I applaud your work, Ms Piper, but these superstitious racist, misogynist idiots deserve what they get. They could become informed should they so choose, but instead they want to be as dumb as possible. President Biden showered them with resources and they still hated him. He worked hard to provide rural NC with broadband and how did they repay him? They tried to kill FEMA workers after the hurricane, which of course they were stupid enough to buy was caused by Democrats. You just can’t make this stuff up. I live in a rich blue state and there was a time when I felt like an American who wanted to help those less fortunate. But I’m 72, now, and I’m sick to death of sending my federal tax dollars to people who are not salvageable. I’m all out of sympathy for the willfully ignorant.
I hope Jess Piper, along with those she mentioned: Reeves, Beck, Carnahan, come out as Democrat candidates for Congress to replace the shameful, do nothings currently in office. I would especially like to see the last of Josh Hawley, ever. As for current politicians: why not invite your faves, AOC, Sanders, Crockett, to tour your state and meet with citizens?
Missourians apparently don't expect much from their members of Congress because they keep re-electing people who don't do town halls and probably don't do other outreach to constituents. Perhaps Democrats and other activists can show them examples of better representation to raise Missouri's expectations. For instance, Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley hold town halls in every county every year. This year, standing room only with overflow crowds even in totally Trump counties.
Missouri and Alabama are so much alike with regards to politics. There are no down ballot Democrats in Alabama to vote for either unless you live in one of the blue cities. Love listening to Jess and Jenn 👍👍
This was great! Thank you for featuring her. I'm so impressed by Jess Piper every time she comes to my attention. Every time I hear/read her she provides me with a bit more understanding of what and who Missouri is - and isn't. I live in a blue state but I'd support her if she chose to run again.
I've been to various protests in the rain, as well as two town halls for my Congressional Rep Ann Wagner (R-District 2) who also hasn't had a town hall in 12 years. She represents a very gerrymandered district in St Louis County. A little more than 300 people showed up for the first one, but the second one got 1,200 people attending in person and another 4,000 viewing the live stream. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) came and talked as well as Democratic MO state representatives and activists. Every event I attend has more and more people coming out and, as Jess said, it's fun and great to be with like-minded people.
Jess Piper is the best! I love reading her postings on substack. She educates this (68 year old) Brooklyn girl about the wonders and wonderous people in Missouri and teaches people living in rural to believe in their values and speak up. She is smart and funny and caring: we are blessed to hear her voice!
Scumbags slime their way to the top through the Republican machine because there has been no real opposition to slime in those districts for so long that, well you know how slime kinda gets into things.
And when there is no real opposition, you get real nasty fasty. Is it partly on the Dems for this outcome 'cause they were not being present in those (lost) districts? Well yeah, and it so happens to be everybody's 'fault'. Let's stop blaming and grab hands in solidarity, and fight.
I love hearing from Jess Piper ... and can't wait to see a picture of Flat Sam! Tariffs and cuts to USAID and proposed cuts to medicaid are direct attacks on Americans across many walks of life ... all to give tax breaks to the wealthiest. When I read about children starving to death in Sudan because of USAID cuts it makes me very sad/mad ... it is a good program for farmers, children in Sudan and elsewhere, and for the soft power America gains by being a good global citizen where help is needed ... that protects us in so many ways.
Former Senator Claire McCaskill (D) of Missouri, lost seat in 2019. Nationally known, very popular. This interview leaves an impression that Missouri is lost to Democrats for the near and maybe far future. Why aren't the Missouri voters who once voted Democrat when they supported Senator McCaskill persuadable?
As to the money problem in advancing Democrats for political office, does funding always have to come from the Democrat Party? Is direct individual donor funding viable?
I love hearing this perspective. I grew up in a small town and know these places are discounted as mattering by people who live in much bigger places. Jess Piper helps us understand why they matter politically and that Democrats should be politically active there. I’m waiting for the fundraising appeal that says, we want to invest in rural America where we’ll probably lose but we’ll help shift political affiliations and we may be more competitive statewide. Sign me up.
Please PLEASE stop asking trump voters to be sorry they voted for him. Now it’s farmers. I don’t understand this demand for mea culpas. Farmers are hurting bad. And your impulse is to say, “Who’s sorry now?” Drop it, please, and instead interview those who might have solutions or at least stop-gap measures that will prevent massive bankruptcies. Ask Indivisible leaders and 50501 leaders and those who represent farming communities for comment and solutions. That would be actual reporting and not just sitting around enjoying these farmers’ pain. Talk to governors who have large farming constituencies. What if anything can be done at the state level. How are the true family farms doing compared to the immense agribusinesses. Do you have anyone on staff who even understands the difference?l
The Chicago Tribune, which leans conservative, is reassuring regarding what farmers can expect. It assumes that the subsidies farmers got in Trump’s first time will be forthcoming in his second term. This is what it wrote recently after discussing the negatives of Trump policies for farmers. Maybe it is trying to send a hint about subsidies.
“Support in the rural heartland reportedly remains solid for Trump and his goal of busting up global trade, which the president contends is unfair to America. That support will continue, we expect, as long as government funds keep rolling in at massive levels.”
The story around what’s happening with farmers is unclear. And as you suggest, it seems we care more about political shifts among farmers, projecting our hopes on them, than what is happening to their livelihoods.
I applaud your work, Ms Piper, but these superstitious racist, misogynist idiots deserve what they get. They could become informed should they so choose, but instead they want to be as dumb as possible. President Biden showered them with resources and they still hated him. He worked hard to provide rural NC with broadband and how did they repay him? They tried to kill FEMA workers after the hurricane, which of course they were stupid enough to buy was caused by Democrats. You just can’t make this stuff up. I live in a rich blue state and there was a time when I felt like an American who wanted to help those less fortunate. But I’m 72, now, and I’m sick to death of sending my federal tax dollars to people who are not salvageable. I’m all out of sympathy for the willfully ignorant.
I hope Jess Piper, along with those she mentioned: Reeves, Beck, Carnahan, come out as Democrat candidates for Congress to replace the shameful, do nothings currently in office. I would especially like to see the last of Josh Hawley, ever. As for current politicians: why not invite your faves, AOC, Sanders, Crockett, to tour your state and meet with citizens?
Missourians apparently don't expect much from their members of Congress because they keep re-electing people who don't do town halls and probably don't do other outreach to constituents. Perhaps Democrats and other activists can show them examples of better representation to raise Missouri's expectations. For instance, Oregon Senators Wyden and Merkley hold town halls in every county every year. This year, standing room only with overflow crowds even in totally Trump counties.
Missouri and Alabama are so much alike with regards to politics. There are no down ballot Democrats in Alabama to vote for either unless you live in one of the blue cities. Love listening to Jess and Jenn 👍👍
This was great! Thank you for featuring her. I'm so impressed by Jess Piper every time she comes to my attention. Every time I hear/read her she provides me with a bit more understanding of what and who Missouri is - and isn't. I live in a blue state but I'd support her if she chose to run again.
I've been to various protests in the rain, as well as two town halls for my Congressional Rep Ann Wagner (R-District 2) who also hasn't had a town hall in 12 years. She represents a very gerrymandered district in St Louis County. A little more than 300 people showed up for the first one, but the second one got 1,200 people attending in person and another 4,000 viewing the live stream. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) came and talked as well as Democratic MO state representatives and activists. Every event I attend has more and more people coming out and, as Jess said, it's fun and great to be with like-minded people.
For Jess Piper thank you for your good work and dedication how can a non-wealthy but concerned Californian help you?
Excellent discussion!! She is so courageous!!! Thank you to you both!!
Jess Piper is the best! I love reading her postings on substack. She educates this (68 year old) Brooklyn girl about the wonders and wonderous people in Missouri and teaches people living in rural to believe in their values and speak up. She is smart and funny and caring: we are blessed to hear her voice!
Please consider running again, Jess!
Pipers' reveal:
Scumbags slime their way to the top through the Republican machine because there has been no real opposition to slime in those districts for so long that, well you know how slime kinda gets into things.
And when there is no real opposition, you get real nasty fasty. Is it partly on the Dems for this outcome 'cause they were not being present in those (lost) districts? Well yeah, and it so happens to be everybody's 'fault'. Let's stop blaming and grab hands in solidarity, and fight.
I love hearing from Jess Piper ... and can't wait to see a picture of Flat Sam! Tariffs and cuts to USAID and proposed cuts to medicaid are direct attacks on Americans across many walks of life ... all to give tax breaks to the wealthiest. When I read about children starving to death in Sudan because of USAID cuts it makes me very sad/mad ... it is a good program for farmers, children in Sudan and elsewhere, and for the soft power America gains by being a good global citizen where help is needed ... that protects us in so many ways.
Former Senator Claire McCaskill (D) of Missouri, lost seat in 2019. Nationally known, very popular. This interview leaves an impression that Missouri is lost to Democrats for the near and maybe far future. Why aren't the Missouri voters who once voted Democrat when they supported Senator McCaskill persuadable?
As to the money problem in advancing Democrats for political office, does funding always have to come from the Democrat Party? Is direct individual donor funding viable?
I've stopped donating to the party and now donate to candidates specifically on their websites.
Jess was great, and she said a lot of important things for East Coasters for me to think about. Thank you, Jen, for introducing her to us.
I love hearing this perspective. I grew up in a small town and know these places are discounted as mattering by people who live in much bigger places. Jess Piper helps us understand why they matter politically and that Democrats should be politically active there. I’m waiting for the fundraising appeal that says, we want to invest in rural America where we’ll probably lose but we’ll help shift political affiliations and we may be more competitive statewide. Sign me up.
Please PLEASE stop asking trump voters to be sorry they voted for him. Now it’s farmers. I don’t understand this demand for mea culpas. Farmers are hurting bad. And your impulse is to say, “Who’s sorry now?” Drop it, please, and instead interview those who might have solutions or at least stop-gap measures that will prevent massive bankruptcies. Ask Indivisible leaders and 50501 leaders and those who represent farming communities for comment and solutions. That would be actual reporting and not just sitting around enjoying these farmers’ pain. Talk to governors who have large farming constituencies. What if anything can be done at the state level. How are the true family farms doing compared to the immense agribusinesses. Do you have anyone on staff who even understands the difference?l
The Chicago Tribune, which leans conservative, is reassuring regarding what farmers can expect. It assumes that the subsidies farmers got in Trump’s first time will be forthcoming in his second term. This is what it wrote recently after discussing the negatives of Trump policies for farmers. Maybe it is trying to send a hint about subsidies.
“Support in the rural heartland reportedly remains solid for Trump and his goal of busting up global trade, which the president contends is unfair to America. That support will continue, we expect, as long as government funds keep rolling in at massive levels.”
The story around what’s happening with farmers is unclear. And as you suggest, it seems we care more about political shifts among farmers, projecting our hopes on them, than what is happening to their livelihoods.