Chop Wood, Carry Water 11/7
The secret engine behind our victories: you.
Hi, all, and happy Friday!
I’ve finally run out of steam, so this newsletter will be shorter than usual. I think I need a day off!
I continue to be so unbelievably proud of you, my friends. I am listening to pundit after pundit talking about what a seismic event this week’s election was. They’re attributing our massive wins to Trump’s authoritarianism, the terrible economy, people’s horror at ICE raids, the Epstein files, and/or the tariffs. These are all part of the story, but they leave out the most important factor.
That’s you.
What happened Tuesday would have been impossible without the people power that fueled each victory. Yet, once elections are over, the “people” rarely get any thanks.
So this is me, thanking you—the secret engine behind Tuesday’s Blue Tsunami. I literally couldn’t be more proud.
And your work is continuing to make a difference! It looks like SNAP benefits are going to be released—or we’ve seen them come down in about ten states so far, anyway—with the Trump administration indicating it will release the rest as they await the results of their appeal. (Because yes, they appealed the court’s order to release SNAP funding. Insert exploding head emoji here). Please know that your daily calls to your reps demanding this relief are moving the needle.
Also, I am hearing there may be some sort of deal in the offing to reopen the government in exchange for a one-year extension of the ACA tax credits. If that happens I think we can take it as at least a partial win. Trump and the GOP have taken a GIANT reputational hit as a result of this shutdown; better still, Americans will be spared the outrageous increases they’ve been facing. Finally, this issue will be front and center during the midterms. So as much as I’d like a permanent extension this may be the compromise we have to accept—provided it comes with guarantees and guardrails on Trump. I suspect Democrats will demand these, but in case they weren’t going to, we are going to push them to do so.
Anyway. Until we hear that a deal has been reached we are going to keep pushing for a permanent extension. Because truly that’s what Americans deserve.
OK, all. Enough talk. Let’s get to work! Have a great weekend and do make sure you get some rest!
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲 and Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
[H/T 5 Calls]
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
[IF CALLING REPUBLICAN]: I’m calling to ask that [REP/SEN NAME] immediately move to end this government shutdown by passing a budget deal that extends the ACA tax credits and blocks Trump’s illegal budget cuts. Congress must do its job and stop this administration’s ongoing lawlessness and authoritarian takeover.
[IF CALLING DEMOCRAT]: I’m calling to ask that [REP/SEN NAME] oppose any federal budget deal that does not extend the ACA tax credits and block Trump’s illegal budget cuts. Congress must hold firm against this untrustworthy authoritarian regime. The promise of a future vote or deal is not enough.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Practivist—with Ken Martin! 📚
This week on the Practivist Pod Steve and I discussed the Democratic victories across the country, then Steve interviewed DNC Chair Ken Martin. They talked about what the results mean for taking on the Trump Regime moving forward. It’s a great conversation — Ken has a lot of great info about the elections. Check it out!
Here is a link to the episode.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
DemCast has a new messaging toolkit and a new hashtag they want to make trend—#thisisTrumpsshutdown! Let’s make some noise. 📣
Pick the platform you prefer, customize the caption, and post! Let’s light up the feeds together! 🔥
Give 💰!
You guys. Run For Something has had THREE THOUSAND new people sign up to run for office since Tuesday. 3,000! I’d really like to raise some money for them so they can funnel all these new folks into campaigns! RFS is always one of my top 3 picks for political donations—if you want to see some of their wild successes from this week’s election read their post-election good news roundup. It’s something!
And then please give any amount to this amazing organization!
Win Races! 🗳
Aftyn Behn has a new campaign ad! Let’s share it! Oh, and by the way, in case you’re wondering what cities or towns are in TN-07, most of the area is rural, but more than half of the district’s votes are cast in either Davidson County (Nashville), Montgomery County (Clarksville), or Williamson County (Franklin).
Also, Aftyn’s campaign has a Substack! If you want to follow her race subscribe here.
Hit the Streets!
On Thursday, Tesla shareholders rewarded Elon’s spectacular failures with a trillion dollar incentive. That’s an amount of wealth so obscene it shocks the conscience. But to get it, he’ll have to go through us.
Tesla Takedown is calling for a mass mobilization on Nov. 15 to say “HELL NO” to Elon’s trillion dollar bonus.
The trillion dollar bonus was meant to trick people into thinking Tesla is back on track. Instead, let’s make sure it’s a lightning rod for people’s anger over the billionaire takeover of our world.
On November 15, we’ll rally at showrooms and Superchargers around the world to make sure Elon’s trillion dollar pipe dreams turn into a crash-and-burn nightmare.
Join the #NoTrillionaires Day of Action on November 15—find an action or plan one in your community.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: the Supreme Court] [H/T
] [Text SIGN PUMZDS to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram](Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
I write to urge this Court to strike down President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)—a law written to confront genuine emergencies, not to hand presidents a blank check over U.S. trade policy.
On April 2, Trump unilaterally levied massive tariffs against scores of countries—including our closest allies and even nations posing no conceivable threat—without any congressional approval. He justified this move by declaring national emergencies over “trade deficits” and “fentanyl,” neither of which meets any plausible standard for invoking IEEPA. The U.S. Court of International Trade and the appellate court have both ruled these tariffs illegal, and now the final word lies with you.
[Read the rest of the letter here.]
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I called my rethug congressman's office this morning (WI 03) to ask if he would donate his salary to our local food pantry since congress wasn't working and because he campaigned on needing snap while growing up. And in very exciting news, I just read that Pete Buttigieg is coming to my town to debate said rethug on November 18!
Re Aftyn Behn - I'm adding the same comment I made on 11/6, just in case some didn't see it. This race for US House TN 07 district has been a pet cause of mine since I first read about it. I don't think a lot of people know that in this election which is on 12/2/25, we have a chance to flip another US House seat from red to blue - that's this year. A previous GOP gerrymander moved Dem voters into this formerly very safe red district so as to dilute Dems in other districts. So, b/c more Dem voters were moved into this district, and b/c of the very strong dislike of Trump and GOP in general right now, this district is winnable for a Dem - IF she has enough $ to counteract all the negative campaign ads and get her message out. It's another chance to show how strong people power is!
Here's the link to Behn's website:
https://www.aftynforcongress.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email