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CBS Poll Shows 58 Percent Of Democrats View Socialism Positively Over Capitalism
A new CBS News/YouGov poll finds that 58 percent of Democrat respondents hold a positive view of socialism while 18 percent view it negatively. By comparison, 32 percent of Democrats view capitalism positively, and 50 percent view it negatively. Among Democrats with college degrees, the favorable view of socialism rises to 71 percent. Overall, Americans view capitalism more positively than socialism, with 46 percent viewing capitalism positively and 35 percent viewing socialism positively. Two-thirds of all respondents consider the free market system good for the U.S. economy. The poll of more than 2,200 adults was conducted August 12-14 and carries a margin of error of about plus or minus 2.6 percentage points. Sen. John Fetterman criticized the findings among Democrats as lunacy while affirming support for free-market capitalism.
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GOP Bills Would Tie Debt Ceiling Hikes To Equal Spending Cuts
Republican lawmakers introduced bills requiring any increase or suspension of the debt limit to be matched by equal or greater spending cuts. The Dollar-for-Dollar Deficit Reduction Act, sponsored by Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) and Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL), would enforce the requirement through a congressional point of order over the current year and the following 10 years. The national debt stands near $39.9 trillion against a $41.1 trillion ceiling. Fitch Ratings projects the government will hit the limit around mid-2027. The measure bars certain accounting methods that count unrealized savings and requires a Congressional Budget Office score to be posted publicly for 24 hours before any vote. The National Taxpayers Union supports the legislation. Neither bill has Democrat cosponsors, and both remain in committee.
Homeland Security Investigated Minnesota Labor Unions In Antifa Probe
Department of Homeland Security investigators examined Minnesota labor unions as part of a probe into Antifa efforts to impede Immigration & Customs Enforcement operations. Court documents show undercover agents from Homeland Security Investigations attended anti-ICE meetings at union halls and reviewed financial records of unions, including the Service Employees International Union and Communications Workers of America, for possible domestic terrorist financing ties. A grand jury exhibit prepared by HSI visualized the purported conspiracy and plotted several national and local labor organizations, including the Minneapolis Federation of Educators, Minnesota Association of Public Employees, AFL-CIO, and SEIU 26, as council members within the Direct Action Minnesota network. An HSI agent testified that the slide represented a snapshot of organizations whose members comprised the group. Defense attorneys in the case against 15 defendants argued the grand jury presentation reflected a broad investigation without evidence linking the unions to criminal conduct.
Justice Department Expands Fraud Office Prosecutorial Reach
The Justice Department is expanding the authority of its National Fraud Enforcement Division through a final rule set for publication. The rule formalizes powers for Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald to handle criminal fraud, tax crimes, customs matters, healthcare fraud, and cases involving federal funds. It allows the division to prosecute any criminal offenses uncovered during those investigations, even if outside its primary focus. The division also gains authority to certify special grand juries in any federal district. The change provides flexibility for additional cases assigned by senior DOJ leadership and takes effect on August 24. The expansion follows earlier pressure from Vice President JD Vance for probes into alleged fraud in Minnesota social services programs.
DHS Halts Border Wall Construction In Big Bend National Park After Public Outcry
Customs & Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott announced a pause on all border wall construction activity in Big Bend National Park in Texas. Scott said he will personally visit the site with a small team to evaluate the terrain and consult local leaders, community members, and stakeholders. The move follows criticism of plans for limited barriers and patrol roads in the remote national park. Work began earlier this month amid residents' concerns about environmental and tourism impacts. Scott described Big Bend as a national treasure while noting national security threats that require attention. Opponents argued the project risks local livelihoods without clear safety benefits.
House Ethics Committee Investigates Democrat Jimmy Gomez Over Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The House Ethics Committee announced it is investigating Rep. Jimmy Gomez D-CA) over allegations of sexual misconduct, including inappropriate sexual contact with a House staffer. The bipartisan panel said the review concerns possible violations of the Code of Official Conduct. Gomez, a married father and founder of the Congressional Dads Caucus, has served in the House since 2017. The committee noted that the existence of an investigation does not indicate that any violation occurred. Gomez previously acknowledged personal mistakes outside his marriage that caused pain to his family while stating the actions were consensual and did not violate the law or House ethics rules. He said he would cooperate with the inquiry.
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Hakeem Jeffries Rejects DSA Agenda While Welcoming Members Into Broad Democratic Caucus
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said on NBCâs Meet the Press that he does not support the Democratic Socialists of America agenda as articulated by the group itself. Jeffries stated he opposes defunding the police, open borders, and abolishing the Senate. He said House Democrats are focused on lowering the high cost of living for hardworking American taxpayers. When asked about room for Democratic Socialists in the party, Jeffries said individual members elected in Democrat primaries and the general election in November would be part of the House Democrat caucus. He described it as a broad caucus that would include progressives, New Democrats, and Blue Dogs. Jeffries emphasized solving problems such as the cost of groceries, gas, housing, and health care.
Editorâs Note: Wanting it both ways. Next, heâll say mass murders are welcome under âthe big tentââŚbut he doesnât agree with their murdering, you knowâŚ
DSA Steering Committee Member Cliff Connolly Calls US Constitution Obstacle To Revolution
Democratic Socialists of America Steering Committee member Cliff Connolly stated on a podcast that his group is known for its hatred of the United States Constitution. Connolly described the Constitution as the obstacle that socialists must finally overcome to achieve a revolution. He said the groupâs program provides a roadmap to revolution by clarifying the minimum conditions under which they could seize power and the maximum goals they aim to achieve. The comments came in a discussion on the Varn Vlog podcast with members of the Marxist Unity Group caucus within DSA. Connolly linked the approach to a revolutionary democratic socialist republic in North America as necessary for a livable future. The clip was shared widely on August 17.
WNBA Security Forces Mother And Daughter To Cover XX-XY Shirts At Atlanta Dream Game
Security at an Atlanta Dream game against the Indiana Fever on Sunday ordered a mother and daughter to cover their XX-XY Athletics T-shirts or face ejection from the arena. Kasey Thomason and her daughter Annie attended the game wearing shirts to support Fever player Sophie Cunningham, who has spoken out against men competing in women's sports. During overtime, a security guard approached them and said fans were offended by the shirts. The pair was given the choice to put on the provided Atlanta Dream Wellness and Health Night shirts or leave the building. They complied to remain for the final minutes of the Feverâs 95-91 overtime win. A fan wearing a âProtect Trans Rightsâ shirt was featured on the arena jumbotron during the same game. The XX-XY shirts had drawn no prior attention until that point. XX-XY Athletics promotes fair competition and single-sex spaces for women and girls.
California Special Education Teacher Under Investigation After Black Militia Videos
A special education teacher at Madera Unified School District in California has been placed on leave following Instagram videos in which she called for starting a black militia, shooting guns, and robbing white people. Kenisha Daily of Fresno appeared in the clips holding and loading a handgun and what appeared to be a long gun. The videos were reported to the district over the weekend. Fresno and Madera police, along with the school district, are investigating. Authorities conducted a home visit that resulted in a temporary restraining order. Madera Unified and the Madera Police Department completed a safety review and enhanced security at Lincoln Elementary School. Daily later stated she viewed the posts as entertainment and never meant to threaten or alarm anyone.
Recall Effort Filed Against Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson Over Public Safety
Two Seattle residents filed a recall petition against Mayor Katie Wilson, a socialist, citing failures in public safety. Melinda Jacobson and Dale Osterud allege the mayor has been derelict in her duties, pointing to the delayed response after the Bite of Seattle shooting, ongoing crime and sex trafficking in the Aurora neighborhood, and the removal of closed-circuit cameras in certain districts. Seattle Police Officers Guild President Kent Loux said he was not surprised by the effort and called it a wake-up call for the mayorâs office. Community advocate Andrea Suarez of We Heart Seattle also expressed no surprise given recent leadership concerns. Wilsonâs office stated the petition does not appear to have merit and that the administration remains focused on making the city safer and more affordable. The charges will be reviewed by prosecutors and a judge before any signature gathering can begin.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all."
â FrĂŠdĂŠric Bastiat
đ International
Iran Shifts To Fully Offensive Posture And Targets UAE Oil Tankers In Strait Of Hormuz
Iran has decided to shift from a defensive to a fully offensive posture in its conflict with the United States, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, setting a deadline of a few weeks for the U.S. to fully implement a June memorandum of understanding. The official warned that all Iranian entities would prepare to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider region if diplomacy fails and that Tehran would not wait indefinitely while the U.S. naval blockade continues. Iranian forces seized a UAE-owned oil tanker near Qeshm Island in the strait on August 17, according to Iranian state media citing Fars News Agency. Days earlier, the United Arab Emirates blamed Iran for drone attacks on two ADNOC-affiliated oil tankers transiting the waterway on August 14, describing the strikes as acts of piracy by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, with no casualties reported. The UAE Foreign Ministry called the attacks a flagrant violation of freedom of navigation principles and demanded that Iran halt the unprovoked actions and reopen the strait. The developments come as the 60-day MoU window expired, and maritime traffic through the critical energy corridor remains heavily disrupted.
Chinese Components In Royal Navy Drone Cameras Transmitted Data To China
Cameras fitted to Royal Navy K3 Scout surveillance drones contained Chinese-made components that transmitted heartbeat communications to an IP address in China. The issue was identified during a routine cyber vulnerability assessment by the Ministry of Defence. The drones, supplied by Kraken Technology Group and used by special forces since March, had their internet connectivity removed after the discovery. An MoD spokesperson said a thorough investigation found no evidence that Ministry of Defence data or systems were accessed, compromised or transmitted externally. Kraken stated that, after audits, it was confident that no sensitive information had been shared outside intended channels and that potential vulnerabilities had been addressed. The company noted that some third-party cameras contained a small number of components originating outside the UK, despite claims of NDAA compliance. Shadow security minister Alicia Kearns criticized the failure to fully verify the origins of components.
Trump Hails Mecca Defense Pact Between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan As Important First Step
President Trump on Sunday praised the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement signed earlier this month by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, calling it a big, important first step that shows the Middle East is coming together. In a Truth Social post, Trump said he was very happy to see the three countries finally sign the pact and noted it will allow nations to defend themselves in a more meaningful way. The agreement includes a collective defense clause under which an armed attack on any one of the three states is regarded as an attack on all, similar to NATO provisions. Pakistanâs foreign ministry described the deal as intended to strengthen collective deterrence. The pact builds on a prior bilateral defense arrangement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and comes amid ongoing regional tensions tied to the Iran conflict. Trumpâs endorsement aligns with his longstanding push for allies to take greater responsibility for their own security rather than relying solely on the United States.
Editorâs Note: So, if, say, the US were to go into Pakistan to take out Osama bin Laden, would that trigger a response from the Saudis and the Turks?
Iran Labels Missing Pilots Prisoners In Qatar Despite Doha Denials
Iranâs Foreign Ministry said on Aug. 17 that it will regard three missing pilots as prisoners held in Qatar until their fate is clarified, even as Doha rejects the claim. Tehran stated the airmen went missing during a March 2 operation against the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar early in the regional conflict, after earlier reporting one pilot killed and three others missing. Iranian authorities first alleged on Aug. 15 that the three survivors had been captured by Qatari forces following the downing of two Su-24 jets, naming them as Javad Salehi, Abdol-Majid Dashtian, and Emran Behrushian, and saying they had been held without family or official contact for six months while calling for International Committee of the Red Cross access. Qatarâs Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Mohammed Al-Ansari denied the detention reports as misleading and poorly timed amid de-escalation efforts, stating Qatari forces established contact after an airspace breach, received no response, applied rules of engagement, recovered the remains of one pilot, later returned to Iran, and invited an Iranian team in April to review search-and-rescue details that Tehran has not accepted.
Renaissance Paintings By Antonello Da Messina Stolen From Museum In His Sicilian Hometown
Four 15th-century Renaissance paintings of extraordinary value by Antonello da Messina were stolen Saturday night from the Regional Interdisciplinary Museum of Messina in Sicily. Thieves bypassed alarm systems during the cityâs major religious Procession of the Vara festival, which draws large crowds for the Ferragosto holiday, and removed three panels from the 1473 San Gregorio Polyptych, along with a double-sided panel depicting the Madonna with Child and Christ in PietĂ , from a secure display case. Two additional panels taken from the polyptych were abandoned outside the museum. Museum director Marisa Mercurio called the loss extremely serious given the worksâ cultural importance to Messina and Sicily. Investigators suspect the theft was commissioned by black-market art dealers. Messina Mayor Federico Basile expressed outrage at the violation of the cityâs heritage.
