Words From John

Well, the midterms are over. Trump has already announced for president. And some of you are probably packing the old family truckster to set sail into the snake pit of in-laws and second cousins once removed. May your skies be blue and waters fair. I started a Holiday Politics Coach video series just for you.

I’ll admit, I was surprised by the midterms. I thought we were headed for our last election, but alas, we may have one or two more in us! The results were legitimately gravity-defying. The weird part is that the outcome of such a gravity-defying effort all but ensures even less potential progress than before. But hey, politics is full of surprises. What can you do but organize and move the window of possibility a little bit every day?

Speaking of which. Hundreds of Starbucks locations have unionized only to be snubbed by the company over and over again. If you’re looking to support a worthy cause this holiday season, there’s none better than a strike fund. Find one locally, or hit up the Starbucks, Amazon, or Tech Worker’s Fund at these links.

Next, The Holler hit a major milestone with your help. We’re officially on the Substack best-seller list!

Share The Holler

I thought this project was going to die this time last year. Now, we’re on the substack bestseller list and the TikTok page has generated nearly 20 million views. Needless to say, this is all because of you. I hope this project can be an example of member-supported political education that can be replicated by anyone with a perspective and a phone. With your support, we’re on our way!

Lastly, I missed an episode last week due to a routine medical checkup. This has nothing to do with the mysterious case of chronic hives that darkened my doorstep on New Year’s day (it has everything to do with that). The holidays will probably force additional turbulence upon my publishing schedule. But I beg of you, dear reader/watcher, to hang in. Your patience is much appreciated.

Holy shit and hallelujah,

JR

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Holiday Politics Coach: Your generation is jealous of success

@heyjohnrussellTalking to your conservative family members over the #holidays #inlaws #thanksgiving #Christmas #familydinner #leftist #politics #yallternative #yallidarity #eattherich #billionaire #unionstrong

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Skit Transcript:

Conservative Uncle Jeff

Ya see your generation is jealous of success. Bezos and Musk are creating jobs. I've never gotten a job from a poor person.

Me

Uncle Jeff! Happy Thanksgiving. Okay, tell me what these companies would do without customers. I mean, how do you run a business without people buying your stuff? People having more money is good for business.

Jeff

Exactly. That's why everybody at Amazon should be grateful for what Bezos is doing.

Me

And that works both ways. Where would Bezos be if nobody packed or shipped another box for him? He would be out of business. His life is made possible by the people working for him.

Jeff

And the workers’ life is only possible because of Bezos.

Me

Yes. What you're saying is one can't survive without the other, and if that's true, why is it that two-thirds of people working live paycheck to paycheck, while people like Musk and Bezos admitted that they have more money than they spend in a lifetime?

Best for Britain @BestForBritain

The Amazon founder says giving money away ‘is really hard’. Luckily, poor people do far more of it than he does. @MarinaHyde

theguardian.comAll hail Jeff Bezos the philanthropist! The rest of us will just keep paying our taxes | Marina HydeThe Amazon founder says giving money away ‘is really hard’. Luckily, poor people do far more of it than he does, says Guardian columnist Marina Hyde

8:12 PM ∙ Nov 15, 2022

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94Likes37Retweets

Jeff

That's how it works. Owners take all the risks, so they keep all the profits.

Me

Yes, owners... Owners of any big company are just shareholders. Those people bought a tiny piece of paper that entitles them to all the profits made by other people working. And what I don't get is how that is different from all the people you're bringing up getting rich on welfare without doing any work. What is up with that *Uncle Jeff.*

Jeff

…

Undercover Dive Bartender 1

@heyjohnrussellBusiness in the front, leftist in the back. #politics #unions #billionaires #solidarity #ohiovalley #appalachia #yallternative #yallidarity #leftist #wva #eattherich #bluecollar #wealth #bartender #divebar #serviceindustry

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About this video:

A 5-second video set to the sound of people fighting. Caption: “Me, the lovable leftist dive bartender fighting off right-wing talking points successfully because I look like seabass.”

Undercover Dive Bartender 2

@heyjohnrussellEver head of a redneck leftist? #politics #unions #billionaires #solidarity #ohiovalley #appalachia #yallternative #yallidarity #leftist #wva #eattherich #bluecollar #redneck #bartender #divebar

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About this video

Seven-second video set to a song about being an international super spy. Caption: “POV you don’t notice you’re being radicalized because I look like your dipsid redneck cousin.”