My raw gut reaction is hopelessness, anger. No recourse. After I sit with it all day, maybe that will change. I knew we were being hung out to dry. But fuck.
Toni, I hear you. That reaction makes complete sense.
Hopelessness and anger are rational responses when the last illusions drop. Anyone who feels calm right now...either hasn’t connected the dots yet...or isn’t being honest with themselves.
You’re right...this isn’t a new fear. It’s confirmation. That “we’re being hung out to dry” feeling hurts because it means you weren’t exaggerating. You were paying attention.
One thing I want to name, though...because it matters:
Hopelessness is what hits first, not last.
It’s the nervous system reacting to realizing the guardrails aren’t coming. The brain goes, “So the rules we were told would protect us… won’t.” That lands as anger...grief...and that hollow “fuck.”
But hopelessness...isn’t the end state. It’s a TRANSITION.
What often comes next...AFTER you sit with it...is clarity. Not optimism. Orientation.
You stop asking who will save us...and start asking what actually still works...where leverage still exists.
I won’t pretend there’s an easy fix...or a hero on the way. There is NOT.
But...there is recourse...just not the kind we were taught to expect.
So...sit with it. Let the anger burn off the shock.
Just don’t mistake this moment...for the final verdict.
You’re not wrong. You’re not crazy. And you’re damn sure not alone in seeing it!
#HoldFast
-Jack
P.S. I will write a follow-up to this article...soon.
Well FUCK…That’s all I got Jack.. but your article is THE ONLY fucking thing that makes absolute sense right now.. spelled out plain and simple..I wish I could drink but I’m actually allergic to alcohol.. so I’m going to have to do this fully fucking awake and aware.. dammit
This is not unexpected by me. As a public education teacher for 41 years, I raged against the machine. The machine- Heritage Foundation. They began in the 80s under Reagan creating educational policy. They did a slow roll out of the new standards for public education while brainwashing the people that public education was a horror show. Slowly, state by state, especially red, they infiltrated their policies to the legislators willing. They introduced the bills. The education system was corrupted. You can tell the states most affected by the policy, they are red states and most schools rank in the bottom of the nation. Their decline directly attributed to the Heritage Demolition Foundation.
Indiana bit the poisoned apple in the mid 2000s and increased yearly. I would go to our capital to rage against them and be met with, "They want me to vote for this." Even after I explained the consequences. The power of the purse outweighs what actually is best for humanity. Greed speaks. Democracy dies.
Excellent, horrifying explanation. We have been so naive to believe some of those in Congress would actually come round and support the Constitution. Now, the question begs, what do we do now that we have been empowered by this insightful information?
Not sure what to say. Actually I lived in the DC area for many years and those of us who “lived inside the beltway” were well aware of how things worked. It takes an enormous amount of sustained pressure from voters to get the politicians to do what their voters want. Just a few phone calls from a few of their voters does nothing. A constant barrage from many voters starts to have an impact along with tons of posts on social media.
I forwarded this to Sen. Jeff Merkley who, along with Ron Wyden, I've had great respect for in spite of knowing how dirty the whole theater is. What you've said here has such a strong ring of truth, strong as a sonic weapon. I suggest everyone do the same with their congress people. It will be interesting to see their responses. #holdfast
Those are my senators also. My question after reading this piece is Hold tight to what? If we can't get Congress to give a shit and it takes a very long time to change the system, then it sounds like we are screwed. I want to believe we can get out of this mess but every day is darker and the machine that governs us effectively wants us dead. Is there really any effective way for us to work to stop things from turning into Nazi Germany 2.0 (further than it has already?) besides moving abroad for those who can afford to do so?
Clearly, as Rep. Omar put it some time ago, in this country, "it's all about the Benjamins, baby."
We do have one avenue of leverage. It's about how we use our Benjamins. I think of the Tesla Takedown protests and the U-turn Disney made after its decision to fire Jimmy Kimmel when subscribers dropped their service like a hot potato.
Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Inquirer just wrote a column about that very thing.
These corporations can't stay in business without customers. Let's take a look at the companies listed in your article, select those whose services are marketed directly to us and stop buying their products.
I took a break from proofreading the final page designed manuscript for my second book. I felt I had to contribute to what Jack is saying in this newsletter. I have said in the past 11 months that the three priorities for every elected representative or senator, whether national or state, is in this order, One: get re-elected, two: Support or bash the President’s agenda and administration in preparation for the next election and finally, three: support your constituents.
In my opinion the reason we are handcuffed with politicians whose raison-d’etre follows this script is the fault of the voters, not the politicians. The candidate hides behind issues to avoid having to defend their individual integrity, and we as voters don’t even consider integrity when we cast our votes. This is why we end up with an immoral, convicted felon and serial liar as President. There is a fix for this dilemma, have the voters insist on Integrity, as the voters define it, first, and the issues second. The hard part is that issues are sexy and command media attention and integrity does not. Because of this, the voters must drive the shift in emphasis. I’ve written a book on how to accomplish this shift, but this is Jack’s newsletter, not mine.
Jack’s eleven truths scream integrity, and he has hit the nail squarely on the head.
In the second part, Jack states, very correctly, that Congress doesn’t want to admit a problem, because then they have to fix it. This is why it is up to the voters to push the fix. If we don’t, we keep the status quo and all we can do is bitch about the sad state of affairs at our parties, golf foursomes and kids’ basketball games.
I would like to offer a simple summary of Jacks message. If you want to understand why this are as they are politically, “follow the money!”
Why do we need campaign finance reform? Because big business is buying off our representation. why won't we get campaign finance reform? Because big business is buying off our representation. It is a vicious cycle and we are the victims. Did I miss anything?
So depressing. I have no words. Except: When the US Supreme Court decided--in Citizens United--that corporations "are people", our system of government and our elections began the death spiral that left us where we are today.
So what about impeachment? It also slows the money? So basically it doesn't matter who is in office? We just don't want someone like trump that has no control or conscience? Does it do any good to donate to the cause? This really sucks. I've been told this before but thought the people were disgruntled.
Well, I acknowledge the dilemma we are in and realize it means for me that there is no giving up in this fight here until we are victorious in the reconstruction of a better functioning democracy. I’m sad, mad & glad simultaneously: sad that it’s come to this with the Trump regime; mad because Trump is destroying everything that is American; and glad I am aware of the situation even though it is scary, it motivates me to fight the regime however I can. We will not win if we give in! 🥰❤️👍 #HOLDFAST
My raw gut reaction is hopelessness, anger. No recourse. After I sit with it all day, maybe that will change. I knew we were being hung out to dry. But fuck.
Toni, I hear you. That reaction makes complete sense.
Hopelessness and anger are rational responses when the last illusions drop. Anyone who feels calm right now...either hasn’t connected the dots yet...or isn’t being honest with themselves.
You’re right...this isn’t a new fear. It’s confirmation. That “we’re being hung out to dry” feeling hurts because it means you weren’t exaggerating. You were paying attention.
One thing I want to name, though...because it matters:
Hopelessness is what hits first, not last.
It’s the nervous system reacting to realizing the guardrails aren’t coming. The brain goes, “So the rules we were told would protect us… won’t.” That lands as anger...grief...and that hollow “fuck.”
But hopelessness...isn’t the end state. It’s a TRANSITION.
What often comes next...AFTER you sit with it...is clarity. Not optimism. Orientation.
You stop asking who will save us...and start asking what actually still works...where leverage still exists.
I won’t pretend there’s an easy fix...or a hero on the way. There is NOT.
But...there is recourse...just not the kind we were taught to expect.
So...sit with it. Let the anger burn off the shock.
Just don’t mistake this moment...for the final verdict.
You’re not wrong. You’re not crazy. And you’re damn sure not alone in seeing it!
#HoldFast
-Jack
P.S. I will write a follow-up to this article...soon.
Well FUCK…That’s all I got Jack.. but your article is THE ONLY fucking thing that makes absolute sense right now.. spelled out plain and simple..I wish I could drink but I’m actually allergic to alcohol.. so I’m going to have to do this fully fucking awake and aware.. dammit
I wish I was a crier but I’m not. Yet, after reading this, I just want to cry.
This is not unexpected by me. As a public education teacher for 41 years, I raged against the machine. The machine- Heritage Foundation. They began in the 80s under Reagan creating educational policy. They did a slow roll out of the new standards for public education while brainwashing the people that public education was a horror show. Slowly, state by state, especially red, they infiltrated their policies to the legislators willing. They introduced the bills. The education system was corrupted. You can tell the states most affected by the policy, they are red states and most schools rank in the bottom of the nation. Their decline directly attributed to the Heritage Demolition Foundation.
Indiana bit the poisoned apple in the mid 2000s and increased yearly. I would go to our capital to rage against them and be met with, "They want me to vote for this." Even after I explained the consequences. The power of the purse outweighs what actually is best for humanity. Greed speaks. Democracy dies.
Excellent, horrifying explanation. We have been so naive to believe some of those in Congress would actually come round and support the Constitution. Now, the question begs, what do we do now that we have been empowered by this insightful information?
Citizens United 👹 HaHa
Not sure what to say. Actually I lived in the DC area for many years and those of us who “lived inside the beltway” were well aware of how things worked. It takes an enormous amount of sustained pressure from voters to get the politicians to do what their voters want. Just a few phone calls from a few of their voters does nothing. A constant barrage from many voters starts to have an impact along with tons of posts on social media.
I forwarded this to Sen. Jeff Merkley who, along with Ron Wyden, I've had great respect for in spite of knowing how dirty the whole theater is. What you've said here has such a strong ring of truth, strong as a sonic weapon. I suggest everyone do the same with their congress people. It will be interesting to see their responses. #holdfast
Those are my senators also. My question after reading this piece is Hold tight to what? If we can't get Congress to give a shit and it takes a very long time to change the system, then it sounds like we are screwed. I want to believe we can get out of this mess but every day is darker and the machine that governs us effectively wants us dead. Is there really any effective way for us to work to stop things from turning into Nazi Germany 2.0 (further than it has already?) besides moving abroad for those who can afford to do so?
Clearly, as Rep. Omar put it some time ago, in this country, "it's all about the Benjamins, baby."
We do have one avenue of leverage. It's about how we use our Benjamins. I think of the Tesla Takedown protests and the U-turn Disney made after its decision to fire Jimmy Kimmel when subscribers dropped their service like a hot potato.
Will Bunch of the Philadelphia Inquirer just wrote a column about that very thing.
https://share.inquirer.com/dhtdsA
These corporations can't stay in business without customers. Let's take a look at the companies listed in your article, select those whose services are marketed directly to us and stop buying their products.
👍👍🥰❤️
I took a break from proofreading the final page designed manuscript for my second book. I felt I had to contribute to what Jack is saying in this newsletter. I have said in the past 11 months that the three priorities for every elected representative or senator, whether national or state, is in this order, One: get re-elected, two: Support or bash the President’s agenda and administration in preparation for the next election and finally, three: support your constituents.
In my opinion the reason we are handcuffed with politicians whose raison-d’etre follows this script is the fault of the voters, not the politicians. The candidate hides behind issues to avoid having to defend their individual integrity, and we as voters don’t even consider integrity when we cast our votes. This is why we end up with an immoral, convicted felon and serial liar as President. There is a fix for this dilemma, have the voters insist on Integrity, as the voters define it, first, and the issues second. The hard part is that issues are sexy and command media attention and integrity does not. Because of this, the voters must drive the shift in emphasis. I’ve written a book on how to accomplish this shift, but this is Jack’s newsletter, not mine.
Jack’s eleven truths scream integrity, and he has hit the nail squarely on the head.
In the second part, Jack states, very correctly, that Congress doesn’t want to admit a problem, because then they have to fix it. This is why it is up to the voters to push the fix. If we don’t, we keep the status quo and all we can do is bitch about the sad state of affairs at our parties, golf foursomes and kids’ basketball games.
I would like to offer a simple summary of Jacks message. If you want to understand why this are as they are politically, “follow the money!”
Keep swing Jack!
Why do we need campaign finance reform? Because big business is buying off our representation. why won't we get campaign finance reform? Because big business is buying off our representation. It is a vicious cycle and we are the victims. Did I miss anything?
So depressing. I have no words. Except: When the US Supreme Court decided--in Citizens United--that corporations "are people", our system of government and our elections began the death spiral that left us where we are today.
So what about impeachment? It also slows the money? So basically it doesn't matter who is in office? We just don't want someone like trump that has no control or conscience? Does it do any good to donate to the cause? This really sucks. I've been told this before but thought the people were disgruntled.
Well, I acknowledge the dilemma we are in and realize it means for me that there is no giving up in this fight here until we are victorious in the reconstruction of a better functioning democracy. I’m sad, mad & glad simultaneously: sad that it’s come to this with the Trump regime; mad because Trump is destroying everything that is American; and glad I am aware of the situation even though it is scary, it motivates me to fight the regime however I can. We will not win if we give in! 🥰❤️👍 #HOLDFAST
What can we do?