IT’S GOOD TO BE THE NOMENKLATURA: Hillary’s Longtime Aides Got Pay Bumps From Her ‘Resistance’ Group Even as Revenues Plummeted.

JOHN STOSSEL: When Government Programs Do More Harm Than Good.

I’m a stutterer. Stuttering is now among disabilities covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

I wonder, had the ADA been law when I started in TV news, would I have struggled as hard to overcome my stutter? Would I have had the career I’ve had? Probably not.

The TV station wouldn’t have hired me. Once the ADA passed, my stutter makes me a member of a “protected class.” The station, reasonably, would have viewed me as potential poison.

That’s because if they fired me because I didn’t work out, I might sue. I could have accused them of failing to “accommodate the disabled,” as the law requires. Even if I didn’t win, the lawsuit would be expensive. It’s safer for employers to avoid members of “protected classes.”

Far-fetched? Look at the stats:

Before the ADA passed, 59 percent of disabled men had jobs. After it passed, the number fell to 48 percent. Today, fewer than 30 percent have jobs.

Once again, a law that was supposed to help people did the opposite of what politicians intended.

Dependency is a feature not a bug.

RUSSIAGATE: What We Do And Don’t Know About ‘How Obama Knew.’

THEY’RE ON THE PAYROLL: Democrats’ $3 Trillion Bill Would Include a Massive Gift…to Communist China.

TWO STEPS FORWARD… Judge Orders Massachusetts Gun Shops to Reopen, But Imposes Unfair Restrictions.

HMM: Did Missouri Just Out-Lawfare China? “Much remains to be seen in a very dynamic, geo-strategically charged time as the present amid the backdrop of great-power competition. If the lawsuits proceed and the PRC is implicated, then Missouri may be justified to go after all manners of Chinese assets and enterprises operating in the state. And American companies in Missouri with significant Chinese interests could be in jeopardy. The state’s lawsuit may even portend more legal action by other American municipalities and states, even perhaps private citizens and companies. Additionally, the Missouri lawsuit could snow-ball across as others from across the international community file lawsuits of their own. To counter, the PRC will likely challenge or ju-jitsu Missouri’s litigation with its own brand of lawfare.”

Regardless of how the mainland People’s Republic of China responds, the Communist Party is just one organization. But there are 50 states, 3,141 counties, and countless municipalities in this country, all with potential legal scores to settle against Beijing.

THE COWARD OF THE COUNTY: Tesla May Get to Reopen California Plant Next Week, County Says.

Health officers for Alameda County said late Tuesday that the factory can reopen if Tesla adopts safety recommendations in addition to a new plan the company submitted on Monday. While the county will let Tesla start to augment its operations this week, city police will be called upon to verify that the carmaker is adhering to the agreed measures aimed at protecting workers.

Translation: They caved to Musk.

CONRAD BLACK: Democrats Charge Into a Political Cul-de-Sac. “Democrats don’t have much hope to cling to, but they don’t deserve better.”

Too much detail for a proper excerpt, so be sure to read the whole thing.

I’d just add that Democrats will sacrifice Biden long before they’d ever give up on the Obama myth, but if Barr pushes hard enough there’s some small chance they’ll have to give up both.

KRUISER’S MORNING BRIEF: Let California Twist in the Wind Without a Bailout. “There is something particularly infuriating about governors who are arbitrarily keeping their states’ businesses shut down longer than they need to be — looking at you, Kate Brown — begging for money from the federal government. Perhaps they should look at firing up their tax bases again.”

Endorsed.

OBAMABIDENGATE: Joe Biden Denies Then Admits To Knowledge Of FBI’s Flynn Set Up.

“I know nothing about those moves to investigate Michael Flynn,” Biden said on ABC’s “Good Morning America” when George Stephanopoulos asked what he knew of the FBI’s operations in early 2017.

Biden went on to call new earthshattering revelations in recent weeks about the Obama administration’s spy scandal a distraction from the ongoing public health pandemic in an effort to avoid the topic.

“This is all about diversion. This is a game this guy plays all the time. The country is in crisis … He should stop trying to always divert attention from the real concerns of the American people.”

Stephanopoulos followed up, adding that Biden was present at a Jan. 5, 2017 Oval Office meeting where he and President Barack Obama was briefed by top White House national security officials on plans to question Flynn over conversations with then-Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislak as the presidential transition was underway.

“I thought you asked me whether or not I had anything to do with him being prosecuted,” Biden said. “I was aware that there was, that they asked for an investigation, but that’s all I know about.”

It’s impossible to tell whether Biden is lying, confused, forgetful, or all three.

BECAUSE OF COURSE: MSNBC Suggests Russia Behind Dropping of Flynn Case.

GROPEY JOE: Biden’s Support Among Women Drops as Tara Reade Allegations – and His Response – Take Their Toll.

COLORADO: Organizations urge Polis Administration to reduce prison population for safety.

It’s weird how many progressive pet projects that would never fly during regular times somehow dovetail perfectly into fighting whatever the current crisis is.

LARDED UP: 9 Pet Projects in Pelosi’s $3T ‘Democratic Wish List’ Coronavirus Bill.

HMM: The Real Reason Trump Didn’t Name Obama’s Specific Crime in ‘Obamagate.’

OBAMA, TOO: Some Obama Officials Ought to Be Mighty Worried About What Richard Grenell Just Did.

DECOUPLING: Trump orders federal retirement money invested in Chinese equities to be pulled.

OH: What Is He Hiding? Joe Biden Dodges Questions About His Complicity in Abuses Against Mike Flynn.

VEEPSTAKES: It’s Kamala Harris, Isn’t It? “More than any presidential candidate in history, including both Bushes, Biden needs a veep who can articulate in ways that he simply can’t. But Harris has a speaking style that is pure laid-back California surfer girl. Rather than clearly articulate a vision or excite the crowds with a rousing speech, she slowly carves some bitchin’ bromides.”

Much more at the link.

ALSO, FOR OUR VIP SUPPORTERS: Remember Joe Biden? “What’s funny — well, what’s new and funny today — is that Biden can’t even talk about his veep pick process without grabbing it by the shoulders from behind and whispering sweet nothings in its ear.”

That one is just for our VIP members, and I hope you’ll use that VODKAPUNDIT discount code if you’ve been thinking of becoming a supporter.

VIDEO: No, Gov. Cuomo, It Isn’t A European Virus. “The Left Is Gearing Up For A Criticism-Of-China-Is-Racist Campaign.”

Useful idiot? Fellow traveler? On the take?

You make the call!

HIS EMPLOYEES COULD SAVE A BUNDLE, TOO: Elon Musk could save billions in taxes if Tesla moves its headquarters to Nevada or Texas.

THAT’S PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE YOU GO: Democrats to Austin Businesses: Drop Dead!

I HATE YOUR HATING HATE, HATER: Canadian ‘Anti-Hate’ Activists Get Real Estate Agent Fired for Daring to Criticize ‘Allahu Akbar.’

SHOT: Elon Musk Dares California to Arrest Him for Re-Starting His Tesla Plant. Who’s With Him?

CHASER:

That answers that.

#HIMTOO: She Pestered Him For Sex And Threatened To Ruin Him If He Reported Her. HE Just Won A Harassment Case.