Polls are not in favor of Democrats or President Joe Biden despite having a robust economy. CBS News is already calling the November midterms a victory for Republicans and hired Donald Trump's former chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney. "If you look at some of the people that we've been hiring on a contributor basis, being able to make sure that we are getting access to both sides of the aisle is a priority because we know the Republicans are going to take over, most likely, in the midterms," co-president Neeraj Khemlani told his staff. Who are they polling? Are media conglomerates hoping for a GOP takeover to sink President Biden's proposed tax increase on Americans who make more than $400,000 a year? Just a thought.
Before the 2020 election, I spent countless hours having discussions providing authentic information with references to many friends who were convinced (some still are) that voting red would somehow save American democracy. I created a Substack account to convey young generations' concerns for the stability of our future and inform the misinformed, hopefully. Also, to find common ground with some folks who believe the country is in disarray because of “the Left.” The propaganda war machine Fox News and authoritarian fanatic Tucker Carlson are to blame. Occasionally, my dubious friends do reach out with questions or try to troll me with some already debunked theory. I convinced them to read my opinions whenever I post with an open mind. As they consider me to be a "reasonable democrat." Maybe because I've been on both sides? I don’t know. I'm still learning myself.
Eventually, convincing most friends and family to vote for Joe Biden. They understood another term with Trump would be the end of democracy. As a result, today, some in the sunshine state are leaning to vote against Ron DeSantis in November. Wouldn't it be great if Democratic leaders pugnaciously campaigned on their successes, such as the American Rescue Plan (passed with zero R votes but took credit anyway), which contributed to the most significant economic growth in forty years?
As a former republican, I have no regrets about voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the 2020 presidential election. High gas prices and inflation understandably frustrates Americans, but I vehemently disagree with blaming the president. Forbes Senior Contributor Robert Rapier states, "To be clear, the stimulus money that both presidents approved had some impact. When people have more money, they spend it. Demand for goods rises, driving inflation. Stimulus money played a minor part in the gasoline price rise. But it was primarily a function of the oil price surge due to the imbalance brought on in the aftermath of the Covid-19 demand plunge." I recommend checking Rapier’s piece out.
Additionally, a fact-check reporter for the New York Times, Linda Qiu, sets the record straight on how erroneous the GOP's claims are blaming Biden. Qui mentions the head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, Patrick De Haan, who said, "Covid changed the game, not President Biden," and "U.S. oil production fell in the last eight months of President Trump's tenure. Is that his fault? No." The list goes on.
While the GOP falsely bashes democrats about inflation, gas prices, and tax increases, among other QAnon talking points like pedophilia, let me list what's going on over on the right:
Congressman Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) dubs democrats and Joe Biden as tyrants. At the same time, Cawthorn himself called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy a "thug." His irreverent comments were advertised on Russian state T.V. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) laid out his 11-point plan, and in the bottom right of page 35 reads: "All Americans should pay some income tax to have skin in the game, even if a small amount. Currently over half of Americans pay no income tax." Yet voters believe Democrats want to raise taxes? Oh, and even Fox News's John Roberts called out Scott on his proposal of tax increases leaving him astounded attempting to shift blame to democrats about a plan he pompously flaunted.
On Thursday, former GOP staffer Ruben Verastigui, 29, and former aide to the Republican National Convention was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in prison after confessing to being part of an active "online group devoted to trading child pornography and discussing sexual abuse." Ruben preferred babies, and he enjoyed the material of them being raped and killed. The details are beyond heinous. So, you see why the Republican Party is persistently attacking democrats with pedophilia remarks? This is GOP projection at its finest. During her Senate confirmation hearings, Senators Josh Hawley and Ted Cruz certainly had a lot to prattle about Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's "soft on crime" record on child-sex-offenders.
Robert Regan, a Michigan House candidate for the upcoming May 3rd election, said in a Facebook Livestream that he tells his daughters, “if rape is inevitable, you should just lie back and enjoy it.” Regan is also a QAnon supporter expected to win the House seat as his daughters pled on Twitter for voters not to elect their father.
Tennessee Republicans initially proposed HB 233. A measure that would establish common-law marriage between "one man" and "one woman." That didn't include a minimum age requirement, possibly opening the doors to child sexual abuse and child marriages. The bill's sponsor Tom Leatherwood (R-Arlington), said, "So, all this bill does is give an alternative form of marriage for those pastors and other individuals who have a conscientious objection to the current pathway to marriage in our law." "There is not an explicit age limit," Tom added. Take note that this move is a blatant challenge against Obergefell. After relentless social media outrage, the Tennessee Senate amended a bill that would allow “one man” and “one woman” to marry “if both have attained the age of majority.” The original version of the bill was no mistake.
Speaking of Tennessee's state GOP, have a look (clickable) at Congressman John Rose's marriage:
With a vote of 70 to 14, the GOP-controlled Oklahoma legislature passed SB 612, making abortion a felony. Those who perform abortions could face up to ten years in prison with a $100,000 fine. State representative Jim Olsen who sponsored this measure, said the bill makes exceptions to save a mother's life. Rape and incest, as usual, are not exemptions. Governor Kevin Stitt (R), a staunch pro-lifer, is expected to sign the bill into law.
Justice Thomas Clarence's wife, Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, a conservative enthusiast, texted former President Donald Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, pressuring him to overturn the 2020 presidential election. Justice Thomas was the lone dissent vote on Trump’s attempt to block the Select Committee investigating the January 6th insurrection on the U.S. Capitol from having access to White House records. Ginni’s texts won’t do much. But it does indeed show the deep corruption of the right-wing. Here is a disturbing video a former friend of Ginni shared on Twitter of Thomas at a cult member support group.
On the second day of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Senate Judiciary Republicans Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and John Cornyn (R- TX) challenged the legitimacy of landmark rulings: Griswold v. Connecticut and Obergefell v. Hodges. In an interview, Senator Mike Braun (R-IN), who described Judge Jackson as well qualified, told a reporter that the Supreme Court was wrong to legalize Roe v. Wade and Loving v. Virginia, suggesting it should have been left to the states to decide. Again, there are no congressional reporters pressing members on this.
According to a December 2021 poll conducted by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School, 52% of young Americans believe the country's democracy is in "trouble" or "failing." I couldn't agree more. Both parties aren't perfect. But one party is not undermining American democracy by trying to overturn elections, obliterating the will of the people: Democrats.
The GOP will continue exploiting religion, racism, sexism, and hatred to retain power. As they witness their religious zealot world wither in a country where younger generations instead progress than conserve. We need more Democrats like Senator Brian Schatz from Hawaii blasting Hawley’s incompetence. We need President Joe Biden to host Town Halls around the country and connect with young voters again. Biden has signed historic pieces of legislation (I'll mention them in a separate post), and I'm blessed he's our president. Alas, the polls detest him. Misinformation is powerful, and we cannot let it triumph.
I will be sending this post to those hesitant friends I mentioned earlier and promise to discuss my views and why I left the GOP, which harbors officials who nonchalantly embrace authoritarianism. Young voters bore the imperious manner of Donald Trump for four years, and then 65% of them voted for Biden in the 2020 election. The DCCC, DSCC, and DNC need combative concise messaging now. Do better.
However, many logistics are in our favor, such as redistricting and recent special elections. I am optimistic that Democrats can keep and expand their majorities in November. The 2022 and 2024 elections will determine the trajectory of our democracy. It will be tumultuous, but it will prevail. The Grand Old Party is gone.
The confirmation of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court is another sign of hope.
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