Thank you for reminding everyone that our Federalist system of government provides many, many safeguards when our Federal government goes off the rails.
Nov 3, We the People are beginning to take our government back, "deep state" and all.
I couldn’t wait for early voting to start yesterday so I could vote for Jerri Green for governor of Tennessee over the morally bankrupt and intellectually limited Marsha Blackburn. Green has a chance to pull out a victory in this predominantly red state. And for the first time, maybe ever, our state Democratic Party recruited state legislature candidates in all 95 counties. Dems won’t win the house, but they can put a dent in the Republican supermajority that has steadily led Tennessee to the bottom of state rankings in several key metrics.
SC also has Democrats running everywhere in the state, including for Governor. I am so hoping at least some succeed and the supermajority will be ended. Vote, vote, vote! We can't be complacent in this election!
The SCOTUS Six believes that somehow the Constitution supports the "Unitary Executive Theory". The current Occupant in the WH has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that that interpretation is lethal and should be eradicated from future serious discussions.
The SCOTUS Six and their nonsense legal "theories" i.e. Originalism, Major Questions Doctrine, and Unitary Executive Theory; belong in the dust bin.
Their unwillingness to recognize the threats of climate change, environmental damage in general, and the corrosiveness of Citizens United on our democracy are crimes against humanity. The Christian Right sees unlimited money in politics as an advantage to parley and could not care less about climate and environment.
I think their primary long-term goal is to stand-up and enable a Christian Nationalist tyranny. They richly deserve the eventual fate of all tyrants.
Our democratic nominee, Doug Jones wants to put at least a one year moratorium on data centers until there is adequate regulation by the state or federal government in order to prevent abuses by the companies that own them. He also wants to increase Medicaid in our poor state and get rid of the Choose Act that uses public tax dollars to pay for private school education. I believe Jones can and will if elected will do these things and more. Democrats have so much more common sense than Republicans in my state.
Why was Musk’s Starlink service crippled hurting the Ukrainians? Is he looking to profit from Russia along with Trump? Who else? How much is selling out this country worth?
Anecdotally, several Republicans in Baghdad By the Sea say that they voted a straight Democratic ticket. Republicans currently control all Florida state offices and have a huge registration lead. Hopefully we lead in enthusiasm.
As of Oct. 14, the Florida Division of Elections has received 501,290 vote-by-mail ballots, with more ballots returned by Democrats:
Possibly because we're financial supporters of Floridian Angie Nixon's campaign for the Senate, we've received an email which included "Path to Victory" which lays out her campaign's analysis of the election environment in 2026, the unrecognized opportunities for Democratic incursion into what it says are wrongly assumed to be wholy red consituencies and her team's specific plan to do it, as well as rouse out the folks who've sat out recent elections.
It is the most intellignent, comprehensive, and compelling plan for this type of problem that I've ever seen. I looked for it online, but other than a mention in Nation, I couldn't find it.
I think it's too long to repost here. Maybe Jennifer could.
States can also have voter initiatives to limit the ill effects of Citizens United and dark campaign money within the state. Montana has a such an effort on the ballot this election.
All of these recommendations are spot on, but in light of a recent post about Democrats beginning to argue among themselves in different wings of the party doesn’t bode well for what follows after the midterms, assuming a blue wave. The Democrats, among which I consider myself, have to unite under one “banner”. They need to understand that the very liberal wing can present problems. I am quite liberal myself, but I don’t think most Americans in general would support a government too far left of center. No boys in girls sports is a major Republican line they want to hang Democrats with. This is way overblown. No one has proposed tolerating transgender boys in girls sports. That’s never been in the Democrats platform. It’s a scare tactic, a nonissue. Republicans are using this among other issues attributed to Democrats. No one really wants to defund the police, or other policies Republicans are attributing to Social Democrats, nor is open borders. All Americans want controlled borders, which differs from closed borders. “Talk among yourselves.” Agree on the basic guidelines you have championed in the last 2 posts.
Who would have imagined that our Federal Government would become a broadly active civil rights VIOLATOR under the control of the MAGATs (AKA "Republicans") currently in power in Washington!
I think the ILLEGAL INTERNMENT of tens of thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands??) of persons, allegedly for violations of immigration rules, is one of the worst possible civil rights abuses that must be stopped and reversed as soon as possible. Sadly, individual states are generally not able to act. The new Congress (and two years later the new Administration) must reverse this ILLEGAL INTERNMENT.
Excellent article, Jen! Highlights the importance of paying attention to state and local races, not just federal ones. It matters who your governor is. Your state attorney general. Your state Sos. And who controls your legislature AND your state Supreme Court. Here in NC our legislature has been egregiously rigged in favor of republicans. As North Carolinians say, 'We're not red; we're rigged.' VOTE to reclaim your state offices, too!
Interesting ,thoughtful article. I was a little nonplussed by your unlabeled map, which has Vermont in red. Reading the article, I understood that you are discussing actions by Governors to federal overreach. Vermont has a democrat-dominated senate and house, and most of our state-level offices are held by democrats. But our governor, Phil Scott is a republican, often described as "the nations most popular governor" (or words to that effect), perhaps largely due to his hands off approach during Covid, when he stepped back and let our health department do its work. He blew that when, as the epidemic wore down, without consulting the health dept, he announced to the public that "you don't have to wear mask anymore and you don't have to distance or isolate. You can do anything you want to." In response the entire health department resigned in protest as several outbreaks of Covid erupted in the following week. (The resignations did not go into effect.)
Scott has routinely vetoed bills passed by both houses after rigorous discussion, on issues supported by the people of Vermont. Some of these bills were overridden by our legislature, some not. In his first terms (in Vt, terms are 2 years), he vetoed more bills than had been vetoed by all governors before him. He had broken that record repeatedly. The degree of frustration is high, but many people in Vermont still vote republican out of long habit.
This year, we have a strong Democratic contender running against Scott, Amanda Janoo. She was not given much credence by national Dems, but she has steadily gained support, and recent polls indicate that she has reduced the gap to within a few points. The National Republican Governors Association in recent weeks began pouring large sums into the race in support of Scott. Until then, Janoo actually outpaced Scott in contributions, almost all from small instate doners, while Scott is supported by large outside doners. The race is now neck and neck, with Scott still ahead.
We are working hard to elect Janoo. Scott is holding us back. Vermont is a solidly blue state, something Scott has had to deal with by giving the appearance of not complying with Trump's demands. Yet, he makes decisions (without consulting other state-level elected officials or the legislature) that runs counter to the interests of the state. He turned over the list of SNAP beneficiaries to the feds w/o no notice, while our AG was preparing a legal challenge to such federal demands. He did not repeat that mistake.
But Scott has a long history of being an obstacle. Janoo offers a thoughtful response based on Vermont's long history of caring for all Vermonters, and our willingness to bring our policies and programs in alignment with our values. In the last stretch of this long election campaign, Vermonters are working hard to elect Janoo. It's close, but that fact has not come to the attention of the rest of the country.
Thank you, Ms. Rubin! I would add that breaking Republican supermajorities NOW will be critical. Going forward, having fair representation in the state legislatures will be even more vital in 2030, with the impending Census and the subsequent redistricting. Vote now to avoid gerrymandering in the future!
Every time I hear a politician running on reducing regulations I cringe. I finally investigated what this meant when Trump said it.
Trump’s Deregulation: Business Savings and Public Protections Lost. A research inventory covering both Trump terms, through October 14, 2026
Deregulation can reduce business expenses, expand revenue opportunities, or reduce exposure to enforcement. But the requirements removed may also protect people against pollution, unsafe products, financial abuse, crime, or corruption.
This list identifies both sides: who benefits directly and what public protection is affected.
It includes laws, agency rules, enforcement decisions, staffing changes, and access to public resources. It is a selected inventory, not an exhaustive count.
Evidence distinction: The government actions are documented. Public harms listed are potential risks unless measured evidence is stated. Business savings do not automatically become higher profits or lower consumer prices.
Agree totally with today's column. And when the Blue Wave succeeds, Congress too, needs to get their act together to reenact the Voting Rights Act, and law reversing the Supreme Court decisions to expand executive functions. Congress enacts laws. And needs to put the Supreme Court & executive branch on notice that they do not make laws. Even if this president rejects the laws, Congress has to take back the law-making power.
Jennifer
Thank you for reminding everyone that our Federalist system of government provides many, many safeguards when our Federal government goes off the rails.
Nov 3, We the People are beginning to take our government back, "deep state" and all.
You single-handedly counter Project 2025. BRAVA!!
I couldn’t wait for early voting to start yesterday so I could vote for Jerri Green for governor of Tennessee over the morally bankrupt and intellectually limited Marsha Blackburn. Green has a chance to pull out a victory in this predominantly red state. And for the first time, maybe ever, our state Democratic Party recruited state legislature candidates in all 95 counties. Dems won’t win the house, but they can put a dent in the Republican supermajority that has steadily led Tennessee to the bottom of state rankings in several key metrics.
SC also has Democrats running everywhere in the state, including for Governor. I am so hoping at least some succeed and the supermajority will be ended. Vote, vote, vote! We can't be complacent in this election!
The SCOTUS Six believes that somehow the Constitution supports the "Unitary Executive Theory". The current Occupant in the WH has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that that interpretation is lethal and should be eradicated from future serious discussions.
The SCOTUS Six and their nonsense legal "theories" i.e. Originalism, Major Questions Doctrine, and Unitary Executive Theory; belong in the dust bin.
Their unwillingness to recognize the threats of climate change, environmental damage in general, and the corrosiveness of Citizens United on our democracy are crimes against humanity. The Christian Right sees unlimited money in politics as an advantage to parley and could not care less about climate and environment.
I think their primary long-term goal is to stand-up and enable a Christian Nationalist tyranny. They richly deserve the eventual fate of all tyrants.
Our democratic nominee, Doug Jones wants to put at least a one year moratorium on data centers until there is adequate regulation by the state or federal government in order to prevent abuses by the companies that own them. He also wants to increase Medicaid in our poor state and get rid of the Choose Act that uses public tax dollars to pay for private school education. I believe Jones can and will if elected will do these things and more. Democrats have so much more common sense than Republicans in my state.
Why was Musk’s Starlink service crippled hurting the Ukrainians? Is he looking to profit from Russia along with Trump? Who else? How much is selling out this country worth?
Anecdotally, several Republicans in Baghdad By the Sea say that they voted a straight Democratic ticket. Republicans currently control all Florida state offices and have a huge registration lead. Hopefully we lead in enthusiasm.
As of Oct. 14, the Florida Division of Elections has received 501,290 vote-by-mail ballots, with more ballots returned by Democrats:
Democrats: 264,381
Republicans: 224,062
No party affiliation: 114,782
Other: 15,253
Daniel,
Possibly because we're financial supporters of Floridian Angie Nixon's campaign for the Senate, we've received an email which included "Path to Victory" which lays out her campaign's analysis of the election environment in 2026, the unrecognized opportunities for Democratic incursion into what it says are wrongly assumed to be wholy red consituencies and her team's specific plan to do it, as well as rouse out the folks who've sat out recent elections.
It is the most intellignent, comprehensive, and compelling plan for this type of problem that I've ever seen. I looked for it online, but other than a mention in Nation, I couldn't find it.
I think it's too long to repost here. Maybe Jennifer could.
States can also have voter initiatives to limit the ill effects of Citizens United and dark campaign money within the state. Montana has a such an effort on the ballot this election.
All of these recommendations are spot on, but in light of a recent post about Democrats beginning to argue among themselves in different wings of the party doesn’t bode well for what follows after the midterms, assuming a blue wave. The Democrats, among which I consider myself, have to unite under one “banner”. They need to understand that the very liberal wing can present problems. I am quite liberal myself, but I don’t think most Americans in general would support a government too far left of center. No boys in girls sports is a major Republican line they want to hang Democrats with. This is way overblown. No one has proposed tolerating transgender boys in girls sports. That’s never been in the Democrats platform. It’s a scare tactic, a nonissue. Republicans are using this among other issues attributed to Democrats. No one really wants to defund the police, or other policies Republicans are attributing to Social Democrats, nor is open borders. All Americans want controlled borders, which differs from closed borders. “Talk among yourselves.” Agree on the basic guidelines you have championed in the last 2 posts.
Who would have imagined that our Federal Government would become a broadly active civil rights VIOLATOR under the control of the MAGATs (AKA "Republicans") currently in power in Washington!
I think the ILLEGAL INTERNMENT of tens of thousands (maybe hundreds of thousands??) of persons, allegedly for violations of immigration rules, is one of the worst possible civil rights abuses that must be stopped and reversed as soon as possible. Sadly, individual states are generally not able to act. The new Congress (and two years later the new Administration) must reverse this ILLEGAL INTERNMENT.
Excellent article, Jen! Highlights the importance of paying attention to state and local races, not just federal ones. It matters who your governor is. Your state attorney general. Your state Sos. And who controls your legislature AND your state Supreme Court. Here in NC our legislature has been egregiously rigged in favor of republicans. As North Carolinians say, 'We're not red; we're rigged.' VOTE to reclaim your state offices, too!
Interesting ,thoughtful article. I was a little nonplussed by your unlabeled map, which has Vermont in red. Reading the article, I understood that you are discussing actions by Governors to federal overreach. Vermont has a democrat-dominated senate and house, and most of our state-level offices are held by democrats. But our governor, Phil Scott is a republican, often described as "the nations most popular governor" (or words to that effect), perhaps largely due to his hands off approach during Covid, when he stepped back and let our health department do its work. He blew that when, as the epidemic wore down, without consulting the health dept, he announced to the public that "you don't have to wear mask anymore and you don't have to distance or isolate. You can do anything you want to." In response the entire health department resigned in protest as several outbreaks of Covid erupted in the following week. (The resignations did not go into effect.)
Scott has routinely vetoed bills passed by both houses after rigorous discussion, on issues supported by the people of Vermont. Some of these bills were overridden by our legislature, some not. In his first terms (in Vt, terms are 2 years), he vetoed more bills than had been vetoed by all governors before him. He had broken that record repeatedly. The degree of frustration is high, but many people in Vermont still vote republican out of long habit.
This year, we have a strong Democratic contender running against Scott, Amanda Janoo. She was not given much credence by national Dems, but she has steadily gained support, and recent polls indicate that she has reduced the gap to within a few points. The National Republican Governors Association in recent weeks began pouring large sums into the race in support of Scott. Until then, Janoo actually outpaced Scott in contributions, almost all from small instate doners, while Scott is supported by large outside doners. The race is now neck and neck, with Scott still ahead.
We are working hard to elect Janoo. Scott is holding us back. Vermont is a solidly blue state, something Scott has had to deal with by giving the appearance of not complying with Trump's demands. Yet, he makes decisions (without consulting other state-level elected officials or the legislature) that runs counter to the interests of the state. He turned over the list of SNAP beneficiaries to the feds w/o no notice, while our AG was preparing a legal challenge to such federal demands. He did not repeat that mistake.
But Scott has a long history of being an obstacle. Janoo offers a thoughtful response based on Vermont's long history of caring for all Vermonters, and our willingness to bring our policies and programs in alignment with our values. In the last stretch of this long election campaign, Vermonters are working hard to elect Janoo. It's close, but that fact has not come to the attention of the rest of the country.
Thank you, Ms. Rubin! I would add that breaking Republican supermajorities NOW will be critical. Going forward, having fair representation in the state legislatures will be even more vital in 2030, with the impending Census and the subsequent redistricting. Vote now to avoid gerrymandering in the future!
Every time I hear a politician running on reducing regulations I cringe. I finally investigated what this meant when Trump said it.
Trump’s Deregulation: Business Savings and Public Protections Lost. A research inventory covering both Trump terms, through October 14, 2026
Deregulation can reduce business expenses, expand revenue opportunities, or reduce exposure to enforcement. But the requirements removed may also protect people against pollution, unsafe products, financial abuse, crime, or corruption.
This list identifies both sides: who benefits directly and what public protection is affected.
It includes laws, agency rules, enforcement decisions, staffing changes, and access to public resources. It is a selected inventory, not an exhaustive count.
Evidence distinction: The government actions are documented. Public harms listed are potential risks unless measured evidence is stated. Business savings do not automatically become higher profits or lower consumer prices.
1. Oil, Gas, Coal, and Public Lands
Expanded federal fossil-fuel leasing — 2025
For more click here: https://2tuttlechris.substack.com/p/trump-ran-on-reducing-regulations
For a look at what deregulation does, read Rachel Carson's Silent Spring. An oldy but goody....
Is there any hope for those of us in Red states that have capitulated to tRump, e.g., Texas? How do we preserve our civil rights?
Vote with your feet.
not an option - tied to an employer location and trying to stay near family.
I fully understand that is not the most practical advice.
Agree totally with today's column. And when the Blue Wave succeeds, Congress too, needs to get their act together to reenact the Voting Rights Act, and law reversing the Supreme Court decisions to expand executive functions. Congress enacts laws. And needs to put the Supreme Court & executive branch on notice that they do not make laws. Even if this president rejects the laws, Congress has to take back the law-making power.