As 2025 ends, we reflect and prepare for 2026—a critical year to defend democracy, champion freedom over fascism, and build people-powered progress together.
My biggest concern is that after all the evil of 2025, there’s still only a small percentage of Americans standing up and speaking out. MAGA is less than 30% so the 70% must all start doing SOMETHING each day to fight back and show MAGA they’re greatly outnumbered and WE WILL NOT SURRENDER AMERICA TO MAGA!!
I appreciate your asking me for my comments, since I get 250-300 emails per day asking me for only money, and I am thinking these people are mistaking me for a bank. Like you, I am like a cat on a tin roof in Trump's America. I am ill at ease in a country where a woman can not control what happens to her own body and where a loose-cannon document like Project 2025 can be put into practice with such apparent ease. The essence of my commentary to you is that I attribute all of this to Christian nationalism, a topic that none of the pundits feel comfortable discussing. Yes, they dance around it as a fringe phenomenon but no one analyzes it in depth. Even David A. Graham's recent book on Project 2025 does not plumb the dangers. For 32 years I taught at an open admissions community college in non-urban Maryland and for much of that time, I was fought every inch of every teaching day by fundamentalist Christians, now called Christian nationalists, who articulated their grievance at secular society and their intention to destroy that society. So, please wake up, those of you whose stated aim is to save American democracy, and let's face these "Christians" head on. Saying "Keep your religion out of my government" sounds nice but does nothing to repel or dispel the seductive power of their goal to turn this nation into a theocracy.
Everything listed is important. The Senate must use the filibuster wisely. The House is in disarray, but can a few Republicans find their spines? Lower courts must hold the line on injustice and the regime's lawlessness. Getting out the mid-term vote is critical... if we get that far. Ugh
I am impressed with the way you have outlined and targeted specific relevant information and topics. I tried to contact you once before and never heard back. I am 80 years old and don't do technology, so I doubt I can find you again. I'm not trying to sell anything. This is my final attempt.
I firmly believe in the concept of "Working Together and Helping Each Other" to produce WIN WIN Solutions moving forward.
Most people underestimate the experiences and wisdom of Seniors and choose to ignore the wealth of knowledge at our fingertips.
I am very young at heart, in kind of an Old School Fashion, in that I like interact with one or two people (or small groups) at a time.
Can you provide a contact person for me to talk to, meet, or text? Feel free to text or call me in Tampa, FL: (813) 391-0802
I am a retired public school Educator and University Professor. Over the last 35 plus years, I have developed ideas to easily disperse your information, using a simple delivery system that is extremely flexible and makes it relevant to each person's unique needs, and approaches.
Everyone says they want input, which basically means surveys, questions and money to confirm what they already believe. You and one other group asked for open ended comments.
I don't mind signing stuff to help out, but i do mind way too many emails from every place that's got a need for signatures. So, until that is straightened out, I'm not signing stuff.
Goal is dictatorship, part of process is cruelty to show us who's boss. Result would be easier to maintain dictatorship over 3rd world country than one w/large, educated middle class. Shredding Constitution complicates efforts of VA's new suicide prevention initiative, for which I volunteer. All I can do is continue my volunteer work, my 30+ anti-Trump letters published in local papers, my 20+ demonstrations like the 1000 march in Sackets Harbor NY covered by Rachel Maddow twice, also by Washington POST. VOTE!! Get everyone to vote!
-Education being gutted and replaced with white washed propaganda, from elementary to university level -- must vote people in who are pro-DEI and anti-book banning.
-Libraries' budgets being slashed and staff being threatened and/or punished for doing their jobs -- some communities, such as Harris County, Texas, have banned together and demanded their libraries be fully funded; instead of a 12% cut, one of the main library systems only got a 3% cut!
-Teachers being threatened and/or punished for being inclusive and caring for their students -- must demand that school admins support and protect teachers and encourage them to join unions.
-School boards being taken over by bigoted book banners -- Iast month in Texas, we voted most of the right winged Xtian nationalists out of our biggest school boards; the local M4L and similar groups are losing traction as their political puppets are being kicked out!
Let's not forget two things: get Private Equity firms OUT of healthcare - Along with completing what President Obama started - closing ALL "for-profit" prisons. Lastly, let's "flip the script" on this mistreatment of chronic pain patients and The Big Lie: the supposed "opioid crisis" manufactured by people in PROP and their ilk, now having been repeated by compromised journalists and physicians afraid of their own State Medical Boards (and the DEA). Let's abolish the DEA, while we're at it.
I am very concerned that there will be interference with voting machines by physical,technological and/or AI means. I think the last elections were tampered with so Trump won, and we lost in Tennessee. They should have hand counting with security present for every election going forward. They WILL cheat. Am not a conspiracy nut but I am serious about this.
This, the above, is most likely plan B.....plan A being no election. t'ism has metastasized, leaving our society and its form of government eviscerated and increasingly unable to counter and repair it. With the rule of law, both domestically and internationally,
non-existent, as it is today, this road becomes all the more fearful.
All, or most of the individual issues currently seeking remedy, exist because the rule of law
has been made a mockery of by the fascist regime that took over our government. (This with the exception of some courageous federal judges.)
The emphasis needs to be focused on ensuring there are elections, for one, and, for two, that the believers in, and supporters of three equal branches of government and the rule of law prevail in State and local elections.
You know, it seemed like my machine didn't do right here in San Antonio. I hit Kamalas name and it would switch to trump. I didn't know what to do about it. When I printed out the ticket it looked OK.
Top six reasons to add an additional argument to “affordability” for the Midterms. And some supportive research.
1)Though “affordability” can certainly be tied indirectly to Trump, we need a direct attack on him because of his low ratings and the motivation he inspires in voters:
Politico: “One thing is certainly clear from the past month: Trump has energized the base. The Democratic base. The strong results for Democrats — even in the reddest of areas — are a sign of voters’ eagerness to provide a check on Mr. Trump’s power. Sen. Ted Cruz agreed it was a “dangerous” sign for his party. “In a year, it’s going to be a turnout election, and the left will show up,” Cruz said in an interview with Fox Tuesday night. “Hate is a powerful motivator. They hate President Trump.”
2)Research I sent earlier showed that a high % of voters feel Trump has too much power and needs to be checked (e.g., “A new WA PO poll finds that 64 percent of voters say he is going too far in ‘trying to expand the power of the presidency’,”)
So, one possible frame is “If you feel Trump has taken too much power, the best way to fight that is to have a Democratic House and Senate. No matter your political affiliation, vote your Democratic nominee so we’ll have a Congress that won’t just rubber stamp whatever Trump wants.” Some Republicans are breaking a little now form Trump, but they will never get a real backbone before the election.
3)For certain constituencies, including those with higher incomes, affordability is just not as important (say if gas prices go up 5%). I personally am not wealthy but fall into that category. The affordability argument should be nuanced in its use/applicability, as discussed in the article excerpt at the bottom. So, need another argument for some—like the above one.
Even better would be to survey Congressional districts to find what issues are most important to the district (or constituencies within it). Earlier I sent a longer piece, with this suggestion being part of a step-by-step general campaign strategy. I can resend if desired.
4)In any case, why not use both effective arguments and double your electoral power. Democratic candidates and all voters can walk and chew gum at the same time. Consider distributing widely this well received short video that gets at both the “affordability” and “democracy/power” issues.
This 45 second video is the response to the Trump “shitting on protesters” video. Trump "shits" on Americans everyday with his policies/ not just on protesters
5)Can’t be sure that affordability/the economy won’t improve (to some extent) due to factors out of the control of policymakers. And who knows if some of Trump’s efforts to affect affordability will have an effect and thus lower the power of the argument. Why put all your eggs in one basket?
WA PO: “In recent weeks, Trump has eased tariffs on Brazilian coffee, fruit and beef in an effort to lower grocery costs. He has rolled back fuel efficiency rules in hopes of making cars less expensive. He has announced a deal with pharmaceutical companies to cut the price of weight-loss drugs. He has floated the idea of 50-year mortgages, which could lower homeowners’ monthly payments.”
Breaking from Axios: “President Trump signed an executive order creating task forces to investigate anticompetitive behavior in the food supply chain, "especially when carried out by foreign-controlled corporations.” The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission will probe price-fixing in meatpacking, seeds, fertilizer, equipment and more.”
Who knows if any of his more bizarre/unlikely ideas (like giving $2000 tariff rebate checks to citizens) might come to pass and have an effect.
6)Trump is going on tour to tout his economic programs and who knows what messaging might help with some voters, especially if he makes promises on future policies and voters believe him. He won his last election partly because people believed promises he made—that never came to pass.
Research:
12/17/25 - Voters Give Democrats In Congress A Record Low Job Approval But Still Might Vote For Them In 2026, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Majority Think Trump's Use Of Presidential Power Goes Too Far | Quinnipiac University Poll
If the election were held today, 47% of voters say they would want to see the Democratic Party win control of the House of Representatives, while 43% would want to see the Republican Party win control of the House.
==============================================
MOST URGENT ISSUE:
Given a list of ten issues and asked which is the most urgent one facing the country today, the top two issues for voters are the economy (24 percent) and preserving democracy in the United States (24 percent), followed by immigration (18 percent) and health care (10 percent). No other issues reached double digits.
Who’s best at:
handling the economy: 46 percent say the Republican party, 41 percent say the Democratic party, and 7 percent volunteer that there is no difference;
preserving democracy in the United States: 49 percent say the Democratic party, 40 percent say the Republican party, and 5 percent volunteer that there is no difference;
When it comes to using the power of the presidency, 54 percent of voters think Donald Trump is going too far, 37 percent think he is handling it about right, and 7 percent think Trump isn't going far enough in using the power of the presidency.
"Is the often described 'most powerful person in the world' wielding too much power? More than half of Americans believe President Trump has crossed that line,"
==========================================
Heading into midterms, Republicans hold edge with older voters, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds | Reuters
51% of those aged 18-49 said cost of living was the most important factor for how they will vote. But only 38% for those 50 and above.
This is important because:
“Older voters shifting toward the GOP:”
“As they have traditionally, Democrats enjoy an advantage among younger voters. The poll gave them an 11-point lead on the generic congressional ballot among voters under 50 -- 42% to 31%.”
“Some 46% of U.S. voters aged 50 and older said they planned to vote for the Republican running in their congressional district, 8 percentage points more than the 38% who said they would vote Democrat, according to the poll, which concluded on Monday.”
“In December 2021 - ahead of the last midterm elections - older voters favored Republicans by only a single point - 43% to 42%. In the same month ahead of the 2018 election, when Democrats ended up winning the House, they had a small lead among older Americans age 50 and up, 40% to 38%.”
“Voters over 50 made up 56% of the electorate in last year's presidential elections but comprised 64% of voters in the 2022 midterm contests, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center.”
“OLDER VOTERS MORE OFTEN TURN UP IN MIDTERMS:”
“But older voters are deemed more reliable voters in midterm elections, meaning there is some chance that key parts of the Democratic base won’t show up without Trump on the ballot.”
Other issues are as important or more important to older folks:
“Doug Sosnik, a former political adviser to former President Bill Clinton, said that Democrats now excel at turning out high-propensity voters except when it comes to older Americans, which could pose a problem next year. And those voters may be less swayed by the kind of cost-of-living issues that have animated recent Democratic campaigns, the poll found. Older voters may be more insulated from day-to-day worries, Sosnik said: “Wealth creates an environment of a different set of issue concerns.”
Although this was suggested, I would describe more specifically that this Administration has lost international respect for the United States because of withdrawal from our alliances and new friendship with Putin and Russia to the detriment of the U.S. dollar among other serious consequences. The immigration fixation has harmed multipole industries, especially farming and restaurants. Our sense of morality is damaged by the murder of civilians abroad with no due process as well as the cruel imprisonment of immigrants, many of whom have been denied their claims of asylum.
Nothing will change unless and until we replace enough in Congress, both R & D, with representatives who refuse corporate/PAC/large donations (pick a max figure..$1,000?). Absent that, little to nothing will change. Therefore, make it a minimum requirement of all candidates, work to support them, and if they win, positive results will follow.
I agree with you💯. Our government needs to do a lot of changing on the right and left. It's going to take a long time before we will.If ever gain the trust of the allies we used to have.
My biggest concern is that after all the evil of 2025, there’s still only a small percentage of Americans standing up and speaking out. MAGA is less than 30% so the 70% must all start doing SOMETHING each day to fight back and show MAGA they’re greatly outnumbered and WE WILL NOT SURRENDER AMERICA TO MAGA!!
I appreciate your asking me for my comments, since I get 250-300 emails per day asking me for only money, and I am thinking these people are mistaking me for a bank. Like you, I am like a cat on a tin roof in Trump's America. I am ill at ease in a country where a woman can not control what happens to her own body and where a loose-cannon document like Project 2025 can be put into practice with such apparent ease. The essence of my commentary to you is that I attribute all of this to Christian nationalism, a topic that none of the pundits feel comfortable discussing. Yes, they dance around it as a fringe phenomenon but no one analyzes it in depth. Even David A. Graham's recent book on Project 2025 does not plumb the dangers. For 32 years I taught at an open admissions community college in non-urban Maryland and for much of that time, I was fought every inch of every teaching day by fundamentalist Christians, now called Christian nationalists, who articulated their grievance at secular society and their intention to destroy that society. So, please wake up, those of you whose stated aim is to save American democracy, and let's face these "Christians" head on. Saying "Keep your religion out of my government" sounds nice but does nothing to repel or dispel the seductive power of their goal to turn this nation into a theocracy.
Everything listed is important. The Senate must use the filibuster wisely. The House is in disarray, but can a few Republicans find their spines? Lower courts must hold the line on injustice and the regime's lawlessness. Getting out the mid-term vote is critical... if we get that far. Ugh
I am impressed with the way you have outlined and targeted specific relevant information and topics. I tried to contact you once before and never heard back. I am 80 years old and don't do technology, so I doubt I can find you again. I'm not trying to sell anything. This is my final attempt.
I firmly believe in the concept of "Working Together and Helping Each Other" to produce WIN WIN Solutions moving forward.
Most people underestimate the experiences and wisdom of Seniors and choose to ignore the wealth of knowledge at our fingertips.
I am very young at heart, in kind of an Old School Fashion, in that I like interact with one or two people (or small groups) at a time.
Can you provide a contact person for me to talk to, meet, or text? Feel free to text or call me in Tampa, FL: (813) 391-0802
I am a retired public school Educator and University Professor. Over the last 35 plus years, I have developed ideas to easily disperse your information, using a simple delivery system that is extremely flexible and makes it relevant to each person's unique needs, and approaches.
Everyone says they want input, which basically means surveys, questions and money to confirm what they already believe. You and one other group asked for open ended comments.
Malevolence and Giga Atrocities
I don't mind signing stuff to help out, but i do mind way too many emails from every place that's got a need for signatures. So, until that is straightened out, I'm not signing stuff.
Goal is dictatorship, part of process is cruelty to show us who's boss. Result would be easier to maintain dictatorship over 3rd world country than one w/large, educated middle class. Shredding Constitution complicates efforts of VA's new suicide prevention initiative, for which I volunteer. All I can do is continue my volunteer work, my 30+ anti-Trump letters published in local papers, my 20+ demonstrations like the 1000 march in Sackets Harbor NY covered by Rachel Maddow twice, also by Washington POST. VOTE!! Get everyone to vote!
-Education being gutted and replaced with white washed propaganda, from elementary to university level -- must vote people in who are pro-DEI and anti-book banning.
-Libraries' budgets being slashed and staff being threatened and/or punished for doing their jobs -- some communities, such as Harris County, Texas, have banned together and demanded their libraries be fully funded; instead of a 12% cut, one of the main library systems only got a 3% cut!
-Teachers being threatened and/or punished for being inclusive and caring for their students -- must demand that school admins support and protect teachers and encourage them to join unions.
-School boards being taken over by bigoted book banners -- Iast month in Texas, we voted most of the right winged Xtian nationalists out of our biggest school boards; the local M4L and similar groups are losing traction as their political puppets are being kicked out!
Let's not forget two things: get Private Equity firms OUT of healthcare - Along with completing what President Obama started - closing ALL "for-profit" prisons. Lastly, let's "flip the script" on this mistreatment of chronic pain patients and The Big Lie: the supposed "opioid crisis" manufactured by people in PROP and their ilk, now having been repeated by compromised journalists and physicians afraid of their own State Medical Boards (and the DEA). Let's abolish the DEA, while we're at it.
I am very concerned that there will be interference with voting machines by physical,technological and/or AI means. I think the last elections were tampered with so Trump won, and we lost in Tennessee. They should have hand counting with security present for every election going forward. They WILL cheat. Am not a conspiracy nut but I am serious about this.
This, the above, is most likely plan B.....plan A being no election. t'ism has metastasized, leaving our society and its form of government eviscerated and increasingly unable to counter and repair it. With the rule of law, both domestically and internationally,
non-existent, as it is today, this road becomes all the more fearful.
All, or most of the individual issues currently seeking remedy, exist because the rule of law
has been made a mockery of by the fascist regime that took over our government. (This with the exception of some courageous federal judges.)
The emphasis needs to be focused on ensuring there are elections, for one, and, for two, that the believers in, and supporters of three equal branches of government and the rule of law prevail in State and local elections.
You know, it seemed like my machine didn't do right here in San Antonio. I hit Kamalas name and it would switch to trump. I didn't know what to do about it. When I printed out the ticket it looked OK.
Absolutely agree on all accounts.
Top six reasons to add an additional argument to “affordability” for the Midterms. And some supportive research.
1)Though “affordability” can certainly be tied indirectly to Trump, we need a direct attack on him because of his low ratings and the motivation he inspires in voters:
Politico: “One thing is certainly clear from the past month: Trump has energized the base. The Democratic base. The strong results for Democrats — even in the reddest of areas — are a sign of voters’ eagerness to provide a check on Mr. Trump’s power. Sen. Ted Cruz agreed it was a “dangerous” sign for his party. “In a year, it’s going to be a turnout election, and the left will show up,” Cruz said in an interview with Fox Tuesday night. “Hate is a powerful motivator. They hate President Trump.”
2)Research I sent earlier showed that a high % of voters feel Trump has too much power and needs to be checked (e.g., “A new WA PO poll finds that 64 percent of voters say he is going too far in ‘trying to expand the power of the presidency’,”)
So, one possible frame is “If you feel Trump has taken too much power, the best way to fight that is to have a Democratic House and Senate. No matter your political affiliation, vote your Democratic nominee so we’ll have a Congress that won’t just rubber stamp whatever Trump wants.” Some Republicans are breaking a little now form Trump, but they will never get a real backbone before the election.
3)For certain constituencies, including those with higher incomes, affordability is just not as important (say if gas prices go up 5%). I personally am not wealthy but fall into that category. The affordability argument should be nuanced in its use/applicability, as discussed in the article excerpt at the bottom. So, need another argument for some—like the above one.
Even better would be to survey Congressional districts to find what issues are most important to the district (or constituencies within it). Earlier I sent a longer piece, with this suggestion being part of a step-by-step general campaign strategy. I can resend if desired.
4)In any case, why not use both effective arguments and double your electoral power. Democratic candidates and all voters can walk and chew gum at the same time. Consider distributing widely this well received short video that gets at both the “affordability” and “democracy/power” issues.
This 45 second video is the response to the Trump “shitting on protesters” video. Trump "shits" on Americans everyday with his policies/ not just on protesters
5)Can’t be sure that affordability/the economy won’t improve (to some extent) due to factors out of the control of policymakers. And who knows if some of Trump’s efforts to affect affordability will have an effect and thus lower the power of the argument. Why put all your eggs in one basket?
WA PO: “In recent weeks, Trump has eased tariffs on Brazilian coffee, fruit and beef in an effort to lower grocery costs. He has rolled back fuel efficiency rules in hopes of making cars less expensive. He has announced a deal with pharmaceutical companies to cut the price of weight-loss drugs. He has floated the idea of 50-year mortgages, which could lower homeowners’ monthly payments.”
Breaking from Axios: “President Trump signed an executive order creating task forces to investigate anticompetitive behavior in the food supply chain, "especially when carried out by foreign-controlled corporations.” The Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission will probe price-fixing in meatpacking, seeds, fertilizer, equipment and more.”
Who knows if any of his more bizarre/unlikely ideas (like giving $2000 tariff rebate checks to citizens) might come to pass and have an effect.
6)Trump is going on tour to tout his economic programs and who knows what messaging might help with some voters, especially if he makes promises on future policies and voters believe him. He won his last election partly because people believed promises he made—that never came to pass.
Research:
12/17/25 - Voters Give Democrats In Congress A Record Low Job Approval But Still Might Vote For Them In 2026, Quinnipiac University National Poll Finds; Majority Think Trump's Use Of Presidential Power Goes Too Far | Quinnipiac University Poll
If the election were held today, 47% of voters say they would want to see the Democratic Party win control of the House of Representatives, while 43% would want to see the Republican Party win control of the House.
==============================================
MOST URGENT ISSUE:
Given a list of ten issues and asked which is the most urgent one facing the country today, the top two issues for voters are the economy (24 percent) and preserving democracy in the United States (24 percent), followed by immigration (18 percent) and health care (10 percent). No other issues reached double digits.
Who’s best at:
handling the economy: 46 percent say the Republican party, 41 percent say the Democratic party, and 7 percent volunteer that there is no difference;
preserving democracy in the United States: 49 percent say the Democratic party, 40 percent say the Republican party, and 5 percent volunteer that there is no difference;
When it comes to using the power of the presidency, 54 percent of voters think Donald Trump is going too far, 37 percent think he is handling it about right, and 7 percent think Trump isn't going far enough in using the power of the presidency.
"Is the often described 'most powerful person in the world' wielding too much power? More than half of Americans believe President Trump has crossed that line,"
==========================================
Heading into midterms, Republicans hold edge with older voters, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds | Reuters
51% of those aged 18-49 said cost of living was the most important factor for how they will vote. But only 38% for those 50 and above.
This is important because:
“Older voters shifting toward the GOP:”
“As they have traditionally, Democrats enjoy an advantage among younger voters. The poll gave them an 11-point lead on the generic congressional ballot among voters under 50 -- 42% to 31%.”
“Some 46% of U.S. voters aged 50 and older said they planned to vote for the Republican running in their congressional district, 8 percentage points more than the 38% who said they would vote Democrat, according to the poll, which concluded on Monday.”
“In December 2021 - ahead of the last midterm elections - older voters favored Republicans by only a single point - 43% to 42%. In the same month ahead of the 2018 election, when Democrats ended up winning the House, they had a small lead among older Americans age 50 and up, 40% to 38%.”
“Voters over 50 made up 56% of the electorate in last year's presidential elections but comprised 64% of voters in the 2022 midterm contests, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center.”
“OLDER VOTERS MORE OFTEN TURN UP IN MIDTERMS:”
“But older voters are deemed more reliable voters in midterm elections, meaning there is some chance that key parts of the Democratic base won’t show up without Trump on the ballot.”
Other issues are as important or more important to older folks:
“Doug Sosnik, a former political adviser to former President Bill Clinton, said that Democrats now excel at turning out high-propensity voters except when it comes to older Americans, which could pose a problem next year. And those voters may be less swayed by the kind of cost-of-living issues that have animated recent Democratic campaigns, the poll found. Older voters may be more insulated from day-to-day worries, Sosnik said: “Wealth creates an environment of a different set of issue concerns.”
Although this was suggested, I would describe more specifically that this Administration has lost international respect for the United States because of withdrawal from our alliances and new friendship with Putin and Russia to the detriment of the U.S. dollar among other serious consequences. The immigration fixation has harmed multipole industries, especially farming and restaurants. Our sense of morality is damaged by the murder of civilians abroad with no due process as well as the cruel imprisonment of immigrants, many of whom have been denied their claims of asylum.
Nothing will change unless and until we replace enough in Congress, both R & D, with representatives who refuse corporate/PAC/large donations (pick a max figure..$1,000?). Absent that, little to nothing will change. Therefore, make it a minimum requirement of all candidates, work to support them, and if they win, positive results will follow.
I agree with you💯. Our government needs to do a lot of changing on the right and left. It's going to take a long time before we will.If ever gain the trust of the allies we used to have.