More civic education. 49% of people who voted looked at the smart capable democrat & then at the felon , adjudicated rapist, twice impeached liar and said, yes. I’d like more of the man who told us to inject ourselves with bleach. You guys can go on & on with what the Democrats need to do- but it’s the American people that need to hold themselves accountable first.
Too late. We need 7 mullion people to protest and stand-up against this government take over. We can do it if we unite. If we make it through, civics and history will take center stage. For those who don't know, all of what they are doing has been done in every dictator regime in the world, including Germany. There are no new moves. Read project 2025 if you havent already, they're just getting started. The methodology is to divide us and keep us cinfused. They will not succeed. Trump vemimately said no vance will not run in 28, he never plans to leave.
...and we have a constitution that divides the power between 3 branches. Sometimes I feel like an outcast because I see this as the central problem. Our Constitution, and willingess to abide it, and work to amend it when necessary has kept this country on a relatively democratic path for 250 years. Clearly imperfect, but still with important guardrails of justice and liberty. And striving to be better.
"The president shall faithfully execute the laws" made by Congress, T&M have no authority to undo agencies and budgets created by the legislative branch. People seem to have given up on that as a talking point.
Without that adherence to the constitutional order, we are just a lawless nation where social darwinism prevails.
Recognizing there are 3 branches is not how you kill a democracy and install a dictator. When they defy the judges orders to stop firing people and hacking our computers, games on.
And I have to say that half these tech bros are either on the spectrum or dropped out of college after their sophomore year or both, never having learned what a good education teaches: that mature judgment requires that we make meaningful, ethical choices beyond mere mindless relativism. Moving fast and breaking things is what shallow little boys do. Real grownup men account for a living world of care and compassion and connection.
Yes, it starts to make Peter Thiel’s prize seem pretty sinister. I’ll never forget hearing from someone in the UK that perhaps one reason the British aristocracy sent their children away to boarding school as young as the age of five was basically to traumatize them into being the sort of men who could implement the Empire in all its cruelty.
I read somewhere that Zuckerberg "invented" Facebook because he couldn't get a date. Didn't know how to talk to a woman well enough to ask her out, I guess. Speaks volumes about the emotional "maturity" (ha!) of these tech dudes.
I love reclaiming and redefining “patriotism.” I also like less “gate-keeping.” National/Community service is a good thing and can take many forms. Democrats should be the “we” party vs. the other “me” party. Using plain language is another plus. That’s why in part Pete Buttigieg, for example is such an effective communicator.
More communication about what we stand for in simple to understand terms. What we want for all Americans- nobody ever explained even what “DEI” IS or how it is beneficial, especially to white women! How can we not do that, or push back immediately and vociferously on lies? Less identity politics and more of us as a whole. Get out of the building and speak to the country on the steps of the Capitol! (And get Schumer to stop his inane chants, they’re uselessly embarrassing.) We have excellent communicators: Buttigieg, Raskin. And what’s happening with the “People’s Cabinet” who could be explaining weekly what we’d do instead of the chaos going on now? It’s such a good idea, what taking so long?
“Idea for Democrats in Congress: Every morning, select spokespeople from the Democratic caucus are sent to address the press to talk about how the latest Trump dismantling effort is hurting Americans and what they are doing about it. Call it “The People’s Briefing.” -copied, apologies I don’t have the attribution.
How Americans want - and have died - to be part of a FREE world, not one controlled by authoritarians. What life looks like in Russia. In China. In North Korea? NO REAL AMERICAN WANTS THIS! No American wants the government controlling what they can and can’t say, can and can’t write, can and can’t read.
I grew up in Germany (West Germany, that is, in the seventies). I went to school there. You have no idea how much 'splainin' and warning about 'heeding the signs' we got. Nobody explains to the Germans what the 'appropriate attitude towards the Nazis' is. Unless you're a Nazi denier. All I have to say is: "How DARE he? How dare he? The Americans came to Germany to de-nazify the country. Apparently now the Americans are back re-nazifying it.
In journalism class we were taught to ask who, what, when, where and how? Yet the reporters quizzing Trump directly and our representatives confronted with Trump’s claims do not ask these questions about his claims and promises. All seem to play ‘defense,’ because his answers are given on ‘offense.’ Good follow-up questions are the best way to expose his nonsensical, false and irresponsible statements. We need to demand better ‘game’ from the media and our representatives.
when I saw that Politico article i thought, maybe Bill Gates needs to talk on 60 Mins or something like that, about the framework phenomenon, and how much money they ended up wasting on charter schools and destroying teachers unions because they took same approach as they had to vaccines, and really had no understanding of inter generational poverty in US and other forces undermining educational outcomes. I believe he’s been honest about it in public before, but the point would be for him to speak directly to DOGE efforts, engineer to engineer.
Love your notes, Anand. Great food for thought for the rest of us! As for answering your question about what to add to the list for the Ds...more having SOMEONE step up and speak loudly for the Ds, less hiding out and licking wounds; more emphasis on a cogent, unified message about the dangers we face and how to address them, less fixation on "what went wrong" in 2024; more emphasis on action--what all of us can do, less meaningless analysis. The torrent coming from the regime is strong, and so far the Ds are NOT out ahead of it. They must figure out how to shape the narrative instead of constantly responding to it.
This is excellent, Judy! I hope this kind of effort is replicated widely. The focus on action now...and every day, not waiting for elections is key. Thank you for sharing it.
I like this collection of ideas and especially, "More simple truths spoken plainly, less academic jargon." I think messaging is critical, especially with the misinformation challenge. Another thing I would add to the communication piece is more theatrical events. Chuck Schumer reading from a piece of paper with his head down is like watching paint dry. Leaders need to get creative so things organically go viral. I was stunned to read recently that reps STILL do not understand the power of the digital world. It does feel like a new energy of opposition and organization is emerging after the initial shock and exhaustion of the election. Glad to see good ideas percolating. Thanks for persisting.
Preach it brother! Before I retired (from a multi-national) I saw the consequences of replacing human knowledge with computer programming. The company lost a wealth of institutional knowledge as a result.
More civic education. 49% of people who voted looked at the smart capable democrat & then at the felon , adjudicated rapist, twice impeached liar and said, yes. I’d like more of the man who told us to inject ourselves with bleach. You guys can go on & on with what the Democrats need to do- but it’s the American people that need to hold themselves accountable first.
Spot on. We need to teach civics learning and engagement in early years. We poured money into STEM and did away with Civics linked to our history.
ouramericanvoice.org a program that not only teaches civics but gets students to choose and work on an issue in their community.
Too late. We need 7 mullion people to protest and stand-up against this government take over. We can do it if we unite. If we make it through, civics and history will take center stage. For those who don't know, all of what they are doing has been done in every dictator regime in the world, including Germany. There are no new moves. Read project 2025 if you havent already, they're just getting started. The methodology is to divide us and keep us cinfused. They will not succeed. Trump vemimately said no vance will not run in 28, he never plans to leave.
Right on Jacquelyn!
...and we have a constitution that divides the power between 3 branches. Sometimes I feel like an outcast because I see this as the central problem. Our Constitution, and willingess to abide it, and work to amend it when necessary has kept this country on a relatively democratic path for 250 years. Clearly imperfect, but still with important guardrails of justice and liberty. And striving to be better.
"The president shall faithfully execute the laws" made by Congress, T&M have no authority to undo agencies and budgets created by the legislative branch. People seem to have given up on that as a talking point.
Without that adherence to the constitutional order, we are just a lawless nation where social darwinism prevails.
Recognizing there are 3 branches is not how you kill a democracy and install a dictator. When they defy the judges orders to stop firing people and hacking our computers, games on.
I know that... the coup is already on.
And I have to say that half these tech bros are either on the spectrum or dropped out of college after their sophomore year or both, never having learned what a good education teaches: that mature judgment requires that we make meaningful, ethical choices beyond mere mindless relativism. Moving fast and breaking things is what shallow little boys do. Real grownup men account for a living world of care and compassion and connection.
Yes, it starts to make Peter Thiel’s prize seem pretty sinister. I’ll never forget hearing from someone in the UK that perhaps one reason the British aristocracy sent their children away to boarding school as young as the age of five was basically to traumatize them into being the sort of men who could implement the Empire in all its cruelty.
I read somewhere that Zuckerberg "invented" Facebook because he couldn't get a date. Didn't know how to talk to a woman well enough to ask her out, I guess. Speaks volumes about the emotional "maturity" (ha!) of these tech dudes.
And he did not invent face book, he stole it from those twins are Harvard
I love reclaiming and redefining “patriotism.” I also like less “gate-keeping.” National/Community service is a good thing and can take many forms. Democrats should be the “we” party vs. the other “me” party. Using plain language is another plus. That’s why in part Pete Buttigieg, for example is such an effective communicator.
More communication about what we stand for in simple to understand terms. What we want for all Americans- nobody ever explained even what “DEI” IS or how it is beneficial, especially to white women! How can we not do that, or push back immediately and vociferously on lies? Less identity politics and more of us as a whole. Get out of the building and speak to the country on the steps of the Capitol! (And get Schumer to stop his inane chants, they’re uselessly embarrassing.) We have excellent communicators: Buttigieg, Raskin. And what’s happening with the “People’s Cabinet” who could be explaining weekly what we’d do instead of the chaos going on now? It’s such a good idea, what taking so long?
“Idea for Democrats in Congress: Every morning, select spokespeople from the Democratic caucus are sent to address the press to talk about how the latest Trump dismantling effort is hurting Americans and what they are doing about it. Call it “The People’s Briefing.” -copied, apologies I don’t have the attribution.
I love the “Morning Announcements” and completely support all of these ideas!
How Americans want - and have died - to be part of a FREE world, not one controlled by authoritarians. What life looks like in Russia. In China. In North Korea? NO REAL AMERICAN WANTS THIS! No American wants the government controlling what they can and can’t say, can and can’t write, can and can’t read.
Less talking about the midterms, more truth telling about the speed and velocity of Congress collapsing
Not Schumer!
I grew up in Germany (West Germany, that is, in the seventies). I went to school there. You have no idea how much 'splainin' and warning about 'heeding the signs' we got. Nobody explains to the Germans what the 'appropriate attitude towards the Nazis' is. Unless you're a Nazi denier. All I have to say is: "How DARE he? How dare he? The Americans came to Germany to de-nazify the country. Apparently now the Americans are back re-nazifying it.
In journalism class we were taught to ask who, what, when, where and how? Yet the reporters quizzing Trump directly and our representatives confronted with Trump’s claims do not ask these questions about his claims and promises. All seem to play ‘defense,’ because his answers are given on ‘offense.’ Good follow-up questions are the best way to expose his nonsensical, false and irresponsible statements. We need to demand better ‘game’ from the media and our representatives.
when I saw that Politico article i thought, maybe Bill Gates needs to talk on 60 Mins or something like that, about the framework phenomenon, and how much money they ended up wasting on charter schools and destroying teachers unions because they took same approach as they had to vaccines, and really had no understanding of inter generational poverty in US and other forces undermining educational outcomes. I believe he’s been honest about it in public before, but the point would be for him to speak directly to DOGE efforts, engineer to engineer.
I want a Democratic Party that fights as hard for us as Trump fights for maga racists...
More Senate voices united, together in front of the press.
Love your notes, Anand. Great food for thought for the rest of us! As for answering your question about what to add to the list for the Ds...more having SOMEONE step up and speak loudly for the Ds, less hiding out and licking wounds; more emphasis on a cogent, unified message about the dangers we face and how to address them, less fixation on "what went wrong" in 2024; more emphasis on action--what all of us can do, less meaningless analysis. The torrent coming from the regime is strong, and so far the Ds are NOT out ahead of it. They must figure out how to shape the narrative instead of constantly responding to it.
maybe just a return to the basics: go listen to people in communities to hear firsthand what they're struggling with
Check out this description of a vision from Durham NC:
https://grassrootsconnector.substack.com/p/precincts-the-beating-heart-of-democracy?utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true
This is excellent, Judy! I hope this kind of effort is replicated widely. The focus on action now...and every day, not waiting for elections is key. Thank you for sharing it.
Judy, This is a great idea. Many are asking “What can I do?” It doesn’t have to mean “donate today” emails slamming the inbox! Good luck!
I like this collection of ideas and especially, "More simple truths spoken plainly, less academic jargon." I think messaging is critical, especially with the misinformation challenge. Another thing I would add to the communication piece is more theatrical events. Chuck Schumer reading from a piece of paper with his head down is like watching paint dry. Leaders need to get creative so things organically go viral. I was stunned to read recently that reps STILL do not understand the power of the digital world. It does feel like a new energy of opposition and organization is emerging after the initial shock and exhaustion of the election. Glad to see good ideas percolating. Thanks for persisting.
More real human wisdom, less artificial "intelligence."
Preach it brother! Before I retired (from a multi-national) I saw the consequences of replacing human knowledge with computer programming. The company lost a wealth of institutional knowledge as a result.
Authentic Intelligence!