Simon, I’m really looking forward to watching/reading your conversation with historian Heather Cox Ricardson. Your Hopium and her "Letters From an American" are at the top of my daily reading list.
Hello, I wonder if Simon and Heather Cox Richardson might comment on the following thought regarding Trump and tariffs: Commentary on motives for Tariffs have ranged over many ideas from stopping drug trafficking, immigration control, punishing countries, revenue for the US, etc. My thought is that the main reason is that Trump controls the news and news cycle by imposing, increasing, and suspending tariffs. This may be the only significant reason. It’s his dream tool.
It is not helpful because it does not explain whey R-dot feels that way. We cannot afford to think Democrats should not be criticized. I will be unhelpful as well because I don't have enough time to write more. But If I were doing a snap shot poll on the Democrats response to Trump's speech, I give them a D.
All of this was easily predictable. But “the data didn’t say it” crowd who drive the conversation by being waaay too academic, are far outta touch with reality.
Far better to put your energy into criticizing the Republicans destroying our constitutional order and stealing from Medicaid to fund tax cuts for billionaires.
Lead by example. If you want to criticize the electeds, CALL the F*ing electeds directly, where it will be the tiniest move in our direction. Thank them if they have done something good, and tell them they need to do more.
Otherwise your just a hypocrite, by which I am referring to the original meaning from the Greek; dissembler, coward, play-actor.
>>>If you want to criticize the electeds, CALL the F*ing electeds directly, where it will be the tiniest move in our direction. Thank them if they have done something good, and tell them they need to do more. <<<
YES! And Simon, awesome - keep us in the loop when something is put together for the legal objections so we can contact our electeds with support!
Amen, brother! People who apply rules of a circular firing squad are not going to help fight fascism but they sure like taking up space in comment sections!
I just listened to Simon’s remarks from last night’s Hopium gathering and your comment tells me you didn’t. While it might make you feel better to vent, it doesn’t help our community and the sentiment itself is glaringly unstrategic.
I agree and I’m a Democrat too. It’s insane that 10 Democrats voted with fascists to censure Rep. Green and had the audacity to sing, We shall overcome.” This is a time for unity and solidarity. This is an embarrassment. It’s so frustrating and disheartening.
This is the thing that bothers me, a lot: that those 10 Democrats would join in censuring Rep. Green and in the process make a mockery of the struggle for civil rights--especially given the extensive GOP history of hostile spectacles, with zero consequences, when Democratic presidents have given SOTU addresses.
Whatever their actual motives--and I suspect it's some sort of attempted pander to conservatives in their districts--it sure looks like premature capitulation.
Those 10 need to dust off their 20th century history and take a look at how that worked in the waning days of the Weimar Republic. Even if they end up temporarily on the wrong side of power politics, they still have the opportunity to be on the right side of history and humanity. To me, it's shameful that they agreed with the censure of Rep. Green.
Absolutely. Republicans fall in line, Democrats fall in love. They’ve should’ve been prepared for Wicked47’s return but no, now they look shook and afraid. The fact that a felon is the dictator of the United States and those 10 vote to censure Rep. Green because he called him out in public when MTG and Boebert did the same thing last year to President Biden and wasn’t kicked out, that’s when decorum goes out the window!
So I have just been reading in Axios that Hakeem Jeffries and the rest of the House Democratic leadership admonished the more progressive members who demonstrated, however mildly, during the SOTU. (Meanwhile, more progressive members were angry at leadership's lack of urgency and guidance beforehand; at least, that's what the report seemed to say.)
It appears that centrist leaders were concerned about the "optics" of demonstrating against DJT's rally-style speech, and thought that the "heckling" and other displays were a sign of personal disrespect to Jeffries, who had advised against them.
(Was there actual heckling, other than by Rep. Green? Maybe there was something wrong with my TV, because all I could see, at least on the Democratic side, was mopey, beaten-down men and women displaying the glum affect of attendees at an un-air-conditioned funeral in summer, occasionally waving what looked like small black paper fans in front of their faces; and all I could hear was the continuous loud cheering and jeering of Republicans whenever DJT briefly paused to take a breath during his cavalcade of lies.)
I'm stunned by all this, if it's true. "Optics," amid daily gross demonstrations of illegality by DJT, DOGE, and the rest? "Decorum," when the Rs are turning us into an international laughing stock and pariah? What, exactly, do the Hakeem Jeffries of the world think will be accomplished by Democrats playing dead in public? When did Democrats start thinking outspokenness was a bad thing?
Also, have they never heard of Tim Snyder or Ruth Ben-Ghiat? Do they think those identifying and objecting to rampant authoritarianism are merely alarmists?
I'm sorry, but these "centrist" leadership folks are fools, and they're on course to repeat the fatal mistakes of history. Furthermore, they're undercutting the massive efforts of people in the grassroots, and of many of their own members, to prevent America from being completely overrun by a corrupt Putinist kleptocracy. Where do they get off playing the "business as usual" game and posturing about "optics" during a national existential crisis? Just unbelievable.
If this offends someone, tough. We need to call it out. And we desperately need leaders who won't miss the moment and unwittingly play footsie with fascists.
Here are the 10. Sheesh, one of the 10 is the uncle of my old boss, and one is from my state (CT). I think I'm going to have to break the rules and call them :/
Ami Bera of California, Ed Case of Hawaii, Jim Costa of California, Laura Gillen of New York, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Jared Moskowitz of Florida, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and Tom Suozzi of New York (our Tom? Really?)
Thank you for sharing, Cheri. And, yes, this is what we expect from our leaders. We the people, pay for their salaries and voted them into office. They took an oath to the constitution and to this country. Not to the wannabe dictator or Musky who we didn’t elect for office. There will be a price to pay for the harm that’s being done to those who’ve directly supported his revenge, retribution and destruction of our country and democracy.
I never said that. You’re vastly conflating what I said.
And look at the responses and likes. Clearly I’m speaking truth. Others are thinking and feeling the same way as me. I’m just the one with the 🏀🏀’s to say it. And yes, I’m not here to sooth your ego and feelings. I’m here to eff’n win and beat down so Nazi’s, once and for all.
You are right. You said, “Dems are too chicken little to be mad and vocal. Dems are quite pathetic, actually. I’m a lifelong Democrat and this type of stuff needs to be said."
So I’ll revise:
R -dot, go take a hike if you want to call yourself, me, this community, and all democrats, “chicken little,” and “quite pathetic actually.”
But if you want to conflate it to include yourself, be my guest. Like I said, I’m not here to assuage your feelings. That’s how we lose and I’m not into losing at this moment. Doesn’t mean I’m not grateful that we’re team mates, but I promise you, Dems are being very chicken little as I hear it every day being from a trump county and one of the most evangelical places in America.
I’m providing feedback. Feedback is tough sometimes. But I promise you I’m not lying or misrepresenting anything.
I didn't think you were talking about us, R-dot, but that made me wonder why post what you were saying here rather than either (a) telling the people you're really ticked off with directly or (b) proposing something you think we could do that you think would change things.
PS I've just started reading a book by Gal Beckerman called The Quiet Before that you might find interesting, which makes the case that ideas for big change (which is what we need) are most likely to stick if there's an incubation period before they hit the masses (and why hashtag movements, for example, tend to flare up quickly and die back nearly as quickly without really changing things). I got it for $11 on Kindle (I figure, per Lenin, if Bezos wants to sell me the rope with which to hang him, why not?). I haven't decided whether I agree, but as a digital media guy/info warrior, I feel I need to understand this decidedly old-school way of looking at the battlefield.
I want to look up that Beckerman book. Sounds interesting to my ears. I, myself, think that six weeks is not a very long time to recover from shock. I'm willing to prod Congressional Dems; I'm learning to get active locally myself which I hadn't done since VietNam days; and while I understand that things are getting broken that will be hard to fix so we're all wanting heroics NOW, it'll be a slog; but a slog that's worth it.
It's a quantifier thing. You said "Dems are too chicken shit...." You didn't say "Congressional Dems" or "Those Dems" or anything with a modifier so...
You're a Dem, I'm a Dem, Simon's a Dem, Lots of us here are Dems... I think if you're going to post about frustration, it's best to do it very carefully.
>Clearly I’m speaking truth. Others are thinking and feeling the same way as me.
A, Truth doesn't work like that. B, "People agree with me, therefore I'm telling the truth" has the same internal logic as "I'm a vegan, therefore I know karate." There's no cause and effect between those two things, and the correlation usually goes the other way.
Not interested in being academic with you. In politics, academics is for losers.
People vote on emotions and how they feel. That’s why the economic message is so big. That’s why Trump hammered home the trans message (because the topic makes people feel a certain way).
Trying to split hairs with academic wording isn’t the solution.
Neither is jumping up and down on our own party. Also, "In politics, academics is for losers?" I'm not even going to dignify that trombone slide of a sentence with a response. Complexity is not a vice, and our country’s tendency to treat it as such is partly why we're in this mess to begin with.
R-dot, feel free to weigh in but this engagement feels very argumentative and hectoring. It's an unwelcome sentiment here. We are all on the same team, working together and we must be respectful of each other at all times. I also think you are wrong, and ask that you do not bring this kind of dump all over Dems sentiment in here. It's inaccurate, self-indulgent and unhelpful.
I was surprised to see such negative rhetoric from these members here. I view this as a pretty safe space from the ugliness out there. Thanks for calling it out.
This is where I side with the First Amendment. R-dot might be expressing a view or sentiment that is typically not found in this group (though it’s certainly an opinion I’ve seen multiple times elsewhere) but in my opinion he/she has the right to say what they think.
Even here. Especially here.
Freedom of speech is one of the rights this group fights for. Should we not live by example?
Someone asked Elon Musk's A1 chatbok Grok this question: “What is the likelihood from 1-100 that Trump is a Putin-compromised asset? Use all publicly available information from 1980 on and his failure to ever say anything negative about Putin but has no issue attacking allies.” After scouring the public record, Grok gave a detailed response which concluded, "I estimate a 75-85% likelihood Trump is a Putin-compromised asset, leaning toward the higher end due to the consistency of his behavior and the depth of historical ties.” While don't know that Trump is a Russian asset, we do know that his actions are the same actions a Russian asset would take. We should be shouting this question from the rooftops: Why does President Trump behave like a Russian asset?
This needs to be sent to all reps local state and national and demand that they work all weekend to come up with a statement and letter to an America and take action against the Russian asset that T is - treason! Top issue and that is why he is destroying our country!
Senator Jeff Merkley asked this question, basically, of some Trump nominees yesterday or today. His point was, if Trump were an asset, how would he behave differently?
This article made me shake. Perhaps the reason for some of the resignations is intimidation and even bomb threats from the far right. Marc Elias, Democracy Docket, does not use Act Blue. He has an alternative site. I've been donating to Marc for a long time.
Do we have any idea how the "second front" argument plays to persuadable swing voter audiences?
I have been operating from the understanding that most people are convinced mostly by arguments that demonstrate how they themselves will be *directly* affected.
there are many jobs to do:
– convince less active people that they should become more active in fighting for democracy
– convince Maga voters that they should push their representatives away from Trump's agenda.
– work on persuadable voters in case we have free and fair future elections
So we have arguments that presumably will play differently to these different groups.
We do know - from research - that how the messenger of the argument plays - the Democratic Party. The answer is poorly. Democratic favorability numbers have been going down in the midst of the chaos. We need to stand for something, for principles if we want to rebuild our brand (and win). Yes, our arguments and issues are well liked but that doesn’t matter as much as it used to because the research shows that voters don’t like our brand and so will vote for the other side anyway The whole premise of being able to rise above party and politics to appeal to the median voter - the old playbook of the Democratic consultants - increasingly doesn’t work (which is why someone like Sherrod Brown lost). So, standing up for our democracy and showing backbone is a great idea, politically. It’s also the right thing to do.
Rachel Maddow interviewed Congresswoman Dexter from Oregon last night. Her recent town hall was attended by over 9,500 people! She said her constituents really wanted her to “fight harder,” and I doubt they meant getting the price of eggs lower. People clearly see that our government is being destroyed in front of our eyes - and they want Democrats to act like they see it too. This is the fight of ALL of our lives.
I just think it's "weird" that Trump flipped sides last Friday after many decades of Nato v Kremlin and no one is talking about it except in chatrooms. Elon aka F ELON, is acting with zero authority within our constitutional framework.
The Supreme Court barely passes protecting Article 1, i.e. the authority of Congress, and people are acting like its a normal debate between left and right when we are in the middle of a coup.
Cant wait to protest on Saturday for International Womens Day.!!!
Simon. Once again. Thank you for saying like it is and being ahead of the game with overall perspective (on what's happening), and a really great strategy on how to fight. I continue to be very impressed and am so glad to have discovered you and this community. I am working every day on all these things as much as I can. But I am losing sleep due to anxiety and have to figure that out. Wish it weren't true but it is, even with all my skills and self care. ----------------I know you probably don't have time for this, but I have a morbid fascination with the WHY? What is their end game? I have an awful theory that it 's deep white/patriarchal supremacy (not just money, although that too), and that they are actually interested in globally killing off as many brown people as possible as fast as possible. All of this cutting off of education, social safety nets, and healthcare, and foreign aid for as many people as they can, will affect the poor who are mostly brown. And they WANT THIS TO HAPPEN. Again. Our business is fighting it no matter what the reason, but I find myself thinking about it. It is sadistic. And I fear it is a long term plan. I'm curious if anyone else is pondering this.
Our Psychological and Political Pandemic DR. BANDY X. LEE
🔸️Mental pathology in a president is a public matter. The more severe the mental pathology the less one will recognize that one is even ill.
🔸️Every other job that deals with life or death has a mental fitness evaluation as a requirement, even before one takes the position.
🔸️When this is not available, the public needs to be educated about the risks as much as possible, especially when they involve conditions that elude detection, manipulate others into collusion, and resist their own management, as mental disorders do.
one party/authoritarian state/putin model. rape & plunder US selling off the good stuff to oligarchs leaving nothing for us, make people suffer so they will lose spirit and cave and become submissive to a totalitarian state, divide up the world between putin/xi/satan/bonesaw/modi. global domination by autocrats & oligarchs controlling all markets, resources, people. end of the planet with global warming. very stupid plan.
Question: My wife and I are currently filling out the 2025 Census Form, online. Both of us react to the details requested, some of which seem invasive and, frankly, rather bizarre. And near as we can tell, it doesn’t allow you to opt out of any of the weird questions.
Anyone else have thoughts on this? I looked to see whether any privacy organizations have weighed it...
(Examples of questions: very detailed questions about ethnicity, last month’s electricity bill, whether we have laptops, internet-enabled smartphones, details about my wife’s self-employment (she is an artist), how many hours she worked last week, whether we are connected to public water or sewage, own electric cars…)
Very creepy. I’ve never received this at all. I’ve moved since the 2020 census, so hopefully I will not receive this survey. It will be “lost in the mail, since the USPS has been gutted in my area already. I have a headache. “At 28 pages (with an additional 16-page instruction packet), these questions concern matters that the government simply has no business knowing, including questions relating to respondents’ bathing habits, home utility costs, fertility, marital history, work commute, mortgage, and health insurance, among other highly personal and private matters.”
@ArcticStones, thanks for finding more information about it: My "SCAM" response was based solely on my having been a census taker in 2020. I appreciate having the information from Rutherford's (for the eventuality that I get the ACS email.)
Thanks, I saw that. It is said there are two Chinese curses (no doubt fictional, as such things tend to be) that are highly relevant for today:
1) May you live in interesting times.
2) May you come to the attention of the authorities.
Seeing that the first most certainly is fulfilled, I would rather avoid stupidly satisfying the second. So we filled out the form, on paper, which made it easier to skip a couple of the more intrusive and bizarre questions.
Urgent question: I thought the census was only every ten years. There was a census in 2020 (during COVID). Is this census request legitimate? We may be receiving these forms because DOGE stole our information from US Treasury. That was one of their first criminal acts. We need to research this right away!!! You can call 1-844-USAGOV1. Here is the link:
I had the same thought, and near as I can tell, based off some quick searches, it's some kind of test for the 2030 census. I can't speak to any ulterior motives though.
EDIT / Clarification: EDIT: This is not the regular ten-year survey but rather the so-called American Community Survey. The ACS is "a continuous survey conducted by the Census Bureau that gathers data on a smaller sample of the population throughout the decade, not just during the official decennial."
Detailed questions about ethnicity and income was SUPPOSED to be used to enable states to know how much in federal dollars they might need for services, and to help understand which communities were underserved, and how well we were we getting better with education and equity. No questions about household electronics.
Right. The test for the 2020 census was in 2018, not FIVE years before the 2030 census. The question about sex only could be answered "male or female". I have not received a form but if I do I will call my Democratic Congresswoman.
Now that I think of it, we did do the test census but that was a few years back. I don't remember the questions being that strange and it was official- we got about 3 reminders even after having completed it, lol!
Regrettably, I reluctantly completed BUT DID NOT “submit” the form. Like you, I was “suspicious” of it’s legality. I received and have ignored a second exact form.
That does not sound right to me. Are these 'in-person' visits? Does anyone else get 'in-person' visits from a census worker.
I had a job in college for R&R Donnelly (it's some kind of marketing firm, or data collection firm). I would go knock on doors and ask snoopy questions. People thought I was a 'census' worker even though I think I was wearing a badge that said I wasn't. I lasted about 3 days on that job. One of the worst jobs I ever had, right along with the car wash job where I got put on unpaid break when there weren't any cars to wash which was most of the day.
It might be people posing as census workers, like those utility bill scammers we used to get around here. That’s weird. That should only happen in census years I think.
I've never heard of a mid-decade Census. I thought they were only completed two years before the due date-- in this case 2028 or so for 2030. I'd be reluctant to complete that based on those very weird questions.
First, thank you Simon for your fantastic conversation yesterday with HCR. Every time you both speak, I learn something new and for that I am grateful! Second, I absolutely love the messages I left today for my two senators (Ashley Moody and Rick Scot - vomit emoji). I asked if they are planning town halls during recess. And I told them that they should not show fear and they should not be afraid of their own constituents. I asked for a call back with town hall information.
Simon, thank you. For finding the energy, for shifting the momentum in our direction. I feel it out here, in suburban Philadelphia. I want to add to the list of Ds who are doing outstanding work our own Chrissy Houlahan. An outstanding communicator, a teller of stories, a great town hall holder, with a truly tremendous staff. She is rising not because she seeks power because she is empowering. Might be interesting to have her on as a guest. She has much to say about cyber security and vets and the status of legal cases and the stories she is collecting about people who are losing their jobs.
I would love that. Chrissy is in a very purple district and knows how to broaden the coalition here with welcoming town halls (virtual and in person) and how to educate her colleagues in the house. She has insights into some of the R thinking in that chamber. And she always votes with her conscience. Her Blue Sky feed is impeccable.
Here is her newest letter (I'd written her a thank you; I do that several times a week):
Thank you for contacting me about actions by Democrats against President Trump and for your patience awaiting a response. Please know that each of the approximately 8,000 emails I receive each month is read and informs my service to our community, Commonwealth, and country. It is the honor and privilege of a lifetime to do this work.
It’s an understatement to say that President Trump and I view American greatness differently. Since taking office, he has targeted non-partisan federal agencies and essential civil servants, appointed unqualified individuals to his cabinet, and is eagerly ignoring the checks and balances established by our Constitution. Congressional Republicans, who control Congress right now have the power to constrain him but stand quietly by. As one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, I’m beyond frustrated by my conversations with my Republican colleagues. This behavior is irresponsible. Representatives should not just represent their constituents but also lead.
I have heard from many in our community; Congress must act. Since the President took office, I have made requests and supported legislation which provide transparency and accountability to the American public, including:
Sent a request to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking for an explanation on the legality of Musk’s access to the Treasury Department payment system, whether he and others are now employees of the department, and exactly what access Musk and his team have been given.
Sent a request to Secretary Bessent and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Russell Vought to remove Musk’s team from the CFPB and restore normal operations.
Cosponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act which ensures anyone accessing the Treasury Department payment system has proper authorization and has no personal conflicts and notifies the public and Congress of any unauthorized access.
Cosponsored the Scientific Integrity Act which sets clear standards for federal agencies and federally funded research to keep public science research protected after the Trump Administration announced funding cuts.
I will continue to speak out publicly, to talk to Congressional Republicans in Washington, to encourage my community to speak out – public outcry forced the reversal of President Trump’s federal funding freeze – and to find ways big and small to bring this reckless and dangerous behavior to an end.
Yes, she did. A painful decision for her, it seems. She immediately went to the Inquirer to explain. She votes her conscience, as I said. This doesn’t make her a bad representative, in my eyes.
The Maryland Democratic Party is sponsoring and/or supporting a number of tangible actions, including rallies, phone banks, etc., in opposition to Trump/Musk ... The link below provides information about how, and where, you can participate:
We've been writing our postcards, making our donations, contacting our Senators and Congresswoman, all Democrats. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, at age 80, is out there every day protesting. She was out on the steps of the Capitol yesterday about noon with Federal employees who were laid off by DOGE telling the stories about their jobs. Today our topic is the Department of Education.
Simon says he'll post that one once it's ready and up. It was a terrific one, well worth waiting for!
I saw this somewhere and LOVE it......spread it around folks:
ELON/FELON
.....sad but true......
I ordered a magnet bumper sticker for my car that is even better...
it reads F ELON
Nice!
Where did you get it? I would love to order one and I'm sure others would too! Do you have the link?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1827343289/f-elon-bumper-sticker-for-tesla-black?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=elon+musk+bumper+sticker&ref=sr_gallery-1-16&frs=1&sts=1&content_source=b7ec46ceb6421240ebafabdd6d7710445f16b7c2%253A1827343289&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=b7ec46ceb6421240ebafabdd6d7710445f16b7c2%3A1827343289 Not from Amazon!
Simon, I’m really looking forward to watching/reading your conversation with historian Heather Cox Ricardson. Your Hopium and her "Letters From an American" are at the top of my daily reading list.
You will love it!
Arctic - it was awesome. Two personal heroes on the screen at the same time!
It was wonderful. I hope it is one of many~!
Hello, I wonder if Simon and Heather Cox Richardson might comment on the following thought regarding Trump and tariffs: Commentary on motives for Tariffs have ranged over many ideas from stopping drug trafficking, immigration control, punishing countries, revenue for the US, etc. My thought is that the main reason is that Trump controls the news and news cycle by imposing, increasing, and suspending tariffs. This may be the only significant reason. It’s his dream tool.
rigging the stock market is more like it
It was fantastic. It was really something to see how they interacted and sort of fed off of each other's ideas and knowledge.
Me too!
Dems are too chicken little to be mad and vocal. Dems are quite pathetic, actually. I’m a lifelong Democrat and this type of stuff needs to be said.
Not a helpful comment, and not true.
Not being able to take criticism and be accountable for where the Democratic Party is at IS the heart of the problem. Stop being holier than thou.
Everyone is talking about how pathetically feeble the party is and that there’s no leadership. But I’m the problem?!? Ohhhh-kay 👌🏾
>Stop being holier than thou.
>I’m a lifelong Democrat and this type of stuff needs to be said.
...No comment.
'everyone'? nice use of Trumpian phrasing
Put it better (and far nicer) than I ever could.
Agree. My take: we are strong. the trolls are becoming desperate
It is not helpful because it does not explain whey R-dot feels that way. We cannot afford to think Democrats should not be criticized. I will be unhelpful as well because I don't have enough time to write more. But If I were doing a snap shot poll on the Democrats response to Trump's speech, I give them a D.
Pardon the typos, I have a weird learning disability that interferes with my ability to see errors.
A D….? I give them an F-
Absent leadership.
Absent message.
Absent media.
All of this was easily predictable. But “the data didn’t say it” crowd who drive the conversation by being waaay too academic, are far outta touch with reality.
Too many appear to be taking James Carville's terrible advice that the Dems should just roll over and let Trump and the GOP wreck themselves.
Far better to put your energy into criticizing the Republicans destroying our constitutional order and stealing from Medicaid to fund tax cuts for billionaires.
Lead by example. If you want to criticize the electeds, CALL the F*ing electeds directly, where it will be the tiniest move in our direction. Thank them if they have done something good, and tell them they need to do more.
Otherwise your just a hypocrite, by which I am referring to the original meaning from the Greek; dissembler, coward, play-actor.
>>>If you want to criticize the electeds, CALL the F*ing electeds directly, where it will be the tiniest move in our direction. Thank them if they have done something good, and tell them they need to do more. <<<
YES! And Simon, awesome - keep us in the loop when something is put together for the legal objections so we can contact our electeds with support!
*Sanctimonious
Amen, brother! People who apply rules of a circular firing squad are not going to help fight fascism but they sure like taking up space in comment sections!
I just listened to Simon’s remarks from last night’s Hopium gathering and your comment tells me you didn’t. While it might make you feel better to vent, it doesn’t help our community and the sentiment itself is glaringly unstrategic.
I agree and I’m a Democrat too. It’s insane that 10 Democrats voted with fascists to censure Rep. Green and had the audacity to sing, We shall overcome.” This is a time for unity and solidarity. This is an embarrassment. It’s so frustrating and disheartening.
This is the thing that bothers me, a lot: that those 10 Democrats would join in censuring Rep. Green and in the process make a mockery of the struggle for civil rights--especially given the extensive GOP history of hostile spectacles, with zero consequences, when Democratic presidents have given SOTU addresses.
Whatever their actual motives--and I suspect it's some sort of attempted pander to conservatives in their districts--it sure looks like premature capitulation.
Those 10 need to dust off their 20th century history and take a look at how that worked in the waning days of the Weimar Republic. Even if they end up temporarily on the wrong side of power politics, they still have the opportunity to be on the right side of history and humanity. To me, it's shameful that they agreed with the censure of Rep. Green.
Absolutely. Republicans fall in line, Democrats fall in love. They’ve should’ve been prepared for Wicked47’s return but no, now they look shook and afraid. The fact that a felon is the dictator of the United States and those 10 vote to censure Rep. Green because he called him out in public when MTG and Boebert did the same thing last year to President Biden and wasn’t kicked out, that’s when decorum goes out the window!
100% agree!
So I have just been reading in Axios that Hakeem Jeffries and the rest of the House Democratic leadership admonished the more progressive members who demonstrated, however mildly, during the SOTU. (Meanwhile, more progressive members were angry at leadership's lack of urgency and guidance beforehand; at least, that's what the report seemed to say.)
It appears that centrist leaders were concerned about the "optics" of demonstrating against DJT's rally-style speech, and thought that the "heckling" and other displays were a sign of personal disrespect to Jeffries, who had advised against them.
(Was there actual heckling, other than by Rep. Green? Maybe there was something wrong with my TV, because all I could see, at least on the Democratic side, was mopey, beaten-down men and women displaying the glum affect of attendees at an un-air-conditioned funeral in summer, occasionally waving what looked like small black paper fans in front of their faces; and all I could hear was the continuous loud cheering and jeering of Republicans whenever DJT briefly paused to take a breath during his cavalcade of lies.)
I'm stunned by all this, if it's true. "Optics," amid daily gross demonstrations of illegality by DJT, DOGE, and the rest? "Decorum," when the Rs are turning us into an international laughing stock and pariah? What, exactly, do the Hakeem Jeffries of the world think will be accomplished by Democrats playing dead in public? When did Democrats start thinking outspokenness was a bad thing?
Also, have they never heard of Tim Snyder or Ruth Ben-Ghiat? Do they think those identifying and objecting to rampant authoritarianism are merely alarmists?
I'm sorry, but these "centrist" leadership folks are fools, and they're on course to repeat the fatal mistakes of history. Furthermore, they're undercutting the massive efforts of people in the grassroots, and of many of their own members, to prevent America from being completely overrun by a corrupt Putinist kleptocracy. Where do they get off playing the "business as usual" game and posturing about "optics" during a national existential crisis? Just unbelievable.
If this offends someone, tough. We need to call it out. And we desperately need leaders who won't miss the moment and unwittingly play footsie with fascists.
Here are the 10. Sheesh, one of the 10 is the uncle of my old boss, and one is from my state (CT). I think I'm going to have to break the rules and call them :/
Ami Bera of California, Ed Case of Hawaii, Jim Costa of California, Laura Gillen of New York, Jim Himes of Connecticut, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Jared Moskowitz of Florida, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington and Tom Suozzi of New York (our Tom? Really?)
Rep. Justin Jones honoring Rep. Green on the Tennessee House floor today. This is how I expect my leaders to act! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DG3Y-81vEQP/?igsh=NmEyem9nNGI1dWQy
Thank you for sharing, Cheri. And, yes, this is what we expect from our leaders. We the people, pay for their salaries and voted them into office. They took an oath to the constitution and to this country. Not to the wannabe dictator or Musky who we didn’t elect for office. There will be a price to pay for the harm that’s being done to those who’ve directly supported his revenge, retribution and destruction of our country and democracy.
R -dot. Go take a hike if you want to call yourself, us, and the whole party “chickenshit.”
I never said that. You’re vastly conflating what I said.
And look at the responses and likes. Clearly I’m speaking truth. Others are thinking and feeling the same way as me. I’m just the one with the 🏀🏀’s to say it. And yes, I’m not here to sooth your ego and feelings. I’m here to eff’n win and beat down so Nazi’s, once and for all.
You are right. You said, “Dems are too chicken little to be mad and vocal. Dems are quite pathetic, actually. I’m a lifelong Democrat and this type of stuff needs to be said."
So I’ll revise:
R -dot, go take a hike if you want to call yourself, me, this community, and all democrats, “chicken little,” and “quite pathetic actually.”
There ya go. That’s what I said.
But if you want to conflate it to include yourself, be my guest. Like I said, I’m not here to assuage your feelings. That’s how we lose and I’m not into losing at this moment. Doesn’t mean I’m not grateful that we’re team mates, but I promise you, Dems are being very chicken little as I hear it every day being from a trump county and one of the most evangelical places in America.
I’m providing feedback. Feedback is tough sometimes. But I promise you I’m not lying or misrepresenting anything.
I didn't think you were talking about us, R-dot, but that made me wonder why post what you were saying here rather than either (a) telling the people you're really ticked off with directly or (b) proposing something you think we could do that you think would change things.
PS I've just started reading a book by Gal Beckerman called The Quiet Before that you might find interesting, which makes the case that ideas for big change (which is what we need) are most likely to stick if there's an incubation period before they hit the masses (and why hashtag movements, for example, tend to flare up quickly and die back nearly as quickly without really changing things). I got it for $11 on Kindle (I figure, per Lenin, if Bezos wants to sell me the rope with which to hang him, why not?). I haven't decided whether I agree, but as a digital media guy/info warrior, I feel I need to understand this decidedly old-school way of looking at the battlefield.
I want to look up that Beckerman book. Sounds interesting to my ears. I, myself, think that six weeks is not a very long time to recover from shock. I'm willing to prod Congressional Dems; I'm learning to get active locally myself which I hadn't done since VietNam days; and while I understand that things are getting broken that will be hard to fix so we're all wanting heroics NOW, it'll be a slog; but a slog that's worth it.
It's a quantifier thing. You said "Dems are too chicken shit...." You didn't say "Congressional Dems" or "Those Dems" or anything with a modifier so...
You're a Dem, I'm a Dem, Simon's a Dem, Lots of us here are Dems... I think if you're going to post about frustration, it's best to do it very carefully.
>Clearly I’m speaking truth. Others are thinking and feeling the same way as me.
A, Truth doesn't work like that. B, "People agree with me, therefore I'm telling the truth" has the same internal logic as "I'm a vegan, therefore I know karate." There's no cause and effect between those two things, and the correlation usually goes the other way.
Not interested in being academic with you. In politics, academics is for losers.
People vote on emotions and how they feel. That’s why the economic message is so big. That’s why Trump hammered home the trans message (because the topic makes people feel a certain way).
Trying to split hairs with academic wording isn’t the solution.
Neither is jumping up and down on our own party. Also, "In politics, academics is for losers?" I'm not even going to dignify that trombone slide of a sentence with a response. Complexity is not a vice, and our country’s tendency to treat it as such is partly why we're in this mess to begin with.
Ok Stanford
R-dot, feel free not to be academic. There’s room for all here.
I've found getting out physically to protest carry signs scream and yell helps with the pent up frustration and anger you're feeling Get involved
R-dot we have a pretty clear no assholes rule and you need to do better.
R-dot, feel free to weigh in but this engagement feels very argumentative and hectoring. It's an unwelcome sentiment here. We are all on the same team, working together and we must be respectful of each other at all times. I also think you are wrong, and ask that you do not bring this kind of dump all over Dems sentiment in here. It's inaccurate, self-indulgent and unhelpful.
Thanks, Simon. I mean, I'm frustrated too, but sheesh.
I was surprised to see such negative rhetoric from these members here. I view this as a pretty safe space from the ugliness out there. Thanks for calling it out.
Thanks, sir. I admire the restraint, by the way.
Simon,
This is where I side with the First Amendment. R-dot might be expressing a view or sentiment that is typically not found in this group (though it’s certainly an opinion I’ve seen multiple times elsewhere) but in my opinion he/she has the right to say what they think.
Even here. Especially here.
Freedom of speech is one of the rights this group fights for. Should we not live by example?
You should check out Senator Merkley’s questioning of Trump nominees yesterday or the day before. See my post above.
Someone asked Elon Musk's A1 chatbok Grok this question: “What is the likelihood from 1-100 that Trump is a Putin-compromised asset? Use all publicly available information from 1980 on and his failure to ever say anything negative about Putin but has no issue attacking allies.” After scouring the public record, Grok gave a detailed response which concluded, "I estimate a 75-85% likelihood Trump is a Putin-compromised asset, leaning toward the higher end due to the consistency of his behavior and the depth of historical ties.” While don't know that Trump is a Russian asset, we do know that his actions are the same actions a Russian asset would take. We should be shouting this question from the rooftops: Why does President Trump behave like a Russian asset?
This needs to be sent to all reps local state and national and demand that they work all weekend to come up with a statement and letter to an America and take action against the Russian asset that T is - treason! Top issue and that is why he is destroying our country!
Paul, I took the liberty of sharing your post on a different forum, The Downballot. With full credit to you, of course.
Paul--thanks much for posting this; I will be asking my coterie of Trump supporters to comment on it and will let everyone know what they say, if they say anything notable. I've been sending out Newsweek's coverage to friends and family: https://www.newsweek.com/elon-musks-chatbot-says-theres-strong-chance-trump-russian-asset-2040338
Senator Jeff Merkley asked this question, basically, of some Trump nominees yesterday or today. His point was, if Trump were an asset, how would he behave differently?
Spot on. Check out Senator Jeff Merkley asking "Is Trump a Russian Asset? https://youtube.com/shorts/gLmL5BVe1nA?si=fiXjMTRkF6WhGnHH
Sorry if this has already been discussed but any more information on what's up with ActBlue?
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/us/politics/actblue-democrat-fundraising-resignations.html?unlocked_article_code=1.104.JywJ.aKF02qxmGuq2&smid=url-share
This article made me shake. Perhaps the reason for some of the resignations is intimidation and even bomb threats from the far right. Marc Elias, Democracy Docket, does not use Act Blue. He has an alternative site. I've been donating to Marc for a long time.
Gifted: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/us/politics/actblue-democrat-fundraising-resignations.html?unlocked_article_code=1.104.kO0i.JraodocC34gU&smid=url-share
thank you, Linda
Do we have any idea how the "second front" argument plays to persuadable swing voter audiences?
I have been operating from the understanding that most people are convinced mostly by arguments that demonstrate how they themselves will be *directly* affected.
there are many jobs to do:
– convince less active people that they should become more active in fighting for democracy
– convince Maga voters that they should push their representatives away from Trump's agenda.
– work on persuadable voters in case we have free and fair future elections
So we have arguments that presumably will play differently to these different groups.
We do know - from research - that how the messenger of the argument plays - the Democratic Party. The answer is poorly. Democratic favorability numbers have been going down in the midst of the chaos. We need to stand for something, for principles if we want to rebuild our brand (and win). Yes, our arguments and issues are well liked but that doesn’t matter as much as it used to because the research shows that voters don’t like our brand and so will vote for the other side anyway The whole premise of being able to rise above party and politics to appeal to the median voter - the old playbook of the Democratic consultants - increasingly doesn’t work (which is why someone like Sherrod Brown lost). So, standing up for our democracy and showing backbone is a great idea, politically. It’s also the right thing to do.
Rachel Maddow interviewed Congresswoman Dexter from Oregon last night. Her recent town hall was attended by over 9,500 people! She said her constituents really wanted her to “fight harder,” and I doubt they meant getting the price of eggs lower. People clearly see that our government is being destroyed in front of our eyes - and they want Democrats to act like they see it too. This is the fight of ALL of our lives.
I just think it's "weird" that Trump flipped sides last Friday after many decades of Nato v Kremlin and no one is talking about it except in chatrooms. Elon aka F ELON, is acting with zero authority within our constitutional framework.
The Supreme Court barely passes protecting Article 1, i.e. the authority of Congress, and people are acting like its a normal debate between left and right when we are in the middle of a coup.
Cant wait to protest on Saturday for International Womens Day.!!!
Simon. Once again. Thank you for saying like it is and being ahead of the game with overall perspective (on what's happening), and a really great strategy on how to fight. I continue to be very impressed and am so glad to have discovered you and this community. I am working every day on all these things as much as I can. But I am losing sleep due to anxiety and have to figure that out. Wish it weren't true but it is, even with all my skills and self care. ----------------I know you probably don't have time for this, but I have a morbid fascination with the WHY? What is their end game? I have an awful theory that it 's deep white/patriarchal supremacy (not just money, although that too), and that they are actually interested in globally killing off as many brown people as possible as fast as possible. All of this cutting off of education, social safety nets, and healthcare, and foreign aid for as many people as they can, will affect the poor who are mostly brown. And they WANT THIS TO HAPPEN. Again. Our business is fighting it no matter what the reason, but I find myself thinking about it. It is sadistic. And I fear it is a long term plan. I'm curious if anyone else is pondering this.
Our Psychological and Political Pandemic DR. BANDY X. LEE
🔸️Mental pathology in a president is a public matter. The more severe the mental pathology the less one will recognize that one is even ill.
🔸️Every other job that deals with life or death has a mental fitness evaluation as a requirement, even before one takes the position.
🔸️When this is not available, the public needs to be educated about the risks as much as possible, especially when they involve conditions that elude detection, manipulate others into collusion, and resist their own management, as mental disorders do.
https://open.substack.com/pub/bandyxlee/p/our-psychological-and-political-pandemic?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=280c3q
one party/authoritarian state/putin model. rape & plunder US selling off the good stuff to oligarchs leaving nothing for us, make people suffer so they will lose spirit and cave and become submissive to a totalitarian state, divide up the world between putin/xi/satan/bonesaw/modi. global domination by autocrats & oligarchs controlling all markets, resources, people. end of the planet with global warming. very stupid plan.
Sounds accurate. Now is the best time to stand against all that. The experts (Tim Snyder, Ruth Ben Giat, ithers) say it will get harder later..
Question: My wife and I are currently filling out the 2025 Census Form, online. Both of us react to the details requested, some of which seem invasive and, frankly, rather bizarre. And near as we can tell, it doesn’t allow you to opt out of any of the weird questions.
Anyone else have thoughts on this? I looked to see whether any privacy organizations have weighed it...
(Examples of questions: very detailed questions about ethnicity, last month’s electricity bill, whether we have laptops, internet-enabled smartphones, details about my wife’s self-employment (she is an artist), how many hours she worked last week, whether we are connected to public water or sewage, own electric cars…)
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/right-let-alone-when-government-wants-know-all-your-john-whitehead
It is not a scam – at least not in the usual sense of the word. I found this article, written by John Whitehead, President of The Rutherford Institute
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/right-let-alone-when-government-wants-know-all-your-john-whitehead
I'm not on Linkedin. I've never received that type of survey. Are we legally required to fill it out?
Here is Whitehead’s article if you’re not on LinkedIn.
https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/the_right_to_be_let_alone_when_the_government_wants_to_know_all_your_business
Very creepy. I’ve never received this at all. I’ve moved since the 2020 census, so hopefully I will not receive this survey. It will be “lost in the mail, since the USPS has been gutted in my area already. I have a headache. “At 28 pages (with an additional 16-page instruction packet), these questions concern matters that the government simply has no business knowing, including questions relating to respondents’ bathing habits, home utility costs, fertility, marital history, work commute, mortgage, and health insurance, among other highly personal and private matters.”
I'm not completing that if it comes my way. There's been no notice like there is with the end of decade Censuses.
Rutherford's letter starts
"My household recently received the American Community Survey (ACS). I am shocked at the
breadth and depth of the information requested, and outraged at the contempt for my privacy that
the ACS’s questions imply. This survey obviously goes far beyond the constitutional mandate of
a decennial census, both in the frequency of its administration and the scope of questions asked.
Therefore I respectfully request that you take appropriate measures to end your department’s
distribution of this survey." followed by more, but this is the start. https://www.rutherford.org/files_images/general/2017_QA_American_Community_Survey_Form_Letter.pdf
Rutherford's form letter to use if you don't want to fill out the ACS "census form", and want to say you have a right to not fill it out.
https://www.rutherford.org/files_images/general/2017_QA_American_Community_Survey_Form_Letter.pdf
@ArcticStones, thanks for finding more information about it: My "SCAM" response was based solely on my having been a census taker in 2020. I appreciate having the information from Rutherford's (for the eventuality that I get the ACS email.)
Thanks, I saw that. It is said there are two Chinese curses (no doubt fictional, as such things tend to be) that are highly relevant for today:
1) May you live in interesting times.
2) May you come to the attention of the authorities.
Seeing that the first most certainly is fulfilled, I would rather avoid stupidly satisfying the second. So we filled out the form, on paper, which made it easier to skip a couple of the more intrusive and bizarre questions.
We haven't gotten ours yet- I'll keep an eye out.
We need to find out more as the census is only every ten years. The last census was in 2020 during COVID. I posted above about this!
https://www.usa.gov/census-data
This link lists the questions asked: https://www.census.gov/library/fact-sheets/2018/dec/why-we-ask.html
Urgent question: I thought the census was only every ten years. There was a census in 2020 (during COVID). Is this census request legitimate? We may be receiving these forms because DOGE stole our information from US Treasury. That was one of their first criminal acts. We need to research this right away!!! You can call 1-844-USAGOV1. Here is the link:
https://www.usa.gov/census-data
I had the same thought, and near as I can tell, based off some quick searches, it's some kind of test for the 2030 census. I can't speak to any ulterior motives though.
See above. I posted a clarification.
EDIT / Clarification: EDIT: This is not the regular ten-year survey but rather the so-called American Community Survey. The ACS is "a continuous survey conducted by the Census Bureau that gathers data on a smaller sample of the population throughout the decade, not just during the official decennial."
I found this:
https://www.rutherford.org/publications_resources/john_whiteheads_commentary/the_right_to_be_let_alone_when_the_government_wants_to_know_all_your_business
That's what I was going to say (librarian here). It is the ACS.
But those questions you gave examples of have NO business being on any form, test model or real. Those are creepy as hell.
@ArcticStones
SCAM!
We aren’t due a census until 2030.
Detailed questions about ethnicity and income was SUPPOSED to be used to enable states to know how much in federal dollars they might need for services, and to help understand which communities were underserved, and how well we were we getting better with education and equity. No questions about household electronics.
BUT this is 2025
Right. The test for the 2020 census was in 2018, not FIVE years before the 2030 census. The question about sex only could be answered "male or female". I have not received a form but if I do I will call my Democratic Congresswoman.
https://www.census.gov/library/fact-sheets/2018/dec/why-we-ask.html
Now that I think of it, we did do the test census but that was a few years back. I don't remember the questions being that strange and it was official- we got about 3 reminders even after having completed it, lol!
Regrettably, I reluctantly completed BUT DID NOT “submit” the form. Like you, I was “suspicious” of it’s legality. I received and have ignored a second exact form.
My husband and I are visited by a US census rep. every 3-4 months. Questions focus on if we've been a victim of crime, e.g. violence, theft.
Nothing like those you list on your comment.
That does not sound right to me. Are these 'in-person' visits? Does anyone else get 'in-person' visits from a census worker.
I had a job in college for R&R Donnelly (it's some kind of marketing firm, or data collection firm). I would go knock on doors and ask snoopy questions. People thought I was a 'census' worker even though I think I was wearing a badge that said I wasn't. I lasted about 3 days on that job. One of the worst jobs I ever had, right along with the car wash job where I got put on unpaid break when there weren't any cars to wash which was most of the day.
It might be people posing as census workers, like those utility bill scammers we used to get around here. That’s weird. That should only happen in census years I think.
I've never heard of a mid-decade Census. I thought they were only completed two years before the due date-- in this case 2028 or so for 2030. I'd be reluctant to complete that based on those very weird questions.
Best Ive read in a long time, Thank you Simon!
Speaking of Russian asset, here is a video for your dark humor break
https://youtu.be/M4tg9hUCGHE?si=CbSW9KiX7YY6mz2g
Simon, this is OUTSTANDING. You are really bringing it. You may be proud of us, but...I am proud of you, if that matters (and I hope it does).
First, thank you Simon for your fantastic conversation yesterday with HCR. Every time you both speak, I learn something new and for that I am grateful! Second, I absolutely love the messages I left today for my two senators (Ashley Moody and Rick Scot - vomit emoji). I asked if they are planning town halls during recess. And I told them that they should not show fear and they should not be afraid of their own constituents. I asked for a call back with town hall information.
inspiring. will do the same!
Simon, thank you. For finding the energy, for shifting the momentum in our direction. I feel it out here, in suburban Philadelphia. I want to add to the list of Ds who are doing outstanding work our own Chrissy Houlahan. An outstanding communicator, a teller of stories, a great town hall holder, with a truly tremendous staff. She is rising not because she seeks power because she is empowering. Might be interesting to have her on as a guest. She has much to say about cyber security and vets and the status of legal cases and the stories she is collecting about people who are losing their jobs.
I think she is great and will invite her to join us.
I would love that. Chrissy is in a very purple district and knows how to broaden the coalition here with welcoming town halls (virtual and in person) and how to educate her colleagues in the house. She has insights into some of the R thinking in that chamber. And she always votes with her conscience. Her Blue Sky feed is impeccable.
Here is her newest letter (I'd written her a thank you; I do that several times a week):
Thank you for contacting me about actions by Democrats against President Trump and for your patience awaiting a response. Please know that each of the approximately 8,000 emails I receive each month is read and informs my service to our community, Commonwealth, and country. It is the honor and privilege of a lifetime to do this work.
It’s an understatement to say that President Trump and I view American greatness differently. Since taking office, he has targeted non-partisan federal agencies and essential civil servants, appointed unqualified individuals to his cabinet, and is eagerly ignoring the checks and balances established by our Constitution. Congressional Republicans, who control Congress right now have the power to constrain him but stand quietly by. As one of the most bipartisan members of Congress, I’m beyond frustrated by my conversations with my Republican colleagues. This behavior is irresponsible. Representatives should not just represent their constituents but also lead.
I have heard from many in our community; Congress must act. Since the President took office, I have made requests and supported legislation which provide transparency and accountability to the American public, including:
Sent a request to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent asking for an explanation on the legality of Musk’s access to the Treasury Department payment system, whether he and others are now employees of the department, and exactly what access Musk and his team have been given.
Sent a request to Secretary Bessent and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Russell Vought to remove Musk’s team from the CFPB and restore normal operations.
Cosponsored the Taxpayer Data Protection Act which ensures anyone accessing the Treasury Department payment system has proper authorization and has no personal conflicts and notifies the public and Congress of any unauthorized access.
Cosponsored the Scientific Integrity Act which sets clear standards for federal agencies and federally funded research to keep public science research protected after the Trump Administration announced funding cuts.
I will continue to speak out publicly, to talk to Congressional Republicans in Washington, to encourage my community to speak out – public outcry forced the reversal of President Trump’s federal funding freeze – and to find ways big and small to bring this reckless and dangerous behavior to an end.
Didn’t I read above that Houlihan voted for the censuring of Green?
Yes, she did. A painful decision for her, it seems. She immediately went to the Inquirer to explain. She votes her conscience, as I said. This doesn’t make her a bad representative, in my eyes.
The Maryland Democratic Party is sponsoring and/or supporting a number of tangible actions, including rallies, phone banks, etc., in opposition to Trump/Musk ... The link below provides information about how, and where, you can participate:
https://www.mobilize.us/mddems/?refcode=03052025-posttrumpaddress-t1-b&emci=01e9003f-21fa-ef11-90cd-0022482a9fb7&emdi=a9c60324-22fa-ef11-90cd-0022482a9fb7&ceid=15492147
We've been writing our postcards, making our donations, contacting our Senators and Congresswoman, all Democrats. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, at age 80, is out there every day protesting. She was out on the steps of the Capitol yesterday about noon with Federal employees who were laid off by DOGE telling the stories about their jobs. Today our topic is the Department of Education.