On Fridays at The Incision we offer our Full Subscribers interactive experiences—including Q+As, moderated interviews, and live events. Next week, we’ll share a moderated interview with leading Guaranteed Basic Income advocate and former Mayor of Stockton, CA, Mayor Michael Tubbs. For the month of March, the Friday Incision is free and open to everyone. So please jump in. And don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss the conversation!
Here’s what’s on my mind today, Friday February 19th, 2021:
Life expectancy dropped by an average of a full year for the first half of 2020—that was THREE years among Black Americans and TWO years among Latinx Americans. We keep talking about “learning” from COVID-19—and at the same time going back to “normal.” When do we learn that “normal” is what got us here?
It appears that Mitch McConnell has learned a lot from Donald Trump—specifically that inconsistency doesn’t really get punished in the court of public opinion. It’s why he could, with a straight face, vote to acquit Trump in the impeachment trial and then turn around and lambast him for inciting an insurrection. His excuses about constitutionality of impeaching an ex-President are a canard and he knows it—he’s the one who delayed the impeachment trial! Part of this is shamelessness—but part of it is gaming the media coverage. How should we think about the way that politicians play the media in this post-Trump era to prevent this kind of shameless both-waysism?
Texas decided that it was going to secede its electric grid from the rest of the union’s. And now it’s paying the price. What does Texas teach us about climate change, public goods, and mutuality in these times?
I want to know what’s on YOUR mind. Post your questions, thoughts, comments, or reflections. I’ll be here live from 12-1 EST!
Texas has for years been a model for why Republican governance doesn’t work for the people. Among the highest in the nation in maternal endangered mortality rate, and yet Ted Cruz and governor Abbott can claim to be pro life. Hurricanes have caused increased damage, loss of property, loss of livelihood and loss of life, already attributed to the lack of regulation and an inconsistent application of pro-life principles. This is just another episode in the catastrophe that we call capitalism but which is governed more in the way of oligarchy
The K shaped economic recovery during the pandemic shows that those who already have significant wealth (top 10%) have gained assets while most others have lost wealth. The rich and the powerful, including corporations, are in control of government through the elected officials they control. What can be done about the 2010 Citizens United decision made by the Supreme Court?
Dr. El-Sayed, can you shed any light on why the most vulnerable population, those severely immunocompromised, who the governor and health experts used as reasoning for others to follow social distancing and other safety measures, are now completely deprioritized in Michigan for the vaccine? It originally sounded like that demographic, many of whom are going without the care they need because the risk of Covid is too great to them, would be prioritized appropriately, but when the vaccines finally became available, the most vulnerable that had been talked about at every town hall and press conference, were just completely left behind. I’m frustrated and wondering if you have any idea why disabled and ill people are yet again being relegated to the back burner.
Texas tells us a lot about those thing; I agree Abdul!! And like this pandemic, I think it shines a light on some of the most effed up parts of our culture and politics. I can’t help but think about the ableism of it all to secede the power grid like that and leave citizens without power for days. If people’s medications need to be refrigerated or medical equipment needs to be plugged in!!! (To name a few examples) Not to mention access to medical care is now trickier, especially for some. There are a lot of ways to help out right now in this acute phase, and that’s crucial, but how can we help in the more “chronic phase” of this so stuff like this failed response and no preparedness stops happening?
-We should've learned a lot of these lessons long ago, but even with growing awareness, it seems Americans at large are still not committing to the constant investment of time spent voicing opinions at local government meetings and lobbying the officials that they voted for that this type of democracy requires. I'm starting to feel like this country needs an even more direct Democracy like the Swiss model to get away from the cults of personality that aren't accomplishing our shared goals
-Texas' system is a prime example of how privatized utilities are willing to run risks at the expense of the consumer's life. It's also reminded me that states like Michigan, even with a regional connection, still have major vulnerabilities in their power grids. Look no further than the 2019 natural gas shortage that we're still in the midst of drafting a plan that will, "hopefully," stop such events from happening for the future. We need to invest in protecting our grids in every state and region ASAP.
Texas has for years been a model for why Republican governance doesn’t work for the people. Among the highest in the nation in maternal endangered mortality rate, and yet Ted Cruz and governor Abbott can claim to be pro life. Hurricanes have caused increased damage, loss of property, loss of livelihood and loss of life, already attributed to the lack of regulation and an inconsistent application of pro-life principles. This is just another episode in the catastrophe that we call capitalism but which is governed more in the way of oligarchy
How are we going to educate the 71million who voted for Trump?
The K shaped economic recovery during the pandemic shows that those who already have significant wealth (top 10%) have gained assets while most others have lost wealth. The rich and the powerful, including corporations, are in control of government through the elected officials they control. What can be done about the 2010 Citizens United decision made by the Supreme Court?
Dr. El-Sayed, can you shed any light on why the most vulnerable population, those severely immunocompromised, who the governor and health experts used as reasoning for others to follow social distancing and other safety measures, are now completely deprioritized in Michigan for the vaccine? It originally sounded like that demographic, many of whom are going without the care they need because the risk of Covid is too great to them, would be prioritized appropriately, but when the vaccines finally became available, the most vulnerable that had been talked about at every town hall and press conference, were just completely left behind. I’m frustrated and wondering if you have any idea why disabled and ill people are yet again being relegated to the back burner.
Texas tells us a lot about those thing; I agree Abdul!! And like this pandemic, I think it shines a light on some of the most effed up parts of our culture and politics. I can’t help but think about the ableism of it all to secede the power grid like that and leave citizens without power for days. If people’s medications need to be refrigerated or medical equipment needs to be plugged in!!! (To name a few examples) Not to mention access to medical care is now trickier, especially for some. There are a lot of ways to help out right now in this acute phase, and that’s crucial, but how can we help in the more “chronic phase” of this so stuff like this failed response and no preparedness stops happening?
-We should've learned a lot of these lessons long ago, but even with growing awareness, it seems Americans at large are still not committing to the constant investment of time spent voicing opinions at local government meetings and lobbying the officials that they voted for that this type of democracy requires. I'm starting to feel like this country needs an even more direct Democracy like the Swiss model to get away from the cults of personality that aren't accomplishing our shared goals
-Texas' system is a prime example of how privatized utilities are willing to run risks at the expense of the consumer's life. It's also reminded me that states like Michigan, even with a regional connection, still have major vulnerabilities in their power grids. Look no further than the 2019 natural gas shortage that we're still in the midst of drafting a plan that will, "hopefully," stop such events from happening for the future. We need to invest in protecting our grids in every state and region ASAP.
If they want to be a separate nation, let them.They will need visa's to visit other states.It'sgoing cost ya sucka!!