Hi Simon, is there a possibility to claw back some of the funding cuts from BBB in the upcoming budget fight or is that not possible under the budgetary rules?
The budget is basically the implementation of those priorities, so yes. I think we need to have someone on who can explain more about how budget process works, I only know what I learned from asking someone who worked on The Hill.
<sarcasm> I'm really excited to pay significantly more for everything! </sarcasm>
Real Talk: Wife bought a dress from a manufacturer in New Zealand. It was $300 (original price), discounted to $150... then the tariffs brought it back up to $325. I feel the WIN there.
Wait, did I say WIN? I mean LOSE. America is a BIG LOSER under Trump.
I am delighted to see Trump’s growing unpopularity and the increasing voter opposition to his policies, thoroughly documented by Simon in each Hopium. Meanwhile, what concerns me is that Trump’s power keeps increasing alarmingly – and I think this more than "policy success" is his prime objective.
We keep fighting, we keep making calls, writing letters and op-eds, spreading information and being loud voices. This is the way! I do hope there comes a time when a small but critical number of Senators and House Representatives break with him and say: "No! This is a bridge too far."
I wouldn’t be surprised to start seeing more resignations from the GOP now that Mark Green has resigned, but I’m not sure we’ll see more rebellion from them than that.
Doing just that this week. Scribbling away to get 100 out by the Friday deadline (news-oriented postcards about Medicaid cuts). I have the ink smudges on my left pinky to prove it.
I'm thinking I'm just going to call on my Senators to demand release the Epstein files. I'm pretty sure they don't listen to anything else I say. Scott and Moody are amongst the worst Senators in the country.
On Wednesday I will send my latest batch of 25 postcards for voter registration for the PA Supreme Court race.
Patrick, I’m with you on calling my 3 GOP congresspersons to demand Epstein transparency! It’s the one thing that they *might* actually follow through on in line with my phone calls.
Since their votes for the Big Ugly Bill, I’ve had to give myself a mental readjustment regarding my daily phone calls against ICE, tariffs, Senate confirmations, etc. I now do those calls solely for the satisfaction of denying them the last word. So go ahead, Grassley, Ernst, Miller-Meeks…your minions dutifully record the complaints I offer you each day and then send me back your mealy-mouthed BS that “Trump’s tariffs are great for Iowa’s economy!”, and “trump is saving us from dangerous illegals!”, and “Bove is a true patriot!”.
Whatever. I’m still gonna keep calling you out. You’ll never get to think that you out-lasted me.
I have a very politically active friend in Cedar Rapids who is completely with you and works with her Indivisible group to bring down Ernst. Go, Blue Iowa!
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to ask them to do whatever they can about the tariffs and to keep the Epstein issue front and center. Today, I'm writing postcards to North Carolina voters.
The best way to do this is to cancel your subscription. Go to the icon on the top right (to the right of "Upgrade to founding," click on it, select subscriptions, and scroll down.
I am confused by the chart you published twice in this post. While you introduce it as showing trump underwater on issues, it appears from this chart that majorities approve these efforts. Please help me understand.
You caused me to take a second look at the chart, Peggy! You have to follow the color of the word Approve and Disapprove. It only lines up directly with border security then switches sides. Does that make more sense?
Yeah, that was surprisingly poor chart design for someone as good as Morris. I had to do a double-take, which I never would have done if Simon hadn't set up what the chart contained for us. An average Joe skimming through the news would see it and just assume was going great for MAGA.
I can see why he did it, of course (to deal with the fact that the results weren't *quite* unidirectional), but there are better ways to visually account for that. Hopefully Morris reads Hopium (and the chat, at least when he's featured)--I'll bet he's a subscriber--and will get (and change) the picture.
When I call my two GA senators today, I will ask them to support "The Visible Act" -- introduced by Senators Booker and Padilla. Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement ... The bill mandates that immigration enforcement officers display clear, visible identification during public-facing operations. The purpose is to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust during immigration enforcement actions.
Recently, an 82-year old man went to replace his green card. He had been a legal resident of the USA since the 1980s, a refugee from Pinochet's regime in Chile. They arrested and deported him to Guatemala. He has health problems.
Tomorrow, I will accompany my wife of 47 years -- a green-card holder and mother of a retired US Navy vet -- to renew her driver's license. This has always been a normal, routine, mundane procedure.
The online application informed us they would be passing information on to Homeland Security. She will have her passport, just in case. And I will also carry mine, just in case.
Still, there's never any guarantees, are there? Looking ahead, a bit of peril tomorrow.
Good God, Thomas--hopefully someone is working to undo the injustice you described. And hope all goes well for you and your beloved. There's a simple solution to all of this, of course: just deport Miller, Homan, and Noem, the real birthright citizens.
Thinking of your wife and you tomorrow, Thomas. Smart to prepare, but I am also furious that the preparation is necessary. Please give your wife our best.
My district adjoins with Marjorie Taylor Greene's, and my rep is even more MAGA and evil than she is. I've let him know what I think of him on MANY occasions. I'd describe it as "never failing to take the opportunity." -- and he provides many. Thank you.
Thank you so much .. you and everyone. I will be with her and wearing my Navy ship's ball cap. There is a better than 90% chance everything will be OK.
The other fork in the road would be if they want to detain her for some inexplicable reason. (if you read the news, it won't be the first time, and my wife is not Caucasian. ... Just asian. I am totally and vocally anti-Trump ... and we'll see if that plays any factor.)
At that point, my best game plan is to offer some kind of deal so she gets sent back to her country. [edit... the country where she was born and raised.] Again... thank you.
Don't forget to 'forget' your phones at home and bring a cheap burner phone instead. I did this for No Kings rally and it gave peace of mind, even though nothing happened.
Preparation is always better than otherwise. In addition, i'm sure you're already on this - have an emergency contact name and number written on an index card that you can quickly give to any bystander who is willing to help. And make a ruckus that will alert others to videotape you if the worst should happen.
We laughed in the car as we left home: "Could you imagine there would be any stress in this?" Happy to report that everything went without incident.
But we're still going to tell the story of how routine things are no longer routine under the Trump regime. Looks like we picked a good day to renew a driver's license.
Thank you! I will do the same. Of all the issues that really disturb me (and there are legions of these), masked unidentified thugs roaming our streets and using racial profiling to snatch people into unmarked vehicles is IMO among the very, very worst. "Show us your papers!" was a phrase that I never expected to hear in this country.
(Like) .. thank you. It's some kind of irony that when Senator Padilla was roughed up and taken to the ground, they claimed he hadn't clearly identified himself as a US senator.
I laughed a bit.. hopelessly .. when I read your post. Laughing at myself. I fantasized that I was showing them my wife's passport -- her home country -- and they showed respect for that. And then... I said..."Hey, if you want her to leave the country, OK.. we'll pay for the ticket. Just let her go back home."
Is it too early to begin focusing on Senate races in 2026? We have a clear path to regain majority in the House, but apart from NC (if Roy Cooper runs!) its hard for me to see a path in the Senate. Would appreciate your thoughts when ready.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Maine and NE are considered good possibilities, along with potential in TX (if it’s Paxton), OH, and maybe even IA given how devastating this agenda is for farmers.
And FWIW, Colbert, who is from South Carolina, is talking about challenging Lindsey Graham, which could be surprisingly interesting, given our country's celebrity culture and mixed feelings about Lindsey. I'm not saying Colbert would win, but he could force them to divert resources without needing any from us, given his name recognition and likely ability to win earned media (a la Trump). And what sweet revenge for him if he went for it, won, and tipped the Senate over to rhe Dems!
Nobody on our side ever thinks the Senate map is good for us. It is the part of Congress that was designed to be undemocratic, so that does make some sense.
But we have won before, and even if we can’t flip it entirely, we can at least win as much as possible. Or even make a lot of races close enough that the Rs have to put in a lot of money and effort to defend a senator.
Personally I don’t think it is too early at all. My local Democratic group is mostly laying the groundwork right now, with registration and getting more people involved, but I live in a leans-red part of California, and so our Senate races aren’t usually the focus here. We are already starting to get organized about voting out our stupid rep, though.
Maine. Iowa (vs "we all die" Ernst). Texas (if Paxton is the GOP nominee, and maybe anyway). Nebraska (if the independent, Osborn wins, and caucuses with the Dems). Ohio, if Brown decides to have another go (though people say he's more likely to run for governor). Florida (against Rubio's replacement); this year's specials suggest Floridians may finally be getting tired of winning, and Trump is down 26 with Hispanics nationally since 1/20.
Of course they have to hold onto GA, but with Osoff getting Election Eve levels of enthusiasm 15 months out, that's looking good. I'm originally from the upper Midwest, born in MI, raised in WI, and spent significant time canvassing in the latter this spring. There's no way the GOP is going to flip MI, no matter who they run. For starters, Dearborn ain't going to repeat 2024--they had buyer's remorse the morning after, and things have just gone downhill from there. Hope this is helpful--and hopeful.
I'm in MI and hoping you're right. Before long ICE thugs will likely be showing up in Detroit, given the unholy budget they've got now. That should prove persuasive to anyone else in Dearborn who hasn't yet regretted their vote. Also, no peace in Gaza yet, is there?
wow! this epstein mess is seismic! house leader johnson begged for more transparency. now refuses to let the house vote because he is afraid of epstein transparency, shutting down the house on all work! donny 2 dolls melting down rapidly and trying to distract as he always does. while DOJ is personally meeting with epstein partner in crime ghislaine maxwell. and 1000 fbi agents had to rush through 100,000 docs to scrub donny 2 dolls. he is definitely in the files. but guess they will delete it before showing to public. it will be a massive cover up. and ultimately, he can pardon maxwell from prison. so much bigger than watergate! this scandal is now consuming the govt! oh and the bday card for epstein from donny boy, cant forget that!
In the spirit of bipartisanship, I called Congresswoman Boebert's office to congratulate her on working in a bipartisan manner with the two Democratic Senators from Colorado to pass a bill to complete a project. "This is a much better way to support her constituents," I said. "Much better than performance theater." I couldn't help myself...I had to put in a little dig.
For the Senators, I told them that it was good they worked with Boebert - maybe they can get her to act on behalf of her constituents for a change. And I encouraged them to do whatever they can to halt or pause the August tariffs. Carter, the young man at Senator Bennet's office, said the Senator is working on it.
Self report from WI. Several sets of calls are in to Republican members regarding ICE, tariffs, Ukraine, science… our main topics of concern. I ended my calls with “I expect and look forward to in person town halls during your recess”
Continue to write postcards for VBM in Florida and attending local protests. Thanks for all your work, Simon and community.
His whole agenda being underwater is incredible and unsurprising. I think he’ll be at his base of 32% soon. I was hoping he’d be at 32% by August but he’s certainly working his way there. His rating is starting to hurt the GOP as a whole now too.
Maybe not relevant to this post, but my self report is that I’m continuing my donation to the DNC to help out with the new 57(?) states and territories strategy and doubled what I could. I like seeing the long term strategy the new DNC wants to work on.
Tariffs + deficits (caused by tax cuts) = taxflation. Imnsho, Dems should be using this term relentlessly and getting the media to use it too, rather than more pointed ones like Trumpflation.
Why?
(1) Because the term itself, like stagflation, is non-partisan, so easier for the corporate media to pick up and easier for persuadable Trump supporters to hear without just automatically going to their corners and putting up their dukes.
(2) The focus of the term isn't on Trump (where he wants it), it's on helping people understand what they clearly didn’t in 2024, which is that these things--tariffs and deficits--cause inflation, and why/how they do so
As the term gets picked up, like stagflation or vibecession, we can then be quite clinical in its use, like doctors diagnosing a disease, ie "Trump's policies are causing taxflation."
"Stagflation" was devastating for Carter because it sounded like some kind of Gordian knot that only a superhero could cut through or reverse (enter Reagan). "Vibecession" was devastating for Biden because people just couldn’t imagine this washed-out old guy changing the vibe in a positive way.
"Taxflation" could be devastating for Trump because people don't normally associate taxes with inflation--it sounds like something you'd have to be actively idiotic, ignorant, and incompetent to allow or cause to happen, the economic equivalent of untreated syphillis (w/o a Purple Heart), like you have to be actually trying to fuck up to cause. Touche, touche, and touche, right?
I like it. I might use that, especially around my friends. But I have been accused my whole life of being arrogant because I have a big vocabulary. (I’m really not; I just like words.)
So for the moment I feel safer sticking with “tariffs raise prices,” and “tariffs are taxes that we pay.”
Have Squeaker Johnson and Ghislaine Maxwell just become a great deal more influential at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? So, do a YouTube search on “Katie Johnson interview 2016”. Her interview as a recollection of her former 13-year-old self might be unsettling for some Republicans outside of MAGA. You can judge for yourself if she reads as credible. As some people may know, pimps and their recruiters definitely run operations at major city bus stations looking for “strays”.
It seems that a number of formerly young women are beginning to speak out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmagG6Odkow . Please see my thoughts below on “kompromat”. This is a NATIONAL SECURITY issue with likely witnesses.
ON REPEAT
Where is Jill Stein?
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
Always remember that the right-wing obsession with Democrats/liberals being literal blood-sucking pedophiles (see the masthead above per Silicon Valley) was a key reason for their hatred toward rank-and-file Democrats. Think about QAnon (note that Dolos is the hero of this extreme conspiracy): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAnon . So, this inherent belief in the evil of Democrats (i.e. harming and trafficking children) would make violence toward these evil-doers “acceptable” as their behavior was believed to be INHUMAN - a key ingredient for all human atrocities (note the Voltaire quote).
This conspiratorial political phenomenon was so captivating that the BBC created a multi-year podcast (“The Coming Storm”): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001324r. Please recall “The Day of the Rope” and the gallows present at the January 6 Insurrection. If one listens to many current Republican operatives, it seems that the “hatred” remains. These passions must be managed.
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S. : DEMOCRATIC officials keep mentioning (and showing) Jan. 6 and the PARDONS relative to the current “law and order” push by Dolos and his associates. This is a simple but strong contrast. Use social media to promote testimonies by former “January 6 Commission” members and witnesses. YES, re-litigate Jan. 6 - again and again and again. Dolos needs to realize that he lives in a GLASS HOUSE. Go on Faux News Channel because it is just like an “unrepresented” Republican district - i.e. plenty of visuals devoid of facts. The VISUAL EVIDENCE IS NOW ON YOUR SIDE. GO ON ESPN (a male-leaning channel) and express concern about the viability of the pending World Cup with actors like Dolos and Miller in the mix. With measles rampant and anti-vax officials influencing policy, will tourists want to visit the USA (weak ticket sales?): https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/heres-what-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-said-about-ice-cbp-agents-at-club-world-cup/ar-AA1GwUkA ?
P.P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
P.P.P.S.: Every local office of the Democratic Party and of the elected officials (including state representatives on up) must become a site for civic teach-ins and a clearing house for needed services (with Federal departments being sabotaged). The fact is that Democrats believe in the value of government and of government service, and the other side (i.e. the MAGAts and the illiberals) simply doesn’t. This engagement process will make registering partisan voters and teaching civics much easier.
Hi Simon, is there a possibility to claw back some of the funding cuts from BBB in the upcoming budget fight or is that not possible under the budgetary rules?
The budget is basically the implementation of those priorities, so yes. I think we need to have someone on who can explain more about how budget process works, I only know what I learned from asking someone who worked on The Hill.
<sarcasm> I'm really excited to pay significantly more for everything! </sarcasm>
Real Talk: Wife bought a dress from a manufacturer in New Zealand. It was $300 (original price), discounted to $150... then the tariffs brought it back up to $325. I feel the WIN there.
Wait, did I say WIN? I mean LOSE. America is a BIG LOSER under Trump.
I am delighted to see Trump’s growing unpopularity and the increasing voter opposition to his policies, thoroughly documented by Simon in each Hopium. Meanwhile, what concerns me is that Trump’s power keeps increasing alarmingly – and I think this more than "policy success" is his prime objective.
We keep fighting, we keep making calls, writing letters and op-eds, spreading information and being loud voices. This is the way! I do hope there comes a time when a small but critical number of Senators and House Representatives break with him and say: "No! This is a bridge too far."
I don't see it that way. I think his power is waning.
I truly hope so!!!!
I wouldn’t be surprised to start seeing more resignations from the GOP now that Mark Green has resigned, but I’m not sure we’ll see more rebellion from them than that.
Last time the rats started plummeting off the side of the Congressional ship as the midterms approached. I expect that will happen again. Hope so!
Get with a bunch of friends to write postcards to Virginians! https://turnoutpac.org/postcards/
Doing just that this week. Scribbling away to get 100 out by the Friday deadline (news-oriented postcards about Medicaid cuts). I have the ink smudges on my left pinky to prove it.
I'm thinking I'm just going to call on my Senators to demand release the Epstein files. I'm pretty sure they don't listen to anything else I say. Scott and Moody are amongst the worst Senators in the country.
On Wednesday I will send my latest batch of 25 postcards for voter registration for the PA Supreme Court race.
Who are you postcarding for?
Field Team 6.
thanks, do they have a website?
https://fieldteam6.herokuapp.com
Thanks! Will contact them after I finish this group of postcards for Virginia.
Patrick, I’m with you on calling my 3 GOP congresspersons to demand Epstein transparency! It’s the one thing that they *might* actually follow through on in line with my phone calls.
Since their votes for the Big Ugly Bill, I’ve had to give myself a mental readjustment regarding my daily phone calls against ICE, tariffs, Senate confirmations, etc. I now do those calls solely for the satisfaction of denying them the last word. So go ahead, Grassley, Ernst, Miller-Meeks…your minions dutifully record the complaints I offer you each day and then send me back your mealy-mouthed BS that “Trump’s tariffs are great for Iowa’s economy!”, and “trump is saving us from dangerous illegals!”, and “Bove is a true patriot!”.
Whatever. I’m still gonna keep calling you out. You’ll never get to think that you out-lasted me.
I like the stubbornness. I am similarly constructed.
I have a very politically active friend in Cedar Rapids who is completely with you and works with her Indivisible group to bring down Ernst. Go, Blue Iowa!
Simon, thanks for this strong dose of good news!
I called Congressman Raskin and Senators Alsobrooks and Van Hollen to ask them to do whatever they can about the tariffs and to keep the Epstein issue front and center. Today, I'm writing postcards to North Carolina voters.
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I am confused by the chart you published twice in this post. While you introduce it as showing trump underwater on issues, it appears from this chart that majorities approve these efforts. Please help me understand.
You caused me to take a second look at the chart, Peggy! You have to follow the color of the word Approve and Disapprove. It only lines up directly with border security then switches sides. Does that make more sense?
Thanks! Now I get it!
Yeah, that was surprisingly poor chart design for someone as good as Morris. I had to do a double-take, which I never would have done if Simon hadn't set up what the chart contained for us. An average Joe skimming through the news would see it and just assume was going great for MAGA.
I can see why he did it, of course (to deal with the fact that the results weren't *quite* unidirectional), but there are better ways to visually account for that. Hopefully Morris reads Hopium (and the chat, at least when he's featured)--I'll bet he's a subscriber--and will get (and change) the picture.
When I call my two GA senators today, I will ask them to support "The Visible Act" -- introduced by Senators Booker and Padilla. Visible Identification Standards for Immigration-Based Law Enforcement ... The bill mandates that immigration enforcement officers display clear, visible identification during public-facing operations. The purpose is to promote transparency, accountability, and public trust during immigration enforcement actions.
Recently, an 82-year old man went to replace his green card. He had been a legal resident of the USA since the 1980s, a refugee from Pinochet's regime in Chile. They arrested and deported him to Guatemala. He has health problems.
Tomorrow, I will accompany my wife of 47 years -- a green-card holder and mother of a retired US Navy vet -- to renew her driver's license. This has always been a normal, routine, mundane procedure.
The online application informed us they would be passing information on to Homeland Security. She will have her passport, just in case. And I will also carry mine, just in case.
Still, there's never any guarantees, are there? Looking ahead, a bit of peril tomorrow.
Someone has a quota to make.
Good God, Thomas--hopefully someone is working to undo the injustice you described. And hope all goes well for you and your beloved. There's a simple solution to all of this, of course: just deport Miller, Homan, and Noem, the real birthright citizens.
Please come back and tell us how it goes.
yes... for sure. thank you and everyone.
Thinking of your wife and you tomorrow, Thomas. Smart to prepare, but I am also furious that the preparation is necessary. Please give your wife our best.
We hope that by preparing "Murphy" will kick into gear -- and that it will all have been unnecessary. We'll know in about 24 hours.
Good god, I'm so sorry. Do you have a blue rep? if so, you might call them to see if someone can accompany you?
My district adjoins with Marjorie Taylor Greene's, and my rep is even more MAGA and evil than she is. I've let him know what I think of him on MANY occasions. I'd describe it as "never failing to take the opportunity." -- and he provides many. Thank you.
There are people worse than mtg? Ugh. I'm so sorry you have someone worse. I didn't think it was possible to be worse than mtg or bobo.
Thomas, sending you and your wife all my best wishes. Hoping all goes smoothly for you both tomorrow.
Thank you so much .. you and everyone. I will be with her and wearing my Navy ship's ball cap. There is a better than 90% chance everything will be OK.
The other fork in the road would be if they want to detain her for some inexplicable reason. (if you read the news, it won't be the first time, and my wife is not Caucasian. ... Just asian. I am totally and vocally anti-Trump ... and we'll see if that plays any factor.)
At that point, my best game plan is to offer some kind of deal so she gets sent back to her country. [edit... the country where she was born and raised.] Again... thank you.
Don't forget to 'forget' your phones at home and bring a cheap burner phone instead. I did this for No Kings rally and it gave peace of mind, even though nothing happened.
Preparation is always better than otherwise. In addition, i'm sure you're already on this - have an emergency contact name and number written on an index card that you can quickly give to any bystander who is willing to help. And make a ruckus that will alert others to videotape you if the worst should happen.
Closing the circle on this. (Thank you again.)
We laughed in the car as we left home: "Could you imagine there would be any stress in this?" Happy to report that everything went without incident.
But we're still going to tell the story of how routine things are no longer routine under the Trump regime. Looks like we picked a good day to renew a driver's license.
Thank you! I will do the same. Of all the issues that really disturb me (and there are legions of these), masked unidentified thugs roaming our streets and using racial profiling to snatch people into unmarked vehicles is IMO among the very, very worst. "Show us your papers!" was a phrase that I never expected to hear in this country.
(Like) .. thank you. It's some kind of irony that when Senator Padilla was roughed up and taken to the ground, they claimed he hadn't clearly identified himself as a US senator.
Showing papers will not prevent them from being arrested and disappeared by those kidnapping thugs!
I laughed a bit.. hopelessly .. when I read your post. Laughing at myself. I fantasized that I was showing them my wife's passport -- her home country -- and they showed respect for that. And then... I said..."Hey, if you want her to leave the country, OK.. we'll pay for the ticket. Just let her go back home."
Is it too early to begin focusing on Senate races in 2026? We have a clear path to regain majority in the House, but apart from NC (if Roy Cooper runs!) its hard for me to see a path in the Senate. Would appreciate your thoughts when ready.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Maine and NE are considered good possibilities, along with potential in TX (if it’s Paxton), OH, and maybe even IA given how devastating this agenda is for farmers.
And Joni Ernst's "everybody dies" video!
Plus some really good Dems challenging Ernst - such as State Rep. JD Scholten.
AK could maybe be in the running too, if Mary Peltola is on the ticket. But she could decide to run for Governor.
https://alaskabeacon.com/2025/07/15/dems-are-salivating-over-a-peltola-bid-for-senate-but-alaska-governor-race-could-be-wide-open/
Susan Collins is not done looking into it, dearie.
And FWIW, Colbert, who is from South Carolina, is talking about challenging Lindsey Graham, which could be surprisingly interesting, given our country's celebrity culture and mixed feelings about Lindsey. I'm not saying Colbert would win, but he could force them to divert resources without needing any from us, given his name recognition and likely ability to win earned media (a la Trump). And what sweet revenge for him if he went for it, won, and tipped the Senate over to rhe Dems!
Nobody on our side ever thinks the Senate map is good for us. It is the part of Congress that was designed to be undemocratic, so that does make some sense.
But we have won before, and even if we can’t flip it entirely, we can at least win as much as possible. Or even make a lot of races close enough that the Rs have to put in a lot of money and effort to defend a senator.
Personally I don’t think it is too early at all. My local Democratic group is mostly laying the groundwork right now, with registration and getting more people involved, but I live in a leans-red part of California, and so our Senate races aren’t usually the focus here. We are already starting to get organized about voting out our stupid rep, though.
Maine. Iowa (vs "we all die" Ernst). Texas (if Paxton is the GOP nominee, and maybe anyway). Nebraska (if the independent, Osborn wins, and caucuses with the Dems). Ohio, if Brown decides to have another go (though people say he's more likely to run for governor). Florida (against Rubio's replacement); this year's specials suggest Floridians may finally be getting tired of winning, and Trump is down 26 with Hispanics nationally since 1/20.
Of course they have to hold onto GA, but with Osoff getting Election Eve levels of enthusiasm 15 months out, that's looking good. I'm originally from the upper Midwest, born in MI, raised in WI, and spent significant time canvassing in the latter this spring. There's no way the GOP is going to flip MI, no matter who they run. For starters, Dearborn ain't going to repeat 2024--they had buyer's remorse the morning after, and things have just gone downhill from there. Hope this is helpful--and hopeful.
I'm in MI and hoping you're right. Before long ICE thugs will likely be showing up in Detroit, given the unholy budget they've got now. That should prove persuasive to anyone else in Dearborn who hasn't yet regretted their vote. Also, no peace in Gaza yet, is there?
wow! this epstein mess is seismic! house leader johnson begged for more transparency. now refuses to let the house vote because he is afraid of epstein transparency, shutting down the house on all work! donny 2 dolls melting down rapidly and trying to distract as he always does. while DOJ is personally meeting with epstein partner in crime ghislaine maxwell. and 1000 fbi agents had to rush through 100,000 docs to scrub donny 2 dolls. he is definitely in the files. but guess they will delete it before showing to public. it will be a massive cover up. and ultimately, he can pardon maxwell from prison. so much bigger than watergate! this scandal is now consuming the govt! oh and the bday card for epstein from donny boy, cant forget that!
I'm convinced johnson is on the list. Otherwise, he'd release it.
Hi Patriots,
In the spirit of bipartisanship, I called Congresswoman Boebert's office to congratulate her on working in a bipartisan manner with the two Democratic Senators from Colorado to pass a bill to complete a project. "This is a much better way to support her constituents," I said. "Much better than performance theater." I couldn't help myself...I had to put in a little dig.
For the Senators, I told them that it was good they worked with Boebert - maybe they can get her to act on behalf of her constituents for a change. And I encouraged them to do whatever they can to halt or pause the August tariffs. Carter, the young man at Senator Bennet's office, said the Senator is working on it.
Self report from WI. Several sets of calls are in to Republican members regarding ICE, tariffs, Ukraine, science… our main topics of concern. I ended my calls with “I expect and look forward to in person town halls during your recess”
Continue to write postcards for VBM in Florida and attending local protests. Thanks for all your work, Simon and community.
His whole agenda being underwater is incredible and unsurprising. I think he’ll be at his base of 32% soon. I was hoping he’d be at 32% by August but he’s certainly working his way there. His rating is starting to hurt the GOP as a whole now too.
Maybe not relevant to this post, but my self report is that I’m continuing my donation to the DNC to help out with the new 57(?) states and territories strategy and doubled what I could. I like seeing the long term strategy the new DNC wants to work on.
I started a monthly contribution to the DNC recently. I like what Ken Martin and the team there are doing to help all 50 states.
Tariffs + deficits (caused by tax cuts) = taxflation. Imnsho, Dems should be using this term relentlessly and getting the media to use it too, rather than more pointed ones like Trumpflation.
Why?
(1) Because the term itself, like stagflation, is non-partisan, so easier for the corporate media to pick up and easier for persuadable Trump supporters to hear without just automatically going to their corners and putting up their dukes.
(2) The focus of the term isn't on Trump (where he wants it), it's on helping people understand what they clearly didn’t in 2024, which is that these things--tariffs and deficits--cause inflation, and why/how they do so
As the term gets picked up, like stagflation or vibecession, we can then be quite clinical in its use, like doctors diagnosing a disease, ie "Trump's policies are causing taxflation."
"Stagflation" was devastating for Carter because it sounded like some kind of Gordian knot that only a superhero could cut through or reverse (enter Reagan). "Vibecession" was devastating for Biden because people just couldn’t imagine this washed-out old guy changing the vibe in a positive way.
"Taxflation" could be devastating for Trump because people don't normally associate taxes with inflation--it sounds like something you'd have to be actively idiotic, ignorant, and incompetent to allow or cause to happen, the economic equivalent of untreated syphillis (w/o a Purple Heart), like you have to be actually trying to fuck up to cause. Touche, touche, and touche, right?
I like it. I might use that, especially around my friends. But I have been accused my whole life of being arrogant because I have a big vocabulary. (I’m really not; I just like words.)
So for the moment I feel safer sticking with “tariffs raise prices,” and “tariffs are taxes that we pay.”
Have Squeaker Johnson and Ghislaine Maxwell just become a great deal more influential at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? So, do a YouTube search on “Katie Johnson interview 2016”. Her interview as a recollection of her former 13-year-old self might be unsettling for some Republicans outside of MAGA. You can judge for yourself if she reads as credible. As some people may know, pimps and their recruiters definitely run operations at major city bus stations looking for “strays”.
It seems that a number of formerly young women are beginning to speak out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmagG6Odkow . Please see my thoughts below on “kompromat”. This is a NATIONAL SECURITY issue with likely witnesses.
ON REPEAT
Where is Jill Stein?
"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities."
- Voltaire
As has been shared previously, many of the “Tech Lords” want to live forever or at least for many decades beyond the current life expectancy metrics: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/08/peter-thiel-wants-to-inject-himself-with-young-peoples-blood and https://www.the-sun.com/tech/12325767/silicon-valley-immortality-bryan-johnson-neuralink/ . They just need compliant FDA and HHS officials to loosen the regulations for their research. Would large donations help?
Folks:
What if the Tsar knows the truth about Dolos, Epstein, and the trafficked victims? Remember that Russian intelligence has been tracking Dolos since his first marriage (to the Czech National Ivana Trump) in the 1970s: https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/why-did-czech-communist-secret-police-have-a-dossier-on-donald-trump/lwekp32yv . So, if he fed his desires with help from Epstein, who had multiple phone numbers for Dolos, the Russians and consequently the Tsar would have plenty of opportunity to obtain substantial amounts of “kompromat” over decades. Remember Epstein was famous for having secret cameras in his residences: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8361607/Jeffrey-Epsteins-surveillance-cameras-blackmail-scheme-extort-powerful-friends.html . Beyond “Russia, Russia, Russia”, THIS DOLOS/EPSTEIN FIFTEEN-PLUS YEAR RELATIONSHIP IS A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE AND NOT JUST A PUERILE HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE!
In fact, the author, Michael Wolf, who is supposedly contemplating an Epstein biography, has reportedly seen some evidence (i.e. photos) of Dolos in a compromising position with young women while his prospective biography subject was still breathing: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_JQk45G_d7Y . What if Dolos had this desire for the “young” even before his Epstein friendship: https://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a29514931/trump-groped-models-backstage-all-the-presidents-women-excerpts/ and https://www.ranker.com/list/john-casablancas-stories/melissa-sartore?
Since Dolos is now scaring off his fellow Republicans to quit the Epstein story, it is probably important for independent entities to push back: https://www.mediaite.com/opinion/fox-friends-obeys-trumps-orders-and-completely-ignores-maga-outrage-over-epstein-files/ . SO, HERE IS A SEVEN YEAR OLD DOCUMENTARY ABOUT DOLOS AND THE “YOUNG”COMMISSIONED BY THE BBC THAT DOESN’T SEEM TO BE IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE - ON THE BBC: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB0IpYuYzk0 . One can come to his or her own conclusions as to why the video is only accessible via a third-party source on YouTube (defamation?).
Always remember that the right-wing obsession with Democrats/liberals being literal blood-sucking pedophiles (see the masthead above per Silicon Valley) was a key reason for their hatred toward rank-and-file Democrats. Think about QAnon (note that Dolos is the hero of this extreme conspiracy): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAnon . So, this inherent belief in the evil of Democrats (i.e. harming and trafficking children) would make violence toward these evil-doers “acceptable” as their behavior was believed to be INHUMAN - a key ingredient for all human atrocities (note the Voltaire quote).
This conspiratorial political phenomenon was so captivating that the BBC created a multi-year podcast (“The Coming Storm”): https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001324r. Please recall “The Day of the Rope” and the gallows present at the January 6 Insurrection. If one listens to many current Republican operatives, it seems that the “hatred” remains. These passions must be managed.
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S. : DEMOCRATIC officials keep mentioning (and showing) Jan. 6 and the PARDONS relative to the current “law and order” push by Dolos and his associates. This is a simple but strong contrast. Use social media to promote testimonies by former “January 6 Commission” members and witnesses. YES, re-litigate Jan. 6 - again and again and again. Dolos needs to realize that he lives in a GLASS HOUSE. Go on Faux News Channel because it is just like an “unrepresented” Republican district - i.e. plenty of visuals devoid of facts. The VISUAL EVIDENCE IS NOW ON YOUR SIDE. GO ON ESPN (a male-leaning channel) and express concern about the viability of the pending World Cup with actors like Dolos and Miller in the mix. With measles rampant and anti-vax officials influencing policy, will tourists want to visit the USA (weak ticket sales?): https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/heres-what-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-said-about-ice-cbp-agents-at-club-world-cup/ar-AA1GwUkA ?
P.P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
P.P.P.S.: Every local office of the Democratic Party and of the elected officials (including state representatives on up) must become a site for civic teach-ins and a clearing house for needed services (with Federal departments being sabotaged). The fact is that Democrats believe in the value of government and of government service, and the other side (i.e. the MAGAts and the illiberals) simply doesn’t. This engagement process will make registering partisan voters and teaching civics much easier.