Dear John,

It must be 2020.

So much happened this week. The Iowa caucus drama. The outrageous – but predictable – Senate acquittal of President Trump. Antarctica hitting 65 degrees. The State of the Union and the moment of small resistance where Speaker Pelosi, in a “classic Italian grandma move,” tore up a copy of the speech.

Our political hearts are feeling everything. In times like these, we need to focus on what we have the most control over. Right now, it’s turning out thousands of first-time primary voters for Super Tuesday, getting ready to take on Big Pharma at the Legislature, and preparing for caucuses on February 25^th.

What’s your take on Iowa and New Hampshire? We love to hear from you. Thank you for your reading and wrestling with us, as always.

Here’s what we’re reading, watching, and listening to this week:

1. Iowa

The Iowa caucuses were chaotic (to say the least), but it’s increasingly clear that Bernie Sanders won the popular vote. The key to his victory was organizing people of color, young folks, and new Americans. Check out this powerful video from The Intercept to see this organizing in action.

2. New Hampshire

Next up: the New Hampshire primary, where Bernie’s campaign is building something new, partnering with community and movement organizations for the long-haul. Read more.  

3. Insulin

Pharmaceutical corporations have tripled the price of insulin over the last 10 years. The ongoing fight to pass an emergency insulin bill at the State Capitol is historic. However, if the bill passes without holding Big Pharma accountable, it sets a precedent allowing drug companies to kill people for profit without any accountability in Minnesota – and every state. Read this important editorial by Governor Walz and Speaker Hortman.

4. Drag Queens

Here’s your bit of history for today: the first drag queen was a former slave named William Dorsey Swann who lived in Washington DC, reigning over drag balls in the 1880s. Check out this fascinating piece in The Nation.

5. Impeachment

“Unfortunately, in this Senate, fear has had its way. In November, the American people will have theirs.”

On Wednesday, 52 Republican Senators voted to acquit the President. But the need for Congress to hold the President accountable has never been greater. Read more about the need for oversight. Then, check out this piece from Senator Sherrod Brown.

6. State of the Union

Instead of putting in a piece about the President’s State of the Union address, we found this roundtable with Women of Color talking about how they view the state of our country. Read it here.

7. Debt Strike

Americans owe a collective $1.6 trillion dollars in student loans. That number is truly mind-boggling. The Debt Collective wants us to ask the question what if we all just stopped paying? Read more.

8. Miss Americana 

The new Taylor Swift documentary is out on Netflix. It’s a good story about how she came to understand the impact of the patriarchy through her own life experience and the collective struggle for human rights. Check out what the New Yorker is saying.

9. Paid Time to Care

In Finland – a country led by women – each new parent gets nearly seven months of paid leave. Single parents get 14 months. Pregnant parents get a month off before they give birth. We could have this too. Read more about Finland’s family friendly policies.

10. ACO

Curious about Representative Ocasio Cortez’ bartending skills? Check out this clip of the show Desus & Mero.

That’s a wrap.

-- Kenza Hadj-Moussa and Patrick Burke