I also was so appalled that I took a photo of this message on the USDA page, too! It is an egregious violation of tradition, protocol, legal precedence, you name it. Thanks, Matt, for sharing your excellent insights!
“Stand up and push back” is different when we are completely “represented” by Federal elected politicians who not only condone, but encourage this type of authoritarian propaganda. It would seem some of our ag organizations would choose to publicly condemn this action.
I noticed multiple USDA related sites carry this message today.
Yep. The standing up and pushing back is much harder when our members of congress are on team violate the Hatch Act. But also that much more important. As to the efforts to advance a political message using tax payer funded infrastructure meant to provide service to Americans it's even worse than it looks. It's not just webpages. It's the out of office messages from thousands of federal staff and will likely be included on additional communication going forward unless a court order stops it. I'm not holding my breath that will happen.
I am wondering which organizations, including farm organizations, can we count on to challenge this blatant abuse of power? Not FB obviously, but others? IFU?
IFU, Iowa Farmers Union, has done hundreds of interviews since January. Definitely speaking out. Two membership levels. Farmer members and Friend of Farmer members. https://iowafarmersunion.org/ Every new member builds their power to advocate for family farmers.
One would hope that the popular vote that elected this president is paying attention. Thanks, Matt, should be national news, but everyone is running scared!!
Thank you, Matt. As usual we don’t 100% agree but I love our open discourse. I do totally agree that this is a clear violation of the hatch act. I don’t agree that we are consolidating power. I honestly believe that we are bringing back to True Center, American government back to the constitution of less government more power by the people.
As usual, though, I truly appreciate all of your writings. Thank you for sharing your point of view in a clear and respectful manner.
Matt, well spoken. Continue to speak out. Continue to invite us to join all who care about our democracy, our constitution and rule of law, about leading our people to work for the common good. When one of us suffers, we all suffer. And many are suffering today.
Thanks Diana. Americans have always risen to the occasion to advance our democracy. Sometimes the step forward comes after many steps back. We are finding out right now how far back we will step before "We the People" rebuild what's being torn down. I pray we have had enough and are ready to start rebuilding. Every day we wait to unleash the resistance, more damage is being done.
https://open.substack.com/pub/cliffwilliams/p/this-shutdown-should-have-never-happened?r=237mn9&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
I also was so appalled that I took a photo of this message on the USDA page, too! It is an egregious violation of tradition, protocol, legal precedence, you name it. Thanks, Matt, for sharing your excellent insights!
“Stand up and push back” is different when we are completely “represented” by Federal elected politicians who not only condone, but encourage this type of authoritarian propaganda. It would seem some of our ag organizations would choose to publicly condemn this action.
I noticed multiple USDA related sites carry this message today.
Yep. The standing up and pushing back is much harder when our members of congress are on team violate the Hatch Act. But also that much more important. As to the efforts to advance a political message using tax payer funded infrastructure meant to provide service to Americans it's even worse than it looks. It's not just webpages. It's the out of office messages from thousands of federal staff and will likely be included on additional communication going forward unless a court order stops it. I'm not holding my breath that will happen.
I am wondering which organizations, including farm organizations, can we count on to challenge this blatant abuse of power? Not FB obviously, but others? IFU?
IFU, Iowa Farmers Union, has done hundreds of interviews since January. Definitely speaking out. Two membership levels. Farmer members and Friend of Farmer members. https://iowafarmersunion.org/ Every new member builds their power to advocate for family farmers.
One would hope that the popular vote that elected this president is paying attention. Thanks, Matt, should be national news, but everyone is running scared!!
It's starting to get some attention. But even that attention is tepid would it should be a notice of a five alarm fire.
Thank you, Matt. As usual we don’t 100% agree but I love our open discourse. I do totally agree that this is a clear violation of the hatch act. I don’t agree that we are consolidating power. I honestly believe that we are bringing back to True Center, American government back to the constitution of less government more power by the people.
As usual, though, I truly appreciate all of your writings. Thank you for sharing your point of view in a clear and respectful manner.
And right back at you Shanen.
Thank you, Matt, for the info and the call to action. We cannot be silent at this time.
Matt, well spoken. Continue to speak out. Continue to invite us to join all who care about our democracy, our constitution and rule of law, about leading our people to work for the common good. When one of us suffers, we all suffer. And many are suffering today.
Thanks Diana. Americans have always risen to the occasion to advance our democracy. Sometimes the step forward comes after many steps back. We are finding out right now how far back we will step before "We the People" rebuild what's being torn down. I pray we have had enough and are ready to start rebuilding. Every day we wait to unleash the resistance, more damage is being done.