This is work well done! It's so comprehensive, detailed, specific and far reaching. I feel like you should pass it along to those in DC as a sort of blueprint. I hope people remain strong and don't get worn down in this chaotic mess that is now creating so much confusion. It's actually quite brilliant on Trump's side because it pulls focus away from the specifics of all that is wrong. My question is: how far will Trump push the limits and how much will Republicans give up their self respect and values and let him do it? He's ignored a judge's order to return Venezuelan's who were illegally deported. He wants the judge impeached who ordered that. He's trying to deport a college student who exercised his freedom of speech and those around him and wants them all tried in Louisiana which cuts them off from their council and base and is in a state that has nothing to do with the state in which any of this happened. People say the courts will stop this. But the Venezuelans still aren't back. The Signal stuff, everyone says those involved should be fired. No one's been fired. They're blaming the journalist for blowing it out of proportion. Trump isn't even acknowledging this. A lot of talking on the wrongs of all these situations. A lot of court orders being made. No action. No accountability. No Republicans standing up to say, This is wrong. Departments being slashed. I understand wanting to reshape government departments to get rid of money being wasted. But you don't go in with a sledgehammer and fire a bunch of people without first understanding how everything works, who does what, who is vital, and where money is being wasted. Then you work together to streamline to greater effectiveness. But Trump has given Musk full control and doesn't seem to care regarding public opinion or that of government. I always ask "Who's gonna stop him?" I just hope this doesn't go so far that there is no plan 2029. But, I hope there is. It just feels like everytime I turn on the t.v. newspapers, people, institutions are being punished for free speech, existence...it feels like we are slowly being muted as a whole. I hope it gets better. So, I'm glad to read your article. It gives me hope.
Thanks so much, Sara! I wish I had the DNC’s ear… but alas…
Lots of good thoughts and questions embedded here.
How far Trump will push remains unknown. (Scary.)
Lots of misdirection, for sure.
I do think GOP congressional reps are potentially in trouble trying to get re-elected in MAGA falls. JD Vance is seemingly being accepted as presumptive heir to the throne; however, that’s certainly not a guarantee.
Trump is doing many many illegal things. Pushing the boundaries of The Constitution and law, in general, to see what he can get away with.
*
The deportations are insane.
As a judge pointed out – even Nazis (actual Nazis) were given a trial.
Says it all.
*
Really good/important interview/book discussed in this episode of Fresh Air (plus Elie Mystal is fun to listen to) –
There are changes we can make as a country that are worth trying.
Solid points about pre-Civil Rights laws should be tested to see if they can still pass today as well as fair representation in states based on the “The Wyoming Rule”.
Departments are being slashed—haphazardly. That’s the most dangerous issue. This is definitely corporate style “move fast and break things”. They’re not even trying to save good talent.
It’s well-known how hard it is to get and keep gov’t officials. There’s a lot of red tape.
They’re just breaking things like you noted.
Elon has not proven he’s the type of guy interested in creating anything.
Heard a solid point – even Robber Barons, for all their evils, had an impulse to create cultural institutions. Something about society 100 years ago vs. now. Now, it’s all materialism. Today’s billionaires (many also Robber Baron types) seemingly have zero interest in contributing anything to society. They mostly just want to live forever and sit on a big pile of gold like a mythical dragon. Frankly, weird. And deeply sad.
Thanks for these links! And what you say does give me hope. You are making a difference and that is such a great contribution you are actively doing. Keep it up! I look forward to these.
Wow! What a comprehensive view on this topic. It's so far beyond 'It's the economy, stupid," which was not even much of a subject in the last election, where voters voted to re-oppress those minorities, both racial and gender, and keep trans people from playing basketball.
Great idea! In my view though, a couple of problems stands in the way of this ever translating to reality:
1) Apathy. too many eligible voters, seem to feel government just doesn't work and it doesn't make any difference whether Republicans or Democrats are in charge. Casting a ballot becomes less important than a plan to visit Walmart to buy a new set of truck tires.
2) At this point one has to question whether the U.S. Republic will exist in 2029. It may not ever stagger as far as the mid-terms, assuming mid-terms will even be permissible.
I'm going to remain somewhat optimistic that we manage to have a successful election cycle in the 2026 midterms. I'm sure Trump will cry foul. I'm expect there will be attempts to tamper with results (by MAGA and Russia). I expect larger turnout in 2026 compared to your average midterm elections. I believe Democrats will be taking this election extremely seriously. It will be a key indicator of what is to come. Though we already know some of what to expect in 2028.
You make a good (and sad) point about the complacency of your average American voter.
I'm thinking of Churchill's famous quote:
"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter."
I admire your optimism Mark and I pray you are right. I agree with you, Churchill was correct, when he remarked there is no substitute for door-knocking, but face-to-face conversations be they for 2 or 5 minutes as a buffer against the wave of fringe social media pages and bombastic pod-casters is definitely an uphill battle. The Republicans latest strategy of putting the "kibosh" on town hall meetings is an illustration of their general attitude towards a conversation with their constituency. Hopefully the Democrats and Independents can fan those flames. Maybe that's the place to launch your 2029 platform.
This is work well done! It's so comprehensive, detailed, specific and far reaching. I feel like you should pass it along to those in DC as a sort of blueprint. I hope people remain strong and don't get worn down in this chaotic mess that is now creating so much confusion. It's actually quite brilliant on Trump's side because it pulls focus away from the specifics of all that is wrong. My question is: how far will Trump push the limits and how much will Republicans give up their self respect and values and let him do it? He's ignored a judge's order to return Venezuelan's who were illegally deported. He wants the judge impeached who ordered that. He's trying to deport a college student who exercised his freedom of speech and those around him and wants them all tried in Louisiana which cuts them off from their council and base and is in a state that has nothing to do with the state in which any of this happened. People say the courts will stop this. But the Venezuelans still aren't back. The Signal stuff, everyone says those involved should be fired. No one's been fired. They're blaming the journalist for blowing it out of proportion. Trump isn't even acknowledging this. A lot of talking on the wrongs of all these situations. A lot of court orders being made. No action. No accountability. No Republicans standing up to say, This is wrong. Departments being slashed. I understand wanting to reshape government departments to get rid of money being wasted. But you don't go in with a sledgehammer and fire a bunch of people without first understanding how everything works, who does what, who is vital, and where money is being wasted. Then you work together to streamline to greater effectiveness. But Trump has given Musk full control and doesn't seem to care regarding public opinion or that of government. I always ask "Who's gonna stop him?" I just hope this doesn't go so far that there is no plan 2029. But, I hope there is. It just feels like everytime I turn on the t.v. newspapers, people, institutions are being punished for free speech, existence...it feels like we are slowly being muted as a whole. I hope it gets better. So, I'm glad to read your article. It gives me hope.
Thanks so much, Sara! I wish I had the DNC’s ear… but alas…
Lots of good thoughts and questions embedded here.
How far Trump will push remains unknown. (Scary.)
Lots of misdirection, for sure.
I do think GOP congressional reps are potentially in trouble trying to get re-elected in MAGA falls. JD Vance is seemingly being accepted as presumptive heir to the throne; however, that’s certainly not a guarantee.
Trump is doing many many illegal things. Pushing the boundaries of The Constitution and law, in general, to see what he can get away with.
*
The deportations are insane.
As a judge pointed out – even Nazis (actual Nazis) were given a trial.
Says it all.
*
Really good/important interview/book discussed in this episode of Fresh Air (plus Elie Mystal is fun to listen to) –
A Legal Scholar On 10 Laws 'Ruining America'
https://www.npr.org/2025/03/24/1240552688/bad-law-elie-mystal
There are changes we can make as a country that are worth trying.
Solid points about pre-Civil Rights laws should be tested to see if they can still pass today as well as fair representation in states based on the “The Wyoming Rule”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wyoming_Rule
*
Departments are being slashed—haphazardly. That’s the most dangerous issue. This is definitely corporate style “move fast and break things”. They’re not even trying to save good talent.
It’s well-known how hard it is to get and keep gov’t officials. There’s a lot of red tape.
They’re just breaking things like you noted.
Elon has not proven he’s the type of guy interested in creating anything.
Heard a solid point – even Robber Barons, for all their evils, had an impulse to create cultural institutions. Something about society 100 years ago vs. now. Now, it’s all materialism. Today’s billionaires (many also Robber Baron types) seemingly have zero interest in contributing anything to society. They mostly just want to live forever and sit on a big pile of gold like a mythical dragon. Frankly, weird. And deeply sad.
*
I’m glad this is giving you some hope.
There is hope.
Thanks for these links! And what you say does give me hope. You are making a difference and that is such a great contribution you are actively doing. Keep it up! I look forward to these.
Thank you so much, Sara!!
Wow! What a comprehensive view on this topic. It's so far beyond 'It's the economy, stupid," which was not even much of a subject in the last election, where voters voted to re-oppress those minorities, both racial and gender, and keep trans people from playing basketball.
Thank you! I've been working on this for several weeks.
Great idea! In my view though, a couple of problems stands in the way of this ever translating to reality:
1) Apathy. too many eligible voters, seem to feel government just doesn't work and it doesn't make any difference whether Republicans or Democrats are in charge. Casting a ballot becomes less important than a plan to visit Walmart to buy a new set of truck tires.
2) At this point one has to question whether the U.S. Republic will exist in 2029. It may not ever stagger as far as the mid-terms, assuming mid-terms will even be permissible.
Thanks, Don.
I'm going to remain somewhat optimistic that we manage to have a successful election cycle in the 2026 midterms. I'm sure Trump will cry foul. I'm expect there will be attempts to tamper with results (by MAGA and Russia). I expect larger turnout in 2026 compared to your average midterm elections. I believe Democrats will be taking this election extremely seriously. It will be a key indicator of what is to come. Though we already know some of what to expect in 2028.
You make a good (and sad) point about the complacency of your average American voter.
I'm thinking of Churchill's famous quote:
"The best argument against democracy is a 5-minute conversation with the average voter."
I admire your optimism Mark and I pray you are right. I agree with you, Churchill was correct, when he remarked there is no substitute for door-knocking, but face-to-face conversations be they for 2 or 5 minutes as a buffer against the wave of fringe social media pages and bombastic pod-casters is definitely an uphill battle. The Republicans latest strategy of putting the "kibosh" on town hall meetings is an illustration of their general attitude towards a conversation with their constituency. Hopefully the Democrats and Independents can fan those flames. Maybe that's the place to launch your 2029 platform.