An Act of Civic Responsibility ACCOMPLISHED! I Voted. You Should, Too. And Some Twittervism
Only a little more than a month has passed since I last posted, but it feels like it forever. I guess it feels that way because we find ourselves in an existential crisis of what our country means thanks to electing a cult of personality into the White House.
It's not 100% bad, though. The Blue and Progressive waves feel heartening. If they prove successful, hopefully we can keep them going, continue the activism and momentum for local and State Democratic campaigns and action (though I'm disappointed that my State House and Senate Democratic elections didn't have any contenders for the incumbents. I want people in those offices to fight good against gerrymandering and dividing up Illinois districts in the way that best represents the people of those districts).
Today, I voted and man, there were a lot of candidates! After watching Thor Ragnorak with Michi, I started in on researching the candidates. Stopped researching at about 12:30 this morning then got up at about 11 AM this morning. Start researching again around 12:30 afternoon and ended up about 4:35ish. That gave me about 20 minutes to walk a couple blocks to the library for the early voting. I worried about not making it in time, but I did, and I overheard one of the Election Officials say that they weren't closing until everyone who showed up gets to vote. That reassures me.
Part of me wants to post who I voted for and another part of me doesn't want to. Part of me wants to throw up some of these candidates in support or at least to say that they're better than the other ones. But another part of me doesn't want to add to a "poll fire" of giving other voters the sense of security that the candidate they want to vote for has support and has a good chance of winning, so they're vote isn't needed. I know that I'm just one voter, not a "scientific" poll, but I don't want to contribute to that kind of security people might adopt. Frankly, part of me beliees this might have happened in past elections.
Yes, I want the public to feel insecure about the election, insecure enough to get out there and vote. About 50% of our electorate didn't vote in the 2016 Election. If everyone in that 50% made their one vote, it could have made a huge difference and might have prevented the national mess that we find ourselves in.
I will acknowledge that some of that 50% might be counted as voted because of voter suppression, and that's an example of injustice. But the people who likely wouldn't have been suppressed, if you didn't vote, I believe you should have and regret that you didn't. Even if you think the options aren't great or even that you don't think that any candidates will affect your experience of this American life, our current Federal government proves that the options can be worse than you think, that your experience can get worse, AND seriously, there are other people who will be affected if we let someone like [45] get into our offices again. More than likely, we will have a less worse option or even an option that is OK instead of THE WORST.
So everyone in the United States: Get out there in and vote in your state's primaries and get ready to vote in the General Elections in November. We are crafting the character and fabric of our neighborhoods, our villages, towns, and cities, our counties, our states, our country, and our world. This is the least that we can do for the sake of justice, sanity, peace, civilization, and prosperity.
As for the rest of life and future expectations of the blog, things still remain hectic. Work has remained crazy, which should calm down once we reach the summer. Taxes has been another hang up on me "filing" entries but frankly, I haven't addressed them as studiously as I would like. After reviewing some facts about taxes, though, I've realized that I don't have to be as studious. I don't believe my family's charitable donations and stuff like that will even reach our standard deduction, so there's no point in gathering all those records together. I will continue making donations and such, but the two of us can't realistically afford to make enough deductible contributions to compete with the standard deduction (especially considering the increased standard deduction starting this year).
But I'll let y'all in on something of a NOT SECRET that I need to promote more often: the more "coffee" you buy me, the more chance I have of reaching a point to "filing" more blog entries and even getting to work more on my creative endeavors and possibly more activism. I doubt those coffee purchases will get me my "creative time license" tomorrow, next month, or even next year or two, but a person can dream!
All that being said, have some Twittervism! I didn't even plan to write so much in this supposed intro!
This article also implicitly highlights Progressive misunderstanding of Obama using TPP & trade deals as form of diplomacy carrot rather than just as a way of liberalizing and opening up free trade routes. Yes, TPP was more of a diplomatic action against China than a trade deal. https://t.co/VhrPp5J5Ns
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 11, 2018
Texas US Senate candidate, Beto O'Rourke, facing off against Ted Cruz worth looking into in re: to immigrant rights, at the least. https://t.co/Mxw6iFCdzM
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 11, 2018
So I just heard about the second resignation of a White House staffer because of past domestic violence & [45] arguing for "due process". Isn't he even thinking of national security? There is a strong correlation between mass shootings & domestic violence.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 12, 2018
[Mick Mulvaney, acting director of CFPB, dropping case against super predatory lender DISGUSTING!] https://t.co/YcT0QJE63I
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 12, 2018
New: Houston-area officials approved a plan for handling a natural disaster – and then they ignored it. https://t.co/AtsTVao3Zp
— ProPublica (@ProPublica) February 12, 2018
Facial Recognition Is Accurate, if You’re a White Guy https://t.co/F2DuNSabr3
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 10, 2018
How much do you want to bet that [45] will keep deficits down by campaigning to short circuit domestic programs even more?
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 13, 2018
History of GOP not caring about deficits & love lower taxes (except for George HW Bush who was responsible re: deficit/taxes & was voted out for it & other good reasons. https://t.co/QUNmTSeGsF
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 14, 2018
[Well this is more screwed than I had ever thought.]
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 15, 2018
How ICE Works to Strip Citizenship from Naturalized Americans https://t.co/yBYsLTq4G6
.@realDonaldTrump, your memory is as short as your list of accomplishments. YOU ended DACA, YOU are holding DREAMers hostage, YOU put these kids in danger of deportation. https://t.co/8WxMpR2NwY
— DCCC (@dccc) February 16, 2018
Maine is the state to watch in regard to seeing how voting innovations may affect elections and the fairness/consensus of elections. https://t.co/YeCixj9F4s
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 19, 2018
Someone in the past scolded me for wanting too exile [45] & take away his citizenship. How about if we give him to Russia in exchange for some of their population? They can have an oligarch, and we get some people that might appreciate opportunity, 1st amendments, and stuff.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 19, 2018
Another example of the census screwing up representation. This kinda makes me think of the 3/5 rule in the antebellum era. https://t.co/PWgDJ4kCH0
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 21, 2018
Damn! We have to make sure people know they have the Right to Vote! https://t.co/c8Cu0RIEd7
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 21, 2018
Apparently the more Facebook made changes to the ordering of people's walls with changes to algorithms, which irritates people more and more, the more Russia manipulates the US electorate. Hmmmmm. . .what should you do, Facebook? https://t.co/tIIGvhMTOw
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 21, 2018
Kids should get extra credit for participating. https://t.co/96G4WvtWoj
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 22, 2018
[Disgusting the Federal government allows their refugee program to act so unconstitutionally.] Lesbian couple in Texas sues Trump administration after being told they don't 'mirror the Holy family,' can't foster refugee kids | Texas Politics | Dallas News https://t.co/oNm0NtJclA
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 22, 2018
Good episode discussing guns and mental illness (facts lead to that majority of violent people with guns ARE NOT mentally ill -- high toxic masculinity! Based on this argument of mental illness, [45] & many world leaders would be mentally ill). https://t.co/gt78gCMxS0
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) February 25, 2018
[Are we just using Russian interference to try projecting our responsibility for [45] elsewhere?] Journalists Argue Russian Interference Has Been Exaggerated : NPR https://t.co/Tjib4h4m6P
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 1, 2018
#WhoAgainstGuns is proud to announce that it's upcoming exclusive podcast commentary of a Classic series story will be an 11 episode podcast of THE WAR GAMES. on March 12. Details here: https://t.co/4T03OwCMJz pic.twitter.com/H1vgXi2kB3
— Reality Bomb (@RealityBombPC) March 1, 2018
ICYMI, it's true! If #WhoAgainstGuns hits $7000 in donations by March 12, STEVEN MOFFAT will do a bonus commentary on ep 10 of "The War Games"! We've crossed the $4k line; help push it farther!! https://t.co/l1Tq7v2a1f
— Verity! (@VerityPodcast) March 3, 2018
Delta CEO defends choice to end NRA partnership in the wake of Georgia legislature killing the company's coveted tax break: "Our decision was not made for economic gain and our values are not for sale."
— Alex Wagner (@alexwagner) March 2, 2018
Go figure. The setting of the novel has gotten more complex, making me have to flex my imagination while also providing more opportunity to develop my characters. Who would have thought?
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 5, 2018
What if the tensions aren't from the social bubbles, but from the walls from the bubbles colliding & bursting?
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 5, 2018
[More evidenxe that GOP wants to benefit themselces at the cost of everyone else.]
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 6, 2018
Trump White House quietly issues report vindicating Obama regulations - Vox https://t.co/k0HGHCgKRb
EVERYONE! We have reached $10,000. Thank you all! Let's keep going! #WhoAgainstGuns pic.twitter.com/GTwK2fG6eq
— Reality Bomb (@RealityBombPC) March 6, 2018
[Well this candidate for US Illinois District 5 just seems disgusting. I won't be voting for him.]
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 7, 2018
‘Cannabis candidate’ accused of abusing women and inflating his resume - POLITICO https://t.co/G6JWd1TzwI
Upon further delving, my opinion is that [45]'s tariffs are a cynical attempt to get on the good side of his Rust Belt base. I'm sure they'll enjoy the inflation, fast interest rate increase, & losing their jobs when their employers close after tariffs end.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 9, 2018
I love that Dems & liberal/progressive causes have a central presence for fundraising with @actblue, but honestly, the SPAMming from them gets annoying. Please provide contributors with more control over what mailing lists they go on. It's damn annoying, and I fear my inbox.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 11, 2018
[Hey, look! Facts that support that liberals/progressive students support Free Speech more than conservatives, especially racist ones. Also good to see moderates less tolerating racists.]
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 12, 2018
Campus political correctness: Data paints a different picture - Vox https://t.co/24TguHrNYC
Help protect Public Radio in the United States by helping to remind your US Representative and Senators to sign letters in support of continuing to fund it. https://t.co/RLJSamYxXS
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 13, 2018
[Sarcasm] The WH has put tariffs on LEGOs because of national security. If war breaks out, the US won't have the capacity to make enough LEGOs [/comment] on more serious note, replacing Tillerson with Pompeo. Citing national security as basis for action. What is [45] doing?!
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 13, 2018
👇👇👇 Beware Pompeo. He's a true believer. Tillerson oversaw expanding the global gag rule + reportedly scaling back family planning and discrimination language from State's global human rights annual report. Pompeo could actively encourage an anti-choice and anti-LGBTQ State. https://t.co/aJVUd2tusO
— Christine Grimaldi (@chgrimaldi) March 13, 2018
We are in a new world when we're sad about a Big Oil Exec getting sacked. Yeah, it's not from an oil company, but it's still weird & new.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 13, 2018
[45's reaction to attributing Russian expat assasination reminiscent of Charlottesville & Right argues for not answering truthfully with an unpopular stance. House GOP resolves investigation. Collusion?]
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 13, 2018
Why Did Trump Fire Tillerson Now? - The Atlantic https://t.co/bK2QiuipMn
22% of people in the world believe life wouldn't be any worse without science. Then again. . .89% of people believe that only geniuses can engage in science. Scientists, you've got work to do to make science more palatable and to aspire to. https://t.co/4BVjc9ASSj
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 13, 2018
[This headline makes me feel a wee bit old. Here I come 40!]
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 14, 2018
Goldman Sachs' next CEO is a part-time electronic dance DJ https://t.co/P3mFVesJO3
[In other words, "we didn't expect OUR "token" immigrant to be deported. But since they were, look, the restaurant is better!" Gawd!]
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 14, 2018
A beloved restaurant owner was deported. His Indiana town got over it. - Chicago Tribune https://t.co/XnyOarpCPf
Lesson I hope Democrats are learning: You can't win unless you try. You can only lose if you do nothing and neglect a race.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 15, 2018
Ok, seeing another motivation for the tariffs, to make up for the deficits from the tax cut from 2017, especially since not all that repatriation money won't be coming in. It's pretty much a sales tax, which the rich love & becomes a new burden on the lower classes. Thx, voters.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 15, 2018
So for all you who ask me "What's my secret?" for staying skinny, I'm going to now answer riding a bicycle on and off since about 5th, 6th, or 7th grade. I started noticing my belly during my mid 20's when I didn't bike as much. https://t.co/cmhU4iKJpk
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 16, 2018
Not every person with a disability feels they are suffering… Some people are, but the insinuation that disability = suffering is a harmful ableist expression of able normative thought.
— Dominick Evans (@dominickevans) March 15, 2018
Last week, I complained about ActBlue spamming my e-mail box to the next universe after I donated to causes & candidates. My follow up question: How do political & civic organizations encourage citizens to get involved more effectively? I'm not into compulsion on citizens.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 17, 2018
Heh, just learned how to get around newspaper Limited # of Articles Subscribe Walls: Go to the website using Incognito or hidden mode. It's the cookies.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 17, 2018
I always hate figuring out how to vote for judges. I've got good resources now, but there's SOOOOOO many of them AND way too important to just vote haphazardly. I've got one hour to evaluate & vote if I want to today.
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 17, 2018
Printing out my votes. As long as I have no tech issues, I should get my votes in today. YAY1 #IllinoisPrimary2018
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 17, 2018
Civic responsibility accomplished. VOTED! #IllinoisPrimary2018
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 17, 2018
Damn! I didn't realize how much racism was mixed into marijuana regulation (even the name!) & how so much coordinated anti-immigrant racist sentiment started after Spanish American War. How many times have we tried screwing Mexico since birth of the US? https://t.co/zosPeWFhGl
— The_Lex (@screwjaw) March 18, 2018
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