“You should be ashamed.” This succinctly captures Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s criticism of what she terms the ‘Big Ugly Rich People Scam’ in less than 90 seconds. Ocasio-Cortez highlighted, “On this point of tax on tips, as one of the only people in this body who has lived off of tips, I want to tell you a little bit about the scam … the cap on that is $25,000 while you’re jacking up taxes on people who make less than $50,000 across the US … while kicking them off the ACA.” — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) 2025-07-02T15:37:44.212Z. With such actions, she argues, a significant slice of the population has been cheated in broad daylight. Happy birthday, America. Enjoy your cake crumbs.
Now, turning to our Cheers and Jeers for Thursday, July 3, 2025. Reminder: Tomorrow at 8 a.m. ET, we will share our annual column originally written on July 4, 1776, commemorating the birth of our Republic. However, there will be no evening posting, and we’ll return refreshed on Monday morning. And to conclude: God bless Canada. —Mgt.
By the Numbers:
– Days until fall: 81
– Days until the Elsie Dairy Festival in Michigan: 7
– Percentage of Americans polled by NPR/PBS/Marist who believe democracy is “under serious threat”: 76%
– Odds that the Federal Reserve will maintain interest rates at its upcoming meeting: 81%
– Chance that extreme heat has become a new normal as stated by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: 100%
– Average July daytime high at Four Corners National Monument: 93°F
– Year Independence Day became a federal holiday: 1941.
Your Thursday Molly Ivins Moment:
Happy birthday, America! Once again, we find ourselves facing the Fourth of July with a nation grappling with discontent. There’s plenty of blame and accusations, but amidst the turmoil, there remains a silver lining. According to our vice president, letting out a curse word can be cathartic. Here’s hoping we can celebrate our national heritage without conflict, focusing instead on what makes America unique. Cheers to the countless musicians across genres, the unsung artists dedicated to providing benefits for ailing colleagues, and to the unforgettable Ray Charles. May his rendition of “America the Beautiful” grace our holiday. —July 2004
Puppy Pic of the Day: Tis the season…
CHEERS to dismantling outdated laws. In an impressive ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down an abortion ban from 1849 on Wednesday, a ban that had returned to effect following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on federal abortion rights. In a 4-3 split, the court’s liberal majority upheld a lower court’s ruling to retain a more contemporary state law permitting most abortions up to around 20 weeks of pregnancy. This decision marks a significant victory for abortion rights advocates in Wisconsin, where the issue has been pivotal in recent elections.
JEERS to stagnant job growth. The hopes of commerce secretary Crack T. Whip for a robust economy driven by diligent middle-class Americans remain unrealized. Recent data from ADP indicates a downturn in private sector hiring, with a loss of 33,000 jobs in June—marking the first job decrease since March 2023. Economists had predicted a rise of 100,000 jobs, revealing troubling signs for the economy’s health.
CHEERS to the Secret Service’s origins. Once designed to combat counterfeit currency, the Secret Service began its work in 1865, later expanding its duties to presidential protection after President McKinley’s assassination.
A Moment of Sanity Break
CHEERS to the dollar’s significance. In a historic agreement this week in 1785, Congress designated the dollar as the official unit of U.S. currency—a decision that the public soon regretted.
CHEERS to consumer backlash. Sales of Tesla vehicles have dropped by 13% in recent months due to boycotts against CEO Elon Musk’s political affiliations. This downward shift is notable as it suggests a lasting impact on Tesla’s brand image, contrary to expectations of shifting buyer sentiments.
Flashback to ten years ago: in 2015, the Commerce Department revised first-quarter GDP figures, revealing less decline than anticipated due to strong consumer spending–perhaps a reminder that economic prospects can change.
Final Thoughts:
Remember to look up on clear nights and appreciate the universe. NASA frequently shares significant celestial events, reminding us of the wonders above.
Have a pleasant Thursday. The floor is open for your cheers and jeers today.
Today’s Shameless C&J Testimonial: “This is just the beginning of our expanding coalition to make the Cheers and Jeers kiddie pool swimmable. And we will do it together.” —Zohran Mamdani
