn’t read the whole article, but maybe it addresses benefits and pension and other things?
I suspect quite a few of them could not get by without it. Look at how many of them have rollaway beds and sleeper sofas in their offices because they can't afford DC rent.
My fear now is that our collective response to this insurrectionist movement is too little too late. We needed bold, forceful leadership and not this timid “Kumbaya” attempt to work with these damn insurrectionists.
I agree. For some reason the Democrats think there will be a time that we will return to “normal” and these crazies will disappear. It’s not going to happen. They must be made to disappear using laws on the books, new laws if necessary and public shaming. The MTGs and Bobos are beyond shame but some of their followers might be made to wake up.
The crazies will not disappear until we reenact the Fairness Doctrine (with new language for a new era) and get rid of the propaganda machines that churn out lies 24/7. We all know what shows I'm talking about.
I hear that. Still, I’ll never forget George W Bush’s horrible response to the 9-11 atrocity. This particular freak show however kept coming and coming and continues still. It was something we could hardly define let alone form a proper response. How do you respond to madness? We’re getting it now. It’s so much worse than we could have imagined. We learned. Our force on behalf of democracy and against accepting the debasement of our culture is on the move
I’m hoping that he’s got a big hammer ready and if it drops there will be hell to pay. If the repugnantkins inflict the kind of pain on Americans that we are projected to experience, there will be hell to pay! The choice is theirs, if it were me I wouldn’t be anywhere near the hammer zone. 🤷♂️
There will be no default. These events leading up to the edge of the cliff conclusion are a staged temper tantrum to further bludgeon the hearts and minds of a fearful, beleaguered american public. As you stated, the intent is purely political -kabuki theater to influence the 2024 vote.
There will be no default. And I will tell you why....
Because not only would it beggar the majority of americans, but it would suffer the coffers of the megarich, the corporations, the political donors - who are the ones truly in control - pulling the strings of the corrupt maga (maggot infested) leaders. It will be at the last (they hope - nail biting) moment. But there will be no default.
On the other hand, the megarich will certainly lose value in their holdings, but by no means will be poor. And just think how much easier the unwashed masses will be to control if jobs are lost, and savings & 401(k)s wiped out. I wouldn't count on the megarich to do anything to save the common man.
As TC wrote a little earlier in the week, if the stock market tanks, the wealthiest will swoop in and buy at a huge discount, it’s really in their interest for the market to crash.
It’s all about greed and the money and you’re right. A stock market crash or correction or whatever you want to call it will benefit the one percent and be a major disaster for older Americans with 401K retirement plans. Will the market recover in the long run, which means at least 10 years, the answer is most likely. But what about everyone who is 65 or older? What do they do for a decade with little or no income from their retirement investments? What about the millions living on fixed incomes and the working poor who lose their jobs? We have a potential crisis of unimaginable and dire consequences if this group of traitors and insurrectionists in Congress tank the economy which has been their plan along.
Yes, it absolutely would. Because the US dollar would plummet in value; Putin, along with China and India are starting the new BRICS currency, so destroying the US dollar will go a long way towards launching their currency, which will save Russia.
Yes, because as we've seen, they support Putin's agenda. Also, Ronna McDaniel was on Fox News last week, saying how a default would favor Republicans in the 2024 elections. So in their minds, it's a win win situation for them. They plan to absolutely spin it as a Biden failure, never mind that a default will wipe out the retirement funds, 401(k)s, and savings of all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. It's a power grab at ANY cost.
Hi Susan, a community member posted this "Hartman Report" newsletter yesterday. It is called "The Debt Ceiling is Just Two Santas...". Reading this gave me a good understanding of what is going on with the debt ceiling (not pretty) going back to the early 80', the GOP using a 'strategy' that was drummed up in 1974 because the Democrats were doing too well and looking too good in the eyes of the GOP. It helped me so much that I'm reposting it:
I read the article. It is another reminder of how much I don’t know. It so deflating and such a clever trap at the expense of the American middle class and at the expense of democracy itself. Biden must know all this so what will he decide to do?
Hi Susan, I don't think the vast majority of Americans understand this 'Two Santas' strategy, and the media doesn't report on it, as far as I know. I do, though, remember hearing about 'the debt ceiling' while Obama was president, and then he had to compromise on "Obamacare" (I figure, now having read this Hartmann Report.) Yes, Biden must know all of this. I figure he'll pull out the 14th amendment unless the Repugs cave in first, which is likely (?). Somebody else on this forum said they felt Biden should give a prime-time presidential address to the nation. I wish he would and that he'd expose the 'Two Santas'. I'm sorry for all of the people who are so stressed over this, on top of other hardships. Stinkin' GOP! Bring it Biden! I hope Steve will reveal 'The Two Santas" on The Warning, too. It is time for all to see.
Maybe there won't be a default, but the chaos and the constant need to attend to disasters boiling over isn't the way to success as an organism. The fact our Supreme Court is MAGA-nuts, too, is more than troubling.
I greatly fear “what comes next?” (after the default). And, I am infuriated that the MAGA party has cynically decided that a default is politically advantageous (in that they have calculated that voters will blame the President and Democrats more), and so saddened that they are most likely correct in that belief.
Yes, a number of J-6 insurrectionists are In the capital, IN congress. The sheer arrogance and malevolence of the MAGA members that have Kevin on a a short lease is staggering. MTG arrogantly buying McCarthy's used Chapstick for 100k to raise $ for the RNC while hard working Americans stand to lose their jobs and their benefits: what a sham; what a shame! We must educate the republic about what is going on and Vote these MAGA extremist threats to our Democracy OUT in 2024. Thanks.
Professional liar Ronna McDaniel was on Fox News the other day saying that the default would be good for Republicans in the 2024 election cycle. A power grab at ANY cost.
The media should start calling these MAGA Republicans, insurrectionists. That’s what they are. They are filthy Fifth Columnists inside our democratic elected government working every day to overthrow American democracy and replace it with a White Christian Nationalist dictatorship. That’s where this is all headed. Just like the NAZI Party in Germany in the 1920s and early 1930s they will take over without ever exceeding 40 percent of the vote in a national election.
The Republican Party is not a serious organization when lunatics such as Donald TRump Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene et al Get within a thousand miles of seat of influence. It deserves to be decimtaed in 2024 and beyond
Yesterday I was reading comments on Twitter from people desperate for their Social Security checks in June. They are so afraid. While I tend to believe this default will not happen, that MAGA is installing fear in the American people is an outrage. I would like to think that those voting Republican would not vote that way again, I have learned that they will.
I have no idea what Biden’s game plan is, but I wish it included a prime time address to the nation, explaining. We are hearing from McCarthy, continuously. I just want our President to offset that.
Biden and the geriatric Dems Club is not the strong, forceful, and charismatic leadership we need right now in this critical point in American history.
Biden is already becoming renowned as one of our greatest presidents, given what he's accomplished despite overwhelming challenges. As you know, he is a master of legislation and has more experience than anyone else...oh, and he saved our Democracy -no small thing! Nancy Pelosi was instrumental, too -respect our elders.
Where did you hear that nonsense? Not on Steve’s substack. Maybe a calm, measured leader to offset the house apes is exactly what we need now. Garland, Smith, Willis, are all setting up their end game in a measured careful way no doubt. And as for being strong? You’re not really strong until your old.
Steve, I disagree with one thing you said, specifically, “ There is no comparable event that has ever occurred when the nation’s elected officials have acted with absolute premeditation to cause cataclysmic damage to America’s prestige, standing and power.” Many of the folks who supported secession were elected or appointed officials, and they deliberately broke up the Union, albeit after having the decency to resign, first. Come to think of it, it would be great if we could convince the MAGAts to resign, en masse, within the next day or two. Then, the rest of the House of Representatives could vote to raise the debt ceiling. Of course, I’m being facetious, but I find it revolting in both senses of the word that elected officials would deliberately sabotage the United States.
Hello, A community member posted this "Hartman Report" newsletter yesterday. It is called "The Debt Ceiling is Just Two Santas...". Reading this gave me a good understanding of what is going on with the debt ceiling (not pretty) going back to the early 80', the GOP using a 'strategy' that was drummed up in 1974 because the Democrats were doing too well and looking too good in the eyes of the GOP. It helped me so much that I'm reposting it:
My dad was a staff sergeant in the Army-Air Corps stationed in Labrador during WWII. His unit is the one that predicted bad weather for June 5th. I know that he's turning in his grave watching this ignorant and morally-bankrupt MAGA group toy with America's future. Haven't any of them run a household? At the beginning of your adult life you probably have a car and possibly a payment. Then you might meet a life partner and buy a house. If you add children to the mix, you may upgrade to a larger house, another car, etc. You try to increase your income to cover all your debt but you probably incur a mortgage and car payments. America consists of many households. As our population swells the expenses go up so you try to increase your income (usually through tax revenue) to cover them. Cutting expenses is like telling the homeowner to stuff their 4 kids into one bedroom because they shouldn't take on a larger mortgage for a bigger house. Home Ec(onomics) is no longer taught in schools which was a great preparation for understanding the national budget.
Wouldn’t it behoove the MAGA congressional members to allow default and economic catastrophe so they could spin the narrative that the economy tanked under Biden? The masses don’t understand what is going on and they believe whatever they are told on FOX, talk radio and social media.
This would clear the path for the orange knight to ride in on the backs of his down trodden people to save the day.
I agree with @Susan Mackey that Biden needs to tell the story now.
The masses as you use the term are not dumb. I believe in them. Time will tell us what the masses believe. I also think the reported percentages of voters who are pro Trump are higher than the real number.
The degree to which a political party has plummeted into a bottomless ravine of absurd depravity and crass stupidity simply boggles every sense. We need to abruptly cease the charade of treating this group as credible to any degree, and simply laugh boisterously as the House Dems when Madge attempted to call them to order.
Hi Mia, there actually is a 'method to the madness' of the GOP and the debt-ceiling fiasco, which was strategized in 1974. Here's a link to the Hartman Report (someone posted this on this forum yesterday and it help me understand this predicament for the first time.) It is called, "The Debt Ceiling Is Just Two Santas In Drag":
Unfortunately it is now in another "Time of war" to save our Democracy that is not the least understood or believed.
Each and every citizen and youth of our next generation must unite and stand against the cancer that has been thrust upon us by Mr. Magat.
No amount of shouting from our rooftops must be spared! Warn, warn, warn of the coming disaster if the Republicans are not stopped in their tracks towards destruction by a vote in '24 giving the next Democratic President a super majority!
The MAGA extremists behind this are vatnicks promoting the interests of Russia. See vatniksoup.com compiled by the excellent Finnish researcher Pekka. Check out "Radicalized Pod" for a great interview with him. This isn't the first rodeo for the Russians. People in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, and Scandinavia have been experiencing this infiltration for years and many there are more savvy than we are here.
I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "maggots" dark money is funded by Putin. He has everything to gain with the US in chaos. Worst case scenario, the global economy would topple as well. All good for Putin who is currently struggling to survive. What is your opinion?
I’m not surprised that the MAGAts have chosen this path. Their hero and chosen god has never paid a bill in his life, leaving suppliers and employees destitute. Their attitude is “look how successful he is”. It doesn’t matter, someone else will pick up the check.
There is a large segment of the population that loves Mr. MAGAt simply because if they could get away with the lying, cheating and thievery that he has gotten away with, they would do it themselves.
We need Joe to channel LBJ and play as dirty politics against MAGA as they are playing against the country. They claim they want spending cuts, cut every penny going to their districts.
It is slash and burn the MAGAts time.
Bet if the first cut could be congressional salaries and lifetime benefits the debt limit would immediately be raised!
Yes. A bill was put forward to do that. https://www.govexec.com/management/2023/05/new-bill-no-pay-members-congress-if-theres-default-or-shutdown/386632/
I like that there ha been some efforts but i’m thinking that most congresspeople can survive nicely without the paycheck. I didn’t read the whole article, but maybe it addresses benefits and pension and other things?
I suspect quite a few of them could not get by without it. Look at how many of them have rollaway beds and sleeper sofas in their offices because they can't afford DC rent.
Do you have information on that?
https://www.npr.org/2020/05/13/852359650/pandemic-revives-calls-to-ban-lawmakers-from-bunking-in-their-offices
My fear now is that our collective response to this insurrectionist movement is too little too late. We needed bold, forceful leadership and not this timid “Kumbaya” attempt to work with these damn insurrectionists.
I agree. For some reason the Democrats think there will be a time that we will return to “normal” and these crazies will disappear. It’s not going to happen. They must be made to disappear using laws on the books, new laws if necessary and public shaming. The MTGs and Bobos are beyond shame but some of their followers might be made to wake up.
The crazies will not disappear until we reenact the Fairness Doctrine (with new language for a new era) and get rid of the propaganda machines that churn out lies 24/7. We all know what shows I'm talking about.
I hear that. Still, I’ll never forget George W Bush’s horrible response to the 9-11 atrocity. This particular freak show however kept coming and coming and continues still. It was something we could hardly define let alone form a proper response. How do you respond to madness? We’re getting it now. It’s so much worse than we could have imagined. We learned. Our force on behalf of democracy and against accepting the debasement of our culture is on the move
Hi Susan... I wish for the same thing, but I am no longer the cheerful optimist of my youth.
That’s okay. I have enough optimism for both of us. Optimism is more of a force than a choice.
I’m hoping that he’s got a big hammer ready and if it drops there will be hell to pay. If the repugnantkins inflict the kind of pain on Americans that we are projected to experience, there will be hell to pay! The choice is theirs, if it were me I wouldn’t be anywhere near the hammer zone. 🤷♂️
There will be no default. These events leading up to the edge of the cliff conclusion are a staged temper tantrum to further bludgeon the hearts and minds of a fearful, beleaguered american public. As you stated, the intent is purely political -kabuki theater to influence the 2024 vote.
There will be no default. And I will tell you why....
Because not only would it beggar the majority of americans, but it would suffer the coffers of the megarich, the corporations, the political donors - who are the ones truly in control - pulling the strings of the corrupt maga (maggot infested) leaders. It will be at the last (they hope - nail biting) moment. But there will be no default.
On the other hand, the megarich will certainly lose value in their holdings, but by no means will be poor. And just think how much easier the unwashed masses will be to control if jobs are lost, and savings & 401(k)s wiped out. I wouldn't count on the megarich to do anything to save the common man.
As TC wrote a little earlier in the week, if the stock market tanks, the wealthiest will swoop in and buy at a huge discount, it’s really in their interest for the market to crash.
They will short the market just before the crash and then buy the things they want afterwards.
🎯🎯🎯
It’s all about greed and the money and you’re right. A stock market crash or correction or whatever you want to call it will benefit the one percent and be a major disaster for older Americans with 401K retirement plans. Will the market recover in the long run, which means at least 10 years, the answer is most likely. But what about everyone who is 65 or older? What do they do for a decade with little or no income from their retirement investments? What about the millions living on fixed incomes and the working poor who lose their jobs? We have a potential crisis of unimaginable and dire consequences if this group of traitors and insurrectionists in Congress tank the economy which has been their plan along.
I hope you are right
Would a default benefit Putin?
Yes, it absolutely would. Because the US dollar would plummet in value; Putin, along with China and India are starting the new BRICS currency, so destroying the US dollar will go a long way towards launching their currency, which will save Russia.
Ok so the McCarthy led Republicans have something to actually gain by a default, they may think?
Yes, because as we've seen, they support Putin's agenda. Also, Ronna McDaniel was on Fox News last week, saying how a default would favor Republicans in the 2024 elections. So in their minds, it's a win win situation for them. They plan to absolutely spin it as a Biden failure, never mind that a default will wipe out the retirement funds, 401(k)s, and savings of all Americans, regardless of political affiliation. It's a power grab at ANY cost.
Hi Susan, a community member posted this "Hartman Report" newsletter yesterday. It is called "The Debt Ceiling is Just Two Santas...". Reading this gave me a good understanding of what is going on with the debt ceiling (not pretty) going back to the early 80', the GOP using a 'strategy' that was drummed up in 1974 because the Democrats were doing too well and looking too good in the eyes of the GOP. It helped me so much that I'm reposting it:
https://hartmannreport.com/p/the-debt-ceiling-is-just-two-santas
I read the article. It is another reminder of how much I don’t know. It so deflating and such a clever trap at the expense of the American middle class and at the expense of democracy itself. Biden must know all this so what will he decide to do?
Hi Susan, I don't think the vast majority of Americans understand this 'Two Santas' strategy, and the media doesn't report on it, as far as I know. I do, though, remember hearing about 'the debt ceiling' while Obama was president, and then he had to compromise on "Obamacare" (I figure, now having read this Hartmann Report.) Yes, Biden must know all of this. I figure he'll pull out the 14th amendment unless the Repugs cave in first, which is likely (?). Somebody else on this forum said they felt Biden should give a prime-time presidential address to the nation. I wish he would and that he'd expose the 'Two Santas'. I'm sorry for all of the people who are so stressed over this, on top of other hardships. Stinkin' GOP! Bring it Biden! I hope Steve will reveal 'The Two Santas" on The Warning, too. It is time for all to see.
Thank you, Lisa. I’ll read it now.
TRUTH!
Maybe there won't be a default, but the chaos and the constant need to attend to disasters boiling over isn't the way to success as an organism. The fact our Supreme Court is MAGA-nuts, too, is more than troubling.
I greatly fear “what comes next?” (after the default). And, I am infuriated that the MAGA party has cynically decided that a default is politically advantageous (in that they have calculated that voters will blame the President and Democrats more), and so saddened that they are most likely correct in that belief.
Yes, a number of J-6 insurrectionists are In the capital, IN congress. The sheer arrogance and malevolence of the MAGA members that have Kevin on a a short lease is staggering. MTG arrogantly buying McCarthy's used Chapstick for 100k to raise $ for the RNC while hard working Americans stand to lose their jobs and their benefits: what a sham; what a shame! We must educate the republic about what is going on and Vote these MAGA extremist threats to our Democracy OUT in 2024. Thanks.
Professional liar Ronna McDaniel was on Fox News the other day saying that the default would be good for Republicans in the 2024 election cycle. A power grab at ANY cost.
The media should start calling these MAGA Republicans, insurrectionists. That’s what they are. They are filthy Fifth Columnists inside our democratic elected government working every day to overthrow American democracy and replace it with a White Christian Nationalist dictatorship. That’s where this is all headed. Just like the NAZI Party in Germany in the 1920s and early 1930s they will take over without ever exceeding 40 percent of the vote in a national election.
It is fascism. The MAGAs are on the payroll of the mega rich such as Harland Crow.
We must not allow it and I for one will never rest until we do stop them!
Yes, let's call it like it IS! Why keep 'pretending' that we have a two-party system?!
The Republican Party is not a serious organization when lunatics such as Donald TRump Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene et al Get within a thousand miles of seat of influence. It deserves to be decimtaed in 2024 and beyond
Yesterday I was reading comments on Twitter from people desperate for their Social Security checks in June. They are so afraid. While I tend to believe this default will not happen, that MAGA is installing fear in the American people is an outrage. I would like to think that those voting Republican would not vote that way again, I have learned that they will.
I have no idea what Biden’s game plan is, but I wish it included a prime time address to the nation, explaining. We are hearing from McCarthy, continuously. I just want our President to offset that.
Yes, it is time for a prime-time address to the nation from President Biden!
Biden and the geriatric Dems Club is not the strong, forceful, and charismatic leadership we need right now in this critical point in American history.
How does your ageist rhetoric help us in this current crisis?
Biden is already becoming renowned as one of our greatest presidents, given what he's accomplished despite overwhelming challenges. As you know, he is a master of legislation and has more experience than anyone else...oh, and he saved our Democracy -no small thing! Nancy Pelosi was instrumental, too -respect our elders.
You took the very words out of my mouth.
Where did you hear that nonsense? Not on Steve’s substack. Maybe a calm, measured leader to offset the house apes is exactly what we need now. Garland, Smith, Willis, are all setting up their end game in a measured careful way no doubt. And as for being strong? You’re not really strong until your old.
Steve, I disagree with one thing you said, specifically, “ There is no comparable event that has ever occurred when the nation’s elected officials have acted with absolute premeditation to cause cataclysmic damage to America’s prestige, standing and power.” Many of the folks who supported secession were elected or appointed officials, and they deliberately broke up the Union, albeit after having the decency to resign, first. Come to think of it, it would be great if we could convince the MAGAts to resign, en masse, within the next day or two. Then, the rest of the House of Representatives could vote to raise the debt ceiling. Of course, I’m being facetious, but I find it revolting in both senses of the word that elected officials would deliberately sabotage the United States.
Hello, A community member posted this "Hartman Report" newsletter yesterday. It is called "The Debt Ceiling is Just Two Santas...". Reading this gave me a good understanding of what is going on with the debt ceiling (not pretty) going back to the early 80', the GOP using a 'strategy' that was drummed up in 1974 because the Democrats were doing too well and looking too good in the eyes of the GOP. It helped me so much that I'm reposting it:
https://hartmannreport.com/p/the-debt-ceiling-is-just-two-santas
Looks like McCarthy just ate a persimmon. Kev leaves a bad taste in my mouth too.
My dad was a staff sergeant in the Army-Air Corps stationed in Labrador during WWII. His unit is the one that predicted bad weather for June 5th. I know that he's turning in his grave watching this ignorant and morally-bankrupt MAGA group toy with America's future. Haven't any of them run a household? At the beginning of your adult life you probably have a car and possibly a payment. Then you might meet a life partner and buy a house. If you add children to the mix, you may upgrade to a larger house, another car, etc. You try to increase your income to cover all your debt but you probably incur a mortgage and car payments. America consists of many households. As our population swells the expenses go up so you try to increase your income (usually through tax revenue) to cover them. Cutting expenses is like telling the homeowner to stuff their 4 kids into one bedroom because they shouldn't take on a larger mortgage for a bigger house. Home Ec(onomics) is no longer taught in schools which was a great preparation for understanding the national budget.
Wouldn’t it behoove the MAGA congressional members to allow default and economic catastrophe so they could spin the narrative that the economy tanked under Biden? The masses don’t understand what is going on and they believe whatever they are told on FOX, talk radio and social media.
This would clear the path for the orange knight to ride in on the backs of his down trodden people to save the day.
I agree with @Susan Mackey that Biden needs to tell the story now.
The masses as you use the term are not dumb. I believe in them. Time will tell us what the masses believe. I also think the reported percentages of voters who are pro Trump are higher than the real number.
What an illustration of stark contrasts.
The degree to which a political party has plummeted into a bottomless ravine of absurd depravity and crass stupidity simply boggles every sense. We need to abruptly cease the charade of treating this group as credible to any degree, and simply laugh boisterously as the House Dems when Madge attempted to call them to order.
Hi Mia, there actually is a 'method to the madness' of the GOP and the debt-ceiling fiasco, which was strategized in 1974. Here's a link to the Hartman Report (someone posted this on this forum yesterday and it help me understand this predicament for the first time.) It is called, "The Debt Ceiling Is Just Two Santas In Drag":
https://hartmannreport.com/p/the-debt-ceiling-is-just-two-santas
Unfortunately it is now in another "Time of war" to save our Democracy that is not the least understood or believed.
Each and every citizen and youth of our next generation must unite and stand against the cancer that has been thrust upon us by Mr. Magat.
No amount of shouting from our rooftops must be spared! Warn, warn, warn of the coming disaster if the Republicans are not stopped in their tracks towards destruction by a vote in '24 giving the next Democratic President a super majority!
I loved your answer to the second question.
The MAGA extremists behind this are vatnicks promoting the interests of Russia. See vatniksoup.com compiled by the excellent Finnish researcher Pekka. Check out "Radicalized Pod" for a great interview with him. This isn't the first rodeo for the Russians. People in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, and Scandinavia have been experiencing this infiltration for years and many there are more savvy than we are here.
I wouldn't be surprised if some of the "maggots" dark money is funded by Putin. He has everything to gain with the US in chaos. Worst case scenario, the global economy would topple as well. All good for Putin who is currently struggling to survive. What is your opinion?