Call me an unreasonably optimistic activist, but I still think that there's hope for the #ImmediateFlipMovement to start Trump's nightmare ahead of schedule.
We just need three House Republicans to declare as independent, perhaps rebranding as #ConstitutionalConservatives as they save democracy by caucusing with Democrats. They will be heroes for yanking the gavel out of Johnson's hand this summer instead of next winter.
And the resulting #BlueHouseOversightRampage will carve through the #ClownCarCabinet like a chainsaw through Jell-O. They'll be so busy tallying up Trump's illegal emoluments profits that it will finally take a while to impeach him.
Wouldn't it be nice if the second 250 years of our nation started off on the right foot with major reforms to prevent anything like Trump's kleptocratic fascism ever taking root again?
I used to be depressed, but lately I've been more hopeful. Besides, I'm not one to give up, and I refuse to give up hope! Barack Obama opened his new library this past week, and it was wonderful to hear him and Michelle speak so lovingly about each other and this country. Meanwhile, Trump is falling apart mentally, physically, and intellectually.
More and more people in government are realizing that they can speak out, just like we citizens are doing. We may be a bit paranoid or afraid of possible consequences, but the light always prevails over the darkness. Trump is losing support even from his own party. The reflecting pool is has become a metaphor for his reign. No plan. No competitive bids. No knowledge about the subject at hand. Just jump in and let the chips fall all around us.
Now this green glob of goo is becoming the symbol of Donald Trump's failing mental and physical health. It's slimy. It's toxic. And he refuses to admit that any of his failures are his own fault. It's always someone else.
Happy Father’s Day to us all; not just those who are fathers, but to the women who helped us to be better fathers, and without their love, help and political leadership ,we could have never aspired to be the fathers we have now become.
Now on to fixing the political mess that greedy, power-hungry so-called politicians got us into.
The next 135 days are critically important not just that we get more Democrats into various offices, but we learn to become solid, grounded committed, idealistic activists and even make our plans for a nonviolent political and economic revolution to come. Replacing a few idiot, Republicans will help, but it will not solve our current dilemma at its roots.
And what is the root of all of this? It is the now fatally destroyed form of economics and a political system that has been demonstrated to us repeatedly that it can no longer effectively enforce the American ideals and dreams that we all hold so dear. Since our brilliant founding fathers (supported by and encouraged by our founding mothers) have had the original policies ignored and destroyed, the ideals stated in our constitution have been destroyed with amazing speed by a group of greedy, misogynistic and power-hungry politicians and billionaires.
We have two important pieces of work ahead of us. Short range we need to break the Republican monopolies in the house, the Senate, and in the executive branch. They have been been deadly triumphant in pushing forward the agenda of the billionaires who were originally behind project 2025. We have finally emerged from the shock of quickly transforming into an oligarch powered dictatorship where all laws, ideals and tenants of the constitution have been and still are violated with impunity.
Our country was born out of a long, protracted struggle against the most powerful and wealthy country then existing on the planet. However, violent revolution no longer works and has almost no staying power in today’s world. Where did free democratic Latvia, Poland and Estonia come from come from? They built lasting, democratic governments utilizing mass anti-establishment movements that led to lasting nonviolent revolutions. Due to current tragical consequences of our capitalist, infected democracy, we are no longer leaders on the world stage. That being the case, it is time to follow the incredible successes ( at least 10 or more) of past nonviolent revolutionary successes of countries that are now freed from tyrannical dictatorships, and the greedy corporate interests.
If we maintain dynamic nonviolence, the police, the National Guard, and all of the armed forces may harass us, but they will not have the ability to stop a powerful nonviolent movement that set out to change to the system that got us into this current terrible situation. And let us ensure that women and people of all backgrounds and skin colors are fully represented in our new government. We need their wisdom, compassion and their strength to build a better government and economic system.
From my own point of view and belief system, we have now been presented with the opportunity of our lifetimes to change the United States and once again provide positive leadership for the planet.
We need an FDR to bring the people on board for the possibility of some sort of transformation Marc envisions. It will take time and lots of it.
People might like the series Netflix has on Jefferson and George Washington.
These are fuller characters than the caricatures popular culture provides.
When you see how the Brits personally rebuffed and thwarted Washington's ambitions, culminating in their policies in the 1770's that damaged him economicaly, that guy was loaded for bear to get back at them when made Commander of the new US military. As one narrator noted, at some time during the Revolutionary war he realized it was more important not to lose, to just keep on going in a war of attrition, than to go high risk in a battle and suffer major defeat which would like destroy all hope of the revolution.Why he changed his mind for the battle of Yorktown is explained.
Major reform propositions are what we should be hearing now from our Candidates. Doesn't have to be perfect, just conceptual. But not wait until after the elections. Give all of us Independents something to consider. Dems have a lot of past baggage and still need to earn our vote.
That’s my cue. Apologies for the overly long repost. If DNC did their job, it wouldn’t be necessary. Pasted below are suggested planks for November, amended by substack readers. Since there are nearly 50, each state has been randomly assigned one plank to research. If incumbents and candidates collaborate with laser-focus on just one issue per state, they can provide detailed timelines and budgets to the county at virtual conventions. If DNC has better ideas, let’s hear them?
(BTW, the assignments are random. Who knew AI had a sense of humor?)
We WILL have the country that was promised 400 years ago but it will require unprecedented cooperation, like Quincy Jones got when he made “We Are The World.” He posted a sign that applies here: “check your ego at the door.” Or emigrate. Like the celebrities who got rich here but won’t stay and fight.
1. Medicare for all, including mental health, dental, and vision. Assign to South Dakota.
2. Running water for all. Assign to Delaware.
3. Safe, affordable, adequate housing for all. Assign to Maryland.
4. Climate change course correction. Assign to Kentucky.
5. National “Annual Yearly Progress” educational standards that apply to all students: public school, private school, home school. Assign to Washington.
6. Nutrition and pesticides. There’s a reason why US wheat imports are banned in EU. Assign to Vermont.
7. Paths to citizenship and statehood. Assign to Minnesota.
8. Metric system instead of imperial measurements. Every country in the world has made the switch except the US, Liberia, and Myanmar. Assign to Arkansas.
9. Reading and math literacy. Assign to Iowa.
10. Maternal and infant survival (US has the worst rates among developed countries). Assign to Hawaii.
11. Restore DEI. My disability requires electronic communication (email or chat with a transcript) but legal teams don’t like written records. I have to surrender agency and assign a proxy to manage a credit card issue or schedule a mammogram. Disney sent me an email stating that they’re “phones only.” What’s next? Telling guests in wheelchairs to manage the stairs? Assign to Colorado.
12. Zero tolerance of corruption. Assign to New Hampshire.
13. Child care. Montessori is Head Start in Italy. It was invented there to lift up disadvantaged children. In the US, we’ve made it a designer brand that’s unaffordable for those who need it most and for whom it was intended. Assign to North Carolina.
14. Amend the 2nd amendment. Texas has more than 4000 gun deaths per year. FL takes silver with more than 3000. Together, they’re responsible for more than 17% of the 40,000 annual gun deaths in the US. The UK has 28. Not 28,000. Not 2800. 28. Their cops are unarmed. Everyone wins. Assign to Arizona.
15. FOIA restored without the loopholes. Assign to Oregon.
16. Enforcement of the laws, regs and court decisions that are on the books but ignored. Assign to Wisconsin.
17. Abortion rights enshrinement. Assign to Mississippi.
18. Marriage equality enshrinement. Assign to Florida.
19. Infrastructure investment. Assign to California.
20. Internet for all. Assign to Nevada.
21. We need to stop flushing drinking-quality water. We’re running out. Assign to Illinois.
22. Return the Black Hills. Assign to Tennessee.
23. Reparations. Assign to Louisiana.
24. Livable wages in decent working conditions, ideally in a union environment. Assign to Michigan.
25. End citizens united. Assign to Connecticut.
26. Inheritance reform. Assign to Montana.
27. Enshrine social security. Assign to West Virginia.
28. Reform SCOTUS and court system. Assign to North Dakota.
29. Campaign finance reform. Assign to Georgia.
30. Tax reform. Assign to Alaska.
31. Commitment to ethical conduct. Assign to New York.
32 Commitment to “truthfulness, transparency, and accountability.” Assign to Ohio.
33. Texas: Enshrine voting rights. Assign to Texas,
34. Outlaw NDAs. They were meant to protect secret formulas, not silence the voices of victims. Assign to New Jersey.
35. Join ICC. Assign to Missouri.
36. Restore the covenant of “good faith and fair dealing.” Assign to Maine.
37. Term limits. Public service is not for accumulating power and influence, it’s for serving the people. Assign to Indiana.
38. Mandatory service to by all citizens reaching 18 for two years in public works, AmeriCorp, National Guard, or other similar organization. Assign to Utah.
39. Prison reform. Assign to Alabama.
40. Free college or vocational training. Assign to Virginia.
41. Eliminate electoral college. Assign to Idaho.
42. End private equity investment. Assign to Rhode Island.
43.End tipping. It’s out of control and our global neighbors don’t do it. Assign to Pennsylvania.
44. Issue new SS numbers to each citizen now that ours have been compromised. Assign to Wyoming.
45.Animal Welfare Act. AKC “breed standards” require docked tails and cropped ears for some dogs. The US and Russia are among the only nations where cosmetic mutilation of dogs is legal. Global leaders Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI, France) and The Kennel Club (KC, UK) preserve breed standards without these cruel practices. We can do the same. Assign to Kansas.
46.Regulate contracts signed by—and conditions endured by—pregnancy surrogates. Assign to New Mexico.
ISO equanimity, thank you for laying out such a detailed plan for the future of the United States. It will take a massive nonviolent revolution to accomplish all of this, and I firmly believe that this is what will save the United States and all of its inhabitants including its animals, plants, microbiological organisms, and our precious natural resources, which are now being plundered at an alarming rate.
Thank you for the kind words. I spent my career as a middle school guidance counselor (excellent training for the antics of this administration). Most of my time was spent in concrete problem solving: students failing classes, bullying, dating violence, etc. If DNC has better ideas for addressing the dozens of crisis-level issues in this country, let’s hear them. Otherwise, all DNC has to do is dole out the assignments to each state’s incumbents and candidates.
ISO, I also got my best training from being a special ed teacher of both lower school and middle school students diagnosed as ED./LD in a specialized facility. Although I only spent four years in the classroom, I learned a lot in classroom management and helping kids understand why they got into their latest jam.
A humorous moment came after I changed careers into commercial property management. I had a very difficult tenant who loved to challenge me and one day he turned to me and he said “how can you stand to take a job when you have to deal with people like me?” My answer was simple: “O Herbert, after being a special ed teacher for four years I consider you to be a piece of cake.” he laughed, and he stopped being a pain.
Humor works, and I suspect all of us would benefit from using more humor in our lives.
"Call me an unreasonably optimistic activist, but I still think that there's hope for the #ImmediateFlipMovement to start Trump's nightmare ahead of schedule."
Sorry, A Glass-1/8th-Full-Perspective, but I must say (with sincere apologies for being blunt) that you are delusional. I consider myself an irrepressible optimist (but tempered with realism).
In the meantime, six states have laws on the books for “misprision” of treason or felony and can issue warrants for the lot of them. Upon receipt, DC metro police will round them up, arrest them, and detain them in city jails for up to 30 days pending extradition. Wouldn’t that be a nice bday present to the nation? What are those AG’s waiting for?
From a European viewpoint it is of course a great attempt to influence what happens.
But still: I see rather global political positions, but a cry for donations. That seems detrimental for the attention to political issues. What matters most? The person or the ideas?
My experience in Europe is more about ideas and principles, although here the theatrical wins as well; but big money out of politics should mean that the role of money gets limited.
Excuse me, but all that money would be wasted if confronted with a truly informed and educated public. This is where the substitution of social media for actual community has really hurt us.
I agree, and there is another factor at work here. Kids often are taught only the subjects needed for standardized exams, and they don’t learn anything about American government or civics. This makes them prey for misinformation on social media or on outlets like Fox “News.l
It sounds like you are expecting schools to be imparting what genuine communities should be. When there's no reinforcement in society what good teachers try to convey, it turns into a waste.
I get your point. Social media is no substitute for actual community, and it is actively encouraging society to become atomized and to destroy solidarity. I don’t view schools alone as the answer, and I agree with you schools and communities should work in harmony to reinforce each other. It is better to limit social media access for younger kids.
Sometimes, we also learn from examples our parents set for us. My mother’s father was the son of Irish immigrants, and until he died in 1960 (before I was born,) he would take each of his children to register to vote when they turned 21. After he died, my uncle did this for my aunts. Mom always told us what she had learned from her father about the importance of studying the issues and voting. She took us with her when she went to vote when we were kids, and I vote. I have a certain amount of skepticism of some things I see on social media because I learn from various sources.
A friend just emailed me this commentary: I LOVE IT.
the conclusion of political commentator Heather Delany Reese's report on Trump's behavior at the G7- offering a shred of hope:
This is who is representing the world’s oldest constitutional democracy on its largest stage. Trump is visibly unwell, easily played, and is lavishing his admiration on the most dangerous men alive while reserving contempt for his own people and our allies. It is embarrassing, but the embarrassment is only the surface of it. The danger underneath is that the people sitting across the table from him can see it too.
And still, even here, there is something worth holding. We are still being invited. The other democracies have not written off the United States, even with this as our representative, and that matters far more than it might first appear. Macron did not give up on us; he worked the problem, because keeping America inside the alliance, the room, and the conversation is worth the trouble of managing the man we sent. Our allies are still trying, still steering us toward the right outcomes even when our own president cannot find them on his own, still treating this country as one worth saving from the worst instincts of its leadership. The institutions are holding, and so are the alliances, and the careful, unglamorous work of diplomacy is being carried out by people who refuse to let one man’s vanity unravel eighty years of painstaking construction. That refusal is its own form of resistance, and it buys us time, time that runs toward the midterms. The world has not closed the door on us. It is holding it open, watching to see whether we will walk back through it as the nation we are still capable of being, and the work between now and then is to make sure that we do. That is why I still have hope for America, and you should, too.
I don't think the rest of the democratic world will align itself as closely to the US any time soon, if ever again. The only reason we must deal with him is because of the military and economic power the US holds. The end of trump, unfortunately, will not be the end of your troubles. We're rooting for your success and will help as we can, but you've got a huge, multi-faceted job ahead, and a citizenry that's easily distracted and manipulated.
Well.....look at Germany. The horrors of Hitler are still present in our memories but we do not hold the current German government and its people that are alive now accountable for those atrocities. While the world will not forget, luckily humans have the capacity to forgive. I am hopeful that our European and Canadian friends remember that it was not by popular vote that we have a perianal pustule running our government. Our self respect and freedoms were taken from us and not by choice. By system failure.
Agreed, but... the US is in deep trouble and you are still up against a significant number of people who are on the side of neo-fascism (maybe without even realizing it); more to the point, there is another group of people who don't care for the regime but want to maintain the status quo. As long as those groups hold the majority, I don't see a win... maybe a stalemate that won't last because the forces at play will continue to fester. That said, RR is correct to continue to push electors to keep their eye on the prize.
I notice in your profile that you are committed to education as a key to our evolution, as am I. But this idea takes constant work to maintain standards (facts as opposed to beliefs in a very general sense, and understanding the constraints of both).
Interestingly, we turned on the tv last night and watched a Canadian-produced series called The Nature of Things... and what was the topic? Athens: Birth of Democracy. Right on point for today's issues. You can find it by subscribing to CBC Gem (cbcgem.ca). It's free; scroll down to season 65 until you find the title.
Thank-You Robert Reich.... 135 Days?.... DJT's Decline seems to be Accelerating.... The Andean Shamans predicted at the start of this Year, that DJT will suffer a Crisis that will force him from Office this Year... Pray For Divine Intervention Soon...
For all those who oppose authoritarian politics with it's lies, corruption and idiocy, a heartening message from the UK. We had a very unpopular government who had divided the country with Brexit. They had told lies and were guilty of corruption during the pandemic. Trump and co have made an even worse mess than the conservatives over the time they have had.
The conservative party which had 365 MPs in the 2019 parliament, now have 117 in 2026. That is a a one third of the number in the previous parliament.
So whether Muskrat gives them lot of money and Fox and the billionaire backers pump out lies I hope the same fate is in store for the Repugnant party. The American people will then get the Congress they deserve.
Robert, do you not like Mallory McMorrow? I did not see any mention of her as to whom you support in Michigan! (I personally support Abdul El-Sayed. Haley Stevens is an AIPAC (ergo, Dumbocratic establishment) stooge.
Also, we need to get rid of 90-95% of the Democrats from Congress, too. They are as craven as Rapeublicons! We really need fighters with a conscience and not the ones that preach decency, normalcy, and one-way morality bullshit. I am really sick and tired of repeatedly hearing that nonsensical pablum. (I had to consciously refrain from being myself - a drunken, crass, crude, seagoing, French sailor, but you get the idea.)
I hope that Graham Platner is indeed the better man that he declares he now is, that his history doesn't predict particularly well. He is in any case a better bet at this point that Susan Collins, whose record predicts continuing votes to uphold and strengthen white supremacist authoritarianism.
But:
I am big into repentance, respect and value it. But it's not the same thing as saying, "Hey, look, I've changed!" And it's not a civil right to be a major party nominee for an important position. That kind of nomination would ideally go to someone whose behavioral history contains promises of progressive excellence and tenacity. Those are not in Mr. Platner.
However:
He's the nominee there is, I hope he wins, I would vote for him unhesitantly were I a Maine voter, and I hope he follows through on the speeches people are finding so compelling and convincing.
'Cowardly', 'criminal', 'corrupt', 'treacherous', 'cruel' - you've left one out, and a bigly one at that - stupid. Trump is the most stupid person ever to have been elected as a US president and he displays that stupidity with what for most sane Americans must be mortifying regularity.
So much hinges on the primary elections. The Democratic Party has to be purged of members who are corrupted by the "political donations" of corporations and their owners. Democrats who've been corrupted by these "donations" have to be weeded out in order to reorient the Party so that it's focused on serving the general public instead of leviathan "donors". Voting in Democrats who are beholden to those donors is like voting in different dogs who are infested with the same fleas as the Republicans. The time and place to weed them out is in the primary elections.
My perspective is that if the Democratic Party advances candidates who are accepting "donations" from megadonors and their superPACs it's up to we the voters to vote those scoundrels out in the primary elections.
You don't have to proceed as though you believe in the system, Gloria, and you don't have to opt out, either. Another option is ackowledging the possibility that a Party that advances candidates who've been corrupted by megadonations might be corrupt itself. It might be a Party that says overturn Citizens United at the same time that its stuffing its pockets full of superPAC megadonations. Fighting for an overhaul of the Democratic Party so that it's bent on campaign finance reform and advances candidates who serve we the people first, before we the megadonors, seems like an option to me.
Ian - While I don’t disagree…running a campaign in the hopes of getting elected is stupidly expensive. I would love for all parties to have to adhere to the same rules and get big money out of it. I only fear that with the lack of people taking the time to actually investigate where a candidate stands a Democrat/Independent message won’t get out. There’s a reason why certain people/companies are buying all the ways we get our information. Too many people vote for the letter behind the name and not for the individual qualified candidate. I do wonder how democrats would fare if we adhered to one rule about donations to campaigns versus the republicans taking all/any money they want? We have already been burned by some states trying to get gerrymandering out of elections through laws only to sit back and watch while the other side is freely admitting that the voters of color don’t matter. Maybe once we are able to get rid of Citizens United then we can work on the rest? After all most politicians aren’t always known for their honesty to begin with. We are seeing this in real time with our current government. That said, I’m wholeheartedly voting for the two listed in Ohio as well as for Acton for governor. My information was already freely given over to the federal government against my wishes so I should have no problem getting my ballot in the mail (I think).
Anon, we have to do the best we can with the cards we're holding at the moment. That said, we've also got to be aware that the game is crooked, and how it's crooked, and focus our efforts on straightening the game out.
People say, " What about his background?" I say Plantner's and just about everyone else has a better background than the man in the oval office. A little bit of background is healthy, especially when it shows that you've evolved! I care about the future, for my kids and theirs. Not just any non-republican candidate, but those who ha evolved amd are ready to take on all the dirt the preznit has thrown around.
We should consider that part of the "exhaustion" now isn't just that Trump and the Administration are truly horrible, it's also that the litany isn't shifting to possible remedies to this mess. Many of us, and a lot of Independents, understand the need to get rid of Trump. The real problem not being discussed is Democrat candidates publicly speaking to what they see as a strategy to repair, and in most cases improve, the policies and institutions gutted by Trump. I doubt anyone thinks everything will return to "normal (whatever that is)" in the next 4- 6 years. What are the outlines of the strategy to repair government? Purge everyone currently in leadership positions? Repair DOJ first? End tariffs? Perhaps the very first thing the new Democrat controlled Congress could/should do (HINT, HINT!) is pass legislation to end current Campaign Finance Law! Just imagine getting rid of the number one corruption incentive before it infects the latest batch of Congresspersons. Dem candidates need to start telling us why they "deserve" our vote, rather than suggesting anything is better than Trump.
Friends, we gather here today to celebrate the death of a man whose presence was as unforgettable as the smell of raw sewage . It’s hard not to chuckle when we think of him, let’s face it, he was a walking contradiction—a bit like a vegan chef who specializes in barbecue.
The man was nothing if not competent—in his own mind. He truly believed that his expert opinions on rocket science and astrophysics were just as valid as Einstein’s. He single-handedly changed economic issues into masterclasses in his own brand of ‘knowledge, which involved more hot air than actual facts.
Then there was his matchless arrogance, which could fill a hot air balloon. He thought he was the Second Coming, when really he was more like those creepy rats that pop out of nowhere uninvited at cheap Chinese restaurants,
As many of you know, the man had a particular talent for being ignorant, arrogant, dishonest and dumb, He was a pioneer in the art of confidently being wrong, often shouting his opinions about subjects he knew nothing about—most notably, anything that involved the words “ climate change ” . He was the living embodiment of that saying, “Ignorance is bliss,” but in his case, it was more like, “Ignorance is a five-star experience.”
In the world of relationships, the man
was what you might call a “womanizer,” though I suspect he thought of it more as a ‘ladies’ man.’ He confidently believed that his charm could smooth over his sexual harassment behavior.
Now, when it comes to politics—OMG! the man was proudly a Republican. He would lies his points with such religious fervor that you’d think he was the Pope. Among his many talents, he had a unique gift for making everything and anything about him. Humility and reality weren’t part of his makeup. He was the reigning champion of ‘one-upping’ on any story told. You could recount a near-death experience, and somehow, he’d turn it into a tale about how he survived an “epic” challenge involving microwave popcorn.
Really, the man had knack for reminding us all that his life was the greatest story ever told—at least in his own mind. He was an incompetent, arrogant and egotistical s.o.b, but he also had the charm of a cobra snake, his most precious weapon, I kid you not. We will miss his ability to fuck up effortless sentences and to turn serious matters into hilarious debates that no one asked for.
So let’s raise a toast to the man and may his memory fade and fade forever into the twilight zone where he may finally find the humility he never had.
There is no Hope in hatred, for it produces nothing but evil - that is it's nature. Hatred separates, but love binds. Hatred destroys, but love builds. That is the choice we all have.
I’m surprised and disappointed that character got so little support. Not taking character into account is why tribal republicans held their noses and voted for Trump. I remember telling some senior business men who were justifying voting for Trump
“ why would you vote for someone you would not employ , would not invite to dinner , would not leave alone with your wife or daughter and would not play golf with because he cheats “.
Call me an unreasonably optimistic activist, but I still think that there's hope for the #ImmediateFlipMovement to start Trump's nightmare ahead of schedule.
We just need three House Republicans to declare as independent, perhaps rebranding as #ConstitutionalConservatives as they save democracy by caucusing with Democrats. They will be heroes for yanking the gavel out of Johnson's hand this summer instead of next winter.
And the resulting #BlueHouseOversightRampage will carve through the #ClownCarCabinet like a chainsaw through Jell-O. They'll be so busy tallying up Trump's illegal emoluments profits that it will finally take a while to impeach him.
Wouldn't it be nice if the second 250 years of our nation started off on the right foot with major reforms to prevent anything like Trump's kleptocratic fascism ever taking root again?
I used to be depressed, but lately I've been more hopeful. Besides, I'm not one to give up, and I refuse to give up hope! Barack Obama opened his new library this past week, and it was wonderful to hear him and Michelle speak so lovingly about each other and this country. Meanwhile, Trump is falling apart mentally, physically, and intellectually.
More and more people in government are realizing that they can speak out, just like we citizens are doing. We may be a bit paranoid or afraid of possible consequences, but the light always prevails over the darkness. Trump is losing support even from his own party. The reflecting pool is has become a metaphor for his reign. No plan. No competitive bids. No knowledge about the subject at hand. Just jump in and let the chips fall all around us.
Now this green glob of goo is becoming the symbol of Donald Trump's failing mental and physical health. It's slimy. It's toxic. And he refuses to admit that any of his failures are his own fault. It's always someone else.
I'll celebrate when this fiasco is put to bed.
Agree -- as trump fiasco gets worse, I get more hopeful. The Obama Center helped this weekend.
1/8th, I'll call you optimistic, but I won't call you unreasonable. After all, the writing on the wall gets clearer and clearer every day.
Happy Father’s Day to us all; not just those who are fathers, but to the women who helped us to be better fathers, and without their love, help and political leadership ,we could have never aspired to be the fathers we have now become.
Now on to fixing the political mess that greedy, power-hungry so-called politicians got us into.
The next 135 days are critically important not just that we get more Democrats into various offices, but we learn to become solid, grounded committed, idealistic activists and even make our plans for a nonviolent political and economic revolution to come. Replacing a few idiot, Republicans will help, but it will not solve our current dilemma at its roots.
And what is the root of all of this? It is the now fatally destroyed form of economics and a political system that has been demonstrated to us repeatedly that it can no longer effectively enforce the American ideals and dreams that we all hold so dear. Since our brilliant founding fathers (supported by and encouraged by our founding mothers) have had the original policies ignored and destroyed, the ideals stated in our constitution have been destroyed with amazing speed by a group of greedy, misogynistic and power-hungry politicians and billionaires.
We have two important pieces of work ahead of us. Short range we need to break the Republican monopolies in the house, the Senate, and in the executive branch. They have been been deadly triumphant in pushing forward the agenda of the billionaires who were originally behind project 2025. We have finally emerged from the shock of quickly transforming into an oligarch powered dictatorship where all laws, ideals and tenants of the constitution have been and still are violated with impunity.
Our country was born out of a long, protracted struggle against the most powerful and wealthy country then existing on the planet. However, violent revolution no longer works and has almost no staying power in today’s world. Where did free democratic Latvia, Poland and Estonia come from come from? They built lasting, democratic governments utilizing mass anti-establishment movements that led to lasting nonviolent revolutions. Due to current tragical consequences of our capitalist, infected democracy, we are no longer leaders on the world stage. That being the case, it is time to follow the incredible successes ( at least 10 or more) of past nonviolent revolutionary successes of countries that are now freed from tyrannical dictatorships, and the greedy corporate interests.
If we maintain dynamic nonviolence, the police, the National Guard, and all of the armed forces may harass us, but they will not have the ability to stop a powerful nonviolent movement that set out to change to the system that got us into this current terrible situation. And let us ensure that women and people of all backgrounds and skin colors are fully represented in our new government. We need their wisdom, compassion and their strength to build a better government and economic system.
From my own point of view and belief system, we have now been presented with the opportunity of our lifetimes to change the United States and once again provide positive leadership for the planet.
We need an FDR to bring the people on board for the possibility of some sort of transformation Marc envisions. It will take time and lots of it.
People might like the series Netflix has on Jefferson and George Washington.
These are fuller characters than the caricatures popular culture provides.
When you see how the Brits personally rebuffed and thwarted Washington's ambitions, culminating in their policies in the 1770's that damaged him economicaly, that guy was loaded for bear to get back at them when made Commander of the new US military. As one narrator noted, at some time during the Revolutionary war he realized it was more important not to lose, to just keep on going in a war of attrition, than to go high risk in a battle and suffer major defeat which would like destroy all hope of the revolution.Why he changed his mind for the battle of Yorktown is explained.
Major reform propositions are what we should be hearing now from our Candidates. Doesn't have to be perfect, just conceptual. But not wait until after the elections. Give all of us Independents something to consider. Dems have a lot of past baggage and still need to earn our vote.
That’s my cue. Apologies for the overly long repost. If DNC did their job, it wouldn’t be necessary. Pasted below are suggested planks for November, amended by substack readers. Since there are nearly 50, each state has been randomly assigned one plank to research. If incumbents and candidates collaborate with laser-focus on just one issue per state, they can provide detailed timelines and budgets to the county at virtual conventions. If DNC has better ideas, let’s hear them?
(BTW, the assignments are random. Who knew AI had a sense of humor?)
We WILL have the country that was promised 400 years ago but it will require unprecedented cooperation, like Quincy Jones got when he made “We Are The World.” He posted a sign that applies here: “check your ego at the door.” Or emigrate. Like the celebrities who got rich here but won’t stay and fight.
1. Medicare for all, including mental health, dental, and vision. Assign to South Dakota.
2. Running water for all. Assign to Delaware.
3. Safe, affordable, adequate housing for all. Assign to Maryland.
4. Climate change course correction. Assign to Kentucky.
5. National “Annual Yearly Progress” educational standards that apply to all students: public school, private school, home school. Assign to Washington.
6. Nutrition and pesticides. There’s a reason why US wheat imports are banned in EU. Assign to Vermont.
7. Paths to citizenship and statehood. Assign to Minnesota.
8. Metric system instead of imperial measurements. Every country in the world has made the switch except the US, Liberia, and Myanmar. Assign to Arkansas.
9. Reading and math literacy. Assign to Iowa.
10. Maternal and infant survival (US has the worst rates among developed countries). Assign to Hawaii.
11. Restore DEI. My disability requires electronic communication (email or chat with a transcript) but legal teams don’t like written records. I have to surrender agency and assign a proxy to manage a credit card issue or schedule a mammogram. Disney sent me an email stating that they’re “phones only.” What’s next? Telling guests in wheelchairs to manage the stairs? Assign to Colorado.
12. Zero tolerance of corruption. Assign to New Hampshire.
13. Child care. Montessori is Head Start in Italy. It was invented there to lift up disadvantaged children. In the US, we’ve made it a designer brand that’s unaffordable for those who need it most and for whom it was intended. Assign to North Carolina.
14. Amend the 2nd amendment. Texas has more than 4000 gun deaths per year. FL takes silver with more than 3000. Together, they’re responsible for more than 17% of the 40,000 annual gun deaths in the US. The UK has 28. Not 28,000. Not 2800. 28. Their cops are unarmed. Everyone wins. Assign to Arizona.
15. FOIA restored without the loopholes. Assign to Oregon.
16. Enforcement of the laws, regs and court decisions that are on the books but ignored. Assign to Wisconsin.
17. Abortion rights enshrinement. Assign to Mississippi.
18. Marriage equality enshrinement. Assign to Florida.
19. Infrastructure investment. Assign to California.
20. Internet for all. Assign to Nevada.
21. We need to stop flushing drinking-quality water. We’re running out. Assign to Illinois.
22. Return the Black Hills. Assign to Tennessee.
23. Reparations. Assign to Louisiana.
24. Livable wages in decent working conditions, ideally in a union environment. Assign to Michigan.
25. End citizens united. Assign to Connecticut.
26. Inheritance reform. Assign to Montana.
27. Enshrine social security. Assign to West Virginia.
28. Reform SCOTUS and court system. Assign to North Dakota.
29. Campaign finance reform. Assign to Georgia.
30. Tax reform. Assign to Alaska.
31. Commitment to ethical conduct. Assign to New York.
32 Commitment to “truthfulness, transparency, and accountability.” Assign to Ohio.
33. Texas: Enshrine voting rights. Assign to Texas,
34. Outlaw NDAs. They were meant to protect secret formulas, not silence the voices of victims. Assign to New Jersey.
35. Join ICC. Assign to Missouri.
36. Restore the covenant of “good faith and fair dealing.” Assign to Maine.
37. Term limits. Public service is not for accumulating power and influence, it’s for serving the people. Assign to Indiana.
38. Mandatory service to by all citizens reaching 18 for two years in public works, AmeriCorp, National Guard, or other similar organization. Assign to Utah.
39. Prison reform. Assign to Alabama.
40. Free college or vocational training. Assign to Virginia.
41. Eliminate electoral college. Assign to Idaho.
42. End private equity investment. Assign to Rhode Island.
43.End tipping. It’s out of control and our global neighbors don’t do it. Assign to Pennsylvania.
44. Issue new SS numbers to each citizen now that ours have been compromised. Assign to Wyoming.
45.Animal Welfare Act. AKC “breed standards” require docked tails and cropped ears for some dogs. The US and Russia are among the only nations where cosmetic mutilation of dogs is legal. Global leaders Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI, France) and The Kennel Club (KC, UK) preserve breed standards without these cruel practices. We can do the same. Assign to Kansas.
46.Regulate contracts signed by—and conditions endured by—pregnancy surrogates. Assign to New Mexico.
47.Regulate fine art industry to prevent money laundering and tax evasion. Assign to Oklahoma. https://naturalist.gallery/blogs/journal/understanding-the-fine-art-market-how-the-wealthy-use-art-for-tax-evasion?srsltid=AfmBOooPUicBwRj5hYi4T8bW2yRSFpez0vkn-M-uuh-WEPHYOzO2uLKt
48.Regulate AI. Assign to Nebraska.
49.Other____________________
Massachusetts: Collaborate with Delaware
South Carolina: Collaborate with Maryland
District of Columbia: Collaborate with Kentucky
American Samoa: Collaborate with Washington
Guam: Collaborate with Vermont
Puerto Rico: Collaborate with Minnesota
Northern Mariana Islands: Collaborate with Arkansas
US Virgin Islands: Collaborate with Iowa
ISO equanimity, thank you for laying out such a detailed plan for the future of the United States. It will take a massive nonviolent revolution to accomplish all of this, and I firmly believe that this is what will save the United States and all of its inhabitants including its animals, plants, microbiological organisms, and our precious natural resources, which are now being plundered at an alarming rate.
Thank you for the kind words. I spent my career as a middle school guidance counselor (excellent training for the antics of this administration). Most of my time was spent in concrete problem solving: students failing classes, bullying, dating violence, etc. If DNC has better ideas for addressing the dozens of crisis-level issues in this country, let’s hear them. Otherwise, all DNC has to do is dole out the assignments to each state’s incumbents and candidates.
ISO, I also got my best training from being a special ed teacher of both lower school and middle school students diagnosed as ED./LD in a specialized facility. Although I only spent four years in the classroom, I learned a lot in classroom management and helping kids understand why they got into their latest jam.
A humorous moment came after I changed careers into commercial property management. I had a very difficult tenant who loved to challenge me and one day he turned to me and he said “how can you stand to take a job when you have to deal with people like me?” My answer was simple: “O Herbert, after being a special ed teacher for four years I consider you to be a piece of cake.” he laughed, and he stopped being a pain.
Humor works, and I suspect all of us would benefit from using more humor in our lives.
It would be a start!
It’s imperfect and incomplete but in the absence of any direction from DNC, I agree. It’s a a start.
"Call me an unreasonably optimistic activist, but I still think that there's hope for the #ImmediateFlipMovement to start Trump's nightmare ahead of schedule."
Sorry, A Glass-1/8th-Full-Perspective, but I must say (with sincere apologies for being blunt) that you are delusional. I consider myself an irrepressible optimist (but tempered with realism).
Todd has been pushing his snake oil for quite awhile now... Well over a year.
Anyone who buys what #ToddsMedicineShow is selling has the low IQ the world expects of so many Americans.
In the meantime, six states have laws on the books for “misprision” of treason or felony and can issue warrants for the lot of them. Upon receipt, DC metro police will round them up, arrest them, and detain them in city jails for up to 30 days pending extradition. Wouldn’t that be a nice bday present to the nation? What are those AG’s waiting for?
yes
Yes, glass 1/8 th full, that ovule be a very happy birthday!
From a European viewpoint it is of course a great attempt to influence what happens.
But still: I see rather global political positions, but a cry for donations. That seems detrimental for the attention to political issues. What matters most? The person or the ideas?
My experience in Europe is more about ideas and principles, although here the theatrical wins as well; but big money out of politics should mean that the role of money gets limited.
There’s no place for it, but the Supreme Court thought the wealthy should be able to buy our elections.
Excuse me, but all that money would be wasted if confronted with a truly informed and educated public. This is where the substitution of social media for actual community has really hurt us.
I agree, and there is another factor at work here. Kids often are taught only the subjects needed for standardized exams, and they don’t learn anything about American government or civics. This makes them prey for misinformation on social media or on outlets like Fox “News.l
Kathy, I think history is very underestimated as education. There should investments be made.
It sounds like you are expecting schools to be imparting what genuine communities should be. When there's no reinforcement in society what good teachers try to convey, it turns into a waste.
I get your point. Social media is no substitute for actual community, and it is actively encouraging society to become atomized and to destroy solidarity. I don’t view schools alone as the answer, and I agree with you schools and communities should work in harmony to reinforce each other. It is better to limit social media access for younger kids.
Sometimes, we also learn from examples our parents set for us. My mother’s father was the son of Irish immigrants, and until he died in 1960 (before I was born,) he would take each of his children to register to vote when they turned 21. After he died, my uncle did this for my aunts. Mom always told us what she had learned from her father about the importance of studying the issues and voting. She took us with her when she went to vote when we were kids, and I vote. I have a certain amount of skepticism of some things I see on social media because I learn from various sources.
Agreed...
Hi
A friend just emailed me this commentary: I LOVE IT.
the conclusion of political commentator Heather Delany Reese's report on Trump's behavior at the G7- offering a shred of hope:
This is who is representing the world’s oldest constitutional democracy on its largest stage. Trump is visibly unwell, easily played, and is lavishing his admiration on the most dangerous men alive while reserving contempt for his own people and our allies. It is embarrassing, but the embarrassment is only the surface of it. The danger underneath is that the people sitting across the table from him can see it too.
And still, even here, there is something worth holding. We are still being invited. The other democracies have not written off the United States, even with this as our representative, and that matters far more than it might first appear. Macron did not give up on us; he worked the problem, because keeping America inside the alliance, the room, and the conversation is worth the trouble of managing the man we sent. Our allies are still trying, still steering us toward the right outcomes even when our own president cannot find them on his own, still treating this country as one worth saving from the worst instincts of its leadership. The institutions are holding, and so are the alliances, and the careful, unglamorous work of diplomacy is being carried out by people who refuse to let one man’s vanity unravel eighty years of painstaking construction. That refusal is its own form of resistance, and it buys us time, time that runs toward the midterms. The world has not closed the door on us. It is holding it open, watching to see whether we will walk back through it as the nation we are still capable of being, and the work between now and then is to make sure that we do. That is why I still have hope for America, and you should, too.
I don't think the rest of the democratic world will align itself as closely to the US any time soon, if ever again. The only reason we must deal with him is because of the military and economic power the US holds. The end of trump, unfortunately, will not be the end of your troubles. We're rooting for your success and will help as we can, but you've got a huge, multi-faceted job ahead, and a citizenry that's easily distracted and manipulated.
Well.....look at Germany. The horrors of Hitler are still present in our memories but we do not hold the current German government and its people that are alive now accountable for those atrocities. While the world will not forget, luckily humans have the capacity to forgive. I am hopeful that our European and Canadian friends remember that it was not by popular vote that we have a perianal pustule running our government. Our self respect and freedoms were taken from us and not by choice. By system failure.
Agreed, but... the US is in deep trouble and you are still up against a significant number of people who are on the side of neo-fascism (maybe without even realizing it); more to the point, there is another group of people who don't care for the regime but want to maintain the status quo. As long as those groups hold the majority, I don't see a win... maybe a stalemate that won't last because the forces at play will continue to fester. That said, RR is correct to continue to push electors to keep their eye on the prize.
I notice in your profile that you are committed to education as a key to our evolution, as am I. But this idea takes constant work to maintain standards (facts as opposed to beliefs in a very general sense, and understanding the constraints of both).
Interestingly, we turned on the tv last night and watched a Canadian-produced series called The Nature of Things... and what was the topic? Athens: Birth of Democracy. Right on point for today's issues. You can find it by subscribing to CBC Gem (cbcgem.ca). It's free; scroll down to season 65 until you find the title.
Thank-You Robert Reich.... 135 Days?.... DJT's Decline seems to be Accelerating.... The Andean Shamans predicted at the start of this Year, that DJT will suffer a Crisis that will force him from Office this Year... Pray For Divine Intervention Soon...
For all those who oppose authoritarian politics with it's lies, corruption and idiocy, a heartening message from the UK. We had a very unpopular government who had divided the country with Brexit. They had told lies and were guilty of corruption during the pandemic. Trump and co have made an even worse mess than the conservatives over the time they have had.
The conservative party which had 365 MPs in the 2019 parliament, now have 117 in 2026. That is a a one third of the number in the previous parliament.
So whether Muskrat gives them lot of money and Fox and the billionaire backers pump out lies I hope the same fate is in store for the Repugnant party. The American people will then get the Congress they deserve.
Robert, do you not like Mallory McMorrow? I did not see any mention of her as to whom you support in Michigan! (I personally support Abdul El-Sayed. Haley Stevens is an AIPAC (ergo, Dumbocratic establishment) stooge.
Also, we need to get rid of 90-95% of the Democrats from Congress, too. They are as craven as Rapeublicons! We really need fighters with a conscience and not the ones that preach decency, normalcy, and one-way morality bullshit. I am really sick and tired of repeatedly hearing that nonsensical pablum. (I had to consciously refrain from being myself - a drunken, crass, crude, seagoing, French sailor, but you get the idea.)
I hope that Graham Platner is indeed the better man that he declares he now is, that his history doesn't predict particularly well. He is in any case a better bet at this point that Susan Collins, whose record predicts continuing votes to uphold and strengthen white supremacist authoritarianism.
But:
I am big into repentance, respect and value it. But it's not the same thing as saying, "Hey, look, I've changed!" And it's not a civil right to be a major party nominee for an important position. That kind of nomination would ideally go to someone whose behavioral history contains promises of progressive excellence and tenacity. Those are not in Mr. Platner.
However:
He's the nominee there is, I hope he wins, I would vote for him unhesitantly were I a Maine voter, and I hope he follows through on the speeches people are finding so compelling and convincing.
'Cowardly', 'criminal', 'corrupt', 'treacherous', 'cruel' - you've left one out, and a bigly one at that - stupid. Trump is the most stupid person ever to have been elected as a US president and he displays that stupidity with what for most sane Americans must be mortifying regularity.
Dumold Rump even works hard at being stupid , and is supported by his Cabinet without fail!
So much hinges on the primary elections. The Democratic Party has to be purged of members who are corrupted by the "political donations" of corporations and their owners. Democrats who've been corrupted by these "donations" have to be weeded out in order to reorient the Party so that it's focused on serving the general public instead of leviathan "donors". Voting in Democrats who are beholden to those donors is like voting in different dogs who are infested with the same fleas as the Republicans. The time and place to weed them out is in the primary elections.
They have already been weeded out if they're in the primaries.
Insufficiently, I'd say, Gloria. To wit, Haley Stevens, for starters.
I hope you're right. I must proceed as though I believe in the system because there is no alternative except to opt out.
My perspective is that if the Democratic Party advances candidates who are accepting "donations" from megadonors and their superPACs it's up to we the voters to vote those scoundrels out in the primary elections.
You don't have to proceed as though you believe in the system, Gloria, and you don't have to opt out, either. Another option is ackowledging the possibility that a Party that advances candidates who've been corrupted by megadonations might be corrupt itself. It might be a Party that says overturn Citizens United at the same time that its stuffing its pockets full of superPAC megadonations. Fighting for an overhaul of the Democratic Party so that it's bent on campaign finance reform and advances candidates who serve we the people first, before we the megadonors, seems like an option to me.
Ian - While I don’t disagree…running a campaign in the hopes of getting elected is stupidly expensive. I would love for all parties to have to adhere to the same rules and get big money out of it. I only fear that with the lack of people taking the time to actually investigate where a candidate stands a Democrat/Independent message won’t get out. There’s a reason why certain people/companies are buying all the ways we get our information. Too many people vote for the letter behind the name and not for the individual qualified candidate. I do wonder how democrats would fare if we adhered to one rule about donations to campaigns versus the republicans taking all/any money they want? We have already been burned by some states trying to get gerrymandering out of elections through laws only to sit back and watch while the other side is freely admitting that the voters of color don’t matter. Maybe once we are able to get rid of Citizens United then we can work on the rest? After all most politicians aren’t always known for their honesty to begin with. We are seeing this in real time with our current government. That said, I’m wholeheartedly voting for the two listed in Ohio as well as for Acton for governor. My information was already freely given over to the federal government against my wishes so I should have no problem getting my ballot in the mail (I think).
Anon, we have to do the best we can with the cards we're holding at the moment. That said, we've also got to be aware that the game is crooked, and how it's crooked, and focus our efforts on straightening the game out.
Republicans bring us nothing but COST, CHAOS & CORRUPTION
People say, " What about his background?" I say Plantner's and just about everyone else has a better background than the man in the oval office. A little bit of background is healthy, especially when it shows that you've evolved! I care about the future, for my kids and theirs. Not just any non-republican candidate, but those who ha evolved amd are ready to take on all the dirt the preznit has thrown around.
We should consider that part of the "exhaustion" now isn't just that Trump and the Administration are truly horrible, it's also that the litany isn't shifting to possible remedies to this mess. Many of us, and a lot of Independents, understand the need to get rid of Trump. The real problem not being discussed is Democrat candidates publicly speaking to what they see as a strategy to repair, and in most cases improve, the policies and institutions gutted by Trump. I doubt anyone thinks everything will return to "normal (whatever that is)" in the next 4- 6 years. What are the outlines of the strategy to repair government? Purge everyone currently in leadership positions? Repair DOJ first? End tariffs? Perhaps the very first thing the new Democrat controlled Congress could/should do (HINT, HINT!) is pass legislation to end current Campaign Finance Law! Just imagine getting rid of the number one corruption incentive before it infects the latest batch of Congresspersons. Dem candidates need to start telling us why they "deserve" our vote, rather than suggesting anything is better than Trump.
An Eulogy In The Making (November 2026)
Friends, we gather here today to celebrate the death of a man whose presence was as unforgettable as the smell of raw sewage . It’s hard not to chuckle when we think of him, let’s face it, he was a walking contradiction—a bit like a vegan chef who specializes in barbecue.
The man was nothing if not competent—in his own mind. He truly believed that his expert opinions on rocket science and astrophysics were just as valid as Einstein’s. He single-handedly changed economic issues into masterclasses in his own brand of ‘knowledge, which involved more hot air than actual facts.
Then there was his matchless arrogance, which could fill a hot air balloon. He thought he was the Second Coming, when really he was more like those creepy rats that pop out of nowhere uninvited at cheap Chinese restaurants,
As many of you know, the man had a particular talent for being ignorant, arrogant, dishonest and dumb, He was a pioneer in the art of confidently being wrong, often shouting his opinions about subjects he knew nothing about—most notably, anything that involved the words “ climate change ” . He was the living embodiment of that saying, “Ignorance is bliss,” but in his case, it was more like, “Ignorance is a five-star experience.”
In the world of relationships, the man
was what you might call a “womanizer,” though I suspect he thought of it more as a ‘ladies’ man.’ He confidently believed that his charm could smooth over his sexual harassment behavior.
Now, when it comes to politics—OMG! the man was proudly a Republican. He would lies his points with such religious fervor that you’d think he was the Pope. Among his many talents, he had a unique gift for making everything and anything about him. Humility and reality weren’t part of his makeup. He was the reigning champion of ‘one-upping’ on any story told. You could recount a near-death experience, and somehow, he’d turn it into a tale about how he survived an “epic” challenge involving microwave popcorn.
Really, the man had knack for reminding us all that his life was the greatest story ever told—at least in his own mind. He was an incompetent, arrogant and egotistical s.o.b, but he also had the charm of a cobra snake, his most precious weapon, I kid you not. We will miss his ability to fuck up effortless sentences and to turn serious matters into hilarious debates that no one asked for.
So let’s raise a toast to the man and may his memory fade and fade forever into the twilight zone where he may finally find the humility he never had.
Perhaps Mr. Thiel would like a neighbor near his Argentinian compound. Or Milei could offer him assisted living with a putting green.
I prefer Gitmo
Of course. I like twisted hemp. Or sisal or jute, whatever is handy.
There is no Hope in hatred, for it produces nothing but evil - that is it's nature. Hatred separates, but love binds. Hatred destroys, but love builds. That is the choice we all have.
I’m surprised and disappointed that character got so little support. Not taking character into account is why tribal republicans held their noses and voted for Trump. I remember telling some senior business men who were justifying voting for Trump
“ why would you vote for someone you would not employ , would not invite to dinner , would not leave alone with your wife or daughter and would not play golf with because he cheats “.