Thanks for the readout. There is no doubt about the GOP's methods, which they've been applying since the party's original base lost the Civil War, incrementally, and often under the radar of complacent voters and those who want to bring a cat to a dogfight. (Mind you any one of my cats could probably hold their own, but they know what it's like to be treated fairly and with real regard and won't accept anything less. Newsom is meeting fire with fire, the classic way to contain a wildfire. I'm psyched, I'm sending monthly donations, and otherwise fanning the flames of righteousness as best I can. Thanks for raising the banner, Shankar.
I called, emailed and snail-mailed my governor’s office to ask her to seriously consider using our legislative supermajority to re-district our one red House rep out of office. I also acknowledged that there is potential state-level blowback to consider- anything that endangers our blue state status might not be worth the singular House seat to be gained; I don’t know the answer but am asking her office to coordinate with fellow blue state governors to strategize.
I also called my congresspersons (all team blue) and asked them to weigh in on the above-described strategizing.
Thank you. I really thought if I inform enough during the medicare raid, the dems will move. But nothing. Literally nothing. The GOP did everything line by line as i had written in that story. It was so easy to see. And a party with billions of dollars and army of consultants could nto see this and device countermeasures.
Nice one, Shankar. As usual. I think you might be a bit naive though. In my OPINION, there are a good number of Democrat politicians who know exactly what is going on and are going along with it. In other words, they did not get conned, they were and are playing their part. The loyal opposition which is at its base loyal and not TOTALLY loyal to their constituents. I don't think they are loyal to Donald Trump. I think they are loyal to their own wallets. They are loyal to the status quo of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. It is a pretty stellar politician who gets into a national office without having a bunch of money and/or influence to start with. Look at who accepts money from rich bastards and corporations and you will find there a 'bought' politician. I would probably be bought too if I were in their shoes. I have spent most of my life trying to make ends meet. Still am doing that. If someone were to give me a couple million bucks to vote in a way that I think might be iffy... Would I do it? I HOPE not, but I am not so sure.
I'm with you on this, Steven. Too many Democrats are sucking on the same teats at the GOP. I'm a fan of AOC for loudly proclaiming her refusal to accept such donations. With her in New York and Newsom in California (my state) there is another way forward than billionaires funding a one-party state.
This is, as Beto Orourke has been preaching, a defining moment in our Democracy. Nothing less. This is the springboard to the future, as you have elaborated.
the dems leadership is too old too staid, too indebited to fancy corporations, thay had a chance this year to put aoc in charge of a senate board, pelosi cut her to put a 72 year old cancer patient in her place, their power decreases the dems power
I strongly suspect there is significantly more gerrymandering capacity in blue states than red. But DOJ will challenge new maps in blue states and ignore new maps in red states. The six treasonous ideological members of SCOTUS will certainly do their expected jobs and strike for any new maps brought before them. They get paid too well to do anything else.
At 4:04 EST, I received an email from Governor Newsom. It has an ask. I include it as it was part of his note. Thank you Shankar. These are crazy days and I very much appreciate your taking the extra time to share this essay.
from Gov Newsom.
We're doing this.
This November, California voters will have a chance to fight back against Trump's efforts to rig the election by voting on new congressional district maps in response to what Texas is doing.
This election will not be easy. It will be expensive. It will be close. And we will only win if everyone understands they have a role to play in this fight.
If that's all you need to hear, please make a contribution to help us pass the Election Rigging Response Act in California this November:
Thank you, Sara, for sharing that link. My wife and I just used it! I understand those who fear the national setup will do everything it can to prevent the regime’s opposition from succeeding, but such public actions will amplify the hypocrisy and duplicity of this regime!
Hi Phil, glad that was useful. 8/15/25 9 pm est I am listening to an interview with David Daley, with Greg Olear and Stephanie LB Five eights. David Daley says the only way for the Dems to WIN is to win...... seats https://www.youtube.com/live/5mP5GRPeGOk?si=8Jh9ERdgN-o7IxUl He is very convincing
Don’t settle for just five extra representatives from California. Go the whole hog and gerrymander out all Republican districts from California. While you are at it, let’s get New York on board and gerrymander out all Republican districts from that state too.
Thanks for the readout. There is no doubt about the GOP's methods, which they've been applying since the party's original base lost the Civil War, incrementally, and often under the radar of complacent voters and those who want to bring a cat to a dogfight. (Mind you any one of my cats could probably hold their own, but they know what it's like to be treated fairly and with real regard and won't accept anything less. Newsom is meeting fire with fire, the classic way to contain a wildfire. I'm psyched, I'm sending monthly donations, and otherwise fanning the flames of righteousness as best I can. Thanks for raising the banner, Shankar.
I called, emailed and snail-mailed my governor’s office to ask her to seriously consider using our legislative supermajority to re-district our one red House rep out of office. I also acknowledged that there is potential state-level blowback to consider- anything that endangers our blue state status might not be worth the singular House seat to be gained; I don’t know the answer but am asking her office to coordinate with fellow blue state governors to strategize.
I also called my congresspersons (all team blue) and asked them to weigh in on the above-described strategizing.
Thank you. I really thought if I inform enough during the medicare raid, the dems will move. But nothing. Literally nothing. The GOP did everything line by line as i had written in that story. It was so easy to see. And a party with billions of dollars and army of consultants could nto see this and device countermeasures.
They are stuck in a bubble.
Lets break that bubble this time.
Short of eliminating a handful of the deplorable in Congress, how were the Dems supposed to stop a tightly managed steam roller?
It's past time to fight fire with fire. They bring a torch, we bring a flamethrower.
Exceed expectations.
No! Hit the Republican thieves harder, Shankar!
For every seat they steal, take TWO!
California can manage this feat!
Democrats are the majority party with 45.1 million registered Democrats to only 36.0 registered Republicans!
Hit the cheating bastards hard!
Democrats, “Take off the white gloves and put on the brass knuckles!”
It’s war, Baby!
Nice one, Shankar. As usual. I think you might be a bit naive though. In my OPINION, there are a good number of Democrat politicians who know exactly what is going on and are going along with it. In other words, they did not get conned, they were and are playing their part. The loyal opposition which is at its base loyal and not TOTALLY loyal to their constituents. I don't think they are loyal to Donald Trump. I think they are loyal to their own wallets. They are loyal to the status quo of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. It is a pretty stellar politician who gets into a national office without having a bunch of money and/or influence to start with. Look at who accepts money from rich bastards and corporations and you will find there a 'bought' politician. I would probably be bought too if I were in their shoes. I have spent most of my life trying to make ends meet. Still am doing that. If someone were to give me a couple million bucks to vote in a way that I think might be iffy... Would I do it? I HOPE not, but I am not so sure.
I'm with you on this, Steven. Too many Democrats are sucking on the same teats at the GOP. I'm a fan of AOC for loudly proclaiming her refusal to accept such donations. With her in New York and Newsom in California (my state) there is another way forward than billionaires funding a one-party state.
Thank you for your human honesty.
Yes! There are too, too many Democratic corporate shills!
AND THE DEMOCRATIC CORPORATE SHILLS ARE IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS!
Starve them out!
Boot them out!
Vote for economic justice!
Shanks! You have the right idea!
Yet, Democrats are the majority party, having many more registered voters than Republicans, 45.1 million Democrats vs. 36.0 Republicans!
Therefore, for every seat the fascists steal, we can take two more!
Teach the bastards, we can win at your cheating game!
This is, as Beto Orourke has been preaching, a defining moment in our Democracy. Nothing less. This is the springboard to the future, as you have elaborated.
Shankar, I hope Congress is reading this. Action now Dems
the dems leadership is too old too staid, too indebited to fancy corporations, thay had a chance this year to put aoc in charge of a senate board, pelosi cut her to put a 72 year old cancer patient in her place, their power decreases the dems power
I strongly suspect there is significantly more gerrymandering capacity in blue states than red. But DOJ will challenge new maps in blue states and ignore new maps in red states. The six treasonous ideological members of SCOTUS will certainly do their expected jobs and strike for any new maps brought before them. They get paid too well to do anything else.
At 4:04 EST, I received an email from Governor Newsom. It has an ask. I include it as it was part of his note. Thank you Shankar. These are crazy days and I very much appreciate your taking the extra time to share this essay.
from Gov Newsom.
We're doing this.
This November, California voters will have a chance to fight back against Trump's efforts to rig the election by voting on new congressional district maps in response to what Texas is doing.
This election will not be easy. It will be expensive. It will be close. And we will only win if everyone understands they have a role to play in this fight.
If that's all you need to hear, please make a contribution to help us pass the Election Rigging Response Act in California this November:
https://act.gavinnewsom.com/go/california-redistricting"
Thank you, Sara, for sharing that link. My wife and I just used it! I understand those who fear the national setup will do everything it can to prevent the regime’s opposition from succeeding, but such public actions will amplify the hypocrisy and duplicity of this regime!
Hi Phil, glad that was useful. 8/15/25 9 pm est I am listening to an interview with David Daley, with Greg Olear and Stephanie LB Five eights. David Daley says the only way for the Dems to WIN is to win...... seats https://www.youtube.com/live/5mP5GRPeGOk?si=8Jh9ERdgN-o7IxUl He is very convincing
You betcha!
Don’t settle for just five extra representatives from California. Go the whole hog and gerrymander out all Republican districts from California. While you are at it, let’s get New York on board and gerrymander out all Republican districts from that state too.