In an inspiring call to action, Rep. Swalwell tells Ben Meiselas why Americans can’t afford to give up—and how targeted resistance can safeguard democracy.
It would be helpful to get a list of (all) congressional representatives and the various committees they serve on with contact information. Break down the barriers of participation by providing framework of a system. We're all eager to help, but it's more productive and conducive to participation if we are organized.
Literally was going to ask the same thing. I'd like to be able to share information like this to various groups with a easy to do list for them to follow
So interesting to hear this, Megan. For awhile now, I've been thinking about my role as a citizen and what a shit job I've done for so long. Yes, I would write the occasional letter, but that goes nowhere. I'm angry with myself that I didn't show up personally at my reps' offices and ask pointed questions.
That said, I'm a good volunteer, meaning that I understand how most of the work is tedious, thankless and tiring, but it's in support of a larger goal, and when you get the win, it's fantastic. Believe me, not a lot of people really want to do the job when it comes to entering data into a spreadsheet, but that's what it takes.
I'm battling a tough cancer at the moment, so I couldn't take the lead on something like this, at least not right now. But I'd be happy to do a zoom call or talk on the phone or chat through email. Or enter data. :) You can email me through my site, which is just my name, maryannfarley dot com.
Thank you so much!! I thought I was the ONLY one even thinking this. I get nothing but looks when I say it.
We liberals must not reduce ourselves to blame. They only love seeing it. We did great!!
(as seen above)
The man and party that came with 91 indictments, felonies and rape, ran away with the election because they are all reformed, law abiding citizens? No specific accusation. Just naive not to realize ... He bought people in PA until it was shut down ...
Susan and Cynthia-- What has preyed upon my mind, even long before election day, are two comments Trump was repeating. At one point in July, he told his voters a few times that they didn't need to actually vote because "we have all the votes we need." Don't know about you, but I instantly assumed the gop had a plan, and Trump, being Trump, just had to blurt it out.
Then he follows that up at a Christian rally saying, "But if you do vote, you'll never have to vote again." WHAT? Even Laura Ingraham, of all people, tried to pin him down on his meanings, but he evaded her questions.
THEN, in recent weeks, a story breaks in the Wall Street Journal that Musk has consistently and secretly been talking with Putin FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. After that, blogs, discussion groups and op-ed pieces all asked if tech manipulation of the election was being planned. (Surely not between a sworn enemy of the US with boundless resources combined with the RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD.)
And finally, what about Trump’s blowjob of the microphone? Was it just Trump being folksy old Trump? Or was it the act of a supremely confident candidate who knew that nothing he did at that point would cost him the election? (He also jerked off that mic.)
And so… here we are.
No one wants to sound like a maga conspiracist, but that shouldn't stop us from putting some very basic facts together and doing the math.
This is the party that tried to steal the 2020 election FOR REAL.
What we all need to watch for is Musk! He is now sitting in on calls with world leaders and controls satellites used by Ukraine and other countries used in their fight with Russia! Simply put Musk takes away communication from a country rendering them unable to fight for their country’s democracy and they have no choice but to give up! Trump will use STARLINk under Musk to stop the wars even if it’s the shadiest way to do it and will take credit for stopping wars! Also I hear Musk is asking for everyday members of his company to have positions in the Defense Department which is scary as hell in itself but imagine the impact Musk will now have over this whole world and imagine the money he will make from this! All this from an illegal who broke the law in 1995! The irony of this! Watch my prediction come true! I’ve already heard that Putin asked Musk to prevent South Korea having access to STARLINk on behalf Putin who asked for the favor for China! America is now allies with China and Russia under Trump! And the sheep in himn this is a good thing!
Everyone did a great job in this campaign. Everything is bigger than us.
1. Garland allowed this criminal to stay at large. J.Smith two years after he entered his office.
2. MSM allowed the criminal candidate on parole with 91 indictments to lie and cheat. Barely a peep. But Joe was so tired ... omg! MSM was derelict in their core duty to our country.
3. Stay tuned! The man and party that came with 91 indictments, felonies and rape, ran away with the election because they are reformed? No specific accusation. Just naive not to realize ... He bought people in PA until it was shut down ...
THANK YOU for encouraging words, Swalwell!! Kamala did a GREAT job of making clear that she (and I hope us by association) will be here for ALL people not just the privileged few!!👌😊
I don't understand how there can be a peaceful transfer with a felon who wants to destroy democracy! Someone commented on Substack that if Biden retired Harris could call a state of emergency. I mean call me crazy but Project 2025, dismantling the Federal Government, ridding democracy and the Constitution is not American. HELP US ! SOS! Seriously we are looking to get out of the country!
Writing from Canada where in our next federal election to be held sometime in the next year we are looking down the barrel of the MAGA gun in the form of our Conservative parties and their associated organizations. I live in Alberta which is ruled by a MAGA wannabe party called the United Conservative Party. Slowly a resistance is being coordinated which is outside traditional political party lines. Many Canadians are devastated by the US election results. It's like finding out your hero big brother is involved in child porn.
Trump and Vance, who will assume the presidency fairly soon, would be happy for supporters of western liberal democracy to curl up in the fetal position and do nothing. That is not going to happen. This election was a bait and switch grift - vote for Trump, but you will get Vance and the Heritage Foundation as the President. Not sure if Trump and his supporters were in on the grift or they got played as well. A showdown between power hungry Trump thugs and power hungry Heritage Foundation ideologues will require popcorn. Keep fighting.
It sounds good in theory, but won't matter what the general public does to fight back. We have one party who is only after power and now that they have it, they have a stranglehold on any matter of consequence. America has lost the plot of what America stood for. I understand why Democrats lost this election. They lean heavily on values aligned with communist governing. The Republican party is aligned with authoritarianism values. Bad things are gonna happen the first 100 days of Trumpism. Mass deportations, tariffs which will crush our economy, and widespread racism. How is it possible a two time impeached, 34 charged felon, an Epstein coconspirator, an adjudicated sexual predator, filed bankruptcy 6 times, and other things we don't even know about yet becomes the next president. Wait until the first time, after becoming president, he sees or hears about someone who has made fun of him. He'll go after them to make an "example" of them. It says a lot about the country I live, who believes Trump is the answer for our country. Watch how sideways things go when the deportations start.
Thank you Ben and Rep. Swalwell. I know a positive mind and compassionate heart is needed. And I know it is not the time to quit. But I think it is time to play at least a little bit by the other side's tactics.
It seems to me we need to focus on whether or not this was even a legitimate election. I truly believe it has been stolen. It should be investigated vigorously. He should never even have been able to get his name on the ballot! Trump and cohorts have been far too cavalier all along. Something is very wrong. I don't say this lightly, or just because I don't want a criminal for the leader of our country. I am 73 years old and do not want to spend my golden years living under the rule of hateful, racist dictators. Nor do I want anyone else to lose their freedom.
If anyone within a thousand miles thinks for a minute I will absorb any of this blowhard's rhetoric and warped pronouncements, can I interest you in buying a famous NYC bridge? I will peacefully and legally resist any attempt within my power as a citizen, to support views of a Felon, cheat, liar who is President!! Would not surprise me if he and his cronies didn't stuff the ballot boxes. God, what a catastrophe !!!!!!!
Happy to fight back but how? Rather limited when we don’t have a voice in any branch of government.
I'm staying in the fight for women, babies, people of color, LBGTQ and our democracy.
Leslie, everything you said and more. I will never giving up fighting.
✅
It would be helpful to get a list of (all) congressional representatives and the various committees they serve on with contact information. Break down the barriers of participation by providing framework of a system. We're all eager to help, but it's more productive and conducive to participation if we are organized.
Literally was going to ask the same thing. I'd like to be able to share information like this to various groups with a easy to do list for them to follow
So interesting to hear this, Megan. For awhile now, I've been thinking about my role as a citizen and what a shit job I've done for so long. Yes, I would write the occasional letter, but that goes nowhere. I'm angry with myself that I didn't show up personally at my reps' offices and ask pointed questions.
That said, I'm a good volunteer, meaning that I understand how most of the work is tedious, thankless and tiring, but it's in support of a larger goal, and when you get the win, it's fantastic. Believe me, not a lot of people really want to do the job when it comes to entering data into a spreadsheet, but that's what it takes.
I'm battling a tough cancer at the moment, so I couldn't take the lead on something like this, at least not right now. But I'd be happy to do a zoom call or talk on the phone or chat through email. Or enter data. :) You can email me through my site, which is just my name, maryannfarley dot com.
Biden needs to use presidential immunity that he has been given by SCOTUS to impede Trump in any way possible in the ensuing 73days
He does. And he won’t.
Unfortunately that's true He won't because he HAS to play by the rules with the fascist group that he is dealing with has thrown out the rule book
Let’s push for campaign finance reform - billionaires bought this election!
We didn't lose! He cheated and you all know he cheated! He said he didn't need the votes why is that?
Thank you so much!! I thought I was the ONLY one even thinking this. I get nothing but looks when I say it.
We liberals must not reduce ourselves to blame. They only love seeing it. We did great!!
(as seen above)
The man and party that came with 91 indictments, felonies and rape, ran away with the election because they are all reformed, law abiding citizens? No specific accusation. Just naive not to realize ... He bought people in PA until it was shut down ...
So relieved.
Susan and Cynthia-- What has preyed upon my mind, even long before election day, are two comments Trump was repeating. At one point in July, he told his voters a few times that they didn't need to actually vote because "we have all the votes we need." Don't know about you, but I instantly assumed the gop had a plan, and Trump, being Trump, just had to blurt it out.
Then he follows that up at a Christian rally saying, "But if you do vote, you'll never have to vote again." WHAT? Even Laura Ingraham, of all people, tried to pin him down on his meanings, but he evaded her questions.
THEN, in recent weeks, a story breaks in the Wall Street Journal that Musk has consistently and secretly been talking with Putin FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. After that, blogs, discussion groups and op-ed pieces all asked if tech manipulation of the election was being planned. (Surely not between a sworn enemy of the US with boundless resources combined with the RICHEST MAN IN THE WORLD.)
And finally, what about Trump’s blowjob of the microphone? Was it just Trump being folksy old Trump? Or was it the act of a supremely confident candidate who knew that nothing he did at that point would cost him the election? (He also jerked off that mic.)
And so… here we are.
No one wants to sound like a maga conspiracist, but that shouldn't stop us from putting some very basic facts together and doing the math.
This is the party that tried to steal the 2020 election FOR REAL.
I smell a rat.
pbs.org/newshour/politi…
newrepublic.com/post/18…
What we all need to watch for is Musk! He is now sitting in on calls with world leaders and controls satellites used by Ukraine and other countries used in their fight with Russia! Simply put Musk takes away communication from a country rendering them unable to fight for their country’s democracy and they have no choice but to give up! Trump will use STARLINk under Musk to stop the wars even if it’s the shadiest way to do it and will take credit for stopping wars! Also I hear Musk is asking for everyday members of his company to have positions in the Defense Department which is scary as hell in itself but imagine the impact Musk will now have over this whole world and imagine the money he will make from this! All this from an illegal who broke the law in 1995! The irony of this! Watch my prediction come true! I’ve already heard that Putin asked Musk to prevent South Korea having access to STARLINk on behalf Putin who asked for the favor for China! America is now allies with China and Russia under Trump! And the sheep in himn this is a good thing!
Does he have security clearance? The selfishness and stupidity of these men does not seek to shock and terrify me.
Thank you for this interview. It made me feel a bit better today.
I agree with Ben--I am tired of liberals and progressives cannibalizing each other after a loss--we need to unify, not point fingers.
Everyone did a great job in this campaign. Everything is bigger than us.
1. Garland allowed this criminal to stay at large. J.Smith two years after he entered his office.
2. MSM allowed the criminal candidate on parole with 91 indictments to lie and cheat. Barely a peep. But Joe was so tired ... omg! MSM was derelict in their core duty to our country.
3. Stay tuned! The man and party that came with 91 indictments, felonies and rape, ran away with the election because they are reformed? No specific accusation. Just naive not to realize ... He bought people in PA until it was shut down ...
THANK YOU for encouraging words, Swalwell!! Kamala did a GREAT job of making clear that she (and I hope us by association) will be here for ALL people not just the privileged few!!👌😊
This message is timely. Clear messaging needs to take place first. I
I don't understand how there can be a peaceful transfer with a felon who wants to destroy democracy! Someone commented on Substack that if Biden retired Harris could call a state of emergency. I mean call me crazy but Project 2025, dismantling the Federal Government, ridding democracy and the Constitution is not American. HELP US ! SOS! Seriously we are looking to get out of the country!
Writing from Canada where in our next federal election to be held sometime in the next year we are looking down the barrel of the MAGA gun in the form of our Conservative parties and their associated organizations. I live in Alberta which is ruled by a MAGA wannabe party called the United Conservative Party. Slowly a resistance is being coordinated which is outside traditional political party lines. Many Canadians are devastated by the US election results. It's like finding out your hero big brother is involved in child porn.
Trump and Vance, who will assume the presidency fairly soon, would be happy for supporters of western liberal democracy to curl up in the fetal position and do nothing. That is not going to happen. This election was a bait and switch grift - vote for Trump, but you will get Vance and the Heritage Foundation as the President. Not sure if Trump and his supporters were in on the grift or they got played as well. A showdown between power hungry Trump thugs and power hungry Heritage Foundation ideologues will require popcorn. Keep fighting.
It sounds good in theory, but won't matter what the general public does to fight back. We have one party who is only after power and now that they have it, they have a stranglehold on any matter of consequence. America has lost the plot of what America stood for. I understand why Democrats lost this election. They lean heavily on values aligned with communist governing. The Republican party is aligned with authoritarianism values. Bad things are gonna happen the first 100 days of Trumpism. Mass deportations, tariffs which will crush our economy, and widespread racism. How is it possible a two time impeached, 34 charged felon, an Epstein coconspirator, an adjudicated sexual predator, filed bankruptcy 6 times, and other things we don't even know about yet becomes the next president. Wait until the first time, after becoming president, he sees or hears about someone who has made fun of him. He'll go after them to make an "example" of them. It says a lot about the country I live, who believes Trump is the answer for our country. Watch how sideways things go when the deportations start.
It kinda blows my mind that those who most voted for the rule of law are the most disadvantaged.
Thank you Ben and Rep. Swalwell. I know a positive mind and compassionate heart is needed. And I know it is not the time to quit. But I think it is time to play at least a little bit by the other side's tactics.
It seems to me we need to focus on whether or not this was even a legitimate election. I truly believe it has been stolen. It should be investigated vigorously. He should never even have been able to get his name on the ballot! Trump and cohorts have been far too cavalier all along. Something is very wrong. I don't say this lightly, or just because I don't want a criminal for the leader of our country. I am 73 years old and do not want to spend my golden years living under the rule of hateful, racist dictators. Nor do I want anyone else to lose their freedom.
If anyone within a thousand miles thinks for a minute I will absorb any of this blowhard's rhetoric and warped pronouncements, can I interest you in buying a famous NYC bridge? I will peacefully and legally resist any attempt within my power as a citizen, to support views of a Felon, cheat, liar who is President!! Would not surprise me if he and his cronies didn't stuff the ballot boxes. God, what a catastrophe !!!!!!!