Brilliant. Sitting here and holding my copy of Winner Take All, and remembering when I had energy and hope. I guess it was about 2018. It's true, we don't need a book now because everything is "out," but thanks for the reminder that power breeds reckless arrogance. The oligarchs and plutocrats have produced a Russia like climate in the US, How clever. But, it still sacares most people, especially if they invested their futures in a Red Hat made in China. Oh the irony of it all.
Since reading your book, my mantra has been "pay attention," but apparently we didn't. At 83, if I go to the streets it will probably my last parade. BUT, I still have hope. There are other young leaders like Zohran waiting to prove they "paid attetion." I really don't want to go until I see more glimmers of real hope and real change.
You have so correctly and elegantly expressed exactly how I have been feeling about the philanthropy of the ultra-rich. Their do-gooding as you call it doesn't come anywhere close to what they should be contributing to the education, health, shelter, wages and culture for 90% of the people living on this planet. They don't pay their fair share in taxes and they haven't a clue about the reality of living for most of us. They can literally get away with murder.
I don’t hold on to hope. Because hope can run out and then what? I have resolve. Resolve belongs to me. I’d like to see the guest list of the silly wedding. Gates, Oprah, Gayle King, Di Caprio. People we thought were do-gooders revealing their true selves. This wedding really sums up this gilded Ritchie-Rich era. It punches you in the face. Blatant. Helpful, in a way, to see silly wedding images. The images reveal emptiness. Onward with resolve.
But are these children even aware that these rich folks are organizing a police state? Where will those free buses be? Taking immigrants and even citizens to prisons, “in each state” if the puppy-killer gets her way. You’re right though, once people see the avarice they may find the courage to fight it. Until then…
Here is a real specific list and contact info for Rep House members that might holding nays. Including social media and faxes. Thanks to Ariella Elm for sharing this summary:
Lately I've been thinking 🤔 that I've lived a little too long Because shit am seeing what has happened in the past growing up after being a survivor of life and raising children making sure they achieve a better life than mine Now the shit hits the fan and what I see it's not only repetitive it's worse than I recall ...born in the 50s racing kids in the 80s Retired in the 2000s now with grandkids trying to enjoy what little time is left of me ... Now I am on a mission making sure I keep My Grandkids Hope Alive , can't afford to take a nap 😂have to smile why cry too much work ... my responsibility is making sure I continue working hard to educate them in the school of life so they can then stand a chance to better themselves for the future it waits them 🤦🏻♀️🫶
There is nothing to be surprised about... they are showing their true selves ... Something Us Newyorkers have always been aware.I know they have no shame so you put your big girl panties (well at least I do 😂) and Do has my parents taught me Deal With It ! Don't Drink The Koolaid! Stay Woke stay focused Educate and fight like if your life depends on it because it does! No time for pity .
I am aged 75. I subscribe to and benefit from the ink and other substacks. I started a cooperative childcare center in 1974, with friends, a grant to rehabilitated prisoners who worked, brought food and families who could afford a steep fee, lawyers, etc.
That center continued for over 30 years. Please be very careful of assumptions and commentary about any group. Headstart centers were providing significant data about how well early intervention and family involvement work - before you were born.That is ONE.
What a great essay! I have been trying to think which is the most extraordinary sentence to send to Frank Bruni for his extraordinary sentences collection - my favorite is the one about Sanchez floating in the Venice canal, because it makes me laugh.
Hideous things are happening at such a breakneck speed that I can hardly keep up with them, though I'm definitely on the Pay Attention team. But then I'm yet another Super-Ager in your debt.
Had I not read Heather Cox Richardson this morning I would not know that there are astounding sums in the Bust-Up America bill for building a police state for Trump. His puppy-killing mistress of Homeland Security has already spent all the money in her purse and that's the reason for the July 4th deadline to pass the Bust-Up bill.
The Alligator Alcatraz $trump was visiting yesterday (when he showed off his dementia with a bizarre addled response to a reporter's twice-repeated question) has to be funded by FEMA. You will remember that he'd already decreed that the states will pick up all of FEMA's expenses henceforward. There's a new employee in the official $trump retribution task force at Justice whose newest employee is a pardoned January 6th felon who was urging the crowd to kill police.
Was the huge focus on the poor getting savaged and the super rich and corporate America being further enriched all a giant distraction? I don't think I've heard about or read anywhere HCR's tallying up of the funding for Homeland Security until today.
Ukraine can forget the weapons Congresss voted to give them last year because we might need those bombs and missiles ourselves. American schools can forget funding already approved, no reason given. Trump has most of the cards now, so he can pursue his latest big idea: go after naturalized US citizens and "the homegrown" and deport them. And now there's a deal for $trump Media to broadcast his propaganda all over the world, maybe to replace the boring and earnest Voice of America system. They work hard, no question.
Greenland by Friday? Canada next week? How long will it take to take away the women's vote - an essential step in making America great again?
J.D. Vance was right about one thing: Trump IS America's Hitler. But that was before his grooming by Peter Thiel and Curtis Yarvin. I don't think there will be a Venice wedding in Thiel's future.
Deeply appreciate your analysis and fully endorse your conclusions. But one small fact check regarding the Zuckerberg/Chan philanthropy: the article that you linked to on the changes in their philanthropy seemed to suggest they were going to prioritize funding scientific research (presumably on eradicating diseases). What they are eliminating is support for DEI programs and pro-democracy funding. Not that this takes away from any of your points, but it really doesn’t look like they are stepping away from disease eradication. Ultimately, a minor edit.
Deeply appreciate your analysis and fully endorse your conclusions. But one small fact check regarding the Zuckerberg/Chan philanthropy: the article that you liked to on the changes in their philanthropy seemed to suggest they were going to prioritize funding scientific research (presumably on eradicating diseases). What they are eliminating is support for DEI programs and pro-democracy funding. Not that this takes away from any of your points, but it really doesn’t look like they are stepping away from disease eradication. Ultimately, a minor edit.
Brilliant. Sitting here and holding my copy of Winner Take All, and remembering when I had energy and hope. I guess it was about 2018. It's true, we don't need a book now because everything is "out," but thanks for the reminder that power breeds reckless arrogance. The oligarchs and plutocrats have produced a Russia like climate in the US, How clever. But, it still sacares most people, especially if they invested their futures in a Red Hat made in China. Oh the irony of it all.
Since reading your book, my mantra has been "pay attention," but apparently we didn't. At 83, if I go to the streets it will probably my last parade. BUT, I still have hope. There are other young leaders like Zohran waiting to prove they "paid attetion." I really don't want to go until I see more glimmers of real hope and real change.
I’m 80 and hanging on for hope, too.
You have so correctly and elegantly expressed exactly how I have been feeling about the philanthropy of the ultra-rich. Their do-gooding as you call it doesn't come anywhere close to what they should be contributing to the education, health, shelter, wages and culture for 90% of the people living on this planet. They don't pay their fair share in taxes and they haven't a clue about the reality of living for most of us. They can literally get away with murder.
I don’t hold on to hope. Because hope can run out and then what? I have resolve. Resolve belongs to me. I’d like to see the guest list of the silly wedding. Gates, Oprah, Gayle King, Di Caprio. People we thought were do-gooders revealing their true selves. This wedding really sums up this gilded Ritchie-Rich era. It punches you in the face. Blatant. Helpful, in a way, to see silly wedding images. The images reveal emptiness. Onward with resolve.
But are these children even aware that these rich folks are organizing a police state? Where will those free buses be? Taking immigrants and even citizens to prisons, “in each state” if the puppy-killer gets her way. You’re right though, once people see the avarice they may find the courage to fight it. Until then…
This is not good. Please read the how fast this will be moved on this morning:
https://susanrogan.substack.com/p/july-2-2025-all-down-to-the-house/comment/131335713
Here is the link to the post:
https://open.substack.com/pub/susanrogan/p/july-2-2025-all-down-to-the-house
I have my copy to share with family
Here is a real specific list and contact info for Rep House members that might holding nays. Including social media and faxes. Thanks to Ariella Elm for sharing this summary:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Yt75YifWKO2lLUYKNRByEchmPDV_n3kkapkTtpLnHXI/htmlview
"Red things involving Bono." Now, Anand, be nice.
Lately I've been thinking 🤔 that I've lived a little too long Because shit am seeing what has happened in the past growing up after being a survivor of life and raising children making sure they achieve a better life than mine Now the shit hits the fan and what I see it's not only repetitive it's worse than I recall ...born in the 50s racing kids in the 80s Retired in the 2000s now with grandkids trying to enjoy what little time is left of me ... Now I am on a mission making sure I keep My Grandkids Hope Alive , can't afford to take a nap 😂have to smile why cry too much work ... my responsibility is making sure I continue working hard to educate them in the school of life so they can then stand a chance to better themselves for the future it waits them 🤦🏻♀️🫶
There is nothing to be surprised about... they are showing their true selves ... Something Us Newyorkers have always been aware.I know they have no shame so you put your big girl panties (well at least I do 😂) and Do has my parents taught me Deal With It ! Don't Drink The Koolaid! Stay Woke stay focused Educate and fight like if your life depends on it because it does! No time for pity .
I am aged 75. I subscribe to and benefit from the ink and other substacks. I started a cooperative childcare center in 1974, with friends, a grant to rehabilitated prisoners who worked, brought food and families who could afford a steep fee, lawyers, etc.
That center continued for over 30 years. Please be very careful of assumptions and commentary about any group. Headstart centers were providing significant data about how well early intervention and family involvement work - before you were born.That is ONE.
Do not alienate.
Audrey J Williams
Subscriber
What a great essay! I have been trying to think which is the most extraordinary sentence to send to Frank Bruni for his extraordinary sentences collection - my favorite is the one about Sanchez floating in the Venice canal, because it makes me laugh.
Hideous things are happening at such a breakneck speed that I can hardly keep up with them, though I'm definitely on the Pay Attention team. But then I'm yet another Super-Ager in your debt.
Had I not read Heather Cox Richardson this morning I would not know that there are astounding sums in the Bust-Up America bill for building a police state for Trump. His puppy-killing mistress of Homeland Security has already spent all the money in her purse and that's the reason for the July 4th deadline to pass the Bust-Up bill.
The Alligator Alcatraz $trump was visiting yesterday (when he showed off his dementia with a bizarre addled response to a reporter's twice-repeated question) has to be funded by FEMA. You will remember that he'd already decreed that the states will pick up all of FEMA's expenses henceforward. There's a new employee in the official $trump retribution task force at Justice whose newest employee is a pardoned January 6th felon who was urging the crowd to kill police.
Was the huge focus on the poor getting savaged and the super rich and corporate America being further enriched all a giant distraction? I don't think I've heard about or read anywhere HCR's tallying up of the funding for Homeland Security until today.
Ukraine can forget the weapons Congresss voted to give them last year because we might need those bombs and missiles ourselves. American schools can forget funding already approved, no reason given. Trump has most of the cards now, so he can pursue his latest big idea: go after naturalized US citizens and "the homegrown" and deport them. And now there's a deal for $trump Media to broadcast his propaganda all over the world, maybe to replace the boring and earnest Voice of America system. They work hard, no question.
Greenland by Friday? Canada next week? How long will it take to take away the women's vote - an essential step in making America great again?
J.D. Vance was right about one thing: Trump IS America's Hitler. But that was before his grooming by Peter Thiel and Curtis Yarvin. I don't think there will be a Venice wedding in Thiel's future.
I feel sick reading your Substack. Bubble parties are what children do. I guess it’s a match!
Also, the end of USAID. Poof.💨
https://apnews.com/article/obama-bono-bush-usaid-trump-950f7708c01502c759f1c10524752b8e
And more lives impacted by the careless few.
https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2025/0701/usaid-workers-trump-doge-layoffs
The ruling ideas (We The People) of each age have never been the ideas of its ruling class, the rich.
Deeply appreciate your analysis and fully endorse your conclusions. But one small fact check regarding the Zuckerberg/Chan philanthropy: the article that you linked to on the changes in their philanthropy seemed to suggest they were going to prioritize funding scientific research (presumably on eradicating diseases). What they are eliminating is support for DEI programs and pro-democracy funding. Not that this takes away from any of your points, but it really doesn’t look like they are stepping away from disease eradication. Ultimately, a minor edit.
Deeply appreciate your analysis and fully endorse your conclusions. But one small fact check regarding the Zuckerberg/Chan philanthropy: the article that you liked to on the changes in their philanthropy seemed to suggest they were going to prioritize funding scientific research (presumably on eradicating diseases). What they are eliminating is support for DEI programs and pro-democracy funding. Not that this takes away from any of your points, but it really doesn’t look like they are stepping away from disease eradication. Ultimately, a minor edit.