Sure seems to me that this one American = one vote idea is an appropriate message to magnify going forward. I am not naive. I get the power of money. At the end of the day, Musk has one voice.
When I register people to vote here in TX (not easy), I tell them there aren’t too many things in life where everyone’s whatever is the same…a vote is one of those.
Again, I am aware of all the “buts” and am not naive, but I think the only way to chop off this monster’s head is to vote these unethical crazies out of office, resoundingly. So whatever it takes to do that is what we need to do.
Love your post! I’ve heard the expression that death is the only no exclusive club there is. Let’s work to rephrase that dreary comment and make it about voting!!!🗳️
President Biden is spot on in noting the dangers of an emerging oligarchy supported by a tidal wave of misinformation and disinformation. He’s passed the torch. To all of us.
So proud of President Biden, in clear words clarifying for all of us what is at stake now. Like Eisenhower’s warning about the military industrual complex. Something we all learn about in grade school. Getting too big and ruling us all. Now we have tech industrial complex with oligarchs as the controllers and beneficiaries. It’s a clear warning, and path to avoid.
My fav insight. Very illuminating for me: Richardson states that the real story of the American West is more powerful than the conservative myth of the self-reliant cowboy. The West was settled by people who worked together in communities, illustrating how change has often come from movements built on collective support. While movement conservatism has tried to sell an individualistic version of history, Richardson says that the truth is that Americans have always found power through unity.
It was a great speech, especially the warning of the coming American Oligarchy. But what can be done when you, me or Elon Muck ae equally free to spend $250,000,000.00 to elect everyone from Dog Catcher to President?
Over my dead body. There was a photo I saw of a Hitler rally. The crowd was cheering wildly. Meanwhile, at the top of the stadium, there was a man exiting. I want to be that guy. We need to regroup and come back swinging. Money can buy a lot of things, including sex. It it can't buy love.
What can be done is point out that the ultra-wealthy elites are buying politicians so that they can privatize government function and control regulations to not only enrich themselves further but to prevent new market entrants.
They'll cut what ordinary people get, and enrich themselves. The $$$ they spend is an investment. The money they are spending is proof of the thesis above. Use it that way.
Point it out not once, but every damn day, along with stating our values, and we can win.
We had I would also add enough money to win the election. Money is not why we lost.
Money is not the whole game. Harris had $2.5 billion and that was not enough to get her over the top. Would $3 billion have done it? I'm not so sure.
I worked on a local water issue in my community. We have a private for profit water utility that has us paying some of the highest rates in the country for water. They are a corporate pig, with a state sanctioned monopoly in their pocket. The citizenry worked to get a ballot initiative to turn it over to the local public water agency that manages the resources. We were outspent about 15-1. The opposition spent over $1.5 million, we raised slight over $100,000. We won 55%-44%. How?
We had more than a hundred volunteers out on the streets. The corporate utility had the major business community supporting them, and they sent out glitzy fliers filled with lies and misinformation twice a week and paid college students to knock on doors. We were the mobilized residents, out not only knocking on doors but tabling at the post office and grocery stores. We won, because we mobilized the community of about 35,000 voters to see the truth.
That was 2018 and its a long and winding road through various state agencies, but the issue is now in the courts. The truth is still on our side, our case is strong, and the outcome looks favorable. We have a fair honest broker of a judge adjudicating the process.
There are many other factors to this story, but this is the through line and we will prevail.
I repeat, money is only a part of the equation. People to people doesn't cost. As Simon say, whaddya gonna do? Hide? Run away? How long will that work?
Thanks for this story. It helps and I know that there are more such stories out there. We need to share them. One thing we could do is track the progress of the Bipartisan Infrastructure projects in our immediate areas. There is some amazing work going on and we need to report on it. The TV/social media guys won't be interested, but folks living in communities where these projects are being built will.
President Joe Biden rescued our country from one of its darkest periods, and did it with grace, dignity, tenacity and honesty. History will remember him as one for the ages. A heartfelt "Thank you, Joe."
What a wonderful speech that is so needed in this moment. The message of the faith in the American people and possibilities of our nation is food for the soul hungry for the hope that we will survive the next four years and beyond. We have much work to do to protect our democracy and our nation. As been said many times, we have to do this together.
I'm so proud of Senator Murray for taking a strong position against the nomination of Kennedy. We need to keep pestering our representatives to speak out, but we should also thank them when they do something we appreciate.
I have started beginning every email to my Senator with "Thank you for all you do during these challenging times. Your work is important to all of us." or words to that effect. We all need to help our leaders.
NY Times columnist David Brooks had a disturbing column about Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing, the issues facing our country's defense and the inadequacy of the questions raised by the Democrats. While I often dislike what Brooks has to say, this column was most troubling about what is at stake.
This is a ridiculous column. Hegseth couldn't answer basic questions that were posed to him about the makeup of the current military or our global security arrangements. The questions posed to Hegseth about his lying, criminal past, misogyny, competency were all fair game; and he would have not been able to answer any of the questions posed by Brooks, particularly when he has come out for the dismantling of NATO and the turning over of Europe to the Russians; and that he has Crusader tattoos and views Islam as a hostile faith. He's an ill-informed, belligerently ignorant extremist - that's why he is there.
Agree. I reject the idea that if we were just nicer to the bullies or somehow managed to ask the precise "right" question in the precise "not too confrontational" way, magic would happen. Hegseth is there to destroy our military for Putin's benefit and to "make the libs cry" along the way.
I think I'll go try to find that one. Sounds good. You can definitely be strong and effective without being a bully. Look at how Kamala Harris handled Trump during the debate.
In one of her speeches (maybe her speech accepting the nomination?), VP Harris said that Trump "is not a serious man" (although she subsequently noted that he still is "very dangerous"). No further proof of Trump's lack of seriousness exists than his nomination of the dry drunk rapist Hegseth. Couple the nomination of Hegseth with the promised purge of the officer corps and the inescapable conclusion is that Trump could not be bothered with national defense but wants, instead, to convert the U.S. military into a private militia for help in ethnic cleansing, internment of domestic political enemies and so on. The overarching impression I had from watching Hegseth's confirmation hearing was of a man who shares Trump's contempt for the very idea of a 'liberal democracy' governed by the rule of law and the principle of one person\one vote.
I disagree that the column was ridiculous. It was a point of view and raised alarms with folks we Will need in our coalition. At the same time, the “moral” and other arguments raised were not wasted and were necessary. Brooks is frustrated by attention. Yes, we all are. But we will need EVERYONE in order to survive the Hegseths that will be rolling out the Trump policy. As a small town kid who became a hairdresser, then attorney and eventually in charge of billion dollar budgets, I’m sensitive to elitism. St the same time, Hegseth’s crazy stuff, plus his lack of on target experience is clear. He’s just not competent FOR THIS JOB. Then there’s the person sad warts. Well, that’s my view. I also served on a federal advisory committee to the U.S. SECDEF on Women in the Services.
I was so moved by Biden’s speech that I commented on yesterday’s Hopium Chronicles posting. It was an A+, delivered with dignity, class and candor. It was a call to arms. We are the keepers of the flame. Let’s go.
I’m wondering if Democrats gain majority in both Congress and Senate in 2026 if the Legislative branch has the ability to impeach those who Trump puts in office that are unqualified?
No. Heck, there are many right now who may be considered unqualified, MGT for example, we have to beat them at the ballot box. I know we can do that in the House, not as confident in the Senate but we have to try.
This is what the DNC should have been saying all along. President Biden has a political life history that served our country well. Go in peace...
Exactly.
Sure seems to me that this one American = one vote idea is an appropriate message to magnify going forward. I am not naive. I get the power of money. At the end of the day, Musk has one voice.
When I register people to vote here in TX (not easy), I tell them there aren’t too many things in life where everyone’s whatever is the same…a vote is one of those.
Again, I am aware of all the “buts” and am not naive, but I think the only way to chop off this monster’s head is to vote these unethical crazies out of office, resoundingly. So whatever it takes to do that is what we need to do.
Love your post! I’ve heard the expression that death is the only no exclusive club there is. Let’s work to rephrase that dreary comment and make it about voting!!!🗳️
President Biden is spot on in noting the dangers of an emerging oligarchy supported by a tidal wave of misinformation and disinformation. He’s passed the torch. To all of us.
So proud of President Biden, in clear words clarifying for all of us what is at stake now. Like Eisenhower’s warning about the military industrual complex. Something we all learn about in grade school. Getting too big and ruling us all. Now we have tech industrial complex with oligarchs as the controllers and beneficiaries. It’s a clear warning, and path to avoid.
Democracy Rising!
"Democracy Awakening"
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/90590139-democracy-awakening
My fav insight. Very illuminating for me: Richardson states that the real story of the American West is more powerful than the conservative myth of the self-reliant cowboy. The West was settled by people who worked together in communities, illustrating how change has often come from movements built on collective support. While movement conservatism has tried to sell an individualistic version of history, Richardson says that the truth is that Americans have always found power through unity.
I’m halfway through. I really need to finish it now!
My heart just ached for what might have been after hearing his speech
Crimes of Big Money in Politics
🔸Endless war in every country for endless profit
🔸Endless destruction of the environment for endless profit
🔸Endlessly pit society against itself to hide in plain sight for endless profit
"Consequences of Capitalism", Noam Chomsky, Preface
https://open.substack.com/pub/simonwdc?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=280c3q
It was a great speech, especially the warning of the coming American Oligarchy. But what can be done when you, me or Elon Muck ae equally free to spend $250,000,000.00 to elect everyone from Dog Catcher to President?
I guess we should all just give up then, Seth? Obey in advance? Crawl into a fetal position in the corner for the next 10 years?
Over my dead body. There was a photo I saw of a Hitler rally. The crowd was cheering wildly. Meanwhile, at the top of the stadium, there was a man exiting. I want to be that guy. We need to regroup and come back swinging. Money can buy a lot of things, including sex. It it can't buy love.
Or dignity. Or self-respect. Or ethics. Or character. Or morals.
What can be done is point out that the ultra-wealthy elites are buying politicians so that they can privatize government function and control regulations to not only enrich themselves further but to prevent new market entrants.
They'll cut what ordinary people get, and enrich themselves. The $$$ they spend is an investment. The money they are spending is proof of the thesis above. Use it that way.
Point it out not once, but every damn day, along with stating our values, and we can win.
We had I would also add enough money to win the election. Money is not why we lost.
I recall this bumper sticker:
"Support democracy – buy a politician."
Money is not the whole game. Harris had $2.5 billion and that was not enough to get her over the top. Would $3 billion have done it? I'm not so sure.
I worked on a local water issue in my community. We have a private for profit water utility that has us paying some of the highest rates in the country for water. They are a corporate pig, with a state sanctioned monopoly in their pocket. The citizenry worked to get a ballot initiative to turn it over to the local public water agency that manages the resources. We were outspent about 15-1. The opposition spent over $1.5 million, we raised slight over $100,000. We won 55%-44%. How?
We had more than a hundred volunteers out on the streets. The corporate utility had the major business community supporting them, and they sent out glitzy fliers filled with lies and misinformation twice a week and paid college students to knock on doors. We were the mobilized residents, out not only knocking on doors but tabling at the post office and grocery stores. We won, because we mobilized the community of about 35,000 voters to see the truth.
That was 2018 and its a long and winding road through various state agencies, but the issue is now in the courts. The truth is still on our side, our case is strong, and the outcome looks favorable. We have a fair honest broker of a judge adjudicating the process.
There are many other factors to this story, but this is the through line and we will prevail.
I repeat, money is only a part of the equation. People to people doesn't cost. As Simon say, whaddya gonna do? Hide? Run away? How long will that work?
Thanks for this story. It helps and I know that there are more such stories out there. We need to share them. One thing we could do is track the progress of the Bipartisan Infrastructure projects in our immediate areas. There is some amazing work going on and we need to report on it. The TV/social media guys won't be interested, but folks living in communities where these projects are being built will.
President Joe Biden rescued our country from one of its darkest periods, and did it with grace, dignity, tenacity and honesty. History will remember him as one for the ages. A heartfelt "Thank you, Joe."
HEGSETH IS UNQUALIFIED AND EXTREMIST 😡😡😡
GABBARD IS UNQUALIFIED AND EXTREMIST 😡😡😡
PATEL IS UNQUALIFIED AND EXTREMIST 😡😡😡
KENNEDY IS UNQUALIFIED AND EXTREMIST 😡😡😡
Ditto Russell Vought, Trump’s pick to head the Office of Management & Budget.
Vought is a qualified extremist. He has a real plan. A dangerous one.
And Linda McMahon is unqualified and lacks character. They all lack character. Lack of character seems to be trendy these days...
What a wonderful speech that is so needed in this moment. The message of the faith in the American people and possibilities of our nation is food for the soul hungry for the hope that we will survive the next four years and beyond. We have much work to do to protect our democracy and our nation. As been said many times, we have to do this together.
I'm so proud of Senator Murray for taking a strong position against the nomination of Kennedy. We need to keep pestering our representatives to speak out, but we should also thank them when they do something we appreciate.
Yes. Thank them. What is the best way? Where they see it and we Democracy lovers see it…democracy in action. To motivate us all.
I have started beginning every email to my Senator with "Thank you for all you do during these challenging times. Your work is important to all of us." or words to that effect. We all need to help our leaders.
NY Times columnist David Brooks had a disturbing column about Pete Hegseth's confirmation hearing, the issues facing our country's defense and the inadequacy of the questions raised by the Democrats. While I often dislike what Brooks has to say, this column was most troubling about what is at stake.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/opinion/pete-hegseth-hearings-defense.html
This is a ridiculous column. Hegseth couldn't answer basic questions that were posed to him about the makeup of the current military or our global security arrangements. The questions posed to Hegseth about his lying, criminal past, misogyny, competency were all fair game; and he would have not been able to answer any of the questions posed by Brooks, particularly when he has come out for the dismantling of NATO and the turning over of Europe to the Russians; and that he has Crusader tattoos and views Islam as a hostile faith. He's an ill-informed, belligerently ignorant extremist - that's why he is there.
Agree. I reject the idea that if we were just nicer to the bullies or somehow managed to ask the precise "right" question in the precise "not too confrontational" way, magic would happen. Hegseth is there to destroy our military for Putin's benefit and to "make the libs cry" along the way.
But at the same time we cannot be the bully. See how Tammy Ducksworth handled Hegseth. She was brilliant!
I think I'll go try to find that one. Sounds good. You can definitely be strong and effective without being a bully. Look at how Kamala Harris handled Trump during the debate.
In one of her speeches (maybe her speech accepting the nomination?), VP Harris said that Trump "is not a serious man" (although she subsequently noted that he still is "very dangerous"). No further proof of Trump's lack of seriousness exists than his nomination of the dry drunk rapist Hegseth. Couple the nomination of Hegseth with the promised purge of the officer corps and the inescapable conclusion is that Trump could not be bothered with national defense but wants, instead, to convert the U.S. military into a private militia for help in ethnic cleansing, internment of domestic political enemies and so on. The overarching impression I had from watching Hegseth's confirmation hearing was of a man who shares Trump's contempt for the very idea of a 'liberal democracy' governed by the rule of law and the principle of one person\one vote.
I disagree that the column was ridiculous. It was a point of view and raised alarms with folks we Will need in our coalition. At the same time, the “moral” and other arguments raised were not wasted and were necessary. Brooks is frustrated by attention. Yes, we all are. But we will need EVERYONE in order to survive the Hegseths that will be rolling out the Trump policy. As a small town kid who became a hairdresser, then attorney and eventually in charge of billion dollar budgets, I’m sensitive to elitism. St the same time, Hegseth’s crazy stuff, plus his lack of on target experience is clear. He’s just not competent FOR THIS JOB. Then there’s the person sad warts. Well, that’s my view. I also served on a federal advisory committee to the U.S. SECDEF on Women in the Services.
I was so moved by Biden’s speech that I commented on yesterday’s Hopium Chronicles posting. It was an A+, delivered with dignity, class and candor. It was a call to arms. We are the keepers of the flame. Let’s go.
“Now it’s your turn to stand guard. May you all be the keeper of the flame. May you keep the faith. I love America. You love it, too.”
Joe gave us our assignment.
Thank you for today’s post. Sometimes we need to be reminded of what’s really at stake.
I’m wondering if Democrats gain majority in both Congress and Senate in 2026 if the Legislative branch has the ability to impeach those who Trump puts in office that are unqualified?
No. Heck, there are many right now who may be considered unqualified, MGT for example, we have to beat them at the ballot box. I know we can do that in the House, not as confident in the Senate but we have to try.