How to win elections

 Step by step. 

Sisters and brothers - 

Apologies for not writing more frequently. Pretty crazy and busy times.

Let me begin by thanking you all for making possible the extraordinary successes that we’ve been having over the past year. As a result of your volunteer efforts and financial contributions Progressives have been taking on establishment candidates in Democratic primaries all across the country - and winning. We are changing the face of American politics. You are helping to make it happen.

It began in November with Zohran Mamdani’s incredible campaign to become Mayor of New York City. And then the wins kept on coming. Here are some of our more recent victories:

U.S. Senate Michigan - Abdul El-Sayed
U.S. Senate Minnesota- Peggy Flanagan
U.S. House OH-07 - Brian Poindexter
U.S. House PA -7 - Bob Brooks
U.S. House NJ - 11 - Analilia Mejia 
U.S. House NJ -12 - Adam Hamawy
U.S. House CA - 22 - Randy Villegas
U.S. House - MT - 01 - Sam Forstag
U.S. House - NY 10 - Brad Lander
U.S. House - NY 7 - Claire Valdez
U.S. House - CO -1 - Melat Kiros
U.S. House - AZ - 7 - Adelita Grijalva
U.S. House - MI - 13 - Donavan McKinney
U.S. House - MI - 7 - Will Lawrence
U.S. House - TN - 9 - Justin Pearson
U.S. House - WI - 3 - Rebecca Cooke 
California Insurance Commissioner- Jane Kim

Sisters and brothers. I do not need to tell you that running as a progressive in this country is never easy.

Oftentimes we are taking on the local Democratic Party establishment. We are taking on the national Democratic Party establishment. We are taking on super PACs and big money interests who have unlimited resources to elect their candidates. And if we make it past them, we are then taking on Donald Trump, the Republican Party and more super PACs with unlimited money.

In Michigan last week, we supported two candidates for the House -- Will Lawrence in Lansing and Donavan McKinney in Detroit In the case of Will Lawrence, he was outspent and the national Democratic Party establishment rallied around his opponent. In the case of Donavan McKinney, he was taking on an incumbent Congressman who had the support of the cryptocurrency industry. Both Will and Donavan were victorious.

Statewide, we endorsed Dr. Abdul El-Sayed for United States Senate. We raised more than $500,000 in small-dollar donations for his campaign. We held large rallies for him in Michigan and grassroots meetings for him online. We ran ads in the state and turned out our volunteers for phone banks and door knocks everywhere. 

Abdul was taking on everyone. Including, in a way that I had never heard of before in a Democratic primary -- $60 million in super PAC funding from AIPAC and other organizations. He was outspent by 10-1. Didn't matter. He won.

Peggy Flanagan’s victory in the Minnesota Democratic primary followed a similar course. In her case, she faced a 7 to 1 disparity in outside spending with super PACs spending a record-breaking $20 million against her. Minnesotans saw through the ugly ads. She won by 20 points.

How did Abdul and Peggy do it? How did they manage to win against all that opposition? And what lessons can be learned from their campaigns for other progressives running for office?

First, like Mamdani did in New York City, they both ran extremely aggressive grassroots campaigns. They traveled up and down their states, holding hundreds of town meetings, talking to anyone who would attend. In other words they did effective, old fashioned people-to-people politics. But it was not just the candidates who worked hard. Abdul and Peggy mobilized thousands of volunteers who did the grunt work that every good campaign requires - knocking on doors, distributing literature, making phone calls, doing social media and making sure that voters got to the polls.

Further, Abdul and Peggy did something that too few Democrats running for office do: they gave people something to vote FOR rather than just vote AGAINST. In other words, they treated their constituents as intelligent human beings, honestly described the serious crises facing our country and outlined an agenda that addresses the pain that millions of working class families are experiencing. In their campaigns they made clear that it’s too late for tinkering around the edges. We need real change NOW.

Both of them had the courage to take on the Oligarchs who wield such enormous power over our economy and political life, and the greed of corporate America. They campaigned on raising the minimum wage to a living wage and their support for the trade union movement. They demanded an end to poverty for seniors, children and the disabled, making housing affordable and creating millions of good paying jobs by combatting the existential threat of climate change. They made clear that the time is long overdue for the billionaire class to start paying its fair share of taxes. 

Over and over again, they described our current healthcare system as broken and dysfunctional, that healthcare is a human right and that we must move to a Medicare for All single payer program which guarantees health care to every man, woman, and child in this country. 

They also spoke out forcefully against our disastrous foreign policy, the need to end “endless wars” and the cessation of all military aid to the extremist Netanyahu government in Israel.

Sisters and brothers - I look across this country at the rallies we've held and the elections we won and I believe we may very well be on the brink of the political revolution we have been fighting for over the last decade.

If I had told you eleven years ago when we launched our first campaign for president that we'd have socialist mayors in New York City, Seattle and Washington, DC; that the people of California would put a billionaire tax on the ballot this November, that progressives and democratic socialists would be defeating establishment candidates in House and Senate races everywhere... I am not sure many of you would have believed me.

But that is what is happening right now in America.

And it's not because of me...

It's because of US.

What all of us - together - have done over the years is to fight for government that works for all, and not just the few - a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice.

Needless to say our work is not finished. Far from it. We’re just beginning. Winning a primary is one thing. Winning a general election is something else.

During the next two and a half months I intend to do everything I can to see that progressive candidates win their elections and that Democrats gain control over the House and the Senate.

We’re in this together. Let's get it done.

In solidarity,

Bernie 

The Psychiatry of MAGA

 Here is a very interesting presentation about how to understand the MAGA mind.  Check it out

A Psychiatrist Explains Why Followers Of Trump Believe Everything He Says

A Psychiatrist Explains Why Followers Of Trump Believe Everything He Says

And then, after he says it. His several social networks and " influencers" repeat it over and over. Each message- even the lies- get repeated millions of times. 

This media network endagers our vote.   He won in 2024 with this mechanism.  The Democrats hae not yet dome up with n quivalent force.  

And, most of the "consultants" are not even looking for alternatives.  

Oppose Voter Manipulation _ Defend Democracy

 The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE America Act, passed the House of Representatives on February 11, 2026, and is currently under consideration in the United States Senate.

As of mid-July 2026, the SAVE America Act has not yet passed the Senate and is stalled after multiple failed votes. This bill is a top priority for the president (47) ahead of the 2026 midterms. He has consistently urged Congress to pass it and has even withheld his signature on other bills until the SAVE America Act is sent to him. 47 is demanding that the Senate cancel its August recess until the voting bill is approved.

Why should we oppose this legislation and protect our democracy? We must make our congressional leaders hear our voices. Please call, text, email, visit their district offices, and demand that they vote NO!

The SAVE America Act will introduce additional obstacles for eligible voters trying to register and cast ballots, disrupting the way elections are conducted nationwide just months before the midterms. Specifically, the bill would eliminate online and mail-in voter registration, impose excessive civil and criminal penalties on election officials, and disenfranchise millions of Americans by requiring documentary proof of citizenship and photo identification both when registering to vote and when voting at the polls. Currently, only 6% of voters register in person at an election office, and over 146 million Americans do not own a passport.

It's important to note that it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and instances of such voting are extremely rare. Federal law requires voters to swear under penalty of perjury that they are citizens and eligible to vote.

Like many civil rights organizations at the national, state, and local levels, we urge Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and invest in expanding access to voting rather than restricting it. The proposed SAVE America Act conflicts with the U.S. Constitution by granting states primary authority over the timing, locations, and methods of federal elections, with only limited oversight from Congress.

Additionally, this bill emerges amid heightened tensions surrounding election administration. Recent events, such as the FBI's seizure of hundreds of boxes of 2020 election ballots in Fulton County, Georgia, and similar incidents in other battleground cities, have fueled concerns—especially as Trump continues to falsely assert that he won in 2020.

The Brennan Center for Justice highlighted that the bill would disenfranchise Americans of all ages and races, disproportionately affecting younger voters and people of color. Women, particularly those whose married names do not match their birth certificates or passports, would also face additional challenges in voicing their opinions.

We must contact California's two senators and demand that they vote NO on the SAVE America Act as written. We should write letters to the editors of local newspapers, include information about the bill in our organizational newsletters, and share it with friends, family, and colleagues. While resources may be limited, we should also support organizations fighting for justice on the front lines.

It is essential to stand in solidarity with other progressive community-based groups working to dismantle white supremacy and promote justice. If enacted, the SAVE America Act would create significant hurdles for both voters and election officials. We must take direct action, organize peaceful protests, and actively raise awareness!

 If enacted, the SAVE America Act would create hurdles for voters and election officials.   Please call California's two United States Senators:

• United States Senator Alex Padilla

501 I Street, Suite 7-800

Sacramento, CA 95814   website: https://www.padilla.senate.gov/about/

*This office is currently under renovation and is only available by appointment only

(916) 448-2787 or (202) 228-3865

posted by Duane Campbell 

Teachers Join Democracy Defenders

 

Every voter, regardless of party, should be able to trust that their ballot can be cast safely and will be counted fairly. Yet voters run into problems that shouldn’t happen: confusing rules, long lines, challenged mail ballots, polling-place disruptions and urgent questions that no one answers in time. We’re facing more challenges than ever this upcoming election, with mid-decade redistricting, challenges to vote-by-mail, and a constant assault on elections by the current occupant of the White House. Ten states have changed their congressional maps since last summer. And unfortunately politicians have used redistricting to tilt the playing field—choosing their voters instead of letting voters choose them.  These barriers should never stand between a voter, their ballot and their voice. That’s why the AFT is recruiting 5,000 Democracy Defenders nationwide. The first step is simple: Join us virtually for the Democracy Defenders kickoff, live on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. EDT. The Supreme Court’s Callais decision this spring made things worse by gutting the Voting Rights Act, diluting Black voters’ power and limiting communities’ ability to elect representatives of their choice. And even though mail-in voting has been proven repeatedly to be safe and secure, sweeping changes have been made regarding how mail ballots are sent, tracked and tied to voter-eligibility lists. Those changes are already being fought in court, leaving voters and election officials facing even more uncertainty than usual.  That’s where we come in. Join us on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. EDT and learn more about how you can become a Democracy Defender with the AFT. Democracy Defenders are AFT members and allies trained to protect the right to vote in their own communities—helping voters understand their options for casting a ballot early or by mail, watching for threats to voter access, connecting voters with election-protection resources, and making sure every eligible voter can vote and that every vote gets counted. You don’t need to be an elections expert to get involved. At the kickoff, we’ll walk you through the training, tools and support you need to protect the vote in your community. Whether you serve as a poll worker, drive neighbors to the polls or help voters find accurate information, every election depends on ordinary people like you stepping up to defend every voter’s right to be heard. That’s exactly what Democracy Defenders is all about. Join us on Aug. 11 at 7 p.m. EDT for the Democracy Defenders kickoff. In unity, Randi Weingarten AFT President More to come from Teachers Defending Democracy.  Follow this site.

Educators Resist

 

TL;DR What We’ve Done In July, we were lucky to have three guest speakers at our meeting who detailed their efforts in supporting OUR RIGHT TO VOTE in different ways. We learned how we can contribute to their efforts. If you want to help bolster democracy through voter engagement, please read on for details.  What We’re Up to Next It’’s ALL about voting this month. Please see opportunities below to participate in voter activation. Important Announcement Our August meeting has been cancelled. But you can still get involved. See details below.

Happy Back-to-School Season! Wow! Summers always pass so quickly, don’t they? That final bell closing out the spring still echoes even as the first day of fall semester is right around the corner. We’re all either decorating classrooms, stocking library shelves, loading digital content, or figuring out how to pack lunches 5 days a week— we’ve all got a role to play and tasks screaming for our attention. That’s why the August meeting for Educators Resist has been cancelled. It would have fallen on the first day back to school, and that just seemed a bit much. We’ll be back to our regular schedule in September.  Protecting & Strengthening Democracy Takes ALL of Us. How can you help? There’s a level of engagement for every type; even if you’ve never before engaged, there’s a place for you! And we never go it alone. You’ll have all the support and comaraderie you need.  Canvassing Canvassing is all about direct community engagement. It works like this: Meet up ahead of canvassing and receive training on a given candidate or issue.  Pair or team up and spread out across specific, vetted neighborhoods to knock on the doors of friendly potential voters, meaning, you won’t be tasked with talking to people with drastically different views.  Stay above the fray: we’re not trying to get into fiery debates; the goal is simply to raise the awareness of the importance of voting in folks who likely already agree with democratic positions.  It’s really a lot of fun and makes a BIG impact! There’s a kick-off meeting and training August 6th, but if you miss that one, don’t worry! There are plenty of opportunities to get filled in. For more information click the link below, or reach out to Cynthia at  cynthiashallit@gmail.com Learn more about CANVASSING or sign up to participate by visiting Indivisible Sacramento Canvass Crew for Progressive Change Our Next Meeting Interested in finding out more about what we do? Want to share your ideas about how we can all support education in these troubling times?  We meet each month to discuss ways to fulfill our stated current goal: to create a thriving community where students and families affected by immigration feel safe and empowered.  Please join us at our next Educators Resist! meeting on Monday, September 14th at 5 p.m. We hope to see you there! Click the button for details and to sign up. Educators Resist! September Meeting Senior to Senior Voter Registration Senior to senior is an active voter registration and pre-registration drive that takes place at high schools around the county.  Seniors (those over 60yo) are trained in how to pre-register (depending on age) and register high school seniors.  Taking place in high school government classes, the students are primed and ready to participate in the national conversation.  If you’re interested in becoming part of the crew that performs this essential and rewarding work, please reach out to Libbie Coleman at  libcoleman@gmail.com  In Conversation with College Students Cathryn dedicates her time to setting up tables at Sacramento City College to help educate students on the importance of voting and she’d LOVE our help!  You can join her at her table, or establish one of your own at a different campus — she’ll be happy to help you get started!  Reach out to Cathryn at  catlobbyteam@icloud.com Help Us Get to Know You :) Even though we’ve met lots of you and even worked closely with some of you, it feels like there’s more. And since this group is modeled after “courage collectives,” collaboration is key to our success.  Will you please take just two minutes to complete this short survey here? Your responses will help guide the work we do together. Thank you!! Start Survey

Want to help but don’t have a lot of time? NorCal Resist is conducting a School Supply Drive. If you’ve got the wherewithal, please consider donating some of the items listed below. You can donate at NorCal Resist (address on flyer below) or by contacting Jocelyn at the email address on the flyer, or by bringing donations to our monthly meeting.  Looking forward to seeing you again and to working together for students, families, and our democracy!! Who Are We?? We’re a diverse group who believes EDUCATION is a vital pillar that supports any democracy; AND we believe it’s up to us to fortify that pillar so that democracy may stand. We RESIST any attempt at weakening the foundation upon which democracy is built. Join us! We welcome all who share our conviction that with education we can make a difference. To learn more about Educators Resist! please click the link below.    About Educators Resist! More to follow.

Heritage Foundation debates whether the Hollocost happened.?

 Know  the enemy.  Including V.P. Vance.

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/magazine/heritage-foundation-trump-republicans.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20260803&instance_id=179744&nl=from-the-times&regi_id=20367268&segment_id=224117&user_id=74a17c6879229e6af3c459c9a00ed609

Why Fascists Fear Teachers

Why Fascists Fear Teachers 

by Randi Weingarten

President, AFT

Teachers are under siege not for anything they do wrong, but for what they do right.

An excellent read. (2025)

The title of my new book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, is intended as a warning, but it may belie what the book is at its core: a love letter to teachers. I write about teachers’ seemingly small everyday acts, like fostering empathy, confidence, critical thinking and mastery, that cultivate opportunity and humanity in our young people. And I look back at historic acts of heroism, such as the teachers in Norway who were among the first and most resolute to protest the Nazi takeover, even when the Nazis tried to violently force them into submission. When I heard that story many years ago, I would never have believed that echoes of authoritarianism would reverberate in the United States today. Nor could I have imagined that this book would come into the world at a time when heinous acts of political violence are occurring with horrifying frequency, violence that I condemn with every fiber of my being. Yet here we are.

 

Weingarten signing her book, Why Fascists Fear Teachers, on Sept. 16 in New York. Photo credit: Mario Jose Ibarra 

I try in this book to answer several questions. Teachers are widely recognized and appreciated for dedicating themselves to helping all children reach their unique potential. So why are there so many attacks on teachers? Why do so many extremist politicians think it’s OK to smear and insult teachers? Why are we seeing the defunding of already strapped schools, the book bans, the censoring of honest history and so many other actions that prevent our children from getting the education they deserve? Why are these actions, which are warning signs of increasing authoritarianism, happening in the United States today?

The answer is that authoritarians fear a well-educated citizenry. They fear what educators do—the teaching of critical thinking, of honest history, of pluralism—because their brand of greed, power and privilege cannot survive in a democracy of diverse, educated citizens. Public education is essential to a free and fair America, and teachers are essential to public education. We’re under siege not for anything we do wrong, but for all the things we do right.

The Founding Fathers believed public education was a bulwark against tyranny. Why Fascists Fear Teachers lays out the plot to undermine public education, which a conservative activist declared outright required his allies to be “ruthless and brutal.”

Extremists are executing that plot with alarming resolve: Starve public schools of the funds they need to succeed, then criticize them for their shortcomings. Erode trust in public schools by stoking fear and division, including attempting to pit parents against teachers. And replace them with homeschooling and private, religious and online schools. All toward their end goal of destroying public education as we know it, atomizing and balkanizing education in America, bullying the most vulnerable among us and leaving the students with the greatest needs in public schools with the most meager resources.

I tell the stories of teachers who have fought for their students and for the promise of public education. I hope educators will see themselves in its pages. And I hope it will help parents, students, policymakers and everyone invested in our nation’s future understand why teachers and public schools are essential to individual opportunity, our collective prosperity and the survival of our democracy.

That feels especially crucial as the country reels from another horrific political assassination. Political violence is never acceptable. Never. As every living former president has said in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, all Americans must condemn violence and de-escalate the tensions roiling the country. In many ways, teachers can serve as the antidote to them, by helping students navigate this trauma and division and by modeling civil discourse.

No one should condone—and certainly no one should celebrate—violence. But in this highly charged moment, many people are paying a high price for exercising constitutionally protected speech, and some have even been accused of hate speech for decrying hate speech. We must recommit as a nation to the right to express ourselves nonviolently without fear and to resolving disagreements peacefully and civilly.

Ninety percent of America’s young people attend public schools, where educators strive to prepare them with the fundamentals for full and productive lives—with the academic foundation they need, of course, as well as the ability to participate in civic life and to work together across differences. Our public schools are America’s great engine of opportunity. They are where teachers dedicate themselves to providing children of every background an education that is safe, welcoming, relevant and engaging. When we strengthen our public schools and support our children’s teachers, we sustain the American dream and democracy itself.

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