I have had numerous dreams also Julie. I think a lot about what used to be dystopian science fiction which is now reality. The IWC helps a lot by having this community. I also try to cope by getting out in nature and working on my photography, being creative and appreciating the beauty of our world. If I know one thing, it's this, if you are Not worried about the severity of our immediate situation (Constitutional crisis), then you are not my friend.
Thanks, Julie. Some of your readers, like Jim S, prodded me to share what I have written before. Power of grassroots group efforts. Yesterday, in response to a friend who wrote that 50 calls won't impact our federal delegation. Barry Piatt's substack today is also excellent. To my friend, I offered my quantitative analysis comparing state and federal constituent ratios.
Let me apply those numbers based on my history of working in state govt.:
In legislative communications, scale matters significantly. When 20 contacts could catch the attention of a state legislative office serving 60,000 constituents, we can extrapolate proportionally: roughly 160-200 contacts would have similar weight with a House member (500,000 constituents), while 800-1,000 would matter to a Senator (3 million constituents).
This math illustrates why 50 calls absolutely can catch their attention, if not make a difference. If an office typically handles 50 calls daily, receiving 150+ on a single issue signals strong constituent concern. At 1,500 calls per day on hot issues, coordinated constituent action becomes even more crucial to stand out.
I also explained there are reports that congressional offices are already receiving over 1500 calls/day.
Remember: Most constituents never contact their representatives, so each person who does speaks for many silent others.
Key to me is we do not have to rely on our own strength but rather on strength we gain from and with others. The Iowa Writers Collaborative comes to mind.
Sorry to post twice (delete if not acceptable) but I just recalled what the pastor of our church said last summer. In turning on the water to take his morning shower, the shower head literally fell off and hit the floor. He called to his wife (in Spanish) to call a plumber. Immediately, his cell phone lit up with a list of local plumber names and numbers -- in Spanish.
Actually, I'm terrified. As one who is old enough to have not only read "1984", "Lord of the Flies", and "Animal Farm", but studied them, I see the frightening predictions coming true. While I'm horrified, I'm also angry at every Republican Congressman who is now complicit in this monstrous take over of government. They sit on their thumbs and do nothing to stop this. As the DEI loses ground and Republican, right wing, citizens see it affecting them, they'll stand around moaning: "Oh <bleep>, I didn't know he meant me!" It's frightening.
Thank you for this round-up, Julie. And it really is so terrifying. 😞 The scenario in your nightmare reads exactly like the dystopian stuff we used to hope would “surely never get that bad,” but that had crept closer and closer to reality. (The Handmaid’s Tale being one example.)
The first time around, starting back when he (T) was still just a candidate. I was mortified, incensed, and disgusted by his words and actions, (and by watching as more and more people I thought were good human beings endorse or passively be OK with all of them.). I was a canvasser for the state of Iowa Democratic Party and I covered some serious ground in Eastern Iowa all that fall! I was then (and until only fairly recently was still) working closely with immigrants and refugees. So, to see him be reelected, (and not only that, but to see that he basically has been handed the power to do whatever he wants…. ) it’s so unspeakable, I have (since the day after the election ) resorted to only sneaking peeks at NYT headlines/news a few times a day. It feels lazy and irresponsible, but it’s all I can handle right now. Denial IS a coping mechanism, even if maybe not a great one…
Thank you for writing this, and please forgive poor writing as I type all this w/ one finger.
An unmentioned cost to the invasion of government computer systems is the loss of what was considered a reliable source of information. Before the last election I wanted to verify a campaign claim. I went to a government archive of President Trump’s time in office and found it useless. It was a propaganda page with grand pictures of the former President and a Fox news list of accomplishments. Some I could easily recognize as false. Yet this was a .gov site. There are a vast number of organizations, policy makers, programs, etc that rely on government data. It can’t be called reliable. The Department of Education just celebrated Parent Choice Week with an ad counting down all the options parents have: home schooling, charter schools, religious education. It didn’t list public education as an option. Small changes in media and publications you might not think about, but will have a big impact. I do not look forward to the propaganda that will flood our country for the next elections.
The impact on the United States from what I have come to call the "FOX News Media Ecosphere" is something I've been writing and talking about since trump's first victory in 2016. This impact cannot be overstated. From when Reagan eliminated the Fairness Doctrine to the establishment of Rush Limpbaugh and the subsequent takeover of licensed media by right wing profiteers, to Rupert's 1996 launch of FOX News... we are now dealing with multiple generations of Americans who have been literally brainwashed (yes it is an appropriate term) by right wing propaganda and have completely tuned out actual journalism and bonafide news reporting. I've stopped watching or reading any articles about Democratic or political pundits who want to somehow blame the Democratic Party for losing so badly because "they don't know how to talk to voters" or "they've lost touch with the working class."
BS. The Democrats have lost simply because what is factual is not reaching the eyes and ears of roughly half of us. Ask any MAGA voter if they are aware that (for example) oil and gas production in the United States is at an all-time high and you will get loud "BS!" So it goes without saying that MAGA is not aware that their social security or Medicare payments could literally get defunded within the next two months unless we somehow stop the musk/trump wrecking ball.
This isn't rocket science. We've been running down this path for generations and now we have almost reached the point of no return. Unless the Democratic Party forges a fighting partnership with the remaining major news organizations (who haven't yet capitulated) such as Politico, PBS, NY Times, NBC, etc, and also with major legal organizations with the resources to fight such as ACLU, Brennan Ctr for Justice, private firms, etc., AND major international corporations who are willing to enter the fray, America's 250 yr experiment of freedom and democracy is most likely toast.
A metaphor I use is that 1973 Detroit rust bucket with "DEMOCRACY" spray painted on the door, that was precariously balanced on the edge of the Grand Canyon. But trump pushed it over the edge on 1.20.25. Our only hope is if there is a giant trampoline at the bottom that catches it and flings it back up to the canyon rim. I'm not a religious person but God help us.
Julie, I appreciate your courage in telling this dream. As a person who has and remembers my dreams, I have recently had terrifying dreams about where our government is headed.
As to comments about Siri and Alexa, I have also had many similar experiences. Talking about a particular product, travel plans or public policies…and then relevant “stuff” shows up on my phone.
I don't watch fox either - so didn't know that it wasn't mentioned, but am not surprised. My emotions? Terrified, angry, feeling I'm not getting much guidance on what I, personally, can do. Sending lots of money to causes - but feeling that is a drop in the bucket. I need to advocate - so I guess it's back to contacting our representatives.
Becky you are a wonderful writer. Why not start your own Substack column? Readers tell me they don’t feel so alone. Solid, thoughtful commentary is harder to find in legacy media….that’s why our model in Iowa is working. We’d include you on our roster if you had a consistent (but not constant) Iowa angle.
Interesting idea, Julie. I tend to trend wacky, personal, emotional, with lots of mentions of watching reruns of Reno 911... Not sure who would find comfort in my ramblings...
Yes, Julie - your dream is not only our country’s, but the world’s nightmare. While I’m trying very hard to be proactive, reaching out to congress, working on League of Women Voters’ projects and the activities of our Blue Women’s group, (and promoting The Negro Artist documentary of course), it doesn’t seem like my efforts are even a slight ripple in the tsunami that the Trump/Musk team has unleashed, at the behest of millions of American voters - whether they knew what they were doing or not.
It’s a somewhat familiar feeling of despondency, similar to what I experienced after my first husband’s sudden death at age 37. You pick yourself up and carry on with the activities of daily life, one day at a time. But it’s like you’re walking in a dream, or a nightmare, that you can’t wake yourself from - while you look at others around you moving on as though nothing has happened. “They don’t know what I’m going through, the uncertainty of my future, the fears I have for my children,” you tell yourself. You hear them laughing, and you think, “How can they find anything funny in this nightmare?” You wonder if you’ll ever be “normal” again, and have the weight in your chest lift for just a few minutes.
I’m angry a lot and sad most of the time. Angry with the “I don’t have any interest in politics” crowd, the non voters and the Fox cult. Sad for everyone who has children with special needs as an already difficult journey was just made incredibly more difficult for no reason other than the love of power. Make that lust for power - there is no love in either of these men or their minions.
The America first crowd should get to know a few of the Ukrainians living in our community. Their lives are a pretty good indicator of what we have ahead of us if our courts can’t or won’t stop the madness and restore some semblance of order. The insanity (even before his “development scheme” for Gaza) affects so many outside the U.S. I have regular conversations with my friends in Denmark - here’s one tidbit: “Talked about it yesterday, what if he was to use force against Denmark? We'd be run over. Someone said we could hope for our European friends to help us. Trouble is, Europe is falling apart and two major countries are without government. And my oldest is on his way into the military. I can't stand it. Need to try and not follow the news. But from what I have seen, a lot of Americans should really read up on European history!”
Sigh. Time to call on our legislators again. And again….
Re: "I try to calm myself down"...."I'm curious about what you are thinking": Personal reflections on Trump, Musk, America, etc.,
You think that you have trouble---with Trump, Musk, etc.,-- now!!!
According to current Science thinking----the Earth is predicted to be engulphed by the Sun, in only 5 billion years!!!
So, for the present-- I recommend the following: To try to stay "calm"; and like the Ancient Greeks, to try to "endure" it all; and, also, and, most importantly,--- to try to enjoy the "magic, wonder, mystery, beauty, and adventure of our "now moment of existence"--- as we all ride, like Children, on our winged-horse, Planet Earth- Pegasus, around the carousel of the Milky Way, where, as Scientist Carl Sagan said, "we float like a mote of dust in the morning sky".
Further, try to remember--- everything considered: As said by Shakespeare's Hamlet---"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
There is more America to come. The Adventure of America is before us all!
America First as a slogan gets mixed reviews. It was used pre-Civil War, during and after WW I and II The ideas of isolationism, anti-semeticism, and racist (Charles Lundberg) were hallmarks then and in someway now as used by Trump.I do not use the term due to the various connotations. I appreciate your perspective and post.
I agree with all your remarks about the term "America First"---
As indicated in my American Economy paper---I think that the term "New West", politically speaking, can effectively compete/win against the term "America First".
Please read my American Economy paper. It contains new, and important economic ideas, regarding our new, unprecedented, economic times. That paper is the result of several years of research, reading, and thinking.
Last thought google Christopher Vondracek, Minneapolis Star Tribune article. 10 to 20 percent of USA farm commodities purchaed by USAID and exported as part of soft democracy (remember Herbert Hoover).Christopher is a fine younger journalist with Minn,SD and Iowa roots. Never met him but I follow him.
I have had numerous dreams also Julie. I think a lot about what used to be dystopian science fiction which is now reality. The IWC helps a lot by having this community. I also try to cope by getting out in nature and working on my photography, being creative and appreciating the beauty of our world. If I know one thing, it's this, if you are Not worried about the severity of our immediate situation (Constitutional crisis), then you are not my friend.
Thanks, Julie. Some of your readers, like Jim S, prodded me to share what I have written before. Power of grassroots group efforts. Yesterday, in response to a friend who wrote that 50 calls won't impact our federal delegation. Barry Piatt's substack today is also excellent. To my friend, I offered my quantitative analysis comparing state and federal constituent ratios.
Let me apply those numbers based on my history of working in state govt.:
In legislative communications, scale matters significantly. When 20 contacts could catch the attention of a state legislative office serving 60,000 constituents, we can extrapolate proportionally: roughly 160-200 contacts would have similar weight with a House member (500,000 constituents), while 800-1,000 would matter to a Senator (3 million constituents).
This math illustrates why 50 calls absolutely can catch their attention, if not make a difference. If an office typically handles 50 calls daily, receiving 150+ on a single issue signals strong constituent concern. At 1,500 calls per day on hot issues, coordinated constituent action becomes even more crucial to stand out.
I also explained there are reports that congressional offices are already receiving over 1500 calls/day.
Remember: Most constituents never contact their representatives, so each person who does speaks for many silent others.
It is axiomatic that one can never underestimate the gullibility of average people. But I'll bet even Rupert Murdoch himself is astonished.
This has become my inspiration song this week: https://youtu.be/vyedsfF6hNk
Highlight these words:
…For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe
His craft and power are great
And armed with cruel and hate
On earth is not his equal
Did we in our own strength confide
Our striving would be losing…
Key to me is we do not have to rely on our own strength but rather on strength we gain from and with others. The Iowa Writers Collaborative comes to mind.
Sorry to post twice (delete if not acceptable) but I just recalled what the pastor of our church said last summer. In turning on the water to take his morning shower, the shower head literally fell off and hit the floor. He called to his wife (in Spanish) to call a plumber. Immediately, his cell phone lit up with a list of local plumber names and numbers -- in Spanish.
Actually, I'm terrified. As one who is old enough to have not only read "1984", "Lord of the Flies", and "Animal Farm", but studied them, I see the frightening predictions coming true. While I'm horrified, I'm also angry at every Republican Congressman who is now complicit in this monstrous take over of government. They sit on their thumbs and do nothing to stop this. As the DEI loses ground and Republican, right wing, citizens see it affecting them, they'll stand around moaning: "Oh <bleep>, I didn't know he meant me!" It's frightening.
No wonder you had a nightmare.
Thank you for this round-up, Julie. And it really is so terrifying. 😞 The scenario in your nightmare reads exactly like the dystopian stuff we used to hope would “surely never get that bad,” but that had crept closer and closer to reality. (The Handmaid’s Tale being one example.)
The first time around, starting back when he (T) was still just a candidate. I was mortified, incensed, and disgusted by his words and actions, (and by watching as more and more people I thought were good human beings endorse or passively be OK with all of them.). I was a canvasser for the state of Iowa Democratic Party and I covered some serious ground in Eastern Iowa all that fall! I was then (and until only fairly recently was still) working closely with immigrants and refugees. So, to see him be reelected, (and not only that, but to see that he basically has been handed the power to do whatever he wants…. ) it’s so unspeakable, I have (since the day after the election ) resorted to only sneaking peeks at NYT headlines/news a few times a day. It feels lazy and irresponsible, but it’s all I can handle right now. Denial IS a coping mechanism, even if maybe not a great one…
Thank you for writing this, and please forgive poor writing as I type all this w/ one finger.
Well said!
An unmentioned cost to the invasion of government computer systems is the loss of what was considered a reliable source of information. Before the last election I wanted to verify a campaign claim. I went to a government archive of President Trump’s time in office and found it useless. It was a propaganda page with grand pictures of the former President and a Fox news list of accomplishments. Some I could easily recognize as false. Yet this was a .gov site. There are a vast number of organizations, policy makers, programs, etc that rely on government data. It can’t be called reliable. The Department of Education just celebrated Parent Choice Week with an ad counting down all the options parents have: home schooling, charter schools, religious education. It didn’t list public education as an option. Small changes in media and publications you might not think about, but will have a big impact. I do not look forward to the propaganda that will flood our country for the next elections.
The impact on the United States from what I have come to call the "FOX News Media Ecosphere" is something I've been writing and talking about since trump's first victory in 2016. This impact cannot be overstated. From when Reagan eliminated the Fairness Doctrine to the establishment of Rush Limpbaugh and the subsequent takeover of licensed media by right wing profiteers, to Rupert's 1996 launch of FOX News... we are now dealing with multiple generations of Americans who have been literally brainwashed (yes it is an appropriate term) by right wing propaganda and have completely tuned out actual journalism and bonafide news reporting. I've stopped watching or reading any articles about Democratic or political pundits who want to somehow blame the Democratic Party for losing so badly because "they don't know how to talk to voters" or "they've lost touch with the working class."
BS. The Democrats have lost simply because what is factual is not reaching the eyes and ears of roughly half of us. Ask any MAGA voter if they are aware that (for example) oil and gas production in the United States is at an all-time high and you will get loud "BS!" So it goes without saying that MAGA is not aware that their social security or Medicare payments could literally get defunded within the next two months unless we somehow stop the musk/trump wrecking ball.
This isn't rocket science. We've been running down this path for generations and now we have almost reached the point of no return. Unless the Democratic Party forges a fighting partnership with the remaining major news organizations (who haven't yet capitulated) such as Politico, PBS, NY Times, NBC, etc, and also with major legal organizations with the resources to fight such as ACLU, Brennan Ctr for Justice, private firms, etc., AND major international corporations who are willing to enter the fray, America's 250 yr experiment of freedom and democracy is most likely toast.
A metaphor I use is that 1973 Detroit rust bucket with "DEMOCRACY" spray painted on the door, that was precariously balanced on the edge of the Grand Canyon. But trump pushed it over the edge on 1.20.25. Our only hope is if there is a giant trampoline at the bottom that catches it and flings it back up to the canyon rim. I'm not a religious person but God help us.
Julie, I appreciate your courage in telling this dream. As a person who has and remembers my dreams, I have recently had terrifying dreams about where our government is headed.
As to comments about Siri and Alexa, I have also had many similar experiences. Talking about a particular product, travel plans or public policies…and then relevant “stuff” shows up on my phone.
I don't watch fox either - so didn't know that it wasn't mentioned, but am not surprised. My emotions? Terrified, angry, feeling I'm not getting much guidance on what I, personally, can do. Sending lots of money to causes - but feeling that is a drop in the bucket. I need to advocate - so I guess it's back to contacting our representatives.
Becky you are a wonderful writer. Why not start your own Substack column? Readers tell me they don’t feel so alone. Solid, thoughtful commentary is harder to find in legacy media….that’s why our model in Iowa is working. We’d include you on our roster if you had a consistent (but not constant) Iowa angle.
Interesting idea, Julie. I tend to trend wacky, personal, emotional, with lots of mentions of watching reruns of Reno 911... Not sure who would find comfort in my ramblings...
I would. Smile.
Yes, Julie - your dream is not only our country’s, but the world’s nightmare. While I’m trying very hard to be proactive, reaching out to congress, working on League of Women Voters’ projects and the activities of our Blue Women’s group, (and promoting The Negro Artist documentary of course), it doesn’t seem like my efforts are even a slight ripple in the tsunami that the Trump/Musk team has unleashed, at the behest of millions of American voters - whether they knew what they were doing or not.
It’s a somewhat familiar feeling of despondency, similar to what I experienced after my first husband’s sudden death at age 37. You pick yourself up and carry on with the activities of daily life, one day at a time. But it’s like you’re walking in a dream, or a nightmare, that you can’t wake yourself from - while you look at others around you moving on as though nothing has happened. “They don’t know what I’m going through, the uncertainty of my future, the fears I have for my children,” you tell yourself. You hear them laughing, and you think, “How can they find anything funny in this nightmare?” You wonder if you’ll ever be “normal” again, and have the weight in your chest lift for just a few minutes.
I’m angry a lot and sad most of the time. Angry with the “I don’t have any interest in politics” crowd, the non voters and the Fox cult. Sad for everyone who has children with special needs as an already difficult journey was just made incredibly more difficult for no reason other than the love of power. Make that lust for power - there is no love in either of these men or their minions.
The America first crowd should get to know a few of the Ukrainians living in our community. Their lives are a pretty good indicator of what we have ahead of us if our courts can’t or won’t stop the madness and restore some semblance of order. The insanity (even before his “development scheme” for Gaza) affects so many outside the U.S. I have regular conversations with my friends in Denmark - here’s one tidbit: “Talked about it yesterday, what if he was to use force against Denmark? We'd be run over. Someone said we could hope for our European friends to help us. Trouble is, Europe is falling apart and two major countries are without government. And my oldest is on his way into the military. I can't stand it. Need to try and not follow the news. But from what I have seen, a lot of Americans should really read up on European history!”
Sigh. Time to call on our legislators again. And again….
Well-stated. 😞
This is a powerful analogy. So true.
Re: "I try to calm myself down"...."I'm curious about what you are thinking": Personal reflections on Trump, Musk, America, etc.,
You think that you have trouble---with Trump, Musk, etc.,-- now!!!
According to current Science thinking----the Earth is predicted to be engulphed by the Sun, in only 5 billion years!!!
So, for the present-- I recommend the following: To try to stay "calm"; and like the Ancient Greeks, to try to "endure" it all; and, also, and, most importantly,--- to try to enjoy the "magic, wonder, mystery, beauty, and adventure of our "now moment of existence"--- as we all ride, like Children, on our winged-horse, Planet Earth- Pegasus, around the carousel of the Milky Way, where, as Scientist Carl Sagan said, "we float like a mote of dust in the morning sky".
Further, try to remember--- everything considered: As said by Shakespeare's Hamlet---"There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
There is more America to come. The Adventure of America is before us all!
Richard Sherzan
Spoken like someone who doesn't live in fear of ICE coming to the door of a loved one or yourself, Gary.
America First as a slogan gets mixed reviews. It was used pre-Civil War, during and after WW I and II The ideas of isolationism, anti-semeticism, and racist (Charles Lundberg) were hallmarks then and in someway now as used by Trump.I do not use the term due to the various connotations. I appreciate your perspective and post.
Dear Ms. McCarthy,
Thank you for your kind remarks.
I agree with all your remarks about the term "America First"---
As indicated in my American Economy paper---I think that the term "New West", politically speaking, can effectively compete/win against the term "America First".
Please read my American Economy paper. It contains new, and important economic ideas, regarding our new, unprecedented, economic times. That paper is the result of several years of research, reading, and thinking.
Best regards,
Richard Sherzan
Fyi - I am well aware of your background. Just saying, a lot of us don't think the holocaust will happen to them, only ‘others’.
Last thought google Christopher Vondracek, Minneapolis Star Tribune article. 10 to 20 percent of USA farm commodities purchaed by USAID and exported as part of soft democracy (remember Herbert Hoover).Christopher is a fine younger journalist with Minn,SD and Iowa roots. Never met him but I follow him.
You should read Paul Krugman’s column today also, it makes a lot of sense.
Link, please?