Author Archives: Debra29

Unknown's avatar

About Debra29

I am a retired public school teacher who believes that a strong democracy rests on the shoulders of its citizens. This blog was created as a central resource of civic engagement. Together, we can make a difference. Follow me on Blue Sky. DetermSpirits.bsky.social

A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

Martin Luther King Jr. Democrats sweep key elections in NYC, New Jersey & Virginia Updated November 28, 2025 Mamdani wins historic New York City mayoral race Zohran Mamdani won Tuesday’s election for mayor of New York City, leading former New … Continue reading

Posted in NYC Races, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus.

“Unlimited power in the hands of limited people always leads to cruelty,”

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Russian author and dissident . Cuts to Medicaid The administration’s signature legislative achievement, a new budget law, OBBBA (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) cuts more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, the national health insurance program for the poor … Continue reading

Posted in Health Care, One Big Beautiful Bill, SNAP, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Unlimited power in the hands of limited people always leads to cruelty,”

Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas?

Joseph Stalin Targeting higher education is an essential tool in the autocratic playbook. Across the world, authoritarian leaders are targeting universities and professors to silence critical thinking and crush academic freedom.Threats to higher education in the U.S. resemble free speech … Continue reading

Posted in Higher Education, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas?

Discrimination is alive and soaring.

Jonathan Kozol The Republican Party has embraced the Heritage Foundation’s handbook, Project 2025. The Project’s handbook’s DEI recommendations fit into four main categories: (1) Abolishing DEI offices and personnel; (2) Ending the government’s participation in DEI initiatives; (3) Amending laws … Continue reading

Posted in Discrimination, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Discrimination is alive and soaring.

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.

Elie Wiesel The Trump Administration has militarized our own government against immigrant communities, fueling a lawless crackdown on people who came to this country seeking peace, safety, and the American dream. And the New York GOP rubber-stamped it, giving Trump … Continue reading

Posted in Immigration, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.

Actions 2025

“You do have to steel yourself. You do have to prepare yourself for the next turn of the news cycle, the next development. Every day you see another attack on the rule of law. You see another attack on the … Continue reading

Posted in Resistance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Actions 2025

Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being.

Eleanor Roosevelt Governor’s Race below Updated June 11 Mikie Sherrill wins the Democratic primaryJack Ciattarelli wins the Republican primary. Sherrill beat out five other Democrats for her party’s nod, pitching herself as the most electable candidate — after her party … Continue reading

Posted in 2025 State Elections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being.

One can’t paint New York as it is, but rather as it is felt.

Georgia O’Keeffe New York City Primary Day ResultsJune 25, 2025 The New York City Election for MayorMamdani Stuns Cuomo in New York Mayoral Primary Here are 5 Takeaways from the New York City Democratic Primary results for Mayor. 1.Mamdani’s exuberant … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments Off on One can’t paint New York as it is, but rather as it is felt.

Determined to be free

“Once people sense their own power, no authoritarian government can stand against the people who are determined to be free. ” Tsakhiaglin Elbegdorj, Journalist and President of Mongolia “The American fascists are most easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Determined to be free

Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.

Mahatma Gandhi Our country has come through dark periods before. We have been divided on issues, actions, wars, movements, leaders, court decisions, and conditions. The American Democracy is built on the ability of each branch to respond to the actions … Continue reading

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.