Joe Biden lived his entire life overcoming challenges not the least of which were his stuttering and the death of his son, and earlier, his wife and daughter. Rather than using tragedies to turn himself into a hopeless victim, these events became the pillars of strength upon which his character is built. Contrast this with Donald Trump who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, squandered hundreds of millions of dollars and now has become the world's biggest victim by his own making. This divorce from reality forces him to try to put others down so he can stand above them without needing to do anything himself. Veterans are losers, POWs are weak, physically challenged people need to be mocked. There is not one ounce of goodness in Donald Trump..not a sliver of empathy. It is eminently clear that everything he says or does is a pathological cover for his own shortcomings. It is not a good use of your time to continually ask why so many Trump followers cannot see that. But, it is important that we do and use that to stand united to defeat him.
Wanna get rid of Trump? To do that we must win the Electoral College vote, not just the popular vote. These two states with 34 electoral votes are critical to that end..Michigan and Pennsylvania. A very effective grassroots group, 31st Street Swing Left, is spearheading an effort to save our democracy. I hope you can join me in supporting their current effort through a zoom fundraiser on April 10th. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to make a contribution and please feel free to pass this along to like minded friends. Details below. Thanks so much.
Vote Blue!
Channel your energy to help Biden and other Dems
in the crucial “Blue Wall” states of Pennsylvania and Michigan!
Join me at a 31st Street Zoom fundraiser on April 10th to raise early money for state Democratic parties in these key states because . . .
State parties are grossly underfunded yet play a vital role in coordinating and organizing across multiple campaigns, up and down the ballot. They need to hire and train staff now to be fully functioning when the campaign season begins in earnest.
Wednesday, April 10th, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm ET.
Contribute before or during the event through ActBlue using this LINK. If you prefer to write a check, please contact Jim Shelton sheltonjd66@gmail.com. Every contribution helps reach our goal of $250,000!
31st Street is a chapter of the national grassroots organization, Swing Left.
permission to use this wonderful quote ( and credit you OBVIOUSLY!)? Not sure I've heard someone summarize the difference between the two so masterfully!
I’ve seen one NC rep (not mine) whose name does not appear on the signatories. We are doing a postcarding campaign on his behalf. I’m going to reach out to his office, but I’m not a constituent. Anyone in Congressional District 1 in NC should do the same.
Ilene, since Don Davis has signed, you can do a postcard campaign on behalf of the Repub in District 11, Chuck Edwards, who has not signed. I just sent him an email urging him to sign the discharge petition.
Robert, thank you for your consistent gift of a soothing reminder that we are on the correct side of history, and that while not perfect, we have a candidate for POTUS with a proven track record.
"As we head into the weekend, we should feel confident about Biden’s ability to handle the rigors of the campaign trail with steadiness and grace."
Maybe Americans don’t think we should work until we can’t or die, but slaveowners did and oligarchs do. The trump cult uses people until they have no value.
There is no question that Biden is traveling the country demonstrating what and how a President should act and how they should perform their responsibilities and duties. Most of the political focus is on the presidential race but what is equally important are the House and Senate races. The Senate and the House is where laws go to get approved or die and where the approval of Federal judges takes place. The Republican Party has corrupted the judicial system across the board and when we talk about a threat to democracy this is where it starts. What many voters have not realized yet is the threatening rhetoric of Trump can only be denied from actually being implemented by having a Congress with the power and votes to stop him. Stoping Trump is more than electing Biden it’s really providing the legislative majority to insure the integrity of our government.
Yes; although to be clear, only a portion of the proceeds are going to the legal defense fund. Trump is keeping most of the rest for himself. That will hurt downballot GOP candidates.
Yes. That is the good news/bad news. I live in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional district- the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities. This was the most expensive Congressional race in the country in 2020 because the RNC targeted us as a “swing district.” We reelected Angie Craig, D - MN by a small margin but had to work incredibly hard in 2020 and 2022 to do so because of the huge influx of ads paid for by the RNC and several Republican PACs.
The RNC again chose MN 2 as a target in 2024 but with the Trump takeover, Trump’s faltering fundraising, and the RNC’s faltering fundraising and low cash reserves, local activists are more confident there won’t be anywhere near the money flowing here from outside Republican sources. So we are ramping up our fundraising and door knocking campaigns to increase the vote margin in our favor. Not complacent here but a little more confident there won’t be multi- million dollar infusions of dark money to support the Republican candidate.
The bad news is that the campaign rhetoric is already unbearable. Overtly racist, sexist and particularly homophobic - Angie Craig is a married lesbian. As everyone here knows, that horror show plays well among Trumpers. For the rest of us, it is an affront to all we hold dear. There are days when fighting that is exhausting but oppose it we must.
I keep asking that same question. What about down ballot candidates? I guess they’ll be left to do all fundraising for themselves. There’s no way Trump will part with a penny of RNC donations. I mean, how more obvious can it get? Lara, the no talent DiL thinks she can sing (she cannot) songs that violate copyright laws since she does not have permission from the Petty Estate to use them. Typical Trump, laws don’t apply to me.
I will agree this feeling of chaos that has consumed the right wing/red state legislatures into a frenzy of passing laws that not only target women’s health but sees to it these laws include life in prison if found guilty, it’d be no surprise public hanging becomes a acceptable punishment.
Ohioans cast votes in a special election that was held in August 2023 on 2 issues, 1) adding the right to make personal decisions concerning reproductive rights to the state’s constitution. 2) legalizing recreational marijuana. Both were overwhelmingly passed by the voters. The Governor and corrupt legislators refuse to honor the will of the voters.
I believe Republican politicians are sitting on a powder keg of naivety. Ohioan are really angry for sure, but the August special election was held so close to 2424’s Presidential Election, they are biding their time. Do they not feel that something’s amiss? Where are all the angry voters? Especially the weed people? That’s big money. Both for growers and tax revenue. Now that The Party of Trump has highjacked whatever you formally received from the RNC, are you not sensing a huge disadvantage leveled right between the eyes? Do you not see the 6 SCOTUS traitors about to pull the trigger on your career?
Considering the DNC has done no such thing, the gap of fundraising which even before Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party was considerable in leaning towards the Democratic Party.
Looking at the charade, nightmare, mockery of democracy, clown show or what ever you want to call what we are witnessing in the House since the 2022 elections it should be clear that all down-ballot races are just as important as the vote for President. And no, there are no easy wins.
No, the oligarcs can send money directly to any down ballot candidates they like and just bypass the RNC. Also, a lot of the GOP candidates are rich in their own rights and can loan their own campaigns money.
I think it might have some impact for first time candidates without as many contacts in the rich donor sphere.
IMO, it would have a bigger impact on the Dems if in some alternate reality the DNC money was being syphoned off to pay legal bills. Far more Democratic candidates don't have wealthy donors in their pockets.
It is illegal for foreign nationals to contribute to US elections. There are ways to circumvent that restrictions, but those methods are illegal (if discovered).
I think you are right about that! Traitor trump. The other Republicans who are running for 2024 must feel betrayed. Hmmmm might look around to see what has been said out loud about this.
Robert thanks. All I can say is “What a mess” as my mother used to say when we needed to clean our bedrooms. The mess of the GOP bedazzles me how grown, assumingely educated people with relatively privileged backgrounds all sworn to protect and defend the constitution can be so focused on destruction of the people, country and the world. Like I have said before keep ringing the bell of truth and action.
“Democracy works best when citizens tell their representatives what they want—rather than having the representatives tell us what they think we should want.”
Thank you and your newsletter, Robert, for helping do just that!
As optimism slowly builds for a positive result for Biden at the polls, we should turn our full attention on what steps Maga will take to disrupt, discredit and corrupt the election process. Should Biden take dramatic steps to ensure that voters will not be harassed (national guard call up) and that corrupt Maga state officials will not be able to create chaos and seize voting machines and whatever else they can do in the face of defeat. Please let’s have more reporting on this. We can win the election if it is legit, but are we prepared to counter insurrection and voter nullification? We were completely blindsided by Jan 6. And back then Maga wasn’t very organized. What will they come up with after 4 years of scheming?
Robert- again a masterpiece on the orange lunatic 3 D's- distracted, desperate, delusional but I would like to add deranged as well - I do believe he lives in la la land! But he seems to be taking after dear old Dad who had dementia and an apple doesn't fall
Thank you for laying out the issues clearly. These are the messages that the Democrats need to get to the people. It is concerning that Trump is reaching out to being beholden to foreign leaders, since the only ones who seem to be willing to give out this kind of cash do not have our country's interests at heart, and I presume are not our allies. Very dangerous indeed. I watched the movie God and Country last night with friends, which can be viewed for a $5 rental fee. I recommend it. You can rent the film for $5 here or just see the trailor: https://watch.eventive.org/godandcountry/play/65e601a2a2d7070041c33efd
It really highlights the symbiotic relationship Trump has developed with White Nationalists that consider themselves Christian. In fact, one sees him as another charismatic charlatan preacher preaching at the sheep being led to the slaughter, with no understanding of what is going on. I am wondering whether Trump bleeding the Republican coffers dry will lead to secret rebellion against him in Congress in the voting booth. Also, wondering how many Republicans will not be getting funding through the RNC now that it is concentrated on funding Treacherous-treasonous-traitor-Trump in his crimes? I am hoping that this bleeds many Republican campaigns of much needed funds. I have checked the list and my representative Jonathan Jackson has signed on. Thanks to Alexander Vindman's Substack: Why It Matters, and I have been writing to Rep. Jackson regularly about supporting a discharge petition to fund Ukraine. https://alexandervindman.substack.com/p/my-interview-on-morning-joe
Following your recommendation re God and Country, I highly recommend reading Tim Alberta’s The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: Evangelicalism in an Age of Extremism.
Last night I zoomed into a Forgotten Democrats program on the Ukraine.
It seems to me that the Trump position on Ukraine should be at odds with many of Trump's biggest 2020 donors. E.G. Advocates for the discharge petition for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan funding should let the Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment & Research that donated $45,005,600 know!
Maybe Putin is not that interested in bailing out Trump this time. Trump without his assets is an easier target for blackmailing, and him selling out the remaining secrets of the US that are in his hand. Trump appearing as the loser he is, makes him less attractive to fascists, who will always go for 'winners'. Putin is likely to see the advantages both if Trump is elected president, and if he is not, and incites a civil war.
For your readers who have access to the New Yorker, a disturbing account (in book review) of Hitler's rise to power, titled "The Enablers." Hitler didn't "seize" power, he was given it. The review by Adam Gopnik in the March 25 print issue shows how conservative industrialists, a powerful media mogul, ambitious politicians maneuvered to put into power the man they considered a "buffoon", "insane", certain he would fail and they could reap the fallout. Day One came and democracy had a sudden death. “History does not repeat itself, but it sometimes rhymes.”
I haven’t read Gopnik’s article, yet, but observe that Norbert Hirschhorn’s outline was well known when I was a young man (maybe, since then, it’s been forgotten?) – I recommend, e.g., The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, by William Shirer (it’s a huge book, but one needs to read only the parts dealing with ca. 1930-1933).
Hitler was not precisely “given” power: His party held the largest number of seats in the legislature. More to the comparison to today – Hitler’s followers created enormous disruption and physical violence in the streets, intimidating many Germans (sound familiar?). He, like DJT, verbally bludgeoned opponents, and finally bullied the infirm President, Paul Hindenburg, into appointing him Chancellor (Prime Minister).
Thus empowered, Hitler and his people quickly *destroyed* opposition forces through methods legal and illegal.
Thank you to LynellVA for calling attention to Discharge Petition No. 9 and posting links to signature status. Thanks also to Robert for highlighting this information. As a result I have written to Jared Golden, my rep. and urged him to add his signature to the discharge. I urge you to do the same if your rep. has not yet signed.
Yes, so helpful. I am in AZ and so happy my district recently change to a Democratic representative, Greg Stanton….not surprising his name is on the discharge petition!
Lucky for them that they named themselves the House Freedom Caucus. Otherwise, they'd be slammed with a far less patriotic moniker. Anti-government rabble rousers like Comer and Jordan, Gaetz and Greene, etc. have an uncanny ability to focus on what benefits white Christian billionaires to the exclusion of all other Americans. An excellent further and more nuanced explanation of this phenomenon can be found in today's Letters from HCR: https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/march-21-2024?r=f38fk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Joe Biden lived his entire life overcoming challenges not the least of which were his stuttering and the death of his son, and earlier, his wife and daughter. Rather than using tragedies to turn himself into a hopeless victim, these events became the pillars of strength upon which his character is built. Contrast this with Donald Trump who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, squandered hundreds of millions of dollars and now has become the world's biggest victim by his own making. This divorce from reality forces him to try to put others down so he can stand above them without needing to do anything himself. Veterans are losers, POWs are weak, physically challenged people need to be mocked. There is not one ounce of goodness in Donald Trump..not a sliver of empathy. It is eminently clear that everything he says or does is a pathological cover for his own shortcomings. It is not a good use of your time to continually ask why so many Trump followers cannot see that. But, it is important that we do and use that to stand united to defeat him.
This guy has managed to exist into old age without a single redeeming quality. Amazing!
Yes. I agree. Not one redeeming quality. He doesn't even like dogs.
Animals don't like him either, especially Bald Eagles.
Thank you for this succinct comparison. It is one of the best I’ve seen in the past 4 years.
Well said. A clear, succinct description of the stark difference between these two men. Trump’s dark, perverted character is deeply disturbing.
You are absolutely right! I don't think there has ever been such a strong contrast in character that was obvious in this instance BEFORE the election.
Well said, Bob!
I wish I had written this. That's how good it is.
Wanna get rid of Trump? To do that we must win the Electoral College vote, not just the popular vote. These two states with 34 electoral votes are critical to that end..Michigan and Pennsylvania. A very effective grassroots group, 31st Street Swing Left, is spearheading an effort to save our democracy. I hope you can join me in supporting their current effort through a zoom fundraiser on April 10th. If you are unable to attend, please feel free to make a contribution and please feel free to pass this along to like minded friends. Details below. Thanks so much.
Vote Blue!
Channel your energy to help Biden and other Dems
in the crucial “Blue Wall” states of Pennsylvania and Michigan!
Join me at a 31st Street Zoom fundraiser on April 10th to raise early money for state Democratic parties in these key states because . . .
State parties are grossly underfunded yet play a vital role in coordinating and organizing across multiple campaigns, up and down the ballot. They need to hire and train staff now to be fully functioning when the campaign season begins in earnest.
Wednesday, April 10th, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm ET.
Contribute before or during the event through ActBlue using this LINK. If you prefer to write a check, please contact Jim Shelton sheltonjd66@gmail.com. Every contribution helps reach our goal of $250,000!
31st Street is a chapter of the national grassroots organization, Swing Left.
Their website: https://www.31ststreet.org
31st Street is entirely volunteer-led and accepts no donations.
All funds go directly to the respective state Democratic parties in Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Register HERE through “Mobilize” and please invite a friend or two to register as well.
Thanks, Bob
Contribute before or during the event through ActBlue using this LINK.
permission to use this wonderful quote ( and credit you OBVIOUSLY!)? Not sure I've heard someone summarize the difference between the two so masterfully!
Permission granted..no attribution necessary..Thanks
Another great Edition, Robert. Many thanks for highlighting the efforts of the House to pass a discharge petition that will get aid to Ukraine.
For my part, credit goes to Jessica Craven of ChopWood/CarryWater whose link led me to the information I posted.
Fingers crossed that we get passage!
I’ve seen one NC rep (not mine) whose name does not appear on the signatories. We are doing a postcarding campaign on his behalf. I’m going to reach out to his office, but I’m not a constituent. Anyone in Congressional District 1 in NC should do the same.
Ilene,
Don Davs is number 8 on the list of people who signed. You must have overlooked him.
Ilene, since Don Davis has signed, you can do a postcard campaign on behalf of the Repub in District 11, Chuck Edwards, who has not signed. I just sent him an email urging him to sign the discharge petition.
So sorry. I thought I looked carefully. Our campaign right now is to register in 1 and 13. One of Seniors Taking Action/Field Team 6 campaigns
Robert, thank you for your consistent gift of a soothing reminder that we are on the correct side of history, and that while not perfect, we have a candidate for POTUS with a proven track record.
"As we head into the weekend, we should feel confident about Biden’s ability to handle the rigors of the campaign trail with steadiness and grace."
No one is perfect, but Biden is close.
Maybe Americans don’t think we should work until we can’t or die, but slaveowners did and oligarchs do. The trump cult uses people until they have no value.
There is no question that Biden is traveling the country demonstrating what and how a President should act and how they should perform their responsibilities and duties. Most of the political focus is on the presidential race but what is equally important are the House and Senate races. The Senate and the House is where laws go to get approved or die and where the approval of Federal judges takes place. The Republican Party has corrupted the judicial system across the board and when we talk about a threat to democracy this is where it starts. What many voters have not realized yet is the threatening rhetoric of Trump can only be denied from actually being implemented by having a Congress with the power and votes to stop him. Stoping Trump is more than electing Biden it’s really providing the legislative majority to insure the integrity of our government.
I’m confused. Doesn’t tfg’s takeover of the RNC for his legal fund mean that the GOP will have nothing left to support down-ballot candidates?
Yes; although to be clear, only a portion of the proceeds are going to the legal defense fund. Trump is keeping most of the rest for himself. That will hurt downballot GOP candidates.
Thank you!
Yes. That is the good news/bad news. I live in Minnesota’s 2nd Congressional district- the southern suburbs of the Twin Cities. This was the most expensive Congressional race in the country in 2020 because the RNC targeted us as a “swing district.” We reelected Angie Craig, D - MN by a small margin but had to work incredibly hard in 2020 and 2022 to do so because of the huge influx of ads paid for by the RNC and several Republican PACs.
The RNC again chose MN 2 as a target in 2024 but with the Trump takeover, Trump’s faltering fundraising, and the RNC’s faltering fundraising and low cash reserves, local activists are more confident there won’t be anywhere near the money flowing here from outside Republican sources. So we are ramping up our fundraising and door knocking campaigns to increase the vote margin in our favor. Not complacent here but a little more confident there won’t be multi- million dollar infusions of dark money to support the Republican candidate.
The bad news is that the campaign rhetoric is already unbearable. Overtly racist, sexist and particularly homophobic - Angie Craig is a married lesbian. As everyone here knows, that horror show plays well among Trumpers. For the rest of us, it is an affront to all we hold dear. There are days when fighting that is exhausting but oppose it we must.
Thanks for your efforts in MN 2!
We can only hope.
I keep asking that same question. What about down ballot candidates? I guess they’ll be left to do all fundraising for themselves. There’s no way Trump will part with a penny of RNC donations. I mean, how more obvious can it get? Lara, the no talent DiL thinks she can sing (she cannot) songs that violate copyright laws since she does not have permission from the Petty Estate to use them. Typical Trump, laws don’t apply to me.
I will agree this feeling of chaos that has consumed the right wing/red state legislatures into a frenzy of passing laws that not only target women’s health but sees to it these laws include life in prison if found guilty, it’d be no surprise public hanging becomes a acceptable punishment.
Ohioans cast votes in a special election that was held in August 2023 on 2 issues, 1) adding the right to make personal decisions concerning reproductive rights to the state’s constitution. 2) legalizing recreational marijuana. Both were overwhelmingly passed by the voters. The Governor and corrupt legislators refuse to honor the will of the voters.
I believe Republican politicians are sitting on a powder keg of naivety. Ohioan are really angry for sure, but the August special election was held so close to 2424’s Presidential Election, they are biding their time. Do they not feel that something’s amiss? Where are all the angry voters? Especially the weed people? That’s big money. Both for growers and tax revenue. Now that The Party of Trump has highjacked whatever you formally received from the RNC, are you not sensing a huge disadvantage leveled right between the eyes? Do you not see the 6 SCOTUS traitors about to pull the trigger on your career?
Considering the DNC has done no such thing, the gap of fundraising which even before Trump’s takeover of the Republican Party was considerable in leaning towards the Democratic Party.
That's my question as well Lynn. It actually sounds like that could work out well for us in easily winning those down-ballot races?
Looking at the charade, nightmare, mockery of democracy, clown show or what ever you want to call what we are witnessing in the House since the 2022 elections it should be clear that all down-ballot races are just as important as the vote for President. And no, there are no easy wins.
No, the oligarcs can send money directly to any down ballot candidates they like and just bypass the RNC. Also, a lot of the GOP candidates are rich in their own rights and can loan their own campaigns money.
I think it might have some impact for first time candidates without as many contacts in the rich donor sphere.
IMO, it would have a bigger impact on the Dems if in some alternate reality the DNC money was being syphoned off to pay legal bills. Far more Democratic candidates don't have wealthy donors in their pockets.
It is illegal for foreign nationals to contribute to US elections. There are ways to circumvent that restrictions, but those methods are illegal (if discovered).
I meant rich people in the US, not Russia. Harlan Crowe, for example who has Clarence Thomas in his pocket.
Yes, and a couple of them with a limited donation base have spoken about it to the press! He doesn't care about down-ballot candidates!
Yay!!!
I think you are right about that! Traitor trump. The other Republicans who are running for 2024 must feel betrayed. Hmmmm might look around to see what has been said out loud about this.
I think yes. Too bad, right?
Robert thanks. All I can say is “What a mess” as my mother used to say when we needed to clean our bedrooms. The mess of the GOP bedazzles me how grown, assumingely educated people with relatively privileged backgrounds all sworn to protect and defend the constitution can be so focused on destruction of the people, country and the world. Like I have said before keep ringing the bell of truth and action.
“Democracy works best when citizens tell their representatives what they want—rather than having the representatives tell us what they think we should want.”
Thank you and your newsletter, Robert, for helping do just that!
As optimism slowly builds for a positive result for Biden at the polls, we should turn our full attention on what steps Maga will take to disrupt, discredit and corrupt the election process. Should Biden take dramatic steps to ensure that voters will not be harassed (national guard call up) and that corrupt Maga state officials will not be able to create chaos and seize voting machines and whatever else they can do in the face of defeat. Please let’s have more reporting on this. We can win the election if it is legit, but are we prepared to counter insurrection and voter nullification? We were completely blindsided by Jan 6. And back then Maga wasn’t very organized. What will they come up with after 4 years of scheming?
Robert- again a masterpiece on the orange lunatic 3 D's- distracted, desperate, delusional but I would like to add deranged as well - I do believe he lives in la la land! But he seems to be taking after dear old Dad who had dementia and an apple doesn't fall
-/---
Thank you for laying out the issues clearly. These are the messages that the Democrats need to get to the people. It is concerning that Trump is reaching out to being beholden to foreign leaders, since the only ones who seem to be willing to give out this kind of cash do not have our country's interests at heart, and I presume are not our allies. Very dangerous indeed. I watched the movie God and Country last night with friends, which can be viewed for a $5 rental fee. I recommend it. You can rent the film for $5 here or just see the trailor: https://watch.eventive.org/godandcountry/play/65e601a2a2d7070041c33efd
It really highlights the symbiotic relationship Trump has developed with White Nationalists that consider themselves Christian. In fact, one sees him as another charismatic charlatan preacher preaching at the sheep being led to the slaughter, with no understanding of what is going on. I am wondering whether Trump bleeding the Republican coffers dry will lead to secret rebellion against him in Congress in the voting booth. Also, wondering how many Republicans will not be getting funding through the RNC now that it is concentrated on funding Treacherous-treasonous-traitor-Trump in his crimes? I am hoping that this bleeds many Republican campaigns of much needed funds. I have checked the list and my representative Jonathan Jackson has signed on. Thanks to Alexander Vindman's Substack: Why It Matters, and I have been writing to Rep. Jackson regularly about supporting a discharge petition to fund Ukraine. https://alexandervindman.substack.com/p/my-interview-on-morning-joe
Following your recommendation re God and Country, I highly recommend reading Tim Alberta’s The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: Evangelicalism in an Age of Extremism.
Here's a review for any who are interested https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/dec/02/kingdom-power-glory-review-tim-alberta-trump-evangelical
Thank you for the recommendation.
It’s so interesting and horrifying. I learned so much.
Last night I zoomed into a Forgotten Democrats program on the Ukraine.
It seems to me that the Trump position on Ukraine should be at odds with many of Trump's biggest 2020 donors. E.G. Advocates for the discharge petition for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan funding should let the Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment & Research that donated $45,005,600 know!
Maybe Putin is not that interested in bailing out Trump this time. Trump without his assets is an easier target for blackmailing, and him selling out the remaining secrets of the US that are in his hand. Trump appearing as the loser he is, makes him less attractive to fascists, who will always go for 'winners'. Putin is likely to see the advantages both if Trump is elected president, and if he is not, and incites a civil war.
For your readers who have access to the New Yorker, a disturbing account (in book review) of Hitler's rise to power, titled "The Enablers." Hitler didn't "seize" power, he was given it. The review by Adam Gopnik in the March 25 print issue shows how conservative industrialists, a powerful media mogul, ambitious politicians maneuvered to put into power the man they considered a "buffoon", "insane", certain he would fail and they could reap the fallout. Day One came and democracy had a sudden death. “History does not repeat itself, but it sometimes rhymes.”
I haven’t read Gopnik’s article, yet, but observe that Norbert Hirschhorn’s outline was well known when I was a young man (maybe, since then, it’s been forgotten?) – I recommend, e.g., The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, by William Shirer (it’s a huge book, but one needs to read only the parts dealing with ca. 1930-1933).
Hitler was not precisely “given” power: His party held the largest number of seats in the legislature. More to the comparison to today – Hitler’s followers created enormous disruption and physical violence in the streets, intimidating many Germans (sound familiar?). He, like DJT, verbally bludgeoned opponents, and finally bullied the infirm President, Paul Hindenburg, into appointing him Chancellor (Prime Minister).
Thus empowered, Hitler and his people quickly *destroyed* opposition forces through methods legal and illegal.
Thank you to LynellVA for calling attention to Discharge Petition No. 9 and posting links to signature status. Thanks also to Robert for highlighting this information. As a result I have written to Jared Golden, my rep. and urged him to add his signature to the discharge. I urge you to do the same if your rep. has not yet signed.
Yes, so helpful. I am in AZ and so happy my district recently change to a Democratic representative, Greg Stanton….not surprising his name is on the discharge petition!
Thanks, Mike! I did the same yesterday.
Lucky for them that they named themselves the House Freedom Caucus. Otherwise, they'd be slammed with a far less patriotic moniker. Anti-government rabble rousers like Comer and Jordan, Gaetz and Greene, etc. have an uncanny ability to focus on what benefits white Christian billionaires to the exclusion of all other Americans. An excellent further and more nuanced explanation of this phenomenon can be found in today's Letters from HCR: https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/march-21-2024?r=f38fk&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Ever hopeful, Robert. Catch you tomorrow. Thank you for pulling this together.