Thank God for you and other people who are building communities of those of us who believe in the rule of law and the beauty of diversity, compassion ,kindness and care for the Other. Hope lives
tRump is continually caught up in another of his lies, another of his betrayals. The Democrats better start confronting him on every single item…especially those that were his key campaign promises that he is now reneging on, furthermore, get on the offensive and get off the whining about having no leverage, being in the minority…poor us pity…pity! Keep punching at his weak spots. Ever note in nature the smallest animal will fight to the death irrespective of the size of it’s tormentor or the obvious outcome. Democrats, independents and repugnants smarten up. The midterms are coming and people wronged have long memories! Of course, that all depends on having midterms or any other elections for that matter!
Now it seems tRump et al are looking at Medicare and Social Security…well that’s not theirs!!! That money belongs to the people who invested with the Government for their later life financial security…40% of Seniors depend solely on receiving SS payments to live. It’s no different than robbing a Bank (a Federal Offense!) Remember…The Gang DOGE is lead by a convicted Felon! Musk brays about a number of America’s shortcomings and why he’s so important because he’s going to correct them. A glaring hypocrisy…America’s deeply in debt…so he says! Yet tRump/musk drive blindly forward to obtain massive Rich Man Tax cuts that will rocket the debt even higher!
Another breath taking, multifaceted, artistically composed, hard hitting kaleidoscope of critically needed facts during this ultra challenging chaos—-and yet still inspirational.
One thing that especially bothers me is that even if we oust the orange menace and his like from power in four years, the US will never recover its reputation abroad. Frankly, we can’t be trusted and it kills me to say so. We are not a trusted ally anymore and it is now possible that we will never be so again.
Joe Biden nearly restored our tattered reputation in less than one term. If only he had stepped aside then, history would have placed him in the company of George Washington. If only…
Unfortunately this will take generations to repair. I'm 80 and I have no illusions this will go away and everything will be rosy. Not in my lifetime, at least.
“This is a time that requires our moral clarity. Because it’s this clarity about what’s right and wrong and what’s true and false that will give us the strength needed to see it through. Even on my worst days, I refuse to let these hateful, outrageous people drive me to despair, to burn out with rage or give up.”
Democrats introduced many amendments to stop tax cuts:
First, stop tax cuts for those making over $10 million a year—Republicans voted no.
Second, they tried to set the cutoff at $100 million—Republicans still said no.
Third, they tried to set the cutoff at $500 million—Republicans still said no.
Fourth, they tried to set the cutoff at $1 billion— Republicans said they were for giving billionaires a tax break on the backs of the poor and the elderly.
1) Republicans, 217 of them in the House, won’t even block tax cuts for people making a $1 billion in a single year.
2) Republicans, 217 of them in the House, are more than happy to slash funding for kids with disabilities and seniors in nursing homes to give billionaires a financial break.
If you voted for one of these Republicans you are complicit in their actions. Let the protests begin!
Thanks to right wing propaganda, cognitive dissonance, and just plain ignorance, many of these awful Rs may not be held accountable by their constituents. We'll see. They may have overplayed their hand this time.
Dems need to hammer 3-5 key things to be adapted by Dems in states as appropriate. They / we need to do it now. Then take credit for the pressure if the GOP backs off any of it. Hammer home that the chaos is not reducing the debt - the giant new tax cuts for corps & the rich mean a bigger debt ceiling increase.
Cuts — Medicaid is a biggie, plus nutritional programs (which also affect farmers vulnerable to tariffs.) — All that affects state budgets, state legislators & revenue projections. Ours just passed another state income tax cut. Now they don’t know if they can rely on revenue projections. They did the same thing the Congress did - change the budget formula for debt / revenue so it fit the criteria to reduce taxes.
Even Tommy Pooperville is saying not enough information. Senators / legislators need a “scoreboard” to see what is happening. In red states there with is no one to blame except Republicans in the state and in DC. States are frantically begging for exceptions & Speaker Johnson said whatever they change loses votes - so no can do.
Then there was Steve Bannon on his podcast 😂 saying he hated to mention it but “a lot of magas use Medicaid.” Basically advising cutting it was a bad idea.
It's so hard to wrap my head around people in Congress and the Cabinet embracing Leon and worrying that if they don't, they will get smeared on social media or doxxed. Jeez Louise, civil rights workers feared for their lives, with good reason. You can't take online bullying? It's embarrassing to me to see adults kowtow to someone who is clearly pumped up on illegal drugs. That NM President embraces him is incredible. Don't you think that eventually he will tire of Leon hogging the limelight and kick him to the curb? (I heard an older guy in my neighborhood refer to Musk as "Leon" and thought, yeah, that works for me!)
I thought the felon was the king of grifters, but I was wrong, muskrat is the king. Until we drive the felon and those like him from government at a minimum, there will be no peace. Steve thank you for your comments and views. They are not mired in legal constructs.
In under 2 years we get to start rebuilding the damage. Between now and then, we must use the damage to open the eyes of those so easily swayed in 2024.
We do not have two years. This country will be unrecognizable by then. Look at what's happened in one month. Resist, resist, resist. Engage, engage, engage. NOW.
Mr. Rewey, I do not understand these replies from people who indicate that you would wait two years. You clearly advocated for action "between now and then". Like
We need to recognize that the Midterm election campaigns need to start NOW. That means identifying and supporting strong candidates and building the campaigns on both the national AND the state level. It takes a lot of time, energy, and financial resources to run for office in our system.
As bad as his first term was, and as explicit and destructive as Project 2025 was, somehow he was re-elected. To say this is stunning is an understatement. To say it is destructive is also an understatement. This is ultimately the fault of our own people. Sure, there is the pernicious influence of Murdochian propaganda and other right wing media. But something in the makeup of many Americans makes them susceptible to that gaslighting and resentment-mongering. We need to fix this somehow or we are lost, perhaps forever.
Thank you Steven. I am still despondent every day. And every day things get worse. I have lost friends and family due to their continued support of Trump. I know we must keep fighting, although it is hard to…
Steven, I hope — and I’m certain the vast majority of your readers agree — that you have at least another 700 essays in you. Certainly the traitors in the White House and Congress will supply plenty of material.
But there are perhaps nearly 70 million-plus Americans who fall under the header of “vengeful bad actors” as you describe the trump administration. These are our fellow citizens who supported him, brains washed thoroughly by Fox and other right wing propagandists.
Should we wish for a worldwide depression to knock some sense into their thick skulls? Thinking about how other, smaller, cults ended like Jonestown, I doubt if that would work.
So let me put it to you and my fellow readers. What will work — be specific — to return the nation to elect and continue to support a “healthy, rational, intelligent and compassionate person occupying the White House” as you describe you hope for Kamala Harris?
An excellent question, Douglas. I’ll leave it to others to answer it for now. As for another 700 essays, well, let’s start with tomorrow and Monday and… much work ahead of us.
I'm guessing you wrote this before that awful meeting between Zelensky and the fascist leaders. If there is ANYTHING that should force moral clarity onto Americans it is this insulting diatribe against someone who is actually, literally fighting for Democracy and the values of the West. I do wish Z could have had the freedom to get up and say "when you are over your bone spurs, we'll talk."
Congrats, Steve. A beacon of light in the darkness.
Get engaged. Stay engaged.
https://albellenchia.substack.com/p/making-sausage?r=7wk5d
Thx, Al.
Thank God for you and other people who are building communities of those of us who believe in the rule of law and the beauty of diversity, compassion ,kindness and care for the Other. Hope lives
tRump is continually caught up in another of his lies, another of his betrayals. The Democrats better start confronting him on every single item…especially those that were his key campaign promises that he is now reneging on, furthermore, get on the offensive and get off the whining about having no leverage, being in the minority…poor us pity…pity! Keep punching at his weak spots. Ever note in nature the smallest animal will fight to the death irrespective of the size of it’s tormentor or the obvious outcome. Democrats, independents and repugnants smarten up. The midterms are coming and people wronged have long memories! Of course, that all depends on having midterms or any other elections for that matter!
Now it seems tRump et al are looking at Medicare and Social Security…well that’s not theirs!!! That money belongs to the people who invested with the Government for their later life financial security…40% of Seniors depend solely on receiving SS payments to live. It’s no different than robbing a Bank (a Federal Offense!) Remember…The Gang DOGE is lead by a convicted Felon! Musk brays about a number of America’s shortcomings and why he’s so important because he’s going to correct them. A glaring hypocrisy…America’s deeply in debt…so he says! Yet tRump/musk drive blindly forward to obtain massive Rich Man Tax cuts that will rocket the debt even higher!
Another breath taking, multifaceted, artistically composed, hard hitting kaleidoscope of critically needed facts during this ultra challenging chaos—-and yet still inspirational.
Read it twice!
Thanks again and again Steven
Much appreciate your thoughtful focus, Avee.
One thing that especially bothers me is that even if we oust the orange menace and his like from power in four years, the US will never recover its reputation abroad. Frankly, we can’t be trusted and it kills me to say so. We are not a trusted ally anymore and it is now possible that we will never be so again.
This is a genuine worry. Even a fabulous new president will have plenty of work to repair our broken reputation.
Joe Biden nearly restored our tattered reputation in less than one term. If only he had stepped aside then, history would have placed him in the company of George Washington. If only…
Unfortunately this will take generations to repair. I'm 80 and I have no illusions this will go away and everything will be rosy. Not in my lifetime, at least.
Excerpt from Steven’s article
“This is a time that requires our moral clarity. Because it’s this clarity about what’s right and wrong and what’s true and false that will give us the strength needed to see it through. Even on my worst days, I refuse to let these hateful, outrageous people drive me to despair, to burn out with rage or give up.”
Democrats introduced many amendments to stop tax cuts:
First, stop tax cuts for those making over $10 million a year—Republicans voted no.
Second, they tried to set the cutoff at $100 million—Republicans still said no.
Third, they tried to set the cutoff at $500 million—Republicans still said no.
Fourth, they tried to set the cutoff at $1 billion— Republicans said they were for giving billionaires a tax break on the backs of the poor and the elderly.
1) Republicans, 217 of them in the House, won’t even block tax cuts for people making a $1 billion in a single year.
2) Republicans, 217 of them in the House, are more than happy to slash funding for kids with disabilities and seniors in nursing homes to give billionaires a financial break.
If you voted for one of these Republicans you are complicit in their actions. Let the protests begin!
https://bit.ly/4hUbbWU
Thanks to right wing propaganda, cognitive dissonance, and just plain ignorance, many of these awful Rs may not be held accountable by their constituents. We'll see. They may have overplayed their hand this time.
Dems need to hammer 3-5 key things to be adapted by Dems in states as appropriate. They / we need to do it now. Then take credit for the pressure if the GOP backs off any of it. Hammer home that the chaos is not reducing the debt - the giant new tax cuts for corps & the rich mean a bigger debt ceiling increase.
Cuts — Medicaid is a biggie, plus nutritional programs (which also affect farmers vulnerable to tariffs.) — All that affects state budgets, state legislators & revenue projections. Ours just passed another state income tax cut. Now they don’t know if they can rely on revenue projections. They did the same thing the Congress did - change the budget formula for debt / revenue so it fit the criteria to reduce taxes.
Even Tommy Pooperville is saying not enough information. Senators / legislators need a “scoreboard” to see what is happening. In red states there with is no one to blame except Republicans in the state and in DC. States are frantically begging for exceptions & Speaker Johnson said whatever they change loses votes - so no can do.
Then there was Steve Bannon on his podcast 😂 saying he hated to mention it but “a lot of magas use Medicaid.” Basically advising cutting it was a bad idea.
It's so hard to wrap my head around people in Congress and the Cabinet embracing Leon and worrying that if they don't, they will get smeared on social media or doxxed. Jeez Louise, civil rights workers feared for their lives, with good reason. You can't take online bullying? It's embarrassing to me to see adults kowtow to someone who is clearly pumped up on illegal drugs. That NM President embraces him is incredible. Don't you think that eventually he will tire of Leon hogging the limelight and kick him to the curb? (I heard an older guy in my neighborhood refer to Musk as "Leon" and thought, yeah, that works for me!)
I thought the felon was the king of grifters, but I was wrong, muskrat is the king. Until we drive the felon and those like him from government at a minimum, there will be no peace. Steve thank you for your comments and views. They are not mired in legal constructs.
In under 2 years we get to start rebuilding the damage. Between now and then, we must use the damage to open the eyes of those so easily swayed in 2024.
We can’t wait two years, we need to find ways to start now. The longer this goes on the harder and longer it will take.
Need successful midterms in both houses to begin repairs.
We do not have two years. This country will be unrecognizable by then. Look at what's happened in one month. Resist, resist, resist. Engage, engage, engage. NOW.
Mr. Rewey, I do not understand these replies from people who indicate that you would wait two years. You clearly advocated for action "between now and then". Like
I’m was puzzled by that too. After all, you can’t repair something until you have it.
Maybe it is the way they absorbed it - letting the lead sentenced blunt the meaning of the second.
We need to recognize that the Midterm election campaigns need to start NOW. That means identifying and supporting strong candidates and building the campaigns on both the national AND the state level. It takes a lot of time, energy, and financial resources to run for office in our system.
As bad as his first term was, and as explicit and destructive as Project 2025 was, somehow he was re-elected. To say this is stunning is an understatement. To say it is destructive is also an understatement. This is ultimately the fault of our own people. Sure, there is the pernicious influence of Murdochian propaganda and other right wing media. But something in the makeup of many Americans makes them susceptible to that gaslighting and resentment-mongering. We need to fix this somehow or we are lost, perhaps forever.
Thank you Steven. I am still despondent every day. And every day things get worse. I have lost friends and family due to their continued support of Trump. I know we must keep fighting, although it is hard to…
The only way through is straight ahead.
Stay true to your ideals. It will be over, sometime.
Thank you Steven, for being our voice as we search among us for our better angels!
Thank you, Steven. I’ve subscribed for a long time to read your hard work.
Thank you.
Steven, I hope — and I’m certain the vast majority of your readers agree — that you have at least another 700 essays in you. Certainly the traitors in the White House and Congress will supply plenty of material.
But there are perhaps nearly 70 million-plus Americans who fall under the header of “vengeful bad actors” as you describe the trump administration. These are our fellow citizens who supported him, brains washed thoroughly by Fox and other right wing propagandists.
Should we wish for a worldwide depression to knock some sense into their thick skulls? Thinking about how other, smaller, cults ended like Jonestown, I doubt if that would work.
So let me put it to you and my fellow readers. What will work — be specific — to return the nation to elect and continue to support a “healthy, rational, intelligent and compassionate person occupying the White House” as you describe you hope for Kamala Harris?
An excellent question, Douglas. I’ll leave it to others to answer it for now. As for another 700 essays, well, let’s start with tomorrow and Monday and… much work ahead of us.
I'm guessing you wrote this before that awful meeting between Zelensky and the fascist leaders. If there is ANYTHING that should force moral clarity onto Americans it is this insulting diatribe against someone who is actually, literally fighting for Democracy and the values of the West. I do wish Z could have had the freedom to get up and say "when you are over your bone spurs, we'll talk."