What is so….. literally shocking to me, is the focus on “Musk is stealing our tax data” and to paraphrase, “our communities need to come together like after Katrina”…… And the thought that our democracy is being destroyed….. All the while our government is filled with bureaucrats who have put money and power ahead of the well being of our citizens! The massive out of control bureaucracy must be diminished and re-structured to provide proper accountability and transparency!!
I could give hundreds of examples but I think a few will suffice to make my point:
*DEI… What a sham. Social engineering to the detriment of society by thwarting meritocracy. Don’t you want the most qualified pilot flying your plane? Or controlling air traffic? I could go on.
*The Military Industrial Complex… with it’s long tentacles of political influence affecting decisions on the U.S. getting into unnecessary wars so that we need to produce more armaments so that many connected people can line their pockets with money and/or obtain political contributions. How many innocent young soldiers were maimed or killed in these senseless “wars”??!!
*Covid… horrendous government decisions and mandates made because of big Pharma’s political influence, including Fauchi’s lies during covid where lockdowns, masking and vaccines were forced on citizens to their detriment!!!
*Billions for Ukraine… OUR money again spent worthlessly. Just wait when we find out where most of that money went.
* Men in women’s sports…. That’s absolutely absurd and grossly unfair to women for many who trained hard all their lives to be humiliated by a man in their sport!!
*Open Borders…. Criminals, terrorists, and Fentanyl pouring into our country killing hundreds of thousands of our youths! Spending money on illegals over citizens!
*Weaponization of the DOJ, CIA and FBI against a political opponent!!! The “list of 51” that signed on the letter declaring that Hunter’s laptop was a Russian disinformation campaign. I could go on!!
*However, we do have a community that is coming together precisely because of collective outrage!! An enlightened community that desperately wants power returned to “the people”, not the Bureaucrats. And the “collective outrage” people voted… Our representative Republic works!
*Our Government needs an overhaul implemented by common sense businessmen making rational decisions on what’s collectively best for American citizens rather than Bureaucrats catering to special interests!
Good to hear from you, even if from the other side of the political fence. And no offense taken--you have the right to your opinions, and for now at least, the right to express them.
We’re not sure how long that will last because it’s the United States Constitution, the founding document that defines our three branches of government and lists our rights, which is under attack right now. The executive orders being issued are illegal and unconstitutional. The president does not have the power to shut down federal agencies or stop payments authorized by Congress. And Elon Musk and his appointees do not have the legal authority to access sensitive information, like the names of intelligence operatives or Americans’ social security numbers.
I don’t hope to convince you that COVID vaccines saved lives (remember the millions who died from the virus before vaccines were available?), or the potential reshaping of Europe under communist rule should Ukraine lose its sovereignty, or my belief that no human is “illegal,” or that trans people have rights--so I won’t try.
But I do hope that as a father and grandfather you may see the value of humanitarian aid, in the form of food, clean water, and life-saving medication, without which children in impoverished countries will die if USAID is dismantled.
Similarly, I hope that you believe in the value of public health information, which was capriciously taken down from federal websites, along with our withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
And I do hope that as a patriot you believe in the rule of law, which is being thwarted right now on so many levels.
I’m happy to chat and suggest that we do so directly, old friend, rather than via Substack. I will reach out via email.
Meantime, all the best to you and your family in these strange times.
Hi, Caryn, there is not much you can do to impact the illegal actions happening right now unless you are a federal judge ruling on one of the 50+ lawsuits that have been filed in response to this power grab.
But you can make your voice heard by calling your Congressional representatives and senators, daily, so they know that their constituents are watching and disagree with what's happening. Their offices do track the calls and the sentiments expressed. I hear the Senate switchboard has been overwhelmed with calls. Let's keep them coming.
And, you can commit to doing whatever you can in your own community to protect and support people who are most vulnerable, which is what this Substack is about. Whether it's unhoused folks, LGBTQ+ kids, immigrants, or your elderly neighbors whose Medicaid services are sure to be impacted. Thank you for caring.
Thanks, Randy. Please share with anyone you think would be interested. And of course, Mardi Gras will offer many opportunities for satirical protest. See you at St. Anne’s.
I loved this essay, Claudia, and especially needed to hear it today after just reading the newspaper. You remind us that we must take the long view, but not give up on the things we can do now. Very inspiring!
I do appreciate your well meaning intentions!!
What is so….. literally shocking to me, is the focus on “Musk is stealing our tax data” and to paraphrase, “our communities need to come together like after Katrina”…… And the thought that our democracy is being destroyed….. All the while our government is filled with bureaucrats who have put money and power ahead of the well being of our citizens! The massive out of control bureaucracy must be diminished and re-structured to provide proper accountability and transparency!!
I could give hundreds of examples but I think a few will suffice to make my point:
*DEI… What a sham. Social engineering to the detriment of society by thwarting meritocracy. Don’t you want the most qualified pilot flying your plane? Or controlling air traffic? I could go on.
*The Military Industrial Complex… with it’s long tentacles of political influence affecting decisions on the U.S. getting into unnecessary wars so that we need to produce more armaments so that many connected people can line their pockets with money and/or obtain political contributions. How many innocent young soldiers were maimed or killed in these senseless “wars”??!!
*Covid… horrendous government decisions and mandates made because of big Pharma’s political influence, including Fauchi’s lies during covid where lockdowns, masking and vaccines were forced on citizens to their detriment!!!
*Billions for Ukraine… OUR money again spent worthlessly. Just wait when we find out where most of that money went.
(Continued)
* Men in women’s sports…. That’s absolutely absurd and grossly unfair to women for many who trained hard all their lives to be humiliated by a man in their sport!!
*Open Borders…. Criminals, terrorists, and Fentanyl pouring into our country killing hundreds of thousands of our youths! Spending money on illegals over citizens!
*Weaponization of the DOJ, CIA and FBI against a political opponent!!! The “list of 51” that signed on the letter declaring that Hunter’s laptop was a Russian disinformation campaign. I could go on!!
*However, we do have a community that is coming together precisely because of collective outrage!! An enlightened community that desperately wants power returned to “the people”, not the Bureaucrats. And the “collective outrage” people voted… Our representative Republic works!
*Our Government needs an overhaul implemented by common sense businessmen making rational decisions on what’s collectively best for American citizens rather than Bureaucrats catering to special interests!
*I look forward to some debate/discussion?
I don’t mean to offend. Just to have respectful discourse.
Hi, Rory,
Good to hear from you, even if from the other side of the political fence. And no offense taken--you have the right to your opinions, and for now at least, the right to express them.
We’re not sure how long that will last because it’s the United States Constitution, the founding document that defines our three branches of government and lists our rights, which is under attack right now. The executive orders being issued are illegal and unconstitutional. The president does not have the power to shut down federal agencies or stop payments authorized by Congress. And Elon Musk and his appointees do not have the legal authority to access sensitive information, like the names of intelligence operatives or Americans’ social security numbers.
I don’t hope to convince you that COVID vaccines saved lives (remember the millions who died from the virus before vaccines were available?), or the potential reshaping of Europe under communist rule should Ukraine lose its sovereignty, or my belief that no human is “illegal,” or that trans people have rights--so I won’t try.
But I do hope that as a father and grandfather you may see the value of humanitarian aid, in the form of food, clean water, and life-saving medication, without which children in impoverished countries will die if USAID is dismantled.
Similarly, I hope that you believe in the value of public health information, which was capriciously taken down from federal websites, along with our withdrawal from the World Health Organization.
And I do hope that as a patriot you believe in the rule of law, which is being thwarted right now on so many levels.
I’m happy to chat and suggest that we do so directly, old friend, rather than via Substack. I will reach out via email.
Meantime, all the best to you and your family in these strange times.
What is the most effective, concrete, legal action we can take?
Hi, Caryn, there is not much you can do to impact the illegal actions happening right now unless you are a federal judge ruling on one of the 50+ lawsuits that have been filed in response to this power grab.
But you can make your voice heard by calling your Congressional representatives and senators, daily, so they know that their constituents are watching and disagree with what's happening. Their offices do track the calls and the sentiments expressed. I hear the Senate switchboard has been overwhelmed with calls. Let's keep them coming.
And, you can commit to doing whatever you can in your own community to protect and support people who are most vulnerable, which is what this Substack is about. Whether it's unhoused folks, LGBTQ+ kids, immigrants, or your elderly neighbors whose Medicaid services are sure to be impacted. Thank you for caring.
Thank you Claudia - I needed to hear this today!!
Nicole, you are so welcome! Hope you all are doing well.
Please share with anyone else who would be interested.
Inspirational, as always!!
xoxo
Thanks, Beth. Appreciate you.
Yes all of this. I am proud of you sister!!
Thanks, Susie. Appreciate the support.
Fine writing, as always. Great suggestions for action. Every small act helps us recover the sense of agency the imperial regime steals from us.
Thanks, Randy. Please share with anyone you think would be interested. And of course, Mardi Gras will offer many opportunities for satirical protest. See you at St. Anne’s.
I loved this essay, Claudia, and especially needed to hear it today after just reading the newspaper. You remind us that we must take the long view, but not give up on the things we can do now. Very inspiring!
Thanks, Kathi. Hoping for a better world for our kids and grandkids!