Yes, evocative, tough and clear-eyed words from Steve. Forcing Schumer and his fellow Vichy France senators in leadership to move aside as fast as possible is exigent, existentially exigent. How can they be so fatuous, so obtuse, so unstrategic? Ego and entitlement. They feel they are entitled to leadership from seniority. Seniority — a terrible attitude and assumption in these times. This is fighting for the survival of our democratic republic. It is a theater of combat. In combat generals who get soldiers killed are fired and replaced, or the lower officers are fragged by troops who no longer trust their lives with those officers. Schumer and his fellow coward, inept leaders are getting and will be getting us killed, wounded, stripped of rights and knowledge and so much else — especially people of color, people who benefit from DEI, the profoundly important contribution of undocumented immigrants; all of us.
Protest. Boycott. Spend as little as possible. Do not give to any of the DC democratic fund raising crowd until there is real reform - as Steve states. Have steely grit. An unbreakable determination. MLK and his heroes went to jail and were often beaten. The fighters for unions in the early 1900's went to jail and were wounded grievously. Newscasters at MSNBC - keep up good anti-Trump work, but don't smile too much and laugh too much. It is very annoying. And don't just give news and commentary. Tell us, your audience, what you're doing to protest. MSNBC Newscasters: are you protesting, boycotting, speaking out off air. Can you offer coordination of protests on air. Can you be coordinators and organizers for us who watch? Stand up against your corporate suits as much as possible, and be resistance leaders yourselves. You are on air, reaching large audiences. Same with the substack community leaders. Be French Resistance coordinators and leaders, the underground resistance planners and organizers.
Part of the problem is that American citizens have gotten complacent about freedoms. So people are unwilling to sacrifice much of anything, especially for others. And especially since Covid, I notice so many people feel entitled to pleasures, consumption, me-first attitudes, as if they were the only people who suffered.
Too many people are out of touch with what real suffering in this country means, and how it has been perpetrated by pretty much every administration for decades. We made some real gains in Civil & Women's Rights, which are being erased. The division between rich and poor is growing alarmingly because the middle is truly being wiped out, in the name of "fraud."
JDV is no better and probably worse. What a mindless, heartless, ageist racist bloviating angry pyromaniac.
We need leaders, and Steve here is absolutely one of them. But we must stop following people and being sheep, being complacent. WE are the ones who need to lead, to organize, to stand up, to resist, to plan and to RISK.
This is what democracy is, and not being lazy and letting others carry all the weight. The burden is for ALL of us to bear.
Beth: I agree with everything you wrote. Especially, "WE are the ones who need to lead, to organize, to stand up, to resist, to plan and to RISK." I'm presently working on a plan which takes 48 people and divides them into eight groups with six people in each group. These eight groups meet regularly to discuss serious matters regarding the survival of our democracy. One person from each group (the rep) also meets together regularly in a higher group of eight people (the reps) to share what the eight 6-person groups are concerned about. Actions can be planed (like Town Hall Meetings). We can ask penetrating questions of our government officials at all levels: federal, state, county, and local. Let's find out whether 48 brains are better than one.
Regarding racism, stop for a minute to imagine just how Blacks feel these days watching all the gains that have been made now soundly erased by this fascist coup, membered largely by white nationalists. How much specific empathy have you or those you fellow with expressed openly about the gates of pure hell reopened for blacks in America. Think too, how they regard the
near absence of publically expressed empathy by whites. The same could be said for the current indifference to how Jews are suffering by your average citizen. Perhaps the undeniably advantaged whites are confused by the MAGA support of Netanyahu, a tyrant oligarch like Trump et al who keeps the war going only to remain in power. Most Israelis want him gone. Oh well, perhaps it is too much to expect when whites for the first time are under political and especially social persecution by the people who attained power because whites, in the comfort of their elitist smuggery, were just too laizant to let it all happen.
As long as we vote for Democrats to defeat what has arrived here.
Until we have meaningful election reform (see the work of Gehl Porter), any action we take (including not voting or voting third party) WILL have the effect of helping elect one of the major parties. It just will. Like 2024. I keep thinking of “Democratic voters fall in love, Republican voters fall in line.”
Is there anything more corrupt than betraying one’s oath of office in hopes of facilitating one’s re-election, and thereby facilitate one’s continued corruption? As a card-carrying octogenarian I heartily concur that the Dem old guard is betraying America at every turn. Schumer embarrassingly pumping his lame fist in the air while secretly shouting “we will forfeit, we will forfeit” had me shouting obscenities at the TV. Just as bad, my gut tells me Hakeem Jeffries voted “no” only after assuring himself that “yes” would carry the day in the Senate; I very much hope I’m wrong, but his recent appearances on Nicolle Wallace’s and Rachel Maddow’s shows weren’t at all reassuring, in that all he did was state the obvious while offering no hint of aggressive solutions.
AOC, Crockett, Raskin, Murphy are our best hope going forward. Get the hell out of their way.
I'm not far behind you in age, and I totally agree with your observations and instincts about the "Dem old guard." Schumer and his capitulating cronies need to be pushed out of Senate leadership by a forceful cadre of younger leaders including Murphy who are ready to take a stand to use Congressional powers effectively and work against Trump/Musk actions aimed at destroying the government. Also agree it's high time to call out Jeffries as the self-protective business-as-usual partisan he is. He's not the right leader for a time demanding courageous action. Waiting for a leadership revolt in the House from Raskin, AOC, Crockett, etc.
The Democrats are blessed with so many enthusiastic members in Congress! You mentioned them in your email; I would also add Jason Crow! It is so frustrating, that the Democrats use the old, "who is next in line", or "stay until you die", ways! They must change their "politics as usual", and either change, or die as a political party! Let the passionate Democrats in Congress take over the Party! BYE-BYE Schumer!
There are a lot of people in this country happy with the state of things. There is a Medicaid-dependent county in eastern Kentucky that voted 90 percent MAGA. Yes, 90 percent.
A disproportionately large and unequal percentage of those whose physical and mental health will likely deteriorate precipitously, killing and maiming many of them as a conscious or unconscious sacrifice for their self-anointed man-child god.
Not to mention that some of these same Trump cult members will become, in their desperation, more disposed to committing crimes and acts of violence against others, as well as against themselves.
John D. I do not think they understand the state of things. When something bad happens MAGA lies, covers it up, blames someone else. But I think this stategy is starting to run a little thin.
John D. said: "There are a lot of people in this country happy with the state of things. There is a Medicaid-dependent county in eastern Kentucky that voted 90 percent MAGA. Yes, 90 percent."
Those folks in Kentucky (and all the rest of us too) are about to find out where the bear $hit in the buckwheat.
No. We need to speak up and point out the waste we see in them. Blowing up rockets is one. What a waste of something we don't need. Call for a salary, benefit and retirement freeze of all congress and admin. No free lunch. Government should be for the people, by the people. Hire an school accountant, they will figure things out for $40 an hour.
I have my doubts, in terms of voters. Although I study voting and voting patterns, I was actually shocked that people in a Medicaid-dependent county would vote 90 percent for Trump. If the number was that high, it is a lost cause, frankly.
Holy Shit! I have never watched a Kid Rock video or listened to anything he had to say. He is the definition of a gaping, ignorant, dangerous, fucking asshole. I'd live to shove that humongous silver cross, or should I say American swastika, up his fucking ass.
Clearly, the diehard MAGA cultists are willing, whether consciously or subconsciously, to die for their cult leader in order to teach the libs a lesson and to own them -- even if only their death beds. Jonestown was a premonition and warning that remains unacknowledged and unheeded.
If MAGA is to be defeated, we have to look at the southern states for electoral votes. Only through a complete evisceration of Medicaid could Vance be defeated in 2028.
people have been conditioned to just go along with whatever their elected heroes do and not think about the details. Just vote for the person with an R or D by their name and assume they will represent your interests. I see some people ready to run away and hide, others slowly waking up and realizing what a godawful mess we are dealing with. It is on us, the voters, to fix this.
54% of women voted for Trump! Pretty pathetic when there is a Democrat, a woman and very prepared one, running for the presidency. Duh? Was it perhaps gender and race that prevented a Harris victory?
If you ever watch pre-trump rallies where independent, not super well known, journalists interview attendees in a specifically non-biased, non threatening manner, you can fairly rapidly see that many develop political leanings solely from watching faux, period (IF that). And they are in total awe of tv celebrities. When given the opportunity to explain why they support a certain belief or issue, they fall apart, or repeat a "party line". Sometimes the right question will really give some of them pause.... and as a viewer, you hope they'll go home and think about that. But bottom line for me is the female attendee whose t-shirt states "t---- can grab my p-ssy any time!" ................... and then, during this last election, there were the young men who said they could not vote for Kamala because they didn't think she could stand up to putin. I keep wondering what they're thinking now....
It is so sad how ignorant our society is! Remember when Trump tried to stop the Affordable Care Act, during his first term? Those who voted for Trump, started to fight back, because they realized that THEY were receiving ACA; but only knew it as "Obama Care". They voted against something that they liked, and that helped them; but because they knew it as "Obama Care", they voted for Trump, who said that he would get rid of it! Well, the same thing will happen, when their elderly stop receiving the care they had, when their kids don't get free meals at school, when their prescriptions sky-rocket! They will start to complain and stomp their feet, and maybe they will realize that their vote helped cause their misery! However, It will be too late! Trump is gaining full control by the minute, and he won't give a damn about anyone-even those who voted for him!
they have a reputation for doing that year after year..... big disconnect between the assistance they receive, where it comes from and how any of their elected officials can impact it in any way.
When there is no leadership, no vision, no stated purpose and no plan, it is up to us to step into the void and fight back. Or accept the dismantling of all we stand for. I'm not one to accept their open war on free speech, universities, our closest allies, and our culture. I'm up for a fight.
This is absolutely correct, every word of it. Democrats need to stop reflexively defending what is so clearly wrong and outdated about this party and get busy real quick on new ideas new leaders, before it's too late!
I agree that Chuck Schumer should step down. It was not simply that he voted for the CR(which my head tells me was correct even though my heart does not), but that he was unable to make a coherent case for the “why” behind the decision. Instead of being hailed as a leader and communicator…he is properly being criticized for making “a shutdown is worse” his mantra. There were many reasons that a shutdown would have damaged lots of Americans , “it would give TrumpMusk more power” was simplistic and weak. Senate Democrats need to put their leadership in order this week, stop the hemorrhaging of Party loyalty and pull together a team that will unite us for a robust midterm and a takeover of Congress. Opposition to TrumpMusk’s unConstitutional and unAmerican garbage starts at the top, but each of us has a job to do as well. Call and email your elected folks. Tell them what you want. Protest when and where you can. There’s no knight in shining armor headed our way. Pitchforks and torches? Emails and calls! We the people are in charge of our own destiny.
The people need to step up en masse by deploying an array of time-tested, implacably organized and spontaneous, but unerringly disciplined, methods of strategic nonviolent action -- everywhere, all the time and all at once, culminating in a series of general strikes, if necessary.
There was a general strike planned for Mar 15 #SHUTDOWN315 & though I tried to spread it around as much as I could, I don’t think enough people heard about it. We have to have 3.5% of the population or 11 M to join in for it to be effective
He defied the order to stop illegal deportations. Removed 100s of people to ElSalvador today per NYT in defiance of Boasberg's ruling yesterday... this is where the line is fully crossed.
Steve, I agree with all you have said. The LINO (Leadership in Name Only) of the Democratic Party is out to lunch, and when they finish lunch they turn into wet noodles, as Schumer has. Where are the hero's and heroines of yesterday? Where is the outrage? The Democratic Party has become totally impotent.
The time has come for a new generation of Democratic Party leaders to step forward to take the reins. Right now, our leaders sit back and wait to pathetically respond to Trump's outrageous outpourings and actions. Instead of being timidly responsive, we need to steal the momentum and drive from Trump on a daily basis and put him on the defensive each day every day! In so doing, I propose that:
1. A committee of aggressive and dedicated Democrats be assembled to devise an action plan that will daily pull the rug out from under Trump and publicly confront him with the outrageousness of his most recent words and actions and expose him for the egotistical liar and fraud that he is.
2. The Democrats need to have a televised daily platform/news conference with the entire White House press corps (especially including the Associated Press) and other media journalists invited with different Democratic Party speakers every day to attack Trump's poisonous spewings in the prior 24 hours.This will put Trump on the defensive every day, which alone will magnify the audience that the Democrats are appealing to and turn the mirror on to Trump's insanity. Trump would be mentally incapable of not responding, and any and all responses from him will be over-the-top lies and unsupported claims and accusations which can then be easily refuted.
3. By having different Democrats each day attacking Trump's policies and knee-jerk comments and actions, they will be auditioning via their oratorical and leadership skills before the public, which will culminate in the most admired and respected speakers taking more and more of a lead in the party.
4. The audience of these daily press conferences will expand exponentially as the temperature of these virtual debates ratchet up and give the Democrats increasing exposure to reach the people.
I would start with identifying those with skin in the game or a stake in the venture, i.e., all Democrats holding public office and those who regularly contribute to the party and/or candidates. These are the hard core loyalists.
YES. This is exactly what I’ve been saying and commenting about on every platform for weeks now. We need a unified opposition and real leadership. The daily press conferences are essential to getting the word out across the nation that we the people are not ok with this administration and that it is corrupt. Trump/Musk and his enablers are taking away more of our freedoms every day and the longer we wait about exposing them and shining a light on it, the more time it gives him to manufacture a national emergency so he can declare martial law and shut down the protests and media that opposes him. The growing opposition and organic protests need a national leader that gives them credibility and recognition and that should be a united Democratic leader with a strong clear message that all stand behind. Lots of good leaders are now speaking out loudly and going to red states and getting attention and traction. Their message needs to be magnified on a national level by a charismatic leader with the party unified in opposition to Trump. If we can achieve that voice and power, we will be able to slow down Trump and maybe embolden some of those GOP lawmakers who are so afraid to cross him to realize which side they need to be on in order to save their country.
Have been wishing that for weeks. Why are they not doing it? Except for a few brave souls the rest are wringing their hands in helplessness. Does not seem like it would be hard to do and the people would definitely be supportive. Fingers crossed!
Steve. I called Gary Peter's office and left him a message to vote no; he voted yes. I called Elissa Slotkin, spoke to her staffer and she voted no. I called Schumer's office, was left on hold. I just revised my mother's house budget without SS, and she won't have a pot to pee in within 3 months. Yes, she is a Frumper. I just revised our house budget, and we will be dipping into savings by November. I'm pissed because I worked and paid into SS for 42 years, not eligible for 5 more years.
The premise not forcefully stated in this essay is that the R Congress is CORRUPT, COMPLICIT, AND ROTTEN TO THE CORE. They’re full on Fascist by their subjugation.
THEN castigate the D Congress as weak, and ineffective, and failing to rise to this perilous moment in history. The R’s caused this. The D’s allowed it. HUGE difference.
NYC has been protesting Trump since even before his 2016 election when thousands gathered in Union Sq chanting "We reject the President elect.". Trump's Muslim ban resulted in a group of NYC rabbis lying in the streets in front of Trumps Columbus Circle high rise. NYPD escorted the rabbis away in front of massive crowds. During Biden's four years, our anti-T protests had diminished but never completely abated. The recent protests outside of Tesla HQ, Trump Tower, Unions Sq, Wash Sq Park,and other popular sites continue to grow each week. The number of protests that emerging in ruby red states leaves me cautiously hopeful ..............
Schumer's recent decisions and actions are indeed appalling. But so is that of half the country. People have been waiting for the cavalry. It has been clear for a very long time the cavalry isn't coming. We are the cavalry.
Here is a start. Nationwide HANDS OFF protests April 5. It is only one small step in a long battle. But it's a start.
I do not understand why moderate and right leaning anti Trumpers do not stand up their own PACs and organizations to ensure that republicans who capitulate to Trump will be primaried. They are worried about Musk funding primary challengers. Make them worry about their actual constituents primarying them!
Very well said. After Schumer voted with the Republicans, I have felt overwhelmingly tired. You gave me some of my fight back. Thank you, Steve.
Yes, evocative, tough and clear-eyed words from Steve. Forcing Schumer and his fellow Vichy France senators in leadership to move aside as fast as possible is exigent, existentially exigent. How can they be so fatuous, so obtuse, so unstrategic? Ego and entitlement. They feel they are entitled to leadership from seniority. Seniority — a terrible attitude and assumption in these times. This is fighting for the survival of our democratic republic. It is a theater of combat. In combat generals who get soldiers killed are fired and replaced, or the lower officers are fragged by troops who no longer trust their lives with those officers. Schumer and his fellow coward, inept leaders are getting and will be getting us killed, wounded, stripped of rights and knowledge and so much else — especially people of color, people who benefit from DEI, the profoundly important contribution of undocumented immigrants; all of us.
Protest. Boycott. Spend as little as possible. Do not give to any of the DC democratic fund raising crowd until there is real reform - as Steve states. Have steely grit. An unbreakable determination. MLK and his heroes went to jail and were often beaten. The fighters for unions in the early 1900's went to jail and were wounded grievously. Newscasters at MSNBC - keep up good anti-Trump work, but don't smile too much and laugh too much. It is very annoying. And don't just give news and commentary. Tell us, your audience, what you're doing to protest. MSNBC Newscasters: are you protesting, boycotting, speaking out off air. Can you offer coordination of protests on air. Can you be coordinators and organizers for us who watch? Stand up against your corporate suits as much as possible, and be resistance leaders yourselves. You are on air, reaching large audiences. Same with the substack community leaders. Be French Resistance coordinators and leaders, the underground resistance planners and organizers.
Fierce truth!
Part of the problem is that American citizens have gotten complacent about freedoms. So people are unwilling to sacrifice much of anything, especially for others. And especially since Covid, I notice so many people feel entitled to pleasures, consumption, me-first attitudes, as if they were the only people who suffered.
Too many people are out of touch with what real suffering in this country means, and how it has been perpetrated by pretty much every administration for decades. We made some real gains in Civil & Women's Rights, which are being erased. The division between rich and poor is growing alarmingly because the middle is truly being wiped out, in the name of "fraud."
JDV is no better and probably worse. What a mindless, heartless, ageist racist bloviating angry pyromaniac.
We need leaders, and Steve here is absolutely one of them. But we must stop following people and being sheep, being complacent. WE are the ones who need to lead, to organize, to stand up, to resist, to plan and to RISK.
This is what democracy is, and not being lazy and letting others carry all the weight. The burden is for ALL of us to bear.
Beth: I agree with everything you wrote. Especially, "WE are the ones who need to lead, to organize, to stand up, to resist, to plan and to RISK." I'm presently working on a plan which takes 48 people and divides them into eight groups with six people in each group. These eight groups meet regularly to discuss serious matters regarding the survival of our democracy. One person from each group (the rep) also meets together regularly in a higher group of eight people (the reps) to share what the eight 6-person groups are concerned about. Actions can be planed (like Town Hall Meetings). We can ask penetrating questions of our government officials at all levels: federal, state, county, and local. Let's find out whether 48 brains are better than one.
Very interesting! Please share more as this develops. Thanks 🙏🏻
Regarding racism, stop for a minute to imagine just how Blacks feel these days watching all the gains that have been made now soundly erased by this fascist coup, membered largely by white nationalists. How much specific empathy have you or those you fellow with expressed openly about the gates of pure hell reopened for blacks in America. Think too, how they regard the
near absence of publically expressed empathy by whites. The same could be said for the current indifference to how Jews are suffering by your average citizen. Perhaps the undeniably advantaged whites are confused by the MAGA support of Netanyahu, a tyrant oligarch like Trump et al who keeps the war going only to remain in power. Most Israelis want him gone. Oh well, perhaps it is too much to expect when whites for the first time are under political and especially social persecution by the people who attained power because whites, in the comfort of their elitist smuggery, were just too laizant to let it all happen.
One way to fight back - leave the democratic party and register as an independent - until the democrats put in real leaders.
As long as we vote for Democrats to defeat what has arrived here.
Until we have meaningful election reform (see the work of Gehl Porter), any action we take (including not voting or voting third party) WILL have the effect of helping elect one of the major parties. It just will. Like 2024. I keep thinking of “Democratic voters fall in love, Republican voters fall in line.”
Is there anything more corrupt than betraying one’s oath of office in hopes of facilitating one’s re-election, and thereby facilitate one’s continued corruption? As a card-carrying octogenarian I heartily concur that the Dem old guard is betraying America at every turn. Schumer embarrassingly pumping his lame fist in the air while secretly shouting “we will forfeit, we will forfeit” had me shouting obscenities at the TV. Just as bad, my gut tells me Hakeem Jeffries voted “no” only after assuring himself that “yes” would carry the day in the Senate; I very much hope I’m wrong, but his recent appearances on Nicolle Wallace’s and Rachel Maddow’s shows weren’t at all reassuring, in that all he did was state the obvious while offering no hint of aggressive solutions.
AOC, Crockett, Raskin, Murphy are our best hope going forward. Get the hell out of their way.
I'm not far behind you in age, and I totally agree with your observations and instincts about the "Dem old guard." Schumer and his capitulating cronies need to be pushed out of Senate leadership by a forceful cadre of younger leaders including Murphy who are ready to take a stand to use Congressional powers effectively and work against Trump/Musk actions aimed at destroying the government. Also agree it's high time to call out Jeffries as the self-protective business-as-usual partisan he is. He's not the right leader for a time demanding courageous action. Waiting for a leadership revolt in the House from Raskin, AOC, Crockett, etc.
The Democrats are blessed with so many enthusiastic members in Congress! You mentioned them in your email; I would also add Jason Crow! It is so frustrating, that the Democrats use the old, "who is next in line", or "stay until you die", ways! They must change their "politics as usual", and either change, or die as a political party! Let the passionate Democrats in Congress take over the Party! BYE-BYE Schumer!
There are a lot of people in this country happy with the state of things. There is a Medicaid-dependent county in eastern Kentucky that voted 90 percent MAGA. Yes, 90 percent.
A disproportionately large and unequal percentage of those whose physical and mental health will likely deteriorate precipitously, killing and maiming many of them as a conscious or unconscious sacrifice for their self-anointed man-child god.
Not to mention that some of these same Trump cult members will become, in their desperation, more disposed to committing crimes and acts of violence against others, as well as against themselves.
John D. I do not think they understand the state of things. When something bad happens MAGA lies, covers it up, blames someone else. But I think this stategy is starting to run a little thin.
Sre there signs it's running thin?
John D. said: "There are a lot of people in this country happy with the state of things. There is a Medicaid-dependent county in eastern Kentucky that voted 90 percent MAGA. Yes, 90 percent."
Those folks in Kentucky (and all the rest of us too) are about to find out where the bear $hit in the buckwheat.
It is impossible to help or sympathize with people who refuse to listen.
No. We need to speak up and point out the waste we see in them. Blowing up rockets is one. What a waste of something we don't need. Call for a salary, benefit and retirement freeze of all congress and admin. No free lunch. Government should be for the people, by the people. Hire an school accountant, they will figure things out for $40 an hour.
I have my doubts, in terms of voters. Although I study voting and voting patterns, I was actually shocked that people in a Medicaid-dependent county would vote 90 percent for Trump. If the number was that high, it is a lost cause, frankly.
These are the kinds of people we are up against: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyFnLqJx-uU
Holy Shit! I have never watched a Kid Rock video or listened to anything he had to say. He is the definition of a gaping, ignorant, dangerous, fucking asshole. I'd live to shove that humongous silver cross, or should I say American swastika, up his fucking ass.
Intellectually, I know what we're up against. That video, graphically illuminating it, is a sickening nightmare
Clearly, the diehard MAGA cultists are willing, whether consciously or subconsciously, to die for their cult leader in order to teach the libs a lesson and to own them -- even if only their death beds. Jonestown was a premonition and warning that remains unacknowledged and unheeded.
If MAGA is to be defeated, we have to look at the southern states for electoral votes. Only through a complete evisceration of Medicaid could Vance be defeated in 2028.
people have been conditioned to just go along with whatever their elected heroes do and not think about the details. Just vote for the person with an R or D by their name and assume they will represent your interests. I see some people ready to run away and hide, others slowly waking up and realizing what a godawful mess we are dealing with. It is on us, the voters, to fix this.
54% of women voted for Trump! Pretty pathetic when there is a Democrat, a woman and very prepared one, running for the presidency. Duh? Was it perhaps gender and race that prevented a Harris victory?
Gender, gender, gender
If you ever watch pre-trump rallies where independent, not super well known, journalists interview attendees in a specifically non-biased, non threatening manner, you can fairly rapidly see that many develop political leanings solely from watching faux, period (IF that). And they are in total awe of tv celebrities. When given the opportunity to explain why they support a certain belief or issue, they fall apart, or repeat a "party line". Sometimes the right question will really give some of them pause.... and as a viewer, you hope they'll go home and think about that. But bottom line for me is the female attendee whose t-shirt states "t---- can grab my p-ssy any time!" ................... and then, during this last election, there were the young men who said they could not vote for Kamala because they didn't think she could stand up to putin. I keep wondering what they're thinking now....
They probably don’t understand that Mcaid is a discretionary federal program!!
It is so sad how ignorant our society is! Remember when Trump tried to stop the Affordable Care Act, during his first term? Those who voted for Trump, started to fight back, because they realized that THEY were receiving ACA; but only knew it as "Obama Care". They voted against something that they liked, and that helped them; but because they knew it as "Obama Care", they voted for Trump, who said that he would get rid of it! Well, the same thing will happen, when their elderly stop receiving the care they had, when their kids don't get free meals at school, when their prescriptions sky-rocket! They will start to complain and stomp their feet, and maybe they will realize that their vote helped cause their misery! However, It will be too late! Trump is gaining full control by the minute, and he won't give a damn about anyone-even those who voted for him!
And now, let's gut public education. It serves the interest of the Billionaires Bro's Club to have an uneducated voting base.
I know of more than a few people who twice voted against Obama, but love their Obamacare. A lot of warped people in this country.
they have a reputation for doing that year after year..... big disconnect between the assistance they receive, where it comes from and how any of their elected officials can impact it in any way.
Moms for Liberty spent considerable sums on rural voters. You lost your Medicaid, but the moms thank you. Next.
When there is no leadership, no vision, no stated purpose and no plan, it is up to us to step into the void and fight back. Or accept the dismantling of all we stand for. I'm not one to accept their open war on free speech, universities, our closest allies, and our culture. I'm up for a fight.
This is absolutely correct, every word of it. Democrats need to stop reflexively defending what is so clearly wrong and outdated about this party and get busy real quick on new ideas new leaders, before it's too late!
I agree that Chuck Schumer should step down. It was not simply that he voted for the CR(which my head tells me was correct even though my heart does not), but that he was unable to make a coherent case for the “why” behind the decision. Instead of being hailed as a leader and communicator…he is properly being criticized for making “a shutdown is worse” his mantra. There were many reasons that a shutdown would have damaged lots of Americans , “it would give TrumpMusk more power” was simplistic and weak. Senate Democrats need to put their leadership in order this week, stop the hemorrhaging of Party loyalty and pull together a team that will unite us for a robust midterm and a takeover of Congress. Opposition to TrumpMusk’s unConstitutional and unAmerican garbage starts at the top, but each of us has a job to do as well. Call and email your elected folks. Tell them what you want. Protest when and where you can. There’s no knight in shining armor headed our way. Pitchforks and torches? Emails and calls! We the people are in charge of our own destiny.
Have to like this some astronomical number of times.
After the last 10 years? Holding my breath for some rising Democratic leadership is a JOKE. No time and we're it folks!
There's no Calvary coming to the rescue
Who exactly will enforce the courts rulings against Trump. This is my big worry. What can we do to stop him? Do we all need to go to the streets?
The people need to step up en masse by deploying an array of time-tested, implacably organized and spontaneous, but unerringly disciplined, methods of strategic nonviolent action -- everywhere, all the time and all at once, culminating in a series of general strikes, if necessary.
The next big protest is being planned for April 5, a joint project of 50501 &
Indivisible Join both of those orgs
There was a general strike planned for Mar 15 #SHUTDOWN315 & though I tried to spread it around as much as I could, I don’t think enough people heard about it. We have to have 3.5% of the population or 11 M to join in for it to be effective
Indivisible is organizing a national protest on April 5th!
He defied the order to stop illegal deportations. Removed 100s of people to ElSalvador today per NYT in defiance of Boasberg's ruling yesterday... this is where the line is fully crossed.
And yet, he gets away with it.
Jay Kuo’s “The Status Kuo” Substack today is about that very thing. It’s quite clear and informative.
Yes.
Yup. If that's what it takes!
Yes 🙌
“If this long island story of ours is to end at last, let it end only when each one of us lies choking in his own blood upon the ground.”
― Winston Churchill
But before the blood, please check out a national Day of Action on April 5: https://handsoff2025.com/?SQF_SOURCE=indivisible
Forgot to add that this is an Indivisible event.
It is actually going to be a JOINT effort of Indivisible & 50501 💙💙💙💙💙
Thanks! Just learning about them: www.fiftyfifty.one.
Winston still inspires, emboldens, cuts to the quick.
Steve, I agree with all you have said. The LINO (Leadership in Name Only) of the Democratic Party is out to lunch, and when they finish lunch they turn into wet noodles, as Schumer has. Where are the hero's and heroines of yesterday? Where is the outrage? The Democratic Party has become totally impotent.
The time has come for a new generation of Democratic Party leaders to step forward to take the reins. Right now, our leaders sit back and wait to pathetically respond to Trump's outrageous outpourings and actions. Instead of being timidly responsive, we need to steal the momentum and drive from Trump on a daily basis and put him on the defensive each day every day! In so doing, I propose that:
1. A committee of aggressive and dedicated Democrats be assembled to devise an action plan that will daily pull the rug out from under Trump and publicly confront him with the outrageousness of his most recent words and actions and expose him for the egotistical liar and fraud that he is.
2. The Democrats need to have a televised daily platform/news conference with the entire White House press corps (especially including the Associated Press) and other media journalists invited with different Democratic Party speakers every day to attack Trump's poisonous spewings in the prior 24 hours.This will put Trump on the defensive every day, which alone will magnify the audience that the Democrats are appealing to and turn the mirror on to Trump's insanity. Trump would be mentally incapable of not responding, and any and all responses from him will be over-the-top lies and unsupported claims and accusations which can then be easily refuted.
3. By having different Democrats each day attacking Trump's policies and knee-jerk comments and actions, they will be auditioning via their oratorical and leadership skills before the public, which will culminate in the most admired and respected speakers taking more and more of a lead in the party.
4. The audience of these daily press conferences will expand exponentially as the temperature of these virtual debates ratchet up and give the Democrats increasing exposure to reach the people.
Excellent ideas and proposals!!. How do we get Democrats to listen.. They never take advice....especially from their base. It's disrespectful.
What do kids do to their moms in the grocery store?
I would start with identifying those with skin in the game or a stake in the venture, i.e., all Democrats holding public office and those who regularly contribute to the party and/or candidates. These are the hard core loyalists.
YES. This is exactly what I’ve been saying and commenting about on every platform for weeks now. We need a unified opposition and real leadership. The daily press conferences are essential to getting the word out across the nation that we the people are not ok with this administration and that it is corrupt. Trump/Musk and his enablers are taking away more of our freedoms every day and the longer we wait about exposing them and shining a light on it, the more time it gives him to manufacture a national emergency so he can declare martial law and shut down the protests and media that opposes him. The growing opposition and organic protests need a national leader that gives them credibility and recognition and that should be a united Democratic leader with a strong clear message that all stand behind. Lots of good leaders are now speaking out loudly and going to red states and getting attention and traction. Their message needs to be magnified on a national level by a charismatic leader with the party unified in opposition to Trump. If we can achieve that voice and power, we will be able to slow down Trump and maybe embolden some of those GOP lawmakers who are so afraid to cross him to realize which side they need to be on in order to save their country.
Totally agree Karen. We need to be in Trump’s face every day !! He will undoubtedly overreact to our charges against him and bury himself in doing so.
Totally agree
Have been wishing that for weeks. Why are they not doing it? Except for a few brave souls the rest are wringing their hands in helplessness. Does not seem like it would be hard to do and the people would definitely be supportive. Fingers crossed!
Steve. I called Gary Peter's office and left him a message to vote no; he voted yes. I called Elissa Slotkin, spoke to her staffer and she voted no. I called Schumer's office, was left on hold. I just revised my mother's house budget without SS, and she won't have a pot to pee in within 3 months. Yes, she is a Frumper. I just revised our house budget, and we will be dipping into savings by November. I'm pissed because I worked and paid into SS for 42 years, not eligible for 5 more years.
The premise not forcefully stated in this essay is that the R Congress is CORRUPT, COMPLICIT, AND ROTTEN TO THE CORE. They’re full on Fascist by their subjugation.
THEN castigate the D Congress as weak, and ineffective, and failing to rise to this perilous moment in history. The R’s caused this. The D’s allowed it. HUGE difference.
But, it’s our current reality and dilemma.
Steve,
I completely agree. They are starting to make Vichy look good by comparison.
As always, watch your six.
Steve Dundas
I feel one coming. Do you? Yes, I do.
NYC has been protesting Trump since even before his 2016 election when thousands gathered in Union Sq chanting "We reject the President elect.". Trump's Muslim ban resulted in a group of NYC rabbis lying in the streets in front of Trumps Columbus Circle high rise. NYPD escorted the rabbis away in front of massive crowds. During Biden's four years, our anti-T protests had diminished but never completely abated. The recent protests outside of Tesla HQ, Trump Tower, Unions Sq, Wash Sq Park,and other popular sites continue to grow each week. The number of protests that emerging in ruby red states leaves me cautiously hopeful ..............
Schumer's recent decisions and actions are indeed appalling. But so is that of half the country. People have been waiting for the cavalry. It has been clear for a very long time the cavalry isn't coming. We are the cavalry.
Here is a start. Nationwide HANDS OFF protests April 5. It is only one small step in a long battle. But it's a start.
https://handsoff2025.com/
I do not understand why moderate and right leaning anti Trumpers do not stand up their own PACs and organizations to ensure that republicans who capitulate to Trump will be primaried. They are worried about Musk funding primary challengers. Make them worry about their actual constituents primarying them!
Great on Hands Off. I'm in. And good last point. I can't "like" on this substack, but I like it 100 times.
Wonder why not?? I’m able to “like” on all Substacks, even when I’m not a paid subscriber??
Please share the link and tell your friends and associates who would be interested!
Join me in Washington DC on April 5
https://handsoff2025.com/
Streets. See you there.