UN-INFORMED & MIS-INFORMED

When you see the number of people who voted for the Dumpster (DJT) in 2024 one might be tempted to ask, ‘Are they stupid?’ The answer is ‘Not really.’ 

Millions of people were intentionally un-informed and mis-informed by the design of Elon Musk and the republican party. 

·     Say you were concerned about making the rent and buying food, you were told that Biden was to blame for high prices and DJT would immediately lower prices. No one on FOX, X, and hate media mentioned that DJT’s tariffs would mean higher prices for everyday consumers.

·     Perhaps you were worried about your white son’s unemployment or low-paying work. You were told it was because Democrats were prioritizing jobs for people who are different from him – Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) hires. Don't worry, Apprentice TV star DJT would fire or deport them. No one mentioned that DJT bankrupted every business he ever touched.

·     If you were religiously inclined against planned families and personal choice abortion, you were told felon and serial sex offender DJT was your saint! Really?!!!

But, in the short time since Trump was inaugurated, he has proven that he is unwilling and incapable of doing anything but abuse his power to enrich himself, promote division, and thumb his nose at the Constitution.

With costs too high for housing, groceries, children, and utilities, now is the time to reach out and INFORM those who were un-informed and mis-informed. This is the task of each of us who believe democracy (everyone has a choice) is preferred to oligarchy (rule by a few rich men) and authoritarianism (rule by one white man propped up by sub-servants).

Last week I pulled together notes to create a
BE THE RESISTANCE message board.

Here are some talking points.

Democrats Campaign Goals
CONTROLLING RENT       BREAKING UP MONOPOLIES    MINIMUM WAGE

Hakeem Jeffries’ 10-Point Plan Includes
PROTECT AMERICAN SOCIAL SECURITY PRIVACY          
DEFEND MEDICARE         
HIGHLIGHT HOW GOP IS RAISING COST OF LIVING         
BRING TRANSPARENCY & PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY

Democrats Defending Democracy        
LITIGATION Attorney Generals in 14 states, (including AZ, MI, RI) filed cases saying DOGE is unconstitutional.
APPROPRIATIONS Highlight and fight the GOP’s tax breaks for the rich and powerful.
*COMMUNICATION* Take on the MAGA spin machine and get Americans the truth about Trump’s destructive plans for our nation.

Most Important Race Now – Wisconsin Supreme Court
APRIL 1 – Fair Maps Are at Stake
SUSAN CRAWFORD vs BRAD SCHIMEL (for whom Elon Musk is pouring in money)

Important Michigan State Senate Race in May
Will determine balance of power in state senate.

BE A RESISTANCE BOOSTER

Let people know how Trump and Musk are stoking inflation, undermining our freedom, looting the public purse for private gain, and destroying our government’s capacity to meet the needs of everyday Americans. 

Pay attention to a growing surge of independent and alternative media. For example, Paul Krugman quit New York Times and went to Substack. Jen Psake started a Monday and Tuesday podcast in which she interviews a wide swath of informed persons.

Share with others when you see or read about signs of the growing resistance:

. 20,000 enraged citizens attended a GOP house representative’s online town hall in a district that went overwhelmingly for Trump.

. in Roswell, GA, Republican Rep Rich McCormick was booed at a town hall for association with DOGE. He won in November with over 60% of the vote. 

. Demonstrations are on the rise across the country, especially related to TESLA. Boycotts are planned for Feb 28 to protest Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and others for abandoning DEI. 

SUPPORT US HOUSE RACES 

GOP’s tiny majority means House Democrats are the firewall against Trump’s Project 2025 agenda of corruption, chaos, and cruelty.

JOSH WEIL FL 06 Special election April 1. Josh is committed to solving real problems for hardworking families, seniors, and small businesses. 
GAY VALIMONT FL 01 Special election April 1. Community organizer running for Matt Gaetz seat.
DENNIS BAKER OK 71 JUNE 10 Special Election Dennis is fighting for jobs that pay a living wage, good public schools, and access to health care for all.
BLAKE GENDEBIEN NY Potential Special Election Dairy farmer runs for Rep. Elise Stefanik's (R-NY) seat.
ELIJAH MANLEY FL 20 Young Substitute Teacher vs ethics violator.
JO MENDOZA AZ O6 Marine veteran is a lifelong servant leader - tested and ready to tackle rising costs and put AZ families first.  
REBECCA BENNETT NJ 07 US Navy veteran and nationally recognized healthcare business leader.

History is on Democrats side: in the last five midterm elections, the party NOT in the White House has gained between nine and 63 seats.

Yes We Can! LiDoña Wagner 2014

BE THE RESISTANCE

On Wednesday, the 5^th of February 2025, thousands of enraged citizens rallied in 50 state capitals (and other centers) calling for the protection of our democracy by removing Elon Musk from access to our national government and holding Donald J Trump accountable for treason. 

That night Democratic senators filibustered the nomination of Russel Vought - the architect of Project 2025’s plan to dismantle the US government - to lead the Office of Management & Budget. Before being confirmed later by Republican senators, Vought and Musk were responsible for the illegal holdup of funds owed to everyday citizens.

Pieced Teapot 
by Catherine McCall Marsh

THE POWER OF THE PURSE – Quit Amazon

You have the freedom to choose what to buy. Sellers use all sorts of enticements to convince you to spend your hard-earned money on their products. During the pandemic, one such enticement was to make their products available through Amazon, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos. You may have made using Amazon a habit to get your desired items, unaware that you were crushing local merchants and disrupting your local economy.

Across the country, communities have begun resisting the establishment of Bezos-owned Amazon warehouses. Initially providing low-paying jobs in local areas, such warehouses not only eliminate small businesses, but they also refuse to allow labor unions which promote higher wages and benefits.

You have the capacity to resist and diminish the power of the billionaires trying to take control of our democracy. STOP USING AMAZON and Whole Foods (owned by Amazon). Stiff Jeff Bezos by shopping at local grocers. Stand up for farmers and local business by exercising your Power of the Purse. 

Path of the Healing Circle
by Catherine McCall Marsh

THE POWER OF YOUR VOICE – Leave Google

You have the freedom to choose your media providers which make communication with friends and colleagues easier than snail mail and provide access to multiple sources of news. Remember how local bars and restaurants gave media dominance to FOX media owned by billionaire Rupert Murdoch. And Google became the dominant search engine, making money by selling high priced ads and flooding you with advertisements.

Recently GOOGLE reversed its Diversity, Equity, Inclusion policies, sucking up to Elon Musk and our lunatic president. But you don’t have to use Google when you need information; there are other search engines. If you care about the freedom of all Americans and the pluralistic culture that has made our country great, you can call out Google’s white racism by shifting to another search provider. One such alternative is DuckDuckGo, partially owned by Yahoo and Firefox. 

If you started using Facebook to connect with your grandchildren, they don’t use it anymore. So why are you? Moreover Mark Zuckerberg, billionaire owner of Facebook and Instagram, will no longer fact check and remove false postings.

 Known by Tracks We Leave
by Catherine McCall Marsh

THE POWER OF YOUR VOTE – Support Resistance Candidates

You can adapt, change, and find a better way of doing things. You have done it before - after a move, divorce, job shift, or health challenge. You have control over your values-based actions. The recent disruption of USAID has awakened some Evangelicals to their humanitarian values. Others are shocked by empty pews because their immigrant members are afraid to attend church.

Everything I’ve said so far is to remind you of your resilience.Through exercising your adaptability and humanity, you demonstrate your power to take charge within the chaos and confusion created by the GOP’s intentional use of racism, money, and religion to separate us. 

22 GOP Senators Up for Re-Election in 2026.

Tommy Tuberville/ ALABAMA; Daniel S. Sullivan / ALASKA; Tom Collins /ARKANSAS; Open /FLORIDA; Jim Risch / IDAHO; Joni Ernst / IOWA; Roger Marshall /KANSAS; Mitch McConnell / KENTUCKY; Bill Cassidy / LOUISIANA; Susan Collins / MAINE; Cindy Hyde-Smith / MISSISSIPPI; Steve Daines / MONTANA; Pete Rickets / NEBRASKA; Thom Tillis / NORTH CAROLINA; Open / OHIO; Mark Wayne Mullen / OKLAHOMA; Lindsey Graham / SOUTH CAROLINA; Mike Rounds / SOUTH DAKOTA; Bill Haggerty / TENNESSEE; John Cornyn /TEXAS; Shelley Moore Capito / WEST VIRGINIA; Cynthia Lummis /WYOMING

Let’s stand strong to refresh our democracy 

and make it stronger. 

 YEAR OF THE WOOD SNAKE

On January 29 we welcome the year of the WOOD SNAKE, a period of growth, transformation, and resourcefulness. 

Embroidered snake by Indian artist

The time from Jan 29 through Feb 12 is a period for the United States to shed the 50-year-old skin of white racist narrow-minded profit-centered thinking represented by MAGA (out front and hidden) Republicans. 

Snake Shedding Skin 2025 LiDoña Wagner

2025 is a year for people with all the signs on the Chinese zodiac to grow a new skin that embraces introspection, encourages future-oriented planning, and nurtures healthy, reciprocal relationships.

The Color Blue 2025 LiDoña Wagner

The color for the Wood Snake is BLUE, fostering clarity, deliberative decision-making, and seizing new opportunities for forging stronger connections with those committed to global peace. PURPLE, a closely related color, aids in nurturing wisdom and intuition, fostering humane and future-oriented decision making. 

Transformation Is A Choice 2025 LiDoña Wagner

2025 is an opportunity for all those who care to embrace introspection, thoughtful planning, and to nurture hope-filled relationships.

Possibility Is Everywhere 2025 LiDoña Wagner

Happy New Year 

Transformation LiDoña Wagner 2024

May 2025 be filled with

the Light of Hope

Seeds of Renewal

the Fragrance of Possibility

Solstice Greetings

Light Over Darkness LiDoña Wagner 2024

 New Moon’s Light

Opening once again

Across time and space

Through bone and blood

To the base of a tree

Where a nest of eggs 

Sheltered and hidden

Beneath moon’s surreal light

Holds seeds of promise

Light Over Darkness (center) LiDoña Wagner 2024

SOLSTICE GREETINGS

Tree of Past Solstice Greetings

MAY YOUR HEART BE FILLED 

WITH THE LIGHT OF HOPE

SAVE THE PLANET

Save the Planet LiDoña Wagner 2024
Thousands of small actions taken by individuals
all over the world will protect the future home of humanity.

Electric Vehicle Charging

by Doug Lord

Two years ago, we bought a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt. It’s an all-electric car (EV), as opposed to a hybrid that also uses gas. After driving around Eugene for around 2 years, with one trip to Portland, we decided to take a longer trip to Northern California. This was way beyond the range of our car’s battery and required using charging stations.

 

Usually, we charge in our garage at night, using the cable that comes with the Bolt, which works with both 110 and 220 household current. The 220 takes about 7 hours for a full charge, the 110 takes days. Our battery is supposed to have 259 miles of range when fully charged, but generally it won’t go above 240. This limitation gives rise to range anxiety, a common malady among EV drivers. This condition is manageable while driving near home but can be serious when on long trips. The cure on those trips is careful advance planning, which can be done using the phone.

 

There are many apps available, and my favorites for the California trip were PlugShare, which directs you to charging stations along the route regardless of the make (there are many providers of stations), and Electrify America (EA), a provider which is prevalent along I5 corridor. So, first I went to PlugShare and created a “trip,” which involves looking at a map and selecting stations along the route. Most of these on the CA route are run by EA and are located at large retailers like Walmart and Fred Meyer. 

 

On this trip, we successfully used stations in Ashland, OR, Redding and Roseville, CA. The EA app tells you if any of their terminals is available, and if it is, you just remove the pump cable, plug it in your car, and you get fast charging. In our Bolt, which is relatively slow, it took more than an hour to charge up each time - time you can use to take advantage of the Walmart bathroom and for eating lunch. 

 

In all, we had good luck. We usually found an available charger at our planned locations, and it didn’t rain on us. The good news is that there’s lots of money in the Federal Infrastructure bill for more stations, and the newer cars have more range and are faster charging.

 

Save the Planet!

Vice President Kamala Harris

An Inspirational Woman of Character

GRADITUDE   So let me say my heart is full today. My heart is full today. Full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. Full of love for our country and full of resolve.

The outcome of this election is not what we wanted, not what we fought for, not what we voted for, but hear me when I say - hear me when I say the light of America's promise will always burn bright as long as we never give up and as long as we keep fighting.

To my beloved Doug and our family, I love you so very much. To President Biden and Dr. Biden, thank you for your faith and support. To Governor Walz and the Walz family, I know your service to our nation will continue. And to my extraordinary team, to the volunteers who gave so much of themselves, to the poll workers and the local election officials, I thank you. I thank you all.

Lotus Blossom (Kamala) Steps into Her Power LiDoña Wagner 2024

FAITH   Look, I am so proud of the race we ran and the way we ran it - and the way we ran it. Over the 107 days of this campaign, we have been intentional about building community and building coalitions, bringing people together from every walk of life and background, united by love of country with enthusiasm and joy in our fight for America's future. And we did it with the knowledge that we all have so much more in common than what separates us.

Now I know folks are feeling and experiencing a range of emotions right now. I get it. But we must accept the results of this election.

Earlier today, I spoke with President-elect Trump and congratulated him on his victory. I also told him that we will help him and his team with their transition and that we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power. A fundamental principle of American democracy is that when we lose an election, we accept the results. That principle, as much as any other, distinguishes democracy from monarchy or tyranny and anyone who seeks the public trust must honor it. At the same time in our nation, we owe loyalty not to a president or a party but to the Constitution of the United States and loyalty to our conscience and to our God. My allegiance to all three is why I am here to say while I concede this election, I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign. The fight for freedom, for opportunity, for fairness and the dignity of all people. A fight for the ideals at the heart of our nation, the ideals that reflect America at our best. That is a fight I will never give up. I will never give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, ambitions and aspirations. Where the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body without a government telling them what to do.

An Opportunity Economy LiDoña Wagner 2024

We will never give up the fight to protect our schools and our streets from gun violence. And America, we will never give up the fight for our democracy, for the rule of law, for equal justice and for the sacred idea that every one of us, no matter who we are or where we start out, has certain fundamental rights and freedoms that must be respected and upheld.

And we will continue to wage this fight in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square. And we will also wage it in quieter ways in how we live our lives, by treating one another with kindness and respect. By looking in the face of a stranger and seeing a neighbor. By always using our strength to lift people up, to fight for the dignity that all people deserve. The fight for our freedom will take hard work, but like I always say, we like hard work. Hard work is good work, hard work can be joyful work and the fight for our country is always worth it. It is always worth it.

HOPE   To the young people who are watching, it is okay to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it's gonna be okay. On the campaign I would often say, when we fight we win. But here's the thing.

Here's the thing. Sometimes the fight takes a while. That doesn't mean we won't win. That doesn't mean we won't win. The important thing is don't ever give up. Don't ever give up, don't ever stop trying to make the world a better place. You have power. You have power and don't you ever listen when anyone tells you something is impossible because it has never been done before. You have the capacity to do extraordinary good in the world and so to everyone who is watching: Do not despair. This is not a time to throw up our hands.

Transformation is Coming LiDoña Wagner 2024

LOVE 

This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize to mobilize and to stay engaged. For the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.

Look, many of you know I started out as a prosecutor and throughout my career I saw people at some of the worst times in their lives people who had suffered great harm and great pain and yet found within themselves the strength and the courage and the resolve to take the stand, to take a stand, to fight for justice, to fight for themselves, to fight for others.

So let their courage be our inspiration. Let their determination be our charge.

And I'll close with this: there's an adage an historian once called a law of history true of every society across the ages the adage is…

Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.

I know many people feel like we are entering a dark time, but for the benefit of us all I hope that is not the case. But here's the thing America: if it is, let us fill the sky with the light of a brilliant, brilliant billions of stars. The light of optimism, of faith, of truth and service.

And may that work guide us even in the face of setbacks toward the extraordinary promise of The United States of America.

I thank you all. May God bless you and may God bless the United States of America.

Harris Walz Campaign LiDoña Wagner 2024