My pick for best quote of the day: “Why are we all so nuts? Just vote them the fuck out of office next year.” (Thank you, E. Jean Carroll and Jennifer Rubin, for this.)
Or, more calmly, take a deep breath. Start today with just one thing that doesn’t involve policy, politics, shutdown, and Trump’s attacks on our government.
Today I gathered all the books I’ve read recently, i.e., the ones I’m willing to part with. I put them into a large bag that I could barely lift, and carefully headed out. My neighborhood has lots of Little Libraries on the iron fences, so every time I passed one, block after block, I stuffed a few books into another Little Library.
And just like that, I shared a dozen books and — shhh — managed to bring home four new-to-me books. It was ACCOMPLISHMENT #1 for the day.
Whew! And onward!
The official bad news today should not have been a surprise — Trump’s 4:00 meeting with Schumer and Jeffries did not result in any solutions.
So our job is to stand steady — keep the message strong. Think of yourself like a rock. We’re holding steady, and we are dependable. No chickening out on our values now. We can do this.
Need background?
- Shutdowns generally do not cause significant harm to the national economy, although this one may affect the MD/DC/VA region more than usual.
- Shutdowns remind people of what they could lose in the argument. In this case, take your pick.
- Fight for the return of healthcare aid dollars that Trump’s BIG not-so-BEAUTIFUL BILL took away. It’s our money. Demand it be returned!
- Or, help the billionaires get some BIG not-so-BEAUTIFUL Tax Breaks.
- Employees who are laid off usually receive back pay after the deals are finalized.
- What may be different is Trump’s threats to fire employees and not bring them back to do the people’s work. This is illegal. It can be expected that such actions will generate lawsuits, many lawsuits. Roberts and his packed Court can read the polls. This time, they need to understand that Trump is underwater and if he doesn’t change his ways, he will likely drown and take the Court down with him.
Most importantly, people care a lot more about healthcare than about whether billionaires receive their tax breaks, so our next task is to continue telling our story.
This possible shutdown is about money in your pocket. Ask your neighbor: Do you want to pay a lot more for insurance so the billionaires can have more tax breaks? What about Grandma? She depends upon Medicaid to keep her in the nursing home.
- Tuesday, September 30th, 6:00 PM. Join us at the Capitol to support health care funding and our Democratic leaders.
- Saturday, October 18th, 12:00 Noon to 3:00 PM. Join us near the Washington Monument for the big NO KINGS RALLY. From the Smithsonian Metro, it’s just a block west.
- NO THRONES. NO CROWNS. NO KINGS!
- Not from the DC area? Find your local NO KINGS Rally on this map.
- Call your Members of Congress.
- HOUSE — 202.225.3121.
- SENATE — 202.224.3121
- Call your Aunt “Mable” … ask her to help spread the word.
- Work your Facebook page and your other social media pages.
- Put a sign in your yard. Let your voice be heard.
RESIST: The power of the people is greater than the people in power.