Thank you for a clear argument. You're suggesting the Dems need pro-active, long-term strategies. I agree, but fear with current leadership this is a pipe dream.
This is an issue that needs more exposure and focus to be sure. While others might have been aware, I really like bringing Wyoming into the picture here, makes all more tangible ♥️
In light of what DC is currently enduring I couldn't agree more. Excellent piece. Thw Wyoming tie in was nice, nearly equal in terms of population (even though, as we all know, those people count a lot more.)
Yes the Democrats should push for it, but my understanding is that they need to do it when they have the numbers in the House and the Senate. My recollection is that at the start of the Biden's term they had the numbers (50-50 in the Senate with a tie breaking Vice President) but two Democrat Senators were opposed.
I completely agree with your argument. Democrats have failed disastrously at both messaging and execution, even when they possessed political power and the potential to effect big change. That license plate was really a bold move. In contrast, Republicans have ruthlessly manipulated both message and rules and squeezed out every advantage they could conceive of. Now we are in truly existential waters and the basics of survival and progress take precedence over all else. Continuing to think in terms of how things have always worked and normal political cycles is not a reflection of today's reality.
Reality: We first need to control the House, the Senate and the Presidency and remove corruption from SCOTUS because the constitution has language about our capitol which could be used by a corrupt court to block it.
Then, when we do make DC a state, we need to ALSO make Puerto Rico a state.
Not only will it help these US citizens in so very many ways, it will also give them representation, and a bit more balance in the Senate.
Republicans will scream, cry and shout that these efforts are a "Naked power grab", just as they will when we outlaw partisan and racial etc... gerrymandering in the US (State and federal). What this means of course is that they stole that power and don't want to give it up. So we will need a short and simple dismissal of their concerns. Such as "It is only fair to our fellow citizens". W Bush used a similar line to push through his version of tax cuts for the rich.
To achieve these goals will mean at the very least restructuring the rules regarding the filibuster. I know this will mean when Republicans gain power it will be harder to slow them down, but elections have consequences and the more the people can feel the differences the better. We will have far too much to do in our congress and restructuring our Federal Government to play nice when Republicans certainly didn't. We will need to build in safeguards that actually work, because all of them failed and it will be a close thing for the final safeguard, elections, to hold the line.
We will have several amendments to put forward, which is appropriate after such a challenge in our nation, so the statehoods come first. So very much to do, but first we must reclaim the power of the people and to do that we must spell out all the crimes and sins and everything bad that Trump and his minions have done, all in one place, in an organized way. Few will read it, but simply by it existing and we perpetually point to it, refer to it and hammer it in how bad they are without needing to provide details because it is ALL there... and at the same time, build our own "Project 2029" and legislation (pre-prepared) ready to go when we get into office. We will have a year and a half to make a real difference and to uncover and spell out all the failures and treasonous acts Trump and his Congressional (and other) minions had done. Trials should be completed by then, not barely started.
People are afraid, frustrated and desperate which is why Trump got to power in the first place. So we have no time to politely defer to Republicans who have proven they do not act in 'good faith' in protecting our Constitution or upholding their oaths of office. We will need to act legally, forcefully, and aggressively to recapture our power (Statehoods, removing Gerrymandering, Filibuster, forcing money out of politics...) and building a government proof against dictatorship and restructuring our economy to solve the problems of the people who will not be tolerant of excuses. Restructuring SCOTUS to be no longer political - by having judges select their own appeals courts and SCOTUS, democratically. and to aggressively police themselves to remove 'bad actors'.
So very much to do, and time to get started on all of it for their will not be time to endlessly debate it all when we get what we need. We are past the days when a term in office is noted with a 'signature legislation', it is much bigger than that.
The bottom line is most democrats are scared useless piece’s of shit. They are afraid of their own shadow. Hakeem Jeffries has blocked my phone number from his DC office because I told him the truth, that he is useless and won’t fight. Strongly worded letters don’t cut it. And Schumer’s office hardly ever answer their phones. There are some Dems fighting but not enough especially at the top. The norm has been for ex-presidents not to criticize their current one but those times were over ages ago. Obama needs to get out there and throttle the orange piece of shit. Also, call Nexstar, Sinclair, Carr at the FCC and rip them new ones. And I’ve made sure they know what they can do with Charlie Kirk! Playtime is over, folks.
Excellent suggestion … but Dems are so traumatized, they’ll never find the backbone. Indeed, the House’s recent D.C. diminution was helped by Dem votes.
Thank you for this clear-eyed piece.
Realism matters…especially now, when symbolic resistance isn’t enough.
I’ve been writing about how speech is shaped by power and how institutions quietly capitulate under pressure.
We need to name what’s happening and act before silence becomes complicity.
— Johan
Professor of Behavioral Science
Thank you for a clear argument. You're suggesting the Dems need pro-active, long-term strategies. I agree, but fear with current leadership this is a pipe dream.
Agreed. Too much righteous indignation, not enough direct action.
This is an issue that needs more exposure and focus to be sure. While others might have been aware, I really like bringing Wyoming into the picture here, makes all more tangible ♥️
In light of what DC is currently enduring I couldn't agree more. Excellent piece. Thw Wyoming tie in was nice, nearly equal in terms of population (even though, as we all know, those people count a lot more.)
Yes the Democrats should push for it, but my understanding is that they need to do it when they have the numbers in the House and the Senate. My recollection is that at the start of the Biden's term they had the numbers (50-50 in the Senate with a tie breaking Vice President) but two Democrat Senators were opposed.
I completely agree with your argument. Democrats have failed disastrously at both messaging and execution, even when they possessed political power and the potential to effect big change. That license plate was really a bold move. In contrast, Republicans have ruthlessly manipulated both message and rules and squeezed out every advantage they could conceive of. Now we are in truly existential waters and the basics of survival and progress take precedence over all else. Continuing to think in terms of how things have always worked and normal political cycles is not a reflection of today's reality.
Has trump had a nose job? Check mug shot or previous images vs today
Reality: We first need to control the House, the Senate and the Presidency and remove corruption from SCOTUS because the constitution has language about our capitol which could be used by a corrupt court to block it.
Then, when we do make DC a state, we need to ALSO make Puerto Rico a state.
Not only will it help these US citizens in so very many ways, it will also give them representation, and a bit more balance in the Senate.
Republicans will scream, cry and shout that these efforts are a "Naked power grab", just as they will when we outlaw partisan and racial etc... gerrymandering in the US (State and federal). What this means of course is that they stole that power and don't want to give it up. So we will need a short and simple dismissal of their concerns. Such as "It is only fair to our fellow citizens". W Bush used a similar line to push through his version of tax cuts for the rich.
To achieve these goals will mean at the very least restructuring the rules regarding the filibuster. I know this will mean when Republicans gain power it will be harder to slow them down, but elections have consequences and the more the people can feel the differences the better. We will have far too much to do in our congress and restructuring our Federal Government to play nice when Republicans certainly didn't. We will need to build in safeguards that actually work, because all of them failed and it will be a close thing for the final safeguard, elections, to hold the line.
We will have several amendments to put forward, which is appropriate after such a challenge in our nation, so the statehoods come first. So very much to do, but first we must reclaim the power of the people and to do that we must spell out all the crimes and sins and everything bad that Trump and his minions have done, all in one place, in an organized way. Few will read it, but simply by it existing and we perpetually point to it, refer to it and hammer it in how bad they are without needing to provide details because it is ALL there... and at the same time, build our own "Project 2029" and legislation (pre-prepared) ready to go when we get into office. We will have a year and a half to make a real difference and to uncover and spell out all the failures and treasonous acts Trump and his Congressional (and other) minions had done. Trials should be completed by then, not barely started.
People are afraid, frustrated and desperate which is why Trump got to power in the first place. So we have no time to politely defer to Republicans who have proven they do not act in 'good faith' in protecting our Constitution or upholding their oaths of office. We will need to act legally, forcefully, and aggressively to recapture our power (Statehoods, removing Gerrymandering, Filibuster, forcing money out of politics...) and building a government proof against dictatorship and restructuring our economy to solve the problems of the people who will not be tolerant of excuses. Restructuring SCOTUS to be no longer political - by having judges select their own appeals courts and SCOTUS, democratically. and to aggressively police themselves to remove 'bad actors'.
So very much to do, and time to get started on all of it for their will not be time to endlessly debate it all when we get what we need. We are past the days when a term in office is noted with a 'signature legislation', it is much bigger than that.
The bottom line is most democrats are scared useless piece’s of shit. They are afraid of their own shadow. Hakeem Jeffries has blocked my phone number from his DC office because I told him the truth, that he is useless and won’t fight. Strongly worded letters don’t cut it. And Schumer’s office hardly ever answer their phones. There are some Dems fighting but not enough especially at the top. The norm has been for ex-presidents not to criticize their current one but those times were over ages ago. Obama needs to get out there and throttle the orange piece of shit. Also, call Nexstar, Sinclair, Carr at the FCC and rip them new ones. And I’ve made sure they know what they can do with Charlie Kirk! Playtime is over, folks.
Excellent suggestion … but Dems are so traumatized, they’ll never find the backbone. Indeed, the House’s recent D.C. diminution was helped by Dem votes.