Yes! I determined back in the 80s that the system served only a few. I volunteered in some civic boards, I worked at a college where I was viewed as a rebel with a big mouth, and I spoke up loudly about changing the system. By the time I was 50, I was exhausted and menopausal so I moved to the country. My blue village is filled with upper-class liberal activists who are outraged every day. They are hopeful that AOC will run for president, and maybe Buttigieg will be VP, which will bring the country back to where it belongs. They tolerate no condemnation of Biden and Harris, much less the Democratic Party. They donate, protest, and scream on social media, but the only change they want is a return to a before that no longer exists. Once again, you clearly identified the REAL problems. I have said for years that the GOP and Christian forces have been methodically working on their message and their accumulation of power since the 80s. I listen to the Progressive pundits and wait for them to say what you said.
Outstanding! Jess Piper (The View From Rural Missouri) has been banging the same drum trying to get the Democrats to listen and work locally. I'm going to send this to her as well as sharing with my subscribers.
You don’t have to wait for an election. Our tiny local group has been showing up to speak our mind at local township and county meetings since February.
It’s exactly right that these boards are populated here in rural MI mainly by old white conservative or maga men who don’t know much about the federal government. There are a few good ones. And when you draw connections some of them listen, and the audience, who’s usually there for a zoning permit or to complain about trash collection, has to listen, too.
Jess Piper is exactly right that national dems are ignoring us in our “safe” gop district. FFS our rep is an arrogant carpetbagger from Louisiana who was recruited by the DeVos family and has done zip for his constituents. Give us a lever and we can flip him back south.
I am super proud that Michigan became UNgerrymandered through a strong citizen-led effort.
Been thinking this for years. Thank you for summing it up better.
I also would like to suggest a new party to go forward, to really accomplish some of the things we want to accomplish. Such as better wages, universal health care. Get rid of Citizens United, Lobbyists, absolutely term limits and no career politicians.
It used to be you served your time for 1 term and went home. No more voting in the middle of the night.
A party truly by the people, for the people. No crackpots need apply. And no marathon raising money for their next term
Holy shit. The was sooo well written. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. Thank you my friend! You have put things more into perspective for me
"The Republican strategy works because it's unopposed."
The Dems have been playing by the rules. Meanwhile the Reps/Maga have pretended to play by the rules while changing them bit by bit until this Jan when they decided to make a new game. All with the astonishing acquiescence of the Dems.
These are the political options people need to consider if they want to participate in the democratic system. I propose removing current Democratic “leadership.” It’s absurd that AOC, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Hakeem Jeffries, Kamala Harris, and other weak-ass, unprincipled grifters are seen as saviors. They allowed fascism to fester for years as long as it didn’t interfere with their political careers. They need to be removed. Why call for Chuck Schumer to step down and not the others?
I am the author of Accountability by Camera. One of the theories my research tested and proved was that there are no consequences unless video of the violating action is kept in the public eye throughout the accountability process. It's not enough to run that ICE raid ad for a few days. It has to be racking up millions of views for years, if that's how long the investigation and prosecution take. The status quo will run out the clock and play distraction games until everyone forgets. The publicly available video keeps the outrage fresh.
Yes. Once again, you’ve provided a great service to your subscribers. I would add one bit: if you’re involved in any of these efforts you’ve described and you face resistance, persist even if the end result is that it delays or distorts what they’re trying to do. Sabotage, within legal constraints, is always better than giving up. If you’ve already decided to take the time, make it count even in defeat. Make them pay the price of expenditure if nothing else. A war of attrition still has a victor in the end.
Can you elaborate on the 20 years ago reference? What happened 20 years ago that normal left the building? Is that referring to the 17 years it has taken Republicans to take control and realize they didn’t need to care what their constituents thought anymore? And kudos for finally writing what so many of us feel about Dems (and I have been blue my whole life). The moral high ground is cringe worthy.
Outstanding article William, one of the most insightful and inspiring I’ve read since I joined Substack. Would you allow me to cross-post it?
Absolutely welcome to. :)
Thank you! Will do so next week — my readers have probably heard enough from me for one week. ;)
Yes! I determined back in the 80s that the system served only a few. I volunteered in some civic boards, I worked at a college where I was viewed as a rebel with a big mouth, and I spoke up loudly about changing the system. By the time I was 50, I was exhausted and menopausal so I moved to the country. My blue village is filled with upper-class liberal activists who are outraged every day. They are hopeful that AOC will run for president, and maybe Buttigieg will be VP, which will bring the country back to where it belongs. They tolerate no condemnation of Biden and Harris, much less the Democratic Party. They donate, protest, and scream on social media, but the only change they want is a return to a before that no longer exists. Once again, you clearly identified the REAL problems. I have said for years that the GOP and Christian forces have been methodically working on their message and their accumulation of power since the 80s. I listen to the Progressive pundits and wait for them to say what you said.
Outstanding! Jess Piper (The View From Rural Missouri) has been banging the same drum trying to get the Democrats to listen and work locally. I'm going to send this to her as well as sharing with my subscribers.
Yes!
You don’t have to wait for an election. Our tiny local group has been showing up to speak our mind at local township and county meetings since February.
https://open.substack.com/pub/sarahagreen1/p/local-action-for-democracy
It’s exactly right that these boards are populated here in rural MI mainly by old white conservative or maga men who don’t know much about the federal government. There are a few good ones. And when you draw connections some of them listen, and the audience, who’s usually there for a zoning permit or to complain about trash collection, has to listen, too.
Jess Piper is exactly right that national dems are ignoring us in our “safe” gop district. FFS our rep is an arrogant carpetbagger from Louisiana who was recruited by the DeVos family and has done zip for his constituents. Give us a lever and we can flip him back south.
I am super proud that Michigan became UNgerrymandered through a strong citizen-led effort.
Been thinking this for years. Thank you for summing it up better.
I also would like to suggest a new party to go forward, to really accomplish some of the things we want to accomplish. Such as better wages, universal health care. Get rid of Citizens United, Lobbyists, absolutely term limits and no career politicians.
It used to be you served your time for 1 term and went home. No more voting in the middle of the night.
A party truly by the people, for the people. No crackpots need apply. And no marathon raising money for their next term
Holy shit. The was sooo well written. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. Thank you my friend! You have put things more into perspective for me
neighbor, this is the sexiest piece of writing you’ve published to date.
What you said!
"The Republican strategy works because it's unopposed."
The Dems have been playing by the rules. Meanwhile the Reps/Maga have pretended to play by the rules while changing them bit by bit until this Jan when they decided to make a new game. All with the astonishing acquiescence of the Dems.
These are the political options people need to consider if they want to participate in the democratic system. I propose removing current Democratic “leadership.” It’s absurd that AOC, Bernie Sanders, Cory Booker, Hakeem Jeffries, Kamala Harris, and other weak-ass, unprincipled grifters are seen as saviors. They allowed fascism to fester for years as long as it didn’t interfere with their political careers. They need to be removed. Why call for Chuck Schumer to step down and not the others?
I am the author of Accountability by Camera. One of the theories my research tested and proved was that there are no consequences unless video of the violating action is kept in the public eye throughout the accountability process. It's not enough to run that ICE raid ad for a few days. It has to be racking up millions of views for years, if that's how long the investigation and prosecution take. The status quo will run out the clock and play distraction games until everyone forgets. The publicly available video keeps the outrage fresh.
Absolutely on target!
Yes. Once again, you’ve provided a great service to your subscribers. I would add one bit: if you’re involved in any of these efforts you’ve described and you face resistance, persist even if the end result is that it delays or distorts what they’re trying to do. Sabotage, within legal constraints, is always better than giving up. If you’ve already decided to take the time, make it count even in defeat. Make them pay the price of expenditure if nothing else. A war of attrition still has a victor in the end.
Brilliant! This is precisely what this country needs and immediately! 👏 🇺🇸
Can you elaborate on the 20 years ago reference? What happened 20 years ago that normal left the building? Is that referring to the 17 years it has taken Republicans to take control and realize they didn’t need to care what their constituents thought anymore? And kudos for finally writing what so many of us feel about Dems (and I have been blue my whole life). The moral high ground is cringe worthy.
I love the Brandeis quote!
This was a wakeup call!