An American majority agrees on so much of what we need to get done. But it still can’t happen in today’s DC because of all that is wrong with the structure of our democracy. We could change that.
It's so disheartening because I don't even feel many of my fellow Americans including family think of me as human now with Trump infecting them. I'm LGBTQ as well
He is my choice for President 2028, if he runs. I hope he does because he seems to be able to communicate with anyone. He is incredibly smart and so well spoken.
He advocates for higher wages, universal health coverage, paid family leave, and concrete improvements over previous policies.
He's a leader and we need visionary leadership. We need REAL people who actually care about public service as a way to improve lives and strengthen our nation. We should support candidates who understand that “We the People” means EVERYONE! I often wear a shirt with that reminder. This one 👇
It's not a technical issue. In fact, focusing on technical issues is avoiding the issue. Chris Murphy comes almost but not close enough when he says it's not a left-right (progressive-conservative) issue.
We can and should say it’s an up-down (moral-not moral) issue where “down” is acting as if it’s okay to be not moral toward some people because “that’s how the world works.” Up is acting as if the intrinsic value of every human is equal to the intrinsic value of every human because our nurture (the knowledge acquired through experience) is otherwise working at cross purposes with (genetically inherited) human nature. And … actions speak much louder than words.
Can Chris Murphy say that? Can a politician get away with saying it’s an up-down issue without losing too many votes? Fortunately, I don't care if I alienate people and they don't want to vote for me. I'm not a politician. Chris and Pete, you're welcome.
Just for the record, “President Pete” has a real nice ring to it.
I read an article today that argued that we need to think horizontally. Reach out to one anther.
Personal opinion. As much as I believe Pete Hegseth has good answers, I have to acknowledge that too many voters are bigoted regarding ANY one who is not heterosexual. He would lose.. and what a waste. He is demonstrating what he CAN do to save the United States from an authoritarian government.
Question: do we need a kitchen table discussion about the shape of our future government? Pete is clearly looking to reduce the power of the dollar.
Absolutely agree! If the divisiveness that currently exists continues - and possibly worsens - America would be immensely fortunate if Pete Buttigieg would serve as Secretary of State, using his brilliance and charisma to help recreate the exceptionalism America formerly was renown for. 🙏🏻for🇺🇸
I like him too. Unfortunately this country didn't want a white or black woman as president. They definitely do not want a gay man as president. This racist country is disgusting
I think Pete would be excellent in Congress. Without a doubt we need fresh minds in both chambers. Pete is a communicator and folks listen to him. At the very least, I hope Pete has some role in the next administration.
In a normal world we would also have integrity and deference in our leaders. Let's do everything we can to regain this in the mid terms, and ultimately elect a president with these qualities in 2028. We can do it! You in? Happy Pride month.
Pete Buttigieg, Jasmine Crockett, Melanie Stansburo, James Talaricco and probably some I am not aware of would all be among my top choices for Presidential candidates. Unfortunately the current climate about human rights and freedoms as well as race and gender would be against all of them.
I don’t want status quo. The typical middle aged man with the only vision being to “ be someone”. I want a change , but I want an intelligent forward thinking , people oriented , logical, person to be in that role and stand up for the good of every person.
Intelligent, forward thinking, doing things to help Americans instead of seeking revenge against people for perceived disloyalty... is that too much to ask?!
I am so for, may the smartest, most ethical candidate win, but unfortunately Talarico eats babies, Buttigieg (sp?) is a spy for the Taliban, Crockett is a secret nazi... and so on.
Newsom will never get the nomination. He has California baggage. Isn’t time for someone like Pete B. who is bright enough to tackle issues willing to be accountable for his mistakes and humble enough to listen to others outside of both parties with new ideas ? Too many have given up on both national political parties and just don’t have the motivation to vote any more.
I believe that you are right, if that's what you believe. We CAN elect Pete if we campaign for him and get his true ideas out there. You have to have hope, not negativity.
I've been introduced to too many southerners and Midwestern people who think we gays are of the devil.
You can have hope but I hope your hope is based in reality. If Dems don't pick a straight white man next time they are doomed. (I'm also a woman, but a pragmatist.)
Expand Congress to bring it closer to the number of representatives it should have. Enact ranked choice voting for all elections so no one wins with less than 50% of the vote. Overturn Citizens United. Expand the Supreme Court to the number of federal districts and enact an enforceable code of ethics. Make it illegal for any government official to trade stocks.
You’re on the right track, but as Pete said, restructuring is key.
A Democratic (or Committee of fed, state and local representatives?) must develop a Project 2028–29 plan to realize these goals — quickly — so all citizens can see actions and reforms being taken. Instead of corrupt politicians pursuing self interest, people can feel the effects of good governance working for the interests of all Americans.
It's tragic that so many Americans have lost their humanity so easily. You're not alone. Millions you don't know or know you, know you are not the evil person they have portrayed.
actually...Id love to hear an actual response from you dee that isn't just trolling. What precisely about the things he said do you disagree with? Fair elections? Politicians that have to actually work with each other and get things done because they are held accountable? Politicians that have term limits?
If Pete was a Republican..is there anything in there that you would actually disagree with? Nothing he said was "liberal"
Yes, we need major reform. Maybe we can start with ending Citizens United, reforming our tax system, expanding the Supreme Court, term limits for all electeds eliminating gerrymandering and the electoral college. That would be a good start!
🙏 Amen, Barry! Apologies for the overly long post. If DNC did their job, it wouldn’t be necessary.
Pasted below are suggested planks for November, amended by substack readers. Since there are nearly 50, each state has been randomly assigned one plank to research. If incumbents and candidates collaborate with laser-focus on just one issue per state, they can provide detailed timelines and budgets to the county at virtual conventions. If DNC has better ideas, let’s hear them?
(BTW, the assignments are random. Who knew AI had a sense of humor?)
We WILL have the country that was promised 400 years ago but it will require unprecedented cooperation, like Quincy Jones got when he made “We Are The World.” He posted a sign that applies here: “check your ego at the door.” Or emigrate. Like the celebrities who got rich here but won’t stay and fight.
1. Medicare for all, including mental health, dental, and vision. Assign to South Dakota.
2. Running water for all. Assign to Delaware.
3. Safe, affordable, adequate housing for all. Assign to Maryland.
4. Climate change course correction. Assign to Kentucky.
5. National “Annual Yearly Progress” educational standards that apply to all students: public school, private school, home school. Assign to Washington.
6. Nutrition and pesticides. There’s a reason why US wheat imports are banned in EU. Assign to Vermont.
7. Paths to citizenship and statehood. Assign to Minnesota.
8. Metric system instead of imperial measurements. Every country in the world has made the switch except the US, Liberia, and Myanmar. Assign to Arkansas.
9. Reading and math literacy. Assign to Iowa.
10. Maternal and infant survival (US has the worst rates among developed countries). Assign to Hawaii.
11. Restore DEI. My disability requires electronic communication (email or chat with a transcript) but legal teams don’t like written records. I have to surrender agency and assign a proxy to manage a credit card issue or schedule a mammogram. Disney sent me an email stating that they’re “phones only.” What’s next? Telling guests in wheelchairs to manage the stairs? Assign to Colorado.
12. Zero tolerance of corruption. Assign to New Hampshire.
13. Child care. Montessori is Head Start in Italy. It was invented there to lift up disadvantaged children. In the US, we’ve made it a designer brand that’s unaffordable for those who need it most and for whom it was intended. Assign to North Carolina.
14. Amend the 2nd amendment. Texas has more than 4000 gun deaths per year. FL takes silver with more than 3000. Together, they’re responsible for more than 17% of the 40,000 annual gun deaths in the US. The UK has 28. Not 28,000. Not 2800. 28. Their cops are unarmed. Everyone wins. Assign to Arizona.
15. FOIA restored without the loopholes. Assign to Oregon.
16. Enforcement of the laws, regs and court decisions that are on the books but ignored. Assign to Wisconsin.
17. Abortion rights enshrinement. Assign to Mississippi.
18. Marriage equality enshrinement. Assign to Florida.
19. Infrastructure investment. Assign to California.
20. Internet for all. Assign to Nevada.
21. We need to stop flushing drinking-quality water. We’re running out. Assign to Illinois.
22. Return the Black Hills. Assign to Tennessee.
23. Reparations. Assign to Louisiana.
24. Livable wages in decent working conditions, ideally in a union environment. Assign to Michigan.
25. End citizens united. Assign to Connecticut.
26. Inheritance reform. Assign to Montana.
27. Enshrine social security. Assign to West Virginia.
28. Reform SCOTUS and court system. Assign to North Dakota.
29. Campaign finance reform. Assign to Georgia.
30. Tax reform. Assign to Alaska.
31. Commitment to ethical conduct. Assign to New York.
32 Commitment to “truthfulness, transparency, and accountability.” Assign to Ohio.
33. Texas: Enshrine voting rights. Assign to Texas,
34. Outlaw NDAs. They were meant to protect secret formulas, not silence the voices of victims. Assign to New Jersey.
35. Join ICC. Assign to Missouri.
36. Restore the covenant of “good faith and fair dealing.” Assign to Maine.
37. Term limits. Public service is not for accumulating power and influence, it’s for serving the people. Assign to Indiana.
38. Mandatory service to by all citizens reaching 18 for two years in public works, AmeriCorp, National Guard, or other similar organization. Assign to Utah.
39. Prison reform. Assign to Alabama.
40. Free college or vocational training. Assign to Virginia.
41. Eliminate electoral college. Assign to Idaho.
42. End private equity investment. Assign to Rhode Island.
43.End tipping. It’s out of control and our global neighbors don’t do it. Assign to Pennsylvania.
44. Issue new SS numbers to each citizen now that ours have been compromised. Assign to Wyoming.
45.Animal Welfare Act. AKC “breed standards” require docked tails and cropped ears for some dogs. The US and Russia are among the only nations where cosmetic mutilation of dogs is legal. Global leaders Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI, France) and The Kennel Club (KC, UK) preserve breed standards without these cruel practices. We can do the same. Assign to Kansas.
46.Regulate contracts signed by—and conditions endured by—pregnancy surrogates. Assign to New Mexico.
47.Oklahoma: Regulate fine art industry to prevent money laundering and tax evasion naturalist.gallery/blog….
48.Other____________________
Nebraska: Collaborate with SD
Massachusetts: Collaborate with Delaware
South Carolina: Collaborate with Maryland
District of Columbia: Collaborate with Kentucky
American Samoa: Collaborate with Washington
Guam: Collaborate with Vermont
Puerto Rico: Collaborate with Minnesota
Northern Mariana Islands: Collaborate with Arkansas
I’m pushing my congressman to support a proportional representation election method. With that simple but profound change to our election system, so much of the gridlock and dysfunction can be broken and true progress on issues a majority of people agree on can be made, like the issues you mention
I think Pete has his finger on the Democratic agenda: "lower costs, higher pay, and fairer taxes" all of which enjoy majority support among the voters.
Education of our citizens is imperative! Teach every child in the U.S. about government and democracy - a national curriculum, the same for every state. Emphasize how important it is for every eligible voter to vote.
RANKED CHOICE VOTING. Nobody who is currently in office will ever support it, because it threatens to break up the duopoly that is currently disguised as “democracy” in this country, and that’s how they all keep their seats, but it is crucial.
TERM LIMITS. For *all* elected offices. No more spending 20 or 30 years in the same elected position. Max three terms for senators, max 6 for representatives. Congress shouldn’t be lifetime career.
BAN CONGRESSIONAL AND PRESIDENTIAL STOCK TRADING. Congress should not be a place people go to get rich.
END. CITIZENS. UNITED. End dark money and super PACs and foreign and corporate donations to political campaigns at federal and state levels. Corporations and foreign actors will still find a way to influence politicians, but they’ll have ti do it through good of fashioned bribery, which can at least be prosecuted.
So for justices, I feel like longer terms are in order. Making this up right now, but maybe a 20 year max limit, but forced reconfirmation after 5 or 10 years?
You can't make it "law", it would require a constitutional amendment. Current appointments are lifetime and so you can't force reconfirmation. You can get probably get around the term limit thing by letting them keep their titles and expanding the court to a greater number, where only the 9 most recent sit for a case, but you can't strip away a lifetime appointment without an amendment.
Despite how much I love Pete (#1 fangirl...), and think his prohibition joke is funny, that's not the world we live in now.
There are other ways to reform the court that would not require a constitutional amendment (yes, expansion, but other ways as well), that I ABSOLUTELY think should be pursued.
I hope that someday we can get back to a world where a constitutional amendment is no longer a joke, but until then, I want to see politicians propose good-governance ideas that DON'T require a new amendment.
Of course it's not the world we live in now. The world we live in now if f'd. That's why he's proposing these reforms. We need a Democratic trifecta in 2028 to implement them. First step to getting there is the Dems winning control of Congress in '26. Are you active in helping the Dems win?
My point is that there’s NO way to pass any constitutional amendments now, so we have to look at other reforms which, yes, means Dems winning control in 26 and 28
I guess I was just saying I would rather hear him talk about reforms that could be done WITHOUT an amendment, then implying that we can create one to solve current problems we have in this f’d up world
It’s great to be aspirational for the long-term, But every time he mentions a constitutional amendment, I just want to scream “Yes, but what are we gonna do NOW?!?”
Oy. There’s always someone happy to come along and rain on a lovely parade. Yes, we’re all well-informed, reasonably intelligent people here. We’re entitled to our fantasies. You really think any of that other campaign finance reform will actually happen? To limit the people who make the laws? Who would have to vote to limit their own ability to enrich themselves? Not a chance. I suspect the only way we’ll see real change is a bloody revolution or a civil war. To take off some heads. I figure that’s about even odds with amending the constitution again.
Not necessarily - this is an interesting article, on how congress may not be able to remove the supreme court (and other federal judges) through term limits, but it does give congress the power to regulate them
Exactly my point… there are plenty of reforms we can do that effectively give term limits, but one of them is NOT forcing Supreme Court justices to get reconfirmed every 5 to 10 years. This would imply that if they did not get reconfirmed, that they would lose their job, which would be unconstitutional
I know you are (half) kidding, but that's why everything he is doing will fall apart eventually (if we can keep our democracy long enough).
This is why we need REAL structural change that goes beyond Executive orders. Ditch the filibuster, make DC a state, reform the Supreme Court, if you can't get rid of PAC money without an amendment, make sure that every dollar donated is traceable back to a human being, etc.
Yes indeed! and then let's reform the structure of our economy. Corporations need a fiduciary responsibility to more than their shareholders. They need to have a responsibility to their customers and their employees. No longer the cheapest product at the cheapest price, but the best product available period.
Democratic leadership seems to be waiting for the Republicans in charge to mess up so badly that the Dems can win without giving up the big money or taking on the key issues. And the Republicans are cooperating. We must do better.
Indeed, we need to start with reforming the Democratic Party. Pete is one of the good ones but AOC, Warren, Sanders et al have been leading in the wrong direction.
Democrats need to learn to communicate in confidence to the electorate on business and economic issues. Democrats have the track record on performance economically versus the republicans. The only way the Democratic Party takes back the reputation that matches their track record is not only pointing out how Kitchen Table Issues are important, but that they have the skills and are worthy of the respect.
Yes, eliminating the abuses caused by the Citizens United decision will go a long way toward beginning to change the system in a positive way. You've got my vote!
Firstly, You are my favorite politician right now, and I sincercely wish you a long and productive career, I do however have some critisizim that I hope finds you in the best posible way..
I wish people would stop using the phrase to describe the current atmosphere as "Kitchen Table issues" Stop looking to use buzzwords to grab attention. These issues are life and death for a lot of us in the LGBTQ+ Community. Treat it with the appropriate sense or urgency- Please. My rights to exitst, my trans nephews right to the same civil liberties as everyone else, treatment and safety are not "Kitchen Table Issues" and to call them that is reductive. Human rights of migrants, and the right to a fair legal proceeding and due process, the rights of brown people are not "Kitchen Table Issue". Teh attack on womans reproductive rights are not "Kitchen Table Issues" The supresion of black and brown votes, are again not "Kitchen Table Issues" we are passed this point. We've gone beyond this where civil liberties are being routinly violated and the saftey of marginalized communities and minorities is under seige. We need to achkowledge that, and we need to fight it in the strongest terms possible. Kitchen table issues are taxes and gas prices, and fixing the damn roads.. Choose your words with more care.
How bout we let Trump finish out his term, only 30 more months. Then we have an election and half the country can cimplain about the outcome.
Why don't you and petey, timmy, joe, hunter, jill, aoc, rahsheed, husein, hakeem, chuckie, illhan. Gavin, harris, mamdami, all the muslim brotherhood, mikey, eliz, mayor bass- put your energies into new constructive legislation/ideas?
Why? Because you all are incapable of doing anything except criticizing, unpeaceful protest, impeding law enforcement. You are great at singing on the steps of Congress and singing at Detention Centers.
All these things, and more, are true. BUT, how do you get the OSS/CIA/IDF/KGB out of this situation? They’re just as corrupt as the billionaire elite who are writing policy for both Democrat and republican governments.
Agree... meaningless and overused term. Dems need to ditch all the consultants...
I do love how much Pete gets out and talks to voters... Listening to the people and trying to address real problems... this is what politics should be about, not focus-group testing language
It's so disheartening because I don't even feel many of my fellow Americans including family think of me as human now with Trump infecting them. I'm LGBTQ as well
In a normal world, you would be president now.💔
He is my choice for President 2028, if he runs. I hope he does because he seems to be able to communicate with anyone. He is incredibly smart and so well spoken.
He advocates for higher wages, universal health coverage, paid family leave, and concrete improvements over previous policies.
He's a leader and we need visionary leadership. We need REAL people who actually care about public service as a way to improve lives and strengthen our nation. We should support candidates who understand that “We the People” means EVERYONE! I often wear a shirt with that reminder. This one 👇
https://libtees.dashery.com/products/34623946-we-the-people-means-everyone-t-shirt
America once elected its first Black President now America should choose its first gay President.
By the way, Happy Pride Month everyone! 🏳️🌈
It's not a technical issue. In fact, focusing on technical issues is avoiding the issue. Chris Murphy comes almost but not close enough when he says it's not a left-right (progressive-conservative) issue.
Ref: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/26/nx-s1-5692730/sen-chris-murphy-d-conn-talks-about-his-new-book-crisis-of-the-common-good.
We can and should say it’s an up-down (moral-not moral) issue where “down” is acting as if it’s okay to be not moral toward some people because “that’s how the world works.” Up is acting as if the intrinsic value of every human is equal to the intrinsic value of every human because our nurture (the knowledge acquired through experience) is otherwise working at cross purposes with (genetically inherited) human nature. And … actions speak much louder than words.
Can Chris Murphy say that? Can a politician get away with saying it’s an up-down issue without losing too many votes? Fortunately, I don't care if I alienate people and they don't want to vote for me. I'm not a politician. Chris and Pete, you're welcome.
Just for the record, “President Pete” has a real nice ring to it.
Amen! President Pete!
Nice article, thanks for the share ♥️🌈
I read an article today that argued that we need to think horizontally. Reach out to one anther.
Personal opinion. As much as I believe Pete Hegseth has good answers, I have to acknowledge that too many voters are bigoted regarding ANY one who is not heterosexual. He would lose.. and what a waste. He is demonstrating what he CAN do to save the United States from an authoritarian government.
Question: do we need a kitchen table discussion about the shape of our future government? Pete is clearly looking to reduce the power of the dollar.
What would accomplish that goal?
Pete Hegseth has good answers?????
If not President at least Secretary of State! We need his intelligence, integrity, and insight to help us restore our relationships with the world !
Absolutely agree! If the divisiveness that currently exists continues - and possibly worsens - America would be immensely fortunate if Pete Buttigieg would serve as Secretary of State, using his brilliance and charisma to help recreate the exceptionalism America formerly was renown for. 🙏🏻for🇺🇸
Well said Heather!!
Sadly, there are waaay too many brain-dead t FOOLS out there to have that happen. I wish it could.
I like him too. Unfortunately this country didn't want a white or black woman as president. They definitely do not want a gay man as president. This racist country is disgusting
I think Pete would be excellent in Congress. Without a doubt we need fresh minds in both chambers. Pete is a communicator and folks listen to him. At the very least, I hope Pete has some role in the next administration.
I agree, we need people like Pete at ALL levels of government, not just in the White House.
In a normal world we would also have integrity and deference in our leaders. Let's do everything we can to regain this in the mid terms, and ultimately elect a president with these qualities in 2028. We can do it! You in? Happy Pride month.
Pete Buttigieg, Jasmine Crockett, Melanie Stansburo, James Talaricco and probably some I am not aware of would all be among my top choices for Presidential candidates. Unfortunately the current climate about human rights and freedoms as well as race and gender would be against all of them.
I don’t want status quo. The typical middle aged man with the only vision being to “ be someone”. I want a change , but I want an intelligent forward thinking , people oriented , logical, person to be in that role and stand up for the good of every person.
Intelligent, forward thinking, doing things to help Americans instead of seeking revenge against people for perceived disloyalty... is that too much to ask?!
I am so for, may the smartest, most ethical candidate win, but unfortunately Talarico eats babies, Buttigieg (sp?) is a spy for the Taliban, Crockett is a secret nazi... and so on.
Yeah, we need less smear, and more here.
Governor Newsom FIGHTS AND WIN FOR US IN CALIFORNIA
Newsom will never get the nomination. He has California baggage. Isn’t time for someone like Pete B. who is bright enough to tackle issues willing to be accountable for his mistakes and humble enough to listen to others outside of both parties with new ideas ? Too many have given up on both national political parties and just don’t have the motivation to vote any more.
JCKudless
Rockingham ,Virginia
Why denigrate people on your side? Newsom stood up to trump too. Pete will never get the nom bc like me he is LGBTQ.
I believe that you are right, if that's what you believe. We CAN elect Pete if we campaign for him and get his true ideas out there. You have to have hope, not negativity.
Are you LGBTQ? Just curious
I've been introduced to too many southerners and Midwestern people who think we gays are of the devil.
You can have hope but I hope your hope is based in reality. If Dems don't pick a straight white man next time they are doomed. (I'm also a woman, but a pragmatist.)
I love it here. I grew up in the southeast, it wasn't fun as a bi woman. https://jmeleepharmd.substack.com/p/split?r=76912d
So glad I can afford the cost of living ♥️🌈
sigh
Expand Congress to bring it closer to the number of representatives it should have. Enact ranked choice voting for all elections so no one wins with less than 50% of the vote. Overturn Citizens United. Expand the Supreme Court to the number of federal districts and enact an enforceable code of ethics. Make it illegal for any government official to trade stocks.
You’re on the right track, but as Pete said, restructuring is key.
A Democratic (or Committee of fed, state and local representatives?) must develop a Project 2028–29 plan to realize these goals — quickly — so all citizens can see actions and reforms being taken. Instead of corrupt politicians pursuing self interest, people can feel the effects of good governance working for the interests of all Americans.
Go Petey Go
Hugs to you. This old woman you don't know is on your side.
Thank you. Funnily enough I am an old (bi) woman now myself 🤣🫂
It's tragic that so many Americans have lost their humanity so easily. You're not alone. Millions you don't know or know you, know you are not the evil person they have portrayed.
Will continue saying what I always say - Pete is Always the smartest guy in the room!
Stanbury
I'm mot interested in your little world problems or revisiting Uncle Joe's & Krazy Kamala's failed term. Bye.
actually...Id love to hear an actual response from you dee that isn't just trolling. What precisely about the things he said do you disagree with? Fair elections? Politicians that have to actually work with each other and get things done because they are held accountable? Politicians that have term limits?
If Pete was a Republican..is there anything in there that you would actually disagree with? Nothing he said was "liberal"
Good questions.
Good riddance maga boy
Aw did your widdle feelings get hurt? 🤣
Don't be silly. 😆
Someone commenting this on someone's obviously distressed comment tells me all I need to know. 😘
Yes, we need major reform. Maybe we can start with ending Citizens United, reforming our tax system, expanding the Supreme Court, term limits for all electeds eliminating gerrymandering and the electoral college. That would be a good start!
🙏 Amen, Barry! Apologies for the overly long post. If DNC did their job, it wouldn’t be necessary.
Pasted below are suggested planks for November, amended by substack readers. Since there are nearly 50, each state has been randomly assigned one plank to research. If incumbents and candidates collaborate with laser-focus on just one issue per state, they can provide detailed timelines and budgets to the county at virtual conventions. If DNC has better ideas, let’s hear them?
(BTW, the assignments are random. Who knew AI had a sense of humor?)
We WILL have the country that was promised 400 years ago but it will require unprecedented cooperation, like Quincy Jones got when he made “We Are The World.” He posted a sign that applies here: “check your ego at the door.” Or emigrate. Like the celebrities who got rich here but won’t stay and fight.
1. Medicare for all, including mental health, dental, and vision. Assign to South Dakota.
2. Running water for all. Assign to Delaware.
3. Safe, affordable, adequate housing for all. Assign to Maryland.
4. Climate change course correction. Assign to Kentucky.
5. National “Annual Yearly Progress” educational standards that apply to all students: public school, private school, home school. Assign to Washington.
6. Nutrition and pesticides. There’s a reason why US wheat imports are banned in EU. Assign to Vermont.
7. Paths to citizenship and statehood. Assign to Minnesota.
8. Metric system instead of imperial measurements. Every country in the world has made the switch except the US, Liberia, and Myanmar. Assign to Arkansas.
9. Reading and math literacy. Assign to Iowa.
10. Maternal and infant survival (US has the worst rates among developed countries). Assign to Hawaii.
11. Restore DEI. My disability requires electronic communication (email or chat with a transcript) but legal teams don’t like written records. I have to surrender agency and assign a proxy to manage a credit card issue or schedule a mammogram. Disney sent me an email stating that they’re “phones only.” What’s next? Telling guests in wheelchairs to manage the stairs? Assign to Colorado.
12. Zero tolerance of corruption. Assign to New Hampshire.
13. Child care. Montessori is Head Start in Italy. It was invented there to lift up disadvantaged children. In the US, we’ve made it a designer brand that’s unaffordable for those who need it most and for whom it was intended. Assign to North Carolina.
14. Amend the 2nd amendment. Texas has more than 4000 gun deaths per year. FL takes silver with more than 3000. Together, they’re responsible for more than 17% of the 40,000 annual gun deaths in the US. The UK has 28. Not 28,000. Not 2800. 28. Their cops are unarmed. Everyone wins. Assign to Arizona.
15. FOIA restored without the loopholes. Assign to Oregon.
16. Enforcement of the laws, regs and court decisions that are on the books but ignored. Assign to Wisconsin.
17. Abortion rights enshrinement. Assign to Mississippi.
18. Marriage equality enshrinement. Assign to Florida.
19. Infrastructure investment. Assign to California.
20. Internet for all. Assign to Nevada.
21. We need to stop flushing drinking-quality water. We’re running out. Assign to Illinois.
22. Return the Black Hills. Assign to Tennessee.
23. Reparations. Assign to Louisiana.
24. Livable wages in decent working conditions, ideally in a union environment. Assign to Michigan.
25. End citizens united. Assign to Connecticut.
26. Inheritance reform. Assign to Montana.
27. Enshrine social security. Assign to West Virginia.
28. Reform SCOTUS and court system. Assign to North Dakota.
29. Campaign finance reform. Assign to Georgia.
30. Tax reform. Assign to Alaska.
31. Commitment to ethical conduct. Assign to New York.
32 Commitment to “truthfulness, transparency, and accountability.” Assign to Ohio.
33. Texas: Enshrine voting rights. Assign to Texas,
34. Outlaw NDAs. They were meant to protect secret formulas, not silence the voices of victims. Assign to New Jersey.
35. Join ICC. Assign to Missouri.
36. Restore the covenant of “good faith and fair dealing.” Assign to Maine.
37. Term limits. Public service is not for accumulating power and influence, it’s for serving the people. Assign to Indiana.
38. Mandatory service to by all citizens reaching 18 for two years in public works, AmeriCorp, National Guard, or other similar organization. Assign to Utah.
39. Prison reform. Assign to Alabama.
40. Free college or vocational training. Assign to Virginia.
41. Eliminate electoral college. Assign to Idaho.
42. End private equity investment. Assign to Rhode Island.
43.End tipping. It’s out of control and our global neighbors don’t do it. Assign to Pennsylvania.
44. Issue new SS numbers to each citizen now that ours have been compromised. Assign to Wyoming.
45.Animal Welfare Act. AKC “breed standards” require docked tails and cropped ears for some dogs. The US and Russia are among the only nations where cosmetic mutilation of dogs is legal. Global leaders Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI, France) and The Kennel Club (KC, UK) preserve breed standards without these cruel practices. We can do the same. Assign to Kansas.
46.Regulate contracts signed by—and conditions endured by—pregnancy surrogates. Assign to New Mexico.
47.Oklahoma: Regulate fine art industry to prevent money laundering and tax evasion naturalist.gallery/blog….
48.Other____________________
Nebraska: Collaborate with SD
Massachusetts: Collaborate with Delaware
South Carolina: Collaborate with Maryland
District of Columbia: Collaborate with Kentucky
American Samoa: Collaborate with Washington
Guam: Collaborate with Vermont
Puerto Rico: Collaborate with Minnesota
Northern Mariana Islands: Collaborate with Arkansas
US Virgin Islands: Collaborate with Iowa
I’m pushing my congressman to support a proportional representation election method. With that simple but profound change to our election system, so much of the gridlock and dysfunction can be broken and true progress on issues a majority of people agree on can be made, like the issues you mention
Absolutely!! What is the Democratic agenda!? Completing an Act Blue survey that ends with send money is deceptive.
I think Pete has his finger on the Democratic agenda: "lower costs, higher pay, and fairer taxes" all of which enjoy majority support among the voters.
Fixing our political structure is the most important thing this country can do!!!!!!
Pete, do you have any sort of plan about how we can do that?
I’ll look forward to hearing from you. Vivian.
Education of our citizens is imperative! Teach every child in the U.S. about government and democracy - a national curriculum, the same for every state. Emphasize how important it is for every eligible voter to vote.
RANKED CHOICE VOTING. Nobody who is currently in office will ever support it, because it threatens to break up the duopoly that is currently disguised as “democracy” in this country, and that’s how they all keep their seats, but it is crucial.
TERM LIMITS. For *all* elected offices. No more spending 20 or 30 years in the same elected position. Max three terms for senators, max 6 for representatives. Congress shouldn’t be lifetime career.
BAN CONGRESSIONAL AND PRESIDENTIAL STOCK TRADING. Congress should not be a place people go to get rich.
END. CITIZENS. UNITED. End dark money and super PACs and foreign and corporate donations to political campaigns at federal and state levels. Corporations and foreign actors will still find a way to influence politicians, but they’ll have ti do it through good of fashioned bribery, which can at least be prosecuted.
Term limits for Supreme Court justices, too.
So for justices, I feel like longer terms are in order. Making this up right now, but maybe a 20 year max limit, but forced reconfirmation after 5 or 10 years?
That's an excellent notion, let's make it law!!!
You can't make it "law", it would require a constitutional amendment. Current appointments are lifetime and so you can't force reconfirmation. You can get probably get around the term limit thing by letting them keep their titles and expanding the court to a greater number, where only the 9 most recent sit for a case, but you can't strip away a lifetime appointment without an amendment.
Despite how much I love Pete (#1 fangirl...), and think his prohibition joke is funny, that's not the world we live in now.
There are other ways to reform the court that would not require a constitutional amendment (yes, expansion, but other ways as well), that I ABSOLUTELY think should be pursued.
I hope that someday we can get back to a world where a constitutional amendment is no longer a joke, but until then, I want to see politicians propose good-governance ideas that DON'T require a new amendment.
Of course it's not the world we live in now. The world we live in now if f'd. That's why he's proposing these reforms. We need a Democratic trifecta in 2028 to implement them. First step to getting there is the Dems winning control of Congress in '26. Are you active in helping the Dems win?
My point is that there’s NO way to pass any constitutional amendments now, so we have to look at other reforms which, yes, means Dems winning control in 26 and 28
I guess I was just saying I would rather hear him talk about reforms that could be done WITHOUT an amendment, then implying that we can create one to solve current problems we have in this f’d up world
It’s great to be aspirational for the long-term, But every time he mentions a constitutional amendment, I just want to scream “Yes, but what are we gonna do NOW?!?”
Oy. There’s always someone happy to come along and rain on a lovely parade. Yes, we’re all well-informed, reasonably intelligent people here. We’re entitled to our fantasies. You really think any of that other campaign finance reform will actually happen? To limit the people who make the laws? Who would have to vote to limit their own ability to enrich themselves? Not a chance. I suspect the only way we’ll see real change is a bloody revolution or a civil war. To take off some heads. I figure that’s about even odds with amending the constitution again.
But we’re entitled to our wish-lists
Not necessarily - this is an interesting article, on how congress may not be able to remove the supreme court (and other federal judges) through term limits, but it does give congress the power to regulate them
"So long as the justices keep their jobs, salaries, and independence. Done right, term limits and an ethics code are constitutional." https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/supreme-court-not-imperial-congress-can-set-term-limits
Exactly my point… there are plenty of reforms we can do that effectively give term limits, but one of them is NOT forcing Supreme Court justices to get reconfirmed every 5 to 10 years. This would imply that if they did not get reconfirmed, that they would lose their job, which would be unconstitutional
We just pull a tRump and declare it's a 'thing'. Is it a thing? Yeah, now it is...
I know you are (half) kidding, but that's why everything he is doing will fall apart eventually (if we can keep our democracy long enough).
This is why we need REAL structural change that goes beyond Executive orders. Ditch the filibuster, make DC a state, reform the Supreme Court, if you can't get rid of PAC money without an amendment, make sure that every dollar donated is traceable back to a human being, etc.
Yes indeed! and then let's reform the structure of our economy. Corporations need a fiduciary responsibility to more than their shareholders. They need to have a responsibility to their customers and their employees. No longer the cheapest product at the cheapest price, but the best product available period.
The entire nation is actually a shareholder. Thus proprtional taxes.
Democratic leadership seems to be waiting for the Republicans in charge to mess up so badly that the Dems can win without giving up the big money or taking on the key issues. And the Republicans are cooperating. We must do better.
Indeed, we need to start with reforming the Democratic Party. Pete is one of the good ones but AOC, Warren, Sanders et al have been leading in the wrong direction.
Absolutely, sir!
I love me some Pete!
Democrats need to learn to communicate in confidence to the electorate on business and economic issues. Democrats have the track record on performance economically versus the republicans. The only way the Democratic Party takes back the reputation that matches their track record is not only pointing out how Kitchen Table Issues are important, but that they have the skills and are worthy of the respect.
Yes, eliminating the abuses caused by the Citizens United decision will go a long way toward beginning to change the system in a positive way. You've got my vote!
We need to separate from Israel and their endless wars. I believe you take aipac money, stop and then I'll take you seriously.
💯 % That should be at the top of the list of changes.
Return to the New Deal tax rates on the wealthy and corporations.
Spot on! I appreciate your views and wish that you could spread them far and wide
Firstly, You are my favorite politician right now, and I sincercely wish you a long and productive career, I do however have some critisizim that I hope finds you in the best posible way..
I wish people would stop using the phrase to describe the current atmosphere as "Kitchen Table issues" Stop looking to use buzzwords to grab attention. These issues are life and death for a lot of us in the LGBTQ+ Community. Treat it with the appropriate sense or urgency- Please. My rights to exitst, my trans nephews right to the same civil liberties as everyone else, treatment and safety are not "Kitchen Table Issues" and to call them that is reductive. Human rights of migrants, and the right to a fair legal proceeding and due process, the rights of brown people are not "Kitchen Table Issue". Teh attack on womans reproductive rights are not "Kitchen Table Issues" The supresion of black and brown votes, are again not "Kitchen Table Issues" we are passed this point. We've gone beyond this where civil liberties are being routinly violated and the saftey of marginalized communities and minorities is under seige. We need to achkowledge that, and we need to fight it in the strongest terms possible. Kitchen table issues are taxes and gas prices, and fixing the damn roads.. Choose your words with more care.
Impeach, Convict and INCARCERATE Trump and all his "comrades". That includes SCOTUS, all of them!
Wow. Pretty powerful.
How bout we let Trump finish out his term, only 30 more months. Then we have an election and half the country can cimplain about the outcome.
Why don't you and petey, timmy, joe, hunter, jill, aoc, rahsheed, husein, hakeem, chuckie, illhan. Gavin, harris, mamdami, all the muslim brotherhood, mikey, eliz, mayor bass- put your energies into new constructive legislation/ideas?
Why? Because you all are incapable of doing anything except criticizing, unpeaceful protest, impeding law enforcement. You are great at singing on the steps of Congress and singing at Detention Centers.
All these things, and more, are true. BUT, how do you get the OSS/CIA/IDF/KGB out of this situation? They’re just as corrupt as the billionaire elite who are writing policy for both Democrat and republican governments.
Kitchen Table Issues -- that's an over used Biden term that made me 😷 🤧 every time he spewed it from his mouth. Enough!
Call them kitchen table, pocketbook, bread & butter; Pete’s point is the same.
Agree... meaningless and overused term. Dems need to ditch all the consultants...
I do love how much Pete gets out and talks to voters... Listening to the people and trying to address real problems... this is what politics should be about, not focus-group testing language