I’m the widow of a US military veteran who died of a service-related illness - in Glen’s case, ALS. What came with that diagnosis was a very high level of services and care from the VA for both Glen and me . This included a wide range of adaptive equipment, participation in several national research projects on new treatments, and in home nursing and hospice care - even during the pandemic. Critical for our well being? Absolutely. But expensive - and getting more so all the time.
Adding this same level of care for those exposed to burn pit toxins would add billions to the military’s annual budget - but Republicans are apparently banking on the idea that most veterans back more conservative candidates.
My US congressional race, which is one of the most closely watched nationally, is between an excellent incumbent Democrat, Angie Craig, and a Trump-loving ex-Marine named Tyler Kistner. I can’t wait to confront Kistner on this issue. He often has a bunch of veterans at his rallies and this Gold Star family member is itching to make certain those veterans know which political party just put the screws to them and their buddies. Big time. And hopefully family members of those who are suffering are also in the audience. The spouses and children need to know that their government understands the sacrifices their families have made - and clearly, Republicans don’t.
My father served in the Army in WWII, and my oldest brother served in the Navy in Vietnam. Both men lived with the serious emotional and spiritual damage of serving in brutal wars. We owe veterans a lifetime of respect and medical care. Democrats deliver. Republicans throw them under the bus. More reasons to help Get Out The Vote!!!
I won’t change a lot of minds but I can embarrass the hell out of Kistner on an issue he takes great pride in - being a vet. He took an oath - time to remind him what that truly means.
I wish I could be there to stand with you. Please believe that all of us who are the widows of veterans are with you in spirit. The Republicans need to pay for this petty behavior.
The widow of a WWll navy veteran, I have always wondered how we could treat those who served us when we needed them, who died or returned to us, sometimes damaged beyond repair, to try to live in our families and communities with what seemed to me only grudging support from the government we elected. And my husband died of a heart condition, familial, that was not the result of nor aggravated by his service. Our veterans have stood up for us when called. We owe them - a lot and without end. L&B&L
As a retired USN CWO and Vietnam vet I truly offer my condolences and may you stick it too your unfeeling Marine trumpet. I was very lucky only having only 2 Agent Orange cancers and now cancer free. Without my Navy benefits. Would not have made it. This bill must pass. Repugs can go to Hell.
Liking your posts more and more. Thanks to you and your family. The spiritual and emotional scars are the ones missed by many of us. I wonder, as was the case of my brother, whether some who have become such ardent Trump fans, despite serving in Korea or Viet Nam, are grappling with the disconnect in their identity.
Agent Orange treatment took years to be approved for VA coverage, I had a very good friend who spent the last 2 years of his life searching for treatment for his cancer with not success. His family was put through hell with a sad result. And he had been a Marine officer.
And claims for Agent Orange exposure are still ongoing. My late husband filed his own claim after diagnosis for prostate cancer and scleroderma. Neither of these soft tissue diseases were acknowledged at the time so claim denied. Lung cancer was the ultimate cause of his death. I have reopened his claim after learning both prostate and lung cancer are finally being acknowledged to be caused by Agent Orange under the Blue Water Navy Act. So many American servicemen and women’s lives harmed by our own Country’s use of deadly chemicals. Our government has done much to compensate for their harm yet still has so much further to go. It is beyond shameful when legislators like Kistner stand in the way. Thank you Sheila B MN - I wish I could be in the room when you call him out.
Sheila, I am in awe of your strength and resilience and your passion to confront these hypocrites. Good luck to you and please let us know how it turns out. You have my support.
I am so sorry for your loss and also thrilled by your anger which will do so much to honor your family's sacrifices. I appreciate the use of the phrase "serious emotional and spiritual damage". Most of us know what that means, and have experienced the generation trauma from our 20th century conflicts that are still impacting families today. Embarrassing McKisson is a fabulous plan! Onward!
My condolences to you, Sheila. You have written with clear-headed passion of both the care you and your husband received at the VA, and also of the damage war inflicted on your father and brother. Your heartfelt words *can* make a difference! Become a constant and steady voice in support of better care for our veterans. And yes, embarrass the hell out of the trumper at every opportunity!
Good for you. Kistner deserves it. I suspect most of these Republicans never served except from an armchair. Our military deserves more than lip service and as you said, Democrats deliver, Republicans don't.
“ Attacking our veterans out of spite might not be a winning move.”
What “Americans” think is significantly determined by what Fox and Friends and AM radio tell them to think about the Death of the bill to help veterans.
If they don’t mention the bill at all Americans will not even know it ever existed.
The veterans and their families will know. I'm sure The Stars and Stripes is read by many, if not most of them. It is time for them to march on McConnell and those of us who never wore the uniform should go with them. We probably don't have to worry about counter protestors.
If Fox and Friends and AM radio should forget to mention it, there are other equally popular and even more reliable broadcasters who will leap into the breach...
Exactly!Let’s turn on our mainstream media news today and note how much this is mentioned or if it is even mentioned at all.It is such a shame that Republicans have to take revenge on our veterans and their families in exchange for helping to pass the Inflation act.Such pettiness that should not surprise but still it rankles me.
So many veterans have succumbed to the lure of president bone spurs. There was a time when I thought the military and churches were our bulwarks. Watched as hate and greed seeped in and hallowed institutions began to crumble. Hope some foundations of integrity still exist…
Yes, exactly . . . . and republicans always do something to remind us they are a deplorable group.
"Tonight, Senate Republicans unexpectedly killed the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which would have provided medical benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 84 to 14 in June and had been sent back to that body for a procedural cleanup after the House passed it with the expectation that it would repass easily. Tonight’s vote is being widely interpreted as revenge for the resurrection of the reconciliation package."
Here's a tweet from my senator, Pat Toomey, who I despise:
"Tonight, the Senate voted to give us the chance to fix a completely unnecessary budget gimmick in the underlying text of the PACT Act. This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to veterans care."
Yes, indeed. That last line was a bomb blast, The GQP just invited defeat. Talk about campaign ammunition! This cruelty to our veterans and their families will be on thousands of ads all over the country.
Right on, Michael. Another barnburner of a closer and quite the Letter. Thank you, Professor Richardson. Your use of understatement is literary muscle.
Attacking veterans will not set well with anybody.
One wonders how long it will take for the Republicans to realize what they've done, wait for the furor to die down and then pass the PACTS bill under another name. This shot wasn't to the foot, it was a little higher up.
Well - he sure did "visit" - also on Newsmax, Faux, CNN AND on the steps outside Congress! And he didnt hold back. I hope all here took a few minutes to watch & listen to someone who stands up for our veterans, and our First Responders. Not a politician but certainly does his research!
spite?????? As a veteran, I can go to the VA hospital here in town for care and meds. And, they are building 2 new clinics, I understand, here in town. What is the need for new legislation?
What if you were a veteran who has to drag an oxygen bottle wherever he or she goes because her outfit was camped next to a burn pit for months....and you couldn't work. And your kids don't have the resources others have as a result...adequate clothing, healthcare, college tuition...
What if your country asked you to risk your life in combat and then abandoned you when you returned home with a death sentence because of sloppy disposal of toxic material? Have you done any reading about this situation? I am sure that when you get all the facts, as a VETERAN, you will want to retract your comment.
Heather researches thoroughly before she writes. You can read her sources by following the citations. If you are able to locate "more to the story," with sources, it would be interesting to read it. Heather also welcomes "more to the story," and I look forward to seeing the results of your research.
…and what more is there of the story, Geoffrey Hendrick? What do you know that supports Republicans killing the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which would have provided medical benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service? You, too, Geoffrey, a veteran, is happy that there will be no government help for your fellow soldiers who suffer from exposure to burn bits and other toxins during military service. Please tell us why.
I would like to hear any explanation, other than out of spite, to justify voting against a measure to cover health expenses related to chemical exposure while serving our country. Those new buildings do not guarantee that everyone who enters receives health care.
The need for the legislation goes to what is commonly considered by the VA an allowable service related cause for coverage. Much like agent orange, closed head brain injuries, and PTSD, burnpits have not been given the consideration for a service related illness and Vets can't be served with federal dollars. The contaminants when all the chemicals were regularly burned at bases around the world,, especially in military action locations, has left thousands of vets suffering from lung and neurological illnesses 5 and 10 years out. If passed, a vet and their doctors would not have to get creative finding another possible cause so you could be treated.
Maybe you live in a big city but here in Montana Vets have to sometimes drive hours to the clinic. Also, they wait and wait for appointments and treatments. My two brothers both got Congestive Heart failure from serving in Viet Nam. Some good care and some not so good care.
Why is VA subject to whims of Congress for funding—leading to long drives, long wait times, and uneven care?
Should be funded by DOD—and the VA and veterans’ service records would be instantly available with compatibile software. Been beating this drum for years.
You continue to attack people who support veterans receiving help from the country they served for illnesses they incurred as a result of their service. You accuse us of whining. Let's not engage in name calling. Why don't you explain why you are against the PACT Act?
I do not have no truck with the PACT act. I am not necessarily against it but I have more faith in elected officials than I have with Heather. Especially when Heather takes off with language like 'spite'.
It was held up because Toomey and Republicans have long been fighting "CHIMPS" (Changes in Mandatory Programs) which they call a "budgetary gimmick" to get around spending limits. Apparently this PACT Act for Veterans care has $400 Billion to be moved from discretionary to mandatory category, separate from the $270+ Billion to fund the Veterans toxic and burn treatment. CHIMPS are on the Republican list to eliminate as part of their " less government" and "anti-Democrats spending" efforts. Toomey says his objection has nothing to do with the Bill itself or care for Veterans. He sees this CHIMPS as a sleight of hand budgetary gimmick on the part of Democrats. The Bill is held up, not dead yet. But Toomey, who has nothing to lose, just alienated a load of Veterans and their families in his fervor to push this particular Republican obsession.
Thank you, Carol. So as I understand, The “ CHIMPS” effort was a way to increase funding for “ mandatory category” Veterans care and not a diversion for other use(s) ?
Maybe somebody called the legislators at the last minute and explained exactly what the legislation entailed. I will buy that story before I will buy the 'spite' story by our school teacher from the land of the bean and the cod.
I agree, he's our newest troll. Or just someone who likes to start something and watch people squabble. (Hmmm....that type of person sounds familiar, eh?)
No explanations, no exchanges of information, Geoffrey Hendrick just attacks. Ally, you appear to be correct. He's a shiny object of distraction spreading dreck. Cleanup time!
So because you, as an individual, have no issues getting care as a veteran that must mean there’s no problem? Because you haven’t experienced it personally, it must not be true? Because you don’t see it as spite, everyone else must be overreacting?
You are not the only veteran in the US, and your experience is just one out of millions. You might not need this, but many others do.
I hope that we can all get to a place where we start believing others when they say they are struggling. Where we no longer make people jump through impossible hoops to prove they are worthy of help and attention. Where we have enough compassion to help solve problems, especially when they don’t personally impact us.
Please remember that "the" "despicable" Republicans include all those who testified at the January 6th hearings, risking their physical safety and political futures. Please let's try to avoid joining the hate game. (I, too, find the action a bit confusing (my optimism) and a lot disgusting.
No one has vilified Republicans testifying to the January 6th committee. However killing the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which would have provided medical benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service sounds pretty despicable to me. So they are petulant about the budget reconciliation bill with bipartisan support? The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 84 to 14 in June. If the shoe fits, call it out.
Candace, they’re “petulant about the budget reconciliation bill” (yet to be passed); that is: the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA-2022). This bill will NOT have bipartisan support--the only way the CHIPS bill was passed was by striking everything in it that is now included, in part, in the yet-to-be-passed IRA-2022. The PACT bill is also not a budget reconciliation bill, & it’s this bill, for our veterans, sadly, that McConnell et al., are nixing after the original 84-17 vote in June. It’s all very confusing, for sure.
That is exactly my response. Most of the repubs who are testifying still support trump, or at least his so-called "policies." Nice that they are testifying--- under a LOT of legal pressure due to the preponderance of evidence that will impact them. Being put on a pedestal is hardly what I would put them upon. They were complicit in supporting a vile tyrant just for their party's power. Party over country is rather despicable and too late in the game for high respect. And pence, he just did the damned job he was paid to do as VP-- and NOT without consulting others to see if he could get away with trump's demands that he not certify the election. Slimeballs of tyranny if you ask me. They all participated, including Manchin, in traumatizing our nation and the world with greed and for total white power, democracy be damned. I do appreciate the two or three that have stood up and those who left the party of sedition earlier on. The rest are complicit or have no cajones to stand up for the American people— their $$$ employers.,although we all know they receive higher benefits from other sources once they are in power. The People need to have more power to fire people's a$$es when the evidence is right there in front of all of us and not require an investigation and DOJ approval when criminals are destroying our country and we are paying them to commit crimes against us and lie. Our laws and Constitutional power needs to be re-visited and updated to this century. And corporations are NOT citizens and money (ownership) of politicians needs to be drastically changed. If a party cannot win fair and square without tainting fair elections with their gerrymandering, voter suppression tactics, interference in our mail-in ballots, interference in our electors and polls, the EC, and many other things, then they do not deserve a space at the table. Clean out the swamp and their tactics. Clean up America and allow her to become a mature adult not run by smutty, immature, self-absorbed brats who are shameful models for our children and the world. Rant over...God, that felt good.
Yes. While I am very grateful that these Republicans testified before the committee telling their true stories, it would have been much better had they told these truths many months ago, perhaps at the second impeachment hearing. Each day that Donald Trump is still out there fomenting lies and hatred is another day that he wounds our democracy. We are finally getting to the bottom of this but had we known then what we do today, we could have held the POTUS and others responsible for their actions much sooner.It is never too late for this, of course.
Maybe, but if it had been sooner, we might not know how deep the corruption is in our country and our government. I am thinking that the timing is more perfect in the big picture view that we are not yet privy to, yet. Keep Garland's words in mind when fear springs up...their investigations and eventual prosecutions will not be held back "by fear nor favor."
You may be right about that.I was a Garland naysayer a few months back but am really reading about how meticulous and thorough he is and am feeling much stronger about the whole situation. I have been very let down with past actions( Mueller report,2 impeachment hearings and all of the other bs that Trump has done.)I am looking forward to seeing what is Garland’s next move.
Completely understandable-- we have been let down so miserably with the republican shenanigans to protect their cult leader. I think this time is going to be very different. So glad you are feeling it, too, Victoria! Your name is exactly what we should call our Statue of Liberty when this is behind us!
There was some "awe" when those republicans who were subpoenaed to testify disclosed what transpired during the January 6th attempted coup. But most (if not all) would still support and would vote for trump again. I'll give a pass to Cassidy Hutchinson . . . how young and articulate is she?! I do agree with Liz Cheney's comment about young women showing up the no show powerful men. However, if they remain in the most radical side of the republican party with nary a moral compass, then they learned nothing and deserve the despicable/deplorable label.
Yes, but in my head all your words were what I was thinking. When I wrote at 3am, unlike Heather and others, I could only muster a few lines but my mind is always in a "rant" 🤣
There are no good Republicans. Not even Liz Cheney. She's still anti-choice, and will always vote against bodily autonomy for women. None of them care about us.
I get the impulse to declare there are no good Republicans. But acc to a Gallup poll in January, 47% of Americans say they are Republican. We need to be very active to save our democracy from the authoritarian direction of the official "republican" stance. That has to include reaching out to as many people as possible to recognize and overcome the danger. I'm afraid that applying a label to the whole group will work against finding those folks who can be moved to recognize the danger and join the fight.
As to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, I think we need to distinguish between policy differences and "goodness." They have both committed to the process of uncovering the coup and holding people accountable, no matter the cost to their personal lives (threats) or political careers. I completely disagree with most of their policy choices (as far as I can tell what they are). But at the same time, I must recognize their courage and commitment to the rule of law over personal ambition, especially if I want to encourage more politicians to make the same kind of choice. I urge that we "label" individual behaviors and choices with descriptive ideas such as "denying individual liberties" or "opposing climate change," rather than labeling entire groups of fellow citizens good or bad. Blessings,
I respect LC's actions but suspect that they are a calculated political move. On January 7 she bet that tfg and his philosophy would not prevail and the Republican Party would need members who can claim not to be his supporter. The J6 committee is her way to stake out this position, for the entire country to see. She takes a short term hit (representing Wyoming in the House) but plans on long term gains. Since I disagree with most, if not all of her positions, I can't imagine ever supporting her for any political office.
I suspect they are a calculated political move too. But I can accept calculated political moves that work for the good of the country. Then it's up to us who don't agree with the policies that go along with the moves to get out the vote for our candidates.
Thanks for reminding us of a way forward through compassion and reason. Even though some Republicans step up, their policy choices often inflict massive harm. It's challenging to appreciate and applaud their righteous actions while acutely aware of the great harm they bestow upon the masses.
If we are Pro-Choice does that not also mean that Liz Cheney has a right to honestly express her beliefs.
We do not need to ignore the good and the courage0ous character of Cheney. If we all said we believed exactly the same about everything, would we not be liars ...or worse "brainwashed"?
I have switched political parties because of the rot in the Republican party as a whole but I also respect Cheney even if I disagree with her politics.
I acknowledge the risks the people are taking, as they try to do their civic duty. But “republican” has become a dirtier word than they have tried to make liberal. Just ask Ronna McDaniel what republicans stand for.
Agree. Knee jerk hating and name calling is ruining the United States of America. We are being torn asunder by division. And this was part of the the Russian plan all along.
Morning Christine! I love Mallory McMorrow! Thank you for sharing that. It made my day. Kinda seems like the republicans are digging their own grave with their spite and hate.
I, a veteran with the good conduct medal, a member of the complaining corps, can go to the VA hospital here for free meds and care. There is more to this story than poor Heather knows. Spite????? Get on out of here.
I believe the legislation in question was attempting to bridge the chasm in veteran care. Those suffering from burn pit after effects have a wide range of experiences accessing care. If it all was as smooth as your situation, I doubt it would be legislation. There is a chasm trying to be filled. Gop holding up self righteously their support for troops and law enforcement again looks like falsehood. Yes there is alway more to the story, but HCR has an eye for how congress operates, as do we. This action smacks of spite.
Well, we don't know Geoff's story, but as I just wrote to him, he might have some good reasons to be cranky, but that does not mean other vets not as lucky as he should not receive all the support they need from the impacts of their service. This is about the deserved love and compassion for those who served valiantly for our government. We can show that by funding what they need to live comfortable lives from their traumas.
And your VA hospital was built when and with what funding? And the free meds and care are funded how? Biting the hand that cares for one makes one a dirty dog.
Defeating a bipartisan bill with a vote seen as retaliatory is not beneficial for the democracy you have served. Thank you for your service.
No. I do not think so. I have also not read pages and pages of testimony and research that went into discussing the merits of this bill. You from Bernie Sanders country?
Yes, I am from VT. And our vets do not have a lot of easy access... I have worked with vets with trauma and they are underserved, their lives fell apart due to lack of support, the impacts of agent orange from the Vietnam vets who got spit on when they returned from fighting. We train men and women to kill (to not feel), and then leave them dealing with the aftermath when they are brought home and begin to meltdown and no one understands. You sound like a lucky one. But I see the lack of support and services of wounds you see and wounds you cannot see, and the night terrors, addictions, TBI's, family breakups, homelessness... I advocate for more services for our veterans who gave their lives (not always for just wars) but served because they were asked. It is just not a question to provide them with what they need, it is that they deserve to be treated with care and love for putting their lives in situations our government asked them to do. They deserve the same love from us as they gave. That actually includes you, Geoff. You might be cranky for some very good reasons.
Heather is reporting conjecture in this case, an interpretation based on opinions that some people have expressed. She is not saying it's a proven fact. It may be, but that is not what she is saying here.
My answer to you sir is "put up or shut up". There is nothing in your comments of any substance to back your allegations. It is not "poor Heather", but Dr. Richardson, thank you.
Crapping on the Veterans is certainly bad form. Now it's the Democrats job to be 1000% certain that everyone, not just Veterans know that the Bill didn't pass because of the GOP. We need to learn the fine art of finger pointing .
I don't know about you, but it seemed to be a very productive day in Democracy Land today. Let's keep it rolling.
If — and it's a very big if — the Schumer-Manchin compromise bill becomes law, the Biden Administration will become one of the most successful ever. As in doing the most for the American people and, as Heather pointed out the other day, in terms of foreign policy accomplishments.
But Republicans will still despise him. Some because they're grossly ill-informed, others because they care only about regaining power and turning the country into an autocracy. (And the Biden Administration's Justice Department will have successfully prosecuted the would-be autocrats.)
This is a good letter for posting this reminder: POSTCARDS TO VOTERS is still going strong. We have more volunteers than ever. Please remember that in order to fight whatever happens in the midterm elections, we need the votes. There are likely going to be court cases like we've never seen them before. We cannot win in court if we don't have the votes. If you're someone who doesn't want to knock on doors or make phone calls, please consider joining us: PostcardsToVoters.org.
Good reminder, Nomi. And good question, Carol. I just finished writing 200 postcards to Arizona Voters today and agree this is an alternative to knocking on doors. I also hope it’s an effective way to remind people to vote. Volunteers write personally to first time and previous voters and cards are addressed and ready to mail on October 10. Mine will be postmarked from California.
Terrific! It's not free, as you know (volunteers pay for postcards and stamps), but it's such a great and personal way to know that you're doing your part in all of this frightening madness. Knowing that that handwritten card is going to be held and looked at by a probably surprised person somewhere in the country, to know that our cards make it considerably more likely that they will vote, is a great way to fight the feeling of despair and fear that we are all experiencing.
There. was some research that said the home visit yields 20x better result after engagement (DFA training if I recall the source). The Republicans knock on every house in the targeted precincts in the central valley.....
In person may be more effective but I am not comfortable knocking on doors in unfamiliar neighborhoods. It’s good there are a variety of ways to be politically active.
Yes. The last time I knocked on doors (solo) in 2018, it was quite a harrowing experience. I’m just no longer able to do it (& as I’m in a blue state despite being in a red gerrymandered district, knocking on doors is not all that effective.) Postcards to purple states are a better use of my time. But I do volunteer for voter registration tables. Too many people aren’t registered & are often overwhelmed by the process.
No one is saying "Don't knock on doors." Of course not....But postcards are another way to reach people. They've been proven to make THE difference in close and important races across the country. Also, I live in Connecticut. I cannot knock on doors in California.
PTV is the best. I've been writing to KS voters about the upcoming vote on an amendment that would ban all abortions. And, once the mid-terms start in earnest, I'll be writing daily. I joined the group in 2017 and have been writing since. Please, everyone, consider joining PostcardsToVoters.org.
PostcardsToVoters makes it easy to work with them. You can sign up for as few as 4 addresses at a time. Their messages are concise. You can write large, or fill in by choosing from a list of excellent suggested addons.
Another good group for postcards is FieldTeam6. They are wordier, and you also need to include a QR code, but they target unregistered voters who are the largest pool of people to change outcomes.
I started writing postcards and letters 2 years ago, as I always remembered a card my husband got re his registration for the primary election. A Native American group I write for here in AZ always has stories about their residents reactions to getting a handwritten card. Joan, thank you for the reminder about FieldTeam6, I will check them out more closely. Right now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with my almost-complete 200 cards and 60 letters!
Hi! Receiving a handwritten postcard urging a person, a registered Democrat, to vote either in person or by mail, usually for very specific and important campaigns has been proven to significantly increase voting. It is surprisingly effective. There is something about receiving a handwritten note though the mail that seems to really touch people and stick with them. People put them on their fridges, they bring them when they go to vote, we are told. Most crucially, they get more people voting, more of the actual majority in this country: Democrats. Postcards To Voters has been able to demonstrate that their volunteers' cards have made the difference in close races around the country numerous times. If you go to their site, PostcardsToVoters.org, you can read about specific cases.
Nomi, on our handwritten postcards we also used colors and art, sometimes rainbows, which made them stand out in a pile of mail! We also had many more volunteers than for phone banking or canvassing homes.
Yes! I didn't want to make my post too long, but little touches like that are great. For me there's a time/volume ratio I want to keep in mind, so I keep the colors to blue for underlining the most crucial words or lines, and red for some stars. But even that little bit which only takes seconds adds a lot.
And, right, most people are not up for getting hung up on or spoken to rudely. And that's FINE. This is a personal way to reach people that doesn't intrude on them and is stress free for us.
I know when I've gotten postcards in the mail, I always read them no matter who they're from. Mostly because I don't have to open an envelope to see what's inside!
You know, I've been worrying about this, as well as that I have hand pain and wouldn't be able to write more than 1-2 a day. I've just written to Vote Forward to offer to pay for someone else's postcards and stamps.
I have a bit of arthritis in my hands, so I write slowly, do one postcard at a time. I change colors with each sentence - it makes the card easier to read, and reduces hand cramping because I'm not writing while I change pens. I only do 4-6 in a whole day, but it adds up. I started mid-January, and I've mailed more than 800 postcards so far this year. If you wrote one postcard a day for the next 100 days before the election, that's enough to make a difference. PostcardsToVoters lets you sign up for as few as 4 addresses at a time, so you don't have to put pressure on yourself to do more than you can.
For the 2020 election, my mother and I worked together to send out letters with VoteForward. We sent 700, which by itself is not that many voters motivated if you only affect 4%. But Vote Forwarders together sent out something like 17 million letters. 4% of that changes outcomes.
I think postcards have more like a 14% effect, based on what one person said at a FieldTeam6 training. They have very good trainings.
So if you can do one a day, do that. It adds up. Every bit helps. Here's a song about that, Judy Small's "One voice in the crowd": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nvbYlmdYS0
Oh, that's a great idea, Nancy. My mom can't write too much at once either. So, she does the addresses a few at a time -- she's much better at doing that without reversing numbers like I do sometimes -- and I write the messages. But your idea is terrific. It does get expensive if you're doing hundreds or even thousands. And, if they are not set up for your offer, they certainly have operating costs and are grateful for donations.
I do not have specific hand pain, but I'm only good for ten at a time myself. And even that can be a bit much.
What does everyone think of a former DOJ lawyer, Jared Pettinato's proposal to use the penalty clause in the 14th Amendment to punish States restricting voting rights?
The clause says the Feds can cut the State's representation in Washington by the same % that it excludes voters regardless of the method used...and thereby their weight in the Electoral College.....it has never been used!
He has sued the Census Bureau saying that it is their duty to impose the penalty as they have the necessary information. It has been tried before by amongst others the NAACP in 1970 but they were told that the 1965 Voting Rights Act should be given time to work......and we've seen where that got us!
The hope is that the judge will agree rather than simply passing the buck to an immoveable Congress.
How can the Census Bureau have all the necessary data since the citizenship question was not asked in our 2020 census (barring the Wisconsin information from the WI case data)? And standing will be a big issue. But, as the article stated, it’s not likely that this will be a fast-moving case, so perhaps the Cato Institute & other prominent legal authorities can work these & other likely issues out. I have lots of questions but am too tired to formulate any more right now.
Thx for the great article link, though, Stuart. Something to keep our eyes on, no doubt, as who knows where this might lead, eventually.
Representation in the House depends on population not citizenship. When the VRA went into effect parts of NYC were covered due to low registration and partipation. We could measure it then. Why not now? That said this SCt is only originalist when it suits them. Don't think this is going anywhere.
Re: "Analysis by a data scientist cited in the lawsuit found that seven states — Arizona, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — would gain at least one seat each if the Census Bureau fully applied the penalty."
Sounds strange as it would suggest that they are currently allowwing people to vote who shouldn't under current circumstances. The representation in terms of population is conditioned by the limit on the total size of the House.
He certainly is a good person. It's very refreshing to see ethical and all around good persons working in this administration. It gives me hope and restores my belief in humanity again.
As a Veteran and VA employee, failure to pass the PACT act will not si well with Vets. However, their support will depend on how it is spun by their “news””source. This is a group of faux entertainment who are already angry and feel they have been wronged by the government. Military and VA media really need to carry this FACTUALLY, but they won’t. Remember there was a large contingent of Vets involved in the storming of the Capitol.
"You don't need to be president to get these tools to use for your defense. In fact, the same booster shots, the same at-home tests, the same treatment that I got is available to you.”
Read a piece in The Atlantic which was titled Why Americans Hate the Media, and it went on to discuss how the media does not discuss the things about politics that Americans want to know, like what is going on with the things they care about. The role of education in a democracy is to prepare people to participate. Thank you Dr. Richardson for always focusing on the information. This is really good news.
Thank you Professor for highlighting a good news day. Mostly that is. “What is notably missing is investment in the social infrastructure of our nation that largely impacts women: childcare and eldercare.” And why is there even a question about supporting our Veterans? It will be a great news day when both parties work together, quickly negotiating and passing bills that support our social infrastructure. And veterans. A bipartisan effort, without waiting for Manchin to decide.
Spite is the rethuglican superpower. I would also like to point out that the great migration of computer chip manufacturing--as well as a lot of other computer hardware components--to China occurred during the Bush II (aka the Shrub) administration. Yep, yet another grift that the grifters keep on grifting.
By the way, if any of you are still creating Joshy Hawley video memes (Andy Borowitz has been having a field day since the video dropped), keep them coming! Apparently the humiliation is starting to have its effect . . . It's about the only happy news coming out of MO these days that Little Joshy Boy is experiencing something other than his smug misogynist wank-ness.
We are embroiled here in MO in a nasty primary fight for the Dem senate candidate that never should have happened, except that some of the chicken-sh*t power brokers made a decision to push a billionaire with no political experience into the race because the guy who has been the front runner in the race actually has some integrity and speaks clearly, instead of being a parselmouth like the "professionals," and said moneybags is using millions of her personal wealth (which derives from the usual uber-capitalist sources that have created many of the problems MO is suffering from today) to run attack ads that could be used as examples of defamation after the primary. I will have to vote for her--holding my nose--if she wins, but I am really hoping that the other guy, who has a chance to ACTUALLY WIN THE SEAT because he can appeal to rural voters, squeaks through. He has refused to take any mega donations and doesn't have a PAC. And yet he has been raising money like a champ. It pisses me off to see the same corrupt tactics being used by the Dem organization in MO as the Ghastly Oligarchs use, and that makes me far less likely to support them with my hard earned money and time. Can't wait for August 2nd to come and go.
Dems must stand apart and lead the way. If we rely on the same tactics as our opponents, we will not fair well morally as leaders. We must be bold...we must demonstrate that integrity is a real force for the good of our country and for our world.
I had to read Dr Richardson’s letter, twice. There is a lot of good news in it for our country and the world. The footnote she references from Greg Sargent is helpful, too.
I have been waiting to see our president, who was first elected to the Senate as a very young man, show us that he could use his experience in that body to put top spin on passage of the legislative initiatives central to his platform and very much wanted by the American people who voted for him. Wow!!!
Very nice to see this happening and no, it’s not everything we wanted but it’s pretty, pretty good! Good ideas never go away. Instead, they wait a while and re-emerge as something under a new name. President Biden kept going after so many of us thought he wasn’t going to…and look who is helping him (seemingly)…after all. The historians, and particularly those who specialize in the presidency, are going to enjoy delving into the behind the scenes revelations involving all this because of the scale and importance of the legislation for all of us, and the world. I can tell you, too… our good President Biden won’t let Republican spite leave any of our vets behind, either. All the Republicans did, by doing what they did, was publicly throw their own golf club in the pond; (something as a golfer, I never understood…) instead of just calmly dropping a ball and playing on. Way to go, Joe Biden and thank you.
There's the question of whether Senator DingDong, er, I mean Sinema, is on board. She has been saying "read my lips, no new taxes" since December, and was not party to the negotiations (maybe she was taking another class on how to make wine). Somehow, I don't think even she wants to become the most hated Democrat in America.
And Shumer the Genius shoots himself in the foot (again) not waiting till after the PACT act got passed to "stick it" to McConnell.
I don't really agree with you on that last point, TCinLA. That is such a low blow to people who are often part of their coalition, and the June vote was so decisive, that I am not sure it could have been expected, even from the group of sociopaths that make up the Senate GOP. Shumer needs to bring it up again for a stand alone vote and make them do it again, when it isn't overshadowed by so much more news. And the deliciousness of Manchin making his announcement just after the CHIPS act passed, with McConnell's vote, is just *chef's kiss*!
Politics isn't about having a "chef's kiss". Anybody who has to go that route rather then look at what needs to be done is a moron - something Shumer has proven about himself multiple times. The only thing he does well is raise money, which is all that matters to them.
Once again, the professor proves she's the master of the kicker ending. As in a kick in the face of Senate Republicans:
"Attacking our veterans out of spite might not be a winning move."
I’m the widow of a US military veteran who died of a service-related illness - in Glen’s case, ALS. What came with that diagnosis was a very high level of services and care from the VA for both Glen and me . This included a wide range of adaptive equipment, participation in several national research projects on new treatments, and in home nursing and hospice care - even during the pandemic. Critical for our well being? Absolutely. But expensive - and getting more so all the time.
Adding this same level of care for those exposed to burn pit toxins would add billions to the military’s annual budget - but Republicans are apparently banking on the idea that most veterans back more conservative candidates.
My US congressional race, which is one of the most closely watched nationally, is between an excellent incumbent Democrat, Angie Craig, and a Trump-loving ex-Marine named Tyler Kistner. I can’t wait to confront Kistner on this issue. He often has a bunch of veterans at his rallies and this Gold Star family member is itching to make certain those veterans know which political party just put the screws to them and their buddies. Big time. And hopefully family members of those who are suffering are also in the audience. The spouses and children need to know that their government understands the sacrifices their families have made - and clearly, Republicans don’t.
My father served in the Army in WWII, and my oldest brother served in the Navy in Vietnam. Both men lived with the serious emotional and spiritual damage of serving in brutal wars. We owe veterans a lifetime of respect and medical care. Democrats deliver. Republicans throw them under the bus. More reasons to help Get Out The Vote!!!
I won’t change a lot of minds but I can embarrass the hell out of Kistner on an issue he takes great pride in - being a vet. He took an oath - time to remind him what that truly means.
I wish I could be there to stand with you. Please believe that all of us who are the widows of veterans are with you in spirit. The Republicans need to pay for this petty behavior.
The widow of a WWll navy veteran, I have always wondered how we could treat those who served us when we needed them, who died or returned to us, sometimes damaged beyond repair, to try to live in our families and communities with what seemed to me only grudging support from the government we elected. And my husband died of a heart condition, familial, that was not the result of nor aggravated by his service. Our veterans have stood up for us when called. We owe them - a lot and without end. L&B&L
Thanks, Ida. I agree wholeheartedly!
As a retired USN CWO and Vietnam vet I truly offer my condolences and may you stick it too your unfeeling Marine trumpet. I was very lucky only having only 2 Agent Orange cancers and now cancer free. Without my Navy benefits. Would not have made it. This bill must pass. Repugs can go to Hell.
Could not agree more. It seems the R's have now worked to alienate two huge voting blocks, women and veterans. What's next ?!!
Maybe if we give them enough rope, we won't have to keep worrying about what's next.
Liking your posts more and more. Thanks to you and your family. The spiritual and emotional scars are the ones missed by many of us. I wonder, as was the case of my brother, whether some who have become such ardent Trump fans, despite serving in Korea or Viet Nam, are grappling with the disconnect in their identity.
Agent Orange treatment took years to be approved for VA coverage, I had a very good friend who spent the last 2 years of his life searching for treatment for his cancer with not success. His family was put through hell with a sad result. And he had been a Marine officer.
And claims for Agent Orange exposure are still ongoing. My late husband filed his own claim after diagnosis for prostate cancer and scleroderma. Neither of these soft tissue diseases were acknowledged at the time so claim denied. Lung cancer was the ultimate cause of his death. I have reopened his claim after learning both prostate and lung cancer are finally being acknowledged to be caused by Agent Orange under the Blue Water Navy Act. So many American servicemen and women’s lives harmed by our own Country’s use of deadly chemicals. Our government has done much to compensate for their harm yet still has so much further to go. It is beyond shameful when legislators like Kistner stand in the way. Thank you Sheila B MN - I wish I could be in the room when you call him out.
Thank you for this.
Sheila, I am in awe of your strength and resilience and your passion to confront these hypocrites. Good luck to you and please let us know how it turns out. You have my support.
I am so sorry for your loss and also thrilled by your anger which will do so much to honor your family's sacrifices. I appreciate the use of the phrase "serious emotional and spiritual damage". Most of us know what that means, and have experienced the generation trauma from our 20th century conflicts that are still impacting families today. Embarrassing McKisson is a fabulous plan! Onward!
Bravo, Sheila! When you embarrass him, know that this group is there with you in spirit!
We absolutely will be!
My condolences to you, Sheila. You have written with clear-headed passion of both the care you and your husband received at the VA, and also of the damage war inflicted on your father and brother. Your heartfelt words *can* make a difference! Become a constant and steady voice in support of better care for our veterans. And yes, embarrass the hell out of the trumper at every opportunity!
Go get 'em girlfriend. More power to you and I think you may just change some mind.
100% support!!
I too wish I could be by your side... Bless you and your efforts!
Good for you, Sheila! Please let us know how it goes.
Go Sheila!
Best wishes for you and your family.
Good for you. Kistner deserves it. I suspect most of these Republicans never served except from an armchair. Our military deserves more than lip service and as you said, Democrats deliver, Republicans don't.
Me too. I have had it.
Ditto!! We’re with you, Sheila.
“ Attacking our veterans out of spite might not be a winning move.”
What “Americans” think is significantly determined by what Fox and Friends and AM radio tell them to think about the Death of the bill to help veterans.
If they don’t mention the bill at all Americans will not even know it ever existed.
The veterans and their families will know. I'm sure The Stars and Stripes is read by many, if not most of them. It is time for them to march on McConnell and those of us who never wore the uniform should go with them. We probably don't have to worry about counter protestors.
He's earned it.
If Fox and Friends and AM radio should forget to mention it, there are other equally popular and even more reliable broadcasters who will leap into the breach...
News is a crowded landscape if you include American population centers and Universities.
But. If you consider the vast rural population which controls the electoral college only two news sources are relevant.
AM radio and FOX news. In fact AM radio only airs FOX News.
And Rupert rules the Foxers. He has ruled us all, so far…
He may live to 100. But then again...
What can we do as Americans to get rid of Rupert and his Faux news outlets???
Isn't there such a thing as making false statements? They kicked him out of Australia, why can't we do that here???
I wish I had an answer for that. He's a pest.
Agree....I live in one of those rural areas! Trumper Repubs!
“Reliable broadcasters” have succumbed to “both sides” bull Schitt til I have a hard time trusting my “old stand bys.”
Exactly!Let’s turn on our mainstream media news today and note how much this is mentioned or if it is even mentioned at all.It is such a shame that Republicans have to take revenge on our veterans and their families in exchange for helping to pass the Inflation act.Such pettiness that should not surprise but still it rankles me.
Actually, I think it should surprise all of us. They seem to have no bottom.
You really should resign from the Nothing Can Be Done Club.
Those guys and gals on Fox and Friends never got near a battlefield, trust me.
Then we need to spread the word on faux!!
I hope the veterans, as a community, vote BLUE this fall and every election. Your vote does count!
So many veterans have succumbed to the lure of president bone spurs. There was a time when I thought the military and churches were our bulwarks. Watched as hate and greed seeped in and hallowed institutions began to crumble. Hope some foundations of integrity still exist…
It's not just the veterans. Its also their families, friends, and community...anyone affected by the veterans exposure.
Yes, exactly . . . . and republicans always do something to remind us they are a deplorable group.
"Tonight, Senate Republicans unexpectedly killed the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which would have provided medical benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 84 to 14 in June and had been sent back to that body for a procedural cleanup after the House passed it with the expectation that it would repass easily. Tonight’s vote is being widely interpreted as revenge for the resurrection of the reconciliation package."
Here's a tweet from my senator, Pat Toomey, who I despise:
"Tonight, the Senate voted to give us the chance to fix a completely unnecessary budget gimmick in the underlying text of the PACT Act. This gimmick allows $400B in spending completely unrelated to veterans care."
Flat out made up crap. So happy he's retiring....
Yep, these repugs always find a way to show who they are.
Yes, indeed. That last line was a bomb blast, The GQP just invited defeat. Talk about campaign ammunition! This cruelty to our veterans and their families will be on thousands of ads all over the country.
The dems better take full advantage of it and use every arrow (of which there are so many) in the advertising quiver and spare nothing!!
Let's hope the independents join in on this one as well.
Right on, Michael. Another barnburner of a closer and quite the Letter. Thank you, Professor Richardson. Your use of understatement is literary muscle.
Attacking veterans will not set well with anybody.
🗽
One wonders how long it will take for the Republicans to realize what they've done, wait for the furor to die down and then pass the PACTS bill under another name. This shot wasn't to the foot, it was a little higher up.
I'm thinking its time for another visit to Congress by Jon Stuart - he certainly helped to get something done for the first responders of 911!!
Well - he sure did "visit" - also on Newsmax, Faux, CNN AND on the steps outside Congress! And he didnt hold back. I hope all here took a few minutes to watch & listen to someone who stands up for our veterans, and our First Responders. Not a politician but certainly does his research!
When I share her letters on my FB page, I love to lead with her kicker endings as a tease!
Yes, Ds should spread that info far and wide. Revenge instead of looking out for vets.
Not only no doubt NOT being a winning move, a louse “thank you” to our military for their service to all of us. Really!?!
Understatement of the year!
spite?????? As a veteran, I can go to the VA hospital here in town for care and meds. And, they are building 2 new clinics, I understand, here in town. What is the need for new legislation?
What if you were a veteran who has to drag an oxygen bottle wherever he or she goes because her outfit was camped next to a burn pit for months....and you couldn't work. And your kids don't have the resources others have as a result...adequate clothing, healthcare, college tuition...
What if your country asked you to risk your life in combat and then abandoned you when you returned home with a death sentence because of sloppy disposal of toxic material? Have you done any reading about this situation? I am sure that when you get all the facts, as a VETERAN, you will want to retract your comment.
But, I object to the term 'spite'. I still say that there is more to the story.
Heather researches thoroughly before she writes. You can read her sources by following the citations. If you are able to locate "more to the story," with sources, it would be interesting to read it. Heather also welcomes "more to the story," and I look forward to seeing the results of your research.
…and what more is there of the story, Geoffrey Hendrick? What do you know that supports Republicans killing the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which would have provided medical benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service? You, too, Geoffrey, a veteran, is happy that there will be no government help for your fellow soldiers who suffer from exposure to burn bits and other toxins during military service. Please tell us why.
I would like to hear any explanation, other than out of spite, to justify voting against a measure to cover health expenses related to chemical exposure while serving our country. Those new buildings do not guarantee that everyone who enters receives health care.
The PACT Act is to address illness suffered by vets exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service. Not covered elsewhere.
The need for the legislation goes to what is commonly considered by the VA an allowable service related cause for coverage. Much like agent orange, closed head brain injuries, and PTSD, burnpits have not been given the consideration for a service related illness and Vets can't be served with federal dollars. The contaminants when all the chemicals were regularly burned at bases around the world,, especially in military action locations, has left thousands of vets suffering from lung and neurological illnesses 5 and 10 years out. If passed, a vet and their doctors would not have to get creative finding another possible cause so you could be treated.
Thank you.
Maybe you live in a big city but here in Montana Vets have to sometimes drive hours to the clinic. Also, they wait and wait for appointments and treatments. My two brothers both got Congestive Heart failure from serving in Viet Nam. Some good care and some not so good care.
Why is VA subject to whims of Congress for funding—leading to long drives, long wait times, and uneven care?
Should be funded by DOD—and the VA and veterans’ service records would be instantly available with compatibile software. Been beating this drum for years.
Hard time finding spite, I suggest getting your head out of… well, it’s hiding place.
Spite????You sound like some whining lifer getting drunk at the Officer's club talking about what you are owed.
You continue to attack people who support veterans receiving help from the country they served for illnesses they incurred as a result of their service. You accuse us of whining. Let's not engage in name calling. Why don't you explain why you are against the PACT Act?
I do not have no truck with the PACT act. I am not necessarily against it but I have more faith in elected officials than I have with Heather. Especially when Heather takes off with language like 'spite'.
a
Exactly why then was the vote changed? What happened?
It was held up because Toomey and Republicans have long been fighting "CHIMPS" (Changes in Mandatory Programs) which they call a "budgetary gimmick" to get around spending limits. Apparently this PACT Act for Veterans care has $400 Billion to be moved from discretionary to mandatory category, separate from the $270+ Billion to fund the Veterans toxic and burn treatment. CHIMPS are on the Republican list to eliminate as part of their " less government" and "anti-Democrats spending" efforts. Toomey says his objection has nothing to do with the Bill itself or care for Veterans. He sees this CHIMPS as a sleight of hand budgetary gimmick on the part of Democrats. The Bill is held up, not dead yet. But Toomey, who has nothing to lose, just alienated a load of Veterans and their families in his fervor to push this particular Republican obsession.
Excellent reporting, thank you, Carol.
Thank you, Carol. So as I understand, The “ CHIMPS” effort was a way to increase funding for “ mandatory category” Veterans care and not a diversion for other use(s) ?
The vote was “for” in June in the senate and then the Repugnants backed out surprisingly, at the last moment and voted it down.
Yes, and I am looking for the reason why, if not for spite.
Maybe somebody called the legislators at the last minute and explained exactly what the legislation entailed. I will buy that story before I will buy the 'spite' story by our school teacher from the land of the bean and the cod.
Y'all, Mr. Hendrick just wants to argue. At least that is my take.
I agree, he's our newest troll. Or just someone who likes to start something and watch people squabble. (Hmmm....that type of person sounds familiar, eh?)
Now that is what I call insensitive.
No explanations, no exchanges of information, Geoffrey Hendrick just attacks. Ally, you appear to be correct. He's a shiny object of distraction spreading dreck. Cleanup time!
So true, dear Fern! (emailed you)
So because you, as an individual, have no issues getting care as a veteran that must mean there’s no problem? Because you haven’t experienced it personally, it must not be true? Because you don’t see it as spite, everyone else must be overreacting?
You are not the only veteran in the US, and your experience is just one out of millions. You might not need this, but many others do.
I hope that we can all get to a place where we start believing others when they say they are struggling. Where we no longer make people jump through impossible hoops to prove they are worthy of help and attention. Where we have enough compassion to help solve problems, especially when they don’t personally impact us.
Killing a bill that would help Veterans, out of spite. The Republicans are despicable.
Please remember that "the" "despicable" Republicans include all those who testified at the January 6th hearings, risking their physical safety and political futures. Please let's try to avoid joining the hate game. (I, too, find the action a bit confusing (my optimism) and a lot disgusting.
No one has vilified Republicans testifying to the January 6th committee. However killing the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which would have provided medical benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxins during their military service sounds pretty despicable to me. So they are petulant about the budget reconciliation bill with bipartisan support? The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 84 to 14 in June. If the shoe fits, call it out.
Candace, they’re “petulant about the budget reconciliation bill” (yet to be passed); that is: the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA-2022). This bill will NOT have bipartisan support--the only way the CHIPS bill was passed was by striking everything in it that is now included, in part, in the yet-to-be-passed IRA-2022. The PACT bill is also not a budget reconciliation bill, & it’s this bill, for our veterans, sadly, that McConnell et al., are nixing after the original 84-17 vote in June. It’s all very confusing, for sure.
Deliberately confusing, now that’s a Republican policy.
They're not heroes. A hero would have reported what was happening before January 6th.
That is exactly my response. Most of the repubs who are testifying still support trump, or at least his so-called "policies." Nice that they are testifying--- under a LOT of legal pressure due to the preponderance of evidence that will impact them. Being put on a pedestal is hardly what I would put them upon. They were complicit in supporting a vile tyrant just for their party's power. Party over country is rather despicable and too late in the game for high respect. And pence, he just did the damned job he was paid to do as VP-- and NOT without consulting others to see if he could get away with trump's demands that he not certify the election. Slimeballs of tyranny if you ask me. They all participated, including Manchin, in traumatizing our nation and the world with greed and for total white power, democracy be damned. I do appreciate the two or three that have stood up and those who left the party of sedition earlier on. The rest are complicit or have no cajones to stand up for the American people— their $$$ employers.,although we all know they receive higher benefits from other sources once they are in power. The People need to have more power to fire people's a$$es when the evidence is right there in front of all of us and not require an investigation and DOJ approval when criminals are destroying our country and we are paying them to commit crimes against us and lie. Our laws and Constitutional power needs to be re-visited and updated to this century. And corporations are NOT citizens and money (ownership) of politicians needs to be drastically changed. If a party cannot win fair and square without tainting fair elections with their gerrymandering, voter suppression tactics, interference in our mail-in ballots, interference in our electors and polls, the EC, and many other things, then they do not deserve a space at the table. Clean out the swamp and their tactics. Clean up America and allow her to become a mature adult not run by smutty, immature, self-absorbed brats who are shameful models for our children and the world. Rant over...God, that felt good.
Doesn't it always feel better after a rant? Well said, Pensa.
Trying to put a heart on this rant, but can't. So thank you and yes, feel good.
Wow, I could not have said it better myself.
Great rant!
Thanks, everyone for being my witnesses...very therapeutic morning for me!
❤️
Very well said, I agree. Ranting is good for the soul!
And it was well written as well. Cheers to you.
Thanks, Susan! I do get great cause for inspiration here.
Well said!!!
Good to have a rant now and again. Onward!
Just some minor nitpicking here:
cajone = box or drawer (cajones: plural)
cojones = informal: a man's testicles, courage, guts (https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=cojones)
I suppose one could make a sentence using both words to illustrate the difference.
Cajone: a Woden box with various additions (cuts, rattle snare, tuned bars) to work se as a percussion instrument.
Good sir, do you have the cojones to straddle that cajone (beat box) and play it?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cajón
You are a cunning linguist.
I was not referring to a box or drawer. Thanks for the correct spelling!
Yes. While I am very grateful that these Republicans testified before the committee telling their true stories, it would have been much better had they told these truths many months ago, perhaps at the second impeachment hearing. Each day that Donald Trump is still out there fomenting lies and hatred is another day that he wounds our democracy. We are finally getting to the bottom of this but had we known then what we do today, we could have held the POTUS and others responsible for their actions much sooner.It is never too late for this, of course.
Maybe, but if it had been sooner, we might not know how deep the corruption is in our country and our government. I am thinking that the timing is more perfect in the big picture view that we are not yet privy to, yet. Keep Garland's words in mind when fear springs up...their investigations and eventual prosecutions will not be held back "by fear nor favor."
Keep your chin up!
You are really striking the flint today....great commrnts!!! Thank you!!
You may be right about that.I was a Garland naysayer a few months back but am really reading about how meticulous and thorough he is and am feeling much stronger about the whole situation. I have been very let down with past actions( Mueller report,2 impeachment hearings and all of the other bs that Trump has done.)I am looking forward to seeing what is Garland’s next move.
Completely understandable-- we have been let down so miserably with the republican shenanigans to protect their cult leader. I think this time is going to be very different. So glad you are feeling it, too, Victoria! Your name is exactly what we should call our Statue of Liberty when this is behind us!
Then we ourselves better be ready to heal and march forward when the time comes.
Agreed
There was some "awe" when those republicans who were subpoenaed to testify disclosed what transpired during the January 6th attempted coup. But most (if not all) would still support and would vote for trump again. I'll give a pass to Cassidy Hutchinson . . . how young and articulate is she?! I do agree with Liz Cheney's comment about young women showing up the no show powerful men. However, if they remain in the most radical side of the republican party with nary a moral compass, then they learned nothing and deserve the despicable/deplorable label.
Ah, you took a lot less space than I did to say the same thing! Brava!
Yes, but in my head all your words were what I was thinking. When I wrote at 3am, unlike Heather and others, I could only muster a few lines but my mind is always in a "rant" 🤣
There are no good Republicans. Not even Liz Cheney. She's still anti-choice, and will always vote against bodily autonomy for women. None of them care about us.
I get the impulse to declare there are no good Republicans. But acc to a Gallup poll in January, 47% of Americans say they are Republican. We need to be very active to save our democracy from the authoritarian direction of the official "republican" stance. That has to include reaching out to as many people as possible to recognize and overcome the danger. I'm afraid that applying a label to the whole group will work against finding those folks who can be moved to recognize the danger and join the fight.
As to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, I think we need to distinguish between policy differences and "goodness." They have both committed to the process of uncovering the coup and holding people accountable, no matter the cost to their personal lives (threats) or political careers. I completely disagree with most of their policy choices (as far as I can tell what they are). But at the same time, I must recognize their courage and commitment to the rule of law over personal ambition, especially if I want to encourage more politicians to make the same kind of choice. I urge that we "label" individual behaviors and choices with descriptive ideas such as "denying individual liberties" or "opposing climate change," rather than labeling entire groups of fellow citizens good or bad. Blessings,
Every Republican I've ever known has either been an unrepentant racist, or a closet fascist. I stand by my statement.
Here we are with that 'basket of deplorables' that Hilary had to crawfish about.
I respect LC's actions but suspect that they are a calculated political move. On January 7 she bet that tfg and his philosophy would not prevail and the Republican Party would need members who can claim not to be his supporter. The J6 committee is her way to stake out this position, for the entire country to see. She takes a short term hit (representing Wyoming in the House) but plans on long term gains. Since I disagree with most, if not all of her positions, I can't imagine ever supporting her for any political office.
I suspect they are a calculated political move too. But I can accept calculated political moves that work for the good of the country. Then it's up to us who don't agree with the policies that go along with the moves to get out the vote for our candidates.
Thanks for reminding us of a way forward through compassion and reason. Even though some Republicans step up, their policy choices often inflict massive harm. It's challenging to appreciate and applaud their righteous actions while acutely aware of the great harm they bestow upon the masses.
You are welcome. And "challenging" is exactly the right word!
Bravo. It is possible to see people as multi-dimensional. I respect Cheney and Kinsinger and disagree with their politics.
If we are Pro-Choice does that not also mean that Liz Cheney has a right to honestly express her beliefs.
We do not need to ignore the good and the courage0ous character of Cheney. If we all said we believed exactly the same about everything, would we not be liars ...or worse "brainwashed"?
I have switched political parties because of the rot in the Republican party as a whole but I also respect Cheney even if I disagree with her politics.
I'm referring to Republicans who aided and abetted the coup attempt.
“Republican leaders” might be better
I acknowledge the risks the people are taking, as they try to do their civic duty. But “republican” has become a dirtier word than they have tried to make liberal. Just ask Ronna McDaniel what republicans stand for.
Agree. Knee jerk hating and name calling is ruining the United States of America. We are being torn asunder by division. And this was part of the the Russian plan all along.
They know no bottom.
Revenge is their only consistent policy,
Morning, fab Karen.
Another “spite” story. Supports a good day for democracy. I love the messaging from Mallory McMorrow. Apparently, so did a lot of others.
https://apple.news/AChBhpLJVSUmvRkQpFRSGpg
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Excellent news, Christine! I too loved that speech, and her commitment to the truth, worth the 5 minutes to listen.
https://youtu.be/iLWo8B1R0MY
Morning Christine! I love Mallory McMorrow! Thank you for sharing that. It made my day. Kinda seems like the republicans are digging their own grave with their spite and hate.
True to form. It would be nice to see the biter bit.
Oh yeah, it would indeed
I, a veteran with the good conduct medal, a member of the complaining corps, can go to the VA hospital here for free meds and care. There is more to this story than poor Heather knows. Spite????? Get on out of here.
I believe the legislation in question was attempting to bridge the chasm in veteran care. Those suffering from burn pit after effects have a wide range of experiences accessing care. If it all was as smooth as your situation, I doubt it would be legislation. There is a chasm trying to be filled. Gop holding up self righteously their support for troops and law enforcement again looks like falsehood. Yes there is alway more to the story, but HCR has an eye for how congress operates, as do we. This action smacks of spite.
Well, we don't know Geoff's story, but as I just wrote to him, he might have some good reasons to be cranky, but that does not mean other vets not as lucky as he should not receive all the support they need from the impacts of their service. This is about the deserved love and compassion for those who served valiantly for our government. We can show that by funding what they need to live comfortable lives from their traumas.
Would love to upvote but once again cannot click heart on replies.
That 'like' emoji seems to be inoperative today. Or possibly just delayed.
Sometimes it takes time for the ❤️ to post. It happens to me too, Annie.
Also, I've found that waiting several seconds results in a delayed 'heart'. Hitting it again can result in cancelling it.
And your VA hospital was built when and with what funding? And the free meds and care are funded how? Biting the hand that cares for one makes one a dirty dog.
Defeating a bipartisan bill with a vote seen as retaliatory is not beneficial for the democracy you have served. Thank you for your service.
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Hey, Geoff, have you been impacted by burns, burnpits and the toxins being referred to?
No. I do not think so. I have also not read pages and pages of testimony and research that went into discussing the merits of this bill. You from Bernie Sanders country?
Yes, I am from VT. And our vets do not have a lot of easy access... I have worked with vets with trauma and they are underserved, their lives fell apart due to lack of support, the impacts of agent orange from the Vietnam vets who got spit on when they returned from fighting. We train men and women to kill (to not feel), and then leave them dealing with the aftermath when they are brought home and begin to meltdown and no one understands. You sound like a lucky one. But I see the lack of support and services of wounds you see and wounds you cannot see, and the night terrors, addictions, TBI's, family breakups, homelessness... I advocate for more services for our veterans who gave their lives (not always for just wars) but served because they were asked. It is just not a question to provide them with what they need, it is that they deserve to be treated with care and love for putting their lives in situations our government asked them to do. They deserve the same love from us as they gave. That actually includes you, Geoff. You might be cranky for some very good reasons.
I am sick of people who confuse robust debate with a playground name calling contest. If that behavior is described as cranky, then, so be it.
My apologies, I thought that is how your referred to yourself. I take it back. What were you inferring about Bernie Sanders?
Geoffrey Hendrick - And the question is still unanswered: If not spite, what is the reason for the sudden and dramatic vote change? In your opinion.
As I have said elsewhere I have not read any testimony.
Geoffrey Hendrick -- Kinda reminds me of this:
"𝘏𝘦𝘺 @𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘛𝘰𝘮𝘊𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘰𝘯 @𝘩𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘩𝘦𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘵 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘑𝘢𝘯 6 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴.
𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨; 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮.
𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢 𝘵𝘪𝘱: 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘫𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 '𝘈𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘰-𝘈𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦.'” --Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY)
Good for YOU, YOU, YOU
I think you are being a little naive Geoffrey.
I read the definition to be a person 'natural and unaffected'. That is just me all over.
Heather is reporting conjecture in this case, an interpretation based on opinions that some people have expressed. She is not saying it's a proven fact. It may be, but that is not what she is saying here.
My answer to you sir is "put up or shut up". There is nothing in your comments of any substance to back your allegations. It is not "poor Heather", but Dr. Richardson, thank you.
Well, I am a doctor myself. Doctor of Pheelgoody . And, in the spirit of liberty, equality, and fraternity I pronounce you Chuck Schnautz, Phd.
Thank you Heather.
Crapping on the Veterans is certainly bad form. Now it's the Democrats job to be 1000% certain that everyone, not just Veterans know that the Bill didn't pass because of the GOP. We need to learn the fine art of finger pointing .
I don't know about you, but it seemed to be a very productive day in Democracy Land today. Let's keep it rolling.
Be safe. Be well
"We need to learn the fine art of finger pointing." Agree 100%, Linda.
YES! Trumpet that betrayal of veterans to the hill tops! Loud and often.
Woohoo, Sister!
If — and it's a very big if — the Schumer-Manchin compromise bill becomes law, the Biden Administration will become one of the most successful ever. As in doing the most for the American people and, as Heather pointed out the other day, in terms of foreign policy accomplishments.
But Republicans will still despise him. Some because they're grossly ill-informed, others because they care only about regaining power and turning the country into an autocracy. (And the Biden Administration's Justice Department will have successfully prosecuted the would-be autocrats.)
But history knows and will remember.
I’ve learned one thing from politics, believe it when you see it.
Oh well …
This is a good letter for posting this reminder: POSTCARDS TO VOTERS is still going strong. We have more volunteers than ever. Please remember that in order to fight whatever happens in the midterm elections, we need the votes. There are likely going to be court cases like we've never seen them before. We cannot win in court if we don't have the votes. If you're someone who doesn't want to knock on doors or make phone calls, please consider joining us: PostcardsToVoters.org.
Good reminder, Nomi. And good question, Carol. I just finished writing 200 postcards to Arizona Voters today and agree this is an alternative to knocking on doors. I also hope it’s an effective way to remind people to vote. Volunteers write personally to first time and previous voters and cards are addressed and ready to mail on October 10. Mine will be postmarked from California.
Terrific! It's not free, as you know (volunteers pay for postcards and stamps), but it's such a great and personal way to know that you're doing your part in all of this frightening madness. Knowing that that handwritten card is going to be held and looked at by a probably surprised person somewhere in the country, to know that our cards make it considerably more likely that they will vote, is a great way to fight the feeling of despair and fear that we are all experiencing.
I have so many* stamps in small denominations because of a weird collection obsession I had a while back. This sounds perfect.
*Literally, I have _rolls_ of stamps. It’s baffling. But it’s only like, $20, so it’s just a thing I have and I would like to not have them.
😅
There. was some research that said the home visit yields 20x better result after engagement (DFA training if I recall the source). The Republicans knock on every house in the targeted precincts in the central valley.....
In person may be more effective but I am not comfortable knocking on doors in unfamiliar neighborhoods. It’s good there are a variety of ways to be politically active.
Yes. The last time I knocked on doors (solo) in 2018, it was quite a harrowing experience. I’m just no longer able to do it (& as I’m in a blue state despite being in a red gerrymandered district, knocking on doors is not all that effective.) Postcards to purple states are a better use of my time. But I do volunteer for voter registration tables. Too many people aren’t registered & are often overwhelmed by the process.
No one is saying "Don't knock on doors." Of course not....But postcards are another way to reach people. They've been proven to make THE difference in close and important races across the country. Also, I live in Connecticut. I cannot knock on doors in California.
Democracy for America (DFA) night school programs, Alice, exactly! https://www.democracyforamerica.com/site/events/category/online-trainings
They never miss a trick
PTV is the best. I've been writing to KS voters about the upcoming vote on an amendment that would ban all abortions. And, once the mid-terms start in earnest, I'll be writing daily. I joined the group in 2017 and have been writing since. Please, everyone, consider joining PostcardsToVoters.org.
PostcardsToVoters makes it easy to work with them. You can sign up for as few as 4 addresses at a time. Their messages are concise. You can write large, or fill in by choosing from a list of excellent suggested addons.
Another good group for postcards is FieldTeam6. They are wordier, and you also need to include a QR code, but they target unregistered voters who are the largest pool of people to change outcomes.
I started writing postcards and letters 2 years ago, as I always remembered a card my husband got re his registration for the primary election. A Native American group I write for here in AZ always has stories about their residents reactions to getting a handwritten card. Joan, thank you for the reminder about FieldTeam6, I will check them out more closely. Right now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with my almost-complete 200 cards and 60 letters!
Yes! The effect of a handwritten postcard is more than most of us would think.
Could someone speak to the efficacy of sending postcards to voters? I know this question is naive.
Hi! Receiving a handwritten postcard urging a person, a registered Democrat, to vote either in person or by mail, usually for very specific and important campaigns has been proven to significantly increase voting. It is surprisingly effective. There is something about receiving a handwritten note though the mail that seems to really touch people and stick with them. People put them on their fridges, they bring them when they go to vote, we are told. Most crucially, they get more people voting, more of the actual majority in this country: Democrats. Postcards To Voters has been able to demonstrate that their volunteers' cards have made the difference in close races around the country numerous times. If you go to their site, PostcardsToVoters.org, you can read about specific cases.
Thank you for asking! It's not a naive question.
Nomi, on our handwritten postcards we also used colors and art, sometimes rainbows, which made them stand out in a pile of mail! We also had many more volunteers than for phone banking or canvassing homes.
Yes! I didn't want to make my post too long, but little touches like that are great. For me there's a time/volume ratio I want to keep in mind, so I keep the colors to blue for underlining the most crucial words or lines, and red for some stars. But even that little bit which only takes seconds adds a lot.
And, right, most people are not up for getting hung up on or spoken to rudely. And that's FINE. This is a personal way to reach people that doesn't intrude on them and is stress free for us.
I know when I've gotten postcards in the mail, I always read them no matter who they're from. Mostly because I don't have to open an envelope to see what's inside!
Also it’s very important that the penmanship is nice and legible!
Critical, we review them b4 they go out and we only give 20 at a time so if we need to address any issues we can talk with the writers.
LOL, yes, very important!
Hahahahaha. Morning Lynell.
That is 100% practically correct. I love an efficient postcard.
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Ok. I have the postcard site up. I have stamps. But I have horrible hand writing. Suggestions?
You know, I've been worrying about this, as well as that I have hand pain and wouldn't be able to write more than 1-2 a day. I've just written to Vote Forward to offer to pay for someone else's postcards and stamps.
I have a bit of arthritis in my hands, so I write slowly, do one postcard at a time. I change colors with each sentence - it makes the card easier to read, and reduces hand cramping because I'm not writing while I change pens. I only do 4-6 in a whole day, but it adds up. I started mid-January, and I've mailed more than 800 postcards so far this year. If you wrote one postcard a day for the next 100 days before the election, that's enough to make a difference. PostcardsToVoters lets you sign up for as few as 4 addresses at a time, so you don't have to put pressure on yourself to do more than you can.
For the 2020 election, my mother and I worked together to send out letters with VoteForward. We sent 700, which by itself is not that many voters motivated if you only affect 4%. But Vote Forwarders together sent out something like 17 million letters. 4% of that changes outcomes.
I think postcards have more like a 14% effect, based on what one person said at a FieldTeam6 training. They have very good trainings.
So if you can do one a day, do that. It adds up. Every bit helps. Here's a song about that, Judy Small's "One voice in the crowd": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nvbYlmdYS0
Oh, that's a great idea, Nancy. My mom can't write too much at once either. So, she does the addresses a few at a time -- she's much better at doing that without reversing numbers like I do sometimes -- and I write the messages. But your idea is terrific. It does get expensive if you're doing hundreds or even thousands. And, if they are not set up for your offer, they certainly have operating costs and are grateful for donations.
I do not have specific hand pain, but I'm only good for ten at a time myself. And even that can be a bit much.
Block capital letter printing. Or at least very slow printing.
What does everyone think of a former DOJ lawyer, Jared Pettinato's proposal to use the penalty clause in the 14th Amendment to punish States restricting voting rights?
The clause says the Feds can cut the State's representation in Washington by the same % that it excludes voters regardless of the method used...and thereby their weight in the Electoral College.....it has never been used!
He has sued the Census Bureau saying that it is their duty to impose the penalty as they have the necessary information. It has been tried before by amongst others the NAACP in 1970 but they were told that the 1965 Voting Rights Act should be given time to work......and we've seen where that got us!
The hope is that the judge will agree rather than simply passing the buck to an immoveable Congress.
Source: Micheal Lindhurst's article on Politco
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/07/27/penalty-clause-voting-rights-00046973
Wow! Good find, Stuart! Thanks!
This effort seems very much worthwhile. Non-violent. Pro-democracy.
https://www.constitutionalintegrity.org/ <-- Attorney Pettinato's little-known non-profit where he (no doubt) appreciates support for his work.
How can the Census Bureau have all the necessary data since the citizenship question was not asked in our 2020 census (barring the Wisconsin information from the WI case data)? And standing will be a big issue. But, as the article stated, it’s not likely that this will be a fast-moving case, so perhaps the Cato Institute & other prominent legal authorities can work these & other likely issues out. I have lots of questions but am too tired to formulate any more right now.
Thx for the great article link, though, Stuart. Something to keep our eyes on, no doubt, as who knows where this might lead, eventually.
For post-November perhaps when Congres might be able to do the job that was intended for them.
Representation in the House depends on population not citizenship. When the VRA went into effect parts of NYC were covered due to low registration and partipation. We could measure it then. Why not now? That said this SCt is only originalist when it suits them. Don't think this is going anywhere.
Unless Scotus is overruled by Dem control of both houses
Can that happen?
TY, Stuart.
Re: "Analysis by a data scientist cited in the lawsuit found that seven states — Arizona, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — would gain at least one seat each if the Census Bureau fully applied the penalty."
How is this determined? Population increase?
Sounds strange as it would suggest that they are currently allowwing people to vote who shouldn't under current circumstances. The representation in terms of population is conditioned by the limit on the total size of the House.
Yes, and that limit was created for openly anti-immigrant racist reasons in 1929. It should be repealed.
I read that. It’s a long shot I understand. But hey, let’s use any tool.
Glory
Following
Wow.
What wonderful news, I am hopeful again. I loved everything President Biden said. I hope everyone got the message.
One of the things that President Biden got right is being a good man.
He certainly is a good person. It's very refreshing to see ethical and all around good persons working in this administration. It gives me hope and restores my belief in humanity again.
As a Veteran and VA employee, failure to pass the PACT act will not si well with Vets. However, their support will depend on how it is spun by their “news””source. This is a group of faux entertainment who are already angry and feel they have been wronged by the government. Military and VA media really need to carry this FACTUALLY, but they won’t. Remember there was a large contingent of Vets involved in the storming of the Capitol.
Exactly, the lure of propaganda is like a siren’s song
Do you think that Senators Portman, Collins, Romney and Murkowski would respond to this type of billboard outside their district offices:
SENATOR *
TRUE LINCOLN REPUBLICANS SUPPORT VOTING RIGHTS
NO FILIBUSTER : DEBATE AND VOTE ON JOHN R LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS BILL
I'd like to see a picture of them looking at them.
Senator Collins would probably call the police...
"You don't need to be president to get these tools to use for your defense. In fact, the same booster shots, the same at-home tests, the same treatment that I got is available to you.”
Great line.
Read a piece in The Atlantic which was titled Why Americans Hate the Media, and it went on to discuss how the media does not discuss the things about politics that Americans want to know, like what is going on with the things they care about. The role of education in a democracy is to prepare people to participate. Thank you Dr. Richardson for always focusing on the information. This is really good news.
And how can Bidens popularity be going down when tRUMP increased the deficit 3 trillion dollars and Biden decreased 2 trillion IN ONE YEAR
WTF!!!!!!!!!!!
You’re right. This should be a messaging point.
Thank you Professor for highlighting a good news day. Mostly that is. “What is notably missing is investment in the social infrastructure of our nation that largely impacts women: childcare and eldercare.” And why is there even a question about supporting our Veterans? It will be a great news day when both parties work together, quickly negotiating and passing bills that support our social infrastructure. And veterans. A bipartisan effort, without waiting for Manchin to decide.
Why my money goes to possible winning Senate candidates, wish I had Soros’ stash
Spite is the rethuglican superpower. I would also like to point out that the great migration of computer chip manufacturing--as well as a lot of other computer hardware components--to China occurred during the Bush II (aka the Shrub) administration. Yep, yet another grift that the grifters keep on grifting.
By the way, if any of you are still creating Joshy Hawley video memes (Andy Borowitz has been having a field day since the video dropped), keep them coming! Apparently the humiliation is starting to have its effect . . . It's about the only happy news coming out of MO these days that Little Joshy Boy is experiencing something other than his smug misogynist wank-ness.
We are embroiled here in MO in a nasty primary fight for the Dem senate candidate that never should have happened, except that some of the chicken-sh*t power brokers made a decision to push a billionaire with no political experience into the race because the guy who has been the front runner in the race actually has some integrity and speaks clearly, instead of being a parselmouth like the "professionals," and said moneybags is using millions of her personal wealth (which derives from the usual uber-capitalist sources that have created many of the problems MO is suffering from today) to run attack ads that could be used as examples of defamation after the primary. I will have to vote for her--holding my nose--if she wins, but I am really hoping that the other guy, who has a chance to ACTUALLY WIN THE SEAT because he can appeal to rural voters, squeaks through. He has refused to take any mega donations and doesn't have a PAC. And yet he has been raising money like a champ. It pisses me off to see the same corrupt tactics being used by the Dem organization in MO as the Ghastly Oligarchs use, and that makes me far less likely to support them with my hard earned money and time. Can't wait for August 2nd to come and go.
Couldn’t agree with you more! It never ceases to amaze me how stupid the Missouri (aka Misery) Democrats are🤬
Dems must stand apart and lead the way. If we rely on the same tactics as our opponents, we will not fair well morally as leaders. We must be bold...we must demonstrate that integrity is a real force for the good of our country and for our world.
Stay dry there.
I had to read Dr Richardson’s letter, twice. There is a lot of good news in it for our country and the world. The footnote she references from Greg Sargent is helpful, too.
I have been waiting to see our president, who was first elected to the Senate as a very young man, show us that he could use his experience in that body to put top spin on passage of the legislative initiatives central to his platform and very much wanted by the American people who voted for him. Wow!!!
Very nice to see this happening and no, it’s not everything we wanted but it’s pretty, pretty good! Good ideas never go away. Instead, they wait a while and re-emerge as something under a new name. President Biden kept going after so many of us thought he wasn’t going to…and look who is helping him (seemingly)…after all. The historians, and particularly those who specialize in the presidency, are going to enjoy delving into the behind the scenes revelations involving all this because of the scale and importance of the legislation for all of us, and the world. I can tell you, too… our good President Biden won’t let Republican spite leave any of our vets behind, either. All the Republicans did, by doing what they did, was publicly throw their own golf club in the pond; (something as a golfer, I never understood…) instead of just calmly dropping a ball and playing on. Way to go, Joe Biden and thank you.
Thank you!!!
There's the question of whether Senator DingDong, er, I mean Sinema, is on board. She has been saying "read my lips, no new taxes" since December, and was not party to the negotiations (maybe she was taking another class on how to make wine). Somehow, I don't think even she wants to become the most hated Democrat in America.
And Shumer the Genius shoots himself in the foot (again) not waiting till after the PACT act got passed to "stick it" to McConnell.
I don't really agree with you on that last point, TCinLA. That is such a low blow to people who are often part of their coalition, and the June vote was so decisive, that I am not sure it could have been expected, even from the group of sociopaths that make up the Senate GOP. Shumer needs to bring it up again for a stand alone vote and make them do it again, when it isn't overshadowed by so much more news. And the deliciousness of Manchin making his announcement just after the CHIPS act passed, with McConnell's vote, is just *chef's kiss*!
Politics isn't about having a "chef's kiss". Anybody who has to go that route rather then look at what needs to be done is a moron - something Shumer has proven about himself multiple times. The only thing he does well is raise money, which is all that matters to them.
Politics indeed. Shumer was the only Dem to vote against PACT.
https://www.newsweek.com/41-senate-republicans-voted-against-veterans-health-care-1728613
He had to so he can bring it up again. It's a "procedural thing" in the Senate.
Thanks for educating and not easy to find this info . Of course I should have not expected Newsweek to provide…sigh
Glad to help. It sounds weird as can be till you find out why.
So true, you are a believe it when you see it person too??