Get on the bus!

Democracy won't save itself

More ‘yutes’ joining the fight

The last few weeks I’ve been focusing on various aspects of our democracy that are suffering and failing in this moment. From attacks on our LGTBQ+ community members, dysfunction in our legislatures, to media missing the mark on understanding the dangers of our opponents and much more. This week I wanted to talk about something that is working to change that.

Young voters.

They are registering to vote in record numbers and as we’ve seen since Parkland, they are motivated to make change and not wait ‘their turn.’ From activists, and previous guests, like David Hogg and Santiago Mayer, to young elected officials like Malcolm Frost in Florida. They are joining the fight for our democracy.

Hitting the road

One coalition has come together with almost all of the Gen Z and youth voter groups in the country to create the ‘Tour to Save Democracy’ which will hit the road this July 2nd in San Antonio and visit over a dozen key battleground Congressional districts around the country through the summer. Their goal is to rally voters to see the danger and step into supporting the Democratic tickets from top to bottom.

I was reminded of the Freedom Riders of the 60’s who toured the south to call out segregation and the plight of black Americans. Often facing hostile receptions or out right violence they set the tone for a movement that changed our country. I hope we don’t face that circumstance today but the importance of showing up in places that can flip the House and hold the Senate is key this cycle and these young men and women are stepping up to the plate.

Freedom Riders on the road

It’s led by Sam Schwartz whose cousin was killed at the Parkland shooting when he was just 14-years old. Sam got into the battle for gun reform and has been gratified to see the work that the Biden Administration has put in for young Americans. He and his colleagues want to do more and ensure the clock isn’t turned back on the progress we have made.

The fact is that the Biden Administration has met an incredible array of young American’s demands and hopes for his term. When the Supreme Court stopped his effort to cancel student loan debt his team has worked tirelessly to find the ways he could do much of it with his executive authority and existing programs. He created the first White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and has done more to battle climate change than any Administration.

Why they don’t get credit is a mystery to many of us. Sam and his team aim to turn back that tide of ignorance and make the case directly to people in key districts. You can learn more about the tour, donate, and catch their stops on their website:

https://tourtosavedemocracy.org/

In the meantime catch this great conversation and stay to the end as I discuss my frustration with how the failure of the media is allowing millions of Americans to live in a fact free universe.

The Show

Sam Schwartz

We are all hearing how the youth vote is in peril for Biden as the Gaza War drags on and support for Israel has become a dividing issue for many college students and young Americans. Sam Schwartz lost a cousin in the Parkland High School shooting and has taken up the cause of activism leading a coalition of youth advocacy groups in a nationwide bus tour to motivate young Americans to vote for Democrats in swing districts. He joins Fred to discuss the movement and what has really happened for youth under the Biden Administration and what will fall apart if Trump gets a second chance. Fred also discusses the latest Guardian/Harris poll on American opinions on the economy that you don’t want to miss. Sam Schwartz was 14 when the Parkland shooting occurred and soon realized adults weren’t going to fix our gun laws and has taken up the cause himself to change the world. He is currently a college student in Boston and is leading the Tour to Save Democracy across the country this summer.

Latest Hot Seat

I had the chance to chat with Indiana Democratic Senate Nominee Dr. Valerie McCray taking on  MAGA Republican Congressman Jim Banks. Dr. McCray was born and raised in Indiana, nurtured in Indianapolis K-12 public schools and is a graduate of Arsenal Tech High School. While navigating the challenges of being a single mother, she earned a BA, MA, and Ph.D from the University of Michigan. With 35 years in the psychology field, 25 years licensed, she has witnessed how U.S. policies profoundly affect the mental well-being of our people. She’s worked directly with veterans struggling with PTSD, incarcerated individuals in desperate need of support and rehabilitation, youth struggling to overcome the effects of violence, and more. She sees clearly that mental health must be a national priority and we cannot address our nation’s challenges one mental health crisis at a time.

Learn more about her campaign at:

https://valeriemccray.org/

Administrative Note

This Substack just crossed the one year mark! Thank you all for being here on the ride with me. Many of you who signed up as paid subscribers at the launch have been getting annual renewals and may choose not to renew your subscription. I totally understand that. I appreciate the paid subscribers so much as you allow me to do this work but understand this isn’t one of those newsletters that offers a ton of benefits for those that do.

Having said that…if you get charged and don’t want to renew I urge you to message me or reply to an email and I can cancel it and get your a refund of your money. Please don’t have your bank contest the charge as fraudulent. I get hit as a creator if you do that and it is a little ugly on our side.

Just drop me a note and I can handle it all for you. Thanks for your support.

Fred