Help hold the Wisconsin 3rd Congressional district and meet Brad Pfaff. Brad Pfaff is a state senator and farmer running against a January 6th insurrectionist. His district swings the state powering Mandela Barnes to the US Senate, Tony Evers back to the Governor’s Mansion, and two state legislators who prevent a Republican supermajority. To restore Roe, we need Brad’s voice and we need to turnout the voters in his large, rural district. Watch this video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG77YFWk2xU ] and donate any amount to meet Brad tonight: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/winwisconsin1. If we want to win Wisconsin in 2024, we need to reach the voters of the 3rd district in the next three weeks. Event starts at 7pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT.
Robert, Because I try hard to identify House races most deserving of attention, I am especially grateful to learn about this pivotal race. I would add I rarely read a Today’s Edition Newsletter that doesn’t somehow affect where and how to direct my focus.
As a short-sighted person (I see now), all my donation cash is in IRAs in a down stock market and my house is valuable but not a cash cow. So, you persuaded me nonetheless with your positivity today, Robert, and I just sent $25 to Brad's campaign. Thank you for pointing me in that direction. If I am living on my former 18 years as a housewife and stay-at-home parent social security, I certainly don't want the Rs to be lowering that, either. Family values: disconnect there, too, right?
I write because, whenever circumstances permit, I underscore, that while abortion care, let alone democracy, must remain on the front burner, Dems need to focus more on a pro-worker agenda—$15 hourly minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, universal healthcare, tax reform, and more, all of which have received zero Republican support.
With 60% of the people in this country living paycheck to paycheck and millions working for starvation wages, it should come as no surprise that the American people in poll after poll report that the economy and inflation are their two major issues. Hence, not only should we not ignore these issues; we should make it clear to working families throughout this country, many of whom are prepared to vote Republican, that if they vote Republican they are voting for a Party, which on every single issue economically runs counter to their interests.
While I don’t expect said messaging to exert any meaningful impact on MAGA, I do believe there are enough “persuadables” whose votes could help hold the House, pick up some Senate seats, and add to the count in state and local elections.
@E Sonoma, My understanding is that in the two states, Georgia and Wyoming, that have a minimum wage below the federal minimum wage, with few exceptions, employers can’t pay their employees less than the federal minimum wage as established by federal law. To be clear, my comment is not intended as a defense, specifically when we know that in Georgia, for example, a living wage would amount to more than double the federal minimum wage. Hence, a reason for prevailing upon Democrats repeatedly to amplify its legislative agenda that repeatedly receives zero Republican support. We merely need to hold the House and pick up two Senate seats to pass the most transformative legislative agenda since FDR.
According to this source, most are based on in person interviews. Which poses questions for me. First, how can one possibly find an accurate representation by neighborhood? Which doors to knock on? Who actually answers the door when a stranger rings the bell? He might be a bible thumper. She might be looking for donations to a cause I don't care about? Go away!
And for that matter, who is actually home? Younger people are more apt to be at work or out and about socially while old farts like me would be home.
The polls are a profession that in some cases is a sincere effort to measure sentiment. But despite their attempts at truly representing the the prevailing moods, I think they are too flawed and can never be relied on except to bring a smile or a look of terror to our faces.
I think we are headed for a November Surprise. I think women and members of the LGBTQIA community (and those who love them) are going to vote in numbers and percentages like never seen before. And I also think if the word about messing with Social Security and Medicare gets out there, the seniors of America are going to be really pissed. We may end up thanking Senator (Medicare Fraud King) Scott and Senator (I didn't really help with the Insurrection) Johnson for handing the Democrats a gift.
Maybe I am just having another naive optimistic day. But I am sticking with it.
I think the pollsters are way off this year. This is the same as the military fighting a war with the last war's techniques and weaponry. Horses instead of tanks, for example. Protecting our Freedoms is the over-arching goal of this election. When you put it in a list with typical issues you don't see the full impact of saving democracy or of the anger of women and many others on having our rights taken away. You don't see the youth vote which will be quite evident in this election and it will start to empower the younger generations to take the baton of government so they can assure their future! I think this election is going to be a very clear statement that the MAGA Republicans do not represent the People and never well. We, the People, all of us this time.
I have come to some hard truths recently. Facts are not going to persuade or change MAGA voters minds. Not all Republicans are members of MAGA and have become invisible to pollsters more out of fear. Regardless of party affiliation the average voter has a lot to lose if Republicans get elected such as freedom of choice , impacts to Social Security , Medicare and low cost prescriptions to name a few. There would be no hope for effective gun control , fair voter registration and voting rights and no meaningful legislation for climate change. A pretty bleak picture especially if you are a young person starting out in life. So my friends as Howard Beale said in the 1976 movie Network “ I’m as mad as hell and I am not going to take this anymore!” go out and vote.
Tonight’s zoom conversation with Tim Ryan was wonderful. It gave me hope for our chances in November, as did your newsletter tonight and so many nights over the past 6 years of insanity! Congratulations to Julia and Dan, and to you and Jill! Many happy returns!
Yes, after what seemed like a not-good-news day for Dems, it was a real 'up' to get to hear Tim Ryan last night talking about Republicans showing up at his events. He is the real deal.
A small request. Can we please use the full name "Democrats." We spell out the full name "Republican". It's the habit of opposing forces to shorten names and name call. Let's keep saying our Party's full name proudly.
I get what you're saying. I think some of this is shaped by Twitter - 240 characters require all manner of abbreviations. I now use GOP and Dems when I tweet politics.
I don't even write out the full name of the Rs. It's not name-calling but time saving for me. Of course, Democrats can be changed out with the two-letter word "Us." I sometimes use that :-)
I'm originally from northeastern Ohio so I still watch their politics closely. I love Tim Ryan and send him a small monthly contribution. He sees all the big pictures I want our elected representatives to understand and see.
“ As a former prosecutor, I’ve given a lot of thought about what it will look like for women as the MAGA abortion bans are enforced. #LockHerUp illustrates what's at stake this November for the women we love.”
Check out and share Eric Swalwill’s video. Just under a minute and a half.
Not to rain on the parade but to kick people into redoubling their efforts these next three weeks:
Fetterman only leads Oz by 2 points in the latest Philadelphia Inquirer poll released today.
30% of Democrats are willing to vote for an election-denier over their "problems" with gas prices and "inflation" according to the NYT/Siena College poll.
Trump told associates today that in a second Trump Administration, he thinks it would be a good idea to put Marjorie Taylor Green into a "senior position in the Justice Department."
A another beautiful, courageous, evidence-based report reflecting the fighting spirit that defines democracy in action. Today's Edition Newsletter is the standard bearer in the battle against Donald Trump and his fascist army of loud mouth MAGA miscreants like Majorie Taylor Greene attempting to undermine the authority of the Constitution. As Abraham Lincoln warned, "Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties." Lincoln also said "Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves." In this watershed moment it really is up to us, WE, THE PEOPLE, to win the day and ensure our liberty by harnessing the power of the ballot. If not in this election cycle, then the next, until the fight for freedom is won. Lincoln once again: "Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters."
One hopes that your Concluding Thoughts and Mr. Ryan's optimism presage some genuine progress is breaking the artificial partisan barriers keeping Congress from being a functioning part of our government.
The comments on Social Security and Medicare and Mr. Biden's 'promise' to codify the right to make one's own health care choices suggest another opportunity for the Democrats to grab some low-hanging legislative fruit. Why not publish the legislative text of a bill to stabilize the Trust Fund by removing the income cap on OASDI tax and have it sponsored in each house by a well-regarded member outside the leadership like Katie Porter and Maggie Hassan. That would put the GOP squarely on the spot and gain some serious support for Democrats without running commercials showing Grandma going off a cliff in her wheelchair. The income source should be changed from Wage and Salary to Adjusted Gross Income too, but that may be too great a leap for most of Congress to comprehend.
Voting Democrat is voting for bread and butter. How can retirees, many of the veterans, want to vote for a party in favor of: 1) defaulting on our government's debt obligations, a significant part of which (_____%?) is held internationally, and sunsetting social security and medicare. Trumpet this bad news to the farthest corners of Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. And do it tomorrow.
This is a link to an article that explains the threat of the Republican tactic to use a Constitutional Convention to amend our constitution to their minority conservative values using state legislatures. I fear this issue is not being recognized and taken seriously.
Remember that any amendment to the constitution requires ratification by 38 states. That means that 8 to 10 state legislatures controlled by Democrats must vote in favor of ratification. So while we should take the issue of a constitutional convention, we must keep firmly in mind the difference between calling a convention and ratifying an amendment.
There is a good article in the Guardian today about the American election. Here is a portion; "LaTosha Brown: ‘The abortion message needs to be layered with other messages’
For Democrats to win, it’s all about three things: money, message and mobilization. And when it comes to the message, the message needs to be more layered.
Democrats should lead with a trifecta of messages focused on the economy, voting rights and racial justice.
They need to speak about the economy from a worker’s perspective. They need to humanize the issue and focus on the struggles of ordinary people, like wage stagnation and rising costs. They need to ditch the jargon. They need to lay the blame for the mess we’re in on Republicans and their corporate tax cuts, which only benefit the ultra-wealthy."
Proportionality: he GDP is proportioned outwards. Those who stand for fair living quality are demonized. But Obama talks about relaxed language about this. Ordinary people are asked to take less so that the rich can take more, send it offshore, whatever.
I have found that when I am too scared by what someone is saying as it is false, forgetting to say it is false is my first mistake.
I agree. The way questions are developed and phrased impact what answers are given.
Also, besides Bill Astrom's point above about people not wanting to answer their doorbells, lest they be confronted with a salesman or a Bible thumper, those of us who are Covid hermits are averse to engaging in conversation at our front doors with people we don't know.
Your newsletters are better than any anti-anxiety meds. Thank you so much!
My birthday is November 7th. This year my birthday wish is for a Democratic Congress so President Biden can keep doing what he's doing for the American people. Not too much to ask, is it? 🎁
Help hold the Wisconsin 3rd Congressional district and meet Brad Pfaff. Brad Pfaff is a state senator and farmer running against a January 6th insurrectionist. His district swings the state powering Mandela Barnes to the US Senate, Tony Evers back to the Governor’s Mansion, and two state legislators who prevent a Republican supermajority. To restore Roe, we need Brad’s voice and we need to turnout the voters in his large, rural district. Watch this video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG77YFWk2xU ] and donate any amount to meet Brad tonight: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/winwisconsin1. If we want to win Wisconsin in 2024, we need to reach the voters of the 3rd district in the next three weeks. Event starts at 7pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT.
Robert, Because I try hard to identify House races most deserving of attention, I am especially grateful to learn about this pivotal race. I would add I rarely read a Today’s Edition Newsletter that doesn’t somehow affect where and how to direct my focus.
As a short-sighted person (I see now), all my donation cash is in IRAs in a down stock market and my house is valuable but not a cash cow. So, you persuaded me nonetheless with your positivity today, Robert, and I just sent $25 to Brad's campaign. Thank you for pointing me in that direction. If I am living on my former 18 years as a housewife and stay-at-home parent social security, I certainly don't want the Rs to be lowering that, either. Family values: disconnect there, too, right?
Another hard to come by $25 for Brad
Glad to hear about this!
I write because, whenever circumstances permit, I underscore, that while abortion care, let alone democracy, must remain on the front burner, Dems need to focus more on a pro-worker agenda—$15 hourly minimum wage, paid family and medical leave, universal healthcare, tax reform, and more, all of which have received zero Republican support.
With 60% of the people in this country living paycheck to paycheck and millions working for starvation wages, it should come as no surprise that the American people in poll after poll report that the economy and inflation are their two major issues. Hence, not only should we not ignore these issues; we should make it clear to working families throughout this country, many of whom are prepared to vote Republican, that if they vote Republican they are voting for a Party, which on every single issue economically runs counter to their interests.
While I don’t expect said messaging to exert any meaningful impact on MAGA, I do believe there are enough “persuadables” whose votes could help hold the House, pick up some Senate seats, and add to the count in state and local elections.
Georgia’s minimum wage is $5.15, yes you read that correctly $5.15. Can’t make this shit up!
@E Sonoma, My understanding is that in the two states, Georgia and Wyoming, that have a minimum wage below the federal minimum wage, with few exceptions, employers can’t pay their employees less than the federal minimum wage as established by federal law. To be clear, my comment is not intended as a defense, specifically when we know that in Georgia, for example, a living wage would amount to more than double the federal minimum wage. Hence, a reason for prevailing upon Democrats repeatedly to amplify its legislative agenda that repeatedly receives zero Republican support. We merely need to hold the House and pick up two Senate seats to pass the most transformative legislative agenda since FDR.
Good Lord
I was digging around looking for information on how polls are taken. Here is one assessment:
https://www.historians.org/about-aha-and-membership/aha-history-and-archives/gi-roundtable-series/pamphlets/em-4-are-opinion-polls-useful-(1946)/how-are-polls-made
According to this source, most are based on in person interviews. Which poses questions for me. First, how can one possibly find an accurate representation by neighborhood? Which doors to knock on? Who actually answers the door when a stranger rings the bell? He might be a bible thumper. She might be looking for donations to a cause I don't care about? Go away!
And for that matter, who is actually home? Younger people are more apt to be at work or out and about socially while old farts like me would be home.
The polls are a profession that in some cases is a sincere effort to measure sentiment. But despite their attempts at truly representing the the prevailing moods, I think they are too flawed and can never be relied on except to bring a smile or a look of terror to our faces.
I think we are headed for a November Surprise. I think women and members of the LGBTQIA community (and those who love them) are going to vote in numbers and percentages like never seen before. And I also think if the word about messing with Social Security and Medicare gets out there, the seniors of America are going to be really pissed. We may end up thanking Senator (Medicare Fraud King) Scott and Senator (I didn't really help with the Insurrection) Johnson for handing the Democrats a gift.
Maybe I am just having another naive optimistic day. But I am sticking with it.
I think the pollsters are way off this year. This is the same as the military fighting a war with the last war's techniques and weaponry. Horses instead of tanks, for example. Protecting our Freedoms is the over-arching goal of this election. When you put it in a list with typical issues you don't see the full impact of saving democracy or of the anger of women and many others on having our rights taken away. You don't see the youth vote which will be quite evident in this election and it will start to empower the younger generations to take the baton of government so they can assure their future! I think this election is going to be a very clear statement that the MAGA Republicans do not represent the People and never well. We, the People, all of us this time.
100% agree.
Hm... Really interesting. Thanks for the link and thoughts.
From your lips… Thank you.
I have come to some hard truths recently. Facts are not going to persuade or change MAGA voters minds. Not all Republicans are members of MAGA and have become invisible to pollsters more out of fear. Regardless of party affiliation the average voter has a lot to lose if Republicans get elected such as freedom of choice , impacts to Social Security , Medicare and low cost prescriptions to name a few. There would be no hope for effective gun control , fair voter registration and voting rights and no meaningful legislation for climate change. A pretty bleak picture especially if you are a young person starting out in life. So my friends as Howard Beale said in the 1976 movie Network “ I’m as mad as hell and I am not going to take this anymore!” go out and vote.
And tell your friends, neighbors, family
Tonight’s zoom conversation with Tim Ryan was wonderful. It gave me hope for our chances in November, as did your newsletter tonight and so many nights over the past 6 years of insanity! Congratulations to Julia and Dan, and to you and Jill! Many happy returns!
Yes, after what seemed like a not-good-news day for Dems, it was a real 'up' to get to hear Tim Ryan last night talking about Republicans showing up at his events. He is the real deal.
A small request. Can we please use the full name "Democrats." We spell out the full name "Republican". It's the habit of opposing forces to shorten names and name call. Let's keep saying our Party's full name proudly.
I get what you're saying. I think some of this is shaped by Twitter - 240 characters require all manner of abbreviations. I now use GOP and Dems when I tweet politics.
Frightening thought to think Twitter is shaping not only our culture, and politics, but now our language.
I don't even write out the full name of the Rs. It's not name-calling but time saving for me. Of course, Democrats can be changed out with the two-letter word "Us." I sometimes use that :-)
I'm originally from northeastern Ohio so I still watch their politics closely. I love Tim Ryan and send him a small monthly contribution. He sees all the big pictures I want our elected representatives to understand and see.
“ As a former prosecutor, I’ve given a lot of thought about what it will look like for women as the MAGA abortion bans are enforced. #LockHerUp illustrates what's at stake this November for the women we love.”
Check out and share Eric Swalwill’s video. Just under a minute and a half.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQT2SJSdwyE
Yikes! A sampling of the comments, though, are lamely appalling.
Wow! Stunning. Shared.
Not to rain on the parade but to kick people into redoubling their efforts these next three weeks:
Fetterman only leads Oz by 2 points in the latest Philadelphia Inquirer poll released today.
30% of Democrats are willing to vote for an election-denier over their "problems" with gas prices and "inflation" according to the NYT/Siena College poll.
Trump told associates today that in a second Trump Administration, he thinks it would be a good idea to put Marjorie Taylor Green into a "senior position in the Justice Department."
A another beautiful, courageous, evidence-based report reflecting the fighting spirit that defines democracy in action. Today's Edition Newsletter is the standard bearer in the battle against Donald Trump and his fascist army of loud mouth MAGA miscreants like Majorie Taylor Greene attempting to undermine the authority of the Constitution. As Abraham Lincoln warned, "Don't interfere with anything in the Constitution. That must be maintained, for it is the only safeguard of our liberties." Lincoln also said "Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves." In this watershed moment it really is up to us, WE, THE PEOPLE, to win the day and ensure our liberty by harnessing the power of the ballot. If not in this election cycle, then the next, until the fight for freedom is won. Lincoln once again: "Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters."
One hopes that your Concluding Thoughts and Mr. Ryan's optimism presage some genuine progress is breaking the artificial partisan barriers keeping Congress from being a functioning part of our government.
The comments on Social Security and Medicare and Mr. Biden's 'promise' to codify the right to make one's own health care choices suggest another opportunity for the Democrats to grab some low-hanging legislative fruit. Why not publish the legislative text of a bill to stabilize the Trust Fund by removing the income cap on OASDI tax and have it sponsored in each house by a well-regarded member outside the leadership like Katie Porter and Maggie Hassan. That would put the GOP squarely on the spot and gain some serious support for Democrats without running commercials showing Grandma going off a cliff in her wheelchair. The income source should be changed from Wage and Salary to Adjusted Gross Income too, but that may be too great a leap for most of Congress to comprehend.
"...publish the legislative text of a bill..." And do it NOW!
Right NOW!
"Hmm. If it is true that MAGA doesn’t vote for stupid people with big mouths, what does that mean for MAGA’s support for Trump?"
Thanks for the chuckle.
Voting Democrat is voting for bread and butter. How can retirees, many of the veterans, want to vote for a party in favor of: 1) defaulting on our government's debt obligations, a significant part of which (_____%?) is held internationally, and sunsetting social security and medicare. Trumpet this bad news to the farthest corners of Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan. And do it tomorrow.
https://www.salon.com/2022/10/10/michael-moore-predicts-democrats-will-win-big-in-the-midterms-will-he-be-right-again/?fbclid=IwAR3_d9au3TK0et8_rI4z25nXqEYoRSs1tBNuZ9r_F7XE3E0BLGNOOA6bKiY
This is a link to an article that explains the threat of the Republican tactic to use a Constitutional Convention to amend our constitution to their minority conservative values using state legislatures. I fear this issue is not being recognized and taken seriously.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/19/steve-bannon-us-constitution-tea-party-republican-state-legislatures
Remember that any amendment to the constitution requires ratification by 38 states. That means that 8 to 10 state legislatures controlled by Democrats must vote in favor of ratification. So while we should take the issue of a constitutional convention, we must keep firmly in mind the difference between calling a convention and ratifying an amendment.
There is a good article in the Guardian today about the American election. Here is a portion; "LaTosha Brown: ‘The abortion message needs to be layered with other messages’
For Democrats to win, it’s all about three things: money, message and mobilization. And when it comes to the message, the message needs to be more layered.
Democrats should lead with a trifecta of messages focused on the economy, voting rights and racial justice.
They need to speak about the economy from a worker’s perspective. They need to humanize the issue and focus on the struggles of ordinary people, like wage stagnation and rising costs. They need to ditch the jargon. They need to lay the blame for the mess we’re in on Republicans and their corporate tax cuts, which only benefit the ultra-wealthy."
Proportionality: he GDP is proportioned outwards. Those who stand for fair living quality are demonized. But Obama talks about relaxed language about this. Ordinary people are asked to take less so that the rich can take more, send it offshore, whatever.
I have found that when I am too scared by what someone is saying as it is false, forgetting to say it is false is my first mistake.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/commentisfree/2022/oct/19/democrats-midterms-election-messaging-economy
Indeed damn the polls, and the media too. Time to break up media monopolies and take away the special protections from liability for social media.
And put some reins on polling companies. Everybody and their dog are conducting polls now.
I also think the major media is agenda driven to promote corporate favored political outcomes.
I suspect many of the polls are agenda driven
I agree. The way questions are developed and phrased impact what answers are given.
Also, besides Bill Astrom's point above about people not wanting to answer their doorbells, lest they be confronted with a salesman or a Bible thumper, those of us who are Covid hermits are averse to engaging in conversation at our front doors with people we don't know.
...and PAC funded
Your newsletters are better than any anti-anxiety meds. Thank you so much!
My birthday is November 7th. This year my birthday wish is for a Democratic Congress so President Biden can keep doing what he's doing for the American people. Not too much to ask, is it? 🎁
Hopefully, we can deliver, wrapped in a big blue bow 😉