Whats In: Progressive Economic Messaging What's Out: Ridiculing Rural Trump Voters How can we win enough votes in rural and small towns this fall to Kamala Harris and save our Democracy? A recent webcast from the Rural Urban Bridge Initiative urges activists to focus on kitchen table issues, such as: Anti-corporate populism Supporting a strong middle class Medicare and Social Security And it argues that we should avoid: Denigrating rural Trump voters (or rural areas in general) Ignoring how Democratic policies and policymakers have hurt rural areas Pushing too hard on gender identity issues that threaten traditional values In its webcast (which we encourage you to watch, link here ), RUBI makes a convincing case that both urban and rural working class voters have moved to Trump largely because of: legitimate economic grievances (see: NAFTA ), suspicion of experts (see: Oxycontin and vaccine skepticism ), and of government regulations that have failed them (see: coal mine disasters ). And it points the finger at liberal activists—legitimately—for shaming or ridiculing working class voters as backwards, uneducated, or simply racist. With Pennsylvania and other swing states hanging by a thread due to inflation and the Israel/Hamas war, we need to double down on messaging that wins in rural and small manufacturing counties. That includes holding big business accountable for price gouging, and focusing on federal programs that help working class voters, like retirement and caring for sick family members. And the messaging must come from trusted, local, community messengers, via both old-fashioned local community organizing and more modern social media. We at MAFlipPA  are helping by gathering news about the local benefits of Democratic policies ( email us if you’d like to be on our mailing list). We still have five months to create the right messaging that will lead to progressive wins in November. Is this “economy” messaging on the right track? Let us know what you think  and why. Refer also to the Tools and Tips page on the MA Flip PA website for useful resources, and/or in our mission ensure Pennsylvania's 19 electoral votes go to a progressive candidate!

When Donald Trump chose J.D. Vance as his running mate, he pushed rural issues and rural identity into the political spotlight. He’s also given us a huge opportunity to show how Vance, like Trump, is a fraud who pretends to help the working class but is really part of a system that holds them down. Consider this, from BarnRaiser Media : “Like the huckster from the big city (Trump), Vance is the ‘smalltown’ shill who says the right things as he picks your pocket. He has little to say about the role of companies or policies in destroying rural communities. Instead, he blames big government for coddling drug addicts and welfare queens and calls for cuts to government programs that serve the poor and working class in the small-town regions he pretends to represent. Or this, from Politico , in a memo about lessons learned from the 2022 Senate race in which Vance defeated Tim Ryan, which encourages telling voters about “the sham (opioid addiction) nonprofit Vance set up that paid for his political advisor and for polling without funding a single addiction program.” Other “stunts” (the memo’s term) that worked well to persuade voters include “pointing out Vance’s recent move from California to his book trashing Middletown Ohio, to content about his wealthy out of state homes or profiting from outsourcing, or clips pointing out how often he flip flops on positions.” “The biggest hit Ryan landed on Vance,” the memo said, “is a clip the Ryan campaign pitched to reporters of Vance discussing his views on marriage. Vance argues people should stay in violent marriages for the sake of their kids.” As U.S. News and World Report wrote, “He opposes no-fault divorce, including those who do so to leave abusive marriages. He’s compared abortion to slavery , supports a national abortion ban and rejects exceptions for rape…and argues that universal child care amounts to ‘class war against normal people.’” Many of the most convincing takedowns come from people who grew up in Appalachia in circumstances like Vance’s. On the Belt Web site (back in February 2022), Skylar Baker-Jordan wrote “Vance never lived a day of his life in the hills and hollows of Eastern Kentucky, from where his family and mine both hail. He instead grew up in Middletown, Ohio—a suburb of Cincinnati—and spent a few weeks every year visiting relations down home….” “…Vance is a Silicon Valley venture capitalist, mentored by none other than Peter Thiel, the billionaire co-founder of PayPal and an early outside investor in Facebook,” he wrote. “Vance sacrificed a lot to penetrate this elite echelon of American business and finance, and (his book) Hillbilly Elegy represents his attempt at monetizing that struggle and shoring up his own position.” Finally, and most obviously, we can quote Vance’s own previously ferociously anti-Trump statements and ask him what’s changed since 2016. Or, if he claims he was wrong about Trump in 2016, we can ask why we should trust his judgement now? There’s plenty of rich fodder here. The next question: how do we use it most effectively? Share your best ideas and I’ll re-share them in a future issue of The Rural Reporter .   Contact: Bob Scheier, bob.scheier@gmail.com

In the midst of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the anguish Israelis feel over Hama’s October 7th terrorist attack, it feels selfish to think of the impact on our Presidential election. But it only takes a slice of voters who are angry enough at President Biden over his support for Israel to not vote, to vote “uncommitted,” or to vote third party to put Donald Trump back in the White House. Yet a second Trump administration would almost certainly be worse for the Palestinians than the worst his critics claim about Joe Biden. While Trump has criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu  for failing to prevent the Hamas attack and not ending the war  quickly, his complaints focus on the damage done to Israel’s image and global support – not  Palestinian suffering. A Republican backer says Trump is “ giving the Israelis a blank check  to finish the job and eliminate Hamas,” while Biden has threatened to withhold weapons for an assault on Rafah.     How do we prevent the excesses of a right-wing, authoritarian leader in Israel (backed by hard-right Orthodox Israelis) from reelecting another right-wing, authoritarian leader (backed by Christian evangelicals) in America? We can: Recognize things may not be as bleak as they seem. One recent poll  showed that only one in three voters aged 18-29 rate the war as their top issue, while “protecting Democracy” came first for 57 percent of young Democrats. On social media, a growing number of young, TikTok-fluent young influencers are attracting large audiences  with overtly anti-MAGA messaging. We can work with partners like these to creatively promote their messaging. Make the Trump/ Netanyahu connection explicit, painting them as a linked danger to their democracies and to minorities within their countries – gays, migrants and people of color in the U.S., Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Consider messaging like that cited by The Democracy Labs  in a recent post , that both politicians are “stoking violence, racism and religious extremism to stay out of jail” – and get support from many of the same wealthy donors.  Make it clear that some of us working so hard to re-elect Joe Biden also don’t feel he’s done enough to help the Palestinians in Gaza and done it soon enough. We can support their efforts to pressure Biden to do more to help the Palestinians while being clear how any vote except for Joe Biden will empower those elements in Israel that Democrats and Progressives oppose the most.   Move the conversation away from high-voltage demonstrations in this country, that echo those in 1968 that helped elect Richard Nixon, to tough but respectful conversations focused on those most affected, such as these  by the New Israel Fund. Stay focused on the humanitarian and policy actions that will help Israelis and Palestinians and not let Trump win a second term by dividing the left.   The deep, sincere and desperate anguish we’re seeing from all sides about the Israel/Gaza issue is not going away, nor   should it. Nor are our differences about how to end the conflict. But we need better ways of talking about it to each other, and the voters whose support we’ll need to save our Democracy this fall.   Let me know your thoughts  about these ideas and, most importantly, how we can act on them. Feedback from disenchanted Progressives especially welcome .

Republicans have a majority in the House of Representatives, albeit with the slimmest of margins. But because of the irrational and obstructionist behavior of the MAGA fringe of his party's caucus, the Speaker, Mike Johnson, is unable to bring bills to the floor, let alone pass them into law, without the assistance of the minority Democrats. While the party supposedly in power demonstrates again and again its inability to meet the basic expectations of governing, the Democrats, headed by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, have assumed the role of being the grownups in the room, putting country ahead of party in a bipartisan effort to pass crucially needed legislation. As noted in the New York Times, " For the second time in two years…Republican leaders have had to turn to the minority party to rescue them from their own recalcitrant right-wing colleagues in order to allow major legislation to come to be debated and voted on ."  Most recently, the bills being blockaded and delayed by the MAGA crazies included desperately needed aid for Ukraine, as well as companion bills for aid to Israel, and funds for humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza.   It is almost unheard of for the party that holds the majority to refuse to support their leader's request to approve a rule to bring legislation to the floor, and equally rare for the minority party to support such a motion. Of course, you can bet that Leader Jeffries isn't digging Speaker Johnson out of this hole without expecting something in return. The Democrats ll expect to have substantial influence over the language of these bills, what amendments are allowed, and how the aid will be structured. They will undoubtedly refuse to include what they consider "poison pills:" amendments that would revive the harshest border security measures of the Trump administration.   Speaker Johnson will quite likely need another lifeline from the Democrats to save his wobbling speakership. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Thomas Massie of Kentucky have vowed to remove him from his job, using the "motion to vacate the Chair" that brought down his predecessor, Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California. " Every single time in this 118th session of Congress, the Democrats have put the priorities of the American people over everything, " Representative Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, the number 2 in the Democratic leadership, said on Wednesday. Who knows? If enough Republicans are crazy enough, and sufficiently in thrall to their Dictator in waiting, Donald Trump,  to vote against their own leadership, we could wind up with Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker. And none too soon!   When voters cast their ballots this fall, they need to remember the chaos and ineptitude of this clown show. They must remember what veteran Republican  Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, the former Chair of both the Appropriations Committee and the Rules Committee, said this week about Greene, Massie, and their cohorts: They show " a lack of respect for the institution and the wisdom of the institution. " About the "bomb-throwers," he added, " But we can't wait for these infantile narcissists to grow up--we need to send them packing in November. Take action with MAFlipPA!

This past weekend I did my first stint of deep canvassing – NOT asking people to register or get out to vote, but to share their concerns and describing what Congresswoman Susan Wild (PA-07) is doing to help. Our target was low propensity voters in largely Latino areas of Bethlehem. They included gritty neighborhoods near the long-cold Bethlehem Steel blast furnaces and projects where tiny patio gardens sit outside rows of modest brick apartments. Could I get people talking enough to record their concerns for the campaign, empathize with them, and describe (with the help of a cheat sheet) how Susan and Democrats are helping? The answer is an emphatic YES ! I found I had substantive, long (up to ten minute) conversations with those who answered the doors– far higher than in traditional canvassing. I also learned, as I went, how to reflect back their concerns and share my thoughts about why Democrats (and Susan Wild in particular) are helping. For example: A long-time Democratic voter said he’s considering voting Republican because “we need a change.” How so? I asked? Immigrants are getting higher benefits than native born Americans, he said. I described how Republicans are blocking tighter border controls so they can bash Democrats on immigration. He also said “the economy is messed up” because of tariffs on China, making it harder for him to get a job. I told him those tariffs were first imposed by Donald Trump. “I didn’t know that,” he said thoughtfully. “I also opened up myself about my fears of Trump’s attacks on our democracy. “Yeah, yeah,” he nodded. “I’ll think about that.” AND I encouraged him to call Susan’s office for health with a Social Security issue – constituent service that builds word of mouth among a voter’s friends and family.    A young Latino woman described how, despite having two jobs, she has trouble putting food on the table. I described the funding Susan and the Biden administration have provided to bring more good-paying jobs to the area. And for her concerns about inflation, I described how under Democrats the Medicare program can, for the first time, negotiate with drug companies to reduce prices, and the Biden administration’s cap on insulin prices. And I gave the phone number for Susan’s Allentown office for possible help with a family medical issue. Can I prove I won, or kept, any Democratic votes? No. But because we recorded each voter’s response on a phone app the campaign now knows the key issues for each of these voters can customize follow ups with them. And each of them knows, at the very least, that someone from the Wild campaign listened respectfully to their concerns long before the election. That consistent, genuine engagement has delivered surprise Democratic and Progressive wins across the country. I also had more good conversations in seven hours of deep canvassing than I’ve had in days of conventional, “give me your vote” canvassing. It also challenged me, in a good way, to meet each voter wherever they were, and left me with a deeper understanding of their lives. Sorry you missed all this? No worries! The Swing Left Upper West Side Action Group (which organized this event) has scheduled additional canvassing for the weekends of May 11th and 12th, May 25th and 26th, and June 8th and 9th.  Sign up for any of these dates here , and email Bob Scheier  or Ann Eldridge  for information about logistics, including possible volunteer housing.

Why should you care?  Turnout for primaries are typically low, with an average of only 20% of voters showing up, which is not a lot of people deciding who will be on the general election ballot.  Generally, primary voters are older and whiter and thereby is not necessarily a good representation of the full voting population.  If you want to be represented, voting in the primary election can have an impact. Primary elections usually aren’t on peoples’ radar, but let’s see if we can change that.  You may perceive that this isn’t the real election. But quite honestly, it is; because this is what determines who will be on the ballot.  You have a chance to see that your candidate will be in the game in the final general election game.  While Pennsylvania’s primary is held later in the year than most other states, it feels like the decision has already been made, but that’s for the presidential election coming up this year.  This year and other years, there are many local, down-ballot candidates who you want in the PA State House and local communities to represent you.  In addition to president, this year there are seats for U.S. House and Senate; PA’s attorney general, auditor general, and treasurer; and state House and Senate.  Across the state, there are also ballot questions that impact you. If you’ve never voted in a primary before, why not take the time to do it tomorrow (April 23, 2024), and try to make it a habit.  Even if you think it’s too late for your candidate to make it, your vote still demonstrates where your interests lie and it could influence candidates to pay attention to issues that may not have been high on their rada Thanks to Spotlight PA, there’s still time to do some homework before tomorrow’s primary with their last-minute voting guide.  Be prepared, be active, let your voice be heard, and make it a habit to vote in the primaries.

If your information antenna is tuned for rural news, you’ve probably heard about the recent controversial bestseller, White Rural Rage: The Threat to American Democracy .  Its publisher describes the book as “ a searing portrait and damning takedown of America’s proudest citizens—who are also the least likely to defend its core principles.” The book’s authors, Tom Schaller (a political science professor) and Paul Waldman (a journalist), argue that, given their outsized representation in the Senate and the Electoral College, rural voters have disproportionate power in our democracy—and are the least committed to preserving it. During a recent interview on MSNBC, Schaller threw a lot of insults at rural whites, calling them “the most racist, xenophobic, anti-immigrant, anti-gay geo-demographic group in the country,” “the most conspiracist group,” “anti-democratic,” “white nationalist and white Christian nationalist” and the “most likely to excuse or justify violence as an acceptable alternative to peaceful public discourse.” A depressing, even frightening picture. But is it true? One of the researchers whose work was cited in the book claims its authors are almost entirely mistaken. In “What Liberals Get Wrong About ‘White Rural Rage’” , Colby College political scientist Nicholas Jacobs warns that the book (and its enthusiastic reception by many progressives) is “not an attempt to understand the needs and concerns of rural America (but) an outpouring of frustration…(that) will only serve to further marginalize and demonize a segment of the American population that already feels forgotten and dismissed by the experts and elites.” Rather than motivated by rage, Jacobs argues, rural voters are “driven by a sense of place, community and often, a desire for recognition and respect” as well as by “what academics call a ‘politics of place’ that is expressed as a belief in self-reliance, rooted in local community, and concerned that rural ways of living will soon be forced to disappear.” In “It’s Too Easy to Get the Wrong Idea About Rural Rage,” another commentator, Democratic member of the Iowa legislature J.D. Scholten, pointed out another reason Democrats do so poorly in rural areas: For every dollar Democrats invest in federal campaigns in rural areas, Republicans spend $14. Combine that disinvestment with the changes in the media landscape (large corporations taking over local radio stations, exposing rural voters largely only to hours of right-wing propaganda), and with the role large corporations have played in driving out family farms and small businesses, and its little surprise that rural voters resent liberals and the establishment institutions they are seen to represent. “ If the left wants to win, or at the very least gain ground,” Scholten argues, “we need to invest in rural Americans—and make sure our common interests benefiting rural regions are heard.” Such challenges to Schaller and Waldman’s arguments correspond to what we at MAFlipPA hear from our rural friends in Pennsylvania. Instead of demonizing rural voters, we try to:     Avoid making rural resentment worse by “othering” rural conservatives. Don’t group them all as stupid, racist, or homophobic. Don’t assume that they’re “voting against their own interests.” Instead, whenever possible, approach them as individuals with their own stories and reasons for holding the political views they do. In conversations with rural voters, listen not only to their words, but also to the emotions behind them. This does not mean agreeing with outrageous conspiracy theories or untruths. But look for common underlying values, which can lead to possible common ground about who is really accountable for rural problems (such as large corporations.) Educate rural voters about how Democratic policies, and Democratic lawmakers, are helping their local communities in tangible, concrete ways, from funding much-needed infrastructure to fighting the opioid epidemic. * What do you think of white rural rage (the book or the concept)? What can we as liberals and progressives do to lift up—and win the votes of—rural Americans? *If you’re interested in receiving updates about how Democratic policies are helping rural areas, email me  and tell me which issues (such as health care or jobs) are most critical to you and your neighbors.

Disinformation is rampant and getting worse. The spread of falsehoods are undermining attempts to have a fact-based conversation. Disinformation is a tool often used by dictators to get and maintain power. Sadly, politicians in the U.S. are using lies to demonize their opposition. Donald Trump is championing this strategy and proudly declared that “if you say it enough and keep saying it, they’ll start to believe you.” That quote illustrates his lack of remorse for conning people in business and in the government. However, Trump is not the brilliant founder of the benefits of lying. “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it,” said Nazi Joseph Goebbels. Does anyone see a connection here, and do you see it alarming? Despite zero evidence of any widespread election fraud, Trump continues to spread the lie that the 2020 election was stolen from him. And people believe it, largely because Trump keeps telling them it was. For Trump, winning is the only goal, and he and his willingness to mislead people for his own purposes is outrageously dangerous. Not only does Trump attack Democrats, but in his next quest for the White House in 2024, he is offering “what-ifs,” which cannot be supported by any facts. The Trump misinformation campaign is continuing to increase discord and erode trust in democracy, the media, science, and health professionals. In 2020, The World Health Organization declared a worldwide “ infodemic ,” which they say is leading to mistrust and has become a health threat. In addition, it leads to unnecessary hate and violence towards innocent people. To learn more about ways to combat misinformation, how does misinformation spread, and factors that make people believe misinformation, you can find a slew of info at The American Psychological Association . Why is it that trust in the media has been declining among Republicans? The explanation could be that the lies they hear fit the narrative they favor on far-right media are not being reported on by traditional, reliable trusted new sources. It’s much more satisfying to hear someone repeat your opinions and not question any misguided convictions. The chart linked here (developed by AllSides Media) has rated popular news sources based on perspectives and political leanings, and they don’t lie! If you find yourself leaning too far left or too far right, you might NOT be getting the full picture. Democracy requires transparency of government. Candidates who are not willing to reveal their tax returns and finances or who make claims that they do not back up with facts are not to be trusted, even if they are saying what you want to hear. Transparency of campaign donors are easily referenced using any of the following resources: The Federal Election Commission website . Open Secrets Donor Search Donors can reveal to whom that candidate may be emboldened later down the road, by learning who is backing them. In Pennsylvania in 2022, Doug Mastriano’s campaign finance report revealed several red flags that showed engagements with questionable businesses, one for example is the now defunct Onslaught Media Group due to suspension by the Franchise Tax Board for failing to file tax returns. In addition, Mastriano promoted QAnon on X (formerly Twitter) over 50 times, including support of Pizzagate. Luckily the majority of Pennsylvanians saw through Mastriano and likely did their homework. Next time you read something that sounds too crazy to be true (e.g., Hillary Clinton is running a pedophile ring in the basement of a pizzeria), do some real fact checking using any of the trusted sites below. Factcheck.org Snopes.com Politifact.com Reuters.com https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/ Next time you see a meme, keep in mind that it is likely not fact but just meant to be sarcastic or funny. So, enjoy the laugh, and remember that it’s a joke! LEARN MORE ON MESSAGING AT MAFlipPA's TOOLS AND TIPS PAGE and TAKE ACTION! Sources: https://bnnbreaking.com/politics/barbara-mcquade-tackles-disinformations-threat-to-us-democracy-in-new-book https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/05/politics/trump-disinformation-strategy https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/16/us/politics/trumps-counterfactuals-alternate-reality.html https://www.apa.org/about/policy/combating-misinformation-promoting-literacy https://www.apa.org/topics/journalism-facts/misinformation-disinformation https://www.allsides.com/unbiased-balanced-news https://www.mediamatters.org/qanon-conspiracy-theory/pa-state-sen-doug-mastriano-promoted-qanon-twitter-over-50-times https://whyy.org/articles/pa-governor-election-mastriano-campaign-prophets-right-wing-conspiracy-theorists-qanon/ https://www.fec.gov/introduction-campaign-finance/how-to-research-public-records/individual-contributions/

Personal values are often reflected in one’s political views and reveal an individual’s beliefs.  Unfortunately, while exploring our moral beliefs, we can often find disparity with political ideologies, which can lead to hypocrisy from both sides.    Why do I lean to the left and not right, when the right is often viewed as the party of family values and conservatism promoting freedoms?   I believe in family values and a conservative government promoting freedoms.  To answer this question, the differences between Republicans and Democrats need to be understood.  For many years the differences were few and often held little sway over voter preferences.  Sadly, today those differences have a huge impact on the party agenda and voter beliefs, bringing us into an era of extremism and division.    So, what are these differences? Republican ideology is said to be about individual freedoms, lower taxes, less government, trickle-down economics, and laissez-faire capitalism.  They are considered the more conservative party with greater adherence to family values and isolation from international affairs.  Democrats, on the other hand, believe in application of social programs aimed at helping the needy, growing an economy from the bottom up, and supporting progressive change, especially when it involves creating greater social and economic equality.  Democrats are prone to supporting international human rights and tackling divisive issues such as infrastructure, climate change, and gun violence.    Now that we understand the general ideological differences, let’s consider my moral beliefs.  I believe in individual freedoms, less government, and family values.  So, I must be a Republican; right? ...  Not so fast. I also believe that the purpose of a government is to provide for its citizens.   Consequently, I see the need for public assistance programs aimed at providing services to the disadvantaged, even though by doing so, some would deem me a “Socialist.”  I also believe in narrowing the ever-growing wealth gaps and curtailing the problems of infrastructure, gun violence, and climate change.  Considering the historical signature achievements of Democrats vs. Republicans...   Democrats legislated:               •           The New Deal             •           Space Programs             •           Peace Corps             •           NATO             •           Medicare and Medicaid             •           Unemployment Benefits             •           Fair Labor Standards             •           National School Lunch Program             •           Head Start Program             •           Family and Medical Leave             •           Civil Rights Act             •           Social Security Act             •           Affordable Health Care             •           American Rescue Plan and Infrastructure Bill   Almost all of these Acts and programs listed are aimed at “providing for citizens” while advancing sciences, foreign relations, and infrastructure. Historic Republican legislation gave us:             •           an Interstate Highway system,             •           the CARES Act.  And while these may have served to advance infrastructure and help keep an economy moving during the COVID pandemic, there’s been little historical legislation from Republicans that have moved forward which was aimed at “providing for citizens.”  Most Republican bills are aimed on tax cuts and reducing government spending.   While that does seem worthy of satisfying my conservative ideals, it leads to a system of catering to the wealthy while creating huge wealth gaps and failing to “provide for citizens.”   Many see the personal gains of these Republican tax cuts as reason to vote Republican over the more altruistic idea of providing for ALL citizens.  This has become the Republican mantra of claiming Democrats want Socialism.  However, those that are calling Democrats “Socialists” usually fail to understand the term, or how it already applies to many American institutions such as the military, police, schools, transportation, sciences, etc...  Republicans would be happy to make all these institutions private ventures but fail to understand the impact or consequences of doing so.   There is so much more to discuss as to why I might lean left, specifically in terms of:             •           Climate             •           Gun Regulation             •           Infrastructure             •           Education             •           Health Care             •           Foreign Relations             •           Trade             •           Economy             •           Immigration             •           Ethics   Follow my blog on the maflippa.org/blog website.  Comments encouraged and welcomed! And if you agree with the mission of MA Flip PA, take action with us!

The question often heard is how did we get to where we are today?  Why are people prone to brainwashing, believing lies and conspiracy theories?  How could a sitting president walk freely after inciting an insurrection and then be able to run for the same seat again?  These are just a few of many things that leave us scratching our heads.   One answer is the news media.  The first thing people might think of is Fox News and its enterprising mission to spread a far-right, conservative message. Its viewers devour the rants from its editorial opinion segments while ignoring facts that don’t fit their narrative. Fox News did not start until 1996, but the idea was not necessarily new.  In 1970, Richard Nixon stated that he and his supporters needed “our own news.”  One that would lead “a brutal, vicious attack on the opposition.”  It is no secret that Fox News creator, Rupert Murdoch, used his money and influence, with the help of Roger Ailes, to start Fox as Republican-centered alternative to CNN .   Where you get your news is a huge influencer.  A documentary by Director Jen Senko, The Brainwashing of My Dad , illustrates how her father, a WWII vet, changed from a life-long, nonpolitical Democrat to an angry, right-wing fanatic after falling prey to the right-wing media machine.  It’s well worth the watch, with a happy ending.   On the opposite side, news sources such as CNN , The New York Times , and The Washington Post are being criticized by frustrated progressives who are seeing a shift away from persistent messaging needed to defend the threat to democracy.  A very recent article by Presswatchers.com  shared remarks at the Reuters Memorial Lecture on March 4, 2024 by A.G. Sulzberger, NYT publisher, wherein he defends his strategy as journalistic independence . His description of this concept assumes a willingness to follow facts, to engage empathetically, and “an insistence on reflecting the world as it is, not as you wish it to be.”   Despite how Sulzberger’s definition might sound, Press Watchers points out that, practically speaking, editors and reporters of the NYT are being discouraged to "warn people too forcefully about the possible end to democracy.”    Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “ The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. ” We are now standing in a time of challenge and controversy.  Will you help? We need content creators who are not afraid to share the message. Please follow us and/or join us in our mission .     Sources:   https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/17/business/fox-news-dominion-lies/index.html   https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/04/04/unique-damaging-role-fox-news-plays-american-media/   https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/oct/25/fox-news-watching-what-i-learned   https://theweek.com/articles/880107/why-fox-news-created   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Fox_News   The Brainwashing of My Dad: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3771626/   https://presswatchers.org/2024/03/why-is-new-york-times-campaign-coverage-so-bad-because-thats-what-the-publisher-wants/   https://www.niemanlab.org/2024/03/mutual-incomprehension-now-exists-seemingly-everywhere-the-new-york-times-publisher-responds-to-its-critics/   https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/journalistic-independence-in-a-time-of-division/

Getting Democrats out to vote in Pennsylvania is only half our challenge this fall. The other half is making sure they know how to vote amid a pandemic and flood of GOP misinformation, can vote , and that their votes are counted. There are a lot of smart, hardworking experts on the case and there are multiple ways we can help. That’s what more than 300 committed activists heard recently from election lawyer Adam Bonin and the voter protection director for the PA Biden coordinated campaign Kay Yu. The highlights: While there are multiple lawsuits and uncertainty over the performance of the postal service, voting by mail – EARLY – is still the most reliable and safest way for Pennsylvanians to vote. There’s an incredible amount of rumor and misinformation out there, much of it promulgated by the Trump campaign. We need to stay calm and give voters trustworthy information. (Check out the PA Dems voter protection FAQs .) Our friends in Pennsylvania need volunteers to staff voter protection hotlines NOW because early voting could start as early as Sept. 14. This requires studying up on PA voting law, the commitment to be available for call shifts, and the patience to walk through issues with voters. But you get the instant gratification of helping people who will be glad you’re on the phone. Sign up for Voter Protection Training on Sept. 14 here and join the PA Dems Voter Protection Team here. We’re expecting many attempts at voter suppression and interference on election day. The PA Dems need volunteers to call loyal Democrats and ask them to staff their local polling places to assure everyone can vote. If you’ve never phone banked, this is an excellent way to start by calling a very friendly crowd! Sign up to make calls here. As someone on the call said, “There is no cavalry coming to rescue us. WE are the cavalry.” If calling possibly reluctant voters isn’t your thing, consider calling friendly Democrats to ask them to join the fight.