Daily Clips: October 12th, 2015

Americans are feeling pretty glum about the economy: We all know that the American economy isn’t living up to its potential. But how do American citizens feel about their own economic situations? In a new poll, “42 percent of respondents described their current personal financial situation as excellent or good, while 56 percent called it only fair or poor.” These numbers are virtually unchanged from 2013. Interestingly, 36 percent of white Americans “expected their financial situation to improve over the next year,” while a whopping “59 percent of minority respondents said they expected better times ahead.”

What Americans think should be done on illegal immigration: The Washington Post’s editorial board continues to rip apart Republican nominees and their policy prescriptions. This time, their column underscores the delusional nature of the far-right’s approach to immigration; namely, deporting over 10 million illegal immigrants:

Aside from the devastating cost — to individual lives, families, communities, major sectors of the economy such as agriculture and hospitality, and America’s image — Mr. Trump’s plan would be overwhelmingly opposed by the American public. In a just-released poll from the Pew Research Center, 74 percent of Americans said undocumented immigrants should be allowed to remain in the country, with slightly less than half of respondents supporting full citizenship. Just 24 percent say they should not be allowed to stay in the country legally.

Getting ready for the Democratic debate tomorrow: Vox has put together a nice, little cheat-sheet on all the Democratic candidates who will be up on stage tomorrow night. You know Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, but what about the other candidates? Did you know that Jim Webb is also running for the nomination?

In wake of school shootings, Gov. Jerry Brown bans concealed guns on California campuses: Would you look at that, a common sense approach to resolving gun violence! What’s that you say? There are people that oppose said legislation? Well, what are their thoughtful protestations?

“This bill will put thousands of innocent lives at risk,” said Brandon Combs, president of the Firearms Policy Coalition. “Criminals will know that their intended victims are totally vulnerable when they’re on California school grounds because SB 707 will ensure that they’re defenseless against a violent attack.”