Inspector Generals fired by Trump is a warning for Americans. Here's a twist, will American citizens be seeking political asylum to Canada soon. I hope not, we need to stay here and fight! The "Liberty Bell" had 1 crack in it before Jan. 20th, today it has multiple cracks. Government firings including Inspector Generals, Retributions, Deportations, Etc. Etc. Looks like the dictatorship is taking form. We will find out where the military and law enforcement stands real soon!!!
In upside down world, the D or R doesn’t matter as much as standing for our Constitution as a strong voice, staying consistent and talking from an unbrainwashed POV.
I’ve seen Democrats reply to other things and blast him for his voting record years ago. When he realized the maga movement, his voting record changed. In the end, we need every strong voice we can get!
Let’s go back to normal squabbles on policy when we are through this emergency.
I used to be Republican and then said Independent leaning left. In this crisis I am left for sure. Their racism and discrimination and first love as rich people, their conspiracy BS about vaccines and science, and on and on - I can’t say I even have any conservative values anymore.
Megan, I don't think you're the one who lost your conservative values. There's nothing conservative about Donald Trump or his MAGA followers. They are a far Right populist party that is heavily flirting with fascism.
Trump pardoning criminals who attempted to overthrow the government & violently attacked law enforcement officers because they did so in his name is not conservative. The decision to use military planes which cost around $800,000 a flight to fly immigrants back to other countries when a regular flight would cost about $100,000 is not conservative. Trump says he wants to send one of these flights every day of his administration.
Electing a convicted felon to the presidency is not conservative. And berrating a bishop who tried to appeal to Trump to show compassion & mercy for the immigrants here seeking asylum & a better life, & for children who are different from their peers isn't Christianity.
I've actually read hundreds of responses to her portion of the sermon directed at Trump where she encouraged him to show love, compassion, & kindness to his neighbors which said that her message didn't belong in church. Or that she had no right to be judging or to tell someone to be better when she is not righteous.
I said, in a comment, that it had been awhile since I'd been to church (personal decision, nothing... Or everything depending how you look at it... To do with my faith) but seems like I remember that the message from the pastor/Bishop/priest (or whoever is delivering the message to the congregation) typically involved a message for how to be better. Maybe I'm mistaking, I said, but I thought it was the job of the sermon deliverer to teach a message from the Bible that is meant to encourage us to be better Christians as Jesus instructed us to be.
I asked those saying that the Bishop should not cast stones, where I could attend the service led by Jesus Christ then. After all, if their belief is that no one who is guilty of sin should encourage others to be better people, well then.. none of us should ever encourage, or expect, anyone else to be better Christians. That's not Christianity.
You can completely denounce & remove yourself from the Republican party without denouncing your conservative beliefs. Honestly, I think the best way to be is somewhere in the middle.
After all, the word conservative means to conserve, as in to keep things the same. And the word progressive means to progress forward or to consistently be changing. We need a healthy balance between these 2 ideologies within our government. We need to always be striving towards improvement, always trying to be better. However, we need to conserve the principles our country was founded on. Principles that, at the time they were put on paper, were goals to progress towards rather than currently being met.
The Framers of the Constitution didn't write a document that laid out life as it currently was. The intention was for us to progress forward. However, the rights & laws within the constitution are meant to be the fundamental principles that we conserve as we progress forward.
I feel the need to do something. We can write to the Senators and Representatives in Congress but that seems to be useless. We can protest but the weather right now would make it difficult. Boycotting companies that are SUPPORTING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY makes sense right now. For starters:
These CEO's attended the Trump inauguration:
Elon Musk - Boycott Tesla, X/Twitter
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg - Boycott Facebook and Instagram
Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos - Boycott Amazon. Whole Foods and Zappos
Apple CEO Tim Cook - Boycott Apple Computer
Shou Zi Chew, TikTok's CEO - Boycott TikTok
Google CEO Sundar Pichai - Boycott Google, Fitbit and Nest
Others in alphabetical order:
AAA, Allstate, Applebees, Arby's, A&W, Buffalo Wild Wings, Carl's Jr, Charles Schwab, Chick-Fil-A, Chili's, Coors, Cracker Barrel, Dairy Queen, Dollar Tree, Discount Tire, Dunkin Donuts, Duracell, Five Guys, Hardee's, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Hooters, IHOP, Jersey Mike's, Jimmy John's, KFC, Krispy Kreme, Little Caesars, Maytag, Michelob, Miller Beer, Outback Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Texas Roadhouse, Wendy's, Whirlpool, White Castle, USAA, Waffle House, Wayfair.
I can't spell it out anymore then this!! If you feel like you can't make that sacrifice, just think of the men and women and their families that are disabled or died in action serving their country for us for our freedom. Vietnam Veteran
I'm amazed at the ones on this list that I don't use, have used and do use very seldom, and have NEVER used, ie. TikTok Twitter (X), almost ALL of the fast food places, don't go, have gone to and ONCE was enough for me. I DO love Dunkin Donuts , and IHop but I haven't been to either in a long time. The only beer I buy is imported. The beer you have listed is like pee. I'm doing my part.
Buy local and put your money back into your local economy. This knocks out most of the rift raft and strengthens your community. I'm loving Costco right now!
Buy local and volunteer in your community. It is a way to be known. Run for positions in your schools and town. Or volunteer. Parents volunteer with your children. I'm sure many here do this, but I just want to point out how powerful it is when the focus is local across a broad territory -- our nation. Sparkling pins of activity glow like a blinding light. Just a thought. I have heard to focus locally is powerful and the effect would be cumulative if the effort is launched here where there are so many who hail from all over the country. There is power in the practice. I know I'm as they say, "preaching to the choir" but wanted to second vote the idea expressed by our fellow member and aptly named "Good trouble"
I shop a lot with Costco. They are a pretty good company to work for it seems. I have another for the list...HOBBY LOBBY. BIG Trump supporters. We have had one for at least 10 years and I have never set foot in it. I don't plan to. I have also seen ACE hardware and the New Orleans Saints on various lists. That monster has a LOT of corporate support either out of fear, OR the actually think he IS from God. I guess if God took a dump it might be able to say he is "from God".
Hobby Lobby is on the list but most of the big hardware stores are supporting Trump. Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware. Boycott two of them and hold your nose when go into the other one.
We really need a national boycott, in the mean time I'll be adding to the list. We can talk about all the insanity that's going on right now but eventually you have to respond. Historians say you have to fight these Authoratarians early, and if you don't, the likely hood of losing your freedom increases over time. Thanks for doing your part!!!
Interesting. I agree. History demonstrates the need to fight and stand up to authoritarians early, and if Trump is any example, authoritarians are not shy about their intent, it's just that no one believes what they hear and see until it is too late.
I still think we need to clean our own house, so to speak, to gain any chance for success in beating Trump. We need to unite. Once united we have a chance. I see Trump's power is in how he has divided us. It is his weapon and our kryptonite. We have more in common than it appears.
We also have the world and our allies who will stand by us the people of America. Mexico and Canada came to our aid in California in the midst of being attacked by Trump, and I read today that Japan donated a large sum of money in the millions to support California in its crisis. The donations are being funneled thru American Red Cross. I don't think we the people are being judged by our allies as much as Trump is being judged. It is in everyone's best interest that he be removed.
The hard core MAGAs we can count out though I believe they can be converted it would take too long. There are people who sat out this election and I believe that demographic may have been in some measure the young of which many were protesting the situation in Gaza. And there were those who voted for Trump maybe because they would never (consciously or unconsciously) vote for a woman, or whatever other reason.
It is they who at this time or future time when things get worse who will regret their vote or regret not voting that can be brought into the fold and join together to push back against the authoritarianism that is Trump.
Well said! 90 million people over the age of 18 did not vote. It's going to take one huge incident to occur to get these people off the couch. With Trump and his inexperienced administration it probably is going to be sooner than later. "Martial Law" would get all of us off the couch!!!
Let's not wish for martial law for it will be forever and never lifted. Martial law is Trump's nuclear weapon. The only way he can access the code is if we are fighting in the streets, which is where it will lead if we indulge in anonymous and vulgar hate filled thrashing of "them" online or in our thoughts and discussions.
The full transformation of a nation once united to a nation divided occurs when we see ourselves as "us" and those who are not ourselves as "they". Historically that has been the nail in the coffin. History has shown a nation divided in hate plays into the hands of authoritarianism and fascism. We must resist this most fervently. Our savior and strength will be all of us united.
So, even if we who voted for Kamala are possessed with the ability to have seen she was the best choice in these times, we cannot "hate" and belittle those who voted (as is their right) for someone else.
Personally, I see the majority of hard core MAGAs as too far gone for any hope of persuasion. But they make up a small contingent when held up against the rest of the voting citizens in this country. The balance is whom we need to couple patience and persuasion through civility and even some measure of kindness. We do have more in common than we know not matter how they voted, which again was their right.
But instead of rubbing it in their faces and chastising them and denigrating them, we need to join with them for one cause and that is pushing out the authoritarianism that has taken root in the most powerful nation in the world.
Remember as well that we are not a small nation. What is happening here will affect the world. We the people can look to our allies for support. They will help us as has been shown by Mexico and California and just lately even Japan coming to help a state in our country that our own POTUS Trump refuses to help, California and the people of California. Trump is a threat to the entire world. We need to unite -- once united be assured we have friends.
I agree! I'm a veteran and have USAA Insurance, I'm very disappointed but not surprised. We live in a upside down world right now. It's a pain to switch but I guess I'll just hold my nose and wait for them to give me another reason to switch.
Yeah, I have auto and life insurance, checking and savings with USAA. Been with them since 1988. I'm a veteran as well. I agree with "holding my nose." I don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face. I've always had the best service from them. It's never at the ground floor level unless there's corruption; it's almost always at the very top where there IS corruption. Note: The Orange Idiot is doing away with the FDIC, which is what protects our money up to $250,000. So, if something goes awry at the bank, our money is "safe." Right now the way this current occupation in the WH is going with doing away with or ridding organisations of personnel, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. One day at a time.....
Me too. My husband has membership and I told him about them. I think if I can find a replacement, he'll leave them. I've decided to commit to this task tomorrow.
I think the problem with getting off Facebook is that MAGA WANTS us to be isolated from our community, and getting off FB will do it. At the moment it doesn't seem to me that anything compares to Facebook for keeping in touch with multiple friends on a regular basis who are far away, although I'm hoping such an alternative WILL show up. Many friends have gone to Bluesky, but that seems to be more like x/Twitter. Not all of my friends belong to the people I follow, (like Adam, Heather Cox Richardson) so they wouldn't see my comments. So what are current FB alternatives?
I'm in the process of leaving that cesspool of hate. F*%kerberg has swallowed the Kook-Aid in one giant gulp. HE's nuts. I signed up for BlueSky.
The only way to get them to pay attention is to STOP supporting their platforms. I only used it when I had to, but Amazon is buh-bye, g'gone as well. They are the WalMart of the internet and refuse to negotiate with employees when they voted to be represented by a union.
There ARE other sites to buy from. Plus, Americans consume waaay too much anyway.
I was scrolling to see if anyone else has raised this point in a comment because I completely agree.
Not only this but let's look at how powerful the Right wing media giant is. Look how the Left has never come close in over 30 years to creating anything like it, & it continues to grow.
You have Fox News plus the NYPost & the WSJ. Sinclair Media who managed to take ownership of the majority of local news stations throughout the country & require they push a more pro Right wing narrative. There's still talk radio but they have podcasts like Joe Rogan now also. Then there's Steve Bannon on Breitbart & Alex Jones with Infowars, look at the destruction this one has caused. There's Project Veritas, Epoch Times, Newsmax, & OAN. Now, Musk bought Twitter which was used more by liberals, progressives, companies, famous people, the news & entertainment networks etc. Then Musk bought it simply for the purpose of invading the space & controlling the narrative & ruined it. Up until recently, Tik Tok, & then there's Truth Social. These are or were all sources of information or communication platforms where Right wing propaganda circulates heavily without being challenged at all.
So, why in the world would we just willingly hand over the largest social media network there is & allow it to become another, very effective, echo chamber for MAGA?! We are having a hard enough time as it is trying to reclaim our own narrative back from MAGA.
If all the people who are engaged & firmly on the anti Trump side all leave Facebook? We're literally leaving that platform in the hands of MAGA plus all of the politically unengaged people who aren't going to leave Facebook seeing nothing but constant MAGA posts. Posts that are wildly false but full of comments supporting the false material. This would basically be the equivalent of giving MAGA unlimited & unchallenged access to swing & non committed voters by the millions.
Even if these civically unengaged voters don't interact with political posts, they're still going to see political posts. They may even read through the comments. If they never see any opposition to the dozens & dozens of MAGA posts? They'll eventually be persuaded by them.
So, yes you are exactly right. We can't keep making it so easy for the MAGA narrative to spread unchallenged.
The cowardly villagers come out on the side of power. That has always been the case. I don't think they are powerful, however. And I'd rather ignore them. There is too much work to be done. They made their choice, and they will die on their own swords without any help from me is my own personal thinking. After the war we can tar and feather them. We need to unite with our fellow citizens. Once we unite there will be nothing that can overcome us. The formula has already been tested. Anyone and anything that attaches to Trump falls hard. The only weapon Trump has is not the cowards who kiss his ring so much as a divided citizenship. We need to extinguish that weapon. United we win. Divided we fall. He is holding that weapon. Be careful and deliberate in your thinking. A broad stroke them against us will not work.
Yes. We must convert our thinking about those who voted for Trump and those who sat out the vote. We have more in common with each other than we do not. Lead with that thought. We need to unite. It is something that will be done one person at a time and one interaction at a time. I feel a personal responsibility to strive for unification in my actions, reactions and communication. Lead with the thought toward unification, let that be our first thought because it is possible, as well as dearly important. A divided nation will fall. Civility and respect for each other can be a powerful panacea as is love.
Not to quibble, but I read that it was 15%, which makes me feel even better. Relieved it could be 20%, hopeful it was actually 15%. Every little bit makes a difference...well, that's what I tell myself, at least.
I agree. It would be nice to count on sanity for once. I think Liz Cheney should be brought into the fold, too. I don't always agree with her in everything, but I have heard her say that she has changed her stance on things because she was wrong, and I feel that it takes a strong person to admit that they are wrong. Trump would never do that! Also, Adam. I feel that you are right that Trump's popularity will begin to wither in the future as he is now at his height. Now he has to perform on his promises. All he has done, really, is pardoned the J6ers and that has rattled the Fraternal(infernal) brotherhood of police who foolishly backed him. Yeah, so NOW you get your feathers ruffled over letting the murderers of a capitol cop free, when all along Trump said that he would do this! (Unbelievable!) I think Hegseth will turn out to not be the asset that Trump thought him to be, but a drunken liability. I hope Patel is not confirmed, as he will seek retribution for his "king". (have you seen his children's books? As Hitler said, "get them while they are young"!) I don't know anything about Bondi, and Rubio is mostly harmless,(like earth in "Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy") And with Noem, just keep your dogs inside I guess. Well, the beat goes on.........
Adam - besides generally educating people on why Oligarchies are bad and why checks and balances are good, what is your #1 recommendation for an actual tactical action us ordinary citizens can take? There’s so many things to call our reps for right now - it feels completely pointless. They aren’t listening anyway.
From your unique perspective, can you give us some insight into the mindset of Republicans who know better and yet choose to abdicate their oath to the Constitution because they now pledge allegiance to T? Like the “old guard Republicans” who knew Hegseth was wholly unqualified and chose to vote for him because T demanded it. I don’t get how McConnell couldn’t persuade just one more senator?! Did he simply not try? I would think there would be a group of them who recognize that if they banded together, they could wield more power than T and actually get good things done. Why do they give him so much power?
Ugh. That doesn’t feel like enough. And it’s so hard to stay energized when it feels so hopeless. Action is afterall the antidote for hopelessness. I will keep doing what I’m doing - which is leading a local grassroots resistance / advocacy / support group. Thanks for this very helpful video and for all your courage speaking out against a regime that doesn’t even try to hide its thirst for retribution.
To those that may not know her work, Heather Cox Richardson writes a daily newsletter. She is a historian, author, and professor. It helps me get the day’s highlights of 47’s insanity without having to eat an entire buffet of news.
I also subscribe to Robert Reich in addition to HCR and Adam. I feel between the three of them, I receive well rounded information (history, finance, military/government).
Agree! I have been reading and listening to her for 4+ years now. If you don't have time to research the news daily for true news, just listen to her each day.
I also love that HCR provides her sources at the end of her letter. So if you want to investigate further, you have a start and you can also hear her letters on audio or find interviews with her on YouTube.
Reddit's LeopardsAteMyFace is blowing up. People are actually surprised that Trump did exactly what he said he would do. I mean... was Hillary wrong when she described some MAGA folks as "deplorables" or are they really really that ignorant?
When people vote for a candidate assuming he won't do what he says he is going to do - I give them the benefit of the doubt and say they are ignorant not deplorable. Idiotic, actually.
I agree but at certain point when these idiots refuse to listen to the warnings from good intentioned people and make stupid decision I feel like their actions are deplorable because it hurts others also but I have to say as bad as it is.. I do feel a sense of schadenfreude.. Being well of financial I had little to lose with Trump's win but still I wanted him to lose for the sake of the entire country.
And Viktor Orban's. Trump himself proudly admitted it. I hope his voters know that Hungary is the poorest and most corrupted EU country. Before Orban's time, it was among the strongest economies of former Socialist states.
Adam, I nominate you to be the one to educate the American people on why our form of government, checks and balances etc., is so important. You really speak so intelligently, clearly and succinctly!
I am outraged to find that the Air Force banned the historical info on the Tuskeegee Airmen. During my teaching career, I always did a unit on them, including showing the movie, for Black History Month, in my Reading class. Wiping out history is what autocrats do.
Adam's comment about checks and balances resonated with me too. I would also like to see more content getting created on how our government works and our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Either by Adam, or others in the pro-democracy space.
I fall into the young Gen X age group. I don't think I've taken a civics class since junior high or maybe high school. I can't help but think I'm not the only one in that category. I think a lot of people could either benefit from a refresher.
Being a citizen in a constitutional republic comes with an expectation that citizens know how their government works and that they take part in it. I think content like you suggested would go a long way to improving things in that department.
I said recently to a friend - did all these Trumpers sleep through 8th grade civics class? One acquaintance asked how I can talk about separation of church and state, given that we are a Christian country. Really!
Your videos are a breath of fresh air. I appreciate the expanse of issues you cover. I like the no-nonsense approach to the firehose of dysfunction coming from djt. It helps me focus on facts and opportunities to correct the course of our democracy in the ways that I can. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your perspective. If any good came out of the first time around with this POTUS, for me it was an admittedly new openness to listening to voices from the GOP that spoke to me so profoundly. I'm a classic 70s Berkeley liberal, but not too old to grow. I am sorry that your party took the turn it did--clearly it left behind a lot of smart thoughtful caring voices, and I am grateful to hear yours.
Can you get some sort of help with Florida Special Elections to add more power in the House? Then possibly flip NY21 seat. Long shots but possible. That would give dems the house majority!!!
He is building his own personal army that are not accountable to anyone/anything. Pulling the security details on various officials is obvious they are the first to be targeted. I'm sure the plans were set in place when the proud boys were visiting the White House. The third antichrist has arrived.
When will we have options to take an action beyond communicating with our individual represented? I've never been a party wonk even though I am part of my local government. I imagine our first big opportunity is when one of "the unprotected" is offed. What do we need to have in place before then?
Let's all keep writing letters to the editor to your local newspaper. There was a great letter to the editor I read in my paper today and it lifted me up and made me feel like I am not alone...that there are still fellow citizens who are level-headed. Keep writing your representatives and senators and send thank yous to Sen. Murkowski, Collins and McConnell for voting against Hegseth. Tell them you stand for the rule of law and the Constitution. Timothy Snyder's book On Freedom has tons of suggestions. I highly recommend it. Thank you, Adam, for being you and keeping us all connected.
Just a friendly reminder, those 3 senators are the same ones who empowered this pathetic idiot. Now they to be thanked? I get your point but any letters to them won’t see the light of day.
Well said Tim. I can't believe McConnell in particular finally grew a spine. After all the opportunity he had, but squandered, to lead and inspire others to resist Trump's worst instincts, this is too little too late. No credit due.
But it wasn’t a win. Think about it, if he/they wanted to win, strings could be pulled to actually… win. Seems more of a tactic, than an objective in appeasing moderate republicans without actually achieving anything.
I personally believe it was all orchestrated. They were allowed to cast their votes of 'conscious' and look moderate because the senate Republicans knew they had enough yes votes. In fact, in the comments at another location (Reddit), people predicted a day or two before the actual vote that those three would be no votes on purpose in order to make a show of trotting out Vance to break the tie in order to juice his visibility.
Indeed Craig. There is no doubt about it. Bad enough that they use these pathetic tactics. Worse however, the corporate owned main stream media purposely fails to report it. Man, I don’t see a good outcome for democracy. I wish tho, but it doesn’t look good.
Thank you, thank you! You cut right to the chase in a refreshingly clear way. As for DEI hires…you don’t need to look any farther than Trump’s Cabinet and related hires. They have all the bases covered: sexual misconduct, alcoholism, mental instability, incompetence, unhinged violence toward animals…did I miss anything?
You are right...SO much going on and it reminds me of being a repeat to the chaos we lived under for his entire first term (and the Jan 6th exit). I'm going to have to re-read the novel "In The Wake Of Chaos" by @Delaina Layne who's main character found unique ways as to how to manage the daily attacks to our nervous systems. May the force be with us during these chaotic and challenging times!! Thank you Adam for your continued insights.
Only 20% of Americans approved releasing the insurgents so let’s hope that number remains very low. Adam for president!
I'd vote for him and I am a Democrat. His good moral compass is surely needed these days.
Me too!!
Inspector Generals fired by Trump is a warning for Americans. Here's a twist, will American citizens be seeking political asylum to Canada soon. I hope not, we need to stay here and fight! The "Liberty Bell" had 1 crack in it before Jan. 20th, today it has multiple cracks. Government firings including Inspector Generals, Retributions, Deportations, Etc. Etc. Looks like the dictatorship is taking form. We will find out where the military and law enforcement stands real soon!!!
In upside down world, the D or R doesn’t matter as much as standing for our Constitution as a strong voice, staying consistent and talking from an unbrainwashed POV.
I’ve seen Democrats reply to other things and blast him for his voting record years ago. When he realized the maga movement, his voting record changed. In the end, we need every strong voice we can get!
Let’s go back to normal squabbles on policy when we are through this emergency.
I used to be Republican and then said Independent leaning left. In this crisis I am left for sure. Their racism and discrimination and first love as rich people, their conspiracy BS about vaccines and science, and on and on - I can’t say I even have any conservative values anymore.
Megan, I don't think you're the one who lost your conservative values. There's nothing conservative about Donald Trump or his MAGA followers. They are a far Right populist party that is heavily flirting with fascism.
Trump pardoning criminals who attempted to overthrow the government & violently attacked law enforcement officers because they did so in his name is not conservative. The decision to use military planes which cost around $800,000 a flight to fly immigrants back to other countries when a regular flight would cost about $100,000 is not conservative. Trump says he wants to send one of these flights every day of his administration.
Electing a convicted felon to the presidency is not conservative. And berrating a bishop who tried to appeal to Trump to show compassion & mercy for the immigrants here seeking asylum & a better life, & for children who are different from their peers isn't Christianity.
I've actually read hundreds of responses to her portion of the sermon directed at Trump where she encouraged him to show love, compassion, & kindness to his neighbors which said that her message didn't belong in church. Or that she had no right to be judging or to tell someone to be better when she is not righteous.
I said, in a comment, that it had been awhile since I'd been to church (personal decision, nothing... Or everything depending how you look at it... To do with my faith) but seems like I remember that the message from the pastor/Bishop/priest (or whoever is delivering the message to the congregation) typically involved a message for how to be better. Maybe I'm mistaking, I said, but I thought it was the job of the sermon deliverer to teach a message from the Bible that is meant to encourage us to be better Christians as Jesus instructed us to be.
I asked those saying that the Bishop should not cast stones, where I could attend the service led by Jesus Christ then. After all, if their belief is that no one who is guilty of sin should encourage others to be better people, well then.. none of us should ever encourage, or expect, anyone else to be better Christians. That's not Christianity.
You can completely denounce & remove yourself from the Republican party without denouncing your conservative beliefs. Honestly, I think the best way to be is somewhere in the middle.
After all, the word conservative means to conserve, as in to keep things the same. And the word progressive means to progress forward or to consistently be changing. We need a healthy balance between these 2 ideologies within our government. We need to always be striving towards improvement, always trying to be better. However, we need to conserve the principles our country was founded on. Principles that, at the time they were put on paper, were goals to progress towards rather than currently being met.
The Framers of the Constitution didn't write a document that laid out life as it currently was. The intention was for us to progress forward. However, the rights & laws within the constitution are meant to be the fundamental principles that we conserve as we progress forward.
Absolutely!!
I feel the need to do something. We can write to the Senators and Representatives in Congress but that seems to be useless. We can protest but the weather right now would make it difficult. Boycotting companies that are SUPPORTING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY makes sense right now. For starters:
These CEO's attended the Trump inauguration:
Elon Musk - Boycott Tesla, X/Twitter
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg - Boycott Facebook and Instagram
Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos - Boycott Amazon. Whole Foods and Zappos
Apple CEO Tim Cook - Boycott Apple Computer
Shou Zi Chew, TikTok's CEO - Boycott TikTok
Google CEO Sundar Pichai - Boycott Google, Fitbit and Nest
Others in alphabetical order:
AAA, Allstate, Applebees, Arby's, A&W, Buffalo Wild Wings, Carl's Jr, Charles Schwab, Chick-Fil-A, Chili's, Coors, Cracker Barrel, Dairy Queen, Dollar Tree, Discount Tire, Dunkin Donuts, Duracell, Five Guys, Hardee's, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot, Hooters, IHOP, Jersey Mike's, Jimmy John's, KFC, Krispy Kreme, Little Caesars, Maytag, Michelob, Miller Beer, Outback Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Papa John's, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Texas Roadhouse, Wendy's, Whirlpool, White Castle, USAA, Waffle House, Wayfair.
There are many more ring kissers and supporters, do your research: https://www.goodsuniteus.com/
I can't spell it out anymore then this!! If you feel like you can't make that sacrifice, just think of the men and women and their families that are disabled or died in action serving their country for us for our freedom. Vietnam Veteran
I'm amazed at the ones on this list that I don't use, have used and do use very seldom, and have NEVER used, ie. TikTok Twitter (X), almost ALL of the fast food places, don't go, have gone to and ONCE was enough for me. I DO love Dunkin Donuts , and IHop but I haven't been to either in a long time. The only beer I buy is imported. The beer you have listed is like pee. I'm doing my part.
Buy local and put your money back into your local economy. This knocks out most of the rift raft and strengthens your community. I'm loving Costco right now!
And yes, get the Goods Unite Us app!
Buy local and volunteer in your community. It is a way to be known. Run for positions in your schools and town. Or volunteer. Parents volunteer with your children. I'm sure many here do this, but I just want to point out how powerful it is when the focus is local across a broad territory -- our nation. Sparkling pins of activity glow like a blinding light. Just a thought. I have heard to focus locally is powerful and the effect would be cumulative if the effort is launched here where there are so many who hail from all over the country. There is power in the practice. I know I'm as they say, "preaching to the choir" but wanted to second vote the idea expressed by our fellow member and aptly named "Good trouble"
I shop a lot with Costco. They are a pretty good company to work for it seems. I have another for the list...HOBBY LOBBY. BIG Trump supporters. We have had one for at least 10 years and I have never set foot in it. I don't plan to. I have also seen ACE hardware and the New Orleans Saints on various lists. That monster has a LOT of corporate support either out of fear, OR the actually think he IS from God. I guess if God took a dump it might be able to say he is "from God".
Hobby Lobby is on the list but most of the big hardware stores are supporting Trump. Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware. Boycott two of them and hold your nose when go into the other one.
We really need a national boycott, in the mean time I'll be adding to the list. We can talk about all the insanity that's going on right now but eventually you have to respond. Historians say you have to fight these Authoratarians early, and if you don't, the likely hood of losing your freedom increases over time. Thanks for doing your part!!!
Interesting. I agree. History demonstrates the need to fight and stand up to authoritarians early, and if Trump is any example, authoritarians are not shy about their intent, it's just that no one believes what they hear and see until it is too late.
I still think we need to clean our own house, so to speak, to gain any chance for success in beating Trump. We need to unite. Once united we have a chance. I see Trump's power is in how he has divided us. It is his weapon and our kryptonite. We have more in common than it appears.
We also have the world and our allies who will stand by us the people of America. Mexico and Canada came to our aid in California in the midst of being attacked by Trump, and I read today that Japan donated a large sum of money in the millions to support California in its crisis. The donations are being funneled thru American Red Cross. I don't think we the people are being judged by our allies as much as Trump is being judged. It is in everyone's best interest that he be removed.
The hard core MAGAs we can count out though I believe they can be converted it would take too long. There are people who sat out this election and I believe that demographic may have been in some measure the young of which many were protesting the situation in Gaza. And there were those who voted for Trump maybe because they would never (consciously or unconsciously) vote for a woman, or whatever other reason.
It is they who at this time or future time when things get worse who will regret their vote or regret not voting that can be brought into the fold and join together to push back against the authoritarianism that is Trump.
Well said! 90 million people over the age of 18 did not vote. It's going to take one huge incident to occur to get these people off the couch. With Trump and his inexperienced administration it probably is going to be sooner than later. "Martial Law" would get all of us off the couch!!!
Let's not wish for martial law for it will be forever and never lifted. Martial law is Trump's nuclear weapon. The only way he can access the code is if we are fighting in the streets, which is where it will lead if we indulge in anonymous and vulgar hate filled thrashing of "them" online or in our thoughts and discussions.
The full transformation of a nation once united to a nation divided occurs when we see ourselves as "us" and those who are not ourselves as "they". Historically that has been the nail in the coffin. History has shown a nation divided in hate plays into the hands of authoritarianism and fascism. We must resist this most fervently. Our savior and strength will be all of us united.
So, even if we who voted for Kamala are possessed with the ability to have seen she was the best choice in these times, we cannot "hate" and belittle those who voted (as is their right) for someone else.
Personally, I see the majority of hard core MAGAs as too far gone for any hope of persuasion. But they make up a small contingent when held up against the rest of the voting citizens in this country. The balance is whom we need to couple patience and persuasion through civility and even some measure of kindness. We do have more in common than we know not matter how they voted, which again was their right.
But instead of rubbing it in their faces and chastising them and denigrating them, we need to join with them for one cause and that is pushing out the authoritarianism that has taken root in the most powerful nation in the world.
Remember as well that we are not a small nation. What is happening here will affect the world. We the people can look to our allies for support. They will help us as has been shown by Mexico and California and just lately even Japan coming to help a state in our country that our own POTUS Trump refuses to help, California and the people of California. Trump is a threat to the entire world. We need to unite -- once united be assured we have friends.
I’m still with AAA, but I’m rethinking it.
That’s a tough one.
I agree! I'm a veteran and have USAA Insurance, I'm very disappointed but not surprised. We live in a upside down world right now. It's a pain to switch but I guess I'll just hold my nose and wait for them to give me another reason to switch.
Yeah, I have auto and life insurance, checking and savings with USAA. Been with them since 1988. I'm a veteran as well. I agree with "holding my nose." I don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face. I've always had the best service from them. It's never at the ground floor level unless there's corruption; it's almost always at the very top where there IS corruption. Note: The Orange Idiot is doing away with the FDIC, which is what protects our money up to $250,000. So, if something goes awry at the bank, our money is "safe." Right now the way this current occupation in the WH is going with doing away with or ridding organisations of personnel, it's like shooting fish in a barrel. One day at a time.....
Me too. My husband has membership and I told him about them. I think if I can find a replacement, he'll leave them. I've decided to commit to this task tomorrow.
We also have AAA Roadside Assistance and will be dropping them for another large company like them called "Good Sam" https://www.goodsam.com/
Thanks for this. I've been doing my part- off FB, Instagram, WhatsApp, Amazon, Audible - working on Google and never owned Apple products.
Im done with Amazon. I buy things direct now.
Thanks for doing your part!!! I'll keep adding to the list as we go forward.
I think the problem with getting off Facebook is that MAGA WANTS us to be isolated from our community, and getting off FB will do it. At the moment it doesn't seem to me that anything compares to Facebook for keeping in touch with multiple friends on a regular basis who are far away, although I'm hoping such an alternative WILL show up. Many friends have gone to Bluesky, but that seems to be more like x/Twitter. Not all of my friends belong to the people I follow, (like Adam, Heather Cox Richardson) so they wouldn't see my comments. So what are current FB alternatives?
This may help:
https://www.lifewire.com/best-alternatives-to-facebook-5116825
Just thinking about Mark Zuckerberg makes me sick. We have to find another way around him.
I'm in the process of leaving that cesspool of hate. F*%kerberg has swallowed the Kook-Aid in one giant gulp. HE's nuts. I signed up for BlueSky.
The only way to get them to pay attention is to STOP supporting their platforms. I only used it when I had to, but Amazon is buh-bye, g'gone as well. They are the WalMart of the internet and refuse to negotiate with employees when they voted to be represented by a union.
There ARE other sites to buy from. Plus, Americans consume waaay too much anyway.
I was scrolling to see if anyone else has raised this point in a comment because I completely agree.
Not only this but let's look at how powerful the Right wing media giant is. Look how the Left has never come close in over 30 years to creating anything like it, & it continues to grow.
You have Fox News plus the NYPost & the WSJ. Sinclair Media who managed to take ownership of the majority of local news stations throughout the country & require they push a more pro Right wing narrative. There's still talk radio but they have podcasts like Joe Rogan now also. Then there's Steve Bannon on Breitbart & Alex Jones with Infowars, look at the destruction this one has caused. There's Project Veritas, Epoch Times, Newsmax, & OAN. Now, Musk bought Twitter which was used more by liberals, progressives, companies, famous people, the news & entertainment networks etc. Then Musk bought it simply for the purpose of invading the space & controlling the narrative & ruined it. Up until recently, Tik Tok, & then there's Truth Social. These are or were all sources of information or communication platforms where Right wing propaganda circulates heavily without being challenged at all.
So, why in the world would we just willingly hand over the largest social media network there is & allow it to become another, very effective, echo chamber for MAGA?! We are having a hard enough time as it is trying to reclaim our own narrative back from MAGA.
If all the people who are engaged & firmly on the anti Trump side all leave Facebook? We're literally leaving that platform in the hands of MAGA plus all of the politically unengaged people who aren't going to leave Facebook seeing nothing but constant MAGA posts. Posts that are wildly false but full of comments supporting the false material. This would basically be the equivalent of giving MAGA unlimited & unchallenged access to swing & non committed voters by the millions.
Even if these civically unengaged voters don't interact with political posts, they're still going to see political posts. They may even read through the comments. If they never see any opposition to the dozens & dozens of MAGA posts? They'll eventually be persuaded by them.
So, yes you are exactly right. We can't keep making it so easy for the MAGA narrative to spread unchallenged.
This response is for Shelly Riskin
The cowardly villagers come out on the side of power. That has always been the case. I don't think they are powerful, however. And I'd rather ignore them. There is too much work to be done. They made their choice, and they will die on their own swords without any help from me is my own personal thinking. After the war we can tar and feather them. We need to unite with our fellow citizens. Once we unite there will be nothing that can overcome us. The formula has already been tested. Anyone and anything that attaches to Trump falls hard. The only weapon Trump has is not the cowards who kiss his ring so much as a divided citizenship. We need to extinguish that weapon. United we win. Divided we fall. He is holding that weapon. Be careful and deliberate in your thinking. A broad stroke them against us will not work.
Thanks for the list! I realized that there's only a few on your list that pertain to me, but that's a few I can say goodbye to!
Yes. We must convert our thinking about those who voted for Trump and those who sat out the vote. We have more in common with each other than we do not. Lead with that thought. We need to unite. It is something that will be done one person at a time and one interaction at a time. I feel a personal responsibility to strive for unification in my actions, reactions and communication. Lead with the thought toward unification, let that be our first thought because it is possible, as well as dearly important. A divided nation will fall. Civility and respect for each other can be a powerful panacea as is love.
Not to quibble, but I read that it was 15%, which makes me feel even better. Relieved it could be 20%, hopeful it was actually 15%. Every little bit makes a difference...well, that's what I tell myself, at least.
Hear - hear!!
Thanks for keeping us informed and for providing sensible commentary.
I will keep saying this until it becomes a reality:
Adam Kinzinger 2028 for President!
I agree. It would be nice to count on sanity for once. I think Liz Cheney should be brought into the fold, too. I don't always agree with her in everything, but I have heard her say that she has changed her stance on things because she was wrong, and I feel that it takes a strong person to admit that they are wrong. Trump would never do that! Also, Adam. I feel that you are right that Trump's popularity will begin to wither in the future as he is now at his height. Now he has to perform on his promises. All he has done, really, is pardoned the J6ers and that has rattled the Fraternal(infernal) brotherhood of police who foolishly backed him. Yeah, so NOW you get your feathers ruffled over letting the murderers of a capitol cop free, when all along Trump said that he would do this! (Unbelievable!) I think Hegseth will turn out to not be the asset that Trump thought him to be, but a drunken liability. I hope Patel is not confirmed, as he will seek retribution for his "king". (have you seen his children's books? As Hitler said, "get them while they are young"!) I don't know anything about Bondi, and Rubio is mostly harmless,(like earth in "Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy") And with Noem, just keep your dogs inside I guess. Well, the beat goes on.........
Adam - besides generally educating people on why Oligarchies are bad and why checks and balances are good, what is your #1 recommendation for an actual tactical action us ordinary citizens can take? There’s so many things to call our reps for right now - it feels completely pointless. They aren’t listening anyway.
I think…. For now is just staying energized and ready. I think there will be opportunities that become clearer when they happen
Thank you Adam! You have our attention and admiration
From your unique perspective, can you give us some insight into the mindset of Republicans who know better and yet choose to abdicate their oath to the Constitution because they now pledge allegiance to T? Like the “old guard Republicans” who knew Hegseth was wholly unqualified and chose to vote for him because T demanded it. I don’t get how McConnell couldn’t persuade just one more senator?! Did he simply not try? I would think there would be a group of them who recognize that if they banded together, they could wield more power than T and actually get good things done. Why do they give him so much power?
Because they don't want to lose their own (i.e. be primaried)
Ugh. That doesn’t feel like enough. And it’s so hard to stay energized when it feels so hopeless. Action is afterall the antidote for hopelessness. I will keep doing what I’m doing - which is leading a local grassroots resistance / advocacy / support group. Thanks for this very helpful video and for all your courage speaking out against a regime that doesn’t even try to hide its thirst for retribution.
To those that may not know her work, Heather Cox Richardson writes a daily newsletter. She is a historian, author, and professor. It helps me get the day’s highlights of 47’s insanity without having to eat an entire buffet of news.
I am a paid subscriber to Heather Cox Richardson’s Substack and I follow her on Facebook and other platforms.
Me too! A voice of reason in all this dangerous democracy-attacking horror..
Agree, Adam and Heather are my go tos!
I also subscribe to Robert Reich in addition to HCR and Adam. I feel between the three of them, I receive well rounded information (history, finance, military/government).
She gives regular inspirational video talks on Facebook and is trying to set up to use YouTube. She talked this evening, like Adam, about what we can do. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/videos/1006684068153853/
I love her writing. Highly recommend.
Agree! I have been reading and listening to her for 4+ years now. If you don't have time to research the news daily for true news, just listen to her each day.
I also love that HCR provides her sources at the end of her letter. So if you want to investigate further, you have a start and you can also hear her letters on audio or find interviews with her on YouTube.
Reddit's LeopardsAteMyFace is blowing up. People are actually surprised that Trump did exactly what he said he would do. I mean... was Hillary wrong when she described some MAGA folks as "deplorables" or are they really really that ignorant?
Yup
Mama was right as usual. Look at the Jan 6 videos Adam had posted if you ever doubt why Hillary called them deplorables.
In that sense he is NOT a liar--he holds true to what he promises when it is destruction for his own benefit.
When people vote for a candidate assuming he won't do what he says he is going to do - I give them the benefit of the doubt and say they are ignorant not deplorable. Idiotic, actually.
I agree but at certain point when these idiots refuse to listen to the warnings from good intentioned people and make stupid decision I feel like their actions are deplorable because it hurts others also but I have to say as bad as it is.. I do feel a sense of schadenfreude.. Being well of financial I had little to lose with Trump's win but still I wanted him to lose for the sake of the entire country.
Trump’s “Golden Era” is equivalent to “The Gilded Age” … abuse of power to build more wealthy who control government.
Did President Biden say something about robber barons?
YES! And the oligarchy, just like Putin"s.
And Viktor Orban's. Trump himself proudly admitted it. I hope his voters know that Hungary is the poorest and most corrupted EU country. Before Orban's time, it was among the strongest economies of former Socialist states.
How about "The Gilded Lily")
Adam, I nominate you to be the one to educate the American people on why our form of government, checks and balances etc., is so important. You really speak so intelligently, clearly and succinctly!
I am outraged to find that the Air Force banned the historical info on the Tuskeegee Airmen. During my teaching career, I always did a unit on them, including showing the movie, for Black History Month, in my Reading class. Wiping out history is what autocrats do.
It’s insane
Adam's comment about checks and balances resonated with me too. I would also like to see more content getting created on how our government works and our rights and responsibilities as citizens. Either by Adam, or others in the pro-democracy space.
I fall into the young Gen X age group. I don't think I've taken a civics class since junior high or maybe high school. I can't help but think I'm not the only one in that category. I think a lot of people could either benefit from a refresher.
Being a citizen in a constitutional republic comes with an expectation that citizens know how their government works and that they take part in it. I think content like you suggested would go a long way to improving things in that department.
Some states have just instituted a civics curriculum- NY is one. Here's the links-
https://www.nysed.gov/standards-instruction/civic-readiness-initiative
https://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/seal-civic-readiness
I said recently to a friend - did all these Trumpers sleep through 8th grade civics class? One acquaintance asked how I can talk about separation of church and state, given that we are a Christian country. Really!
Your videos are a breath of fresh air. I appreciate the expanse of issues you cover. I like the no-nonsense approach to the firehose of dysfunction coming from djt. It helps me focus on facts and opportunities to correct the course of our democracy in the ways that I can. Thank you!
Thanks. Thats my hope, to cut through the noise, don’t overreact and don’t sugar coat either
Thank you so much for your perspective. If any good came out of the first time around with this POTUS, for me it was an admittedly new openness to listening to voices from the GOP that spoke to me so profoundly. I'm a classic 70s Berkeley liberal, but not too old to grow. I am sorry that your party took the turn it did--clearly it left behind a lot of smart thoughtful caring voices, and I am grateful to hear yours.
Amen and thank you
So beautifully written Diane and so true.
Aw, thanks. I’ve been extra compelled to reach out and acknowledge gratitude where i find it these days. This week has been hard.
Can you get some sort of help with Florida Special Elections to add more power in the House? Then possibly flip NY21 seat. Long shots but possible. That would give dems the house majority!!!
Tough but maybe one could happen?
Writing postcards to voters in those states is always good: https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/
He is building his own personal army that are not accountable to anyone/anything. Pulling the security details on various officials is obvious they are the first to be targeted. I'm sure the plans were set in place when the proud boys were visiting the White House. The third antichrist has arrived.
Ya i agree
When will we have options to take an action beyond communicating with our individual represented? I've never been a party wonk even though I am part of my local government. I imagine our first big opportunity is when one of "the unprotected" is offed. What do we need to have in place before then?
Let's all keep writing letters to the editor to your local newspaper. There was a great letter to the editor I read in my paper today and it lifted me up and made me feel like I am not alone...that there are still fellow citizens who are level-headed. Keep writing your representatives and senators and send thank yous to Sen. Murkowski, Collins and McConnell for voting against Hegseth. Tell them you stand for the rule of law and the Constitution. Timothy Snyder's book On Freedom has tons of suggestions. I highly recommend it. Thank you, Adam, for being you and keeping us all connected.
Just a friendly reminder, those 3 senators are the same ones who empowered this pathetic idiot. Now they to be thanked? I get your point but any letters to them won’t see the light of day.
Well said Tim. I can't believe McConnell in particular finally grew a spine. After all the opportunity he had, but squandered, to lead and inspire others to resist Trump's worst instincts, this is too little too late. No credit due.
True Tim but holding a grudge is self defeating. We need to acknowledge our wins
But it wasn’t a win. Think about it, if he/they wanted to win, strings could be pulled to actually… win. Seems more of a tactic, than an objective in appeasing moderate republicans without actually achieving anything.
I personally believe it was all orchestrated. They were allowed to cast their votes of 'conscious' and look moderate because the senate Republicans knew they had enough yes votes. In fact, in the comments at another location (Reddit), people predicted a day or two before the actual vote that those three would be no votes on purpose in order to make a show of trotting out Vance to break the tie in order to juice his visibility.
Indeed Craig. There is no doubt about it. Bad enough that they use these pathetic tactics. Worse however, the corporate owned main stream media purposely fails to report it. Man, I don’t see a good outcome for democracy. I wish tho, but it doesn’t look good.
Thank you, thank you! You cut right to the chase in a refreshingly clear way. As for DEI hires…you don’t need to look any farther than Trump’s Cabinet and related hires. They have all the bases covered: sexual misconduct, alcoholism, mental instability, incompetence, unhinged violence toward animals…did I miss anything?
Thanks! Yep you covered it
Worship of wealth, if I could add another base.
You are right...SO much going on and it reminds me of being a repeat to the chaos we lived under for his entire first term (and the Jan 6th exit). I'm going to have to re-read the novel "In The Wake Of Chaos" by @Delaina Layne who's main character found unique ways as to how to manage the daily attacks to our nervous systems. May the force be with us during these chaotic and challenging times!! Thank you Adam for your continued insights.
Thank you Adam! Always appreciate your view point.
What about the dumping of all the Dept. heads without following the process?
Lots of power in executive if they don’t care