June 22, 2026 Newsletter

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." --James Baldwin

PLEDGE BY ADAM WHITE:

Delta County Unified,

Americans realize our Constitution is in peril. The unfortunate cultural erosion of recent yearshave allowed low political charisma to hold sway over high principle. In fact our democracy is actually working as intended: elections matter, and it is right for the winning majority to hold power. The aim of course is to play the game well.

Fortunately, Americans who value the Constitution are active and articulate. But I argue that protest and aspirations, which are right-minded and dramatic, are but an empty gesture. Here I propose a large-scale action that explicitly pledges consequences for elected officials of ignoring the Constitution. Not to get lost in details, but I imagine parades all across the country in which an arch is placed at the parade finish line. Choosing to walk through the arch rather than around it is a pledge to protect the Constitution. The pledge states that “I will vote for candidates on either the left or right who respect and protect the Constitution and will vote against any candidate who does not.” This is the right kind of active pledge: simple, clear, and for all to see.

But notice the crucial implication: the pledge equally means “If necessary to protect the Constitution I will vote for the candidate of my disfavored party.” This is counterintuitive, and thus it requires insight and courage. Politicians succumb to the temptation to ignore their best judgment simply because they assume voters lack the insight and ability to put party interests aside when necessary. Thus it is left to citizens to show leadership.

Only a mindful pledge given in public can incentivize elected officials, no matter where they lie on the political spectrum, to fearlessly vote and espouse constitutional values. The larger the event the more assurance that protecting the Constitution is what protects careers. 

I have argued that articulate advocacy and public protest are not enough. What is needed is a large-scale public event by which citizens explicitly pledge to elected officials that the Constitution is what matters, not personalities and not party lines.

Thank you for your consideration.

Ground Truth Canvassing
This 90-minute program teaches effective canvassing.  Please let me know if you are interested.  We are looking to schedule something in July.

July 4th Parade in Gladstone
Leah is looking for volunteers to march with us and hand out candy.

IMPORTANT DATES:

Take Action Tuesday Protests
Every Tuesday, 12-1:30 PM
SW corner of Lincoln & Ludington, in front of Walgreen's

Take Action Tuesday protests take place every Tuesday in front of Walgreen's in Escanaba. Please do not park in the Walgreen's lot.

Meet Kyle Bloomquist - Town Hall
Wednesday, June 24th, 4:30 PM
2001 North Lincoln Road
Escanaba, MI

Kyle is one of the Dem candidates running for U.S. House of Reps, Michigan's 1st District.

Delta Dems Meeting w/Guest Speaker Rachel Keys.  
Wednesday, July 1, 6:30 PM
USW Hall
1201 Sheridan Road
Escanaba, MI

Rachel is the Democratic candidate for the 108th District.

Independence Day Parade
Saturday, July 4, meetup time TBD
Gladstone MI

NOTES FROM INDIVISIBLE "WHAT'S THE PLAN?" NATIONAL MEETING (4-23-26):

1) Leah G. and Ezra shared some of the primary victories by endorsed candidates, and discussed upcoming primaries. They once again reiterated that we vote for the most progressive candidates in the primaries but must still vote for whomever wins the Dem party in the 2026 General Election (unless your state has ranked-choice voting, which ours does not)

2) They once again reiterated that contacting reps who are not from your own state/district is, at best, useless and, at worst, clogs up their voicemail and inboxes, diluting the voices of their actual constituents. If you want to help take legislative action and feel like someone else's Congresspeople need to be contacted, encourage your friends who live there to call them.

3) They announced "Hands Off Our Vote," their election integrity program that focuses on battleground states, including Michigan! Next week's guest will be answering questions about election integrity They asked for questions in advance this time using a survey sent out to this week's participants.

Link to podcast version of meeting:

What's the Plan podcast - new episodes every Friday

Link to next week's national "What's the Plan?" call:

Indivisible What's the Plan - June 25, 2026

REQUESTS, INVITATIONS AND INFORMATION FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:

From Rank MI Vote:

Attached is an invitation to Rank MI Vote's special virtual event, "Path to Victory," with special guests Prosecutor Eli Savit and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist on Tuesday, June 23. We would like to invite you and members of Delta County Unified to join us for this special event to learn more about Rank MI Vote's new strategic vision and plan to bring Ranked Choice Voting to Michigan. See attached flyer

From Delta Dems MDP Voter Rights Protection Team:

The integrity of our elections is paramount to securing democratic victories this November. As the landscape of voting rights continues to evolve, we want to ensure your membership has the strategic clarity and legal knowledge needed to safeguard every eligible vote.

I am writing to invite you and your members to join the Michigan Democratic Party Voter Protection Team for a virtual Voting Rights Briefing on Monday, June 22, from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

You can find more information about our VoPro programming at www.michigandems.com/voterprotection.

THREE-MINUTE CALL TO ACTION:

Share information encouraging people to vote "YES" on expanding Delta Area Transit Authority (DATA) service into seven currently unserved townships and extending DATA’s operating hours. We will be repeating this call to action closer to election day in August, but want to start getting the word out.