OK. Time to file contempt of court citations to the lawyers that have tried to buy time for Trump to avoid having to bring back Abrego Garcia. Make this happen before the Senate has a chance to pass its version.
I'll be really happy if that happens. But I'm not holding my breath. More and more, I'm convinced that we are fast approaching the Black Hole Horizon. I'm so sorry that my children, and especially my grandchildren, will have to live with this. Whenever I was in a tough place in my life, I always comforted my self by saying, "At least I'm not living in a concentration camp. At least I'm not watching my family go into the ovens."
Well, on my darkest days, I wonder if we are close to that point. I'm not an immigrant. I'm not an asylum seeker. I'm not brown-skinned. But I do protest. I do write postcards to voters. I do speak my mind. I worry about people with higher profiles than mine... Robert Reich, Heather Cox Richardson, Bruce Springsteen, Corey Booker, and others who have spoken out in public.
When I hear of immigrants being kidnapped, it turns my heart to ice. These are people who followed the law, who came into the country legally, who were following the proper processes... and they're being spirited away even as they leave the front doors of the courthouse. Bound hand and foot. Thrown into unmarked vans by plainclothes people wearing masks. Cowards. No faces. No ID. Only Trump and ICE know who they are and where these LEGAL immigrants are being kept.
Trump says that ICE can even enter our homes without warrants to ferret out suspected immigrants. Are these really the drug lords, the rapists, the mobs, the "bad hombres" that Trump said he'd be deporting? Like he always has done, Trump lies as a means to get his way... to manipulate people, especially those who are his supporters.
I hope that justice will come soon. But it's becoming a thin hope. And I wish a pox on every single person who voted for him... and especially on those who didn't bother to vote at all.
I will never ever ever forgive the people in the United States who vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. You are the most profoundly dumb, gullible, selfish, racist, misogynistic population segment that this country has ever been saddled with. And I will treat every single one of you, as such, every single day, for the rest of my life. You are disgusting people for what you did to this country.
I didn't vote although I tried. I live in Costa Rica and vote in North Carolina. Both my wife and I were given the run-around for registering and finally received our registration AFTER THE ELECTION! Voter suppression needs to be dealt with.
I am sorry that happened to you, Chris. What is even more frightening is that it is happening to a lot of people that would vote against the orange man and his republican sycophants!
I would include those who vote for incompetent and self-serving Republicans for Congress.
It sounds like the provision would apply to anyone. Perhaps the real intent of the bought-and-paid-for congressional Republicans is not so much to enable Trump's abuse of immigrants, but rather to make it almost impossible to sue large corporations to stop them from bad behavior, such as polluting air or water. Corporate lobbyists are very adept at sneaking harmful provisions that benefit themselves into omnibus bills such as this.
Carolyn,I agree that many large corporations are to blame for this. I have advocated for boycotts as Robert has for a while,but Amereicans don't want to participlate. Europeans do,Australians do,Americans don't. I guarantee that if companies that advertize on Fox,Newsmax,CNBC were boycotted,it would make a difference. When will Americans get their hands dirty,when it is too late?
The Robert's Court will go down in history as one of if not the absolute worst Supreme Court in US History. Citizens United single handedly transferred power and corruption to American Politics. The GOP is bought and paid for 100%. And sadly, many Democrats in Congress and the Senate aren't much better. They come to Washington worth a few hundred thousand and leave Washington worth Millions.
Although I agree with what you mean to say, I can tell you that the root of the problem is that America and media has been upended by the internet and modern technology. When we deregulated the news industry, we allowed major corporations to own multiple news organizations. Think about Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Iheart Media. They own AM Talk Radio and that was the birth of Rush Limbaugh. And then the internet and social Media eliminated small town newspapers. Just last year, another 130 small newspapers shut down.
The reason I say the above is that I grew up in a major metropolitan area. I just recently moved to a small town in Texas. It's another world in the small town. A total news desert. Luckily, ATT just put up a cell tower. Without that tower, I barely was able to use my cell phone as a link to the outside world.
That is why Trump won rural America. It isn't that rural America are bad people. It is because they are not informed and have been lied to. Corporate America has screwed them. They are still doing it with this tax cut.
The antitrust laws have been suspended since Reagan allowing the massive concentration of money and power. Lincoln Square had people look at the tax bill and most of the tax cuts go to just 65 people and their corporations. The out of control concentration of wealth in only 8 years since Trump 1.0 where a majority of the 2017 tax cuts went to just 190 people.
Lazy, selfish, willingly uninformed AND incredibly, incredibly stupid.
You have had it too good... and have no appreciation for all that others throughout our history have struggled and died for so you could have such a wonderful country!!!!
Just move to Russia and leave this country to those who truly appreciate it!!!
Actually you won't have to move... you have almost condemned our country to be another Russia - only worse.
Your comment caused me to laugh after "tearing up" while reading the Professor's post. Although I agree with you, we cannot become "what we oppose. " We must continue to help those individuals who were not provided our philosophies and education.
I just got done writing all 3 of my Congress Critters all 3 Dems:
I am sure you are as opposed to the Budget Reconciliation Bill wending its way through the house, as I am. It is designed to punish the poor. It will destabilize the economy. It will tank the Dollar. And, it has a provision to make it impossible for Courts to enforce a contempt citation. That alone will push us over into a full-blown totalitarian dictatorship.We have already seen some of that with the arrest and indictment of a sitting judge and a sitting Congressional Representative - Not to mention all of the court orders the tRump regime is ignoring.
His military spectacle scheduled for June 14th actually puts an invasion force on the ground in the Nation’s Capitol. Back in December, he floated the ideas of invoking Martial Law and Adjourning Congress. I could see him taking these steps on that day. You and the other Democratic and Independent members of Congress should probably make it your business to be elsewhere on that day. And you need well thought out plans to be able to go into hiding.
These are frightening times. Unless you can figure out a way to talk your colleagues on the other side of the aisle into growing a pair and standing up to him, we may be in the final days of the Republic.
Thank you Donna. You expressed all of this so well. I so agree with you and am back to losing hope and feeling despair even though I will call my congressman. It is absolutely vital that millions of Americans protest on June 14th. I hope too that justice could come soon but I also feel that that hope is hanging by a thread. The level of cruelty just breaks my heart.
I can find it in my heart to forgive those who voted for him and now realize their mistake and repudiate him. I am forever dismayed that they did vote for him, but I can forgive. I cannot forgive the Congress people and Senators who now speak in private that they see him for what he is and are STILL unwilling to go against the Republican Machine that i dismantling the government. WHAT do they think they are going to salvage of their political careers with this going on?
I agree. I think I'm safe for now, but that could change in a millisecond.
Although I'm trying to hold onto hope to give me the strength to fight, I'm very much afraid we're going to have to go through the entire devastating scenario, all the way to the camps and gas chambers, before enough people see what's happening and rise up.
I donate, protest, write postcards, call my senators and representative, and sign my real name. After people like Dr. Reich and other high-profile leaders disappear, they'll come for me. And you.
I will never forgive MAGA for this, or those who didn't bother to vote. Never.
"If wishes were horses, beggars could ride." Isn't that the saying?
It's astonishing to me that millions of Americans don't see what's right in front of them. I'm not talking about the Nazi Trump Cult, I mean ordinary people who won't see the jackboot coming until it's on their necks. I don't know how to wake them up.
I also think Americans can quit beating their chests rah-rah-rah about how brave they are.
I don't know The Ink but I'll see if I can find it. Thanks.
Cory Booker is doing us no favors by voting in favor of corrupt crypto laws and to confirm Charles Kushner. I will never vote for him, should he run for president.
Cory Booker is on our side of the fence often enough. If we off our-siders we''ll be left with more of them. Besides, I'd have to hear why he voted as he did and would he vote the same today?
I'd have kept Senator Al Franken. Act like a child/vote like an adult is good enough for me most days.
Donna,this is so well said. I think that without some very strong pushback,non violent or violent,we are doomed to live in a "Nazi"" environment for a long time.
I've mentioned before - someone once called them a basket of deplorables. That someone was excoriated for that, but it turns out the label was prescient and that they are deplorable beyond belief. Those who did not vote, either through never being involved in civics or thinking there was no need this time, are in their own basket. I'm not sure how to label it.
Hopefully, it's not that many still sold on him! Some just have issues such as 'too many immigrants cross our borders and at least he's doing something to stop the flow'....and 'America's so deep in debt, he (and Musk) seem to understand money and have so much they can save us'...or, 'we don't want anyone's sexuality to be the focus of conversation in schools and don't want such issues in our heads either'.
Americans on the right think if they let go of Trump all these problems will resurface: millions pouring over the border, debt so high we'll go bust, and left-wing moralities will be forced on them again.
Donna, thank you for expressing my own thoughts so eloquently. I'm right there beside you marching in protests, writing postcards, and speaking my mind. And I plan to continue doing so. We cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated. If you've not already joined a group such as Indivisible ( indivisible.org ), please do, and join us in continuing to fighting the good fight.
I do participate in their activities. They are a marvelous group. I also have my own group that writes postcards to our legislators and to voters. In the last eight years, we have written about 52,000 cards all at our own expense. Does it work? Yes! We have seen candidates win after we supported them. In fact, Susan Crawford, who won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, said she credited postcard writers for her win with a margin of 10%.
Some voters did not like either candidate, so they stayed home. Those who voted for the Felon were sexist and racists. Kamala and Tim ran a good campaign but were beat by the MAGA followers and the Felon's Club of Billionaires. The Felon truly committed treason and got away with murder in the true sense of the word. There is no light at the end of the tunnel for this Felon, and the fat lady will never sing. The only end of this Felon will be to pass over to the other side, or have the 14th Amendment kick in.
Should the “Big Beautiful Bill” pass with the provision to prevent the courts from administering justice upon those who break the laws it will destroy what is left of our embattled Constitution and put yet another nail in the coffin of what has been our treasured Constitution for the past 237 years. The passage of this provision will be the end of the Supreme Court’s ability to be an effective and critical part in what was designed to be a system of checks and balances. With the destruction of the checks and balances that were instituted by the framers of the Constitution, we will no longer be “The land of the free and the home of the brave.” The passage of this bill will be noted in history as end of a functional Democracy in the United States. If this provision does not pass as part of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” it will come up again and again in a variety of forms until it successfully becomes the law and ends any pretense of our fulfilling the aspirations so succinctly stated in our Declaration of Independence.
When in 1988 the Mianis River Bridge disaster occurred, Connecticut did not attempt to just repair the collapsed section; it rebuilt a new bridge based on the latest engineering that was designed to withstand any present and future stresses. It was an eight-year project that was undertaken to replace it with a more resilient and wider bridge based on the most modern engineering and construction techniques available.
So, before the Trump regime completes the collapsing of our current economy and political system, it behooves us to take heart to design and prepare to implement a more sustainable, just and humane system to take us into the future. You can explore and comment on those discussions on the “Crisis and Transition, A Common Way forward” Substack at: https://crisistransition.substack.com/ and more specifically at https://crisistransition.substack.com/p/the-time-for-planning-is-now
However, this ongoing destruction of our Constitution nor any new draconian provision can prevent us from creating a better Constitution nor a modern and just economic system. The root of the word “Courage” comes from the French word “Coeur” or heart. No regime can take away the courage of our hearts unless we choose to give up.
The Trump regime will fall, I am sure of it. We are racing towards the economic downfall of the current regime that will gravely impact the lives of 90% of our population be they liberal, conservative or ultra-conservative. We also entering an era of cascading crises or “Polycrisis” triggered by the collapse of our environment which the scientific community is now agrees is progressing far faster than their original predictions. Due to the machinations of the Trump regime, our treasured 237 year old constitution with its 27 amendments is also reaching its tipping point of relevancy and effectiveness. Due we continue to try to amend the Constitution version 1.27 or begin to design Constitution 2.0 in a proactive fashion?
Due to the rapid progression of the polycrisis and the misery it entails, the current authoritarian regime will fall as other regimes have before. When this occurs, it is totally possible that our political Democracy and our economy based on capitalism will be in a wreckage. At that time will we attempt to rebuild on the same failed economic and political system that has let us down or will we build a modern system that can sustain us into the future?
Marc, if I know one thing from past experience, it is the heart of our American citizens is strong. We will NEVER give up or surrender our country to the likes of the orange man and his ilk! Americans are fighters. We have fought injustices since we came into existence and I don't see that stopping now. I agree with you that we must prepare and plan to rebuild our country with a system that will actually sustain ALL of us going forward.
Brett, this time the Constitution did not stand the test of time. It has been gutted and hung out to dry. We should start with the declaration of independence, which is an excellent document, then an economic democracy, and on top of that a reshaped political democracy. The checks and balances of our constitution did pretty well for the first 230 years but now they are insufficient to hold back the greed and lust for power of the oligarchs and those such as Trump and his gang of crooks that do their bidding.
but here's how after the federal courts have been blocked.
The federal government is now totally controlled by Trump and the Republicans in Congress. who are criminal felons engaged in an insurrection.
But the Democrats in control of 15 states have power and can act to begin stopping the insurrection. Then in 2028 after the Democrats win back the presidency, House and Senate and write new law making the Republican party an insurrectionist organization and make all Republican votes in all states illegal and blocked, Democrats can control all the votes so a new Constitution can be easily implemented. No more weak governance by Democrats that permits insurrectionists to run the country.
As much as we may want to despise Trump voters for their selfish and uninformed choices, we need to remind ourselves that we are slipping towards a 99% versus 1% America.
MAGA folks will come to see that they didn’t win last November,
#OnlyBillionairesWonIn2024.
We don’t need to stand nose to nose with them. Instead, let’s go wallet to wallet, because we’ll all be hurting equally.
OK. Time to file contempt of court citations to the lawyers that have tried to buy time for Trump to avoid having to bring back Abrego Garcia. Make this happen before the Senate has a chance to pass its version.
A Glass-1...I agree! The courts need to file contempt charges asap before this bill is approved. I think our only hope will be is if and/or when the democrats take over the house and Senate that they impeach trump immediately and the rest of his sycophants he appointed (can they be impeached?) and then the DOJ arrest them, tries them, convicts them and they all go to prison!!! That would be a really good day to celebrate!🇺🇸🎉🎊
This is spot on. What’s even more chilling is that the Big Beautiful Bill doesn’t just let Trump ignore court orders—it rewrites the rules so judges can’t do anything about it. If no bond was posted, even past injunctions become unenforceable.
I wrote about this provision and why contempt powers matter here, if helpful:
Devin, in other words, we will be completely and totally screwed if this bill passes and with a republican majority in the House and Senate who will do whatever the orange man tells them to do, it seems rather like a done deal.
Authoritarianism never leaves voluntarily. Tiananmen Square, Arab Spring, Russia under Putin, North Korea, pick a future. Blue State governors and AG's stand up for the rule of law, secede or you are complicit with Trump, sold your souls to fascism.
Peggy, as it turns out the procedural method employed by the Republicans to protect their bill from a senate filibuster also requires that no portion of the bill can include a statute which does not apply to the budgetary provisions. The anti-contempt clause has no bearing on the budget and your senator can insist the clause be removed or invoke a filibuster if it not removed by the parliamentarian of the Senate.
Thank you for this information, Larry! My senator is an orange man toady so he would never ask for anything to be removed, he will vote for it no matter how many calls I have placed or letters I have written. In his eyes, I don't matter because I am a Democrat and he is a republican. I do hope that someone reading these comments will read yours and contact their senator that may be more open to doing this. It most definitely needs to be done!
This would be challenged and make its way to the Supreme Court and I predict that even that dim wit Thomas and that proto facist Alito would find it unconstitutional as a violation of the separation of powers.
Maybe scotus will find it unconstitutional but I doubt the vote be be 9-0. Probably will be 7-2 against the provision with Alito and thomas holding out.
Thomas will side with those deep pockets that are providing him a comfy life.
Alito can't give up his dream of a white Christian nation.
Paula, I think you did not understand what you were reading. You don't want lawyers arguing AGAINST the administration's lawlessness jailed. Read MB's comment again.
Devin, I talked with my sister this morning and she said that even if the bill passes, it will not go into effect until 2029 or so. If that is true, everything will be decided in the 2026 election. If Democrats win back the majority in the House and Senate, they could work to dismantle this frightening bill. The first thing they would need to do is get that orange POS out of the White House and remove anyone who allowed this to happen.
It’s a bit of a patchwork depending on the provision:
-The Medicaid work requirements would now kick in December 31, 2026.
-Some of the new tax cuts (like eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay) would start in 2025 and phase in through 2028.
-The permanent extension of the 2017 tax cuts would solidify as soon as the bill is enacted.
Unsurprising considering all the recent cases against this administration: the contempt provision (Section 70302) would take effect immediately. That means federal courts would instantly lose the ability to enforce certain injunctions (including existing ones) if no bond was posted. So even before the economic effects roll out, the institutional ones hit fast.
Optimism is hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something. I am optimistic that we will get our country back - bruised and battered - maybe, but we will get America back. We can either fight and resist like hell or we can let it fall. I will do every single thing I can to prevent America from falling to the likes of an orange despot!
Thank you, Mort! I wish the same for you and your family. It's okay not to be optimistic. The times we are in are extremely worrisome and frightening. I will continue to do everything I can to fight and resist, and I can truly hope that soon you will begin to see better things happening! Stay strong and stay safe!
I understand there a "triggers" called rescissions that will effect Medicare and other government programs EMEDIATELY after the bill is signed. The bill was more than rammed through without hearings or scored since it explodes the deficit.
My understanding is that some of the items that cost money (and thus add to deficit & debt) are specified to expire in 2029, so will provide the "make MAGA voters happy" effect until the current occupant possibly leaves the White House and the Republicans can frame things as taxes going up under a possible Democratic administration. This is the backup plan, in case the primary plan to control how the presumptive 2028 election goes doesn't work out for them.
That’s true! Judges could start setting $1 bonds or even for cents instead of waiving them. But the provision applies to existing cases too, and judges can’t retroactively fix that. Plus, it pushes courts to abandon waivers entirely, even in civil rights cases, just to preserve basic enforcement power.
If you want to keep our democracy, if you want to stop Trump from anointing himself king, call and demand that our courts must not be neutered. Call today, call every day.
And then we must consider next steps.
“What can you do? To begin with, call your members of Congress and tell them not to pass Trump’s One Big Ugly Bill.
While you’re at, demand that they preserve the federal court’s power to enforce their rulings by holding an administration in contempt. (The Capitol Hill switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.)”
I am making those calls today, Michael. With a super majority, the bill may pass anyway and we won't even be able to vote them out! If he becomes the dictator he wants to be, we are totally screwed!
I’m sure you’re right, Peggy. It’s almost guaranteed to pass. That’s why we’re going to need to explore other options, beginning with general strikes. Not just one of them, either. And then, more.
At first, they will only be slightly effective. But as time goes on and more and more people begin to suffer from this regime’s draconian attacks on our rights, our freedoms, our health, our ability to support ourselves and our families, I hope, and I only hope and do not know, more and more Americans will turn away from support for Trump, turn away from passivity, and demand change.
At best, it’s going to be messy and ugly. At worst, we may face a violent reaction from the fascist regime. Innocents may die. But it’s either that or live under the thumb of a vicious madman, his children, his acolytes and his fellow travelers from now until the foreseeable future. Or until everything collapses.
I don’t really have any of the answers, only questions and a gut feeling that much worse is to come.
We need another MLK Jr., we also need someone who can combine an ethical and moral sense with practicality and the ability to inspire and unite the American people. Where we find that person, I have no idea.
Michael, you are right. It is indeed a very dark, difficult future I see before us. If we are to survive, we must work together - all of us - to try and reverse what is happening right now.
I totally agree, Peggy. We either find a way to work together, in spite of our differences, or we fail and fall. Our propensity to form circular firing squads is one of my biggest concerns. That doesn’t happen with the Ťrumpists.
Michael, there is one small bright spot to all of this. I was speaking to my sister this morning and she said that even if this bill somehow passes, it would not go into effect until 2029 or so. If that is true, everything will rest on the 2026 elections.
You are so right Michael about needing another MLK Jr! If only we could find this person! As despondent as I feel, I refuse to give up hope and courage. Thank you.
Let’s give the imbecile a birthday he’ll never forget on June 14th. Deport him, without due process, to El Salvador. And then arrest all of the criminals that are involved with this attempt to destroy our democracy and then write and pass a bill to tax the rich.
Maybe he'll be dead by June 14 . . . We can hope! NPR is always reporting, as a part of their coverage, all the deaths that occur on any given day. It seems to me that lately a lot of the men are dying in their 70s. I think the longevity rate has dropped somewhat. Death to the INSANITY-RIDDEN BOAR IN THE WHITE HOUSE, THE BIGGEST B-O-R-E ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET! Let June 14 be a star too far to reach for this year!
Is that another spelling, a third spelling? A "boar" is a wild, black, scary-looking pig; and a "bore" is someone completely unaware of how others are responding . . . What is a "Boer"?
This is feeling a lot like the standoff during the "Documents" case, where the government was pleading with tRUMP to return the Classified security secrets, and so much time went by with NOTHING being done. That crime was enough to end his position , and prevent another attempt to run for any office in government , and jail him.
I think, Laurie, that the DOJ is completely unaware that Donald Trump is just a regular human being who needs to be reckoned with ( just like the rest of us!). (Duh-uh!)
Is anyone protesting in front of the House and Senate where the "neutering " is happening??
**** Calls are easily ignored and apparently the Republican Representatives don't give a s**t
How about ALL the Democrats showing outrage in front of the House and Senate ... call all the media outlets, broadcast LIVE while you warn about the existential threat this bill is !!
Make a big fuss about it?!?
If I would be there I would take a day off and go there , no doubt about it
Professor Reich: the no kings day protest is too far in the future to have much effect on our incipient king's impending self-annointment. then after he's king, will he decide he is pope? or .. dare i say it ... GOD??
GrrlScientist, he will decide he is dictator. He will stop elections, take away our rights and freedoms, take our money to use for his pleasure and pick and choose who he wants to send to concentration camps/holding cells/detention centers, etc.
GrrlScientist: He's already there. The Founders turned their backs on the Magna Carta, and on 574 years of progress against the monarch, by resurrecting King John of England. Behold.
I wonder how many of us who battle depression on a good day are losing that war because of the feelings of abuse and hopelessness this situation engenders. All I can say to that is you are not alone and we can’t let the bastards win. 😢🙏💕
I would call myself an upbeat positive person. I am logical, usually feel empowered and safe. And I’m not prone to depression.
BUT, that is what I think I’m experiencing. I just said this to my boyfriend through tears yesterday, and I’m tearing up now writing this. I’ve gained back weight I’ve lost despite trying to stay active. It’s hard to enjoy activities, my grandkids, a sunny day.
I feel powerless despite calling/writing my representatives, voting, writing postcards to swing states, protesting, forwarding HCR, Joyce Vance, and Robert Reich’s columns to friends and family and boycotting so many businesses.
I have faced adversity before, am a combat veteran, been a single mom, and so many other normal challenges.
Now feels completely different and I honestly don’t know what more to do.
Cathy, I believe there are a lot of us feeling exactly as you do! Desperation and despair can easily take over, but I want you to remember. Every single person that has written about the orange man's second term told us that things would get really bad. Right now, this is really bad; however, now is when we must continue to do what we have been doing. We cannot afford to let up for even a second! The orange man will continue to hit us 24/7 with outrageous, heinous acts. He feels by flooding us with this cruelty, we will eventually give up and leave him to it. That CAN NOT happen! We must do everything we possibly can. If all of us continue to fight and resist, then all of us will prevail. I know you feel as if you are just one person and simply cannot make a difference, but you do. With every phone call, letter, postcard and protest you are definitely making a difference! Think about this, you are doing all of that, another person is doing all of that and so on and so on. Millions upon millions are doing that and we will prevail, Cathy! It is going to be so hard for a while, but please, don't give up and don't give in to those feelings of desperation and despair. We need you now more than ever! Keep fighting for the America you want! Stay strong and stay safe!
Cathy, I don't want you go give up hope. I too have been crying about this a lot. That's a normal response to cruelty and injustice. Most of us probably have been through a lot of adversity and challenges in our lives and I agree with you that "Now feels completely different". That's because it really is! I know you feel powerless. So do I. BUT....I'd rather die continuing to resist losing our democracy and the values that I hold dear than live under an authoritarian regime. So let's continue to do both. We have to stay strong and courageous together as none of us can do this alone. I'll stand by you. We can feel our hearts breaking and shed enormous tears while using our feelings of anger to keep resisting in any way we can. Sending you a big hug Cathy.
When I get like that I remind myself that everyone and everything that gets born here on Earth will die too. I think it’s in our genes.
All the kings since the beginning of the world and all the presidents and dictators apparently had the same death gene as their subjects had.
I never heard of anyone living forever on Earth because he paid someone off or wore a toupee. Maybe he’s just here to learn that money really can’t buy everything.
Janet, I saw a chat yesterday in which there were more than 600 comments about people being terrified, depressed, and sleepless. There are so many people who are not doing at all well now, including me. I have thought about setting up a support group. Not sure if it would help though.
The ultimate goal for MAGA and Project 2025 is the elimination of non-white, non-straight, non-Christian people, and women shall lose their rights as well. Refer to the Nazi Holocaust for a preview. Women can refer to Handmaids Tales for a preview.Anyone who thinks that can never happen again do not understand history and human nature.
Thanks Roxana, I just want Democrats to know who we are, because it is in writing, be proud of it and promote it. I just don't want us to prove Will Rogers right when he said "I don't belong to any organized Party , I am a Democrat". Our Platform defines us in writing, we can't let others define us. Tom
I'm making new signs to hold...UPSIDE-DOWN AMERICAN FLAG and around it
AMERICA IS IN DISTRESS around that, Medicare Cuts, Medicaid Cuts, Laws Broken, and many more phrases written in red. This will be big enough to read. I ordered the 12x18 inch flags.
I'm giving signs away to folks who show up and need one. The ideas are for everyone to use.
Has anyone read Patriot by Navalny? Is Trump a Russian asset? Is he guilty of treason? I have already contacted my representative and will protest if possible. The Russian question is serious and Patriot is an excellent book.
As a citizen, it chills me to the bone how the Republicans and the Supreme Court have chosen to support DJT as he takes a wrecking ball to our constitution. How can this be happening? Just calling my Senators and Representatives seems like a feeble attempt to curtail this horrific scenario. The Oligarchs and their minions are destroying this country and they don't give a damn about the citizens and the rule of law. Why is this take over progressing so easily?
Thank you for telling us about this provision in this Big Ugly Bill. Big bills are often used to hide odious items like this so it is no surprise. It looks as if this bill will fail and this is another reason it must.
It looks like this is another example of 'flooding the zone' -- a massive abuse of your constitution (I'm in UK) is hidden away in a purposely lumberingly huge bill. We watch in horror from over here. (And it seems our prime minister has lost his moral compass as he crawls along in Trump's shadow. )
Yes they can. Even though the parliamentarian who is democratic will pull it out saying you can't place anything in the budget that isn't budget related, it will then go to the presiding officer, who is Vance who will definitely go against the parliamentarian despite past history of not going against the parliamentarian. Can't filibuster a budget reconciliation, so this will pass in the senate.
OK. Time to file contempt of court citations to the lawyers that have tried to buy time for Trump to avoid having to bring back Abrego Garcia. Make this happen before the Senate has a chance to pass its version.
I'll be really happy if that happens. But I'm not holding my breath. More and more, I'm convinced that we are fast approaching the Black Hole Horizon. I'm so sorry that my children, and especially my grandchildren, will have to live with this. Whenever I was in a tough place in my life, I always comforted my self by saying, "At least I'm not living in a concentration camp. At least I'm not watching my family go into the ovens."
Well, on my darkest days, I wonder if we are close to that point. I'm not an immigrant. I'm not an asylum seeker. I'm not brown-skinned. But I do protest. I do write postcards to voters. I do speak my mind. I worry about people with higher profiles than mine... Robert Reich, Heather Cox Richardson, Bruce Springsteen, Corey Booker, and others who have spoken out in public.
When I hear of immigrants being kidnapped, it turns my heart to ice. These are people who followed the law, who came into the country legally, who were following the proper processes... and they're being spirited away even as they leave the front doors of the courthouse. Bound hand and foot. Thrown into unmarked vans by plainclothes people wearing masks. Cowards. No faces. No ID. Only Trump and ICE know who they are and where these LEGAL immigrants are being kept.
Trump says that ICE can even enter our homes without warrants to ferret out suspected immigrants. Are these really the drug lords, the rapists, the mobs, the "bad hombres" that Trump said he'd be deporting? Like he always has done, Trump lies as a means to get his way... to manipulate people, especially those who are his supporters.
I hope that justice will come soon. But it's becoming a thin hope. And I wish a pox on every single person who voted for him... and especially on those who didn't bother to vote at all.
I will never ever ever forgive the people in the United States who vote for Donald Trump in the 2024 election. You are the most profoundly dumb, gullible, selfish, racist, misogynistic population segment that this country has ever been saddled with. And I will treat every single one of you, as such, every single day, for the rest of my life. You are disgusting people for what you did to this country.
You might add those who didn't bother to vote!-"We all knew that Kamala would win, so why bother"....
I didn't vote although I tried. I live in Costa Rica and vote in North Carolina. Both my wife and I were given the run-around for registering and finally received our registration AFTER THE ELECTION! Voter suppression needs to be dealt with.
I am sorry that happened to you, Chris. What is even more frightening is that it is happening to a lot of people that would vote against the orange man and his republican sycophants!
I put a like on that but had to take it off. I do agree!
Those people are just as culpable as the MAGAts. They should NEVER be forgiven. Full stop.
I would include those who vote for incompetent and self-serving Republicans for Congress.
It sounds like the provision would apply to anyone. Perhaps the real intent of the bought-and-paid-for congressional Republicans is not so much to enable Trump's abuse of immigrants, but rather to make it almost impossible to sue large corporations to stop them from bad behavior, such as polluting air or water. Corporate lobbyists are very adept at sneaking harmful provisions that benefit themselves into omnibus bills such as this.
Carolyn,I agree that many large corporations are to blame for this. I have advocated for boycotts as Robert has for a while,but Amereicans don't want to participlate. Europeans do,Australians do,Americans don't. I guarantee that if companies that advertize on Fox,Newsmax,CNBC were boycotted,it would make a difference. When will Americans get their hands dirty,when it is too late?
The Robert's Court will go down in history as one of if not the absolute worst Supreme Court in US History. Citizens United single handedly transferred power and corruption to American Politics. The GOP is bought and paid for 100%. And sadly, many Democrats in Congress and the Senate aren't much better. They come to Washington worth a few hundred thousand and leave Washington worth Millions.
Again, can’t put like on that, but SO agree.
Although I agree with what you mean to say, I can tell you that the root of the problem is that America and media has been upended by the internet and modern technology. When we deregulated the news industry, we allowed major corporations to own multiple news organizations. Think about Clear Channel Media and Entertainment and Iheart Media. They own AM Talk Radio and that was the birth of Rush Limbaugh. And then the internet and social Media eliminated small town newspapers. Just last year, another 130 small newspapers shut down.
The reason I say the above is that I grew up in a major metropolitan area. I just recently moved to a small town in Texas. It's another world in the small town. A total news desert. Luckily, ATT just put up a cell tower. Without that tower, I barely was able to use my cell phone as a link to the outside world.
That is why Trump won rural America. It isn't that rural America are bad people. It is because they are not informed and have been lied to. Corporate America has screwed them. They are still doing it with this tax cut.
The antitrust laws have been suspended since Reagan allowing the massive concentration of money and power. Lincoln Square had people look at the tax bill and most of the tax cuts go to just 65 people and their corporations. The out of control concentration of wealth in only 8 years since Trump 1.0 where a majority of the 2017 tax cuts went to just 190 people.
Bob,great points.This is information everyone should know,maybe they will wake up.Keep repeating.
Lazy, selfish, willingly uninformed AND incredibly, incredibly stupid.
You have had it too good... and have no appreciation for all that others throughout our history have struggled and died for so you could have such a wonderful country!!!!
Just move to Russia and leave this country to those who truly appreciate it!!!
Actually you won't have to move... you have almost condemned our country to be another Russia - only worse.
Your comment caused me to laugh after "tearing up" while reading the Professor's post. Although I agree with you, we cannot become "what we oppose. " We must continue to help those individuals who were not provided our philosophies and education.
John,agree 100%.
Donna, you have stated exactly how I feel but just could not put into words today! I wish that same pox on those people!
So do I Peggy.
I just got done writing all 3 of my Congress Critters all 3 Dems:
I am sure you are as opposed to the Budget Reconciliation Bill wending its way through the house, as I am. It is designed to punish the poor. It will destabilize the economy. It will tank the Dollar. And, it has a provision to make it impossible for Courts to enforce a contempt citation. That alone will push us over into a full-blown totalitarian dictatorship.We have already seen some of that with the arrest and indictment of a sitting judge and a sitting Congressional Representative - Not to mention all of the court orders the tRump regime is ignoring.
His military spectacle scheduled for June 14th actually puts an invasion force on the ground in the Nation’s Capitol. Back in December, he floated the ideas of invoking Martial Law and Adjourning Congress. I could see him taking these steps on that day. You and the other Democratic and Independent members of Congress should probably make it your business to be elsewhere on that day. And you need well thought out plans to be able to go into hiding.
These are frightening times. Unless you can figure out a way to talk your colleagues on the other side of the aisle into growing a pair and standing up to him, we may be in the final days of the Republic.
Thank you Donna. You expressed all of this so well. I so agree with you and am back to losing hope and feeling despair even though I will call my congressman. It is absolutely vital that millions of Americans protest on June 14th. I hope too that justice could come soon but I also feel that that hope is hanging by a thread. The level of cruelty just breaks my heart.
I can find it in my heart to forgive those who voted for him and now realize their mistake and repudiate him. I am forever dismayed that they did vote for him, but I can forgive. I cannot forgive the Congress people and Senators who now speak in private that they see him for what he is and are STILL unwilling to go against the Republican Machine that i dismantling the government. WHAT do they think they are going to salvage of their political careers with this going on?
I cannot forgive THEM!
follow the money that flows to them. it's that simple
I agree. I think I'm safe for now, but that could change in a millisecond.
Although I'm trying to hold onto hope to give me the strength to fight, I'm very much afraid we're going to have to go through the entire devastating scenario, all the way to the camps and gas chambers, before enough people see what's happening and rise up.
I donate, protest, write postcards, call my senators and representative, and sign my real name. After people like Dr. Reich and other high-profile leaders disappear, they'll come for me. And you.
I will never forgive MAGA for this, or those who didn't bother to vote. Never.
The Ink had several good posts yesterday. "I was going to be brave but..." name the excuse and ending in "I was going..., I was..., I...".
"If wishes were horses, beggars could ride." Isn't that the saying?
It's astonishing to me that millions of Americans don't see what's right in front of them. I'm not talking about the Nazi Trump Cult, I mean ordinary people who won't see the jackboot coming until it's on their necks. I don't know how to wake them up.
I also think Americans can quit beating their chests rah-rah-rah about how brave they are.
I don't know The Ink but I'll see if I can find it. Thanks.
Found it. Wow! Right on.
Cory Booker is doing us no favors by voting in favor of corrupt crypto laws and to confirm Charles Kushner. I will never vote for him, should he run for president.
Cory Booker is on our side of the fence often enough. If we off our-siders we''ll be left with more of them. Besides, I'd have to hear why he voted as he did and would he vote the same today?
I'd have kept Senator Al Franken. Act like a child/vote like an adult is good enough for me most days.
Donna,this is so well said. I think that without some very strong pushback,non violent or violent,we are doomed to live in a "Nazi"" environment for a long time.
I've mentioned before - someone once called them a basket of deplorables. That someone was excoriated for that, but it turns out the label was prescient and that they are deplorable beyond belief. Those who did not vote, either through never being involved in civics or thinking there was no need this time, are in their own basket. I'm not sure how to label it.
I'm still astonished that, with all his lies, some still believe him. Or more precisely, if he's saying what they want to believe, they believe him.
The US is run by Trump's 77 million MAGA Nazi Cult. A kleptocratic oligarchy theocracy. Building walls, isolation, cruel hunger games.
Hopefully, it's not that many still sold on him! Some just have issues such as 'too many immigrants cross our borders and at least he's doing something to stop the flow'....and 'America's so deep in debt, he (and Musk) seem to understand money and have so much they can save us'...or, 'we don't want anyone's sexuality to be the focus of conversation in schools and don't want such issues in our heads either'.
Americans on the right think if they let go of Trump all these problems will resurface: millions pouring over the border, debt so high we'll go bust, and left-wing moralities will be forced on them again.
Donna, thank you for expressing my own thoughts so eloquently. I'm right there beside you marching in protests, writing postcards, and speaking my mind. And I plan to continue doing so. We cannot allow ourselves to be intimidated. If you've not already joined a group such as Indivisible ( indivisible.org ), please do, and join us in continuing to fighting the good fight.
I do participate in their activities. They are a marvelous group. I also have my own group that writes postcards to our legislators and to voters. In the last eight years, we have written about 52,000 cards all at our own expense. Does it work? Yes! We have seen candidates win after we supported them. In fact, Susan Crawford, who won a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court, said she credited postcard writers for her win with a margin of 10%.
Some voters did not like either candidate, so they stayed home. Those who voted for the Felon were sexist and racists. Kamala and Tim ran a good campaign but were beat by the MAGA followers and the Felon's Club of Billionaires. The Felon truly committed treason and got away with murder in the true sense of the word. There is no light at the end of the tunnel for this Felon, and the fat lady will never sing. The only end of this Felon will be to pass over to the other side, or have the 14th Amendment kick in.
I assume you mean the 25th...?
Donna, the 14th Amendment Section 3. My best, James.
Well said, Donna!
Should the “Big Beautiful Bill” pass with the provision to prevent the courts from administering justice upon those who break the laws it will destroy what is left of our embattled Constitution and put yet another nail in the coffin of what has been our treasured Constitution for the past 237 years. The passage of this provision will be the end of the Supreme Court’s ability to be an effective and critical part in what was designed to be a system of checks and balances. With the destruction of the checks and balances that were instituted by the framers of the Constitution, we will no longer be “The land of the free and the home of the brave.” The passage of this bill will be noted in history as end of a functional Democracy in the United States. If this provision does not pass as part of the “Big Beautiful Bill,” it will come up again and again in a variety of forms until it successfully becomes the law and ends any pretense of our fulfilling the aspirations so succinctly stated in our Declaration of Independence.
When in 1988 the Mianis River Bridge disaster occurred, Connecticut did not attempt to just repair the collapsed section; it rebuilt a new bridge based on the latest engineering that was designed to withstand any present and future stresses. It was an eight-year project that was undertaken to replace it with a more resilient and wider bridge based on the most modern engineering and construction techniques available.
So, before the Trump regime completes the collapsing of our current economy and political system, it behooves us to take heart to design and prepare to implement a more sustainable, just and humane system to take us into the future. You can explore and comment on those discussions on the “Crisis and Transition, A Common Way forward” Substack at: https://crisistransition.substack.com/ and more specifically at https://crisistransition.substack.com/p/the-time-for-planning-is-now
This is a crystal clear and perfect analogy. Thank you!
It's a version of the Bernie Sanders message, but made so much more relatable through concrete (literally!) imagery.
Absolutely!
However, this ongoing destruction of our Constitution nor any new draconian provision can prevent us from creating a better Constitution nor a modern and just economic system. The root of the word “Courage” comes from the French word “Coeur” or heart. No regime can take away the courage of our hearts unless we choose to give up.
The Trump regime will fall, I am sure of it. We are racing towards the economic downfall of the current regime that will gravely impact the lives of 90% of our population be they liberal, conservative or ultra-conservative. We also entering an era of cascading crises or “Polycrisis” triggered by the collapse of our environment which the scientific community is now agrees is progressing far faster than their original predictions. Due to the machinations of the Trump regime, our treasured 237 year old constitution with its 27 amendments is also reaching its tipping point of relevancy and effectiveness. Due we continue to try to amend the Constitution version 1.27 or begin to design Constitution 2.0 in a proactive fashion?
Due to the rapid progression of the polycrisis and the misery it entails, the current authoritarian regime will fall as other regimes have before. When this occurs, it is totally possible that our political Democracy and our economy based on capitalism will be in a wreckage. At that time will we attempt to rebuild on the same failed economic and political system that has let us down or will we build a modern system that can sustain us into the future?
Marc, if I know one thing from past experience, it is the heart of our American citizens is strong. We will NEVER give up or surrender our country to the likes of the orange man and his ilk! Americans are fighters. We have fought injustices since we came into existence and I don't see that stopping now. I agree with you that we must prepare and plan to rebuild our country with a system that will actually sustain ALL of us going forward.
The design of the constitution has passed the test of time.
It can definitely stand an upgrade.
But just like any good engineering design is built on improving the last design so should we go forward with the constitution.
Amend, not rewrite.
Brett, this time the Constitution did not stand the test of time. It has been gutted and hung out to dry. We should start with the declaration of independence, which is an excellent document, then an economic democracy, and on top of that a reshaped political democracy. The checks and balances of our constitution did pretty well for the first 230 years but now they are insufficient to hold back the greed and lust for power of the oligarchs and those such as Trump and his gang of crooks that do their bidding.
Redoing the constution would leave with more holes then it has now plus you could never get it passed.
Amendments are the best way forward.
Marc,
Yes, a new Constitution -
but here's how after the federal courts have been blocked.
The federal government is now totally controlled by Trump and the Republicans in Congress. who are criminal felons engaged in an insurrection.
But the Democrats in control of 15 states have power and can act to begin stopping the insurrection. Then in 2028 after the Democrats win back the presidency, House and Senate and write new law making the Republican party an insurrectionist organization and make all Republican votes in all states illegal and blocked, Democrats can control all the votes so a new Constitution can be easily implemented. No more weak governance by Democrats that permits insurrectionists to run the country.
Read my post.
https://williamlmiller.substack.com/p/how-to-stop-trump-republicans-and
Yes. Especially because it came into power by BUYING 25% of the popular vote. ONLY TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT!!!
this provision is just the icing on the cake, the cake being the complete abrogation of the rule of law in this country. it's over.
Unfortunately, the provision in the bill is retroactive! It applies to contempt citations "whether issued prior to, on, or subsequent to the date of enactment of this section.”. https://www.justsecurity.org/113529/terrible-idea-contempt-court/
And before Garcia is KILLED!!!
As much as we may want to despise Trump voters for their selfish and uninformed choices, we need to remind ourselves that we are slipping towards a 99% versus 1% America.
MAGA folks will come to see that they didn’t win last November,
#OnlyBillionairesWonIn2024.
We don’t need to stand nose to nose with them. Instead, let’s go wallet to wallet, because we’ll all be hurting equally.
OK. Time to file contempt of court citations to the lawyers that have tried to buy time for Trump to avoid having to bring back Abrego Garcia. Make this happen before the Senate has a chance to pass its version.
A Glass-1...I agree! The courts need to file contempt charges asap before this bill is approved. I think our only hope will be is if and/or when the democrats take over the house and Senate that they impeach trump immediately and the rest of his sycophants he appointed (can they be impeached?) and then the DOJ arrest them, tries them, convicts them and they all go to prison!!! That would be a really good day to celebrate!🇺🇸🎉🎊
This is spot on. What’s even more chilling is that the Big Beautiful Bill doesn’t just let Trump ignore court orders—it rewrites the rules so judges can’t do anything about it. If no bond was posted, even past injunctions become unenforceable.
I wrote about this provision and why contempt powers matter here, if helpful:
https://open.substack.com/pub/devinmccune/p/lady-justice-is-blindand-mute?r=5jlujj&utm_medium=ios
Would love to hear your thoughts!
Devin, in other words, we will be completely and totally screwed if this bill passes and with a republican majority in the House and Senate who will do whatever the orange man tells them to do, it seems rather like a done deal.
Authoritarianism never leaves voluntarily. Tiananmen Square, Arab Spring, Russia under Putin, North Korea, pick a future. Blue State governors and AG's stand up for the rule of law, secede or you are complicit with Trump, sold your souls to fascism.
Peggy, as it turns out the procedural method employed by the Republicans to protect their bill from a senate filibuster also requires that no portion of the bill can include a statute which does not apply to the budgetary provisions. The anti-contempt clause has no bearing on the budget and your senator can insist the clause be removed or invoke a filibuster if it not removed by the parliamentarian of the Senate.
Follow the link below for more details…
https://substack.com/@politicojoe/note/c-119884732?r=flmf3&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Thank you for this information, Larry! My senator is an orange man toady so he would never ask for anything to be removed, he will vote for it no matter how many calls I have placed or letters I have written. In his eyes, I don't matter because I am a Democrat and he is a republican. I do hope that someone reading these comments will read yours and contact their senator that may be more open to doing this. It most definitely needs to be done!
This would be challenged and make its way to the Supreme Court and I predict that even that dim wit Thomas and that proto facist Alito would find it unconstitutional as a violation of the separation of powers.
Maybe scotus will find it unconstitutional but I doubt the vote be be 9-0. Probably will be 7-2 against the provision with Alito and thomas holding out.
Thomas will side with those deep pockets that are providing him a comfy life.
Alito can't give up his dream of a white Christian nation.
Fuck them both.
I fully agree but they will be in the minority.
Alito and Thomas are full blown Authoritarian fascists for Trump.
AND, AND, And then what????
And then, for example, attorneys who appear before a
court to argue why there was no compliance by the administration with the court’s orders will be held in contempt and jailed.
Let's hope so!
Paula, I think you did not understand what you were reading. You don't want lawyers arguing AGAINST the administration's lawlessness jailed. Read MB's comment again.
It's possible I got it backwards, Klare. If so, apologies. I think you know where my sympathies lie though.
Devin, I talked with my sister this morning and she said that even if the bill passes, it will not go into effect until 2029 or so. If that is true, everything will be decided in the 2026 election. If Democrats win back the majority in the House and Senate, they could work to dismantle this frightening bill. The first thing they would need to do is get that orange POS out of the White House and remove anyone who allowed this to happen.
It’s a bit of a patchwork depending on the provision:
-The Medicaid work requirements would now kick in December 31, 2026.
-Some of the new tax cuts (like eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay) would start in 2025 and phase in through 2028.
-The permanent extension of the 2017 tax cuts would solidify as soon as the bill is enacted.
Unsurprising considering all the recent cases against this administration: the contempt provision (Section 70302) would take effect immediately. That means federal courts would instantly lose the ability to enforce certain injunctions (including existing ones) if no bond was posted. So even before the economic effects roll out, the institutional ones hit fast.
The my sister actually was just trying to life my spirits! I love her for that!
We all need people like your sister haha
She is definitely one in a million, Devin!
I wish I could be optimistic. Time unfortunately is not on our side.
Optimism is hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something. I am optimistic that we will get our country back - bruised and battered - maybe, but we will get America back. We can either fight and resist like hell or we can let it fall. I will do every single thing I can to prevent America from falling to the likes of an orange despot!
I wish I could share your optimism. Unfortunately time and personal experience will not let me. I wish you and your family the best.
Thank you, Mort! I wish the same for you and your family. It's okay not to be optimistic. The times we are in are extremely worrisome and frightening. I will continue to do everything I can to fight and resist, and I can truly hope that soon you will begin to see better things happening! Stay strong and stay safe!
Thank you Peggy. Take good care.
I understand there a "triggers" called rescissions that will effect Medicare and other government programs EMEDIATELY after the bill is signed. The bill was more than rammed through without hearings or scored since it explodes the deficit.
My understanding is that some of the items that cost money (and thus add to deficit & debt) are specified to expire in 2029, so will provide the "make MAGA voters happy" effect until the current occupant possibly leaves the White House and the Republicans can frame things as taxes going up under a possible Democratic administration. This is the backup plan, in case the primary plan to control how the presumptive 2028 election goes doesn't work out for them.
Thanks, Seldom! Maybe my sister was just trying to make me feel better!
What happened to the "law" in "lawyer?"
so they can say ;we follow the law'-they just change it
Going to be many $1 bonds issued
That’s true! Judges could start setting $1 bonds or even for cents instead of waiving them. But the provision applies to existing cases too, and judges can’t retroactively fix that. Plus, it pushes courts to abandon waivers entirely, even in civil rights cases, just to preserve basic enforcement power.
If you want to keep our democracy, if you want to stop Trump from anointing himself king, call and demand that our courts must not be neutered. Call today, call every day.
And then we must consider next steps.
“What can you do? To begin with, call your members of Congress and tell them not to pass Trump’s One Big Ugly Bill.
While you’re at, demand that they preserve the federal court’s power to enforce their rulings by holding an administration in contempt. (The Capitol Hill switchboard number is (202) 224-3121.)”
I am making those calls today, Michael. With a super majority, the bill may pass anyway and we won't even be able to vote them out! If he becomes the dictator he wants to be, we are totally screwed!
I’m sure you’re right, Peggy. It’s almost guaranteed to pass. That’s why we’re going to need to explore other options, beginning with general strikes. Not just one of them, either. And then, more.
At first, they will only be slightly effective. But as time goes on and more and more people begin to suffer from this regime’s draconian attacks on our rights, our freedoms, our health, our ability to support ourselves and our families, I hope, and I only hope and do not know, more and more Americans will turn away from support for Trump, turn away from passivity, and demand change.
At best, it’s going to be messy and ugly. At worst, we may face a violent reaction from the fascist regime. Innocents may die. But it’s either that or live under the thumb of a vicious madman, his children, his acolytes and his fellow travelers from now until the foreseeable future. Or until everything collapses.
I don’t really have any of the answers, only questions and a gut feeling that much worse is to come.
We need another MLK Jr., we also need someone who can combine an ethical and moral sense with practicality and the ability to inspire and unite the American people. Where we find that person, I have no idea.
Michael, you are right. It is indeed a very dark, difficult future I see before us. If we are to survive, we must work together - all of us - to try and reverse what is happening right now.
I totally agree, Peggy. We either find a way to work together, in spite of our differences, or we fail and fall. Our propensity to form circular firing squads is one of my biggest concerns. That doesn’t happen with the Ťrumpists.
Michael, there is one small bright spot to all of this. I was speaking to my sister this morning and she said that even if this bill somehow passes, it would not go into effect until 2029 or so. If that is true, everything will rest on the 2026 elections.
You are so right Michael about needing another MLK Jr! If only we could find this person! As despondent as I feel, I refuse to give up hope and courage. Thank you.
I'm calling today Michael.
When courts are ignored, the US Marshals are sent in. But he controls that. But are there ANY who are NOT trumpers? Cant one just .... go arrest him?
And if not, can we get 10 million of us to go do it ourselves?
I'm ready! Let's roll!
I will go with you, Jeff!
Let’s give the imbecile a birthday he’ll never forget on June 14th. Deport him, without due process, to El Salvador. And then arrest all of the criminals that are involved with this attempt to destroy our democracy and then write and pass a bill to tax the rich.
Maybe he'll be dead by June 14 . . . We can hope! NPR is always reporting, as a part of their coverage, all the deaths that occur on any given day. It seems to me that lately a lot of the men are dying in their 70s. I think the longevity rate has dropped somewhat. Death to the INSANITY-RIDDEN BOAR IN THE WHITE HOUSE, THE BIGGEST B-O-R-E ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET! Let June 14 be a star too far to reach for this year!
Is that another spelling, a third spelling? A "boar" is a wild, black, scary-looking pig; and a "bore" is someone completely unaware of how others are responding . . . What is a "Boer"?
This is feeling a lot like the standoff during the "Documents" case, where the government was pleading with tRUMP to return the Classified security secrets, and so much time went by with NOTHING being done. That crime was enough to end his position , and prevent another attempt to run for any office in government , and jail him.
I think, Laurie, that the DOJ is completely unaware that Donald Trump is just a regular human being who needs to be reckoned with ( just like the rest of us!). (Duh-uh!)
https://open.substack.com/pub/eleanorsquad/p/flip-the-script?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1pypb7
I subscribed to Roxana, thank you.
Is anyone protesting in front of the House and Senate where the "neutering " is happening??
**** Calls are easily ignored and apparently the Republican Representatives don't give a s**t
How about ALL the Democrats showing outrage in front of the House and Senate ... call all the media outlets, broadcast LIVE while you warn about the existential threat this bill is !!
Make a big fuss about it?!?
If I would be there I would take a day off and go there , no doubt about it
Professor Reich: the no kings day protest is too far in the future to have much effect on our incipient king's impending self-annointment. then after he's king, will he decide he is pope? or .. dare i say it ... GOD??
GrrlScientist, he will decide he is dictator. He will stop elections, take away our rights and freedoms, take our money to use for his pleasure and pick and choose who he wants to send to concentration camps/holding cells/detention centers, etc.
GrrlScientist: He's already there. The Founders turned their backs on the Magna Carta, and on 574 years of progress against the monarch, by resurrecting King John of England. Behold.
I think the Catholic church and the Vatican would have something to do with that.
God? How much money does He get paid?
I wonder how many of us who battle depression on a good day are losing that war because of the feelings of abuse and hopelessness this situation engenders. All I can say to that is you are not alone and we can’t let the bastards win. 😢🙏💕
I would call myself an upbeat positive person. I am logical, usually feel empowered and safe. And I’m not prone to depression.
BUT, that is what I think I’m experiencing. I just said this to my boyfriend through tears yesterday, and I’m tearing up now writing this. I’ve gained back weight I’ve lost despite trying to stay active. It’s hard to enjoy activities, my grandkids, a sunny day.
I feel powerless despite calling/writing my representatives, voting, writing postcards to swing states, protesting, forwarding HCR, Joyce Vance, and Robert Reich’s columns to friends and family and boycotting so many businesses.
I have faced adversity before, am a combat veteran, been a single mom, and so many other normal challenges.
Now feels completely different and I honestly don’t know what more to do.
Cathy, I believe there are a lot of us feeling exactly as you do! Desperation and despair can easily take over, but I want you to remember. Every single person that has written about the orange man's second term told us that things would get really bad. Right now, this is really bad; however, now is when we must continue to do what we have been doing. We cannot afford to let up for even a second! The orange man will continue to hit us 24/7 with outrageous, heinous acts. He feels by flooding us with this cruelty, we will eventually give up and leave him to it. That CAN NOT happen! We must do everything we possibly can. If all of us continue to fight and resist, then all of us will prevail. I know you feel as if you are just one person and simply cannot make a difference, but you do. With every phone call, letter, postcard and protest you are definitely making a difference! Think about this, you are doing all of that, another person is doing all of that and so on and so on. Millions upon millions are doing that and we will prevail, Cathy! It is going to be so hard for a while, but please, don't give up and don't give in to those feelings of desperation and despair. We need you now more than ever! Keep fighting for the America you want! Stay strong and stay safe!
Thank you, Peggy. Your encouragement and positivity does help!
No worries, Cathy! This community will always be there to encourage and support you! Happier Days are ahead of us! Never give up and never surrender!
Cathy, I don't want you go give up hope. I too have been crying about this a lot. That's a normal response to cruelty and injustice. Most of us probably have been through a lot of adversity and challenges in our lives and I agree with you that "Now feels completely different". That's because it really is! I know you feel powerless. So do I. BUT....I'd rather die continuing to resist losing our democracy and the values that I hold dear than live under an authoritarian regime. So let's continue to do both. We have to stay strong and courageous together as none of us can do this alone. I'll stand by you. We can feel our hearts breaking and shed enormous tears while using our feelings of anger to keep resisting in any way we can. Sending you a big hug Cathy.
Thanks, Lilla. Your note definitely helps. It’s good to know we aren’t alone in shouting about this administration. I would rather die trying.
Appreciate the virtual hug!
Thanks. I really appreciate your response and the virtual hug back!
When I get like that I remind myself that everyone and everything that gets born here on Earth will die too. I think it’s in our genes.
All the kings since the beginning of the world and all the presidents and dictators apparently had the same death gene as their subjects had.
I never heard of anyone living forever on Earth because he paid someone off or wore a toupee. Maybe he’s just here to learn that money really can’t buy everything.
Janet, I saw a chat yesterday in which there were more than 600 comments about people being terrified, depressed, and sleepless. There are so many people who are not doing at all well now, including me. I have thought about setting up a support group. Not sure if it would help though.
Paula, that’s a really good idea!
Amen!
This must be why they were pushing for it to be done by Memorial Day. They have plans for more deportations. Ugh.
The ultimate goal for MAGA and Project 2025 is the elimination of non-white, non-straight, non-Christian people, and women shall lose their rights as well. Refer to the Nazi Holocaust for a preview. Women can refer to Handmaids Tales for a preview.Anyone who thinks that can never happen again do not understand history and human nature.
They will rename it Deportation Day then D Day to desecrate the invasion of Normandy.
ORGANIZE ORGANIZE ORGANIZE!!!!!
ORGANIZE OVER THE COMMON GOOD DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM. JUST READ THE PLATFORM BULLET POINTS. ORGANIZE!!!!
ALLEGIANCE TO OUR PLATFORM AND THE CANDIDATE THAT PROMOTES OUR PLATFORM!
GOOGLE YOUR STATES DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM TO READ IT!
MAKE AMERICA GRATEFUL AGAIN!
https://open.substack.com/pub/eleanorsquad/p/flip-the-script?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1pypb7
Thanks Roxana, I just want Democrats to know who we are, because it is in writing, be proud of it and promote it. I just don't want us to prove Will Rogers right when he said "I don't belong to any organized Party , I am a Democrat". Our Platform defines us in writing, we can't let others define us. Tom
I'm making new signs to hold...UPSIDE-DOWN AMERICAN FLAG and around it
AMERICA IS IN DISTRESS around that, Medicare Cuts, Medicaid Cuts, Laws Broken, and many more phrases written in red. This will be big enough to read. I ordered the 12x18 inch flags.
I'm giving signs away to folks who show up and need one. The ideas are for everyone to use.
https://open.substack.com/pub/eleanorsquad/p/flip-the-script?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=1pypb7
Has anyone read Patriot by Navalny? Is Trump a Russian asset? Is he guilty of treason? I have already contacted my representative and will protest if possible. The Russian question is serious and Patriot is an excellent book.
As a citizen, it chills me to the bone how the Republicans and the Supreme Court have chosen to support DJT as he takes a wrecking ball to our constitution. How can this be happening? Just calling my Senators and Representatives seems like a feeble attempt to curtail this horrific scenario. The Oligarchs and their minions are destroying this country and they don't give a damn about the citizens and the rule of law. Why is this take over progressing so easily?
Thank you for telling us about this provision in this Big Ugly Bill. Big bills are often used to hide odious items like this so it is no surprise. It looks as if this bill will fail and this is another reason it must.
It looks like this is another example of 'flooding the zone' -- a massive abuse of your constitution (I'm in UK) is hidden away in a purposely lumberingly huge bill. We watch in horror from over here. (And it seems our prime minister has lost his moral compass as he crawls along in Trump's shadow. )
They simply cannot pass this bill with this provision in it. Calling today and writing (again)! NO we cannot let this happen...
Yes they can. Even though the parliamentarian who is democratic will pull it out saying you can't place anything in the budget that isn't budget related, it will then go to the presiding officer, who is Vance who will definitely go against the parliamentarian despite past history of not going against the parliamentarian. Can't filibuster a budget reconciliation, so this will pass in the senate.