Phoenix-Pterodactyl
@maestrowolf.bsky.social
Occasional writer • Union Steward and Organizer • Sapio • The Vicarious Imagination • Defender of Democracy • Fugue State Alumnus
Pinned
"I know now, there is no one thing that is true. It is all true."
–Ernest Hemingway
–Ernest Hemingway
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
On the eve of his second election — on October 31, 1936 — FDR delivered his coup de grace, explaining the stakes in his fight with the moneyed interests.
Today’s economic royalists are backing Trump, and the fight is much the same.
Today’s economic royalists are backing Trump, and the fight is much the same.
October 31, 2025 at 4:44 PM
On the eve of his second election — on October 31, 1936 — FDR delivered his coup de grace, explaining the stakes in his fight with the moneyed interests.
Today’s economic royalists are backing Trump, and the fight is much the same.
Today’s economic royalists are backing Trump, and the fight is much the same.
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
I’m still shocked that stories like this which come out daily still get largely ignored. The most corrupt person to ever hold any public office in US history. I will keep posting them every day and try to amplify them, even when most media doesn’t care. www.wsj.com/finance/curr...
October 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM
I’m still shocked that stories like this which come out daily still get largely ignored. The most corrupt person to ever hold any public office in US history. I will keep posting them every day and try to amplify them, even when most media doesn’t care. www.wsj.com/finance/curr...
Halfway there. Life goals
Honestly starting to think all bald men are evil.
October 5, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Halfway there. Life goals
“Withdrawing in disgust is not the same as apathy.” —Richard Linklater, “Slacker”:
October 5, 2025 at 3:58 PM
“Withdrawing in disgust is not the same as apathy.” —Richard Linklater, “Slacker”:
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Why are we so polarized? Why is democracy is such peril?
Democracy and social cohesion are impossible to sustain when big money completely dominates our politics. Some thoughts... https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-are-we-so-polarized
Democracy and social cohesion are impossible to sustain when big money completely dominates our politics. Some thoughts... https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-are-we-so-polarized
Why are we so polarized (I)?
Confronting the longer-term erosion
robertreich.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Why are we so polarized? Why is democracy is such peril?
Democracy and social cohesion are impossible to sustain when big money completely dominates our politics. Some thoughts... https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-are-we-so-polarized
Democracy and social cohesion are impossible to sustain when big money completely dominates our politics. Some thoughts... https://robertreich.substack.com/p/why-are-we-so-polarized
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements program spent two times as much on administrative costs as on health care costs — while preventing thousands of eligible Georgians from accessing health care.
Say it with me: Medicaid work requirements don’t work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzMqYttKv1c
Say it with me: Medicaid work requirements don’t work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzMqYttKv1c
Medicaid Work Requirements, Debunked
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
September 26, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Georgia’s Medicaid work requirements program spent two times as much on administrative costs as on health care costs — while preventing thousands of eligible Georgians from accessing health care.
Say it with me: Medicaid work requirements don’t work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzMqYttKv1c
Say it with me: Medicaid work requirements don’t work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzMqYttKv1c
So, to be clear, the rocket explodes on the launchpad killing all aboard, and I have just a few seconds to assemble my s’mores?
September 7, 2025 at 8:55 PM
So, to be clear, the rocket explodes on the launchpad killing all aboard, and I have just a few seconds to assemble my s’mores?
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
As Trump unleashes his authoritarianism across the country, it’s vital to know your rights. https://youtu.be/metN4EiDtmQ?feature=shared
What is Due Process?
Robert Reich
youtu.be
September 3, 2025 at 11:01 PM
As Trump unleashes his authoritarianism across the country, it’s vital to know your rights. https://youtu.be/metN4EiDtmQ?feature=shared
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
The National Park Service just celebrated its 109th birthday.
How is Donald Trump marking the occasion? By taking an axe to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS7IJaB5NDc
How is Donald Trump marking the occasion? By taking an axe to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS7IJaB5NDc
Donald Trump’s New Enemy? Our National Parks
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
August 28, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The National Park Service just celebrated its 109th birthday.
How is Donald Trump marking the occasion? By taking an axe to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS7IJaB5NDc
How is Donald Trump marking the occasion? By taking an axe to it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS7IJaB5NDc
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
When I was Secretary of Labor, one of my cardinal responsibilities was to guard the independence of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If politicized, it would no longer be trusted as a source of information. So what does Trump do? With one fell swoop today, he destroyed it.
August 1, 2025 at 10:52 PM
When I was Secretary of Labor, one of my cardinal responsibilities was to guard the independence of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If politicized, it would no longer be trusted as a source of information. So what does Trump do? With one fell swoop today, he destroyed it.
T***p is the personification of America’s self-inflicted wound, the latest one that may well kill our democracy.
July 6, 2025 at 8:31 PM
T***p is the personification of America’s self-inflicted wound, the latest one that may well kill our democracy.
Chief Justice Roberts will be bewildered on the day MAGA comes for him, the way it came for the immigrants, the scientists, the universities, the poor SNAP and Medicaid beneficiaries that voted Trump into office.
July 5, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Chief Justice Roberts will be bewildered on the day MAGA comes for him, the way it came for the immigrants, the scientists, the universities, the poor SNAP and Medicaid beneficiaries that voted Trump into office.
The Trump death toll mounts
July 3, 2025 at 12:07 AM
The Trump death toll mounts
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
In 1994, I took a lot of heat for this speech warning that the American middle class was in danger. Watch and tell me if I was wrong. https://youtu.be/Bnd0eSuxu84?si=Iw9SwyzxCB9MXBpb
A Warning from 1994 of a Two-Tiered Society | Robert Reich
In 1994, I took a lot of heat for this speech warning that the American middle class was in danger. That was 29 years ag
youtu.be
June 29, 2025 at 1:01 AM
In 1994, I took a lot of heat for this speech warning that the American middle class was in danger. Watch and tell me if I was wrong. https://youtu.be/Bnd0eSuxu84?si=Iw9SwyzxCB9MXBpb
Where is our moment’s Edward R. Murrow?
"Worse Than McCarthyism": Historian Ellen Schrecker on Trump's War Against Universities & Students
“Worse Than McCarthyism”: Historian Ellen Schrecker on Trump’s War Against Universities & Students
We speak with esteemed historian scholar Ellen Schrecker about the Trump administration’s assault on universities and the crackdown on dissent, a climate of fear and censorship she describes as “worse...
www.democracynow.org
May 31, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Where is our moment’s Edward R. Murrow?
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Opinion | The Science I Would Be Doing if I Weren’t in ICE Detention
www.nytimes.com
May 13, 2025 at 12:56 PM
My enteric brain is pissed at me
May 13, 2025 at 10:47 PM
My enteric brain is pissed at me
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
BREAKING: Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier released from prison after nearly 50 years
February 18, 2025 at 4:25 PM
BREAKING: Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier released from prison after nearly 50 years
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
As we approach vote on government funding, let’s make one thing CLEAR:
The government is already shutdown. Trump and Musk shut it down. GOP in Congress did nothing to stop them.
The government is already shutdown. Trump and Musk shut it down. GOP in Congress did nothing to stop them.
February 20, 2025 at 12:37 AM
As we approach vote on government funding, let’s make one thing CLEAR:
The government is already shutdown. Trump and Musk shut it down. GOP in Congress did nothing to stop them.
The government is already shutdown. Trump and Musk shut it down. GOP in Congress did nothing to stop them.
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game.
The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.
The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.
February 14, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Remember: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game.
The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.
The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Republicans want to slash Medicaid — a death sentence for thousands of Americans. Medicaid provides health care to more than 37 million kids, funding for 2/3 of seniors in nursing homes & is 40% of the revenue for community health centers.
We must EXPAND Medicaid, not cut it.
We must EXPAND Medicaid, not cut it.
February 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Republicans want to slash Medicaid — a death sentence for thousands of Americans. Medicaid provides health care to more than 37 million kids, funding for 2/3 of seniors in nursing homes & is 40% of the revenue for community health centers.
We must EXPAND Medicaid, not cut it.
We must EXPAND Medicaid, not cut it.
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Many are asking: “What can I do now?”
Here’s a revised and expanded list of actions you can take, in rough order of importance. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/more-on-what-you-can-do
Here’s a revised and expanded list of actions you can take, in rough order of importance. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/more-on-what-you-can-do
February 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Many are asking: “What can I do now?”
Here’s a revised and expanded list of actions you can take, in rough order of importance. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/more-on-what-you-can-do
Here’s a revised and expanded list of actions you can take, in rough order of importance. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/more-on-what-you-can-do
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Whole Foods, which is owned by notorious union-buster Amazon, is arguing that Trump's dismantling of the NLRB means the company doesn't have to recognize a newly unionized store in Philadelphia.
Looks like Jeff Bezos's investment in Trump is paying off.
Looks like Jeff Bezos's investment in Trump is paying off.
February 8, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Whole Foods, which is owned by notorious union-buster Amazon, is arguing that Trump's dismantling of the NLRB means the company doesn't have to recognize a newly unionized store in Philadelphia.
Looks like Jeff Bezos's investment in Trump is paying off.
Looks like Jeff Bezos's investment in Trump is paying off.
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Taking away funding for crucial federal programs.
Firing independent watchdogs.
Enriching the private prison industry.
Trump's plan for his second term is to make the wealthiest people in America far wealthier and more powerful — including himself.
Firing independent watchdogs.
Enriching the private prison industry.
Trump's plan for his second term is to make the wealthiest people in America far wealthier and more powerful — including himself.
Trump's Funding Fiasco: A Win For Oligarchy
YouTube video by Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
January 30, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Taking away funding for crucial federal programs.
Firing independent watchdogs.
Enriching the private prison industry.
Trump's plan for his second term is to make the wealthiest people in America far wealthier and more powerful — including himself.
Firing independent watchdogs.
Enriching the private prison industry.
Trump's plan for his second term is to make the wealthiest people in America far wealthier and more powerful — including himself.
Reposted by Phoenix-Pterodactyl
Trump is trying to “flood the zone” so we focus on a few outrages that we find most offensive and lose sight of the big picture.
Some thoughts on how to maintain focus. robertreich.substack.com/p/keep-your-...
Some thoughts on how to maintain focus. robertreich.substack.com/p/keep-your-...
Keep your eye on the big picture
5 ways Trump is concentrating power in his own hands, thereby replacing democracy with oligarchy
robertreich.substack.com
January 31, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Trump is trying to “flood the zone” so we focus on a few outrages that we find most offensive and lose sight of the big picture.
Some thoughts on how to maintain focus. robertreich.substack.com/p/keep-your-...
Some thoughts on how to maintain focus. robertreich.substack.com/p/keep-your-...