admin, Author at Patriot NOT Partisan

Why We Must Cancel Student Debt

January 4, 2021 Economic Issues, Student Debt

Sam is an eighth grade American History teacher in semi-rural Ohio. He’s great at it. He dresses up as Abe Lincoln to deliver the Gettysburg Address, and his “Best Beards of the Civil War” competition has students discussing important names and dates on their lunch breaks. Each day, Sam’s passion for history overcomes teenage apathy and anxiety and replaces them

Voter Guides for Every State

October 21, 2020 Elections

It’s never been more important to vote! And in 2020, voting comes with new challenges. The good news is, many voters have additional options for casting their ballot. This year more than ever, with all the COVID-related changes, and millions of Americans voting mail ballots for the first time, voters need accurate, easy to find voting information. Amongst all the

The Trump Administration Must Break Pharma Drug Patents Before All Americans Are Hurt by COVID-19 Price Gouging

October 15, 2020 Healthcare

At 26 years old, I took a free blood test at an LGBT health center. I never expected that the test would simultaneously save my life and bankrupt me. Four years later—as we face a global pandemic that has overwhelmed our country—I now not only worry about my ability to afford my medicine, but also about whether I will be

The Contraction of LGBT Rights in the Face of COVID-19

September 8, 2020 Civil Rights

The American lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community is in a medical and political crisis. Prior to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, politics and widespread discrimination lead to significant disparities in LGBT medical rights and healthcare outcomes. These pre-existing LGBT healthcare disparities have since become exacerbated by the pandemic. Often overlooked in larger discussions about LGBT people and the pandemic

Racism in the United States, patriotism, and the United States Military

June 24, 2020 Civil Rights, General Commentary

For most of my life I grew up on an Air Force Base. I wanted to work on aircraft more than anything and I joined the USAF right after graduating from high school. I continued to serve for 23 years and retired from active duty in July, 2010. Many people join for many different reasons, but one thing is the

My Own Personal Trump

May 27, 2020 General Commentary

Steve’s prized possession is a picture of him shoulder to shoulder with trash talk-show host Maury Povich, taken on set after Steve finished a cringe-worthy guest appearance any sane person would spend a lifetime trying to forget. But he didn’t. He bragged about it, and often. It was his 15 minutes. After Steve married into my family in the late

On March 22

March 25, 2020 General Commentary

On March 22, 2020 COVID-19, Wuhan Flu, Corona Virus, whatever you want to call it, went from invisible to having a face to me. A young, beautiful, vibrant, full-of-life, life face. No matter your religious persuasion, it is not possible this young, beautiful, vibrant, full-of-life, life is not looking down over us all taking on an epic proportion battle against

America Through the Eyes of a Sixteen-Year-Old

January 21, 2020 General Commentary

In eighth grade, my English teacher asked my class for something no one had ever wanted before; she asked for our opinions, and I don’t mean our opinions on what we thought Johnny meant when he told Ponyboy to “stay gold”. She wanted to know how we felt about the world around us – abortion, gun rights, police brutality, climate

A Survivor of Revenge Porn

January 16, 2020 General Commentary

Being the victim of a federal crime is not how I expected to get my 15 minutes of fame. In October of 2018, my husband was running for the state legislature and I was managing his campaign. Three weeks before the election, he received threatening emails insisting he drop out of the race. Attached to one of those emails was

Trump Tax Cut Song

September 19, 2019 General Commentary

At the very early stages of the Trump administration, a little known band from Milwaukee, Happiless, cut a prescient pop song which eerily predicted the dark path America has taken since the 2016 election. Called “Hopscotch Town”, the song is about a place which is willing to ignore all kinds of inhumanity as long as the economy is humming along.

The Un-American History of America First

September 13, 2019 General Commentary

They say that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. But, that presumes that those who do remember the past, and those who do not, wish to avoid a recurrence. President Trump routinely evokes two phrases from the past: “fake news” and “America First”. The phrase "fake news" is strikingly similar to Adolf Hitler’s “lugenpresse”, German

Tri-Caucus Amicus Brief on Public Charge Rule

September 11, 2019 Civil Rights, General Commentary

Trump's #PublicCharge rule is motivated by racism & intended to deny healthcare to vulnerable families. That's what Rep. Chu & leaders of the The Black Caucus, Hispanic Caucus, & CAPAC have told courts in a brief filed this week to stop the rule from going into effect. Below is the amicus brief that was submitted on behalf of the tri-caucus yesterday

States with Higher Gun Ownership and Weak Gun Laws Lead Nation in Suicide While States with Lower Gun Ownership and Strong Gun Laws Have Lowest Suicide Rates

September 11, 2019 Gun Violence

New VPC Analysis Released During National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September Washington, DC — States with higher rates of gun ownership and weak gun violence prevention laws have the highest overall suicide rates in the nation, while states with lower gun ownership rates and strong gun laws have the lowest suicide rates, according to a Violence Policy Center (VPC) analysis of

Patriot Not Partisans own Ken Mejia- Beal is running for office!

August 8, 2019 Elections, General Commentary

I met Ken Mejia-Beal at the pizza restaurant where folks gather after local Township Democrat meetings. I took a seat across from this handsome African American man who had an infectious laugh and a slight Southern accent. Ken Mejia-Beal immediately struck me as an authentic, "what you see is what you get" kind of guy. He is intelligent, warm, and

The False Premise of Redistricting Reform

August 6, 2019 Elections

America’s political parties have permeated government for so long that Americans never think to ask the most fundamental question about redistricting reform: Why do we assume political parties should play any role – let alone the central role – in redistricting? Americans long ago adopted as conventional wisdom that redistricting is somehow the proper responsibility of political parties – and that gerrymandering is but a

The Republican Identity Crisis

July 29, 2019 General Commentary

During my grad school days in the early 2000s, when I was just learning to teach, I used to lie to my students quite a bit. For example, on the first day of class, I often introduced my married self to my class using the word partner instead of wife. I thought I might learn something about my students by

The Only Criterion for Selecting the 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate…

July 25, 2019 Elections, General Commentary

By way of introduction, I used to be a Republican, am now an Independent, and intend to vote for every Democratic candidate in all upcoming elections until the Republican Party regains its moral principles (if ever). I have a modest proposal about which I am entirely serious but which has zero chance of being adopted. Here's what the Democrats should

Who is My Neighbor in the Era of Caged Children?

July 19, 2019 Civil Rights, Immigration

I periodically get asked if I have a favorite verse in Scripture. A few do come to mind, including: Micah 6:8, II Corinthians 12:9, John 14:27, Hosea 6:6, Romans 12:21, and Romans 15:13. The reality, though, is that “favorite verses” are like favorite movie quotes. They’re great lines, but they don’t express why I love the work as a whole.

Fundamentalists Have Chosen Their Side

July 17, 2019 General Commentary

A two-party system has the unfortunate side-effect of reducing nuanced approaches to multi-faceted issues to simple binaries: us vs. them, or right vs. wrong, Christian vs. non-Christian. Fundamentalists have exploited this tendency for years, staking out labels like “Christian” or “evangelical” in popular media, and thereby pushing a narrative that the other side is the one opposed to Christianity and

Open letter to Speaker of the House and Florida Representatives.

June 25, 2019 Elections, General Commentary

I am writing a letter to request to speak in front of the house chambers as a concerned American citizen and a former Trump supporter and voter. I have been a Conservative Republican for so many years, until this past year when I registered as a Democrat. I have witnessed firsthand how dangerous conservative propaganda can be, especially how it’s

The Progressive Case Against Impeaching Trump

June 24, 2019 Elections, General Commentary

Let’s get this out of the way: Donald Trump has committed impeachable offenses. It’s clear that Robert Mueller believes Trump obstructed justice. His disregard for the constitution is evident in his steadfast refusal to allow his staff to comply with Congressional subpoenas. He refuses to remove staff who violate the law like Kellyanne Conway. He uses his bully pulpit to

Why Gen Z Believes Representation on American Currency Matters

June 21, 2019 Civil Rights, Economic Issues, Women in the Age of Trump

Last month, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced that the Treasury Department will not unveil a redesigned twenty-dollar bill replacing Andrew Jackson with Harriet Tubman on it while Trump still resides in the White House. Then, on June 14th, Alan Rappeport reported in The New York Times that “extensive work was well underway on a new $20 bill bearing the image

Chemical Castration and Alabama

June 20, 2019 Economic Issues, General Commentary, Healthcare

When people think about Alabama and what it's famous for, of peanuts, college football and Lynard Skynard come to mind. Many would like to think that it would welcome progressiveism to overcome its terrible history of Jim Crow laws. However, recent legislative actions in the state have proven that no matter how much good comes out of the actions of

Former Trump supporter endorses Warren for President

June 6, 2019 Elections, General Commentary

I would like to officially endorse Senator Elizabeth Warren as the next President of the United States of America. This decision wasn't easy, especially with the candidates running in the Democratic Party. Her story, and her values in what she is fighting for got to my heart the most, because her values are what I envision a liberal Democrat should

The Certainties of Impeachment

June 5, 2019 Elections, General Commentary

Now that Special Counsel Mueller has spoken publicly about his findings, the time has come for a discussion about what know. While the understanding of what we know and don’t know might become clearer as we move forward, a number of facts have been pretty thoroughly established. For example, we know the Trump campaign courted assistance from a hostile foreign

What is #BarcodeBalloting?

April 8, 2019 Elections

We saw in the 2018 elections a number of races that went to recounts, including both the US Senate and Governor races in Florida. For a recount to be effective at establishing the intentions of the voters, there needs to be a paper record that can be viewed and counted by human officials. Many precincts now use electronic voting machines,

Sharing Our Stories Will Determine Our Politics and Save Our Lives

July 16, 2018 Healthcare

The need for our country’s leaders to listen to our voices and defend our lives is more urgent than ever. The next few months will determine the future of the American people—and the power of our storytelling will shape our politics as we near the November elections. I am the mother of an amazing four-year-old with complex medical needs, and

Brady Campaign Calls for Resignation of Florida Gubernatorial Candidate Adam Putnam

July 12, 2018 Gun Violence

New report reveals Putnam mishandled investigation into mishandled concealed carry permits Washington, D.C., July 11, 2018 – Following new revelations that Florida Agricultural Commissioner and leading Republican gubernatorial candidate Adam Putnam misled the public regarding hundreds of mishandled concealed carry permits in his state, leading gun safety advocates called for his resignation from office. The Brady Campaign and Center to

Alyssa Milano speaks at the ERA Congressional Meeting

July 7, 2018 #MeToo, Civil Rights, Women in the Age of Trump

WHY DO YOU NEED THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT? Share Your Story Today! #INeedERA “The #MeToo movement was such a powerful phenomenon because for far too long, women have not felt heard. It’s hard to empower women when they are not recognized as part of our Constitution. Now is the time for that to change and for the ERA to become part

Transactional Humanity

July 7, 2018 General Commentary

Before we begin, I’d like to ask a small favor. Reach into your pocket, a desk drawer, or that cup we all keep in our cars, and grab a quarter. Look at it. Both sides. Pay special attention to the phrases “In God we trust” and “E pluribus unum” that you’ll find on each and every one. Then ask: “What

#10Questions with Russian Journalist & Disinformation Expert Kseniya Kirillova

July 4, 2018 Russia

Kseniya Kirillova, now living in California, is on Putin’s hit list. In a rare informal interview, the Russian dissident journalist and expert on Russian propaganda and disinformation tells the The Loyal Opposition how Russia changed before her eyes, the murder of her editor and friend by government agents, Russian propaganda both within Russia and how it’s directed at the West,

SUPPORT THE VICTIMS OF THE ATTACK IN BOISE

July 3, 2018 General Commentary

From Better Idaho Sunday night, refugee families at a low-income apartment complex in Boise were attacked by a knife-wielding man who ultimately stabbed nine people, including six children. At least four of the victims have sustained life-threatening injuries. Our heart is broken for everyone involved in this senseless attack, but we know that our community will rise up to support those involved. Better Idaho's

The Toolmakers Call For Civility

July 2, 2018 General Commentary

He says Max is mad, and Hillary is screeching, But when he screeches madly, it's seen as divinity preaching, To the choir of forgottens, who gleefully shout out, 'illegal', To describe those 'yearning to breathe free', instead of seeing them as people. But he is one of the toolmakers, lest we not forget, His double gender-ethnic privilege, is like a

California Attorney General files lawsuit against Navient for deceiving student loan borrowers

June 29, 2018 Student Debt

We applaud California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for taking necessary action against Navient, the nation’s largest student loan servicing company. Today’s lawsuit highlights a long list of Navient’s predatory business practices which were solely designed to increase profits at the expense of students and borrowers. Attorney General Becerra’s lawsuit accuses Navient of illegal behavior, including: Steering vulnerable borrowers toward more

MY COMMENT ON THE HARVEY WEINSTEIN SCANDAL

October 9, 2017 #MeToo, General Commentary

I've been asked a number of times to comment on the Harvey Weinstein scandal. While I am sickened and angered over the disturbing accusations of Weinstein's sexual predation and abuse of power, I'm happy - ecstatic even - that it has opened up a dialogue around the continued sexual harassment, objectification and degradation of women. To the women who have

Graham/Cassidy: The TrumpCare Bill That Just Won’t Die

September 25, 2017 Healthcare

The problem with writing about policy is that very few people want to talk about policy. Most of us don't really care about it. There are very few wonks out there - the rest of us just want to know what will happen to us if something becomes law. So, we're not going to get into the weeds here. I'm

How You Can Help the Victims of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Harvey

September 14, 2017 Environment, General Commentary

Hurricane Irma, one of the biggest storms to ever come out of the Atlantic, churned toward Florida over the weekend, leaving a trail of death and destruction across the Caribbean and prompting officials to direct 6.5 million Florida residents to leave their homes in one of the largest emergency evacuations in American history. As many Floridians are now returning to

A New Climate Change Initiative is Forming in California in Response to Trump Admin

September 11, 2017 Environment

Since he took office, Donald Trump's Administration has sided with big industry polluters when its come to climate change policies. In the wake of President Donald Trump's decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement on June 1, the sources of misinformation on climate change from the oil and coal industries celebrated it as a victory

Donald Trump is My President

September 11, 2017 Elections, General Commentary

I desperately want to be able to say, "Donald Trump is not my President!" I not only want to say it, I want to put it on a sign in my front yard and a lapel pin I can wear every day until his inevitable impeachment. I want to replace "Hello" with "Trump is not my President," and close all

I Wish She Would’ve Held Me, Rather Than That Gun

September 8, 2017 General Commentary, Gun Violence

38 years ago, she left a note...drove on the freeway...pulled over & sat in the car by herself. She put the black revolver to her head & pulled the trigger. Joyce Penebaker was only 27 years old. She was pronounced dead at 8:34am. "Bullet wound of head...shot self with revolver" is what the death certificate says. 38 years... I have