Me too. I no longer have to provide my name and address - I must pop up in their caller ID as a recognized number. Hopefully this doesn't mean they have me flagged as a radical Democrat! ;-)
"In an apparent effort to aid President Trump’s discriminatory clamp down on free speech, Republicans on the House Ways & Means Committee have snuck a dangerous anti-dissent bill into their massive, new tax package.
This provision would grant the executive branch the power to effectively shut down any non-profit organization – including news outlets, universities, and civil liberties groups – by accusing them of “supporting terrorism” and using that accusation to suspend their tax-exempt status without any real due process.
It was defeated last year, yet politicians are now trying to resurrect it once again. We've already seen the Trump administration conflate students protesting in support of Palestinian rights with Hamas, deport immigrants to an El Salvadorian prison without due process, and detain students thousands of miles away from their loved ones for criticizing U.S. foreign policy. It isn't a stretch to imagine how this bill could be used to pressure universities to shut down student groups and scare human rights organizations away from working with vulnerable communities. Tell your Representatives to remove the provision threatening nonprofits from the tax bill."
I was thrilled to speak to 3 or 4 staffers today when I made my 9 calls to my 3 maga representatives! Usually it's just voice mail, especially for Blackburn! I really understood how giving some personal info to people might make some difference. My first job out of college was with Head Start. My teaching experience (32yrs) was in rural schools and I remember the importance of free lunch/ breakfast for so many.
The plane is a touchy topic, at least in Senate offices. Sen. Schmitt's staffer was at pains to tell me that 1) the deal was not done and there were a lot of details that had to be taken care of and 2) the plane wasn't being given to the pseudo-President, but to the DoD. I managed to suppress my laughter, but did express some skepticism about the latter claim. The heat seems to be building in the House too, the staffer I spoke with was in a hurry to get off and, probably, get to another call.
And show some concern about the wonderfulness of their leader? I think the fear is growing that they may have gone out on a limb and left him by the trunk with a chainsaw. The pressure is on from both sides and most of these folks aren't used to that.
Are members of a committee, like the Ways & Means Committee representing their districts, or the country? If they are supposedly representing the country, it would not seem inappropriate to contact committee members, regardless of whether I am in their district.
Will it be possible to see your podcast with Andrea Ducas from CAP again?
There was so much detail that I want to reference when I call my Republican Representative, about the budget & Medicaid, again today. Thanks for all you are doing!
SpaceX is requesting to increase the number of launches from Cape Canaveral from 50 to 120! This is a major concern for the shrimping,fishing industries and environmental groups as the launch site is on the coast and adjacent to a national wildlife preserve.
The airline pilots union is also fighting the request as SpaceX launches are major disruptors to flight plans.
The comment period to the FAA is restricted to May 13-15, probably by design.Anyone can comment anonymously!⬇️
SpaceX is proposing to increase the number of launches from 50 to 120 from Complex 40,located in Cape Canaveral, Florida along the coast and adjacent to a national wildlife refuge and Port Canaveral.
Launches require a major disruption/suspension of any airplane/boating activity for miles around Complex 40.
This massive increase in launches will not only have detrimental effects for the surrounding environment but also have a direct economic impact for local fishing and shrimping industries, many of which are family-owned businesses.
An increase in launches also increases the possibility of another explosion similar to SpaceX’s Starship mega rocket in January that rained metal fragments across the Caribbean and most likely released significant amounts of air pollution.The explosion also caused a diversion of flight paths.
Three things on the list I can't find anywhere: roll back of green energy grants, partisan attack on federal regulations, and especially the limit on federal judges’ ability to hold the Trump administration accountable. - what is this? Is there any central spot to keep up with all of what's in these bills?
Hi, Roslyn. We work hard all week taking actions to save democracy. Then on Sunday we get to read about all the ways our hard work (and peoples' like us) made a difference! That's the plan, here. (:
Yep, as Christopher notes, the Sunday newsletter is the one dedicated to all the good things that have happened over the previous week. The posts during the week are all about relevant updates (mostly the crazy/bad stuff that's happening) and our marching orders for the actions we can take to fight back.
As much as I am against cuts to Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy, I don't think it is a good idea strategically to call our representatives on this. If we are successful in influencing the Republicans to leave Medicaid alone, (Trump is talking about raising taxes on the very wealthy and leaving Medicaid alone) then Trump leaning voters will support him even more, and Trump can continue with his authoritarian ways. This is akin to Red states that voted for Reproductive Rights in ballot initiatives, and then did not feel a need to vote for Democrats because they had secured the policy that was important to them.
I disagree. The cuts to Medicaid and other benefit programs are essential to the GOP claim to be trying to balance the budget while extending the tax cuts. I understand the concern about Red states and policy divergence, we're fighting that battle in MO now and will probably see another amendment in a year to reverse the vote on Amendment 3.
For the first time in over a week, I actually talked to a staffer in my rep's office instead of leaving a message. Keep up the good work!
Me too. I no longer have to provide my name and address - I must pop up in their caller ID as a recognized number. Hopefully this doesn't mean they have me flagged as a radical Democrat! ;-)
Love it.
Nice work!
Message from the ACLU
"In an apparent effort to aid President Trump’s discriminatory clamp down on free speech, Republicans on the House Ways & Means Committee have snuck a dangerous anti-dissent bill into their massive, new tax package.
This provision would grant the executive branch the power to effectively shut down any non-profit organization – including news outlets, universities, and civil liberties groups – by accusing them of “supporting terrorism” and using that accusation to suspend their tax-exempt status without any real due process.
It was defeated last year, yet politicians are now trying to resurrect it once again. We've already seen the Trump administration conflate students protesting in support of Palestinian rights with Hamas, deport immigrants to an El Salvadorian prison without due process, and detain students thousands of miles away from their loved ones for criticizing U.S. foreign policy. It isn't a stretch to imagine how this bill could be used to pressure universities to shut down student groups and scare human rights organizations away from working with vulnerable communities. Tell your Representatives to remove the provision threatening nonprofits from the tax bill."
Yep. They're bringing back the bill they tried to pass in the lame duck session. Awful.
I’ve gotten confused again — is this in the budget reconciliation? If so, wouldn’t it be stripped by the Byrd bath when it hits the Senate?
One would hope, but we don't even know if they're going to abide by Byrd.
I was thrilled to speak to 3 or 4 staffers today when I made my 9 calls to my 3 maga representatives! Usually it's just voice mail, especially for Blackburn! I really understood how giving some personal info to people might make some difference. My first job out of college was with Head Start. My teaching experience (32yrs) was in rural schools and I remember the importance of free lunch/ breakfast for so many.
The plane is a touchy topic, at least in Senate offices. Sen. Schmitt's staffer was at pains to tell me that 1) the deal was not done and there were a lot of details that had to be taken care of and 2) the plane wasn't being given to the pseudo-President, but to the DoD. I managed to suppress my laughter, but did express some skepticism about the latter claim. The heat seems to be building in the House too, the staffer I spoke with was in a hurry to get off and, probably, get to another call.
It's to be givne to Trump's museum in the end, for his personal use. It's so flagrant. Why can't they just admit the obvious?
And show some concern about the wonderfulness of their leader? I think the fear is growing that they may have gone out on a limb and left him by the trunk with a chainsaw. The pressure is on from both sides and most of these folks aren't used to that.
Called the rep! Thank you as always, your work keeps me going!
Thank you!
Did. Done. shared.
Are members of a committee, like the Ways & Means Committee representing their districts, or the country? If they are supposedly representing the country, it would not seem inappropriate to contact committee members, regardless of whether I am in their district.
Will it be possible to see your podcast with Andrea Ducas from CAP again?
There was so much detail that I want to reference when I call my Republican Representative, about the budget & Medicaid, again today. Thanks for all you are doing!
Did you see i sent it out?
Yes, thanks so much!!!
Help us fight against Elon in Florida !🚀
SpaceX is requesting to increase the number of launches from Cape Canaveral from 50 to 120! This is a major concern for the shrimping,fishing industries and environmental groups as the launch site is on the coast and adjacent to a national wildlife preserve.
The airline pilots union is also fighting the request as SpaceX launches are major disruptors to flight plans.
The comment period to the FAA is restricted to May 13-15, probably by design.Anyone can comment anonymously!⬇️
https://www.regulations.gov/document/FAA-2025-0114-0001
SpaceX wants to launch more rockets — a lot more — from Florida’s Space Coast
https://www.yahoo.com/news/spacex-wants-launch-more-rockets-141046973.html
Thank you!! Done and shared!
Can you give an example text so we hit the major points for you?
Hope this helps with talking points.Thanks!
SpaceX is proposing to increase the number of launches from 50 to 120 from Complex 40,located in Cape Canaveral, Florida along the coast and adjacent to a national wildlife refuge and Port Canaveral.
Launches require a major disruption/suspension of any airplane/boating activity for miles around Complex 40.
This massive increase in launches will not only have detrimental effects for the surrounding environment but also have a direct economic impact for local fishing and shrimping industries, many of which are family-owned businesses.
An increase in launches also increases the possibility of another explosion similar to SpaceX’s Starship mega rocket in January that rained metal fragments across the Caribbean and most likely released significant amounts of air pollution.The explosion also caused a diversion of flight paths.
Done and shared with my activist pages on FB. Thank you for making it easy!
This is perfect. Heading over to leave the comment now!
That is a very short window, thanks for pointing that out!
🎯 NEW Campaign on Postcards To Voters
#391 Keenon Walker in Hattiesburg, MS for City Council. 🎯
Election Date: 06/03/25
Amazing candidate. Lots of community credibility.
Very short list. Please take 5 addresses and share.
Postcards can have a huge impact on low turnout on local races -- especially for open seats like this one.
Thanks!
Is there a link to sign up?
if you aren't already an approved volunteer, you may not be able to participate in this campaign. But there will be others!
For directions on how to become an approved writer with PTV, please email them at: Join@TonyTheDemocrat.org
Three things on the list I can't find anywhere: roll back of green energy grants, partisan attack on federal regulations, and especially the limit on federal judges’ ability to hold the Trump administration accountable. - what is this? Is there any central spot to keep up with all of what's in these bills?
I thought this was supposed to be about the good things being done. This issue is about anything but.
Hi, Roslyn. We work hard all week taking actions to save democracy. Then on Sunday we get to read about all the ways our hard work (and peoples' like us) made a difference! That's the plan, here. (:
Thanks for the clarification.
Yep, as Christopher notes, the Sunday newsletter is the one dedicated to all the good things that have happened over the previous week. The posts during the week are all about relevant updates (mostly the crazy/bad stuff that's happening) and our marching orders for the actions we can take to fight back.
Are you thinking of the Sunday CWCW post? https://open.substack.com/pub/chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions/p/extra-extra-511?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=3wjbux
As much as I am against cuts to Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for the wealthy, I don't think it is a good idea strategically to call our representatives on this. If we are successful in influencing the Republicans to leave Medicaid alone, (Trump is talking about raising taxes on the very wealthy and leaving Medicaid alone) then Trump leaning voters will support him even more, and Trump can continue with his authoritarian ways. This is akin to Red states that voted for Reproductive Rights in ballot initiatives, and then did not feel a need to vote for Democrats because they had secured the policy that was important to them.
I disagree. The cuts to Medicaid and other benefit programs are essential to the GOP claim to be trying to balance the budget while extending the tax cuts. I understand the concern about Red states and policy divergence, we're fighting that battle in MO now and will probably see another amendment in a year to reverse the vote on Amendment 3.
Thanks, Jess. Done!
"...modest millionaires surtax..."? Looking for the deets! TY :)