If partisan gerrymandering is now effectively legal unless explicit racial intent can be proven, are we finally ready to admit America may need structural election reform instead of endless “just vote harder” messaging?
Because at some point, a system can become mathematically resistant to public opinion itself.
And that conversation makes everybody uncomfortable.
Virginia Dems now have a plan to remove the state Supreme Court judges. They can lower the retirement age to clean them out, which is within the purview of the legislature to do assuming the Extreme Court doesn't make another contra-legal ruling. This has to be a no-holds barred fight.
No-holds barred fight indeed… as if our political structure didn't resemble WWE enough already…
This is the kind of escalation cycle that scares a lot of independents right now.
Republicans normalize hardball institutional tactics, Democrats respond by considering their own version of institutional hardball, and both sides justify it as “necessary” because the other side started it first.
Maybe some of these actions are technically legal. That’s not the same thing as healthy for long-term institutional legitimacy.
Once both parties fully embrace the idea that courts, rules, and governing structures are just temporary weapons to be manipulated whenever power changes hands, the country enters a very dangerous place politically. And honestly, we’re already halfway there.
The deeper issue is that public trust in institutions has collapsed so badly that millions of people now support almost any tactic as long as their side wins. That’s not stability. That’s a cold civil war mindset wearing procedural language.
Sorry, but simply rolling over to the GOP's project to Orbanize the US into some form of permanent minority rule, is not acceptable.
The Roberts court initiated this entire Gerrymander war by ruling that cracking and packing rotten boroughs was a state's rights issue. Roberts presumably did so for the same reason as the recent Callais decision: to politically benefit the GOP.
There is no means to appeal to the better angels of conservative voters, because FOX News--where 85% of GOP voters get some/most/all of their news--has already painted Callais as "...a return to sanity."
I understand the frustration, especially because a lot of people genuinely believe the current trajectory of gerrymandering and judicial rulings creates structural advantages that can outlast public opinion.
That concern shouldn’t just be dismissed.
But I think there’s also a danger in reducing every institutional ruling we dislike to pure partisan conspiracy, because once both sides fully stop believing institutions can act independently at all, democratic legitimacy erodes even faster.
I’d also push back on the idea that conservative voters are unreachable or uniformly consuming one narrative. That framing mirrors the same oversimplifications many conservatives make about liberals living inside MSNBC or social media bubbles. The media ecosystem absolutely contributes to polarization across the board, but millions of voters are more persuadable and less ideological than online discourse makes them appear.
The deeper problem, in my view, is that both parties increasingly see institutions as tools to secure long-term power rather than neutral systems deserving public trust. Republicans didn’t invent that instinct, but they’ve accelerated it in ways Democrats now feel pressured to mirror. That escalation cycle is where the real danger lives.
Virginia voters VOTED for the map change. This isn’t partisan bickering. This is a handful of people on a Court overthrowing the will of its people. That’s way more dangerous to normalize.
You should check out the post I made today on redistricting. But this one is what I did on my 2nd narrative vs. reality Monday series that was the day after Virginia had there vote. I really explained it well to give some unique Insight.... it's a quick read https://uncomfortable.rxansmithmedia.com/p/they-changed-the-rules-mid-game?r=5xf1q5
And don't we live there now? What's the alternative? If there is one to stop the Orbanization or Putinization of the USA, we should be talking about it. They use the courts to their advantage and ignore laws, punish dissenters, and enrich themselves mightily. So what should we do to support the democracy and rule of law that's being trampled. If it's not to push back, or what might be called escalation, what should be done?
Nancy. You make such an amazing Point here. I would love if you read the post that I made about a month ago after Orban lost. I would love to get your take on it because a lot of people miss the point that you are making, especially with all of the frustration and outrage. The last thing we want is to have elections not matter because the systems in place, are so corrupt, that they don't require people to an elections in order to stay in power.....
But start with this post and give me your feedback.
That's absolutely undoubtedly true, Patricia. My entire publication rights about uncomfortable facts and I would say incoming equality , by far, is the common thread that weaves every issue together.
I would agree with you if there was a Bush or Reagan in the White House, the Supreme Court was not ruled by six Christian Nationalists, and Congress was not ruled by MAGA. However, this is not the case. With the full support of the six Christian Nationalists on the Supreme Court and GOP Congressional members the Felon is making the United States an authoritarian theocracy, with the Felon as leader and the American oligarchs running the Country (Putin's Russia).
There's no such thing as Presidential immunity anywhere in the Constitution. In its decision in Calais, overruled the 1982 amendment to the Voting Rights Act, thus thwarting the will of Congress. It's the GOP Senate who placed incompetent, corrupt persons such as Hegseth, Noem, RFK Jr., Bondi, Patel as heads of United States' most vital institutions. It's GOP Congressional members who are allowing the Felon to dismantle United States' most vital institutions. It's GOP Congressional members who are allowing the continuation of the illegal war in Iran.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Supreme Court is a huge problem. I think I said it and above comments but if they are going to be so bullyingly ruling in favor of party lines, specifically trumps will .. Then we need a structural order that at least forces SCOTUS to have the decency to put their names on ballots…
But… as far as the american citizenry… Even maga electorate… they are going to be looking for the same thing that they were looking for in 2008 and 2016.... The promises that were made by Obama and Trump that were interwoven and focused on the middle class… that's what people will be voting on in 2028 and that's where a big difference and that's where a big difference because the Democratic party is concerning itself with maps and they have 12 different groups within their ranks, while 62% of the population says that corporate capture and read system are the top things on there list of faults with the country…
It's the DNCs job to admit there past failure and read the writing on the wall, redefine themselves as the party of the people… because right now… the people need a party that stands up for the little guy more than ever. And that was supposed to be the Supreme Court's job.
And it appears that's where we are, i.e., "a cold civil war mindset wearing procedural language." Either we fight for our democracy, or we can continue watching it be demolished like the East Wing. The process has clearly started, but the "building" is still standing!
Respectfully it is not the time to accept or surrender to racism! We must aid and encourage MASSIVE VR and turnout of Black and Brown voters plus Dems and fair minded Indys! We can teach the young and old that Democracy will respond to overt racism not only in the South!Let’s get to work starting today! You with it?
It only makes those who are uncomfortable with needed change upset. Those of us who see the need are only 'uncomfortable' in that it is taking so long.
Isn't it so sad that the things that need to be changed are so obvious that if you presented them to a middle school Civics class, they would all vote to one way , in the way of fairness. The income inequality, campaign finance, citizens united as all led to this domino effect of undemocratic practices while we quote on quote spread democracy across the world
"No structural map advantage has ever fully contained a midterm when presidential approval is in freefall."
Has any president's approval rating ever been in free fall as much as Trump's is now? Not a rhetorical question; I don't actually know.
At any rate, it seems unlikely to tick up before the midterms - if ever. He's painted himself and his ego into a corner with the Iran war, and it's hard to see how he'll get out and just might make things a whole lot worse instead.
Never has a president or his cabinet been so unfit to enter us into a war. A "war of whim" besides! No clear objective, and absolutely nothing has been achieved for our national interests so far. Instead, we are weaker and poorer, and according to some experts, heading over an economic cliff soon.
Historically, presidential approval collapses absolutely can reshape midterms. Trumps isn't the lowest. Carter, Bush Sr., Bush after Iraq, Obama in 2010, and Biden before 2024 all faced major backlash environments. So your broader point about political gravity still stands.
Where I’d push back is on the “war of whim” framing.
A lot of Americans across the spectrum are exhausted by decades of unclear foreign interventions, so skepticism is fair. But the harder question is whether this is truly an irrational ego-driven escalation, or part of a larger deterrence strategy tied to Iran’s regional influence, proxies, and nuclear concerns. Those are legitimate national security debates even if people disagree on the execution.
I also think both parties underestimate how much economic anxiety amplifies reactions to foreign policy. When people already feel financially cornered, any military conflict immediately gets interpreted through the lens of: “Why are we spending money and attention abroad while life here gets worse?”
That’s not uniquely a Trump problem. It’s become a long-term credibility problem for the entire political establishment.
We disagree on "legitimate national security" interests regarding Iran. What we've done now is further destabilize the whole area. Saudi Arabia thought our bases on their territory represented our protection and instead found out they just made them a target. The fallout of the UAE leaving OPEC is yet to be seen but it represents a clear split with Saudi Arabia, which is now turning to nuclear-able Pakistan for protection and forming economic ties with Russia and China. As are other countries.
Israel is running roughshod over a sovereign country, ordering whole villages to simply vacate or be killed and even actively targeting ambulances and medics - a war crime! - and all anyone can talk about is what Trump said on Truth Social.
And look at who has directly, massively benefited from this war! Putin. He's making billions now from unsanctioned oil, and even if the Strait of Hormuz were completely open today, Trump is not going to sanction his oil again because the shortage will ripple through the global economy for many months.
And as far as Iran's nuclear capabilities, what have we done except convince them the US cannot be trusted in any negotiation? Frankly, I don't know why they aren't just trying to buy nuclear weapons from N. Korea, China, Russia, Pakistan, or India.
You make some fair points here honestly, especially about credibility. If countries start believing U.S. agreements only last until the next administration, NO DOUBT more nations will start thinking in terms of self-protection, deterrence, alternative alliances.
A lot of Americans underestimate how much these conflicts reshape global relationships beyond just the immediate war itself. Countries are watching how the U.S., Israel, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and others all operate and adjusting accordingly. That’s why the world feels way less stable and predictable now than it did 20 years ago.
Where I’d push back a little is on reducing everything to one side simply causing all the instability. The region was already full of overlapping power struggles, proxy conflicts, sectarian tensions, and competing ambitions long before this escalation. None of the major players involved are exactly innocent actors. That doesn't mean I agree with what we did.
And on Israel... I think one of the pieces I am most proud of is what I put out regarding Israel the minute we attacked Iran. They influence our foreign policy to the point that the two countries far in the policies are very difficult to differentiate... This is my prologue post. You should check it out and if you're interested I think I did four follow-ups in the series called The Ally test, and which I point out tons of fax and numbers that show that this is a one-sided allyship.
Your bigger point about a shifting global order though is probably the most important part. It really does feel like we’re moving into a more fractured multipolar world where countries are increasingly hedging between major powers instead of automatically trusting U.S. leadership. That’s a much bigger conversation than the usual partisan food fight people keep reducing this to.
Yes, the region was "full of overlapping power struggles, proxy conflicts, etc", but those are up to them to work out, not least of which because we don't share their culture, their history, their heritage and now under the Trump administration, do we have even one person who has a rudimentary understanding of the politics of the region?
Look at who our negotiators are! Trump's real estate buddy and his son-in-law, a guy with a questionable connection to Saudi Arabia alone through an investment fund that has made investors no money and that was advised against from day one. Meaning it was a personal favor from MBS or a quid pro quo for something we don't even know about.
They're a joke, Trump is a joke, and whatever legitimate interests we had in starting this war (which I question but concede others hold) have been completely undermined - and in ways that probably cannot be undone.
Perhaps you have read this from Robert Kagan in the Atlantic: Checkmate In Iran
There will be no return to the status quo ante, no ultimate American triumph that will undo or overcome the harm done. The Strait of Hormuz will not be “open,” as it once was. With control of the strait, Iran emerges as the key player in the region and one of the key players in the world. The roles of China and Russia, as Iran’s allies, are strengthened; the role of the United States, substantially diminished.
I don't listen to or watch podcasts, but I skimmed a few of your transcripts and agree with you about Israel and allyship - but never thought of it that way! It's true that it's been a one-sided relationship. One based on the idea that support of Israel was the "right thing to do", which all stemmed from WWII, which is why support for Israel is greater among the generation that had parents in that war.
It's all changed now, and I suspect Israel is going to regret what they are currently doing and how they have turned opinion against them. Their actions in Lebanon, for instance, are sickening. Actively targeting medics and ambulances! Ordering whole villages to vacate or be killed. I recall reading about a family of six who had no vehicle and were waiting for a ride, which arrived "too late". All killed, friend included.
I didn't see a mention of Russia and Putin anywhere in your analyses, but maybe I just missed it? Putin has benefited from this war more than anyone, with billions of now unsanctioned oil revenues flowing his way. It's in his continued interest that the Strait of Hormuz stay closed as his oil is in demand and at great prices as a result.
Actually, Lebanon is only a sovereign country in your mind. It has been a colony of Iran for decades. Hezbollah has lobbed over 1900 rockets in a sovereign country since 2024.
"If partisan gerrymandering is now effectively legal unless explicit racial intent can be proven, are we finally ready to admit America may need structural election reform instead of endless “just vote harder” messaging?"
It's well past time for both parties to "lay down their arms" and stop partisan gerrymandering. Each side whines and complains only when the other side gerrymanders districts in a state. The result is never-ending animus amongst voters but the parties don't care: their sole focus is power.
I certainly hope so. It seems that the Supreme Court is now at the root of all of our problems. If they're going to be so shamelessly partisan, they should at least have the decency to put their names on ballots
"It seems that the Supreme Court is now at the root of all of our problems."
Only for Democrats who can't stand it when they're not in power. When they are out of power they aim to change institutions they don't control. It's not Republicans who demand court-packing, term/age limits, etc., when a higher court rules against them.
Thus far SCOTUS has allowed partisan gerrymandering because it hasn't been deemed unconstitutional, and I'm not sure there's any rationale to do so. Maybe it will take some act of Congress to codify some form of non-parttisan method for creating House districts. With the current crop of legislators on both sides of the aisle, I doubt that will happen.
"If they're going to be so shamelessly partisan..."
From where I sit, the "shamelessly partisan" folks are in the other two branches of government.
It is not enough to simplify elect democrats; we need to elect leaders who will fight to bring SCOTUS in line and make this country live up to its aspirations!
Have I missed something, or has there been no push back whatsoever from Democratic "leaders" in Congress, the DNC or any of the other expensive national Democratic organizations?
The Democrats need new leadership with spines and balls all around, so please elect as many women as you possibly can. Although there were several things I didn't see eye-to-eye on with Pelosi, she alone had more spine and balls than all of the current "leaders" combined.
Agreed. There is no democratic leadership to speak of from my perspective. There is a fascist party and an opposition party in name only. There are real fighters in the party, but they're constantly getting smothered by leaders trying to find a nonexistent middle.
Absolutely. The young people want a lot more push back and not a few of us oldies are tired of the plain vanilla bullshit. The few "moderate" Democrats there are can either switch over to the fascist side, or hold their noses and get with what is needed to get this country back on the correct track.
OK! WOW! So now we can absolutely say, without any questions of a doubt, here is REALITY! A tyrannical minority of Americans are anti Black racists and believe the only legitimate government in America is a White government. It's the MAGA rot in the whole system. Align that with Trump's reflexive, anti Black, anti immigrant racism and we can fully understand why Trump is the Avatar of racial hatred and the cult hero of racist Love.
His Truth Social tweets are just a love song we don't understand.
So what do we do about these rabid bigots who so infect our civic life?
Combined with the mindless consumer depression Trump is reigning down on America will this racism generate enough revulsion among the majority of Americans to crush the MAGA rot?
We need to see a whole lot of active push back between now and Nov.
Agentic, I don't think we will ever live up to our aspirations, but what truly makes America great is that, over time, we try to, despite the occasional slipping backwards.
The code of ethics that lower courts and those in government offices follow would do well to be implemented in the supreme court. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.
Clearly we need one or more Constitutional amendments. We need desperately to be rid of the Electoral College. We need codified non-partisan redistricting countrywide. We need to reverse Citizens United in a way the court cannot undo. We need to declare clearly that no one (specifically including the President of the United States) is above the law. We need to expand the House of Representatives. We need voting rights protection with some teeth (and maybe an open door for ranked choice voting in national offices). Maybe we even need to state explicitly in a way that cannot be misunderstood that the church and the state are separate entities.
All of these are currently impossible, so first we need to win elections even given the current rigged system. That means enormous turnout every time we have the opportunity to vote. All politics being local, that means we need to get involved in our local communities to ensure registration, a way to get to the polls, and fair counting of results. We have our jobs cut out for us. Let's get busy. November is a little more than 5 months away.
I cannot thank you enough, Ms. Rubin, for lifting my spirits! We all should take up Bette Midler's anthem, "All You Fascists Gonna Lose," and sing it loudly and proudly at every Democratic gathering and at every protest.
This isn't only about African American rights. It's also about the rights of any minority. If you aren't a White straight male with a gun and of European decent, or a Christian Dominion worshiper, or one of the ultra-wealthy corporate elite', your protected rights have ceased to exist in the MAGA Fascist states.
The alarming, yet accurate statement that “It protects Alito’s core constituency: aggrieved white Republican voters” highlights the sad fact that the Supreme Court is now a fully political body working to achieve fully partisan ends, rather than support the laws of the nation.
If we win in a trifecta in 2028 we need to fix the Supreme Court first. The present MAGA Supreme Court is willing to strike down laws that were voted on and signed by Congress. If Congress passes a new voting rights law, the Supreme Court can render unconstitutional and make strike them down. The 1st thing that needs to be done in when Democrats are is power is fix the Supreme Court and voting rights.
The focus for 2026 needs to be on channeling voter anger at Trump and Republicans to vote Republicans out and give the Democrats control of the House and Senate. There will be no reform of the Supreme Court before there is a new President and there is no point wasting energy on an effort that can't succeed. At the present time voters need to be reminded that Trump and Republicans lied to them about being for them and lowering the cost of living and that Democrats are the ones who will fight for them and do what they can to work to lower costs. Voters need to be constantly reminded that Trump's corruption is enriching he and his family along with all his Republican enablers and bootlickers at our expense. We are told that our suffering is going to a good cause that enriches them. The goal should be to turn the partisan gerrymandering of districts to favor Republicans into new Democrat districts. In most cases the district lines have only given Republicans a small advantage. With voters enraged at Trump and Republicans it is quite possible for Democrats to win in many of those new districts. Like Hungary, we need to swamp the Republicans with overwhelming turnout. Once the Democrats have control of Congress then the focus needs to be on investigation and accountability and laying the groundwork to ensure another overwhelming turnout n 2028 so that they have the political power and mandate to reform the government institutions and legislate ethics and the honor system to make what has been happening subject to criminal charges.
The National Day of Action kicks off in Montgomery Alabama on May 16th. There was already a protest on May 5th of last week in Montgomery when governor Kay Ivey decided to open with a special session after the Callais ruling. A number of speakers spoke at the event including students from our state HBCUs. Make no mistake, there will be people from all walks of life including black, Hispanic, Native American and mixed race people from across Alabama at the National Day of Action and women as well.
Great article Jennifer! Please provide us with specific ways that we as individuals can assist with encouraging huge voter turnout. Also, please invite some of the southern Democrats who are running and against this latest initiative to gerrymander & suppress voter turnout on your substack. Once people like me learn more about these candidates, we may be able to help promote their campaigns, even if we do not live in southern states. Thank you!
Your words of encouragement are sorely needed right now with the latest atrocity committed by SCOTUS in Callais and the rush to resurrect the Confederacy and destroy non-white representation in Congress, the VA SC striking down a vote of the people to redraw congressional districts and the blatantly illegal grifting and outright thievery of taxpayers money by the executive branch, his family and this billionaire cronies.
At this perilous time, we must remember the tenacity and courage of the UK during the Battle of Britain in WW2. We must remember the inspiring words of Winston Churchill that rallied public morale during the onslaught of daily bombings. This must be America's finest hour. We must never surrender. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.
I think there are a few imperatives for citizen activists. Number one, - don't give up hope. It is clear Republicans are not going to relinquish power without a fight. One of the necessities to try to counter Republicans refusal to respect the electoral process, is to work as hard as possible to ensure we have landslide turnout numbers. That means volunteering to work for Democratic campaigns (both federal and state). We cannot settle for just winning the House. If there's to be a Republican reckoning Democrats must also control the Senate. The good news is the Senate is not directly affected by gerrymandering. The bad news is it's still a mighty electoral hurdle. We need to support every Demcratic Senate campaign (long shot or not) even if it means holding our noses on some of those candidates.
We must be prepared to respond to the inevitable attempts to suppress voting that Republicans will throw at the elections. That too will require volunteers to help support and protect elections.
Finally, if we should be so fortunate to flip both the House and the Senate, we are going to need maintain our activism after the elections. Democrats will not take bold steps if us citizens go back to business as usual which typically happens after the midterms. Historically, that's been a problem. It's exhausting maintaining an activist movement without breaks. Republicans have been planning this demolition of democracy for generations. We are not going to restore it overnight. It will require a sustained resistance and a emboldened Democratic party willing to fundamentally shake things up.
Serious question:
If partisan gerrymandering is now effectively legal unless explicit racial intent can be proven, are we finally ready to admit America may need structural election reform instead of endless “just vote harder” messaging?
Because at some point, a system can become mathematically resistant to public opinion itself.
And that conversation makes everybody uncomfortable.
Virginia Dems now have a plan to remove the state Supreme Court judges. They can lower the retirement age to clean them out, which is within the purview of the legislature to do assuming the Extreme Court doesn't make another contra-legal ruling. This has to be a no-holds barred fight.
No-holds barred fight indeed… as if our political structure didn't resemble WWE enough already…
This is the kind of escalation cycle that scares a lot of independents right now.
Republicans normalize hardball institutional tactics, Democrats respond by considering their own version of institutional hardball, and both sides justify it as “necessary” because the other side started it first.
Maybe some of these actions are technically legal. That’s not the same thing as healthy for long-term institutional legitimacy.
Once both parties fully embrace the idea that courts, rules, and governing structures are just temporary weapons to be manipulated whenever power changes hands, the country enters a very dangerous place politically. And honestly, we’re already halfway there.
The deeper issue is that public trust in institutions has collapsed so badly that millions of people now support almost any tactic as long as their side wins. That’s not stability. That’s a cold civil war mindset wearing procedural language.
Sorry, but simply rolling over to the GOP's project to Orbanize the US into some form of permanent minority rule, is not acceptable.
The Roberts court initiated this entire Gerrymander war by ruling that cracking and packing rotten boroughs was a state's rights issue. Roberts presumably did so for the same reason as the recent Callais decision: to politically benefit the GOP.
There is no means to appeal to the better angels of conservative voters, because FOX News--where 85% of GOP voters get some/most/all of their news--has already painted Callais as "...a return to sanity."
I understand the frustration, especially because a lot of people genuinely believe the current trajectory of gerrymandering and judicial rulings creates structural advantages that can outlast public opinion.
That concern shouldn’t just be dismissed.
But I think there’s also a danger in reducing every institutional ruling we dislike to pure partisan conspiracy, because once both sides fully stop believing institutions can act independently at all, democratic legitimacy erodes even faster.
I’d also push back on the idea that conservative voters are unreachable or uniformly consuming one narrative. That framing mirrors the same oversimplifications many conservatives make about liberals living inside MSNBC or social media bubbles. The media ecosystem absolutely contributes to polarization across the board, but millions of voters are more persuadable and less ideological than online discourse makes them appear.
The deeper problem, in my view, is that both parties increasingly see institutions as tools to secure long-term power rather than neutral systems deserving public trust. Republicans didn’t invent that instinct, but they’ve accelerated it in ways Democrats now feel pressured to mirror. That escalation cycle is where the real danger lives.
Virginia voters VOTED for the map change. This isn’t partisan bickering. This is a handful of people on a Court overthrowing the will of its people. That’s way more dangerous to normalize.
For a better explanation of what happened in Virginia:
"A Technicality Handed Virginia Republicans a Midterm Boost"
https://www.contrariannews.org/p/a-technicality-handed-virginia-republicans
You should check out the post I made today on redistricting. But this one is what I did on my 2nd narrative vs. reality Monday series that was the day after Virginia had there vote. I really explained it well to give some unique Insight.... it's a quick read https://uncomfortable.rxansmithmedia.com/p/they-changed-the-rules-mid-game?r=5xf1q5
And don't we live there now? What's the alternative? If there is one to stop the Orbanization or Putinization of the USA, we should be talking about it. They use the courts to their advantage and ignore laws, punish dissenters, and enrich themselves mightily. So what should we do to support the democracy and rule of law that's being trampled. If it's not to push back, or what might be called escalation, what should be done?
Nancy. You make such an amazing Point here. I would love if you read the post that I made about a month ago after Orban lost. I would love to get your take on it because a lot of people miss the point that you are making, especially with all of the frustration and outrage. The last thing we want is to have elections not matter because the systems in place, are so corrupt, that they don't require people to an elections in order to stay in power.....
But start with this post and give me your feedback.
https://uncomfortable.rxansmithmedia.com/p/orban-lost-the-system-he-built-didnt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=5xf1q5
Amen.
when historians search for the causes of the american demise first among them will be wealth inequality.
That's absolutely undoubtedly true, Patricia. My entire publication rights about uncomfortable facts and I would say incoming equality , by far, is the common thread that weaves every issue together.
https://uncomfortable.rxansmithmedia.com/p/income-inequality-america-2026-floor-problem-not-ceiling-part-4
we must work to get rid of wealth inequality, which has caused this
We are at a place much like we were with the robber barons…history echos itself. Let’s try not to repeat The Great Depression before we fix it.
Yes. That and the fact that, more than once, the Supreme Court has conferred more and more power to money and to those who have it.
I would agree with you if there was a Bush or Reagan in the White House, the Supreme Court was not ruled by six Christian Nationalists, and Congress was not ruled by MAGA. However, this is not the case. With the full support of the six Christian Nationalists on the Supreme Court and GOP Congressional members the Felon is making the United States an authoritarian theocracy, with the Felon as leader and the American oligarchs running the Country (Putin's Russia).
There's no such thing as Presidential immunity anywhere in the Constitution. In its decision in Calais, overruled the 1982 amendment to the Voting Rights Act, thus thwarting the will of Congress. It's the GOP Senate who placed incompetent, corrupt persons such as Hegseth, Noem, RFK Jr., Bondi, Patel as heads of United States' most vital institutions. It's GOP Congressional members who are allowing the Felon to dismantle United States' most vital institutions. It's GOP Congressional members who are allowing the continuation of the illegal war in Iran.
There is absolutely no doubt that the Supreme Court is a huge problem. I think I said it and above comments but if they are going to be so bullyingly ruling in favor of party lines, specifically trumps will .. Then we need a structural order that at least forces SCOTUS to have the decency to put their names on ballots…
But… as far as the american citizenry… Even maga electorate… they are going to be looking for the same thing that they were looking for in 2008 and 2016.... The promises that were made by Obama and Trump that were interwoven and focused on the middle class… that's what people will be voting on in 2028 and that's where a big difference and that's where a big difference because the Democratic party is concerning itself with maps and they have 12 different groups within their ranks, while 62% of the population says that corporate capture and read system are the top things on there list of faults with the country…
It's the DNCs job to admit there past failure and read the writing on the wall, redefine themselves as the party of the people… because right now… the people need a party that stands up for the little guy more than ever. And that was supposed to be the Supreme Court's job.
And it appears that's where we are, i.e., "a cold civil war mindset wearing procedural language." Either we fight for our democracy, or we can continue watching it be demolished like the East Wing. The process has clearly started, but the "building" is still standing!
It’s too slow. The courts/legislature can’t do it in time to save us.
Respectfully it is not the time to accept or surrender to racism! We must aid and encourage MASSIVE VR and turnout of Black and Brown voters plus Dems and fair minded Indys! We can teach the young and old that Democracy will respond to overt racism not only in the South!Let’s get to work starting today! You with it?
Perhaps not, but there is still time for a unified and determined mass of voters to save ourselves.
"Virginia Dems now have a plan to remove the state Supreme Court judges."
Of course they do. This is what happens when one party doesn't get its way and will do whatever it takes to get control over an institution.
It only makes those who are uncomfortable with needed change upset. Those of us who see the need are only 'uncomfortable' in that it is taking so long.
Amen.
if/when sane people regain, we will need a constitutional convention. keep most of it but tweek/remove the obvious problem elements.
Isn't it so sad that the things that need to be changed are so obvious that if you presented them to a middle school Civics class, they would all vote to one way , in the way of fairness. The income inequality, campaign finance, citizens united as all led to this domino effect of undemocratic practices while we quote on quote spread democracy across the world
Some hope regarding the redistricting war:
https://uncomfortable.rxansmithmedia.com/p/the-redistricting-war-everyones-misreading
From your link:
"No structural map advantage has ever fully contained a midterm when presidential approval is in freefall."
Has any president's approval rating ever been in free fall as much as Trump's is now? Not a rhetorical question; I don't actually know.
At any rate, it seems unlikely to tick up before the midterms - if ever. He's painted himself and his ego into a corner with the Iran war, and it's hard to see how he'll get out and just might make things a whole lot worse instead.
Never has a president or his cabinet been so unfit to enter us into a war. A "war of whim" besides! No clear objective, and absolutely nothing has been achieved for our national interests so far. Instead, we are weaker and poorer, and according to some experts, heading over an economic cliff soon.
Historically, presidential approval collapses absolutely can reshape midterms. Trumps isn't the lowest. Carter, Bush Sr., Bush after Iraq, Obama in 2010, and Biden before 2024 all faced major backlash environments. So your broader point about political gravity still stands.
Where I’d push back is on the “war of whim” framing.
A lot of Americans across the spectrum are exhausted by decades of unclear foreign interventions, so skepticism is fair. But the harder question is whether this is truly an irrational ego-driven escalation, or part of a larger deterrence strategy tied to Iran’s regional influence, proxies, and nuclear concerns. Those are legitimate national security debates even if people disagree on the execution.
I also think both parties underestimate how much economic anxiety amplifies reactions to foreign policy. When people already feel financially cornered, any military conflict immediately gets interpreted through the lens of: “Why are we spending money and attention abroad while life here gets worse?”
That’s not uniquely a Trump problem. It’s become a long-term credibility problem for the entire political establishment.
We disagree on "legitimate national security" interests regarding Iran. What we've done now is further destabilize the whole area. Saudi Arabia thought our bases on their territory represented our protection and instead found out they just made them a target. The fallout of the UAE leaving OPEC is yet to be seen but it represents a clear split with Saudi Arabia, which is now turning to nuclear-able Pakistan for protection and forming economic ties with Russia and China. As are other countries.
Israel is running roughshod over a sovereign country, ordering whole villages to simply vacate or be killed and even actively targeting ambulances and medics - a war crime! - and all anyone can talk about is what Trump said on Truth Social.
And look at who has directly, massively benefited from this war! Putin. He's making billions now from unsanctioned oil, and even if the Strait of Hormuz were completely open today, Trump is not going to sanction his oil again because the shortage will ripple through the global economy for many months.
And as far as Iran's nuclear capabilities, what have we done except convince them the US cannot be trusted in any negotiation? Frankly, I don't know why they aren't just trying to buy nuclear weapons from N. Korea, China, Russia, Pakistan, or India.
You make some fair points here honestly, especially about credibility. If countries start believing U.S. agreements only last until the next administration, NO DOUBT more nations will start thinking in terms of self-protection, deterrence, alternative alliances.
A lot of Americans underestimate how much these conflicts reshape global relationships beyond just the immediate war itself. Countries are watching how the U.S., Israel, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and others all operate and adjusting accordingly. That’s why the world feels way less stable and predictable now than it did 20 years ago.
Where I’d push back a little is on reducing everything to one side simply causing all the instability. The region was already full of overlapping power struggles, proxy conflicts, sectarian tensions, and competing ambitions long before this escalation. None of the major players involved are exactly innocent actors. That doesn't mean I agree with what we did.
And on Israel... I think one of the pieces I am most proud of is what I put out regarding Israel the minute we attacked Iran. They influence our foreign policy to the point that the two countries far in the policies are very difficult to differentiate... This is my prologue post. You should check it out and if you're interested I think I did four follow-ups in the series called The Ally test, and which I point out tons of fax and numbers that show that this is a one-sided allyship.
https://uncomfortable.rxansmithmedia.com/p/why-america-war-iran-2026-trump-played-netanyahu?r=5xf1q5
Your bigger point about a shifting global order though is probably the most important part. It really does feel like we’re moving into a more fractured multipolar world where countries are increasingly hedging between major powers instead of automatically trusting U.S. leadership. That’s a much bigger conversation than the usual partisan food fight people keep reducing this to.
Yes, the region was "full of overlapping power struggles, proxy conflicts, etc", but those are up to them to work out, not least of which because we don't share their culture, their history, their heritage and now under the Trump administration, do we have even one person who has a rudimentary understanding of the politics of the region?
Look at who our negotiators are! Trump's real estate buddy and his son-in-law, a guy with a questionable connection to Saudi Arabia alone through an investment fund that has made investors no money and that was advised against from day one. Meaning it was a personal favor from MBS or a quid pro quo for something we don't even know about.
They're a joke, Trump is a joke, and whatever legitimate interests we had in starting this war (which I question but concede others hold) have been completely undermined - and in ways that probably cannot be undone.
Perhaps you have read this from Robert Kagan in the Atlantic: Checkmate In Iran
https://archive.ph/fv4vt
There will be no return to the status quo ante, no ultimate American triumph that will undo or overcome the harm done. The Strait of Hormuz will not be “open,” as it once was. With control of the strait, Iran emerges as the key player in the region and one of the key players in the world. The roles of China and Russia, as Iran’s allies, are strengthened; the role of the United States, substantially diminished.
I don't see how he's wrong.
I don't listen to or watch podcasts, but I skimmed a few of your transcripts and agree with you about Israel and allyship - but never thought of it that way! It's true that it's been a one-sided relationship. One based on the idea that support of Israel was the "right thing to do", which all stemmed from WWII, which is why support for Israel is greater among the generation that had parents in that war.
It's all changed now, and I suspect Israel is going to regret what they are currently doing and how they have turned opinion against them. Their actions in Lebanon, for instance, are sickening. Actively targeting medics and ambulances! Ordering whole villages to vacate or be killed. I recall reading about a family of six who had no vehicle and were waiting for a ride, which arrived "too late". All killed, friend included.
I didn't see a mention of Russia and Putin anywhere in your analyses, but maybe I just missed it? Putin has benefited from this war more than anyone, with billions of now unsanctioned oil revenues flowing his way. It's in his continued interest that the Strait of Hormuz stay closed as his oil is in demand and at great prices as a result.
Actually, Lebanon is only a sovereign country in your mind. It has been a colony of Iran for decades. Hezbollah has lobbed over 1900 rockets in a sovereign country since 2024.
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"If partisan gerrymandering is now effectively legal unless explicit racial intent can be proven, are we finally ready to admit America may need structural election reform instead of endless “just vote harder” messaging?"
It's well past time for both parties to "lay down their arms" and stop partisan gerrymandering. Each side whines and complains only when the other side gerrymanders districts in a state. The result is never-ending animus amongst voters but the parties don't care: their sole focus is power.
I certainly hope so. It seems that the Supreme Court is now at the root of all of our problems. If they're going to be so shamelessly partisan, they should at least have the decency to put their names on ballots
Thanks for the reply.
"It seems that the Supreme Court is now at the root of all of our problems."
Only for Democrats who can't stand it when they're not in power. When they are out of power they aim to change institutions they don't control. It's not Republicans who demand court-packing, term/age limits, etc., when a higher court rules against them.
Thus far SCOTUS has allowed partisan gerrymandering because it hasn't been deemed unconstitutional, and I'm not sure there's any rationale to do so. Maybe it will take some act of Congress to codify some form of non-parttisan method for creating House districts. With the current crop of legislators on both sides of the aisle, I doubt that will happen.
"If they're going to be so shamelessly partisan..."
From where I sit, the "shamelessly partisan" folks are in the other two branches of government.
It is not enough to simplify elect democrats; we need to elect leaders who will fight to bring SCOTUS in line and make this country live up to its aspirations!
A litmus test for Senators should be a firm commitment to replace Schumer as Majority Leader.
It's a solid place to start!
Have I missed something, or has there been no push back whatsoever from Democratic "leaders" in Congress, the DNC or any of the other expensive national Democratic organizations?
The Democrats need new leadership with spines and balls all around, so please elect as many women as you possibly can. Although there were several things I didn't see eye-to-eye on with Pelosi, she alone had more spine and balls than all of the current "leaders" combined.
Agreed. There is no democratic leadership to speak of from my perspective. There is a fascist party and an opposition party in name only. There are real fighters in the party, but they're constantly getting smothered by leaders trying to find a nonexistent middle.
Absolutely. The young people want a lot more push back and not a few of us oldies are tired of the plain vanilla bullshit. The few "moderate" Democrats there are can either switch over to the fascist side, or hold their noses and get with what is needed to get this country back on the correct track.
Agreed!
OK! WOW! So now we can absolutely say, without any questions of a doubt, here is REALITY! A tyrannical minority of Americans are anti Black racists and believe the only legitimate government in America is a White government. It's the MAGA rot in the whole system. Align that with Trump's reflexive, anti Black, anti immigrant racism and we can fully understand why Trump is the Avatar of racial hatred and the cult hero of racist Love.
His Truth Social tweets are just a love song we don't understand.
So what do we do about these rabid bigots who so infect our civic life?
Combined with the mindless consumer depression Trump is reigning down on America will this racism generate enough revulsion among the majority of Americans to crush the MAGA rot?
We need to see a whole lot of active push back between now and Nov.
Agentic, I don't think we will ever live up to our aspirations, but what truly makes America great is that, over time, we try to, despite the occasional slipping backwards.
The most uncomfortable part of Callais is realizing how many Americans still think democracy is “safe” because elections technically still exist.
You can preserve the shell of democracy while hollowing out representation underneath it.
That’s the real warning here.
Putin's Russia is an excellent example.
It is.
"They will also have to consider reform of the Supreme Court itself."
For example: impeachment and term limits.
And expanding the Court and forcing the Court to implement and execute ethics rules.
The code of ethics that lower courts and those in government offices follow would do well to be implemented in the supreme court. There is no need to reinvent the wheel.
Absolutely. They should put them on a ballot
Clearly we need one or more Constitutional amendments. We need desperately to be rid of the Electoral College. We need codified non-partisan redistricting countrywide. We need to reverse Citizens United in a way the court cannot undo. We need to declare clearly that no one (specifically including the President of the United States) is above the law. We need to expand the House of Representatives. We need voting rights protection with some teeth (and maybe an open door for ranked choice voting in national offices). Maybe we even need to state explicitly in a way that cannot be misunderstood that the church and the state are separate entities.
All of these are currently impossible, so first we need to win elections even given the current rigged system. That means enormous turnout every time we have the opportunity to vote. All politics being local, that means we need to get involved in our local communities to ensure registration, a way to get to the polls, and fair counting of results. We have our jobs cut out for us. Let's get busy. November is a little more than 5 months away.
I cannot thank you enough, Ms. Rubin, for lifting my spirits! We all should take up Bette Midler's anthem, "All You Fascists Gonna Lose," and sing it loudly and proudly at every Democratic gathering and at every protest.
@Anca, that one is on our protest playlist along with my other favorite, "Heavy Foot."
Excellent.
This isn't only about African American rights. It's also about the rights of any minority. If you aren't a White straight male with a gun and of European decent, or a Christian Dominion worshiper, or one of the ultra-wealthy corporate elite', your protected rights have ceased to exist in the MAGA Fascist states.
As a white Democrat in gerrymandered Indiana (and Republicans want to gerrymander it further), I do not feel represented.
'Strait' is Hormuz, 'straight' are non-gay males. Otherwise, excellent points.
I stand corrected.
If you click on the three dots at the right, you can edit your comment.
Thanks.
No problem.
The alarming, yet accurate statement that “It protects Alito’s core constituency: aggrieved white Republican voters” highlights the sad fact that the Supreme Court is now a fully political body working to achieve fully partisan ends, rather than support the laws of the nation.
Yea, right.
You see anybody (other than our Contrarian dream team) doing anything about it?
I see a lot of cowards shivering in the shadows.
The media is especially bad. Their attention to the bottom line has put us where we are now, in an Autocratic Fascist state.
If we win in a trifecta in 2028 we need to fix the Supreme Court first. The present MAGA Supreme Court is willing to strike down laws that were voted on and signed by Congress. If Congress passes a new voting rights law, the Supreme Court can render unconstitutional and make strike them down. The 1st thing that needs to be done in when Democrats are is power is fix the Supreme Court and voting rights.
Democrats need to stop asking for permission. Texas didn't. Rick Wilson calls them the pillow fight democrats. Looks that way to me.
Ms. Rubin, welcome back! Many, many of us missed you.
The United States will always be evolving. It will always be a fight.
I take inspiration from Hungary and Ukraine. Who would have guessed?
The focus for 2026 needs to be on channeling voter anger at Trump and Republicans to vote Republicans out and give the Democrats control of the House and Senate. There will be no reform of the Supreme Court before there is a new President and there is no point wasting energy on an effort that can't succeed. At the present time voters need to be reminded that Trump and Republicans lied to them about being for them and lowering the cost of living and that Democrats are the ones who will fight for them and do what they can to work to lower costs. Voters need to be constantly reminded that Trump's corruption is enriching he and his family along with all his Republican enablers and bootlickers at our expense. We are told that our suffering is going to a good cause that enriches them. The goal should be to turn the partisan gerrymandering of districts to favor Republicans into new Democrat districts. In most cases the district lines have only given Republicans a small advantage. With voters enraged at Trump and Republicans it is quite possible for Democrats to win in many of those new districts. Like Hungary, we need to swamp the Republicans with overwhelming turnout. Once the Democrats have control of Congress then the focus needs to be on investigation and accountability and laying the groundwork to ensure another overwhelming turnout n 2028 so that they have the political power and mandate to reform the government institutions and legislate ethics and the honor system to make what has been happening subject to criminal charges.
The National Day of Action kicks off in Montgomery Alabama on May 16th. There was already a protest on May 5th of last week in Montgomery when governor Kay Ivey decided to open with a special session after the Callais ruling. A number of speakers spoke at the event including students from our state HBCUs. Make no mistake, there will be people from all walks of life including black, Hispanic, Native American and mixed race people from across Alabama at the National Day of Action and women as well.
Great article Jennifer! Please provide us with specific ways that we as individuals can assist with encouraging huge voter turnout. Also, please invite some of the southern Democrats who are running and against this latest initiative to gerrymander & suppress voter turnout on your substack. Once people like me learn more about these candidates, we may be able to help promote their campaigns, even if we do not live in southern states. Thank you!
Glad to have you back where you belong, Jen.
Your words of encouragement are sorely needed right now with the latest atrocity committed by SCOTUS in Callais and the rush to resurrect the Confederacy and destroy non-white representation in Congress, the VA SC striking down a vote of the people to redraw congressional districts and the blatantly illegal grifting and outright thievery of taxpayers money by the executive branch, his family and this billionaire cronies.
At this perilous time, we must remember the tenacity and courage of the UK during the Battle of Britain in WW2. We must remember the inspiring words of Winston Churchill that rallied public morale during the onslaught of daily bombings. This must be America's finest hour. We must never surrender. Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.
On les aura!
Spot on Steven.
What we have here is the south trying to (again) "resurrect the Confederacy".
America's second CIVIL WAR??!!
I think there are a few imperatives for citizen activists. Number one, - don't give up hope. It is clear Republicans are not going to relinquish power without a fight. One of the necessities to try to counter Republicans refusal to respect the electoral process, is to work as hard as possible to ensure we have landslide turnout numbers. That means volunteering to work for Democratic campaigns (both federal and state). We cannot settle for just winning the House. If there's to be a Republican reckoning Democrats must also control the Senate. The good news is the Senate is not directly affected by gerrymandering. The bad news is it's still a mighty electoral hurdle. We need to support every Demcratic Senate campaign (long shot or not) even if it means holding our noses on some of those candidates.
We must be prepared to respond to the inevitable attempts to suppress voting that Republicans will throw at the elections. That too will require volunteers to help support and protect elections.
Finally, if we should be so fortunate to flip both the House and the Senate, we are going to need maintain our activism after the elections. Democrats will not take bold steps if us citizens go back to business as usual which typically happens after the midterms. Historically, that's been a problem. It's exhausting maintaining an activist movement without breaks. Republicans have been planning this demolition of democracy for generations. We are not going to restore it overnight. It will require a sustained resistance and a emboldened Democratic party willing to fundamentally shake things up.