Sarah Brand-Wiita
@sarahbw.bsky.social
Precinct Organization Chair and Assistant Treasurer, @mcdems.bsky.social. Politics in Montgomery County, Maryland and beyond. Opinions mine. Personal account: @sarahbrand.bsky.social
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Sarah Brand-Wiita
@sarahbw.bsky.social
· Mar 12
In case any fellow Marylanders feel moved to call your senators today, here are their numbers!
Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 (other offices: www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact)
Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 (other offices: www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/contact/)
Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 (other offices: www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact)
Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 (other offices: www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/contact/)
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
One reason (the main reason?) Democratic-majority state legislatures should plow ahead with redistricting is the near-guarantee that John Roberts will intervene on behalf of Texas' wildly racist gerrymander.
badfaithtimes.com/now-is-the-t...
badfaithtimes.com/now-is-the-t...
Now Is The Time To Maximize Republicans' Political Pain
It shouldn't matter that the Texas gerrymander might be dead. Democrats have to stay on offense.
badfaithtimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:39 PM
One reason (the main reason?) Democratic-majority state legislatures should plow ahead with redistricting is the near-guarantee that John Roberts will intervene on behalf of Texas' wildly racist gerrymander.
badfaithtimes.com/now-is-the-t...
badfaithtimes.com/now-is-the-t...
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
Chris Van Hollen is one of my senators here in Maryland. He's consistently standing up against Trump & is one of the rare members of Congress not taking AIPAC money. Van Hollen even went to El Salvador to check on a constituent who was illegally abducted & imprisoned by Trump & company at CECOT.
This guy has his finger on the pulse of his party's base in a way that others in his caucus unequivocally just do not
November 21, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Chris Van Hollen is one of my senators here in Maryland. He's consistently standing up against Trump & is one of the rare members of Congress not taking AIPAC money. Van Hollen even went to El Salvador to check on a constituent who was illegally abducted & imprisoned by Trump & company at CECOT.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
It is political malpractice for any Dem to not keep hammering this as hard as possible because
A) It clearly drives him nuts in a way basically nothing else can and that’s useful
But even more
B) It’s very entertaining to see him so angry and frustrated that he can’t bully this into going away
A) It clearly drives him nuts in a way basically nothing else can and that’s useful
But even more
B) It’s very entertaining to see him so angry and frustrated that he can’t bully this into going away
Q: Why wait for Congress to release the Epstein files? Why not just do it now?
TRUMP: It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you're a terrible reporter. It's the way you ask these questions. You start off with a man who's highly respected asking him an insubordinate question
TRUMP: It's not the question that I mind. It's your attitude. I think you're a terrible reporter. It's the way you ask these questions. You start off with a man who's highly respected asking him an insubordinate question
November 18, 2025 at 6:22 PM
It is political malpractice for any Dem to not keep hammering this as hard as possible because
A) It clearly drives him nuts in a way basically nothing else can and that’s useful
But even more
B) It’s very entertaining to see him so angry and frustrated that he can’t bully this into going away
A) It clearly drives him nuts in a way basically nothing else can and that’s useful
But even more
B) It’s very entertaining to see him so angry and frustrated that he can’t bully this into going away
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
Pretty much all affordability discourse could benefit from just posting this chart.
If you're in the better off America, all the luxury goods you want in excess are for the most part much cheaper. If you're in the poorer America, most of the shit you need to live/grow is more expensive.
If you're in the better off America, all the luxury goods you want in excess are for the most part much cheaper. If you're in the poorer America, most of the shit you need to live/grow is more expensive.
November 10, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Pretty much all affordability discourse could benefit from just posting this chart.
If you're in the better off America, all the luxury goods you want in excess are for the most part much cheaper. If you're in the poorer America, most of the shit you need to live/grow is more expensive.
If you're in the better off America, all the luxury goods you want in excess are for the most part much cheaper. If you're in the poorer America, most of the shit you need to live/grow is more expensive.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
I'm here outside Speaker Johnson’s office because he is starving families and gutting health care to cover up the Epstein Files.
Change my mind.
Change my mind.
November 6, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I'm here outside Speaker Johnson’s office because he is starving families and gutting health care to cover up the Epstein Files.
Change my mind.
Change my mind.
Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 (other offices: www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact)
Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 (other offices: www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/contact/)
Maryland, you know what to do.
Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 (other offices: www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/contact/)
Maryland, you know what to do.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Van Hollen: (202) 224-4654 (other offices: www.vanhollen.senate.gov/contact)
Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 (other offices: www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/contact/)
Maryland, you know what to do.
Alsobrooks: (202) 224-4524 (other offices: www.alsobrooks.senate.gov/contact/)
Maryland, you know what to do.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
There are already food banks/depositories in every district & a ton of Democrats have been doing events to support them, but if no one besides a staffer posts about it, no one knows about it.
Even with a massive support, it's not replacing $100 billion in SNAP. We need a functional government!
Even with a massive support, it's not replacing $100 billion in SNAP. We need a functional government!
October 27, 2025 at 1:41 AM
There are already food banks/depositories in every district & a ton of Democrats have been doing events to support them, but if no one besides a staffer posts about it, no one knows about it.
Even with a massive support, it's not replacing $100 billion in SNAP. We need a functional government!
Even with a massive support, it's not replacing $100 billion in SNAP. We need a functional government!
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
My fellow Maryland state (and other govt) employees, you can easily donate $10/check to food banks (mine is split between local and DC) as part of the annual charity campaign. We are living off retirement savings, but at least we have that. You won’t miss $10 pre-tax and it helps so much.
October 26, 2025 at 11:34 PM
My fellow Maryland state (and other govt) employees, you can easily donate $10/check to food banks (mine is split between local and DC) as part of the annual charity campaign. We are living off retirement savings, but at least we have that. You won’t miss $10 pre-tax and it helps so much.
Relevant once again. We've all been marinating in the idea that winning requires compromising your values since at least 9/11. I think the fear of "purity tests" is downstream of that.
But to present a credible alternative to fascism, compromising on values is exactly what we cannot do!
But to present a credible alternative to fascism, compromising on values is exactly what we cannot do!
Yeahhhhh a lot of people are complaining about “purity tests” that are more accurately called “bare minimum standards because otherwise, what are we even doing here?”
October 26, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Relevant once again. We've all been marinating in the idea that winning requires compromising your values since at least 9/11. I think the fear of "purity tests" is downstream of that.
But to present a credible alternative to fascism, compromising on values is exactly what we cannot do!
But to present a credible alternative to fascism, compromising on values is exactly what we cannot do!
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
“The Democratic Party doesn’t do anything!” If you’re a Democrat, you ARE the Democratic Party. We need you. We need your help and we need your voice in the room.
August 31, 2025 at 8:24 PM
“The Democratic Party doesn’t do anything!” If you’re a Democrat, you ARE the Democratic Party. We need you. We need your help and we need your voice in the room.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
I cannot emphasize enough how much your local Democratic Party committee needs competent and reliable volunteers, whether as committee members, precinct officials, comms help, or just someone who can be counted on to show up and sit behind the party’s table.
August 31, 2025 at 8:22 PM
I cannot emphasize enough how much your local Democratic Party committee needs competent and reliable volunteers, whether as committee members, precinct officials, comms help, or just someone who can be counted on to show up and sit behind the party’s table.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
he's knocking down the literal white house and illegally murdering people by dropping bombs on international boats and the government has been shut down for weeks and it's just like....yep
October 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
he's knocking down the literal white house and illegally murdering people by dropping bombs on international boats and the government has been shut down for weeks and it's just like....yep
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
Broadly speaking, you win elections by energizing your base and demoralizing your foe's base. Trying to convert people en masse is a loser's game, as was amply demonstrated by Liz Cheney's bff in 2024. Inspire new voters and your base with your ideals and words and actions, this is how you win.
October 22, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Broadly speaking, you win elections by energizing your base and demoralizing your foe's base. Trying to convert people en masse is a loser's game, as was amply demonstrated by Liz Cheney's bff in 2024. Inspire new voters and your base with your ideals and words and actions, this is how you win.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
7 million people attended No Kings protests in 2,700+ cities across the country.
October 20, 2025 at 2:40 PM
7 million people attended No Kings protests in 2,700+ cities across the country.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
This is one of the significant fault lines between the Left(s) and the Right. On the Left(s) [in general], we believe that everyone deserves public goods and to live in dignity. Period.
Q: “Most hospitals + people who will lose insurance are in rural areas. If Trump & Republicans are so intent on sticking it to their own voters, why not let them?”
@aoc.bsky.social : “That’s the difference between us & Trump. I don’t care if you voted for me, I want you to have health care.”
@aoc.bsky.social : “That’s the difference between us & Trump. I don’t care if you voted for me, I want you to have health care.”
October 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
This is one of the significant fault lines between the Left(s) and the Right. On the Left(s) [in general], we believe that everyone deserves public goods and to live in dignity. Period.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
[hunter s thompson, at the kentucky derby, 15 juleps deep, and wearing a hat he definitely did not have when he got there]
you want me to come into the office lol. lmao even.
you want me to come into the office lol. lmao even.
2. Rolling Stone is owned by a large media conglomerate, which is ending remote work across its brands.
My home is Portland, Oregon, ~1,000 miles from the nearest office, so this marks the end of the line for me at RS.
My home is Portland, Oregon, ~1,000 miles from the nearest office, so this marks the end of the line for me at RS.
October 16, 2025 at 6:14 PM
[hunter s thompson, at the kentucky derby, 15 juleps deep, and wearing a hat he definitely did not have when he got there]
you want me to come into the office lol. lmao even.
you want me to come into the office lol. lmao even.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
This is Johnson saying the GOP Nazis had VIP tickets to Trump's inauguration. As proof there's no reason to be concerned about Nazis in the GOP.
What a time to be alive. bsky.app/profile/atru...
What a time to be alive. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Q: Are you worried about extremist pro-Hitler sentiment among young Republicans?
JOHNSON: No. I don't know who any of these people are. I've never heard of them. Somebody posted a photo of me standing next to these guys wearing tuxedos. It was at the inauguration, people were coming up for selfies
JOHNSON: No. I don't know who any of these people are. I've never heard of them. Somebody posted a photo of me standing next to these guys wearing tuxedos. It was at the inauguration, people were coming up for selfies
October 16, 2025 at 3:15 PM
This is Johnson saying the GOP Nazis had VIP tickets to Trump's inauguration. As proof there's no reason to be concerned about Nazis in the GOP.
What a time to be alive. bsky.app/profile/atru...
What a time to be alive. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
I think what annoys me most whenever this happens (aside from calling adults “kids”) is diminishing the significance with absolutely no mention of even an apology, or why it was wrong.
I am a teacher. Kids say dumb stuff all the time, yes. Then: you make them apologize. That is like, the key step
I am a teacher. Kids say dumb stuff all the time, yes. Then: you make them apologize. That is like, the key step
last i checked these young republicans were like 25 years old. but this is a classic case of infantilization to diminish the significance of the offense. www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Vance downplays group chat messages: ‘Kids do stupid things, especially young boys.’
The vice president called the texts "edgy, offensive jokes."
www.yahoo.com
October 15, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I think what annoys me most whenever this happens (aside from calling adults “kids”) is diminishing the significance with absolutely no mention of even an apology, or why it was wrong.
I am a teacher. Kids say dumb stuff all the time, yes. Then: you make them apologize. That is like, the key step
I am a teacher. Kids say dumb stuff all the time, yes. Then: you make them apologize. That is like, the key step
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
Korol is a US citizen. Her family hasn’t heard from her since she was taken, public charges haven’t been released—what crime did she even commit? 2nd-Degree Woodwinding?—and there has been no explanation for her “renditioning” across state lines.
We’ve moved into a new phase of Trump lawlessness.
We’ve moved into a new phase of Trump lawlessness.
A musician, Oriana Korol, was peacefully playing clarinet with her protest band outside ICE facilities in Portland, OR.
When the band started playing “Ghostbusters,” ICE thugs suddenly poured outside, slammed her into the mud, arrested her and took her to a jail 9 miles away in Vancouver, WA.
When the band started playing “Ghostbusters,” ICE thugs suddenly poured outside, slammed her into the mud, arrested her and took her to a jail 9 miles away in Vancouver, WA.
Musician playing ‘Ghostbusters’ outside ICE facility is arrested by agents
‘Taking us citizens out of state to detain them without charge is a new action from the Feds and should be opposed,’ her band said
www.independent.co.uk
October 15, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Korol is a US citizen. Her family hasn’t heard from her since she was taken, public charges haven’t been released—what crime did she even commit? 2nd-Degree Woodwinding?—and there has been no explanation for her “renditioning” across state lines.
We’ve moved into a new phase of Trump lawlessness.
We’ve moved into a new phase of Trump lawlessness.
I am in multiple Democratic and progressive group chats. Anyone who talked like the *grown adults* in that chat would be immediately removed. ”Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Anyone with that overflow has no place in a movement fighting for rights and dignity for all.
October 15, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I am in multiple Democratic and progressive group chats. Anyone who talked like the *grown adults* in that chat would be immediately removed. ”Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Anyone with that overflow has no place in a movement fighting for rights and dignity for all.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
I frequently say you don't need to protest. You don't! There are a thousand other ways to push back on fascism if protesting doesn't feel comfortable or safe for you!
But if you CAN go, this 10/18 #NoKings thing is really a key protest to participate in. Be part of it, friends.
But if you CAN go, this 10/18 #NoKings thing is really a key protest to participate in. Be part of it, friends.
October 14, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I frequently say you don't need to protest. You don't! There are a thousand other ways to push back on fascism if protesting doesn't feel comfortable or safe for you!
But if you CAN go, this 10/18 #NoKings thing is really a key protest to participate in. Be part of it, friends.
But if you CAN go, this 10/18 #NoKings thing is really a key protest to participate in. Be part of it, friends.
Reposted by Sarah Brand-Wiita
people who think older women aren't showing up have clearly not been involved with a single local organization doing anything good that has survived more than like a year of existence.
our entire activism and charity ecosystem only survives because of older women and I'm not joking
our entire activism and charity ecosystem only survives because of older women and I'm not joking
October 13, 2025 at 2:13 PM
people who think older women aren't showing up have clearly not been involved with a single local organization doing anything good that has survived more than like a year of existence.
our entire activism and charity ecosystem only survives because of older women and I'm not joking
our entire activism and charity ecosystem only survives because of older women and I'm not joking
To any Young Persons reading this (or olds who offloaded all phone numbers onto your auxiliary brain), memorize the numbers of 2-3 emergency contacts TODAY. Right now if you can. When you most desperately need to call someone, your battery might be dead or you might not have your phone at all.
If anyone needs me I will be in the museum, lying down next to the bog bodies.
October 13, 2025 at 6:50 PM
To any Young Persons reading this (or olds who offloaded all phone numbers onto your auxiliary brain), memorize the numbers of 2-3 emergency contacts TODAY. Right now if you can. When you most desperately need to call someone, your battery might be dead or you might not have your phone at all.