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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy

@ptwelch.bsky.social
10K followers 10K following 302 posts

PNW, Retired teacher, photographer, video producer, former mayor, herding cats, VWs, NW history, hanging with crows and watching my grandson grow. Too old to die young, Left of left of center. Supports blue sky, water, and politics

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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
When someone says government should be run like a business, remind them that Medicare has about a 1.4% administrative overhead, while private insurance companies average between 14% and 20% in administrative costs. Medicare for all would save consumers billions yearly.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Given his history, if Graham Platner really wanted to win, he should have run as a Republican.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/06/2026
With trump’s repeated assertion that our strategic oil reserves will be depleted in July, there is little reason for Iran to negotiate. Every day of delay improves their position and weakens trump’s. $12 a gallon gas, if you can find it, here we come.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
There is no aspect of life in America or, indeed, on this planet that trump has not made worse. Like a chicken killing dog, republicans must be made to wear the fetid and festering remains of his political corpse around their necks for eternity.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
As if the human tragedy isn’t enough, 300 Billion to Iran. Combined with the cost of the war, that’s north of $1k of additional debt for every person in this country. For what?
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
If dementia don gets hit by lightning tonight, I will be forced to reconsider my agnosticism.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 31/05/2026
Are republicans so deluded that they think trump’s dementia will improve? Or, are they just counting on a deus ex machina, (likely death) to save them?
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
I would add the EPA, FDA & CDC to this list. However, the devil is in the details. The selection process for leadership is the critical and also most dangerous component. Safeguards must be built in.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
There is no programming on CBS you can’t live without. If you want to help improve media and journalism, act accordingly.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
I would have thought the fact that we are being led by a stupid, corrupt, racist, petty, senile, demented pedophile and his gang of sycophantic morons, intent on destroying our democracy, would hit harder with some folks.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 07/04/2026
Call or email your reps and senators. This insanity must end now! Congress needs to return to DC immediately and remove the madman destroying our country and endangering the world.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
Got my drone out for another No Kings event yesterday. About 2500 attendees in my blue city of 10k. We're old but feisty.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/03/2026
Trump shows us what an unmitigated POS he is every day. Yet somehow he still remains president. When he is gone, and he will be. Some serious introspection, thoughtful analysis, economic, constitutional, and societal revisions are in order. Also dancing, singing and unmitigated fucking joy.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
I fear trump is preparing a blood sacrifice of our troops to drum up support for his idiotic and illegal war. He cares nothing about the lives of others, American soldiers included.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 07/03/2026
Congress needs to establish codified criteria for what is a "War". No more B.S. euphamisms like police action, OCO, targeted operations, to avoid congressional approval. Unfortunately, we will need a functional legislative branch to accomplish that.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
In one year Trump has completely destroyed any thinking human's trust in the CDC, FBI, DOJ, DOE, FCC, and virtually every other acronym encumbered division of the federal government. Each will need to be rebuilt from the ground up. (I didn't mention DHS because we already knew it was corrupt)
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 08/02/2026
The Overton window is finally and reliably moving left in much of the country. Corporate Dems fail to recognize this at their own peril.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Trump has become a liability to the GOP and an asset to the corporate dems in congress. Most of whom will walk to easy victories in the fall. They won't need a platform. "I'm not GOP" will be enough. This is why I think there is a significant chance that Trump will die before the election. 👇👇
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 25/01/2026
Given Trumps declining mental state and the continuing downward arc of his already disastrous polling, the powers behind and controlling him may soon see more value in him as a martyr than as president. In some respects, he may become even more dangerous. As per Nietzsche: Die at the right time.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 24/01/2026
Any member of congress who supports ICE is an accessory to murder.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
Any Dem voting to fund ICE needs to be primaried. There is no possible justification or rationale that can suffice to support any funding, at all, for this criminal organization.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 10/01/2026
If politicians, corporations, governments, and institutions pay a price for standing up and doing the right thing, the price for capitulation must be significantly higher. That’s on us. Making choices through that lens is, for most of us, the most powerful tool we have as individuals.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
The kidnapping of Maduro is only peripherally about oil. Big oil won't soon leap into Venezuela. The risks from the coming chaos are too great. It's about control of Latin American resources through extortion. Trump is a gangster. Nice country you have there, shame if something happened to it.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Never Have Walt Kelly's words rung more true. The institutions designed to protect us have failed in their tasks. We are governed by the feckless and corrupt. We have sleepwalked into hell. If the promise of America is to be kept, it's up to each of us to act. Complacency is not an option.
Pogo, We have met the enemy and he is us.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Beyond the redactions of Trump’s name, and the “ongoing investigations“ stall, I suspect lots of evidence has probably been destroyed. Hopefully, there are still enough people of integrity, tucked away in corners of the FBI and DOJ, who have seen it and will give it daylight.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 15/11/2025
It's crazy to see talking heads and pundits dance around the absolutely fucking obvious. There is one reason, and one reason only, Trump doesn't want the Epstein files released. He's a pedo-rapist and he's all over those files. Media: If he sues you for speaking truth. . . Discovery.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 12/11/2025
Donate to progressive candidates who share your vision for the country, not to the Democratic Party or PACS. Starve the beast and save the country.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
I will continue to donate as I can to progressive candidates through their respective websites. I will not donate to the Democratic Party until its feckless leaders have been replaced.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Every time I start to trust Dem leadership and think "Ok, this time maybe they won't cave and fuck us over". Fucking fuck fuck. I hate Dem Mondays.
media.tenor.com
a cartoon character named charlie brown is running in a field
ALT: a cartoon character named charlie brown is running in a field
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Trust no one
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
These are the Vichy dems who sold out the most vulnerable Americans tonight Cortez-Masto Durbin Hassan King Shaheen Kaine Fetterman Rosen They just spit on 7+ million citizens who took to the streets to oppose this unlawful regime. Rand Paul was a better Democrat tonight.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Do these squishy dems Have any concept how much in rank and file donations for the next cycle will be shifted from the general election to primary their feckless asses?
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 04/11/2025
Tomorrow Mamdani will wipe the floor with Cuomo. Trump will claim it's rigged and send Kash & Noem in to investigate. Sadly, odds >0. Rudy then appointed special prosecutor. Worse odds but still in the game.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
I don't understand why anyone is surprised about this Trump video. He's been shitting on America and our people his entire life. In some ways, it's the most honest video he's shared. What's also not surprising is corporate media's reaction. They abdicated and embraced his shit a long time ago.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Took my drone out again today to document the turnout in my blue heaven. About 3,000 local citizens showed up in this city of 10,000 to express their love for our constitution and our country. So proud of you Port Townsend WA!
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
I'm a boomer. While my generation of Dems may be poor at messaging, they sure know how to alienate younger voters. Platner has some real question marks (Blackhawk), but his progressive views resonate with actual working people. Corporate Dems need to enlarge the tent or prepare to lose. . again.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
We need to keep the economic pressure on Disney. If Sinclair continues to preempt Kimmel, they will likely violate their ABC affiliate contracts. After a cure period, if Sinclair and others fail to remedy, Disney could potentially pull their ABC franchise. Stay the course. Boycott Disney.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
If you're in a market with a Sinclair owned ABC affiliate, they will not be broadcasting Kimmel. Please don't reinstate your Disney accounts. Keep the pressure on. Maybe they'll lose their affiliate status. Looking at you Seattle. ( Given Disney perfidy we're a long way from renewing our Hulu )
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 20/09/2025
Will I go back to Disney accessory Hulu if Kimmel is reinstated? Certainly not soon. Like the WP and NYT, that I also cancelled, once they show you who they are, the trust is gone. I’d need to see some fundamental changes, including management and policy before even considering it.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Just canceled Hulu. There’s some shows I’m going to miss, but fuck ABC,Disney,ESPN, Paramount and the rest of MAGA media. Your money, and where you spend it, is a powerful voice, especially when done in concert with others.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 16/09/2025
If the right thinks people’s lack of empathy and criticism of CK is bad, just wait until the orange shitgibbon goes. Flags will be at staff and a half.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 09/09/2025
"We're not Republicans", should not be enough to get you elected in America. Democrats need to articulate a clear path to working class prosperity in their platform. There is a seed change happening in our country and those politicians that recognize and embrace it will find enthusiastic voters.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 08/09/2025
I’m a boomer and a practical man. I will vote blue no matter who (with a few exceptions) in the next general elections. I will vote for and donate only to progressive candidates in the primaries. I won’t donate to the Democratic party until their “big” tent includes progressives.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
Someday soon, if we don't speak out and rise up en masse, innocent citizens will die at the hands of federal troops and an American city, maybe Chicago, will become our nation's Alamo. We've witnessed their lawlessness and lack of human decency, they will stop at nothing to destroy our country.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 07/09/2025
If this country actually operated on the principle that you are innocent until proven guilty, Trump committed murder via a mass shooting in the Caribbean. The US has become a lawless, terrorist state.
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Reposted by Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy
Dr. Jack Brown @drjackbrown.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Scream this story from the rooftops. And again. And again.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 21/08/2025
If Democrat electeds refuse to fight, we need to get new Democrats. We have primarys for a reason.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 19/08/2025
It's not enough that Dems want to run on "We're not republicans". They need a platform that moves us forward. Universal healthcare, living wages, consumer protection, childcare support, and no one in this country goes without food or housing. Accountability for ICE crimes. Yeah, release the files
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 07/08/2025
When, and if, the redacted Epstein files emerge, we must assume every redacted name is Trump’s, and every redacted crime or act is the rape of a child.
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Mark: Plan, Prepare & Protect Democracy @ptwelch.bsky.social · 29/07/2025
This is one of the worst Epstein takes I've heard. No, he won't be impeached but every congressperson, every senator who supports him, will need to explain that to their constituents come elections. Dems need to make "He may be a pedo, but he's our pedo" an impossible hill for them to climb.
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