Wednesday, February 10, 2021

In The News: Multiple Capitol Rioters had History of Financial Trouble

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There is an interesting article in this morning's Washington Post that claims that many of the rioters' on January 6th had a history of financial trouble. 

According to the article, almost 60 percent of the people facing charges related to the riot showed signs of prior money troubles, "including bankruptcies, notices of eviction or foreclosure, bad debts, or unpaid taxes over the past two decades". 

The financial missteps by defendants in the attempted insurrection ranged from small debts of a few thousand dollars more than a decade ago to unpaid tax bills of $400,000 and homes facing foreclosure in recent years.

Eighteen percent of the group have experienced bankruptcy, which is nearly "twice as high as that of the American public. A quarter of them had been sued for money owed to a creditor. And 1 in 5 of them faced losing their home at one point, according to court filings".

"The financial problems are revealing because they offer potential clues for understanding why so many Trump supporters — many with professional careers and few with violent criminal histories — were willing to participate in an attack egged on by the president’s rhetoric painting him and his supporters as undeserving victims".

"Donald Trump and his brand of grievance politics tapped into something that resonated with the hundreds of people who descended on the Capitol in a historic burst of violence".

precarity
a state of existence in which material provision and psychological wellness are adversely affected by a lack of regular or secure income

“I think what you’re finding is more than just economic insecurity but a deep-seated feeling of precarity about their personal situation,” said Cynthia Miller-Idriss, a political science professor who helps run the Polarization and Extremism Research Innovation Lab at American University. “And that precarity — combined with a sense of betrayal or anger that someone is taking something away — mobilized a lot of people that day.”

I've been wondering why someone would take the time out of their schedule, fly to Washington D.C., rent a hotel room and then do something that ended up getting them into trouble with the law. I know many of them regret their decisions that day. 

Spending money for airplane tickets and hotel rooms when you've already faced financial problems just seems irresponsible to me. 

What are your thoughts on the topic?

Belinda
~ Living within our Means ~
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55 comments:

  1. Sounds like a very politically charged report to me. Absolutely NO way they know all that stuff about all those people. So they interviewed thousands of people and got those answers or they investigated a few that were known.
    What does it matter unless they are trying to get a rise out people.

    You and I both know lots of poor people and people who have made bad decisions over the years and I know of no one that would riot because of it.

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    1. Excellent point, Cheryl. I went looking for other news sources on the topic and it was just this one by the Post, for now anyway.

      You're right, we both knw plenty of poor people. Poor enough that they couldn't afford to go to Washington to hear Trump speak. LOL

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    2. The article refers to "defendants," those facing charges, not all the rioters. (There are about 200 defendants, so far, and the referenced article states 18% of them?) They would EASILY have this information about these people, as, unless it's sealed, or a minor, the court documents are public information.

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    3. This was an article about 125 people who have been charged. Their identities are known as well their financial and criminal records, it was based on boring data available, all publiikki records. Rioters themselves helped because they posted all stuff on social media, and quite many have been "betrayed" by their relatives or family, so it's been very easy to identify and charge people with lots of evidence.
      Research is usually very boring and statistics even more so, until you get this kind of easily gathered sample.

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    4. I enjoy reading frugal blogs that stay on topic and not explore political worlds - we get enough of it everyday, every minute, everywhere, please no more. Thank you.

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    5. I’m sorry, Alison. You have my word, no more political posts. Please come back on Friday for a new Frugal Friday blog post.

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    6. It's her blog. Belinda can discuss anything she pleases.

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    7. Belinda, thanks for speaking up.

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  2. I think it's deeper than that. I believe the President Obama years awakened some visceral, deep seated rage among some. This, combined with a rapidly changing economy with which the undereducated/trained couldn't keep up scared them. President Obama handed the Despot a booming economy, but he ran it to the ground, refusing to face the fact that things are changing on a global scale. (Manufacturing isn't coming back, sorry.) So, what does the despot do? He follows the fascist's playbook. He tells his supporters some truths--1) You are hurting (true) 2) You deserve better (also sort of true) 3) Here's why you are hurting--it's immigrants, and restrictions, and this wild conspiracy, and **I** can restore you to your former glory. To believe this, they had to deny all evidence (the election was secure) and subscribe to crazy conspiracies (it was stolen.) This is not hard to get people to do, actually.
    Add to this, an America that is becoming increasingly brown and black scares these people, for whatever reason--scapegoating?
    The Trump years resembled 1930's Germany in many, many ways. Remember, Hitler's message was that they lost WWI because the Jews stabbed them in the back. No, they were not socialists...the Nazis picked the "nationalist socialist party" as their name for whatever reason, but they were no more socialist than a horsefly is a horse. They were fascists.
    Read about the de-nazification of Germany, and you will see that we have a long way to go before the U.S. returns to stable civility. In fact, while I've enjoyed watching the despot implode, I think we have only begun to see the attempts to destroy democracy. (Just look at how the Republicans stood by Greene--these methods work.) Perhaps we need to teach more civics and history--not a whitewashed "1776 Project" version (seriously, I think that report made historians bleed out their eyeballs) but actual history and civics/how our process works. Were you also surprised to see how many arrested didn't even vote?????

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    1. Oh yes, Meg. I was surprised at some who didn't vote. I also read that many Republicans didn't vote in the Georgia election for the two senate seats. That was a defining election. I'm surprised that so many did not vote.

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    2. Belinda there is NO WAY POSSIBLE to determine who voted. Those names are never available for public review!!!
      I have lived in GA almost 60 years and the recent Senate runoff election was a MOCKERY of the ELECTION SYSTEM. More people cast votes in it than in the presidential election. It was not an election of who was running and what NEEDED experience, education or job skills should be considered. IT WAS A SHOUTING MATCH SAYING IF YOU THOUGHT ONE WAY YOU WERE A BIGOT AND IF YOU THOUGHT ANOTHER YOU WERE NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS. I cannot think of anyone in my family, friends, neighbors or even those folks in the grocery line who were not embarrassed and even ashamed of the election and the black eye we gave ourselves in front of this nation and the world.

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    3. lab1281 - hugs to you. (((lab1281))) I know what it's like to feel embarrassed by your fellow statesmen and women. There were multiple people from Tennessee in the insurrection. I was very embarrassed over that.

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    4. There is absolutely a way to find out who voted. Voter records are public. Granted, the means of accessing these records vary by state, but yes, voter rolls are public. You can see if 1) they are registered 2) what party they registered with, if the state allows them to declare and 3) if they have voted in the past elections. You cannot see HOW they vote, but you can see if they voted.

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    5. Lab1281. This proud Georgia voter agrees with you.

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  3. Mostly I am just sad to see a money saving blog turned into a platform to air grievances against our former president. I won't be back.

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    1. I’m sorry, Lana. I hope you will reconsider. My point was that...” Spending money for airplane tickets and hotel rooms when you've already faced financial problems just seems irresponsible to me. “ and that falls right inline with a money saving blog. I didn’t say if I was for Trump or not. I was quoting from the article. Like I said, I hope you will reconsider. :)

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    2. Seriously Lana? You think you have the right to tell Belinda what she can and cannot discuss? Really? You are no better than the impeached disgrace that you most likely voted for. You should be ashamed of yourself.

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  4. Can I borrow Meg's response and say-I concur. The scapegoating of America-"anyone that looks or talks different from me, must be the bad guy if I personally am hurting" mantra plays out with so many people. Trump provided a talking head for their anger-even though he had lousy treatment of people who look and sound like them his whole life.

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  5. I really don't care what their finances were. I was and still am absolutely disgusted by that mob at the capitol. There are plenty of people who live in poverty, have filed bankruptcies, lost their jobs etc. who are not criminal like that mob was. I have lived many years in poverty in the past and I NEVER used it as an excuse to break the law. What I see most clearly is a terrible president who gave permission for people to flaunt and show their basest of instincts. It was okay to be a racist, liar, etc. This just shows you how rotten to the core we can be as humans when there are no consequences. And now many of that mob must face the music rightfully so. Isabella

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  6. I think it is a ridiculous viewpoint to even consider. Another way to slam former President Trump. and like Lana above I won't be back either. Stick to money saving tips and tricks and stay out of politics.

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    1. I was not personally slamming Trump. I was quoting from the article. What I said about it was this...Spending money for airplane tickets and hotel rooms when you've already faced financial problems just seems irresponsible to me. And that to me is about saving money. I'm sorry you don't think it is. I hope you will reconsider too, but if not I will understand. Take care. :)

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    2. SHE didn't slam him. *I* did, however.

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    3. Who the heck are these people who think they can dictate to a grown woman what she can or cannot discuss on her own blog? I am appalled, but not surprised. I, for one, will continue to read and enjoy Belinda's blog.

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    4. Thank you so much, Cheryl. You're the best!

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  7. Belinda, ignore those naysayers. You are correct about air flights and hotels. Many of those people feel disenfranchised. But why is that? Do they pinch pennies like you do? Do they have a pantry? Are they content with what they have as you are? Do they embrace financial literacy, have a budget, live within their means? I am not saying it is an easy world out there. It's tough to be out of work. We have been there more than once. But collective violence will not solve a single problem. I for one will always follow your wonderful blog! Isabella

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    1. Thank you, Isabella. If you were here I would give you a great big hug!

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    2. Dear Anonymous (Isabella): That is a GREAT reply!!! Thank you. I was getting blue reading- some of the naysayers posts. Arlene

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    3. Thank you, Arlene. I'm going to give you a great big hug too.

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  8. As a Canadian and one who at one time was what could be considered poor, or at least lacking good financial backing, I would never have bought a ticket on a plane or spent money better spent on keeping a roof over our heads or feeding the family.

    Forget the nay sayers, you said nothing wrong.

    God bless.

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    1. That was my point, Jackie. I wouldn't buy a ticket or spend money on a hotel for that purpose either. You are the next one getting a big hug from me. Thank you!

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  9. I doubt that any of those arrested and with bankruptcies or lawsuits against them were poor. I think they made a lot of bad choices or maybe were caught by medical bills. Thanks for the information. I agree with Meg!

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  10. There were plenty of poor abs plenty of not poor rioting that day. All LOSERS. I see one is demanding organic food in jail.... umm hmmm... get Right on that! LOL!!

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    1. OMG, Right?! Ummm, Dude you lost that privilege when you crossed the line.

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  11. I thought it was an interesting article too. I guess I'm not surprised that the rioters had financial problems as they surely didn't have any common sense or decency. I don't know what makes people believe such crazy conspiracy theories. I really believe that "Q" is actually a troll who thinks up these bizarre ideas to see how many people can be fooled. He/she is probably laughing that people believe the nonsense.

    Belinda, this is Your blog and you can post what you want. You did nothing wrong, and I'm sorry that some people are trying to make you feel bad.

    Thanks Meg. Hopefully we can learn from history and not make the same mistakes as Germany.

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    1. I'm with Kathy Belinda ..It's your blog and sometimes you feel the need to make a point. It's a great point to ponder on too. Why do some people just keep spending money. I would be so worried about my finances that I would not go anywhere to keep them under control as I'm sure that many others would too. Then there are some people who just keep racking it up! Thanks Cheryl and Kathy for supporting Belinda!

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    2. Tank you so much, Vickie. I really appreciate that. And I agree about finances. I couldn't sleep at night if I was worried about mine.

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  12. There are some people who always blame others. I think many of these rioters who have financial problems according to the article, must have made bad choices, and without learning from their mistakes, instead blamed immigrants, Democrats, and anyone that they they could think of. After reading lots of conspiracies then they marched to overturn election results. Pure lunacy!

    How that solved their problems, I don’t understand.

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    1. Excellent points, Nil. I know people who blame others when clearly it is their responsibility. You're right, it does not solve their problems.

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  13. I found your article really interesting. Perhaps buying massive amounts of weaponry, bullets, bear spray and Trump gear set them behind in their house payments. Priorities, after all. The men certainly didn't spend their money on shaving gear.
    I agree with you Kathy, I think "Q" is a Russian troll.
    Maggie

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  14. I feel like bad decisions, financial problems and mental illness seem to go hand in hand.

    Amy

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  15. Interesting article. I see it as informative rather than political.

    Susan

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  16. Belinda your post is easy to tell about the contents and if someone doesn't want to read it, just pass by.

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  17. Wow Belinda, I miss a day while traveling and you blow up blog land....:)

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  18. Your blog, your views. I also thought you were approaching it from a financial perspective, and not a political one.

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    1. Thank you so much! That is exactly what I was doing. :)

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  19. Yes, you were, Belinda. Read carefully, peeps!

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