Make the Populist Plank Petition Unstoppable

Populist Plank
1

:spiral_calendar: Deadline for Responses: Monday, Feb 24, 2025, 8:00 PM PST

:round_pushpin: Facilitator: Maggie

What We’re Solving

TYT’s Populist Plank petition should be spreading like wildfire—but it hasn’t taken off at the level we need… yet.

We know TYT is great at simplifying processes, so let’s figure out what’s slowing it down and how we fix it—fast.

This is an open conversation to understand the experience of signing and sharing the petition. Your insights will help us remove friction and make this take off.

Key Questions

  • Your experience signing → Was it fast and easy, or were there any annoying steps?
  • Did you share it after signing? Why or why not? (If not, what stopped you? If yes, did people engage?)
  • What would have made you more likely to share? (Stronger messaging? More urgency? A better call-to-action?)
  • Did you see this petition outside of TYT spaces? (If not, why do you think that is?)
  • If you haven’t signed yet, what’s stopping you? (Is the ask unclear? Not urgent? Not personal enough?)
  • If you had ONE simple tweak to make this spread faster, what would it be?

How to Participate

  • Drop a quick reply—your experience, what worked, what didn’t, and how we fix it.
  • Vote in the following poll to help identify patterns.
  • Tag others who might have insights!

Your feedback will directly shape how Operation Hope fine-tunes the petition rollout. Let’s make it frictionless, viral, and unstoppable.

1 Like
2

What do you think is stopping the Populist Plank petition from spreading faster?

  • Not enough urgency – It doesn’t feel time-sensitive or high-stakes.
  • Lack of visibility – It’s not being promoted outside of TYT’s audience.
  • Message isn’t strong enough – It needs clearer framing to hook people.
  • No viral hook – It’s not designed for easy social sharing.
  • Technical friction – Signing takes too many steps or isn’t seamless.
  • No clear next step – After signing, there’s no obvious way to stay engaged.
  • Other (comment below!) – Something else is slowing it down.
0 voters
1 Like
3

The feedback I’ve been getting while chatting about this with other viewers during shows is that it’s not entirely addressing issues the way they would like to. Just my two cents, it seems many people prefer:

  1. Address Climate Change
  2. End Endless Wars
  3. Make Housing Affordable
  4. Money out of Politics
  5. Paid Family Leave
  6. Raise Minimum Wage
  7. Universal Healthcare

It’s still early in the game, so making changes now is possible. I wonder, too, if the word plank is somehow off-putting. I apologize if this is too late in the game and not what you’re looking for. I’m just trying to help.

2 Likes
4

I found that signing the plank was very easy and as you know I’m a tech deficient boomer. May I suggest that the populist position get featured on X. A lot of people still go to it , even me , to get the national vibe and zeitgeist Jack

2 Likes
5

Maggie , I haven’t yet seen any mention on YT or X . Also , I haven’t seen any recent interviews with Cenk. Is he plugging the petition ? Among our members, is there a lack of response ? Perhaps reminding at town halls or on TYT shows would help. Jack

2 Likes
6

@drea_m_r_76 , thanks for sharing your perspective.

I want to clarify that the Populist Plank does address issues like climate change and universal healthcare—it just approaches them through its foundational goal of dismantling corrupt systems. By dismantling corrupt systems, we create the conditions under which policies addressing climate change and universal healthcare can thrive. In other words, when we remove the corruption that protects harmful policies and profiteering interests, the environment becomes ripe for progressive change across the board.

I also want to note that although I wasn’t part of the inception of the Populist Plank, I can see how Cenk and the TYT team would have justified its structure. Their approach was to build a strategic foundation that, once the root of corruption is removed, naturally paves the way for broader transformative policies—whether it’s climate action, universal healthcare, etc. Furthermore, the six core points were chosen specifically because they resonate widely with the overall American public, reflecting the issues that matter most to people. When we are successful with these 6, the other policies we want will have fewer obstacles in their way.

I always appreciate your input. It’s important that we are always open to refining our messaging while staying true to our mission.

1 Like
7

Hi @jackc380, always a pleasure to see your perspective.

It doesn’t just have to be TYT pushing it on social media. We could also push via our own social media accounts.

Some templates that could be used or creatively reimagined - please share your thoughts!

Template for left-wing/progressives:
“Have you signed the PopulistPlank.com petition yet? This is our chance to dismantle the corruption that protects harmful policies. When we remove these barriers, progressive solutions like strong climate action and universal healthcare can finally thrive. Join the movement—your voice matters!”

Template 2:
“Tired of a system that only benefits the rich and powerful? The PopulistPlank.com petition is about tearing down the corrupt networks that keep everyday Americans from getting a fair deal. When corruption is kicked out, real change—from clean air and better jobs to fair healthcare—can finally thrive. Sign and share if you’re ready to put the people first!”

Template 3:
“Our government should work for us—not for special interests. The PopulistPlank.com petition demands an end to the corruption that rigs our system against the common man. By cutting the ties that let big money buy our policies, we open the door to a fairer future. Join the fight for real change and sign the petition today!”

Template 4:
“Every American deserves a government that listens to them. The PopulistPlank.com petition is a stand against the corruption that lets the powerful call the shots. When we remove the corrupt influences, policies that benefit hardworking families—from better wages to quality healthcare—can take center stage. It’s time to reclaim our democracy—sign now!”

Template 5:
“Imagine a country where our voices matter more than corporate cash. The PopulistPlank.com petition is our call to dismantle the corrupt systems that keep our government in the hands of a few. With corruption gone, real progress—like safe communities, good jobs, and affordable healthcare—becomes possible for every American. Make your voice heard—sign and share!”

1 Like
8

I totally get that! I’m just saying what I’ve been hearing. Maybe we can make that clearer?

1 Like
9

Thank you, @mggbwmn8; these are really helpful!

10

Please keep sharing what you’ve been hearing! It helps us refine our messaging.

1 Like
11

I absolutely will!

1 Like
12

Maggie , of course I agree of using our own template and ecosystem to push the populist plank. I was just thinking of using social media in conjunction of that. Yes , I 've signed the petition when it first came out. Jack

2 Likes
13

I have looked at the petition before multiple times, but I just signed it now because of your post.

My opinion is that the landing page is missing social proof. While it does help, the endorsements do not show up for me as social proof. I more so mean regular people (like me). More emotions, more stories about impact on average people.

Can you get some (very short) video testimonials sharing why this matters to the average American?

Can you move Cenk’s video to the top of the page? I didn’t see it before and it makes a difference for me.

I did not experience any urgency to sign until I saw your post just now, then I signed immediately.

I don’t want to admit this, but it is real… there is a part of me that is paranoid about putting my name on a list like that without knowing how it will be used, due to the uncertainty in the political atmosphere. (e.g. could I be targeted for signing this?).

Also, it’s a little too broad for me. It does not hit the thing that is in my face every day, student debt, so I feel like I am going along to get along. This would be fine, except that it is still so early (and tbh, kind of seeming disorganized). I’m not saying I do not agree with the points in the plank, but they are not in my face every day, so the impact is not as tangible.

How can we make the impact more tangible? Facts tell, stories sell.

Call to Action could be stronger. "Sign this” is one thing, but why now? What happens if people don’t act? What’s the immediate impact of signing? (e.g., “We need 10,000 signatures by X date to make waves”).

1 Like