Change Is In The Air - Announcing a New Subscription Tier - Enjoy Premium Content at a Budget-Friendly Rate!
We’re introducing paid tiers to expand what we do — more content, deeper coverage, and a stronger voice for conservative point of view that is an independent voice, beholding to nobody.
** When you read below, you will see that those who upgrade to a paid subscription by 9/2 get a special discount, and a guaranteed lower rate forever!**
A Special Message From Jon Fleischman
This Substack is your guide to California policy and politics — sharp, candid, conservative, and refreshingly independent from any pressure to write a particular story or a particular way. Whether it’s breaking news, deep analysis, or behind-the-scenes perspective, I cut through the noise to flag what matters, and why.
While I have a clear point of view, I’m not beholden to any party, politician, or power structure. I call it like I see it — and let the chips fall where they may.
Since launching in May, thousands of readers have joined. The momentum is real. THANK YOU! Check this out below!
Anyone who has been a free subscriber knows that we produce solid content - every day of the week. Well, we will still have a free tier, and if that’s where are, you will continue to get a lot of great content - at least 60% of our content will always be free!
And know that the paid rate if you sign up in the next two weeks is less than half of what Substack recommended that I charge.
If you’re new here, or you haven’t subscribed yet — now’s the time to jump in. Right below is a graphic of the weekly schedule for postings, and what is free versus what will now be behind a payroll. Like I said, well over half of our content will continue to be free. But you do not want to miss out on a thing! Below the image is more about me, and details that you will want to read…. This is going to be exciting, come onboard - and support independent journalism!
👋 Who’s Behind This?
I’m Jon Fleischman, and I’ve spent over 35 years in the trenches of California politics. I’ve worked at every level of government, advised hundreds of campaigns, and written more than 2,500 political columns.
You may have seen me on Fox News, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC or election night coverage in California. My work or my analysis has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Politico, New York Times, and virtually every major California paper and tv stations in every market.
You can read a lot more about me (if you are that bored) right here!
What readers say they appreciate most is this:
✅ Candor.
✅ Clarity.
✅ Consistent insight you can’t get anywhere else.
✅ I don’t pretend to be neutral. I promise to be honest.
🎯 What’s the Mission?
So, Does It Matter? is for people who care about what’s happening — not just what happened, but what it means.
This isn’t punditry from the sidelines. It’s an inside perspective on how policy gets made, who’s pulling the levers, and what’s coming next.
🆓 What Free Subscribers Get Going Forward
You don’t need to pay a dime to get value. Free subscribers receive:
✅ Daily weekday morning column
🎥 Weekly video commentary or one-on-one interview
🗞 “ICYMI” news round-up each weekend
📬 Occasional free access to afternoon posts
🚨 Breaking news alerts (further analysis is behind the pay wall)
💰 What Paid Subscribers Unlock
The price? $7/month or $70/year (but if you sign up before 9/2 you get a lifetime guarantee of $5/month or $50/year).
If you want more depth, more frequency, and more access — this is the tier for you.
In addition to everything you get for free, you also get…
✅ All weekday afternoon columns
📎 What Jon Is Reading – curated stories and insights every Saturday
🌙 Evening posts as warranted, and analysis
🔎 Full breakdowns when I deliver breaking news — not just the hard news, but what it means
💬 Ability to comment and join the discussion
🔐Access to the full archives (currently over 200 items) as and access to our California Patriot Profile Library, and our curated Gavin Newsom files.
If you crunch the numbers the extra content you get with a paid membership is like eight pennies an item! Not bad! (Do they still mint pennies?)
🏛 Want to Go Bigger?
Join the Patriot or Elite Tier
Some readers want to do more — to help expand the reach of this work and support independent journalism in a deeper way. Substack allows one special tier beyond paid subscriptions — the “Founding Member.” I’ve split that into two supporter levels:
💼 Patriot Tier — $150/year
Offered via Substack’s Founding Member option
Patriot Members receive:
✅ All paid subscriber benefits
🎥 Invited To A Quarterly Zoom call
📬 Insider tidbits and nuggets that regular paid members do not receive.
💡 Priority input on column topics
📱 My private cell number (for texting questions, tips, or feedback)
Subscribe at the $150 level…
🦅 Elite Tier — $299+/year
Manually join via the Founding Member box by physically changing the $150 number at the Patriot level to an amount of $299 or more, or contact me directly for PayPal/Venmo options. (Jon@SoDoesItMatter.com)
Elite Members receive everything from the Patriot tier, plus:
🍳 Coffee, breakfast, or lunch when you’re in Orange County
🎥 A Zoom session for you, your group, or organization
🙏 My deepest appreciation — and personalized acknowledgment
To join:
Select “Founding Member” and enter a minimum of $299+, or
Reach out for an alternate payment method
Here is a handy chart that lets you know when we produce content, and it also makes it clear what is for all subscribers, and what is only for paid subscribers (you know, that shell out $5 a month, or $50 if you buy annually).
💡 A Poem… from AI… 😂
For months, four and counting, you’ve read us for free,
Words flowing like rivers, as boundless as sea.
Twelve posts every week, now yours to unlock,
For fifty a year, just eight cents a pop.
By chipping in, you back a voice fierce and true,
Independent journalism, calling balls and strikes too.
Support this small spark, keep the stories in flight,
Join the paid tier-fuel our truth-seeking light!
📌 Final Word
California shapes the future of American politics. What happens here matters everywhere.
So, Does It Matter? is for readers who want to understand the why behind the headlines — from someone who’s worked behind the scenes, followed the money, and knows where the pressure points are.
Whether you’re here for the free posts, full subscriber access, or as a top-tier supporter:
Thanks for being here. I’m all in on making it worth your time.
— Jon
P.S. If you are a bonafide member of the media, I will comp your paid membership. So you can access all content and the archives as you research stories. You just have to make sure you are a free subscriber, and then send me a a note (button below).
P.P.S. Do you have any questions? Drop me a line at jon@sodoesitmatter.com.