‘What We Did Right’ — David Pepper on RadPod

Please listen to today’s RadPod breaker where we dissect what we did right in Ohio, and where we go from here. “They got caught trying to rig democracy.”—DP <3

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Today on RadPod, David Pepper thanked the Bette community for our service to democracy.

To be honest, that was quite a moment for me. What started on a wing and a prayer — creating my own magazine and betting on myself — has turned into something quite beautiful — we are having a collective impact on bettering this world.

We are the frontlines of pro-democracy activism and your work was part of the collective effort to thwart Ohio’s GOP leaders from undermining the public good.

“They got caught trying to rig Democracy,” Pepper said on RadPod. “When we as a nation come together… we are beginning to see that the threat to democracy isn’t just a couple of US Senate seats. The group that is activating at seeing the greater threats is getting so energized. So many got involved, the media focused on this in a way that quite frankly, the media doesn’t at state level races. The horrific Secretary of State that we’re stuck with for a few more years projected an 8 percent turnout — that was a form of suppression — but with the energy — hundreds of thousands of postcards, the turnout was 40 percent. And clearly, that turnout was better for those who care about democracy. It was a nationwide rally, and we just extended a year-long winning streak that started in Kansas last August.”

I’m not crying. 🥹💘

I am so grateful to this community for caring, putting in the work, and undertaking the labor of democracy.

As I noted to Pepper, the labor of democracy isn’t sexy — canvassing, phone banking, postcarding — but it works to defeat those trying to undermine the public good.

Miracles occurred in Ohio — where people care about women’s health care rights — which you will hear more about in our interview.

As Pepper taught us, we went on offense. Let’s stay on offense.

Have a listen, and remember, you — wherever you are — are the frontlines.

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Bette archives from David Pepper interviews:

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“We just have to see that the battle for democracy is broader. It's deeper.”—David Pepper

“I need people to see they're on the frontline. Wherever you live, if you’re doing this work, you are the frontline.”—David Pepper

“The message should be a fair deal… fairness everywhere.”—Martin Sheil

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“I say a silent prayer of thanksgiving as I walk upon the earth.”-Audrey Peterman.

“May the viral hope for truth and humanity wash away the chaos of these years.”-S.C., Bette community member

“Something Sacred never dies in almost all of us, who can hear the invitation of Truth…”-words from a Bette Dangerous community member

“Non-violent protest is a life-affirming activity as it seeks to promote a more humane society.”-Ellen Zucker

“Nothing but blue skies from now on…”-Irving Berlin

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