Thanks for the detailed explanation of "congressional earmarks," Heather. I will try and read more about these and hope they make a difference for the American people. Very interesting.
As to the other portions of your letter, this was EVERYTHING:
"Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne noted that the adherence of all but seven senators …
Thanks for the detailed explanation of "congressional earmarks," Heather. I will try and read more about these and hope they make a difference for the American people. Very interesting.
As to the other portions of your letter, this was EVERYTHING:
"Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne noted that the adherence of all but seven senators to Trump “should end the absurd talk that there is a burden on President Biden to achieve a bipartisan nirvana in Washington. If most Republicans can’t even admit that what Trump did is worthy of impeachment, how can anyone imagine that they would be willing and trustworthy governing partners?”
Dionne added that the acquittal made an overwhelming case for getting rid of the filibuster, which in its current incarnation effectively means that no legislation can pass without support from 60 senators. Thanks to the 50-50 split in the Senate, getting to 60 means getting 10 Republican votes. This is impossible, Dionne says, because clearly “There are not 10 Republican Senate votes to be had on anything that really matters.”'
This is so true. Republican senators who did not vote for conviction are as bad as T---- and the insurrectionists themselves. Maybe worse. . .because of the power they continue to hold. As far as I'm concerned, they wanted the insurrection--even though they were in danger--because they do not like that Congress--the House especially--is looking more and more like America. They fear the loss of white supremacy. How do we work with people like that? We don't. We work right through them, we don't give up, give in, or go away. I am emboldened everyday by the younger people from every background in this country who are being elected into positions of power. If each one of us commits ourselves to work hard in our own communities to dismantle systemic racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and sexism, white supremacy as a power structure will collapse. White supremacists will never completely disappear, but white supremacy as a power structure MUST. That and only that will move us toward achieving this experiment we call Democracy. Only then can we begin to distribute wealth and power in this country.
Thanks again, Heather. This American needs your daily letters.
I agree, this is a good place to start if you're a middle aged white person. Please consider buying it from a locally owned independent bookstore, or if you don't have one near you, one that ships (many do!), rather than from Amazon. We need to keep these places open and Amazon has profitted enough from the pandemic.
It was my intention to promote the book, not the source. It's an excellent book that helps white people better understand White Privilege. This white author spent 25 years with best intentions-- wasted. Learn from other's mistakes. Let's not repeat them over and over.
Thank you, Beth, for that reminder. So many of my friends with the means to do so have upped their usage of Amazon during the pandemic. It's hard to convince them to give up funding Bezos' tax-free life completely, so when they are resistant, I suggest they at least order through smile.amazon.com - which provides the opportunity to donate a percentage of every purchase to a charity or non-profit of the buyer's choice.
Frugal Bookstore is a family-owned, small but high-quality Black-owned bookstore in Boston's Nubian Square. They will order and ship titles not in stock. The staff is VERY nice. Support the "rebels" against Amazon's evil empire!
It also explains the lack of partisanship. If there is nothing in it "for me" why would the other side buy in. Clearly moral reasons are not enough. Follow the money.
Thanks for the detailed explanation of "congressional earmarks," Heather. I will try and read more about these and hope they make a difference for the American people. Very interesting.
As to the other portions of your letter, this was EVERYTHING:
"Washington Post columnist E.J. Dionne noted that the adherence of all but seven senators to Trump “should end the absurd talk that there is a burden on President Biden to achieve a bipartisan nirvana in Washington. If most Republicans can’t even admit that what Trump did is worthy of impeachment, how can anyone imagine that they would be willing and trustworthy governing partners?”
Dionne added that the acquittal made an overwhelming case for getting rid of the filibuster, which in its current incarnation effectively means that no legislation can pass without support from 60 senators. Thanks to the 50-50 split in the Senate, getting to 60 means getting 10 Republican votes. This is impossible, Dionne says, because clearly “There are not 10 Republican Senate votes to be had on anything that really matters.”'
This is so true. Republican senators who did not vote for conviction are as bad as T---- and the insurrectionists themselves. Maybe worse. . .because of the power they continue to hold. As far as I'm concerned, they wanted the insurrection--even though they were in danger--because they do not like that Congress--the House especially--is looking more and more like America. They fear the loss of white supremacy. How do we work with people like that? We don't. We work right through them, we don't give up, give in, or go away. I am emboldened everyday by the younger people from every background in this country who are being elected into positions of power. If each one of us commits ourselves to work hard in our own communities to dismantle systemic racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and sexism, white supremacy as a power structure will collapse. White supremacists will never completely disappear, but white supremacy as a power structure MUST. That and only that will move us toward achieving this experiment we call Democracy. Only then can we begin to distribute wealth and power in this country.
Thanks again, Heather. This American needs your daily letters.
Excellent! As a recovering racist (I was born/raised in Alabama, and the first step to recovery is admission), I highly recommend this book:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/0991331303/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_8M2RDMFAZDZNJS10KWQS
I agree, this is a good place to start if you're a middle aged white person. Please consider buying it from a locally owned independent bookstore, or if you don't have one near you, one that ships (many do!), rather than from Amazon. We need to keep these places open and Amazon has profitted enough from the pandemic.
It was my intention to promote the book, not the source. It's an excellent book that helps white people better understand White Privilege. This white author spent 25 years with best intentions-- wasted. Learn from other's mistakes. Let's not repeat them over and over.
Thank you, Beth, for that reminder. So many of my friends with the means to do so have upped their usage of Amazon during the pandemic. It's hard to convince them to give up funding Bezos' tax-free life completely, so when they are resistant, I suggest they at least order through smile.amazon.com - which provides the opportunity to donate a percentage of every purchase to a charity or non-profit of the buyer's choice.
Frugal Bookstore is a family-owned, small but high-quality Black-owned bookstore in Boston's Nubian Square. They will order and ship titles not in stock. The staff is VERY nice. Support the "rebels" against Amazon's evil empire!
https://frugalbookstore.net/
The Frugal children's section is particularly strong.
Amen! "Congress - the House especially - is looking more and more like America." You nailed it right there.
It also explains the lack of partisanship. If there is nothing in it "for me" why would the other side buy in. Clearly moral reasons are not enough. Follow the money.