u/biospheric

One year ago: May 15, 2025 - U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on CBS. Here’s the full 4-minute clip on YouTube: “If You Sit Back And Do Nothing, They Will Take It All.” - Sen. Sanders On America’s Oligarchy - The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. More clips of Bernie (from this interview) are on Colbert’s YouTube channel.

L.A. TACO - May 18, 2026. If you’d like to donate to VCDefensa: vcdefensa.org/donate

Here’s the video on:

* L.A. TACO’s website (article + video): Daily Memo: Hunger Strikes Begin in California ICE Detention Centers as Conditions Worsen - May 18, 2026 (L.A. TACO website)

* YouTube: Daily Memo: Hunger Strikes Begin in California ICE Detention Centers as Conditions Worsen - L.A. TACO - May 18, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description:

Today is Monday, May 18th, Day 347, and these are your updates on the ICE siege, which, yes, is still ongoing.

Less than a week after ICE raided the homes of people associated with VCDefensa, the community watch group that’s been legally observing and warning their communities of ICE’s presence in the 805 area s, ICE is now heavily targeting those areas, beginning with Oxnard, and taking people from their vehicles.

The attack on VCDefensa comes days after the White House published Trump’s “Counterterrorism Strategy,” in which he includes “violent left-wing extremists, including anarchists and anti-fascists” as a threat to the U.S.

Trump declares that Americans who oppose his fascist administration will face a very fascist response, writing, “We Will Find You, and We Will Kill You.”

To do that, Trump is using Palantir’s advanced AI surveillance firm to gather data on all Americans, including the IRS, Health and Human Services, DHS, and other agencies, to centralize, compile, and create a mass database that can easily track people in the U.S., including its citizens.

Video by More Perfect Union - May 18, 2026.

Cisco Aguilar is Nevada's Secretary of State: nvsos.gov/sos-information/office-facts/about-francisco-v-aguilar

Jonathan Diaz is Director of Voting Advocacy and Partnerships at Campaign Legal Center (CLC): campaignlegal.org/staff/jonathan-diaz

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Here’s the full 14-minutes on YouTube: The Shocking Billionaire Plot To Steal The Midterms - More Perfect Union - May 18, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: 50% of voters say being forced to show a passport would be a barrier to voting, according to a new poll we conducted. Billionaires like Elon Musk, the Uihleins, and Leonard Leo are funding Trump’s attempts to take over elections and nullify your vote. This is a plot to end democracy.

More Perfect Union is an Emmy-winning, nonprofit newsroom whose mission is to build power for working people: perfectunion.us

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* U.S. Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

* U.S. Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on that State's SoS website.)

May 18, 2026 - NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani speaks in the South Bronx at the future site of one of NYC’s first city-run grocery stores. These grocery stores will offer affordable options for local Residents.

Video by Daily Kos - May 18, 2026. Here it is on YouTube: NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani mocks Ronald Reagan and conservatives while launching new grocery stores - Daily Kos - May 18, 2026 (YouTube)

Here’s an article from the NYC Mayor’s Office website: Mayor Mamdani Announces the Peninsula in the Bronx as the Second Site for City’s Public Grocery Stores - NYC Mayor’s Office - May 18, 2026

Here’s info on the “N.Y.C. Groceries” program: edc.nyc/program/nyc-groceries

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I cannot help but think of the words of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan. He famously said, “The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

It's a good quote, but I disagree. I think nine more terrifying words are actually: “I worked all day and can't feed my Family.”

We are going to use the power of government to lower prices, and make it easier for New Yorkers to put Food on the table.

When government understands its purpose — as serving the very Working People that it has left behind, time and again — it can make a difference in the most pressing struggles facing our City today.

It's not just that government can help. It’s that government must help. And our government will help.

- NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, speaking in the South Bronx at the future site of one of NYC’s first city-run grocery stores

Tomorrow (May 19) is Primary Election Day in Pennsylvania, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, and Oregon.

Here's info for PA-03 from Chris Rabb’s State House website :

If you still haven’t found your polling place for in-person voting, you can use the City of Philadelphia’s Atlas tool to search using your address: atlas.phila.gov

For those voting through mail-in or absentee ballots, ballots must be received by the County Board of Elections no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day. Though it’s too late to submit by mail, you can submit your ballot in-person at the County Board of Elections office at City Hall, secure ballot drop boxes or Satellite Election offices.

 The closest ballot drop boxes to the district are at: 

* Pleasant Playground, 6757 Chew Ave.

* Kendrick Recreation Center, 5822 Ridge Ave.

* Dorothy Emanuel Rec Center, 8500 Pickering St. 

Additionally, there are nearby Satellite Election offices at 5301 Chew Ave. and 6233 N. Broad St. You can visit vote.phila.gov/ballot-drop-off to see a full list of drop boxes and Satellite Election offices.

Finally, if you have any issues at the polls, please reach out to the County Board of Elections at 215-686-3469 or the Pennsylvania election hotline at 1-877-868-3772.

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Here’s the video on YouTube: Chris Rabb for Pennsylvania's 3rd | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - May 18, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: If we truly want to change the Democratic Party, then we have to change the kind of Democrats that get elected to serve in Congress. So, Pennsylvania 3, what kind of Democrat are you going to elect this Tuesday? Let’s make that Democrat Chris Rabb, a fighter for working people. Election Day is TOMORROW, May 19th! Head to vote.pa/find/polls to find your polling place and VOTE!

Chris Rabb for Congress: chrisrabb.com

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DSA Endorsement: Chris Rabb, US Congress PA-3: electoral.dsausa.org/endorsement-chris-rabb :

April 30, 2026 - State Rep. Rabb has fought for working-class Philadelphians in the legislature for years. Now, he’s taking his fight to DC to continue the struggle for housing for all, universal healthcare, and for real democracy in America! DSA is incredibly proud to endorse Rep. Rabb and make sure our voices are heard in the halls of power!

Rep. Rabb is our second Congressional endorsement this cycle. He has some tough opponents, and AIPAC and other dark money groups are already boosting his opponents. Philadelphia DSA has built up a powerful canvassing operation, but we can all help! 💸💸💸

Rep. Rabb is joining Oliver Larkin on our Congressional slate. It’s going to take a lot of us standing together to bring more voices and votes into the halls of power.

Rep. Rabb is part of a slate of candidates in the Socialist Cash Takes Out Capitalist Trash fundraising project!

May 16, 2026. Ellie Gilbreath with Katie Phang on MeidasTouch. Here’s the full 20-minutes on YouTube: Wow! GOP Scrambles as Idaho Voters Turn on Trump - Katie Phang on MeidasTouch - May 16, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: Ellie Gilbreath is running for Congress in Idaho’s 2nd, and she wants people to understand that Idaho is misunderstood. She joins Katie Phang to explain that Idahoans are “neighbors first” and are tired of Trump’s divisive and destructive policies.

Ellie Gilbreath is a lawyer specializing in conflict resolution, mediation, and strategic consulting. Here's her campaign site: ellieforidaho.com

Katie Phang is an attorney, legal analyst, and former MSNBC anchor: katiephang.substack.com

* U.S. Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

* U.S. Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on that State's SoS website.)

* Take Action (websites): 50501 :~:~: Indivisible :~:~: Mobilize :~:~: Choose Democracy

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Video by Ali Velshi on MS NOW - May 16, 2026. Here’s the full 15-minutes on:

* MS NOW’s website: ‘They may have really overshot this’: How redistricting could backfire on GOP - Ali Velshi on MS NOW - May 16, 2026 (MS NOW website)

* YouTube: ‘They may have really overshot this’: How redistricting could backfire on GOP - Ali Velshi on MS NOW - May 16, 2026 (YouTube)

Here's the description for the full video: The GOP are ahead in the redistricting war, but it may backfire nationally. MS NOW Elections Director Kabir Khanna says Republicans drawing out Democratic districts will, “add fuel to the fire in terms of engaging people and driving turnout,” when midterms usually have lower turnout. “There were in 2024 over 9 million skippers on the Democratic side in battleground states, not just southern states, but battleground states,” says Democratic pollster Celinda Lake. “Those voters are coming out.”

Here are the articles that Ali references in this 2-minute clip:

* Texas Latinos turned out in massive numbers for Democrats - Politico - March 4, 2026 (Article)

* Sharice Davids' district lost KCK Democrats, gained rural Republicans. Is she doomed? - The Kansas City Star - May 19, 2022 (Article)

Election record of U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas): ballotpedia.org/Sharice_Davids (She won by 10-points in 2020 and 12-points in 2022)

U.S. Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) - May 7, 2026. Here’s the clip on YouTube: We have a rigged system — let's talk about it. | Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - May 7, 2026 (YouTube)

AOC is with Ilana Glazer. Here’s the full 74-minutes on YouTube: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Waitressing and the Power of The Vibe | It’s Open with Ilana Glazer - May 7, 2026 (YouTube)

"My class consciousness comes from a lot of my own lived experiences." - AOC

May 13, 2026 - U.S. Rep. Jared Huffman (D-California) questions U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum.

Video by PBS NewsHour. Here’s the full 3.5-minutes on YouTube: WATCH: Burgum says colossal triumphal arch is being built for Americans. Trump has said it's for him - PBS NewsHour - May 13, 2026 (YouTube)

From the PBS NewsHour description:

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said Wednesday that President Donald Trump's proposed 250-foot-tall arch is for the "American people," even though the president has previously said it's for himself.

During a House committee hearing, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., pressed Burgum on Trump's ongoing construction projects, including the Triumphal Arch and Reflecting Pool, as Americans face rising costs.

"It's hard to understand how these projects to stroke Trump's ego do anything for the American people with their day-to-day struggles to afford daily life," Huffman said.

Huffman asked Burgum, "Who is the arch being built for?"

"For the American people," Burgum said after some back-and-forth.

Huffman pushed back on Burgum's answer, noting Trump's past comments that the arch is for himself. A CBS News reporter asked Trump who the arch was for in October, after the president first proposed it. Trump said, "Me."

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last month that the arch would celebrate America's 250-year history.

“The United States triumphal arch will be outfitted with beautiful artwork and depictions celebrating the success of the American people over our 250-year history and the enduring triumph of the American spirit,” she said.

The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, made up entirely of members appointed by Trump, approved the design concept of the arch last month. The proposed site for the arch is located between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery.

Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show.

More news at: pbs.org/newshour

Donate to PBS NewsHour: give.newshour.org

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* U.S. Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

* U.S. Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on that State's SoS website.)

* Take Action (websites): 50501 :~:~: Indivisible :~:~: Mobilize :~:~: Choose Democracy

The Associated Press (AP) - May 5, 2026. Here’s the full 9-minutes on YouTube: US companies enabled brutal mass detention and surveillance in China - The Associated Press (AP) - May 5, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: The expansion of government surveillance efforts in China — and the role that U.S. tech firms played in it — was the foundation of investigative stories from The Associated Press that won a Pulitzer Prize Monday for international reporting. The AP's investigation spanned three years, thousands of pages of documents and numerous interviews. It found that the foundations of the system used by the Chinese government to monitor and police its citizens over recent decades was laid down with the help of American companies. Some of the companies went so far as to use their tech's surveillance capabilities as a selling point.

Here are two related articles from The Associated Press (AP):

* Associated Press global investigation into government surveillance efforts wins Pulitzer Prize - AP News - May 4, 2026

* How the AP uncovered US big tech’s role in China’s digital police state - AP News - Sept 8, 2025

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U.S. Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

U.S. Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on the State's SoS website.)

Take Action (websites): 50501 :~:~: Indivisible :~:~: Mobilize :~:~: Choose Democracy

May 13, 2026 - US Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-New Mexico) speaks to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. Here’s the full 5-minutes on YouTube: Rep. Stansbury: How can the Interior Dept justify $1 billion in cuts to tribal funding? They can’t. - May 13, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: A $1 billion for a Ballroom, $10 billion for vanity projects in DC, $15 million for an arch in front of Arlington Cemetery veterans oppose. Meanwhile—they are proposing to cut over $1 billion in tribal programs, eviscerating tribal housing, education, water and other basic programs, while opening sacred sites like Chaco Canyon. How can they defend this? They can’t. Because, it’s indefensible.

US Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-New Mexico): stansbury.house.gov

Here are the latest r/politicsinthewild posts with keywords: Tribal ~:~:~ Indian ~:~:~ Native American ~:~:~ Indigenous ~:~:~ Melanie Stansbury ~:~:~ Rep. Stansbury

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U.S. Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

U.S. Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes to a .gov page on the State's SoS website.)

Take Action (websites): 50501 :~:~: Indivisible :~:~: Mobilize :~:~: Choose Democracy

Video by The Root - May 13, 2026. Here’s the full 2.5 minutes on YouTube: Louisiana Resident Calls MAGA "the Last Breath of the Confederacy" - The Root - May 13, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description:

A Louisiana resident who identified himself as Marshawn delivered a fiery, emotional speech to lawmakers during a state Senate hearing over redistricting Monday, accusing Republicans of trying to “cheat” Black voters out of political power.

“The MAGA party is the last breath of the Confederacy,” he told lawmakers. “If y’all could give us less than zero seats, you would do it.”

Marshawn’s testimony came as Louisiana Republicans advance a new congressional map after the Supreme Court weakened key protections in the Voting Rights Act.

“There will be no more of your party,” he said. “The midterms gonna come, y’all gonna get wiped out,” he said.

The Root @ theroot.com ~:~ The Blacker the Content the Sweeter the Truth. The Root provides an unflinching examination of political and cultural news through insightful debate and commentary from both established and emerging black thought-leaders. The Root features unvarnished analysis of important issues in the black community and engages anyone looking for diverse viewpoints that are provocative, savvy and smart.

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Here are the latest r/50501 posts with: Civil Rights ~:~:~ Voting Rights ~:~:~ Redistricting ~:~:~ Jim Crow ~:~:~ Gerrymandering

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U.S. Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

U.S. Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website. When you select a State, it takes you to a .gov page on the State's SoS website.)

Take Action (websites): 50501 :~:~: Indivisible :~:~: Mobilize :~:~: Choose Democracy

May 11, 2026. Here’s the full 29-minutes on YouTube: Billionaires Are Terrified. They Should Be. - Leeja Miller - May 11, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: On an earnings call last week Steve Roth, CEO of Vernado, likened the phrase "Tax the Rich" to a racial slur. That same week, protests of the Met Gala and the Manhattan Institute gala had protestors facing off with billionaires in black tie attire. They know we're angry, and they're terrified. Paying more in taxes is the least they could do.

Sources + Transcript: leejamiller.com/episodes/2026/5/11/billionaires-are-terrified-they-should-be

Podcast version: leejamiller.com/why-america

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Here are the latest r/WorkReform posts with: Zohran Mamdani ~:~:~ Billionaire Class ~:~:~ Class Consciousness

* US Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

* US Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website.)

Therese Lee - May 12, 2026. Here’s the video on YouTube: #babies #birthrate - Therese Lee - May 12, 2026 (YouTube)

LinkTree: linktr.ee/theresehlee ~:~ Therese Lee explores the intersections of patriarchy, feminism, and politics through a historical and cultural lens. With sharp analysis and compelling storytelling, Therese unpacks the narratives that shape our world—challenging dominant perspectives and uncovering the deeper forces at play. Through her company, JS Media, she offers a thought-provoking look at power, resistance, and the stories we inherit.

Here are the latest r/WelcomeToGilead posts with: Therese Lee ~:~:~ Jessica Valenti ~:~:~ Birthrate ~:~:~ Birth Rate ~:~:~ Dr. Oz ~:~:~ Pronatalist ~:~:~ Pronatalism ~:~:~ C P S

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US Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

US Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website.)

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Mehmet Oz, you don't get to tell us how many Children we should be having. Only Women get to determine how many Children they should be having.

For me, that number was zero. For some People, it's four or five. For most People, it's one or two. Because that's the amount of Children that is feasible to raise in this economy, and even that number of Children is no longer feasible to manage.

They don't want us to raise Children in a Society where Mothers are valued, where Children are protected, where Healthcare is provided, where Food is secure, where Housing is secure.

They want to raise a Generation of future Slaves. They want economically insecure People to have Children because then they'll be desperate, and they'll be easier to control. That's it. That's the end game.

- Therese Lee (May 2026)

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani - May 12, 2026. Here’s the video on YouTube: The view from the top? We balanced the budget. - NYC Mayor’s Office - May 12, 2026 (YouTube)

From the description: When we came into office, we uncovered a $12 billion budget deficit. Today, I’m proud to say we brought it down to zero. We didn’t close the gap on the backs of working people. We closed it while funding parks, libraries, safer streets and making historic investments in public housing. Call it Pothole Politics. Call it Democratic Socialism. It's government that delivers for the people who make this city run. That’s what New Yorkers deserve. And that’s what we will keep fighting for every single day.

Here are details from the NYC Mayor's Office website: Mayor Zohran Mamdani Releases $124.7 Billion Executive Budget for Fiscal Year 2027 - May 12, 2026

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Here are the latest r/Political_Revolution posts with: Zohran Mamdani ~:~:~ N Y C ~:~:~ Democratic Socialist ~:~:~ Democratic Socialism

* US Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

* US Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website.)

** Satire ** by April Ajoy - May 6, 2026. Here’s the video on YouTube: Christian Girl Podcast: Choose to be Straight - April Ajoy (YouTube)

April’s bio: Humorously detoxing American evangelicalism. Author of Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian and Finding a True Faith :)) LinkTree: linktr.ee/aprilajoy

Here are the latest r/OpenChristian posts with: April Ajoy ~:~:~ LGBTQ ~:~:~ LGBTQ+ ~:~:~ Same Sex ~:~:~ Attracted to

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US Primary Election Dates (for every State): 270toWin ~or~ Ballotpedia

US Voting Info (for every State): Register To Vote :~:~: Voter Registration Status :~:~: Find Your Polling Place :~:~: Valid Forms of ID :~:~: Absentee & Early Voting :~:~: Become a Poll Worker (Links go to the National Association of Secretaries of State website.)