You're a blessing to us all and a gem. There's a saying: 'Do the hard stuff and life gets gradually easier; do the easy stuff and life gets harder'. Your blog inspires us to slog together through the hard stuff for as long as it takes.
My wife is a long-time subscriber; I'm relatively new. Together we lead a small Indivisible group that currently is focused on writing Post Cards to Voters for Tom Suozzi's NY-3 candidacy in a Special Election on Feb. 13th.
We're writing via PTV. We're closing in on 150 postcards between the 2 of us. Others in our Indivisible group are writing as well. The group has met bi-weekly or monthly since early 2017. We're a small but 'mightily determined' group in a small W. Mass, largely Republican town. -John
I read the linked Politico column with interest. I'm a life-long Democrat living in the south who peacefully coexisted with Republican friends by simply not talking politics. But after Trump that became much harder - especicially when some of them insisted on repeating Fox News talking points. I distanced myself from some of them because of our irreconcilable differences. But I did keep up with a few of my Republican friends - those that took Covid seriously.
After Jan 6th and Trump's second Impeachment trial, two friends (both life-long Republicans) told me out of the blue that they had changed their voter registration to Independent. I know both had voted for Biden in 2020. One of them has a slew of MAGA relatives and she will tell me "I just can't talk to them any more - it is like they are in a cult!" and "I don't think I will ever vote for anoter Republican in my lifetime; they are all Trump sycophants!" Honestly, anyone overhearing our conversation would assume that she's the lifelong Democrat....
My hope is that that there are more people like my friends than we know about. They just may be uncomfortable "outing" themselves to people they think will condemn them as traitors. I think it is important to welcome them -- no matter how long it took them to recognise that Trump is a clear an present danger to our country.
Yes, yes and yes! Also loved (which you have already mentioned) that newly released memo from the Koch Brothers said they fully expect President Biden to defeat Donald Trump despite what the media says. 🩵
Yes, do call. It's important they know their voters are behind them. Plus, they are always having to prioritize, and the calls they get tell them what their voters are most fired up about.
Need your help. I’m all in on the Democratic ticket but I just got disturbing information: lots of folks are hesitant about Biden as they don’t want VP Harris to end up the “accidental president “. What about different ticket with Michelle Obama running as VP? When Roosevelt faces the same problem we lost our progressive VP & instead got Truman. And we survived it. Pat Sax
I am a KH fan so this argument doesn't hold much weight for me. First of all, the amount of racism and sexism Harris is facing--in many cases totally internalized--is staggering, and it wouldn't be a bit better with Michelle Obama. It would likely be worse, as the "nepotism" calls would be deafening. Second, I just don't see people voting for Trump over Biden JUST because they don't like Harris. Trump voters are going to vote for Trump. Everyone else is going to vote for Biden or, if they're mad at Biden, third party...and it's the latter group we need to worry about. (And they, by the way, have no problem with KH. They're mad at Biden for his Israel policy.) Harris is an extraordinarily able politician--not perfect, of course, but highly qualified and engaging. Plus, she resonates with young and BIPOC voters a ton. WE NEED THAT. Everyone is an armchair pundit. What we need are more people helping Biden and Harris win. Just my opinion.
Trump did not get the most votes. The most votes went to the folks that didn’t vote. This is important. Trump got his usual 31%. Our democratic constitutional system is broken. One example is our Supreme Court, another is the amount of gerrymandering & another very important problem is the amount of money buying our elections. This is no longer a democracy & we need to fix it. Pat Sax
Hi Jessica,
You're a blessing to us all and a gem. There's a saying: 'Do the hard stuff and life gets gradually easier; do the easy stuff and life gets harder'. Your blog inspires us to slog together through the hard stuff for as long as it takes.
My wife is a long-time subscriber; I'm relatively new. Together we lead a small Indivisible group that currently is focused on writing Post Cards to Voters for Tom Suozzi's NY-3 candidacy in a Special Election on Feb. 13th.
Amazing! Are you writing with PTV? Or Activate America?
We're writing via PTV. We're closing in on 150 postcards between the 2 of us. Others in our Indivisible group are writing as well. The group has met bi-weekly or monthly since early 2017. We're a small but 'mightily determined' group in a small W. Mass, largely Republican town. -John
Fantastic! Good on you!
I read the linked Politico column with interest. I'm a life-long Democrat living in the south who peacefully coexisted with Republican friends by simply not talking politics. But after Trump that became much harder - especicially when some of them insisted on repeating Fox News talking points. I distanced myself from some of them because of our irreconcilable differences. But I did keep up with a few of my Republican friends - those that took Covid seriously.
After Jan 6th and Trump's second Impeachment trial, two friends (both life-long Republicans) told me out of the blue that they had changed their voter registration to Independent. I know both had voted for Biden in 2020. One of them has a slew of MAGA relatives and she will tell me "I just can't talk to them any more - it is like they are in a cult!" and "I don't think I will ever vote for anoter Republican in my lifetime; they are all Trump sycophants!" Honestly, anyone overhearing our conversation would assume that she's the lifelong Democrat....
My hope is that that there are more people like my friends than we know about. They just may be uncomfortable "outing" themselves to people they think will condemn them as traitors. I think it is important to welcome them -- no matter how long it took them to recognise that Trump is a clear an present danger to our country.
I agree. VERY important that we let bygones be bygones and welcome them into the fold!
Yes, yes and yes! Also loved (which you have already mentioned) that newly released memo from the Koch Brothers said they fully expect President Biden to defeat Donald Trump despite what the media says. 🩵
Yup.
Just a reminder that "Run For Something" is looking for people under 40 to run for state and local offices across the country.
We desperately need new voices, new representation, and new perspectives for the 21st century.
Indeed they are! I know today is National Run For Office day, too. Just coulnd't get to it in this issue.
the Feb 6th talk you are giving sponsored by Swing Left is still saying it is over capacity. Any way other can sign up?
Ooh let me tell her. Thanks!
I live in Massachusetts and my representatives support most of the actions you recommend. Should I still call them and thank them for their vote?
Yes, do call. It's important they know their voters are behind them. Plus, they are always having to prioritize, and the calls they get tell them what their voters are most fired up about.
When I do this I find it is a shot in the arm for the staffers who often get different kinds of calls. They are pleased to get them.
Need your help. I’m all in on the Democratic ticket but I just got disturbing information: lots of folks are hesitant about Biden as they don’t want VP Harris to end up the “accidental president “. What about different ticket with Michelle Obama running as VP? When Roosevelt faces the same problem we lost our progressive VP & instead got Truman. And we survived it. Pat Sax
I am a KH fan so this argument doesn't hold much weight for me. First of all, the amount of racism and sexism Harris is facing--in many cases totally internalized--is staggering, and it wouldn't be a bit better with Michelle Obama. It would likely be worse, as the "nepotism" calls would be deafening. Second, I just don't see people voting for Trump over Biden JUST because they don't like Harris. Trump voters are going to vote for Trump. Everyone else is going to vote for Biden or, if they're mad at Biden, third party...and it's the latter group we need to worry about. (And they, by the way, have no problem with KH. They're mad at Biden for his Israel policy.) Harris is an extraordinarily able politician--not perfect, of course, but highly qualified and engaging. Plus, she resonates with young and BIPOC voters a ton. WE NEED THAT. Everyone is an armchair pundit. What we need are more people helping Biden and Harris win. Just my opinion.
Trump did not get the most votes. The most votes went to the folks that didn’t vote. This is important. Trump got his usual 31%. Our democratic constitutional system is broken. One example is our Supreme Court, another is the amount of gerrymandering & another very important problem is the amount of money buying our elections. This is no longer a democracy & we need to fix it. Pat Sax
Well said!
Thank you!