devinymjk164-blog

[wyrmfedgrave]

Shadow speaker: Hakeem Jeffries quietly wrests control from Mike Johnson https://www.axios.com/2024/04/21/hakeem-jeffries-speaker-mike-johnson-israel-ukraine

Good news for the Ukrainians fighting off Russia's invasion!!

Also, it looks like Hakeem Jeffries is quickly coming into his own.

He handled the vote for this much needed aid package deftly.

I think we're going to see more smart moves from this promising politician.

(Politician?! Ooo... Do I need to wash my mouth out with soap & water? No, Jakeem's a keeper!!)

[potofsoup]

i love your fourth of july comics every year but this years feels extremely optimistic about biden’s abilities in the face of him letting roe get overturned and funding a gen*cide at worst or letting it happen at best by taking the bare minimum of regulatory action… i mean can he really be trusted at all anymore to do the right thing or act in line with the people’s demands? and how do we know the people behind project 2025 won’t just rig the election again to get in under false pretenses?

Hihi! Thank you for reading and enjoying my July 4th comics every year! I am in a non-US airport en route to a month-long trip in a place with sketchy internet, so sorry in advance for sloppiness in my response (and potentially going radio silent).

But:

I don't think he "let" Roe get overturned, since that was the Supreme Court's overwhelming conservative majority, which really started with Mitch McConnell refusing to approve Obama's appointee and forcing it into a 2016 election issue. The fact that Trump got to appoint 3 Supreme Court Justices is what got us here.

Re: Biden and the Israel/Hamas war ... on the one hand, there's definitely more that he could have done, but on the other hand, they are a whole other country over there. It's Hamas that initiated the Oct 7 attacks and took the hostages. It's Netanyahu and his right-wing government who decided to retaliate to such extreme extent. Biden can talk about how he would really like Netanyahu to stop fighting and step down, but at the end of the day that's not his call, any more than he can stop the Sudan fighting that is near-genocidal either.

So, to come to your question #1: "Can he really be trusted at all anymore to do the right thing or act in line with the people’s demands"?

For me, it's a resounding YES. Guyz, he has passed so much good domestic policies. My spouse works in green energy and the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act halved his anxiety and gave him legitimate hope. The tumblr post I linked to in my comic has links to many of the other great things that Biden has done. Tbh I voted for him in 2020 because "a moldy onion is still better than Trump", and I've been pleasantly surprised. Like how he tried to cancel student loans, the Supreme Court overturned it, and then he came back 6 months later with a different way to do it that didn't lead to a court challenge.

Is he perfect? Hell no. There's tons of stuff that I wish he did more about, or he went further on, but also he's just one guy heading one branch of government who is heading into an election year. (Just like FDR promising not joining WWII, while behind the scenes doing all the Lend-Lease Act stuff). And "the people" have lots of demands, many of them conflicting.

I'd also like to push at the unspoken part of your question... "Can he really be trusted to do the right thing..." compared to whom? Because right now the answer is "compared to Trump." And compared to Trump... I don't even trust Trump to respect the results of a legitimate election. Heck, he might just take his favorite state secrets, sell them to the highest bidder (or just show them off to someone for funzies), and then claim Presidential immunity. A decent Democrat who got stuff done vs someone who probably wants to pardon himself and all his friends and do Project 2025 stuff is not even on the same level. (Do I wish that there was a viable Democratic alternative to Biden? Sure! But who?) Heck, at this point -- imagine if it's Kamala Harris vs. Trump. Who would you vote for?

As for your question #2: "How do we know the people behind project 2025 won’t just rig the election again to get in under false pretenses?"

We don't. But also what can we do besides showing up to vote?

Actually, I need bullet points for this:

The 2022 midterm elections brought in fewer-than-expected election-deniers into crucial electoral offices at the state level, which means that hopefully most state electoral boards will continue to have integrity

Yes, voting is harder but at least we can still vote. So it's about getting out there and getting your vote counted. For some states, it involves waiting in 8 hour lines. For some states, it involves bringing 2 forms of ID. Document. Track. Make sure it's dropped off in a real ballot box and not a fake one. Don't believe messaging that the voting is happening on a different day or location, etc.

A 50.1% majority is easily challenged. A 55% majority, less so. Which means getting people out to vote.

The more people know about and think about the reality of a second Trump term (versus being disappointed by a Biden term), the more they will be motivated to vote against Trump.

Finally, let's be real here: I'm braced for a 2nd Trump term. That said:

I'm still going to go and vote for Biden, because the only way to prevent a 2nd Trump term is to vote.

A Trump term where either the House or Senate is controlled by the Democrats will be *very* different from a clean Republican sweep.

Even with a clean Republican sweep on the federal level, States have so much more power now, and voting the state level stuff will help shore up Democratic goals for the future. States get to draw voting districts however they want. States get to decide on abortion policies. If you live in a deep Red state, there still might be things to vote for that make it easier to live in now, and turn it purple a few elections down the line.

So at the end of the day, it's "Vote AND". Vote and keep living your best life. Vote and tell others about Project 2025. Vote and have hope. Even if Trump wins, at least you'll have voted against him. Vote and stay to build up a progressive wave for the next election.

[deadpresidents]

You're suggesting that I read a book about LBJ???

Should I pick one from this bookcase, or the other FULL bookcase I have that entirely consists of books about Lyndon Baines Johnson and/or the Johnson Administration?

The idea that Lyndon Johnson had to be "dragged to sign the civil rights act by a republican congress" is as laughable as the claim that Donald Trump did more for Black people than any President since Lincoln. Republicans were absolutely essential to passing LBJ's multiple pieces of significant civil rights legislation but Lyndon Johnson was the driving force behind every civil rights bill that he signed into law. Any brief study of the Civil Rights Movement or time spent listening to the tapes of President Johnson's phone calls tirelessly working to win Republican votes clearly tells the actual story.

The passage of LBJ's most important civil rights legislation -- particularly the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965 -- was the result of LBJ's incredible mastery of the legislative process and fierce determination to enact meaningful civil rights laws. And if you don't want to take my word for it, go back and read what Black leaders since Martin Luther King Jr. have been saying for nearly 60 years about LBJ's essential role as a leader and as a partner in getting real legislation pushed through Congress and formally signed into law. John F. Kennedy couldn't have accomplished what LBJ did on civil rights and there's not a Republican President who would have even tried.

There are plenty of subjects that I am not even close to being an expert about, but I can guarantee you that I've studied Lyndon Johnson extensively and his accomplishments in domestic policy -- specifically civil rights -- is one area where I know what I am talking about.

[tomorrowusa]

We have four weeks to save America. We need to step outside our comfort zones to make sure we don't see another 2016 surprise.

No form of campaigning is more effective than talking to people one-on-one and in a way you can tailor to that person. People can tune out ads, but it's more difficult to tune you out.

Contact your county's Democratic Party as ask how you might be of assistance. Or contact one of the organizations below.

Volunteer | Kamala Harris for President

DCCC Action Center

Take Action - DSCC: Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

Take Action - Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee

There are also groups dedicated to specific issues such as climate, reproductive freedom, union rights, LGBTQ+, equality, and reducing gun violence who are helping to elect Democratic candidates.

You can also buy t-shirts, buttons, and other merch to promote candidate and party visibility around people you know.

But don't delay. November 5th is a hard deadline.

[tishinada]

US politics and history time for a moment...

The people who want to claim that voting for Biden would mean they supported genocide remind me a great deal of the people in the 1830s - 1860s in the North who wanted immediate abolition because they believed slavery was a sin and God would hold them guilty of that sin if they didn't oppose slavery. This sometimes resulted in them supporting 3rd party candidates that, SURPRISE!, did nothing but push the election toward the most rabid pro-slavery candidates.

You know what most of those moral anti-slavery people didn't care about? What happened to Black Americans. They were concerned only about their own guilt, not Black Americans' welfare.

None of these people making this a moral issue now show any signs of caring what happens to Palestinians OR to all of the other groups that will suffer if the dumpster wins instead.

Biden can't wave his hand and make it go away because the US doesn't have unilateral power worldwide (though some Americans seem to believe that, sigh.) There are limits on his powers, especially since he has to negotiate with a hostile House of Representatives. He has chosen what is actually a pretty effective route and fought for at least some aid to get to Palestinians. And currently he has *some* leverage with the Israelis.

The question you should be asking yourself if you really care about genocide is which choice will do the most to help the Palestinians? Do you really think the dumpster would do even as much as Biden? Or would he be actively helping them and every other imperialist country (*cough*Russia*cough*)? And who else will suffer if he wins that would not under Biden?

If that isn't what matters most to you, then you're no different from the moral abolitionists and other Northerners who wanted slavery restricted (because it depressed wages for free white men) but also wanted to make it illegal for African Americans to move into new states like Ohio and Indiana and Illinois (racism and fears of wage competition.) Or to ship them to Africa, no matter how many generations had been in the US?

It's not idealism. You're self-centered and egotistical and actively choosing evil if you think "punishing" Biden is the result of not voting.

Vote pragmatically. Vote strategically. Vote with the welfare of the most people possible in mind.

[dailiadelc]

[whenweallvote]

For the first time in decades, Louisiana has a second majority Black congressional district! After a two-year fight for fairness and equal representation, the new congressional map was signed into law Monday when a federal appeals court ruled the state’s congressional map to be withdrawn to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

As Ashley Shelton, President of Power Coalition of Equity and Justice, said, “This is a win for Black voters and a powerful moment in Louisiana’s history.”

[sierradeaton]

i feel so much focus has been put on the presidential race specifically that people are forgetting how much power congress has in determining the laws of this country & one of the best ways to help enforce an arms embargo on israel is to try to put as many politicians in congress as you can that would oppose those funding bills

[tacticalthaumaturge]

I'm starting to see seemingly unironic posts to the tune of "Biden's useless because he's not taking advantage of the 7/1/24 presidential immunity decision to persecute his political enemies" and

Is that *really* the hill the tumblr left wants to die on? Is it really? That authoritarianism is good, actually, as long as its one of "our guys" doing it?

All I'm saying is that if we're gonna clown (because we gotta process somehow), just be mindful of Poe's Law. And if you're being serious here... the idea that unchecked power is a good thing, actually, is one I don't see compatible with a pluralistic society, and I'm curious why you think it is.

[maxknightley]

Are you also not voting this year

I'm voting for Hamas

[taviokapudding]

There's bipartisan talks in US Congress to send back all Palestinians (yes even US born ones) back to Palestine via a bill

In my opinion every single member of Congress and staff showing support for the idea need to be removed from office, have their hard drives investigated, and banned from all levels of public service and public office until further notice.

Palestinans don't want to leave home, but Congress using US tax payer dollars to fund Israel to murder all Palestinians regardless of religion (yes, some of the Christian families who's ancestors knew Jesus Christ personally who had been living in Palestine have had their bloodlines fully eradicated) or ethnic status (there are US citizens who are mixed that have been unaccounted for or trapped in the bombing zone) is why Palestinians are US citizens and permanent residents in the first place.

Israel has universal health care, education, and access to US weapons because of Congress lying and gas lighting US tax payers about their spending. There would be no Israel if the US never got involved in the first place. And the majority of US citizens bipartisanly don't want to fund Israel at all at any level - we want our money to go to our infrastructure. It's ridiculous to suggest a mass deportation that would solve nothing the US masses want and only hurt more innocents.

Let it be known- that bill and backing it is an admission of guilt for the enthic cleaning and genocide of the Palestinians by the US government- US Congress is okay with sending unarmed civilians (even US citizens) to their deaths to hide their crimes.

[trannydykepuppybot]

Kinda funny but also sad how often people go "why didn't the president do xyz" and then it's something they'd need congress for. This is true about Biden, Trump, Obama, all of them. If you ever catch yourself wondering "why didn't he just–"

The answer is separation of powers. Congress doesn't always play ball. The president is legally incapable of legislating. Stop assuming the president is a dictator and vote for a legislature you want to see, because it's just as important as the president and too many of you clearly think of the state of our government as binary Blue Guy In Charge or Red Guy In Charge

[gwydionmisha]

Primaries are Ongoing:

Important! Remember to vote in all primaries!!!

NOTE: Important non-Presidential Primaries are also ongoing! Remember to vote in all the races, not just the top of the ticket. Who runs congress, your state, and your local government really matters. In some states this is a separate primary. Check the rules for your state. This is how you push the party and the government left.

Colorado (House), New York (Senate and House), South Carolina (Run Off), Utah (Several important primaries): 6/25/24

Arizona (Congress), South Dakota (Run off): 7/30/24

Tennessee (Congress): 8/1/24

Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Washington 8/6/24

Know your state's schedule and where to vote. Make sure you and your friends are registered. If you are voting in person, plan how to get there.

Never, ever sleep on a chance to vote.

It is always better to vote for someone who will listen to us than to let someone who is actively trying to kill us.

[halles-comet]

WELP

[kimkimberhelen]

Okay, progressives, liberals, and fellow democrats, the congressional black caucus, Bernie Sanders, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have all unambiguously stated that they have Joe Biden's back. It's time to stop crying. Let's rock n' roll and win this bitch.

Also, Kamala Harris is already on the ticket, so if something serious happened, she would literally be right there. That's why we have Vice Presidents, folks.

[zmyaro]

I just heard about the Fair Representation Act, which seems to aim to do a lot to inhibit the impact of gerrymandering.

More information about it:

Ask your representative to support it with a couple clicks:

(Put in your information, and it will identify your representative and auto-fill an example email. Sending something is more important than what you write, so you can just send that template if you don't have time/desire to write something else!)