Trump has laid down a marker for how the midterm elections are going to be fought and it's time to buckle up, because it will make 2020 look like a walk in the park.
So well stated! So well articulated! I am 100% in agreement with everything you have laid out here. I just wish our senior Democratic Leadership would read this and realize the truth of the danger we are in, and do something about it, before it is too late. Many Thanks for expressing your heart for us.
You are very kind Nancy, I’m feeling pretty wound up with Trump’s nonsense today. I doubt leadership would be as appreciative as you of my thoughts, but until they start to listen progress will remain illusive I fear. - Martin
Regarding Kamala Harris: is rooted for her, I supported her. I dearly hoped she would win. When she lost she abandoned ship. That is when we needed a leader. She proved absolutely she could not be a leader of an opposition. Very disappointing and pathetic. More interested in writing a book and self aggrandizing herself than holding a coalition against the administration she lost to.
Martin, thank you as always for so clearly articulating what should be obvious to anyone with a brain. My great fear is that the tyranny of the minority (MAGA et al) will continue destroying what little is left of the United States because they will stop at nothing to achieve their dark vision. There is no bottom. "Incandescent with rage" says it all. Another phrase I'm using is "moral injury," which those of us fighting daily against fascism feel into our bone marrow. I refuse to stop actively dissenting and will NOT shut up, despite the possible consequences.
Joe Biden was never a good choice. Americans are afraid to elect a progressive who would help them and shake up the current system. I don’t really understand their fears or why Bernie didn’t win the primary over Biden, but he is now too old. However, there are a lot of progressives running now and maybe they will be elected. The orange felon was able to use fear and racism to get elected and now we are all paying the price. It infuriates me every day!
Thank you. I've felt for so many years that I am a woman without a "party." The Democrats dropped the ball by being over-the-top on emphasizing abortion and gay rights and those of other special groups. The bulk of American voters don't contest their need for civil rights, but are more focused on what affects them personally--the cost of living--food, medical care, gas, wages, labor rights, discrimination, etc. And, what can I say about the Trump administration!! No words to describe what they and the Republican-led Congress have done to destroy our country"s progress in so many fields and to our world reputation. We once were respected as a world leader and benefactor. Now we are considered an adversary. For Pete's sake, the President alienated Canada!
You are very welcome Sylvia, politics is a complex dance. It’s all about choreography and any choreographer will tell you that it’s all about a collective goal.
To create a better tomorrow the key is to listen and read the room, but how can you do that when donors have no interest in the room and you are on their payroll.
We are live in a society which is a rich tapestry of ideas drawn from a broad cultural spectrum and if we are to serve the many, we have to have an appetite for tolerance but not at the expense of being respectful of those that don’t share our views.
It’s a high wire act and there’s no safety net. I do believe that the good in us will prevail, but not without a fight. Keep your chin up - Martin
Oh, how I agree with you. On everything. Chuckles and Jeffries need to hand the reins to Democrats who are actively listening and taking action to make changes. Democrat Socialists are making a difference, but they need to be careful. They should look to Zohran Mamdani as a blueprint. On another note, but kind of related, I hope Andy Burnham does what he says he's going to do. Please don't let him be the usual tory lite. Thanks again, Martin. I enjoy and appreciate your content.
Thanks Vikki, as ever we are on the same page. On Andy Burnham I have reached out today through some of my contacts in Parliament where believe it or not I worked with MP’s for almost a decade. I have offered to help with messaging and social media content, because I believe in him and what he’s trying to do. - Martin
I absolutely believe you've worked with MP's for some time. Your writings demonstrate this. If you don't mind, and I did email No 10 about this, I didn't get a response, I would ask Mr Burnham, and the Labour Party, to stop picking on the least of us. Immigration is an easy target, and the hateful rhetoric against the people coming over on boats needs to stop. As a White British woman, horrifyingly approaching 60, I would ask, how desperate do you have to be to get yourself, your loved ones, and invest your life savings to take a very risky bet on an inflatable rubber duck to get across the channel? These are people fleeing war torn countries and are innocents trying for a better life. I'm not sure how safe I would feel if I didn't know my home was still going to be standing at any given moment. The tories are entirely to blame for this. They stole from the public purse, and told us to blame people on boats. The state pension is the largest welfare benefit we have, and is often forgotten as being part of the welfare budget. I'm NOT saying it shouldn't be there for us, but restricting other benefits isn't the way forward. Those who are long-term unemployed, myself included right now, are not work shy. It's just almost impossible to find work, especially at the moment. Close those tax loopholes, ban offshore accounts, tax the millionaires/billionaires more, say, 5%. And, for the love of god, STOP ARMING ISRAEL. Deproscribe Palestine Action. When spraying paint is worse than spraying blood, we've come to a shameful point in our history, (and we have a lot in our history to be ashamed of!) Rid us of UKLFI. Thank you for all your hard work.
Thank you for sharing this. I have no idea if his team will respond. One can only offer and I feel I have a contribution I could make. I’m just trying to put together a strategy that will help me contribute regardless of if anyone comes back to me.
I worked in Parliament because I wrote a piece of case management software for Members to deal with constituency casework. That’s why I know in intimate detail the issues that people are concerned about. My system aggregated data to help them understand the key issues of the day to help them develop policy to address the concerns. I believe Andy can deliver and I’ll do everything I can to contribute either from the inside or the outside. I’ll certainly share your concerns Vikki - Martin
For some reason I often get tears at my eyes when reading or watching the truth. Almost everything said is tearfully true, although you did make one mistake i think at the top of the tenth paragraph which implies the ‘ the Jews ‘ killed 11 million people. Otherwise a near perfect article . Thanks again for articulating not only what I feel and see but what I believe the majority in the usa feel and think as well.
And as you say what’s frightening is the fact that the democrats do not seem to have a Plan ! I routinely comment to other substack bloggers that I don’t see a Plan ! Everybody’s got an answer but nobody’s got a plan. There are too many angry hate filled critics on substack and other media shopping for clickbait by ranting at the trumpster and his minions without doing the work needed to create an alternative political system that can work for all of us including all of us in other countries. The fact that this president and his cohorts and the ignorants that voted them in have just about destroyed the credibility of the usa internationally causes me to imagine a Nuremberg style trial where everyone of the president’s henchmen stand trial. And of course the trumpster n family should be first in line !
Thank you for your kind words, Mike, I have corrected that error for which you have my apologies. Note though, it corrects the original post and not the emails already sent out.
Democrats and Republicans alike have to realize they no longer have a presumption of regularity call map or the faith of the people. It's time to walk the walk for both parties instead of just talking.The talk
What a great piece - fully agree, please continue the good and absolutely necessary work! You are a very strong voice in the wilderness!!! As a Dane, I fear the midterm elections and what might happen before and after…
As always, I appreciate your candor. I went through some of the comments about your post, and, though most of them are positive and even kind, there are those who cannot go outside themselves or look outside the box to really see that you are trying to make us understand the moment. As you say it in your post, you have no part in this play we are performing two bring down the circus this administration has made of our country. Yet, you have been devoting your time to speaking the minds of many of us.
The indignation, discussed, horror, disillusionment, sadness, disappointment, distrust, disbelief some of the people who represent our institutions and our military have filled many of us with in just one and a half years, have been overwhelming at times. I’ve always been rather cynical, but now I am even more so. Nothing those thugs, from their leader down do, surprises me. Yet, that our judiciary, our Congress, our military submit to this semblance of a man is indescribable.
I have no faith in either party, and would like to think that some people are organizing to create an alternative to greed and self aggrandisement. I would like to see more people who are willing to serve the public and help the people they say they will represent. That’s what the institutions and the entities that have been created, the programs that have been established, that is what all those things are there for. The fact that people know what this man is doing and advocate for it or simply let him continue to ruin the country is appalling. The fact that moderate Democrats are just waiting for November to come so that we will vote for them is appalling.
Thank you ever so much for continuing to enlighten us with your directness and your honesty.
Thank you for your kind words. Rest assured I appreciate your appreciation, it means a lot to me. These are challenging times for many people and I can’t imagine what it must be like to live in the centre of it.
I love the US. I spent many happy times there for work and for pleasure and I know the generosity of spirit that is in the DNA of the American people. I was one of the few here in the UK that thought Trump would win in 2016, because I could see the writing on the wall.
I am genuinely passionate about geopolitics and social justice and have long believed that we are all in danger from what has happened in the US being exported around the world and so it has come to pass and we are all now fighting the same war.
November is going to be the biggest challenge the American people have faced in modern times and we must all do everything we can to help right prevail over wrong, because this is beyond politics, it’s an existential societal threat. I’m all in and while not looking forward to it, you can depend on me to offer my candid unvarnished truth, in order to encourage and drive people on to focus on the prize. - Martin
Your frustration is palpable. It’s a very familiar feeling these days - frustration as well as disgust , anger, revulsion, embarrassment, fear, despondency , and f**king pissed off .
I did not watch the propaganda show because why aggravate myself ? I knew the speech would lack facts or substance …. And frankly my cortisol levels are not healthy . But thank you for your pointed research and commentary … because your voice is important and you speak for many of us who are trapped in this quagmire of lies , deception and good old cowardice that we witness every day .
It is also now a real issue here to speak out against this regime . The new definition of “domestic terrorism “ has been broadened by Mr Miller to encompass any statement that opposes the regime …. It’s happening very quickly and insidiously. N.Y. Times is challenging the Federal subpoena for news reporters sources . News agencies -ABC & NBC are being threatened with FCC rules for their unfavorable coverage of the regime and refusal to cover the 🍊rump speech. Our freedoms are under assault. Our civil rights are being violated by ICE and Customs Enforcement. Our human dignity has been taken in the concentration camps that have popped up everywhere . Our health is being impacted by the vaccine policy being cancelled , the Dept of Agriculture standards for food processing being changed, more toxins in the food chain and pollution from industry being dumped into the atmosphere. This will impact every American for decades.
So please don’t stop your ranting and raging …. Because you are saying things I think but dare not say… because the threat is real . And it’s only getting worse.
Oh I absolutely understand the threat Bonnie and it just looks set to get worse I’m afraid. I’m going nowhere and am here for the long haul. I’ve always maintained that TOGETHER we will prevail and nothing has changed. Stay strong and keep up the great work. - Martin
So well stated! So well articulated! I am 100% in agreement with everything you have laid out here. I just wish our senior Democratic Leadership would read this and realize the truth of the danger we are in, and do something about it, before it is too late. Many Thanks for expressing your heart for us.
You will not go unheard!!!
You are very kind Nancy, I’m feeling pretty wound up with Trump’s nonsense today. I doubt leadership would be as appreciative as you of my thoughts, but until they start to listen progress will remain illusive I fear. - Martin
Regarding Kamala Harris: is rooted for her, I supported her. I dearly hoped she would win. When she lost she abandoned ship. That is when we needed a leader. She proved absolutely she could not be a leader of an opposition. Very disappointing and pathetic. More interested in writing a book and self aggrandizing herself than holding a coalition against the administration she lost to.
Martin, thank you as always for so clearly articulating what should be obvious to anyone with a brain. My great fear is that the tyranny of the minority (MAGA et al) will continue destroying what little is left of the United States because they will stop at nothing to achieve their dark vision. There is no bottom. "Incandescent with rage" says it all. Another phrase I'm using is "moral injury," which those of us fighting daily against fascism feel into our bone marrow. I refuse to stop actively dissenting and will NOT shut up, despite the possible consequences.
Mary, you and I are kindred spirits in this fight. I’d forgot how much better I express myself when I’m angry 🤣 - Martin
This should be sent to every career democrat in the country. Been time to put up or shut up for far too long
Joe Biden was never a good choice. Americans are afraid to elect a progressive who would help them and shake up the current system. I don’t really understand their fears or why Bernie didn’t win the primary over Biden, but he is now too old. However, there are a lot of progressives running now and maybe they will be elected. The orange felon was able to use fear and racism to get elected and now we are all paying the price. It infuriates me every day!
Thanks for supporting us from so far away. It helps some of us to keep going.
It’s an honour Kathy, this is a hill I have long been prepared to die on because it affects us here in the UK too - Martin
Dems are still not entirely learning from their mistakes.
ie: Half the Dems in the House voted no on Massey’s amendment to withhold $3B for Israel’s annihilation in Gaza.
Thank you. I've felt for so many years that I am a woman without a "party." The Democrats dropped the ball by being over-the-top on emphasizing abortion and gay rights and those of other special groups. The bulk of American voters don't contest their need for civil rights, but are more focused on what affects them personally--the cost of living--food, medical care, gas, wages, labor rights, discrimination, etc. And, what can I say about the Trump administration!! No words to describe what they and the Republican-led Congress have done to destroy our country"s progress in so many fields and to our world reputation. We once were respected as a world leader and benefactor. Now we are considered an adversary. For Pete's sake, the President alienated Canada!
You are very welcome Sylvia, politics is a complex dance. It’s all about choreography and any choreographer will tell you that it’s all about a collective goal.
To create a better tomorrow the key is to listen and read the room, but how can you do that when donors have no interest in the room and you are on their payroll.
We are live in a society which is a rich tapestry of ideas drawn from a broad cultural spectrum and if we are to serve the many, we have to have an appetite for tolerance but not at the expense of being respectful of those that don’t share our views.
It’s a high wire act and there’s no safety net. I do believe that the good in us will prevail, but not without a fight. Keep your chin up - Martin
BRAVO!
Oh, how I agree with you. On everything. Chuckles and Jeffries need to hand the reins to Democrats who are actively listening and taking action to make changes. Democrat Socialists are making a difference, but they need to be careful. They should look to Zohran Mamdani as a blueprint. On another note, but kind of related, I hope Andy Burnham does what he says he's going to do. Please don't let him be the usual tory lite. Thanks again, Martin. I enjoy and appreciate your content.
Thanks Vikki, as ever we are on the same page. On Andy Burnham I have reached out today through some of my contacts in Parliament where believe it or not I worked with MP’s for almost a decade. I have offered to help with messaging and social media content, because I believe in him and what he’s trying to do. - Martin
I absolutely believe you've worked with MP's for some time. Your writings demonstrate this. If you don't mind, and I did email No 10 about this, I didn't get a response, I would ask Mr Burnham, and the Labour Party, to stop picking on the least of us. Immigration is an easy target, and the hateful rhetoric against the people coming over on boats needs to stop. As a White British woman, horrifyingly approaching 60, I would ask, how desperate do you have to be to get yourself, your loved ones, and invest your life savings to take a very risky bet on an inflatable rubber duck to get across the channel? These are people fleeing war torn countries and are innocents trying for a better life. I'm not sure how safe I would feel if I didn't know my home was still going to be standing at any given moment. The tories are entirely to blame for this. They stole from the public purse, and told us to blame people on boats. The state pension is the largest welfare benefit we have, and is often forgotten as being part of the welfare budget. I'm NOT saying it shouldn't be there for us, but restricting other benefits isn't the way forward. Those who are long-term unemployed, myself included right now, are not work shy. It's just almost impossible to find work, especially at the moment. Close those tax loopholes, ban offshore accounts, tax the millionaires/billionaires more, say, 5%. And, for the love of god, STOP ARMING ISRAEL. Deproscribe Palestine Action. When spraying paint is worse than spraying blood, we've come to a shameful point in our history, (and we have a lot in our history to be ashamed of!) Rid us of UKLFI. Thank you for all your hard work.
Thank you for sharing this. I have no idea if his team will respond. One can only offer and I feel I have a contribution I could make. I’m just trying to put together a strategy that will help me contribute regardless of if anyone comes back to me.
I worked in Parliament because I wrote a piece of case management software for Members to deal with constituency casework. That’s why I know in intimate detail the issues that people are concerned about. My system aggregated data to help them understand the key issues of the day to help them develop policy to address the concerns. I believe Andy can deliver and I’ll do everything I can to contribute either from the inside or the outside. I’ll certainly share your concerns Vikki - Martin
You're one of those heroes without a cape. Thank goodness for people like you. 👍
You’re very kind
Lol. Nah, mate. It took me a while, but I finally discovered your secret identity 🤣 😉
Yes very well said. Thank you.
For some reason I often get tears at my eyes when reading or watching the truth. Almost everything said is tearfully true, although you did make one mistake i think at the top of the tenth paragraph which implies the ‘ the Jews ‘ killed 11 million people. Otherwise a near perfect article . Thanks again for articulating not only what I feel and see but what I believe the majority in the usa feel and think as well.
And as you say what’s frightening is the fact that the democrats do not seem to have a Plan ! I routinely comment to other substack bloggers that I don’t see a Plan ! Everybody’s got an answer but nobody’s got a plan. There are too many angry hate filled critics on substack and other media shopping for clickbait by ranting at the trumpster and his minions without doing the work needed to create an alternative political system that can work for all of us including all of us in other countries. The fact that this president and his cohorts and the ignorants that voted them in have just about destroyed the credibility of the usa internationally causes me to imagine a Nuremberg style trial where everyone of the president’s henchmen stand trial. And of course the trumpster n family should be first in line !
Thank you for your kind words, Mike, I have corrected that error for which you have my apologies. Note though, it corrects the original post and not the emails already sent out.
Democrats and Republicans alike have to realize they no longer have a presumption of regularity call map or the faith of the people. It's time to walk the walk for both parties instead of just talking.The talk
Thank you for
What a great piece - fully agree, please continue the good and absolutely necessary work! You are a very strong voice in the wilderness!!! As a Dane, I fear the midterm elections and what might happen before and after…
You’re very kind Jakob, I’m in it for the long haul, have no fear of that. - Martin
As always, I appreciate your candor. I went through some of the comments about your post, and, though most of them are positive and even kind, there are those who cannot go outside themselves or look outside the box to really see that you are trying to make us understand the moment. As you say it in your post, you have no part in this play we are performing two bring down the circus this administration has made of our country. Yet, you have been devoting your time to speaking the minds of many of us.
The indignation, discussed, horror, disillusionment, sadness, disappointment, distrust, disbelief some of the people who represent our institutions and our military have filled many of us with in just one and a half years, have been overwhelming at times. I’ve always been rather cynical, but now I am even more so. Nothing those thugs, from their leader down do, surprises me. Yet, that our judiciary, our Congress, our military submit to this semblance of a man is indescribable.
I have no faith in either party, and would like to think that some people are organizing to create an alternative to greed and self aggrandisement. I would like to see more people who are willing to serve the public and help the people they say they will represent. That’s what the institutions and the entities that have been created, the programs that have been established, that is what all those things are there for. The fact that people know what this man is doing and advocate for it or simply let him continue to ruin the country is appalling. The fact that moderate Democrats are just waiting for November to come so that we will vote for them is appalling.
Thank you ever so much for continuing to enlighten us with your directness and your honesty.
Thank you for your kind words. Rest assured I appreciate your appreciation, it means a lot to me. These are challenging times for many people and I can’t imagine what it must be like to live in the centre of it.
I love the US. I spent many happy times there for work and for pleasure and I know the generosity of spirit that is in the DNA of the American people. I was one of the few here in the UK that thought Trump would win in 2016, because I could see the writing on the wall.
I am genuinely passionate about geopolitics and social justice and have long believed that we are all in danger from what has happened in the US being exported around the world and so it has come to pass and we are all now fighting the same war.
November is going to be the biggest challenge the American people have faced in modern times and we must all do everything we can to help right prevail over wrong, because this is beyond politics, it’s an existential societal threat. I’m all in and while not looking forward to it, you can depend on me to offer my candid unvarnished truth, in order to encourage and drive people on to focus on the prize. - Martin
Your frustration is palpable. It’s a very familiar feeling these days - frustration as well as disgust , anger, revulsion, embarrassment, fear, despondency , and f**king pissed off .
I did not watch the propaganda show because why aggravate myself ? I knew the speech would lack facts or substance …. And frankly my cortisol levels are not healthy . But thank you for your pointed research and commentary … because your voice is important and you speak for many of us who are trapped in this quagmire of lies , deception and good old cowardice that we witness every day .
It is also now a real issue here to speak out against this regime . The new definition of “domestic terrorism “ has been broadened by Mr Miller to encompass any statement that opposes the regime …. It’s happening very quickly and insidiously. N.Y. Times is challenging the Federal subpoena for news reporters sources . News agencies -ABC & NBC are being threatened with FCC rules for their unfavorable coverage of the regime and refusal to cover the 🍊rump speech. Our freedoms are under assault. Our civil rights are being violated by ICE and Customs Enforcement. Our human dignity has been taken in the concentration camps that have popped up everywhere . Our health is being impacted by the vaccine policy being cancelled , the Dept of Agriculture standards for food processing being changed, more toxins in the food chain and pollution from industry being dumped into the atmosphere. This will impact every American for decades.
So please don’t stop your ranting and raging …. Because you are saying things I think but dare not say… because the threat is real . And it’s only getting worse.
Oh I absolutely understand the threat Bonnie and it just looks set to get worse I’m afraid. I’m going nowhere and am here for the long haul. I’ve always maintained that TOGETHER we will prevail and nothing has changed. Stay strong and keep up the great work. - Martin
Thank you!