While the signs might be optimistic, it's really important for not to get complacent, in the belief that change is guaranteed. I can assure you it's not.
The time to think about "saving democracy" was probably prior to Bush losing the election but being installed as president anyway. If not before, immediately after
If it can be there, that would be excellent, but I have doubts. The voter rights act being gutted is a disaster
Then they're also using the tried and true methods they've used for decades though they're turning it up to 11, but there's something nobody ever seems to mention. I'm not sure anybody even noticed:
When they did that deep dive into the opaque disconnected election process all over the US ostensibly looking for evidence Biden cheated, they cataloged every way in which Biden *could have* cheated and added them to the above referenced big book of "How to Undermine US Democracy in Order to Consolidate Power", which they used to put Trump back in
Being "close" or "looking bad for the GOP" is just smoke and mirrors. That's what they want. They don't need every seat. They just need key seats
If that fails, they've been setting up a rejection of the results for quite some time. I can't see and reason they wouldn't go that way if it came down to that, and I can't see anything that would actually stop them if they tried.
I mean: "people are mad!"
So fucking what
I hope I've got it all wrong, but, even if there was a "blue wave" the GOP would still infest government ready to continue undermining everything.
It will take more than a midterm election. Rework the Supreme Court, solidify voting rights, make laws to protect the vulnerable, restore freedom of the press, tax the rich, fix the election rules to stop dark money and most of all fix the educational system that has created an uniformed electorate. Those are the minimum changes needed and there are more. Democracy always needs work to maintain.
It's a strange sensation to feel trapped between the choice of feckless mediocrity and what we have now; we can continue down the crazy slide to authoritarianism, or replace it with what amounts to a holding pattern. Unless we elect a different brand of Democrat - and I think the Democratic Party will fight like hell to prevent that - we're never really going to get out of this. Full disclosure: I can be a bit of a pessimist.
Thank God someone gets it Rudy. The moment one ventures to criticise the hallowed Democratic Party up pop the witch hunters to take offence and brand the dissenter a heretic.
There are several states that still have primaries either underway now or in the next few months. That is our chance to look at the candidates going up against the old guard incumbent Democrats. There are some good progressive alternatives that need our support and our votes. They still might not win, but I believe competitive primary races are good. Remember how Bernie moved the party and influenced Biden to be more openly pro-worker? We need to get bigger turnout in primary races.
Martin, I know it's quite of-topic here, but I can't find any other way to ask this: where did I miss the turning to your much announced –and very eagerly expected– website? Would you please place the URL somewhere, permanently, and very visibly, on the newsletter. Many thanks!
Thanks for the important question Andreas, we had some issues with impact testing which threw up some security issues. I needed to revise the code on two key sections which will be completed in about 10 days, then we’re good to go.
It’s been very frustrating, but the last thing I wanted was to hit go until the issues were resolved. Everything is in place, it’s just making sure the site is not vulnerable to attack.
While there’s no guarantee when it comes to 100 resilience, if holes are identified it’s best to plug them which is what’s being done. I will keep you informed.
Thank you, Martin! I understand completely that with a project you invested so much time and energy in there can't be any compromise about quality. I wish you every success with the final procedures and would like to express once again my deep respect for your dedication and the work it has produced.
My frustration is off the charts right now, but I’m pretty sure that once it goes live, it will be tested in terms of hostile intent. Thank you for your kind words, we’ll get there.
Words failed to express the gratitude I feel when I read your views and your thoughts. I appreciate your tenacity and your desire to encourage us and challenge us to act so we can get out of this horrific predicament we got ourselves in.
I am very disappointed in the Supreme Court, the lack of stamina the Democrats and the Republicans show while Trump guts this country. I know there are young people out there who want to promote change, but I’m not sure that the older generations are going to let them advance at this time.
One can help that the people who failed to vote in the presidential elections of 2024 get their act together and vote against evil and corruption, deceit and greed, against authoritarianism. But the candidates we have, at least in the Democratic party in some states, some of them present a problem and, as usual, the Democrats are good at dividing or having split factions within their own party. That makes it very difficult for a person to stand behind a particular candidate. The others don’t wanna be left behind, and greed and ambition takeover public service.
Thank you for your very kind words and your support, it’s much appreciated my friend.
Together we can prevail, I don’t doubt now that the regime will fall, my concern is with what follows and the need for political ambition to deliver the desperately needed change. - Martin
MAGA has a long tail, as was demonstrated in the Indiana primary yesterday, when five out of the seven candidates who defied Trump on redistricting were defeated by MAGA loyalists. Underestimate the enemy at your peril.
The Democrats are fine, but they have suffered a bad rap because MAGA has firmly controlled the press to try and convince us that the Democrats are bad. I am not at all convinced but it seems that most are.
What do you think about Christopher Armitage’s writings about alternative possible futures for the US?
In my opinion the maga-Republican party has gone so far off the deep end, that no reconciliation is possible. I do not think that this country can ever be truly united again, even if the Dems win big in 2026 and 28.. The most stable future scenario is for the US to dissolve into several distinct semi-sovereign regions, based on geography, ideology, and culture. There are stages in this proposed evolution, from “soft secession” (which has already begun in some respects) to full “Balkanization” and co-existence modeled on the EU.
I would be interested in your thoughts about this.
A brilliant and clear analysis of the current situation, and not just in the US. Change a few terms and names, and you could be describing the state of politics in the UK. Just follow the money – or rather, don't.
The time to think about "saving democracy" was probably prior to Bush losing the election but being installed as president anyway. If not before, immediately after
No pushback from me my friend, but we have to start somewhere. - Martin
If it can be there, that would be excellent, but I have doubts. The voter rights act being gutted is a disaster
Then they're also using the tried and true methods they've used for decades though they're turning it up to 11, but there's something nobody ever seems to mention. I'm not sure anybody even noticed:
When they did that deep dive into the opaque disconnected election process all over the US ostensibly looking for evidence Biden cheated, they cataloged every way in which Biden *could have* cheated and added them to the above referenced big book of "How to Undermine US Democracy in Order to Consolidate Power", which they used to put Trump back in
Being "close" or "looking bad for the GOP" is just smoke and mirrors. That's what they want. They don't need every seat. They just need key seats
If that fails, they've been setting up a rejection of the results for quite some time. I can't see and reason they wouldn't go that way if it came down to that, and I can't see anything that would actually stop them if they tried.
I mean: "people are mad!"
So fucking what
I hope I've got it all wrong, but, even if there was a "blue wave" the GOP would still infest government ready to continue undermining everything.
Only if it can be made certain that the Midterm elections will be honest & free - not rigged.
And I have my doubts about that ....
I agree and that’s the topic for tomorrow’s piece.
It will take more than a midterm election. Rework the Supreme Court, solidify voting rights, make laws to protect the vulnerable, restore freedom of the press, tax the rich, fix the election rules to stop dark money and most of all fix the educational system that has created an uniformed electorate. Those are the minimum changes needed and there are more. Democracy always needs work to maintain.
You are on the money Johnny. Clumsy language from me. - Martin
It's a strange sensation to feel trapped between the choice of feckless mediocrity and what we have now; we can continue down the crazy slide to authoritarianism, or replace it with what amounts to a holding pattern. Unless we elect a different brand of Democrat - and I think the Democratic Party will fight like hell to prevent that - we're never really going to get out of this. Full disclosure: I can be a bit of a pessimist.
Thank God someone gets it Rudy. The moment one ventures to criticise the hallowed Democratic Party up pop the witch hunters to take offence and brand the dissenter a heretic.
Glad to be on the same page - Martin
There are several states that still have primaries either underway now or in the next few months. That is our chance to look at the candidates going up against the old guard incumbent Democrats. There are some good progressive alternatives that need our support and our votes. They still might not win, but I believe competitive primary races are good. Remember how Bernie moved the party and influenced Biden to be more openly pro-worker? We need to get bigger turnout in primary races.
🙏🙏🙏🙏 VOTE 💙
Martin, I know it's quite of-topic here, but I can't find any other way to ask this: where did I miss the turning to your much announced –and very eagerly expected– website? Would you please place the URL somewhere, permanently, and very visibly, on the newsletter. Many thanks!
Thanks for the important question Andreas, we had some issues with impact testing which threw up some security issues. I needed to revise the code on two key sections which will be completed in about 10 days, then we’re good to go.
It’s been very frustrating, but the last thing I wanted was to hit go until the issues were resolved. Everything is in place, it’s just making sure the site is not vulnerable to attack.
While there’s no guarantee when it comes to 100 resilience, if holes are identified it’s best to plug them which is what’s being done. I will keep you informed.
Thank you, Martin! I understand completely that with a project you invested so much time and energy in there can't be any compromise about quality. I wish you every success with the final procedures and would like to express once again my deep respect for your dedication and the work it has produced.
My frustration is off the charts right now, but I’m pretty sure that once it goes live, it will be tested in terms of hostile intent. Thank you for your kind words, we’ll get there.
Words failed to express the gratitude I feel when I read your views and your thoughts. I appreciate your tenacity and your desire to encourage us and challenge us to act so we can get out of this horrific predicament we got ourselves in.
I am very disappointed in the Supreme Court, the lack of stamina the Democrats and the Republicans show while Trump guts this country. I know there are young people out there who want to promote change, but I’m not sure that the older generations are going to let them advance at this time.
One can help that the people who failed to vote in the presidential elections of 2024 get their act together and vote against evil and corruption, deceit and greed, against authoritarianism. But the candidates we have, at least in the Democratic party in some states, some of them present a problem and, as usual, the Democrats are good at dividing or having split factions within their own party. That makes it very difficult for a person to stand behind a particular candidate. The others don’t wanna be left behind, and greed and ambition takeover public service.
Thank you for your very kind words and your support, it’s much appreciated my friend.
Together we can prevail, I don’t doubt now that the regime will fall, my concern is with what follows and the need for political ambition to deliver the desperately needed change. - Martin
"Complacency" has been a long-standing enemy of political progress.
I concur
MAGA has a long tail, as was demonstrated in the Indiana primary yesterday, when five out of the seven candidates who defied Trump on redistricting were defeated by MAGA loyalists. Underestimate the enemy at your peril.
I don't think so. This is going to last way longer
It was very clumsy language on reflection Valerie, not my finest hour. You are of course absolutely correct - Martin
The Democrats are fine, but they have suffered a bad rap because MAGA has firmly controlled the press to try and convince us that the Democrats are bad. I am not at all convinced but it seems that most are.
Trolls work overtime to insinuate their way into such opinions.
Anyone not seeing HOW bad Trump is compared to Dems is blind, intentionally or not.
The midterms is a defining event. Not only for America, but the entire world. Historians will look back and forth, up, down and
sideways at this pivotal Back to the Future election.
I hope so, I hope that Dems can flip the house and the Senate, and that can mark the start of saving democracy.
What do you think about Christopher Armitage’s writings about alternative possible futures for the US?
In my opinion the maga-Republican party has gone so far off the deep end, that no reconciliation is possible. I do not think that this country can ever be truly united again, even if the Dems win big in 2026 and 28.. The most stable future scenario is for the US to dissolve into several distinct semi-sovereign regions, based on geography, ideology, and culture. There are stages in this proposed evolution, from “soft secession” (which has already begun in some respects) to full “Balkanization” and co-existence modeled on the EU.
I would be interested in your thoughts about this.
A brilliant and clear analysis of the current situation, and not just in the US. Change a few terms and names, and you could be describing the state of politics in the UK. Just follow the money – or rather, don't.
https://youtu.be/HMH71slx62Y?si=XDkatXkfR3uwNV0-