Thread by @JeffRoushPoetry

When we watch someone like @RepKatiePorter work, we marvel at how clearly she breaks everything down. She is brilliant—but shouldn’t we expect this from everyone we elect? If, when confronted with a problem, someone starts throwing out buzzwords, ask yourself why. (Thread)

Finding solutions to seemingly intractable societal problems is hard—but it gets infinitely more so when you don’t take time to understand the problems. An elected official should start there: what is the problem? What causes it? What solution would help?

When you hear most Republicans speak these days, they are doing one of four things: they are (1) making up problems that aren’t really problems; (2) working to divide people; (3) working for the interests of their donor class; or (4) shouting utter nonsense into the wind.

(1) CRT in schools is the most obvious fake issue now. No one is teaching the rich theoretical framework in K-12. They are teaching things like racism exists, slavery and Jim Crow were real, and the like. But attacking the CRT straw man is easier than, say, solving real problems.

(2) Election fraud, vaccines, and “others” divide people. Attacks on the LGBTQ+ community are particularly sad. Legislation attacking the rights and safety of citizens is despicable—but it gets people going on culture wars and ignoring the reality of a GOP devoid of useful ideas.

(3) No one wants to pay more taxes or have more oversight. But when the GOP talks taxes and “freedom,” they don’t mean you. They are trying to help corporations pay less—for societal needs, for worker salaries and safety. They are supporting those who fill their coffers.

(4) There is a method to the madness of the stupidest Republicans. The Gaetz/Greene/Boebert/Gosar set is, of course, deeply stupid, and unwell. They also distract us with their stupidity from the fact that the GOP is doing absolutely nothing to help, protect, or lift Americans.

In 2022, think about what aspects of your life need to improve. Then ask the candidates for every national, state, or local office what their plan is to help from the office they are seeking. Ask them to break down how their plan will achieve that goal.

Is it always easy? Of course not. But if a person has no actual policy, plan, or proposal to address the problems that impact your life, why in the world should that person hold that office? Demand better from those who want to represent you.