As a Texan living in an urban city, with family all over rural TX, I know this to be true. What we have to face, though, is the media landscape in these rural areas. My family literally can’t get a PBS signal or any other mainstream channel, but the 700 club sure comes in clear (as does FOX).You can talk all you want to a rural voter but if everything they see & hear is from a right wing outlet, they simply will NOT believe you. Can you speak to how we combat this? Me and my activist friends have been noodling over this for YEARS!
Nutmeg, We must get some Left wing ownership of-the airwaves or it will be extremely difficult to overcome the lies these people hear as truth. Soros & Mark Cuban are two wealthy people talking about this. Groups are gathering online as well.
Thanks Jess and Nutmeg, point made . And why we as subscribers need to gift Substack, advocate for Substack, talk up Substack. The ‘fight’ isn’t ever over but needing to bring the principles back in focus IS. The elected is for the wholeness of America..isn’t it?
That should be the Team Theme!
Bring out the voters ! Enthuse ‘We The People’ to see, hear, feel the part they are in this American Dream. Their participation is needed. Let’s figure out how to sell that!
Yes. This. With that being said I teach American politics and political philosophy to college students in the Bible belt and I can say they are my hope and my anchor in all this. They are generally thoughtful, open to counter arguments and understand facts and data whatever their ideological leaning.
So many won't hear a thing but for those that want to learn, where should we be to teach?
Please do see a doctor. A cortisone shot may be all you need to get it going again. Then you can do some simple PT exercises without pain to strengthen and get back to normal. You can find the PT exercises online, once you know exactly what the problem is. I speak from experience, and I deeply sympathize. Also, I love your comparisons for the Dems.
I have/had similar pain and it’s tendenosis (not tendinitis) in my case. That is what my PT called it. She gave me some exercises and they worked. Now it’s back and I’ve got to do it again. See the Doc. We care about you!
I agree, please see a doctor. You might be building up scar tissue which will give more problems(I've had both shoulders operated, speaking from experience). Best of luck, and thank you for illuminating your journey for us!
Howard Dean, whom I supported for his presidential run, said the same thing to a fundraising event I attended in Dallas. The dem party labeled him crazy. The DNC is the biggest problem democrats have. They support the neo liberal corporate agenda. They knocked Howard and Bernie out of a chance at true progressive leadership. Keep up the good work Jess!
Help me understand. Is it the DNC that holds the power? And who exactly?
Please know I am not criticizing. I just want some clarity about who we mean when we say “the Democrats” and “those that hold the power in the Democratic Party.
I worked my tail off for Howard Dean in 04 and am still a fan. He led the DNC during the Obama campaign and gave us a 50-state strategy. As usual, when things work Dems abandon the things that got them there. We need Dean’s vision again. Here is a great interview from 2016: Howard Dean Wants To Lead The DNC Again; Has A 50-State Strategy
I remember his 50-State strategy and how well it worked. Never could understand why that approach was abandoned. With all the money VP Harris raised so quickly, you know that there are plenty of people out there who will do the work with support and encouragement from the national party!
The power is corporate America. They fund every seat on a national level. Depending on the state, they can do the same w every state seat, like in TX. Much of the dem party is funded by universities and legacy banking. Howard and Bernie threatened that fundraising mechanism, so the DNC said “nope”.
I have one word for why Trump won -- lies. They started with the size of his inauguration crowd after the 2016 election, and we have reached the point where every word out of the mouth of a Republican is a lie. I too don't know how we turn that around, but doing nothing is not an option.
My thought at the end of this is to remember the lesson of Monique and Jerry Sternin: "encourage Positive Deviance." Don't try to take on huge problems all at once, and let people do the work who are already close to those who need to change.
I grew up in Lauren Boebert's old district. If I, a transgender woman from California, went back there to talk politics, I wouldn't be given the time of day. But there was a woman running for that position in 2020 who was also a rancher; someone who drove tractors and rode horses herself - and was a Democrat with serious concern for people's lives. She spoke the language, and actually walked the talk. She dropped out because of some redistricting that put her home outside the district. There have to be others!
I have one of my most valued mentors to thank for it: Barbara Waugh was the official "change catalyst" at HP Labs, and did indeed change my life by the opportunities she opened up! She mentioned the Sternins during one of our many sessions as we attempted to "do well by doing good" in that company. It has now grown to a major movement.
I once campaigned in southern Missouri when my husband was running for state A.G. There were substantial numbers of people who declared that they would not vote for him because he was a lawyer. How do you explain that the A.G. is a lawyer for the state and is required to actually be a lawyer without sounding like an uppity city person?
I love physical therapy! They really helped my shoulder ( mild rotator cuff tear). Please go and put in the work to get better. Without treatment you could end up with a frozen shoulder.
NC has been doing this under our new NCDP leadership with Anderson Clayton. And we won back the Democratic governor's veto power, elected several great Dems statewide, and have begun gaining traction in more rural areas. Contest every race. Field great candidates. Stay engaged and keep talking to voters and doing good in the community.
I have been hearing good things about the woman who is the new head of the Democratic party in NC, and made a donation to them rather than specific candidates knowing they know where the money is needed the most, but there must be a good person in charge.
Amen on the need for Ds to show up AND STAY in rural America. I have been donating to rural outreach organizations for years. If there are others that could use this support, please let me know.
What "rural outreach organizations" are you donating too? I am interested in the same! Jess hits the nail on the head - but so hard to compete with FOX et al.
I can SO see myself doing the same thing! I love the jacket and hope you heal quickly.
I’m embedded in a rural southern red state. I worked with the Dem party doing phone banking and served as a poll watcher through the election. A lot of what we did was contact voters who didn’t vote in the mid terms and asked them about their plan to vote. This was a very important role and I wish I had gotten involved earlier.
I just signed up for the volunteer after party which appears to be automated via the DNC and after signing up, I was surprised and pleased that they immediately provided a list of things to volunteer for in preparation for the next election. They aren’t taking a break.
I also have a confession to make. I’m not actually a democrat, I’m independent, former republican, but this next vote is going to be VERY important looking at how this next admin is starting to form. I also support things like universal health care, women’s reproductive rights (I just restocked an alarming article on OB/GYNs fleeing Texas due to their draconian laws), etc. and a host of other initiatives that are important to America.
So, yes. It’s time for me to get involved again and I appreciate your encouragement.
PT is your friend. A good physical therapist will work with you to minimize the pain. Even if long-term you might need surgery, PT can sometimes help delay surgery. It can be time consuming, but if you do the exercises at home, you can minimize PT visits.
Yes, Dems must go after the rural vote, and that will require full-time engagement. However, media coverage of GOP vs Dems is a serious problem in rural areas. DEMS MUST IMPROVE THEIR MESSAGING - nationally, and locally. All those programs that have benefited rural voters - they don't even realize they are benefitting from Obama and Biden initiatives. Whether the benefits of the ACA/Obamacare including coverage for pre-existing conditions, affordable internet access, lead pipeline removal, ALL voters must be reminded that they are benefitting from Dem policies. If programs are cut or restricted by GOP actions - voters must be reminded why those programs are no longer available TO THEM (rural voters aren't worried about the people in urban areas). Rural areas will not benefit from schools of choice - they need to know that they need more investment in public education, not less.
I think the biggest problem the Dems are facing on all levels is not realizing that Dem messaging is not getting through. Mainstream media can no longer be expected to report accurately on Dem and GOP actions or accomplishments. The msm spends more time covering MAGA lies than it did covering the many ways that Biden's policies benefitted everyone post-pandemic. Dems need to call out GOP lies and misinformation. Dems need to find a way to get their message out - CNN and MSNBC aren't doing a good job when they constantly allow Trump to deflect their attention from the real issues. Right now Dems should be attacking every unqualified Trump appointee in the press. Statewide Dems need to be pointing out how Biden has benefited the voters, and how Trump's proposals will harm them.
For a time, I worked for a Parks and Rec dept. there was an entrenched disconnect between those higher-ups making the decisions and those long-term employees working in the trenches. Most meaningful suggestions by these on-the-ground employees were ignored, many times in deference to vanity projects. I can’t help but see parallels between this kind of behavior and that of the Dems behavior in rural America.
I am a center-left Democrat and moved to a rural community in central New York 17 years ago. The county votes 56-44 Republican. I have become very active in civic organizations and am a relatively vocal moderate. Hyper-progressive political haranguing will not change my neighbors' voting patterns. Becoming fully-engaged, particularly with the hard-right with sensible, moderate positions *may* reduce the disparity in voting. Others like me in the county register as Republicans and try work their neighbors toward the center. I won't adopt that pose, because I think it is cynical and dishonest, although likely more effective.
As a former fashion designer I think your admiration for the tailored jacket made with quality is a good symbol because you have to work very hard to make such a jacket. It takes patience, and willingness by someone to sew it, and make the pattern and do the fitting. What a great analogy you make.
As a Texan living in an urban city, with family all over rural TX, I know this to be true. What we have to face, though, is the media landscape in these rural areas. My family literally can’t get a PBS signal or any other mainstream channel, but the 700 club sure comes in clear (as does FOX).You can talk all you want to a rural voter but if everything they see & hear is from a right wing outlet, they simply will NOT believe you. Can you speak to how we combat this? Me and my activist friends have been noodling over this for YEARS!
Nutmeg, We must get some Left wing ownership of-the airwaves or it will be extremely difficult to overcome the lies these people hear as truth. Soros & Mark Cuban are two wealthy people talking about this. Groups are gathering online as well.
this link discusses this exact situation
https://open.substack.com/pub/thenewrepublic/p/why-does-no-one-understand-the-real?r=361lf&utm_medium=ios
Thanks Jess and Nutmeg, point made . And why we as subscribers need to gift Substack, advocate for Substack, talk up Substack. The ‘fight’ isn’t ever over but needing to bring the principles back in focus IS. The elected is for the wholeness of America..isn’t it?
That should be the Team Theme!
Bring out the voters ! Enthuse ‘We The People’ to see, hear, feel the part they are in this American Dream. Their participation is needed. Let’s figure out how to sell that!
Happy December compadres 🫶
I like this take, Patricia!
Yes. This. With that being said I teach American politics and political philosophy to college students in the Bible belt and I can say they are my hope and my anchor in all this. They are generally thoughtful, open to counter arguments and understand facts and data whatever their ideological leaning.
So many won't hear a thing but for those that want to learn, where should we be to teach?
Please do see a doctor. A cortisone shot may be all you need to get it going again. Then you can do some simple PT exercises without pain to strengthen and get back to normal. You can find the PT exercises online, once you know exactly what the problem is. I speak from experience, and I deeply sympathize. Also, I love your comparisons for the Dems.
Thank you, friend!
I have/had similar pain and it’s tendenosis (not tendinitis) in my case. That is what my PT called it. She gave me some exercises and they worked. Now it’s back and I’ve got to do it again. See the Doc. We care about you!
Great job on the Blazer from a veteran thrifter.
I agree, please see a doctor. You might be building up scar tissue which will give more problems(I've had both shoulders operated, speaking from experience). Best of luck, and thank you for illuminating your journey for us!
Howard Dean, whom I supported for his presidential run, said the same thing to a fundraising event I attended in Dallas. The dem party labeled him crazy. The DNC is the biggest problem democrats have. They support the neo liberal corporate agenda. They knocked Howard and Bernie out of a chance at true progressive leadership. Keep up the good work Jess!
DNC is definitely a problem!
Help me understand. Is it the DNC that holds the power? And who exactly?
Please know I am not criticizing. I just want some clarity about who we mean when we say “the Democrats” and “those that hold the power in the Democratic Party.
(Also a fan of Howard Dean.)
I worked my tail off for Howard Dean in 04 and am still a fan. He led the DNC during the Obama campaign and gave us a 50-state strategy. As usual, when things work Dems abandon the things that got them there. We need Dean’s vision again. Here is a great interview from 2016: Howard Dean Wants To Lead The DNC Again; Has A 50-State Strategy
https://www.npr.org/2016/11/15/502111367/howard-dean-wants-to-lead-the-dnc-again-has-a-50-state-strategy
I remember his 50-State strategy and how well it worked. Never could understand why that approach was abandoned. With all the money VP Harris raised so quickly, you know that there are plenty of people out there who will do the work with support and encouragement from the national party!
Here's another take on the DNC issue, from Robert Reich. Coincidentally, I just read his Substack post right before reading Jessica's.
https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/winkler-for-chair?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2ys3a
I can’t open your link 🤷♀️
Just searched it, yes, he’d be worth trying on a national level!
That's odd - it opens for me 🤔
The power is corporate America. They fund every seat on a national level. Depending on the state, they can do the same w every state seat, like in TX. Much of the dem party is funded by universities and legacy banking. Howard and Bernie threatened that fundraising mechanism, so the DNC said “nope”.
Cat-I completely agree with you!
Beautifully said and so important. Thanks for mentioning the constant lying by the Rs that is so hard to counteract, no one ever mentions that.
I have one word for why Trump won -- lies. They started with the size of his inauguration crowd after the 2016 election, and we have reached the point where every word out of the mouth of a Republican is a lie. I too don't know how we turn that around, but doing nothing is not an option.
Exactly.
My thought at the end of this is to remember the lesson of Monique and Jerry Sternin: "encourage Positive Deviance." Don't try to take on huge problems all at once, and let people do the work who are already close to those who need to change.
I grew up in Lauren Boebert's old district. If I, a transgender woman from California, went back there to talk politics, I wouldn't be given the time of day. But there was a woman running for that position in 2020 who was also a rancher; someone who drove tractors and rode horses herself - and was a Democrat with serious concern for people's lives. She spoke the language, and actually walked the talk. She dropped out because of some redistricting that put her home outside the district. There have to be others!
"Encourage positive deviance." I like this phrase. Thanks, Jayna.
I have one of my most valued mentors to thank for it: Barbara Waugh was the official "change catalyst" at HP Labs, and did indeed change my life by the opportunities she opened up! She mentioned the Sternins during one of our many sessions as we attempted to "do well by doing good" in that company. It has now grown to a major movement.
This is the only weblink I know of that is still active for her. https://www.hpmemoryproject.org/timeline/barbara_waugh/barbara_waugh_memoir.htm
Thank you!
I once campaigned in southern Missouri when my husband was running for state A.G. There were substantial numbers of people who declared that they would not vote for him because he was a lawyer. How do you explain that the A.G. is a lawyer for the state and is required to actually be a lawyer without sounding like an uppity city person?
I love physical therapy! They really helped my shoulder ( mild rotator cuff tear). Please go and put in the work to get better. Without treatment you could end up with a frozen shoulder.
Just like you put in the work to improve the politics in the rural areas, you need to put in the work to keep yourself in the best physical health.
NC has been doing this under our new NCDP leadership with Anderson Clayton. And we won back the Democratic governor's veto power, elected several great Dems statewide, and have begun gaining traction in more rural areas. Contest every race. Field great candidates. Stay engaged and keep talking to voters and doing good in the community.
I have been hearing good things about the woman who is the new head of the Democratic party in NC, and made a donation to them rather than specific candidates knowing they know where the money is needed the most, but there must be a good person in charge.
Yes. And now the Rs, still in the majority, are trying to change the rules to strip power from Stein and Jackson. Meeting tonight. 12/1.
Use this link to sign up: https://mobilize.us/s/8GIiV1
Amen on the need for Ds to show up AND STAY in rural America. I have been donating to rural outreach organizations for years. If there are others that could use this support, please let me know.
Would you be willing to share the rural organizations you are donating to? Thank you.
Blue horizon Texas
What "rural outreach organizations" are you donating too? I am interested in the same! Jess hits the nail on the head - but so hard to compete with FOX et al.
I was hoping to hear about other similar organizations.
Rural Organizing Project, but it could be just an Oregon organization. They do good stuff though.
I can SO see myself doing the same thing! I love the jacket and hope you heal quickly.
I’m embedded in a rural southern red state. I worked with the Dem party doing phone banking and served as a poll watcher through the election. A lot of what we did was contact voters who didn’t vote in the mid terms and asked them about their plan to vote. This was a very important role and I wish I had gotten involved earlier.
I just signed up for the volunteer after party which appears to be automated via the DNC and after signing up, I was surprised and pleased that they immediately provided a list of things to volunteer for in preparation for the next election. They aren’t taking a break.
I also have a confession to make. I’m not actually a democrat, I’m independent, former republican, but this next vote is going to be VERY important looking at how this next admin is starting to form. I also support things like universal health care, women’s reproductive rights (I just restocked an alarming article on OB/GYNs fleeing Texas due to their draconian laws), etc. and a host of other initiatives that are important to America.
So, yes. It’s time for me to get involved again and I appreciate your encouragement.
I sure am hoping so. Doing good works in your own community is a powerful antidote to the toxicity that surrounds us.
PT is your friend. A good physical therapist will work with you to minimize the pain. Even if long-term you might need surgery, PT can sometimes help delay surgery. It can be time consuming, but if you do the exercises at home, you can minimize PT visits.
Yes, Dems must go after the rural vote, and that will require full-time engagement. However, media coverage of GOP vs Dems is a serious problem in rural areas. DEMS MUST IMPROVE THEIR MESSAGING - nationally, and locally. All those programs that have benefited rural voters - they don't even realize they are benefitting from Obama and Biden initiatives. Whether the benefits of the ACA/Obamacare including coverage for pre-existing conditions, affordable internet access, lead pipeline removal, ALL voters must be reminded that they are benefitting from Dem policies. If programs are cut or restricted by GOP actions - voters must be reminded why those programs are no longer available TO THEM (rural voters aren't worried about the people in urban areas). Rural areas will not benefit from schools of choice - they need to know that they need more investment in public education, not less.
I think the biggest problem the Dems are facing on all levels is not realizing that Dem messaging is not getting through. Mainstream media can no longer be expected to report accurately on Dem and GOP actions or accomplishments. The msm spends more time covering MAGA lies than it did covering the many ways that Biden's policies benefitted everyone post-pandemic. Dems need to call out GOP lies and misinformation. Dems need to find a way to get their message out - CNN and MSNBC aren't doing a good job when they constantly allow Trump to deflect their attention from the real issues. Right now Dems should be attacking every unqualified Trump appointee in the press. Statewide Dems need to be pointing out how Biden has benefited the voters, and how Trump's proposals will harm them.
What a beautiful blazer! Great find!
For a time, I worked for a Parks and Rec dept. there was an entrenched disconnect between those higher-ups making the decisions and those long-term employees working in the trenches. Most meaningful suggestions by these on-the-ground employees were ignored, many times in deference to vanity projects. I can’t help but see parallels between this kind of behavior and that of the Dems behavior in rural America.
I am a center-left Democrat and moved to a rural community in central New York 17 years ago. The county votes 56-44 Republican. I have become very active in civic organizations and am a relatively vocal moderate. Hyper-progressive political haranguing will not change my neighbors' voting patterns. Becoming fully-engaged, particularly with the hard-right with sensible, moderate positions *may* reduce the disparity in voting. Others like me in the county register as Republicans and try work their neighbors toward the center. I won't adopt that pose, because I think it is cynical and dishonest, although likely more effective.
As a former fashion designer I think your admiration for the tailored jacket made with quality is a good symbol because you have to work very hard to make such a jacket. It takes patience, and willingness by someone to sew it, and make the pattern and do the fitting. What a great analogy you make.
Fantastic. It's doing the work at every level, all the time, not just every 4 years.