MI for democracy
@mifordemocracy.bsky.social
Democracy warrior, musician, ♥️ tennis and GS Warriors.Voters Not Politicians Policy Cmt Co-Chair/MI Dems Voter Protection Hotline Mgr. Former health policy analyst/leg staffer and proud Michigander. #MIResists
If you care about how our government functions (or not), please read about proportional representation (see below). This is the big electoral reform we need, and we need to start demanding it because our current political leadership will not make it happen.
All the social media gurus tell me that if you want things to go viral, you need to go negative.
But here's some optimism -- I think we're far closer to a moment of major democracy reform than many think.
Here's why: leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
let's prove the negativity mongers wrong!
But here's some optimism -- I think we're far closer to a moment of major democracy reform than many think.
Here's why: leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-next-e...
let's prove the negativity mongers wrong!
The next era could come sooner than you think
This Thanksgiving, let's be thankful for the possibility of renewal
leedrutman.substack.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:18 PM
If you care about how our government functions (or not), please read about proportional representation (see below). This is the big electoral reform we need, and we need to start demanding it because our current political leadership will not make it happen.
Reposted by MI for democracy
Today is World AIDS Day.
“An awareness day is not a strategy” is the US government's rationale for not publicly acknowledging World AIDS Day for the first time since the inaugural WAD in 1988.
#WAD2025
“An awareness day is not a strategy” is the US government's rationale for not publicly acknowledging World AIDS Day for the first time since the inaugural WAD in 1988.
#WAD2025
December 1, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Today is World AIDS Day.
“An awareness day is not a strategy” is the US government's rationale for not publicly acknowledging World AIDS Day for the first time since the inaugural WAD in 1988.
#WAD2025
“An awareness day is not a strategy” is the US government's rationale for not publicly acknowledging World AIDS Day for the first time since the inaugural WAD in 1988.
#WAD2025
Why do we subsidize companies that don't pay a livable wage? These companies should be penalized and the fines should go directly into the SNAP program
The Boston Globe identified the companies in Massachusetts that employ the most SNAP recipients. A key stat: "In Massachusetts, 74% of working-age recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are employed, half of them full-time."
Full article: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/28/m...
Full article: www.bostonglobe.com/2025/11/28/m...
November 30, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Why do we subsidize companies that don't pay a livable wage? These companies should be penalized and the fines should go directly into the SNAP program
We must call our federal reps and express our opposition to this "peace plan." It's an abomination and will change the world order in favor of Putin (no surprise).
This is not a peace plan. It is a proposal that weakens Ukraine and divides America from Europe, preparing the way for a larger war in the future. In the meantime, it benefits unnamed Russian and American investors, at the expense of everyone else.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Trump Has a Recipe for War and Corruption, Not Peace
Who would benefit from the White House’s 28-point proposal for Ukraine?
www.theatlantic.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:13 PM
We must call our federal reps and express our opposition to this "peace plan." It's an abomination and will change the world order in favor of Putin (no surprise).
The decimation of federal funding for mRna vaccine research will slow or completely stop research on an mRna flu vaccine.
November 20, 2025 at 5:08 AM
The decimation of federal funding for mRna vaccine research will slow or completely stop research on an mRna flu vaccine.
This is absolutely true! Donate money instead of food to your local food bank.
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
November 11, 2025 at 9:44 PM
This is absolutely true! Donate money instead of food to your local food bank.
The GOP will be going after mail voting in a big way before the midterms. This article confirms that fraud is VERY rare and mail voting improves access for many types of voters!
New research from my colleagues @brookings.edu finds that mail voting fraud is extremely low
They also show that adopting universal vote-by-mail voting reduces racial & economic disparities
Read more👇 –TN
www.brookings.edu/articles/mai...
They also show that adopting universal vote-by-mail voting reduces racial & economic disparities
Read more👇 –TN
www.brookings.edu/articles/mai...
Mail voting fraud: Data points to low risk and high benefits for voters | Brookings
Analysis finds mail voting fraud in the U.S. is exceedingly rare and shows universal vote-by-mail boosts access, turnout, and cost efficiency.
www.brookings.edu
November 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The GOP will be going after mail voting in a big way before the midterms. This article confirms that fraud is VERY rare and mail voting improves access for many types of voters!
This is exactly right. Shaheen and Durbin doing damage with retirement in sight. Proud of @peters.senate.gov and @senelissaslotkin.bsky.social for not caving. Peters is retiring next year.
The arrogance of a Senator who is not even running again to take the lead in undermining the Caucus and the voters.
Shaheen: So let me be clear. No one in the senate chamber wants to extend the ACA tax credits more than I do.
November 10, 2025 at 3:56 AM
This is exactly right. Shaheen and Durbin doing damage with retirement in sight. Proud of @peters.senate.gov and @senelissaslotkin.bsky.social for not caving. Peters is retiring next year.
Great news about last year's updated vaccine! Go stuff it RFK Jr!
According to the study’s authors, COVID vaccination was effective in all ALL groups and in persons with OR without major chronic conditions.
The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. YES, it is PEER-REVIEWED.
• www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
🧪🧵⬇️
The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine. YES, it is PEER-REVIEWED.
• www.nejm.org/doi/full/10....
🧪🧵⬇️
![RESULTS
At 6 months of follow-up, the estimated vaccine effectiveness was 29.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 19.1 to 39.2) against Covid-19-associated emergency department visits (risk difference per 10,000 persons,
18.3; 95% CI, 10.8 to 27.6), 39.2% (95% Cl, 21.6 to 54.5) against Covid-19-associated hospitalizations (risk difference per 10,000 persons, 7.5; 95% Cl, 3.4 to 13.0), and 64.0% (95% CI, 23.0 to 85.8) against Covid-19-associated deaths (risk difference per 10,000 persons,
2.2; 95% Cl, 0.5 to 6.9). Vaccine effectiveness against a composite of these outcomes was 28.3% (95% CI, 18.2 to 38.2), with a risk difference per 10,000 persons of 18.2 (95% Cl, 10.7 to 27.5). The Covid-19 vaccine was associated with decreased risks of these outcomes across prespecified subgroups defined according to age (<65 years, 65 to 75 years, and >75 years), the presence or absence of major coexisting conditions, and immunocompetence status.
CONCLUSIONS
In this national cohort of U.S. veterans, the receipt of the 2024-2025 Covid-19 vaccine was associated with decreased risks of severe clinical outcomes. (Funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs.)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:llgfbjvsqkaicezsf7mzjxr3/bafkreiczav5frsxauu7wrgq6iawkwtaszl73m3il5dlgkflri57qyxcufy@jpeg)
November 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Great news about last year's updated vaccine! Go stuff it RFK Jr!
Off-year elections always have low turnouts, but this isn't just any off-year election. Let's get those ballots in CA or vote early in person!
Only 1 in 4 Californians have turned in their ballots — and time’s almost up! 🗳️
Election Day is Tuesday. Don’t wait — fill out your ballot, sign and date the envelope, and drop it off at a secure ballot drop box or vote in person this weekend. Every vote matters!
Election Day is Tuesday. Don’t wait — fill out your ballot, sign and date the envelope, and drop it off at a secure ballot drop box or vote in person this weekend. Every vote matters!
November 1, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Off-year elections always have low turnouts, but this isn't just any off-year election. Let's get those ballots in CA or vote early in person!
Enlightening article about NC's Chief Justice of their state supreme court. His judicial conservatism has had an incredible reach throughout the state. No judge should have so much power. It also highlights the need for prioritizing state supreme Court races, as was done in Wisconsin.
“I’m sure you’re aware of our connections with the Trump Administration and I’m sure they would be interested in this matter,” the spokesperson for the North Carolina Republican Party said in an email response to us. “I would strongly suggest dropping this story.” @dougbockclark.bsky.social
“Biblical Justice, Equal Justice, for All”: How North Carolina’s Chief Justice Transformed His State and America
Paul Newby, a born-again Christian, has turned his perch atop North Carolina’s Supreme Court into an instrument of political power. Over two decades, he’s driven changes that have reverberated well be...
www.propublica.org
October 30, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Enlightening article about NC's Chief Justice of their state supreme court. His judicial conservatism has had an incredible reach throughout the state. No judge should have so much power. It also highlights the need for prioritizing state supreme Court races, as was done in Wisconsin.
Necessary, but so sad that this is needed.
Pritzker makes a direct appeal to Greg Bovino to not terrorize kids over the Halloween weekend
October 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Necessary, but so sad that this is needed.
Let's go Pennsylvania!
Pennsylvania has an important Supreme Court race coming up on Tuesday, November 4. If you live in the Keystone State, or know someone who does, vote YES to retain three justices who will protect your fundamental rights and freedoms.
October 30, 2025 at 4:23 AM
Let's go Pennsylvania!
Proportional representation may be the most impactful and easiest structural democracy reform out there. Great description of it in this article.
October 29, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Proportional representation may be the most impactful and easiest structural democracy reform out there. Great description of it in this article.
PENNSYLVANIA! Don't sleep on this election. Control of your state supreme Court is on the line. Vote YES to retain ALL THREE state supreme Court justices! Please share with folks in Pennsylvania.
Democratic control of the PA Supreme Court is on the ballot in November!
When our state court rules based on the PA Constitution, the case can NOT be appealed to the US Supreme Court. It protects our rights to vote, health care, education, and more.
Vote YES to retain our judges!
#PACourtsMater
When our state court rules based on the PA Constitution, the case can NOT be appealed to the US Supreme Court. It protects our rights to vote, health care, education, and more.
Vote YES to retain our judges!
#PACourtsMater
October 29, 2025 at 2:13 AM
PENNSYLVANIA! Don't sleep on this election. Control of your state supreme Court is on the line. Vote YES to retain ALL THREE state supreme Court justices! Please share with folks in Pennsylvania.
So the GOP governor of VA is using surplus funds to provide cash food assistance the next 2 months.
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...
Virginia SNAP substitute to roll out weekly through November • Virginia Mercury
Dubbed Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance, or VENA, the newly-created program is expected to send money to SNAP beneficiaries’ Electronic Benefit Transfer cards starting on Nov. 3.
virginiamercury.com
October 28, 2025 at 9:59 PM
So the GOP governor of VA is using surplus funds to provide cash food assistance the next 2 months.
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...
virginiamercury.com/2025/10/28/v...
Come on Pennsylvania! You can do this!
🚨ATTN: PA VOTERS🚨
A week from today, TUESDAY,
NOV 4th, exercise your right to vote.
Your VOTE is your VOICE‼️
Speak loudly and proudly.
VOTE BLUE all the way!
VOTE YES TO RETAIN 💥DEM MAJORITY 💥 PA SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
Christine Donohue
Kevin Dougherty
David Wecht
A week from today, TUESDAY,
NOV 4th, exercise your right to vote.
Your VOTE is your VOICE‼️
Speak loudly and proudly.
VOTE BLUE all the way!
VOTE YES TO RETAIN 💥DEM MAJORITY 💥 PA SUPREME COURT JUSTICES
Christine Donohue
Kevin Dougherty
David Wecht
October 28, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Come on Pennsylvania! You can do this!
I've been preaching this for years! Donate money instead of food items to food banks.
"Donating funds to a food bank is far more effective than contributing individual food items."
www.lafoodbank.org/stories/dona...
"Donating funds to a food bank is far more effective than contributing individual food items."
www.lafoodbank.org/stories/dona...
Donating Funds (Not Just Food) is Critical in the Fight Against Hunger
Donating funds to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank can go a long way in fighting hunger.
www.lafoodbank.org
October 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I've been preaching this for years! Donate money instead of food items to food banks.
"Donating funds to a food bank is far more effective than contributing individual food items."
www.lafoodbank.org/stories/dona...
"Donating funds to a food bank is far more effective than contributing individual food items."
www.lafoodbank.org/stories/dona...
Please share with any folks from Indiana! So important!
🚨 🚨
Trump wants to steal 2 House districts in Indiana.
Will Indiana hold the line?
Right now, Trump and Vance don’t have the number of votes they need.
WATCH…
What can you do to help support the effort to stop the steal in Indiana?
Go here: open.substack.com/pub/davidpep...
1/
Trump wants to steal 2 House districts in Indiana.
Will Indiana hold the line?
Right now, Trump and Vance don’t have the number of votes they need.
WATCH…
What can you do to help support the effort to stop the steal in Indiana?
Go here: open.substack.com/pub/davidpep...
1/
October 28, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Please share with any folks from Indiana! So important!
Reposted by MI for democracy
With Election Day coming up, make sure you know your rights.
October 28, 2025 at 7:52 PM
With Election Day coming up, make sure you know your rights.
ICE is paid during the budget shutdown, but not air traffic controllers. Make that make sense.
October 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
ICE is paid during the budget shutdown, but not air traffic controllers. Make that make sense.
Reposted by MI for democracy
From @19thnews.org : Kendra Sullivan’s one-woman stand received an outpouring of support from people in other conservative areas who “feel like a tiny blue speck in a red state.”
The lone woman who staged a No Kings protest in small-town West Virginia • West Virginia Watch
When Kendra Sullivan woke up on Wednesday, the 43-year-old West Virginian was surprised to see that she’d gone viral — in a good way.
westvirginiawatch.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
From @19thnews.org : Kendra Sullivan’s one-woman stand received an outpouring of support from people in other conservative areas who “feel like a tiny blue speck in a red state.”
New Jersey and Virginia, I'm talking to you! Prove the pundits wrong and elect two highly-qualified women as your governors by a wide margin. Put the sexist arguments to rest and show the door to the poor candidates on the other side. Let's do this!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/o...
Opinion | The Democratic Freakout About Mikie Sherrill
www.nytimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:53 AM
New Jersey and Virginia, I'm talking to you! Prove the pundits wrong and elect two highly-qualified women as your governors by a wide margin. Put the sexist arguments to rest and show the door to the poor candidates on the other side. Let's do this!
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/22/o...
Come on Mainers! This is priority one!
for everyone very concerned about Maine elections, there's a ballot measure this November, funded by Leonard Leo, to make voting a lot harder in the state. Could have big impact in 2026 if it passes
@burness.bsky.social did a deep dive at @boltsmag.org
boltsmag.org/maine-questi...
@burness.bsky.social did a deep dive at @boltsmag.org
boltsmag.org/maine-questi...
A Ballot Measure Targets Mail Voting in Maine - Bolts
Question 1, on the November ballot, would set up a barrage of new restrictions on absentee ballots that would considerably affect older voters and people with disabilities.
boltsmag.org
October 22, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Come on Mainers! This is priority one!
