Trump’s Tariffs and a Whole Lot More Mess, Part 1

Trump’s Tariffs and a Whole Lot More Mess,

Part 1

 

Despicable and Disgusting:

Trump’s 100 Day Highlights

 

Editor: I want to thank my friend Cate Hessel for allowing me to join her in trashing the Orange tinged monster that has manifested his bloated ass into our government.

 

By Cate Rees-Hessel with D.S. Mitchell

 

I want to talk about Trump’s disastrous first 100 days in office. His continuing attempts to destroy our democracy weigh heavily on the shoulders of our nation. This horrific excuse for a “president” displays his racism, anti-Semitism, anti-LGBTQ, and misogyny openly. 140 Executive Orders in his first hundred days. The Trump Administration has acted not only illegally but unconstitutionally.  His actions are intended to destroy our democratic institutions, slow down our economy, gut public education, roll back protections for public health and our threatened environment, in addition to putting health care and Social Security benefits at risk for millions of senior and disabled Americans. And that’s just the start. The Trump administration is impacting the arts, universities, scientific research, and cultural organizations across the country. He and his allies are running a game of bait and switch, look here, no over there. Overwhelm us. Nothing new, just unprecedented intentional chaos and absurdity and cruel lawlessness with the intent to overwhelm the system.  As more of us flow into the streets in protest of Trump’s disgusting agenda, I feel we are moving toward Martial Law; bone-chilling imaginings. Bone-chilling fear for those who dare to speak up, but we must speak up, before we can’t. This isn’t Russia, yet.

Despicable and Disgusting Trump 100 Day Highlights

  1. Trump was handed a booming economy per all the financial gurus and within 100 days of taking office Trump has tanked the stock market, started a trade war leading to tariffs that are predicted to raise prices on consumer goods, worsening inflation, the GDP now in a tailspin and egg prices skyrocketing. Russia and China don’t have tariffs, do they?
  2. Immediately upon taking office, Trump reversed President Biden’s $35 cap on insulin for seniors.
  3. Giving Elon Musk access to Social Security, Medicaid, the VA, and other legally protected records.
  4. Allowing Elon Musk to run our country while Trump himself is out playing golf.
  5. Massive deportation of innocent people, many with legal status or U.S. citizenship, being sent to foreign prisons without due process. We aren’t being shown proof of criminal elements being deported.
  6. Insulting and berating Ukraine President Zelensky, on national television, a man who has served heroically during his nation’s crisis, with ultimate dignity and compassion. Two qualities Trump has shown he does not possess.
  7. Having a judge arrested for not complying with “The Donald’s” racist agenda.
  8. Wasting money on a military parade (for his birthday!) in his self-created poor economy. An estimated $100M, plus post-parade clean up and repairs to damaged concrete and asphalt.
  9. For planning another run in 2028, when it is unconstitutional for a president to run for a third term. A man of 82, well into his dotage is not the face of the future.
  10. Disrespectful of Pope Francis’ memory – falling asleep at his funeral, wearing a blue suit, and walking on the sacred rug meant only for clergy. Never afraid to confirm his ignorance and social stupidity.
  11. Stripping funds from PBS and NPR.
  12. Outrageous funding cuts from the African American museum.
  13. Making moves to get rid of the Department of Education.
  14. Stopping funding for medical research at labs and universities across the country while exploiting a child who has cancer.
  15. Attacking Social Security with a horde of 20-year-old hackers.
  16. Attacking SNAP. A program that is good for the giver and the recipient. Farm to Hungry Americans. Such basic support for the needy in America is vital.
  17. Moving to defund the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which protects consumers’ food supply and keeps our food safe, as well as regulating pharmaceuticals. The absurdity of this action is beyond words.
  18. Continues to sell Made in China junk and is blasphemous in signing and selling the word of God for profit. Where are the watchdogs in Congress authorized to constrain this heathen?
  19. Defunding library grants. I love my library.
  20. Trump’s ridiculous, racist insistence that the Gulf of Mexico be changed to the Gulf of America. I saw a protest sign that called it the Golf of America with an AI-generated cartoon rendering of a bloated golf club swinging Donald Trump.
  21. Appointing a complete moron to fuck up the workings of the CDC and National Institute of Health (NIH).
  22. Taking away the funding for the National Suicide Prevention line – we need that service now more than ever before.
  23. Defunding DEI programs and threatening companies and universities that continue such instruction.
  24. Slashed funding for our colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning.
  25. Cut veterans’ benefits.
  26. His constant attacks against the LGBTQ and trans communities.
  27. Empty cargo ships from China, thanks to outrageous tariffs, mean no work for truck drivers, retailers, or dock workers.
  28. Made sure egg prices went sky high.
  29. Signed a presidential memo directing his Attorney General to investigate ActBlue in an attempt to silence MoveOn, a progressive political organization.
  30. Trump wants to be king in a country that never had one, by choice. His recent comment, “I run the country and the world,” is frighteningly sociopathic.

Don’t blame me, I voted for Kamala and Tim. But I’ll move over if you want to join the protests against this outrageous administration. We all must resist, resist, resist. We all must protest, protest, protest.  We all must join every march, sign every petition, vote in every election to come, and stand firm in our fervent prayers for impeachment. We are better than this, America…at least we proclaim to be.

Thoughts on 4/5/2025-HANDS OFF !! Protest

Thoughts On 4/5/2025:

HANDS OFF!! Protest

 

Thoughts on 4/5/2025:

HANDS OFF !! Protest

 

By D. S. Mitchell

Making Signs

The alarm woke me at 4 a.m. I was up and out of bed in a flash. I was excited. The protest was scheduled to start at 11:30 and I still had signs to make.  “RESIST MAGA,” “HANDS OFF!! EVERYTHING,” “Radio Free America, 2025” and “Musk to Mars”. The “Musk to Mars” sign was quite distinctive;  big, bold letters on a field of white. It was definitely my favorite. All four signs only took me a couple of hours with poster board and project markers, but I thought they made a big statement.

A Lawless Operation

Despite all my frenzied activity I was still mad as hell. The Hands Off !! protest was my first protest march since 1968. A lot has happened since those days. I’m now grey-haired, and older than the Ten Commandments, but I’m pissed off. I’m so pissed off I’d even called a couple of friends and we agreed to do the protest together. Strength in numbers. The Trump Administration is running a lawless operation out of the White House and I wanted to let those a-holes know that me and a majority of Americans want it stopped. I  could spend the next 1,000 words ranting against the Musk/Trump policies, but I won’t. Instead I want to tell you about my Hands Off!! protest experience.

Deep Red

First of all, let me make it clear. I live in deep red, Trump country. More specifically, Grants Pass, Josephine County, Oregon. Josephine County hasn’t voted Democratic since 1930 something.; that’s nearly a 100 years, it’s that red.  However, over the last month, as the darkness of Trump’s agenda has emerged, I have seen fewer Trump yard signs, some of which have been in the ground since 2020. Furthermore, there is a significant drop in the pickup trucks with the giant American flags and mammoth Trump banners parading up and down the main street of our little town.. That boiling pot of MAGA outrage seems is cooling, while the Dems and the Independents are blue with rage.

Fingers Crossed

There were about 500 people at Oregon Senator(D) Jeff Merkley’s Town Hall a couple weeks ago. I hoped the Hands Off !! protest would draw at least as many. I had my fingers crossed. While I worried about attendance, I also fretted about parking. With one of my gang in a wheelchair and me using a walker; ease of parking was a priority. With that in mind, we headed out about 10 o’clock and easily found parking across the street from the courthouse.  I high-fived my comrades and with help unloaded first the rollator and next the wheelchair and headed to the front of the Josephine County Court House on 6th street.

Drum Roll, Please

I was surprised to see such a large crowd an hour and a half before the scheduled event. It looked like people were fired up. I could hear the sound of a cow bell, a chorus of drum beats, and a megaphone shouting encouraging chants. People were flowing in from all directions, waving signs. The diversity was striking. The grievances many. There was a sizeable group of boomers, many like us using walkers and wheelchairs. I was happy to see a large turnout of all age groups. Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z; everybody was there.  There was also a sizeable group of young folks flying the flag of many colors.

Too Many Problems

There were as many concerns as there were people. Women’s rights, Democracy, due process, Trump’s Imperial presidency, DOGE, corruption, the reckless gutting of essential government services like Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans benefits. complaints. Despite the anger and outrage all the participants I encountered were respectful and even smiling and good natured, happy to be with a group of supporters and proud to be speaking out.

Democracy in Action

Peaceful protest is Democracy in action. We as citizens of this great democracy are expected to dissent when we see injustice. It is our duty as thinking, caring human beings to speak out. Right now, our country’s government is working against the many for the benefit of the few.  The Trump administration is a disaster for the average working person. It is critical that the citizens of this country express their shared outrage over the direction Trump and his cronies are pushing the country. And people are speaking up. They are making signs, putting on their sneakers, and hitting the pavement. I hope the White House is listening. We want no kings here.

The Few Against the Many

The crowd stretched about three blocks up and down NW 6th Street. From my vantage point, it was hard to estimate the size of the crowd. With that said, I would guess that there were at least 1,200 Americans on the street making their voices heard. This was a very well-organized and well-attended event. Organizers repeatedly stressed that the 4/5/2025 Hands Off protests would be peaceful and non-violent. Respect and tolerance was the organizing message, and the crowd did not disappoint.  At no time did I see any confrontations or disputes of any kind between the 3 Trump supporters and the 1200 gathered in opposition to him.

There is nothing more inspiring than taking action against injustice. Resist MAGA.

National Day of Action: 4/5/2025

HANDS OFF!

4/5/2025 National Day of Action

Elon Musk.

HANDS OFF!

4/5/2025 National Day of Action

By D.S. Mitchell

Chainsaw Maniac

If you don’t like what you are seeing from chainsaw wielding unelected billionaire Elon Musk, and golf-absorbed semi-retired president, Donnie Dumpster, then mark this Saturday, April 5th, 2025 as a National Day of Action. Nearly every community in the country has something planned. Whether young, old, big, small, male, female, able or disabled, each protestor is important and is needed. Time to rock their boat-and push back against the oligarchs’ brazen power grab. The 1% are bent on destroying services that millions of elderly, disabled, Americans depend on; SNAP, Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare, Obama Care, HHS, and the VA; to pay for their budget busting tax cuts. We can’t let this travesty continue. Last time I heard Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and their ilk already pay less taxes than the average secretary in America. If that isn’t an outrage I don’t know what is. It is time to push back against the destruction of federal agencies. and the firing of federal employees.

Shoes and Signs

Take a few minutes and look up the activities being held around your area and make a pledge that you will be putting on a pair comfy shoes, dusting off the old 2016 Resistance sign, and get your butt out on the street. Make your voice heard. You have power, but only if you exercise it. Time to protest the policies of the oligarchs and dictators. It is clear that this group of rich men are ready for an outright assault on our democratic government, our legal system, our economy, and our basic rights.

Schedule a Protest

As recently as Wednesday there were nearly a 1,100 protest events have sprung up across the nation, organized by a grassroots coalition of progressive groups and nonprofits. Organizers are urging protestors to commit to nonviolent action, and when necessary, to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who may disagree with them.

Hands Off!

How To Be a Lady and a Feminist

How To Be a Lady and a Feminist

How To Be a Lady and a Feminist

Editor: As Women’s History Month fades into memory, Cate offers another one of her tongue-in-cheek suggestion lists for the feminist in each of us.

By Cate Rees-Hessel 

 

As Woman’s History Month draws to a close, let’s talk about how a lady with feminist pride acts. I’m laughing uncontrollably as I speak those words. Of course, well-behaved women rarely make history, but there are feminine ways to take a stance. As the notorious RBG said, “There is strength in numbers. When fighting for what we believe, we should always aim to inspire and empower those around us.” and “Fight for things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.”

Fun is certainly okay; Gloria Steinem reminds us, “So whatever you want to do, just do it… Making a damn fool of yourself is absolutely essential.” Ladies should always have an excellent sense of humor. Shirley Chisholm told us, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair” (mine is pink). But remember, queens, we must always remain regal in any circumstance:

Tips on how to do it: 

  1. Unwashed is unacceptable for you or your clothes. Always be well groomed, bathed, shampooed, combed, with neat, clean fingernails and do not forget those toenails, you never know when you may have to kick off your shoes.
  2. Speak clearly and avoid trash talk, however, every now and again, an interesting word just might escape our perfectly glossed lips.
  3. Remember that everyone loves a lady – use manners in all circumstances; shrill screaming is not an attractive look for anyone.
  4. Intelligence is sexy; don’t act stupid or like a bimbo – it’s not attractive. Smart attracts smart.
  5. Dress appropriately – sexy does not have to be trashy. I have been told the sexiest outfit I own in a pale blue turtleneck sweater and perfectly fitted leggings. Plunging necklines are fine in certain circumstances, with proper undergarments, of course.
  6. If you are wearing a dress or skirt, please sit with your legs together – no one needs to know the color of your lingerie. Well said, sister.
  7. If you like those mid-thigh miniskirts, please wear panties and rise from a seated position carefully – extremely carefully.
  8. Keep your under and outer layers clean, free of stains, rips, and tears. I know there are a whole lot of torn jeans being worn everywhere, but, if you’re trying for a lasting impression forgo the ripped jeans and T’s.
  9. Accessories can make an ensemble, but it is important that they are appropriate and not over done. Twentieth century fashion icon Coco Chanel used to advise removing one piece of jewelry before walking out the door.
  10. This should not even need to be said, but here goes; never, I said never, make a play for another woman’s spouse or significant other.
  11. Ladies cover your mouth when you yawn, no one wants to look down your throat. Sneeze into your elbow, and cover a cough.
  12. “Please” and “Thank You” do exist in today’s world – use them often.
  13. Take care of your body: shave, use deodorant, and lotion. Have a skin care regimen – cleanse, tone, moisturize. If you need long term protection, there are now products that claim 72 hour odor defense. Oh, my.
  14. Mani-pedis can really polish off your look.
  15. Get dressed for that midnight ice cream run – never go out in your pajamas, robe, or slippers. Remember flat tires and stalled cars aren’t planned events.
  16. Ladies do not belch or have gastric disturbance in public – head to the ladies room. If an unfortunate noise escapes, please look at the dog and then skyward before suggesting a change of diet for your pet.
  17. Use excellent table manners: napkin on your lap, use silverware whenever possible. Gently pat your lips with a napkin. Finger foods should be consumed daintily, not inhaled. Never chew with your mouth open. Do not speak with your mouth full. Use the correct fork and avoid phrases like “Pardon my boarding house reach” – politely ask for food to be passed.
  18. A lady can be just a bit naughty – if it’s light and fun.
  19. Accept a compliment with humility; yet with enthusiasm – say thank you and flash that beautiful smile.
  20. Speaking of smiles. Take care of your teeth: brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings are extremely important. Utilize mouthwash and mints.
  21. Be an Elle Woods: “What, like it’s hard?”
  22. Take Gloria Steinem’s advice, “Don’t think about making women fit the world – think about making the world fit women.”
  23. Remember the words of Eleanor Roosevelt, “No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.”
  24. Feminist pride means holding your head up high and being heard…

OPINION: The Myth of Elon Musk

OPINION: The Myth of Elon Musk

OPINION: The Myth of Elon Musk

Editor: A version of this post came off the internet from “Lillian” who posted a version of this condemnation of Elon Musk on the social media platform X. Bravo, sister, let’s slap this SOB right in his criminal face. I personally support the  revocation of Musk’s U.S, citizenship and a fast flight back to South Africa for him. This guy is no American, in spirit or action. It is only because of the Supreme Court’s flawed and disastrous Citizens United decision that Musk was able to donate over $250,000,000 (!)  to re-elect Donald J. Trump. It is only now that we are getting a glimpse of what Musk’s money was buying. 

D.S. Mitchell

A Rich Cat

The myth of Elon Musk is fast collapsing. He is not a genius. He is not a visionary. He is not a creator, or a builder. He is just another rich cat playing us. His persona has been hyped for the last decade plus as the brilliant businessman, changing the world for the better with electric cars and cutting edge technology. Space exploration. The colonization of the moon and even Mars. As with many things that glitter, Musk is neither gold nor diamonds. Elon Musk is a fake and a phony. He has been given, or taken, credit for the work of others while burning through U.S. taxpayers money like a California wildfire.

Behind the Curtain

Musk didn’t create Tesla. He bought it. He didn’t invent SpaceX, engineers did. He didn’t create PayPal, in fact, the company fired his arrogant narcissist ass. Obviously, the reason he was fired was because he couldn’t work or play with the other billionaire narcissists at the company. He wasn’t out of work for long, however. Suddenly, he manifests as a contractor for the U.S. government, thank you SpaceX and Tesla. U.S. taxpayer’s have propped Musk up for at least the last decade and a half. OMG, our tax dollars are supporting his CHINESE car company.

South African Roots

Apartheid, was the name given to the social system of racial segregation created by the white-ruled country of South Africa. The system was harsh and deeply institutionalized and legally enforced. Musk grew up in apartheid South Africa. Musk, a rich, white kid, born into the era of apartheid, has a distorted view of human skin color. Clearly, Musk is unable to separate himself from his roots. Multiple lawsuits against his companies alleging discrimination and untenable working conditions by persons of color is concerning.  Is this really a man we want making decisions about Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and who those biases might effect? This guy and his family benefitted off the near slave labor of black miners at the South African emerald mines they owned.

Marketing Slut

Musk is not a brilliant scientist/environmentalist, he is instead a marketing slut doing anything to keep his face in front of the public, a certifiable attention addict; anything to get us to look his way, a man desperate for adulation. Every day Musk is tweeting far right conspiracy theories, picking cyber fights, and embarrassing himself and his adopted country. While true leaders lift up those in need, Musk, like Trump, pushes them face down into the dirt. While leaders innovate, Musk destroys. His sociopathic quest for attention and front page media coverage, will I’m sure lead to his eventual collapse. In the entertainment industry it’s called overexposure. The continuous media spotlight  on Musk has resulted in more than eye rolls; it has resulted in growing disfavor and rejection of the man and what he represents. There comes a point when merely a picture of the celebrity causes us to turn away. I have turned my back on Elon Musk.

Backlash From  the Street

Musk thinks he is above the law and public reprisal.  It’s apparent he thinks there will be no backlash for his destruction of the agencies that serve millions of people in this country. I’m done with secret billionaire clicks and their Supreme Court flunkies. Speaking as an American I don’t like what I’m seeing coming from Musk/Trump. The American public wants solutions, not hucksters and tricksters. Unfortunately, what we have is an unelected “surrogate”- “a sometimes U.S. President” arm-in-arm with the fat, old, tired, and psychopathic Donald Trump who can’t find the toilet paper hanging on the wall next to him.

On the Street

Tesla owners are being confronted on the street and educated about Tesla and Musk, often in less than glorious language. Crowds carrying signs and shouting insults are showing up at Tesla dealerships around the world; not just in the United States.  I feel it-people are emerging from the mind numbing shock of Trump’s election, asking desperately, “what can I do?” to stop the billionaire assault on the very structure of our government.

A Growing Out Cry

A new Resistance is forming. The dazed and shell-shocked opponents of Trump and his gang of modern day robber barons are finding their voices and stepping up their defiance. The crowds are growing in size by the day; turning out to protest the unprecedented intrusion into the very heart of our government. DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) led by Musk’s gang of youthful cyber hackers, all under 25, are looking at millions of sensitive records at the Social Security department, the VA, the Defense Department, the IRS,  Medicare, and Medicaid, with what intent?

No Good Intent

It’s clear that multiple agencies designed to help millions of disadvantaged American, going back to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt administration of the 1930’s-1940’s are under intense attack. Why have all the Inspector General’s been canned? These are the very folks that weed out fraud, corruption, and abuse. If this DOGE stunt was really about fraud, corruption and abuse, Musk should be working with the IG’s, not firing them. However, this should be no surprise, Musk was worried that several of the fired IG’s were investigating him and his companies. I don’t like seeing rich guys, like Musk, and our felonious co-president, Donald Trump, flaunt the law just because of they have fat  bank accounts.

Oligarchs and Kleptocrats

In a kleptocracy, corrupt politicians secretly, or not so secretly, enrich themselves outside the rule of law, through kickbacks, bribes, and special favors, or by simply redirecting government funds to themselves and their friends and associates via contracts and special concessions. This is the world of the Oligarch. We can’t  let their money and power intimidate us and those who will stand with us. What is emerging is a world wide struggle between the rich and the hordes of the poor. I can’t imagine anything that polls worse in America than the richest man in the world coming after Public education, your Social Security check, your VA healthcare, your Meals on Wheels, or your neighborhood Head Start.

What Can I Do?

I know you’re tired and I understand that you don’t think you can do another 4 years of protests. I want to assure you, we are all tired; exhausted in fact, but our democracy is quite literally in the crosshairs of the dictators. We can sleep later, what we need now is activism. Indivisible, MoveOn, 5Calls.org, democracydoccket.com, are all organizations that can help you direct your anger and focus on the goal to clean out the billionaires from our government and their Republican allies in the House and the Senate. I’m ready to start marching, hollering my head off, and raising my middle finger in response to Musk’s Nazi salute. Just remember that there are a hell of a lot more of us than them.

 

A Woman of a Certain Age: Political Edition

A Woman of a Certain Age :

                      The Political Edition…

 

A Woman of a Certain Age:

                     The Political Edition…

 

By Cate Rees-Hessel

  1. If you campaigned for Shirley Chisholm, you might be a woman of a certain age…
  2. If you know who Shirley Chisholm is…
  3. If you brought a folding chair to the table…
  4. If you campaigned for Mondale/Ferrara…
  5. If you’re not going back
  6. If you voted against Reaganomics…
  7. If you know what Reaganomics is,  just think “trickle down.”
  8. If you think President Biden is a hottie…
  9. If you think Donald Trump is a hottie, ewwwww – you actually need a comprehensive eye exam, at the very least…
  10. If you’re not going back…
  11. If you stood on street corners in the sun and rain to fight for ERA, reproductive freedom, going to bat for girls in sports…
  12. If despite your aches and pains, you are still willing to stand on street corners in the sun and rain again to fight for ERA, reproductive freedom, and girls/women in sports…
  13. If you can remember when women couldn’t get credit in their own names…
  14. If you voted for Jimmy Carter…
  15. If you’re not going back…
  16. If you subscribed to Ms. Magazine…
  17. If you know who Gloria Steinem is…
  18. If you’re old enough to be JD Vance‘s mother or grandmother, but glad you aren’t…
  19. If you thought we would finally see a women President after years of fighting for a female when Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris gave it their all…
  20. If you’re not going back…
  21. If you want your daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters to have equality and inclusion…
  22. If you quote Eleanor Roosevelt, Roslyn Carter, or Jackie Kennedy Onassis…
  23. If you think Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone…
  24. If you remember that awful day in Dallas when President John Kennedy was assassinated…
  25. If you’re not going back…
  26. If you were a founding member of NOW…
  27. If you remember Watergate…
  28. If ever wore a POW/MIA bracelet…
  29. If you are a “childless cat lady”…
  30. If you have ever been barefoot and pregnant, but your daughters and granddaughters are wearing shoes because you fought for freedom…
  31. If you ever declared, “we are young, good looking, we’ll be there”, and you’re empowered because you were there…
  32. If you’re not going back…
  33. If you attended Woodstock or Live Aid…
  34. If you participated in Hands Across America…
  35. If you never joined a protest in your youth but felt compelled to do so during Trump’s original term, please do so again…
  36. If you campaigned against the swimsuit competition in the Miss America pageant…
  37. If you’re not going back…
  38. If you supported Vanessa Williams when the scandal broke…
  39. If you thought Party Hearst might have possibly been not guilty…
  40. If you feel “Hell no, we won’t go” bubbling from your soul, because we are “NOT GOING BACK”…

You Might Just Be A Childless Cat Lady

You Might Just Be A Childless Cat Lady

JD Vance's comments about childless cat ladies is abhorrent.

You Might Just Be a Childless Cat Lady

By Cate Rees-Hessel

We need the childless cat ladies’ vote in this important 2024 election. Here are twenty-four reasons you might just be one of us ladies:

  1. If you realize your own worth, you might just be a (childless) cat lady…
  2. If you own adorable feline(s) and/or canine(s) and treat them like children because they are your furbabies, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  3. If you show your love for children in other ways: auntie, teacher, foster parent and so forth, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  4. If you understand the pain of infertility but still support reproductive freedom, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  5. If you hiss, growl, and instinctively put claws out when you hear the names JD Vance or Donald Trump, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  6. If you proudly support Momola Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  7. If you realize what a complete moron JD Vance is, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  8. If you love a good cat reel or meme, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  9. If you dressed as Catwoman at the last costume party you attended, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  10. If you support animal welfare organizations, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  11. If you recognize locker room talk for the abuse it is, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  12. If you can’t be grabbed – we have claws and we’re not afraid to use them, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  13. If you will donate kitty litter to the next Trump rally, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  14. If you believe in woman’s rights, equal pay, ERA, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  15. If you despise sexism, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  16. If you want the world to be a better place for all daughters, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  17. If you believe in sisterhood, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  18. If you read Cat magazine, not National Affairs, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  19. If the sight of the Donald makes you want to cough up a hairball, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  20. If you want all children male or female to thrive, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  21. If you are a Democrat, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  22. If you wish you had a ball of string to strangle the Trumpy Bear that’s been advertised on television, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  23. If you bought a Trumpy Bear for your cat to use as a scratching post or chew toy, you might just be a childless cat lady…
  24. If you can be a playful kitty when the mood strikes, you might just be a childless cat lady…

Come on childless cat ladies, we can meow with the best of them. Our votes count, our lives have meaning, and frankly we are as cute as kittens…

Why I Am With Her

Why I Am With Her

The United States is a bi-racial country. The diversity is what makes us strong.

Why I Am With Her

By Cate Rees-Hessel with Wes Hessel

 

The Democratic National Convention has been celebrating all week in Chicago at McCormick Place and United Center.  A sincere thank you to President Biden for all he has done to heal and restore our nation, as well as giving us our first female VP. I stand with Kamala Harris and can’t wait to call her Madame President, since we were robbed of the opportunity in 2016 when Hilary Clinton won the popular vote. We fondly remember the legacy laid by Shirley Chisholm and Geraldine Ferraro as we move forward with this year’s election.

I feel a great sense of pride that my city is hosting the Democratic Convention. Especially this week we ladies are featuring pearls and Converse shoes. Of course, we also have to watch where we walk – there’s glass everywhere on our streets from another proverbial ceiling being shattered… So for the 2024 election, here are 24 reasons that I am with her, our Vice-President, as our candidate for President of the United States:

  1. To save social security, I am with her…
  2. To protect children, I am with her…
  3. To protect women’s rights, I am with her…
  4. To protect reproductive freedom – not because I want to see woman have abortions but because I want to protect both woman and children, I am with her…
  5. To preserve the middle class, so everyone can live with dignity, I am with her…
  6. To protect health care, I am with her…
  7. To cut down on crime, I am with her, the successful prosecutor…
  8. To pass common sense gun laws and prevent violence, I am with her…
  9. To put food on the table and in the mouths of children, I am with her…
  10. To continue the work of President Biden, I am with her…
  11. To continue the work of President Obama, I am with her…
  12. To protect unions, I am with her…
  13. To protect basic human rights, I am with her…
  14. To bring forth affordable housing, imagine 3 new housing units in four years, I am with her…
  15. To govern as a democracy, not a dictatorship, I am with her…
  16. To protect education-not student loans, I am with her…
  17. To prevent predatory lending practices, I am with her…
  18. To eradicate racism, I am with her…
  19. To stop sexism, I am with her…
  20. To stop antisemitism, I am with her…
  21. To serve the American people, not big business, I am with her…
  22. To address climate change, not pretend it doesn’t exist, I am with her…
  23. To prevent a convicted felon from stepping back in the Oval Office that he never belonged in to begin with, I am with her…
  24. To stand up to the orange haired monster and make history once again, I am with the intelligent, beautiful, strong and compassionate lady, Kamala Harris, in 2024…

Once again, we are reminded of the words the late Helen Reddy sang best:

“I am woman, hear me roar

In numbers too big to ignore

And I know too much to go back an’ pretend

‘Cause I’ve heard it all before

And I’ve been down there on the floor

And no one’s ever gonna keep me down again

 

Yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I’ve gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

 

You can bend but never break me

‘Cause it only serves to make me

More determined to achieve my final goal

And I come back even stronger

Not a novice any longer

‘Cause you’ve deepened the conviction in my soul

 

Yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I’ve gained

If I have to, I can do anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman

 

I am woman, watch me grow

See me standing toe to toe

As I spread my lovin’ arms across the land

But I’m still a little embryo

With such a long, long way to go

Until I make my brother understand

 

Oh yes, I am wise

But it’s wisdom born of pain

Yes, I’ve paid the price

But look how much I’ve gained

If I have to, I can face anything

I am strong (strong)

I am invincible (invincible)

I am woman…”

So this November 5th, or sooner in many districts,  we need a blue wave across the nation, like we did in 2020. President Biden received then the highest number of popular votes in any presidential election in history, which removed Donald Trump from his desecration of the office. We must never let Trump set foot in the White House again; a convicted felon belongs behind bars.

Walz In With Harris

Walz In With Harris

Harris and Walz are igniting the Democrats

Walz In With Harris

By Wes Hessel with Cate Rees-Hessel

 

A Man of Service

 Our Madame President candidate has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walz to be her Vice Presidential partner. The two-term leader of the Land of 10,000 Lakes is also a retired National Guard veteran, a former factory worker, a high school social studies teacher and football coach, and a six consecutive term Congressional Representative. He is originally from the northwest part of Nebraska, then moved with his family to far north central Butte, NE, where they were closer to relatives, after his father’s lung cancer diagnosis. Mr. Walz would graduate from Chadron State College with a bachelor’s in social science education.

 A Teacher

After a year as an instructor in Guangdong, China, through WorldTeach, his first teaching job in  the U.S. was back in northwest Nebraska at Alliance. Here he met Gwen Whipple, a fellow teacher, marrying her in 1994. Together then they helmed an organization called Educational Travel Adventures, arranging high school student educational summer trips to China, until 2003. In 1996, the couple relocated to Mrs.’ Walz’s home state of Minnesota, settling in Mankato. Tim received his educational leadership masters there in 2001.

A Veteran

In the meantime, Mr. Walz had been in the National Guard since he turned 17. In 2001 he reached 20 years of service and intended to retire, but re-enlisted after the September 11 attacks. As part of Operation Enduring Freedom, he deployed to Italy with his unit for a posting as part of the European Security Force. Command Sergeant Major Walz was for a short time the senior enlisted member of his 1st Battalion of the Minnesota National Guard’s 125th Field Artillery Regiment. He retired in May 2005 with the rank of master sergeant.

A Six-Term Congress Member…

His 2005 retirement was in anticipation of his run for Congress. His decision to run for office came after he worked as a volunteer for the presidential campaign for John Kerry. In February 2005, Mr. Walz filed to run for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District House seat. In 2006,  Walz beat six-term entrenched Republican Gil Gutknecht  and was off to Congress. Tim Walz was the highest ranking (retired) non-commissioned service member to ever enter Congress.

Multiple Significant Committees

One month into his first term, Congressman Walz became a member of the Agriculture Committee, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. This required a special waiver from then-Speaker Pelosi, exempting Tim from the rule preventing most freshman representatives from serving on more than two congressional committees. Later that same year he added the Armed Services Committee to his responsibilities. After twelve years of service as a member of Congress, he was the ranking member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, where he was continually working hard for our veterans.  It was then that Walz returned home to Minnesota and throw his hat into the governor’s race. In 2022, he beat his Republican opponent by nearly 8 percentage points.

A Governor

During his most recent term as Minnesota’s governor, he signed into law bills which provided students with free lunches (a program he wants to make national), instituted universal gun background checks, codified abortion rights, and implemented free college tuition for low-income families. His policy positions have been described as ranging from moderate to progressive.

A Family Man

Personally, Tim and Gwen have a daughter Hope, who is a social worker for a homeless shelter, and a 17 year old son, Gus, who has, as they told People Magazine, “…a non-verbal learning disorder, ADHD and an anxiety disorder — all conditions that they call his ‘secret power.’” Mr. Walz has been a hunter since high school, and is a gun owner, but is a strong advocate for gun control.

An Awesome Vice Presidential Candidate

Walz is a stellar candidate for the office of Vice-President of the United States of America. We all need to strive to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz this coming November. Vote Blue.