Kate Polk Fried

DC-based writer, designer, and communications strategist. @katefried.bsky.social

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

If you're a person who gladly signed up for a job that involves shaking people down for late rent fees on behalf of a corporate entity run by millionaires (who don't need anyone's late fees), then I have zero respect for you.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

A shocking number of people on this app seem to think that press secretaries set policies. Also, Trump pardoned about a billion crooks when he was in office so maybe lay off Karine this morning. MAGA's ire is once again completely misdirected.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

I'm proud to be a problem solver.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

@whstancil Gig economy, dude. Millions of Americans are counted as employed as they string together a living picking out your cauliflower at the grocery store for Instacart, or picking you up from the airport for Uber. They're struggling. That's the disconnect.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

I'm still here (for now) b/c some of you who I still enjoy following are here too and I want to keep tabs on icky rhetoric so I know what's up.

But I'm also on Threads: @kathrinefried if you're headed over there too.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

@davidfolkenflik It's really important for advocacy communications work too. Whenever I'm exploring topic areas to cover for green groups, I brainstorm "follow the money" angles. We really cannot lose this site.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

@JoeBiden Hon, this is worse than a "setback." I'm not giving up and I appreciate how public messaging often smooths over the stark realities of politics but please use your next months in office to enact some true executive orders. We're counting on you!

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

@neelaeast YES! They should also consider that unemployment stats don't include gig economy workers. Outsourcing employment needs to Silicon Valley doesn't necessarily create more job stability and it fuels a narrative that people are ok job-wise when they are not.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

What if pundits and political leaders don't get it b/c they're insulated by privilege and focus so much on data and less on interacting with normies fighting one another for temp work? Something to consider.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

I'm developing a theory that gig economy work is skewing labor stats. Some folks who drive Ubers and deliver Instacart often do so out of necessity but would hardly call themselves thriving. Gig workers aren't counted in unemployment stats.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

@davidfrum There's data and there's lived experience. I'm part of the sliver who are worse off today than 4 yrs ago who voted for Harris. Many people are unemployed or underemployed and competition for jobs is brutal right now. Trump is not the answer but I can see the frustration.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

@GregTSargent @daveweigel Her ads may have articulated policies but her direct emails were mostly fundraising appeals. I'm wondering if they would have seen better results if the content of said emails employed more storytelling and leaned less on donations. Their engagement ladder seemed off.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

@politico Why are they acting like they didn't have the power to step in and right the proverbial ship? These are elected officials acting like they have no power. Why didn't they lobby the DNC sooner? They humiliated Biden when they could have put a plan in place before he was elected.

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

@Morning_Joe This would be a great week for MSNBC to take the paywall down on its website. Yanno--democratize this information a bit, particularly for folks who are struggling to pay the bills and can't afford cable at the moment.

[International Rivers @intlrivers]

The state of democracy affects everything downstream. Like a river, it needs our protection to flow free. Read @IntlRivers' blog today on why democracy is essential for environmental justice.
👉https://t.co/S9LBQVxsku #USPresidentialElection202 #USAElection2024 #DemocracyMatters

[Food & Water Action @fwaction]

There’s no sugarcoating it – these results are horrifying. Control of the House is still uncertain and we must count every vote. Still, as we process the outcome, we also must channel fear into action. Read our statement: https://t.co/tG9wNXDzqJ

[Saul @saaaauuull]

Good morning, we are organizing a climate march in DC. We cannot wait four years.

DM to help organize

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

This directory looks like a good start:

https://t.co/HGjvu0aUGB

[The 51st @51stnews]

Community and local organizing are an antidote to despair. Where are you organizing, volunteering, or contributing time or $$ in the wake of these results? We want to highlight some worthy local orgs and efforts. 🫂

[Kate Polk Fried @kate_fried]

When Obama won in 08, DC was so alive with chaotic joy that I barely slept a wink from all the cars honking their horns on Connecticut Ave. DC was dead silent last night and eerily quiet this morning too. It's like 00, 04, and 16 all over again.

[Oil Change International @PriceofOil]

Movements for change have won important victories under the toughest conditions. It would take more than a Trump presidency to change that. Every pipeline, every fossil fuel export terminal, and every fracking well we can stop matters.

Our full response: https://t.co/8b1u81dNN6