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#democracyMatters

2 posts1 participant0 posts today
BlueCrew - Community

BREAKING: A federal judge slams Donald Trump with a major defeat by ruling that his administration broke federal law by removing a public website that showed how federal funding is divided amongst different agencies — and orders that it be reinstated.

The courts are our last line of defense once again...

"There is nothing unconstitutional about Congress requiring the Executive Branch to inform the public of how it is apportioning the public’s money. Defendants are therefore required to stop violating the law!" U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan wrote in his ruling.

Sullivan stated that the online database, which was overseen by the MAGA-controlled office of Management and Budget, could not just be unilaterally terminated because Congressional legislation demands that the OMB make all apportionment decisions publicly available within two business days.

According to Congress, the OMB must "operate and maintain” the system for “fiscal year 2023 and each fiscal year thereafter." The Trump administration killed the website earlier this year as part of the broader MAGA agenda to gut the federal government and eliminate its crucial services, absurdly citing national security concerns.

“When Defendants removed the Public Apportionments Database, they deprived CREW and Protect Democracy of information to which they are statutorily entitled, and which they relied on to monitor government funding, respond to possible legal violations, and provide transparency to the public,” wrote Sullivan.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Protect Democracy helped bring the lawsuit against the administration.

"Today’s decision makes clear that the executive branch cannot simply ignore appropriations laws they disagree with on policy grounds, no matter what President Trump or OMB Director Russell Vought thinks,” stated Cerin Lindgrensavage, counsel at Protect Democracy.

"Congress passed a law making sure the American public could see how their taxpayer dollars are being spent, and we will continue to hold the administration accountable for making good on that promise," she added.

Judge Sullivan has given the Justice Department until Thursday morning to formulate a response in case they want to appeal the ruling.

#BlueCrew #BlueCircleFamily🌈🦋
#BluePetPatrol💙🐾 #ProudBlue #Thisiswhywefight #Resist #TruthWarriors #StrongerTogether #NoKings #DemocracyMatters #DefendDemocracy #StayWoke #NoMoreAuthoritarians #ProtectOurRights #KeepGovernmentHonest #AccountabilityMatters #TransparencyMatters

Serhii Nazarovets

Why do people in some countries age faster than in others? A massive study in @Nature Medicine analysed 161,981 people across 40 countries and revealed:

☠️ Social inequality, air pollution, and the collapse of democratic institutions accelerate ageing.

📖 Education, physical activity, and cognitive engagement are the strongest shields against biological decline.

:doi: doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-038

#HealthyAging#SocialInequality#DemocracyMatters
BlueCrew - Community

BREAKING: Twenty states slam Donald Trump with a massive lawsuit over his disastrous decision to shut down a crucial multi-billion program designed to strengthen infrastructure before natural disasters hit.

And it gets even better...

"Communities across the country are being forced to delay, scale back, or cancel hundreds of mitigation projects depending on this funding,” the lawsuit, filed in federal court, reads.

"Projects that have been in development for years, and in which communities have invested millions of dollars for planning, permitting, and environmental review are now threatened. And in the meantime, Americans across the country face a higher risk of harm from natural disasters," it adds.

The suit argues that the MAGA-controlled Federal Emergency Management Agency illegally terminated its Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities (BRIC) program without necessary Congressional approval.

The suit points out that not only did Congress not authorize the cuts to FEMA’s mitigation “functions and capabilities," they "specifically barred it."

"Therefore, the BRIC termination violates these statutes and the Separation of Powers," the suit reads.

Not only that, but the suit points out that Cameron Hamilton, the acting director of FEMA when the program was slashed, as well as his successor David Richardson, were not properly appointed and thus lacked the authority to implement such spending reductions.

These cuts are emblematic of Trump's entire approach to governing. There is no defensible reason to slash this kind of funding. Doing so only puts American lives in danger, weakening the country so that Republicans can funnel even more wealth to the rich through unnecessary tax cuts.

The states described the funding shutdown as "devastating." The BRIC program was launched in 2018 as a way to focus on mitigating damage from disasters instead of simply reacting after they occur. It has been an unalloyed success and has helped avoid over $150 billion in costs alongside other federal mitigation grants.

"Not only are States unable to move forward with many of their planned projects, they also risk wasting the substantial time, effort, and money they have already invested in these projects, and undermining the trust they have built with local communities and industry partners, which will make it harder to undertake projects like this in the future,” the suit adds.

When he shuttered the program in April, Trump's administration smeared it as "wasteful" and "politicized." By Republican logic, any measure that helps average Americans is "wasteful." Taken in light of the recent deadly flash floods in Texas, these efforts by Trump take on an even more sinister light.

The states involved in the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
#BlueCrew #BlueCircleFamily🌈🦋 #BluePetPatrol💙🐾 #ProudBlue #Thisiswhywefight #Resist #TruthWarriors #StrongerTogether #NoKings #DemocracyMatters #DefendDemocracy #StayWoke #NoMoreAuthoritarians #ProtectOurRights

BlueCrew - Community

Michael Fanone is a former law enforcement officer, author, and analyst best known for his service in the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia from 2001 to 2021. He began his policing career with the United States Capitol Police, then moved to the Metropolitan Police, where he spent most of his career as a plain-clothes and undercover officer investigating narcotics trafficking and violent crimes, participating in over 2,000 arrests. Fanone also served as a special task force officer for the FBI, ATF, and DEA, and received more than three dozen commendations during his career.

Michael Fanone became nationally recognized following his involvement in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Responding to an emergency call, he was dragged into the mob, beaten, and repeatedly attacked, suffering a heart attack and traumatic brain injury. He later testified before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th attack, recounting his experiences and emphasizing threats to democracy. After retiring, Fanone worked as an analyst for CNN, a security consultant, and firearms instructor.

He has remained a vocal advocate on issues of law enforcement and democracy and has spoken publicly about the aftermath of the Capitol attack, including the threats he and his family have faced. Fanone was recognized for his actions and awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Joe Biden.
#BlueCrew #BlueCircleFamily🌈🦋
#BluePetPatrol💙🐾 #ProudBlue #Thisiswhywefight #Resist #TruthWarriors #StrongerTogether #NoKings #DemocracyMatters #DefendDemocracy #StayWoke #NoMoreAuthoritarians #ProtectOurRights

A Guy Named Brian (he/him)

Yet another reminder that the GQP doesn’t really believe in democracy: “With the stroke of a pen, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe signed off on legislation repealing the paid sick leave provision of a ballot measure that roughly 58 percent of Missourian voters approved in November.” 🤬

#Politics #USPolitics #VotersOverturned #RepublicansOwnThis #ReThuglicans #WillOfThePeople #VoteThemOutOfOffice #MinimumWage #MissouriMinimumWage #DemocracyMatters #DemocracyInDanger

newrepublic.com/post/197878/mi

The New Republic · Republican Governor Overturns Voters and Repeals Paid Sick LeaveMissouri Governor Mike Kehoe defied his constituents and proudly repealed paid sick leave just after it went into effect.
*
juavanzyl

People’s Democracy Index, 2025 Edition

🌍 Introduction

While many countries boast of being “the greatest democracy on Earth,” the numbers tell a different story. According to the People’s Democracy Index (PDI), a holistic tool that measures both civil-political and social-economic rights, Norway stands unequivocally as the most complete and dignified democracy in the world.

With a total score of 96 out of 100, Norway sets the global standard for what democracy should mean: not just voting rights and free speech, but equitable access to healthcare, housing, education, and the right to live with dignity.

This article explains exactly why Norway earns its score, with a detailed breakdown of each category and sub-score.

📊 The PDI Explained

The PDI evaluates 10 categories equally divided between:

  • 🗳 Civil & Political Rights (50 points)
  • 🏥 Social & Economic Rights (50 points)

Each category is scored based on:

  • Legal Protection (0–2 pts)
  • Implementation in Practice (0–4 pts)
  • Equity Across Populations (0–4 pts)

🗳 CIVIL & POLITICAL RIGHTS – 47 / 50

📰 1. Freedom of Speech & Press – 10 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Fully enshrined in the constitution and upheld by independent courts.
  • Implementation (4): Strong protections for journalists and whistleblowers.
  • Equity (4): Minorities, migrants, and Indigenous Sámi communities enjoy protected voice and media representation.

🛐 2. Freedom of Religion & Belief – 9 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Full legal guarantees.
  • Implementation (4): Religion is respected in law and society.
  • Equity (3): Some social bias remains against minority religions, but rights are still protected.

🚶 3. Freedom of Movement & Assembly – 9 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Right to assemble is constitutionally protected.
  • Implementation (4): Public protests are routinely facilitated and respected.
  • Equity (3): Small-scale bias has been reported, but state response is typically corrective.

✊ 4. Right to Protest & Organize – 9 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Right to unionize and protest is embedded in labor and civil law.
  • Implementation (4): Union density is high; protests rarely face police violence.
  • Equity (3): Indigenous and rural voices receive government channels, though sometimes delayed.

🗳️ 5. Democratic Participation – 10 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Voting is constitutionally guaranteed.
  • Implementation (4): Voter turnout is high; elections are transparent and inclusive.
  • Equity (4): Policies actively reach marginalized and disabled voters.

➡ Subtotal: 47 / 50

🏥 SOCIAL & ECONOMIC RIGHTS – 49 / 50

🏠 6. Right to Housing – 10 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Recognized as a right through national policy frameworks.
  • Implementation (4): Homelessness is nearly eradicated; public housing is widely available.
  • Equity (4): Immigrants and low-income households receive robust support.

🏥 7. Right to Healthcare – 10 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Healthcare is universal and guaranteed by law.
  • Implementation (4): Access is timely, effective, and geographically consistent.
  • Equity (4): No major disparities across race, income, or gender identity.

🎓 8. Right to Education – 10 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Guaranteed from early childhood through university.
  • Implementation (4): Curriculum is inclusive, and schools are well-resourced.
  • Equity (4): Sámi and migrant children receive mother-tongue and remedial instruction.

🍽 9. Right to Food Security – 9 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Protected via welfare laws and constitutional interpretations.
  • Implementation (4): Food assistance and subsidies are effective and universal.
  • Equity (3): Indigenous communities in rural zones face slight logistical challenges.

🚿 10. Right to Sanitation & Water – 10 / 10

  • Legal Protection (2): Water and sanitation are explicitly protected.
  • Implementation (4): Safe water access is universal and publicly managed.
  • Equity (4): No documented disparities across population groups.

➡ Subtotal: 49 / 50

🏆 Final Score: 96 / 100

Classification: 🟩 Deep, Rights-Based Democracy

💬 Why Norway Leads

What makes Norway exceptional is not perfection, but balance. Legal rights are meaningful because they are backed by public investment, independent courts, strong unions, and participatory institutions. Civil liberties are protected alongside housing, education, and food security, not in competition with them.

Norway proves that democracy is not just about elections, it is about how people live.

✍️ Conclusion

In a world where procedural democracies are slipping into authoritarianism, Norway stands as a living reminder that freedom must be lived, not just promised. The PDI reveals a model of governance where dignity is not conditional, and rights are not ornamental.

This is what the greatest democracy on Earth actually looks like.

https://juavanzyl.vivaldi.net/2025/06/24/the-real-greatest-democracy-on-earth-why-norway-leads-the-world-in-democratic-integrity/

#CivicFreedom#DemocracyIndex#DemocracyMatters
Petra van Cronenburg

Years And Years was one of the best series, with a great screenplay by Russel T. Davis (2019). The series shows a family that ‘slips’ into a fascist system in the near future. SciFi history seen by only one family.
Here, the survivors meet and the mother's speech is more topical than ever. youtube.com/watch?v=jaIQj76l_00

YouTubeYears and Years Episode 6 | "This is the World we Built"By Benjamin Nealon (Sky)
#film#series#scifi
Western Exposure

Great interview: Fine art photographer Taryn Simon explores the game of democracy

"We talk about the power of photography in a world of smartphones and artificial intelligence and reflect upon the universal moment of mourning during the COVID-19 pandemic. "

france24.com/en/tv-shows/arts2

FRANCE 24 · arts24 - Taryn Simon explores ‘The Game’ of democracyBy Olivia SALAZAR-WINSPEAR
#taryn_simon#photography#fineartphotography
yarko

«The children — two boys and a girl who appeared to be between the ages of 9 and 12 years old — were detained and zip-tied, along with adults who appeared to be relatives, after an immigration judge had dismissed their case, according to Carolina Rivera, an immigration attorney who serves as a federal advocate and liaison for CLINIC. That dismissal should have meant they were no longer subject to removal proceedings, Rivera said.»

mysanantonio.com/news/local/ar

#DemocracyMatters
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