Some of you guys have probably noticed I'm not happy

[Tobin S.]

To put it mildly. I'm not just mad at Trump and Republicans, I'm mad at us, too. I probably broke some guy's heart here the other night. To see the nice sweet guy you guys have known here over the years starting to get radicalized.

I'm a working class progressive. I can feel that Koch brothers jackboot right on my neck right now while Trump kicks me repeatedly in the crotch. Don't ask me to try to understand rich people right now. Somebody did that to me the other day in here and it hit a button in me that sent me straight into communist manifesto territory.

To anyone who has been hurt or troubled here lately by anything I've said, I apologize. In truly sorry about that. I know you guys are my allies. I feel very strongly now about some changes that I think need to be made in the party policy wise.

But here is one thing that I think would be a goid idea for all of us no matter where you stand on he issues.

About 40% of eligible voters did not vote in the last general election. That number is probably much higher in off year elections. I think that if we can reach maybe a fourth of them while hanging onto our base, we might gain enough support to override stuff like fraud and nefarious influence.

That's a lot of people, but I'm betting that most of them would be more receptive to the liberal point of view than the conservative one if we could figure out what we need to do to represent them. And it might just be as simple as setting straight some erroneous conceptions that they have about the party.

I've seen the view expressed that it's on their heads if they don't get out and get involved. That view will not lead to more participation and election victories.

We need to figure out who these people are and why they don't vote. There are probably many reasons for that, but I'm guessing that one of the main ones is that they just don't feel like either party truly represents them.

[madaboutharry]

1. Don't give up on us. ☺️

Too many Americans take democracy for granted, but I think that is changing. There will always be 35% of a population that is susceptible to fascism. But I think the other 65% is getting really scared.

[Tobin S.]

2. That's the way I see that 35% too.

We don't need to do anything with 35% but leave them in the raear mirror. I still see people trying to win then over. Not gonna happen.

[mopinko]

3. we need to work down the ticket.

the farther you get from the top of the ticket, the more real it all gets.
the county board that is hassling a neighbor over their hoop house is gonna bring out people who care about the environment and a sustainable lifestyle. (true issue in chi burbs)
the school board election that affects your kids is gonna bring out a personal concern and also a chance to make a real difference on your own block, in your own city.

the sins of the washington elite dont redound to the local level for most people, i dont think.
we have a hot race here in illinois to replace our retiring attorney general, lisa madigan. she has been a true champion of the people against the powerful. lots of people have had personal experience w her office. even the fact that her father is a dictator in the state capital hasnt tainted her tenure.
the race to succeed her is going to be interesting. i think that a lot of people will care about that.

this is where the grass roots live. that is where we should be putting our efforts. i believe it is easier to get people to look up from the bottom of the ticket than to look down from the top.

[Leith]

4. Don't Worry - You're Among Friends

My stress level has been through the roof for the past couple of months.

I come here to be around sane and likeminded people.

[cwydro]

5. Hang in there Tobe.

Please don’t give up.