News on Politics and Religion with Rants, Ideas, Links and Items for Liberals, Libertarians, Moderates, Progressives, Democrats and Anti-Authoritarians.
Sunday, August 03, 2025
Stopping the Collapse - Local
Here’s a clear, localized roadmap for political engagement in Nacogdoches County, Texas — focusing on races and organizations where your involvement can truly matter. These targeted actions help prevent institutional erosion and safeguard vital systems like Social Security, economic transparency, and democratic governance. --- 🗳️ Local Races to Watch (2025) City of Nacogdoches – May 3, 2025 Mayor: incumbent Randy Johnson vs. Brigette Kozash. A Chamber-hosted forum took place April 24 to help voters compare platforms. City Council Wards: Northeast Ward: Kathleen Belanger (unopposed) Northwest Ward: Brad Maule (unopposed) Southwest Ward: Chad Huckaby Southeast Ward: Blane Williams School Boards – May 3, 2025 Nacogdoches ISD At-Large: Cheryl D. Brady, Demond Jackson, Damon Ruckel. District 1: James A. Ervin. Also elections in Chireno and Garrison ISDs. School boards shape local budgets, education policy, and leadership hires. Open Seats – Nacogdoches Hospital District Board Election for three directors (At‑Large, Precinct 1, Precinct 3) on November 4, 2025. Filing begins July 21 through August 18, 2025. --- 🏛️ State-Level: House District 11 & Beyond Texas House District 11 (covers Nacogdoches County): Rep. Joanne Shofner (R), currently in her first term after defeating Travis Clardy in 2024. She’s the critical state-level seat for your community. County Commissioners: All four precincts and the County Judge wield influence over budgets, elections, tax rates, and emergency oversight. These judges and commissioners are key guardians of local governance structures. --- 🤝 Civic & Voter Engagement Organizations Local & Statewide Local Groups: Nacogdoches County Democrats: Active grassroots group for voter education, volunteer opportunities, and supporting candidates. State & Regional Groups with Texas Reach: Texas Democratic Party, Jolt Initiative, MOVE Texas, NextGen Texas, Battleground Texas, Texas Progressive Caucus – these groups focus on voter registration, turnout, and empowering underrepresented communities statewide. Election Integrity Advocates: While not local, groups like the Texas Civil Rights Project support fair elections, legal oversight, and protecting voting rights—especially relevant if local officials compromise election transparency. --- 🛠️ How to Get Involved — Concrete Steps 1. Attend the Nacogdoches County Dems meetings and volunteer — door‑knocking, calling, voter registration. 2. Support or organize senior-focused pro-democracy engagement groups: seniors are a reliably voting bloc. 3. Attend or help promote forums like the Chamber’s Candidate Forum on key races. 4. Ask candidates directly about protecting institutional independence, Social Security, election transparency, data integrity. 5. Engage with state-level initiatives: assist groups like MOVE Texas or Battleground Texas as organizers or canvassers. 6. Watch commissioner court agendas and city council meetings, attend public comments to advocate accountability. --- 🔍 Why These Races Matter City and school board leaders have direct control over budget priorities, infrastructure bonds, education policy, and public welfare. Hospital district trustees oversee local health services—especially important for vulnerable seniors. State rep (HD‑11) holds influence on fiscal policy, healthcare, and institutional oversight at the legislature. County commissioners control election administration, tax rates, and county-wide policy direction. --- ✔️ Your Next Action Plan Step Action 1 Join Nacogdoches County Democrats 2 Attend candidate forums (Mayor & School Board) and raise issues about government accountability 3 Volunteer in voter outreach, especially to seniors or unregistered individuals 4 Prepare questions or statements for local meetings around data integrity, election rights, and preserving public benefits --- By engaging at the city, school, county, and state-house levels — and helping amplify local pro-democracy efforts — you can leverage your voice to preserve transparency, checks and balances, and stable governance. Ensuring these systems remain accountable is one of the best defenses against Argentina-style erosion of trust. Would you like help finding contact info or meeting times for any of these groups or races?
Are we repeating the Argentine collapse?
Here’s a summary of your recent questions and our discussion: --- 1. ⚠️ Concern About Trump Firing the BLS Head
You drew a parallel to Argentina before its economic collapse, where manipulated economic data led to a total loss of trust. I explained that: If U.S. institutions like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) are politicized, it could set the country on a dangerous path. Argentina’s example shows how undermining credible data led to capital flight, inflation, and eventual collapse within 5–7 years. Similar outcomes could occur in the U.S. if the Federal Reserve, Congress, or courts fail to check executive power. ---
2. ⏳ Could Collapse HappenFaster?
You asked if 5–7 years is optimistic, considering U.S. institutional decay. I said yes — collapse could come faster (2–4 years) if: The Federal Reserve loses independence, Agencies like the BLS are corrupted, Congress and the Supreme Court enable authoritarian control, Global markets begin to reject U.S. financial leadership. This could lead to inflation, a credit downgrade, a loss of faith in the dollar, and possibly a deep recession or political crisis. ---
3. 🧓 What Should Low-Income Seniors on Social Security Do?
You asked what people living on low Social Security income should do to prepare. I suggested: Secure housing and utilities, Build a basic food and medicine reserve, Apply for all available aid (SNAP, property tax relief, utility assistance), Store some emergency cash, Join local mutual aid networks or senior advocacy groups. The goal is to protect basic needs in case of inflation, benefit disruptions, or market instability. ---
4. ✊ Should Getting Politically Active Be Part of the Plan?
Yes. You pointed out that stopping Republican enablers is key — and I agreed. I emphasized that: Political action is essential to defend democracy and protect Social Security and Medicare. Seniors are a powerful voting bloc. Even small-scale activism — voting in every election, helping others register, joining pro-democracy groups — can make a difference. Focus especially on state and local races, where policy is shaped and election systems are often controlled. ---
Would you like this turned into a printable page or text file? Or would you like help with next steps — like finding local groups or races to get involved in?
Are we there yet?
https://chatgpt.com/share/688f7710-f458-800c-8fcd-51523ed610c9
https://chatgpt.com/share/6891ea32-f340-800c-aa7a-9177a1b03abb
https://chatgpt.com/share/6891ea32-f340-800c-aa7a-9177a1b03abb
America is swiftly collapsing. What can we do?
Yes — absolutely.
If you’re worried about economic collapse, threats to Social Security, institutional capture, or authoritarianism, political action is not optional — especially for those who depend on stable public systems.
You're also right to identify that it's not just about Trump — it's about the entire structure of enablers, especially within the Republican Party as it currently operates.
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🗳️ Step 1: Get Politically Active, Even on a Tight Budget
You don’t need money to be effective — you need time, consistency, and connection.
📣 Ways to Push Back Right Now:
✅ Register and Vote in Every Election
Not just presidential. School boards, judges, city council, state legislatures — these are where authoritarian laws take root or get blocked.
✅ Help Others Vote
Assist seniors or neighbors in registering, voting, or understanding ballot issues.
Volunteer with groups like:
VoteRiders (ID help)
League of Women Voters
Protect the Vote coalitions
✅ Join or Support Pro-Democracy Groups
Look for groups working specifically to:
Defend Social Security & Medicare
Fight voter suppression
Push back against authoritarianism
Examples:
Indivisible
Center for Common Ground
Social Security Works
Swing Left, Sister District (flip vulnerable state seats)
✅ Be Loud Publicly
Write letters to the editor or call in to local radio — especially in conservative areas.
Politicians and donors notice visible dissent in places they think they control.
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🧨 Why Political Action Matters Now
If Trump returns to power with a compliant Congress:
Social Security is on the chopping block (through privatization, eligibility changes, or benefit cuts).
Independent agencies like the Fed, BLS, or CBO will be captured or neutered.
Courts may legalize massive power grabs (they’ve already signaled openness).
Voting rights and elections themselves may be manipulated or overturned.
🟥 If people who depend on these systems don't fight back now, they may not be able to later.
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🧭 Strategy: Focus on State & Local Elections
Because:
Congressional gerrymanders are cemented by state legislatures.
State officials often control election certification.
Many extremist policies start at the state level (book bans, voter suppression, anti-protest laws).
✅ A few flipped state seats in places like Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas could be decisive.
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🧓 Seniors Have Power
You are part of the most reliable voting bloc in the country. Lawmakers fear organized seniors. Use it.
Consider:
Forming or joining a local seniors-for-democracy group.
Writing or calling your U.S. reps regularly — they still count this.
Publicly tying Social Security to democracy: “If the data's fake, so are your checks.”
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💬 Want Help Getting Started?
I can help you:
Find groups in your area
Draft a letter to your local paper or representative
Identify flippable local races near you
You don’t have to do everything. But you must do something — because silence is being counted as permission.
Would you like help identifying key organizations or vulnerable races in your state?
Monday, April 14, 2025
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