October 28, 2024

correction: one in every 700 US citizens is an elected official

October 28, 2024

1 in every US citizen is an elected official!! Ozzi recommends Australian Federal Broadcaster ABC in-depth You Tube viewing

There has been a series of ABC shows in Australia media, especially in last few weeks. ABC is an Australian Government financed National Broadcaster which shows news, fiction, comedy, documentaries, sport etc. There's no private corporation advertising in it at all. There are accessible on You Tube (not sure if you need to use a VPN). I recommend ABC 4Corners 2 part show on Trump shown a few months ago. In the last few weeks there has also been 2 series with multiple episodes on American elections and the Jan6 attack. Additionally, twice a week there is a show called Planet America with 2 guys who do analysis on current events with interviews and feature investigations (I find the casually dressed host a bit annoying). Each political show, each episode might, in part, feature a State, an historical moment, a theme or discuss current events etc. For example discussions in one recent 4 part series featured the question "Can there be too much democracy (eg. voting)? America is fairly unique in the amount of voting that happens in the country compared to most other democracies. According to this show's ABC investigation, there's about half a million elected officials in America and that equates to 1 in 700 citizens and its costing many billions of dollars (& increasing).

Here in Australia we vote mainly for State and Federal Government as well as Council Mayors, and that's it as far as I know. Other officials, like judges, department heads, utility managers, etc are jobs to be applied for and chosen by superiors based on expertise and qualification. If they act out or are incompetent, citizens/staff can submit complaints and/or they can lose their job after an investigation. In our Governmental elections, we generally use a 2 party preferred system whereby if there is more than one person or party on the ticket, then the biggest two winners get the loser's votes according to a pre-decided plan put forward by the losers before the election is held. You can vote/tick for your political party or you can tick down ballot for each individual legislative party/person in order of your own preference. If you use one tick for your preferred political party that then covers the rest of the votes in a predetermined way. You vote on one small sheet for the House of Assembly and then on a larger sheet for the Legislative Council. I often use two ticks total every time as I trust my Political Party to do right by me. Nothings perfect but I have enough faith in our system success so far. There is no voting machine where I vote, just paper ballots sent in or picked up in the voting hall then pushed into 2 cardboard boxes situated in front of a non-partisan monitor. Volunteers have a list of named citizen voters in front of them, they tick off your name and you get your two sheets of paper to vote on. If your less well informed about individuals, you can easily know how to vote down ballot as there are volunteers outside the room handing out how to vote sheets based on the Political Party they represent. I have never seen any arguments. You can grab all of them if you want to help you decide if you want to vote in a more varied way. No judgement or threat. Campaigns last a few weeks and Voting is often done at your local primary school. Australian citizens are, thank goodness, encouraged to be involved, be engaged and, at the very least, vote under the threat of a small financial penalty! I never hear anyone complain about having to vote here. We vote and then we can blame ourselves as a collective if we get a poor candidate.

Anyway, I am really writing to encourage DU members to check out ABC In-Depth you tube videos such as Four Corners (on Jan6 & Trump threat), Planet America (Wed and Frid evening Aust time) and the more recent series called American are you ok? (4 parts so far) and America's Last Election (2 parts so far). I am now retired, and I am extremely concerned about the threatening Trump&Co global effect (I have children and grandchildren that could be effected by a lost USA democracy plus I loved my year traveling around America so I truly care). I watch both American, British and Australian news and I get something different about USA politics/culture with each viewing. What I do find valuable is the more documentary style, step-back analysis in non-USA media, as well as the more emotive but still informative You Tube videos put out by media collectives such as MSNBC, MeidasTouch, Lincoln Project, Democracy Docket, Talking Feds, Legal AF, Glenn Kirschner, Brian Tyler, Simon Rosenberg etc.
If DU members are interested in another Country's view of your more complex, more costly democracy style system (from a more impartial but still concerned viewpoint; with perhaps a more detailed, more impartial viewpoint analysis), please watch our Federally financed, less biased (Leftish) ABC shows to get a step-back perspective. Our ABC media is in a class of its own. It can get targeted by our conservative Liberal Party (ironic name isn't it) as the Libs view the ABC as being more biased to the more public/worker priority Australian Labor Party, but it has survived for a long long long time fairly intact. Sadly we recently lost another State to the Libs last weekend. Our Liberal Party is like a potential interested student party to your Republican Party. They would likely like to be more authoritarian but our citizens generally keep them in their place.
Lastly I want to say that I have read so much commentary about How can anyone vote for Trump, How is this election so evenly split after such horrendous behaviour by Trump. Hardly anyone discusses the current status of your Education System (as well as the negative effects of having a high level of poverty). The Charter school system has hurt your public Education system dreadfully. Also Poverty has affected your citizen's ability to have time to reflect on important issues, as well as have time to importantly recreate. There are far less negative consequences (eg The socialism fear) in a blended, strategically targeted public/private funding mix. Some aspects of community life needs public funding and cannot be put into profit making control (or require a high level of voting which is often not done well when its excessive). I could go on about money in politics, ascribing large corporations with the power status of individualism in its right to donate, relying on an almost impossible 60% governing decision making rules, never ending life-time judgeship jobs, effects of poorly paid cops etc. However, primarily, you need to support your youth and family with quality public education, job & consumer protections and basic family support so they can think rationally (quality education, time to reflect and recreate), live in safety & be protected in all aspects of basic living (more consumer protections, less guns, basic health care, affordable quality childcare, reasonable personal/family time off employment laws, healthy environments etc.). Ultimately it starts with Childhood Support, Quality Education and Safe, well supported Families. Then you can say with more appropriate shock, how did half of America really think Trump is a good guy to vote for.
Good luck. There are Australians who care, love American and want the Democrats to win the most earnest way.
Vote please.
Ozzi

September 18, 2024

Awhile ago I read Fox news is often left on in many Defense force communal areas. I forget the source. Is that true?

I heard about a new Sundance movie called War Game which has 2 groups of top ex military, political, legal (etc} strategists in 2 rooms, given 6 hours to re-enact & stop a new MAGA-style Jan6 insurrection from spreading. All done via pretense, performative orders, contrived responsive news media, public speeches, etc
Then I listened to a Meidas Touch lawyer's extreme dismayed response to the shocking content shown within newly leaked SCOTUS documents (including Snr Justice Roberts emails). These documents indicate the strong right-wing biased legal push by the so-called 6 conservative judges, directed by Roberts, for the newly decided, more expansive Presidential criminal immunity; which would then aid Trump as he likely rejects his Election loss & be more likely to take full advantage of such criminal immunity, especially as compared to Biden, to fight to maintain Presidential power & influence.
Then I reconsidered this Sundance Jan6 War Game Re-enactment Documentary.
If there's another MAGA-style insurrection next January, with MAGA indoctrinated military, citizens, judges, politicians, media, alongside powerful wealthy greedy puppet-masters, the best scenario was likely to avoid using military defense against US citizens. eg reduce riots, criminal acts (etc) with mainly State Police, not military forces, as first responders. Avoid escalating the situation. Maintain overt calm & control. Keep the majority public goodwill as much as possible. Help set a promisingly productive, calm Governing path for 2025 & beyond.
Problem with all that is that after the initial chaos is hopefully diverted & reduced, then SCOTUS bias alongside the left over, still free, entrenched, infiltrated, indoctrinated, greedy MAGA proponents, likely try to maintain the MAGA cause. Even with a leader in jail.
The MAGA ruled House, the MAGA participatory public/private forces, the Federalist SCOTUS6. Sabotaging acts.....they can all push through or aid a continuing, less overt but still very consequential insurrection effort. Who can counter-act SCOTUS? The House? The Mob? Foreign Interference? The angry cult? The fear of becoming a MAGA target, e.g. swatting, lone wolf attack. stalking etc. How does all THAT stop between November & January & maybe beyond.
Strong individualized, independent power groups mean consequential, independent outcomes that can be cross-purposed, counter-acted, tricked up on by each strong, powerful group. Chaotic mixed forces acting passionately, willfully, recklessly, antagonistically, cruelly for up to 3+ months. On one side (one room) is rule-abiding, cautious, public/democracy supportive fair acting players. The other side (room) uses any means available, foreign or national, legal or illegal, overt trickery or subtle sabotage.
Who wins?. What happens to the bitter losers? What does the all-powerful SCOTUS do then? Does Fox media bias stay influential? Does the Republican Party reset itself back to a new moderate political balance.
Can the Democrat party then focus on pushing for vital qualitatively Community-beneficial & transformative EDUCATION, Judicial, Environmental, Political, Scientific, Media, Corporate, Social Equity, Consumer, Financial new policies...and succeed? Can they get the changes through to help them improve their most urgent Political/Educative/Judicial systems & stabilize their US form of Democracy?
What do others think?
from
A concerned, caring Ozzi.

September 10, 2024

IF HARRIS WIN, BETWN NOV-JAN, COULD BIDEN, with his extra Presidential immunity, confine/suppress trump, if trump...

acts out, encourages chaos/illegal behaviour, disrupts peace & leadership transfer. Keeping peace is a leadership duty.
Just an outsider's idea....
Please vote for democracy. America is too big, & beautiful in natural wonders, to fail. Help maximize global democracy & minimize evil. Help keep more young adults out of army greens. Think of all children.
A hopeful appreciative Ozzi

July 27, 2024

A Phenomenal Week! An Ozzi Perspective

This is a text I sent to a family member who follows US politics like I do.
I was apologizing for sending him an 11pm Friday text.

"Sorry 11pm text yesterday.
Pro+Dem news has been sooooo warm'n'fuzzy AND...sooooo HI-OCTANE too!! After such a radical political redirect, I've felt such relief & such a rush.
I'm going thru a warm fuzzy hi-octane political sugar hi!
What a ride this week has been!
Nice to have hope again.
This feels like a 'life & global' significant week, don't u think?
This week's US democracy WAKE UP...just might have saved the World.
It's like Optimism has been reborn Trendy! &...just in the nick of time too.
Wish I could personally thank Kamala Biden &CO!
Here's hoping sane stays"
*I excitedly added way2many fun emojis.

AMERICA is too BIG (2significant2beautiful) to fail in democracy!!
Thank u Democrats+. I'm sure the World is watching & caring.

From an Australian.
PS I haven't posted many times & this website is my only posting outlet, but my past posts included some hopeful compare/contrast/imagery campaign ideas. Wish I could help more.

July 15, 2024

ABC(Aust) Four Corners 2x1hr (Mond) expose on Trump as a Free World Threat

Spread the word about this program. Get as many people to view these two shows on our ABC Public Broadcaster Channel (should be viewable on ABC News in-depth you tube as well). Four Corners is a high standard, non-partisan ABC documentary series.
I have been texting and talking with family & friends about the global threat of a Trump (&Co) presidency to democracy and world peace since 2015. Some responses have been dismissive. Less so lately.
My last DU post detailed in full my last two texts to family and friends sent just over a week or so ago. I generally describe and update news, with warnings. I worry about my children and grandchildren's future if democracy fails in America. America is just too big to fail without causing significant tidal effects around the world.
My posts on DU have also included ideas for concerned American people to use to help Democrats win. To use statistics, graphs, comparisons, contrasts and especially use Maga/Repub's own words/plans back against them. Use images/slogans/AI/cartoons to show the dark future a Maga no-holds barred cheating autocratic nationalist crooked 'governing' path VERSES a brighter, more honest fairer Democratic, public/worker rights national/international straight forward governing path. Describe the good vs evil road branches. Show the roadblocks and dead ends. Mention children's futures.
In the past I have described my life in Australia (as a single parent, now with adult children who have their own businesses & staff). I list some aspects of my life under a State/National public/worker priority-based Political Party. Almost wall to wall Labor Party ruling here at present. I list my low cost years at University, our free quality PUBLIC health care (VITAL for a contented relaxed citizenry), free quality PUBLIC education (VITAL for democracy, & to avoid cults), social security network supports (VITAL for low crime, low long-term budget costs & to maintain public trust of experts/leaderships, helps with pandemics too), substantively reduced fear to be out & about amongst my primarily non-armed public peers (only gun I have ever seen was in America within my first week) and the importance of consumer protections and industry controls (VITAL in a democracy). I have detailed some divergent aspects about Australian politics as compared to USA (e.g. we are thankfully all required to be engaged & involved in State & Federal voting, plus we have easy access to voting etc.). I have discussed my global travels, especially the 11 month solo driving trip I did around your stunningly picturesque USA, covering around 50-60,000k's.
My concerns when I was there and from what I saw, was what migrated to my country, specifically within the political and commercial realms. Trickery, deceit, broken principles in Election campaigns and Politics. The extreme use of racism and sexism in Political Campaigning to divide the community. Most of which was principally utilized by our Conservative Liberal/National Political Party. Our conservative party is called the Liberals. The expansion of big corporation in our food industry. The increased presence of religion in our Conservative Party. I noticed the difference because I was away for 2 years, then took another 6 months to tour my own country before I settled back home to have a family. I managed to travel so much, to over 30-35 countries as I slept in trains and cars and cooked my own food. I was focused on natural scenery more than cities.
I am not ignorant that Australia, like many other countries, look to USA as an interesting, influential industrial/political template, especially within big money and conservative political sections. Nothing is perfect and Australia has much racism and sexism in its own dark history. In fact, weirdly as a women, I felt more safe to hike wilderness areas outside Australia. It helped a lot that there were more tourists around me as I hiked, I met people who helped me and I was traveling during a global economic boom. I was a typical risk-taking traveler who was ignorant of risk until later when I reflected just how lucky I was to stay alive until I got home.
Anyway, I state all this so you know I come from a, somewhat dated, educated, experienced perspective. I have studied politics, psychology, teaching, art, briefly joined a humanist movement group and have been involved in environmental protests here. I was limited in what I could do for democracy once I became a single parent and now I am retired with mobility issues.
I think concerned USA citizens who care about democracy should all vote, number 1, where possible help with elections, number 2 and should promote to Democrat campaigners, at all levels, what clear banners/placards/ideas they can devise to support spreading the good democracy message. I think simple charts/statistics/graphs/slogans/images are great. Include political party histories in crime, missteps, policy, financial spending. Include comparisons and contrasts between Political Parties, States, Countries (use Australia!). I particularly think its useful to use a clear uncluttered image of the split MagaRepub/Democrat paths, with road branches to: limited costly private health care vs majority low cost public health care; limited public/consumer/worker freedoms vs majority public/consumer/worker freedoms; limited consumer/environmental/industrial protections vs the opposite etc. Use cartoons, AI, collages to show the path to polluted air/water vs clean air/water. Show the path to a moonscape VS wetlands/forests. Show the path to ignorant, poor children VS happy healthy vibrant educated children. Show the path to unregulated industrialization VS well managed, small business priority, regulated industrialization. The path to no gun control, limited divorce/domestic safety rights, marriage restriction, and women dying from lack of self-managed reproductive care VS safety, security and real bodily/relationship freedoms. The path to walled nationalistic trade contraction VS global /democracy unity protections. The difference between no care and concern for human differences, science and real realities VS real care and concern for human variety in gender and abilities, real care for science and truth. Especially use the cross political divide commonality of what people want for their children in the future, the need for free public service/citizen protections and the essential backdrop of a clean environment to provide a real positive global future. Spread the word of democracy and the risk of Trump (&Co) everywhere. In conversations. Using signs at bus stops, libraries, on cars, parks, front gardens, t-shirts, windows, backpacks, halls, etc. Keep safe as you campaign in your own way but the message needs to get to all people, especially those in rural and red areas. I think everyone's future is on the line if democracy, NATO, AUKUS and other trade/peace/ regulatory organizations become at risk..
I think its pretty obvious Trump has real psychological/egocentric issues. He is a sick man in my view. He is a real threat to freedoms, children's freedoms, environment, consumer protections, industry regulation, honest legal public & private behaviour, global peace and democracy. Use all those potential realities to turn people from Trump. "one day its gays, disabled, women, minorities at risk, next day its you and your family at risk" You might be reluctant to use fighting words after what happened atTrump's last rally. (And I have my own personal suspicions on what Trump would do, in collaboration with other right wing maga national/international thuggery/religious/elite/military factions, to regain and keep power and avoid imprisonment ie I think he would do anything once an idea or tactic was put before him). Whatever he says is often what he does.
Biden is probably your only option now and he has a history of real rare accomplishment. He has a lot going for him in tactical pluses. History, Incumbency, Policy, etc. Much of it somewhat bi-partisan. Its a risk, but I would vote for anyone other then Trump. If you try to change nominees now, Red States might balk at putting them on the ticket and funding/existing funds will become a major issue. I think you have a good back-up vice president nominee.
If and when your Country removes the Trump threat, (his &Co threat will take much longer) there are many changes needed. Again, no expert here, but there is too much hand-shaking protocol principles, risk and bias, in your governing/election/justice structure. Too much 55%-60% vote needed, minority rule. I think Biden should add judges to SCOTUS and more rules need to be written down as law. Legal Loopholes that Trump, Maga and Trump Judges have used to aid Trump need to be closed off and more rules of integrity, honesty and clarity added. Get money out of politics. Secure voting rights. Protect Women and Children, and get back a substantive protective, intelligent, civically aware majority middle class society sector.
I know, easy to say and what right do I have to say anything. I can only go by what I consume in international/national news. Now I am retired with limited mobility (too much hiking in the past), I consume a LOT of news and I know how to judge the fairness and honesty of what news I consume. I know what primary sources to use. (By the way, why does only Fox news get shown to your military? & So sorry about Murdoch)
So my response to what right I have to do such a posting is that I don't want my children or grandchildren to be wearing army greens in the future. I really want democracy to prevail and America is just too big an influence politically, culturally, economically, militarily, in trade and human rights, to fail now.
Please respond fairly as I only ever post here and I have only posted a small handful of times) and I'm a very nervous post-er who feels compelled to do something in her own limited way.
I love your country. I had wonderful help (Thanks Brendan) and I was in a state of perpetual awe with your natural scenery. Some things I experienced or saw, did give me pause and concern but overall it was a huge part of my travels I can never forget. Driving on the opposite side of the road, cooking on a single burner in a little station wagon next to massive RV's, driving the steepest roads in Colorado, camping in snow, hiking mountains & forests & caves. Best time ever.
Vote to protect it all please. More than Americans care. More than Americans at risk. Mum & Dads all over the world care.
Thank you for your time again.

July 3, 2024

My Australian Perspective, 2 Texts sent to my friend & family, My Democracy Concerns

This is my 1st Text:
US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) has now given virtually full immunity to any US President AND his chosen officials/military to act in criminal ways. In the past President Trump wanted to [according to my reading of the news]assassinate opponents, shoot protesters, bomb countries (& cyclones!), make money & use bribery (especially from dictator controlled countries) etc. This SCOTUS of which Trump installed 3 judges & 6/9 are so called 'conservative' judges, have now presented a long lasting, hard to change, binding rule (which went beyond even what Trump wanted) that says (if Trump wins November) Trump will have full criminal immunity from prosecution within his official duties to do whatever he wants within (& likely beyond) the USA, even if it would be illegal if done by anyone else. What now gives a US President that WIDER immunity under this new law is the fact that there can be NO Court presentation of any presidential communication, or discussion of his motive/intent of potential criminal acts, even if such acts were done beyond his official presidential duties. That such evidence can no longer be used to establish crimes done beyond official presidential duties pretty much kills most criminal cases. Prosecutors NOW can't use records of any Presidential dialogue or discuss any President intent/motive. Even if suspected criminal acts happen in president's private time. PLUS SCOTUS, using a fishing industry license claim & what's called the CHEVRON case, has now decided matters such as fishing limits, clean air, clean water, consumer/worker rights, health safety, food/medicine safety (etc) rules and regulations [add education department decisions here]. No Government Department expert can impose on citizens or corporations rules of conduct & safety unless it has gone through the Supreme Court first. No court system can withstand t hat kind of barrage of claims within a limited budget. Few judges have that kind of expertise. So carte blanche on presidential national/international conduct (especially if he stays within US borders) & Executive Department safeguards are virtually gone!"
My 2nd Text:
These new laws [likely] fully destabilizes whatever global democracy dominant safeguards that is left in the world today.
As of this week!
The US is no longer under any abiding democracy principles, no longer promotes the rule of law regulations ('all equal under law'), no longer believes in citizen rights or fair corporation control, no longer believes in general fair trade. President Biden believes in rule of national & international law but Trump does not. ONLY US Voters can stop Trump now. Trump's Court Cases & convictions are ALL stalled. The top most potential future leadership (Trump&Co) & current top law regulators (SCOTUS) have NOW ESTABLISHED THIS FACT!
A President CAN NOW FIND ILLEGAL WAY TO CHANGE EXECUTIVE RULES on:
Elections
Citizen Rights & Freedoms
Corporate Control
Environmental Safeguards
International Democratically-Based Peacekeeping
Feeding & Protecting the Poor & Middle Class
Maintaining NATO or any other Unitary International Collective Agreement/Organization
Misusing Money & Power
[add Education/History policy changes here]
READ FOR YOURSELF THIS WEEKS SCOTUS FINDING UNDER PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY & CHEVRON
Especially read the 3/9 minority SCOTUS judges dissent findings that detail their fear for future democracy in America [& beyond?]
Biden won't break from HIS idea of rule of law, but Trump (&Co), who's polled to win the next Presidential Election in 5 months, will use this new SCOTUS ruling to create financial instability, peacekeeping chaos, environmental destruction & will erode global democracies!
Australia cannot rely on America for protection & cannot protect itself without it either. It'll be 'All for one, none for all'.
Our borders will be at FULL risk! Trump likes power & dictators. The people/dictatorships who support him with either gain more power or will get trodden on in the rush to realign influence & superiority."
[I've added notations] and changed some abbreviations. I may have some slight minor detail wrong, e.g. was it a fishing license or some other fishing company complaint etc.

I've sent in 10 posts to date. This website is the only place I post anything on line. I don't use Social Media at all. Most of my ideas on what kind of campaign slogans, images, placards, diagrams etc. to use were what, where and how much etc. I am no expert. Some were about my freedoms and support here in Australia. Our trust in experts, our way of voting (required by law thank goodness). Our general safety in the community and trust of each other (less guns, more faith in professions). My ability to raise two children as a single mum, support my ill ex-husband & my ill mother. My children's advancement beyond what I achieved as a result (my daughter has a thriving business with nearly a dozen staff & my son has a nearby job and two on-the-side computer businesses. I have studied 5 years at university and traveled alone to nearly 35 countries over a 2 1/2 year period (11 months in American driving nearly 60,000k). I feel safe to shop, vote, party and picnic. Our public education and health services are a marvel. Not perfect but still a life saver and a channel to give citizens the ability to vote intelligently. There is less crime because more people have social support, free health care, single parent support, working rights, real history taught in our many public health institutions and a free press. The Australian populations generally know a con man more easily and are less stressed, less disenfranchised, less desperate to want a con man to rule. Nothings perfect, but we have a public/worker focused Government almost from border to border here in Australia. When I returned from my travels, I was worried that many bad political/ corporate right wing/greedy elite ideas, trickery, tactics had spread to our Country. I apologize if I sound bombastic, a know-it-all & I apologize for Rupert Murdoch. I am so very sorry about Fox News. I regret you have Sinclair Media and worry that so much of your news and media are slanted against the Democrats. Even NYT, CNN Washington Post have me disappointed. I mean there has just been explosive revelations about Trump and Epstein yet so few are reporting on these fact (check Meidas Touch videos on this). I wish the Democrats were tougher and less fearful in their Governing/Campaigning approach, their appointments (e.g. appointing republican judges just to get the right vote count), etc.
Briefly my campaign ideas were:
Show comparisons between Parties & Lawmakers (history, crimes, policy), between States (red & blue), between Countries (US & Australia, NZ, Netherlands etc). Emphasize the road ahead under Republican/Maga Party and compare it to how it would be under a Democratic Party (pun intended). Emphasize what people want for the next generation and further generations, for their own families, FOR THEIR CHILDREN. What they think is fair and just for 51% of the population...i.e.WOMEN!
USE STATISTICS, GRAPHS, AI, ANIMATIONS, SIMPLE SLOGANS, A SYMBOLIC PICTURED PATH WITH DIVISIONS TO LESS FREEDOM VS MORE FREEDOM....
DEFINITELY USE THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP'S OWN WORDS AGAINST THEM!
Use Trumps own words again him.
Target all audiences, in halls, on garden fronts, bus stops, where ever you can.
Do it repeatedly, constantly, in caps.
Use as many citizens and businesses as you can to spread the word.
Express high level of concern and detail consequences if Republicans gain more foothold in power.
Once Democrats regain power (as I still believe they can)
Reduce informal election/governing weaknesses. No more handshake rules. List everything down in a rule book. (I do know that that won't be easy under a 60/40 Congress Vote rule/Slanted Electoral/Election/Justice system). Change rules that are impractical and remove election trickery/thuggery loopholes. These are ambitions to strive for. Most importantly, fix your SCOTUS court so its a 5/4 democratically leaning court, at least until Republican Party can be trusted. The Republican Party has worked, with the elite top wealthy groups, to undermine democracy, the middle class, women and the rule of law for decades. A ruling Democratic Party needs to reduce crime by taking down the heat on racism, sexism and those who have different religious and legal (so far) relationship lifestyles.

I am a concerned mother and grandmother. I would like my gender to have equal say in rules and regulations. I am not afraid of more blended races, if its done at a pace we all can feel is comfortable. I want my children and grandchildren to not have to wear army greens in the future. I love America. It was an incredible natural environment to drive around and I met many nice people who helped me (I named my son Brendan after a California mountain climber/rescuer who helped me a lot). My 11 months in America was not always easy, some very risky steep roads, some very risky situations (I put myself at risk many times as many travelers often do & driving on the opposite side to what I was used to was tricky)....but the scenery and the experience will never ever be forgotten. You Americans has an absolute utopia on your doorstop and incredible brilliance in your citizenry. I'm not religious but, for what its worth....I am praying for you (& my family)
I wish I could vote for you in a way that would count. I wish you luck.
Watch Rachel Maddow (thank you Rachel sooo very much), Meidas Touch, Lincoln Project (to name a few) and promote Voting, Democrats, Biden and Democracy wherever, whenever, however you can. I hope my ideas help.
I not ashamed to admit I am afraid. My adult children get annoyed with me (my son said Trump took me from him once). My sister said God help us. My Ex agrees with my fears. I have read many countries fear whats happening in America.
Please please please vote and spread the good democracy word.
Thank you for your time reading this.