(This response written regarding earlier version of Aaron Fowles’s document in which no allowance was made for Snyder’s none-grassroots voter-vetted approach to cabinet formation. The revised document edited as of 2/5/25 4:51 a.m. PST is even better than that first version.) orig reply: This is excellent! The only issue I have today is what Sen Chris Murphy just called "a 5-Alarm Fire" yesterday. This means there isn't time to go through the full process to create a true DNC created cabinet as detailed. I do think an "acting cabinet" needs to roll as the first arriving "fire truck" asap -- this version being built on the #4-type Snyder idea. Or #2 or #3 would be good too. Yet it should be understood that any of these "acting" versions will eventually be replaced, or otherwise more directly accountable to the DNC as a more formalized version emerges. There's an emergency happening so we have to roll a truck now.
It took me two weeks to find your comment, Aaron Fowles. But as you know, the zone is flooded and I like so many others have been grasping at buoyynt debris to keep afloat in the onrushing torrent. Thank you for your focus. I will bookmark democraticshadowcabinet.com. This is an idea that should be realized!
I am so glad to see this work today, February 15. I will bookmark your website and try to figure out what I might do to help move the shadow cabinet from idea to reality.
I am attracted to Bernie Sanders' recent suggestion that "Democratic" may not be the best label under which to organize the opposition. My initial reaction to Professor Snyder's proposal of a shaddow cabinet was that it should not be seen as a partisan project. Now that it is clear that the regime's policies are harming all constituencies - including MAGA people - a nonpartisan coalition is not only feasible but most likely to weaken Mump's facade of invincibility. This battle is not Democrat versus Republican but democrat versus autocrat/oligarch.
I think this is very much on the right track in both substance, and importantly, timing. Maybe a copy/paste of Lawrence’s comment here up to the top? I’d call it a “guest comment” and treat it as an amendment to the main post. Ok with you Lawrence? Or better yet, you expand and perfect it to a real “guest post” which I publish thru my Substack?! In that case let’s work on it together to make sure it goes out well. Either way or just let this comment be it for now. Up to you to decide. Let me know by email or direct message. Thnx, Doug
After closely reading Professor Snyder's propositions concerning the formation of a shadow cabinet, I think The People's Cabinet' is a good name, or 'The Patriot's Cabinet'. As suggested, whatever the name, loyalty to The Constitution and our democracy would be the priority rather than politics. Deal with the politics, while perhaps oversight could concentrate steering this cabinet based on the American people's dreams of a democracy for the people, by the people, unfettered by the unending selfishness and partisanship of politicians' dreams of power.
I'm not sure I've got your full idea so please excuse me if you think I've missed something important. Regarding an effective "shadow cabinet" in our system I am following Snyder's ideas exclusively and they certainly only include professional politicians and/or former officials and otherwise highly qualified people. Regardless how imperfect or short of the mark these people may be in all kinds of ways, the required power and access needed for an effective People's Cabinet can only realistically be attained if it's part of the established opposition. Yes, this is political. Unfortunately that's the best we can do. And "the best" is what we must do, if we do anything at all. If that's not okay for you, this is not a project you will want to consider it seems to me. No worries. You're still a fellow human brother and I hope you feel the same about me. We are all in this thing together after all. Like it or not.
Great question. I think teh organization should be flexible depending on who takes the lead. If the DNC says, "This is a great idea, let's get started" then they could have a lot of say. If they ignore it, then it would need some other sponsor, perhaps a coalition of grassroots groups. But it is going to need the backing of something official if it is to work.
For sure flex is the way to think about this. And yes, it's going to take some money and power. I'm just trying to create another means of communication to match up with Snyder's idea; "podcasts for instance". More outlets better than less obviously. The point of my work is that Substack can definitely be put to use in ways beyond it's basic intent; a writer's publishing forum. It can be used by a group with subsets of writing and feedback gathering. Who knew? I didn't. What may make my thing unique here is I don't have any writings to share space with. The only reason I even started the publishing/posting thing is I am way too wordy and undisciplined and end up hogging up space in someone else's comment space. I realized that and messed around on my own. Snyder writes about the "shadow cabinet" and then Arian Goodwin, an interesting creativity-focused writer comments something about the shadow cabinet could be done here on substack. Next thing you know I'm ripping boards on my table saw in my new place! My substack IS the "cabinet shop". Come on by and grab a broom if you want.
I made an outline for this. I think it has to be an organizing test as well as a PR machine.
democraticshadowcabinet.com
(This response written regarding earlier version of Aaron Fowles’s document in which no allowance was made for Snyder’s none-grassroots voter-vetted approach to cabinet formation. The revised document edited as of 2/5/25 4:51 a.m. PST is even better than that first version.) orig reply: This is excellent! The only issue I have today is what Sen Chris Murphy just called "a 5-Alarm Fire" yesterday. This means there isn't time to go through the full process to create a true DNC created cabinet as detailed. I do think an "acting cabinet" needs to roll as the first arriving "fire truck" asap -- this version being built on the #4-type Snyder idea. Or #2 or #3 would be good too. Yet it should be understood that any of these "acting" versions will eventually be replaced, or otherwise more directly accountable to the DNC as a more formalized version emerges. There's an emergency happening so we have to roll a truck now.
It took me two weeks to find your comment, Aaron Fowles. But as you know, the zone is flooded and I like so many others have been grasping at buoyynt debris to keep afloat in the onrushing torrent. Thank you for your focus. I will bookmark democraticshadowcabinet.com. This is an idea that should be realized!
I am so glad to see this work today, February 15. I will bookmark your website and try to figure out what I might do to help move the shadow cabinet from idea to reality.
I am attracted to Bernie Sanders' recent suggestion that "Democratic" may not be the best label under which to organize the opposition. My initial reaction to Professor Snyder's proposal of a shaddow cabinet was that it should not be seen as a partisan project. Now that it is clear that the regime's policies are harming all constituencies - including MAGA people - a nonpartisan coalition is not only feasible but most likely to weaken Mump's facade of invincibility. This battle is not Democrat versus Republican but democrat versus autocrat/oligarch.
I think this is very much on the right track in both substance, and importantly, timing. Maybe a copy/paste of Lawrence’s comment here up to the top? I’d call it a “guest comment” and treat it as an amendment to the main post. Ok with you Lawrence? Or better yet, you expand and perfect it to a real “guest post” which I publish thru my Substack?! In that case let’s work on it together to make sure it goes out well. Either way or just let this comment be it for now. Up to you to decide. Let me know by email or direct message. Thnx, Doug
After closely reading Professor Snyder's propositions concerning the formation of a shadow cabinet, I think The People's Cabinet' is a good name, or 'The Patriot's Cabinet'. As suggested, whatever the name, loyalty to The Constitution and our democracy would be the priority rather than politics. Deal with the politics, while perhaps oversight could concentrate steering this cabinet based on the American people's dreams of a democracy for the people, by the people, unfettered by the unending selfishness and partisanship of politicians' dreams of power.
I'm not sure I've got your full idea so please excuse me if you think I've missed something important. Regarding an effective "shadow cabinet" in our system I am following Snyder's ideas exclusively and they certainly only include professional politicians and/or former officials and otherwise highly qualified people. Regardless how imperfect or short of the mark these people may be in all kinds of ways, the required power and access needed for an effective People's Cabinet can only realistically be attained if it's part of the established opposition. Yes, this is political. Unfortunately that's the best we can do. And "the best" is what we must do, if we do anything at all. If that's not okay for you, this is not a project you will want to consider it seems to me. No worries. You're still a fellow human brother and I hope you feel the same about me. We are all in this thing together after all. Like it or not.
Great question. I think teh organization should be flexible depending on who takes the lead. If the DNC says, "This is a great idea, let's get started" then they could have a lot of say. If they ignore it, then it would need some other sponsor, perhaps a coalition of grassroots groups. But it is going to need the backing of something official if it is to work.
For sure flex is the way to think about this. And yes, it's going to take some money and power. I'm just trying to create another means of communication to match up with Snyder's idea; "podcasts for instance". More outlets better than less obviously. The point of my work is that Substack can definitely be put to use in ways beyond it's basic intent; a writer's publishing forum. It can be used by a group with subsets of writing and feedback gathering. Who knew? I didn't. What may make my thing unique here is I don't have any writings to share space with. The only reason I even started the publishing/posting thing is I am way too wordy and undisciplined and end up hogging up space in someone else's comment space. I realized that and messed around on my own. Snyder writes about the "shadow cabinet" and then Arian Goodwin, an interesting creativity-focused writer comments something about the shadow cabinet could be done here on substack. Next thing you know I'm ripping boards on my table saw in my new place! My substack IS the "cabinet shop". Come on by and grab a broom if you want.