Today, news that House Republicans are prepared to move forward with a floor vote to authorize an impeachment inquiry into Joe Biden. It’s a vote designed, at least in their eyes, to legitimize the manufactured impeachment effort. As we discussed when MAGA got impeachment fever in September, it’s baseless. It is not grounded in even a scintilla of fact. There is nothing Joe Biden is credibly alleged to have done that qualifies as a high crime and misdemeanor, the constitutional standard for impeaching a president. It is disproven rumor and innuendo, smoke and mirrors.
What has happened to civility , responsibility and working toward the higher goal of creating a better world. Thank you Joyce for the clarity and insight you bring to all of us.
Christopher, Admittedly, only a partial answer, I believe the current GOP has been propped up by a swath of grievances, some legitimate, that we’ve allowed to fester over decades, and that invariably provoke the despair Trump/Trumpism persists in stoking. In my view, the antidote, in part, will entail a compact in which there is a modicum of social and economic justice for increasing numbers of people who, rightly or not, feel limited and confined by the opportunities afforded or denied them.
That's such a cop out. These people are being screwed by their Republican governors who don't take federal funds or expand Medicaid. They have a serious victim mentality. They are getting new manufacturing jobs that are brought to them by Democrats not Republicans however they continue to be gaslit by their Republican politicians taking credit for the Democratic wins. I'm so tired of people giving these MAGA low information voters a pass bc they bitch,complain and cry then continue to vote against their self interest to own the libs. Sorry no. They cause their own pain and ours bc they vote for idiots who want to burn down the house instead of govern. 🙄🙄🙄
Jessica, In my view, if you don’t see, for example, how decades of grotesque inequalities of wealth and income have fueled anger and disillusionment that are easily manipulated, then I fear you are not seeing the whole picture. I make this argument because I believe that the security of this nation and its people depend largely on our committing to a more distributive, or perhaps redistributive, justice.
Again they voted for that and I'm over them. I've seen the whole picture. They have been brainwashed by RWHM and you continuing to give them a pass is whatever. They are always complaining and have destroyed our country bc they voted against Unions and Democrats. GTFOHWTBS they are a danger to me ,my family and country. They would rather burn our country down and own the mins instead of working w us. Republicans vote no,take the dough. Nope I'm done w them
Jessica, I argue for a redistributive justice because I view this work as a remedy that can rob the extremists of their relevance, at least by enough of us to crush them in election after election.
She’s not giving them a pass. She’s pointing out they have legitimate reasons to be pissed. And you’re right they get spoon fed BS from RWM, but also remember they’ve been told lies about a magic sky daddy since childhood. There’s a lot of money and effort out there to feed them this crap, and they don’t all have time to sit and read Joyce’s substack. They’re busy working three jobs, and then there’s praise jesus time too. They’re very busy.
Stop voting against your self interest. These states have been run by corrupt Republicans for decades. At some point you have to look around and see where the blame is it's not Democrats. The IRA and CHIPS acts are being instituted in Red states,broadband expansion Red rural states,no ACA expansion Red states,road and bridge infrastructure, these states don't help their people and the people blame Democrats. They want to own the libs more than anything else. Sorry,we are in an abusive relationship w RWNJs and they are accomplishes. I was in an abusive relationship with a man for almost 2 decades he turned into a crazy evangelical Pentecostal,he abused me every way he could. I didn't get out until I saw what he was doing to my son and was scared he was going to end up like him. I enabled him and forgave him over and over. This is MAGA and Americans who are sane. Stop sending Republicans to Congress that keep the minimum wage @ $7.25 then they won't have to work 3 jobs. What is so hard to understand? Republicans are the problem in our country and around the world,add fanical religion that is trying to take over and I'm over it. If we end up in a fascist dictatorship I'm blaming these poor crybabies who hate us more than democracy. Have a terrific day💙🌊💙🌊💙
Thanks. I was getting ready to say close to this. It's not a pass for their behavior. It's an explanation of how we got here.
I wouldn't have added the religious snark though. While I do tend to call evangelicals evilangelicals it's because a)I know exactly what they're like because I was raised in an evangelical End Times, deeply misogynistic, hate & fear based cult and b) evangelicals are some of the most hateful people in this country due to their arrogance about knowing "the true way to live" and feeling frightened by anyone who doesn't hew to their highly restrictive beliefs but ... with regard to people's religious beliefs not everyone falls into the above category and it's not fair to lump everyone who believes in a God together. While I no longer believe in any deity I hold nothing against those who do as long as they mind their own lives and leave everybody else alone to mind theirs.
AND its not only the MAGA bunch that are in this position - as Jen said there are lots of people working more than one job & still not making enough to pay their bills & raise their kids - most of those folks dont have TIME to "bitch & whine" - they're too busy trying to just keep their heads EVEN with the water not even above it! Take a look at the numbers of "homeless" - some who got wiped out by medical debt or the latest hit - student debt, among many other kinds. I dont think we can blame all of it on drugs or mental issues.
Inequalities of wealth...caused by incessant efforts to neuter or repeal regulations designed to avoid monopolies! at one time a newspaper owner could not also own a broadcast outlet in the same market! That regulation was changed to allow Murdoch, who owned the Fox tv station in NYC, to buy the NYPOST. Since then corporations like Sinclair broadcasting have bought hundreds of stations throughout the country which now amplify the maga message.
Exxon/Mobile merger, Walgreens/Rite Aid merger are two examples of reducing competition. Competition is a key element in the theory of capitalism without it price gouging runs rampant, proven by the reports of record profits of these corporations.
yes there are income inequalities, but they were abetted by the libertarian policies adopted by the repubs since the days of the grand cheerleader Reagan!
Louis, I fully agree with your exposition. Accordingly, as I wrote to Jen, who is part of this thread, dating back to the 22 Midterms, I have been voicing concerns that Democrats, overall, have declined to enact a united, laser-focused effort to expose how corporate profits account for nearly half of the increased prices people are paying.
While some might defend a party’s reluctance to bite the hand that feeds it, I believe the benefits of pinning corporate gouging as the biggest driver of high prices would outweigh the costs. Hence, considering Republicans have been silent on this issue, we need to prevail upon Democratic leadership to be focused and disciplined and not to allow Republican deceptions and distortions related to the state of the economy to go unanswered.
Bullhooey. Why do they always vote against things that would benefit them, such as health insurance, Social Security, raising corporate taxes, reproductive rights, funding of public schools and even infrastructure? They're a party of predators who are actually starving themselves, where winning hollow victories are all that matter to them.
@Marycat2021, I would note that a substantial swath of the country will continue to cast votes that run counter to their interests and concerns unless Democratic leadership gets focused and disciplined and ceases to allow Republican deceptions and distortions related to the issues you cite to go unanswered.
When you try to explain and talk sense to maggie types, they refuse to listen. They feed off each other & they console each other with their “woe is me” dialogue.
Someone earlier mentioned they wanted to leave Earth for somewhere else, it made me wonder, in jest, if we could get space x to rocket the maggies to another planet where they can spend all their time moaning about how bad the flight was!😂
Jen, Thank you for writing. I’m aware of the bill, but don’t know, given the filibuster, whether it will get to the floor for discussion and an up or down vote. On a related matter, I would note, dating back to the 22 Midterms, that I have been voicing concerns that Democrats, overall, have declined to enact a united, laser-focused effort to expose how corporate profits account for nearly half of the increased prices people are paying. Considering Republicans have been silent on the travesty of corporate gouging, we need to prevail upon Democratic leadership to be focused and disciplined and not to allow Republican deceptions and distortions related to the state of the economy to go unanswered.
Democrats won't do a thing like you've suggested until all the Corporate Democrats are out of office. That includes Biden and Pelosi. Both have been Corporate Democrats their entire careers.
Before anyone jumps on me about either, yes I'm aware of Pelosi's work on the ACA (she stayed on the right side of that one because she knew how to read that room) and yes, if Biden is the only choice against trump I'll force myself to vote for him again.
Kasumii, While I have noted the occasional word from Biden calling out corporate gouging and the occasional Congressional hearing unearthing data confirming that the biggest driver of high prices is corporate profiteering, you likely are right. Accordingly, it’s up to us to support group’s like Robert Reich’s Inequality Media that persistently work to educate the public.
Louis, Regrettably, I agree. At best, it would get 49 votes if it were to get to the floor, which it won’t, for discussion and an up or down majority vote.
...a swath of grievances... seriously? recall 1980 Ronnie declared "government is the problem!" for the next 43 years, yes 43 years the repubs have underfunded services programs; refused to fund road projects; cut regulations which allowed monopolistic practices thrive; in many red states Medicaid expansion was denied and nothing was done to address the sinking poverty levels in the red states!
the repubs set the goal ...to indoctrinate the vulnerable into believing government is the problem .... all the while subverting any attempt by the feds to alleviate the pain of the less fortunate citizens of our country!
ironically, the very people they are duped into electing are the ones causing the grievances!!!!!
Louis, I am well aware of the working families throughout the country, many of whom are prepared to vote Republican despite their vote running counter to their interests and concerns. Accordingly, we have two choices: 1) pontificate about it or 2) press for more decisive leadership that ceases to allow Republican deceptions and distortions to go unanswered.
Barbara, imo, the people you refer to (MAGA trumpers) who are "feeling limited and confined by the opportunities afforded or denied them" are primarily white people who are convinced that immigrants are coming for their jobs and that black and brown people are becoming the majority in the US. Their racism drives their ideology rather than inequalities of wealth and income.
Kathleen, While I wouldn’t dispute issues of race, nor would I discount the impact of increasing social and economic justice for increasing numbers of people today who feel overwhelmed and marginalized by institutionally oppressive forces that are largely beyond their individual control.
I think racism (couldn’t handle a smart black President, with a smart black wife & children, who saved this country from the savage mortgage collapse) and actual authoritarian fascism shouldn’t be dismissed as “grievance”!!!!
We have a problem and the people who want a dictator who will step on the necks of women, brown people, black people, red people - every shade of color that’s Not Theirs -
They Are The Problem.
We Talk (and do little) about Mental Health... we have needed serious work there! We have a problem with fear of Education. I believe that if you’re a bigot about another religion, persons color, hairstyle, gender role, or some other “difference” -
You Have a mental problem.
We Are The Human Race... no a) b) c) or d) race. One human race.
And we’d better figure that out & that No Human Is All Seeing - all Knowing.
Trump repeatedly turns on people who supported him (“my” Kevin, Michael Cohen, Liz Cheney etc). Adolph Hitler did the same. Putin does the same. None are/were stable nor genius.
Education- civics- are important. It takes effort & rational thought to have and Keep A Democracy. That’s what we’re facing.
Beverly, Commenting on your first paragraph, if you believe I am dismissing authoritative fascism as grievance, then you have misread me. Still, I would contend that no democracy can survive with a working class so insecure that it is willing to accept any authoritarian option in the hope it would provide some sense of normalcy and security in their lives.
I would agree that there are grievances but when they are used to gain power without really addressing the issues, actually ignoring them that is the problem. Also grievances are as much as they are imagined by the stoking fires of misinformation.
Christopher, Commenting on your first point, contrary to Trump who presents himself as “the savior,” the Biden team must show an alternate, admittedly arduous, path that entails showing they can work on legitimate issues and grievances.
Those concepts took a governmental sabbatical Nov. 8th, 2016, were reinstated Nov. 3rd, 2020 and hopefully will continue Nov. 5th, 2024. Snark aside, which ever way the vote goes, it's going to shine a bright light on what we believe this country stands for.
As good as that sounds--akin to my mantra of "peace, love and brotherhood"--it has only a glancing connection to the reality of human behavior. As much as I hate to admit that it will never happen, it never has and never will.
I'm a subscriber because what you are doing for our country is crucial. Thank you. And I cannot wait until your next letter as I assume it will deal with Rachael Maddow's conversation with Liz Cheney tonight which to me was near inspirational. Lot's of top Repubs are squirming tonight!
An excellent interview it was! Liz Cheney is a model of patriotism because she’s willing to take a position and to shed light upon the Trump agenda. It’s a very scary thing! Other gutless, unpatriotic Republicans aren’t willing to do that! We’d all better prepare for the upcoming year and fight like hell to see Trump go down in flames!
Liz is a patriot, yes. She is still her father’s daughter, as Rachel stated and there are many issues I do not agree with her on. With that said, She’s a strong woman and I afford her respect for telling the truth and trying to save our nation.
That conversation was certainly one of the most interesting that Rachael has had, ever since she started her weekly programs. Glad I recorded it so I can watch it again after I read Liz Cheney's book.
Like you, Robert, I always look forward to Joyce's letters, because hers are always unbiased, written in a way that we can understand and, most of all, truthful.
On Lawrence O’Donnell tonight he spoke with Jen Psaki about her upcoming interview with Cheney next Monday as well. A great show tonight followup on Maddow’s show before that.
I too saw this amazing interview of Maddow and Cheney tonight and I will get Cheney’s new book “Oath and Honor” coming out tomorrow. Lawrence O’Donnell followed after her show with Jen Psaki regarding the Cheney interview. It feels so hopeful.
I am hesitant to be hopeful. Liz showed her metal during the 1/6 hearings, and received the best of accolades from the sane side of our national politic. Look what it got her - she was stripped of her ranking, and then shellacked in her Wyoming election. What is so different here?
Yup - Liz held her nose and went on. Her appearance, I believe, does nothing of importance. She was preaching to the choir. Go on Fox or OAN with the same message - now that would be something much more important. I will be surprised if that happens. No, the primary reason for her appearance is to sell the book by the millions. I do not think it will show up under alot of right wing Christmas trees later this month..... Don't get me wrong - I respect Liz for doing what she did, and what she continues to do. But I think she should do more than just write a tell-all book. Like, declare herself a third party candidate to siphon votes away from the ODF (orange dumpster fire).
What I mean by "holding her nose" is that she showed up on a program that she would not even think of showing up on before 1/6 and the events that led up to it. Few in Congress disagree(d) more with most progressive ideals than she. MSNBC probably paid a good sum to get her on there. She is on a book tour now - I would love to see what is on that calendar that would put her book into the hands of people who most need to read it. That is to say voters who intend to vote for Trump once again. That was my point.
Had Liz not voted with her party and poppa (and against her own sister) we might not be here at all. I give her zero credit. It's like getting out a fire extinguisher when the building has already burned down.
The building hasn't burned down yet Erica! I'm more than glad to hand a fire extinguisher to anyone who will help. Especially Repubs who are still very few. If they'll do that, then I don't give a flip about what they used to say. I'll give plenty of credit to those who will speak out, in spite of knowing the repercussions of doing so. (FYI Liz admitted she was wrong and made peace with her sister years ago which really isn't our business IMO).
It is our business because it's harmed us. And in just a few days she went from supporting Biden to say she is considering a run as a republican. The most frustrating thing for me reading all of these subs is how many people have their heads buried in the sand about the reality. A broken clock is right twice a day, it doesn't mean we lionize them.
The total lack of respect for the constitution and the ignorance by House republicans of what is required for an Impeachment is disgusting. For a speaker who claimed on TV the other day that republicans ‘are the law and order party’ - apparently reading and understanding the Foundational document establishing our rule of law and behavior required is beyond their comprehension. Mike Johnson is an Insurrectionist at his core And Needs To Go.
I don’t think we should be paying the GOP and MAGA salaries. They don’t do their jobs. They don’t govern. Why are we paying them to destroy all of our democratic institutions?
Nor should they have any medical insurance while they refuse to work.
I have to fight for every bit of medical care I can get through the VA. It pisses me off to no end that Congress has medical care when they refuse to do their actual jobs. If I had refused to work while in uniform I'd have ended up on the curb or somewhere making little rocks out of big rocks.
I feel absolute rage over this. The stupidity alone is mind boggling. It angers me we can't stop this insanity. It angers me Republicans who know better will vote for it. And it angers me there are too many Americans who would vote for Trump.
The antics of the House Republicans don't even rise to the level of theater. They are carnival barkers and snake oil salesmen, out to cheat at every opportunity.
By the way, Nancy Mace is a House Republican from South Carolina. Here in NC, we have enough awful Republicans without adding her to the group.
Isn’t she the former dem who said she’d protect women’s rights and then thought she’d make more money/ be more important if she switched parties and maybe also gender against her own?
If I were in her district, I'd be furious with her! There were people who voted for her based on the (D) beside her name. She lied to her constituents.
The Tea Party (Freedom Caucus) Republicans who were voted into office were some of the worst examples of politicians. They never wanted to govern, only to rule, to destroy institutions and cause chaos. Many voters believe that if they vote for one Party's candidate for President they need to vote for the other Party's candidates for Congress so they can keep a balance. Those days are very long gone. Democrats need to vote for Democratic candidates up and down the ballet, every ballot. There is no more balance in politics and every Republican votes the Party line under threat of losing their positions. We should assume that all Democrats will vote against an impeachment inquiry into President Biden and we'll watch to see if any Republicans join with them, but I won't hold my breath.
Patricia, I remember. Back then we did have a sense that we actually made a difference and the citizenry felt that we could control stuff.
I am optimistic that next year will be really tough, educational, and one where we can wake up and ignite what we old church folk would call "back-sliders," and prevail.
I'm not even trying to reach tfg's base voters; instead, my field of concentration is the wide-open groups of back-slidden independents and dems.
As Joyce says, "we're in this together." It WILL take of us, to wake up an electorate that is still largely asleep.
At 59, I have long chats with my offspring about how different the world is. Sure, the 1960’s are a bit fuzzy aside from the moon landing (was made to watch) and Sesame Street, but I paid attention from the 1970’s on - even reading the daily newspapers from wherever I lived in the Midwest. These are dark days, the kind of days that were romanticized while learning snippets of world history in school. How I long for many of those days again. Thank you, Joyce, for always walking us through the dark days.
Learning snippets of history is exactly right! I thought I knew a lot of history, my fave subject in HS and I was an art history major, but yikes! I’d only skimmed the surface with all those classes. Thank heavens for Heather Cox Richardson who has taught me the real history of the US, and for Joyce who explains how it all fits in today’s crazy world!
I'm right there with you. I read history voraciously through the late 50s through the70s. Until I started listening to Heather as Covid took over, I thought I knew it all. Nothing, actually. I even majored in History for two years in college in the late 60s.
Yeah, I know what you mean. It took a while for me to understand that history was happening all 'round me and that I was part of it, especially living in Jim Crow TX and the Civil Rights movement. But it takes a few decades to put it into perspective - then ya get the wallop upside the head.
Joyce, it’s simpler than that. They aim to get the House to impeach President Biden so Trump will have gotten his revenge. Then they will equate all the impeachments saying they all mean nothing. My guess is that this was an order from the autocratic wannabe to his followers in the house.
Well, it all fits in with his prior tactics perfectly--OF COURSE, the House GOPpers are following their precious orange leader's directives to dirty up Biden's remarkable achievements. And, OF COURSE, those dim-witted MAGA Reps do not believe--or understand--that once Trump lands in the White House (if, gods forbid) they are no longer necessary. At all.
As for Empty Greene, she needs to be dumped out with the rest of the most noxious, repulsive trash in Washington, D.C. She is nuclear-waste-level toxic.
As someone who is not a particular fan of dystopian nightmares, it is endlessly frightening to be living in one. It is feeling like what it is like to live in an authoritarian state, where the government has the biggest criminals of all. That is what the Republican party represents to me. I wish we could outlaw them because they are all criminals, led by the head crook. Getting rid of George Santos, who may have ripped off the people stupid enough to support him seemed like small potatoes to me because he was relatively nothing politically in terms of the damage he has done. It was just beating up on the trans kid as far as I could see. I am not saying he was not crooked, but I am saying they are all crooked, and others so much more, who are sitting there having been part of a dangerous insurrection with nary a consequence in sight. So, somehow getting rid of Santos does not fell to me like the most pressing of the Republican crooks. Get rid of Kevin McCarthy, Tommy Tuberville, Ted Cruz, Mike Johnson, Lauren Boebert, MTG, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan etc... Let us hope getting rid of Santos nets another Democrat in the House.
Donald Trump is an unconvicted criminal and soon he will be a convicted criminal, yet he still wields enough power to create havoc throughout our government.
The religious right doesn’t seem to care what criminal acts Donald Trump is guilty of, as long as he has done and continues to do their bidding where extreme right wing religion is concerned. Donald Trump has bragged that he is solely responsible for overturning, Roe v. Wade, and in reality, he is! By placing three bogus Supreme Court justices in place, he has done the bidding of the religious, right, and based on that alone, they will follow him off the cliff.
Even though he continues to lose, even in losing, he is winning! Nearly all of the viable other Republican presidential candidates, have fallen by the wayside, due primarily to Donald Trump‘s continuous stream of bogus information and outright lies.
Even though section 3 of the 14th amendment is clear, Trump has managed to stay on the ballot in states where his presence on that ballot have been challenged.
If Donald Trump is not stopped, permanently, democracy will cease to exist, and will become just another word in the history books.
Agree with your analysis, Joyce. But here’s what I don’t get: why isn’t the Democratic Party doing a better job of messaging? Building the party at the grassroots level? Building a pipeline of candidates?
They ask me for money all the time. But that’s it. Where’s the national plan to get all of us out and TALKING to our neighbors about the critical need for democratic reforms? For ensuring that as we head into the next election, we are all armed with succinct talking points about why that matters? Building bridges between different parts of our communities? Sharing the issues with each other and the party leadership?
We need that local infrastructure and it needs to span all of our constituencies: urban and rural, young and old, every income level, and every ethnic and gender group out there. It frustrates me to no end that this isn’t happening! I know who the chair of the RNC is. I had to look up the DNC chair, which is emblematic of the current failure of messaging.
We all need to do our part—and we need to be backed up at the national level with strong, consistent messaging and a willingness to facilitate local organizing.
Messaging has always been their nemesis, unfortunately, however, as of late, I think they’re getting a handle on it. For instance, Biden-Harris trolls Trump’s Truth Social. Anything that he says, they retweet or provide to social media on many platforms. Victor Shi and David Hogg are wonderful Gen Zers who have a big following. You look at Andrew Weismann, Joyce, and her Sisters-In-Law, Heather Cox Richardson, Lucian Truscott, IV, Robert Hubbell, Jessica Craven,etc etc. all doing their jobs. I don’t want to leave out E Jean Carroll either. Her bravery is helping women everywhere!
Totally agree with all of the above! I just want every possible tool to be getting deployed. Your counterpoints are helpful to keep doom and gloom at bay—thank you.
The ninth commandment is "Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" or a version of that. You can't say you are a Christian and act like these people.
Thank god for the work you’re putting in as well as many of your Substack piers,i.e. Heather Cox Richardson. If it weren’t for the extra hours that you all are putting in towards informing voters, I would be really afraid right now. However, I truly believe that your work will go a long, long way in saving American democracy. I believe it will survive but it needs lots of help.
Frightening if not terrifying. We have yet to find something, anything, to halt the Republican led coup. It’s not ending and won’t end until we either forcefully end it or enough republicans join Democrats to preserve our Constitutional Republic. I would like to see us adopt Liz Cheney’s absolute determination that not only must we, but we will defeat drumpf and the Republican/Fascist party. (Not a big fan of any Republican, or a Chaney in particular, but I have to admit that I was moved and motivated to never give up - even if we are defeated in 2024)but hearing her Rachel Maddow interview this evening made me feel that our determination can lead to a win.
How could anybody with even one lobe left in their brain vote for someone who in TWO full years has not passed a single piece of legislation - in fact who hasn't even written a singe piece of legislation that would pass at any level - well maybe kindergarten. Are the MAGA voters really that dumb?
'They impeached my guy twice' 'Yeah, we need to get even', BTW 10 House of Representatives Republicans voted to impeach Trump. Ten honest, lawful Republican Representatives who upheld their oath to uphold and support the Constitution.
And Trump is still the only President to have been impeached twice. I don't like you is not probable cause for impeachment, criminal behavior is.
I remain most appreciative that you have identified Nancy Mace as a member of the House of Representatives from North Carolina. Yet, sadly, I must confess that she is a member from South Carolina, and even supposedly represents the district in which I live. I was so hoping to turn her over to the Tar Heels.....
What has happened to civility , responsibility and working toward the higher goal of creating a better world. Thank you Joyce for the clarity and insight you bring to all of us.
They fled to another planet where life makes more sense. Wish I could join them.
Sabrina, count me in. These days I wish I could fly to another planet too! A Trumpless planet.
And a White Christian Nationalist-less planet.
A trumpless, MAGAless planet. I’m not sure the Hubble space telescope has discovered any planet like that in its known universe.
Me, too!
1 No Trump.
“Wooden Ships”
Purple berries?
🎼“Hey, can I have some of your purple berries?…wooden ships on the water, very free, free and easy…”
CSN
In Em
“Guess I’ll set a course and go”
Jackson Brown replies. “For Everyman”
“Everybody I talk to is ready to leave in the light of the morning”
https://youtu.be/AOoeoiO-3C0?si=HrXfzJQH4KlvOsg5
Christopher, Admittedly, only a partial answer, I believe the current GOP has been propped up by a swath of grievances, some legitimate, that we’ve allowed to fester over decades, and that invariably provoke the despair Trump/Trumpism persists in stoking. In my view, the antidote, in part, will entail a compact in which there is a modicum of social and economic justice for increasing numbers of people who, rightly or not, feel limited and confined by the opportunities afforded or denied them.
That's such a cop out. These people are being screwed by their Republican governors who don't take federal funds or expand Medicaid. They have a serious victim mentality. They are getting new manufacturing jobs that are brought to them by Democrats not Republicans however they continue to be gaslit by their Republican politicians taking credit for the Democratic wins. I'm so tired of people giving these MAGA low information voters a pass bc they bitch,complain and cry then continue to vote against their self interest to own the libs. Sorry no. They cause their own pain and ours bc they vote for idiots who want to burn down the house instead of govern. 🙄🙄🙄
Jessica, In my view, if you don’t see, for example, how decades of grotesque inequalities of wealth and income have fueled anger and disillusionment that are easily manipulated, then I fear you are not seeing the whole picture. I make this argument because I believe that the security of this nation and its people depend largely on our committing to a more distributive, or perhaps redistributive, justice.
Again they voted for that and I'm over them. I've seen the whole picture. They have been brainwashed by RWHM and you continuing to give them a pass is whatever. They are always complaining and have destroyed our country bc they voted against Unions and Democrats. GTFOHWTBS they are a danger to me ,my family and country. They would rather burn our country down and own the mins instead of working w us. Republicans vote no,take the dough. Nope I'm done w them
Jessica, I argue for a redistributive justice because I view this work as a remedy that can rob the extremists of their relevance, at least by enough of us to crush them in election after election.
She’s not giving them a pass. She’s pointing out they have legitimate reasons to be pissed. And you’re right they get spoon fed BS from RWM, but also remember they’ve been told lies about a magic sky daddy since childhood. There’s a lot of money and effort out there to feed them this crap, and they don’t all have time to sit and read Joyce’s substack. They’re busy working three jobs, and then there’s praise jesus time too. They’re very busy.
Stop voting against your self interest. These states have been run by corrupt Republicans for decades. At some point you have to look around and see where the blame is it's not Democrats. The IRA and CHIPS acts are being instituted in Red states,broadband expansion Red rural states,no ACA expansion Red states,road and bridge infrastructure, these states don't help their people and the people blame Democrats. They want to own the libs more than anything else. Sorry,we are in an abusive relationship w RWNJs and they are accomplishes. I was in an abusive relationship with a man for almost 2 decades he turned into a crazy evangelical Pentecostal,he abused me every way he could. I didn't get out until I saw what he was doing to my son and was scared he was going to end up like him. I enabled him and forgave him over and over. This is MAGA and Americans who are sane. Stop sending Republicans to Congress that keep the minimum wage @ $7.25 then they won't have to work 3 jobs. What is so hard to understand? Republicans are the problem in our country and around the world,add fanical religion that is trying to take over and I'm over it. If we end up in a fascist dictatorship I'm blaming these poor crybabies who hate us more than democracy. Have a terrific day💙🌊💙🌊💙
I still remember when Dubya Bush literally expressed admiration for a woman he met who said she had to work 3 jobs. The disconnect is breathtaking.
Thanks. I was getting ready to say close to this. It's not a pass for their behavior. It's an explanation of how we got here.
I wouldn't have added the religious snark though. While I do tend to call evangelicals evilangelicals it's because a)I know exactly what they're like because I was raised in an evangelical End Times, deeply misogynistic, hate & fear based cult and b) evangelicals are some of the most hateful people in this country due to their arrogance about knowing "the true way to live" and feeling frightened by anyone who doesn't hew to their highly restrictive beliefs but ... with regard to people's religious beliefs not everyone falls into the above category and it's not fair to lump everyone who believes in a God together. While I no longer believe in any deity I hold nothing against those who do as long as they mind their own lives and leave everybody else alone to mind theirs.
AND its not only the MAGA bunch that are in this position - as Jen said there are lots of people working more than one job & still not making enough to pay their bills & raise their kids - most of those folks dont have TIME to "bitch & whine" - they're too busy trying to just keep their heads EVEN with the water not even above it! Take a look at the numbers of "homeless" - some who got wiped out by medical debt or the latest hit - student debt, among many other kinds. I dont think we can blame all of it on drugs or mental issues.
Inequalities of wealth...caused by incessant efforts to neuter or repeal regulations designed to avoid monopolies! at one time a newspaper owner could not also own a broadcast outlet in the same market! That regulation was changed to allow Murdoch, who owned the Fox tv station in NYC, to buy the NYPOST. Since then corporations like Sinclair broadcasting have bought hundreds of stations throughout the country which now amplify the maga message.
Exxon/Mobile merger, Walgreens/Rite Aid merger are two examples of reducing competition. Competition is a key element in the theory of capitalism without it price gouging runs rampant, proven by the reports of record profits of these corporations.
yes there are income inequalities, but they were abetted by the libertarian policies adopted by the repubs since the days of the grand cheerleader Reagan!
Louis, I fully agree with your exposition. Accordingly, as I wrote to Jen, who is part of this thread, dating back to the 22 Midterms, I have been voicing concerns that Democrats, overall, have declined to enact a united, laser-focused effort to expose how corporate profits account for nearly half of the increased prices people are paying.
While some might defend a party’s reluctance to bite the hand that feeds it, I believe the benefits of pinning corporate gouging as the biggest driver of high prices would outweigh the costs. Hence, considering Republicans have been silent on this issue, we need to prevail upon Democratic leadership to be focused and disciplined and not to allow Republican deceptions and distortions related to the state of the economy to go unanswered.
Bullhooey. Why do they always vote against things that would benefit them, such as health insurance, Social Security, raising corporate taxes, reproductive rights, funding of public schools and even infrastructure? They're a party of predators who are actually starving themselves, where winning hollow victories are all that matter to them.
@Marycat2021, I would note that a substantial swath of the country will continue to cast votes that run counter to their interests and concerns unless Democratic leadership gets focused and disciplined and ceases to allow Republican deceptions and distortions related to the issues you cite to go unanswered.
They are stupid and and/or willfully ignorant. But I guess when they lose their homes they can curl up with their assault rifles for warmth.
When you try to explain and talk sense to maggie types, they refuse to listen. They feed off each other & they console each other with their “woe is me” dialogue.
Someone earlier mentioned they wanted to leave Earth for somewhere else, it made me wonder, in jest, if we could get space x to rocket the maggies to another planet where they can spend all their time moaning about how bad the flight was!😂
There is a bill in the senate to tax the crap out of corporations for pay inequality of greater than I think 50:1 from the average to the C suites.
That might help a tiny bit.
And maybe next time Musk wants to go into orbit his employees arrange to leave him there.
Jen, Thank you for writing. I’m aware of the bill, but don’t know, given the filibuster, whether it will get to the floor for discussion and an up or down vote. On a related matter, I would note, dating back to the 22 Midterms, that I have been voicing concerns that Democrats, overall, have declined to enact a united, laser-focused effort to expose how corporate profits account for nearly half of the increased prices people are paying. Considering Republicans have been silent on the travesty of corporate gouging, we need to prevail upon Democratic leadership to be focused and disciplined and not to allow Republican deceptions and distortions related to the state of the economy to go unanswered.
Democrats won't do a thing like you've suggested until all the Corporate Democrats are out of office. That includes Biden and Pelosi. Both have been Corporate Democrats their entire careers.
Before anyone jumps on me about either, yes I'm aware of Pelosi's work on the ACA (she stayed on the right side of that one because she knew how to read that room) and yes, if Biden is the only choice against trump I'll force myself to vote for him again.
Kasumii, While I have noted the occasional word from Biden calling out corporate gouging and the occasional Congressional hearing unearthing data confirming that the biggest driver of high prices is corporate profiteering, you likely are right. Accordingly, it’s up to us to support group’s like Robert Reich’s Inequality Media that persistently work to educate the public.
that bill will die in the senate!
Louis, Regrettably, I agree. At best, it would get 49 votes if it were to get to the floor, which it won’t, for discussion and an up or down majority vote.
That bill is going nowhere if the GOP has anything to do with it.
...a swath of grievances... seriously? recall 1980 Ronnie declared "government is the problem!" for the next 43 years, yes 43 years the repubs have underfunded services programs; refused to fund road projects; cut regulations which allowed monopolistic practices thrive; in many red states Medicaid expansion was denied and nothing was done to address the sinking poverty levels in the red states!
the repubs set the goal ...to indoctrinate the vulnerable into believing government is the problem .... all the while subverting any attempt by the feds to alleviate the pain of the less fortunate citizens of our country!
ironically, the very people they are duped into electing are the ones causing the grievances!!!!!
Louis, I am well aware of the working families throughout the country, many of whom are prepared to vote Republican despite their vote running counter to their interests and concerns. Accordingly, we have two choices: 1) pontificate about it or 2) press for more decisive leadership that ceases to allow Republican deceptions and distortions to go unanswered.
Barbara, imo, the people you refer to (MAGA trumpers) who are "feeling limited and confined by the opportunities afforded or denied them" are primarily white people who are convinced that immigrants are coming for their jobs and that black and brown people are becoming the majority in the US. Their racism drives their ideology rather than inequalities of wealth and income.
Kathleen, While I wouldn’t dispute issues of race, nor would I discount the impact of increasing social and economic justice for increasing numbers of people today who feel overwhelmed and marginalized by institutionally oppressive forces that are largely beyond their individual control.
Grievances? Give me a break. Everything, up to this very moment, has been self inflicted. If anything, the GOP has gotten away with far too much.
@Marycat2021, See my reply to your other comment that also is part of this thread.
I think racism (couldn’t handle a smart black President, with a smart black wife & children, who saved this country from the savage mortgage collapse) and actual authoritarian fascism shouldn’t be dismissed as “grievance”!!!!
We have a problem and the people who want a dictator who will step on the necks of women, brown people, black people, red people - every shade of color that’s Not Theirs -
They Are The Problem.
We Talk (and do little) about Mental Health... we have needed serious work there! We have a problem with fear of Education. I believe that if you’re a bigot about another religion, persons color, hairstyle, gender role, or some other “difference” -
You Have a mental problem.
We Are The Human Race... no a) b) c) or d) race. One human race.
And we’d better figure that out & that No Human Is All Seeing - all Knowing.
Trump repeatedly turns on people who supported him (“my” Kevin, Michael Cohen, Liz Cheney etc). Adolph Hitler did the same. Putin does the same. None are/were stable nor genius.
Education- civics- are important. It takes effort & rational thought to have and Keep A Democracy. That’s what we’re facing.
Beverly, Commenting on your first paragraph, if you believe I am dismissing authoritative fascism as grievance, then you have misread me. Still, I would contend that no democracy can survive with a working class so insecure that it is willing to accept any authoritarian option in the hope it would provide some sense of normalcy and security in their lives.
I would agree that there are grievances but when they are used to gain power without really addressing the issues, actually ignoring them that is the problem. Also grievances are as much as they are imagined by the stoking fires of misinformation.
Christopher, Commenting on your first point, contrary to Trump who presents himself as “the savior,” the Biden team must show an alternate, admittedly arduous, path that entails showing they can work on legitimate issues and grievances.
Those concepts took a governmental sabbatical Nov. 8th, 2016, were reinstated Nov. 3rd, 2020 and hopefully will continue Nov. 5th, 2024. Snark aside, which ever way the vote goes, it's going to shine a bright light on what we believe this country stands for.
Not known to dictorians.
As good as that sounds--akin to my mantra of "peace, love and brotherhood"--it has only a glancing connection to the reality of human behavior. As much as I hate to admit that it will never happen, it never has and never will.
I'm a subscriber because what you are doing for our country is crucial. Thank you. And I cannot wait until your next letter as I assume it will deal with Rachael Maddow's conversation with Liz Cheney tonight which to me was near inspirational. Lot's of top Repubs are squirming tonight!
An excellent interview it was! Liz Cheney is a model of patriotism because she’s willing to take a position and to shed light upon the Trump agenda. It’s a very scary thing! Other gutless, unpatriotic Republicans aren’t willing to do that! We’d all better prepare for the upcoming year and fight like hell to see Trump go down in flames!
Liz is a patriot, yes. She is still her father’s daughter, as Rachel stated and there are many issues I do not agree with her on. With that said, She’s a strong woman and I afford her respect for telling the truth and trying to save our nation.
Absolutely!!
That conversation was certainly one of the most interesting that Rachael has had, ever since she started her weekly programs. Glad I recorded it so I can watch it again after I read Liz Cheney's book.
Like you, Robert, I always look forward to Joyce's letters, because hers are always unbiased, written in a way that we can understand and, most of all, truthful.
I hope Liz Cheney's book outsells "MTG".
No one read Empty Gees book. I didn’t even know this silly twit had someone write one so she could put her name on it.
Still need more coffee.
(Love how you spelled her name!) The only thing Mr. Ed's book would be of use would be for tearing up to line the cat box or bird cage.
Me, too! Can't wait to read it.
Yup. I can't wait until Cheny is on with Jen Psaki next Monday. Lots of squirming till then and much later, hopefully.
Ransom, I think she will be on Nicole Wallace, Deadline Whitehouse tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4 pm, unless something has changed....
Missed that. Must have been washing the dishes.
On Lawrence O’Donnell tonight he spoke with Jen Psaki about her upcoming interview with Cheney next Monday as well. A great show tonight followup on Maddow’s show before that.
Yup. I watch it all regularly. I'm big WOKE. By the way, back in the day when I made art, I had a studio accross the Bay in Oaktown.
Liz will be on with Nicolle tomorrow
Should be good.
Nicolle's even coming back specially for it.
Nicolle is a new Mom. Age .51 She does her show from home.
Yes, she is!
Maybe we will even see some baby pictures.
I suspect Liz & Nicolle have met in former political lives. Both are super private.
I too saw this amazing interview of Maddow and Cheney tonight and I will get Cheney’s new book “Oath and Honor” coming out tomorrow. Lawrence O’Donnell followed after her show with Jen Psaki regarding the Cheney interview. It feels so hopeful.
I am hesitant to be hopeful. Liz showed her metal during the 1/6 hearings, and received the best of accolades from the sane side of our national politic. Look what it got her - she was stripped of her ranking, and then shellacked in her Wyoming election. What is so different here?
I’ve preordered the audio book.
Liz was on Rachel? Thank all the gods I TiVo that every week -- got to get to it!
Yup - Liz held her nose and went on. Her appearance, I believe, does nothing of importance. She was preaching to the choir. Go on Fox or OAN with the same message - now that would be something much more important. I will be surprised if that happens. No, the primary reason for her appearance is to sell the book by the millions. I do not think it will show up under alot of right wing Christmas trees later this month..... Don't get me wrong - I respect Liz for doing what she did, and what she continues to do. But I think she should do more than just write a tell-all book. Like, declare herself a third party candidate to siphon votes away from the ODF (orange dumpster fire).
She did not "hold her nose". She was open, forthcoming and gracious. Both women acknowledged that they appreciate the common ground they now share.
What I mean by "holding her nose" is that she showed up on a program that she would not even think of showing up on before 1/6 and the events that led up to it. Few in Congress disagree(d) more with most progressive ideals than she. MSNBC probably paid a good sum to get her on there. She is on a book tour now - I would love to see what is on that calendar that would put her book into the hands of people who most need to read it. That is to say voters who intend to vote for Trump once again. That was my point.
Had Liz not voted with her party and poppa (and against her own sister) we might not be here at all. I give her zero credit. It's like getting out a fire extinguisher when the building has already burned down.
The building hasn't burned down yet Erica! I'm more than glad to hand a fire extinguisher to anyone who will help. Especially Repubs who are still very few. If they'll do that, then I don't give a flip about what they used to say. I'll give plenty of credit to those who will speak out, in spite of knowing the repercussions of doing so. (FYI Liz admitted she was wrong and made peace with her sister years ago which really isn't our business IMO).
It is our business because it's harmed us. And in just a few days she went from supporting Biden to say she is considering a run as a republican. The most frustrating thing for me reading all of these subs is how many people have their heads buried in the sand about the reality. A broken clock is right twice a day, it doesn't mean we lionize them.
The total lack of respect for the constitution and the ignorance by House republicans of what is required for an Impeachment is disgusting. For a speaker who claimed on TV the other day that republicans ‘are the law and order party’ - apparently reading and understanding the Foundational document establishing our rule of law and behavior required is beyond their comprehension. Mike Johnson is an Insurrectionist at his core And Needs To Go.
I don’t think we should be paying the GOP and MAGA salaries. They don’t do their jobs. They don’t govern. Why are we paying them to destroy all of our democratic institutions?
Nor should they have any medical insurance while they refuse to work.
I have to fight for every bit of medical care I can get through the VA. It pisses me off to no end that Congress has medical care when they refuse to do their actual jobs. If I had refused to work while in uniform I'd have ended up on the curb or somewhere making little rocks out of big rocks.
I feel absolute rage over this. The stupidity alone is mind boggling. It angers me we can't stop this insanity. It angers me Republicans who know better will vote for it. And it angers me there are too many Americans who would vote for Trump.
The antics of the House Republicans don't even rise to the level of theater. They are carnival barkers and snake oil salesmen, out to cheat at every opportunity.
By the way, Nancy Mace is a House Republican from South Carolina. Here in NC, we have enough awful Republicans without adding her to the group.
What about Hunter Biden's socks?
HAHAHAHAHA...a mere typo but you’re so right! :)
Isn’t she the former dem who said she’d protect women’s rights and then thought she’d make more money/ be more important if she switched parties and maybe also gender against her own?
Wrong woman. That was Tricia Cotham, and she’s a state Representative in NC.
If I were in her district, I'd be furious with her! There were people who voted for her based on the (D) beside her name. She lied to her constituents.
I thought you were talking about Sinema!
The Tea Party (Freedom Caucus) Republicans who were voted into office were some of the worst examples of politicians. They never wanted to govern, only to rule, to destroy institutions and cause chaos. Many voters believe that if they vote for one Party's candidate for President they need to vote for the other Party's candidates for Congress so they can keep a balance. Those days are very long gone. Democrats need to vote for Democratic candidates up and down the ballet, every ballot. There is no more balance in politics and every Republican votes the Party line under threat of losing their positions. We should assume that all Democrats will vote against an impeachment inquiry into President Biden and we'll watch to see if any Republicans join with them, but I won't hold my breath.
Patricia, I remember. Back then we did have a sense that we actually made a difference and the citizenry felt that we could control stuff.
I am optimistic that next year will be really tough, educational, and one where we can wake up and ignite what we old church folk would call "back-sliders," and prevail.
I'm not even trying to reach tfg's base voters; instead, my field of concentration is the wide-open groups of back-slidden independents and dems.
As Joyce says, "we're in this together." It WILL take of us, to wake up an electorate that is still largely asleep.
Happy hunting!
At 59, I have long chats with my offspring about how different the world is. Sure, the 1960’s are a bit fuzzy aside from the moon landing (was made to watch) and Sesame Street, but I paid attention from the 1970’s on - even reading the daily newspapers from wherever I lived in the Midwest. These are dark days, the kind of days that were romanticized while learning snippets of world history in school. How I long for many of those days again. Thank you, Joyce, for always walking us through the dark days.
Learning snippets of history is exactly right! I thought I knew a lot of history, my fave subject in HS and I was an art history major, but yikes! I’d only skimmed the surface with all those classes. Thank heavens for Heather Cox Richardson who has taught me the real history of the US, and for Joyce who explains how it all fits in today’s crazy world!
I'm right there with you. I read history voraciously through the late 50s through the70s. Until I started listening to Heather as Covid took over, I thought I knew it all. Nothing, actually. I even majored in History for two years in college in the late 60s.
Diane, two books that may interest you: “A People’s History of the United States” and “An Indigenous People’s History of the United States”
YES YES YES
Yeah, I know what you mean. It took a while for me to understand that history was happening all 'round me and that I was part of it, especially living in Jim Crow TX and the Civil Rights movement. But it takes a few decades to put it into perspective - then ya get the wallop upside the head.
Joyce, it’s simpler than that. They aim to get the House to impeach President Biden so Trump will have gotten his revenge. Then they will equate all the impeachments saying they all mean nothing. My guess is that this was an order from the autocratic wannabe to his followers in the house.
Well, it all fits in with his prior tactics perfectly--OF COURSE, the House GOPpers are following their precious orange leader's directives to dirty up Biden's remarkable achievements. And, OF COURSE, those dim-witted MAGA Reps do not believe--or understand--that once Trump lands in the White House (if, gods forbid) they are no longer necessary. At all.
As for Empty Greene, she needs to be dumped out with the rest of the most noxious, repulsive trash in Washington, D.C. She is nuclear-waste-level toxic.
Yes, more scheming from the orange cocksplat.
As someone who is not a particular fan of dystopian nightmares, it is endlessly frightening to be living in one. It is feeling like what it is like to live in an authoritarian state, where the government has the biggest criminals of all. That is what the Republican party represents to me. I wish we could outlaw them because they are all criminals, led by the head crook. Getting rid of George Santos, who may have ripped off the people stupid enough to support him seemed like small potatoes to me because he was relatively nothing politically in terms of the damage he has done. It was just beating up on the trans kid as far as I could see. I am not saying he was not crooked, but I am saying they are all crooked, and others so much more, who are sitting there having been part of a dangerous insurrection with nary a consequence in sight. So, somehow getting rid of Santos does not fell to me like the most pressing of the Republican crooks. Get rid of Kevin McCarthy, Tommy Tuberville, Ted Cruz, Mike Johnson, Lauren Boebert, MTG, Matt Gaetz, Jim Jordan etc... Let us hope getting rid of Santos nets another Democrat in the House.
Thank You ~Linda~
Leonard Katz
Donald Trump is an unconvicted criminal and soon he will be a convicted criminal, yet he still wields enough power to create havoc throughout our government.
The religious right doesn’t seem to care what criminal acts Donald Trump is guilty of, as long as he has done and continues to do their bidding where extreme right wing religion is concerned. Donald Trump has bragged that he is solely responsible for overturning, Roe v. Wade, and in reality, he is! By placing three bogus Supreme Court justices in place, he has done the bidding of the religious, right, and based on that alone, they will follow him off the cliff.
Even though he continues to lose, even in losing, he is winning! Nearly all of the viable other Republican presidential candidates, have fallen by the wayside, due primarily to Donald Trump‘s continuous stream of bogus information and outright lies.
Even though section 3 of the 14th amendment is clear, Trump has managed to stay on the ballot in states where his presence on that ballot have been challenged.
If Donald Trump is not stopped, permanently, democracy will cease to exist, and will become just another word in the history books.
Agree with your analysis, Joyce. But here’s what I don’t get: why isn’t the Democratic Party doing a better job of messaging? Building the party at the grassroots level? Building a pipeline of candidates?
They ask me for money all the time. But that’s it. Where’s the national plan to get all of us out and TALKING to our neighbors about the critical need for democratic reforms? For ensuring that as we head into the next election, we are all armed with succinct talking points about why that matters? Building bridges between different parts of our communities? Sharing the issues with each other and the party leadership?
We need that local infrastructure and it needs to span all of our constituencies: urban and rural, young and old, every income level, and every ethnic and gender group out there. It frustrates me to no end that this isn’t happening! I know who the chair of the RNC is. I had to look up the DNC chair, which is emblematic of the current failure of messaging.
We all need to do our part—and we need to be backed up at the national level with strong, consistent messaging and a willingness to facilitate local organizing.
Messaging has always been their nemesis, unfortunately, however, as of late, I think they’re getting a handle on it. For instance, Biden-Harris trolls Trump’s Truth Social. Anything that he says, they retweet or provide to social media on many platforms. Victor Shi and David Hogg are wonderful Gen Zers who have a big following. You look at Andrew Weismann, Joyce, and her Sisters-In-Law, Heather Cox Richardson, Lucian Truscott, IV, Robert Hubbell, Jessica Craven,etc etc. all doing their jobs. I don’t want to leave out E Jean Carroll either. Her bravery is helping women everywhere!
Totally agree with all of the above! I just want every possible tool to be getting deployed. Your counterpoints are helpful to keep doom and gloom at bay—thank you.
I so get it, Ellen we have had a lot of things flung at us. Just have to keep our heads above water.
Yes!!!
The ninth commandment is "Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" or a version of that. You can't say you are a Christian and act like these people.
You can SAY you are. That’s the trouble
Thank god for the work you’re putting in as well as many of your Substack piers,i.e. Heather Cox Richardson. If it weren’t for the extra hours that you all are putting in towards informing voters, I would be really afraid right now. However, I truly believe that your work will go a long, long way in saving American democracy. I believe it will survive but it needs lots of help.
And, I might add, Ruth Ben-Ghiat.
Frightening if not terrifying. We have yet to find something, anything, to halt the Republican led coup. It’s not ending and won’t end until we either forcefully end it or enough republicans join Democrats to preserve our Constitutional Republic. I would like to see us adopt Liz Cheney’s absolute determination that not only must we, but we will defeat drumpf and the Republican/Fascist party. (Not a big fan of any Republican, or a Chaney in particular, but I have to admit that I was moved and motivated to never give up - even if we are defeated in 2024)but hearing her Rachel Maddow interview this evening made me feel that our determination can lead to a win.
How could anybody with even one lobe left in their brain vote for someone who in TWO full years has not passed a single piece of legislation - in fact who hasn't even written a singe piece of legislation that would pass at any level - well maybe kindergarten. Are the MAGA voters really that dumb?
'They impeached my guy twice' 'Yeah, we need to get even', BTW 10 House of Representatives Republicans voted to impeach Trump. Ten honest, lawful Republican Representatives who upheld their oath to uphold and support the Constitution.
And Trump is still the only President to have been impeached twice. I don't like you is not probable cause for impeachment, criminal behavior is.
I remain most appreciative that you have identified Nancy Mace as a member of the House of Representatives from North Carolina. Yet, sadly, I must confess that she is a member from South Carolina, and even supposedly represents the district in which I live. I was so hoping to turn her over to the Tar Heels.....