Elections past and future haunt us

The big news of the weekend, of course, is the deal President Biden and House Speaker McCarthy reached to raise the debt ceiling until 2025. Before looking at the details, we should admire and rejoice at Dark Brandon's political jujitsu. The deal means that there will be no opportunity for MAGA Republicans to shut down the government during budget negotiations this fall and no opportunity to use the debt ceiling as a hostige again until after the 2024 elections. Masterful. But that's of course not all.

Although I am one of those people who thought the President ought not to negotiate at all with people who basically think it might be a good thing to crash the economy, Josh Marshall at Talking Points Memo makes a really good point. Like me, he was adamantly opposed to Biden engaging in negotiations in the first place. But as he points out, "Something like this set of concessions was more or less baked in the moment Republicans won control of the House. There was always going to be a budget negotiation this fall that shifted fiscal policy to the right. Again, baked in as soon as Republicans won the House." He goes on to say, "That’s why to me this is a very big win both in policy and political terms. In fact, such a big win that I’m still not totally clear how it came about. Once Biden started negotiating and appeared to rule out extraordinary measures, I was sure he was going to get taken to the cleaners. Somehow he didn’t. Score another one for Dark Brandon."

Here at home, we're finally going to see some public account of how the phony elector scheme started and worked (or didn't, of course). Remember the matter of the bogus "electors" who tried to construct the pretext for overthrowing the 2020 presidential election? Well, the issue has new life. The Fake Electors lawsuit Democrats filed in May, 2022, has been set for trial on September 3, 2024, and is scheduled to last a month (Urban Milwaukee, May 25, 2023). Dane County Judge Frank Remington set the trial schedule last week. Democrats are arguing that "the 10 Republicans and two attorneys who advised them broke a variety of laws, including one that bans people from falsely acting as public officials. Plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages of up to $2.4 million." Jeff Mandell, the lead attorney for the Democrats, "noted that one of the goals for plaintiffs was to prevent Republican plaintiffs from serving as electors in future elections. Mandell said the next slates of electors would be chosen in October 2024."

In early May, the same judge ordered the Wisconsin Election Commission, which had unanimously rejected a complaint about these pretend electors, first filed in 2021, to revive it. In his ruling, Judge Frank Remington wrote, "To emphasize, Wisconsin voters chose none of these persons to serve as presidential elector — on the contrary, each had been named to serve as the potential electors for a losing candidate." You can read the details in full at the PBS News Hour. His order requires the Commission to give "no deference to or consideration of its previous decision."

Are you tired of the anti-majoritarian institution, the Electoral College, enabling a candidate to win the presidency while losing the popular vote? The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is for you: See Robert Reich explain it. Minnesota just joined the Compact. The matter is still pending in Michigan. It's of course a long shot in Wisconsin and not just because the state legislature is thoroughly controlled by a political party that stands to lose a lot of presidential elections in the future if the nationwide popular vote determines the winner. Wisconsin would stand to lose its outsized influence in presidential elections. Why? Because there would no longer be "swing states" who get all the candidates' attention (and advertising money!). Nevertheless, it is the only way to rid ourselves of minority rule through the structure of the Electoral College without amending the US Constitution. And boy would it be worth it. With the NPVIC, John Kerry would have won in 2000 and Hillary Clinton would have won in 2016!

One of our three branches of national government — the judiciary — has fallen into disrepute, it seems. Or perhaps it is just the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) that has earned the disapproval of the population. The latest Marquette Law School poll, released on Wednesday, May 23, shows that disapproval in the survey conducted May 8 - May 18 has reached 59% while approval has slumped to 41%. The same poll conducted one year ago showed approval at 44% and disapproval at 55%. This poll only began 2.75 years ago, in mid-September 2020. Since then approval has plummeted from 66% then to a mere 41% now. Disapproval has risen just as dramatically: from 33% in September 2020 to 59% now, an increase of 26%! We can see disapproval of the court rising rapidly in just the last five months. Among Republicans, approval has dropped nine points since mid-January, 2023. The ratio of disapproval to approval among independents has stayed roughly the same during that 5-month period: 2-1 disapproval. For Democrats, approval has dropped from 31% to 24% while disapproval has risen to 76%, a 3 to 1 ratio!

Make sure you're informed about the Special Election in Assembly District 24. The League of Women Voters Wisconsin plans to post its special election voter guide on VOTE411.org. If you live and vote in AD 24, make a note of the URL and check it periodically for useful information. (Right now it simply returns no information and states that there are no elections, which is wrong. So give it a week or so and then try.) Like Grassroots North Shore, the LWVWI reminds you that "it’s important to plan ahead to make sure you’re ready to be a voter. If you’re in the district, consider requesting your absentee ballot for the Special Election today! Also, help your friends, family, and neighbors make their voting plan." Election Day is July 18. The district encompasses Grafton (town and village), part of Mequon, Germantown (town and village), and Menomonee Falls. To find out whether you live in the district, visit the home page for the Wisconsin Legislature.

—— Take Action ——

You can send Bob Tatterson to the Assembly to protect essential freedoms, like a woman's right to choose, fully funded public schools, fair election maps, and much more. You can help in three ways if you live in Assembly District 24 (find out here by typing in your address):

Volunteer with his campaign.
Donate to his campaign.
Vote for Bob
• by absentee ballot (request one at MyVote.WI.gov);
• early in person from July 5 through July 14 (in the office of your village/city clerk);
• or go to the polls on Election Day, July 18.

If you DON'T live in AD24, concentrate on numbers 1 and 2 above.

You can strengthen our democracy by volunteering to register voters at one of Milwaukee's 3 DMV's. This is indoors in a safe environment under supervision of DMV management. The Teutonia DMV schedules two-hour shifts weekdays 8:20am - 4:45pm. Mill Road DMV schedules Saturday morning. All training and materials are supplied. The approach is non-partisan. Supermarket Legends provides voter education and encourages voters to use absentee ballots. This is very productive and rewarding work. Contact James Balk.

Protesting is also taking action. In this case, telling your cable provider that you don't want to pay even more than you're paying already (probably about $2 per subscriber per month) to have Fox News as part of your "Basic Cable" offerings. Media Matters has produced a site that will explain the whole thing and allow you to register your #UNFOXMYCABLEBOX views. It even allows you to calculate how much you've unknowingly paid in fees to Fox News.

EVENTS

Thursday, June 1

Pridefest, 4:00pm - 12:00am
Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr, Milwaukee
Pridefest returns June 1 - 3! On Friday, hours are from 3:00pm until midnight. On Saturday, from 12:00pm to midnight. See the PrideFest 2023 Headliners. We are pleased to announce our 2023 festival headliners on our SKYYLine Mainstage and Dance Pavilion stage. Stay tuned for more announcements and full line up! Buy Tickets.

Friday, June 2

Public Law in the States: The Work of State Supreme Courts, 1:30 - 3:00pm
Tripp Commons, Memorial Union; 300 Langdon St, Madison
The State Democracy Research Initiative invites you to please join us. The panel will highlight the perspectives of state supreme court justices from across the country. Participating jurists will explore the role and work of state supreme courts. Topics of discussion will include how state court systems are distinctive, how state-level approaches to adjudication might differ from federal approaches, and aspects of state law that warrant greater attention from scholars and the public. The State Democracy Research Initiative is delighted to welcome Justice Jennifer Brunner (Ohio Supreme Court), Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement (Michigan Supreme Court), Justice Leondra Kruger (California), Justice Anne McKeig (Minnesota Supreme Court), and Vice Chief Justice Ann Timmer (Arizona Supreme Court) for this discussion. A virtual option is available when you register.

Pridefest, 3:00pm - 12:00am
Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr, Milwaukee
Pridefest returns June 1 - 3! On Saturday, hours are from 12:00pm to midnight. See the PrideFest 2023 Headliners. We are pleased to announce our 2023 festival headliners on our SKYYLine Mainstage and Dance Pavilion stage. Stay tuned for more announcements and full line up! Buy Tickets.

Just Action Book Launch, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Centennial Hall, 733 N 8th St, Milwaukee
Richard and Leah Rothstein discuss their new book, Just Action, with Reggie Jackson, local historian and researcher at the Redress Movement. Richard Rothstein’s highly acclaimed book, The Color of Law: a forgotten history of how our government segregated America, demonstrates that residential segregation was created by racially explicit and unconstitutional government policy. Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law describes how we can begin to address this, providing dozens of strategies local groups can pursue to redress segregation in their own communities. By starting with achievable local victories, we can build a national movement that can remedy our unconstitutional racial landscape. Register.

Cease Fire Weekend: End Violence; Unite for Peace, 6:00 - 9:00pm
Epikos Church, 3737 N Sherman Blvd, Milwaukee
When Claude Got Shot: Screening and Panel Discussion. Safe and Sound and Epikos Church host a free screening of this Milwaukee-based documentary about the personal impact of gun violence, followed by a discussion panel with survivors and advocates working to curb gun violence. Light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, June 3

Knock Doors in Menomonee Falls, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Fiddleheads Coffee, N88 W16621 Appleton Ave, Menomonee Falls
Join us to knock doors for the Assembly District 24 Special Election in Menomonee Falls! Sign up for a three-hour shift, beginning at 9:00am or at 12:00pm.

WEAR ORANGE PEACE WALK, 11:00am - 1:00pm
4422 W Leon Terrace, Milwaukee
Join us as we honor victims of gun violence with a peace walk and memorial. Together we will walk in solidarity with the family of victims and survivors of gun violence across our city and state. Hosted by Safe and Sound, the Milwaukee Office of Violence Prevention, WAVE Educational Fund, and Moms Demand Action.

WEAR ORANGE DRIVE-THRU MEMORIAL, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Between Townsend and Locust Streets, Milwaukee
The Metro Milwaukee Moms Demand Action group is hosting a drive-through memorial, displaying signs with photographs of Milwaukee residents who have been shot and killed in the city. Please come honor these loved ones and receive a free gun lock.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
King and Locust Streets, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.

North Shore Knocks Doors for Bob Tatterson, 12:00 - 3:00pm
6563 N Crestwood Dr., Glendale
Join the Grassroots Glendale team to knock doors for the special election in Assembly District 24! We'll be canvassing in Mequon. To make the effort easier, and more fun, ask for a driver by emailing [email protected]. Please Sign Up.

Pridefest, 3:00pm - 12:00am
Henry Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Dr, Milwaukee
Pridefest returns June 1 - 3! See the PrideFest 2023 Headliners. We are pleased to announce our 2023 festival headliners on our SKYYLine Mainstage and Dance Pavilion stage. Stay tuned for more announcements and full line up! Buy Tickets.

Sunday, June 4

ACLU at Pridefest: Show Your Support, 1:30 - 4:00pm
South 2nd St and W Lapham Blvd, Milwaukee
On Sunday, June 4, we'll be celebrating trans joy and marching in the Milwaukee Pride Parade in Walker's Point – and we want you to join us! We'll be at PrideFest, too, and we're hoping to turn out as many people as possible in solidarity and love for our LGBTQ+ community! If you're in the area and would like to march with us in the parade, you can sign up to volunteer. We'll have a banner, signs, and free Trans People Belong t-shirts for everyone who shows up. We'll also have a booth at PrideFest on Thursday through Saturday, so make sure you stop by and say hello!

March with Milwaukee Dems at PRIDE, 1:30 - 4:00pm
2nd St and Greefield Ave
What better way to celebrate than be Out and Proud at the annual Milwaukee Pride Parade! The staging area for entrants is located on 2nd Street between Greenland Ave and Lapham Blvd. Participants should check in/enter the staging area at 2nd Street and Lapham Blvd.

Tuesday, June 6

Bob Tatterson's Campaign Kick-Off, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Water Street Brewing, 1251 Gateway Dr, Grafton
You're invited! Come meet Bob, hear how we are going to WIN this election, and celebrate with us as we officially kick off the campaign. Purchase a ticket and get a free drink! Together we can do this, to improve and protect our way of life in our communities and across the state.

Wednesday, June 7

A Conversation with Steve Schmidt & Joyce Vance, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Online with Steve Schmidt
Join Joyce Vance of Civil Discourse and Steve Schmidt of The Warning to talk about the stress on our institutions and the challenges they face, especially in the context of the diminishment of the rule of law. Some of the questions and topics they'll cover include:

What does it mean to be a rule of law country? Is it ever appropriate to defy a law?
What are we entitled to expect from our courts? Are they living up to that, and if not, what should be done?
What does it mean to have a former president who is under indictment?

The event will be moderated by Suzy Shuster, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and founder of Magnetic Media Group. Sign up.

Thursday, June 8

A Screening of Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom, 3:00 – 5:00pm
Milwaukee Public Library East Branch, 2320 N Cramer St, Milwaukee
Join The LWVMC for a Screening of Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom. Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom is an unscripted documentary that invites viewers into the story of Juneteenth – the holiday recognizing the end of legalized slavery in Texas – through the eyes of a Black man learning about the holiday from the direct descendants of those liberated. The story serves as a parable that offers hope, and the insight that faith can be the greatest weapon against injustice. Light refreshments. Discussion to follow film. RSVP.

Saturday, June 10

Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
16th and Greenfield Streets, Milwaukee
Stand for Peace demonstrates for peace at a different intersection in Milwaukee County every Saturday.

Friday - Saturday, June 9 - 10

League of Women Voters Wisconsin Annual Meeting, Friday 3:00pm - 8:pm & Saturday 9:00am - 4:30pm
La Crosse Center 300 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse & Virtual
Annual Meeting 2023 Theme: The Currents That Connect Us. This year's theme focuses on all the ways water touches and impacts our lives, both in obvious ways and subtler ones. We've curated a line-up that will move you to advocate, encourage you to reflect, and empower you to put aside differences and reach across politics, race, religion, the rural-urban divide and more to protect the beautiful planet we ALL call "home". To view the preliminary Annual Meeting Program Agenda, click here. See more information, including COVID-19 protocols, hotel reservation and virtual attendance. Register for in person or virtual attendance. Deadline: May 24.

Monday, June 12

North Shore Fair Maps Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Zoom
"White Christian Nationalism:" what exactly is it and how does it threaten democracy in America? Join us June 12 and find out. Featuring Rabbi Bonnie Margulis, founder and Executive Dirctor of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice. Sign up. Visit our website for information about this group.

SAVE THE DATE

Tuesday, June 13

How the Supreme Court Is Dividing America, 5:00 - 6:00pm
Live streamed and in person in New York
The most extreme Supreme Court in decades is on the verge of changing the nation — again. How did we get here? How will overreach by the justices impact the 2024 election? And what can we do to protect American democracy from a deeply political, fiercely partisan Supreme Court? Join us for a discussion of Brennan Center President Michael Waldman’s new book, The Supermajority: How the Supreme Court Divided America, about the Court’s devastating 2021–2022 term. He will be joined by moderator George Stephanopoulos of ABC News, as well as constitutional law scholars Wilfred Codrington III and Cristina Rodríguez. RSVP today. Produced in partnership between 92NY’s Newmark Civic Life Series and the Brennan Center for Justice.

Thursday, June 15

Milwaukee County 2024 Dems Strategy Session, 5:30 - 7:30pm
8405 W Lisbon Ave, Milwaukee
Join our team for a strategy session to discuss the various ways we can expand our outreach and voter turnout throughout the County! We know that Milwaukee County plays a huge part in whether we win or lose elections here in Wisconsin. It's going to take all of us working together to make sure we have the outcome we all want in 2024. Sign up.

Sunday, July 9

Grassroots North Shore Presents: To US, 3:30 - 5:00pm
Doctors Park, 1870 E Fox Lane, Fox Point
It's a party to celebrate our country's 247th birthday. John Nichols — National Editor for The Nation, Madison Editor of the Capitol Times, author of Dollarocracy and other books, and the Voice of Wisconsin Progressivism — will get us ready for 2024 with a talk on where we have been and where we are going. Bob Tatterson, now running in a special election for Assembly District 24, will also be on hand to speak, meet, and greet. Enjoy beverages and birthday cake. Bring your family, your folding chairs, and your hope for our future as we celebrate our good work in recent elections. RSVP.