I disagree. This is not voter suppression but smart pro-active strategizing. I appreciate Steve Reed's reply citing MO's action to ensure everyone's votes are counted and our elections fair.
Of course these issues are real and should be addressed. Here in missouri there is a Missouri Voter Protection Coalition https://www.movpc.org/ that brings together many many groups across the state that fight to keep our elections fair. If you have concerns in your state you should find out who is doing such work and volunteer your support. Check in with your county election officials, your local LWV also. Even your local Dem party org.
Gilbert, asking you respectfully to back off this line of discussion. We are all working as hard as we can to preserve our democracy. That is what we do here, every day. We all understand the threat, and that is why we all are working so hard.
I want to say this for everyone's benefit. If you come in here and get challenged on something you wrote and your response is to petulantly leave I mean c'mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Democracy is a full contact sport, these are serious matters and expecting only adulation and not challenge is not how debate and democracy works brothers and sisters.
Gilbert, people are responding to you negatively for all you are doing is dumping anxiety and crap all over here this morning with no go forward. WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE THREAT. We don't need to be told about it. What we do here is fight to preserve our democracy. Help us do that. Explain what you are doing to make things better. Coming on here and engaging everyone about how terrible things are is not constructive, and not in the spirit of this community of doers.
Just to respect and support your fears, Gilbert, but also reinforce what I think we're trying to signal you: there is a game to be played here and won. But it's not a game: it's a war. And your expression of your fear is a correctly understood threat to our fight to keep democracy: that they will rig the election. This is a real threat and we all know it.
I think, if you can hear what's being expressed, is that there's a constructive way to approach identifying that fear... like Kate posting about sharing the Fox news article with her representative.
I think if you look at your first post, and think about re-working it, and acknowledging as you complain about the responses that perhaps what you wanted was to say something more like... and don't get angry at us for trying to push away *the way you are expressing your fear as a 'stop and don't move' kind of warning.*
I suspect you don't intend to come across this way, but I believe that it's the way we are perceiving it. "I never get any answers..." is blaming. "regarding my concerns about whether our elections will be real...." This is a question about the future, and it seems like you want something no-one other than a Greater Power can give: a guarantee about the future.
All we can do is fight in the present. And we need you to be a soldier with us in that fight.
And it's not that we don't want to hear about your fears! We do. We all need a space to share them.
But this space for sharing them is not a place to fall into them. It is a place to share them and then -- crucially -- to take what reassurance can be given, or even just empathy and understanding that we are on that page too, and here's how we're moving forward. Then it is up to you to take that and move forward through the minefields and trenches with us.
See what Deborah Potter said (basically: 'have courage') and what Steve Reed said (here's what we're doing in concrete terms and contacts for you to pitch in.) (Steve's answer appears to me to be a direct answer to your question to which he replies... yet you don't acknowledge it?)
The next response we want from you, imho, is for you to say "OK..." and then something either "I'll look at that, or this, or something else," or even just "... and I hope this works. Fingers crossed, mantra said, prayers made, anger redirected, whatever works for you."
So I hope you don't go away, but I hope you understand we can't keep digging one trench full of fearful thoughts deeper and deeper: we'll trip into it on the way to battle.
We won’t know that until we get there! In the meantime, we have to lean into our history of fair elections!!!!! We have to stay positive, keep moving forward w/ our state grassroots efforts and join in supporting our democracy via the numerous organizations we have at our fingertips!
Totally agree and understand your concerns I've been concerned about future elections for some time after Greg Palast's documentary Vigilante Inc America’s New Voter Suppression Hitmen https://bit.ly/3DM7d3F He describes a 40,000 vigilante voter challenge in 2024 which eliminated 3.5m registered voters Pure Nazi voter suppression
And now with the Nazis having access even partially to federal databases I'm now even more concerned about extensive voter suppression using the same strategy
The best offense is a good defense and being sure one votes early in the 2026 midterms is part of the offense so one makes sure that you haven't been smudged from the registered voter rolls This is particularly true for the nonwhite population that they targeted in 2024
Just attended Pramila Jayapal's Resistance Lab 2.0 There was an original 1.0 in March and this is followup Highly recommend because it thoughtfully breaks down how and why successful resistance movements are successful from past experiences in other countries mobilize.us/PramilaforCongress to join resistance community or find a protest near you
I have emailed the link to this article to my female Senator, Joni Ernst, pointing out that the problems that married women are having getting RealID are exactly what the SAVE Act has in store for them with registering to vote. I urged her to vote against the SAVE Act. (This is probably the first time I've ever circulated a Fox News article.) https://www.foxnews.com/travel/married-women-face-real-id-documentation-hurdles-i-cant-accept-this
Wow! And a Fox News article that seems like real journalism at that!
Yep Republican women are starting to figure out that THEY will be advesley affected if this act passes, so at least that's more people complaining to their congressionals about how unfair this all is. Perhaps Joni Ernst needs to be reminded that if she can't vote, she also cannot hold office.
I don't think we take any thing for granted with the Republican Senators. The phone calls take less than a minute. And, yes, the budget bill is huge with all of those ridiculously proposed cuts, but I think they're planning to vote on SAVES first.
In case they hide it somewhere else: the sheer dollar cost of getting copies of birth, marriage, and other documents amounts to a "poll tax" on women who've ever changed their name for a guy.
The December after the Declaration of Independence was issued, Thomas Paine wrote the following:
“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”
We will prevail and we will conquer the tyranny that we are now experiencing. So glad to be part of this community of doers and patriots.
I love that Simon included the first paragraph of the Constitution today too. "Promote the general welfare". With FREEDOM, there is also reponsibility. Citizens have responsiblities to the common good. To me, that's part of this too. We need to declare our FREEDOM from our current tyrant, but also recommit to our responsibilities as citizens. This community certainly has done that, but is there something there for the rest of the country?
We should call July 4th our first Independence Day with our second yet to be determined. Ultimately our #2ndIndependenceDay will be celebrated years from now, marking the turning point when we reclaim democracy and turn back #RepubloFascism for good.
It may be the day that Trump is removed after a successful impeachment. Or Vance. Or the day that an updated version of the “No Kings Act“ is signed into law, or becomes law after a veto is overridden.
It might be Jan 20, 2029 when Republicans are officially insignificant for a generation or two.
IDEAS FOR 4TH OF JULY! Let's write to Indivisible, 50501, Red,Wine & Blue, Chop Wood Carry Water, Robert Hubbell, Robert Reich, etc etc and promote all of Simon's ideas for July 4. Let's also contact each of our local reps, mayors, Chambers of commerce and give them ideas. I'm in Massachusetts so this should go over pretty well. I'm going to craft a letter to send to all these folks. Maybe even have it printed with flags and a quote from the Declaration, and snail mail it as well as email. Have a good day everyone!
Yes! This is ally-ship. There's no one good way to resist, we need each other. Indivisible seems to be the biggest and most organized now, but they are not -- and do not need to be -- the only ones.
I'd like to see every July 4 gathering have a place where EVERYBODY can sign a modern copy of the Declaration -- make yours as big as John Hancock's, if you like.
A commenter here (Moishe Swift? -- a couple of weeks ago) used ChatGP to modify Simon's "letter" into a Declaration for 2025.
I don't like the title "letter" -- reminds me too much of Schumer's penchant for "sternly worded letters." ;>/)
I dropped the idea tonight at an informal meeting of various group members. It was well received more to come. Don’t forget Third Act, it is a growing and powerful voting block of elders!
Simon, I hope you have seen TakeItBack.org People's Promise. I don't know that it fits your model, but it seems to be a nucleus. There is no detail, but a simple and relatable framework to build on.
Gilbert, we can't know at this point if our elections will accurately reflect the will of the people, but I guarantee you, our voices are being heard.
Simon, thanks for the uplifting Sunday sermon! I don't read those words from our Declaration often enough. We're going to create a powerful and positive July 4th.
I am going to a meeting today with my North Seattle Progressive group. I will bring up the Fourth of July to the group. Great idea Simon. We have to be loud and visible all over the country. We stand up for the Constitution .
Simon- so glad you’re thinking ahead about how we can “own the 4th of July” this year. So critical. I heard one idea that I thought was intriguing - to form a human chain all across the country! That may be overly ambitious and unrealistic but….Another idea - I just learned that a friend in Philly is bringing people together for ‘sing outs’ - where groups gather every week in the same place in Philly and sing together. This could be an interesting joyful type of resistance for July 4.
I so hope we can get all the organizations on the same page to agree on an action and build huge momentum for this. As someone who is spearheading actions in our community, I have found the communications and planning from some of the big resistance groups to be often confusing and even conflicting. I so wish the large groups like 50501 and Indivisible would work more collaboratively on their messaging and their planning so we can get the largest possible turnout. We need to build more momentum for the resistance against the president who not only thinks he’s king but now thinks he can be pope!!!!!???
We should definitely do something around Flag Day! (NOT that monster's birthday!) I think the left should try to co-opt his pathetic birthday party to push Flag Day.
$100 million for this. We should talk about what $100M should buy for us. Grants, Science, Art, Research, NOA, Public Broadcasting, on and on. All the flags upside down.
Could it be organized through the national, state and local Democratic parties? Scripted readings of a revised Declaration of Independence, perhaps called "The People's Declaration of Trump's Incompetence" and just have gatherings of folks read this revised text by courthouses, which would track much of the original language of the DoI because so many of the grievances against King George track the grievances against King Donald. It could even become the Letter to America.
Don't forget "He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; . . . because all of MAGA is to blame.
Someone suggested rally signs should zero in on impeachment, but it might be wise to wait for a Democratic House and focus on local wounds for now.
Love this idea. But first! Let’s also own June 14, FLAG DAY. Indivisible is planning a national “no kings” day, another nationwide day of action. Work with your local activist groups to plan a march/parade/protest/rally to counterbalance the N.Korea style military parade in DC...https://www.nokings.org/?SQF_SOURCE=indivisible
can dc host two parades? a people's parade and donny 2 dolls parades at the same time??? just different parts of town??? parallel? a competing campaign of just americans waving flags marching on foot? permit would have to be gotten asap. and donny 2 dolls could somehow block it. but clever people could get this done. think media would have to cover both.
Great idea about July 4th Simon! One idea that quickly came to mind is to have voter registration tables at each public event across the country, where people can be guided through the registration process or where everyone can check their own voter registration. This is particularly important in GA, since we are seeing massive voter purges under Brian Kemp and Sec of State Brad Raffensperger.
YES! somehow incorporate vote.org in everything that is done that day!! good idea. never hear dems speak about voter registration. but its key to winning.
I never get any answers regarding my concerns about whether our elections will be real. If they are not, then we don't have a voice.
The people reading this will all be voting
Yes, we're the ones who need to be protecting our and everyone's votes.
I disagree. This is not voter suppression but smart pro-active strategizing. I appreciate Steve Reed's reply citing MO's action to ensure everyone's votes are counted and our elections fair.
Of course the elections will be real! Don't let the maga smokescreens confuse you.
Not with extreme voter suppression and the way they may interfere
Please take your anxieties elsewhere. That isn’t what we do here.
These issues need to be addressed so that we can work hard to make sure voting rights are protected
Of course these issues are real and should be addressed. Here in missouri there is a Missouri Voter Protection Coalition https://www.movpc.org/ that brings together many many groups across the state that fight to keep our elections fair. If you have concerns in your state you should find out who is doing such work and volunteer your support. Check in with your county election officials, your local LWV also. Even your local Dem party org.
what they said. that's why no one is engaging your trollish question.
Gilbert, asking you respectfully to back off this line of discussion. We are all working as hard as we can to preserve our democracy. That is what we do here, every day. We all understand the threat, and that is why we all are working so hard.
It's clearmy my voice isn't welcome on this site so I'll channel my efforts elsewhere
I want to say this for everyone's benefit. If you come in here and get challenged on something you wrote and your response is to petulantly leave I mean c'mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Democracy is a full contact sport, these are serious matters and expecting only adulation and not challenge is not how debate and democracy works brothers and sisters.
Is not because I'm being challenged. I can handle being challenged on my views. What i can't tolerate is being told not to express them.
Gilbert, people are responding to you negatively for all you are doing is dumping anxiety and crap all over here this morning with no go forward. WE ALL UNDERSTAND THE THREAT. We don't need to be told about it. What we do here is fight to preserve our democracy. Help us do that. Explain what you are doing to make things better. Coming on here and engaging everyone about how terrible things are is not constructive, and not in the spirit of this community of doers.
Just to respect and support your fears, Gilbert, but also reinforce what I think we're trying to signal you: there is a game to be played here and won. But it's not a game: it's a war. And your expression of your fear is a correctly understood threat to our fight to keep democracy: that they will rig the election. This is a real threat and we all know it.
I think, if you can hear what's being expressed, is that there's a constructive way to approach identifying that fear... like Kate posting about sharing the Fox news article with her representative.
I think if you look at your first post, and think about re-working it, and acknowledging as you complain about the responses that perhaps what you wanted was to say something more like... and don't get angry at us for trying to push away *the way you are expressing your fear as a 'stop and don't move' kind of warning.*
I suspect you don't intend to come across this way, but I believe that it's the way we are perceiving it. "I never get any answers..." is blaming. "regarding my concerns about whether our elections will be real...." This is a question about the future, and it seems like you want something no-one other than a Greater Power can give: a guarantee about the future.
All we can do is fight in the present. And we need you to be a soldier with us in that fight.
And it's not that we don't want to hear about your fears! We do. We all need a space to share them.
But this space for sharing them is not a place to fall into them. It is a place to share them and then -- crucially -- to take what reassurance can be given, or even just empathy and understanding that we are on that page too, and here's how we're moving forward. Then it is up to you to take that and move forward through the minefields and trenches with us.
See what Deborah Potter said (basically: 'have courage') and what Steve Reed said (here's what we're doing in concrete terms and contacts for you to pitch in.) (Steve's answer appears to me to be a direct answer to your question to which he replies... yet you don't acknowledge it?)
The next response we want from you, imho, is for you to say "OK..." and then something either "I'll look at that, or this, or something else," or even just "... and I hope this works. Fingers crossed, mantra said, prayers made, anger redirected, whatever works for you."
So I hope you don't go away, but I hope you understand we can't keep digging one trench full of fearful thoughts deeper and deeper: we'll trip into it on the way to battle.
On, but what ar we doing about this particular issue?
We won’t know that until we get there! In the meantime, we have to lean into our history of fair elections!!!!! We have to stay positive, keep moving forward w/ our state grassroots efforts and join in supporting our democracy via the numerous organizations we have at our fingertips!
Totally agree and understand your concerns I've been concerned about future elections for some time after Greg Palast's documentary Vigilante Inc America’s New Voter Suppression Hitmen https://bit.ly/3DM7d3F He describes a 40,000 vigilante voter challenge in 2024 which eliminated 3.5m registered voters Pure Nazi voter suppression
And now with the Nazis having access even partially to federal databases I'm now even more concerned about extensive voter suppression using the same strategy
The best offense is a good defense and being sure one votes early in the 2026 midterms is part of the offense so one makes sure that you haven't been smudged from the registered voter rolls This is particularly true for the nonwhite population that they targeted in 2024
Sooo be prepared as the Boy Scout motto urges
Thank you
Just attended Pramila Jayapal's Resistance Lab 2.0 There was an original 1.0 in March and this is followup Highly recommend because it thoughtfully breaks down how and why successful resistance movements are successful from past experiences in other countries mobilize.us/PramilaforCongress to join resistance community or find a protest near you
PramilaforCongress.com to get on email list
Next Resistance Lab 1.0 Introductory information June 1 11am?EST check and find out
I worry about this too…a lot.
Thank you
I have emailed the link to this article to my female Senator, Joni Ernst, pointing out that the problems that married women are having getting RealID are exactly what the SAVE Act has in store for them with registering to vote. I urged her to vote against the SAVE Act. (This is probably the first time I've ever circulated a Fox News article.) https://www.foxnews.com/travel/married-women-face-real-id-documentation-hurdles-i-cant-accept-this
Wow! And a Fox News article that seems like real journalism at that!
Yep Republican women are starting to figure out that THEY will be advesley affected if this act passes, so at least that's more people complaining to their congressionals about how unfair this all is. Perhaps Joni Ernst needs to be reminded that if she can't vote, she also cannot hold office.
The SAVE act is dead. Schumer said they will not have 60 votes. So you can now call Joni Ernst about Medicaid!
I wish I could trust WTF Schumer.
He's not doing all we'd want, no way. Ugh. But he's not going to let that get through. And it's not just him.
I don't think we take any thing for granted with the Republican Senators. The phone calls take less than a minute. And, yes, the budget bill is huge with all of those ridiculously proposed cuts, but I think they're planning to vote on SAVES first.
In case they hide it somewhere else: the sheer dollar cost of getting copies of birth, marriage, and other documents amounts to a "poll tax" on women who've ever changed their name for a guy.
The December after the Declaration of Independence was issued, Thomas Paine wrote the following:
“THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”
We will prevail and we will conquer the tyranny that we are now experiencing. So glad to be part of this community of doers and patriots.
I love that Simon included the first paragraph of the Constitution today too. "Promote the general welfare". With FREEDOM, there is also reponsibility. Citizens have responsiblities to the common good. To me, that's part of this too. We need to declare our FREEDOM from our current tyrant, but also recommit to our responsibilities as citizens. This community certainly has done that, but is there something there for the rest of the country?
I love that he included the last paragraphs of the Declaration too!
We should call July 4th our first Independence Day with our second yet to be determined. Ultimately our #2ndIndependenceDay will be celebrated years from now, marking the turning point when we reclaim democracy and turn back #RepubloFascism for good.
It may be the day that Trump is removed after a successful impeachment. Or Vance. Or the day that an updated version of the “No Kings Act“ is signed into law, or becomes law after a veto is overridden.
It might be Jan 20, 2029 when Republicans are officially insignificant for a generation or two.
IDEAS FOR 4TH OF JULY! Let's write to Indivisible, 50501, Red,Wine & Blue, Chop Wood Carry Water, Robert Hubbell, Robert Reich, etc etc and promote all of Simon's ideas for July 4. Let's also contact each of our local reps, mayors, Chambers of commerce and give them ideas. I'm in Massachusetts so this should go over pretty well. I'm going to craft a letter to send to all these folks. Maybe even have it printed with flags and a quote from the Declaration, and snail mail it as well as email. Have a good day everyone!
Yes! This is ally-ship. There's no one good way to resist, we need each other. Indivisible seems to be the biggest and most organized now, but they are not -- and do not need to be -- the only ones.
I'd like to see every July 4 gathering have a place where EVERYBODY can sign a modern copy of the Declaration -- make yours as big as John Hancock's, if you like.
A commenter here (Moishe Swift? -- a couple of weeks ago) used ChatGP to modify Simon's "letter" into a Declaration for 2025.
I don't like the title "letter" -- reminds me too much of Schumer's penchant for "sternly worded letters." ;>/)
I dropped the idea tonight at an informal meeting of various group members. It was well received more to come. Don’t forget Third Act, it is a growing and powerful voting block of elders!
And let's get the League of Women Voters and other voter registrations involved with the 4th of July! Outreach is key as well as messaging.
Simon, I hope you have seen TakeItBack.org People's Promise. I don't know that it fits your model, but it seems to be a nucleus. There is no detail, but a simple and relatable framework to build on.
Thanks! It looks promising and i signed up for their emails to learn more.
I think Common Cause is also using this or a version of it.
Gilbert, we can't know at this point if our elections will accurately reflect the will of the people, but I guarantee you, our voices are being heard.
Simon, thanks for the uplifting Sunday sermon! I don't read those words from our Declaration often enough. We're going to create a powerful and positive July 4th.
I am going to a meeting today with my North Seattle Progressive group. I will bring up the Fourth of July to the group. Great idea Simon. We have to be loud and visible all over the country. We stand up for the Constitution .
Excellent ideas about the 4th.
In Kingston, NY, we continue the fight. On Saturday, we made a huge splash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc843yktLrs
Simon- so glad you’re thinking ahead about how we can “own the 4th of July” this year. So critical. I heard one idea that I thought was intriguing - to form a human chain all across the country! That may be overly ambitious and unrealistic but….Another idea - I just learned that a friend in Philly is bringing people together for ‘sing outs’ - where groups gather every week in the same place in Philly and sing together. This could be an interesting joyful type of resistance for July 4.
I so hope we can get all the organizations on the same page to agree on an action and build huge momentum for this. As someone who is spearheading actions in our community, I have found the communications and planning from some of the big resistance groups to be often confusing and even conflicting. I so wish the large groups like 50501 and Indivisible would work more collaboratively on their messaging and their planning so we can get the largest possible turnout. We need to build more momentum for the resistance against the president who not only thinks he’s king but now thinks he can be pope!!!!!???
The human chain would be magnificent!
It’s been done & can again https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hands_Across_America
First is June 14--unbirthday party.
We should definitely do something around Flag Day! (NOT that monster's birthday!) I think the left should try to co-opt his pathetic birthday party to push Flag Day.
Fly our flag half mast
This comes from Indivisible:
https://www.nokings.org/
$100 million for this. We should talk about what $100M should buy for us. Grants, Science, Art, Research, NOA, Public Broadcasting, on and on. All the flags upside down.
I like Flag Day better than Fourth of July - but thinking maybe there'll be rallies on BOTH days!
On that day, there will be this, courtesy of Glenn Kirschner's post from Sunday: https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/.
Could it be organized through the national, state and local Democratic parties? Scripted readings of a revised Declaration of Independence, perhaps called "The People's Declaration of Trump's Incompetence" and just have gatherings of folks read this revised text by courthouses, which would track much of the original language of the DoI because so many of the grievances against King George track the grievances against King Donald. It could even become the Letter to America.
Don't forget "He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; . . . because all of MAGA is to blame.
Someone suggested rally signs should zero in on impeachment, but it might be wise to wait for a Democratic House and focus on local wounds for now.
Love this idea. But first! Let’s also own June 14, FLAG DAY. Indivisible is planning a national “no kings” day, another nationwide day of action. Work with your local activist groups to plan a march/parade/protest/rally to counterbalance the N.Korea style military parade in DC...https://www.nokings.org/?SQF_SOURCE=indivisible
The VERY EXPENSIVE N Korea style military parade in DC.
can dc host two parades? a people's parade and donny 2 dolls parades at the same time??? just different parts of town??? parallel? a competing campaign of just americans waving flags marching on foot? permit would have to be gotten asap. and donny 2 dolls could somehow block it. but clever people could get this done. think media would have to cover both.
Great idea about July 4th Simon! One idea that quickly came to mind is to have voter registration tables at each public event across the country, where people can be guided through the registration process or where everyone can check their own voter registration. This is particularly important in GA, since we are seeing massive voter purges under Brian Kemp and Sec of State Brad Raffensperger.
YES! somehow incorporate vote.org in everything that is done that day!! good idea. never hear dems speak about voter registration. but its key to winning.