Chop Wood, Carry Water 1/31
"Happy?" Yes.
Hi, all, and happy Friday.
I received a complaint from a reader yesterday about the verbiage in this newsletter’s opening. The “happy” part. I’ve been using it here, of course, for eight years now, during good times and bad. It’s how I started, and it’s just never occurred to me to change it. This reader may or may not know all of that, but either way she asked if I would consider starting the newsletter another way now—I assume because things are so bad in so many ways.
I get it. I really do. But I will not be changing the opening.
Why? Because, folks, I simply refuse to let MAGA take away my joy. Or yours. I understand fully and completely how difficult a time this is. I’m aware of the suffering, the fear, and the panic. I feel it myself, often. But this newsletter isn’t meant to make you feel worse; it’s meant to lift you up, because no army can fight effectively when its morale is low. I’m here to remind you of what’s good—even if it’s only a tiny number of things—and what can get better if we work at it. I’m here to remind you of lasting principles, of the power of studying history, of the strength of community, and of the force of our actions. You have a thousand places to go to find out what’s wrong and how awful things are. I’m here to tell you what’s right, what we can affect with our actions, and how powerful you are.
I’m also here to celebrate the fact that we are here at all! Because the fact of our resistance, if you want to call it that, is an unequivocally good and even “happy” thing. It is a manifestation of the best of humanity—that part that wishes to gather, to build, and to heal. There isn’t a day I don’t marvel at what we are doing here.
And that’s why the “happy” stays.
The “happy” doesn’t change the fact that some days are filled with grief, and others—many—with dread. It doesn’t erase the harm being done or the people being hurt. It doesn’t scoff at the fear we’re all feeling. It simply says “whatever is happening, I’m so glad we’re here together to face it.” I hope that makes sense to you.
If that approach doesn’t work—if it’s too “Kahlil Gibran,” as another reader asserted this week—then there are lots of other newsletters out there. I won’t be at all offended if you go seek them.
For those of you, on the other hand, who want effective political actions and a bit of a lift— because we need to keep going, and we can’t do so if we become crippled with sadness or rage, then I’m likely the right place for you.
On that note—and moving on!—so many of you called Costco yesterday that I believe we once again crashed their phone system! What a quality problem! If you still can’t get through to them today you can either wait a day or two and try again, or simply go to their website and look for the tiny feedback tab on the far right side (see red arrow below).
Once you’re there choose “website.” And then, when you see the dropdown menu, choose Customer Service. Then write away!
OK, my friends. I know things continue to be exceedingly difficult. Remember to eat, breathe, get exercise, and stay close to those you love. Remember that this awful time in history has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Remember that many more people in America don’t want to live in a fascist country than do.
And remember the power of love. It’s massive. Love of country, love of each other, love of freedom, love of justice—these are things that create an unbeatable momentum when we nourish, cultivate, and allow them to fuel us.
That’s another reason we say “happy” even when we’re not. It’s a patriotic choice. A decision to lean in to the good. An insistence on remembering joy, because joy is a place where fascists cannot come. It’s an absolute determination to grab at the good of life wherever we can spot it—because in so doing we are fortifying ourselves for a fight we will then go on to win. Because we must. And because we can.
Let’s get to work.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
RFK Jr.’s answers at the Senate HELP Committee hearing yesterday were totally disqualifying. Please ask the Senator to vote no. S/he should also vote no on Kash Patel and Tulsi Gabbard, who will both make Americans deeply unsafe. The Senator has an obligation to protect us from these unqualified nominees.
Also, I see that the House passed H.R 28, The Protection of Women And Girls In Sports Act of 2025. What a horrifying piece of legislation! It should be called the “child predator enablement act.” The bill makes it plain there will have to be genital examinations of those who want to participate in sports. It’s disgusting and the lawmakers who introduced it should resign. I strongly urge the Senator to VOTE AGAINST IT. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling to express my extreme dismay with the Trump Administration’s attacks on transgender Americans. These are American citizens, protected under the Constitution, who are just trying to live their lives. They are a tiny majority—only about 1.14% of the nation’s adult population. The fact that the government is spending so much time attacking them is shameful. Trump’s bans on transgender people in the military will make us less safe, and his attacks on gender affirming care will lead to actual harm. Trans kids especially will suffer. Suicide rates will increase. Is that what the Congressmember wants?
[If Democrat add:]
If not, it’s not enough to silently oppose these policies. I need the Congressmember to speak out loudly and often on behalf of transgender Americans. I need them to be an ally. Thanks.
[If GOP add:]
If so, then they should stop calling themselves a Christian. Christianity is a religion of love. These actions are hateful. Don’t forget it. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Since our Costco effort yesterday was so well-received I thought it might also be fun to email the CEO of Target and let him know where we’re shopping instead and why. I was inspired by this Threads post:
His email address is brian.cornell@target.com. Enjoy!
Get Smart! 📚
If you want more information about what’s happening on Capitol Hill I highly recommend subscribing to the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center’s Unrig the Rules newsletter. The author, Catherine Rowland, sends out one or two emails a week explaining what’s happening with legislation, budget fights, and hearings. She also breaks down things like reconciliation, the debt ceiling, and impoundment when necessary. Her explanations are extremely clear and accurate, and the information contained in her posts is highly relevant. I refer to her often when crafting my scripts.
It’s a free newsletter and a great one. Subscribe here.
Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣
I love the below video from the brand new org Families Over Billionaires. Messaging like this works really well!
Families Over Billionaires’ mission is to make sure the American people understand what the 2025 fight is really about: Politicians in Washington trying to cut taxes for the rich at the expense of working people. The campaign will elevate the voices of the majority of Americans who oppose more tax breaks for the rich by engaging directly with voters across the country in their communities, on their TVs and radios, and on social media — and will provide those voters with opportunities to make their opposition to tax breaks for the wealthy known to their elected representatives.
You can sign up for updates from them here.
Win Races! 🗳
The WisDems Voter Protection Team needs volunteers for the upcoming election! Here are two things you can sign up for.
Help recruit Poll Observers to defend democracy!
Join WisDems’ Voter Protection team to help recruit volunteer poll observers for the April election! Phone banks are held Monday evenings and Thursday afternoons. These calls are fun, easy, and incredibly rewarding – every poll observer we recruit is an additional resource to assist voters across the state. Poll observers are our biggest asset to protect the vote!
Join a Recruitment Phone Bank!
BACK TO BASICS: Voter Protection 101!
New to our program and wondering what it is we do? Sign up for a VoPro 101 session to learn the basics of Wisconsin election law, our volunteer offerings, and how you can get involved. Led by our experienced staff, this session is perfect for newcomers and seasoned volunteers alike. Sign up today!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [H/T
] [[Text SIGN SIGN PYJJQE to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]I am your constituent and I see that the House passed H.R 28, The Protection of Women And Girls In Sports Act of 2025. I strongly urge you to VOTE AGAINST IT. The bill makes it plain there will have to be genital examinations of those who pant to participate in sports. How many girls or women do you think want to go through that? So first this is an attack on women.
Then I want you to see this as the beginning of a discrimination campaign against the LQBTQ community. They are a tiny minority and if no one stands up for them then the MAGA-ites will pick another group to assault in their quest of turning our country into a country for white, Christian nationalists and no one else. Remember immigrants (legal and otherwise) are next, then Muslims then who knows. It has to stop and I need you to stand up to authoritarian bullies and say NO and vote down H.R 28, The Protection of Women And Girls In Sports Act of 2025. I am counting on you.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
I need the happy part. I need the activism prompts. I DON'T need to be reminded how awful things are. I ALREADY KNOW!!
So keep up the good work. And I'll keep chopping wood and carrying water.
I saw that comment while scrolling late last night and did that thing where I typed a big long response and then deleted it. What an insane thing to complain about on a newsletter that takes so much work and literally presents so much actionable information on a silver platter and that gives so many of us so much hope that we are not powerless in this administration.
Thank you for what you do and for not allowing these ghouls to steal your joy and hope. I personally feel a little delusional sometimes convincing myself that maybe enough people will step in to stop xyz thing but hell, I'd rather be a little delusional than hopeless 💜