My Thoughts on Corporate Sponsorships and Newsletter Advertising

Why Robust Primaries Are the Best Way to Ensure a Healthy Democracy

Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

My Thoughts on Corporate Sponsorships and Newsletter Advertising

Hello Everyone! A few weeks ago, Substack launched a sponsorship program. The idea is to allow organizations to support the newsletters they appreciate through traditional advertising. To learn more about this initiative, you can click here [https://substack.com/sponsorships]. Qualifying publications, like mine, saw a creator kit appear on their dashboards. I activated my kit, but I declined to send out the demographics survey to my subscribers. We’ve all felt too many intrusions upon our privacy lately. I felt a questionnaire about personal information might come across as off-putting. Also, I’m not really sure who would have access to that data, so I was reluctant to infringe upon the trust my readers have shown in me. As you can probably tell, I approach most things with a good degree of skepticism. Part of that is because I’m getting old. Part of it is that, in this day and age, skepticism is warranted. But that doesn’t mean that I’m against the possibility of advertising under the right circumstances. We have to be realistic, life costs money. Over the last year, I’ve been active in grassroots politics. We’re all sick and tired of being told what to do by the bought and paid for apologists of corporate entities. That being said, even grassroots candidates need financial support. We’re in a rather exciting era of independent candidates fueled by $50,000 in small donations. These campaigns are winning against establishment incumbents with multi-million dollar war chests. That’s what we have to do to get out of this mess we’re in, but it’s not really sustainable. At some point we’re going to have to figure out ways to fund more money to people of integrity. The whole problem we face right now is that public funds are being stolen and sent to hate groups rather than people of integrity. We have to change that. My whole career as a writer has consisted of scrounging around for table scraps. That’s been all fine and good in my 20s and 30s when I was young and strong. But the fact is, I’m getting older now. I don’t want to admit it, but I can feel it. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be. I end the day with aches and pains. I’ve fought the good fight for a long time and it would be nice if things got a little easier. However, I know that my readers are up against the wall economically. That’s been the threat of the Republican party for my whole life, and this current iteration is the worst of the lot. I’ve managed to get along based on the generosity of my wonderful readers, but I would sincerely love to ease their burden in whatever way I can. The problem with offering advertising on your platform is that you then become beholden to your sponsors. If somebody decides to support me with five thousand dollars, it compels you to look the other way if they do something nefarious. I’m not going to sit here and say I’m immune to that because nobody is. Nobody’s ever showed up at my door with a suitcase full of money. I’d like to think I wouldn’t take it but pressuring people with money takes many forms. At this point, I’m old enough and ornery enough that I’m unlikely to work with somebody who gives me a creepy feeling. But I don’t think we have to resign ourselves to the thought that all advertising is corrupt. The reality is that most of the rich people in our society aren’t living in luxury because of merit. Instead, they are able to afford the accountants and whatnot that allow them to fund themselves through means that aren’t available to regular people. They know about all the tax loopholes that make funding platforms like mine beneficial. The way I see it, substack’s advertising program turns sponsorship into a business expense. Talk to your accountant, but wouldn’t that make it tax deductible? The fact of the matter is that big media has been completely captured by nefarious entities. We are not going to get out of this mess until we make an effort to fund some cultural deprogramming initiatives. We have to overcome the trauma bond that compels the American people to constantly forgive former abusers. We have to recondition ourselves to disregard the redemption arc, and elevate women and men of integrity who haven’t enriched themselves through the abuse and oppression of their fellow human beings. In order to do that, we’re going to need a new and well-funded media. I activated the creator kit to make “I’d Rather Be Writing” available on Substack’s advertising page [https://substack.com/sponsorships]. I don’t really expect some soft drink or airline to decide it makes sense to sponsor me. However, if any of you have some kind of business that’s actually related to the kind of things I write about here, a sponsorship could make sense. I don’t really know how corporate tax works, but if you’re working on something that aligns with my values, then by all means let’s talk. A lot of times, advertising is nothing more than somebody saying, “You know what, I like what this guy is doing and I want to be affiliated with that.” If you personally don’t have a company with an advertising budget, but you know somebody who does, then pass the information along. I put the sponsorship number at $250 just because they required a space keeper number. It’s flexible. If you’ve got a product or business that would benefit from being featured on “I’d Rather Be Writing,” reach out! I like to earn my keep, and I’m always delighted to hear from all of you anyway! Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Let's Stop Falling For Distractions and Recognize Where Our Power Lies

It has been a while since I talked to Zuri Stevens [https://substack.com/profile/15122028-zuri-stevens] and I didn’t realize how much I needed this conversation. We walked through all the terrible things that are going on today, but we did it with the purpose of seeing where we can best apply our power. There are a lot of forces of deceit in the world. They try to distract us. They make it feel like our defeat is inevitable. They try to silence us. It can feel overwhelming until you stop, take a step back, and recognize that they wouldn’t be making such an effort if they weren’t scared of us. THEY. ARE. SCARED! Good, they should be scared. Because we’ve awakened, we’re working hard, we’re more organized than we’ve ever been in my lifetime, and we’re taking our country back! If you’ve been feeling worn out, listen to this interview. I think it will help you feel renewed. Be sure to subscribe to Zuri here: Thank you Margaret Williams, MS, ACC [https://substack.com/profile/12044824-margaret-williams-ms-acc], Mandy Ohman [https://substack.com/profile/183065704-mandy-ohman], Chris Resists [https://substack.com/profile/315050911-chris-resists], LeftieProf [https://substack.com/profile/116079548-leftieprof], Noble Blend [https://substack.com/profile/21659563-noble-blend], and many others for tuning into my live video with Zuri Stevens [https://substack.com/profile/15122028-zuri-stevens]! Join me for my next live video in the app. Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Melat Kiros and Ericka Kopp Prove They Have the Integrity and Compassion to Meet This Moment

A lot has happened since I conducted this interview back in May! Melat Kiros [https://substack.com/profile/288789937-melat-kiros] has gone on to win her primary, and I wish all the best for Ericka Kopp for VA-01 [https://substack.com/profile/32310923-ericka-kopp-for-va-01]. I’ve seen a lot of stories about Melat in legacy media over the last few days, but almost none of them have taken the time to schedule an interview with her. That’s odd because Melat and Ericka are two of the most brilliant and compassionate people I’ve ever met. But don’t take my word for it, watch this interview and see for yourself. More importantly, keep this interview in mind when you read the poorly supported hot takes that come out of the legacy media. Once you’ve gotten to know these candidates, you’ll realize that many of the things our celebrity journalists say are complete and utter fabrications. Over the last year, I’ve interviewed over thirty candidates. The legacy media absolutely refuses to share or promote these interviews. The reason is exactly the same as what I stated above: establishment power doesn’t want you to know how great these candidates are! The legacy media is lying to us! They aren’t interested in discovering the truth, instead they only want to perpetuate a corporate narrative. That’s why they only publish the slanderous hearsay and quotes from the donor class opposition. It’s time to stand up and demand to hear from both sides. If the media refuses to provide that information then you should turn away and support publications like mine that are actually committed to the truth. When Melat and Ericka are sworn in, I hope they don’t feel they owe the legacy media anything. They can make their statements to me at their convenience, and then direct the members of the corporate media as to where to find them. It has become abundantly clear that we need a new media mechanism in this country. The one we have now is little more than a propaganda machine designed to enable abusers and censor people of integrity. We deserve better and we’re going to have to build it ourselves! Please watch this interview. It will inspire you, and it will reveal how much propaganda is shoved into our faces every day. Ericka and Melat are fantastic, and my heart sings at the thought of these wonderful women guiding us into a future based on compassion and basic human decency. Here are my original comments from when this interview was first published: What a great talk! It’s always such a pleasure to be surrounded by absolute brilliance. I’ve talked with Ericka Kopp for VA-01 [https://substack.com/profile/32310923-ericka-kopp-for-va-01] several times and this was my first time meeting Melat Kiros [https://substack.com/profile/288789937-melat-kiros]. I’m so proud to be able to assist these women in getting the visibility they rightfully deserve. As you watch this video, I want you all to stop and imagine what our reality would look like if we were led by competent, capable, and compassionate people like these. Just that thought alone makes my heart overflow with hope! We all know that earning a congressional seat is simply the first step. These women have ambitious ideas that will take a collective effort to implement. But frankly, we’re all getting pretty sick and tired of the alternative. Please do what you can to share this video. Likes and comments help too. The reason you don’t get to see talks like this anywhere else because this is the type of thing that’s actively suppressed (to the detriment of all humanity). So, it’s up to you! Please help ensure as many people watch this video as possible. Also, reach out to both of these wonderful candidates about scheduling future appearances. They deserve it. Here’s how to reach them: Melat Kiros for Congress [https://www.kirosforco.com/] Ericka Kopp for Congress [https://erickakopp.com/] Thanks everyone! Stay strong, keep resisting, keep showing up, and stay hopeful! We’re winning this! We’re going to usher humanity into a golden age and finally leave the cruelty of the past behind! Thank you Courtney [https://substack.com/profile/10067839-courtney], PaulM [https://substack.com/profile/196283569-paulm], Acejonesz [https://substack.com/profile/287704978-acejonesz], Angel [https://substack.com/profile/2882096-angel], Niki~Niki ©️®️™️🖤🇨🇱 [https://substack.com/profile/369236751-nikiniki], and many others for tuning into my live video with Ericka Kopp for VA-01 [https://substack.com/profile/32310923-ericka-kopp-for-va-01] and Melat Kiros [https://substack.com/profile/288789937-melat-kiros]! Join me for my next live video in the app. Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

We Must Remember All the Crimes When We Enter The Time of Crocodile Tears

It’s all thanks to you! Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] Justice is an elusive concept. Part of the reason is that crimes are committed in darkness, while justice needs to come out into the light. The problem is that within the arena of accountability, it can be easy to overlook the true scope of the atrocities. The judge sitting secure and protected in his cozy courtroom does not know the pain of the survivor. Instead, he sees the accused standing before him doing his very best to appear contrite. “Your honor, I now see the error of my ways and I promise I am reformed.” “I’m sure he learned his lesson.” We’ve seen this miscarriage of justice play out again and again. In fact, the entire ideological structure of this country is designed to pardon abusers and force the general public to believe in the lie of a false redemption arc. That’s the fundamental impulse we have to change. It’s time to stop making apologies for the people who torment us. Instead, we have to start giving power to survivors. The current corruption we’re enduring as a nation will pass. It has to pass because the people currently in power are only occupying themselves with planting the seeds of collapse. These are men without vision who insist on living in an eternal present. They deny the evidence of their eyes and ears because accepting reality would force them to confront their delusion of superiority. Men derive their cruelty from a subconscious acknowledgement of their own lack of self-worth. Granting them power is their worst possible outcome. Anyone who is dropped into a situation he is not equipped to handle will suffer for it. The problem is, the innocent, too, shall suffer. The fact that we will all have to force into a position of prominence in our mind is that enablers bear arguably more guilt than the men who actually commit evil acts. Enablers are those with the power to prevent tragedy, who can’t find the motivation to rouse themselves to meet their duty. Essentially, the greatest criminals of our age are those that consider themselves “moderates” or “centrists.” These are the ones who have sat passively and allowed monsters to have their way. They argue, “Let’s give them a chance,” even though anyone with an ounce of common sense knows how the story will play out. You don’t allow a fox into the chicken coup with the hope that maybe he’ll behave against his fundamental nature. When people show you who they are, believe them. When they show themselves to be criminals, you must oppose them. Our centrists and moderates have failed, failed, failed. In our hearts we know this to be true, but few people have found the courage to speak it openly. Too many prominent voices sitting on huge platforms still maintain an allegiance to an outdated status quo. They fear that if they say what needs to be said they’ll lose whatever power, luxury, and influence they possess. I say that if you are afraid to speak the truth, you don’t have a platform anyway. You haven’t earned anything. You’re a plaything of a greater power of cruelty. As hard as things can seem in our day to day existence, it’s important to remember that this regime cannot succeed. It’s impossible to run a country when men without merit are appointed to every position of power. We can’t simply assign a white supremacist to perform a complex task. Their racism does not make them more equipped to fly a plane or deliver a baby or negotiate a peace deal. Once they face a challenge of consequence, as they inevitably must, they will fail. The people will suffer for it. But the crime is not theirs. The crime belongs to the silent masses that placed them there. If a superintendent puts a rapist in your child’s classroom and your child is raped, there are two criminals. Both the rapist and the superintendent have committed crimes against humanity. Both must be punished. That’s what we have to remember. As the foundations crumble on this era of false strength and cowardly bullying, we have to keep that lesson in mind. Everyone who allowed this must be held accountable. Again, those men and women (but mostly men), will come into the light of justice and cry and wring their hands and try to evoke our sympathies. “I didn’t know the consequences of my actions.” That’s a lie. They knew exactly what would happen. If they are ignorant, that’s no defense. They shouldn’t have been placed in a position to make important decisions, and they must never be allowed that position again. We can’t be content to only put in jail the man who pulls the trigger. We must also arrest those that manufactured and sold the gun. Only by pulling the rot out by the roots can we provide any protection for our kids. These awful people who have tormented us are going to cry. They’re going to beg. They’re going to insist that they’ve changed. Don’t believe them. Don’t pardon them. They must never be allowed behind the levers of power again. They’re going to call us cruel. They’re going to say that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. But they’re depending on us forgetting how much pain we had to endure by their actions. The abuser is never aware how much pain he inflicts. He’s always delivering the agony. We are the ones who receive it. So, he can be convincing when he tries to trivialize his torments. You have to constantly remind yourself that he didn’t endure them. He doesn’t know. The time has come to assist survivors in inheriting their rightful power. We need to elevate people who knows what it feels like to not have money for rent. We need people in power who have experienced hunger, and crime, and abuse. For some reason we defer to the lie of the redemption arc and we elect monsters to power. We’ve accumulated enough evidence to compel us to stop placing our faith in the reformed. Instead, let’s turn our focus to evidence of decency. Let’s elevate people who have demonstrated a pattern of compassion instead of corruption. Let’s respect people of merit and achievement. Let’s allow for leaders who know the consequences of cruelty and understand how to steer humanity towards prosperity. The crocodile tears are not sincere. Listening to them makes us enablers. They try to leverage our best qualities against us. But we need to stop having excess compassion for the abusers. It’s long past time that we placed our focus on the needs of the survivors. The survivors speak for everyone. Thanks for your support: 30% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/b66e5c2e] 💙 40% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/01f1b0e8] 💙 50% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/0d3e6643] 💙 60% off [https://walterrhein.substack.com/6a8f4788] I'd Rather Be Writing is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to I'd Rather Be Writing at walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe [https://walterrhein.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]