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Eric's avatar

My husband worked at a car dealership owned by Bernie Moreno. Moreno would occasionally visit that dealership, flying in on a private jet to a regional airport that was further from the dealership than the major international airport was. Nothing second class for this Primadonna. If a chauffeur driving the most expensive car on the lot was not waiting on the tarmac when Bernie landed, there was hell to pay.

During the time that Bernie was on-site at the dealership, my husband's gaydar was on high alert. And not the "this guy's kinda hot" reading. Instead it was the creepy predator type of reading that sent shivers down his spine. He never interacted with Bernie directly, thankfully, but nothing about Bernie's private life would surprise me.

Wonne's avatar

As the stomach turns...you can't make this shit up. As I've always said. The ones who protest the loudest are usually guilty. These people are generally the scum of the earth and Moreno will find out that capitulating to tRump will inevitably end up in disaster. I can't believe that ANYONE would ever vote for any of them (hypocrisy is ALWAYS their MO). Repugnicans need to have their heads examined. The rout they deserve will be coming in a few months, fingers crossed!

Larry's avatar

Agree Wonne. Amazing that so many would vote for these narcissistic, self serving republicons.

donnab's avatar

Wonne, it seems that sexual deviance is a characteristic of Repukelikkkans. That, and greed, prejudice, homophobia, misogyny, and other derangements fit their personality profiles.

Lou Panico's avatar

It is very sad that the state that once gave us John Glenn now gives us scumbags like Bernie Moreno, Jon Husted and Jim Jordan. Not to mention J.D. Vance.

Pat's avatar

I’m leaning toward yes. Men sleeping with men should never be an issue but because Moreno screams that it’s wrong and a crime, he’s getting the ish he so richly deserves from another pos.

Catherine Lugg's avatar

Honestly, closeted pols are threat to us all. Yes, especially my Trans and Queer sisters and brothers. But they are so violent, paranoid, and mean, that ALL Americans are at risk. Out every last one of them, for the good of the nation.

Steve Villano's avatar

I LOVE your reporting & writing here, Michelangelo. Your work may be instrumental in flipping BOTH houses of Congress! Keep hitting hard!

Jan Pfuhl's avatar

Moreno, Husted, Jordan and Vance. All from the Welfare state of Ohio. I do have to admit 2024 was a good year for Ohio as they received a mere $0.75 on their Federal tax dollar. From 2014 thru 2023 however, their average was $1.42, which translated, in 2023 for example, into $79 B in subsidies. We should be asking these people why their state needed so much free money for those 9 years. Maybe 2024 was a turn around. Ohio was a pretty solid Donor state from 1981 thru 2005. At least right around 1 to 1 return on their dollar. Something happened around 2015. Ohio fell off the table. 2025 should tell us something.

Also involved in yesterdays attack on Dr. Fauci was Tommy Tuberville, from the notoriously dependent Welfare state of Alabama. I neglected to put Senator in front of his name. A state with no history whatsoever, dating back to 1981, of taking LESS federal spending than it pays in Federal taxes. A horrible Welfare state. In 2015, Alabama received a $1.94 on it's Federal tax dollar. 2016 and 2017, it was $2.00. 2018 it was $2.15. 2019 it's $2.14. 2020 it's $2.30. 2021 it's $2.18. 2022 it's $1.96. 2023 it's $2.12, and 2024 it's $2.18 again. Always right in there with Kentucky, West Virginia and Mississippi for the most heavily subsidized states in the country.

Tommy, why does your state always need so much of other peoples money? Can't you take care of yourselves?

Maybe Ohio has turned a corner. As I said, 2025 should tell us something, but a reasonable question to these guys from Ohio, as with Alabama, would be 'Why does your state need so much of other peoples money?' A good question for Rand Paul from Kentucky as well. Until 2024, Kentucky led the way as the most heavily subsidized state in the country, handing it's crown over to neighboring West Virginia in 2024.

Here's another question for all you sports fans. The SEC is flying high as an athletic conference. Football of course, but also basketball, baseball and others. Right now, easily the most successful conference in the country. The ACC isn't doing poorly either. My question would be, how much of that success is a result of all the federal tax subsidies that are redirected into SEC states every year? This is billions upon billions of dollars. Into states with very low state taxes, as the I guess they prefer to live off of the federal subsidies we provide every year with little, if any, complaint from us, in lieu of taxing themselves. I'm sure it's all just a big coincidence. Has anybody actually looked at where all this federal money we redirect, because they certainly aren't the ones making the money, their way each year goes?

Thanks

Larry's avatar

So much rational, common sense info here Jan; if only the people of our country were educated enough to be able to read and COMPREHEND it. The fact that these states are moving backwards in educating their young people (bc of lack of state funding for education) only adds to the “catch-22” effect. Red states are undereducated, unsuccessful, and vote for people who keep them that way (at blue states’ expense.)

Jan Pfuhl's avatar

Larry,

Thanks. Republicans repeat bullshit over aand over again until it becomes 'fact'. Democrats can repeat, if they choose to do so, facts until they become accepted as the actual facts they are. If we don't even speak up, we have no chance. Bullshit wins, as it has with a large part of the population.

States are not equal. Is there something taboo with saying that? A handful of states subsidize the vast majority, 82%, of the country on a regular basis, yet we seem to be SO reluctant to bring this up. Why? Socialism is presented as a threat to our existence, yet socialist redistribution of income has become so much a part of the national budget every year, no one seems to even notice. If they do, they seem afraid to bring it up and ask the questions surrounding it. Is there something preventing folks from pointing out that a state like Alabama, the state my mother grew up in, is a piece of shit? Or that the most diverse and 'woke' states are the most successful states? The way to start fighting back is to start talking about the truths, and likely in a very strident fashion in an attempt to gain attention, microphones and cameras. That's what seems to work.

Josh Hawley assaulted Dr. Fauci in those same hearings. From 2015 thru 2024 Missouri averaged $1.49 in government spending for every Federal tax dollar they paid. Hawley's state, s a bad Welfare state. We let him get away with the bullshit he threw at Dr. Fauci, when we should be asking Josh why his state requires so much of other peoples money year in and year out.

Hit these assholes where they live.

Larry's avatar

Totally agree Jan; we allow these hypocrites a bully pulpit (even when Drumpf says something outrageous, not one worthless reporter calls him out on it, which allows his bs to be accepted.) Hawley’s behavior (along with Paul’s and Moreno’s) towards Dr. Fauci was disgusting. The real “takers” are rural, red state dwellers; we need to share (and keep spreading the word) your factual info about the inequity of states.

Donna Kuhl's avatar

You have to ask WHY do these rich people want to be in politics? A multimillionaire is running for GOP governor in Massachusetts! Why? It never used to be like this. Speaks volumes.

donnab's avatar

There is a lot of money in it for the greedy, power hungry.

Joanb's avatar

Ohio deserves better!

Joan Fregapane's avatar

A man having consensual sex with other men is none of my business, but beating and terrorizing a wife and child ARE my business as a citizen of the earth. I would love to see Bernie put the heat to his former SIL and stop harassing dedicated public servants.

Jean BT's avatar

But when that same person becomes a powerful politician and supports anti-LGBTQ policies it sort of is our business, at least to call out the hypocrisy.

Larry Bushard's avatar

There is no bottom to the GOP soul!

Donna Kuhl's avatar

These people are vile.

Sakina's avatar

Basket of deplorables!

Antoinette Turner's avatar

So this is what our country has come to, immorality, cruelty, domestic violence and sexual perversion…Wow, Is this America 🇺🇸 ???

Eric's avatar

The Democrats are far from being glowing angels, but they are a drop in the ocean compared to MAGAts and Republicans. The cruelty is the point. The authoritarian dictatorship is just the bonus.

Brad Holroyd's avatar

It’s been 35 years since that original cover story of yours. Seems like not much has changed.