I’ve recently begun personalizing the resistbot letters you share. It helps me to read those letters entirely so I understand what I want to stress to my senators and representative, and I make them a little bit more concise. And resistbot is very forgiving when I mess up the directions. But the originals are very useful for my own knowledge. Thank you.
This may be a little forward, but here goes. I EXCEL at writing letters. (Through my NP hobby I handwrite 50-100 a month to lonely elderly around the country). I have turned that attention since 2024 however to political letters through Vote Forward, Activate America, and Postcards to Swing States (referenced in today’s letter — thanks Jessica for the hookup! You’re the one who introduced me to them originally!)
I’m currently signed up to write 500 PC to Virginia, but I could literally take on thousands more…if I could afford the stamps. 500 PC =$280 in stamps. If writing is not your thing, but you believe in the mission, please consider Venmoing me a few dollars and I’ll be your hands!! Happy to send any donors photo updates, and let them pick which state the letters are going to, to be as transparent and honest as possible. I want to help with this as much as possible, but I’m a college student working at an NP, and $$ is tight. :)
Ok, end of rant, thanks for all you all do! Together we can turn this ship around.
I donate to Vote Forward every month so that writers who cannot afford stamps can write and send the letters. If you contact Vote Forward, they will help you with the cost of the stamps!
I do get free stamps through them! Thank you for donating!! 😁Vote Fwd unfortunately doesn’t have any campaigns running at the moment tho. I’m currently working through PC to swing states, and they don’t have a program like that.
I’ve also never heard of them, thanks for sharing! I prefer writing snail-mail though, I have always felt it’s special to get a personalized letter and people hardly do anymore, so I believe it makes a bigger impact. But I will see if I have time for this!
💙 this happening on June 14th !CHICAGO (WLS) -- “Tickets go on sale on Friday for the Rate Field celebration where Pope Leo XIV will greet Chicago for the first time.
The citywide celebration will be held on Saturday, June 14 at the home of the Chicago White Sox.
Pope Leo XIV will offer a special video message to the young people of the world, which will be broadcast first from the event, the archdiocese said.”
I stand with your “ vote them all out” sentiment, Jess. The status quo was not working and their utter failure to meet the moment means a lot of us feel betrayed, and we are angry and fed up. I say we speak honestly and directly. Thank you Jess for all of your hard work
Thank you, Jess. I called Schiff and Padilla, both of whom voted Yes on the GENIUS Act. Appalling.
No town halls from either of them this recess. Again.
In contrast, Dem Attorneys General are holding town halls. There's one June 2nd in Seattle with the AsG from WA, OR, and CA. In person, and live-streamed.
My guess is DONORS. The hypocrisy of Schiff posting vids and going on talk shows railing against Trump's corruption, and then voting to legalize that corruption is awful. I'll keep pointing that out to staffers, and that I'm looking forward to supporting a progressive opponent.
Use this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
My Senator, it seems, has been infected by a particularly virulent strain of generalized meanness, a contagion against which she clearly hasn't taken the necessary public servant's vaccine. Her "we all are going to die" comment, a bitter fruit from this infection, serves as a stark reminder that some elected officials are overdue for their booster shots of basic human empathy and accountability. All who serve the public should be regularly immunized against such callousness, a process that genuine interaction with constituents, rather than the isolating influence of big donor contributions, can often facilitate. For those already showing symptoms of this contagion, perhaps the most honorable path is to resign, admit their error, and prevent further spread.
Meanwhile, every elected official and candidate, regardless of party, should be pressed to answer a simple, mortal question: Do they believe that policy choices leading to reduced access to healthcare and vital services are acceptable, even if they result in preventable deaths? Their responses, much like Senator Ernst's, may expose their own political mortality and the true human cost of their platforms.
The uproar against Ernst's comment, while valid, must not overshadow the underlying issue: the very real, life-and-death consequences of the legislation she champions. Opponents should not merely decry the callousness, but relentlessly highlight that such bills, in effect, kill people.
This indecent serves as a stark reminder that some elected officials are overdue for their booster shots of basic human empathy and accountability.
Hey there, Jess! I love your newsletter, thank you for pouring such tremendous effort into it, your words so often help me gain my heading in rough times. I was wondering if you'd be willing to mention the surveillance company Palantir? According to the NY Times ("Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans") , this company has been granted contracts to compile data on Americans using information from the IRS, DHS, HHSD, etc. Just this week, they got a new contract for $795 million from Trump. Its bad enough that employees are even speaking out. We need to Tesla Takedown this company before our data is not only breached, but weaponized.
Disagree that we will "vote you all out" is too mean. Our electeds need to know we expect them to act in our best interest or they will be replaced. Sixteen Dems voting for the GENIUS Act is 16 Dems voting against our best interest and they should be replaced. The bill as written doesn't regulate anything - it provides a pathway to corruption. There is no way some of those DEMs ((i.e. Schiff) don't know that.
Thank you for the heads up on the SS live on Monday. Added to my calendar. And thank you for EVERYTHING you do.
I know my email won’t count but I emailed Sen Ernst on her website about her awful comment to her constituents. Many of the 🔴 congressional reps have been saying some pretty unseemly stuff to their constituents (when they do show up). I like to take this as a sign they’re feeling the heat.
Visibility Brigade for me today & Sunday. ✊🏻 Action is the remedy for despair and I’m feeling it this week.
Thank you, Jessica. You have the best substack out there -- the most timely, practical, energizing, informational, motivating, targeted, and fun to read. I appreciate your dedication, honesty, responsiveness, kindness, and creativity. Hope you get some rest and relaxation this weekend!
Today, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to terminate humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the United States through the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) sponsorship program.
As Trump/MAGA accelerate their attack on American freedoms and values, it is painfully clear that there exists two Americas. One is Trump, his MAGA crowd, his "fall in line" GOP loyalists (like sanctimonious Joni Ernst) and some unknown number of voters who believed Trump would be better for their future. Many of these folks mistakenly think Trump/MAGA is just fine for the future of America.
The other America is we the Dems and Libs, who's values and work have built a modern, thriving, more humane America over the past 80 years. Make no mistake, It is this America, our America, that Trump is relentlessly attacking on his retribution campaign to kingship and his shredding of the parts on the Constitution that would limit his powers. He must be stopped. Across the liberal alliance in America, and this goes well beyond party loyalty, we need to stand up for and extoll the virtues of our America. We have accomplished so much. We need to crow about it relentlessly. We need to educate or re-educate enough of those stuck in the other America, that their future well-being is with us not Trump/MAGA.
We must not be fooled by Trump's exaggerated megaphone. His plans, his agenda and his BBB are all losers for America's future. It is time WE stood up, put aside our fears, stop our self-flagelation game about losing the working class voters and claim the upper hand again. Let's go America we can do this.
This seems to vary by community but not surprised restrictions have already been implemented in many areas. Right after the election, I made sure to get the booster and other immunizations but I know many didn't need them at that time or did not see this coming. People should call try neighboring cities/states for boosters (and independent pharmacies).
I got one last week in NC at cvs and my thirty something child got one today in Md also at a cvs. No questions asked of either of us. I've also read that independent pharmacies give vaccines which I never knew. So keep trying and good luck!
I’ve recently begun personalizing the resistbot letters you share. It helps me to read those letters entirely so I understand what I want to stress to my senators and representative, and I make them a little bit more concise. And resistbot is very forgiving when I mess up the directions. But the originals are very useful for my own knowledge. Thank you.
That's great! Thank you!
“a more just America, a better government, and a new way forward that lifts us all up, instead of grinding us all down” 💖
This may be a little forward, but here goes. I EXCEL at writing letters. (Through my NP hobby I handwrite 50-100 a month to lonely elderly around the country). I have turned that attention since 2024 however to political letters through Vote Forward, Activate America, and Postcards to Swing States (referenced in today’s letter — thanks Jessica for the hookup! You’re the one who introduced me to them originally!)
I’m currently signed up to write 500 PC to Virginia, but I could literally take on thousands more…if I could afford the stamps. 500 PC =$280 in stamps. If writing is not your thing, but you believe in the mission, please consider Venmoing me a few dollars and I’ll be your hands!! Happy to send any donors photo updates, and let them pick which state the letters are going to, to be as transparent and honest as possible. I want to help with this as much as possible, but I’m a college student working at an NP, and $$ is tight. :)
Ok, end of rant, thanks for all you all do! Together we can turn this ship around.
I donate to Vote Forward every month so that writers who cannot afford stamps can write and send the letters. If you contact Vote Forward, they will help you with the cost of the stamps!
I do get free stamps through them! Thank you for donating!! 😁Vote Fwd unfortunately doesn’t have any campaigns running at the moment tho. I’m currently working through PC to swing states, and they don’t have a program like that.
Are you familiar with Progressive Secretary? It’s volunteer based, but I am sure they would love your letter writing talents if it seems like a good fit! https://progressivesecretary.salsalabs.org/progressivesecretary
This group looks interesting - never heard of them. Thanks for posting.
You’re welcome-I have been using and supporting them for many years!
I’ve also never heard of them, thanks for sharing! I prefer writing snail-mail though, I have always felt it’s special to get a personalized letter and people hardly do anymore, so I believe it makes a bigger impact. But I will see if I have time for this!
You’re so welcome!
💙 this happening on June 14th !CHICAGO (WLS) -- “Tickets go on sale on Friday for the Rate Field celebration where Pope Leo XIV will greet Chicago for the first time.
The citywide celebration will be held on Saturday, June 14 at the home of the Chicago White Sox.
Pope Leo XIV will offer a special video message to the young people of the world, which will be broadcast first from the event, the archdiocese said.”
https://abc7chicago.com/post/pope-leo-xiv-mass-rate-field-tickets-sale-soon-event-home-white-sox-june-14-broadcast-robert-prevost/16589359/
Thanks for mentioning this
Is it just a coincidence that this date was chosen hmmmm
Divine intervention
I stand with your “ vote them all out” sentiment, Jess. The status quo was not working and their utter failure to meet the moment means a lot of us feel betrayed, and we are angry and fed up. I say we speak honestly and directly. Thank you Jess for all of your hard work
Thank you, Jess. I called Schiff and Padilla, both of whom voted Yes on the GENIUS Act. Appalling.
No town halls from either of them this recess. Again.
In contrast, Dem Attorneys General are holding town halls. There's one June 2nd in Seattle with the AsG from WA, OR, and CA. In person, and live-streamed.
Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/community-impact-town-hall-tickets-1350369745259
Info and live-stream link here: https://dems.ag/advisory-on-june-2nd-democratic-ags-to-host-community-impact-hearing-focused-on-protecting-democracy/
They voted yes?? Why?
My guess is DONORS. The hypocrisy of Schiff posting vids and going on talk shows railing against Trump's corruption, and then voting to legalize that corruption is awful. I'll keep pointing that out to staffers, and that I'm looking forward to supporting a progressive opponent.
Probably greed. 16 "Democratic' senators apparently voted YES on the GENIUS Act.
Some of them may be naive about its dangers, and others may feel it will enable them to make even more money than they already do.
I wonder if some of them have participated in stock trading, like many of the Republican congress members.
Do they really work for us, the people? I have been quite disillusioned this week.
Use this spreadsheet as a resource to call/email/write members of Congress, the Cabinet and news organizations. Reach out to your own reps, as well as those in other states on a specific committee important to a topic you’re sharing. Use your voice and make some “good trouble.”
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13lYafj0P-6owAJcH-5_xcpcRvMUZI7rkBPW-Ma9e7hw/edit?usp=drivesdk
So useful! Thanks!
You’re welcome! Thanks for speaking up right now!
My Senator, it seems, has been infected by a particularly virulent strain of generalized meanness, a contagion against which she clearly hasn't taken the necessary public servant's vaccine. Her "we all are going to die" comment, a bitter fruit from this infection, serves as a stark reminder that some elected officials are overdue for their booster shots of basic human empathy and accountability. All who serve the public should be regularly immunized against such callousness, a process that genuine interaction with constituents, rather than the isolating influence of big donor contributions, can often facilitate. For those already showing symptoms of this contagion, perhaps the most honorable path is to resign, admit their error, and prevent further spread.
Meanwhile, every elected official and candidate, regardless of party, should be pressed to answer a simple, mortal question: Do they believe that policy choices leading to reduced access to healthcare and vital services are acceptable, even if they result in preventable deaths? Their responses, much like Senator Ernst's, may expose their own political mortality and the true human cost of their platforms.
The uproar against Ernst's comment, while valid, must not overshadow the underlying issue: the very real, life-and-death consequences of the legislation she champions. Opponents should not merely decry the callousness, but relentlessly highlight that such bills, in effect, kill people.
This indecent serves as a stark reminder that some elected officials are overdue for their booster shots of basic human empathy and accountability.
Hey there, Jess! I love your newsletter, thank you for pouring such tremendous effort into it, your words so often help me gain my heading in rough times. I was wondering if you'd be willing to mention the surveillance company Palantir? According to the NY Times ("Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans") , this company has been granted contracts to compile data on Americans using information from the IRS, DHS, HHSD, etc. Just this week, they got a new contract for $795 million from Trump. Its bad enough that employees are even speaking out. We need to Tesla Takedown this company before our data is not only breached, but weaponized.
Disagree that we will "vote you all out" is too mean. Our electeds need to know we expect them to act in our best interest or they will be replaced. Sixteen Dems voting for the GENIUS Act is 16 Dems voting against our best interest and they should be replaced. The bill as written doesn't regulate anything - it provides a pathway to corruption. There is no way some of those DEMs ((i.e. Schiff) don't know that.
Thank you for the heads up on the SS live on Monday. Added to my calendar. And thank you for EVERYTHING you do.
I know my email won’t count but I emailed Sen Ernst on her website about her awful comment to her constituents. Many of the 🔴 congressional reps have been saying some pretty unseemly stuff to their constituents (when they do show up). I like to take this as a sign they’re feeling the heat.
Visibility Brigade for me today & Sunday. ✊🏻 Action is the remedy for despair and I’m feeling it this week.
Enjoy the weekend!
Thank you, Jessica. You have the best substack out there -- the most timely, practical, energizing, informational, motivating, targeted, and fun to read. I appreciate your dedication, honesty, responsiveness, kindness, and creativity. Hope you get some rest and relaxation this weekend!
Today, the Supreme Court granted the Trump administration’s emergency request to terminate humanitarian parole status for individuals who arrived in the United States through the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) sponsorship program.
As Trump/MAGA accelerate their attack on American freedoms and values, it is painfully clear that there exists two Americas. One is Trump, his MAGA crowd, his "fall in line" GOP loyalists (like sanctimonious Joni Ernst) and some unknown number of voters who believed Trump would be better for their future. Many of these folks mistakenly think Trump/MAGA is just fine for the future of America.
The other America is we the Dems and Libs, who's values and work have built a modern, thriving, more humane America over the past 80 years. Make no mistake, It is this America, our America, that Trump is relentlessly attacking on his retribution campaign to kingship and his shredding of the parts on the Constitution that would limit his powers. He must be stopped. Across the liberal alliance in America, and this goes well beyond party loyalty, we need to stand up for and extoll the virtues of our America. We have accomplished so much. We need to crow about it relentlessly. We need to educate or re-educate enough of those stuck in the other America, that their future well-being is with us not Trump/MAGA.
We must not be fooled by Trump's exaggerated megaphone. His plans, his agenda and his BBB are all losers for America's future. It is time WE stood up, put aside our fears, stop our self-flagelation game about losing the working class voters and claim the upper hand again. Let's go America we can do this.
How did you manage to get a Covid booster? I’ve tried. Not available or “no we can’t because it’s not recommended.”
This seems to vary by community but not surprised restrictions have already been implemented in many areas. Right after the election, I made sure to get the booster and other immunizations but I know many didn't need them at that time or did not see this coming. People should call try neighboring cities/states for boosters (and independent pharmacies).
I got one last week in NC at cvs and my thirty something child got one today in Md also at a cvs. No questions asked of either of us. I've also read that independent pharmacies give vaccines which I never knew. So keep trying and good luck!
Just got ours in NC at a CVS no problem
My Maine doctor just gave me one
Take it easy Jess. Feel better