Yes it will take decades. And maybe that's part of the problem - no one pays attention to that part of life I will call civic involvement. But that happens to be a prerequisite to a happy life wherever you live. I want more than anything for that to change in this next voting generation. Democracy certainly is not a spectator sport as we are now learning.........
Such a wonderful post! If Mamdani is showing one thing it that moving to the center or to the right is not the answer for any part of our bashed and battered country! Make the wealthy pay at least their fair share is a large part of the answer.
Agreed. PS: Do you ever wonder if Clinton's whole "triangulation"/moving the party to the right was the result of ... kompromat? No one was a bigger BC fan than I, but now I'm wondering...
Clinton was governor of the southern state of Arkansas, a charismatic man who wanted power. I think he genuinely believed swinging Democrats to the right was the way to go. It worked for him. Not for the rest of us.
There are many wealthy that really know they should do this so won't fight. But--others will keep spending their money to support the R's who promise them tax cuts. Hopefully when individuals of character see what is happening in this country, they will pay their more than fair share.
Thank you for this hopeful lesson for all who reject the MAGA agenda of regression. Just before reading this, I read Jennifer Rubin in The Contrarian, in which she highlights LaTosha Brown, a co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund. Saturday May 16 is an important day of protest across the country in defense of voting rights.
Rubin writes, "Beyond November, Brown implores Americans to think big to meet the moment. “I am asking us to stop being incrementalists. Incrementalism assumes a system that operates in good faith. We do not have one.” Instead, she explained, “I am asking us to be the architects. The people who understand that we are building for a hundred years, not for one election or news cycle.”
Thanks, Jess, couldn't agree more. And the people who need to read this the most are the Democratic establishment! They need to stop opposing or sabotaging progressive candidates and let the people choose. When they sabotage people like Mamdani for total scumbags like Cuomo, they reveal their interest is not in the people but rather lining their pockets or saving their privileged positions. We need to be loud and let them know we aren't going to stand for it anymore ("I'm as mad as hell")
We need badass candidates, people willing to fight for the common good, to swing for the fences. America got to the moon because we aimed for the moon. We need to channel our inner Frances Perkins, FDR’s badass Labor Secretary.
The Republican Party is no longer the party of Lincoln. It is the party of the Epstein/enslaver class.
I was excited to vote for Mayor Mamdani, and am thrilled with what he has accomplished so far for our city. I only wish he was able to one day run for President, but unfortunately he does not qualify. As a side note, AOC is my representative and I am proud to have voted for her every time. She is proof that ordinary people can get involved in government and make a difference.
Mayor Mamdani said that if we can make this work in NYC, we can make it work across the nation. I'm beginning to think that the President has way too much power. Look at Trump. We need to rethink leadership altogether. And I'm certain that there are folks out there doing just that now. If corporations dare to consider themselves "citizens," then they should pay their fair share of taxes like the rest of us. Shame on them.
Agree! We need to focus on those races closest to home. It appears change will not happen top down, but bottom up. If enough communities and states start taking care of the business of the people, DC will be forced to follow suit one day.
We can't wait for Washington to fix this. Think of the incompetent goons DT has put in place and the number of vital organization that Elon Musk gutted. It is disgusting.
The president was never intended to wield the scope of authority he now claims. As Madison wrote, in a republican government the legislative authority ‘necessarily predominates.’ The Constitution reflects that design: Congress was meant to hold the central governing power, with the president executing laws rather than shaping them. The modern expansion of executive authority is largely the result of Congress’s long‑term delegation of its own legislative and oversight responsibilities. We need Congress to get back to work and do their job.
What a great article. We do need more people running that are willing to swing for the fences. I’m almost 71 and we definitely need a change in thinking.
If only women weren't doxxed, weren't constantly under threat, had to deal with elected leaders calling them hysterical and bitches and a whole boatload of attacks that kind of force us out of the process, if we value our lives and/or the lives of friends and family.
"Bold. Audacious. Unafraid.” Yeah, that’s exactly what I want in a candidate. That, and I want candidates who are not orange-nosing, regressive, money-worshipping morons, too.
Of course there were bold, audacious Democrats like FDR, Francis Perkins and others in his early NY Governor’s administration and later in his Presidential administration who first introduced the New Deal in the wake of the great Depression. He was hated for it by the Republican Party, and the millionaire class who crashed the economy. His Democratic Socialist policies, ant-trust and high taxes for the wealthy helped create the largest middle class in America.
The midterm elections will be a telling moment. People will either engage or our country will fall to the rich bastards that only care about themselves. And if no one shows up to vote then we deserve the country we get.
"Swing for the fences", I like that. The other evening, I met Cindy Holscher who is running for governor of KS and her background is similar to yours in having grown up in Slater, MO. Listening to her speak, made me wonder if you know her. I wish now I would have asked her during my brief conversation...........I will see her again and will ask. She is swinging for the fences across the state of KS looking for a home run. Thanks Jess and someone needs to hit Mark Alford out of the park.
Bill, I'm a PCL in Olathe. All of us are going to need help this year, stuffing envelopes, canvassing, etc. I hope you can find time in the one month before each election to help out!
I'm in precinct 7 and am involved there and plan on getting involved as needed. I am also a poll worker and am waiting on the call for assignments before committing to too much, but I definitely will be helping out.
If you haven't already done so, take a look at Graham Platner, running for US Senate in Maine. His campaign is mostly in rural areas with small town people.
Seriously - a tattoo & some reddit posts from someone just out of military service? Seems so far those are the only things opposition could come up with.
We need more people who havent been involved in politics for decades. Younger people without ""seniority"" in the house or senate. I'm 88, frankly, those 80-90 year old politicians need to retire!
I think most intelligent people who see the atrocities in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, & Iran done by Israel - not by Jews, but by the Israeli government & its military are aware of where the blame lies.
I read his bio. And the rest of your post reeks of anti-Jewish tropes repurposed for our times.
I know, your next comment will be to put me in the wrong. Might want to look up DARVO before then.
There are 15 million Jews on the planet. 2 billion Muslims. Half a billion Arabs. One majority Jewish country with a 20% Palestinian Israeli population. Who vote and are in parliament. There are 22 majority Muslim countries, all of which are almost completely Judenrein.
Must be nice to imagine Jews as so amazingly powerful.
Are you trying to say you fundamentally disagree with Jess's post, and that progressives are just as bad as MAGAts? Or just that in your view, getting what you thought was a badass tattoo means you are actually once and forever a Nazi? Or that on balance you support Susan Collins' mealy-mouthed obeisance to Republicans? Or what? It's really unclear what you're trying to express here.
You seem to be trying to have a conversation, so I'll assume good intent and answer in kind.
I think Jess is trying and mostly succeeding in her work. I don't think this post was as nuanced as many her posts are.
I am not at all a fan of Mamdani and very much not a fan of the DSA. I think they represent a flavor of unrealistic idealism that verges into ideological blindness. And, quite frankly, they aren't fond of Jews (and I'm not arguing on this one--like it or don't). Which, for me, is a non-starter.
In addition, Graham Plattner, Mamdani, and others enter into politics with pretty words and no experience. All else aside, Platter has the gall to jump into national office with no other governmental experience? Just pretty words and an oopsie, my bad? Leaving the latter issue aside, words get NOTHING done.
I am absolutely no fan of Collins. She should have gone years ago. I'm not fan of Cuomo. He should have gone years ago.
So I am blaming--if you will--voters and parties (my own Dems, in particular) across the country for not finding and cultivating better candidates. The choice in NY between Mamdani and Cuomo? Ugh. The choice between Plattner and Collins? Ugh.
And, as a Jew (but not azzajoo), I scares the hell out of me--I know how this story goes.
A few thoughts for you: 1) As Jess says, there is no perfect candidate. 2) Since Trump I it is clear that experience is no longer a relevant criterion for selecting candidates for public office. 3) If you don't like MAGAts or "corporate" democrats, idealistic democratic socialists are who you should support, and if the term "socialist" scares you perhaps you don't understand it. 4) If your entire world view is determined by your religion, perhaps a country supposedly dedicated to rule of secular law and freedom of religion is not for you.
Yes, yes, yes, Jess. All of what you said!!! Go, Mamdani! Go, Truman! Loved the socialism quote from Harry. I am a 73 year old Texan, and I have been hearing that “socialism” bogeyman work my ENTIRE life to scare people into voting AGAINST their own interests and the interests of their friends and neighbors to help billionaires, fat cats, and the “moneyed interests.”
Could this actually change before I die? Doubtful in my pessimistic world view, especially with the terminally stupid and shallow(and yes racist) electorate we have in this country. Exhibit A is my own state, sadly. Watching the past ten years of stupidity, insanity and cultish devotion to horrible people and horrible ideas and policies supports my pessimistic position. HOWEVER, I pray the “youngsters” will listen to you and people like you, and a new day is coming. May it be so.
That's what was said about Hillary Clinton's run AND Kamala Harris' run for the presidency. There's hope, people said. Saw the excitement. Saw the HUGE crowds. Yet, by hook or by crook, they both lost. I don't believe they both lost, but Dems did not fight what seemed to be 'fixed' elections, meekly accepting Felon 4547's apparent 'wins'. This Canadian has very little hope left, in this moment, for a renewed relationship with the USA. I'm sad and feel stuck with a lack of hope.
And did you notice? The DNC has refused to release the "autopsy" report showing why they lost the 24 election! I've watched Ken Martin babble on & attempt to make excuses for that - he cant! It's the same old story - the Old Guard Dems.
Honestly, I have no doubt - its the fact that Kamala stayed with Biden's Gaza/Israel mess.
I agree completely. Go for the fences. Tax the rich. Do the big things. Do them quickly so people see it now, not years down the road. Make a splash.
If the tech bros can win elections by "moving fast and breaking things," we sure as hell ought to be able to move fast and repair their dirty work.
One thing my strata hates me for: being right about this statement ~
It is easier and cheaper to maintain than it is to replace.
Repairing their dirty work is not going to be easy or fast. Just saying.....
I know. But it’s aspirational.
The Democrats need to learn how to “move fast and break the stranglehold” of greedy Republican politicians and their billionaire donors.
Decades
Yes it will take decades. And maybe that's part of the problem - no one pays attention to that part of life I will call civic involvement. But that happens to be a prerequisite to a happy life wherever you live. I want more than anything for that to change in this next voting generation. Democracy certainly is not a spectator sport as we are now learning.........
Exactly.
Such a wonderful post! If Mamdani is showing one thing it that moving to the center or to the right is not the answer for any part of our bashed and battered country! Make the wealthy pay at least their fair share is a large part of the answer.
Agreed. PS: Do you ever wonder if Clinton's whole "triangulation"/moving the party to the right was the result of ... kompromat? No one was a bigger BC fan than I, but now I'm wondering...
Clinton was governor of the southern state of Arkansas, a charismatic man who wanted power. I think he genuinely believed swinging Democrats to the right was the way to go. It worked for him. Not for the rest of us.
Thanks for the BC clarification.
There are many wealthy that really know they should do this so won't fight. But--others will keep spending their money to support the R's who promise them tax cuts. Hopefully when individuals of character see what is happening in this country, they will pay their more than fair share.
BC?
I think “BC” = Bill Clinton given the context.
Thank you for this hopeful lesson for all who reject the MAGA agenda of regression. Just before reading this, I read Jennifer Rubin in The Contrarian, in which she highlights LaTosha Brown, a co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund. Saturday May 16 is an important day of protest across the country in defense of voting rights.
Rubin writes, "Beyond November, Brown implores Americans to think big to meet the moment. “I am asking us to stop being incrementalists. Incrementalism assumes a system that operates in good faith. We do not have one.” Instead, she explained, “I am asking us to be the architects. The people who understand that we are building for a hundred years, not for one election or news cycle.”
I love that quote!
Me too.
Yes! And it is still true.
Tomorrow?
Yes. https://www.mobilize.us/blackvotersmatter
Wow yeah
Thanks, Jess, couldn't agree more. And the people who need to read this the most are the Democratic establishment! They need to stop opposing or sabotaging progressive candidates and let the people choose. When they sabotage people like Mamdani for total scumbags like Cuomo, they reveal their interest is not in the people but rather lining their pockets or saving their privileged positions. We need to be loud and let them know we aren't going to stand for it anymore ("I'm as mad as hell")
We need badass candidates, people willing to fight for the common good, to swing for the fences. America got to the moon because we aimed for the moon. We need to channel our inner Frances Perkins, FDR’s badass Labor Secretary.
The Republican Party is no longer the party of Lincoln. It is the party of the Epstein/enslaver class.
You nailed it with Epstein/enslaver class.
I was excited to vote for Mayor Mamdani, and am thrilled with what he has accomplished so far for our city. I only wish he was able to one day run for President, but unfortunately he does not qualify. As a side note, AOC is my representative and I am proud to have voted for her every time. She is proof that ordinary people can get involved in government and make a difference.
Mayor Mamdani said that if we can make this work in NYC, we can make it work across the nation. I'm beginning to think that the President has way too much power. Look at Trump. We need to rethink leadership altogether. And I'm certain that there are folks out there doing just that now. If corporations dare to consider themselves "citizens," then they should pay their fair share of taxes like the rest of us. Shame on them.
Or as some insightful observer once said, "I'll believe corporations are people when Texas executes one."
That's a good one.
Agree! We need to focus on those races closest to home. It appears change will not happen top down, but bottom up. If enough communities and states start taking care of the business of the people, DC will be forced to follow suit one day.
We can't wait for Washington to fix this. Think of the incompetent goons DT has put in place and the number of vital organization that Elon Musk gutted. It is disgusting.
The president was never intended to wield the scope of authority he now claims. As Madison wrote, in a republican government the legislative authority ‘necessarily predominates.’ The Constitution reflects that design: Congress was meant to hold the central governing power, with the president executing laws rather than shaping them. The modern expansion of executive authority is largely the result of Congress’s long‑term delegation of its own legislative and oversight responsibilities. We need Congress to get back to work and do their job.
I couldn’t agree more 🙏
What a great article. We do need more people running that are willing to swing for the fences. I’m almost 71 and we definitely need a change in thinking.
If only women weren't doxxed, weren't constantly under threat, had to deal with elected leaders calling them hysterical and bitches and a whole boatload of attacks that kind of force us out of the process, if we value our lives and/or the lives of friends and family.
"Bold. Audacious. Unafraid.” Yeah, that’s exactly what I want in a candidate. That, and I want candidates who are not orange-nosing, regressive, money-worshipping morons, too.
Exactly.
We have a saying in the Law Enforcement training community: if you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve already got.
Be different . Be bold. Swing for the fences and not a safety squeeze.
Flipped my metaphoric sources there, but there’s truth there.
Thank you!
Good one - another is "continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome". (paraphrasing here). You get the gist.
Sure hasnt been a lot of bold or swinging for the fences in the Dem party for a long long time - if ever!
Of course there were bold, audacious Democrats like FDR, Francis Perkins and others in his early NY Governor’s administration and later in his Presidential administration who first introduced the New Deal in the wake of the great Depression. He was hated for it by the Republican Party, and the millionaire class who crashed the economy. His Democratic Socialist policies, ant-trust and high taxes for the wealthy helped create the largest middle class in America.
We need that kind of boldness for the future.
We sure do - we need another Francis Perkins!!! (and another FDR)
I love that saying. It sums it up nicely. Thanks.
The midterm elections will be a telling moment. People will either engage or our country will fall to the rich bastards that only care about themselves. And if no one shows up to vote then we deserve the country we get.
Yeah, but the rest of the world doesn't.
"Swing for the fences", I like that. The other evening, I met Cindy Holscher who is running for governor of KS and her background is similar to yours in having grown up in Slater, MO. Listening to her speak, made me wonder if you know her. I wish now I would have asked her during my brief conversation...........I will see her again and will ask. She is swinging for the fences across the state of KS looking for a home run. Thanks Jess and someone needs to hit Mark Alford out of the park.
I have been in the same circles at Cindy, but I have never met her...and Mark! Ughhhh!
I am wondering why you don’t run for office, Jess???
Bill, I'm a PCL in Olathe. All of us are going to need help this year, stuffing envelopes, canvassing, etc. I hope you can find time in the one month before each election to help out!
Cindy,
I'm in precinct 7 and am involved there and plan on getting involved as needed. I am also a poll worker and am waiting on the call for assignments before committing to too much, but I definitely will be helping out.
If you haven't already done so, take a look at Graham Platner, running for US Senate in Maine. His campaign is mostly in rural areas with small town people.
I have great hope for Platner.
Same here!
I am so impressed by him and what he's running on and has been able to do. We need many more like him campaigning in the same way.
The fact that he hasnt been in politics being used against him - frankly is the biggest plus.
You mean the dude with the Nazi tattoo? Woot?
Seriously - a tattoo & some reddit posts from someone just out of military service? Seems so far those are the only things opposition could come up with.
We need more people who havent been involved in politics for decades. Younger people without ""seniority"" in the house or senate. I'm 88, frankly, those 80-90 year old politicians need to retire!
I think most intelligent people who see the atrocities in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, & Iran done by Israel - not by Jews, but by the Israeli government & its military are aware of where the blame lies.
I read his bio. And the rest of your post reeks of anti-Jewish tropes repurposed for our times.
I know, your next comment will be to put me in the wrong. Might want to look up DARVO before then.
There are 15 million Jews on the planet. 2 billion Muslims. Half a billion Arabs. One majority Jewish country with a 20% Palestinian Israeli population. Who vote and are in parliament. There are 22 majority Muslim countries, all of which are almost completely Judenrein.
Must be nice to imagine Jews as so amazingly powerful.
Seriously - anti-jewish tropes? where?
Having "looked up" DARVO - clearly you are better at it than I am!
Good job! That answer is #2 most popular. Play again for #1?
no no no you win! Not worth it.
Unlike Pete Hegseth, Graham Platner has regretted his tattoo, covered it with a new one, and addressed his growth as a human being.
You just keep telling yourself that. The horseshoe is real.
Are you trying to say you fundamentally disagree with Jess's post, and that progressives are just as bad as MAGAts? Or just that in your view, getting what you thought was a badass tattoo means you are actually once and forever a Nazi? Or that on balance you support Susan Collins' mealy-mouthed obeisance to Republicans? Or what? It's really unclear what you're trying to express here.
You seem to be trying to have a conversation, so I'll assume good intent and answer in kind.
I think Jess is trying and mostly succeeding in her work. I don't think this post was as nuanced as many her posts are.
I am not at all a fan of Mamdani and very much not a fan of the DSA. I think they represent a flavor of unrealistic idealism that verges into ideological blindness. And, quite frankly, they aren't fond of Jews (and I'm not arguing on this one--like it or don't). Which, for me, is a non-starter.
In addition, Graham Plattner, Mamdani, and others enter into politics with pretty words and no experience. All else aside, Platter has the gall to jump into national office with no other governmental experience? Just pretty words and an oopsie, my bad? Leaving the latter issue aside, words get NOTHING done.
I am absolutely no fan of Collins. She should have gone years ago. I'm not fan of Cuomo. He should have gone years ago.
So I am blaming--if you will--voters and parties (my own Dems, in particular) across the country for not finding and cultivating better candidates. The choice in NY between Mamdani and Cuomo? Ugh. The choice between Plattner and Collins? Ugh.
And, as a Jew (but not azzajoo), I scares the hell out of me--I know how this story goes.
A few thoughts for you: 1) As Jess says, there is no perfect candidate. 2) Since Trump I it is clear that experience is no longer a relevant criterion for selecting candidates for public office. 3) If you don't like MAGAts or "corporate" democrats, idealistic democratic socialists are who you should support, and if the term "socialist" scares you perhaps you don't understand it. 4) If your entire world view is determined by your religion, perhaps a country supposedly dedicated to rule of secular law and freedom of religion is not for you.
Yes, yes, yes, Jess. All of what you said!!! Go, Mamdani! Go, Truman! Loved the socialism quote from Harry. I am a 73 year old Texan, and I have been hearing that “socialism” bogeyman work my ENTIRE life to scare people into voting AGAINST their own interests and the interests of their friends and neighbors to help billionaires, fat cats, and the “moneyed interests.”
Could this actually change before I die? Doubtful in my pessimistic world view, especially with the terminally stupid and shallow(and yes racist) electorate we have in this country. Exhibit A is my own state, sadly. Watching the past ten years of stupidity, insanity and cultish devotion to horrible people and horrible ideas and policies supports my pessimistic position. HOWEVER, I pray the “youngsters” will listen to you and people like you, and a new day is coming. May it be so.
Thank you for your great work.
Thank you!
Fellow Tx here, I’m in your camp. Tide may be changing, there is hope!
That's what was said about Hillary Clinton's run AND Kamala Harris' run for the presidency. There's hope, people said. Saw the excitement. Saw the HUGE crowds. Yet, by hook or by crook, they both lost. I don't believe they both lost, but Dems did not fight what seemed to be 'fixed' elections, meekly accepting Felon 4547's apparent 'wins'. This Canadian has very little hope left, in this moment, for a renewed relationship with the USA. I'm sad and feel stuck with a lack of hope.
Neither Hillary or Kamala are Progressive. Hell, they aren't even moderate. Straight up middle right.
TERRIBLE CANDIDATES.
And did you notice? The DNC has refused to release the "autopsy" report showing why they lost the 24 election! I've watched Ken Martin babble on & attempt to make excuses for that - he cant! It's the same old story - the Old Guard Dems.
Honestly, I have no doubt - its the fact that Kamala stayed with Biden's Gaza/Israel mess.
Love this! People everywhere are ready to tax the rich in order to take care of "we the people. "
Agree! They've been living off of us long enough - and their corporate welfare... WTF!
So hopeful: love it. Your daughter's response, the data about young people, and especially the Truman quote about socialism. Thank you.
Yes, Jess, thank your daughter. If she brought him to your attention, think of all the other parents that might have been introduced to him that way!
The youngsters have it right.
https://albellenchia.substack.com/p/the-kids-are-all-right?r=7wk5d
Love that quote from Harry Truman.