Trump and Republican Party leaders are refusing to acknowledge that Democrat Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris have won the 2020 election. Despite Biden’s win in the Electoral College and his win of 4.4 million* and counting in the popular vote, Trump insists—without evidence-- that there has been fraud and will not concede the election. So far, most Republican leaders are following his lead. This morning, for example, Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) suggested, contrary to the facts, that there are irregularities in the ballot counting.
On Sunday, I wrote to my senator, Senator Pat Toomey, via CAUSES, to tell him what I thought about his Friday CBS THIS MORNING interview:
Senator Toomey - you really showed your true colors on Friday on CBS This Morning, trying to disqualify mail-in-ballots as NOT LEGAL BALLOTS. You KNEW ballots received after Nov 3rd were never in the count. You KNEW the rules about poll watchers, and when Republicans cried about the distance, you KNEW they ruled in your favor when you complained about a lack of transparency. And there is no such thing as an illegal ruling by the PA Supreme Court; you can argue an incorrect ruling, but the PASC is not a criminal cabal. I am gobsmacked that you threw so much shade on a democratic process that put YOU in your Senate seat. SHAME ON YOU!
I was hoping I could stop writing this after Biden's win, but the evidence is clear: The two enemies of Trump and the Republican Party are truth and democracy. That's why lying and voter suppression are really their only two campaign strategies. Their continued actions in the face of their loss only further prove this.
When I read yesterday that the GSA won’t provide the Biden team with information they have a right to receive and that they need to do their job I was absolutely furious. Pissing and whining about a supposedly “stolen” election is one thing but active obstruction is a whole different ball game. The Biden team needs to do whatever they can to force these idiots to do what they are supposed to, be it lawsuits or whatever is within their legal power to do. This is an absolute outrage against America and cannot be permitted. Let little donnie play all the golf he wants. The real adults have a country to run.
The idea of Trump holding rallies fills me with dread.
He may have some motivation to use them as fundraising events for his attempt to undo the outcome of the election in the courts, but they are just as likely to drift perilously close to inciting his true believers to settle scores for him in the streets. He would, as is his wont, deny any responsibility if violence followed directly from his rallies.
I hope that cooler heads prevail and he is dissuaded from holding rallies, and I hope against hope, that no violence results should he not listen to reason. Senator Graham and those like him who are encouraging the President in his mad folly to reverse the will of the people, deserve all the public scorn that can be directed toward them. The fact that Graham was reelected is one of the biggest disappointments of this election.
(1) Donald Trump received more votes than any president in US history. Only the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ticket received more votes.
(2) The election system works. Even an autocrat is unable to tamper with it effectively.
Autocrats are not welcome in America. This election cycle saw an unprecedented turnout of Republicans, including at least seven professional campaign organizations (Lincoln Project, Rep. Voters Against Trump, 43 Alumni for Biden, et al), actively and sometimes viciously fighting against their own party’s candidate.
Face it people, we narrowly averted reelecting our own Mussolini, our own Hitler imitator.
Even so, this guy broke all kinds of records for votes cast in his favor. This man was a legitimate president. Quibbling about whether or not he won more popular votes in 2016, quibbling about our antiquated electoral college system, misses the point. The point of a democracy is that the elected leaders represent The electorate. This man got more votes than any president in history. He IS the voice of that electorate. That electorate probably constitutes close to half the country. We have a total of 340 million people, and probably 150 to 160,000,000 of them are Trumpsters, conservatives, people who don’t recognize their unconscious bias, people who choose a men-first whites-first straights-first social model because It feels comfortable and familiar to them. If you think these people are just going to change overnight, or even in four years, you are sadly deluded.
I am a big fan of Michael Steele but I wasn’t always. He is very bright, funny, but reasonable and he realizes the present GOP is off the charts. The begging of money for Fake 45’s defense is almost laughable except we know his base will dutifully fund him. Are they all under some spell? The fact that the GSA will not allow Biden and his staff members to have access is illegal, is it not? My guess is that they are destroying important documents. Maybe all of F45’s Dick and Jane books.
So they want a recount? Okay, let Fake 45, Rudy, and the rest of the heathens sit at those tables and count those votes themselves. We will have Nancy, Schiff, Swalwell, and Klobuchar watch them do it! Should take them oh...about a week or so to complete their so-called investigation.
Well, we had one day to celebrate. The King of Distractions along with his pool of ass-lickers, have done it again. I am clinching my teeth to where they are singing “Let me go!”. Praying that the Biden campaign had worked out this scenario in advance and that they have a plan.
So two questions. If everyone who voted for Biden sent him just one dollar more today, (and maybe another dollar or two to the Georgia senators in the runoff), could that money be used to set up his transition team? And, could the rest of it be used to sue the Trump Admin for refusing to let the GSA do its job?
There are things that give me hope in our terrible situation. On 60 minutes last night, a very earnest republican who heads up the Pennsylvania elections testified effectively for the correctness of the process. I think that testimony can and will be repeated by all the states. In Sarasota county FL, where I live, I am impressed by the running of the government by officials and their professionalism. I will put my faith in these officials to do the correct thing when called to testify.
Current republicans study demographics just like other politicians. They know that unless they change their stance on social issues such as gay rights, women’s rights, equal and affordable health care for all, an end to voter suppression, equal education in public schools, fair taxes to pay for good government at all levels, and clear separation of religious beliefs from civil law, there is no hope for them to win elections after 2024. If I fail to make the case, ask your grandchildren.
There are some shocking revelations in today's Letter. The fact that Trump's campaign is falsely seeking money for a "defense fund", while the small print makes it clear that the money will be used for other purposes makes them look like snake oil hucksters. The refusal of the GSA to release funds and provide access to office space and equipment is unprecedented and mind-boggling. This will definitely be the worst transition ever; why can't Trump be as gracious as George W. Bush was to the incoming Obama administration? Because it simply is not in his nature; the words "gracious" and "courtesy" are not part of his vocabulary, as he has proven many times over his lifetime.
Trump reminds me of a chant I recall from many years ago, when the NY Knicks were playing in Madison Square Garden. The crowd shouted "If you ain't Number 1, you're nothing". He divides the world into winners and losers; also-rans don't count, no matter what the situation may be.
The idea that he has lost...be it at golf (where he is a notorious cheat), with women, or in an election, is anathema to him and he simply cannot cope with it. He will simply say "You won because you cheated, so I won't play anymore." He will not accept that there are rules, regulations, precedents, or necessary actions to prepare for the changeover. He would rather maintain a scorched earth policy and let the incoming administration do the best they can to cope with this dangerous situation. He would prefer to burn the White House down, as the British did in 1814, than let someone else move in.
Yesterday, Saturday, the day the election was called, I was hopeful! Today I spent the day reading and researching the Trump supporters reaction trying to understand and further my awareness. OK ... and now I’m worried! I worry more after reading tonight’s newsletter.
Do the Republican members of our government have any sense of decency left or has the total corruption of power completely taken over?
Why do they follow Trump?
How did he ever get so much power?
And will he ever go away?
My parents were staunch republicans and they would be horrified at what is happening here and now, especially at the gross amorality of these people.
I hope and pray that we can hold on to this election!
Would understanding Trump’s refusal to concede lie in his fear of falling to the wrath of legal suits he has been protected from and the inevitable shame and demise? Ones he can’t afford emotionally or financially? The Republicans who uphold the voter fraud myths may possibly be aware the eviceration of the Trump Myth has ramifications throughout the entire party.
HCR, I disagree with the following: "in their modern incarnation, Republicans will definitely have a hard time surviving unless they change the system even more than they already have. They are in the minority in the country, and a Democratic administration will likely pass a new voting rights act to replace the one the Supreme Court gutted in 2013."
The Republicans did very well in this election, much better than the polls anticipated. NC might be the outlier because of the unique circumstances there. However, I think they represent a very substantial number of people and could do better if they had a less inflammatory and divisive leader. Some commentators, including Tucker Carlson, have (in my opinion) analyzed the mood of the country and correctly observed the frustration of the "have-nots" and their deep-seated desire for a "Messiah" to lead them out of their misery. In effect, they are where the Dems used to be. I hope that Biden will address this anomaly, as the election of 2022 is vital if he wants to pass his program. As for the Voting Rights Act, it will be virtually impossible to pass a new act unless some Republicans defect (or the Dems win both seats in Georgia) and they must then contend with a 6-3 banace in the SCOTUS.
Is anyone else out there concerned about the Nov 7th NPR story of Trump “quietly” firing the leaders of three agencies; those overseeing nuclear security, electricity, and natural gas regulation?
I’m reminded of Mary Trump’s prediction that if he loses, he’ll take us down with him.
My wife has been a Biden backer since way before he announced he was running. She sent him a donation today to defend the attacks on the election results. I have no doubt that DJT will do anything he can to cling to the presidency, including fomenting armed insurrection. His 70 million minions still yearn for him to do so. These are perilous times! As Churchill said, "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." We must still be vigilant, and continue to fight for our democracy!
Morning, all!! Again, many thanks, Dr. R, for this latest Letter. Seems the honeymoon was a short one. Time to regroup, hunker down, for what's to come.
What was it that FDR said in his inaugural speech of 1933? "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
As a nation, for the past 4 years, a great majority of us have been terrorized by one inconsequential, uneducated, narcissistic, and bigoted man and his henchmen -- and women -- who thought he had us cornered. But, on Saturday, we breathed a sigh of relief. It was as though the weight of the world was lifted from our shoulders! I, for one, fell asleep for 3 solid hours after quickly rejoicing with friends over the phone.
We fought through and survived four years of pain, anguish, and abuse by this administration. Surely, despite the fear tactics they are and will be using, we shall overcome these barriers, too! Of course, we must be prepared and alerted to all their cheap and underhanded methods of cheating their way into power, but I am determined to stand up to them and their unstable leader. I refuse to be paralysed by their threats -- I can take another 71 or 2 days of our fight for democracy, justice, and decency! Together, we can continue to confront the "nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." We've come so far in defeating this fascist regime -- we can continue until its demise on 20th Jan., 2021. All their barriers will be for naught, right?!
On Sunday, I wrote to my senator, Senator Pat Toomey, via CAUSES, to tell him what I thought about his Friday CBS THIS MORNING interview:
Senator Toomey - you really showed your true colors on Friday on CBS This Morning, trying to disqualify mail-in-ballots as NOT LEGAL BALLOTS. You KNEW ballots received after Nov 3rd were never in the count. You KNEW the rules about poll watchers, and when Republicans cried about the distance, you KNEW they ruled in your favor when you complained about a lack of transparency. And there is no such thing as an illegal ruling by the PA Supreme Court; you can argue an incorrect ruling, but the PASC is not a criminal cabal. I am gobsmacked that you threw so much shade on a democratic process that put YOU in your Senate seat. SHAME ON YOU!
I was hoping I could stop writing this after Biden's win, but the evidence is clear: The two enemies of Trump and the Republican Party are truth and democracy. That's why lying and voter suppression are really their only two campaign strategies. Their continued actions in the face of their loss only further prove this.
When I read yesterday that the GSA won’t provide the Biden team with information they have a right to receive and that they need to do their job I was absolutely furious. Pissing and whining about a supposedly “stolen” election is one thing but active obstruction is a whole different ball game. The Biden team needs to do whatever they can to force these idiots to do what they are supposed to, be it lawsuits or whatever is within their legal power to do. This is an absolute outrage against America and cannot be permitted. Let little donnie play all the golf he wants. The real adults have a country to run.
The idea of Trump holding rallies fills me with dread.
He may have some motivation to use them as fundraising events for his attempt to undo the outcome of the election in the courts, but they are just as likely to drift perilously close to inciting his true believers to settle scores for him in the streets. He would, as is his wont, deny any responsibility if violence followed directly from his rallies.
I hope that cooler heads prevail and he is dissuaded from holding rallies, and I hope against hope, that no violence results should he not listen to reason. Senator Graham and those like him who are encouraging the President in his mad folly to reverse the will of the people, deserve all the public scorn that can be directed toward them. The fact that Graham was reelected is one of the biggest disappointments of this election.
What We Know:
(1) Donald Trump received more votes than any president in US history. Only the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris ticket received more votes.
(2) The election system works. Even an autocrat is unable to tamper with it effectively.
Autocrats are not welcome in America. This election cycle saw an unprecedented turnout of Republicans, including at least seven professional campaign organizations (Lincoln Project, Rep. Voters Against Trump, 43 Alumni for Biden, et al), actively and sometimes viciously fighting against their own party’s candidate.
Face it people, we narrowly averted reelecting our own Mussolini, our own Hitler imitator.
Even so, this guy broke all kinds of records for votes cast in his favor. This man was a legitimate president. Quibbling about whether or not he won more popular votes in 2016, quibbling about our antiquated electoral college system, misses the point. The point of a democracy is that the elected leaders represent The electorate. This man got more votes than any president in history. He IS the voice of that electorate. That electorate probably constitutes close to half the country. We have a total of 340 million people, and probably 150 to 160,000,000 of them are Trumpsters, conservatives, people who don’t recognize their unconscious bias, people who choose a men-first whites-first straights-first social model because It feels comfortable and familiar to them. If you think these people are just going to change overnight, or even in four years, you are sadly deluded.
I am a big fan of Michael Steele but I wasn’t always. He is very bright, funny, but reasonable and he realizes the present GOP is off the charts. The begging of money for Fake 45’s defense is almost laughable except we know his base will dutifully fund him. Are they all under some spell? The fact that the GSA will not allow Biden and his staff members to have access is illegal, is it not? My guess is that they are destroying important documents. Maybe all of F45’s Dick and Jane books.
So they want a recount? Okay, let Fake 45, Rudy, and the rest of the heathens sit at those tables and count those votes themselves. We will have Nancy, Schiff, Swalwell, and Klobuchar watch them do it! Should take them oh...about a week or so to complete their so-called investigation.
Well, we had one day to celebrate. The King of Distractions along with his pool of ass-lickers, have done it again. I am clinching my teeth to where they are singing “Let me go!”. Praying that the Biden campaign had worked out this scenario in advance and that they have a plan.
So two questions. If everyone who voted for Biden sent him just one dollar more today, (and maybe another dollar or two to the Georgia senators in the runoff), could that money be used to set up his transition team? And, could the rest of it be used to sue the Trump Admin for refusing to let the GSA do its job?
There are things that give me hope in our terrible situation. On 60 minutes last night, a very earnest republican who heads up the Pennsylvania elections testified effectively for the correctness of the process. I think that testimony can and will be repeated by all the states. In Sarasota county FL, where I live, I am impressed by the running of the government by officials and their professionalism. I will put my faith in these officials to do the correct thing when called to testify.
Current republicans study demographics just like other politicians. They know that unless they change their stance on social issues such as gay rights, women’s rights, equal and affordable health care for all, an end to voter suppression, equal education in public schools, fair taxes to pay for good government at all levels, and clear separation of religious beliefs from civil law, there is no hope for them to win elections after 2024. If I fail to make the case, ask your grandchildren.
There are some shocking revelations in today's Letter. The fact that Trump's campaign is falsely seeking money for a "defense fund", while the small print makes it clear that the money will be used for other purposes makes them look like snake oil hucksters. The refusal of the GSA to release funds and provide access to office space and equipment is unprecedented and mind-boggling. This will definitely be the worst transition ever; why can't Trump be as gracious as George W. Bush was to the incoming Obama administration? Because it simply is not in his nature; the words "gracious" and "courtesy" are not part of his vocabulary, as he has proven many times over his lifetime.
Trump reminds me of a chant I recall from many years ago, when the NY Knicks were playing in Madison Square Garden. The crowd shouted "If you ain't Number 1, you're nothing". He divides the world into winners and losers; also-rans don't count, no matter what the situation may be.
The idea that he has lost...be it at golf (where he is a notorious cheat), with women, or in an election, is anathema to him and he simply cannot cope with it. He will simply say "You won because you cheated, so I won't play anymore." He will not accept that there are rules, regulations, precedents, or necessary actions to prepare for the changeover. He would rather maintain a scorched earth policy and let the incoming administration do the best they can to cope with this dangerous situation. He would prefer to burn the White House down, as the British did in 1814, than let someone else move in.
Yesterday, Saturday, the day the election was called, I was hopeful! Today I spent the day reading and researching the Trump supporters reaction trying to understand and further my awareness. OK ... and now I’m worried! I worry more after reading tonight’s newsletter.
Do the Republican members of our government have any sense of decency left or has the total corruption of power completely taken over?
Why do they follow Trump?
How did he ever get so much power?
And will he ever go away?
My parents were staunch republicans and they would be horrified at what is happening here and now, especially at the gross amorality of these people.
I hope and pray that we can hold on to this election!
Would understanding Trump’s refusal to concede lie in his fear of falling to the wrath of legal suits he has been protected from and the inevitable shame and demise? Ones he can’t afford emotionally or financially? The Republicans who uphold the voter fraud myths may possibly be aware the eviceration of the Trump Myth has ramifications throughout the entire party.
HCR, I disagree with the following: "in their modern incarnation, Republicans will definitely have a hard time surviving unless they change the system even more than they already have. They are in the minority in the country, and a Democratic administration will likely pass a new voting rights act to replace the one the Supreme Court gutted in 2013."
The Republicans did very well in this election, much better than the polls anticipated. NC might be the outlier because of the unique circumstances there. However, I think they represent a very substantial number of people and could do better if they had a less inflammatory and divisive leader. Some commentators, including Tucker Carlson, have (in my opinion) analyzed the mood of the country and correctly observed the frustration of the "have-nots" and their deep-seated desire for a "Messiah" to lead them out of their misery. In effect, they are where the Dems used to be. I hope that Biden will address this anomaly, as the election of 2022 is vital if he wants to pass his program. As for the Voting Rights Act, it will be virtually impossible to pass a new act unless some Republicans defect (or the Dems win both seats in Georgia) and they must then contend with a 6-3 banace in the SCOTUS.
Is anyone else out there concerned about the Nov 7th NPR story of Trump “quietly” firing the leaders of three agencies; those overseeing nuclear security, electricity, and natural gas regulation?
I’m reminded of Mary Trump’s prediction that if he loses, he’ll take us down with him.
My wife has been a Biden backer since way before he announced he was running. She sent him a donation today to defend the attacks on the election results. I have no doubt that DJT will do anything he can to cling to the presidency, including fomenting armed insurrection. His 70 million minions still yearn for him to do so. These are perilous times! As Churchill said, "Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." We must still be vigilant, and continue to fight for our democracy!
Morning, all!! Again, many thanks, Dr. R, for this latest Letter. Seems the honeymoon was a short one. Time to regroup, hunker down, for what's to come.
What was it that FDR said in his inaugural speech of 1933? "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is...fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance."
As a nation, for the past 4 years, a great majority of us have been terrorized by one inconsequential, uneducated, narcissistic, and bigoted man and his henchmen -- and women -- who thought he had us cornered. But, on Saturday, we breathed a sigh of relief. It was as though the weight of the world was lifted from our shoulders! I, for one, fell asleep for 3 solid hours after quickly rejoicing with friends over the phone.
We fought through and survived four years of pain, anguish, and abuse by this administration. Surely, despite the fear tactics they are and will be using, we shall overcome these barriers, too! Of course, we must be prepared and alerted to all their cheap and underhanded methods of cheating their way into power, but I am determined to stand up to them and their unstable leader. I refuse to be paralysed by their threats -- I can take another 71 or 2 days of our fight for democracy, justice, and decency! Together, we can continue to confront the "nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." We've come so far in defeating this fascist regime -- we can continue until its demise on 20th Jan., 2021. All their barriers will be for naught, right?!