This morning, the team of Democratic senators working on a voting rights measure that could meet the demands of conservative Democratic West Virginia senator Joe Manchin released their bill. The 592-page document is described as a bill “to expand Americans’ access to the ballot box and reduce the influence of big money in politics, and for other purposes.” Led by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), the senators have called their effort the “Freedom to Vote Act.”
Trump's niece- the estimable Mary Trump- called him the most dangerous man in the world. Unfortunately, she wasn't exaggerating. The revelations contained in Woodward and Costa's new book are terrifying and should increase the resolve of the democrats to pass the For the People Act. Thanks again, Heather, for being such an articulate witness to these events and thanks to the voters of California for helping Americans dodge another bullet.
I am a new subscriber to HCRs letters and I value their factual, non partisan, basis more & more every day - and i hold a doctorate in Public Policy. What a treasure trove of historical politics.. not just for today but for those who will read these same letters in the future!!
Today's distinction between voter fraud & election fraud is exactly on point.. it should be published on the front page of enery news paper - but of course we know 80% are owned by 15 billionaires and the 6 corporate entities they own. So very disturbing that this is the state of American Disinformazia. Thank you HCR for your vital contribution to offsetting that imbalance.
Thanks Dr Richardson for another brilliant letter. Remember when Joe Biden won the last election last year and we were all so relieved we wouldn’t have to live every day wonder what t***p and his minions were going to do next? It feels like that day will never arrive.
Grateful for the California victory, but that recall was a ruse all along. I’m betting the Rs knew there’s was not a chance of overturn. The only intention being to set up a scenario in which they can point their little fingers and cry “voter fraud”. And now they will travel around the country, screaming red-faced that the election was rigged again and elections must be more secure. Newsome’s victory was also a Republican victory.
It is baffling that grown-up, educated people covered up for Loser 45 because they were so afraid of losing their own power. No recognition of serving their constituents at all. Another question is - where are the moderate Republicans? They are silent, and should be truly ashamed.
I am hoping California will re-examine it's recall laws. While a recall effort would seem appropriate in a democracy, the construction of this one is scary indeed. The recall itself should be separated from the election of a replacement. I'm not sure exactly how, but if a sitting governor were to be removed, the election for a replacement should occur with enough time for both parties to hold primaries to determine who should run in the next election. The Lt Governor would assume the job during the interim to maintain stability.
The current arrangement is less about selecting the best person for the job and more about "overthrowing" the party in power. And look at what could have happened.
Anyone who didn’t see the Jan 6 insurrection coming a mile away or see Trump losing his temper and wanting to use nukes as punishment, were in serious denial. I knew he would be a nightmare. I cried when he won.
We've got our hands full, not just with the GOP in US and state senates, but in SCOTUS, and we cannot rest easy.
This quote attributed to Daniel Webster is included in the "preserving the principles" section of my pocket-size U.S. Constitution and is well worth reflection every day:
"There are men, in all ages...who mean to govern well; but they mean to govern. They promise to be kind masters, but they mean to be masters... They think there need be but little restraint upon themselves...
The love of power may sink too deep in their own hearts."
The Whiner Party, of course, complained that there was voter fraud before the election results were in. This is their typical cry now. Then we get another typical “no” from their leader, Mitch McTurtleneck, as to passing a new revised bill Manchin had a strong hand in. Dems must be brave and strong-willed if Manchin is unable to get the 10 Repubs he needs. The filibuster must be destroyed and those Dems on the fence, can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine!
Gov Newsom dodging a recall and gaining support is cause for hope. We need to overcome the bullies in our system and have more level headed decisions. My two cents is abolish the filibuster. It’s just been used to thwart any progress!
Did they not see dumpty as always unhinged? He’s just a big baby! Send him back to kindergarten. A kindergarten teacher knows how to handle that mess!
Republicans cried foul even before the election was called. While many are concerned by this practice, and it's right to feel that way, there is a limit to the number of times they can cry wolf when there is no wolf.
I would like to see a lot of reporting about the folly of this practice regarding this election in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. There was never a path to victory for them when Newsom still had high favorability numbers. The media has to start treating this anti-democratic practice for what it is and not as just another tool in the GOP's utility belt.
This should, however, serve as a shot across the bow for a Governor who showed extreme hubris by flaunting his own rules to dine at what I've read is the most elitist eatery in the state. Now he needs to put up by solving the housing debacle that is plaguing the Golden State and prove his party is truly working for all of the people. Make this a learning moment!
A View on the California Recall Election from Texas
California Recall Election is a Victory for California Public Education
The results of the California Gubernatorial Recall election are in and the recall of Governor Gavin Newsome was rejected. Despite an almost 30 point margin in the recall defeat, the leading Republican candidate claims the election had widespread voter fraud … you know, that whole fraud thing about letting every registered voter actually vote and accurately counting the ballots.
It seems one of the important things learned from the election results that we may not have realized before is the quality of public education in California. It seems that it proves the vast majority of Californians actually believe in science and support reasonable public health measures like mask and vaccine mandates. Remember that when people scream, “Don’t California my Texas.” Maybe we should at least want to work harder on that whole belief in science thing like California.
We also learned that Californians are pretty good at paying attention, believe in data, understand and can interpret simple statistics, and have no trouble counting ballots. They also understand how to run safe and secure elections while making it as easy as possible to vote.
You would think there might be more enthusiasm for that whole California my Texas thing. At least as it pertains to public health measures and conducting elections making it as easy as possible for everyone to vote.
So thankful CA voters turned out to stop the recall. Elder had his “fraud” team lined up far in advance, because this was never about what Californians wanted; it was an effort to game the system.
It is time perhaps to get down to the question of fundamental values. The current trumpite version of the GOP believes that winning is all that counts and any means you have to use to get there is fine by them; the ends justify the means.
It must be said that this "value" has been considered "American" and has been applied massively in the economy for a very long time and society has always valued the "winners" without much regard for how they got there; the climb to the top being less interesting than what is done with the loot once you've got to the top. We are a society that heaped praise on the "philantropists"....the Rockefellers, the Van der Bilts, the Morgans etc of the past and the Silicon Valley Moguls of today. It is said that cultural life in Chicago depended on 3 families' "good works" one each for the orchestra, the museum and the opera. Look for a moment at the craziness at the Met Gala a few days ago. Winners take all...and damn the hindmost.....barring a few crumbs left behind to distract the "envious". Inglorious competition!
This "value" is now being applied to politics with glee and success by the GOP and with an apparent incomprehension of why it is so largely unacceptable to the people. They rode roughshod over the people on the economic issues....so why not the social and political. After all money and its accumulation is the only game in town worth playing.....for them. This is a logical outcome of the way the aging capitalist society has been ordering and reordering itself....as a massed body of worker/consumers controlled by a monied elite and not as a People with a collective culture, individual dreams and humane values which only survives together on this planet by cooperating with, tolerance of and respect for the complementary other...as part, and not above and in control of, Nature. We have not moved on that far from the the 19th C argument between arrogant slave owners and salaried slave abusers that brought us the Civil War. We are engaged in a battle of civilizations and are still facing a "Revolt of the Elites" who don't want to pay for society any more.
Hey! Is this not the second anniversary of Letters from and American? Thank you for everything HCR! Happy Anniversary!
Trump's niece- the estimable Mary Trump- called him the most dangerous man in the world. Unfortunately, she wasn't exaggerating. The revelations contained in Woodward and Costa's new book are terrifying and should increase the resolve of the democrats to pass the For the People Act. Thanks again, Heather, for being such an articulate witness to these events and thanks to the voters of California for helping Americans dodge another bullet.
I am a new subscriber to HCRs letters and I value their factual, non partisan, basis more & more every day - and i hold a doctorate in Public Policy. What a treasure trove of historical politics.. not just for today but for those who will read these same letters in the future!!
Today's distinction between voter fraud & election fraud is exactly on point.. it should be published on the front page of enery news paper - but of course we know 80% are owned by 15 billionaires and the 6 corporate entities they own. So very disturbing that this is the state of American Disinformazia. Thank you HCR for your vital contribution to offsetting that imbalance.
Thanks Dr Richardson for another brilliant letter. Remember when Joe Biden won the last election last year and we were all so relieved we wouldn’t have to live every day wonder what t***p and his minions were going to do next? It feels like that day will never arrive.
Grateful for the California victory, but that recall was a ruse all along. I’m betting the Rs knew there’s was not a chance of overturn. The only intention being to set up a scenario in which they can point their little fingers and cry “voter fraud”. And now they will travel around the country, screaming red-faced that the election was rigged again and elections must be more secure. Newsome’s victory was also a Republican victory.
Omg. I’m so tired.
It is baffling that grown-up, educated people covered up for Loser 45 because they were so afraid of losing their own power. No recognition of serving their constituents at all. Another question is - where are the moderate Republicans? They are silent, and should be truly ashamed.
I am hoping California will re-examine it's recall laws. While a recall effort would seem appropriate in a democracy, the construction of this one is scary indeed. The recall itself should be separated from the election of a replacement. I'm not sure exactly how, but if a sitting governor were to be removed, the election for a replacement should occur with enough time for both parties to hold primaries to determine who should run in the next election. The Lt Governor would assume the job during the interim to maintain stability.
The current arrangement is less about selecting the best person for the job and more about "overthrowing" the party in power. And look at what could have happened.
Anyone who didn’t see the Jan 6 insurrection coming a mile away or see Trump losing his temper and wanting to use nukes as punishment, were in serious denial. I knew he would be a nightmare. I cried when he won.
We've got our hands full, not just with the GOP in US and state senates, but in SCOTUS, and we cannot rest easy.
This quote attributed to Daniel Webster is included in the "preserving the principles" section of my pocket-size U.S. Constitution and is well worth reflection every day:
"There are men, in all ages...who mean to govern well; but they mean to govern. They promise to be kind masters, but they mean to be masters... They think there need be but little restraint upon themselves...
The love of power may sink too deep in their own hearts."
The Whiner Party, of course, complained that there was voter fraud before the election results were in. This is their typical cry now. Then we get another typical “no” from their leader, Mitch McTurtleneck, as to passing a new revised bill Manchin had a strong hand in. Dems must be brave and strong-willed if Manchin is unable to get the 10 Repubs he needs. The filibuster must be destroyed and those Dems on the fence, can stick it where the sun doesn’t shine!
Gov Newsom dodging a recall and gaining support is cause for hope. We need to overcome the bullies in our system and have more level headed decisions. My two cents is abolish the filibuster. It’s just been used to thwart any progress!
Did they not see dumpty as always unhinged? He’s just a big baby! Send him back to kindergarten. A kindergarten teacher knows how to handle that mess!
Thanks Heather!
It sounds like those two Constitutional "safeguards" to remove a dangerous President don't really work at all.
Republicans cried foul even before the election was called. While many are concerned by this practice, and it's right to feel that way, there is a limit to the number of times they can cry wolf when there is no wolf.
I would like to see a lot of reporting about the folly of this practice regarding this election in a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1. There was never a path to victory for them when Newsom still had high favorability numbers. The media has to start treating this anti-democratic practice for what it is and not as just another tool in the GOP's utility belt.
This should, however, serve as a shot across the bow for a Governor who showed extreme hubris by flaunting his own rules to dine at what I've read is the most elitist eatery in the state. Now he needs to put up by solving the housing debacle that is plaguing the Golden State and prove his party is truly working for all of the people. Make this a learning moment!
It must be made a felony to claim without evidence that an election result is fraudulent, tantamount to sedition, with a similar penalty.
A View on the California Recall Election from Texas
California Recall Election is a Victory for California Public Education
The results of the California Gubernatorial Recall election are in and the recall of Governor Gavin Newsome was rejected. Despite an almost 30 point margin in the recall defeat, the leading Republican candidate claims the election had widespread voter fraud … you know, that whole fraud thing about letting every registered voter actually vote and accurately counting the ballots.
It seems one of the important things learned from the election results that we may not have realized before is the quality of public education in California. It seems that it proves the vast majority of Californians actually believe in science and support reasonable public health measures like mask and vaccine mandates. Remember that when people scream, “Don’t California my Texas.” Maybe we should at least want to work harder on that whole belief in science thing like California.
We also learned that Californians are pretty good at paying attention, believe in data, understand and can interpret simple statistics, and have no trouble counting ballots. They also understand how to run safe and secure elections while making it as easy as possible to vote.
You would think there might be more enthusiasm for that whole California my Texas thing. At least as it pertains to public health measures and conducting elections making it as easy as possible for everyone to vote.
So thankful CA voters turned out to stop the recall. Elder had his “fraud” team lined up far in advance, because this was never about what Californians wanted; it was an effort to game the system.
It is time perhaps to get down to the question of fundamental values. The current trumpite version of the GOP believes that winning is all that counts and any means you have to use to get there is fine by them; the ends justify the means.
It must be said that this "value" has been considered "American" and has been applied massively in the economy for a very long time and society has always valued the "winners" without much regard for how they got there; the climb to the top being less interesting than what is done with the loot once you've got to the top. We are a society that heaped praise on the "philantropists"....the Rockefellers, the Van der Bilts, the Morgans etc of the past and the Silicon Valley Moguls of today. It is said that cultural life in Chicago depended on 3 families' "good works" one each for the orchestra, the museum and the opera. Look for a moment at the craziness at the Met Gala a few days ago. Winners take all...and damn the hindmost.....barring a few crumbs left behind to distract the "envious". Inglorious competition!
This "value" is now being applied to politics with glee and success by the GOP and with an apparent incomprehension of why it is so largely unacceptable to the people. They rode roughshod over the people on the economic issues....so why not the social and political. After all money and its accumulation is the only game in town worth playing.....for them. This is a logical outcome of the way the aging capitalist society has been ordering and reordering itself....as a massed body of worker/consumers controlled by a monied elite and not as a People with a collective culture, individual dreams and humane values which only survives together on this planet by cooperating with, tolerance of and respect for the complementary other...as part, and not above and in control of, Nature. We have not moved on that far from the the 19th C argument between arrogant slave owners and salaried slave abusers that brought us the Civil War. We are engaged in a battle of civilizations and are still facing a "Revolt of the Elites" who don't want to pay for society any more.