Proud to see Janelle again. I grew up around farmers and have nothing but respect for their entrepreneurial spirit, their back-breaking work, and their endless optimism. It is heartbreaking to see the harm Trump and MAGA is doing to them. We need to turn this around asap before we start seeing family farms being bankrupted.
Simon the last few interviews you've done your mic cuts in and out. I thought it might be my set up here but your guests are always consistent. You may need a new mic...? Thanks!
I agree that Dems generally need to do more to highlight corruption and connect it to affordability. We need a specific anti-corruption agenda such as Janelle is putting together.
I know this is not directly related to the candidate or her district, but I just talked to a local Honolulu restaurant owner about the economy. He owns a little place that makes really excellent Ramen dishes. He asked where I worked (I told him I'm just here for work), and he told me they are shutting down because of the tariffs and his vendor costs going up. I was here in 2022 at the same restaurant.
Honolulu struck me as very expensive already. The lunches there are $17-$18 for essentially a bowl of noodle soup with some thin strips of chicken. It's delicious, fresh herbs and all, but already expensive. And now he can't afford to run his place.
It is interesting to see the whole Trump economy in action. I am sheltered myself from much of the impacts. But they are real.
You should check out her opponent Justin Douglas. He’s the real deal. Since he was elected as a Dauphin Cty Commissioner, he has questioned and called out grift in our local government. Justin isn’t afraid to meet with people and answer their questions. Janelle has backed out of many opportunities to meet with the people and answer questions. Many of us in the district are concerned that she’s not listening to us and our concerns. We don’t want another Fetterman!
Having forums where opponents in a race (especially primaries) answer questions and explain their stance on important issues is not devisive. It is how voters can decide who they want to vote for. If a candidate refuses to engage with the electorate and even appear in the same room as an opponent, it really makes me question the candidate's motive for running for office. There have been too many events where Janelle has left an empty seat and didn't/won't show up in the same room as her opponent, Justin Douglas. There are many of us in the PA 10th feeling disrespected and disillusioned. It is time to demand what we want from candidates instead of settling for a pre-ordained candidate that may not be willing to show up for us. Yes, we have a country to save, and we need to think boldly to elect representatives that will stand up for the people, the constitution, and our country.
Leona, I understand that you are backing Justin in the race but to imply that Janelle Stelson is not making herself available to voters in the district seems unfair. It may not be in the forums you want, or on your terms, but she is out there talking to voters across the district every day, as she did last time when she almost won in a very tough year for us in PA.
Simon, I have a great deal of respect for you and what you are doing. I have listened to your podcasts in some of my darkest days and felt a glimmer of hope. You have hosted many candidates that I would have not known about if you didn't have this kind of forum to introduce people running for offices in different states. Maybe I came on strong but there is a contingency in the 10th district (and I suspect across the country) that feels we are still not being heard. We want our candidates to talk to us directly, understand our concerns, hear what kind of struggles we're going through and tell us how they will help us. We all just want to be heard. Hasn't that been one of the criticisms about our party? I'm just sharing what a number of people expressed in my community and I truly hope that all candidates take that to heart. Just saying....
Simon, on your recent videos the volume of your voice varies quite a bit while you’re speaking, becoming so faint at times that it’s difficult to hear you. Perhaps you need a new mic?
Proud to see Janelle again. I grew up around farmers and have nothing but respect for their entrepreneurial spirit, their back-breaking work, and their endless optimism. It is heartbreaking to see the harm Trump and MAGA is doing to them. We need to turn this around asap before we start seeing family farms being bankrupted.
Hi Janelle, thank you for visiting Hopium again. That was a great conversation you had with Simon.
You, really love Pennsylvania. We can tell you put your heart and soul and a great deal of hard work into this Campaign! Keep going Gal. Kick-Ass
Simon the last few interviews you've done your mic cuts in and out. I thought it might be my set up here but your guests are always consistent. You may need a new mic...? Thanks!
I noticed that a bit too.
I agree that Dems generally need to do more to highlight corruption and connect it to affordability. We need a specific anti-corruption agenda such as Janelle is putting together.
Silver bullet right there I think. Linking affordability, democratic backsliding, and corruption. It has to be a narrative that links it all together.
She's a great candidate.
I know this is not directly related to the candidate or her district, but I just talked to a local Honolulu restaurant owner about the economy. He owns a little place that makes really excellent Ramen dishes. He asked where I worked (I told him I'm just here for work), and he told me they are shutting down because of the tariffs and his vendor costs going up. I was here in 2022 at the same restaurant.
Honolulu struck me as very expensive already. The lunches there are $17-$18 for essentially a bowl of noodle soup with some thin strips of chicken. It's delicious, fresh herbs and all, but already expensive. And now he can't afford to run his place.
It is interesting to see the whole Trump economy in action. I am sheltered myself from much of the impacts. But they are real.
You should check out her opponent Justin Douglas. He’s the real deal. Since he was elected as a Dauphin Cty Commissioner, he has questioned and called out grift in our local government. Justin isn’t afraid to meet with people and answer their questions. Janelle has backed out of many opportunities to meet with the people and answer questions. Many of us in the district are concerned that she’s not listening to us and our concerns. We don’t want another Fetterman!
I agree!
Does anyone know what is going on with Postcards to Voters? I tried all their contact emails, and they all bounced. I suspect Republican skulduggery
She said we need to stop "polarizing and paralyzing the country". I like that.
And Simon said "we have a country to save", I like that too.
Good rallying cries.
Having forums where opponents in a race (especially primaries) answer questions and explain their stance on important issues is not devisive. It is how voters can decide who they want to vote for. If a candidate refuses to engage with the electorate and even appear in the same room as an opponent, it really makes me question the candidate's motive for running for office. There have been too many events where Janelle has left an empty seat and didn't/won't show up in the same room as her opponent, Justin Douglas. There are many of us in the PA 10th feeling disrespected and disillusioned. It is time to demand what we want from candidates instead of settling for a pre-ordained candidate that may not be willing to show up for us. Yes, we have a country to save, and we need to think boldly to elect representatives that will stand up for the people, the constitution, and our country.
Leona, I understand that you are backing Justin in the race but to imply that Janelle Stelson is not making herself available to voters in the district seems unfair. It may not be in the forums you want, or on your terms, but she is out there talking to voters across the district every day, as she did last time when she almost won in a very tough year for us in PA.
Simon, I have a great deal of respect for you and what you are doing. I have listened to your podcasts in some of my darkest days and felt a glimmer of hope. You have hosted many candidates that I would have not known about if you didn't have this kind of forum to introduce people running for offices in different states. Maybe I came on strong but there is a contingency in the 10th district (and I suspect across the country) that feels we are still not being heard. We want our candidates to talk to us directly, understand our concerns, hear what kind of struggles we're going through and tell us how they will help us. We all just want to be heard. Hasn't that been one of the criticisms about our party? I'm just sharing what a number of people expressed in my community and I truly hope that all candidates take that to heart. Just saying....
I have been disappointed with Janelle this cycle and will supporting the other candidate, Justin Douglas.
Simon, on your recent videos the volume of your voice varies quite a bit while you’re speaking, becoming so faint at times that it’s difficult to hear you. Perhaps you need a new mic?