"To learn who rules over you, simply find out whom you are not allowed to criticize." - Voltaire, philosopher (21 Nov 1694-1778)

With the end of the shutdown looming, we should take a moment to see how we got here. Real people are still being hurt as Democrats fight each other & the administration continues to fight against funding SNAP. It should remind us all how great the need is for change. (1/3)

"You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips." - Oliver Goldsmith, writer and physician (10 Nov 1730-1774)

Is no one else mad that the House of Representatives has not met in six weeks, the Senate can’t make a decision on the budget, and we’re still paying them while thousands of others go without? Not to mention travelers lives are being put in danger. www.npr.org/2025/11/05/n...

After last night’s results, Republicans should understand that Trump is not their way forward & Dems have to decide if Mamdani is theirs. Forward candidates who won’t be bullied by either party is the answer. Visit forward.com to see what a party based on decency, diversity & democracy looks like.

"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men." - Ella Wheeler Wilcox, poet (5 Nov 1850-1919)

I couldn’t be happier to no longer be NJ’s only woman governor. Congratulations, Governor-elect Sherrill, I know you’re going to do great things for our state! @mikiesherrill.bsky.social #Election2025 #NJ

The most exciting thing about tonight is that voters found their voices and remembered how important and how special our ability to elect our representatives is. #Election2025

Trump has been overseas for 15 of the shutdown days and then held a millionaire’s dinner at Mar-a-Lago when he returned, all while people were literally losing their food stamps as a result of his choice not to release reserve funds. (1/3)

"Power always thinks it has a great soul and vast views beyond the comprehension of the weak; and that it is doing God's service when it is violating all his laws." -John Adams, 2nd US president (30 Oct 1735-1826)

BREAKING >> In a new amicus brief, a group of leading scholars and experts warn that the political motivation behind the Justice Department’s prosecution of former FBI Director James B. Comey, Jr. is a symptom of a weakening democracy and a threat to the rule of law. statesunited.org/comey-amicus/

The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation...(1/4)

The demolition of the White House's East wing not only destroys an historic building, but also ignores all proper procedures. Trump’s proclaiming that this is his house (it's not!) & he will do as he pleases. It’s the clearest warning yet of what to expect from this presidency.

Please, President Trump, give Ukraine the missiles it needs. Putin will never agree to peace. You’re being played for the fool, and people are losing their lives because of it. www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...

Proud of these formal generals and military leaders for highlighting the growing danger politicized domestic deployments pose to troops and to the public: counteveryhero.org/wp-content/u...

I trust that the tens of thousands of people who demonstrated peacefully this weekend sent the clear message to all elected officials that they want to see them uphold our democracy and fight for the rule of law. #NoKings #NoKingsOct18

Why would anyone trust this administration when their word means nothing and we blatantly turn our back on people who will risk their lives for us? www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

Combined with Trump’s proposed changes to our immigration policy focusing on allowing only white visa seekers into the country, should we be surprised that this is the reaction when this is the message from the top? www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

Having attended the 1st No Kings, I can assure speaker Johnson that these protesters love America & want it to live up to its ideals. His baseless characterizations display his ignorance & that rhetoric will stoke responses that could easily get violent. www.politico.com/news/2025/10...

This administration is out of control. www.npr.org/2025/10/15/n...

"When small men begin to cast big shadows, it means that the sun is about to set." - Lin Yutang, writer and translator (10 Oct 1895-1976)

"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality." -Desmond Tutu, clergyman (7 Oct 1931-2021)

"It's said that "power corrupts", but actually it's more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable." - David Brin

Illinois & the nation have lost a truly good man. It was an honor to serve with Jim Edgar & to get to know him. He was one of those people who put service in the title of public servant & would do whatever he could to improve life for the citizens of Illinois. chicago.suntimes.com/obituaries/2...

"Once a country is habituated to liars, it takes generations to bring the truth back." - Gore Vidal, writer (3 Oct 1925-2012) It’s only too true and that’s why we have to elect people who will stand up to the lies - forwardparty.com.

"A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It is a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting & rashness & other signs of insecurity." - President Jimmy Carter

There is a government shutdown. We must do better. Our view.

Congress’s #1 job is to keep the government running. Instead, we’re stuck in another shutdown. Families pay the price while politicians play partisan political games.

Forward stands for solutions, not stalemates. America deserves leaders who do their jobs. #GovernmentShutdown #ForwardTogether

American voters should shut down the careers of politicians who accepted this shut down.

In a remarkable turn for a country historically known for its optimism, Americans now believe the crisis of division cannot be overcome--a crisis within a crisis.

"When I despair, I remember that all through history, the way of truth and love has always won. There have been murderers and tyrants, and for a time they can seem invincible. But in the end they always fall. Think of it, always." - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (2 Oct 1869-1948)

No wonder the American people don’t believe that either party is working for them. They're not. Now is the time to let our voices be heard, demanding better and voting for candidates who pledge to work for the people and not a party. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...

First of all, banning these words doesn’t make the problems go away. Secondly, the issues are serious and people should not be lulled into complacency by not talking about them. www.politico.com/news/2025/09...

And someone said this was a good idea?? www.nj.com/burlington/2...

Racism attracts attention when it's flagrant & filled with invective. But like all bigotry, the most potent component of racism is frame-flipping - positioning the bigot as the victim...this is a bigotry that does not name-call, preferring instead to change the subject & strawman. -Ta-Nehisi Coates

The money wasted, our top military officials being absent their posts - all for a pep rally?! Our military supports the constitution, not a particular president & should not be compromised by a hint of partisanship. This is wrong on so many levels. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

NEWS: Trump “third term” chatter grows. Take it seriously. open.substack.com/pub/treason/...

When are we finally going to protest against the thought police? Each one of us needs to take responsibility during election time & make sure we put in office candidates who will object to this kind of thing and stand for the rule of law and free speech. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

"Patriotism is like the love that a parent has for a child; nationalism is akin to believing that one's child can do no wrong." - Robin Givhan, writer and editor (b. 11 Sep 1964)

This violence has to stop. Charlie Kirk was engaged in a conversation with students and it doesn’t matter whether you agree or not, dialogue is the strength of our country. My prayers go out to his family, especially to his children who didn’t deserve to lose their father.

"If more politicians in this country were thinking about the next generation instead of the next election, it might be better for the United States and the world." - Claude Pepper, senator and representative (8 Sep 1900-1989)