I don’t know if you’ve noticed but things are uhh… not working great in Washington these days. But when we focus all our energies on Washington, Kate Hess Pace argues, we’re missing something big: each other.
In OtherWords this week, Kate makes an impassioned plea for what she calls “place-based organizing” — that is, connecting with your real-life local community and figuring stuff out. “Whether we’re facing flooding, AI disruption, or authoritarianism, it will be the people around us who get us through,” Kate writes. And “when someone in a small town realizes their voice matters — and sees their neighbors standing beside them — it rekindles faith in democracy itself.”
Meanwhile, Michael Chameides shares an inspiring story where people have done just that.
About 20 years ago, Marshalltown, Iowa suffered a traumatizing federal immigration raid. But as the community slowly picked up the pieces and rebuilt its “diverse, supportive community,” the town’s residents discovered just how much stronger they are together — especially when they pulled together to rebuild after a devastating storm in 2020.
Today, the town’s lively immigrant population contributes a wealth of businesses, jobs, and culture to their neighbors. “As ICE raids terrorize communities large and small, Americans should take a lesson from Marshalltown and tell Congress: We’re stronger when everyone is free to participate and contribute,” Michael concludes.
Also this week, child care worker Rita Bee shares the wonderful news that New Mexico will become the first — but hopefully not the last — state to offer universal, no-cost child care. And Communications Workers of America union president Claude Cummings explains how the Trump administration is hijacking rural broadband funds to reward its billionaire backers.
New This Week…
Democracy Begins Where We Live | Kate Hess Pace
Whether we’re facing flooding, AI disruption, or authoritarianism, it will be the people around us who get us through.
An Immigration Success Story in the Heartland | Michael Chameides
As ICE raids terrorize communities large and small, Americans should take a lesson from this Iowa town: We’re stronger when everyone is free to participate and contribute.
Child Care Can Be Free and Universal | Rita Bee
In most of the country, child care is too expensive for families and pays too little for providers. New Mexico is fixing that — and all states should follow.
Rural America Deserves Dependable Broadband, Not More Billionaire Handouts | Claude Cummings Jr.
The Trump administration’s new rules for broadband funds favor giveaways to Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk over reliable internet for rural communities.
In Case You Missed It…
Ten Ways You’re Being Burned By Billionaires | Chuck Collins
Many Americans don’t realize it, but the decisions of billionaires shape every aspect of our lives. Here are just a few — and what we can do.
Blowing Up Fishing Boats Won’t Win the Drug War | Sanho Tree
There’s a reason we don’t want drug warriors playing judge, jury, and executioner.
A Cruel and Short-Sighted Attack on Low-Income Communities | Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, Eric Morrissette
The federal government has a powerful tool to spur investment in communities traditionally locked out of it. But Trump is dismantling it.
You Can’t Learn from History If You Cover It Up | Jim Hightower
There’s not enough whitewash in the world to cover the ugliness of slavery, and it’s self-destructive for the government to try.
