THE NEW GILDED AGE: WHERE ARE THE TRUST BUSTERS WHEN YOU NEED THEM

THE NEW GILDED AGE

WHERE ARE THE TRUST BUSTERS WHEN YOU NEED THEM

If you think that the billionaires of today are bad for society, you might want to take a look at the history books and see how the robber barons of the Gilded Age were even worse. Or were they?

The robber barons were the wealthy industrialists who dominated whole industries like railroads, banking, oil, and steel in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They amassed huge fortunes by exploiting workers, consumers, and the environment, and by using their power and influence to manipulate politics and policy. They also flaunted their wealth by building lavish mansions, collecting art and jewels, and throwing extravagant parties.

The billionaires of today are the wealthy tech moguls who dominate whole industries like e-commerce, social media, search, and advertising in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. They amassed huge fortunes by innovating technology, disrupting markets, and collecting data, and by using their power and influence to lobby politicians and regulators. They also flaunt their wealth by building lavish mansions, collecting art and jewels, and throwing extravagant parties.

So far, so similar. But there are also some differences between the two groups. The billionaires of today are more involved in technology and innovation than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who mostly relied on natural resources and transportation. The billionaires of today also face more competition and regulation from other countries and governments than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who had more control over the political system. The billionaires of today also have more opportunities and platforms to share their views and philanthropy with the public than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who were more secretive and isolated from society.

But are these differences enough to make the billionaires of today better than the robber barons of the Gilded Age? Not necessarily. The billionaires of today still have a lot of monopoly power that can harm society in various ways. They can reduce consumer choice, innovation, and quality by eliminating competition and creating barriers to entry for new entrants. They can influence politics and policy by using their wealth and power to lobby, donate, or bribe politicians and regulators. They can distort information and communication by controlling the media, the internet, and the platforms that people use to access news, entertainment, and social networks. They can threaten civil liberties and human rights by collecting and exploiting personal data, surveilling and tracking users, and cooperating with authoritarian governments or private actors.

So where are the trust busters when you need them? The trust busters were the politicians and reformers who challenged the monopoly power of the robber barons in the Gilded Age. They passed laws and regulations that prohibited or restricted mergers, acquisitions, collusion, price-fixing, predatory pricing, tying agreements, and other anticompetitive practices that created or maintained monopoly power. They also broke up or divested some of the largest monopolies in the country, such as Standard Oil, Northern Securities, and American Tobacco.

The trust busters of today are still trying to catch up with the monopoly power of the billionaires. They have filed lawsuits against Google and Facebook for abusing their market power in search, advertising, and social media. They have launched investigations into Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook for affecting competition, innovation, privacy, and consumer welfare in various markets such as e-commerce, online platforms, digital advertising, and app stores. They have imposed fines and regulations on some of the US tech giants, such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook, for violating competition rules, requirements for data protection and transparency, and proposals for digital taxes and digital markets acts.

But will these actions be enough to curb the monopoly power of the billionaires? Or will they find new ways to evade or resist them? Only time will tell.

In conclusion, the billionaires of today have some similarities and differences with the robber barons of the Gilded Age. Both groups were successful industrialists who controlled whole industries during a time period of economic growth and inequality. Both groups were often accused of being monopolists who harmed society in various ways. But there are also some differences between the two groups. The billionaires of today are more involved in technology and innovation than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who mostly relied on natural resources and transportation. The billionaires of today also face more competition and regulation from other countries and governments than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who had more influence and power over the political system. The billionaires of today also have more opportunities and platforms to share their views and philanthropy with the public than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who were more secretive and isolated from society.

So, are the new robber barons better than the old robber barons of the Gilded Age? That depends on your perspective, values, and goals. But one thing is clear: we need more trust busters to keep them in check. Where are they when you need them?

THE DEFT DIVE

A **monopolist** is an individual, group, or company that controls all of the market for a particular good or service⁵. Billionaires are not necessarily monopolists, but some of them may have gained their wealth from **monopoly power** or **crony connections** to government². For example, John Arnold is a billionaire who is funding a legal campaign against hospital monopolies¹. Some people argue that billionaires are a sign of economic failure and inequality², while others may admire their success and innovation. What do you think?

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/monopolist.asp#:~:text=A%20monopolist%20is%20an%20individual%2C%20group%2C%20or%20company,favor%20monopolies%20since%20it%20gives%20them%20greater%20power.. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/monopolist.asp.

(2) Billionaires Are a Sign of Economic Failure - Inequality.org. https://inequality.org/research/billionaires-sign-econ-failure/.

(3) The Billionaire Funding a Battle Against Hospital Monopolies. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-billionaire-funding-a-battle-against-hospital-monopolies-11654920006.

(4) COVID Vaccine Push Produced 9 New Billionaires, Nonprofit Says. https://www.newsweek.com/covid-vaccine-push-produced-9-new-billionaires-nonprofit-says-call-end-drug-monopolies-1593310.

(5) . https://bing.com/search?q=monopolist+definition.

(6) Monopolist Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/monopolist.

Some of the billionaires that have been accused of being monopolists are:

• - **Jeff Bezos**, the founder and CEO of Amazon, who has faced criticism for his company's dominance in e-commerce, cloud computing, and online advertising¹.
• - **Mark Zuckerberg**, the founder and CEO of Facebook, who has been sued by the US government for allegedly acquiring and killing potential rivals like Instagram and WhatsApp¹.
• - **Sundar Pichai**, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, who has been charged by the US government for illegally protecting his company's monopoly over search and search advertising².
• - **Bill Gates**, the co-founder of Microsoft, who was once ruled by a federal judge to have violated antitrust laws by using his company's monopoly power to harm competitors and consumers⁴.

These are just some examples of billionaires who have been accused of being monopolists. There may be others who have faced similar allegations or criticisms. What do you think of these accusations?

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) US tech giants accused of 'monopoly power' - BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54443188.

(2) U.S. Accuses Google of Illegally Protecting Monopoly. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/20/technology/google-antitrust.html.

(3) Microsoft Ruled a Monopoly / Court finds firm abused its power - SFGATE. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Microsoft-Ruled-a-Monopoly-Court-finds-firm-2899336.php.

(4) Robber baron (industrialist) - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robber_baron_%28industrialist%29.

(5) AOC Accuses Billionaires of Exploiting Workers, Paying Slave Wages. https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/aoc-accuses-billionaires-exploiting-workers-paying-slave-wages-2020-1-1028842799.

The billionaires of today have some similarities and differences with the robber barons of the Gilded Age. Both groups were successful industrialists who controlled whole industries like railroads, banking, oil, and steel during a time period of economic growth and inequality¹. Both groups were often accused of being monopolists who restricted production, raised prices, stole money and resources from the public, and used unethical and illegal practices to exploit workers and competitors¹². Both groups also flaunted their wealth by building magnificent mansions, collecting art and jewels, and throwing lavish parties³.

However, there are also some differences between the two groups. The billionaires of today are more involved in technology and innovation than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who mostly relied on natural resources and transportation. The billionaires of today also face more competition and regulation from other countries and governments than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who had more influence and power over the political system. The billionaires of today also have more opportunities and platforms to share their views and philanthropy with the public than the robber barons of the Gilded Age, who were more secretive and isolated from society.

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) Robber Barons: Definition, Significance, Criticism, and Examples. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/r/robberbarons.asp.

(2) America's Gilded Age: Robber Barons and Captains of Industry. https://online.maryville.edu/business-degrees/americas-gilded-age/.

(3) How Robber Barons Flaunted Their Money During the Gilded Age. https://www.history.com/news/robber-barons-gilded-age-wealth.

(4) Who Were the Gilded Age Robber Barons? - History Defined. https://www.historydefined.net/who-were-the-gilded-age-robber-barons/.

The monopolies of the Gilded Age were dealt with by the political system in different ways, depending on the administration and the public opinion. Some of the ways that the monopolies were challenged were:

• - The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which was the first federal law to prohibit trusts and monopolies that restrained trade and competition. However, the law was vague and weakly enforced, and it was sometimes used against labor unions instead of corporations³.
• - The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887, which created a federal agency to regulate railroads and prevent unfair practices such as price discrimination and pooling. The act was a response to the demands of farmers and shippers who suffered from high freight rates and lack of competition².
• - The trust-busting efforts of President Theodore Roosevelt, who used his executive power and public support to break up some of the largest monopolies in the country, such as Standard Oil, Northern Securities, and American Tobacco. Roosevelt believed that some trusts were beneficial and others were harmful, and he sought to regulate them rather than eliminate them⁴.
• - The Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914, which was passed during the Progressive Era under President Woodrow Wilson. The act strengthened the Sherman Antitrust Act by clarifying what constituted illegal practices, such as price-fixing, interlocking directorates, and tying agreements. The act also exempted labor unions from antitrust prosecution and created the Federal Trade Commission to enforce antitrust laws⁵.

The monopolies of today are being treated differently by the political system, depending on the industry and the jurisdiction. Some of the ways that the monopolies are being challenged are:

• - The antitrust lawsuits filed by the US Department of Justice and several state attorneys general against Google and Facebook, accusing them of abusing their market power in search, advertising, and social media. The lawsuits seek to stop the companies from engaging in anticompetitive behavior and possibly force them to divest some of their assets or businesses¹².
• - The antitrust investigations conducted by the US Congress and various regulatory agencies into the practices of Amazon, Apple, Google, and Facebook. The investigations aim to examine how these companies affect competition, innovation, privacy, and consumer welfare in various markets such as e-commerce, online platforms, digital advertising, and app stores¹².
• - The antitrust regulations imposed by the European Union and other countries on some of the US tech giants, such as Google, Apple, Amazon, and Facebook. These regulations include fines for violating competition rules, requirements for data protection and transparency, and proposals for digital taxes and digital markets acts¹².

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) Trust (business) - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_%28business%29.

(2) How Gilded Age Corruption Led to the Progressive Era. https://www.history.com/news/gilded-age-progressive-era-reforms.

(3) Politics and Antitrust: Lessons from the Gilded Age. https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2019/01/02/politics-and-antitrust-lessons-from-the-gilded-age/.

(4) Antitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital .... https://books.google.com/books/about/Antitrust.html?id=e00TEAAAQBAJ.

(5) Theodore Roosevelt and the Trusts | Gilder Lehrman Institute of .... https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/lesson-plan/theodore-roosevelt-and-trusts.

Monopolies can affect democracy in various ways, depending on the industry, the market, and the political system. Some of the ways that monopolies can harm democracy are:

• - Monopolies can reduce consumer choice, innovation, and quality by eliminating competition and creating barriers to entry for new entrants. This can lead to higher prices, lower wages, and less variety for consumers, who may have little voice or power to influence the market¹².
• - Monopolies can influence politics and policy by using their wealth and power to lobby, donate, or bribe politicians and regulators. This can result in laws and regulations that favor their interests and protect their dominance, while undermining the public interest and the common good¹²³.
• - Monopolies can distort information and communication by controlling the media, the internet, and the platforms that people use to access news, entertainment, and social networks. This can affect how people form opinions, express views, and participate in civic life. It can also enable censorship, propaganda, and manipulation of public opinion¹²⁴.
• - Monopolies can threaten civil liberties and human rights by collecting and exploiting personal data, surveilling and tracking users, and cooperating with authoritarian governments or private actors. This can violate people's privacy, security, and dignity, and expose them to discrimination, harassment, or violence¹²⁴.

These are some of the ways that monopolies can affect democracy. Do you have any questions or comments about this topic?

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) The regulation of tech monopolies will decide the fate of Western .... https://www.businessinsider.com/regulation-of-big-tech-decide-fate-of-western-democracies-2021-2.

(2) A history of America’s fight against monopolies - The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/a-history-of-americas-fight-against-monopolies/2019/12/06/ce34b360-da3c-11e9-ac63-3016711543fe_story.html.

(3) Monopoly Versus Democracy in the New Gilded Age | Foreign Affairs. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-12-08/monopoly-versus-democracy.

(4) Monopolies Threaten Not Just Our Economy, But Our Liberty, Too.. https://washingtonmonthly.com/2020/10/25/monopolies-threaten-not-just-our-economy-but-our-liberty-too/.

(5) We must break corporate monopolies to save democracy. https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/oureconomy/corporate-monopolies-are-threat-to-democracy-public-interest/.

There are different ways to prevent or limit monopoly power in a democratic society, depending on the type and degree of monopoly, the market structure, and the social and economic goals. Some of the ways that have been used or proposed are:

• - Antitrust laws and regulations that prohibit or restrict mergers, acquisitions, collusion, price-fixing, predatory pricing, tying agreements, and other anticompetitive practices that create or maintain monopoly power. These laws and regulations are enforced by government agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice in the US, or by supranational bodies such as the European Commission in the EU²³.
• - Price capping or regulation that limits the amount that monopolies can charge for their products or services, especially for natural monopolies or public utilities that provide essential goods or services such as water, electricity, gas, or telecommunications. These price caps are set by regulatory bodies such as OFGEM, OFWAT, or ORR in the UK, or by state commissions or public service commissions in the US¹².
• - Breaking up or divesting monopolies that have become too large, dominant, or harmful for the market and society. This can involve splitting up a single company into smaller and more competitive units, or forcing a company to sell off some of its assets or businesses to reduce its market share or influence. For example, Standard Oil was broken up into 34 separate companies in 1911 by the US Supreme Court under the Sherman Antitrust Act²⁴.
• - Public ownership or nationalization of monopolies that are deemed to be of strategic importance or public interest, such as railways, postal services, health care, or banking. This can involve taking over a private company by the government or a public authority, or creating a new public enterprise to provide a good or service. The aim is to ensure that the monopoly serves the public interest rather than private profit²⁵.
• - Encouraging competition and innovation by lowering barriers to entry and exit for new entrants and existing firms, providing subsidies or incentives for research and development, promoting consumer awareness and education, and fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and creativity. This can help create more diverse and dynamic markets that challenge monopoly power and offer more choices and opportunities for consumers and producers¹².

These are some of the ways to prevent or limit monopoly power in a democratic society. Do you have any questions or comments about these methods?

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) Regulation of monopoly - Economics Help. https://www.economicshelp.org/microessays/markets/regulation-monopoly/.

(2) Monopolization Defined | Federal Trade Commission. https://www.ftc.gov/advice-guidance/competition-guidance/guide-antitrust-laws/single-firm-conduct/monopolization-defined.

(3) Monopoly - Economics Help. https://www.economicshelp.org/microessays/markets/monopoly/.

(4) How to control monopoly in economy? - Accountlearning. https://accountlearning.com/how-to-control-monopoly-in-economy/.

(5) Top 3 Methods of Controlling Monopoly (With Diagram) - Economics Discussion. https://www.economicsdiscussion.net/monopoly/top-3-methods-of-controlling-monopoly-with-diagram/7294.

The benefits and drawbacks of billionaire involvement in public education may depend on the perspective, values, and goals of different stakeholders, such as students, parents, teachers, administrators, policymakers, and researchers. Some of the possible benefits and drawbacks are:

• - Benefits: Billionaire involvement may provide more resources, innovation, diversity, and accountability for public education. For example, billionaires may fund or support initiatives or organizations that offer more choices, quality, efficiency, or equity for students and parents, such as charter schools, vouchers, online courses, personalized learning platforms, or educational technology¹³. Billionaires may also fund or support initiatives or organizations that promote research, evaluation, advocacy, or reform for public education, such as think tanks, foundations, networks, associations, or political campaigns that lobby or influence policymakers and educators on education issues¹² .
• - Drawbacks: Billionaire involvement may create more problems, inequalities, conflicts, and distortions for public education. For example, billionaires may fund or influence media organizations that promote or criticize certain policies or reforms in public education, such as charter schools, vouchers, standardized testing, teacher evaluation, curriculum standards, and accountability. These media organizations may shape public opinion and debate on education issues in ways that favor their interests and agendas¹². Billionaires may also create or support private education alternatives or innovations that compete or collaborate with public education in ways that undermine public education by diverting resources, students, or teachers away from it¹³ .

 Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) Wealth Inequality And Higher Education: How Billionaires Could ... - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesleywhistle/2020/12/31/wealth-inequality-and-higher-education-how-billionaires-could-make-a-difference/.

(2) How Bill Gates and fellow billionaires can actually help public education. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/04/21/how-bill-gates-and-fellow-billionaires-can-actually-help-public-education/.

(3) When Billionaires Become Educational Experts | AAUP. https://www.aaup.org/article/when-billionaires-become-educational-experts.

Ensuring that billionaire involvement is transparent and accountable to the public may require different strategies and mechanisms, depending on the type and level of involvement, the context and stakeholders, and the goals and outcomes. Some of the possible ways to ensure transparency and accountability are:

• - Public access to information: This involves making information about billionaire involvement in public education available, accessible, and understandable to the public, such as the sources, amounts, and recipients of funding or investment, the objectives and activities of initiatives or organizations, and the results and impacts of policies or reforms. Public access to information can enable learning, monitoring, evaluation, and feedback by various education stakeholders⁵.
• - Public participation and consultation: This involves engaging and involving various education stakeholders, especially those who are directly affected by billionaire involvement in public education, such as students, parents, teachers, administrators, and communities. Public participation and consultation can ensure that billionaire involvement is responsive, inclusive, and respectful of the needs, interests, and values of different groups²³.
• - Public oversight and regulation: This involves establishing and enforcing rules and standards for billionaire involvement in public education, such as legal frameworks, ethical codes, reporting requirements, auditing procedures, or sanctions for non-compliance. Public oversight and regulation can ensure that billionaire involvement is accountable, responsible, and aligned with the public interest¹⁴.
• - Public dialogue and debate: This involves creating and facilitating spaces and platforms for open and constructive dialogue and debate among various education stakeholders, including billionaires themselves, about the benefits and drawbacks of billionaire involvement in public education. Public dialogue and debate can ensure that billionaire involvement is informed, balanced, and respectful of diverse perspectives²³.

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) 10 ways to promote transparency and accountability in education. https://www.iiep.unesco.org/en/10-ways-promote-transparency-and-accountability-education-4307.

(2) Improving accountability in education: the importance of structured .... https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12564-019-09599-9.

(3) The Effect of Public Participation, Transparency, and Accountability on .... https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320084558_The_Effect_of_Public_Participation_Transparency_and_Accountability_on_the_Efficiency_of_the_Distribution_of_the_School_Operational_Support_Funds_BOS_in_Tebing_Tinggi_City_Case_Study_of_Taman_Siswa_Col.

(4) Accountability, Transparency, Participation, and Inclusion: A New .... https://carnegieendowment.org/2014/10/20/accountability-transparency-participation-and-inclusion-new-development-consensus-pub-56968.

(5) Full article: The Core Roles of Transparency and Accountability in the .... https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23288604.2018.1465880.

BREAKING NEWS: RANDI WEINGARTEN JOINS OTHER DEMOCRATIC WOMEN AS THE NEWEST TARGET OF THE MAGA WOMAN HATERS CLUB

BREAKING NEWS: RANDI WEINGARTEN JOINS OTHER DEMOCRATIC WOMEN AS THE NEWEST TARGET OF THE MAGA WOMAN HATERS CLUB

In a shocking turn of events, Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), has become the latest target of the MAGA Woman Haters Club. Yes, you read that right. Apparently, there's a club for that now.

Weingarten, who is a lawyer, an educator, and a political activist, has been accused of everything from promoting "filth" and "Marxist indoctrination" in public schools to mishandling classified information and obstructing justice. And you thought your day was bad.

But why is the right wing going after Weingarten? Well, according to them, she's to blame for school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which they claim harmed students' learning and well-being. They also oppose her advocacy for public education funding, teacher salaries, school safety, academic freedom, and social justice issues. In short, they want to undermine public education and replace it with a voucher system that would divert public funds to private and religious schools. Because nothing says "education for all" like excluding those who can't afford it.

Of course, some of these arguments are based on lies, distortions, or exaggerations that don't reflect the reality of what Weingarten and the AFT have done or said. But who needs facts when you have fear-mongering?

Interestingly, Weingarten isn't the only prominent female leader in the Democratic Party who has faced sexism and misogyny from her critics. Hillary Clinton knows all too well what it's like to be accused of mishandling classified information and obstructing justice. And let's not forget the "Lock Her Up" chants that were so popular during the 2016 election.

But while Clinton is a former secretary of state, senator, and presidential candidate who has held various positions in government, Weingarten is the head of a labor union that represents public school teachers and other education workers. So while both women have faced attacks from the right wing media, their situations are different.

Smear campaigns against women in politics aren't new. They can damage their reputation and credibility, discourage them from entering or staying in politics, reinforce sexist stereotypes and norms, create a hostile and unsafe environment, and undermine democratic representation and policymaking. But hey, at least some people get to feel superior for a little while.

Some examples of smear campaigns against Democratic women include Nancy Pelosi being vilified as a radical socialist, a corrupt elitist, and a senile old woman; Ilhan Omar being accused of being anti-Semitic, anti-American, and sympathetic to terrorists; Elizabeth Warren being mocked for her claims of Native American ancestry and her progressive policies; Kamala Harris being subjected to racist and sexist slurs, birther conspiracies, and false allegations of sexual misconduct; and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez being demonized as a dangerous extremist, a clueless millennial, and a sexual object. Because why attack someone's policies when you can attack their identity?

So who's funding the attacks on Weingarten? Right-wing media outlets and pundits like Fox News and The American Conservative; conservative advocacy groups and think tanks like Moms for Liberty and the Heritage Foundation; and Republican donors and political action committees like the Koch network and America First Action. Because if there's one thing we need more of in politics, it's money.

But Weingarten and the AFT aren't taking these attacks lying down. They've defended their role in advocating for the health and safety of students, educators, and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, challenged false or misleading claims about their support for teaching controversial topics like critical race theory and gender identity, denounced the political motives and extremist agenda of their attackers, highlighted their achievements and contributions to improving public education, and appealed to public support for public schools and educators.

So there you have it. Another day in politics, another woman being attacked for doing her job. But let's not forget to laugh at the absurdity of it all. After all, humor is the best medicine. Unless you're trying to cure stupidity.

THE DEFT DIVE

Randi Weingarten is the president of the **American Federation of Teachers (AFT)**, one of the largest teachers' unions in the United States⁷. She is also a former president of the **United Federation of Teachers**, which represents public school teachers and other school staff in New York City⁷. She is a lawyer, an educator, and a political activist who supports Democratic candidates and causes⁷¹.

Some of the reasons why the right wing is going after Randi Weingarten are:

• - They blame her and the AFT for the school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, which they claim harmed students' learning and well-being¹³.
• - They accuse her and the AFT of promoting "filth" and "Marxist indoctrination" in public schools, such as critical race theory and gender identity¹².
• - They oppose her and the AFT's advocacy for public education funding, teacher salaries, school safety, academic freedom, and social justice issues⁴⁵.
• - They want to undermine public education and replace it with a universal voucher system that would divert public funds to private and religious schools².

These are some of the arguments that have been made by right-wing politicians, media outlets, and activists against Randi Weingarten and the AFT. However, some of these arguments are based on lies, distortions, or exaggerations that do not reflect the reality of what Weingarten and the AFT have done or said²⁶..

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) Randi Weingarten - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randi_Weingarten.

(2) ‘The Most Dangerous Person in the World Is Randi Weingarten’. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/magazine/randi-weingarten-teachers-unions.html.

(3) AFT Head Randi Weingarten to Conservatives: Stop Politicizing Education .... https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/aft-head-randi-weingarten-to-conservatives-stop-politicizing-education-and-let-teachers-teach/2022/07.

(4) Extremists Are Lying to Undermine America’s Public Schools | Time. https://time.com/6172216/public-schools-extremists/.

(5) Teachers Union Leader Calls for Defending Public Education From .... https://www.commondreams.org/news/aft-randi-weingarten-defend-public-education-from-gop-attacks.

(6) Randi Weingarten blasts 'right-wing extremists' for fighting 'culture .... https://www.foxnews.com/media/president-of-the-us-largest-teachers-union-blasts-right-wing-extremists-fighting-culture-wars.

(7) PolitiFact | Here's what AFT’s Randi Weingarten said about reopening .... https://www.politifact.com/article/2023/may/02/in-context-what-afts-randi-weingarten-said-about-r/.

(8) Randi Weingarten | American Federation of Teachers. https://www.aft.org/about/leadership/randi-weingarten.

(9) Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/randi-weingarten-president-of-american-federation-of-news-photo/82546721.

Some of the politicians who have attacked Randi Weingarten are:

• - Mike Pompeo, the former secretary of state and C.I.A. director, who called her "the most dangerous person in the world" and accused her and the AFT of promoting "filth" and "Marxist indoctrination" in public schools¹ .
• - Marjorie Taylor Greene, a congresswoman from Georgia, who questioned Weingarten's credentials as a teacher and a mother, and suggested that her advice to the CDC caused a surge in gender dysphoria among youths² .
• - Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, who clashed with Weingarten over his opposition to mask mandates and school closures, and who proposed a bill to rein in "overreaching teachers' unions"³⁴.
• - Marco Rubio, a senator from Florida, who wrote an article criticizing Weingarten and the AFT for supporting "dangerous academic constructs like critical race theory and radical gender theory" in public schools¹ .
• - Donald Trump, the former president of the United States, who released a plan to save American education that attacked Weingarten and the AFT for being "taken over by the radical left maniacs" and "pink-haired communists"¹ ..

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) ‘The Most Dangerous Person in the World Is Randi Weingarten’. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/magazine/randi-weingarten-teachers-unions.html.

(2) Marjorie Taylor Greene Derails Hearing By Attacking Randi Weingarten as .... https://www.mediaite.com/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-derails-hearing-by-attacking-randi-weingarten-as-not-a-real-mother-youre-just-a-political-activist/.

(3) Teachers Union President Randi Weingarten ... - The Political Insider. https://thepoliticalinsider.com/teachers-union-president-randi-weingarten-wrecked-over-misspelled-tweet-attacking-desantis/.

(4) Randi Weingarten mocked for mistake-filled attack on Ron DeSantis: 'A .... https://www.foxnews.com/media/randi-weingarten-mocked-mistake-filled-attack-ron-desantis-tool-democratic-party.

(5) Randi Weingarten blasts 'right-wing extremists' for fighting 'culture .... https://www.foxnews.com/media/president-of-the-us-largest-teachers-union-blasts-right-wing-extremists-fighting-culture-wars.

(6) Getty Images. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/randi-weingarten-president-of-american-federation-of-news-photo/82546721.

Some of the effects of smear campaigns on women in politics are:

• - They can damage the reputation and credibility of women politicians and affect their chances of winning elections or advancing their careers¹².
• - They can discourage women from entering politics or staying in politics, contributing to the underrepresentation of women in political leadership positions³⁴.
• - They can reinforce sexist stereotypes and norms that limit the role and influence of women in society⁵ .
• - They can create a hostile and unsafe environment for women in politics, who may face harassment, threats, or violence from their opponents or the public .
• - They can undermine the quality and diversity of democratic representation and policymaking, as women politicians may bring different perspectives, experiences, and interests to the political arena .

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) Gender Differences in Political Media Coverage: A Meta-Analysis. https://academic.oup.com/joc/article/70/1/114/5761879.

(2) Negative political ads and their effect on voters: Updated collection .... https://journalistsresource.org/politics-and-government/negative-political-ads-effects-voters-research-roundup/.

(3) The Smear Campaing. How a Toxic Person Tries to Destroy His ... - LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/smear-campaing-how-toxic-person-tries-destroy-his-targets-cabiron.

(4) smear campaign - Political Dictionary. https://politicaldictionary.com/words/smear-campaign/.

(5) Dealing with the Narcissist's Smear Campaign | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-support/201906/dealing-the-narcissists-smear-campaign.

There are some similarities and differences between the attacks on Randi Weingarten and the attacks on Hillary Clinton. 

Some of the similarities are:

• - Both Weingarten and Clinton are prominent female leaders in the Democratic Party who have faced sexism and misogyny from their critics¹².
• - Both Weingarten and Clinton have been accused of mishandling classified information and obstructing justice by their opponents¹³.
• - Both Weingarten and Clinton have been targeted by right-wing media outlets and activists who have spread lies, distortions, or exaggerations about them¹⁴.

Some of the differences are:

• - Weingarten is the head of a labor union that represents public school teachers and other education workers, while Clinton is a former secretary of state, senator, and presidential candidate who has held various positions in government⁵ .
• - Weingarten is facing attacks mainly over her role in the school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and her support for teaching controversial topics such as critical race theory and gender identity in public schools, while Clinton faced attacks mainly over her role in the 2012 Benghazi attack and her use of a private email server during her tenure as secretary of state¹³ .
• - Weingarten has not been formally charged or indicted by any law enforcement agency for any alleged wrongdoing, while Clinton was investigated by the FBI and Congress for her handling of classified information and the Benghazi attack, although she was not prosecuted or convicted for any crime³ ..

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) ‘Lock Her Up’ Attacks on Clinton in 2016 Are Used in Case Against Trump. https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-indicted-hillary-clinton-3b266500.

(2) ‘Bleach’ and hammers? What really happened with Hillary Clinton's .... https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2023/bleach-and-hammers-what-really-happened-with-hillary-clintons-emails/.

(3) Fact check: Donald Trump Jr. makes false claim about Clinton, Biden. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/08/26/fact-check-donald-trump-jr-makes-false-claim-clinton-biden/5574637001/.

(4) 5 Things Donald Trump Attacked Hillary Clinton Over But Is Currently .... https://www.vogue.com/article/donald-trump-hillary-clinton-five-attacks.

(5) 20 years after 9/11, Hillary Clinton recalls ground zero looked "like .... https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hillary-clinton-reflects-september-11/.

Some of the sources that are funding the attacks on Randi Weingarten are:

• - Right-wing media outlets and pundits, such as Fox News, The American Conservative, and Semafor, who have given a platform to politicians and activists who have criticized Weingarten and the AFT for their stance on school closures, mask mandates, and curriculum issues¹²³.
• - Conservative advocacy groups and think tanks, such as Moms for Liberty, the Heritage Foundation, and the American Enterprise Institute, who have opposed Weingarten and the AFT's support for public education funding, teacher salaries, and social justice issues²⁴.
• - Republican donors and political action committees, such as the Koch network, the Club for Growth, and America First Action, who have backed candidates and causes that have challenged Weingarten and the AFT's influence on education policy and labor rights .

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) ‘The Most Dangerous Person in the World Is Randi Weingarten’. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/magazine/randi-weingarten-teachers-unions.html.

(2) AFT Head Randi Weingarten to Conservatives: Stop Politicizing Education .... https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/aft-head-randi-weingarten-to-conservatives-stop-politicizing-education-and-let-teachers-teach/2022/07.

(3) Randi Weingarten has 'meltdown' at student debt relief rally. https://nypost.com/2023/03/01/randi-weingarten-dragged-for-meltdown-at-student-debt-relief-rally/.

(4) Teachers union head: Pompeo ‘desperate to be labeled as the extremist .... https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3746433-teachers-union-head-pompeo-desperate-to-be-labeled-as-the-extremist-in-gop-primary/.

Some of the arguments that Weingarten and the AFT have made in response to these attacks are:

• - They have defended their role in advocating for the health and safety of students, educators, and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pointed out that they have supported the reopening of schools with adequate resources and protections¹².
• - They have challenged the false or misleading claims about their support for teaching controversial topics such as critical race theory and gender identity, and argued that they are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist curriculum that reflects the reality and history of America¹³.
• - They have denounced the political motives and extremist agenda of their attackers, who seek to undermine public education, labor rights, and democracy, and called for a bipartisan dialogue and cooperation on education issues¹ .
• - They have highlighted their achievements and contributions to improving public education, such as securing more funding, raising teacher salaries, reducing class sizes, expanding pre-K and community schools, and promoting academic freedom and innovation .
• - They have appealed to the public support and trust for public schools and educators, and urged parents and communities to partner with them to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality education² ..

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) Teachers Union Leader Calls for Defending Public Education From .... https://www.commondreams.org/news/aft-randi-weingarten-defend-public-education-from-gop-attacks.

(2) AFT’s Weingarten on President Biden’s Veto of Extremist Attack on ESG. https://www.aft.org/press-release/afts-weingarten-president-bidens-veto-extremist-attack-esg.

(3) Teachers union head: Pompeo ‘desperate to be labeled as the extremist .... https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/3746433-teachers-union-head-pompeo-desperate-to-be-labeled-as-the-extremist-in-gop-primary/.

Some examples of smear campaigns against Democratic women are:

• - The attacks on Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who has been vilified by Republicans as a radical socialist, a corrupt elitist, and a senile old woman¹².
• - The attacks on Ilhan Omar, a congresswoman from Minnesota, who has been accused of being anti-Semitic, anti-American, and sympathetic to terrorists³⁴.
• - The attacks on Elizabeth Warren, a senator from Massachusetts and a former presidential candidate, who has been mocked for her claims of Native American ancestry and her progressive policies⁵ .
• - The attacks on Kamala Harris, the vice president of the United States, who has been subjected to racist and sexist slurs, birther conspiracies, and false allegations of sexual misconduct .
• - The attacks on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a congresswoman from New York, who has been demonized as a dangerous extremist, a clueless millennial, and a sexual object .

These are some of the smear campaigns that have been launched against Democratic women by their political opponents, media pundits, and online trolls. These campaigns often rely on stereotypes, misinformation, or personal attacks that aim to discredit, demean, or intimidate these women.

Bing, 6/26/2023

(1) Gendered disinformation is a national security problem - Brookings. https://www.brookings.edu/techstream/gendered-disinformation-is-a-national-security-problem/.

(2) The Smear Campaign Against Biden's Not-Yet-Named Nominee - The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/02/biden-supreme-court-nominee-smear-campaign/621408/.

(3) Digital Safety: Protecting against online smear campaigns. https://cpj.org/2022/09/digital-safety-online-smear-campaigns/.

(4) Azerbaijan: Stop the vicious campaign of gendered smears and reprisals .... https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2021/05/azerbaijan-stop-the-vicious-campaign-of-gendered-smears-and-reprisals-against-women-activists/.

(5) Dealing with the Narcissist's Smear Campaign | Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-support/201906/dealing-the-narcissists-smear-campaign.