"Authoritarians do not need everyone to support them. They need everyone who opposes them to remain divided." Adam, you defined the Democrats' challenge. Trump doesn't have to get his people in line. He only has to sow division among us Democrats. Sadly, we have historically fallen for his crap. Not This Year! Not in September, October and November -- whenever we are able to vote (especially early!). We will Vote Blue No Matter Who!!! As you concluded: "If enough Americans refuse to give Trump that advantage, we will defeat Trumpism." Amen!
I also left the Republican Party—am now registered as Unaffiliated —I wanted to leave the all important option of voting for the candidate who I feel is best for myself and my fellow humans—which, “surprise” is always the Democrat! I love your comment “the Democratic Party is a welcoming party”—indeed it is—much like being an Episcopalian-we welcome all!
No religious argument, but Episcopalians actually do welcome all! This is not all encompassing but-here goes: LGBTQ+ individuals and women can be ordained at all levels, including as priests and bishops. Members are encouraged to express doubts and have diverse personal theological views—it is okay to say hey—I am not sure if I completely agree with this-which “usually” leads to healthy discourse. Unlike the Catholic Church, any baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, are welcome to participate in Holy Communion.
YES YES YES Tell em! ... #Episcopalians Welcome All. Did you see? They welcome all individuals, gay, straight, single, married to even be ordained and bishops.
They welcome any baptized Christian to celebrate their Holy Communion. Thanks for the comment, will share.
Yes indeed! I have done some reading about the different branches—my mind is blanking, but there is both a Lutheran and Methodist subgroups that are all-welcoming. And I certainly do not mean to disparage anyone’s religion!
I was raised Unitarian, so I agree with you. We welcomed everyone, no exceptions. Discourse was invited, we could agree to disagree. I went to an Episcopalian church with a good friend to their youth group a couple of times; they had a pastor who listened to kids (Vietnam era) and didn’t pass judgement, but gave things to think about. I think that most denominations have individual congregations that are accepting of other lifestyles, but too often the preaching is limited to one point of view and if you don’t agree, you’re wrong. The problem there is that many don’t practice what they preach. Being kind and listening doesn’t take much effort, being closed minded and labeling does and hurts the person doing that.
I am a pastor who is affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Both of my denominations welcome all including LGBTQ people as clergy and in marriage.
It's worth noting that Byron Donalds is a former Democrat, having switched parties in 2010 and aligning with the Tea Party. Florida's primaries saw the voters rebelling against the past several years, with the biggest upset being progressive Angie Nixon soundly defeating Alex Vindman for the Dem nomination in the race for Marco Rubio's former Senate seat, which is now held by Ashley Moody. At the local level in my county (Sarasota), voters flipped the school board from Moms for Liberty conservative to the Dem-supported candidates. That's a very big deal, considering that Trump won the county by 18 points. Whatever happens in the midterms, it's clear that most people are just fed up and want a return to something more civil and more normal.
interesting to note that he was a Democrat and also from Crown Heights BK. He went to college in FLA so that's why he ended up there now. I think he is an opportunist. People gave him a second chance but now he doesn't want to give anyone else that chance. I just read his bio- wow he voted for ALL the far right trump things and from his comments he seems uneducated as to family life during Jim Crow.
I don’t blame the people for being fed up. They want a return to something more civil and normal. Florida has GOP Governors since 1999. That is a very long drought. It is time for Florida to have a new face and fresh Governor.
DeSantis has been particularly awful as he tried to curry favor with Trump via his "Florida is where woke goes to die" campaign. He created such a toxic atmosphere that it's no wonder even sane Republicans have had enough. Once he was in lame duck territory, even his compliant state legislature started saying "no" to some of his proposals.
Yeah, my mom isn’t a big fan of DeSantis. She told me that he is the most worst Governor of her state. I live in Western PA. I am glad that PA has a very good and popular Governor. Woke is full crap. The books are banned. That is full crap. DeSantis made up. Florida will not miss him at all. Nah.
Thank you for the update. As a Floridian I researched all candidates on the ballot even local school board. Quite the difficult decision but I wasn’t going to give up. 😁
This is good news indeed. It’s so good to see former Republicans running for Democratic seats. Everything that is happening politically is because of Trump! The pendulum swings back sharply, and this is all proving that finally people are regaining or maintaining their backbones and speaking up finally. Let’s hope it continues. Let’s hope we see the overthrow of this administration very soon. I can’t wait till they’re voted out.
Agreed. Especially because we need "Eisenhower Republicans" to have a place in our political system. In my fantasies, they come to the Democratic party, win, demonstrate good faith disagreements with progressive Democrats over how to achieve broadly popular goals (e.g. everyone has healthcare), then return to and take over the Republican party so we have two functioning, democracy reporting political parties again.
It would be perfect to have two functioning political parties. The Art of disagreement is just that. And Art, but it includes civility and we’ve lost that unfortunately for now. Hopefully it comes back.
Holy cow, 1.5 million MORE Republicans than Democrats in Florida?! It’s a wonder there are ANY elected Democrats there. They’re gonna need a lot of Independents, and temporary allies, to get anywhere. During this Trumpian era, stamping out authoritarianism is Job One, and we’re lucky to have people like you and David Jolly to stand with us and help us do it.
I fully agree with making/keeping the Democratic Party a very big tent and working with and for those who have the same core beliefs: adherence to the Constitution; finding ways to make healthcare, food, education, and voting as accessible as possible; doing what can be done LEGALLY to bring accountability to lawbreakers; and, repairing our broken immigration system to keep us secure and to treat immigrants with due process and dignity….Not a definitive list, for sure. Getting into to nitty gritty debates on policies and procedures can wait till we are in charge of the government. What none of us prodemocracy folks want is division over whether someone used to be a Republican or whether they use (D) or (DSA) on their bios. Show us your record, your stated positions over the recent years, your proposals and priorities.
Husband and I are Democrats. We have liked David Jolly for a while now. We have donated to his campaign, have a sign in our yard, and early voted for him in the primary. We are hopeful that he could win.
If Jolly gets specific about helping the people who have been screwed the last few years, as well as keeping his core beliefs, he might even win. People who have lost health care, snap benefits, been marginalized for being women or gay, will be listening for more than small government-unless that means showing respect to all people-even to people who haven’t been very nice recently. But it can’t be bull shit. Because people are tuned in to bull shit these days.
That's all I'VE been saying since Trump 1.0: We need to save the country first, then debate the fine points of policies once we're in the White House, AND have the majority in Congress. We have not been in a normal political cycle since the Obama administration.
Besides, once the Dems are in power again, there will be SO MUCH deconstruction and restoration to do to our government AND over physical projects erected or "redecorated" by Trump. Plus, we'll need to procecute, procecute, procecute and hopefully jail all the idiots responsible for criminal behavior while in office. Priorities must be set, and announced to the American people (with regular updates on the White House web site) and via the media -- we need to see "spines" again. We need to feel that firm, intelligent, compassionate hands will have taken back the wheel from the asylum inmates. We'll need to feel some immediate relief from high prices and soaring utility and housing costs. Any meaningful change that can last and that will show that we have a federal government that gives more than two shits about the people they serve, is all that we'd need to restore enough faith that our country will get better and eventually heal.
The very first thing facing democrats everywhere will be the national debt and how to best survive the crash that thoughtful economists are saying is just around the corner. That by itself will be a daunting task and will really require patience on everyone’s part. Trump has had us on a drunken binge since taking office and rolling back all that President Biden got done.
This is why I signed up! Love the article and the honest well-thought-out assessment. I'm a Democrat and appreciate that the party includes people with very different beliefs and values, but consistently, I hope and believe, a common belief at the core in democracy and that which is right, fair, honest, ethical, moral, and respectful of differences.
"In my speech at the 2024 DNC, we all agreed saving our democracy came first. We can debate policy details after we’ve saved the country." << That there is why I support you. Don't hold back; tell it like it is; along with the personal Integrity and Value of understanding why "WE over ME" matters most. Tally Ho!
This will be an interesting governor's race in Florida. Good for Mr. Jolly! Let's pray he succeeds! Florida is the land of retirees and where republican golden boys presidential certainties go to dim like ron de santes and marco rubio. They became trumpites and he darkened their reputations. Thanks Adam for leaving the republican party of your own free will!
No. I'm in California! I've vacationed a lot in your state! I've been trying to help some of my favorite candidates! I believe God has another plan for Alex like he did Adam! Thank you for helping his campaign!!
Me too. volunteered for him, donated, bought the shirt, not a great candidate. He's a hero and maybe will do better next time. Shook his hand, he seemed somewhat uneasy. Not sure...
"Authoritarians do not need everyone to support them. They need everyone who opposes them to remain divided." Adam, you defined the Democrats' challenge. Trump doesn't have to get his people in line. He only has to sow division among us Democrats. Sadly, we have historically fallen for his crap. Not This Year! Not in September, October and November -- whenever we are able to vote (especially early!). We will Vote Blue No Matter Who!!! As you concluded: "If enough Americans refuse to give Trump that advantage, we will defeat Trumpism." Amen!
The Democratic Party is a welcoming party. I left the Republican Party with John Anderson in 1980. I am glad to be a Democrat.
I also left the Republican Party—am now registered as Unaffiliated —I wanted to leave the all important option of voting for the candidate who I feel is best for myself and my fellow humans—which, “surprise” is always the Democrat! I love your comment “the Democratic Party is a welcoming party”—indeed it is—much like being an Episcopalian-we welcome all!
I don't want to start a religious argument, but I thought it was the Unitarians who welcomed all!
No religious argument, but Episcopalians actually do welcome all! This is not all encompassing but-here goes: LGBTQ+ individuals and women can be ordained at all levels, including as priests and bishops. Members are encouraged to express doubts and have diverse personal theological views—it is okay to say hey—I am not sure if I completely agree with this-which “usually” leads to healthy discourse. Unlike the Catholic Church, any baptized Christians, regardless of denomination, are welcome to participate in Holy Communion.
I'm a UU and I can tell you that you don't even have to be a Christian. We'll welcome you even if you're not even a believer!
YES YES YES Tell em! ... #Episcopalians Welcome All. Did you see? They welcome all individuals, gay, straight, single, married to even be ordained and bishops.
They welcome any baptized Christian to celebrate their Holy Communion. Thanks for the comment, will share.
Not only them. Episcopal are known to do so. I think some Methodist churches too.
Yes indeed! I have done some reading about the different branches—my mind is blanking, but there is both a Lutheran and Methodist subgroups that are all-welcoming. And I certainly do not mean to disparage anyone’s religion!
I'm a devout yet open minded Catholic. I'm not insulted at all.
I have many Catholic friends with the very same mindset. ❤️
I was raised Unitarian, so I agree with you. We welcomed everyone, no exceptions. Discourse was invited, we could agree to disagree. I went to an Episcopalian church with a good friend to their youth group a couple of times; they had a pastor who listened to kids (Vietnam era) and didn’t pass judgement, but gave things to think about. I think that most denominations have individual congregations that are accepting of other lifestyles, but too often the preaching is limited to one point of view and if you don’t agree, you’re wrong. The problem there is that many don’t practice what they preach. Being kind and listening doesn’t take much effort, being closed minded and labeling does and hurts the person doing that.
I am a pastor who is affiliated with both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Both of my denominations welcome all including LGBTQ people as clergy and in marriage.
Amen!
It's worth noting that Byron Donalds is a former Democrat, having switched parties in 2010 and aligning with the Tea Party. Florida's primaries saw the voters rebelling against the past several years, with the biggest upset being progressive Angie Nixon soundly defeating Alex Vindman for the Dem nomination in the race for Marco Rubio's former Senate seat, which is now held by Ashley Moody. At the local level in my county (Sarasota), voters flipped the school board from Moms for Liberty conservative to the Dem-supported candidates. That's a very big deal, considering that Trump won the county by 18 points. Whatever happens in the midterms, it's clear that most people are just fed up and want a return to something more civil and more normal.
interesting to note that he was a Democrat and also from Crown Heights BK. He went to college in FLA so that's why he ended up there now. I think he is an opportunist. People gave him a second chance but now he doesn't want to give anyone else that chance. I just read his bio- wow he voted for ALL the far right trump things and from his comments he seems uneducated as to family life during Jim Crow.
I don’t blame the people for being fed up. They want a return to something more civil and normal. Florida has GOP Governors since 1999. That is a very long drought. It is time for Florida to have a new face and fresh Governor.
DeSantis has been particularly awful as he tried to curry favor with Trump via his "Florida is where woke goes to die" campaign. He created such a toxic atmosphere that it's no wonder even sane Republicans have had enough. Once he was in lame duck territory, even his compliant state legislature started saying "no" to some of his proposals.
Yeah, my mom isn’t a big fan of DeSantis. She told me that he is the most worst Governor of her state. I live in Western PA. I am glad that PA has a very good and popular Governor. Woke is full crap. The books are banned. That is full crap. DeSantis made up. Florida will not miss him at all. Nah.
Time for Texas, too.
Texas will flip blue!!
Thank you for the update. As a Floridian I researched all candidates on the ballot even local school board. Quite the difficult decision but I wasn’t going to give up. 😁
Hi Sally,
I did the same, and yes, it was difficult. :)
This is good news indeed. It’s so good to see former Republicans running for Democratic seats. Everything that is happening politically is because of Trump! The pendulum swings back sharply, and this is all proving that finally people are regaining or maintaining their backbones and speaking up finally. Let’s hope it continues. Let’s hope we see the overthrow of this administration very soon. I can’t wait till they’re voted out.
Agreed. Especially because we need "Eisenhower Republicans" to have a place in our political system. In my fantasies, they come to the Democratic party, win, demonstrate good faith disagreements with progressive Democrats over how to achieve broadly popular goals (e.g. everyone has healthcare), then return to and take over the Republican party so we have two functioning, democracy reporting political parties again.
It would be perfect to have two functioning political parties. The Art of disagreement is just that. And Art, but it includes civility and we’ve lost that unfortunately for now. Hopefully it comes back.
Holy cow, 1.5 million MORE Republicans than Democrats in Florida?! It’s a wonder there are ANY elected Democrats there. They’re gonna need a lot of Independents, and temporary allies, to get anywhere. During this Trumpian era, stamping out authoritarianism is Job One, and we’re lucky to have people like you and David Jolly to stand with us and help us do it.
Thank you Adam for another post packed with keen insights. Well done!
I fully agree with making/keeping the Democratic Party a very big tent and working with and for those who have the same core beliefs: adherence to the Constitution; finding ways to make healthcare, food, education, and voting as accessible as possible; doing what can be done LEGALLY to bring accountability to lawbreakers; and, repairing our broken immigration system to keep us secure and to treat immigrants with due process and dignity….Not a definitive list, for sure. Getting into to nitty gritty debates on policies and procedures can wait till we are in charge of the government. What none of us prodemocracy folks want is division over whether someone used to be a Republican or whether they use (D) or (DSA) on their bios. Show us your record, your stated positions over the recent years, your proposals and priorities.
Husband and I are Democrats. We have liked David Jolly for a while now. We have donated to his campaign, have a sign in our yard, and early voted for him in the primary. We are hopeful that he could win.
Me, too. I hope that Jolly will be first Democrat to be elected as Governor of Florida since the late Governor Chiles in 1994. Florida will flip blue
Yes me, too. “Walkin Lawton”!
Well written discussion of Florida
If Jolly gets specific about helping the people who have been screwed the last few years, as well as keeping his core beliefs, he might even win. People who have lost health care, snap benefits, been marginalized for being women or gay, will be listening for more than small government-unless that means showing respect to all people-even to people who haven’t been very nice recently. But it can’t be bull shit. Because people are tuned in to bull shit these days.
That's all I'VE been saying since Trump 1.0: We need to save the country first, then debate the fine points of policies once we're in the White House, AND have the majority in Congress. We have not been in a normal political cycle since the Obama administration.
Besides, once the Dems are in power again, there will be SO MUCH deconstruction and restoration to do to our government AND over physical projects erected or "redecorated" by Trump. Plus, we'll need to procecute, procecute, procecute and hopefully jail all the idiots responsible for criminal behavior while in office. Priorities must be set, and announced to the American people (with regular updates on the White House web site) and via the media -- we need to see "spines" again. We need to feel that firm, intelligent, compassionate hands will have taken back the wheel from the asylum inmates. We'll need to feel some immediate relief from high prices and soaring utility and housing costs. Any meaningful change that can last and that will show that we have a federal government that gives more than two shits about the people they serve, is all that we'd need to restore enough faith that our country will get better and eventually heal.
The very first thing facing democrats everywhere will be the national debt and how to best survive the crash that thoughtful economists are saying is just around the corner. That by itself will be a daunting task and will really require patience on everyone’s part. Trump has had us on a drunken binge since taking office and rolling back all that President Biden got done.
This is why I signed up! Love the article and the honest well-thought-out assessment. I'm a Democrat and appreciate that the party includes people with very different beliefs and values, but consistently, I hope and believe, a common belief at the core in democracy and that which is right, fair, honest, ethical, moral, and respectful of differences.
I follow you for articles like this one. Well stated.
"In my speech at the 2024 DNC, we all agreed saving our democracy came first. We can debate policy details after we’ve saved the country." << That there is why I support you. Don't hold back; tell it like it is; along with the personal Integrity and Value of understanding why "WE over ME" matters most. Tally Ho!
This will be an interesting governor's race in Florida. Good for Mr. Jolly! Let's pray he succeeds! Florida is the land of retirees and where republican golden boys presidential certainties go to dim like ron de santes and marco rubio. They became trumpites and he darkened their reputations. Thanks Adam for leaving the republican party of your own free will!
I was very sorry to see Alex Vindman lose in Florida. He is another national hero!🇺🇸
Me, too. He is a hero of our beloved country. Alex will run for US Senator again. Who knows?
are you in Fla? I'm in Brevard Co. Originally Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
No. I'm in California! I've vacationed a lot in your state! I've been trying to help some of my favorite candidates! I believe God has another plan for Alex like he did Adam! Thank you for helping his campaign!!
Me too. volunteered for him, donated, bought the shirt, not a great candidate. He's a hero and maybe will do better next time. Shook his hand, he seemed somewhat uneasy. Not sure...