I missed reading this newsletter yesterday. It’s wonderful. It gives such a good perspective which is so important for morale and self-worth. We are not potted plants!!! We are persistent, wild ivy though…our little tentacles of wisdom and courage and humanity are creeping steadily into every crack in the wall. I’m so proud to be part of all the history we are making and I’m sure that if we keep creeping ever-forward, as Robert always reminds us, we will prevail. Honestly, minus the illusion of power MAGA has, they are so very weak of soul and character. They will wither.
I hope that you encourage everyone to follow the Buddhist monks who left from Fort Worth on October 26 for their Peace Walk to Washington, DC. Their message is, “Today will be our peaceful day”.
They now have 2.4 million followers on Facebook along with thousands upon thousands of people meeting them along their path You do not need to be a Facebook user to access this site: https://www.facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa/
Yahoo News is reporting: "A handful of far-right [House] Republicans, enough to prevent the [appropriations] bill from passing, are threatening to withhold their votes unless Johnson agrees to add a slate of strict new voting restrictions to the bill." Anyone know what those voting restrictions are?
Marc Elias:For years, some have believed that organizing alone can overcome the obstacles Republicans place in the way of voting rights. Though born of good intentions — empowering voters through organizing — the myth that we can out-organize voter suppression and election subversion is both dangerous and immoral.
First, it trivializes the genuine threats we face. Mass disenfranchisement, abuse of the criminal legal process and the seizure of ballots cannot be defeated through better voter turnout programs.
Equally important, framing organizing as the solution shifts the burden onto voters — the very victims of these efforts — to be better organized. This sets them up for inevitable failure, giving critics permission to blame them for being insufficiently organized.
What is required is far harder than organizing. It is a strong, sustained legal and political strategy aimed at disrupting and countering Trump’s plans.
I wish I had more faith that people will understand we need to dismantle MAGA and implement drastic reforms to prevent the powerful people behind it from simply reorganizing and trying again with someone less temperamental than Trump. When Democrats are back in power Republicans will revert to obstructionism to prevent reforms. But even if Democrats muster the gumption to remove the filibuster, SCOTUS will keep operating as a partisan participant in a judicial coup. The Federalist Society will keep pushing fascists into our courts, Fox and right wing media will carpet bomb the country with disinformation, billionaires will use their money to buy elections, the list goes on.
I know we need to take things one day at a time, and that if all starts with winning elections, but it's hard not to look at the future and feel like we're at best buying time until a more competent fascist takes power
One of THE BEST newsletters!! Even today, “legacy” media refuses to face reality, still “sugar coating” - let’s call a coup a coup, a lier a lier, a fascist a fascist, a racist a racist, a dictator a dictator & enablers: enablers!!! I too am proud of WE THE PEOPLE & happy to say I attended 5 of the 6 national protests in 2025. Am 87. Next is March 28 …… let’s have millions turnout ……. Onward …..
A small support for Minnesota. For a variety of reasons, I fly a number of different country and state flags from the pole in front of my house (international job, friends, birthdays of people or states or countries, a bit of fun) but of the 30-some flags, I didn't have Minnesota. I have one on order and hope to have it flying in a few days. 3x5, two blue fields with a North Star featured, a compass showing us the direction for rest of the the way to November, 2026 and beyond. Bless you, from the West Coast.
Thank you Robert. When I’m feeling hopeless and down your letter somehow gets me back up again. Ready to fight the good fight. Peacefully protest again. We will win this sooner or later. ❤️
Great post, and great to review where we were a year ago. Will share and restack. The thing that made me cry today was the note to Mr. Rogers, "they are killing the helpers." Alex Pretti was a great ICU nurse, and a helper. HE was not a terrorist. He was an Eagle Scout, and he worked with the VA hospital chaplain in supporting patients' spiritual and psychological needs. He was killed for being kind. After reading your post, I feel better, thank you!
Robert, you certainly nailed it on Feb. 1, 2025 and again today. I notice a huge surge in subscriptions and views of my newsletter at that time as well.
IN my ongoing quest for tangible actions we can take, in addition to participating in protests, that will effectively combat the Trump administrations' aggressive efforts to disembowel democracy, I'm sharing the following from the New York Times Editorial Board.
Our first set of recommendations involves actions rather than donations:
WORK THE POLLS. In 2024, nearly half of the country’s election precincts said they struggled to recruit poll workers. Shortages lead to longer voting lines and overworked election administrators. We particularly encourage young and middle-aged people to sign up: In the last three general elections, fewer than a quarter of volunteers were 40 or younger. (In many states, you can become a poll worker at 16 or 17.) The positions, which are nonpartisan, are paid. You can find out how to apply with the recruitment look-up tool at this link.
WATCH THE POLLS. In most states, political parties appoint poll watchers who observe elections to ensure fairness. In some places, nonpartisan groups can also select poll watchers. To find out how to volunteer, start by contacting the Democratic or Republican committee in your county.
DON'T SPREAD DUBIOUS INFORMATION. It’s surprisingly easy for misleading stories to travel through trusted friends or relatives. Heather Gerken, president of the Ford Foundation, notes that influential disinformation often arrives via a well-meaning peer rather than a random bot. People from both political sides are susceptible to this — whether it was Democratic conspiracy theories in 2004 about fraud in Ohio or the recent Republican conspiracy theories about 2020. Double-checking information before hitting “share” can keep election conversations grounded in reality.
You can also support organizations that are helping to protect election officials and safeguard the process. All the ones we recommend here are nonpartisan.
THE ELECTION OFFICIAL LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK pairs election officials with pro bono attorneys who can advise them on how to respond to threats and lawsuits, which have increased in recent years. The network was founded in 2021 by a former White House lawyer for Barack Obama and a former election lawyer for George W. Bush. You can donate here.
THE CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER, founded in 2002 by a Republican lawyer who served as chairman of the Federal Election Commission, works to ensure that election rules remain fair. The group is fighting the Trump administration’s demands for voter data and an executive order that would force states to change voter ID requirements and ballot deadlines. There will probably be more litigation ahead of the midterms, especially after a recent Supreme Court decision made it easier for any candidate to challenge election rules. You can donate here.
THE CARTER CENTER, founded in 1982 by Jimmy Carter, has brought its global election monitoring program to the United States. This year, the Carter Center plans to have nonpartisan observers watch elections in Georgia, Michigan, Montana, Nevada and New Mexico. The center will also host civic education events and offer resources for voters and election officials across the country. You can donate to the Carter Center’s democracy program here.
In 1981, Ronald Reagan began his first Inaugural Address by observing that the orderly transfer of authority was “a commonplace occurrence” to most Americans but was “nothing less than a miracle” to much of the world. Our elections remain both commonplace and miraculous. This country should be proud that it can feel so routine for a citizen to drop a ballot in the mailbox or walk down the street to cast a vote. In 2026, we should guard that tradition.
Hi Robert and All!
I missed reading this newsletter yesterday. It’s wonderful. It gives such a good perspective which is so important for morale and self-worth. We are not potted plants!!! We are persistent, wild ivy though…our little tentacles of wisdom and courage and humanity are creeping steadily into every crack in the wall. I’m so proud to be part of all the history we are making and I’m sure that if we keep creeping ever-forward, as Robert always reminds us, we will prevail. Honestly, minus the illusion of power MAGA has, they are so very weak of soul and character. They will wither.
I hope that you encourage everyone to follow the Buddhist monks who left from Fort Worth on October 26 for their Peace Walk to Washington, DC. Their message is, “Today will be our peaceful day”.
They now have 2.4 million followers on Facebook along with thousands upon thousands of people meeting them along their path You do not need to be a Facebook user to access this site: https://www.facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa/
You can also follow them with this link: https://dhammacetiya.com/walk-for-peace/
This is an inspiring and uplifting story that includes their adopted dog, who just happens to have a white heart in the fur of his forehead.
Yahoo News is reporting: "A handful of far-right [House] Republicans, enough to prevent the [appropriations] bill from passing, are threatening to withhold their votes unless Johnson agrees to add a slate of strict new voting restrictions to the bill." Anyone know what those voting restrictions are?
Marc Elias:For years, some have believed that organizing alone can overcome the obstacles Republicans place in the way of voting rights. Though born of good intentions — empowering voters through organizing — the myth that we can out-organize voter suppression and election subversion is both dangerous and immoral.
First, it trivializes the genuine threats we face. Mass disenfranchisement, abuse of the criminal legal process and the seizure of ballots cannot be defeated through better voter turnout programs.
Equally important, framing organizing as the solution shifts the burden onto voters — the very victims of these efforts — to be better organized. This sets them up for inevitable failure, giving critics permission to blame them for being insufficiently organized.
What is required is far harder than organizing. It is a strong, sustained legal and political strategy aimed at disrupting and countering Trump’s plans.
We had 2 demonstrations in our little Danish town Solvang in California one Saturday and one Sunday pretty well attended in 85 degrees
I wish I had more faith that people will understand we need to dismantle MAGA and implement drastic reforms to prevent the powerful people behind it from simply reorganizing and trying again with someone less temperamental than Trump. When Democrats are back in power Republicans will revert to obstructionism to prevent reforms. But even if Democrats muster the gumption to remove the filibuster, SCOTUS will keep operating as a partisan participant in a judicial coup. The Federalist Society will keep pushing fascists into our courts, Fox and right wing media will carpet bomb the country with disinformation, billionaires will use their money to buy elections, the list goes on.
I know we need to take things one day at a time, and that if all starts with winning elections, but it's hard not to look at the future and feel like we're at best buying time until a more competent fascist takes power
One of THE BEST newsletters!! Even today, “legacy” media refuses to face reality, still “sugar coating” - let’s call a coup a coup, a lier a lier, a fascist a fascist, a racist a racist, a dictator a dictator & enablers: enablers!!! I too am proud of WE THE PEOPLE & happy to say I attended 5 of the 6 national protests in 2025. Am 87. Next is March 28 …… let’s have millions turnout ……. Onward …..
A small support for Minnesota. For a variety of reasons, I fly a number of different country and state flags from the pole in front of my house (international job, friends, birthdays of people or states or countries, a bit of fun) but of the 30-some flags, I didn't have Minnesota. I have one on order and hope to have it flying in a few days. 3x5, two blue fields with a North Star featured, a compass showing us the direction for rest of the the way to November, 2026 and beyond. Bless you, from the West Coast.
Thank you Robert. When I’m feeling hopeless and down your letter somehow gets me back up again. Ready to fight the good fight. Peacefully protest again. We will win this sooner or later. ❤️
Great post, and great to review where we were a year ago. Will share and restack. The thing that made me cry today was the note to Mr. Rogers, "they are killing the helpers." Alex Pretti was a great ICU nurse, and a helper. HE was not a terrorist. He was an Eagle Scout, and he worked with the VA hospital chaplain in supporting patients' spiritual and psychological needs. He was killed for being kind. After reading your post, I feel better, thank you!
Great post, Robert!! And thanks for the review of Feb. 2025 post. I’m saving it and forwarding to friends who need it. ( A follower since 2016.)
Robert, you certainly nailed it on Feb. 1, 2025 and again today. I notice a huge surge in subscriptions and views of my newsletter at that time as well.
Brilliant newsletter today!!
I am so very grateful, Robert.
I wonder when our elected Democratic leaders will catch up to us? Soon, I hope, but never I fear.
IN my ongoing quest for tangible actions we can take, in addition to participating in protests, that will effectively combat the Trump administrations' aggressive efforts to disembowel democracy, I'm sharing the following from the New York Times Editorial Board.
Our first set of recommendations involves actions rather than donations:
WORK THE POLLS. In 2024, nearly half of the country’s election precincts said they struggled to recruit poll workers. Shortages lead to longer voting lines and overworked election administrators. We particularly encourage young and middle-aged people to sign up: In the last three general elections, fewer than a quarter of volunteers were 40 or younger. (In many states, you can become a poll worker at 16 or 17.) The positions, which are nonpartisan, are paid. You can find out how to apply with the recruitment look-up tool at this link.
WATCH THE POLLS. In most states, political parties appoint poll watchers who observe elections to ensure fairness. In some places, nonpartisan groups can also select poll watchers. To find out how to volunteer, start by contacting the Democratic or Republican committee in your county.
DON'T SPREAD DUBIOUS INFORMATION. It’s surprisingly easy for misleading stories to travel through trusted friends or relatives. Heather Gerken, president of the Ford Foundation, notes that influential disinformation often arrives via a well-meaning peer rather than a random bot. People from both political sides are susceptible to this — whether it was Democratic conspiracy theories in 2004 about fraud in Ohio or the recent Republican conspiracy theories about 2020. Double-checking information before hitting “share” can keep election conversations grounded in reality.
You can also support organizations that are helping to protect election officials and safeguard the process. All the ones we recommend here are nonpartisan.
THE ELECTION OFFICIAL LEGAL DEFENSE NETWORK pairs election officials with pro bono attorneys who can advise them on how to respond to threats and lawsuits, which have increased in recent years. The network was founded in 2021 by a former White House lawyer for Barack Obama and a former election lawyer for George W. Bush. You can donate here.
THE CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER, founded in 2002 by a Republican lawyer who served as chairman of the Federal Election Commission, works to ensure that election rules remain fair. The group is fighting the Trump administration’s demands for voter data and an executive order that would force states to change voter ID requirements and ballot deadlines. There will probably be more litigation ahead of the midterms, especially after a recent Supreme Court decision made it easier for any candidate to challenge election rules. You can donate here.
THE CARTER CENTER, founded in 1982 by Jimmy Carter, has brought its global election monitoring program to the United States. This year, the Carter Center plans to have nonpartisan observers watch elections in Georgia, Michigan, Montana, Nevada and New Mexico. The center will also host civic education events and offer resources for voters and election officials across the country. You can donate to the Carter Center’s democracy program here.
In 1981, Ronald Reagan began his first Inaugural Address by observing that the orderly transfer of authority was “a commonplace occurrence” to most Americans but was “nothing less than a miracle” to much of the world. Our elections remain both commonplace and miraculous. This country should be proud that it can feel so routine for a citizen to drop a ballot in the mailbox or walk down the street to cast a vote. In 2026, we should guard that tradition.