JESSSSSS!! SO much good stuff here today!! Im so on the Justice Roberts extra credit. PS I got a live person in Sen Booker’s office again today! And my house rep. II can’t believe it. For all 3 (2 Sen + House Rep) my message was 1- no more $ for 🧊 and 2- I asked which no kings event they would be attending. We need them in the street with us not hiding out!
Here's an idea no one is talking about. Tax the rich. Yeah, 90% on the highest earners was a bit much, but 80% would be okay.
While I'm here, a related idea: Wealth tax, make it 3% on net worth over $1 billion. Have it start at 0.02% over 100 million and ramp up. To ease the sting, allow stock transfers directly to the fed at the close of market on the last Friday of the month or quarter without capital gains tax due.
Oh, we’ve talked about it in this newsletter quite a bit actually. Biden was really trying to get a billionaire tax through and we pushed very hard for it. We will again when the time is right.
I get 30 emails a day, purporting to be "news," which are actually asking for money...all from Democrats. When are you going to do something? Talk to me about money when you start responding to the daily flood of lies from the so called GOP.
we get more than that from republicans asking for $ & telling horrible lies about the crimes trump is doing to excuse him & themselves as they shred our constitution & democracy. It is awful. My waste baskets are full of their lies.
Question for "Live Ask Me" Big BS Bill: Is it true that there's a provision in the bill that would make it more difficult for courts to enforce rulings against Trump administration? If so, that's almost more frightening than the rest of the bill... The courts are our last hope...
Inspired by your sample letter to Chief Justice Roberts, I wrote my own and emailed it. I hope I didn't get too carried away. Here's what I said, in case anyone wants some more ideas:
"As an American citizen, I am appalled at the degradation of our democracy and the repeated attacks by the American president on the balance of power between three branches of government that our Constitution was designed to protect. I fully realize that the Supreme Court must ground its decisions in the Constitution and the laws promulgated by Congress, but it must also stand up to attacks by the other branches. As Chief Justice, I look to you to lead the Court in protecting the sanctity of the Judicial branch, and in serving as a check on a rogue Executive.
"The Executive branch, and to some extent with complicity, the Legislative branch, is trying to create a Unitary Executive, who controls virtually everything. The current president, during his first term, during his interregnum, and since returning to the role, has used every means available to eliminate checks and balances, flaunt laws and ethical standards that he finds personally disadvantageous, and cast doubt on the integrity of everyone in government but himself.
"He is a lawless bully, whose limited vocabulary is filled with personal invectives, aimed at those who would hold him to account or to the higher standard expected of a president. His manipulation of the legal system and mastery of delay tactics is legendary. His apparent leverage over members of the judicial system, including some in your Court, has led to inexplicable interpretations of the law and his avoidance of accountability for some of the most egregious behavior of any president in our history.
"Armed with the Supreme Court’s decision that “Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority;” that “he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts;” but that “there is no immunity for unofficial acts,” he is blurring the boundaries of those distinctions. He’s taking advantage of his First Amendment rights to criticize adverse rulings and those who testify or rule against him, and he’s placing good people, including judges, in harm’s way.
"I implore you, within the bounds of the Constitution and the law, and in the context of your role as Chief Justice, to speak out against threats the president makes and the destructive distrust he foments upon some of our fairest and most respected judges. His personal speech, protected by the First Amendment, does not qualify for immunity. There is no place in our constitutional system of government for the kind of attacks he’s made on our federal justice system. Your legacy may well depend upon how you choose to respond. Please stand up for our system of justice and those who represent it.
Perhaps we should rename the pending legislation as the "One Big Doody-full Bill." For a party that bills itself as fiscally responsible, the GOP continues to run up the red ink to feed their insatiable appetites while throwing a few crumbs to the rest of us. The notion that lowering taxes on the wealthy and corporations will spur economic growth has been disproven time and time again, and yet, here we are. The equally specious notion that savings will come from rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse is belied by its very existence. While doing so should be part of every department's remit and every government employee's job, it should not be something that is part of the budget or justification for reducing tax revenue.
Your letters are sooooo helpful! Just sent 2 letters (one from me, one from my husband) to the Chief Justice, and posted on FB.
I hope you get a lot more followers. Along with calling my reps and going to protests I am always looking for what I can do to RESIST! And you're suggestions in each newsletter tell me what to do.
I'm so glad someone recommended your newsletter to me! I'm finding it such a valuable and inspiring resource of ideas for activism. I've just signed up for the Environmental Voter Project webinar--thank you so much for that tip! I recently contacted my congress people to urge them to protect the US Geological Survey's Ecosystems Mission Area--yet another vital service area that is in imminent danger of elimination under the current admin . It includes the federal government's only wildlife disease monitoring unit, Breeding Bird Surveys, bird banding programs, pollinator monitoring programs and so much more. Here is a link to an excellent webinar that outlines what is at stake, for anyone interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eygfZtrMh2Y
Love, love, love the spirit from San Diego! White people. especially white women, hear the call! We need to be at the head of that front. White women are the least likely to be met with violence. We are up to bat. Let's do this!
My 58 yo, grey haired, 5'1" ass is out there. I thought these fights were already fought and won. Can't believe we are doing this again with this intensity. I have no estrogen but a lot of compassion. It's a dangerous combo.
Question for Senators: how will the Big Bad Bill affect Americans who get their health insurance through state insurance marketplaces, i.e. ACA? My family of 3 pays $1000/month for insurance WITH the enhanced tax credit, which stands to be closer to $1500 if the credit is done away with which I believe is a provision in the bill. Second question: how will our senators support those of us who are self-employed to prevent these tax credits going away?
Hi Jess. The Disability and Aging Collaborative piece you linked to noted that the budget bill has a provision to limit or "reduce and freezing the home equity limit which will disproportionately harm cash-poor older adults on fixed incomes who have accumulated equity in their homes over many years."
I hadn't heard anything about this awfulness. Thanks for letting us know about this! This is something that we could ask our Democratic senators about? I'd like to understand this better. Thanks again!
According to a Substack post by Edward Saltzberg, as many as 30% of Medicaid recipients don't realize they're on it because each state calls its program by a unique name, such as TennCare in TN, Apple Care in WA, and Husky in CT! This is similar to Obamacare v the ACA, and people not knowing they are one and the same. We need to amplify this message because people can't fight for something they're about to lose if they're unaware they have it in the first place!
I have friends and relatives (some of whom probably voted for Trump) - who are medically and financially at risk. The ones I've talked with are NOT aware that their state's assistance is actually Medicaid. They are not aware that the proposed Medicaid cuts will actually hurt them. (I also was not aware that Medicaid was called different things in different states until I read this article.)
Please post this info in your main Substack writing to give it more exposure.
JESSSSSS!! SO much good stuff here today!! Im so on the Justice Roberts extra credit. PS I got a live person in Sen Booker’s office again today! And my house rep. II can’t believe it. For all 3 (2 Sen + House Rep) my message was 1- no more $ for 🧊 and 2- I asked which no kings event they would be attending. We need them in the street with us not hiding out!
Fantastic!
Here's an idea no one is talking about. Tax the rich. Yeah, 90% on the highest earners was a bit much, but 80% would be okay.
While I'm here, a related idea: Wealth tax, make it 3% on net worth over $1 billion. Have it start at 0.02% over 100 million and ramp up. To ease the sting, allow stock transfers directly to the fed at the close of market on the last Friday of the month or quarter without capital gains tax due.
Oh, we’ve talked about it in this newsletter quite a bit actually. Biden was really trying to get a billionaire tax through and we pushed very hard for it. We will again when the time is right.
Thank you for sharing that video. So inspiring to see what people are doing...courage is contagious!
I agree.
Thank you for this wealth of information! I’ve already sent my weekly snail mail to SCOTUS, emailed my electeds, and volunteered to send postcards.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelWL9eOYa55McdyRMb_5ao5JoDk4oGkhTqk1whNcRxpNS22Q/viewform
Together, we win!
Amazing!
Question for Senators-
I get 30 emails a day, purporting to be "news," which are actually asking for money...all from Democrats. When are you going to do something? Talk to me about money when you start responding to the daily flood of lies from the so called GOP.
Effing DO SOMETHING!
Oh! This is a question for Senators. I will submit it!
Unsubscribe! I do!
we get more than that from republicans asking for $ & telling horrible lies about the crimes trump is doing to excuse him & themselves as they shred our constitution & democracy. It is awful. My waste baskets are full of their lies.
I am so with you, Bill!
Question for "Live Ask Me" Big BS Bill: Is it true that there's a provision in the bill that would make it more difficult for courts to enforce rulings against Trump administration? If so, that's almost more frightening than the rest of the bill... The courts are our last hope...
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/obscure-provision-in-house-bill-threatens-enforcement-of-court-rulings-on-trump/ar-AA1FPriZ?ocid=BingNewsSerp
It’s definitely true. But I will submit the question because hopefully it will get them to talk about it as they should thank you!
Way to go San Diego.i work part time for a nursery and so many of our workers are frightened even though they are legal (hate to use that word)
Message sent. Heart lightened the tiniest bit by getting kinetic. You make it easier for us old folks. Thank-you.
Hi Jess,
Inspired by your sample letter to Chief Justice Roberts, I wrote my own and emailed it. I hope I didn't get too carried away. Here's what I said, in case anyone wants some more ideas:
"As an American citizen, I am appalled at the degradation of our democracy and the repeated attacks by the American president on the balance of power between three branches of government that our Constitution was designed to protect. I fully realize that the Supreme Court must ground its decisions in the Constitution and the laws promulgated by Congress, but it must also stand up to attacks by the other branches. As Chief Justice, I look to you to lead the Court in protecting the sanctity of the Judicial branch, and in serving as a check on a rogue Executive.
"The Executive branch, and to some extent with complicity, the Legislative branch, is trying to create a Unitary Executive, who controls virtually everything. The current president, during his first term, during his interregnum, and since returning to the role, has used every means available to eliminate checks and balances, flaunt laws and ethical standards that he finds personally disadvantageous, and cast doubt on the integrity of everyone in government but himself.
"He is a lawless bully, whose limited vocabulary is filled with personal invectives, aimed at those who would hold him to account or to the higher standard expected of a president. His manipulation of the legal system and mastery of delay tactics is legendary. His apparent leverage over members of the judicial system, including some in your Court, has led to inexplicable interpretations of the law and his avoidance of accountability for some of the most egregious behavior of any president in our history.
"Armed with the Supreme Court’s decision that “Under our constitutional structure of separated powers, the nature of Presidential power entitles a former President to absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within his conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority;” that “he is entitled to at least presumptive immunity from prosecution for all his official acts;” but that “there is no immunity for unofficial acts,” he is blurring the boundaries of those distinctions. He’s taking advantage of his First Amendment rights to criticize adverse rulings and those who testify or rule against him, and he’s placing good people, including judges, in harm’s way.
"I implore you, within the bounds of the Constitution and the law, and in the context of your role as Chief Justice, to speak out against threats the president makes and the destructive distrust he foments upon some of our fairest and most respected judges. His personal speech, protected by the First Amendment, does not qualify for immunity. There is no place in our constitutional system of government for the kind of attacks he’s made on our federal justice system. Your legacy may well depend upon how you choose to respond. Please stand up for our system of justice and those who represent it.
"Thank you."
Eloquent as always, Bob!
Thanks, Jess!
Perhaps we should rename the pending legislation as the "One Big Doody-full Bill." For a party that bills itself as fiscally responsible, the GOP continues to run up the red ink to feed their insatiable appetites while throwing a few crumbs to the rest of us. The notion that lowering taxes on the wealthy and corporations will spur economic growth has been disproven time and time again, and yet, here we are. The equally specious notion that savings will come from rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse is belied by its very existence. While doing so should be part of every department's remit and every government employee's job, it should not be something that is part of the budget or justification for reducing tax revenue.
Your letters are sooooo helpful! Just sent 2 letters (one from me, one from my husband) to the Chief Justice, and posted on FB.
I hope you get a lot more followers. Along with calling my reps and going to protests I am always looking for what I can do to RESIST! And you're suggestions in each newsletter tell me what to do.
Thank you! Thank you!
I'm so glad someone recommended your newsletter to me! I'm finding it such a valuable and inspiring resource of ideas for activism. I've just signed up for the Environmental Voter Project webinar--thank you so much for that tip! I recently contacted my congress people to urge them to protect the US Geological Survey's Ecosystems Mission Area--yet another vital service area that is in imminent danger of elimination under the current admin . It includes the federal government's only wildlife disease monitoring unit, Breeding Bird Surveys, bird banding programs, pollinator monitoring programs and so much more. Here is a link to an excellent webinar that outlines what is at stake, for anyone interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eygfZtrMh2Y
Oof thank you!
This is great stuff! Thank you for sharing. So many important programs potentially derailed. Such a shame
Love, love, love the spirit from San Diego! White people. especially white women, hear the call! We need to be at the head of that front. White women are the least likely to be met with violence. We are up to bat. Let's do this!
Agree. We must. Especially older ones.
My 58 yo, grey haired, 5'1" ass is out there. I thought these fights were already fought and won. Can't believe we are doing this again with this intensity. I have no estrogen but a lot of compassion. It's a dangerous combo.
Love you, Jess. thanks for all you do!
Question for Senators: how will the Big Bad Bill affect Americans who get their health insurance through state insurance marketplaces, i.e. ACA? My family of 3 pays $1000/month for insurance WITH the enhanced tax credit, which stands to be closer to $1500 if the credit is done away with which I believe is a provision in the bill. Second question: how will our senators support those of us who are self-employed to prevent these tax credits going away?
Hi Jess. The Disability and Aging Collaborative piece you linked to noted that the budget bill has a provision to limit or "reduce and freezing the home equity limit which will disproportionately harm cash-poor older adults on fixed incomes who have accumulated equity in their homes over many years."
I hadn't heard anything about this awfulness. Thanks for letting us know about this! This is something that we could ask our Democratic senators about? I'd like to understand this better. Thanks again!
Yes it will apply to homes worth over a million, I believe.
According to a Substack post by Edward Saltzberg, as many as 30% of Medicaid recipients don't realize they're on it because each state calls its program by a unique name, such as TennCare in TN, Apple Care in WA, and Husky in CT! This is similar to Obamacare v the ACA, and people not knowing they are one and the same. We need to amplify this message because people can't fight for something they're about to lose if they're unaware they have it in the first place!
Here's the post: https://edwardsaltzberg.substack.com/p/the-medicaid-you-didnt-know-you-had
This is really great! Thanks for sending!
I have friends and relatives (some of whom probably voted for Trump) - who are medically and financially at risk. The ones I've talked with are NOT aware that their state's assistance is actually Medicaid. They are not aware that the proposed Medicaid cuts will actually hurt them. (I also was not aware that Medicaid was called different things in different states until I read this article.)
Please post this info in your main Substack writing to give it more exposure.
Thank you!!!