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Dr. Richardson is doing a better job of strategic communications with the American public than Democrats. One of the smartest comments I have heard about Democratic messaging lately came recently from Laurence O’Donnell. He said, “Democrats need to stop selling the recipe and start selling the brownies.”

Please Democrats stop talking about the process and start talking about the actual benefits to people and families.

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Anand Giridharadas wrote on Oct. 1 exactly that, to talk about the Thing instead of the government process.

https://the.ink/p/what-we-talk-about-when-we-talk-about?r=1o0sa&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email&utm_source=

Practicing what we preach, how conversant are we with the benefits of the Build Back Better reconciliation bill? Quick, you can do it in 60 seconds, like Mehdi Hasan!

https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1445906136813608960?s=20

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Michael Moore wrote about how to easily decrease the big number 3.5T. Only pay for one hearing aid, one eye, and one set of teeth, uppers or lowers, patients choice!

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Michael More’s humor can be painful.

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Actually, it might work. The ophthalmologist, audiologist and dentist would also be happy I think. They'd quickly figure out the buy one, get one free promotions.

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I KNOW dentists, cause I have one. And they charge me as IF I had a full set of teeth!! Wuz up w THIS, I tell them --- and they just laugh at me

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🤣 The Manchin Plan.

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😎

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Fabulous, Ellie!

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I love Mehdi Hasan’s expression at the end of his 60 second explanation. I can recall that same expression on my face so many times after quickly reciting a rebuttal to my students after their complaints to a new initiative I would offer to boost their achievement which involved trust on their part that I know better than them because I’m the grown person in the room. Hahahahahaha!

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Thank you, Ellie!

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I retweeted.

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Thanks for these Ellie!!

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Ellie, I have long appreciated your practical advocacy suggestions on LFAA and today (1/11/22) on Robert Hubbell's newsletter. I would like to connect with you by email to ask for further insights. My email is jpisauro47@gmail.com.

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Oct 14, 2021
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Ellie Kona started it.

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Carville said the same thing. Children, climate, health benefits.

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Donnie Deuch (sp?) said on MJ that they need to brand the for the people act much better, he recommended that it be called “The Children First Bill” since they are the heart ❤️ of where most of the benefits will ultimately end up. If we rebuild this nation into a fairer nation our children and grandchildren will benefit far more than we ever will. The Democrats need to get much better at branding what are basically very good ideas. Donnie is a marketing professional, he knows how to sell things, and this act needs to be sold to the nation, what ever they call it, it has to have a hook just like maga did for the clown. Let them try to argue against a bill named for helping children. The Democrats need to get to get a lot smarter, our nation desperately needs for them to get a lot smarter, the Republicans have their heads up their asses and are sitting ducks 🦆, this is almost a no brainer, but we may be watching a shoot your self in the foot contest, God I hope not.

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After all, children have heartbeats, eh?

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Dems still think it’s normal politics. Not for decades, not since Rupert came on the scene. Frank Luntz taught republicans how to lie with style. W/Dickie became masters, and it’s been propaganda with pizazz ever since.

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It's also got a lot that helps seniors - expanded medicare coverage, lower medicare drug prices, medicare available at age 60, support for home health care workers (who mostly take care of elders who need help due to age and/or illness).

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It’s the paid family leave bill.

It’s the free community college bill.

It’s the universal Pre-K bill.

It’s the dental, vision and hearing coverage bill.

It’s the child tax benefit bill.

It’s the cheaper medicines bill.

It’s the corporations pay taxes bill.

It’s the save the environment bill.

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Yes! And the media keep calling it a spending bill. Thanks, guys.

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You are absolutely right Grace! This bill is so much more, so needed and is spread out over 10 years currently. The best strategy I have heard is to reduce the program to five years to get the cost down but do everything in the bill. Once people see the benefit of the bill they won’t want it to Go away.

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Now that wasn't hard, right? Eight ways Democrats will make life better.

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Actually the quote originated with Anat Shenker-Osorio who is an expert on messaging who was on the Laurence O'Donnell show. She's quite impressive! The Democrats need to listen to her.

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She certainly got my attention, Cathy. I was half-listening to the show when she started speaking and within 30 seconds she had my full attention. Quite impressive, indeed! I’m glad you shared her full name. I had missed it. I want to follow her and read anything she has written recently. The Democrats definitely have a marketing problem, which shouldn’t be difficult to correct.

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Fly her to DC for a meeting with the communication team. Now!

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They have a communications team??? Ditto your comment.

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She will be speaking on The Last Word again tonight, 10/14.

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Thank you

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“Shouldn’t be difficult to correct???” Really, then why have I watched them flounder for decades? They don’t know there is a problem. Better figure it out quick, that old “scare word” socialism will kill us again, Truman warned us.

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Shouldn’t be difficult to correct, because communicating value to stakeholders (or customers) is fundamental in business marketing. This is basic marketing communications. The proposed policies and programs are products. How are they going to sell their proposals to the American public? Know your “customers.” What’s important to people? What do they value? What can help improve their lives? For example, how will improving our infrastructure help you feel better, more secure and more enriched? Repeatedly communicate directly to every segment of the country, using every communication channel available, exactly how proposed programs and expenditures will benefit them and improve their lives. It baffles me that Democrats stumble repeatedly in the basics of communicating the specific value and benefits of proposed policies to American voters. The competition obstructs, distorts and lies, of course, which means the Democrats need to be ever more relentless, wide-reaching and on point in their communication. Evidently, Republicans aren’t concerned that their constituents will vote them out, even if the elected Republican isn’t delivering value and benefits to them. Democrats’ failed messaging yields power to Republicans. Even if Democrats can push through the obstruction to get their proposals passed, if they haven’t thoroughly communicated the meaningful value and benefits of the proposals and programs to the American public, they won’t get the benefit of their success in the next election.

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Who is ‘THEY’ who don’t know there is a problem and have the means to correct it? Who names these things anyway? To whom shall we send our encouraging and enlightening - not scathing - letters?

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Anat Shenker-Osiris &Jenn Psaki sure can sell.

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Democrats need to stop bring cucumber sandwiches to shootouts.

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Exactly, TC. Let’s switch to those “Godfather” subs loaded with meat, veggies, and dressing.

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they often talk as though they are running for office, rather than in office. they can't stop campaigning and citing poll numbers. still, pelosi and schumer are getting things done, and was that mcconnell who blinked? together, pelosi and schumer look like a good argument against term limits, a couple of bums you might not want to throw out.

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Term limits, the second-dumbest idea in American politics, after the balanced budget amendment and ahead of third parties.

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They are always running for office. THAT is part of the problem. Especially in the House where the terms are absurdly short – it's a never ending cycle of banging the drum and fundraising.

"(Re)Elect Me!" They ALL say, "I'm the only one who can fix this!".

Yet here we sit on the same old stagnant pile of dog poo while Republican thugs bulldoze and destroy the Nation. Bravo, Democrat Leadership, bravo. Por nada.

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In France we have to wait for 5 years as voters to get a word in edgewise with "elected representatives". if it is not by shortening the periodicity of elections that we get them to listen, then it has to be by obligatory and binding referendums or some such mechanism as otherwise this is no democracy, they just do as they please.

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The two year term is particularly dangerous now on the GOP side since without abject fealty to you know who they get primaries by rabid knuckledraggers like oh, too many to name.

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Daria, off topic, but now that travel from Mexico to the US is open, will you be coming state-side?

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Perhaps, for a visit🌷

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It's because they're all the high school student council members, grown up.

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Thanks BruceC for posing this challenge.

As a Democrat, as an Independent, as a progressive, as a concerned citizen, I need to know what brownies are in the Build Back Better bill better than I do. For anyone else who wants to up their game, here is one list:

LOWER COSTS

Lower Child Care Costs

Lower Higher Education Costs

Lower Prescription Drug Costs

Lower Health Care Costs

Lower Housing Costs

CUT TAXES

Tax Cuts for Families with Children

Tax Cuts for Workers without Children

CREATE JOBS

Workforce Training

Clean Energy Jobs

Investments in Teachers and Schools

Nice tray of brownies there. For a short paragraph with summary details in each of these areas, see the source of this list, https://www.whitehouse.gov/build-back-better/.

See also House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer's https://www.majorityleader.gov/content/points-know-build-back-better-act.

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How many Democrats are trachers? The role of a teacher is to disseminate information. Maybe we need more law teachers like Warren in Congress.

It would make an improvenent over third rate Holkywood stars.

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I keep saying I want to get a few really good Kdg teachers I know to leave the classroom and get into politics. The Bigs need some of the lessons the Littles are getting when they are 5 yrs old.

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Speaker Pelosi often talks about learning her people management skills as a mother and grandmother.

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And stop talking about polling numbers! Just talk to humans, about everyday life and listen . Just listen. Most fearful angry people want to talk and be heard more than they want to fight.

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"Democrats need to stop selling the recipe and start selling the brownies."

It is not either/or. The return to regular order is an actual benefit to people and families. It is how our government provides for the general welfare.

Metaphors can obscure as well as enlighten. A rhetorical flourish may invoke all sorts distracting associations.

As unappetizing as the 'sausage making' of government may be, it brings people into the kitchen.

As as nice as brownies ex nihilo may sound, it has the dismissive air of 'let them eat cake'.

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There is no doubt that the “sausage making” process (to use a metaphor) of crafting legislation through negotiations is important and challenging. However, those who represent us in Congress also need to sell the legislation being crafted to the public both to inform them and engender support for it. Describing in detail the negotiating process and its challenges may be decidedly unhelpful to both communicating the details of the package to inform constituents and build support for its passage. My point is simply that it would be far more effective messaging to tell me about what I am being sold, how it will benefit me, and why it’s important, than describing to me in detail how the damn thing was crafted.

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As I said it is not either/or.

But if you will persist with politics as consumerism, then may I point out that young voters and progressive voters, who Democrats need to sell their candidates and platform to, care very much about fair trade - ie how consumer products are made. And even the general public seems to be sold on artisanal, hand made, and craft brewed packaging as much or more than nutritional content labels - almost as though the process of manufacture is inherent to the value of the product. As of course it is.

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Absolutely agree with you, Lin, regarding focus of young voters on consumerism. The rise of the “craft local brewery” and expansion of Saturday farmer’s markets is incredible. A huge draw for younger gen.

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Agree with both-and. Much more inclusive regarding diff generations.

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Geez, lin, you need a cuppa Joe, or a walk around the block. Maybe a hug.

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I’m not sure why this condescending remark, but honestly. I think what we all need is a sausage and a brownie.

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Hmm ... The emphasis seems to be on personal feelings rather than strategy and tactics. That is a problem in politics.

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Spot on, lin.

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Like only 1600 deaths/day vs 16,000

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How do we get the ear of the President and his market people?

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Call the White House Phone Numbers.

Comments: 202-456-1111.

Switchboard: 202-456-1414. TTY/TTD.

Comments: 202-456-6213.

Visitor’s Office: 202-456-2121

It is Our House after all.

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FYI a group of HCR Substackers has formed to turn good discussion here into good activism. For more info, email:

heathersherd@gmail.com

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Great idea and info

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Tweet relentlessly?

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100% Bruce!

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I completely agree. James Carville said as much in his interview with Ari Melber yesterday. No doubt the Whitehouse needs a better messaging machine.

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Thanks for this- so much has fallen on Joe Biden's shoulders. I wonder if people appreciate how much difference he has made- that he and his administration are the bulwarks that stand in the way of a potentially irreversible authoritarianism. It's always so much harder to offer hope than to peddle fear.

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Because he simply goes about the country’s business rather than creating constant drama and bloviating, they don’t.

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And how sad is that? So many people I know are blaming Biden for things he had absolutely nothing to do with - like higher gas prices. It is exhausting.

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People absolutely do not appreciate his efforts. Which is a huge part of our problem!

Heather, the dems NEED your wisdom, perspective and voice. Thank you for all you do!

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I agree, Lynn, people don't appreciate enough what President Biden is doing, in his efforts and his successes. I fault the media also. I almost can't watch PBS any more for the sense of doom and gloom they offer. Dr. Richardson is doing an amazing job of finding what's important each day and digging below the surface so as to inform us. Thank you, Dr. R!

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Sally I have been disappointed in PBS as well. Every interview or announcement includes follow up questions pointing out the reporters doomsday prediction about why it won’t work out. It is a lower key version of the cable networks screeching the SKY is falling nightly.

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Their follow up questions often indicate that they weren’t listening to what their guests had to say, I see this on the News Hour all the time especially from the host, I think they must have an agenda and are listening to their ear pieces on what questions to ask, so it’s get the question in even if it flys in the face of what was just said., it’s like she’s confused and doesn’t get what was just said. I’m 75 so I get being confused, the younger hosts seem to be much more in the moment.

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Judy Woodruff has never impressed me.

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It was on this forum that I learned about the former administration’s installation of cronies on the CPB board. Shocked! Shocked!

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Damn

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"A lower key version of the cable network." Yes, Cathy, but as I have written here before, PBS is afraid to report more openly, because they believe they might go away from lack of funding from corporations which are the ones that give them enough funding to stay on the air.

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I have not logged it, but it seems lately the Republican side is given more air time, and challenged very little. It used to be more often that people from both sides were on at the same time, split screen, and could respond to each other. Sometimes I suspected bias when one side was represented by a better-looking person very comfortable with being questioned, and the other side by someone less attractive and less articulate but more factual. In Reagan’s day, it was said that it was as if people watched him on TV with the sound off. Image matters.

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It’s Gov funded also.

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Ally!

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I’m glad you brought up PBS. I was feeling the same way about their reporting. I am grateful for President Biden and believe he is working hard for our country.

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And even he admitted he will make mistakes. Grateful for his efforts every day

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Virginia and Sally, I'm with ya! Sometimes I've turned off the TV to keep from throwing something at it. The in depth reports, like those from Lisa Dejardins and Yamiche Alcindor, John Yang and others are what keep me coming back, but if Judy Woodruff retired tomorrow, it would be fine by me!

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Yes Yamiche keeps me watching .

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My husband and I are big Yamiche fans and not just because she is so beautiful. We pay close attention when she speaks.

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We all got make our values and opinions known. Speak up to be heard over the yelling from the minority. https://www.cpb.org/your-feedback/contact/contact

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I am tited of arguments with intelligent friends whose prime weapon is, " But on Morning Edition..."

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I love PBS in general but on the News Hour they over backwards too far, I assume trying to ensure no conservatives who appear on the show can claim to have been "silenced" or "cancelled." But when Judy Woodruff has a conservative on the show, I wish she would do a lot less of giving him/her an open platform to spout propaganda, and a lot more interrupting to challenge every time the conservative makes an assertion that is either a wild distortion or an outright lie.

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Yes! It may be that if tough questions were going to be asked, people would refuse to be interviewed. Or maybe it is just the CPB board being Trump appointees. Having the R interviewed at length one day and the D another is “balanced” only if people see both shows.

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ugh same here and I have an on going donation subscription to PBS and NPR no matter. NPR is the same, what happened to straight news reporting.

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Biden has an incredibly hard job, and I get the sense that he's working very hard and ably at it. I can't imaging having to try to herd Manchin and Synema, but he has individual meetings with them, asking them what they want. I can't imagine any of the other former candidates dealing with what he has to deal with.

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Manchin is right about one thing. Elect more liberals!

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I Want to add one thing. Hounding Sinema including into the bathroom is counterproductive. Prior to this it seemed like liberals were more respectful When trying to get their voice heard. I was greatly dismayed by the actions of those personally and physically hounding Sinema.

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And President Biden and team just keep on keeping on. The hope machine in action.

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"Hope is that thing with feathers," wrote Emily Dickinson.

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Yes, “hope” is necessary to the success of any difficult endeavor. We are helping to make the work easier when we can think positively about the task ahead, put our shoulders into the effort and then do what we can to help get it done. Fear and hopelessness are enemies that drain our energy and resolve and can lead us away from achieving our goals. Results are what matter to the American people and we’re definitely seeing progress now, if we consider the magnitude of the job ahead which is designed to help make our country a better place for all Americans and those yearning to be free all over the world. When you speak with or write to our governmental representatives please remind them that you understand that the goals they are striving to achieve aren’t easy…and that you appreciate their efforts. Certainly tell them how you feel and what you think, but also show empathy and understanding that you, and many, many people like you, know that we all in the same boat together that we are trying hard now, to row in the right direction, once again.

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