Apr 4, 2023·edited Apr 4, 2023Liked by Robert Reich
Bob,
I agree that Wisconsin is a crucial test for democracy. I hope the voters there come through. Let us not forget what is happening in the Tennessee legislature where three Democrats may soon be expelled by the Republican super majority after they led protest chants for gun reform on the floor of the chamber in the aftermath of the Nashville school shooting. And in Tallahassee, Florida, State Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book were among about a dozen demonstrators who were handcuffed and arrested at a peaceful protest for abortion rights outside Tallahassee City Hall.
We are on the edge of a fascist knife. For all our sakes I hope democracy prevails.
Let’s hope for proof that democracy is on the right track. Wouldn’t it be nice if Trump was ordered not to leave the state before trial and democrats control the state Supreme Court in Wisconsin?
Thanks for putting the focus where it belongs: Wisconsin. Trump’s reality show is inconsequential compared to the impact of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. That outcome is crucial to the structure of our political system. The end of gerrymandered corruption could happen today !!
Robert, Republicans have redrawing districts for more than twenty years across the nation trying to gain majorities in their states. They can't win a race without cheating or lying. The party of thugs and criminals is what they are. It's no wonder that someone like Trump appeals to so many of them.
So... what power do the rest of us have over what they do in Wisconsin?
Getting rid of the absurd, undemocratic, racist, less than useless Electoral College wouldn't solve everything , but wouldn't it go a long way toward thwarting some of this bad faith scheming at the state level?
The premise is that if a frog is put suddenly into boiling water, it will jump out, but if the frog is put in tepid water which is then brought to a boil slowly, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death.
I wonder why there has to be swing states? or gerrymandering, or the Electoral college? Also, how can we really have a United States when some states can play by different (undemocratic) rules.
Bob, I always look forward to reading your posts because they draw our attention to the issues that are really important, clarify their essential points, and call out the media for neglecting journalistic responsibility in favor of making the news wires buzz with whatever maximizes revenue.
Democracy on a knife edge - navigating between Scylla and Charybdis, between gerrymandering and the Electoral College.
The voyage will be safe if the DNC can for once just stop wringing their hands, grow some gonadal tissue, and offer Americans what they really want: decent healthcare and gun control.
Thank you, Professor Reich, for putting the focus where it needs to be.
I believe that the Israeli people have set an example for us. Even if Wisconsin Republicans appear to succeed in their electoral takeover, people championing democracy can turn out in such huge numbers and practice acts of peaceful civil disobedience and non-cooperation with tyranny that they turn the tide or force a compromise.
What are the levers that could be peacefully used by a determined public that refuses to surrender to tyranny?
I recently got a text from a Wisconsin would-be Legislator requesting my donation to their campaign. I've always thought that what happens in other states is not my business. Is that right? I don't have much to give, so my $5 or $10 would be all I can afford. If I DO donate a few bucks, does it really have any impact in the end-scheme of things?
I don't deny the importance of the outcome of today's Wisconsin election, but it's completely out of my hands. I made my donation months ago, and I wrote letters to Wisconsin voters to try to encourage them to get out and vote. That's it. That's all a body can do. It's left up to the fates. Will Democrats in WI join together with disaffected Repubs, and save the state and save the democracy? Hell if I know. I pray the voters will rise to the democratic occasion. It could end up being a sign.
Let trump get the thrashing he deserves.
As for the circus going on in NYC & Mar-a-Lago, let trump get a triple thrashing there. Let the handcuffs fit tight; let the next two indictments ring loudly. trump has been a disaster like none other this country has ever seen. He has come very close to doing serious damage to, not only Democrats, but Repubs and independents, too. He's single handedly destroyed the Repub Party. He's responsible for just about destroying a fragile democracy, and he may not be finished, yet. It's gotten to the point where seeing him go down may not be as joyous as I had hoped it would be. It's just all so ugly. I just want him to go away and pay for his crimes.
The people of Wisconsin need to rise to the occasion in this moment of near crisis. They need to send a message to MAGATS everywhere that their little rise to power is over, and the good people of this country want their country back. We will not stand for any more nonsense. We want to move forward with common sense and alacrity. This is a progressive country. The old ways are in the past, and no matter how painful the ultra right finds it, they will have to learn to join in. They will come with us willingly, or we'll bring them kicking and screaming along. Why? Because it's the right thing to do.
Bob,
I agree that Wisconsin is a crucial test for democracy. I hope the voters there come through. Let us not forget what is happening in the Tennessee legislature where three Democrats may soon be expelled by the Republican super majority after they led protest chants for gun reform on the floor of the chamber in the aftermath of the Nashville school shooting. And in Tallahassee, Florida, State Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book were among about a dozen demonstrators who were handcuffed and arrested at a peaceful protest for abortion rights outside Tallahassee City Hall.
We are on the edge of a fascist knife. For all our sakes I hope democracy prevails.
tom j...birmingham, al
Let’s hope for proof that democracy is on the right track. Wouldn’t it be nice if Trump was ordered not to leave the state before trial and democrats control the state Supreme Court in Wisconsin?
Thanks for putting the focus where it belongs: Wisconsin. Trump’s reality show is inconsequential compared to the impact of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court race. That outcome is crucial to the structure of our political system. The end of gerrymandered corruption could happen today !!
Robert, Republicans have redrawing districts for more than twenty years across the nation trying to gain majorities in their states. They can't win a race without cheating or lying. The party of thugs and criminals is what they are. It's no wonder that someone like Trump appeals to so many of them.
I know and appreciate every word you wrote. The best I can do now is phonebank for voters. I have and will make calls.
So... what power do the rest of us have over what they do in Wisconsin?
Getting rid of the absurd, undemocratic, racist, less than useless Electoral College wouldn't solve everything , but wouldn't it go a long way toward thwarting some of this bad faith scheming at the state level?
paul wellstone would be turning over in his grave.
i've always been mystified as to why it isn't required that state legislatures have bipartisan agreement on voting district boundaries?
Democracy is the Boiling Frog
The Republicans are the stove!
The premise is that if a frog is put suddenly into boiling water, it will jump out, but if the frog is put in tepid water which is then brought to a boil slowly, it will not perceive the danger and will be cooked to death.
I wonder why there has to be swing states? or gerrymandering, or the Electoral college? Also, how can we really have a United States when some states can play by different (undemocratic) rules.
Bob, I always look forward to reading your posts because they draw our attention to the issues that are really important, clarify their essential points, and call out the media for neglecting journalistic responsibility in favor of making the news wires buzz with whatever maximizes revenue.
Democracy on a knife edge - navigating between Scylla and Charybdis, between gerrymandering and the Electoral College.
The voyage will be safe if the DNC can for once just stop wringing their hands, grow some gonadal tissue, and offer Americans what they really want: decent healthcare and gun control.
Thank you, Professor Reich, for putting the focus where it needs to be.
I believe that the Israeli people have set an example for us. Even if Wisconsin Republicans appear to succeed in their electoral takeover, people championing democracy can turn out in such huge numbers and practice acts of peaceful civil disobedience and non-cooperation with tyranny that they turn the tide or force a compromise.
What are the levers that could be peacefully used by a determined public that refuses to surrender to tyranny?
I recently got a text from a Wisconsin would-be Legislator requesting my donation to their campaign. I've always thought that what happens in other states is not my business. Is that right? I don't have much to give, so my $5 or $10 would be all I can afford. If I DO donate a few bucks, does it really have any impact in the end-scheme of things?
I don't deny the importance of the outcome of today's Wisconsin election, but it's completely out of my hands. I made my donation months ago, and I wrote letters to Wisconsin voters to try to encourage them to get out and vote. That's it. That's all a body can do. It's left up to the fates. Will Democrats in WI join together with disaffected Repubs, and save the state and save the democracy? Hell if I know. I pray the voters will rise to the democratic occasion. It could end up being a sign.
Let trump get the thrashing he deserves.
As for the circus going on in NYC & Mar-a-Lago, let trump get a triple thrashing there. Let the handcuffs fit tight; let the next two indictments ring loudly. trump has been a disaster like none other this country has ever seen. He has come very close to doing serious damage to, not only Democrats, but Repubs and independents, too. He's single handedly destroyed the Repub Party. He's responsible for just about destroying a fragile democracy, and he may not be finished, yet. It's gotten to the point where seeing him go down may not be as joyous as I had hoped it would be. It's just all so ugly. I just want him to go away and pay for his crimes.
The people of Wisconsin need to rise to the occasion in this moment of near crisis. They need to send a message to MAGATS everywhere that their little rise to power is over, and the good people of this country want their country back. We will not stand for any more nonsense. We want to move forward with common sense and alacrity. This is a progressive country. The old ways are in the past, and no matter how painful the ultra right finds it, they will have to learn to join in. They will come with us willingly, or we'll bring them kicking and screaming along. Why? Because it's the right thing to do.
Abolish the Electoral College, its a vestige from slavery. One person, one vote would make gerrymandering useless.
Your “last” wealth and poverty course? Please don’t mean this very important voice is going away.