Chop Wood, Carry Water 2/26
Wednesday mini-edition
Hi, all, and happy Wednesday.
Well, they did it. By a one-vote margin, with only one Republican, Thomas Massie, and all Democrats voting no, Republicans passed a budget resolution that tees up Donald Trump’s massive tax giveaway to billionaires while cutting health insurance for tens of millions of Americans. It was an ugly night, and a deeply upsetting one for every American who relies on Medicaid, receives ACA subsidies, is already burdened by high student loan payments, cares about the climate crisis, or needs nutritional assistance.
But it was also a clarifying night. There can no longer be any doubt about who the Republicans are. There is no way to justify what they’re doing through a Christian or a deficit reducing lens. This budget, after all, is vicious to the most vulnerable Americans, and will add anywhere from 4 to 11 TRILLION dollars to the deficit (more, if you listen to Rep. Massie). It is, then, wholly unchristian and, from a fiscal standpoint, massively irresponsible .
No, the Republicans have laid themselves bare for the American people, and the truth is now crystal clear: they unabashedly work for the billionaire class and the mega-corporations that are making staggering profits off of the backs of their workers. Their constituents, to them, are Exxon Mobile, Citibank, United Healthcare, Pfizer, Shell Oil, other massive corporations, and the 756 billionaires currently living in the U.S. Those are their “stakeholders” and they mean to fight for them.
It is up to us to fight back, and we will.
Today being Wednesday, the day I technically take off to record my podcast, this newsletter will be quite short. I did, however, feel that you’d like a script for calling your House reps to tell them how you feel about their votes, so I’ve provided that, as well as a couple of other small items, below.
Hang in there, my friends, and please don’t give up on this fight. Last night’s vote was just the first of many, many steps required to pass this bill—I highly recommend this Bluesky thread if you want to learn just how many steps we’re talking about—and we will fight them every step of the way. Republicans know that what they’re attempting to do is wildly unpopular. They are caught between the will of Trump and the rage of their voters. Right now they are acceding to the former. They will soon learn what a huge mistake they’ve made.
We’ve been loud. We’re about to become deafening. And when we raise our voices together, we absolutely cannot lose.
Call your HOUSE Reps
[If Democrat or Massie]
I’m calling to thank the Congressmember for voting against Republicans’ awful budget resolution last night. I am deeply upset that it passed. [Tell a personal story about how you or someone you love will be affected by cuts to Medicaid, the ACA, or SNAP, or why you’re worried about the cuts to clean energy tax credits]. I am asking the Congressmember to keep fighting with everything s/he has to make sure this budget doesn’t ever pass. Americans won’t tolerate losing services and blowing up the deficit so billionaires and corporations can get more tax cuts. We want their taxes to go up, not down. Please fight for that. Thanks.
[If Republican except for Massie]
I’m calling to express my absolute rage that the Congressmember voted for the budget resolution last night. How dare they? [Tell a personal story about how you or someone you love will be affected by cuts to Medicaid, the ACA, or SNAP, or why you’re worried about the cuts to clean energy tax credits]. This is a breathtakingly irresponsible and cruel budget and the fact that the Congressmember voted for it sickens me. I want him/her to change course right away. Americans won’t tolerate losing services and blowing up the deficit so billionaires and corporations can get more tax cuts. Oppose this budget. Thanks.
Save the USPS!
Do this, and also share it!
The Washington Post reported that Trump is planning to sign an executive order to fire the entire Postal Board of Governors and place the USPS under the control of Wall Street billionaire Howard Lutnick, the newly appointed Commerce Secretary.
This is a worst-case scenario. It’s an illegal takeover that defies the Constitution, which gives Congress, not the president, authority over the Postal Service.
If Trump succeeds, the USPS will be at risk of massive service cuts, much higher costs for mail delivery, and delays for prescription medications, and Social Security checks. Trump might even try to sell off parts of USPS, which provides critical services that millions of Americans rely on every day.
This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. Congress must use their power to stop this attack, and they need to hear from you right now.
The American Postal Workers Union has put together an easy to use tool to call our Senators and demand they fight back against Trump’s USPS takeover. Please make your call now! (When you’re done with your first call hit star to be put through to your next Senator.)
I simply said:
My name is _______ and I’m a constituent from [zip]. I understand that Trump is planning to sign an executive order to fire the entire Postal Board of Governors and place the USPS under the control of Howard Lutnick. This is a disaster. It’s an illegal takeover that defies the Constitution. Congress, not the president, has authority over the Postal Service. Please do everything you can to stop this privatization attempt. Thanks.
Get Smart!
Join Working Families Party on Thursday, February 27 at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT to discuss how we can collectively fight back against Trump and Musk's agenda.
They'll be breaking down the latest developments in the courts, sharing how movements on the ground are pushing back, and, most importantly, talking about what we can do together. They’ll introduce a deeper report on the work of building Wolf Packs around the country — giving you a concrete way to plug in and be part of a real, grounded plan of action.
Get the inside scoop on how they’ve been turning up the heat on Republicans while they’re in-district — because direct action works and the pressure is already building.
This is not just a call to stay informed — it’s a call to move. Hope comes from action, not waiting. Let’s build together.
RSVP now to be a part of the conversation.
Write Letters for Wisconsin!
Vote Forward’s first letter writing campaign of 2025 is now live! Starting today, you can write and mail letters to voters in Wisconsin who will decide the first big election of the year – the Wisconsin Supreme Court election on April 1.
This election is a big deal. In the next few years, Wisconsin’s Supreme Court will rule on multiple issues that have profound implications for the people of Wisconsin. And the consequences of this election aren’t limited to just one state—Wisconsin is a critical swing state in national elections, so what happens here in 2025 could impact control of the U.S. House in 2026 and even the presidency in 2028.
Your letters can make a real difference in this crucial race.
OK, all, that’s it for today. Easy does it. This is tough, but remember—we’re tougher.
I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Thanks for all you do!
Jess
Reposting one of my favorite quotes, from Cecile Richards: "When you're fighting for justice, you lose, you lose, you lose - and then you win."
Taking life sustaining funds from our poorest Americans so the GOP can legislate massive tax breaks to our richest American is BOTH heartless sadism and terrible economics.
The sadism is obvious. Characterize the poor as the "parasite class" so you can get the pleasure of stripping them of life saving benefits. "Ahhh. Getting my money back from the parasites feels soooo good!"
BUT, left out of the economic equation is the impact on consumer spending and growth. If the GOP takes $800 billion in benefits away from the poorest Americans, those Americans will have that much less to spend on basic consumer goods like food, clothing, gas, rents and healthcare. That drop in spending will come right out of the pocket of wealthy Americans in the form of list investment profits, bankruptcy, crime, social disruption, drugs and so forth. And everyone of these GOP politicians call themselves good Christians!
The GOP must be driven from power in 2026! We must keep pushing back.