It would be nice if people-- everyone-- understands what Trump (and his sidekick) endorse: weakening the US dollar. There is virtually no question among professional economists and their colleagues the economic *hell* Trump and his gang promise to rain down on Americans.
NO DISCRIMINATION:
When it comes to your pocketbook, there would be no discrimination.
Pornos featuring cheating on your spouse. Also, maybe a NASCAR race or two. (No offense to NASCAR as such, but I think we can honestly say there's a demographic in our Country that tends to support the Right Wing politically - who are also enamored with the sport).
Hey! My brother is a NASCAR fan and a MAGAt. Me, I sometimes watch porn but to disprove the sterotype I want you to know I’m voting straight Democratic ticket in hopes of helping destroy the Republican Party to make room for a new improved party. A party that will be of the people, by the people and for the people. It will be called The Peeps Party.
Most of us, it seems to me - see or have seen porn. We are, afterall sexual beings and take a natural interest in it. I don't think this necessarily implies one is a MAGAt. In fact, the very early SNL did a skit about Jimmy Carter acknowledging that he has "lusted in his heart" after women other than Roselyn. heh.
No offense to NASCAR? I will resist sharing my opinions of people who pay money to sit in a stand in withering heat, watching cars go round and round and round and round in a circle for hours. Well,
Talladega is about 100 miles, 2 hrs, from the land my 3rd great grandfather homesteaded in 1827.
William, find out what's most important to them, then build your message around it.
Out here in rural landscapes, I keep myself informed about farming, ranching, mining and land-use. I read Project 2025, but I studied the section on agriculture like a fiend. As I tell my neighbors, Project 2025 is a plan for the corporatization of the entire food system - and if that happens, we'll all be living in cement boxes. Then I point to the new suburban housing developments eating up farmland nearby, and ask is that what you want? I remind peope of clear-cut forests and mountaintop mining removal and ask is that's what you want for your land?
If Robert Reich's videos don't cover your neighbor's issues, find ones that do.
Yes, "Big Business" includes "Big Agriculture" too - in which "food products" are mass produced and mass processed for the quickest sale and the longest shelf life: NOT for best nutrition.
You have to be empathetic. It doesn’t work if you try to fight, they’ll be defensive. I just attended a Greenpeace thing on door knocking. People want to be heard. I’m not sure it’s best to start with the video, start with listening to the reasons they are voting
Really. Try empathy with a true believer, Find out how far you get.
Some years ago I had two JW's knock on my door, a man and a woman. They had no idea that I knew the bible better than they (I'm an atheist).She started her spiel, quoting the bible and I took over from there. The man was enthralled would have stood there longer, but she grabbed him by the arm and said we have to go.
People want to be heard, but they don't want to listen. 1995 I did some telephone canvassing as a political volunteer. An interesting experience to say the least
Oh and fighting or argument is useless, a waste of time, they only retrench and get more determined and angry.
My sis, died Apr 12, 2 yrs my junior, was an avid believer, anti Socialist, cause she read all of Taylor's Caldwell books and fell sway to B.S. from a Brit. She was down on Socialized Medicine but happy to receive Medicare benefits. She was also a Trumper.
We stopped talking until her son, my nephew called and said she had a couple of months to live, I sent her flowers, called and then she forgot all about politics.
I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I dunno, clearly it's not something that works for everyone. I guess the idea is that by somehow having them get open to telling a story about something meaningful to them personally regarding the issue, you can listen to what their explanation is for their views and at least establish a dialogue. this is a link to the deep listening thing they were talking about: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeazJmui7X7sOr69XKV0kX_q1zbbwUFVsQBd_TTznU1jFUJ4Q/viewform
That might just be how I’m explaining it. It didn’t feel that way to me. It felt like drawing out what was already there—a good heart. But perhaps you’re right. I don’t think I would be a good practitioner personally.
I got rid of the Mormons forever in that way, talking at length about what the Bible says, being a Stephen Minister lay minister at an ELCA Lutheran church. Which, btw, is to the left of most mainstream and certainly truly "evangelical, in its new meaning, churches of today. Never had a visit by Mormons again. Not that I'm saying there is anything wrong with choosing to be Mormon. Tim Walz, btw, is a member of the ELCA Lutheran church...
Fun isn't it. I use to look forward to JW's knocking on my door. Mormon's never did, though I found myself in the same unit with two other Mormon officers, they never proselytized though.
I don't hold out much hope to change the mind of a MAGA supporter. My limited interaction indicates a strong attachment to some issues that does not respond to logic. For instance, one woman claimed she would vote for Trumpler simply due to his abortion stance, knowing that he is absolute scum. Her faith (irrational) based opinion of personhood at conception overrulled any logic.
Another fellow was attached to the attacks that Trump takes in relationship to the immigration problem at the border. He could only think the issue was caused by Biden. He complained when I sent him Reich's information.
The challenge and priority for Project 2025 is to find a way to reach everyone in swing states. I will send a draft for a flier to Dem parties in swing states and hope that they send to every address in their state.
"0KK" --this is a secret code for "naught K's" or "naught case" or "Nut Case" to refer to the "more simple minded targets" of our efforts at persuasion.
It may SOUND as bonkers as Bunkerboy is EVERY DAY now with his advanced Alzheimers, but if Bunkerboy steals a second election . . . Earth is GONE. His masters will "DRILL BABY DRILL," Climate Change will wipe out 99.99% of life on Earth, and GOODBYE HUMANITY! (Tardigrades may be okay though.)
Worldwide emissions continue to rise. Heating is not caused mucy by emissions, but by the accumulated emissions. Science geeks get what this means, but a lot of people don't understand. A quick analogy:
Say you use a big bathtub of hot water to heat your house. The more hot water there is, the greater the heating. 150 years ago, the climate was stable, and the tub had 3 inches of hot water. But, we have had excess CO2 (hot water) dripping into the tub all these years, and now it is closer to 6 inches of hot water. We turned the heater up, and continue to do so. And the destruction from the increase is already very costly. We must stop raising the water level, and remove 150 years of emissions in order to stop the damage. If we don't do it soon enough, the damage done per year will exceed our ability to make repairs, and the infrastructure of civilization will collapse, along with civilization itself. ..... We may have already passed the point of no return, considering the reluctance of the population to change their behavior, and the slow domino effects of the fires, melting ice, droughts, floods, and loss of natural habitat.
I think you should go.back to the quick videos you used to do using a white board and cartoon characters hand drawn. The average person does NOT read much beyond headline news. And certainly not Trumpites. SO, keep it short and simple. No one except the already dedicated and enlightened Democrats will watch what you say for 2 minutes unless it is totally entertaining.
I fear it will be preaching to the choir. I think the majority of Trump supporters are in the closet. For a reason. They know he is a skunk. They don't care. They want someone willing to bring down Democrats with whatever means. They know he will lie, cheat, and scheme, and that's what they like about him. These Trump Closet voters hate Democrats. It's that simple. So you can't prove to them what they already know.
I've been toying with the idea that the behavior of the MAGAts can be largely understood if one posits them to be perverse. Per dictionary.com, perversity is "a willful tendency or determination to go counter to what is expected or desired, sometimes for no apparent reason; contrariness." Key is the word "willful"; they enjoy self-destruction, and by extension, the destruction of civilization.
What you've said sounds on the money to me. I won't say "policy" doesn't matter, but more and more it seem to come down to Party brand, and many don't like the Democrat brand even if many are not so crazy about the Republican brand or Trump anymore.
Case in point: ballot initiatives. Voters will approve an initiative(s) even though the Party/candidate they vote for is opposed. Of course, there are many factors involved in their vote decision.
But here is the ultimate kicker. In Missouri the Repubs have supermajorities in the House and Senate and hold all state-wide offices. If people continue voting for them they will eventually succeed in stripping away citizen's constitutional right to the ballot measure process as they have been attempting to do.
Future increases to minimum wage? Gone. Things like medicaid expansion. Fuggetaboutit. Can voters understand this? Do they care? I am trying to get the message across.
Many voters rate Repubs higher on the economy than Dems and I blame big business for much of that perception.
Voters in rural areas have greater access to the rightwing media machine and that's the source of much of our disease. Republicans, in league with business interests against the public, have greater access to media outlets.
I have a friend who, like me, has a PhD in meteorology. Neither he nor I made it big in the field, despite some great accomplishments. The focus on climate change, which didn't interest either of us, and affirmative action, which preferred minorities and women in the field-- who were admittedly underrepresented in the sciences, was a limiting factor in our lack of advancement. He has gone on to be a climate change denier, and blames everything on that and affirmative action. Myself, otoh blame it more on "the good ol boy network", being a relatively small profession. Steven and I have grown apart. He a MAGAt, and myself, still a progressive democrat. I keep trying, but have found it futile to get through to him. But I keep trying, and our friendship has become far more distant, like, and due to, our current political leanings. And my personal analysis of climatological data does strongly support the climate change hypotheses that we've been lead to believe over the past few decades.
You’re the best communicator ever. I love your explanations and have learned so much. Have liked your hard work & personality from the Clinton years. Many thanks for all you do.
Robert, I want to thank you so much for the tireless efforts you have made to teach others. I have learned a lot from you and from your Saturday Coffee Klatch with Heather Lofthouse. Even where I have slight disagreements, it still makes me think a bit harder about your point of view or search for evidence I can share.
It is really something to think about our childhood and influences. Thinking about what you have shared about yours, I have to say, you’re one of the most triumphant, effective teachers in the US. You became especially effective because of all you learned and turned it to good. Some people have an incredible gift to teach. And that is you. You are politically accomplished but your most consequential success comes from teaching and SHARING knowledge with others. Being allowed to sit in your classes (virtually) is…generosity defined. I’m glad we have had you through this Fascist attack on our country. I am no longer so stressed from the lies, corrupt judges etc, because the tide has turned. We do have the power to ensure that orange monster and his mafia-esque tyrants do not touch our government again. We will not stop until we elect the Harris-Walz team as president & VP.
Now you see trump lying about IVF and his abortion policy. Anyone who believes this shit is an idiot. But of course, he grabbed the media's attention and that's exactly what it is about. God help us survive the next 68 days or whatever it is.
I am 68 years old, and I have never voted for any manner of political office ever in my life. With that, not only will I be voting the Democratic ticket this November, but I have launched a podcast with the intention of reaching the No-Voters in our country, those Americans like myself that so loath politics and politicians that we do not bother to vote. But now I have a mission. I hate evil and Donald Donald Trump is evil. MAGA is evil, project 2025 is their satanic Bible and it’s evil. It is incumbent on every No-Voter in our country to vote this time, we owe it to the nation, and our fellow Americans to protect our democracy and end this reign of stupidity and vitriol brought upon us by Donald Trump. —- VOTE- Like Never Before
If you can do this effectively... great.... Maybe you could help get out the flier I worked on? Can't attach so adding below.
Suggestions of language for a Flier for all residents on Project 2025
Project 2025 or the Presidential Transition Plan for the next republican President is a project of the Heritage Foundation, written in 2022 and published in 2023. It has only in the last few months, been brought to the attention of the American people. However, given the enormous changes in policy and governmental structure proposed, this document has tremendous relevance to the November election and to the future direction of the country. Every US citizen deserves and needs to know what is being proposed to be initiated soon… in January 2025, should trump be elected. So, what is being proposed by this plan, who wrote it, and what is the connection to the trump campaign?
Some of the actions and policy changes in Project 2025, beginning on Day One of a 2025 republican administration:
First, the Insurrection Act will be activated, allowing the National Guard or military to stop public protests. This could involve jailing of anyone or groups protesting actions of the new administration.
Millions of undocumented people will be rounded up, put in internment camps and deported. Many of these people will be spouses of an American citizen, with some of their children belonging to DACA. Many currently work in agricultural fields, as caregivers of children, in elder care homes and pay taxes. This will essentially result in separation of many families and reduce the labor force as well as income tax revenue. (Trump himself has publicly stated he will initiate an massive deportation program.) Trump has also spoken of rounding up homeless people in blue cities and detaining them in camps.[63]
The DOJ will be used to prosecute his enemies, including “the vermin in our midst… commies, democrats, President Biden, judges, prosecutors, generals”. Fire a U.S. Attorney who doesn’t carry out his order to prosecute someone, breaking with a tradition of independent law enforcement that dates from America’s founding.
Project 2025 is aligned with Trump's former plans to fire government employees using Schedule F, a job classification established by Trump in an executive order in October 2020. The Heritage Foundation plans on having 20,000 personnel in its database by the end of 2024.[19] Russell Vought stated that the project's goal of removing federal workers would be "a wrecking ball for the administrative state".[67]
The Department of Education will be eliminated, including the early childhood Head Start program.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be gutted and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be abolished. The inflation Reduction Act (a landmark law that offers US$370 billion for clean technology) will be repealed, closing the Loan Programs Office at the U. S Department of Energy. Climate change will be eliminated from the U.S. National Security Council agenda, and allied nations will be encouraged to use fossil fuels. It supports Arctic drilling, declaring that the federal government has an "obligation to develop vast oil and gas and coal resources".[17] It would reverse a 2009 finding from the EPA that carbon dioxide emotions are harmful to human health, preventing the federal government from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
Health department policies will be repositioned, "by explicitly rejecting the notion that abortion is health care and by restoring its mission statement under the [Trump HHS] Strategic Plan and elsewhere to include furthering the health and well-being of all Americans 'from conception to natural death'."[38][39][40] It would work on executive orders and regulations" to roll back Biden administration abortion policies and "institutionalize the post-Dobbs environment."[41] The plan holds that the Food and Drug Administration is "ethically and legally obliged to revisit and withdraw its initial approval" of the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol.[27] It recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "update its public messaging about the unsurpassed effectiveness of modern fertility awareness-based methods" of contraception.[27.] Every state would report exactly how many abortions take place within its borders, at what gestational age of the child, for what reason, the mother's state of residence, and by what method."[ Enforce the Comstock Law.
The government should recognize only heterosexual men and women, rescind anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals, and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion provisions from federal legislation.[64]
Support for NATO may be reduced; President may refuse to defend allies who come under attack by Russia or China if president felt that country was not paying enough for its own defense. Stop sending weapons to Ukraine.
The White House pandemic-preparedness office will be closed.
Who wrote this Plan?
The Heritage Foundation provided leadership in developing the plan under leadership of Paul Dans, who recently stepped down under pressure of Trumps current downplaying of the plan. The Plan has been endorsed by over 120 conservative organizations, and is supported by significant funding mainly through billionaire Leonard Leo. Kevin Roberts, President of the Foundation, who currently provides leadership, recently noted: “The country is in the process of a Second American Revolution, which will be bloodless if the left allows it to be.”
Connection to the Trump campaign:
At least six Cabinet members and 140 members of the former trump administration have comprised half of the contributors to the Plan, including former chief of staff Mark Meadows, Stephen Miller, architect of border family separation policy. Russell Vought, former head of management and budget wrote the blueprint for consolidation of executive power. Vought also oversaw the current republican party platform.
While candidate trump has denied connection to this plan, Trump actually said at an April 2023 Heritage Foundation leadership meeting “They’re laying detailed plan for exactly what our movement will do… and that’s coming when American people give us a colossal mandate to safe America… and that’s coming”.
I will follow your instructions! Personally, I am already sick and tired of the typical election sound bites. The media coverage of the CNN interview with Kamala is typical of the trite coverage used to sway the public. If we are moved by either party to vote on those comments, we deserve what we get! "Where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise" ~Thomas Gray
Too true but it takes a cataclysmic change to their existence to recognise the consequences of their voting decisions. Trump was indeed bad for America's reputation abroad but incomes rose under Trump (economists can discuss by how much and whether this was attributable to tax cuts) and political correctness took a backseat. The confluence of Covid,the Ukraine and rapid inflation in core living costs has created a major obstacle to Kamala getting elected.
Can you speak to Ms Harris’ father’s book “Capital accumulation and income distribution.” It is being purported as a handbook of Marxism by him, thus VP Harris is a Marxist. In reality it seems a detailed scientific analysis of theories. Than you for your valuably researched remarks.
We were brought up in the 1950s to believe that the words Marxism, Communism, and Socialism are evil. They are economic theories. Dictators are evil. Democratic Socialism is a form of government that results in much less inequality and more happiness than Democratic Capitalism, which tends toward inequality and oppression. Some believe Democracy and Capitalism are incompatible because the wealthy eventually take over the government, remove regulations, lower their taxes, and assist them to become more prosperous. In contrast, everyone else becomes poorer and loses their rights, and Fascism is the result.
Robert Reich is one of the best teachers I know, and I am looking forward to his new video series, which will help me persuade others to vote for Harris and Walz.
Your ability to put information into a bigger context in a clear and concise way is extremely helpful. We are all better, educated because of everything that you have written.
GOOD, KEEP IT UP. I am in "RED" IDAHO, and need all the Help WE can GET, These MAGA Mutts are NUTS, Rotten to the CORE.
It would be nice if people-- everyone-- understands what Trump (and his sidekick) endorse: weakening the US dollar. There is virtually no question among professional economists and their colleagues the economic *hell* Trump and his gang promise to rain down on Americans.
NO DISCRIMINATION:
When it comes to your pocketbook, there would be no discrimination.
https://www.americanprogress.org/article/fact-sheets-the-harmful-effects-of-project-2025-by-state/
THIS OP-ED EXPLAINS TRUMP'S PLANS:
You Want Policies? Trump’s Got Policies. (Aug. 28, 2024) https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/28/opinion/trump-tariffs-deportation-economy.html?unlocked_article_code=1.G04.ZkD9.D3CckoE-Sdmk&smid=url-share
I would like ideas on how to get a Trump humper to even sit to watch the video.
SERVE BEER!!!!
Tell them it is porno.
Pornos featuring cheating on your spouse. Also, maybe a NASCAR race or two. (No offense to NASCAR as such, but I think we can honestly say there's a demographic in our Country that tends to support the Right Wing politically - who are also enamored with the sport).
Hey! My brother is a NASCAR fan and a MAGAt. Me, I sometimes watch porn but to disprove the sterotype I want you to know I’m voting straight Democratic ticket in hopes of helping destroy the Republican Party to make room for a new improved party. A party that will be of the people, by the people and for the people. It will be called The Peeps Party.
Most of us, it seems to me - see or have seen porn. We are, afterall sexual beings and take a natural interest in it. I don't think this necessarily implies one is a MAGAt. In fact, the very early SNL did a skit about Jimmy Carter acknowledging that he has "lusted in his heart" after women other than Roselyn. heh.
No offense to NASCAR? I will resist sharing my opinions of people who pay money to sit in a stand in withering heat, watching cars go round and round and round and round in a circle for hours. Well,
Talladega is about 100 miles, 2 hrs, from the land my 3rd great grandfather homesteaded in 1827.
I drive by farm land and buildings that are no longer in use and try to imagine life when farm was busy. What would those folks think of 2024.
Don't knock it until you actually try driving oval track.
Hahahahahahahahahaha Oh my goodness!
OH, and also some of Trump's favorite fast/ junk food....?
William, find out what's most important to them, then build your message around it.
Out here in rural landscapes, I keep myself informed about farming, ranching, mining and land-use. I read Project 2025, but I studied the section on agriculture like a fiend. As I tell my neighbors, Project 2025 is a plan for the corporatization of the entire food system - and if that happens, we'll all be living in cement boxes. Then I point to the new suburban housing developments eating up farmland nearby, and ask is that what you want? I remind peope of clear-cut forests and mountaintop mining removal and ask is that's what you want for your land?
If Robert Reich's videos don't cover your neighbor's issues, find ones that do.
Yikes about incorporating the entire food system... i's bad enough as it is.
Yes, "Big Business" includes "Big Agriculture" too - in which "food products" are mass produced and mass processed for the quickest sale and the longest shelf life: NOT for best nutrition.
You have to be empathetic. It doesn’t work if you try to fight, they’ll be defensive. I just attended a Greenpeace thing on door knocking. People want to be heard. I’m not sure it’s best to start with the video, start with listening to the reasons they are voting
Really. Try empathy with a true believer, Find out how far you get.
Some years ago I had two JW's knock on my door, a man and a woman. They had no idea that I knew the bible better than they (I'm an atheist).She started her spiel, quoting the bible and I took over from there. The man was enthralled would have stood there longer, but she grabbed him by the arm and said we have to go.
People want to be heard, but they don't want to listen. 1995 I did some telephone canvassing as a political volunteer. An interesting experience to say the least
Oh and fighting or argument is useless, a waste of time, they only retrench and get more determined and angry.
My sis, died Apr 12, 2 yrs my junior, was an avid believer, anti Socialist, cause she read all of Taylor's Caldwell books and fell sway to B.S. from a Brit. She was down on Socialized Medicine but happy to receive Medicare benefits. She was also a Trumper.
We stopped talking until her son, my nephew called and said she had a couple of months to live, I sent her flowers, called and then she forgot all about politics.
I'm sorry to hear that. Well, I dunno, clearly it's not something that works for everyone. I guess the idea is that by somehow having them get open to telling a story about something meaningful to them personally regarding the issue, you can listen to what their explanation is for their views and at least establish a dialogue. this is a link to the deep listening thing they were talking about: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeazJmui7X7sOr69XKV0kX_q1zbbwUFVsQBd_TTznU1jFUJ4Q/viewform
Works on Everyone, not works for everyone. Salesperson - customer.
That might just be how I’m explaining it. It didn’t feel that way to me. It felt like drawing out what was already there—a good heart. But perhaps you’re right. I don’t think I would be a good practitioner personally.
The New Conversation Initiative
I got rid of the Mormons forever in that way, talking at length about what the Bible says, being a Stephen Minister lay minister at an ELCA Lutheran church. Which, btw, is to the left of most mainstream and certainly truly "evangelical, in its new meaning, churches of today. Never had a visit by Mormons again. Not that I'm saying there is anything wrong with choosing to be Mormon. Tim Walz, btw, is a member of the ELCA Lutheran church...
Fun isn't it. I use to look forward to JW's knocking on my door. Mormon's never did, though I found myself in the same unit with two other Mormon officers, they never proselytized though.
I don't hold out much hope to change the mind of a MAGA supporter. My limited interaction indicates a strong attachment to some issues that does not respond to logic. For instance, one woman claimed she would vote for Trumpler simply due to his abortion stance, knowing that he is absolute scum. Her faith (irrational) based opinion of personhood at conception overrulled any logic.
Another fellow was attached to the attacks that Trump takes in relationship to the immigration problem at the border. He could only think the issue was caused by Biden. He complained when I sent him Reich's information.
Just read a study on Project 2025, i.e. what groups have learned about it. Mostly Democrats... some independents but few Republicans.
The challenge and priority for Project 2025 is to find a way to reach everyone in swing states. I will send a draft for a flier to Dem parties in swing states and hope that they send to every address in their state.
Send the video and pray.
"0KK" --this is a secret code for "naught K's" or "naught case" or "Nut Case" to refer to the "more simple minded targets" of our efforts at persuasion.
LET'S CONVERT AS MANY 0KK's AS WE CAN!😁😁😁😁😁
It may SOUND as bonkers as Bunkerboy is EVERY DAY now with his advanced Alzheimers, but if Bunkerboy steals a second election . . . Earth is GONE. His masters will "DRILL BABY DRILL," Climate Change will wipe out 99.99% of life on Earth, and GOODBYE HUMANITY! (Tardigrades may be okay though.)
I don’t think they realize that they are not exempt from climate change, or anything else that will affect “those people” (us?).
I think some will think twice, but not most as they seem to be too addicted to trump or brain addled by conspiracy theories to think seriously.
Worldwide emissions continue to rise. Heating is not caused mucy by emissions, but by the accumulated emissions. Science geeks get what this means, but a lot of people don't understand. A quick analogy:
Say you use a big bathtub of hot water to heat your house. The more hot water there is, the greater the heating. 150 years ago, the climate was stable, and the tub had 3 inches of hot water. But, we have had excess CO2 (hot water) dripping into the tub all these years, and now it is closer to 6 inches of hot water. We turned the heater up, and continue to do so. And the destruction from the increase is already very costly. We must stop raising the water level, and remove 150 years of emissions in order to stop the damage. If we don't do it soon enough, the damage done per year will exceed our ability to make repairs, and the infrastructure of civilization will collapse, along with civilization itself. ..... We may have already passed the point of no return, considering the reluctance of the population to change their behavior, and the slow domino effects of the fires, melting ice, droughts, floods, and loss of natural habitat.
MAGA is nuts I meant to say not mits.
Well, many MAGAsses ARE "mitheads"....so to speak.
I hear you - I'm in Spokane. So glad I'm on the other side of the border!
I think you should go.back to the quick videos you used to do using a white board and cartoon characters hand drawn. The average person does NOT read much beyond headline news. And certainly not Trumpites. SO, keep it short and simple. No one except the already dedicated and enlightened Democrats will watch what you say for 2 minutes unless it is totally entertaining.
I fear it will be preaching to the choir. I think the majority of Trump supporters are in the closet. For a reason. They know he is a skunk. They don't care. They want someone willing to bring down Democrats with whatever means. They know he will lie, cheat, and scheme, and that's what they like about him. These Trump Closet voters hate Democrats. It's that simple. So you can't prove to them what they already know.
I wonder if they really want him to be a role model for their children…. Wish they would look at his behaviors and seriously think about that
I'd like to tell you that there is some kind of rationale behind this, but I can't find any. It's almost like pure revenge.
I've spent 8 years trying to get through to people. I've tried educating, encouraging, chastising, embarrassing them, and nothing, zero.
Their answer is always, “Well, at least he’s not a Democrat.” What the hell does that mean?
How did Democrats get such a bad name? We might look to Rush Limbaugh, Bill O’Reily and Fox News.
Affirmative action was a big catalyst for their grievance. Seeing more brown faces in the workplace. They think they lost jobs because of diversity.
Regardless of the truth. The truth does not matter. Their perception is their truth. And it was fortified by Fox News.
This is just my opinion based on listening.
I've been toying with the idea that the behavior of the MAGAts can be largely understood if one posits them to be perverse. Per dictionary.com, perversity is "a willful tendency or determination to go counter to what is expected or desired, sometimes for no apparent reason; contrariness." Key is the word "willful"; they enjoy self-destruction, and by extension, the destruction of civilization.
Just a thought
What you've said sounds on the money to me. I won't say "policy" doesn't matter, but more and more it seem to come down to Party brand, and many don't like the Democrat brand even if many are not so crazy about the Republican brand or Trump anymore.
Case in point: ballot initiatives. Voters will approve an initiative(s) even though the Party/candidate they vote for is opposed. Of course, there are many factors involved in their vote decision.
But here is the ultimate kicker. In Missouri the Repubs have supermajorities in the House and Senate and hold all state-wide offices. If people continue voting for them they will eventually succeed in stripping away citizen's constitutional right to the ballot measure process as they have been attempting to do.
Future increases to minimum wage? Gone. Things like medicaid expansion. Fuggetaboutit. Can voters understand this? Do they care? I am trying to get the message across.
Many voters rate Repubs higher on the economy than Dems and I blame big business for much of that perception.
Voters in rural areas have greater access to the rightwing media machine and that's the source of much of our disease. Republicans, in league with business interests against the public, have greater access to media outlets.
I have a friend who, like me, has a PhD in meteorology. Neither he nor I made it big in the field, despite some great accomplishments. The focus on climate change, which didn't interest either of us, and affirmative action, which preferred minorities and women in the field-- who were admittedly underrepresented in the sciences, was a limiting factor in our lack of advancement. He has gone on to be a climate change denier, and blames everything on that and affirmative action. Myself, otoh blame it more on "the good ol boy network", being a relatively small profession. Steven and I have grown apart. He a MAGAt, and myself, still a progressive democrat. I keep trying, but have found it futile to get through to him. But I keep trying, and our friendship has become far more distant, like, and due to, our current political leanings. And my personal analysis of climatological data does strongly support the climate change hypotheses that we've been lead to believe over the past few decades.
Doubt that they think about their children in this regard.
You could do both (if have the resources) so to inform your readers but to give the Cliff Notes to the potential Blue voter.
I loved those, too
You’re the best communicator ever. I love your explanations and have learned so much. Have liked your hard work & personality from the Clinton years. Many thanks for all you do.
This retired firefighter will use your guidance to help light a fire under some family and friends who are planning to vote for Mr MAGA Pompous Ass.
Your work is inspiring, Sir!
Thank you!
Robert, I want to thank you so much for the tireless efforts you have made to teach others. I have learned a lot from you and from your Saturday Coffee Klatch with Heather Lofthouse. Even where I have slight disagreements, it still makes me think a bit harder about your point of view or search for evidence I can share.
It is really something to think about our childhood and influences. Thinking about what you have shared about yours, I have to say, you’re one of the most triumphant, effective teachers in the US. You became especially effective because of all you learned and turned it to good. Some people have an incredible gift to teach. And that is you. You are politically accomplished but your most consequential success comes from teaching and SHARING knowledge with others. Being allowed to sit in your classes (virtually) is…generosity defined. I’m glad we have had you through this Fascist attack on our country. I am no longer so stressed from the lies, corrupt judges etc, because the tide has turned. We do have the power to ensure that orange monster and his mafia-esque tyrants do not touch our government again. We will not stop until we elect the Harris-Walz team as president & VP.
Sorry if the
Happy Labor Day weekend, Mr. Labor Secretary! Thank you for all your help. We need it.
I don't need convincing - get the word to those who are caught in the cult!
Looking forward to hearing you Bob. Let’s do this!
Thank you so much! You are a wonderful teacher.
Amazing! Can’t wait! I’m a Democrat Abroad in London and am going to start phone banking other Dems Abroad. This will help me :)
Now you see trump lying about IVF and his abortion policy. Anyone who believes this shit is an idiot. But of course, he grabbed the media's attention and that's exactly what it is about. God help us survive the next 68 days or whatever it is.
I am 68 years old, and I have never voted for any manner of political office ever in my life. With that, not only will I be voting the Democratic ticket this November, but I have launched a podcast with the intention of reaching the No-Voters in our country, those Americans like myself that so loath politics and politicians that we do not bother to vote. But now I have a mission. I hate evil and Donald Donald Trump is evil. MAGA is evil, project 2025 is their satanic Bible and it’s evil. It is incumbent on every No-Voter in our country to vote this time, we owe it to the nation, and our fellow Americans to protect our democracy and end this reign of stupidity and vitriol brought upon us by Donald Trump. —- VOTE- Like Never Before
If you can do this effectively... great.... Maybe you could help get out the flier I worked on? Can't attach so adding below.
Suggestions of language for a Flier for all residents on Project 2025
Project 2025 or the Presidential Transition Plan for the next republican President is a project of the Heritage Foundation, written in 2022 and published in 2023. It has only in the last few months, been brought to the attention of the American people. However, given the enormous changes in policy and governmental structure proposed, this document has tremendous relevance to the November election and to the future direction of the country. Every US citizen deserves and needs to know what is being proposed to be initiated soon… in January 2025, should trump be elected. So, what is being proposed by this plan, who wrote it, and what is the connection to the trump campaign?
Some of the actions and policy changes in Project 2025, beginning on Day One of a 2025 republican administration:
First, the Insurrection Act will be activated, allowing the National Guard or military to stop public protests. This could involve jailing of anyone or groups protesting actions of the new administration.
Millions of undocumented people will be rounded up, put in internment camps and deported. Many of these people will be spouses of an American citizen, with some of their children belonging to DACA. Many currently work in agricultural fields, as caregivers of children, in elder care homes and pay taxes. This will essentially result in separation of many families and reduce the labor force as well as income tax revenue. (Trump himself has publicly stated he will initiate an massive deportation program.) Trump has also spoken of rounding up homeless people in blue cities and detaining them in camps.[63]
The DOJ will be used to prosecute his enemies, including “the vermin in our midst… commies, democrats, President Biden, judges, prosecutors, generals”. Fire a U.S. Attorney who doesn’t carry out his order to prosecute someone, breaking with a tradition of independent law enforcement that dates from America’s founding.
Project 2025 is aligned with Trump's former plans to fire government employees using Schedule F, a job classification established by Trump in an executive order in October 2020. The Heritage Foundation plans on having 20,000 personnel in its database by the end of 2024.[19] Russell Vought stated that the project's goal of removing federal workers would be "a wrecking ball for the administrative state".[67]
The Department of Education will be eliminated, including the early childhood Head Start program.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will be gutted and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will be abolished. The inflation Reduction Act (a landmark law that offers US$370 billion for clean technology) will be repealed, closing the Loan Programs Office at the U. S Department of Energy. Climate change will be eliminated from the U.S. National Security Council agenda, and allied nations will be encouraged to use fossil fuels. It supports Arctic drilling, declaring that the federal government has an "obligation to develop vast oil and gas and coal resources".[17] It would reverse a 2009 finding from the EPA that carbon dioxide emotions are harmful to human health, preventing the federal government from regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
Health department policies will be repositioned, "by explicitly rejecting the notion that abortion is health care and by restoring its mission statement under the [Trump HHS] Strategic Plan and elsewhere to include furthering the health and well-being of all Americans 'from conception to natural death'."[38][39][40] It would work on executive orders and regulations" to roll back Biden administration abortion policies and "institutionalize the post-Dobbs environment."[41] The plan holds that the Food and Drug Administration is "ethically and legally obliged to revisit and withdraw its initial approval" of the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol.[27] It recommends that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention "update its public messaging about the unsurpassed effectiveness of modern fertility awareness-based methods" of contraception.[27.] Every state would report exactly how many abortions take place within its borders, at what gestational age of the child, for what reason, the mother's state of residence, and by what method."[ Enforce the Comstock Law.
The government should recognize only heterosexual men and women, rescind anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ individuals, and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion provisions from federal legislation.[64]
Support for NATO may be reduced; President may refuse to defend allies who come under attack by Russia or China if president felt that country was not paying enough for its own defense. Stop sending weapons to Ukraine.
The White House pandemic-preparedness office will be closed.
Who wrote this Plan?
The Heritage Foundation provided leadership in developing the plan under leadership of Paul Dans, who recently stepped down under pressure of Trumps current downplaying of the plan. The Plan has been endorsed by over 120 conservative organizations, and is supported by significant funding mainly through billionaire Leonard Leo. Kevin Roberts, President of the Foundation, who currently provides leadership, recently noted: “The country is in the process of a Second American Revolution, which will be bloodless if the left allows it to be.”
Connection to the Trump campaign:
At least six Cabinet members and 140 members of the former trump administration have comprised half of the contributors to the Plan, including former chief of staff Mark Meadows, Stephen Miller, architect of border family separation policy. Russell Vought, former head of management and budget wrote the blueprint for consolidation of executive power. Vought also oversaw the current republican party platform.
While candidate trump has denied connection to this plan, Trump actually said at an April 2023 Heritage Foundation leadership meeting “They’re laying detailed plan for exactly what our movement will do… and that’s coming when American people give us a colossal mandate to safe America… and that’s coming”.
I will follow your instructions! Personally, I am already sick and tired of the typical election sound bites. The media coverage of the CNN interview with Kamala is typical of the trite coverage used to sway the public. If we are moved by either party to vote on those comments, we deserve what we get! "Where ignorance is bliss, tis folly to be wise" ~Thomas Gray
David - But if ignorance is bliss, why are so many people unhappy? Probably because they voted, in their wilful ignorance, for their oppressors.
Too true but it takes a cataclysmic change to their existence to recognise the consequences of their voting decisions. Trump was indeed bad for America's reputation abroad but incomes rose under Trump (economists can discuss by how much and whether this was attributable to tax cuts) and political correctness took a backseat. The confluence of Covid,the Ukraine and rapid inflation in core living costs has created a major obstacle to Kamala getting elected.
Can you speak to Ms Harris’ father’s book “Capital accumulation and income distribution.” It is being purported as a handbook of Marxism by him, thus VP Harris is a Marxist. In reality it seems a detailed scientific analysis of theories. Than you for your valuably researched remarks.
We were brought up in the 1950s to believe that the words Marxism, Communism, and Socialism are evil. They are economic theories. Dictators are evil. Democratic Socialism is a form of government that results in much less inequality and more happiness than Democratic Capitalism, which tends toward inequality and oppression. Some believe Democracy and Capitalism are incompatible because the wealthy eventually take over the government, remove regulations, lower their taxes, and assist them to become more prosperous. In contrast, everyone else becomes poorer and loses their rights, and Fascism is the result.
Robert Reich is one of the best teachers I know, and I am looking forward to his new video series, which will help me persuade others to vote for Harris and Walz.
Oh crap, really?
Partner with FT 6 .
https://www.fieldteam6.org/
Your ability to put information into a bigger context in a clear and concise way is extremely helpful. We are all better, educated because of everything that you have written.
Excellent! Many thanks Robert, keep it coming.