What Happens Now? Saturday Political Soap Box 309

 

So, what happens next?

I have just witnessed the most dramatic and decisive midterms of my life. In the whole sweep of US history, there may have been an election where more seats changed hands, but at this time, when we were so perilously close to losing our democracy, it came with such a sense of relief and joy.

Black women, so long left out of the center of our politics, now hold almost all the statewide offices in Georgia. Texas went from ruby red to shining blue, skipping the purple stage altogether. South Carolina and Kansas, among other red states, elected Democratic Senators. Heck, Mississippi hasn't been called yet, but Democrat Scott Colom is building his lead every day.

So, what happens next?

The first impact would be on the Kingdom of the Orange Grifter. How will he react? Will he start working with the Democratic Party and sign bills into law that actually benefit the American people? Will he sulk? Bluster? Go off the deep end (well, even deeper, if that's possible)? 

He's being relatively quiet, unusual for him. He is blaming everyone else, and his primary focus has been continuing his HGTV-style renovations. But the first inkling of what we may face is not a good sign. He has dumped his relatively sedate grown-up in the room, Susie Wiles, and replaced her with Stephen 'Darth' Miller, a modern Voldemort, master of the dark arts.

Oh, that's not good at all.

So, what happens next?

There is some debate between focusing on accountability versus affordability. A danger sign here is that the likely new Speaker of the House, Hakeem Jeffries, is disguising the word "accountability" by calling it "revenge". Not promising.

I think we should be smart enough to do both. We can chew gum and walk at the same time.

The argument against accountability is that impeachment efforts are unlikely to succeed, and the American people don't want to spend time chasing down the bad guys. 

So what! If we don't make it clear that there is a price for corruption and trying to dismantle democracy, we give carte blanche for the next authoritarian to try it.  

Fact-based Congressional hearings are absolutely vital to moving forward.

The argument against affordability is that King Donald will veto everything. Why waste time drafting bills that cannot become law? He is already promoting himself as Mr. Veto.

So what! MAKE HIM VETO! If you want to win the Presidency, if you want to hold your majority, you MUST pass popular legislation that people want, and they must clearly see they can't have them because of the CLOWN SHOW DEMENTED WANNABE DICTATOR!

And the House and Senate need to change leadership. We need bold leaders who are willing to lay out the crimes and unconstitutionality of the adminstration, and pass popular legislation. Strongly worded letters and mush-mouthed kumbayas are not needed now.

I could go on, but I'll just end with the most important message I can give to Congressional Democrats = 

MAKE HIM VETO!

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

AOC '28

It's Always Hard to Watch Loved-Ones Go: Rose Aldridge Column #8

 I continue to experiment with the visual quality of the columns. We found where Rose had stored the first year of newspapers in which her columns appeared, and this image is from those papers. It should eliminate the crease problem for a while. I have also experimented with a scan app that is on my phone, but I have not yet successfully figured out how to get those to my desktop. I'll keep trying.

I'm presenting this as a four-column picture, then a sharper focus on two columns at a time. Maybe it will help. I hope so.

This one is a tough title: It's Always Hard to Watch Loved Ones Go. We've had to experience that kind of loss, like with Rose, almost more than we can bear.

This column, however, is focused on loved ones who move away to another area of the globe and whom we see less and less. Many of the friendships she noted here endured for years after.

Outside of close family, I do not have any relationships that have endured beyond close proximity, except for a few contacts on Facebook. Everyone I knew from any other place I lived has vanished.

I blame myself. Only aggressive extroverts who are willing to take the burden of contact even have a remote chance. Apparently I don't have any of those, at least not any who are motivated enough to stay in contact with me.

Seven Top Candidates I Want to Win

 

In most of our recent elections, I have listed the seven candidates that I most wanted to lose, despicable people who were the worst of the worst.

For this 2026 midterm, I have decided to do the opposite and will list the seven candidates I most want to win. I'm mostly focused on the Senate, with one governor's race. If I included House candidates, I would have to lead with my Georgia 1st District and urge you to vote for highly talented and qualified Amanda Hollowell.

1) Jon Ossoff: U.S. Senate, Georgia

As pictured above, he has demonstrated his rhetorical abilities and his devotion to this country and its citizens.  

If someone had asked me a year ago, I would have thought he had no chance, that Georgia would return to its red roots like Alabama did when it rejected one of the best members of the Senate, Doug Jones, in favor of Florida resident and absolute moron, Tommy Tuberville.

But his talent and the changing nature of Georgia have put him in the lead in the polls. Hopefully, his lead will be strong enough to survive any Republican election-rigging hijinks.

WINNER! 59%

2) James Talirico, U.S> Senate, Texas

 This one is so vital. Not just for the purpling of Texas, not just for what he'll do to battle the corruption in Washington, not just for his stance on issues important to Texas and America, but because of his revivying effect on progressive Christianity. I fear for the survival of Christianity if the Christian Reich, the Christian White Nationalists, continue to strangle the faith I love, and turn more and more people away from it.

He is in relatively good shape. He has the same problem as Ossoff, in that he has to win decisively, as his state is completely controlled by Republicans, who, like Trump, have shown no reluctance to cheat and manipulate to win.

WINNER! 55%

3) Abdul El-Sayd, U.S. Senate, Michigan

Oh, I love this guy! A true advocate for the position that is most important to me, Medicare For All, true universal healthcare. He is smart, quick-witted, turning many of the insane, racist talking points on their head.

I don't want to have to post on Wednesday that the racists won and Trumpy Mike Rogers won. What defeated primary opponent, Haley Stevens, did this weekend, endorsing Rogers, was as despicable, low, and senseless as it gets. I don't think it hurt him, but I think it destroys her. It does help confirm why I consider myself a progressive independent and not a Democrat.  

An example of how it should be done is from my own Congressional District. The candidate I voted for, Pat Wilver, is doing the opposite. He has posted many social media videos making fun of Jim Kingston (whose only claim to fame is being a nepo-baby and receiving tons of corporate money), and supporting Democratic causes. Bravo, Pat!

WINNER! 53%

4) Troy Jackson, U.S. Senate, Maine

Don't blow it this time, Maine. A true working-class hero versus a true creature of the DC Swamp, Susan Collins. May her career and useless hand-wringing come to an end!

WINNER! 54%

5) Keisha Lance Bottoms, Governor, Georgia

Please, Georgia, please. Send this fine person to the Governorship. She was a good administrator as Mayor of Atlanta, and will be an excellent Governor. 

Yes, I know. You have been inundated with ads from the racist billionaire Rick Jackson, and you may have a hard time swimming through the lies. But this state will fall into the abyss if the stranglehold of the far-right Republicans continues.

Keep Georgia growing. Keep it moving forward!

WINNER! 54%

6) Angie Nixon, U.S. Senate, Florida

What a sign this would be if she could win in Florida! It may be a long shot, but it would be an earthquake! Another solid step forward for Medicare For All!

CLOSE! LOST, but got 48% of the vote!

7) Annie Andrews, U. S. Senate

Speaking of earthquakes, Dr. Annie Andrews has a real shot at upsetting Nepo-sister, Darlene Graham. Let's end the era of thinking that our political leadership should be handed down like royalty, regardless of experience or abilities. WE ARE NOT A MONARCHY.

WINNER!!! 51%

SIX OUT OF SEVEN!  Best Prediction night I've ever had!  Woohoo!

I know. This is a broad sketch, not rich in details. I encourage you to look at these candidates more closely if you are in a position to consider them.  

If all of these get elected (and many more like them), I will celebrate like you wouldn't believe.

I may even break down and get fireworks!

Until next time,

T. M. Stait

AOC '28   -  and all of the above for '26!

All Tricks No Treats: Saturday Political Soap Box 308

 

Happy Halloween! The precursor to the really scary day - Election night 2026!

It's scary, even though the polling suggests a blue tsunami, because we never know what interference the boys in red will run. It should be clear by now that the orange grifter doesn't like to play by the rules and will do everything in his power to cheat and circumvent them.

But it's not just the election that is scary. The Narcissist-in-Chief is becoming more and more unstable. The man who holds the nuclear codes - his mind is turning into mush. He is increasingly dark and dangerous. Like a cornered, wounded bear.

The number of glitches he experiences at his rally speeches is increasing exponentially, including mangled words, strange sounds, and inappropriate content (how about that ass!). The good thing is, the more he talks, the more people realize he is talking through that aforementioned posterior region. 

It is still more of a nightmare than not in my home county (90% vote for Trump the last three elections). I suspect some are not as enamored with him as they used to be, but they're not going to tell me about it. We'll know more after Tuesday. If the Republican vote share here declines at all, I'll take it as a major victory. Heck, I'll be excited if it's 85%. Anything to show that it's finally peaked.

Anyhoo, have a happy Halloween!  

On the Cusp of Hallow's Eve

 

Sometimes, I have to be careful when I open my eyes.

Everything changes.

I swear Elizabeth Warren is President of the United States. I swear I'm physically fit, that I look no more than 35, that my hair has only a tinge of grey. I swear I'm living near Portland, Oregon. I swear that my acting resume is one of the most varied and envied entries on IMDb. 

I swear that my parents are still alive. I swear that my children are preteens living at home. I swear that we have Medicare For All.

I swear that Alison just whispered, "Get off the bed." I swear I heard a knock on the door. I swear that something has crashed in the house - a shattered glass, a knick-knack, a stack of books.

I swear all this and more. And then I open my eyes.

President Warren never happened. Instead, we are in the grips of an orange grifter madman. I'm 71, and I can feel my age, and my hair is fully white. I live in Blackshear, Georgia - one of the most Tumpy places in the entire world. My acting resume is community theatre, which I do less and less often.

My parents are gone, in body but not in spirit. My children are grown, but they are well, happy, and thriving. Universal healthcare does not exist, and that, my friends, is sad beyond all measure.

Alison did not whisper to me. She is there, by my side, and we are soon to celebrate 30 years of marriage. Pixie is here, and so are Scout and Gemma. Nothing crashed in the house, except for those things Gemma pushes off tables and furniture.

I open my eyes. It's soon Halloween. There are many scary things.

It's tempting to keep your eyes closed. But then you would also miss the beautiful things in life. And despite the darkness, there is light worth seeing. There is love worth finding and participating in.

It's only when I open my eyes that I can seek out and get warmed by the light.

Endorsements and Speculations: Saturday Political Soapbox 307* (But on a Monday)

 We'll start with some hard truths as pronounced in the meme above.  We can add the $5,000 you won't get even if Republicans win; the cost of living and inflation are not improving; the treasonous slowing of Starlink; the waxing poetic about men's asses; the mysterious noises and incoherent sentences; the fixation on helipads and ballrooms.  And countless other nonsense.  But I digress.

 ENDORSEMENTS

You will not be stunned to learn that I endorse Democrats across the ticket.  There may come a time when voting for Republicans could be considered, once we break free of Trump and MAGA.  We are not there yet, but that day may be fast approaching.

Senator Jon Ossoff has proven his worth as an effective, often bipartisan Senator, someone who will act as a representative for ALL Georgians.  His smart and sweeping rhetoric puts him at the top of the political class.  Mike Collins has proven to be a simple shill for the Orange Grifter and is riddled with nazi sympathizers. 

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is a competent administrator who will serve the State of Georgia well.  You may not believe this, because her corrupt billionaire opponent has used his own money to flood the airwaves with vile and misleading ads.  I dread what may happen to Georgia if this corrupt bigot, Rick Jackson, who made a fortune out of exploiting the healthcare system, gets a hold of the levers of power. 

Amanda Hellowell, running for First District Congressperson, will put the interests of everyday Georgians far ahead of the elite few whose money controls much of our politics.  She is a much better choice than nepo-baby Jack Kingston, who will simply be a rubber-stamp for the billionaire/Trump Epstein class.

PREDICTIONS

Anyone who looks back at my past predictions, it's not pretty.  I'm too biased to predict Republicans winning.

That said, barring election shenanigans by Trump and pals (I'm looking at you, Elon Musk), this should be a blue tsunami. Many Republican-controlled states have tried to rig congressional districts to favor themselves, but many of these will backfire, particularly Texas, where the Latino vote they counted on in 2024 is decidedly moving away from them.  They have succeeded in diluting their districts by trying to stretch too thin, reducing their base margins in many districts.

I think the Democrats will gain 25 to 40 seats in the House.  You want one number? 29.

I think the Democrats will retake the Senate, but by a small margin.  I'm hoping they gain 10, but I fear it may be as low as five.  That margin will look even thinner if John Fetterman officially becomes a Republican. Hopefully, the margin will be big enough to slow the process of cabinet and judicial nominations.

This will not make everything sunshine and rainbows. The Dark Lord will still be at the top, throwing his feces everywhere. He'll make sure no one participates in Congressional hearings; he'll veto and ignore legislation; he'll continue making idiotic executive orders.  THe Supreme Court will sill side with the ultra-right about 90% of the time.

And the Epstein Class leader will use Congress as a scapegoat, blaming them for everything, trying to be Trumanesque in his assault on Congress, and paving the way for a comeback in 2028.  And we have enough low-information voters and MAGA heads to make that a real threat.

If we ever get the progressive resurgence that this country needs to survive, we must remain focused and vigilant. The Congress must vote for popular progressive legislation - let Trumplestiltskin be the villain for vetoing it. Yes, investigate the crimes of his administration, but do not let it be the sole focus.  Should Trump be impeached? A million times yes for a myriad of crimes!  Should the House waste eons of time doing it?  Sadly, no.

Until next time, 

T. M. Strait

AOC '28

Return From Vermont

 Yes, I'm back.

Back from a refreshing trip to the Catskills and Vermont.

Vermont was one of the few of the continental states that I have not visited. I'm sorry it took so long, because it was beautiful.No wonder so many Hallmark movies end up here.

We visited three towns in Vermont: Bennington, Rutland, and Middlebury. We visited Antique shops, museums, bookstores, and coffee shops. We took in the mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and the colorful autumn foliage.

We also visited my son, daughter-in-law, and our beautiful, brilliant, and energetic four-and-a-half-year-old grandchild.

And something special happened that I have been waiting for years to happen. I had not been able to read to her on previous visits. She wasn't mean, but she was active and would not sit still for it.  

The first story I read to her, from the Princess In Black series, she roamed around the room like she usually does, but I knew she was paying attention because she would react to story events and answer when I asked her questions or involved her in the story.

After that, she wanted me to read the stories to her while she sat next to me on the sofa. I read many, many stories to her, several each day.

When we got back from our Vermont excursion and visited with them again, she had gotten a Princess in Black costume, and I read her those stories while she wore that!

Just a reminder that her parents do not want her image on social media, so I understand and respect that. It's not easy for a proud grandpa to exercise that restraint, but I realize this is a crazy world, and I want her to be protected.

This has been a very busy month for me, with the trip, chores, and job responsibilities. I have neglected this blog, and I apoligize. I hope to return to some regular features soon, including columns from Rose Aldridge, political commentary, 100 great science fiction films of the 20th century, more fiction, and meandering musings.

Until next time,

T. M. Strait

AOC '28

Bottoms, Ossof, Talarico, Sayad, et al., '26!