Susan Mayer
@drspmayer.bsky.social
Retired social scientist, former federal civil servant, former academic researcher and independent consultant, policy wonk, lover of cats and good food, proud stepmom and grandma, unreconstructed progressive.
I'm in the Chicago area. I hope there's a judge in this circuit who will rule similarly. If there's disorder and chaos here, it's mainly and most blatantly of Trump's storm troopers' making.
October 5, 2025 at 6:59 PM
I'm in the Chicago area. I hope there's a judge in this circuit who will rule similarly. If there's disorder and chaos here, it's mainly and most blatantly of Trump's storm troopers' making.
Excuse a dumb question, but how is it legal to use your White House office to host a partisan podcast? Hard to imagine anyone who used their work office to engage in this sort of thing wouldn’t be summarily fired.
September 16, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Excuse a dumb question, but how is it legal to use your White House office to host a partisan podcast? Hard to imagine anyone who used their work office to engage in this sort of thing wouldn’t be summarily fired.
Trying to decide which is worse. Not lowering the flags for assassinated MN lawmakers or not even remembering the incident. And then deflecting with the ever-weak "no one asked me" defense. This man is an embarrassment to the office he holds,
September 15, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Trying to decide which is worse. Not lowering the flags for assassinated MN lawmakers or not even remembering the incident. And then deflecting with the ever-weak "no one asked me" defense. This man is an embarrassment to the office he holds,
Like the rest of us, MAGA knows Trump is a sleaze where women are concerned. They stopped caring long ago. And frankly, although the production of the drawing is useful for proving Trump's denials to be another lie, it tells the rest of nothing we didn't already know about the guy.
September 8, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Like the rest of us, MAGA knows Trump is a sleaze where women are concerned. They stopped caring long ago. And frankly, although the production of the drawing is useful for proving Trump's denials to be another lie, it tells the rest of nothing we didn't already know about the guy.
Yeah, he's backing off when he realized his little trial balloon sank like a stone. Oops, didn't mean to imply Trump dropped the dime on Epstein when he realized his good buddy had him on possible money laundering with that FL estate deal.
September 8, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Yeah, he's backing off when he realized his little trial balloon sank like a stone. Oops, didn't mean to imply Trump dropped the dime on Epstein when he realized his good buddy had him on possible money laundering with that FL estate deal.
For the showman/conman it's always easiest to just put on a different show. It's all he knows how to do.
August 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
For the showman/conman it's always easiest to just put on a different show. It's all he knows how to do.
This is a big "yes, but" thing. Axios has the story: www.axios.com/2025/07/03/b...
Big, beautiful bill gives some seniors a break but excludes poorest
This is a substantial break for folks who pay taxes on retirement benefits.
www.axios.com
July 4, 2025 at 3:29 AM
This is a big "yes, but" thing. Axios has the story: www.axios.com/2025/07/03/b...
Very disappointing. And tellingly, the court gives no reason for declining to take the case. Isn't offering a reason a pretty basic thing for the people of Wisconsin to expect from their highest state court?
June 29, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Very disappointing. And tellingly, the court gives no reason for declining to take the case. Isn't offering a reason a pretty basic thing for the people of Wisconsin to expect from their highest state court?
I think another comment got it right: He’ll get the No-Bail prize. And well-deserved.
June 21, 2025 at 12:25 AM
I think another comment got it right: He’ll get the No-Bail prize. And well-deserved.
I am so mightily tired of Trump claiming this or that "wouldn't have happened if I had been president." Please. We're watching brush fires all around the globe on your watch, Donnie. What ever happened to ending it all on Day 1? I'll tell you: Other world leaders don't respect you. Period.
June 16, 2025 at 6:25 PM
I am so mightily tired of Trump claiming this or that "wouldn't have happened if I had been president." Please. We're watching brush fires all around the globe on your watch, Donnie. What ever happened to ending it all on Day 1? I'll tell you: Other world leaders don't respect you. Period.
This is an excellent article and a terrifying analysis. But we cannot close our eyes to what is happening, much as we might prefer to do so. Thank you for your continuing reporting and writing. It's essential.
June 16, 2025 at 6:20 PM
This is an excellent article and a terrifying analysis. But we cannot close our eyes to what is happening, much as we might prefer to do so. Thank you for your continuing reporting and writing. It's essential.
I'm not sure it's numbness so much as having to prioritize issues, given the firehose of stuff the administration keeps drenching us with. People are out there protesting nearly every day about one thing or another.
June 6, 2025 at 7:47 PM
I'm not sure it's numbness so much as having to prioritize issues, given the firehose of stuff the administration keeps drenching us with. People are out there protesting nearly every day about one thing or another.
You've summed it up well enough. We've heard this song before anyway.
April 20, 2025 at 7:16 PM
You've summed it up well enough. We've heard this song before anyway.
I wish we could begin a serious discussion of Trump's mental stability. Psychologically healthy, well-adjusted adults simply do not behave as he does, do not say the kinds of things he does. It's not necessary to arrive at a specific diagnosis. Common sense tells us this just isn't normal.
April 20, 2025 at 7:14 PM
I wish we could begin a serious discussion of Trump's mental stability. Psychologically healthy, well-adjusted adults simply do not behave as he does, do not say the kinds of things he does. It's not necessary to arrive at a specific diagnosis. Common sense tells us this just isn't normal.
Breathtaking belligerence, particularly in light of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals' order. Also, pretty dumb and juvenile, like a teenager pouting after he (justly) gets grounded.
April 18, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Breathtaking belligerence, particularly in light of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals' order. Also, pretty dumb and juvenile, like a teenager pouting after he (justly) gets grounded.
He said so over the weekend, that he "couldn't care less" if prices rose in response to tariffs. And now that markets are tanking and retirees like me are watching our savings take a hit, he's off for a 3-day weekend to watch a golf match.
April 4, 2025 at 6:33 PM
He said so over the weekend, that he "couldn't care less" if prices rose in response to tariffs. And now that markets are tanking and retirees like me are watching our savings take a hit, he's off for a 3-day weekend to watch a golf match.
I understand the emphatic point you're trying to make, but never say never. Not with this MAGA bunch.
March 24, 2025 at 10:35 PM
I understand the emphatic point you're trying to make, but never say never. Not with this MAGA bunch.
That is surprising considering how restrained Pelosi usually is. Schumer is digging his own political grave. And the rest of the Democrats should take a lesson from the high approval ratings of Mexican and Ukrainian leaders who defy power and stand up for democracy.
March 14, 2025 at 6:28 PM
That is surprising considering how restrained Pelosi usually is. Schumer is digging his own political grave. And the rest of the Democrats should take a lesson from the high approval ratings of Mexican and Ukrainian leaders who defy power and stand up for democracy.
Just tried calling his office and couldn't even leave a voicemail. Ugh. But I think he knows what to do. However, Senate Democrats need to get an effective communicator out there to explain what they're doing.
March 13, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Just tried calling his office and couldn't even leave a voicemail. Ugh. But I think he knows what to do. However, Senate Democrats need to get an effective communicator out there to explain what they're doing.
Just called the offices of both my (Democratic) senators and could not get through. Couldn't even leave a voicemail. A good sign? But Senate Dems have to get an effective spokesperson out there to keep updating everyone on what they're asking for - not just what they're opposing.
March 13, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Just called the offices of both my (Democratic) senators and could not get through. Couldn't even leave a voicemail. A good sign? But Senate Dems have to get an effective spokesperson out there to keep updating everyone on what they're asking for - not just what they're opposing.
Ah, yes, Donald Trump, noted Talmudic scholar, opining on who is and who is not really Jewish. Maybe he should run this idea by his rabbi. Oh, wait.
March 12, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Ah, yes, Donald Trump, noted Talmudic scholar, opining on who is and who is not really Jewish. Maybe he should run this idea by his rabbi. Oh, wait.
I hope it’s a dig, but if so, it may be too subtle. Nice looking chicken, though.
March 5, 2025 at 4:56 AM
I hope it’s a dig, but if so, it may be too subtle. Nice looking chicken, though.