I am overwhelmed with all this good news. I forwarded this particular one to a friend who has moved to Halifax Nova Scotia. We had a conversation today via old-fashioned telephone and she’s so discouraged about the US that she’s been a bit reluctant to stay informed, much less take action. I encouraged her to subscribe to your Substack. I figured starting with Sunday Good news was a really good way for her to engage.
➡️“Why would we ever want to return to where we were less than four short years ago?” ⬅️ Thanks for the seedy 😉 article in the NYT.
The ultrasound treatment for Alzheimers and drug addiction was aired on 60 Minutes last night. Wow! And in WV, no less. The article about American Bridge was inspiring, especially the last phrase "co-chair Cecile Richards". And "to be clear" ya "Don't mess with TX" (and Truth) when Rep Crockett is in the House. She kicks major ass for all of us. 💙
I like that you had to cut some things out because there is too much good news out there, awesome! You are why I remain hopeful (along with Robert Hubbell and others) and why I feel it’s not aALL about freaking Iowa! And yes to all comments about Rep Crockett, LOVE her
OMG! What a joy to hear Rep. Crockett's blistering comments to congress!
But Jessica, I have to tell you that it is nothing short of amazing that you can bring us these uplifting messages every week, showing us that there is HOPE for America! How on earth do you do it? You must spend hours on line searching for good news around the country. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to hear of the GOOD NEWS that's happening, when the commercial media only tells us the BAD news! (I limit myself to only a smidgeon of local news to get the weather report and that's it--after that, it's BBC and PBS only, and of course illuminating Substack writers like YOU!) THANK YOU!
Once again, Jessica, you have made me feel better, thank you so much. I am forwarding this email to every Democrat I know. I am so proud of Ms. Crockett, from Texas! Thank you for sharing that clip.
Can’t imagine the amount of research and reading you do on a daily basis. All appreciated to bring us good news and ways we can make a difference. Thank you!
Yes I've been tracking it and waiting until we had some actual legislation written. We'll be taking lots of action on this in the newsletter this week, starting tomorrow. I hate that corporations are getting more tax cuts, but am thrilled that we're going to get some families some much-needed relief. HOPEFULLY. There's a lot of consensus about this in the Senate, but the House...? God only knows.
Jessica here is more about this topic and the urgency for advocacy:Matthew Desmond. "Tools to End Endemic Poverty." New York Review of Books. January 18 2024
"The blunt truth is that pandemic antipoverty aid went away because we didn’t fight to keep it. We didn’t care enough. Millions of children were lifted out of poverty. Millions of renting families were spared the pain and humiliation of eviction. Millions of gig workers were finally protected from the cruel indignities of the market. And we seemed to barely notice. We didn’t march. We didn’t phone our congressperson. We didn’t write letters to the editor. We didn’t even talk about it, really.
Sure, there were political obstacles—including a certain Democratic senator from West Virginia, where a quarter of children lived in poverty last year, who gutted the Build Back Better recovery package by loudly opposing the expanded child tax credit—but when aren’t there? We can pin the blame on the Democrats’ “messaging problem.” We can point to the lack of serious policy ideas voiced by the modern Republican Party. But why absolve ourselves? Congress didn’t act to make pandemic aid permanent in large part because we didn’t. And in our silence, over five million children were cast back into poverty."
I mean, I look forward to reading it but as someone who called EVERY DAY for months to try to get that aid extended I take umbrage at his "no one tried to help" language. Just saying.
Just saw this hopeful article on WaPo re the expansion and am gifting it to you https://wapo.st/47AVRbF
As a retired pediatrician and public health person I'm so hopeful that this expansion will really happen. It's just shameful that we can't do better for children.
So much good news!!!
Rep. Crockett rocks!
She’s my hero. Seriously. Also a Run For Something alum, btw.
I am overwhelmed with all this good news. I forwarded this particular one to a friend who has moved to Halifax Nova Scotia. We had a conversation today via old-fashioned telephone and she’s so discouraged about the US that she’s been a bit reluctant to stay informed, much less take action. I encouraged her to subscribe to your Substack. I figured starting with Sunday Good news was a really good way for her to engage.
That’s great! Also I spend every summer in Nova Scotia so we have something in common!
➡️“Why would we ever want to return to where we were less than four short years ago?” ⬅️ Thanks for the seedy 😉 article in the NYT.
The ultrasound treatment for Alzheimers and drug addiction was aired on 60 Minutes last night. Wow! And in WV, no less. The article about American Bridge was inspiring, especially the last phrase "co-chair Cecile Richards". And "to be clear" ya "Don't mess with TX" (and Truth) when Rep Crockett is in the House. She kicks major ass for all of us. 💙
I needed those encouraging facts! Thank you!
Any time, Sarah!
I like that you had to cut some things out because there is too much good news out there, awesome! You are why I remain hopeful (along with Robert Hubbell and others) and why I feel it’s not aALL about freaking Iowa! And yes to all comments about Rep Crockett, LOVE her
God, I know. The fact that Iowa gets so much attention is exasperating beyond words.
That's quite a list. A LONG list. Rep. Crockett is an ass kicker in the most effectiveway.
She is.
OMG! What a joy to hear Rep. Crockett's blistering comments to congress!
But Jessica, I have to tell you that it is nothing short of amazing that you can bring us these uplifting messages every week, showing us that there is HOPE for America! How on earth do you do it? You must spend hours on line searching for good news around the country. I can't tell you how wonderful it is to hear of the GOOD NEWS that's happening, when the commercial media only tells us the BAD news! (I limit myself to only a smidgeon of local news to get the weather report and that's it--after that, it's BBC and PBS only, and of course illuminating Substack writers like YOU!) THANK YOU!
Thank you, Catherine! So glad you enjoy it!
"Keri Lake lost in court again" was all I needed to give a couple extra "WOOT WOOT's"!!!
Once again, Jessica, you have made me feel better, thank you so much. I am forwarding this email to every Democrat I know. I am so proud of Ms. Crockett, from Texas! Thank you for sharing that clip.
Keep up the great work.
Yay thank you! Sharing is the single best way to show your appreciation!
Can’t imagine the amount of research and reading you do on a daily basis. All appreciated to bring us good news and ways we can make a difference. Thank you!
Thank YOU, Jan. It’s a lot, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I love her, too!
Thank you, Jess!! Such a welcome and wondrous surprise receiving your/our well-researched wins!
Thanks, Lee! Appreciate that!
I agree, Jessica. I love this woman too.
How can we not lose with people like this taking it to the Republicans.
She’s the best!
a quick question, not directly related to this issue of the newsletter. I read that Rosa DeLauro is leading action in the House to get full expansion of the child tax credit and that there may be some bi-partisan effort to make this happen. I am writing to my CT Congressman, but I would like to know if you have any knowledge of broader action to make this happen. This intervention could (again !!!) dramatically decrease the % of children living in poverty. I would love to see this happen. More details :https://ctmirror.org/2024/01/15/child-tax-credit-rosa-delauro/?utm_source=Connecticut+Mirror+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=0792bc4af1-CT+Mirror+Afternoon+Briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_571d22f8e4-0792bc4af1-68230549&mc_cid=0792bc4af1&mc_eid=3a4ed5ef8e
Yes I've been tracking it and waiting until we had some actual legislation written. We'll be taking lots of action on this in the newsletter this week, starting tomorrow. I hate that corporations are getting more tax cuts, but am thrilled that we're going to get some families some much-needed relief. HOPEFULLY. There's a lot of consensus about this in the Senate, but the House...? God only knows.
Jessica here is more about this topic and the urgency for advocacy:Matthew Desmond. "Tools to End Endemic Poverty." New York Review of Books. January 18 2024
This is a phenomenal article. I,ve pasted the closing paragraphs below. (This is the link but there is probably a paywall. https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2024/01/18/tools-to-end-the-poverty-pandemic-the-viral-underclass/)
"The blunt truth is that pandemic antipoverty aid went away because we didn’t fight to keep it. We didn’t care enough. Millions of children were lifted out of poverty. Millions of renting families were spared the pain and humiliation of eviction. Millions of gig workers were finally protected from the cruel indignities of the market. And we seemed to barely notice. We didn’t march. We didn’t phone our congressperson. We didn’t write letters to the editor. We didn’t even talk about it, really.
Sure, there were political obstacles—including a certain Democratic senator from West Virginia, where a quarter of children lived in poverty last year, who gutted the Build Back Better recovery package by loudly opposing the expanded child tax credit—but when aren’t there? We can pin the blame on the Democrats’ “messaging problem.” We can point to the lack of serious policy ideas voiced by the modern Republican Party. But why absolve ourselves? Congress didn’t act to make pandemic aid permanent in large part because we didn’t. And in our silence, over five million children were cast back into poverty."
I mean, I look forward to reading it but as someone who called EVERY DAY for months to try to get that aid extended I take umbrage at his "no one tried to help" language. Just saying.
I think he must have been referring to "most" people ...not you and the people who read your newsletter!!!! :):)
Just saw this hopeful article on WaPo re the expansion and am gifting it to you https://wapo.st/47AVRbF
As a retired pediatrician and public health person I'm so hopeful that this expansion will really happen. It's just shameful that we can't do better for children.
Thank you so much for this!
You're welcome! Every Sunday!
So here I am, knitting and writing GOTV postcards …! (Alternating between the 2, obviously, I’m not THAT good)
That's an impressive juggling act!