The 2024 Election Mid-Week News Recap
A take on various issues during the week with substantive ramifications for the upcoming 2024 elections.
It is a very busy week to cover, even for previous newsletters and blogs here and elsewhere:
Beginning with a NewsFlash-the CCRI Pension Commission meeting is this Thursday starting at 3:00 PM. Word on the street is it will be quite a long event with groundbreaking testimony, and a show of force from state retirees-and maybe other groups, of which I will do my own part to help make that happen. If anyone is coming to the event mentioned in the previous update, be sure to travel accordingly (which will be explained very shortly).
First and foremost, give my brother’s Salzillo’s Two Cents blog a subscription if you can. A notable article on Mt. Pleasant High School, PPSD’s school bond, and the scheme in the works to privatize Providence Public Schools is worth the read-especially for any Rhode Island locals like myself.
And to understand why increases in infrastructure and transportation are sorely needed, see the local Washington Bridge reports from Providence to East Providence to get the gist of it. When we don’t invest in infrastructure and transportation, this is what commutes can and will look like.
Election deadlines are already approaching in several states-which might be a question to ask about whether our election cycles are too long, and especially with campaign finance spending so out of whack post-Citizens United.
On the December chopping block is North Carolina, which for the time being, has fresh new congressional maps. One could only question its constitutionality based on precedent from past NC rulings of racially gerrymandered maps in the 2010s and 2020s, current lawsuits on the books now, and the nature of the maps as discussed here before. Consider for example would the area right around Greensboro and Winston-Salem (Fayetteville area too) ever elect a Republican? Of course not. Cities go for Democrats by wide margins (like 80%-20%), and the counties themselves supported Biden in 2020 and Beasley in 2022 by double digit margins. It is abundantly clear that the urban areas and the Research Triangle around (which is suburban, but also very diverse) was split apart intentionally to dilute the representation of minority voters. Crack-and-pack as it is called (which also occurred on the new maps in Raleigh & Charlotte).
The North Carolina Supreme Court nonetheless green-lighted racial gerrymandering in absolute, total secrecy in a swing state where black voters universally support Democrats and where three-fifths to two-thirds of white voters vote Republican. This is well-known going back years and decades by both Democrats and Republicans alike. It is likely these maps will not be struck down. If so, the grounds are more than there to challenge these maps in time for the 2026 election cycle. And if not then, the next cycle after that. And the cycle after that. And the cycle after that one. And until fair maps are finally reinstated in that state with those gerrymandered maps struck down. Because the GOP winning 3/4+ (75+%) of the state’s congressional districts is as much of a democracy as Vladimir Putin winning 82% of the vote in Russia.
In Texas, its State Supreme Court has prohibited an emergency abortion for a young woman even in the case of the life of the fetus being not viable to live long term (a tragedy in itself). Texas is the symbol of post-Roe v. Wade abortion access where women cannot get one even in the case of rape, incest, or when the life of the mother or unborn fetus is at risk. If Republicans win in 2024, our country will be more like Texas with abortion access even in emergencies. Nothing like the irony of an outright criminal (disgraced Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton) prosecuting the case against a medically needed abortion grounded in reality and even the law itself. Will Texas be the bellwether of the United States on abortion access and gun safety in 2024? It’s possible.
Senator Ron Johnson (who has since grown a beard in an insincere and disingenuous attempt to fully win over GOP loyalists and working class voters) falsely claimed Democrats used fake electors when countered over his support for Trump’s Wisconsin fake electors from 2020. Will the voters of Wisconsin be finally empowered to recall Ron Johnson back on the ballot (as it was attempted by both Democrats and Republicans with both GOP Senator Joseph McCarthy and Democratic Congressman David Obey)?
Speaking of Russia, the Senate GOP-and the House GOP too-are obstructing aid for Ukraine in their fight for their sovereignty. Publicly, they say the border is the prime reason for opposition. But who really thinks Marjorie Taylor Greene or Lauren Boebert would ever vote for the Ukraine aid package, or that Donald Trump would ever support it? Knowing past election rhetoric for 2016 and comments on Ukraine now, Trump’s Republican Party is probably rooting for Russia to win and take back Ukraine. Perhaps the border issue is just simply a lousy excuse to give cover to what they hope truly happens in Ukraine.
Though the Israel-Palestine conflict is so controversial and so sadly and brutally devastating for Israeli victims (hostages too), and Palestinian civilians in Gaza alike, I hope to bring some optimism to good will to another crisis for the Jewish community. And likewise with Gaza. Hunger and poverty is ravaging the people of Gaza and a number of Holocaust survivors in Israel alike. And for that matter, Ukrainian refugees and those in Eastern Ukraine living their war out. For Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or even just the New Year, use the time of giving to help those in dire need.
Look to some of the state legislatures making tremendous progress in spite of a very polarized country. Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Illinois are leading the way. And with fair maps and upcoming contests, so can Wisconsin, Georgia, Arizona, Florida, New Hampshire, and many others. Will the new New York map redrawing, by the way, be fair or not? I hope the former.
And finally, Trump’s presidential immunity case will be heard by the United States Supreme Court. Just a random question to consider: Does anyone think Justice Clarence Thomas will recuse himself from this case as he rightfully should with his wife’s involvement in the 2020 elections? I already made my guess hint, hint…
And enjoy the Holidays-especially if this is indeed the last post before the New Year (decision not final yet)!