Category Archives: News

Maria Ressa – Fighting Back Against Trump’s Authoritarian Algorithm With Truth

Information, News, Opinion

Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist and author of the book “How to Stand Up to a Dictator,” sits down with Jon Stewart for a conversation about Trump’s authoritarian attacks on free speech in the wake of Disney taking Jimmy Kimmel off the air in fealty to the president and his hand-picked FCC Chair.

Ressa, who in 2020 was jailed in the Philippines for her journalism criticizing the country’s former president Rodrigo Duterte, warns about the similarities between the dictatorship she lived under and the Trump administration.

They also discuss how tech companies use authoritarian governments as case studies to inform their algorithms and manipulate democratic elections, and the importance in this political moment for Americans to take peaceful action before their rights are continually stripped away.

Inside – Outside Game

Information, News

Many PDA members know that our strategy to move the Democratic Party towards progressive positions, policies and programs, which the majority of Americans clearly embrace, entails both an inside and outside game. The inside strategy refers to supporting candidates running for office (federal, state and local) who represent our progressive platform. We’re working tirelessly (just ask Mike Fox!) to get progressive candidates elected and grow the progressive caucus at every level everywhere in the country.

The outside strategy refers to pushing, prodding and cajoling (some might call it “educating”) our elected members of Congress, State Legislature, City Council and School Districts to vote consistent with progressive positions. Oftentimes the outside strategy requires mobilizing Americans to engage in the political process, call and write Congress, and talk with their neighbors.

I Want YOU for DPBC!

Here’s our chance! The Democratic Party of New Mexico is holding elections this Spring for DPNM state party positions, and each County is doing the same for local party positions. Here’s our opportunity to help move the Democratic Party from the inside and make it more responsive to New Mexicans who have given up on politics and/or the Democratic Party altogether.

Continue reading Inside – Outside Game →

PDA: The right organization, message and time to make a difference!

News, Opinion

By: Lora Lucero

Canvassing in Michigan during the month of September confirmed for me that Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is the best vehicle with the right message for this tumultuous moment in our country.

Walking more than 50 miles and knocking on hundreds of doors in the suburbs north of Detroit to speak with registered Democrats about the election, I was reminded that Democrats are diverse and thoughtful, but many feel no connection to the Democratic Party. My canvas list included names of registered but inconsistent voters who believe their political party has forgotten them, except when asking for their vote.

I decided to go to Michigan after listening to Allan Brill’s pitch during a PDA Sunday Town Hall in July.  He wanted to connect volunteers traveling to Michigan with a host family, and he likened the Michigan Summer to Save Democracy (MSSD) campaign to the Mississippi Freedom Summer Riders in 1961. I jumped at the chance, and after Allan vetted me, and I vetted the different campaigns working in Michigan, I signed up for September. (Note: There’s still time to sign up to canvas in Michigan or make phone calls to Michigan voters. Reach out to Allan at michigansummer24@gmail.com)

Continue reading PDA: The right organization, message and time to make a difference! →