Common Sense Policies For America
REINING IN ICE
ICE’s lawlessness, cruelty, and violence are well documented. PLEASE contact your U.S. Senators NOW. Ask them to block ICE’s budget until thorough, local investigations of ICE killings are underway and unless it includes strong accountability and transparency measures.
BLUNTING THE IMPACT OF BIG MONEY IN ELECTIONS
Big money is corrupting our elections and elected officials. There are ways to blunt its impact that can be taken now by Democratic Party officials and by state and municipal governments. Contact them and encourage them to act now to blunt the impact of big money in our political system.
DEMOCRATS AND ELECTIONS
Two key questions for 2026: Will we have fair and honest elections? What do the Democrats need to do to win – and win big? I encourage you to contact your state election officials, as well as national and state Democratic Party leaders and elected officials. This post provides answers and messages.
GOOD NEWS TO START THE NEW YEAR
2025 was a horrible year for American democracy. However, many good things did happen; here are some of them. Let’s keep up the activism and resistance in 2026. And let’s get out to vote and get everyone we know out to vote. That will make it a much better year than 2025 was. Happy New Year!
ALTERNATIVES TO THE HUGE, BILLIONAIRE-OWNED NEWS AND MEDIA COMPANIES
The huge, billionaire-owned news and media companies are not providing voters with the information needed for a well-functioning democracy. Abandon these biased, corporate news sources for independent, typically viewer / reader supported, non-profit sources, such as those identified here.
FIXES FOR HUGE, BILLIONAIRE-OWNED NEWS AND MEDIA COMPANIES
Huge news and media companies are dangerous and harmful. They control the information and disinformation we receive. They are not providing voters with the information they need to maintain a well-functioning democracy. Here are steps to rein in and compensate for their dangers and harm.
THE DANGERS OF HUGE FOR-PROFIT NEWS AND MEDIA COMPANIES
Consolidation in the news and media industry over the last 40 years includes TV, radio, print, and social media. The profit motive drives the promotion of divisive and culture war messages, while minimizing local reporting. This undermines civic engagement, perverts politics, and harms democracy.
THE DANGERS OF MEDIA CONSOLIDATION AND BILLIONAIRE OWNERS
Huge mega-companies are harmful because they have monopolistic powers. Consolidation in the media and news industry under billionaire owners is concerning because they control the information we receive. Biased “news” means voters don’t get the information they need for a well-functioning democracy.
EVERY REPUBLICAN WHO DOESN’T STAND UP SHARES THE BLAME
Every Republican, especially those in Congress, who does not resist the undemocratic and illegal actions of Trump and his administration shares the blame for what’s happening. The Republican Party of Trump is a dark shadow of its former self. Many past Republican leaders would be horrified.
A SUCCESS FOR DEMOCRACY: PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FINANCING
The US campaign finance system is corrupt. Wealthy individuals and corporations buy candidates. Public matching funds systems democratize campaign financing by amplifying the voices of everyday Americans. New York City’s system has allowed Mamdani to run a competitive race for Mayor.
SIGNS OF A RESURGENCE OF DEMOCRACY AND PROGRESSIVE POLICIES
An American oligarchy has battled for control of our country. There are signs of a resurgence of democracy and progressive policies, including a resurgence of unions, campaign finance reforms, and growing resistance to the Trump administration. We, the American people, can defeat the oligarchy.
THE AMERICAN STRUGGLE BETWEEN OLIGARCHY AND DEMOCRACY
An American oligarchy has battled for control of our country since its founding. In 1980, the American oligarchy re-emerged. Defenders of democracy are fighting back with growing protests against and resistance to King Trump. Please find and participate in an Oct. 18 No Kings protest.
STANDING UP TO TRUMP AND CORPORATE OLIGARCHS
American oligarchs have spent 45 years and billions of dollars undermining democracy and skewing government policy. We need to stand up to Trump and corporate CEOs. They depend on us, their customers and voters. We did so with the reaction to their pulling the Jimmy Kimmel show off the air.
CORPORATE OLIGARCHS HAVE BEEN UNDERMINING DEMOCRACY FOR 45 YEARS
Trump is the culmination of decades of work by wealthy individuals and CEOs (America’s oligarchs) undermining democracy & skewing government policy. This has led to high income & wealth inequality. Many Americans have lost their economic security, as well as their faith in government & democracy.
PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN A “MAKE GOOD TROUBLE” PROTEST ON THURS., 7/17
PLEASE participate in a Make Good Trouble protest on Thurs., July 17. The Trump administration continues its assaults on our democracy and on the safety and well-being of Americans. We and our elected officials need to step up our resistance and make it clear we oppose the administration’s actions.
RESISTANCE: PEOPLE’S PROMISE LETTER, USPS, NIH, ETC.
Trump is taking so many illegal, cruel, and objectionable actions that it’s hard to know what to focus on. Most important is to regularly raise your voice and take actions to resist, protest, and push back. For example, ask Congress to support the NIH and USPS. Sign the People’s Promise letter.
OPPOSE THE SAVE ACT AND NORRA; GET ABREGO GARCIA BACK
Contact your US Senators and ask them to block the SAVE Act. It’s pure voter suppression. And the No Rogue Rulings Act. It would limit federal judges’ ability to issue nationwide injunctions. Ask them and your US Rep to demand the return Abrego Garcia from the El Salvador prison.
DEMOCRATS ARE MOBILIZING!
Democrats in Congress are stepping up to resist the unprecedented challenges the Trump administration and complicit Republicans are presenting to our democracy and its foundational institutions. Contact your members of Congress to thank them for what they’re doing to resist and ask them to do more.
PROTEST ABDUCTIONS AND AT APRIL 5 EVENTS
Contact your US Representative and Senators and ask them to demand that law abiding, legal U.S. residents that have been abducted and detained by ICE be released immediately and that these illegal arrests stop. If you can, join the big, nationwide HANDS OFF! protest planned for Saturday, April 5. Also, ask your US Rep to support and vote for Senate Bill S.1077, the 2025 District of Columbia (D.C.) Local Funds Act.