Here's about the only thing I could stomach in today's recap: "What can we do? First, the Senate must carve out voting rights legislation from the filibuster and pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. Second, we must expand the Supreme Court to stop the reactionary majority’s campaign to roll back civil rights to the 1950s. Both of those outcomes will be more attainable if we give Democrats strong majorities in the House and Senate."
Each day seems to be worse than the day before. I appreciate your masterful efforts to help your readers maintain hope.
Robert, thanks again for laying it out SO clearly!!
And - a friend just sent me a link to Michael Moore's Substack blog - you must know him and I hope you & he feel like comrades.
Here's an excerpt from today's letter:
"... if you, my sisters and brothers, keep bemoaning how the Republicans “are going to win,” well you may just be wishing that into existence. Stop concocting a story that you want to tell yourself, to scare yourself and others, especially when it isn’t true. When children do this we try to calm them down by leaving a light on in their room to show them there are no monsters in there. Please, do I have to come and turn on a night light for you? I’m not saying don’t be vigilant, and yes you must be ACTIVE, but you must also be brave and self-assured, knowing that the Republicans aren’t Martians with superpowers who are able to kidnap our Democracy with a magic wand. The Republicans are no more than frightened earthlings who are not that bright and worship an Orange Man who dances to “YMCA.” They are over. They know it. Let’s do our best to peacefully shut them down — and promise them the great universal heath care we’re going to get passed, which will come with many free and much-needed prescriptions for their final years. Senior rest homes that will look like resorts, brought to you by Generation Z and their older Millennial siblings who will have sent planet destroyers like Ted Cruz and Ron DeSantis packing. THAT is what is actually going to happen. "
Thank you, thank you for sharing this!! Reading his article was like seeing a candle in my inbox (to borrow someone else's comment) and I immediately subscribed, didn't even know he was on Substack! Thank you.
maybe off topic. I have often thought that Biden's poll numbers reflect the public outlook that we have not be able to do "enough" for the American people, not that Biden isn't trying, but that DEMS aren't talking up the good that HAS been done. Biden's numbers don't reflect people wanting the GOP playbook, but of wanting Biden's playbook more and not seeing it happen. Usually interpreted that Biden isn't doing what American's want; thus, GOP must be what people want. Not so, as I interpret it.
My thoughts every day. And what I find infuriating is that so many Americans can "blame" President Biden for the obstruction he is presented with by the GQP and even two of his own party! Presidents are not kings!
Just a note about yesterday’s abomination from the Supreme Court: the lower court whose decision the reactionary majority threw over so callously was composed of one judge appointed by Clinton and two who were appointed by T___p. As for Dred Scott, I have sometimes written it as Dred Scott v. Sandford, rev[erse]d sub nom (under the name of) The Civil War. I hope no one needs to do something similar about yesterday’s decision in the future. As for T___p, I think it likely that if he is indicted he will prove to be a gas bag when he’s in the dock. He’s convicted himself multiple times already, so let’s get to it. Perhaps it will take a gutsy DA in New York or Atlanta to lead the way.
Another view of whether our economy is doing well (actually, not doing well) comes from an insightful commentary from Robert Reich in The Guardian. It explains why people are gloomy about the economy. From this viewpoint, it's not a lack of positive messaging from the Dems, it's a ongoing and growing uncertainty among folks about whether they are going to make it or not. Here's the link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/05/fed-raise-interest-rates-shaft-american-workers-robert-reich
The article makes me think how much we need to do to connect the dots. I think we need to communicate: "Yes, things are tough now, but if there were more progressive Democrats (not just any Democrats), elected officials who will fight for health insurance, gun control, etc., then we can make some progress. And if we don't try to make some progress, then things will keep getting worse. This is no time to give up!"
Another great informative edition especially around the Supreme Court decision on Monday. What’s frustrating and exhausting is situations like the Supreme Court decision and the findings made public by the January 6th committee and lack of a fair and unbiased reporting of the Biden Administration’s accomplishments is the feeling we can’t do anything near term to change the direction and damage that is being done especially at the Supreme Court. It feels like the Republicans are better organized with their political action groups trying to influence the elections at multiple levels and the Democrats are more involved cabling grassroots organizations to accomplish the same thing. I’m afraid most voters are exhausted about the pandemic, Republican illegalities and lying and the media bombing us hourly with the latest negative slant on many issues.Voters have turned off the noise and I’m not sure what and if they will rally around and become outraged about the threats to our country, constitution and democracy.
I am so sad about our level of regression....Dred Scott Redux. There are so many examples. SCOTUS is itself a major regression creating decades of impact ahead. I remain active in the fight, but the sadness is daily. Hilary's emails vs boxes of stolen documents retrieved from Mara Lago vs Merrell vs fascist decisions vs oligarchies here in the US vs climate destruction vs war potential w Russian. Argh. It is just *&$%^^% hard. Thank heavens I can plan gardens, watch birds and play with a wonderful baby grandchild as well as older grands. But what world do we leave them?
Both... outcomes will be more attainable if we give Democrats strong majorities in the House and Senate.....We are engaged in a once-in-a-century struggle to preserve the promise of the Constitution, and we must respond with a once-in-a-century level of effort. Exactly right. We should all be volunteering where we can and supporting campaigns financially. 2022 will be expensive. To remember: Defend Kelly (AZ), Warnock (GA), Cortez-Masto (NV), Hassan (NH) and maybe Bennett (CO). Flip FL (Demings), NC (Beasley). Flip PA, OH, IA and more. Choose your candidate now. Rechoose, if ncessary, after the primary. But give. As for the House -- there are too many to list. Take a look at my summary Letters #46 and #47 from lenspoliticalnotes.com
I suspect that the zeal for finding new crimes that the former president might be guilty of is based on a strong desire to see him actively charged with something that will finally get him put away. It seems at times like the various commitees, courts, prosecutors and commentators are playing a game designed to perpetuate their moments in the spotlight more than any accountability for those who tried to overthrow our system of government.
Right on, Robert. I did just that yesterday, touted job growth and the economy in my small circle. One or to may have even heard me. I certainly heard myself, and faced the dentist bill and groceries with equanimity, relatively speaking. There is simply no substitute for positive thinking, reason, and work, qualities you exemplify.
Robert - the recent decision by the Ohio Supreme Court only rejects state legislative maps. The court-ordered redrawn Congressional maps have not yet been unveiled. The interesting backstory to why the Republicans even agreed to put a new redistricting plan before the voters in 2015 is that at the time they had too many crazies in their House caucus that they couldn’t control. Since then the House speaker was indicted in a corruption scandal and was thrown out of office. The crazies remain a force and the new Speaker would put his position in jeopardy if he agreed to eliminate too many Republican districts. The other factor is that Republicans were too arrogant and complacent in 2018 when Democrats were able to capture 2 seats on the state’s high court. A third was won in 2020. (The 4th vote in the redistricting case is the retiring GOP Chief Justice who has long abhorred partisan gerrymandering.) The Republicans have now changed the rules for Supreme Court elections by eliminating previously non-partisan provisions and requiring candidates to run with party labels. But for now they don’t have the votes on the court to stop the court from ordering fairer maps.
Robert, Your detailed clarity and passion in summarizing the Merrill v. Milligan decision by the Supreme Court helped to keep my temperature down. It won't stay down. As this country walks and trots backward, the crush against Americans, whether they know it or not, is happening. It has been smothering us for the last 42 years. The USA has become a mean place. Is Chief Justice Roberts seeing glimpses of it? He cannot carve out an opening to court, so that reality could make its case . You are correct Robert, there is no alternative than to expand the number of justices. I'm seeing too much immobility in the country at the moment, so I'll stop here. My thanks to you Robert for this moving Edition. I'll come back today and sure to experience the lift, which is always embedded in your communication.
Here's about the only thing I could stomach in today's recap: "What can we do? First, the Senate must carve out voting rights legislation from the filibuster and pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act. Second, we must expand the Supreme Court to stop the reactionary majority’s campaign to roll back civil rights to the 1950s. Both of those outcomes will be more attainable if we give Democrats strong majorities in the House and Senate."
Each day seems to be worse than the day before. I appreciate your masterful efforts to help your readers maintain hope.
Robert, thanks again for laying it out SO clearly!!
And - a friend just sent me a link to Michael Moore's Substack blog - you must know him and I hope you & he feel like comrades.
Here's an excerpt from today's letter:
"... if you, my sisters and brothers, keep bemoaning how the Republicans “are going to win,” well you may just be wishing that into existence. Stop concocting a story that you want to tell yourself, to scare yourself and others, especially when it isn’t true. When children do this we try to calm them down by leaving a light on in their room to show them there are no monsters in there. Please, do I have to come and turn on a night light for you? I’m not saying don’t be vigilant, and yes you must be ACTIVE, but you must also be brave and self-assured, knowing that the Republicans aren’t Martians with superpowers who are able to kidnap our Democracy with a magic wand. The Republicans are no more than frightened earthlings who are not that bright and worship an Orange Man who dances to “YMCA.” They are over. They know it. Let’s do our best to peacefully shut them down — and promise them the great universal heath care we’re going to get passed, which will come with many free and much-needed prescriptions for their final years. Senior rest homes that will look like resorts, brought to you by Generation Z and their older Millennial siblings who will have sent planet destroyers like Ted Cruz and Ron DeSantis packing. THAT is what is actually going to happen. "
Here's a link to the whole thing:
https://www.michaelmoore.com/p/alettertoyourself?token=eyJ1c2VyX2lkIjo5MjA1NjM0LCJfIjoiSGJEM2IiLCJpYXQiOjE2NDQzMzUwMjksImV4cCI6MTY0NDMzODYyOSwiaXNzIjoicHViLTMyMDk3NCIsInN1YiI6InBvc3QtcmVhY3Rpb24ifQ.n-5VJ0rDcNyyS6yj6wSjEEW9am5SFoOxy9msQq3YMY0
Thank you, thank you for sharing this!! Reading his article was like seeing a candle in my inbox (to borrow someone else's comment) and I immediately subscribed, didn't even know he was on Substack! Thank you.
Guess it's up to us to not only "say the ugly part out loud" re Merrill v Milligan but also say the good part out loud about job growth!
I'm pretty sure that given a chance this (formerly) Supreme Court would take the country back to the days when only white, landed men could vote.
maybe off topic. I have often thought that Biden's poll numbers reflect the public outlook that we have not be able to do "enough" for the American people, not that Biden isn't trying, but that DEMS aren't talking up the good that HAS been done. Biden's numbers don't reflect people wanting the GOP playbook, but of wanting Biden's playbook more and not seeing it happen. Usually interpreted that Biden isn't doing what American's want; thus, GOP must be what people want. Not so, as I interpret it.
My thoughts every day. And what I find infuriating is that so many Americans can "blame" President Biden for the obstruction he is presented with by the GQP and even two of his own party! Presidents are not kings!
Bill, maybe they are remembering the last guy. Or they might not understand the purpose of the American Revolution.
RIP: The legitimacy of the Republican Party
RIP: The legitimacy of the Supreme Court
Just a note about yesterday’s abomination from the Supreme Court: the lower court whose decision the reactionary majority threw over so callously was composed of one judge appointed by Clinton and two who were appointed by T___p. As for Dred Scott, I have sometimes written it as Dred Scott v. Sandford, rev[erse]d sub nom (under the name of) The Civil War. I hope no one needs to do something similar about yesterday’s decision in the future. As for T___p, I think it likely that if he is indicted he will prove to be a gas bag when he’s in the dock. He’s convicted himself multiple times already, so let’s get to it. Perhaps it will take a gutsy DA in New York or Atlanta to lead the way.
Another view of whether our economy is doing well (actually, not doing well) comes from an insightful commentary from Robert Reich in The Guardian. It explains why people are gloomy about the economy. From this viewpoint, it's not a lack of positive messaging from the Dems, it's a ongoing and growing uncertainty among folks about whether they are going to make it or not. Here's the link: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/05/fed-raise-interest-rates-shaft-american-workers-robert-reich
The article makes me think how much we need to do to connect the dots. I think we need to communicate: "Yes, things are tough now, but if there were more progressive Democrats (not just any Democrats), elected officials who will fight for health insurance, gun control, etc., then we can make some progress. And if we don't try to make some progress, then things will keep getting worse. This is no time to give up!"
Another great informative edition especially around the Supreme Court decision on Monday. What’s frustrating and exhausting is situations like the Supreme Court decision and the findings made public by the January 6th committee and lack of a fair and unbiased reporting of the Biden Administration’s accomplishments is the feeling we can’t do anything near term to change the direction and damage that is being done especially at the Supreme Court. It feels like the Republicans are better organized with their political action groups trying to influence the elections at multiple levels and the Democrats are more involved cabling grassroots organizations to accomplish the same thing. I’m afraid most voters are exhausted about the pandemic, Republican illegalities and lying and the media bombing us hourly with the latest negative slant on many issues.Voters have turned off the noise and I’m not sure what and if they will rally around and become outraged about the threats to our country, constitution and democracy.
I am so sad about our level of regression....Dred Scott Redux. There are so many examples. SCOTUS is itself a major regression creating decades of impact ahead. I remain active in the fight, but the sadness is daily. Hilary's emails vs boxes of stolen documents retrieved from Mara Lago vs Merrell vs fascist decisions vs oligarchies here in the US vs climate destruction vs war potential w Russian. Argh. It is just *&$%^^% hard. Thank heavens I can plan gardens, watch birds and play with a wonderful baby grandchild as well as older grands. But what world do we leave them?
Both... outcomes will be more attainable if we give Democrats strong majorities in the House and Senate.....We are engaged in a once-in-a-century struggle to preserve the promise of the Constitution, and we must respond with a once-in-a-century level of effort. Exactly right. We should all be volunteering where we can and supporting campaigns financially. 2022 will be expensive. To remember: Defend Kelly (AZ), Warnock (GA), Cortez-Masto (NV), Hassan (NH) and maybe Bennett (CO). Flip FL (Demings), NC (Beasley). Flip PA, OH, IA and more. Choose your candidate now. Rechoose, if ncessary, after the primary. But give. As for the House -- there are too many to list. Take a look at my summary Letters #46 and #47 from lenspoliticalnotes.com
Thanks, Len. Good advice. I will share!
I suspect that the zeal for finding new crimes that the former president might be guilty of is based on a strong desire to see him actively charged with something that will finally get him put away. It seems at times like the various commitees, courts, prosecutors and commentators are playing a game designed to perpetuate their moments in the spotlight more than any accountability for those who tried to overthrow our system of government.
Another SCOTUS master class!
The Kavanaugh writing this opinion is the one we saw in his confirmation hearings.
Right on, Robert. I did just that yesterday, touted job growth and the economy in my small circle. One or to may have even heard me. I certainly heard myself, and faced the dentist bill and groceries with equanimity, relatively speaking. There is simply no substitute for positive thinking, reason, and work, qualities you exemplify.
Robert - the recent decision by the Ohio Supreme Court only rejects state legislative maps. The court-ordered redrawn Congressional maps have not yet been unveiled. The interesting backstory to why the Republicans even agreed to put a new redistricting plan before the voters in 2015 is that at the time they had too many crazies in their House caucus that they couldn’t control. Since then the House speaker was indicted in a corruption scandal and was thrown out of office. The crazies remain a force and the new Speaker would put his position in jeopardy if he agreed to eliminate too many Republican districts. The other factor is that Republicans were too arrogant and complacent in 2018 when Democrats were able to capture 2 seats on the state’s high court. A third was won in 2020. (The 4th vote in the redistricting case is the retiring GOP Chief Justice who has long abhorred partisan gerrymandering.) The Republicans have now changed the rules for Supreme Court elections by eliminating previously non-partisan provisions and requiring candidates to run with party labels. But for now they don’t have the votes on the court to stop the court from ordering fairer maps.
Robert, Your detailed clarity and passion in summarizing the Merrill v. Milligan decision by the Supreme Court helped to keep my temperature down. It won't stay down. As this country walks and trots backward, the crush against Americans, whether they know it or not, is happening. It has been smothering us for the last 42 years. The USA has become a mean place. Is Chief Justice Roberts seeing glimpses of it? He cannot carve out an opening to court, so that reality could make its case . You are correct Robert, there is no alternative than to expand the number of justices. I'm seeing too much immobility in the country at the moment, so I'll stop here. My thanks to you Robert for this moving Edition. I'll come back today and sure to experience the lift, which is always embedded in your communication.