Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! It’s Monday again! Last Wednesday Lisa Gourley gave her presentation on women’s health care. On Thursday, there was a total eclipse of the moon. On Friday, the Republican led Congress passed its budget resolution that cuts, well everything, except defense and Elon Musk’s contracts. Wow, what a week.
Lisa gave a wonderful presentation, mostly based on the issues surrounding the upset of Roe v. Wade. We filled all the chairs in the office, so somewhere between 25-30 voters attended. The issues surrounding abortion rights are many and because individual states have a confusing patchwork of laws concerning permission, time cutoffs, and liability. There is uncertainty with providers about what they may do for patients without being prosecuted. In Pennsylvania, we are relatively free to choose our health care. However, if a national federal abortion ban is enacted, that situation would change radically. The right to privacy is in play here. Your private medical records may be compromised by state infringement. This may start with records surrounding reproductive health, but once this barrier is broken, think about where it can lead, for everyone. There are also concerns about one state’s ability to exert primacy of its laws, and extradite a citizen for prosecution, who resides in a second state for an act that is perfectly legal in the second state. Once there is a crack in the shell surrounding a constitutional right, then just like water freezing in a concrete crack, that shell is chipped away until it breaks wide open and that right disappears.
Here is where we are. The (Supreme) Court that is supposed to protect The Constitution and the rights embodied within, all of them, has shown a definite aversion to protecting individual rights in favor of property rights. The Justice Department has stated that it will not enforce laws around white collar crime (corruption) and that it will do what Trump wants around prosecuting his perceived political enemies (loss of independence). The courts are generally rejecting the administration’s arguments in a myriad of law suits brought to counter Trump’s executive orders and Musk’s shenanigans. However, Trump has defied or delayed compliance with the courts. Most of this has not reached the level of the Supreme Court, but when it does its anyone’s guess how they will rule. There has been a lot of grass roots pushback. If you are participating in that, please continue! If not, please start. This administration is losing ground with the voting public daily. The Trump cuts are starting to affect Americans in a real way, both Democrats and Republicans. We will begin to pick up support.
Finally, I am as disappointed in our Party’s leadership as you are, but there are some bright spots. Funny thing is most of the people who have grown a set and are working for us are women. The time to be afraid of female leadership is gone! Join with me in embracing the next generation of forward thinkers. For the love of God, or whatever is out there, let us put our fears in the back seat and push forward.
Participate, Donate, Vote!
John Huot, JeffDems Chair
P.S. We are living in the aftermath of a storm front that passed through here Sunday afternoon, leaving me powerless and without internet. This is going to go out when services are restored. I hope that it was merely the inconvenience of a power outage any of you and I pray that you are all safe and well.
Donations Needed and Accepted
The Jefferson County Democratic Committee (JeffDems) is funded primarily through local donations. We rely on the generosity of local Democrats to enable all our initiatives, including our year-round Office/HQ which functions as “JeffDems Central.” Please start a monthly recurring donation to JeffDems, large or small, using the ActBlue link below, or of course, one-time donation
“Jefferson County Democratic Committee”
c/o Steve Larchuk, Treasurer
PO Box 266
Punxsutawney, PA 15767
or use ActBlue I just gave to Jefferson County Democratic Committee.(PA)!
CALENDAR
*2025: Continuing need for volunteer time
– Office hours will continue into the new year. It is important that we remain active and have a presence in the community. Please contact John, John, or Tammy to schedule
*March 12 and 15: Office Hours Continue
– 4-7pm (Wednesday) and 12-3pm (Saturday)
*March 12, 7PM: Discussion Group – Lisa Gourley, Punxsy School Board Candidate. -Women’s Rights and Health Care in the Trump era. Where are we going and what can we do?
*April 16, 7PM: Discussion Group – Bridget Shaffer. What we can do.
*May 7, 7PM: Discussion Group – Trump at 100 Days, a Report Card
