Chop Wood, Carry Water 7/31
It's not the feather.
Hi, all, and happy Thursday.
So much going on! I don’t even know where to start.
I feel like I come here every day and say the same things: This is hard. I know we’re all exhausted. The Republican party is morally bankrupt. Trump is deeply corrupt. What happened today (fill in the blank) was awful and we shouldn’t normalize it. I know it hurts.
But also this:
You are heroes. We are doing this. One day at a time we’ll get through this. We are in this fight. We’ll survive if we stick together. Keep taking action. We will win.
They’re simple truisms, and I know they can’t bear all the weight you’re feeling. I know you still have to dig deep to find the strength to keep going another day. I know sometimes it feels like you simply can’t keep going. And yet you do.
You often write to me to say things like: “I don’t know how I’d do this without you.” And I appreciate it. But the truth is, you could do it without me, and you would. I’m like the feather Dumbo grips in his trunk that makes him think he can fly.
It’s not the feather.
You have all the strength you need for this moment. You are brilliant. You may not be fearless, but you are capable of acting through your fear—the essence of courage. You see no barriers—only opportunities to change direction or modify tactics. You are joyful. You are funny. You are hopeful in the truest sense, which isn’t so much about a feeling as it is about an attitude you take towards life. You keep going when all seems lost. You believe in the possibilities of tomorrow.
You, quite simply, are the reason we will prevail.
I love you so much, folks. I know this isn’t a newsy opening—heck, it’s not even a particularly coherent one—but sometimes we just have to remember the fundamentals.
And those are this: It’s not the feather. It’s you. Never forget it.
Let’s get to work.
On the Practivist Pod
Steve and I discuss Trump's continuing no good, very bad, terrible week both at home and abroad as the Epstein scandal and his asinine trade wars create ever-lower approval ratings. We also talk about the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Then we get some practical advice about how to make an impact by helping to amplify Democratic messages from the Executive Director of DemCast, Nick Knudsen.
Listen here or watch here (after 11:30AM ET).
Call Your Senators (find yours here or use this list to find staffer contact info) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
First, I understand that Senate Democrats are trying to force the Trump administration to release material connected to the Epstein investigation using something called the ‘rule of five.’ I support this move and want the Senator to as well. The American public is not going to forget about this. We want to see those files and we won’t stop asking until they are released.
Also, I know the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee advanced a bill yesterday that would prevent members of Congress, the president and the vice president from stock trading while in office. This bill is a must-pass. I expect the Senator to co-sponsor it. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here or use this list to find staffer contact info) 📲 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
First, I’m calling to express my horror and outrage that the confidential data of tax payers and Medicaid enrollees is being shared with ICE. I want the Congressmember to vocally oppose this illegal data-sharing, which furthers this administration's attacks against immigrant communities and endangers the privacy and civil rights of all Americans. [H/T]
Also, we want to see the Epstein files. We need to know if our president, any members of his administration, or any other lawmakers are covering for—or were involved with—a sex trafficker. This should be uncontroversial. Release the files or be complicit. Thanks.
Extra Credit ✅
Don’t Inflate Our Plates is a new digital platform tracking the rising cost of everyday groceries in real time— and connecting those price hikes to Republican-backed tariffs and economic policies that are making life harder for working families.
The cost of living is skyrocketing — and it’s hitting us in our kitchens. Essentials like eggs, meat, and coffee have gotten way more expensive — fast. These price hikes aren’t random — they’re being driven by Republicans in Congress. Congressional Republicans could have stopped these cost-raising tariffs – yet they voted to allow Trump to continue to raise prices on the goods we buy every week. Why? To fund their broader agenda – to give tax breaks to billionaires and major corporations.
The Don’t Inflate Our Plates website goes live TODAY! Please check it out and share with friends and family who don’t understand how Trump and Republicans’ tariffs are making everything more costly!!
Get Smart…on Epstein! 📚
The SCC is dropping an exclusive interview tonight with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) on his 3 year investigation into the Epstein case. As one of the only people to have actually seen the classified Epstein files at the Treasury Department, Wyden will explain how America’s biggest banks enabled Epstein’s crimes, and how the Trump Administration helped cover it up. It should be very, very good.
The video goes live at 6PM PT / 9PM ET TONIGHT—or you can watch it anytime after. YouTube link is here.
Give 💰!
The National Day Laborer Network—an amazing and reputable org—posted this fundraiser for the Gonzalez family yesterday. If anyone can help please do.
From Mia Gonzalez:
I am the only child of an immigrant father who was taken from me on June 18, 2025. In an effort to help him, I hired a lawyer named Salvador Ortiz. Unfortunately, he deceived me—taking my money without ever opening a case for my father, who remains in a detention center. To date, I’ve spent over $6,000 on legal fees, and I’m now working multiple jobs to raise the funds needed to secure his release on bond.
My father is a good man, he has always respected the law and done right by others. I am doing everything I can to bring him home, and any support you can offer would mean the world to us. With faith and determination, I believe he’ll be home soon.
Win Races! 🗳
Have you always wanted to host a postcard party but weren't sure what supplies and instructions you needed? Markers For Democracy has you covered! Some of their postcarding gathering experts will lead a workshop on How to Host a Postcard Party on Wednesday, August 6 from 8 pm to 9 pm ET. Join them and you'll be ready to host your own party when everyone is writing postcards before the November elections. There will be a presentation, followed by a Q & A so come with questions!
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps] [H/T
] [Text SIGN PMDEYP to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram](Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
Coleman Rogers wrote a great letter about an issue I think is REALLY important. It’s called “Congress must act immediately to federally manage fresh water resources.” It’s a bit on the long side so I’m not going to copy and paste the whole thing. Read the letter here and then send it by texting SIGN PMDEYP to 50409.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
You are a huge feathery gift to the world and I appreciate you.
I don’t care if it’s a feather or a freaking piece of lint, you are my strength and I always feel stronger when I read your messages and get a daily kick in the butt… thank you for that❤️