It's time to think outside the box, because political change does not happen overnight, but it can occur in a matter of weeks if only someone in the Democratic Party would listen for once.
Pardon my 🇨🇦 lack of clarity, but is this Dem Senator betrayal *necessarily* the end of the shutdown?
Doesn’t it still require House approval?
And doesn’t attempting to muster that House approval further increase the exposure (to the GOP) of having an open vote forced on releasing the Epstein files, as refusing to seat Rep. Gijalva of AZ will be even more indefensible?
“Democrats have folded in return for a NOTHINGBURGER, a ‘promise’ of a discussion on ACA subsidies; it’s a worse deal than what was on the table weeks ago.”
My point is that *some* Democrats have folded.
It remains to be seen if House Dems hold the line, or if wildcards like the batshit-crazy-but-possibly-stopped-clocked MTG and other GOPs defect.
I’m not holding my breath, but that’s only because I have a border between me & the complete implosion of a once valued democratic ally 🤷♂️
But I am still hopeful for your country. Because hope must remain if there’s to be a road back to freedom, even if it’s a very hard one.
You don’t need to be defensive, TM: at no point did I say (or even imply) that your post wasn’t “valid”. It is.
(Nor did I threaten its existence, or attempt to genocide it, FWIW)
I simply asked for a clarification on “next steps” as a non-American, but still critically interested, individual — and as someone who values clear, unemotionally-entangled analyses, upon which further plans of action can be refined.
I am genuinely not defensive. The actions of those who caved were not the premise on which I wrote the post; it was an event that just happened after the fact.
Yes, it has to go to the House of Representatives if passed in the Senate. I can’t believe this is the plan, but I have been disappointed before! Bottom line, the bill has to be passed in the Senate, then passed in the House without being changed, to become law. In the meantime, the rump regime cruelty continues.
Yes, to open a vote to the Epstein files…yes, Grijalva will finally be sworn in…but once again, something will arise or delay the release of the Epstein files. I’m not counting on anything exposure of the ‘Epstein Pedophile Gang’ from the government!!!!!
As well, while peaceable change would of course be preferable, it’s becoming more & more likely that direct *physical* opposition will be required to stop the Hate Machine’s further entrenchment and destruction in America.
Be prepared — the OSS/CIA knew what they were doing when they wrote the Field Guide for Simple Sabotage:
This is a fantastic idea! This kind of corruption has always gone on, but now it’s become visibly deadly. We need more details than the traditional groupings to help us select the best option. And if this kind of selection tool were widely used rather than expensive ads, it might allow more non- millionaires with better ideas in office. I do IT, if you get a following that’s interested in doing it, I’ll be glad to contribute time and money.
I have a detailed vision for this that obviously I didn’t include here. As a database designer and analyst I understand the opportunity in fine detail.
This is about having a simple to understand public facing system where you enter a members game and you are presented with a traffic light badge and from there you can drill into voting analytics etc to understand how that member represents their constituents vs their donors.
"the US has become the global capital for state-sponsored corporate extortion and welfare" That one line hit me hard. It's been eye opening to hear from people in other countries and how they always looked up to the US but equally eye opening to realize how long the US has been in a downward spiral. And now people around the world look at the US with concern and disbelief. It's going to be a long and painful road to find our way to a better society. Let's hope we're able to. Thank you for your insights Martin. I really like your ideas.
I know it must be tough, but I write each day and dedicate my time to this fight because I know Trump doesn’t speak for the majority by any means. We’re in this together and we will prevail.
It appears more of the strategy is coming in later posts, but if the NYC mayoral election is an example, it’s going to require A LOT of committed voters/activists getting away from their couches and computers and supporting truly progressive candidates without corporate backing.
Being angry is not enough. We must be hopeful and inspired.
The new and more concise format is much easier to peruse and understand. Excellent ideas! I hope somebody takes you up on your offer to consult and or design the new system. This sounds like exactly what is needed in this country right now. This is revolutionary and transformational— a new path forward for Democrats and liberal thinkers that could improve the whole system. Will restack and share widely. Thank you for your deep analysis and thought-provoking suggestions for resolving these issues.
I’m glad, proves I’m listening. As I’ll only be writing Monday to Friday, I may even do some proof of concept designs on this and my economic disengagement tools idea.
I'm a currently underemployed scientist that spends a lot of my 12 hr night shift at a factory looking for and interpreting mass amounts of data for fun. I also spent the last five years fixating almost exclusively on how to create a successful mass movement that is truly from the people, and not by what the billionaire ruling class spends trillions to convince us we want. In 2020 my MAGA parents got into QAnon so I spent the last five years learning so much about propaganda that I own the two most important books published over a hundred years ago that fathered everything Fascism utilizes to this day to successfully mass manipulate perception and manufacture divisive rage. These methods work so well, not a thing has changed about them and the ones deliberately using propaganda for MAGA either don't know that this information is available to everyone or they, rightfully, assume with how quickly the internet has been filled with chaotic noise that it would never get enough mass focused attention to break this machine the Fascists have created and perfected on us in the US over this last century. I'm also getting decent at designing and drawing workers counter-propaganda. I don't know if there is a way for the authors on here to reply because I haven't really explored the social features so we can discuss exchanging contact info. Or if you can DM on Substack, that's cool. Hope to hear from you! This second generation Latina immigrant is getting real sick of this nightmare, I think it's time to end it lol.
Firstly Ashly, I’m Martin, nice to meet you. Thank you for your valuable contribution to the conversation. I’d love to have a chat about what you’ve been exploring.
It’s always a challenge to articulate what might appear to be an abstract idea. Feel free to DM me and we can set something up.
Oh, I mean to employ counter-propaganda by leading people to recognize the machinations of Fascist propaganda on their own. Once enough people understand how it works, then it can't work again.
Most Americans are undernourished voters hoping politicians will feed them. They get in the food line only to find again and again the pot at the end of the rainbow is empty. People end up blaming each other for having to go home hungry.
Absolutely, I understand this is a dreadful situation. These are structural problems which can only be addressed by a simple solution with as few moving parts to help people make better electoral decisions.
The database would have to be easy to use for the masses, and as Martin has said, be supported by the Democratic Party. Exposing the ‘kickbacks for favors and support’ truly is the bullseye!!!!!
I can tell you right now. I could write the code blocks myself to deliver the data in a week tops. It’s always hard to articulate a technical solution, but those out there that use web app creation tools will know exactly what I’m saying.
it would be as simple as selecting a member and the members details would appear with an image of them in either a green, amber or Red box, then click on a button in that box to analyse why they had say an amber score.
A report could then identify all those scored ref and you have your targets to be primaried. From there you can apply a human examination to check for false positives etc.
Any voter gets exactly the same view, but without access to political tools.
Hold on. Is this appropriate? The UK stepping in to fix a US problem? Don’t we have any brains or skills of our own? We need supportive allies but do we need fixers?
It actually needs no consent really, it could be built because all the APIs are public APIs. It could just exist as a public website, that’s the simplicity of it.
Completely agree ….. Also believe you propose some very good, effective ideas and ways we can begin to move forward. Thanks for thinking a bit ‘out of the box’.
I’m sure lots of people are doing this, but every time the DNC asks for a donation, I respond to the email with “I only support candidates that don’t accept pac money. I will donate to your organization when all Democrats stop taking corporate and AIPAC donations. “ If thousands of people responded this way, maybe they would get the hint!
It doesn't matter that House approval is required. What matters is that one Independent and eight Democrats caved to a bully. People who cave to bullies are cowards. In these existential times, their vote (in Schumer's case, his order) makes them complicit with the fascist regime in power for the forseeable future. So go to hell, you nine fascist cowards.
Aloha . From the COCONUT WIRELESS .................................... Call them. Make it clear where you stand.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D–IL) (202) 224-2152
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D–NV) (202) 224-3542
Sen. John Fetterman (D–PA) (202) 224-4254
Sen. Tim Kaine (D–VA) (202) 224-4024
Sen. Angus King (I–ME) (202) 224-5344
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D–NV) (202) 224-6244
Sen. Maggie Hassan (D–NH) — (202) 224-3324
call durbins Springfield IL number. the DC number hangs up on you
Call 202-224-4024 or message Tim Kaine and tell him what YOU think! Please share!
https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
Pardon my 🇨🇦 lack of clarity, but is this Dem Senator betrayal *necessarily* the end of the shutdown?
Doesn’t it still require House approval?
And doesn’t attempting to muster that House approval further increase the exposure (to the GOP) of having an open vote forced on releasing the Epstein files, as refusing to seat Rep. Gijalva of AZ will be even more indefensible?
This post is not about the shutdown. It does not change the intent of those that voted for the bill to be passed to the House.
“Democrats have folded in return for a NOTHINGBURGER, a ‘promise’ of a discussion on ACA subsidies; it’s a worse deal than what was on the table weeks ago.”
My point is that *some* Democrats have folded.
It remains to be seen if House Dems hold the line, or if wildcards like the batshit-crazy-but-possibly-stopped-clocked MTG and other GOPs defect.
I’m not holding my breath, but that’s only because I have a border between me & the complete implosion of a once valued democratic ally 🤷♂️
But I am still hopeful for your country. Because hope must remain if there’s to be a road back to freedom, even if it’s a very hard one.
Sam Roberts Band — “Hard Road”
https://youtu.be/LRGyGEtZyY4
“And you try to find a love
That'll see you through your darkest days
And her soft brown hair
Is as long as a Canadian highway
And the sun dies until it's reborn
But there's no road
That ain't a hard road
To travel on
Been dying since the day I was born
Cause there's no road
That ain't a hard road
To travel on”
💪💪🇨🇦🗽
I hear you and it’s not a given I get that. My point is, my post is valid regardless.
You don’t need to be defensive, TM: at no point did I say (or even imply) that your post wasn’t “valid”. It is.
(Nor did I threaten its existence, or attempt to genocide it, FWIW)
I simply asked for a clarification on “next steps” as a non-American, but still critically interested, individual — and as someone who values clear, unemotionally-entangled analyses, upon which further plans of action can be refined.
YMMV of course 🤷♂️
I am genuinely not defensive. The actions of those who caved were not the premise on which I wrote the post; it was an event that just happened after the fact.
👍
You might find Rosie’s take illuminating, fwiw:
https://open.substack.com/pub/theresistersreport/p/what-the-f-did-the-dems-just-do-heres
Neither she nor I believe this to be a *fact*, but we’ll see what the next days bring …
Yes, it has to go to the House of Representatives if passed in the Senate. I can’t believe this is the plan, but I have been disappointed before! Bottom line, the bill has to be passed in the Senate, then passed in the House without being changed, to become law. In the meantime, the rump regime cruelty continues.
Yes, to open a vote to the Epstein files…yes, Grijalva will finally be sworn in…but once again, something will arise or delay the release of the Epstein files. I’m not counting on anything exposure of the ‘Epstein Pedophile Gang’ from the government!!!!!
As well, while peaceable change would of course be preferable, it’s becoming more & more likely that direct *physical* opposition will be required to stop the Hate Machine’s further entrenchment and destruction in America.
Be prepared — the OSS/CIA knew what they were doing when they wrote the Field Guide for Simple Sabotage:
https://digitalcanary.substack.com/p/the-art-of-simple-sabotage
Anyone and everyone can find something they can do to make a tangible difference, even if it’s just a small one.
Be safe, but be not cowed.
💪💪🇨🇦🗽
This is a fantastic idea! This kind of corruption has always gone on, but now it’s become visibly deadly. We need more details than the traditional groupings to help us select the best option. And if this kind of selection tool were widely used rather than expensive ads, it might allow more non- millionaires with better ideas in office. I do IT, if you get a following that’s interested in doing it, I’ll be glad to contribute time and money.
I have a detailed vision for this that obviously I didn’t include here. As a database designer and analyst I understand the opportunity in fine detail.
This is about having a simple to understand public facing system where you enter a members game and you are presented with a traffic light badge and from there you can drill into voting analytics etc to understand how that member represents their constituents vs their donors.
You’d need access to that API and I wouldn’t think congresspeople would want to give that away. Are there outside sources for that?
The data is a public API voting records and registers of interest are free. They are open source.
"the US has become the global capital for state-sponsored corporate extortion and welfare" That one line hit me hard. It's been eye opening to hear from people in other countries and how they always looked up to the US but equally eye opening to realize how long the US has been in a downward spiral. And now people around the world look at the US with concern and disbelief. It's going to be a long and painful road to find our way to a better society. Let's hope we're able to. Thank you for your insights Martin. I really like your ideas.
I know it must be tough, but I write each day and dedicate my time to this fight because I know Trump doesn’t speak for the majority by any means. We’re in this together and we will prevail.
It appears more of the strategy is coming in later posts, but if the NYC mayoral election is an example, it’s going to require A LOT of committed voters/activists getting away from their couches and computers and supporting truly progressive candidates without corporate backing.
Being angry is not enough. We must be hopeful and inspired.
Indeed Lee this would have to be a hybrid solution. Can I suggest you read tomorrow’s post which would bring the people component into the mix.
The new and more concise format is much easier to peruse and understand. Excellent ideas! I hope somebody takes you up on your offer to consult and or design the new system. This sounds like exactly what is needed in this country right now. This is revolutionary and transformational— a new path forward for Democrats and liberal thinkers that could improve the whole system. Will restack and share widely. Thank you for your deep analysis and thought-provoking suggestions for resolving these issues.
I’m glad, proves I’m listening. As I’ll only be writing Monday to Friday, I may even do some proof of concept designs on this and my economic disengagement tools idea.
I'm a currently underemployed scientist that spends a lot of my 12 hr night shift at a factory looking for and interpreting mass amounts of data for fun. I also spent the last five years fixating almost exclusively on how to create a successful mass movement that is truly from the people, and not by what the billionaire ruling class spends trillions to convince us we want. In 2020 my MAGA parents got into QAnon so I spent the last five years learning so much about propaganda that I own the two most important books published over a hundred years ago that fathered everything Fascism utilizes to this day to successfully mass manipulate perception and manufacture divisive rage. These methods work so well, not a thing has changed about them and the ones deliberately using propaganda for MAGA either don't know that this information is available to everyone or they, rightfully, assume with how quickly the internet has been filled with chaotic noise that it would never get enough mass focused attention to break this machine the Fascists have created and perfected on us in the US over this last century. I'm also getting decent at designing and drawing workers counter-propaganda. I don't know if there is a way for the authors on here to reply because I haven't really explored the social features so we can discuss exchanging contact info. Or if you can DM on Substack, that's cool. Hope to hear from you! This second generation Latina immigrant is getting real sick of this nightmare, I think it's time to end it lol.
Firstly Ashly, I’m Martin, nice to meet you. Thank you for your valuable contribution to the conversation. I’d love to have a chat about what you’ve been exploring.
It’s always a challenge to articulate what might appear to be an abstract idea. Feel free to DM me and we can set something up.
Oh, I mean to employ counter-propaganda by leading people to recognize the machinations of Fascist propaganda on their own. Once enough people understand how it works, then it can't work again.
I feel like this is a valuable initiative to bring awareness to the people!
It would be great to have a simple database to consult! I love this idea!
Most Americans are undernourished voters hoping politicians will feed them. They get in the food line only to find again and again the pot at the end of the rainbow is empty. People end up blaming each other for having to go home hungry.
Absolutely, I understand this is a dreadful situation. These are structural problems which can only be addressed by a simple solution with as few moving parts to help people make better electoral decisions.
The database would have to be easy to use for the masses, and as Martin has said, be supported by the Democratic Party. Exposing the ‘kickbacks for favors and support’ truly is the bullseye!!!!!
I can tell you right now. I could write the code blocks myself to deliver the data in a week tops. It’s always hard to articulate a technical solution, but those out there that use web app creation tools will know exactly what I’m saying.
it would be as simple as selecting a member and the members details would appear with an image of them in either a green, amber or Red box, then click on a button in that box to analyse why they had say an amber score.
A report could then identify all those scored ref and you have your targets to be primaried. From there you can apply a human examination to check for false positives etc.
Any voter gets exactly the same view, but without access to political tools.
So, I like your idea. I left federal service to start a company that builds AI agents and other apps for non-profit and social good companies.
Let's talk?
Happy to, I’ll DM you.
Hold on. Is this appropriate? The UK stepping in to fix a US problem? Don’t we have any brains or skills of our own? We need supportive allies but do we need fixers?
How are those brains and skills doing right now? Preserving democracy is a global mission. I'm proof that the special relationship is alive and well.
Maybe it could be promoted by Bernie and AOC. Most would fight against it- hard!
It actually needs no consent really, it could be built because all the APIs are public APIs. It could just exist as a public website, that’s the simplicity of it.
Completely agree ….. Also believe you propose some very good, effective ideas and ways we can begin to move forward. Thanks for thinking a bit ‘out of the box’.
Someone has to, but it has to be simple to implement and believe me this is simple. It just needs people to step outside their comfort zone.
I’m sure lots of people are doing this, but every time the DNC asks for a donation, I respond to the email with “I only support candidates that don’t accept pac money. I will donate to your organization when all Democrats stop taking corporate and AIPAC donations. “ If thousands of people responded this way, maybe they would get the hint!
Good for you.
Yes! Schumer must go! His AIPAC money is sickening
It doesn't matter that House approval is required. What matters is that one Independent and eight Democrats caved to a bully. People who cave to bullies are cowards. In these existential times, their vote (in Schumer's case, his order) makes them complicit with the fascist regime in power for the forseeable future. So go to hell, you nine fascist cowards.
I concur, I certainly wasn’t in any way defending their abhorrent decisions.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL COMMENTARY !
Great ideas! This makes so much sense! Many times we have no idea if they’re listening to their constituents or their donors.
Let us not forget that a law was passed that prohibits prosecution of any crimes Trump committed while in office.