I believe in People Power. I love this quote from Margaret Mead "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." In addition, I posted this quote from Desmond Tutu on my personal face book page today. “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” We will get through this reign of terror, as we continue to build community and defend our democracy! Si Se Puede! YES WE CAN!
Thanks Steven for the reply. We live in the great state of California, now a minority-majority state. I think people who are from outside our state, cannot fully appreciate all of the contributions that the undocumented community contributes to our daily lives and overall economy of our nation. Being a gay American, living in the Palm Springs area, I know first hand what it is like to be "othered", so my husband and I are always pushing back, doing what it takes, to help others. When "they" attack one, "they" attack all. If you are in the majority, then I don't think you have as much skin in the game, until you hear the stories, or see the videos and recognize the harm that is being done to your neighbor, co-worker, and friend. Personally, I am devastated seeing the round ups. I have "Know your rights cards" that I hand out to landscapers and people who clean our clubhouse in our development. I attend marches and rallies. I call my representatives. I would like to see the religious community more involved to protect one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, the immigrant. Lastly, I do my best in these dark times to uplift and encourage others by posting powerful statement, quotes, like this one from former Senator Ted Kennedy: "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
I’m a native Californian who walked through orange groves on the way to school and learned to drive in a vineyard. Will it take until the white privileged class has no produce on the table to get them to have “skin in the game?” I hope to God not. Meanwhile, I’ll keep protesting with my family and neighbors.
Germans knew nothing of Hitler’s plan and thought he was a man for the future. The same thing is happening in America today. The Nazi Billionaires in Germany put Hitler in power by paying millions for the campaign. The same thing happened here in 2025. It is profound that American people can’t see it.
Not only can we stand up and speak out every day...we must! Our increasing strength comes from our numbers and our united belief in Democracy. I believe it's becoming more clear each day that we the people posses the ultimate power. Share this empowering message with others every day, while we still can.
Decades and decades of billionaire propagandists have convinced a large swath of Americans that their way is the only way. And that despite the fact that as little as Dems do they still are empirically better at growing employment. And recovering from rightist caused recession.
Anyone with eyes in their head and half a brain can see just what is going on but they do not speak out, act out or vote because they think they will be protected by plausible deniability. A fatal delusion complicated by paralyzing fear. that said, speaking out and acting out are not going to get rid of these poisonous people ruining our country. Only covert action by members of a military loyal to the ideals of this country empowered by personal morality and conscience must round them all up and hang them high in a public spectacle for the world to see. These people running our government into the ground both upfront and behind the scenes are traitors and murderers. They must be made an example of for the world to see that America will not be easily taken down by pathologically greedy billionaires.
Ilene, I respect your right to express your thoughts on the situation, but I hope we can avoid it coming to such a point. I am with those still hoping peaceful protest can eventually overcome even these autocratic traitors to our country. Things would have to get much worse before I could ever "like" your comment.
Phil, thank you for your comment. I apologize if my words sound extreme. Of course I would not like to see things develop as I have suggested. No one in their heart of hearts wants the chaos of war or environmental disaster. It would certainly be preferable if our justices and politicians paid attention to our peaceful protests and calls to respect the law and act appropriately.But frustration with the downward spiral of our situation has made me impatient for results, especially in the light of the possibility of a nuclear exchange triggered by entities that are willfully unaware of the ramifications their actions will cause. I am frightened for my children and grandchildren who, if they survive these terrifying potentialities will not have a world in which they can be well and prosper.
Unfortunately, Ilene, tRump just acted out along the very lines concerning you. I’m afraid you understood just where we were better than me. May our grands and their descendants have a better world than we are currently bequeathing them.
I will protest peacefully and talk every day if peace and democracy, however, there was an SUV parked outside my and another neighbors house last night and I don’t know why they were there. I will take steps to protect my property with force if necessary. I will not use force outside my property, however, it is apparent to me that the time has come to prepare.
I believe in people power, in our words, non-violent protests, our non-compliance, our unity, our kindness, our speaking up and acting up , our creative and artistic responses, like the large banner of the Declaration of Independence shown in your photo, made by people I know, and the original one, too! I think it is up to us to save democracy.
Sustaining our movement will be the biggest challenge. As you point out, there are still 17 months until we can wield our votes and sweep these providers of a kakistocracy out of office. Day after day the outrages continue to come. I fear that we’re facing a Humpty Dumpty situation and that we may not be able to put our government back together again. We must do what we can to make the July 4th follow-up to “No Kings” a bigger turnout to show this lawless regime that their days are numbered. I’m not sure what to do about one of my senators - a Democrat - who has voted in favor of the crypto scams and the Laken Riley bill. Either you’re for the Resistance or you’re not.
Thank You Steven. I have been part of protests for most of my life. I still show up with my signs that my friend makes for me. I am heart broken . I have to say the NO Kings protest felt like a turning point. I saw young, middle aged and old at the rally. And yet this is the worst thing that has happened to our country in my lifetime. I feel enraged at what is happening. Yes I would like to see a more forceful democrat party in D.C.. I would love to see Chuck Schumer step down. However I do not see blowing up the party as an answer. Trump and company would like nothing better than to see the party self immolate. Yes 17 months seems like a lifetime away. We cannot count on the Supreme Court to put the administration in check .. As an ex Catholic I have to say the six Catholics on the court are using there religion to inform there decisions. This is disgusting. If there is something else I can do I will. I donate small amounts to lots of candidates. Good gravy I am all over the place with this post ...sorry.
I have been moved to protest for the first time in my life. A strong public display of resistance gives vital hope to the members of our institutions that we need to hold the line.
It is time to call the current regime the Miller-Trump regime. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff, is calling the shots on immigration, insisting on high quotas of arrests, and not seeing the value of the immigrant workers on our culture and economy. Focusing on Miller as the shadow President will eventually bring DT to fire him.
Focusing on individuals is generally not a good idea, but don't overlook Russell Vought, Musk's successor at DOGE as well as the current director of the Office of Management and Budget. Unlike Stephen Miller, he doesn't *look* like a mid-level Gestapo officer but he was a major mover behind Project 2025.
Yes, Vought would be the next on my list. Focusing on Musk did work. I agree it isn't always good to focus on individuals -- even DT. Still believe Stephen Miller needs to have a spotlight on him. Shine the light on truth.
Yes, especially the implementation plan for P2025. He was OMB director the first time around and believes in an all powerful president. It was with his assistance that DJT tried to hold $$ for Ukraine until they expired. Something for which he was impeached. This time around in his nomination hearing Vought was asked about whether he thought the Impoundment Act was Constitutional. He danced around the answer.
I have always believed that the "power of the people is greater than the people in power"
I have been on the front lines of protests supporting Abortion Rights & against the Vietnam War
We made change albeit slower than we wished but it all happened because We the People means -US
We go to our local Tesla Takedowns every Saturday & see the impact but nothing (except the 2017 Women's March in DC) prepared me for the incredible images & power of 7-13M people saying in one voice #NoKings.
Now out goals must be to get out the vote & vote out all GOP.
We take back Congress in 2027-we can start to repair the damage Trump & his fascist minions have wrought
Thanks for the reminder!! Some people are ready to give up because they've been to a few rallies and maybe donated to a few candidates since the beginning of the first Trump administration. We definitely need to vote out the GOP, but we also need to overhaul the Democratic Party at the national level and in the states where it needs overhauling (which includes my state of MA).
For a brief moment of levity, JD calling Senator Padilla Jose reminds me of bilingual joke that I enjoy telling. Did you hear about the fire fighter in Puerto Rico who just had twin boys? He named one Jose and the other JosB.
It was not intended as that sort of “levity”. There’s a reason Newsom said using the name was not an accident. It was a deliberately insulting and despicable comment. Los Angeles noticed:
“… the name Vice President Vance used, “José Padilla,” is the name of a man who was arrested in 2002 for plotting a “dirty bomb” attack on the U.S. in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
….
He is being held at ADX Florence Supermax – America’s most secure prison facility – where, according to inmate search records, he is due to be released on Nov. 12, 2026.”
17 mos…is an eternity, seeing what has happened in 5 mos by the HITLER IMITATOR, TRUMP & his entire administration. Trump goes, Vance comes in. When we protest in growing masses we must protest ALL REPUB MAGAS… ALL REPUB MUST BE REPLACED. IT CAN & MUST BE DONE. BASHFUL DDMS ARE NOT OFF THE HOOK, by any means… NOTHING SAID ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY… IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME THEY ARE PROMOTING FRESH BLOOD Getting ELECTED… over the bashful Dems… TIME IS NOW.. DEM PARTY FLUSH OUT THE CHAIR WARMERS & LOUDLY SUPPORT MORE AOC, STOLKIN, CROCKETS ect; BERNIES Fights WITH US.. MORE BERNIES❗️ DEM PARTY…Shell out the money & VOCALIZE. “ WE ARE STOPPING TRUMP MAGAS NOW❗️” 🇺🇸
"Terrible things are happening outside. Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart, men, women and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared. Women return from shopping to find their houses sealed, their families gone."
In a true democracy People Power should always be the dominant power but our Constitution established a federal republic not a true democracy. It was written by the American oligarchy of its time and has multiple provisions to ensure that an oligarchy of the wealthy usually has control over the governed. There is NO provision in the 1787 Constitution to give the governed the power of Recall, Veto, Impeachment trial, or Amendment to THE PEOPLE. It should and these are among many of the suggestions I proposed in January 2024 when I published A MORE PERFECT DEMOCRACY: MODERNIZING THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. The 1787 document also gave control of federal redistricting, election rules in each state to the states and control of corruption, deceit, and the Bill of Rights to the Federal Government, the states and SCOTUS and not to THE PEOPLE. Within one year Virginia engaged in Rigging a Congressional District which is now commonplace; we now have different Federal election rules in ALL 50 states (I still can't figure out how that makes us all equal in our federal republic). SCOTUS has made the situation worse over the last 250 years with declaring some parts of the Constitution more important than others (I thought that was why we had an Congressional amendment process [oh, that's right, I forgot that it is really ultimately controlled by state politicians]; SCOTUS allows dark money (even foreign) to buy our elections (Citizens United decision); and now a Chief Executive that is virtually uncontrollable by the Rule of Law and a Congress that has no courage to Impeach, Convict and Remove an out-of-control criminal who sells tariff exceptions and military aid, government contracts in return for personal emoluments and releases people who tried to overthrow our federal Republic in January 2021 and who may now be working in ICE while wearing masks to kidnap and deport even American citizens. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO A GOVERNMENT BY and FOR THE PEOPLE??
I could go on for pages but I already did that in the book that you haven't read.
The coalition of the decent is our only real hope. It's looking pretty threadbare at the moment. But to not contend for a just society just isn't an option for me. So I'll be dragging this 69yo butt to every rally. We may lose. I hope not. But at least I will have done something other than bitch about stuff.
I am unable to march because I am disabled. But I do contact my Republican members of Congess nearly every day. I live in hope that something I say might affect them. My hope is thin, though.
Just read that the Reuters Digital News Report, an annual assessment of online news consumption globally was released yesterday. The headline findings will make most editors uncomfortable: 40% of people are now avoiding the news, largely because it’s so overwhelmingly depressing and pervasive. I see several reasons for avoiding the corporate media: 1. Focused only on the negative to get our attention -- a survival instinct of our brains -- and not realizing hope and positive news is more powerful in the long run 2. Too much commentary ad nauseam rather than just straight up news giving facts rather than opinions. 3. Too much confirmation bias putting groups into confirmation bubbles rather than giving perspective. 4. Too much ain't it awful without taking the time to look at solutions and ways to address the problems we face. Yes, I'm one of the 40%. I've listening to the news rather than watching it so I don't have to see the ugly orange guy that never smiles and is constantly getting all the air time. I'm going to independent journalists on substack more and more. Especially like the interviews with elected officials and the historical context a number of newsletters cover like this one. Thank you, Mr. Beschloss!
Cathy, I don’t think enough people know about independent media and Substacks….we obviously need to do a better job of spreading the good word about Steven Beschloss and the other independent journalists we read among our Democratic friends and open minded others!
I have come to an opinion that all Cable News is run by Billionaires, and the news anchors are mostly run by rich Trump supporters. It is best to realize that we are not getting the real news on TV. YouTube and Substack are not controlled by the rich and powerful. It is the closest thing America has for FREE PRESS, anymore.
I believe in People Power. I love this quote from Margaret Mead "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." In addition, I posted this quote from Desmond Tutu on my personal face book page today. “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” We will get through this reign of terror, as we continue to build community and defend our democracy! Si Se Puede! YES WE CAN!
Good quote. Thanks, Kenneth.
Thanks Steven for the reply. We live in the great state of California, now a minority-majority state. I think people who are from outside our state, cannot fully appreciate all of the contributions that the undocumented community contributes to our daily lives and overall economy of our nation. Being a gay American, living in the Palm Springs area, I know first hand what it is like to be "othered", so my husband and I are always pushing back, doing what it takes, to help others. When "they" attack one, "they" attack all. If you are in the majority, then I don't think you have as much skin in the game, until you hear the stories, or see the videos and recognize the harm that is being done to your neighbor, co-worker, and friend. Personally, I am devastated seeing the round ups. I have "Know your rights cards" that I hand out to landscapers and people who clean our clubhouse in our development. I attend marches and rallies. I call my representatives. I would like to see the religious community more involved to protect one of the most vulnerable groups in our society, the immigrant. Lastly, I do my best in these dark times to uplift and encourage others by posting powerful statement, quotes, like this one from former Senator Ted Kennedy: "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die."
I’m a native Californian who walked through orange groves on the way to school and learned to drive in a vineyard. Will it take until the white privileged class has no produce on the table to get them to have “skin in the game?” I hope to God not. Meanwhile, I’ll keep protesting with my family and neighbors.
Kenneth, I too have kept that quote from Kennedy, thank you for resurrecting it now!
Germans knew nothing of Hitler’s plan and thought he was a man for the future. The same thing is happening in America today. The Nazi Billionaires in Germany put Hitler in power by paying millions for the campaign. The same thing happened here in 2025. It is profound that American people can’t see it.
ICE is 2025 version of Hitler’s Brownshirts. Does anyone notice?
Yes, most definitely!
I like to compare them more with the Stasi. They were more the underground force. The Brown Shirts were open with their tyranny for the most part.
Not only can we stand up and speak out every day...we must! Our increasing strength comes from our numbers and our united belief in Democracy. I believe it's becoming more clear each day that we the people posses the ultimate power. Share this empowering message with others every day, while we still can.
Decades and decades of billionaire propagandists have convinced a large swath of Americans that their way is the only way. And that despite the fact that as little as Dems do they still are empirically better at growing employment. And recovering from rightist caused recession.
Also note like DT, Hitler never got a majority of the vote -- only a plurality.
Anyone with eyes in their head and half a brain can see just what is going on but they do not speak out, act out or vote because they think they will be protected by plausible deniability. A fatal delusion complicated by paralyzing fear. that said, speaking out and acting out are not going to get rid of these poisonous people ruining our country. Only covert action by members of a military loyal to the ideals of this country empowered by personal morality and conscience must round them all up and hang them high in a public spectacle for the world to see. These people running our government into the ground both upfront and behind the scenes are traitors and murderers. They must be made an example of for the world to see that America will not be easily taken down by pathologically greedy billionaires.
Ilene, I respect your right to express your thoughts on the situation, but I hope we can avoid it coming to such a point. I am with those still hoping peaceful protest can eventually overcome even these autocratic traitors to our country. Things would have to get much worse before I could ever "like" your comment.
Phil, thank you for your comment. I apologize if my words sound extreme. Of course I would not like to see things develop as I have suggested. No one in their heart of hearts wants the chaos of war or environmental disaster. It would certainly be preferable if our justices and politicians paid attention to our peaceful protests and calls to respect the law and act appropriately.But frustration with the downward spiral of our situation has made me impatient for results, especially in the light of the possibility of a nuclear exchange triggered by entities that are willfully unaware of the ramifications their actions will cause. I am frightened for my children and grandchildren who, if they survive these terrifying potentialities will not have a world in which they can be well and prosper.
Unfortunately, Ilene, tRump just acted out along the very lines concerning you. I’m afraid you understood just where we were better than me. May our grands and their descendants have a better world than we are currently bequeathing them.
I will protest peacefully and talk every day if peace and democracy, however, there was an SUV parked outside my and another neighbors house last night and I don’t know why they were there. I will take steps to protect my property with force if necessary. I will not use force outside my property, however, it is apparent to me that the time has come to prepare.
I believe in people power, in our words, non-violent protests, our non-compliance, our unity, our kindness, our speaking up and acting up , our creative and artistic responses, like the large banner of the Declaration of Independence shown in your photo, made by people I know, and the original one, too! I think it is up to us to save democracy.
Sustaining our movement will be the biggest challenge. As you point out, there are still 17 months until we can wield our votes and sweep these providers of a kakistocracy out of office. Day after day the outrages continue to come. I fear that we’re facing a Humpty Dumpty situation and that we may not be able to put our government back together again. We must do what we can to make the July 4th follow-up to “No Kings” a bigger turnout to show this lawless regime that their days are numbered. I’m not sure what to do about one of my senators - a Democrat - who has voted in favor of the crypto scams and the Laken Riley bill. Either you’re for the Resistance or you’re not.
Thank You Steven. I have been part of protests for most of my life. I still show up with my signs that my friend makes for me. I am heart broken . I have to say the NO Kings protest felt like a turning point. I saw young, middle aged and old at the rally. And yet this is the worst thing that has happened to our country in my lifetime. I feel enraged at what is happening. Yes I would like to see a more forceful democrat party in D.C.. I would love to see Chuck Schumer step down. However I do not see blowing up the party as an answer. Trump and company would like nothing better than to see the party self immolate. Yes 17 months seems like a lifetime away. We cannot count on the Supreme Court to put the administration in check .. As an ex Catholic I have to say the six Catholics on the court are using there religion to inform there decisions. This is disgusting. If there is something else I can do I will. I donate small amounts to lots of candidates. Good gravy I am all over the place with this post ...sorry.
SCOTUS is owned by Who or What now?
The SIN of GREED.
Hi, I'm not sure what you mean,
I have been moved to protest for the first time in my life. A strong public display of resistance gives vital hope to the members of our institutions that we need to hold the line.
It is time to call the current regime the Miller-Trump regime. Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff, is calling the shots on immigration, insisting on high quotas of arrests, and not seeing the value of the immigrant workers on our culture and economy. Focusing on Miller as the shadow President will eventually bring DT to fire him.
Focusing on individuals is generally not a good idea, but don't overlook Russell Vought, Musk's successor at DOGE as well as the current director of the Office of Management and Budget. Unlike Stephen Miller, he doesn't *look* like a mid-level Gestapo officer but he was a major mover behind Project 2025.
Yes, Vought would be the next on my list. Focusing on Musk did work. I agree it isn't always good to focus on individuals -- even DT. Still believe Stephen Miller needs to have a spotlight on him. Shine the light on truth.
Yes, especially the implementation plan for P2025. He was OMB director the first time around and believes in an all powerful president. It was with his assistance that DJT tried to hold $$ for Ukraine until they expired. Something for which he was impeached. This time around in his nomination hearing Vought was asked about whether he thought the Impoundment Act was Constitutional. He danced around the answer.
Just reading about Heinrich Himmler, head of SS. Stephen Miller is the Himmler of our time!
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/heinrich-himmler-holocaust
I have always believed that the "power of the people is greater than the people in power"
I have been on the front lines of protests supporting Abortion Rights & against the Vietnam War
We made change albeit slower than we wished but it all happened because We the People means -US
We go to our local Tesla Takedowns every Saturday & see the impact but nothing (except the 2017 Women's March in DC) prepared me for the incredible images & power of 7-13M people saying in one voice #NoKings.
Now out goals must be to get out the vote & vote out all GOP.
We take back Congress in 2027-we can start to repair the damage Trump & his fascist minions have wrought
Thanks for the reminder!! Some people are ready to give up because they've been to a few rallies and maybe donated to a few candidates since the beginning of the first Trump administration. We definitely need to vote out the GOP, but we also need to overhaul the Democratic Party at the national level and in the states where it needs overhauling (which includes my state of MA).
Couldn't agree more. Dems need to have a Shadow Cabinet NOW
For a brief moment of levity, JD calling Senator Padilla Jose reminds me of bilingual joke that I enjoy telling. Did you hear about the fire fighter in Puerto Rico who just had twin boys? He named one Jose and the other JosB.
It was not intended as that sort of “levity”. There’s a reason Newsom said using the name was not an accident. It was a deliberately insulting and despicable comment. Los Angeles noticed:
“… the name Vice President Vance used, “José Padilla,” is the name of a man who was arrested in 2002 for plotting a “dirty bomb” attack on the U.S. in the wake of the September 11 attacks.
….
He is being held at ADX Florence Supermax – America’s most secure prison facility – where, according to inmate search records, he is due to be released on Nov. 12, 2026.”
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/the-vice-president-knows-my-name-sen-alex-padilla-on-vance-calling-him-jose/
Yes, that is correct JD was not using levity, it was racial and despicable as you say.
My joke had no intention of having any connection to JD at all. Just trying to give us a laugh when we're dealing with so much that is stressful.
Levity is always needed 👍
17 mos…is an eternity, seeing what has happened in 5 mos by the HITLER IMITATOR, TRUMP & his entire administration. Trump goes, Vance comes in. When we protest in growing masses we must protest ALL REPUB MAGAS… ALL REPUB MUST BE REPLACED. IT CAN & MUST BE DONE. BASHFUL DDMS ARE NOT OFF THE HOOK, by any means… NOTHING SAID ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY… IF EVER THERE WAS A TIME THEY ARE PROMOTING FRESH BLOOD Getting ELECTED… over the bashful Dems… TIME IS NOW.. DEM PARTY FLUSH OUT THE CHAIR WARMERS & LOUDLY SUPPORT MORE AOC, STOLKIN, CROCKETS ect; BERNIES Fights WITH US.. MORE BERNIES❗️ DEM PARTY…Shell out the money & VOCALIZE. “ WE ARE STOPPING TRUMP MAGAS NOW❗️” 🇺🇸
"Terrible things are happening outside. Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart, men, women and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared. Women return from shopping to find their houses sealed, their families gone."
From: THE DIARY OF ANN FRANK
If we do not learn from history....
In a true democracy People Power should always be the dominant power but our Constitution established a federal republic not a true democracy. It was written by the American oligarchy of its time and has multiple provisions to ensure that an oligarchy of the wealthy usually has control over the governed. There is NO provision in the 1787 Constitution to give the governed the power of Recall, Veto, Impeachment trial, or Amendment to THE PEOPLE. It should and these are among many of the suggestions I proposed in January 2024 when I published A MORE PERFECT DEMOCRACY: MODERNIZING THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY. The 1787 document also gave control of federal redistricting, election rules in each state to the states and control of corruption, deceit, and the Bill of Rights to the Federal Government, the states and SCOTUS and not to THE PEOPLE. Within one year Virginia engaged in Rigging a Congressional District which is now commonplace; we now have different Federal election rules in ALL 50 states (I still can't figure out how that makes us all equal in our federal republic). SCOTUS has made the situation worse over the last 250 years with declaring some parts of the Constitution more important than others (I thought that was why we had an Congressional amendment process [oh, that's right, I forgot that it is really ultimately controlled by state politicians]; SCOTUS allows dark money (even foreign) to buy our elections (Citizens United decision); and now a Chief Executive that is virtually uncontrollable by the Rule of Law and a Congress that has no courage to Impeach, Convict and Remove an out-of-control criminal who sells tariff exceptions and military aid, government contracts in return for personal emoluments and releases people who tried to overthrow our federal Republic in January 2021 and who may now be working in ICE while wearing masks to kidnap and deport even American citizens. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO A GOVERNMENT BY and FOR THE PEOPLE??
I could go on for pages but I already did that in the book that you haven't read.
The coalition of the decent is our only real hope. It's looking pretty threadbare at the moment. But to not contend for a just society just isn't an option for me. So I'll be dragging this 69yo butt to every rally. We may lose. I hope not. But at least I will have done something other than bitch about stuff.
I am unable to march because I am disabled. But I do contact my Republican members of Congess nearly every day. I live in hope that something I say might affect them. My hope is thin, though.
Florida members of Congress are useless…would get more empathy from the local alligators.
Just read that the Reuters Digital News Report, an annual assessment of online news consumption globally was released yesterday. The headline findings will make most editors uncomfortable: 40% of people are now avoiding the news, largely because it’s so overwhelmingly depressing and pervasive. I see several reasons for avoiding the corporate media: 1. Focused only on the negative to get our attention -- a survival instinct of our brains -- and not realizing hope and positive news is more powerful in the long run 2. Too much commentary ad nauseam rather than just straight up news giving facts rather than opinions. 3. Too much confirmation bias putting groups into confirmation bubbles rather than giving perspective. 4. Too much ain't it awful without taking the time to look at solutions and ways to address the problems we face. Yes, I'm one of the 40%. I've listening to the news rather than watching it so I don't have to see the ugly orange guy that never smiles and is constantly getting all the air time. I'm going to independent journalists on substack more and more. Especially like the interviews with elected officials and the historical context a number of newsletters cover like this one. Thank you, Mr. Beschloss!
Cathy, I don’t think enough people know about independent media and Substacks….we obviously need to do a better job of spreading the good word about Steven Beschloss and the other independent journalists we read among our Democratic friends and open minded others!
I have come to an opinion that all Cable News is run by Billionaires, and the news anchors are mostly run by rich Trump supporters. It is best to realize that we are not getting the real news on TV. YouTube and Substack are not controlled by the rich and powerful. It is the closest thing America has for FREE PRESS, anymore.