Author | Lightnews

John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 15h

It's a good day to repeat my opinion the ACA should really be called Pelosicare

John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

The President of the U.S. has limited long-term authority over the people of this country UNLESS they give up that authority and permit him to rule them, permit him to control them. The structure and culture of the U.S. seems opposed to that situation.

John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

Consider the power of those state governments no one outside the U.S. is aware of; the county authorities; the town councils. Like the president of a university, where there are many diffused centers of power, the President of the U.S. has limited long-term authority over the people of this country

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

Remember this: The President of the U.S. is no king because he has to contend with every state government, every county government, every city and county government, and every town/township council in the United States. His power relies completely on their compliance. If they don't comply...

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

The American system of government is like the distributed power structure of Higher Ed, where the Dean or President has very little actual power and authority.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

Last night was an off-year election, with contests in a few states. But it was a bellweather of the state of mind of the American people. And it was a reminder of the power of states — these jurisdictions that most folks in the world don't know about, yet are preëminent in our U.S. system.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

I understood immediately, even though their position was completely frustrating to me. Couldn't blame them! But it was a lesson in the value of distributed and diffused power.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

When I recommended a marketing/comms strategy that got our charismatic professors out to the feeder schools they agreed it was the right move — but they didn't agree to do it because, as they put it "that's not what we get the pellets for."

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

I'd come from the world of commerce where the hierarchy was clear. His powerlessness astonished me only slightly less than his fecklessness.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

Reminds me of three years I worked in Higher Ed, at a law school, when I discovered the Dean, nominally in charge, did not actually have any real power over the direction of the school.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

NEVERTHELESS when I look at these latest off-year election results from Virginia, New Jersey (!), Mississippi, California, and New York City there's a clear revulsion in the people at the direction our president is trying to take us. And this makes me ask how much power does he actually have?

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

I also see the intractable mess of public transit in the tri-state NJ/NY/CT region surrounding New York City and I cry. None of that is likely to be solved or improved in my lifetime.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

At a community meeting tonight on potential changes to local traffic patterns I was reminded how fragmented transporation planning is, and I'm glad of that, in a way. But...

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

We have no national school system or standards; we have no national land use planning authority; no national electrical system, water system, health system. We're a country of state and local jurisdictions.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

But in the United "States," the truth on the ground is that a great deal political power is vested in our states, not in our cities, and not even in our federal government. We have few national systems or standards.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

And think about it: Do you know any of the states of other countries? I know the names of a few of the Canadian provinces and Mexican states, but overall when I think of other countries around the world, it's the cities I can picture.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

The rest of the world, where "states" are meaningless, knows our cities: New York, Chicago, Washington DC. From movies and books and culture they may also know Dallas, Nashville, Detroit, Philly — cities. There's no TV show called "Idaho Law"

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

We Americans think of the US in terms of our 50 states. So much of your identity is the state you're from. "I'm a New Yorker." "I'm a Californian." "I'm a Texan." "I'm a Hoosier." "I'm from [insert state]. But the rest of the world knows nothing about our states.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

Last summer, on a road trip to Nova Scotia, my kid was asked where he was from. When he said New Jersey, he was met with a blank expression. The inquirer had no concept of U.S. states. He followed up "near New York City," and got a nod of understanding. →

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

Would be good to contrast with Trump's directives for US government taking stakes in Intel, US Steel, and forcing Tik Tok into a takeover by his allies and cronies

NPR @npr.org · 1d

Democratic socialism doesn't have a one-size-fits-all definition. But its proponents emphasize a stronger role for the government over the economy to benefit the public. n.pr/47F4jZp

NYC's next mayor is a democratic socialist. What does that mean?

Democratic socialism doesn't have a one-size-fits-all definition. But its proponents emphasize a stronger role for the government over the economy to benefit the public.

n.pr

John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

Hello NYT art director! This person does not look like they are walking.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 1d

Walking a few thousand steps a day can slow cognitive decline in older adults who are at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research.

Walking a Few Thousand Steps a Day May Reduce Alzheimer’s Risk

A new study suggests that exercise can be particularly beneficial for older people at a higher risk for the disease.

nyti.ms

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

canvassers were well-prepared with voter lists and info needed to make sure we were prepared to vote.

John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 1d

unsung factor in Mikie Sherrill’s 13-point margin outpacing the 7-point spread in the polls could be her campaign’s apparent investment in GOTV. Our household and street got canvassed FOUR times in the past month.

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John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 2d

Lesson to learn: Cuomo and Sliwa ran against New York City; Mamdani ran *for* New York City.

John McCrory @johnmccrory.bsky.social · 2d

Sherrill managed to get 82% of the 78K turnout for Harris there but Ciattarelli only got 72% of Trump's 83K votes in the county