Author: Michael

Does anyone remember when Trump suggested using military against “The Enemy within”? It was said to be on Election Day. It was talked about a month before November 5, 2024, presidential election. It was a chilling thought. Who Trump deemed “The Enemy Within.” We knew who he was talking about now. We the citizens of the United States. June 6, 2025, Eighty-one years after D-Day. Trump decided to not just have ICE stand toe-to-to against Peaceful Protesters. He decided to send in the National Guard. In Los Angeles California of all places in the United States. He decided to experiment with a war on the citizens of California, a state known to be a big blue state.

I have like minded friends on ticktock who live in California one of them is a podcaster. He informed me in real time what was happening on Friday night. There were protesters peacefully protesting. ICE was having a standoff with them. He let me know he was safe and okay. Saturday June 7th, 2025 not only was ICE having a standoff with peaceful protesters. Trump ordered the National Gard be sent to attack peaceful protesters.  Tuesday June 10^th Trump sent 700 Marines to assist the National Guard. This is a fair warning to all of us. We are The Enemy Within.

What can we do? We should be exercising all our rights to speak out. Make calls there’s an app called five calls. It does give you a script. If you want to have the words to express yourself but, have some trouble expressing concerns. Writing letters to our Representatives, Senators, and Attorney Generals. Trump has declared war on the citizens of the United States. California is the test kitchen. Our constitutional rights are under attack. No one is coming to save us except for us. We must stand up together. We must resist.

The right wing and its dominant media outlets have successfully demonized the word socialism. Right wing pundits tell us that big government is bad. We once had a small government prior to 1787, but we abandoned that idea. More government means more services for the people. Lack of government is anarchy. Government size should be determined by those with a clear head and not by those controlled by ‘spirit of party.’

Health care is a right in all developed nations except the United States. Ezekial Emanuel, author of ‘Which Country has the Best Health Care’ noted that other countries are laughing at the US because of its chaotic private health care system. Any claims of us having better service or better doctors are false. Our health care just costs more and leaves people in fear of getting sick.

Transition costs are high but even during the transition period universal health care would save more than the projected savings in the ‘big-beautiful bill.’ After the transition period, we would save that amount many times each year.

Oligarchs seek profit. Morality is not on their radar screen.

Fox News successfully spreads the propaganda message by laughing at any idea that could hurt the oligarchs. But the public is misinformed by the fact that this network is an entertainment network, not a news network. It is regulated in the same way as ‘Saturday Night Live,’

We should take a step back and look at the big picture. Does the term ‘pursuit of happiness,’ found in our Declaration of Independence, apply to the desire of Americans for good health care at a competitive cost? Is there anything in any writing prior to the Ronald Reagan era that mandated a specific size of government or the services that government should or should not perform in the pursuit of happiness? Did our Founders say or imply that we should not consider the successful government function of other national governments?

Or are government size comments just political propaganda with no supporting evidence?

When the oligarchs and their media outlets tell us that our government is too big and that makes it bad, they fail to acknowledge that good things that socialistic programs already do for us.

Should Fed Ex and UPS compete for mail carrying service while some rural areas go without regular mail service?

Should private contractors do road construction and maintenance? Then northerners would never again have to suffer the presence of those hated socialist snowplows.

The Republican Party, and their dominant media outlets, expect us to pledge loyalty to their whims without a shred of critical thinking or a thought of potential financial damage. These oligarchs are the godless followers of Ayn Rand and their self-determination, screw-everyone-else attitude.

Pure capitalism elevates oligarchs and leaves the rest behind. But the American way includes socialistic concepts such as an interstate highway system, a common national defense force, a multitude of commonly accepted industry regulations and should include a universal health care system.

June is here! It is cancer survivor month. Which is a big deal when you survive cancer. I am a young onset stage 3A rectal cancer survivor. Colorectal cancer will surge in younger populations in the next 10 years. Anyone from 20-49 years old can be affected. Rectal Cancer being twice as common as colon cancer. Cancer survivor month is a time of celebration. My husband and I attended a cookout in June 2023 in Green Bay with Bellin. All cancer survivors get a goodie bag and there’s some prizes. Music and a good time.

I would like to publicly state when you survive cancer. It makes you look at life differently. Trivial matters seem unimportant. Facing death is traumatic and humbling at the same time.  A survivor of cancer’s energy is not the same as prior to cancer. It takes years to gain energy back.  The annoying part is, it’s brushed off as depression. A person who survived cancer has been really going through it. Not everyone will know the struggle until they’ve been through it.  Surviving added another cause of activism. Which is awareness to save the lives of others. Also advocate for universal healthcare. I also find it infuriating the Trump regime. Cut funding for cancer research. Especially when people like to have answers. Especially when they get a diagnosis like cancer. Given that in this area there’s a PFAS problem. PFAs causes a wide range of cancers. Including colorectal cancer. From PFAS being in the environment.  Our health care system is a very expensive system. That the US is the only country in the world to have benefits to help someone. Who is fighting cancer to pay for treatment. Not only in project 2025 does it state that there will be less access to healthcare and not everything will be covered. I had received a letter from Bellin stating that not all my labs will be covered. I am on a six-month follow-up basis with my oncologist. Follow ups are important especially to maintain cancer free status. It is called NED: No Evidence Of Disease. NED has been my friend for three years. Also, the repealing of environmental protections and environmental laws. More people will have different kinds of cancer. Because people want to get rich. Instead of caring about people.

June is Pried month. As allies to the LGTBQIA+ friends and neighbors. We must call out people’s bigotry. It is intolerable. We patronize anyone who is inclusive (DEI). So that our friends and neighbors can not only know we are safe. We are proving it by living a lifestyle of valuing inclusivity. By boycotting businesses. Before Trump it was a big corporate branding to attract the LGTBQIA+ dollars for pride month. Places like Target which my husband and I have been boycotting in solidarity with the black community. Since last November. Target has lost so much money because they bent the knee to Trump ending DEI. Their stocks have continued to plummet. Causing the CEO to take a pay cut. That is the power of the boycott. In Pride month let’s do what we can to support LGTBQIA+. They deserve to live their best and happy fulfilled lives. Without a target on their back.

I do know that transgendered people are the biggest targets of bigotry in the last ten years. The GOP and Christian Nationalist groups and churches have been obsessed with the transgendered community. When I was 20 years old in 1999, I saw a movie on video. It was based on a true story. The movie is called “Boys Don’t Cry”. Starring Hillary Swank. I would probably have to say, the movie educated me giving me empathy and compassion. Swank’s character was transgendered. They were victims of a hate crime. If you have not watched it. I recommend the movie. You will probably need tissues. Because it makes you cry. The story is sad. To The LGTBQIA+, MM Indivisible sees you. We want to be able to be here for you. So, you have a community of people. Love is love. No matter what religious bigots say. You are also made in God’s image.  That is If you choose to believe in God or a higher power. Lady Gaga has a great song about this. It’s called “Born this way”.

Juneteenth is on June 19^th it is the time when the black community celebrates their independence. From Slavery. This is when they celebrate their freedom. From after the Civil War.  Joe Biden declared this a national holiday. We can support the black community by supporting black owned business if we can. Yes, it can include online. I know we are limited here in a retail dessert. We can do what we can to support diversity and lift each other up.

What we can do is boycott businesses that support Trump & his agenda. Yes, it’s hard we only have Walmart. We can buy necessities only. Nothing else. Go to Aldi instead if you need to. Also boycott U-Haul they helped a white supremacy group march through Kanas City MO. On Memorial Day weekend! There is an app called “Goods Unite Us” The app can tell you what businesses and corporations support the people or Trump’s/Corporate interests. Together we can make a difference in how we spend our money. Activism is a lifestyle!

We do have an upcoming protest “NO KINGS” event on June 14^th. It is also Flag day which is Trumps birthday. If you are on social media. IT is Barack Obama appreciation day! It is protesting Trumps big narcissistic vanity project for a military parade. Something only Dictators and Kings of Yore (like Louis the 14^th) have. Its old school vanity at its finest. I hope that the event is well attended.

 We’re Not Going Back! Resist! Taco Summer!

Our Memorial Day weekend event on May 24^th was well attended. We had a beautiful day with some sun. Memorial Day weekend is unpredictable. Either suddenly it is summer or it’s cold. But you all should know. I got my first sunburn of the year. Andi did a great job organizing and everyone who helped and showed up did a great job. It’s work to fight for democracy. Making a sign and showing up. It’s work. More than one occasion someone has said democracy is not a spectator sport. While my husband and I were leaving. We had someone asking about what we were doing. There was interest. I said we’re Indivisible we’re having this special event today.  The guy and I introduced ourselves, I introduced my husband Sam.  I said we meet on Wednesdays at the Stephenson Public Library at 5P. Every Friday, We’re out on the bridge at 5pm. You’re welcome to join us.

My friends, we are putting in all our efforts. We’re fighting for our democracy. We are making phone calls, writing letters and emails, coming to meetings, showing up on the bridge. Staying informed. We need to take some time to do self-care. For our mental health. Whatever that looks like. We fortunately have reached the time of the year we all waited for. Summer! This is when we can “touch grass” connect with nature. Kayaking, hiking, camping, backpacking. Even gardening. Ever since the pandemic, we’ve been all about being outside. Breathing fresh air. It’s a good way to reset.

The Trump regime has made cuts to mental health in their budget. There’s so much going on. None of it is good. It’s understandable if your mental health is suffering. We need to prioritize our mental health. We can find something to bring us joy. We can dabble in the arts; we can laugh and cope with humor. We have all found a community with like-minded people. This is also part of our resistance. They cannot break us. Resist.

We are on the home stretch before a holiday. The Unofficial kickoff of Summer Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day is the observance of Veterans who died for freedoms. All the freedoms we take for granted. Which is why we as activists are out there pounding the pavement and making phone calls. One of our rights under the constitution is the right to protest. We are to have a voice in a democracy.

The constitution is the blueprint of our rights. There’s a Bill of Rights attached to the Constitution. Every Government class and Social Studies class teaches what’s in the Constitution. So that we know our rights. One of our rights under the Constitution. It is the freedom of religion. Which means, In the United States we can practice Christianity. If we wish to do so. Or if someone wants to practice Judaism.  What Jesus practiced when he walked on the earth. The reason this is in the constitution is because in the founding of the US. The people didn’t want to be under a monarchy anymore. This includes religious persecution for believing opposite of the king or queen. Weather Catholic or Protestant, the people were killed. You get the idea.

I grew up evangelical without a church. I am a Xennial (Xennials are born between 1977-1985 aka first millennials or older millennials) which means as far as I know. The evangelical right-wing Christians and the Republican Party have been intertwined. It started before I was born. Reading a bible and religious ideology never made sense to me. I never quite fit in for this reason. Years later, I would find the UCC the evangelical left. One of the denominations that practice Christianity. But I digress.

The religious zealots bonded over Abortion. Solidifying their goals of not only patriarchy but, also white supremacy.  Because they were very upset about Roe vs Wade. How dare a woman want privacy and autonomy over her own body. What it is being obsessed with controlling women and keeping them down. It keeps conservative evangelical Christians voting republican and against their own interests.

In 2022, the Supreme court overturned Roe v Wade. The evangelicals were excited. Because they had been dreaming of this for a long time.  In last year’s 2024 presidential election we were informed of Project 2025. You know, the “ Concepts of a Plan”.  A 900-page Christian Nationalist agenda. Something that the Republicans have wanted to pass since Ronald Reagan. There’s a great movie that has more details about this called “Bad Faith”. It is free on Tubi.  What we are up against, is Christian Nationalism.  Everything we are fighting for is against Christian Nationalism. Cutting funds to safety measures, lifting environmental protections, attacking women’s rights including bodily autonomy. Taking away our health care because what matters is Elon Musk and Trump can get rich. This is not what Jesus would want. Because Jesus often spoke about helping the poor. He said to the least of these you have done to me. Which seems to be forgotten in striving for a theocratic dictatorship. Jesus also flipped tables of the hypocrites, and he called them out. Jesus was “woke”. Jesus would be furious at a party that boasts they serve Jesus. That they’re “Christians” Their actions show otherwise. Using Jesus to be prejudiced against others. An excuse to hate others.  They serve the very rich. Making the people suffer to benefit financially. Even if it is putting the citizens of the country in danger. Jesus would rather love on others, feed the kids, allow access to universal health care, you get the picture. In conclusion, Project 2025 is the guidebook for a dictatorship. The republicans want to propose to make Project 2025 the law permanently. It’s okay for us to be scared. But we still have a constitution so far. We should be continuing to do all we can. To make it clear that we do not want to have a Christian Nationalist theocracy. Because the founding fathers of the United States was against having a theocracy. They wanted to have a democracy & personal freedom of beliefs for everyone. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the big event on Saturday May 24!

Congress never voted to repeal the Fairness Doctrine. The American people never opposed the idea of balanced media reporting. Yet now the whole country suffers a large partisan divide because of the Doctrine’s repeal in 1987. Was the Reagan administration too cowardly or lazy to take the time to apply this doctrine of fairness to new media platforms? They already had the knowledge that the fairness concept worked well for the existing platforms.

Or was Reagan just a radical politician that lost the 1964 presidential nomination because of his extreme right-wing views and now used his television fame to win the Presidency and impose his ideological extremism on the American people.

Factually, the FCC repealed the Fairness Doctrine.  But Reagan had appointed most of the members of the FCC.

The need for media fairness was lauded by Congress for thirty-eight years. History may show that our elected representatives were right to demand media fairness. It is too bad that an admired President chose to overrule the will of the people. That action directly, or indirectly, has led to the rise of ideological extremism that threatens the government ‘of the people, by the people, and for the people’.

The last paragraph of Washington’s Farewell Address emphasizes the importance of promoting institutions for the diffusion of knowledge, which could be interpreted as a call for government-supported education and information dissemination. While Washington himself may not have explicitly advocated for federal funding of journalism, Hamilton’s influence on the address suggests a strong belief in the role of informed citizens in a functioning democracy.

A reasonable interpretation—that this could extend to responsible journalism beyond NPR and PBS—is compelling. The idea that government should play a role in ensuring access to unbiased, non-commercialized information aligns with broader discussions about public media funding. Some scholars argue that Washington’s words support the idea that a well-informed populace is essential for national stability, which could justify federal assistance for local and rural journalism.

The autocrats want to get rid of NPR and PBS. Indivisible and the Democratic Party should be proactive and advocate their expansion. 

ICE is a threat to our brown neighbors. I haven’t heard of them coming up this way. Yet. In Marinette over the years we have had a lot of diversity. Because of places like Fincanteri aka Marinette Marine. They employ military and civilians. We should be looking out for our neighbors. Our brown neighbors belong here just as much as anyone else. We all are to have rights under the constitution. ICE is threatening life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Just because someone speaks a different language. Or comes from a different country. It does not mean they are unwelcome. Also, Just because they do not speak English among themselves. It does not mean that their language is for everyone to know their business. We are a nation of immigrants. After all, the natives could have kicked us out and sent us white people back to our countries of origin.

My husband and I attended a DSA meeting. I asked for a tool kit to share with people in the community. It is on a PDF.  After all, ICE has guts. Very much like who’s in charge of our government right now. They don’t care if they’re after the citizens or the immigrants.

WHAT TO DO

If ICE comes to your door DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR Do NOT give them permission!

Stay in the car if you are in your car. If you are at home don’t open your door. The agents can only come in if they have a warrant to enter signed by a judge or legal authority with your name on it. If you are in the car ask them to slide it through a crack of the window of your vehicle (I wouldn’t open my window very wide anyway) or under the door of your house so you can look at it.

DO NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS from an agent give them a real hard time. If they talk to you. You have the right to remain silent.

DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING without speaking to a lawyer. You have the right to speak with a lawyer.

If you are outside your home, ask the agent if you are free to leave and if they say yes, leave calmly.

If possible, RECORD the interaction with video or audio.

If we see something, we can say something. During WW2 if you wondered what people did then. We are doing it now. Who’s side are we on? I would rather be on the right side of history. Also, if you believe in a higher power. You still in the end have to answer to that. We can look out for our neighbors and all stand up.

As someone extremely well-versed with the English language and its use as well as its Greek and Latin roots, prefixes, and suffixes, these words are ones that I do not really understand nor would I ever truly be able to even with a stack of dictionaries (or Google.) For these words hold far more gravity than any definition could possibly provide, sorry Meriam-Webster. When it all comes down to it, all of these words (homophobia, transphobia, ageism, racism, sexism, and able-ism) are about embracing hate and division. These words are about searching out the aspects that make each human different from each other and turning those unique qualities into labels that divide instead of unite.

Our unique identities based on our lived experiences and who we are as individuals should never be used to divide and conquer. Instead, we need to unify to keep our democratic freedoms that allow for self-expression, free speech, and equality as well as expand into areas that still need further growth. As an unified force, we need to raise our voices above the cacophony of hate and oppression to uplift a faltering nation. Expressing how wrong, unjust, and flawed any action or speech is, is not an act of hate. It is an act of courage. It is an act of love.

So although this grassroots movement is loud and definitely a protest, it is not one of hate. The movement (and various others like it) is not one of division. Instead, this movement is founded on unity and love. 

“Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Martin Luther King Jr., Washington National Cathedral, March 31, 1968

~R&R

 

 

 Join us here: mmindivisible.org/hands_off

 

Forward together — not one step back! 💙✊

#Indivisible #HandsOff #NoKings #MichiganStrong #WisconsinStrong #Democracy #LoveWins

Wisconsin, we did it again! 💪 On April 1st, voters across the state came together to support justice, fairness, and democracy — and we WON! A huge congratulations to Justice Susan Crawford on her well-earned victory to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Her win is a major step forward in protecting the rights and freedoms we all hold dear.

This victory didn’t happen by accident. It was made possible by you — the people who knocked doors, made calls, talked to friends, and showed up at the ballot box. Thank you for your passion, your energy, and your belief that a better Wisconsin is within reach.

But we’re not done yet. The momentum is real — and now it’s time to keep it going. Let’s take that winning energy and show up again for the Hands Off event. This is our chance to raise our voices even louder in defense of our rights, our communities, and our future.

👉 Join us here: mmindivisible.org/hands_off

Let’s make it clear: Wisconsin is wide awake, organized, and ready to fight for what’s right.

Forward together — not one step back! 💙✊

#Indivisible #WisconsinWins #HandsOff #JusticeCrawford #WeShowUp