I love your article ,and your attitude ! Thank you ! May I ask how people without legal status contribute to taxes in your state ? Don't you need a social security or tax ID number ? I ask because when I first came to the US I was on a visa and trained but was deducted SSI and Medicare from my paycheck and told I can't use it , consequently I was given back the money because they had no right to collect from a person on a non working visa ? So , how do illegal people pay taxes if they don't file W9 withholding ? Just curious ..
I love your writing. Democrats surely have work to do, maybe better messaging, more connection with working people etc… But Harris bravely stepped in very late in the game and there is no one more real than Tim Walz. I can’t help but feel that Trump’s appeal to human’s most base bile instincts won out, that racism, and misogeny prevailed.
I am with you and chose early on in this election to not engage with Trump. I will continue do what I can to promote those I believe in.
Thank you for this. I have started to watch or listen to 'the news' the way I did pre-Internet. Twice a day I 'turn on the news' and outside of this, I avoid doomscrolling or obsessive rewatching. I buy my local papers, and read a few magazines and newspapers back to back. I thought this would take too much time but it's turned out to be quite the opposite. I'm nearly off Twitter and loving Bluesky where it is much easier to avoid doomscrolling.
Holy hell yes, my friend. To all of this, but expect ally the bed conversations and cutting way back on social media and reading more books. We need our minds back. It was the incessant misinformation that propelled this man to victory again. We have to get off the commercial places that we think are the only places we can talk to one another. I like this comment section.
As one who has barely been able to string together a sentence this week, I appreciate your clear-eyed take and admire your ability to process it and put it all into words. Thank you x
You have a way with life; thanks. I'm focusing on an event I must do Saturday. My husband will help me, while wearing a t-shirt reading, "Not talking about it now. Thanks." I live in a city that voted 83% for Harris, my state going 60% for the now next president. The whole city wept. Now, as you wrote, community. Local. My brother in law who died too young last year, made a push fifteen years back for a Democratic office in every state, every year, 365 days. He also pushed for every Republican to have an opponent no matter how long a shot, make them spend their money locally, not send it on to national. It's time we all spend our money locally, support our good local candidates and elected officials. Time to educate others, but accept that some will never hear. I know too many who are MAGA - and not working, hand-to-mouth, scraping by with government aid and food stamps. Boy are they about to be surprised, or not. It will somehow still be the fault of the Democrats.
I'm glad you'll keep writing. You have a strong voice, clarifying and comforting and heartfull. The world is better with you in it.
You have the right of it...hug your kids,make stew for friends...BUT do show up when needed. And make no mistake, you will be needed. Your voice is important...emotional, but sure and accurate...and the fight that your kids have coming will need you. No one I have ever met on my travels understands what happened in 2016, and no one understands it now...they are right to...whatcwe do effects the world. Xoxo
And thanks Kim- I’ve told you this before, but there’s something about your writing that always makes me feel unexpected things. I identify with you more than anyone else I read on Substack, though I’m not a good enough writer to figure out or describe exactly why. But after reading this, I feel some peace for the first time since late Tuesday night.
I don't know where I am at the moment. I went to my (Irish) barber, who kept telling me things won't be as bad as I think they will be. I asked if we could simply not talk about it because a fresh haircut is a form of self care and maybe screaming at someone I like in his work space isn't. I will continue to self-medicate with Schitt's Creek and Klonopin until I am able to regather my strength.
I love your article ,and your attitude ! Thank you ! May I ask how people without legal status contribute to taxes in your state ? Don't you need a social security or tax ID number ? I ask because when I first came to the US I was on a visa and trained but was deducted SSI and Medicare from my paycheck and told I can't use it , consequently I was given back the money because they had no right to collect from a person on a non working visa ? So , how do illegal people pay taxes if they don't file W9 withholding ? Just curious ..
Beautifully said. Thank you!
May God Bless all of us!!!! I have lived for 85 years, and this is not the worst I have seen...
I love your writing. Democrats surely have work to do, maybe better messaging, more connection with working people etc… But Harris bravely stepped in very late in the game and there is no one more real than Tim Walz. I can’t help but feel that Trump’s appeal to human’s most base bile instincts won out, that racism, and misogeny prevailed.
I am with you and chose early on in this election to not engage with Trump. I will continue do what I can to promote those I believe in.
Thank you for this. I have started to watch or listen to 'the news' the way I did pre-Internet. Twice a day I 'turn on the news' and outside of this, I avoid doomscrolling or obsessive rewatching. I buy my local papers, and read a few magazines and newspapers back to back. I thought this would take too much time but it's turned out to be quite the opposite. I'm nearly off Twitter and loving Bluesky where it is much easier to avoid doomscrolling.
Holy hell yes, my friend. To all of this, but expect ally the bed conversations and cutting way back on social media and reading more books. We need our minds back. It was the incessant misinformation that propelled this man to victory again. We have to get off the commercial places that we think are the only places we can talk to one another. I like this comment section.
As one who has barely been able to string together a sentence this week, I appreciate your clear-eyed take and admire your ability to process it and put it all into words. Thank you x
You have a way with life; thanks. I'm focusing on an event I must do Saturday. My husband will help me, while wearing a t-shirt reading, "Not talking about it now. Thanks." I live in a city that voted 83% for Harris, my state going 60% for the now next president. The whole city wept. Now, as you wrote, community. Local. My brother in law who died too young last year, made a push fifteen years back for a Democratic office in every state, every year, 365 days. He also pushed for every Republican to have an opponent no matter how long a shot, make them spend their money locally, not send it on to national. It's time we all spend our money locally, support our good local candidates and elected officials. Time to educate others, but accept that some will never hear. I know too many who are MAGA - and not working, hand-to-mouth, scraping by with government aid and food stamps. Boy are they about to be surprised, or not. It will somehow still be the fault of the Democrats.
I'm glad you'll keep writing. You have a strong voice, clarifying and comforting and heartfull. The world is better with you in it.
You have the right of it...hug your kids,make stew for friends...BUT do show up when needed. And make no mistake, you will be needed. Your voice is important...emotional, but sure and accurate...and the fight that your kids have coming will need you. No one I have ever met on my travels understands what happened in 2016, and no one understands it now...they are right to...whatcwe do effects the world. Xoxo
And thanks Kim- I’ve told you this before, but there’s something about your writing that always makes me feel unexpected things. I identify with you more than anyone else I read on Substack, though I’m not a good enough writer to figure out or describe exactly why. But after reading this, I feel some peace for the first time since late Tuesday night.
I don't know where I am at the moment. I went to my (Irish) barber, who kept telling me things won't be as bad as I think they will be. I asked if we could simply not talk about it because a fresh haircut is a form of self care and maybe screaming at someone I like in his work space isn't. I will continue to self-medicate with Schitt's Creek and Klonopin until I am able to regather my strength.
Take care of yourself, friend.
MCP
A dark room, a cold cloth and a bottle of Basil Hayden.
Oooh- Schitt’s Creek is EXACTLY what I need right now! Thanks Michael!
I will probably add a martini into the mix for an extra bit of insurance.
Oh, I’ve already got the bourbon going 😘