Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Give the craziest people you know everything they want and hope they don’t ask for more? Great plan.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

You cannot shame the shameless.

He seems like a smart guy, but JFC, what a dick!

There are times when telling just part of the truth is effectively a lie.

It’s pointless to bring up problems that can only be solved with a time machine.

The lights are all blinking red.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.

Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.

I swear, each month of 2025 will have its own history degree.

We need to vote them all out and restore sane Democratic government.

America is going up in flames. The NYTimes fawns over MAGA celebrities. No longer a real newspaper.

How stupid are these people?

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Perhaps you mistook them for somebody who gives a damn.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

When they say they are pro-life, they do not mean yours.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

“woke” is the new caravan.

In after Baud. Damn.

rich, arrogant assholes who equate luck with genius

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Fighting for Everything We Believe In, and Celebrating Victories

Fighting for Everything We Believe In, and Celebrating Victories

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Does it seem strange to talk about the accomplishments of one of the boots on the ground organizations we partner with, as we raise money for a different group?  Not to me!

We try to fund groups when they can put our funds to best use, and then we get reports later, often when we are funding someone else.

This is the kind of difference we make with our fundraising efforts on Balloon Juice.

(We still have the double matches that The Civics Center found us, and we still have a BJ Angel, matching up to $250 per person, which gives us a 6x match for as long as this Balloon Juice Angel match lasts.)

It's Up to Us Now, Next Up, Youth Again (but younger!) 1

Now, the update from Worker Power!

We want to share the recent victories you have helped us achieve in Arizona, the swing state that will decide the outcome of one of the most contentious elections in our nation’s history.

First, we are proud to announce that earlier this month, we submitted sufficient signatures to place a Hotel Workers Protection Act on the November ballot in the City of Glendale, Arizona. This initiative aims to create a minimum $20 wage for hospitality workers, limit the number of square feet a room attendant can be required to clean in a single shift, and ensure that service charges levied by hotels are actually given to the hotel staff. This historic measure would represent a significant intervention for workers in one of Arizona’s fastest-growing hospitality markets. Rather than accepting these signatures and placing the measure on the ballot, the City of Glendale officials have refused to accept the signatures on the basis that our initiative breaks the single-subject rule for citizens’ initiatives in Arizona. Fortunately, we won the first round of litigation, and pending a successful appeal by the city in the next two weeks, we are headed to the ballot in November!

Second, we delivered a victory (by fewer than 50 votes) for Lupe Conchas to the City Council in Glendale’s Cactus district. Lupe took out a conservative white incumbent who has represented this majority-democrat, majority-Latino district for over 20 years. Lupe is the first LGBTQ council member in Glendale’s history.

Third, Worker Power finished a partisan voter registration drive where we successfully collected 6,552 voter registration applications among young people and communities of color in Arizona’s Congressional Districts 1 and 6, which Democrats lost by a combined 8,000 votes in 2022. This work necessitated an early start in the field in some of the North Phoenix suburbs, where we have flipped state legislative seats in recent elections (namely in Legislative Districts 2 and 4). But it also necessitated the expansion of our field efforts to southern Arizona and to the suburbs north and east of Tucson, which will be critical to any successful effort to flip CD1 and the state legislature in Arizona.

We also collected 10,000 ballot initiative signatures for a statewide minimum-wage initiative that is in the process of qualifying for the November ballot.

Additionally, we conducted an advocacy canvass with 19,774 knocks and 4,197 contacts, educating and engaging voters about the need for U.S. Supreme Court reform (an issue Biden and Harris have since endorsed). Moreover, this July, we conducted a survey among 8,459 voters—largely low—and mid-propensity Latino voters—asking their opinions about the Presidential and U.S. Senate elections and getting their commitments to vote in the fall.

Finally, this week marks an important milestone as our 70 canvassers have hit 150,000 doors and counting. We have already spoken to over 21,000 voters—more than any other organization conducting field operations in swing states in the U.S. at this stage of the electoral cycle. We have engaged voters in minimum-wage initiative signature drives, municipal primary elections, and a survey to educate voters on the upcoming Presidential elections.

Starting today, we will be doubling the size of our canvass team. We will be knocking on more than 10,000 doors a day, advocating for democratic candidates at the Federal, State, and City levels and the Abortion Access Act ballot initiative.

Of course, small victories like these lead to bigger ones, which in turn lead to movements that transform our communities. Our victories are only possible because of your support. Thank you for being part of the Worker Power family. We will send more good news in the coming weeks and months.

Open thread!

Reader Interactions

70Comments

  1. 1.

    WaterGirl

    I am more and more impressed by Worker Power as time goes on.  Hope I’m not the only one!

    For donations, I think you all probably know the drill; to count toward the match list your donation in the comments or send me an email message.

  2. 2.

    H.E.Wolf

    small victories like these lead to bigger ones, which in turn lead to movements that transform our communities 

    Thank you, WaterGirl, for keeping us updated!

    Each of us (yes, I mean all y’all) taking a tiny, concrete action is a valuable part of this movement. Collectively, we are unstoppable.

  4. 4.

    Almost Retired

    This is great news!  IIRC from earlier Worker Power posts, isn’t BJ planning on supporting a team in the Fall in the Tucson area?

  7. 7.

    JML

    Worker Power seems to be doing a good job. It’s going to be very interesting to see what the impact is of a ground game in this election, because the GOP’s version this time around could be a massive cluster, and potentially useless for anything other than lining certain people’s pockets. (I mean, outsourcing has pretty consistently been a cost-loser and quality fail for 30+ years, why is it suddenly going to be a win?)

    Turnout is going to be hugely important. Right now all the momentum and energy is with Harris. Lot of work to be done, but the current wave could be enough to change some polling assumptions. Would love to see this be a virtuous cycle where it keeps building!

  8. 8.

    oldster

    “Fighting for Everything We Believe In, and Celebrating Victories”

    This, Grasshopper, is the Way of the Happy Warrior.

  11. 11.

    trollhattan

    When Big Brother becomes too intrusive for Texas. Yes, Texas. While reading this ponder how a state such as Texas might use this very information tracking their own citizens; say, those who might be traveling out of state for medical attention unavailable at home.

    General Motors (GM) was sued late on Tuesday by Texas state officials over its alleged “false, deceptive, and misleading” practices that led to the sale of more than 1.8 million residents’ private driving data to insurance companies.
    Technology installed in GM’s vehicles from the 2015 model year onward allowed the Detroit automaker to collect and transmit detailed driving data about each time a driver used their vehicle, according to the lawsuit, which was filed by the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The company collected data on when drivers got behind the wheel, how fast they were going, whether seatbelts were enabled, how far they drove, how long the engine was running — and more.
    GM sold that data to car insurance firms, which were led to believe that consumers had given their consent. But the lawsuit claims that GM gained that consent through deceptive acts and never informed consumers it intended to sell “any” of their data.
    “Companies are using invasive technology to violate the rights of our citizens in unthinkable ways,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a statement. “Millions of American drivers wanted to buy a car, not a comprehensive surveillance system that unlawfully records information about every drive they take and sells their data to any company willing to pay for it.”
    The lawsuit accuses GM of violating the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, a statute commonly employed by the attorney general to to protect consumers from misleading business practices. The lawsuit is seeking civil penalties, the destruction of all driving data obtained by GM or a third-party it sold data to, and full restitution to all impacted consumers.
    “We’ve been in discussions with the Attorney General’s office and are reviewing the complaint,” GM said in a statement. “We share the desire to protect consumers’ privacy.”
    The move by Paxton comes months after The New York Times reported that GM had been selling its data to global data brokers like LexisNexis (RELX). Much of that data was collected through GM’s OnStar Smart Driver, a feature that rates people’s driving.
    Several other automakers have relationships with LexisNexis and data broker Verisk (VRSK) that provide them with driving data they can share with insurance companies, The Times reported. That includes Kia America, Subaru of America, Mitsubishi Motors, Ford Motor (F), American Honda Motor (HMC), Nissan North America (NSANY), and Hyundai Motor America (HYMTF).
    According to Paxton’s lawsuit, GM has notched agreements with Verisk, LexisNexis, British connected car startup Wejo, and Jacobs Engineer Group (J). In 2019, GM took a 35% stake in Wejo as part of a deal that gave it access to drivers’ data, which Prolific North reported was routinely sold at a loss.​

  17. 17.

    Dangerman

    Damn. Read that as Lupe Couches. Mind in gutter.

    That being said, Couches in Cactus District was a fun visual.

  19. 19.

    trollhattan

    There is a Santa Claus, and he’ll be two months early this year.

    August 15, 2024 at 10:17 am EDT By Taegan Goddard

    The Hill: “Vance posted Thursday on the social platform X that he had accepted the invitation for the debate after Walz did the same Wednesday night.”

    “Vance also indicated he would be willing to do an additional debate in September, though no such arrangement has been publicized.”

    Because egos, this indicates he thinks he can handle that Minnesota grandpa and thus guarantee that sweet WH access for his PayPal buddies. Oh boy.

  33. 33.

    Scout211

    New national poll from Emerson College Polling.

    I know, I know, it’s just one poll and it’s a national poll, not a swing state poll.  But still.

    The first Emerson College Polling national survey following President Biden’s decision not to seek re-election finds Vice President Kamala Harris leading Donald Trump 50% to 46%. Five percent of likely voters are undecided. With undecided voters’ support allocated, Harris continues to lead by four, 52% to 48%. With third-party candidates on the ballot, Harris and Trump’s support evenly decreases by two points, Harris to 48% and Trump to 44%. Four percent support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

    . . .

    Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, explains demographic shifts in the past month: “Likely voters under 30 have shifted toward Harris by nine points, 56% of whom supported Biden, 65% now support Harris. Voters over 70 also support Harris over Trump, 51% to 48% — last month they broke 50% to 48% for Trump.”

    Kimball added, “Independents break for Harris, 46% to 45%, flipping since last month when likely independent voters broke for Trump 45% to 44%.

    Ninety-three percent of voters are extremely or very motivated to vote this November.

    “While the overall share of likely voters motivated to vote had little movement, Black voters who say they are ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ motivated to vote this November increased eleven points, from 80% to 91%,” Kimball said.

    Over half of voters (51%) have a favorable view of Vice President Harris, while 49% have an unfavorable view of Harris. Forty-five percent have a favorable view of former President Trump, while 54% have an unfavorable view of Trump.

  37. 37.

    piratedan

    @Almost Retired: if so, I would be happy to be more involved since I live in the Old Pueblo.  If they need a base, logistical support or whatnot.

    WG, you have my e-mail if Worker Power needs a local Balloon Juice contact.

  45. 45.

    rikyrah

    Will anyone going to that Press Conference ask the Orange Menace about this?
    I won’t hold my breath.

    Alli Gordon

    @alligordon_

    NEW reporting from my CNN Investigates colleagues: https://cnn.com/2024/08/15/politics/russ-vought-project-2025-trump-secret-recording-invs/index.html… Vought said his group was secretly drafting hundreds of EO’s, regulations + memos that would lay the groundwork for rapid action, describing his work as creating “shadow” agencies.
    https://x.com/alligordon_/status/1824090345203765534

  46. 46.

    rikyrah

    rolandsmartin

    @rolandsmartin

    My
    @blkstarnetwork
    team is ready to #BringTheFunk next week ar the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Monday-Thursday, we will be live from 6 pm EST to midnight bringing you coverage unlike anyone else. No Black-owned media company is dedicating this level of time and energy to covering this historic election. On Thursday, we will also be simulcasting our coverage on
    @tvonetv
    ’s digital platform. We will bring you all of the major speakers, and I GUARANTEE you we will have more Black experts and elected officials than all national mainstream broadcast and cable networks COMBINED. In addition, we will be live streaming a lot of the other events happening around Chicago. Download the
    @blkstarnetwork
    app TODAY to watch it all. You can also go to http://Youtube.com/RolandSMartin. #BlackOwnedMediaMatters
    https://x.com/rolandsmartin/status/1823760193018097806

  50. 50.

    UncleEbeneezer

    @rikyrah: Thanks for sharing this.  Just subscribed to Martin’s YouTube.  This is a much better way to watch the convention than relying on MSM outlets!

  51. 51.

    Almost Retired

    @piratedan:  Yeah, I remember either from a Worker Power Zoom or a prior WaterGirl post that they were micro-targeting AZ State District 17 and maybe 16, which straddle Pima and PInal Counties.  The thinking was picking up seats in the State Legislature and unseating first term Republican Congressman Ciscomani.  As well, of course, as keeping Arizona in the D Presidential column.

    I was following this effort more closely than most because my oldest son went to school in Tucson, and I visited the city many times.   And also sent money there many times (damn you, out-of-state tuition)!!

  53. 53.

    VFX Lurker

    @rikyrah: Great clip.

    I can’t thank you enough for posting social media highlights in these threads. Good information, good posts. Thank you. 🙏

  54. 54.

    RaflW

    @rikyrah: “Lewandowski told allies over the weekend that he was coming back as a campaign chairman essentially a layer above Wiles and LaCivita. This comes as Trump, superstitious and nostalgic, wants” more high dollar overhead flying out of the Trump Campaign, Inc., coffers.

    Whatever! Hahaha.

  55. 55.

    WaterGirl

    @VFX Lurker: I think of it as a 3-legged stool.   The finding, the Angel-ing, and the matching donations on BJ.

    Happy to do my part. (oops, “part” dropped off somehow in my original comment!)

  60. 60.

    piratedan

    @Almost Retired: IIRC those are the districts in the semi-affluent area in the North Tucson metro area, heavy with retiree neighborhoods (would have to find an newer legislative map to be sure).  Ciscomani won the Congressional district because he painted Engel as a crazy lib and presented himself as a non-MAGA.  His voting record is straight MAGA since he’s been in office, so Engel has an easier time now.  Will have to go thru the recent elections to get granular on the state lege candidates.

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