Also keep an eye on a 2024 election rural study to be published in the coming days. Dr. Robin Johnson has been working on it for a while. If and when it gets published, I will include it in my next blog post on Rural America.
The Democratic online ads are the kind of worn out attack ads I am tired of seeing and the reason I don’t contribute to the national party. I am looking/hoping for real alternatives from the Democratic Party and not just negative responses to Republican bills. If the dems wanted to run attack ads, I would suggest running videos of Trump’s campaign promises, especially his promises of “day 1”, without comment, letting the voters figure out for themselves that the promises were hollow.
Joel, please. How do you know people are tired of these ads? Trump ran ads just like this in 2024 that moved the needle. If you have data showing that people are tired of ads like this and they don't work show it. Appreciate you weighing in but this please turn your opinion into the opinion of "most Americans" unless you can back that up with data. Thank you - S
I respectfully disagree. This was exactly the type of ad R's ran against Harris (which, apparently, made a impact): short, few words, use of effective visuals. As I watched this new ad, I envisioned a TON of Boomers (my age) and older gens. seeing that pill packet (we can all relate at this age) on their favorite Fox Channel "news" program and realizing how this reckless, heartless R Rep screwed them royally by voting to cut their Medicare and Medicaid! My hope is that the DNC is flooding FOX tv shows as well as social media with this ad that is factual and personal. I look forward to seeing what else the DNC produces.
I'll take a middling position on this one. These might be effective. But I also can't say they aren't adds I wouldn't have seen 40 years ago. "Republicans are coming after your <insert benefit here>" is an old formula for Democrats. It has the advantage this time of being true. But 1) you have to now convince people that there's something really new going on here -- tangible, immediate -- and I don't see much in this ad that signals that novelty and the related urgency; 2) we need to always connect back to Trump's assault on democracy, somehow, in order to highlight just how massive and unprecedented his assault on the welfare state is. Some might see that as not kitchen table enough, but my reply to that would be that if we don't want people to see this as boilerplate yada yada yada, they need that novelty. Also: Republican adds were brutally simple. But they also focused on things they presented as abnormal threats. "Kamala wants to pay prisoners to have sex change operations -- CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?" This was presented as shocking. So yeah, I'm hoping we can come up with something a little more urgent and novel.
I don't think this type of ad should be the only type of ad, but I hope this type ends up everywhere all the time. As Rachel Maddow is fond of saying, what is working is everything.
Also, I am somewhat embarrassed that it took me so long to understand it, but I finally get (after yesterday's Hopium newsletter) *why* we have to keep repeating the truth, as simply and evocatively and even annoyingly as possible, over and over and over.
I previously thought that approach was just to counter the lies. That if they lie, we knock it down with the truth, but that is an approach that keeps us on the defensive and reacting to them.
It *finally* got through my head that the truth has to be constantly in the background on repeat so people are more inclined to believe it. Banal and repetitive works. Though I agree it shouldn't be the only message.
Coming here today for inspiration. Been battling the overload and fatigue from the daily gut punches. Thank you Simon and Hopium fam for always helping me find my way back to the work 💙!
The experts two NRK journalists spoke with about what is happening in the United States right now dare not come forward for fear of the reprisals.
New revelations claim that vast amounts of personal information on millions of Americans collected by DOGE collect information from various government agencies is being poured into a giant, searchable "master" database. Everything in one place.
One expert compares it to present-day China, and East Germany during the Cold War.
Even the security expert we contacted do not dare to give his name or title, and all contact takes place via encrypted services.
"I have to take some precautions to keep myself and my family safe, I cannot risk being deported or detained without trial," explains the anonymous source.
The EU has now asked its senior representatives not to bring their own phones or computers when they travel to the US. The security expert NRK spoke to also recommends that Norwegians avoid bringing their phones with them if they are traveling to the United States.
"You need to bring a “dummy phone.” You shouldn't bring a phone you used to talk to your aunt about how you think Trump is creepy," the expert advises.
On March 9, a French researcher was denied entry to the United States after being accused of having "hateful messages" about American politics on his phone.
Mr. Stones, seems like you are in a "fear and loathing" mood today. Courage is contagious, but so is fear.
What's your point here?
They already have the info they need, they are beginning the gestapo tactics already to test the boundaries. Do you think using a moniker is going to protect you from scrutiny or discovery?
I think the Paul Weiss-es of the world have already proved the point. There is no safety in capitulation. I look to the Marc Elias-es of the world for inspiration.
Again, what is your point here? Where are your Stones, sir?
(I think the view from abroad is highly relevant. By the way, this was the top story on NRK.no last night. I have never seen a story remotely like this in the Norwegian news media.)
I would heed the advise to leave your phone behind. Instead, by a burner phone upon arrival in the US. Also: avoid enabling email on your phone, and don’t enter your social media logins. Better yet, don’t even include your contacts; instead keep that info in a little notebook. Keep your phone totally antiseptic.
The massive theft of our data by Musk/DOGE is another big reason to applaud the rift between trump and Musk. They stole the data because they imagined using it. Let's hope that effort works about as well as most of Musk's ideas.
We have heard astonishingly few details, at least in the mainstream new media, about what Musk & DOGE has done with our data. Where are the investigative reporters on this story??
I would not be surprised if this data has made its way to Peter Thiel, where it can be coupled with his powerful Palantir software. I would think a high priority would be to use it to guide hirings and purges in federal agencies.
The DOGE hearings in the Senate are live streaming right now and apparently its empty chair hearings at the 12 hour mark on CNN on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgi3xrE8Mqg
Much of the speechifying is Democrats to Republicans about the stolen data. I think it might be a re-run
I don’t have the opportunity to watch the hearings. Please post if you come across any information as to what DOGE has done / is doing with the massive, illegal data haul.
There are no interviewees. I had it on in the background for a couple hours. Its Ways and Means Committee. It's about 80% Democrats speaking. They are debating a resolution to have witnesses and specifically Musk come to testify about what DOGE has been doing, and scolding and cajoling the Republicans for staying mum, refusing their responsibilities of oversight.
Once in a while a Republican will say Musk has been transparent by quoting him from the press (but not under oath before the committee) There are roughly 1000 people watching so it won't even make the radar. But, the Dems are making some fine arguments while the GOP sits on its hands, "whistling at their shoes." It just reinforces what sell-outs they are.
Simon, your interview with Brian Tyler Cohen was excellent. Its great to see the synergy of major influencers such as the two of you coming together to vision the way forward. Lee McGowan rocked it too. This is a great example of the new media ecosystem you were talking about on day 1 after the November election. How can we distribute it far and wide?
Simon also distributes Hopium information through his other social media networks, including BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/simonwdc.bsky.social, FB, X, Instagram, etc. You can copy the link to the podcast for others and let them know they can access it with a free subscription to Hopium Chronicles.
Simon, thanks for highlighting the noise from and around Elon Musk! Very encouraging. Surely anything that hastens and widens the rift between Mr X and Trump to be a good thing.
Would be nice if this results in Musk no longer spending massive money on Republican candidates up and down the ballot. And perhaps also results in his companies not being favored for government contracts. But it’s probably too much to hope for that federal regulators suddenly start enforcing the law against Musk and his business interests?
Elon Musk and others talk about "running government more like a business". Hell, this failed South African import cannot even run his business like a business!
Similarly, I hope it is the beginning of the snakes turning on and eating each other (my apologies to all snakes for inferring they are like E and T and their ilk).
How do we own the Fourth? Let’s unify behind one powerful message- “LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL”. We need that on hats, shirts, flags, bumper stickers. We need inspiration videos that celebrate that statement and OUR patriotism. It’s something that any true American should be proud to support. Let the cultists cringe every time they hear the Pledge because they associate it with us. LAJFA encompasses so much of what we stand for!
I LOVE your idea of focusing on the last 5 words of the Pledge!
As a teacher (now happily retired), I had the opportunity to recite it every school day for 20 years. Under GA law, there was x number of minutes (not that many) required each day for a moment of silent reflection and the reciting of the Pledge. I grew increasingly annoyed with the fact that, when we got to that last line, everyone rushed through it as if just to get it over with. To me, that's the powerful conclusion; it's the MOST IMPORTANT part! So, I started saying those last 5-6 words slower and louder each time to honor the meaning!
Simon, thanks for the updates, and give them hell in your speech to the party leaders. I made another contribution to Abigail as you suggested.
I also watched the video re Rob Breshnahan which I thought was a very weak generic message. The Dems have to hit harder and more often, and we need to be talking about CORRUPTION all of the time.
I, too, was not impressed by the ad attacking Bresnahan. The visuals seemed not well-chosen and not well integrated with the bare-bones script, and it looked and felt like typical attack ads we've seen thousands of times. That said, they test ads with focus groups, so I guess there is some evidence that it's effective with targeted voters. I'd like to find a link to all the ads to see if the same ad is used for all the GOP reps or if they are different.
And that's a great idea about filing the complaint - I'm doing the same right now! Have had COVID a bunch of times and am susceptible to respiratory illness. Really, really angry about this.
So perhaps another item the blue state AG's can take up to help their citizens and those of us in red states. They are doing some heavy-lifting for the entire country, for sure, and many of us in red states are very grateful!
Each state's Department of Justice likely has a form to submit complaints, get help. Or you can submit a direct complaint to your AG or to The Democratic Attorneys General Association. https://dems.ag/
This site is safe and I go there on a regular basis. You could right click and choose open link in new window and see if you still get that message. If so, do not open it.
However, you can just search for Democratic Attorneys General Association without using the link.
If you are on PC, you can update your security and run a scan since the problem could be related to a local problem or be a temporary browser error.
Thanks for this idea. I will likewise contact my state AG and state health authority. I don’t know if they can do anything but I will ask them to if they can. We should all be free to get our covid booster.
I am so thankful that here, in California, the latest Covid vaccine is still available, and that I'm over 65, so had no problem getting it. I feel badly about what that idiot JFK jr is doing. His dad and uncle are rolling over in their grave to see how awful he is.
I had always wondered why so many things favored by a majority of the American people never seemed to pan out. And then there was this:
Two of America’s most respected political scientists — Professors Martin Gilens of Princeton and Benjamin Page of Northwestern University — analyzed 1,799 policy issues decided between 1981 and 2002. They found that “the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy.” (Link). 1981~2002.
This suggests that voters aren't holding their elected officials accountable for their policies. In other words, a disconnect between policy preferences and candidate preferences. Maybe a number of factors involved: lack of critical thinking, laziness, political tribalism/cultism? Rat brain prevails (with apologies to rats).
It could also be affected by gerrymandering and restrictive voting laws. Also the fact that the Senate favors red states bc of the 2 senators per state mandate. Also the effect of well paid lobbyists - and donors - influencing politicians after they’re voted in.
I think it goes back to that kernel of wisdom about "laws and sausages." It's an obfuscation machine where politicians know how to insert and amalgamate policies into larger bills designed to fail. Other things can die in committees.
A good example to track are efforts to achieve sensible gun laws, and how those efforts come up empty.
I care a great deal about the Covid issue. Since my rep is an avowed anti-vaxxer, he could only get elected in a carefully drawn up district with plenty of those types. The discussions seem to be very much tribal.
I might entice an exchange with an individual by pointing out that our current weekly death rate as a nation is more than double the average weekly US deaths in the Vietnam War. And, that the most highly vaccinated nation on earth (by % of population) records fewer than 10 Covid deaths in a year.
Simple answer: people don’t pay attention and when they do, they don’t understand the impact of legislation and when they do understand the impact they don’t contact their electeds.
Thanks, Simon! I called my Maryland Congressman and Senators about the budget bill and the fact that my family won't be able to get COVID boosters this fall. I'm writing postcards to Virginia today.
The Russian tweet about Trump reminds me of the expression that's going around DC: TACO. It stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.
Good to see the ads against vulnerable Republicans. They should pay a cost.
I believe that there's about 1/3 of the country that will never disapprove of him. The higher prices from tariffs are just starting to hit. I could see him dropping into the high 30s if things go badly this fall.
Catherine, I had long thought the hard-core MAGA base was about 30%, but the Nov 2022 study linked to below suggests that may be an overestimate. Suspect it’s even more of an overestimate with the Trump 2.0 agenda. The study pulled out those who voted for Trump in 2020 and believed the election was stolen into a separate group they called MAGA Republicans. They found that 55% of Americans do not identify with the Republicans and 45% do but that only 15% of Americans – 1/3 of all Repubs, not 1/3 of everybody – are MAGA Repubs . . . They conclude the estimates of Trump’s hard core base of 30-35% (of population or of electorate unclear) is likely an overestimation. The good news — there may be more persuadables than we realize.
The ones that really need persuading are the 40% of eligble voters that didn't show up in November. Perhaps as prices go up, the shelves empty, and services are cut... more of those will come off the sidelines and send Maga to the dustbin. Here's hoping.
I have been monitoring a list of 28 groceries weekly since 1/19. In the past 3 weeks, the prices are up and up. This and the past 3 weeks the increases are $7.30, $5.65, $4.65, and $2.25. That is a total of almost $20 in a month. The weekly average increase over 20 weeks is $3.17. Coffee up $1.80 and tomatoes up $2.20.
Although I think that all of Trump's policies have the potential to bring him down, grocery prices are the thing that may cause the normies to wake up and see all the rest. Fingers crossed!
would make for great 30 second ads for dems in red districts. just grocery price increases for items. that's it. no actors, no audio. just a list of items and their price 1/19 and today. just the facts!
Right on! I carry a 3x5 foot Stars and Stripes (that way I don’t have to choose between so many clever signs) and have been handing out small flags. I get kudos from my fellow protesters and some passerbys. My dad was a WW2 vet (flew C47s in the South Pacific) and became an activist organizer against the Vietnam War and would say “We’re not going to let those bastards (Nixon and the flag pin people back then) take the flag away from us.” Thanks Dad!
Tell Abigail Spanberger that her volunteer trainers and coordinators need to improve. I’ve been hearing complaints from passionate activists (I live in NoVa) about how unprofessional and disorganized they are which frustrates me.
Kate, two things. Please don't tell me what you to do. You can make a suggestion, offer advice but speaking in this kind of tone here is inappropriate. All this is hearsay so I can't do anything with it but if there are serious concerns from experienced volunteers they should bring it up with the campaign directly. Thank you - S
Simon, my intent was pure. I tend to write directly, and I often forget that writing is ambiguous. You can’t hear my pleasant but worried voice. I’m all in for Spanberger but I’m worried that if she doesn’t have the right organizers that we could be stuck with the Republican. It’s like a bad restaurant experience—12 people hear the complaints. You’re the only one I know who has the wisdom and the smarts and possibly a direct line to help her out. Please presume positive intent of your members. We are nervous and scared too. Your reassuring voice keeps us calm and focused.
Self Report: I called Senators Young and Banks this morning. To Young- I thanked him for publicly saying that Putin is not serious and encouraged to push for sanctions against Russia and support Ukraine and Banks- that DJT is finally starting to understand that Vladi is not his friend and to put sanctions on Russia, etc. That Vladi baby wants to destroy the US and western democracies.
Also Joe Trippi suggested renaming the BBB as " Trump's Murder Bill". or something similar. Don't keep calling it the Big B Bill, because people will die when their insurance coverage is gone and other social support is gone. When medical research is gone...
Also keep an eye on a 2024 election rural study to be published in the coming days. Dr. Robin Johnson has been working on it for a while. If and when it gets published, I will include it in my next blog post on Rural America.
Will it include West Virginia?
I heard it is Midwestern-based, but I don’t know 100% what it will encompass.
The Democratic online ads are the kind of worn out attack ads I am tired of seeing and the reason I don’t contribute to the national party. I am looking/hoping for real alternatives from the Democratic Party and not just negative responses to Republican bills. If the dems wanted to run attack ads, I would suggest running videos of Trump’s campaign promises, especially his promises of “day 1”, without comment, letting the voters figure out for themselves that the promises were hollow.
Joel, please. How do you know people are tired of these ads? Trump ran ads just like this in 2024 that moved the needle. If you have data showing that people are tired of ads like this and they don't work show it. Appreciate you weighing in but this please turn your opinion into the opinion of "most Americans" unless you can back that up with data. Thank you - S
Edited just now
I respectfully disagree. This was exactly the type of ad R's ran against Harris (which, apparently, made a impact): short, few words, use of effective visuals. As I watched this new ad, I envisioned a TON of Boomers (my age) and older gens. seeing that pill packet (we can all relate at this age) on their favorite Fox Channel "news" program and realizing how this reckless, heartless R Rep screwed them royally by voting to cut their Medicare and Medicaid! My hope is that the DNC is flooding FOX tv shows as well as social media with this ad that is factual and personal. I look forward to seeing what else the DNC produces.
I'll take a middling position on this one. These might be effective. But I also can't say they aren't adds I wouldn't have seen 40 years ago. "Republicans are coming after your <insert benefit here>" is an old formula for Democrats. It has the advantage this time of being true. But 1) you have to now convince people that there's something really new going on here -- tangible, immediate -- and I don't see much in this ad that signals that novelty and the related urgency; 2) we need to always connect back to Trump's assault on democracy, somehow, in order to highlight just how massive and unprecedented his assault on the welfare state is. Some might see that as not kitchen table enough, but my reply to that would be that if we don't want people to see this as boilerplate yada yada yada, they need that novelty. Also: Republican adds were brutally simple. But they also focused on things they presented as abnormal threats. "Kamala wants to pay prisoners to have sex change operations -- CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?" This was presented as shocking. So yeah, I'm hoping we can come up with something a little more urgent and novel.
I don't think this type of ad should be the only type of ad, but I hope this type ends up everywhere all the time. As Rachel Maddow is fond of saying, what is working is everything.
Also, I am somewhat embarrassed that it took me so long to understand it, but I finally get (after yesterday's Hopium newsletter) *why* we have to keep repeating the truth, as simply and evocatively and even annoyingly as possible, over and over and over.
I previously thought that approach was just to counter the lies. That if they lie, we knock it down with the truth, but that is an approach that keeps us on the defensive and reacting to them.
It *finally* got through my head that the truth has to be constantly in the background on repeat so people are more inclined to believe it. Banal and repetitive works. Though I agree it shouldn't be the only message.
Coming here today for inspiration. Been battling the overload and fatigue from the daily gut punches. Thank you Simon and Hopium fam for always helping me find my way back to the work 💙!
View from Norway: IT’S MUCH WORSE THAN YOU THINK
The experts two NRK journalists spoke with about what is happening in the United States right now dare not come forward for fear of the reprisals.
New revelations claim that vast amounts of personal information on millions of Americans collected by DOGE collect information from various government agencies is being poured into a giant, searchable "master" database. Everything in one place.
One expert compares it to present-day China, and East Germany during the Cold War.
Even the security expert we contacted do not dare to give his name or title, and all contact takes place via encrypted services.
"I have to take some precautions to keep myself and my family safe, I cannot risk being deported or detained without trial," explains the anonymous source.
https://www-nrk-no.translate.goog/norge/eksperter-vegrer-seg-for-a-snakke-om-usa-1.17420296?_x_tr_sl=no&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=wapp
(My excerpts and translation above; link to complete English via Google Translate.)
DON’T BRING YOUR OWN PHONE TO THE USA
The EU has now asked its senior representatives not to bring their own phones or computers when they travel to the US. The security expert NRK spoke to also recommends that Norwegians avoid bringing their phones with them if they are traveling to the United States.
"You need to bring a “dummy phone.” You shouldn't bring a phone you used to talk to your aunt about how you think Trump is creepy," the expert advises.
On March 9, a French researcher was denied entry to the United States after being accused of having "hateful messages" about American politics on his phone.
Mr. Stones, seems like you are in a "fear and loathing" mood today. Courage is contagious, but so is fear.
What's your point here?
They already have the info they need, they are beginning the gestapo tactics already to test the boundaries. Do you think using a moniker is going to protect you from scrutiny or discovery?
I think the Paul Weiss-es of the world have already proved the point. There is no safety in capitulation. I look to the Marc Elias-es of the world for inspiration.
Again, what is your point here? Where are your Stones, sir?
My point: Caution. Be mindful of the tech.
But NEVER capitulation!
(I think the view from abroad is highly relevant. By the way, this was the top story on NRK.no last night. I have never seen a story remotely like this in the Norwegian news media.)
Seems to me like they are invoking Germany 1931. This is America, this is a different story... unless we succumb to fear.
... and if I lived abroad, I wouldn't come to the U.S.A. unless absolutely necessary, I will concede that.
My advise to a European friend:
I would heed the advise to leave your phone behind. Instead, by a burner phone upon arrival in the US. Also: avoid enabling email on your phone, and don’t enter your social media logins. Better yet, don’t even include your contacts; instead keep that info in a little notebook. Keep your phone totally antiseptic.
The massive theft of our data by Musk/DOGE is another big reason to applaud the rift between trump and Musk. They stole the data because they imagined using it. Let's hope that effort works about as well as most of Musk's ideas.
We have heard astonishingly few details, at least in the mainstream new media, about what Musk & DOGE has done with our data. Where are the investigative reporters on this story??
I would not be surprised if this data has made its way to Peter Thiel, where it can be coupled with his powerful Palantir software. I would think a high priority would be to use it to guide hirings and purges in federal agencies.
The DOGE hearings in the Senate are live streaming right now and apparently its empty chair hearings at the 12 hour mark on CNN on youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgi3xrE8Mqg
Much of the speechifying is Democrats to Republicans about the stolen data. I think it might be a re-run
I don’t have the opportunity to watch the hearings. Please post if you come across any information as to what DOGE has done / is doing with the massive, illegal data haul.
There are no interviewees. I had it on in the background for a couple hours. Its Ways and Means Committee. It's about 80% Democrats speaking. They are debating a resolution to have witnesses and specifically Musk come to testify about what DOGE has been doing, and scolding and cajoling the Republicans for staying mum, refusing their responsibilities of oversight.
Once in a while a Republican will say Musk has been transparent by quoting him from the press (but not under oath before the committee) There are roughly 1000 people watching so it won't even make the radar. But, the Dems are making some fine arguments while the GOP sits on its hands, "whistling at their shoes." It just reinforces what sell-outs they are.
Shorty of Scott Pelley at Wake Forest Graduation
https://youtube.com/shorts/v64xsUtvHic?si=NJcieJL3FrCX96tE
Simon, your interview with Brian Tyler Cohen was excellent. Its great to see the synergy of major influencers such as the two of you coming together to vision the way forward. Lee McGowan rocked it too. This is a great example of the new media ecosystem you were talking about on day 1 after the November election. How can we distribute it far and wide?
Simon also distributes Hopium information through his other social media networks, including BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/simonwdc.bsky.social, FB, X, Instagram, etc. You can copy the link to the podcast for others and let them know they can access it with a free subscription to Hopium Chronicles.
APPLAUD THE RIFT!
Simon, thanks for highlighting the noise from and around Elon Musk! Very encouraging. Surely anything that hastens and widens the rift between Mr X and Trump to be a good thing.
Would be nice if this results in Musk no longer spending massive money on Republican candidates up and down the ballot. And perhaps also results in his companies not being favored for government contracts. But it’s probably too much to hope for that federal regulators suddenly start enforcing the law against Musk and his business interests?
Elon Musk and others talk about "running government more like a business". Hell, this failed South African import cannot even run his business like a business!
Case in point: Tesla, X (aka Xitter)...
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/may/28/trump-tax-bill-weakens-doge-cost-cutting-efforts-elon-musk
Similarly, I hope it is the beginning of the snakes turning on and eating each other (my apologies to all snakes for inferring they are like E and T and their ilk).
How do we own the Fourth? Let’s unify behind one powerful message- “LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL”. We need that on hats, shirts, flags, bumper stickers. We need inspiration videos that celebrate that statement and OUR patriotism. It’s something that any true American should be proud to support. Let the cultists cringe every time they hear the Pledge because they associate it with us. LAJFA encompasses so much of what we stand for!
I LOVE your idea of focusing on the last 5 words of the Pledge!
As a teacher (now happily retired), I had the opportunity to recite it every school day for 20 years. Under GA law, there was x number of minutes (not that many) required each day for a moment of silent reflection and the reciting of the Pledge. I grew increasingly annoyed with the fact that, when we got to that last line, everyone rushed through it as if just to get it over with. To me, that's the powerful conclusion; it's the MOST IMPORTANT part! So, I started saying those last 5-6 words slower and louder each time to honor the meaning!
Those would be great on t-shirts and caps!
Millions and millions of flags?
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Simon, thanks for the updates, and give them hell in your speech to the party leaders. I made another contribution to Abigail as you suggested.
I also watched the video re Rob Breshnahan which I thought was a very weak generic message. The Dems have to hit harder and more often, and we need to be talking about CORRUPTION all of the time.
Thanks for all you do.
Karl Keener
Portland, OR
I, too, was not impressed by the ad attacking Bresnahan. The visuals seemed not well-chosen and not well integrated with the bare-bones script, and it looked and felt like typical attack ads we've seen thousands of times. That said, they test ads with focus groups, so I guess there is some evidence that it's effective with targeted voters. I'd like to find a link to all the ads to see if the same ad is used for all the GOP reps or if they are different.
weak sauce
I filed a complaint with my AGs office last night about the COVID vaccine restrictions, on behalf of my son who had Long COVID.
I am so sorry about your son.
And that's a great idea about filing the complaint - I'm doing the same right now! Have had COVID a bunch of times and am susceptible to respiratory illness. Really, really angry about this.
That's a good idea. Do you mind telling us which state? I'm furious about my family not being able to get boosters this Fall.
Minnesota! Keith Ellison has been a superstar.
Thank you!
So perhaps another item the blue state AG's can take up to help their citizens and those of us in red states. They are doing some heavy-lifting for the entire country, for sure, and many of us in red states are very grateful!
Each state's Department of Justice likely has a form to submit complaints, get help. Or you can submit a direct complaint to your AG or to The Democratic Attorneys General Association. https://dems.ag/
I clicked on the link, but I got a warning that it was a "malicious" site. Do you have another site that's safe?
This site is safe and I go there on a regular basis. You could right click and choose open link in new window and see if you still get that message. If so, do not open it.
However, you can just search for Democratic Attorneys General Association without using the link.
If you are on PC, you can update your security and run a scan since the problem could be related to a local problem or be a temporary browser error.
Great idea. I called Rob Bonta of CA
Thanks for this idea. I will likewise contact my state AG and state health authority. I don’t know if they can do anything but I will ask them to if they can. We should all be free to get our covid booster.
I have already called my rep and Sen. Cruz in Texas about the COVID restrictions. I will do the same for Cornyn.
I am so thankful that here, in California, the latest Covid vaccine is still available, and that I'm over 65, so had no problem getting it. I feel badly about what that idiot JFK jr is doing. His dad and uncle are rolling over in their grave to see how awful he is.
I had always wondered why so many things favored by a majority of the American people never seemed to pan out. And then there was this:
Two of America’s most respected political scientists — Professors Martin Gilens of Princeton and Benjamin Page of Northwestern University — analyzed 1,799 policy issues decided between 1981 and 2002. They found that “the preferences of the average American appear to have only a minuscule, near-zero, statistically non-significant impact upon public policy.” (Link). 1981~2002.
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/perspectives-on-politics/article/testing-theories-of-american-politics-elites-interest-groups-and-average-citizens/62327F513959D0A304D4893B382B992B?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=bookmark
This suggests that voters aren't holding their elected officials accountable for their policies. In other words, a disconnect between policy preferences and candidate preferences. Maybe a number of factors involved: lack of critical thinking, laziness, political tribalism/cultism? Rat brain prevails (with apologies to rats).
It could also be affected by gerrymandering and restrictive voting laws. Also the fact that the Senate favors red states bc of the 2 senators per state mandate. Also the effect of well paid lobbyists - and donors - influencing politicians after they’re voted in.
I think it goes back to that kernel of wisdom about "laws and sausages." It's an obfuscation machine where politicians know how to insert and amalgamate policies into larger bills designed to fail. Other things can die in committees.
A good example to track are efforts to achieve sensible gun laws, and how those efforts come up empty.
I care a great deal about the Covid issue. Since my rep is an avowed anti-vaxxer, he could only get elected in a carefully drawn up district with plenty of those types. The discussions seem to be very much tribal.
I might entice an exchange with an individual by pointing out that our current weekly death rate as a nation is more than double the average weekly US deaths in the Vietnam War. And, that the most highly vaccinated nation on earth (by % of population) records fewer than 10 Covid deaths in a year.
Simple answer: people don’t pay attention and when they do, they don’t understand the impact of legislation and when they do understand the impact they don’t contact their electeds.
Thanks, Simon! I called my Maryland Congressman and Senators about the budget bill and the fact that my family won't be able to get COVID boosters this fall. I'm writing postcards to Virginia today.
The Russian tweet about Trump reminds me of the expression that's going around DC: TACO. It stands for Trump Always Chickens Out.
Good to see the ads against vulnerable Republicans. They should pay a cost.
Yes, Lawrence O'Donnell has been calling him the Caveman, because he always caves! Love it.
😂
I wish Trump’s approval rating would dip below 40%, but it seems to have stabilized in the 42-44% range. Mind boggling.
Elon Musk proves my mantra: no one who associates with Trump comes out unscathed. Pity the hubris - not.
I believe that there's about 1/3 of the country that will never disapprove of him. The higher prices from tariffs are just starting to hit. I could see him dropping into the high 30s if things go badly this fall.
Catherine, I had long thought the hard-core MAGA base was about 30%, but the Nov 2022 study linked to below suggests that may be an overestimate. Suspect it’s even more of an overestimate with the Trump 2.0 agenda. The study pulled out those who voted for Trump in 2020 and believed the election was stolen into a separate group they called MAGA Republicans. They found that 55% of Americans do not identify with the Republicans and 45% do but that only 15% of Americans – 1/3 of all Repubs, not 1/3 of everybody – are MAGA Repubs . . . They conclude the estimates of Trump’s hard core base of 30-35% (of population or of electorate unclear) is likely an overestimation. The good news — there may be more persuadables than we realize.
https://studyfinds.org/divided-america-maga-republicans-election-violence-qanon-racism/.
The ones that really need persuading are the 40% of eligble voters that didn't show up in November. Perhaps as prices go up, the shelves empty, and services are cut... more of those will come off the sidelines and send Maga to the dustbin. Here's hoping.
I have been monitoring a list of 28 groceries weekly since 1/19. In the past 3 weeks, the prices are up and up. This and the past 3 weeks the increases are $7.30, $5.65, $4.65, and $2.25. That is a total of almost $20 in a month. The weekly average increase over 20 weeks is $3.17. Coffee up $1.80 and tomatoes up $2.20.
Although I think that all of Trump's policies have the potential to bring him down, grocery prices are the thing that may cause the normies to wake up and see all the rest. Fingers crossed!
would make for great 30 second ads for dems in red districts. just grocery price increases for items. that's it. no actors, no audio. just a list of items and their price 1/19 and today. just the facts!
Attending a No Kings Protest and bringing my flag. Take back our flag on Flag Day from MAGA. They don't own it!
Right on! I carry a 3x5 foot Stars and Stripes (that way I don’t have to choose between so many clever signs) and have been handing out small flags. I get kudos from my fellow protesters and some passerbys. My dad was a WW2 vet (flew C47s in the South Pacific) and became an activist organizer against the Vietnam War and would say “We’re not going to let those bastards (Nixon and the flag pin people back then) take the flag away from us.” Thanks Dad!
Tell Abigail Spanberger that her volunteer trainers and coordinators need to improve. I’ve been hearing complaints from passionate activists (I live in NoVa) about how unprofessional and disorganized they are which frustrates me.
Kate, two things. Please don't tell me what you to do. You can make a suggestion, offer advice but speaking in this kind of tone here is inappropriate. All this is hearsay so I can't do anything with it but if there are serious concerns from experienced volunteers they should bring it up with the campaign directly. Thank you - S
Simon, my intent was pure. I tend to write directly, and I often forget that writing is ambiguous. You can’t hear my pleasant but worried voice. I’m all in for Spanberger but I’m worried that if she doesn’t have the right organizers that we could be stuck with the Republican. It’s like a bad restaurant experience—12 people hear the complaints. You’re the only one I know who has the wisdom and the smarts and possibly a direct line to help her out. Please presume positive intent of your members. We are nervous and scared too. Your reassuring voice keeps us calm and focused.
Self Report: I called Senators Young and Banks this morning. To Young- I thanked him for publicly saying that Putin is not serious and encouraged to push for sanctions against Russia and support Ukraine and Banks- that DJT is finally starting to understand that Vladi is not his friend and to put sanctions on Russia, etc. That Vladi baby wants to destroy the US and western democracies.
Also Joe Trippi suggested renaming the BBB as " Trump's Murder Bill". or something similar. Don't keep calling it the Big B Bill, because people will die when their insurance coverage is gone and other social support is gone. When medical research is gone...