So good to 'see' you again, Robert! What a strong, positive post today! As my husband enters Hospice today, it was a boost to read your column! I take comfort in the amazing people who have stood up to be counted, and will lead us back to a country, and a government, we can be proud of.
I’m sorry about your husband. Hospice is a calm environment where both you and your husband will get the support and care you need. Truly wishing you and your husband peace and strength.
Cecilia, I lost my husband in 2020 just days before the election. The hospice team that helped me care for Glen were terrific. I wish the same for for you and your husband. Sending strength, love and peace. Glad you are here.
Having just gone through "hospice," Cecilia, you have my strongest and most positive thoughts that all will be for the best for both your husband and you.
Outstanding letter as usual! I have a question about the elephant in the room. (No, not that one, the other one.). When Mitch McConnell gets back after recovering from falling and hitting his head, and Biden gets back from helping peace to continue in Northern Ireland, do you think these two old timers who know the Senate as well as anybody will have a private come-to-Jesus-meeting about increasing or getting rid of the debt ceiling and return for some serious negotiations AFTERWARDS on dealing with Social Security? Like having FICA taken from all earned income? (Back before I retired the FICA would stop being taken out about halfway through the year. It used to puzzle me - it was such a small amount, and my budget had been set up based on the money coming in for the first half of the year. If it simply continued to be taken out all year I never would have missed it.)
It seems like a debt deal is on the horizon. The markets do not seem to be panicking, and there are some suggestions of a short term fix. But with the radical GOP caucus in the house, anything could happen.
He's baaaack!!! Robert, I'm nearly out of breath from the energy of this edition!!! You go!!!
Tomorrow is my triple bypass surgery, so I will be offline for a while. I will miss this community! Today is also my last day of posting to FB and Twitter for a while, so in this one I encouraged folks to subscribe. Blessings to all!
Years ago, around 1980,--when medicine probably was not as good as now, my Uncle Al had septuple bypass surgery. He got an additional 20 years, or thereabouts, between that and giving up the cigarettes. Best wishes for an equally--or more--successful operation!
Terry, my prayers and best wishes are with you. Modern medicine is miraculous, as I know from two friends who have survived open heart surgery. May you be just as blessed!
100% agree, Michael. This reminds me of how women have always been judged by their looks and not their brains, and that once they reach a certain age they become dismissed.
Truth be told, I would not advise Joe Biden get into the entertainment industry, but he sure knows how to run a country!
I'm also 100% in agreement with "skillful and knowledgeable" over "young and more vibrant."
I've been around since early in the Eisenhower Administration, and Biden is definitely the best president of my lifetime. Was Obama better than Biden? I didn't think so.
Surely President Biden is surrounded by a team of extraordinary thinkers/planners/strategists (of a span of ages). He's not doing all of this remarkable work single-handedly. Isn't it possible they might continue to advise whomever we nominate and ELECT in 2024? Let's work to get young voters registered in the year and a half we have left.
But aren't there "younger" people who also have skill and knowledge. Let the elders be good mentors to the Youngers so that our country may continue moving along in the future.
You’re right, *theoretically*. However, in this time, there’s no one available with Biden’s combination of experience, contacts, and confidence of other top statespersons.
Bronwyn, appreciate your thoughts but for now that option seems “off the table.” Joe has given us no reason to replace him. And yet, he has done well at highlighting and bringing along young and diverse leaders. We can look forward to their strong contributions as we move forward.
Speaking of a second term, what about Kamala? Usually president and VP rerun as a team. I am not sure if Kamala can hold up her part of the bargain. I am sure she has done things behind the scenes that have been out of the MSM, but she has taken a lot of heat for her seeming inadequacies.
President Biden has a good partner in Vice President Harris. She is the person at his side every day not only learning from his vast experience, but also contributing her thoughts and solutions on our problems.
Biden has sent her out to meet with many heads of state on diplomacy missions, and is well-respected from all I read.
I am very proud of what she has done to address the root causes of migration from Central America, which is one of the first challenges President Biden assigned to VP Harris. She has secured over $4 billion in economic investments from corporations to create opportunities for people in these countries so they can thrive in their homelands rather than trek north for opportunities.
Sadly, I agree with you. She was not ready for the position and also behaved arrogantly behind the scenes, causing some of her staff to leave her (always a bad sign in a leader!) I feel as though she is dead weight. Surely there is someone else who will ADD something to the Biden ticket!
Joe Biden's has been a truly paradigm shifting presidency! Unlike Clinton and Obama, who mostly accepted the Republican supply-side/neoliberal economic paradigm, which redistributes income upward and has led to staggering economic inequality in this country, Biden is actively dismantling that paradigm and returning us to the demand side model that led to the greatest expansion of America's middle class from 1932-1980. Maybe because he was in Congress when Democrats were still operating within the demand side paradigm, he remembers how beneficial that was to the majority of Americans.
When I read the Second Amendment to our Constitution.. the Phrase "well regulated militia" stands out.. Please explain why a governor can't call the national guard a "militia" and pass laws that only those with active status in the militia can possess rifles or hand guns with magazines larger than 3...or some small number..
Good question, complicated answer. On the face of the constitution, your interpretation makes sense, but there was private gun ownership at the time the Bill of Rights was an act. So it is probably unconstitutional to ban all done ownership outside of the militia but it is not unconstitutional to impose stringent regulations on gun ownership
Thank you again Robert! Thank you thank you -- for all your work! Thank you for this
clear, detailed, and un-sensational reporting. The news is so wild that your step by step reporting is exactly what I (and surely we all) need. Much appreciated!
The problem with the disarray within the GOP is that they are extreme enough to destroy our growing economy by not raising the dept ceiling. This should be our number 1 concern in the short run. Thanks Robert for your always incredible analysis.
I listened to the Lincoln Project podcast with guest Michael Steele. He said that there was a group of “moderate “ Dems in the House who are urging Biden to negotiate with McCarthy on the debt ceiling. Nonsense! Why aren’t the Dems, even now, not knowing how to fight back and letting these crazy hostage holding Republicans gain ANY credibility?
That total BS. We need to take our position to the people and show what these idiots really stand for. If we bend on any of this with respect to the debt ceiling the next thing you know each new born baby will receive an AR -15 as a welcome home present. Good lord I hope I'm being totally over-the-top!
So you know darn well that nothing Thomas does is "inadvertent". He is the poster child for everything that's amiss with the Repubs or the Pro-Rape Party, my preferred name for them.
Alabama, another shit-hole state with a crappy governor. Four people died and 28 injured. The cops haven't revealed the weapons but how much do you want to bet that there's an AK or AR involved? Oh yay! Everybody gets a high-powered gun the minute they start chabbering! WTAF??
Hi, Marlene. I understand your anger. The press conference by the officials was an insult to the victims and their families. I do think we need to be careful about condemning the entire state. There are many good people--democrats, independents, and Republicans--who do not buy into the MAGA extremism that we see on the news. They are looking to us for help and support to find a way out of the gerrymandered one state rule under which they live.
Agree Robert. I read the article you linked to in today’s post.
Check out this statement from the Governor who signed the no permit carry gun law, called the Constitutional Carry Act.
Hypocrisy of the highest level.
“This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) said on Twitter.
I agree that there is some shit-hole shit going on in Alabama. Personally I wouldn’t step foot there but remember there are good people there too. I listened to a couple of interviews with Gavin Newsom where he talks about traveling to red states to meet with democrats. He seems genuinely hopeful (eh Robert Hubbell: “We can be hopeful but not complacent”) that based on how many good dems he met and talked to in these red states, some of which were led by Dems not too long ago, have a chance to turn things around.
If you don’t mind my tooting the family horn, my brother-in-law, Jim Kessler, of the Third Way, wrote the report “The Red State’s Murder Problem” and is in NYC to present it at Jordan’s “field hearing” today. Assuming he actually gets to testify, I think Jordan will regret holding this hearing.
Thanks for letting us know about Jim Kessler’s plan to present today at Jordan’s media stunt. It is reassuring to know that good people like him and Alvin Bragg have plans to respond from Earth One to the expected circus tomorrow from Manhattan.
Apr 17, 2023·edited Apr 17, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Great summary and analysis, Robert. I must say I'm disappointed in talk about a possible settlement in the Dominion case. While Dominion has done a great service to the country by outing Fox, I was hoping for a better outcome than a backroom deal. Seems like Fox is backpedaling on its contrition a bit, and Dominion has the power to change that.
Of course, Dominion's duty is to its shareholders, but the goodwill they have achieved thru their lawsuit and the positive impact its had on repairing the damage wrought by MAGAts on voting must be worth something.
As you probably know, another frequent point of settlement is immediately after each side gives its opening statements. It's a little bit like drawing a bit of blood is necessary to bring people to their senses. For fox, there is no victory no matter what happens. Even if fox avoids the damages verdict, the hit to its reputation will last a decade or more. Fox has finally concluded that it must report on the trial, so it's viewers will at least be aware of that fact.
Republicans are on the wrong side of every major issue of concern to the American people. They may think they are on the “side of the angels and patriots” but they are wrong, dead wrong. And in the long run it will cost them. Americans are getting fed up with their extreme positions.
The numbers are turning against Republicans on the gun issue. Combined with reproductive liberty, the climate crisis, and attacks on LGBTQ rights, MAGA extremists have picked the wrong side of nearly every major social and political issue challenging America. Although they can control legislation through gerrymandered legislatures, that is a losing game over time. Democrats can win at the statewide and national level—where they can block G.O.P. lawlessness and enact gun reform.
Republicans are on the wrong side of all these issues - guns, abortion, healthcare, LGBTQ rights, racial and ethnic equity, libraries and books, teaching history, economic inequality and a living wage, and climate change. Republicans stands on these issues and more would make America and our kids less safe, sicker, poorer, less well educated, and with an imperiled future.
We have a path forward—through grass-roots politics, organizing, and activism on the issues we care about. It will be long and arduous, but we have a path forward. Let’s take it.
Think carefully about this when deciding who deserves your votes. You are deciding our shared future and that of your kids and grandchildren.
My super-blue state of VT has permitless carry. Shameful! I support GunSense VT and will put more pressure on our legislators. Thanks for the reminder!
A law-nerd point. the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 used to be in 5a USC. That set of statutes was repealed in Dec 2022 and --for Title 1--replaced with the provisions of 5 USC 13101-13111. The order of the sections changed, but as far as I can tell not the relevant wording. The comments made by Roberts in 2011 were under the old numbering.
The repeal and change of numbers hasn't made it into the Cornell's Legal Information Institute, my usual go-to place for wording of statutes.
One correction, Robert, or maybe an addition: in half the states, it’s easier to buy an automatic killing machine (a pistol) than it is to register to vote. What does that say about us?
Todays Edition Newsletter certainly was uplifting and positive but I believe serious foundational issues exist causing some voters not to feel positive about the country right now. The abortion bill controversy and miscarriage of law by a Texas judge coupled with the latest disclosure of financial mismanagement or more from Judge Thomas does not give many voters confidence in either the judicial system or the Supreme Court. Add to this the almost weekly mass shootings and lack of any collective or outraged Republicans and their hosting and supporting an NRA event days after innocent children have been murdered adds to the frustration many voters feel. Voters want these issues fixed and people held accountable. Voters need to see and feel that our government is working and something we can be proud of and frankly that is not happening. It up to voters at the grass roots level to make this happen.
So good to 'see' you again, Robert! What a strong, positive post today! As my husband enters Hospice today, it was a boost to read your column! I take comfort in the amazing people who have stood up to be counted, and will lead us back to a country, and a government, we can be proud of.
Dear Cecilia,
Our thoughts are with you during this sacred time. Please take care of yourself.
Cecilia;
I’m sorry about your husband. Hospice is a calm environment where both you and your husband will get the support and care you need. Truly wishing you and your husband peace and strength.
Best,
Karen
sending you and your husband love May the day's sun touch you both with warmth and strength for your journey
Cecilia, I lost my husband in 2020 just days before the election. The hospice team that helped me care for Glen were terrific. I wish the same for for you and your husband. Sending strength, love and peace. Glad you are here.
Peace be with you, Cecilia🕯️😔
Cecelia,sending thoughts of a peaceful path for you and your husband as he beginshis final journey. 💙
Having just gone through "hospice," Cecilia, you have my strongest and most positive thoughts that all will be for the best for both your husband and you.
Sending you love and light Cecilia.
Blessings to you and him. What a difficult transition...
I will pray for your husband and for you during this difficult time, Cecilia. God bless.
Outstanding letter as usual! I have a question about the elephant in the room. (No, not that one, the other one.). When Mitch McConnell gets back after recovering from falling and hitting his head, and Biden gets back from helping peace to continue in Northern Ireland, do you think these two old timers who know the Senate as well as anybody will have a private come-to-Jesus-meeting about increasing or getting rid of the debt ceiling and return for some serious negotiations AFTERWARDS on dealing with Social Security? Like having FICA taken from all earned income? (Back before I retired the FICA would stop being taken out about halfway through the year. It used to puzzle me - it was such a small amount, and my budget had been set up based on the money coming in for the first half of the year. If it simply continued to be taken out all year I never would have missed it.)
It seems like a debt deal is on the horizon. The markets do not seem to be panicking, and there are some suggestions of a short term fix. But with the radical GOP caucus in the house, anything could happen.
Fortunately, the radical GOP caucus is a minority of the overall house. Most likely Dems and reasonable Republicans will vote together
Good questions!
I've been in favor of this social security solution for the past 20 years...just seems way to simple to actually pass!
Many of very well off leave no coins on the table.
I have always been amazed by the number of people who don't know there's an income point after which FICA is not taken out.
Will never happen because it’s not them it’s the younger power hungry legislators who want to stay in power.
He's baaaack!!! Robert, I'm nearly out of breath from the energy of this edition!!! You go!!!
Tomorrow is my triple bypass surgery, so I will be offline for a while. I will miss this community! Today is also my last day of posting to FB and Twitter for a while, so in this one I encouraged folks to subscribe. Blessings to all!
Chaplain Terry, You will be in my thoughts. I know you’ll be surrounded by love and light.💙
thank you Kathy - I know you are right!
Wishing you a full and speedy recovery and hope you soon are back in this community. Buona Fortuna.
Hi, Chaplain Terry. Our fox will be with you tomorrow. Please check in in the comment section as soon as you feel able.
Oh, goodness, Chaplain. Willing that you have a speedy recovery. We look forward to you coming back sooner rather than later!
P.S. An aunt of mine had a triple when she was in her mid eighties. She did fine.
Best wishes.
Thank you!
Years ago, around 1980,--when medicine probably was not as good as now, my Uncle Al had septuple bypass surgery. He got an additional 20 years, or thereabouts, between that and giving up the cigarettes. Best wishes for an equally--or more--successful operation!
Sending you love and light Chaplain Terry.
Holding you in healing light.
Love and best healing to you! I look forward to your return.
Look forward to seeing you back soon.🙏💕
Good luck stay strong and keep the faith.
Terry, my prayers and best wishes are with you. Modern medicine is miraculous, as I know from two friends who have survived open heart surgery. May you be just as blessed!
Well, Chaplain Nicholetti, wishing you a successful surgery and bright path to healing. We’ll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
God be with you and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
May you be well! May your heart be strong! May our simple wishes send you love.
Chaplain Terry,
Will be thinking about you tomorrow, and will send positive thoughts your way for a quick recovery!
Joe Biden has turned out to be a remarkable president. History I think will judge him very favourably.
Yes, AND I don't think he should run for another term. I think we would be better served by someone younger and more vibrant.
I disagree: In my opinion, “young and more vibrant” aren’t more important than “skillful” and “knowledgeable”.
100% agree, Michael. This reminds me of how women have always been judged by their looks and not their brains, and that once they reach a certain age they become dismissed.
Truth be told, I would not advise Joe Biden get into the entertainment industry, but he sure knows how to run a country!
I'm also 100% in agreement with "skillful and knowledgeable" over "young and more vibrant."
I've been around since early in the Eisenhower Administration, and Biden is definitely the best president of my lifetime. Was Obama better than Biden? I didn't think so.
That is a difficult balance but I understand your position. I too believe skill and knowledge are more important.
Surely President Biden is surrounded by a team of extraordinary thinkers/planners/strategists (of a span of ages). He's not doing all of this remarkable work single-handedly. Isn't it possible they might continue to advise whomever we nominate and ELECT in 2024? Let's work to get young voters registered in the year and a half we have left.
But aren't there "younger" people who also have skill and knowledge. Let the elders be good mentors to the Youngers so that our country may continue moving along in the future.
You’re right, *theoretically*. However, in this time, there’s no one available with Biden’s combination of experience, contacts, and confidence of other top statespersons.
Bronwyn, appreciate your thoughts but for now that option seems “off the table.” Joe has given us no reason to replace him. And yet, he has done well at highlighting and bringing along young and diverse leaders. We can look forward to their strong contributions as we move forward.
Speaking of a second term, what about Kamala? Usually president and VP rerun as a team. I am not sure if Kamala can hold up her part of the bargain. I am sure she has done things behind the scenes that have been out of the MSM, but she has taken a lot of heat for her seeming inadequacies.
Thoughts please.
President Biden has a good partner in Vice President Harris. She is the person at his side every day not only learning from his vast experience, but also contributing her thoughts and solutions on our problems.
Biden has sent her out to meet with many heads of state on diplomacy missions, and is well-respected from all I read.
I subscribe to the White House Office of Political Strategy and Outreach newsletter for a recap of what the Administration has accomplished in the prior week. It includes all that VP Harris is involved in as well. Here is the link: https://mailchi.mp/626fb8996627/white-house-opso-weekly-newsletter-2455242?e=4010a6c4e7
I am very proud of what she has done to address the root causes of migration from Central America, which is one of the first challenges President Biden assigned to VP Harris. She has secured over $4 billion in economic investments from corporations to create opportunities for people in these countries so they can thrive in their homelands rather than trek north for opportunities.
See White House Fact Sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/02/06/fact-sheet-vice-president-harris-launches-next-phase-of-public-private-partnership-for-northern-central-america/
She is smart, engaging, talented, and focused on delivering good results for Americans.
I had no idea about this newsletter! Thanks for letting us know. Robert, perhaps you could amplify that information in one of your letters.
You’re welcome PS! I find the newsletter so helpful in keeping up with all the work being done by the Biden-Harris team. Enjoy it!
Link to Kamala’s speech at Saturday’s Women’s March in LA, as noted in Heather Cox Richardson’s Letters from an American: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2023/04/16/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-at-a-march-for-reproductive-rights/
Sadly, I agree with you. She was not ready for the position and also behaved arrogantly behind the scenes, causing some of her staff to leave her (always a bad sign in a leader!) I feel as though she is dead weight. Surely there is someone else who will ADD something to the Biden ticket!
Joe Biden's has been a truly paradigm shifting presidency! Unlike Clinton and Obama, who mostly accepted the Republican supply-side/neoliberal economic paradigm, which redistributes income upward and has led to staggering economic inequality in this country, Biden is actively dismantling that paradigm and returning us to the demand side model that led to the greatest expansion of America's middle class from 1932-1980. Maybe because he was in Congress when Democrats were still operating within the demand side paradigm, he remembers how beneficial that was to the majority of Americans.
When I read the Second Amendment to our Constitution.. the Phrase "well regulated militia" stands out.. Please explain why a governor can't call the national guard a "militia" and pass laws that only those with active status in the militia can possess rifles or hand guns with magazines larger than 3...or some small number..
Good question, complicated answer. On the face of the constitution, your interpretation makes sense, but there was private gun ownership at the time the Bill of Rights was an act. So it is probably unconstitutional to ban all done ownership outside of the militia but it is not unconstitutional to impose stringent regulations on gun ownership
Thank you again Robert! Thank you thank you -- for all your work! Thank you for this
clear, detailed, and un-sensational reporting. The news is so wild that your step by step reporting is exactly what I (and surely we all) need. Much appreciated!
The problem with the disarray within the GOP is that they are extreme enough to destroy our growing economy by not raising the dept ceiling. This should be our number 1 concern in the short run. Thanks Robert for your always incredible analysis.
I listened to the Lincoln Project podcast with guest Michael Steele. He said that there was a group of “moderate “ Dems in the House who are urging Biden to negotiate with McCarthy on the debt ceiling. Nonsense! Why aren’t the Dems, even now, not knowing how to fight back and letting these crazy hostage holding Republicans gain ANY credibility?
That total BS. We need to take our position to the people and show what these idiots really stand for. If we bend on any of this with respect to the debt ceiling the next thing you know each new born baby will receive an AR -15 as a welcome home present. Good lord I hope I'm being totally over-the-top!
So you know darn well that nothing Thomas does is "inadvertent". He is the poster child for everything that's amiss with the Repubs or the Pro-Rape Party, my preferred name for them.
Alabama, another shit-hole state with a crappy governor. Four people died and 28 injured. The cops haven't revealed the weapons but how much do you want to bet that there's an AK or AR involved? Oh yay! Everybody gets a high-powered gun the minute they start chabbering! WTAF??
Hi, Marlene. I understand your anger. The press conference by the officials was an insult to the victims and their families. I do think we need to be careful about condemning the entire state. There are many good people--democrats, independents, and Republicans--who do not buy into the MAGA extremism that we see on the news. They are looking to us for help and support to find a way out of the gerrymandered one state rule under which they live.
Agree Robert. I read the article you linked to in today’s post.
Check out this statement from the Governor who signed the no permit carry gun law, called the Constitutional Carry Act.
Hypocrisy of the highest level.
“This morning, I grieve with the people of Dadeville and my fellow Alabamians. Violent crime has NO place in our state, and we are staying closely updated by law enforcement as details emerge,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) said on Twitter.
I agree that there is some shit-hole shit going on in Alabama. Personally I wouldn’t step foot there but remember there are good people there too. I listened to a couple of interviews with Gavin Newsom where he talks about traveling to red states to meet with democrats. He seems genuinely hopeful (eh Robert Hubbell: “We can be hopeful but not complacent”) that based on how many good dems he met and talked to in these red states, some of which were led by Dems not too long ago, have a chance to turn things around.
Worth a listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6bX3EwdGEw
Don't forget Joyce Vance hails from Alabama!
If he came to Arkansas there was zero news coverage about it Karen. I know he was in Florida. YouTube is not CC'd so that won't help me.
A lot going on here in AR and
Dems are pretty quiet about it all.
Did you listen to the interview I’d linked to talk about all the places he’s been down there
He specifically mentioned being in Bentonville AR (maybe in this interview…or he may have mentioned it in a different interview)!
If you don’t mind my tooting the family horn, my brother-in-law, Jim Kessler, of the Third Way, wrote the report “The Red State’s Murder Problem” and is in NYC to present it at Jordan’s “field hearing” today. Assuming he actually gets to testify, I think Jordan will regret holding this hearing.
Thanks for letting us know about Jim Kessler’s plan to present today at Jordan’s media stunt. It is reassuring to know that good people like him and Alvin Bragg have plans to respond from Earth One to the expected circus tomorrow from Manhattan.
Ann, are you able to post a link? can you please send me a copy? rbhubbell@gmail.com
Great summary and analysis, Robert. I must say I'm disappointed in talk about a possible settlement in the Dominion case. While Dominion has done a great service to the country by outing Fox, I was hoping for a better outcome than a backroom deal. Seems like Fox is backpedaling on its contrition a bit, and Dominion has the power to change that.
Of course, Dominion's duty is to its shareholders, but the goodwill they have achieved thru their lawsuit and the positive impact its had on repairing the damage wrought by MAGAts on voting must be worth something.
As you probably know, another frequent point of settlement is immediately after each side gives its opening statements. It's a little bit like drawing a bit of blood is necessary to bring people to their senses. For fox, there is no victory no matter what happens. Even if fox avoids the damages verdict, the hit to its reputation will last a decade or more. Fox has finally concluded that it must report on the trial, so it's viewers will at least be aware of that fact.
They didn't settle and go to court today. Good for Dominion!
Republicans are on the wrong side of every major issue of concern to the American people. They may think they are on the “side of the angels and patriots” but they are wrong, dead wrong. And in the long run it will cost them. Americans are getting fed up with their extreme positions.
The numbers are turning against Republicans on the gun issue. Combined with reproductive liberty, the climate crisis, and attacks on LGBTQ rights, MAGA extremists have picked the wrong side of nearly every major social and political issue challenging America. Although they can control legislation through gerrymandered legislatures, that is a losing game over time. Democrats can win at the statewide and national level—where they can block G.O.P. lawlessness and enact gun reform.
Republicans are on the wrong side of all these issues - guns, abortion, healthcare, LGBTQ rights, racial and ethnic equity, libraries and books, teaching history, economic inequality and a living wage, and climate change. Republicans stands on these issues and more would make America and our kids less safe, sicker, poorer, less well educated, and with an imperiled future.
We have a path forward—through grass-roots politics, organizing, and activism on the issues we care about. It will be long and arduous, but we have a path forward. Let’s take it.
Think carefully about this when deciding who deserves your votes. You are deciding our shared future and that of your kids and grandchildren.
My super-blue state of VT has permitless carry. Shameful! I support GunSense VT and will put more pressure on our legislators. Thanks for the reminder!
Won't that be a challenge though, considering "Vermont carry" ?
A law-nerd point. the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 used to be in 5a USC. That set of statutes was repealed in Dec 2022 and --for Title 1--replaced with the provisions of 5 USC 13101-13111. The order of the sections changed, but as far as I can tell not the relevant wording. The comments made by Roberts in 2011 were under the old numbering.
The repeal and change of numbers hasn't made it into the Cornell's Legal Information Institute, my usual go-to place for wording of statutes.
Thank you!!!
check your email inbox
One correction, Robert, or maybe an addition: in half the states, it’s easier to buy an automatic killing machine (a pistol) than it is to register to vote. What does that say about us?
Todays Edition Newsletter certainly was uplifting and positive but I believe serious foundational issues exist causing some voters not to feel positive about the country right now. The abortion bill controversy and miscarriage of law by a Texas judge coupled with the latest disclosure of financial mismanagement or more from Judge Thomas does not give many voters confidence in either the judicial system or the Supreme Court. Add to this the almost weekly mass shootings and lack of any collective or outraged Republicans and their hosting and supporting an NRA event days after innocent children have been murdered adds to the frustration many voters feel. Voters want these issues fixed and people held accountable. Voters need to see and feel that our government is working and something we can be proud of and frankly that is not happening. It up to voters at the grass roots level to make this happen.