Thank you for this. I work downtown about 2 miles south of the protest areas and all is peaceful and quiet. I’m telling everyone that I feel safe walking around here because it is true!
When we talk about this Big Ugly Bill we mostly focus on the impact it has on poor people, but we overlook that huge tax cuts to the wealthy impact all of us.
Here is an example:
- What if all public schools were equally resourced, meaning all the schools in the US were excellent, had nice buildings, better paid teachers, more course offerings, newer technology? Meaning, we did away with a system where local property wealth per capita gives advantage to the states’ richest school districts, (where some of them have sometimes 50 times more resources than other school districts!). What if we did not have to worry about our children’s future educational path the moment they are born? What if the most important task of a school was to help students find their passion, and to channel that passion into learning subjects better. What if every graduate of high school had a spot in a school at the next level waiting for them, whether academic or vocational, and what if the schools guaranteed that all youths under the age of 25 would be meaningfully occupied in either studies or employment?
- What would that cost? I looked at the budget of a well-resourced school district, one that has high property wealth, and I calculated that it allocates about $23,000 per student/per year. (My initial rough estimate - I need to finesse these calculations). This includes school bus expenses, some reserves for capital upgrades. There are about 48 million students K-12 in the public educational system. So, we would need about $1,116,000,000,000 to support all the students across our nation equally, giving all of them the same resources and opportunities as the students in a well-resourced district.
1 trillion+ dollars! Wow, can we afford this?!?! Sure, look at the proposed tax cuts for the wealthy, look at how the wealthiest and the corporations get away with not paying taxes! What's wrong in our country (and this Ugly Bill) is that we always choose to put money in the bank accounts of the wealthy and not in the 'We the People's' account.
NO MORE OF THAT. I think every parent should tell their legislators that they'll vote for them if they promise to make such a public school system vision a reality.
Next: what would a good healthcare system cost? what about affordable quality daycares across our nation? what about affordable higher education? what about dignified support for our elders?
Bea, I like your pragmatic suggestions about reforming the way public schools are funded.
Then reform the tax code.
We need the numbers! How much revenue gain would be available if the tax rate on incomes of the top 10% (or some set amount…) were raised significantly, say to 30-40%.
Raise the tax on inheritance significantly. How much revenue gain there?
Rescind Citizens United that allows elections to be bought by individuals hiding behind corporations. How much revenue gain there?
Fund the IRS to hire auditors to go where the money is and close loopholes for capital gains. How much money goes overseas into shell companies, etc?
Democracy kinda represents a fantasy to me. If a democracy were real, the small minority of wealthy citizens would not control our lives. There are a lot more citizens of modest means than there are multi millionaires and billionaires. Maybe the silver lining will be the empowerment of the middle class after the chaos of Trumpism dies.
Jessica, if possible (I know your newsletters are already long and filled with many actions) , please include reference to RFK Jr’s firing of the entire vaccine approval committee! We need to call our Senators and specifically Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana since he almost voted against RFK’S appointment. As a physician, Cassidy was troubled by RFK’S anti-vaccine stance but relented at the 11th hour. We need to hold Cassidy responsible for this attack on our health care system as well. Cassidy has removed all the phone numbers to his offices, but we can still call the DC. Capitol switchboard or his phone # there is 202-224-5824 (his office inbox there was full earlier today) or call the Baton Rouge office: 225-929-7711.
I was hoping that one of the spots for the no kings protest would be in west palm at the courthouse. The only thing I see are marches to Mar A Lago .. I cannot march not up to it.
I have my sign I am ready . The last few times I went to the courthouse. Does anyone know where there is a protest in place down here in palm beach county?
Also, on Congressman Mike Levin's Instagram, he has been posting veterans talking about why deploying the military is so dangerous (@mikelevin) and on his official account he has a press conference with what looks like other members of congress discussing deploying the military (@repmikelevin).
Thank you! I have been wondering about calling sheriffs. Ours (and the neighboring county) fancies himself a Constitutional Sheriff. Calling was empowering-- though I think the person who answered didn't know what to do with my message because she seemed very confused and was a little bit "okay what do you want me to do."
Thank you! Forwarded your newsletter to my family and friends, social media toolkit to our Social Media guru (my sister!) and donated $50. All in under 10 minutes. ✌🏻
I live in a very blue state with 2 senators and my representative working very hard on somany fronts to try to mitigate this craziness. I don't think they need me to tell them what to fight on most issues. can't really figure out how to use my voice when the Dems who represent me are doing a good job overall.....
I bet they’d really appreciate messages of thanks and support! When they do something good, I like to send my reps a message like: “Dear rep, THANK YOU for (whatever action). This issue is very important to me because (reasons) and I’m so grateful to see you taking action to address it. Please keep up the good work!”
Please call them. I also have all Dem elected but I continue to call to establish relationship with the staffers, thank them when they do the right thing and just to share my view on issues. Senator Schiff's message actually says please leave me a message with' your views' and I find that very encouraging.
I call with thanks when my 3 Dem Congressfolk do good. (They don't always.) I enjoy it, which is energizing in the midst of all that's happening, and the staffers appreciate it.
Yikes. I would spread the word about that the next time election season comes around. Good on you for trying. Give that sweet kitty a scritchy scratch for me :)
It certainly would help if the mainstream media, if we can even call them that anymore, didn’t play for attention now just like Fox News. Whatever happened to independent reporting? They’re just going for the clicks you know that. What can we do about it? It’s like you said, Jess, we can just try to flood as many zones as we can with the truth!
I'm writing to ask that you include this call-to-action in your next email. It's timely - comments are needed by Sunday 6/15!
The federal Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a direct final rule that will eliminate a long-standing requirement under Section 504, which mandates that new buildings constructed with federal funds be accessible to people with disabilities. Removing this rule would:
- Eliminate enforceable accessibility standards for new federally funded buildings.
- Allow renovations that exclude ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.
The final rule will be effective on July 15 of this year UNLESS significant comments opposing the change are received by June 15! Click both links below and leave a public comment on each:
The assertion that accessibility standards are “unnecessary” and “burdensome” is deeply offensive and wrong. Ensuring that all federally funded buildings are accessible is not a bureaucratic inconvenience; it’s a moral and legal imperative. Furthermore, people with disabilities are taxpayers who help fund federal buildings. Accessibility isn’t a favor or a luxury – it’s a civil right. We are urging the DOE to withdraw this dangerous and discriminatory rule.
No matter what...the protests on Saturday MUST remain peaceful! Trump is itching to invoke the insurrection act, and stifle protesting. Do not block ICE, DHS, FBI or police. Know your rights; you can record, but you cannot interfere. Give no fuel! WE MUST BE LIKE GANDHI!!!!
Allllll the good stuff right here, as usual. Thank you for the LA updates & our “assignments”. It’s Election Day here in NJ… I’m biting my nails. Also just read ABC has now fired Terry Moran for speaking truth. Calling and emailing ABC shareholder services & CEO AND Disney, the parent company. 🤬 BIG hugs to you, your family & all of our other friends in LA. ✊🏻🫶🏻 PS, thanks SO much for including the NASA info.
A follow up to my last text. From Facebook as posted by Peter Brouwer: Zen priest peter coyote. “a protest is an invitation to a better world. It is a ceremony.” He goes on to list points for having a peaceful protest. (I hope you can find it and look at them. ) He reminds us that the audience for the protest is not the police or the government. It is for the American people.
Thank you again for your wonderful attitude, passion, and true reporting!
In case you didn’t find the post here is a very quick summary for a good protest.
1. Let women organize the event. They tend to be more collaborative and inclusive.
2. Have monitors in vests and and with a whistle. At the first sign of violence, the whistle is blown in all the real protesters sit down. But the police take out their aggression on the anarchists and the provocateurs trying to discredit the movement.
3. Dress as a for church. Nothing too fancy. Hard to be painted as a hoodlum when you’re dressed and clean nice clothes.
4. Make your protest silent. Let signs be do your talking.
5. Go home at night. It’s dangerous out there at night. Come back at Dan fresh and rested.
Oh, and one last thing. Carry an American flag! Our protest is about our American way of life that we want to preserve!
Thank you for this. I work downtown about 2 miles south of the protest areas and all is peaceful and quiet. I’m telling everyone that I feel safe walking around here because it is true!
Thanks, Kate!
When we talk about this Big Ugly Bill we mostly focus on the impact it has on poor people, but we overlook that huge tax cuts to the wealthy impact all of us.
Here is an example:
- What if all public schools were equally resourced, meaning all the schools in the US were excellent, had nice buildings, better paid teachers, more course offerings, newer technology? Meaning, we did away with a system where local property wealth per capita gives advantage to the states’ richest school districts, (where some of them have sometimes 50 times more resources than other school districts!). What if we did not have to worry about our children’s future educational path the moment they are born? What if the most important task of a school was to help students find their passion, and to channel that passion into learning subjects better. What if every graduate of high school had a spot in a school at the next level waiting for them, whether academic or vocational, and what if the schools guaranteed that all youths under the age of 25 would be meaningfully occupied in either studies or employment?
- What would that cost? I looked at the budget of a well-resourced school district, one that has high property wealth, and I calculated that it allocates about $23,000 per student/per year. (My initial rough estimate - I need to finesse these calculations). This includes school bus expenses, some reserves for capital upgrades. There are about 48 million students K-12 in the public educational system. So, we would need about $1,116,000,000,000 to support all the students across our nation equally, giving all of them the same resources and opportunities as the students in a well-resourced district.
1 trillion+ dollars! Wow, can we afford this?!?! Sure, look at the proposed tax cuts for the wealthy, look at how the wealthiest and the corporations get away with not paying taxes! What's wrong in our country (and this Ugly Bill) is that we always choose to put money in the bank accounts of the wealthy and not in the 'We the People's' account.
NO MORE OF THAT. I think every parent should tell their legislators that they'll vote for them if they promise to make such a public school system vision a reality.
Next: what would a good healthcare system cost? what about affordable quality daycares across our nation? what about affordable higher education? what about dignified support for our elders?
YES WE CAN. WE ARE THE RICHEST NATION ON EARTH.
(What about my calculations? Any edits?)
Well said! Thank you!
Bea, I like your pragmatic suggestions about reforming the way public schools are funded.
Then reform the tax code.
We need the numbers! How much revenue gain would be available if the tax rate on incomes of the top 10% (or some set amount…) were raised significantly, say to 30-40%.
Raise the tax on inheritance significantly. How much revenue gain there?
Rescind Citizens United that allows elections to be bought by individuals hiding behind corporations. How much revenue gain there?
Fund the IRS to hire auditors to go where the money is and close loopholes for capital gains. How much money goes overseas into shell companies, etc?
Democracy kinda represents a fantasy to me. If a democracy were real, the small minority of wealthy citizens would not control our lives. There are a lot more citizens of modest means than there are multi millionaires and billionaires. Maybe the silver lining will be the empowerment of the middle class after the chaos of Trumpism dies.
Jessica, if possible (I know your newsletters are already long and filled with many actions) , please include reference to RFK Jr’s firing of the entire vaccine approval committee! We need to call our Senators and specifically Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana since he almost voted against RFK’S appointment. As a physician, Cassidy was troubled by RFK’S anti-vaccine stance but relented at the 11th hour. We need to hold Cassidy responsible for this attack on our health care system as well. Cassidy has removed all the phone numbers to his offices, but we can still call the DC. Capitol switchboard or his phone # there is 202-224-5824 (his office inbox there was full earlier today) or call the Baton Rouge office: 225-929-7711.
Yes. I will I promise.
Thank you, Jess! You are the best! Big hugs from the Bay Area to all in LA.
I was hoping that one of the spots for the no kings protest would be in west palm at the courthouse. The only thing I see are marches to Mar A Lago .. I cannot march not up to it.
I have my sign I am ready . The last few times I went to the courthouse. Does anyone know where there is a protest in place down here in palm beach county?
There are over 70 No Kings protests scheduled for Florida. Check out Indivisible.org for specific locations and times.
Thanks !
Just in case you couldn’t easily find it. Here’s a car caravan and rally in nearby Boca Raton:
https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/792024/
Also, on Congressman Mike Levin's Instagram, he has been posting veterans talking about why deploying the military is so dangerous (@mikelevin) and on his official account he has a press conference with what looks like other members of congress discussing deploying the military (@repmikelevin).
Smart.
Thank you! I have been wondering about calling sheriffs. Ours (and the neighboring county) fancies himself a Constitutional Sheriff. Calling was empowering-- though I think the person who answered didn't know what to do with my message because she seemed very confused and was a little bit "okay what do you want me to do."
Haha I don't think they're used to getting calls.
Hey Tina, sounds like my sheriff too...Honsal right!
No. A different constitutional sheriff!
Wow….so there is more than one!
sadly, there are several.
Thank you! Forwarded your newsletter to my family and friends, social media toolkit to our Social Media guru (my sister!) and donated $50. All in under 10 minutes. ✌🏻
Calls next. ❌👑
Thanks, Kathryn!
Jessica Yellin is also doing amazing reporting! I have been sharing a lot of her posts and reels on Instagram.
She is fantastic and really rising to the occasion, I agree.
I live in a very blue state with 2 senators and my representative working very hard on somany fronts to try to mitigate this craziness. I don't think they need me to tell them what to fight on most issues. can't really figure out how to use my voice when the Dems who represent me are doing a good job overall.....
Did you watch my Substack Live yesterday? A Dem Congresswoman explained why she still really needs to hear from her constituents.
I bet they’d really appreciate messages of thanks and support! When they do something good, I like to send my reps a message like: “Dear rep, THANK YOU for (whatever action). This issue is very important to me because (reasons) and I’m so grateful to see you taking action to address it. Please keep up the good work!”
Please call them. I also have all Dem elected but I continue to call to establish relationship with the staffers, thank them when they do the right thing and just to share my view on issues. Senator Schiff's message actually says please leave me a message with' your views' and I find that very encouraging.
I call with thanks when my 3 Dem Congressfolk do good. (They don't always.) I enjoy it, which is energizing in the midst of all that's happening, and the staffers appreciate it.
My sheriff's office hung up on me when I called, would love to know if someone else experienced something similar
Wow. Sorry about that.
Just means there's lots more good work to do here in Ohio!
Yikes. I would spread the word about that the next time election season comes around. Good on you for trying. Give that sweet kitty a scritchy scratch for me :)
It certainly would help if the mainstream media, if we can even call them that anymore, didn’t play for attention now just like Fox News. Whatever happened to independent reporting? They’re just going for the clicks you know that. What can we do about it? It’s like you said, Jess, we can just try to flood as many zones as we can with the truth!
I'm writing to ask that you include this call-to-action in your next email. It's timely - comments are needed by Sunday 6/15!
The federal Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a direct final rule that will eliminate a long-standing requirement under Section 504, which mandates that new buildings constructed with federal funds be accessible to people with disabilities. Removing this rule would:
- Eliminate enforceable accessibility standards for new federally funded buildings.
- Allow renovations that exclude ramps, elevators, and accessible restrooms.
The final rule will be effective on July 15 of this year UNLESS significant comments opposing the change are received by June 15! Click both links below and leave a public comment on each:
Docket #1 DOE-HQ-2025-0015, click "Comment": https://bit.ly/4kuX2R2
Docket #2 DOE-HQ-2025-0024, click “Comment”: https://bit.ly/4mGKgjY
The assertion that accessibility standards are “unnecessary” and “burdensome” is deeply offensive and wrong. Ensuring that all federally funded buildings are accessible is not a bureaucratic inconvenience; it’s a moral and legal imperative. Furthermore, people with disabilities are taxpayers who help fund federal buildings. Accessibility isn’t a favor or a luxury – it’s a civil right. We are urging the DOE to withdraw this dangerous and discriminatory rule.
shared, this is both important and urgent!
No matter what...the protests on Saturday MUST remain peaceful! Trump is itching to invoke the insurrection act, and stifle protesting. Do not block ICE, DHS, FBI or police. Know your rights; you can record, but you cannot interfere. Give no fuel! WE MUST BE LIKE GANDHI!!!!
This newsletter is full of things I can't wait to do! You make it so easy to do these things. Thanks so much!
Allllll the good stuff right here, as usual. Thank you for the LA updates & our “assignments”. It’s Election Day here in NJ… I’m biting my nails. Also just read ABC has now fired Terry Moran for speaking truth. Calling and emailing ABC shareholder services & CEO AND Disney, the parent company. 🤬 BIG hugs to you, your family & all of our other friends in LA. ✊🏻🫶🏻 PS, thanks SO much for including the NASA info.
Ben Meiselas from the MeidasTouch Network invited Terry Moran to join their network.
https://open.substack.com/pub/meidastouch/p/a-message-to-terry-moran-from-meidastouch?r=2vketf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
A follow up to my last text. From Facebook as posted by Peter Brouwer: Zen priest peter coyote. “a protest is an invitation to a better world. It is a ceremony.” He goes on to list points for having a peaceful protest. (I hope you can find it and look at them. ) He reminds us that the audience for the protest is not the police or the government. It is for the American people.
Thank you again for your wonderful attitude, passion, and true reporting!
In case you didn’t find the post here is a very quick summary for a good protest.
1. Let women organize the event. They tend to be more collaborative and inclusive.
2. Have monitors in vests and and with a whistle. At the first sign of violence, the whistle is blown in all the real protesters sit down. But the police take out their aggression on the anarchists and the provocateurs trying to discredit the movement.
3. Dress as a for church. Nothing too fancy. Hard to be painted as a hoodlum when you’re dressed and clean nice clothes.
4. Make your protest silent. Let signs be do your talking.
5. Go home at night. It’s dangerous out there at night. Come back at Dan fresh and rested.
Oh, and one last thing. Carry an American flag! Our protest is about our American way of life that we want to preserve!