Regarding the statement made by Judge Merchan which strongly suggests intimidation by trump’s lawyers:
I have often wondered why more has not been written about the intimidation, threats of violence, as well as actual violence by trump and MAGA. It is an established pattern which is a direct threat to our way of life. There have been stories about members of Congress who vote with trump because they are afraid for their family’s safety. There was the report about the woman who attempted to keep trump out of a hallowed area of Arlington and declined to press charges for fear of retaliation. January 6th. People in government, journalism and the law have been changing their behavior because they fear for their safety.
This is another important story that legacy media has refused to cover.
I have often wondered about this to the point of considering that Trump has ways of silencing people that might come close to what a mob boss would do. Does he, or someone in his circle, threaten people’s lives or that of their family members? How does he get people to give in so completely?
In the past he didn't do it himself; he had his minions do it! But now he threatens people out loud, over and over again! He's the worst human being I've had knowledge of!
Agreed. Always wondered how it was that Lindsey Graham did such an about face. I bet Trump has got something on him. I bet Trump has a whole department of dirt gathering for such purposes.
Angry threats have become the horrifying norm, even at the local level. A friend posted a question on our Next Door Neighbor website asking if anyone knew of any immigration lawyers willing to do some pro bono work....in central NC no less. She got death threats. Yes, Trump does a lot of his own bullying and threatening, but above and beyond that he has normalized and legitimized that sort of behavior throughout our country. Trump and social media....it is extremely unfortunate they emerged at the same time. A horrific symbiotic relationship.
Betsy Clarke, You meant "Arlington cemetery," not Arlington. Just in case you, and/or some readers are not aware, Arlington Cemetery is where American soldiers are buried with due honors.
Thank you for sharing the link to Ann Telnaes' article and cartoon on Substack. The cartoon should go viral and be seen by more people than it would have been had the editors not bowed to the mafia. I posted it on Twitter as well as Bluesky, writing:" @Anntelnaes quit her job at @washington post because editors didn't want readers (and the powers to be) to see this cartoon. Obviously too close to reality. Share!"
I dropped my subscription to WaPo when they decided not to endorse anyone in the presidential election. (I had dropped the NY Times months before after they printed opinion piecess by some of the worst Trump apologists).
Ann Telnaes' political cartoons were one of the reasons I kept my WaPo subscription as long as a I did. I hadn't realized she had a Substack, but I subscribed this morning and will share with my friends.
Great, thank you for your political action! I canceled my Amazon Prime subscription and during the year my NYT’s one. As a consumer of goods we have more power than we think we do and I can do without conveniences and withdraw support from companies as part of my resistance. I think lots of us forget this and think it won’t make a difference but it can and it does if we act together. Just like all the millions of postcards that were sent out. Each card was done by hand by one person.
I droppped mine too to both. But at times I am conflicted because they do have a fleet of journalists to do research etc. and, every once in a while, that results in an important story.
I've been subscribing to Clay Jones and Jack Ohlman, both cartoonists are on substack. Their toons can be seen on GoComics as well. Check out GoComics political toons - no charge. The MAGA ones are interesting for the lies they repeat. GoComics used to allow comments on the toons - they're supposed to start up again. Clay BTW has been posting his toons on a daily basis for years unlike most cartoonists.
“Staggering in the right direction” doesn't quite hit the mark for me. I’d like to see less infighting, less Tom Suozzi-like capitulation, and, for the love of whatever deity you observe, we need a strong DNC Chair. Once again, that race resembles a clown show, with Congressman Jonathan Jackson allegedly set to enter the race. Ben Wikler and Ken Martin are the strongest candidates, but it’s unclear whether either will fully commit to a fifty-state strategy going forward. I'm supporting Wikler because he’s changed the culture of the Wisconsin Democratic Party even if he didn't deliver his state for Harris. I have questions, though.
The party needs to reinvent itself, and, to me, the best way to do that is by becoming the party of healthcare. The ACA was a giant leap forward, but many hoped it would also be a wedge towards some form of universal healthcare. The political climate prevented that, and the failed “Medicare for All” proposals were a disaster. We need new proposals, but the murder of the United Healthcare CEO shows that our system is at its breaking point. I spent two weeks in the hospital last month, and the nurses and other staff at both hospitals I was in (long story) are well aware of it. Those two things, a fifty-state strategy and a focus on healthcare reform, could help us redefine the party for a generation, but it needs to start now. Instead, we have guys like Suozzi, Fetterman, and others kissing the ring in capitulation to Trump. That does not give me a lot of hope. On the other hand, I have tremendous faith in the newly activated grassroots movements and in people like Marc Elias and many others who are trying to create a unified resistance. We can do this, but the Party needs to get its act together now.
Fair point and good suggestion. But don't forget that reforming healthcare is a task of herculean proportions. Compare it to the system in most western democracies and you realize that in the US the whole healthcare sector actually has become part of organized crime. Obamacare was (and is) a laudable effort to alleviate the burden on the individual but it stopped short of reigning in the exorbitant costs the healthcare sector levies on the whole society.
And it did so for a good reason. President Obama was realistic enough not to take on the whole entangled web of interests of insurances, hospitals and pharmaceuticals. With their donations they grease the wheels of Congress, Republicans as well as Democrats depend on their goodwill. SCOTUS with the Citizens United decision took good care of that.
So without strong financial campaign laws worthy of a functioning democracy Democrats and their representatives have to be very careful. Some interesting statistics: The US presidential elections in 2016 cost 2700 million Euros, the parliamentary elections in the UK (2015) 85 million Euros, in Germany (2013) 65 million Euros, in Japan (2012) 11 million Euros. On the French presidential elections in 2012 candidates spent 66 million Euros.
Dean I agree with many of your comments except while healthcare is important the economic well being of those voters in the lower third of the economic scale who care about the price of eggs and butter are or should be a target group that Democrats need to win. Ben Wikler did s great job in Wisconsin but the entire country is a whole new ballgame. Frankly I am not thrilled with any candidate so far
I stand by my stance on healthcare, but you’re right that the working class is the key. The reason I'm advocating healthcare is that the system is on the verge of collapsing. When the GOP inevitably repeals or weakens the ACA, that part of the electorate will be disproportionately affected, and that’s not even mentioning what will happen to Medicaid and Medicare. Many of those voters don't understand those potential actions but wait until the return of being denied care because of preexisting conditions. So again, it’s not the only issue, but it is the closest to complete collapse.
Dean I was very active in the operational implementation of the ACA and it not going to collapse anytime soon especially since the Republicans have no viable alternative. The biggest threat is Medicare and Social Security changes and that is a different message. As long as the Pharmaceutical companies lobby Congress. Healthcare costs will not change.
My wife was also very involved in the ACA's implementation and thinks it’s on the verge of collapse. That said, reasonable people can disagree, and I understand your points. My overarching point remains, though. Democrats have been the party of healthcare, but no one knows that. Look at how the ACA polls; if it’s called ACA, it polls well, but Obama-care polls twenty points less. They're the same thing. Obama should have never accepted the GOP branding. His ego got the best of him.
I'm also not saying that this will be an easy fight. I just want to ensure voters understand who fights for them and who doesn't. We’ve never been good at making that distinction.
Dean all I am saying is the infrastructure that runs and manages the ACA is not collapsing. The pricing and how the healthcare infrastructure of pharmaceutical companies, insurance, PBM and doctors and hospitals are integrated and price services is a complete mess. No party is going to fix it unless the major players agree.
Sure, healthcare for all should be a winning strategy. But it can't be the usual wonk based approach of which Dems are so fond. We need slogans! We need villains! We need sob stories! We need even more sob stories! We need more slogans! We need villains and we need to crucify them! *
*In light of recent events I should say that I don't mean that last part literally.
Honestly, I don't know how that comes across but I am not kidding. The details barely matter and even then only if the damn thing passes. The fundamental nut is that "everyone" kinda sorta acknowledgers how bad our healthcare system has become but "nobody" has been willing to say in plain language that our system is actually the worst model: Highest cost, most waste, bad outcomes pretty much predictable along economic lines, arguably the worst service (tough to measure but nobody any longer dares to try to claim that long waits are a "feature" only of the Canadian and UK systems) and the least extensive coverage (of people; I'm not sure about conditions).
If one wants to make healthcare the centerpiece of a political movement one has to face the fact that what ought to be a no brainer has turned into a multi decade fiasco. Until we understand the whys and wherefores of that (see first paragraph above for some thoughts) healthcare cannot support the weight you'd like to put on it.
Thank you for including the link listing the victims of the terrorist attack in New Orleans. It's heartbreaking to take in the enormity of the loss, not only to their families, but to all of us. But it's important to look that loss straight on, say their names, and understand who they were. My thoughts go out to all of the families suffering this terrible loss, especially Tiger Bech's aunt, who, I believe it was noted, is part of this community.
Yes, I believe a lot of us are feeling we need something different. One of my friends has called a meeting to create a positive political group that centers around the earth and human rights. She calls it Better Earth Together Initiative (BETI). She indicates she might even wish that it would evolve into a new political party. However, I’m not wanting to splinter my energies. I want to work with a group in order to elect a Democratic governor in New Jersey in 2025. I need to protect my rights. But, I am quite angry and bored with the Democratic Party. They need to get on with it and fight and message. The Republicans know how to message and fight dirty, so now they walk all over us. The Democrats need to get down. I’m sick of the emails from the DNC asking for money. No more money from me. Where is all that money they raised? What are they going to do with it? Why didn’t AOC get a committee chair? We need to move.
As a life long Democrat, Kathy, you speak for me. As one who is almost 78 I am sickened to continue to have so many old, old clinging members righteously and with entitlement holding on to their pathetic power. Way past time for the younger generations.
On the plus side having dumped all corporate media I am glad to see those writers I knew I would miss quitting and coming to substack. Yay, Ann Telnaes!
Hi Marie! Yes, I am 68 years old. I am a senior citizen and I believe it’s time for a change as well. Yes, I’m grateful for substack and glad to be able to support such wonderful diverse voices,
Are all of us 70+ human beings supposed to sunset ourselves so that publicity seeking brats like AOC get "power"? What has that blithering twit done aside from seek attention? AOC is an empty vessel.
Bitchy You need to read up on AOC yourself, she’s the spunk we need for the future. I’m 73 and too old to run but not too old to see the truth, it is not our future
AOC has learned a lot in the last few years. She’s learned to play the game, but only to a point, and she hasn't abandoned her principles. We need more like her, not less.
AOC is growing and learning and changing -- isn't that what we ask of the Democratic Party? Let's not quarrel over whether she get the prize of a leadership chair -- although I'd be in favor of that. But let's make sure that we hear her and others, that she has influence. Musk has never been elected to anything and he controls the Republican Party's most powerful people even when they hate him and are his rivals. Dems are trying too hard to be inoffensive: "common ground" with Republicans who scorn the rule of law, "across the aisle" when those on the other side would gladly lock up millions of men, woman, and children, "common sense solution" when we are asked to agree that it is "common sense" to have an all powerful autocrat who is above the law? Count me out and in opposition and resistance.
You are spot on here. Also, it’s important to remember that AOC comes from the working class, which is the group we need to reach the most. Listening to her only makes sense.
I have respect for AOC and Jasmine Crockett. I am 76 and we need leadership that will have wins, the Pelosis and Schumers in Virginia the McAuliffe's and Louise Lucas need to step aside and let the forward thinkers, who will fight back, take the reins! Let me add, the Clinton's, Carville's, Axelrods need to stay in retirement, I am not interested in anything they say.
This is becoming a mantra for me. Check out David Hogg's Leaders We Deserve, focused entirely on our young generation of candidates and voters. A Parkland High School mass shooting survivor, David is running for Vice-chair of the DNC. I am a monthly supporter. I am 80 years old.
Kathy, I am neither angry nor bored with the Democratic Party. No one could have fought harder or smarter than Harris and Walz did, and we came so close. I watched nearly every rally speech Harris gave; it was filled with messaging about middle class struggles and excellent, practical proposals for raising all boats. Trump did not win with brilliant messaging. He won, by a sliver, because too many of our fellow citizens are not "ready" for a Black/Asian woman as president, and they drink in only the Fox News side of the story. The right wing own very many media outlets now. Very sad, the voters only hurt themselves, but there we are.
I agree Harris - Walz fought hard. But putting a 78 year old in charge of a sub committee and sticking with older messaging is not what I hear people want. I am 68. Time for new blood. Amy Klobuchar for Senate leader. I don’t believe Harris was Pelosi’s choice …
I agree. The Harris/Walz campaign was full of joy and possibility. Harris is competent. Too many folks went for Fox News, retribution, and supposed celebrity. I’m feeling a bit sunk by all of that just now.
Are there any grassroots groups that get involved in NJ? (I'm in NC and in prior off-year elections, I have been involved with VA). I like Swing Left (www.swingleft.org), Vote Forward (www.votefwd.org) and Activate America (www.activateamerica.vote). But none of them have posted anything about 2025 campaigns.
Yes, and I was struck by it needing to be more emotionally appealing than the facts and the law. It's like the difference between doing things right and doing the right thing.
I think many of us are “staggering” and still trying to make sense of what has happened. If I understand this reader’s sentiment correctly, we have done all we could to share facts and information about how policies would affect those who cling to propaganda or who chose not to get informed. All to no avail. We are exhausted and disillusioned. I struggle with the concept that a large proportion of those eligible to vote simply chose not to. And a larger proportion is so woefully brainwashed and hateful. We have worked and given until we have been tapped out physically, financially, emotionally. And they didn’t care, about policies, other people, democracy, justice, the rule of law, etc. . For me, personality, it feels like something broke inside me. I know that’s not encouraging to others in a space that is supposed to be. But I think we have to acknowledge the reality of what we are experiencing because a lot of us are suffering with this. To heal anything, you first have to acknowledge it.
I hear you, Pamsy. But I agree with Robert that "staggering" is still moving forward. I am staggering, so I don't fall down. I am staggering to move closer. I am staggering because I know that because of luck, education, moderate health, and moderate wealth relative to the lowest third in income in our country, I have the freedom to act, even when those in my "class" and "circle," family and friends think I am being too gloomy and think I should shut up and all the Democrats want me to do is give them more money so that they can "fight" the Republican threat that they have already bowed down to. I'll stagger today to walk upright tomorrow and march when I can and fight when we must.
You put that so well. Thank you. I’m exhausted in many ways myself. They won’t break us. We have put way too much faith in money and markets, advertising and glitz. It’s hollow. Tomorrow I’ll post info about a book I read this weekend called We are All Jaguars . It’s beautiful and inspirational.
I know it is a long message that I copied and pasted into the comments. It is from my Congressman, Jamie Raskin. When he says he wants to hear ideas from you, he means it.
"In the days after the election, I heard from thousands of people expressing fear of what is to come and anxiety about what it means for American democracy and freedom.
I have shared those feelings. But we can’t let fear and anxiety paralyze us.
Rather, they must become a catalyst for strong action. One person’s courage in the face of danger can embolden hundreds of thousands more, and together we can—and we must—fight to remake American politics.
I have asked myself what I can do to turn this situation around and have already taken some risks to make change.
I chose to leave my secure position as Ranking Member on the House Oversight Committee to run for Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee to confront directly the MAGA assault on the Constitution and the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, voting rights, birthright citizenship and immigrant rights and the reproductive freedoms of American women.
The Democratic Caucus voted unanimously to make this change right before our Christmas recess and I was endorsed by my friend Jerry Nadler, the top Judiciary Democrat in the 118th Congress whose half-century political career is a model of inspiring progressive leadership.
But that's just the start.
As you know, my campaign raised and contributed more than $2 million to front-line Democrats and insurgent challengers in 2024. Our Democracy Summer project put more than 1,000 high school and college students into the field to win swing districts and states and changed a lot of young people’s lives in the process.
Still, I know we can do a whole lot more to change American politics. We need Democracy Summer in Senate races as well as House races. We need to help provide candidate training to excellent people thinking of making the plunge across the country. And we can raise a lot more money for Democrats in swing districts by expanding our very successful Monthly Mavericks program.
We need to devise far better ways of reaching and organizing people who are not watching MSNBC or CNN. We need a more creative and pervasive social media presence which junior House Members like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett and Maxwell Frost can help us build.
But here’s the key thing: I want to know what you think needs to be done to strategize and organize for victory in the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.
We have been through the battles of our times together and you doubtless have excellent insights on how we can and should proceed to win. I want—and indeed I need—to hear from you about how we rebuild to win. Your ideas will inform and help crystallize a plan of action I offer to my supporters in Maryland and across the country.
So please gather your best brainstorming thoughts, analyses, constructive suggestions, provocations, and ideas about the giant fight ahead, and submit them to me using the form linked below.
SHARE YOUR BEST THOUGHTS AND IDEAS
With great solidarity and enduring gratitude,
Jamie Raskin
Ps. Now more than ever we need to brainstorm and listen to each other, strengthen the bonds of affection and community, and pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off for the long road ahead. Smart activism will be the antidote to despair, and strong community the fertile common ground in which new ideas and plans for action will blossom and grow. So please share all your best thoughts with me HERE and let’s organize to make strong democracy in America a dynamic reality in 2026 and beyond.
When you copied and pasted, you lost the hyperlink. Please right click on the link, copy and paste it into a separate broswer window, and then copy the link address into Substack. Thanks!
I think I speak for all of us that, (with just a very few successes), this complete failure of the justice system to hold so-and-so to account has felt like a long, excruciating, kick to the gut.
The reality of what is going on in the House and the posturing might be important to us but a majority of voters are not engaged. To them it’s just government politics and they are turned off. That is the challenge we have. The same applies to the ruling and conviction of Trump with no penalties or jail time. To many this will be viewed as Trump beating the system. Remember perception is reality for many people.
"Government Politics" is a mouthful. I know people who view the running of our government as "politics" and brush it aside. They aren't interested in politics, but the fact is "politics" can exist anywhere there is power to be had - in any company or corporate office. Many just see the surface "political news", and have no idea how our actual government works or what is actually happening as regards governing our country.
A couple of thoughts. First, to me the most important thing yesterday was that Trump had to negotiate with Republican House members to get Mike (“Lil’ Mikey”) Johnson elected as Speaker. That bled Trump’s power a little. Just a tiny bit, but the lame duck process has begun.
Also, Justice Merchan has consistently shown a lot of class, unlike the Defendant, all of whose class is third. Or maybe fourth.
President Biden awarded a bunch of Presidential Medals yesterday. I wish he’d awarded one to Judge Merchan, but understand why doing so might have been unwise.
I think "staggering in the right direction" applies to Judge Merchan as well. I certainly appreciate his tenacity. I've said this before and I'll say it again, Judge Merchan should have been head of the DOJ for the last 4 years.
Similar to Robert’s theme toward the end of his post…good news is that the DALLAS MORNING NEWS January 3 paper published a recent LTE I had submitted. I’ll paste the link below. Just as our grassroots efforts didn’t always wait for marching orders last year, or 4 years ago, or after 2016, we should not wait now for some “10 Instruction” tablets from the DNC. I am pledging to reallocate half of my reading/posting/commiserating time to some sort of action that reaches people who don’t support Democrats or aren’t involved at all. I’d be thrilled for anyone to copy/modify/send to their own papers if they wish.
Cathy, excellent letter. Thank you for sharing. I would like to copy/modify/send a similar LTE to my local newspaper, using yours as an excellent template. Much appreciated.
Thank you, Cathy. I still have some PTSD following the election and can't find the words that I need to write a letter to the editor right now. This will get me going in the right direction!
Friends, I see that the VICTORIA ADVOCATE also published this letter! I am wondering if there are smaller papers out there that are hungry for letters? I am on a quest!
Re the readers comment, “having the facts and law” doesn’t work because the Tech Bros know that having money and power allows them to ignore laws and facts. As the Koch Bros demonstrated, its just the cost of doing business
Definitely staggering, direction unknown. One thought: there was an ad yesterday about the number of Kentuckians who depend on the social safety net. We've done those before, but this one reminded me of how powerful they are. I think we should do more - multiple ads for every state dramatizing the fact that every family has or knows someone whose life will be devastated by cut to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare. This seems like advertising red meat and a powerful way to explain part of what Dems are for. Maybe the same for union membership, public safety programs, other? We need to hit back hard. These guys are not f#$king around.
Your response inspired this (undeveloped) thought. Consider the time, effort, energy, expense (financial and otherwise) the grassroots alone (new group? Grassroots Alone?) in calling, texting, writing letters and postcards…… for campaigns and getting out the vote. Why do we not continue that work, that campaign, right now as a persuasion/information campaign?
Too simplistic? (I confess not knowing what strategies made a positive difference. Does anyone know? Is it knowable?) Do we keep doing the same thing and expect different outcomes?
I realize I just tossed out a thought and by the end questioned it. I guess I am staggering in circles.
Real question. Full disclosure: if Substack is considered social media, then it is the only social media I personally engage with. (Don’t end a sentence with a preposition, Colleen.) I agree it’s an enormously powerful tool to be used. And I also wonder about people like me who are not in the social media whirl. (Somebody out there is savvy enough to create Super Bowl ads. Are they all Republicans? Might there not be similar creative people to help come up different ways for us to connect more broadly, deeply, effectively? And not to suggest tv ads are the way to go. Just using that example of smart, creative souls.)
Regarding the statement made by Judge Merchan which strongly suggests intimidation by trump’s lawyers:
I have often wondered why more has not been written about the intimidation, threats of violence, as well as actual violence by trump and MAGA. It is an established pattern which is a direct threat to our way of life. There have been stories about members of Congress who vote with trump because they are afraid for their family’s safety. There was the report about the woman who attempted to keep trump out of a hallowed area of Arlington and declined to press charges for fear of retaliation. January 6th. People in government, journalism and the law have been changing their behavior because they fear for their safety.
This is another important story that legacy media has refused to cover.
I have often wondered about this to the point of considering that Trump has ways of silencing people that might come close to what a mob boss would do. Does he, or someone in his circle, threaten people’s lives or that of their family members? How does he get people to give in so completely?
Me, too. Russian mob.
In the past he didn't do it himself; he had his minions do it! But now he threatens people out loud, over and over again! He's the worst human being I've had knowledge of!
Agreed. Always wondered how it was that Lindsey Graham did such an about face. I bet Trump has got something on him. I bet Trump has a whole department of dirt gathering for such purposes.
I agree! Gotta be something like that.
45 learned from mob lawyer, Roy Cohn.
Angry threats have become the horrifying norm, even at the local level. A friend posted a question on our Next Door Neighbor website asking if anyone knew of any immigration lawyers willing to do some pro bono work....in central NC no less. She got death threats. Yes, Trump does a lot of his own bullying and threatening, but above and beyond that he has normalized and legitimized that sort of behavior throughout our country. Trump and social media....it is extremely unfortunate they emerged at the same time. A horrific symbiotic relationship.
I agree wholeheartedly. And to top it off, Justice Roberts has the nerve to whine about threats to SCOTUS.
Betsy Clarke, You meant "Arlington cemetery," not Arlington. Just in case you, and/or some readers are not aware, Arlington Cemetery is where American soldiers are buried with due honors.
Thank you for sharing the link to Ann Telnaes' article and cartoon on Substack. The cartoon should go viral and be seen by more people than it would have been had the editors not bowed to the mafia. I posted it on Twitter as well as Bluesky, writing:" @Anntelnaes quit her job at @washington post because editors didn't want readers (and the powers to be) to see this cartoon. Obviously too close to reality. Share!"
Yes, please do!
I dropped my subscription to WaPo when they decided not to endorse anyone in the presidential election. (I had dropped the NY Times months before after they printed opinion piecess by some of the worst Trump apologists).
Ann Telnaes' political cartoons were one of the reasons I kept my WaPo subscription as long as a I did. I hadn't realized she had a Substack, but I subscribed this morning and will share with my friends.
Great, thank you for your political action! I canceled my Amazon Prime subscription and during the year my NYT’s one. As a consumer of goods we have more power than we think we do and I can do without conveniences and withdraw support from companies as part of my resistance. I think lots of us forget this and think it won’t make a difference but it can and it does if we act together. Just like all the millions of postcards that were sent out. Each card was done by hand by one person.
I droppped mine too to both. But at times I am conflicted because they do have a fleet of journalists to do research etc. and, every once in a while, that results in an important story.
Note that it is yet again another woman showing the rest of us what real courage looks like.
I've been subscribing to Clay Jones and Jack Ohlman, both cartoonists are on substack. Their toons can be seen on GoComics as well. Check out GoComics political toons - no charge. The MAGA ones are interesting for the lies they repeat. GoComics used to allow comments on the toons - they're supposed to start up again. Clay BTW has been posting his toons on a daily basis for years unlike most cartoonists.
Re: Ann Telnaes
Re: Jeff Bezos and The Washington Post
"The most radical and the only secure form of possession is destruction, for only what we have destroyed is safely and forever ours."
Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism
Frightening!
“Staggering in the right direction” doesn't quite hit the mark for me. I’d like to see less infighting, less Tom Suozzi-like capitulation, and, for the love of whatever deity you observe, we need a strong DNC Chair. Once again, that race resembles a clown show, with Congressman Jonathan Jackson allegedly set to enter the race. Ben Wikler and Ken Martin are the strongest candidates, but it’s unclear whether either will fully commit to a fifty-state strategy going forward. I'm supporting Wikler because he’s changed the culture of the Wisconsin Democratic Party even if he didn't deliver his state for Harris. I have questions, though.
The party needs to reinvent itself, and, to me, the best way to do that is by becoming the party of healthcare. The ACA was a giant leap forward, but many hoped it would also be a wedge towards some form of universal healthcare. The political climate prevented that, and the failed “Medicare for All” proposals were a disaster. We need new proposals, but the murder of the United Healthcare CEO shows that our system is at its breaking point. I spent two weeks in the hospital last month, and the nurses and other staff at both hospitals I was in (long story) are well aware of it. Those two things, a fifty-state strategy and a focus on healthcare reform, could help us redefine the party for a generation, but it needs to start now. Instead, we have guys like Suozzi, Fetterman, and others kissing the ring in capitulation to Trump. That does not give me a lot of hope. On the other hand, I have tremendous faith in the newly activated grassroots movements and in people like Marc Elias and many others who are trying to create a unified resistance. We can do this, but the Party needs to get its act together now.
Fair point and good suggestion. But don't forget that reforming healthcare is a task of herculean proportions. Compare it to the system in most western democracies and you realize that in the US the whole healthcare sector actually has become part of organized crime. Obamacare was (and is) a laudable effort to alleviate the burden on the individual but it stopped short of reigning in the exorbitant costs the healthcare sector levies on the whole society.
And it did so for a good reason. President Obama was realistic enough not to take on the whole entangled web of interests of insurances, hospitals and pharmaceuticals. With their donations they grease the wheels of Congress, Republicans as well as Democrats depend on their goodwill. SCOTUS with the Citizens United decision took good care of that.
So without strong financial campaign laws worthy of a functioning democracy Democrats and their representatives have to be very careful. Some interesting statistics: The US presidential elections in 2016 cost 2700 million Euros, the parliamentary elections in the UK (2015) 85 million Euros, in Germany (2013) 65 million Euros, in Japan (2012) 11 million Euros. On the French presidential elections in 2012 candidates spent 66 million Euros.
Money talks in the US.
Money talks, and money is worshipped in U.S. culture.
These days, you ask a kid what they want to be when they grow up. They will say “rich.”
"Money doesn't talk - it swears" - thank you Bob Dylan!
Personally, I’m fed up with talking money.
Dean I agree with many of your comments except while healthcare is important the economic well being of those voters in the lower third of the economic scale who care about the price of eggs and butter are or should be a target group that Democrats need to win. Ben Wikler did s great job in Wisconsin but the entire country is a whole new ballgame. Frankly I am not thrilled with any candidate so far
I stand by my stance on healthcare, but you’re right that the working class is the key. The reason I'm advocating healthcare is that the system is on the verge of collapsing. When the GOP inevitably repeals or weakens the ACA, that part of the electorate will be disproportionately affected, and that’s not even mentioning what will happen to Medicaid and Medicare. Many of those voters don't understand those potential actions but wait until the return of being denied care because of preexisting conditions. So again, it’s not the only issue, but it is the closest to complete collapse.
Dean I was very active in the operational implementation of the ACA and it not going to collapse anytime soon especially since the Republicans have no viable alternative. The biggest threat is Medicare and Social Security changes and that is a different message. As long as the Pharmaceutical companies lobby Congress. Healthcare costs will not change.
My wife was also very involved in the ACA's implementation and thinks it’s on the verge of collapse. That said, reasonable people can disagree, and I understand your points. My overarching point remains, though. Democrats have been the party of healthcare, but no one knows that. Look at how the ACA polls; if it’s called ACA, it polls well, but Obama-care polls twenty points less. They're the same thing. Obama should have never accepted the GOP branding. His ego got the best of him.
I'm also not saying that this will be an easy fight. I just want to ensure voters understand who fights for them and who doesn't. We’ve never been good at making that distinction.
Dean all I am saying is the infrastructure that runs and manages the ACA is not collapsing. The pricing and how the healthcare infrastructure of pharmaceutical companies, insurance, PBM and doctors and hospitals are integrated and price services is a complete mess. No party is going to fix it unless the major players agree.
Exactly my point above.
Sure, healthcare for all should be a winning strategy. But it can't be the usual wonk based approach of which Dems are so fond. We need slogans! We need villains! We need sob stories! We need even more sob stories! We need more slogans! We need villains and we need to crucify them! *
*In light of recent events I should say that I don't mean that last part literally.
Honestly, I don't know how that comes across but I am not kidding. The details barely matter and even then only if the damn thing passes. The fundamental nut is that "everyone" kinda sorta acknowledgers how bad our healthcare system has become but "nobody" has been willing to say in plain language that our system is actually the worst model: Highest cost, most waste, bad outcomes pretty much predictable along economic lines, arguably the worst service (tough to measure but nobody any longer dares to try to claim that long waits are a "feature" only of the Canadian and UK systems) and the least extensive coverage (of people; I'm not sure about conditions).
If one wants to make healthcare the centerpiece of a political movement one has to face the fact that what ought to be a no brainer has turned into a multi decade fiasco. Until we understand the whys and wherefores of that (see first paragraph above for some thoughts) healthcare cannot support the weight you'd like to put on it.
For me, Ben Wikler is the clear choice.
I agree 100% with all that you say here.
Thank you for including the link listing the victims of the terrorist attack in New Orleans. It's heartbreaking to take in the enormity of the loss, not only to their families, but to all of us. But it's important to look that loss straight on, say their names, and understand who they were. My thoughts go out to all of the families suffering this terrible loss, especially Tiger Bech's aunt, who, I believe it was noted, is part of this community.
Yes, I believe a lot of us are feeling we need something different. One of my friends has called a meeting to create a positive political group that centers around the earth and human rights. She calls it Better Earth Together Initiative (BETI). She indicates she might even wish that it would evolve into a new political party. However, I’m not wanting to splinter my energies. I want to work with a group in order to elect a Democratic governor in New Jersey in 2025. I need to protect my rights. But, I am quite angry and bored with the Democratic Party. They need to get on with it and fight and message. The Republicans know how to message and fight dirty, so now they walk all over us. The Democrats need to get down. I’m sick of the emails from the DNC asking for money. No more money from me. Where is all that money they raised? What are they going to do with it? Why didn’t AOC get a committee chair? We need to move.
As a life long Democrat, Kathy, you speak for me. As one who is almost 78 I am sickened to continue to have so many old, old clinging members righteously and with entitlement holding on to their pathetic power. Way past time for the younger generations.
On the plus side having dumped all corporate media I am glad to see those writers I knew I would miss quitting and coming to substack. Yay, Ann Telnaes!
Hi Marie! Yes, I am 68 years old. I am a senior citizen and I believe it’s time for a change as well. Yes, I’m grateful for substack and glad to be able to support such wonderful diverse voices,
Are all of us 70+ human beings supposed to sunset ourselves so that publicity seeking brats like AOC get "power"? What has that blithering twit done aside from seek attention? AOC is an empty vessel.
Bitchy You need to read up on AOC yourself, she’s the spunk we need for the future. I’m 73 and too old to run but not too old to see the truth, it is not our future
AOC has learned a lot in the last few years. She’s learned to play the game, but only to a point, and she hasn't abandoned her principles. We need more like her, not less.
AOC is growing and learning and changing -- isn't that what we ask of the Democratic Party? Let's not quarrel over whether she get the prize of a leadership chair -- although I'd be in favor of that. But let's make sure that we hear her and others, that she has influence. Musk has never been elected to anything and he controls the Republican Party's most powerful people even when they hate him and are his rivals. Dems are trying too hard to be inoffensive: "common ground" with Republicans who scorn the rule of law, "across the aisle" when those on the other side would gladly lock up millions of men, woman, and children, "common sense solution" when we are asked to agree that it is "common sense" to have an all powerful autocrat who is above the law? Count me out and in opposition and resistance.
You are spot on here. Also, it’s important to remember that AOC comes from the working class, which is the group we need to reach the most. Listening to her only makes sense.
She needs to be given some power NANCY to show us what she can do for our party and country.
As I have quoted before in Hubbell comments:
You can not shake hands with a clenched fist.
I have respect for AOC and Jasmine Crockett. I am 76 and we need leadership that will have wins, the Pelosis and Schumers in Virginia the McAuliffe's and Louise Lucas need to step aside and let the forward thinkers, who will fight back, take the reins! Let me add, the Clinton's, Carville's, Axelrods need to stay in retirement, I am not interested in anything they say.
This is becoming a mantra for me. Check out David Hogg's Leaders We Deserve, focused entirely on our young generation of candidates and voters. A Parkland High School mass shooting survivor, David is running for Vice-chair of the DNC. I am a monthly supporter. I am 80 years old.
You are spot on about the frequent emails asking for money. Like you, I am done.
Kathy, your most powerful word, IMHO, is "bored." And your disdain for the requests for "donations" is shared.
Kathy, I am neither angry nor bored with the Democratic Party. No one could have fought harder or smarter than Harris and Walz did, and we came so close. I watched nearly every rally speech Harris gave; it was filled with messaging about middle class struggles and excellent, practical proposals for raising all boats. Trump did not win with brilliant messaging. He won, by a sliver, because too many of our fellow citizens are not "ready" for a Black/Asian woman as president, and they drink in only the Fox News side of the story. The right wing own very many media outlets now. Very sad, the voters only hurt themselves, but there we are.
I agree Harris - Walz fought hard. But putting a 78 year old in charge of a sub committee and sticking with older messaging is not what I hear people want. I am 68. Time for new blood. Amy Klobuchar for Senate leader. I don’t believe Harris was Pelosi’s choice …
Amy for Senate leader is spot on!
Wish we could shout it out loud and clear that he won by a sliver!!!!!! No mandate!!
I agree. The Harris/Walz campaign was full of joy and possibility. Harris is competent. Too many folks went for Fox News, retribution, and supposed celebrity. I’m feeling a bit sunk by all of that just now.
Are there any grassroots groups that get involved in NJ? (I'm in NC and in prior off-year elections, I have been involved with VA). I like Swing Left (www.swingleft.org), Vote Forward (www.votefwd.org) and Activate America (www.activateamerica.vote). But none of them have posted anything about 2025 campaigns.
Yes, I’m in an Indivisible group called NJ11 for Change. We helped elect Mikie Sherrill. That’s the group I’m sticking with.
I’m fed up with the requests for money. We’re missing something. Staggering forward is an apt image.
So true anonymous reader that we need something new, different.
Yes, and I was struck by it needing to be more emotionally appealing than the facts and the law. It's like the difference between doing things right and doing the right thing.
"It's like the difference between doing things right and doing the right thing." ✅
I think many of us are “staggering” and still trying to make sense of what has happened. If I understand this reader’s sentiment correctly, we have done all we could to share facts and information about how policies would affect those who cling to propaganda or who chose not to get informed. All to no avail. We are exhausted and disillusioned. I struggle with the concept that a large proportion of those eligible to vote simply chose not to. And a larger proportion is so woefully brainwashed and hateful. We have worked and given until we have been tapped out physically, financially, emotionally. And they didn’t care, about policies, other people, democracy, justice, the rule of law, etc. . For me, personality, it feels like something broke inside me. I know that’s not encouraging to others in a space that is supposed to be. But I think we have to acknowledge the reality of what we are experiencing because a lot of us are suffering with this. To heal anything, you first have to acknowledge it.
I hear you, Pamsy. But I agree with Robert that "staggering" is still moving forward. I am staggering, so I don't fall down. I am staggering to move closer. I am staggering because I know that because of luck, education, moderate health, and moderate wealth relative to the lowest third in income in our country, I have the freedom to act, even when those in my "class" and "circle," family and friends think I am being too gloomy and think I should shut up and all the Democrats want me to do is give them more money so that they can "fight" the Republican threat that they have already bowed down to. I'll stagger today to walk upright tomorrow and march when I can and fight when we must.
Yes. “it feels like something broke inside me.” Exactly. Stagger while we heal? Heal while we stagger?
Stagger I must.
Something has broken in me as well. I have not had the words to say it that way so thank you. Broken is the right word.
You put that so well. Thank you. I’m exhausted in many ways myself. They won’t break us. We have put way too much faith in money and markets, advertising and glitz. It’s hollow. Tomorrow I’ll post info about a book I read this weekend called We are All Jaguars . It’s beautiful and inspirational.
Hi, Everybody:
I know it is a long message that I copied and pasted into the comments. It is from my Congressman, Jamie Raskin. When he says he wants to hear ideas from you, he means it.
"In the days after the election, I heard from thousands of people expressing fear of what is to come and anxiety about what it means for American democracy and freedom.
I have shared those feelings. But we can’t let fear and anxiety paralyze us.
Rather, they must become a catalyst for strong action. One person’s courage in the face of danger can embolden hundreds of thousands more, and together we can—and we must—fight to remake American politics.
I have asked myself what I can do to turn this situation around and have already taken some risks to make change.
I chose to leave my secure position as Ranking Member on the House Oversight Committee to run for Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee to confront directly the MAGA assault on the Constitution and the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, voting rights, birthright citizenship and immigrant rights and the reproductive freedoms of American women.
The Democratic Caucus voted unanimously to make this change right before our Christmas recess and I was endorsed by my friend Jerry Nadler, the top Judiciary Democrat in the 118th Congress whose half-century political career is a model of inspiring progressive leadership.
But that's just the start.
As you know, my campaign raised and contributed more than $2 million to front-line Democrats and insurgent challengers in 2024. Our Democracy Summer project put more than 1,000 high school and college students into the field to win swing districts and states and changed a lot of young people’s lives in the process.
Still, I know we can do a whole lot more to change American politics. We need Democracy Summer in Senate races as well as House races. We need to help provide candidate training to excellent people thinking of making the plunge across the country. And we can raise a lot more money for Democrats in swing districts by expanding our very successful Monthly Mavericks program.
We need to devise far better ways of reaching and organizing people who are not watching MSNBC or CNN. We need a more creative and pervasive social media presence which junior House Members like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jasmine Crockett and Maxwell Frost can help us build.
But here’s the key thing: I want to know what you think needs to be done to strategize and organize for victory in the 2026 midterm elections and beyond.
We have been through the battles of our times together and you doubtless have excellent insights on how we can and should proceed to win. I want—and indeed I need—to hear from you about how we rebuild to win. Your ideas will inform and help crystallize a plan of action I offer to my supporters in Maryland and across the country.
So please gather your best brainstorming thoughts, analyses, constructive suggestions, provocations, and ideas about the giant fight ahead, and submit them to me using the form linked below.
SHARE YOUR BEST THOUGHTS AND IDEAS
With great solidarity and enduring gratitude,
Jamie Raskin
Ps. Now more than ever we need to brainstorm and listen to each other, strengthen the bonds of affection and community, and pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off for the long road ahead. Smart activism will be the antidote to despair, and strong community the fertile common ground in which new ideas and plans for action will blossom and grow. So please share all your best thoughts with me HERE and let’s organize to make strong democracy in America a dynamic reality in 2026 and beyond.
A rallying cry if there ever was one!
When you copied and pasted, you lost the hyperlink. Please right click on the link, copy and paste it into a separate broswer window, and then copy the link address into Substack. Thanks!
I think I speak for all of us that, (with just a very few successes), this complete failure of the justice system to hold so-and-so to account has felt like a long, excruciating, kick to the gut.
Yes, Pamsy. That was the day when the 6 jurists revealed their white robes and hoods. I call them the Injustices 6.
The reality of what is going on in the House and the posturing might be important to us but a majority of voters are not engaged. To them it’s just government politics and they are turned off. That is the challenge we have. The same applies to the ruling and conviction of Trump with no penalties or jail time. To many this will be viewed as Trump beating the system. Remember perception is reality for many people.
"Government Politics" is a mouthful. I know people who view the running of our government as "politics" and brush it aside. They aren't interested in politics, but the fact is "politics" can exist anywhere there is power to be had - in any company or corporate office. Many just see the surface "political news", and have no idea how our actual government works or what is actually happening as regards governing our country.
A couple of thoughts. First, to me the most important thing yesterday was that Trump had to negotiate with Republican House members to get Mike (“Lil’ Mikey”) Johnson elected as Speaker. That bled Trump’s power a little. Just a tiny bit, but the lame duck process has begun.
Also, Justice Merchan has consistently shown a lot of class, unlike the Defendant, all of whose class is third. Or maybe fourth.
President Biden awarded a bunch of Presidential Medals yesterday. I wish he’d awarded one to Judge Merchan, but understand why doing so might have been unwise.
I think "staggering in the right direction" applies to Judge Merchan as well. I certainly appreciate his tenacity. I've said this before and I'll say it again, Judge Merchan should have been head of the DOJ for the last 4 years.
Similar to Robert’s theme toward the end of his post…good news is that the DALLAS MORNING NEWS January 3 paper published a recent LTE I had submitted. I’ll paste the link below. Just as our grassroots efforts didn’t always wait for marching orders last year, or 4 years ago, or after 2016, we should not wait now for some “10 Instruction” tablets from the DNC. I am pledging to reallocate half of my reading/posting/commiserating time to some sort of action that reaches people who don’t support Democrats or aren’t involved at all. I’d be thrilled for anyone to copy/modify/send to their own papers if they wish.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/11nMJOTagFj1o25_NyCBedSensTqLvTrHVgsjOfboj08/edit
Excellent letter! This could also be adapted to send to our elected officials. Thanks for sharing.
Cathy, excellent letter. Thank you for sharing. I would like to copy/modify/send a similar LTE to my local newspaper, using yours as an excellent template. Much appreciated.
Feel free! I'm a fan of crowdsourcing. We all have limited time. No pride of ownership here:-)
Thank you, Cathy. I still have some PTSD following the election and can't find the words that I need to write a letter to the editor right now. This will get me going in the right direction!
Me. again. I've learned that for some readers, the photo I included is not readable. Sorry about that! Here is a Google doc version, which would also be easier to modify if you're so inclined. https://docs.google.com/document/d/16Pe2uR9lgXsVun1HmgeHwayHx-TbcMi2ThcXT4nnp9E/edit?usp=sharing
Thank you! This is wonderful!
Friends, I see that the VICTORIA ADVOCATE also published this letter! I am wondering if there are smaller papers out there that are hungry for letters? I am on a quest!
Thank you, Cathy!
I subscribed to Ann Telnaes last night. As a 35+ year (former) subscriber to WaPo, Ms. Telnaes demonstrates courage and deserves our support.
I’m with you, Linda A !
Re the readers comment, “having the facts and law” doesn’t work because the Tech Bros know that having money and power allows them to ignore laws and facts. As the Koch Bros demonstrated, its just the cost of doing business
Definitely staggering, direction unknown. One thought: there was an ad yesterday about the number of Kentuckians who depend on the social safety net. We've done those before, but this one reminded me of how powerful they are. I think we should do more - multiple ads for every state dramatizing the fact that every family has or knows someone whose life will be devastated by cut to Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare. This seems like advertising red meat and a powerful way to explain part of what Dems are for. Maybe the same for union membership, public safety programs, other? We need to hit back hard. These guys are not f#$king around.
Your response inspired this (undeveloped) thought. Consider the time, effort, energy, expense (financial and otherwise) the grassroots alone (new group? Grassroots Alone?) in calling, texting, writing letters and postcards…… for campaigns and getting out the vote. Why do we not continue that work, that campaign, right now as a persuasion/information campaign?
Too simplistic? (I confess not knowing what strategies made a positive difference. Does anyone know? Is it knowable?) Do we keep doing the same thing and expect different outcomes?
I realize I just tossed out a thought and by the end questioned it. I guess I am staggering in circles.
But you are trying!! That's very, very good.
😘
Yes! I think advertising illustrating the social safety net and those who need it, on TV, but especially on social media would really help our cause.
Real question. Full disclosure: if Substack is considered social media, then it is the only social media I personally engage with. (Don’t end a sentence with a preposition, Colleen.) I agree it’s an enormously powerful tool to be used. And I also wonder about people like me who are not in the social media whirl. (Somebody out there is savvy enough to create Super Bowl ads. Are they all Republicans? Might there not be similar creative people to help come up different ways for us to connect more broadly, deeply, effectively? And not to suggest tv ads are the way to go. Just using that example of smart, creative souls.)