Nathan Becker

@netbacker.bsky.social

1948 Followers 2106 Following

Why do we accept shortages in healthcare, education, and childcare, but never seem to run out of money for tax cuts, unending wars or big corp bailouts? The way we talk about public money shapes the world we live in. Notice the disconnect.

Collage of C-SPAN screenshots with large overlaid text reading ‘Funding Comes From Votes Not Taxes’ in yellow letters with red shadow. Four panels show: a legislative chyron referencing Taiwan alliances needing a two-thirds majority to pass; a live House floor vote tally showing Democratic, Republican, and Independent totals of 410; Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) speaking at a podium in a yellow jacket; and a coronavirus coverage chyron announcing an upcoming final vote on $8.3 billion in emergency funding. Hand-drawn yellow arrows and a box highlight the word ‘Vote’ in the chyron, reinforcing the meme’s argument that federal spending is authorized by Congressional vote rather than being contingent on tax revenue collection
Collage of C-SPAN screenshots with large overlaid text reading ‘Funding Comes From Votes Not Taxes’ in yellow letters with red shadow. Four panels show: a legislative chyron referencing Taiwan alliances needing a two-thirds majority to pass; a live House floor vote tally showing Democratic, Republican, and Independent totals of 410; Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) speaking at a podium in a yellow jacket; and a coronavirus coverage chyron announcing an upcoming final vote on $8.3 billion in emergency funding. Hand-drawn yellow arrows and a box highlight the word ‘Vote’ in the chyron, reinforcing the meme’s argument that federal spending is authorized by Congressional vote rather than being contingent on tax revenue collection.
Collage of C-SPAN screenshots with the overlaid text ‘FUNDING COMES FROM VOTES NOT TAXES’ in large yellow and red letters. Images show a House floor vote tally with Democratic, Republican, and Independent totals, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) speaking at a podium, and a chyron reading ‘Up Next: Final Vote on $8.3 Billion in Emergency Funding’ related to coronavirus relief. Yellow hand-drawn arrows and a box highlight the word ‘Vote’ in the chyron, emphasizing the meme’s argument that federal spending is authorized by Congressional votes rather than being directly funded by tax revenue.
Editorial illustration showing a wealthy man carrying a large bundle of dollar bills, followed by a woman and child each clutching smaller amounts of money, while a tiny figure stands alone at the far right with nothing. Bold text reads “LET THEM EAT CREDIT” — a riff on Marie Antoinette’s “Let them eat cake,” critiquing the substitution of debt access for actual wealth in an unequal economy.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
A wooden shield-shaped plaque with a gold border and black center. The plaque reads 'Certified Champion BILLIONAIRE DEFENDER' at the top and includes the quote 'He will never love you back.' at the bottom.
Text from a book titled 'The Deficit Lie' discussing the concept of the federal deficit. It argues that no one is personally hurt by the federal deficit, explaining that the deficit is the difference between federal expenditures and income taxes collected. It humorously suggests that one would only be hurt by the deficit if they were negatively affected by a tax that was too low or by excessive federal government spending on themselves.
A split-scene political meme with the large caption “PRIVATE PROFITS WITH PUBLIC LOSS” across the top. On the left, a group of casually dressed Silicon Valley tech executives sit in a luxurious office, laughing and celebrating with champagne. A laptop displays “Billions in profits” with an upward graph, and stacks of cash sit on the table. A plaque reads “Disrupt. Dominate. Profit.” In the center, a large pipeline labeled “Bailout / Backstop” runs from the U.S. Capitol building toward the tech executives, with money visibly flowing through it. A sign below reads “Your tax dollars at work.” On the right, the mood is starkly different: a gray, distressed scene shows laid-off workers sitting outside a job center. One man holds a “Layoff Notice,” while a family sits nearby with a sign reading “Need Help.” A billboard above them says “When they lose, we pay,” alongside a falling market graph and text listing “Market crash, Jobs lost, Pensions gone, Communities hurt.
Collage of C-SPAN screenshots with the overlaid text ‘FUNDING COMES FROM VOTES NOT TAXES’ in large yellow and red letters. Images show a House floor vote tally with Democratic, Republican, and Independent totals, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) speaking at a podium, and a chyron reading ‘Up Next: Final Vote on $8.3 Billion in Emergency Funding’ related to coronavirus relief. Yellow hand-drawn arrows and a box highlight the word ‘Vote’ in the chyron, emphasizing the meme’s argument that federal spending is authorized by Congressional votes rather than being directly funded by tax revenue.
Collage of C-SPAN screenshots with the overlaid text ‘FUNDING COMES FROM VOTES NOT TAXES’ in large yellow and red letters. Images show a House floor vote tally with Democratic, Republican, and Independent totals, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) speaking at a podium, and a chyron reading ‘Up Next: Final Vote on $8.3 Billion in Emergency Funding’ related to coronavirus relief. Yellow hand-drawn arrows and a box highlight the word ‘Vote’ in the chyron, emphasizing the meme’s argument that federal spending is authorized by Congressional votes rather than being directly funded by tax revenue
"IF YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND ANY PROBLEM IN AMERICA, YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON WHO PROFITS FROM THAT PROBLEM, NOT WHO SUFFERS FROM THE PROBLEM."
Collage of C-SPAN screenshots with the overlaid text ‘FUNDING COMES FROM VOTES NOT TAXES’ in large yellow and red letters. Images show a House floor vote tally with Democratic, Republican, and Independent totals, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) speaking at a podium, and a chyron reading ‘Up Next: Final Vote on $8.3 Billion in Emergency Funding’ related to coronavirus relief. Yellow hand-drawn arrows and a box highlight the word ‘Vote’ in the chyron, emphasizing the meme’s argument that federal spending is authorized by Congressional votes rather than being directly funded by tax revenue.“​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Meme featuring a photo of Paul Ryan in a suit with an American flag pin, making a pained or guilty facial expression. Overlaid red text contains two fabricated quotes attributed to him: ‘Actually, the US government can afford anything achievable that’s denominated in US dollars.’ and ‘When we tell you a Green New Deal is unaffordable, we really mean that we just don’t want you to have it.’ The meme argues that political objections to progressive spending programs like the Green New Deal are based on policy preference rather than genuine fiscal constraints.
Collage of C-SPAN screenshots with the overlaid text ‘FUNDING COMES FROM VOTES NOT TAXES’ in large yellow and red letters. Images show a House floor vote tally with Democratic, Republican, and Independent totals, Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) speaking at a podium, and a chyron reading ‘Up Next: Final Vote on $8.3 Billion in Emergency Funding’ related to coronavirus relief. Yellow hand-drawn arrows and a box highlight the word ‘Vote’ in the chyron, emphasizing the meme’s argument that federal spending is authorized by Congressional votes rather than being directly funded by tax revenue.
Paul Rayan in the background: with this overlay ACTUALLY, THE US GOVERNMENT CAN AFFORD ANYTHING ACHIEVABLE THAT'S DENOMINATED IN US DOLLARS. "WHEN WE TELL YOU A GREEN NEW DEAL IS UNAFFORDABLE, WE REALLY MEAN THAT WE JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE IT."
“Meme titled ‘But how do we pay for it??’ featuring a screenshot of Alan Greenspan, identified as Federal Reserve Chairman, alongside a quote in which he states the federal government can create as much money as it wants, with the real constraint being real resources and inflation risk. Green text summarizes this as meaning tax money is not the true barrier to government spending. Bottom text argues that ‘how do we pay for it’ is never asked about tax cuts or military spending, and that the federal government creates its own currency unlike a household.”
“Meme titled ‘But how do we pay for it??’ featuring a screenshot of Alan Greenspan, identified as Federal Reserve Chairman, alongside a quote in which he states the federal government can create as much money as it wants, with the real constraint being real resources and inflation risk. Green text summarizes this as meaning tax money is not the true barrier to government spending. Bottom text argues that ‘how do we pay for it’ is never asked about tax cuts or military spending, and that the federal government creates its own currency unlike a household.”
Screenshot of a quote from former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan. Text reads: "There's nothing to prevent the federal government from creating as much money as it wants, and paying it to someone." Below, a user adds: "The question is, how do you set up a system which assures that the real assets are created which those benefits are employed to purchase." A caption explains: Greenspan confirms the government faces no financial constraint—only real resources and inflation matter. Unlike tax cuts or military spending, social programs face fake "how pay for it" barriers.
Screenshot of a quote from former Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan. Text reads: "There's nothing to prevent the federal government from creating as much money as it wants, and paying it to someone." Below, a user adds: "The question is, how do you set up a system which assures that the real assets are created which those benefits are employed to purchase." A caption explains: Greenspan confirms the government faces no financial constraint—only real resources and inflation matter. Unlike tax cuts or military spending, social programs face fake "how pay for it" barriers.
A minimalist text graphic on a dark background. At the top, small white text reads: "They want you to worry about this so you will meekly submit to this." Below, two columns are separated by a vertical line. On the left, the words "National Debt" are stacked vertically in large white letters. On the right, the words "Private Debt" are stacked vertically in large red letters, implying that private debt is the true threat or is hidden in plain sight.
Vote for the people who want the People to vote. Vote for Democrats. @VoteBluePA
We want a government that represents us. When we register and vote, we make sure our government represents all of us. My Vote le for Clean Water & o Livable Climate My Vote a for the Americo My Vote Is for Healthcore My Vote Is for Justice for All My Vote Is for Higher Woges GIRLS TER TO TOTE
A meme "We shouldn't do wealth taxes—just give to charity!"
Ran up $94 in about 3hrs of “work”
Epstein’s email says: “New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, =9yo”
FRBSF ECONOMIC LETTER 2026-01 | JANUARY 5,2026 The change in the average U.S. tariff rate in 2025 was the largest in the modern era. One way to assess the effects of such a large shock on nemployment and inflation is by looking at data from pre-World War Il periods with tariff rate changes of a similar magnitude. Analysis shows that previous tariff hikes raised unemployment and reduced both economic activity and inflation. Uncertainty may be a factor behind these effects: A large tariff increase raises uncertainty, which can depress overall demand and lead to lower inflation The 15% increase in the average U.S. tariff rate in 2025. he largest in the modern era.
Vintage political cartoon titled ‘The New Safety Mark for Waders’ showing Uncle Sam standing in water next to a Congress building, holding a sign reading ‘DEBT LIMIT $65,000,000.’ He says ‘ABSOLUTELY SAFE! ONLY UP TO YOUR NECK OUT HERE!’ Meanwhile, a person labeled ‘UNCLE SAM’ clings to a pole marked ‘DEBT LIMIT $49,000,000000 DANGEROUS! DO NOT GO BEYOND!’ asking ‘HOW DEEP?’ The word ‘FEDERAL’ is written in the water, satirizing debates over raising the national debt ceiling
Political cartoon showing four figures walking in descending size order, each carrying stacks of coins. A man in a suit carries the largest pile labeled ‘LET’, followed by a woman carrying a medium pile labeled ‘THEM’, then a person with a smaller pile labeled ‘EAT’, and finally a small child at the end labeled ‘CREDIT’. The image is a visual play on the phrase ‘Let them eat credit,’ critiquing wealth inequality and credit-based economic systems.
A visual stating: "How will we pay for it? Is the wrong question We Should be asking: Are these things worth doing and do we have the real resources - The people The raw materials The equipment The technology - to do them? will they make society better off?" — Stephanie Kelton Professor of economics and public policy at Stony Brook University and former Chief Economist on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee (Democratic staff)
A graphic from Washington Post in the late 90s captioned: “AS THE GOVERNMENT SAVES, THE PEOPLE SPEND U.S. household* savings rate and federal deficit or surplus as a percentage of gross domestic product.” When the government was running surpluses in the late ’90s, household savings plummeted. Looks like the boom wasn’t just about tech euphoria—it was also spending down savings.
"As the sole manufacturer of dollars, whose debt is denominated in dollars, the U.S. government can never become insolvent, i.e. unable to pay its bills. In this sense, the government is not dependent on credit markets to remain operational. Moreover, there will always be a market for U.S. government debt at home because the U.S. government has the only means of creating risk-free dollar-denominated assets." ~STL Federal Reserve
Paul Rayan saying: "Actually, the U.S. government can afford anything achievable that's denominated in U.S. dollars. 'When we tell you Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid is unaffordable, we really mean that we just don't want you to have it.'"
A banner in front of the Whitehouse “CANCEL STUDENT DEBT” "When We Tell You Canceling Student Debt is Unaffordable, We Really mean, WE JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE IT."
This chart illustrates the point perfectly. For over 15 years, the US economy has consistently operated below its productive potential (the trend lines). This is the underutilization of our nation's capacity.
Quoting Keynes: “When the facts change, I change my mind— what do you do, sir?” JOHN MAYNARD KEYNES
Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. --Muhammad Ali
"As the sole manufacturer of dollars, whose debt is denominated in dollars, the U.S. government can never become insolvent, i.e. unable to pay its bills. In this sense, the government is not dependent on credit markets to remain operational. Moreover, there will always be a market for U.S. government debt at home because the U.S. government has the only means of creating risk-free dollar-denominated assets." ~STL Federal Reserve
"Small Government" is conservative code talk for Corporate Dominance. Board rooms don't have to listen to a thing you say. They will eradicate every law on the books except those that protect and increase their wealth and profit. It's time to wake up America.
Screenshot destroying deficit myths: The 'deficit' is just the difference between what gov spends and taxes. Nobody's ever been hurt by receiving money!
Screenshot of Robert Reich's Bluesky post showing: "94% of teachers pay for school supplies themselves, 1 in 6 work second jobs - while Wall Street got record $244k bonuses. Something's wrong." My reply calls out this false equivalence as policy complicity that he contributed to and is still contributing by going on TV and pouting the same helplessness. Reich notes teacher poverty vs Wall Street bonuses but frames as mysterious 'wrong' rather than deliberate policy choice. My reply exposes this gaslighting.
Certified champion Billionaire Defender award