If you don't mind too much, I have something I'd like to add. The following is something I just wrote to USA.gov (because I didn't know exactly who in our government to ask my questions of and I would really like an answer.
"In all this monstrously overdone website, you have failed to address the subject I wish to ask about! So, I will ask you now.
As a former, long time civil servant, I am aware that federal law explicitly prohibits convicted felons from holding federal office. Yet, we now have a convicted felon preparing to commit yet another felony by becoming, quite illegally, the president of the united states. Why is this being permitted?
Why was he even allowed to run for this office?
Whose job was it to tell him "no" and why didn't they do their job?
Why does the rule of law not apply to trump as it is supposed to apply to all the rest of us?"
we have a federal election commission. Why is it not their responsibility to determine a candidate's eligibility to run for and hold a federal office? Why should congress be involved? For that matter, why doesn't the attorney general take care of this since it is established federal law, not an ambiguous issue?
Purportedly, Elon has embraced a ketamine habit on top of his public "stoner" routine. It's well known that he's a serious security risk to the nation and he negotiates with foreign officials which is illegal. The fact that he has so many government contracts and now is a defacto co-president-to-be is an indelible stain on the nation. While I'm admittedly old, I can not abide. Consider me an old soldier of the resistance.
It's honestly beyond legal definition of insanity. We had an Adderall addicted president that accuses anyone who wants to debate him of being on drugs. And yet here is he, playing VP to an vocally open drug user.
Great piece, Lucas. I now understand why the Orange Criminal sucks up to the Muskrat. Our country has become so shameful to me. I have a feeling things are about to become much worse. ☮️
I have serious doubts he plans to ever leave, when his 4 years are up. He even told brain dead MAGAts to "go vote, just this one time. You'll never have to vote again. It'll be fixed, it'll be fine ", meaning he'll be the king.
This is a prime example of why we need an AGREE rather than a LIKE button. I totally agree with you, but it also sickens me. Musk needs to go, and you've encapsulated the reasons extraordinarily well; I hope you won't mind my use of your list as a weapon. Our entire current situation is so bizarre that it's almost difficult to believe it's happening. Of course Trump will give his co-president a full security clearance, as he did his son-in-law. I'm almost certain the sound I hear is Putin laughing hysterically.
His lawyers have told him it would not be a good idea to get higher clearance as it would open up more scrutiny into his relationship with Putin and his drug use.
Might I suggest you refer to “him” as King Musk. Kings put themselves in power, presidents are more often elected. Musk got zero votes in the election. But he was a favorite bedfellow with himself. trump having another affair? Horrors. This time though he’s getting paid. Big time.
He also cannot go into several Space X buildings for security reasons. His lawyers are telling him not to seek higher security clearance because it will open him up to more investigations regarding Putin and his drug use.
Is that right? He can't go into buildings of his own company b/c of his security problems? Geez. I wouldn't let Prez. Musk or VP elTrumpo into my condo community room.
You should be top contender for DNC chair my friend. I helped fund you as much as could, and sadly Missouri has a lot of idiots that love a Federalist Society wannabe Gilead Commander. Regardless, your future is as britght as the sun. We need people like Shawn Fain and you leading the way.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Yes, this NE Floridian sent $ too. I am so sorry you lost to the Gilead Commander. Will never forget the video of him running for safety inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
I'd like to form a group to expand on two ideas based on the 2 way communication the internet provides us. This Substack is an example of two way communication that the internet provides. Two way communication is not being used to its potential.
1. We need a new Democratic messaging system. Two way communication, like this Substack, allows for crowd sourcing for ideas to develop a new Democratic messaging system. I'd love to see a group dedicated to developing that new messaging system.
Do you have any ideas?
My idea for a new communication system, is to create a platform that allows groups like Lucas' Substack to also communicate within a wider group. Each smaller group would continue to discuss their normal issues, but also weigh in on this issue. It could be a knitting group or a bowling group who also wants their voice heard on politics.
That platform could be controlled by a candidate or even the DNC. Imagine thousands of groups like this Substack communicating to a candidate or the DNC. And that candidate responding to concerns of those groups.
The platform would need to aggregate those responses because a candidate could not respond to millions of individual messages. The platform would relay those aggregated comments to the candidate/party and relay the candidate's/party's responses to the groups that originated similar comments. 2 way communication.
People spend hours a day on the internet. How many people would spend 15 minutes a day or week for political purposes, if they knew their comments were being heard (even if in an aggregated form).
2. Take that a little further. Maybe it is time to update our representative form of government based on the two way communication of the internet. Maybe the group members/constituents could vote on bills before congress and direct their representative on how to vote. Their representative would be contractually obligated to vote as directed by the members.
It is now possible with the internet. The two way communication is there. The security is there. The interest of the constituents is there.
Each member would have to register with the candidate/party to verify they were a person and in the correct district. Each member could continue to use a handle for communication within the group. The actual name would only be used to verify the vote. We registered with Substack with our real names.
The group could be used to pick the candidate. The group could be used to determine what issues the party would address (party platform). Communication could be intelligent and detailed, not just sound bites and catchy messages.
I made a temporary email address that goes back to my real email. 2waycommunication@ditsitrit.com. If I hear from you, I will respond with my gmail account. I put this at the bottom. I figured if you got this far you may be interested. I have no experience forming a group. If you or anyone you know does and is interested let me know.
Why one wealthy man is allowed to have the power to impact American foreign policy (Star Link, Space X), the economy of this country as well as the world, and our military is beyond me. NO SINGLE PERSON should have that much power anywhere....
In 2014, I ran for Congress from the Eighth District in Missouri. I got 39,000 votes. I visited a lot of places in southeastern Missouri and talked to a lot of people. What I learned was that the corporate economy and the Republican politicians had really looted the area by sending our industries to China, crushing unions, defunding education and cutting public services wherever they could. They are still doing it, as well you know.
I realized that I cared deeply and personally for these people and have spent the past ten years studying what has gone wrong, both politically and economically. I have understood a pretty good picture of what has happened and am working on the seed of an idea to turn Missouri blue. The first step is to recruit good people to run for office as Democrats at all levels in Missouri. Step two is to recruit as many people as possible to canvass as many people as possible and to train them in techniques of truly educating them on health care issues, but also background issues that led to our present dire situation. I plan to flush this out in the coming days, gathering ideas, get people on board and get going. We have less than two years to do this' but it is vital. Missourians have been hand wringing and navel gazing for far too long. It is time to stiffen our backbones, fire up our guts and give ‘em hell like Harry used to do.
Let's use the 2 way communication of the internet. Let's give already existing internet groups (Substack, Facebook, Bluesky ...) a place to also weigh in and understand political issues. The 2 way communication of the internet, allows for intelligent and detailed information rather than sound bites and catchy messages.
Everyone is already on the internet. Why can't Sarah's bowling group also spend a few minutes each week discussing and learning political issues (intelligently and in detail). They probably discuss a little politics anyway.
Speaking from the UK where we face similar issues, I think the importance of working class voices in communicating with the public is an understated asset.
There is a growing distrust in the West of perceived ‘elites’. In the UK, there’s a perception of a kind of insulated left leaning voice, one that lives in a metropolitan area and grew up middle class. They might espouse what some call student politics. They are seen as out of touch with the real working class and condescending to them.
If we look at the two most successful left voices in the US and UK of the past 10 years, it has to be Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn. You also have a figure like Mick Lynch in the UK, the head of a trade union who is generally seen favourably.
I think what drove both of their popularities was speaking to working class problems in a way that made sense. There wasn’t a particular focus on identity politics or culture war issues, but rather collectivism in a way that inspired hope for real change. They said it how it is and stood by the principles they’ve held for a long time.
That’s not to say these ‘elites’ don’t have their place in the conversation, but I think it’s their unrelatability that turns working class voters off.
There is a video by the YouTuber Jimmy the Giant called ‘How the Left Failed Young Men’ that speaks to these issues - it might be useful. https://youtu.be/1tkQpibrY5U
All well said and we do need to continue to refer to musk as president musk and hardly refer to trump at all...even a little of that will get under trump's skin and make him not know what to do..contiue to bow down to musk or take back all the limelight for himself. Also I recommend subscribing or at least watching Meidas Touch Network and switching to Blue Sky. Small steps but if millions take them it will make a difference.
If you don't mind too much, I have something I'd like to add. The following is something I just wrote to USA.gov (because I didn't know exactly who in our government to ask my questions of and I would really like an answer.
"In all this monstrously overdone website, you have failed to address the subject I wish to ask about! So, I will ask you now.
As a former, long time civil servant, I am aware that federal law explicitly prohibits convicted felons from holding federal office. Yet, we now have a convicted felon preparing to commit yet another felony by becoming, quite illegally, the president of the united states. Why is this being permitted?
Why was he even allowed to run for this office?
Whose job was it to tell him "no" and why didn't they do their job?
Why does the rule of law not apply to trump as it is supposed to apply to all the rest of us?"
Thank you for your time!
Sincerely,
Bettemae Johnson
The congress is supposed to stop this but instead endorse it.
we have a federal election commission. Why is it not their responsibility to determine a candidate's eligibility to run for and hold a federal office? Why should congress be involved? For that matter, why doesn't the attorney general take care of this since it is established federal law, not an ambiguous issue?
Great questions, Bettemae.
There is no law preventing convicted felons from holding a federally elected office (President, VP, or Congress).
Also Trump has not been sentenced for the crimes for which he was found guilty. Until that sentencing occurs, he is not officially a felon.
At the moment, it appears that Judge Merchan is going to wait until Trump exhausts all of his appeals before passing sentence.
What a mistake 😕
It was tried in a couple state (I think Colorado was one) SCOTUS rejected it. There is not a lot you can do with a 6-3 SCOTUS.
Purportedly, Elon has embraced a ketamine habit on top of his public "stoner" routine. It's well known that he's a serious security risk to the nation and he negotiates with foreign officials which is illegal. The fact that he has so many government contracts and now is a defacto co-president-to-be is an indelible stain on the nation. While I'm admittedly old, I can not abide. Consider me an old soldier of the resistance.
It's honestly beyond legal definition of insanity. We had an Adderall addicted president that accuses anyone who wants to debate him of being on drugs. And yet here is he, playing VP to an vocally open drug user.
I salute you, Jim, as a fellow old soldier of the resistance.
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
Don't use twitter/x, for starters!
Keep the analysis coming and keep running for office.
Great piece, Lucas. I now understand why the Orange Criminal sucks up to the Muskrat. Our country has become so shameful to me. I have a feeling things are about to become much worse. ☮️
I love it--Muskrat. (Tho, this must be embarrassing for rest of muskrats.)
They ALL make me sick!🤢🤢🤢🤢🤮🤮
Me too! We are about to experience four years of Conold Chaos.
I have serious doubts he plans to ever leave, when his 4 years are up. He even told brain dead MAGAts to "go vote, just this one time. You'll never have to vote again. It'll be fixed, it'll be fine ", meaning he'll be the king.
You’re right. I remember the Orange Conman saying those exact words. I keep hoping some nut case will take care of him FOREVER! Merry Christmas 🎄
This is a prime example of why we need an AGREE rather than a LIKE button. I totally agree with you, but it also sickens me. Musk needs to go, and you've encapsulated the reasons extraordinarily well; I hope you won't mind my use of your list as a weapon. Our entire current situation is so bizarre that it's almost difficult to believe it's happening. Of course Trump will give his co-president a full security clearance, as he did his son-in-law. I'm almost certain the sound I hear is Putin laughing hysterically.
His lawyers have told him it would not be a good idea to get higher clearance as it would open up more scrutiny into his relationship with Putin and his drug use.
Might I suggest you refer to “him” as King Musk. Kings put themselves in power, presidents are more often elected. Musk got zero votes in the election. But he was a favorite bedfellow with himself. trump having another affair? Horrors. This time though he’s getting paid. Big time.
Keep up the great commentary Lucas.
Not content with ruling the USA Mr. Musk is boosting far right politicians in Germany. What could go wrong?
It's time for common folks to (proverbially) eat the oligarchs. But how do we start the feast?
What do they taste like? Chicken, in every sense of the word?
He also cannot go into several Space X buildings for security reasons. His lawyers are telling him not to seek higher security clearance because it will open him up to more investigations regarding Putin and his drug use.
Is that right? He can't go into buildings of his own company b/c of his security problems? Geez. I wouldn't let Prez. Musk or VP elTrumpo into my condo community room.
Cannot.
You should be top contender for DNC chair my friend. I helped fund you as much as could, and sadly Missouri has a lot of idiots that love a Federalist Society wannabe Gilead Commander. Regardless, your future is as britght as the sun. We need people like Shawn Fain and you leading the way.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Loren
Yes, this NE Floridian sent $ too. I am so sorry you lost to the Gilead Commander. Will never forget the video of him running for safety inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
And...Trump has the wealthiest Cabinet ever. It's a government of very deep money all sucking at the federal tit.
Agreed but do we fear them more than the fellow citizens who voted for DJT ?
How do we get the word out more that this is going on? I know it and you know it but are we just preaching to the choir?
Vote with our wallets!
I'd like to form a group to expand on two ideas based on the 2 way communication the internet provides us. This Substack is an example of two way communication that the internet provides. Two way communication is not being used to its potential.
1. We need a new Democratic messaging system. Two way communication, like this Substack, allows for crowd sourcing for ideas to develop a new Democratic messaging system. I'd love to see a group dedicated to developing that new messaging system.
Do you have any ideas?
My idea for a new communication system, is to create a platform that allows groups like Lucas' Substack to also communicate within a wider group. Each smaller group would continue to discuss their normal issues, but also weigh in on this issue. It could be a knitting group or a bowling group who also wants their voice heard on politics.
That platform could be controlled by a candidate or even the DNC. Imagine thousands of groups like this Substack communicating to a candidate or the DNC. And that candidate responding to concerns of those groups.
The platform would need to aggregate those responses because a candidate could not respond to millions of individual messages. The platform would relay those aggregated comments to the candidate/party and relay the candidate's/party's responses to the groups that originated similar comments. 2 way communication.
People spend hours a day on the internet. How many people would spend 15 minutes a day or week for political purposes, if they knew their comments were being heard (even if in an aggregated form).
2. Take that a little further. Maybe it is time to update our representative form of government based on the two way communication of the internet. Maybe the group members/constituents could vote on bills before congress and direct their representative on how to vote. Their representative would be contractually obligated to vote as directed by the members.
It is now possible with the internet. The two way communication is there. The security is there. The interest of the constituents is there.
Each member would have to register with the candidate/party to verify they were a person and in the correct district. Each member could continue to use a handle for communication within the group. The actual name would only be used to verify the vote. We registered with Substack with our real names.
The group could be used to pick the candidate. The group could be used to determine what issues the party would address (party platform). Communication could be intelligent and detailed, not just sound bites and catchy messages.
I made a temporary email address that goes back to my real email. 2waycommunication@ditsitrit.com. If I hear from you, I will respond with my gmail account. I put this at the bottom. I figured if you got this far you may be interested. I have no experience forming a group. If you or anyone you know does and is interested let me know.
Why one wealthy man is allowed to have the power to impact American foreign policy (Star Link, Space X), the economy of this country as well as the world, and our military is beyond me. NO SINGLE PERSON should have that much power anywhere....
Agreed!
In 2014, I ran for Congress from the Eighth District in Missouri. I got 39,000 votes. I visited a lot of places in southeastern Missouri and talked to a lot of people. What I learned was that the corporate economy and the Republican politicians had really looted the area by sending our industries to China, crushing unions, defunding education and cutting public services wherever they could. They are still doing it, as well you know.
I realized that I cared deeply and personally for these people and have spent the past ten years studying what has gone wrong, both politically and economically. I have understood a pretty good picture of what has happened and am working on the seed of an idea to turn Missouri blue. The first step is to recruit good people to run for office as Democrats at all levels in Missouri. Step two is to recruit as many people as possible to canvass as many people as possible and to train them in techniques of truly educating them on health care issues, but also background issues that led to our present dire situation. I plan to flush this out in the coming days, gathering ideas, get people on board and get going. We have less than two years to do this' but it is vital. Missourians have been hand wringing and navel gazing for far too long. It is time to stiffen our backbones, fire up our guts and give ‘em hell like Harry used to do.
Looking for responses.
Let's use the 2 way communication of the internet. Let's give already existing internet groups (Substack, Facebook, Bluesky ...) a place to also weigh in and understand political issues. The 2 way communication of the internet, allows for intelligent and detailed information rather than sound bites and catchy messages.
Everyone is already on the internet. Why can't Sarah's bowling group also spend a few minutes each week discussing and learning political issues (intelligently and in detail). They probably discuss a little politics anyway.
Speaking from the UK where we face similar issues, I think the importance of working class voices in communicating with the public is an understated asset.
There is a growing distrust in the West of perceived ‘elites’. In the UK, there’s a perception of a kind of insulated left leaning voice, one that lives in a metropolitan area and grew up middle class. They might espouse what some call student politics. They are seen as out of touch with the real working class and condescending to them.
If we look at the two most successful left voices in the US and UK of the past 10 years, it has to be Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn. You also have a figure like Mick Lynch in the UK, the head of a trade union who is generally seen favourably.
I think what drove both of their popularities was speaking to working class problems in a way that made sense. There wasn’t a particular focus on identity politics or culture war issues, but rather collectivism in a way that inspired hope for real change. They said it how it is and stood by the principles they’ve held for a long time.
That’s not to say these ‘elites’ don’t have their place in the conversation, but I think it’s their unrelatability that turns working class voters off.
There is a video by the YouTuber Jimmy the Giant called ‘How the Left Failed Young Men’ that speaks to these issues - it might be useful. https://youtu.be/1tkQpibrY5U
Best of luck
Excellent points. I will take them into account. Sometimes you can see things more clearly from a distance.
All well said and we do need to continue to refer to musk as president musk and hardly refer to trump at all...even a little of that will get under trump's skin and make him not know what to do..contiue to bow down to musk or take back all the limelight for himself. Also I recommend subscribing or at least watching Meidas Touch Network and switching to Blue Sky. Small steps but if millions take them it will make a difference.