Check out NM!! We’ve got a Dem trifecta too and our state lege is currently knocking ‘em outta the park! Which our guv will cheer and sign! (Helps to have women governors!) We’ve been doing this good work longer than MI!!
I live in NM and have been trying to figure out how to not get lost in the shuffle if/when the red states secede. About the only hope for us and Colorado is for Arizona to go blue. It could happen!
I don't just like this post, I love it! It is extremely heartening to see one or more of the northern tier states wrest back power from the right wingers. I live in Maine and we have done the same in the past few years, re-electing our Democratic governor, holding the line on abortion rights, keeping the state house, and other important gains. I know we have one anti-trans law under consideration right now and I am making fighting such laws my primary focus, doing my best to educate others in my sphere about trans rights, as well as all LGBTQ+ issues. People near and dear to me could be hurt by such laws. Thank you for your recent column on this issue!
Support the NDRC (National Democratic Redistricting Committee)
"The system is broken. The fight to fix it is now.
There’s no other way to put it: Republicans are engaging in an unprecedented effort to undermine free and fair elections. It’s wrong—and we’re going to stop them."
Eric Holder and Barack Obama
This organization fought gerrymandering in the Courts. They are making a difference.
A totally inspiring story. Notice that such state-centered races have now become national; state laws favoring Democratic values are a bulwark against the push for authoritarianism. The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a perfect example. Contributing to the campaigns of Democratic candidates in states that might otherwise elect Republicans are now our business. Contribute money, contribute time to all of those candidates. John Tester of Montana is a notable case. Michigan is a glowing example of how important its wins are nationally.
I can't recommend strongly enough supporting both the States Project and Sister District, the twin organizational engines behind these state legislative wins. The States Project has been focussing EXCLUSIVELY on raising money for state legislative races since they started in 2017. Sister District does fundraising for the same, but their focus is also on recruiting (mostly out of state) volunteers to help win state legislative races in swing states by phonebanking, postcarding, and helping to raise money for candidates. There is literally no way we would have achieved our wins in Michigan, Minnesota, or Pennsylvania without these two organizations. Please give to them if you can--they will literally save our democracy one state at a time. https://statesproject.org/ and https://sisterdistrict.com/
I am planning to call this out in my (much less thoughtful) Substack tomorrow as well and will add your post to my digest. It's such a nice counterpoint to Florida. What can we do to get DeSantis-level coverage for Whitmer?
I would love more coverage for Whitmer but also how about we just stop giving DeSantis air? I guess it hasn't worked for tRump so we are probably doomed to keep hearing about the 2 snakes and their authoritarian ways
It's a tricky line because he's doing things that deserve scrutiny -- and I ultimately think he is going too far for a national/general audience, so better to know what he's up to. But Trump got something like a billion dollars worth of free earned media in 2016, which definitely played a major role in his election even though much of that coverage was negative too. DeSantis is not remotely at that level, but he's landing these national stories through a deliberate and very effective media play.
I agree. The media attention for DeSantis is overwhelmingly negative and since he’s likely to run for president in 2024, the nation needs to see what he’s doing in Florida. Those of us who lived on the NY metropolitan area prior to 2015/2016 knew what a disaster Trump was, but the rest of the country was sadly unaware of his long and unsavory history. We have 2 years to warn and educate voters about the dangers of a DeSantis extremist, authoritarian dictatorship. It would be better if we could stop “news” like FOX from spreading lies. I’m hoping someone comes up with a new updated version of the Fairness Doctrine soon.
Yea I guess I do agree, his sleazy acts in Florida need to be made known if he happens to run. And I certainly agree he has gone too far for a national audience. I honestly don't know how people I know in Florida can praise him. I think he's another one with a cult following- is that how extremist become extremist? Or is it just because now they are so emboldened to make their bigotry known thus justifying that of their followers? I just know I'm almost as tired of hearing his name as I am the great orange one's.
What a terrific story! Sadly, neighboring Wisconsin (my state), despite holding a small Dem majority on statewide ballots, remains totally gerrymandered by the Republicans and will continue so for the foreseeable future. We lack the ability to have ballot initiatives. Without that, and given the stranglehold of money-driven politics, we seem to be doomed. So, nationally we must overturn Citizens United and have some muscular campaign finance reform at all levels. Then all states could have government that listens to citizens.
Right now helping to win the Wisconsin Supreme Court should be a top priority for every American who cares about extreme partisan gerrymandering. If we flip that court majority we will finally see fair maps in WI. It would be a game changer.
Gerrymandering is one of the great evils of our time. It's nothing new, going back to the rotten boroughs of old and beyond, but it's about time census data, which is unbiased and unpolitical, was used to determine voting districts, to ensure every vote is as equal as possible.
From great leadership come great things. And great leadership is elected by great people. This is the Michigan I saw in the future and believed in as a child and young woman but sadly had to leave at the behest of the US Navy. Congrats Michiganders!! PS: Please don’t forget the people in Flint and other disenfranchised areas-there is still good work to be done!
Check out NM!! We’ve got a Dem trifecta too and our state lege is currently knocking ‘em outta the park! Which our guv will cheer and sign! (Helps to have women governors!) We’ve been doing this good work longer than MI!!
I live in Southern California and am constantly joking that we need to switch NM with AZ and build a wall around the southern states.
I live in NM and have been trying to figure out how to not get lost in the shuffle if/when the red states secede. About the only hope for us and Colorado is for Arizona to go blue. It could happen!
Yay!
You guys rock, Mary Ellen!!!
I don't just like this post, I love it! It is extremely heartening to see one or more of the northern tier states wrest back power from the right wingers. I live in Maine and we have done the same in the past few years, re-electing our Democratic governor, holding the line on abortion rights, keeping the state house, and other important gains. I know we have one anti-trans law under consideration right now and I am making fighting such laws my primary focus, doing my best to educate others in my sphere about trans rights, as well as all LGBTQ+ issues. People near and dear to me could be hurt by such laws. Thank you for your recent column on this issue!
In a world full of Florida’s and Tennessee’s and Texas’s be a Michigan for real👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 talk about progress
Or a Minnesota or a New Mexico! Yes!
Support the NDRC (National Democratic Redistricting Committee)
"The system is broken. The fight to fix it is now.
There’s no other way to put it: Republicans are engaging in an unprecedented effort to undermine free and fair elections. It’s wrong—and we’re going to stop them."
Eric Holder and Barack Obama
This organization fought gerrymandering in the Courts. They are making a difference.
As a Michigander, I couldn't be more proud, and any plans to move to Florida are permanently off the table.
I'm with you, Karin!!
Snow over DeSantis, any day!
A totally inspiring story. Notice that such state-centered races have now become national; state laws favoring Democratic values are a bulwark against the push for authoritarianism. The Wisconsin Supreme Court election is a perfect example. Contributing to the campaigns of Democratic candidates in states that might otherwise elect Republicans are now our business. Contribute money, contribute time to all of those candidates. John Tester of Montana is a notable case. Michigan is a glowing example of how important its wins are nationally.
I can't recommend strongly enough supporting both the States Project and Sister District, the twin organizational engines behind these state legislative wins. The States Project has been focussing EXCLUSIVELY on raising money for state legislative races since they started in 2017. Sister District does fundraising for the same, but their focus is also on recruiting (mostly out of state) volunteers to help win state legislative races in swing states by phonebanking, postcarding, and helping to raise money for candidates. There is literally no way we would have achieved our wins in Michigan, Minnesota, or Pennsylvania without these two organizations. Please give to them if you can--they will literally save our democracy one state at a time. https://statesproject.org/ and https://sisterdistrict.com/
Thank you for these resources, and for all your work!
Always!
I am planning to call this out in my (much less thoughtful) Substack tomorrow as well and will add your post to my digest. It's such a nice counterpoint to Florida. What can we do to get DeSantis-level coverage for Whitmer?
I would love more coverage for Whitmer but also how about we just stop giving DeSantis air? I guess it hasn't worked for tRump so we are probably doomed to keep hearing about the 2 snakes and their authoritarian ways
It's a tricky line because he's doing things that deserve scrutiny -- and I ultimately think he is going too far for a national/general audience, so better to know what he's up to. But Trump got something like a billion dollars worth of free earned media in 2016, which definitely played a major role in his election even though much of that coverage was negative too. DeSantis is not remotely at that level, but he's landing these national stories through a deliberate and very effective media play.
https://www.grid.news/story/politics/2023/02/28/ron-desantis-is-using-a-new-breed-of-local-right-wing-media-to-make-national-news/
I agree. The media attention for DeSantis is overwhelmingly negative and since he’s likely to run for president in 2024, the nation needs to see what he’s doing in Florida. Those of us who lived on the NY metropolitan area prior to 2015/2016 knew what a disaster Trump was, but the rest of the country was sadly unaware of his long and unsavory history. We have 2 years to warn and educate voters about the dangers of a DeSantis extremist, authoritarian dictatorship. It would be better if we could stop “news” like FOX from spreading lies. I’m hoping someone comes up with a new updated version of the Fairness Doctrine soon.
Yea I guess I do agree, his sleazy acts in Florida need to be made known if he happens to run. And I certainly agree he has gone too far for a national audience. I honestly don't know how people I know in Florida can praise him. I think he's another one with a cult following- is that how extremist become extremist? Or is it just because now they are so emboldened to make their bigotry known thus justifying that of their followers? I just know I'm almost as tired of hearing his name as I am the great orange one's.
What a terrific story! Sadly, neighboring Wisconsin (my state), despite holding a small Dem majority on statewide ballots, remains totally gerrymandered by the Republicans and will continue so for the foreseeable future. We lack the ability to have ballot initiatives. Without that, and given the stranglehold of money-driven politics, we seem to be doomed. So, nationally we must overturn Citizens United and have some muscular campaign finance reform at all levels. Then all states could have government that listens to citizens.
Not doomed! If you guys can flip this State Supreme Court seat you will get fair maps! So doable! Help us win!
And just as bad, if not worse, on the other side in Ohio
Today, I am proud to be a Michigander and ally to LGBTQ+ fellow residents!
We had been considering moving south to get away from the weather. After seeing what is going on in other states the political scene is better here.
Move to NM! We have (usually) mild winters and dry heat summers!
Proud to be a Michigander right now. Now how do we battle gerrymandering in other states? Especially those already R controlled?
Right now helping to win the Wisconsin Supreme Court should be a top priority for every American who cares about extreme partisan gerrymandering. If we flip that court majority we will finally see fair maps in WI. It would be a game changer.
Especially here in Ohio, one of the most corrupt states in the Union. We need all the help we can get. My neighbors just don't get it.
Gerrymandering is one of the great evils of our time. It's nothing new, going back to the rotten boroughs of old and beyond, but it's about time census data, which is unbiased and unpolitical, was used to determine voting districts, to ensure every vote is as equal as possible.
I am so grateful for your positivity with posts like this one.
From great leadership come great things. And great leadership is elected by great people. This is the Michigan I saw in the future and believed in as a child and young woman but sadly had to leave at the behest of the US Navy. Congrats Michiganders!! PS: Please don’t forget the people in Flint and other disenfranchised areas-there is still good work to be done!
It's encouraging to read some great news this morning. Go, Michigan!
GO BLUE!!
In all senses (pun intended)❣️