Democrat Jim Bratnober on why - and how - he's running to flip his State Senate seat blue in deep-red Idaho. I’m a first-time candidate for State Senate in Idaho. I’ve never run for anything – ever. My motivation started as a nebulous urge to give back, after raising a great family and engaging in … Continue reading Run For Your Lives
Dear Fellow Americans: Next week, America may open up a gaping loophole that will allow criminals, terrorists and people suffering from mental illness to easily get their hands on untraceable, deadly firearms. This is truly a game-changer. We have to stop it. If we don't stop the Trump Administration from reversing the U.S. State Department's … Continue reading The Trump Admin is About to Open a Gaping Loophole for Gun Access
When it comes to politics, would you rather feel A) motivated to take action or B) full of despair? I know, dumb question. But which one do you feel more often these days? I was reading a survey and analysis from Navigator that confirmed what I've seen online and with friends, that is, that Democrats are both … Continue reading How Activists Avoid Exhaustion, and Get Recharged
Editor Keith Pochick takes us on a very personal account of his family's journey through the American dream. A couple of months ago, I drove home to Appalachian Virginia to visit my dad. I don’t make it up there as often as I should, and for weeks he had been asking me to come up. … Continue reading Is it Too Late to Save the American Dream?
Public Citizen, Common Cause, Move On, March for Truth & other orgs are urging sundown vigils on July 18th, to defend democracy. On Monday, in what could turn out to be a turning point in his presidency, Donald Trump made it clear to the world that he values his special relationship with Vladimir Putin over … Continue reading Confront Corruption! Events Planned for Wednesday 7/18 in Portland & Across US
Your Action Call your senators and House representative at (202) 224-3121 and demand they publicly condemn Trump’s treason. Background At his Helsinki press conference today, Trump sided with Putin against the US intelligence community, the FBI, and the findings of two Congressional committees. He ranted about insane conspiracy theories while standing on stage with a murderous dictator … Continue reading Tell Congress to Loudly Oppose Trump’s Treason in Helsinki
Your Action Call your senators and House representative at (202) 224-3121 and urge them to pass the P.A.V.E. Act to require states to use paper ballots and conduct mandatory audits. Background In 2016, Russia conducted cyberattacks on state and county election infrastructure, breaching at least 39 state systems. Mueller’s most recent indictment highlights the depths of the … Continue reading Protect Our Elections: Call Congress and Tell Them to Pass the P.A.V.E. Act
I am Ken Mejia-Beal, a proud member of the LGBT community, a black man, and an American citizen. Although I am a citizen, America has not shown me the kind of love that others might expect. My life, and the life of my people, has been one of constant struggle. I read article after article … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider
Associate Editor Keith Pochick offers some critical planks for a Dem platform that would frame the party's values. “If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace.” -- Thomas Paine. The 2018 midterms are rapidly approaching and Democratic enthusiasm is higher than most of us can ever … Continue reading Creating A Strong, Cohesive Democratic Platform
Medical volunteer Ashtyn Tayler went to the Texas border to offer care for asylum seekers being held in CBP detention. Here is her first-hand account of what she saw. Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to … Continue reading They Came for Refuge, but Received No Mercy: A Report from the US Border
Your Action: Call your senators at (202) 224-3121 and ask them to vote 'NO' on the nomination of Brian Benczkowski to head the Department of Justice's Criminal Division. Background Brian Benczkowski is the most dangerous Trump nomination you've never heard of. The Senate is expected to vote next week on his nomination to head the … Continue reading Urgent: Protect Mueller’s TrumpRussia Probe Today
Democrats have to thread the needle by both acknowledging past failures and unifying to preserve and protect American democracy from Trumpism. A debate has been unfolding in the Resistance. It's a debate we’ve avoided, but one we've needed for a while, because wave elections, like the one we need to put this country back on … Continue reading The Party of Inclusion
Kirsten Kennedy, Democratic nominee in Minnesota's 8th District, shares her thoughts on America's winding path, and the promise of tomorrow. The Fourth of July is always a special time in our home. Not only is it a day to celebrate our nation, but also a day to celebrate our youngest son’s birth (born during a … Continue reading 4th of July Reflection: We Can Do Better
Russian journalist Kseniya Kirillova draws direct comparisons between the behaviors and propaganda strategies of Trump and Putin. This piece was originally published in Euromaiden Press, and reprinted with permission of the author. While analyzing all that is happening today in the United States, I’ve often noticed the striking similarity between the behavior and propaganda of … Continue reading The Propaganda Schemes of TrumpPutinism
On our nation’s birthday, I openly pledge my intention to engage in an enduring fight for the ideals that our country was founded on, in support of future generations of Americans. As was the case for many Americans, the election of Donald J Trump transformed my understanding of this country. I was brought up in … Continue reading My Pledge of Allegiance to the America of Tomorrow
Today, on our nation's birthday, I’m releasing my plan and priorities for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District It’s never easy to pick the primary concerns you’re going to work on in Congress, and we certainly aren’t dismissing any other important issues. But all roads to a better district, state, and nation have to start somewhere, and … Continue reading My Priorities for Minnesota’s 8th District and America
America is a majestic ship, constructed in the late 1700s ― worn-in, but still seaworthy. We (the passengers) co-own the vessel and hire the crew. For the most part, we agree on certain things: people should have a right to live peacefully; we should come together in times of distress and when our values are … Continue reading Our Sinking Ship of State: A Metaphor
But do postcards motivate voters? And how do ‘postcarders’ stay on the right side of FEC rules? DWP writer Marcy Miroff Rothenberg explores... It began modestly in early 2017, when Americans who were opposed to the nominations of Jeff Sessions as U.S. Attorney General and Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education answered a plea from … Continue reading Old is New Again, as Activists Use Handwritten Postcards For Voter Outreach
Following what has become a disturbing pattern, the Republican-led Pennsylvania Legislature recently approved legislation that bans a woman from obtaining an abortion solely based on a determination that the fetus is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. The vote on the bill (HB2050) sponsored by House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, not only came without public hearings or any … Continue reading Pennsylvania’s Proposed Down Syndrome Abortion Ban is an Abuse of Power
Kseniya Kirillova, now living in California, is on Putin’s hit list. In a rare informal interview, the Russian dissident journalist and expert on Russian propaganda and disinformation tells the The Loyal Opposition how Russia changed before her eyes, the murder of her editor and friend by government agents, Russian propaganda both within Russia and how … Continue reading 10 Questions with Russian Journalist & Disinformation Expert Kseniya Kirillova
This is high-stakes political chess. Mueller, the 2018 elections, the preservation of democracy, and even impeachment are all factors in a Democratic response strategy to Trump's SCOTUS pick. Donald Trump got a huge political win when Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement last week. As soon as the news came out, Democrats everywhere let out … Continue reading Trump Already Won on SCOTUS, but Democrats Can Win the War
From the birther lie to the Central Park Five, J.L. Whitehead discusses Trump's lifelong assault on people of color that we see manifesting in his presidency Sometimes I lie awake at night wondering where we went wrong as a nation. I think about how we wound up so polarized; how tribalism has become the new … Continue reading Trump’s War on People of Color
Daryl Boling, candidate for the PA State House (D-152), shares his eloquent, no-nonsense plan for curbing gun violence in America. In the wake of the Parkland shooting — and the subsequent shaking of our nation’s ethical compass for gun safety, particularly as it guides us toward better protection of our children and families — it is poignant and telling … Continue reading And the Children Will Lead Them All…
The event will feature an "Activism Fair" at 10am with activities for children & voter registration, followed by speeches and a rally at 11am. The last weekend in June is a busy one in Portland, so finding a location for the local #FamiliesBelongTogether rally wasn't easy. Organizers doggedly pursued any lead they could find, and … Continue reading Thousands Anticipated at Portland’s “Families Belong Together” Rally on Saturday (6/30)
Lawyer and Democratic Candidate Sharice Davids (KS-03) explains why turning away domestic and gang violence victims flies in the face of our founding ideals Every year, thousands of immigrants, asylum seekers, and migrants assume great hardships to find safety in America. They choose our country, because they see the United States as a land of justice, … Continue reading Trump’s Policy Toward Asylum-Seekers is Immoral and Un-American
Courageous followership requires holding leaders accountable while actively supporting their growth and effectiveness. Those of us who have specialized in developing future leaders often discuss how they find the courage to lead and enact social change. But, we rarely mention how people can develop the courage to follow. Not everyone has a desire to lead, … Continue reading Developing the Courage to Follow
Teacher and activist Nicholas Ferroni speaks with Keith Pochick about the history and importance of organized labor in the US. Today, DemWritePress is joined by Nicholas Ferroni, a high-school history teacher, outspoken feminist, and advocate for Democratic ideals. Mr. Ferroni is a high school teacher and nationally recognized social activist who educates, mentors, and inspires students … Continue reading The American Labor Movement, Collective Bargaining & Education
Writer J.L. Whitehead shares how his perception of America has shifted as a black man in the Age of Trump. In 2012, my husband and I purchased our first home together in a quiet, tree-lined residential neighborhood in New Jersey. We were welcomed with warm wishes and congratulatory statements by our neighbors, complete with gifts … Continue reading Being a Person of Color in Trump’s America
Young or old, black or brown, unemployed or barely hanging on...you may feel abandoned. But you're not. Hang in there. As I’ve been thinking about the coming 2018 Election and potential blue wave, I haven’t been able to shake the image of a strong, brave polar bear on an ice floe, in the middle of … Continue reading An American Sea Change
“We’re tribal — we evolved for tribalism. It’s how we created society. We’re not doomed to always be fighting each other, but we’ll never have world peace.” -- Jonathan Haidt. One constant throughout history is war. When one tribe competes with another for resources, conflict is the inevitable result. Most Americans my age have been … Continue reading Tribalism is here to stay. So let’s focus on growing the ‘American Tribe.’
There are lots of insults you can hurl at politicians that get at the core of their character. "Old" should not be one of them. These days on social media, you might find yourself liking, sharing or even writing an angry post or tweet that refers to Trump as an “evil, bombastic old xenophobic, misogynistic, … Continue reading Grandma Says: Watch Your Language, Kids…It’s getting “Old”
Democracy is under attack. Our ship of state is sinking. Only the American people can save it. A Metaphor America is a majestic ship, constructed in the late 1700s ― worn-in, but still seaworthy. We (the passengers) co-own the vessel and hire the crew. For the most part, we agree on certain things: people … Continue reading Voters Must Unite in Non-Partisan Rejection of Despotism & Corruption
