The quickest path to hopefulness is #ProjectCarrot.
Rather than waiting for Jan 2027 to upend Trump, why not start it by flipping the House in the next month?
Convince three House Republicans to declare as independent, caucusing with Dems and a new #BlueHouse can blast Trump‘s #OverreachRampage to bits.
Many will be unelectable anyway.
Suggest that these new independents should rebrand as #ConstitutionalConservatives, turning back Trump/Project 2025 #RepubloFascism that is #ThirdWorldingAmerica.
They will be #PolarOppositePatriots sacrificing their former party to #RestoreAmericasGreatness.
#CountryOverParty
Dems can make that choice easier with #ProjectCarrot. DNC Chair Martin can vow not to support or fund a Dem against them.
No GOP primary, no tough Dem in the general. They can
#FlipTheHouseNOWandBeHeroesForever not DJT lapdogs.
Please read here how this all can be possible with #ProjectCarrot strategies in play before, during, and after this marvelous transition
Even Republicans know that with each passing day, we shed another unique and unexpected
#TearForAmerica
And I’m fine with our heroes being Republicans breaking through their shackles to finally do the right thing for us. Democrats will do the heavy lifting in disassembling the #TrumpMuskMillerProject2025cabal #RepubloFascism.
If it’s brave Republicans that make it possible, I can live with them taking the glory and being celebrated on #2ndIndependenceDay, a holiday to be added to our calendars after a significant transition is unavoidable.
If the above is feasible it should be done. Two chances are better than one. Then the house should refuse to confirm Vance and new elections should be held. This should spell the end of MAGA.
The end of MAGA, as put, will not end until the severe institutional problems in American life are resolved, or at least addressed. These include health care, criminal and civil justice in the courts, day-care, educational equality (not equity, but equality), the distribution of food, the regulation of corporations, etc.
And these are crucial to all of us on a moral level, regardless of our ability to shield ourselves based on income and wealth.
Yes I agree but a Maga government is never going to change what you describe. There is a need for a major chage of direction at the top and the billionaires need to be put in their place. Sending Musk and Theil back to South Africa where their colonial attitudes would be a good move. But not for them.
I never considered letting the states take the lead in arresting and/or disqualifying congressional co-conspirators in violating the Constitution.
Back on Jan 6, 2021 I thought that the crime of #SeditiousConspiracy should’ve been applied to all those who voted against certification of state results for the 2020 election.
But that would be a federal level crime. Working things through the state level would flip the house nearly immediately, and then all the concepts from #ProjectCarrot could be implemented, including #PresidentialCensure.
My nephew earned his PhD in Sustainable Development. He works for the United Nations and is based in Switzerland. He and his wife both work for the UN, I will make sure they know about Project Carrot and vote!
Excellent candidates for #ProfectCarrot might be the four courageous House Republicans who joined Democrats to defeat on Sept 17 to defeat Republican efforts to censure Dem Rep Ilhan Omar for free speech.
You don't think those four met privately with colleagues beforehand -- or, more likely, the colleagues met and agreed upon which four -- and ONLY four -- would offer to be "sacrificial lambs?"
There is simply no way that four independently grew spines. Not MAGA.
Say more, please, as to why this is your belief? Where do you see the threat from this as the “independent” option has seeming successfully been taken, e.g., Bernie Sanders.
Let us acknowledge that each and every MAGA in the House has demonstrated they are unfaithful to their Oath of office. FAR more loyal to the traitor Trump than to our Constitution.
They have demonstrated their character. What decent human being would try to make a deal with them on something like this?
So it's a matter of political expediency v. principles -- with Democrats sacrificing principles. This is in large part why we are here today.
Gene, thanks for that great idea! When we as Democrats applaud the actions of House Republicans that stand against the Trump regime, however briefly, we plant the seeds in their minds of just how popular their move to #FlipTheHouseFall2025 would be.
My secret hope is that when they join with the Democratic caucus for the purpose of voting in a new Speaker, they will nominate Jamie Raskin. He wouldn’t hold back on shredding and impeaching the #SimpletonSycophants in Trump‘s #ClownCarCabinet.
Imagine how fun the news would be to watch every day as comeuppance is delivered throughout the Trump administration. Bring the popcorn!
The stick will be the emergence of conscience coupled with the realization that riding on Trump‘s lead coattails will doom their careers anyway.
Their constituents will make it clear at the ballot box that their role in crippling our social safety nets will make each an #FTR
#FinalTermRepublican
So their choice is to be pushed out of politics as of January 2027 or to be bipartisan players as independents.
And perhaps as GOP 1.0 is burned at the stake, they will rise from the ashes as leaders in GOP 2.0. As such they will be able to restore honor to the brand, free of the tentacles of billionaire donors.
You’ll notice that I’m not asking them to be Democrats. But as #ConstitutionalConservatives they could point to their faith as they offer bipartisan support in helping the poor, the infirm, and the marginalized lead better, more stable lives.
They can differentiate themselves from the old guard by showing how they can be #ConsistentChristians. That’s the reality I really want to see.
The stick in this scenrio is the TRUTH! Real facts are what the American people need to act responsibly as active and concerned citizens not submissive loyal subjects.
TRUTH is kryptonite to a charlatan as it disempowers them and puts them on the defensive.
The Pro-Democracy Leaders and Lawmakers must join together to form a strong PRO-DEMOCRACY COALITION, play offense and confront the Oath-breakers in Congress and the Whitehouse to demand EVIDENCE, truth and justice.
Formation of a strong PRO-DEMOCRACY COMMUNITY is also essential. Senator Bernie Sanders, along with other progressive Lawmakers, are working to build a strong community of and concerned citizens through the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" rallies and Town Halls meetings. Indivisible, and other citizen protest organizers, must be supported and promoted.
WE THE PEOPLE are facing a true test of citizenship that requires collective action based on a positive vision for our future. Fighting against Trumpism must be balanced with fighting FOR something. The US Constitution is the guidebook and must be preserved.
I don't think we are done with rethugs in Congress choosing not to run next year. We should reach for the stars and try to get a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
Project Carrot is an idea that has some merit, and should be pursued, among others.
I have to point out, though, that most people are reluctant to betray their group, and fear being branded as traitors. Even if they don't subscribe to the MAGA brand of Republicanism, do they really want to be seen as RINO's? No, you won't get anywhere with those people, but there are likely to be many who are willing to become "Independents" .
I like the term "Constitutional Conservatives", and given Trumps transgressions, this brand could have some real traction.
Just be aware that most Republicans are soaked in the Reagan brand of pro-corporate "Americanism" and will cling to Trump as long as he seems to be winning for their side..
Yes, searchable as #ProjectCarrot here, on Bluesky, and Facebook. Please tell your representatives about this possibility.
I’ve been a one-man show on this idea from the start, so any help in spreading it is greatly appreciated. I encourage everyone who likes this idea to subscribe (no paying options) to my Substack and please express your ideas and success stories in the chat.
There you’ll also find memes spreading my unique ideas and phraseology that are also found on my Bluesky account.
We all do what we can in times like these. I’m not good at making phone calls or writing postcards. This is what I’ve chosen to do.
Sometimes I feel like Todd Quixote flailing away at windmills, so I really appreciate when I’m heard, and my ideas are considered and adopted by others. So I tip my metal helmet to you all in gratitude.
It feels so much better fighting with hope rather than immersed in hatred.
While there is so much to go nose to nose about, we should go wallet to wallet instead. Both left and right are suffering equally under the #TrumpMuskMillerProject2025Cabal #ProSTRIFE agenda.
Only when we realize collectively that it’s a 99% v 1% battle being waged can we take down #RepubloFascism.
Tod(?), Thanks for this. As it happens I was just this morning going to become a paying subscriber to "Hopium Chronicles By Simon Rosenberg". I'm looking forward to checking out your "Tod's ProgBlog". We are at the point in this regime where we can no longer wait for traditional political leadership to get its act together. We the people must push them hard from below. No time for nihilism.
This is absurd. Republicans who want to become Independent and start to caucus with other Independents and Democrats can do so. And why don't they? It's because they are terrified of their own party members and their constituents. I'm not interested in soothing their cowardice now through any kind of support I might give them.
Great Idea! I have been suggesting that the number of House and Senate GOP that make them a majority go home. I don't know how with your suggestion the committee heads would be selected unless those who changed parties caucused with the DEMS. Could complicate matters. I still think wanting to spend more time with the family, another job offer, illness etc. used as an excuse to go home is best.
Thankfully, Donald Trump is a stinking flower. The more he matures in office, the stinkier he becomes. Now even his fellow Republicans are upset by the stench of his narcissim. (do you know that the Narcissus flower stinks?}. We must demand the resignation/firing of anyone who supports his assault on the First Amendment. If you live in Kentucky pleas do write to Senator Paul and condemn him for his evasy, cowardly answers to Wekler's questions on NBC this morning.
And if you live in Kentucky, please call the office of Rep Massie and urge him not to retire. Tell him that #ProjectCarrot needs him to declare as independent and start caucusing with Democrats right away.
If he and a few others #FlipTheHouseFall2025 his career can not only continue but flourish, being on the right side of history and helping to take down #RepubloFascism
Thank you for being there as a true leader for all of us Professor Reich. The one thing we all have to protect against is to not let Trump turn us into them. Fight tyrants and fascism with intelligence and togetherness.
Whenever I read Robert‘s articles, I feel more courageous. But this one almost made me cry. I just feel so worn out sometimes but in this message, he has given us reasons to hope and things that we can do. I get really tired of people wringing their hands and not doing anything. Whenever somebody asks me why I spend so many hours writing postcards to voters with my group of about 30 people, I tell them it’s because I want my grandchildren to know that I fought for their freedom and for their future. At 80 years old, I am too old to have much of a future. But my grandchildren do. I don’t want them to live like this for the rest of their lives. If it’s hard for me, it’s gonna be even harder for them to have no hope.
I think we all should be grateful to Robert for being here. I am in the middle of reading his book, and I just love his intelligent outlook. I love his honesty. I love when he’s straightforward about what is happening and what we can do about it.
I urge everybody on this sub stack to please do something concrete. Even if it’s just to call your legislators. Even if it’s to send them a postcard. Even if it’s to give up Disney products, which I have started to do myself. I rarely go into my local target store anymore. It’s always empty. I don’t buy on Amazon anymore and I canceled my prime subscription .
We need to talk with our wallets and our credit cards. Companies are in business to make money. But they won’t make money if we sell our stocks and if we don’t buy their products. I am so disappointed in Disney. Yesterday I was at a store and picked up a toy that I was going to buy. Then I read the label and found it was a Disney product, and I put it right down and bought something else.
Robert is right. It may take a long time for us to accomplish anything. But the pendulum always swings the other way. And as I tell my MAGA family, once the tiger runs out of food, it starts eating its own. So they should keep that in mind if they believe that they always will be protected under Trump.
That was very inspiring for all of us who want a democracy for our children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren and so on forever. October 18th is the next “NO KINGS DAY”. Let’s all show these fascists, it ain’t gonna happen here in the United States of America.
Donna, you are one of my heroes! I agree with you. Professor Reich offers practical solutions to help us continue in this fight even when we are dragging and feel so tired! We must NEVER GIVE UP and we must NEVER SURRENDER! Our children and the generations coming after need us to keep fighting so they can live in an America that is truly a home for everyone here. No exclusions.
Peggy.....Donna is one of my heroes also! I love her energy and fight! She inspires me to stay in the fight to never give up! I'm already signed up for Oct.18th, hopefully our fight keeps growing! Everyone on this sub stack should sign up and protest on Oct. 18th if able.
Thanks, Donna. I am and have for awhile been doing all of the above, although I confess I still buy some things on Amazon, as I don't have reliable access to transportation to shopping hubs. I also try to support companies with good track records, write postcards, write to my Representative and Senators on a regular basis, donate to good causes (as a force multiplier), elicit solidarity by having yard signs, decals, t-shirts and the like visible in my local area, etc. And posting here and elsewhere in support of good ideas. And here's one I read for you, recommended by Joyce Vance and others: start wearing a paper clip on your lapel or at your neckline. It's something Norwegians did to protest the Nazi occupation of Norway during WWII. I got some colorful ones so they'll show up better. All the best. We are all in this together.
We are all with you, Donna so don’t give up hope. As hard as It seems, please keep plugging away as I know you are. At 74, I’m not far behind you, but with Dr Reich helping lead the way, we will make things better for our children and grandchildren.
You’re right: the work is exhausting, but your example shows it’s also life-giving, because it ties us to something bigger than ourselves.
Thank you for showing that persistence and hope can live side by side. It makes me want to double down on my own commitments and remember that even the smallest choices carry weight when multiplied across millions.
In my late 80’s, I’m with you, Donna! Robert Reich - bolstered by dedicated “youngsters” who believe in democracy and Rule of Law - continues to inspire and give us hope! 👵🏻
I recommend going to Facebook and looking for Postcards to Voters. They have a very systematic process for supporting candidates and causes. Get voter addresses from them and start writing.
As someone else in their 80’s, I agree with you. Our lives are close to the end so what have we got to lose. It is our children and grandchildren that matter and what we can leave them as a future and a legacy that counts. There is not much that most of us need at this point so to stop anything that we do not absolutely need is a positive. My friends and I rather than buy stuff will bake each other a favorite treat. My grandchildren get a small gift and money into their college fund.
Thank you Donna for all the work you are doing. Everyone should do something concrete. Boycotts work,if enough people talk about them and decide to do what you did. 75 Million voted for Harris,about 500,000 have actively participated in rallies
Important is to never give up, to turn the tyrant's tactics against him. Fight, fight, fight is the mantra of the coward with a superficial wound. He has zero courage which is why he needs to prey upon society's most vulnerable ones in order to show how great he is, the hallmark of a blowhard bully. Dr. Reich is right, all of us with freedom in our hearts need to come together and fight back, starting with the institutions at the center of our democracy - universities, the free press, the legal profession- litigate, demonstrate, and profess - resistance is at the core of our Foundational Principles, and together we will defeat the supreme cowardice of the tyrant and his regime. They are the real "illegals" whom we need to "extradite" from power.
trump, the tinpot dictator-read Foreign Affairs from Jan. 16th, 2025 - 'A Tale of Two Caudillos' - "Like Trump, Bolsonaro waged war on democratic institutions - but in Brazil, the institutions are winning". Nayib Bukele, another tinpot for trump, opened his gulag to trump's "illegals".
This morning I viewed an excellent post featuring Joy Reid where..."she poses serious questions to the 'right' and states valid reasons that they should be content and happy with all the power (they hold). But yet we still sit here wondering why they are all still "mad." Why are they all still so angry/hate fuelled?
Not only does Joy list the questionable and horrific policies that the trump regime has accomplished for the christian nationalists and maga base. She then goes on to detail the growing discontent by a variety of groups they've alienated and the coming together of these groups/people as a force of resistance. In conclusion she states; "
"And you're mad at us because we do not want to be with you. This America you want, that's yours, y'all. You keep it. We don't want it."
ORGANIZE OVER THE COMMON GOOD DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM. JUST READ THE PLATFORM BULLET POINTS. ORGANIZE!!!!
ALLEGIANCE TO OUR PLATFORM AND THE CANDIDATE THAT PROMOTES OUR PLATFORM!
GOOGLE YOUR STATES DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM TO READ IT!
MAKE AMERICA GRATEFUL AGAIN!
The Democratic Platform IS the Preamble to Our Constitution
The Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Democratic Party should be the party of Interdependent voters..
Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth (Official Audio)
Professor Reich: it's heartening to see Disney+ crash and -- hopefully -- burn, as the public boycotts and cancels them, their services, theme park visits and their subsidiaries. this is such a wonderful example of what we all can do collectively and is a great response to all those people out there who told me "boycotts don't work." first, there's walmart and now Disney+ as examples of the power that We The People have and wield. it's just too wonderful, in my eyes.
Anyone planning a trip to Florida this year should not stay on Disney property or visit their parks. There are many better places to go. Del Rey Beach is a gorgeous city. Nearby is Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, a turtle rescue facility. Ferry rides in the inter-coastal waters are more fun than flying elephants and the Florida Keys are enchanting. I highly recommend the Blue Heaven for breakfast or lunch in Key West. And don't miss the Chart Room Bar for a Hamburger in Paradise.
Good ideas to boycott in FL Catherine. An even better idea is to boycott Fl and any Red states totally! Don't visit, don't spend your money there. Plenty of wonderful people and things to do in Blue states. That doesn't mean there aren't millions of great non MAGA folks in Red states who deserve our support but our system is set up on the "state" system so the only way to punish the MAGA folks who abuse Dems in their states is to boycott them. I have been trying to avoid buying products from China for years and recently I have extended my boycott to items from Red states if it is marked on the label. Frito-Lay, a division of Pepsi is headquartered in Plano, TX. Just an example. I can do without their product and with a little research one can usually find a chip made locally in your Blue state. Of course, it works better when you contact the Red state producer and tell them why you will not buy their product any longer. A lot of work but if millions of us did this only once a week or once a month it might have some impact. Cheers... Vote Blue... GH
Driving less and car pooling or even better using public transport, the less oil we use the better. I have an electric hybrid which gets me around on electric only( I have choices of where the power comes from).
It is unbelievable that this is happening in our country. Congress should be stopping it, but of course the Republican Party is behind him all the way - what kind of people are they - evil, greedy people, just like his is. The love of money is the root of all evil.
richard winkler, "what kind of people are they?" They are disqualified oath breakers, who do not support the Constitution or the rule of law. They should be purged from their Congressional seats, period. See the 14th amendment section 3, disqualification clause in our Constitution.
Laurie, that clause was rendered "obsolete" by the rogue6 on scotus. just as has been the 1st and 4th. i would also add that people who use and promote violence, intimidation, coercion, bribery, and extortion are terrorists. republicans are domestic terrorists.
Paul, While I know that the present regime has rendered the Constitution "obsolete", I say that many voters know that those sycophants of tRUMP's in office are oath violators and enemies of Democracy, and the majority of voters know this too. For anyone who cares about fairness and the rule of law, and freedom itself for self rule by and for humans, rule by Republicans who are MAGAs is not desirable. tRUMP and his regime are terrorists, I agree.
Laurie, I really don't see any longer how we can successfully resist. The old ways of doing things in the past two centuries are not viable now, because of technology. Surveillance technology, banking and financial technology, AI and military technology. When they've decided to get rid of us "liberal vermin" they have both blunt and exact tools. Blunt tools are things lilke turning off the internet. China has done this. More refined tools are shutting down specific platforms such as this one. For diehards that keep resisting how's about they empty your bank accounts. Turn off your electricity. Uninsure you. and so much more. turn off your cell phone. invalidate passports, drivers licenses. this is the technological world we live in, and we are not in, nor will we ever be in control. those days are gone. I'm not saying give up, but I am saying to us all to stop talking about methods of resistance that are futile. the only thing remaining is the interior journey to self-discovery and reconnection to what's left of our interdependent world. oh, did i mention climate change? that's happening faster now than was previously anticipated.
one last thing: it doesn't matter about the buffoons and capers of the present admininistration. the techbroligarchs who rule it all really don't care about insignicant morons and rampant wilfull ignorance and stupidity. the administration is not in charge; they are merely puppets creating cover for the real depradations occurring at stratospheric levels.
Paul, you are right in pointing out all the dangers. The outlook is ominous indeed. However, It is in everybody's best interest to live in a rational, humane society. Trump is a fearmonger, because that only by scaring people can he gain total power. He has gone too far with his attack on the Frist Amendments. He is isolating himself. Don't be intimidated.
And what of the military, all of whom took their oath to the Constitution, to defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic. Felon47 now has them attacking boats in international waters. But on what proof.
Trump holds a level of disdain for humor that I've never seen in anyone else who was once considered to be alive. That's why he skipped all the correspondence dinners held at the Washington Hilton. The one he did attend, Obama insulted him so severely, even though it was done for the sake of good humor, not the ice cream, he never forgave him. Donnie is so thin-skinned that anyone interested in testing the dryness of his humor had better be prepared for the wrath of the king, like Jimmy and Stephen recently found out. How did this country ever get to the point where it is today? Uneducated voters, plain and simple, and their group belongs primarily to the Republican party. Ignorance is far easier to control than intelligence. That's the primary reason why Trump ran as a Republican, because he felt that group represented the dumbest voting block out there. For once he was correct in his assessment. In the past, comedic couples like Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Lewis and Martin all enriched our lives with their lively humor. Perhaps Kimmel and Colbert will roast a man that should never have reached the pinnacles he has sadly attained. For me, if I ever encounter the orange guy, my can of spinach will give me the strength needed to ward off his evil intentions, then a twister punch will leave a lasting impression as to my opinion of his worth, "Et Tu Brute."
If you have no sense of humor, you've probably lost your soul. I would like to leave this life 😆 laughing. What do you get when you cross an elephant with a fish?
Important elections are coming up just 44 days from now, on November 4. In New Jersey, Dem Mikie Sherrill is leading in the governor’s race to retain that seat. In Virginia, Dem Abigail Spanberger is leading for governor and will flip that seat back to blue. In NYC, Dem Zohran Mamdani is favored to win the mayoral race and leads the field by double digits. Here in California, we voters will approve Prop 50 to add 5 more Dem House seats and offset the racist redistricting in Texas.
This coming Tuesday, Dem Adelita Grijalva is favored to win a special election in Arizona to fill the House seat that has been vacant since her father, Raul Grijalva, died in March 2025. Her victory will give Rep. Thomas Massie the 218th and final signature needed to push the Epstein discharge petition and force a House vote to release the Epstein files.
Indeed, Punkette! Thank you for bringing us back to the ground. We must stay focused on the road ahead and do our duty to protect our freedom and wellbeing..
One of the *many* problems and why I think so many people feel fear, and anger, is that we're condtantly being told that flipping the House, and perhaps the Senate, is key to stopping this madness. Guess what? A little covered vote on Friday shows that it's probably not.
Speaker Mike Johnson sponsored a resolution to honor Charlie Kirk, and *only* Charlie Kirk. He *rejected* a Democratic sponsored resolution that condemned all forms of political violence, including the murders of Melissa Hortman, the attempts on Trump and Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul's lives, the kidnap attempt of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Jan. 6.
Instead of showing some backbone, Hakeem Jeffries and 95 Democrats voted for Johnson's resolution. Perhaps even worse, 38 other Democrats like Rep. Ro Khanna voted "Present." They didn't want to oppose the resolution, so they took the coward's way out.
To quote Salty Politics Julie Roginsky, "I can tell you exactly how the calculus in the House Democratic caucus went. Jeffries and other leaders were terrified of being painted as callous by Republicans. They were worried that Republicans would accuse them of supporting political violence — even though Democrats had offered up a resolution condemning all political violence. To convince themselves that they were not opposing this awful resolution out of principle and not out of fear, they said that they were joining Republicans to honor Kirk’s truly terrible legacy to bring the temperature down and bring the country together."
Democratic leadership, and much of the party, is spineless. The time to stop being nice ended a *long* time ago, and Democrats refuse to get it. This is why despite Trump's lawlessness, according to a CNBC poll last month, only 22% had a favorable view of the Democratic party. That's less than the 26% who had a favorable view of the Republican party. I have *no* doubt that Democrats will roll over and pass a CR at the end of the month just like they did earlier this year.
Don't say this is why we need a third party, that's an absolutely rediculous response. The founders may not have known they were creating a two party system, but that's *exactly* what they did.
Please give a little thought to that hoary old maxim, which has most likely survived so long because it's true, that "The perfect is the enemy of the good." Politics can be, as more than one observer has noted, a bit like sausage making. And you really can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs. Politicians walk a tightrope and in a functioning democracy, and always will. Because of things like the fact that, here in PA, the interests of voters in Pittsburgh, say, and Philadelphia, say, differ and our representatives need to represent those differences. That will always exist. What doesn't need to exist is the permission under law for Dark Money to completely dominate elections. Ha ha. I just had to add one more hoary maxim: Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Specific, pragmatic proposals for change are better, methinks, than most other things. All this will take time, too, which isn't all that much fun to think about. But we need to be thinking long term, and as inclusively and pragmatically as we can.
Please tell me what is "good" about 95 Democrats supporting a resolution honoring a thoroughly despicable excuse for a human? Absolutely nothing. It's a disgusting admission that 95 House Democrats have no spines, nor *any* concern for the people Charlie Kirk, Trump, and MAGA hate. There is *nothing* good for Democrats in supporting this repugnant resolution.
But thank you for illustrating why Democrats will continue to lose, both locally and nationally. Democrats have lamented not getting the youth vote for *years.* Younger voters are more diverse, less religious, less racist and less bigoted than thier parents. Furthermore, as the Baby Boomers thankfully die off, there are more of them.
This is not simply a failure of morality, it's a failure of *strategy.* The Democratic party is polling at 22% because leadership is old and clueless. They don't understand that the Baby Boomers are thankfully, increasingly irrelevent and you're not going to win by trying to go to the right, because you will lose the far more numerous younger people. Democrats will *lose* with simply a "we're not Trump!" message.
I agree with many of your points and, in an idealized world, would stand behind them 100%, However, life here on Planet Earth, is, um, 'earthy,' and as such messy, like the evolutionary processes we all owe our current existence to. There are many dead ends in evolution--adaptations that fare poorly over time--and I suspect that in such a massive creatiive spiral as that, there will be many other 'failures' from which we can learn. It might, in other words, be baked into the process. So, in that light it's difficult to say with any degree of intelligent conviction, what might or not serve 'the good' at any given moment. It might (and just for the sake of a thought experiment consider this) be that the collective failure of Congressional Democrats to oppose each and every thing that Republicans get behind is evidence of a 'long game' of cultivating enough Republican Congressmen to help them get a few bills through the gate and enacted into law. In any case, their failure to act has apparently stimulated you and other young people to think seriously about what you stand for and why. And, biased as you might be against 'Boomers' we are the generation that brought down a government by protesting its policies, got better policies passed, and lived to tell the tale. Many of us remember being in the streets and at risk in the process. Black and white, either/or thinking is evidence of a certain lack of perspective. I sincerely wish you well in expanding and refining your view. And I love your fire.
So, you don't have any actual evidence of the potential "good" that you asserted the Democratic House support of that repugnant resolution might have. Thank you for conceeding yet another point.
Bills passed?
You are ignorant of the legislative process in the House. Any bill must first get through the rules committee, controlled by the Speaker of the House. There will *not* be any Democratically supported legislation that is not co-sponsored by Republicans and equally popular with that cacus. In other words, not much, if anything actually meaningful. So again, what major benefit do House Democrats get? Johnson and Trump have shown *zero* willingness to politically engage Democrats beecause they don't have to! Democrats rolled over on the CR in March, and judging by this shameful performance, party leadership seems quite willing to do it again because they're wimps and scared of how they're portrayed by Republicans.
As for Boomers vice the youth vote, I am simply stating facts gleaned from multiple polls and surveys. The beginning of the Boomer generation born in 1947 *is* beginning to age out, and Gen Y and Z *are* more diverse, less racist and more supportive of DEI than their parents and grandparents. Furthermore, the lack of youth turnout is a good reason why Democrats lose. Thee-quarters of non-voters were under 50. This includes the 5% of voters under 30 who did not vote. Alienating the kids will cost Democrats for decades. They will not vote simply because Democrats "aren't Trump."
Oh, and I'm not a youth voter. I'm 50, I just recognixe horrible strategic leadership when I see it.
Again, I really do agree with many of your points. I am not sure it is helpful if a part of your goal here is to convince me and others of this, to issue ad hominem attacks that might cause some of us to tune you out. And I didn't really see where, despite your apparently superior knowledge of congressional procedure (apologize, I've been a therapist and social worker during my life, not a political specialist, just an interested and passionate citizen), my basic point is incorrect. Lacking in nuance, perhaps. I won't apologize, because if ony experts weighed in here, Substack wouldn't function as a community of ideas and mutual support. And back to us Boomers, you are right, again in part, about how we vote and see things. I have often wished we'd die off a bit faster. But on the other hand, we are all--all of us, even you, Chris--standing on the shoulders of those who've gone before and I stand by my assertion that Boomers have spearheaded general and effective protest, as well as advances in Civil Rights. We also raised or helped raise, your generation and are responsible for much in the arts and film that's been infuential in supporting necessary change. Again, and I hope you understand what I'm getting at here, either/or absolutist thinking almost always falls short in any political analysis. Shades of gray seems to me a more useful rubric to accept as a reflection of reality. Peace.
Per the Gallup Poll, in the 2nd Quarter of '25, an average of 46% of U.S. adults identified as Democrats or said they are independents who lean toward the Democratic Party, while 43% identified as Republicans or said they lean Republican. That three-point Dem advantage compares with a tie between the two parties in the first quarter of '25, after a four-point Republican lead in the fourth quarter of 2024. Until now, the Republican Party had led or tied in most quarters since 2023.
„Instead of showing some backbone, Hakeem Jeffries and 95 Democrats voted for Johnson's resolution. Perhaps even worse, 38 other Democrats like Rep. Ro Khanna voted "Present." They didn't want to oppose the resolution, so they took the coward's way out.”
Because they’re not totally ucking finsane, though they often give that impression. The same business calculation that led to the dropping of Jimmy Kimmler.
We talked a lot about thin skins, about childishness, about impressions and wanting to be taken serious.
I think that more thinking is needed about that, more practical thought as well. Hitting mocking and ridicule is better and more effective then everything. That is why Trump is hunting for comedians. How to get channels to the public fot them?
I still dream about miss Piggy, on the lap of Trump, trying to seduce him, by telling him how youmg she is....
Elisabeth, I see it for my eyes, Miss Piggy, melting and flirting with Donald Trump. But there are a lot of other forms, as your brilliant comedians, how risky that work is. In my country we had Koot en Bie, doing sketches about anything and everything.
Buying some hamburgers meant that you got a container of manure to get rid of.
Or the "tegenpartij", with so brilliant slogans, that the opinion polls showed they comedians would in reality could be elected in parliament.
I think a revival of the Muppets could work: Staler and Walldorf, preparing a meeting of congress...
Miss Piggy would have never come close to Trump. She was too decent. Bugs Bunny, on the other hand, would run circles about him, and show him his carrot. He would also tell Donald that he is the grumpy white guy with the shotgun, always morose, because he is a loser.
We cannot afford to keep on seeking remedies only via established customs, organizations, and institutions. And expect what? A reasoned response to a political culture bereft of reason? ("Reason" implying humanity and thus social justice--not crass calculations of power-lust).
Leap out of the box. Identify our strengths and create methods of action that can adapt to the current administration's utter disregard and contempt for truth and law.
If, for example, universities were to create an alliance, like the West and Northeast governments are doing with vaccines and healthcare. Not only would such an alliance (or collective) create a united front for higher education, it could potentially sue in court (as a plaintiff or perhaps with others in a class-action lawsuit), invoking statutes that allow for the recovery of costs and attorneys' fees.
Moreover, alliances have intangible effects, such as encouraging other actors to also form their own never-thought-of-before alliances. And to lift people who feel powerless from dark despair and see that there is hope and light ahead.
But we have to fight (non-violently) for it. We have to do so creatively--we MUST adapt and forge new tools. Every living being and environment HAS to adapt in order to survive. Complacency results in slow death. If democracy is to survive, then we must create new alliances.
Well the Jimmy Kimmel affair has cost Disney $3.8 billion off their market value. This is because Trump has the say in whether a $6 billion dollar merger goes through. I thought these kind of things were decided by a government body. After all, what the hell does the man who bankrupted a casino know about business?
Now a load of Disney customers have left, and they won't be back either. Nearly 4 billion in share value has gone too. Investors are probably furious, because I know I would be if I was one. So someone should fire the weasel who gave in to the rapist. Between them the ape and the dickheads who made this decision have toasted one of America's major entertainment brands.
All because little Donnie cried when he heard one of Jimmy's gags.
Thank you; I'm re-learning democracy. I have already renounced my citizenship, so find it hard to know what I can do. But I do speak my truth, and you have enabled that to a great extent. Again, Thank you. As we would say in te reo Maori (the local indigenous language): KIA KAHA!
Professor Reich, I am currently reading your latest book, to say I'm enjoying it would not be exactly true. I appreciate very much its honesty, its wit and humour and the quality of the writing, it is, however, reminding me of (and in some cases educating me in) the fact that the USA, almost since it's inception, has tended towards extremism and violence. The appalling institutional racist inequality and violence continuing well into my lifetime (I am 75). The horrors of Vietnam, Nixon, Regan, the interminable march towards totalitarianism which has inevitably led to Trump.
Democracy is messy, because people are messy. Greed brings out the worst in every situation, and face it: most people are greedy - and the more they have, the harder they fight to keep it. Once we let money into politics, we lost our democracy. We are seeing it crash and burn now, but the good news is this: The cabal of ultra rich have achieved their dream - and it's a nightmare. The tower has collapsed and now we can rebuild it using the knowledge we've attained - thanks to people like Professor Reich and Heather Cox Richardson, among many others. Society is built on a series of experiments, and the only constant is change.
The quickest path to hopefulness is #ProjectCarrot.
Rather than waiting for Jan 2027 to upend Trump, why not start it by flipping the House in the next month?
Convince three House Republicans to declare as independent, caucusing with Dems and a new #BlueHouse can blast Trump‘s #OverreachRampage to bits.
Many will be unelectable anyway.
Suggest that these new independents should rebrand as #ConstitutionalConservatives, turning back Trump/Project 2025 #RepubloFascism that is #ThirdWorldingAmerica.
They will be #PolarOppositePatriots sacrificing their former party to #RestoreAmericasGreatness.
#CountryOverParty
Dems can make that choice easier with #ProjectCarrot. DNC Chair Martin can vow not to support or fund a Dem against them.
No GOP primary, no tough Dem in the general. They can
#FlipTheHouseNOWandBeHeroesForever not DJT lapdogs.
Please read here how this all can be possible with #ProjectCarrot strategies in play before, during, and after this marvelous transition
https://open.substack.com/pub/toddtelford/p/democracys-survival-demands-that?r=13imj&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
Even Republicans know that with each passing day, we shed another unique and unexpected
#TearForAmerica
And I’m fine with our heroes being Republicans breaking through their shackles to finally do the right thing for us. Democrats will do the heavy lifting in disassembling the #TrumpMuskMillerProject2025cabal #RepubloFascism.
If it’s brave Republicans that make it possible, I can live with them taking the glory and being celebrated on #2ndIndependenceDay, a holiday to be added to our calendars after a significant transition is unavoidable.
.
If the above is feasible it should be done. Two chances are better than one. Then the house should refuse to confirm Vance and new elections should be held. This should spell the end of MAGA.
It should be easy to refuse to confirm Vance, since he is disabled, an election denier and supporter of the criminal in chief.
The end of MAGA, as put, will not end until the severe institutional problems in American life are resolved, or at least addressed. These include health care, criminal and civil justice in the courts, day-care, educational equality (not equity, but equality), the distribution of food, the regulation of corporations, etc.
And these are crucial to all of us on a moral level, regardless of our ability to shield ourselves based on income and wealth.
Yes I agree but a Maga government is never going to change what you describe. There is a need for a major chage of direction at the top and the billionaires need to be put in their place. Sending Musk and Theil back to South Africa where their colonial attitudes would be a good move. But not for them.
Colin,
There is a way to flip the House and fix the Supreme Court in 90 days legally.
Read my post.
https://williamlmiller.substack.com/p/how-to-stop-trump-republicans-and
I never considered letting the states take the lead in arresting and/or disqualifying congressional co-conspirators in violating the Constitution.
Back on Jan 6, 2021 I thought that the crime of #SeditiousConspiracy should’ve been applied to all those who voted against certification of state results for the 2020 election.
But that would be a federal level crime. Working things through the state level would flip the house nearly immediately, and then all the concepts from #ProjectCarrot could be implemented, including #PresidentialCensure.
100% behind Project Carrot!
My nephew earned his PhD in Sustainable Development. He works for the United Nations and is based in Switzerland. He and his wife both work for the UN, I will make sure they know about Project Carrot and vote!
Yippee! Thanks, Catherine!
Excellent candidates for #ProfectCarrot might be the four courageous House Republicans who joined Democrats to defeat on Sept 17 to defeat Republican efforts to censure Dem Rep Ilhan Omar for free speech.
Yes, what an excellent idea and a way to thank them for their courage!
#ProjectCarrot
You don't think those four met privately with colleagues beforehand -- or, more likely, the colleagues met and agreed upon which four -- and ONLY four -- would offer to be "sacrificial lambs?"
There is simply no way that four independently grew spines. Not MAGA.
Omar was not a hill they wanted to die on --
Certainly a possible scenario, although I’m not sure how this might affect their interest in exploring whether #ProjectCarrot might benefit them
If you buy into Project Carrot, I have a bridge to sell you.
Nothing would undermine any Democrats who are loyal Americans more.
Say more, please, as to why this is your belief? Where do you see the threat from this as the “independent” option has seeming successfully been taken, e.g., Bernie Sanders.
Let us acknowledge that each and every MAGA in the House has demonstrated they are unfaithful to their Oath of office. FAR more loyal to the traitor Trump than to our Constitution.
They have demonstrated their character. What decent human being would try to make a deal with them on something like this?
So it's a matter of political expediency v. principles -- with Democrats sacrificing principles. This is in large part why we are here today.
Gene, thanks for that great idea! When we as Democrats applaud the actions of House Republicans that stand against the Trump regime, however briefly, we plant the seeds in their minds of just how popular their move to #FlipTheHouseFall2025 would be.
My secret hope is that when they join with the Democratic caucus for the purpose of voting in a new Speaker, they will nominate Jamie Raskin. He wouldn’t hold back on shredding and impeaching the #SimpletonSycophants in Trump‘s #ClownCarCabinet.
Imagine how fun the news would be to watch every day as comeuppance is delivered throughout the Trump administration. Bring the popcorn!
Carrot is no use without at least the presence of Stick.
The stick will be the emergence of conscience coupled with the realization that riding on Trump‘s lead coattails will doom their careers anyway.
Their constituents will make it clear at the ballot box that their role in crippling our social safety nets will make each an #FTR
#FinalTermRepublican
So their choice is to be pushed out of politics as of January 2027 or to be bipartisan players as independents.
And perhaps as GOP 1.0 is burned at the stake, they will rise from the ashes as leaders in GOP 2.0. As such they will be able to restore honor to the brand, free of the tentacles of billionaire donors.
You’ll notice that I’m not asking them to be Democrats. But as #ConstitutionalConservatives they could point to their faith as they offer bipartisan support in helping the poor, the infirm, and the marginalized lead better, more stable lives.
They can differentiate themselves from the old guard by showing how they can be #ConsistentChristians. That’s the reality I really want to see.
The stick in this scenrio is the TRUTH! Real facts are what the American people need to act responsibly as active and concerned citizens not submissive loyal subjects.
TRUTH is kryptonite to a charlatan as it disempowers them and puts them on the defensive.
The Pro-Democracy Leaders and Lawmakers must join together to form a strong PRO-DEMOCRACY COALITION, play offense and confront the Oath-breakers in Congress and the Whitehouse to demand EVIDENCE, truth and justice.
Formation of a strong PRO-DEMOCRACY COMMUNITY is also essential. Senator Bernie Sanders, along with other progressive Lawmakers, are working to build a strong community of and concerned citizens through the "Fighting Oligarchy Tour" rallies and Town Halls meetings. Indivisible, and other citizen protest organizers, must be supported and promoted.
WE THE PEOPLE are facing a true test of citizenship that requires collective action based on a positive vision for our future. Fighting against Trumpism must be balanced with fighting FOR something. The US Constitution is the guidebook and must be preserved.
Trump himself is the stick!
I know where we could insert the carrot...... I'd dip it in Tabasco sauce first.
I don't think we are done with rethugs in Congress choosing not to run next year. We should reach for the stars and try to get a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.
And Stephen, #ProjectCarrot will make prospects for that #BlueSenate even greater with the passage of the updated #ForThePeopleAct.
Without the presence of billionaire backing some may retire rather than go through the pain of a losing fight.
I like this idea. Are any of them brave enough to cross the line Trump drew in the sand?
Project Carrot is an idea that has some merit, and should be pursued, among others.
I have to point out, though, that most people are reluctant to betray their group, and fear being branded as traitors. Even if they don't subscribe to the MAGA brand of Republicanism, do they really want to be seen as RINO's? No, you won't get anywhere with those people, but there are likely to be many who are willing to become "Independents" .
I like the term "Constitutional Conservatives", and given Trumps transgressions, this brand could have some real traction.
Just be aware that most Republicans are soaked in the Reagan brand of pro-corporate "Americanism" and will cling to Trump as long as he seems to be winning for their side..
Thank you for informing me of Project Carrot - that is truly hopeful! Is it #projectcarrot ?
Yes, searchable as #ProjectCarrot here, on Bluesky, and Facebook. Please tell your representatives about this possibility.
I’ve been a one-man show on this idea from the start, so any help in spreading it is greatly appreciated. I encourage everyone who likes this idea to subscribe (no paying options) to my Substack and please express your ideas and success stories in the chat.
There you’ll also find memes spreading my unique ideas and phraseology that are also found on my Bluesky account.
https://bsky.app/profile/progtoddnorcal.bsky.social
We all do what we can in times like these. I’m not good at making phone calls or writing postcards. This is what I’ve chosen to do.
Sometimes I feel like Todd Quixote flailing away at windmills, so I really appreciate when I’m heard, and my ideas are considered and adopted by others. So I tip my metal helmet to you all in gratitude.
It feels so much better fighting with hope rather than immersed in hatred.
While there is so much to go nose to nose about, we should go wallet to wallet instead. Both left and right are suffering equally under the #TrumpMuskMillerProject2025Cabal #ProSTRIFE agenda.
Only when we realize collectively that it’s a 99% v 1% battle being waged can we take down #RepubloFascism.
It's like fighting religion - I wish I could get rid of that.
You are one smart person!
Tod(?), Thanks for this. As it happens I was just this morning going to become a paying subscriber to "Hopium Chronicles By Simon Rosenberg". I'm looking forward to checking out your "Tod's ProgBlog". We are at the point in this regime where we can no longer wait for traditional political leadership to get its act together. We the people must push them hard from below. No time for nihilism.
It’s Todd, actually. And thank you so much for subscribing and I hope to see you in the chat!
This is absurd. Republicans who want to become Independent and start to caucus with other Independents and Democrats can do so. And why don't they? It's because they are terrified of their own party members and their constituents. I'm not interested in soothing their cowardice now through any kind of support I might give them.
Great Idea! I have been suggesting that the number of House and Senate GOP that make them a majority go home. I don't know how with your suggestion the committee heads would be selected unless those who changed parties caucused with the DEMS. Could complicate matters. I still think wanting to spend more time with the family, another job offer, illness etc. used as an excuse to go home is best.
Thankfully, Donald Trump is a stinking flower. The more he matures in office, the stinkier he becomes. Now even his fellow Republicans are upset by the stench of his narcissim. (do you know that the Narcissus flower stinks?}. We must demand the resignation/firing of anyone who supports his assault on the First Amendment. If you live in Kentucky pleas do write to Senator Paul and condemn him for his evasy, cowardly answers to Wekler's questions on NBC this morning.
And if you live in Kentucky, please call the office of Rep Massie and urge him not to retire. Tell him that #ProjectCarrot needs him to declare as independent and start caucusing with Democrats right away.
If he and a few others #FlipTheHouseFall2025 his career can not only continue but flourish, being on the right side of history and helping to take down #RepubloFascism
For a wobbly hold on possibility, it would take a very high bar of trust to do this. But, as possibilities narrow, perhaps...
Thank you for being there as a true leader for all of us Professor Reich. The one thing we all have to protect against is to not let Trump turn us into them. Fight tyrants and fascism with intelligence and togetherness.
Whenever I read Robert‘s articles, I feel more courageous. But this one almost made me cry. I just feel so worn out sometimes but in this message, he has given us reasons to hope and things that we can do. I get really tired of people wringing their hands and not doing anything. Whenever somebody asks me why I spend so many hours writing postcards to voters with my group of about 30 people, I tell them it’s because I want my grandchildren to know that I fought for their freedom and for their future. At 80 years old, I am too old to have much of a future. But my grandchildren do. I don’t want them to live like this for the rest of their lives. If it’s hard for me, it’s gonna be even harder for them to have no hope.
I think we all should be grateful to Robert for being here. I am in the middle of reading his book, and I just love his intelligent outlook. I love his honesty. I love when he’s straightforward about what is happening and what we can do about it.
I urge everybody on this sub stack to please do something concrete. Even if it’s just to call your legislators. Even if it’s to send them a postcard. Even if it’s to give up Disney products, which I have started to do myself. I rarely go into my local target store anymore. It’s always empty. I don’t buy on Amazon anymore and I canceled my prime subscription .
We need to talk with our wallets and our credit cards. Companies are in business to make money. But they won’t make money if we sell our stocks and if we don’t buy their products. I am so disappointed in Disney. Yesterday I was at a store and picked up a toy that I was going to buy. Then I read the label and found it was a Disney product, and I put it right down and bought something else.
Robert is right. It may take a long time for us to accomplish anything. But the pendulum always swings the other way. And as I tell my MAGA family, once the tiger runs out of food, it starts eating its own. So they should keep that in mind if they believe that they always will be protected under Trump.
Thank you Donna,
That was very inspiring for all of us who want a democracy for our children and grandchildren and their children and grandchildren and so on forever. October 18th is the next “NO KINGS DAY”. Let’s all show these fascists, it ain’t gonna happen here in the United States of America.
Donna, you are one of my heroes! I agree with you. Professor Reich offers practical solutions to help us continue in this fight even when we are dragging and feel so tired! We must NEVER GIVE UP and we must NEVER SURRENDER! Our children and the generations coming after need us to keep fighting so they can live in an America that is truly a home for everyone here. No exclusions.
Peggy.....Donna is one of my heroes also! I love her energy and fight! She inspires me to stay in the fight to never give up! I'm already signed up for Oct.18th, hopefully our fight keeps growing! Everyone on this sub stack should sign up and protest on Oct. 18th if able.
I am signed up and ready to go, Pamela! Let's do this!
Thanks, Donna. I am and have for awhile been doing all of the above, although I confess I still buy some things on Amazon, as I don't have reliable access to transportation to shopping hubs. I also try to support companies with good track records, write postcards, write to my Representative and Senators on a regular basis, donate to good causes (as a force multiplier), elicit solidarity by having yard signs, decals, t-shirts and the like visible in my local area, etc. And posting here and elsewhere in support of good ideas. And here's one I read for you, recommended by Joyce Vance and others: start wearing a paper clip on your lapel or at your neckline. It's something Norwegians did to protest the Nazi occupation of Norway during WWII. I got some colorful ones so they'll show up better. All the best. We are all in this together.
We are all with you, Donna so don’t give up hope. As hard as It seems, please keep plugging away as I know you are. At 74, I’m not far behind you, but with Dr Reich helping lead the way, we will make things better for our children and grandchildren.
You’re right: the work is exhausting, but your example shows it’s also life-giving, because it ties us to something bigger than ourselves.
Thank you for showing that persistence and hope can live side by side. It makes me want to double down on my own commitments and remember that even the smallest choices carry weight when multiplied across millions.
In my late 80’s, I’m with you, Donna! Robert Reich - bolstered by dedicated “youngsters” who believe in democracy and Rule of Law - continues to inspire and give us hope! 👵🏻
Bless you heart, Irene! You give me something to aim for.
Wow, Donna. I've done some of the boycott stuff and even joined a couple of protests. But you just inspired me to do the postcard thing too!
I recommend going to Facebook and looking for Postcards to Voters. They have a very systematic process for supporting candidates and causes. Get voter addresses from them and start writing.
As someone else in their 80’s, I agree with you. Our lives are close to the end so what have we got to lose. It is our children and grandchildren that matter and what we can leave them as a future and a legacy that counts. There is not much that most of us need at this point so to stop anything that we do not absolutely need is a positive. My friends and I rather than buy stuff will bake each other a favorite treat. My grandchildren get a small gift and money into their college fund.
Thank you Donna for all the work you are doing. Everyone should do something concrete. Boycotts work,if enough people talk about them and decide to do what you did. 75 Million voted for Harris,about 500,000 have actively participated in rallies
Important is to never give up, to turn the tyrant's tactics against him. Fight, fight, fight is the mantra of the coward with a superficial wound. He has zero courage which is why he needs to prey upon society's most vulnerable ones in order to show how great he is, the hallmark of a blowhard bully. Dr. Reich is right, all of us with freedom in our hearts need to come together and fight back, starting with the institutions at the center of our democracy - universities, the free press, the legal profession- litigate, demonstrate, and profess - resistance is at the core of our Foundational Principles, and together we will defeat the supreme cowardice of the tyrant and his regime. They are the real "illegals" whom we need to "extradite" from power.
trump, the tinpot dictator-read Foreign Affairs from Jan. 16th, 2025 - 'A Tale of Two Caudillos' - "Like Trump, Bolsonaro waged war on democratic institutions - but in Brazil, the institutions are winning". Nayib Bukele, another tinpot for trump, opened his gulag to trump's "illegals".
This morning I viewed an excellent post featuring Joy Reid where..."she poses serious questions to the 'right' and states valid reasons that they should be content and happy with all the power (they hold). But yet we still sit here wondering why they are all still "mad." Why are they all still so angry/hate fuelled?
Not only does Joy list the questionable and horrific policies that the trump regime has accomplished for the christian nationalists and maga base. She then goes on to detail the growing discontent by a variety of groups they've alienated and the coming together of these groups/people as a force of resistance. In conclusion she states; "
"And you're mad at us because we do not want to be with you. This America you want, that's yours, y'all. You keep it. We don't want it."
Here's the link, worth a listen in its entirety. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7rRUei44rA
Thank you, Judith. Joy makes some worthy commentary, and I will listen.
Keith - Agree. Andy Borowitz made his conversation with RR free for all to watch on Substack since we all need a Robert Reich moment right now.
Could not agree more Anon. Robert Reich is how I start my day each and every day.
Absolutely!!
Project 2026 If Brazil can do it, so can we!
Win the Senate and House, Impeach and Prosecute.
ORGANIZE ORGANIZE ORGANIZE!!!!!
ORGANIZE OVER THE COMMON GOOD DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM. JUST READ THE PLATFORM BULLET POINTS. ORGANIZE!!!!
ALLEGIANCE TO OUR PLATFORM AND THE CANDIDATE THAT PROMOTES OUR PLATFORM!
GOOGLE YOUR STATES DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM TO READ IT!
MAKE AMERICA GRATEFUL AGAIN!
The Democratic Platform IS the Preamble to Our Constitution
The Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
The Democratic Party should be the party of Interdependent voters..
Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth (Official Audio)
"Battle lines being drawn. Nobody's right if everybody's wrong."
The line about battle lines being drawn has been ringing in my ears constantly during this last week.
Professor Reich: it's heartening to see Disney+ crash and -- hopefully -- burn, as the public boycotts and cancels them, their services, theme park visits and their subsidiaries. this is such a wonderful example of what we all can do collectively and is a great response to all those people out there who told me "boycotts don't work." first, there's walmart and now Disney+ as examples of the power that We The People have and wield. it's just too wonderful, in my eyes.
It's always about the money. The most effective way to fight is to stop giving them any.
Paula, you are right, it is always about the money.
Not quite, Dorothy. The first attack on Disney happened in Florida a few years back, and it had nothing to do with money.
Don't buy adult gifts for the upcoming holidays. Let businesses feel the consequences of their complicity.
Anyone planning a trip to Florida this year should not stay on Disney property or visit their parks. There are many better places to go. Del Rey Beach is a gorgeous city. Nearby is Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, a turtle rescue facility. Ferry rides in the inter-coastal waters are more fun than flying elephants and the Florida Keys are enchanting. I highly recommend the Blue Heaven for breakfast or lunch in Key West. And don't miss the Chart Room Bar for a Hamburger in Paradise.
Good ideas to boycott in FL Catherine. An even better idea is to boycott Fl and any Red states totally! Don't visit, don't spend your money there. Plenty of wonderful people and things to do in Blue states. That doesn't mean there aren't millions of great non MAGA folks in Red states who deserve our support but our system is set up on the "state" system so the only way to punish the MAGA folks who abuse Dems in their states is to boycott them. I have been trying to avoid buying products from China for years and recently I have extended my boycott to items from Red states if it is marked on the label. Frito-Lay, a division of Pepsi is headquartered in Plano, TX. Just an example. I can do without their product and with a little research one can usually find a chip made locally in your Blue state. Of course, it works better when you contact the Red state producer and tell them why you will not buy their product any longer. A lot of work but if millions of us did this only once a week or once a month it might have some impact. Cheers... Vote Blue... GH
Driving less and car pooling or even better using public transport, the less oil we use the better. I have an electric hybrid which gets me around on electric only( I have choices of where the power comes from).
and don't buy adult presents for the upcoming holidays. Let business feel the consequences of their complicity.
Great idea! Maybe donate money to a charity, NPR or Democratic candidate in their name.
It is unbelievable that this is happening in our country. Congress should be stopping it, but of course the Republican Party is behind him all the way - what kind of people are they - evil, greedy people, just like his is. The love of money is the root of all evil.
richard winkler, "what kind of people are they?" They are disqualified oath breakers, who do not support the Constitution or the rule of law. They should be purged from their Congressional seats, period. See the 14th amendment section 3, disqualification clause in our Constitution.
Laurie, that clause was rendered "obsolete" by the rogue6 on scotus. just as has been the 1st and 4th. i would also add that people who use and promote violence, intimidation, coercion, bribery, and extortion are terrorists. republicans are domestic terrorists.
Paul, While I know that the present regime has rendered the Constitution "obsolete", I say that many voters know that those sycophants of tRUMP's in office are oath violators and enemies of Democracy, and the majority of voters know this too. For anyone who cares about fairness and the rule of law, and freedom itself for self rule by and for humans, rule by Republicans who are MAGAs is not desirable. tRUMP and his regime are terrorists, I agree.
Laurie, they will be terrorists once people start disappearing in the middle of the night.
Nacht und Nebel is already here with ICE.
Kathleen, don't go overboard! Deportation is not the same as extermination.
Laurie, I really don't see any longer how we can successfully resist. The old ways of doing things in the past two centuries are not viable now, because of technology. Surveillance technology, banking and financial technology, AI and military technology. When they've decided to get rid of us "liberal vermin" they have both blunt and exact tools. Blunt tools are things lilke turning off the internet. China has done this. More refined tools are shutting down specific platforms such as this one. For diehards that keep resisting how's about they empty your bank accounts. Turn off your electricity. Uninsure you. and so much more. turn off your cell phone. invalidate passports, drivers licenses. this is the technological world we live in, and we are not in, nor will we ever be in control. those days are gone. I'm not saying give up, but I am saying to us all to stop talking about methods of resistance that are futile. the only thing remaining is the interior journey to self-discovery and reconnection to what's left of our interdependent world. oh, did i mention climate change? that's happening faster now than was previously anticipated.
one last thing: it doesn't matter about the buffoons and capers of the present admininistration. the techbroligarchs who rule it all really don't care about insignicant morons and rampant wilfull ignorance and stupidity. the administration is not in charge; they are merely puppets creating cover for the real depradations occurring at stratospheric levels.
Paul, you are right in pointing out all the dangers. The outlook is ominous indeed. However, It is in everybody's best interest to live in a rational, humane society. Trump is a fearmonger, because that only by scaring people can he gain total power. He has gone too far with his attack on the Frist Amendments. He is isolating himself. Don't be intimidated.
And what of the military, all of whom took their oath to the Constitution, to defend it against all enemies foreign and domestic. Felon47 now has them attacking boats in international waters. But on what proof.
Totally agree with you about money being the root of all evil. Thanks Richard.
Trump's overly sensitive "Ego."
Donald Hodgins <silencenotbad@gmail.com>
Sat, Sep 20, 11:23 AM (16 hours ago)
Trump holds a level of disdain for humor that I've never seen in anyone else who was once considered to be alive. That's why he skipped all the correspondence dinners held at the Washington Hilton. The one he did attend, Obama insulted him so severely, even though it was done for the sake of good humor, not the ice cream, he never forgave him. Donnie is so thin-skinned that anyone interested in testing the dryness of his humor had better be prepared for the wrath of the king, like Jimmy and Stephen recently found out. How did this country ever get to the point where it is today? Uneducated voters, plain and simple, and their group belongs primarily to the Republican party. Ignorance is far easier to control than intelligence. That's the primary reason why Trump ran as a Republican, because he felt that group represented the dumbest voting block out there. For once he was correct in his assessment. In the past, comedic couples like Laurel and Hardy, Abbott and Costello, Lewis and Martin all enriched our lives with their lively humor. Perhaps Kimmel and Colbert will roast a man that should never have reached the pinnacles he has sadly attained. For me, if I ever encounter the orange guy, my can of spinach will give me the strength needed to ward off his evil intentions, then a twister punch will leave a lasting impression as to my opinion of his worth, "Et Tu Brute."
If you have no sense of humor, you've probably lost your soul. I would like to leave this life 😆 laughing. What do you get when you cross an elephant with a fish?
🥸 Swimming Trunks.
Hahahaha. Good one.
I am concerned that people are assuming that the 'great correction' will take place at the mid-terms. THAT MAY BE TOO LATE!
This is a classic moment where 'the rules' must be side-lined and serious, unconventional actions must be taken to clean out Trump and his cabinet.
I've been saying this for MONTHS. But no one wants to hear it. We don't have until Nov. 2026. It's that simple.
Important elections are coming up just 44 days from now, on November 4. In New Jersey, Dem Mikie Sherrill is leading in the governor’s race to retain that seat. In Virginia, Dem Abigail Spanberger is leading for governor and will flip that seat back to blue. In NYC, Dem Zohran Mamdani is favored to win the mayoral race and leads the field by double digits. Here in California, we voters will approve Prop 50 to add 5 more Dem House seats and offset the racist redistricting in Texas.
This coming Tuesday, Dem Adelita Grijalva is favored to win a special election in Arizona to fill the House seat that has been vacant since her father, Raul Grijalva, died in March 2025. Her victory will give Rep. Thomas Massie the 218th and final signature needed to push the Epstein discharge petition and force a House vote to release the Epstein files.
There is always hope!
Very encouraging! Thanks.
Thank you Punkette for giving me hope tonight so maybe I'll sleep better. Thx for reminding us of those upcoming elections where Dems could win!
You are welcome, Lilla! Keep the faith, my sister, and sleep well tonight! 🫶🏼
Indeed, Punkette! Thank you for bringing us back to the ground. We must stay focused on the road ahead and do our duty to protect our freedom and wellbeing..
Yes, Victor! Glad to be in this fight with you. 💪🏽
Exactly what "serious, unconventional actions" are you suggesting?
I would like some suggestions from the constitutional experts. I'm also intrigued by the possibility of the armed forces disobeying 'illegal orders'.
„…. This is a classic moment where 'the rules' must be side-lined and serious, unconventional actions must be taken ….”
Isn’t that the reasoning used by the J6-ers, in the light of the theft of the 2020 election?
Actually, in hindsight that proved to be a blessing in disguise, ripping the mask off the Demshevik Beast.
I am not advocating J6-style violence, but we need to be creative about rules being changed for House and Senate. And SCOTUS needs to be challenged.
How exactly?
The assault on the Senate to prevent Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, which included a lot of illegals, who should simply have been bounced at once?
And in any case, J-6 was dwarfed by the preceding summer of Burning, Looting and Mayhem, encouraged by the likes of Alpacatoes Ofwillie.
Thank you Bob for this Sunday thought. It makes me think of France during the Nazi occupation - -the designated victims: the Jews, the homosexuals...
- the mass of sheep who suffer in silence without daring to raise their heads
- the resistors, who fight at the peril of their lives to defend freedom,(with guns, newspapers, radio..) the real heroes
- the passive or active collaborators, some of whom were judged later and are now in the trash cans of history.
It is somewhat the current situation in the USA, with the designated victims now being people of color, the poor, the Democrats, free journalists, .
..Those who refuse to compare Trump to Hitler forget how it all started, years before 1939!
Viva la resistance!
Bella ciao !!!
One of the *many* problems and why I think so many people feel fear, and anger, is that we're condtantly being told that flipping the House, and perhaps the Senate, is key to stopping this madness. Guess what? A little covered vote on Friday shows that it's probably not.
Speaker Mike Johnson sponsored a resolution to honor Charlie Kirk, and *only* Charlie Kirk. He *rejected* a Democratic sponsored resolution that condemned all forms of political violence, including the murders of Melissa Hortman, the attempts on Trump and Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul's lives, the kidnap attempt of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Jan. 6.
Instead of showing some backbone, Hakeem Jeffries and 95 Democrats voted for Johnson's resolution. Perhaps even worse, 38 other Democrats like Rep. Ro Khanna voted "Present." They didn't want to oppose the resolution, so they took the coward's way out.
To quote Salty Politics Julie Roginsky, "I can tell you exactly how the calculus in the House Democratic caucus went. Jeffries and other leaders were terrified of being painted as callous by Republicans. They were worried that Republicans would accuse them of supporting political violence — even though Democrats had offered up a resolution condemning all political violence. To convince themselves that they were not opposing this awful resolution out of principle and not out of fear, they said that they were joining Republicans to honor Kirk’s truly terrible legacy to bring the temperature down and bring the country together."
Democratic leadership, and much of the party, is spineless. The time to stop being nice ended a *long* time ago, and Democrats refuse to get it. This is why despite Trump's lawlessness, according to a CNBC poll last month, only 22% had a favorable view of the Democratic party. That's less than the 26% who had a favorable view of the Republican party. I have *no* doubt that Democrats will roll over and pass a CR at the end of the month just like they did earlier this year.
Don't say this is why we need a third party, that's an absolutely rediculous response. The founders may not have known they were creating a two party system, but that's *exactly* what they did.
Please give a little thought to that hoary old maxim, which has most likely survived so long because it's true, that "The perfect is the enemy of the good." Politics can be, as more than one observer has noted, a bit like sausage making. And you really can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs. Politicians walk a tightrope and in a functioning democracy, and always will. Because of things like the fact that, here in PA, the interests of voters in Pittsburgh, say, and Philadelphia, say, differ and our representatives need to represent those differences. That will always exist. What doesn't need to exist is the permission under law for Dark Money to completely dominate elections. Ha ha. I just had to add one more hoary maxim: Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. Specific, pragmatic proposals for change are better, methinks, than most other things. All this will take time, too, which isn't all that much fun to think about. But we need to be thinking long term, and as inclusively and pragmatically as we can.
Please tell me what is "good" about 95 Democrats supporting a resolution honoring a thoroughly despicable excuse for a human? Absolutely nothing. It's a disgusting admission that 95 House Democrats have no spines, nor *any* concern for the people Charlie Kirk, Trump, and MAGA hate. There is *nothing* good for Democrats in supporting this repugnant resolution.
But thank you for illustrating why Democrats will continue to lose, both locally and nationally. Democrats have lamented not getting the youth vote for *years.* Younger voters are more diverse, less religious, less racist and less bigoted than thier parents. Furthermore, as the Baby Boomers thankfully die off, there are more of them.
This is not simply a failure of morality, it's a failure of *strategy.* The Democratic party is polling at 22% because leadership is old and clueless. They don't understand that the Baby Boomers are thankfully, increasingly irrelevent and you're not going to win by trying to go to the right, because you will lose the far more numerous younger people. Democrats will *lose* with simply a "we're not Trump!" message.
I agree with many of your points and, in an idealized world, would stand behind them 100%, However, life here on Planet Earth, is, um, 'earthy,' and as such messy, like the evolutionary processes we all owe our current existence to. There are many dead ends in evolution--adaptations that fare poorly over time--and I suspect that in such a massive creatiive spiral as that, there will be many other 'failures' from which we can learn. It might, in other words, be baked into the process. So, in that light it's difficult to say with any degree of intelligent conviction, what might or not serve 'the good' at any given moment. It might (and just for the sake of a thought experiment consider this) be that the collective failure of Congressional Democrats to oppose each and every thing that Republicans get behind is evidence of a 'long game' of cultivating enough Republican Congressmen to help them get a few bills through the gate and enacted into law. In any case, their failure to act has apparently stimulated you and other young people to think seriously about what you stand for and why. And, biased as you might be against 'Boomers' we are the generation that brought down a government by protesting its policies, got better policies passed, and lived to tell the tale. Many of us remember being in the streets and at risk in the process. Black and white, either/or thinking is evidence of a certain lack of perspective. I sincerely wish you well in expanding and refining your view. And I love your fire.
So, you don't have any actual evidence of the potential "good" that you asserted the Democratic House support of that repugnant resolution might have. Thank you for conceeding yet another point.
Bills passed?
You are ignorant of the legislative process in the House. Any bill must first get through the rules committee, controlled by the Speaker of the House. There will *not* be any Democratically supported legislation that is not co-sponsored by Republicans and equally popular with that cacus. In other words, not much, if anything actually meaningful. So again, what major benefit do House Democrats get? Johnson and Trump have shown *zero* willingness to politically engage Democrats beecause they don't have to! Democrats rolled over on the CR in March, and judging by this shameful performance, party leadership seems quite willing to do it again because they're wimps and scared of how they're portrayed by Republicans.
As for Boomers vice the youth vote, I am simply stating facts gleaned from multiple polls and surveys. The beginning of the Boomer generation born in 1947 *is* beginning to age out, and Gen Y and Z *are* more diverse, less racist and more supportive of DEI than their parents and grandparents. Furthermore, the lack of youth turnout is a good reason why Democrats lose. Thee-quarters of non-voters were under 50. This includes the 5% of voters under 30 who did not vote. Alienating the kids will cost Democrats for decades. They will not vote simply because Democrats "aren't Trump."
Oh, and I'm not a youth voter. I'm 50, I just recognixe horrible strategic leadership when I see it.
to criticize is easy. What are your proposals? What should Dems do about the budget? Should they shut down the government? If so, on what grounds?
Again, I really do agree with many of your points. I am not sure it is helpful if a part of your goal here is to convince me and others of this, to issue ad hominem attacks that might cause some of us to tune you out. And I didn't really see where, despite your apparently superior knowledge of congressional procedure (apologize, I've been a therapist and social worker during my life, not a political specialist, just an interested and passionate citizen), my basic point is incorrect. Lacking in nuance, perhaps. I won't apologize, because if ony experts weighed in here, Substack wouldn't function as a community of ideas and mutual support. And back to us Boomers, you are right, again in part, about how we vote and see things. I have often wished we'd die off a bit faster. But on the other hand, we are all--all of us, even you, Chris--standing on the shoulders of those who've gone before and I stand by my assertion that Boomers have spearheaded general and effective protest, as well as advances in Civil Rights. We also raised or helped raise, your generation and are responsible for much in the arts and film that's been infuential in supporting necessary change. Again, and I hope you understand what I'm getting at here, either/or absolutist thinking almost always falls short in any political analysis. Shades of gray seems to me a more useful rubric to accept as a reflection of reality. Peace.
57 Democrats voted -- "Yes" -- on the House Resolution not 95.
Knowing that this was coming, What Dems should have done was propose their own resolution condemning the murder and its politization. Pure and simple.
Per the Gallup Poll, in the 2nd Quarter of '25, an average of 46% of U.S. adults identified as Democrats or said they are independents who lean toward the Democratic Party, while 43% identified as Republicans or said they lean Republican. That three-point Dem advantage compares with a tie between the two parties in the first quarter of '25, after a four-point Republican lead in the fourth quarter of 2024. Until now, the Republican Party had led or tied in most quarters since 2023.
Chris, don't get stuck in the past.
„Instead of showing some backbone, Hakeem Jeffries and 95 Democrats voted for Johnson's resolution. Perhaps even worse, 38 other Democrats like Rep. Ro Khanna voted "Present." They didn't want to oppose the resolution, so they took the coward's way out.”
Because they’re not totally ucking finsane, though they often give that impression. The same business calculation that led to the dropping of Jimmy Kimmler.
Chris, we must condemn Kirk's murder in no uncertain terms--unconditionally, and then move on to do the job ahead of us.
Bob, good text, but one remark.
We talked a lot about thin skins, about childishness, about impressions and wanting to be taken serious.
I think that more thinking is needed about that, more practical thought as well. Hitting mocking and ridicule is better and more effective then everything. That is why Trump is hunting for comedians. How to get channels to the public fot them?
I still dream about miss Piggy, on the lap of Trump, trying to seduce him, by telling him how youmg she is....
This is a brilliant idea, Tom! I really think we need to focus on this.
Elisabeth, I see it for my eyes, Miss Piggy, melting and flirting with Donald Trump. But there are a lot of other forms, as your brilliant comedians, how risky that work is. In my country we had Koot en Bie, doing sketches about anything and everything.
Buying some hamburgers meant that you got a container of manure to get rid of.
Or the "tegenpartij", with so brilliant slogans, that the opinion polls showed they comedians would in reality could be elected in parliament.
I think a revival of the Muppets could work: Staler and Walldorf, preparing a meeting of congress...
Miss Piggy would have never come close to Trump. She was too decent. Bugs Bunny, on the other hand, would run circles about him, and show him his carrot. He would also tell Donald that he is the grumpy white guy with the shotgun, always morose, because he is a loser.
Miss Piggy is my preferred love, but it’s the idea…
Agreed. We need to think and act creatively.
We cannot afford to keep on seeking remedies only via established customs, organizations, and institutions. And expect what? A reasoned response to a political culture bereft of reason? ("Reason" implying humanity and thus social justice--not crass calculations of power-lust).
Leap out of the box. Identify our strengths and create methods of action that can adapt to the current administration's utter disregard and contempt for truth and law.
If, for example, universities were to create an alliance, like the West and Northeast governments are doing with vaccines and healthcare. Not only would such an alliance (or collective) create a united front for higher education, it could potentially sue in court (as a plaintiff or perhaps with others in a class-action lawsuit), invoking statutes that allow for the recovery of costs and attorneys' fees.
Moreover, alliances have intangible effects, such as encouraging other actors to also form their own never-thought-of-before alliances. And to lift people who feel powerless from dark despair and see that there is hope and light ahead.
But we have to fight (non-violently) for it. We have to do so creatively--we MUST adapt and forge new tools. Every living being and environment HAS to adapt in order to survive. Complacency results in slow death. If democracy is to survive, then we must create new alliances.
Thanks Margarita! We really need to support legal/moral creative action.
It may be raining, but there’s a rainbow above us, an aging desperado desperately hopes.
Well the Jimmy Kimmel affair has cost Disney $3.8 billion off their market value. This is because Trump has the say in whether a $6 billion dollar merger goes through. I thought these kind of things were decided by a government body. After all, what the hell does the man who bankrupted a casino know about business?
Now a load of Disney customers have left, and they won't be back either. Nearly 4 billion in share value has gone too. Investors are probably furious, because I know I would be if I was one. So someone should fire the weasel who gave in to the rapist. Between them the ape and the dickheads who made this decision have toasted one of America's major entertainment brands.
All because little Donnie cried when he heard one of Jimmy's gags.
You couldn't make this up.
Thank you; I'm re-learning democracy. I have already renounced my citizenship, so find it hard to know what I can do. But I do speak my truth, and you have enabled that to a great extent. Again, Thank you. As we would say in te reo Maori (the local indigenous language): KIA KAHA!
Professor Reich,
Thank you for giving us Hope and the courage to be Courageous and to never give up.
Professor Reich, I am currently reading your latest book, to say I'm enjoying it would not be exactly true. I appreciate very much its honesty, its wit and humour and the quality of the writing, it is, however, reminding me of (and in some cases educating me in) the fact that the USA, almost since it's inception, has tended towards extremism and violence. The appalling institutional racist inequality and violence continuing well into my lifetime (I am 75). The horrors of Vietnam, Nixon, Regan, the interminable march towards totalitarianism which has inevitably led to Trump.
Democracy is messy, because people are messy. Greed brings out the worst in every situation, and face it: most people are greedy - and the more they have, the harder they fight to keep it. Once we let money into politics, we lost our democracy. We are seeing it crash and burn now, but the good news is this: The cabal of ultra rich have achieved their dream - and it's a nightmare. The tower has collapsed and now we can rebuild it using the knowledge we've attained - thanks to people like Professor Reich and Heather Cox Richardson, among many others. Society is built on a series of experiments, and the only constant is change.
Nothing is inevitable until it happens, and that depends on you.