The Torch

The Pitch Guest Article: Our Communities Are Not for Sale

27.05.25 06:33 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)

By Mike Trapp - 5/5/2025
This article was originally published in The Pitch Magazine in Kansas City, Missouri. Click Here to check out the original article.

Who runs our towns — the people who live here, or billion-dollar corporations who think they’re above the law?

In Leavenworth, Kansas, that questi...

KC STAR GUEST COMMENTARY: Stop ICE in Leavenworth, KS

27.05.25 06:33 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)

By MIke Trapp - 4/6/2025

This article was originally posted in the Kansas City Star. Click Here to go to original article. to go to original article.

CoreCivic, the second largest private prison company in America, is seeking to reactivate a shuttered facility in Leavenworth as an ICE detention center...

It's Time to Think Beyond Binary Politics

20.05.25 11:26 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)

American politics has become binary to the point of absurdity. Increasingly, it’s not about what’s right or what works — it’s about who said it first. 

Once an idea is voiced by one side, the other is reflexively against it. We’ve devolved into a game of opposites. If Democrats are for it, Repub...

pollThink: How Counts and Crosstabs Messed Up Messaging

27.02.25 10:17 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)

There’s an old saying: when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. For Democratic politics, polling has become that hammer. It’s a powerful tool - essential for campaigns, messaging, and strategy - but it’s also led us into a trap.

The problem isn’t polling itself. The problem is how...

The Gender Gap That Wasn’t: Turns Out, Identities Don't Matter - Life Experiences Do

27.02.25 09:16 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)

For months, we were told that the 2024 election would be defined by a massive gender gap. The logic was simple: Trump is deeply unpopular with women, abortion is on the ballot, and Kamala Harris is the first black female presidential nominee from a major party to run in a general election. If ever t...

This Is Happening - Now: The Coming Collapse of American Democracy

27.02.25 09:16 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)
This Is Happening - Now: The Coming Collapse of American Democracy

Donald Trump is back in power. And, in just a few short weeks, his administration has begun systematically dismantling the legal and institutional guardrails meant to restrain executive power. This isn't speculation. It’s happening right now.

This isn't just about revenge. This isn't just about getti...

Why You Shouldn’t Put a Texan in the White House: Streams of Influence in American Politics

27.02.25 09:16 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)

Power Streams and the Political Decision-Making Process

In politics, decision-making isn’t a matter of pure personal willpower or ideology - it’s shaped by streams of influence, powerful currents that guide, nudge, or even force politicians in certain directions. Picture a politician as a rubber duck...

The Field 2028: JB Pritzker – "The Everyman"

27.02.25 09:00 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)
The Field 2028: JB Pritzker – "The Everyman"

As the Democratic Party looks toward 2028, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker stands out as a potential contender with a unique blend of progressive ideals, pragmatic governance, and immense personal resources. Known for his larger-than-life personality and ambitious leadership, Pritzker could be a defin...

FUNDRAISING - CALL TIME GUIDE

26.02.25 08:54 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)

Call time is the backbone of grassroots fundraising. It’s personal, effective, and essential for raising the money needed to run a competitive campaign or fund an organization. Whether you’re a candidate, PAC leader, or nonprofit director, mastering call time can make the difference between a well-f...

COMMUNITY ACTION MEETING GUIDE

26.02.25 08:53 PM - By New American Community - Comment(s)

Getting Started

Organizing is about bringing people together to build collective power. As an organizer, you can connect individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets to work effectively toward shared goals.

Hosting a meeting provides a space to discuss recent developments, explore...