OT, but it occurred to my older sister, younger brother, and me - all active Democrats - to ask WHY the Democrats in government didn’t put together their own budget, which would show what could be done without massive tax cuts for the wealthy and a huge deficit?
Obviously it wouldn’t be voted on, but would show what a Democratic alternative might be.
That is a fantastic idea! Call some of the top leaders: Ruben Gallego, Chris Murphy, Sheldon Whitehouse, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and more.
All I am sure of is that when he dies, I will most assuredly crap on his grave and probably get arrested for it. Then I can emblazon it on my tombstone.
“Here rests Bill Katz, who had the audacity to shit on the grave of Donald Trump.”
I apologize for my crudeness but it’s hard to be unaffected. I recall every day and week during 2016-2020 when he just insisted on doing and saying the most profound STUPID. It’s unreal how someone can be this profoundly ignorant and destructive. Why couldn’t his daddy have a vasectomy? Why? The world would have been better.
Why did his damn paternal grandfather dodge the draft in Germany, so they wouldn't let him return after the war? Like grandfather, like father, like son, like sons, and undoubtedly like grandsons when the time comes.
Yes, we have to plan for elections, starting now, especially in any possible swing district. We also not bother people now to fight the awful budget bill. Don’t give a crazy man more power.
A “shadow cabinet“ could have done the trick. It still can. But, the Demos are largely feckless (Jeffries, Schumer, et al.), the ones with visible courage are few (AOC, Crockett, Casar, Stansbury; Bernie, Murphy, Van Hollen), and those who seem to inspire ultimately disappoint (Booker). SMH. We need to keep taking it to the streets.
As have others (called for a shadow cabinet, shadow committees, etc.). It's a great idea, and would have enormous messaging value. But nothing happens... and nothing continues to happen... Yes, individuals raise their voices -- for example, Bernie's & AOC's road show, which drew huge crowds, Booker's 24+ hr speech in Congress, some sharp Warren statements here and there. But there is no coherent, unified Democratic opposition and effort to expose the régime's lies, corruption, and extremist puppet masters.
Rachel Bitecofer has said D leadership is working on something. I have been so frustrated that I mailed the letter attributed to Liz Cheney (and written by another woman whose name I've forgotten) to my Congressional reps asking them not to contact me for money or support unless they are out in public every day refuting Trump’s lies and speaking out against this administration and this horrible, no good, awful budget bill.
I hope Bitecofer is right; the Dems need to mainline a big dose of urgency, hurry the **** up, and come out swinging like they never have before. They are months behind the curve.
And while they're at it, push the fossils now in leadership out of the way and let the younger voices and energy run. Listening to ridiculous bullshit like Carville's advice to do nothing, freezing people like AOC out, and not choosing Wikler to head the DNC, for example, just ain't gonna cut it in today's political environment. The old-school norms, traditions, etc., have long since been blown out of the sky. Long past time for Dems to start living and fighting in today's world, on today's terms.
I think the "shadow cabinet" could break into the public consciousness. Significant numbers of Americans are concerned about much of what the administration is doing but they don't hear a voice proposing alternatives. And the news media likes to have provocative alternatives to report. It makes good news for the honest media (i.e. not Fox). Right now alternative voices are not being heard.
For a shadow cabinet to be effective, people have to be paying attention and consuming real news. I'm afraid that doesn't reflect the state of America in 2025.
Such a ‘shadow cabinet’ with highlights of how Dems would handle current hot topics like budget or ongoing policy has been proposed & discussed by Prof Timothy Snyder & other experts on authoritarianism since before inauguration. Dem strategist Simon Rosenburg has also proposed it. Congressional Democrats have been frustratingly slow on receiving the message. House Dems did begin ‘Dem Daily Download’ on Youtube by rotating members but it hasn’t been well publicized.
We have real leaders in the Democratic Party. It's just that we also have a runaway President and Republican party taking a wrecking ball to this democracy. It'll take a stiff spine but justice will prevail. The Republicans are starting to see the threat under Trump and his cabinet and elections are right around the corner.
Would the legacy media--owned by sniveling cowards in thrall to Trump--offer enough national coverage to make the effort matter?
Besides, the oligarchs, who are practically salivating over renewed tax cuts (which aren't necessary at all; by now we should all know that "trickle down economics" don't work and are a way to benefit the rich) will be greatly disappointed...why, they might even march in protest...all 900 of them. We should be able to handle the squawks of a mere 900 hundred over-privileged greedheads...right?
Yeah, there are 902 billionaires in this country and the combined wealth of the avaricious jackals is estimated to be $6.8 trillion. Yes, TRILLION. They are money hoarders: that money does not get circulated through the businesses to benefit the economy of the country. Instead they park their wealth in banks, as well as in real estate, stocks and bonds where it generates even more money--for them alone. Don't eat the rich; TAX THEM.
It is the only way the democrats can present something different than the GOP. Complaining about #47 alone doesn’t help matters. With every complaint there should be a suggested solution to his every bad action!
As a whole, I would like to see more forcefulness from the Democrats, although there are some outstanding and challenging moments emerging more and more. However, I cannot help but think that a realistic and financially balanced budget requires that the billionaires be taxed. It seems no one is able to lay that on the table, and if they did, they would likely be primaried. Certainly, Bernie and AOC come close, but even they have not offered up details and goals. Please tell me if I am wrong, but somehow Congress must undo Trump's 2017 taxation gift to the wealthiest.
This is a brilliant idea! We need concrete evidence to show up the MAGA gaslighting. An alternative Democratic Party budget proposal would be concrete and give us talking points to counter the budget supported by Trump and his billionaire buddies! Please pass on this idea
There is a shadow government plan put out by John Leguizamo/Liz Cheney (yes her) - it is referred to as Project 2029- building a Rapid Respibse Team nationwide-
That was addressed on the Thom Hartmann show today with Representative Pramilla Jayapal. I think the velocity of EOs/ sneaky midnight budget and blocking and tackling is overwhelming. That being said a shadow government is exactly what is needed right now. If you don’t watch the show you can read his daily newsletter at Thomhartmann.com
Because though it might be a useful exercise, most voters and prospective voters would pay no attention to it, even if the news media reported it semi-accurately, which they wouldn't.
Susanna, at least the Shadow Budget would be “out there”. If even a few people paid attention to it initially, it would still be part of counter programming the MAGA message.
there is talk of the Dems forming a Shadow Cabinet - like they have in England. Similar to your idea, this would give a structure for the Dems to propose their alternatives to all policies, and showcase the differences.
"Members of the military fought and lost their lives to protect our country. All we have to do is vote."
That is it in a nutshell, Joyce! We can do this, and we must. Yours is a call to action. We must heed it. Our lives and the life of our republic depend on it. Thank you!
I am all-in on organizing for the 2026 National Election BUT, BALLOTPEDIA" is my source for notices of upcoming national, state & local election in the next days, weeks or months.
I only checked out Two States Yesterday, Just 2:
1. SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina has been in the national news and highlighted mucho on the posts of Civil Discourse & LFAA. In the last weeks, South Carolina has beaten back several attacks on the Rule of Law & has voted in a progressive SC Supreme Court for a couple of years.
*****
But, can you believe it? SC has "Special Elections" coming up TODAY on 5/27!
So SC remains hot, hot, hot & it is not even Summer.
*****
2. MAINE: "Local Elections". I always check Maine to see if Professor Heather Cox Richardson is running for anything local, anything statewide like the Governorship of Maine, or even nationally: Heather for President!
FYI, BALLOTPEDIA also has a cool, new, digital tool.
Check out *** "Sample Ballot Lookup Tool" ***. So you South Carolinians ... check out that tool now & get out there vote TODAY -- unless you were an "Early Voter" smarty pants.
On this Memorial Day, I am reminded that I must be as brave as I can be. I am reminded that my parents and their parents sacrificed for good reason. I am reminded that I am the next link in that chain of freedom. I am reminded that WE are the last, best hope.
Boston lawyer Joseph Welch was a member of the firm Hale & Dorr. And currently Hale and Dorr have taken on Trump in court, through their antecedent firm Wilmer Hale. Don’t ever forget that McCarthy’s right hand man was Roy Cohn, who taught Trump everything he knows about evil.
Roy Cohn didn't have to teach evil to Donald--Donald has had evil in his nature from childhood. Both Trump, Sr. and Cohn cultivated those evil tendencies and taught him how to use it--to "weaponize evil" in a way of speaking.
Use this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
You’re welcome 💜💜 I needed to do something. The realness of everything was draining! Now I just share it constantly (past 2.5 months 😅) and hope people find a lot of use for it
Aww you’re welcome! Your Mahalo brought a smile to my face and made me think of my Grandma! She’s Hawaiian and was the first of her family to cross the ocean when she was 16 to attend college here in Oregon! 💜
I don’t know if McCarthy had a condition that shows up in the DSM-5-TR, but Trump does. He is not simply a bully. He is a narcissist, and a malignant one. He would not crumple at being asked if he had any decency. Instead, he’d sic the DOJ on whoever asked the question.
McCarthy was an alcoholic. I think the country deserves the results of a complete mental and physical health report from someone chosen by Congress or another body to get an unbiased report on Trump.
Trump is what is called "a dry drunk" in that he exhibits the qualities of a drunk who has done no inner work of self-reflection. His horror at what happened to his older brother, a full blown alcoholic, caused Donald to never touch the stuff, to avoid following in any of his admired and kind older brother's behaviors--from seeking out a life as an aviator to admiration of those in the armed services, to pursuing all sorts of sports. The father fought against his older son's predilections, and criticized him cruelly.
In an unfortunate example of life imitating art --- we seem to be currently trapped in that famous Twilight Zone episode, “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street.” You may remember that the town in the episode is manipulated by aliens in an experiment to turn neighbors against one another, with the goal being to see if humans will destroy themselves and make Earth ripe for invasion.
The closing narration sums it all up:
"The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices...to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill...and suspicion can destroy...and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own — for the children and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone."
Agreed: Challenge the bully. Flood the streets, flood the telephone lines (Representatives are supposed to represent you), pierce the bubble (bubba?) with scorn … their skin is so thin.
We’ve been doing that. Are we having some effect? Maybe a little. The courts are holding the sea back so far. How much longer can it hold before the ocean overtakes us and fascism descends on us?
Excellent question. It’s relentless … it’s meant to be overwhelming … but so clumsily and obviously that that might defeat it. The wasted money in court fees, for one.
This crisis also warns the world that Trump’s America is no longer a reliable beacon of democracy. As other countries step into the void, leading the free world with its commitment to the rule of law, the U.S. judiciary’s struggle is a stark reminder of what’s at stake. If judges can’t operate without fear, how can any democratic institution survive?
We will challenge the bully and his thugs at NO KINGS! protests around the country on Saturday, June 14. Check www.nokings.org for a protest near you or for tips on how to host your own protest. A few people, a few signs, an American flag, and visibility make a protest. You'll feel good, and you'll inspire and inform others who see you.
Thank you Joyce for your fierce clarity. Have you heard Beto O'Rourke's commencement speech at USC Law School? Fantastic! I don't know how to attach it here.
Where is the Democrat's shadow government? This is a common tactic for opposition parties worldwide. An alternative, on the record. This, as well as having the spine and timing of Joseph Walsh, would deflate our bullying gas-bag president overnight, just like it did with Joseph McCarthy. But why are the Dems such cowards???
Not only Dems, but the entire Congress. Welch challenged McCarthy, but so did many in Congress....finally, and the man went down with a bang. That is one of the main problems with gas bag Trump: the Congress will not overtly challenge him, privately or publicly. And the judiciary, although they are trying, have no enforcement power due to the crippling of the DOJ. Bottom line is that Trump can operate without impunity, as he thinks, and probably rightly at this point, that he has no impediments. Congress is in his pocket, the judiciary is crippled, and his cabinet, who should be guiding him and competent in their jobs, are instead sycophants, incompetent, unknowledgeable, and just plain stupid. The only prayer we have is for the makeup of Congress to change during next year's mid terms. If that happens, and hopefully it will, Trump's power will be greatly diminished. And just maybe, just maybe, some of his idiotic cabinet secys will start to bail. Also, hopefully, the Dems will stop this ridiculous anal focus on Biden and his medical/cognitive issues, and start to cogently and strongly plan for the future with strong candidates, an actual policy plan that will appeal to a large swath of America, and unrelenting but sensible criticism of Trump's current so-called policies. They have got to get off their dead butts, stop looking backwards, and start looking forwards, with young, bright people who appeal to the majority, not just to splinter groups.
Yes!! Kenneth ! A shadow cabinet is a wonderful idea! It’s been suggested a few times and the Democrats haven’t taken it up. I don’t understand why as it would work so well. They don’t want to challenge the GOP!? Please someone explain. I honour the Dems who have worked so hard to explain what’s happening. Their spirit and courage are just amazing, but their leaders are snoozing.
It’s the republicans who are afraid of the bully. Trump threatens them with being primaried. Since trumps arrival on the political scene, many judges, politicians fear thugs coming to their home to threaten them, not to mention emails, phone calls that threaten them.
It's so sad when grown men are afraid to stand up to a bully. And it's even sadder when so many of the people who believe the bully "don't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of" as the old Southern saying goes. And yes, they would be some of the ones up in arms about anyone else doing the things that Trump has done! Apparently, we have elected people to Congress whose only goal in life is to be reelected, NOT to help the people of our country have a better life.
Left out of this analysis by Joyce Vance is any reference to Hitler and my view is that he should be included. Hitler came to power in 1933 and, quite apart from his attacks on Jewish people he immediately set out to dismantle the “deep state”. And he succeeded in doing so. So far in America the Judicial System has worked but the Trump Administration keeps assaulting it, and they are hoping to get a crack in the system. Their hope is that when that crack appears the dam will break. He thinks he has the Supreme Court in his pocket and I have no doubt that there are many in the Legal Profession in America who have extreme apprehension that Trump might be right.
If Hitler had been stopped at some appropriate early time in his Administration we might then not have had the Armageddon which followed with the commencement of the 2nd World War in 1939.
The question must be asked- Can America and the rest of the World continue in relative prosperity if these attacks on the institutions of Democracy by Trump continue as they are now ? Imagine for example a continuation for the rest of the year and well into 2026 of what we have seen since January. Can America and the rest of the world sustain that. I don’t think it can. It is that serious.
I have the view that Trump is destroying America from within, and is also attempting to destroy the way the world has functioned since the end of the Second World War. The supreme irony here is that the architecture of that World order was set up by America.
And let’s assume that we get to the mid terms in 2026 and we end up with a Democrat Congress. Based on what we’ve seen so far would that chasten Trump. I don’t think so.
I think America is driving pretty quickly towards a cliff. The car needs to be stopped before it is too late. I wonder how many Americans realize that pretty well the only thing that will stop that car hurtling over the cliff is for the Court system to slam on the brakes. If the Court system does not do that America as a functioning democracy might not survive.
They need their own enforcement Marshalls because Pam Bondi is part of this coup that will not follow the constitution; she has already violated her office
Joyce, I’m thinking that your years as a prosecutor who has seen a criminal get away with crime after crime after crime is enraging your sense of decency and sharpening how you distill our current nightmare into its most basic cause, for which clarity I and I know thousands of others are grateful. But I am equally amazed that the Republicans in the House and Senate, most of whom are not deluded like Trump and must know what destruction he is setting loose have not found the courage to honor the oath they took to protect us from domestic enemies.
OT, but it occurred to my older sister, younger brother, and me - all active Democrats - to ask WHY the Democrats in government didn’t put together their own budget, which would show what could be done without massive tax cuts for the wealthy and a huge deficit?
Obviously it wouldn’t be voted on, but would show what a Democratic alternative might be.
That is a fantastic idea! Call some of the top leaders: Ruben Gallego, Chris Murphy, Sheldon Whitehouse, Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and more.
You call, too! Let's all of us call!
All I am sure of is that when he dies, I will most assuredly crap on his grave and probably get arrested for it. Then I can emblazon it on my tombstone.
“Here rests Bill Katz, who had the audacity to shit on the grave of Donald Trump.”
I apologize for my crudeness but it’s hard to be unaffected. I recall every day and week during 2016-2020 when he just insisted on doing and saying the most profound STUPID. It’s unreal how someone can be this profoundly ignorant and destructive. Why couldn’t his daddy have a vasectomy? Why? The world would have been better.
Why did his damn paternal grandfather dodge the draft in Germany, so they wouldn't let him return after the war? Like grandfather, like father, like son, like sons, and undoubtedly like grandsons when the time comes.
it will be a long line, bring a snack
LOVE IT!!!
AGREE!
Yes, we have to plan for elections, starting now, especially in any possible swing district. We also not bother people now to fight the awful budget bill. Don’t give a crazy man more power.
A “shadow cabinet“ could have done the trick. It still can. But, the Demos are largely feckless (Jeffries, Schumer, et al.), the ones with visible courage are few (AOC, Crockett, Casar, Stansbury; Bernie, Murphy, Van Hollen), and those who seem to inspire ultimately disappoint (Booker). SMH. We need to keep taking it to the streets.
Tim Walz has called for a shadow cabinet. A shadow cabinet along with a Dem 2026 plan could make so much difference heading into the election.
As have others (called for a shadow cabinet, shadow committees, etc.). It's a great idea, and would have enormous messaging value. But nothing happens... and nothing continues to happen... Yes, individuals raise their voices -- for example, Bernie's & AOC's road show, which drew huge crowds, Booker's 24+ hr speech in Congress, some sharp Warren statements here and there. But there is no coherent, unified Democratic opposition and effort to expose the régime's lies, corruption, and extremist puppet masters.
Rachel Bitecofer has said D leadership is working on something. I have been so frustrated that I mailed the letter attributed to Liz Cheney (and written by another woman whose name I've forgotten) to my Congressional reps asking them not to contact me for money or support unless they are out in public every day refuting Trump’s lies and speaking out against this administration and this horrible, no good, awful budget bill.
I hope Bitecofer is right; the Dems need to mainline a big dose of urgency, hurry the **** up, and come out swinging like they never have before. They are months behind the curve.
And while they're at it, push the fossils now in leadership out of the way and let the younger voices and energy run. Listening to ridiculous bullshit like Carville's advice to do nothing, freezing people like AOC out, and not choosing Wikler to head the DNC, for example, just ain't gonna cut it in today's political environment. The old-school norms, traditions, etc., have long since been blown out of the sky. Long past time for Dems to start living and fighting in today's world, on today's terms.
David Hogg should focus on the 90 mill non voters. the voters he challenges with new candidates already vote...
I think the "shadow cabinet" could break into the public consciousness. Significant numbers of Americans are concerned about much of what the administration is doing but they don't hear a voice proposing alternatives. And the news media likes to have provocative alternatives to report. It makes good news for the honest media (i.e. not Fox). Right now alternative voices are not being heard.
Let us see a sample of the shadow cabinet & alternative budget! Um, “Accentuate the Positive…”?
For a shadow cabinet to be effective, people have to be paying attention and consuming real news. I'm afraid that doesn't reflect the state of America in 2025.
Yes!
Such a ‘shadow cabinet’ with highlights of how Dems would handle current hot topics like budget or ongoing policy has been proposed & discussed by Prof Timothy Snyder & other experts on authoritarianism since before inauguration. Dem strategist Simon Rosenburg has also proposed it. Congressional Democrats have been frustratingly slow on receiving the message. House Dems did begin ‘Dem Daily Download’ on Youtube by rotating members but it hasn’t been well publicized.
You’re all right about a shadow government. Where will we get some real leaders?
We have real leaders in the Democratic Party. It's just that we also have a runaway President and Republican party taking a wrecking ball to this democracy. It'll take a stiff spine but justice will prevail. The Republicans are starting to see the threat under Trump and his cabinet and elections are right around the corner.
Chris, you’re so right about Democratic leaders. We’ve had a terrific “bench” for years. They haven’t been used by the DNC…
First I heard of it!
I love that idea -- shadow budget -- I think they should run parallel offerings on a range of things to contrast what Trump is doing and taking away.
Would the legacy media--owned by sniveling cowards in thrall to Trump--offer enough national coverage to make the effort matter?
Besides, the oligarchs, who are practically salivating over renewed tax cuts (which aren't necessary at all; by now we should all know that "trickle down economics" don't work and are a way to benefit the rich) will be greatly disappointed...why, they might even march in protest...all 900 of them. We should be able to handle the squawks of a mere 900 hundred over-privileged greedheads...right?
Yeah, there are 902 billionaires in this country and the combined wealth of the avaricious jackals is estimated to be $6.8 trillion. Yes, TRILLION. They are money hoarders: that money does not get circulated through the businesses to benefit the economy of the country. Instead they park their wealth in banks, as well as in real estate, stocks and bonds where it generates even more money--for them alone. Don't eat the rich; TAX THEM.
It is the only way the democrats can present something different than the GOP. Complaining about #47 alone doesn’t help matters. With every complaint there should be a suggested solution to his every bad action!
As a whole, I would like to see more forcefulness from the Democrats, although there are some outstanding and challenging moments emerging more and more. However, I cannot help but think that a realistic and financially balanced budget requires that the billionaires be taxed. It seems no one is able to lay that on the table, and if they did, they would likely be primaried. Certainly, Bernie and AOC come close, but even they have not offered up details and goals. Please tell me if I am wrong, but somehow Congress must undo Trump's 2017 taxation gift to the wealthiest.
This is a brilliant idea! We need concrete evidence to show up the MAGA gaslighting. An alternative Democratic Party budget proposal would be concrete and give us talking points to counter the budget supported by Trump and his billionaire buddies! Please pass on this idea
https://youtu.be/laQYxkGvrS4?si=3sszLcRD_lSlraaQ
The Project 2029 Plan
Thanks!
There is a shadow government plan put out by John Leguizamo/Liz Cheney (yes her) - it is referred to as Project 2029- building a Rapid Respibse Team nationwide-
www.project2029.me
That was addressed on the Thom Hartmann show today with Representative Pramilla Jayapal. I think the velocity of EOs/ sneaky midnight budget and blocking and tackling is overwhelming. That being said a shadow government is exactly what is needed right now. If you don’t watch the show you can read his daily newsletter at Thomhartmann.com
Sen Warren has done this
Because though it might be a useful exercise, most voters and prospective voters would pay no attention to it, even if the news media reported it semi-accurately, which they wouldn't.
Susanna, at least the Shadow Budget would be “out there”. If even a few people paid attention to it initially, it would still be part of counter programming the MAGA message.
there is talk of the Dems forming a Shadow Cabinet - like they have in England. Similar to your idea, this would give a structure for the Dems to propose their alternatives to all policies, and showcase the differences.
"Members of the military fought and lost their lives to protect our country. All we have to do is vote."
That is it in a nutshell, Joyce! We can do this, and we must. Yours is a call to action. We must heed it. Our lives and the life of our republic depend on it. Thank you!
I am all-in on organizing for the 2026 National Election BUT, BALLOTPEDIA" is my source for notices of upcoming national, state & local election in the next days, weeks or months.
I only checked out Two States Yesterday, Just 2:
1. SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina has been in the national news and highlighted mucho on the posts of Civil Discourse & LFAA. In the last weeks, South Carolina has beaten back several attacks on the Rule of Law & has voted in a progressive SC Supreme Court for a couple of years.
*****
But, can you believe it? SC has "Special Elections" coming up TODAY on 5/27!
So SC remains hot, hot, hot & it is not even Summer.
*****
2. MAINE: "Local Elections". I always check Maine to see if Professor Heather Cox Richardson is running for anything local, anything statewide like the Governorship of Maine, or even nationally: Heather for President!
FYI, BALLOTPEDIA also has a cool, new, digital tool.
Check out *** "Sample Ballot Lookup Tool" ***. So you South Carolinians ... check out that tool now & get out there vote TODAY -- unless you were an "Early Voter" smarty pants.
All we have to do is vote. However, I don’t trust the citizens of this country to do so. We must give them a reason to encourage that ACTION.
On this Memorial Day, I am reminded that I must be as brave as I can be. I am reminded that my parents and their parents sacrificed for good reason. I am reminded that I am the next link in that chain of freedom. I am reminded that WE are the last, best hope.
Beautifully stated, Steve. I want to remember this. Thank you.
Boston lawyer Joseph Welch was a member of the firm Hale & Dorr. And currently Hale and Dorr have taken on Trump in court, through their antecedent firm Wilmer Hale. Don’t ever forget that McCarthy’s right hand man was Roy Cohn, who taught Trump everything he knows about evil.
Roy Cohn didn't have to teach evil to Donald--Donald has had evil in his nature from childhood. Both Trump, Sr. and Cohn cultivated those evil tendencies and taught him how to use it--to "weaponize evil" in a way of speaking.
An excellent point!
Use this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
THANK YOU, Megan, for the work you put into this spreadsheet!!
You’re welcome 💜💜 I needed to do something. The realness of everything was draining! Now I just share it constantly (past 2.5 months 😅) and hope people find a lot of use for it
Yes! I believe your work is working - posting it so that more and more people can get it and use it. Once again, Thank You!!!
It is helpful. I often will write to reps other than my own, even if just a thank you for speaking up & out.
Thank you so much for speaking up right now!
I so appreciate this spreadsheet! Mahalo for your work!
Aww you’re welcome! Your Mahalo brought a smile to my face and made me think of my Grandma! She’s Hawaiian and was the first of her family to cross the ocean when she was 16 to attend college here in Oregon! 💜
I don’t know if McCarthy had a condition that shows up in the DSM-5-TR, but Trump does. He is not simply a bully. He is a narcissist, and a malignant one. He would not crumple at being asked if he had any decency. Instead, he’d sic the DOJ on whoever asked the question.
McCarthy was an alcoholic. I think the country deserves the results of a complete mental and physical health report from someone chosen by Congress or another body to get an unbiased report on Trump.
Trump is what is called "a dry drunk" in that he exhibits the qualities of a drunk who has done no inner work of self-reflection. His horror at what happened to his older brother, a full blown alcoholic, caused Donald to never touch the stuff, to avoid following in any of his admired and kind older brother's behaviors--from seeking out a life as an aviator to admiration of those in the armed services, to pursuing all sorts of sports. The father fought against his older son's predilections, and criticized him cruelly.
FWIW, McCarthy was an alcoholic - that’s what killed him.
also cruel actions which can be very damaging to the body
And make some asinine comment about the question or the person who asked the question! He is so boorish!
In an unfortunate example of life imitating art --- we seem to be currently trapped in that famous Twilight Zone episode, “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street.” You may remember that the town in the episode is manipulated by aliens in an experiment to turn neighbors against one another, with the goal being to see if humans will destroy themselves and make Earth ripe for invasion.
The closing narration sums it all up:
"The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs and explosions and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices...to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill...and suspicion can destroy...and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own — for the children and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone."
Agreed: Challenge the bully. Flood the streets, flood the telephone lines (Representatives are supposed to represent you), pierce the bubble (bubba?) with scorn … their skin is so thin.
We’ve been doing that. Are we having some effect? Maybe a little. The courts are holding the sea back so far. How much longer can it hold before the ocean overtakes us and fascism descends on us?
Excellent question. It’s relentless … it’s meant to be overwhelming … but so clumsily and obviously that that might defeat it. The wasted money in court fees, for one.
That image is beyond frightening, yet we really are so close to losing our Country to these traitors.
This crisis also warns the world that Trump’s America is no longer a reliable beacon of democracy. As other countries step into the void, leading the free world with its commitment to the rule of law, the U.S. judiciary’s struggle is a stark reminder of what’s at stake. If judges can’t operate without fear, how can any democratic institution survive?
There is an item in the BBB that takes power away from the judiciary preventing contempt charges from being brought against the president.
We will challenge the bully and his thugs at NO KINGS! protests around the country on Saturday, June 14. Check www.nokings.org for a protest near you or for tips on how to host your own protest. A few people, a few signs, an American flag, and visibility make a protest. You'll feel good, and you'll inspire and inform others who see you.
Thank you Joyce for your fierce clarity. Have you heard Beto O'Rourke's commencement speech at USC Law School? Fantastic! I don't know how to attach it here.
Where is the Democrat's shadow government? This is a common tactic for opposition parties worldwide. An alternative, on the record. This, as well as having the spine and timing of Joseph Walsh, would deflate our bullying gas-bag president overnight, just like it did with Joseph McCarthy. But why are the Dems such cowards???
Not only Dems, but the entire Congress. Welch challenged McCarthy, but so did many in Congress....finally, and the man went down with a bang. That is one of the main problems with gas bag Trump: the Congress will not overtly challenge him, privately or publicly. And the judiciary, although they are trying, have no enforcement power due to the crippling of the DOJ. Bottom line is that Trump can operate without impunity, as he thinks, and probably rightly at this point, that he has no impediments. Congress is in his pocket, the judiciary is crippled, and his cabinet, who should be guiding him and competent in their jobs, are instead sycophants, incompetent, unknowledgeable, and just plain stupid. The only prayer we have is for the makeup of Congress to change during next year's mid terms. If that happens, and hopefully it will, Trump's power will be greatly diminished. And just maybe, just maybe, some of his idiotic cabinet secys will start to bail. Also, hopefully, the Dems will stop this ridiculous anal focus on Biden and his medical/cognitive issues, and start to cogently and strongly plan for the future with strong candidates, an actual policy plan that will appeal to a large swath of America, and unrelenting but sensible criticism of Trump's current so-called policies. They have got to get off their dead butts, stop looking backwards, and start looking forwards, with young, bright people who appeal to the majority, not just to splinter groups.
Yes!! Kenneth ! A shadow cabinet is a wonderful idea! It’s been suggested a few times and the Democrats haven’t taken it up. I don’t understand why as it would work so well. They don’t want to challenge the GOP!? Please someone explain. I honour the Dems who have worked so hard to explain what’s happening. Their spirit and courage are just amazing, but their leaders are snoozing.
It’s the republicans who are afraid of the bully. Trump threatens them with being primaried. Since trumps arrival on the political scene, many judges, politicians fear thugs coming to their home to threaten them, not to mention emails, phone calls that threaten them.
It's so sad when grown men are afraid to stand up to a bully. And it's even sadder when so many of the people who believe the bully "don't have a pot to pee in or a window to throw it out of" as the old Southern saying goes. And yes, they would be some of the ones up in arms about anyone else doing the things that Trump has done! Apparently, we have elected people to Congress whose only goal in life is to be reelected, NOT to help the people of our country have a better life.
Thanks Joyce! You have a perfect way of framing things. I posted this to FB and I'm going to post it to Bluesky and Twitter.
Good!
Left out of this analysis by Joyce Vance is any reference to Hitler and my view is that he should be included. Hitler came to power in 1933 and, quite apart from his attacks on Jewish people he immediately set out to dismantle the “deep state”. And he succeeded in doing so. So far in America the Judicial System has worked but the Trump Administration keeps assaulting it, and they are hoping to get a crack in the system. Their hope is that when that crack appears the dam will break. He thinks he has the Supreme Court in his pocket and I have no doubt that there are many in the Legal Profession in America who have extreme apprehension that Trump might be right.
If Hitler had been stopped at some appropriate early time in his Administration we might then not have had the Armageddon which followed with the commencement of the 2nd World War in 1939.
The question must be asked- Can America and the rest of the World continue in relative prosperity if these attacks on the institutions of Democracy by Trump continue as they are now ? Imagine for example a continuation for the rest of the year and well into 2026 of what we have seen since January. Can America and the rest of the world sustain that. I don’t think it can. It is that serious.
I have the view that Trump is destroying America from within, and is also attempting to destroy the way the world has functioned since the end of the Second World War. The supreme irony here is that the architecture of that World order was set up by America.
And let’s assume that we get to the mid terms in 2026 and we end up with a Democrat Congress. Based on what we’ve seen so far would that chasten Trump. I don’t think so.
I think America is driving pretty quickly towards a cliff. The car needs to be stopped before it is too late. I wonder how many Americans realize that pretty well the only thing that will stop that car hurtling over the cliff is for the Court system to slam on the brakes. If the Court system does not do that America as a functioning democracy might not survive.
Think you’re on to real concerns, John. I hope the American people will stand up waaaay before 2026 elections.
That will be too late.
They need their own enforcement Marshalls because Pam Bondi is part of this coup that will not follow the constitution; she has already violated her office
Joyce, I’m thinking that your years as a prosecutor who has seen a criminal get away with crime after crime after crime is enraging your sense of decency and sharpening how you distill our current nightmare into its most basic cause, for which clarity I and I know thousands of others are grateful. But I am equally amazed that the Republicans in the House and Senate, most of whom are not deluded like Trump and must know what destruction he is setting loose have not found the courage to honor the oath they took to protect us from domestic enemies.
the republicans in congress are all from the same cloth---white sheets.
I don't want to be too negative, but are we sure we can have a fair election in 2026? I'm getting doubtful.