Well, the GOP Midterm Convention happened. We can talk about Trump making fun of Ken Paxton (I agree!) or his musing about changing New Mexico to New America (I disagree!) but I think there are some other things worth highlighting.

On night one, Trump promised every American adult $5,000 if Republicans hold the House and Senate this November. He’s calling it “the Trump Dividend.”

If that sounds familiar, it should — he keeps promising Americans a check.

The DOGE dividend: roughly $5,000, promised back in January 2025 after Elon Musk claimed DOGE would save the government trillions.

The tariff rebate checks: $2,000 apiece, promised last November off “trillions” in tariff revenue.

And now: another $5,000, an estimated $1.3 trillion price tag, and — best I can tell — no funding source beyond “tremendous economic success.” Conveniently, it also only pays out if you vote Republican.

And then, closing out night two, Trump had the whole arena raise their right hands and recite a pledge. Not the Pledge of Allegiance. A pledge to him. Word for word, per multiple outlets that filmed it: “I pledge to the greatest president in the history of the United States… I don’t care if I’m registered or not, I’m going to try to cheat like hell like they do… so help me God.”

Look, I could keep going – there were a lot of things to talk about. But what we’ve really got to focus on is beating these people in November — registering voters and backing the right candidates.
That’s what Midwest Values PAC does every day, dividend or no dividend.

Al

P.S. If the Trump Dividend actually shows up, I will personally eat my elephant hat. Until then, help us fund something with an actual track record of paying off: Democrats winning elections.

Midwest Values PAC supports candidates & causes that share our values.

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Somehow, it’s been 20 years since I started Midwest Values PAC to help Democrats win elections — from progressive organizations to state legislatures to Congress to the White House — who share the values I grew up with in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Since 2006, Midwest Values PAC has invested more than $4 million in 341 candidates and organizations — and counting. 

Of course, none of this happens without you (or supporters like you) who care enough to pitch in.

As we mark our 20th anniversary, the work is more urgent than ever. This year, we have a big job: flip the House, take the Senate, and win up and down the ballot at the state and local level.

To mark our 20th year, we’ve set an ambitious goal: 26,000 contributions by Election Day 2026.

Thanks for being part of this fight, and for sticking with us for 20 years (or for just joining — welcome!).

Al

P.S. Over the years, okay, decades, we’ve helped Democrats win tough races all across the country by investing early, intelligently, and strategically. That’s how you flip seats. That’s how you protect democracy. And that’s how you stop the worst impulses of a president who never should have been president in the first place.