the (national) weather outside is frightful!

I want to start with what you can do, right this week, to make a difference in other people's lives. We may not be able to save every federal worker's jobs through direct action, but we can let them know that we care about what is happening to them. They are our friends and neighbors. And we rely on what they do every day: they regulate work places to keep us safe; they provide information and regulations to ensure our health; they support our small businesses; they make sure workers are hired and treated fairly; they administer Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. And they are under attack!

So on Valentine's Day, instead of rallying outside the office of our MAGA Senator Ron Johnson to protest the ongoing horror in D.C., we are gathering at 310 W Wisconsin Avenue on the plaza outside the building that houses many federal offices to demonstrate our support. In addition to signs of support, we are also encouraging people to bring valentines and thank you notes to be delivered to those offices after the rally. Bring a friend or two and join us and many local grassroots organizations in Showing Some Love for America's Federal Workers! See our sign-up page for all the details.

In the "What Goes Around Comes Around" department, the Wisconsin Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Megan Wolfe, the administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), could remain in her position past the original term for which she was hired. And the Senate could not replace her unless WEC had sent a new nomination to the Senate for its approval. One key basis for the ruling was a precedent the Court had set in 2022 — in a 4-3 decision — in the Kaul v. Prehn case. You may recall that the Prehn decision declared that an occupant of an office could overstay his term indefinitely and that the legislature could not install a new person because the position was not vacant. So now, the same rule applies to the administrator of WEC. And the decision this time, note, was unanimous. For now at least, the rule of law still holds in Wisconsin.

The same is not true nationally however. We are experiencing a blitzkrieg without bullets. A coup, or more accurately, an autogolpe. As today's Morning Memo at Talking Points Memo (TPM) explains, "the true significance of the executive order was empowering DOGE, overseen by the world’s richest man, to have a key role in every department and agency. The result is an arrangement where Musk and his team operates as a layer superimposed between the White House and the rest of the federal government, positioning them as political enforcers in the style of the old Soviet commissars."

Josh Marshall, founder and Editor-in-Chief of TPM, spells it out clearly in his headline: Not Hyperbole Anymore: Musk Is In Charge of the US Government. The new Executive Order will empower DOGE (which I pronounce DOG-E or DOGGIE) to assign a "DOGE Team Lead" to every federal agency and empowers said DOG-E to call all hiring and firing shots. Naturally each team lead will report to Co-President Elon Musk. Marshall ends his article thus: "I don’t know what else to call these people besides political commissars. And again, they report to Elon Musk. He’s already very clearly operating here as an independent actor whose actions the President blesses after he’s found out what’s happened.... We’re in dystopian quasi-science fiction territory here."

Even before the latest Executive Order emanated from the Oval Office yesterday, Timothy Snyder, Yale historian and author of the Substack Thinking about..., saw this clearly in his February 5 posting Of course it's a coup. The subhead reads "Miss the obvious, lose your republic." He describes the 21st century coup not as a takeover of physical spaces but as "a couple dozen young men [who] go from government office to government office, dressed in civilian clothes and armed only with zip drives. Using technical jargon and vague references to orders from on high, they gain access to the basic computer systems of the federal government. Having done so, they proceed to grant their Supreme Leader access to information and the power to start and stop all government payments." Snyder's piece ends by noting that with his control of the government's information infrastructure, Musk now eclipses Trump: "President Trump will also perform at Musk’s pleasure. There is not much he can do without the use of the federal government’s computers. No one will explain this to Trump or to his supporters, of course."

It's pretty clear that the power of the purse the US Constitution places in Congress has been completely subverted. And it's equally clear that even if the Republican-controlled Congress were to recognize its own irrelevance and impotence in this regime, it is not inclined to push back — at least not yet. Rachel Maddow explains on her February 11 show that opposition is beginning to coalesce with Democrats in Congress, with the public, and in the courts. So far, the courts have recognized that the executive branch cannot be a spending or impounding authority unto itself. Although the effort to restrain Musk and Trump is necessarily piecemeal, the citizenry have awakened and are gathering in large groups to protest. Just Security's Litigation Tracker: Legal Challenges to Trump Administration Actions currently lists 58 cases in the courts! It seems to be updated daily and organizes the cases by Executive Order or Action. And it includes any judicial rulings, such as injunctions or temporary restraining orders, in each case. Lawfare also provides a great litigation tracker, by default listed in reverse alphabetical order but can be rearranged using other criteria.

Our job right now is to vote in the February 18 primary — see our Elections 2025 pages for candidate information — and to work our fannies off to preserve our progressive majority on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. This newsletter's trip through what is happening nationally should be dispositive evidence that courts, both federal and state, form a crucial bulwark to the rule of law and to our cherished freedoms. So, this weekend and on election day (Tuesday, February 18), the Wisconsin Democratic Party has organized canvasses all over the state. Here in the North Shore and in Ozaukee, Waukesha, and Washington Counties are these:

Let me end with a reminder of why we need to pull out all the stops to elect Judge Susan Crawford. On February 2, in an op-ed in The Capital Times she pledges to be a common sense Justice dedicated to protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Wisconsinites. Meanwhile, her opponent, politician Brad Schimel, has spent his entire career advancing an extreme far-right agenda. Judge Crawford wrote: “As attorney general, [Brad Schimel] failed victims of sexual assault by completing DNA testing on just nine out of over 6,000 backlogged sexual assault kits in two years, leaving dangerous predators on the streets and denying victims the justice they deserved. Schimel’s record speaks for itself. It’s clear that he is more concerned with advancing his own political agenda than protecting the safety and well-being of our communities and families.” The League of Women Voters has published a 2-page Voter Guide for this race you should consult.

EVENTS

Wednesday, February 12

Learn How to Help Immigrants, Refugees, and Undocumented People, 5:30pm CST
Palm Garden at Turner Hall, 1034 N Vel Phillips Ave, Milwaukee
The Turners Train the Trainers program offers free information for community groups and members who want to provide resources for immigrants, refugees and undocumented people. Sign up.

Working Families Party Community Gathering and Fundraiser, 5:30 - 8:30pm CST
215 W Bruce Street, Milwaukee
Join us for a community gathering to honor the hard work of our volunteers & partner organizations! We will come together in solidarity to share appetizers and conversation. This is also a call to action as we look ahead to the Spring Supreme Court election. We will discuss ways to stay involved with Working Families Party and continue to build our power. Donate. If you are not able to give at this time, sign up for a free ticket.

Thursday, February 13

Calling Governor Evers, All Day
Your Phone
WISDOM’s Commutation Team leader, Beverly Walker, will meet with the governor’s legal staff On February 13 to urge Governor Evers to commute the sentences of particularly deserving candidates. Help WISDOM to persuade the Governor by calling his office — 608-266-1212. Here's a bit of background: in the spring of 2023, Gov. Evers told members of WISDOM that he was ready and eager to resume the tradition of commuting the sentences of particularly deserving candidates. We quickly identified four ideal candidates for such clemency, vetted them thoroughly, and developed suggestions for continuing and regularizing the process. It is now almost two years later, and we are still waiting. So call Governor Evers on Thursday to support WISDOM's efforts.

Galentine's Day Trivia Extravaganza sponsored by Red Wine & Blue, 6:30 - 7:30pm CST
Online
Whether you’re a trivia queen, a hopeless romantic, or just want to have fun, this Galentine’s Day Trivia Extravaganza is for YOU!. Put on those comfy PJs, grab your favorite beverage and let’s have a little friendly competition as we test our knowledge of badass women in history! Meet other awesome RWB members, win some prizes and take some time to kick back and relax. You deserve it! See you there! Sign up.

Friday, February 14

Showing Some Love for America's Federal Workers, 12:00 - 1:00pm CST
310 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Federal workers are being tossed this way and that, and they need to know they are appreciated! Grassroots North Shore, Grassroots Germantown and several other organizations are sponsoring this rally on Valentine's Day in the plaza in front of the building that houses a wide variety of federal agencies such as Social Security, Housing and Urban Development, the Small Business Administration, and many more. As the sign-up page recommends, bring signs, valentines, and thank you notes. And like seasoned Wisconsinites, dress warmly! Questions or concerns? Contact Cheryl Maranto.

LWV Birthday Party at St. John’s on the Lake, 2:30 - 4:30pm CST
1840 N Prospect Ave, Milwaukee
Please join us to celebrate the League of Women Voters’ 105th birthday. There will be a showing of The Most Dangerous Women, a documentary co-created by our late member, Janet Fitch and Merry Wiesner-Hanks. Merry will be on hand for a discussion afterward. We will also recognize St. John’s residents who were presidents of Leagues in other cities. So come for the film and stay for the birthday cake! We hope you’ll join us! Register.

Saturday, February 15

LWV 105th Birthday Party, 10:30am - 1:00pm CST
6737 W Washington St, Suite 2135,West Allis
In honor of 104 years, we're coming together to celebrate what we've accomplished and continue the fight locally. This is a potluck. Please bring a dish to pass. There is no fee for this event but there is an opportunity to make a small optional donation to help fund future events. Scroll to the bottom of the page and to register (required, but no fee). When you register, you can also make an optional donation.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Sherman Blvd and North Ave, Milwaukee
Every Saturday, Stand for Peace advocates gather on a specified street corner with signs to advocate for peace.

Monday, February 17

Astor Street Regulars, 12:00pm CST
Wisconsin Club, 900 W Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
We will host two guests: Dr. Jill Underly, Incumbent Superintendent of Public Instruction, and Jeff Wright, Superintendent of Sauk Prairie Public School. Both are candidates in the primary for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Some major issues in this campaign are:

State funding of general aid for public school: Local voters approved $4.4 billion in property tax increases in 2024 due to inadequate state funding;
Testing and evaluation of student performance: DPI recently enacted new standards;
State funding of special education: current reimbursement rate is 31.5% of local costs;
Teacher shortages: A 2024 DPI report found Wisconsin educators continue to leave the state’s workforce at an alarming rate, and that educator compensation has decreased nearly 20 percent over the past 12 years when held constant in 2022 dollars.

Please join us. Lunch is $35 Cash preferred, pay at the door. RSVP by Tuesday, February 12 to Phyllis Bankier. As always, we hold you to your reservation as we are charged for all lunches not canceled 5 days before the event.

MKE County Dems Monthly Meeting, 6:00pm
Fiesta Café, 1407 S 1st St, Milwaukee
Please join us for our February Membership Meeting at Fiesta Café. We will be celebrating Black History Month and organizing for the Spring Election!

Tuesday, February 18

PRIMARY ELECTION DAY, 7:00am - 8:00pm
Your Polling Place
As current events highlight, EVERY ELECTION MATTERS. Go VOTE!

Wednesday, February 19

How to Fight Book Bans & Stand Up for Public Education, 6:30 - 7:30pm CST
Online
Ready to stand up to extremists causing chaos at school board meetings? Want to defeat book bans and stand up against policies that negatively impact our schools and students? Join Red Wine & Blue to learn how to effectively build local support in your community and the tactics you can use for success. You are the majority -- make sure your voices are heard! See you there! Sign up.

Oz Dems Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Ave., Lower Level, Grafton
Join fellow Democrats as we connect about the upcoming spring election for the State Supreme Court, local, and county elections throughout Ozaukee.

Judge Susan Crawford Indivisible in WI Town Hall, 7:00 - 8:00pm
Virtual
The Indivisible network in Wisconsin invites you to hear from Judge Crawford as we draw ever closer to the election on April 1st. Indivisible Group Leaders will ask a series of questions of Judge Crawford and she’ll take a few from attendees as well. The event will be online. The outcome of this election will determine the limits of our Reproductive Rights, Collective Bargaining Rights, Fair Legislative Maps and many other freedoms that are central to our lives in a Democracy, regardless of where in Wisconsin we live. Our Town Hall event will also highlight ways for attendees to get engaged and make a difference to this vital election. Sign up for Judge Crawford, Indivisible Town Hall.

February Banned Book Club: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler, 6:30 - 8:00pm
Virtual
Parable of the Sower is a speculative fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic Earth. It tells the story of Lauren, who travels north as a refugee after her walled-in community in Los Angeles is destroyed by climate change, scarcity, and political unrest. This book is so relevant for today you would think it was just written. The author, Octavia E. Butler was an award-winning Black science fiction writer and the first science fiction writer to be awarded a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation fellowship. Join the February Banned Book Club brought to you by Red Wine and Blue.

Thursday, February 20

Waukesha Dems Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
200 Richard St, Waukesha
Join us for our monthly meeting. More details to follow.

Saturday, February 22

Coffee, Tea & Democracy, 10:00am - 1:00pm
1930 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton
Stop by the Dem office on the last Saturday of every month from 10:00am - 1:00pm for this new event!
Q: What is it?
A: A fun and safe space where ideas will percolate and tea is spilt.
We provide refreshments. You bring yourself, and a friend. See you there!

Women's History Month Brunch & Fundraiser, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Shully's, 146 Green Bay Rd, Thiensville
Our keynote speaker, Meg Kissinger, will help us see and think about people with mental illness in a new light. Her new memoir, While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence, has been praised for its incisive reporting, boundless compassion, and surprising humor. Tickets are $65/person. Register by February 14 online or by mail. Please consider adding a donation to our Martha Watts Founder's Scholarship for Civic Engagement for a LWVOzWa Youth Vote Group member. LWVOzWa also supports the efforts at the Milwaukee County Jail Library to provide reading material for those who have much time on their hands waiting for their lawyer, trial, sentencing, etc. and just waiting. Books and magazines take the mind away where the body happens to be and this is a needed respite for the residents. We will gladly collect your gently used magazines and paperback books. Download a list of popular reading material requested by Milwaukee County Jail Library.

Stand for Peace, 12:00 - 1:00pm
Brady and Farwell, Milwaukee
Every Saturday, Stand for Peace advocates gather on a specified street corner with signs to advocate for peace. This week we are sponsoring a Global Day of Action to Shut Down thousands of U S military bases at home and around the world! See more information about the Day of Action.

Sunday, February 23

Listening from the Heart: a dialogue program exploring the Palestine / Israel conflict, 12:00 - 2:00pm
Webinar / Q & A
Listening from the Heart explores the Palestine / Israel conflict through the compassionate dual narrative approach. Two speakers — a Muslim Palestinian and a Jewish Israeli — share their life experiences and points of view on the conflict. Amir and Yonatan will explain why, despite losing loved ones to the wars, they — and hundreds of other bereaved families on both sides — have chosen to reconcile and work for peace. Brought to you by Nurturing Diversity Partners and Parents Circle-Family Forum, a 27-year-old joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of 700+ bereaved families from both sides who have lost members to the conflict. Together they work for reconciliation and peace in the region.

Following the kickoff Webinar, Milwaukee-area attendees will be invited to register for the follow-up, in-person Deep Dive Dialogue series. A small group cohort meeting will meet once a month for four sessions. This will allow them to interrogate the complexities raised by the conflict, using the dual narrative approach introduced in the Webinar. These sessions will be held in Metro Milwaukee. Series tickets will also be “donate-what-you-can." The series cohort is limited to 20 participants, led by trained facilitators. NDP's Caring Circle Dialogue Process will ensure that all points of view are heard. Register for the Webinar.

Tuesday, February 25

Wisconsin Supreme Court Election: Judging Judicial Candidates, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Virtual
Join the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin for the second of our webinars about the spring Wisconsin Supreme Court election. The program will provide voters with information about how citizens can assess candidates’ perspectives on and knowledge of the judging process of a Supreme Court justice. Speakers include: Chad Oldfather from Marquette University Law School; Rob Yablon of the State Democracy Research Institute; Attorney Jeff Mandell of Law Forward,; and George Penn of United to Amend. RSVP for the webcast.

Friday, February 28

LWVMKE League Café, 10:00am - 12:00pm
TBD, check events page
League Café meets monthly and welcomes League members old and new, as well as community members. In a small group setting, we get to know each other better, share knowledge and have interesting conversations. In rotating months, we meet as a general discussion group, and in opposite months, convene as a book club to discuss noteworthy books on racial equity, immigration and/or voting.

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Eilene Stevens published this page in Newsletter 2025-02-13 11:52:32 -0600

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