1/11
Two lines tell you the story of the American economy right now. The first is the Dow Jones Industrial Average. It’s an index that measures the stock prices of 30 of America’s largest companies. #velshi
2/11
The other line isn't a graph. It’s this image of 6,000 cars at the North Texas Food Bank from @DallasNews. This week, the food bank distributed 600,000 lbs. of food, including 7,280 turkeys—enough for 25,000 people. That’s just one food bank, in one American city. #velshi
@dallasnews 3/11
Those two lines explain what Joe Biden calls the “K-shaped recovery” in America. The top line of the “K” is up and to the right, for the investor class. The bottom line is down and to the right, for the working class, the working poor and the unemployed. #velshi
@dallasnews 4/11
The poverty rate in America rose by nearly 2% this summer. That’s almost 7 million more Americans falling below the poverty line. The expiration of government assistant programs, such as the weekly $600 federal stimulus payment, likely contributed to the increase. #velshi
@dallasnews 5/11
In 2019, when the economy was much stronger, about 35 million Americans were food insecure, unsure whether they could afford their next meal. By the height of the COVID shutdowns, that number skyrocketed to somewhere in the neighborhood of 100 million Americans. #velshi
@dallasnews 6/11
America is the richest country in the world, yet almost a third of our people know or fear hunger. Millions face homelessness, and hundreds of thousands already live on the street. So why is the Senate stalling on a $2.2 TRILLION relief bill the House passed Oct 1st? #velshi
@dallasnews 7/11
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says the House’s HEROES Act is too large and has advocated for a smaller, more focused $500 million bill that doesn’t include direct aid to the American people. #velshi
@dallasnews 8/11
McConnell’s “skinny” bill would also indemnify companies that could otherwise face lawsuits if returning workers contract COVID. In other words, it’s a relief bill that provides no relief. #velshi
@dallasnews 9/11
There are times for political jockeying. There are times to worry about the national debt. There are times to argue about the effectiveness of government aid. This is not that time. Now is the time for us to understand that our fellow citizens are literally starving. #velshi
@dallasnews 10/11
As I have pointed out many times during the pandemic, we have seen the best of America during these dark days. Rarely has it come from the nation’s capital. But this one thing we cannot do without Washington and the Republican-controlled Senate. #velshi
@dallasnews 11/11
Senators have gone home already for Thanksgiving. Let’s hope they realize how many people will not be celebrating on Thursday because of their inaction. #velshi
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1/12
Thursday, Nov. 19, was the 157th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. At only 275 words, it’s widely considered one of the greatest political speeches ever given. In it, Lincoln emphasized healing our divided nation, while bringing equality to all citizens. #velshi
2/12
Just as memorable as the opening words—“Four score and seven years ago”—is Lincoln’s conclusion that a “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” #velshi
3/12
It used to be obvious what Lincoln meant: everyone gets to vote, and their votes create and empower the government. I don’t think I’m exaggerating to say that that idea has felt, recently, like it’s slipping away. #velshi
BREAKING: A federal judge has rejected the Pennsylvania Trump lawsuit in which Rudy Giuliani was involved. He has dismissed the suit.
US District Court Judge Matthew Brann said the Trump campaign asked him to “disenfranchise almost seven million voters” and said he could not find any case in which a plaintiff “has sought such a drastic remedy in the contest of an election.”
With such request, he said, one might expect compelling legal argument “and factual proof of rampant corruption.” Instead, he said, “this court has been presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations.”
1/7 During my special this morning on surviving the next wave of COVID, I shared a letter from comedian and MC @ThatEvanFowler in Atlanta, GA. He says the pandemic has left him “a single baby-step away from homelessness.”
@ThatEvanFowler 2/7
Evan writes, “Even if they hadn't cancelled all live events, I still would have had to go into long-term quarantine because I am the sole caretaker for my elderly mother. I am also immunocompromised due to a near-fatal bout with genetic pancreatitis a few years back.”
@ThatEvanFowler 3/7
“When they passed the CARES Act, I signed up immediately for assistance as a gig worker. The $600 expansion was a godsend. It kept the rent paid, let us buy groceries, and covered all of the bills.”
1/12
“Lead, follow or get out of the way.” The quote has been attributed to both philosopher Thomas Paine and General George S Patton. No matter the source, the meaning is clear: the status quo is unacceptable, and if you aren’t going to change it, stand aside. #velshi
2/12
That’s where we are with COVID: The United States is currently breaking coronavirus records we don’t want broken. Infection positivity rates continue to increase around the country as states like Texas and California reach more than a MILLION confirmed cases each. #velshi
3/12
We’ve firmly returned to 1000+ deaths a day. In fact, these days we’re losing a grandparent or a parent or a child, a cousin or an uncle, an aunt, a friend or a neighbor, EVERY MINUTE of the day. #velshi
You are entitled by law to cast your ballot free from intimidation. I’ll be in #Philadelphia all day/night. If you witness or hear of voting problems or intimidation, please contact me directly & we will investigate. Let no one stop you from voting.
We have teams across Pennsylvania & across America equipped to identify & report voting problems & intimidation. please contact me or any @NBCNews or @MSNBC reporter or producer. my DMs are open.
If you witness or learn of misinformation, disinformation or attempts at voter suppression on-line, or on social media, @NBCNews & @MSNBC have teams set up to investigate that, too. Send me screenshots of what you have. My DMs are open.
1/8 The USPS recommends mailing-in your ballots at least 7 days before Election Day. We are now 3 days out. If you haven’t mailed it in yet, it’s probably too late. It's now time for Plan B. #velshi
2/8 In more than 2 dozen states—including some crucial battlegrounds—your absentee ballot *must* be received on Election Day to be counted. The rules in each state vary, so check your local election website or go to Vote.org. #velshi
3/8 You can hand-deliver your completed absentee ballot to your local election clerk or a local drop box if available. #velshi