Its an interesting idea... but the competing idea is that silence implies consent. If Democrats are not making headlines with comments of how Trump is destroying everything, will the mainstream even report that Trump is destroying everything? You can't count on MSM, they too have failed us.
I know this line of thought is running around our family but I find it incredibly dangerous and a bit shocking. We are being tested now. If we cannot get wins, mitigate damage, fight effectively now we should not expect to perform well in the midterms next year. The American people are counting on us to fight for them and not stand by while Trump's wrecking balls does damage. I ask that these kind of sentiments not become part of our conversation here.
Completely agree. There will be plenty of bad stuff to go around, regardless. So, let's put up barricades where we can so the criminals don't turn the whole country into roadkill.
I'm sure you're right. But someone has to break the voters' assumption that electing Republicans (even if they seem a little nuts) will help the economy, and if those Republicans make a mess, then the Democrats will just fix it for us. It was not hyperbole when we said how bad it would be when Trump took office for a second time. Kamala Harris was not just "campaigning" when she said there would be no guardrails. I worry that if we try to fix every problem he creates, in 2026 people will just remember that we were there too and so we are probably partially to blame.
Still calling, calling, to oppose Kennedy, Gabbard and Patel. Hoping reports are accurate that support for RFK Jr among Rs is flagging. This seems like a no brainer, since why would any Republican Senator want to be blamed for outbreaks of rubella, mumps, measles or polio in their state? Join me! Keep calling.
I too expect McConnell to vote against RFK Jr, for the reasons Deborah stated. The question is whether McConnell tries to influence other Republican senators to vote No.
Kennedy is a direct threat to the pharmaceutical industry and its profits. I can see Republicans halting this one, though with this administration, who knows?
Anyone needing some more "ammo" as to just HOW unfit Kennedy is, Dr. Paul Offitt just released a video this morning (18 mins) -- that lists one explosive item after another. Kennedy is REALLY dangerous.
I have been unaable to get through to the Washington office of Sen. Thom Tillis (NC). I'm getting ready to head out for a doctors appt, but when I get back, I will start calling his other offices.
My other Senator, Ted Budd is an election denier so I don't hold out much hope for him. But I will call anyway.
In your calls, please also voice your opposition to Russell Vought, Trump’s nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Vought was a key author of Trump’s "Project 2025". Putting Vought in place would hyper-accelerate its implementation, whereas blocking Vought’s appointment would help slow down Project 2025.
Thanks Simon... reading your essays always make me feel better.
Why why why is there silence from the Democrats? The Senate has lots of ways to bog down, slow down and oppose what is happening. I've seen the republicans use them... where are the Democrats? I just don't understand the silence. They act like the whole country voted for the demented maniac in our whitehouse when in actuality more people voted for someone other than the maga leader, than voted for him. The silence is deafening and sickening.
I think the Democratic Senators are bogged down in trying to deal with all these hideous cabinet nominations. My son used to work for a Democrat in the Senate. As a staffer he sometimes worked until 11 pm at night and typically worked at home at least part of the weekend. AOC in the House is already speaking out. I'm not sure about Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger or Jamie Raskin since I do not watch television. I received an email from Bernie Sanders yesterday. He is going on a road trip when the next Senate recess occurs. Perhaps Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, John Fetterman, Sheldon Whitehouse, Amy Klobuchar, others will do the same. My senior Senator (Durbin) will probably not do this and Tammy Duckworth has children.
The Laken Riley bill is a separate issue. I'm a left wing Democrat from a family whose Democratic activism goes back to the early 1900s, and I loathe Trump, but the due to the high numbers, immigration is a huge threat to the environment. Propublica recently wrote that within several decades, MILLIONS of Americans will become climate refugees, and the NYT Magazine recently reported that our country is running out of groundwater, and that is threatening our agricultural production https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/28/climate/groundwater-drying-climate-change.html.
Since the election three friends and I have created our own post election stress disorder support group. We take walks and get together in really bad weather at a cafe to discuss all this and what we can do about it. Yesterday we talked about tariffs and price increases. I feel we need to be really conscious in our spending habits. (Do we really need that kitchen remodel now? Do we really need that cute pair of shoes? What do we really need?) In addition to these horrible tariffs, the bird flu epidemic that no one is dealing with is going to raise egg prices. Eggs are already rationed at Whole Foods and other markets. With the enormous rebuilding necessary after two disastrous hurricanes (Helene and Milton, which impacted multiple states) and the LA Fires there will be so much demand for consumer goods it's just difficult to imagine. Look at your home. Think about what would need to be replaced in the event of a wildfire, a hurricane, a tornado. Everything! This in itself will raise prices. And rebuilding will be hurt be a shortage of supplies and labor. All of this will be really bad for those in their retirement years as they are on fixed incomes. I shudder to think what this will do to my own investment accounts. Thanks you for this interview. I will listen now.
Love the idea of a support group! The more of these there are, the better. Going to look into doing this here. Sounds like a good way of addressing the wide-ranging emotional onslaught, combined with on-the-ground ways to cope with the practical fallout. And from there, a base for informed, effective opposition. Kudos to all 4 of you!
Thank you for sharing your post. Being connected with each other seems even more important these days. Best Wishes to your group! I have been re-reading Brene Brown's Braving the Wilderness. Searching for ways to be of service and understand these chaotic times. Love to all.
We need someone with the credibility to get attention to hold daily briefings on what Trump has done over night ... like what is done in other crisis. Yes the nominees are nuts. No the military did not go into California. Yes it is unconstitutional and illegal for Trump to do X, Y, Z. Here is what really needs attention right now. Hopium and others have amazing content, but it feels like preaching to the chior. While Trump owns the narrative with his crazy. Might be a role for DNC, but they are in no hury to get a leader named and I don't have confidence the organization can rise to the occassion. Maybe someone should declare their candidacy for 2028 so that they can have a platform to push back.
Is it realistic to think that the DNC chair is going to become the new voice of the Democratic Party? Jaime Harrison was the last DNC chair. How often did you see him out there pounding the pavement on policies, or GOP malfeasance?
We need a concerted, organized effort from leaders in the House and Senate that we already know, and it is not happening at a level that it needs to. They are not loud... far from it.
The new DNC chair will have at least THREE special House elections coming up within 60 days of their assuming the role. Elections that can FLIP the House.
IMO, grassroots-level Democrats have to TRY to establish a very tight communication chain with the new DNC, centered around those campaigns. I see that as a major test/indicator, that can be determined by mid-February, if not sooner.
In the past, I have heard things like "Well, we really don't want to invest any time, funds, or effort in campaigns [we believe] we have no chance of winning." But we're not living in the past anymore, or are we? (IMO, "business as usual" is a killer.)
We knew this was coming. Yet, somehow we are like 'deer in the headlights' not knowing how to respond. In some ways, we are executing the reaction (or lack of) that Putin expected when he invaded Ukraine. Short of a massive, unified effort of civil disobedience, I don't see how we extricate ourselves from this mess. There are lots of followers here who are ready for the hard work ahead. And, probably, many more who can be recruited. Will we, like Ukraine -- and the America of old -- be the home of the brave? Who will lead us to victory?
As a retired teacher I draw the line when it comes to harming children. Taking away free breakfast and lunch and other child food programs is beyond immoral! Threatening to come into schools to deport children terrorizes all school children, including those who are born here! I have a small part time job testing the 2nd language learners on their annual English Proficiency test each spring. I plan on locking the door! All children deserve better than this.
Yes, completely agree! And then there is the insidious threat of having a vaccine superstitionist in charge of the NIH and the CDC. How many children will be harmed if RFK, Jr. is confirmed by the Senate? We can't afford to let a man with such extremist views running amok in the federal agencies charged with human health.
Not to mention the Repb Congressman today who said we should stop giving money to public schools and poor kids need to get a job to pay for their school meals.
DEMS need to be ready to EMBRACE the factions within the GOP that will become disenchanted with TRUMP. It is already starting to happen if you LOOK at FLA and DeSantis being opposed on IMMIGRATION deportation policy
I have a very hard time looking at "them" as "the GOP" anymore. As I think I've quipped before, they've turned the party of Lincoln into the party of George Lincoln Rockwell. (And that was BEFORE Elon's "salute.")
There are serious fissures forming as the cult leader creates more chaos, and his sheer incompetence becomes harder to hide. There will be independents who cast their vote for Felon Trump who will likely be stripped off. Upcoming elections will provide a referendum on Trumpism -- bringing more off the sidelines to the polls. PROVIDED people get active.
I would like to offer a replacement to the word "embrace." I have advocated for the construction of "face-saving off-ramps" providing a path back for those who are not hard-core in that cult. Sooner or later, more and more cult members are going to be looking for an exit out of that crazy world.
I came on here to support this comment. There is a great need for face-saving off-ramps. I am writing from a part of Canada that has a large MAGA-adjascent contingent in population and, alarmingly, in government.
This work is not for everyone. But some of us, who have the stomach/training/personal connections, etc. need to create spaces for folks to go where they will not be shamed, where they will be supported in their desire to turn from the cult, where they can reconnect with genuine values. For those who are able to do this, do it with courage and strength.
Dear ALTA Mom ... I hope you would resonate with me that it's not about "winning" purely. It's more about getting a sense of what we can build together. I'm willing give up some things so we both feel we're making progress... That's more like winning to me.
I love that line from the Jackson Browne song: "You win. I win.. We lose."
Agreed. This is complex, and I understand the stakes are high here. For the "off-ramp" part of this work to be effective, it must come from a place of, dare I say it, love and humility. To be clear, this alone will not save us, but some of us need to find a way to do this difficult, necessary work.
Thinking it through (thank you for your engagement!)...the "off-ramp" is definitely not the same as appeasement, and must not be confused with compromise, much less approval. Getting clear about navigating that is probably the first challenge. "First they came for..." we have to bear that in mind - small compromises and appeasements are dangerous in times like these.
Not saying I have the answers to be sure. But heartened to see this discussion happening.
Okay, another clarification: *certain* small compromises and appeasements are dangerous. That's where the minefield is.
However, given the economic fair play type of rhetoric that has come from the GOP's populist side, there could be lots of points of actual agreement if we look carefully.
Wise and important words from sociologist Jennifer Walter about what is happening in this country right now and what to do about it:
"As a sociologist, I need to tell you:
Your overwhelm is the goal.
1/ The flood of 200+ executive orders in Trump's first days exemplifies Naomi Klein's "shock doctrine" - using chaos and crisis to push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to effectively resist. This isn't just politics as usual - it's a strategic exploitation of cognitive limits.
2/ Media theorist McLuhan predicted this: When humans face information overload, they become passive and disengaged. The rapid-fire executive orders create a cognitive bottleneck, making it nearly impossible for citizens and media to thoroughly analyze any single policy.
3/ Agenda-setting theory explains the strategy: When multiple major policies compete for attention simultaneously, it fragments public discourse. Traditional media can't keep up with the pace, leading to superficial coverage.
The result? Weakened democratic oversight and reduced public engagement.
What now?
1/ Set boundaries: Pick 2-3 key issues you deeply care about and focus your attention there. You can't track everything - that's by design. Impact comes from sustained focus, not scattered awareness.
2/ Use aggregators & experts: Find trusted analysts who do the heavy lifting of synthesis. Look for those explaining patterns, not just events.
3/ Remember: Feeling overwhelmed is the point. When you recognize this, you regain some power. Take breaks. Process. This is a marathon.
4/ Practice going slow: Wait 48hrs before reacting to new policies. The urgent clouds the important. Initial reporting often misses context
5/ Build community: Share the cognitive load. Different people track different issues. Network intelligence beats individual overload.
Remember: They want you scattered. Your focus is resistance.
We’re missing the point. While we go off explaining economic theory Trump paints the picture that he has defeated Columbia in a war of principles. Never mind that that there was no war, Columbia was already allowing reparations, and the principle he
Simon, can you and other indie journalists work to light a fire under congressional Democrats' asses by platforming Democrats who could lead the opposition? We desperately need someone in charge and leading the fight, especially on grabbing attention in media and social media.
The end game is this -- more money, power, centralized control of the economy for him and family.
You tell everyone, "Pay this tariff". Some well connected people explore through their govt affairs staff w the WH, "hey do we really have to pay this tariff?" WH says, "Yes, but... if you make Jr or Eric a director and grant them stock options you may get more favorable treatment" Company does what it is told. Company receives a break on the tariff. Company continues to price the goods they sell as high as if they were paying tariff, but innl reality earns higher profit.
Soon, word gets out to the market that you don't have to pay the tariffs, but just give the 🍊 family a cut and your products are exempted.
The end result is still higher prices but less tariff revenue for the govt, higher profits for Company, and greater leverage and economic control for the 🍊 family.
Tom, there is an edit button for your posts. Click on your post on the 3 dots on the upper right and you get a drop down menu including an edit button. fyi
I'm really glad that Schumer spoke somewhat forcefully and said that the party is suing to stop the power grab over basically all federal assistance spending today. I've been calling my reps and Senators every day.
Senator Booker won't commit to voting No for RFK as of yet, and that's really frustrating.
And he voted for Bessent for Treasury Sec. Andy Kim voted for Noem!! I’m pretty frustrated with most of the elected reps right now. Schumer’s statement was the first real passion I’ve seen from the Dems in the Senate.
I left a message with Rep. Rick Larsen. He and his staff are apparently on retreat. I made a point that he need to speak out against the Trump economic agenda of tariffs and tax cut for billionaires. I said he needed to speak out loudly. I pointed to his weekly "Recap with Rick" videos on BlueSky and YouTube and said that the delivery was dreadful. Reading off of note cards in a business-as-usual tone? Not good enough. I said he needs to speak with passion.
I followed up with a call to Sen. Murray and actually reached a staffer. I was overcome with emotion. Not like me. In any case, I mostly just thanked her and encouraged her to keep up the fight.
And one last call to Sen. Cantwell. Again. Her view has been that she works hard as a legislator for Washington State, but at this moment in history, she needs to be less a legislator and more a leader.
Its an interesting idea... but the competing idea is that silence implies consent. If Democrats are not making headlines with comments of how Trump is destroying everything, will the mainstream even report that Trump is destroying everything? You can't count on MSM, they too have failed us.
I know this line of thought is running around our family but I find it incredibly dangerous and a bit shocking. We are being tested now. If we cannot get wins, mitigate damage, fight effectively now we should not expect to perform well in the midterms next year. The American people are counting on us to fight for them and not stand by while Trump's wrecking balls does damage. I ask that these kind of sentiments not become part of our conversation here.
Completely agree. There will be plenty of bad stuff to go around, regardless. So, let's put up barricades where we can so the criminals don't turn the whole country into roadkill.
I'm sure you're right. But someone has to break the voters' assumption that electing Republicans (even if they seem a little nuts) will help the economy, and if those Republicans make a mess, then the Democrats will just fix it for us. It was not hyperbole when we said how bad it would be when Trump took office for a second time. Kamala Harris was not just "campaigning" when she said there would be no guardrails. I worry that if we try to fix every problem he creates, in 2026 people will just remember that we were there too and so we are probably partially to blame.
Still calling, calling, to oppose Kennedy, Gabbard and Patel. Hoping reports are accurate that support for RFK Jr among Rs is flagging. This seems like a no brainer, since why would any Republican Senator want to be blamed for outbreaks of rubella, mumps, measles or polio in their state? Join me! Keep calling.
Mitch McConnell had childhood polio. I wonder how he feels about the RFK Jr nomination.
He has commented widely. Expect a no vote.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rfk-jr-mitch-mcconnell-polio-vaccine/
more info about who might vote against Kennedy https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/29/us/politics/rfk-jr-republicans-mcconnell.html?unlocked_article_code=1.tE4.Yd59.Fj2680r8V57U&smid=url-share
I too expect McConnell to vote against RFK Jr, for the reasons Deborah stated. The question is whether McConnell tries to influence other Republican senators to vote No.
Kennedy is a direct threat to the pharmaceutical industry and its profits. I can see Republicans halting this one, though with this administration, who knows?
Good point.
Anyone needing some more "ammo" as to just HOW unfit Kennedy is, Dr. Paul Offitt just released a video this morning (18 mins) -- that lists one explosive item after another. Kennedy is REALLY dangerous.
https://youtu.be/1f2xofWFsW4?si=CR5fn54l5U5fIo3J
My favorite: "Mass shootings are caused by anti-depressants."
I have been unaable to get through to the Washington office of Sen. Thom Tillis (NC). I'm getting ready to head out for a doctors appt, but when I get back, I will start calling his other offices.
My other Senator, Ted Budd is an election denier so I don't hold out much hope for him. But I will call anyway.
In your calls, please also voice your opposition to Russell Vought, Trump’s nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Vought was a key author of Trump’s "Project 2025". Putting Vought in place would hyper-accelerate its implementation, whereas blocking Vought’s appointment would help slow down Project 2025.
Thanks Simon... reading your essays always make me feel better.
Why why why is there silence from the Democrats? The Senate has lots of ways to bog down, slow down and oppose what is happening. I've seen the republicans use them... where are the Democrats? I just don't understand the silence. They act like the whole country voted for the demented maniac in our whitehouse when in actuality more people voted for someone other than the maga leader, than voted for him. The silence is deafening and sickening.
I think the Democratic Senators are bogged down in trying to deal with all these hideous cabinet nominations. My son used to work for a Democrat in the Senate. As a staffer he sometimes worked until 11 pm at night and typically worked at home at least part of the weekend. AOC in the House is already speaking out. I'm not sure about Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger or Jamie Raskin since I do not watch television. I received an email from Bernie Sanders yesterday. He is going on a road trip when the next Senate recess occurs. Perhaps Cory Booker, Elizabeth Warren, John Fetterman, Sheldon Whitehouse, Amy Klobuchar, others will do the same. My senior Senator (Durbin) will probably not do this and Tammy Duckworth has children.
Fetterman is one of those who supported that Riley Laken bill, very disappointed in him. Stop trying to work across the aisle, it's not going to help.
I did not know that. Thank you. He used to speak out, such as on Bob Menendez. Disappointing. Overall I'm very disappointed in all of them.
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/202523 has all of the votes
https://rollcall.com/2025/01/20/democrats-senate-laken-riley-act/ discusses the 12 democrats who voted yes
👍
The Laken Riley bill is a separate issue. I'm a left wing Democrat from a family whose Democratic activism goes back to the early 1900s, and I loathe Trump, but the due to the high numbers, immigration is a huge threat to the environment. Propublica recently wrote that within several decades, MILLIONS of Americans will become climate refugees, and the NYT Magazine recently reported that our country is running out of groundwater, and that is threatening our agricultural production https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/28/climate/groundwater-drying-climate-change.html.
If everyone on Earth consumed at the rate Americans do, it would take five Earths to support that consumption. https://css.umich.edu/publications/factsheets/sustainability-indicators/us-environmental-footprint-factsheet
forget about fetterman
Since the election three friends and I have created our own post election stress disorder support group. We take walks and get together in really bad weather at a cafe to discuss all this and what we can do about it. Yesterday we talked about tariffs and price increases. I feel we need to be really conscious in our spending habits. (Do we really need that kitchen remodel now? Do we really need that cute pair of shoes? What do we really need?) In addition to these horrible tariffs, the bird flu epidemic that no one is dealing with is going to raise egg prices. Eggs are already rationed at Whole Foods and other markets. With the enormous rebuilding necessary after two disastrous hurricanes (Helene and Milton, which impacted multiple states) and the LA Fires there will be so much demand for consumer goods it's just difficult to imagine. Look at your home. Think about what would need to be replaced in the event of a wildfire, a hurricane, a tornado. Everything! This in itself will raise prices. And rebuilding will be hurt be a shortage of supplies and labor. All of this will be really bad for those in their retirement years as they are on fixed incomes. I shudder to think what this will do to my own investment accounts. Thanks you for this interview. I will listen now.
Love the idea of a support group! The more of these there are, the better. Going to look into doing this here. Sounds like a good way of addressing the wide-ranging emotional onslaught, combined with on-the-ground ways to cope with the practical fallout. And from there, a base for informed, effective opposition. Kudos to all 4 of you!
We are all active in Democratic politics here and are trying to determine the next steps in recovering our Democracy.
Thank you for sharing your post. Being connected with each other seems even more important these days. Best Wishes to your group! I have been re-reading Brene Brown's Braving the Wilderness. Searching for ways to be of service and understand these chaotic times. Love to all.
We need someone with the credibility to get attention to hold daily briefings on what Trump has done over night ... like what is done in other crisis. Yes the nominees are nuts. No the military did not go into California. Yes it is unconstitutional and illegal for Trump to do X, Y, Z. Here is what really needs attention right now. Hopium and others have amazing content, but it feels like preaching to the chior. While Trump owns the narrative with his crazy. Might be a role for DNC, but they are in no hury to get a leader named and I don't have confidence the organization can rise to the occassion. Maybe someone should declare their candidacy for 2028 so that they can have a platform to push back.
The DNC elects their next leader on February 1.
Is it realistic to think that the DNC chair is going to become the new voice of the Democratic Party? Jaime Harrison was the last DNC chair. How often did you see him out there pounding the pavement on policies, or GOP malfeasance?
We need a concerted, organized effort from leaders in the House and Senate that we already know, and it is not happening at a level that it needs to. They are not loud... far from it.
The new DNC chair will have at least THREE special House elections coming up within 60 days of their assuming the role. Elections that can FLIP the House.
IMO, grassroots-level Democrats have to TRY to establish a very tight communication chain with the new DNC, centered around those campaigns. I see that as a major test/indicator, that can be determined by mid-February, if not sooner.
In the past, I have heard things like "Well, we really don't want to invest any time, funds, or effort in campaigns [we believe] we have no chance of winning." But we're not living in the past anymore, or are we? (IMO, "business as usual" is a killer.)
I'm ready to postcard as soon as Simon gets US organized in that way.
I have 400 postcards and stamps. I'm ready. I would like to know what the odds are of the 3 Democrats actually winning the Special Elections.
the two in FL were won by GOP by double digits last time. It will be interesting if Trump's shock and awe overreach narrows the races.
FL-1 was won in November by Matt Gaetz. (It's a seat once held by Joe Scarborough.)
The chance of us being successful in these three House specials is very remote, and folks need to set reasonable expectations here.
We knew this was coming. Yet, somehow we are like 'deer in the headlights' not knowing how to respond. In some ways, we are executing the reaction (or lack of) that Putin expected when he invaded Ukraine. Short of a massive, unified effort of civil disobedience, I don't see how we extricate ourselves from this mess. There are lots of followers here who are ready for the hard work ahead. And, probably, many more who can be recruited. Will we, like Ukraine -- and the America of old -- be the home of the brave? Who will lead us to victory?
As a retired teacher I draw the line when it comes to harming children. Taking away free breakfast and lunch and other child food programs is beyond immoral! Threatening to come into schools to deport children terrorizes all school children, including those who are born here! I have a small part time job testing the 2nd language learners on their annual English Proficiency test each spring. I plan on locking the door! All children deserve better than this.
Yes, completely agree! And then there is the insidious threat of having a vaccine superstitionist in charge of the NIH and the CDC. How many children will be harmed if RFK, Jr. is confirmed by the Senate? We can't afford to let a man with such extremist views running amok in the federal agencies charged with human health.
Not to mention the Repb Congressman today who said we should stop giving money to public schools and poor kids need to get a job to pay for their school meals.
DEMS need to be ready to EMBRACE the factions within the GOP that will become disenchanted with TRUMP. It is already starting to happen if you LOOK at FLA and DeSantis being opposed on IMMIGRATION deportation policy
I have a very hard time looking at "them" as "the GOP" anymore. As I think I've quipped before, they've turned the party of Lincoln into the party of George Lincoln Rockwell. (And that was BEFORE Elon's "salute.")
There are serious fissures forming as the cult leader creates more chaos, and his sheer incompetence becomes harder to hide. There will be independents who cast their vote for Felon Trump who will likely be stripped off. Upcoming elections will provide a referendum on Trumpism -- bringing more off the sidelines to the polls. PROVIDED people get active.
I would like to offer a replacement to the word "embrace." I have advocated for the construction of "face-saving off-ramps" providing a path back for those who are not hard-core in that cult. Sooner or later, more and more cult members are going to be looking for an exit out of that crazy world.
It needs to be genuine
100% right on.
I came on here to support this comment. There is a great need for face-saving off-ramps. I am writing from a part of Canada that has a large MAGA-adjascent contingent in population and, alarmingly, in government.
This work is not for everyone. But some of us, who have the stomach/training/personal connections, etc. need to create spaces for folks to go where they will not be shamed, where they will be supported in their desire to turn from the cult, where they can reconnect with genuine values. For those who are able to do this, do it with courage and strength.
Dear ALTA Mom ... I hope you would resonate with me that it's not about "winning" purely. It's more about getting a sense of what we can build together. I'm willing give up some things so we both feel we're making progress... That's more like winning to me.
I love that line from the Jackson Browne song: "You win. I win.. We lose."
Agreed. This is complex, and I understand the stakes are high here. For the "off-ramp" part of this work to be effective, it must come from a place of, dare I say it, love and humility. To be clear, this alone will not save us, but some of us need to find a way to do this difficult, necessary work.
Thinking it through (thank you for your engagement!)...the "off-ramp" is definitely not the same as appeasement, and must not be confused with compromise, much less approval. Getting clear about navigating that is probably the first challenge. "First they came for..." we have to bear that in mind - small compromises and appeasements are dangerous in times like these.
Not saying I have the answers to be sure. But heartened to see this discussion happening.
Okay, another clarification: *certain* small compromises and appeasements are dangerous. That's where the minefield is.
However, given the economic fair play type of rhetoric that has come from the GOP's populist side, there could be lots of points of actual agreement if we look carefully.
With thanks to Emily Pearl:
Wise and important words from sociologist Jennifer Walter about what is happening in this country right now and what to do about it:
"As a sociologist, I need to tell you:
Your overwhelm is the goal.
1/ The flood of 200+ executive orders in Trump's first days exemplifies Naomi Klein's "shock doctrine" - using chaos and crisis to push through radical changes while people are too disoriented to effectively resist. This isn't just politics as usual - it's a strategic exploitation of cognitive limits.
2/ Media theorist McLuhan predicted this: When humans face information overload, they become passive and disengaged. The rapid-fire executive orders create a cognitive bottleneck, making it nearly impossible for citizens and media to thoroughly analyze any single policy.
3/ Agenda-setting theory explains the strategy: When multiple major policies compete for attention simultaneously, it fragments public discourse. Traditional media can't keep up with the pace, leading to superficial coverage.
The result? Weakened democratic oversight and reduced public engagement.
What now?
1/ Set boundaries: Pick 2-3 key issues you deeply care about and focus your attention there. You can't track everything - that's by design. Impact comes from sustained focus, not scattered awareness.
2/ Use aggregators & experts: Find trusted analysts who do the heavy lifting of synthesis. Look for those explaining patterns, not just events.
3/ Remember: Feeling overwhelmed is the point. When you recognize this, you regain some power. Take breaks. Process. This is a marathon.
4/ Practice going slow: Wait 48hrs before reacting to new policies. The urgent clouds the important. Initial reporting often misses context
5/ Build community: Share the cognitive load. Different people track different issues. Network intelligence beats individual overload.
Remember: They want you scattered. Your focus is resistance.
This is so helpful (again). Thank you Diane (and Emily Pearl--- who is she?). I am going to post your whole post on my social media.
Thank you
We’re missing the point. While we go off explaining economic theory Trump paints the picture that he has defeated Columbia in a war of principles. Never mind that that there was no war, Columbia was already allowing reparations, and the principle he
Simon, can you and other indie journalists work to light a fire under congressional Democrats' asses by platforming Democrats who could lead the opposition? We desperately need someone in charge and leading the fight, especially on grabbing attention in media and social media.
Shit hit send accidentally
The principle Trump put forward was that the US can land military planes announced in your country! And he lost on that.
We need to focus on that.
just click on the three dots at the top right of your posts and you can edit or delete them
The end game is this -- more money, power, centralized control of the economy for him and family.
You tell everyone, "Pay this tariff". Some well connected people explore through their govt affairs staff w the WH, "hey do we really have to pay this tariff?" WH says, "Yes, but... if you make Jr or Eric a director and grant them stock options you may get more favorable treatment" Company does what it is told. Company receives a break on the tariff. Company continues to price the goods they sell as high as if they were paying tariff, but innl reality earns higher profit.
Soon, word gets out to the market that you don't have to pay the tariffs, but just give the 🍊 family a cut and your products are exempted.
The end result is still higher prices but less tariff revenue for the govt, higher profits for Company, and greater leverage and economic control for the 🍊 family.
Correct. All transactions. I will lower the tarrif if you do x y z. He wants to be king forever.
Unannouced- damn fat fingers
Tom, there is an edit button for your posts. Click on your post on the 3 dots on the upper right and you get a drop down menu including an edit button. fyi
Not in the app tho’?
Thanks
I'm really glad that Schumer spoke somewhat forcefully and said that the party is suing to stop the power grab over basically all federal assistance spending today. I've been calling my reps and Senators every day.
Senator Booker won't commit to voting No for RFK as of yet, and that's really frustrating.
And he voted for Bessent for Treasury Sec. Andy Kim voted for Noem!! I’m pretty frustrated with most of the elected reps right now. Schumer’s statement was the first real passion I’ve seen from the Dems in the Senate.
I left a message with Rep. Rick Larsen. He and his staff are apparently on retreat. I made a point that he need to speak out against the Trump economic agenda of tariffs and tax cut for billionaires. I said he needed to speak out loudly. I pointed to his weekly "Recap with Rick" videos on BlueSky and YouTube and said that the delivery was dreadful. Reading off of note cards in a business-as-usual tone? Not good enough. I said he needs to speak with passion.
I followed up with a call to Sen. Murray and actually reached a staffer. I was overcome with emotion. Not like me. In any case, I mostly just thanked her and encouraged her to keep up the fight.
And one last call to Sen. Cantwell. Again. Her view has been that she works hard as a legislator for Washington State, but at this moment in history, she needs to be less a legislator and more a leader.
thank you