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Category: Democracy
“Weekend At Bernie’s III”
Bernie Sanders is going to run. Unfortunately, he has pissed off the largest Democratic demographic...35+ Black Women, and we aren't having it!
What Will it Take to Impeach & Remove President Trump?
The House impeaches, but the Senate convicts & removes a president - requiring a 2/3 majority. Twenty Republicans would have to vote against Trump. Don't hold your breath.
New Dissident Movements in Russia have Christian Roots
This piece was originally published in The Integrity Initiative There were famous religious dissidents in the former Soviet Union. New Christian opposition organizations have sprung up to continue their legacy, Kseniya Kirillova writes. A new Russian “socio-political club” called The New Orthodoxy was announced in Moscow in October. Its founders assert that the name originates … Continue reading New Dissident Movements in Russia have Christian Roots
How We Got Here: A Decade of Sabotage by the Wisconsin GOP
The assault on voting rights in Wisconsin has been devastatingly effective. A rundown of what the GOP has done and how to mitigate the damage.
Crossing The Line: The Necessity of Civil Disobedience In The Age of Trump
We are enabling our amoral, unboundaried, aspiring dictator of a President as we go about our daily lives, staying inside the lines, refraining from committing civil disobedience.
How to Pick a Speaker of the House
A good Speaker can make all the difference in the US House. Here are some critical variables that factor in to making the right pick.
Mississippi Deserves Better Than Cindy Hyde-Smith
Comments and actions by Hyde-Smith betray her faulty character and deeply racist attitudes. Mississippi should elect Mike Espy to the Senate on Tuesday.
America’s Rural/Urban Divide: Spotlight Oregon
The cultural gap between urban and rural Oregon is at the heart of political differences in the state, as is the case across the US.
Let’s Talk About Nancy: Why Democrats Must Rally Around Leader Pelosi
It's time to support Nancy Pelosi - LOUDLY and PROUDLY.
Acting AG Matt Whitaker Can’t Run The Mueller Investigation
Call your Senators and Representative and urge them to demand that Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker recuse himself.
The State of Veterans Affairs in America
This Veterans Day, let's take a look at the current state of the largest health care system in the United States: The Department of Veteran Affairs.
No Rest for the Wave: Massive Nationwide Protests Thursday at 5pm
The timing of Jeff Sessions' forced resignation is purposeful: we're tired. But now more than ever, we have to show Trump that our Resistance is relentless.As a highly engaged Blue Wave activist, I woke up the morning after Election Day looking forward to a slight smidgen of normalcy. Kiss the kids. Drink some coffee. Have … Continue reading No Rest for the Wave: Massive Nationwide Protests Thursday at 5pm
Think Like A Black Woman…Too
An Opinion on How to Save American Democracy In 4 Days #BallotsNOTBullets Let me start off by saying, that I'm not discrediting any other race here, I'm only stating what I know from personal experience, as a black woman in America. I'm 42 years old, I am educated with a degree from Franklin University in … Continue reading Think Like A Black Woman…Too
The Putin regime uses blackmail against its people and the West
As its confrontation with the West grows, Russia's use of the elements of blackmail, both veiled and direct, in its diplomacy is increasing.
Multi-Task: Prepare for the Lame Duck Session While You Get Out the Vote
Can we multi-task? Yes we can. Just look at the last two years.
Bringing Constituent Services into the 21st Century
Daryl Boling, Democrat for PA District 152, describes how he wants to set a new standard for accessibility as a state representative.
Chronicles of an Outsider: Volume 4
As I move through America and share my stories with you as an openly gay man of color, I have the great fortune to learn and grow from the many reader comments I receive. It has been both cathartic and inspiring to see messages telling me that these chronicles are helping some people learn, while … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider: Volume 4
The Top 10 Reasons to Just Say No to Knute Buehler for Oregon Governor
Knute is anti-vaccination. He's anti-immigrant. He earned an 'F' from the League of Conservation Voters. He won't share his complete tax returns. Just Say NO to Knute. Republican Knute Buehler, a physician and two-term state representative, is running against Oregon’s current Governor, Kate Brown. Brown and Buehler offer a stark contrast for Oregon’s future. Buehler … Continue reading The Top 10 Reasons to Just Say No to Knute Buehler for Oregon Governor
What If…
Contributor J.L. Whitehead ponders a scenario where Democrats lose this November.
Act Now: We Have Until Monday 10/15 to Protect Our Right to Protest
Trump doesn't like protests outside the White House, so the admin is trying to impede our right to peaceably assemble. There are 3 days left to comment. Do it. While you still can.
It’s Deja Vu All Over Again
Anita Hill. Murphy Brown. The "Year of the Woman". Is it 1992? It feels like it. But there are some important differences.
The Mercers, Cambridge Analytica, and Putin’s Internet Research Agency: A Timeline
The Mercers & Steve Bannon formed Cambridge Analytica in June 2014, the exact same month that the Internet Research Agency changed their US influence campaign to include interfering in the US presidential election. In May 2014, Kremlin-backed troll farm, the Internet Research Agency, discussed efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and began … Continue reading The Mercers, Cambridge Analytica, and Putin’s Internet Research Agency: A Timeline
With Kavanaugh, We Have a Chance to Learn from Our Mistakes
In the era of #MeToo, Brett Kavanaugh needs to submit to a lie detector test along with new Senate questioning. Christine Blasey Ford, a college professor at Palo Alto University, has mounted a damning accusation against Supreme Court Nominee Brett Kavanaugh. She alleges that in the early 1980's, Nominee Kavanaugh pinned her to a bed … Continue reading With Kavanaugh, We Have a Chance to Learn from Our Mistakes
Profiles in Cowardice: Republicans Dodge Debates as Midterms Approach
From coast to coast, Republicans are refusing to debate their Democratic opponents. A race-by-race rundown of the most egregious cases of debate-dodging.
Putin’s Information Operations Spread Discordant Ideologies Abroad
Russia doesn't really have a distinct ideology, instead appealing to base human feelings and instincts to evoke an emotional reaction and control the masses. Sound familiar? This piece was originally published in The Kyiv Post When speaking about modern Russian ideology, most experts agree that it, as such, simply does not exist. I have already noted … Continue reading Putin’s Information Operations Spread Discordant Ideologies Abroad
Call Senators & Tell Them to Postpone the Kavanaugh Vote
Your Action Call your Senators and tell them to insist a vote on the Kavanaugh nomination by the Senate Judiciary Committee be postponed until the sexual assault allegation can be fully evaluated. Background Everyone knew Brent Kavanaugh was an extremely conservative judge when he was nominated, raising serious questions about the future of Roe v. … Continue reading Call Senators & Tell Them to Postpone the Kavanaugh Vote
Black and White
With high-profile victories by African Americans in the Florida and Georgia Democratic gubernatorial primaries, and as the campaign season heats up – we grit our teeth with the knowledge that this could get ugly. Ron DeSantis and Brian Kemp are Republicans primed to run race-baiting campaigns against Andrew Gillum and Stacey Abrams. Hopefully the elections … Continue reading Black and White
How We Start Supporting Workers, Again
In this Labor Day Op-Ed, CA-39 Democratic nominee Gil Cisneros lays out his priorities intended to lift up the American worker. “It is one of the characteristics of a free and democratic modern nation that it have free and independent labor unions. . . When union workers assemble with freedom and independence in a convention like this, … Continue reading How We Start Supporting Workers, Again
Why Russian “Soft Power” is Much More Dangerous Than Western “Soft Power”
Analyzing Moscow's efforts to undermine Western democracies, we can identify its several main channels of influence. Among them are propaganda (both broadcasting their own media to foreign audiences and bribing the local media), bribing officials and politicians, building corrupt ties through business lobbies, and working with various segments of the population to exacerbate friction, dissatisfaction … Continue reading Why Russian “Soft Power” is Much More Dangerous Than Western “Soft Power”
Massachusetts: Vote Yes on 3 to Answer the Call of Equality and History
After the 2016 election, my wife and I did a lot of soul-searching, as did many Americans. The election results reminded us of the unpredictability of life and warned us not to take the future for granted. We acted on that and decided to finally move our family to Massachusetts. We wanted our sons to … Continue reading Massachusetts: Vote Yes on 3 to Answer the Call of Equality and History
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: It’s Time to Focus on the Midterms
What can YOU do to impact the Special Counsel Investigation? Not much. What can YOU do to ensure that an opposition party gets elected to provide a check on Trump? Everything. Use your time wisely. Over the next 70 days, there will undoubtedly be a firestorm of news. Indictments. Denials. Disinformation. Indignation. Firings. Litigation. Subpoenas. … Continue reading Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: It’s Time to Focus on the Midterms
Dissent as a Patriotic Act of Faith
Throughout our history as a nation, when Americans realize the laws of our country and the values of our country do not coincide, we make our dissatisfaction known. This was true of the men and women who rebelled against the British Crown and remains a part of our cultural heritage to this day. Since the … Continue reading Dissent as a Patriotic Act of Faith
Urgent CTA: Protect Mueller – Reps Must Vote No on Rosenstein Contempt
Your Action Call your Republican representative and tell them to vote NO on Rosenstein contempt. Background Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA) never expected their July threat to impeach Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein to succeed. It was a procedural move that didn’t require Speaker Paul Ryan’s (R-WI) consent. … Continue reading Urgent CTA: Protect Mueller – Reps Must Vote No on Rosenstein Contempt
The Trauma of Parental Separation Can Last a Lifetime
700 children are still separated from their families. The long-term impacts will devastate them. I know, because it happened to me. When I was a baby I was separated from my parents. The details of the story are lost, but I do know that when I was days or weeks old I was left in … Continue reading The Trauma of Parental Separation Can Last a Lifetime
Resistance Movements in Russia & the U.S.: Similarities and Differences
Russian journalist Kseniya Kirillova explores how vulnerabilities in the American resistance movement are similar to - and different than - those in Russia's opposition movement. This piece was originally published in The Loyal Opposition In 2015, I wrote an article in which I explored the primary methods that Russian propaganda uses to try to discredit the Russian opposition, … Continue reading Resistance Movements in Russia & the U.S.: Similarities and Differences
Want Better Government? Survey Says: Vote for Women.
Studies, real-life experience show that more women in power equals better leadership, better policy, better outcomes. The numbers are nigh unto astonishing. Women, reported FiveThirtyEight.com on Aug. 10, are competing in 69 percent of open Democratic Congressional primaries this year (races in which there’s no incumbent Democrat). As of that date, women had won 65 … Continue reading Want Better Government? Survey Says: Vote for Women.
#StandOnEveryCorner Launches National Website
Americans Go Offline, Embrace Neighborhood Democracy Movement 13: Practice corporeal politics Power wants your body softening in your chair & your emotions dissipating on the screen. Get outside. Put your body in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people. Make new friends & march with them. - Timothy Snyder - On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons I believe the … Continue reading #StandOnEveryCorner Launches National Website
PODCAST – The Constitution Demands It: The Case for Impeachment, w/ John Bonifaz (Two Broads Talking Politics, Ep. 109)
Kelly and Sophy talk to John Bonifaz, Co-Founder and President of Free Speech For People, and Co-Author of The Constitution Demands It: The Case for the Impeachment of Donald Trump. In the book, Bonifaz, and co-authors, Ron Fein and Ben Clements, lay out the grounds for impeaching Trump now, and explain why we should not wait for … Continue reading PODCAST – The Constitution Demands It: The Case for Impeachment, w/ John Bonifaz (Two Broads Talking Politics, Ep. 109)
Free-College-For-All Would Benefit the Capitalist System
Equal access to the employment marketplace through educational access would help maximize free-market competition. Very few people ever have the privilege to work for the sake of pleasure or passion. Work is something we pursue in order to sustain society and life, and in most systems this pursuit is considered a virtue. Realistically, this is … Continue reading Free-College-For-All Would Benefit the Capitalist System
Dismantling Republican Faux-Patriotism
One of the more common tropes in modern American politics is the claim that the Republican Party has a monopoly on patriotism. A flag flying in front of a home or a “Support Our Troops” bumper sticker is often assumed to signify the right-wing political affiliation of its owner. However, it’s clear upon deeper reflection … Continue reading Dismantling Republican Faux-Patriotism
PODCAST: Bryce Tache & #StandOnEveryCorner – Two Broads Talking Politics, Ep. 105
Sophy and Kelly speak with activist Bryce Tache, who started the Stand On Every Corner movement to encourage regular American citizens to protest the Trump regime in their home neighborhoods regularly. He has protested in a park near his Minneapolis home every evening 6-7PM for 46 days. At least 40 of these have popped up … Continue reading PODCAST: Bryce Tache & #StandOnEveryCorner – Two Broads Talking Politics, Ep. 105
Dear Voters of All Affiliations: Thank You For Participating in Democracy
I am about to say something that will make my campaign manager need an aspirin, but: You should always vote for the candidate who YOU believe is the best choice for the office. Always. Even if it is an alternative-party candidate with little chance of winning the election. Because.... Firstly, I am an idealist who … Continue reading Dear Voters of All Affiliations: Thank You For Participating in Democracy
It’s Time to Rescue Old Glory from Trumpism and the un-American GOP
For too long, the left has allowed the right to own and define our patriotic symbols. But symbols matter. With Trumpism taking hold, the opposition need to fly - and fight for - the American flag. #WeAreThePatriots We’re at a pivot point in American history. The country could either succumb numbly to the expanding darkness, … Continue reading It’s Time to Rescue Old Glory from Trumpism and the un-American GOP
Call Congress! Tell Them To Support the New Russia Sanctions Bill.
Your Action Call your Senators and urge them pass the Menendez/Graham Russia sanctions bill (S. 3336) Background All of Trump’s senior national security officials, in a joint press conference last week, warned that Russia has undertaken “pervasive” efforts to interfere in the 2018 midterms, with both targeted propaganda and attempted hacking of campaign emails. Trump, however, continues … Continue reading Call Congress! Tell Them To Support the New Russia Sanctions Bill.
ACT NOW: One Day Left to Oppose 2020 Census “Citizenship Question”
The US Public has until 11:59pm EST on Tuesday 8/7 to comment on the proposed addition of a Citizenship question to the 2020 Census. Do it. Here's the link. Background Trump officials pushed Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and the Census Bureau to add a question to the 2020 Census that would ask respondents to share … Continue reading ACT NOW: One Day Left to Oppose 2020 Census “Citizenship Question”
Chronicles of an Outsider, Volume 2
DemWritePress Contributor Ken Mejia-Beal continues his series describing Trump's America from his unique perspective. In this volume of “Chronicles of an Outsider”, I want to touch on some of the issues that came up in July that, left unchecked, will greatly alter our democracy. I write in an attempt to give a voice to the … Continue reading Chronicles of an Outsider, Volume 2
Tell Congress to Pass Legislation to Protect Robert Mueller’s Investigation
Your Action Call your 3 members of Congress and tell them to protect the Mueller investigation and the rule of law by passing the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (S. 2644) (H.R. 5505). Background Trump tweeted today that AG Jeff Sessions should end the Mueller investigation “right now.” The escalation of his attack on the Mueller … Continue reading Tell Congress to Pass Legislation to Protect Robert Mueller’s Investigation
Friday, July 27th is National Collusion Call-In Day
Your Action Call your 3 members of Congress (833-293-9454) and tell them to protect the Mueller investigation and the rule of law by passing the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act (S. 2644) (H.R. 5505). Background Trump’s plot to smear the DOJ, the FBI and Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation is in full swing. House Republicans have … Continue reading Friday, July 27th is National Collusion Call-In Day
Run For Your Lives
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