Very well put. My sentiments exactly. It can be so frustrating to sit and watch this unfold in plain view. The democrats are not forming a cohesive message. I dread getting up on Nov 9 to find out that GOP controls even one house of Congress. It is so maddening/frustrating. I do hope that ppl realize what’s at stake and vote
Add to the list the failure to indict the fake electors, who committed their crime in broad daylight and signed their names to it to boot! This simple act would strike palpable fear in the insurrectionists.
All good questions. We have a cult of people who are motivated and believe a set of false information and empty promises and frankly are scared of being left behind coupled with a media that is blinded by the need to provide balance coverage because they too are afraid of losing this base as viewers and subscribers.
So vexing to hear over the weekend Republicans, and even some Democrats, blaming Joe Biden for the state of the economy. As someone who spent their entire career involved with the capital markets, I can tell you that Biden has done a good job shepherding us through the pandemic and addressing inflation. Maybe not an A, but at least a B/B+.
If anyone is looking for a villain behind high interest rates and inflation, it’s not Joe Biden. It’s Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve System. The pandemic caused bottlenecks that hurt the economy and led to higher prices, as did higher energy costs. But these were exogenous factors. Powell could have acted early and effectively to combat these inflationary pressures, but, instead, he caved into Trump’s harassment and kept interest rates far too low for far long.
After Powell first took office in 2018, he tried to do the right thing and began to raise rates in order to cool off the economy. But then Trump came down on him, hard and in public. Afraid that higher rates would derail the economy and the stock market, he harangued Powell incessantly. And Powell gave in, lowering rates in late 2019 and keeping them low through the 2020 election. Now Biden is president and Powell has presided over an unprecedented spike in rates, pushing up prices, slamming the economy and the throttling the stock market. Joe Biden has done what he could. Jerome Powell has hurt the economy, the country, and the prospects for Democrats in the upcoming election.
Excellent post. Presidents don't cause inflation and frankly they can do very little to reduce it. The efforts that President Biden is making are laudable. But you don't solve supply chain issues with the stroke of a pen. And you don't reverse the effects of foolish outsourcing of critical materials and products for decades by raising interest rates.
The Fed lowered rates to an effective zero and even below as a reaction to the 2008 housing financial crisis. I get it. Savers suffered, but businesses benefited. Those savers were then nudged into stocks (a market few really understand) creating the bubble we see collapsing right now.
As you so clearly point out, interest rates should have been gently increased years ago. Powell is a dangerous dinosaur and few in the press understand all this well enough to question his sledge hammer, too late approach. The rich will be fine. But the rest of us will suffer from this ham handed squeezing of the public purse.
I have enormous respect for Joe Biden. But I think the majority of politicians (he included) have been weaned on the Paul Volcker stories. In those days, high interest rates were required to battle an outrageous bout of inflation. The old wage price spiral was truly out of control. I experienced the pain of that as I tried to keep a retail operation afloat.
Circumstances and economic theory were simpler then. But now wages are hardly out of control, let alone a primary driver of inflation. Supply chain issues and labor shortages are the kick off. But the touch down for big price increases comes from corporate gouging. Read some Robert Reich on substack for documented details of "profit pricing". We gave big companies big tax breaks and they gave us the shaft. I am a Capitalist. But we are being taken for a long painful ride by the oligarchs.
So the short answer is, even if Biden had replaced Powell with someone "acceptable" he or she would have brought the same sledge hammer to the party.
Totally agree. I didn't comment on it but it is perplexing. I can only imagine that Biden sat down with Powell before reappointing him and Powell convinced him that he knew what he was doing and the path he would take is best for the country. Or possibly Biden did not want a confrontation with the Senate if he appointed someone else.
Agree with most of your comments but the reality is most Americans do not understand the economy and the drivers and all they relate to is the price of gas and the costs of food and the media over fixation on the economy which BTW on a technical and economic level actually is doing well against inflationary pressures.
The voting public certainly does not, in general, appreciate the workings of economic policy. As Democrats, we need to tell them why we would do a better job than the Republicans in improving their own personal welfare, financially and otherwise. And we need to do a much better job telling our story because they, again generally, mistakenly believe that Republicans are better managers of the economy.
I think your assessment is totally incorrect. To assume the electorate is illiterate because they support Trump and MAGA is not true. Many of his ardent supporters are Ivy League graduates and lawyers. The electorate believes what is in their best interest to believe and makes them feel welcomed and understood. The media are chasing viewers and clicks and have gone overboard trying to appear fair and balanced. Some issues are too complicated to be understood like the economy beyond gas prices and costs of groceries and finally we have 30 to 49 percent of the population who can’t be bothered to vote.
I disagree to a certain point. First, I know full well that many of those who support Trump and MAGA are very astute and understand economics all too well. The fact is they don't want to pay taxes and they don't want government regulation thwarting their business, personal or otherwise. I know this based on personal experience. Second, yes, the media is focused on profits and while some may claim they've gone overboard to appear fair and balanced, I think the NY Times and WAPO have done exceptional jobs uncovering information in a very difficult environment. Would I prefer they use clearer terms such as "lied"? Absolutely. But they are maintaining a modicum of composure in their articles. Finally, you hit the nail on the head. Basic economic issues, e.g. inflation caused by the pandemic and Putin's terrorism campaign in Ukraine, should not present a difficult subject for middle America to understand. Therein is the problem.
Why hasn't the war crimes trial of Putin started even if it means an empty chair for Putin. How can a civilized world continue to tolerate this horror to continue? Isn't there a way to penetrate the Kremlin and take him out? Why is NATO not acting in response to the possibility/probability of taking out the dam and jeopardizing so many lives with the nuclear power plants out of control? Is a nuclear power plant explosion less horrendous than a deliberately dropped nuclear weapon? When are the Russian people/oligarchs going to rebel and take Putin out of power? It is time for NATO and the UN to step in -- either Putin is removed from power or Russia is totally cut off from the rest of the world and its economy. Other than the "threat" of nuclear weapons when it seems a nuclear catastrophe is inevitable sooner than later, why are we waiting any longer for more thousands of people to die. It is time to stop Putin!
What I don't understand is Democrats not pointing out that the inflation is driven by Republicans: oil companies have made a windfall profit and have kept oil and gas extraordinarily high priced for consumers while blaming the Democrats for this. Such hypocrisy.
Katie Porter also pointed out recently in a congressional hearing that corporate profits across the board, not just in oil companies, are outrageously high and contributing greatly towards this inflation and the suffering it causes.
"What do you call it when the leader of one country tries to freeze to death an entire civilian population in order to achieve his military expansionist goals?"
You call it GENOCIDE.
And if the chardonnay-swilling, cucumber sandwish-snarfing Volvo drivers don't like it, then as we used to say in the Navy, "Take your Tough Shit card to the chaplain, and he will punch you."
As to the dumbassed traitors here, if the Dims in DC lose, and want to defuse the spending limit bomb, then in the lame-duck, they pass a spending limit that runs out in September 2024 and dare the Republicans to take it hostage during Dear Leader's re-election campaign. Or they [pass a debt limit that won't run out for 15 years and kills if effectively. Since they have Sinemannhin to deal with, they can't just carve out a filibuster exception and kill it dead. The action can be taken as "reconciliation," and they have a "reconciliation" left to use, so it only takes 50 votes in the Senate. Even Sinemanchin can figure this out.
Regarding the use of “genocide”. This was first used at the Nuremberg trials and the word was coined by Rafael Lemkin who was referring to groups of people. Hersh Lauterpact used “crimes against humanity” which was used more broadly at Nuremberg to mean individuals.
I took a media break for awhile because I was sick. Upon returning I was/wasn't surprised to see how amped up, screaming doom (on both sides), loaded words, angry faces, angry voices, illogical viewpoints, media saturation, lies (on both sides), the midterms have become. Being politically active is one thing. Allowing ourselves to be consumed by the 24 hour news cycle is a huge waste of time and is most definitely not healthy.
"In missive #21 (Don’t Believe It) on Tuesday, he addressed the issue of political fatalism, specifically the media narrative that the party in power necessarily does poorly in midterm elections.
“The effect of this kind of reporting can be jarring – it can get inside the average American’s head and scramble it,” Moore wrote. “You can start to feel deflated. You want to quit. You start believing that we liberals are a bunch of losers. And by thinking of ourselves this way, if you’re not careful, you begin to manifest the old narrative into existence.”
Thank you, again, Robert, for your wonderful support of The States Project Giving Circles! With 2 weeks until Nov. 8, this is a great reminder for how to work smart, including to support each Giving Circle's Rapid Response fundraising for last-minute state legislative electoral opportunities (like when a sure-win Dem candidate in Arizona dropped out, so now voters have to be educated to write in the name of the new candidate), ballot curing, helping with recounts, etc.
And big thanks to all donors!
Also, dear fellow Hubbell GC leaders, we'd love to hear from you to share ideas and support each other!
Ellie Kona on behalf of Tending to Democracy Giving Circle
Ellie, i also want to pile on the thanks for those participating in The States project Giving Circles. I live in one of those states, Minnesota, in the 2nd Congressional District; current incumbent is Rep. Angie Craig (D - MN)The race here has become the second most expensive race in the country!! It is mind-boggling how ugly the debates have been and how many lies have been told and believed by my neighbors.
Tomorrow, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be here to kick off a rally for Craig. Afterwards, many of us will go door knocking. I’m looking forward to helping get out the vote!
Just wanted to stop here and say thank you though to Robert Hubbell for helping me keep my hopes up, to you Ellie for posting helpful links when they are most needed, and to everyone here who has donated.
I never thought I would be the one having to fight to preserve democracy. But here I am. Glad to have help from so many others!
Remember when the NRA laundered rubles for Republicans and Ron Johnson and others went to visit Putin? When Ivanka enjoyed sitting in Putin's chair? Today we have ex-generals helping out Saudi Arabia -- MBS and Putin are pals and both enjoy messing around with us. MBS tortured a friend of mine. The Putinists on Faux News and in our government are straight-up traitors. Don't even get me started. Evil is loud and proud these days.....
The Democrats have failed to deliver effective messaging, which should be EASY, given all the Republican antics. If you are not offended by profanity, I encourage you to watch this. It tells in blunt terms why you should not vote for Republicans at all. Again, if you know folks who would appreciate this message, please pass it on. (TC this should be right up your alley!)
Your point on Social Security and Medicare is well taken and the Democrats need to do much more than make statements. Some legislative action to secure future financial stability is in order and could be published even during the pre-election recess for immediate attention on their return.
Like some other posters, I don't understand or support the DoJ going to sleep until Nov. 9 in what appears to be an attempt at maintaining business as usual. The authoritarians certainly have not.
Thank you as always. I try to hold on to your exhortations to ignore (not entirely) the polls. I give money and write postcards. But --- once again the mainstream media has a corrosive impact on my emotional state. I do follow your advice - but the current drumbeat of 'Dem Disaster' engenders despair that I (and your readers) try to ignore. And -- the English language has run out of adjectives to describe the utter mendacity and moral bankruptcy of the Replicans.
While Robert Hubbell bravely offers the nation clarity and hope in his heartening daily dispatches, America burns in an information inferno fueled by the lies manufactured by the ruling elites who control the corporate, capitalistic economy. It seems pretty clear after reading Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century that "The GOP's allegiance to Putin isn't front page headlines everywhere, every day" because the corrupt corporate-owned media obediently serves the interests of money and power instead of truth and justice. The situation makes one wonder if the lack of action on the DOJ's part, i.e., its reluctance to hold "Trump and his traitor accomplices" accountable," as you put it, investigate Putin's relationship with the GOP as well as the price gouging by the oil companies, are part of the same tendency of our government agencies nowadays to favor the interests of an economy rigged in favor of the plutocrats and oligarchs instead of the welfare of the American people. If true, this trend may also explain the widespread apathy among Americans who perceive that the economy is rigged against them and opt out in despair. When George Bernard Shaw famously said " The lack of money is the root of all evil" he had the gross injustice of economic inequality in mind, a symptom of the greed that's driven civilizations to worship Mammon and suffer drastic consequences throughout the ages, an insidious disease that's only cure may be the rock band Ten Years After's prescription for radial democracy: "Tax the rich, feed the poor, until there are no rich no more!"
Thank you Robert for your daily pep talks! Last Saturday's was especially effective. I've sent it to many friends to help them crawl out of their hand-wringing and get busy.
As for me, I'm headed to Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 3rd with a 30+ strong group from the Seattle area, associated with Common Power. Folks from any part of the country are welcome to join us (or if you want to be part of a CP group in another battleground state, there are options there too.) My wife and I have been part of this effort in WI in 2018 and 2020 and there is NOTHING like being on the ground, talking with voters, helping them navigate the voting system, etc. The CP group has a well-oiled relationship with the WisDems and other groups that know how to use us effectively. And when 30 or 40 of us show up at Dem headquarters we offer a meaningful boost to the local volunteers who can scarcely believe we've made the 2,000 mile trek to join them. Plus, we form a community for mutual support. Can't think of a better group to share election night with! Still time to join up and make your hotel reservation: https://community.commonpower.io/main/groups/49906/lounge/posts/930285?tab=comment
You are right, of course. Most Americans have no understanding of fiscal or monetary policy. What they understand is higher prices at the supermarket and at the pump. So it is incumbent on Democrats to convince voters that we can do more for them than Republicans to address their personal, immediate, concerns.
On the usage of the word genocide regarding Putin. I think it's also fair to point out that Putin has also been kidnapping Ukrainian children and is trying to erase their identity.
There's so much I don't understand:
1. Why the GOP's allegiance to Putin isn't front page headlines everywhere, every day.
2. Why the J6 committee and DOJ are being so polite to Trump and his traitor accomplices.
3. Why no one's been arresting for stealing government property - the White House documents stashed at Mar-a-Lago. Trump didn't do it by himself.
4. Why the J6 committee and the DOJ believe anything these scumbags say, even under oath.
5. Why no one's investigating what kompromat Putin has on Trump and the GOP leadership and members of Congress.
6.Why no Congressional committee is investigating the oil companies and other companies that are driving up prices and reaping windfall profits.
7. Why President Biden hasn't said he'll appoint a Presidential Commission to investigate J6 if the GOP takes the House next month.
8. How so many Americans aren't even following the news. Or voting. Or caring.
Thank you, Robert Hubbell, for offering hope and clarity in the midst of real fears about our future.
Very well put. My sentiments exactly. It can be so frustrating to sit and watch this unfold in plain view. The democrats are not forming a cohesive message. I dread getting up on Nov 9 to find out that GOP controls even one house of Congress. It is so maddening/frustrating. I do hope that ppl realize what’s at stake and vote
Add to the list the failure to indict the fake electors, who committed their crime in broad daylight and signed their names to it to boot! This simple act would strike palpable fear in the insurrectionists.
All good questions. We have a cult of people who are motivated and believe a set of false information and empty promises and frankly are scared of being left behind coupled with a media that is blinded by the need to provide balance coverage because they too are afraid of losing this base as viewers and subscribers.
So vexing to hear over the weekend Republicans, and even some Democrats, blaming Joe Biden for the state of the economy. As someone who spent their entire career involved with the capital markets, I can tell you that Biden has done a good job shepherding us through the pandemic and addressing inflation. Maybe not an A, but at least a B/B+.
If anyone is looking for a villain behind high interest rates and inflation, it’s not Joe Biden. It’s Jerome Powell, Chair of the Federal Reserve System. The pandemic caused bottlenecks that hurt the economy and led to higher prices, as did higher energy costs. But these were exogenous factors. Powell could have acted early and effectively to combat these inflationary pressures, but, instead, he caved into Trump’s harassment and kept interest rates far too low for far long.
After Powell first took office in 2018, he tried to do the right thing and began to raise rates in order to cool off the economy. But then Trump came down on him, hard and in public. Afraid that higher rates would derail the economy and the stock market, he harangued Powell incessantly. And Powell gave in, lowering rates in late 2019 and keeping them low through the 2020 election. Now Biden is president and Powell has presided over an unprecedented spike in rates, pushing up prices, slamming the economy and the throttling the stock market. Joe Biden has done what he could. Jerome Powell has hurt the economy, the country, and the prospects for Democrats in the upcoming election.
Excellent post. Presidents don't cause inflation and frankly they can do very little to reduce it. The efforts that President Biden is making are laudable. But you don't solve supply chain issues with the stroke of a pen. And you don't reverse the effects of foolish outsourcing of critical materials and products for decades by raising interest rates.
The Fed lowered rates to an effective zero and even below as a reaction to the 2008 housing financial crisis. I get it. Savers suffered, but businesses benefited. Those savers were then nudged into stocks (a market few really understand) creating the bubble we see collapsing right now.
As you so clearly point out, interest rates should have been gently increased years ago. Powell is a dangerous dinosaur and few in the press understand all this well enough to question his sledge hammer, too late approach. The rich will be fine. But the rest of us will suffer from this ham handed squeezing of the public purse.
Exactly. And so frustrating that Biden gets the blame for the damage done by Powell and Trump.
Why do you think President Biden chose not to replace Powell? I find it perplexing.
I have enormous respect for Joe Biden. But I think the majority of politicians (he included) have been weaned on the Paul Volcker stories. In those days, high interest rates were required to battle an outrageous bout of inflation. The old wage price spiral was truly out of control. I experienced the pain of that as I tried to keep a retail operation afloat.
Circumstances and economic theory were simpler then. But now wages are hardly out of control, let alone a primary driver of inflation. Supply chain issues and labor shortages are the kick off. But the touch down for big price increases comes from corporate gouging. Read some Robert Reich on substack for documented details of "profit pricing". We gave big companies big tax breaks and they gave us the shaft. I am a Capitalist. But we are being taken for a long painful ride by the oligarchs.
So the short answer is, even if Biden had replaced Powell with someone "acceptable" he or she would have brought the same sledge hammer to the party.
Thank you. I am going to take Robert Reich’s, “Wealth and Poverty” online class which will be an eye-opener. I respect him a great deal.
Totally agree. I didn't comment on it but it is perplexing. I can only imagine that Biden sat down with Powell before reappointing him and Powell convinced him that he knew what he was doing and the path he would take is best for the country. Or possibly Biden did not want a confrontation with the Senate if he appointed someone else.
Both make sense. Thanks.
Charles, Your first paragraph would make a great Letter to the Editor!
Great idea! Thank you Laurie.
Agree with most of your comments but the reality is most Americans do not understand the economy and the drivers and all they relate to is the price of gas and the costs of food and the media over fixation on the economy which BTW on a technical and economic level actually is doing well against inflationary pressures.
Charles, Unfortunately much of the electorate is too illiterate to understand and the mass media too caught up in polling data to report the truth.
The voting public certainly does not, in general, appreciate the workings of economic policy. As Democrats, we need to tell them why we would do a better job than the Republicans in improving their own personal welfare, financially and otherwise. And we need to do a much better job telling our story because they, again generally, mistakenly believe that Republicans are better managers of the economy.
I think your assessment is totally incorrect. To assume the electorate is illiterate because they support Trump and MAGA is not true. Many of his ardent supporters are Ivy League graduates and lawyers. The electorate believes what is in their best interest to believe and makes them feel welcomed and understood. The media are chasing viewers and clicks and have gone overboard trying to appear fair and balanced. Some issues are too complicated to be understood like the economy beyond gas prices and costs of groceries and finally we have 30 to 49 percent of the population who can’t be bothered to vote.
I disagree to a certain point. First, I know full well that many of those who support Trump and MAGA are very astute and understand economics all too well. The fact is they don't want to pay taxes and they don't want government regulation thwarting their business, personal or otherwise. I know this based on personal experience. Second, yes, the media is focused on profits and while some may claim they've gone overboard to appear fair and balanced, I think the NY Times and WAPO have done exceptional jobs uncovering information in a very difficult environment. Would I prefer they use clearer terms such as "lied"? Absolutely. But they are maintaining a modicum of composure in their articles. Finally, you hit the nail on the head. Basic economic issues, e.g. inflation caused by the pandemic and Putin's terrorism campaign in Ukraine, should not present a difficult subject for middle America to understand. Therein is the problem.
Why hasn't the war crimes trial of Putin started even if it means an empty chair for Putin. How can a civilized world continue to tolerate this horror to continue? Isn't there a way to penetrate the Kremlin and take him out? Why is NATO not acting in response to the possibility/probability of taking out the dam and jeopardizing so many lives with the nuclear power plants out of control? Is a nuclear power plant explosion less horrendous than a deliberately dropped nuclear weapon? When are the Russian people/oligarchs going to rebel and take Putin out of power? It is time for NATO and the UN to step in -- either Putin is removed from power or Russia is totally cut off from the rest of the world and its economy. Other than the "threat" of nuclear weapons when it seems a nuclear catastrophe is inevitable sooner than later, why are we waiting any longer for more thousands of people to die. It is time to stop Putin!
Putin is supported by an entire toxic state, and where are the Russian ex-pats in protest?
https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1584302177656311808?s=20&t=1G6IraGBHkG8QBTAP0DHVg
https://twitter.com/IlvesToomas/status/1583974074467831808?s=20&t=1G6IraGBHkG8QBTAP0DHVg
YES!
What I don't understand is Democrats not pointing out that the inflation is driven by Republicans: oil companies have made a windfall profit and have kept oil and gas extraordinarily high priced for consumers while blaming the Democrats for this. Such hypocrisy.
Katie Porter also pointed out recently in a congressional hearing that corporate profits across the board, not just in oil companies, are outrageously high and contributing greatly towards this inflation and the suffering it causes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ixmqzjvb7k
Many of these companies also happen to be major Republican donors.
They need to be called out, picketed or something. Food prices alone are highway robbery.
A further thought I have is simply that the oil companies are making up for the money they lost during 2020 when the world was in lockdown.
"What do you call it when the leader of one country tries to freeze to death an entire civilian population in order to achieve his military expansionist goals?"
You call it GENOCIDE.
And if the chardonnay-swilling, cucumber sandwish-snarfing Volvo drivers don't like it, then as we used to say in the Navy, "Take your Tough Shit card to the chaplain, and he will punch you."
As to the dumbassed traitors here, if the Dims in DC lose, and want to defuse the spending limit bomb, then in the lame-duck, they pass a spending limit that runs out in September 2024 and dare the Republicans to take it hostage during Dear Leader's re-election campaign. Or they [pass a debt limit that won't run out for 15 years and kills if effectively. Since they have Sinemannhin to deal with, they can't just carve out a filibuster exception and kill it dead. The action can be taken as "reconciliation," and they have a "reconciliation" left to use, so it only takes 50 votes in the Senate. Even Sinemanchin can figure this out.
Regarding the use of “genocide”. This was first used at the Nuremberg trials and the word was coined by Rafael Lemkin who was referring to groups of people. Hersh Lauterpact used “crimes against humanity” which was used more broadly at Nuremberg to mean individuals.
Putin falls into both categories.
I took a media break for awhile because I was sick. Upon returning I was/wasn't surprised to see how amped up, screaming doom (on both sides), loaded words, angry faces, angry voices, illogical viewpoints, media saturation, lies (on both sides), the midterms have become. Being politically active is one thing. Allowing ourselves to be consumed by the 24 hour news cycle is a huge waste of time and is most definitely not healthy.
"In missive #21 (Don’t Believe It) on Tuesday, he addressed the issue of political fatalism, specifically the media narrative that the party in power necessarily does poorly in midterm elections.
“The effect of this kind of reporting can be jarring – it can get inside the average American’s head and scramble it,” Moore wrote. “You can start to feel deflated. You want to quit. You start believing that we liberals are a bunch of losers. And by thinking of ourselves this way, if you’re not careful, you begin to manifest the old narrative into existence.”
Michael Moore, The Guardian October 2022
Thank you, again, Robert, for your wonderful support of The States Project Giving Circles! With 2 weeks until Nov. 8, this is a great reminder for how to work smart, including to support each Giving Circle's Rapid Response fundraising for last-minute state legislative electoral opportunities (like when a sure-win Dem candidate in Arizona dropped out, so now voters have to be educated to write in the name of the new candidate), ballot curing, helping with recounts, etc.
And big thanks to all donors!
Also, dear fellow Hubbell GC leaders, we'd love to hear from you to share ideas and support each other!
Ellie Kona on behalf of Tending to Democracy Giving Circle
https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-to-Democracy
Ellie, i also want to pile on the thanks for those participating in The States project Giving Circles. I live in one of those states, Minnesota, in the 2nd Congressional District; current incumbent is Rep. Angie Craig (D - MN)The race here has become the second most expensive race in the country!! It is mind-boggling how ugly the debates have been and how many lies have been told and believed by my neighbors.
Tomorrow, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff will be here to kick off a rally for Craig. Afterwards, many of us will go door knocking. I’m looking forward to helping get out the vote!
Just wanted to stop here and say thank you though to Robert Hubbell for helping me keep my hopes up, to you Ellie for posting helpful links when they are most needed, and to everyone here who has donated.
I never thought I would be the one having to fight to preserve democracy. But here I am. Glad to have help from so many others!
Sending you a virtual power booster!
Remember when the NRA laundered rubles for Republicans and Ron Johnson and others went to visit Putin? When Ivanka enjoyed sitting in Putin's chair? Today we have ex-generals helping out Saudi Arabia -- MBS and Putin are pals and both enjoy messing around with us. MBS tortured a friend of mine. The Putinists on Faux News and in our government are straight-up traitors. Don't even get me started. Evil is loud and proud these days.....
You're already off to a good start, keep going.
The Democrats have failed to deliver effective messaging, which should be EASY, given all the Republican antics. If you are not offended by profanity, I encourage you to watch this. It tells in blunt terms why you should not vote for Republicans at all. Again, if you know folks who would appreciate this message, please pass it on. (TC this should be right up your alley!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtQpACzZn5I
👏👏👏👏👏
Your point on Social Security and Medicare is well taken and the Democrats need to do much more than make statements. Some legislative action to secure future financial stability is in order and could be published even during the pre-election recess for immediate attention on their return.
Like some other posters, I don't understand or support the DoJ going to sleep until Nov. 9 in what appears to be an attempt at maintaining business as usual. The authoritarians certainly have not.
Robert
Thank you as always. I try to hold on to your exhortations to ignore (not entirely) the polls. I give money and write postcards. But --- once again the mainstream media has a corrosive impact on my emotional state. I do follow your advice - but the current drumbeat of 'Dem Disaster' engenders despair that I (and your readers) try to ignore. And -- the English language has run out of adjectives to describe the utter mendacity and moral bankruptcy of the Replicans.
Replicans?
Reptilicans?
Reptiblicans? (My favorite)
While Robert Hubbell bravely offers the nation clarity and hope in his heartening daily dispatches, America burns in an information inferno fueled by the lies manufactured by the ruling elites who control the corporate, capitalistic economy. It seems pretty clear after reading Thomas Piketty's Capital in the Twenty-First Century that "The GOP's allegiance to Putin isn't front page headlines everywhere, every day" because the corrupt corporate-owned media obediently serves the interests of money and power instead of truth and justice. The situation makes one wonder if the lack of action on the DOJ's part, i.e., its reluctance to hold "Trump and his traitor accomplices" accountable," as you put it, investigate Putin's relationship with the GOP as well as the price gouging by the oil companies, are part of the same tendency of our government agencies nowadays to favor the interests of an economy rigged in favor of the plutocrats and oligarchs instead of the welfare of the American people. If true, this trend may also explain the widespread apathy among Americans who perceive that the economy is rigged against them and opt out in despair. When George Bernard Shaw famously said " The lack of money is the root of all evil" he had the gross injustice of economic inequality in mind, a symptom of the greed that's driven civilizations to worship Mammon and suffer drastic consequences throughout the ages, an insidious disease that's only cure may be the rock band Ten Years After's prescription for radial democracy: "Tax the rich, feed the poor, until there are no rich no more!"
Thank you Robert for your daily pep talks! Last Saturday's was especially effective. I've sent it to many friends to help them crawl out of their hand-wringing and get busy.
As for me, I'm headed to Milwaukee Wisconsin on November 3rd with a 30+ strong group from the Seattle area, associated with Common Power. Folks from any part of the country are welcome to join us (or if you want to be part of a CP group in another battleground state, there are options there too.) My wife and I have been part of this effort in WI in 2018 and 2020 and there is NOTHING like being on the ground, talking with voters, helping them navigate the voting system, etc. The CP group has a well-oiled relationship with the WisDems and other groups that know how to use us effectively. And when 30 or 40 of us show up at Dem headquarters we offer a meaningful boost to the local volunteers who can scarcely believe we've made the 2,000 mile trek to join them. Plus, we form a community for mutual support. Can't think of a better group to share election night with! Still time to join up and make your hotel reservation: https://community.commonpower.io/main/groups/49906/lounge/posts/930285?tab=comment
You are right, of course. Most Americans have no understanding of fiscal or monetary policy. What they understand is higher prices at the supermarket and at the pump. So it is incumbent on Democrats to convince voters that we can do more for them than Republicans to address their personal, immediate, concerns.
Hi Robert,
On the usage of the word genocide regarding Putin. I think it's also fair to point out that Putin has also been kidnapping Ukrainian children and is trying to erase their identity.