gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
We’re not only insane, we’re suicidal too.
89-year old Holocaust survivor, Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University. I have strong opinions about politics, economics, societal problems and a life well lived.
23,822 followers 41,836 following 1,499 posts
view profile on Bluesky gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
We’re not only insane, we’re suicidal too.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
The www.fundforhumanity.org has just published a study, in collaboration with the National Science Foundation, showing that AI will eliminate 25% of American jobs within the next three years. Shouldn’t unions be protecting their members?
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
The chart says union membership but unions have power collectively through the ability to withhold labor via strikes and the strike funds that make strikes possible. That's why whenever I look at this chart, I see the impact of the power to say no, and thus the promise of unconditional basic income.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
It seems obvious to believe that welfare should be targeted to the poor, but the reality of targeting is paid targeters and how that means corruption and bribery. Universal basic income gets around this problem by reaching everyone directly. Then taxes can be used to subtract from high income folks.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
When I was 9-years old in post WWII France, I drank unpasteurized milk on a farm and contracted hoof-and-mouth disease. I ran 105 degrees fever and almost died.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Welcome to Bluesky!
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
They're betting there won't be a next administration.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
I donated to his campaign.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
I live in California and strongly support Gov. Newsome's ballot measure to redraw the congressional districts. Since the legislature approved the initiative, I received 2 mailings from the opponents and crickets from the Democrats. What are they waiting for? For me to receive 10 of those ads?
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
I just donated to his campaign.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Check out Palmer who is running against Susan Collins in Maine.
Nan Parker (@nanparker.bsky.social) reposted
Wouldn't it be something if we lifted folks up instead of celebrating their suffering.
Indivisible Bangor (@indivisiblebangor.org) reposted
Reasons to hope! #MEpolitics
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
All essential goods like food, housing, healthcare and education should be available to everyone without any profit. We live in the most prosperous country in the history of the world built by the generations of people who came before us. It’s time everyone benefits.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
There won’t be any Nuremberg trials because, if by some miracle, Democrats regain power, they’ll invoke the good of the country not to hold them. And these people know it.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Where are New York and Michigan? Huh, ladies?
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
American Exceptionalism is dead.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
I support you but please don’t clutter up my feed with so many comments.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
And yet, 31.4% voted for him while 36% of eligible voters sat this one out.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
The reason for that is these southern states have couched their arguments against class interests in racial terms. It’s better to be a poor white person than allowing black people to enjoy the same benefits you would have. Think of the closing of swimming pools when they became desegregated.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
When you ask MAGA-types to define socialism which they constantly invoke, they can’t. Socialism means the government owns the means of production. VIZ
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
Institutions are failing us in this moment. Grassroots power is the answer. We need to organize and mobilize and engage in mutual aid. It's up to us.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Did you watch the last cabinet meeting when its members fawned on TFG for 3 hours?
Graham Platner for Senate (@grahamformaine.bsky.social) reposted
Welcome to the many, many people who have found this campaign in the last week. My name is Graham Platner and I’m running for US Senate to defeat Susan Collins and topple the oligarchy that’s destroying our country. 2,900 volunteers. $1 million raised. In just over a week. Join us.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
That's so nice of you. Thanks, you made my day.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Wouldn't we all be better off spending the money to eradicate the possession of guns whose quantity outnumbers the 330M Americans?
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Irony of ironies - the kids were praying when they were shot.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
It's not only about taxing the robots. We can also tax the profits the companies using AI to fire workers make because AI can only operate when it has access to all the information everyone of us provides.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
"Feeling trapped and facing eviction, the mother-of-one turned to a charity and asked for £600. The money came through almost instantly... Since receiving her grant, Laura Burns' life has been transformed – she now has a new home, a job and is about to get married." UBI will do so much for so many.
Barack Obama (@barackobama.bsky.social) reposted
Republicans are trying to redraw congressional district lines to keep their grip on Congress in the midterms and beyond. Voters should pick their politicians, not the other way around. Get involved with the @democraticredistricting.com as they fight back: bit.ly/3HJ1ayW
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
Dickhead Don now wants to cut SSI benefits by a third for those with disabilities who receive in-kind support like housing and food from relatives. The CBPP estimates that nearly 400,000 SSI beneficiaries living with family or friends would have their benefits cut. The needless cruelty never stops.
RachelMarta (@rachel99marta.bsky.social) reposted
www.alternet.org/does-the-dem... It is time for the younger generation with more at stake to lead the Democratic party. In order to #FightFireWithFire we need firebrands to lead US like @aoc.bsky.social and @crockett.house.gov I am 81 years old and am troubled by how cautious our leaders are.
reckoningmuse.bsky.social (@reckoningmuse.bsky.social) reposted
Shes pure Evil
David Atkins (@davidoatkins.bsky.social) reposted
"Small government" was always code for "i'm sad we lost the Civil War, and I want a Confederate/Robber Baron Emperor"
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Here is an interview with Anton Korinek underlines the threat AI poses to the world of work: www.linkedin.com/posts/a-bank... and here is the proof that it is happening in this ground-breaking report showing that AI will elimate 25% of American jobs within 3 years: fundforhumanity.org
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
This is a very useful list and interview from one of the authors of a recent book about UBI that is his recommended list of books to read about UBI, starting off with Marx and Hayek as intros, then Standing and Parijs to go deep, and then his book: "Basic Income: The Policy That Changes Everything."
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
"The most dramatic drop is among adult Gen Z women. Only 37% of them say they are happy with their lives, down sharply from 46% the previous year." It's a real mystery why women aren't having kids. Just no idea at all how to change that. I'd venture to guess that less fascism + more UBI would help.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Technology offers us many solutions to many of our problems especially in the fields of health care and energy. If only those who govern us were smart enough and efficient enough to implement them! Remember, PA Governor Josh Shapiro fixed the collapsed highway in 12-1/2 days.
Younity (@younityuk.bsky.social) reposted
Japan has just opened its first osmotic power plant 🌊⚡ This works by mixing fresh & salt water across a membrane, creating pressure that drives a turbine to make electricity. This site will generate 880,000 kWh a year...while helping run a desalination plant providing fresh water to the city 👏
Firehawk (@firehawkjw.bsky.social) reposted
🤣🔊🆙 Repost please or quote. Just spread the truth 👍
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
If $74k is the "perfect salary," then with a $20k universal basic income ($1,667/mo), $54k is the perfect salary. That corresponds to a $26/hr FT job. That would be the minimum wage if the minimum wage had grown with productivity for the past 60 years. So let's go ahead and do both of those things.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
What he says is that "you have to wait until 26" for the brain to be fully developed. He doesn't say that should be the age at which you can trans.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
I'm all for setting the amount of universal basic income as high as possible, but $10,000/mo is not yet possible. As a general estimate, I think about 25% of GDP per capita is possible, which in the US means no higher than $2,000/mo right now. However, I think $500-$1500 is where to start in the US.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
The job of the president in the US is much too big for one man in this complicated world. The country should be governed by a triumviate: one person in charge of domestic issues, one person in charge of foreign affairs, and one person with ceremonial duties as you describe.
The Tennessee Holler (@thetnholler.bsky.social) reposted
Having Hakeem Jeffries in a position of leadership in this moment is like intentionally having an alarm clock that doesn’t actually wake you up.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
INDEED!
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Consider this quote from a recent NYT article: "Democrats lost about 2.1 million registered voters between the 2020 and 2024 elections in the 30 states, along with Washington, D.C., that allow people to register with a political party. . . Republicans gained 2.4 million." There's the rub.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
I have often quoted this poem which is a call for the awareness that we're all in this together and to do something before it's too late. I am doing everything possible to get rid of this horrible administration that is barreling to full-blown fascism and riding rough shod over everybody's rights.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
I am fighting for them by doing everything I can to defeat this administration. They agree with me.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
How does my supporting Gavin Newsome's taking on TFG translate into sacrificing trans people? Who is actually hurting them? This administration.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
What do you mean by "if WE leave people behind?"
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
I'm going to leave at that and agree to disagree. To me, the most crucial challenge we face is the survival of this country and the safeguarding of everyone's rights. Right now, Gavin Newsome is the only who is any way challenging successfully.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Gavin Newsome didn't say the TFG was right about trans people. He said some trans men should not compete in women's sports. You have every right in the world to become who you want to be but you still have to follow the rules. No one has a right to participate in anything just because they want to.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Again, what are YOU doing? Little old me cannot, is not in a position to sacrifice anyone's well being. All I can do right now is fight like hell to stop the nightmare we're in.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
I have just so much energy (I'm 89) and my battle right now is to do everything I can to salvage the United States of America. I also don't understand what you mean by "fight." If you're talking about demonstrations, the ones that are most important to me are the "No Kings" events.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Once again, what do you mean by "fight for them?" I certainly support all people's personal choices (I have a lesbian daughter and a trans grandchild and I love them both dearly). But this not the fight we're in right now, we're in an existential battlle against unmitigated evil.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
FINALLY!
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
I'm sorry but in the face of the existential disaster that this administation is visiting on the USA, in my opinion, the only hope is to back someone who can replace it. Anti trans "talking points" are not OK but the death of our country is even worse. I agree with your words but they MEAN nothing.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Who is killing and potentially killing these people now? The current administration. You and I are not in charge. The only thing we can do to save us all is CHANGE THE ADMINISTRATION.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
I don't understand what you mean. What is anyone DOING as this administration is destroying everyone's rights not just any one group.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Finding an actual course of action like backing someone who can potentially defeat MAGA rather than using words that make you feel virtuous but have no meaning, is exactly how we got here. What you mean by "retreating?" The current administration is literally destroying everyone's rights.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
What do you mean by "fight for everybody?" In the light of what this administration is doing with dizzying speed to everybody's rights, what actions can we actually take to stop it other than backing an alternative administration?
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Please give me a definition of the word FIGHT. What can you or any one of us DO to stop this frightening, daily erosion of everybody's rights by THIS ADMINISTRATION?
Marc Elias (@marcelias.bsky.social) reposted
"Democratic governors are on the frontlines of the redistricting fight. They have the power to veto rigged maps, pass fair ones and go on offense to counter Republican extremism in places like Texas." - Meghan Meehan-Draper www.democracydocket.com/opinion/the-...
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
It's not the same at all. UBI is an economic solution. Of course, we all have rights that are being destroyed even as we breathe. The point is HOW do you stop that in the context of what's going on in this coun try? No just with words, but with supporting action.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Looks like it's AI generated.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Who is throwing vulnerable groups at this point in time if it isn't the current administration's rampage on its way to full blown fascism? You think that bandying words about shows courage and beauty? Try living in Naz-occupied France for 5 years and losing 18 members of my family to the Holocaust.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Those are words you're using to describe something that has no meaning. In what way do you think Gavon Newsome would throw trans people or any other minority under the bus? As opposed to how this administration is actually doing it as it speeds along to its way to full blown fascism.
evangeline63.bsky.social (@evangeline63.bsky.social) reposted
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Yet some people on this platform berate GAVON NEWSOM, the only person in the U.S.A. who is taking TFG head-on, for his comments about transgender people. This value-signaling is what got us here in the first place.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
I'm a Holocaust survivor when 6 million Jews were murdered by the Nazis. Political realities are much more important than value signaling which, in my opinion, is why Democrats lost the election and are losing registered voters to this day.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Have you followed the news lately? Are we going to have an election in 2026? Are we going to see a catastrophic economic downturn that will not only affect the US but the whole world like the Great Depression? Right now, Gavin Newsome is the only voice that is countering this disaster.
Jonathan (@frakitall.bsky.social) reposted
I'm confused. I thought MAGA hated socialism. And Trump talks of more deals like this. Also, the US took a "Golden Share" in US Steel, which is a way to nationalize that lest we forget the 15% bribe payment for selling chips to China from AMD and Nvidia. And Trump talks of doing more of this.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
This is the attitude that has gotten us where we are. In the face of the death of the American experiment and the fate of the entire planet given this administration, choosing to support transgender people as a line in the sand is incomprehensible.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Law suits are meaningless because even if the Ds win at the lowest court level, it gets litigated all the way to the top and we know which side SCOTUS is on. We need a new strategy viz., GAVIN NEWSOM.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
This certainly explains a lot.
Blue girl, Red state (@brendajb.bsky.social) reposted
This guy is the real deal. crooksandliars.com/cltv/2025/08...
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
The Mad King may corruptly stumble his way into the Great American Equity Fund that, like Alaska, pays regular universal dividends and qualifies as a UBI. The fund could be capitalized by a corporate tax payable with shares of corporate stock.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
Just published this month's @itsafoundation.bsky.social newsletter! Check out what I consider to be the top 7 need-to-know headlines in the world of UBI this month. To get these in your inbox, please subscribe if you're not already, and please share with others to help better inform the discussion.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social) reply parent
Good question. Even if Congress impeaches, who does the removal? I don't think there is a political solution. However, if the economy comes crashing down, it may wake up the oligarchs and build the pressure for his resignation. It will be catastrophic for the US but then, the here & now is too.
GENERAL STRIKE ♿️🏳️⚧️🖖🏾🇺🇦♀️🇵🇸🌈 (@falkorfriend.bsky.social) reposted reply parent
Best way to reduce crime in addition to gun control? Provision of social supports: single-payer universal healthcare, free quality education through college, free public transportation, free childcare, increased food assistance, and universal basic income. orb.binghamton.edu/research_day...
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
This is venturing into Starship Troopers territory, but it's not satire and isn't brilliant.
Ruth Glendinning (@futurestorylab.bsky.social) reposted
@scottsantens.com reports on the publication of a meta-analysis looking at 13 unconditional basic income experiments. The researchers concluded that across all 9 categories they looked at, UBI improved the outcomes, and those who benefited the most tended to be children. youtube.com/shorts/tOMd9...
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
Just attended the release of the results of the first RCT test of basic income versus vouchers and WOW. What a difference. This was a 3.5 year trial. Average cash payment was $800-$900 per month, same as avg voucher. Cash had DRAMATIC impact on homelessness. At 18-mo cash was -67%. Voucher was -19%.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
We will need our own Truth and Reconciliation Commission to recognize all the human rights abuses that the Trump regime inflicted with the support of the GOP.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
A company selling a $4,000 mattress with a monthly subscription plan is worth half a billion dollars? Come on now.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted
If you support unconditional basic income and want to help advocate for it, one action item you can do is to just check my timeline each day to look for posts that I've reposted. I make a point of regularly amplifying what I consider to be good UBI posts. It takes me hours. It can take you minutes.
Scott Santens (@scottsantens.com) reposted reply parent
This was a post-pandemic pilot. Payments started in Fall of 2022 and end in Summer 2026. Besides greatly reducing homelessness compared to vouchers, the cash also greatly reduced evictions compared to vouchers too. The basic income reached more people, faster, was used faster, and worked better.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
MONEY TALKS - and this is the only language this country understands. What we need now is a GENERAL STRIKE of consumers for a sustained period of time. Everyone should only buy the essentials and hold off on any other purchases.
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
Unbelievable that has no reaction at all on Bluesky. What is this platform for?
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
The news that 25% of American jobs will be eliminated by AI in the next three months has given rise to a new slogan: NO A.I. WITHOUT U.B.I. Pass it on. fundforhumanity.org
gisele600.bsky.social (@gisele600.bsky.social)
In collaboration with the National Science Foundation, the Gerald Huff Fund for Humanity has published a ground-breaking report showing that 25% of American jobs will be eliminated within 3 years. FIND OUT IF YOURS IS ONE OF THEM. fundforhumanity.org
Governor Gavin Newsom (@governor.ca.gov) reposted
California has walked the walk on independent redistricting at the state level for 15 years. But we cannot unilaterally disarm while other states throw out the rules to gain power. With one vote, Californians can punch back and also demand nationwide independent redistricting.