Thursday, June 18, 2026

A group of like-minded people here to support one another and uphold our values of inclusion, equity, honesty, accountability, social, and climate justice.

THOUGHTS

Barbara McQuade, law professor and former U.S. Attorney, discussed an important concept in her recent book, The Fix: Saving America from the Corruption of a Mob-Style Government. McQuade argues that terms like "authoritarianism" or "autocracy" are too academic, abstract, and poorly understood by the general public, which dilutes the perceived danger of current political actions. Instead, framing these political behaviors as "Mafia Boss Behavior" or "Mob-Style Government" makes the threat instantly recognizable. Her core reasoning includes:

Most people do not have a clear, working definition of historical authoritarianism, but pop culture and history have made everyone intimately familiar with how a mob boss operates.
A mafia-style leader does not view government as a tool for public service, but rather as a corrupt enterprise used to build personal wealth, demand absolute loyalty, protect "the family," and punish enemies.
Under this model, key legal and political offices (such as the Department of Justice) are not used to uphold the rule of law, but weaponized to threaten and punish. Instead, leaders seek "hitmen with a law license" to protect the boss and transform abuses of power into displays of strength.
By shifting the vocabulary from political science to criminal enterprise, it clarifies the stakes for voters, so they can recognize systemic corruption.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

WCI Connections

Annandale, Buffalo, Delano, Monticello, St. Michael-Albertville

See below for details

Saturdays, Emmer Do Better Rally, Otsego

June 20

11-noon

Doug Chapin Events

June 20, 5 PM - Buffalo Days Parade

September 1, 5:45 to 7:30 PM - Buffalo Town Hall

Mondays, Buffalo Weekly Protest

June 22, 4:30-5:30

Wednesdays, Sherburne County Detention Vigil

June 24

3:30-4:15 PM

Monticello Weekend of Action

Saturday, June 27

10:00 or 1:30 shift

Note: If you use GMAIL be sure to scroll to the bottom of the newsletter by clicking

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ACTION

Wright County Indivisible Volunteer Recruitment Form

Let’s grow our network of volunteers! Anyone who is interested in helping out in any way should complete this form - this does not commit them to anything, just lets us know they might be interested. We’ll add their information to our database and contact them as volunteer opportunities arise in the future.

To complete the form, have them scan the QR code at the right, or you can share this link with them: https://forms.gle/AdHT8YgDst6RJsXv9

CONTACT YOUR SENATORS

Amy Klobuchar: (202) 224-3244 klobuchar.senate.gov

Tina Smith (202) 224-5641 smith.senate.gov

Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

The Farm Bill should not include the Save Our Bacon Act! This bill does nothing for everyday farmers or consumers. If this passes, independent farmers using higher welfare practices will be driven out of business as monopolies dominate even more of the market. We shouldn't have to choose between affordability and quality food while contributing more to corporate greed.

Also, please support The Robin Hood Act, introduced by Sen. Ruben Gallego. This bill would tax the “borrow” part of the “buy, borrow, die” scheme the rich use to spend without paying taxes on their wealth. I also support the Stop CHEATERS Act, which would restore IRS funding and modernize systems in order to more effectively curtail wealthy tax cheats.

Also, I’m angry about the FBI’s raid on the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a pro-democracy organization that helps register voters in that state. This group has done absolutely nothing wrong. What the FBI is doing is voter intimidation, pure and simple. Have you made a statement denouncing it and told the FBI to back off? If not I’d like the Senator to do so right away. Thanks.

CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE

Tom Emmer (202) 225-233 or (763) 241-6848 emmer.house.gov

Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I’m calling to say, first, that I support The Robin Hood Act, introduced by Rep. Dan Goldman, which would tax the “borrow” part of the “buy, borrow, die” scheme the rich use to spend without paying taxes on their wealth.

Second, I oppose any extension of FISA that doesn’t come with warrant protections. And I absolutely oppose attaching the SAVE Act to it.

Third, Majority Whip, you helped secure passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and this week’s Secure America Act, which together direct tens of billions of dollars toward ICE detention — roughly 90% of which is operated by private contractors. The DHS Inspector General and the GAO have documented deaths, a ruled homicide, untreated detainees, and a lost, loaded firearm in these facilities. Have you reviewed these findings, and do you support oversight of the conditions in the system your votes funded?

Finally, the GEO Group, Inc. PAC has contributed $40,000 to Emmer Majority Builders, a joint fundraising committee you control, and gave $45,000 to the NRCC in the current cycle. GEO derives roughly half its revenue from ICE detention and reported $520 million in new contracts after the funding increases you helped pass. How do you justify accepting contributions from a detention contractor while whipping the votes that expand its business?

EVENTS

EMMER MUST GO

OTSEGO RALLIES

EVERY Saturday

11:00-Noon

PLEASE JOIN US!!!

Rallies Make a Difference!

9201 Quaday Ave NE, Otsego.

Meet on Parrish Ave.

Park at the Otsego Dental Office or the Wyndham hotel.

Otsego Rally

📌Buffalo Days Parade June 20th at 4:30 PM

Doug + team of volunteers to walk the parade route backwards prior to the parade actually starting (political units not welcome in the parade; welcome to handout materials before the parade)

For more information and to register to volunteer Click Here

BUFFALO WEEKLY PROTEST!

Join our group of like-minded folks who want our democracy and rights!

Mondays, 4:30-5:30

101 1st Avenue South

(downtown across from the splash pad on 25, on the lake side

Bring a sign, a friend, a flag!

SHERBURNE COUNTY GOVERNMENT VIGIL

Over 100 immigrants are in Detention at the Sherburne County Government .. Center. Consider joining us!

Every Wednesday 3:30 – 4:15 Sidewalk next to Business Center Drive
Sherburne County Government Center

13880 Business Ctr Dr NW, Elk River, MN 55330

The Wright County jail is making space to hold 120 folks who have been incarcerated at the Sherburne County Jail. Because Sherburne is boarding detainees for ICE, they need more room. So, they are sending their non-ICE related arrests to WC because they make more money off of ICE detainees. Botton line: Wright County is making money off of ICE detainees as well because we are boarding for Sherburne County.

Buffalo:

Buffalo Coffee Chat

Second Tuesday of the month

July 14, 10:00 AM

New Buffalo Community Center

114 Commerce Circle (new location)

Contact: Jane Dorn: 763.300.5130

Laurie Stammer: 320.762.6703

Delano:

Lani’s Coffee and Conversation

Fourth Thursday of the month

June 25, 1-3

Rockford Township Hall

Lani BrownWorley - 612.709.5399

Monticello:

June 24th, 3-5 pm

Chatters Restaurant & Bar

4181 Cedar Street

Monticello, MN 55362

Roger Hedtke - 612.483.5748

St. Michael & Albertville

Every third Thursday

June 18th, 6:30 pm

569 Sycamore Circle

St. Michael

Christy Petit - 952.353.0665

Annandale:

Zane Schaeffer-320.282.9741

JOIN US FOR THE LARGEST DOORKNOCKING EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT

Monticello Weekend of Action!

June 27 (Saturday) at 10 am OR 1:30 pm at the Monticello Public Library

Want to learn what doorknocking is all about but don't want to hit the doors right away? Join one of our upcoming "Learn how to Knock" trainings in conjunction with Sherburne County Indivisible!

AND MORE!

What an inspiring and enjoyable event!

Thanks to the Action Committee for making this happen! If you missed the Rise Up, Sing Out Concert this past Sunday, you can watch it on You Tube:

https://www.youtube.com/live/Uxap5XA61ng

DONATIONS

Consider donating your time and energy to assist Open Doors for Youth as they open a new transitional housing program for young people called The Next Door. Volunteers are needed from July 6-11 (morning, afternoon, and evening shifts available) for cleaning, furniture assembly, and organization of kitchen, bedrooms, and common spaces.

The signup is available here.

Questions? Feel free to give us a call! (763) 441-1473

REMEMBER OUR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES

UPDATED list of donations

Food items needed: meseca (corn flour), cooking oil,

Seasonings: salt, pepper, oregano, ground or whole cumin,

garlic powder, bay leaves

Other food items include canned chicken, spam, pork, sardines, tuna, corn tomato sauce, diced tomato, jalapenos, menduo, hominy, mixed vegetables, sweetened condensed milk, Dulce De Leche, Crema De Coco.