I was excited about this turn to positive thinking about what we can do, rather than a description about what is going wrong. The language you are using is beautiful but hard to translate into real action. It is still rhetoric, not instructional; we do not really know what to do next. Suggestions: 1) create a version that is not so academic; 2) make it shorter--three or four paragraphs; 3) offer examples. Lets talk some specifics in simple terms!!
He writes... "Corporations like ExxonMobil, Molson Coors, Walmart, and Shell have longstanding ties to the Heritage Foundation through direct contributions, donor-advised funds, or aligned family foundations. Many of the same networks are now backing Project 2025. When we continue doing business with companies underwriting the policies we oppose, we’re not bystanders—we’re participants. Divestment, at scale, becomes a form of political refusal."
As always, Jack your words resonate with so many. Are you interested in steering the growing movement - keep it on course?
With that question out of the way, I want to jump to another travesty in Texas at the behest of Trump and Governor of Texas - George Abbot.
The redistricting debacle unfolding in Texas is not just a political maneuver—it’s a calculated assault on democratic norms. Under the direction of Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott, the state’s Republican leadership is attempting to redraw congressional maps to carve out five new GOP-leaning districts, a move that could cement Republican control of the U.S. House for years.
This isn’t redistricting. It’s rigging.
Weaponizing the Map
- The proposed maps are engineered to dilute minority voting power, with critics calling them “racist” and “anti-democratic”.
- Trump’s fingerprints are all over this scheme, pushing for a mid-cycle redistricting—despite the last map being passed just four years ago.
- Abbott has threatened to remove elected Democrats from office for fleeing the state to block the vote, invoking dubious legal interpretations to justify his power grab.
Breaking Quorum, Not the Law
- Over 50 Democratic lawmakers fled to Illinois and New York to deny quorum, a legal tactic to halt the vote.
- Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton responded with threats of arrest and removal, branding the lawmakers as “cowards” and “truants”.
- This isn’t governance—it’s authoritarian theater.
The Bigger Picture
- The redistricting push is part of a broader strategy to reshape the electorate, not reflect it.
- It’s a textbook case of minority rule: using procedural manipulation to override demographic realities.
- Democratic governors in other states are now considering retaliatory redistricting, signaling a dangerous spiral into tit-for-tat map warfare.
Democracy or Domination?
What’s happening in Texas is a warning shot. It shows how quickly democratic institutions can be hollowed out when power becomes the only principle. The regime isn’t just changing the rules—it’s rewriting the game to ensure it never loses. This is not politics as usual. It’s a hostile redesign of representation. And if it succeeds, it won’t stop at Texas.
Yes....So inspirational and you amaze me every day. Freedom!! Meaning, without constraint….to observe, to feel, to process, to know yourself and evolve as a mentally and emotionally processing human being. Your life in a democratically organized society enables this. It allows you to choose who you wish to be and to live authentically. Do not allow this to be lost.
“democratic culture is often built in quieter spaces. In anthropology, we call this narrative sovereignty—the power to speak for yourself, define your conditions, and shape your future. It’s not a luxury. It’s the ground of resistance”.....Dr. James B. Greenberg
Copied to my FB page, highlighting the comment regarding divestment of those companies supporting policies anathema to our democracy. A word or two. We need to combine these discrete acts of protests with acts of scale. Coordinated protests do achieve greater media coverage, so finding and supporting organizations like 50501 and Indivisible will help. Keep 'em coming James!! (BTW, sharing from Substack to FB was not working for me. I had to copy and paste the link)
This is powerful! Thanks! I shared this on Facebook, with an excerpt to encourage friends to read the entire essay.
I was excited about this turn to positive thinking about what we can do, rather than a description about what is going wrong. The language you are using is beautiful but hard to translate into real action. It is still rhetoric, not instructional; we do not really know what to do next. Suggestions: 1) create a version that is not so academic; 2) make it shorter--three or four paragraphs; 3) offer examples. Lets talk some specifics in simple terms!!
He writes... "Corporations like ExxonMobil, Molson Coors, Walmart, and Shell have longstanding ties to the Heritage Foundation through direct contributions, donor-advised funds, or aligned family foundations. Many of the same networks are now backing Project 2025. When we continue doing business with companies underwriting the policies we oppose, we’re not bystanders—we’re participants. Divestment, at scale, becomes a form of political refusal."
agree! And wish we could do to them what we did to Elon and Tesla to the extent that we at least "dented" his company
Thanks for the sequel, the specifics!
As always, Jack your words resonate with so many. Are you interested in steering the growing movement - keep it on course?
With that question out of the way, I want to jump to another travesty in Texas at the behest of Trump and Governor of Texas - George Abbot.
The redistricting debacle unfolding in Texas is not just a political maneuver—it’s a calculated assault on democratic norms. Under the direction of Donald Trump and Governor Greg Abbott, the state’s Republican leadership is attempting to redraw congressional maps to carve out five new GOP-leaning districts, a move that could cement Republican control of the U.S. House for years.
This isn’t redistricting. It’s rigging.
Weaponizing the Map
- The proposed maps are engineered to dilute minority voting power, with critics calling them “racist” and “anti-democratic”.
- Trump’s fingerprints are all over this scheme, pushing for a mid-cycle redistricting—despite the last map being passed just four years ago.
- Abbott has threatened to remove elected Democrats from office for fleeing the state to block the vote, invoking dubious legal interpretations to justify his power grab.
Breaking Quorum, Not the Law
- Over 50 Democratic lawmakers fled to Illinois and New York to deny quorum, a legal tactic to halt the vote.
- Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton responded with threats of arrest and removal, branding the lawmakers as “cowards” and “truants”.
- This isn’t governance—it’s authoritarian theater.
The Bigger Picture
- The redistricting push is part of a broader strategy to reshape the electorate, not reflect it.
- It’s a textbook case of minority rule: using procedural manipulation to override demographic realities.
- Democratic governors in other states are now considering retaliatory redistricting, signaling a dangerous spiral into tit-for-tat map warfare.
Democracy or Domination?
What’s happening in Texas is a warning shot. It shows how quickly democratic institutions can be hollowed out when power becomes the only principle. The regime isn’t just changing the rules—it’s rewriting the game to ensure it never loses. This is not politics as usual. It’s a hostile redesign of representation. And if it succeeds, it won’t stop at Texas.
Yes....So inspirational and you amaze me every day. Freedom!! Meaning, without constraint….to observe, to feel, to process, to know yourself and evolve as a mentally and emotionally processing human being. Your life in a democratically organized society enables this. It allows you to choose who you wish to be and to live authentically. Do not allow this to be lost.
“democratic culture is often built in quieter spaces. In anthropology, we call this narrative sovereignty—the power to speak for yourself, define your conditions, and shape your future. It’s not a luxury. It’s the ground of resistance”.....Dr. James B. Greenberg
Hi James! I love your writing. Thank you for the hope today. We need to talk about credit unions 😊
Copied to my FB page, highlighting the comment regarding divestment of those companies supporting policies anathema to our democracy. A word or two. We need to combine these discrete acts of protests with acts of scale. Coordinated protests do achieve greater media coverage, so finding and supporting organizations like 50501 and Indivisible will help. Keep 'em coming James!! (BTW, sharing from Substack to FB was not working for me. I had to copy and paste the link)
Thank you!
This was helpful.