Rick Varco
@rvarco.bsky.social
350 followers 360 following 250 posts
SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa Political Director, ex-Philosophy grad student, Democrat, comic book fan, and Spot Bar regular
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rvarco.bsky.social
This is some NJ Generals level loserville. Republicans do this stuff in part b/c they know Dems will never do the same to them. Try: "nothing will stop Democrats from holding to account those who have defiled the Constitution"
atrupar.com
DANIELS: Should the next Democratic president be a little bit more involved with the DOJ than Democrats have been in the past?

KAMALA HARRIS: No president should think of the DOJ as being their personal attorney
Reposted by Rick Varco
propublica.org
Due to Tennessee’s abortion ban, Mayron Hollis was forced to continue a pregnancy that threatened her life. An emergency delivery left her without a uterus and her baby with medical issues.

This was their first year in a post-Roe state (pub. Feb. 2024):
She Was Denied an Abortion After Roe Fell. This Is a Year in Her Family’s Life.
Tennessee law prohibits women from having abortions in nearly all circumstances. But once the babies are here, the state provides little help. We followed one family as they struggled to make it.
projects.propublica.org
rvarco.bsky.social
The silence of the Kennedy family is damming. Every last one should be out every day denouncing RFK Jr.
belongia.bsky.social
CDC has been a global leader in public health & played a key role in smallpox eradication. Health depts in red states & blue states rely on CDC expertise & support. The CDC EIS program trains the next generation of public health leaders & disease detectives.

They are burning it to the ground.
JAMA Health Forum Oct 9, 2025 by LO Gostin and P Lurie.
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has long served as the cornerstone of the US
public health system, combining technical expertise, evidence-based policy recommendations, and high-quality health information. Yet, it is undergoing profound weakening by the Trump administration, including major funding cuts, the dismissal and resignation of experienced senior staff, and the erosion of its scientific independence. With tightening political control, public trust in
the CDC is diminishing. Undermining the agency’s reputation and capacities will reverberate for generations, making the nation less prepared for future health emergencies, including diseases of
pandemic potential. At this perilous moment, we document the current assault on the CDC that will inevitably have serious repercussion
Reposted by Rick Varco
thebulwark.com
"They put me on suicide watch and they put me in the cell, I'm naked, in like a hospital dress and just a concrete bed with like a mattress, like a thin mattress and, they leave the light on 24/7."

@timmiller.bsky.social talked to a veteran who ICE wrongly detained and brutalized
rvarco.bsky.social
No foreign military bases on US soil - ever.
atrupar.com
Hegseth: "I'm also proud that today we're signing a letter of acceptance to build a Qatari Emeri air force facility at the Mountain Home Airbase in Idaho."
Reposted by Rick Varco
taniel.bsky.social
Thank you! If anyone wants to support independent media, we're grateful for your consideration—and subscriptions.
Reposted by Rick Varco
melvincarter.bsky.social
Grateful to have Sen. @amyklobuchar.com’s endorsement of our re-election campaign. Through an era of chaos and division from DC, Sen. Klobuchar has been a steady champion and a fantastic partner for Saint Paul!
rvarco.bsky.social
Or have these windfall campaigns invest in long-term movement infrastructure instead blowing it all on TV ads
Reposted by Rick Varco
govpritzker.illinois.gov
The brave men and women who serve in our national guards must not be used as political props. This is a moment where every American must speak up and help stop this madness.
Reposted by Rick Varco
govpritzker.illinois.gov
​I call on Governor Abbott to immediately withdraw any support for this decision and refuse to coordinate. There is no reason a President should send military troops into a sovereign state without their knowledge, consent, or cooperation.
Reposted by Rick Varco
govpritzker.illinois.gov
We must now start calling this what it is: Trump’s Invasion. It started with federal agents, it will soon include deploying federalized members of the Illinois National Guard against our wishes, and it will now involve sending in another state’s military troops.
Reposted by Rick Varco
govpritzker.illinois.gov
This evening, President Trump is ordering 400 members of the Texas National Guard for deployments to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations within the United States. No officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate.
rvarco.bsky.social
MN sit down strike: "When people ask me, 'Why can't labor organize the way it did in the thirties?' the answer is simple: everything we did then is now illegal."
-- Thomas Geoghegan
mplsphotobot.bsky.social
Minneapolis Moline Strike (1938)
Source: Hennepin County Library

A four piece band entertains at the New Year's party held for the sit-down strikers at the Hopkins plant.
rvarco.bsky.social
Not really interested in legal debates about sending troops into cities. What matters is if it is justified. Are we to be treated this way?
rvarco.bsky.social
Well this is embarrassing for Minnesota
jamellebouie.net
i think anyone taught by ilan wurman ought to ask the university of minnesota law school for their money back
stevevladeck.bsky.social
The very first statute authorizing domestic use of the military during domestic emergencies, enacted in 1792 by a Congress full of the same folks who wrote and ratified the Constitution, expressly provided for judicial review in certain circumstances *before* the President could even send troops.
Reposted by Rick Varco
atrupar.com
Harry Enten: "Who do Americans blame more for the shutdown? They blame Republicans. The New York Times -- by 7 points they blame Republicans. Marist -- blame Trump and Republicans by 12 points. How about Washington Post? By a 17 point margin."
Reposted by Rick Varco
muellershewrote.com
This is up 9 points from a couple days ago. Keep speaking up!
kylegriffin1.bsky.social
New WaPo poll:
 
47% of respondents blame Trump and Republicans in Congress for the government shutdown. Just 30% blame Democrats.
rvarco.bsky.social
There should be no Democratic votes for anything until she is seated
the-downballot.com
House Republicans are refusing to seat Dem Adelita Grijalva, who won a special election more than a week ago. She's the last signature needed to force a vote on the Epstein files.

The soonest the GOP will act is Oct. 7. In three prior specials this year, the winners were all sworn in a day later.
Reposted by Rick Varco
electproject.bsky.social
We are being taxed via Trump’s tariffs to give money to farmers hurt by Trump’s tariffs…because they voted for Trump
atrupar.com
Bessent: "It's unfortunate that Chinese leadership has decided to use American soybean farmers as a hostage or pawn in the trade negotiations. American farmers overwhelmingly voted for President Trump ... you should expect news on Tuesday on substantial support for our farmers."