Robert, please read this. It is getting lots of comments. I posted this to your last post.
People need to do something. They are suffering. They are hysterical. They keep reading all these post and told to continue to fight..but it’s not helping them.
How about organizing a disrupter for the White House. And Congress... here is the White House switch board number. 202-456-1414
I don’t have one for Congress..assuming they have a central switch board. We need about 10 million people to start calling at noon and continue calling for days.
Just jam the lines.
Also need a catch phrase. STOP THE MADNESS? Just a suggestion.
Got it! Thanks for the phone number. I’ll give it a try. Also, Jessica Cravewn from Chop Wood, Carry Water suggests this as a current action to make with our Democrat Senators : Hi, my name is _____ and I want the Senator to fight Trump’s illegal actions with everything s/he’s got. Trump is shredding the Constitution, breaking the law and violating the separation of powers.
I want the Senator to use every tool available to grind Senate business to a halt until Trump stops attacking the constitution. This includes:
—Opposing all Trump administration nominees
—Denying any requests for Unanimous Consent
—Opposing all Cloture Votes
—Requesting a Quorum Call at every possible opportunity
Will the Senator commit to refusing any cooperation until this unconstitutional power grab is stopped? I’d like a response in writing, please.
Hell, I'm in Canada but he still scares the crap out of me. I'd look forward to his demise but then you're left with Vance and that's it's own can of worms.
Steve Bannon is the mastermind behind the tactic. Flood the Zone, issue so many EO's and Memo's that it is impossible to respond to them all, and while people and groups are trying to organize and file suit, by the time they do,if the Supreme Court does not rule in the favor of Trump, the rest of the EO's and memo's will be locked down.
Like a Machine gun, only more effective, fire 100 bullets and a couple are bound to hit the mark.
It is like fighting the Palisades fire., this is the Bannon tactic.
I know how you feel. I am in Ohio and my senators are both Trumpers but I still try to contact them.I tried to call both of them earlier today and was told that they weren't taking calls and their mailboxes were full so I wrote them. I just want them to know that this is NOT ok and that I did not vote to have a dictator installed and I am sure many others are feeling the same way.
Yeah. My Republican Senator also tries to insulate himself from us. there is a way, however: Find their HOME ADDRESS, and write to them a firm and polite letter. [Watch out, no threats of violence! but let them know that you are VERY displeased]
Just letting them know that you are not alone and things are coming to a boiling point may be enough to make them mind their Ps and Qs: The 'threat' is that you know where they live *and* you know that many folks are really pissed off and may eventually move to actions against them.
While the threat is not actionable, they get the message.
Applause, now a CCRL at the dept. of homeland security...online same title...take a pic and save it or download it. Put the road out this is a tremendous complaint to get others to do with you. I was affected, infected for hypertension sucks to be me.
I’m in Georgia 😢-at least we have Senators Warnock and Ossoff on our side! The only save we have collectively is that these bozos don’t know how government works or the power of the people!!
.become the crusader to get others like us to also file it's called a form CCRL, online at Department of Homeland Security...be sure to download it, to submit... This is our time to show strength, the citizens of the USA with diligence and faith, yours and others will benefit!
Hello Ann Marie. I have never believed in book burning but... since the Project 2025 came out.... maybe ... I'm starting to change my mind. Ha. Not really. Everyone should read this piece of fascist garbage for what it is. I have seen bits and pieces of it in the media reports but I am looking find a free copy so I don't have to give my hard earned money to the Fascist Heritage Foundation if I don't have to.
If, you counted all of the GOP, and all Trump's crusader's your filing with the Department of Homeland Security would build the numbers to take on such a removal to steer the power...become the crusader to get others like us to also file it's called a form CCRL, online at Department of Homeland Security...be sure to download it, to submit... This is our time to show strength, the citizens of the USA with diligence and faith, yours and others will benefit!
The power of the people means nothing w/o the support of the military. Remember Cory Aquino? The military supported her, so her protest succeeded. No guns backing her protest would've meant failure.
Yes. You need to say to them that you do not approve! They. Represent. You. Your states are exactly the ones who need to hear from people who don’t agree with them.
As was suggested by someone who experienced the autocratization of Hungary: we need a new charismatic democratic leader to champion democracy, who people will follow. Who this new leader should be, I don’t know.
Will do this tonight with glee! Currently looking for the best places for Americans to move outside of the US. Can't stay when I see nothing being done to stop this complete madness. :|
Now is not the time to jump ship or Trump wins. Nobody should resign out of protest, that gives Trump administration what they want. We need to stay and fight. We may not make headway all at once but we need to be patient and persistent. It’s worth fighting for. Overcoming Trump administration will make the constitution stronger than before.
A few years ago, Germany seemed to be a good place with a healthy democracy. But because Muskrat is pouring money into the AfD neonazi party, we could see a repeat of the 1930s there.
Indeed, that goes deep, not sure why my resistance -to not want to accept that, that a magic or just another fire trick...;how many plays he makes in a month- part of the his big ah ha...I don't trust nor do I see a diligent trustworthy cabinet standing with him, nah ah. Does the military get shut down, to protect; We the people, who can answer this? Do we wait for warmer weather too, it's a good time to start neighborhood coops; rationing; ideas, and forming things like crew; where; who and when?
i did that the day after coronation, no response yet, although rubio got almost unanimous consent to be secretary of state. so i guess that was a response of sort.
Canada here. Went shopping today, our shelves are full of eggs at an average cost of about $3.00 US a dozen. Would love to throw a bucket load at this (cruel) joke of an administration.
Don't know where you buy your eggs, but I'm in Canada as well and $3.00 eggs are nowhere to be found here in BC. I buy free run eggs and they're over $7.00 a dozen.
The price I quoted was in US dollars - with the exchange that equals about $4.30 Cdn for a dozen from the supermarket (Montreal). I also buy free range directly from a local farmer at $8.00.
No shade on you Maureen or anyone else concerned about grocery prices. But, I'm really tired of the constant bellyaching about egg prices. I know they are being used as an example of inflation. So just buy and eat something else. Sometimes I go for a month and don't eat an egg. Many other foods are rich in protein too.
The bird flu seems to be killing flocks across the country and I feel sorry for the farmers having to deal with this. And now with DT's crazy ideas about how to run our government I doubt they will get any help from the Federal Gov at any level.
One thing we can be sure of is that DT and his anti-American congress will never clamp down on the price-gouging middlemen and corporations who are the ones really running up grocery prices.
We keep telling the farmers and ranchers that the GOP really doesn't give a crap more about them than it does for people working in the cities. They never learn. Cheers... GH
Write to your representatives in both houses of Congress. Seek out the organization Indivisible.org and look at what they are doing, and join, if you feel compelled and can afford to spend whatever you can, and keep in touch with the news. We've gotten back into Rachael Maddow and read Dr Reich's posts, and read the BBC. We also subscribe to the NYT and WaPo, although I will be cancelling my WaPo online subscription. Furthermore, we will be reading The Guardian and the New Yorker as well. However, there can also be news overload, so to speak, so we shall figure out what suits us. LOts of sources are free or little cost, so that works for us.
Just sent this letter to house, senate, and congressional reps:
Good afternoon,
As a Medicaid recipient I’d like to request an inquiry into the federal funding freeze memorandum which was rescinded today. The time frame involved in the action Trumps White House took on this memorandum execution yesterday having federal data programs off-line for 12 hours raises serious concerns for data protection and HIPAA Rights as a Medicaid recipient.
The concerns are broadly based on the recent TikTok banning and how the owners of that platform shut down early before the deadline for 12 hours and when the content was again available online- the servers had been redirected.
This is quite well known in the IT industry for large (federal programs shut down yesterday) platforms to take between 10 to 12 hours to complete a “redirect” onto other servers for data collection and management.
If it is true that Doge is wanting access for oversite to find funding cuts this would make a lot of sense that they performed this action yesterday during the 12 hours all platforms were down.
This also would mean my Medicaid HIPAA private information along with millions of others have been compromised without federal oversight or congressional approval.
I respectfully request that an immediate inquiry is made on behalf of myself and any other concerned Medicaid recipient.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Too bad they couldn't find some more money to reduce the deficit - like maybe taxing the rich fairly instead of giving them huge tax breaks. I guess that is too complicated an idea for Trump/Musk/Vance to wrap their heads around.
They plan to reduce the deficit while cutting or eliminating taxes on the rich by eliminating some services and hiving the rest off to the states. If the states can't afford them, too bad.
Interesting that the 27th the day prior all inspectors were “fired” which are who should be investigating any unusual handling of federally protected information which was redirected to private servers.
Many magazines and newspapers are available free at your library, no paywall. At least they are for now. Idk if the federal funds freeze will affect our public libraries.
I hope you've also discovered MIdas Touch Network, another great substack. I know what you mean re info overload. They publish via email throughout the day so followers will have updates. They have guests from other substacks and also do a YOU TUBE series. I've finally figured out how to use parts of what they offer, in combination with R Reich and a few others so there's some balance & and broad range of perspectives without losing so much time on this stuff every day. They have free subscriptions but they are also giving Faux a real run for the money re You Tube views, etc., so they're hoping to continue adding subscribers to continue flipping the youknowhwat at faux, but also enable their goal of adding Canada and other countries to their coverage. (As you've probably noticed, quite a number of Canadians engage here! I think the more of us, no matter where we're located is fabulous in terms of what we can do together and learn from each other!) In case it's helpful: . https://meidasnews.com/page/about-us
Doxxing, also spelled doxing, is the act of publicly revealing someone's private information, such as their home address or phone number, without their consent, often with the intent to harass or intimidate them. This practice can involve gathering information from various online sources and is generally viewed negatively due to its potential to cause harm to individuals.
It's awful. It's what the did to the judges and clerks at Trump's trials in NY.
It’s now us or them. I was thoroughly sickened at the sight of Biden and Harris at Trump’s inauguration, especially in the sight of the invasion of Congress 4 years ago.
no democrat should have attended the coronation. it was a slap in the face to our constitution and loyal citizens who value democracy and the rule of law.
biden had every right to jail dumpster when he stole the classified documents. any other ex-employee in the federal gov't or military would have been treated that way. so now we have this. way to go joe
Considering that Biden also had classified documents at his home (even though he returned them when asked) it would be a bit of hypocrisy to jail Trump over this. However, he could have jailed Trump over the insurrection and he should have.
I never agreed with Michelle O when she said "when they go low we go high". That doesn't work. When they go low we go lower...right in the gutter with them! That's all they understand. But nothing illegal and no doxxing. That will backfire.
My husband, who is English, says that when indignities of this magnitude occur in Europe, the way people deal with them is to withhold their labor. In other words, a general strike. We don't have as many unions as we used to, but the unions could certainly lead on this. If not, maybe Move On or Indivisible. There needs to be a central focus for this. Americans aren't so used to doing this kind of thing but it seems like a good time to start. Hope this helps.
My husband suggests doing what some did during the Viet Nam war: stop paying taxes, but massively. My preference would be to "witness"; demonstrate silently, massively, with dignity. Massively is important. No enabling them calling us Antifa. I've taken my pussy hat out.
I know many can’t afford not to work but those oligarchs need workers and investors. If people stopped working for oligarchs and stopped investing in their companies…
Good idea and we should also do the same to our representatives, especially those in red states. A phone call instead of email would be more of an attention getter.
Great idea to jam the phone lines – how do we coalesce to urge people to do this? My sisters have gone into "internal exile" and say they are "too overwhelmed to look at the news or do anything about it." So frustrating! I have been calling Democrat senators and Republicans and practically yelling at them to get up, speak out, and be outraged – and to make the headlines. Every effing headline I see is the ugly face of Trump and I'm disgusted by him! I'm not afraid of him – I'm a petite grandma who is pissed off!
I'm a petite grandma too. One of the things I've been doing is sending selected action items to friends and relatives. Just a few so they're not overwhelmed. I do it by email. So far they've been appreciative. I think if you act as a clearinghouse for them you might get results. Good luck!
I called the White House switchboard a few times yesterday. The "office was closed" and no leaving a message was allowed. The message said to email the White House and I did so. The email came back to me as a permanent error. Just saying.....Hard to jam lines and email addresses that no longer exist or are functioning.
Then we need to find other ways to flood them. Snail mail comes to mind but I'm sure there are other ways. How about everyone trying to make reservations at Mar-a-Lago or his golf clubs all at the same time?
Tell them it's illegal for Trump to impound money allocated by Congress. Furthermore, these programs are critical for people's well-being and withdrawing the money is cruel and uncalled for. The majority of Americans support these programs.
I have wondered too. But now I think we should say that we think Trump's power grabs are an absolute emergency, but we don't see enough congress members acting like it. The number one priority needs to be stopping him. I don't see that happening.
Someone on Substack proposed that we urge the Democrats to boycott the confirmation process as leverage. Would/could that actually work? If so, we can flood them with calls demanding they don't participate in the process. I'm afraid, however, that isn't legal?
I am close to catatonic with fear. I have worked in the tax field for over 35 years, 4 of which were at the IRS (back in the 90's). Trump is playing with fire and he's about to throw gasoline on it. If he messes with IRS funding, employees, rules/regulations, this country will suffer greatly. As it is and will continue with his other insane actions. STOP THE FRUMP (Felon Trump?). As for disruptors, can we SWAT the white house? How about turning off utilities to the white house? How about everyone mails an empty box to him at white house - that will keep his minions busy.....
Zee Zee Writer: I think you are on the right track. Trump is already creating chaos. The more that is linked to him the better.
Trump has the huge advantage for him of having no commitment to principles, concern for others, and lying every time he opens his ranting mouth. He also has financial backing from the greedy wealthy who manipulate him. The opposition need more well regarded famous and wealthy people who speak out against him.
Sign up for Indivisible. They have very detailed action items at least weekly. More right now. Run by former congressional staffers who understand what motivates legislators. Tip 1: Calls have more sway than emails. Put your reps in your phones. You will be calling constantly.
The most important lesson from the last 24 hours is that everyday people speaking up works! There are bigger battles to fight like getting rid of Citizens United, but for now, we can't forget that writing and calling and protesting still works when enough of us choose to act.
So what are we to do? All of this is creating anxiety, stress and worry about what is happening here in our country. Are we done now as a Democratic Republic? Has the orange man won and we are now in a dictatorship or oligarchy or what? I try to remain calm and hope those that can will take him to court and the judges will rule according to the Constitution and our laws; however, I am repeatedly told he has bought all of the judges, too! If those in power who said they stood for America and the Constitution are that easily bought, it spells trouble for all of us.
Your frustration is shared by many, Peggy Freeman. The most basic “mind-shift” needed right now is to realize that WE are not entitled to Democracy. I am done with operating from that naive premise. I WANT to live in a Democracy. So I must WORK to make that happen, to make that birth into existence. The New-Deal-American Era we grew up in is over. It has died from power-mongering, Planter-Class Supremacists out-maneuverings engaged voters who felt entitled to democracy, and a whole bunch of eligible voters who lost their faith in America a long time ago, and are content to watch porn and cat videos while the barricades are breached. We are left needing to craft -in-real-time- fighting responses to a firehose of shit. For many of us now, We either prove we are capable of crafting a democracy to wrench away from the grip of the oligarchs, or we die trying. We are not the first group of humans to need to fight like hell to preserve the Light of Democracy. If we are strong-hearted, we won’t be the last. Pushing back on duplicitous members of congress we worked to get in office is going to be a daily job.
I understand, MLRGRMI. I feel so frustrated! I have joined many groups and organizations. I write letters, make phone calls and sign petitions. At 72, I am trying my best to do all that I can. It's just that sometimes it gets very depressing. I am angry and it is hard to control that anger. I use it to push on and keep fighting. Sometimes I wonder how many are fighting. I so want to be strong, but I am so sad today. Everything has been coming at us every single day since that man took office with no let up in sight! You are right. We are not entitled to a Democracy, we must want to live in a Democracy. I know that I do. Your words were quite powerful and motivating and I needed to hear them. Thank you for giving me the impetus to keep going.
You are entitled to feel angry and depressed. We all are. Take whatever time you need to feel better. This is a marathon and we're not going to see results quickly. Just remember that the Chinese, the Republicans, etc. all play the long game. We must as well. Live your life while you fight. Don't let them take it from you. (I am 74, so in a similar boat.)
I feel the same way! Husband and I are daily making phone calls, posting on social media, calling Republican and Democrats, is it working? What groups can we join? Why aren't there people in elected offices screaming that this is a effing five alarm fire?
They're waiting for trump to implode. He's already backtracked today from his federal grant and loan freeze. He'll be back at it of course, but we'll see more of this backtracking as his own voters actually experience the impact of his actions: Medicaid? funding of local police & public school programs? Meals on Wheels? Rural hospital funding frozen? To name a few....His own voters will be massively unhappy. Dem leaders know this. It's actually a good thing that trump has shown his true stripes so soon and has gone so big. He's scaring his own supporters. Good!
Hi Peggy. I'm an elder also. When I reflect on my younger self when I was working 12 hour shifts as an RN in hospital, raising my daughter as a single parent, and running our household without any help, I realize that I wasn't very involved in what was going on in government, politics, etc. I really had no time. Now that I'm retired I do have the time for these things and I'm going to try to be involved and active in doing what I can to save our Democracy. Best of luck to you in your efforts to do the same.
Thank you, Fatarae! Best of luck to you, too! What you said made me stop and think. In our middle years, we were working hard and raising our families so, you are right, we didn't have time for government and politics, etc. Do you think that is why so many are simply not connected or engaged in what is going on right now? Those in their middle years are too busy trying to keep food on the table, keep their jobs and raise their families? I wonder what kind of messaging would alert them to the problems we are facing right now?
This is so important, making that shift from expecting something (privileged mentality) to realizing we have to fight for it. Can I share your comment here in my main feed?
Peggy, as drump's niece Mary has declared, her uncle is an empty suit with none of the virtues of an effective leader of a back-alley ball game. His strongest trait is to strike fear into the hearts of the governed, as he brainwashes them to death, as with his $3T funding freeze. He just grabbed our attention with a clue as to what may come next. To keep citizens off balance is his scheme.
You'd think the would have realized they have the short end of the stick. The BBC had Gov. Sununu on their news tonight talking about the enormity of the deficit, and the reporter didn't even ask him how that might be quickly satisfied by hiking some taxes on the rich.
Peggy, take heart! The 47 hasn't appointed all the judges. One appointed by Reagan has emphatically blocked the manaical presidential order freezing federal funds. Many people are protesting loudly and to their elected federal leaders. We the people must show we' have the grit to persevere. Some D pols are asking for campaign funds for this year. One could get excited if one were excitable. At 88, I have the grit but not the tinder to be inflamed.
Am 90, George. Your grit...as well as your tinder are still burning brightly..urging us all to stay in the fight for our democracy! Thank you for your rousing heartfelt words, dear sir!
Thank you, George! I did take heart when I learned that a Reagan appointed judge blocked that idiot's order to freeze federal funds. Like you (I'm 72), I have the grit but most definitely not the tinder!
He is a dictator, people are in denial. People wont believe it until he disbands the fig leaf of congress altogether and the Supreme Court backs him, probably within the year. The republicans will happily fuck off to the private sector, and by then all the dems will be in prison for treason anyhow thanks to Kash Patel. The voters were warned, theres nothing to do now but watch as they burn the country to the ground.
Pressure works. Look at how T backed down today. Sure, he'll come back with some nonsense, but we keep at it. He's not invulnerable. We need to pressure our representatives, boycott, strike, mock, pressure corporations. We need to tell stories about people who have been harmed by his policies and use them to pressure people with power. Even more, find ways to make them insecure. For example, for representatives in purple districts, show how the actions are upsetting voters. Even in red districts this is possible (e.g., with abortion rights). Hit them where it hurts. They're all vulnerable, even Musk. Remember Gandhi and Mandela. The little guy can win.
Perhaps his plan is to inundate us all.by a scattershot of attention getting edicts...
Chaos is his food & drink! He simply does not know, nor does he care that these edicts are unlawful...but, in.his tortured mind...if he says it...it becomes law. He is the law now...in all things. That seems to beg the question to a much bigger problem. Is this man mentally competent to hold this office? A proposed cabinet of such ridiculously.unqualified misfits? Is he trying so blatantly to sink this ship of state with the most unqualified synchophants he can scrounge around to find in Washington D.C.?. Is this the level of acceptance citizens of this country are settling for?
I remember a different time in the history of our country...a time to be proud we answered bravely...with pride, great.pride. That time is past, sadly.
He is trying to inundate us. It's called shock doctrine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shock_Doctrine. And these unqualified people are there to help him decimate the federal government and remake it to his advantage. I have been reading a lot about this lately.
He hasn't bought ANYONE. Remember, Ms. Freeman: there is NO honor among theives . . . or greedy losers! Bunkerboy may THINK he can buy people with President musk's money, but they are ALL out for themselves.
Often I would like to think, protecting democracy is the course they feel obligated to take. Just look at all the judges tanking Tubby's orders.
trump has overreached and he just back down from his federal grant freeze. He'll go at it again, but let him be outrageous for a little while and see what happens when his supporters who rely on federal monies start to feel the pain. This WILL happen. No medicaid; no food stamps; no $ for rural hospitals or local police; no $ for local schools, disaster relief, Meals on Wheels. Egg prices will be nothing when they experience what's coming. It's trump's voters who are the most vulnerable. Forgive me, but I say good. Let's win in 2026 and then fix things...if things are able to be fixed.
Depressing to find out that the Trump justice department will probably drop criminal charges against our Democratic NYC mayor who went to Mar=a-lago to beg for help. The corrupt are ganging up on us, and it's just the beginning.
Thank you Professor Reich for seeing, understanding, and explaining the mechanisms at work here. Visualizing the larger picture is vitally important to avoid getting mired in the sludge being dumped on our country by trumpco. Many Thanks!
Congratulations, you're living through a major moment in history. This is a historic authoritarian takeover. The breadth of the direct attacks on the constitution and law is astonishing. Republican lawmakers are onboard the MAGA regime takeover. Democratic lawmakers are struggling to find a way to push back effectively and avoid just be dragged along with the outrage of the hour.
To be clear presidential impoundment of funds allocated through law by Congress is unconstitutional and has always been unconstitutional. This was confirmed in Train vs New York and reinforced in the 1974 Impoundment Act, which provides direction for handling excess funds when something in the budget is completed or cancelled because it can't be completed.
It is illegal to fire or punish civil servants for political reasons. Retaliating against government lawyers for doing the work they were assigned is illegal. Threatening civil servants for doing work that they are illegally obligated to do by Congress is illegal. The buyout offer is illegal without Congressional authorization. Using the inspector general office to exact retribution is illegal.
So this is an unconstitutional and illegal power grab. Impoundment would mean the budget and appropriations passed into law by Congress are suggestions and the president could refuse to spend in order coerce concessions from Congress on everything. Our elected representatives would become useless. This administration is challenging the law by simply ignoring it. But it's doing so on a scale that is bound to challenge the courts capacity, creating a crisis that Trump can use to delegitimize the courts. I expect him to ignore the courts and challenge them to enforce the Constitution and laws.
Finally by pardoning the J6 criminals and withdrawing security from prominent former government officials who are at risk from terrorists, the message of violent retribution is being communicated to everyone. The regime's extrajudicial mass deportation and threats to punish anyone who obstructs or doesn't help ICE is a window into the future.
Unfortunately it's the House that initiates an impeachment, and the Republicans in the House are a bunch of spineless sycophants. Gawd I hate to think we have 2 more years of this insanity.
Have you noticed how many of the J6 criminals are being rearrested? And one was shot dead by police. My understanding is that at least a fifth of them already have criminal records. They will commit more crimes and T won't be able to pardon them unless they're federal. He won't anyway because he's already made the gesture. He doesn't care about some random jerk who's stupid enough to fall for his lies.
He doesn't give a hoot about them personally except that he wants them free in case he needs a militia. That's my take at least, and I think that's why he pardoned them in the first place.
Remember that he doesn't do anything that he doesn't benefit from personally. Quintessential narcissist.
Democrats are holding their fire until they see the whites of their eyes. It's very good that they're not responding to every detail of trump's so called "shock & awe". Let's recall that W's "shock & awe" was a failure. trump's will be too. It's good that he's come out of the gate being so outrageous, heartless, unsettling and obnoxious. Who's it going to hurt most...and quickly? His own supporters. They're feeling the fear even more than we are. They'll have to live without federal services, food stamps, medicaid, local funding of police and schools....and egg prices will rise (because of bird flu). Inflation and consumer confidence will not make for a happy 4 years. Good! Some already regret their votes. And some who said they disliked trump but could see their way to vote for Kamala are also seeing the light...and quicker than I expected. I know some of them personally.
My name is Orange Menace. I can do anything I want- no one can stop me, as ought to be apparent by now. I have never been held accountable for my actions & never will be. The constitution, courts, laws & historic precedent may be ignored- no one dares to cross or punish me. Those journalists, editorial cartoonists & others in the mainstream media who are quitting in protest are helping me by quieting their voices. When I finish installing my sycophants (I mean loyalists) at all levels of government, resistance will be futile. Division, hate & fear will continue to motivate & gratify me. If mass protests arise, I only need to order my military to quash the evil within. Remember that I also have a number of armed paramilitary groups as well as many citizen-patriots who are standing by, knowing that I am the greatest, chosen by god to lead. My legislators & supreme court have learned to obey like sheep, & soon the rest of you will follow. Time will tell.
To divide, confuse, stoke fear to the point of paralysis, and dismantle current systems to--conquer. So he can be king. He already told us his plan. He acting on it, and that is the point.
As you predicted a few days ago, t is "overplaying his hand" and none too soon! The people affected (with fear and anger) are speaking out. Someday soon a charismatic spokesperson will arise, one who can make a case against this lawless egotist, would-be dictator, etc.--for impeachment. The R opposition doesn't appear to be large in congress, however. Our drums and chants will have to grow louder by the day.
Sorry hit send way too soon—here on the frontlines of a turned upside-down city. Everything you say is true. What we must do with lightning speed is build multiple strategies: citizen engagement with clear messaging/protesting; seeking legal recourse and blanketing the Hill with discussions of how to respond. A Musk henchman is controlling the data base at OMB; what we saw Monday is a taste of what’s to come so we need to be ready. What was done at USAID was executed with surgical precision—expect more of that.
President Trash purposely creates chaos, keeping everyone off balance and the opposition scrabbling in different directions. The chaos will continue until there is a clear, resolute counter-direction offered that clearly states that we will have a country under the rule of law and we will have a country where there is equity for all and will not tolerate this attempt to create an oligarchy.
Bigger Question is: Can the United States of America’s legal system work well enough to protect its Constitutional republic from a tyrannical dictatorship that Trump wants?
The Capitol Switchboard is 202-224-3121 - Folks who are "represented" by Republicans need to let them know how unacceptable this all is. Ditto for Democratic representatives. Let's flood the zone, instead of allowing them to threaten us with drowning.
Switchboard wasn't working yesterday. My email to the White House came back as "permanent error". I'd like to see us demonstrate locally and everywhere. Maybe silently and with dignity, as "witnesses". I've taken out my pussy hat!
Donnie Dementia is determined to destroy our democracy by TAKING OUR TAX DOLLARS THAT FUND THESE PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE AND INSTEAD KEEP OUR TAX DOLLARS TO CUT TAXES FOR THE WEALTHY! He’s a Con and a Crook who will rob us blind!
Robert, please read this. It is getting lots of comments. I posted this to your last post.
People need to do something. They are suffering. They are hysterical. They keep reading all these post and told to continue to fight..but it’s not helping them.
How about organizing a disrupter for the White House. And Congress... here is the White House switch board number. 202-456-1414
I don’t have one for Congress..assuming they have a central switch board. We need about 10 million people to start calling at noon and continue calling for days.
Just jam the lines.
Also need a catch phrase. STOP THE MADNESS? Just a suggestion.
Any ideas?
Got it! Thanks for the phone number. I’ll give it a try. Also, Jessica Cravewn from Chop Wood, Carry Water suggests this as a current action to make with our Democrat Senators : Hi, my name is _____ and I want the Senator to fight Trump’s illegal actions with everything s/he’s got. Trump is shredding the Constitution, breaking the law and violating the separation of powers.
I want the Senator to use every tool available to grind Senate business to a halt until Trump stops attacking the constitution. This includes:
—Opposing all Trump administration nominees
—Denying any requests for Unanimous Consent
—Opposing all Cloture Votes
—Requesting a Quorum Call at every possible opportunity
Will the Senator commit to refusing any cooperation until this unconstitutional power grab is stopped? I’d like a response in writing, please.
I'm screwed! I'm in Florida. Need I say more?
Hell, I'm in Canada but he still scares the crap out of me. I'd look forward to his demise but then you're left with Vance and that's it's own can of worms.
Please call anyway, Marsha. Your R senators need to hear from all their constituents. Remind them that you’re watching their every move.
Absolutely! (202) 224-3121 That’s a main line phone that will get you to your Senators. Go for it!
Stop this spam!We have real problems w/o this!
Steve Bannon is the mastermind behind the tactic. Flood the Zone, issue so many EO's and Memo's that it is impossible to respond to them all, and while people and groups are trying to organize and file suit, by the time they do,if the Supreme Court does not rule in the favor of Trump, the rest of the EO's and memo's will be locked down.
Like a Machine gun, only more effective, fire 100 bullets and a couple are bound to hit the mark.
It is like fighting the Palisades fire., this is the Bannon tactic.
report it to substack on its profile, and block it.
I know how you feel. I am in Ohio and my senators are both Trumpers but I still try to contact them.I tried to call both of them earlier today and was told that they weren't taking calls and their mailboxes were full so I wrote them. I just want them to know that this is NOT ok and that I did not vote to have a dictator installed and I am sure many others are feeling the same way.
You can email too.
I tried emailing a new Ohio member of Congress. His website did not even include a way to email!!! Aghhh!
Yeah. My Republican Senator also tries to insulate himself from us. there is a way, however: Find their HOME ADDRESS, and write to them a firm and polite letter. [Watch out, no threats of violence! but let them know that you are VERY displeased]
Just letting them know that you are not alone and things are coming to a boiling point may be enough to make them mind their Ps and Qs: The 'threat' is that you know where they live *and* you know that many folks are really pissed off and may eventually move to actions against them.
While the threat is not actionable, they get the message.
Senators; (202) 224-3121
Give it a try once a week. It’s worth it!
I used to be from Ohio…thanks for trying your best!
Great work. Wish all people with Trump Senators would do the same. In any state our silence equals consent, alas.
Applause, now a CCRL at the dept. of homeland security...online same title...take a pic and save it or download it. Put the road out this is a tremendous complaint to get others to do with you. I was affected, infected for hypertension sucks to be me.
What is a CCRL?
Do you mean the CRCL form?
Bravo, woman! We are so lucky you are active .
Who did you vote for? For president and for reps in your state?
They need to hear from people who disagree with them!! Call them anyway.
Yes, you are exactly right. If we do not let them know we disagree with them, we are complicit in their choices.
I’m in Georgia 😢-at least we have Senators Warnock and Ossoff on our side! The only save we have collectively is that these bozos don’t know how government works or the power of the people!!
Senator Warnock was stellar today in his 5 minutes at the confirmation hearings of RFK, Jr.
He is always spectacularly "steller" !!!! (A CA supporter of both your senators..)
Be politically active anyway! Your action or inaction affects all of us!
I live in Massachusetts and trump is going after us....
.become the crusader to get others like us to also file it's called a form CCRL, online at Department of Homeland Security...be sure to download it, to submit... This is our time to show strength, the citizens of the USA with diligence and faith, yours and others will benefit!
Of course he is. He's aiming at destroying the entire effing world.
I disagree, Judy. They may be bozos but they know how to disrupt and where,. They have Project 2025.
Hello Ann Marie. I have never believed in book burning but... since the Project 2025 came out.... maybe ... I'm starting to change my mind. Ha. Not really. Everyone should read this piece of fascist garbage for what it is. I have seen bits and pieces of it in the media reports but I am looking find a free copy so I don't have to give my hard earned money to the Fascist Heritage Foundation if I don't have to.
Cheers... GH
Here is the link to the full document:
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24088042-project-2025s-mandate-for-leadership-the-conservative-promise/&ved=2ahUKEwjHzauKxZyLAxXWlYkEHedbFQwQFnoECB8QAQ&usg=AOvVaw0tZXXG4RDiMDqQ7ThxOV-M
Autocracy Inc. and its President is Trump
There were copies online. I didn’t read it all because it was too stressful and frightening. Maybe T’s techbros erased it.
A sad scenario for the country.
If, you counted all of the GOP, and all Trump's crusader's your filing with the Department of Homeland Security would build the numbers to take on such a removal to steer the power...become the crusader to get others like us to also file it's called a form CCRL, online at Department of Homeland Security...be sure to download it, to submit... This is our time to show strength, the citizens of the USA with diligence and faith, yours and others will benefit!
The power of the people means nothing w/o the support of the military. Remember Cory Aquino? The military supported her, so her protest succeeded. No guns backing her protest would've meant failure.
Yeah. Me too in Missouri.
If you don't call, they will think they're doing the right thing. Call them.
They won’t think they’re doing the right thing, they will think we don’t care
That too!
or are not watching and otherwise paying attn to their dirty deeds..
They already think they are doing the right thing. They will just think they're getting away with it if we do nothing.
Well said!!!!
self-confidence leads to super conscious powers!
I'm in MO. Not much better off.
Silence will be construed as agreement. Call them.
We don't have to restrict our calls and email to only our own senators/reps... We can contact any others we feel need to "get our point".
Biiiig hug!
I hear ya. I'm in Kansas, home of dark money and the Heritage Foundation!
Move?
You can still write to any Senator/congress person about these malignant "hearings"!
You *think* you are, Marsha. But if they have to deal with hundreds of calls, so are they, screwed.
Yes. You need to say to them that you do not approve! They. Represent. You. Your states are exactly the ones who need to hear from people who don’t agree with them.
enjoy the snow?
Ditto with me in Ohio. Totally screwed.
I certainly hope that works for you. I’m all for it. But at this point in time, I believe we need a Martin Luther King tactic.
We need a big show of millions of people fed up with the way things are happening. Just writing your congressman is great, fine, wonderful.
But it doesn’t feel like enough. I don’t know if he read it. I hope he did.
We need action. Coordinated action. That is why I’m asking the big subcription participants to put their money where their mouth is.
You want my 5 bucks? Fine, give me something that I can do that will make a big impact.
Just my opinion. I could be wrong.
As was suggested by someone who experienced the autocratization of Hungary: we need a new charismatic democratic leader to champion democracy, who people will follow. Who this new leader should be, I don’t know.
Will do this tonight with glee! Currently looking for the best places for Americans to move outside of the US. Can't stay when I see nothing being done to stop this complete madness. :|
Now is not the time to jump ship or Trump wins. Nobody should resign out of protest, that gives Trump administration what they want. We need to stay and fight. We may not make headway all at once but we need to be patient and persistent. It’s worth fighting for. Overcoming Trump administration will make the constitution stronger than before.
A few years ago, Germany seemed to be a good place with a healthy democracy. But because Muskrat is pouring money into the AfD neonazi party, we could see a repeat of the 1930s there.
I saw some film footage of him at a rally there. The crowd was exuberant. Scary stuff.
Don't let these treasonous punks scare or run you out of YOUR OWN COUNTRY!!
It used 2B YOUR country, but now it's not. It belongs to The Heritage Foundation & the Military Industrial Complex.
trying hard as they might, NOT YET!!!
Indeed, that goes deep, not sure why my resistance -to not want to accept that, that a magic or just another fire trick...;how many plays he makes in a month- part of the his big ah ha...I don't trust nor do I see a diligent trustworthy cabinet standing with him, nah ah. Does the military get shut down, to protect; We the people, who can answer this? Do we wait for warmer weather too, it's a good time to start neighborhood coops; rationing; ideas, and forming things like crew; where; who and when?
i did that the day after coronation, no response yet, although rubio got almost unanimous consent to be secretary of state. so i guess that was a response of sort.
Excellent! I’m on it and sending it to friends!
Call senators or write! Thune.senate.gov
and make the response (re:above) to Republican senators, also.
Got it! Passing it on.
Thanks for the information
Time to spend some money and buy the eggs..and throws them 😉
Canada here. Went shopping today, our shelves are full of eggs at an average cost of about $3.00 US a dozen. Would love to throw a bucket load at this (cruel) joke of an administration.
GO Canada, GO!
Wait, what?
Troll
Don't know where you buy your eggs, but I'm in Canada as well and $3.00 eggs are nowhere to be found here in BC. I buy free run eggs and they're over $7.00 a dozen.
The price I quoted was in US dollars - with the exchange that equals about $4.30 Cdn for a dozen from the supermarket (Montreal). I also buy free range directly from a local farmer at $8.00.
Free run eggs are more expensive.
No shade on you Maureen or anyone else concerned about grocery prices. But, I'm really tired of the constant bellyaching about egg prices. I know they are being used as an example of inflation. So just buy and eat something else. Sometimes I go for a month and don't eat an egg. Many other foods are rich in protein too.
The bird flu seems to be killing flocks across the country and I feel sorry for the farmers having to deal with this. And now with DT's crazy ideas about how to run our government I doubt they will get any help from the Federal Gov at any level.
One thing we can be sure of is that DT and his anti-American congress will never clamp down on the price-gouging middlemen and corporations who are the ones really running up grocery prices.
We keep telling the farmers and ranchers that the GOP really doesn't give a crap more about them than it does for people working in the cities. They never learn. Cheers... GH
I totally agree. My comment was intended to indicate that comparing the cost of battery eggs to to that of free run eggs was an invalid comparison.
Pls stop giving us even more reasons to want to move up there with you fabulous Canadians!
Cruel in indeed, it's Trumps and Republicans, almost their favorite thing next to tax cuts for the very rich, everyone else? your simply not invited
Wait until they're rotten.
LOL 😆
Write to your representatives in both houses of Congress. Seek out the organization Indivisible.org and look at what they are doing, and join, if you feel compelled and can afford to spend whatever you can, and keep in touch with the news. We've gotten back into Rachael Maddow and read Dr Reich's posts, and read the BBC. We also subscribe to the NYT and WaPo, although I will be cancelling my WaPo online subscription. Furthermore, we will be reading The Guardian and the New Yorker as well. However, there can also be news overload, so to speak, so we shall figure out what suits us. LOts of sources are free or little cost, so that works for us.
Just sent this letter to house, senate, and congressional reps:
Good afternoon,
As a Medicaid recipient I’d like to request an inquiry into the federal funding freeze memorandum which was rescinded today. The time frame involved in the action Trumps White House took on this memorandum execution yesterday having federal data programs off-line for 12 hours raises serious concerns for data protection and HIPAA Rights as a Medicaid recipient.
The concerns are broadly based on the recent TikTok banning and how the owners of that platform shut down early before the deadline for 12 hours and when the content was again available online- the servers had been redirected.
This is quite well known in the IT industry for large (federal programs shut down yesterday) platforms to take between 10 to 12 hours to complete a “redirect” onto other servers for data collection and management.
If it is true that Doge is wanting access for oversite to find funding cuts this would make a lot of sense that they performed this action yesterday during the 12 hours all platforms were down.
This also would mean my Medicaid HIPAA private information along with millions of others have been compromised without federal oversight or congressional approval.
I respectfully request that an immediate inquiry is made on behalf of myself and any other concerned Medicaid recipient.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Too bad they couldn't find some more money to reduce the deficit - like maybe taxing the rich fairly instead of giving them huge tax breaks. I guess that is too complicated an idea for Trump/Musk/Vance to wrap their heads around.
They plan to reduce the deficit while cutting or eliminating taxes on the rich by eliminating some services and hiving the rest off to the states. If the states can't afford them, too bad.
Interesting that the 27th the day prior all inspectors were “fired” which are who should be investigating any unusual handling of federally protected information which was redirected to private servers.
Thanks for this!
I wish I could restack this. I don't think you can do that with comments. It's brilliant!
If you go to my profile I posted it - it’s restackable
Thank you! I did it.
Many magazines and newspapers are available free at your library, no paywall. At least they are for now. Idk if the federal funds freeze will affect our public libraries.
I’m totally with you!
I certainly hope that works for you. I’m all for it. But at this point in time, I believe we need a Martin Luther King tactic.
We need a big show of millions of people fed up with the way things are happening. Just writing your congressman is great, fine, wonderful.
But it doesn’t feel like enough. I don’t know if he read it. I hope he did.
We need action. Coordinated action. That is why I’m asking the big subcription participants to put their money where their mouth is.
You want my 5 bucks? Fine, give me something that I can do that will make a big impact.
Just my opinion. I could be wrong.
Trump is poking the bear with these cruel and outrageous EOd to get us fuming mad so he can then take invoke martial law.
Yes, keeping up with the news is a part-time job these days.
I hope you've also discovered MIdas Touch Network, another great substack. I know what you mean re info overload. They publish via email throughout the day so followers will have updates. They have guests from other substacks and also do a YOU TUBE series. I've finally figured out how to use parts of what they offer, in combination with R Reich and a few others so there's some balance & and broad range of perspectives without losing so much time on this stuff every day. They have free subscriptions but they are also giving Faux a real run for the money re You Tube views, etc., so they're hoping to continue adding subscribers to continue flipping the youknowhwat at faux, but also enable their goal of adding Canada and other countries to their coverage. (As you've probably noticed, quite a number of Canadians engage here! I think the more of us, no matter where we're located is fabulous in terms of what we can do together and learn from each other!) In case it's helpful: . https://meidasnews.com/page/about-us
And overload their email inboxes. Plus, take a leaf out of the MAGA playbook and dox them.
idk about doxing I like "when they go low we go high"
Which, so far, has gotten us nowhere. We’re stuck in this sandbox time to start throwing sand.
We have to stop being so nice. We are up against evil. But I do not agree with doxing.
What does dox & doxing mean & what is the origin?
From Duck Duck Go AI
Doxxing, also spelled doxing, is the act of publicly revealing someone's private information, such as their home address or phone number, without their consent, often with the intent to harass or intimidate them. This practice can involve gathering information from various online sources and is generally viewed negatively due to its potential to cause harm to individuals.
It's awful. It's what the did to the judges and clerks at Trump's trials in NY.
It’s now us or them. I was thoroughly sickened at the sight of Biden and Harris at Trump’s inauguration, especially in the sight of the invasion of Congress 4 years ago.
no democrat should have attended the coronation. it was a slap in the face to our constitution and loyal citizens who value democracy and the rule of law.
biden had every right to jail dumpster when he stole the classified documents. any other ex-employee in the federal gov't or military would have been treated that way. so now we have this. way to go joe
Considering that Biden also had classified documents at his home (even though he returned them when asked) it would be a bit of hypocrisy to jail Trump over this. However, he could have jailed Trump over the insurrection and he should have.
He didn't have a bathroom full of unsecured file boxes of classified rich documents. Take your "What abouts" elsewhere.
That's a case of false equivalency. Biden's was inadvertent and as soon as he knew about it, the docs were returned. NOT THE SAME THING!
Doesn’t work that way. Perhaps it will be the way this current regime behaves.
Doesn't work with bullies. You gotta bully back. Unfortunately.
I never agreed with Michelle O when she said "when they go low we go high". That doesn't work. When they go low we go lower...right in the gutter with them! That's all they understand. But nothing illegal and no doxxing. That will backfire.
Zee Zee,
My husband, who is English, says that when indignities of this magnitude occur in Europe, the way people deal with them is to withhold their labor. In other words, a general strike. We don't have as many unions as we used to, but the unions could certainly lead on this. If not, maybe Move On or Indivisible. There needs to be a central focus for this. Americans aren't so used to doing this kind of thing but it seems like a good time to start. Hope this helps.
My husband suggests doing what some did during the Viet Nam war: stop paying taxes, but massively. My preference would be to "witness"; demonstrate silently, massively, with dignity. Massively is important. No enabling them calling us Antifa. I've taken my pussy hat out.
I know many can’t afford not to work but those oligarchs need workers and investors. If people stopped working for oligarchs and stopped investing in their companies…
Good idea and we should also do the same to our representatives, especially those in red states. A phone call instead of email would be more of an attention getter.
Try to get through!
Great idea to jam the phone lines – how do we coalesce to urge people to do this? My sisters have gone into "internal exile" and say they are "too overwhelmed to look at the news or do anything about it." So frustrating! I have been calling Democrat senators and Republicans and practically yelling at them to get up, speak out, and be outraged – and to make the headlines. Every effing headline I see is the ugly face of Trump and I'm disgusted by him! I'm not afraid of him – I'm a petite grandma who is pissed off!
JBP,
I'm a petite grandma too. One of the things I've been doing is sending selected action items to friends and relatives. Just a few so they're not overwhelmed. I do it by email. So far they've been appreciative. I think if you act as a clearinghouse for them you might get results. Good luck!
I called the White House switchboard a few times yesterday. The "office was closed" and no leaving a message was allowed. The message said to email the White House and I did so. The email came back to me as a permanent error. Just saying.....Hard to jam lines and email addresses that no longer exist or are functioning.
Then we need to find other ways to flood them. Snail mail comes to mind but I'm sure there are other ways. How about everyone trying to make reservations at Mar-a-Lago or his golf clubs all at the same time?
Yeah, he claims Mar-a Lago is the Southern White House so it’s fair game.
How about 'Lady Liberty Needs You'?
What should we say?
Ask them what the hell is going on? That's all, smother them in calls
Tell them it's illegal for Trump to impound money allocated by Congress. Furthermore, these programs are critical for people's well-being and withdrawing the money is cruel and uncalled for. The majority of Americans support these programs.
I have wondered too. But now I think we should say that we think Trump's power grabs are an absolute emergency, but we don't see enough congress members acting like it. The number one priority needs to be stopping him. I don't see that happening.
Check out Jess Craven Chop Wood, Carry Water on Substack. She posts specific things to do and what to say. It will help you get started. https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/chop-wood-carry-water-129-a2d?r=41p0j&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Someone on Substack proposed that we urge the Democrats to boycott the confirmation process as leverage. Would/could that actually work? If so, we can flood them with calls demanding they don't participate in the process. I'm afraid, however, that isn't legal?
I think the Republicans have too many votes for that to make a difference.
No, it will not work.
Already have been!
I am close to catatonic with fear. I have worked in the tax field for over 35 years, 4 of which were at the IRS (back in the 90's). Trump is playing with fire and he's about to throw gasoline on it. If he messes with IRS funding, employees, rules/regulations, this country will suffer greatly. As it is and will continue with his other insane actions. STOP THE FRUMP (Felon Trump?). As for disruptors, can we SWAT the white house? How about turning off utilities to the white house? How about everyone mails an empty box to him at white house - that will keep his minions busy.....
I'm afraid the GOP majority is not listening. I do like the initialisms: STM of MAGA or FUBARs will get even worse.
Zee Zee Writer: I think you are on the right track. Trump is already creating chaos. The more that is linked to him the better.
Trump has the huge advantage for him of having no commitment to principles, concern for others, and lying every time he opens his ranting mouth. He also has financial backing from the greedy wealthy who manipulate him. The opposition need more well regarded famous and wealthy people who speak out against him.
Sign up for Indivisible. They have very detailed action items at least weekly. More right now. Run by former congressional staffers who understand what motivates legislators. Tip 1: Calls have more sway than emails. Put your reps in your phones. You will be calling constantly.
The most important lesson from the last 24 hours is that everyday people speaking up works! There are bigger battles to fight like getting rid of Citizens United, but for now, we can't forget that writing and calling and protesting still works when enough of us choose to act.
The SC reversed their decision on Roe so it’s possible to reverse their decision on Citizens United. Something for later.
pigs at the trough will not tip it over.
Wish I could restack this.
So what are we to do? All of this is creating anxiety, stress and worry about what is happening here in our country. Are we done now as a Democratic Republic? Has the orange man won and we are now in a dictatorship or oligarchy or what? I try to remain calm and hope those that can will take him to court and the judges will rule according to the Constitution and our laws; however, I am repeatedly told he has bought all of the judges, too! If those in power who said they stood for America and the Constitution are that easily bought, it spells trouble for all of us.
Your frustration is shared by many, Peggy Freeman. The most basic “mind-shift” needed right now is to realize that WE are not entitled to Democracy. I am done with operating from that naive premise. I WANT to live in a Democracy. So I must WORK to make that happen, to make that birth into existence. The New-Deal-American Era we grew up in is over. It has died from power-mongering, Planter-Class Supremacists out-maneuverings engaged voters who felt entitled to democracy, and a whole bunch of eligible voters who lost their faith in America a long time ago, and are content to watch porn and cat videos while the barricades are breached. We are left needing to craft -in-real-time- fighting responses to a firehose of shit. For many of us now, We either prove we are capable of crafting a democracy to wrench away from the grip of the oligarchs, or we die trying. We are not the first group of humans to need to fight like hell to preserve the Light of Democracy. If we are strong-hearted, we won’t be the last. Pushing back on duplicitous members of congress we worked to get in office is going to be a daily job.
I understand, MLRGRMI. I feel so frustrated! I have joined many groups and organizations. I write letters, make phone calls and sign petitions. At 72, I am trying my best to do all that I can. It's just that sometimes it gets very depressing. I am angry and it is hard to control that anger. I use it to push on and keep fighting. Sometimes I wonder how many are fighting. I so want to be strong, but I am so sad today. Everything has been coming at us every single day since that man took office with no let up in sight! You are right. We are not entitled to a Democracy, we must want to live in a Democracy. I know that I do. Your words were quite powerful and motivating and I needed to hear them. Thank you for giving me the impetus to keep going.
Peggy,
You are entitled to feel angry and depressed. We all are. Take whatever time you need to feel better. This is a marathon and we're not going to see results quickly. Just remember that the Chinese, the Republicans, etc. all play the long game. We must as well. Live your life while you fight. Don't let them take it from you. (I am 74, so in a similar boat.)
Thanks, Paula, I appreciate you!
Ditto to you, Peggy.
I feel the same way! Husband and I are daily making phone calls, posting on social media, calling Republican and Democrats, is it working? What groups can we join? Why aren't there people in elected offices screaming that this is a effing five alarm fire?
AOC is, but I think she's about the only one.
Elizabeth Warren, Rev. Warnock, Ron Wyden, Sen Sanders and Sen Whitehouse are just a few who are working very hard to preserve our Democracy!
They're waiting for trump to implode. He's already backtracked today from his federal grant and loan freeze. He'll be back at it of course, but we'll see more of this backtracking as his own voters actually experience the impact of his actions: Medicaid? funding of local police & public school programs? Meals on Wheels? Rural hospital funding frozen? To name a few....His own voters will be massively unhappy. Dem leaders know this. It's actually a good thing that trump has shown his true stripes so soon and has gone so big. He's scaring his own supporters. Good!
PBS? Public libraries?
JBP,
Indivisible has many chapters around the country. I would start with them.
Hi Peggy. I'm an elder also. When I reflect on my younger self when I was working 12 hour shifts as an RN in hospital, raising my daughter as a single parent, and running our household without any help, I realize that I wasn't very involved in what was going on in government, politics, etc. I really had no time. Now that I'm retired I do have the time for these things and I'm going to try to be involved and active in doing what I can to save our Democracy. Best of luck to you in your efforts to do the same.
Thank you, Fatarae! Best of luck to you, too! What you said made me stop and think. In our middle years, we were working hard and raising our families so, you are right, we didn't have time for government and politics, etc. Do you think that is why so many are simply not connected or engaged in what is going on right now? Those in their middle years are too busy trying to keep food on the table, keep their jobs and raise their families? I wonder what kind of messaging would alert them to the problems we are facing right now?
This is so important, making that shift from expecting something (privileged mentality) to realizing we have to fight for it. Can I share your comment here in my main feed?
Peggy, as drump's niece Mary has declared, her uncle is an empty suit with none of the virtues of an effective leader of a back-alley ball game. His strongest trait is to strike fear into the hearts of the governed, as he brainwashes them to death, as with his $3T funding freeze. He just grabbed our attention with a clue as to what may come next. To keep citizens off balance is his scheme.
I know, Dennis. I just had a hiccup. I'm okay, I will keep fighting. Thank you.
He's scaring his own supporters. Good!
You'd think the would have realized they have the short end of the stick. The BBC had Gov. Sununu on their news tonight talking about the enormity of the deficit, and the reporter didn't even ask him how that might be quickly satisfied by hiking some taxes on the rich.
It’s time to act !
Peggy, take heart! The 47 hasn't appointed all the judges. One appointed by Reagan has emphatically blocked the manaical presidential order freezing federal funds. Many people are protesting loudly and to their elected federal leaders. We the people must show we' have the grit to persevere. Some D pols are asking for campaign funds for this year. One could get excited if one were excitable. At 88, I have the grit but not the tinder to be inflamed.
Am 90, George. Your grit...as well as your tinder are still burning brightly..urging us all to stay in the fight for our democracy! Thank you for your rousing heartfelt words, dear sir!
Fight on!
Hi George, I’m 92 and encourage you to keep fighting as long as possible!
We are all needed.
Omahelen....I salute your courage...your intestinal fortitude...
Seems you.and George still have." grit and tinder" aplenty!
God Bless you both 🤗
Thank you, George! I did take heart when I learned that a Reagan appointed judge blocked that idiot's order to freeze federal funds. Like you (I'm 72), I have the grit but most definitely not the tinder!
He is a dictator, people are in denial. People wont believe it until he disbands the fig leaf of congress altogether and the Supreme Court backs him, probably within the year. The republicans will happily fuck off to the private sector, and by then all the dems will be in prison for treason anyhow thanks to Kash Patel. The voters were warned, theres nothing to do now but watch as they burn the country to the ground.
That's all possible, but I'm not sure it's useful to predict it. Other things could happen.
The fact that its possible at all should terrify everyone. People are still not taking the threat seriously enough, its a big problem.
Peggy,
Pressure works. Look at how T backed down today. Sure, he'll come back with some nonsense, but we keep at it. He's not invulnerable. We need to pressure our representatives, boycott, strike, mock, pressure corporations. We need to tell stories about people who have been harmed by his policies and use them to pressure people with power. Even more, find ways to make them insecure. For example, for representatives in purple districts, show how the actions are upsetting voters. Even in red districts this is possible (e.g., with abortion rights). Hit them where it hurts. They're all vulnerable, even Musk. Remember Gandhi and Mandela. The little guy can win.
Perhaps his plan is to inundate us all.by a scattershot of attention getting edicts...
Chaos is his food & drink! He simply does not know, nor does he care that these edicts are unlawful...but, in.his tortured mind...if he says it...it becomes law. He is the law now...in all things. That seems to beg the question to a much bigger problem. Is this man mentally competent to hold this office? A proposed cabinet of such ridiculously.unqualified misfits? Is he trying so blatantly to sink this ship of state with the most unqualified synchophants he can scrounge around to find in Washington D.C.?. Is this the level of acceptance citizens of this country are settling for?
I remember a different time in the history of our country...a time to be proud we answered bravely...with pride, great.pride. That time is past, sadly.
He is trying to inundate us. It's called shock doctrine. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Shock_Doctrine. And these unqualified people are there to help him decimate the federal government and remake it to his advantage. I have been reading a lot about this lately.
Well said and as always spot on, Paula! Thanks!
He hasn't bought ANYONE. Remember, Ms. Freeman: there is NO honor among theives . . . or greedy losers! Bunkerboy may THINK he can buy people with President musk's money, but they are ALL out for themselves.
Often I would like to think, protecting democracy is the course they feel obligated to take. Just look at all the judges tanking Tubby's orders.
trump has overreached and he just back down from his federal grant freeze. He'll go at it again, but let him be outrageous for a little while and see what happens when his supporters who rely on federal monies start to feel the pain. This WILL happen. No medicaid; no food stamps; no $ for rural hospitals or local police; no $ for local schools, disaster relief, Meals on Wheels. Egg prices will be nothing when they experience what's coming. It's trump's voters who are the most vulnerable. Forgive me, but I say good. Let's win in 2026 and then fix things...if things are able to be fixed.
Depressing to find out that the Trump justice department will probably drop criminal charges against our Democratic NYC mayor who went to Mar=a-lago to beg for help. The corrupt are ganging up on us, and it's just the beginning.
Thank you Professor Reich for seeing, understanding, and explaining the mechanisms at work here. Visualizing the larger picture is vitally important to avoid getting mired in the sludge being dumped on our country by trumpco. Many Thanks!
Congratulations, you're living through a major moment in history. This is a historic authoritarian takeover. The breadth of the direct attacks on the constitution and law is astonishing. Republican lawmakers are onboard the MAGA regime takeover. Democratic lawmakers are struggling to find a way to push back effectively and avoid just be dragged along with the outrage of the hour.
To be clear presidential impoundment of funds allocated through law by Congress is unconstitutional and has always been unconstitutional. This was confirmed in Train vs New York and reinforced in the 1974 Impoundment Act, which provides direction for handling excess funds when something in the budget is completed or cancelled because it can't be completed.
It is illegal to fire or punish civil servants for political reasons. Retaliating against government lawyers for doing the work they were assigned is illegal. Threatening civil servants for doing work that they are illegally obligated to do by Congress is illegal. The buyout offer is illegal without Congressional authorization. Using the inspector general office to exact retribution is illegal.
So this is an unconstitutional and illegal power grab. Impoundment would mean the budget and appropriations passed into law by Congress are suggestions and the president could refuse to spend in order coerce concessions from Congress on everything. Our elected representatives would become useless. This administration is challenging the law by simply ignoring it. But it's doing so on a scale that is bound to challenge the courts capacity, creating a crisis that Trump can use to delegitimize the courts. I expect him to ignore the courts and challenge them to enforce the Constitution and laws.
Finally by pardoning the J6 criminals and withdrawing security from prominent former government officials who are at risk from terrorists, the message of violent retribution is being communicated to everyone. The regime's extrajudicial mass deportation and threats to punish anyone who obstructs or doesn't help ICE is a window into the future.
It's time to impeach. What are they waiting for?
It would take a majority of the House to impeach. Not going to happen.
A Democratic majority, which we can get in 2026 if we play our cards right.
Unfortunately it's the House that initiates an impeachment, and the Republicans in the House are a bunch of spineless sycophants. Gawd I hate to think we have 2 more years of this insanity.
Have you noticed how many of the J6 criminals are being rearrested? And one was shot dead by police. My understanding is that at least a fifth of them already have criminal records. They will commit more crimes and T won't be able to pardon them unless they're federal. He won't anyway because he's already made the gesture. He doesn't care about some random jerk who's stupid enough to fall for his lies.
He doesn't give a hoot about them personally except that he wants them free in case he needs a militia. That's my take at least, and I think that's why he pardoned them in the first place.
Remember that he doesn't do anything that he doesn't benefit from personally. Quintessential narcissist.
Exactly.
Democrats are holding their fire until they see the whites of their eyes. It's very good that they're not responding to every detail of trump's so called "shock & awe". Let's recall that W's "shock & awe" was a failure. trump's will be too. It's good that he's come out of the gate being so outrageous, heartless, unsettling and obnoxious. Who's it going to hurt most...and quickly? His own supporters. They're feeling the fear even more than we are. They'll have to live without federal services, food stamps, medicaid, local funding of police and schools....and egg prices will rise (because of bird flu). Inflation and consumer confidence will not make for a happy 4 years. Good! Some already regret their votes. And some who said they disliked trump but could see their way to vote for Kamala are also seeing the light...and quicker than I expected. I know some of them personally.
Spot on!
According to Heather Cox Richardson, there are about 11 to 16 Republican senators who are overt maga supporters.
That means the rest of the R senators MAY be open to hearing people’s concerns about the signs of collapse of systems infrastructure, and democracy.
Never assume anything.
Keep up connecting (in whatever way possible) with both Senators and House reps.
They need to know that “we the people” have a voice and are a force…
greater than the maga cult voice.
Thank you Robert for this
forum for informing,
connecting and belonging.
Spot on, Jeff.
Could NOT see their way to vote for Kamala.....
Robin, can edit with the 3 dots to the right.
Good to know!
My name is Orange Menace. I can do anything I want- no one can stop me, as ought to be apparent by now. I have never been held accountable for my actions & never will be. The constitution, courts, laws & historic precedent may be ignored- no one dares to cross or punish me. Those journalists, editorial cartoonists & others in the mainstream media who are quitting in protest are helping me by quieting their voices. When I finish installing my sycophants (I mean loyalists) at all levels of government, resistance will be futile. Division, hate & fear will continue to motivate & gratify me. If mass protests arise, I only need to order my military to quash the evil within. Remember that I also have a number of armed paramilitary groups as well as many citizen-patriots who are standing by, knowing that I am the greatest, chosen by god to lead. My legislators & supreme court have learned to obey like sheep, & soon the rest of you will follow. Time will tell.
Remember the Romanovs. Bolsheviks can rise again.
👏👏👏👏👏👏
To divide, confuse, stoke fear to the point of paralysis, and dismantle current systems to--conquer. So he can be king. He already told us his plan. He acting on it, and that is the point.
As you predicted a few days ago, t is "overplaying his hand" and none too soon! The people affected (with fear and anger) are speaking out. Someday soon a charismatic spokesperson will arise, one who can make a case against this lawless egotist, would-be dictator, etc.--for impeachment. The R opposition doesn't appear to be large in congress, however. Our drums and chants will have to grow louder by the day.
Well thought out, George!
Keep those thoughts...ideas. coming, please!
Sorry hit send way too soon—here on the frontlines of a turned upside-down city. Everything you say is true. What we must do with lightning speed is build multiple strategies: citizen engagement with clear messaging/protesting; seeking legal recourse and blanketing the Hill with discussions of how to respond. A Musk henchman is controlling the data base at OMB; what we saw Monday is a taste of what’s to come so we need to be ready. What was done at USAID was executed with surgical precision—expect more of that.
Yes, fight NOW to stop them : in court , in the streets with protest and show everyone where this is going to end!!
President Trash purposely creates chaos, keeping everyone off balance and the opposition scrabbling in different directions. The chaos will continue until there is a clear, resolute counter-direction offered that clearly states that we will have a country under the rule of law and we will have a country where there is equity for all and will not tolerate this attempt to create an oligarchy.
Bigger Question is: Can the United States of America’s legal system work well enough to protect its Constitutional republic from a tyrannical dictatorship that Trump wants?
We need good, aggressive lawyers!
weak link: compromised Supreme Court.
Yes. That is where most of the cases will end.
They can't. They don't have the capacity. They can only hear a small number of cases.
Wrong, its where America will end. When the court disbands congress and declares Trump king the Heritage Foundations plan will be complete.
The Capitol Switchboard is 202-224-3121 - Folks who are "represented" by Republicans need to let them know how unacceptable this all is. Ditto for Democratic representatives. Let's flood the zone, instead of allowing them to threaten us with drowning.
Switchboard wasn't working yesterday. My email to the White House came back as "permanent error". I'd like to see us demonstrate locally and everywhere. Maybe silently and with dignity, as "witnesses". I've taken out my pussy hat!
Speaking of permanent errors...
Trump is a class A1 narcissist.
Many people don't understand what they are, it's hard to believe that a person can act, think, be like this
The last this person was in office I looked up narcissism.
Holy cow, it was a term that was being used a lot. I wanted to understand.
Whoa!! A saliloquy of descriptions came up.
Being in a relationship with one is one thing, but our country, being run by one is not good, to say the very least.
He doesn't care about Musk, Robert Kennedy, anyone. He will use them and throw them away like tissue.
No one and nothing matters to them except themselves.
This is saying it simply
You are never intruding. Bless you dear man.
Donnie Dementia is determined to destroy our democracy by TAKING OUR TAX DOLLARS THAT FUND THESE PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE AND INSTEAD KEEP OUR TAX DOLLARS TO CUT TAXES FOR THE WEALTHY! He’s a Con and a Crook who will rob us blind!
Ah, he's already done that, and continues to do so.