Two groups are pulling the moderates and left down -- the Democratic Party doing lousy messaging and the Media doing lousy negative commentary. We need to put as much focus on upgrading the Media as we do to upgrading the messaging. The Democrats need the kind of messaging that works. Stop the Steal with it's strong verb Stop and the accusation Steal is a very effective format encourage specific action. That's what the rest of us need. The rest of us includes the 40% of voters who are independents which are currently ignored by the Media giving us a distorted picture of what is really going on. 80% of Republicans is about 20% of all the voters. Doesn't sound so threatening, does it? Hearing MAGA winning Republican Primaries is actually positive for Democrats because they will have a harder time in the General Elections because they are the extreme and will not attract the Moderates and Independents votes. I'm feeling very defiant and ready to take on the crazies and incumbents not working for the People. We, the People, all of us including all women this time!
Seen in a twitter thread: Scottsdale Arizona, poster overheard two men - clearly retirees - one maybe in golf clothes. One says to the other."I'm a life-long Republican but I can't anymore. This thing about abortion is too much." The other responds, "I know, me too." This gives me hope.
It bears repeating over and over: Stirring up despair by people like Mitch McConnell and his GANG is the effective tool to stay in power! I grew up in South Africa -- talk about despair in a one party police state. My representative was HELEN SUZMAN - the lone member of the Progressive Party in Parliament. It was her monthly visits to Robben Island that kept Nelson Mandela alive --- for which she had to endure screams from the Nationalist Party. "shut your screaming Jewish mouth !! and yet ---- she ended up being the only member to outlast them alll She never gave up - neither should we. Derek
"Despair is a delusion of confidence that asserts it knows what’s coming, perhaps a tool of those who like to feel in control, even if just of the facts, when in reality, we can frame approximate parameters, but the surprises keep coming. Anyone who makes a definitive declaration about what the future will bring is not dealing in facts. The world we live in today was utterly unforeseen and unimaginable on many counts, the world that is coming is something we can work toward but not something we can foresee. We need to have confidence that surprise and uncertainty are unshakable principles, if we want to have confidence in something. And recognize that in that uncertainty is room to act, to try to shape a future that will be determined by what we do in the present."
At 85 I am another discouraged disgruntled, depressed Democrat, but I am forcing myself to take some action so I am attending a Reproductive Rights Rally Saturday and contenting to write letters for Swing Left. If all of us who are disappointed would take a little action it would make a huge difference,
I have read Rather's blog post and I can relate to his comments on doomscrolling. I do it all the time and I want to stop.
My therapist sugggested setting a certain time of day to stay informed about the news. But I have OCD, so I am constantly searching for any signs of hope for the future.
The idea of the future being "bleak" or "grim" haunts me as an LGBT person. I am almost 30 years old and I fear growing old and dying in a world where I will never see true tolerance for people like me. Where I'll never be able to come out of the closet and get married. I only have one life and the idea of it ending tragically hurts.
So to compensate, I constantly scroll the news every hour of the day hoping for some signs of hope that things will at least work out in the long term. Without "Pollyanish Optimism" I have to face the fact that a good future is not certain, and there's not much I alone can do about it.
I vote, I donate, and I do what I can. But I am weak when it comes to politics. Talking about the subject makes me sick and I constantly feel like the world is getting meaner and nastier, and all anyone seems to care about is their gas prices. That's what it feels like at least.
I appreciate posts like this because they let me imagine a better world. Trump is almost 80 years old, and I believe deep down that the GOP's culture war can only go so far. Abortion is one thing, but if they try to take gay marriage or criminalize homosexuality, I will be in the streets. They will have crossed the line with members of their own party.
The fact that I have to type this makes me feel sick. I grew up thinking that the struggles of the past were in the past and that I could just enjoy my life without worrying about factors I can't control. But all of this is overwhelming and I want it to stop. I am struggling with a doomscrolling addiction and I just want to live my life in peace.
While MAGA Republicans are getting all the media coverage with their wild oratory, even negative publicity is publicity as Trump has shown. Where are the Democrats? It’s time to take the gloves off and put some firebrands out to give speeches and get the media’s attention. Not just one, but flood the airwaves. Whether it’s famous actors, sports heroes or politicians, Democrats need to find a way to get the attention of the public. State in no uncertain terms what Republican autocracy will look like. Say what you will about Mitch McConnell(the lowlife), he owns the Senate. Democrats need to demolish the filibuster and GET SOMETHING DONE! Mitch has already shown them how it’s done and he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again to get what he wants. I’m so frustrated. Angry as Hell and Not Taking It Anymore would be an effective slogan.
This past Sunday, I participated in a pro-choice rally. It was exhilarating to stand with like-minded people from the area. The age range was inspiring--high school students and grandparents. And for those of us who are the grandparents we shared stories of friends who had either died or become infertile because of botched, illegal abortions, or who had their lives upended because of unplanned pregnancies.
Yes, it's exhausting to continue to the same argument and to be in the same place. And yes, I wish we were able to move on to more current and pressing matters like climate change.
While talking with other protesters, we discussed the issue of "messaging". I asked a number of people what changes they would make to be better--unfortunately there were no ideas. Just complaints. Messaging is difficult if it comes down to a slogan of 3-4 words. But here is one thought and it's extreme: REPUBLICANS ARE THE PARTY OF DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND ILLITERACY.""
I am with the messaging crowd. Where is the DNC? I repeat: Where is the DNC? We need short and catchy messages that attack the Republicans. All the thoughtful commentators like Stephens and Rather don’t matter except to the already-convinced. Fox News runs a grotesque story about gender groups in schools and Rs say: See - this is what Ds will do. And independent voters in swing states say: Yessir. And vote R. We should fire everyone at the DNC and start over with people who really understand modern communication.
While I like the term "gaslighting" as it suits Collins and Murkowski and Manchin, I don't think it is persuasive word for many. Double speak? Flip flopping? Or just back to good ole, underused LYING. A crowd favorite here.
This morning, whilst reading the morning paper, I looked over my potted vegetable starters. The Italian pepper plant that looked to be on the verge of dying yesterday is bouncing back this morning. It is a truism that nothing in the Universe really disappears-it just changes form.
It was thus highly encouraging and energizing to see President Biden taking on the forces of exclusion and revanchism that are on the fading side of history.
For those readers in Miami, Florida, here is the link to sign up for the Bans Off Our Bodies March this Saturday, May 14th. Let’s have a huge turn out!
I did not know Bret Stephens until I saw him on JUDJ (Jews United for Democracy and Justice) last night. Was already a fan of JUDJ, and from what I learned last night, now Bret Stephens, too!
Challenges that bend but do not break us.
Two groups are pulling the moderates and left down -- the Democratic Party doing lousy messaging and the Media doing lousy negative commentary. We need to put as much focus on upgrading the Media as we do to upgrading the messaging. The Democrats need the kind of messaging that works. Stop the Steal with it's strong verb Stop and the accusation Steal is a very effective format encourage specific action. That's what the rest of us need. The rest of us includes the 40% of voters who are independents which are currently ignored by the Media giving us a distorted picture of what is really going on. 80% of Republicans is about 20% of all the voters. Doesn't sound so threatening, does it? Hearing MAGA winning Republican Primaries is actually positive for Democrats because they will have a harder time in the General Elections because they are the extreme and will not attract the Moderates and Independents votes. I'm feeling very defiant and ready to take on the crazies and incumbents not working for the People. We, the People, all of us including all women this time!
Seen in a twitter thread: Scottsdale Arizona, poster overheard two men - clearly retirees - one maybe in golf clothes. One says to the other."I'm a life-long Republican but I can't anymore. This thing about abortion is too much." The other responds, "I know, me too." This gives me hope.
It bears repeating over and over: Stirring up despair by people like Mitch McConnell and his GANG is the effective tool to stay in power! I grew up in South Africa -- talk about despair in a one party police state. My representative was HELEN SUZMAN - the lone member of the Progressive Party in Parliament. It was her monthly visits to Robben Island that kept Nelson Mandela alive --- for which she had to endure screams from the Nationalist Party. "shut your screaming Jewish mouth !! and yet ---- she ended up being the only member to outlast them alll She never gave up - neither should we. Derek
My slogan: Defend Democracy—Elect Democrats.
Doesn’t say it all, but says enough.
Rebecca Solnit writes:
"Despair is a delusion of confidence that asserts it knows what’s coming, perhaps a tool of those who like to feel in control, even if just of the facts, when in reality, we can frame approximate parameters, but the surprises keep coming. Anyone who makes a definitive declaration about what the future will bring is not dealing in facts. The world we live in today was utterly unforeseen and unimaginable on many counts, the world that is coming is something we can work toward but not something we can foresee. We need to have confidence that surprise and uncertainty are unshakable principles, if we want to have confidence in something. And recognize that in that uncertainty is room to act, to try to shape a future that will be determined by what we do in the present."
At 85 I am another discouraged disgruntled, depressed Democrat, but I am forcing myself to take some action so I am attending a Reproductive Rights Rally Saturday and contenting to write letters for Swing Left. If all of us who are disappointed would take a little action it would make a huge difference,
Thank you again for your insight, Robert.
I have read Rather's blog post and I can relate to his comments on doomscrolling. I do it all the time and I want to stop.
My therapist sugggested setting a certain time of day to stay informed about the news. But I have OCD, so I am constantly searching for any signs of hope for the future.
The idea of the future being "bleak" or "grim" haunts me as an LGBT person. I am almost 30 years old and I fear growing old and dying in a world where I will never see true tolerance for people like me. Where I'll never be able to come out of the closet and get married. I only have one life and the idea of it ending tragically hurts.
So to compensate, I constantly scroll the news every hour of the day hoping for some signs of hope that things will at least work out in the long term. Without "Pollyanish Optimism" I have to face the fact that a good future is not certain, and there's not much I alone can do about it.
I vote, I donate, and I do what I can. But I am weak when it comes to politics. Talking about the subject makes me sick and I constantly feel like the world is getting meaner and nastier, and all anyone seems to care about is their gas prices. That's what it feels like at least.
I appreciate posts like this because they let me imagine a better world. Trump is almost 80 years old, and I believe deep down that the GOP's culture war can only go so far. Abortion is one thing, but if they try to take gay marriage or criminalize homosexuality, I will be in the streets. They will have crossed the line with members of their own party.
The fact that I have to type this makes me feel sick. I grew up thinking that the struggles of the past were in the past and that I could just enjoy my life without worrying about factors I can't control. But all of this is overwhelming and I want it to stop. I am struggling with a doomscrolling addiction and I just want to live my life in peace.
While MAGA Republicans are getting all the media coverage with their wild oratory, even negative publicity is publicity as Trump has shown. Where are the Democrats? It’s time to take the gloves off and put some firebrands out to give speeches and get the media’s attention. Not just one, but flood the airwaves. Whether it’s famous actors, sports heroes or politicians, Democrats need to find a way to get the attention of the public. State in no uncertain terms what Republican autocracy will look like. Say what you will about Mitch McConnell(the lowlife), he owns the Senate. Democrats need to demolish the filibuster and GET SOMETHING DONE! Mitch has already shown them how it’s done and he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again to get what he wants. I’m so frustrated. Angry as Hell and Not Taking It Anymore would be an effective slogan.
This past Sunday, I participated in a pro-choice rally. It was exhilarating to stand with like-minded people from the area. The age range was inspiring--high school students and grandparents. And for those of us who are the grandparents we shared stories of friends who had either died or become infertile because of botched, illegal abortions, or who had their lives upended because of unplanned pregnancies.
Yes, it's exhausting to continue to the same argument and to be in the same place. And yes, I wish we were able to move on to more current and pressing matters like climate change.
While talking with other protesters, we discussed the issue of "messaging". I asked a number of people what changes they would make to be better--unfortunately there were no ideas. Just complaints. Messaging is difficult if it comes down to a slogan of 3-4 words. But here is one thought and it's extreme: REPUBLICANS ARE THE PARTY OF DEATH, DESTRUCTION AND ILLITERACY.""
I am with the messaging crowd. Where is the DNC? I repeat: Where is the DNC? We need short and catchy messages that attack the Republicans. All the thoughtful commentators like Stephens and Rather don’t matter except to the already-convinced. Fox News runs a grotesque story about gender groups in schools and Rs say: See - this is what Ds will do. And independent voters in swing states say: Yessir. And vote R. We should fire everyone at the DNC and start over with people who really understand modern communication.
Everything turns out right in the end. If it’s not right, it’s not the end.
While I like the term "gaslighting" as it suits Collins and Murkowski and Manchin, I don't think it is persuasive word for many. Double speak? Flip flopping? Or just back to good ole, underused LYING. A crowd favorite here.
Thank you. I needed to hear this today. I keep showing up and fighting, but I thought by now I would have been able to coast a bit.
This morning, whilst reading the morning paper, I looked over my potted vegetable starters. The Italian pepper plant that looked to be on the verge of dying yesterday is bouncing back this morning. It is a truism that nothing in the Universe really disappears-it just changes form.
It was thus highly encouraging and energizing to see President Biden taking on the forces of exclusion and revanchism that are on the fading side of history.
For those readers in Miami, Florida, here is the link to sign up for the Bans Off Our Bodies March this Saturday, May 14th. Let’s have a huge turn out!
https://www.mobilize.us/ultravioletaction/event/459145/
I did not know Bret Stephens until I saw him on JUDJ (Jews United for Democracy and Justice) last night. Was already a fan of JUDJ, and from what I learned last night, now Bret Stephens, too!