Thank you, Ben. Totally agree. This is just me, but I'm a 78 year old white woman who, before Trump, identified as Independent. Since Trump my husband and I vote Democrat. But here's the thing. I am sick of centrist Dems. I'm sick of Schumer and Jeffries and every old Democrat who's scared of Progressives. I'm done with Israel and their genocidal government. I'm done with any Democrat telling me who I have to support. I think Zohran Mamdani is the most exciting politician of our age AND I love the fact younger people are speaking up and pushing back. Democrats need to be very careful in who their pushing back on. The enemy is Republicans not the Left
The way our election system works, THIRD PARTY is not a consideration - it has to split with PROGESSIVES who unseat CORPORATE DEMS. It was inevitable.
But that works to the advantage of voters - it's not a decision of REPUBLICAN or DEMOCRAT. It's a decision of ANTI-DEMOCRACY AIPC and ANONYMOUS SUPER PACS or PEOPLE FIRST!
POOR PATHETIC tRUMP thinks it's communism which he absorbed from his mentor ROY COHN of McCarthy fame.
WE are a nation of immigrants whose diversity and differences have made AMERICA GREAT!
MAMDANI showed the way to enable PEOPLE to control GOVERNMENT and not AIPAC, ANONYMOUS SUPER PACS or the wealthy. New Yorkers filled the RENT GUIDELINES BOARD to accomplish their goals.
AIPAC has developed a few sub pacs so that they are not recognized as AIPAC by us. Also, individuals who donated millions to the felon's campaign, also donated to some democrats' campaigns - so as not to alarm us, and to hide from us. smh I've had it with AIPAC and their leaders' genocide.
Only liars, opportunists, and otherwise poorly educated and propagandized people support capitalism and the corrupt Bourgeois power structure, and yes, that includes the DSA / Democratic Party.
While I agree that Mamdani is the most exciting politician out there right now (and he has a track record already), I don't think the enemy is Republicans. I don't think the issue is left, right, center, socialist, or progressive. I think the issue and the enemy is Trump and his band of incompetent loyalists. Trump made this country more divided. The only qualification you need to be in his cabinet is loyalty. You don't have to know anything or have any experience. That is what is ruining this country. He is so petty and punishing that the Republicans are afraid of him. He is wasting taxpayer money on his gilding of Washington, his toys and projects, while defunding food, education and healthcare and giving our taxpayer funds to his friends. Trump is the waste, fraud and abuse. I want his hands out of my pockets.
Republicans ARE the enemy. Just like the Nazis who enabled and supported Hitler, Republicans support Trump. I live in Texas. EVERY Texas Republican is a lunatic white Christian nationalist hellbent on destroying women's rights, jailing people of color, and getting rid of the LGBTQ community. These fascists now passed a law that the Bible has to be taught in school. Look no further than Tennessee, Florida or any southern state. Listen to the hate that oozes out of their mouth for Muslims or Haitians or Somalians. There would be NO Trump without this band of ass kissing enablers.
I wonder if they will teach Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus separates the sheep and goats. It's probably the crux of the whole story. It simply say Jesus is in every poor person and how you treat the poor determines whether you go to heaven… This is the part of the bible the White Nationalists wish they could erase!
Doubt very much both of you are. The biggest problem is that the republiCRAPS have become quite violent (far right ones, at least) so many of you are uneasy about saying or trying to do much of anything. I would be, too, if I lived there! Can't say for sure, however, as I live in Washington State and have never lived in Texas.
East Texas here...I absolutely agree. It seems if one lives in a blue state, they haven't any idea what it's like. If you want to protest here, be careful folks - several protesters have been sentenced to 60 years for wearing black tshirts...and one guy was sentenced for moving some papers to 30 years... smdh
AND not only will schools be teaching bible stories like the mass murder of everyone in Noah's Ark, if parents opt out, their child's grade will be affected. (Tho they are still working this out I guess.)
Thanks Rita Parker. Sometimes I think there are only magas living here. :(
I agree 100%, Rita. This brand of Republicans is not only subservient to Trump--they are willing to lie, cheat, steal and avoid their responsibilities on his behalf. "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." We don't need this version of the GOP; there is no reason to vote for any of them. Unless and until the GOP is purged of its Trumpism, it should be made to spend 40 years wandering in the desert.
What I am trying to say is that it isn't really political - it is about Trump, his lackeys and his extreme supporters. He bought the country by courting the billionaires. He could be ANY political party and it would be the same. Shame on all the people he bought. He is a terrible person. I am sure there are people who hold some republican views who do not support Trump and his extremist, divisionary tactics. I was right there with you fighting for women's rights. I was a DEI hire (and found it particularly amusing when Justin Fox couldn't define it and republican women didn't realize that THEY were DEI had the right to denigrate anything because of what we did way back then).
I agree it's not political. It is the lifestyle magas chose. Several people on NextDoor site already complaining about the cost of things. But this is what they voted for... And that's what my maga federal congressman tells me when I write in...the majority voted for trump and that's who he's representing. lol It wasn't a surprise.
Also, MAGAs might not want to continue attacking Pope Leo...They will die just like the rest of us. And they may not like where they'll be going. My Catholic elementary school nuns taught us that those that aided Hitler or who were just following orders all went to Hell. God didn't take those excuses, so the nun teachers said. Don't know if it's true.
No one comes back to tell us what happens after we die. I believe you should do good things while you are alive. Not do bad pray for forgiveness and think you got it all covered. No way. You get what you give. . Karma takes care of the rest.
I like Mamdani, but I don’t like the arrogance of the three socialist that Mamdani supported. I also like Jimmy Tallarico. I think he is sincere, and I hope he wins.
I saw then interviewed Eugene, and they weren't arrogant, they were excited that going down the right path was working, and I think that it is time we give the people carrying about everyday American AND changing things like Mamdani deserve a chance! We have given one to a band of thieves!!
Fraser, I respect your opinion, and I support many of the points these candidates advocate. But, they are speaking for a narrow constituency, and they are not elected to office yet.
I agree with you. I am concerned that Darializa Chevalier's hundreds of posts advocating for abolishing the police and abolishing prisons and borders will be used against all Democrats by Trump et.al. We need to defeat all Republicans, not give them fodder to demonize Democrats and allow that to deter independents from voting for Democrats.
Hell, the felon doesn't ever tell the truth. They'd make some lie up with a grain of truth in it, if they didn't have something else to bellow. lol Vance has said several times he'll lie to get what he wants. smh
But, hey, we all lose if moderates/corporate democrats split with progressives. Me, I'm taking the progressive side...After 40 years of screaming that the democratic party kept leaning more and more to the right...I became an independent.
Also, I've had experience as a mental health counselor working with law enforcement. There are a lot of mentally ill people out there trying to make it, and they are often harmed because of their behaviors. For example. One evening I was with my co-worker who was on call. Our boss called and told us there was a man keeping his wife hostage in their household and the police were wondering if we could help. Their hostage negotiator wasn't getting anywhere. My friend froze, so I answered when the police patched us through. Within 15 minutes the husband walked out of the house, put the gun down, and waited for the police to cuff him. His wife was not physically harmed either. One of the law enforcement detectives told the boss that he was sure the guy would kill his wife and was amazed the guy turned himself in.
That's just one example of how mental health experts could de-escalate violence, in helping law enforcement. I think, particularly on domestic violence calls, that both entities working together to resolve the problem works well. That's not just my opinion either. Other countries have done this effectively.
I think Lindsay Graham said it best. There are no republicans left, they are the party of trump now. If they go against him he'll destroy them. Which is truly an odd thing for Graham to say, since in May of 2016, Graham tweeted the following:
If we nominate trump we will get destroyed......and we will deserve it.
Graham was very much against trump in May of 2016. Now he's the biggest boot licker in this party of trump. Does he understand they're deserving of what they're getting? Wild, isn't it?
I can see where you are coming from, but I disagree that the enemy is just the felon and his band of thieves. Of course, I live in a very red area in a very red state, so I've had a lot of experience with magas, which has formulated my beliefs and my fears.
I believe every single person who supported the felon aided and abetted in his criminality. The fact that these people voted and supported the felon says much about their poor decision making skills and poor critical thinking skills. The fact that they still support him, is a clear sign that they continue to follow their new savior (the one they traded Jesus for the felon). And, if they voted and supported him, and now know they are wrong, then they need to be at their reps offices and protest on a daily basis for me to even think they might possibly be trustworthy. But they aren't around here. lol
MAGAs have harmed huge groups of people, and they've enjoyed it. They celebrate when others are harmed...they love the cruelty. IF they do not, then they are the ones to change their reps. Their reps (all of mine are magas) don't listen to us. They think we are animals, like their savior tells them. They are not the Christians they think they are, and they will be really surprised when they try to get to heaven, imo. IMO: there are no republican electors anymore: they are all magas - as are most of the citizens chose to be magas that once called themselves republican.
They are the enemy. But they are NOT the Republicans anymore. They a TRUMPTHUGLICANS. Don't trust any of them. They can stop all of this.DO THAT. Then we will see who really is a patriot and not a traitor. . Until then. Sorry . No way I trust any of them.
The ENEMY is Project 2025/Heritage Foundation and anyone who pushes their agenda. I just saw a report that their list is 53% complete. And that is scary. If you haven't looked in to it you should as least read the highlights. There are so many founders of these groups in the regime it is frightening. Trump appointed them. He said when he was campaigning he didn't know anything about them, and to many believed the lies. The GOP and SCOTUS have supported everything that has been pushed. The GOP handed Trump all the power and SCOTUS has enabled him.
I have read Project 2025. Trump stacked his cabinet and the white house with loyalists with this agenda. That is the problem. All you have to be is loyal - no one is competent. But I do disagree about SCOTUS - they are not supporting everything that has been pushed. Look at the record. Trump is mostly losing the court cases. The problem is that everything is being sued over. At cost to the taxpayer and then appealed - so very slow. And Trump doesn't know how to tell the truth - every word out of his mouth is a manipulation or a lie.
SCOTUS is trying to cover their asses they can't vote in his favor 100% of the time or that would show favoritism. And cause close scrutiny.... So they take a little bit here and there but the big stuff......
I agree. It seems to me that before Trump, the two sides (although with some difficulty, as always) seemed to be able to work things out and compromise to quite a degree. Trump has ruined all of that. He's the one who pulled republiCRAPS to the right and made the Democrats pull more to the left. The result was (and still is) a disaster. One of the biggest problems is that there aren't enough Independents (hate to word it like this, but) with ENOUGH POWER to accomplish much and do anything about it.
When we moved to the United States in 1991 (from Canada) we were Republicans - because Republicans had fewer fingers in our everyday lives. We paid 52% in income tax (and didn't mind). In those days you could be a moderate Republican and still believe in the right to choose. When Obama ran, we voted for him. He is a statesman. Trump has made politics into a (very bad) joke. Far right and far left. I just want the good guys. The guys who think before they speak. The guys who consider and have plan for the people they are supposed to represent. The guys who care. Where are all the excellent presidents when we need them - Martin Sheen, Morgan Freeman, Idris Elba, Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Harrison Ford - even Billy Bob?
Totally agree.......... I was a republican when I first started voting (1972). shifted to the middle, then a Democrat (but not like the looney left are), then back to the middle again. Depending on who and the circumstances--what's going on--it's been both. Since the Deranged Psycho has been in the office, it's been strictly Democrat. Could change, obviously. Doubt it will for the rest of my life.
100% agree. The Democratic leaders need to LISTEN AND ACT. That's just what Mamdani is doing! He listened to the people of NYC on high rents, for example, so he initiated a rent freeze by the board who controls that. Democrats are guilty of omission (they don't listen & act) & Republicans are guilty of commission (lies & corruption). I compartmentalize. I'm done with Bibi, who is Israel's trump. He's on trial for corruption & fights endless wars to avoid accountability & delay his trial. When Bibi tried to seize the judiciary, the Israelis took to the streets. The Israelis also took to the streets in support of Gaza. I support the People & NOT dictators, terrorists or authoritarians. I'm a Watergate survivor & I gladly pass the torch to the next generation. I'm glad also that younger people are pushing back. Look at the young people in Albania, protesting against the Kushners taking over their land & destroying the environment. That land is a refuge for many birds like the flamingo, so it's called the Flamingo Revolution!
Everyone in Albania should be protesting. No country wants another Epstein/Trump/Kushner island sexually abusing and trafficking children, do they? Well, I guess the offenders wouldn't have a problem. :(
Also this regime doesn't care about the land...The wall the felon's been building that Mexico never paid for was to go through a butterfly refuge. smdh
100% agree. Authoritarians never care about the land. They rape the land of all its natural resources—rare minerals, oil, etc & in this case in Albania, a refuge for birds, such as the flamingo. Slim Reaper Jared just wants to build another resort.
You are not alone. I will be 70 in September and fully agree with your statement. I think there are many of us who grew up in the 60’s who recognize the need for change and fresh young voices. Let’s get the vote out and make it happen
It has been profoundly discouraging to have spent so much time protesting - fighting for civil rights, for women's rights - to have lost so much of it. Thank God for these younger people.
Yep...all those hours spent protesting, making posters, trying to get people to join...Everything I fought for has been destroyed, or is being destroyed.
Early on, I went to protests in my area. Small groups and mostly older women participated in a protest for bodily autonomy. I saw only 2 younger women, whom the loss of bodily autonomy would affect. It would not have affected most of the women there, as we were all way beyond bearing a child. It was very sad as there were more maga men talking to each other about us. :(
Did you all know that Donald Trump and his family are stealing from us?
I'm slow to the party. How many other people know about this? Does the FBI know about the Trump Family using the Presidential power and the Attorney General to steal $1.7 billion of our money from the Treasury? Does Congress know about the Trump kids getting money from oil sheiks and using it to buy stocks in companies that get government contracts? Does the Democratic Party know about the Trump's crypto coin business that competes with our Federal Reserve? Is anyone doing anything about this?
I repeat: Donald Trump and his family are stealing from us. Is someone going to say this out loud on TV?
Where have you been? Even the products he sells are a scam (which the president of the United States should not be doing). He took $100 deposit on The Trump Mobile - a phone that was supposed to be produced in the US. $60,000,000 he took and then pointed to the fine print that said it might never go into production. I think it is now - in China! I do think it is about character - Trump has never heard of integrity honesty, respect. Besides stealing from the taxpayer - with all his 'renovations' and various schemes - he is setting a terrible example for our young people. He is saying it is okay to call people names, bully people, exact revenge for petty slights, steal, and generally be an asshole. People are trying to do something about it - the people are protesting. While the republicans have a majority in the house and they are afraid of Trump, there is nothing to do. If you look at the votes - a few republicans are starting to vote with democrats - but votes are split right on party lines which means republicans prevail. Which is why the midterms are so important. If the democrats can have the majority in the house, Trump will be impeached and his agenda will not move forward. Mike Johnson will be out (if he doesn't like the way a vote is going he just recesses Congress). If you look at the record, the courts are largely blocking him (of course the taxpayers are paying for all the court cases and the appeals. It will take the next 2 or 3 president (providing he is a statesman and not another Trump) to get us back to where we were.
LOL Of course he is. He is out for himself and his family and putin. You are just now realizing that our country is flat broke and in so much debt even your great grandchildren will still be paying for it? Oh dear. And it's so much more than what you've included. lol
The republicans turned magas with some democrats' help, blocking us from having universal health care like every other developed country in this world, and killing women having miscarriages...smdh But, mostly, the felon and his loyal family members and friends are stealing us blind. That's why I say, the minute these people leave office, their wealth needs to be seized and it can be returned when they've been found not guilty.
When commentators say that Trump's style is "transactional," that just means that he (and anyone associated with him who follows his lead) uses THIS as the basis for their decisions: "What's in it for me?"
OMGosh. Thank You!!! I was a democrat for 5 decades, and I finally switched to being an Independent in 2015 when the 'elite' democrats decided they couldn't take a chance on Bernie Sanders winning, so they played their dirty political games to take him out. I've been so frustrated with the Democratic Party ever since.
I'm almost 70. I've been politically active since before I could vote in the early 70s. I'm sick of the Democratic Party 'leaders' and so many people who are so frightened of progressives, they'd prefer a dictatorship! And those elected like Jeffries and Schumer need to get the hell out! It's not AGE. Look at all these folks that are old, like me, and want progressives. It's the way they think and cannot adapt to the evil being presented: and that they are soft...they don't want to lose their cushy jobs...and they are scared of the violence the felon encourages in his followers. They've never had to look evil in the face...and they had no idea what to do. They could have been as smart as the Iran leaders, but I guess they weren't.
Iran's leaders brought in psychiatrists and psychologists to advise them on how to deal with the personality disordered, decompensating felon. WHY DON'T DEMOCRATS DO THIS???? I see the problem as being MEN who don't LISTEN...first. MEN who can't adapt...second. And I of course, those democrats who aren't really democrats like Fetterman...and those that hide behind Fetterman. :(
I screamed from 2015 to a few months ago. It did no good and I was chastised by members of the Democratic Party as well as attacked by magas. I thank God every day that I was unable to have children. I'm blessed with a wonderful stepdaughter, and I'm hoping she and her wife will relocate out of this country soon - before this government harms them permanently. At least they are mature adults. I feel so sorry for the babies being born. :(
Agree completely. Believe winning message for Democratic Party is "Fighting for Working Families." That's why we talk about gas prices, grocery prices, healthcare, rent, minimum wage, retirement, social security, medicare, etc. We fight for working families, day in, day out. That's who we are, that's what we do. Amazing messaging like this is coming from Brad Lander, Mamdani candidate, who just won in NY. Find his interviews on CNN on Youtube. He absolutely nails the message. We just need to chant it, like a mantra. He also hits corporate money (PACs) beautifully and talks about "human rights for all" which means PALESTINIANS. Those three pillars are a winning message IMHO. We "FIGHT FOR WORKING FAMILIES." Period.
How about protecting and serving all of us. Some of us are retired. Some of us are not working. Some of us are in school. This phrase is not inclusive...that's why I'm not a fan.
Of course there are people out of work. "Working families" would include families who ARE working, families who WANT TO BE working, and families who USED TO work. The 99 %.
Totally agree with you as almost 75 y/o white woman. We have been thru a lot of this war stuff starting with the draft for Viet Nam. And knowing Captain Bone spurs got off that because of his dad 6 times just makes me want something new and fresh like Mandami
And the fact that our government would not recognize Agent Orange for decades. So many soldiers never made it to old age due to Agent Orange. And the fact that our government lied to us about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction - with no consequences to those that lied to us. And before that, Nixon - with no consequences for his traitorous behaviors. smdh
AOC, Tlaib, Murphy, and Crockett are elected folks I've seen and read and are fighting for progressive issues and/or protective issues.
I've not had representation since Anne Richards was Governor. They've all been far right republicans and now magas. One of them wrote me back saying the majority elected trump and that's who he represents. :(
Well, Biden did a heck of a lot in his short time-let's not generalize-the cream wrises to the top:) But yes, these young progressives are where it is at!
I am waiting and hoping for someone to step up and listen and talk to us with a nation unifying message of hope. I need someone who will speak like a Presidential candidate that the people across the country can get behind and support. Someone who can give us that hope.
💯 Agree!! Time for new leadership in the Dem party. I think Mamdani is one of the strongest new leader we have seen and we need more of them. If the term Democrat Socialist offends you, you don’t understand the change the Democratic Party needs in order to provide for its citizens and defeat trumps radical regime.
I disagree that we should think of the Republicans as enemies. Both parties are waging class warfare on the poor and the working class. Neoliberalism and Neoconservatives are the enemy. Corporate-state hegemonic power is the enemy. I think you can find a lot of common ground between Democrats and Republicans if you sit down and talk with them. You might have to educate them first, but on the issue of Israel aggression and our own unprovoked aggression against other people, there is a lot of common ground.
For those of you who enjoy reading this post and never heard of Noam Chomsky other than the political smear that first occurred three years ago which was followed by Noam having a massive stroke a couple of weeks later that forced him to stop giving scholarly talks online at the age of 94, I encourage you to go to my website and get yourself a good education.
Another thing about that Jeffries, he just acts dopey. He does not seem particularly intellectual or charismatic. He is simply a very flat, predictable, unimaginative politician who will do whatever he is told to do. Are we supposed to admire him?
Trump is no deal maker. He is transactional only and cannot formulate complex or coherent concepts that would also require something in the nature of a plan.
It’s a good thing that he loves the uneducated, being one himself.
I don’t disagree with your description of Trump, but you can’t believe that Iran is a good faith negotiator either, do you? The Obama nuclear treaty was in effect for less than 9 months before the 2016 presidential election, but Iran started cheating on that treaty within weeks of the treaty going into effect.
Oh, Iran is evil as well as Trump-but at least we had a way to know they are cheating! With Trump, everything is a fantasy and Rubio, Vance etc. add more confusion! Plus the Arabs are getting bombarded as well!
The IAEA’s own records show at least two Iranian violations that the IAEA warned Iran about in the early months while Obama was still in office. Both violations were Iran testing the system — the critical heavy water limits, as I recall — to see what the tripwire violation would be.
I supported the treaty, but it was nieve to believe that the Mullahs, whose vile threats against Israel included nuclear evaporation, were really going to give up its nuclear program. The American negotiators never mention this in their current interviews, and the reporters have just accepted their assertions without doing their homework. One of the very first things the Trump Administration did when it came into office — months before Trump stupidly “ripped up” U.S. participation — was to warn Iran about the violations.
The Obama folks had so much personally invested in the treaty — which was written beautifully and comprehensively — that they wanted to believe the impossible. That the other party to the treaty wanted anything more than a payday, which they got.
The interesting thing at the time is the number of Republicans I knew who went nuts over the JCPOA. Ultimately their problem was a Black Democratic President did it.
Its bigger than him but he can't see it. Its a global cabal & he sees himself as the central star. He's just a useful tool.Read Anne Applebaum's Autocracy.Inc,
And that means the corporate Democrats who have been bleating and caving in for the last 45 years need to forget about their swanky elitist consultants and get their hands dirty by talking to We the People.
Whether they admit it or not, they are partly responsible for this mess, and for giving the other side the impression that they are too weak and wussy to do anything about it.
In a sense you are correct, but you are generalizing the fact that says no one listens. Many do not, and they just keep saying..we know what is best for you. I was watching a video of Mallory McMorrow. who is running for senate in MI, visiting the people at a gym somewhere in MI. Some of the supporters of other candidates were telling her to tell them what she wants. She was spending the time finding out what they wanted, which is more important.
I think it depends on the part of the state. I haven't seen as many signs for him as I did for Kamala or even other senate candidates in areas that I would have expected to see them. Maybe they are just not putting out signs. I decided in 2024 I was not going to put out any signs, until my neighbors (who no longer live there) put up their 'take America back' flag.
I travel all over Michigan for work and I haven’t seen any signs for anyone. Most of the Trump signs are gone except for one yard in the Saginaw area that has a bunch of flags in the yard, one being a Trump flag.
Good point Kari-we are at the grass roots point-those people that Mandami backed can get the younger people which is who brind walls down, make Arab springs etc. occur!
Trump’s method of “dealing” by taking advantage of everyone else’s good faith turns my stomach and breaks my heart for us and the rest of the world. He is one evil f****r. I look forward to karma and justice catching up with him for everything he’s done.
It's hard to sustain a concept of karma regarding an 80 year old who had two terms as POTUS and successfully stole whatever he wants. What's the consequence?
It is disconcerting, for sure. I’m not ready to give up on it even so. I will encourage and pressure those in power to pursue justice. I will keep up the pressure. His crimes will not be forgotten…..which reminds me, Where are the Epstein files?
Since his last inauguration, he has done more or less anything he wanted, the majority of Congress sucks its thumbs, and the SCOTUS tells him he can do whatever he wants. What he wants is to be there, and to continue the grift. He won't live long enough to spend it. He might not live out his term.
And if we win in November, and overpower him the following January, we can get rid of him. But he'll still have gotten all he wanted out of this. His name is presumably off the Kennedy Center, we can raze the ballroom, and reverse everything else. He'll die soon enough, and then, he won't know or care. And his spawn will have been on the grift long enough that they won't care, either.
The value of the Epstein files now is to compensate the victims. Epstein is dead, the clown will be dead, and none of this will be about anything else.
Uncertainty is definitely anxiety producing and it might feel comforting for you to “know” what is going to happen, but these times require a steady stream of pressure. People like Trump are counting on people being intimidated and resigned. Your comments have the definite ring of truth, but I’m after ensuring as much justice as can be had. We do not want Trumpian things to be forgotten and repeated.
You put me in mind, if you don't mind my saying it, of the reasons people believe in the religions: 1) they want to know what will happen to them after they die, 2) they want to know why the universe exists, and 3) they need a reason to be decent to other people: so they won't get punished by "god" for mistreating others. I always say that religion is for people who can't tolerate anxiety, and who have no imagination.
I don't "know" what is going to happen, perhaps particularly in November. I do what I can to influence it, but I'm one of 350M people. I'm Caucasian, my forebears have been in this country for at least two generations before me, and nothing is going to happen to me, unless ICE decides to assassinate me.
You and I can't "ensure" anything. We can follow Substack, be decent people, and hope for the best. We can vote. We can donate. But since neither of us is evil, we cannot force whatever conclusion we want. That's what the evil people do. We Dems have been put on notice to be somewhat more aggressive. But no one recommends we be evil. The evil people hurt as many people as they can, and they cheat in the election process. So we support the people who confront that cheating. And look at all the elections and court cases we've been winning.
It all starts with the mod-terms! Keep in mind, Trump is like Covid-nobody has experienced this before in America-now we will see what America is really all about!
Understood. And the worst that can happen to him is that he lives that long, that Dems dominate both houses of Congress, and that he gets impeached and convicted. We were in a place almost like that before and at the end of 2020. He simply declares everyone wrong. And he's still old enough that he shouldn't be doing this (nor does he have the temperament and focus), and he has already successfully grifted as much as he can grift, which is more than he can spend in his little bit of remaining time.
Only liars, opportunists, and otherwise poorly educated and propagandized people support capitalism and the corrupt Bourgeois power structure, and yes, that includes the DSA / Democratic Party.
Only liars, opportunists, and otherwise poorly educated and propagandized people support capitalism and the corrupt Bourgeois power structure, and yes, that includes the DSA / Democratic Party.
For Cheeto the deadliest word in the English language is loser. Cheeto wants to be a major global powerbroker but like Napoleon, Iran has become Cheeto’s Waterloo. There is prevalent magical thinking in the WH supporting his crazed policy origins. It began with the ICE lack of habeas corpus in deportation arrests, the illegal tariff policy banned by SCOTUS, the Iranian war not approved by Congress, refusing to hand over the Epstein Trump files mandated by law, the incessant election interference and subversion(SAVE Act), getting paid for pardons, refusing to help Americans with housing while giving large tax breaks to wealthy political donors, refusing to abide by court orders, blatant corruption with no bid contracts, funneling $$ into his own pockets through crypto, nepotistic awarding of contracts to companies that has loose ties to his family, and destroying the DC property.
The need for his legacy to be seen as the most powerful ruler the world ever known is the product of a demented psychotic man who wants to do what he wants to do. As he has done most of his life Cheeto is now making presidential decisions on gut instinct ignoring the advisors around him because he has some psychic powers.
But there are people who are complicit in supporting this dictatorship. And WE the People are keeping a scorecard on what can be done when this hellscape called leadership ends. The Nazi Republicans should not be allowed to run for dog catcher. And I would argue that the electorate that supports Nazi Republicans are complicit in their avowed racism, corruption, and immorality. How disgusting that there are Americans to turn a blind eye to authoritarian rule.
Thank you for being honest and upfront. Honestly, it is quite refreshing. I always appreciate your comments, your reflections and speak with us unconditionally. I am with you all the way. Thank you for being a truth teller. Keep up the great work!!🤗
Trump is a criminal and an abuser from a line of same. Just read an article this afternoon about his grandfather and how the family fortune began. War dodger who got thrown out of Germany after living here running brothels.
Trump would go broke running a brothel, he would want to be the only customer and he definitely would not pay. Probably one of the issues with him and Epstein.
Only liars, opportunists, and otherwise poorly educated and propagandized people support capitalism and the corrupt Bourgeois power structure, and yes, that includes the DSA / Democratic Party.
I cannot agree more Ben. I am so sick of pundits putting people in a box with some name rather than simply identifying what they want and need and responding accordingly. There is no better example than Mamdani who told his constituents what he would do and then delivered. If the dems do that you may call them successful.
You just reiterated what I keep telling people. The biggest messaging problem the Democrats have to conquer is the Republican/MAGA talking points that equate the progressivism of the rising stars in the Democratic Party with radical leftist ideology rather than what it really is - politicians listening to the people to identify their wants and needs then working to enact legislation that addresses those needs - i.e., government of the people, by the people and for the people as our founding fathers imagined.
That is true. My comment is focused on establishment democrats who are fighting against the various groups of progessive democrats (including social democrats), independents and truly moderate Republicans who have become disillusioned with Trump and MAGA. The MAGA base has shrunk to the point that we will beat them if we can get a good turnout of dems, independents and disillusioned republicans.
Look at New York to see what democrats want. That's the best insight yet, listen to the people YOU SERVE. Meanwhile, Trump is spending our money like its water. Then they say, we can't afford any social programs. We can't afford Healthcare. Maybe use the billions you spent on Argentina, Iran, vanity projects, parties, ballrooms, etc.
Could not agree more Ben. Thank you for your watchful eye, your human decency, your desire for Justice, Accountability, and for your desire to see people lead as public servants rather than criminals and grifters.
Thank you, Ben. Totally agree. This is just me, but I'm a 78 year old white woman who, before Trump, identified as Independent. Since Trump my husband and I vote Democrat. But here's the thing. I am sick of centrist Dems. I'm sick of Schumer and Jeffries and every old Democrat who's scared of Progressives. I'm done with Israel and their genocidal government. I'm done with any Democrat telling me who I have to support. I think Zohran Mamdani is the most exciting politician of our age AND I love the fact younger people are speaking up and pushing back. Democrats need to be very careful in who their pushing back on. The enemy is Republicans not the Left
I am 73yrs old and couldn't have said any of this better myself. I agree 💯
Yup, Rita said it for us both Gloria, and probably everybody else!
Nailed it!
74 year old female Boomer and am in complete agreement!
Almost 70: I'm so thankful to know there are others like me!
Count me in. I am thru begging for action against the takeover of OUR COUNTRY. Old and sick of this. VOTE . They all must go.
I am 82 and I couldn't agree more.
Schumer and Jeffries are managed by AIPAC. That did not go well for them in the recent NYC elections or in our primaries back in March. AIPAC lost!
The way our election system works, THIRD PARTY is not a consideration - it has to split with PROGESSIVES who unseat CORPORATE DEMS. It was inevitable.
But that works to the advantage of voters - it's not a decision of REPUBLICAN or DEMOCRAT. It's a decision of ANTI-DEMOCRACY AIPC and ANONYMOUS SUPER PACS or PEOPLE FIRST!
POOR PATHETIC tRUMP thinks it's communism which he absorbed from his mentor ROY COHN of McCarthy fame.
WE are a nation of immigrants whose diversity and differences have made AMERICA GREAT!
MAMDANI showed the way to enable PEOPLE to control GOVERNMENT and not AIPAC, ANONYMOUS SUPER PACS or the wealthy. New Yorkers filled the RENT GUIDELINES BOARD to accomplish their goals.
It's called DEMOCRACY!
When their time comes, I hope they're primaried.
AIPAC has developed a few sub pacs so that they are not recognized as AIPAC by us. Also, individuals who donated millions to the felon's campaign, also donated to some democrats' campaigns - so as not to alarm us, and to hide from us. smh I've had it with AIPAC and their leaders' genocide.
Only liars, opportunists, and otherwise poorly educated and propagandized people support capitalism and the corrupt Bourgeois power structure, and yes, that includes the DSA / Democratic Party.
While I agree that Mamdani is the most exciting politician out there right now (and he has a track record already), I don't think the enemy is Republicans. I don't think the issue is left, right, center, socialist, or progressive. I think the issue and the enemy is Trump and his band of incompetent loyalists. Trump made this country more divided. The only qualification you need to be in his cabinet is loyalty. You don't have to know anything or have any experience. That is what is ruining this country. He is so petty and punishing that the Republicans are afraid of him. He is wasting taxpayer money on his gilding of Washington, his toys and projects, while defunding food, education and healthcare and giving our taxpayer funds to his friends. Trump is the waste, fraud and abuse. I want his hands out of my pockets.
Republicans ARE the enemy. Just like the Nazis who enabled and supported Hitler, Republicans support Trump. I live in Texas. EVERY Texas Republican is a lunatic white Christian nationalist hellbent on destroying women's rights, jailing people of color, and getting rid of the LGBTQ community. These fascists now passed a law that the Bible has to be taught in school. Look no further than Tennessee, Florida or any southern state. Listen to the hate that oozes out of their mouth for Muslims or Haitians or Somalians. There would be NO Trump without this band of ass kissing enablers.
I wonder if they will teach Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus separates the sheep and goats. It's probably the crux of the whole story. It simply say Jesus is in every poor person and how you treat the poor determines whether you go to heaven… This is the part of the bible the White Nationalists wish they could erase!
They'll change the moral of the story to fit their beliefs.
Of course! It's one of their principle policies!
I live in Texas, too and your description of Texas Republicans is 💯 accurate!
Me too. And thank you!!! It's nice to know I'm not alone.
Doubt very much both of you are. The biggest problem is that the republiCRAPS have become quite violent (far right ones, at least) so many of you are uneasy about saying or trying to do much of anything. I would be, too, if I lived there! Can't say for sure, however, as I live in Washington State and have never lived in Texas.
East Texas here...I absolutely agree. It seems if one lives in a blue state, they haven't any idea what it's like. If you want to protest here, be careful folks - several protesters have been sentenced to 60 years for wearing black tshirts...and one guy was sentenced for moving some papers to 30 years... smdh
AND not only will schools be teaching bible stories like the mass murder of everyone in Noah's Ark, if parents opt out, their child's grade will be affected. (Tho they are still working this out I guess.)
Thanks Rita Parker. Sometimes I think there are only magas living here. :(
East Texas is like its own Maga country.
I feel your pain . Im a blue dot in a red PA area. I hate it.
Texas is one place that I have no desire to go. Sounds like it is decades behind the rest of the country
Right now it is.
I agree 100%, Rita. This brand of Republicans is not only subservient to Trump--they are willing to lie, cheat, steal and avoid their responsibilities on his behalf. "If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem." We don't need this version of the GOP; there is no reason to vote for any of them. Unless and until the GOP is purged of its Trumpism, it should be made to spend 40 years wandering in the desert.
💯💥
Nebraska GQP/MAGAT Cult members are exact and identical twins of their Texas counterparts. Every last one of them.
What I am trying to say is that it isn't really political - it is about Trump, his lackeys and his extreme supporters. He bought the country by courting the billionaires. He could be ANY political party and it would be the same. Shame on all the people he bought. He is a terrible person. I am sure there are people who hold some republican views who do not support Trump and his extremist, divisionary tactics. I was right there with you fighting for women's rights. I was a DEI hire (and found it particularly amusing when Justin Fox couldn't define it and republican women didn't realize that THEY were DEI had the right to denigrate anything because of what we did way back then).
I agree it's not political. It is the lifestyle magas chose. Several people on NextDoor site already complaining about the cost of things. But this is what they voted for... And that's what my maga federal congressman tells me when I write in...the majority voted for trump and that's who he's representing. lol It wasn't a surprise.
Also, MAGAs might not want to continue attacking Pope Leo...They will die just like the rest of us. And they may not like where they'll be going. My Catholic elementary school nuns taught us that those that aided Hitler or who were just following orders all went to Hell. God didn't take those excuses, so the nun teachers said. Don't know if it's true.
No one comes back to tell us what happens after we die. I believe you should do good things while you are alive. Not do bad pray for forgiveness and think you got it all covered. No way. You get what you give. . Karma takes care of the rest.
Good one, ramonaj!
Agree.
Actually, that might have been true in his first term Karen! But now anyone supporting Trump is condoning if not endorsing an evil murderer, and those
who vote for his corrupt and fraudulent policies is guilty as well!
The Republican party won't survive this, and there will be criminal responsibility
all around them!!
In some states a person aiding and abetting in a crime or crimes, is tried with the same crime.
Oh, absolutely Geri!!
I like Mamdani, but I don’t like the arrogance of the three socialist that Mamdani supported. I also like Jimmy Tallarico. I think he is sincere, and I hope he wins.
Talarico is authentic. I'm hoping for the best, but this is a state that picked Paxton.
I saw then interviewed Eugene, and they weren't arrogant, they were excited that going down the right path was working, and I think that it is time we give the people carrying about everyday American AND changing things like Mamdani deserve a chance! We have given one to a band of thieves!!
Fraser, I respect your opinion, and I support many of the points these candidates advocate. But, they are speaking for a narrow constituency, and they are not elected to office yet.
True enough Eugene!
I agree with you. I am concerned that Darializa Chevalier's hundreds of posts advocating for abolishing the police and abolishing prisons and borders will be used against all Democrats by Trump et.al. We need to defeat all Republicans, not give them fodder to demonize Democrats and allow that to deter independents from voting for Democrats.
Hell, the felon doesn't ever tell the truth. They'd make some lie up with a grain of truth in it, if they didn't have something else to bellow. lol Vance has said several times he'll lie to get what he wants. smh
But, hey, we all lose if moderates/corporate democrats split with progressives. Me, I'm taking the progressive side...After 40 years of screaming that the democratic party kept leaning more and more to the right...I became an independent.
Also, I've had experience as a mental health counselor working with law enforcement. There are a lot of mentally ill people out there trying to make it, and they are often harmed because of their behaviors. For example. One evening I was with my co-worker who was on call. Our boss called and told us there was a man keeping his wife hostage in their household and the police were wondering if we could help. Their hostage negotiator wasn't getting anywhere. My friend froze, so I answered when the police patched us through. Within 15 minutes the husband walked out of the house, put the gun down, and waited for the police to cuff him. His wife was not physically harmed either. One of the law enforcement detectives told the boss that he was sure the guy would kill his wife and was amazed the guy turned himself in.
That's just one example of how mental health experts could de-escalate violence, in helping law enforcement. I think, particularly on domestic violence calls, that both entities working together to resolve the problem works well. That's not just my opinion either. Other countries have done this effectively.
I think Lindsay Graham said it best. There are no republicans left, they are the party of trump now. If they go against him he'll destroy them. Which is truly an odd thing for Graham to say, since in May of 2016, Graham tweeted the following:
If we nominate trump we will get destroyed......and we will deserve it.
Graham was very much against trump in May of 2016. Now he's the biggest boot licker in this party of trump. Does he understand they're deserving of what they're getting? Wild, isn't it?
Almost like a cult, right?
It's very much like domestic violence actually. Just a bigger system that harms more people.
If one has a history of childhood trauma, their inner voice recognizes it, though it takes adults more time to get there.
I can see where you are coming from, but I disagree that the enemy is just the felon and his band of thieves. Of course, I live in a very red area in a very red state, so I've had a lot of experience with magas, which has formulated my beliefs and my fears.
I believe every single person who supported the felon aided and abetted in his criminality. The fact that these people voted and supported the felon says much about their poor decision making skills and poor critical thinking skills. The fact that they still support him, is a clear sign that they continue to follow their new savior (the one they traded Jesus for the felon). And, if they voted and supported him, and now know they are wrong, then they need to be at their reps offices and protest on a daily basis for me to even think they might possibly be trustworthy. But they aren't around here. lol
MAGAs have harmed huge groups of people, and they've enjoyed it. They celebrate when others are harmed...they love the cruelty. IF they do not, then they are the ones to change their reps. Their reps (all of mine are magas) don't listen to us. They think we are animals, like their savior tells them. They are not the Christians they think they are, and they will be really surprised when they try to get to heaven, imo. IMO: there are no republican electors anymore: they are all magas - as are most of the citizens chose to be magas that once called themselves republican.
They are the enemy. But they are NOT the Republicans anymore. They a TRUMPTHUGLICANS. Don't trust any of them. They can stop all of this.DO THAT. Then we will see who really is a patriot and not a traitor. . Until then. Sorry . No way I trust any of them.
The ENEMY is Project 2025/Heritage Foundation and anyone who pushes their agenda. I just saw a report that their list is 53% complete. And that is scary. If you haven't looked in to it you should as least read the highlights. There are so many founders of these groups in the regime it is frightening. Trump appointed them. He said when he was campaigning he didn't know anything about them, and to many believed the lies. The GOP and SCOTUS have supported everything that has been pushed. The GOP handed Trump all the power and SCOTUS has enabled him.
I have read Project 2025. Trump stacked his cabinet and the white house with loyalists with this agenda. That is the problem. All you have to be is loyal - no one is competent. But I do disagree about SCOTUS - they are not supporting everything that has been pushed. Look at the record. Trump is mostly losing the court cases. The problem is that everything is being sued over. At cost to the taxpayer and then appealed - so very slow. And Trump doesn't know how to tell the truth - every word out of his mouth is a manipulation or a lie.
SCOTUS is trying to cover their asses they can't vote in his favor 100% of the time or that would show favoritism. And cause close scrutiny.... So they take a little bit here and there but the big stuff......
Please look at the actual record. Trump is losing most of the court cases.
Yes!
I agree. It seems to me that before Trump, the two sides (although with some difficulty, as always) seemed to be able to work things out and compromise to quite a degree. Trump has ruined all of that. He's the one who pulled republiCRAPS to the right and made the Democrats pull more to the left. The result was (and still is) a disaster. One of the biggest problems is that there aren't enough Independents (hate to word it like this, but) with ENOUGH POWER to accomplish much and do anything about it.
When we moved to the United States in 1991 (from Canada) we were Republicans - because Republicans had fewer fingers in our everyday lives. We paid 52% in income tax (and didn't mind). In those days you could be a moderate Republican and still believe in the right to choose. When Obama ran, we voted for him. He is a statesman. Trump has made politics into a (very bad) joke. Far right and far left. I just want the good guys. The guys who think before they speak. The guys who consider and have plan for the people they are supposed to represent. The guys who care. Where are all the excellent presidents when we need them - Martin Sheen, Morgan Freeman, Idris Elba, Bill Pullman, Geena Davis, Harrison Ford - even Billy Bob?
Totally agree.......... I was a republican when I first started voting (1972). shifted to the middle, then a Democrat (but not like the looney left are), then back to the middle again. Depending on who and the circumstances--what's going on--it's been both. Since the Deranged Psycho has been in the office, it's been strictly Democrat. Could change, obviously. Doubt it will for the rest of my life.
100% agree. The Democratic leaders need to LISTEN AND ACT. That's just what Mamdani is doing! He listened to the people of NYC on high rents, for example, so he initiated a rent freeze by the board who controls that. Democrats are guilty of omission (they don't listen & act) & Republicans are guilty of commission (lies & corruption). I compartmentalize. I'm done with Bibi, who is Israel's trump. He's on trial for corruption & fights endless wars to avoid accountability & delay his trial. When Bibi tried to seize the judiciary, the Israelis took to the streets. The Israelis also took to the streets in support of Gaza. I support the People & NOT dictators, terrorists or authoritarians. I'm a Watergate survivor & I gladly pass the torch to the next generation. I'm glad also that younger people are pushing back. Look at the young people in Albania, protesting against the Kushners taking over their land & destroying the environment. That land is a refuge for many birds like the flamingo, so it's called the Flamingo Revolution!
💯💥
Everyone in Albania should be protesting. No country wants another Epstein/Trump/Kushner island sexually abusing and trafficking children, do they? Well, I guess the offenders wouldn't have a problem. :(
Also this regime doesn't care about the land...The wall the felon's been building that Mexico never paid for was to go through a butterfly refuge. smdh
100% agree. Authoritarians never care about the land. They rape the land of all its natural resources—rare minerals, oil, etc & in this case in Albania, a refuge for birds, such as the flamingo. Slim Reaper Jared just wants to build another resort.
You are not alone. I will be 70 in September and fully agree with your statement. I think there are many of us who grew up in the 60’s who recognize the need for change and fresh young voices. Let’s get the vote out and make it happen
It has been profoundly discouraging to have spent so much time protesting - fighting for civil rights, for women's rights - to have lost so much of it. Thank God for these younger people.
Yep...all those hours spent protesting, making posters, trying to get people to join...Everything I fought for has been destroyed, or is being destroyed.
Early on, I went to protests in my area. Small groups and mostly older women participated in a protest for bodily autonomy. I saw only 2 younger women, whom the loss of bodily autonomy would affect. It would not have affected most of the women there, as we were all way beyond bearing a child. It was very sad as there were more maga men talking to each other about us. :(
70yo. 100% agree.
Yes ! 79 here and agree 100%. We need a ‘me too’ movement or ‘boomers reignited’ !
The younger people I know tell me I'm a zoomer...that's a boomer who hasn't sold out.
Same. 70yo here. I'm with you.
Did you all know that Donald Trump and his family are stealing from us?
I'm slow to the party. How many other people know about this? Does the FBI know about the Trump Family using the Presidential power and the Attorney General to steal $1.7 billion of our money from the Treasury? Does Congress know about the Trump kids getting money from oil sheiks and using it to buy stocks in companies that get government contracts? Does the Democratic Party know about the Trump's crypto coin business that competes with our Federal Reserve? Is anyone doing anything about this?
I repeat: Donald Trump and his family are stealing from us. Is someone going to say this out loud on TV?
Where have you been? Even the products he sells are a scam (which the president of the United States should not be doing). He took $100 deposit on The Trump Mobile - a phone that was supposed to be produced in the US. $60,000,000 he took and then pointed to the fine print that said it might never go into production. I think it is now - in China! I do think it is about character - Trump has never heard of integrity honesty, respect. Besides stealing from the taxpayer - with all his 'renovations' and various schemes - he is setting a terrible example for our young people. He is saying it is okay to call people names, bully people, exact revenge for petty slights, steal, and generally be an asshole. People are trying to do something about it - the people are protesting. While the republicans have a majority in the house and they are afraid of Trump, there is nothing to do. If you look at the votes - a few republicans are starting to vote with democrats - but votes are split right on party lines which means republicans prevail. Which is why the midterms are so important. If the democrats can have the majority in the house, Trump will be impeached and his agenda will not move forward. Mike Johnson will be out (if he doesn't like the way a vote is going he just recesses Congress). If you look at the record, the courts are largely blocking him (of course the taxpayers are paying for all the court cases and the appeals. It will take the next 2 or 3 president (providing he is a statesman and not another Trump) to get us back to where we were.
Call the FBI. Call the Vance Fraud Squad. Call the Attorney General!
In the meantime, let's all say out loud and post and email this simple message: "The Trump family is stealing from us."
Post on all the GOP Congress members' Facebook pages:
"The Trump Family is stealing from us. You work for them, not us. You are helping them steal from us."
Include Fetterman, too...the Dumbocrat!
Better late than snoring!
LOL Of course he is. He is out for himself and his family and putin. You are just now realizing that our country is flat broke and in so much debt even your great grandchildren will still be paying for it? Oh dear. And it's so much more than what you've included. lol
The republicans turned magas with some democrats' help, blocking us from having universal health care like every other developed country in this world, and killing women having miscarriages...smdh But, mostly, the felon and his loyal family members and friends are stealing us blind. That's why I say, the minute these people leave office, their wealth needs to be seized and it can be returned when they've been found not guilty.
When commentators say that Trump's style is "transactional," that just means that he (and anyone associated with him who follows his lead) uses THIS as the basis for their decisions: "What's in it for me?"
OMGosh. Thank You!!! I was a democrat for 5 decades, and I finally switched to being an Independent in 2015 when the 'elite' democrats decided they couldn't take a chance on Bernie Sanders winning, so they played their dirty political games to take him out. I've been so frustrated with the Democratic Party ever since.
I'm almost 70. I've been politically active since before I could vote in the early 70s. I'm sick of the Democratic Party 'leaders' and so many people who are so frightened of progressives, they'd prefer a dictatorship! And those elected like Jeffries and Schumer need to get the hell out! It's not AGE. Look at all these folks that are old, like me, and want progressives. It's the way they think and cannot adapt to the evil being presented: and that they are soft...they don't want to lose their cushy jobs...and they are scared of the violence the felon encourages in his followers. They've never had to look evil in the face...and they had no idea what to do. They could have been as smart as the Iran leaders, but I guess they weren't.
Iran's leaders brought in psychiatrists and psychologists to advise them on how to deal with the personality disordered, decompensating felon. WHY DON'T DEMOCRATS DO THIS???? I see the problem as being MEN who don't LISTEN...first. MEN who can't adapt...second. And I of course, those democrats who aren't really democrats like Fetterman...and those that hide behind Fetterman. :(
I screamed from 2015 to a few months ago. It did no good and I was chastised by members of the Democratic Party as well as attacked by magas. I thank God every day that I was unable to have children. I'm blessed with a wonderful stepdaughter, and I'm hoping she and her wife will relocate out of this country soon - before this government harms them permanently. At least they are mature adults. I feel so sorry for the babies being born. :(
Agree!
💯💥
Agree completely. Believe winning message for Democratic Party is "Fighting for Working Families." That's why we talk about gas prices, grocery prices, healthcare, rent, minimum wage, retirement, social security, medicare, etc. We fight for working families, day in, day out. That's who we are, that's what we do. Amazing messaging like this is coming from Brad Lander, Mamdani candidate, who just won in NY. Find his interviews on CNN on Youtube. He absolutely nails the message. We just need to chant it, like a mantra. He also hits corporate money (PACs) beautifully and talks about "human rights for all" which means PALESTINIANS. Those three pillars are a winning message IMHO. We "FIGHT FOR WORKING FAMILIES." Period.
How about protecting and serving all of us. Some of us are retired. Some of us are not working. Some of us are in school. This phrase is not inclusive...that's why I'm not a fan.
I don't like "fight." And there are millions of people out of work. But I certainly agree with your sentiment!
Of course there are people out of work. "Working families" would include families who ARE working, families who WANT TO BE working, and families who USED TO work. The 99 %.
And the people who are severely disabled and cannot work? And those that have no family? Protect and Serve everyone is much more inclusive, imo.
Totally agree with you as almost 75 y/o white woman. We have been thru a lot of this war stuff starting with the draft for Viet Nam. And knowing Captain Bone spurs got off that because of his dad 6 times just makes me want something new and fresh like Mandami
And the fact that our government would not recognize Agent Orange for decades. So many soldiers never made it to old age due to Agent Orange. And the fact that our government lied to us about Iraq's weapons of mass destruction - with no consequences to those that lied to us. And before that, Nixon - with no consequences for his traitorous behaviors. smdh
Agree
the democrats are genocidal and enable the status quo. that is why the social democrats are kicking ass!
karen froiland, 74
You can't label ALL Dems for condemnation! There are many who have spoken out...
Massachusetts has a delegation that's been pretty impressive including our 2 SENATORS. CONGRESSMAN MCGOVERN has been OUTSPOKEN in his criticism.
He is NOT our CONGRESSMAN, but we contribute to his campaign monthly.
AOC, Tlaib, Murphy, and Crockett are elected folks I've seen and read and are fighting for progressive issues and/or protective issues.
I've not had representation since Anne Richards was Governor. They've all been far right republicans and now magas. One of them wrote me back saying the majority elected trump and that's who he represents. :(
Well, Biden did a heck of a lot in his short time-let's not generalize-the cream wrises to the top:) But yes, these young progressives are where it is at!
Biden is a genocide enabler. sometimes it's the scum that rises to the top.
Well, it got a lot worse under Trump! Biden was still dealing with the aftermath of Oct.7, where a little empathy still existed!
A little bit of a generalization don't you think? Every democrat is genocidal? I don't think so. The is exactly what Trump is working on - division.
I am waiting and hoping for someone to step up and listen and talk to us with a nation unifying message of hope. I need someone who will speak like a Presidential candidate that the people across the country can get behind and support. Someone who can give us that hope.
70yo Independent, leaning now towards Democratic Socialism/Progressive. We need NEW leadership!
💯 Agree!! Time for new leadership in the Dem party. I think Mamdani is one of the strongest new leader we have seen and we need more of them. If the term Democrat Socialist offends you, you don’t understand the change the Democratic Party needs in order to provide for its citizens and defeat trumps radical regime.
Exactly! Saw a meme that said there are two types of Trump voters - billionaires and idiots. Check your bank account to see which one your are.
The People want our interests represented, not Corporations’. pac
I disagree that we should think of the Republicans as enemies. Both parties are waging class warfare on the poor and the working class. Neoliberalism and Neoconservatives are the enemy. Corporate-state hegemonic power is the enemy. I think you can find a lot of common ground between Democrats and Republicans if you sit down and talk with them. You might have to educate them first, but on the issue of Israel aggression and our own unprovoked aggression against other people, there is a lot of common ground.
For those of you who enjoy reading this post and never heard of Noam Chomsky other than the political smear that first occurred three years ago which was followed by Noam having a massive stroke a couple of weeks later that forced him to stop giving scholarly talks online at the age of 94, I encourage you to go to my website and get yourself a good education.
Another thing about that Jeffries, he just acts dopey. He does not seem particularly intellectual or charismatic. He is simply a very flat, predictable, unimaginative politician who will do whatever he is told to do. Are we supposed to admire him?
Trump is no deal maker. He is transactional only and cannot formulate complex or coherent concepts that would also require something in the nature of a plan.
It’s a good thing that he loves the uneducated, being one himself.
His idea of deal making is to make a demand and expect everyone to fall in line. Then threaten them when they don’t. There’s no negotiating with him.
And throw everyone under the bus at the first sign of trouble!!
I don’t disagree with your description of Trump, but you can’t believe that Iran is a good faith negotiator either, do you? The Obama nuclear treaty was in effect for less than 9 months before the 2016 presidential election, but Iran started cheating on that treaty within weeks of the treaty going into effect.
Oh, Iran is evil as well as Trump-but at least we had a way to know they are cheating! With Trump, everything is a fantasy and Rubio, Vance etc. add more confusion! Plus the Arabs are getting bombarded as well!
Perhaps if the Saudis stopped funding Kushner, that would push Trump to end this.
I believe the Saudis want Iran neutered!
The IAEA reported Iran stuck to the treaty. It started failing when Trump withdrew from it in 2018.
The IAEA’s own records show at least two Iranian violations that the IAEA warned Iran about in the early months while Obama was still in office. Both violations were Iran testing the system — the critical heavy water limits, as I recall — to see what the tripwire violation would be.
I supported the treaty, but it was nieve to believe that the Mullahs, whose vile threats against Israel included nuclear evaporation, were really going to give up its nuclear program. The American negotiators never mention this in their current interviews, and the reporters have just accepted their assertions without doing their homework. One of the very first things the Trump Administration did when it came into office — months before Trump stupidly “ripped up” U.S. participation — was to warn Iran about the violations.
The Obama folks had so much personally invested in the treaty — which was written beautifully and comprehensively — that they wanted to believe the impossible. That the other party to the treaty wanted anything more than a payday, which they got.
The interesting thing at the time is the number of Republicans I knew who went nuts over the JCPOA. Ultimately their problem was a Black Democratic President did it.
Yep, he’s a bully and a conman who hates to be challenged.
Trump’s guise has always been “The of the Deal” but underneath that manufactured facade, his real MO has always been the Art of the STEAL.
I'm pro-American, but djt lies and most foreign leaders will not negotiate with liars. And in truth, I do not blame them!
But rump said he's the smartest and greatest man in the world 🌎! WTF..?
I always say that a sentence that starts with "the clown said..." is a sentence not worth finishing.
Its bigger than him but he can't see it. Its a global cabal & he sees himself as the central star. He's just a useful tool.Read Anne Applebaum's Autocracy.Inc,
"Leadership begins by listening."
And that means the corporate Democrats who have been bleating and caving in for the last 45 years need to forget about their swanky elitist consultants and get their hands dirty by talking to We the People.
Whether they admit it or not, they are partly responsible for this mess, and for giving the other side the impression that they are too weak and wussy to do anything about it.
In a sense you are correct, but you are generalizing the fact that says no one listens. Many do not, and they just keep saying..we know what is best for you. I was watching a video of Mallory McMorrow. who is running for senate in MI, visiting the people at a gym somewhere in MI. Some of the supporters of other candidates were telling her to tell them what she wants. She was spending the time finding out what they wanted, which is more important.
I think Abdul El-Sayed is pretty popular there.
I think it depends on the part of the state. I haven't seen as many signs for him as I did for Kamala or even other senate candidates in areas that I would have expected to see them. Maybe they are just not putting out signs. I decided in 2024 I was not going to put out any signs, until my neighbors (who no longer live there) put up their 'take America back' flag.
I travel all over Michigan for work and I haven’t seen any signs for anyone. Most of the Trump signs are gone except for one yard in the Saginaw area that has a bunch of flags in the yard, one being a Trump flag.
Two Trump banners continue to degrade my 12-mile trip from Butler County to Beaver County.
Good point Kari-we are at the grass roots point-those people that Mandami backed can get the younger people which is who brind walls down, make Arab springs etc. occur!
If we want the people, rather than oligarchs, to run our political system, we need to LISTEN to what is going on in Taiwan.
Absolutely!!
Trump’s method of “dealing” by taking advantage of everyone else’s good faith turns my stomach and breaks my heart for us and the rest of the world. He is one evil f****r. I look forward to karma and justice catching up with him for everything he’s done.
It's hard to sustain a concept of karma regarding an 80 year old who had two terms as POTUS and successfully stole whatever he wants. What's the consequence?
It is disconcerting, for sure. I’m not ready to give up on it even so. I will encourage and pressure those in power to pursue justice. I will keep up the pressure. His crimes will not be forgotten…..which reminds me, Where are the Epstein files?
Since his last inauguration, he has done more or less anything he wanted, the majority of Congress sucks its thumbs, and the SCOTUS tells him he can do whatever he wants. What he wants is to be there, and to continue the grift. He won't live long enough to spend it. He might not live out his term.
And if we win in November, and overpower him the following January, we can get rid of him. But he'll still have gotten all he wanted out of this. His name is presumably off the Kennedy Center, we can raze the ballroom, and reverse everything else. He'll die soon enough, and then, he won't know or care. And his spawn will have been on the grift long enough that they won't care, either.
The value of the Epstein files now is to compensate the victims. Epstein is dead, the clown will be dead, and none of this will be about anything else.
Uncertainty is definitely anxiety producing and it might feel comforting for you to “know” what is going to happen, but these times require a steady stream of pressure. People like Trump are counting on people being intimidated and resigned. Your comments have the definite ring of truth, but I’m after ensuring as much justice as can be had. We do not want Trumpian things to be forgotten and repeated.
You put me in mind, if you don't mind my saying it, of the reasons people believe in the religions: 1) they want to know what will happen to them after they die, 2) they want to know why the universe exists, and 3) they need a reason to be decent to other people: so they won't get punished by "god" for mistreating others. I always say that religion is for people who can't tolerate anxiety, and who have no imagination.
I don't "know" what is going to happen, perhaps particularly in November. I do what I can to influence it, but I'm one of 350M people. I'm Caucasian, my forebears have been in this country for at least two generations before me, and nothing is going to happen to me, unless ICE decides to assassinate me.
You and I can't "ensure" anything. We can follow Substack, be decent people, and hope for the best. We can vote. We can donate. But since neither of us is evil, we cannot force whatever conclusion we want. That's what the evil people do. We Dems have been put on notice to be somewhat more aggressive. But no one recommends we be evil. The evil people hurt as many people as they can, and they cheat in the election process. So we support the people who confront that cheating. And look at all the elections and court cases we've been winning.
It all starts with the mod-terms! Keep in mind, Trump is like Covid-nobody has experienced this before in America-now we will see what America is really all about!
Understood. And the worst that can happen to him is that he lives that long, that Dems dominate both houses of Congress, and that he gets impeached and convicted. We were in a place almost like that before and at the end of 2020. He simply declares everyone wrong. And he's still old enough that he shouldn't be doing this (nor does he have the temperament and focus), and he has already successfully grifted as much as he can grift, which is more than he can spend in his little bit of remaining time.
It will! Justice is never far away!!
Thanks Ben and you are 100% spot on about the illegal war, both Israel and Iran are toying with Trump.
Toying with Trump, but he is not playing fair nor legal. He’s in it for himself and his family.
Only!!
Only liars, opportunists, and otherwise poorly educated and propagandized people support capitalism and the corrupt Bourgeois power structure, and yes, that includes the DSA / Democratic Party.
Only liars, opportunists, and otherwise poorly educated and propagandized people support capitalism and the corrupt Bourgeois power structure, and yes, that includes the DSA / Democratic Party.
Ben, you are absolutely right about listening. It’s rare when a politician listens.
Sadly, this why so many hate politics: politicians who don’t listen…
I’m Not A Loser! Am I??
For Cheeto the deadliest word in the English language is loser. Cheeto wants to be a major global powerbroker but like Napoleon, Iran has become Cheeto’s Waterloo. There is prevalent magical thinking in the WH supporting his crazed policy origins. It began with the ICE lack of habeas corpus in deportation arrests, the illegal tariff policy banned by SCOTUS, the Iranian war not approved by Congress, refusing to hand over the Epstein Trump files mandated by law, the incessant election interference and subversion(SAVE Act), getting paid for pardons, refusing to help Americans with housing while giving large tax breaks to wealthy political donors, refusing to abide by court orders, blatant corruption with no bid contracts, funneling $$ into his own pockets through crypto, nepotistic awarding of contracts to companies that has loose ties to his family, and destroying the DC property.
The need for his legacy to be seen as the most powerful ruler the world ever known is the product of a demented psychotic man who wants to do what he wants to do. As he has done most of his life Cheeto is now making presidential decisions on gut instinct ignoring the advisors around him because he has some psychic powers.
But there are people who are complicit in supporting this dictatorship. And WE the People are keeping a scorecard on what can be done when this hellscape called leadership ends. The Nazi Republicans should not be allowed to run for dog catcher. And I would argue that the electorate that supports Nazi Republicans are complicit in their avowed racism, corruption, and immorality. How disgusting that there are Americans to turn a blind eye to authoritarian rule.
Thank you for being honest and upfront. Honestly, it is quite refreshing. I always appreciate your comments, your reflections and speak with us unconditionally. I am with you all the way. Thank you for being a truth teller. Keep up the great work!!🤗
Trump is a criminal and an abuser from a line of same. Just read an article this afternoon about his grandfather and how the family fortune began. War dodger who got thrown out of Germany after living here running brothels.
Trump would go broke running a brothel, he would want to be the only customer and he definitely would not pay. Probably one of the issues with him and Epstein.
Well his grandfather ran a brothel in Canada! Not sure if he bankrupted that or not!
Only liars, opportunists, and otherwise poorly educated and propagandized people support capitalism and the corrupt Bourgeois power structure, and yes, that includes the DSA / Democratic Party.
I cannot agree more Ben. I am so sick of pundits putting people in a box with some name rather than simply identifying what they want and need and responding accordingly. There is no better example than Mamdani who told his constituents what he would do and then delivered. If the dems do that you may call them successful.
Keep up the good work and reporting the truth.
You just reiterated what I keep telling people. The biggest messaging problem the Democrats have to conquer is the Republican/MAGA talking points that equate the progressivism of the rising stars in the Democratic Party with radical leftist ideology rather than what it really is - politicians listening to the people to identify their wants and needs then working to enact legislation that addresses those needs - i.e., government of the people, by the people and for the people as our founding fathers imagined.
We don't need the MAGA cult-a good turnout of democrats and Independents will suffice!
That is true. My comment is focused on establishment democrats who are fighting against the various groups of progessive democrats (including social democrats), independents and truly moderate Republicans who have become disillusioned with Trump and MAGA. The MAGA base has shrunk to the point that we will beat them if we can get a good turnout of dems, independents and disillusioned republicans.
True enough Christine:)
Look at New York to see what democrats want. That's the best insight yet, listen to the people YOU SERVE. Meanwhile, Trump is spending our money like its water. Then they say, we can't afford any social programs. We can't afford Healthcare. Maybe use the billions you spent on Argentina, Iran, vanity projects, parties, ballrooms, etc.
To finish my comment versus a Democratic government which is OF THE PEOPLE, BY PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE.
Could not agree more Ben. Thank you for your watchful eye, your human decency, your desire for Justice, Accountability, and for your desire to see people lead as public servants rather than criminals and grifters.
Thank you, Ben. I don't know how you do all that you do, but I am grateful.