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Jim Erskine

@jimers.bsky.social
202 followers 210 following 1.1K posts

Retired finance/banking guy. No party preference. Seeking intelligent discourse. Not a fan of bumper stickers.

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Reposted by Jim Erskine
steve3797.bsky.social @steve3797.bsky.social · 03/03/2026
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Reposted by Jim Erskine
ProPublica @propublica.org · 06/10/2026
The government *still* isn’t tracking how often immigration agents detain U.S. citizens. We are. 500+ Americans have been handcuffed, held at gunpoint or held against their will in Trump’s second term. Our tally is almost certainly an undercount. THREAD (content warning: violence) ⬇️
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Anne Applebaum @anneapplebaum.wsocial.eu · 14/09/2026
Your regular reminder: If the Russians stop fighting, the war ends. If the Ukrainians stop fighting, their land will be occupied, their leaders will be killed, their history and language will be erased, their children will be kidnapped to serve Russia.
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bmaz @bmaz.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
When they show you who they are, believe them.
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
static.klipy.com
Brady: Nine Times? Enough Already!
ALT: Brady: Nine Times? Enough Already!
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 12/09/2026
Meiselas on Trump: You’re a war criminal. You cover up sex trafficking rings. You yourself are a sexual predator. You are a disgusting, vile piece of trash. The only reason you’re even in Ireland is because of the Irish freaking Open and you want to grift.
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KOJAMF🤘🖤🤘 @kojamf.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Rep. Jared Huffman @rephuffman.bsky.social
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Dr. Oz explaining how the Trump tax cuts for the rich and defunding the IRS works!
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Excellent post from Dan Rather about Trump/Hegseth secrecy, and more ammunition for the midterms: substack.com/inbox/post/2...
substack.com
Waging War in Secret
What we don’t know can hurt us
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Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
“My parents died so fuck yours too,” is quite the argument against reasonable healthcare
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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
New op-ed from me in @msnowreports.bsky.social attempting to explain why I think our long-term debt-to-gdp problems stem from tax cuts and not spending.
ms.now
Opinion | Our debt trajectory is unsustainable. Tax cuts are to blame.
Bobby Kogan: While federal spending is higher now than in years past, it is rising more slowly than was forecast back when the country still had a stable long-term outlook. The root cause of the imbal...
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Garrett M. Graff @vermontgmg.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Wondering why data centers are as unpopular as nuclear waste? It's not the data centers. The problem is both more obvious and more fundamental: The daily lived experience of the AI boom sucks. www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/ai-is-maki...
doomsdayscenario.co
AI is making everything worse
The political problem isn't the data centers — it's that AI is a turd mountain looming over daily life.
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Dr Robin @robinindfw.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
Why would anyone rename an aircraft after a draft dodging 34 time convicted felon who is an adjudicated rapist and warmonger?
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Bobby Kogan @bbkogan.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
You can’t talk about debt without talking about how we got into a bad predicament, and there’s only one correct answer: tax cuts enacted this century
U.S. debt is on track to reach historic levels
Debt held by the public as a percentage of the gross domestic product, 1792-2055
- Historical - • Projected → Without Bush and Trump tax cuts
187.55%
180%
160
140
120|
100
80
99.38%
60
• 47.85%
40
20
0
1800|
1820 1840 1860|
1880
1900 1920 1940|
1960|
1980 2000 2020 2040|
Hover or click to see values.
• Notes:
Source: Authors' calculations using data from the Congressional Budget Office, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Federal Reserve, the Yale Budget Lab, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. A full list of sources is available here.
Chart: Center for American Progress
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 09/08/2026
Donald Trump posted a graphic targeting Abdul El-Sayed and his wife, comparing them to him and Melania with the caption “Two Very Different America’s.” Here’s how El-Sayed flipped it right back on him live on CNN:
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Allyship @allyship.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
If Murkowski and Collins don't spend every minute shaming their colleagues and getting more to pledge a no vote, their no vote means nothing, and they know it.
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Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · 05/08/2026
Every single Republican candidate for governor of Minnesota (including Mike Lindell!) makes clear that if Trump tried another Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities, they would support his efforts to brutalize residents
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Murshed Zaheed @murshedz.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
It is on @troyjackson207.bsky.social and every Democrat in Maine to be relentless on offense on immigration and point out every day how it was Susan Collins who voted for that blank check to fund Trump/Miller's ICE operation w/ no strings attacked to begin w. On them to stay on the front foot.
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Cake or Death @johngcole.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
They are executing people in the streets over immigration if you can not find room in your platform or stump speeches to talk about that and immigration stop running for office and go fuck yourself
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Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Maria Bartiromo is a classic propagandist in the tradition of Axis Sally and Tokyo Rose. Truth is irrelevant to her.
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William B. Fuckley @opinionhaver.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
Mitch McConnell being absent and safe-R seat being empty is a GOOD thing I feel like I’m losing my mind here with people furious at Andy Beshear
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Jim Acosta @jimacosta.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Epstein survivors released this video today urging senators to block the confirmation of Todd Blanche for Attorney General. They’re trying to get to 20,000 signatures on their petition to send a message to the Senate. ujoin.co/campaigns/45...
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
It's a murder cult!
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Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
NEWS --> Three men who were in the van with the victim of the ICE shooting in Texas are potential witnesses, but they're now under pressure to self-deport, a rep for the families tells me. They remain in detention even as ICE's story falters. Details in this piece: newrepublic.com/article/2129...
newrepublic.com
Texas ICE Killing Darkens: Rep Says Witnesses Pressured to Self-Deport
There were three others in the van with the man shot by ICE in Houston this week. A represenative for the families tells TNR that the government is pressuring these potential witnesses to self-deport.
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Worth 10 minutes of your time. All about Freedom 250.
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Could they find anyone less qualified? www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/u...
nytimes.com
Trump Taps Former Oklahoma Trooper as New ICE Director
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Bleu⚓️ @peaceinbleu.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
#Pinks
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Khashoggi's Ghost @urocklive1.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
This is a real picture of Brigitte Macron at the G7 when Trump tried to kiss her on the cheek.
Brigitte Macron recoiling in obvious disgust trying to push Trump away as he tries to kiss her. Emmanuel Macron stands by with a "welp" expression on his face.
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Charles Gaba ✡️ @charlesgaba.com · 07/06/2026
I've watched about half of this interview with @davidcostello.bsky.social, and I find it mind boggling that he hasn't gotten more traction. He seems to be a decent guy with tons of experience, solid, well thought-out & progressive policy stances, etc. Mainers should check him out. #MEpolitics
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Katie @rebelrouser1962.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
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Alan Elrod @aselrod.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Ken Paxton is a cheat, a narcissist, a bigot, and a bully. He’s emblematic of the Trumpian turn in our politics. And we’re going to get a lot more like him. My latest: www.liberalcurrents.com/hell-is-empt...
liberalcurrents.com
Hell Is Empty, And All the Ken Paxtons Are Here
Paxton is bigoted, felonious, and an exemplar of the new American politics.
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Brian Finucane @bcfinucane.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
More murder. Real killing in a make believe war with imaginary "narco-terrorists."
On May 27, at the direction of #SOUTHCOM commander Gen. Francis L. Donovan, Joint Task Force Southern Spear conducted a lethal kinetic strike on a vessel operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations. Intelligence confirmed the vessel was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations. Two male narco-terrorists were killed during this action. No U.S. military forces were harmed. 
@DeptofWar
 #OpSouthernSpear
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David Rothkopf @djrothkopf.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Trump did not reach a settlement with the government. There was no case to settle. He has not created a slush fund. He has colluded with Todd Blanche to steal money from the US Treasury. This is not a “deal.” This is a crime for which Trump & Blanche must be prosecuted. It ia a crime.
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 24/04/2026
Maybe the coverage is different in Maine, but as a non-resident all I see regarding the Senate race is Mills vs. Platner. There are two other credible candidates that don't seem to get much attention.
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Katie Phang @katiephang.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
Undocumented immigrants contribute $97 billion yearly in federal, state, and local taxes. They paid $25.7 billion in Social Security taxes, $6.4 billion in Medicare taxes, and $1.8 billion in unemployment insurance taxes in 2022. Bessent is galactically stupid. www.cnbc.com/2026/04/15/b...
cnbc.com
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is preparing banks to collect citizenship data
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the Trump administration expects banks to comply in collecting citizenship information from customers.
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Patti Olivier 💙VOTE BLUE @patti3333.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
My friends in California For your consideration Please take a moment to listen and share Momentum is building Xavier Becerra has the experience and qualifications to be a great governor Go to xavierbecerra.com
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Керрі Світ🇺🇦🇨🇦🇩🇰🇪🇺 @carriesweet.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
I advise JD to stop pretending he's a Catholic.
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Andy Craig @andycraig.bsky.social · 12/04/2026
I haven't followed closely enough to know why the 12-term congressman, state AG, and federal Cabinet secretary is polling like he's a crackpot third party candidate, but so it is.
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Seriously? This is how we say "thank you for your service" Abolish ICE.
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 25/03/2026
Worth reading to understand why Trump is between a rock and a hard place.
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MeidasTouch @meidastouch.com · 22/03/2026
Trump says he will send his ICE goons into airports starting Monday, turning travel into another stage for his authoritarian theater. Let’s be clear why this is even happening: Democrats introduced 7 bills to fund TSA. Every single one was blocked by Republicans.
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Grudgie the Wail @grudgie.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
Statistically you are more likely to be raped by Donald Trump than you are to commit voter fraud.
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Jim Erskine @jimers.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
Democrats have tried on multiple occasions to fund TSA, FEMA, CISA and Secret Service. Blocked by Republicans who want funding for ICE/CBP thugs.
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Senator Patty Murray @murray.senate.gov · 19/03/2026
Republicans blocked Democrats' bill to pay TSA workers AGAIN. Then, they blocked our bill to fund all of DHS besides ICE & CBP...AGAIN. We've given Republicans every chance to solve this TODAY. They refuse unless Congress cuts a blank check to ICE. Not happening.
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Adam Schwarz @adamjschwarz.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
This is the most blasé admission of a war crime by a US president in history. Trump has just disclosed, without prompting, that the US Military committed a war crime - literally just to brag & make his Republican audience laugh about unnecessarily killing 100+ Iranians instead of capturing them.
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Carl Quintanilla @carlquintanilla.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
> @theatlantic.com www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/...
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NeuroFellaMD 📚🎃👻🧛‍♀️ @melissaf.bsky.social · 02/03/2026
President Hegseth though?!??
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Mark Zaid, Esq @markzaidesq.bsky.social · 24/02/2026
These are the type of clients we represent at @wbaidlaw.bsky.social And we do so pro bono because you help support our efforts. Donate - Whistleblower Aid share.google/nrFaapqRK0QV...
share.google
Donate - Whistleblower Aid
We Rely On Your Donations Whistleblower Aid is a pioneering, non-profit legal organization that helps government and private-sector workers report concerns — safely, lawfully, and responsibly. We supp...
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Joni Askola @joniaskola.bsky.social · 22/02/2026
Witkoff is completely out of his depth. He is a sociable but corrupt businessman with a low IQ negotiating with a national leader who has an intelligence background on a subject he knows nothing about. This cannot end well
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The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Undocumented immigrants don’t vote Trump was not “exonerated” re: Epstein The board of peace is a huge grift The Melania movie was a bribe You pay the tariffs The boat bombings are murder The ceasefire is not a ceasefire Ice is not targeting criminals And on and on
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