You omitted one amazing election: A Democrat was elected mayor of Kalispell, Montana. As a friend in Montana says, "Buckle up, Zinke!" Mike Mansfield momentarily stopped turning in his grave.
We are only at the end of the beginning as Churchill remarked in staving off Nazi invasion. We still have much work to do. Invoking Don Henley of the Eagles who spoke at their HOF induction, “this is for those who simply do the work” we must continue to redouble our efforts and do the work to get past this wannabe dictator
Trump is really looking haggard these days. Drawn, pale (even under that horrible make-up), droopy. His speech and speeches are ridiculous, embarrassing, slurred, nonsensical. He can repeat the lie that the economy is going great and that he has rebuilt propsperity since the "disaster" of the Biden administration, but it's become clear that people aren't buying it. And the Republican politicians are scared, really scared, that this ten-month extravaganza/gala of the rich is about to end with a bunch of punches to the face. I'm fired up; haven't felt this buoyant for months. I hate to say it but the economy is cratering and there is likely much misery ahead. There will be no one else to blame but Trump and MAGA and that is as it should be. All of it will come tumbling down and if we're lucky it will be before the midterms...and the midterms will be the cherry on top.
The GOP’s failed thinking that voters could be bamboozled until after the mid-terms must be very disconcerting to them. Some DJT the hardliners in Congress, and advisors like Stephen Miller, wanted him to move faster so he’d have more “promises made, promises kept”. It doesn’t seem to be working out.
The GOP can no longer call Dems ‘alarmists’ and liars after cutting programs that funded food bank contracts with farmers and now trying to kill off the ACA while implementing SNAP changes. This will be followed by October 2026 changes in SNAP cost sharing with states. Drip drip drip on core items people need: food & healthcare.
(I think DJT has proven his ‘sleepy Joe’ moniker was another tell about himself. The press op was a rolling disaster.
Thanks Steven: Yes a couple more jabs in the face , get him up against the ropes then start working on a few body blows, bust up his liver , take him down for the count and take the belt of democracy. Don't let up on what you are doing, keep the protests humming , don't take too many days off to celebrate the five state sweep. round one goes to the democrats , there are more rounds coming. I know they will try and mess the election process. Stand guard. Trump and the Heritage Foundation along with the Federalist Society think the American folks memory span is short. Well let me tell you , People who are lacking food and decent health care have very long memories. People who watch ICE gestapo agents apprehend, brutalize and deport hard working brown immigrant workers have lasting memories. So to the rebels for democracy and decency keep the protests on the front burner. Never let up. God Speed.
Yes, memories are long - especially as every trip to the grocery store revives them. The food banks were already struggling due to other programs being cut in the spring. SNAP is scheduled to have new requirements drip drip drip to push people off and so it will continue. People also notice hospitals closing or limiting their services when nothing replaces them. Those ICE/CBP gestapo have invaded many suburban areas. For instance they are not just in Chicago but also Oak Park, Evanston & Cicero. (All places a branch of my family lived for generations post-Civil War. I don’t want to imagine the thugs outside their former homes.) Also Northern Indiana.
Veterans have scheduled a protest Tuesday - Veterans Day. I think that’s a first.
The blowout is exhilarating for sure, but let's not forget that Trump's approval ratings are still in the mid-30s. Whether this is due to racism, misogyny, white Christian nationalism, general ignorance, or a combination of all of the above (and then some), we've got a problem here. $$$ in politics, the ever-deteriorating news media, and lack of civics education (and not just in schools!) are all contributing factors and they're not going to be swept away by a blue wave in 2026 -- or by a wave of younger officeholders. Big Money isn't going away, and neither is the Supreme Court majority.
Basically I agree with you. Democracy takes work not hope for waves. But if we can’t prevail in the mid-terms, the path to change on other things for the long-term is pretty dark.
Concerns include any new tricks the GOP will try before mid-terms. However, there are indications of maga & independents support eroding all over the country. Otherwise DJT would not browbeat states into mid-census what may be dangerous redistricting. The erosion is due to things people do not need a politician or the press to tell them but their lived experiences.
People ask why protest? We just saw what is historically true: Peaceful protests form networks which can be agents of change through voter engagement. People feel they can make a difference. Dems frequently do not fielded candidates maga areas. Without candidates, you lose. Having a chance to win attracts candidates which can attract new voters.
The trend reversed according to their recent survey. — NBC News’ national poll also asked respondents whether they consider themselves to be “a supporter of the MAGA Movement.” Just 30% aligned themselves with MAGA, down from 36% … in March. — 43% identify as supporting the No Kings Movement - despite maga being well entrenched & No Kings being ‘new’. Also despite No Kings being demonized by the GOP. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maddow-blog-poll-shows-no-144725628.html
The Economist has tracked this steady downward trend. Compared to the 2024 election when DJT’s approval rating in 22 states was positive to some degree, there are 9.
I agree that these electoral wins will make dt and maga even more determined in their authoritarian movement. I fear that people will become complacent. As you pointed out, we must become even more determined to fight the evil that is taking over our country.
I agree with all of this. But I'd like to think that Tuesday's results show that people are starting to break out of their complacency. We have been such a fortunate country for so long that our people have forgotten that you make your own luck. God may have blessed America, but don't expect Him (Her?) to do all the work. He helps those who help themselves (and not in the sense that the oligarchs have been helping themselves to your tax dollars).
If I could just for a moment point to something coming. If this ridiculous plan of canceling 40% of flights goes through, during this coming holiday season, the approval rating will plummet. This is bad for those of us in the transportation business, but a true disaster for people seeking the comfort of family in these trying times.
One of the targeted airports is near me - Louisville KY. The one which had its first crash last week since 1953, a UPS jet. It is the 3rd largest in the world because it is the UPS ‘world hub’. So that will be a huge difference. Maybe UPS logistics can change some routes.
As someone who supports both The Bulwark and America, America I salute your collaboration with JVL and hope for more of the same. Unfortunately I am on a bus in Sweden and will have to miss it, boo, hoo! Vi sees (that's Norwegian for see you later)!
I think this analysis is right on the nose (pardon the analogy) as are the cautions. DJT is not alone in his move to more extreme actions when losing or cornered. It is the mark of other abusive individuals and regimes. (For instance, the most dangerous time for a person who is being abused by someone close to them is when they leave or attempt to leave.)
Speaker Johnson and the rest of DJT’s cowering political class know they are losing. They are doing the old tell the lie until it becomes accepted as ‘truth’. That works better as general notions not when speaking about household expenses.
The Economist says there is now 1 state where DJT has not lost ground since the 2024 election, Idaho. That is not to say he is underwater in all the others. However support has greatly eroded in most states that he won. In addition they calculate his last remaining ethnic / racial group - white American voters - as evenly split. (The map of states comparing 2024 election and current approval is after the issues chart which is totally under water.)
The more the Sun King and his ilk get trapped in a corner, the more viscous he’ll respond. We have to make sure we have all our ducks in a row to bring him down when he cancels the 2026 midterms by creating an emergency….the insurrection act! We have to get SCOTUS to see the light!!!
Good Morning Steven: You stated: "Trump may be convinced that he will avoid the consequence of his activities with sex trafficker and sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein. But House Speaker Mike Johnson—who has delayed over six weeks swearing in Adelita Grijalva, Arizona’s newly elected congresswoman—will eventually have to fulfill his duty. She has already said she will be the 218th vote needed to force a vote on the release of the Epstein files." Here is another thought. Could the entire government shut down be due to the Epstein files. "After fifteen years of close friendship with Epstein, Trump knows that his name is not just in the files but there may be a graphic description of his own pedophile behavior? So once the government resumes working, and Grijalva is sworn into her position - Trump knows that finally his past caught up with him. The "holy-rollers and Southern Christians will sit up and take notice.
This is getting dicey for Johnson. There is one caveat on the Discharge Petition. It expires at the end of the Congressional 2 year session (January 2026) unless it has 218 signatures. There are not many days left. Over Thanksgiving week, November 20-27, the House has a break supposedly for Reps to work in their states. The House holiday schedule includes being adjourned from December 21-31, 2025.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg got its hands on 18,000 private emails from Epstein’s Yahoo account. Some of which cast more doubt on the “technical glitch” DOJ claimed prevented it from producing some emails during the review of Acosta’s role in the sweetheart deal for possible misconduct.
It also casts more doubt on multiple Epstein ‘friends’ and Acosta’s testimony to the House that he didn’t remember there being a money laundering investigation by his office. The same issue Sen Wyden was working on until this administration cut off access to review flagged transactions at the Treasury Dept. Undermines Maxwell’s attempts to distance herself.
Every day I look forward to your assertions and revelations. They are a constant that renews energy and Hope.
I gather strength from the comments of others here too, as we assist each other to sustain this energy to save our Democracy and our childrens’ futures.
It is with deep gratitude that you and other trustworthy beacons here are strong and supportive.
Excerpt from your essay:
“We need to maintain our sense of urgency—our awareness that America is facing a five-alarm fire.
We have to speak out against both the Arsonist-in-Chief and his accomplices applauding an assisting the destruction.”
//-
And I believe it must be constantly repetitive speaking out every single day.
“Rebellion is born when rulers forget they are meant to serve.” - Confucius
I’m thinking about getting this quote as a tattoo, and I hate tattoos.
You omitted one amazing election: A Democrat was elected mayor of Kalispell, Montana. As a friend in Montana says, "Buckle up, Zinke!" Mike Mansfield momentarily stopped turning in his grave.
We are only at the end of the beginning as Churchill remarked in staving off Nazi invasion. We still have much work to do. Invoking Don Henley of the Eagles who spoke at their HOF induction, “this is for those who simply do the work” we must continue to redouble our efforts and do the work to get past this wannabe dictator
Trump is really looking haggard these days. Drawn, pale (even under that horrible make-up), droopy. His speech and speeches are ridiculous, embarrassing, slurred, nonsensical. He can repeat the lie that the economy is going great and that he has rebuilt propsperity since the "disaster" of the Biden administration, but it's become clear that people aren't buying it. And the Republican politicians are scared, really scared, that this ten-month extravaganza/gala of the rich is about to end with a bunch of punches to the face. I'm fired up; haven't felt this buoyant for months. I hate to say it but the economy is cratering and there is likely much misery ahead. There will be no one else to blame but Trump and MAGA and that is as it should be. All of it will come tumbling down and if we're lucky it will be before the midterms...and the midterms will be the cherry on top.
The GOP’s failed thinking that voters could be bamboozled until after the mid-terms must be very disconcerting to them. Some DJT the hardliners in Congress, and advisors like Stephen Miller, wanted him to move faster so he’d have more “promises made, promises kept”. It doesn’t seem to be working out.
The GOP can no longer call Dems ‘alarmists’ and liars after cutting programs that funded food bank contracts with farmers and now trying to kill off the ACA while implementing SNAP changes. This will be followed by October 2026 changes in SNAP cost sharing with states. Drip drip drip on core items people need: food & healthcare.
(I think DJT has proven his ‘sleepy Joe’ moniker was another tell about himself. The press op was a rolling disaster.
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/msnbc-jen-psaki-roasts-trump-125930292.html )
Thanks Steven: Yes a couple more jabs in the face , get him up against the ropes then start working on a few body blows, bust up his liver , take him down for the count and take the belt of democracy. Don't let up on what you are doing, keep the protests humming , don't take too many days off to celebrate the five state sweep. round one goes to the democrats , there are more rounds coming. I know they will try and mess the election process. Stand guard. Trump and the Heritage Foundation along with the Federalist Society think the American folks memory span is short. Well let me tell you , People who are lacking food and decent health care have very long memories. People who watch ICE gestapo agents apprehend, brutalize and deport hard working brown immigrant workers have lasting memories. So to the rebels for democracy and decency keep the protests on the front burner. Never let up. God Speed.
Exactly Al
We must be constantly relentless in our repudiations of the lies and cruelty.
It’s a challenge we must accept if we cherish our country.
💙🇺🇸💙
Yes, memories are long - especially as every trip to the grocery store revives them. The food banks were already struggling due to other programs being cut in the spring. SNAP is scheduled to have new requirements drip drip drip to push people off and so it will continue. People also notice hospitals closing or limiting their services when nothing replaces them. Those ICE/CBP gestapo have invaded many suburban areas. For instance they are not just in Chicago but also Oak Park, Evanston & Cicero. (All places a branch of my family lived for generations post-Civil War. I don’t want to imagine the thugs outside their former homes.) Also Northern Indiana.
Veterans have scheduled a protest Tuesday - Veterans Day. I think that’s a first.
https://www.newsweek.com/vets-say-no-veterans-protest-trump-nationwide-11009004
The blowout is exhilarating for sure, but let's not forget that Trump's approval ratings are still in the mid-30s. Whether this is due to racism, misogyny, white Christian nationalism, general ignorance, or a combination of all of the above (and then some), we've got a problem here. $$$ in politics, the ever-deteriorating news media, and lack of civics education (and not just in schools!) are all contributing factors and they're not going to be swept away by a blue wave in 2026 -- or by a wave of younger officeholders. Big Money isn't going away, and neither is the Supreme Court majority.
Basically I agree with you. Democracy takes work not hope for waves. But if we can’t prevail in the mid-terms, the path to change on other things for the long-term is pretty dark.
Concerns include any new tricks the GOP will try before mid-terms. However, there are indications of maga & independents support eroding all over the country. Otherwise DJT would not browbeat states into mid-census what may be dangerous redistricting. The erosion is due to things people do not need a politician or the press to tell them but their lived experiences.
People ask why protest? We just saw what is historically true: Peaceful protests form networks which can be agents of change through voter engagement. People feel they can make a difference. Dems frequently do not fielded candidates maga areas. Without candidates, you lose. Having a chance to win attracts candidates which can attract new voters.
In April NBC reported the maga movement was growing — from 20% in January 2024, 29% that Oct/Nov to 36% in March 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/polling-shows-growing-number-republicans-identify-maga-movement-rcna201071
The trend reversed according to their recent survey. — NBC News’ national poll also asked respondents whether they consider themselves to be “a supporter of the MAGA Movement.” Just 30% aligned themselves with MAGA, down from 36% … in March. — 43% identify as supporting the No Kings Movement - despite maga being well entrenched & No Kings being ‘new’. Also despite No Kings being demonized by the GOP. https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/maddow-blog-poll-shows-no-144725628.html
The Economist has tracked this steady downward trend. Compared to the 2024 election when DJT’s approval rating in 22 states was positive to some degree, there are 9.
https://www.economist.com/interactive/trump-approval-tracker
" 'I want my Cabinet to be like Xi’s,' he said, adding admiringly, 'I’ve never seen men so scared in their lives.' ”
I had not seen that quote. Wow.
I agree that these electoral wins will make dt and maga even more determined in their authoritarian movement. I fear that people will become complacent. As you pointed out, we must become even more determined to fight the evil that is taking over our country.
I agree with all of this. But I'd like to think that Tuesday's results show that people are starting to break out of their complacency. We have been such a fortunate country for so long that our people have forgotten that you make your own luck. God may have blessed America, but don't expect Him (Her?) to do all the work. He helps those who help themselves (and not in the sense that the oligarchs have been helping themselves to your tax dollars).
If I could just for a moment point to something coming. If this ridiculous plan of canceling 40% of flights goes through, during this coming holiday season, the approval rating will plummet. This is bad for those of us in the transportation business, but a true disaster for people seeking the comfort of family in these trying times.
Not 40% but 10% at 40 airports. Bad but not as disastrous as 40%. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/06/airport-flight-reductions-faa.html
One of the targeted airports is near me - Louisville KY. The one which had its first crash last week since 1953, a UPS jet. It is the 3rd largest in the world because it is the UPS ‘world hub’. So that will be a huge difference. Maybe UPS logistics can change some routes.
As someone who supports both The Bulwark and America, America I salute your collaboration with JVL and hope for more of the same. Unfortunately I am on a bus in Sweden and will have to miss it, boo, hoo! Vi sees (that's Norwegian for see you later)!
There will be a recording!
I think this analysis is right on the nose (pardon the analogy) as are the cautions. DJT is not alone in his move to more extreme actions when losing or cornered. It is the mark of other abusive individuals and regimes. (For instance, the most dangerous time for a person who is being abused by someone close to them is when they leave or attempt to leave.)
Speaker Johnson and the rest of DJT’s cowering political class know they are losing. They are doing the old tell the lie until it becomes accepted as ‘truth’. That works better as general notions not when speaking about household expenses.
The Economist says there is now 1 state where DJT has not lost ground since the 2024 election, Idaho. That is not to say he is underwater in all the others. However support has greatly eroded in most states that he won. In addition they calculate his last remaining ethnic / racial group - white American voters - as evenly split. (The map of states comparing 2024 election and current approval is after the issues chart which is totally under water.)
https://www.economist.com/interactive/trump-approval-tracker
The more the Sun King and his ilk get trapped in a corner, the more viscous he’ll respond. We have to make sure we have all our ducks in a row to bring him down when he cancels the 2026 midterms by creating an emergency….the insurrection act! We have to get SCOTUS to see the light!!!
Steven, your words and clear assessment of what just happened was particularly inspiring this am. Let’s all keep punching!
Good Morning Steven: You stated: "Trump may be convinced that he will avoid the consequence of his activities with sex trafficker and sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein. But House Speaker Mike Johnson—who has delayed over six weeks swearing in Adelita Grijalva, Arizona’s newly elected congresswoman—will eventually have to fulfill his duty. She has already said she will be the 218th vote needed to force a vote on the release of the Epstein files." Here is another thought. Could the entire government shut down be due to the Epstein files. "After fifteen years of close friendship with Epstein, Trump knows that his name is not just in the files but there may be a graphic description of his own pedophile behavior? So once the government resumes working, and Grijalva is sworn into her position - Trump knows that finally his past caught up with him. The "holy-rollers and Southern Christians will sit up and take notice.
This is getting dicey for Johnson. There is one caveat on the Discharge Petition. It expires at the end of the Congressional 2 year session (January 2026) unless it has 218 signatures. There are not many days left. Over Thanksgiving week, November 20-27, the House has a break supposedly for Reps to work in their states. The House holiday schedule includes being adjourned from December 21-31, 2025.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg got its hands on 18,000 private emails from Epstein’s Yahoo account. Some of which cast more doubt on the “technical glitch” DOJ claimed prevented it from producing some emails during the review of Acosta’s role in the sweetheart deal for possible misconduct.
It also casts more doubt on multiple Epstein ‘friends’ and Acosta’s testimony to the House that he didn’t remember there being a money laundering investigation by his office. The same issue Sen Wyden was working on until this administration cut off access to review flagged transactions at the Treasury Dept. Undermines Maxwell’s attempts to distance herself.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/house-democrats-urge-bank-subpoenas-194719744.html
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/newly-revealed-epstein-secrets-could-143356152.html
Email glitch - 2020 news - while Wm Barr was AG.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/alex-acosta-email-inbox-during-173000285.html
Every day I look forward to your assertions and revelations. They are a constant that renews energy and Hope.
I gather strength from the comments of others here too, as we assist each other to sustain this energy to save our Democracy and our childrens’ futures.
It is with deep gratitude that you and other trustworthy beacons here are strong and supportive.
Excerpt from your essay:
“We need to maintain our sense of urgency—our awareness that America is facing a five-alarm fire.
We have to speak out against both the Arsonist-in-Chief and his accomplices applauding an assisting the destruction.”
//-
And I believe it must be constantly repetitive speaking out every single day.
We Are The People
We Are The Majority
💙🇺🇸💙
Just shoot that good news straight into my vena cava.