How quickly the weeks go by, it’s Monday again! The weather has been a factor these last couple of weeks. It has been cold, much colder than last winter. Couple that with the daily ration of snow, sleet, ice or rain, and it has kept people indoors. I’m not afraid of the weather, but enough is enough, right! So, if the bad weather kept you home last Wednesday, and you missed Pat Fleckenstein’s presentation and discussion, no harm no foul, but you missed a good one. Pat outlined the burgeoning oligarchy in our government and listed some of the billionaires who have been given positions of authority, along with their connections to Donald Trump and The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. Can we assume that motivation is to better our nation or is it to better their bottom line.
Last week there was an order for Border Patrol Officers to shut off their body cameras. The current administration talks of transparency, then they shut off police body cameras. Actions like that are less like transparency and more like an attempt to block evidence from public scrutiny. It signals that they intend to do wrong and do not want to be called on it.
Every day something comes out that is antithetical to good governance. I understand our nation is heading for a place none of us want to be. Some of our friends and neighbors who believe our current course of action is the right way to go, mistakenly believe that it won’t affect them. We know that is not true, damage to our society will occur. If we push back with calls and letters to our representatives, it will help. If we write letters to the editor, it will help. If we protest, it will help. If we mobilize and support our candidates, it will help. If we run for office, it will help. What we cannot do is quit, retreat into a shell or disengage. We will begin to find more people who want things to return to normal. Grab them, sympathize, have compassion. Do not castigate or insult them, that will just push them away.
We are pushing positive with the petition signing event on Sunday, March 2nd, at 1pm. We have both petitioning candidates, Judge Brandon Neuman of Washington County, and Judge Stella Tsai of Philadelphia are confirmed attendees. Here is the Mobilize link to sign up for the event, please do so.
https://www.mobilize.us/padems/event/749855/
Two retention candidates, Supreme Court Justice David Wecht, and Commonwealth Court Justice Michael Wojick, both from Allegheny County, will also be represented in person or by surrogate. How often do any of us have the chance to interact with any judge or justice outside of the courtroom. Come to the event!
Participate, Donate, Vote.
John Huot, JeffDems Chair.
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 checks are welcome! Contribute so that your County Committee can do more on your behalf. Thank you!
“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
*February and into 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.
*February 19 and 22: Office Hours Continue
– 4-7pm (Wednesday) and 12-3pm (Saturday)
*February 18 – March 11: Petition Signing Period is Open
*March 2, Sunday, 1pm: PA Judicial Candidates – Meet & Greet and Petitions to Sign
– In the office 1pm – 2:30pm Statewide Court Justices will be present to meet and discuss why it is important to retain them.
There will be petitions to sign.
