815 Comments
User's avatar
Ian's avatar

Unfortunately, the destruction of government services may be the only way to break through the MAGA cult kool aid that has made millions of people deny how much they rely on government.

Expand full comment
Public Servant's avatar

Trump is also ignoring Covid. His anti science anti vaxxer minions got me sick. I shudder to think what will happen in the next pandemic after he has destroyed our government institutions - please remember to get boosted! https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/maga-fascists-gave-me-covid

Expand full comment
Jamae's avatar

Not just Covid, bird flu. I am greatly worried about food safety and disease under this administration.

Expand full comment
Douglas's avatar

Bill Cassidy just voted to propel RFK Jr. out of Committee & to full Senate vote....he knows better but was pressured by DJT. Is RFKs approval imminent? Also, one has to marvel how D keeps his Senators in line. Biden could have accomplished much more if he could have corralled the Arizona dumb blonde, and the WV turncoat.....Joe just never had the sway...one of his weaknesses. After all he was really just a technocrat & not a powerful leader.

Expand full comment
kdsherpa's avatar

I called Dr./Sen. Cassidy's offices in both La. and D.C. and, as a fellow physician, reminded him that he would be breaking his Hippocratic Oath if he voted for rfkj. "First do no harm" is part of our oath. I told him that a vote for rfkj would cause harm to 335,000,000 Americans. Guess I wasted my breath.

Expand full comment
Potter's avatar

You did not waste your breath. More should. Cassidy should be shunned and shamed.

Expand full comment
Jim siberry's avatar

non trump supporting Americans appreciate your efforts. Sadly , Cassidy's political career is more important than his oath to "do no harm".

Expand full comment
Pamela's avatar

Seems to be the Republican mantra, doesn't it?

Expand full comment
Julie Smalley's avatar

I sent him an email even though he doesn't represent me. I would just flood him with shame. He still could vote no on the full senate vote. I think he thinks he might not get primaried by doing this and maybe Trump told him that he wouldn't prop up a challenger but we all know Trump just lies so maybe he'll grow a spine.

Expand full comment
Kenneth Fry's avatar

I would not count of any Republican (and TOO MANY Democrats) to grow a spine. Remember, it took Dem votes pass the Laken-Riley Act. One exception now is AOC:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH_gWH68glA

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

At least you tried. Where is the AMA. Haven't heard a thing from them, publicly

Expand full comment
steve reed's avatar

I expect him to turn his back on his decades of service to improving health. In short, selling out his dignity and self-respect. He has a wife and 3 kids, probably grandkids. He may fear for their safety at this point.

I expect all the cabinet nominees to get confirmed. Prove me wrong Senators.

Expand full comment
Canadian Otolaryngologist's avatar

Fearing for their safety is very likely why they are complying.

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

you're probably right-if hegseth,anybody

Expand full comment
CE's avatar

I did the same. And also asked if he would deny his constituents access to evidence based medicine. I guess he answered today in the affirmative on that one…..

Expand full comment
Ruth Sheets's avatar

kdsherpa, I just left a message on Cassidy's website. I couldn't get through by phone, so I thought I would at least do something. Thanks for the idea.

Expand full comment
Ruth Sheets's avatar

kdsherpa, thank you so much for your efforts. It appears Cassidy's fealty to a Toddler-Bully is stronger than his oath, either his Hippocratic or Constitutional oath.

Expand full comment
kathyw.'s avatar

You get an "A" for the effort. Thanks.

Expand full comment
CC's avatar

you absolutely did the best thing you could do

Expand full comment
Jamae's avatar

Senate republicans are serving as the “look-out,” for trump-musk crime spree. They are all in violation of their oath of office.

Expand full comment
steve reed's avatar

not to mention their humanity. it will come home to them.

Expand full comment
David L's avatar

Biden was not a technocrat, in actual fact he was a grass roots supporter of a President who championed the American middle class. James Earl Carter. He will go down in history as a President who delivered for the working class, as did Jimmy Carter. Look at the facts rather than the press talking points.

Expand full comment
Canadian Otolaryngologist's avatar

Totally agree. As a Canadian who has followed US politics for the last 8 years in a somewhat obsessively unhealthy way (moth to the flame?) I could so clearly see this. Why couldn't those who were living it?

Expand full comment
Carolyn Jacobs's avatar

Apathy.

Expand full comment
Potter's avatar

BUT BIden should have stepped down after one term, a term during which he HARDLY USED THE BULLY PULPIT. Biden helped to bring this.

Expand full comment
Pamela's avatar

They approved Tulsi Gabbard in committee and sent it to the senate for a vote. It looks like they will all be approved. We will have a complete ship of fools. I was just at the bank and all banks have been notified that the US treasury has been taken over and there may be delays in deposits. They have told people trying to file taxes that there may be delays.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

I wonder how MAGA folks will feel after a terrorist attack—and given the idiots and traitors in charge it will happen. We are less safe than we were a mere 2 weeks ago.

Expand full comment
Klare K.'s avatar

It is horrifying the HORROR SHOW that is taking place in Washington right now!!! WHERE IS THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT??? TRUMP ALREADY STAGED AN INSURRECTION AND COUP, IN 2021!!! WHY AREN'T THEY ARRESTING HIM FOR STAGING ANOTHER ONE???? TRUMP IS AN ABJECT CRIMINAL TRAITOR!!! WHY HAVEN'T HE AND MUSK BEEN ARRESTED AND THROWN IN JAIL??? WHERE IS THE FBI?? ALL THE SHIT PERPS WHO HAVE BEEN SO FAR CONFIRMED TO TRUMP'S SO-CALLED CABINET SHOULD BE ARRESTED AND YANKED OUT OF "OFFICE"; NONE OF THEM ARE EXPERIENCED AT FEDERAL GOVERNANCE, OR ELIGIBLE ENOUGH TO EVEN BE NOMINATED!!!

Expand full comment
Woozie's avatar

Pamela, my husband is director of a federal aquaculture research laboratory, and yesterday he was told to inform all his staff (verbally) NOT to have ANY communication (by any method) with ANY foreign nationals whether they are inside or outside the USA. So if if you are a federal employee, and your mother happens to live in Sweden or China or Peru, forget sending a birthday card...

Expand full comment
Magicgirl's avatar

It's a ship of Fools and Tools. Tools for the bankrupter InChief and the mutual goals of Bannon, and Musk to dismantle it all. They do not care about democracy or Americans. The messaging of the right for decades -talk Radio, Fox News and social media fueled illiberal ism stoked the fear, anger, and made Hypocrisy their Teflon strength.

Dems you gotta go big or go home. Get leading and get collective energy. Get the old messengers away from the microphones and get out and lead and reclaim the narrative that this is the people's house. You gotta get it together and address "It's the OLD messaging, stupid." Get riveting leaders and killer messaging.

Take bold blue action - Take drastic steps...What did South Korea do to knee cap Yoon Suk Yeol and arrest him? https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg45zqz225vo

Hold a press conference daily - Hilter took control of Germany in 53 days.... we're at day 17!!! They've tailored narratives for more than 45 years that are anti-democratic. One by one they've framed everything about"regulation" as bad - and targeted regulations in every corner of government to lessen the protections of people and of democracy's basic pillars. The big regulations - money in politics, the right to vote, Dark money and corporations bribing elected leaders to cut out the heart of laws to protect health or worker protections, or fairness.

Get Out There and Lead. Lead Big, Lead Hard, Lead with Fierce Fearless Anger. They are traitors to our democracy and traitors do not deserve mercy.

Expand full comment
Pamela's avatar

In addition to all of that, we need to pressure the Rs, who are responsible for all of this, of their duties. They knew what they were ushering in, yet they allowed the lies and filthy money to dominate their narrative. They endorsed this man who told his voters he would bring grocery prices down. They knew he was talking about bacon and eggs. They knew he was full of BS. Just like they know now they should not be endorsing these freaks for the highest positions. Dr. Cassidy knows damn well he should not have endorsed Kennedy. Spineless anti-American people the Rs have to represent themselves.

Expand full comment
Woozie's avatar

Pamela, my husband is director of a federal aquaculture research laboratory, and yesterday he was told to inform all his staff (verbally) NOT to have ANY communication (by any method) with ANY foreign nationals whether they are inside or outside the USA. So if if you are a federal employee, and your mother happens to live in Sweden or China or Peru, forget sending a birthday card...

Expand full comment
kathyw.'s avatar

No SS deposit in bank.

Expand full comment
Klare K.'s avatar

Kathy W: what do you mean by "no SS deposit in bank"? Don't say things that aren't true.

Expand full comment
George M's avatar

Douglas, you have just erred in the pluperfect subjunctive. "If [Biden] could have corralled" the unnamed mavericks, the Ds could have done great things, Joe could have decided earlier not to run for re-election, and the best possible D could now be president, with t in prison. Too bad for us, but we have to deal with the current reality. Chin up. Hard work, hope, critical communications and smart donations for the foreseeable future.

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

was cassidy threatened with being primaried-wondered why he caved

Expand full comment
kdsherpa's avatar

Forgive my French, but SO F*CKING WHAT?!!! What the hell is WRONG with these people?!!! So you lose your f*cking seat in the Senate. Is that such a large price to pay, when the alternative is permitting deaths of possibly millions of Americans??? This sounds strange (but maybe not so strange in this day and age), but the ONLY way I can forgive him, Ernst and some of the others who KNOW WHAT THEY ARE CAUSING, is if their family's lives are being threatened (or their own, I'll grant that, too). Otherwise, they are TRAITORS.

Expand full comment
VermontGirl57's avatar

I ❤️ YOUR FRENCH!

….and your outrage‼️

Every time I hear about a politician in fear of losing their seat I just want to VOMIT. These spineless ticks need a good whack on the head to remind them of the oath they took AND their constituents - EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

30 pieces of silver

Expand full comment
Canadian Otolaryngologist's avatar

What if you have an Oath Keeper or a Proud Boy pay you a visit? Surveil your children at school and send you photos that they did. Billionaires can afford private security but the average senator or congressperson likely cannot. I think that is your answer.

Expand full comment
Jim siberry's avatar

Apparently he voted to convict during one of the two Trump impeachments..so Trump will make sure he is primaried. The republican party , the party of free speech , threatens their own when they try to exercise it. Every trump supporting republican politician has shown their colors and their priorities...and their loyalty ,and its not to the Constitution , the rule of law , or the American people .Its my profound hope that all their political careers come to an abrupt halt , either in '26 , or '28. The American people need to make them pay for their misguided loyalties. Maybe Hobby Lobby will hire them ..if it still exists.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

As a Christian he should remember “what benefited a man when he sells his soul……?”

Expand full comment
Linda's avatar

He was already in danger of being primaried because he voted to impeach Trump. If he is popular with his constituents, why would he worry about being primaried?

Expand full comment
Punkette's avatar

THIS!!! Brava, Linda!

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

demagogue's endorsement v. popularity-popularity is fragile

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

I heard one report that they are afraid Trump will sick maga on them them - ie they fear for their safety. However, I am sure MLK did to. He did they right thing, and so can republicans, if they actually cared about anything that is right or just.

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

their ideology renders them capable of rationalizing doing the wrong thing-the only one I trust is murkowski

Expand full comment
Pamela's avatar

Greed and selfishness.

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

it's so stupid-want to be rich when you die or right when you die?

Expand full comment
Ruth Sheets's avatar

Douglas, I have heard and consider it plausible that Toddler-Trump has something on just about everyone in DC, Republican and Democrat, and has let them all know he will release the information if they don't keep on kissing his butt when he presents it. It is illegal to blackmail people that way, but Toddler-Trump and "friends" care nothing for the law and they have learned from experience the law means nothing when it comes to them. He also knows that he can just make up something about someone that doesn't submit and his appallingly ignorant base will not only believe it, but spread it everywhere and with right-wing lying media prevalent, it will spread fast and people are scared of that. Courage is not exactly abundant in DC and Democrats, Independents, and others don't have a strong enough force to stop the lies, just as we couldn't stop the lies the bullies put out against Harris and Walls and so many Democratic candidates. If everyone stood up, there is little Toddler-Trump-Musk could do because that would be too many lies to get out too quickly. I just wish Congress, the courts, and the people working in the various departments would stand up together, even the Republicans and stop the insanity, the Toddler-Bullies. It could happen, but only if backbones grow quickly and everyone gets one.

Expand full comment
Klare K.'s avatar

I also called DOCTOR/SENATOR CASSIDY'S OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, THREE TIMES, AND CHASTISED AND SHAMED HIM FOR IN THE END GIVING IN TO PUSH RFK Jr. through. What in the hell is wrong with these people??? HOW could ANYONE BE AFRAID OF TRUMP, THE UGLIEST, WEIRDEST, QUEEREST, MOST CRIMINAL-INTENTIONED SPAWN OF THE DEVIL ON THIS EARTH ALIVE!!!??? WHAT THE HELL DOES KENNEDY KNOW ABOUT TRUE HEALTH PRACTICES EXCEPT JUST WHAT MOST OF US EDUCATED IN ALTERNATIVE HEALTH PRACTICES IN THE '60s and '70s know??? NADA, probably! Certainly not anywhere near enough to run and oversee 18 major health agencies and departments, that is for sure!

Expand full comment
Annie Cross's avatar

Everything I heard/saw/read tonight was that the RFK, jr and the Gabbard appointments were going to be confirmed. That must mean that some Democrats are going to vote to confirm. This is all just beyond the ability for a normal human to comprehend.

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

human stupidity is incomprehensible

Expand full comment
Klare K.'s avatar

THE WHOLE FACT THAT TRUMP AND MUSK HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE OVER THE RUNNING OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS JUST BEYOND BELIEF!!!

EACH TIME I HAVE CALLED THE WHITEHOUSE COMMENTS LINE, AFTER ABOUT TWO MINUTES IT SWITCHES OVER TO A MUSIC LINE! OBVIOUSLY THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR WHAT I HAVE TO SAY TO DONALD THE FAT SLOPPY EFFING PIG!!!

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

They don’t need any democrats to vote yes to confirm. They’ll spend have a majority. If any do they should be primaried

Expand full comment
Judi S.'s avatar

With the rise of using antibiotics on factory farms, antibiotics will no longer be affective at killing infections humans get. We are going down a very dangerous path. We will see more anti-resistant bacteria and more pandemics that are caused by these horrific and inhumane factory farms. With the cutbacks on food inspectors we will see these diseases on the rise!

Expand full comment
steve reed's avatar

I meant to say those Senators who confirm RFKjr which causes bad health consequences may pay a high price. People who lose loved ones because of some idiot like RFKjr are going to be angry.

Expand full comment
Jamae's avatar

Agree!

Expand full comment
kdsherpa's avatar

Well, rgkj's idea about drinking raw milk is certainly going to help with that problem!

Expand full comment
Carol Shetler's avatar

Have you ever drunk raw milk? You'll end up with the worst diarrhea you ever had and possibly some nausea and vomiting to go along with it. If you ever visit South Korea, don't drink their locally produced milk. It is all unpasteurized.

Expand full comment
kdsherpa's avatar

I wouldn't dream of it! The fact that the new "sec of hhs" advocates this is absolutely horrifying to me. (I'll let my daughter know about SK.)

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

pluribus reported today that the vote in the Arkansas house to allow farmers to sell unpasteurized milk at farmers markets and by delivery was 94-3 pro

Expand full comment
Theo Fenraven's avatar

Ha! You KNOW they won't be buying or drinking that stuff. I don't understand why they want to dismantle everything that keeps us safe. I'm afraid of eating our food these days, because the warnings haven't gone out in quite a while. What's bird flu doing? Who the hell knows! We aren't informed anymore!

Expand full comment
Klare K.'s avatar

I went to Buntke's organic farm all the time in Texas when I lived there and took my baby niece with me, and we stocked up on frozen organic whole milk. It was delicious! Don't freak out about what you don't know about!

Expand full comment
Ted Rees's avatar

Way back in the 50's my high school physics teached informed the class that milk was the most dangerous food used. The reason is because it could host so many different bacteria. Milk pasturization in the US started in 1890's.

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

I hear Kansas is having a huge TB outbreak. Bringing in RFK's unpasteurized dairy should help spread that nationwide.

Expand full comment
Somewhere, Somehow's avatar

And bird flu. Sad to say I’m not bothered should an anti-vaxer get seriously ill or even die and I know of several who died during covid. Their choice. I keep my distance and get vaxed. I don’t think raw milk dude will ban vaccines. I feel bad for kids caught in the bullshit and should an un-vaxed kid die, it’s on the parents. I know an anti-vax family whose daughter (teen tennis player) got seriously ill with covid. They now get vaccinated.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

It’s already $10 for a dozen eggs for many places.

Expand full comment
Mark's avatar

$12 in Wisconsin, you know that really hard to reach, non-farming state.

Surely the orange man didn't lie to me about fixing that inflation stuff...

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

Kissinger said eggs are$2.75/doz. in canada

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

kinsinger

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

More like $4’ish where I am

Expand full comment
Ricardamundo's avatar

Not to quibble, bu I don't know anywhere in Canada where eggs can be bought for $2.75.

Expand full comment
Brooks Keogh's avatar

that's what he said

Expand full comment
kathyw.'s avatar

I found 18 eggs for $5.99 at Target.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

If you live near big box stores, many don’t. Even Walmarts egg prices are high.

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

I bought a box of generic Sudafed from a chain pharmacy today. It went up over $4 from last month. E85 gas here has gone up over .30 in the last few days. Thanks, MAGA.

Expand full comment
Jeremy Kleier's avatar

Don't forget tuberculosis...

Expand full comment
Woozie's avatar

Jamae, you are right. The PRIMARY reason egg prices in USA are at their all-time high is because of bird flu, and the forced killing of more than 148 million chickens in the past two years alone. Now of course, besides wild and domestic birds, the flu has jumped to cows, and domestic cats. (The recent research is from Saskatchewan but now that we have alienated Canada with Trump's trade war, and Trump doesn't see any use for scientific research any way, I'm guessing egg (and beef) prices won't be coming down anytime soon.)

Expand full comment
Jamae's avatar

Yes….and now research and data sharing are shut down. We are on our own.

Expand full comment
Woozie's avatar

My husband, director of a federal aquaculture laboratory was told yesterday afternoon that federal employees are forbidden to communicate with any foreign nationals whether in USA or not - - NO communications, by any means, about any topic.

Yes, we are on our own...

Expand full comment
Lemmonout's avatar

That is my biggest concern-it keeps me up at night

Expand full comment
Carol Shetler's avatar

And you should be.

Expand full comment
Ruth Sheets's avatar

Jamae, it is amazing that none of Trump's toddler crew imagine that it could be they who become sick with those viruses they don't want to get vaccinated for or even have research done for. The Trump Toddler Playground knows so little it is scary, but they all think they are geniuses and it seems Republicans in Congress all think they are geniuses too, the few that have not already joined the Toddler Playground.

Expand full comment
Lois W. Halbert's avatar

Me too

Expand full comment
John Christopher's avatar

More death, more destruction and more profits, for that is all that matters to him, democracy and the worlds environment or climate be dammed and of course our democracy.

Maga wanted a fascist, a strong-man or dictator, congratulations, you're getting what you wanted, you voted for evil

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

And now RFK jr is in charge of health. What could possibly go wrong?

Expand full comment
John Christopher's avatar

What could possibly go wrong you say, well you and I and many know, since everything he touches dies, there is much more to come, RFK, his entire cabinet and with Trumps Tariffs, get ready to pay much more America and the price of eggs?

Our trading partner and close ally, says 👉shame on America, you knew what Trump was and what he would do and still, you voted for him and put him back in power

Russia state TV has said, Trump is finding ways to undermine the U.S Constitution and saying, "interesting times" ahead of America, indeed Putin is very happy with his handy work meddling via his misinformation and disinformation in America's social media and Putin is happy with his protege🤔, Donald Trump

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

As the punchline from the old joke about The Lone Ranger and Tonto’s says, “what do you mean me, white man?”

Expand full comment
John Christopher's avatar

Trump, like Musk, are white nationalist thorough and through, these white men, share a common trait too, of expressing the ideas of eugenics, both are evil and are in charge of America, until we, the American people, who care about our democracy, get busy and speak out to Congress, via calls, go to townhalls, and most importantly call and or go to Republican congressman and senator offices, bang on their doors if you will, weather they like it? or not and say are you for all that is happening, are you simply going to let Musk and Trump do what they want and take what they want.

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

On election night the Russian secretary of state (or whatever they might be called there) declared that Russia had "won".

Expand full comment
Janis Lentz's avatar

Because Russia for the THURS election rigged it for a convicted felon! Congrats, MAGAts!

Expand full comment
John Christopher's avatar

Putin, had also said, after Trump won, that it is the end of America, you would think with a comment like that, that Trump would respond to Putin's statement, instead silence,🤔 in fact, when Trump was recently asked, are you speaking with Putin, Trump refused to answer and instead changed the subject, Trump is, weather willing accomplice or not, is helping Putin do a hit job on all of America, whilst Trump tries to use our government and the people, as his personal piggy bank via his oligarch like cronyism

Expand full comment
Mike Hammer's avatar

End of life events take a number please. Those suffering from existentialitis.

Expand full comment
Jamae's avatar

As Timothy Snyder stated we are just data to be mined. Trump has sold us down the river and with every government agency gutted.

Expand full comment
John Christopher's avatar

Project 2025😠

Expand full comment
Mark Henrichsen's avatar

John

He's coming for them first! They're so stupid that they don't even see it! They think because they voted for him that he'll protect them. Quite the opposite is true!

Expand full comment
John Christopher's avatar

Trump, Musk and his cabinet of billionaires, to them the Trump voters and all the rest of us, are quite simply disposable, all a means to an end, to get those tax cuts for the rich, why else is Musk, his DOGE run by teenagers, has full access into people's social security numbers, hence our health records, our tax records, all is to find ways to deny payments, so he and the rest can get their hands on other people's money and or services, that people depend on to live. The Treasury guy, Bessant, he just opened the door and said, go ahead Musk, help yourself, can you imagine, you go to your bank and find out you have no money, I am sorry Sir, but our bank manager Mr. Bessant, let a man named Musk have it all.

Musk, remember🤔 when he publicly said to all Americans, there will be pain, before there is prosperity, I submit here, that he was quite honest when he said that, except at the end, to be really honest, he should have said, my prosperity.

Musk and Trump, they deserve each other as a criminal psychopathic team, for they are both the same

Expand full comment
Mark Henrichsen's avatar

John

Prosperity for who? Muskrat s**t and Dump? Perhaps Bozo Bezos and Hack Zack Zuckerberg? He has to save some funding for the purchase of Tik Tock. We all must need to remember that the Dumper wants a big cut of that sale under the table. I think that's pretty obvious. His latest b******* yesterday about how to fund that sale is absolutely ridiculous! I'm sure that you've read about it. And that's not happening either along with the rest of most of his b******* executive orders. It looks like he is trying to stall long enough to get the government to shut down again in March. Of course he is being told by others to do this. With his pea brain he could not figure any of this stuff out good or bad. I'm puzzled as to why they would even try with Social Security and possibly Medicare later. As working Americans we all pay into these systems. They're not part of any budget. It's our money. Period! Everyday is another day with a psychopath in the White House. Even more dangerous is that psychopath is a puppet for another psychopath. If you don't know who that is by now then you need to look it up. I've mentioned it many times. This guy's in the shadows and he's the one in power. Not Dump and not JD Chance Vance. They are two jokes in cheap suits. And it's not funny. Time for the Democrats to wake up and the rest of America as well. Nothing will happen folks if you sit on the sidelines when you're hands in your pockets and tremble and be afraid of this fraud of a human being! Get loud and get proud! Stand up America. Now! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

Expand full comment
Klare K.'s avatar

Do as much activity as you can! Call both Democrats and Repugs in office and raise the riot act with them! Demand to know why BOTH TRUMP AND MUSK ARE RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT AND W-H-Y ANY OF THAT LUDICROUS EXCUSE FOR A CABINET IS BEING CONFIRMED!!! NONE OF THEM ARE EXPERIENCED!!! DON'T LET UP!!!

Expand full comment
Douglas's avatar

As an older person I am terrified that a pandemic will envelop us and we will be flying blind thru it....until The Guardian reports on it. At first hint...I shall return to wearing mask. I DO see older folks wearing them and perhaps they know something I don't. They have wisdom.

Expand full comment
Riveting Rosie's avatar

Wear them now, there are viruses and the flu already in full swing and some just gearing up. Do whatever you can to protect yourself.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

Im sorry, be safe.

Expand full comment
Susan Leishman's avatar

I'm 63 & have worn a mask since the beginning of covid. I have just one working lung due to an accident. I got covid in 2022 & have damage to my one good lung. RFK JR is terrifying to me. Stay safe, be smart.

Expand full comment
Mamie's avatar

I have never stopped wearing a mask. Too many people out there don’t bother to cover their coughs and will just go anywhere when they’re sick.

Expand full comment
Theo Fenraven's avatar

Me neither. I keep a handful in the car and wear one every time I got inside a store. Why take the chance??

Expand full comment
Mamie's avatar

Exactly!

Expand full comment
Judith Johnson's avatar

No respect for other people if you don’t take precautions against transmitting disease.

Expand full comment
Debbie Ross's avatar

Here in Ontario face masks are mandatory in hospitals but that's OK. Rather be safe than sorry.

Expand full comment
Jane Gutsell's avatar

But will there even be any vaccines available? If RFK jr is confirmed, I doubt it. Beg your sebators not to confirm him. His nomination made it out of committee today.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

Neither of mine will—talk to the red states.

Expand full comment
Denise's avatar

I live in Indiana, and our Trump Governor just passed an executive order saying not to wear masks in public.

Expand full comment
steve reed's avatar

for who ? the people who work in state government ?

Expand full comment
steve reed's avatar

rest assured, it will just fade away. Isn't that what Trump said about COVID?

The GOP confirmation of RFK jr when it comes is like signing a death warrant on Americans in the event of a pandemic. Everyone should be incensed and alarmed,

Expand full comment
kdsherpa's avatar

Very interesting thought...

Expand full comment
Russell John Netto's avatar

68 Americans have died from H5N1 bird flu and now a pathogenic form of H5N9 has been found in chickens in California. Many virologists fear that it's only a matter of time before genetic reassortment in an animal or bird that doesn't get sick when infected with various viruses will eventually produce a virulent strain of bird flu that can pass between humans.

Expand full comment
kdsherpa's avatar

Well, the good news is: we won't be wasting any money looking into a vaccine to save us all. (sarcasm, in case you couldn't tell)

Expand full comment
Russell John Netto's avatar

Once more unto the bleach, dear friends...

Expand full comment
Pamela's avatar

it is hard to accept that we are descending into this dark ignorant place again.

Expand full comment
Judith Johnson's avatar

You mean the Dark Ages? Wouldn’t surprise me. That’s how people are behaving. Superstition and denial.

Expand full comment
Russell John Netto's avatar

In truth, some people never left it; it's where they've been living the past four years. All it ever required was a strong fanatical base, relatively modest levels of acquiescence or apathy and a background of disillusionment with the institutions established to protect people's liberty. This hasn't happened suddenly, it's taken many years to put these things in place - the grotesque distortion of the Tea Party's radical enthusiasm so redolent at first for many of the sixties, the mushrooming growth of right-wing think tanks and lobby groups, the corruption of parts of the judiciary, the slow takeover of the Republican party leading to the stonewalling in Congress, the relentless focus on right-wing media and social media on the propaganda that blames every liberal policy and instinct for the country's perceived woes and finally the creation of a scapegoat, the illegal immigrant, as a source of constant danger to ordinary Americans - and the warnings have come and gone and been largely ignored. The best lies always have a kernel of truth and in this case the truth is that America is the most unequal of western democracies. The evidence is stark yet it has always hidden beneath the myth of the American Dream - why envy the rich when in America, as in no other country, it is possible for anyone to get rich? What really happened was that the rich got richer and the middle-classes, so often the bulwark of democracy, got squeezed. Now they're so rich they can win elections and run the government.

Expand full comment
Judith Johnson's avatar

Russell John Netto — Good one.

Expand full comment
Somewhere, Somehow's avatar

I understand 2 people have died of bird flu: A teen in Canada or was it CA and the older man in SE US.

Expand full comment
Russell John Netto's avatar

Cutting off ties with the WHO is utter madness when such threats are lurking. The CDC doesn't just protect Americans - it's surveillance and epidemiological capacities potentially protect the world, but it can only do so if the lines are kept open.

Expand full comment
Shari McDowell's avatar

The teen in Canada was released from hospital, but almost died and it is unknown what his health status is now. No one has been able to figure out how he caught it - likely some exposure from a wild bird. The man from the US died. Up to 90% of US dairy cows have been exposed to avian flu and there is a new strain going around now that may make mammals sicker than the original strain. Thi is worrying because raw milk, usually safe and nutritious, can transmit avian flu. Several barn cats inthe US have died by catching avian flu from raw milk. Cats get sicker than other mammals from avian flu.

Expand full comment
steve reed's avatar

I think you meant 68 have had bird flue. One has died.

Expand full comment
Russell John Netto's avatar

Sorry. Of course, you're right.

Expand full comment
Sea Hag Life's avatar

I’m convinced this administration wants poor people to die by any means possible.

Expand full comment
Russell John Netto's avatar

That's doubtless true at least in so far as they care very little for poor folk and have no empathy at all for their daily struggles. Since the election, Trump hasn't talked at all about 'groceries' (a word he added to his limited lexicon towards the end of his campaign) or reducing prices.

Expand full comment
Trish Pool's avatar

Bird flu apparently has also been found in mergansers in the shores off of Chicago. It’s spreading quickly.

Expand full comment
Russell John Netto's avatar

Virologists believe that avian influenza is spread by migratory birds. A record outbreak of avian flu has been devastating poultry farms and birds that flock together on shorelines since 2021, raising new concerns that the virus could become endemic in wild birds. They've usually been asymptomatic but now many are experiencing illness and some wild birds are dying. H5N1 has also jumped into a number of mammal species - the virus looking for new reservoirs. It's been detected in otters and foxes here in the UK. It's also been detected in mammals from the Arctic to the Antarctic, including polar bears, otters, squirrels, dolphins, elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals and goats.

Expand full comment
Russell John Netto's avatar

Steve Reed has rightly corrected this comment. 68 Americans have NOT died from bird flu but they have been infected. So far, I know of only person who has died. I am truly sorry for any alarm this careless comment might have caused.

Expand full comment
Max P.'s avatar

Trump and Kushner murdered one million Americans and got away with it.

Now they are murdering worldwide.

Expand full comment
Lois W. Halbert's avatar

We are seeing an increase of Covid here in OC. It's with us like the flu now.

Expand full comment
Yehawes (VA)'s avatar

Not totally ignoring it! Elon just Xittered that USAID developed it in their bioweapon factories (probably in Ukraine)? So sometimes it is better to be ignored by some people.

Expand full comment
Dennis King's avatar

Just to name a few services drump would pull the plug on, as evidenced by his cabinet nominees and inner circle and his own statements - health, education, gun control, environmental protection, food safety and nutrition, yes, and effective law enforcement that does not swear fealty first to HIM. We are becoming one of the sickest, most illiterate, most terrified, most belligerent and most undependable (advanced???) nations in the world!

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

Aviation safety and oversight. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, cybersafety (What unelected President Muskrat is working on). And that's all we know about right now. It's what we don't know about concerns me the most.

Expand full comment
Pamela's avatar

It appears to be Project 2025 unfolding in real time.

Expand full comment
Ralph's avatar

A view from the outside: For me the operative word is undependable - or unreliable. When someone becomes unreliable you change your behaviour about them and start to disconnect from them to protect yourself. So Americans can look forward to the rest of the world to gradually find other trading partners (both ways) to regain a degree of confidence in their futures. In choosing a supplier, second best eggs are better than the strong possibility of no eggs at all. And for customers, the reliable ones will gain the favours. The world will gradually learn to live without the US.

Expand full comment
Canadian Otolaryngologist's avatar

That is exactly it. The world is realising that the US is not to be trusted (case in point Trump ripping up a legally binding and agreed upon trade agreement between Canada, Mexico and the US). We will look for other markets and we will find other friends. I have a free Substack page detailing Canadian and non-Canadian companies and products made or not made in Canada. I am extensively researching and it is free to all. This is my protest.

My purchasing priority is Canadian owned and made, if not, then foreign owned - Mexico, a NATO country other than the US, or a Commonwealth country, made in Canada then lastly non-US owned, made elsewhere (not in the US).

My province has taken red state liquor off the shelves and when the tariff threat was postponed, when asked if the US products would be put back, the premier vaguely said, "perhaps, at some point, maybe...".

In Canada, the provincial governments are the liquor purchaser and distribution so the loss of for example , Province of Ontario means about 1 Billion (yes, with a B) dollars of purchases of just US alcohol products. That is a populous province but not the only one.

The mood in Canada is of anger. The 30 day "reprieve" means nothing. Canada has always stepped up for the US from the Iran diplomat rescue, to our firefighters going to the US, to the support we gave to you on September 11, 2001. There are many more examples although I cannot think of anytime the IS stepped up for Canada.

You are the only NATO country to invoke article 5 for aid and we gave it to you.

Trust, once lost, is seldom regained. Trump should not have poked the Beaver...

Canadians are pissed off. It was not a good idea to poke the Beaver (national animal for those who don't know).

Expand full comment
Iuliana Calin's avatar

Well said.

Expand full comment
Steve Doll's avatar

Welcome to the Turd World.

Expand full comment
Alan Spector's avatar

Not necessary to insult poor countries... Much of the misery there is also caused by wealthy corporations in europe and the USA

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

Unfortunately you are right

Expand full comment
Citizen J's avatar

This Blue Smoke and Mirrors while djt is flooding the communications zone with his hyperbolic rhetoric he is attempting to solidify his regime and King Trump for life position…. Self-Promotion and Merch opportunities are to line his pockets and provide jobs for his immediate family through his presidential Library 📚.

When We Wake Up and figure out what happened we will be his victims and possibility imprisoned at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.

🇨🇺

Expand full comment
Paula B.'s avatar

There is no gun control left. It's hard to see how he could make it worse.

Expand full comment
Alan Spector's avatar

Deputize right wing militias and Musk's new fascist youth corps

Expand full comment
Paula B.'s avatar

Good point, but that isn't really gun control. Not that it matters what you call it. It's just horrible.

Expand full comment
Alan Spector's avatar

They will let the guns flow freely to their allies... Maybe even arm fascist militias by deputizing them ... and impose strict restrictions on their opponents

Expand full comment
Paula B.'s avatar

I don't see how they're going to be able to distinguish all their opponents.

Expand full comment
Skepticat's avatar

Oh, we're advancing, all right—to the rear.

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

I don’t think even that will work. They have spent 45 year defending trickle down. They’ll spend the next 45 defending Trump. This is about racism and sexism. When I was in college psych they showed an old black and white film where they asked a bunch of kids why they didn’t do well on a test/assignment. Some said they didn’t study, or that they should have asked for help. Others blamed the test, their teachers or their parents. Lo and behold the kids in the second group didn’t do so well in life as adults. That was our intro to locus of control. I think all the kids in the second group grew up and voted for Trump. Americans have to ask themselves why they are so much more racist and unaccountable than most the rest of the world. Maybe it’s the way y’all raise your children. People with attachment trauma tend to struggle with empathy, authentic human relationships, and low self worth which they bolster be belittling others.

Expand full comment
Janis Lentz's avatar

At the root of this country’s failure: fucking southern planters stealing the labor of other human beings and refusing to abide that they LOST the Civil War—clinging to their pathetic Lost Cause for 160 fucking years and counting! I would like nothing better than to require the southern states to secede, problem solved!

Expand full comment
Marjorie Nye's avatar

I’m confused. Did you mean to say the second group “didn’t “ do so well in life?

Expand full comment
Lewiekee's avatar

Thanks for sharing your insight.

Expand full comment
Jamae's avatar

I’m not so sure about that. Only difference is this time there are no Dems to blame. They are happy as clams to have a racist in the White House. It makes them feel better.

Expand full comment
Gary harmon's avatar

Jamae...

I don't know one Dem that is happy to have DT in the White House. Please don't post like you speak for me.

If DT make you feel better then just admit it.

Wise up... GH

Expand full comment
Lizard Breath's avatar

I believe Jamae was saying MAGAts can't blame Dems because their people have control of Congress as well, and that they are the ones who are happy to have a racist in the White House. I'd add misogynist and bigot to that. In my experience, if someone is one of those things, they're usually all 3.

Expand full comment
Gary harmon's avatar

Thanks Lizard... I think we are all in agreement now!. Cheers... GH

Expand full comment
Jamae's avatar

What I meant to say was the maga voters cannot blame the Dems bc they are not in charge of anything right now.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

Better, still wrong.

WE THE PEOPLE are in charge, we just drank the kool aid and forgot.

Action Plan:

Pay your 2024 State taxes.

Apply for a 6 month extension for your 2024 Federal taxes, on or shortly before April 15. Put that money away, you're going to need it. This is called legally "withholding funding" from a false and out of control Federal system.

If you live in a state that pays into the Feds for anything, email your state reps and your governors and tell them to "withhold finding". They too will need the money, especially in California.

Don't buy big ticket items like cars until this is over.

Curb spending as much as possible across the board until this is over.

Buy only from Blues states, Canada and Mexico (not US or China) until this is over.

Sell your stocks and buy gold or just hang onto the money for now, or invest in businesses that are actively working to end Climate Change.

Systematically take any savings you have in the bank, out of the bank. Your funds are at risk no matter what government guarantee is being offered. Remember the Savings and Loan debacle and the bank bail outs of 2008 and know who the Feds care about. It is not YOU.

THE PEOPLE forget that we hold the purse strings in this country and throughout the world through our taxes and our spending.

dipshit and the rich asshats have forgotten too.

Time for a serious wake up call.

The details of this action are complicated and will be painful in some cases. Hang in there or there will be worse, much worse, to come.

Expand full comment
BETH COTTER's avatar

And I would add to your list - don’t support social media platforms that benefit the billionaires. Deactivate your FB, Instagram, Amazon, TikTok and X accounts - or any others that

Expand full comment
Steve Gee's avatar

An Federal tax extension allows one to postpone filing the tax form only. It does not allow one to not pay taxes owed on April 15.

Expand full comment
Shannon Starks's avatar

Actually, they can. Truth is irrelevant these days in many minds.

Expand full comment
Jim siberry's avatar

Still not sure which side Fetterman is on. If he leans any further right he's going to throw out a hip.

Expand full comment
Penny Pawl's avatar

and don't speak for me either. I knew he would be the bat out of hell.

Expand full comment
Gloriann O'Brien's avatar

I think Fetterman is happy. He is the new Manchin.

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

Wise up and grow up

Expand full comment
Gary harmon's avatar

OK Jamae...

I get what you are saying now that you reworded it! Sorry.

Cheers... GH

Expand full comment
Jamae's avatar

Thanks for the opportunity to clarify.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

WHAT are you talking about? This is nonsense. Sorry, but statements like this are most unhelpful.

We have more than enough lies and nonsense flying around, just leave it out.

Thank you.

Expand full comment
Janis Lentz's avatar

Nonsense! The racists are on the OTHER side of the aisle! For 250 YEARS!!!!!!

Expand full comment
David's avatar

MAGATs will never abandon the Kool-Aid and the Orange Menace.

Expand full comment
Miss B's avatar

You are half correct but I hate to see those corrupts in power to get away with stealing our money we worked for and we have every right to get in our old age from Social Security! Social Security funds belong to ALL OF US THAT HAVE PAID TAXES THROUGH OUR HARD WORK - IT'S NOT AN ENTITLEMENT PROGRAM - IT'S OUR MONEY EARNED AND WORKED HONESTLY FOR OUR OLD AGE and they do not have any right to steal it from us!

Expand full comment
Tom Jopling's avatar

I truly hope so. Most MAGA do not understand because their king said someone else will pay…

Expand full comment
Jim (Bombguy24)'s avatar

Destruction of government services is one way, but that should be addressed by Congress as part of their actual responsibility. I have a better, far more disruptive idea concerning Trump's tariff threats that could wake folks up. Imagine the following.

Trump: "President Sheinbaum, I don't think you are doing enough to help me with my goal of making America Great Again. So, if you don't agree to my proposals, I will be forced to place a 25% tariff on everything you import to America. You and your people cannot continue to take advantage of Americans who support your economy. I will use our military if necessary to obtain my goals."

Sheinbaum: Mr. President, I understand your concerns, and I also understand the historic relationship we have with America with both a common border and economic dependency, and our cultural relationships. We have given much thought to your very serious demands. For us to acquiesce to your terms, should you feel a tariff is necessary we feel it will be necessary to close our common border. That will allow us the time and ability to address your demands to your satisfaction. We recognize that closing the border to all personal and commercial traffic will cause great disruption to our people and our economy, but we also feel that pleasing you is more important than the common welfare of our respective citizens. So, to please you, and protect Americans threatened by our Mexican citizens, we will close all border crossings until such time we can reach an agreeable solution. Should that not be sufficient to you, we will consider closing all airports and shipping terminals to American traffic as an additional concession to you.

I feel obligated to tell you that, following consultations with our neighbors to the North, Canada, the Prime Minister has agreed that Canada too will close its border to all traffic between it and the US until we can come up with a solution that pleases you. We to want to Make America Great Again and we share your concerns. A great America makes a great Mexico and a great Canada.

I look forward to working with you on this most important issue. We'll talk soon, I hope. Have a great MAGA day.

Expand full comment
Judy Linton's avatar

Agree. Red states rely heavily on government aid.

Expand full comment
Citizen J's avatar

I understand that djt Has A Shrine To His Favorite Laywer ( not Roy Cohen)

Merrick Garland “The Wanker “.

It’s OK to Try to Violently Overthrow Your Government…

Supreme Wanker or How Much Was He Bribed ???

Expand full comment
Russell Bixby's avatar

When they're already in the noose will be a tidge late for the realisation to do any good.

Expand full comment
DK Brooklyn's avatar

Look for other “common sense” explanations for the on again off again tariffs. I say stock market manipulation for insider trading.

Expand full comment
Steve Doll's avatar

He'll blame it on the liberal Democrats.

Expand full comment
Avid Skier's avatar

And Canada will NEVER become the 51st state. It is a ridiculous premise. Stop talking about it.

Expand full comment
Heather.B's avatar

Trump’s tariffs united Canadians with a pride not seen in years, maybe decades. Now there’s a backlash against buying American, Canada’s cutting reliance on the U.S.

In just two weeks Trump has made America US hated. Can’t imagine want four years of this nonsense will bring about!

Seems Trump surrounded with inepted yes people who kissed his a*s and believed his lies and BS. Four years will be sh*tshow with the lowest of Americans working for government!

It's gonna be a long 4 years and I will be wearing this "totally unhinged radical liberal" t-shirt more than ever 👇

https://libtees-2.creator-spring.com/listing/radlib

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

And both Canada and Mexico have another 29 days to find new customers (I listen to CBC, they are already on it). Hope folks are ready for the rise in produce costs—40% of what’s in our groceries comes from those countries. I’ve already planned a trip to spend some of my money directly in the Canadian economy.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

An exception could be made for food from California. As it's winter this may be necessary. Or Canada can buy more from Mexico...

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

Believe me there has been talk about that on CBC—California and Washington are seen in a positive way, based on what I’m hearing from BC radio. The issue isn’t the Canadian government, it’s who is running ours.

Expand full comment
D Trahan's avatar

US Imports from Canada $431.9 billion (2023).

Top 3 items

Energy: $131.9 billion

Auto: $56.3 billion

Machinery: $31.9 billion

Many other items imported across the border are distributed items produced elsewhere and sold to the US by Canadian companies. The US can just go direct and avoid the higher price. Canada cannot win on this one. As a % of GDP, it's less than 5% of the US. Businesses have not typically concerned themselves with things like tariffs or fees; now, there is a spotlight on this. Even if certain goods are not made in the US, they are made elsewhere, and those countries now have an opportunity to become part of the US import business.

Expand full comment
Ricardamundo's avatar

Some truth in that but The Orange Turd put tariffs on China so those costs will be borne by Americans and now he's threatening Europe. They will respond like Canada and Mexico did. Plus certain raw materials are sourced primarily from Canada (uranium, aluminum, potash etc). Let's see how the U.S. does finding other reliable and inexpensive sources for those. Don't underestimate the damage Trump will do with this tariff obsession. And remember that he has broken trust with friends and allies ... a price will be built into any future deals you make with any other providers of goods and services.

Expand full comment
Paul Froehlich's avatar

Lest we forget, Canada is our closest partner, long-term ally, supporter both socially and militarily. So, it isn't just economic reasoning that impacts this decision. It is shared cultures and peoples. What cooperation can we expect in the future from their governments? Will they develop new alliances without us? And for what? The actions and policies of a novice who couldn't build a fortune without daddy's $130 million starter kit? How will we change this back to a close relationship? Put a gun to their head?

Expand full comment
Jim siberry's avatar

Trump criticized the free trade agreement between Canada, and Mexico & America as being stupid and unfair to the American people. This is the same free trade deal he once referred to as the best trade deal ever. Trump came up with the trade agreement he now wants to violate .Under trumps erratic governance America is losing the trust of the world.

Expand full comment
Kate Fuller's avatar

Midterms

Expand full comment
Shelley Wright's avatar

What midterms? The crisis is now. Fix it or there will be no midterms.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

Nope. That's like when we said "Oh, he'll stop at Poland, that's not our problem".

Newsflash: it IS our problem.

This madness is not sustainable for 4 years. Everything that can be done must be done.

Expand full comment
Pamela's avatar

BEFORE the military is embarked.

Expand full comment
ConstantReader's avatar

"You won't have to vote anymore...".

Expand full comment
Francis/Clare's avatar

Two years for the trogs to see the light? Not likely.

Expand full comment
Jane Gutsell's avatar

I urge you to watch a Canadian MP's speech on the subject of T's ludicrousness. I saw it on YouTube. She is awesome! And former PM's pre-election speech Jean le Chretien. Powerful.

Expand full comment
Cara Waits's avatar

Do you think we will still be able to vote by then? I'm a tad be fearful Trump and his slaves will attempt or actually rewrite the Constitution.

Expand full comment
Carol C's avatar

Why stop talking about it? Expose its ridiculousness.

But if your point is that it is a distraction from Elon’s COUP, I am with you. It’s a pity that there is no video footage of what Elon’s boys are doing, as there was on Jan 6.

Expand full comment
L duffy's avatar

Alot of good the videos did. The man was never jailed, sigh.

Expand full comment
Michelle Wingate's avatar

I wonder if someone who works for the electric company will just cut electricity to the building. You have to know that they are transferring all those records to hard drives and walking out the door

Expand full comment
Dee Whitman's avatar

Unfortunately, there's no way to cut the power w-o leaving an identifying trail -- anyone who tried to do such a thing would be fired and possibly sued. But it's a lovely fantasy. And, I agree that elno's incels are taking all of those records, at elno's instruction, and for who knows what nefarious purposes.

As vile and devious as elno is, I think that few people anticipated that he would seize buildings, seize personnel records, gain access to the levers of the Treasury. I feel numb from the immensity and the horror of this and from our (citizens', Congrss's) seeming inability to halt any of it.

One thing we can do: Call your state AG and ask them to work with other AGs around the nation to sue elno (presumably bc he's interfering w/ states receiving $ they're entitled to, tho I assume that elno has broken many other laws that affect states). A commenter under Prof HCR's Sub today suggested this. I called mine and left a comment on the comment line.

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

Most likely the building has redundant power, too.

Expand full comment
Michelle Wingate's avatar

A girl can dream can't she?

Expand full comment
Shannon Starks's avatar

It's OUR power that is in danger of being cut. I'm glad there are lawsuits and hope they continue and win. I'm glad we can still call our reps even if they don't care. I'm glad for anyone with courage to stand up to this coup. NOW is the time we must act, or nothing good will be saved. Do this if you can: https://5calls.org

Expand full comment
Jane Gutsell's avatar

Congress has not created a Department of Government Efficiency. It has no director. It has no budget. It does not exist. So why hasn't Congress risen up and put a stop to it? I called John Thune today and left that message. Congress has the constitutional power of the purse and ALL members of Congress should be furious. Call him! Call them!

Expand full comment
Margaret Altink's avatar

Expose ridiculousness you say? How more ridiculous is it that America has a convicted FELON,RAPIST and CRIMINAL as PRESIDENT in the White House, who continues to con money from people with these MEMES. 2025 is going to be a bumpy year for us all!

Expand full comment
Douglas's avatar

If it was a 51st state the people would vote Democrat....another 50 votes. Unless the MAGAts have a thing up their sleeves. But look at Canadians reaction to tariffs....they BOOED the U.S. national anthem at hockey games. To get the polite kind Canadians to react that way....ya must have dome something quite repulsive to them!

Expand full comment
Carol Shetler's avatar

We booed the anthem at the NBA game too.

Expand full comment
Hazel sweetie's avatar

Know that every boo is like a big hug to us …. Validation that the felon really is as crazy as we think he is! Thank you 😊

Expand full comment
GOSSELIN Carla's avatar

N E V E R indeed.

Expand full comment
Dee Whitman's avatar

I know that you know this, but nonetheless I can't not say it: Tens of millions of Murkans are aghast by all of this, are deeply sorry, love our Canadian neighbo(u)rs, envy Canada's more-humane approach to everything, and wish Canadians all the best.

And: I wish I had moved there 20 years ago, when I was in my 40s and healthy.

Expand full comment
JP's avatar

You can still move here. We’ll let you in. Our health system is under strain these days, especially since COVID but it’s still there and we’re working to get it back in shape.

Expand full comment
Citizen J's avatar

We’ll be aware we stole most of this country from the Indians , ( native Americans) , we bought Alaska from Russia. Grabbing Greenland for its mineral wealth and location would surround Canada 🍁 🇨🇦 on three sides .

The us army muffed a chance to invade militarily in the 1800 .

I would be concerned if I was Canadian these guys are nuts and want to make their mark at anyone else’s cost…

Have a plan go about your life and hope for the best..,

Expand full comment
GOSSELIN Carla's avatar

🌱💦 ...and they lust after the Arctic waterways so it’s on all four directions now pushing expansionism.

Expand full comment
Citizen J's avatar

Trump Plaza GAZA STRIP version.

The Palestinians more than likely will be moved to Rwanda. Or Guantánamo.

Expand full comment
Citizen J's avatar

Does Trumpet 🎺 intend to build Concentration Camps and ultimately Gas Chambers to Get Rid Of The Current Population of The Gaza Strip.

It’s Not about Religious Apartheid ; it’s The Final Solution 2…

Expand full comment
Susan Swan's avatar

It makes him look like even more of an idiot than he is. But he knows his ignorant base

Expand full comment
Pamela's avatar

It is a national embarrassment.

Expand full comment
Carolyn Herz's avatar

Unsurprisingly, Canada and Greenland have no interest in becoming part of the United States. And guns flowing south from the U.S. empower Mexican drug cartels.

If I were another country, I would say, "I don't need this grief. I'll just hang out with countries that treat me with respect and honor their signed agreements."

Expand full comment
Mari Wilson's avatar

That’s what I’ve been saying. Canada & Mexico should hook up. All of our European allies should tell us to f.o. and stand up to the evil bully. If THEY all banded together and took a stand against US, worked a way around us, how quickly do you think that would work? Very quickly because it would screw America over so, so badly. And make China, who is already an incredibly dangerous regime, all the more powerful. These hideous greed factories (Corporate Oligarchy) and the working/middle class here would feel the pain so badly it would topple the Führer in Chief relatively quickly.

The thing about playing chicken, is knowing when to flinch.

Expand full comment
Jonathan's avatar

Canada already has trade agreements that include Mexico, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, and other Pacific rim nations. You can expect those ties just to become stronger now, as well as with Europe.

Expand full comment
Liz Olson's avatar

Power in numbers

Expand full comment
Margaret Altink's avatar

"china is an incredibly dangerous regime". You have guts to say this when as far as I can see at the moment, America is in 2025 the most dangerous country on Earth. Who allowed the USA to have 800 military establishments around this earth? Who is more frightening? China is only dangerous to criminals. Trump would have already been executed for his crimes had he been caught out in China.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

Don’t think they aren’t.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

Exactly what I say...we need all of the countries that trade with the US to STOP until Amerikka gets the dog back on the chain.

Will it upset a lot of peoples' lives? Will it mess things up for Americans? Yes it will, but if we don't stop this now it will benefit china and russia...

Expand full comment
Viktoria Peterson's avatar

BRICS exists already and is gaining members. Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and now Egypt, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Iran and United Arab Emirates. AI overview has many facts about it.

Expand full comment
Archangel's avatar

America buys almost all of Canada's oil and gas so I guess that Canada should urgently find other markets for its energy and let the US scrabble around for its oil on world spot markets resulting in more inflation.

Expand full comment
Carol Shetler's avatar

Thank you, Carolyn.

Expand full comment
oksana dresler's avatar

as a dual US-Canadian citizen ( for 25 years, in the states for 35 years), I will tell you 1) I love this country and its potential, 2) I would take a pretty large bet that all Canadians find trump and Muskolini-aparthied-cartoon-boi (aka "muskrat"- which is way too cute a moniker) repulsive, repugnant, vulgar, low-brow, and sleazy- and have NO interest in joining the hee-haws, proud boys, and ma n pa maga by any stretch of any imagination.

Expand full comment
Liz Reinking's avatar

Can we please become Canadians? Alabama has beautiful vacation ready beaches!

Expand full comment
Josh's avatar

And some great people, no doubt, but sadly Alabama is also ground zero for bigotry.

Expand full comment
Liz Reinking's avatar

IKR?!

Expand full comment
Shelley Wright's avatar

No. You have to fix your own problems first. You can come up here to visit. Just be prepared to have your ear chewed off now and then. And those lovely Alabama beaches, if they exist, will soon be under water because of global heating.

Expand full comment
Liz Reinking's avatar

Awwww come on! I did not vote for him. Gotta tell ya, tho, I love Canadians. Good friends!

Expand full comment
Catherine K's avatar

Felon47(formerly known as IQ-45** ) is nothing more than a lacky to anyone who waves enough money in his sweaty orange face. He couldn't give a Rat's A$$ for anyone except himself.

Expand full comment
jj's avatar

TDS

Expand full comment
Francis/Clare's avatar

Sooooo dumb.

Expand full comment
Terri's avatar

Aaaaaannnndddd... he's p*sses on Americans and tells us it's raining.

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

Every Republican president since Reagan has done that.

Expand full comment
Gloria J. Maloney's avatar

We must focus on demanding that Congress stop Trump's illegal orders. Musk needs to be stopped before he and his thugs crash the Treasury's payment system, either accidentally or intentionally.

Expand full comment
Pete F's avatar

It has been MANY years since Congress has been effective. They can't do what they're supposed to (pass authorization and appropriation bills, aka "the budget". Most senators and representatives are in it for the perk of a large bank account. What makes you think they'll stop Trump - remember the impeachment trials outcomes?

Expand full comment
Barbara Gierzak's avatar

"Sens. Schatz and Van Hollen pledged they would stall all State Dept. nominees, until Trump stops trying to close down USAID. Van Hollen went on to slam  Elon Musk, saying he “may get to play dictator of Tesla…but he doesn't get to shut down USAID,” calling it a “corrupt abuse of power,” that’s “plain illegal.”

Expand full comment
Francis/Clare's avatar

Why are Dems approving ANY of his unqualified, drunken, wife beater nominees???

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

They're not. Their vote is too small to matter. Voting has been along party lines for the most part so far.

Expand full comment
Francis/Clare's avatar

Some are. It's the principle.

Expand full comment
Douglas's avatar

Why the hell did 8 Democrats vote for the lady from South Dakota???

Expand full comment
Paula B.'s avatar

And three of them voted for Lee Zeldin for EPA.

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

I'm wondering about things like blackmail, and threats of harm to themselves and family.

Expand full comment
Carol Taylor Boyd's avatar

First things first, muskrat must be arrested for sedition! How do we make that happen???

Expand full comment
Louise Perret's avatar

Musk should be deported, though South Africa probably doesn’t want him back.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

Apparently Equador will take him....

Expand full comment
jj's avatar

Fat chance Carol

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

The man has no clue that he is painting a target on himself. Even a one time Trump supporter tried to assassinate Trump. There are a lot of folks who have been brainwashed by the right wing media who are no lovers of tech bros.

Expand full comment
Philip Miller's avatar

What continues to baffle me is how so many cave. How so many Senators are so weak. It's like the scene from the Untouchables where Capone is walking around with a baseball bat.

Expand full comment
Susan Iwanisziw's avatar

Today’s Republican Dr. on the RFK Jr panel had a long talk with RF and VP JD. What are the odds he was threatened with being primaried (sp?). I don’t understand how NONE of these goofs (even “concerned” Collins of Maine moaning about the potential loss of energy in her state with the Canadian counter-tariff threat) think twice about putting their wealth and careers above the wellbeing of American citizens. It has to stop.

Expand full comment
Brenda McDonald's avatar

Susan Collins can take a flying leap. She has zero integrity.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

At this point I wonder about the extent of her cognitive skills.

Expand full comment
Will  Holton's avatar

Brenda, and she can take her fake pearls with her. Her only "concern" has always been to please MAGA and kiss the ring while she ignores the wishes of the people of Maine. A true coward.

Expand full comment
Paul Cesmat's avatar

I really believe it has to do with Epstein sex videos of all these people abusing minors on his fantasy island or at mar a lago. remember that dumpster and epstein were good buddies for a long time. sexual extortion is a long -practiced political tool. i wonder when dumpster will pardon ghislaine maxwell?

Expand full comment
Francis/Clare's avatar

Doesn't explain any female Dems voting for these joke nominees.

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

That could well be.

Expand full comment
Bob Vidal's avatar

States should be giving the option of joining Canada or Mexico.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

How about this:

A new Union, like the EU, with Canada, Mexico, the Blue states, and all the US protectorates who'd like to join - Puerto Rico. Guam, American Samoa, Pulau... WHAT a great union that would be! We'd have a strong economy, diversified economic bases, and some of the best food and culture in the world.

We'd be free of the EC, Citizens United, the corrupt supreme court, and a large number of stupid, racist and hateful people. One passport, one currency, and like minded folks all around.

We could stay in NATO, the WHO, the UN, Paris Climate Accords, and all the other good clubs created since 1945. We could side with the EU, Denmark, Greenland, Panama, and all the other nations of the world who still have a brain and a real government.

Best and most important of all, we could focus all the brains, money and time to stopping CLIMATE CHANGE and healing the planet that gives us life.

Sounds kind of like Heaven, but it will be very painful, no sugar coating that. All change causes pain, so buckle up, but this is a grand idea compared to continuing to empower dipshit and indirectly putin and China.

Expand full comment
jj's avatar

hahah try it!

Expand full comment
CDN's avatar

Sorry! We don't want you. You can't be trusted and it would endanger our values and way of life to have more "former" Americans in our population than actual Canadians. Trust is everything and it isn't there.

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

Given the sheer stupidity of many of my fellow Americans, you have every reason to feel that way. I’m still going to BC this month to spend money In Canada as my own personal one finger salute to DJT and huzzah to Canadians.

Expand full comment
Robot Bender's avatar

Please don't hate all of us. Over 1/3 of us are happy with your country being our friend and ally.

Expand full comment
CDN's avatar

You'll have to make the effort to fix your own country...

Expand full comment
jj's avatar

Your country is in the toilet

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

You must be in Canada or Mexico talking about the US.

Expand full comment
Daniel H Laemmerhirt's avatar

NO! WE are America! That obese retard is a TRAITOR GUILTY OF HIGH TREASON. Sorry, "obese person with exceptionalities."

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

Yes, but so were the confederate states. Given the failure of the majority of our legislators (“Republicans”) to stand up for even the smallest thing, not to mention a private techoligarch having access to my information through the Treasury Department) my state which borders Canada has far more in common with them than those legislators in DC.

Expand full comment
jj's avatar

TDS

Expand full comment
Francis/Clare's avatar

Really really dumb.

Expand full comment
Annie Weeks's avatar

No thank you.

Expand full comment
Karen Scofield's avatar

This is a Perfect Cartoon for donOLD! It's exactly what he looks like, Stupid 😩 another terrific article today,Mr. Reich, and will reStack ASAP 💯👍

Expand full comment
DZK's avatar
Feb 4Edited

I think his move of pausing the tariffs and declaring victory was bullshit from the get-go. I think the whole threat of tariffs was bullshit from the get-go. He made that claim to keep his base engaged - and everyone else distracted. He can now claim there are ongoing negotiations that he can declare victory on periodically to appear he's doing something. It's all reality show bullshit - unless he falls victim to believing his own bullshit and actually starts enforcing those tariffs he claims to have imposed. The true objective is dismantling the US government institutions. Never get distracted from that - and the informal private army of insurrectionists that can disburse and influence private, right-wing, nut-job militias, like the one that tried to storm Michigan's state government to kidnap and execute the governor.

LATER INFO:

I really like this guy's take on all that, as well: https://youtu.be/DU1DIsqheOM?si=DRtQN-KHkdFcdtlh

Its strength lies in that it identifies a short-term objective, as well, while not particularly contradicting the possible/probable overall objective.

I like this guy's take here, too. It goes more in the direction I have in mind:

https://youtu.be/4kIILdReRw8?si=R-FLGztKqLnDpI_C

Expand full comment
Philip Starewich's avatar

I don’t think the threat of tariffs is BS. Republicans want to pass another income tax cut for rich people, and they want to pay for it using regressive consumption taxes. They can’t pass a national sales tax, but tariffs have the same effect.

Expand full comment
Betsy L's avatar

Mexico's President Sheinbaum has Dumpy figured out. She said on television after her conversation with Dumpy that he won't even remember 30 days from now to re-impose those tariffs. Let's hope to God that Stephen Miller doesn't remind him.

Expand full comment
DZK's avatar
Feb 4Edited

Perhaps. What has the Oval Office felon ever done that suggests to you he wouldn't knife those congressional RepubliMAGAts as quickly as he has already knifed his voters if it served his objective? Remember, he has a war chest left over from the '24 election that he can disburse any way that he wants that he can blackmail those congressional clowns with at election time. He can even leverage Musk for financial support with that. They are >definitely< intimidated by him and will be even more so after they give him the cabinet he wants to enforce the dismantling and coopting of the Justice Department - his true objective.

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

Doesn't quite work that way.

Canada and Mexico can find new markets - they already are.

They can refuse to trade with the US at all. The whole world can do that, at least until America gets it's deranged dog under control.

Americans DO NOT NEED TO BUY 90% OF THE SHIT THEY DO. I suggest they don't buy anything they can avoid buying at least for 2025, and starve the corporations down to a manageable size.

The world will roll on with or without 'merikka anyway. If dipshit takes his bat and ball and goes home, a new world order will settle in and he will not be in charge.

If the democratic world takes appropriate action in a timely fashion, America will be cut down to manageable size and the rest of the world can take up some of that business.

Change can be good.

Expand full comment
JP's avatar

Yes! Especially get off Amazon and META, and X. Better for the environment as well. Support your local mom and pop stores whenever possible. Drive less and walk more! The revolution will make us all healthier and happier.

Expand full comment
Philip Starewich's avatar

That sounds nice, but The United States is by far Canada’s largest trading partner, accounting for about three quarters of exports and nearly two-thirds of imports. They can’t just instantly change the whole nation’s consumption habits and supply chains overnight.

And by the way, a large portion of the Republican Party literally wants to isolate from the rest of the world, back out of all international treaties, and pull out of NATO, etc.

Expand full comment
Carol C's avatar

Well explained, thank you, Philip.

Expand full comment
Liz Reinking's avatar

Meanwhile, congress introduced the SAVE ACT which restricts voter registration!!!

Expand full comment
Cassandra Fraser's avatar

Meanwhile in the background muskrat has access to paying or not paying SS and medicaid payments. He has IRS information and just about anything else the gov'mint knows about us.

Next on the chopping block: education (such as it is now in America)

Through a spectacularly stupid set of actions and non-actions over the past 30 years, American is going down for the third time.

We need to humbly ask the world to take a stand and help us stop this, or the world as we know it is going down and china and putin are coming up.

Expand full comment
Paula B.'s avatar

He may have a hard time explaining why we're not going to do away with the income tax now that the tariffs have been dropped.

Expand full comment
DZK's avatar
Feb 4Edited

A desirable outcome, indeed. See that cartoon Dr Reich included with his essay! 🤣🤣🤣

BTW: I understand that Canada peremptorily tore up its contract with StarLink to provide wireless service with wilderness customers. That's a $100M loss at face value for implementation and untold numbers for continuing service long term for ol' CivitPiss himself! (I know you don't get musk from civet. That's something else. But I'll call him that anyway! It has more impact than musk rat.)

Expand full comment
Paula B.'s avatar

😀😀

Expand full comment
Stephen JulesOtisCareer Rubin's avatar

what an asshole...

Expand full comment
Stephen JulesOtisCareer Rubin's avatar

I absolutely love y'all except the person who kept lecturing me even when I explained the potty mouth getting good reactions cuz it's needed sometimes..that person may still be lecturing me but I couldn't mute or ignore or hide their annoying comments so blocked em ...first annoying interaction on Substack tho which is great so anyways back to positive I love that this simple true comment has gotten more likes than minutes it's been up...not for my ego but cuz there's hope in it

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

There’s a couple of them, I’ve reported them repeatedly. Potty mouthed has some place but violent and sexualized comments are the tools of those with no argument. It would be simpler if they just said, “I know you are, but what am I?”—they are essentially 5year olds yelling at each other on the playground.

Expand full comment
Stephen JulesOtisCareer Rubin's avatar

and yes there's a definite difference between an emotional not refined expressive colorful comment and a harmful one....harmful esp to any group gender etc deserve reporting....a weirdo not fixing typos and cursing can deserve to be ignored by those who don't approve but doesn't need to be an issue

Expand full comment
Stephen JulesOtisCareer Rubin's avatar

I was simply using colorful language for intense situations and clearly it's appreciated.....it's very easy not to read something one doesn't like without being dogmatic

Expand full comment
Diana E's avatar

As a retired public defender, believe me, we had lots of colorful language in the privacy of our offices.🤣

Expand full comment
Stephen JulesOtisCareer Rubin's avatar

oftah yeah. I'm very much not a lawyer from a family of em.... hard core

Expand full comment
Brian's avatar

Considering the human mind’s capacity, and the MAGA Administration’s myopics, he not considering much much more than just this. No State, no planet, no agenda, is an island (;

Expand full comment