The fact that the Biden admin was focused on doing rather than being blowhards about what they were doing, made many people sadly mistaken about the many accomplishments of his administration. Obviously REAL WORK can be compelling and worthy of attention - just look at the republicans who voted against the measures but then took all the credit for them when they faced a grateful constituency.. (that was selfish and just plain avarice on their part) however, it does point out that doing the right thing CAN be a magnet. We need to SHOUT OUT the good when and where it happens. We did not do enough of that for Biden. I was always puzzled as to people saying they did not like him, and when I would list the accomplishments they claimed they never knew those things. We need to point out the dysfunction when it is happening too - we will get plenty of practice with trump and unfortunately already have... people claim they do not know those things either, which on their part is willful ignorance and passive support. We do need to hold up the standard of informed, smart, efficient and generous hard work that has been done and find ways to continue doing it in spite of hurricane trump coming. Allow it to come, so there is no doubt as to where the damage originates, but also make sure the source of any good actions get acknowledged from those who are trying to build things up rather than tear them down.
…”Celebrating the three-year anniversary of the law’s passage on Friday, the Biden-Harris administration documented over $568 billion in funding, which represents over 66,000 projects and awards in every state, territory and tribal nation. That includes roads and bridges, rail, airports, ports and waterways, transit and school buses, clean water, high-speed internet, the energy grid—both investments in new infrastructure and making existing infrastructure more resilient with a particular focus on clean energy and climate-related action.
It’s worth considering just some of what that includes: improvements initiated on over 96,000 miles of roads, over 11,400 bridge repair projects, over 367,000 lead pipe replacements. It also includes funding over 580 port and waterway projects, over 400 airport terminal projects, over 2,400 drinking water and wastewater projects, over 6,000 projects to strengthen communities against the impacts of climate change and cyber-attacks, nearly 2,400 projects for water recycling, storage and other efforts to address drought—and the removal of hazardous fuel material from 18 million acres of land to help counteract the risks of wildfires. All of this has created 940,000 construction jobs, according to the administration.”…
Biden administration issued a 10 yr rule to get the lead pipes out … This is an ongoing horrible tragedy in many communities. There should be screaming from the rooftops. This administration has given grants and tried to reduce the risk of lead poisoning.
If the next one kills this rule will RFK Jr protect the kids?
The MAGAs will reap what they have sewn, in spades. They think they are in a better place, but wait until these Project 2025 projects begin to be presented and enforced, and inflation triples and the jobs dry up because of these policies, and folks lose much more than they ever dreamed. So sad!
I am no longer optimistic, and although I would certainly support a coup, especially by the military, who I do not believe will buckle under what the MAGAs are proposing, but I am probably wishing for something that will never happen, even though much of what they are proposing is unconstitutional. Doesn't seem to matter much any more, but I am interested in what the military leadership will do when obviously directed to take action against obvious American citizens who had the audacity to oppose Trump.
Sorry that I cannot be more positive, and I understand everyone saying we must stay positive, and my family will survive, but, let's face it, our country will never be the same after this idiot takes over.
Can you see any way by which the generals and admirals would put a stop to all of this? Can't believe I am even saying anything like this, but I cannot see anything positive about the future, and the sycophants around Trump are deplorable and totally inexperienced in anything, much less the running of government agencies.
Would a military coup be any worse than trump fascism?So many are optimistic that by a constant fight against what is coming, we will somehow prevail. Not a dream but a nightmare that is looming, impending, fast approaching. Just like all were so sure Harris would win. She didn't, we won't for a long time.
The omission of elected Democrats, the DNC and the administration itself to remind the American public about President Biden's major accomplishments, and to do so on a constant basis, has proved to be criminal in light of what has come to pass.
The mainstream media are culpable too, of course. They have been more interested in playing footsie with facts than in bothering with anything as tiresome as democracy and freedom.
I didn't ask the employee at the Department of Motor Vehicles who was unraveling a mistake on my registration whom he voted for. I just trust that most civil servants just do their jobs. Our modern society is so intricate and so dependent on trust in all the people working to make it run. I hope the Trumpists will find that trying to destroy the entire intricate community is like the proverbial herding cats...or maybe herding mice.
Biden got little air time on the financial channels like CNBC or corporate media for the very strong raw numbers of the various investment programs under Biden that flowed into GDP. They cover a lot of line items (article and tables attached). Wall Street also soft-pedaled it for reasons tied to cautious optics of political neutrality since the increase from 4Q19 (the last quarter under Trump before COVID) was flat out impressive for Biden. The Democrats did not market it well either with numbers. So like the Democrats! Boring facts take the BS out of it. It only takes a few headline facts. The Fed eased a few times in late 2019 on "weak investment" under Trump. "Greatest economy in history" my ass.
We can already see the cracks forming in the infrastructure of good governance and if and when it collapses, it will be difficult to climb back up the hill to a functioning democracy. Trump and his clown show is an aberration that will be difficult to overcome in the next 2 elections, assuming there are still federal elections. Part of the path forward towards strengthening the odds of cleaning up after trump’s reign is over, is to start rebuilding the Democratic Party at the State level. The Republicans have been building their base up, one State at a time. And I believe that whoever takes over the leadership of the Democratic Party should advocate for that same strategy. Once the MAGA crowd starts feeling the brunt of trump’s ill thought out policies (read Project 2025), Magats may come to realize that they have been duped. As the old adage goes, “Once burned, twice shy”.
Steven, I appreciate the calming effect of reading your posts. They help me regain my sense of wellbeing by letting go of the outrage and anger. I’m glad to be back.
The right wing loudly complains about “woke” and DEI … but really, what’s the alternative? Asleep? Comatose? Homogeneity, Caste, Exclusion? (Aka white supremacy.)
Thank you Steven for bringing to us daily messages of good for American people. I want to continue to be of service for those who are good. It is easy to see cracks and we know most of us may not come out of the good side of all this. Our legacy of living our best lives must go on. Let's keep laser focused on our legislators and their will for protection.
Forgive my ignorance, and yes I’m aware I’m a bit of a dreamer. But, is their any chance, what so ever, that anyone from the R-party would come to their senses, overcome their cowardice tendencies, and convert to the D-party. Or, if they wish, become an Independent? I’m curious here… absurd as this may seem.
Support local organizations that address issues that matter to you. Keep your eyes on the dangers that confront your state or community. Let your senators know you expect them to advise and consent and—if Democrats—speak out.
Try to get active at the local level. For example, I’m figuring out how to be involved with League of Women Voters. In my state, some years ago our Secretary of State worked to automatically register teens to vote on their 18th birthday. She is a Republican and is now working in the Biden administration on election security issues. Speaking of a President who, I believe, will indeed be considered great. How can we encourage high schools to teach, *really* teach, civics and involvement? Read your local or state newspaper, or online sources of local news, go to meetings of town and country council meetings. Remember how to construct an argument (in the best sense of the word, as in a debate) so that public discussions don’t devolve into name calling. I’m certain other wiser readers will have even better ideas. And remember another thing, even if only done privately as a calming exercise: look for any and all cartoons and memes (correct word?) about Pvt. Bone Spurs. They are legion. And I keep saying: remember and watch the Full Frontal episode titled “Trump in Scotland”. Remind others of all PBS’s great business successes: Trump airline…football team…steaks…university…”The Apprentice”…. And best of all, the stellar success of the Atlantic City casino. We’ve elected someone who was handed so much (though, as some of us said where I taught…”apple don’t fall far from the tree”), and squandered it all. Loved the “family” photo after the election: who was missing, who was front and center over family members? Look it up!
I’m contacting folks and organizations familiar with me from before I retired to see what networks exist now or are being set up. I know of a couple networks. That way we can help coordinate according to work on the greatest need at various times. I’m afraid our communities are about to find out how deeply reliant we are on the Feds as the veto-proof legislature marches toward more annual tax cuts. The few blue areas of the state will continue to be under assault and then some (as they say here). I fear the first may be immigrant refugee communities so that is the reason for my example.
We have an independent non-profit community center that provides services to immigrants & refugees including ESL and after school programs for children. A few yrs ago, services for refugee resettlement (employment, find housing speak English etc.) were only for 6 months per grants through from the state to private agencies.
There is a program connected the university that is located near the center that provides services to address needs of victims of trauma & torture. Scattered cultural and community organizations, some provide services; one emergency shelter. Public school programs; including a “newcomer academy” and adult ESL classes.
I’ll add: the women I know are planning how to attend local women’s marches. I am confident they would welcome any man who would like to join and support the effort.
I like the picture above. I wish there were some way after the Democrat Administration ends, that permanent signs giving Joe Biden credit for all these accomplishments that are a result of his infrastructure law, could be installed and unremovable so that credit would go where credit is due. After 70 years,we all know Ike is the one remembered for our interstate highway system. We know that trump
will say he did them, although he only ever had "concepts of a plan" for anything except for retribution.
Steven, all this bad drama before us—it feels like a terrible flashback! I can recall the living Martin Luther King, Jr., and his magnificent nonviolent civil disobedience. Against that, we had the likes of Lester Maddox, Bull Connor, Governor Wallace with their threats and firehoses and German Shepards … are we here again?
I’d rather skip that this time although it did cause a giant unintended backlash.
I think/hope without the element of surprise about how this could work will help us set up community networks and protect resources; beef up the ACLU coffers, etc. I believe part of this is to scare people into making what they want to do easier - IOW to convey that to resist is futile.
I well remember all the Lester Maddoxes, the Bull Connors, the Ross Barnetts, the George Wallaces, and the other outspoken Segregationists of the 1950s, 60s, and 1970s. But a big difference between then and now is the shifts that have occurred in the personalities of the news people in radio and television. Absent now is the news industry’s near-universal condemnation of the malefactors of racial division. But also absent is the news industry’s willingness to call crooks “crooks,” insurrectionests “insurrectionests,” and enemies of the state “enemies of the state.”
Unfortunately, we are experiencing a willingness—indeed, an eagerness—to make the unacceptable acceptable.
Sailors know what I mean when I warn, “Shoal waters ahead.
The fact that the Biden admin was focused on doing rather than being blowhards about what they were doing, made many people sadly mistaken about the many accomplishments of his administration. Obviously REAL WORK can be compelling and worthy of attention - just look at the republicans who voted against the measures but then took all the credit for them when they faced a grateful constituency.. (that was selfish and just plain avarice on their part) however, it does point out that doing the right thing CAN be a magnet. We need to SHOUT OUT the good when and where it happens. We did not do enough of that for Biden. I was always puzzled as to people saying they did not like him, and when I would list the accomplishments they claimed they never knew those things. We need to point out the dysfunction when it is happening too - we will get plenty of practice with trump and unfortunately already have... people claim they do not know those things either, which on their part is willful ignorance and passive support. We do need to hold up the standard of informed, smart, efficient and generous hard work that has been done and find ways to continue doing it in spite of hurricane trump coming. Allow it to come, so there is no doubt as to where the damage originates, but also make sure the source of any good actions get acknowledged from those who are trying to build things up rather than tear them down.
Biden will go down in history as a great president. Bless this dear man. Meanwhile:
Late November
roses still bloom here
amid dark gloom and doom of
looming trumpery
beauty among thorn
global warming warnings
about trumpery
this is north country
climate confused trees counter
aims of trumpery
Canada will
no longer exports cold air
tariff trumpery
This from Steven!!!!
Excerpt;
…”Celebrating the three-year anniversary of the law’s passage on Friday, the Biden-Harris administration documented over $568 billion in funding, which represents over 66,000 projects and awards in every state, territory and tribal nation. That includes roads and bridges, rail, airports, ports and waterways, transit and school buses, clean water, high-speed internet, the energy grid—both investments in new infrastructure and making existing infrastructure more resilient with a particular focus on clean energy and climate-related action.
It’s worth considering just some of what that includes: improvements initiated on over 96,000 miles of roads, over 11,400 bridge repair projects, over 367,000 lead pipe replacements. It also includes funding over 580 port and waterway projects, over 400 airport terminal projects, over 2,400 drinking water and wastewater projects, over 6,000 projects to strengthen communities against the impacts of climate change and cyber-attacks, nearly 2,400 projects for water recycling, storage and other efforts to address drought—and the removal of hazardous fuel material from 18 million acres of land to help counteract the risks of wildfires. All of this has created 940,000 construction jobs, according to the administration.”…
Biden administration issued a 10 yr rule to get the lead pipes out … This is an ongoing horrible tragedy in many communities. There should be screaming from the rooftops. This administration has given grants and tried to reduce the risk of lead poisoning.
If the next one kills this rule will RFK Jr protect the kids?
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/10/08/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-issues-final-rule-to-replace-lead-pipes-within-a-decade-announces-new-funding-to-deliver-clean-drinking-water/
The MAGAs will reap what they have sewn, in spades. They think they are in a better place, but wait until these Project 2025 projects begin to be presented and enforced, and inflation triples and the jobs dry up because of these policies, and folks lose much more than they ever dreamed. So sad!
I am no longer optimistic, and although I would certainly support a coup, especially by the military, who I do not believe will buckle under what the MAGAs are proposing, but I am probably wishing for something that will never happen, even though much of what they are proposing is unconstitutional. Doesn't seem to matter much any more, but I am interested in what the military leadership will do when obviously directed to take action against obvious American citizens who had the audacity to oppose Trump.
Sorry that I cannot be more positive, and I understand everyone saying we must stay positive, and my family will survive, but, let's face it, our country will never be the same after this idiot takes over.
trump is deciding which military leaders to have court martialed, and if successful, who will be left to take him on?
Can you see any way by which the generals and admirals would put a stop to all of this? Can't believe I am even saying anything like this, but I cannot see anything positive about the future, and the sycophants around Trump are deplorable and totally inexperienced in anything, much less the running of government agencies.
Would a military coup be any worse than trump fascism?So many are optimistic that by a constant fight against what is coming, we will somehow prevail. Not a dream but a nightmare that is looming, impending, fast approaching. Just like all were so sure Harris would win. She didn't, we won't for a long time.
The omission of elected Democrats, the DNC and the administration itself to remind the American public about President Biden's major accomplishments, and to do so on a constant basis, has proved to be criminal in light of what has come to pass.
The mainstream media are culpable too, of course. They have been more interested in playing footsie with facts than in bothering with anything as tiresome as democracy and freedom.
Well, here we are, folks. Buckle up.
An awful lot of people get their info on YouTube and places like X 🤮. Harazdous supplements where truth takes a backseat.
I didn't ask the employee at the Department of Motor Vehicles who was unraveling a mistake on my registration whom he voted for. I just trust that most civil servants just do their jobs. Our modern society is so intricate and so dependent on trust in all the people working to make it run. I hope the Trumpists will find that trying to destroy the entire intricate community is like the proverbial herding cats...or maybe herding mice.
Right you are.
Biden got little air time on the financial channels like CNBC or corporate media for the very strong raw numbers of the various investment programs under Biden that flowed into GDP. They cover a lot of line items (article and tables attached). Wall Street also soft-pedaled it for reasons tied to cautious optics of political neutrality since the increase from 4Q19 (the last quarter under Trump before COVID) was flat out impressive for Biden. The Democrats did not market it well either with numbers. So like the Democrats! Boring facts take the BS out of it. It only takes a few headline facts. The Fed eased a few times in late 2019 on "weak investment" under Trump. "Greatest economy in history" my ass.
Fixed Investment in 3Q24: Into the Weeds
https://www.macro4micro.com/p/fixed-investment-in-3q24-into-the
We can already see the cracks forming in the infrastructure of good governance and if and when it collapses, it will be difficult to climb back up the hill to a functioning democracy. Trump and his clown show is an aberration that will be difficult to overcome in the next 2 elections, assuming there are still federal elections. Part of the path forward towards strengthening the odds of cleaning up after trump’s reign is over, is to start rebuilding the Democratic Party at the State level. The Republicans have been building their base up, one State at a time. And I believe that whoever takes over the leadership of the Democratic Party should advocate for that same strategy. Once the MAGA crowd starts feeling the brunt of trump’s ill thought out policies (read Project 2025), Magats may come to realize that they have been duped. As the old adage goes, “Once burned, twice shy”.
Steven, I appreciate the calming effect of reading your posts. They help me regain my sense of wellbeing by letting go of the outrage and anger. I’m glad to be back.
Glad to be helpful!
Steven: May I share any your comments on Facebook where some of my friends and relatives read information?
@
Of course!
The right wing loudly complains about “woke” and DEI … but really, what’s the alternative? Asleep? Comatose? Homogeneity, Caste, Exclusion? (Aka white supremacy.)
Thank you Steven for bringing to us daily messages of good for American people. I want to continue to be of service for those who are good. It is easy to see cracks and we know most of us may not come out of the good side of all this. Our legacy of living our best lives must go on. Let's keep laser focused on our legislators and their will for protection.
Forgive my ignorance, and yes I’m aware I’m a bit of a dreamer. But, is their any chance, what so ever, that anyone from the R-party would come to their senses, overcome their cowardice tendencies, and convert to the D-party. Or, if they wish, become an Independent? I’m curious here… absurd as this may seem.
Great advice. What can we do as ordinary citizens to get this moving?
Support local organizations that address issues that matter to you. Keep your eyes on the dangers that confront your state or community. Let your senators know you expect them to advise and consent and—if Democrats—speak out.
Try to get active at the local level. For example, I’m figuring out how to be involved with League of Women Voters. In my state, some years ago our Secretary of State worked to automatically register teens to vote on their 18th birthday. She is a Republican and is now working in the Biden administration on election security issues. Speaking of a President who, I believe, will indeed be considered great. How can we encourage high schools to teach, *really* teach, civics and involvement? Read your local or state newspaper, or online sources of local news, go to meetings of town and country council meetings. Remember how to construct an argument (in the best sense of the word, as in a debate) so that public discussions don’t devolve into name calling. I’m certain other wiser readers will have even better ideas. And remember another thing, even if only done privately as a calming exercise: look for any and all cartoons and memes (correct word?) about Pvt. Bone Spurs. They are legion. And I keep saying: remember and watch the Full Frontal episode titled “Trump in Scotland”. Remind others of all PBS’s great business successes: Trump airline…football team…steaks…university…”The Apprentice”…. And best of all, the stellar success of the Atlantic City casino. We’ve elected someone who was handed so much (though, as some of us said where I taught…”apple don’t fall far from the tree”), and squandered it all. Loved the “family” photo after the election: who was missing, who was front and center over family members? Look it up!
I’m contacting folks and organizations familiar with me from before I retired to see what networks exist now or are being set up. I know of a couple networks. That way we can help coordinate according to work on the greatest need at various times. I’m afraid our communities are about to find out how deeply reliant we are on the Feds as the veto-proof legislature marches toward more annual tax cuts. The few blue areas of the state will continue to be under assault and then some (as they say here). I fear the first may be immigrant refugee communities so that is the reason for my example.
We have an independent non-profit community center that provides services to immigrants & refugees including ESL and after school programs for children. A few yrs ago, services for refugee resettlement (employment, find housing speak English etc.) were only for 6 months per grants through from the state to private agencies.
There is a program connected the university that is located near the center that provides services to address needs of victims of trauma & torture. Scattered cultural and community organizations, some provide services; one emergency shelter. Public school programs; including a “newcomer academy” and adult ESL classes.
I’ll add: the women I know are planning how to attend local women’s marches. I am confident they would welcome any man who would like to join and support the effort.
I sure wish there was a better plan for dealing with what’s in front of us. But perhaps that’s just wishful thinking.
I like the picture above. I wish there were some way after the Democrat Administration ends, that permanent signs giving Joe Biden credit for all these accomplishments that are a result of his infrastructure law, could be installed and unremovable so that credit would go where credit is due. After 70 years,we all know Ike is the one remembered for our interstate highway system. We know that trump
will say he did them, although he only ever had "concepts of a plan" for anything except for retribution.
Steven, all this bad drama before us—it feels like a terrible flashback! I can recall the living Martin Luther King, Jr., and his magnificent nonviolent civil disobedience. Against that, we had the likes of Lester Maddox, Bull Connor, Governor Wallace with their threats and firehoses and German Shepards … are we here again?
I’d rather skip that this time although it did cause a giant unintended backlash.
I think/hope without the element of surprise about how this could work will help us set up community networks and protect resources; beef up the ACLU coffers, etc. I believe part of this is to scare people into making what they want to do easier - IOW to convey that to resist is futile.
To: Mr. Sharp
I well remember all the Lester Maddoxes, the Bull Connors, the Ross Barnetts, the George Wallaces, and the other outspoken Segregationists of the 1950s, 60s, and 1970s. But a big difference between then and now is the shifts that have occurred in the personalities of the news people in radio and television. Absent now is the news industry’s near-universal condemnation of the malefactors of racial division. But also absent is the news industry’s willingness to call crooks “crooks,” insurrectionests “insurrectionests,” and enemies of the state “enemies of the state.”
Unfortunately, we are experiencing a willingness—indeed, an eagerness—to make the unacceptable acceptable.
Sailors know what I mean when I warn, “Shoal waters ahead.