Well Sharon, if your tired of saying it... STOP SAYING IT!!!
Who is the central problem here; the fascists, or the Democratic and PRO DEMOCRACY response which is belatedly and imperfectly becoming more muscular to meet the moment?
I humbly suggest you prioritze your political energy towards pro-democracy. It's more productive for the outcome we all want.
Sharon, you are free to say whatever you want but you are not free to demand no one challenge you when you say it. My broader point here is that if you are to be an active member of this community it might make sense for you to read my posts and listen to my discussions before diving in.
August 8. Day 200 of the Trump regime. America Held Hostage.
It is also the date, in 1974, that Richard Nixon resigned from office. His wrongdoings are eclipsed by Trump's by orders of magnitude. In thought, word, and deed.
From today, I am mindful NOT to refer to people supporting the MAGA regime in any way as "Republican." For example, instead of "Republican leaders" -- I now say: "leaders of the former Republican Party."
It is my view that a valid American party has to be one that supports and defends our Constitution. We don't have that today. (FBI dispatched to the sovereign state of Illinois to abduct Texas legislators, who have not committed any crime, state or federal. Hello, y'all.)
Oh wow! Nixon's resignation is my first political memory. My mom was driving when the news came over the radio. She shushed my brother and me and then told us that the president had quit. We asked why and she turned around, gave us a beady-eyed stare, and said, "Because he lied." Different times!
fascinating piece, i was thinking of the fisheries when lo and behold, that was his next example. i will say, though, that commercial fishers made their beds, now they don't want to lie in them, well boo frickety hoo....they took most of the fish, a public resource, were given all kinds of breaks sportfishers did not get, and now there are no fish left and they have to make marine sanctuaries to give the remaining fish a fighting chance. i don't like it either, but without them, there won't be anything left for anyone.
It’s a slippery slope. If we don’t find ways to work with each other as well as respecting our planet, we will continue to battle each other as we all go down with the Titanic. Probably one of the spiritual lessons we came here to learn.
pretty tough to work with commercial fishers; the collapse of fisheries, it seems, is everyone's fault but theirs. been listening to them cry for over 40 years.
I thought about printing a bumper sticker that says "Tariffs are a tax on consumers" when I ordered my "Republicans are destroying America" and "Scientific research makes America great" a few weeks ago. I don't want my car to be a billboard, though.
Just a thought I have had: How about a small erasable white board that you can put near one of your rear side windows and change the message as often as you like?
Greetings…I’m a busy little save our country beaver these days, and frequently report my activity here. Today I want to focus on having been inspired by the work of the Visibility Brigade, that has folks show up on overpasses around the country holding signs with individual letters that spell out inspirational messages about supporting democracy and fighting tyranny. Such great work! They’re calling for a “Be Brave” day next Friday Aug 15th, so I decided to organize a demonstration along a busy street near the downtown area of Evanston, IL…we’re currently deciding what our message on lettered signs will be…I want to inspire folks driving home at rush hour to get off their couches and join us in our fight for our country…possibilities are “Be Brave! Fight Fascism!” And “Defend Our Democracy…” messages along those lines, haven’t quite chosen yet. I’m planning to bring some bottles of wine and some beer in a cooler to have a happy hour at the same time…not sure this is legal, but I’m going to do it anyways. Can always put it back in the cooler if the cops say “no.” Excited to add this effort to my project on creating a Resolution of Condemnation and my quasi One Million Rising meeting on Sunday at my house!
Yeah, our group likes the Be Brave theme too and feels the need for something this month before we gear up for Labor Day. The poem Be Brave With Us comes from is moving, but not widely known so we're adapting it. We don't have an overpass, just heavy traffic at a slow rotary where people can read signs. So we're publicizing asking for variations like: "Be Brave / Defend Democracy" "Be Brave Harvard / Defend Academic Freedom" Etc.
Here's one that popped into my head (loudly) while I was listening to Michael Steele in his wide-ranging and excellent interview with Simon.
IT'S THE DEMOCRACY, STUPID!
Pretty much encompasses my view of our current situation. Weirdly, I actually heard it in Steele's voice, kind of like James Carville was speaking through him. Strange!
The lack of a reaction to tariffs may be because people have not seen their effect, yet. In addition, some labor unions and people on the left see tariffs as a useful tool. The UAW praised the first round of tariffs.
I have noticed that bananas are up around 10%. A friend who is a welder and steel fabricator told me that "steel is out of sight."
I think many industries bought ahead, but those stockpiles are running low. The real effects of the tariffs haven't really hit yet. I told my sister-in-law (non political, avoids the news) back in May that we would see shortages and prices would spike and she looked at me like I had two heads. I reminded her that I stockpiled toilet paper in early February of 2020 and she said she would stock up on a few things. I think we're still a month or two away from the worst of it.
Agree 100%! I too have stocked up on a bunch of things, starting back in December.
For commodities like steel, the current price could already reflect mass buying ahead to counter tariffs, I believe, supply and demand. In no way means that the prices won't stay high or go much higher soon as tariffs are factored in!
On the subject of tariffs, here's an article by Ryan Busse, former Democratic candidate for Montana governor. The article discusses how a prominent small business leader (and Trump acolyte) has reacted to Trump's tariffs jacking up his material and equipment costs through the roof. NOT HAPPY! In my view it's what happens when voters don’t do their due diligence. It's unclear whether the business leader has absorbed the same message.
the dems now have two very good wedge issues: epstein & tarriffs. so they need to keep riding these! on the other hand, i am very creeped out by the new, untrained, armed military force, ICE, which i believe to be the "brown shirts" for the felon. reinforced by national guard & marines. violating court orders & due process. and agreements with local police, sheriffs, state troopers. i think this is a black cloud rising. who is going to protect unarmed citizens?
Yes I am very concerned about that too. They’re offering huge sign- up bonuses and incredible benefits -the kind of stuff they’re taking away from the rest of us. I think one avenue of dealing with T’s war on immigrants is to remind people that there was a bipartisan bill to reform our immigration system but Trump killed it. A VB slogan can be Immigration Reform not Ice Abductions.
Making my calls to Booker & Kim on tariffs and vaccines again. Earlier this week, I reminded Gov. Murphy of his statement that redestricting was "not off the table." Have yet to see any movement from him. SIGH.
Looking forward to Dr. Ben-Ghiat's discussion w Marc Elias this afternoon & will share anything of note.
Thank you Simon. I just listened to the interview with Mr. Heller from the New Yorker, and will finish listening to Mr. Steele also. Well, we can add another institution to the many being attacked by MAGA: progressive churches. The General Counsel of the United Church of Christ sent a letter that informs members that there has been a change in terms and conditions of federal grants. Some churches use these to support their ministries. But now you will need to certify your compliance with the Regime. I stopped referring to myself as a Christian when Trump won the first time. American Christian has become an oxymoron for the most part. Our church supports refugees (no longer can welcome any) and immigrants. Women are ordained and our senior leaders. Many of us have marched in several protests. Another group to add to the tent.
Martha, in the same spirit as refusing to cede the flag to MAGA, I refuse to cede my Christianity to the White Nationalists. I am your sister from the Episcopalians where my congregation is headed by a female priest and two female deacons. The homeless and their dogs are welcome in our services and for lunch. One of our lay members is a founder of our county’s Raging Grannies (look them up, they are hilarious), another several regularly show up at Indivisible rallies, and then there’s me who is embroiled in the county Democratic leadership…
Again, I want to say how much I appreciate what Simon has done and is doing. But I am worried about the general polls. I have a general sense that for reasons I’ll never understand the fact that he is under water on a range of issues is irrelevant. I do t see much evidence that people vote on the issues’ we’ve misled ourselves over and over in this. But there is - I think - a relationship between broad approval numbers and vot8´g behavior. But on those numbers he is betting better What on earth is happening
I thought the Gallup’numbers were great and hope they begin to show up in other polls. But right now they are an out lier. Most of the other polls,have him around 42% or slightly higher. And either have not budged or have edged slightly up. As to my other point I’d argue that there is no evidence that issue polling tells anything about voting behavior. I think the polls’lead us to bad decisions about where we stand and how to foght back.
42% is consistent with what I have seen. And I tend to think Gallup is not an outlier. I just think his voters (other than his base) are easier to move back-and-forth than we may anticipate. So I wouldn't be surprised to see regularly 2-point swings back-and-forth on approval.
But that's perhaps a pet theory of mine. Either way, 42% is low enough to concern him, and for good reason.
I tend to agree with you on issue polling, at least to a certain extent. However, disapproval on his handling of immigration for example hits at the core "reason" or the core "thing" that gives voters their positive image of Trump. So when you see people disapprove of that, you are seeing the beginnings of disillusionment (at least, for now). Look no further than Joe Rogan.
Now, can that change? Of course. But that's where I believe it stands now.
I hope you are right. I was just in a long discussion on this. A problem is that since there are so few competitive seats you have to have a bigger generic advàtzfge than we do now to win. Anyway I hope we continue to argue it. ´
Again, you are not necessarily wrong. Those sorts of margins can matter, which is why my saying is, if he's down to 42%, I want him down to 40%. If he's at 40%, I want him at 38%. You get the picture.
And I think the vulnerabilities are there. Among them with the base, the Epstein issue. But even then, we have to play it by ear, and see what sticks/resonates with them and what doesn't.
Have you been reading my posts these last few weeks?
Well Sharon, if your tired of saying it... STOP SAYING IT!!!
Who is the central problem here; the fascists, or the Democratic and PRO DEMOCRACY response which is belatedly and imperfectly becoming more muscular to meet the moment?
I humbly suggest you prioritze your political energy towards pro-democracy. It's more productive for the outcome we all want.
Sharon, you are free to say whatever you want but you are not free to demand no one challenge you when you say it. My broader point here is that if you are to be an active member of this community it might make sense for you to read my posts and listen to my discussions before diving in.
Every day.
I have grown very weary of Dem bashing, so much so I’ve eliminated most of my feeds from
Substack. I’m much better for it. Dems are doing a lot and will do more. It’s only been six months.
Hell, sure, but a lot of wins, too.
I'm with you. Just now cancelled all mine too. I'm old and tired and don't have the patience for this.
No kidding - a medication that I pay out of pocket for went up $25.00- almost 20% increase. I get it from Canada
My medication went down by 1500%. Got my check from CVS yesterday. j/k
Our Indivisible chapter got spectacular honking feedback with an enormous overpass message that read, “OMG FOOD PRICES ARE TARRIFYING.”
LOVE THIS
PERFECT SLOGAN!
That's a GREAT slogan!
I called the governor of Missouri and emailed my state senator and state rep, asking them not to have a special session to redistrict.
Good for you, great idea for people living in Repub led states!
I live in WV. No way that they can redistrict. They have already DONE IT TO MAXIMUM EFFECT.
Bravo!
August 8. Day 200 of the Trump regime. America Held Hostage.
It is also the date, in 1974, that Richard Nixon resigned from office. His wrongdoings are eclipsed by Trump's by orders of magnitude. In thought, word, and deed.
From today, I am mindful NOT to refer to people supporting the MAGA regime in any way as "Republican." For example, instead of "Republican leaders" -- I now say: "leaders of the former Republican Party."
It is my view that a valid American party has to be one that supports and defends our Constitution. We don't have that today. (FBI dispatched to the sovereign state of Illinois to abduct Texas legislators, who have not committed any crime, state or federal. Hello, y'all.)
Oh wow! Nixon's resignation is my first political memory. My mom was driving when the news came over the radio. She shushed my brother and me and then told us that the president had quit. We asked why and she turned around, gave us a beady-eyed stare, and said, "Because he lied." Different times!
(Like) .. When does "this one' -- NOT lie?
An important viewpoint: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0oEick8VRPg6ewr2iiDtaTMyV41p3dLwNVcT4sS3tDv8nRSk8nrWgQC7vjEmodFsal&id=1027639898&mibextid=wwXIfr
Can you name the speaker and give a hint about the topic? People are less likely to click seeing only the link.
Anthropologist James Greenberg at University of Arizona writes about how MAGA movement is rooted in a history of not being heard.
Thank you, Robyn. An excellent read and spot on.
fascinating piece, i was thinking of the fisheries when lo and behold, that was his next example. i will say, though, that commercial fishers made their beds, now they don't want to lie in them, well boo frickety hoo....they took most of the fish, a public resource, were given all kinds of breaks sportfishers did not get, and now there are no fish left and they have to make marine sanctuaries to give the remaining fish a fighting chance. i don't like it either, but without them, there won't be anything left for anyone.
It’s a slippery slope. If we don’t find ways to work with each other as well as respecting our planet, we will continue to battle each other as we all go down with the Titanic. Probably one of the spiritual lessons we came here to learn.
pretty tough to work with commercial fishers; the collapse of fisheries, it seems, is everyone's fault but theirs. been listening to them cry for over 40 years.
Taking responsibility requires a level of self awareness
Thank you for posting link to FB post.
One of the great pleasures of the recent years has been to get to know Michael Steele. Thank you!
I thought about printing a bumper sticker that says "Tariffs are a tax on consumers" when I ordered my "Republicans are destroying America" and "Scientific research makes America great" a few weeks ago. I don't want my car to be a billboard, though.
How about "WE pay the tariffs!"
I only have one bumper sticker... F ELON
Just a thought I have had: How about a small erasable white board that you can put near one of your rear side windows and change the message as often as you like?
As long as the Oligarchs “own” our country, paying off our politicians, Trump and the corruption are NEVER going to go away!!!!!
Greetings…I’m a busy little save our country beaver these days, and frequently report my activity here. Today I want to focus on having been inspired by the work of the Visibility Brigade, that has folks show up on overpasses around the country holding signs with individual letters that spell out inspirational messages about supporting democracy and fighting tyranny. Such great work! They’re calling for a “Be Brave” day next Friday Aug 15th, so I decided to organize a demonstration along a busy street near the downtown area of Evanston, IL…we’re currently deciding what our message on lettered signs will be…I want to inspire folks driving home at rush hour to get off their couches and join us in our fight for our country…possibilities are “Be Brave! Fight Fascism!” And “Defend Our Democracy…” messages along those lines, haven’t quite chosen yet. I’m planning to bring some bottles of wine and some beer in a cooler to have a happy hour at the same time…not sure this is legal, but I’m going to do it anyways. Can always put it back in the cooler if the cops say “no.” Excited to add this effort to my project on creating a Resolution of Condemnation and my quasi One Million Rising meeting on Sunday at my house!
Bravo, Nancy! This is all outstanding!
I'd consider how fast traffic moves under the overpass. Faster speed, shorter message on your sign.
Yeah, our group likes the Be Brave theme too and feels the need for something this month before we gear up for Labor Day. The poem Be Brave With Us comes from is moving, but not widely known so we're adapting it. We don't have an overpass, just heavy traffic at a slow rotary where people can read signs. So we're publicizing asking for variations like: "Be Brave / Defend Democracy" "Be Brave Harvard / Defend Academic Freedom" Etc.
Here's one that popped into my head (loudly) while I was listening to Michael Steele in his wide-ranging and excellent interview with Simon.
IT'S THE DEMOCRACY, STUPID!
Pretty much encompasses my view of our current situation. Weirdly, I actually heard it in Steele's voice, kind of like James Carville was speaking through him. Strange!
Started here in NJ!
Yeah, and it's a great tactic!
The lack of a reaction to tariffs may be because people have not seen their effect, yet. In addition, some labor unions and people on the left see tariffs as a useful tool. The UAW praised the first round of tariffs.
I have noticed that bananas are up around 10%. A friend who is a welder and steel fabricator told me that "steel is out of sight."
Industry buying steel ahead to stockpile it as a hedge against more insane illegal Mad King tariffs. Can't do that as easily with perishable products.
I think many industries bought ahead, but those stockpiles are running low. The real effects of the tariffs haven't really hit yet. I told my sister-in-law (non political, avoids the news) back in May that we would see shortages and prices would spike and she looked at me like I had two heads. I reminded her that I stockpiled toilet paper in early February of 2020 and she said she would stock up on a few things. I think we're still a month or two away from the worst of it.
Agree 100%! I too have stocked up on a bunch of things, starting back in December.
For commodities like steel, the current price could already reflect mass buying ahead to counter tariffs, I believe, supply and demand. In no way means that the prices won't stay high or go much higher soon as tariffs are factored in!
On the subject of tariffs, here's an article by Ryan Busse, former Democratic candidate for Montana governor. The article discusses how a prominent small business leader (and Trump acolyte) has reacted to Trump's tariffs jacking up his material and equipment costs through the roof. NOT HAPPY! In my view it's what happens when voters don’t do their due diligence. It's unclear whether the business leader has absorbed the same message.
https://open.substack.com/pub/ryandbusse/p/trump-stabs-prominent-montana-supporter?r=30f9km&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
the dems now have two very good wedge issues: epstein & tarriffs. so they need to keep riding these! on the other hand, i am very creeped out by the new, untrained, armed military force, ICE, which i believe to be the "brown shirts" for the felon. reinforced by national guard & marines. violating court orders & due process. and agreements with local police, sheriffs, state troopers. i think this is a black cloud rising. who is going to protect unarmed citizens?
Ironic, isn't it? Could it be that we now become the party of the 2nd Amendment?
Yes I am very concerned about that too. They’re offering huge sign- up bonuses and incredible benefits -the kind of stuff they’re taking away from the rest of us. I think one avenue of dealing with T’s war on immigrants is to remind people that there was a bipartisan bill to reform our immigration system but Trump killed it. A VB slogan can be Immigration Reform not Ice Abductions.
yep. immigration bill would stop this madness. think rep salazar in my district (repub)
has introduced this.
OMG that discussion w Michael Steele - SO good.
Making my calls to Booker & Kim on tariffs and vaccines again. Earlier this week, I reminded Gov. Murphy of his statement that redestricting was "not off the table." Have yet to see any movement from him. SIGH.
Looking forward to Dr. Ben-Ghiat's discussion w Marc Elias this afternoon & will share anything of note.
Keep going!
Love this comment. You’re putting me to shame. Go you!
We all are doing what we can! Thanks for all YOU do!
Thank you Simon. I just listened to the interview with Mr. Heller from the New Yorker, and will finish listening to Mr. Steele also. Well, we can add another institution to the many being attacked by MAGA: progressive churches. The General Counsel of the United Church of Christ sent a letter that informs members that there has been a change in terms and conditions of federal grants. Some churches use these to support their ministries. But now you will need to certify your compliance with the Regime. I stopped referring to myself as a Christian when Trump won the first time. American Christian has become an oxymoron for the most part. Our church supports refugees (no longer can welcome any) and immigrants. Women are ordained and our senior leaders. Many of us have marched in several protests. Another group to add to the tent.
Martha, in the same spirit as refusing to cede the flag to MAGA, I refuse to cede my Christianity to the White Nationalists. I am your sister from the Episcopalians where my congregation is headed by a female priest and two female deacons. The homeless and their dogs are welcome in our services and for lunch. One of our lay members is a founder of our county’s Raging Grannies (look them up, they are hilarious), another several regularly show up at Indivisible rallies, and then there’s me who is embroiled in the county Democratic leadership…
DNC pledges $1.5M to NJ governor race!!!
Gift article about it from the New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/us/politics/new-jersey-governor-democrats.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ck8.lB1s.5rQnqo2OxkbC&smid=url-share
Again, I want to say how much I appreciate what Simon has done and is doing. But I am worried about the general polls. I have a general sense that for reasons I’ll never understand the fact that he is under water on a range of issues is irrelevant. I do t see much evidence that people vote on the issues’ we’ve misled ourselves over and over in this. But there is - I think - a relationship between broad approval numbers and vot8´g behavior. But on those numbers he is betting better What on earth is happening
Bowman, are we sure about this? I have seen relatively low approvals. What approvals are you talking about?
I am going to throw out the Gallup example (37%). Which ones are you thinking of?
I thought the Gallup’numbers were great and hope they begin to show up in other polls. But right now they are an out lier. Most of the other polls,have him around 42% or slightly higher. And either have not budged or have edged slightly up. As to my other point I’d argue that there is no evidence that issue polling tells anything about voting behavior. I think the polls’lead us to bad decisions about where we stand and how to foght back.
42% is consistent with what I have seen. And I tend to think Gallup is not an outlier. I just think his voters (other than his base) are easier to move back-and-forth than we may anticipate. So I wouldn't be surprised to see regularly 2-point swings back-and-forth on approval.
But that's perhaps a pet theory of mine. Either way, 42% is low enough to concern him, and for good reason.
I tend to agree with you on issue polling, at least to a certain extent. However, disapproval on his handling of immigration for example hits at the core "reason" or the core "thing" that gives voters their positive image of Trump. So when you see people disapprove of that, you are seeing the beginnings of disillusionment (at least, for now). Look no further than Joe Rogan.
Now, can that change? Of course. But that's where I believe it stands now.
I hope you are right. I was just in a long discussion on this. A problem is that since there are so few competitive seats you have to have a bigger generic advàtzfge than we do now to win. Anyway I hope we continue to argue it. ´
Again, you are not necessarily wrong. Those sorts of margins can matter, which is why my saying is, if he's down to 42%, I want him down to 40%. If he's at 40%, I want him at 38%. You get the picture.
And I think the vulnerabilities are there. Among them with the base, the Epstein issue. But even then, we have to play it by ear, and see what sticks/resonates with them and what doesn't.