BREAKING: From the New York Times, “In remarks to evangelical ministers in the White House State Dining Room on Monday night, President Trump spoke in high-minded tones about religious liberty, abortion and youth unemployment. He noted a John Adams quote carved into the room’s fireplace: “I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house.”
But once reporters and television cameras were ushered out of the room, Mr. Trump turned to the more pragmatic concerns of how evangelical leaders can use their pulpits to help Republicans win in the midterm elections, according to an audiotape of his remarks provided to The New York Times by someone who attended the event. “I just ask you to go out and make sure all of your people vote,” Mr. Trump told the group of about 100 evangelical ministers. “Because if they don’t — it’s Nov. 6 — if they don’t vote we’re going to have a miserable two years and we’re going to have, frankly, a very hard period of time because then it just gets to be one election — you’re one election away from losing everything you’ve got.”
Mr. Trump spent most of his private remarks to the group bragging about having gotten “rid of” the Johnson Amendment, a 1954 provision of tax law that threatened religious organizations, like churches, with the loss of tax-exempt status if they endorse or oppose political candidates.”
This is why I am involved with Vote Common Good. If you are tired of White Evangelicals using this corrupt blowhard to further their racist, sexist, homophobic agenda, PLEASE join me and VOTE COMMON GOOD!
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Voting matters and like a large rock that can change the direction of a river, voters can change the direction of our government.
I had a chat recently with a young man who casually said he didn’t vote nor did anyone in his family. I asked him why and he said, “Because it don’t matter; things just stay the same.” We then talked about all the things that might change in his community if more folks like him did vote.
I’m encouraged folks like Stacey Abrams in Georgia, Andrew Gillum in Florida, Lori Alhadeff, mother of a slain student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas H.S., the Rainbow Wave and many others are joining the fight to save our republic. It takes a lot of inner strength to be the change one hopes to see in our country, and I have mad respect for all these folks.
So let’s encourage non-voters to vote for a change. Yes, yes, they may be voting for the party that does the least harm, but that’s a start. Vote for the common good folks. Let’s fight back in the voting booth instead of listening to non-voters on the sidelines rant about what’s wrong with our imperfect two-party system. See ya at the polls. Cheers!
O I forgot to say: “Stop bitching and join the Revolution!” Woo Hoo!
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
THE MAN IN THE ARENA Theodore Roosevelt.
ONE BIG REASON (among many others) CONGRESS IGNORES THE POOR: THEY DON’T VOTE
‘Americans who vote are different from those who don’t. Voters are older, richer, and whiter than nonvoters, in part because Americans lack a constitutional right to vote and the various restrictions on voting tend to disproportionately impact the less privileged. In 2014, turnout among those ages 18 to 24 with family incomes below $30,000 was 13 percent. Turnout among those older than 65 and making more than $150,000 was 73 percent. The result is a policy that is biased in favor of the affluent. As I argue in a new report, “Why Voting Matters,” higher turnout would transform American politics by giving poor, young, and nonwhite citizens more sway.
“If you are bored and disgusted by politics and don’t bother to vote, you are in effect voting for the entrenched Establishments of the two major parties, who please rest assured are not dumb, and who are keenly aware that it is in their interests to keep you disgusted and bored and cynical and to give you every possible reason to stay at home doing one-hitters and watching MTV on primary day. By all means stay home if you want, but don’t bullshit yourself that you’re not voting. In reality, there is no such thing as not voting: you either vote by voting, or you vote by staying home and tacitly doubling the value of some Diehard’s vote.”
― David Foster Wallace, Up, Simba!
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
― Abraham Lincoln
“Have you ever stopped to ponder the amount of blood spilt, the volume of tears shed, the degree of pain and anguish endured, the number of noble men and women lost in battle so that we as individuals might have a say in governing our country? Honor the lives sacrificed for your freedoms. Vote.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway
“I was born in Decatur, was raised there, but I never in my life was permitted to vote there.”
Medgar Evers, Civil Rights Leader assassinated on June 12, 1963, for registering Black folks to vote in Mississippi.
“And, you know, politics aside, the success of Sarah Palin and women like her is good for all women – except, of course —those who will end up, you know, like, paying for their own rape ‘kit ‘n’ stuff, But for everybody else, it’s a win-win. Unless you’re a gay woman who wants to marry your partner of 20 years – whatever. But for most women, the success of conservative women is good for all of us. Unless you believe in evolution. You know – actually, I take it back. The whole thing’s a disaster.”
― Tina Fey
“I have never voted in my life… I have always known and understood that the idiots are in a majority so it’s certain they will win.” ― Louis-Ferdinand Céline. Sheesh!
“Every election is determined by the people who show up.” ― Larry J. Sabato, Pendulum Swing