Chop Wood, Carry Water 3/13

Posted by @HeavyDiscussion on Instagram

Hi, all, and happy Thursday.

Yesterday was quite a day, wasn’t it? I don’t know about you, but my mood vacillated between hope, confusion, and despair quite a few times. I was first frustrated that Democrats seemed close to folding on the budget vote, then I was thrilled when they didn’t, then I was sickened to hear that it may have all been a ploy to “placate the base” so they could, in fact, cave with cover. Finally, late last night, Adam Schiff posted a video saying they wouldn’t cave, and I felt cautious hope again. Meanwhile others warned that allowing a shutdown was playing into Musk’s hands. And so on. It was all really hard to process.

And this was just one day. It’s a truly exhausting time, and you’re not crazy if you feel like you can barely keep up.

I’ve said many times we have to take this fight a day at a time. I’m going to revise that to say that sometimes we’re going to have to break it down even further and take things hour by hour, even minute by minute. When days feel like months, hours become days, and minutes hours. So if you feel overwhelmed remind yourself of the moment you’re in, take a few deep breaths, and commit to just getting through the next sixty seconds. When those are up, start again. In this way we can stay sane and centered through even the most tumultuous times.

Remember, too, that we are in fully uncharted waters. No one knows for sure what to do. We are building an anti-fascist plane while flying it through a hurricane—with no one manning air traffic control; it’s grueling, and more than a little frightening.

But, but, but. So far we are still aloft. The plane may not be soaring, but it’s not crashing, either. And every day more parts are screwed into place, more crew members added to the team.

Meanwhile, unexpected heroes are coming to the fore. Yesterday a subscriber sent me a video of CT House rep John Larson excoriating Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee for allowing Musk to dodge testimony. It’s an outstanding and invigorating watch—I urge you all to dedicate 5 minutes to it. I reposted the video to Instagram last night, where it’s gotten over a half a million views so far. People are so, so hungry for this kind of passion and this kind of leadership. My hope is that the more Democratic leaders see us respond positively to speeches like Larson’s, the more they’ll speak—and take action—with equal intensity.

In the meantime if Larson is your representative please call and thank him for being the voice we needed yesterday.

As for what comes next on the budget fight, we’re going to keep pushing Democrats to stay strong. We must make them understand that if they give in to Trump and Musk on this we’ll be furious. I am providing scripts below saying as much. Certainly, there are risks to shutting down the government. But the dangers inherent in allowing Musk to maintain unfettered control over our institutions—especially Social Security—are much larger. AFGE, the biggest union of federal workers, seems to agree. Jay Kuo, too, wrote an excellent post this morning explaining why it’s so important.

So please, keep calling, no matter WHO your Senator is.

This is brutally difficult, and the grief we’re experiencing over watching our precious institutions being dismantled is real. Please take care of yourselves, easy does it, and remember—you’re not alone. Thousands of Americans are joining this movement by the day. Even those who’ve never spoken up politically are realizing the danger we’re in and getting off of the sidelines. There’s more suffering ahead, but our popular uprising will not be stopped. Eventually we will arrest and reverse the harm these vicious humans are doing.

And then we will build something beautiful in its place. So don’t quit before the miracle, folks. Heck—you ARE the miracle. With you at our sides we cannot lose.

Now let’s get to work one more time.

P.S. — One bit of good news—Trump pulled David Weldon’s nomination to run the CDC. Phew. He was truly awful.

P.P.S. — There’s a new episode of my podcast out today with the terrific Brian Tyler Cohen. You can watch here or listen here.

Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.

[If Democrat]

I continue to strongly oppose the Republicans’ Continuing Resolution and want the Senator to as well. Democrats need to insist on guardrails for Musk and DOGE before they agree to anything. Remember, if there’s a shutdown it will be caused by Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, who have full control of government and are requiring that any budget continue to allow Elon Musk’s out-of-control DOGE cuts. Democrats should support a budget as long as it doesn't do harmful things. This one does. Stay strong. When you have the chance to use your power to stop fascists, you shouldn’t hesitate. Thanks.

[If Republican]

I’m calling because I know Congress is on recess next week and I want to attend the Senator’s town hall. May I ask if s/he is doing one, and if so where it is?

[If none planned:] I’m extremely disappointed to hear that. America is in crisis—prices are skyrocketing, the stock market is crashing, economists are saying a recession is likely, Republicans are about to shut down the government, Trump is gutting the Board of Education, and Elon Musk is attacking Social Security and Veterans’ health. It’s unacceptable to avoid your constituents at a time like this. Ask the Senator to schedule an in-person Town Hall right away or expect to lose his/her job. Thanks.

Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲

Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.

I’m calling because I know the House is on recess next week and I want to attend the Congressmember’s Town Hall. May I ask if s/he is doing one, and if so where?

[If they are doing one say:] Great! Please thank the Congressmember for being accountable to his/her constituents. I’ll do my best to attend. And please make sure s/he talks about what s/he is doing to rein in Elon Musk and protect the programs Americans rely on for survival. Thanks.

[If none planned:] I’m extremely disappointed to hear that. America is in crisis—prices are skyrocketing, the stock market is crashing, economists are saying a recession is likely, Trump is gutting the Board of Education, and Elon Musk is attacking Social Security and Veterans’ health. It’s unacceptable to avoid your constituents at a time like this. Ask the Congressmember to schedule an in-person Town Hall right away or expect to lose his/her job next year. Thanks.

Extra Credit ✅

[H/T Indivisible Marin]

[I’ve had this action in the newsletter once before but it is so important, and the deadline coming up so soon, that I’m posting it again for those who might have missed it. Also, you can make as many comments as you like.]

The State Department is accepting public comments through Monday, March 17 for people to submit their concerns about the new passport policy that forces trans, intersex, and nonbinary people to out themselves any time they have to show ID. The State Department is REQUIRED to review every comment before taking action. PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO COMMENT BEFORE THE 3/17 DEADLINE.

Denying trans people accurate passports would expose them to violence and discrimination anytime they have to show ID and keep them from traveling safely. It would impact every element of participating in public life – from flying, opening bank accounts, to enrolling in school, and more.

We are not providing a script because individualized comments are most impactful. But some talking points include:

• Since this is a budget proposal, it is helpful to point out that this is a waste of government resources, because the end result benefits no one and harms many, including transgender and intersex people and their families.

• Also indicate your concern as to what this information might be used for, when a person's presentation does not match their assigned sex at birth.

• Please use your own language to make these points.

Donald Trump's transphobic, unconstitutional policies are trying to force trans people out of public life – but with your help, we won't let them. Please submit your comment today.

Get Smart! 📚

Let Us Work! Save our Services! Mass Call

A coalition of amazing groups are launching a mass nationwide campaign to stop Elon Musk, and their first big organizing call is this Thursday, March 13th at 8:00 PM ET. Speakers include Robert Reich, Senator Chris Murphy, Working Families Party National Director Maurice Mitchell, AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler, AFGE president Everett Kelley, and more.

Here’s what to expect on the call:

• Hear from federal workers on the frontlines fighting back against illegal DOGE cuts.

• Learn about their new national campaign of actions and town halls to stop federal worker firings and cuts to public services — and how YOU can get involved.

• Get insights from top elected officials and union leaders — including AFL-CIO president Liz Shuler and AFGE president Everett Kelley — about the urgent stakes of this battle.

RSVP now

Messaging! Messaging! Messaging! 📣

Navigator just put out some great polling on messaging for a potential shutdown—I used some of it in my script to Dem Senators above. Check it out here.

Get in the Streets! 🪧

Trans Day of Visibility Rally

Washington DC—National Mall between 3rd St and 4th St

March 31 - 4 PM

After relentless attacks from the Trump administration on the transgender community, trans Americans and allies from across the country will convene in Washington DC to show they’re not going anywhere.

Sign up transdayofvisibility.com. Please share far and wide!

Grab Your Wallet! 💳

“Good Good Good” just posted “23 Best Amazon Alternatives for Ethical Online Shopping” and it’s, well, good good good! Lot’s of great stuff in there! Check it out!

Win Races! 🗳

On Tuesday, March 18 at 5pmPT/8pm ET, Sister District—a group I LOVE—is hosting Fight for Our Future: The State of the States.

They’ll lay out their electoral strategy for 2025 and 2026 and share how activists like you can push back against the Trump administration's most harmful policies. With over 600 people already signed up, this is shaping up to be their biggest call yet.

If you’ve been looking for a way to turn fear and frustration into action, this is it. Join them next Tuesday to build power with a community of dedicated activists.

RSVP

Chop Wood, Save the Planet 🔥

Climate Defiance, a group I like more and more the more I watch their work, has a mass call called “The Struggle Ahead” with Jamie Raskin on March 19. I’m going—again, this organization seems to me to have the right mix of defiance, perseverance, and a plan. I’m all in.

If you want to come you can RSVP here.

Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻

Rogan's List

created an excellent Resistbot letter called Vote No on Appropriations While Trump-Musk Thefts Continue. You can read it here.

Then text SIGN PZOBQT to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram to send it.

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OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.

Talk soon.

Jess