Forrest Bennett
@forrest-bennett.bsky.social
President of the Oklahoma AFL-CIO. Working for workers and growing the labor movement in Oklahoma and beyond. Former state legislator; lifelong Okie.
Pinned
Friends, I’m running for Oklahoma AFL-CIO President.
Now more than ever, Oklahomans need the kinds of policies that unions fight for. I’ve worked alongside Oklahoma’s unions during my time as a state representative, and I hope to work for them soon.
Let’s get to work!
Now more than ever, Oklahomans need the kinds of policies that unions fight for. I’ve worked alongside Oklahoma’s unions during my time as a state representative, and I hope to work for them soon.
Let’s get to work!
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
November 14, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
I got kicked out of the fight against the bullshit Medicaid paperwork reporting requirements but I can’t stop pointing out how ALMOST EVERYONE enrolled in Medicaid is already working or disabled or CHILDREN or in nursing homes
July 1, 2025 at 2:17 AM
I got kicked out of the fight against the bullshit Medicaid paperwork reporting requirements but I can’t stop pointing out how ALMOST EVERYONE enrolled in Medicaid is already working or disabled or CHILDREN or in nursing homes
Friends, I’m running for Oklahoma AFL-CIO President.
Now more than ever, Oklahomans need the kinds of policies that unions fight for. I’ve worked alongside Oklahoma’s unions during my time as a state representative, and I hope to work for them soon.
Let’s get to work!
Now more than ever, Oklahomans need the kinds of policies that unions fight for. I’ve worked alongside Oklahoma’s unions during my time as a state representative, and I hope to work for them soon.
Let’s get to work!
May 22, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Friends, I’m running for Oklahoma AFL-CIO President.
Now more than ever, Oklahomans need the kinds of policies that unions fight for. I’ve worked alongside Oklahoma’s unions during my time as a state representative, and I hope to work for them soon.
Let’s get to work!
Now more than ever, Oklahomans need the kinds of policies that unions fight for. I’ve worked alongside Oklahoma’s unions during my time as a state representative, and I hope to work for them soon.
Let’s get to work!
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
This is terrifying in America. ICE agents are showing up masked—these abductions must stop. If you’re going to detain someone, show your face, present a warrant, and proper ID. Disappearing people from their families without evidence or accountability isn’t law enforcement—it’s state-sponsored fear.
April 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
This is terrifying in America. ICE agents are showing up masked—these abductions must stop. If you’re going to detain someone, show your face, present a warrant, and proper ID. Disappearing people from their families without evidence or accountability isn’t law enforcement—it’s state-sponsored fear.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
Unidentified men grabbing someone off the street and putting her in a car because she wrote an op-Ed. This as flatly authoritarian as anything we’ve seen in this country in a very long time.
Video of the international student at Tufts being arrested by "federal authorities" in Massachusetts has been released and it's terrifying.
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
March 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Unidentified men grabbing someone off the street and putting her in a car because she wrote an op-Ed. This as flatly authoritarian as anything we’ve seen in this country in a very long time.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
They are just disappearing people off the street. Having a hard time thinking about literally anything else.
Not sure if this has been shared here yet, but this is video of Rumeysa Ozturk's arrest posted by WCVB. It's terrifying.
March 27, 2025 at 5:15 AM
They are just disappearing people off the street. Having a hard time thinking about literally anything else.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
I unironically use my local library a lot. Ebooks, audio books, physical books, the seed exchange, the meeting spaces?? Passport services?? Citizenship and English classes? I grew up in the teen hangout area as a housing insecure youth with a bad parent. Libraries are important, I'm pissed
March 16, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I unironically use my local library a lot. Ebooks, audio books, physical books, the seed exchange, the meeting spaces?? Passport services?? Citizenship and English classes? I grew up in the teen hangout area as a housing insecure youth with a bad parent. Libraries are important, I'm pissed
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
The institutional Democratic Party is guided by an almost pathological level of conflict avoidance in almost every direction. “What can we do to make the least number of people mad?” is just a bankrupt way to operate.
March 13, 2025 at 10:23 PM
The institutional Democratic Party is guided by an almost pathological level of conflict avoidance in almost every direction. “What can we do to make the least number of people mad?” is just a bankrupt way to operate.
Please read this to understand how the most vulnerable Americans are taking it on the chin so that the wealthiest can get wealthier under the Musk/Trump regime: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Republicans Want to Put Poor People Through Hell to Fund Tax Cuts for the Rich
To fund Donald Trump’s latest tax cuts for the wealthy, Mike Johnson and Republicans want to add harsh new bureaucratic hurdles to Medicaid.
www.rollingstone.com
March 10, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Please read this to understand how the most vulnerable Americans are taking it on the chin so that the wealthiest can get wealthier under the Musk/Trump regime: www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
Common-sense, compassionate and progressive: sounds like Oklahoma House Democrats and @forrest-bennett.bsky.social:
Oklahoma House bill would lessen the effects of medical debt on credit scores
Rep. Forrest Bennett introduced a bill that would prevent some medical debt from affecting people's credit scores.
www.oklahoman.com
February 24, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Common-sense, compassionate and progressive: sounds like Oklahoma House Democrats and @forrest-bennett.bsky.social:
TGIFMF (thank god it’s five minute Friday)
At 8:30am over on instant graham, I’ll be live to discuss what happened this week at the state house. Join if you want! Don’t if you don’t! It’s your Friday; do what you want with it.
At 8:30am over on instant graham, I’ll be live to discuss what happened this week at the state house. Join if you want! Don’t if you don’t! It’s your Friday; do what you want with it.
February 28, 2025 at 1:55 PM
TGIFMF (thank god it’s five minute Friday)
At 8:30am over on instant graham, I’ll be live to discuss what happened this week at the state house. Join if you want! Don’t if you don’t! It’s your Friday; do what you want with it.
At 8:30am over on instant graham, I’ll be live to discuss what happened this week at the state house. Join if you want! Don’t if you don’t! It’s your Friday; do what you want with it.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
Hemingway, evergreen
February 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Hemingway, evergreen
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
Medicaid is not for sale.
NASA is not for sale.
The Post Office is not for sale.
America is not for sale.
We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber them. And they can be overwhelmed.
NASA is not for sale.
The Post Office is not for sale.
America is not for sale.
We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber them. And they can be overwhelmed.
February 21, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Medicaid is not for sale.
NASA is not for sale.
The Post Office is not for sale.
America is not for sale.
We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber them. And they can be overwhelmed.
NASA is not for sale.
The Post Office is not for sale.
America is not for sale.
We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber them. And they can be overwhelmed.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
I know things are bleak and scary right now. But I promise you that you - yes YOU - can get through this.
You don't have to fight all of this on your own. Find one person you can help, and help them. Make the life of one person better every day.
Hold onto your joy.
That's how we win.
You don't have to fight all of this on your own. Find one person you can help, and help them. Make the life of one person better every day.
Hold onto your joy.
That's how we win.
February 22, 2025 at 1:00 AM
I know things are bleak and scary right now. But I promise you that you - yes YOU - can get through this.
You don't have to fight all of this on your own. Find one person you can help, and help them. Make the life of one person better every day.
Hold onto your joy.
That's how we win.
You don't have to fight all of this on your own. Find one person you can help, and help them. Make the life of one person better every day.
Hold onto your joy.
That's how we win.
Friday mornings during the legislative session, I go live on Instagram and talk about what I observed from that week at the statehouse. That’s happening this morning at 8:30 on Instagram where my handle is @ForrestBennett. Join if you want!
February 21, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Friday mornings during the legislative session, I go live on Instagram and talk about what I observed from that week at the statehouse. That’s happening this morning at 8:30 on Instagram where my handle is @ForrestBennett. Join if you want!
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
The battle of our day is no longer about Democrats versus Republicans or left versus right.
The choice right now is democracy or dictatorship. And we're sliding faster than I ever thought possible into the latter.
Everyone must choose which side they’re on. Now.
The choice right now is democracy or dictatorship. And we're sliding faster than I ever thought possible into the latter.
Everyone must choose which side they’re on. Now.
February 20, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The battle of our day is no longer about Democrats versus Republicans or left versus right.
The choice right now is democracy or dictatorship. And we're sliding faster than I ever thought possible into the latter.
Everyone must choose which side they’re on. Now.
The choice right now is democracy or dictatorship. And we're sliding faster than I ever thought possible into the latter.
Everyone must choose which side they’re on. Now.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
And as a Department of Education employee told me this week, "people have no idea how much that the federal government does actually touches their lives every day, but they'll notice it when it's gone"
Doge, so efficient and transparent, all they've posted so far is stats from OPM published last year and a far-right anti climate think tank index
February 17, 2025 at 4:21 PM
And as a Department of Education employee told me this week, "people have no idea how much that the federal government does actually touches their lives every day, but they'll notice it when it's gone"
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
UPDATE:
The strike is over, with King Soopers agreeing to return to the bargaining table and make a better offer, no lockouts and no worker losing health care for April over the ULP strike.
The strike is over, with King Soopers agreeing to return to the bargaining table and make a better offer, no lockouts and no worker losing health care for April over the ULP strike.
February 18, 2025 at 7:36 PM
UPDATE:
The strike is over, with King Soopers agreeing to return to the bargaining table and make a better offer, no lockouts and no worker losing health care for April over the ULP strike.
The strike is over, with King Soopers agreeing to return to the bargaining table and make a better offer, no lockouts and no worker losing health care for April over the ULP strike.
I think a cool thing national media could do in this day and age, to cultivate meaningful and productive discussions around our collective situation, is to simply not have this absolute chaos vampire on as a guest of any program ever again, ever.
February 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I think a cool thing national media could do in this day and age, to cultivate meaningful and productive discussions around our collective situation, is to simply not have this absolute chaos vampire on as a guest of any program ever again, ever.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
Every union should be echoing this statement.
February 18, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Every union should be echoing this statement.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
"I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me."
is metal as hell.
is metal as hell.
Not exaggerating when I say that the path back is going to be built on people in positions of influence regaining their sense of self-respect.
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02...
www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02...
February 14, 2025 at 3:42 PM
"I expect you will eventually find someone who is enough of a fool, or enough of a coward, to file your motion. But it was never going to be me."
is metal as hell.
is metal as hell.
Would JD Vance come after these two in the succession plan? Or would it go Putin first, and then Vance?
(my high school civics class covered traditional government processes, not oligarchical ones, so wasn’t sure how different it is)
(my high school civics class covered traditional government processes, not oligarchical ones, so wasn’t sure how different it is)
February 12, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Would JD Vance come after these two in the succession plan? Or would it go Putin first, and then Vance?
(my high school civics class covered traditional government processes, not oligarchical ones, so wasn’t sure how different it is)
(my high school civics class covered traditional government processes, not oligarchical ones, so wasn’t sure how different it is)
That’s…not at all accurate.
The supreme law of the land is the Constitution.
There are three *CO-EQUAL* branches of government.
The Courts (judicial branch) determine constitutionality, though a middle schooler could tell you that most of what the Musk/Trump admin are doing isn’t constitutional.
The supreme law of the land is the Constitution.
There are three *CO-EQUAL* branches of government.
The Courts (judicial branch) determine constitutionality, though a middle schooler could tell you that most of what the Musk/Trump admin are doing isn’t constitutional.
Alina Habba: "There's a separation of powers for a reason. The executive branch is the ultimate authority on federal issues."
February 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
That’s…not at all accurate.
The supreme law of the land is the Constitution.
There are three *CO-EQUAL* branches of government.
The Courts (judicial branch) determine constitutionality, though a middle schooler could tell you that most of what the Musk/Trump admin are doing isn’t constitutional.
The supreme law of the land is the Constitution.
There are three *CO-EQUAL* branches of government.
The Courts (judicial branch) determine constitutionality, though a middle schooler could tell you that most of what the Musk/Trump admin are doing isn’t constitutional.
Reposted by Forrest Bennett
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they have none.
-Alice Walker
-Alice Walker
February 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they have none.
-Alice Walker
-Alice Walker