I have little patience for complaints that are not followed by potential solutions. And actions.
Go ahead and vent - then tell me what you are going to do about it.
Robert, you inspire and motivate us. I have been sharing your substack link with every friend and relative I speak with.
We don't have to take much time to act. It takes a minute to write to a Senator. This is mine this morning. No big deal. But I suspect I am one of thousands doing the same thing. Politicians count the calls and the emails.
"Today, I write about voting rights. PLEASE assist in carving out an exception to the filibuster to pass VOTING RIGHTS legislation. Nothing else will matter if the Republicans are allowed to corrupt their states voting rights laws. Stay in Washington until it is done! Everything spins around this issue - including the planet."
Perfect suggestion -and it's so frustrating to live in DC (which I love) where I have no one to write a letter to. Rep. Holmes Norton has served us well as she can in committee, but she doesn't have a vote in the house. Taxation without representation - does everyone know that is the case in DC? Suggestions welcome!
I can't help. But the idea that you don't live in a "state" in the United STATES of America is just wrong, wrong, wrong. I guess you could write to Senator Schumer.
1. Regarding Joe Manchin and his understanding of the "entitlement society." Manchin's opposition to the child tax credit seemed more authentic when it was grounded in his opposition to its being part of creating an "entitlement society." The combination of disdain for people on welfare and a vision of people manipulating their circumstances to obtain free rides from the government is a distasteful picture that Reagan waived at us and JD Vaughn pictured for us. Because eligibility for the child tax credit is so high (single taxpayers earning less than $95,000, joint filers earning less than $170,000) Manchin's complaint has no basis. According to the IRS, 88% of children are eligible for the child tax credit. This is more akin to social security for which 97% of Americans are estimated to be eligible.
2. Optimism. I'm pretty optimistic about expanding the Democratic majority in the Senate. Candidates like Tim Ryan, Cheri Beasley, Val Demings who have cleared the field in the primary as they work to flip a Republican seat are cause for optimism. While there are four Democratic incumbents generally considered to be vulnerable, none are as vulnerable as, say, Heidi Heitkamp was in 2018. The House is harder to judge. As states complete redistricting plans (before the courts get involved) the House has already been so gerrymandered by Republicans, their redistricting goal appears to be primarily to prevent Republicans from being subject to successful challenges rather than to increase their number of seats. Voter suppression, however, is an issue to be combatted with (could it happen?) the help of Joe Manchin or with state by state organizing to get people to the polls despite the new laws.
Thanks, Len. Especially appreciate your analysis of the Senate and House races. But with any luck, some of the Sedition Caucus may be busy defending themselves in court in 2022. Perhaps that will tip the balance for Democrats!
I hope my political hack of a congressman, David Rouzer, winds up in court as a member of the Sedition Caucus. I feel nauseous every time I read his newsletter. He doesn’t care about our district, he just wants to be in political office. He has moved from office to office. He’s one of the professional politicians who represent my county. They only want to be in the political game. They have not had an independent thought in years.
Amen, brother! I stand with you in defying the omniscience of media pundits, of which number you are not one. It is work these days finding a cool head that can reason, and that is why I start every day with this blog/podcast before the crazy can get in. Obviously, Manchin is an egotistical object in the road to passage of much-needed federal funding legislation, and I am beginning to dislike seeing his photo every morning almost as much as I did the mug of 45. He is also profane and unprofessional. We could do without the exhaustion of a 24 hour bombardment that dulls the impact of developments and makes progress difficult to discern when it occurs. You give me tools to weather doomsaying, a demerit I always found endemic to social media. Thanks as always for sharing your steady mind.
Yes, good point about social media. I should have included it in the newsletter. For all of their promise, Twitter and Facebook do far more harm than good.
Thank you as always for your concluding thoughts - your persistent optimism and encouragement to us your readers to not succumb to the pundits' bludgeoning is so heartening. I recently listened to a podcast in which (one of my heroes) Bryan Stevenson, says, "Hope is our superpower...injustice prevails where hopelessness persists."
For me the plan is to expect Independents to join Democrats in defeating DeSantis and Rubio in Florida of narrow election victories. The problem is to inform the public about the "anti-voting" measures that DeSantis is pushing through a Republican State legislature. In a few recent discussions with what I assumed were reasonable intelligent individuals they revealed they had no knowledge of recently passed legislation, they have their heads in the sand. We have to find ways to engage and inform those outside of the "Hubble-Cox" bubble. Ideas are welcome.
Hi, Charles. Thanks for your note. I have a favor to ask. Can you send me info at rhubbell@outlook.com regarding the Florida anti-voter legislation. I would like to highlight in the newsletter. Thanks!
I will be in Florida starting Monday for a week of making sure no one down there has their head in the sand. A couple of my father's neighbors, ones he really loves, are still Trumpers last I heard. Dad wants everyone to like him so he doesn't argue with them. But I still will try to finagle little neighborhood chats individually. Just the other day on the phone with 97 year old Dad, he started talking (AGAIN) about how Blacks need to take responsibility for reforming their own culture because THAT's what's at the bottom of their problems. Then he triggered me and I pointed out red lining, no GI Bill benefits for most Blacks who served in military, and no government approved loans processed for most Blacks trying to buy houses. He was clearly floored to hear that most Blacks did not, in fact, get access to the GI Bill benefits. Ta-da! Be ready to pounce when you see an opening.
Deborah, thanks for trying to spread the word even in your own family. As you note, many people prefer to avoid conflict and so don’t talk politics with family members who support the MAGA culture.
Robert your newsletter triggered a deep rooted anxiety I have had for several months. It feels like Republicans are aggressively and slowly attacking democracy through voter suppression state laws, abortion legal challenges, and outright intimidation of school board members, election officials and anyone who voices objection to Trump created lies around the Big Lie and other nonsensical statements and congressional subpoenas. It’s death by a 1000 cuts. What I want is simple. I want Democrats to stand up and loudly and clearly say “ We have had enough and we won’t take this anymore”. No more Mr. Nice guy. As Leo Durocher once said.: “Nice guys finish last”
All reasonable anxieties. I part ways about emulating Durocher. He was ejected 95 times as a manager, often for telling his pitchers to throw at the heads of opposing players. But i agree with you that we need to toughen our message and stop worrying about describing Republican efforts for what they are—in words of one syllable and with passion!
I soooo agree with your optimism! It really helps! My admiration grows with every newsletter. Many thanks to you and Jill! ( I was finally able to subscribe👍). Marcia Herman, Los Angeles
Your optimism is a big reason why I read your newsletter before anything else every morning. There is no option other than working our tails off to keep the House in 2022 and to gain real control of the Senate. Thank you for keeping us informed and encouraged.
I read Robert's letter last and for the same reason. I want to end my reading on good feelings. If Heather's letter gets to my inbox before I go to bed, I save it until morning so I can handle any bad, worrisome news better.
I agree that we must be and should be optimistic. To do so we must turn our attention to the many reasons independent, moderate Republicans or Democrats have to vote in 2022 & 2024 to expand the Democratic majority in contrast allowing those enabling and abetting the Trump and dark money efforts to dismantle democracy and constitutional justice. Our energy needs to be focused on telling our story, making clear what the Republicans who lie and spread misinformation are up to, and Get Out The Vote. We owe it to our country, communities, families and friends. To focus on anything else is to give in to dark times. Go ahead. Be angry with those Democrats who have not been team members. Give that anger it’s due and move on with a refocus of our time to more productive and rewarding ends.
Love "be focused on telling our story." Messages from real people to real people that touch hearts. “Stories are a communal currency of humanity.” — Tahir Shah
No smoking gun, Robert? There's more smoke coming from T___p and his henchpeople than threatened your mountain cabin a few months ago. A child of five could see it. I know, because I asked a child of five about it just yesterday, and he spotted it.
Your positive conclusions keep us looking forward. Thank you for that. I still believe in our democracy and will keep up postcards to voters etc!!! Thank you
Thank you. If we aren’t open to possibilities then what’s left? There are good people out there, including ourselves working hard for democracy. I can get down sometimes, even discouraged, but it’s important to “change the lens through which you view the world” and come back to optimism and the undreamed of possibilities ahead.
A very smart friend of mine (Hi Carole) asked why BBB is being presented as such a huge bill. "Trillions" frighten people. Most people can't keep track of what's in it.
Smaller focused bills with smaller price tags could pass more easily, no? And let's have everyone on record for or against child care, elder care, etc.
It makes sense, but the CBO issues a financial score based on the 10 year impact of legislation. So, the 10 year cost is baked into the discussion of how bills are scored.
So that opens the concept of how these important "social" projects should be paid for. There is a way. Offer a tax reform bill that rewards small businesses and LOWERS taxes for the vast majority of Americans while taxing the very affluent and larger companies.
And if the CBO says that's not enough, listen to Elizabeth Warren and company relative to changing things like estate taxes and capital gains taxes (for the affluent only). Levy a transaction fee on all equity trades - a tiny amount per trade would hardly be noticeable but could raise a ton of money from those who are living high on the hog.
Throw in some additional tax breaks for middle Americans like better property tax relief on first homes for those below a certain income threshold and for the elderly to help them stay in their homes. It shouldn't be hard to make it really attractive to the vast majority of voters while raising the money from those who have avoided paying their fair share.
And of course, fund the IRS properly. Give them the resources to hire up and hunt down the cheats. Give them the money to invest in modern technology.
We are the richest nation to have ever existed. There's a lot of money in them thar hills. Some of it just in the wrong pockets.
Happy weekend. Now I am going to plan dinner. And walk the dog.
AOC: “The problem is that due to the filibuster, we can’t vote on items individually. For the most part, the only major leg Senate can pass w/ 51 votes are reconciliation bills. We only get 2 per year. 1st was Rescue Plan, only 1 left”
Understood. But from a political strategy point of view, I would present each essential section of the bill for a vote! (those bills that have garnered more than 60% in the polls). We need to weaponize the obvious. Most Americans want to properly care for kids and the elderly. Talk about a messaging opportunity!!!
I have little patience for complaints that are not followed by potential solutions. And actions.
Go ahead and vent - then tell me what you are going to do about it.
Robert, you inspire and motivate us. I have been sharing your substack link with every friend and relative I speak with.
We don't have to take much time to act. It takes a minute to write to a Senator. This is mine this morning. No big deal. But I suspect I am one of thousands doing the same thing. Politicians count the calls and the emails.
"Today, I write about voting rights. PLEASE assist in carving out an exception to the filibuster to pass VOTING RIGHTS legislation. Nothing else will matter if the Republicans are allowed to corrupt their states voting rights laws. Stay in Washington until it is done! Everything spins around this issue - including the planet."
Love your attitude, Bill! And thanks for modeling for others how easy it is to make a difference!
Perfect suggestion -and it's so frustrating to live in DC (which I love) where I have no one to write a letter to. Rep. Holmes Norton has served us well as she can in committee, but she doesn't have a vote in the house. Taxation without representation - does everyone know that is the case in DC? Suggestions welcome!
I can't help. But the idea that you don't live in a "state" in the United STATES of America is just wrong, wrong, wrong. I guess you could write to Senator Schumer.
DC statehood is a cause I support.
Thank you Bill! Your passion about this means a lot to me!!
1. Regarding Joe Manchin and his understanding of the "entitlement society." Manchin's opposition to the child tax credit seemed more authentic when it was grounded in his opposition to its being part of creating an "entitlement society." The combination of disdain for people on welfare and a vision of people manipulating their circumstances to obtain free rides from the government is a distasteful picture that Reagan waived at us and JD Vaughn pictured for us. Because eligibility for the child tax credit is so high (single taxpayers earning less than $95,000, joint filers earning less than $170,000) Manchin's complaint has no basis. According to the IRS, 88% of children are eligible for the child tax credit. This is more akin to social security for which 97% of Americans are estimated to be eligible.
2. Optimism. I'm pretty optimistic about expanding the Democratic majority in the Senate. Candidates like Tim Ryan, Cheri Beasley, Val Demings who have cleared the field in the primary as they work to flip a Republican seat are cause for optimism. While there are four Democratic incumbents generally considered to be vulnerable, none are as vulnerable as, say, Heidi Heitkamp was in 2018. The House is harder to judge. As states complete redistricting plans (before the courts get involved) the House has already been so gerrymandered by Republicans, their redistricting goal appears to be primarily to prevent Republicans from being subject to successful challenges rather than to increase their number of seats. Voter suppression, however, is an issue to be combatted with (could it happen?) the help of Joe Manchin or with state by state organizing to get people to the polls despite the new laws.
Thanks, Len. Especially appreciate your analysis of the Senate and House races. But with any luck, some of the Sedition Caucus may be busy defending themselves in court in 2022. Perhaps that will tip the balance for Democrats!
I hope my political hack of a congressman, David Rouzer, winds up in court as a member of the Sedition Caucus. I feel nauseous every time I read his newsletter. He doesn’t care about our district, he just wants to be in political office. He has moved from office to office. He’s one of the professional politicians who represent my county. They only want to be in the political game. They have not had an independent thought in years.
Amen, brother! I stand with you in defying the omniscience of media pundits, of which number you are not one. It is work these days finding a cool head that can reason, and that is why I start every day with this blog/podcast before the crazy can get in. Obviously, Manchin is an egotistical object in the road to passage of much-needed federal funding legislation, and I am beginning to dislike seeing his photo every morning almost as much as I did the mug of 45. He is also profane and unprofessional. We could do without the exhaustion of a 24 hour bombardment that dulls the impact of developments and makes progress difficult to discern when it occurs. You give me tools to weather doomsaying, a demerit I always found endemic to social media. Thanks as always for sharing your steady mind.
Yes, good point about social media. I should have included it in the newsletter. For all of their promise, Twitter and Facebook do far more harm than good.
Thank you as always for your concluding thoughts - your persistent optimism and encouragement to us your readers to not succumb to the pundits' bludgeoning is so heartening. I recently listened to a podcast in which (one of my heroes) Bryan Stevenson, says, "Hope is our superpower...injustice prevails where hopelessness persists."
Laine, thanks for the note and for the quote from Bryan Stevenson. I am going to put that one in my pocket for future use!
Wonderful that you include a quote of such overarching truth! Thank you, Laine G.and Bryan Stevenson!🙏🏽 Amen!
For me the plan is to expect Independents to join Democrats in defeating DeSantis and Rubio in Florida of narrow election victories. The problem is to inform the public about the "anti-voting" measures that DeSantis is pushing through a Republican State legislature. In a few recent discussions with what I assumed were reasonable intelligent individuals they revealed they had no knowledge of recently passed legislation, they have their heads in the sand. We have to find ways to engage and inform those outside of the "Hubble-Cox" bubble. Ideas are welcome.
Hi, Charles. Thanks for your note. I have a favor to ask. Can you send me info at rhubbell@outlook.com regarding the Florida anti-voter legislation. I would like to highlight in the newsletter. Thanks!
I will be in Florida starting Monday for a week of making sure no one down there has their head in the sand. A couple of my father's neighbors, ones he really loves, are still Trumpers last I heard. Dad wants everyone to like him so he doesn't argue with them. But I still will try to finagle little neighborhood chats individually. Just the other day on the phone with 97 year old Dad, he started talking (AGAIN) about how Blacks need to take responsibility for reforming their own culture because THAT's what's at the bottom of their problems. Then he triggered me and I pointed out red lining, no GI Bill benefits for most Blacks who served in military, and no government approved loans processed for most Blacks trying to buy houses. He was clearly floored to hear that most Blacks did not, in fact, get access to the GI Bill benefits. Ta-da! Be ready to pounce when you see an opening.
Deborah, thanks for trying to spread the word even in your own family. As you note, many people prefer to avoid conflict and so don’t talk politics with family members who support the MAGA culture.
Robert your newsletter triggered a deep rooted anxiety I have had for several months. It feels like Republicans are aggressively and slowly attacking democracy through voter suppression state laws, abortion legal challenges, and outright intimidation of school board members, election officials and anyone who voices objection to Trump created lies around the Big Lie and other nonsensical statements and congressional subpoenas. It’s death by a 1000 cuts. What I want is simple. I want Democrats to stand up and loudly and clearly say “ We have had enough and we won’t take this anymore”. No more Mr. Nice guy. As Leo Durocher once said.: “Nice guys finish last”
All reasonable anxieties. I part ways about emulating Durocher. He was ejected 95 times as a manager, often for telling his pitchers to throw at the heads of opposing players. But i agree with you that we need to toughen our message and stop worrying about describing Republican efforts for what they are—in words of one syllable and with passion!
I soooo agree with your optimism! It really helps! My admiration grows with every newsletter. Many thanks to you and Jill! ( I was finally able to subscribe👍). Marcia Herman, Los Angeles
Hi, Marcia. Good to hear from you! Hope all is well with you and your family!
I agree, Marcia. Well said. Robert's positive outlook is helpful and frequently pulls me out of the depths of despair.
Your optimism is a big reason why I read your newsletter before anything else every morning. There is no option other than working our tails off to keep the House in 2022 and to gain real control of the Senate. Thank you for keeping us informed and encouraged.
I read Robert's letter last and for the same reason. I want to end my reading on good feelings. If Heather's letter gets to my inbox before I go to bed, I save it until morning so I can handle any bad, worrisome news better.
Keep up the good work, Alice. We need more people like you!
I agree that we must be and should be optimistic. To do so we must turn our attention to the many reasons independent, moderate Republicans or Democrats have to vote in 2022 & 2024 to expand the Democratic majority in contrast allowing those enabling and abetting the Trump and dark money efforts to dismantle democracy and constitutional justice. Our energy needs to be focused on telling our story, making clear what the Republicans who lie and spread misinformation are up to, and Get Out The Vote. We owe it to our country, communities, families and friends. To focus on anything else is to give in to dark times. Go ahead. Be angry with those Democrats who have not been team members. Give that anger it’s due and move on with a refocus of our time to more productive and rewarding ends.
“Give that anger its due and move on with a refocus of our time to more productive and rewarding ends.” Love it!
Love "be focused on telling our story." Messages from real people to real people that touch hearts. “Stories are a communal currency of humanity.” — Tahir Shah
No smoking gun, Robert? There's more smoke coming from T___p and his henchpeople than threatened your mountain cabin a few months ago. A child of five could see it. I know, because I asked a child of five about it just yesterday, and he spotted it.
Thank you for making me laugh on an early Friday morning!
Thank you Robert! Onward — sharing your resolve!
https://twitter.com/nancylathamlfa/status/1471298051218104322?s=10
Your positive conclusions keep us looking forward. Thank you for that. I still believe in our democracy and will keep up postcards to voters etc!!! Thank you
Thanks, Pamela!
In the spirit of hope most VA state rep losses were under 200 votes. Work at it.
A good reminder! Thank you!
Thank you. If we aren’t open to possibilities then what’s left? There are good people out there, including ourselves working hard for democracy. I can get down sometimes, even discouraged, but it’s important to “change the lens through which you view the world” and come back to optimism and the undreamed of possibilities ahead.
Thank you for helping us keep the faith that we are not doomed to a Republican takeover.
A very smart friend of mine (Hi Carole) asked why BBB is being presented as such a huge bill. "Trillions" frighten people. Most people can't keep track of what's in it.
Smaller focused bills with smaller price tags could pass more easily, no? And let's have everyone on record for or against child care, elder care, etc.
Doesn't that make sense?
It makes sense, but the CBO issues a financial score based on the 10 year impact of legislation. So, the 10 year cost is baked into the discussion of how bills are scored.
So that opens the concept of how these important "social" projects should be paid for. There is a way. Offer a tax reform bill that rewards small businesses and LOWERS taxes for the vast majority of Americans while taxing the very affluent and larger companies.
And if the CBO says that's not enough, listen to Elizabeth Warren and company relative to changing things like estate taxes and capital gains taxes (for the affluent only). Levy a transaction fee on all equity trades - a tiny amount per trade would hardly be noticeable but could raise a ton of money from those who are living high on the hog.
Throw in some additional tax breaks for middle Americans like better property tax relief on first homes for those below a certain income threshold and for the elderly to help them stay in their homes. It shouldn't be hard to make it really attractive to the vast majority of voters while raising the money from those who have avoided paying their fair share.
And of course, fund the IRS properly. Give them the resources to hire up and hunt down the cheats. Give them the money to invest in modern technology.
We are the richest nation to have ever existed. There's a lot of money in them thar hills. Some of it just in the wrong pockets.
Happy weekend. Now I am going to plan dinner. And walk the dog.
AOC: “The problem is that due to the filibuster, we can’t vote on items individually. For the most part, the only major leg Senate can pass w/ 51 votes are reconciliation bills. We only get 2 per year. 1st was Rescue Plan, only 1 left”
https://twitter.com/aoc/status/1472638974074175489?s=21
Understood. But from a political strategy point of view, I would present each essential section of the bill for a vote! (those bills that have garnered more than 60% in the polls). We need to weaponize the obvious. Most Americans want to properly care for kids and the elderly. Talk about a messaging opportunity!!!