The Ryan win is more than a bellwether. It's a map of the minefield. Look at the issues he won on, versus the issues the Republican campaigned on. And in the next two months, things are going to change in such a way that it will be harder for Republicans to run on those issues since they will not be the big issues they thought they would be.
The Ryan win is more than a bellwether. It's a map of the minefield. Look at the issues he won on, versus the issues the Republican campaigned on. And in the next two months, things are going to change in such a way that it will be harder for Republicans to run on those issues since they will not be the big issues they thought they would be.
I did some GOTV calling for Ryan, and even with a list that I’m sure was of reliable Democrats, I found the responses surprisingly positive. As to what Pat Ryan said, I’ve been arguing for months that the Democrats’ theme should be, Democracy is on the Ballot This Year. Because it is. And voters—many of them, at least—know it.
Education is one of the areas the Republican brand has chosen to control. Ron DeSantis politicized school board races. He chose which candidates to endorse, and they won.
“Florida has led with purpose and conviction that our school system is about education, not indoctrination,” Mr. DeSantis posted on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, along with an image of his slate of 30 “pro-parent” candidates. At least 20 won on Tuesday, and five went to runoffs.’ (NYTimes)
Much of the destruction of democracy is happening within the states – which ones? What do we know of the balance of power between the Biden administration and the federal government versus the conservative right-ring states such as Florida, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, Wyoming, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and the list goes on? What sort of education are the children in those states getting? Do we have a lens through which to know?
In regard to which states with destruction of democracy, the answer is Republican majority state legislatures. The best way to keep democracy is to focus on those pivotal states identified by The States Project as having Democratic majorities in state house chambers that can be saved or gained.
The States Project organizes Giving Circles to send funds to good candidates in those pivotal states, so the candidates can spend more time on meeting voters in person--the most effective way of getting votes. Here is our HCR inspired Tending to Democracy Giving Circle:
Thank you, Fern, and anyone checking out The States Project. As we are all bombarded by hyperbolic screeches for our money, it is relief to find an organization that analyzes data to determine how our precious donor dollars can be used most effectively.
Ellie, you have provided a crucial resource to the states where there's a chance for democracy to succeed, and, yet, we are still left with the dangerous divide between the red states and the rest -- a country at odds with itself.
A mental exercise here, Fern. We know that the Republicans foisted this partisan, divisive 'war' upon the country. Their attack on democracy is to divide and conquer. They created and exploited personal grievances along the lines of race, religion and ethnicity. How can Democrats win the war that Republicans started?
Ignoring this reality is not the answer. The progressives in the Democratic Party think in terms of more socialized solutions that reduce income and wealth inequality and level the playing field. All these solutions require the wealthier members of society to contribute more to the greater welfare of others. Therein lies the problem, because sharing income and wealth is verboten to the wealthy. The rich don't want to help others and in fact they would rather spend their money suppressing and repressing those who threaten to take any of their wealth and income.
Republicans use this dynamic to their advantage. So, I ask what can Democrats do to win? How do we overcome the prevailing human nature found in America and transform it to the human nature prevalent in the socialist Scandanavian countries, for example?
Every progressive effort is so watered down or compromised, first by centrist Democrats and then by Republicans, that successful outcomes are hard to achieve. If Biden could have passed the original $8-trillion Build Back Better most Americans would have experienced great personal improvement in their lives for generations to come. We know progressive policies will work but we never get the chance to prove it. Which brings me back to winning the war at the state level because it just isn't going to get done at the Federal level anymore (not that it ever did.)
At one time I supported Howard Dean's fifty-state strategy, but that opportunity has slipped by. When Democrats are in power at the Federal level should they start looking at ways they can shift the dynamics at the state level. For example, end blue states subsidizing red states. What about moving government assets out of red states and into blue states? For example, the Texas economy is highly dependent upon federally funded and operated agencies. I remember when Trump was trying to move departments out of Washington to red states. It was the Department of Interior as I recall.
I think Democrats should think more in terms a carrots and sticks approach to empowering blue states and penalizing red states. They did the carrot with Medicaid but without the stick, red states were able to do as they wish without penalty. There has to be more penalties for those states that choose non-compliance.
Democrats need a long-term vision that is uncompromising. Republicans want all or nothing; win at any cost! They assume that supreme power is theirs for the taking/stealing. Maybe it's time for Democrats to think the same way. If Democrats truly believe that their ideology is best for the country, then they should not waiver or compromise. Democrats should not surrender leadership once they have it and should do whatever it takes (legally) to achieve the greater good for all. A good start would be cutting their ties to the wealthy. Democrats are not going to be able to change minds. Their success will only come from successfully implementing programs that do the most good for the greatest number of people which is exactly what the wealthy do not want to see happen.
You know how government operates better than I do, Fern. What do you think is doable?
Hi Ellie, Your periodic bundles with links to grassroots organizations, candidates and other useful info is an outstanding extension of LFAA's people library, along with HCR's, NOTES, and subscribers' recommendations. This aspect of the forum helps keep engagement alive. So, today I joined and donated to States Project as well as to Beto's campaign. What you do serves one of the most important reasons we are here. Thank you and Cheers!
Thank you, Fern! As we inspire each other and mobilize ourselves, we exponentially build the force to save democracy and just plain goodness in a threatening time!
The Ryan win is more than a bellwether. It's a map of the minefield. Look at the issues he won on, versus the issues the Republican campaigned on. And in the next two months, things are going to change in such a way that it will be harder for Republicans to run on those issues since they will not be the big issues they thought they would be.
"Dewey Beats Truman!" indeed.
I did some GOTV calling for Ryan, and even with a list that I’m sure was of reliable Democrats, I found the responses surprisingly positive. As to what Pat Ryan said, I’ve been arguing for months that the Democrats’ theme should be, Democracy is on the Ballot This Year. Because it is. And voters—many of them, at least—know it.
Glad to hear your confirmation Jon.
How many ways do Republicans impede democracy? Let me count the ways.
Education is one of the areas the Republican brand has chosen to control. Ron DeSantis politicized school board races. He chose which candidates to endorse, and they won.
“Florida has led with purpose and conviction that our school system is about education, not indoctrination,” Mr. DeSantis posted on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, along with an image of his slate of 30 “pro-parent” candidates. At least 20 won on Tuesday, and five went to runoffs.’ (NYTimes)
Much of the destruction of democracy is happening within the states – which ones? What do we know of the balance of power between the Biden administration and the federal government versus the conservative right-ring states such as Florida, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi, Wyoming, West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, and the list goes on? What sort of education are the children in those states getting? Do we have a lens through which to know?
In regard to which states with destruction of democracy, the answer is Republican majority state legislatures. The best way to keep democracy is to focus on those pivotal states identified by The States Project as having Democratic majorities in state house chambers that can be saved or gained.
https://statesproject.org/why-states-matter/
The States Project organizes Giving Circles to send funds to good candidates in those pivotal states, so the candidates can spend more time on meeting voters in person--the most effective way of getting votes. Here is our HCR inspired Tending to Democracy Giving Circle:
https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-to-Democracy
Thank you, Ellie. You have provided the information that many of us are looking for. The States Project will be part of my morning.
Thank you, Fern, and anyone checking out The States Project. As we are all bombarded by hyperbolic screeches for our money, it is relief to find an organization that analyzes data to determine how our precious donor dollars can be used most effectively.
Ellie, you have provided a crucial resource to the states where there's a chance for democracy to succeed, and, yet, we are still left with the dangerous divide between the red states and the rest -- a country at odds with itself.
Brother against brother, friend against friend, where have I heard that before.
Hmmm, it does sound a bit familiar, now that you mention it.
A mental exercise here, Fern. We know that the Republicans foisted this partisan, divisive 'war' upon the country. Their attack on democracy is to divide and conquer. They created and exploited personal grievances along the lines of race, religion and ethnicity. How can Democrats win the war that Republicans started?
Ignoring this reality is not the answer. The progressives in the Democratic Party think in terms of more socialized solutions that reduce income and wealth inequality and level the playing field. All these solutions require the wealthier members of society to contribute more to the greater welfare of others. Therein lies the problem, because sharing income and wealth is verboten to the wealthy. The rich don't want to help others and in fact they would rather spend their money suppressing and repressing those who threaten to take any of their wealth and income.
Republicans use this dynamic to their advantage. So, I ask what can Democrats do to win? How do we overcome the prevailing human nature found in America and transform it to the human nature prevalent in the socialist Scandanavian countries, for example?
Every progressive effort is so watered down or compromised, first by centrist Democrats and then by Republicans, that successful outcomes are hard to achieve. If Biden could have passed the original $8-trillion Build Back Better most Americans would have experienced great personal improvement in their lives for generations to come. We know progressive policies will work but we never get the chance to prove it. Which brings me back to winning the war at the state level because it just isn't going to get done at the Federal level anymore (not that it ever did.)
At one time I supported Howard Dean's fifty-state strategy, but that opportunity has slipped by. When Democrats are in power at the Federal level should they start looking at ways they can shift the dynamics at the state level. For example, end blue states subsidizing red states. What about moving government assets out of red states and into blue states? For example, the Texas economy is highly dependent upon federally funded and operated agencies. I remember when Trump was trying to move departments out of Washington to red states. It was the Department of Interior as I recall.
I think Democrats should think more in terms a carrots and sticks approach to empowering blue states and penalizing red states. They did the carrot with Medicaid but without the stick, red states were able to do as they wish without penalty. There has to be more penalties for those states that choose non-compliance.
Democrats need a long-term vision that is uncompromising. Republicans want all or nothing; win at any cost! They assume that supreme power is theirs for the taking/stealing. Maybe it's time for Democrats to think the same way. If Democrats truly believe that their ideology is best for the country, then they should not waiver or compromise. Democrats should not surrender leadership once they have it and should do whatever it takes (legally) to achieve the greater good for all. A good start would be cutting their ties to the wealthy. Democrats are not going to be able to change minds. Their success will only come from successfully implementing programs that do the most good for the greatest number of people which is exactly what the wealthy do not want to see happen.
You know how government operates better than I do, Fern. What do you think is doable?
Thank you, fellow HCR Substackers who signed up and/or donated to the cause of pushing our Blue Wave!
Here is a link to the candidates and state legislatures supported by The States Project:
https://statesproject.org/get-involved/give-smart/
Hi Ellie, Your periodic bundles with links to grassroots organizations, candidates and other useful info is an outstanding extension of LFAA's people library, along with HCR's, NOTES, and subscribers' recommendations. This aspect of the forum helps keep engagement alive. So, today I joined and donated to States Project as well as to Beto's campaign. What you do serves one of the most important reasons we are here. Thank you and Cheers!
Thank you, Fern! As we inspire each other and mobilize ourselves, we exponentially build the force to save democracy and just plain goodness in a threatening time!
That 'goodness' means so much. 🌱
Count on it being skewed to the max, DeSantis and Abbott are smart and crazy bastards. The power plays are Hitleresque
From your keyboard to God's eyes....