Federal court in San Francisco just issued an injunction stating that the terminations of 1000's of federal employees were illegal and ordering the agencies to rehire them!
This is the letter that I just wrote to my senators:
Dear Senators Schumer and Gillibrand,
I am sickened every day by the lethal damage being done to our government by the Trump regime. I believe that we are hurtling forward into authoritarianism and the destruction of all that has been good in our society.
I believe that the harm is so great that we may not have the opportunity for even moderately free and fair elections come 2026. There are signs that the military is being prepared to be weaponized, including against We the People, and I believe that there is a serious danger that Trump, with Hitler and Putin as his models, will actually invade the countries that he is currently threatening.
Under these extreme circumstances, with only very limited and temporary orders from the courts and the administration refusing to obey them, I believe that we would be better off shutting down this government than continuing to allow its campaign of destruction. It is already being shut down by a million cuts. My husband and I are already trying to figure out how we will live without our Social Security checks, with privatized for profit Medicare, and with such dangerous airline travel that we may no longer be able to see our daughter and her family who live abroad.
In other times, I would have looked at these words that I've just written and figured myself to be a paranoid lunatic, but, tragically, in these times words like these are simply about facing a reality we never thought we'd see in this country.
Please block the CR and fillibuster, fillibuster, fillibuster!! NO COMPROMISE with fascists.
I think he's a lost cause at this point, and I really can't understand what happened to him. I feel so betrayed by him. I worked so hard for him in PA.
Thank you for your post. Yes, the grief is tough to deal with. I am an educator, and after 22 years in the field, I have decided to retire and take care of myself. I am living with a chronic cancer and depending on research and medical care to beat the clock (so to speak). So, at the end of the school year, I will be moving abroad, especially for the quality of life. I am grieving for my country and that right now, at the senior chapter of my life, I am going to restart a life on another continent.
OMG....thank you for the video with Rep. Larson. I watched it repeatedly. I can't REMEMBER when I saw a more impassioned and frank speech, and it would do our founding fathers proud. I'm sure of it.
Not good enough. The vote on the continuing resolution comes after the vote on closure to end debate. They have to filibuster that vote. Not good enough to vote no on the CR
I am not convinced that attacking individual Tesla owners for purchases most of them made before elon took over the government is the best way to win hearts and minds. We need to win all the hearts and minds we can. I'm 70 years old, grew up in Berkeley and have lived experience of most of the great protest movements starting in the 1960s. I have never seen vandalism help a cause. Non-violent protest yes, vandalism no. Here are some of the creative way owners are trying to redeem themselves. https://www.fastcompany.com/91294552/tesla-owners-are-disguising-their-cars-with-fake-badges-as-a-form-of-resistance
I have to confess, with the upmost respect, gratitude and affection for you, I was prompted to write in response to the satirical picture of a municipal sign urging people to dispose of the dog poop in the nearest cybertruck.
This is continually the most uplifting, action oriented, compassionate and generous newsletter I receive. I’m so indebted to you for all the time, emotions, and thoughtfulness you put in to offer this to us - what a bright light you are in our world 🥲🥹🫶🏻✊🏻
I attended an excellent virtual town hall last night by my representative John Garamendi. CA 08 district. I was very impressed. He was focused, detailed, honest about his feelings, and provided great information on a variety of topics. He also is a fan of what you are encouraging us all to do. He said to keep calling, to go to demonstrations, and to find our own ways to resist. He repeated that several times throughout the call.He was also very strong on his answers to questions about Ukraine, giving a very concise and accurate history of the war. And he gave solid answers about his position about our policy in Gaza. I have called him daily for weeks asking him to get louder and he definitely stepped up last night. He also said he will be holding more town halls.
This is one of your most passionate newsletters yet! I hope it will inspire and galvanize your readers to take action and give feedback to our Congress critters. I too was heartened last night after I watched Adam Schiff's broadcast in his brand-new day old Substack.
A moment of humor in your newsletter, when you wrote the following:
"When days feel like months, hours become days, and minutes hours." It reminded me of a line from an old Star Trek Original Series episode. Won't nerd out here but thanks for the chuckle.
Stay safe! I worry slightly about you and all our other Substack authors who speak out about the insanity and corruption of ELON/FELON. This platform is a major voice in our resistance.
I called Congressman Larson, even though I live in VT, to thank him for his courage and fortitude to speak truth to the Ways & Means Committee, and to encourage him to continue doing so.
His #: (202) 225-2265
I also sent the following to our wavering (D) Senator Peter Welch:
Peter-
We who supported you and voted for you are mystified by your reluctance to use the one weapon we have in our quiver to stop the corrupt republican party and their criminally corrupt leaders from dismantling our government.
Why in the world would you capitulate and simply let them proceed unchallenged? This is not what we expect from you!
Please grab a little courage and do the right thing; do not support any budget that damages the country and hurts American voters, whatever their party.
I continue to strongly oppose the Republicans’ Continuing Resolution and want you 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. Show some strength. When you have the chance to use your power to stop fascists, you shouldn’t hesitate. Your timidity does not look good from VT. It's not complicated; do the right thing!!
I would love a suggestion. My congressman (republican) is holding a town hall, but it's virtual, so he will have a way to screen questions and protect himself from everyone's anger. I plan to call in, and if I do get a chance to speak, I want to ask a "good" question that puts him on the spot but also where I don't just get dismissed. Any suggestions? I new to making calls and town halls but trying to engage as much as I can.
I was told by Senator Mereno’s office they have been advised the political climate was too dangerous to hold an in person town hall. I let them know that was unacceptable.
Thank you Jessica!!! And even if you are not a constituent of Rep. Larson, I would say go ahead and tell him how good it felt to see someone standing up for constituents against this authoritarian, ogre team in the White House!!! (By the by, What is Gain Newsom smoking?!!)
Love your newsletter. Just one concern. Recently you shared the action folks have been energized by about writing postcards to Trump. I'm concerned you listed it as though it would actually be effective. I spend a lot of time trying to get members of our Indivisible group to understand what is effective and strategic and what is just venting our rage. Writing postcards to trump is not effective or strategic. It will accomplish nothing. I wish you had stated that you understood people wanted to vent their rage, but this was going to take up time from other actions that could actually have an effect. Thanks for listening.
Hi Gail. You will notice that I didn’t encourage people to take that action. I simply said “a number of my readers have asked me to post it.” It was one of the rare cases where I put in an action that I personally feel is a waste of time, because literally dozens of people asked me to. It was a judgement call. I likely wouldn’t do it again.
I understand and we have gotten a lot of questions about that action too. People love it. I just see part of our role as helping people understand what's effective and what's not, even though we take some heat when we don't agree with them. Thanks for listening and for the great job you do!!!!!
I watched that video of Rep Larson last night and tears streamed down my face. Finally.. FINALLY!!! Someone is speaking up with force.
And I jumped up and down! It was truly amazing. We need more reps standing up as Rep Larson did.
From Jess...yes Schumer has caved, but maybe we can still save America....
Live tracker of where various Dem Senators are with the funding bill. KEEP CALLING IF YOURS IS UNDECIDED!
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1kF9_E5GqOROqaMgynsPSnnUJop7X6kh0mj4hxsbuJKI/htmlview#gid=0
Right?
Federal court in San Francisco just issued an injunction stating that the terminations of 1000's of federal employees were illegal and ordering the agencies to rehire them!
Yes! So amazing!
This is the letter that I just wrote to my senators:
Dear Senators Schumer and Gillibrand,
I am sickened every day by the lethal damage being done to our government by the Trump regime. I believe that we are hurtling forward into authoritarianism and the destruction of all that has been good in our society.
I believe that the harm is so great that we may not have the opportunity for even moderately free and fair elections come 2026. There are signs that the military is being prepared to be weaponized, including against We the People, and I believe that there is a serious danger that Trump, with Hitler and Putin as his models, will actually invade the countries that he is currently threatening.
Under these extreme circumstances, with only very limited and temporary orders from the courts and the administration refusing to obey them, I believe that we would be better off shutting down this government than continuing to allow its campaign of destruction. It is already being shut down by a million cuts. My husband and I are already trying to figure out how we will live without our Social Security checks, with privatized for profit Medicare, and with such dangerous airline travel that we may no longer be able to see our daughter and her family who live abroad.
In other times, I would have looked at these words that I've just written and figured myself to be a paranoid lunatic, but, tragically, in these times words like these are simply about facing a reality we never thought we'd see in this country.
Please block the CR and fillibuster, fillibuster, fillibuster!! NO COMPROMISE with fascists.
Sincerely,
Judy Fletcher
Beautiful Judy.
Excellent letter! They are my senators, too.
Unfortunately I agree with your assessment we might not be able to vote in 4 yrs
A crying emoji would be more appropriate, but "like" is my only option here!
I’m worried about Fetterman. I supported the guy (& I’m in Florida!). But he is siding with the Republicans …
I think he's a lost cause at this point, and I really can't understand what happened to him. I feel so betrayed by him. I worked so hard for him in PA.
I think his stroke really affected his brain chemistry.
Wow!! I thought that could be part of it as well!
He’s gone over to the dark side.
I could be wrong, but I think Fetterman is already on the record saying he will vote for the CR. :(
I heard that too.
Too much. I’m disappointed.
Thank you for your post. Yes, the grief is tough to deal with. I am an educator, and after 22 years in the field, I have decided to retire and take care of myself. I am living with a chronic cancer and depending on research and medical care to beat the clock (so to speak). So, at the end of the school year, I will be moving abroad, especially for the quality of life. I am grieving for my country and that right now, at the senior chapter of my life, I am going to restart a life on another continent.
Oh Choan I’m so sorry.
I wish you the best in your retirement abroad. Hoped to move to Wales but have found out that there isn’t a visa that I qualify for.
Sorry to hear that. Keep your eyes open, there are many countries opening their doors, depending on your conditions.
I have dual citizenship in European Union.
OMG....thank you for the video with Rep. Larson. I watched it repeatedly. I can't REMEMBER when I saw a more impassioned and frank speech, and it would do our founding fathers proud. I'm sure of it.
Got emails from both Senator Warner and Senator Kaine, telling me they are both voting no on the continuing resolution.
Not good enough. The vote on the continuing resolution comes after the vote on closure to end debate. They have to filibuster that vote. Not good enough to vote no on the CR
I am not convinced that attacking individual Tesla owners for purchases most of them made before elon took over the government is the best way to win hearts and minds. We need to win all the hearts and minds we can. I'm 70 years old, grew up in Berkeley and have lived experience of most of the great protest movements starting in the 1960s. I have never seen vandalism help a cause. Non-violent protest yes, vandalism no. Here are some of the creative way owners are trying to redeem themselves. https://www.fastcompany.com/91294552/tesla-owners-are-disguising-their-cars-with-fake-badges-as-a-form-of-resistance
Oh I definitely do not support vandalism.
I have to confess, with the upmost respect, gratitude and affection for you, I was prompted to write in response to the satirical picture of a municipal sign urging people to dispose of the dog poop in the nearest cybertruck.
VERY GOOOD !!! I SHARED IT. THX
This is continually the most uplifting, action oriented, compassionate and generous newsletter I receive. I’m so indebted to you for all the time, emotions, and thoughtfulness you put in to offer this to us - what a bright light you are in our world 🥲🥹🫶🏻✊🏻
Thank you, Melissa!
I attended an excellent virtual town hall last night by my representative John Garamendi. CA 08 district. I was very impressed. He was focused, detailed, honest about his feelings, and provided great information on a variety of topics. He also is a fan of what you are encouraging us all to do. He said to keep calling, to go to demonstrations, and to find our own ways to resist. He repeated that several times throughout the call.He was also very strong on his answers to questions about Ukraine, giving a very concise and accurate history of the war. And he gave solid answers about his position about our policy in Gaza. I have called him daily for weeks asking him to get louder and he definitely stepped up last night. He also said he will be holding more town halls.
Jess,
This is one of your most passionate newsletters yet! I hope it will inspire and galvanize your readers to take action and give feedback to our Congress critters. I too was heartened last night after I watched Adam Schiff's broadcast in his brand-new day old Substack.
A moment of humor in your newsletter, when you wrote the following:
"When days feel like months, hours become days, and minutes hours." It reminded me of a line from an old Star Trek Original Series episode. Won't nerd out here but thanks for the chuckle.
Stay safe! I worry slightly about you and all our other Substack authors who speak out about the insanity and corruption of ELON/FELON. This platform is a major voice in our resistance.
I called Congressman Larson, even though I live in VT, to thank him for his courage and fortitude to speak truth to the Ways & Means Committee, and to encourage him to continue doing so.
His #: (202) 225-2265
I also sent the following to our wavering (D) Senator Peter Welch:
Peter-
We who supported you and voted for you are mystified by your reluctance to use the one weapon we have in our quiver to stop the corrupt republican party and their criminally corrupt leaders from dismantling our government.
Why in the world would you capitulate and simply let them proceed unchallenged? This is not what we expect from you!
Please grab a little courage and do the right thing; do not support any budget that damages the country and hurts American voters, whatever their party.
I continue to strongly oppose the Republicans’ Continuing Resolution and want you 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. Show some strength. When you have the chance to use your power to stop fascists, you shouldn’t hesitate. Your timidity does not look good from VT. It's not complicated; do the right thing!!
Thanks.
Great job!
I would love a suggestion. My congressman (republican) is holding a town hall, but it's virtual, so he will have a way to screen questions and protect himself from everyone's anger. I plan to call in, and if I do get a chance to speak, I want to ask a "good" question that puts him on the spot but also where I don't just get dismissed. Any suggestions? I new to making calls and town halls but trying to engage as much as I can.
This is Kevin Kiley in CA District 3. Thanks!
How about “why have Republicans in Congress ceded their power of appropriations to Trump and Musk?” There are so many others…
I was told by Senator Mereno’s office they have been advised the political climate was too dangerous to hold an in person town hall. I let them know that was unacceptable.
Thank you Jessica!!! And even if you are not a constituent of Rep. Larson, I would say go ahead and tell him how good it felt to see someone standing up for constituents against this authoritarian, ogre team in the White House!!! (By the by, What is Gain Newsom smoking?!!)
Love your newsletter. Just one concern. Recently you shared the action folks have been energized by about writing postcards to Trump. I'm concerned you listed it as though it would actually be effective. I spend a lot of time trying to get members of our Indivisible group to understand what is effective and strategic and what is just venting our rage. Writing postcards to trump is not effective or strategic. It will accomplish nothing. I wish you had stated that you understood people wanted to vent their rage, but this was going to take up time from other actions that could actually have an effect. Thanks for listening.
Hi Gail. You will notice that I didn’t encourage people to take that action. I simply said “a number of my readers have asked me to post it.” It was one of the rare cases where I put in an action that I personally feel is a waste of time, because literally dozens of people asked me to. It was a judgement call. I likely wouldn’t do it again.
I understand and we have gotten a lot of questions about that action too. People love it. I just see part of our role as helping people understand what's effective and what's not, even though we take some heat when we don't agree with them. Thanks for listening and for the great job you do!!!!!