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Alan Kramer's avatar

Here’s one thing the Democrats can do about SCOTUS, as AOC suggests, Impeach four justices, three for perjury and Thomas for his conflicts! At a minimum, a Thomas and a Kavenaugh investigation would be most revealing. The Democrats must at some point hit back hard, their most glaring failure!

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Linda's avatar

Absolutely agree! If the Dems don't start hitting back hard, we will suffer greatly. If we are the majority, we need to stand up and demand justice!

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Julie M Murray's avatar

I totally agree....we need to hit back hard, before they have us all in handcuffs.....I had not heard that AOC suggested impeaching 4 of the Justices....I would settle for impeaching Thomas and having Alito pass on....

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jo graewin's avatar

again Michael, thank you.

it helps me feel better/stronger that you validate what I am thinking and feeling.

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Rosey's avatar

Thank you for your passion and ability to motivate people to action. I believe, as you do, that there are more of us than them. Moving people to vote is key to saving our democracy. My biggest worry is that so many focus on inflation and gas prices and don’t see the overall bigger threats.

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Mitch Trachtenberg's avatar

Thank you, Michael. It's important to celebrate Revolution Day, the day of the signing of the document which declared people's right and our DUTY to overthrow a government that turns despotic.

Tom Paine, perhaps the most clear-thinking of our founders, had this to say about the period in which he lived:

"These are the times that try men's souls: The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated."

The part that is most significant today, I believe is: "What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value." The fundamental right to control one's own body must be fought for by men and women. Every generation must eventually make sacrifices in the name of freedom, or freedom dies.

Voting is critical. Voting is not enough, not nearly enough.

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Susan Schmale's avatar

TOUCHÉ ‼️ TOUCHÉ ‼️ TOUCHÉ ‼️

People think I’m “TOO POLITICAL” because I won’t shut up about ALL that has happened—but I’m with you 100%, Michael Moore‼️

I’ve been in trouble my whole life for questioning authority—fellow teachers called me radical !

I’m PROUD I’ve spent my life as an activist & RADICAL—if more people would SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER, we would NEVER be in this MESS‼️

SPEAK-UP, People—don’t just thank Michael ‼️

(I now see the courts want to undo the Flint water issue‼️ They’re now trying to shut you up, Michael, just like Ralph Nader ! NEVER GIVE UP‼️)

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Rick Leone's avatar

Time to revisit a segment from what was, in my opinion, one of the best television programs ever broadcast on American TV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIpKfw17-yY

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Marian Gillis's avatar

Awesome.

My declaration is to:

1. Write to 200 Voters in TX, GA, MI. to simply ask them to Vote, in my penmanship, via snail mail. These non-digital methods are not the default, so maybe they will be noticed. We are working with people all over the country (Vote Forward).

2. Work with Third Act on ongoing projects to get out the Vote. Recently we partnered with a Civics organization to engage Seniors in Voter Registration.

Vote like your life depends on it.

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c gomez's avatar

I agree! I like the idea that we declare what we will do for the cause.

I will start.

I am supporting Beto in his run for Governor of Texas by writing

letters to likely TX voters and have sent money as well. (go to his website for more info)You can go on any of the websites of people we need to support, even if you don't live in that state, and find ways to help. It doesn't require money. You can write postcards and some groups will provide the stamps if you can't.

My state does not need the help as much, so that is why I am helping elsewhere.

Other people running to consider- Stacy Abrams, Rev. Warnock. There are many. Pick the people who

align with your beliefs as Mike has done. Go to the INDIVISIBLE website for more ideas. We are with you Mike!!!!

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N. L. Brisson's avatar

Excellent and completely in the spirit of Independence Day!

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M J Pender's avatar

I am cheering for you all to take up Mike's call to "arms". Get out the vote. Start some of those brilliant constitutional legal minds on a study of how to restructure the Senate distribution of seats so they are more representative of the population -- which translates into more representative of majority of Americans. A body with so much power should be representative of the country, not the engine of minority oppression as it appears to be. It may take years, but it may be a worthy mission. For example: if North Dakota with a population of less than 1/4 of 1% of the country gets 2 senators then maybe, California, with a population of 11.9% of the country should get 102 senators, or sticking with a total of 50 seats - then 6 senators out of total of 50 and ND would have to share a senator with several other low pop states. l know those numbers look crazy but that's just how out of balance the senate appears to be. Just a thought from a friend. Love to you all on this July 4, MJ

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M J Pender's avatar

Oooops -- mistake -- should be 11.9% of 100 senate seats = 12 senators for California. Sorry about my math error there. m.j.

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73%water's avatar

On this day we celebrate the birth of our representative form of democracy. Within our celebratory mood we should also remember that there are persons, forces that do not appreciate our form of government. These forces exist outside our land; but also exist within. For the most part these folks within, who're not appreciative of our grand experiment, spend their days yelling at the pidgins in the park. From time to time opportunity and providence allow these enemy's of freedom the ability and resources to turn their ire from the pidgins to the general population; often with great successes. The thread that connects all these denigration's to our republic, are their assertions that representative democracy doesn't work. Their frequent reference to the forgotten man, and our acceptance of this over used and over generalized rhetoric give oxygen to their cause. These enemy's of our democracy will use any topic or issue to foment division. The attempts to divide us are rooted in the knowledge that to divide is to conquer. The measure of our enemy's successes is the number of citizens that don’t vote or wast their vote in protest. The fuel for democracy is participation; you have one job. Vote for your best candidate, that can win. Good folks doing nothing or nearly nothing will ruin this land. -73%water

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Linda's avatar

Thank you for this! Since I have learned the truth about how our country was founded, the 4th seems so hypocritical. How can we celebrate freedom when millions of Americans are locked up, in poverty, going hungry and hove no healthcare? Now our basic rights of choice in bringing a pregnancy to term and soon to marry whom we love. It is feeling more like a white supremist holiday.On the other hand, the good part is that we fought for freedom from unjust control .... so for me, that is what this holiday is about - the revolution - the one Bernie began. I have sent your keynote by Mike Wallace out to family and friends as my Fourth of July message. I hold that we can take back our country and bring health, liberty and happiness to all.

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Anne Whitney's avatar

I have a dear friend in Michigan who is a Trumper. She started complaining about gas prices and how she was doing better under Trump. I suggested she could cross the border easily and pay $6.50 USD for a gallon. ( I did the conversion from litres and CA currency) She said Putin wouldn’t have dared invade Ukraine if Trump were still president. I said oh..Trump would have installed a barrier to make pootie feel more secure. I explained the geopolitical reality . The number of times Russia was invaded ,the lack of a warm water port and the long distance to the Carpathian Mountains.And on and on. I also explained the truckers occupation of Ottawa and how martial law wasn’t enacted. After every discussion she says…I really enjoy talking to you about this stuff. I never tell her she is wrong. She is still a Trumper. I’m still a proud Canadian. We are still friends. Far right news sources lie or tell half the truth. They’ve ruined the country.

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Jul 5, 2022
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Anne Whitney's avatar

That’s why weapons are being sent and not humans. A lot less costly. History is His Story. The USSR had a huge army and stock of nuclear weapons. Russia does not. Think about all the smaller countries that Russia has invaded and couldn’t dominate. Think about the countries that the USSR invaded and couldn’t dominate. I’m not suggesting that America continues to police the world but Putin has designs on rebuilding the USSR and conquering Europe. He won’t succeed but there will be a huge loss of life along the way. He’s killing off his own people in the military. People who won’t bring children into the world and populate the country. They are losing numbers rapidly.America can feed itself,has 2 accessible coastlines and the Mississippi River running down the middle for transporting goods. There is room for improvement to be sure but if you started listing the advantages of the country you would be busy for days. Russia is basically a gas station with an army.

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Jorge's avatar

This is your calling. This is the effort that is required and it has to happen.

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K. Torbjörn Ingemansson's avatar

Hear Hear from Europe! We are in this together 🤩👍 🇪🇺

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ROBERT D HEINRICH's avatar

Dear Michael,

Your declaration is beautiful.

Great leaders lead by example. Reading your declaration leaves me with no doubt that this is the way you already live your life. Stating it provides a model. It is too easy to avoid uncomfortable situations and compromise ones truth. I am 70 years old. What am I waiting for? I printed your declaration and have shared it with family and friends.

In the early 70's I became disillusioned with the lack of change following the Watergate hearings. All we had protested for was wasted. The Viet Nam War had ended but.....? Now we are at a junction where the stakes are even greater. My lovely grand-daughters have had rights taken away. My LBGTQ friends see their rights being questions and possibly lost.

I watched Reagan repeat the same lies over and over until they became truth.

So many signs on the journey to today. We were all warned both in fiction and truth. Huxley, Orwell, Heigel, Dewey and more. The subtle changes chipped away at our reality. The constant misdirection. Keeping our focus on what the power that be wanted rather than issues that were foundational to our freedoms.

Thank you Michael for your declaration. A model for us each to follow. A leader can only do so much. What you provide with your declaration is a starter - a leaping off point we each can embrace. Your leadership is so needed at this crucial time. I bow deeply to you and thank you from the center of my soul.

I want a better world for my grand daughters. If I die today I leave them with a worse world than they were born into. I may not see victory in my life time but I will fight until the end to see a better world. We lead by example - thank you for your example and willingness to risk everything to do what is right.

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