The Struggle for the Soul of America: Wake Up, America!

Posted on August 23, 2025 by Author: Bruce Berlin

Donald Trump is quickly consolidating control over our country. By sending U.S. troops into our cities, working to restrict voting rights, appointing unqualified sycophants to fill critical federal positions, and demanding Republicans gerrymander Congressional districts, among other anti-American efforts, he is destroying our democracy and building an authoritarian regime.

While the hour is getting late, we still have the power to prevent Trump’s takeover. But that will only happen if the great majority of the American people Wake Up and Answer the Call to actively resist his march to autocracy.

Two upcoming events promise to be the biggest outpouring of opposition to date to Trump and his corrupt regime. On September 1, Labor Day, May Day Strong (https://maydaystrong.org/) is sponsoring the Workers Over Billionaires protest. Hundreds of organizations are partnering in this effort, including the AFL-CIO, Indivisible, the League of Conservation Voters, 350.org, the National Education Association, which is the largest labor union in the country, and the Action Center on Race and the Economy. Everyone is urged to participate in the Labor Day rally which will demand:

End billionaire influence over government.
Protect Medicaid, Social Security, and other worker programs.
Ensure fully funded schools, health care, and housing for all.
Stop attacks on immigrants, Black, Indigenous, trans people, and marginalized communities.
Prioritize investment in people over wars.

Make Billionaires Pay Blackout

It will take more than massive protests to take down Trump and his MAGA cohorts. Starting September 16, Black Out the System will launch a 5-day nationwide economic and labor blackout “shutting down the U.S. economy – strategically and peacefully – by removing our labor, our spending, our financial support, forcing the system to listen.” Groups in hundreds of cities are already working on this effort. See https://www.citizen.org/news/workers-over-billionaires-labor-day-events-climb-to-500-across-all-50-states/.

The movement is being “launched to reclaim power, restore justice, and unite citizens across all races, cultures, and classes.” See https://blackoutthesystem.com/ to join in this momentous strike aimed at businesses and the billionaire class that support the Trump regime.

Then, on Saturday, September 20, the economic blackout will culminate in a Make Billionaires Pay march to the UN in New York where world leaders will be attending the UN General Assembly and Climate Week. Similar protests are being planned all over the country and around the globe. (See https://www.makebillionairespay.us/.)

Spread the word. We need everyone to participate. Together we can rid our country of this ugly fascist malignancy that is strangling our freedom and our rights. Together we will take back our country.

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

A retired, public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.), the founder of New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics, a former U.S. Institute of Peace fellow, and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He can be reached at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Will Sen. Murkowski Help Save Our Democracy?

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Author: Bruce Berlin

President Trump’s first 100 days clearly demonstrate how corrupt, autocratic, and self-serving he and his Republican lackeys are. But there is at least one Republican senator who’s not onboard Trump’s train to infamy.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the four-term Republican from Alaska, recently admitted that “we are all afraid” of retaliation from President Trump if we, i.e. Republican officials, don’t go along with him. At the same time, the senator said she did not plan to stop speaking out. In fact, she explained that “I have to figure out how I can do my best to help the many who are so anxious and are so afraid.”[1]

I’m thinking we should all help her do just that. If she received a ton of letters from Americans all over the country suggesting how she could support her Republican colleagues who don’t like Trump’s efforts to destroy our democracy but are afraid to cross him. The letter might go something like this:

Dear Sen. Murkowski,

I want to thank you for speaking out regarding the fear that most everyone, including yourself, is feeling. The fear of retaliation from President Trump for criticizing or opposing him and his administration is widespread. I applaud your courage in refusing to back down in the face of the president’s threats. You have proven to be a true American patriot in your efforts to thwart the president’s autocratic conduct.

As president, Mr. Trump is violating Americans’ constitutional rights to free speech and assembly as well as our right to due process, among others. If we allow President Trump to continue his attacks on the rule of law and numerous other rights, the United States will soon become an autocratic state where no one will be safe from the president’s wrath.

Sen. Murkowski, as an independent-minded Republican senator willing to speak your truth, you are in a unique position to help save American democracy. But, it will require other Republicans willing to risk their positions, and perhaps their safety, to overcome the president’s autocratic efforts to destroy our democracy. So, here are a few things I hope you will consider:

Talk to your Republican colleagues in the Senate who feel as you do and urge them to speak out as well.
Meet with senators of both parties who you believe would be willing to work in a bipartisan way to deter President Trump’s authoritarian policies.
Organize a bipartisan caucus of Senate and House members to create a national campaign to save our democracy.

Time is running out to stop President Trump and his MAGA cohorts from overthrowing our democracy and creating an autocracy. I urge you to act quickly and do whatever you can to stop President Trump and save our democracy. I guarantee that the vast majority of Americans will have your back, and many of them will want to work with you.

Respectfully yours,

(Your name)

Please let me know your response to my proposal and whether you are willing to write to Sen. Murkowski and help build a national letter writing campaign.

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

A retired, public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is a former U.S. Institute of Peace Fellow and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He is also the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America. (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.). Contact him at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/us/politics/lisa-murkowski-trump.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20250419&instance_id=152901&nl=from-the-times&regi_id=72679230&segment_id=196312&user_id=51750e72d4988f5b891f2289251150c2

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Hands Off!

Posted on March 30, 2025 by Author: Bruce Berlin

On Saturday, April 5, a Mass Mobilization all across the country promises to be the biggest protest in US history.[1] Over six hundred events are planned in the US and across the globe.[2] Already, demonstrations are being organized in nine towns in New Mexico, from Taos to Silver City and Santa Fe to Las Cruces. (Plus Albuquerque, Elephant Butte, Gallup, Portales, and Socorro)

In Santa Fe, the Mobilization will begin at noon at the State Capitol.

The demonstrations are the latest effort to stop the brazen billionaire power grab by Trump, Musk and their cronies.

Its message is clear and strong:

Get your Hands Off our government, our economy, and our basic rights: freedom of speech, due process, self-governance, and more.

D. Earl Stephens, retired managing editor of the military’s daily newspaper, Stars and Stripes, urged all Americans to join the resistance now before it’s too late:

“We are in deep, deep trouble, and now would be a wonderful, necessary time to step in front of your favorite mirror and honestly ask yourself what you are willing to do to fight for our country’s survival… the damage he [Trump] and his party are causing are already at catastrophic levels.
Our air, water, earned benefits, peace, public safety, civil rights, and human rights are all under immediate threat…”[3]

What are you willing to do? Will you help spread the word and urge your friends, family, colleagues, even strangers, to get involved and join the Mobilization on April 5? Put this notice on your Facebook page and send it to everyone you know.

Cut out the small handouts below and pass them out to people you meet on the street or in a store. Spread the word.

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

A retired, public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is a former U.S. Institute of Peace Fellow and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He is also the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America. (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.). Contact him at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.
Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.
[1] https://handsoff2025.com/about [2] https://seattlemedium.com/global-protests-april-5-trump-musk/[3] https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/03/14/time-to-take-a-stand-in-the-streets-the-trump-regime-must-go/

The Struggle for the Soul of America: We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For

Posted on February 24, 2025 by Author: Bruce Berlin

American democracy is on life support. Trump, Musk and their Republican sycophants are doing everything they can to kill it and remake our country into an autocracy akin to Russia and Hungary. Trump is getting more cozy with Putin and now calls himself “the king.”[1]

In fact, there is newly revealed evidence that Trump has been a Russian asset since 1987. Reporter Craig Unger explains in his new book, American Kompromat, that Yuri Shvets, a former KGB spy confirmed on the record that Russian intelligence had been working Trump for decades. Shvets noted that Trump’s “most important characteristics (were) low intellect coupled with hyperinflated vanity.”[2]

While many Republicans will continue to stand by Trump, this latest revelation may be the tipping point for some GOP members of Congress, as well as many rank-and-file party supporters. They were already nervous about Trump’s siding with Putin over Ukraine’s President Zelensky. He has called Zelensky a dictator and accused him of starting the war with Russia, both of which are outright lies.[3]

Meanwhile, more and more Americans are finally realizing who Trump truly is and what he’s really about. The resistance to Trump’s unprecedented attack on our democracy is building. But it must grow into a massive democracy movement quickly before it’s too late. Nothing is more critical for thwarting Trump’s authoritarian coup than each of us getting involved in this movement now.

Last Monday on Presidents’ Day, an extensive national “Stop the Coup” rally brought a great number of Americans to each of the fifty state capitals to protest Trump’s efforts to wipe out our democracy.[4]

A series of boycotts are now being planned to demonstrate the power of the people and force large corporations and financial institutions to hopefully withdraw their support for Trump and his regime. (See https://www.yahoo.com/news/boycott-dates-upcoming-045900701.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall)

The first boycott, a national “24-hour Economic Blackout” on February 28^th, calls for all Americans to buy nothing for 24 hours, except essentials from small, local merchants, if absolutely necessary.[5] This will hit corporations where it hurts the most – in their pocketbooks – and alert them to the power of the people. Longer boycotts of specific corporations will reinforce this message over the next few months.

As the resistance grows, so will the chances our nation’s democracy will prevail. Robert Reich, professor of Public Policy at UC Berkeley and former Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton, recently provided 10 reasons for modest hope for beating back Trump’s authoritarian takeover. Among them were such good news as “Musk’s popularity is plunging” and the “federal courts are hitting back.”(See https://robertreich.substack.com/p/ten-reasons-for-optimism?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=365422&post_id=157206451&utm_campaign=email-post title&isFreemail=true&r=2saap&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email)

We, the people have the power to stop Trump’s coup. But it will take all of us.

Join the resistance. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

(Note: I will only be publishing my blog occasionally for the next several months so that I can complete my memoir, From Camden to Kathmandu.)

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

[1] https://people.com/donald-trump-calls-himself-king-as-white-house-shares-fake-time-cover-11683451

[2] https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/ex-kgb-agent-trump-russian-asset-mueller-putin-kompromat-unger-book.html

[3] https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5158569-trump-zelensky-putin-ukraine-russia/

[4] https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/us-trump-protests-1.7450890

[5] https://www.newsweek.com/nationwide-economic-blackout-planned-boycott-dei-changes-2029548; and https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/02/12/national-no-spend-day-economic-blackout-amazon-walmart/78410711007/)

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Autocrats vs. Democrats in the America’s Bowl

Posted on February 14, 2025 by Author: Bruce Berlin

Now that thePhiladelphiaEagles have defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in theSuper Bowl, the American people need to turn their full attention to the critical contest for the heart and soul of our country. At this point, the autocrats led by President Trump are beating the democrats for control of our nation by using executive orders and an ultrarich, reckless rookie, Elon Musk.

Tension is mounting as we get closer to an all-out constitutional crisis. Sometime fairly soon, Autocrats-in-Chief Trump and Musk are going to defy a court ruling in clear violation of the Constitution. Such a case will quickly land in the Supreme Court.

If the Court rules in favor of Trump, he will have the green light to be the full-blown fascist autocrat he’s longed to be. But, if the Court sides with the parties advocating for the rule of law, i.e., the Constitution, Trump may very well ignore the Court’s decision and continue his destruction of the federal government.

In fact, Trump and Musk have already been sidestepping the legal process in their firing of federal employees, including 17 inspectors general, a commissioner from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and anyone in the Justice Department who worked on the January 6^th case against Trump, among others.

The Democrats and the millions of Americans who believe in the form of government that has been the foundation of our country for 250 years are finally coming to grips with what’s at stake. We, the people, must defeat the autocrats and win back the hearts and minds of the American people. The big question is: What will it take to beat those who are on a fast track to fundamentally transform our country into an authoritarian state?

Time is running short. We must act with urgency. Trump’s radical moves to destroy our democracy must be thwarted soon before it’s too late.

Mounting a strong defense, the guardians of democracy have filed over 40 lawsuits that have temporarily paused many of the president’s initiatives that:

Revoke universal birthright citizenship,

Freeze trillions of federal funding, and

Strip away job protections from thousands of federal employees, and much more.

Pro-democracy forces are shining a light on Trump’s efforts that will endanger Americans’ lives by raising the costs of everyday goods and eliminating consumer protections against fraud, price gauging, financial predators, and scammers. Democrats need to focus their message on economic security and opportunity for working people and the middle class. They must make a strong contrast between their policy priorities and the Republicans’ main agenda of tax cuts for the wealthy and large corporations.

Still, only we, the people, can stop Trump from making America into an authoritarian state. A mass movement of Americans from across the political spectrum is building to thwart his attack on democracy.

On Presidents’ Day, Monday, February 17, a national “Stop the Coup” protest is happening in all 50 states.

(See https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/754402/)

On February 28^th, a national “24-hour Economic Blackout” will target major retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy. It is designed to demonstrate consumers’ impact and push for economic change. (See https://www.newsweek.com/nationwide-economic-blackout-planned-boycott-dei-changes-2029548; https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2025/02/12/national-no-spend-day-economic-blackout-amazon-walmart/78410711007/)

It will take all of us. Join the resistance. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

(Note: I will only be publishing my blog occasionally for the next several months so that I can complete my memoir, From Camden to Kathmandu.)

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.

The Struggle for the Soul of America: It’s Time We Take On Corporate America

Posted on October 6, 2021 by Author: Bruce Berlin

The Democrats are in a bind. If Congressional Democrats don’t come together and pass President Biden’s Build Back Better agenda, they will almost assuredly lose both houses of Congress in the 2022 mid-term elections. Every Democratic member of Congress must understand that not only is their congressional majority at stake, but also the success of the Biden presidency, his ability to win re-election in 2024 and democracy itself. It’s that simple.

And yet, the Democrats are finding it difficult to reach an agreement. A major stumbling block is the $3.5 trillion cost of Biden’s social and economic reconciliation bill. Progressives argue they have already reduced the legislation from its original $6 trillion and, after all, the expenditure is over a ten-year period. Nevertheless, Sens. Manchin and Sinema plus some moderate House Democrats strongly object that the price is still way too high. But are they truly concerned with the price tag, or are they just doing the bidding of their corporate sponsors?

One of Sinema’s main objections to the legislation is its Medicare prescription drug proposal to lower the cost of medications.[1] It’s no surprise that Sinema has taken this position. She has received approximately $750,000 in campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical industry. During her 2018 Senate campaign she repeatedly promised to work on lowering the cost of prescription drugs. But after Sinema received the industry’s generous donations, she reversed her position and opposed the plan to allow Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices.[2]

Manchin and several House Democrats who oppose the bill’s Medicare drug proposal also garnered very large contributions from the pharmaceutical industry.[3] The fact that 88% of all Americans support the Democratic plan to allow the federal government to negotiate lower prices on medications tells you whose interests these moderate congresspeople really represent.[4]

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. According to a new report, Behind the Curtain: The Corporate Plot to Upend Democracy, 20 corporations or industry groups have spent more than $201 million in lobbying so far this year that is mostly aimed at derailing progressive provisions in Bidens’ popular tax reform and spending package. They include Amazon, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Comcast, Facebook, FedEx and Pfizer, companies many of us patronize.[5]

The report issued by People’s Action, a nationwide network of groups organizing for social justice, and Dēmos, a progressive think tank, exposes Big Money’s crippling grip on our government:

“Rich corporations are fighting tooth and nail to prevent the American people from getting what they want: a government that works for everyone, not just a wealthy few. Their massive use of corporate power to frustrate the will of the people on an issue-by-issue basis is part of a larger anti-democracy effort backed by corporate America.

“As corporations seek to undermine the Biden plan’s much-needed tax provisions, historic investments in drug pricing reform, healthcare, housing, climate, and immigration reform, they are also attacking our freedom to vote. Many of the same companies combating elements of the Build Back Better proposal are also bankrolling voter suppression legislation.”[6]

We, the people need to fight back by attacking the root of the problem, corporate America. A massive boycott of a couple of these corporations just might get them off our representatives’ backs. These congresspeople must represent us, their constituents, not their corporate donors. Can we organize a large enough boycott of Amazon or FedEx to force them to stop lobbying against the public good?

Let’s give it our best shot. Spread the word. Send this blog to your email lists and your friends on social media. Encourage everyone you know to stop buying from Amazon or using FedEx. Working together, we can make a difference. It’s time to stand up for what’s right and in our best interests before it’s too late!

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.

[1] https://www.politico.com/news/2021/09/19/kyrsten-sinema-biden-drug-pricing-prescription-plan-512907

[2] Ibid.

[3] https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/pharma-democrats-bribery/; https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/joe-manchin/summary?cid=N00032838&cycle=2022&type=C

[4] Ibid.

[5] https://peoplesaction.org/behind-the-curtain/

[6] https://peoplesaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Behind-the-Curtain-final.pdf

The Struggle for the Soul of America: The Spirit of the Fourth of July

Posted on July 4, 2021 by Author: Bruce Berlin

It’s the Fourth of July, the birthday of our nation. We generally celebrate Independence Day as the day 245 years ago that the American colonies declared their freedom from British rule. But this year’s Fourth feels quite different.

This year many Americans are not celebrating. Rather, like myself, they are feeling disappointed, sad, even outrage. They are experiencing a great loss, the potential demise of our democracy.

Instead of celebrating, this year we are faced with the challenge of renewing our democratic freedoms, including our sacred right to vote. While the colonists fought the British for their right to independence, today we are called to fight for democracy and our voting rights.

The latest example that our democracy is in peril occurred this past week when the Supreme Court upheld Arizona’s restrictions on voting rights. Once again, the conservative court majority weakened the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits any policy that “results in the denial or abridgment of the right to vote of any citizen on account of race or color.” The court found that Arizona’s policy of invalidating ballots cast in the wrong precinct and its law criminalizing the collection of mail ballots by third-party community groups or campaigns did not violate the landmark 1965 Act.[1]

The great majority of Americans, however, disagree with the Court and the Republican state legislatures that are restricting our right to vote around the country. Sixty percent of Americans support making it easier to vote by enacting automatic voter registration.[2] Even more, 68 percent, favor HR1/S1, the For the People Act which would protect and expand voting rights.[3]

So, in the spirit of the Fourth of July, it is incumbent upon all Americans who believe in the principles of democracy to join the struggle to protect our right to vote. Around the country, we are organizing, rallying and marching under the banner of Deadline for Democracy. We are demanding that Congress pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore our democracy. Go to https://deadlinefordemocracy.org/find-event to find an event near you.

Here in Santa Fe, our rally will be held on Sunday, July 11 at 11 a.m. It will take place at 106 S. Federal Place next to the downtown post office and feature NM Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, and other speakers. For details, go to https://act.indivisible.org/event/local-actions/163343.

If there ever was a time our country needed all of us, it is now. Stand up for your rights. Be part of a Deadline for Democracy rally. Call your senators and congressperson. We must save our sacred right to vote and rejuvenate our democracy. This is our country. Make your voice heard!

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

A retired, public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.), the founder of New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics, a former U.S. Institute of Peace fellow, and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He can be reached at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.

[1] https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/supreme-court-upholds-arizona-restrictions-major-voting-rights/story?id=78182724

[2] https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/546166-majority-of-americans-back-making-voting-easier-poll

[3] https://www.newsweek.com/gop-opposes-hr-1-poll-finds-majority-republicans-support-election-reform-bill-1572166

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Retreat to Recharge

Posted on June 26, 2021 by Author: Bruce Berlin

As we are all quite aware, we live in very tumultuous times. From the deadly pandemic to the resulting economic suffering, from the insurrection against the Capitol to the outrageous attacks on our voting rights, all Americans have been undergoing an extremely distressing period in our history.

These events not only upset our lives; they disturb our psyches as well. We get so stressed that we can’t sleep. Or we are so anxious that we forget to do the simplest things, like feeding the cat or watering the plants. Or we’re so angry we lose our peace of mind.

During times like these, I’ve found it’s helpful to take a time-out. Recently, I did a three-day, solitary retreat at the Lama Foundation north of Taos, New Mexico. While I was there, I meditated, read, wrote in my journal, walked in nature, and contemplated my life’s purpose.

I realize that some may feel a three-day respite is an unaffordable luxury. But I believe even a day’s retreat or just two or three hours of stopping and reflecting can give one renewed energy to carry on.

When I returned from my retreat, I felt recharged with greater clarity about my life. So, I’m focusing on letting go of that which does not truly serve me now. I still believe it’s important to continue contributing to social and political advancement efforts. But I realize it’s essential as well that I balance my life by enhancing personal relationships and improving my spiritual practice. One supports the other.

With that in mind, I’m deepening my relationship with my partner and my community. At the same time, I’m working with the recently formed New Mexico Voting Rights Campaign. Our mission is “to bring together people of all political perspectives to defend our democracy through actions that both protect and expand voting rights and ballot access for all Americans. We demand every vote be counted, every voice be heard, big money not influence elections and electoral districts be fairly determined.” A tall order, for sure.

Most Americans of all political persuasions want to protect their voting rights. That’s why we’re inviting you and everyone you know to come together for a rally in conjunction with a national effort to safeguard our right to vote.

On Sunday, July 11 at 11 a.m., we will gather at 106 S. Federal Place, Santa Fe, just east of the main post office. Our esteemed speakers, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez and N.M. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver, are both champions of voting rights for all Americans.

There’s never been a more critical time to work to save our democracy. Your country needs you now. Come, join us!

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

A retired, public sector ethics attorney, Berlin is the author of Breaking Big Money’s Grip on America (See breakingbigmoneysgrip.com.), the founder of New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics (now RepresentUs New Mexico), a former U.S. Institute of Peace fellow, and the founder and former executive director of The Trinity Forum for International Security and Conflict Resolution. He can be reached at breakingbigmoneysgrip@gmail.com.

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.

The Struggle for the Soul of America: It’s Not Just About Trump; The Election is About Us!

Posted on September 14, 2020 by Author: Bruce Berlin

Donald Trump thinks everything is about him. And many people do believe the election is all about him. Afterall, every day the news is filled with another Trump lie or political gambit made for the purpose of advancing his re-election.

Most recently, we learned from Bob Woodward’s new book, Rage, that Trump admitted he downplayed the coronavirus despite knowing the dangers it posed. He defended his decision stating he did not want to cause a panic among the American people.[1] But, Trump followed his deception with more unfounded claims that the coronavirus would disappear before summer.[2] Fearing the spreading virus would hurt his re-election prospects, Trump toned down the looming threat rather than taking steps to protect the American people.

Clearly, Trump’s performance as president is a major factor in the November election. Has he done a good enough job to deserve a second term? Or, is Trump so corrupt and dishonest that he must be rejected on election day? Most Americans have strong opinions, one way or another, about this.

What kind of country do we want to live in?

But I believe the election is really about us, “We, the people.“

What kind of country do we want to leave to our children and grandchildren?

And, most importantly, what are we willing to do, to sacrifice, right now to ensure that the United States survives as a democracy that represents and serves all the people?

In other words, what will we do between now and November 3 in answering these questions? We can sit on the sidelines, saying we can’t do anything that will really make a difference. Or, we can work to make sure we have a government that represents us and our interests?

If your answer is, get to work, I want to reiterate what I said in my last post. It’s that important. (See https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/.) I explained how average voters like you and me could have a true impact on the outcome of the election by engaging in Political Moneyball. That is a method of leveraging the power of small donors and/or a relatively small number of voters.[3] If you haven’t read last week’s blog post, I encourage you to go back and check it out.

According to Princeton Prof. Sam Wang’s Moneyball 2020 approach, our efforts in the presidential race would have the most impact in Nevada, Arizona and North Carolina. Plus, Senate races where we can make a big difference are in Alaska, South Carolina and Kansas.[4] Volunteer to make phone calls or give a donation in these races.

Turnout 2020 (https://www.mobilize.us/turnout2020/)
Let America Vote (https://letamericavote.org/)
North Carolina Democratic Party (https://www.ncdp.org/)

Arizona Advocacy Network (https://www.azadvocacy.org/)
Nevada Democratic Party (https://nvdems.com/)
Jaime Harrison for Senate (https://jaimeharrison.com/)
Bollier for Senate (https://bollierforkansas.com/)
Bullock for Senate (https://stevebullock.com/)
Vote Save America (https://votesaveamerica.com/)

Make a date. Put it on your calendar for this week to contact one or more of these organizations where your support could alter the outcome in a critical campaign:

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

Make a date. Put it on your calendar for this week to contact one or more of these organizations where your support could alter the outcome in a critical campaign:

Subscribe to this blog at https://breakingbigmoneysgrip.com/my-blog-3/. Join the movement to revive our democracy. Together we can save the soul of America.

[1] https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/09/trump-bob-woodward-book-411225

[2] https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/04/28/yet-again-trump-pledges-that-coronavirus-will-simply-go-away/?arc404=true

[3] https://www.rawstory.com/2020/08/dont-waste-your-money-trying-to-beat-mitch-mcconnell-play-democracy-moneyball-instead/

[4] https://election.princeton.edu/2020/08/09/whats-more-important-than-a-presidential-probability/

The Struggle for the Soul of America: It’s the Fourth Quarter

Posted on August 28, 2020 by Author: Bruce Berlin

The fanfare of the national conventions is over. We’re now entering the fourth quarter. The game – the most important election of our lifetime — is on the line.

So much is riding on the outcome of November’s election. From the survival of our democracy to our ability to confront climate change to racial justice to conquering the coronavirus and saving tens of thousands of lives, and more. It’s mind-boggling!

Time to bring in the A team. And, that’s all of us.

Are you ready to get out there and give it your all? Because that’s what it’s going to take to beat this corrupt president and his enablers. We know what we are up against: Trump and a Republican Party that will lie, cheat and do just about anything to win and remain in power.

It’s time we played offense. We can’t just keep defending the USPS or our right to vote, or whatever Trump decides to attack tomorrow. We need to work together to fix our election process and guarantee the right to vote for all Americans.

LeBron James, the star of the Los Angeles Lakers, has the right idea. First, he launched the More Than A Vote coalition (https://www.morethanavote.org/) to combat systemic, racist voter suppression by educating, energizing and protecting the Black vote. One of the organization’s initiatives is creating safe, socially distanced voting precincts in cities with large minority populations by working with owners of stadiums and arenas to open their sites for voting this fall.[1]

Most recently, James is helping spearhead a multimillion-dollar effort to recruit poll workers in Black electoral districts ahead of November’s elections. The project focuses on attracting poll workers through a paid advertising campaign and a corporate partnership program that encourages employees to volunteer.[2]

James and his team are asking all of us to help by volunteering to work the polls on Election Day. He’s encouraging everyone to help educate, energize and protect Black voters however we can.

Another way to get involved is by working with a voters’ rights organization like When We All Vote (https://www.whenweallvote.org/) in the most vulnerable communities. When We All Vote is a non-partisan group launched in 2018 by co-chairs Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.[3] Its mission is to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and working in strategic partnerships to reach every American.

A final course of action, one that I’m choosing, is to work in one of the battleground states where the election is likely to be decided. This year there are as many as eleven states up for grabs, including two of New Mexico’s neighbors, Arizona and Texas.[4] With your phone and computer, you don’t even have to leave home to make a difference. If you want to make calls to voters in swing states, here’s a link to sign up: https://www.mobilize.us/dailykos/event/291103/?link_id=1&can_id=2f6a8fdbd4b45d218a8ceaf1fe99a47a&source=email-re-humiliate-trump-make-national-phone-calls-to-voters-in-battleground-states&email_referrer=email_904518&email_subject=re-humiliate-trump-make-national-phone-calls-to-voters-in-battleground-states

The fourth quarter clock is starting. Grab your phone and your computer and get in the game of our lives. Together we can win this election for democracy!

Bruce Berlin, J.D.

[1] https://theundefeated.com/features/more-than-a-vote-a-letter-to-fans-to-fight-black-voter-suppression/

[2] https://fox59.com/news/politics/lebron-james-helps-launch-multimillion-dollar-effort-to-recruit-poll-workers-ahead-of-elections/

[3] https://www.whenweallvote.org/

[4] https://electoralvotemap.com/2020-battleground-states/