February 14, 2021

Consider "the Hastert rule", and its impact on politics.

From Wiki:

Dennis Hastert was the first Speaker of the House to use this as the only criterion for allowing a vote on legislation. And the effect of this was to eliminate the idea of compromise. Under Hastert, and Newt Gingrich, and Paul Ryan, only GOP ideas could be voted on.

So when pundits call for reaching out, and bipartisan compromise, remember that the GOP operates under the idea that any compromise really means that Democratic lawmakers must adopt the GOP position.

February 14, 2021

How can we reach out to Trump voters?

As I see it, the main issue is that many Trump voters fell for his fantasy of making America great again. That fantasy is based on a vision of the US that never really existed, except, perhaps, in country music videos and revisionist history, but it is an appealing one for conservatives who long for that imagined, but imaginary, past.

And many of these voters know, on a certain level, that they are not doing well, and that their children will do even worse. So when the con man came along with his vision of that perfect past, and promised to bring it back, they believed because they needed to believe.

My view is that Biden and the Democrats must go big. Spend trillions on the Green New Deal, and extended unemployment, and job training, and child tax credits, and student loan forgiveness, and watch the productive economy grow.

The GOP opposed the original New Deal, and the result was Democratic control for many years.

And as we also know, many voted for Trump because he is a racist. Reaching those people might be impossible.

Thoughts?

PS Happy Valentine Day.

Edited to add: Pass a voting rights act to prevent vote suppression.

February 11, 2021

Is there a doctor in the house?

I am confused. The GOP is the Party of law and order, and the Party that loves the flag. They tell us so constantly. So when we all saw the Trump inspired seditionists beating up Capitol Hill police, using flagpoles with US flags still attached, my brain cannot reconcile the rhetoric with the reality.

Does anyone have a suggested remedy for my cognitive dissonance inspired headache?

February 5, 2021

I've got Q babe

I’ve got Q babe

They say we're young and we don't know
We won't find out until we grow
Well I don't know if all that's true
'Cause you got me, and baby I got Q

Babe I got Q babe
I’ve got Q babe

I read about lasers up in space
And history we really must erase
got MAGA hats, the Capitol coup
Lots of terrorizing we must do

Babe, I’ve got Q babe
I’ve got Q babe

I got Nazis in the spring
I got Proud boys to wear my ring
And when I'm sad, cause Trump’s a clown
And if I get scared, you're always around
Babe, I’ve got Q babe
I’ve got Q babe

So let them say your facts are wrong
'Cause I don't care, us MAGAts are still strong
Then put your little hand in mine
There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb
Babe, I’ve got Q babe
I’ve got Q babe

Sorry, Sonny and Cher....

February 4, 2021

Stop COVID19 in its tracks. Well, technically, it does not have tracks, however...

I would like to thank Marjorie Taylor Green, GOP Representative from Planet Insane, for this inspiration.

What we do is aim those Jewish space lasers at the COVID19 virus particles that are floating in the air. Use that laser light to burn up the COVID19 particles.

To guard from the heat generated, I will be offering MTG brand tin foil hats so that any laser light that strikes a person will be safely redirected back into space.

Act right now, and order 2 MTG tin foil hats, at the low price of $75.99 per pair, and I will throw in absolutely free a copy of the bestselling "Collected wit and wisdom of Donald J Trump".

January 20, 2021

Trump is a symptom of a 400 year old disease.

The orange moron is out of power. And for most of the 330 million Americans, the country is ready, past ready, except for those living in a past that never really existed.

These white supremacist Trumpers mourn for a non-existent America that only existed for rich white people. What Trumpers see as history is actually the real cancel culture of white historians who created a myth of strong, white, male heroes.

And this true cancel culture ignores that brutal fact that the United States was founded on slavery and genocide, and these white, male, Founding Fathers, (never mothers), accepted the slavery and genocide, while pretending to believe that "all men are created equal".

Until we know the true history, until we know and admit to the fact of white supremacy, we cannot heal. The infection of white supremacy is still raging. We can see it in every murder by police of a black person. We can see it in every effort to prevent non-whites from voting. We can see it in the disparities of wealth, of life expectancy, and in job opportunities.

The question for us all is, can we admit to the problem, and do we have the courage to solve the problem?

December 18, 2020

Many times I have been called perfect.

The problem is, many times people insist on adding to the description. Words like "ass", or "idiot", and other words.

My resolution for 2021 is to stop listening after I hear the word perfect.

December 17, 2020

A request for help for 2 progressive women candidates. (X-posted from IL group)

The GOP is truly terrible at policy, and governance, but they do understand how critically important it is to run candidates for office at every level of government. From local school boards, to library boards, to town and township posts, the GOP recruits people.

By doing so, the GOP inspires people to run for office, and these people spread the GOP narrative. And to be honest, often Democrats look instead to state wide or national offices, and ignore local races. But remember that Sarah Palin got her start running for mayor of a tiny town in Alaska.

In my area, 2 local, very progressive women are running for offices in Palos Township. The township is located southwest of Chicago. It has been the site of many protests, mainly concerning a racist Trustee who frequently posts her Islamophobic brand of hatred on Facebook. And she often identifies as a Palos Trustee, using her status as a local politician to strengthen her message.
If you are interested in learning more about the Palos Township situation, I am including a link. And a Google search will reveal much more about this racist.

Part of the issue as well is that the Township is stonewalling on FOIA requests, which is part of the issue. And they have covered for the racist, and her lies, for 3 and 1/2 years.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-palos-township-dispute-st-1007-20201006-55ecsoeszjfahnrk6p25rpgm6i-story.html


These women are both very active in the community, and one in particular is active in nearly every progressive cause there is.
The reasons I am writing, and posting this, are twofold. To spread the message that people are actively fighting against every form of hate, and to ask the DU community to consider making a donation via Act Blue.

I am including links to their Facebook pages, a well as a link to ActBlue, and a link to volunteer for anyone who is interested. Volunteer opportunities include text messaging and phone banking. Please, if you can, consider donating, and consider volunteering.


Thanks in advance,
Guillaume


FB: https://www.facebook.com/mervatefortrustee/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/tammyforclerk/

Donation Link: https://bit.ly/contributetm

Volunteer Link: https://bit.ly/volunteertm

December 17, 2020

Calling all Illinois DU members, especially in the Chicago area

The GOP is truly terrible at policy, and governance, but they do understand how critically important it is to run candidates for office at every level of government. From local school boards, to library boards, to town and township posts, the GOP recruits people.
By doing so, the GOP inspires people to run for office, and these people spread the GOP narrative. And to be honest, often Democrats look instead to state wide or national offices, and ignore local races. But remember that Sarah Palin got her start running for mayor of a tiny town in Alaska.
In my area, 2 local, very progressive women are running for offices in Palos Township. The township is located southwest of Chicago. It has been the site of many protests, mainly concerning a racist Trustee who frequently posts her Islamophobic brand of hatred on Facebook. And she often identifies as a Palos Trustee, using her status as a local politician to strengthen her message.
If you are interested in learning more about the Palos Township situation, I am including a link.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-slowik-palos-township-dispute-st-1007-20201006-55ecsoeszjfahnrk6p25rpgm6i-story.html


These women are both very active in the community, and one in particular is active in nearly every progressive cause there is.
The reasons I am writing, and posting this, are twofold. To spread the message that people are actively fighting against every form of hate, and to ask the DU community to consider making a donation via Act Blue.
I am including links to their Facebook pages, a well as a link to ActBlue, and a link to volunteer for anyone who is interested. Volunteer opportunities include text messaging and phone banking. Please, if you can, consider donating, and consider volunteering.



FB: https://www.facebook.com/mervatefortrustee/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/tammyforclerk/

Donation Link: https://bit.ly/contributetm

Volunteer Link: https://bit.ly/volunteertm

November 30, 2020

I encountered a Trump voter who spoke about "communist-democrats" Saturday.

I was gathering signatures with a friend of mine for a local person who is running for office in my area. A person from one household was signing my petition as my friend was speaking with the neighbor next door.
This Trump voter came out of the house, followed my friend as she joined me, and spoke to both of us about "communist-democrats", and other Trump brand idiocy.

My friend attempted to reason with the Trump voter, but reason never works on the unreasonable.

And that is, and will remain, a huge problem for the near future as 70 million US voters believe that up is down and down is up.

What is critical, in my view, is to motivate the 33% who did not vote, or were prevented from voting.