A question for all Republican elected officials: Did you run for public office to support and advance a criminal oligarch, or to be a hero for the constituency that you represent?
If your answer is the former, congratulations, you’ve succeeded 🤬
If your answer is the latter, you are failing, MISERABLY!
A question for all Republican elected officials: Did you run for public office to support and advance a criminal oligarch, or to be a hero for the constituency that you represent?
If your answer is the former, congratulations, you’ve succeeded 🤬
If your answer is the latter, you are failing, MISERABLY!
For all of you Republican elected officials that, deep down, want to do what’s right, stop thinking about yourself and your Republican political future. Because, there isn’t one. Your best move is to leave the Republican Party. If not to switch to a Democrat, then switch to an independent and caucus with Democrats.
Now that’s a fine way to welcome someone new. “Sure, come on over to our network but I am going to insult you, turn a cold shoulder, call you names and make you feel so unwelcome”. Think about it—do you want a country of United States, one that functions as our forefathers and foremothers envisioned? One that gets things accomplished through working together towards a common goal through reasonable collaboration and compromise? One where your future is safer because someone is not out to destroy the foundations upon which we grow, we improve, we respond to challenges? Denigrating attitudes just mire us further in stuck places of “us against them”, hardened stereotypes, stalled Congress, embattlement and stone throwing. Kinda like the dysfunction after the Civil War. Face it, we all are going to have to slowly step away from feuds and fanaticism and the language that excludes. If someone is ignorant, you teach them, show them where their true self interest lies, get them excited about new possibilities, make them proud to have seen the light, come to a new understanding. It’s gonna take time but it’s also gonna take strength of character. Ain’t gonna be perfect or pretty but it’s gonna give us our country back. We are not gonna get anywhere if we spend all our intelligence snd our energy fighting each other instead of working together, as tough as that seems. Fight the ideology, not the people.
Accountability is vital. We will never be united as a country again until the people who brought us this disaster take accountability for their part in it. History teaches us a hard lesson about what happens when we let people skate. Following the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln had the best possible motives in prioritizing 'binding the nation's wounds' over holding those responsible accountable for their treason. But the result was Jim Crow and rising Neo-confederateism that we're still dealing with today. Gerald Ford had the same idealistic but naive goal when he pardoned Nixon. But republicans didn't take that as an act of grace. They took it as evidence that there are no consequences no matter what they do. Donald Trump was impeached twice for high crimes he committed while in office - and let off the hook twice by republicans who were too afraid of his MAGA mob to do otherwise. He was a convicted felon when they voted for him a third time, but they didn't care as long as he rained hellfire down on 'the libs.'
If some of those MAGA voters are now waking up to the damage they voted for, good. But they're still accountable for bringing this about. Fairness and justice require that we not only allow these people a chance to redeem themselves, but that we require them to earn their way back. You can call that a 'cold shoulder' or whatever else makes you feel better. The rest of us will, rightfully, demand accountability from the MAGA perpetrators. And before you get on your high horse, I'm talking about members of my own family. They need to earn their way back in, prove they've learned a lesson about following a hustler.
I'd suggest that this approach is forcing people who may already be embarrassed by their past decisions to jump over a hurdle impossibly high for them to get over, just for admittance to a group that has been thinking/operating differently. Far too many of ALL of us have an extremely hard time just saying "I'm sorry" for even the smallest NON-political "infraction". We have a lot of work to do. For many people, even thinking about doing things differently IS a form of "sorry". Let's focus on making it easy for all of us to do hard things so we can all be more united and DO this work.
That's been the problem all along and why things like this keep happening. People who are not held accountable when their actions cause significant harm to others are likely to do it again given the chance. I have no problem giving people a second chance, but only after they've accepted personal responsibility for their actions. If they're already embarrassed by those actions, good. It means they still have a functioning conscience. But adults SHOULD be able to take responsibility for the things they've done; it's not too much to ask. If 'I'm sorry' is too big a hill for them to climb, they're not really sorry; they just want to be let off the hook. Sorry, no.
Accountability is a necessary level. It does, however, require that a person be in agreement with their having made errors, which in turn speaks to any individual's willingness to see and accept the truth, NOT as something that is blaming or accusing, but is simply BEING a truth. The truth does not have any 'favorites' in its revealing what is or is not working correctly.
Admitting to a truth is not a negative, it is not painful, but it is a moment of cohesion and even of healing, and when this happens, ALL who have been affected should celebrate and remember kindness as another necessary part of the larger process.
Well put, Richard. Viewing accountability, or personal responsibility, as some sort of punishment or hostile act, has it exactly backwards, in my view. We all make mistakes, and most of us learn from them, however painful or embarrassing. After a decade of damage caused by Trump and his MAGA cult, the absolutely necessary first step is for those who've participated in it to own up to their part in it. Healing begins when personal responsibility is accepted, and not before.
I agree, but there aren't exactly MAGA voters here, so imho it's okay to call them ignorant HERE, since that is what they are - through no fault of their own.
It's important to know THAT they're ignorant, because that allows us to understand that we will have to invent ways to respectfully and kindly inform them, rather than judging them for their ignorance.
I also agree that our language (especially that of DEI trainings...) has been way too exclusive and judgmental.
MLK Jr. already knew how to do this: learn to "love your enemies"!
No way to know if there are any here or not. What if they're quietly LOOKING for someplace "different" to meet their evolving outlooks, heard about MTN, and want to check it out??? Besides, we need to change our attitudes, period. This is a good place for us to do exactly that. No pre-judgment, just open hearts and minds to all.
Consider Trump supporters who haven't realized, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Or maybe some are ashamed but too gutless to help right their wrong.
You can't negotiate with elected officials and voters who refuse accountability and follow along doing nothing. We can't negotiate with greed and ignorance. WE CANNOT NEGOTIATE WITH LIARS AND CRIMINALS.
Just so you know, the meaning of’ignorant’ is a lack of knowledge. But a lot of people associate that with being ‘stupid’. There is a big difference. However, other terms are less likely to be taken badly, such as ‘mis-informed’ rather than ‘lied to’ which MAGA’s also take as an insult. So, I do know the difference and when I’m around a Trump supporter, I walk very gently on egg shells, as it were, no matter how unappealing I find it.
I figured I was among like minded thinkers here, but I do practice what you preach. Thanks for pointing that out.
Thanks for speaking up! What I wish is that the true, original Republicans had a way to kick out Magas, and make them go through the process of creating their own party instead of taking over the party actual Republicans built. I don't care if Republicans agree with us or not; bipartisan legislation is only better if it actually brings more than 1 approach to the table. What matters is that people of all parties unite against our common enemy. To that end, I think it's important that we, as Democrats, remember that Republican is not the same as maga.
I understand what you are saying, but I've never once felt that way about Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger. Of course, neither of them was ever MAGAts, but either of them will tell you they are still 'traditional' Republicans. We can deal with it and do it well.
The information is available to all. When we make our decisions, we wear the badge. Collaboration and compromise? Nah, I'm busy right now. Hopefully you can apply your skills and energy to the task at hand. You are needed. ✌️
Not necessarily ignorant in the same deprecating manner as "retarded" but swayed by the musings of an ignorant and self-serving entertainer. They have become addicted to his words and search him out frantically without realizing he gives not a shit about them except for their vote. Votes which he believes he will never need again. Fealty to a Deranged Trump is a pandemic crisis worse than Covid and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, RFK Jr will not be doing any research into a vaccine.
Ignorance also has a willful component. People will believe things they know or suspect are wrong if they support what those people really want to believe. We can't underestimate MAGA cruelty and desire to cause pain to people outside their bubble. A LOT of MAGAs are only now waking up because mass deportations are affecting THEIR families, not just the libs'. Trump's economic illiteracy is affecting THEIR budgets, not the just the libs'.
I've said for a long time that pain is often the best teacher; sometimes the only one that can get through to people. MAGA world is starting to feel the pain of what they voted for, thinking that pain would only land on other people. If they want back in to normal, civil society, they have to prove this isn't just a 'because it affected me, too' conversion.
That's the history of the modern Republican Party. EG: How many of them were against LGBT rights until one of their children or close family members came out as queer?
Exactly. Ignorance itself is a descriptor, it isn't derogatory. If someone is ignorant the the facts or the truth, it doesn't make them less intelligent. If someone is "willfully ignorant," I take that to mean they don't want to know the facts, inspite of the truth. They already have a confirmation bias that matches their own world view.
Those people are either not part of this conversation, or are trying to hijack it with hate. They will reveal themselves and do not deserve a response.
I welcome anyone who has become aware of the facts, Democrat or Republican, Right or Left, who has come to a new understanding a Constitutional America versus a budding fascist coup.
We need to be a big tent. Let's get our country back before we quibble about how we got here.
You're talking about Magas for sure, and some Republicans. It really is bizarre that the elected Repubs are so in lock-step. I figure some are maga, as we know, some are terrified, and I figure the rest Trump has some kind of dirt on. And RFK Jr: good one! 😂🤣
I also think there's a difference between Magas and Republicans, and that a lot of Republican voters signed up for some of the promises, but definitely not for shit that's actually being done. Hopefully that's not too naive a view. I just think there's probably a number that just fell prey because the orange monster actually is a professional con-artist. Even smart people can get scammed by one.
This has always been a welcoming space. Ben, Jordy and Bret have always made that clear. That has been our strength. One can still watch Fox . The key is to watch with a questioning mind. Investigate, confirm. Refuse to accept the pablum of any news source. Democracy, to be strong. demands engagement.
I have been emailing the Supreme Court to ask them where their loyalty lies with the Constitution and democracy or fascism? I have also demanded that they revoke the immunity clause because Trump is destroying this country. If you wish to help me with emailing the Supreme Court here is the link https://www.supremecourt.gov/contact/contactus.aspx
I'm not seeing an email address on the website except for the Public Information Office. Not sure emails to that address will ever reach any of the SCOTUS members.
Have you ever received a reply or acknowledgement from them?
Good work Sylvia I've been posting the phone number to scotus on sub stack trying to get people to call along with myself to remove the immunity they caused this mess they need to bail us out now this is valuable website that you offered thank you very much Sylvia
Republicans’ “best move” — make the switch now, and in just a few days we will all be living once again in the country we love so much. Come on, people, save the country (and the free world) now!
If gop in both US senate and house would simply BAND TOGETHER they could save us ALL. It would take less than a handful in each chamber! But why don't they ALL do it??????????? They are really out of touch if they don't understand that they would be patriotic heroes....... ....... but quite the opposite if they continue to capitulate. THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN WIN IS TO BAND TOGETHER WITH THE REST OF US RESISTANCE FIGHTERS AND RESIST THE REGIME, PERIOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNITED WE STAND!!!!!!!!! . .. IF UKRAINE CAN DO IT SO CAN WE!!
Trouble is, a psychopath in charge will attract others with at least potentially the same disorder to positions of power. As Andrej Lobazcewski said in his writings on Politial Ponerology: “if an individual in a position of political power is a psychopath, he or she can create an epidemic of psychopathology in people who are not, essentially, psychopathic.”
― Andrzej Lobaczewski, Political Ponerology: A Science on the Nature of Evil Adjusted for Political Purposes
At this time there’s not one pair of ball on the GOP side to do the right thing!!
And the closest one to having a pair of balls is Lisa Murkowski. Because at least she exposed the quiet part out loud!! Exposing the elephant in the room !!
A question for all Republican elected officials: Did you run for public office to support and advance a criminal oligarch, or to be a hero for the constituency that you represent?
If your answer is the former, congratulations, you’ve succeeded 🤬
If your answer is the latter, you are failing, MISERABLY!
For all of you Republican elected officials that, deep down, want to do what’s right, stop thinking about yourself and your Republican political future. Because, there isn’t one. Your best move is to leave the Republican Party. If not to switch to a Democrat, then switch to an independent and caucus with Democrats.
CONSTITUTION
————————-
SELF
This is, after all, what you signed up for.
United we stand. Divided we fall.
What say you?
We will have to welcome the ignorant people into our fight. They need to learn to stop watching the FOX propaganda channel.
We don’t yet have a “Narcan” for their overdose addiction :(
Now that’s a fine way to welcome someone new. “Sure, come on over to our network but I am going to insult you, turn a cold shoulder, call you names and make you feel so unwelcome”. Think about it—do you want a country of United States, one that functions as our forefathers and foremothers envisioned? One that gets things accomplished through working together towards a common goal through reasonable collaboration and compromise? One where your future is safer because someone is not out to destroy the foundations upon which we grow, we improve, we respond to challenges? Denigrating attitudes just mire us further in stuck places of “us against them”, hardened stereotypes, stalled Congress, embattlement and stone throwing. Kinda like the dysfunction after the Civil War. Face it, we all are going to have to slowly step away from feuds and fanaticism and the language that excludes. If someone is ignorant, you teach them, show them where their true self interest lies, get them excited about new possibilities, make them proud to have seen the light, come to a new understanding. It’s gonna take time but it’s also gonna take strength of character. Ain’t gonna be perfect or pretty but it’s gonna give us our country back. We are not gonna get anywhere if we spend all our intelligence snd our energy fighting each other instead of working together, as tough as that seems. Fight the ideology, not the people.
The problem isn’t simply the ignorant people.
The problem is the WILLFULLY ignorant people that are routing Trump on.
Extending an olive branch to willfully ignorant people only results in cuts and bruises.
Whereas, extending an olive branch to the simply ignorant people can save the Constitution and the country.
Accountability is vital. We will never be united as a country again until the people who brought us this disaster take accountability for their part in it. History teaches us a hard lesson about what happens when we let people skate. Following the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln had the best possible motives in prioritizing 'binding the nation's wounds' over holding those responsible accountable for their treason. But the result was Jim Crow and rising Neo-confederateism that we're still dealing with today. Gerald Ford had the same idealistic but naive goal when he pardoned Nixon. But republicans didn't take that as an act of grace. They took it as evidence that there are no consequences no matter what they do. Donald Trump was impeached twice for high crimes he committed while in office - and let off the hook twice by republicans who were too afraid of his MAGA mob to do otherwise. He was a convicted felon when they voted for him a third time, but they didn't care as long as he rained hellfire down on 'the libs.'
If some of those MAGA voters are now waking up to the damage they voted for, good. But they're still accountable for bringing this about. Fairness and justice require that we not only allow these people a chance to redeem themselves, but that we require them to earn their way back. You can call that a 'cold shoulder' or whatever else makes you feel better. The rest of us will, rightfully, demand accountability from the MAGA perpetrators. And before you get on your high horse, I'm talking about members of my own family. They need to earn their way back in, prove they've learned a lesson about following a hustler.
I'd suggest that this approach is forcing people who may already be embarrassed by their past decisions to jump over a hurdle impossibly high for them to get over, just for admittance to a group that has been thinking/operating differently. Far too many of ALL of us have an extremely hard time just saying "I'm sorry" for even the smallest NON-political "infraction". We have a lot of work to do. For many people, even thinking about doing things differently IS a form of "sorry". Let's focus on making it easy for all of us to do hard things so we can all be more united and DO this work.
That's been the problem all along and why things like this keep happening. People who are not held accountable when their actions cause significant harm to others are likely to do it again given the chance. I have no problem giving people a second chance, but only after they've accepted personal responsibility for their actions. If they're already embarrassed by those actions, good. It means they still have a functioning conscience. But adults SHOULD be able to take responsibility for the things they've done; it's not too much to ask. If 'I'm sorry' is too big a hill for them to climb, they're not really sorry; they just want to be let off the hook. Sorry, no.
Accountability is a necessary level. It does, however, require that a person be in agreement with their having made errors, which in turn speaks to any individual's willingness to see and accept the truth, NOT as something that is blaming or accusing, but is simply BEING a truth. The truth does not have any 'favorites' in its revealing what is or is not working correctly.
Admitting to a truth is not a negative, it is not painful, but it is a moment of cohesion and even of healing, and when this happens, ALL who have been affected should celebrate and remember kindness as another necessary part of the larger process.
Well put, Richard. Viewing accountability, or personal responsibility, as some sort of punishment or hostile act, has it exactly backwards, in my view. We all make mistakes, and most of us learn from them, however painful or embarrassing. After a decade of damage caused by Trump and his MAGA cult, the absolutely necessary first step is for those who've participated in it to own up to their part in it. Healing begins when personal responsibility is accepted, and not before.
I agree, but there aren't exactly MAGA voters here, so imho it's okay to call them ignorant HERE, since that is what they are - through no fault of their own.
It's important to know THAT they're ignorant, because that allows us to understand that we will have to invent ways to respectfully and kindly inform them, rather than judging them for their ignorance.
I also agree that our language (especially that of DEI trainings...) has been way too exclusive and judgmental.
MLK Jr. already knew how to do this: learn to "love your enemies"!
No way to know if there are any here or not. What if they're quietly LOOKING for someplace "different" to meet their evolving outlooks, heard about MTN, and want to check it out??? Besides, we need to change our attitudes, period. This is a good place for us to do exactly that. No pre-judgment, just open hearts and minds to all.
Consider Trump supporters who haven't realized, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." Or maybe some are ashamed but too gutless to help right their wrong.
You can't negotiate with elected officials and voters who refuse accountability and follow along doing nothing. We can't negotiate with greed and ignorance. WE CANNOT NEGOTIATE WITH LIARS AND CRIMINALS.
WE CANNOT NEGOTIATE OUR WAY OUT OF A COUP.
Just so you know, the meaning of’ignorant’ is a lack of knowledge. But a lot of people associate that with being ‘stupid’. There is a big difference. However, other terms are less likely to be taken badly, such as ‘mis-informed’ rather than ‘lied to’ which MAGA’s also take as an insult. So, I do know the difference and when I’m around a Trump supporter, I walk very gently on egg shells, as it were, no matter how unappealing I find it.
I figured I was among like minded thinkers here, but I do practice what you preach. Thanks for pointing that out.
Thanks for speaking up! What I wish is that the true, original Republicans had a way to kick out Magas, and make them go through the process of creating their own party instead of taking over the party actual Republicans built. I don't care if Republicans agree with us or not; bipartisan legislation is only better if it actually brings more than 1 approach to the table. What matters is that people of all parties unite against our common enemy. To that end, I think it's important that we, as Democrats, remember that Republican is not the same as maga.
I understand what you are saying, but I've never once felt that way about Liz Cheney or Adam Kinzinger. Of course, neither of them was ever MAGAts, but either of them will tell you they are still 'traditional' Republicans. We can deal with it and do it well.
The information is available to all. When we make our decisions, we wear the badge. Collaboration and compromise? Nah, I'm busy right now. Hopefully you can apply your skills and energy to the task at hand. You are needed. ✌️
Nazis said they were following orders. How is this different?
A thousand "hearts" Janice!
Not necessarily ignorant in the same deprecating manner as "retarded" but swayed by the musings of an ignorant and self-serving entertainer. They have become addicted to his words and search him out frantically without realizing he gives not a shit about them except for their vote. Votes which he believes he will never need again. Fealty to a Deranged Trump is a pandemic crisis worse than Covid and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, RFK Jr will not be doing any research into a vaccine.
Ignorance also has a willful component. People will believe things they know or suspect are wrong if they support what those people really want to believe. We can't underestimate MAGA cruelty and desire to cause pain to people outside their bubble. A LOT of MAGAs are only now waking up because mass deportations are affecting THEIR families, not just the libs'. Trump's economic illiteracy is affecting THEIR budgets, not the just the libs'.
I've said for a long time that pain is often the best teacher; sometimes the only one that can get through to people. MAGA world is starting to feel the pain of what they voted for, thinking that pain would only land on other people. If they want back in to normal, civil society, they have to prove this isn't just a 'because it affected me, too' conversion.
So true. People typically do not understand the things they themselves don’t endure.
That's the history of the modern Republican Party. EG: How many of them were against LGBT rights until one of their children or close family members came out as queer?
Ikr. Spare the rod, spoil the child. Elaboration needed???
Not exactly, in this case. More like suffering themselves the consequences they were fine with as long it happened to others.
Exactly. Ignorance itself is a descriptor, it isn't derogatory. If someone is ignorant the the facts or the truth, it doesn't make them less intelligent. If someone is "willfully ignorant," I take that to mean they don't want to know the facts, inspite of the truth. They already have a confirmation bias that matches their own world view.
Those people are either not part of this conversation, or are trying to hijack it with hate. They will reveal themselves and do not deserve a response.
I welcome anyone who has become aware of the facts, Democrat or Republican, Right or Left, who has come to a new understanding a Constitutional America versus a budding fascist coup.
We need to be a big tent. Let's get our country back before we quibble about how we got here.
You're talking about Magas for sure, and some Republicans. It really is bizarre that the elected Repubs are so in lock-step. I figure some are maga, as we know, some are terrified, and I figure the rest Trump has some kind of dirt on. And RFK Jr: good one! 😂🤣
I also think there's a difference between Magas and Republicans, and that a lot of Republican voters signed up for some of the promises, but definitely not for shit that's actually being done. Hopefully that's not too naive a view. I just think there's probably a number that just fell prey because the orange monster actually is a professional con-artist. Even smart people can get scammed by one.
This has always been a welcoming space. Ben, Jordy and Bret have always made that clear. That has been our strength. One can still watch Fox . The key is to watch with a questioning mind. Investigate, confirm. Refuse to accept the pablum of any news source. Democracy, to be strong. demands engagement.
💯💯💯💯💯💯
Important first step
I have been emailing the Supreme Court to ask them where their loyalty lies with the Constitution and democracy or fascism? I have also demanded that they revoke the immunity clause because Trump is destroying this country. If you wish to help me with emailing the Supreme Court here is the link https://www.supremecourt.gov/contact/contactus.aspx
Thank you for sharing! I will be emailing for sure!
Good for you. Thanks for the link.
Just sent an email to Public Information email address...I don't have much hope it will do anything. But, what the heck.
I'm not seeing an email address on the website except for the Public Information Office. Not sure emails to that address will ever reach any of the SCOTUS members.
Have you ever received a reply or acknowledgement from them?
Good work Sylvia I've been posting the phone number to scotus on sub stack trying to get people to call along with myself to remove the immunity they caused this mess they need to bail us out now this is valuable website that you offered thank you very much Sylvia
I have been doing the same. The more we get to send the message the stronger we are. I am organizing a day with my neighbors next week to do the same.
I was given an email address for the Supreme Court by someone in the Indivisible organization: pio@supremecourt.gov
I haven't tried it yet but will. I'll also email at the link your provided; thanks!
Republicans’ “best move” — make the switch now, and in just a few days we will all be living once again in the country we love so much. Come on, people, save the country (and the free world) now!
UNITED and standing tall and focused.
If gop in both US senate and house would simply BAND TOGETHER they could save us ALL. It would take less than a handful in each chamber! But why don't they ALL do it??????????? They are really out of touch if they don't understand that they would be patriotic heroes....... ....... but quite the opposite if they continue to capitulate. THE ONLY WAY THEY CAN WIN IS TO BAND TOGETHER WITH THE REST OF US RESISTANCE FIGHTERS AND RESIST THE REGIME, PERIOD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNITED WE STAND!!!!!!!!! . .. IF UKRAINE CAN DO IT SO CAN WE!!
Trouble is, a psychopath in charge will attract others with at least potentially the same disorder to positions of power. As Andrej Lobazcewski said in his writings on Politial Ponerology: “if an individual in a position of political power is a psychopath, he or she can create an epidemic of psychopathology in people who are not, essentially, psychopathic.”
― Andrzej Lobaczewski, Political Ponerology: A Science on the Nature of Evil Adjusted for Political Purposes
Perfectly stated
At this time there’s not one pair of ball on the GOP side to do the right thing!!
And the closest one to having a pair of balls is Lisa Murkowski. Because at least she exposed the quiet part out loud!! Exposing the elephant in the room !!
I love you Todd- great comment. So true.