I was a bit startled by your initial premise. Never considered that analogy.
You're exactly on target, and your criticism of the Democratic party echoes my belief that both parties are engaged in a game of "good cop, bad cop" to further themselves.
Your comparison to crabs in a bucket explains this cynical behavior better than any other explanation I've seen.
Perhaps it's time to not run "Reds" or "Blues" per se, but women as opposed to men, as historically, matriarchies tend to care better for more people than patriarchies.
That's true in the animal world, too, and we're not that different.
I had the same reaction! I have seen the Dems do exactly what Jesse described in my red area of Western New York. We have the additional burden of being in a blue state so our qualified and enthusiastic Dem candidates are ignored. We could have had another blue seat in Congress if the DNC had supported and funded our candidates in the last two cycles against Claudia Tenney of make trump's birthday a national holiday fame. I wish I could believe they'll help this time around. Again, highly qualified Dems are stepping up to challenge her. They need financial support and endorsement.
Agreed. I think we all need to step up and push harder. There's just too much laissez-faire going on in politics. Or is it amnesia caused by too much convenience (and money)? It's OUR society, and we need to treat it as such.
A young woman I know said that she did not pay attention to politics, nor did she follow any political news. What a shortsighted viewpoint. That is only one reason why we are in the situation we’re in. Politics affects all our lives.
Jess, your run for office gave people in your area a choice. The seditious Congress critter for my district ran several times before he won. He chipped away at Democratic support for several election cycles. Then he won; now he regularly supports all MAGA talking points while enthusiastically investing in the stock market.
We have to keep trying. The Republicans did not come into power overnight. Thank you for your efforts.
⬆️ "A young woman I know said that she did not pay attention to politics, nor did she follow any political news. What a shortsighted viewpoint. That is only one reason why we are in the situation we’re in. Politics affects all our lives."
I have this T-shirt and like to wear it for protests and voter registration drives:
I send money to Democratic candidates in red states.
It's like throwing money into a bottomless pit.
No matter how much all of you want to blame the rest of us, resources are limited. How much did we send to South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Texas and yes, Missouri last year for Senate and House races?
And the outcome?
Your friends and neighbors vote how they're going to vote. They voted Cruz and Hawley -- two men famous for running away.
A friend told me it was the Democrats' fault that Hillary Clinton lost Wisconsin because she didn't campaign enough there.
Really?
No one campaigns in Maryland and that doesn't stop us from voting for candidates.
This time her argument was we needed to have primaries.
Except we DID HAVE PRIMARIES. And Joe Biden won them which didn't matter to a whole hell of a lot of you.
And the delegates he won were released and they voted to make Harris the nominee.
(And if the vice president had been Tim Kane instead of Kamala Harris no one would have even suggested it.)
I agree with Jess that we should be supporting her and her type of campaign more.
But I'm done with the whining about how the rest of us aren't sending you enough money.
The only campaign you should have needed in Missouri were the two photos of Josh Hawley on January 6th.
Seems you are using a very wide brush to paint "you Democrats" in Missouri (or Texas). I'm in Georgia, and I can guarantee you I didn't have anything to do with MTG winning her seat! And I did participate in Sen Warren and Sen Ossof winning theirs. If you sent money to the DNC, you participated in what Jess is decrying! The DNC doesn't support rural candidates, then blames the local Democrats when no Democrat ever wins. What? Jess had said for years, they can't vote "in their own interests" if there is no Democrat on the ballot! It will take decades to turn it around, but the time is NOW to start! I hope you will continue to support Democratic candidates in rural races. Jess is an example that your funds are not going down a black hole. Your donation is landing on the bottom and slowly, together, we can build the funds, and those candidates can ride them, up to the top!
I think we actually need to run for EVERY seat. Where else will people hear competing view points? 70% of seats have no competition. It’s time to recruit better. It’s time to plan. In my area we had one person a Dem, run for both the 2 year term seat for borough council and the 4 year term seat for borough council. They were going to have to resign a seat after winning. I wasn’t born yesterday. They were blocking a female business owner from running. She wanted more transparency and was critical of the current council. Coincidentally she also attends every meeting. He unfortunately successfully blocked her
To further expand we are never going to take over ruby red districts if they hear no opposing view points. It’s not a “waste” of money. It’s long term planning
This is about extreme corruption in politics and Party Democrats…corporate old school Democrats care only about keeping themselves in power. Imagine being in a position to challenge someone in a blood red state and having even one Democrat give you a backhanded comment. We need to listen to this! And I think Jess is spot on! We need to support blue dots in red states MORE than Blue in Blue states. I too send money to red state Democrats. Do I consider it a waste if they lose! No! Accumulate it for next time! I want them supported and compensated as much as humanly possible. As long as I can do so, I will give…but retirement IS around the corner and I hope we’re past the Fascism by the time it’s difficult for me to give.
I am new to donating to candidates. If I donate to a candidate using the ActBlue website does the money go to the candidate or the party? How much does ActBlue take for their "cost"?
You can never win if you don’t run. Getting out there and being heard is important for the race you’re in and for the future. The amount of money Jess raised shows that she is a viable candidate.
Actually, it is amazing that Jess achieved this. If certain Democrats don’t fully recognize her contributions, I want those people gone and Jess and everyone like her in!
It is an extremely stressful and depressing time for those of us here in Jesusland who possess basic human empathy. I wrote an account of what the extremes that went through this week for a very slim chance to talk to my MAGA overlords, all of whose salaries I pay. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
Thank you for running and for this message. I agree 💯
I hope you will consider again. I’m from AZ and have been a subscriber for a while. I have admired your strength, stories, grit, determination and passion ever since I learned about your race.
I think Jess nailed it. She has a great analogy for the GOP’s campaign to make sure that people who are of another race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. do not succeed. I have never understood the desire to impose your own belief system on others who are simply minding their own business. "Parental choice" does not mean that you can decide which books are appropriate for every child in the school system, just your own!
But I am saddened and angered by the treatment Jess received at the hands of the democratic party official in MO. The nerve of the man trying to dictate how you deploy the funds YOU raised through YOUR own hard work!
"That’s an extraordinary fundraising haul for any rural House candidate, especially a Democrat in an un-winnable district. Piper has leveraged all available social media tools by tweeting, Tik Tok-ing and Instagramming her way to raise more than any other Democratic House candidate.
In fact, the last two fundraising reports show Piper with more cash on hand than the entire House Democratic Campaign Committee. But, I suspect, instead of deploying a significant portion of her financial haul in large chunks to 4 or 5 swing districts where she could have a decisive impact..."
It makes me wonder though - was his response in retaliation because Jess showed him up and raised more money than the candidates in "winnable" districts showing what was possible if you put the work into it? I'm imagining him saying "well you know, we need to temper fundraising expectations because after all Missouri is a red state now..." And then Jess blew it out of the water!
I'n in NC and before Anderson Clayton became our state party chair, I had no idea who was in charge of the Democratic Party here. She is a breath of fresh air!
I was thinking the same thing. Jess embarrassed them with how much work she did. After following Jess for a few months I realize that the Democratic strategy to only fund who they think are winnable candidates is what has given the American Fascist Party so much power. We can't win where we never compete.
Female legislators bring more money to their district than male legislators do. They also get more bills passed than male legislators do. That last sentence pissed me off. Had a discussion with another older female dem that we don’t think that a woman can win a run for President because too many, mainly men that don’t think a woman can run the country. Yet woman run other countries. They can be Senators. They are better legislators…
I believe Margaret Meade went into some detail about these societies a hundred years or so ago. (Polynesian and Melanesian). I don't think there are functioning ones now, but there are groups (thinking Native American) that have equal decision-making built into their societies.
I don’t think of it as “good cop, bad cop” so much as kayfabe.
The late Bob Geigel used to run Thursday night wrestling shows for the National Wrestling Alliance at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, KS. After the shows, if you knew where to go - a “gentlemens club” in a former Italian place called the Villa Capri on Independence Avenue - you could usually find two “bitter enemies” drinking side by side at the bar, having a good laugh at the marks who thought they really hated each other.
I’m from WI and DO WISH you would run again. You’ve made such a difference on Substack with your presence. A future win would send a message throughout not only your state, but nationally. You have a story to tell but also many solutions with your clearance-headed thinking. Your kind of “freshness” would really cut through the thick gooey hateful rhetoric of MAGA. Keep up your visits, travels and Godspeed to you!
You are so right!! I do hope you will consider running again! I would love for you to set your sights on bigger and better. You could make a difference whether it be MO or DC! Keep fighting!
Your campaign donors expected you to use those funds to aid your campaign, not some other candidate in some other district. It would have been disrespectful to your donors to redirect their donations. Good for you!
Reducing the margin in one election might well be the stepping stone to a victory in a subsequent election.
Well. Jess Piper this is just excellent. I learned a LOT! Did not know that about crabs. I attended a meeting where citizens were starting up Democrat representation in the county I live in. They were doing so from the ground up. I could help but think if only there was a larger body of Democrats in the state that already knew how to do all the paperwork and could help them so that they didn't have to reinvent the wheel. If ever there was a time when outsiders could get elected this is it and it may very well be the last time. Keep doing what you're doing Jess Piper. You are appreciated.
I thought there is a state Democratic Party in every state. Some are stronger than others and therefore can help better than others. They all should be able to give some support at the county level....
You make solid points. But the crabs in a bucket is the literary tool of American writer Charles Bukowski, please credit him. Also, I have to say both parties do this. How long has the Democratic Party been pulling Sanders, AOC and now Mumdani down?
I personally believe this is happening as the once middle class realizes the losses and experiences panic. The scarcity causes a form of dog eat dog mentality. But you are right in that the Republicans feed it and manufacture consent to be cruel as if it solves anything. This dangerous game has a short shelf life but it’s long enough to have lost our democracy.
How have they been pulling Sanders down? Sanders got away with stealing Hillary Clinton's voter data when he should have been kicked out of the primaries over that.
How long will the thieves continue to lie that standard primary and caucus rules are "rigging"? Even after they lost the 2020 Iowa caucus after they rewrote the Iowa Democratic Party's caucus rules to benefit them?
[Fwiw I first heard the expression "panier de crabes" from my French husband. The expression goes back to at least the early 20th century. (I learned another great French expression from him when you get a request to do something while you are already extremely busy regarding a broom, one's nether regions and sweeping the floor... it's a tad vulgar for a polite forum!)]
You are spot on. I was so mad about the dems piling on AOC, and Mamdani, that all requests for money from ActBlue or DNC, now include a NO and a word about my money now going to individual candidates like AOC or Mamdani. I’ll get the names of others who need an assist. And now Blue Missouri is on my list. Keep at it Jess. Thanks
Take a look at Oath.vote. They claim to identify races around the country where smaller contributors could have the most impact. They break it down by categories of interest such as “flip the House” or reproductive rights. Can’t vouch for how effective it is, but the approach is interesting.
Agreed. The DNC likes to think they're the be all and end all, but they're entrenched in old ways of thinking that haven't worked in a long time. If they really knew what voters wanted, would we be in this mess now? Obviously change is needed, as are "unconventional" candidates. Any donations I make are to individual candidates and the money damn well better stay with that candidate!
Pelosi - who I usually admire greatly - blocked her from the House Oversight Ranking Comm seat in favor of an old guy they knew was sick and who died not long after.
The New York state Democrats are largely staying away from the NYC mess when they can.
The reason many support Cuomo despite the allegations is because they think he was railroaded. Cuomo's considered the lesser of multiple evils because his chief accuser, Lindsey Boylan, was trying to get revenge after quitting her state job before she could be fired for harassing three Black women employees in her office =
"On Sunday, the New York Post reported on misconduct claims filed against Boylan during her time in the governor’s office. According to the documents obtained by the Post, three Black employees alleged that Boylan was a “bully” who “treats them like children” and was confronted with $8,000 in travel expenses, which ultimately led to her resignation."
Wow is that a great metaphor! Nailed it. I remember when Jeff Smith wrote that, and I usually agree with him, but on that note, he was wrong. Thanks Jess.
After reading what he wrote, I think he was jealous because Jess showed him up with respect to the idea of "giving it your all". I think he was trying to shift his short comings on to Jess. "We would have a better success rate if that jess Piper hadn't been so selfish about not sharing her fundraising haul"
Oh, Jess. He really just humiliated himself and doesn’t even know it, bless his heart. 😄
I remember hearing that the Buddha was supposed to have asked this question: If you offer someone a gift and they refuse it, to whom does it belong?
Never too late to refuse THAT “gift!”
Keep on keepin’ on, please. What you do is so important and such a gift of inspiration and encouragement to your like-minded neighbors here in bright red Oklahoma — a gift that we gratefully do NOT refuse!
How could you? We Missourians voted to ban puppy mills & this "person" got it overturned so his MOM wouldn't have to get off her ass & get the dog shit out of the dogs drinking water .... Maybe get more involved & stop listening to liars!
Exactly right Jess. The zero sum mindset is ruining our country. Too many people seem to think they can’t “afford” to be kind, generous or even civil. Might get in the way of their gaining something, anything; I doubt they even know. It’s very sad and discouraging. All we can do is stay committed to our own values, and hope to bring them along at some point. Thanks for all your work.
This is why so many people say one party is no different from another. The strategizing is all about getting and/or keeping themselves in power, and both parties are run like private clubs. The "plans" are just the means to that end. I have been registered Democrat all my life, and I have never been a member of the club. I vote D because they say the things I would like to hear, not because I expect they will actually do them, and I rarely like what I hear from the Republicans, especially now. There will always be some strategic reason for strategizing Ds to not quite get there. I wonder what strategizing Ds will learn from the trumpists.
Perfect analogy! and spot on. Not everyone is socially/mentally equipped to enjoy the progress and success of others because they look at themselves and think perhaps they are not as good which makes them feel bad for themselves. Sad but very true. What society needs are more truth tellers like you and more cheer leaders from the side who are ecstatic and show it when someone other than themselves get ahead. It thrills me to see women succeed where I was blocked because of my gender. If all I get to do today is cheer other women on I am happy to do so. Any chance you will run again??
The DNC is doing the same to young Democrats too, like Deja Fox and David Hogg. I dislike giving to the DNC because they are working against us, just as you say.
I never understood the crabs in a bucket, so thank you for the lesson, and all of your lessons.
I’m not in your district, but I’ll donate directly to your campaign if you please run again.
David Hogg uses his position to attack other Democrats. He also threw a hissy fit when he and Malcolm Kenyatta's elections had to be redone because of huge errors made in them. He refused to run again. Kenyatta didn't throw a hissy fit, he ran again and won in a fair contest.
David Hogg wants to primary young progressives against complacent Dems, including many who ought to be aging out. He’s onto something and I admire him for that.
Here is something else - I will vote for a progressive but will not base my choice solely on the fact that they are a progressive. I’m thinking about Fetterman here. What a bust. Likewise I’m going to try and avoid sneering at a Democrat who doesn’t always vote along the party line but who has managed to win an election in a very red area. Leaving Manchin out of things.
I think this is the best post you have written Jess. It encompasses things I have been pondering for some time. The refusal, as humans, to allow others to succeed, will be out downfall. Women, need to stop the catty take downs and help each other in this oh-so-hard world. Young men need to stop feeling sorry for themselves and do what it takes to make this a more just society. It's always the blame game on the internet. It has become such a cesspool and AI won't make it any better. Democrats need to get a dream team together of young people who are willing to do what it takes to revise our current system. And, let's get the money out of politics completely. Set a budget that candidates can spend, shorten the election cycle, and put in term limits to refresh things on a regular basis.
It is disappointing that Jeff Smith won't rethink that viewpoint and both give you credit for what you have done since then to organize in under-represented progressives, and offer a mea culpa about failing to see the folly in abandoning rural areas.
I am spending the weekend with an old friend, a former hard-charging Republican office holder in another red state, who first became Never Trump and has since really re-thought her old views. She ran and lost a local election in '24. She ran as an independent, but had a lot of support from the vestigial Democratic party in her area. And here's the thing: the area still ended up with a MAGA in office, but the local Democrats, now including her adult daughter, have gone from a handful of disconsolate die hards to an active and invigorated group many times the former size, holding No Kings rallies and organizing. Is this only because of my friend? Obviously not, but I believe the new hope and determination that the powerless and discouraged liberals and moderates in the area are now feeling was at least nourished by her courageous act. And that's what you have done on a huge scale, Jess. It takes a few leaders who seem to be tilting at windmills, to give others the strength to step forward and get involved.
I was a bit startled by your initial premise. Never considered that analogy.
You're exactly on target, and your criticism of the Democratic party echoes my belief that both parties are engaged in a game of "good cop, bad cop" to further themselves.
Your comparison to crabs in a bucket explains this cynical behavior better than any other explanation I've seen.
Perhaps it's time to not run "Reds" or "Blues" per se, but women as opposed to men, as historically, matriarchies tend to care better for more people than patriarchies.
That's true in the animal world, too, and we're not that different.
Thanks for your perceptive comments.
I had the same reaction! I have seen the Dems do exactly what Jesse described in my red area of Western New York. We have the additional burden of being in a blue state so our qualified and enthusiastic Dem candidates are ignored. We could have had another blue seat in Congress if the DNC had supported and funded our candidates in the last two cycles against Claudia Tenney of make trump's birthday a national holiday fame. I wish I could believe they'll help this time around. Again, highly qualified Dems are stepping up to challenge her. They need financial support and endorsement.
Agreed. I think we all need to step up and push harder. There's just too much laissez-faire going on in politics. Or is it amnesia caused by too much convenience (and money)? It's OUR society, and we need to treat it as such.
So, pushing on. Cheers!
A young woman I know said that she did not pay attention to politics, nor did she follow any political news. What a shortsighted viewpoint. That is only one reason why we are in the situation we’re in. Politics affects all our lives.
Jess, your run for office gave people in your area a choice. The seditious Congress critter for my district ran several times before he won. He chipped away at Democratic support for several election cycles. Then he won; now he regularly supports all MAGA talking points while enthusiastically investing in the stock market.
We have to keep trying. The Republicans did not come into power overnight. Thank you for your efforts.
⬆️ "A young woman I know said that she did not pay attention to politics, nor did she follow any political news. What a shortsighted viewpoint. That is only one reason why we are in the situation we’re in. Politics affects all our lives."
I have this T-shirt and like to wear it for protests and voter registration drives:
https://shop.rayandwren.com/products/everything-is-political-organic-tee
My friend running for a Missouri House seat says “You do politics before politics does you.”
We can't vote for you.
I send money to Democratic candidates in red states.
It's like throwing money into a bottomless pit.
No matter how much all of you want to blame the rest of us, resources are limited. How much did we send to South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Texas and yes, Missouri last year for Senate and House races?
And the outcome?
Your friends and neighbors vote how they're going to vote. They voted Cruz and Hawley -- two men famous for running away.
A friend told me it was the Democrats' fault that Hillary Clinton lost Wisconsin because she didn't campaign enough there.
Really?
No one campaigns in Maryland and that doesn't stop us from voting for candidates.
This time her argument was we needed to have primaries.
Except we DID HAVE PRIMARIES. And Joe Biden won them which didn't matter to a whole hell of a lot of you.
And the delegates he won were released and they voted to make Harris the nominee.
(And if the vice president had been Tim Kane instead of Kamala Harris no one would have even suggested it.)
I agree with Jess that we should be supporting her and her type of campaign more.
But I'm done with the whining about how the rest of us aren't sending you enough money.
The only campaign you should have needed in Missouri were the two photos of Josh Hawley on January 6th.
And you reelected him anyway.
Seems you are using a very wide brush to paint "you Democrats" in Missouri (or Texas). I'm in Georgia, and I can guarantee you I didn't have anything to do with MTG winning her seat! And I did participate in Sen Warren and Sen Ossof winning theirs. If you sent money to the DNC, you participated in what Jess is decrying! The DNC doesn't support rural candidates, then blames the local Democrats when no Democrat ever wins. What? Jess had said for years, they can't vote "in their own interests" if there is no Democrat on the ballot! It will take decades to turn it around, but the time is NOW to start! I hope you will continue to support Democratic candidates in rural races. Jess is an example that your funds are not going down a black hole. Your donation is landing on the bottom and slowly, together, we can build the funds, and those candidates can ride them, up to the top!
I think we actually need to run for EVERY seat. Where else will people hear competing view points? 70% of seats have no competition. It’s time to recruit better. It’s time to plan. In my area we had one person a Dem, run for both the 2 year term seat for borough council and the 4 year term seat for borough council. They were going to have to resign a seat after winning. I wasn’t born yesterday. They were blocking a female business owner from running. She wanted more transparency and was critical of the current council. Coincidentally she also attends every meeting. He unfortunately successfully blocked her
To further expand we are never going to take over ruby red districts if they hear no opposing view points. It’s not a “waste” of money. It’s long term planning
Yes!
The 50 state strategy that Howard Dean implemented as chair of the DNC and that Tim Kaine abandoned on the advice of the leadership’s big brains.
This is about extreme corruption in politics and Party Democrats…corporate old school Democrats care only about keeping themselves in power. Imagine being in a position to challenge someone in a blood red state and having even one Democrat give you a backhanded comment. We need to listen to this! And I think Jess is spot on! We need to support blue dots in red states MORE than Blue in Blue states. I too send money to red state Democrats. Do I consider it a waste if they lose! No! Accumulate it for next time! I want them supported and compensated as much as humanly possible. As long as I can do so, I will give…but retirement IS around the corner and I hope we’re past the Fascism by the time it’s difficult for me to give.
When I give money to a candidate, it's to them directly, not to the party.
Excellent idea!
I am new to donating to candidates. If I donate to a candidate using the ActBlue website does the money go to the candidate or the party? How much does ActBlue take for their "cost"?
Best to google Act Blue to get full answers to your questions.
Thanks I was thinking that as I wrote the question
You can never win if you don’t run. Getting out there and being heard is important for the race you’re in and for the future. The amount of money Jess raised shows that she is a viable candidate.
Actually, it is amazing that Jess achieved this. If certain Democrats don’t fully recognize her contributions, I want those people gone and Jess and everyone like her in!
The DNCC in particular has a bad habit of getting in its own way. 😩
I’ve seen the DNCC reject a winning candidate in favor of identity politics and we lost a likely Dem senator.
The crab analogy is aptly used here in all situations.
If you think so little of rural and/or red-state voters, I am curious as to why are you reading Jess Piper's substack.
It is an extremely stressful and depressing time for those of us here in Jesusland who possess basic human empathy. I wrote an account of what the extremes that went through this week for a very slim chance to talk to my MAGA overlords, all of whose salaries I pay. NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
https://open.substack.com/pub/rickvandeven/p/the-gang-gets-kicked-off-the-melon?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=45y6de
Thank you for running and for this message. I agree 💯
I hope you will consider again. I’m from AZ and have been a subscriber for a while. I have admired your strength, stories, grit, determination and passion ever since I learned about your race.
I think Jess nailed it. She has a great analogy for the GOP’s campaign to make sure that people who are of another race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, etc. do not succeed. I have never understood the desire to impose your own belief system on others who are simply minding their own business. "Parental choice" does not mean that you can decide which books are appropriate for every child in the school system, just your own!
But I am saddened and angered by the treatment Jess received at the hands of the democratic party official in MO. The nerve of the man trying to dictate how you deploy the funds YOU raised through YOUR own hard work!
"That’s an extraordinary fundraising haul for any rural House candidate, especially a Democrat in an un-winnable district. Piper has leveraged all available social media tools by tweeting, Tik Tok-ing and Instagramming her way to raise more than any other Democratic House candidate.
In fact, the last two fundraising reports show Piper with more cash on hand than the entire House Democratic Campaign Committee. But, I suspect, instead of deploying a significant portion of her financial haul in large chunks to 4 or 5 swing districts where she could have a decisive impact..."
It makes me wonder though - was his response in retaliation because Jess showed him up and raised more money than the candidates in "winnable" districts showing what was possible if you put the work into it? I'm imagining him saying "well you know, we need to temper fundraising expectations because after all Missouri is a red state now..." And then Jess blew it out of the water!
I'n in NC and before Anderson Clayton became our state party chair, I had no idea who was in charge of the Democratic Party here. She is a breath of fresh air!
As is Jess Piper!
I was thinking the same thing. Jess embarrassed them with how much work she did. After following Jess for a few months I realize that the Democratic strategy to only fund who they think are winnable candidates is what has given the American Fascist Party so much power. We can't win where we never compete.
I never knew that about crabs 🦀 Great piece, Jess, thank you
Female legislators bring more money to their district than male legislators do. They also get more bills passed than male legislators do. That last sentence pissed me off. Had a discussion with another older female dem that we don’t think that a woman can win a run for President because too many, mainly men that don’t think a woman can run the country. Yet woman run other countries. They can be Senators. They are better legislators…
Name the "matriarchy" you're claiming takes better care of its citizens.
I believe Margaret Meade went into some detail about these societies a hundred years or so ago. (Polynesian and Melanesian). I don't think there are functioning ones now, but there are groups (thinking Native American) that have equal decision-making built into their societies.
But then there are women like Noem and Bondi who don’t care about people, so maybe not men vs. women.
I don’t think of it as “good cop, bad cop” so much as kayfabe.
The late Bob Geigel used to run Thursday night wrestling shows for the National Wrestling Alliance at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, KS. After the shows, if you knew where to go - a “gentlemens club” in a former Italian place called the Villa Capri on Independence Avenue - you could usually find two “bitter enemies” drinking side by side at the bar, having a good laugh at the marks who thought they really hated each other.
Or Good vs Evil
I now support 'Blue Missouri.' Not enough to make a difference but important to me personally.
NYC granny
Friend, you are making such a difference!
I’m from WI and DO WISH you would run again. You’ve made such a difference on Substack with your presence. A future win would send a message throughout not only your state, but nationally. You have a story to tell but also many solutions with your clearance-headed thinking. Your kind of “freshness” would really cut through the thick gooey hateful rhetoric of MAGA. Keep up your visits, travels and Godspeed to you!
You are so right!! I do hope you will consider running again! I would love for you to set your sights on bigger and better. You could make a difference whether it be MO or DC! Keep fighting!
Agree 100% Jess. I wish you would run again!
Me too, I hope it is helping more crabs pull us out!
I do too! I learned about Blue Missouri from this substack!
Your campaign donors expected you to use those funds to aid your campaign, not some other candidate in some other district. It would have been disrespectful to your donors to redirect their donations. Good for you!
Reducing the margin in one election might well be the stepping stone to a victory in a subsequent election.
Well. Jess Piper this is just excellent. I learned a LOT! Did not know that about crabs. I attended a meeting where citizens were starting up Democrat representation in the county I live in. They were doing so from the ground up. I could help but think if only there was a larger body of Democrats in the state that already knew how to do all the paperwork and could help them so that they didn't have to reinvent the wheel. If ever there was a time when outsiders could get elected this is it and it may very well be the last time. Keep doing what you're doing Jess Piper. You are appreciated.
I thought there is a state Democratic Party in every state. Some are stronger than others and therefore can help better than others. They all should be able to give some support at the county level....
Yes, you would think. BTW I'm an Independent.
You make solid points. But the crabs in a bucket is the literary tool of American writer Charles Bukowski, please credit him. Also, I have to say both parties do this. How long has the Democratic Party been pulling Sanders, AOC and now Mumdani down?
I personally believe this is happening as the once middle class realizes the losses and experiences panic. The scarcity causes a form of dog eat dog mentality. But you are right in that the Republicans feed it and manufacture consent to be cruel as if it solves anything. This dangerous game has a short shelf life but it’s long enough to have lost our democracy.
Thanks for giving me a name! This analogy has been around so long that I just assumed it common knowledge.
I first heard about crabs in a bucket from a Native American - saying that Natives keep each other down.
How have they been pulling Sanders down? Sanders got away with stealing Hillary Clinton's voter data when he should have been kicked out of the primaries over that.
How long will we beat that dead horse?
How long will the thieves continue to lie that standard primary and caucus rules are "rigging"? Even after they lost the 2020 Iowa caucus after they rewrote the Iowa Democratic Party's caucus rules to benefit them?
This is correct.
[Fwiw I first heard the expression "panier de crabes" from my French husband. The expression goes back to at least the early 20th century. (I learned another great French expression from him when you get a request to do something while you are already extremely busy regarding a broom, one's nether regions and sweeping the floor... it's a tad vulgar for a polite forum!)]
You are spot on. I was so mad about the dems piling on AOC, and Mamdani, that all requests for money from ActBlue or DNC, now include a NO and a word about my money now going to individual candidates like AOC or Mamdani. I’ll get the names of others who need an assist. And now Blue Missouri is on my list. Keep at it Jess. Thanks
Thank you, friend. I work with Blue Missouri because they actually send money to nominees. The nominees nobody else will support.
Perfect. Let’s get the people WE want elected into office.
Take a look at Oath.vote. They claim to identify races around the country where smaller contributors could have the most impact. They break it down by categories of interest such as “flip the House” or reproductive rights. Can’t vouch for how effective it is, but the approach is interesting.
Thanks for the suggestion. I checked it out and sent some $$.
Agreed. The DNC likes to think they're the be all and end all, but they're entrenched in old ways of thinking that haven't worked in a long time. If they really knew what voters wanted, would we be in this mess now? Obviously change is needed, as are "unconventional" candidates. Any donations I make are to individual candidates and the money damn well better stay with that candidate!
How have the national Dems been attacking AOC? Pelosi explicitly protected her as she protected all incumbents.
Pelosi - who I usually admire greatly - blocked her from the House Oversight Ranking Comm seat in favor of an old guy they knew was sick and who died not long after.
And they passed over her again. It’s now Robert Garcia of CA. 👹
That move doesn't also mean that Speaker Pelosi was not protecting AOC. She could have been doing both. She is surely a very able politician.
Exactly!
As I understand it, the NY Dems backed Cuomo for mayor (even with all his baggage!) and were not supportive of Mamdani at all!
The New York state Democrats are largely staying away from the NYC mess when they can.
The reason many support Cuomo despite the allegations is because they think he was railroaded. Cuomo's considered the lesser of multiple evils because his chief accuser, Lindsey Boylan, was trying to get revenge after quitting her state job before she could be fired for harassing three Black women employees in her office =
"On Sunday, the New York Post reported on misconduct claims filed against Boylan during her time in the governor’s office. According to the documents obtained by the Post, three Black employees alleged that Boylan was a “bully” who “treats them like children” and was confronted with $8,000 in travel expenses, which ultimately led to her resignation."
https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2020/12/the-latest-on-lindsey-boylans-accusations-against-cuomo/175354/
When you say you don't give money to ActBlue but to the individual candidates, are you using ActBlue web site to donate the money?
I’ve started writing checks again.
So you send checks directly to the candidate?
Yes. Direct to candidate.
You are inspiring, and I am hopeful that you will be part of the change in my home state of Missouri, where so many of my relatives still live.
Wow is that a great metaphor! Nailed it. I remember when Jeff Smith wrote that, and I usually agree with him, but on that note, he was wrong. Thanks Jess.
I’m still mad at him 😂 I wish he’d just apologize, but nope. He humiliated me and never looked back.
You are not humiliated when someone else exposes their own venality. He showed you, and everyone who was paying attention, who he is.
After reading what he wrote, I think he was jealous because Jess showed him up with respect to the idea of "giving it your all". I think he was trying to shift his short comings on to Jess. "We would have a better success rate if that jess Piper hadn't been so selfish about not sharing her fundraising haul"
Oh, Jess. He really just humiliated himself and doesn’t even know it, bless his heart. 😄
I remember hearing that the Buddha was supposed to have asked this question: If you offer someone a gift and they refuse it, to whom does it belong?
Never too late to refuse THAT “gift!”
Keep on keepin’ on, please. What you do is so important and such a gift of inspiration and encouragement to your like-minded neighbors here in bright red Oklahoma — a gift that we gratefully do NOT refuse!
Typical male behavior. sigh.
And you kept on! You did not throw up your hands and quit! Thank you for that.
How could you? We Missourians voted to ban puppy mills & this "person" got it overturned so his MOM wouldn't have to get off her ass & get the dog shit out of the dogs drinking water .... Maybe get more involved & stop listening to liars!
Are you talking about Jason Smith? Or what Parsons did before he became governor?
Exactly right Jess. The zero sum mindset is ruining our country. Too many people seem to think they can’t “afford” to be kind, generous or even civil. Might get in the way of their gaining something, anything; I doubt they even know. It’s very sad and discouraging. All we can do is stay committed to our own values, and hope to bring them along at some point. Thanks for all your work.
I have not heard this metaphor before, thank you for once again clarifying my thinking and increasing my awareness
This is why so many people say one party is no different from another. The strategizing is all about getting and/or keeping themselves in power, and both parties are run like private clubs. The "plans" are just the means to that end. I have been registered Democrat all my life, and I have never been a member of the club. I vote D because they say the things I would like to hear, not because I expect they will actually do them, and I rarely like what I hear from the Republicans, especially now. There will always be some strategic reason for strategizing Ds to not quite get there. I wonder what strategizing Ds will learn from the trumpists.
At least the published platforms and policies of the Democrats support democracy. There is that difference from the Republicans and Project 2025.
Perfect analogy! and spot on. Not everyone is socially/mentally equipped to enjoy the progress and success of others because they look at themselves and think perhaps they are not as good which makes them feel bad for themselves. Sad but very true. What society needs are more truth tellers like you and more cheer leaders from the side who are ecstatic and show it when someone other than themselves get ahead. It thrills me to see women succeed where I was blocked because of my gender. If all I get to do today is cheer other women on I am happy to do so. Any chance you will run again??
Dear Jess,
The DNC is doing the same to young Democrats too, like Deja Fox and David Hogg. I dislike giving to the DNC because they are working against us, just as you say.
I never understood the crabs in a bucket, so thank you for the lesson, and all of your lessons.
I’m not in your district, but I’ll donate directly to your campaign if you please run again.
David Hogg uses his position to attack other Democrats. He also threw a hissy fit when he and Malcolm Kenyatta's elections had to be redone because of huge errors made in them. He refused to run again. Kenyatta didn't throw a hissy fit, he ran again and won in a fair contest.
David Hogg wants to primary young progressives against complacent Dems, including many who ought to be aging out. He’s onto something and I admire him for that.
David Hogg has white male fragility syndrome and wants to waste the limited resources on pushing his own anti-POC, anti-woman agenda
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/5/28/2324787/-Whiteness-Wednesdays-Addressing-White-Privilege-Fragility-the-David-Hogg-Drama-Part-2
I was not aware of this point of view. Thank you for pointing it out. I will do some more research.
https://open.substack.com/pub/michaelharriot/p/david-hoggs-white-tears-explained
Here is something else - I will vote for a progressive but will not base my choice solely on the fact that they are a progressive. I’m thinking about Fetterman here. What a bust. Likewise I’m going to try and avoid sneering at a Democrat who doesn’t always vote along the party line but who has managed to win an election in a very red area. Leaving Manchin out of things.
I think this is the best post you have written Jess. It encompasses things I have been pondering for some time. The refusal, as humans, to allow others to succeed, will be out downfall. Women, need to stop the catty take downs and help each other in this oh-so-hard world. Young men need to stop feeling sorry for themselves and do what it takes to make this a more just society. It's always the blame game on the internet. It has become such a cesspool and AI won't make it any better. Democrats need to get a dream team together of young people who are willing to do what it takes to revise our current system. And, let's get the money out of politics completely. Set a budget that candidates can spend, shorten the election cycle, and put in term limits to refresh things on a regular basis.
Sigh. I admire what you did and what you're doing. All we can do is carry on.
It is disappointing that Jeff Smith won't rethink that viewpoint and both give you credit for what you have done since then to organize in under-represented progressives, and offer a mea culpa about failing to see the folly in abandoning rural areas.
I am spending the weekend with an old friend, a former hard-charging Republican office holder in another red state, who first became Never Trump and has since really re-thought her old views. She ran and lost a local election in '24. She ran as an independent, but had a lot of support from the vestigial Democratic party in her area. And here's the thing: the area still ended up with a MAGA in office, but the local Democrats, now including her adult daughter, have gone from a handful of disconsolate die hards to an active and invigorated group many times the former size, holding No Kings rallies and organizing. Is this only because of my friend? Obviously not, but I believe the new hope and determination that the powerless and discouraged liberals and moderates in the area are now feeling was at least nourished by her courageous act. And that's what you have done on a huge scale, Jess. It takes a few leaders who seem to be tilting at windmills, to give others the strength to step forward and get involved.