Rachel
@lrigknat.bsky.social
A nerd on a journey beyond space and time
Reposted by Rachel
Donald Trump sent more money to bail out Argentina than it would have cost to extend the ACA tax credits for just 1 year.
I don't plan to let anyone forget it.
I don't plan to let anyone forget it.
November 11, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Donald Trump sent more money to bail out Argentina than it would have cost to extend the ACA tax credits for just 1 year.
I don't plan to let anyone forget it.
I don't plan to let anyone forget it.
Reposted by Rachel
Ugh with all the fuss I forgot to tweet out my item today: In praise of Pelosi and why they should be building statues of her all over. Plus so many links. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/the-speaker
The Speaker
On Pelosi. Plus all the links.
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Ugh with all the fuss I forgot to tweet out my item today: In praise of Pelosi and why they should be building statues of her all over. Plus so many links. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/the-speaker
Reposted by Rachel
Don’t worry your heads ladies, the menfolk are handling US-Central Asia relations
November 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Don’t worry your heads ladies, the menfolk are handling US-Central Asia relations
Reposted by Rachel
Five Lessons from the 2025 Election Results:
honestgraft.substack.com/p/five-lesso...
honestgraft.substack.com/p/five-lesso...
Five Lessons from the 2025 Election Results
“Unless the president is unusually popular, the party holding the White House will suffer significant losses in off-year elections” is a very well-established pattern, so nothing about the Democratic ...
honestgraft.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Five Lessons from the 2025 Election Results:
honestgraft.substack.com/p/five-lesso...
honestgraft.substack.com/p/five-lesso...
Reposted by Rachel
Alt-pitch: Trump, the WH, Jafar, the Genie, I love the Capitol...plus all the links! @adambonica.bsky.social @smotus.bsky.social @dcinbox.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social @hsulli.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social and more goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-att...
Trump's Attack on the White House
The Disney villain he resembles. Plus all the links.
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Alt-pitch: Trump, the WH, Jafar, the Genie, I love the Capitol...plus all the links! @adambonica.bsky.social @smotus.bsky.social @dcinbox.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social @hsulli.bsky.social @donmoyn.bsky.social and more goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-att...
Reposted by Rachel
Trump wants the Department of Justice to pay him $230 million of YOUR taxpayer dollars.
So, while health care costs rise for millions of Americans, our billionaire President is sticking his hand out.
Trump is the most corrupt president in American history. Full stop.
So, while health care costs rise for millions of Americans, our billionaire President is sticking his hand out.
Trump is the most corrupt president in American history. Full stop.
October 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Trump wants the Department of Justice to pay him $230 million of YOUR taxpayer dollars.
So, while health care costs rise for millions of Americans, our billionaire President is sticking his hand out.
Trump is the most corrupt president in American history. Full stop.
So, while health care costs rise for millions of Americans, our billionaire President is sticking his hand out.
Trump is the most corrupt president in American history. Full stop.
Reposted by Rachel
If you attend a No Kings Day event, please record the number of people in attendance in our crowdsourced crowd-counting sheet. We prefer official estimates above ad-hoc counts — if you count yourself, pls be conservative (people are bad at estimating crowd sizes). docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
20251018_No Kings Day 2 Protests Unofficial Attendance Crowdsourcing
docs.google.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:09 PM
If you attend a No Kings Day event, please record the number of people in attendance in our crowdsourced crowd-counting sheet. We prefer official estimates above ad-hoc counts — if you count yourself, pls be conservative (people are bad at estimating crowd sizes). docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Reposted by Rachel
Feel like we could use more reporting on those "lots of GOP polls." What's the business model for partisan survey results?
Dems are up 6 and 10 points, respectively, in our new polling averages for the New Jersey and Virginia gov races. This is generally higher than competing args , which don't account for pollster house effects or poll partisanship (lots of GOP polls out there) www.gelliottmorris.com/p/democrats-...
Democrats up 6, 10 points in new averages of New Jersey and Virginia governor polls
Aggregators take note: We found that many polls in these contests are sponsored by or affiliated with GOP campaigns, increasing potential bias of unadjusted polling averages
www.gelliottmorris.com
October 17, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Feel like we could use more reporting on those "lots of GOP polls." What's the business model for partisan survey results?
Reposted by Rachel
I don't think I remembered to pitch yesterday's item - which I think holds up just fine today, mainly because I leaned heavily on people who know what they're talking about. At GP/BP. Please consider supporting us! goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/after-more...
After More Political Violence
Another bad day for the US
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:04 PM
I don't think I remembered to pitch yesterday's item - which I think holds up just fine today, mainly because I leaned heavily on people who know what they're talking about. At GP/BP. Please consider supporting us! goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/after-more...
Reposted by Rachel
The heart of God breaks with every act of deadly violence; every life ended by another by greed, anger, envy, revenge, or retribution.
Blessed are those who mourn, and blessed are the peacemakers.
Blessed are those who mourn, and blessed are the peacemakers.
September 10, 2025 at 8:56 PM
The heart of God breaks with every act of deadly violence; every life ended by another by greed, anger, envy, revenge, or retribution.
Blessed are those who mourn, and blessed are the peacemakers.
Blessed are those who mourn, and blessed are the peacemakers.
Reposted by Rachel
Political violence is never acceptable. It's really that simple. We can't have a democracy otherwise. I hope Mr. Kirk makes a full recovery. My thoughts are with his family.
September 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Political violence is never acceptable. It's really that simple. We can't have a democracy otherwise. I hope Mr. Kirk makes a full recovery. My thoughts are with his family.
Reposted by Rachel
Midterm conventions: The GOP version will probably be just a rebranded Trump rally, so whatever; a Dem version would likely be an utter and pointless fiasco, highlighting their weaknesses instead of playing to their strengths. At GP/BP. Don't be the last kid on your block to subscribe!
September 7, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Midterm conventions: The GOP version will probably be just a rebranded Trump rally, so whatever; a Dem version would likely be an utter and pointless fiasco, highlighting their weaknesses instead of playing to their strengths. At GP/BP. Don't be the last kid on your block to subscribe!
Reposted by Rachel
I'll keep saying it: RFK Jr. is a deadly threat to our public health and safety.
He is razing CDC, NIH, and other health agencies to the ground—putting politics and deranged conspiracy theories over science.
We need bipartisan oversight immediately, and he must be FIRED.
He is razing CDC, NIH, and other health agencies to the ground—putting politics and deranged conspiracy theories over science.
We need bipartisan oversight immediately, and he must be FIRED.
Sen. Patty Murray is calling for RFK Jr. to be fired.
"We cannot let RFK Jr. burn what's left of the CDC and our other critical health agencies to the ground—he must be fired."
"I hope my Republican colleagues who have come to regret their vote to confirm RFK Jr. will join me."
"We cannot let RFK Jr. burn what's left of the CDC and our other critical health agencies to the ground—he must be fired."
"I hope my Republican colleagues who have come to regret their vote to confirm RFK Jr. will join me."
September 2, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I'll keep saying it: RFK Jr. is a deadly threat to our public health and safety.
He is razing CDC, NIH, and other health agencies to the ground—putting politics and deranged conspiracy theories over science.
We need bipartisan oversight immediately, and he must be FIRED.
He is razing CDC, NIH, and other health agencies to the ground—putting politics and deranged conspiracy theories over science.
We need bipartisan oversight immediately, and he must be FIRED.
Reposted by Rachel
Trump loses *all the time*. Not always, and it's certainly not the whole story, but few presidents get defeated anywhere near as often.
Congestion pricing is actually the perfect example here. Trump declared that “congestion pricing is dead” (and that he is the king)
Hochul and the MTA told him to fuck off, and now, more than 6 months later, congestion pricing is still alive and working exactly as planned
Hochul and the MTA told him to fuck off, and now, more than 6 months later, congestion pricing is still alive and working exactly as planned
August 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Trump loses *all the time*. Not always, and it's certainly not the whole story, but few presidents get defeated anywhere near as often.
Reposted by Rachel
Folks, my usual election night post: if you appreciate our coverage of these local elections at Bolts,
… consider becoming a donor or subscriber to support it! boltsmag.org/donate
… & even if it’s not the right time for that, sign up for our free newsletter to be informed: boltsmag.org/newsletter
… consider becoming a donor or subscriber to support it! boltsmag.org/donate
… & even if it’s not the right time for that, sign up for our free newsletter to be informed: boltsmag.org/newsletter
August 27, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Folks, my usual election night post: if you appreciate our coverage of these local elections at Bolts,
… consider becoming a donor or subscriber to support it! boltsmag.org/donate
… & even if it’s not the right time for that, sign up for our free newsletter to be informed: boltsmag.org/newsletter
… consider becoming a donor or subscriber to support it! boltsmag.org/donate
… & even if it’s not the right time for that, sign up for our free newsletter to be informed: boltsmag.org/newsletter
Reposted by Rachel
As I become a one-woman broken record book self-promotion machine, this kind of thing makes me glad that I dropped everything to spend ~5 years writing a book that reemphasizes just how much politics in this country are driven by race, starting with slavery.
The White House official leading Trump’s review of the Smithsonian Institution believes the museum focuses too much on slavery
Trump aide leading Smithsonian overhaul says museum 'overemphasizes' slavery
The White House official leading Trump’s overhaul of the Smithsonian Institution believes the museum focuses too much on slavery.
www.whatimreading.net
August 21, 2025 at 3:12 PM
As I become a one-woman broken record book self-promotion machine, this kind of thing makes me glad that I dropped everything to spend ~5 years writing a book that reemphasizes just how much politics in this country are driven by race, starting with slavery.
Reposted by Rachel
The attack on vote-by-mail, Trump's latest attack on democracy. At GP/BP. Hope you'll subscribe. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-cam...
Trump's Campaign Against Democracy Continues
This time, it's how we vote. Again.
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 2:52 PM
The attack on vote-by-mail, Trump's latest attack on democracy. At GP/BP. Hope you'll subscribe. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/trumps-cam...
Reposted by Rachel
Apparently some people over here don't know that I'm posting almost daily on Substack. It's free 6 days a week, with only the Sunday primers (which are very labor-intensive) paywalled. According to the U.S. politics bestseller list, this venture is going pretty well
August 18, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Apparently some people over here don't know that I'm posting almost daily on Substack. It's free 6 days a week, with only the Sunday primers (which are very labor-intensive) paywalled. According to the U.S. politics bestseller list, this venture is going pretty well
Reposted by Rachel
At GP/BP: How the present fight is incremental, as every battle matters. And how we'll probably get out of it (if we do) by muddling through, not by grand design and careful reform - and that's just fine. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/fighting-f...
Fighting for Democracy
It happens a little at a time - and every battle matters.
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 6:10 PM
At GP/BP: How the present fight is incremental, as every battle matters. And how we'll probably get out of it (if we do) by muddling through, not by grand design and careful reform - and that's just fine. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/fighting-f...
Reposted by Rachel
Still think the top priority of how Trump has organized his 2nd presidency is to prevent him from having to confront information that could challenge his impulses and biases. Even this BLS thing is probably less about public opinion than about keeping Trump comfortable.
it's obviously venal & self-defeating to fire the head of the BLS bc you don't like the jobs numbers. reliable, objective economic underlines all econ and financial decisions.
but it's even worse to think about all the other people who bring Trump info each day. Military, intel. What will they do?
but it's even worse to think about all the other people who bring Trump info each day. Military, intel. What will they do?
August 1, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Still think the top priority of how Trump has organized his 2nd presidency is to prevent him from having to confront information that could challenge his impulses and biases. Even this BLS thing is probably less about public opinion than about keeping Trump comfortable.
Reposted by Rachel
it is crazy how the president gets to be a poor wittle aggwieved pwivate citizen when he wants to complain about news coverage against him, and then a de-facto king who is immune from prosecution for “official acts” (still TBD what that means) when he tries to do a coup
Honest question: has the sitting president ever sued anyone before? I feel like the answer is no, but can't say for certain.
July 18, 2025 at 9:15 PM
it is crazy how the president gets to be a poor wittle aggwieved pwivate citizen when he wants to complain about news coverage against him, and then a de-facto king who is immune from prosecution for “official acts” (still TBD what that means) when he tries to do a coup
Reposted by Rachel
Paramount just paid Trump a bribe for merger approval. When Democrats retake power, I’ll be first in line calling for federal charges. In the meantime, state prosecutors should make the corporate execs who sold out our democracy answer in court, today.
Paramount agrees to pay Trump $16 million, clearing way for multibillion-dollar merger
Paramount agrees to pay Trump $16 million, clearing way for multibillion-dollar merger
The king demands tribute.
buff.ly
July 2, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Paramount just paid Trump a bribe for merger approval. When Democrats retake power, I’ll be first in line calling for federal charges. In the meantime, state prosecutors should make the corporate execs who sold out our democracy answer in court, today.
Reposted by Rachel
House Republicans passed the single largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in the HISTORY of our country.
The GOP tax bill would deliver the largest cut to Medicaid and SNAP EVER.
Repost and help me put a burning, bright spotlight on this awful disaster of a bill.
The GOP tax bill would deliver the largest cut to Medicaid and SNAP EVER.
Repost and help me put a burning, bright spotlight on this awful disaster of a bill.
June 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
House Republicans passed the single largest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in the HISTORY of our country.
The GOP tax bill would deliver the largest cut to Medicaid and SNAP EVER.
Repost and help me put a burning, bright spotlight on this awful disaster of a bill.
The GOP tax bill would deliver the largest cut to Medicaid and SNAP EVER.
Repost and help me put a burning, bright spotlight on this awful disaster of a bill.
Reposted by Rachel
Why do some out-party Senators vote "yes" on some of these nominations? Did an explainer of the old norm and how it makes sense in the context of the structure of separated institutions sharing powers. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/voting-yes...
The Senate has convened...
One vote at 5:30 p.m. on cloture on the nomination of Monica Crowley to be Chief of Protocol.
Two votes at 8:00 p.m. on confirmation of the Crowley nomination and cloture on the nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State.
One vote at 5:30 p.m. on cloture on the nomination of Monica Crowley to be Chief of Protocol.
Two votes at 8:00 p.m. on confirmation of the Crowley nomination and cloture on the nomination of Reed Rubinstein to be Legal Adviser of the Department of State.
May 12, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Why do some out-party Senators vote "yes" on some of these nominations? Did an explainer of the old norm and how it makes sense in the context of the structure of separated institutions sharing powers. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/voting-yes...
Reposted by Rachel
On this 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, I keep thinking of a few lines from the last stanza of Longfellow’s poem:
“And so through the night went his cry of alarm…
A cry of defiance and not of fear…”
“In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear…”
“And so through the night went his cry of alarm…
A cry of defiance and not of fear…”
“In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear…”
April 20, 2025 at 1:43 AM
On this 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, I keep thinking of a few lines from the last stanza of Longfellow’s poem:
“And so through the night went his cry of alarm…
A cry of defiance and not of fear…”
“In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear…”
“And so through the night went his cry of alarm…
A cry of defiance and not of fear…”
“In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
The people will waken and listen to hear…”