2022: A call to action

[gounion]

Was at a party fundraiser brunch this morning, there was a lot of optimism in the room for the coming year. Had a talk with the State Chair of the party.

We at the party are making plans for 2022. This is going to be the most important year for our democracy going forward, across the nation. Plus, we have a Supreme Court ready to knock down the very idea of people having any privacy from the government.

And yes, they're trying to stack the deck against us, with voting laws to take the rights away from Americans to vote.

So we HAVE to stand up.

I'd love to spend my time traveling and enjoying life. But I'm going to be busy much of 2022. I'm volunteering for the County Dems, and we're making some very large plans for the coming year. We're within spitting distance of turning our county blue, so we're going to work hard. We're going to raise a lot of money, register people to vote, make sure every office has a Democrat on the ballot (hasn't happened in decades here), recruit volunteers and fight for candidates. We have real nutjobs in office, and it's time to turn them out.

This HAS to happen across the country. Whether you're in a red or blue area, we ALL have to work.

This is a call to action. Realize that 2022 is about the very fabric of our democracy. GET INVOLVED if you aren't already. Volunteer.

And give money. It's very easy. Let's be clear: We have to do this ourselves. Our main two conservatives here never do anything, besides bitch and vote. They've never attended a rally, they've never worked for a candidate, they've never given a dollar, and they never will. They don't need to; the corporations fund the party, and that's who the party REALLY works for.

It's easy with the Dems, you just need to go to ActBlue to donate in any way you wish. Our fundraisers all go through ActBlue, I give a monthly contribution to keep the County office lights open, for instance. It's very easy to set up your account, and you can send money to all kinds of supporting organizations.

Every dollar counts. Give generously. Talk your friends into giving generously.

All we have is our grassroots. We've got to build, precinct by precinct. I think, especially after the SC knocks down Roe, our sleeping folks that were never involved will wake up. We have to be ready to enlist and welcome them.

You can't stay on the sidelines. I know many of you have been involved for a long time, but we need 100%. This is my first time with the party, as I was always involved from the labor side, but before I went on fulltime at the union, I blockwalked and phone banked for local candidates and registered voters. I'm back there. Of course, I've worked Congressional campaigns and all kinds of things the last 20 years, involved at the state and federal level.

But I'll tell you, it's fun on the local level. Our County group is great, with great leadership, and everyone gets along well and there's not infighting. It's exciting. After being leadership for so long, it's fun to just be a volunteer. They have me in all the planning and everything, but it's fun to do the work instead of directing others.

So, anyone with me?

[sam lefthand]

GoUnion my wife and I between ourselves give approximately $1,100 a year, at a rate of 50 cents an hour donated to our home care provider union out of our government checks where our wages are minimum wage, no benefits and we're not allowed to pay into social security to extend our retirement at a later date.

Our union gives that money we place in the union political fund to lobby Congress for us and others. Most of it goes to Democrats in Congress so they will get reelected.

That's enough for people of our means to give. Its all we can afford. So far it's been a deal that has begun to paid off. Through their lobbying efforts they have gotten us a raise of 75 cents an hour so far. However we've given into that political fund a lot longer than that 75 cents an hour raise in pay has been returned so, we've not recovered our investment yet, and we are continuing to pay into that fund.



This's a real pro union story GoUnion. A few years ago I was telling you about this union when my outlook for them was that they probably were not worth a damn, they proved me wrong. That conversation about them was in PM with you when I first joined the board and we first met. Perhaps you remember it. Your comment to me at the time to me was "wow you've been in a lot of unions." I've been a member of four unions, two right now, one as inactive, and the other as an active member. I also pay two sets of union dues to keep it that way until retirement kicks in.

They have turned out to be a good union for us. I'm glad that I went ahead and set up that automatic withdraw from our wages in spite of my reservations about them, so they would stand a chance to be worth something. Lobbying Congress is the only thing they can to to help us because Congress is our management. For us Congress is who they negotiate with because our jobs are completely controlled by Congress.

It's paid off.

[gounion]

GoUnion my wife and I between ourselves give approximately $1,100 a year, at a rate of 50 cents an hour donated to our home care provider union out of our government checks where our wages are minimum wage, no benefits and we're not allowed to pay into social security to extend our retirement at a later date.

Our union gives that money we place in the union political fund to lobby Congress for us and others. Most of it goes to Democrats in Congress so they will get reelected.

That's enough for people of our means to give. Its all we can afford. So far it's been a deal that has begun to paid off. Through their lobbying efforts they have gotten us a raise of 75 cents an hour so far. However we've given into that political fund a lot longer than that 75 cents an hour raise in pay has been returned so, we've not recovered our investment yet, and we are continuing to pay into that fund.



This's a real pro union story GoUnion. A few years ago I was telling you about this union when my outlook for them was that they probably were not worth a damn, they proved me wrong. That conversation about them was in PM with you when I first joined the board and we first met. Perhaps you remember it. Your comment to me at the time to me was "wow you've been in a lot of unions." I've been a member of four unions, two right now, one as inactive, and the other as an active member. I also pay two sets of union dues to keep it that way until retirement kicks in.

They have turned out to be a good union for us. I'm glad that I went ahead and set up that automatic withdraw from our wages in spite of my reservations about them, so they would stand a chance to be worth something. Lobbying Congress is the only thing they can to to help us because Congress is our management. For us Congress is who they negotiate with because our jobs are completely controlled by Congress.

It's paid off.

I don't recall the conversation, but union PAC money is usually money well spent, as the unions do fight hard, and unions are basically the ONLY organizations that fight for working people. Corporations have all kinds of organizations to lobby for them, including the Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Manufacturers and such. But unions are all working people have, and they are effective in how they use their money and clout.

And I know you're involved with the local party. That's why everyone has to do. It's literally do or die for so many.

[ProfX]

I have never been on the sidelines. I don't plan to be in 2022. Too much is at stake.

[gounion]

I have never been on the sidelines. I don't plan to be in 2022. Too much is at stake.

[gounion]

Just received via text:

DNC HQ: ***, have you renewed your DNC membership for 2022? Check it off your to-do list today, and we’ll stick your Official 2022 DNC Membership Card in the mail for you! txt.democrats.org/6sc

By donating, you’ll make a direct investment in the on-the-ground organizing, voter protection efforts, and more necessary to win races up and down the ballot next year.

Renew your membership and claim your card before it’s too late!

And yes, I'm making a recurring monthly donation and I will remain a card-carrying member of the Democratic National Committee!

Anyone else?

No, I don't agree with everything the party does. But we have a two-party system, and if you're not at the table, you're on the menu. And while I'm not a far-left socialist like Glenn asserts, and as a Trade Unionist, I'm probably more moderate than some on this board, I WOULD like to see our country, AND the party, become more progressive, especially on issues like economic fairness and worker rights. But we must work within the party to get the GOP out!

[ZoWie]

I continue to work within the Democratic Party, seeing as it is the only realistic alternative to gun nuts and racists running the entire government on all levels.

It doesn't matter what my long term goals were. I barely remember them. Something about true equality, class and race justice, realistic spending priorities, and diplomatic alternatives to just reflexively sending our troops everywhere. The struggle came home and now elections really do mean something. The two dead guys, who I learned real political action from before they shuffled off, were correct when they told me that you fight fascism with the tools you are given. Those actually work, unlike the ones in some political theory textbook somewhere, and certainly unlike running purely on adolescent hormones.

I haven't given up the goals, but I will use the tools I am given.

[sam lefthand]

Speaking of DNC membership cards they send out after donations, we still have our membership frig magnet for being in Obama's kitchen cabinet.



As long as magnetism holds it's going to be there on the frig door.

[marindem01]

Department of Justice Sues To Block Texas Congressional Map.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/0 ... map-523819.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Monday that the Department of Justice has sued to block Texas’ updated congressional and state House maps, alleging that the districts redrawn after the 2020 census disenfranchise minorities in violation of the Voting Rights Act.

The suit, filed in federal court, alleges that the state of Texas is “refusing to recognize the State’s growing minority electorate.” It asks the court to stop the state from holding elections under the new maps and to temporarily redraw Texas’ congressional and state House districts.

[ap215]

New poll shows challenges for Democrats ahead of 2022

President Biden and congressional Democrats are confronting bleak political realities as they prepare to close out the year and head into 2022, according to a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll shared with The Hill.

Biden’s approval sits at 45 percent, according to the poll, a slight bump since October when he scored 43 percent approval. Still, 51 percent of respondents said they disapprove of his job performance, putting him 6 points underwater in the final stretch of the year.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5 ... ad-of-2022

[gounion]

New poll shows challenges for Democrats ahead of 2022

President Biden and congressional Democrats are confronting bleak political realities as they prepare to close out the year and head into 2022, according to a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll shared with The Hill.

Biden’s approval sits at 45 percent, according to the poll, a slight bump since October when he scored 43 percent approval. Still, 51 percent of respondents said they disapprove of his job performance, putting him 6 points underwater in the final stretch of the year.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5 ... ad-of-2022

Yeah, we know. So are you all-in, or on the sidelines?

[ap215]

Yeah, we know. So are you all-in, or on the sidelines?

In.

[Glennfs]

I give money to charity and individuals in need not political parties.

[gounion]

I give money to charity and individuals in need not political parties.

You let the corporations fund your candidates.

[Glennfs]

You let the corporations fund your candidates.

I think people should give their money to charity not political parties.

[Drak]

I think people should give their money to charity not political parties.

What about corporations and foreign entities?

[gounion]

What about corporations and foreign entities?

You mean like Putin and Kim, Trump’s best friends? How much will they plow into 2024 for Trump?

[Drak]

You mean like Putin and Kim, Trump’s best friends? How much will they plow into 2024 for Trump?

Putin, Kim, whatever other nefarious country Trump and friends are in bed with. Saudi Arabia also comes to mind.

[carmenjonze]

I have never been on the sidelines. I don't plan to be in 2022. Too much is at stake.

Concur.

Too much is at stake, and can't afford to be.

[ZoWie]

Putin, Kim, whatever other nefarious country Trump and friends are in bed with. Saudi Arabia also comes to mind.

Probably also China, the way things are going.

[Drak]

Probably also China, the way things are going.

Yep. China too. Iran as well, most likely.

[Libertas]

Putin is very involved here.

OPEC is purposely raising oil prices to hurt Biden because they own the traitor. Betting the price will be over $5 by November.


When the 2022 elections in red states are thrown into chaos, I sure hope Garland by then has indicted the criminals including trump.

[ap215]

:problem

‘Let’s get a drink’: Dems confront prospect of a 2022 hurricane

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Democratic Party leaders moved quietly this week to lower expectations for the midterm elections as they met for year-end talks against the backdrop of an increasingly bleak electoral landscape.

The House? Likely gone. The Senate? A crapshoot.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/1 ... ane-525283

[gounion]

:problem

‘Let’s get a drink’: Dems confront prospect of a 2022 hurricane

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Democratic Party leaders moved quietly this week to lower expectations for the midterm elections as they met for year-end talks against the backdrop of an increasingly bleak electoral landscape.

The House? Likely gone. The Senate? A crapshoot.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/12/1 ... ane-525283

Lots of football left to play.