“But the doomsday articles always seem to ignore the hundreds of millions of Americans who will not watch passively as democracy dies.” RH
“The refusal of prominent Republicans to accept the outcome of the 2020 election, and the anti-democratic laws adopted (or approaching adoption) in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Montana and Texas—and under serious consideration in other Republican-controlled states—violate these principles.” New America, ‘Statement of Concern’, June 1, 2021
Robert, I really do greatly benefit from your consistent statements of calm, hope and support, however, it does appear that millions of Americans are passively watching!
Hi, Susan. I agree that Democrats are not alarmed enough about the current situation. I am not minimizing the threats, but I do not believe that predicting the end of democracy is the appropriate way to engage people (nor do I believe it is true). The doomsday articles all seem to assume that a coup happens and then Democrats go back to listening to podcasts and doing crossword puzzles. Many readers disagree and tell me that we must warn others that democracy will end if we don't win in 2022, or stop Georgia's anti-voter legislation, etc. That's just not true. As horrible as the Texas bill will be if passed, Democrats can still show up at the polls to defeat Republicans. But Democrats seem to think we are incapable of doing that if anti voter bills are passed. Why? We can still show up at the polls, however inconvenient or unfair the obstacles are. If that is our remedy, why are we so willing to say that democracy is in peril?
Also, voting in every election won't help if the system is truly rigged, as it will be in states from Texas and Arizona to Michigan and Georgia, where REPUBLICAN state legislatures, who have gerrymandered states to ensure their own victory, can overturn the rule of the voters and declare their side won.
I disagree. Even in a gerrymandered districts, Democrats can win. We should not be defeatist. Saying that the system is truly rigged sends a signal to Democrats that they should not bother to show up at the polls to vote. It is the wrong message to send.
Also, by rolling out their ugly plans this early, there is time to stop many of them before the 2022 elections. I am especially worried about the ability in Georgia or Texas for some Republican crony to decide they won't accept the election results no matter what the actual results show. See Adrienne Scott's comment. That is right on target. interested in giving more support to the man who is the primary sue-er when the R's get out of control. Marc Elias? There must be other lawyers who can join that fight and who we can help support in the specific ways he or she needs from us. The Texas and Georgia Republican legislatures are acting at the advice and support of the dark money of the American Enterprise Institute (Koch Brothers). They have a coordinated effort. We need that. Ideas, Robert?
We need an immediate and concerted effort to convince Democratic voters in Arizona and W. Virgina to change Sen. Sinema's and Manchin's position.
Their constituents MUST TELL them to support SR1 - For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act even if it means ending or modifying the rules of the Filibuster.
I reached out to "Joe The Democrat" at PostCardsToVoters.org. I received a response from "Mandy The Democrat" who wrote "what [I am] suggesting is out of our realm."
I called the W. VA Democratic Party but their "voice mail is full." So I volunteered and made a small donation. My guess is what I'll get for my effort is a slew of unwanted emails asking for money rather than effort. I've also reached out to ActBlue but I expect the same.
So, does anyone here know if an organization that will contact Democratic voters in AZ and WVA to tell Senators Sinema and Manchin to support SR1- For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act even if it means exempting or ending the filibuster???
I reached out to fellow Indivisible volunteers and received two possible groups. One, called bluewavepostcards.org was active in AZ to pass HR1 but it appears it is no longer active. The other is a contact in WVA but as of this writing, I have not received a reply to my email.
For far too long Americans have ignored the truth. Republicans have always attempted to rig the system. It began with gerrymandering and now it's going into voters rights. They are blatantly attempting to strip some Americans of their rights. This current GOP party is by far not a party that represents this country or its people. It is a party of greed, selfishness, with a strong desire for control and absolute rule. Singular power! Autocrats, that's what they all are in today's current Republican party.
Trump exposed the deep dark secret that lived in our government.
They hide behind the words conservative values and Christian values. They have no desire to allow the United States to continue on a progressive path of leadership. They would prefer to isolate us in nationalism and control the wealth.
Americans need to wake up and face the reality that there's a coup in progress and if we don't stand up and take action we will lose this great nation.
Hi, Cilene. As I wrote, the threat is real. But I do not believe that telling people that democracy will die is the right way to motivate people. Many readers disagree with me and I have had this discussion hundreds of times.
No I'm not saying that democracy is dead. At least not yet. I believe that we're in great danger of losing democracy if we don't stand up and act. I believe in giving individuals hope but I also believe in looking at the reality of the situation. If we continue to mask it with happy faces will lose touch with what lies behind those happy faces or clown faces which is what the Republicans all painted on themselves. I've been following you for a long time and I believe in the things you say. But I also am very concerned with the current state that we find ourselves in.
I'm interested in giving more support to the man who is the primary sue-er when the R's get out of control. Marc Elias? There must be other lawyers who can join that fight and who we can help support in the specific ways he or she needs from us. The Texas and Georgia Republican legislatures are acting at the advice and support of the dark money of the American Enterprise Institute (Koch Brothers). They have a coordinated effort. We need that. Ideas, Robert?
MSNBC interview, yesterday, with Nicole Wallace “Deadline Whitehouse” Marc Elias says federal legislation is the only way to combat this ‘avalanche of voter suppression’
I’d tuned in after this part ran yesterday. I’m both encouraged and discouraged by what Elias said. I have now signed up for and sent a monthly donation to Democracy Docket, but I know that’s not enough. The idea that a majority of voters can be held hostage to a minority who wants to disenfranchise the rest of us is unacceptable, of course, and I’m hopeful Biden and Harris, both former senators, will indeed find the right lever to pull to get the For the People Act passed. A simple fix, right?
Corrected the date of Melanie Stansbury's election victory to June 1st, not November 1st.
“But the doomsday articles always seem to ignore the hundreds of millions of Americans who will not watch passively as democracy dies.” RH
“The refusal of prominent Republicans to accept the outcome of the 2020 election, and the anti-democratic laws adopted (or approaching adoption) in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Montana and Texas—and under serious consideration in other Republican-controlled states—violate these principles.” New America, ‘Statement of Concern’, June 1, 2021
Robert, I really do greatly benefit from your consistent statements of calm, hope and support, however, it does appear that millions of Americans are passively watching!
Hi, Susan. I agree that Democrats are not alarmed enough about the current situation. I am not minimizing the threats, but I do not believe that predicting the end of democracy is the appropriate way to engage people (nor do I believe it is true). The doomsday articles all seem to assume that a coup happens and then Democrats go back to listening to podcasts and doing crossword puzzles. Many readers disagree and tell me that we must warn others that democracy will end if we don't win in 2022, or stop Georgia's anti-voter legislation, etc. That's just not true. As horrible as the Texas bill will be if passed, Democrats can still show up at the polls to defeat Republicans. But Democrats seem to think we are incapable of doing that if anti voter bills are passed. Why? We can still show up at the polls, however inconvenient or unfair the obstacles are. If that is our remedy, why are we so willing to say that democracy is in peril?
Also, voting in every election won't help if the system is truly rigged, as it will be in states from Texas and Arizona to Michigan and Georgia, where REPUBLICAN state legislatures, who have gerrymandered states to ensure their own victory, can overturn the rule of the voters and declare their side won.
I disagree. Even in a gerrymandered districts, Democrats can win. We should not be defeatist. Saying that the system is truly rigged sends a signal to Democrats that they should not bother to show up at the polls to vote. It is the wrong message to send.
This too is my fear. I know in Georgia, Kemp and his posse are poised like rabid dogs to invalidate our votes...in the urban areas.
Also, by rolling out their ugly plans this early, there is time to stop many of them before the 2022 elections. I am especially worried about the ability in Georgia or Texas for some Republican crony to decide they won't accept the election results no matter what the actual results show. See Adrienne Scott's comment. That is right on target. interested in giving more support to the man who is the primary sue-er when the R's get out of control. Marc Elias? There must be other lawyers who can join that fight and who we can help support in the specific ways he or she needs from us. The Texas and Georgia Republican legislatures are acting at the advice and support of the dark money of the American Enterprise Institute (Koch Brothers). They have a coordinated effort. We need that. Ideas, Robert?
We need an immediate and concerted effort to convince Democratic voters in Arizona and W. Virgina to change Sen. Sinema's and Manchin's position.
Their constituents MUST TELL them to support SR1 - For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act even if it means ending or modifying the rules of the Filibuster.
I reached out to "Joe The Democrat" at PostCardsToVoters.org. I received a response from "Mandy The Democrat" who wrote "what [I am] suggesting is out of our realm."
I called the W. VA Democratic Party but their "voice mail is full." So I volunteered and made a small donation. My guess is what I'll get for my effort is a slew of unwanted emails asking for money rather than effort. I've also reached out to ActBlue but I expect the same.
So, does anyone here know if an organization that will contact Democratic voters in AZ and WVA to tell Senators Sinema and Manchin to support SR1- For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act even if it means exempting or ending the filibuster???
I will pose that question this evening!
I reached out to fellow Indivisible volunteers and received two possible groups. One, called bluewavepostcards.org was active in AZ to pass HR1 but it appears it is no longer active. The other is a contact in WVA but as of this writing, I have not received a reply to my email.
I so appreciate your daily comments. They calm me and keep me hopeful in difficult days. Thank you and bless you and your managing editor.
For far too long Americans have ignored the truth. Republicans have always attempted to rig the system. It began with gerrymandering and now it's going into voters rights. They are blatantly attempting to strip some Americans of their rights. This current GOP party is by far not a party that represents this country or its people. It is a party of greed, selfishness, with a strong desire for control and absolute rule. Singular power! Autocrats, that's what they all are in today's current Republican party.
Trump exposed the deep dark secret that lived in our government.
They hide behind the words conservative values and Christian values. They have no desire to allow the United States to continue on a progressive path of leadership. They would prefer to isolate us in nationalism and control the wealth.
Americans need to wake up and face the reality that there's a coup in progress and if we don't stand up and take action we will lose this great nation.
Hi, Cilene. As I wrote, the threat is real. But I do not believe that telling people that democracy will die is the right way to motivate people. Many readers disagree with me and I have had this discussion hundreds of times.
No I'm not saying that democracy is dead. At least not yet. I believe that we're in great danger of losing democracy if we don't stand up and act. I believe in giving individuals hope but I also believe in looking at the reality of the situation. If we continue to mask it with happy faces will lose touch with what lies behind those happy faces or clown faces which is what the Republicans all painted on themselves. I've been following you for a long time and I believe in the things you say. But I also am very concerned with the current state that we find ourselves in.
I'm interested in giving more support to the man who is the primary sue-er when the R's get out of control. Marc Elias? There must be other lawyers who can join that fight and who we can help support in the specific ways he or she needs from us. The Texas and Georgia Republican legislatures are acting at the advice and support of the dark money of the American Enterprise Institute (Koch Brothers). They have a coordinated effort. We need that. Ideas, Robert?
MSNBC interview, yesterday, with Nicole Wallace “Deadline Whitehouse” Marc Elias says federal legislation is the only way to combat this ‘avalanche of voter suppression’
https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/watch/democracy-docket-founder-marc-elias-says-federal-legislation-is-the-only-way-to-combat-voter-suppression-114230341651
I’d tuned in after this part ran yesterday. I’m both encouraged and discouraged by what Elias said. I have now signed up for and sent a monthly donation to Democracy Docket, but I know that’s not enough. The idea that a majority of voters can be held hostage to a minority who wants to disenfranchise the rest of us is unacceptable, of course, and I’m hopeful Biden and Harris, both former senators, will indeed find the right lever to pull to get the For the People Act passed. A simple fix, right?
Thank God for Robert Hubbell who manages to inspire us every day!!!!