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Why subscribe? One of my paid subscribers, Rebecca, says it best: “I appreciate your pro-democracy stance. We the people need information and a shift that gets us back in balance. Thank you for your part.” Thank you, Rebecca! Glad you’re on board.
For as little as $5 a month, you get weekly live chats with Joe, a monthly shareable deep dive into critical issues, and, most importantly, you’ll be supporting our growing resistance movement across America!
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We publish four newsletters per week here at The Social Contract, and it’s always difficult to decide what to write about—not because there’s a lack of subject matter, but because there’s just so damn much. Each new day brings multiple assaults on our patience, sanity, sense of justice, and optimism about the future of our country. It’s exhausting. It’s demoralizing. And as we know all too well by now, that’s the point.
Six months into this administration, the Social Contract mission has expanded and evolved. As I say at the beginning of my podcast every day, as free citizens in this democracy, we must be tolerant and respectful, and stay informed and engaged. I believe in that mission 100%, and I still believe face-to-face conversations are the best vehicle for restoring the social contract in America. That will never change. Plus, I genuinely love these conversations. They’re a blast.
But let’s be clear: we’re fighting a monster. The antithesis of the social contract is sitting in the White House. That means, by necessity, that the best way we can be tolerant and respectful is to fight back against his intolerance and disrespect. Staying informed means keeping the lines of communication open with everyone in our community, then sharing the facts we learn with others. And engagement means resistance.
We are all being asked to go above and beyond. Every single one of us. For me, becoming a Democrat was the first step. My “above and beyond” comes next. I want to build a big, badass Democratic Party that will steamroll Republicans in the midterms and beyond and be the strong opposition we desperately need to ensure there are midterms in the first place.
This is no easy task. The Democrats are in bad shape. Polling shows Americans’ approval of the party is at historic lows across the board, which means even Democrats are disillusioned by and disgusted with their own party. So we have a lot of work to do. I see two ways I can help. First, these Democrats have to learn how to fight. Some are really trying, and they deserve a lot of credit for that, but it’s not nearly enough. That failure rests largely on the party’s feckless leadership.
I know how to fight. I’ve been there before, albeit on the other side. When I saw a D.C. establishment that didn’t care about the country’s outrageous debt, I took on my own Republican Party as part of the Tea Party wave in 2010. If you’re a longtime Democrat, you probably don’t think very highly of the Tea Party—with good reason, in some cases—but a Democratic Tea Party would look a lot different. I am more than happy to help lead that charge.
Second, I don’t mind being the tip of the spear, but I can’t be the only one to make the move to the party. Right now, the Democratic Party is the only institution we have to fight the fascism of the GOP. A legit third party (i.e., one not led by Elon Musk) is still years away from significant power because of the way our elections are set up. It doesn’t mean we can’t work to get there, and we should. But I’ve studied this. Believe me: for right now, the Democratic Party is it.
There’s an old saying: “When the house is on fire, do you argue the color of the skin of the man who brings the water?” Our house is on fire. As it applies to our situation, we are in no position to argue the policy preferences of those fighting the fire alongside us. That must wait.
This is a battle. A battle for the soul of America. And Republicans are prepared to fight to the death to win. Which means we can’t come to this fight without soldiers. So for all you politically homeless folks, it’s time to get off the fence and join the army. No more excuses. The Democratic Party is what we make it. If you really want to fight—and you’re not just talking tough—get in the game. If you truly believe we’re fighting for our democratic republic, as you say you are, this shouldn’t be a hard decision. And if you’re one of those stalwarts still waiting for the Republican Party of old to return, just stop. It’s been 10 years. I’m sorry, but it’s not coming back.
With a big enough tent, the Democratic Party can not only defeat Republicans but also become the party of freedom and ideas that it once was. I plan to hold some feet to the fire on this. Consider me the recruiting officer for the big-tent party we need to save this constitutional republic. There’s no more time for hemming and hawing. No more time for games. We have a country to defend.
It’s on us. You in?
This Week
SUBSTACK LIVE: Open to all subscribers, unless noted. Don’t miss it!
Monday, 8pm ET (with Joe Thomas, click if you missed it!)
Wednesday, 8pm ET (with Miles Taylor, please join us!)
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Sharing the hideous stories of the abductions and treatment of migrants is making a difference. Most Americans now believe the Trump Administration has gone too far with its mass deportations. So please keep sending the pictures, videos, and stories you see and hear to us, and we’ll publish them here. Then share them with your own networks.
‘Like Dogs’: Video Appears to Show Migrants Held in Federal Building in NYC —ABC News
Migrants at ICE Jail in Miami Made to Kneel to Eat ‘Like Dogs’, Report Alleges —The Guardian
Advocate Calls Migrant Alligator Alcatraz Conditions ‘Unlivable’ —NBC News
U.S. Races to Build Migrant Tent Camps After $45 Billion Funding Boost —Reuters
Venezuela’s Returning Migrants Allege Abuses in El Salvador’s ‘Hell’ Prison Where U.S. Sent Them —AP News
Trump Administration Asks Tiny Pacific Nation of Palau to Accept Migrants Deported from U.S. —The Guardian
Trump’s Deportations Spark Anger Across Africa —Foreign Policy
Their Families Keep California Farms Running. Trump Cuts Just Stripped a ‘Lifeline’ from Them —Cal Matters
Trump Admin Makes Fighting Deportations Over 400 Percent More Expensive —Newsweek
Hey, I want to hear from you! Want to send us a 600-word op-ed or video clip on how we can mend our frayed social contract and rebuild an America that works? Want to appear with Joe on Substack Live? Just need to vent? Send it our way!
Tell us your story and share your feedback about our Substack community by emailing our editor at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you for being a free subscriber of The Social Contract! We are most grateful. If you believe our mission is worthwhile, and you can spare a few bucks a month, please consider upgrading your subscription now.
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