Rick Varco
@rvarco.bsky.social
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa Political Director, ex-Philosophy grad student, Democrat, comic book fan, and Spot Bar regular
Reposted by Rick Varco
BREAKING! We’re proud to endorse Meg Luger-Nikolai for House (64A) – a labor lawyer ready to fight for working families and strong public schools across Summit Hill, Union Park, Mac-Groveland, and Summit-University neighborhoods of St. Paul. Voter info below... #mnleg
December 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
BREAKING! We’re proud to endorse Meg Luger-Nikolai for House (64A) – a labor lawyer ready to fight for working families and strong public schools across Summit Hill, Union Park, Mac-Groveland, and Summit-University neighborhoods of St. Paul. Voter info below... #mnleg
Just Minnesota topping the charts per usual.
MINNESOTA is continuing their existing "MinnesotaCare" Basic Health Plan (BHP) program, which provides low-cost coverage for around 100,000 enrollees earning 138 - 200% FPL.
This is being neither expanded nor shrunk, which is a good thing under the circumstances.
This is being neither expanded nor shrunk, which is a good thing under the circumstances.
a black and white photo of a man wearing a leather jacket and a pocket square .
Alt: a black and white photo of a man wearing a leather jacket and a pocket square .
media.tenor.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Just Minnesota topping the charts per usual.
Reposted by Rick Varco
Jfc. Senator John Hoffman reports ICE took the owners of crumbs and coffee in BP this morning and left the building unlocked with money on the counter.
December 13, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Jfc. Senator John Hoffman reports ICE took the owners of crumbs and coffee in BP this morning and left the building unlocked with money on the counter.
Reposted by Rick Varco
IOWA — “I’m a very pissed off conservative Christian woman. I almost died because I was denied medical care after being diagnosed with a fatal fetus… Cornered by the system… pro life? Choose me. Choose the mother.”
It had to happen to her to get this? #ForcedBirthNation
It had to happen to her to get this? #ForcedBirthNation
December 13, 2025 at 4:49 AM
IOWA — “I’m a very pissed off conservative Christian woman. I almost died because I was denied medical care after being diagnosed with a fatal fetus… Cornered by the system… pro life? Choose me. Choose the mother.”
It had to happen to her to get this? #ForcedBirthNation
It had to happen to her to get this? #ForcedBirthNation
Reposted by Rick Varco
We're completely screwed if our response to measles is going to be asking antivaxxers - the most selfish and stupid people in our society - to voluntarily self-report and quarantine for 21 days each every time they get exposed
More than 250 people who were exposed to measles, including dozens of unvaccinated school-aged children, are quarantining in South Carolina as the state wrestles to contain an outbreak that has sickened more than 110 people.
Hundreds Quarantined in South Carolina as Measles Outbreak Shows No Sign of Slowing
The outbreak shows no signs of slowing, likely because of the affected area’s “lower-than-hoped-for vaccination coverage,” a state health official said.
nyti.ms
December 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
We're completely screwed if our response to measles is going to be asking antivaxxers - the most selfish and stupid people in our society - to voluntarily self-report and quarantine for 21 days each every time they get exposed
Reposted by Rick Varco
After months of pain for him and his family, we’re happy to welcome our SMART union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia home.
An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers—and we’ll keep fighting back against attacks on them and their rights. https://bit.ly/4q2VjEZ
An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers—and we’ll keep fighting back against attacks on them and their rights. https://bit.ly/4q2VjEZ
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention on judge's order and returns home
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released from an immigration detention center in Pennsylvania following an order from a federal judge issued Thursday.
apnews.com
December 12, 2025 at 8:26 PM
After months of pain for him and his family, we’re happy to welcome our SMART union brother Kilmar Abrego Garcia home.
An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers—and we’ll keep fighting back against attacks on them and their rights. https://bit.ly/4q2VjEZ
An attack on immigrant workers is an attack on ALL workers—and we’ll keep fighting back against attacks on them and their rights. https://bit.ly/4q2VjEZ
Reposted by Rick Varco
Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks at the ICE Baltimore field office for a scheduled check-in. Abrego was released from custody after a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration lacked legal authority to continue holding him in an immigration detention center.
December 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Kilmar Abrego Garcia speaks at the ICE Baltimore field office for a scheduled check-in. Abrego was released from custody after a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration lacked legal authority to continue holding him in an immigration detention center.
Reposted by Rick Varco
A tiny trial in New York has shown that personalized mRNA vaccines can provoke massive, lasting immune responses against pancreatic cancer, even as sweeping federal cuts now threaten the fragile labs required to produce them.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
December 12, 2025 at 4:02 PM
A tiny trial in New York has shown that personalized mRNA vaccines can provoke massive, lasting immune responses against pancreatic cancer, even as sweeping federal cuts now threaten the fragile labs required to produce them.
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
theintellectualistofficial.substack.com/p/a-breakthr...
Trump wants to make sure Andrew Tate can find more victims
One under-appreciated part of this: note the bit below about “and their dependents.”
Under the Trump admin’s new policy, dependent children of visa applicants are not allowed to have their social media set to private during the entire visa process. They MUST make their social media public.
Under the Trump admin’s new policy, dependent children of visa applicants are not allowed to have their social media set to private during the entire visa process. They MUST make their social media public.
From the US Embassy in London today.
December 12, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Trump wants to make sure Andrew Tate can find more victims
Reposted by Rick Varco
America’s unions celebrate the long-awaited release of SMART union member Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Welcome home, brother.
Welcome home, brother.
Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention — General President Coleman responds - SMART Union
General President Coleman responded to a federal judge ordering Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release from immigration detention.
www.smart-union.org
December 11, 2025 at 11:23 PM
America’s unions celebrate the long-awaited release of SMART union member Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Welcome home, brother.
Welcome home, brother.
Immunity can wear off. Time to get checked. I found out my mumps immunity had worn out. www.cvs.com/minuteclinic...
December 10, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Immunity can wear off. Time to get checked. I found out my mumps immunity had worn out. www.cvs.com/minuteclinic...
Reposted by Rick Varco
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
December 10, 2025 at 10:30 PM
And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
Reposted by Rick Varco
ICE detain U.S. citizen for looking Somali—use illegal chokehold to tackle him to ground.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
December 10, 2025 at 7:36 PM
ICE detain U.S. citizen for looking Somali—use illegal chokehold to tackle him to ground.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
Man repeatedly begs agents to look at his digital passport ID—they refuse.
Drove him 7 miles away before releasing him alone into Minnesota snow storm—told him to "walk home" in freezing weather advisory.
Reposted by Rick Varco
This is exactly what the bosses who put Trump into office were trying to achieve. Crushing the tight labor market from the early Biden years that gave workers - for the first time in my adult lifetime - leverage over their bosses.
NEW
US labor market flows remained sluggish in October data released this morning, as hiring slowed to nearly the lowest level since early COVID
The hiring rate fell to 3.2%, layoffs rose to 1.2%, quits fell to 1.8%, and job openings rose to 4.6%
US labor market flows remained sluggish in October data released this morning, as hiring slowed to nearly the lowest level since early COVID
The hiring rate fell to 3.2%, layoffs rose to 1.2%, quits fell to 1.8%, and job openings rose to 4.6%
December 9, 2025 at 3:14 PM
This is exactly what the bosses who put Trump into office were trying to achieve. Crushing the tight labor market from the early Biden years that gave workers - for the first time in my adult lifetime - leverage over their bosses.
Reposted by Rick Varco
I am ratcheting down my social media, but let me just say that all European leaders except on the far Right should note that the U.S. now seeks regime change in their country; basically seeks to depose them. US strategy is to support the political forces that threaten liberal democracy in Europe.
Trump Administration Says Europe Faces ‘Civilizational Erasure’
www.nytimes.com
December 6, 2025 at 7:29 AM
I am ratcheting down my social media, but let me just say that all European leaders except on the far Right should note that the U.S. now seeks regime change in their country; basically seeks to depose them. US strategy is to support the political forces that threaten liberal democracy in Europe.
Who says we need the Senate to convict? The Constitution? Clearly that can mean anything. If John Roberts wants to ignore it so can we
I feel like if the Court tries to nullify birthright citizenship then House Democrats should commit to impeaching all the Republican justices as soon as they get a majority. Even if the Senate won’t convict, make them make a spectacle out of it.
December 6, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Who says we need the Senate to convict? The Constitution? Clearly that can mean anything. If John Roberts wants to ignore it so can we
Reposted by Rick Varco
For the December 16th State House Special Primary Elections, the Minnesota AFL-CIO is proud to endorse union member Meg Lugar-Nikolai in District 64A and Shelley Buck in District 47A! #mnleg #BetterInAUnion #LaborEndorsed
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
For the December 16th State House Special Primary Elections, the Minnesota AFL-CIO is proud to endorse union member Meg Lugar-Nikolai in District 64A and Shelley Buck in District 47A! #mnleg #BetterInAUnion #LaborEndorsed
Reposted by Rick Varco
📽️ WATCH: As her health declined during a high-risk pregnancy, Tierra Walker asked doctors for an abortion. They assured her she didn’t need to worry. Then she died of preeclampsia.
Listen to her aunt Latanya Walker recount Tierra's story. More: https://propub.li/3MkJs6L
Listen to her aunt Latanya Walker recount Tierra's story. More: https://propub.li/3MkJs6L
December 6, 2025 at 2:00 AM
📽️ WATCH: As her health declined during a high-risk pregnancy, Tierra Walker asked doctors for an abortion. They assured her she didn’t need to worry. Then she died of preeclampsia.
Listen to her aunt Latanya Walker recount Tierra's story. More: https://propub.li/3MkJs6L
Listen to her aunt Latanya Walker recount Tierra's story. More: https://propub.li/3MkJs6L
Absolute hero! Make the cowards run and tell them they are worthless.
December 6, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Absolute hero! Make the cowards run and tell them they are worthless.
Reposted by Rick Varco
Counterpoint:
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in birthright citizenship challenge
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration.
n.pr
December 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Counterpoint:
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
This really is the root of the problem.
What sticks out to me is how absolutely unafraid of prosecution this psychopath is. Part of it is narcissistic personality disorder, but it's mostly the perceived weakness of Democrats. Should they retake power, no one expects Democrats to hold anyone accountable.
December 5, 2025 at 5:06 AM
This really is the root of the problem.
On the one hand Whiskey Pete violating all rules of info security merits no discipline, on the other hand two guys clinging to wreckage must be killed b/c of the danger they pose.
December 5, 2025 at 4:52 AM
On the one hand Whiskey Pete violating all rules of info security merits no discipline, on the other hand two guys clinging to wreckage must be killed b/c of the danger they pose.
Reposted by Rick Varco
Democrats can retaliate against these GOP gerrymanders with new maps in Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, & Virginia.
They could flip 7 GOP seats to make up for this & new GOP maps in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, & possibly soon Indiana.
Imposing costs is the only way to deter the GOP from doing this
They could flip 7 GOP seats to make up for this & new GOP maps in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, & possibly soon Indiana.
Imposing costs is the only way to deter the GOP from doing this
December 5, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Democrats can retaliate against these GOP gerrymanders with new maps in Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, & Virginia.
They could flip 7 GOP seats to make up for this & new GOP maps in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, & possibly soon Indiana.
Imposing costs is the only way to deter the GOP from doing this
They could flip 7 GOP seats to make up for this & new GOP maps in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, & possibly soon Indiana.
Imposing costs is the only way to deter the GOP from doing this