Chip Roy said, in July, 2021, that his plan was : “Eighteen more months of chaos and the inability to get stuff done. That's what we want." His aim was to win the 2022 elections. Instead, Biden and crew passed bipartisan legislation to improve the lives of Americans.
Now we see the same playbook on immigration—yell about it, but refuse to do anything about it.
As my grandfather used to say “we need to work to get the bums out!” I’m contacting five friends to urge them to make sure that their voter registration is current. I’m suggesting that they each contact 5 friends. When the primary election comes, I’m going to make sure that they vote. The vast majority of registered voters don’t vote. We need to change that this year.
Mary, yes! I always send around an email and post about Democratic candidates and links to more granular recommendations for candidates like judges and school board. I'm on a deadline and haven't had time to explore this online tool, but this Blue Voter Guide recommended by Robert Hubbell looks like it could be invaluable:
"I frequently receive requests from readers for information on what candidates they should support in their area. Bluevoterguide.org provides answers to those questions by allowing you to create an online voter guide specific to your home districts. Check out the link at Blue Voter Guide." ---Bluevoterguide.org
Alexandra, don't overlook Jessica Cravens. Her "Chop Wood, Carry Water" Substack gives damn near all the contact information to participate as deep as your time permits.
Yes, Cravens' Chop Wood Carry Water is a daily for me, too. But this BlueVoterGuide looks like it will allow Dems in any state to craft their own specific ballot guides. I've never seen that before!
Jessica Craven is an amazing and powerful force of nature. As Ransom suggested, she offers an easy to use "tool kit". You will especially enjoy her weekly recaps of the positive stuff happening around the country.
Bill, I am all in for getting people to vote, but, I am worried about when "we" win. Then what?
Trump will be the nominee and when he loses, his resistance to losing will be more organized and have more support in Congress. He is building up support for taking over whether he wins or loses.
So, when he next loses, and, then successfully manages to overturn the election through his arse kissers in Congress, what will we do then?
I think we have to start thinking about this because Trump does not care about the election outcome and neither do Republicans in Congress. They all plan a takeover regardless of who "wins" the voting. Three years of expanding the "belief" that Trump won in 2020 and Biden "stole" the election have had a big effect.
What do we do when Republican's just takeover after it appears Biden wins?
If there is no plan for a response to a Trump takeover in the presence of evidence of his loss, then, he will be successful because there won't be time to develop and implement a coordinated response.
Mike, you pose a critical question. I like your phrase "when he next loses," but think it nearly impossible for Trump to do anything about it. Congress has changed the laws so the house is only a vote counter after the Electoral College totals are certified.
When Joe (or another Democratic nominee) wins this next election, if there is another uprising it will be met with stiff and overwhelming force. Biden is not going to sit in a dining room and watch the nation collapse. He will act promptly and protect our government and elected officials.
And here's the thing. When you are president, you have the big guns and the prisons. One phone call from POTUS and anything like the January 6th debacle would be crushed.
Mike, your concern about the ‘what happens’ is legitimate. I know most people here hate Greenwald, and will disagree with much of this, but he lays out the scenario from the perspective of the Trump supporters who will be responding to a Biden win, especially if Trump is either denied ballot access, or in jail.
Bill, I always appreciate your comments. It’s so easy to get lost in the what-if’s, especially living in Florida. So much appears to be out of my control…but not how I choose to respond/act.
Thanks, Ransom! Also, if anyone is in Los Angeles we are having a fundraiser for the Blue Voter Guide on Saturday! Come meet me there! Saturday, 1/20, from 2 - 4pm in the Larchmont area. We want to ensure that Blue Voter Guide can buy all their data for 2024 (!).
We usually all focus on specific campaigns, candidates, and measures. Blue Voter Guide is different—it's focused on voters, and it aims to do one thing: quickly give them confidence in their choices. BlueVoterGuide.org is live now for the March 5th California primary. Head there and enter your address to see it in action.
I'll try, but I'm not sure when we have to move Linda's Mom from rehab to her new care facility. It might have to be later next week. Be carefull in the rain.
Alexandra Sokoloff was the one who mentioned BlueVoterGuide.org in last night's exchange. I mentioned you to her and she shot back that you are her daily dose.
Gotta stay awake Alan. We all have to do what we can. I just applied to be a poll worker yesterday for the March 5 primary. There was a long list of places they neede help with. I can at least do that.
"Immigration problems, workers’ salaries, women’s health? Democracy? The RNC is an organized crime syndicate--writing letters won’t change them and the media only serves as a conduit for BS. It’s more about buying and consumer reports on the local “news.”
Dan, The story linked to your profile about the extraordinary rules made by the NC legislature are chilling. And yet they are of a piece with the demolition of our democracy that's occurring in so many Republican controlled states. It's like a tsunami of actions that will stay in place until they reach the SCOTUS where, one hopes, they'll be found to be a violation of several bedrock principles of the COTUS.
And from today’s letter it would appear the last two Democratic Presidents have done as much, if not more, to deter the flow of undocumented migrants than the repugnican’s fuhrer, trump.
Dawna. It the same old story everywhere. Political decisions made for the wealthy and powerful while people have uranium (and other things)in the water. We can bet that the wealthy and powerful don't live on their pig farms or near whatever else they own. I might ask who is doing the scut work on the pig farms and any number of other agricultural entities....right, immigrants for the most part. Or some poor uneducated sod like my niece's husband in southern Illinois. Last night NBC had a story about seeing cancer in much younger people. When asked the doctor did mention the environment. The R party is a crime syndicate which has become the party of death.
We are in the process of making a real and unsustainable water crisis. Here in Oregon we have have a big problem in a part of eastern Oregon where the water has been ruined by nitrates (I think i am remembering this correctly). Most of the people affected are poor and often Hispanic. The wealthy assume that their money will save them, either their McMansion on some hill or other homes elsewhere, often overseas. I am sorry they own the Cubs because I know lots of Cub fans including my bro-in-law. I once went to a Cubs game with my dad and uncle. probably before they owned them. Global climate change....what's that says every R climate denier. We want to make money.
You got that right. It's interesting about the Uranium in the wells. I was recently in Missoula Montana where there is a big sign around a construction site that reads "President Biden Bipartisan Infrastructure Project." I looked into it and what they are constructing is improving a naturally occurring wetland that will serve to handle storm runoff and help detoxify the fertilizer and petroleum sludge that runs off along with stormwater. They are also partnering with the University of Montana to seed the area, known affectionately as "Cattail Corners", with native grasses and flowers. When it is finished, Cattail Corners will be an even more inviting space for people to enjoy in addition to cleaning up the environment. There is a hands-on exhibit in the children's section of the public library demonstrating how this project works. Now that is something to crow about. I'm going to look into other similar projects across the nation. Let's not let the Koch Bros do us in.
! Susan, coincidentally, I adore Missoula and and love a lot of folks there ! Thanks for sharing 'good' things actually happening; especially in a place I adore. (Though I've never actually 'been there', it's on my bucket list, which I may have to fast track...) Brava sistuh !
On that note, if SCOTUS decides in favor of the Koch brothers fishing interests, the case they are on now, you will have to PAY for all that uranium in your drinking water.
I was not saying anything about writing to the Repugs. I've written them off long ago. Write to tell DEMS to get off their asses and DO something might be effective, as well as columnists and journalists who pedal paplum infotainment. Like that self important jackass Aaron Blake at WaPo. You probably missed the email to him I posted on Heather's Letters a few weeks ago about his "The Campaign Moment". I all but reamed him a new asshole. Let them know they are just shit. Yada Yada...
Dawna, totally with you here. Fellow Nebraskan who feels the pain of Rs in charge of the state. They do NOT want govt "interference" in their polluting ways. They do NOT want food support for children. They do NOT want women to be in control of their own health. They DO want to totally ban abortion for any reason, and they refuse to fund any type of help for families. Having obviously been pulled up by their parents' wealthy bootstraps, they have no empathy for the poor. I am often ashamed to say I live here.
Outstanding. I love Montana. The current case in support of a childs right to a safe environment is laudable. I lived in the Bitteroot valley in the 90’s. Idaho is home now. Working on groundwater issues and human rights issues and ranked choice voting of course.
The League of Women Voters has been doing this for years--it’s VOTE411.org. However, it’s nonpartisan, which is why we have maintained credibility with voters. When I’ve volunteered in our St. Louis office answering phone calls during elections, people call us and are happy when ballot summaries are available for their interpretation: Missouri is notorious for ambiguous ballot wording and it’s inspiring to know there are voters who value their vote by being informed of their choice. The only issue is that VOTE411.org does not go online until close to the election time, here it’s two weeks before the election date. This is just one example of how voting is going to succeed: there are many people who are working hard to keep our right to vote a RIGHT--just keep fighting and don’t be discouraged!🗽
BVG was available for only some states (swing, I think) until it was broadened to all 50 for the 2024 election. An immense amount of volunteer effort has gone into it. I find it a particularly good tool for down ballot races, about which people sometimes don’t know much.
Exactly. I THINK but am not sure BVG will also include explanations for amendments on the ballot, which are nearly impossible to understand. And we election workers cannot explain them (neither allowed nor probably even possible!).
That’s what the League of Women Voters does well...explain the pros and cons of ballot measures. BVG looks to be good for presenting the Democratic candidates and the list of their endorsers, as well as ballot measures. No pros and cons.
You can also contact your local.Democratic party for information about candidates running for non partisan races like judges. In my state GA the Democratic party cannot endorse candidates until after the primary. That's good and bad. Good because you don't want your local party deciding that for you, but bad because it's hard to know if a candidate that's running for a judicial seat is a Democrat or Republican and it's not like they'll let you know either. We rallied a behind a couple of duds only to find out how they lean after they got on the bench. We promptly voted them out in the next election cycle.
I know where to get the information for myself, but I have quite an extensive mailing list with voters in all states. If this Blue Voter Guide actually allows them a quick way of looking up the best candidates in their particular district, that is gold.
In NC, the legislature turned nonpartisan judicial races into partisan races. Currently, the NC Supreme Court has a Republican majority, which voted to uphold heavily gerrymandered maps. What a shock!
They tied Governor Cooper's hands before he was sworn into office and they keep taking powers way from him. I refer to NC when I want people to imagine what a Democratic president would have to deal with if the previous Republican president had implemented Project 2024. There would be nothing he or she could do because the federal government would be stripped to the bone.
I'm originally from NC and have family there. They're the only Republicans that I'm related to. It takes all my energy to stay involved because of my grandchildren. It's devastating.
Tracy, I don't know about GA, but in general the prohibition is against endorsing candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This isn't hard to understand: endorsing in a contested primary is bound to be divisive. Local Democratic groups can't publicly oppose the Democratic nominee in the general election either.
We don't elect judges in MA -- district attorneys, sheriffs, etc., yes, but not judges. From what you say it sounds as though judges in GA are elected on a nonpartisan basis, i.e., their party affiliation, if any, doesn't appear on the general-election ballot. Are these races even included on the primary ballot?
Yes, I know that Blue Voter Guide be available in all 50 states in 2024. It will include races that one rarely hears about: judges, school boards, mayors, sheriffs, prosecutors, ballot measures! It will really help!
I’m a Delaware native--I was an 18-year-old voter in 1972--the first time 18-year-olds were allowed to vote and was proud to vote for Joe Biden for Senator! Best wishes in your new home--I miss our “Small Wonder” state but married a St. Louis man 50 years ago🥰 and love St. Louis, especially the people (we’re the blue dot in the now red sea).
I graduated from UD in the early 1980's and lived here for a while in my early 20's. It was a pleasure voting for Senator Biden and working on his 1988 presidential campaign. I still have his Thank You letter to the volunteers.
My first time voting as well. Massachusetts. I don't remember who was on the ballot besides McGovern. My brother and sister in law recently visited and liked your adopted city very much. I found Cahokia fascinating many years ago.
Mary, I appreciate you writing. I would note, since 2016, my line has been “Whatever your first issue of concern, participating in the democratic process had better be your second. Because without engagement in free and fair elections, progress of any kind is far less likely.”
Kathy, Thank you for your affirming reply. I would note I am part of group intent on building a nationwide pro-democracy movement rooted in mutual respect, personal responsibility, and social accountability and also wedded to the rule of law and the Constitution. Though currently in its formative stage, we, nonetheless, are at the point of reaching out to standout figures to help bring recognition to the project designed to galvanize the country to rise up for freedom and democracy. We envision a nationwide call to action: uniting, inspiring, and energizing people, who know we are under threat, to commit to participating in saving our democracy and also, hopefully, waking up those asleep to the necessity and urgency.
@Pensa_VT, Thank you for asking. Our project tentatively is titled “Rise Up For Democracy Before It’s Too Late.” I will be sure to keep this community apprised of our progress.
"Ya'll spin, spin, spin; and I don't know how ya'll are standing right now because you should be quite dizzy from all the spinning that you're constantly doing when it comes to spinning the truth.." Priceless!
Totall agree. She captured the outrage we all have been feeling as the time to call in his grossly deficient account seems so long overdue. Go, Congresswoman!! I bet she'd easily manage to talk down NY's Stefanik.
Thanks for sharing this, Richard. I am absolutely in awe of her courage to give the Republicans the scolding they so desperately need to hear. Especially the "Gentlewoman from South Carolina", who is the walking epitome of white privilege.
Ashley, Congresswoman Crockett is really, really good. I saw her interviewed on MSNBC and she came across as cool, collected and in control. She is definitely more than "just another pretty face." I predict a rapid rise for her. She is the complete package.
Great minds think alike, Richard! I just posted a YouTube of her remarks she gave a few days ago, about Republican spin a/k/a alternative facts! Here, I'll post her YouTube page, from which you can choose which issues you care to hear from her:
Jeri, that is the curse of the gift of long life. Please know that you have friends here, and that the efforts you make in other arenas make up for outliving your cohort.
I realized at my husband's funeral that most of his family and friends had predeceased him. Should not have been surprised, but first time I had really thought about it. Thinking back, funerals for young people (niece drowned at 19) had so many mourners. Those of us who have beaten the odds should be grateful every day, while remembering those who didn't. Thank you all, great community at LFAA
I’m in my 70s as well and I remember that the majority of the electorate hasn’t voted in the past but I’ve never felt this way about an upcoming election before and I really hope other people are scared too so they vote and not let an extremist, self-serving nut back in the WH.
Yes Mary, and don't forget Jessica Cravems "Chop Wood, Carry Water". She gives the contact info on damn near everything one needs to paticipate in making all that happen.
Voting is everything. I’m interested in harnessing the power of neighborhoods in Boston by asking them to compete for bragging rights in what percentage of their residents voted. If each neighborhood association could get at least one person per street to cajole their neighbors to vote “because we want to show that on our street we care about democracy”, who knows what we could accomplish?
That's exactly what I did when we sent out 200 holiday letters we included a second letter that talks about what we call "the ripple effect". If each of your five, or many of my 200 each send out to 5 or a 100 of their friends...etc. etc. You see how it works. Let's getter done! Kick the bums out!
I too am systematically talking to friends and discussing how they might most like to participate in upcoming election. For me, other than presidency, congressional race super important. But if everyone is doing something I think we’ll re-elect Biden and then move forward beyond Trump to a more progressive bend over next cycles..
I have started doing what I can in Oregon to support Democratic candidates in our US House delegation. I think district 2 is a lost cause; it has no urban areas to speak of, covers half the state, and frankly, their Representative is reflective of their wishes (except, I suppose, for their love for the "Greater Oregon" movement, which wants to secede to Idaho). District 5, on the other hand, is (I hope) flipable with enough effort. That is to the north of me, and was the result of our "gaining" a Representative following the 2020 census.
Totally support this 5 by 5 effort ‘GETTING OUT THE non voting registered voters ‘ think it should be embraced by the major ‘players’ along with the national letter and post card efforts!
Think the lack of registered voters voting may well provide Trump the White House!
Friendly amendment: the vast majority of eligible Americans are not registered to vote. At least not proactively. In my state of California, you have to proactively decline to register every time you renew your driver's license.
It is the responsibilty of voters not only to vote but to work to make sure others do as well. A voter will be more quickly motivated by a contact from a friend or relative than by TV ads, email, text messages, or slick mailing pieces. How many of them do you ignore on a daily basis?
Perfectly said Mary on most all points; it's one thing to read about all this and pontificate academically as our country is torn asunder. What are you willing to 'do and endure' ? That my friends herein is the greatest question of all to be answered and 'acted' upon here. Are you willing to talk 'calmly' with facts in evidence you've learned here and elsewhere ? Are you willing to calmly endure angry hyberbolic retorts based on rumor and lies, till they talk themselves out and point with calm reassurance to truth and facts in evidence that you hold in your mind and heart, and if needed on paper for reference ? Responding in kind to those folks will not work out well; it never does; it feeds the cycle of bombastic confrontation and emotional conflict. We have to 'accept' that as much as we want to be heard, 'so do they.' Isn't that the brilliance behind FB; that if one is on that medium they can be "heard" ? Whether what they say is logic driven or not; kind or not; factual or emotional ? I've learned, perhaps too late in life that anger, spite, hate, and so forth, are emotional responses / manifestations of "fear." That doesn't need pointed out as though you're some psychiatrist; it needs personal knowledge, understanding, and acceptance (besides that pointing it out causes angry denial...). It's gonna' be work - hard personal work. What are you willing to do ? Biden, Harris, HCR, Rather, Vance, Reich; others of some stature who speak out also make themselves easy individual targets for mob style attacks. Mob style attacks are far less possible on our opposed 'mob of calm truth' grounded in facts, and yes understanding and level of mature empathy. What am I willing to do; even if I can only get through to one person a day ? (sorry; that's longer than intended - but thanks)
Personally, I did a couple of stints in politics; that honed some of my rough edges. I now exercise daily practices to try to subdue my passions. Some days, some moments I lose, some I succeed, but I try daily. I'll look into that book suggestion; Thank you Mary.
Another good book to get another perspective is George Lakoff’s “Moral Politics”. A lot of kids in this area were raised in harsh religions that looked on social safety nets as encouraging sloth.
Thanks for your post - we do need to work to get voters interested enough to vote out the cult leader, stop third party candidates from undermining Biden and to finally have ranked choice voting which favors moderate candidates. There are some states where voters really turn out such as here in Minnesota.
Minnesota has consistently had the highest voter turnout in the United States. In 2020, Minnesota broke a record when 79.9% of eligible voters in the state voted in the general election. It was the third year in a row Minnesota ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for voter turnout.
There is strong evidence that same-day and Election Day registration increase voter turnout. In 1974, Minnesota became the second state to allow same-day voter registration. As of this year, only 21 states and Washington D.C. allow voters to register the same day as the election, with proof of residency. Many states close voter registration days or weeks before Election Day. Minnesota also promotes early voting and the use of absentee ballots, which has shown to boost turnout, too.
Frump has sucked up so much of the world’s attention, time and energy to feed his empty soul, I reckon if he hiccuped we could power the whole planet for a year.
HCR writes that Obama deported more illegal aliens than Trump, while ignoring Trump's emphasis on not allowing them to enter the USA in the first place.
I don't think that the sense of crisis felt in border communities is imaginary, and this issue continues to be a drag on Democratic candidates as this election cycle unfolds.
I think John Schmeeckle is a bot, likely from Russia or China, and should be ignored. If this is a real person, he’s twisting the facts to suit his own purpose, and should be ignored. His style reminds me of the “patriotic” Americans who actively supported Hitler before and during WWII.
That has also occurred to me, too. Is there a procedure to control bots here? Many sites on the internet are completely overrun by bots. We wouldn’t want that to happen to HCR’s letters.
Dear John, speaking of execrable insults, how about “heavy-handed Biden partisans”. You pretend to take the high road, but the only serious discussion we should be having is about how the GOP cares not a whit about dealing with immigration; they merely want a campaign issue. All the rest is just blah blah blah.
I don’t think that "heavy-handed Biden partisans" is an execrable insult.
I agree that the GOP is exploiting immigration as a campaign issue, but I also think that it is a real hot-button issue among the people of Texas and elsewhere along the border.
John, John; Can you not calm yourself and be less reactionary ? You 'did' bring up a very valid point of concern, and I commend you for your conciseness. Please try to write concise truth and not consume so much oxygen on reaction - please.
You are right. The biggest problem is exactly what Moskowitz said—this issue has been only complained about for decades, with absolutely NO bipartisan effort to actually sit down and work through solutions. It takes Congress to pass immigration reform, and if they do so, they can’t use it as a cudgel.
I believe that by some international agreements, the US is required/has promised to allow immigrants in and apply for asylum. They are not allowed to stay indefinitely. Blocking them from entering in the first place to apply for asylum is considered inhumane and against the international code.
If I'm not mistaken, the international agreements apply to immigrants who actually manage to cross the border. Then we have to process their requests for asylum. Perhaps someone else knows the details.
No, unless I misunderstood CMS, whose point was that we have to TAKE IN and process those who are trying to cross the border illegally.
The opposing view is that we can KEEP OUT those who are trying to cross the border so we don't have to process them.
Underlying these two opposing policy approaches are questions of resources to manage the influx and whether to set loose asylum claimants into the underground economy of sweatshop labor, janitors and maids, ice cream vendors, landscapers and drug dealers.
Not at all. I'm trying to bring big-picture clarity to the discussion. My preferred solution is for the United States to reverse its decades-old policy of strangling the economies of darker-skinned countries, especially in the Americas. This way, people will want to stay in their own countries, instead of masses of desperate poor people flooding our borders.
"The blood us so much, you know, it runs in rivers...."
For a lot of Democrats (myself included), “the border” holds a place pretty far down the list of “really vital things” I want government to address. But a lot of Americans do not agree. As HCR has pointed out, far-right parties around the world have successfully used immigration to consolidate support. Like the “soft on crime” strategy of the past (Willie Horton ring a bell?), “soft on the border” is working and is going to hurt Democrats in November.
TFFG had one solution to southern wall border security -- build a wall along the entire southern border of 1954 miles. Well, he almost covered the 54 miles with new wall that Mexico paid not one peso for. And it has been breached over 5000 times because it was a terrible design.
Never mind the fact that 3 times as many undocumented people cross the northern border than the southern border or the bigger issue is people that fly into the US on legal visas and stay.
It's the racist Fascist repressive regressive Republicans that want Americans to believe that it's easy to cross the southern border and only the southern border.
Where are the pictures of the patched up southern wall or the dead people that tried to cross the Rio Grande?
Maybe we need to address the worker crisis on farms and in businesses that cannot find employees in America? Doing jobs Americans refuse to do. Maybe a more advanced way of handling work visas for people who actually want to be productive. Just an idea... Our post office up here in the north has been looking for employees since the pandemic. As have our banks. Where are all the people who want secure jobs with good benefits? I can understand the lack of waiter/waitresses and retail employee types of jobs that hardly make a living wage, but we need people willing to work. I see Afghans working locally at at large bread making facility who are trained to do much higher level work but are studying English. They work hard and appreciate living here.
The racist xenophobes in the Republican Party and their followers don't think about the big picture. I agree that we need workers, especially as members of the baby boom generation retire. Who is going to be there to help care for people in hospitals and nursing homes? There is already a huge shortage of nurses and home health aides. We also need more young adults in the workforce to contribute to Social Security. I could go on...
Yes, but we have a party in disempowerment who do not care about the longterm big picture of America, they only care about scoring points and being the next shiny thing to distract from their criminal leader's court cases whilst they try to destroy America.
I will suggest that the will to destroy America comes from above the leadership of the Republican party, and bought-and-paid-for politicians like Hillary and Biden are just as bad, but the Democratic base is healthier than the Republican base.
I agree Pensa. Acadia National Park draws over three million visitors each year. There are dozens of supporting businesses like hotels, restaurants and shops that struggle to find workers each season. The larger businesses bring in H-2Bs but even that is hit and miss. I talk to people "from away" that could only find lodging 60 or more miles away.
We reroofed our house this summer and the owner of the roofing company brought in four incredibly hard working and competent roofers that couldn't speak English. Were they documented? No idea. We were just happy to get someone to do the work. And they were happy to find the work.
There isn't a place in the US that doesn't bring in workers from Mexico, Canada, etc. And who is going to tell the roofing company they only want American workers to do the job? Or are willing to pay 20 - 50% more?
The Federal governments issue with hiring workers has a lot to do with compensation. Congress is stingy and worker pay is generally less than private companies will pay.
Do you remember the story about Devin Nunes's family hiring illegal workers for their farm in Iowa? Meanwhile, he was bitching and moaning about the open borders.
Republicans don't want to solve this problem because if they do they will lose an issue to complain about. Instead they just want to hire the undocumented workers on the cheap and complain about the open borders and blame it on the Democrats.
"Doing jobs Americans refuse to do" because the pay is so abysmally low. So you'd rather import desparate immigrants than pay a living wage to Americans who have dropped out of the job market.
Talk to the giant corporations and CEOs who make staggering profits in their pyramid schemes. Capitalism gone awry. We have a lot of things to address in this country. But I know immigrants who work hard and pay their taxes and are good members of society.
At this moment in this country, if the fascist-leaning, gun-loving republicans and corporotocracy that is so out of balance takes over completely, many citizens here could be running away to become immigrants in more civilized countries, if they can get in. We must have compassion for people who live in dictatorships and countries rife with drugs and arms cartels trying to escape to here where they believe it is safe. Unfortunately, it is not safe here for our children to go to school, it is not safe to be women, POC and doctors and family members who us get medical care for unwanted pregnancies. It is not safe to be LGBTQ. And everyone, including our judicial systems and our elected officials are no longer safe due to an angry, seething mass of white magas being led by a criminally, mentally, demented wannabe dictator. The asylum is loose in America. It is certainly time for change on a major scale.
Its not just a far right issue and it’s not just a political issue. And it should be further up your list. It creates budget issues in border states and large cities, it’s dangerous for asylum seekers, and it’s uncontrolled. Deporting people after arduous trips isn’t helping them.
Perhaps it should. I’m not unconcerned, and I do recognize that it needs to be addressed… for all kinds of reasons. I was simply pointing out that this issue tends to really rile up the Republican base but not as much the Democratic base. And that disconnect could carry a heavy cost in November.
You may be right,MLM, but I think republicans hurt themselves. And I believe the vast majority of voters this year will pull the lever that reads “ Sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
Hmmm...refer to the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. That has been the US immigration policy for a 100 years. We have plenty of laws in effect but the funds don’t get approved to support them.
Thank you John. Reality in its starkness often holds a solution for success not easily, quickly nor painlessly found. These people , the majority of whom look to Our America as a last ditch effort. Great minds amongst them. But the world at large , melting pot that it is , IS right now in dire straights. So much going on I have to remove myself several times daily to breath , pranayamas for the soul.
I am lucky.
If all countries can pool, aid, work towards, and focus on the problems we ALL face 🎶what a wonderful world it would be🎶..mkudos to the writers Bob and George and the talent Louis Armstrong brought forth , so much waste pd talents by killing/war/greed ad infinitum . A Utopian Dream , one so many people have died for? I think not unless ‘in vain’.
I don’t listen to the blather , it informs me who they are though...
Hatred has never won..only in short runs -shallow though they be -have taken a toll , left many bitter, rightfully so.
Many a story I’ve heard, perhaps not your story, but a simile , and it wasn’t the horror I remembered or the pain I saw working through that, it was who they became in spite of it.
"before American politics turned into entertainment."
Love him or hate him, they know Trump gets the eyeballs. I like a good dose of MSNBC from time to time, however it's become all Trump all the time now.
Thank you. The impeachment theater that the GQP insists on running is an embarrassment to the country, especially when they can’t bother to get anything else done.
"In today’s meeting, Biden emphasized the danger of leaving Ukraine’s defense unfunded. 'He was clear,' the White House said, 'Congress’s continued failure to act endangers the United States’ national security, the NATO Alliance, and the rest of the free world.'"
I reply: Biden's reckless policy, supported by leading Democrats and Republicans since Obama was President, has been to shore up Ukraine's thuggish government and use Ukraine as a weapon against Russia. America leaders, especially Biden, have foolishly undermined American national security and wasted military resources.
Now the flames of war are starting to engulf the Middle East: Not just Israel and Gaza, but also recent cross-border attacks into Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Iran and even Pakistan. Biden, by recklessly draining American munitions into his Ukrainian cesspool, has left us dangerously unprepared to act in our national interest as things spiral out of control over there.
“Biden, by recklessly draining American munitions into his Ukrainian cesspool, has left us dangerously unprepared to act in our national interest as things spiral out of control over there.” If you worked for the Government, particularly for the Department of Defense (as I do), you would know how idiotic your last statement is. You know nothing about the type of military materiel we have been and are providing Ukraine. So keep Ukraine out of your mouth as you simply sound like an ultracrepidarian.
You pretend expertise while dismissively sneering.
p.s. The Houthis have been serving in the role of depleting our missile defenses. Surface-to-air missiles don't grow on trees.
p.p.s. We now have two hungry client states -- Ukraine and Israel -- who want more artillery rounds and glide-bomb kits, etc. as American bases in Syria and Iraq are now being routinely attacked.
‘Surface to air missiles do not grow on trees’. You’re correct, comrade. They are made in US factories, mostly in ted states. This refusal to act hurts the republican’s own voters-they don’t care.
Susan Lawrence, that is a debatable point. Do you think that supporting Ukraine's thuggish, corrupt neo-fascist regime supports democracy?
Perhaps you disagree with my description of Ukraine's one-party state, where the Zelensky regime shut down all the opposition parties and seized their TV stations.
Which is a greater threat to the US: a Ukraine which is a "thuggish, corrupt neo-fascist regime" that keeps to itself, or Russia under Putin which is an authoritarian dictatorship with already-demonstrated designs on taking over other countries and interfering with US media and elections?
I think that consideration of your question requires a big-picture approach. The U.S. government played a big part in bringing about the current thug regime in Ukraine.
U.S. meddling has also had a great impact in Russia, starting with the "shock therapy" genocide of the 1990s that killed off all the old people:
That is what makes this whole thing worse then huh? They share the same religion, same blood, etc however Putin is committing genocide against them no?? Russia also has a history of killing Ukrainians going back to the 1930's as well. They also promised not to ever invade Ukraine in the 90's in exchange for not having a nuclear weapon... Look how that worked out.
Ukraine has actually become way less corrupt than it was 10 years ago. They are currently in war right now, and as part of their application to the EU and NATO one day they'll have to obviously fix all of their issues. But if your answer is that we shouldn't help them at all because they aren't perfect and we should just let Russia run all over them, I can't, nor can many people get on board with that. Foreign policy is rarely made with perfect allies..
Regarding corruption, do you have a source for Ukraine being "way less corrupt" than ten years ago? I suspect that, with all the foreign money and weapons sloshing around the country, there are bountiful opportunities for corruption that didn't exist ten years ago. Ukraine is second only to Russia as the most corrupt country in Europe:
Back in the day, we helped Osama bin Laden fight the Soviets, and we helped Saddam Hussein fight the Iranians. Ukraine has a vile, thuggish, abusive regime. To describe them as "not perfect" seems to be wilfully blind.
Ukraine has been enslaved by the International Monetary Fund (where the NATO countries have voting domination) and turned into a zombie soldier against Russia. Zelensky, because of his promise to the IMF, CANNOT stop fighting Russia. (And this is the exact opposite of his campaign promise to bring swift peace to the Donbass region.) It appears that the western Powers That Be wants Ukraine to exhaust Russia as much as possible, and of course it takes a thuggish authoritarian regime to forcibly continue the bloodletting at all costs.
John, I'm not sure I understand your point. Russia was the aggressor here. To allow Putin (surely a thug if there ever was one) to recklessly and needlessly end nearly 80 years of relative peace in Europe (perhaps the longest such period in European history) by demanding that an independent nation kowtow to his desire to reclaim Russia's 'glory days' seems rather more dangerous than supplying the Ukraine with the weaponry to defend herself against that aggression. The Ukraine, whatever her government is or is not, did nothing to undermine that peace. Whatever the supply of weaponry is, we can always increase it if need be. After all, I hear much these days about people needing well paying work. The example of 'the arsenal of democracy' from 1942-45 is clear. When we allow aggression on the Russian scale, we inevitably encourage others to undertake it.
"That" dear Carol is what's happening; it learns and gathers data from us. Weaponized A.I. HCR will recognize when it's outlived it's usefulness other than 'the' major consumer of oxygen herein and respond appropriately.
Victoria, that seems groundless. Can you give any evidence or reason to suppose that Russia intends to conquer Poland, precipitating a war with NATO?
p.s. It seems reasonable to presume that Russia would like to re-assimilate Kazakhstan and Belarus, together with Ukraine. One could add the Baltic states, too.
I am inclined to disagree with several of your points. To refer to the "Cold War" as "relative peace" seems misguided. And then there is the question of how many aggressors there are in the room:
There is a reason why they called it ‘Cold War’. There were a lot of threats, of course, and I was 16 and terrified during the Cuban missile business, but one could hardly have called anything that went on in Europe during that period an actual war. And right now, unless I’ve missed something, there is only one serious aggression going on in Europe.
I have not lost track of your other points, but I don't want to cram too much into a single post.
The Cold War was a global conflict, characterized by a protracted standoff in Europe punctuated by "hot" proxy wars in southern Africa, Korea, Vietnam and Afganistan and many other countries:
Many in Southeast Asia and Africa in the mistaken belief that in the long run Communism was preferable to European colonialism. It wasn't. Some, like Korea, were sheer naked aggression by Communist forces. Some, like Vietnam were initially wars of national identity which became totalitarian through the rigors of long, protracted struggles demanding total commitment, which in turn opened the door to authoritarianism. Through all that, the beacon of what our republic was supposed to be shone with varying degrees of brightness (particularly in the case of Ho Chi Minh). It still does, which explains the problems at our southern border. And through all of it the central theme is what it has always been since the beginning of what we call civilization - the interests of the individual vs those of the state. What is it that makes a nation? We were the first nation on earth to define that at our inception. I believe that despite the flaws in the concept and in the execution, we had got a good piece of the right idea. Which is why I support our aid to Ukraine.
I haven't forgotten your "arsenel of democracy" point from your earlier post.
Right now I'm thinking about your reference to the Cuban Missile Crisis." The Russians saw Ukraine's approach to NATO in exactly the same way: They saw an existential threat and reacted violently.
They imagined NATO nuclear-tipped cruise missiles on Ukraine's border with Russia, able to hit Moscow in minutes.
We can't have peace with an adversary that we can't dominate unless we're willing to stop shoving and shoving them into a corner.
As Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin famously said, "It is with your bitter enemy that you make peace."
The Russians have good historical reasons to fear for their borders, going back to the invasions of the Teutonic knights and others in the Middle Ages, a fear only confirmed in the modern era by two German invasions in the space of twenty years. Nor did the Communists forget our participation against them in the winter war following WWI. I don't begrudge them the worry or the defense. The US has been fortunate in having two substantial ocean barriers, so until very recently we've never really known that kind of fear (all our unfortunate, misguided, and cruel acts against the Nisei during WWII were the hysteria of a nation wholly unused to such things) But there were good reasons for NATO. Defending one's borders is one thing. Creating buffer zones through the subjugation of bordering nations, however, is something else. At the bottom, of course, is the issue of two competing visions of government. Khuschev wasn't really kidding when he said that 'We will bury you'. On the one hand is authoritarianism - the idea that democracy is messy, inefficient, and all too willing to indulge all this individual rights garbage and capitalist induced inequality when the state and it experts should be the deciding factor both socially and economically. The trouble with this Vision is that command economies simply do not work, and it inevitably leads to some form of dictatorship. On the other hand is democracy - admittedly messy, inefficient, and indulgent of all this individual rights business and the inequality of unregulated capitalism. But perhaps the essence of the difference was so beautifully enunciated by JFK during his famous visit to Berlin. "Freedom has many difficulties, and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in."
I disagree that Ukraine did nothing to undermine peace with Russia. Ukraine attacked the Donbass republics after Russia recognized them and signed mutual defense treaties with them. Ukraine did so because they have been enslaved by the International Monetary Fund, which insisted back in 2014 that Ukraine reconquer the Donbass area as a condition for their loan. Zelensky, after becoming President, made a point of publicly pledging to keep all of Ukraine's promises to the IMF.
You say, "Whatever the supply of weaponry is, we can always increase it if need be."
No we can't. We have limited supply lines, and we have shipped so many of our factories overseas that we don't have plants that can be converted to military production. People don't realize how hollow an empire we have become, and a rude awakening is coming.
Beyond that, we don't have the money for increased military expenditures; we have to borrow it overseas, and we are already drowning in a mountain of unpayable debt.
My bottom line: Ukraine, as the slave of NATO and the IMF, provoked this war with Russia, and Ukraine is being controlled by a vile, corrupt, bigoted regime (that was installed under U.S. direction), and we have no business helping them, and we're worse than Russia as global neo-imperialist bully boys (with our meddling in Ukraine in 2014 a prime example), and w're broke, too, so we should stop flushing money down the Ukrainian toilet.
Thuggish government? I have not heard of Zelenskyy having journalists like Anna Politskaya murdered, nor political opponents like Navalny sent to a penal colony. I forgot to mention the guy who drank the polonium tea, and the British couple who were unintended victims.
I suppose living under a “thuggish government” removes any right to expect not to be bombarded?
But true. What we call war was born in those hot wastes. Check out the Vulture Stele. The Middle East is the most travelled crossroads in the world, being at the nexus of three continents, and groups have been fighting each other there almost since civilization began.
More proof of the essential truth that The. Republicans. Are. America's. Enemy. They are now an openly-seditious conspiracy with unreconstructed Confederate Traitors like Paxton in desperate need of being visited by a delegation of FBI agents to arrest him for Treason. As to the dumbassed hillbillies like Comer, one hopes daily for him to trip at the top of the stairs and do a remake of "Kiss of Death" without the wheelchair.
There's my beloved little TC devil on my left shoulder stating things out loud again that I could not quite say...well only the last sentence. The first two sentences should be broadcast all over the nation...and dropped by planes in (biodegradable) leaflets. (I am sane, still).
Actually leaflets were dropped in the 30s, pro-nazi material stuffed into mailboxes with postage paid by Congress folks, and oh, the radio voice that reached into homes everywhere sharing Nazi propaganda,,,,,,,sorta like John S does here.
Hey TC, just remember, as you vent like I would, who it is that voted these "idiots" into congress and State leadership. They are responsible, don't doubt that when they come after us.
Entertainment keeps the ignorant masses happy and ignorant of what is actually happening. The Roman oligarchy perfected the model and the American oligarchy have been paying the Repugs to adapt it to our current media starting under Reagan. You all know that story.
RR; I personally detest referencing those folks as "all ignorant." Uninformed is kinder, and likely more accurately descriptive if we're going to adopt grand labels applicable to 'all' in any large segments; One size does not fit all and I don't think it's helpful to further such. jmho friend...
I don't think the Romans thought much about that 2500 years ago. Ignorance is not related to intelligence at all. If intelligence is exposed to information, it becomes knowledgeable. Indoctrination works similarly, but does not require intelligence.
I suppose. If there is someone to do the informing. Roger Ailes, Roger Stone and Rupert Murdoch never seemed very interested in "informing". Fox "News" is propaganda pure and simple. They are SO considerate and politically correct.
This is such a well-informed community. I'd really appreciate suggestions/links to enable us to— as HCR closes this letter: "push back against suggestions and innuendo and instead demand actual evidence and policies designed to address problems." About this sham Mayorkas impeachment, about Babyface Johhson's refusal to put the proposed immigration deal up for a vote in the House, etc. Seems like one cover paragraph for an email/letter and the specifics to be filled in would serve for a whole lot of issues, right now, and make action on these items a lot faster.
Jessica Cravens shows you how to use ResistBot to generate letters to say what you mean and get them to those you want to hear you. I'm too much of an old dinosaur to keep up with new tech. I have it tabbed and need to figure it out. Get her Substack if you don't already follow her. A wealth of information and strategies.
Alexandra, you refer to "Babyface Joh[n]son's refusal to put the . . . deal up for a vote."
But you know Johnson makes no decisions here. He's nothing more otherwise than a rubberstamp for the fat, vulgar guy in layers of orange cosmetics and diapers.
Depends on whom you address the letter to. Republicans in safe/gerrymandered districts don’t care and frankly don’t read anything that doesn’t have a check attached.
It’s time to raid Republican talking points on social media. For example, I have inserted quotes of “Letters from an American” into the comments section of the FB HOUSE REPUBLICANS and the House Oversight Republicans page. If I don’t quote Dr Richardson, I quote a media source like The Washington Post, for example. I never respond to replies, but the more replies, the more prominence the comment gets, so if you have a buddy who can add on, all the better. Let’s take away the safe space for the lies that fuel Trump.
We were all bamboozled in 2016, and the pandemic was the major focus in 2020, so the disinformation in 2024 is going to go off the rails if people don’t defend the truth.
Please be civil, and use quotes whenever possible. The point is to penetrate conservative circles with “THE REAL STORY”, and make sure another view is shown. I don’t bother to answer to trolls who respond; they get their space too. People know what they’re reading when they read a crappy response. Also, be aware that you will get conservative memes on your feed; it’s the algorithm just doing its thing.
Yes, troll like hell! I am loving seeing more sane people out on fox lately. It is like seeing a friendly fellow compatriot when you are in the stinking trenches being bombarded by dung. Please join in!!
Lol my guilty pleasure. I drift in and out of Western Journal as more than a couple of days of it is wearing. I’ll head over to the House page and do a bit of stirring. I do have compatriots on my Senator’s pages who provide invaluable back up!
Both MT Magas have many posting information to counter the disinformation & distraction on their fb pages. Writing the Congress critters directly , I wonder what happens to the letters since there is no accountability or tally on issues. If they choose to respond, it is all about their agenda of we know best
I wrote a few emails to state legislators yesterday. No replies there but I usually get a response from my federal reps. Including replies of “you don’t live in my district, go away” from those I can’t vote for/against.
I have been doing this for awhile for the MT MAGAs . Zinke does not have a fb page so it is postcards for him that anyone can read. I use cut & paste of Heathers letters & like you I dont read the responses. I have done this also on the WH fb page to the really nasty comments. I dont read the responses. I post LFAA in case anyone wants to read her whole post.
Thanks, Dr. Richardson for continuing to remind us of the political tactics being used by Republicans to dismantle the norms and guardrails that have evolved in the US throughout our history. IMO a it’s extremely unfortunate that our ill-informed and/or misinformed electorate doesn’t have the bandwidth to process what is happening. I know siloed the information on various “news” platforms as well as the supersaturated clickbait headlines hardly afford folks - who are overworked, often underpaid, and at the same time trying to devote the time needed to raise their families - the opportunities they need to process the news before they are blasted with more political charade that is presented as news. Anne Applebaum has repeatedly informed us about how other established democracies have become “autocracy-leaning” countries by initially setting their sites on upending long established news outlets and replacing them at first with news coverage that questions any authoritative sources and then captures the news by replacing them with their own controlled version of the news. Makes me wonder if we can’t see parallels here in the political theater being staged by radical Republicans both in Congress and in the plethora of media platforms purporting to present what they’re calling the news.
The Newt Gingrich/Frank Luntz GoPac memo, "Language: A Key Mechanism of Control" to me seemed to have had roots in an earlier Cato Institute suggestion to use "Leninist" tactics, using contrasting words to demean anything your opponents did or said even if it was exactly what you would do if you got the credit for it instead of your opponents. I'd add that it implied soft sabotage of any programs of your opponents that were looked upon favorably by the public (at least by what some of the leaders and fund raisers implied). I didn't quit the party when the GoPac memo was first put out, instead waiting to see if my old party would again clean its own house. By 1996 it became evident that they were not only not going to disown the tactics but were at least tripling down on them.
Yes, I remember Frank Lutz’s contribution to this mayhem and find it interesting that in the last year or two he’s been trying to help communications operatives become more attuned to these tactics. Yet, sadly, the Dems have merely used this information to point out what’s happening versus developing a coherent strategy to counter the activities that accompany the linguistic assault on our democracy - a strategy that grabs the emotional attention, versus just the intellect.
The current political landscape in the United States reflects a concerning trend towards authoritarianism, particularly within elements of the Republican Party. The manipulation of immigration issues, as seen in the actions of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, exemplifies a strategy of fostering fear and division for political gain. This approach undermines democratic principles and the nation's security by deflecting attention from genuine policy solutions. The insistence on impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas, based on contentious interpretations of border control, alongside efforts to stall comprehensive immigration reform, highlights a preference for political theater over substantive governance. Such tactics not only exacerbate America's internal divisions but also weaken its standing on the global stage, where democratic resilience is increasingly vital amidst rising authoritarian influences.
Call to action:
In confronting this drift towards authoritarianism, it's crucial for American citizens to actively engage in the democratic process. This means not only voting but also staying informed about policy and legislative developments. Citizens should hold their elected representatives accountable by demanding evidence-based policymaking rather than partisan posturing. Engaging in dialogues within communities to bridge divides and participating in local governance can also fortify democratic norms. Supporting media outlets that prioritize factual reporting over sensationalism is another key step. Ultimately, a collective commitment to upholding democratic values and rejecting divisive rhetoric can help steer the nation away from authoritarian tendencies and towards a more inclusive and effective governance model.
my point (above) exactly. Our country and soooo many of its people, including my beloved daughter are guilty. However, Dig further into it, and we are all guilty to allow the excesses, which our politicians have afforded themselves. We have allowed the county's unchecked plutocrats to take for themselves and not pay a fair tax. Ya gits what y'all allows?
“Perhaps there is in my continuous phenomenology of falsehood a continual search for the criteria to recognize something as true—which is the philosophical problem par excellence. [...] And I am convinced (and convinced that it is true) that we are living submerged in falsifications, in lies as an instrument of power and manipulation of consensus, in the spreading of fake news as an arm of destabilization. This is the Devil.”
An aside aside...Agree, and maybe we should just start to recognize that universal truth does not exist in space or time. What is true today in science is not true tomorrow, that is the nature of science. What is true today in China is not true today in Estonia, that's the nature of culture. It may be better to agree on different truths and get on with it, similar to agreeing that there are different schools of ethics to live by. If only culture weren't so space determined. The pursuit of truth is therefore useless, it must be ethics that bind us regionally, and any regional di-or-tri-cotomy will be bloody, unless we agree to also respect one another's different ethical frameworks as they develop and go our separate ways.
Bruce Klassen, I took the trouble to answer you at great length but... was foolish enough to do so directly, using Substack's comments thread... and, typically, my answer disappeared down the memory hole just when I was on the point of sending it.
I'll ask you to probe your statements and try to refine them. Some are at this stage too much like variations on Pilate's sophistry.
We seek truth. Failure to find it is no proof of its non-existence. More like an inability to find any level of expression that can act as a pointer.
For now, I'll just mention that a mixture of ingrained skepticism, together with the desire to understand the workings of a policy led me to translate from French into English the legal texts setting out that policy... after which I never left off translating and it became my profession. This, despite my initial distaste for the art at a time when I wanted to immerse myself in other ways of thinking.
If we stay on the surface of things we'll perceive only differences. Going deeper, it is a hard struggle to give verbal -- or other -- expression to what we have known experientially.
Isn't the greatest danger when we encounter someone who proclaims "There is one truth, and I possess it"?
Now, it's well past my bedtime, so I shall not be attempting to reconstruct my lost response; but I should be grateful to you for making me think about my profound disagreement with your statement that the pursuit of truth is useless.
Doesn't the whole search begin with seeking one's own truth? Who, what am I? What do I think I'm doing here? What do I want? This, before going on to anything else.
Ah, but there lies the rub: "my profound disagreement with your statement that the pursuit of truth is useless. Doesn't the whole search begin with seeking one's own truth? Who, what am I? What do I think I'm doing here? What do I want?" Those are the follies of youth, finding your truth, when emperical evidence (by traveling the world over time) shows you that there are so many truths, time and place defined, that it is useless to find "Your" truth. Maybe I'd agree with 'truthS', and as such it is useless to pursue them, because they come to you.
If we can keep it, And it has a LOT of room for improvement. Unfortunately, the fascist movement appears to have had a lot of funding and creep into all areas of our systems, like a virus that the only vaccine for is an active, educated and engaged people who stand against this republican movement. It is going to take all of us to shake this march into authoritarianism. It is a stench. The federalist and heritage foundations (and more hostile entities) are very responsible for setting the agenda for their political operatives. We need to OUT all of them and their Funders...who are their funders? We need to boycott corporations that fund any of these fascist-leaning operatives and make it public-- whilst we get the vote out. We need to be really organized and join movements to be strong in numbers as there are more of us than them. We have that power as well as our buying or boycott power. We need to run strong and chew gum at the same time. We were built for these times and we can do this. They are such blatantly ignorant imbeciles--why we let them posture all over us must now end.
Pensa, when you speak of "blatantly ignorant imbeciles" you're speaking of the humans herded like cattle rather than the political, religious and other dogs that do the herding... And you don't seem to be taking sufficient account of the conditions that so enraged them that they could be easily stampeded.
Economic, social and political forces are now so grossly top-heavy, the monopoly power of 5 top corporations so complete that the structure cannot possibly hold for long.
What we are now seeing is the moment, not of revolution but, in its absence, counter-revolution. The man with the orangepeel face is the main instrument, both bulldozer and human wrecker's ball.
It is the Kremlin's lines that need tracing. And those of all the homegrown paymasters who, unable to find satisfaction in immeasurable wealth, want to replace God and recreate the world to suit their foibles...
It's just like the folk tale of the fisherman and his insatiable wife... and can only have the same ending.
On the side, the basic oppositional nature of democracy has often proved to be a headache for rational and reasonable discourse, for oppositions to routinely downgrade the efforts of the government in power, to attend more to negative, with GOP, drumbeat rhetoric, oversimplifying or distorting, or just ignoring, factual information, raising intractable differences to existential, them or us, levels. Hasn't worked well so far ...
And a two party system is not set up constitutionally, so we have a future option if we dare to take it. It might take some time but looking at a movement that has gotten huge blowback - trans et al -
that offers a multifaceted way of thinking and seeing each other, can also lay groundwork for our political ways of doing civics, especially bc the present one isn't working - so badly.
We could at least be learning that 'either/or', black/white, dichotomies in our speech do further divide us.
Another Key ingredient for successful democracies is moderate conflicts: when things get extreme and existential, which is where Republicans have pivoted American politics, behaviours which lead to political breakdown arise, and this can give rise to "strongman" politics, oppositions are suppressed, institutions are commandeered to support the new one party state, or a situation where opponents are so weakened that's what it boils down to. One party states in effect abound around the world. Of course, once power has been established, it often gets locked in, and legitimacy is monopolized. Fascism is just one good example of this. So with the GOP, there's white nationalist evangelical Christianity as a major prop, which as we all know is mercilessly at odds with a significant majority of Americans. The business side can live with give and take. The religious... not so! Mind you, "back when", slavery was the defining issue, and enthusiasm for and against bent the religious accordingly. Time to stop :)
Interesting assessment, Frank. Good food for thought. It reminds me that there is no "common ground" when religion gets into the mix. It then becomes "my way or the highway".
It's not just religion: anything which arouses core emotions: social justice is a biggie (socialism/communism), dynastic/ethnic/territorial conflict (Taiwan), but certainly religion is often involved if stringent moral norms are involved - abortion, sexual gender diversity prohibitions. On our modern tendency to blame so much on religion, it would pay i think to reflect that until recently religion and mores interlocked , and permeated societies - pretty much throughout history. That of course sometimes led to religious affiliated issues, eg the Reformation and so-called wars of religion, since state-religion solidarity was such a big deal. Intolerance/exclusivity is basic to Judaism, Christianity, Islam - each in their turn. History has been a painful teacher indeed.
Religion became a control mechanism when mystical and otherwise mysterious phenomena were supposedly 'explained'
by explainers; mystery schools thousands of years ago serving that human purpose for ever expanding human brains. In Judaism for instance we operated under the priesthood structures (Cohens, Levites) for 1500 years until the Roman's destroyed the 2nd temple and teachers/rabbis took the lead in establishing ongoing learning practiced to this very minute. While the very orthodox branches have an aspect of hlerarchal demeanor Judaism today is based on ongoing learning and commentary - Talmudic - and is basically a peoplehood. In this way our studies have contributed to the establishment of legal systems in the West. Could be one of many
reasons why anti-legal people keep going after us …
Of course it is; 'their' higher power is unimpeachable. Your opinions and knowledge more or less mirror mine. I feel sure you are the 'Robin' I've chatted with before, if perhaps somewhere else. Great to see your input here; Brava !
Congress has worked very hard to do nothing. Republican attempts to paint Biden as corrupt and on par with all of Trump’s misdeeds may work with poorly informed people but not with anyone paying attention. James Comer talks a lot without actually saying anything true. House rules need to change so that honest legislations can reach the floor without political obstruction. Whether Trump wins or loses the next election won’t matter. He will still be a proverbial thorn.
For all the talk we hear about Biden's age, it seemed to me yesterday that Trump was coming undone at the trial brought by E. Jean Carroll. His usual tactics of interrupting the procedures have begun to bounce off the wall, and of course he will leave, but his burning rage is destroying him, IMO.
Should that happen, I expect Biden in all good conscience will bow out, and celebrate his many, good fellow Dems and the accomplishments for which history will duly celebrate his role as key, central.
Dems should then, in November, easily wipe out all the Republican suck-ups to their orange, syphilitic-festering insurrectionist-in-chief, their cult excuse for spinelessness, their service to all the world's dictators, oligarchs, and dark money succubae.
You would think lugging all that rage around would cause Tang Face's cortisol levels to go through the roof--or at least through the straw thatch that he wears on his head. He should have had a peace-giving major myocardial infarction (or a CVA) a few years ago at least.
I read that he smells terrible, always has, was asked to leave a restaurant when in his thirties due to diner complaints. Also that he wears adult diapers (perhaps to avoid using a public bathroom?). Something is wrong - though likely not terminal. Oh,?and the article said you can hear a long loud fart when he was soliciting his 11,820 votes, and he apologized.
Professor Richardson: Thank you for today’s Letter. In it you write, ‘’But I have always wondered what would happen when the American people finally pushed back against suggestions and innuendo and instead demanded actual evidence and policies designed to address problems, as they did before American politics turned into entertainment.’’
You raise an issue here that has been front and center in my thinking for decades, at least since I studied Media Ecology at NYU and had the great honor of being a student of Neil Postman. Professor Postman was the author of the landmark book, ‘’Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business’’ published in 1985 during Ronald Reagan’s second term – a time when entertainment values in politics had become an unavoidable reality. Things have only gotten worse.
“In Huxley’s vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their autonomy, maturity and history. As he saw it, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.”
‘’In this sense, all culture is a conversation or, more precisely, a corporation of conversations, conducted in a variety of symbolic modes. Our attention here is on how forms of public discourse regulate and even dictate what kind of content can issue from such forms.’’
–Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
Our challenge today is not to turn back the clock to a time when entertainment values did not dictate the nature and form of political discourse – that horse has left the barn – but rather to make every effort to infuse the current communications landscape with reasoned argument in support of those principles we hold most deeply. That, and consciously broaden our information horizons – turn off our laptops now and then, read a book, write letters, have conversations.
Thank you for introducing me to Professor Postman’s work! My library’s ebook offerings consist of 3 copies with 2 holds on each, for a six week wait, so impatiently, for the very first time I ventured to “borrow” the instantly available audiobook, and listened up through the beginning of Chapter 2 before coming back to reading these Substack comments.
And thought “how odd and a propos to his subject for me to have spurned reading the written word in favor of turning my attention to the evanescenct audible version”.
But now that the Senate appears to have hammered out a bipartisan immigration reform measure, House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said this morning: “It’s a complex issue. I don’t think now is the time for comprehensive immigration reform, because we know how complicated that is.”
Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”
Dave, it sounded to me like he was admitting that this Congress, under his leadership, is incapable of dealing with complex issues. In other words, they are not capable of governing. Well, they aren’t, because that requires compromise.
On the one hand, Johnson is saying the border is such a pressing crisis, we must deal with it before (or simultaneously with) aid to Ukraine, but on the other hand, it is so complex, we have to wait. His is an inconsistent, contradictory, illogical position. Or maybe, he’s just a Trump tool, in every sense of the word.
Heather, I've been screaming your last sentence/question for months. We must stop being amused/fascinated by dump's antics. Been there. Done that. Gag.
It's more than time for us to call out the lies and bullshit. Stop the show. Hold up 2 arms crossed to fact check him.
Or better yet, stop talking about him in tones of disbelief - We know who he is - a crude, lying sexual abuser - ETC
He's real, he's got his team better organized and he's soon to melt.....
Lisa...this is a time of horror.....but let's not forget our past wars: for freedom from Great Britain....the Indian wars and massacers, the uncivil Civil War, WWI and WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam war, the long war in Afghanistan, our war in Iraq.....the destruction of human life on both sides.
Today, wars, destruction due to physical or economic disasters have caused our fellow humans to flee to a place that they believe is better.....to live in this country. I believe it compels us to BE BETTER!!!! We are "HOPE" to so many. I am so ashamed of those who allow immigrants to die in a river.....those people who come to us cherish "freedom" more than the ones who allowed their deaths.
Freedom is not free.....pieces of humanity remain from our past wars....mental. physical, relational sacrifices for what....POWER....."my way or the highway"....for the control of a few at the cost of many.....no one is left without some suffering. There are of course always those who have profited from wars.....from cruelty.
Those are NOT persons I want to lead our nation......while those who sponsor wars sit comfortably in their powerful positions.
Thank you to our peace-loving diplomats who sacrifice their personsl lives to actually communicate with others who want to see peaceful solutions.
We are recognizing more and more that we are a world-wide family. We are becoming more aware that our oceans and skies belong to all of us......including now outer space. It is only common sense that we each will profit from working together.
Fighting and hating and working to destroy others will only cause us to implode. We MUST choose to work together for the total good of humanity. NOW is the time!!!! If only we would choose respect....if only we would choose to WORK to build relationships instead of bombs.....to share the waterways....not to attack one another. These are ancient ways of fighting and destroying others.....WHAT A WASTE of humanity and the gifts each of us can share with one another.
Well if the Supreme Court is going to overrule regulatory agencies or get rid of them altogether and Congress is owned by AIPAC and other corporations and global warming is not being addressed and Americans are too uneducated to vote sanely... It's a little discouraging.
I only watch local TV news for this very reason... but inevitably, they carry a story from the national network about the status of the current horse race, and I just want to scream.
Dear Ellen, might I suggest broadening, instead of narrowing your receptors. Look to international news. Poland just got rid of its right wing Christo-Fascist government, and are restoring democratic institutions. There are other examples large German demonstrations announced against fascism. Resistance to Presidential rule in Slovenia. Resistance to Presidential rule in Israel. etc. etc. It may give you a better sense of where and how democrats are fighting back.
If all they want is blood there's no ore than enough horror happening in Palestine, but Zionists own our government and our media, so instead we get only the Israeli side, as we have for 75 years
I believe a majority of Americans feel absolutely horrid about the situation there; education about it all, long and short term might be another matter. Horrid for both Palestinians and Israeli's of good will likely overrides all. The Israeli's themselves were set to oust Netanyahu (sp ?) on their own just about the time of this latest horror. I earnestly hope they follow through as they should, though it's unlikely while hostilities are ongoing. It's all so horrific Lisa. There are far too many players hard at work destabilizing; you know this as do we. Zionist's certainly have big influence, but I do not believe they 'own' us, nor our government.
Yes, you're right, there are other forces at work, too. We have all been heavily brainwashed about this situation, though. We were told Israel was a land without people for a people without a land. There was zero mention of the Palestinians here in the US for a very long time. The current censorship of expressions of empathy for Palestinians and for criticism of Israel has been shockingly apparent.
Whether mentioned broadly or not, I always knew it was a land chock full of people of various groups and claims, including Palestinians that were under the full ownership and rulership of the Ottoman Turks. I am a history nerd, that mostly hid my 'nerdiness' - lol. I've known and adored folks who were natives of the area of many identities and as a foodie, have loved breaking bread with any and all, and sharing beloved recipes and dishes, and love them all still yet.
Let us trace this Letter, which began with the immigration position of Texas attorney general Ken Paxton to the those of the Big Kahuna running for the presidency again, Donald J. Trump.
'Now, thanks to massive publicity (particularly in conservative media) about migrants at the southern border, immigration policy matters more than it did in 2020. According to recent battleground-state polling from New York Times/Siena, voters trust Trump more than Biden on immigration policy. It’s simply a better environment for Trump to propose an immigration crackdown. However, it’s unclear whether voters have any idea of how far Trump wants to go in inaugurating Gestapo-style policies to track down, arrest, transport, and deport millions of people from communities all over the country. But it’s not ambiguous at all. Once they know about Trump’s plans, the Latino voters who have been trending Republican in recent elections will likely bridle at the racial and ethnic profiling by federal, state, and local law-enforcement officials that will inevitably accompany any effort to “scour the country for unauthorized immigrants,” as the Times puts it.’ (nymagazine, excerpts)
‘The New York Times recently reported that if reelected, Trump plans to round up, incarcerate and then deport millions of undocumented immigrants. In recent decades there has been plenty of talk among Republicans about sealing off the southern border, reducing both legal and illegal immigration, and deporting selected groups of immigrants deemed a threat to national security. But aside from those living in the fever swamps of racist xenophobia, nobody has proposed mass deportations of people who have been living and working peacefully in America for years.’ (nymagazine)
'Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump’s 2025 Immigration Plans' (nytimes, excerpts)
'Former President Donald J. Trump is planning an extreme expansion of his first-term crackdown on immigration if he returns to power in 2025 — including preparing to round up undocumented people already in the United States on a vast scale and detain them in sprawling camps while they wait to be expelled.'
'He plans to scour the country for unauthorized immigrants and deport people by the millions per year.'
'To help speed mass deportations, Mr. Trump is preparing an enormous expansion of a form of removal that does not require due process hearings. To help Immigration and Customs Enforcement carry out sweeping raids, he plans to reassign other federal agents and deputize local police officers and National Guard soldiers voluntarily contributed by Republican-run states.'
'To ease the strain on ICE detention facilities, Mr. Trump wants to build huge camps to detain people while their cases are processed and they await deportation flights. And to get around any refusal by Congress to appropriate the necessary funds, Mr. Trump would redirect money in the military budget, as he did in his first term to spend more on a border wall than Congress had authorized.'
'In a public reference to his plans, Mr. Trump told a crowd in Iowa in September: “Following the Eisenhower model, we will carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” The reference was to a 1954 campaign to round up and expel Mexican immigrants that was named for an ethnic slur' — “Operation Wetback.”
'The constellation of Mr. Trump’s 2025 plans amounts to an assault on immigration on a scale unseen in modern American history. Millions of undocumented immigrants would be barred from the country or uprooted from it years or even decades after settling here.'
'Similarly, numerous people who have been allowed to live in the country temporarily for humanitarian reasons would also lose that status and be kicked out, including tens of thousands of the Afghans who were evacuated amid the 2021 Taliban takeover and allowed to enter the United States. Afghans holding special visas granted to people who helped U.S. forces would be revetted to see if they really did.'
'And Mr. Trump would try to end birthright citizenship for babies born in the United States to undocumented parents — by proclaiming that policy to be the new position of the government and by ordering agencies to cease issuing citizenship-affirming documents like Social Security cards and passports to them. That policy’s legal legitimacy, like nearly all of Mr. Trump’s plans, would be virtually certain to end up before the Supreme Court.'
“Any activists who doubt President Trump’s resolve in the slightest are making a drastic error: Trump will unleash the vast arsenal of federal powers to implement the most spectacular migration crackdown,” Mr. Miller said, adding, “The immigration legal activists won’t know what’s happening.”
'Since Mr. Trump left office, the political environment on immigration has moved in his direction. He is also more capable now of exploiting that environment if he is re-elected than he was when he first won election as an outsider.'
'The ebbing of the Covid-19 pandemic and resumption of travel flows have helped stir a global migrant crisis, with millions of Venezuelans and Central Americans fleeing turmoil and Africans arriving in Latin American countries before continuing their journey north. Amid the record numbers of migrants at the southern border and beyond it in cities like New York and Chicago, voters are frustrated and even some Democrats are calling for tougher action against immigrants and pressuring the White House to better manage the crisis.'
'Mr. Trump and his advisers see the opening, and now know better how to seize it. The aides Mr. Trump relied upon in the chaotic early days of his first term were sometimes at odds and lacked experience in how to manipulate the levers of federal power. By the end of his first term, cabinet officials and lawyers who sought to restrain some of his actions — like his Homeland Security secretary and chief of staff, John F. Kelly — had been fired, and those who stuck with him had learned much.'
'In a second term, Mr. Trump plans to install a team that will not restrain him.'
'Mr. Trump’s rhetoric has more than kept up with his increasingly extreme agenda on immigration.'
'His stoking of fear and anger toward immigrants — pushing for a border wall and calling Mexicans rapists — fueled his 2016 takeover of the Republican Party. As president, he privately mused about developing a militarized border like Israel’s, asked whether migrants crossing the border could be shot in the legs and wanted a proposed border wall topped with flesh-piercing spikes and painted black to burn migrants’ skin.'
'As he has campaigned for the party’s third straight presidential nomination, his anti-immigrant tone has only grown harsher. In a recent interview with a right-wing website, Mr. Trump claimed without evidence that foreign leaders were deliberately emptying their “insane asylums” to send the patients across America’s southern border as migrants. He said migrants were “poisoning the blood of our country.” And at a rally on Wednesday in Florida, he compared them to the fictional serial killer and cannibal Hannibal Lecter, saying, “That’s what’s coming into our country right now.” (nytimes) See gifted link below.
'Team Biden may be tempted to ignore immigration policy as a “loser” for the incumbent president. But if they do, they will be missing an opportunity to let voters know how scary Trump’s plans are. He’s using concerns about migrants to justify the most massive reversal of U.S. immigration practices at least since Dwight D. Eisenhower’s openly racist “Operation Wetback” deportation drive in the 1950s (which Trump has often praised). Biden and Democrats need to stop thinking of immigration as a Republican issue and explain to voters just how radical Trump is on the subject. It’s encouraging that the Biden campaign has already come out with an attack on Trump’s plan, calling it an “extreme and rapid expansion of his first-term clampdown on immigration if he takes back the White House,” as Politico put it. But they need to keep it up. It’s a really big deal not just for people directly affected by immigration policy but for anyone who wants to block a lurch into authoritarianism and a rejection of the rule of law.' (nymagazine)
Fern, you are one of the most informed people I “know!” And you educate us well!
Given the worker shortages, the massive deportations should concern the hospitality and agricultural business community the most. Businesses will close, wages will go up as businesses compete for the shrinking labor market. Someone should be quietly messaging this to all the Chambers of Commerce. Maybe they would rethink the value of their anticipated Trump tax cuts if they realized it could cost them even more in lost labor?
They are mostly bought and paid for fools Marge; But your point is well taken. They foolishly believe along with their masters, that once won, they can put the 'genie' back in the box with their "awesome power" of the dollar. Egads...
Gail, 'Fascism', nothing could be clearer, so that Americans, except for the fascists, will finally understand what we have been undergoing and what is instore for us all if Trump is elected as president. We've got the goods because Trump is broadcasting it.
More to the point dear Fern, 'OiD's attack will be on democracy and the ramparts / guardrails that were so wisely placed to protect 'our' democracy - the separation of powers. The opposition has squarely placed those ramparts in their sights, and successfully breached those walls, which seem to be crumbling and inadequate. We and all the agency we can assemble are the last, and yet most effective agency that can repel the assaults - if I will, if 'we' will.
“... I have always wondered what would happen when the American people finally pushed back against suggestions and innuendo and instead demanded actual evidence and policies designed to address problems...”
This is something that I would love to see happen but given the situation in this country today... what would a pushback even look like and how would it become known to the American people?
It seems like it’s something too big to get a handle on and make public.
I have to say this year has me very scared that somehow the Democratic Party will drop the ball and we’ll end up under a sick dictator.
Heather did remind us after all that factless tactics were not working out so well for Republicans in Congress. The House is a Republican Party dragged down by extremists, stalling even the bipartisan work being done in the Senate. Hopefully more are seeing through all this than we are given credit for. Dems have always been had worriers and critics of their own.
Chip Roy said, in July, 2021, that his plan was : “Eighteen more months of chaos and the inability to get stuff done. That's what we want." His aim was to win the 2022 elections. Instead, Biden and crew passed bipartisan legislation to improve the lives of Americans.
Now we see the same playbook on immigration—yell about it, but refuse to do anything about it.
As my grandfather used to say “we need to work to get the bums out!” I’m contacting five friends to urge them to make sure that their voter registration is current. I’m suggesting that they each contact 5 friends. When the primary election comes, I’m going to make sure that they vote. The vast majority of registered voters don’t vote. We need to change that this year.
Mary, yes! I always send around an email and post about Democratic candidates and links to more granular recommendations for candidates like judges and school board. I'm on a deadline and haven't had time to explore this online tool, but this Blue Voter Guide recommended by Robert Hubbell looks like it could be invaluable:
"I frequently receive requests from readers for information on what candidates they should support in their area. Bluevoterguide.org provides answers to those questions by allowing you to create an online voter guide specific to your home districts. Check out the link at Blue Voter Guide." ---Bluevoterguide.org
Alexandra, don't overlook Jessica Cravens. Her "Chop Wood, Carry Water" Substack gives damn near all the contact information to participate as deep as your time permits.
Yes, Cravens' Chop Wood Carry Water is a daily for me, too. But this BlueVoterGuide looks like it will allow Dems in any state to craft their own specific ballot guides. I've never seen that before!
Gotta check it out. Thank you.
Ditto... I read her too.
Ransom,
Yes, Jessica Cravens is one of my “must reads”!
Ditto.. I read her too.
Never heard of her! ! Will look her up. Thank you.
Jessica Craven is an amazing and powerful force of nature. As Ransom suggested, she offers an easy to use "tool kit". You will especially enjoy her weekly recaps of the positive stuff happening around the country.
Bill, I am all in for getting people to vote, but, I am worried about when "we" win. Then what?
Trump will be the nominee and when he loses, his resistance to losing will be more organized and have more support in Congress. He is building up support for taking over whether he wins or loses.
So, when he next loses, and, then successfully manages to overturn the election through his arse kissers in Congress, what will we do then?
I think we have to start thinking about this because Trump does not care about the election outcome and neither do Republicans in Congress. They all plan a takeover regardless of who "wins" the voting. Three years of expanding the "belief" that Trump won in 2020 and Biden "stole" the election have had a big effect.
What do we do when Republican's just takeover after it appears Biden wins?
If there is no plan for a response to a Trump takeover in the presence of evidence of his loss, then, he will be successful because there won't be time to develop and implement a coordinated response.
Mike, you pose a critical question. I like your phrase "when he next loses," but think it nearly impossible for Trump to do anything about it. Congress has changed the laws so the house is only a vote counter after the Electoral College totals are certified.
When Joe (or another Democratic nominee) wins this next election, if there is another uprising it will be met with stiff and overwhelming force. Biden is not going to sit in a dining room and watch the nation collapse. He will act promptly and protect our government and elected officials.
And here's the thing. When you are president, you have the big guns and the prisons. One phone call from POTUS and anything like the January 6th debacle would be crushed.
Mike, your concern about the ‘what happens’ is legitimate. I know most people here hate Greenwald, and will disagree with much of this, but he lays out the scenario from the perspective of the Trump supporters who will be responding to a Biden win, especially if Trump is either denied ballot access, or in jail.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_69hgQ79_V8
This is an astute assessment, Mike. There are so many "belief" stories about "stolen" elections that something needs to be preemptively addressed.
Agree 100%, Mike.
Future casting and doomscrolling are similar non-productive energy wasters Mike. I only know because I've done those.
Bill, I always appreciate your comments. It’s so easy to get lost in the what-if’s, especially living in Florida. So much appears to be out of my control…but not how I choose to respond/act.
📲✍️🏃🏻♀️💲📣
Thanks, Ransom! Also, if anyone is in Los Angeles we are having a fundraiser for the Blue Voter Guide on Saturday! Come meet me there! Saturday, 1/20, from 2 - 4pm in the Larchmont area. We want to ensure that Blue Voter Guide can buy all their data for 2024 (!).
We usually all focus on specific campaigns, candidates, and measures. Blue Voter Guide is different—it's focused on voters, and it aims to do one thing: quickly give them confidence in their choices. BlueVoterGuide.org is live now for the March 5th California primary. Head there and enter your address to see it in action.
RSVP and/or donate here. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ridewiththeguide
I'll try, but I'm not sure when we have to move Linda's Mom from rehab to her new care facility. It might have to be later next week. Be carefull in the rain.
Alexandra Sokoloff was the one who mentioned BlueVoterGuide.org in last night's exchange. I mentioned you to her and she shot back that you are her daily dose.
Thanks to you, Mary Hardt, and Ransom Rideout (!) for your posts and the important information.
Gotta stay awake Alan. We all have to do what we can. I just applied to be a poll worker yesterday for the March 5 primary. There was a long list of places they neede help with. I can at least do that.
"Immigration problems, workers’ salaries, women’s health? Democracy? The RNC is an organized crime syndicate--writing letters won’t change them and the media only serves as a conduit for BS. It’s more about buying and consumer reports on the local “news.”
Well said, Dawna.
Dan, The story linked to your profile about the extraordinary rules made by the NC legislature are chilling. And yet they are of a piece with the demolition of our democracy that's occurring in so many Republican controlled states. It's like a tsunami of actions that will stay in place until they reach the SCOTUS where, one hopes, they'll be found to be a violation of several bedrock principles of the COTUS.
And from today’s letter it would appear the last two Democratic Presidents have done as much, if not more, to deter the flow of undocumented migrants than the repugnican’s fuhrer, trump.
Dawna. It the same old story everywhere. Political decisions made for the wealthy and powerful while people have uranium (and other things)in the water. We can bet that the wealthy and powerful don't live on their pig farms or near whatever else they own. I might ask who is doing the scut work on the pig farms and any number of other agricultural entities....right, immigrants for the most part. Or some poor uneducated sod like my niece's husband in southern Illinois. Last night NBC had a story about seeing cancer in much younger people. When asked the doctor did mention the environment. The R party is a crime syndicate which has become the party of death.
We are in the process of making a real and unsustainable water crisis. Here in Oregon we have have a big problem in a part of eastern Oregon where the water has been ruined by nitrates (I think i am remembering this correctly). Most of the people affected are poor and often Hispanic. The wealthy assume that their money will save them, either their McMansion on some hill or other homes elsewhere, often overseas. I am sorry they own the Cubs because I know lots of Cub fans including my bro-in-law. I once went to a Cubs game with my dad and uncle. probably before they owned them. Global climate change....what's that says every R climate denier. We want to make money.
Lake Erie - a ‘great lake’ is covered in algae blooms yearly. My former home state - their answer ‘it takes time’ and blaming less cattails!!!
You got that right. It's interesting about the Uranium in the wells. I was recently in Missoula Montana where there is a big sign around a construction site that reads "President Biden Bipartisan Infrastructure Project." I looked into it and what they are constructing is improving a naturally occurring wetland that will serve to handle storm runoff and help detoxify the fertilizer and petroleum sludge that runs off along with stormwater. They are also partnering with the University of Montana to seed the area, known affectionately as "Cattail Corners", with native grasses and flowers. When it is finished, Cattail Corners will be an even more inviting space for people to enjoy in addition to cleaning up the environment. There is a hands-on exhibit in the children's section of the public library demonstrating how this project works. Now that is something to crow about. I'm going to look into other similar projects across the nation. Let's not let the Koch Bros do us in.
! Susan, coincidentally, I adore Missoula and and love a lot of folks there ! Thanks for sharing 'good' things actually happening; especially in a place I adore. (Though I've never actually 'been there', it's on my bucket list, which I may have to fast track...) Brava sistuh !
On that note, if SCOTUS decides in favor of the Koch brothers fishing interests, the case they are on now, you will have to PAY for all that uranium in your drinking water.
I was not saying anything about writing to the Repugs. I've written them off long ago. Write to tell DEMS to get off their asses and DO something might be effective, as well as columnists and journalists who pedal paplum infotainment. Like that self important jackass Aaron Blake at WaPo. You probably missed the email to him I posted on Heather's Letters a few weeks ago about his "The Campaign Moment". I all but reamed him a new asshole. Let them know they are just shit. Yada Yada...
Indeed; Attack the 'microphones, cameras, and Networks' giving them public Oxygen !
Dawna, totally with you here. Fellow Nebraskan who feels the pain of Rs in charge of the state. They do NOT want govt "interference" in their polluting ways. They do NOT want food support for children. They do NOT want women to be in control of their own health. They DO want to totally ban abortion for any reason, and they refuse to fund any type of help for families. Having obviously been pulled up by their parents' wealthy bootstraps, they have no empathy for the poor. I am often ashamed to say I live here.
Outstanding. I love Montana. The current case in support of a childs right to a safe environment is laudable. I lived in the Bitteroot valley in the 90’s. Idaho is home now. Working on groundwater issues and human rights issues and ranked choice voting of course.
Ditto here in Ideeho.
The League of Women Voters has been doing this for years--it’s VOTE411.org. However, it’s nonpartisan, which is why we have maintained credibility with voters. When I’ve volunteered in our St. Louis office answering phone calls during elections, people call us and are happy when ballot summaries are available for their interpretation: Missouri is notorious for ambiguous ballot wording and it’s inspiring to know there are voters who value their vote by being informed of their choice. The only issue is that VOTE411.org does not go online until close to the election time, here it’s two weeks before the election date. This is just one example of how voting is going to succeed: there are many people who are working hard to keep our right to vote a RIGHT--just keep fighting and don’t be discouraged!🗽
My mother belonged to the League. Keep up your good work!
BVG was available for only some states (swing, I think) until it was broadened to all 50 for the 2024 election. An immense amount of volunteer effort has gone into it. I find it a particularly good tool for down ballot races, about which people sometimes don’t know much.
MLMinET - that was my impression, thanks! And the down ballot races are exactly what I'm hoping to be able to get more of my email list voting in.
Exactly. I THINK but am not sure BVG will also include explanations for amendments on the ballot, which are nearly impossible to understand. And we election workers cannot explain them (neither allowed nor probably even possible!).
That’s what the League of Women Voters does well...explain the pros and cons of ballot measures. BVG looks to be good for presenting the Democratic candidates and the list of their endorsers, as well as ballot measures. No pros and cons.
BVG. Black Volkswagens Go?
Blue Voter Guide
Don't assume people know your acronyms. I have no idea what BVG is. Acronyms do to the flow of prose what a dead cow does to the flow of a stream.
Well that’s a great visual!
Thanks!
You can also contact your local.Democratic party for information about candidates running for non partisan races like judges. In my state GA the Democratic party cannot endorse candidates until after the primary. That's good and bad. Good because you don't want your local party deciding that for you, but bad because it's hard to know if a candidate that's running for a judicial seat is a Democrat or Republican and it's not like they'll let you know either. We rallied a behind a couple of duds only to find out how they lean after they got on the bench. We promptly voted them out in the next election cycle.
I know where to get the information for myself, but I have quite an extensive mailing list with voters in all states. If this Blue Voter Guide actually allows them a quick way of looking up the best candidates in their particular district, that is gold.
You're awesome, Alexandra!
In NC, the legislature turned nonpartisan judicial races into partisan races. Currently, the NC Supreme Court has a Republican majority, which voted to uphold heavily gerrymandered maps. What a shock!
They tied Governor Cooper's hands before he was sworn into office and they keep taking powers way from him. I refer to NC when I want people to imagine what a Democratic president would have to deal with if the previous Republican president had implemented Project 2024. There would be nothing he or she could do because the federal government would be stripped to the bone.
I'm originally from NC and have family there. They're the only Republicans that I'm related to. It takes all my energy to stay involved because of my grandchildren. It's devastating.
Tracy, I don't know about GA, but in general the prohibition is against endorsing candidates in contested Democratic primaries. This isn't hard to understand: endorsing in a contested primary is bound to be divisive. Local Democratic groups can't publicly oppose the Democratic nominee in the general election either.
We don't elect judges in MA -- district attorneys, sheriffs, etc., yes, but not judges. From what you say it sounds as though judges in GA are elected on a nonpartisan basis, i.e., their party affiliation, if any, doesn't appear on the general-election ballot. Are these races even included on the primary ballot?
Yes, I know that Blue Voter Guide be available in all 50 states in 2024. It will include races that one rarely hears about: judges, school boards, mayors, sheriffs, prosecutors, ballot measures! It will really help!
Alas, no guide for Delaware yet. :-( I just moved here and would like to learn more about the down ballot candidates.
Here’s a link for information:
https://www.deldems.org/about/local-party/new-castle
I’m a Delaware native--I was an 18-year-old voter in 1972--the first time 18-year-olds were allowed to vote and was proud to vote for Joe Biden for Senator! Best wishes in your new home--I miss our “Small Wonder” state but married a St. Louis man 50 years ago🥰 and love St. Louis, especially the people (we’re the blue dot in the now red sea).
Thank you, Linda!
I graduated from UD in the early 1980's and lived here for a while in my early 20's. It was a pleasure voting for Senator Biden and working on his 1988 presidential campaign. I still have his Thank You letter to the volunteers.
I never intended to be away for so long.
My first time voting as well. Massachusetts. I don't remember who was on the ballot besides McGovern. My brother and sister in law recently visited and liked your adopted city very much. I found Cahokia fascinating many years ago.
Mary, I appreciate you writing. I would note, since 2016, my line has been “Whatever your first issue of concern, participating in the democratic process had better be your second. Because without engagement in free and fair elections, progress of any kind is far less likely.”
Barbara, you said a mouthful there!! I’ll be sharing that philosophy!! Thank you!!
Kathy, Thank you for your affirming reply. I would note I am part of group intent on building a nationwide pro-democracy movement rooted in mutual respect, personal responsibility, and social accountability and also wedded to the rule of law and the Constitution. Though currently in its formative stage, we, nonetheless, are at the point of reaching out to standout figures to help bring recognition to the project designed to galvanize the country to rise up for freedom and democracy. We envision a nationwide call to action: uniting, inspiring, and energizing people, who know we are under threat, to commit to participating in saving our democracy and also, hopefully, waking up those asleep to the necessity and urgency.
Does this group have a name, yet, Barbara Jo?
@Pensa_VT, Thank you for asking. Our project tentatively is titled “Rise Up For Democracy Before It’s Too Late.” I will be sure to keep this community apprised of our progress.
Biden’s speech on standing up for democracy!
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/11/03/remarks-by-president-biden-on-standing-up-for-democracy/
Thank you Barbara!! Yes please keep us informed!!
Barbara, looking forward to hearing about it. I recommend the book “Beyond Contempt” as a guide for how to talk to people whom you want to inspire.
In Barbara's case, what she stated was a full 'heartful' Kat. I've appreciated her for some time now. jmho ~
Gentlepersons: I'm sure that you know of Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett from Texas, taking the place of Barbara Jordan. At the Hunter Biden hearing, this is what she had to say to the Republicans: https://substack.com/redirect/c468817c-c9e1-4619-8d9a-0226ed8238c8?j=eyJ1IjoiMTk4NXkifQ.uzl9Pqs61G47PV53pV4G7ErGp_Q1lje3Hs0VGqzajuw
"Ya'll spin, spin, spin; and I don't know how ya'll are standing right now because you should be quite dizzy from all the spinning that you're constantly doing when it comes to spinning the truth.." Priceless!
Totall agree. She captured the outrage we all have been feeling as the time to call in his grossly deficient account seems so long overdue. Go, Congresswoman!! I bet she'd easily manage to talk down NY's Stefanik.
I'd love to see her up against Stefanik, K!
Thanks for sharing this, Richard. I am absolutely in awe of her courage to give the Republicans the scolding they so desperately need to hear. Especially the "Gentlewoman from South Carolina", who is the walking epitome of white privilege.
Ashley, Congresswoman Crockett is really, really good. I saw her interviewed on MSNBC and she came across as cool, collected and in control. She is definitely more than "just another pretty face." I predict a rapid rise for her. She is the complete package.
Great minds think alike, Richard! I just posted a YouTube of her remarks she gave a few days ago, about Republican spin a/k/a alternative facts! Here, I'll post her YouTube page, from which you can choose which issues you care to hear from her:
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jasmine+crockett
I love that woman! Hard to believe that there are enough of those kind of Texans to voter her in....
Yes, without a doubt, Jasmine Crockett is a rising star. Hallelujah!
Preach, Congresswoman!!
Wow!
Thank you Richard. That was awesome!
Go Jasmine Crockett! 💕
Too old to have five friends left.
You have dozens here, Jeri
A stimulating comfort, thank you
Jeri, that is the curse of the gift of long life. Please know that you have friends here, and that the efforts you make in other arenas make up for outliving your cohort.
I realized at my husband's funeral that most of his family and friends had predeceased him. Should not have been surprised, but first time I had really thought about it. Thinking back, funerals for young people (niece drowned at 19) had so many mourners. Those of us who have beaten the odds should be grateful every day, while remembering those who didn't. Thank you all, great community at LFAA
I know what it's like.
You have me Jeri!
Hey, Jeri. That's tough.
sorry to hear.
Jeri, I’ve branched out to kids, nieces, nephews and grandchildren
Daughter and granddaughters not too far away, but busy as beavers.
I just make sure that they’re registered and that they vote. Not too time intensive.
One too young, others OK. So thankful they are not magats, although they live in red zone
I’m here for you, Jeri! Hugs!
From my experience herein, you are 'not' too old where it counts the most Jeri; Your brave heart and inquiring mind.
Tired heart and mind, but still can recognize evil and try to live golden rule. Thank you D4N
Absolutely!!! This is a critical year. I like your idea of making sure people vote.
Yes, there are depths of inactive voters, the best part of almost half the total electorate, more or less true since "I" was a kid, 70 odd years ago.
I’m in my 70s as well and I remember that the majority of the electorate hasn’t voted in the past but I’ve never felt this way about an upcoming election before and I really hope other people are scared too so they vote and not let an extremist, self-serving nut back in the WH.
Yes Mary, and don't forget Jessica Cravems "Chop Wood, Carry Water". She gives the contact info on damn near everything one needs to paticipate in making all that happen.
Yes, Jessica Cravens is one of my “must reads”!
Turn EVERYONE on to her. She is here in LA and on the executive committe of the LA County Democratic Party. She is an ass kicker and knows her stuff.
Voting is everything. I’m interested in harnessing the power of neighborhoods in Boston by asking them to compete for bragging rights in what percentage of their residents voted. If each neighborhood association could get at least one person per street to cajole their neighbors to vote “because we want to show that on our street we care about democracy”, who knows what we could accomplish?
Mero, what a great idea!
That's exactly what I did when we sent out 200 holiday letters we included a second letter that talks about what we call "the ripple effect". If each of your five, or many of my 200 each send out to 5 or a 100 of their friends...etc. etc. You see how it works. Let's getter done! Kick the bums out!
I too am systematically talking to friends and discussing how they might most like to participate in upcoming election. For me, other than presidency, congressional race super important. But if everyone is doing something I think we’ll re-elect Biden and then move forward beyond Trump to a more progressive bend over next cycles..
I have started doing what I can in Oregon to support Democratic candidates in our US House delegation. I think district 2 is a lost cause; it has no urban areas to speak of, covers half the state, and frankly, their Representative is reflective of their wishes (except, I suppose, for their love for the "Greater Oregon" movement, which wants to secede to Idaho). District 5, on the other hand, is (I hope) flipable with enough effort. That is to the north of me, and was the result of our "gaining" a Representative following the 2020 census.
Totally support this 5 by 5 effort ‘GETTING OUT THE non voting registered voters ‘ think it should be embraced by the major ‘players’ along with the national letter and post card efforts!
Think the lack of registered voters voting may well provide Trump the White House!
According to the folks at Red, Wine &Blue, this works because the people that you contact know and trust you.
They are great too. Do you remember when they did an hour with Heather?
Ransom, that’s where I got the idea!
“I want my Republican colleagues to give me one thing—one—that I can go campaign on and say we did. One!” - Chip Roy, Nov 2023
This guy can't pick a side to an issue.
From what I can tell, he's saying to House Republicans, don't do anything so I can grandstand against myself on the floor of Congress. SMH 😞
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/11/chip-roy-republicans-have-accomplished-nothing
Now he’s denying helping to create the chaos.
Do you have a link to this? I'd like to see what he's saying.
https://www.texastribune.org/2024/01/12/chip-roy-mike-johnson-texas-trump-congress/
Great points.
Friendly amendment: the vast majority of eligible Americans are not registered to vote. At least not proactively. In my state of California, you have to proactively decline to register every time you renew your driver's license.
It is the responsibilty of voters not only to vote but to work to make sure others do as well. A voter will be more quickly motivated by a contact from a friend or relative than by TV ads, email, text messages, or slick mailing pieces. How many of them do you ignore on a daily basis?
Perfectly said Mary on most all points; it's one thing to read about all this and pontificate academically as our country is torn asunder. What are you willing to 'do and endure' ? That my friends herein is the greatest question of all to be answered and 'acted' upon here. Are you willing to talk 'calmly' with facts in evidence you've learned here and elsewhere ? Are you willing to calmly endure angry hyberbolic retorts based on rumor and lies, till they talk themselves out and point with calm reassurance to truth and facts in evidence that you hold in your mind and heart, and if needed on paper for reference ? Responding in kind to those folks will not work out well; it never does; it feeds the cycle of bombastic confrontation and emotional conflict. We have to 'accept' that as much as we want to be heard, 'so do they.' Isn't that the brilliance behind FB; that if one is on that medium they can be "heard" ? Whether what they say is logic driven or not; kind or not; factual or emotional ? I've learned, perhaps too late in life that anger, spite, hate, and so forth, are emotional responses / manifestations of "fear." That doesn't need pointed out as though you're some psychiatrist; it needs personal knowledge, understanding, and acceptance (besides that pointing it out causes angry denial...). It's gonna' be work - hard personal work. What are you willing to do ? Biden, Harris, HCR, Rather, Vance, Reich; others of some stature who speak out also make themselves easy individual targets for mob style attacks. Mob style attacks are far less possible on our opposed 'mob of calm truth' grounded in facts, and yes understanding and level of mature empathy. What am I willing to do; even if I can only get through to one person a day ? (sorry; that's longer than intended - but thanks)
The book “Beyond Contempt” has really helped me to have non-argument types of discussions.
Personally, I did a couple of stints in politics; that honed some of my rough edges. I now exercise daily practices to try to subdue my passions. Some days, some moments I lose, some I succeed, but I try daily. I'll look into that book suggestion; Thank you Mary.
Another good book to get another perspective is George Lakoff’s “Moral Politics”. A lot of kids in this area were raised in harsh religions that looked on social safety nets as encouraging sloth.
If I may, what area is that you speak of and what harsh religions ? Just curiosity; not personal. My family's tradition was southern baptist.
Oklahoma/Texas/Louisiana is the region. The religions are Southern Baptist and Church of Christ.
Thanks for your post - we do need to work to get voters interested enough to vote out the cult leader, stop third party candidates from undermining Biden and to finally have ranked choice voting which favors moderate candidates. There are some states where voters really turn out such as here in Minnesota.
Minnesota has consistently had the highest voter turnout in the United States. In 2020, Minnesota broke a record when 79.9% of eligible voters in the state voted in the general election. It was the third year in a row Minnesota ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for voter turnout.
There is strong evidence that same-day and Election Day registration increase voter turnout. In 1974, Minnesota became the second state to allow same-day voter registration. As of this year, only 21 states and Washington D.C. allow voters to register the same day as the election, with proof of residency. Many states close voter registration days or weeks before Election Day. Minnesota also promotes early voting and the use of absentee ballots, which has shown to boost turnout, too.
Political studies show Minnesotans tend to be more interested and engaged with politics than residents of other states, and competitive congressional and governor races mean more Minnesotans are likely to vote each election cycle. Higher rates of volunteerism and social engagement in states like Minnesota are also associated with more active voters." https://www.sctimes.com/in-depth/news/2022/08/23/minnesota-voting-access-number-1-in-voter-turnout-in-u-s-heres-why/65392204007/
Frump has sucked up so much of the world’s attention, time and energy to feed his empty soul, I reckon if he hiccuped we could power the whole planet for a year.
He is nothing more than a massive drain.
Absolutely. His hyperinflated ego is so empty, it has the suction power of a black hole.
HCR writes that Obama deported more illegal aliens than Trump, while ignoring Trump's emphasis on not allowing them to enter the USA in the first place.
I don't think that the sense of crisis felt in border communities is imaginary, and this issue continues to be a drag on Democratic candidates as this election cycle unfolds.
I think John Schmeeckle is a bot, likely from Russia or China, and should be ignored. If this is a real person, he’s twisting the facts to suit his own purpose, and should be ignored. His style reminds me of the “patriotic” Americans who actively supported Hitler before and during WWII.
That has also occurred to me, too. Is there a procedure to control bots here? Many sites on the internet are completely overrun by bots. We wouldn’t want that to happen to HCR’s letters.
You can block and report. I have done that.
Terry Gadsden,
I brought up a serious issue to discuss, and you respond with an execrable insult.
I think that there are a lot of thoughtful people around here who get drowned out and intimidated by heavy-handed Biden partisans.
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/11/09/whats-happening-at-the-u-s-mexico-border-in-7-charts/
Dear John, speaking of execrable insults, how about “heavy-handed Biden partisans”. You pretend to take the high road, but the only serious discussion we should be having is about how the GOP cares not a whit about dealing with immigration; they merely want a campaign issue. All the rest is just blah blah blah.
Martin Reiter,
I don’t think that "heavy-handed Biden partisans" is an execrable insult.
I agree that the GOP is exploiting immigration as a campaign issue, but I also think that it is a real hot-button issue among the people of Texas and elsewhere along the border.
John, John; Can you not calm yourself and be less reactionary ? You 'did' bring up a very valid point of concern, and I commend you for your conciseness. Please try to write concise truth and not consume so much oxygen on reaction - please.
??
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_web_brigades
https://theplanetsspeak.substack.com/p/messages-from-earth-part-2?utm_medium=reader2
https://www.propublica.org/article/infamous-russian-troll-farm-appears-to-be-source-of-anti-ukraine-propaganda
Yes, "Prequel". Rachel Maddow, is a deep dive into folks like John.
God forbid that you should actually think about my discussion of relevant policy issues.
Not YOUR discussion but that of other LFAA community members. Your narcissism is showing.
"Narcissism"? You referred to "folks like John" in response to a troll who suggested that I was a bot.
Fortunately, some LFAA community members can have a substantive exchange of ideas.
“Prequel” is a fascinating book. Also, “Agents of Influence” by
Also “Agents of Influence” by Henry Hemming looks at the same subject, but from a different perspective.
You are right. The biggest problem is exactly what Moskowitz said—this issue has been only complained about for decades, with absolutely NO bipartisan effort to actually sit down and work through solutions. It takes Congress to pass immigration reform, and if they do so, they can’t use it as a cudgel.
I believe that by some international agreements, the US is required/has promised to allow immigrants in and apply for asylum. They are not allowed to stay indefinitely. Blocking them from entering in the first place to apply for asylum is considered inhumane and against the international code.
CMS,
If I'm not mistaken, the international agreements apply to immigrants who actually manage to cross the border. Then we have to process their requests for asylum. Perhaps someone else knows the details.
Isn’t that what CMS just said?
No, unless I misunderstood CMS, whose point was that we have to TAKE IN and process those who are trying to cross the border illegally.
The opposing view is that we can KEEP OUT those who are trying to cross the border so we don't have to process them.
Underlying these two opposing policy approaches are questions of resources to manage the influx and whether to set loose asylum claimants into the underground economy of sweatshop labor, janitors and maids, ice cream vendors, landscapers and drug dealers.
JS, are you suggesting the Abbott Solution in its “Finality”?
Not at all. I'm trying to bring big-picture clarity to the discussion. My preferred solution is for the United States to reverse its decades-old policy of strangling the economies of darker-skinned countries, especially in the Americas. This way, people will want to stay in their own countries, instead of masses of desperate poor people flooding our borders.
"The blood us so much, you know, it runs in rivers...."
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-15-2023/comment/11967315
Amazing that you went there. Please acknowledge VP Harris’s efforts to do exactly what you complain the Biden Administration isn’t doing
For a lot of Democrats (myself included), “the border” holds a place pretty far down the list of “really vital things” I want government to address. But a lot of Americans do not agree. As HCR has pointed out, far-right parties around the world have successfully used immigration to consolidate support. Like the “soft on crime” strategy of the past (Willie Horton ring a bell?), “soft on the border” is working and is going to hurt Democrats in November.
TFFG had one solution to southern wall border security -- build a wall along the entire southern border of 1954 miles. Well, he almost covered the 54 miles with new wall that Mexico paid not one peso for. And it has been breached over 5000 times because it was a terrible design.
Never mind the fact that 3 times as many undocumented people cross the northern border than the southern border or the bigger issue is people that fly into the US on legal visas and stay.
It's the racist Fascist repressive regressive Republicans that want Americans to believe that it's easy to cross the southern border and only the southern border.
Where are the pictures of the patched up southern wall or the dead people that tried to cross the Rio Grande?
Maybe we need to address the worker crisis on farms and in businesses that cannot find employees in America? Doing jobs Americans refuse to do. Maybe a more advanced way of handling work visas for people who actually want to be productive. Just an idea... Our post office up here in the north has been looking for employees since the pandemic. As have our banks. Where are all the people who want secure jobs with good benefits? I can understand the lack of waiter/waitresses and retail employee types of jobs that hardly make a living wage, but we need people willing to work. I see Afghans working locally at at large bread making facility who are trained to do much higher level work but are studying English. They work hard and appreciate living here.
The racist xenophobes in the Republican Party and their followers don't think about the big picture. I agree that we need workers, especially as members of the baby boom generation retire. Who is going to be there to help care for people in hospitals and nursing homes? There is already a huge shortage of nurses and home health aides. We also need more young adults in the workforce to contribute to Social Security. I could go on...
Yes, but we have a party in disempowerment who do not care about the longterm big picture of America, they only care about scoring points and being the next shiny thing to distract from their criminal leader's court cases whilst they try to destroy America.
I will suggest that the will to destroy America comes from above the leadership of the Republican party, and bought-and-paid-for politicians like Hillary and Biden are just as bad, but the Democratic base is healthier than the Republican base.
I agree Pensa. Acadia National Park draws over three million visitors each year. There are dozens of supporting businesses like hotels, restaurants and shops that struggle to find workers each season. The larger businesses bring in H-2Bs but even that is hit and miss. I talk to people "from away" that could only find lodging 60 or more miles away.
We reroofed our house this summer and the owner of the roofing company brought in four incredibly hard working and competent roofers that couldn't speak English. Were they documented? No idea. We were just happy to get someone to do the work. And they were happy to find the work.
There isn't a place in the US that doesn't bring in workers from Mexico, Canada, etc. And who is going to tell the roofing company they only want American workers to do the job? Or are willing to pay 20 - 50% more?
The Federal governments issue with hiring workers has a lot to do with compensation. Congress is stingy and worker pay is generally less than private companies will pay.
Do you remember the story about Devin Nunes's family hiring illegal workers for their farm in Iowa? Meanwhile, he was bitching and moaning about the open borders.
Republicans don't want to solve this problem because if they do they will lose an issue to complain about. Instead they just want to hire the undocumented workers on the cheap and complain about the open borders and blame it on the Democrats.
"Doing jobs Americans refuse to do" because the pay is so abysmally low. So you'd rather import desparate immigrants than pay a living wage to Americans who have dropped out of the job market.
Talk to the giant corporations and CEOs who make staggering profits in their pyramid schemes. Capitalism gone awry. We have a lot of things to address in this country. But I know immigrants who work hard and pay their taxes and are good members of society.
At this moment in this country, if the fascist-leaning, gun-loving republicans and corporotocracy that is so out of balance takes over completely, many citizens here could be running away to become immigrants in more civilized countries, if they can get in. We must have compassion for people who live in dictatorships and countries rife with drugs and arms cartels trying to escape to here where they believe it is safe. Unfortunately, it is not safe here for our children to go to school, it is not safe to be women, POC and doctors and family members who us get medical care for unwanted pregnancies. It is not safe to be LGBTQ. And everyone, including our judicial systems and our elected officials are no longer safe due to an angry, seething mass of white magas being led by a criminally, mentally, demented wannabe dictator. The asylum is loose in America. It is certainly time for change on a major scale.
Its not just a far right issue and it’s not just a political issue. And it should be further up your list. It creates budget issues in border states and large cities, it’s dangerous for asylum seekers, and it’s uncontrolled. Deporting people after arduous trips isn’t helping them.
Perhaps it should. I’m not unconcerned, and I do recognize that it needs to be addressed… for all kinds of reasons. I was simply pointing out that this issue tends to really rile up the Republican base but not as much the Democratic base. And that disconnect could carry a heavy cost in November.
You may be right,MLM, but I think republicans hurt themselves. And I believe the vast majority of voters this year will pull the lever that reads “ Sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
I live for that hope.
Hmmm...refer to the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. That has been the US immigration policy for a 100 years. We have plenty of laws in effect but the funds don’t get approved to support them.
You might want to refresh your memory on American immigration policy:
https://www.npr.org/2019/05/08/721371176/eugenics-anti-immigration-laws-of-the-past-still-resonate-today-journalist-says
See also
https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2016/02/harvards-eugenics-era
As the saying goes, "Before Hitler, there was Harvard":
https://legacyofslavery.harvard.edu/report/charles-b-davenport-william-e-castle-and-the-international-eugenics-movement
You really are a hot mess, aren’t you.
Ate you in a state of denial?
https://www.propublica.org/article/infamous-russian-troll-farm-appears-to-be-source-of-anti-ukraine-propaganda
Thank you John. Reality in its starkness often holds a solution for success not easily, quickly nor painlessly found. These people , the majority of whom look to Our America as a last ditch effort. Great minds amongst them. But the world at large , melting pot that it is , IS right now in dire straights. So much going on I have to remove myself several times daily to breath , pranayamas for the soul.
I am lucky.
If all countries can pool, aid, work towards, and focus on the problems we ALL face 🎶what a wonderful world it would be🎶..mkudos to the writers Bob and George and the talent Louis Armstrong brought forth , so much waste pd talents by killing/war/greed ad infinitum . A Utopian Dream , one so many people have died for? I think not unless ‘in vain’.
I don’t listen to the blather , it informs me who they are though...
Hatred has never won..only in short runs -shallow though they be -have taken a toll , left many bitter, rightfully so.
Many a story I’ve heard, perhaps not your story, but a simile , and it wasn’t the horror I remembered or the pain I saw working through that, it was who they became in spite of it.
💙💙VOTE OUT ALL THE COMPLICIT💙💙
He's an energy vampire.
trmmp or My Precioussssss?
Yes.
https://youtu.be/qOwFVowEugQ?si=fb42FViXCLgQvUQx
"His Grand Assholiness"?
I wish that was all he is.
Obviously he needs attention.
He sure does, but not the sort he's craving. Specialist care.
As I understand the Putin troll farm, they win merit points for how many and how often they can generate contentious online engagement...
"before American politics turned into entertainment."
Love him or hate him, they know Trump gets the eyeballs. I like a good dose of MSNBC from time to time, however it's become all Trump all the time now.
Diana King: A very true, perceptive remark.
Yours is the most succinct, accurate statement of our current quandary.
Attack the "megaphones" lending him our oxygen for chrisse sakes !
Thank you. The impeachment theater that the GQP insists on running is an embarrassment to the country, especially when they can’t bother to get anything else done.
HCR writes:
"In today’s meeting, Biden emphasized the danger of leaving Ukraine’s defense unfunded. 'He was clear,' the White House said, 'Congress’s continued failure to act endangers the United States’ national security, the NATO Alliance, and the rest of the free world.'"
I reply: Biden's reckless policy, supported by leading Democrats and Republicans since Obama was President, has been to shore up Ukraine's thuggish government and use Ukraine as a weapon against Russia. America leaders, especially Biden, have foolishly undermined American national security and wasted military resources.
Now the flames of war are starting to engulf the Middle East: Not just Israel and Gaza, but also recent cross-border attacks into Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Iran and even Pakistan. Biden, by recklessly draining American munitions into his Ukrainian cesspool, has left us dangerously unprepared to act in our national interest as things spiral out of control over there.
“Biden, by recklessly draining American munitions into his Ukrainian cesspool, has left us dangerously unprepared to act in our national interest as things spiral out of control over there.” If you worked for the Government, particularly for the Department of Defense (as I do), you would know how idiotic your last statement is. You know nothing about the type of military materiel we have been and are providing Ukraine. So keep Ukraine out of your mouth as you simply sound like an ultracrepidarian.
Ultracrepidarian, great descriptive!
Excellent. Vocabulary growing daily.
STOP RESPONDING TO THIS ULTRACREPIDARIAN!
ultracrepidarian. Great word. I love language.
I learned a new word!
You pretend expertise while dismissively sneering.
p.s. The Houthis have been serving in the role of depleting our missile defenses. Surface-to-air missiles don't grow on trees.
p.p.s. We now have two hungry client states -- Ukraine and Israel -- who want more artillery rounds and glide-bomb kits, etc. as American bases in Syria and Iraq are now being routinely attacked.
https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/us-plans-precision-bombs-transfer-israel-source-2023-11-06/
‘Surface to air missiles do not grow on trees’. You’re correct, comrade. They are made in US factories, mostly in ted states. This refusal to act hurts the republican’s own voters-they don’t care.
Gary Meader, I think that it is worth greater unemployment in red states to stop sending munitions to Ukraine and Israel.
Damn.... I'll have to look that one up ! If it's not in Websters, perhaps it should soon be there Rob - with accreditation I should hope !
NOT supporting Ukraine is what is reckless. Failure to oppose Putin strengthens an enemy and weakens democracy.
Susan Lawrence, that is a debatable point. Do you think that supporting Ukraine's thuggish, corrupt neo-fascist regime supports democracy?
Perhaps you disagree with my description of Ukraine's one-party state, where the Zelensky regime shut down all the opposition parties and seized their TV stations.
Which is a greater threat to the US: a Ukraine which is a "thuggish, corrupt neo-fascist regime" that keeps to itself, or Russia under Putin which is an authoritarian dictatorship with already-demonstrated designs on taking over other countries and interfering with US media and elections?
I think that consideration of your question requires a big-picture approach. The U.S. government played a big part in bringing about the current thug regime in Ukraine.
U.S. meddling has also had a great impact in Russia, starting with the "shock therapy" genocide of the 1990s that killed off all the old people:
https://archive.org/details/AGenocideRussiaAndTheNewWorldOrder1999
p.s. Many people are unaware that historically, Russians and Ukrainians were THE SAME PEOPLE. Moscow was the daughter of Kyiv.
That is what makes this whole thing worse then huh? They share the same religion, same blood, etc however Putin is committing genocide against them no?? Russia also has a history of killing Ukrainians going back to the 1930's as well. They also promised not to ever invade Ukraine in the 90's in exchange for not having a nuclear weapon... Look how that worked out.
If so, the daughter should respect her mother.
Ukraine has actually become way less corrupt than it was 10 years ago. They are currently in war right now, and as part of their application to the EU and NATO one day they'll have to obviously fix all of their issues. But if your answer is that we shouldn't help them at all because they aren't perfect and we should just let Russia run all over them, I can't, nor can many people get on board with that. Foreign policy is rarely made with perfect allies..
PhillyT,
Regarding corruption, do you have a source for Ukraine being "way less corrupt" than ten years ago? I suspect that, with all the foreign money and weapons sloshing around the country, there are bountiful opportunities for corruption that didn't exist ten years ago. Ukraine is second only to Russia as the most corrupt country in Europe:
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/graft-accusations-dog-top-zelenskiy-aides-2023-09-19/
Back in the day, we helped Osama bin Laden fight the Soviets, and we helped Saddam Hussein fight the Iranians. Ukraine has a vile, thuggish, abusive regime. To describe them as "not perfect" seems to be wilfully blind.
Ukraine has been enslaved by the International Monetary Fund (where the NATO countries have voting domination) and turned into a zombie soldier against Russia. Zelensky, because of his promise to the IMF, CANNOT stop fighting Russia. (And this is the exact opposite of his campaign promise to bring swift peace to the Donbass region.) It appears that the western Powers That Be wants Ukraine to exhaust Russia as much as possible, and of course it takes a thuggish authoritarian regime to forcibly continue the bloodletting at all costs.
PhillyT,
Your post deserves a thoughtful answer. I'll be getting back to it.
John, I'm not sure I understand your point. Russia was the aggressor here. To allow Putin (surely a thug if there ever was one) to recklessly and needlessly end nearly 80 years of relative peace in Europe (perhaps the longest such period in European history) by demanding that an independent nation kowtow to his desire to reclaim Russia's 'glory days' seems rather more dangerous than supplying the Ukraine with the weaponry to defend herself against that aggression. The Ukraine, whatever her government is or is not, did nothing to undermine that peace. Whatever the supply of weaponry is, we can always increase it if need be. After all, I hear much these days about people needing well paying work. The example of 'the arsenal of democracy' from 1942-45 is clear. When we allow aggression on the Russian scale, we inevitably encourage others to undertake it.
STOP RESPONDING TO THIS ULTRACREPIDARIAN. HES A BOT
I have blocked and reported, yet he is still here.
Me, too.
He’s a propagandist whether or not a robot. If a robot, he is learning from us.
A robot?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOwFVowEugQ
"That" dear Carol is what's happening; it learns and gathers data from us. Weaponized A.I. HCR will recognize when it's outlived it's usefulness other than 'the' major consumer of oxygen herein and respond appropriately.
...sounding very hysterical
Poland is Putin's next goal, after Ukraine. The dogs have been sniffing around despite Poland's freedom. They never left.
And as sure as the sun comes up, we and NATO go to respond.
I agree.... and loss of life goes on.....
Victoria, that seems groundless. Can you give any evidence or reason to suppose that Russia intends to conquer Poland, precipitating a war with NATO?
p.s. It seems reasonable to presume that Russia would like to re-assimilate Kazakhstan and Belarus, together with Ukraine. One could add the Baltic states, too.
James,
I am inclined to disagree with several of your points. To refer to the "Cold War" as "relative peace" seems misguided. And then there is the question of how many aggressors there are in the room:
https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/russia-programs/2017-12-12/nato-expansion-what-gorbachev-heard-western-leaders-early
There is a reason why they called it ‘Cold War’. There were a lot of threats, of course, and I was 16 and terrified during the Cuban missile business, but one could hardly have called anything that went on in Europe during that period an actual war. And right now, unless I’ve missed something, there is only one serious aggression going on in Europe.
I have not lost track of your other points, but I don't want to cram too much into a single post.
The Cold War was a global conflict, characterized by a protracted standoff in Europe punctuated by "hot" proxy wars in southern Africa, Korea, Vietnam and Afganistan and many other countries:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_proxy_wars#Cold_War_proxy_wars
Many in Southeast Asia and Africa in the mistaken belief that in the long run Communism was preferable to European colonialism. It wasn't. Some, like Korea, were sheer naked aggression by Communist forces. Some, like Vietnam were initially wars of national identity which became totalitarian through the rigors of long, protracted struggles demanding total commitment, which in turn opened the door to authoritarianism. Through all that, the beacon of what our republic was supposed to be shone with varying degrees of brightness (particularly in the case of Ho Chi Minh). It still does, which explains the problems at our southern border. And through all of it the central theme is what it has always been since the beginning of what we call civilization - the interests of the individual vs those of the state. What is it that makes a nation? We were the first nation on earth to define that at our inception. I believe that despite the flaws in the concept and in the execution, we had got a good piece of the right idea. Which is why I support our aid to Ukraine.
James Quinn,
I haven't forgotten your "arsenel of democracy" point from your earlier post.
Right now I'm thinking about your reference to the Cuban Missile Crisis." The Russians saw Ukraine's approach to NATO in exactly the same way: They saw an existential threat and reacted violently.
They imagined NATO nuclear-tipped cruise missiles on Ukraine's border with Russia, able to hit Moscow in minutes.
We can't have peace with an adversary that we can't dominate unless we're willing to stop shoving and shoving them into a corner.
As Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin famously said, "It is with your bitter enemy that you make peace."
The Russians have good historical reasons to fear for their borders, going back to the invasions of the Teutonic knights and others in the Middle Ages, a fear only confirmed in the modern era by two German invasions in the space of twenty years. Nor did the Communists forget our participation against them in the winter war following WWI. I don't begrudge them the worry or the defense. The US has been fortunate in having two substantial ocean barriers, so until very recently we've never really known that kind of fear (all our unfortunate, misguided, and cruel acts against the Nisei during WWII were the hysteria of a nation wholly unused to such things) But there were good reasons for NATO. Defending one's borders is one thing. Creating buffer zones through the subjugation of bordering nations, however, is something else. At the bottom, of course, is the issue of two competing visions of government. Khuschev wasn't really kidding when he said that 'We will bury you'. On the one hand is authoritarianism - the idea that democracy is messy, inefficient, and all too willing to indulge all this individual rights garbage and capitalist induced inequality when the state and it experts should be the deciding factor both socially and economically. The trouble with this Vision is that command economies simply do not work, and it inevitably leads to some form of dictatorship. On the other hand is democracy - admittedly messy, inefficient, and indulgent of all this individual rights business and the inequality of unregulated capitalism. But perhaps the essence of the difference was so beautifully enunciated by JFK during his famous visit to Berlin. "Freedom has many difficulties, and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put up a wall to keep our people in."
James Quinn,
I disagree that Ukraine did nothing to undermine peace with Russia. Ukraine attacked the Donbass republics after Russia recognized them and signed mutual defense treaties with them. Ukraine did so because they have been enslaved by the International Monetary Fund, which insisted back in 2014 that Ukraine reconquer the Donbass area as a condition for their loan. Zelensky, after becoming President, made a point of publicly pledging to keep all of Ukraine's promises to the IMF.
You say, "Whatever the supply of weaponry is, we can always increase it if need be."
No we can't. We have limited supply lines, and we have shipped so many of our factories overseas that we don't have plants that can be converted to military production. People don't realize how hollow an empire we have become, and a rude awakening is coming.
Beyond that, we don't have the money for increased military expenditures; we have to borrow it overseas, and we are already drowning in a mountain of unpayable debt.
My bottom line: Ukraine, as the slave of NATO and the IMF, provoked this war with Russia, and Ukraine is being controlled by a vile, corrupt, bigoted regime (that was installed under U.S. direction), and we have no business helping them, and we're worse than Russia as global neo-imperialist bully boys (with our meddling in Ukraine in 2014 a prime example), and w're broke, too, so we should stop flushing money down the Ukrainian toilet.
Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha keep it coming A-hole. I am having a great time with your "stand-up" routine.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-17-2023-14e/comment/47561911
Thuggish government? I have not heard of Zelenskyy having journalists like Anna Politskaya murdered, nor political opponents like Navalny sent to a penal colony. I forgot to mention the guy who drank the polonium tea, and the British couple who were unintended victims.
I suppose living under a “thuggish government” removes any right to expect not to be bombarded?
You are wrong.
Are you saying that the flames of war are NOT starting to engulf the Middle East?
Nothing new. The flames of war have been engulfing the Middle East for over four thousand years.
That comment seems cynical and irresponsible.
But true. What we call war was born in those hot wastes. Check out the Vulture Stele. The Middle East is the most travelled crossroads in the world, being at the nexus of three continents, and groups have been fighting each other there almost since civilization began.
More proof of the essential truth that The. Republicans. Are. America's. Enemy. They are now an openly-seditious conspiracy with unreconstructed Confederate Traitors like Paxton in desperate need of being visited by a delegation of FBI agents to arrest him for Treason. As to the dumbassed hillbillies like Comer, one hopes daily for him to trip at the top of the stairs and do a remake of "Kiss of Death" without the wheelchair.
There's my beloved little TC devil on my left shoulder stating things out loud again that I could not quite say...well only the last sentence. The first two sentences should be broadcast all over the nation...and dropped by planes in (biodegradable) leaflets. (I am sane, still).
I do like having TC on my left shoulder saying that from which I restrain myself from saying.
Lol Ally !
Actually leaflets were dropped in the 30s, pro-nazi material stuffed into mailboxes with postage paid by Congress folks, and oh, the radio voice that reached into homes everywhere sharing Nazi propaganda,,,,,,,sorta like John S does here.
Thanks, Kathy, that is exactly where I got the idea...only it this would be an antidote to all the nazi-like propaganda being spewed.
Hey TC, just remember, as you vent like I would, who it is that voted these "idiots" into congress and State leadership. They are responsible, don't doubt that when they come after us.
Total agreement.
Sad but true. Who would have thought that the Keystone Kops would ever be in a position of power....
Entertainment keeps the ignorant masses happy and ignorant of what is actually happening. The Roman oligarchy perfected the model and the American oligarchy have been paying the Repugs to adapt it to our current media starting under Reagan. You all know that story.
RR; I personally detest referencing those folks as "all ignorant." Uninformed is kinder, and likely more accurately descriptive if we're going to adopt grand labels applicable to 'all' in any large segments; One size does not fit all and I don't think it's helpful to further such. jmho friend...
I don't think the Romans thought much about that 2500 years ago. Ignorance is not related to intelligence at all. If intelligence is exposed to information, it becomes knowledgeable. Indoctrination works similarly, but does not require intelligence.
Try a Thesarus.
Yep. * I presume and hope you take my point though ?
I suppose. If there is someone to do the informing. Roger Ailes, Roger Stone and Rupert Murdoch never seemed very interested in "informing". Fox "News" is propaganda pure and simple. They are SO considerate and politically correct.
Yes; don't get me started on those insurgents.
This is such a well-informed community. I'd really appreciate suggestions/links to enable us to— as HCR closes this letter: "push back against suggestions and innuendo and instead demand actual evidence and policies designed to address problems." About this sham Mayorkas impeachment, about Babyface Johhson's refusal to put the proposed immigration deal up for a vote in the House, etc. Seems like one cover paragraph for an email/letter and the specifics to be filled in would serve for a whole lot of issues, right now, and make action on these items a lot faster.
Jessica Cravens shows you how to use ResistBot to generate letters to say what you mean and get them to those you want to hear you. I'm too much of an old dinosaur to keep up with new tech. I have it tabbed and need to figure it out. Get her Substack if you don't already follow her. A wealth of information and strategies.
Resistbot is easy to use, even for this old dinosaur
You give me hope. Good to hear from you Jeri.
Alexandra, you refer to "Babyface Joh[n]son's refusal to put the . . . deal up for a vote."
But you know Johnson makes no decisions here. He's nothing more otherwise than a rubberstamp for the fat, vulgar guy in layers of orange cosmetics and diapers.
Depends on whom you address the letter to. Republicans in safe/gerrymandered districts don’t care and frankly don’t read anything that doesn’t have a check attached.
It’s time to raid Republican talking points on social media. For example, I have inserted quotes of “Letters from an American” into the comments section of the FB HOUSE REPUBLICANS and the House Oversight Republicans page. If I don’t quote Dr Richardson, I quote a media source like The Washington Post, for example. I never respond to replies, but the more replies, the more prominence the comment gets, so if you have a buddy who can add on, all the better. Let’s take away the safe space for the lies that fuel Trump.
We were all bamboozled in 2016, and the pandemic was the major focus in 2020, so the disinformation in 2024 is going to go off the rails if people don’t defend the truth.
Please be civil, and use quotes whenever possible. The point is to penetrate conservative circles with “THE REAL STORY”, and make sure another view is shown. I don’t bother to answer to trolls who respond; they get their space too. People know what they’re reading when they read a crappy response. Also, be aware that you will get conservative memes on your feed; it’s the algorithm just doing its thing.
What a great idea! I’ve just joined. Thanks.
Yes, troll like hell! I am loving seeing more sane people out on fox lately. It is like seeing a friendly fellow compatriot when you are in the stinking trenches being bombarded by dung. Please join in!!
Just cut a paste something from LFAA and spread it like fertilizer!
Lol my guilty pleasure. I drift in and out of Western Journal as more than a couple of days of it is wearing. I’ll head over to the House page and do a bit of stirring. I do have compatriots on my Senator’s pages who provide invaluable back up!
Both MT Magas have many posting information to counter the disinformation & distraction on their fb pages. Writing the Congress critters directly , I wonder what happens to the letters since there is no accountability or tally on issues. If they choose to respond, it is all about their agenda of we know best
I wrote a few emails to state legislators yesterday. No replies there but I usually get a response from my federal reps. Including replies of “you don’t live in my district, go away” from those I can’t vote for/against.
I have been doing this for awhile for the MT MAGAs . Zinke does not have a fb page so it is postcards for him that anyone can read. I use cut & paste of Heathers letters & like you I dont read the responses. I have done this also on the WH fb page to the really nasty comments. I dont read the responses. I post LFAA in case anyone wants to read her whole post.
This is a great idea. I, however, do not want to post with my personal page. I will set up another identity so I can stay unidentified.
Interesting. I’ll dig into this.
Thanks, Dr. Richardson for continuing to remind us of the political tactics being used by Republicans to dismantle the norms and guardrails that have evolved in the US throughout our history. IMO a it’s extremely unfortunate that our ill-informed and/or misinformed electorate doesn’t have the bandwidth to process what is happening. I know siloed the information on various “news” platforms as well as the supersaturated clickbait headlines hardly afford folks - who are overworked, often underpaid, and at the same time trying to devote the time needed to raise their families - the opportunities they need to process the news before they are blasted with more political charade that is presented as news. Anne Applebaum has repeatedly informed us about how other established democracies have become “autocracy-leaning” countries by initially setting their sites on upending long established news outlets and replacing them at first with news coverage that questions any authoritative sources and then captures the news by replacing them with their own controlled version of the news. Makes me wonder if we can’t see parallels here in the political theater being staged by radical Republicans both in Congress and in the plethora of media platforms purporting to present what they’re calling the news.
The Newt Gingrich/Frank Luntz GoPac memo, "Language: A Key Mechanism of Control" to me seemed to have had roots in an earlier Cato Institute suggestion to use "Leninist" tactics, using contrasting words to demean anything your opponents did or said even if it was exactly what you would do if you got the credit for it instead of your opponents. I'd add that it implied soft sabotage of any programs of your opponents that were looked upon favorably by the public (at least by what some of the leaders and fund raisers implied). I didn't quit the party when the GoPac memo was first put out, instead waiting to see if my old party would again clean its own house. By 1996 it became evident that they were not only not going to disown the tactics but were at least tripling down on them.
Yes, I remember Frank Lutz’s contribution to this mayhem and find it interesting that in the last year or two he’s been trying to help communications operatives become more attuned to these tactics. Yet, sadly, the Dems have merely used this information to point out what’s happening versus developing a coherent strategy to counter the activities that accompany the linguistic assault on our democracy - a strategy that grabs the emotional attention, versus just the intellect.
"There" you have it wise Jim; I've been pointing at this for a very long time. Small i, it seems have very little influence or celebrity...
Love the "lack the bandwidth" phrase!
Brilliant comment, Margaret--thank you.
Thank you, Heather, great job as always.
The current political landscape in the United States reflects a concerning trend towards authoritarianism, particularly within elements of the Republican Party. The manipulation of immigration issues, as seen in the actions of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, exemplifies a strategy of fostering fear and division for political gain. This approach undermines democratic principles and the nation's security by deflecting attention from genuine policy solutions. The insistence on impeachment proceedings against Mayorkas, based on contentious interpretations of border control, alongside efforts to stall comprehensive immigration reform, highlights a preference for political theater over substantive governance. Such tactics not only exacerbate America's internal divisions but also weaken its standing on the global stage, where democratic resilience is increasingly vital amidst rising authoritarian influences.
Call to action:
In confronting this drift towards authoritarianism, it's crucial for American citizens to actively engage in the democratic process. This means not only voting but also staying informed about policy and legislative developments. Citizens should hold their elected representatives accountable by demanding evidence-based policymaking rather than partisan posturing. Engaging in dialogues within communities to bridge divides and participating in local governance can also fortify democratic norms. Supporting media outlets that prioritize factual reporting over sensationalism is another key step. Ultimately, a collective commitment to upholding democratic values and rejecting divisive rhetoric can help steer the nation away from authoritarian tendencies and towards a more inclusive and effective governance model.
If only the threat was no worse than strict-father "authoritarian".
It is total destruction from within. And the work is already well under way.
"Nice country you've got there...
my point (above) exactly. Our country and soooo many of its people, including my beloved daughter are guilty. However, Dig further into it, and we are all guilty to allow the excesses, which our politicians have afforded themselves. We have allowed the county's unchecked plutocrats to take for themselves and not pay a fair tax. Ya gits what y'all allows?
Very good point. It's like raise children, especially teens.
An aside...
“Perhaps there is in my continuous phenomenology of falsehood a continual search for the criteria to recognize something as true—which is the philosophical problem par excellence. [...] And I am convinced (and convinced that it is true) that we are living submerged in falsifications, in lies as an instrument of power and manipulation of consensus, in the spreading of fake news as an arm of destabilization. This is the Devil.”
Umberto Eco
An aside aside...Agree, and maybe we should just start to recognize that universal truth does not exist in space or time. What is true today in science is not true tomorrow, that is the nature of science. What is true today in China is not true today in Estonia, that's the nature of culture. It may be better to agree on different truths and get on with it, similar to agreeing that there are different schools of ethics to live by. If only culture weren't so space determined. The pursuit of truth is therefore useless, it must be ethics that bind us regionally, and any regional di-or-tri-cotomy will be bloody, unless we agree to also respect one another's different ethical frameworks as they develop and go our separate ways.
Bruce Klassen, I took the trouble to answer you at great length but... was foolish enough to do so directly, using Substack's comments thread... and, typically, my answer disappeared down the memory hole just when I was on the point of sending it.
I'll ask you to probe your statements and try to refine them. Some are at this stage too much like variations on Pilate's sophistry.
We seek truth. Failure to find it is no proof of its non-existence. More like an inability to find any level of expression that can act as a pointer.
For now, I'll just mention that a mixture of ingrained skepticism, together with the desire to understand the workings of a policy led me to translate from French into English the legal texts setting out that policy... after which I never left off translating and it became my profession. This, despite my initial distaste for the art at a time when I wanted to immerse myself in other ways of thinking.
If we stay on the surface of things we'll perceive only differences. Going deeper, it is a hard struggle to give verbal -- or other -- expression to what we have known experientially.
Isn't the greatest danger when we encounter someone who proclaims "There is one truth, and I possess it"?
Now, it's well past my bedtime, so I shall not be attempting to reconstruct my lost response; but I should be grateful to you for making me think about my profound disagreement with your statement that the pursuit of truth is useless.
Doesn't the whole search begin with seeking one's own truth? Who, what am I? What do I think I'm doing here? What do I want? This, before going on to anything else.
Ah, but there lies the rub: "my profound disagreement with your statement that the pursuit of truth is useless. Doesn't the whole search begin with seeking one's own truth? Who, what am I? What do I think I'm doing here? What do I want?" Those are the follies of youth, finding your truth, when emperical evidence (by traveling the world over time) shows you that there are so many truths, time and place defined, that it is useless to find "Your" truth. Maybe I'd agree with 'truthS', and as such it is useless to pursue them, because they come to you.
If we can keep it, And it has a LOT of room for improvement. Unfortunately, the fascist movement appears to have had a lot of funding and creep into all areas of our systems, like a virus that the only vaccine for is an active, educated and engaged people who stand against this republican movement. It is going to take all of us to shake this march into authoritarianism. It is a stench. The federalist and heritage foundations (and more hostile entities) are very responsible for setting the agenda for their political operatives. We need to OUT all of them and their Funders...who are their funders? We need to boycott corporations that fund any of these fascist-leaning operatives and make it public-- whilst we get the vote out. We need to be really organized and join movements to be strong in numbers as there are more of us than them. We have that power as well as our buying or boycott power. We need to run strong and chew gum at the same time. We were built for these times and we can do this. They are such blatantly ignorant imbeciles--why we let them posture all over us must now end.
Pensa, when you speak of "blatantly ignorant imbeciles" you're speaking of the humans herded like cattle rather than the political, religious and other dogs that do the herding... And you don't seem to be taking sufficient account of the conditions that so enraged them that they could be easily stampeded.
Economic, social and political forces are now so grossly top-heavy, the monopoly power of 5 top corporations so complete that the structure cannot possibly hold for long.
What we are now seeing is the moment, not of revolution but, in its absence, counter-revolution. The man with the orangepeel face is the main instrument, both bulldozer and human wrecker's ball.
It is the Kremlin's lines that need tracing. And those of all the homegrown paymasters who, unable to find satisfaction in immeasurable wealth, want to replace God and recreate the world to suit their foibles...
It's just like the folk tale of the fisherman and his insatiable wife... and can only have the same ending.
I highly recommend that every concerned citizen read "Sapiens'' and "Homo Deus'' by Yuval Hoah Harari. These two reads will rock your world view.
And Fox is their continual stew pot of “issues”.
On the side, the basic oppositional nature of democracy has often proved to be a headache for rational and reasonable discourse, for oppositions to routinely downgrade the efforts of the government in power, to attend more to negative, with GOP, drumbeat rhetoric, oversimplifying or distorting, or just ignoring, factual information, raising intractable differences to existential, them or us, levels. Hasn't worked well so far ...
And a two party system is not set up constitutionally, so we have a future option if we dare to take it. It might take some time but looking at a movement that has gotten huge blowback - trans et al -
that offers a multifaceted way of thinking and seeing each other, can also lay groundwork for our political ways of doing civics, especially bc the present one isn't working - so badly.
We could at least be learning that 'either/or', black/white, dichotomies in our speech do further divide us.
Another Key ingredient for successful democracies is moderate conflicts: when things get extreme and existential, which is where Republicans have pivoted American politics, behaviours which lead to political breakdown arise, and this can give rise to "strongman" politics, oppositions are suppressed, institutions are commandeered to support the new one party state, or a situation where opponents are so weakened that's what it boils down to. One party states in effect abound around the world. Of course, once power has been established, it often gets locked in, and legitimacy is monopolized. Fascism is just one good example of this. So with the GOP, there's white nationalist evangelical Christianity as a major prop, which as we all know is mercilessly at odds with a significant majority of Americans. The business side can live with give and take. The religious... not so! Mind you, "back when", slavery was the defining issue, and enthusiasm for and against bent the religious accordingly. Time to stop :)
Interesting assessment, Frank. Good food for thought. It reminds me that there is no "common ground" when religion gets into the mix. It then becomes "my way or the highway".
It's not just religion: anything which arouses core emotions: social justice is a biggie (socialism/communism), dynastic/ethnic/territorial conflict (Taiwan), but certainly religion is often involved if stringent moral norms are involved - abortion, sexual gender diversity prohibitions. On our modern tendency to blame so much on religion, it would pay i think to reflect that until recently religion and mores interlocked , and permeated societies - pretty much throughout history. That of course sometimes led to religious affiliated issues, eg the Reformation and so-called wars of religion, since state-religion solidarity was such a big deal. Intolerance/exclusivity is basic to Judaism, Christianity, Islam - each in their turn. History has been a painful teacher indeed.
YES, yes, Yes Frank ! All of that knowledge has been weaponized in opposition to democracy !
Hi Robin ! Especially if you are who I think you are; sure sounds like it so far !
Religion became a control mechanism when mystical and otherwise mysterious phenomena were supposedly 'explained'
by explainers; mystery schools thousands of years ago serving that human purpose for ever expanding human brains. In Judaism for instance we operated under the priesthood structures (Cohens, Levites) for 1500 years until the Roman's destroyed the 2nd temple and teachers/rabbis took the lead in establishing ongoing learning practiced to this very minute. While the very orthodox branches have an aspect of hlerarchal demeanor Judaism today is based on ongoing learning and commentary - Talmudic - and is basically a peoplehood. In this way our studies have contributed to the establishment of legal systems in the West. Could be one of many
reasons why anti-legal people keep going after us …
Of course it is; 'their' higher power is unimpeachable. Your opinions and knowledge more or less mirror mine. I feel sure you are the 'Robin' I've chatted with before, if perhaps somewhere else. Great to see your input here; Brava !
??
Congress has worked very hard to do nothing. Republican attempts to paint Biden as corrupt and on par with all of Trump’s misdeeds may work with poorly informed people but not with anyone paying attention. James Comer talks a lot without actually saying anything true. House rules need to change so that honest legislations can reach the floor without political obstruction. Whether Trump wins or loses the next election won’t matter. He will still be a proverbial thorn.
For all the talk we hear about Biden's age, it seemed to me yesterday that Trump was coming undone at the trial brought by E. Jean Carroll. His usual tactics of interrupting the procedures have begun to bounce off the wall, and of course he will leave, but his burning rage is destroying him, IMO.
My spouse is still saying her daily prayer that all the Big Macs will finally give T**** the heart attack we so need him to have.
Stroke would be medically logical, too.
Should that happen, I expect Biden in all good conscience will bow out, and celebrate his many, good fellow Dems and the accomplishments for which history will duly celebrate his role as key, central.
Dems should then, in November, easily wipe out all the Republican suck-ups to their orange, syphilitic-festering insurrectionist-in-chief, their cult excuse for spinelessness, their service to all the world's dictators, oligarchs, and dark money succubae.
hmmm, don't know that I agree with your optimistic view there Phil.
But it is, in a strange way so poetic...
You would think lugging all that rage around would cause Tang Face's cortisol levels to go through the roof--or at least through the straw thatch that he wears on his head. He should have had a peace-giving major myocardial infarction (or a CVA) a few years ago at least.
God has a sense of humor!
If She does, She hides it well--from what I have observed, at least.
I read that he smells terrible, always has, was asked to leave a restaurant when in his thirties due to diner complaints. Also that he wears adult diapers (perhaps to avoid using a public bathroom?). Something is wrong - though likely not terminal. Oh,?and the article said you can hear a long loud fart when he was soliciting his 11,820 votes, and he apologized.
LOL!
“He” in your first sentence refers to tfg? (At first I thought you meant Biden since that was the nearest proper noun.)
I'm confused progwoman. Biden was not at the E. Jean Carroll trial, but fpotus was.
Thanks. I fixed the pronoun.
If he wins, government as we knew it will no longer exist. Pay attention to the Maine fishers suit in the “Chevron “ case..........Very bad news.....
Indeed it is, Nancy.
Professor Richardson: Thank you for today’s Letter. In it you write, ‘’But I have always wondered what would happen when the American people finally pushed back against suggestions and innuendo and instead demanded actual evidence and policies designed to address problems, as they did before American politics turned into entertainment.’’
You raise an issue here that has been front and center in my thinking for decades, at least since I studied Media Ecology at NYU and had the great honor of being a student of Neil Postman. Professor Postman was the author of the landmark book, ‘’Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business’’ published in 1985 during Ronald Reagan’s second term – a time when entertainment values in politics had become an unavoidable reality. Things have only gotten worse.
“In Huxley’s vision, no Big Brother is required to deprive people of their autonomy, maturity and history. As he saw it, people will come to love their oppression, to adore the technologies that undo their capacities to think.”
‘’In this sense, all culture is a conversation or, more precisely, a corporation of conversations, conducted in a variety of symbolic modes. Our attention here is on how forms of public discourse regulate and even dictate what kind of content can issue from such forms.’’
–Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death
Our challenge today is not to turn back the clock to a time when entertainment values did not dictate the nature and form of political discourse – that horse has left the barn – but rather to make every effort to infuse the current communications landscape with reasoned argument in support of those principles we hold most deeply. That, and consciously broaden our information horizons – turn off our laptops now and then, read a book, write letters, have conversations.
Before Nov 5
Indeed, and after...
Thank you for introducing me to Professor Postman’s work! My library’s ebook offerings consist of 3 copies with 2 holds on each, for a six week wait, so impatiently, for the very first time I ventured to “borrow” the instantly available audiobook, and listened up through the beginning of Chapter 2 before coming back to reading these Substack comments.
And thought “how odd and a propos to his subject for me to have spurned reading the written word in favor of turning my attention to the evanescenct audible version”.
Professor Postman was a remarkable teacher and I hope you find his work rewarding.
Quadruple like!
lol Dan !
Brilliant R Dooley; repeat it here and elsewhere, loud, long, and often. Small i can't do it on my own.
But now that the Senate appears to have hammered out a bipartisan immigration reform measure, House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said this morning: “It’s a complex issue. I don’t think now is the time for comprehensive immigration reform, because we know how complicated that is.”
Doublethink means the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them.”
― George Orwell, 1984
"Now" is never the time for them. Makes me think of their response to mass shootings.
Dave, it sounded to me like he was admitting that this Congress, under his leadership, is incapable of dealing with complex issues. In other words, they are not capable of governing. Well, they aren’t, because that requires compromise.
On the one hand, Johnson is saying the border is such a pressing crisis, we must deal with it before (or simultaneously with) aid to Ukraine, but on the other hand, it is so complex, we have to wait. His is an inconsistent, contradictory, illogical position. Or maybe, he’s just a Trump tool, in every sense of the word.
His underlying message is the same. It’s the best cudgel we have. Give it up. NEVER
And then there is doublespeak.
Heather, I've been screaming your last sentence/question for months. We must stop being amused/fascinated by dump's antics. Been there. Done that. Gag.
It's more than time for us to call out the lies and bullshit. Stop the show. Hold up 2 arms crossed to fact check him.
Or better yet, stop talking about him in tones of disbelief - We know who he is - a crude, lying sexual abuser - ETC
He's real, he's got his team better organized and he's soon to melt.....
Yet every online news outfit follows His Unholiness in minute detail with pix of the orange Jabba attached.
MSNBC has his vile visage on all day every day
Instagram is still a valuable source of information and video of events, though pretty heavily censored re criticism of the IDF, etc.
Lisa...this is a time of horror.....but let's not forget our past wars: for freedom from Great Britain....the Indian wars and massacers, the uncivil Civil War, WWI and WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam war, the long war in Afghanistan, our war in Iraq.....the destruction of human life on both sides.
Today, wars, destruction due to physical or economic disasters have caused our fellow humans to flee to a place that they believe is better.....to live in this country. I believe it compels us to BE BETTER!!!! We are "HOPE" to so many. I am so ashamed of those who allow immigrants to die in a river.....those people who come to us cherish "freedom" more than the ones who allowed their deaths.
Freedom is not free.....pieces of humanity remain from our past wars....mental. physical, relational sacrifices for what....POWER....."my way or the highway"....for the control of a few at the cost of many.....no one is left without some suffering. There are of course always those who have profited from wars.....from cruelty.
Those are NOT persons I want to lead our nation......while those who sponsor wars sit comfortably in their powerful positions.
Thank you to our peace-loving diplomats who sacrifice their personsl lives to actually communicate with others who want to see peaceful solutions.
We are recognizing more and more that we are a world-wide family. We are becoming more aware that our oceans and skies belong to all of us......including now outer space. It is only common sense that we each will profit from working together.
Fighting and hating and working to destroy others will only cause us to implode. We MUST choose to work together for the total good of humanity. NOW is the time!!!! If only we would choose respect....if only we would choose to WORK to build relationships instead of bombs.....to share the waterways....not to attack one another. These are ancient ways of fighting and destroying others.....WHAT A WASTE of humanity and the gifts each of us can share with one another.
Well if the Supreme Court is going to overrule regulatory agencies or get rid of them altogether and Congress is owned by AIPAC and other corporations and global warming is not being addressed and Americans are too uneducated to vote sanely... It's a little discouraging.
Never belonged to Instagram
I only watch local TV news for this very reason... but inevitably, they carry a story from the national network about the status of the current horse race, and I just want to scream.
Dear Ellen, might I suggest broadening, instead of narrowing your receptors. Look to international news. Poland just got rid of its right wing Christo-Fascist government, and are restoring democratic institutions. There are other examples large German demonstrations announced against fascism. Resistance to Presidential rule in Slovenia. Resistance to Presidential rule in Israel. etc. etc. It may give you a better sense of where and how democrats are fighting back.
Indeed, it is the conundrum for the times.
Old saw, "If it bleeds it reads"
If all they want is blood there's no ore than enough horror happening in Palestine, but Zionists own our government and our media, so instead we get only the Israeli side, as we have for 75 years
I believe a majority of Americans feel absolutely horrid about the situation there; education about it all, long and short term might be another matter. Horrid for both Palestinians and Israeli's of good will likely overrides all. The Israeli's themselves were set to oust Netanyahu (sp ?) on their own just about the time of this latest horror. I earnestly hope they follow through as they should, though it's unlikely while hostilities are ongoing. It's all so horrific Lisa. There are far too many players hard at work destabilizing; you know this as do we. Zionist's certainly have big influence, but I do not believe they 'own' us, nor our government.
Yes, you're right, there are other forces at work, too. We have all been heavily brainwashed about this situation, though. We were told Israel was a land without people for a people without a land. There was zero mention of the Palestinians here in the US for a very long time. The current censorship of expressions of empathy for Palestinians and for criticism of Israel has been shockingly apparent.
Whether mentioned broadly or not, I always knew it was a land chock full of people of various groups and claims, including Palestinians that were under the full ownership and rulership of the Ottoman Turks. I am a history nerd, that mostly hid my 'nerdiness' - lol. I've known and adored folks who were natives of the area of many identities and as a foodie, have loved breaking bread with any and all, and sharing beloved recipes and dishes, and love them all still yet.
Melanie, melt like the Wicked Witch of the West?
'Course her face was green, not orange.
*Near the color of Money ?
Ah, that last paragraph in tonight’s post, Dr Richardson, hit the nail on the head.
Agreed, M A.
Let us trace this Letter, which began with the immigration position of Texas attorney general Ken Paxton to the those of the Big Kahuna running for the presidency again, Donald J. Trump.
'Now, thanks to massive publicity (particularly in conservative media) about migrants at the southern border, immigration policy matters more than it did in 2020. According to recent battleground-state polling from New York Times/Siena, voters trust Trump more than Biden on immigration policy. It’s simply a better environment for Trump to propose an immigration crackdown. However, it’s unclear whether voters have any idea of how far Trump wants to go in inaugurating Gestapo-style policies to track down, arrest, transport, and deport millions of people from communities all over the country. But it’s not ambiguous at all. Once they know about Trump’s plans, the Latino voters who have been trending Republican in recent elections will likely bridle at the racial and ethnic profiling by federal, state, and local law-enforcement officials that will inevitably accompany any effort to “scour the country for unauthorized immigrants,” as the Times puts it.’ (nymagazine, excerpts)
‘The New York Times recently reported that if reelected, Trump plans to round up, incarcerate and then deport millions of undocumented immigrants. In recent decades there has been plenty of talk among Republicans about sealing off the southern border, reducing both legal and illegal immigration, and deporting selected groups of immigrants deemed a threat to national security. But aside from those living in the fever swamps of racist xenophobia, nobody has proposed mass deportations of people who have been living and working peacefully in America for years.’ (nymagazine)
'Sweeping Raids, Giant Camps and Mass Deportations: Inside Trump’s 2025 Immigration Plans' (nytimes, excerpts)
'Former President Donald J. Trump is planning an extreme expansion of his first-term crackdown on immigration if he returns to power in 2025 — including preparing to round up undocumented people already in the United States on a vast scale and detain them in sprawling camps while they wait to be expelled.'
'He plans to scour the country for unauthorized immigrants and deport people by the millions per year.'
'To help speed mass deportations, Mr. Trump is preparing an enormous expansion of a form of removal that does not require due process hearings. To help Immigration and Customs Enforcement carry out sweeping raids, he plans to reassign other federal agents and deputize local police officers and National Guard soldiers voluntarily contributed by Republican-run states.'
'To ease the strain on ICE detention facilities, Mr. Trump wants to build huge camps to detain people while their cases are processed and they await deportation flights. And to get around any refusal by Congress to appropriate the necessary funds, Mr. Trump would redirect money in the military budget, as he did in his first term to spend more on a border wall than Congress had authorized.'
'In a public reference to his plans, Mr. Trump told a crowd in Iowa in September: “Following the Eisenhower model, we will carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history.” The reference was to a 1954 campaign to round up and expel Mexican immigrants that was named for an ethnic slur' — “Operation Wetback.”
'The constellation of Mr. Trump’s 2025 plans amounts to an assault on immigration on a scale unseen in modern American history. Millions of undocumented immigrants would be barred from the country or uprooted from it years or even decades after settling here.'
'Similarly, numerous people who have been allowed to live in the country temporarily for humanitarian reasons would also lose that status and be kicked out, including tens of thousands of the Afghans who were evacuated amid the 2021 Taliban takeover and allowed to enter the United States. Afghans holding special visas granted to people who helped U.S. forces would be revetted to see if they really did.'
'And Mr. Trump would try to end birthright citizenship for babies born in the United States to undocumented parents — by proclaiming that policy to be the new position of the government and by ordering agencies to cease issuing citizenship-affirming documents like Social Security cards and passports to them. That policy’s legal legitimacy, like nearly all of Mr. Trump’s plans, would be virtually certain to end up before the Supreme Court.'
“Any activists who doubt President Trump’s resolve in the slightest are making a drastic error: Trump will unleash the vast arsenal of federal powers to implement the most spectacular migration crackdown,” Mr. Miller said, adding, “The immigration legal activists won’t know what’s happening.”
'Since Mr. Trump left office, the political environment on immigration has moved in his direction. He is also more capable now of exploiting that environment if he is re-elected than he was when he first won election as an outsider.'
'The ebbing of the Covid-19 pandemic and resumption of travel flows have helped stir a global migrant crisis, with millions of Venezuelans and Central Americans fleeing turmoil and Africans arriving in Latin American countries before continuing their journey north. Amid the record numbers of migrants at the southern border and beyond it in cities like New York and Chicago, voters are frustrated and even some Democrats are calling for tougher action against immigrants and pressuring the White House to better manage the crisis.'
'Mr. Trump and his advisers see the opening, and now know better how to seize it. The aides Mr. Trump relied upon in the chaotic early days of his first term were sometimes at odds and lacked experience in how to manipulate the levers of federal power. By the end of his first term, cabinet officials and lawyers who sought to restrain some of his actions — like his Homeland Security secretary and chief of staff, John F. Kelly — had been fired, and those who stuck with him had learned much.'
'In a second term, Mr. Trump plans to install a team that will not restrain him.'
'Mr. Trump’s rhetoric has more than kept up with his increasingly extreme agenda on immigration.'
'His stoking of fear and anger toward immigrants — pushing for a border wall and calling Mexicans rapists — fueled his 2016 takeover of the Republican Party. As president, he privately mused about developing a militarized border like Israel’s, asked whether migrants crossing the border could be shot in the legs and wanted a proposed border wall topped with flesh-piercing spikes and painted black to burn migrants’ skin.'
'As he has campaigned for the party’s third straight presidential nomination, his anti-immigrant tone has only grown harsher. In a recent interview with a right-wing website, Mr. Trump claimed without evidence that foreign leaders were deliberately emptying their “insane asylums” to send the patients across America’s southern border as migrants. He said migrants were “poisoning the blood of our country.” And at a rally on Wednesday in Florida, he compared them to the fictional serial killer and cannibal Hannibal Lecter, saying, “That’s what’s coming into our country right now.” (nytimes) See gifted link below.
'Team Biden may be tempted to ignore immigration policy as a “loser” for the incumbent president. But if they do, they will be missing an opportunity to let voters know how scary Trump’s plans are. He’s using concerns about migrants to justify the most massive reversal of U.S. immigration practices at least since Dwight D. Eisenhower’s openly racist “Operation Wetback” deportation drive in the 1950s (which Trump has often praised). Biden and Democrats need to stop thinking of immigration as a Republican issue and explain to voters just how radical Trump is on the subject. It’s encouraging that the Biden campaign has already come out with an attack on Trump’s plan, calling it an “extreme and rapid expansion of his first-term clampdown on immigration if he takes back the White House,” as Politico put it. But they need to keep it up. It’s a really big deal not just for people directly affected by immigration policy but for anyone who wants to block a lurch into authoritarianism and a rejection of the rule of law.' (nymagazine)
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/11/us/politics/trump-2025-immigration-agenda.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Ok0.W2_a.4sMThAMX2OiY&smid=url-share
Fern, you are one of the most informed people I “know!” And you educate us well!
Given the worker shortages, the massive deportations should concern the hospitality and agricultural business community the most. Businesses will close, wages will go up as businesses compete for the shrinking labor market. Someone should be quietly messaging this to all the Chambers of Commerce. Maybe they would rethink the value of their anticipated Trump tax cuts if they realized it could cost them even more in lost labor?
They are mostly bought and paid for fools Marge; But your point is well taken. They foolishly believe along with their masters, that once won, they can put the 'genie' back in the box with their "awesome power" of the dollar. Egads...
That last sentence, Fern. It. Affects. Us. All.
Wow Fern, thank you! Lots of ammo here. Amplifying the House’ do nothing/ it’s too hard attitude must catch on to take the wind from Trump’s sails.
Gail, 'Fascism', nothing could be clearer, so that Americans, except for the fascists, will finally understand what we have been undergoing and what is instore for us all if Trump is elected as president. We've got the goods because Trump is broadcasting it.
❤️
More to the point dear Fern, 'OiD's attack will be on democracy and the ramparts / guardrails that were so wisely placed to protect 'our' democracy - the separation of powers. The opposition has squarely placed those ramparts in their sights, and successfully breached those walls, which seem to be crumbling and inadequate. We and all the agency we can assemble are the last, and yet most effective agency that can repel the assaults - if I will, if 'we' will.
“... I have always wondered what would happen when the American people finally pushed back against suggestions and innuendo and instead demanded actual evidence and policies designed to address problems...”
This is something that I would love to see happen but given the situation in this country today... what would a pushback even look like and how would it become known to the American people?
It seems like it’s something too big to get a handle on and make public.
I have to say this year has me very scared that somehow the Democratic Party will drop the ball and we’ll end up under a sick dictator.
Heather did remind us after all that factless tactics were not working out so well for Republicans in Congress. The House is a Republican Party dragged down by extremists, stalling even the bipartisan work being done in the Senate. Hopefully more are seeing through all this than we are given credit for. Dems have always been had worriers and critics of their own.
It’s not just the Dem party, churches, social media, our SC, our billionaires, our ignorant cult, etc. the American people, as it were…