If the business community would listen to Heather's warnings about the fragility of democracy, they could be a force for good, if they choose to be. We who are about to serve as election officers in Virginia today salute you all - wish us luck! I love the smell of voting in the morning (even this early)
If the business community would listen to Heather's warnings about the fragility of democracy, they could be a force for good, if they choose to be. We who are about to serve as election officers in Virginia today salute you all - wish us luck! I love the smell of voting in the morning (even this early)
As you go to your election officer service, take note that one of Heather's links is to a Time article of how a Yale professor, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, with until-now undisclosed assistance of warning from Timothy Snyder, marshalled CEOs to recognize the dangerousness of Trump's anti-democracy agitation, and nearly a year later, 78% have kept their word to not donate to the GOP.
"Snyder, the scholar of authoritarianism, believes the CEOs’ intervention was crucial in ensuring Trump left office on schedule, if not bloodlessly. 'If business leaders had just drifted along in that moment, or if a few had broken ranks, it might have gone very differently,' he says. 'They chose in that moment to see themselves as part of civil society, acting in the defense of democracy for its own sake.'”
That’s a really interesting article Ellie-thanks for highlighting it. Funny how many CEOs are waking up to the idea that a functioning economy requires a functioning government here in the US. Playing chicken with the debt ceiling as the Repubs are doing, should scare the hell out of every business in America, large or small. We would literally never recover from that.
Talking out of both sides of their mouths? I refer all to Daria’s link below—
“ Please find Marco Rubio's past and present corporate donors at Open Secrets. I wonder, which of his corporate donors will he have the cojones to openly label Marxist? (Make sure you select, "Campaign Committee & Leadership PAC Combined" then choose "Top 100" contributors from the drop down menu.)
The Open Secrets website is a great resource, but someone would have to take a deeper dive to come up with the data on which companies are talking out of both sides of their mouths--evidently, noting that donations can be concealed through intermediary PACs.
We voted first Monday of early voting in Fairfax and picked up our Virginia Tech students absentee ballot to ensure it made it into the dropbox appropriately. Go Virginia Go, roll blue!!!
Luck has nothing to do with the outcome. It's merely an idol of wishful thinking. Why are Virginians even considering Youngkin? Why did McAulliff enter the race believing it was his for the asking. Candidates and voters are making decisions. I fear for our public schools if Youngkin pulls it off. Perhaps Terry has relied too much on activity in DC, or the lack thereof If we could count on DOJ to bring justice we might be in a better place for this election.
I do not assume McA thought it was his for the asking. I think the news media likes and promotes stories that breed fear . They also constantly say such things as Dems think this by X % and Rs think that by y%. But they are not equivalent groups in size. So should not be compared like that.
Attended a public school in VA for 3 months in 1959.
A series of textbooks written for the fourth, seventh and 11th grades taught a generation of Virginians our state’s history. Chapter 29 of the seventh-grade edition, titled “How the Negroes Lived Under Slavery,” included these sentences: “A feeling of strong affection existed between masters and slaves in a majority of Virginia homes.” The masters “knew the best way to control their slaves was to win their confidence and affection.” Enslaved people “went visiting at night and sometimes owned guns and other weapons.” “It cannot be denied that some slaves were treated badly, but most were treated with kindness
I too love the smell of voting in the morning! Thank you for serving as an election judge. Fingers crossed we get the right outcome for governor in Virginia and school board here in my town!
If the business community would listen to Heather's warnings about the fragility of democracy, they could be a force for good, if they choose to be. We who are about to serve as election officers in Virginia today salute you all - wish us luck! I love the smell of voting in the morning (even this early)
As you go to your election officer service, take note that one of Heather's links is to a Time article of how a Yale professor, Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, with until-now undisclosed assistance of warning from Timothy Snyder, marshalled CEOs to recognize the dangerousness of Trump's anti-democracy agitation, and nearly a year later, 78% have kept their word to not donate to the GOP.
"Snyder, the scholar of authoritarianism, believes the CEOs’ intervention was crucial in ensuring Trump left office on schedule, if not bloodlessly. 'If business leaders had just drifted along in that moment, or if a few had broken ranks, it might have gone very differently,' he says. 'They chose in that moment to see themselves as part of civil society, acting in the defense of democracy for its own sake.'”
https://time.com/6111845/woke-big-business-dumps-trump/
I just read the Time piece. It is a must read. Sonnenfeld deserves some sort of Congressional Medal.
While I have never been a fan of "big business" (I'm a Warren progressive from Taxachusetts) I found this article to be enlightening and encouraging.
That’s a really interesting article Ellie-thanks for highlighting it. Funny how many CEOs are waking up to the idea that a functioning economy requires a functioning government here in the US. Playing chicken with the debt ceiling as the Repubs are doing, should scare the hell out of every business in America, large or small. We would literally never recover from that.
Timely, Ellie, timely.
Wow! Thank you, Ellie.
I had no idea, thank you
Great article, thanks for sharing.
Talking out of both sides of their mouths? I refer all to Daria’s link below—
“ Please find Marco Rubio's past and present corporate donors at Open Secrets. I wonder, which of his corporate donors will he have the cojones to openly label Marxist? (Make sure you select, "Campaign Committee & Leadership PAC Combined" then choose "Top 100" contributors from the drop down menu.)
https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/marco-rubio/contributors?cid=N00030612&cycle=2022&type=C “
This is hardly the time for political donors to be hedging their bets.
The Open Secrets website is a great resource, but someone would have to take a deeper dive to come up with the data on which companies are talking out of both sides of their mouths--evidently, noting that donations can be concealed through intermediary PACs.
True that. Also noted that some donations may be from the companys’ employees.
Hoping for the best outcome in Virginia! I did a batch of postcards via Postcards to Voters! 💜
As did I, JustJanice💙!
Thank you for your service today Claire! We voted 💙 last week here in VA....we're trying to remain hopeful ❤🤍💙
We voted first Monday of early voting in Fairfax and picked up our Virginia Tech students absentee ballot to ensure it made it into the dropbox appropriately. Go Virginia Go, roll blue!!!
Go Virginia! I am a poll worker in Missouri today. Nothing will be the focus of national news here today, but I believe in every opportunity to vote.
Cathy Mc., thanks for your service to all of us in these times. Take good care of yourself please.
Thank you for serving at the polls , Claire! Having been raised in Virginia, I'm watching this closely today.
Luck has nothing to do with the outcome. It's merely an idol of wishful thinking. Why are Virginians even considering Youngkin? Why did McAulliff enter the race believing it was his for the asking. Candidates and voters are making decisions. I fear for our public schools if Youngkin pulls it off. Perhaps Terry has relied too much on activity in DC, or the lack thereof If we could count on DOJ to bring justice we might be in a better place for this election.
I do not assume McA thought it was his for the asking. I think the news media likes and promotes stories that breed fear . They also constantly say such things as Dems think this by X % and Rs think that by y%. But they are not equivalent groups in size. So should not be compared like that.
Attended a public school in VA for 3 months in 1959.
A series of textbooks written for the fourth, seventh and 11th grades taught a generation of Virginians our state’s history. Chapter 29 of the seventh-grade edition, titled “How the Negroes Lived Under Slavery,” included these sentences: “A feeling of strong affection existed between masters and slaves in a majority of Virginia homes.” The masters “knew the best way to control their slaves was to win their confidence and affection.” Enslaved people “went visiting at night and sometimes owned guns and other weapons.” “It cannot be denied that some slaves were treated badly, but most were treated with kindness
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/slavery
Excellent comment Eleanor! I have your same questions.
Thank you ClaireBlue for your serving as an election officer in Virginia! Sending blue vibes your way and a win for McCauliff!
I too love the smell of voting in the morning! Thank you for serving as an election judge. Fingers crossed we get the right outcome for governor in Virginia and school board here in my town!
Here we go VA 💙 ALL THE WAY!!
Thank you for your service!
Thank you, Claire. Best wishes and good luck!
Thank you
Good luck ❤️🤍💙