The Women’s March becomes The People’s March Jan18 at 10 AM in Washington and across the country. New York City will host a march on Centre st at Foley Square take the number 6 train to city hall. Be there or be square. And march to washing Square Park. 🙏
Not too many Jennifer, it might be selfish but I need to read HCR every morning, even if is 2 AM eastern time to start putting everything together and think. Coffee always helps but it's not enough. 😎
It used to be like that in Medford. Does it ever snow there now/. Good to hear from you. Our Professor has brought an amazing group of folks together. For that I an grateful. May we all take a night off and a deep breath.
It does occasionally, more now than it did when I grew up there, I believe. It seems as though now, every 2-4 years there is a major winter storm of some sort. Last year was a horrendous ice storm, so I'm hoping we dodge one this year.
Several years ago, we were in Medford for my nephew's 30th birthday tea party. I was wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt; temp was 60+. Got a text from my friend in Eugene that said "big snow event forecast, you guys better head home." We left, beautiful weather northbound until we crested Canyon Creek pass. 8"of snow. Fought that all the way to Eugene. Woke up to 17" of snow, here.
This group is quite a community, isn't it? I love it here.
Three inches just last night! The day before my son and I moved another ten wheelbarrow loads of oak into the woodshed from the dropped pile on the lawn's edge; finishing the job will have to wait for a little melt and then intra-pile thaw and, yeah, my 88-year-old shoulders to loosen up again.
Rest deeply & well! We would not ‘blame you’ if you chose to hibernate longer! ❄️❄️❄️It’s been a grueling time. .and now light snow is covering the trees & hills—& offering a cooling, comforting peaceful scene - when so much of the world is convulsed in violence & fire… Prayers for the future. 🌿
Miselle, Katie Porter is such a clear communicator with her white
boards. I love hearing and seeing her. Liz Cheney is also an excellent efficient communicator, who uses the least words to the best effect. Such a great idea a People's Cabinet!
Wonder if the MSM would pay the slightest bit of attention? Or would they have to have dancing bears or some way to monetize any effort to hear “the people” speak.
MSM will not survive in my book as long as I have to put up with the current amount of advertising to watch the news.
I miss the shared family time watching the news in the evening and the discussion that always followed. I’m wondering if the hierarchy within the media can become more public service oriented by changing the mission of the NEWS SEGMENT of programming…it really is a critical PUBLIC SERVICE whereas the rest of MSM is personal choice.
Maybe if the reported political news is balanced between the current administration and the new People’s (Coalition…PCC, I like that) Cabinet, with a NO-ADS Public Service funded initiative, we would come closer to having an informed citizenry to form the foundation for our democracy. Both political parties warrant a platform through out the year, not just during campaign season. Let us hear from the current Cabinet and the PCC, as well as the Congressional representatives every day. Just think how much more time there would be for news if there were NO ADS! There really is no other public service more critical to our democracy. The MSM could actually be our salvation.
You have read my mind. I remember when tv, especially news was palpable. Now it’s ads with a dab of content. It’s why I don’t watch American shows anymore. Sign me up for the PCC
The only problem is it would be unaffordable to do. Ads are a nuisance but that revenue pays the reporters salary, pays for the investigative reporters to spend a month on one topic to gather information.
It is not a perfect system but how else to pay to have halfway decent reporting? The alternative would be the government or a benevolent owner (like Jeff Bezos???) to pay for it.
But we have set our country up to be beholdened to the shareholders wallet above all else, hence the overkill of advertising. I’d rather get a sliver of good factual reporting than none at all. I’m sure the shareholders would be absolutely fine if the nightly news was replaced with an MMA cage match and the news was on those big cards paraded around each round by girls in bikinis.
That’s pretty much how we are reviving it through Joe Rogan. Entertainment with a sprinkling of maybe, sort of, kinda, I dunno, like news?
Doubtful. I heard an ad last night for Jonathan Karl will be doing segments on This Week (ABC) about the idea of buying Greenland and Panama Canal and making Canada a 51st state.
I’m guessing they will have serious hypotheticals which will make it a possible, plausible thing in MAGAvillle and when we start antagonizing Denmarkand leave NATO I. A huff over the rights to Greenland, Vanada and the Canal, Americans will be duped into thinking we are right to leave.
Trump once again repays his Lona to Putin which is no longer monetary, it appears to be either fear of poisoning or actual affections and allegiance by Trump.
Think about any Democratic elected puppet of a foreign born billionaire saying before he is even inaugurated he wants to overtake our neighbor, ally and one of our largest trading partners. Then he wants to invade Greenland after he campaigned on isolationism. Who will be going? The North Korean rent a body porn patrol unit?
Giving up her seat was the price for running for the deceased Dianne Feinstein's seat in a race with Congressman Adam Schiff, and former baseball player, Steve Garvey.
The insane campaign finance costs enabled by Citizens United didn't help, though could have made the difference if the bills sponsored by John Sarbanes, "Government By the People Act," HR 20 (114th Congress), the "For the People Act," HR 1 (116th Congress that became Democratic majority after the 2018 election), or the "Freedom to Vote Act," HR 1 again, and S1 in the Senate (117th Congress) had made it through the Senate. With Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote, it still didn't have enough to get over he 60% mark required.
Katie Porter is remarkable to me for winning in a heavily Republican Orange County seat. I think she and Adam Schiff should have been the two that advanced to the run off election but she was facing something like something like 3 times the money she had available against her as big donors spent millions more on Garvey to make him the 2nd highest in the primary (enabling him to win a losing place on the ballot with only 41.25% of the vote).
Katie did apologize for initially saying the primary was "rigged," since it was taken as being done illegally. It may have been legal, but I'd like to see some limits (at least on the spending when it smothers so much competition.
I don't know what the logic was either but the primary was between Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, and Adam Schiff. All three were replaced by Democrats, so no seats were lost in the House. I had hopes long odds hope that there would be a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic President, so any one would be appointed to a very useful position (and confirmed). Could we have dared to imagine her as a Supreme Court Justice?
As it is, who better to be a People's Coalition Cabinet team member?
I donated til it hurt but I know, as all should, that repubs cheat in ways that we couldn’t imagine awhile back. Texas has a lock on evil “voter integrity laws.” Allred could have won otherwise, so could have Beto. The lies were beyond the pale, but pushback was almost non-existent. Thank you for info on primary, but all three were powerhouses for Dems. As was Al Frankin. No, I haven’t forgotten that.
It reminded me Occupy Riverside General Assemblies and the People's Microphone where megaphones weren't allowed, the speaker spoke in short sentences which those closest rings of people repeated so the next further rings could hear, and then the next rings repeated it until all heard.
I do like the "Peoples Cabinet" better than the Shadow Cabinet (also suggested at the Occupy Riverside General Assemblies), but at the risk of making it a slightly longer one, would like to see the "Peoples Coalition Cabinet."
I could imagine that might even be teams of people dedicated to following as much of the issues as possible within any given existing Cabinet position and even ones that should be cabinet positions. In my dreams, such People's Coalition Cabinet teams would try to conduct meetings like that shown in "By The People: What's Next California?"
"...Hosted by The PBS NewsHour's Judy Woodruff, "By The People: What's Next California?" follows the gathering of a representative sample of 412 registered California voters in Torrance for the state's first-ever Deliberative Poll in June 2011. Weekend discussions and results of the before-and-after poll on key issues facing the state were captured and are presented for viewers..."
I was able to follow up a bit on the By the People ideas at a meeting with Representative John Sarbanes at a meeting at the UCLA Law Center (way out of my league compared to the other attendees), but actually listened to for a few minutes and rewarded with discussions on what they were trying to do (I think back around 2013 since it was before the Government By The People Act of 2014 was submitted if I recall correctly.
I was encouraged by the 2018 election and he and the co-sponsors getting it submitted as HR 1 "For The People Ac"t in 2019 (first Bill submitted in the new Congress), "...including proposals such as proposals for public financing of campaigns, ending Citizens United, requiring presidential candidates to disclose tax returns, automatic voter registration, making Election day a federal holiday, and ending partisan gerrymandering..."
What I do remember from the meeting with Sarbanes was him saying the issues that get brought up in congress most often don't include any that citizens are most interested in.
That was the case in the What Next California meeting, where there seemed issues that were brought up (no where near the party platforms or seemingly proposed legislation by the politicians was addressed and progress made once the disparate focus groups sorted out the mix of interests and solutions the focus groups could agree upon.
"...The campaign finance system has come under attack by both parties. It may be the only issue Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Bernie Sanders all agree on. In the past few years, several existing campaign finance restrictions have been struck down by the Supreme Court, opening the floodgates for nearly-unlimited political expenditures: just 158 families now provide half of all the political campaign money in the country.
H.R. 20, the Government by the People Act introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD3), is a leading Democratic congressional proposal to level the playing field. The bill would give every citizen a voucher worth up to $50 through a “My Voice Tax Credit” for campaign contributions in $5 increments, and it would aim to make small donations as influential as large donations by matching any donation on a six-to-one level through the establish of a Freedom From Influence Fund..."
It had 161 Democratic Co-Sponsors and 1 Republican Co-Sponsor, Walter B. Jones Jr. (R-NC3)
From Wikipedia: "...Jones was ranked as the 37th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina).
Jim Young, thanks for sharing California’s typical out front initiatives! Let’s learn from them. Hopefully, the DNC is reimagining itself at this critical moment!
I'm an Independent at heart and voter registration, so I can still talk to conservative friends fairly easily. I'm encouraged by those that are still far more conservative, but that want to see Citizens United overturned.
The details I discussed with Sarbanes were pretty much about the small donations from the widest number of donors being enhanced by matching funds as multiples of matching funds up to a maximum donation per individuals.
If I recall correctly, the ideas we discussed meant large donors could donate a maximum for themselves, and even more, but the excess funds would be distributed as matching funds that increased the small donor's contribution without regard to party, in effect a general fund that encouraged many more small donors who could have their donation multiplied to whomever they supported.
Democrats adhered more to the principles involved, to me, whether or not it is required as a counter to the limitless spending enabled by Citizens United, sort of a floating limit, in effect.
That alone would help tremendously, but I'd also like to see the Fairness Doctrine returned where no one could monopolize massive parts of the available media, with at least 15% of the available time allowed for the different views allowed on all media (and that allotted by how much support was shown by the numbers of donors at the maximum individual amount, no matter what multiple was used to reach it.
I wish I could have followed it more, but welcome input from those who now more about the history, and may have better sugestions.
Jim Young, thanks for sharing the California initiatives…like the HR1 “For the People Act” in 2019. The items you listed are broadly supported nationwide.
There may be a silver lining here that helps to get the attention of more voters. With all the chaos that the GOP has created, the MSM could be the answer to the chaos. Can’t the MSM see the need for fact-checked reporting as a critical PUBLIC SERVICE, not monetized for profit?
Allocate the time needed to report what’s happening without interruption from annoying ads! In my family, the news programs used to be the time we as a family watched and discussed the issues of the day. The NEWS was important to share opinions and out…it was valuable time for real family values to be discussed between generations. To lose those shared exchanges is costly to us as families and larger communities. As much as clean air and clean water, we need clean news.
Separate THE NEWS from optional programming…it is the critical factor that upholds our democracy.
There are growing platforms taking viewers every day away from MSM. As always, it’s all about the $$$. Are the media CEO so dependent on their $take that they will let the whole structure implode? Same across much of our economy, that question begs an answer. All across this beautiful Earth, it’s all about the $$$. When will we ever learn🎶?
I love this idea of the People's Cabinet. May I interject with Robert Hubbell's thoughts yesterday regarding this. It is we as a grassroots community that need to be the ones to begin this endeavor and not wait for our elected representatives to emerge and start this campaign. It was with delight this morning on My NextDoor feed that someone initiated conversations about starting a Citizen's Assembly in our area. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens%27_assembly
Yes!! We have the power to hear all voices (yikes) and help to make our country empathetic and strong for all people.
Thanks for pointing me to the best description I've seen of Deliberative Democracy principles, which was not so simply explained in a way I could understand it back in 2011.
I was introduced to the writings of Tim Snyder by an HCR reader who used to comment here (Sandy Lewis) whom I haven't seen in a very long time. I miss his comments.
"...Former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Roderick Hills called Lewis "a man of enormous integrity" with a "crusader's drive" to correct societal ills. And Lewis' original rescuer weighed in. Bettelheim, now retired, pleaded with the judge not to send his former patient to prison. "Sandy Lewis is unquestionably a fragile — very fragile — emotional being. Were he sent to jail, I believe it would utterly destroy him."
The judge listened. Lewis got three years of probation with community service to be performed at a drug treatment center. The light sentence was due, in part, the judge ruled, to "the uniqueness" of the crime — Lewis didn't personally benefit from it — and the "uniqueness" of the man whose good works, she noted, had been a part of his life long before his legal troubles.
People's Cabinet - great idea!!! Thank you, Miselle, for posting this. I hadn't heard of it. Great this morning especially because HCR taking a smart rest.
Professor, I want to thank you particularly your report of the Memorial Service of President Carter, in particular President Biden's eulogy, concluding that everyone is given the incredible gift of life. I learned that we all have a responsibility to respond to this gift in a best way we can. That is summarized in "Love your neighbors." Thank you Professor.
I noticed that as well. How is that done as the rest looks black and white? Perhaps some paint or colored pencils was used? I make collages and use multi-media for them. I think I Need to make some more to distract myself for what is coming!
Note also the orange on the seawall to the left and the two green pylons on the right, plus red on several of the buoys. It is mostly a black and white scene, so the little bit of color shows up.
For the empaths , the therapists , the staunchest, the meek, the mentors: Stay the message, walk the walk.
There are times when even brilliance won’t shine through but a steady hand ( and head) will . Rarely have I seen this falter in even crisis -as many perceive this will be , is. The lesson has not seeped through to some, we know even the majority does not ‘win’ on occasion. But people still come…still seek..still find. Hope , Faith, Determination, Desperation..all parts of a whole
The 330 million represents a mixed bag for sure . Oh yes here in Substack Land is many the reasons -eloquent , deep, mentors, followers, wonderful chances in pen to find a voice in the darkness . I laughed ..Heather and a coffee..poetic actually. Lovely😌
We need poetry. The Ralston photography. You. Breaths of deep thought , art for the souls, inspiration , and TRUTH . It may be where some find the few places where education is offered , be it a safe harbor for all 🫶
It is lovely and poignant to see your post in the land of winter, having grown up in Michigan. Now transported by accident to Berkeley CA in 1971, finished my PhD, but somehow forgot to leave, I still miss autumn and winter, also miss the bittersweet contrast between your photo and Robert Hubbell's comments of this week. Please encourage your readers, if you think it just, to turn smalll donations also to LA , a home of the Getty, the Huntington, much history and divoersity, and the enemy of our oncoming president.
Carol, I moved to Palo Alto in 1982 and always had an ice scraper on the dashboard pf ,my truck. I was mocked...until there was a frost and no one else had one! 😉 Sadly, I was caught without one at Thanksgiving (visiting my in-laws in Ashland, OR). I went and bought the same one my brother-in-law has from Costco when I got back to Eugene. Used it last week when my wife's car had a big dose of frost.
Deirdre the only advantage you'll have by moving to Italy is that you can read HCR letters at 8 am while getting breakfast drinking cappuccino and eating canoli at 8 am instead of 2 am ET. 😆
I love the way you let us all know when you do take a rest and take care of yourself. Self care is going to be very important in coping with the next administration so thank you 💤🛌🥱
Appreciate you sharing this photo - it's lovely to rest eyes on a beautiful view of tranquility...
you can feel the crisp quietness of winter there in the NE at the water's edge...life is filled with contrast - and how we begin to see and make our way in the world.....
Sounds absolutely lovely and know you’ve made a lot of us not only smarter but a little kinder.
The Women’s March becomes The People’s March Jan18 at 10 AM in Washington and across the country. New York City will host a march on Centre st at Foley Square take the number 6 train to city hall. Be there or be square. And march to washing Square Park. 🙏
Marching in DC. Bill, thank you for reminding everyone about this important event.
We'll be there, too, with our granddaughter, "God willing, and the Creek don't rise" as per https://nativeheritageproject.com/2012/08/20/god-willing-and-the-creek-dont-rise/
In this case, I don't expect the Creek to rise, nor the creek.
Lol. I love that old saying!
"We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep."
— The Tempest by William Shakespeare
Beautiful photo; captures the essence of winter on the water.
Rest well, Professor. You’ve earned a night off.
Many nights off!
Not too many Jennifer, it might be selfish but I need to read HCR every morning, even if is 2 AM eastern time to start putting everything together and think. Coffee always helps but it's not enough. 😎
I agree! Can’t live without reading Richardson!
😆
I always save for my morning coffee, but I don't read anything else before LFAA.
Lymphosite Function Associate Antigen, LFAA? That sounds serious Mike. I would try coffee no matter what. 😁
It used to be like that in Medford. Does it ever snow there now/. Good to hear from you. Our Professor has brought an amazing group of folks together. For that I an grateful. May we all take a night off and a deep breath.
It does occasionally, more now than it did when I grew up there, I believe. It seems as though now, every 2-4 years there is a major winter storm of some sort. Last year was a horrendous ice storm, so I'm hoping we dodge one this year.
Several years ago, we were in Medford for my nephew's 30th birthday tea party. I was wearing shorts and a Hawaiian shirt; temp was 60+. Got a text from my friend in Eugene that said "big snow event forecast, you guys better head home." We left, beautiful weather northbound until we crested Canyon Creek pass. 8"of snow. Fought that all the way to Eugene. Woke up to 17" of snow, here.
This group is quite a community, isn't it? I love it here.
Three inches just last night! The day before my son and I moved another ten wheelbarrow loads of oak into the woodshed from the dropped pile on the lawn's edge; finishing the job will have to wait for a little melt and then intra-pile thaw and, yeah, my 88-year-old shoulders to loosen up again.
Thank you, Professor Richardson. Rest well and keep warm! ❄️💙
Rest deeply & well! We would not ‘blame you’ if you chose to hibernate longer! ❄️❄️❄️It’s been a grueling time. .and now light snow is covering the trees & hills—& offering a cooling, comforting peaceful scene - when so much of the world is convulsed in violence & fire… Prayers for the future. 🌿
https://snyder.substack.com/p/an-alternative-cabinet
I love this idea! I imagine many here already read Timothy Snyder's Substack, but for those who don't, this is an excellent idea and should go viral.
I like the idea of Katie Porter in the group.
Miselle, Katie Porter is such a clear communicator with her white
boards. I love hearing and seeing her. Liz Cheney is also an excellent efficient communicator, who uses the least words to the best effect. Such a great idea a People's Cabinet!
Also AOC needs to be on the cabinet. It should cross party lines so it is inclusive, peoples cabinet denotes that.
Also Mayor Pete!
TV is dead.
Wonder if the MSM would pay the slightest bit of attention? Or would they have to have dancing bears or some way to monetize any effort to hear “the people” speak.
MSM will not survive in my book as long as I have to put up with the current amount of advertising to watch the news.
I miss the shared family time watching the news in the evening and the discussion that always followed. I’m wondering if the hierarchy within the media can become more public service oriented by changing the mission of the NEWS SEGMENT of programming…it really is a critical PUBLIC SERVICE whereas the rest of MSM is personal choice.
Maybe if the reported political news is balanced between the current administration and the new People’s (Coalition…PCC, I like that) Cabinet, with a NO-ADS Public Service funded initiative, we would come closer to having an informed citizenry to form the foundation for our democracy. Both political parties warrant a platform through out the year, not just during campaign season. Let us hear from the current Cabinet and the PCC, as well as the Congressional representatives every day. Just think how much more time there would be for news if there were NO ADS! There really is no other public service more critical to our democracy. The MSM could actually be our salvation.
You have read my mind. I remember when tv, especially news was palpable. Now it’s ads with a dab of content. It’s why I don’t watch American shows anymore. Sign me up for the PCC
The only problem is it would be unaffordable to do. Ads are a nuisance but that revenue pays the reporters salary, pays for the investigative reporters to spend a month on one topic to gather information.
It is not a perfect system but how else to pay to have halfway decent reporting? The alternative would be the government or a benevolent owner (like Jeff Bezos???) to pay for it.
But we have set our country up to be beholdened to the shareholders wallet above all else, hence the overkill of advertising. I’d rather get a sliver of good factual reporting than none at all. I’m sure the shareholders would be absolutely fine if the nightly news was replaced with an MMA cage match and the news was on those big cards paraded around each round by girls in bikinis.
That’s pretty much how we are reviving it through Joe Rogan. Entertainment with a sprinkling of maybe, sort of, kinda, I dunno, like news?
I doubt that Walter ever depended on “shareholders.”
Doubtful. I heard an ad last night for Jonathan Karl will be doing segments on This Week (ABC) about the idea of buying Greenland and Panama Canal and making Canada a 51st state.
I’m guessing they will have serious hypotheticals which will make it a possible, plausible thing in MAGAvillle and when we start antagonizing Denmarkand leave NATO I. A huff over the rights to Greenland, Vanada and the Canal, Americans will be duped into thinking we are right to leave.
Trump once again repays his Lona to Putin which is no longer monetary, it appears to be either fear of poisoning or actual affections and allegiance by Trump.
Think about any Democratic elected puppet of a foreign born billionaire saying before he is even inaugurated he wants to overtake our neighbor, ally and one of our largest trading partners. Then he wants to invade Greenland after he campaigned on isolationism. Who will be going? The North Korean rent a body porn patrol unit?
MSM already in a kneeling position
Who knows? But we need to have a best practices analysis from the other countries who have this, ie like Great Britain, and how they make it work!
Giselle, Katie Porter just by herself is an alternative cabinet. We need just a few like her to implement Snyder's idea.
Why, oh why did she give up her seat. Same with Allred, incalculable losses
I bemoan that as well, JD.
Giving up her seat was the price for running for the deceased Dianne Feinstein's seat in a race with Congressman Adam Schiff, and former baseball player, Steve Garvey.
The insane campaign finance costs enabled by Citizens United didn't help, though could have made the difference if the bills sponsored by John Sarbanes, "Government By the People Act," HR 20 (114th Congress), the "For the People Act," HR 1 (116th Congress that became Democratic majority after the 2018 election), or the "Freedom to Vote Act," HR 1 again, and S1 in the Senate (117th Congress) had made it through the Senate. With Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote, it still didn't have enough to get over he 60% mark required.
Katie Porter is remarkable to me for winning in a heavily Republican Orange County seat. I think she and Adam Schiff should have been the two that advanced to the run off election but she was facing something like something like 3 times the money she had available against her as big donors spent millions more on Garvey to make him the 2nd highest in the primary (enabling him to win a losing place on the ballot with only 41.25% of the vote).
It was all legal but, to me unethical use of such exaggerated spending, $119,799,559 according to https://www.opensecrets.org/elections-overview/most-expensive-races
Katie did apologize for initially saying the primary was "rigged," since it was taken as being done illegally. It may have been legal, but I'd like to see some limits (at least on the spending when it smothers so much competition.
See https://www.newsweek.com/katie-porter-california-senate-primary-rigged-billionaires-lost-1876748
Can’t imagine why two Dem superstars faced off and left two seats to the cretins.
I don't know what the logic was either but the primary was between Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, and Adam Schiff. All three were replaced by Democrats, so no seats were lost in the House. I had hopes long odds hope that there would be a Democratic majority in the Senate and a Democratic President, so any one would be appointed to a very useful position (and confirmed). Could we have dared to imagine her as a Supreme Court Justice?
As it is, who better to be a People's Coalition Cabinet team member?
I donated til it hurt but I know, as all should, that repubs cheat in ways that we couldn’t imagine awhile back. Texas has a lock on evil “voter integrity laws.” Allred could have won otherwise, so could have Beto. The lies were beyond the pale, but pushback was almost non-existent. Thank you for info on primary, but all three were powerhouses for Dems. As was Al Frankin. No, I haven’t forgotten that.
Allred might have unseated TCruz with my vote.
He had mine and all the donations I could muster. Cruz always cheats. And he has plenty of company in Texas.
It reminded me Occupy Riverside General Assemblies and the People's Microphone where megaphones weren't allowed, the speaker spoke in short sentences which those closest rings of people repeated so the next further rings could hear, and then the next rings repeated it until all heard.
I do like the "Peoples Cabinet" better than the Shadow Cabinet (also suggested at the Occupy Riverside General Assemblies), but at the risk of making it a slightly longer one, would like to see the "Peoples Coalition Cabinet."
I could imagine that might even be teams of people dedicated to following as much of the issues as possible within any given existing Cabinet position and even ones that should be cabinet positions. In my dreams, such People's Coalition Cabinet teams would try to conduct meetings like that shown in "By The People: What's Next California?"
"...Hosted by The PBS NewsHour's Judy Woodruff, "By The People: What's Next California?" follows the gathering of a representative sample of 412 registered California voters in Torrance for the state's first-ever Deliberative Poll in June 2011. Weekend discussions and results of the before-and-after poll on key issues facing the state were captured and are presented for viewers..."
See https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5cpY0MuMDU&t=171s
I was able to follow up a bit on the By the People ideas at a meeting with Representative John Sarbanes at a meeting at the UCLA Law Center (way out of my league compared to the other attendees), but actually listened to for a few minutes and rewarded with discussions on what they were trying to do (I think back around 2013 since it was before the Government By The People Act of 2014 was submitted if I recall correctly.
I was encouraged by the 2018 election and he and the co-sponsors getting it submitted as HR 1 "For The People Ac"t in 2019 (first Bill submitted in the new Congress), "...including proposals such as proposals for public financing of campaigns, ending Citizens United, requiring presidential candidates to disclose tax returns, automatic voter registration, making Election day a federal holiday, and ending partisan gerrymandering..."
See this year's version at https://clarke.house.gov/clarke-sarbanes-neguse-and-pingree-reintroduce-government-by-the-people-act-to-counter-big-money-influence-in-politics/
What I do remember from the meeting with Sarbanes was him saying the issues that get brought up in congress most often don't include any that citizens are most interested in.
That was the case in the What Next California meeting, where there seemed issues that were brought up (no where near the party platforms or seemingly proposed legislation by the politicians was addressed and progress made once the disparate focus groups sorted out the mix of interests and solutions the focus groups could agree upon.
I found link that provides some detail I recall in HR 20 (114th Congress), at https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr20
First part of the GovTrack Summary:
"...The campaign finance system has come under attack by both parties. It may be the only issue Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Bernie Sanders all agree on. In the past few years, several existing campaign finance restrictions have been struck down by the Supreme Court, opening the floodgates for nearly-unlimited political expenditures: just 158 families now provide half of all the political campaign money in the country.
H.R. 20, the Government by the People Act introduced by Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD3), is a leading Democratic congressional proposal to level the playing field. The bill would give every citizen a voucher worth up to $50 through a “My Voice Tax Credit” for campaign contributions in $5 increments, and it would aim to make small donations as influential as large donations by matching any donation on a six-to-one level through the establish of a Freedom From Influence Fund..."
It had 161 Democratic Co-Sponsors and 1 Republican Co-Sponsor, Walter B. Jones Jr. (R-NC3)
From Wikipedia: "...Jones was ranked as the 37th most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives during the 114th United States Congress (and the most bipartisan member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina).
Jim Young, thanks for sharing California’s typical out front initiatives! Let’s learn from them. Hopefully, the DNC is reimagining itself at this critical moment!
Don’t tell me that chump approves of small donations, unless they are directly in his name.
I'm an Independent at heart and voter registration, so I can still talk to conservative friends fairly easily. I'm encouraged by those that are still far more conservative, but that want to see Citizens United overturned.
The details I discussed with Sarbanes were pretty much about the small donations from the widest number of donors being enhanced by matching funds as multiples of matching funds up to a maximum donation per individuals.
If I recall correctly, the ideas we discussed meant large donors could donate a maximum for themselves, and even more, but the excess funds would be distributed as matching funds that increased the small donor's contribution without regard to party, in effect a general fund that encouraged many more small donors who could have their donation multiplied to whomever they supported.
Democrats adhered more to the principles involved, to me, whether or not it is required as a counter to the limitless spending enabled by Citizens United, sort of a floating limit, in effect.
That alone would help tremendously, but I'd also like to see the Fairness Doctrine returned where no one could monopolize massive parts of the available media, with at least 15% of the available time allowed for the different views allowed on all media (and that allotted by how much support was shown by the numbers of donors at the maximum individual amount, no matter what multiple was used to reach it.
I wish I could have followed it more, but welcome input from those who now more about the history, and may have better sugestions.
It was probably a typo. Don't be concerned, felon 34 is still felon 34 specially when it comes to money.
Jim Young, thanks for sharing the California initiatives…like the HR1 “For the People Act” in 2019. The items you listed are broadly supported nationwide.
There may be a silver lining here that helps to get the attention of more voters. With all the chaos that the GOP has created, the MSM could be the answer to the chaos. Can’t the MSM see the need for fact-checked reporting as a critical PUBLIC SERVICE, not monetized for profit?
Allocate the time needed to report what’s happening without interruption from annoying ads! In my family, the news programs used to be the time we as a family watched and discussed the issues of the day. The NEWS was important to share opinions and out…it was valuable time for real family values to be discussed between generations. To lose those shared exchanges is costly to us as families and larger communities. As much as clean air and clean water, we need clean news.
Separate THE NEWS from optional programming…it is the critical factor that upholds our democracy.
There are growing platforms taking viewers every day away from MSM. As always, it’s all about the $$$. Are the media CEO so dependent on their $take that they will let the whole structure implode? Same across much of our economy, that question begs an answer. All across this beautiful Earth, it’s all about the $$$. When will we ever learn🎶?
I love this idea of the People's Cabinet. May I interject with Robert Hubbell's thoughts yesterday regarding this. It is we as a grassroots community that need to be the ones to begin this endeavor and not wait for our elected representatives to emerge and start this campaign. It was with delight this morning on My NextDoor feed that someone initiated conversations about starting a Citizen's Assembly in our area. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citizens%27_assembly
Yes!! We have the power to hear all voices (yikes) and help to make our country empathetic and strong for all people.
Thanks for pointing me to the best description I've seen of Deliberative Democracy principles, which was not so simply explained in a way I could understand it back in 2011.
Thank you for tuning me on to Timothy Snyder
I was introduced to the writings of Tim Snyder by an HCR reader who used to comment here (Sandy Lewis) whom I haven't seen in a very long time. I miss his comments.
There are several folks I miss... I know I'd looked up Sandy Lewis before, but I cannot find him on any of my searches.
Maybe not the same Sandy Lewis as in an article originally titled Hurricane Sandy, but extremely interesting anyway.
See https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/former-wall-street-maverick-sandy-lewis-is-an-adirondack-agitator-18420897
"...Former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Roderick Hills called Lewis "a man of enormous integrity" with a "crusader's drive" to correct societal ills. And Lewis' original rescuer weighed in. Bettelheim, now retired, pleaded with the judge not to send his former patient to prison. "Sandy Lewis is unquestionably a fragile — very fragile — emotional being. Were he sent to jail, I believe it would utterly destroy him."
The judge listened. Lewis got three years of probation with community service to be performed at a drug treatment center. The light sentence was due, in part, the judge ruled, to "the uniqueness" of the crime — Lewis didn't personally benefit from it — and the "uniqueness" of the man whose good works, she noted, had been a part of his life long before his legal troubles.
"To me," she said, "that's impressive..."
That is the same Sandy Lewis who used to comment on here.
Turning me on on to?
Tuning me in to?
Either way!!
People's Cabinet - great idea!!! Thank you, Miselle, for posting this. I hadn't heard of it. Great this morning especially because HCR taking a smart rest.
Professor, I want to thank you particularly your report of the Memorial Service of President Carter, in particular President Biden's eulogy, concluding that everyone is given the incredible gift of life. I learned that we all have a responsibility to respond to this gift in a best way we can. That is summarized in "Love your neighbors." Thank you Professor.
The hit of red on the boat is a wonderful spark for the photo.
I noticed that as well. How is that done as the rest looks black and white? Perhaps some paint or colored pencils was used? I make collages and use multi-media for them. I think I Need to make some more to distract myself for what is coming!
Note also the orange on the seawall to the left and the two green pylons on the right, plus red on several of the buoys. It is mostly a black and white scene, so the little bit of color shows up.
Noted, John!
Morning, Lynell! I could look at this photo for hours and find new stuff in it!
Thanks Lisa. Door opens, enters reason.
For the empaths , the therapists , the staunchest, the meek, the mentors: Stay the message, walk the walk.
There are times when even brilliance won’t shine through but a steady hand ( and head) will . Rarely have I seen this falter in even crisis -as many perceive this will be , is. The lesson has not seeped through to some, we know even the majority does not ‘win’ on occasion. But people still come…still seek..still find. Hope , Faith, Determination, Desperation..all parts of a whole
The 330 million represents a mixed bag for sure . Oh yes here in Substack Land is many the reasons -eloquent , deep, mentors, followers, wonderful chances in pen to find a voice in the darkness . I laughed ..Heather and a coffee..poetic actually. Lovely😌
We need poetry. The Ralston photography. You. Breaths of deep thought , art for the souls, inspiration , and TRUTH . It may be where some find the few places where education is offered , be it a safe harbor for all 🫶
A beautiful winter… rest and enjoy!
Beautiful photo!
I ❤️cribbage!
I’ve heard Heather express admiration for Grover Cleveland, also a cribbage player. I suspect a connection. 🤔
A clue!!
Hello Heather,
It is lovely and poignant to see your post in the land of winter, having grown up in Michigan. Now transported by accident to Berkeley CA in 1971, finished my PhD, but somehow forgot to leave, I still miss autumn and winter, also miss the bittersweet contrast between your photo and Robert Hubbell's comments of this week. Please encourage your readers, if you think it just, to turn smalll donations also to LA , a home of the Getty, the Huntington, much history and divoersity, and the enemy of our oncoming president.
Thank you and also for the photo.
Ice fisherpeople out on the lake here! Crystal Mountain open and busy! Lake Michigan is GREAT!
Carol, I moved to Palo Alto in 1982 and always had an ice scraper on the dashboard pf ,my truck. I was mocked...until there was a frost and no one else had one! 😉 Sadly, I was caught without one at Thanksgiving (visiting my in-laws in Ashland, OR). I went and bought the same one my brother-in-law has from Costco when I got back to Eugene. Used it last week when my wife's car had a big dose of frost.
Well, I was ready to move to Italy but now…Maine looks glorious too!!
Deirdre the only advantage you'll have by moving to Italy is that you can read HCR letters at 8 am while getting breakfast drinking cappuccino and eating canoli at 8 am instead of 2 am ET. 😆
I love the way you let us all know when you do take a rest and take care of yourself. Self care is going to be very important in coping with the next administration so thank you 💤🛌🥱
Love the red boat against the snow!
Sleep well! And thanks for sharing this beautiful photo. 💜
Sweet dreams to one who makes solid sense out of political and historical truth. And fresh rising for the next day. Breathe deep and live large.
Appreciate you sharing this photo - it's lovely to rest eyes on a beautiful view of tranquility...
you can feel the crisp quietness of winter there in the NE at the water's edge...life is filled with contrast - and how we begin to see and make our way in the world.....
Rest peacefully dear Heather - XX