Strengthen Democracy
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When Critical Thinking Breaks Down, Democracy Feels the Strain
I overheard a conversation that made me aware (again) that we should not make an effort to overhear what others are saying. One person was trying to make the argument that the war Donald Trump started in Iran had to take place as it was brewing for 47 years. It was expressed that Trump had… Continue reading
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Islamophobia Embraced By Republican Party
When it comes to racism, bigotry, and prejudice in modern-day politics, the Republican Party holds the disdainful distinction of being the prime user of such slurs and actions. The 2024 GOP presidential campaign was riddled with derogatory remarks about Brown people, and the stoking of hatred for transgender Americans. It was stunning to witness. What… Continue reading
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The Curious Cultish Case Of The Great Big Marco Rubio Shoes
I could be a willful child when growing up. Probably even difficult for stretches of time. As an adult, when talking with a therapist, my willfulness at home was presented back to me as a coping mechanism I employed. The problem was that I used it on the wrong people; after all, the school bullies… Continue reading
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Violent Rhetoric, Like Dan O’Donnell On WISN, Undermines Democracy
The political climate in the United States is reaching a level of volatility that should alarm every citizen who values democratic stability. This past week, Milwaukee radio host Dan O’Donnell of WISN‑AM demonstrated just how dangerous reckless rhetoric can be. In a now‑deleted post reacting to U.S. military action abroad, O’Donnell wrote: “Now take out… Continue reading
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The First Amendment Doesn’t Need Donald Trump As A Babysitter
This is what I read today, and then noticed a couple of friends on my email list were as irritated as I was over this latest example of fascist actions taking hold in Washington, D.C. Why Stephen Colbert needed to tape an opener for last night’s “Late Show” is simply galling. The FCC ordered CBS… Continue reading
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Federal Judge’s Ruling For Senator Mark Kelly, Against Pete Hegseth, Uses Exclamation Point!
My husband and I read court rulings in cases that land at the center of our national strife. Today, we remarked on not being able to recall when an exclamation point was used to make a federal judge’s words more impactful. What you will read below was a brilliant ruling for its legal reasoning and… Continue reading
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Living The Imperial Presidency In 2026
Arthur Schlesinger Jr.’s The Imperial Presidency was designed to be a warning flare fired across the bow of American democracy, but revisiting it as the new year started in light of Donald Trump’s actions gives it an even sharper edge. I first read this book when living in Sturgeon Bay, during President Reagan’s second term.… Continue reading
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Wisconsin Ballot Processing Bill First Part Of Stopping Lies At Election Time
An interesting and much needed bill regarding elections in Wisconsin is winding its way through the process, one that hopefully will not get loaded up with amendments which would prohibit it from being enacted into law. This bill would let poll workers process absentee ballots on the Monday before an election, a common-sense change that… Continue reading
Caffeinated Politics 