I live in Florida and yes while it is disheartening, discouraging and downright infuriating at times, we are not going into hiding. The Friday Action group ( fridayaction.org) just sent 12,000 ( not a typo!) to voters in Jacksonville, the largest city in the state where a very solid progressive is running for mayor - vote is May 16th. There are indeed things we can do and are doing.
I want to tell everyone about my group MarkersForDemocracy.org and our sister groups Downtown Nasty Women Social Group and Team Min and invite you to join us on Zoom.
Since March 2020, we have been meeting together on Zoom which has allowed us to be joined regularly by postcard writers and speakers from all over the country. We’ve hosted over 500 senate, congressional and state and local candidates, grassroots leaders, authors and other speakers since then. We’ve hosted Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, Representatives Katie Porter, Jamie Raskin, Lauren Underwood, Maxwell Frost, leaders of organizations including The Civics Center, Mi Vecino, Flip the Vote, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, Former Ohio Democratic Party Chair and author David Pepper, Robert Hubbell, Bill McKibben and Dahlia Lithwick
Since 2017 we've collectively written hundreds of thousands of postcards for races up and down the ballot. We've also phone banked, textbanked, cure called, registered voters, canvassed, protested, amplified on social media, and called and written to our local, state, and federal representatives.
All the groups have formed giving circles through the States Project which works to elect Democrats to state legislatures around the country to shift the balance of power. Over several years we have raised over $1.5 million in 7 states. Last year we supported Democrats in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania and celebrated when the Michigan House and Senate flipped, the Pennsylvania House flipped from red to blue, Democrats expanded their majorities in the Nevada state legislature, and held ground in Arizona.
Our giving circles are now raising early money for Michigan for 2024 and for Virginia for 2023 where we hope to help Democrats flip the House of Delegates back to blue and strengthen the majority in the Senate to counter the harmful policies of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.
If you are not already getting our newsletters and would like to learn more about attending our Zooms we hope you will consider signing up and joining us. Sign up here:
Let’s all give DeSantis yet another reason to go apoplectic ! Donna Deegan is running against the DeSantis-backed candidate for mayor of Florida’s largest city, Jacksonville. There are virtual opportunies. Early voting has started and Election Day is May16th. Thank you in advance!💙
“Perhaps Biden can convince CNN to televise a town hall in Delaware with an audience of progressive Democrats.”
Ok but let’s all take action now regarding CNN and tfg’s upcoming town hall in New Hampshire. Stop it in its tracks before it even begins. Here’s how (and why):
Call Saint Anselm College!
Saint Anselm College’s hosting any event for tfg is contrary to their Mission Statement part of which states “providing all its students…... a learning community that encourages the lifelong pursuit of the truth and fosters intellectual, moral and spiritual growth …”
Saint Anselms College president:
“Guided by our Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts mission…”
Call the college’s President, Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. and express dissatisfaction the College is allowing an event to be held on it’s campus for someone that constantly lies, has no morals, much less pursues any spiritual growth. Hosting this event is contrary to the Colleges’ Mission.
Maybe ask or say something to the effect; how can or would they allow an event to take place on their campus for someone who is so contrary to their Mission Statement.
State it makes their limit Mission Statement appear to be nothing but empty words.
31st Street Swing Left is a group based in the DC metro area, but we have member all over the country. We have monthly meetings and other activities, including canvassing and fundraising. We are strategic and successful. We welcome members from anywhere, including our brethren in deep red states. We offer both moral support and action. We had a couple of canvassers in Wisconsin for Judge Janet! Won't be surprised if we have canvassers in Texas for Colin Allred, who we supported in his first race. Please please join us - we welcome all souls lost in the darkness of trifectas or otherwise. Www.31st street.org.
I sent this letter to John Boehner yesterday. I haven't heard back:
As a former leader of Congress and as a Lincoln Republican from Ohio, are you not disturbed by the growing movement in at least 21 states: systematically putting up barriers to the ballot box, targeting youth, people of color, disabled and elderly voters and indigenous Americans?
Would you be willing to strategize with me how to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Act to save our democracy? https://nationalvotercorps.org/
You realize that there are no checks to stop these State suppressive actions. These Supreme Court decisions:
• 2010 Citizens United v FEC (unlimited corporate money in politics resulting in state legislators receiving enormous amounts of money from corporations distorting the election process for We The People who don’t have an equal playing field for ideas and issues)
• 2013 Shelby County v Holder (ending preclearance of State or local laws relating to voting policies and procedural changes in previously segregated states resulting overnight in 1688 polling places being closed in black precincts)
disenfranchised or resulted in expanding barriers to the ballot box for millions of voters - especially lower income voters, seniors, disabled voters, Americans without transportation, college students and people of color.
Thus Congress must act under its powers in Article 1.4, the 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 24th and 26th Amendments to protect our right to vote.
If Congress doesn’t act now to protect its powers under the Constitution, then hard-right activists will turn America into a libertarian theocracy or worse.
I hope that you will be willing to work with National Voter Corps to right the wrong of ballot barriers for self-aggrandizement by elected officials in conflict with their sworn obligation to uphold the Constitution on behalf of We the People.
Living in Texas is difficult. In San Antonio, we are lucky to have some of the best Democratic elected officials from our Mayor to our wonderful compassionate judges!
The best news of yesterday was that Rep. Colin Alred is running against Ted Cruz. Colin is a perfect candidate to attract Independents and Republicans who dislike Cruz.
May 4, 2023·edited May 4, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I know the readers will be shocked! shocked! to know that James Comer is the GOP's rep to Congress from Kentucky's 1st District. He joins the list of lovelies from the birthplace of Lincoln like Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell. I have a surprise for all of you: Kentucky is a net receiver of taxes from the Federal Government, not a giver (like us evil types in the Northeast!). That's a status they'll never want to change and they can thank a long line of their politicians like McConnell for sucking the Federal Government dry. https://www.wkyufm.org/economy/2018-03-26/kentucky-is-second-most-dependent-state-on-federal-money
We are particularly concerned over the bill in Texas giving the Sec of State the power to overturn election results. Just one way, we fear the Republicans intend to steal 2024.
Once again Mr. Hubbell reminds us that the cascade of extremist legislation in those states where MAGA forces have total control, while deeply disturbing to residents of those Red states, is a sign of desperation among the governments of Texas, Florida, Tennessee, etc. As they seek to enact ever more anti-democratic measures, they drive any remaining undecided voters firmly into the arms of the Democratic Party. Robert makes the excellent point that states with Democratic Trifectas are not attempting to prevent anyone from voting or exercising other basic civic rights. Growing revulsion at these repellent tactics will, over time, take former GOP strongholds and make them "toss-up" states. This process will be accelerated by the fact that roughly 4,000,000 American citizens turn 18 every year--and this demo votes solidly Democratic. If we can just not give into despair or frustration while this process unfolds, at the same time working hard to advance our goals at local, state and national levels, we will see a changed America. Before too long, additional states will, like Georgia and Arizona, go from dependably Republican to toss-up and later predictably Democratic. There is a growing majority favoring the basic tenets of democracy, a reality only too clear to the right-wing forces. Their attempts to counteract these realities by enacting ever more anti-democratic measures will only accelerate this process--and the smarter voices on the right know this. But they have painted themselves into an ever smaller corner.
“There are other stories that deserve attention (drone attack on the Kremlin and shooting in Atlanta), but the news on Wednesday was slower than most days. So, we should all take a break, catch our breath”...
I wish 38-year-old Amy St. Pierre who was killed in the Atlanta shooting were here to catch her breath on a slow news day. Until this happens in your community it’s just another shooting. We are all slowly being numbed to these events.
I just wanted to put her name in writing to humanize this event which shut down my city yesterday. 5 women ages 71-25 were shot in a medical waiting room. The killer sat in the room next to his mother before doing this demonic act...then he fled.
am tired of everyday reading about someone armed with a weapon killing innocent people. I had a minor traffic situation where I nicely asked a person who was blocking traffic to move their vehicle and he became outraged and agitated. Afterwards I thought about it and realized he could have been armed. That scared the hell out of me. Joyce Vance said the following “
An overwhelming number of American favor new laws limiting guns that will make us all safer and Republicans continue to refuse to do anything about it. Guns should not have more rights than people in our society, but they do. And the ultimate irony is that the same crowd that insists on having their assault weapons also wants to prevent women from having an abortion, because: pro-life. They are explicitly okay with those babies being mowed down in the nation’s schools, hospitals, shopping malls, and churches once they’re born, with only the thin veneer of thoughts and prayers to notice their deaths.
You could choke on the hypocrisy. It’s that thick.”
May 4, 2023·edited May 4, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Robert, Thank you for your writing about the challenge of living in Florida. I continue to organize people, to register, request vote by mail ballots (per new laws, they ALL expired 12/31/2022), and work with our supporters to hold their elected officials accountable with phone calls and emails on horrible legislation. Issues in Florida like elsewhere are voting rights, abortion as healthcare, gun violence and the economy. There have been no solutions to the homeowners insurance catastrophe, even with Ian hardly resolved and a new hurricane season beginning June 1 and even with two special legislative sessions and the regular session to end tomorrow, 5/5. Public education, funding, curriculum, teacher unions, has been gutted, by ridiculous universal vouchers with no eligibility caps. so wealthy parents can use them too. Books banned, curriculum restricted, culture wars, more voting restrictions, permitless carry, and on and on and on. This is what happens when people do NOT turn out to vote. In Blue Orange County, the turnout rate went from 78% in 2020 to 42% in 2022. If I were in a same sex marriage with children, I would contemplate relocating. I am not sure I will see reversal in my life (I am almost 71). But we cannot stop, we cannot be silent - silence is complicity. So we continue and focus our organizing on young voters (i.e. ala FL Rep. Anna V. Eskamani & Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost) and marginalized communities, black, brown, disabled, veterans. We will transcend and succeed. As you often say, we have every reason to be hopeful and no reason to be complacent. Please friend our FB page, Women for Florida's Future. Thank you for your kindness, respect and support. Susan Windmiller, Orlando, FL
Great article Robert! I would like to share my circumstances here in Illinois. This is a very blue state, yet the rural areas where I live are very red. In our county, Stephenson in the NW corner, the county seat, Freeport, is balanced but the rural county is very red. We are very much fighting to get our voices heard. Although we follow national news we are trying to affect our local population. My wife and I started our local Indivisible chapter. We have been very engaged in advocating for Single Payer health care, and now she is the County Chair of the Democratic Party. As we got more involved in local issues our Democratic Party has found local donors that have allowed us to actually run some efficient and successful campaigns. This last municipal election 9 out of 13 endorsed candidates won, turning the city council from total Republican members to a 4 to 4 split. We have gone from no Democratic candidates on the ballot to challenging almost every seat. We have a real fight on our hands because as you know power doesn't give up power without a struggle. The big money interests in town have noticed and will not go away quietly. This is the fight I want. To return the power in town to those who haven't had a voice. These fights will trickle up. These fights we can win. Remember, all politics is local.
I live in Florida and yes while it is disheartening, discouraging and downright infuriating at times, we are not going into hiding. The Friday Action group ( fridayaction.org) just sent 12,000 ( not a typo!) to voters in Jacksonville, the largest city in the state where a very solid progressive is running for mayor - vote is May 16th. There are indeed things we can do and are doing.
Thank you Robert!
I want to tell everyone about my group MarkersForDemocracy.org and our sister groups Downtown Nasty Women Social Group and Team Min and invite you to join us on Zoom.
Since March 2020, we have been meeting together on Zoom which has allowed us to be joined regularly by postcard writers and speakers from all over the country. We’ve hosted over 500 senate, congressional and state and local candidates, grassroots leaders, authors and other speakers since then. We’ve hosted Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, Representatives Katie Porter, Jamie Raskin, Lauren Underwood, Maxwell Frost, leaders of organizations including The Civics Center, Mi Vecino, Flip the Vote, Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler, Former Ohio Democratic Party Chair and author David Pepper, Robert Hubbell, Bill McKibben and Dahlia Lithwick
Since 2017 we've collectively written hundreds of thousands of postcards for races up and down the ballot. We've also phone banked, textbanked, cure called, registered voters, canvassed, protested, amplified on social media, and called and written to our local, state, and federal representatives.
All the groups have formed giving circles through the States Project which works to elect Democrats to state legislatures around the country to shift the balance of power. Over several years we have raised over $1.5 million in 7 states. Last year we supported Democrats in Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Pennsylvania and celebrated when the Michigan House and Senate flipped, the Pennsylvania House flipped from red to blue, Democrats expanded their majorities in the Nevada state legislature, and held ground in Arizona.
Our giving circles are now raising early money for Michigan for 2024 and for Virginia for 2023 where we hope to help Democrats flip the House of Delegates back to blue and strengthen the majority in the Senate to counter the harmful policies of Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin.
If you are not already getting our newsletters and would like to learn more about attending our Zooms we hope you will consider signing up and joining us. Sign up here:
https://markersfordemocracy.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?id=dfa32b30aa&u=d5fd96e36d548227bcb7555ff
Thank you, Robert !!
Let’s all give DeSantis yet another reason to go apoplectic ! Donna Deegan is running against the DeSantis-backed candidate for mayor of Florida’s largest city, Jacksonville. There are virtual opportunies. Early voting has started and Election Day is May16th. Thank you in advance!💙
https://www.mobilize.us/donnadeeganforjacksonvillemayor/
“Perhaps Biden can convince CNN to televise a town hall in Delaware with an audience of progressive Democrats.”
Ok but let’s all take action now regarding CNN and tfg’s upcoming town hall in New Hampshire. Stop it in its tracks before it even begins. Here’s how (and why):
Call Saint Anselm College!
Saint Anselm College’s hosting any event for tfg is contrary to their Mission Statement part of which states “providing all its students…... a learning community that encourages the lifelong pursuit of the truth and fosters intellectual, moral and spiritual growth …”
Saint Anselms College president:
“Guided by our Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts mission…”
Call the college’s President, Joseph A. Favazza, Ph.D. and express dissatisfaction the College is allowing an event to be held on it’s campus for someone that constantly lies, has no morals, much less pursues any spiritual growth. Hosting this event is contrary to the Colleges’ Mission.
Joseph A. Favazza College President
603-641-7010
jfavazza@anselm.edu
Maybe ask or say something to the effect; how can or would they allow an event to take place on their campus for someone who is so contrary to their Mission Statement.
State it makes their limit Mission Statement appear to be nothing but empty words.
31st Street Swing Left is a group based in the DC metro area, but we have member all over the country. We have monthly meetings and other activities, including canvassing and fundraising. We are strategic and successful. We welcome members from anywhere, including our brethren in deep red states. We offer both moral support and action. We had a couple of canvassers in Wisconsin for Judge Janet! Won't be surprised if we have canvassers in Texas for Colin Allred, who we supported in his first race. Please please join us - we welcome all souls lost in the darkness of trifectas or otherwise. Www.31st street.org.
I sent this letter to John Boehner yesterday. I haven't heard back:
As a former leader of Congress and as a Lincoln Republican from Ohio, are you not disturbed by the growing movement in at least 21 states: systematically putting up barriers to the ballot box, targeting youth, people of color, disabled and elderly voters and indigenous Americans?
Would you be willing to strategize with me how to pass the Freedom to Vote: John R Lewis Act to save our democracy? https://nationalvotercorps.org/
You realize that there are no checks to stop these State suppressive actions. These Supreme Court decisions:
• 2010 Citizens United v FEC (unlimited corporate money in politics resulting in state legislators receiving enormous amounts of money from corporations distorting the election process for We The People who don’t have an equal playing field for ideas and issues)
• 2013 Shelby County v Holder (ending preclearance of State or local laws relating to voting policies and procedural changes in previously segregated states resulting overnight in 1688 polling places being closed in black precincts)
disenfranchised or resulted in expanding barriers to the ballot box for millions of voters - especially lower income voters, seniors, disabled voters, Americans without transportation, college students and people of color.
Thus Congress must act under its powers in Article 1.4, the 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 23rd, 24th and 26th Amendments to protect our right to vote.
If Congress doesn’t act now to protect its powers under the Constitution, then hard-right activists will turn America into a libertarian theocracy or worse.
I hope that you will be willing to work with National Voter Corps to right the wrong of ballot barriers for self-aggrandizement by elected officials in conflict with their sworn obligation to uphold the Constitution on behalf of We the People.
Alice Schaffer Smith,
Executive Director
National Voter Corps
850 Webster Street #520
Palo Alto, CA 94301
Alice.Smith@nationalvotercorps.org
www.nationalvotercorps.org
A nonprofit project under the Social Good Fund
Living in Texas is difficult. In San Antonio, we are lucky to have some of the best Democratic elected officials from our Mayor to our wonderful compassionate judges!
The best news of yesterday was that Rep. Colin Alred is running against Ted Cruz. Colin is a perfect candidate to attract Independents and Republicans who dislike Cruz.
I know the readers will be shocked! shocked! to know that James Comer is the GOP's rep to Congress from Kentucky's 1st District. He joins the list of lovelies from the birthplace of Lincoln like Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell. I have a surprise for all of you: Kentucky is a net receiver of taxes from the Federal Government, not a giver (like us evil types in the Northeast!). That's a status they'll never want to change and they can thank a long line of their politicians like McConnell for sucking the Federal Government dry. https://www.wkyufm.org/economy/2018-03-26/kentucky-is-second-most-dependent-state-on-federal-money
Excellent read. Thank you. A lot to think about.
We are particularly concerned over the bill in Texas giving the Sec of State the power to overturn election results. Just one way, we fear the Republicans intend to steal 2024.
Once again Mr. Hubbell reminds us that the cascade of extremist legislation in those states where MAGA forces have total control, while deeply disturbing to residents of those Red states, is a sign of desperation among the governments of Texas, Florida, Tennessee, etc. As they seek to enact ever more anti-democratic measures, they drive any remaining undecided voters firmly into the arms of the Democratic Party. Robert makes the excellent point that states with Democratic Trifectas are not attempting to prevent anyone from voting or exercising other basic civic rights. Growing revulsion at these repellent tactics will, over time, take former GOP strongholds and make them "toss-up" states. This process will be accelerated by the fact that roughly 4,000,000 American citizens turn 18 every year--and this demo votes solidly Democratic. If we can just not give into despair or frustration while this process unfolds, at the same time working hard to advance our goals at local, state and national levels, we will see a changed America. Before too long, additional states will, like Georgia and Arizona, go from dependably Republican to toss-up and later predictably Democratic. There is a growing majority favoring the basic tenets of democracy, a reality only too clear to the right-wing forces. Their attempts to counteract these realities by enacting ever more anti-democratic measures will only accelerate this process--and the smarter voices on the right know this. But they have painted themselves into an ever smaller corner.
Although you mention May 3, 2023 "was a slow news day,"
that is not the reality in North Carolina.
Emboldened by a Democrat switching party to the GOP,
thus securing a veto proof supermajority in the North Carolina General Assembly,
a long list of dangerous and frankly undemocratic bills are now being enacted in rapid succession,
with little public notice and often under cover of night.
From ABORTION BANS (from 20 weeks to 12 weeks, but with provisions to eliminate access altogether),
to permit less carry of FIREARMS (legislators will be able to have guns while a sign on a stick is forbidden),
constraints on discussing GENDER AND RACE in education (Pauli Murray's life story shows history needs to be taught,)
attacks on TRANSGENDER athletes (which are rare, with more important issues needing attention),
new proscriptions on PROTESTORS ("to the oppressor, not form of protest is acceptable,")
and the ever-ubiquitous VOTING RIGHTS attacks.
North Carolina is in serious trouble, y'all.
In 1898, Wilmington, NC was the site of a coup d'etat and massacre, perhaps the only successful one to date in the United States.
This is essentially the same thing.
We have got to end the MAGA GOP destruction of the US Constitution.
“There are other stories that deserve attention (drone attack on the Kremlin and shooting in Atlanta), but the news on Wednesday was slower than most days. So, we should all take a break, catch our breath”...
I wish 38-year-old Amy St. Pierre who was killed in the Atlanta shooting were here to catch her breath on a slow news day. Until this happens in your community it’s just another shooting. We are all slowly being numbed to these events.
I just wanted to put her name in writing to humanize this event which shut down my city yesterday. 5 women ages 71-25 were shot in a medical waiting room. The killer sat in the room next to his mother before doing this demonic act...then he fled.
Each of these things would send shockwaves around the country Once Upon a Time.
am tired of everyday reading about someone armed with a weapon killing innocent people. I had a minor traffic situation where I nicely asked a person who was blocking traffic to move their vehicle and he became outraged and agitated. Afterwards I thought about it and realized he could have been armed. That scared the hell out of me. Joyce Vance said the following “
An overwhelming number of American favor new laws limiting guns that will make us all safer and Republicans continue to refuse to do anything about it. Guns should not have more rights than people in our society, but they do. And the ultimate irony is that the same crowd that insists on having their assault weapons also wants to prevent women from having an abortion, because: pro-life. They are explicitly okay with those babies being mowed down in the nation’s schools, hospitals, shopping malls, and churches once they’re born, with only the thin veneer of thoughts and prayers to notice their deaths.
You could choke on the hypocrisy. It’s that thick.”
Robert, Thank you for your writing about the challenge of living in Florida. I continue to organize people, to register, request vote by mail ballots (per new laws, they ALL expired 12/31/2022), and work with our supporters to hold their elected officials accountable with phone calls and emails on horrible legislation. Issues in Florida like elsewhere are voting rights, abortion as healthcare, gun violence and the economy. There have been no solutions to the homeowners insurance catastrophe, even with Ian hardly resolved and a new hurricane season beginning June 1 and even with two special legislative sessions and the regular session to end tomorrow, 5/5. Public education, funding, curriculum, teacher unions, has been gutted, by ridiculous universal vouchers with no eligibility caps. so wealthy parents can use them too. Books banned, curriculum restricted, culture wars, more voting restrictions, permitless carry, and on and on and on. This is what happens when people do NOT turn out to vote. In Blue Orange County, the turnout rate went from 78% in 2020 to 42% in 2022. If I were in a same sex marriage with children, I would contemplate relocating. I am not sure I will see reversal in my life (I am almost 71). But we cannot stop, we cannot be silent - silence is complicity. So we continue and focus our organizing on young voters (i.e. ala FL Rep. Anna V. Eskamani & Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost) and marginalized communities, black, brown, disabled, veterans. We will transcend and succeed. As you often say, we have every reason to be hopeful and no reason to be complacent. Please friend our FB page, Women for Florida's Future. Thank you for your kindness, respect and support. Susan Windmiller, Orlando, FL
Great article Robert! I would like to share my circumstances here in Illinois. This is a very blue state, yet the rural areas where I live are very red. In our county, Stephenson in the NW corner, the county seat, Freeport, is balanced but the rural county is very red. We are very much fighting to get our voices heard. Although we follow national news we are trying to affect our local population. My wife and I started our local Indivisible chapter. We have been very engaged in advocating for Single Payer health care, and now she is the County Chair of the Democratic Party. As we got more involved in local issues our Democratic Party has found local donors that have allowed us to actually run some efficient and successful campaigns. This last municipal election 9 out of 13 endorsed candidates won, turning the city council from total Republican members to a 4 to 4 split. We have gone from no Democratic candidates on the ballot to challenging almost every seat. We have a real fight on our hands because as you know power doesn't give up power without a struggle. The big money interests in town have noticed and will not go away quietly. This is the fight I want. To return the power in town to those who haven't had a voice. These fights will trickle up. These fights we can win. Remember, all politics is local.