I wanted to tell people that there is an important Special Election for Congress in NY-19 on August 23rd to fill a seat left open by Antonio Delgado who was appointed Lt. Gov. of NY recently. New Yorkers fought very hard in 2018 to turn this seat blue and we need veteran Pat Ryan to win to keep it blue! He's terrific and it’ll be close election and all depend on who can alert their people best that it's happening. PostcardsToVoters.org volunteers are now hand-writing postcards to reach a big list of Democrats in NY-19 to remind them to get out to vote for Pat Ryan!! HELP WANTED! It's easy to join or restart with PTV! Just text "join" or "hello"to 484-275-2229, or write an email to Join@TonytheDemocrat.org
From Walk the Walk:
For people who may have been sitting on the sidelines waiting to figure out the most effective way to have an impact on so many important races this year, I’d urge you to check out the free Walk the Walk USA Zoom meeting this coming Wednesday, August 10th at 5:30 pm Pacific / 8:30 pm Eastern: https://www.walkthewalkusa.org/get-involved
Robert Hubbell, Heather Cox Richardson, and Jessica Craven ... an amazing trifecta of generosity, information, history and HOPE! My anxiety, which had been reaching dangerous levels, is all but gone. And Jessica provides steps that make it so easy to make your position known to the right people. It's not an exaggeration to say I now feel able to contribute positively in this time of historic need. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
As usual, Robert Hubbell is carefully measured in his analysis of the growing list of positive achievements of the Biden administration. These major victories of the past ten days may not have as dramatic a desired effect on voter attitudes as we might wish. But there can be no doubt that the political effects of these legislative--and other--accomplishments can ONLY be positive, with the degree of benefit and its lasting nature the remaining open questions. The past week or so reminds me of the title of a popular novel at the height of the 60's counter-culture: "Been Down So Long It Looks like Up to Me." Except the recent turn of fortunes for Biden, his administration and us as his supporters IS, I am convinced, a major reversal, one that will be endorsed by the American people this November.
I sure wish us common folk could really understand the importance of investing in education -
Social Security is generational. Without educated, well-paid younger workers making contributions to SS, that "entitlement" will not be there to fund retirees NOW - and we're living longer lives, which means the money has to go further. Also, I get upset (angry, TBH) that trade schools are not included in the "free" tuition discussions. They should be.
Thank you Mr. Hubbell. Here is another list (same but slightly different) to share wide and far. It is up to each of us to share these facts and promote intelligent fact based discourse with our sister and brother Americans.
• Reversal of Trump Executive Orders
• American Rescue Plan
• 500 Million Covid-19 Vaccine Shots
• Added 9 Million jobs
• 5% GDP during his first year
• Reduced $380 Billion, a record amount, from the deficit in his first year
• Greatest and Fastest Economic Recovery in History
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
• Climate Change and emissions Executive Orders
• Expanded Affordable Care Act to 5 Million new customers
• Nominated and Confirmed a Historic rate of Judges
• Nominated and Confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court
• Largest increase in Manufacturing Jobs in 30 years
• CHIPs Bill
• Made Juneteenth a National Holiday
• Restored the Violence Against Women Act
• 3.5% Unemployment with lowest jobless claims in 50 years
• Over 50 days straight of dropping gas prices
• Estimated Deficit Reduction of $1.7 Trillion for 2nd Year
• Lowest Child Poverty rate in history
• Allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices
• $380 Billion investment in Clean Energy
• $30 Billion in support of Ukraine against Russia
And then, and then after the confetti lands and we return to the business...no the fight...to reassert sanity and human rights in our political system, we need to do more than tout the achievements of our slim Democratic majority. We need to fight harder against the obstruction and evil of a political party dedicated to the destruction of our democracy.
We need to be calling them out LOUDER.
Every Republican that voted against capping diabetes drug prices, every Republican who opposed helping veterans, every Republican who voted against taxing the ultra rich - all these bought and sold politicians are now walking around with damaged reputations. We need to use every tool at our disposal to shame them out of office.
Dana Milbank of the WaPo wrote a piece on August 4th called "The GOP is Sick". I featured it and offered a "gift link" to it that leaps over the paywall. Read it here: https://billalstrom.substack.com/p/the-gop-is-sick
So let us have a party when Joe Biden signs this landmark legislation. But then we need to fight fire with fire. It's not enough to crow about our fine moments. We need to counter the tsunami of lies with the truth.
I have now copied and pasted this list for quick reference. And we are going to need it. It really is an amazing series of accomplishments in the face of almost overwhelming obstruction.
I have pounded the table for a younger generation to take over the leadership of the Democratic Party. And will continue to do so.
But this list is a clear demonstration of what seasoned leaders can accomplish with patience, persistence, and the passionate pursuit of progressive goals. Progressive as in PROGRESS - not just a political label. Hats off to Senator Schumer, Rep Pelosi and of course, the most patient and persistent one of all President Biden. Wow. Just wow.
Here are the 7 republicans who voted with the Dems and did not vote in lockstep re: prescription drugs:
Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska.
As but just one example, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley opposed the measure despite their supposed longstanding fight to lower drug prices.
The hypocrisy is palpable. Grassley is seeking his 8th term in the Senate! We need to make sure he retires, together with all the others who voted against the Inflation Reduction Act.
Tonight my husband and I are hosting a Pizza and Postcards evening. Twelve friends of like-minds are writing 800 postcards to NC voters urging them to vote. We have pizza and beverages, chat and write postcards. This is our second event. The last one was a group of 8,writing 300 postcards to PA. It feels wonderful to feel we are doing some small thing to promote democracy.
I so appreciate these catalogues. There is nothing quite like them for laying a solid foundation under those Values (with a capital V) we cherish--truth, compassion for ourselves, each other. and that dazzling reality that we saw for the first time not very long ago, our Mother Earth, floating free in open space.
And all that is lovely but experience suggests that, for the most part. grand ideas and causes do not often win elections. What wins elections and puts some of us in positions that make it more likely to make change happen is the slow. incremental approach reflected in Robert Hubbell's essay today. He shows us that it works with nothing more complicated than a list.
Those achievements were possible due to the same attitude and approach. One day at a time, a half day of canvassing, a few hundred notes written and stamps licked, friends enjoyed.
As an old friend and spiritual giant used to say, in a heavy South Georgia drawl "All's you gotta do is open your heart real wiide. We can do this shit!!"
We must talk the talk of policies that make an improvement in people's lives. Our end of the OMG conversation must decrease. If we talk about drug prices getting under some control, as they are in all other developed countries, we go to the content of what is different and matters if we elect more Democrats. That difference is not clear to many.
Just a point: the significance of the presidency of Lyndon Johnson is overlooked, possibly because of the war. He is responsible for the Civil and Voting Rights bills, and Medicare.
Aug 8, 2022·edited Aug 8, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
There are about 8 million Americans with diabetes, and tens of millions more who have family or friends with that terrible and insidious disease. For them, insulin is a very big deal. My brother, who died several years ago, lost both of his legs to the effects of diabetes. He could always afford his insulin, but still I would never vote for a candidate who opposed a reasonable cap on the price of that drug. And I’ll bet there are millions out there like me. (Not just about my brother—we had a beloved cat who had diabetes. I gave her insulin twice a day for years.)
Charles Blow said it best. “ We now know that the Trump presidency was a disaster that nearly destroyed the country, but, if a failure like Trump can crow about all he did, even when the evidence wasn’t there, then surely Biden can find a way to do a little crowing of his own, particularly during one of the most successful stretches of his presidency.”
Robert, I read many newsletters and newspapers on line every day, but the ones I go to first are yours and Heather Cox Richardson's. There is rarely any overlap and I appreciate your different perspectives. Typically, you focus on several current issues and provide resources for readers who want to make a difference while she looks at one issue through a historical lens. You both do vital work in defending our democracy.
From Sarah O'Neill:
I wanted to tell people that there is an important Special Election for Congress in NY-19 on August 23rd to fill a seat left open by Antonio Delgado who was appointed Lt. Gov. of NY recently. New Yorkers fought very hard in 2018 to turn this seat blue and we need veteran Pat Ryan to win to keep it blue! He's terrific and it’ll be close election and all depend on who can alert their people best that it's happening. PostcardsToVoters.org volunteers are now hand-writing postcards to reach a big list of Democrats in NY-19 to remind them to get out to vote for Pat Ryan!! HELP WANTED! It's easy to join or restart with PTV! Just text "join" or "hello"to 484-275-2229, or write an email to Join@TonytheDemocrat.org
From Walk the Walk:
For people who may have been sitting on the sidelines waiting to figure out the most effective way to have an impact on so many important races this year, I’d urge you to check out the free Walk the Walk USA Zoom meeting this coming Wednesday, August 10th at 5:30 pm Pacific / 8:30 pm Eastern: https://www.walkthewalkusa.org/get-involved
Robert Hubbell, Heather Cox Richardson, and Jessica Craven ... an amazing trifecta of generosity, information, history and HOPE! My anxiety, which had been reaching dangerous levels, is all but gone. And Jessica provides steps that make it so easy to make your position known to the right people. It's not an exaggeration to say I now feel able to contribute positively in this time of historic need. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
As usual, Robert Hubbell is carefully measured in his analysis of the growing list of positive achievements of the Biden administration. These major victories of the past ten days may not have as dramatic a desired effect on voter attitudes as we might wish. But there can be no doubt that the political effects of these legislative--and other--accomplishments can ONLY be positive, with the degree of benefit and its lasting nature the remaining open questions. The past week or so reminds me of the title of a popular novel at the height of the 60's counter-culture: "Been Down So Long It Looks like Up to Me." Except the recent turn of fortunes for Biden, his administration and us as his supporters IS, I am convinced, a major reversal, one that will be endorsed by the American people this November.
I sure wish us common folk could really understand the importance of investing in education -
Social Security is generational. Without educated, well-paid younger workers making contributions to SS, that "entitlement" will not be there to fund retirees NOW - and we're living longer lives, which means the money has to go further. Also, I get upset (angry, TBH) that trade schools are not included in the "free" tuition discussions. They should be.
Thank you Mr. Hubbell. Here is another list (same but slightly different) to share wide and far. It is up to each of us to share these facts and promote intelligent fact based discourse with our sister and brother Americans.
• Reversal of Trump Executive Orders
• American Rescue Plan
• 500 Million Covid-19 Vaccine Shots
• Added 9 Million jobs
• 5% GDP during his first year
• Reduced $380 Billion, a record amount, from the deficit in his first year
• Greatest and Fastest Economic Recovery in History
• Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
• Climate Change and emissions Executive Orders
• Expanded Affordable Care Act to 5 Million new customers
• Nominated and Confirmed a Historic rate of Judges
• Nominated and Confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to Supreme Court
• Largest increase in Manufacturing Jobs in 30 years
• CHIPs Bill
• Made Juneteenth a National Holiday
• Restored the Violence Against Women Act
• 3.5% Unemployment with lowest jobless claims in 50 years
• Over 50 days straight of dropping gas prices
• Estimated Deficit Reduction of $1.7 Trillion for 2nd Year
• Lowest Child Poverty rate in history
• Allow Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices
• $380 Billion investment in Clean Energy
• $30 Billion in support of Ukraine against Russia
• Renewed Veterans Burn Pit Healthcare bill
• Killing Al Qaeda #1 Ayman Al-Zawahiri
• Implemented Firearms and Gun Safety Bill
And then, and then after the confetti lands and we return to the business...no the fight...to reassert sanity and human rights in our political system, we need to do more than tout the achievements of our slim Democratic majority. We need to fight harder against the obstruction and evil of a political party dedicated to the destruction of our democracy.
We need to be calling them out LOUDER.
Every Republican that voted against capping diabetes drug prices, every Republican who opposed helping veterans, every Republican who voted against taxing the ultra rich - all these bought and sold politicians are now walking around with damaged reputations. We need to use every tool at our disposal to shame them out of office.
Dana Milbank of the WaPo wrote a piece on August 4th called "The GOP is Sick". I featured it and offered a "gift link" to it that leaps over the paywall. Read it here: https://billalstrom.substack.com/p/the-gop-is-sick
Or simply jump to Milbank's piece here: https://wapo.st/3BRPHaP
So let us have a party when Joe Biden signs this landmark legislation. But then we need to fight fire with fire. It's not enough to crow about our fine moments. We need to counter the tsunami of lies with the truth.
I have now copied and pasted this list for quick reference. And we are going to need it. It really is an amazing series of accomplishments in the face of almost overwhelming obstruction.
I have pounded the table for a younger generation to take over the leadership of the Democratic Party. And will continue to do so.
But this list is a clear demonstration of what seasoned leaders can accomplish with patience, persistence, and the passionate pursuit of progressive goals. Progressive as in PROGRESS - not just a political label. Hats off to Senator Schumer, Rep Pelosi and of course, the most patient and persistent one of all President Biden. Wow. Just wow.
EXCELLENT SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE
ACHIEVEMENT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE. SHOUT IT OUT!
Here are the 7 republicans who voted with the Dems and did not vote in lockstep re: prescription drugs:
Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, John Kennedy of Louisiana and Alaska's Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska.
As but just one example, Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley opposed the measure despite their supposed longstanding fight to lower drug prices.
https://wcfcourier.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/grassley-ernst-explain-opposition-to-democratic-prescription-drug-plan/article_afbcac6a-b91a-591d-ba42-b382095e879f.html
The hypocrisy is palpable. Grassley is seeking his 8th term in the Senate! We need to make sure he retires, together with all the others who voted against the Inflation Reduction Act.
Tonight my husband and I are hosting a Pizza and Postcards evening. Twelve friends of like-minds are writing 800 postcards to NC voters urging them to vote. We have pizza and beverages, chat and write postcards. This is our second event. The last one was a group of 8,writing 300 postcards to PA. It feels wonderful to feel we are doing some small thing to promote democracy.
I so appreciate these catalogues. There is nothing quite like them for laying a solid foundation under those Values (with a capital V) we cherish--truth, compassion for ourselves, each other. and that dazzling reality that we saw for the first time not very long ago, our Mother Earth, floating free in open space.
And all that is lovely but experience suggests that, for the most part. grand ideas and causes do not often win elections. What wins elections and puts some of us in positions that make it more likely to make change happen is the slow. incremental approach reflected in Robert Hubbell's essay today. He shows us that it works with nothing more complicated than a list.
Those achievements were possible due to the same attitude and approach. One day at a time, a half day of canvassing, a few hundred notes written and stamps licked, friends enjoyed.
As an old friend and spiritual giant used to say, in a heavy South Georgia drawl "All's you gotta do is open your heart real wiide. We can do this shit!!"
We must talk the talk of policies that make an improvement in people's lives. Our end of the OMG conversation must decrease. If we talk about drug prices getting under some control, as they are in all other developed countries, we go to the content of what is different and matters if we elect more Democrats. That difference is not clear to many.
Just a point: the significance of the presidency of Lyndon Johnson is overlooked, possibly because of the war. He is responsible for the Civil and Voting Rights bills, and Medicare.
There are about 8 million Americans with diabetes, and tens of millions more who have family or friends with that terrible and insidious disease. For them, insulin is a very big deal. My brother, who died several years ago, lost both of his legs to the effects of diabetes. He could always afford his insulin, but still I would never vote for a candidate who opposed a reasonable cap on the price of that drug. And I’ll bet there are millions out there like me. (Not just about my brother—we had a beloved cat who had diabetes. I gave her insulin twice a day for years.)
Charles Blow said it best. “ We now know that the Trump presidency was a disaster that nearly destroyed the country, but, if a failure like Trump can crow about all he did, even when the evidence wasn’t there, then surely Biden can find a way to do a little crowing of his own, particularly during one of the most successful stretches of his presidency.”
Robert, I read many newsletters and newspapers on line every day, but the ones I go to first are yours and Heather Cox Richardson's. There is rarely any overlap and I appreciate your different perspectives. Typically, you focus on several current issues and provide resources for readers who want to make a difference while she looks at one issue through a historical lens. You both do vital work in defending our democracy.