V. Hammond
@hammond-v33.bsky.social
A vestige of the vox populi. It is my very good honor to meet you and you may call me V.
In a republic, economic power shouldn’t translate into untouchable political power. When a tiny elite can shape markets, influence laws, and insulate itself from accountability, it weakens the civic floor that binds a democratic society; where everyone’s rights carry equal weight
February 16, 2026 at 4:28 PM
In a republic, economic power shouldn’t translate into untouchable political power. When a tiny elite can shape markets, influence laws, and insulate itself from accountability, it weakens the civic floor that binds a democratic society; where everyone’s rights carry equal weight
Reposted by V. Hammond
Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 allows each State legislature to determine the manner by which electors are chosen
States can decide whether to use "winner take all" rules to choose electors
Not all do. Maine and Nebraska don't.
States can decide whether to use "winner take all" rules to choose electors
Not all do. Maine and Nebraska don't.
February 16, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Article II, Section 1, Clause 2 allows each State legislature to determine the manner by which electors are chosen
States can decide whether to use "winner take all" rules to choose electors
Not all do. Maine and Nebraska don't.
States can decide whether to use "winner take all" rules to choose electors
Not all do. Maine and Nebraska don't.
Since the era of Ronald Reagan, Americans across parties grew more comfortable with expanding executive authority, deregulation without sufficient guardrails, and the normalization of partisan hardball.
Dormant vigilance is the real danger.
Dormant vigilance is the real danger.
February 16, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Since the era of Ronald Reagan, Americans across parties grew more comfortable with expanding executive authority, deregulation without sufficient guardrails, and the normalization of partisan hardball.
Dormant vigilance is the real danger.
Dormant vigilance is the real danger.
If someone granted refugee status through lawful process can be detained without clear, reviewable cause, the issue isn’t ideology; it’s stability. Under Donald Trump or any admin, when legal determinations feel reversible at will, trust in the republic erodes for everyone.
February 16, 2026 at 3:55 PM
If someone granted refugee status through lawful process can be detained without clear, reviewable cause, the issue isn’t ideology; it’s stability. Under Donald Trump or any admin, when legal determinations feel reversible at will, trust in the republic erodes for everyone.
Comfort is not neutrality in a democracy.
If those in power make influential people “comfortable” instead of uncomfortable with scrutiny, accountability erodes. That’s how rot spreads; not through loud tyranny, but through quiet accommodation.
If those in power make influential people “comfortable” instead of uncomfortable with scrutiny, accountability erodes. That’s how rot spreads; not through loud tyranny, but through quiet accommodation.
February 16, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Comfort is not neutrality in a democracy.
If those in power make influential people “comfortable” instead of uncomfortable with scrutiny, accountability erodes. That’s how rot spreads; not through loud tyranny, but through quiet accommodation.
If those in power make influential people “comfortable” instead of uncomfortable with scrutiny, accountability erodes. That’s how rot spreads; not through loud tyranny, but through quiet accommodation.
When Marco Rubio ties America’s success to Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary’s election, it blurs diplomacy and endorsement. U.S. policy should defend democratic principles and institutions; not appear to favor a leader whose record on democratic norm and media freedom is contested.
February 16, 2026 at 3:46 PM
When Marco Rubio ties America’s success to Viktor Orbán ahead of Hungary’s election, it blurs diplomacy and endorsement. U.S. policy should defend democratic principles and institutions; not appear to favor a leader whose record on democratic norm and media freedom is contested.
When the machine becomes dangerous to the people, you don’t just accept it; you throw yourself on the gears to slow the harm. A partial shutdown over accountability and safety, even at a cost, reflects democratic self-defense. Democracy isn’t sustained by comfort, it’s sustained by courage.
February 16, 2026 at 2:20 PM
When the machine becomes dangerous to the people, you don’t just accept it; you throw yourself on the gears to slow the harm. A partial shutdown over accountability and safety, even at a cost, reflects democratic self-defense. Democracy isn’t sustained by comfort, it’s sustained by courage.
Under the United States Electoral College, winning a state by 1,001 votes counts the same as winning by 900,000. Extra votes don’t matter and therefore votes in a safe states don’t matter. A national popular vote would make every vote equal, no matter where it’s cast.
February 16, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Under the United States Electoral College, winning a state by 1,001 votes counts the same as winning by 900,000. Extra votes don’t matter and therefore votes in a safe states don’t matter. A national popular vote would make every vote equal, no matter where it’s cast.
If you want votes, make it safe for people to change their minds. No one walks toward a coalition that humiliates them. Ridicule locks identity in place. Respect creates permission to reconsider. Persuasion requires dignity, or it fails.
February 16, 2026 at 1:34 PM
If you want votes, make it safe for people to change their minds. No one walks toward a coalition that humiliates them. Ridicule locks identity in place. Respect creates permission to reconsider. Persuasion requires dignity, or it fails.
If Pam Bondi, or any official, appears more responsive to the connected than to ordinary victims, legitimacy fractures.
Public officials must answer to the people. Not to the wealthy, not to the well-connected, and not to proximity to Jeffrey Epstein or anyone else.
Public officials must answer to the people. Not to the wealthy, not to the well-connected, and not to proximity to Jeffrey Epstein or anyone else.
February 16, 2026 at 1:28 PM
If Pam Bondi, or any official, appears more responsive to the connected than to ordinary victims, legitimacy fractures.
Public officials must answer to the people. Not to the wealthy, not to the well-connected, and not to proximity to Jeffrey Epstein or anyone else.
Public officials must answer to the people. Not to the wealthy, not to the well-connected, and not to proximity to Jeffrey Epstein or anyone else.
Free speech doesn’t protect comfort. It protects dissent.
If Donald Trump dislikes what an athlete says, the answer isn’t pressure or punishment.
We need more speech.
In a free society, error is corrected in the open.
Evil is averted by argument, not enforced silence.
If Donald Trump dislikes what an athlete says, the answer isn’t pressure or punishment.
We need more speech.
In a free society, error is corrected in the open.
Evil is averted by argument, not enforced silence.
February 16, 2026 at 1:21 PM
Free speech doesn’t protect comfort. It protects dissent.
If Donald Trump dislikes what an athlete says, the answer isn’t pressure or punishment.
We need more speech.
In a free society, error is corrected in the open.
Evil is averted by argument, not enforced silence.
If Donald Trump dislikes what an athlete says, the answer isn’t pressure or punishment.
We need more speech.
In a free society, error is corrected in the open.
Evil is averted by argument, not enforced silence.
“Make nostalgia policy” arguments lead to tariffs that hurt consumers and raise business costs; economic progress won’t return by looking backward.
February 16, 2026 at 1:12 PM
“Make nostalgia policy” arguments lead to tariffs that hurt consumers and raise business costs; economic progress won’t return by looking backward.
When state agents operate masked and unidentified under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, accountability erodes. In a republic, force must be attributable and reviewable. Power that hides its face becomes force without legitimacy.
February 16, 2026 at 1:10 PM
When state agents operate masked and unidentified under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, accountability erodes. In a republic, force must be attributable and reviewable. Power that hides its face becomes force without legitimacy.
Outrage makes sense. If Ghislaine Maxwell is receiving more than humane treatment while migrant children lack basic dignity, that’s a serious problem.
If proximity to Donald Trump or Jeffrey Epstein buys comfort, equal justice erodes. The civic floor must apply to all, not just the connected.
If proximity to Donald Trump or Jeffrey Epstein buys comfort, equal justice erodes. The civic floor must apply to all, not just the connected.
February 16, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Outrage makes sense. If Ghislaine Maxwell is receiving more than humane treatment while migrant children lack basic dignity, that’s a serious problem.
If proximity to Donald Trump or Jeffrey Epstein buys comfort, equal justice erodes. The civic floor must apply to all, not just the connected.
If proximity to Donald Trump or Jeffrey Epstein buys comfort, equal justice erodes. The civic floor must apply to all, not just the connected.
The problem isn’t ego.
It’s institutional posture.
A durable republic requires leaders who treat honors/awards as incidental; not as something to chase like a promotional toy from McDonald's.
Power should not look hungry.
It’s institutional posture.
A durable republic requires leaders who treat honors/awards as incidental; not as something to chase like a promotional toy from McDonald's.
Power should not look hungry.
February 16, 2026 at 12:46 PM
The problem isn’t ego.
It’s institutional posture.
A durable republic requires leaders who treat honors/awards as incidental; not as something to chase like a promotional toy from McDonald's.
Power should not look hungry.
It’s institutional posture.
A durable republic requires leaders who treat honors/awards as incidental; not as something to chase like a promotional toy from McDonald's.
Power should not look hungry.
Yes, patterns of democratic backsliding are real, and we should study them.
And that’s exactly why fatalism is dangerous. Competitive authoritarianism hardens when citizens disengage.
Fight it early: vote, organize, demand process, bind power by law.
And that’s exactly why fatalism is dangerous. Competitive authoritarianism hardens when citizens disengage.
Fight it early: vote, organize, demand process, bind power by law.
February 16, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Yes, patterns of democratic backsliding are real, and we should study them.
And that’s exactly why fatalism is dangerous. Competitive authoritarianism hardens when citizens disengage.
Fight it early: vote, organize, demand process, bind power by law.
And that’s exactly why fatalism is dangerous. Competitive authoritarianism hardens when citizens disengage.
Fight it early: vote, organize, demand process, bind power by law.
American history is full of transitions that felt uncertain at the time. New leaders bring new coalitions, tools, and language. A healthy system plans on succession, not because elders failed, but because continuity requires change.
February 16, 2026 at 2:56 AM
American history is full of transitions that felt uncertain at the time. New leaders bring new coalitions, tools, and language. A healthy system plans on succession, not because elders failed, but because continuity requires change.
Every generation thinks the next is unready. But republics survive by handing off power before decline forces it. Passing the torch feels risky, stagnation is riskier. Leadership isn’t ownership; it’s stewardship. The torch has to move.
February 16, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Every generation thinks the next is unready. But republics survive by handing off power before decline forces it. Passing the torch feels risky, stagnation is riskier. Leadership isn’t ownership; it’s stewardship. The torch has to move.
Chasing margins while 90 million stay home misses the structural issue. Voters disengage when they don’t see material change or institutional trust. Activate the inactive by building a civic floor and social safety net people can feel, not just courting slivers of the already decided.
February 16, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Chasing margins while 90 million stay home misses the structural issue. Voters disengage when they don’t see material change or institutional trust. Activate the inactive by building a civic floor and social safety net people can feel, not just courting slivers of the already decided.
A functioning republic requires friction; courts that are obeyed, Congress that asserts authority, and executives that submit to limits. When restraint fades, liberty becomes conditional on who holds power.
February 16, 2026 at 2:41 AM
A functioning republic requires friction; courts that are obeyed, Congress that asserts authority, and executives that submit to limits. When restraint fades, liberty becomes conditional on who holds power.
When the executive continues anyway, power begins consolidating in one branch. Over decades, emergency powers, deference, and inertia have expanded the presidency beyond its original design.
February 16, 2026 at 2:41 AM
When the executive continues anyway, power begins consolidating in one branch. Over decades, emergency powers, deference, and inertia have expanded the presidency beyond its original design.