Lady Liberty Crying

I do not consider myself a conspiracy theorist but I find something missing when watching news reports of the phone calls national security advisor, Michael Flynn, made to the Russian Ambassador. Flynn is the second Trump official that is chummy with the Russians. If you recall, Paul Manafort, who was a lobbyist for Russia was Trump’s campaign manager and had to resign over suspicious activities with his involvement with the Russian government.

Both VP Pence and Trump indicate they had no idea Flynn held a discussion on the sanctions with the Russian ambassador. Flynn himself, at first denied that sanctions were discussed with the ambassador. But phone surveillance indicates otherwise. It’s difficult to believe that Flynn made several phone calls to the Russian ambassador on the same day Mr. Obama, issued further sanctions on Russia without a specific purpose. Flynn stated the phone calls were simply to set up a time for additional phone conversations in the future. I’m not buying that crap. The ties to the Russian government are too frequent and commonplace within the Trump administration. I believe Donald Trump and others in the administration instructed Flynn to tell the Russian Ambassador, sanctions would be reduced or lifted after Trump took office.

I also believe Donald Trump is corrupt and so is his administration. What is most discerning about the situation is that no one in Congress is taking any actions to investigate Trump, Flynn and others in the administration. If this was Hillary Clinton, the Congressional oversight committee would have been meeting from inauguration day.

This is why Democrats, independents and willing Republicans, need to resist. We need to show up at town hall meetings and every event where a Trump administration official is speaking, especially Trump himself.. We should protest selected cabinet officials mainly focusing on Education Secretary, Betsy DeVos. DeVos bought her way into the cabinet position by donating millions of dollars to Republicans, including too most of the Republican Senators currently serving in Congress. Florida Sen. Marco “The Con Rubio ,” received $100,000 from her. If these circumstances do not anger everyone reading this and stir their emotions, then I cannot think of anything that will.  The home page of the Randolph Review includes a tab for, Resist Trump. Click on this tab and you will find numerous articles regarding how to resist Trump.

Lastly, please notify our Facebook page if your Indivisible group is not listed on our state listing. And if you do not have a website, it will be extremely difficult if not impossible to communicate your message to others. If you need help, let us know and we will provide assistance. We are volunteers and willing to expend all of our energy to beat the current tyranny occurring in our democracy.

R.J. Intindola

Florida Governor- Rick Scott’s Record

If you pay much attention to Florida Gov., Rick Scott you probably know that the vast majority of his campaign promises have not been fulfilled. And according to various sources who study political issues, it is unlikely that most of his promises will not come to fruition.

According to the Tampa Bay times, 96% of the jobs Rick Scott promised have not been created. In a December, 2013 article, the Tampa Bay Times reported that, “The jobs outlook isn’t better in Tampa Bay, where Scott inked deals to create 7,251 jobs in exchange for $39 million in tax breaks. Jobs created to date: 462”. This is a sad commentary for those people who relied upon Scott’s promises.

Oddly, his current campaign literature and advertisements are littered with his excellent job creation record which at best, is deceitful. As a result of his efforts, few jobs in Florida have been created.

Tricky Ricky

Fact Checking Scott

If you research the various fact checking organizations, the results indicate that Florida Gov. Rick Scott, does not tell the truth approximately 60% of the time. The only other Republican candidate that came close to the 60% figure was presidential candidate, Mitt Romney.  The question one could ask is how you respect someone who can’t tell the truth. Someone who is not honest with the very people they serve. On the other hand, his opponent, Charlie Crist, Scott’s opponent has been truthful slightly over 80% of the time. Furthermore, Gov. Scott has flip-flopped on various issues, including Medicaid expansion pertaining to the Affordable Care Act.

Scott on the Affordable Care Act

Prior to even taking office, Rick Scott constantly criticized the Affordable Care Act. When he had the authority to opt out of Medicaid expansion, Scott left 1.3 million Floridians without any medical coverage. He wrongfully stated it would cost the state nearly $26 billion over the next decade and was repeatedly called to task by various fact checking and research study organizations. He later admitted after being confronted with the facts, that the real number was only 5 billion over the same time frame. More than any other politician, he has been repeatedly called out for misstatements and utilizing incorrect statistics and other information.

The article published by Think Progress http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/04/09/3424629/florida-medicaid-charlene dill/on April 9, 2014, presents a chilling story of the devastation created by Gov. Scott for not expanding Medicaid. I have culled a few of the more significant facts below taken from the article and other sources.

Florida has one of the highest number of people uninsured for medical coverage.

Nearly 1.3 million Floridians could not receive Medicaid because Gov. Rick Scott chose not to initially participate.

There are several documented cases of Florida residents dying because of Rick Scott’s decision. One case followed by the press, including the article noted above, by Think Progress involves Charlene Dill.  Dill, was a single mother of three and died in a stranger’s house trying to sell a vacuum cleaner. She had a documented heart condition for many years but was unable to receive regular medical care. With the creation of the Affordable Care Act, she hoped to receive regular treatments to stabilize her condition. She was caught in the vacuum when Gov. Rick Scott declined to accept the Medicaid expansion in the State of Florida. Her death could have been prevented had she received medical coverage under the law. Her family, friends and other people blame the governor for her death. She had three part-time jobs and barely made $9000 a year. Kathleen Voss Woolrich, Dill’s, best friend would use fundraising sites to help pay for her medication. But in the end, she used the same fundraising sites to pay for her funeral.

Until Rick Scott reversed his initial decision, approximately 300 people died each year for not having Medicaid coverage.  Until Scott changed his mind feeling the political pressure and the loss of support from hospitals and other constituents, approximately 600 people died in Florida needlessly for lack of Medicaid coverage.

V2 Cigs -stop smoking, but still smoke without all the poisons.

Republicans typically state the The Affordable Care Act is a job killer. Their job killer claims is the most significant reason for eliminating the law.

We have culled the internet and provide a list of statements by non-partisan sources. In each case we provide a link to the source.

From: cnn.com

As of 2010, 97% of small businesses had fewer than 50 employees, according to the U.S. Census. That means Obamacare’s employer mandate applies only to 3% of America’s small businesses. Of companies with more than 50 workers, 96% already offer health plans, government data shows.

The ADP jobs survey — one of the largest surveys of private employers — shows that small businesses are still hiring strong.

“There is little evidence that fiscal austerity and Health Care Reform have had a significant impact on the job market,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics and a collaborator on the ADP report, in a press release with the August survey.

The case for hurting job growth: Uncertainty was the big reason economists gave for why employers might not be hiring — uncertainty over how much it’s going to cost to insure additional workers, and how much health care premiums for existing employees might go up. LINK

Center For Economic And Policy

This report may be long but well worth the read

Is the Affordable Care Act a Hidden Jobs Killer?

Opponents of the ACA have labeled the health care bill a “jobs killer.” It is unlikely,
 however, that the bill could have much impact on employment except among the relatively
 small number of firms that are near the 50-worker cutoff.  In a post for the 
Roosevelt Institute's Econobytes, economists Helene Jorgensen and Dean Baker respond
 to the claim that firms will reduce the number of hours per week that employees work
 to below thirty so that they fall under the cutoff, thereby incurring a penalty 
under the ACA:

4-22-2013                                                                                                                                                                               

On this page you will find the most comprehensive listing of links and other information, on the internet related to the investigation.

8-15-2011: miaminewtimes.com- NCAA to Investigate Claims That Miami Hurricanes Players Took Cash From Convicted Ponzi Schemer

8-16-2011: sports.yahoo.com- Renegade Miami booster spells out illicit benefits to payers- Investigations- Yahoo Sports

8-16-2011: Who is Nevin Shapiro?

8-16-2011: sports.yahoo.com- Why Miami is in trouble –– Yahoo sports makes many assertions that turn out to be incorrect two years later.

8-16-2011: sbnation.com- Miami scandal: NCAA reportedly ready to begin the end

8-16-2011: belacherreport.com-Miami Football Scandal: Are We Really Surprised by Another NCAA Controversy?

8-17-2011: rivals.com- Luther Campbell speaks his mine on Rivals Radio

8-17-2011: npr.org- ‘Straight Up Revenge’ Drives University Of Miami Booster

8-17-2011: sbnation.com- Hurricanes And Hookers And Jet Skis: Miami Football, Stranded On Death Row

8-19-2011: theweek.com- U. of Miami’s ‘booster bombshell’: ‘The craziest scandal in NCAA history’

6-14-2012: cbsSports.com- Report: Miami not expecting NCAA ruling until after National Signing Day 2013

7-19-2012: miamihearld.com- Miami Hurricanes dismiss safety Ray-Ray Armstrong

9-21-2012: cbsSports- Exclusive: Ex-employee details how Hurricanes program unraveled in scandal

11-8-2012: miamihearld.com- Self-imposed postseason ban could help Miami Hurricanes in the long run

11-21-2012: bleacherrport.com- Miami Hurricanes: Reasoning of NCAA Ultimatum to Former Players Unclear

11-21-2012: miamihearld.com Miami Hurricanes associate AD for compliance David Reed leaving to take same position with Kansas Jayhawks

11-21-2012: sun-sentinel.com- NCAA scare tactic’ causes stir as UM investigation nears end

1-23-2013: deadspin.com- NCAA had Nevin Shapiro’s Defense Attorney On Its Payroll, Suspends Miami Investigation

1-24-2013: miamihearld.com- NCAA investigation of University of Miami is flagged

1-25-2013: miamihearld.com- NCAA investigation of Miami Hurricanes likely to continue

1-31-2013: miamihearld.com- Miami law firm sued in UM booster Nevin Shapiro’s bankruptcy case for ‘aiding’ his Ponzi scheme

2-5-2013: randolphreview.com- Bullying tactics by the NCAA

2-5-2013: cbsSports.com- NCAA V.P. approved payment to attorney of Miami booster

2-15-2013- cbssports.com- Shapiro’s Miami middleman: No contact from NCAA

2-18-2013: deadspin.com The NCAA has A Lack of Institutional Control

2-19-2013: espn.go.com- NCAA admits missteps in Miami case

2-21-2013: miamihearld.com- NCAA allegations against current, former Miami Hurricanes surface

2-21-2013: miamihearld.com- NCAA drops the ball in UM investigation

2-23-2013: cbsSports.com- NCAA investigating enforcement after misconduct in Miami case

2-23-2013: wbur.org- Mayhem In Miami: NCAA Investigation Update

3-27-2013: sportingnews.com- Miami alleges NCAA engaged in unethical conduct during investigation

3-28-2013: deadspin.com- The NCAA’s Miami Investigation Didn’t Actually Stop Using Unethical Methods When It Claimed It Did

3-29-2013: cbsSports.com Miami to file motion to dismiss Nevin Shapiro infractions case

3-30-2013: cbsSports.com Mark Emmert: Miami investigation ‘very mishandled by staff’

4-4-2013: si.com- University of Miami asks for ‘corrupted’ NCAA investigation to end

4-4-2013: miamihearld.com- Fired investigator says NCAA was unhappy about progress on Miami Hurricanes case

4-5-2013: randolphreview.com- Who Should be Under Investigation? The NCAA

4-6-2013: miamihearld.com- University of Miami wants Kyle Wright interview tossed from NCAA investigation

4-9-2013: cbsSports.com- Recruit on Miami Investigation: ‘There’s No Way Miami Will Lose This’

4-11-2013: sportsoverdose.com- Miami Hurricane NCAA Scandal

4-12-2013: miamihearld.com- AP Source: NCAA dropping some Wright testimony

4-14-2013- miamihearld.com NCAA lashes back at Miami, citing personal attacks

4-15-2013: miamiherald.com- NCAA enforcement staff says University of Miami’s motion to dismiss ‘meritless’

4-22-2013: miamihearld.com- Miami Hurricanes claim more unethical behavior by NCAA

5-02-13:-  bloomberg.com- The Lawsuit That Could Bring Down the NCAA

5-06-2013: cbslocal.com- Report: Mizzou Head Coach Haith Files Court Petition Against NCAA

6-5-2013:  MIAMI (CBSMiami) – University of Missouri head basketball coach Frank Haith has opened up a new front against the NCAA’s case surrounding allegations made by convicted Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro against the University of Miami.

According to CBSSports.com-  Haith filed a court petition to find out how detailed bank records of his were accessed during the NCAA’s investigation of Shapiro’s allegations. Haith’s legal team wants to know if the records were improperly, or illegally, obtained. MORE

6-13-213: ctpost.com- NCAA opens hearing on U of Miami violations

9-24-2013: Greg Cote: UM helpless in NCAA’s crosshairs

!0-1-2013: Why the University of Miami Should Not Receive any More Penalities

R.J. Intindola

2-5-2013

Depending on how you view the situation, the current NCAA investigation of allegations against the University of Miami has impacted three recruiting classes. In November 2012, we reported between 8 to 17 players chose other schools over the University of Miami due to impending sanctions. We can now more accurately state that between 11 to 18 players made decisions to attend schools other than Miami due to pending sanctions. Coaches tell us the cloud hanging over Miami is constantly used aganist them by other schools. FSU’s Jimbo Fisher is specifically mentioned as one who points out the NCAA investigation to recruits considering Miami.
On January 23, 2013, the New York Times and other media reported that Mark Emmert, the N.C.A.A.’s president, referred to the conduct of his investigators as, “shocking” and “stunning,” in regards to their handling of the Miami investigation. According to Emmert, the NCAA violated their own rules during the Miami investigation.
The investigation centered around Nevin Shapiro, a one-time Miami booster and convicted Ponzi schemer who received a 20 year prison sentence. Shapiro indicated that he gave cash, gifts and provided benefits to several University of Miami players. A few months ago the NCAA received invoices for legal services provided by the criminal defense attorney representing Shapiro. Hiring the attorney had not been approved and Everett noted investigative staff members obtained information from a bankruptcy proceeding that otherwise the NCAA  would not have had access.
But this is not the first time that the NCAA’s tactics have been called into question. According to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Frederick Shaller, the USC investigation was “malicious.” USC assistant coach, Todd McNair was accused of wrongdoing and subsequently sued the NCAA for loss of wages and future employment opportunities. The judge agreed the investigation was over the top and that the NCAA relied on inaccurate information to attack McNair. The NCAA is appealing the judge’s decision in this case.
Several weeks ago, the NCAA threatened the University of Miami that if ex-players who are no longer with the program do not cooperate with their investigation, they would consider all of the allegations voiced by Shapiro against them as being accurate. Because they have no subpoena power, they were attempting to bully the University. They went out of their way to intimidate and condemn USC and it appears they are going to extraordinary means, even if they are unethical to hammer the University of Miami.
In our opinion, Miami has already placed more sanctions on themselves, including the loss of potential recruits than the indiscretions would warrant. Since they have already lost numerous quality players to other programs, the NCAA should just move on.

Links:

Randolphreview

nytimes

foxsports

Charles Arnold  and

R.J. Intindola

Under this heading, there will be a series of reports pertaining the current dysfunctional state of the United States government. a considerable portion of our writings, assumptions and conclusions are borne from from the writings of Thomas E Mann and Norman J Ornstein. They are the authors of the best-selling book, “It’s even worse than it looks.” Additionally, we searched the Internet to obtain other relevant data regarding the dysfunctionality of the government.We encourage you to purchase the book and to make comments. If you are interested in having an article on this or any other subject published on the site, please feel free to contact us.

If you have ever read the work of Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein, you most likely understand they are two of the best nonpartisan political writers of our day. Dan Rather noted the following in a recent article published by the Huffington Post; “Both Ornstein and Mann, self-described independents, are well respected in their field and frequently sought out for their observations on politics and Congress. In their four decades watch-dogging D.C. politics, they’ve been critical to both sides of the political aisle, yet they have never been accused of being unfair.” Dan Rather

The Senate voted on a resolution to create an eighteen-member deficit reduction task force on January 26, 2010. Kent Conrad, a Democrat from North Dakota and Judd Gregg, a Republican from New Hampshire co-authored the resolution. John McCain cosponsored the bill and Mitch McConnell supported the resolution, making the following public statement a few months earlier.

We must address the issue of entitlement spending now before it is too late. As I have said many times before, the best way to address the crisis is the Conrad-Gregg proposal, which would provide an expedited pathway for fixing these profound long-term challenges. This plan would force us to get debt and spending under control. The administration has expressed a desire to take up entitlement reform, and given the debt that it’s budget would run up, the need to reform has never been greater. So I urge the administration to support the Conrad-Gregg proposal. This proposal is our best hope for addressing the out-of-control spending and debt levels that are threatening our nation’s fiscal future.

Then President Obama came out in support of the resolution. Although 53 senators supported the resolution, it died with a Republican filibuster. And you probably guessed it by now. The Republicans did not want to give the president any political notoriety and as a result, John McCain, and six other Republican cosponsors voted against the resolution. That’s correct, they killed the resolution that many Republicans cosponsored. Mann and Orenstein note that the bill was killed, “because  President  Barack Obama was for it.” (1)

More to come

1.Thomas E Mann and Norman J Ornstein; “It’s even worse than it looks.”