After a few weeks of battling New York Times reporters and columnists who had all but written off President Biden, the SOTU gave us all a boost of adrenaline.

Two topics dominated the pre-guest discussions on this week's morning Zoom sessions as well as many conversations offline: (1) Joe Biden's age and what, if anything, Democrats should do about it. (2) The New York Times' poorly reported article on burnout among the resistance

This week was full of news that filled many of us with anxiety for the future of our democracy and despair about some of our major institutions including the Supreme Court and the media, especially The New York Times. With so many distractions and demands on our attention, it's crucial to prioritize our efforts where they can make the most impact.

Amidst the overwhelming news and the unceasing challenges to the rule of law, we find ourselves as the defenders of democracy. The urgency of our times demands a focused response, and we believe in the power of collective action.

We hope you had a happy and restful holiday break filled with family, fun, and everything that brings you joy. As we usher in a new year let's channel our collective energy into a shared vision for a better tomorrow. The 2024 election season begins now, and the stakes could not be higher.

As we approach Giving Tuesday on November 28th, a day dedicated to supporting organizations that enrich our lives and align with our values, we encourage you to consider making a donation to Markers For Democracy. We anticipate that 2024 will be our busiest year yet with important races up and down the ballot and control of the White House, U.S. Senate, the House of Representatives, many state chambers, and school boards in the balance.

Let's give ourselves a much-deserved pat on the back!! While Democrats around the country celebrated Tuesday's wins, our community was directly involved in many of these important victories.

The news is harder to take every day, and it's understandable to feel despairing and hopeless. Markers For Democracy knows that one antidote to those feelings is activism in community. As Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn said on MSNBC this past week, "Until there is truly nothing to do, there is always something to do." Let's join hands and finish strong before November 7th.

No words can truly capture the heartbreak, horror, and human tragedy that has unfolded in Israel this week. The images and stories of terrorism, barbarism, and the killing of thousands and kidnapping of hundreds are deeply distressing, and our hearts ache.

The actions we take in the next 5 weeks could make the difference between a Republican trifecta in Virginia, and a Democratic majority in the General Assembly which would protect the rights of Virginians and put a damper on Governor Glenn Youngkin’s presidential ambitions.

With less than two months to go until November 7th, we are in the home stretch for this very busy “off year” election. We put “off year” in quotes because we have learned that there are no off year elections, and this “off year” was busier than most with a crucial Wisconsin Supreme Court election in the spring, an important referendum in Ohio in August, and many special elections, including three that determined control of the Pennsylvania House of Delegates. But the races on the ballot in November may be the most important of all.

We are writing for candidates running for school board in Virginia, county legislature, and Town Supervisor on Long Island, and we’ll be writing shortly for school board in Bucks County, PA. These are all local elections and we have chosen to write for them because we know that Local Elections Matter!

We Know Our Giving Circle Dollars Make a Difference! We Now Have the Data To Show It!

We are facing alarming signs of a changing climate. Last month, the skies around NYC turned to an eerie shade of orange and many of us took out our N-95 masks to walk down the street due to the poor air quality caused by Canadian wildfires.  This month saw the hottest day on earth in history, a record that was broken later the same week and will be broken many times again.

Independence Day is a celebration of the United States Declaration of Independence and the values of freedom, liberty, and self-governance upon which the nation was founded. It serves as a poignant reminder that the concept of freedom is not a static or guaranteed state, but a continuous pursuit that requires active participation from its citizens. Simply put, democracy is not a spectator sport.

Let’s not get caught up in the circus surrounding Trump's indictments. While the legal proceedings and controversies will dominate the headlines and consume public attention, we must remember that real change occurs through consistent, everyday efforts and active participation in the democratic process.

In today's fast-paced world, where information and news bombard us from every angle, it's easy to become overwhelmed and exhausted by the constant stream of pressing issues that demand our attention. This is especially true for those of us engaged in activism, who tirelessly strive to make a positive impact on society. While the passion and drive behind activism are commendable, it's crucial to recognize the signs of burnout and understand the importance of taking a break.

Democrat Donna Deegan wins Jacksonville’s Mayoral Race, flipping that seat from red to blue. Heather Boyd wins the special election. Dems keep control of PA House.

Another Saturday night in America means a mass shooting at a shopping mall in Texas with 8 confirmed fatalities, including children. As the young activist and commentator Victor Shi wrote "It says a lot about a country when you can't even look at a young person straight in the face and assure them that they'll be safe at school, a mall, a grocery store, a concert, or any other public setting. This is a uniquely American problem. This is not normal."