Today’s letter is longer than I wanted. If you are pressed for time, PLEASE just scroll down to the last short video.
Open Letter to the Democratic National Committee:
”It happened again. You sent me an email asking for money. It was supposed to be from Harris and Walz. But I know they just authorized some fund raising person at the DNC to email me...again. Stop. Just stop.
I will donate to the DNC when you find a voice. When you start to make some loud noise and some "good trouble". Americans need to know what Democrats stand for on EVERY major issue and they need to hear about it every day. There are several firehoses of lies, misinformation and frankly incredibly insane bullshit coming from the administration and its oligarch funded media puppets. Time for Dems to show some official outrage.
I wrote to you recently about the "Shadow Cabinet" idea. You didn't respond. But I'll keep trying. Here is another idea.
Where in the name of all that is decent and good are Bill Clinton and Barack Obama? Hillary and Michelle? Harris and Walz? Why aren't they joining Bernie Sanders touring the country trying to save it? OK, that is a lot of work. I get it.
But how about a DNC podcast featuring interviews with them and all the other voices that people might listen to? What's the plan, Stan? Make some noise, boys! We're bleeding. Time to start leading!
Give us a reason to send you money, Ken Martin!”
Then…I googled around and found this video. It is called a “National Update and Call to Action”. It happened five days ago. I follow politics. Too much. But accordingly, why wasn’t I aware of this messaging until I decided to dig around. If you decide to watch it, be aware that there is just music for the first few minutes - I guess they were waiting for everyone to sign on. So consider skimming or fast forwarding until you hear or see something that you feel is “compelling”. My thoughts are below.
JMO:
We live in a performative world. Presentation and personality rule. Pathetic, but true.
As usual, Jamie Raskin was strong and others were clear in their messaging. I was particularly proud of Rep Lori Trahan who is our representative. But…
Ken Martin: I agreed with every word. But is this the face and voice that will sell Americans the Democratic vision?
Hakeem Jeffries: I agreed with every word. But his speech is a continuous hesitation - halting and verges on stumbling. I have great admiration for this person and his remarkable ability to hold the Democrats together. But with respect, his style is not going to win the performative contest.
Democrats have the right ideas. What we need are really powerful sales people.
Barack Obama was a political unknown - a first term Senator with little experience. But wow, could he talk. He could sell you anything. His speeches were state of the art performances because he could pitch the ideas. He is amazing. We need him back on the team - full time.
Bill Clinton was a governor who was on nobody’s radar screen. But the first time I heard him speak, I said to a friend: “This guy may be our next president.” And “Slick Willy” got the job. This guy is not my personal favorite. He lost me with NAFTA, banking deregulation and of course, Monica. My point is that he could sell you a car with no engine and be gone by the time you put the key in the ignition. Sorry for the example. But the nation has been conned successfully by someone with worse motivation and intentions. You see where I am coming from.
So who stirs you when they speak? Who can sell the nation on the correct direction? Who can forcefully demand a halt to the wholesale destruction of our democracy, the rule of law and all the help and protections that our government provides for the environment, our seniors and children, the challenged, our veterans and the government workers who SAVE lives here and all over the world? WHO?
Democrats need some LOUD eloquent heroes now. People with remarkable speaking skills.
Below is how it is done. Please listen to Rep Melanie Stansbury. It is short but stirring. I have heard her speak before. This person is on fire.
Bill, you're right. Salesmanship is everything.
Bill,
Thank you for the link to Stansbury. I sent it to all our friends.
Regarding the Democrat response to Trump and Musk, I am not critical. There is no precedent to follow in this situation. Musk and Trump are in charge of the CIA, the FBI and the US Military, all of whom are sworn to uphold the law and do what the President tells them to do. Plus, they are working with Louisiana, where slavery remains legally supported on the Angola plantation.
A lot of power in the hands of two men who have spent their entire lives getting by with breaking every law they can. The American justice system was built for them.
Taking Musk and Trump on is no small endeavor and, as we have seen, they have now crossed the line to arresting innocent people with no criminal history and sending them down to Louisiana where slavery remains legal on the Angola plantation. Ok, they call it a prison now but it really is still just a work plantation. Remember, slavery remains legal in the US for "those convicted of a crime".
In Lousiana they simply converted the 16,000 acre Angola Plantation to a 16,000 acre "prison". And, business as usual up to and including TODAY. Arrested all the black folks and tossed them in "jail" for "a crime" and kept going. 2025. Yep.
So, in a country where slavery remains legal, a large plantation exists in a state that fully supports doing whatever, and the administration is sending people there??
Being cautious? Makes sense.
American history is coming back to bite everyone now. Not just the black folks that American history has historically bitten.