I would like to make a clarification in regards to your excellent essay. You wrote "But Trump gets that pass because of the singular foolishness of a majority of our fellow citizens in reelecting him." Trump did get elected because of the "singular foolishness' of a lot of voters, but he did not get elected because of a "majority of our …
I would like to make a clarification in regards to your excellent essay. You wrote "But Trump gets that pass because of the singular foolishness of a majority of our fellow citizens in reelecting him." Trump did get elected because of the "singular foolishness' of a lot of voters, but he did not get elected because of a "majority of our fellow citizens". Way too many people didn't vote and that's a real problem that needs to be addressed. Some of this is because of voter suppression but much of it is about other reasons. It appears that Trump will have received less than 50% of the votes of the people who voted, when all votes are counted, and, more people voted against him (if you combine voters for Harris and third party candidates) than for him. This may seem to be nit-picking but it's important for the narrative. The majority didn't vote for him, it was a very close race. I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving, eat well, have fun, rest and forget about politics until Monday when you resume the opposition/resistance.
This information, a lot of information actually, has to get around to those who do do not pick their heads up from their daily lives, or who get stuck in misinformation. This is the work that needs to be done... informing citizens.
I agree, Potter. I just can't figure out how to reach them. Not going to sign up for Twitter/X or (Un)Truth Social. I used to write letters to the editor of the local paper but I don't think anyone reads newspapers any more. I'm open to suggestion.
Signing up for those, which I have not, is for the brave. But I would not disparage those who do. It's tough work. I originally thought those would be boycotted ( including politicians our side not going on Fox etc.) The thing is we are becoming more "channelled" or "siloed" and there is less discussion or pushback/confrontation. And then when one of those MAGAs appears here we call them "trolls". So it's not a good sign that the divisions have become so deep and cemented. Those who tune out are more approachable. This is a larger discussion but I think one of the reasons Harris lost was because people tune out and did not consider what was/is at stake. And then when voting started- they did not vote thinking maybe politics is corrupt altogether or some such, or they voted for the party they always voted for ( or family voted for) or they were very unsure about a woman president or outright misogynist, or racist. Of course there was the price of eggs to complain about, though gas prices have gone down.. This is the uninformed voter. How do you reach them when we are so channeled and busy with local and personal things on our plate? People take this country for granted as being stable, *egalitarian* and free. Reject hate. Maybe bumper stickers work well. Simple. Yard signs if you live in a traffic area. " Reject Hate" "We are all in this together".
Not nitpicking at all. Its precise. Accurate. Nothing is more important in these days of constant lying. I haven't seen final totals yet so was pleased to see combined vote went against him. Not that it helps at all. But good to know.
Excellent points. Thank you!! These are "facts"...remember facts??? And I do believe that "the truth will set you (and all of us) free...eventually". Reading what you write in your comment raises me from the pile of despairing, disillusioned ......
Thank you, Patricia Jaeger. My concern too are the non-voters who, perhaps not liking their Presidential choices, didn’t vote at all. There is a lack of either knowledge or awareness of _all_ on ballots and the impact of participation.
What can be done to educate all people? Even the millions I read who’ve subscribed to Substacks are not likely non-voters tho it would be interesting if YouGov polled to find out. The pay walls* for engagement are difficult for many, me included.
The Resistance seems to still be deciding who/what/how. It cannot be what it was: marches feel good for solidarity and media attention. Grassroots education and actions matter.
*Like watching PBS without paying, I feel great guilt/discomfort reading and, if permitted, interacting without paying. It’s intellectual property well-researched.
It adds up quickly. The interaction is as valuable as the writing - opinions and experiences as models to others. What would be a “Substack library model”?
A lot like Wikipedia, Joan. It's free and available to anyone who can spell Wikipedia. The catch, as always, is how to get people to read it. The cynic in me thinks that putting in a porno Substack might help. That is a joke, not a very good one, but all I can manage while shuffling stuff in and out of the oven. Happy T'giving. everyone.
I would like to make a clarification in regards to your excellent essay. You wrote "But Trump gets that pass because of the singular foolishness of a majority of our fellow citizens in reelecting him." Trump did get elected because of the "singular foolishness' of a lot of voters, but he did not get elected because of a "majority of our fellow citizens". Way too many people didn't vote and that's a real problem that needs to be addressed. Some of this is because of voter suppression but much of it is about other reasons. It appears that Trump will have received less than 50% of the votes of the people who voted, when all votes are counted, and, more people voted against him (if you combine voters for Harris and third party candidates) than for him. This may seem to be nit-picking but it's important for the narrative. The majority didn't vote for him, it was a very close race. I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving, eat well, have fun, rest and forget about politics until Monday when you resume the opposition/resistance.
This information, a lot of information actually, has to get around to those who do do not pick their heads up from their daily lives, or who get stuck in misinformation. This is the work that needs to be done... informing citizens.
I agree, Potter. I just can't figure out how to reach them. Not going to sign up for Twitter/X or (Un)Truth Social. I used to write letters to the editor of the local paper but I don't think anyone reads newspapers any more. I'm open to suggestion.
Signing up for those, which I have not, is for the brave. But I would not disparage those who do. It's tough work. I originally thought those would be boycotted ( including politicians our side not going on Fox etc.) The thing is we are becoming more "channelled" or "siloed" and there is less discussion or pushback/confrontation. And then when one of those MAGAs appears here we call them "trolls". So it's not a good sign that the divisions have become so deep and cemented. Those who tune out are more approachable. This is a larger discussion but I think one of the reasons Harris lost was because people tune out and did not consider what was/is at stake. And then when voting started- they did not vote thinking maybe politics is corrupt altogether or some such, or they voted for the party they always voted for ( or family voted for) or they were very unsure about a woman president or outright misogynist, or racist. Of course there was the price of eggs to complain about, though gas prices have gone down.. This is the uninformed voter. How do you reach them when we are so channeled and busy with local and personal things on our plate? People take this country for granted as being stable, *egalitarian* and free. Reject hate. Maybe bumper stickers work well. Simple. Yard signs if you live in a traffic area. " Reject Hate" "We are all in this together".
Not nitpicking at all. Its precise. Accurate. Nothing is more important in these days of constant lying. I haven't seen final totals yet so was pleased to see combined vote went against him. Not that it helps at all. But good to know.
Excellent points. Thank you!! These are "facts"...remember facts??? And I do believe that "the truth will set you (and all of us) free...eventually". Reading what you write in your comment raises me from the pile of despairing, disillusioned ......
PREVENT TRUTH DECAY
- sign at first Women's March, Denver, January 2017
And we need to get the Equal Rights Amendment placed in the constitution before we do anything else.
Your explanation is NOT nit-picking. I have Bern echoing the same issue: too many registered voters stayed home.
Thank you, Patricia Jaeger. My concern too are the non-voters who, perhaps not liking their Presidential choices, didn’t vote at all. There is a lack of either knowledge or awareness of _all_ on ballots and the impact of participation.
What can be done to educate all people? Even the millions I read who’ve subscribed to Substacks are not likely non-voters tho it would be interesting if YouGov polled to find out. The pay walls* for engagement are difficult for many, me included.
The Resistance seems to still be deciding who/what/how. It cannot be what it was: marches feel good for solidarity and media attention. Grassroots education and actions matter.
*Like watching PBS without paying, I feel great guilt/discomfort reading and, if permitted, interacting without paying. It’s intellectual property well-researched.
It adds up quickly. The interaction is as valuable as the writing - opinions and experiences as models to others. What would be a “Substack library model”?
I just sent my RMD to PBS. It was a goodly amount. Please let go of your guilt, consider your donation made by someone who was doing it for many.
A lot like Wikipedia, Joan. It's free and available to anyone who can spell Wikipedia. The catch, as always, is how to get people to read it. The cynic in me thinks that putting in a porno Substack might help. That is a joke, not a very good one, but all I can manage while shuffling stuff in and out of the oven. Happy T'giving. everyone.
Not nitpicking at all. Words matter.